Fuel cell stack and fuel cell system

Abstract

The present application relates to a fuel cell stack and a fuel cell system, the fuel cell stack comprising: a housing for accommodating fuel cell stacks, the housing having an upper wall, a lower wall, a front wall and a rear wall enclosing a space for accommodating the fuel cell stacks, two fuel cell stacks accommodated in the housing, each fuel cell stack is parallel to the upper wall and the lower wall according to the stacking direction of fuel cell units in the stack, so that the fuel cell stack is mounted in the shell in a manner that the minimum size of the fuel cell stack is along the vertical direction; the anode connector and the cathode connector of each fuel cell stack respectively extend out of the stack from an anode collector plate and a cathode collector plate at the left side and / or the right side of the stack, the anode interface and the cathode interface of the fuel cell stack are arranged at the upper side of the shell, and the fuel cell stacks comprise a first stack and a second stack; wherein the first galvanic pile and the second galvanic pile are connected in series between the positive electrode interface and the negative electrode interface. The overall height of the fuel cell stack with the two electric piles can be effectively reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to fuel cell technology, and more particularly to a fuel cell group having two fuel cell stacks connected in series. Background Art

[0002] With the development of fuel cell technology, people began to pay attention to the application of fuel cells with higher power. When a single fuel cell stack cannot meet the power demand, a fuel cell group using two fuel cell stacks was gradually developed. The two fuel cell stacks are often connected in series to provide greater output power. In the existing fuel cell groups including dual fuel cell stacks, most of the two fuel cell stacks are installed vertically, which greatly increases the height of the fuel cell stack and the overall height of the product.

[0003] Even if the two fuel cell stacks are changed to a horizontal design, they will be limited by the setting and direction of the high-voltage connectors of the positive and negative collector plates of the existing fuel cell stack, that is, the stack high-voltage connector extends from above the stack, and the bus connecting the high-voltage connectors is also set above the stack. Therefore, considering the current layout of vehicles and fuel cell systems, the overall height of the fuel cell group is increased, limiting the space utilization of the place where it is used.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need to improve the existing fuel cell group with dual stacks to make it compact in structure and simple to install, especially to reduce the size of the fuel cell group in the entire height direction to adapt to different application spaces. Utility Model Content

[0005] The present application aims to provide a fuel cell group with dual stacks which has a compact structure, is easy to install and can especially reduce the overall height of the fuel cell group.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present application provides a fuel cell group, which includes: a shell for accommodating a fuel cell stack, the shell having an upper wall, a lower wall, a front wall and a rear wall enclosing a space for accommodating the fuel cell stack, two fuel cell stacks accommodated in the shell, each fuel cell stack is installed in the shell in a manner parallel to the upper wall and the lower wall in the stacking direction of the fuel cell units in the stack so that its minimum dimension is along the vertical direction, the positive connector and the negative connector of each fuel cell stack extend out of the stack from its positive current collecting plate and the negative current collecting plate on the left and / or right side of the stack respectively, the positive electrode interface and the negative electrode interface of the fuel cell stack are arranged on the upper side of the shell, and the fuel cell stack includes a first stack and a second stack, wherein the first stack and the second stack are connected in series between the positive electrode interface and the negative electrode interface.

[0007] Optionally, each of the first and second battery stacks includes a first positive connector and a first negative connector extending from one of the left and right sides of the housing and a second positive connector and a second negative connector extending from the other of the left and right sides of the housing.

[0008] Among them, the first positive connector and the first negative connector of each of the first battery stack and the second battery stack are located on the left side of the shell, and the second positive connector and the second negative connector of each of the first battery stack and the second battery stack are located on the right side of the shell, on the left side of the shell, the first positive connector of the first battery stack is electrically connected to the positive interface, and the first negative connector of the second battery stack is electrically connected to the negative interface, and on the right side of the shell, the second negative connector of the first battery stack is electrically connected to the second positive connector of the second battery stack.

[0009] Alternatively, the first positive connector and the first negative connector of each of the first battery stack and the second battery stack are located on the right side of the shell, and the second positive connector and the second negative connector of each of the first battery stack and the second battery stack are located on the left side of the shell, on the right side of the shell, the first positive connector of the first battery stack is electrically connected to the positive interface, and the first negative connector of the second battery stack is electrically connected to the negative interface, and on the left side of the shell, the second negative connector of the first battery stack is electrically connected to the second positive connector of the second battery stack.

[0010] Optionally, each of the first battery stack and the second battery stack only includes a first positive connector and a first negative connector extending from a left side or a right side of the housing.

[0011] Among them, the first positive connector of the first battery stack is electrically connected to the positive interface, the first negative connector of the second battery stack is electrically connected to the negative interface, and the first negative connector of the first battery stack is electrically connected to the first positive connector of the second battery stack.

[0012] Optionally, the first battery stack and the second battery stack are arranged in the housing at a distance from each other in a vertical direction.

[0013] Optionally, the rear wall of the housing is spaced apart from the first battery stack and the second battery stack, and is provided with support members for supporting the first battery stack and the second battery stack respectively.

[0014] Optionally, the front wall of the shell is arranged against the first and second battery stacks, and has interfaces for connecting the anode gas inlet, anode gas outlet, cathode gas inlet, cathode gas outlet, coolant inlet and coolant outlet of the first and second battery stacks respectively.

[0015] The present application also relates to a fuel cell system, which includes the fuel cell stack as described above.

[0016] According to the present application, by arranging the high-voltage positive connector and negative connector of the two stacks of the fuel cell group and the electrical connection bus on the side of the fuel cell group, the overall height of the fuel cell group is reduced. The smaller the overall height of the fuel cell group with dual stacks, the stronger the market competitiveness of the fuel cell product. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The above and other aspects of the present application will be more clearly understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the drawings are only schematic and are not drawn to scale. In the drawings:

[0018] Figure 1 Schematically shows a left perspective view of a fuel cell group with a dual stack according to a first embodiment of the present application;

[0019] Figure 2 Schematically shows a right perspective view of a fuel cell group with a dual stack according to a first embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figure 3 A left side perspective view of a fuel cell group with dual fuel stacks according to a second embodiment of the present application is schematically shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The preferred embodiments of the present application are described in detail below in conjunction with examples. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that these embodiments are not intended to limit the present application in any way, and the features in the various embodiments may be combined with each other. In different drawings, the same components are represented by the same reference numerals, and for the sake of brevity, some components are omitted, but this does not mean that other components are excluded. It should be understood that the size, proportional relationship and number of components of the various components in the drawings are not intended to limit the present application.

[0022] As mentioned above, in existing fuel cell groups including dual stacks, most of the stacks are installed vertically, which greatly increases the height of the stack. Even if a fuel cell group with a horizontal dual stack is used, because its high-voltage connector is located in the height direction and the electrical connector bus is also located in the height direction, the overall height of the fuel cell group will be limited given the current layout of vehicles and fuel cell systems.

[0023] Figure 1 Schematically showing a left perspective view of a fuel cell group with a dual stack according to a first embodiment of the present application, Figure 2 A left side perspective view of a fuel cell stack having a dual stack according to a first embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0024] The fuel cell group of the first embodiment of the present application includes a housing 1 for accommodating a stack, and the housing 1 has an upper wall 11, a lower wall 12 opposite to the upper wall 11, and a rear wall 13 and a front wall 14 respectively connecting the upper wall 11 and the lower wall 12. The upper wall 11, the lower wall 12, the rear wall 13 and the front wall 14 constitute a frame structure to jointly define a space for accommodating a stack group 2. The stack group 2 includes two stacks, namely a first stack 21 and a second stack 22. The first stack 21 is shown as the upper stack, and the second stack is the lower stack, but the "first" and "second" in the figure are only to distinguish the two stacks and do not constitute a limitation. The first stack can also be called the second stack, and the second stack can also be called the first stack. The various directions of the fuel cell group are shown in the figure. For example, the x-axis shown in the figure is the front-to-back direction of the fuel cell group, where the positive axis is forward, the y-axis is the up-down direction of the fuel cell group, where the positive axis is upward, and the z-axis is the left-right direction of the fuel cell group, where the positive axis is left.

[0025] Figure 1 and 2 The two fuel cell stacks 21 and 22 shown in the figure are both horizontally installed in the outer shell 1. Specifically, the stacking direction of each fuel cell unit in the first and second fuel cell stacks 21 and 22 (i.e., along the x direction and the opposite direction of the x direction in the figure) is parallel to the upper wall 11 and the lower wall 12, and the end plate of each of the first and second fuel cell stacks 21 and 22 faces the rear wall 13 and the front wall 14 respectively. That is to say, the minimum size of the first and second fuel cell stacks 21 and 22 is located in the up and down direction of the outer shell 1 of the fuel cell group, that is, the thickness direction, specifically in the y direction in the figure and the opposite direction of the y direction.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, the first battery stack 21 has a first positive connector 211 extending from its positive current collecting plate to the left side of the battery stack shell, and a first negative connector 212 extending from its negative current collecting plate to the left side of the battery stack shell. Similarly, the second battery stack 22 also has a first positive connector 221 extending from its positive current collecting plate to the left side of the battery stack shell, and a first negative connector 222 extending from its negative current collecting plate to the left side of the battery stack shell.

[0027] like Figure 2 As shown, the first battery stack 21 has a second positive connector 213 extending from its positive current collecting plate out of the battery stack shell toward the right side, and a second negative connector 214 extending from its negative current collecting plate out of the battery stack shell toward the right side. Similarly, the second battery stack 22 also has a second positive connector 223 extending from its positive current collecting plate out of the battery stack shell toward the right side, and a second negative connector 224 extending from its negative current collecting plate out of the battery stack shell toward the right side.

[0028] The upper wall 11 of the housing 1 is provided with a positive electrode interface 15 and a negative electrode interface 16 of the fuel cell stack.

[0029] On the left side, the first positive connector 211 of the first battery stack 21 is electrically connected to the positive interface 15 through the bus 17, and the first negative connector 222 of the second battery stack 22 is electrically connected to the negative interface 16 through the bus 18. On the right side, the second negative connector 214 of the first battery stack 21 is electrically connected to the second positive connector 223 of the second battery stack 22 through the bus 19, thereby realizing the series connection of the first battery stack 21 and the second battery stack 22.

[0030] Figure 1 and 2 The connection method shown in the figure is only exemplary, and the present application is not limited to this. The first negative connector 212 of the first battery stack 21 can also be electrically connected to the negative interface 16, the first positive connector 221 of the second battery stack 22 can be electrically connected to the positive interface 15, and the second positive connector 213 of the first battery stack 21 can be electrically connected to the second negative connector 224 of the second battery stack 22. It is not limited to this, as long as the series connection between the first battery stack 21 and the second battery stack 22 is achieved.

[0031] The first stack 21 is mounted against the front wall 14 so that the anode gas inlet 215 , the anode gas outlet 216 , the cathode gas inlet 217 , the cathode gas outlet 218 , the coolant inlet 219 and the coolant outlet 220 of the first stack 21 can extend from the front wall 14 .

[0032] Likewise, the second stack 22 is mounted against the front wall 14 so that the anode gas inlet 225 , anode gas outlet 226 , cathode gas inlet 227 , cathode gas outlet 228 , coolant inlet 229 and coolant outlet 230 of the second stack 22 can extend from the front wall 14 .

[0033] Figure 2 Although it is shown in detail that each fuel cell stack has an anode gas inlet, an anode gas outlet, a cathode gas inlet, a cathode gas outlet, a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet, it is not limited to this. The first fuel cell stack 21 and the second fuel cell stack 22 can also be arranged to share a common anode gas inlet, anode gas outlet, cathode gas inlet, cathode gas outlet, coolant inlet and coolant outlet, and the main pipe mouth extends from the left wall 14.

[0034] On the rear side of the fuel cell stack, the first and second stacks 21 and 22 are spaced apart from the rear wall 13 by a distance, and the first and second stacks 21 and 22 are fixed in place in the housing 1 by support members 31 and 32 , respectively.

[0035] In the up and down direction, the first battery stack 21 and the second battery stack 22 are spaced apart by a distance to meet the insulation requirements between the battery stacks. The specific spacing distance is set according to the battery stack power and the battery stack structure.

[0036] Although Figure 1 and 2 It is shown that the first positive connector 211, 221 and the first negative connector 212, 222 are located on the left side and the second positive connector 213, 223 and the second negative connector 214, 224 are located on the right side, but this is only exemplary and they can be interchanged, that is, the first positive connector and the first negative connector are arranged on the right side and the second positive connector and the second negative connector are arranged on the left side, that is, as long as they are located on both sides.

[0037] Figure 3 The left perspective view of a fuel cell group with a dual stack according to the second embodiment of the present application is schematically shown. The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment lies in the number and connection method of the positive connector and the negative connector of each stack. The description of the same parts is omitted on the front side, and only the differences are described.

[0038] like Figure 3 As shown, the first battery stack 21 has only on the left side a first positive connector 211 extending from its positive current collecting plate out of the battery stack shell toward the left side and a first negative connector 212 extending from its negative current collecting plate out of the battery stack shell toward the left side. Similarly, the second battery stack 22 also has only on the left side a first positive connector 221 extending from its positive current collecting plate out of the battery stack shell toward the left side and a first negative connector 222 extending from its negative current collecting plate out of the battery stack shell toward the left side.

[0039] The first positive connector 211 of the first battery stack 21 is electrically connected to the positive interface 15 through the bus 17, the first negative connector 222 of the second battery stack 22 is electrically connected to the negative interface 16 through the bus 18, and the first negative connector 212 of the first battery stack 21 is electrically connected to the first positive connector 221 of the second battery stack 22 through the bus 19, thereby realizing the series connection of the first battery stack 21 and the second battery stack 22 on the same side.

[0040] The above connection method is not limited to this, but can be that the first negative connector 211 of the first battery stack 21 is electrically connected to the negative interface 16, the first positive connector 221 of the second battery stack 22 is electrically connected to the positive interface 15, and the first negative connector 222 of the second battery stack 22 is electrically connected to the first positive connector 211 of the first battery stack 21, as long as the series connection of the first battery stack 21 and the second battery stack 22 can be achieved.

[0041] Although Figure 2In the second embodiment, the positive and negative electrode connectors and the bus are arranged on the left side as shown in the figure, but it is not limited to this. Instead, the first positive electrode connector 211, 221 and the negative electrode connector 212, 222 of each battery stack can also be arranged on the right side of the fuel cell group.

[0042] The positive connectors 211 , 221 , 213 , 223 , the negative connectors 212 , 222 , 214 , 224 and the busbars may be made of conductive metal such as copper.

[0043] In this application, the positive connectors, negative connectors and electrical connection busbars of the two stacks are arranged on the sides of the stack, so that the space for the positive connection, negative connector and busbar is saved in height. This layout design has two advantages. First, the overall height of the fuel cell stack is reduced, and the overall height of the fuel cell stack is a key indicator of power fuel cell products. The reduction in overall height makes the product more competitive in the market. Second, the two stacks are the same, and there is no need to identify the stacks before assembling the stack modules, and they can be used interchangeably.

[0044] The present application has been described in detail above in conjunction with specific embodiments. Obviously, the above description and the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings should be understood as exemplary and do not constitute a limitation to the present application. For those skilled in the art, various modifications or changes can be made to the present application without departing from the spirit of the present application, and these modifications or changes do not depart from the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A fuel cell stack, characterized in that: include: A housing for accommodating a fuel cell stack, the housing having an upper wall, a lower wall, a front wall and a rear wall enclosing a space for accommodating the fuel cell stack, Two fuel cell stacks contained in the housing, each fuel cell stack being installed in the housing in a manner that the stacking direction of the fuel cell units in the stack is parallel to the upper wall and the lower wall so that its minimum dimension is along the vertical direction, and the positive connector and the negative connector of each fuel cell stack extend out of the stack from the positive current collecting plate and the negative current collecting plate thereof on the left side and / or the right side of the stack, respectively, and The positive electrode interface and the negative electrode interface of the fuel cell group are arranged on the upper side of the shell, The fuel cell stack includes a first stack and a second stack, wherein the first stack and the second stack are connected in series between the positive electrode interface and the negative electrode interface.

2. The fuel cell stack according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the first and second stacks includes a first positive connector and a first negative connector extending from one of a left side and a right side of the housing and a second positive connector and a second negative connector extending from the other of the left side and the right side of the housing.

3. The fuel cell stack according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first positive connector and the first negative connector of each of the first battery stack and the second battery stack are located on the left side of the shell, and the second positive connector and the second negative connector of each of the first battery stack and the second battery stack are located on the right side of the shell. On the left side of the shell, the first positive connector of the first battery stack is electrically connected to the positive interface, and the first negative connector of the second battery stack is electrically connected to the negative interface. On the right side of the shell, the second negative connector of the first battery stack is electrically connected to the second positive connector of the second battery stack.

4. The fuel cell stack according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first positive connector and the first negative connector of each of the first battery stack and the second battery stack are located on the right side of the shell, and the second positive connector and the second negative connector of each of the first battery stack and the second battery stack are located on the left side of the shell. On the right side of the shell, the first positive connector of the first battery stack is electrically connected to the positive interface, and the first negative connector of the second battery stack is electrically connected to the negative interface. On the left side of the shell, the second negative connector of the first battery stack is electrically connected to the second positive connector of the second battery stack.

5. The fuel cell stack according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the first and second battery stacks includes only a first positive connector and a first negative connector extending from a left side or a right side of the housing.

6. The fuel cell stack according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first positive connector of the first battery stack is electrically connected to the positive interface, the first negative connector of the second battery stack is electrically connected to the negative interface, and the first negative connector of the first battery stack is electrically connected to the first positive connector of the second battery stack.

7. The fuel cell stack according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first battery stack and the second battery stack are arranged in a housing at a distance from each other in a vertical direction.

8. The fuel cell stack according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rear wall of the housing is spaced apart from the first and second battery stacks and is provided with support members for supporting the first and second battery stacks, respectively.

9. The fuel cell stack according to claim 8, characterized in that: The front wall of the shell is arranged against the first and second battery stacks, and has interfaces for connecting the anode gas inlet, anode gas outlet, cathode gas inlet, cathode gas outlet, coolant inlet and coolant outlet of the first and second battery stacks respectively.

10. A fuel cell system, characterized in that: Comprising a fuel cell stack according to any one of claims 1-9.

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