Partition structure
By adopting a rectangular plate main body and a sealing structure in the fuel cell separator, the problem of increased sealing structure width is solved, achieving a balance between rigidity and size, and improving the stability of the sealing structure.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
- Filing Date
- 2025-10-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-29
AI Technical Summary
The sealing structure of existing fuel cell separators has an increased width due to the meandering design on the sides, making it difficult to simultaneously improve rigidity and reduce size.
The design adopts a rectangular plate main body and a sealing structure. The sealing structure has a flat part, a first and a second connecting part. The boundary between the connecting part and the plate main body is straight in the thickness direction. The end of the flat part is concave and convex, which enhances the rigidity of the sealing structure and reduces the width.
This approach achieves the goal of reducing the width of the sealing structure while maintaining sealing performance, and improving the rigidity of the sealing structure to prevent positional deviation and deformation.
Smart Images
Figure CN122117945A_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-207836, filed on November 29, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field
[0002] This disclosure relates to a partition structure. Background Technology
[0003] Various technologies concerning separators used in fuel cells are known. For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-161220 discloses a separator with a sealing structure (also called a "flange") provided along its outer periphery for sealing reactant gases and cooling media. This sealing structure, when viewed from above, has a pair of meandering sides and a flat portion that is sandwiched between the pair of sides and extends in a straight line. The meandering sides improve rigidity relative to compressive loads, and the straight-extending flat portion shortens the sealing length of the sealing structure.
[0004] However, because the sides are meandering, the width of the sealing structure increases. This makes it difficult to miniaturize the sealing structure. A separator for the sealing structure is needed that can both increase rigidity and reduce width. Summary of the Invention
[0005] The present invention can be implemented in the following manner.
[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a separator structure having a pair of plates facing each other is provided. Each plate comprises: a rectangular plate body portion; and a sealing structure portion extending along the outer periphery of the plate body portion and protruding from the plate body portion in the thickness direction of the plate body portion, the sealing structure portion having: a strip-shaped flat portion separated from the plate body portion in the thickness direction and disposed parallel to the plate body portion; a first connecting portion connecting the plate body portion to one end in the width direction of the flat portion; and a second connecting portion disposed on a side closer to the outer edge of the plate body portion than the first connecting portion, connecting the plate body portion to the other end in the width direction of the flat portion, the boundary between the plate body portion and the first connecting portion and the boundary between the plate body portion and the second connecting portion being straight when viewed in the thickness direction, and the other end being irregularly shaped when viewed in the thickness direction. Attached Figure Description
[0007] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a fuel cell using a separator structure according to one aspect of this disclosure.
[0008] Figure 2 This is a top view of a single battery cell.
[0009] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional view of the sealing structure.
[0010] Figure 4 It means along Figure 2 and Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of a single battery cell taken from line IV-IV.
[0011] Figure 5 It means along Figure 2 and Figure 3 The diagram shows a cross-section of a single battery cell taken from the VV line.
[0012] Figure 6 This is a top view of the partition structure of the second embodiment.
[0013] Figure 7 This is a top view of the partition structure of the third embodiment. Detailed Implementation
[0014] A. Implementation Method 1:
[0015] <Structure of Fuel Cell 100>
[0016] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a fuel cell 100 using a partition structure 200 according to one aspect of this disclosure. Figure 1 The diagram shows the mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z axes. The fuel cell 100 is used, for example, as a power source for an electric vehicle. The fuel cell 100 includes a cell stack 110 and a pair of terminal blocks 120 and 130.
[0017] The battery cell stack 110 is composed of multiple battery cells 10 stacked in the Z direction. The battery cell 10 is a solid polymer fuel cell that generates electricity using oxidant gas and fuel gas. The battery cell 10 includes: an electrolyte membrane, an anode catalyst layer disposed on one side of the electrolyte membrane, a cathode catalyst layer disposed on the other side of the electrolyte membrane, a pair of gas diffusion layers disposed between the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer, and a pair of separator structures disposed between the pair of gas diffusion layers.
[0018] The electrolyte membrane is a solid polymer membrane with proton conductivity. Examples of electrolyte membranes are ion-exchange membranes made of fluorinated resins. The anode catalyst layer contains a catalyst that promotes the chemical reaction of the fuel gas and carbon particles supporting the catalyst. The cathode catalyst layer contains a catalyst that promotes the chemical reaction of the oxidant gas and carbon particles supporting the catalyst. The gas diffusion layer is composed of a porous material. The porous material is made of metal or carbon materials. The gas diffusion layer allows the reactant gas to diffuse uniformly into the cathode and anode catalyst layers. The electrolyte membrane, anode catalyst layer, cathode catalyst layer, and gas diffusion layer together are called a membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly (MEGA). A pair of separator structures are configured to sandwich the membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly. Details about the separator structures will be described later.
[0019] Terminal plates 120 and 130 are disposed at both ends of the battery cell laminate 110 in the lamination direction. Terminal plates 120 and 130 are made of conductive materials such as aluminum and copper. Terminal plates 120 and 130 are used to output the power generated by the battery cell 10 to the outside.
[0020] The fuel cell 100 includes oxidant gas manifolds 11a and 11b, cooling medium manifolds 12a and 12b, and fuel gas manifolds 13a and 13b. These manifolds are formed by manifold holes formed in the separator structure 200 and terminal plates 120 and 130, respectively. Oxidant gas manifold 11a supplies oxidant gas to the fuel cell 100. Oxidant gas manifold 11b discharges oxidant gas from the fuel cell 100. Cooling medium manifold 12a supplies cooling medium to the fuel cell 100. Cooling medium manifold 12b discharges cooling medium from the fuel cell 100. Fuel gas manifold 13a supplies fuel gas to the fuel cell 100. Fuel gas manifold 13b discharges fuel gas from the fuel cell 100.
[0021] <Composition of the partition structure 200>
[0022] Figure 2 This is a top view of battery cell 10. Figure 2 The middle part represents the outermost separator structure 200 within the battery cell 10. Figure 2 The lower side is schematically enlarged to show the sealing structure 500, which will be described later. Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional view of the sealing structure part 500. Figure 4 It means along Figure 2 and Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of battery cell 10 taken from line IV-IV. Figure 5 It means along Figure 2and Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of battery cell 10 taken from the VV line. Figure 4 and Figure 5 In other words, it can be described as a section orthogonal to the extending direction of the sealing structure 500. For example... Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the separator structure 200 has a structure in which a pair of plates 210 and 220 face each other and are joined together. The plates 210 and 220 have a symmetrical structure. The plates 210 and 220 are made of carbon materials, metal materials, etc.
[0023] like Figure 2 As shown, each plate 210 and 220 has a plate body portion 230 and a sealing structure portion 500.
[0024] <Structure of the main body 230>
[0025] The main body 230 has a rectangular top view shape. Six manifold holes 221a, 221b, 222a, 222b, 223a, and 223b are formed in the main body 230. Manifold hole 221a is part of oxidizer gas manifold 11a, manifold hole 221b is part of oxidizer gas manifold 11b, manifold hole 222a is part of coolant manifold 12a, manifold hole 222b is part of coolant manifold 12b, manifold hole 223a is part of fuel gas manifold 13a, and manifold hole 223b is part of fuel gas manifold 13b.
[0026] The plate body 230 has multiple grooves GR arranged along the length direction (Y direction) of the plate body 230 on the surface of the membrane electrode gas diffusion layer bonding body. Each groove GR is arranged along the short side direction (X direction) of the plate body 230. The grooves GR are used as flow paths for the reactant gases.
[0027] <Structure of sealing structure 500>
[0028] The sealing structure portion 500 is provided along the outer periphery of the plate body portion 230. Viewed in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the plate body portion 230, the sealing structure portion 500 is located on the inner side of the plate body portion 230. Viewed in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the plate body portion 230, the sealing structure portion 500 is located further outward than the area where the membrane electrode gas diffusion layer junction is disposed. Furthermore, viewed in the thickness direction, the sealing structure portion 500 is provided to surround a portion of the manifold holes 221a, 221b, 223a, 223b from the outer side of the plate body portion 230, and is provided to surround a portion of the manifold holes 222a, 222b from the inner side of the plate body portion 230. Additionally, the sealing structure portion 500 protrudes from the plate body portion 230 in the thickness direction. The sealing structure portion 500 prevents leakage of cooling medium and reactant gases. The sealing structure portion 500 receives loads applied from adjacent other battery cells.
[0029] like Figures 2 to 5 As shown, the sealing structure 500 has a flat portion 510, a first connecting portion 521 and a second connecting portion 522.
[0030] like Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the flat portion 510 is separated from the main body portion 230 in the thickness direction. Furthermore, the flat portion 510 is provided parallel to the main body portion 230. The flat portion 510 can also be described as having a flat surface parallel to the main body portion 230. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the flat portion 510 is configured as a strip. (As shown...) Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, one end E1 and the other end E2 of the flat portion 510 in the width direction WD are formed in a concave-convex shape. One end E1 and the other end E2 may also be stepped. One end E1 is located on the inside of the main body portion 230 in top view compared to the other end E2. In this embodiment, one end E1 and the other end E2 are formed in a sinusoidal shape. One end E1 and the other end E2 have approximately the same amplitude, wavelength, and phase. Therefore, the width of the flat portion 510 is approximately constant regardless of the location.
[0031] like Figures 2 to 5 As shown, the first connecting part 521 connects the main body part 230 of the plate to one end E1. Figure 2 As shown, the boundary B1 between the first connecting portion 521 and the main body portion 230 of this disclosure is formed as a straight line when viewed in the thickness direction. Alternatively, the boundary B1 can be described as being parallel to the outer edge of the main body portion 230.
[0032] like Figures 2 to 5 As shown, the second connecting portion 522 connects the main body portion 230 to the other end E2. Compared to the first connecting portion 521, the second connecting portion 522 is located on a side closer to the outer edge of the main body portion 230. (See diagram) Figure 2 As shown, the boundary B2 between the second connecting portion 522 and the main body portion 230 of this disclosure is formed as a straight line when viewed in the thickness direction. Like boundary B1, boundary B2 can also be described as being parallel to the outer edge of the main body portion 230.
[0033] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the angles α1 and α2 of the first connecting portion 521 and the second connecting portion 522 relative to the plate body portion 230 vary depending on the location of the sealing structure portion 500. More specifically, the cross-section of the portion protruding towards the plate body portion 230 in the flat portion 510 is shown. Figure 4 In this case, angle α1 is larger than angle α2. Conversely, the cross-section representing the portion of the flat section 510 that protrudes to the outer side of the main plate section 230... Figure 5 In this context, angle α2 is greater than angle α1. Angles α1 and α2 repeatedly increase or decrease within a specified range along the extension direction of the sealing structure 500, thus... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, it forms a meandering shape at one end E1 and the other end E2.
[0034] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the flat portions 510 of a pair of separator structures 200 are indirectly joined to each other via an insulating frame 600 and a gasket 700. The insulating frame 600 insulates the pair of separator structures 200 from each other, suppressing the outflow of reactive gases. The gaskets 700 are arranged in a pair, sandwiching the insulating frame 600. The gaskets 700 suppress the outflow of reactive gases.
[0035] According to the first embodiment of the partition structure 200 described above, since the boundary B1 of the plate main body 230 and the first connecting part 521 and the boundary B2 of the plate main body 230 and the second connecting part 522 are formed as straight lines when viewed in the thickness direction, compared with structures where the boundary B1 and the boundary B2 are not straight lines such as concave and convex, the rigidity of the sealing structure 500 can be ensured and the width of the sealing structure 500 can be reduced.
[0036] Furthermore, since one end E1 and the other end E2 of the flat portion 510 are formed in an uneven shape when viewed in the thickness direction, compared to a structure where one end E1 and the other end E2 are formed in a straight line, the force applied in the thickness direction can be dispersed, thereby improving the rigidity of the sealing structure portion 500. As a result, when a force is applied in the thickness direction, it is possible to prevent the position of the partition structure 200 from deviating from the desired position, or the pair of joined plate main bodies 230 from deviating from each other.
[0037] Furthermore, since the two squares at one end E1 and the other end E2 are concave and convex when viewed in the thickness direction, the rigidity relative to the force in the thickness direction can be further improved compared to a structure in which only one square at one end E1 and the other end E2 is concave and convex.
[0038] Furthermore, since one end E1 and the other end E2 of the flat portion 510 are formed as a sinusoidal waveform when viewed in the thickness direction, compared with a structure that has a non-sinusoidal waveform such as a rectangular wave at one end E1 and the other end E2, the force applied to the sealing structure portion 500 in the thickness direction can be further dispersed. As a result, the rigidity of the sealing structure portion 500 can be further improved.
[0039] B. Second implementation method:
[0040] Figure 6 This is a top view of the partition structure 200b of the second embodiment. Figure 6 Indicates and Figure 2 The enlarged view shows the position of the partition structure 200b corresponding to the location. The structure of one end E1b and the other end E2b of the partition structure 200b in the second embodiment differs from that of the partition structure 200 in the first embodiment. The other structures of the partition structure 200b in the second embodiment are the same as those of the partition structure 200 in the first embodiment, therefore, their description is omitted.
[0041] One end E1b and the other end E2b have multiple protrusions 550. The protrusions 550 extend in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the sealing structure portion 500b and parallel to the plate body portion 230. In addition, the protrusions 550 of one end E1b and the protrusions 550 of the other end E2b are staggered from each other along the extending direction of the sealing structure portion 500b. Due to the presence of the protrusions 550, it can also be said that one end E1b and the other end E2b are formed in a concave-convex shape when viewed in the thickness direction.
[0042] By utilizing the partition structure 200b of the second embodiment described above, the same effect as that of the partition structure 200 of the first embodiment can also be obtained.
[0043] Furthermore, according to the separator structure 200b of the second embodiment, since the protrusion 550 at one end E1b and the protrusion 550 at the other end E2b are staggered along the extending direction of the sealing structure portion 500b, the load applied in the thickness direction can be further dispersed compared to a structure in which the protrusion 550 at one end E1b and the protrusion 550 at the other end E2b are located at the same position in the extending direction of the sealing structure portion 500b. As a result, the rigidity of the sealing structure portion 500b can be further improved.
[0044] C. Third implementation method:
[0045] Figure 7 This is a top view of the partition structure 200c of the third embodiment. Figure 7 Indicates and Figure 2 The enlarged view shows the partition structure 200c at the corresponding position. The partition structure 200c of the third embodiment differs from the partition structure 200b of the second embodiment in the location where the protrusion 550c is provided. Other components of the partition structure 200c of the third embodiment are the same as those of the partition structure 200b of the second embodiment, therefore, their description is omitted.
[0046] In the separator structure 200c of the third embodiment, when viewed in the thickness direction, one end E1c is formed as a straight line, while only the other end E2c has a protrusion 550c.
[0047] According to the third embodiment described above, the separator structure 200c has a protrusion 550c only at the other end E2c, thus suppressing deformation of the sealing structure portion 500c towards the outside of the separator structure 200c as observed in the thickness direction. More specifically, since structures such as the reactant gas flow path and the membrane electrode gas diffusion layer junction exist on the inside of the fuel cell 100 as observed in the thickness direction, deformation of the separator structure 200c towards the inside is suppressed. In contrast, since there are fewer or no structures on the outside, deformation is more likely on the outside compared to the inside. Here, as with the separator structure 200c of the third embodiment, by having a protrusion 550c only at the other end E2c located on the outside of the plate body portion 230, the rigidity of at least the outer portion of the sealing structure portion 500c can be improved, and deformation of the sealing structure portion 500c towards the outside of the plate body portion 230 can be suppressed.
[0048] D. Other implementation methods:
[0049] (D1) In the first embodiment described above, both end E1 and end E2 are formed in a sinusoidal wave shape when viewed in the thickness direction, but this disclosure is not limited to this. It is also possible that only end E2 is formed in a sinusoidal wave shape. In this manner, the rigidity of at least the outer portion of the sealing structure 500 can be improved, and outward deformation of the sealing structure 500 can be suppressed. Furthermore, end E1 and end E2 can also be formed in any irregular shape. For example, end E1 and end E2 can also be formed in a rectangular wave shape.
[0050] (D2) In the second embodiment described above, the protrusion 550 at one end E1b and the protrusion 550 at the other end E2b are staggered from each other along the extending direction of the sealing structure portion 500b; however, this disclosure is not limited thereto. The protrusion 550 at one end E1b and the protrusion 550 at the other end E2b may be provided at the same position along the extending direction of the sealing structure portion 500b.
[0051] (D3) In the above embodiments, the separator structures 200, 200b, and 200c are used in the fuel cell 100. However, the separator structures 200, 200b, and 200c can also be used in a water electrolysis cell.
[0052] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various structures without departing from its spirit. For example, in order to solve some or all of the above-described problems, or to achieve some or all of the above-described effects, the technical features in the embodiments can be appropriately replaced or combined. In addition, if a technical feature is not described as an essential technical feature in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted. For example, the present invention can also be implemented by the following description.
[0053] (1) According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a separator structure having a pair of plates facing each other is provided. Each plate includes: a rectangular plate body portion; and a sealing structure portion extending along the outer periphery of the plate body portion and protruding from the plate body portion in the thickness direction of the plate body portion, the sealing structure portion having: a strip-shaped flat portion that is separated from the plate body portion in the thickness direction and disposed parallel to the plate body portion; a first connecting portion that connects the plate body portion and one end of the flat portion in the width direction; and a second connecting portion disposed on a side closer to the outer edge of the plate body portion than the first connecting portion, connecting the plate body portion and the other end of the flat portion in the width direction, the boundary between the plate body portion and the first connecting portion and the boundary between the plate body portion and the second connecting portion being straight when viewed in the thickness direction, and the other end being concave-convex when viewed in the thickness direction.
[0054] According to this separator structure, since the boundary between the plate main body and the first connecting part and the boundary between the plate main body and the second connecting part are formed as straight lines when viewed in the thickness direction, compared with structures with shapes other than straight lines such as concave and convex boundaries, the width of the sealing structure can be reduced while maintaining sealing characteristics.
[0055] Furthermore, since the other end of the flat portion is irregularly shaped when viewed in the thickness direction, the force applied in the thickness direction of the sealing structure can be distributed more evenly compared to a structure where the other end is straight. This improves the rigidity of the sealing structure.
[0056] (2) In the separator structure described above, one end may be formed as concave-convex when viewed in the thickness direction.
[0057] The separator structure according to this method, since both ends are formed with an uneven shape when viewed in the thickness direction, can further distribute the force applied in the thickness direction of the sealing structure compared to a structure where only the other end is formed with an uneven shape. Therefore, the rigidity of the sealing structure can be further improved.
[0058] (3) In the above-described separator structure, both the one end and the other end can be formed in a sinusoidal shape when viewed in the thickness direction.
[0059] According to this method, since both ends of the separator structure are formed in a sinusoidal wave shape when viewed in the thickness direction, compared with structures that have non-sinusoidal undulating shapes such as rectangular waves at one end, the force applied to the sealing structure in the thickness direction can be further dispersed. Therefore, the rigidity of the sealing structure can be further improved.
Claims
1. A separator structure having a pair of plates facing each other, wherein, Each of the aforementioned plates has: A rectangular plate body; and A sealing structure portion is provided along the outer periphery of the plate body portion and protrudes from the plate body portion in the thickness direction of the plate body portion; The sealing structure has: A strip-shaped flat portion, which is separated from the main body of the plate in the thickness direction and is arranged parallel to the main body of the plate; A first connecting portion, wherein the first connecting portion connects the main body portion of the plate to one end of the flat portion in the width direction; and The second connecting portion is located on a side closer to the outer edge of the main body of the plate than the first connecting portion, and connects the main body of the plate to the other end of the flat portion in the width direction. The boundaries between the main body of the plate and the first connecting portion, and the boundaries between the main body of the plate and the second connecting portion, are straight lines when viewed in the thickness direction. The other end is shaped as an irregular shape when viewed in the thickness direction.
2. The separator structure as described in claim 1, wherein, One end is shaped as concave and convex when viewed in the thickness direction.
3. The separator structure as described in claim 2, wherein, Both ends form a sinusoidal shape when viewed in the thickness direction.