Electrochemical device, plug unit for contacting an electrochemical device, and combination of an electrochemical device and a plug unit

Abstract

This invention relates to an electrochemical device comprising a stack of multiple electrochemical units sequentially stacked along a stacking direction, wherein each electrochemical unit includes a bipolar plate having at least one voltage connection point. To provide such an electrochemical device having a stack of electrochemical units capable of safe, reliable, and robust electrical contact for continuous measurement of the potential of the bipolar plates of the stack, and with a simple structure, each bipolar plate having at least a first voltage connection point of a first type and a second type, wherein the first and second type voltage connection points are asymmetrically constructed and arranged on the bipolar plate about an axis of symmetry about the bipolar plate parallel to the stacking direction, rotated 180°, and in the stack, the first type voltage connection points of the multiple bipolar plates are stacked on top of each other in a first column along the stacking direction, and the second type voltage connection points of the multiple bipolar plates are stacked on top of each other in a second column along the stacking direction, wherein the first and second columns of these voltage connection points are arranged adjacent to each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an electrochemical device comprising a stack of multiple electrochemical units sequentially stacked along a stacking direction. Each electrochemical unit includes a bipolar plate, and the bipolar plate is provided with at least one voltage connection point. Background Technology

[0002] Electrochemical units can be specifically constructed as fuel cell units, such as PEM (polymer electrolyte membrane) fuel cell units.

[0003] In order to monitor and control the operation of such an electrochemical device, it is necessary to be able to continuously measure the potential of the bipolar plates of the stack or the battery voltage during the operation of the electrochemical device.

[0004] The challenge lies in compensating not only for manufacturing tolerances in the production of the stack of electrochemical units, but also for the relative motion of the bipolar plates of the stack during operation of the electrochemical device. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The objective of this invention is to realize an electrochemical device of the aforementioned type, wherein the stack of electrochemical units, in order to continuously measure the potential of the bipolar plates of the stack, can be electrically contacted in a safe, reliable and robust manner and is simply constructed.

[0006] This task is solved in the electrochemical device according to the preamble of claim 1, wherein each bipolar plate has at least one first voltage connection point of a first type and a second type of first voltage connection point. The first voltage connection points of the first type and the second type are asymmetrically constructed and arranged on the bipolar plate by rotating 180° about an axis of symmetry about the bipolar plate and parallel to the stacking direction. In the stacked assembly, multiple bipolar plates of a first type have their first voltage connection points overlapping each other in a first column along the stacking direction, and multiple bipolar plates of a second type have their first voltage connection points overlapping each other in a second column along the stacking direction. The first and second columns of voltage connection points are arranged adjacent to each other.

[0007] Preferably, all bipolar plates stacked sequentially in the stacking direction of the electrochemical device are constructed with the same geometry. The first and second columns of voltage terminals are arranged side by side in such a way that every other bipolar plate in the stack is rotated by 180° relative to the adjacent first bipolar plate about the axis of symmetry of the bipolar plate.

[0008] This eliminates the need for bipolar plates with different geometries to construct stacks of electrochemical units, which simplifies the manufacturing and storage of bipolar plates and makes the stacking process simpler and less error-prone.

[0009] The substrate of each bipolar plate preferably has rotational symmetry with respect to a 180° rotation about an axis of symmetry parallel to the stacking direction around the bipolar plate.

[0010] By constructing and arranging first voltage connection points of the first or second type on the bipolar plates in a non-rotationally symmetrical manner, the rotational symmetry existing on the bipolar plate substrate is broken in the case of supplementary voltage connection points on the bipolar plates.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a first type of voltage connection point and a second type of voltage connection point are arranged on opposite ends of the bipolar plate.

[0012] Here, the end sides can be either a pair of short sides of a roughly rectangular bipolar plate or a pair of long sides of a roughly rectangular bipolar plate.

[0013] Preferably, the voltage connection points are configured as protrusions or a lug.

[0014] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, each bipolar plate includes at least one first voltage connection point of a first type and at least one second voltage connection point of a first type. In the stacked assembly, multiple bipolar plates of the first type have their first voltage connection points stacked on top of each other in a first column along the stacking direction; multiple bipolar plates of the second type have their first voltage connection points stacked on top of each other in a second column along the stacking direction; and multiple bipolar plates of the first type have their second voltage connection points stacked on top of each other in a third column along the stacking direction. The first and second columns are arranged adjacent to each other, and / or the second and third columns are arranged adjacent to each other.

[0015] Preferably, the first voltage connection point of the first type and the second voltage connection point of the first type are arranged on the same end side of the bipolar plate, and the first voltage connection point of the second type is arranged on the second end side of the bipolar plate away from the first end side.

[0016] This implementation of the electrochemical device allows the voltage connection points of bipolar plates to be arranged in three or more columns, in which the voltage connection points of different bipolar plates are stacked on top of each other in the stacking direction.

[0017] Offset arrangement of voltage connection points in three or more columns can increase the spacing of voltage connection points along the stacking direction within the same column.

[0018] This makes it easier to manufacture a plug unit that can reliably conduct electricity to these voltage connection points.

[0019] In another particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, each bipolar plate includes at least one first voltage connection point of a first type and a second voltage connection point of a first type, as well as at least one first voltage connection point of a second type and a second voltage connection point of a second type. In the stacked assembly, multiple bipolar plates of type 1 have their first voltage connection points stacked on top of each other in a first column along the stacking direction; multiple bipolar plates of type 2 have their first voltage connection points stacked on top of each other in a second column along the stacking direction; multiple bipolar plates of type 1 have their second voltage connection points stacked on top of each other in a third column along the stacking direction; and multiple bipolar plates of type 2 have their second voltage connection points stacked on top of each other in a fourth column. The first column and the second column, and / or the second column and the third column, and / or the third column and the fourth column are arranged adjacent to each other.

[0020] This implementation of the electrochemical device allows for the arrangement of the conductive contact voltage terminals of the bipolar plates in four or more rows of voltage terminals stacked on top of each other along the stacking direction.

[0021] Preferably, all bipolar plates in the stack of electrochemical units are constructed identically to each other.

[0022] The first voltage connection point of the first type and the second voltage connection point of the first type are preferably arranged on the same end side of the bipolar plate, while the first voltage connection point of the second type and the second voltage connection point of the second type are preferably arranged on the second end side of the bipolar plate away from the first end side.

[0023] Generally speaking, it can be specified that each bipolar plate includes at least n voltage connection points of type 1 and at least m voltage connection points of type 2. In the stacked assembly, the i-th first type voltage connection point of multiple bipolar plates is stacked on top of each other in a column along the stacking direction, where i = 1 to n, and the j-th second type voltage connection point of multiple bipolar plates is stacked on top of each other in a column along the stacking direction, where j = 1 to m.

[0024] Here, in a particular embodiment of the invention, it is specified that no column (in which the voltage connection points of the first type overlap each other) is arranged adjacent to another column (in which the voltage connection points of the first type overlap each other).

[0025] The present invention also relates to a plug unit for contacting a voltage connection point of an electrochemical device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the electrochemical device comprising a plurality of electrochemical units stacked sequentially along a stacking direction.

[0026] This plug unit includes a housing with multiple receptacles to accommodate the voltage connection points of the electrochemical device. At least one of the receiving portions is configured as a contact receiving portion, in which a conductive connection is established with the voltage wiring points respectively housed in the contact receiving portion by means of a conductive contact element when the plug unit is installed.

[0027] In particular, when an electrochemical device (with a plug unit for contact) includes more than two rows of voltage terminals arranged overlapping each other in a stacking direction, at least one of the receiving portions of the plug unit is preferably configured as a dummy receiving portion in which no conductive connection is established with respect to the voltage terminals respectively received in the dummy receiving portion when the plug unit is installed.

[0028] These receiving portions of the plug unit are preferably arranged in multiple columns extending along the longitudinal direction of the plug unit, and in multiple rows extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the plug unit.

[0029] In the installation state of the plug unit, in which the plug unit accommodates the voltage connection point of the electrochemical device, the longitudinal direction of the plug unit is preferably parallel to the stacking direction of the electrochemical device.

[0030] Preferably, only one contact receiving portion is arranged in each row of the plug unit. This ensures that each bipolar plate of the stack has at most one voltage connection point that makes conductive contact through the plug unit.

[0031] If the plug unit is specified to have a dummy receiving portion for the voltage connection point of the electrochemical device (in which no conductive connection is established with the voltage connection point respectively received in the dummy receiving portion when the plug unit is installed), then the extension of at least one dummy receiving portion along the longitudinal direction of the plug unit is preferably less than the extension of the contact receiving portion of the plug unit along the longitudinal direction of the plug unit. In this way, the plug unit can be constructed to be more compact.

[0032] Furthermore, it can be specified that at least two rows of receiving portions (viewed in the longitudinal direction of the plug unit) of the receiving portion overlap each other.

[0033] The electrochemical device according to the invention and the plug unit according to the invention are particularly suitable for use in combinations consisting of the electrochemical device according to the invention and at least one plug unit according to the invention.

[0034] In this preferred embodiment, each bipolar plate of the electrochemical device has at most one voltage connection point housed in the contact housing of the plug unit, in which, in the installed state of the plug unit, a conductive connection is established with the voltage connection points housed in the contact housing by means of conductive contact elements. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Other features and advantages of the present invention are the subject of the following description and illustrations of the embodiments.

[0036] As shown in the attached figure: Figure 1 This is a schematic side view of an electrochemical device, which includes a stack of multiple electrochemical units, which are sequentially stacked along the stacking direction (Z direction) of the electrochemical device. Each electrochemical unit includes a bipolar plate, and each of these units has multiple voltage connection points. Each bipolar plate has a first voltage connection point of a first type and a second type of first voltage connection point. The first voltage connection points of the first type and the second voltage connection points of the second type are asymmetrically constructed and arranged on the bipolar plate with respect to a rotation of 180° about a symmetry axis parallel to the stacking direction. In the stack, the first voltage connection points of the first type of multiple bipolar plates overlap each other in a first column along the stacking direction, and the first voltage connection points of the second type of multiple bipolar plates overlap each other in a second column along the stacking direction. The first column and the second column of voltage connection points are arranged adjacent to each other. The voltage connection points are at least partially accommodated in the contact accommodating portion of the electrical plug unit. Figure 2 Shown from above along the stacking direction of the electrochemical devices Figure 1 A top view of the electrochemical device, without the plug unit; Figure 3 Showing the view from above along the stacking direction (Z direction) Figure 1 and Figure 2 A schematic top view of one of the bipolar plates of an electrochemical device; Figure 4 Show Figure 1 An enlarged view of the plug unit, without electrochemical devices, housed in Figure 1 The voltage connection point in the receiving part of the plug unit; Figure 5 Showing a view from above Figure 4 A schematic top view of the plug unit, showing its orientation. Figure 4 The direction of observation is indicated by the middle arrow 5. Figure 6 The second embodiment of the electrochemical device is shown in correspondence with Figure 1In this embodiment, each bipolar plate has a first voltage connection point of a first type, a second voltage connection point of a first type, and a first voltage connection point of a second type. All voltage connection points of the bipolar plates are asymmetrically constructed and arranged on the bipolar plates with respect to a 180° rotation about an axis of symmetry parallel to the stacking direction. Furthermore, in the stack of electrochemical units, the first voltage connection points of the first type of multiple bipolar plates overlap each other in a first column along the stacking direction, the first voltage connection points of the second type of multiple bipolar plates overlap each other in a second column along the stacking direction, and the second voltage connection points of the first type of multiple bipolar plates... The first and second columns are stacked on top of each other in the third column along the stacking direction, the second and third columns are arranged adjacent to each other, and the second column is arranged between the first and third columns. The voltage connection points of the multiple stacked bipolar plates are accommodated in the contact accommodating portion or dummy accommodating portion of the plug unit. The plug unit has a first column, a second column, and a third column of accommodating portions. These columns extend parallel to the stacking direction of the electrochemical device. Furthermore, the accommodating portions of the plug unit are arranged in rows extending transversely to the stacking direction. These rows alternately include a contact accommodating portion or a contact accommodating portion and a dummy accommodating portion. Figure 7 Show Figure 6 Electrochemical devices, corresponding to Figure 2 A schematic top view, without Figure 6 The plug unit shown in the image; Figure 8 Show Figure 6 and Figure 7 A schematic top view of the bipolar plates of an electrochemical device; Figure 9 Show Figure 6 An enlarged view of the plug unit; Figure 10 Show Figure 9 A schematic top view of the plug unit, showing its orientation. Figure 9 The direction of observation is indicated by the middle arrow 10; Figure 11 The third embodiment of the electrochemical device is shown, corresponding to Figure 1 and Figure 6 A schematic view is provided. In this embodiment, each bipolar plate has a first voltage connection point of a first type, a second voltage connection point of a first type, a first voltage connection point of a second type, and a second voltage connection point of a second type. In this configuration, all voltage connection points of the bipolar plates are asymmetrically constructed and arranged on the bipolar plates with respect to a 180° rotation about an axis of symmetry parallel to the stacking direction. Furthermore, in the stack of electrochemical units, first voltage connection points of a plurality of bipolar plates of a first type are stacked on top of each other in a first column along the stacking direction; first voltage connection points of a plurality of bipolar plates of a second type are stacked on top of each other in a second column along the stacking direction; second voltage connection points of a plurality of bipolar plates of a first type are stacked on top of each other in a third column along the stacking direction; and second voltage connection points of a plurality of bipolar plates of a second type are stacked on top of each other in a fourth column along the stacking direction. The first and second columns are arranged adjacent to each other; the second and third columns are arranged adjacent to each other; and the third and fourth columns are arranged adjacent to each other. The second column is arranged between the first and third columns, and the third column is arranged between the second and fourth columns. The voltage connection points of multiple bipolar plates are housed in the receiving portion of the plug unit. The plug unit includes a first column, a second column, a third column, and a fourth column of receiving portions, which extend along the longitudinal direction of the plug unit. This longitudinal direction is parallel to the stacking direction of the electrochemical device when the plug unit is installed. The receiving portions of the plug unit are arranged in rows extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the plug unit. Each row stacked sequentially in the longitudinal direction of the plug unit includes a contact receiving portion and a dummy receiving portion. The contact receiving portions of the rows stacked sequentially in the longitudinal direction of the plug unit are offset from each other by one column. Figure 12 Show Figure 11 A schematic top view of an electrochemical device, without... Figure 11 The plug unit shown in the image; Figure 13 Show Figure 11 and Figure 12 A schematic top view of the bipolar plates of an electrochemical device; Figure 14 Show Figure 11 An enlarged view of the plug unit shows its receiving portions arranged in four columns extending longitudinally along the plug unit and in twelve rows extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the plug unit. Each row of the plug unit includes a contact receiving portion and a dummy receiving portion, and the contact receiving portions of the rows stacked sequentially in the longitudinal direction of the plug unit are correspondingly offset from each other by one column. Figure 15 Show Figure 14 A schematic top view of the plug unit, having along... Figure 14 The direction of observation indicated by the middle arrow 15.

[0037] Identical or functionally equivalent elements are represented by the same reference numerals in all figures. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The first embodiment, consisting of an electrochemical device 102 and a plug unit 104 for contacting a voltage connection point 106 of the electrochemical device 102, and identified as a whole by 100, is described in detail below. Figures 1 to 5 As shown in the image.

[0039] The electrochemical device 100 includes a stack 108 consisting of electrochemical units stacked sequentially along a stacking direction 110.

[0040] The stacking direction 110 is also referred to below as the Z direction of the electrochemical device 102.

[0041] Stack 108 can be configured, for example, as a fuel cell stack, particularly as a PEM (polymer electrolyte membrane) fuel cell stack.

[0042] Each of the electrochemical units in the stack 108 includes a bipolar plate 112 and other components not shown separately in the figures.

[0043] The other components may include, in particular, electrochemically active units, such as thin-film electrode devices, gas diffusion layers, and seals, such as elastomeric seals.

[0044] The other components ensure that the two bipolar plates 112, which are directly stacked sequentially along the stacking direction 110 in the stack 108, are electrically insulated from each other.

[0045] During the operation of the electrochemical device 102, each of the conductive bipolar plates 112 is at a potential different from that of the adjacent bipolar plates 112.

[0046] During operation of the electrochemical device 102, the potential or battery voltage of the different bipolar plates 112 of the stack 108 is continuously monitored in order to perform the most power-efficient control of the electrochemical device 102 and to identify operational faults of the electrochemical device 102 as early as possible.

[0047] In order to enable the potential of the bipolar plate 112 or the battery voltage to be intercepted in a simple and reliable manner during the operation of the electrochemical device 100, the assembly 100, in addition to the electrochemical device 102, also includes at least one plug unit 104 (see Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The plug unit includes an electrically insulating housing 114 and a plurality of conductive contact elements 116 arranged in the housing 114.

[0048] As from Figures 1 to 3As can be seen most clearly, each of the bipolar plates 112 of the stack 108 includes a first voltage connection point 106a of a first type and a second voltage connection point 106a' of a second type.

[0049] As from Figure 3 As seen in the diagram, it shows a top view of a single bipolar plate 112 of the stack 108 viewed along the stacking direction 110. The base 117 of the bipolar plate 112 without voltage connection points 106a, 106a' is rotationally symmetric about 180° about an axis of symmetry 118 parallel to the stacking direction 110 oriented around the base 117 of the bipolar plate 112.

[0050] As from Figure 2 As can be seen most clearly, it shows a top view of the stack 108 of the electrochemical device 102 viewed along the stacking direction 110. The first voltage connection point 106a of the first type and the first voltage connection point 106a' of the second type are asymmetrically constructed and arranged on the bipolar plate 112 with respect to a rotation of 180° about an axis of symmetry 118 parallel to the stacking direction 110 about the bipolar plate 112.

[0051] In the stack 108, bipolar plates 112, which are stacked sequentially along the stacking direction 110, are rotated 180° relative to each other about the axis of symmetry 118, so that the next adjacent bipolar plates 112 overlap each other along the stacking direction 110, and the bipolar plate 112 arranged between the two overlapping bipolar plates 112 is rotated 180° relative to these overlapping bipolar plates 112 about the axis of symmetry 118 of the bipolar plate 112.

[0052] Based on this configuration of the stack 108, in the stack 108, a plurality of bipolar plates 112 of the first type of first voltage connection points 106a are stacked on top of each other in the first column 120a along the stacking direction 110, and a plurality of bipolar plates 112 of the second type of first voltage connection points 106a' are stacked on top of each other in the second column 120b along the stacking direction 110, wherein the first column 120a of voltage connection points 106a and the second column 120b of voltage connection points 106a' are arranged adjacent to each other, and wherein, on the one hand, the voltage connection points 106a of the first column 120a and on the other hand, the voltage connection points 106a' of the second column 120b are offset from each other in an offset direction 124 perpendicular to the stacking direction 110 and perpendicular to the contact direction 122 of the voltage connection points 106a, 106a'.

[0053] The offset direction 124 is also referred to as the X direction below.

[0054] The contact direction 122 is such that the voltage connection points 106a, 106a' protrude in this direction relative to the edge segments 126 of the bipolar plate 112 adjacent to their respective voltage connection points 106a, 106a'.

[0055] The contact direction 122 is also referred to as the Y direction below.

[0056] Both the first column 120a and the second column 120b of the voltage connection points 106 are arranged on the first side 128a of the stack 108. Specifically, preferably in the first half 130a of the two halves 130a and 130b, the stack 108 is divided into the two halves 130a and 130b by the longitudinal central plane 134 of the edge 132 of the stack 108, which extends parallel to the stacking direction and perpendicular to the bipolar plate 112, through the axis of symmetry 118 of the bipolar plate 112.

[0057] Another first column 120a' and another second column 120b' are arranged on the second side 128b opposite to the first side 128a of the stack 108. The other first column 120a' is formed by first voltage connection points 106a of a plurality of bipolar plates 112 of a first type, and the other second column 120b' is formed by first voltage connection points 106a' of a plurality of bipolar plates 112 of a second type.

[0058] The other first column 120a' of voltage connection point 106a and the other second column 120b' of voltage connection point 106a' are preferably arranged in the second half 130b of stack 108.

[0059] The other first column 120a' and the other second column 120b' of voltage connection 106 are redundant relative to the first column 120a of voltage connection 106a and the second column 120b of voltage connection 106a' because: for monitoring the potential or battery voltage of the electrochemical unit of electrochemical device 102, it is sufficient for each bipolar plate 112 to be contacted by plug unit 104 at only one voltage connection 106.

[0060] Therefore, the other first column 120a' and the other second column 120b' of voltage connection point 106 will not be discussed further in the following description.

[0061] As from Figure 1 As can be seen most clearly, the arrangement of voltage connection points 106 offset along the X direction by the first column 120a and the second column 120b of voltage connection points 106 achieves an increase in the spacing between two voltage connection points 106 that are directly stacked on top of each other in the stacking direction 110 to twice the spacing that these voltage connection points 106 have without being assigned to multiple columns 120a, 120b of voltage connection points 106.

[0062] Thus, more space is left between the directly overlapping voltage connection points 106 to accommodate the contact elements 116 of the plug unit 104 and the housing components.

[0063] Each bipolar plate 112 may include multiple, for example, two bipolar plate layers, such as a first bipolar plate layer and a second bipolar plate layer.

[0064] Here, the first bipolar plate layer and the second bipolar plate layer are fluid-tightly connected to each other on a junction line (not shown) to form a media chamber and a media channel between them.

[0065] Each of the voltage connection points 106 of the bipolar plate 112 is preferably constructed as a double layer, wherein the first voltage connection portion is integral with the body of the first bipolar plate layer, and the second voltage connection portion is integral with the body of the second bipolar plate layer.

[0066] However, alternatively, it can be specified that the voltage connection points 106 are single-layered, wherein the single-layered voltage connection point 106 is preferably one piece with the main body of the first bipolar plate layer or one piece with the main body of the second bipolar plate layer.

[0067] As an alternative to a one-piece construction scheme with the main body of the bipolar plate layer, it can also be specified that the voltage connection point 106 is separate from the main body of the bipolar plate layer, and is subsequently preferably connected to the main body of the bipolar plate layer by material locking, such as by welding, especially by laser welding.

[0068] If the voltage connection point 106 is double-layered, it is preferably specified that the two layers of the voltage connection point are interlocked, for example, by welding along the weld line.

[0069] The first bipolar plate layer may be a bipolar plate layer on the anode side, which defines the flow field (not shown) of the anode gas for the electrochemical device 102.

[0070] In this case, the second bipolar plate layer is a bipolar plate layer on the cathode side, which defines the flow field (not shown) of the cathode gas for the electrochemical device 102.

[0071] As from Figure 1 and Figure 4 As most clearly seen, the plug unit 104 (which is electrically contactable by means of the voltage connection points 106 of its first column 120a and second column 120b) includes multiple columns of contact receptacles 138, in the illustrated embodiment two columns 136a and 136b, which extend along the longitudinal direction 140 of the plug unit 104, wherein the longitudinal direction 140 of the plug unit 104 is oriented parallel to the stacking direction 110 of the stack of electrochemical devices 102 in the mounted state of the plug unit 104.

[0072] The contact receiving portions 138 are offset from each other in an offset direction 124 (X direction) that extends perpendicular to the stacking direction 110. Specifically, they are offset in the same manner and to the same degree as the voltage connection points 106a, 106a' of the first column 120a and the second column 120b of the stack 108 are offset from each other, so that each voltage connection point 106a, 106a' of the first column 120a and the second column 120b can be introduced into one of the contact receiving portions 138 of the plug unit 104, respectively.

[0073] Contact elements 116 are respectively arranged in each of the contact receiving portions 138 of the plug unit 104, and the voltage connection point 106 received in the contact receiving portion 138 can be electrically contacted by means of the contact elements.

[0074] Contact element 116 can be constructed as a single piece or in multiple pieces accordingly.

[0075] Preferably, the contact element 116 comprises a spring-resilient metallic material.

[0076] Preferably, the contact element 116 has structural elasticity, which generates a clamping force, and the contact element 116 uses the clamping force to abut against the corresponding voltage connection point 106.

[0077] Each column 136a, 136b of the contact receiving portion 138 makes conductive contact with every other bipolar plate in the bipolar plates 112 that are sequentially stacked in the stacking direction 110 of the stack 108 composed of electrochemical units when the plug unit 104 is installed.

[0078] Electrical wiring (not shown) can be arranged on the housing 114 of the plug unit 104, which electrically connects each of the contact elements 116 of the contact receiving portion 138 to a contact pin of the plug interface (not shown) of the plug unit 104.

[0079] At this (not shown) plug-in interface of the plug unit 104, a complementary plug-in interface of a (not shown) connecting cable can be connected, and a conductive connection can be established between the contact element 116 of the contact receiving portion 138 of the plug unit 104 and the input terminal of the (not shown) monitoring device of the electrochemical device 102.

[0080] The monitoring device can form part of the control device of the electrochemical device 102, which relies on the known potential or cell potential of the bipolar plate 112 in the stack 108 composed of electrochemical units to control the operation of the electrochemical device 102.

[0081] The housing 114 of the plug unit 104 is preferably made of electrically insulating plastic material.

[0082] The housing 114 of the plug unit 104 may be made of, for example, polyamide material.

[0083] The housing 114 of the plug unit 104 can be a single piece or multiple pieces.

[0084] The housing 114 of the plug unit or a portion thereof may be manufactured, for example, by injection molding.

[0085] The assembly 100, consisting of electrochemical device 102 and plug unit 104, is in Figures 6 to 10 The difference between the second embodiment shown and the first embodiment is that each bipolar plate 112 has a first voltage connection point 106a of the first type, a second voltage connection point 106b of the first type, and a first voltage connection point 106a' of the second type.

[0086] As from Figure 8 As can be seen most clearly, the first voltage connection point 106a and the second voltage connection point 106b of the first type are arranged on the first end side 144a of the bipolar plate 112, while the first voltage connection point 106a' of the second type is arranged on the second end side 144b of the bipolar plate 112, which is opposite to the first end side 144 of the bipolar plate 112.

[0087] A first voltage connection point 106a and a second voltage connection point 106b of the first type are arranged in the first half 146a of the bipolar plate 112, wherein the first half 146a and the second half 146b of the bipolar plate 112 are separated by a longitudinal center plane 148 of the bipolar plate 112, which extends parallel to the stacking direction 110 and perpendicular to the edge of the bipolar plate 112 at its end sides 144a, 144b through the axis of symmetry 118 of the bipolar plate 112.

[0088] The spacing d between the first voltage connection point 106a and the second voltage connection point 106b of the first type along the offset direction 124 (X direction) is greater than the maximum extension D of the first voltage connection point 106a' of the second type along the offset direction 124. Therefore, when the second bipolar plate 112 is arranged in the stack 108 at an angle of 180° relative to the first bipolar plate 112 about the axis of symmetry 118 of the bipolar plate 112, the first voltage connection point 106a' of the second type of the second bipolar plate 112 stacked adjacent to the first bipolar plate 112 in the stacking direction 110 (when viewed along the stacking direction 110) is located between the first voltage connection point 106a and the second voltage connection point 106b of the first type of the first bipolar plate 112. Figure 7As seen in the image.

[0089] All voltage connection points 106a, 106b, 106a' of the bipolar plate 112 are constructed and arranged asymmetrically on the bipolar plate 112 with respect to a rotation of 180° about the axis of symmetry 118 of the bipolar plate 112 which is parallel to the stacking direction 110.

[0090] As from Figure 6 and Figure 7 As can be seen most clearly, in the stack 108 composed of electrochemical units, a plurality of bipolar plates 112 of the first type of first voltage connection points 106a are stacked on top of each other in the first column 120a along the stacking direction 110, while a plurality of bipolar plates 112 of the second type of first voltage connection points 106a' are stacked on top of each other in the second column 120b along the stacking direction 110, and a plurality of bipolar plates 112 of the first type of second voltage connection points 106b are stacked on top of each other in the third column 120c along the stacking direction 110.

[0091] Here, the first column 120a and the second column 120b of the voltage connection point 106 are arranged adjacent to each other, the second column 120b and the third column 120c of the voltage connection point 106 are arranged adjacent to each other, and the second column 120b of the voltage connection point 106 is arranged between the first column 120a and the third column 120c of the voltage connection point 106.

[0092] As from Figure 6 As can be seen most clearly, the voltage connection points 106 of multiple overlapping bipolar plates 112 are housed in the contact housing 138 or the dummy housing 150 of the plug unit 104.

[0093] Here, the plug unit 104 has a first column 136a, a second column 136b, and a third column 136c of receiving portions, wherein these columns 136a, 136b, and 136c extend parallel to the stacking direction 110 of the electrochemical device 102 in the installed state of the plug unit 104. Furthermore, the receiving portions of the plug unit 104 are arranged in rows 152a, 152b, 152c, and 152d extending transversely to the stacking direction 110, wherein the first type of row 152a... The second type of row 152b includes only one contact receiving portion 138 in each of the second column 136b, the second type of row 152b includes only one dummy receiving portion 150 in each of the first column 136a and one contact receiving portion 138 in each of the third column 136c, the third type of row 152c includes only one contact receiving portion 138 in each of the second column 136b, and the fourth type of row 152d includes only one contact receiving portion 138 in each of the first column 136a and one dummy receiving portion 150 in each of the third column 136c.

[0094] Rows 152a of the first type, row 152b of the second type, row 152c of the third type, and row 152d of the fourth type are arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction 140 of the plug unit 104.

[0095] This structure of the plug unit 104 ensures that the plug unit 104 makes conductive contact with each of the bipolar plates 112 only at a single voltage connection point 106.

[0096] The difference between the dummy receiving portion 150 and the contact receiving portion 138 of the plug unit 104 is that they do not include the contact element 116 of the voltage connection point 106 arranged in the respective receiving portion for conductive contact electrochemical device 102.

[0097] Therefore, the dummy receiving portion 150 can have a smaller extension in the longitudinal direction 140 of the plug unit 104 compared to the contact receiving portion 138, which is oriented parallel to the stacking direction 110 in the installed state of the plug unit 104.

[0098] Furthermore, the combination 100, consisting of the electrochemical device 102 and the plug unit 104, is in... Figures 6 to 10 The second embodiment shown in the figure relates to the structure, function, and manufacturing method as well as in Figures 1 to 5 This is consistent with the first embodiment shown in the figure, and reference is made to the preceding description thereof.

[0099] The assembly 100, consisting of electrochemical device 102 and plug unit 104, is in Figures 11 to 15 The difference between the third embodiment shown and the aforementioned second embodiment is that each bipolar plate 112 has a first voltage connection point 106a of the first type, a second voltage connection point 106b of the first type, a first voltage connection point 106a' of the second type, and a second voltage connection point 106b' of the second type.

[0100] As from Figure 13 As can be seen most clearly, the first voltage connection point 106a and the second voltage connection point 106b of the first type are arranged on the first end side 144a of the bipolar plate 112, while the first voltage connection point 106a' and the second voltage connection point 106b' of the second type are arranged on the second end side 144b of the bipolar plate 112 opposite to the first end side 144 of the bipolar plate 112.

[0101] A first voltage connection point 106a and a second voltage connection point 106b of the first type are arranged in the first half 146a of the bipolar plate 112, wherein the first half 146a and the second half 146b of the bipolar plate 112 are separated by the longitudinal central axis 148 of the bipolar plate 112, which extends parallel to the stacking direction 110 and perpendicular to the edge of the bipolar plate 112 on its end sides 144a, 144b through the axis of symmetry 118 of the bipolar plate 112.

[0102] The spacing d between the first voltage connection point 106a and the second voltage connection point 106b of the first type along the offset direction 124 (X direction) is greater than the maximum extension D of the first voltage connection point 106a' of the second type along the offset direction 124. Therefore, when the second bipolar plate 112 is arranged in the stack 108 at an angle of 180° relative to the first bipolar plate 112 about the axis of symmetry 118 of the bipolar plate 112, the first voltage connection point 106a' of the second type of the second bipolar plate 112 stacked adjacent to the first bipolar plate 112 along the stacking direction 110 (when viewed along the stacking direction 110) is located between the first voltage connection point 106a and the second voltage connection point 106b of the first type of the first bipolar plate 112. Figure 12 As seen in the image.

[0103] Furthermore, the spacing d between the second type of first voltage connection point 106a' and the second type of second voltage connection point 106b' along the offset direction 124 (X direction) is greater than the maximum extension D of the first type of second voltage connection point 106b along the offset direction 124. Thus, when the second bipolar plate 112 is arranged in the stack 108 at an angle rotated 180° relative to the first bipolar plate 112 about the axis of symmetry 118 of the bipolar plate 112, the first type of second voltage connection point 106b of the first bipolar plate 112 is located between the second type of first voltage connection point 106a' and the second type of second voltage connection point 106b' of the second bipolar plate 112 stacked adjacent to the first bipolar plate 112 (when viewed along the stacking direction 110), as in... Figure 12 As seen in the image.

[0104] All voltage connection points 106a, 106b, 106a' and 106b' of the bipolar plate 112 are constructed and arranged asymmetrically on the bipolar plate 112 with respect to a rotation of 180° about an axis of symmetry 118 parallel to the stacking direction 110 of the bipolar plate 112.

[0105] As from Figure 11 and Figure 12As seen in the diagram, in the stack 108 composed of electrochemical units, a plurality of bipolar plates 112 of the first type of first voltage connection points 106a are stacked on top of each other in the first column 120a along the stacking direction 110, a plurality of bipolar plates 112 of the second type of first voltage connection points 106a' are stacked on top of each other in the second column 120b along the stacking direction 110, a plurality of bipolar plates 112 of the first type of second voltage connection points 106b are stacked on top of each other in the third column 120c along the stacking direction 110, and a plurality of bipolar plates 112 of the second type of second voltage connection points 106b' are stacked on top of each other in the fourth column 120b along the stacking direction 110.

[0106] Here, the first column 120a and the second column 120b of the voltage connection point 106 are arranged adjacent to each other, the second column 120b and the third column 120c of the voltage connection point 106 are arranged adjacent to each other, and the third column 120b and the fourth column 120d of the voltage connection point 106 are arranged adjacent to each other.

[0107] The second column 120b of voltage connection point 106 is arranged between the first column 120a and the third column 120c of voltage connection point 106.

[0108] The third column 120c of voltage connection point 106 is arranged between the second column 120b and the fourth column 120d of voltage connection point 106.

[0109] As from Figure 11 As can be seen most clearly, the voltage connection points 106 of multiple overlapping bipolar plates 112 are housed in the contact housing 138 or the dummy housing 150 of the plug unit 104.

[0110] Here, the plug unit 104 has a first column 136a, a second column 136b, a third column 136c, and a fourth column 136d of receiving portions, wherein these columns 136a, 136b, 136c, and 136d extend parallel to the stacking direction 110 of the electrochemical device 102 in the installed state of the plug unit 104. Furthermore, the receiving portions of the plug unit 104 are arranged in rows 152a, 152b, 152c, and 152d extending transversely to the stacking direction 110, wherein the first type of row 152a includes one dummy receiving portion 150 in each of the second column 136b of the receiving portions. Each of the fourth column 136d of the receiving part has one contact receiving part 138. The second type of row 152b includes each of the first column 136a of the receiving part and each of the third column 136c of the receiving part having one contact receiving part 138. The third type of row 152c includes each of the second column 136b of the receiving part and each of the fourth column 136d of the receiving part having one contact receiving part 138. Finally, the fourth type of row 152d includes each of the first column 136a of the receiving part and each of the third column 136c of the receiving part having one contact receiving part 138.

[0111] Rows 152a (of type 1), 152b (of type 2), 152c (of type 3), and 152d (of type 4) are arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction 140 of the plug unit.

[0112] This structure of the plug unit 104 ensures that the plug unit 104 makes conductive contact with each of the bipolar plates 112 only at a single voltage connection point 106.

[0113] As in Figures 6 to 10 As shown in the second embodiment, the difference between the dummy receiving portion 150 of the plug unit 104 and the contact receiving portion 138 is that they do not include contact elements 116 for the voltage connection points 106 arranged in their respective receiving portions for conductive contact with the electrochemical device 102.

[0114] Therefore, the dummy receiving portion 150 can have a smaller extension in the longitudinal direction 140 of the plug unit 104 compared to the contact receiving portion 138, which is oriented parallel to the stacking direction 110 in the installed state of the plug unit 104.

[0115] As from Figure 11As seen in the diagram, the dummy receiving portions 150 and / or contact receiving portions 138 (viewed in the longitudinal direction 140 of the plug unit 104) of the first type row 152a, the second type row 152b, the third type row 152c and / or the fourth type row 152d can respectively overlap with the contact receiving portions 138 and / or dummy receiving portions 150 of the adjacent second type row 152b, the adjacent third type row 152c, the adjacent fourth type row 152d or the adjacent first type row 152a.

[0116] Thus, the plug unit 104 can be more compact in the transverse direction 154, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 140 of the plug unit 104 and is preferably also perpendicular to the contact direction 122 of the voltage connection point 106 housed in the receiving portion of the plug unit 104.

[0117] Furthermore, the combination 100, consisting of the electrochemical device 102 and the plug unit 104, is in... Figures 11 to 15 The third embodiment shown in the figure relates to the structure, function, and manufacturing method as well as in Figures 6 to 10 The second embodiment shown herein is consistent with the preceding description.

Claims

1. An electrochemical device comprising a stack (108) consisting of a plurality of electrochemical units stacked sequentially along a stacking direction (110). in, Each electrochemical unit includes a bipolar plate (112) with at least one voltage connection point (106). Its features are, Each bipolar plate (112) has at least one first voltage connection point (106a) of type 1 and a first voltage connection point (106a') of type 2. The first voltage connection point (106a) of the first type and the first voltage connection point (106a') of the second type are asymmetrically constructed and arranged on the bipolar plate (112) about 180° about an axis of symmetry (118) parallel to the stacking direction (110) of the bipolar plate (112), and In the stack (108), first voltage connection points (106a) of a plurality of bipolar plates (112) of a first type are stacked on top of each other in a first column (120a) along the stacking direction, and first voltage connection points (106a') of a plurality of bipolar plates (112) of a second type are stacked on top of each other in a second column (120b) along the stacking direction (110). The first column (120a) and the second column (120b) of the voltage connection points are arranged adjacent to each other.

2. The electrochemical device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first type of voltage connection point (106a) and the second type of voltage connection point (106a') are arranged on opposite ends (144a, 144b) of the bipolar plate (112).

3. The electrochemical device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that, The voltage connection points (106) are respectively configured as protrusions of the bipolar plates (112).

4. The electrochemical device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, Each bipolar plate (112) includes at least one first voltage connection point (106a) of the first type and at least one second voltage connection point (106b) of the first type. In the stack (108), first voltage connection points (106a) of a plurality of bipolar plates (112) of a first type are stacked on top of each other in the first column (120a) along the stacking direction (110); first voltage connection points (106a') of a plurality of bipolar plates (112) of a second type are stacked on top of each other in the second column (120b) along the stacking direction (110); and second voltage connection points (106b) of a plurality of bipolar plates (112) of a first type are stacked on top of each other in the third column (120c) along the stacking direction (110). The first column (120a) and the second column (120b) are arranged adjacent to each other and / or the second column (120b) and the third column (120c) are arranged adjacent to each other.

5. The electrochemical device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, Each bipolar plate (112) includes at least one first voltage connection point (106a) and a second voltage connection point (106b) of the first type, and at least one first voltage connection point (106a') and a second voltage connection point (106b') of the second type. In the stack (108), first voltage connection points (106a) of a plurality of bipolar plates (112) of a first type are stacked on top of each other in the first column (120a) along the stacking direction (110); first voltage connection points (106a') of a plurality of bipolar plates (112) of a second type are stacked on top of each other in the second column (120b) along the stacking direction (110); second voltage connection points (106b) of a plurality of bipolar plates (112) of a first type are stacked on top of each other in the third column (120c) along the stacking direction (110); and second voltage connection points (106b') of a plurality of bipolar plates (112) of a second type are stacked on top of each other in the fourth column (120d). The first column (120a) and the second column (120b) and / or the second column (120b) and the third column (120c) and / or the third column (120c) and the fourth column (120d) are arranged adjacent to each other.

6. The electrochemical device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, Each bipolar plate (112) includes at least n voltage connection points (106) of the first type and at least m voltage connection points (106) of the second type. In the stack (108), the i-th voltage connection point (106) of the first type of a plurality of bipolar plates (112) overlaps each other in the i-th column of the first type along the stacking direction (110), where i = 1 to n, and the j-th voltage connection point (106) of the second type of a plurality of bipolar plates (112) overlaps each other in the j-th column of the second type along the stacking direction (110), where j = 1 to m.

7. The electrochemical device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The voltage connection points (106) of the first type are arranged in columns that overlap with each other, but not adjacent to columns that overlap with each other.

8. A plug unit for contacting a voltage terminal (106) of an electrochemical device (102) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the electrochemical device comprising a plurality of electrochemical units sequentially stacked along a stacking direction (110), The plug unit includes a housing (114) having a plurality of receptacles for accommodating the voltage connection points (106) of the electrochemical device (102). in, At least one of the receiving portions is configured as a contact receiving portion (138), in which, in the installed state of the plug unit (104), a conductive connection is established with the voltage connection points (106) respectively housed in the contact receiving portion (138) by means of a conductive contact element (142).

9. The plug unit according to claim 8, characterized in that, At least one of the receptacles is configured as a dummy receptacle (150), in which no conductive connection is established with the voltage connection points (106) respectively housed in the dummy receptacle (150) in the installed state (104) of the plug unit (104).

10. The plug unit according to any one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that, The receiving portion of the plug unit (104) is arranged in a plurality of columns (136) extending along the longitudinal direction (140) of the plug unit (104) and in a plurality of rows (152) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction (140) of the plug unit (104).

11. The plug unit according to claim 10, characterized in that, Each row (152) of the plug unit (104) is provided with only one contact receiving portion (138).

12. The plug unit according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that, The plug unit (104) has a dummy receiving portion (150) for the voltage connection point (106) of the electrochemical device (102), wherein no conductive connection is established between the plug unit (104) and the voltage connection point (106) respectively housed in the dummy receiving portion (150) in the installed state. In this case, at least one dummy receiving portion (150) extends less in the longitudinal direction (140) of the plug unit (104) than the contact receiving portion (138) of the plug unit (104) extends less in the longitudinal direction (140) of the plug unit (104).

13. The plug unit according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that, Viewed in the longitudinal direction (140) of the plug unit (104), the receptacles of at least two columns (136) of the receptacle of the plug unit (104) overlap each other.

14. A combination comprising an electrochemical device (102) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and at least one plug unit (104) according to any one of claims 8 to 13.

15. The combination according to claim 14, characterized in that, At most one voltage connection point (106) of each bipolar plate (112) of the electrochemical device (102) is housed in the contact receiving portion (138) of the plug unit (104).

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