Fuel cell device

Abstract

Provided is a fuel cell device including: a fuel cell including a plurality of unit cells stacked in a first direction and separators disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the first direction; and a cell connector mounted to the fuel cell in a second direction crossing the first direction, in which the separator includes a plurality of separator pairs, each separator pair including a first separator and a second separator adjacent to each other, and in which the fuel cell further includes: a first gasket provided to form a recess in contact with an edge of the first separator, having insulating properties, and a second gasket provided to form a recess in contact with the edge of the second separator, a second partition plate disposed on the second partition plate, facing the recess in the first direction to define an accommodating groove together with the recess, and having insulativity; the battery connector includes an accommodating groove, and a first terminal portion detachably disposed in the accommodating groove, the first terminal portion having elasticity in a first direction, and the battery connector includes a second terminal portion inserted into the accommodating groove along a second direction so as to be engaged with the first terminal portion in a contact manner in the first direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a fuel cell device. Background Technology

[0002] A fuel cell stack (hereinafter referred to as a "fuel cell stack") can supply electricity to an external load through an electrochemical reaction between air supplied to one surface of a polymer electrolyte membrane and hydrogen supplied to the opposite surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane.

[0003] A fuel cell stack can have a structure with hundreds of cells stacked together. If the individual cells operate normally during the operation of the fuel cell stack, they can generate a predetermined voltage. If any of the hundreds of cells fails to perform normally, the total output of the fuel cell stack decreases. If this reverse voltage phenomenon continues, the operation of the fuel cell stack needs to be stopped.

[0004] The battery monitoring connector (hereinafter referred to as the "battery connector") checks the status of each battery and continuously monitors the voltage of each battery. To do this, the battery connector can make electrical contact with the battery to check the voltage of each cell in the fuel cell stack. Various studies are underway aimed at simplifying the fastening structure between the battery connector and the fuel cell stack. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, embodiments of the present invention relate to a fuel cell device that substantially eliminates one or more problems caused by the limitations and disadvantages of related technologies.

[0006] Embodiments of the present invention provide a fuel cell device with a battery connector that has a simple configuration and can be easily fastened.

[0007] However, the objectives of this invention are not limited to those described above. Other objectives not mentioned herein will be more clearly understood by those skilled in the art based on the following description.

[0008] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention are set forth in part in the following description, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following description, or may be learned from practice of the invention. Furthermore, the objects and other advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of structures particularly pointed out in the written description, its claims, and the accompanying drawings.

[0009] A fuel cell device according to an embodiment may include: a fuel cell including a plurality of cell units stacked along a first direction and separators spaced apart from each other along the first direction; and a battery connector mounted to the fuel cell along a second direction intersecting the first direction. The separators include multiple pairs of separators (i.e., multiple separator pairs), each separator pair including a first separator and a second separator adjacent to each other. The fuel cell further includes: a first gasket configured to form a recess contacting an edge of the first separator, the first gasket being insulating; a second gasket disposed on the second separator and facing the recess along the first direction to define a receiving groove together with the recess, the second gasket being insulating; and a first terminal portion detachably disposed in the receiving groove, the first terminal portion being resilient in the first direction. The battery connector includes a second terminal portion inserted into the receiving groove along the second direction, thereby engaging with the first terminal portion in contact with it in the first direction.

[0010] In one embodiment, the first terminal portion includes an elastic sheet that curves from the edge into the interior of the recess to have a curved shape. Furthermore, the second terminal portion contacts the elastic sheet.

[0011] In one embodiment, the elastic sheet includes: a first end connected to an edge; a second end arranged opposite to the first end in a second direction; and an intermediate portion disposed between the first end and the second end, the intermediate portion having a curved shape.

[0012] In one embodiment, the recess includes: a bottom surface connected to the first end and spaced apart from the second end in a first direction; and a side surface facing the third end of the second terminal portion inserted into and received in a receiving groove in a second direction. The side surface extends from the bottom surface along the first direction.

[0013] In an embodiment, the length of the bottom surface in the second direction is determined such that the elastic sheet of the first terminal portion, which engages with the second terminal portion, maintains its bent shape by preventing the second end from moving in the second direction.

[0014] In one embodiment, the elastic sheet further includes a first protrusion that bends and protrudes away from the bottom surface from the second end along a first direction.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first partition includes a second protrusion that bends and protrudes from the bottom surface along a first direction and is spaced apart from the second end and the side surface.

[0016] In one embodiment, the elastic sheet has a first length in a second direction before being bent into a curved shape. This first length is greater than a second length from the edge of the bottom surface to the side surface.

[0017] In one embodiment, the elastic sheet has a third length in a second direction after being bent into a curved shape. This third length is less than the second length.

[0018] In an embodiment, the third length is less than the fourth length of the second terminal portion in the second direction.

[0019] In one embodiment, the fuel cell device further includes an insulating layer disposed between the first gasket and the second gasket to define a receiving groove together with the recess. The first and second separators are included in each of a plurality of cell units.

[0020] In one embodiment, the plurality of cell units include a first cell unit and a second cell unit that are adjacent to each other. A first separator is included in one of the first cell unit and the second cell unit, and a second separator is included in the remaining one of the first cell unit and the second cell unit.

[0021] In one embodiment, the first width of the receiving groove in a third direction intersecting both the first and second directions is greater than the second width of the second terminal portion in the third direction.

[0022] In one embodiment, the third width of the first terminal portion in the third direction is smaller than the second width.

[0023] In one embodiment, the first thickness of the second terminal portion in the first direction is greater than the second thickness of the first partition in the first direction.

[0024] In this embodiment, the first thickness is defined as: T1 <T3-T2。

[0025] In the above expression, T1 represents the first thickness, T2 represents the second thickness, and T3 represents the third thickness of the first gasket in the first direction.

[0026] In one embodiment, the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion are engaged with each other in a face-to-face contact manner.

[0027] In the example, the fuel cell device may also include a controller connected to a fourth terminal of the second terminal. The fourth terminal may be opposite the third terminal. The controller may be configured to measure the voltage of each of the plurality of cell units.

[0028] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description of the invention are exemplary and illustrative, and are intended to provide further explanation of the claimed invention. Attached Figure Description

[0029] The accompanying drawings, which are provided to further illustrate the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, show embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

[0030] Figure 1 This is a conceptual diagram of a fuel cell device according to an embodiment;

[0031] Figure 2A This is a cross-sectional view of the end plate and battery stack in the fuel cell according to an embodiment;

[0032] Figure 2B This is a perspective view of the separator in the battery stack according to an embodiment;

[0033] Figure 3A When viewed along the second direction Figure 1 A view of an embodiment of the fuel cell device shown;

[0034] Figure 3B When viewed along the second direction Figure 1 A view of another embodiment of the fuel cell device shown;

[0035] Figure 4A yes Figure 3A A perspective view of a fuel cell device;

[0036] Figure 4B yes Figure 3B A perspective view of a fuel cell device;

[0037] Figure 5A This is a partial side view of the first partition, the first gasket, and the first terminal portion according to an embodiment;

[0038] Figure 5B This is a partial perspective view of the first partition, the first gasket, and the first terminal portion according to an embodiment;

[0039] Figure 6 This is a partial side view of the second partition and the second gasket according to an embodiment;

[0040] Figure 7 It is along Figure 4B The cross-sectional view of the fuel cell device shown is taken along line A-A'.

[0041] Figure 8A and Figure 8B This is a partial side view of the first partition and the first gasket used to explain the process of manufacturing the first terminal portion according to the embodiment;

[0042] Figures 9A to 9C These are, respectively, partial side views, partial perspective views, and partial plan views of the first partition, the first gasket, and the first terminal portion according to another embodiment; and

[0043] Figure 9D This is a partial perspective view of the first partition, the first gasket, and the first terminal portion according to yet another embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0044] The invention is now described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which various embodiments are illustrated. However, the examples may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limiting to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, the embodiments are provided so that the invention will be thorough and complete, and will more clearly convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0045] It should be understood that when an element is referred to as being "above" or "below" another element, it may be located directly above or below the element, or there may be one or more intermediate elements.

[0046] When a component is referred to as being "on" or "below" another component, both "below" and "on" can be included based on that component. Furthermore, when a component is referred to as being "adjacent" to another component, this may mean that the component is close to, near, and / or adjacent to the other component, and / or that the component is located within a predetermined distance from the other component.

[0047] Furthermore, relational terms such as “first,” “second,” “above / upper / above,” and “below / lower / under” are used only to distinguish one subject or element from another, and do not necessarily require or involve any physical or logical relationship or sequence between the subjects or elements.

[0048] When a component, unit, controller, device, element, apparatus, etc. (i.e., an apparatus) of the present invention is described as having a certain purpose or performing a certain operation or function, the component, unit, controller, device, element, apparatus, etc. shall be regarded herein as "configured" to satisfy that purpose or perform that operation or function. Each component, unit, controller, device, element, apparatus, etc. may be implemented independently or may include a processor and memory (such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium) as part of the apparatus.

[0049] In the following description, a fuel cell device according to an embodiment is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For ease of description, a Cartesian coordinate system (x-axis, y-axis, z-axis) is used to describe the fuel cell device, but other coordinate systems may also be used. In the Cartesian coordinate system, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis are perpendicular to each other, but the embodiment is not limited to this. In other words, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis may intersect each other at an angle. In the following description, the x-axis direction may be referred to as the "first direction," the y-axis direction may be referred to as the "second direction," and the z-axis direction may be referred to as the "third direction."

[0050] Figure 1 This is a conceptual diagram of a fuel cell device 10 according to an embodiment. Figure 2A These are cross-sectional views of the end plates (pressure plates or compression plates) 110A and 110B in the fuel cell 100 and the battery stack 122. Figure 2BThis is a perspective view of the partition in battery stack 122.

[0051] According to an embodiment, the fuel cell device 10 may include a fuel cell 100, a battery monitoring connector (hereinafter referred to as "battery connector") 400, and a controller (or control circuit) 500.

[0052] The fuel cell 100 may be, for example, a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (or proton exchange membrane fuel cell) (PEMFC), which can be used as a power source to drive a vehicle. The battery connector 400 according to the embodiment can be installed into and removed from the fuel cell 100 in the direction of the arrow. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0053] The fuel cell 100 may include end plates 110A and 110B and a fuel cell stack 122.

[0054] The battery stack 122 may include a plurality of cell cells 122-1 to 122-N stacked in a first direction. The expression “N” is a positive integer of 1 or greater and may range from tens to hundreds. The range of the positive integer “N” may be, for example, from 100 to 300. For example, “N” may be 220. However, the embodiments are not limited to any particular value of “N”. Each of the cell cells 122-1 to 122-N may be referred to as “122-n”.

[0055] Each cell 122-n can generate 0.6 volts to 1.0 volts of power, with an average of 0.7 volts (1 ≤ n ≤ N). Therefore, “N” can be determined based on the intensity of the power to be supplied from the fuel cell 100 to the load. The load refers to the vehicle component that requires electricity when the fuel cell 100 is used in a vehicle.

[0056] Each cell 122-n may include a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) 210, gas diffusion layers (GDL) 222 and 224, separators (or bipolar plates) 242 and 244, and a gasket.

[0057] The membrane electrode assembly 210 has a structure in which a catalyst electrode layer for electrochemical reactions is attached to both sides of an electrolyte membrane through which hydrogen ions migrate. Specifically, the membrane electrode assembly 210 may include a polymer electrolyte membrane (or proton exchange membrane) 212, a fuel electrode (hydrogen electrode or anode) 214, and an air electrode (oxygen electrode or cathode) 216. Furthermore, the membrane electrode assembly 210 may also include a sub-pad 238.

[0058] A polymer electrolyte membrane 212 is disposed between the fuel electrode 214 and the air electrode 216.

[0059] Hydrogen, which serves as fuel in the fuel cell 100, can be supplied to the fuel electrode 214 via the left partition 242, and oxygen-containing air, which serves as an oxidant, can be supplied to the air electrode 216 via the right partition 244.

[0060] Hydrogen supplied to fuel electrode 214 is decomposed by a catalyst into hydrogen ions (protons) (H+) and electrons (e-). Only hydrogen ions can be selectively transferred to air electrode 216 via polymer electrolyte membrane 212, and simultaneously, electrons can be transferred to air electrode 216 via separators 242 and 244, which act as conductors. To achieve this operation, a catalyst layer can be applied to each of fuel electrode 214 and air electrode 216. The aforementioned movement of electrons causes electrons to flow through external wires, thereby generating an electric current. In other words, fuel cell 100 can generate electricity due to the electrochemical reaction between hydrogen (as fuel) and oxygen contained in the air.

[0061] In the air electrode 216, hydrogen ions supplied through the polymer electrolyte membrane 212 and electrons transferred through the separators 242 and 244 meet with oxygen in the air supplied to the air electrode 216, thereby causing a reaction that produces water (“condensate” or “product water”).

[0062] In some cases, fuel electrode 214 may be referred to as the anode and air electrode 216 may be referred to as the cathode. Alternatively, fuel electrode 214 may be referred to as the cathode and air electrode 216 may be referred to as the anode.

[0063] Gas diffusion layers 222 and 224 are used to uniformly distribute hydrogen and oxygen as reactant gases and to transfer the generated electrical energy. For this purpose, gas diffusion layers 222 and 224 can be disposed on corresponding sides of the membrane electrode assembly 210. In other words, the first gas diffusion layer 222 can be disposed on the left side of the fuel electrode 214, while the second gas diffusion layer 224 can be disposed on the right side of the air electrode 216.

[0064] The first gas diffusion layer 222 can be used to diffuse and uniformly distribute hydrogen gas, supplied as a reactant gas, through the left partition 242. The first gas diffusion layer 222 can be conductive. The second gas diffusion layer 224 can be used to diffuse and uniformly distribute air, supplied as a reactant gas, through the right partition 244. The second gas diffusion layer 224 can be conductive.

[0065] Each of the first gas diffusion layer 222 and the second gas diffusion layer 224 may be a microporous layer incorporating fine carbon fibers. However, the embodiments are not limited to any particular form of the first gas diffusion layer 222 and the second gas diffusion layer 224.

[0066] Separators 242 and 244 can be used to move reactant gases and cooling media, and to separate each cell from other cells. Furthermore, separators 242 and 244 can structurally support the membrane electrode assembly 210 and the gas diffusion layers 222 and 224, and collect the generated current and transfer the collected current to the current collector 112.

[0067] The partitions 242 and 244 can be disposed outside the gas diffusion layers 222 and 224, respectively. In other words, the left partition 242 can be disposed on the left side of the first gas diffusion layer 222, and the right partition 244 can be disposed on the right side of the second gas diffusion layer 224.

[0068] The left diaphragm 242 supplies hydrogen as a reactant gas to the fuel electrode 214 through the first gas diffusion layer 222. The right diaphragm 244 supplies air as a reactant gas to the air electrode 216 through the second gas diffusion layer 224. Furthermore, each of the diaphragms 242 and 244 can form a channel through which a cooling medium (e.g., coolant) can flow. Additionally, the diaphragms 242 and 244 can be formed of graphite-based materials, composite graphite-based materials, or metal-based materials. However, the embodiments are not limited to any particular material for the diaphragms 242 and 244.

[0069] Figure 2A The end plates 110A and 110B shown can be disposed at corresponding ends of the battery stack 122 and can support and fix the cell 122-n. In other words, the first end plate 110A can be disposed at one end of the battery stack 122 and the second end plate 110B can be disposed at the opposite end of the battery stack 122.

[0070] Each of end plates 110A and 110B can be configured such that a metal insert is surrounded by a plastic injection-molded product. The metal insert of each of end plates 110A and 110B can have high rigidity to withstand internal surface pressure and can be formed by machining metal material. For example, each of end plates 110A and 110B can be formed by combining multiple plates. However, the embodiments are not limited to any particular configuration of end plates 110A and 110B.

[0071] A current collector 112 may be disposed between the battery stack 122 and the inner surfaces 110AI and 110BI of the end plates 110A and 110B facing the battery stack 122. The current collector 112 is used to collect electrical energy generated by the flow of electrons in the battery stack 122 and supply the electrical energy to a load using the fuel cell.

[0072] In addition, the first end plate 110A may include multiple manifolds (or connecting portions) M. Figure 2AEach of the separators 242 and 244 shown may include a manifold formed in the same shape at the same location as the manifold of the first end plate 110A. The manifold may include an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold. Hydrogen and oxygen, as the reactant gases required in the membrane electrode assembly 210, may be introduced from the outside into the fuel cell stack 122 through the inlet manifold. Gases or liquids may be discharged to the outside of the fuel cell through the outlet manifold, humidifying and supplying reactant gases and condensate generated in the cell in a gaseous or liquid combination. Cooling media may flow into the fuel cell stack 122 from the outside through the inlet manifold and flow out of the fuel cell stack 122 through the outlet manifold. As described above, the manifold allows fluid to flow into and out of the membrane electrode assembly 210.

[0073] To determine the performance of the battery stack 122 and whether it is operating normally or abnormally, the separator 242 or 244 of each battery can be connected to the controller 500 via the battery connector 400. In this way, the voltage of each battery can be measured.

[0074] To explain the connection between battery connector 400 and separator 242 or 244 Figure 2B Only the separator 242 or 244 of each cell included in the fuel cell 100 is shown.

[0075] refer to Figure 2B The fuel cell 100 may include multiple pairs of separators 300-k. Each pair of separators 300-k (1≤k≤N / 2) may include a first separator 300a-k and a second separator 300b-k that are adjacent to each other.

[0076] The battery connector 400 can be installed into the fuel cell 100 in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

[0077] The configuration of the battery connector 400 and the configuration of the fuel cell 100 into which the battery connector 400 is inserted are described below.

[0078] Figure 3A When viewed along the second direction of the inserted battery connector 400 Figure 1 A view of embodiment 10A of the fuel cell device 10 shown. Figure 3B When viewed along the second direction Figure 1 A view of another embodiment 10B of the fuel cell device 10 shown. Figure 4A yes Figure 3A Perspective view. Figure 4B yes Figure 3B Perspective view. Figure 5A This is a partial side view of the first partition 300a-k, the first gasket 310, and the first terminal portion 330A according to an embodiment. Figure 5BThis is a partial perspective view of the first partition 300a-k, the first gasket 310, and the first terminal portion 330A according to an embodiment. Figure 6 This is a partial side view of the second partition 300b-k and the second gasket 320 according to an embodiment. Figure 7 It is along Figure 4B The cross-sectional view taken by line A-A' is shown. Figure 8A and Figure 8B This is a partial side view of the first partition plate 300a-k and the first gasket 310 used to explain the process of manufacturing the first terminal portion 330A.

[0079] The first gasket 310 and the second gasket 320 can be used to maintain the airtightness and clamping pressure of the battery stack at appropriate levels relative to the reactant gas and coolant to distribute stress when the separators 300a-k and 300b-k are stacked, and to independently seal the flow paths. Therefore, airtightness and watertightness are maintained by the first gasket 310 and the second gasket 320, and the flatness of the surface adjacent to the power-generating battery stack 122 can also be ensured. Thus, surface pressure can be uniformly distributed on the reactant surface of the battery stack 122. For this purpose, the first gasket 310 and the second gasket 320 can be formed of insulating rubber. However, the embodiments are not limited to any particular material for the first gasket 310 and the second gasket 320. The first gasket 310 and the second gasket 320 can be formed of various materials, as long as these materials are insulating.

[0080] When adjacent cells in a plurality of cell units are referred to as the first cell unit and the second cell unit, in Figure 3A and Figure 4B In this case, the first separator 300a-k can be one of separators 242 and 244 included in one of the first and second cell batteries, and the second separator 300b-k can be the other of separators 242 and 244 included in the other of the first and second cell batteries, and can be adjacent to the first separator 300a-k. For example, the first separator 300a-k can be separator 244 included in the first cell battery, and the second separator 300b-k can be separator 242 included in the second cell battery and can be adjacent to the first separator 300a-k.

[0081] exist Figure 3B and 4B In this case, the first separator 300a-k can be one of the separators 242 and 244 described above, and the second separator 300b-k can be the other of the separators 242 and 244 described above. In this case, the first separator 300a-k and the second separator 300b-k can be included in each of the multiple cell cells.

[0082] The first gasket 310 and the second gasket 320 can be respectively disposed on the first partition 300a-k and the second partition 300b-k to prevent electrical short circuit.

[0083] According to an embodiment, a first gasket 310 and a second gasket 320 are respectively disposed on a first separator 300a-k and a second separator 300b-k. The first gasket 310 and the second gasket 320 serve as a housing for accommodating the battery connector 400, as described below.

[0084] The first gasket 310 can be configured to form a recess HP that contacts the edge 300e of the first partition 300a-k.

[0085] According to the embodiments, such as Figure 3A and Figure 4A As shown, the second gasket 320 can be disposed on the second partition 300b-k, ​​facing the recess HP in the first direction, thereby defining the receiving groove IH together with the recess HP. Therefore, Figure 8B The first gasket 310 shown and Figure 6 The second gaskets 320 shown can be arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with each other in the first direction.

[0086] According to another embodiment, such as Figure 3B and 4B As shown, an insulating layer 340 may be additionally disposed between the first gasket 310 and the second gasket 320. In this case, the insulating layer 340 (instead of the second gasket 320) may define a receiving groove IH together with the groove HP. This insulating layer 340 may correspond to Figure 2A The sub-gasket 238 is shown. For example, the sub-gasket can be implemented as a PEN (polyethylene naphthalate) film.

[0087] Figure 3A and Figure 4A This corresponds to the case where the first terminal portion 330 is disposed on the cooling surface. In this case, the first partition 300a-k and the second partition 300b-k have the same potential, so the insulating layer 340 can be omitted.

[0088] on the other hand, Figure 3B and 4B This corresponds to the case where the first terminal portion 330 is disposed on the reaction surface. In this case, the first partition 300a-k and the second partition 300b-k, ​​which are configured based on the reaction surface, have different potentials, so the insulating layer 340 can be disposed to prevent short circuits.

[0089] Therefore, since the receiving groove IH is formed by the first gasket 310 and the second gasket 320, or by the first gasket 310 and the insulating layer 340, the height of the receiving groove IH can correspond to the thickness of the first gasket 310. However, the embodiments are not limited to this.

[0090] Since the first terminal portion 330A is disposed in the receiving groove IH, the battery connector 400 can be configured to be in Figure 7 The battery connector 400 is installed or removed in the direction indicated by arrow A1, and can be elastic in the first direction. Therefore, when the battery connector 400 is introduced into the receiving groove IH in the direction indicated by arrow A1, the first terminal portion 330A can be pressed in the direction indicated by arrow A2. In this case, the first terminal portion 330A can have a spring force suitable for maintaining connection with the battery connector 400, while preventing the battery connector 400 inserted into and received in the receiving groove IH from separating from the receiving groove IH.

[0091] like Figure 8A As shown, the first partition 300a-k is manufactured such that the protrusion 332 for forming the first terminal portion 330A protrudes from the edge 300e of the first partition 300a-k.

[0092] After that, as Figure 8B As shown, the protrusion 332 bends from the edge 300e of the first partition 300a-k into the interior of the recess HP, thereby forming as shown in the figure. Figure 7 The first terminal portion 330A shown is in the form of a flexible sheet with a curved shape. The second terminal portion 410 of the battery connector 400, which will be described below, can contact the flexible sheet. The flexible sheet described below may refer to the first terminal portion 330A.

[0093] refer to Figure 5A and Figure 8A The first terminal portion 330A includes a first terminal 330e1, a second terminal 330e2, and an intermediate portion 330c.

[0094] In the first terminal portion 330A, the first end 330e1 corresponds to the portion connected to the edge 300e of the first partition 300a-k. The second end 330e2 corresponds to the portion arranged opposite to the first end 330e1 in the second direction. The intermediate portion 330c corresponds to the portion disposed between the first end 330e1 and the second end 330e2 and having a curved shape.

[0095] The recess HP formed by the first gasket 310 can be composed of a bottom surface 310B and a side surface 310S.

[0096] One side of the bottom surface 310B can be connected to the first end 330e1 and contact the edge 300e, and can be spaced apart from the second end 330e2 in the first direction.

[0097] The side surface 310S is opposite to the end 410e of the second terminal portion 410 inserted and accommodated in the receiving groove IH in the second direction, and the side surface 310S is bent and extended in the first direction from the opposite side of the bottom surface 310B.

[0098] According to one embodiment, in order to... Figure 7 When the elastic sheet 330A is pressed in the direction indicated by arrow A2, the movement of the second end 330e2 in the second direction is stopped. The length between one side and the opposite side of the bottom surface 310B in the second direction can be determined such that the elastic sheet, which is the first terminal portion 330A that engages with the second terminal portion 410, remains in a bent shape.

[0099] In other words, when the second terminal portion 410 is inserted into the receiving groove IH and contacts the first terminal portion 330A, the elastic sheet is pressed along the x-axis direction indicated by arrow A2, causing the second end 330e2 of the first terminal portion 330A to move toward the side surface 310S. In this case, the side surface 310S needs to stop the second end 330e2 so that the first terminal portion 330A maintains its bent shape. For this purpose, the length of the bottom surface 310B needs to be appropriately determined.

[0100] According to an embodiment, in order to enable the elastic sheet 330A to maintain a bent shape after being pressed by the second terminal portion 410, such as Figure 8A As shown, the first length L1 of the protrusion 332 in the second direction before bending can be greater than the second length L2 from the edge 330e of the bottom surface 310B to the side surface 310S.

[0101] If the first length L1 is less than the second length L2, then when the first terminal portion 330A, which is an elastic sheet, is pressed by the second terminal portion 410, the shape of the first terminal portion 330A can change from a curved shape to a flat shape. Although the first length L1 is greater than the second length L2, because the elastic sheet 330A has a curved shape, the second end 330e2 can be spaced apart from the side surface 310S before the second terminal portion 410 is inserted into the receiving groove IH. In other words, as Figure 8B As shown, after the protrusion 332 is bent into a curved shape, the third length L3 in the second direction can be less than the second length L2.

[0102] Figures 9A to 9C These are partial side views, partial perspective views, and partial plan views of the first partition 300a-k, the first gasket 310, and the first terminal portion 330B according to another embodiment. Figure 9D This is a partial perspective view of the first partition 300a-k, the first gasket 310, and the first terminal portion 330B according to yet another embodiment.

[0103] like Figures 9A to 9CAs shown, since the first terminal portion 330B is the same as the first terminal portion 330A except that it also includes the first protrusion PT1, the same parts are indicated by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions of them are omitted.

[0104] Figures 9A to 9C The first terminal portion 330B shown may also include a first protrusion PT1, which bends and protrudes from a second end 330e2 opposite to the first end 330e1 along a first direction away from the bottom surface 310B. In this case, instead of the aforementioned second end 330e2, the first protrusion PT1 may be blocked by the side 310S.

[0105] Optionally, refer to Figure 7 and Figure 9D In part A, the first partition 300a-k may further include a second protrusion PT2. The second protrusion PT2 may be bent and protrude from the bottom surface 310B along a first direction, and may be spaced apart from the second end 330e2 and the side surface 310S along a second direction. Since, in addition to the second protrusion PT2, Figure 9D The structure shown is Figure 8A and Figure 8B The constructions shown are identical, therefore repeated descriptions of the same constructions are omitted.

[0106] In this case, the second end 330e2 can be blocked by the second protrusion PT2, rather than the aforementioned side 310S.

[0107] The following description of the first terminal section 330A also applies to the first terminal section 330B.

[0108] According to an embodiment, the first width Z1 of the receiving groove IH along a third direction intersecting with each of the first and second directions may be greater than the second width Z2 of the second terminal portion 410 along the third direction. Furthermore, the third width Z3 of the first terminal portion 330A along the third direction may be less than the second width Z2.

[0109] Furthermore, the first thickness T1 of the second terminal portion 410 along the first direction may be greater than the second thickness T2 of the first partition 300a-k. The first thickness T1 may be determined to satisfy the following expression 1.

[0110]

Expression 1

[0111] T1 <T3-T2

[0112] In Expression 1, T3 represents the third thickness of the first gasket 310.

[0113] The battery connector 400 may include a second terminal portion 410. The second terminal portion 410 is removably inserted into a receiving groove IH and can engage with the first terminal portion 330A in a contact manner in a first direction. According to an embodiment, the first terminal portion 330A and the second terminal portion 410 can engage with each other in a surface contact manner. In other words, the first surface S1 of the second terminal portion 410 and the second surface S2, which is an elastic sheet of the first terminal portion 330A, can be in surface contact and connected to each other. As described above, the bent portion of the elastic sheet 330A can be pressed due to the surface contact. The contact between the first surface S1 and the second surface S2 can be maintained by the elastic force generated when the first terminal portion 330A is pressed.

[0114] Furthermore, the aforementioned third length L3 of the bent elastic sheet 330A can be less than the fourth length L4 of the second terminal portion 410 along the second direction. For example, to prevent the second terminal portion 410 from being inserted too deeply into the receiving groove IH, the second terminal portion 410 may also include a stop STP protruding from its body BD in a direction intersecting the second direction (e.g., along a third direction). The controller 500 can be connected to the other end 412e (or the fourth end) of the second terminal portion 410 to measure the voltage of each cell, wherein the other end 412e is opposite to one end 410e (or the third end) of the second terminal portion 410. For this purpose, the body BD of the second terminal portion 410 can be formed of a conductive material.

[0115] In this way, the performance of the battery stack 122 and whether it is operating normally or abnormally can be determined using measured battery voltage. For example, controller 500 may refer to circuitry that includes measuring devices and an electronic control unit for operating the fuel cell in the vehicle.

[0116] Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing a fuel cell device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0117] like Figure 8A As shown, a thin and long strip-shaped protrusion 332 is formed to protrude from the edge 300e of the first partition 300a-k along a second direction.

[0118] After that, as Figure 8B As shown, the strip-shaped protrusion 332 is folded once to enter the interior of the recess HP, thereby forming the first terminal portion 330A.

[0119] Then, place the second gasket 320 (reference). Figure 3A ) or insulation layer 340 (reference) Figure 3B It is placed on the first partition plate 300a-k with the recess HP formed, thereby completing the fuel cell 100 with the receiving groove IH.

[0120] The following describes a fuel cell device according to a comparative example and a fuel cell device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0121] The fuel cell and battery connector according to the comparative example are disclosed in the relevant patent document Korean Patent Registration No. 10-2659055-00-00 (hereinafter referred to as "Fuel Cell Device According to the Comparative Example").

[0122] Typically, the battery connectors are manually assembled to the fuel cell separator, resulting in high labor costs. The fuel cell unit according to the comparative example is configured such that the battery connectors engage with the thin plates of the separator, which may lead to increased cycle time.

[0123] The battery connector of the comparative example fuel cell device includes a housing that is at least partially received in a receiving groove of a separator. Conversely, in the fuel cell device 10 according to the embodiment, a first gasket 310 and a second gasket 320 serve as the housing of the comparative example battery connector, such as... Figure 3A and Figure 4A As shown, or the first gasket 310 and the insulating layer 340 are used as the housing of the battery connector in the comparative example, such as Figure 3B and Figure 4B As shown. Therefore, the battery connector 400 in this embodiment does not have a separate housing.

[0124] Furthermore, in the fuel cell device according to the comparative example, after the housing is attached to the separator, connection terminals are installed to the housing, and the separator is connected to the controller using wires. In contrast, the fuel cell device according to the embodiment does not require such wires and has a simple construction in which the second terminal portion 410 connects the first terminal portion 330A or 330B of the separator to the controller 500.

[0125] In the fuel cell device 10 according to the embodiment, in order to prevent the elastic sheet of the first terminal portion 330A or 330B from bending and mechanically deforming when the second terminal portion 410 is inserted into the receiving groove IH, the side 310S can be used as a stop to prevent the first terminal portion 330A from deforming.

[0126] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, as described above, the second width Z2 of the second terminal portion 410 along the third direction is formed to be greater than the third width Z3 of the first terminal portion 330A along the third direction. Therefore, stable electrical contact between the first terminal portion 330A and the second terminal portion 410 can be ensured.

[0127] Furthermore, the first width Z1 of the receiving groove IH is greater than the third width Z3 of the first terminal portion 330A along the third direction, and greater than the second width Z2 of the second terminal portion 410 along the third direction. Therefore, assemblability and structural stability can be improved.

[0128] Furthermore, in the fuel cell device according to the comparative example, the voltage generated in the fuel cell is transmitted to the controller via separator terminals, connection terminals, and wires. Conversely, in the fuel cell device according to the embodiment, the voltage generated in the fuel cell 100 is transmitted to the second terminal 410, and the second terminal 410 supplies voltage to the controller 500. Therefore, wires are not required, and the construction is simplified.

[0129] Furthermore, in the fuel cell device according to the comparative example, tabs must be formed on the separator in order to assemble the housing to the separator. In contrast, in this embodiment, the connection from the second terminal portion 410 to the first terminal portion 330A does not require tabs, thus the separator has a simpler construction.

[0130] Furthermore, as shown in Expression 1 above, the first thickness T1 is formed to be less than the value obtained by subtracting the second thickness T2 from the third thickness T3. Therefore, assembly between the second terminal portion 410 and the first terminal portion 330A can be easily performed.

[0131] Furthermore, in order to ensure the rigidity of the second terminal portion 410, the first thickness T1 of the second terminal portion 410 needs to be relatively large. For example, as described above, the first thickness T1 can be greater than the second thickness T2.

[0132] Therefore, since the housing of the battery connector 400 is implemented using gaskets 310 and 320 (or 310 and 340) mounted on the separators 300a-k and 300b-k, ​​the construction of the battery connector 400 according to the embodiment is simpler than that of the battery connector according to the comparative example, and the assembly between the fuel cell 100 and the battery connector 400 is also simple and efficient.

[0133] The fuel cell device 10 according to the above embodiments can be applied to vehicles, aircraft, ships, stationary power generation systems, etc. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0134] It is evident from the above description that the fuel cell device according to the embodiments has a simple battery connector construction, and the assembly between the fuel cell and the battery connector is also simple and efficient.

[0135] However, the effects achievable by the present invention are not limited to those described above, and those skilled in the art should clearly understand other effects not mentioned herein based on the above description.

[0136] The various embodiments described above can be combined with each other without departing from the scope of the invention, unless they are incompatible with each other.

[0137] Furthermore, for any element or process not described in detail in any of the various embodiments, reference may be made to the description of the element or process having the same reference numerals in another embodiment, unless otherwise stated.

[0138] While the invention has been specifically shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, these embodiments are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the essential characteristics of the embodiments set forth herein. For example, the corresponding configurations set forth in the embodiments may be modified and applied. Furthermore, these differences in modification and application should be construed as falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A fuel cell device comprising: a fuel cell including a plurality of unit cells stacked along a first direction and separators disposed to be spaced apart from each other along the first direction; and a cell connector mounted to the fuel cell along a second direction intersecting the first direction, wherein the separators include a plurality of separator pairs each including a first separator and a second separator adjacent to each other, wherein the fuel cell further includes: a first gasket disposed to form a recess in contact with an edge of the first separator, the first gasket having an insulating property, a second gasket disposed on the second separator and facing the recess along the first direction to define a receiving groove together with the recess, the second gasket having an insulating property; and a first terminal portion detachably disposed in the receiving groove, the first terminal portion having elasticity in the first direction, and wherein the cell connector includes a second terminal portion inserted into the receiving groove along the second direction to engage with the first terminal portion in contact in the first direction. The first terminal portion includes an elastic piece curved from the edge to an inside of the recess to have a curved shape, and wherein the second terminal portion contacts the elastic piece.

2. The fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein The elastic piece includes:

3. The fuel cell device according to claim 2, wherein a first end connected to the edge; a second end disposed opposite to the first end in the second direction; and an intermediate portion disposed between the first end and the second end, the intermediate portion having a curved shape. The elastic piece further includes a first protruding portion curved away from a bottom surface along the first direction from the second end and protruding.

4. The fuel cell device according to claim 3, wherein The recess includes:

5. The fuel cell device according to claim 3, wherein a bottom surface connected to the first end and spaced apart from the second end in the first direction; and a side surface facing a third end of the second terminal portion inserted and received in the receiving groove in the second direction, wherein the side surface extends from the bottom surface along the first direction. A length of the bottom surface in the second direction is determined such that the elastic piece of the first terminal portion engaged with the second terminal portion maintains a curved shape by preventing movement of the second end in the second direction.

6. The fuel cell device according to claim 5, wherein The controller is configured to measure a voltage of each of the plurality of unit cells.

7. The fuel cell device according to claim 5, further comprising a controller connected to a fourth terminal of the second terminal portion, the fourth terminal being disposed opposite to the third terminal, wherein, The first separator includes a second protruding portion curved away from the bottom surface along the first direction and protruding and spaced apart from the second end and the side surface.

8. The fuel cell device according to claim 5, wherein The elastic piece has a first length in the second direction before being curved into a curved shape, and wherein the first length is greater than a second length from an edge of the bottom surface to the side surface.

9. The fuel cell device according to claim 5, wherein The elastic piece has a third length in the second direction after being curved into a curved shape, and wherein the third length is less than the second length.

10. The fuel cell device according to claim 9, wherein The third length is less than a fourth length of the second terminal portion in the second direction.

11. The fuel cell device of claim 10, wherein, The first separator and the second separator are included in each of the plurality of unit cells.

12. The fuel cell device of claim 1, further comprising an insulating layer disposed between the first gasket and the second gasket to define the receiving slot with the recess. ​ 13. The fuel cell device of claim 1, wherein, The plurality of unit cells includes a first unit cell and a second unit cell adjacent to each other, and wherein the first separator is included in one of the first unit cell and the second unit cell, and the second separator is included in the remaining one of the first unit cell and the second unit cell.

14. The fuel cell device of claim 1, wherein, A first width of the accommodation groove in a third direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction is greater than a second width of the second terminal portion in the third direction.

15. The fuel cell device of claim 14, wherein, A third width of the first terminal portion in the third direction is smaller than the second width.

16. The fuel cell device of claim 1, wherein, A first thickness of the second terminal portion in the first direction is greater than a second thickness of the first separator in the first direction.

17. The fuel cell device of claim 16, wherein, The first thickness is determined as: T1 < T3 - T2, wherein T1 denotes the first thickness, T2 denotes the second thickness, and T3 denotes a third thickness of the first gasket in the first direction.

18. The fuel cell device of claim 1, wherein, The first terminal portion and the second terminal portion are joined to each other in a surface contact manner.

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