Fuel cell stack inspection and acquisition device

Abstract

The invention relates to a fuel cell stack inspection and acquisition device, which is suitable for a bipolar plate and comprises an inspection sheet body, an outer convex part, a limiting part and an elastic sheet part, the convex part is arranged at one end of the inspection sheet body, and the limiting part is arranged at the other end of the inspection sheet body; a hollow hole is formed in the limiting part; the elastic sheet part extends outwards from one end of the hollow hole, and the elastic sheet part extends towards the outer convex part; and the limiting part, the hollow hole and the elastic sheet part are integrally formed. Compared with a conventional surface contact type voltage acquisition mode, the device is simple in structure and convenient to install, the complexity of an assembly process is greatly reduced, the assembly efficiency is improved, the cost is reduced, the device is reliable and stable in the use process, the device can be well used for monitoring the operation condition of the fuel cell stack in real time, and the device has relatively high practicability and economical efficiency and is suitable for popularization and application. And the product can be produced and used as a general product.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of batteries, and particularly to a fuel cell stack inspection and acquisition device. Background Art

[0002] A fuel cell is a chemical device that directly converts the chemical energy of a fuel into electrical energy, also known as an electrochemical generator, and is the fourth generation of power generation technology after hydraulic power generation, thermal power generation, and nuclear power generation. Before being put into operation, a fuel cell stack needs to undergo a FAT test to detect the voltage of each fuel single cell in the fuel cell stack and determine whether parameters such as the average voltage, variance, and range of the fuel single cells meet the acceptance requirements. Currently, after the fuel cell stack is installed in a vehicle, an inspection device is generally used to detect the single-cell voltage of the fuel single cells to protect the single-cell voltage of the fuel single cells and prevent the voltage of a certain fuel single cell in the stack from being too low, resulting in a stack burnout phenomenon.

[0003] A proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack is composed of multiple single cells connected in series. The space of the stack is relatively enclosed, resulting in its operating performance being directly reflected only by the single-cell voltage of the single cells. Through the transient change of the single-cell voltage, the control strategy and working conditions of the fuel cell stack can be adjusted to ensure that the stack operates stably in the best state and effectively extend the service life of the fuel cell stack. When the single-cell voltage is too low, it will cause the electrochemical activity of the proton exchange membrane to decline, and in severe cases, it will cause the fuel cell stack to depolarize and permanently damage the stack.

[0004] Fuel cell voltage inspection is called the "eyes" of the fuel cell, but the current voltage inspection is relatively cumbersome and has poor stability. The main types include welded type, pin type, glued type, and stamping of metal plates, etc., among which the pin type is relatively mainstream.

[0005] Currently, most of the fuel cell stack CVM (Cell voltage monitor) inspection and acquisition structures in the fuel cell industry use needle terminals. Needle terminals have the disadvantages of "complicated assembly process, time-consuming and laborious; poor connection reliability; easy deformation at the connection part, which is not conducive to the installation of the connector; easy misalignment and short circuit; easy poor contact; easy detachment; large contact resistance, etc.", and cannot fully match the mold opening size of the bipolar plate. During the operation of the entire system, affected by temperature rise, the graphite stack cannot effectively contact the inspection piece better, resulting in problems such as inaccurate voltage signal acquisition or even inability to acquire signals, which cannot better monitor the real-time state of the stack and is not conducive to real-time adjustment of the control strategy and working conditions of the fuel cell stack. Moreover, running in an abnormal state for a long time will also affect the service life of the fuel cell stack. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Based on this, the present invention provides a fuel cell stack inspection and acquisition device, aiming to solve problems such as complex assembly processes of existing fuel cell inspection and acquisition structures, poor connection reliability, easy deformation of connection parts, unfavorable installation of connectors, easy misalignment and short - circuit, easy poor contact and easy detachment, large contact resistance, and inability to match the die - opening size of bipolar plates, etc.

[0007] To achieve the above object, the embodiments of the present invention propose the following technical solutions: A fuel cell stack inspection and acquisition device, applicable to bipolar plates, includes an inspection sheet body, a convex portion, a limiting portion, and a spring piece portion; the convex portion is arranged at one end of the inspection sheet body, and the limiting portion is arranged at the other end of the inspection sheet body; a hollow hole is arranged on the limiting portion; the spring piece portion extends outward from one end of the hollow hole, and the spring piece portion extends towards the convex portion; the limiting portion, the hollow hole, and the spring piece portion are integrally formed.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment, the spring piece portion includes an inclined section and a parallel section; the inclined section is connected to the parallel section; one end of the inclined section far from the parallel section is connected to the hollow hole; the parallel section is arranged parallel to the inspection sheet body.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment, the inclined section extends outward from the edge of one end of the hollow hole, and there is an inclination between the inclined section and the inspection sheet body. In this application, the inclined section is punched out from the edge of the hollow hole without welding.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment, the inclined section and the parallel section are integrally formed; when the spring piece portion is in a natural state, there is a gap between the parallel section and the inspection sheet body.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment, the inspection sheet body, the convex portion, and the limiting portion are integrally formed; an inspection hole is arranged at one end of the convex portion far from the limiting portion; the convex portion is connected to an external plug - in, and the convex portion is adapted to the external plug - in.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment, the inspection sheet body, the convex portion, the limiting portion, and the spring piece portion are all made of phosphor bronze alloy.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment, a nickel - plating layer, a silver - plating layer, or a gold - plating layer is arranged on the surface of the phosphor bronze alloy.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment, a limiting groove is arranged on one side surface of the bipolar plate, and a limiting boss is arranged in the limiting groove; the height of the limiting boss is less than the depth of the limiting groove.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment, the limiting groove and the limiting boss are integrally formed; the limiting groove is adapted to the limiting part; the limiting boss is adapted to the hollow hole.

[0016] As a preferred embodiment, the one side surface is the anode surface of the bipolar plate; when the fuel cell stack inspection and acquisition device is in a working state, the limiting part is clamped in the limiting groove, and the limiting boss is clamped in the hollow hole.

[0017] As a preferred embodiment, when the fuel cell stack inspection and acquisition device is in a working state, the limiting part and the limiting groove are in interference fit, and the limiting boss and the hollow hole are in interference fit; the parallel segments are respectively in contact with the limiting boss and the cathode surface of the bipolar plate adjacent to the bipolar plate.

[0018] The beneficial effects achieved by the present invention:

[0019] (1) The device of the present application does not need to be pre-buried in the limiting groove of the plate, and there is no need to set a protruding part adapted to the inspection device on the plate, which is convenient for the positioning and transportation of the production line, greatly reduces the complexity of the assembly process, improves the assembly efficiency, and reduces the cost.

[0020] (2) By providing a spring piece part on the limiting part, the falling off of the limiting part can be effectively prevented, so that the entire inspection and acquisition device firmly abuts against the inner wall of the limiting groove; the movement of the inspection and acquisition device in the pulling direction is restricted by the limiting boss, and at the same time, the limiting boss bears a large pulling force of the entire inspection and acquisition device in the pulling direction, so that the inspection and acquisition device is stably fixed inside the bipolar plate and will not become loose.

[0021] (3) Through the adapted setting of the hollow hole and the limiting boss, stable connection can be achieved without gluing, which is more convenient for subsequent disassembly and maintenance.

[0022] (4) The outer convex part is adapted to the connection terminal of the external plug-in, so that the width of the outer convex part is the same as the width of the connection terminal, which is easier to match, the connection is more reliable, and it can ensure that the stack inspection module more stably detects the real-time state of the internal voltage, ensure the accuracy and efficiency of the external control strategy, and thus effectively improve the service life of the stack.

[0023] (5) Compared with the conventional method of collecting voltage by surface contact, the structure of the present application is simple, easy to install, reliable and stable during use, can be well used for real-time monitoring of the operation of the fuel cell stack, has high practicability and economy, and can be produced and used as a general product. Description of the Drawings

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings.

[0025] Figure 1 Front view structural schematic diagram of the fuel cell stack inspection and acquisition device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 For Figure 1 Side view structural schematic diagram of the fuel cell stack inspection and acquisition device;

[0027] Figure 3 Partial structural schematic diagram of the bipolar plate according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 For Figure 1 The fuel cell stack inspection and acquisition device of Figure 3 Structural schematic diagram of the connection between the bipolar plate;

[0029] Figure 5 For Figure 4 Partial sectional structural schematic diagram;

[0030] Figure 6 Structural schematic diagram of the connection between the external plug and the fuel cell stack inspection and acquisition device.

[0031] The realization, functional characteristics, and advantages of the object of the present invention will be further described in conjunction with the embodiments with reference to the drawings. Detailed implementation manners

[0032] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, rather than all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] It should be noted that if there are directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, top, bottom...) involved in the embodiments of the present invention, the directional indications are only used to explain the relative position relationship and movement conditions between components in a specific posture (as shown in the drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indications will also change accordingly.

[0034] In this application, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, terms such as "installed", "connected", "joined", "fixed", etc. shall be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it may be the communication inside two components or the interaction relationship between two components, unless otherwise clearly limited. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0035] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intermediate element. When an element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element at the same time.

[0036] In addition, if there are descriptions involving "first", "second", etc. in the embodiments of the present invention, the descriptions of "first", "second", etc. are only for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In addition, the technical solutions between various embodiments can be combined with each other, but it must be based on the ability of those of ordinary skill in the art to implement. When the combination of technical solutions results in contradictions or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by the present invention.

[0037] Specifically, as Figures 1 to 2 shown, the embodiments of the present invention propose the following technical solution: A fuel cell stack inspection and acquisition device, applicable to a bipolar plate 100, includes an inspection sheet body 10, a convex portion 20, a limiting portion 30, and a spring sheet portion 40; the convex portion 20 is disposed at one end of the inspection sheet body 10, and the limiting portion 30 is disposed at the other end of the inspection sheet body 10; a hollow hole 31 is provided on the limiting portion 30; the spring sheet portion 40 extends outward from one end of the hollow hole 31, and the spring sheet portion 40 extends toward the convex portion 20; the limiting portion 30, the hollow hole 31, and the spring sheet portion 40 are integrally formed.

[0038] The device of this application does not need to be pre-buried in the limiting groove of the plate, and there is no need to provide a protruding portion on the plate that is adapted to the inspection device, which is convenient for the positioning and transportation of the production line, greatly reduces the complexity of the assembly process, improves the assembly efficiency, and reduces the cost.

[0039] As a preferred embodiment, the elastic piece portion 40 includes an inclined section 41 and a parallel section 42; the inclined section 41 is connected to the parallel section 42; one end of the inclined section 41 away from the parallel section 42 is connected to the hollow hole 31; the parallel section 42 is arranged parallel to the inspection piece body 10. By providing the inclined section and the parallel section, the inclined section can be punched out from the edge of the hollow hole by stamping, and at the same time, it is beneficial to the connection between the parallel section and the electrode plate, greatly increasing the contact surface between the inspection piece body and the bipolar plate, effectively reducing the contact resistance, and greatly increasing the reliability of the connection.

[0040] By providing the elastic piece portion at the limiting portion, the detachment of the limiting portion can be effectively prevented, so that the entire inspection and acquisition device firmly abuts against the inner wall of the limiting groove; the movement of the inspection and acquisition device in the pulling direction is restricted by the limiting boss, and at the same time, the limiting boss bears a large pulling force of the entire inspection and acquisition device in the pulling direction, so that the inspection and acquisition device is stably fixed inside the bipolar plate and will not become loose. In the present application, the hollow hole 31 is provided at the center of the limiting portion 30, which can well ensure the reliability and stability of the connection.

[0041] As a preferred embodiment, the inclined section 41 extends outward from the edge of one end of the hollow hole 31, and an inclination is provided between the inclined section 41 and the inspection piece body 10. In the present application, the inclined section is punched out from the edge of the hollow hole and does not require welding. The size of the inclination can be set according to actual needs.

[0042] As a preferred embodiment, the inclined section 41 and the parallel section 42 are integrally formed; when the elastic piece portion 40 is in a natural state, a gap is provided between the parallel section 42 and the inspection piece body 10.

[0043] As a preferred embodiment, the inspection piece body 10, the outer convex portion 20 and the limiting portion 30 are integrally formed; an inspection hole 21 is provided at one end of the outer convex portion 20 away from the limiting portion 30; the outer convex portion 20 is connected to an external plug-in 200, and the outer convex portion 20 is adapted to the external plug-in 200. Through the inspection hole, the outer convex portion can be quickly connected to the external plug-in to achieve inspection and acquisition.

[0044] The outer convex portion is adapted to the connection terminal of the external plug-in, so that the width of the outer convex portion is the same as the width of the connection terminal, which is more easily matched, the connection is more reliable, and it can ensure that the internal voltage real-time state of the stack inspection module is detected more stably, ensure the accuracy and efficiency of the external control strategy, and thus effectively improve the service life of the stack.

[0045] As a preferred embodiment, the inspection sheet body 10, the convex portion 20, the limiting portion 30 and the elastic sheet portion 40 are all made of phosphor bronze alloy.

[0046] As a preferred embodiment, a nickel plating layer, a silver plating layer or a gold plating layer is provided on the surface of the phosphor bronze alloy.

[0047] As a preferred embodiment, a limiting groove 101 is provided on one side surface of the bipolar plate 100, and a limiting boss 102 is provided in the limiting groove 101; the height of the limiting boss 102 is less than the depth of the limiting groove 101. In this way, a spacing is provided between the limiting boss 102 and the cathode plate, providing sufficient accommodation space for the elastic sheet portion. The limiting boss is provided at the center of the limiting groove, and the limiting groove is provided at the center of one end of this side surface. In this way, it can be well adapted to the inspection and acquisition device and is convenient for the connection of the inspection and acquisition device, ensuring the stability and reliability of the connection.

[0048] As a preferred embodiment, the limiting groove 101 and the limiting boss 102 are integrally formed; the limiting groove 101 is adapted to the limiting portion 30; the limiting boss 102 is adapted to the hollow hole 31.

[0049] Through the adaptation of the hollow hole and the limiting boss, a stable connection can be achieved without gluing, which is more convenient for subsequent disassembly, assembly and maintenance.

[0050] As a preferred embodiment, the one side surface is the anode surface of the bipolar plate 100; when the fuel cell stack inspection and acquisition device is in a working state, the limiting portion 30 is clamped in the limiting groove 101, and the limiting boss 102 is clamped in the hollow hole 31.

[0051] As a preferred embodiment, when the fuel cell stack inspection and acquisition device is in a working state, the limiting portion 30 and the limiting groove 101 are in interference fit, and the limiting boss 102 and the hollow hole 31 are in interference fit; the parallel segments 42 are respectively in abutting contact with the limiting boss 102 and the cathode surface of the bipolar plate adjacent to the bipolar plate 100.

[0052] During the process of assembling the fuel cell stack inspection and acquisition device into the limiting groove of the bipolar plate, under the extrusion of the bipolar plate, the elastic sheet portion and the entire limiting portion are firmly attached between the two plates, greatly increasing the contact surface between the inspection sheet body and the bipolar plate, effectively reducing the contact resistance, greatly increasing the connection reliability, while reducing the complexity of the assembly process and improving the efficiency.

[0053] After the electric stack is completed, the fuel cell stack inspection and acquisition device of the present application is installed in the limiting groove of the bipolar plate. The limiting part is connected to the limiting boss on the anode surface of the bipolar plate through the hollow hole, and is prevented from falling off under the action of an external pulling force; the elastic piece part and the bipolar plate are squeezed so that the whole limiting part is in close contact with the limiting groove of the bipolar plate, and the limiting part is restricted to be fixed within the area of the limiting groove, so that the inspection and acquisition device is stably installed in the limiting groove of the bipolar plate. The convex part is connected to the limiting part through the inspection piece body and extends outside the limiting groove, which is convenient for connecting and positioning with external components.

[0054] Compared with the conventional method of collecting voltage by surface contact, the structure of the present application is simple, easy to install, reliable and stable during use, can be well used for real-time monitoring of the operation of the fuel cell stack, has high practicability and economy, and can be produced and used as a general-purpose product.

[0055] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to terms such as "one embodiment", "example", etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representation of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example.

[0056] In addition, it should be understood that although this specification is described according to embodiments, not every embodiment only contains an independent technical solution. This narrative way of the specification is only for clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0057] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and do not limit the patent scope of the present invention accordingly. All equivalent structural transformations made under the inventive concept of the present invention by using the content of the specification and drawings of the present invention, or directly / indirectly applied in other related technical fields are included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fuel cell stack inspection and collection device, characterized in that: Suitable for bipolar plates, including an inspection sheet body, an outer protrusion, a limiting portion and a spring portion; the outer protrusion is arranged at one end of the inspection sheet body, and the limiting portion is arranged at the other end of the inspection sheet body; a hollow hole is arranged on the limiting portion; the spring portion extends outward from one end of the hollow hole, and the spring portion extends toward the outer protrusion; the limiting portion, the hollow hole and the spring portion are integrally formed.

2. The fuel cell stack inspection and collection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spring sheet portion includes an inclined section and a parallel section; the inclined section is connected to the parallel section; one end of the inclined section away from the parallel section is connected to the hollow hole; the parallel section is arranged parallel to the inspection sheet body.

3. The fuel cell stack inspection and collection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The inclined section is extended outward from the edge of one end of the hollow hole, and an inclination is arranged between the inclined section and the inspection sheet body.

4. The fuel cell stack inspection and collection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The inclined section and the parallel section are integrally formed; when the spring piece portion is in a natural state, a gap is provided between the parallel section and the inspection sheet body.

5. The fuel cell stack inspection and collection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inspection sheet, the outer protrusion and the limiting portion are integrally formed; an inspection hole is provided at one end of the outer protrusion away from the limiting portion; the outer protrusion is connected to an external plug-in, and the outer protrusion and the external plug-in are adapted to each other.

6. The fuel cell stack inspection and collection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inspection sheet body, the outer protrusion, the limit portion and the spring portion are all made of phosphor bronze alloy; The surface of the phosphor bronze alloy is provided with a nickel plating layer, a silver plating layer or a gold plating layer.

7. The fuel cell stack inspection and collection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A limiting groove is arranged on one side surface of the bipolar plate, and a limiting boss is arranged in the limiting groove; the height of the limiting boss is smaller than the depth of the limiting groove.

8. The fuel cell stack inspection and collection device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The limiting groove and the limiting boss are integrally formed; the limiting groove and the limiting portion are matched to each other; and the limiting boss and the hollow hole are matched to each other.

9. The fuel cell stack inspection and collection device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The one side surface is the anode surface of the bipolar plate; when the fuel cell stack inspection and collection device is in a working state, the limiting portion is clamped in the limiting groove, and the limiting boss is clamped in the hollow hole.

10. The fuel cell stack inspection and collection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the fuel cell stack inspection and collection device is in working state, the limiting portion and the limiting groove have interference fit, and the limiting boss and the hollow hole have interference fit; the parallel section is respectively abutted against the limiting boss and the cathode surface of the bipolar plate adjacent to the bipolar plate.

Images