Bipolar plate structure of hydrogen fuel cell

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of fuel cells, and particularly discloses a hydrogen fuel cell bipolar plate structure which comprises a partition plate, a first stamping plate and a second stamping plate are fixedly connected to the two sides of the partition plate respectively, and a plurality of groove structures are arranged on the two sides of the first stamping plate and the two sides of the second stamping plate respectively. The groove structure is matched with the partition plate and the proton exchange membrane to form a cooling liquid channel, a hydrogen channel, an oxygen internal channel and an oxygen external channel; a plurality of connecting ports are formed in the second stamping plate, and the internal oxygen channel is communicated with the external oxygen channel through the connecting ports. According to the bipolar plate structure of the hydrogen fuel cell provided by the invention, the internal oxygen channel and the external oxygen channel are arranged, and the internal oxygen channel is communicated with the external oxygen channel through the connecting port, so that the circulation area of cooling liquid is properly reduced in the whole assembly of the bipolar plate, and the circulation area of oxygen is increased; the design is favorable for improving the problems of insufficient oxygen supply, non-uniform gas circulation, water management and the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of fuel cells, and particularly to a bipolar plate structure for a hydrogen fuel cell. Background Art

[0002] Hydrogen fuel cells have broad application prospects in the field of clean energy, especially in aspects such as transportation and stationary energy generation. The bipolar plate is an important component in a hydrogen fuel cell, responsible for supplying hydrogen and oxygen to the reaction area of the cell, conducting electric current, and at the same time achieving the separation of hydrogen and oxygen, the circulation of coolant, and the uniform distribution of gas flow.

[0003] The existing bipolar plates for hydrogen fuel cells have the following problems:

[0004] 1. Insufficient oxygen supply: In the electrochemical reaction of a hydrogen fuel cell, oxygen reacts with hydrogen to generate electric energy and water. If the oxygen supply is insufficient, the reaction cannot proceed fully, resulting in a decrease in battery efficiency and even catalyst poisoning or ablation.

[0005] 2. Uneven gas flow: Improper design of the oxygen flow channel may lead to uneven oxygen distribution. Some areas may have too much oxygen, while other areas may have insufficient oxygen supply, which will result in low local efficiency and even affect the service life of the battery.

[0006] 3. Water management problem: Improper design of the oxygen flow channel may also affect the effective management of water vapor inside the battery. The accumulation or lack of water vapor may lead to a decline in battery performance and affect the cooling and electrolysis processes of the battery.

[0007] Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide a new bipolar plate structure to solve the problems of insufficient oxygen supply, uneven gas flow, and water management existing in the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a bipolar plate structure for a hydrogen fuel cell to solve the problems existing in the above prior art.

[0009] To achieve the above purpose, the present invention provides a bipolar plate structure for a hydrogen fuel cell, including a separator. First stamping plates and second stamping plates are fixedly connected to both sides of the separator respectively, and the first stamping plates and the second stamping plates are symmetrically arranged; a plurality of groove structures are arranged on both sides of the first stamping plates and the second stamping plates, and the groove structures on both sides of the first stamping plates or the second stamping plates are staggered.

[0010] The groove structure on one side of the first stamping plate is used to cooperate with the partition plate to form a coolant channel, and the groove structure on the other side of the first stamping plate is used to cooperate with the proton exchange membrane to form a hydrogen channel; the groove structure on one side of the second stamping plate is used to cooperate with the partition plate to form an oxygen internal channel, and the oxygen internal channel is correspondingly arranged with the coolant channel; the groove structure on the other side of the second stamping plate is used to cooperate with another proton exchange membrane to form an oxygen external channel, and the oxygen external channel is correspondingly arranged with the hydrogen channel;

[0011] A plurality of connection ports are formed on the second stamping plate, and the oxygen internal channel and the oxygen external channel are communicated through the connection ports.

[0012] Preferably, the plurality of connection ports are respectively arranged on the same side of the plurality of oxygen internal channels.

[0013] Preferably, the plurality of connection ports are respectively arranged on both sides of the plurality of oxygen internal channels, and the plurality of connection ports on both sides of the same oxygen internal channel are arranged in a staggered manner.

[0014] Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of the oxygen internal channel is the same as that of the coolant channel, and the cross-sectional shape of the oxygen external channel is the same as that of the hydrogen channel.

[0015] Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of the oxygen internal channel is one of a trapezoid or a triangle.

[0016] Preferably, guiding components are arranged on both sides of the connection port, and a guiding channel is formed between the two guiding components; the projections of the two guiding components coincide with the connection port, and the direction of the projection is the direction perpendicular to the plane where the connection port is located.

[0017] Preferably, the shape of the connection port is one of a rectangle, a trapezoid, a rhombus, a circle or an ellipse.

[0018] Preferably, the guiding component on one side of the oxygen internal channel is arranged at the downstream end of the connection port, and the guiding component on one side of the oxygen external channel is arranged at the upstream end of the connection port.

[0019] Preferably, the guiding component and the second stamping plate are of an integral structure, and the guiding component is formed by a stamping process.

[0020] Preferably, the guiding component is of an arc-shaped structure.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages and technical effects:

[0022] 1. The bipolar plate structure of the hydrogen fuel cell provided by the present invention, by providing an internal oxygen channel and an external oxygen channel, the internal oxygen channel and the external oxygen channel are connected through a connection port, which appropriately reduces the flow area of the coolant and increases the flow area of oxygen during the entire assembly of the bipolar plate. Such a design is beneficial to improving problems such as insufficient oxygen supply, uneven gas flow, and water management.

[0023] 2. The connection port between the internal oxygen channel and the external oxygen channel is formed by stamping process, forming a connecting hole with upper and lower breaks, and the transition of gas is smoother, which is beneficial for oxygen to enter the gas diffusion layer structure faster. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In order 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 to be used in the embodiments. 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 these drawings.

[0025] Figure 1 is the overall schematic diagram of the bipolar plate structure of the hydrogen fuel cell of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 is the position relationship diagram of the hydrogen channel, oxygen channel and coolant channel of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 is the cross-sectional schematic diagram of the bipolar plate structure of the hydrogen fuel cell of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 is the cross-sectional shape of the internal oxygen channel of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 is the schematic diagram of the shape of the connection port of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 6 is the structural schematic diagram of the connection port of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 7 is the layout diagram of the connection port of the present invention;

[0032] In the figure: 1. Oxygen channel; 2. Hydrogen channel; 3. Coolant channel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0033] It should be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments in the present invention and the features in the embodiments may be combined with each other. The described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention. The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings and in conjunction with the embodiments.

[0034] As Figures 1 to 3 shown, the present invention provides a bipolar plate structure for a hydrogen fuel cell, including a separator plate, with a first stamping plate and a second stamping plate fixedly connected to both sides of the separator plate respectively, and the first stamping plate and the second stamping plate are symmetrically arranged; a plurality of groove structures are provided on both sides of the first stamping plate and the second stamping plate, and the groove structures on both sides of the first stamping plate or the second stamping plate are staggeredly arranged;

[0035] The groove structure on one side of the first stamping plate is used to cooperate with the separator plate to form a coolant channel 3, and the groove structure on the other side of the first stamping plate is used to cooperate with the proton exchange membrane to form a hydrogen channel 2; the groove structure on one side of the second stamping plate is used to cooperate with the separator plate to form an oxygen internal channel, and the oxygen internal channel is correspondingly arranged with the coolant channel 3; the groove structure on the other side of the second stamping plate is used to cooperate with another proton exchange membrane to form an oxygen external channel, and the oxygen external channel is correspondingly arranged with the hydrogen channel 2; the oxygen internal channel and the oxygen external channel together constitute the oxygen channel 1 of the bipolar plate structure.

[0036] A plurality of connection ports are opened on the second stamping plate, and the oxygen internal channel and the oxygen external channel are communicated through the connection ports.

[0037] In a further optimized scheme, the cross-sectional shape of the oxygen internal channel is the same as that of the coolant channel 3, and the cross-sectional shape of the oxygen external channel is the same as that of the hydrogen channel 2.

[0038] As Figure 4 shown, in a further optimized scheme, to increase the force of oxygen blowing towards the gas diffusion layer, so that oxygen can enter the gas diffusion layer faster, which is beneficial to the reaction, the cross-sectional shape of the oxygen internal channel is one of a trapezoid or a triangle.

[0039] As Figure 7 (1) shown, in a further optimized scheme, to facilitate the circulation and diffusion of oxygen, a plurality of connection ports are respectively arranged on both sides of a plurality of oxygen internal channels, and the plurality of connection ports on both sides of the same oxygen internal channel are staggeredly arranged.

[0040] As Figure 7 (2) shown, in a further optimized scheme, to facilitate the circulation and diffusion of oxygen, a plurality of connection ports are respectively arranged on the same side of a plurality of oxygen internal channels.

[0041] As Figure 6As shown, a further optimized solution is that guide components are provided on both sides of the connection port, and a guide channel is formed between the two guide components; the projections of the two guide components coincide with the connection port, and the direction of the projection is perpendicular to the plane where the connection port is located.

[0042] According to a further optimized solution, the guide component located on one side of the oxygen internal passage is arranged at the downstream end of the connecting port, and the guide component located on one side of the oxygen external passage is arranged at the upstream end of the connecting port.

[0043] According to a further optimized solution, the guide assembly and the second stamping plate are an integrated structure, and the guide assembly is formed by a stamping process.

[0044] The solution is further optimized so that the guide component has an arc-shaped structure.

[0045] Because the rounded edges created by the stamping process provide a smoother transition for the gas, it helps oxygen enter the gas diffusion layer faster.

[0046] like Figure 5 As shown, in a further optimized solution, the shape of the connection port is one of a rectangle, a trapezoid, a prism, a circle or an ellipse.

[0047] In the hydrogen fuel cell bipolar plate structure provided by the present invention, when the oxygen in the internal oxygen channel flows to the external oxygen channel, due to the structural setting of the stamping plate, the airflow has a certain angle when flowing out. The oxygen has a certain acceleration and axial force toward the cathode gas diffusion layer at this taper, and will enter the gas diffusion layer faster and more evenly. This flow mode is conducive to oxygen transportation and the gas evenly fills the entire activation reaction area, thereby achieving gas uniformity, thereby making the reaction more complete.

[0048] The above are only preferred specific implementations of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by any technician familiar with the technical field within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A bipolar plate structure for a hydrogen fuel cell, characterized in that It includes a partition plate, with a first stamping plate and a second stamping plate fixedly connected to both sides of the partition plate respectively, and the first stamping plate and the second stamping plate are symmetrically arranged; a plurality of groove structures are provided on both sides of the first stamping plate and the second stamping plate, and the groove structures on both sides of the first stamping plate or the second stamping plate are staggeredly arranged; The groove structures on one side of the first stamping plate are used to cooperate with the partition plate to form a coolant channel (3), and the groove structures on the other side of the first stamping plate are used to cooperate with the proton exchange membrane to form a hydrogen channel (2); the groove structures on one side of the second stamping plate are used to cooperate with the partition plate to form an oxygen internal channel, and the oxygen internal channel is correspondingly arranged with the coolant channel (3); the groove structures on the other side of the second stamping plate are used to cooperate with another proton exchange membrane to form an oxygen external channel, and the oxygen external channel is correspondingly arranged with the hydrogen channel (2); A plurality of connection ports are formed on the second stamping plate, and the oxygen internal channel and the oxygen external channel are communicated through the connection ports.

2. The bipolar plate structure of the hydrogen fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein The plurality of connection ports are respectively arranged on the same side of the plurality of oxygen internal channels.

3. The bipolar plate structure of the hydrogen fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of connection ports are respectively arranged on both sides of the plurality of oxygen internal channels, and the plurality of connection ports on both sides of the same oxygen internal channel are staggeredly arranged.

4. The bipolar plate structure of the hydrogen fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that The cross-sectional shape of the oxygen internal channel is the same as that of the coolant channel (3), and the cross-sectional shape of the oxygen external channel is the same as that of the hydrogen channel (2).

5. The bipolar plate structure of a hydrogen fuel cell according to claim 4, wherein The cross-sectional shape of the oxygen internal channel is one of a trapezoid or a triangle.

6. The hydrogen fuel cell bipolar plate structure according to claim 1, characterized in that Guide assemblies are provided on both sides of the connection port, and a guide channel is formed between the two guide assemblies; the projections of the two guide assemblies coincide with the connection port, and the direction of the projection is perpendicular to the plane where the connection port is located.

7. The bipolar plate structure of the hydrogen fuel cell according to claim 6, characterized in that, The shape of the connection port is one of a rectangle, a trapezoid, a rhombus, a circle or an ellipse.

8. The bipolar plate structure of a hydrogen fuel cell according to claim 6, characterized in that, The guide assembly on one side of the oxygen internal channel is arranged at the downstream end of the connection port, and the guide assembly on one side of the oxygen external channel is arranged at the upstream end of the connection port.

9. The bipolar plate structure of a hydrogen fuel cell according to claim 6, wherein The guide assembly and the second stamping plate are of an integral structure, and the guide assembly is formed by a stamping process.

10. The bipolar plate structure of a hydrogen fuel cell according to claim 9, wherein The guide assembly is of an arc structure.

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