Fuel cell integrated structure

Abstract

The utility model discloses a fuel cell integrated structure which comprises an electric pile core, an electric pile collector plate, an electric pile insulating end plate, an electric pile outer side end plate, a spring compensation structure and a soft tab structure, and the electric pile core, the electric pile collector plate and the electric pile insulating end plate are connected in sequence; the electric pile insulation end plate is connected with the electric pile outer side end plate through a spring compensation structure; one side of the soft tab structure is electrically connected with a galvanic pile collector plate, and the other side of the soft tab structure is in insulated connection with a galvanic pile outer side end plate; and the spring compensation structure and the soft tab structure can be stretched or contracted to compensate the deformation of the stack core during operation. Through the soft tab structure, the deformation range is delineated in the electric pile, so that the design of an external interface is facilitated, and the integration of a fuel cell system is facilitated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of fuel cells, in particular to a fuel cell integrated structure. Background Art

[0002] A battery stack is composed of multiple single cells stacked in series, and then the internal structure is tightly encapsulated by end plates and fasteners at both ends to form a multi-level battery stack structure. A complete fuel cell consists of end plates, insulating plates, current collectors, sealing rings, carbon paper, membrane electrodes, bipolar plates, etc. The end plates on both sides are fastened by steel belts or long screws, and a certain encapsulation force is applied to stack the internal single cells together. Load transfer, material transfer, temperature exchange and other processes occur inside the fuel cell to complete the entire electrochemical reaction.

[0003] When the fuel cell stack is operating in various operating conditions, it is affected by factors such as temperature changes. In order to ensure that the packaging force is within a reasonable range, springs and other structures are usually used to compensate for deformation in various operating conditions. Therefore, the stack collector also moves with the deformation of the core. The stack collector is connected to the system copper bus through the tabs to complete current transmission.

[0004] At present, the soft connection part of the system copper busbar is usually used to absorb and compensate for deformation, but the fixing position and method of the copper busbar need to be additionally considered, which is very unfriendly to multi-stack systems. Utility Model Content

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the utility model proposes a fuel cell integrated structure. Specifically, through the "soft pole ear" structure, the deformation range is confined to the inside of the fuel cell stack, which is convenient for external interface design and conducive to fuel cell system integration.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the utility model is as follows:

[0007] A fuel cell integrated structure comprises: a stack core, a stack current collecting plate, a stack insulating end plate, a stack outer end plate, a spring compensation structure and a soft pole ear structure, wherein the stack core, the stack current collecting plate and the stack insulating end plate are connected in sequence, and the stack insulating end plate is connected to the stack outer end plate via the spring compensation structure; one side of the soft pole ear structure is electrically connected to the stack current collecting plate, and the other side is insulated and connected to the stack outer end plate; the spring compensation structure and the soft pole ear structure can stretch or contract to compensate for the deformation of the stack core during operation.

[0008] Furthermore, the soft tab structure includes a plurality of stacked copper sheets.

[0009] Furthermore, the soft tab structure is electrically connected to the system copper busbar.

[0010] Furthermore, the soft tab structure is connected to the system copper busbar by bolts.

[0011] Furthermore, it also includes an end plate insulating spacer, which is fixed to the outer end plate of the fuel cell stack.

[0012] Furthermore, the soft pole ear structure is connected to the system copper busbar by bolts and fixed on the end plate insulating spacer.

[0013] Furthermore, the fixing method of the soft pole ear structure and the stack current collecting plate includes: welding, riveting or bolting.

[0014] Furthermore, it also includes a fastening device, and the stack core, stack current collecting plate, stack insulating end plate and stack outer end plate are limited and fastened by the fastening device.

[0015] Furthermore, the fastening device includes a strap or a screw.

[0016] Furthermore, the spring compensation structure includes a plurality of groups of spring assemblies, which are evenly distributed and installed between the insulating end plate of the fuel cell stack and the outer end plate of the fuel cell stack.

[0017] The beneficial effects of the utility model are:

[0018] The utility model adopts a soft pole ear structure connection to compensate for the deformation caused by factors such as thermal expansion and contraction of the stack core. The soft pole ear structure can enclose the soft connection part inside the stack, and use the outer end plate of the stack as the intersection point for connection with the system copper bus, which is convenient for system integration and is especially friendly to multi-stack systems. The fuel cell integration structure of the utility model can be applied to multiple fields such as automotive fuel cell systems, large-scale power generation fuel cell systems, fuel cell stack test platforms, and vanadium battery power generation systems, and is widely used. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell integrated structure of Example 1 of the utility model.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a connection diagram of the cathode current collecting plate and the soft pole ear structure of Example 1 of the utility model.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a fuel cell system consisting of upper and lower dual stacks according to Example 2 of the utility model.

[0022] Figure 4 It is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of a fuel cell system consisting of an upper and lower dual stack according to Example 2 of the utility model.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an end plate insulating spacer block in Example 2 of the utility model.

[0024] Figure markings: 1-cathode end plate, 2-spring compensation structure, 3-cathode insulating end plate, 4-cathode current collecting plate, 5-fuel cell core, 6-fastening device, 7-anode current collecting plate, 8-anode insulating end plate, 9-end plate insulating pad, 10-soft pole ear structure; 1'-cathode end plate of the upper fuel cell stack, 9'-end plate insulating pad of the upper fuel cell stack, 10'-soft pole ear structure of the upper fuel cell stack, 11-copper busbar connecting the upper and lower fuel cell stacks, 12-positive copper busbar of the lower fuel cell stack, 13-negative copper busbar of the upper fuel cell stack, 14-waist-shaped hole, 15-countersunk hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In order to have a clearer understanding of the technical features, purposes and effects of the utility model, the specific implementation methods of the utility model are now described. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the utility model, and are not used to limit the utility model, that is, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of the utility model, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the utility model.

[0026] Example 1

[0027] Since fuel cell packaging usually uses elastic elements to compensate for deformation, the packaging force increases when the stack expands, and decreases when the stack contracts, and the distance of the elastic element changes with the working conditions. Currently, the system copper busbar soft connection part is usually used to absorb and compensate for deformation, but the fixing position and method of the copper busbar need to be considered extra, which is very unfriendly to multi-stack systems.

[0028] Based on this, the present embodiment provides a fuel cell integrated structure, including a stack core, a stack current collector, a stack insulating end plate, a stack outer end plate, a spring compensation structure and a soft pole ear structure. The stack core, the stack current collector and the stack insulating end plate are connected in sequence, and the stack insulating end plate is connected to the stack outer end plate through the spring compensation structure; one side of the soft pole ear structure is electrically connected to the stack current collector, and the other side is insulated and connected to the stack outer end plate; the spring compensation structure and the soft pole ear structure can stretch or contract to compensate for the deformation of the stack core during operation.

[0029] like Figure 1 The figure shows a preferred fuel cell integrated structure of the present embodiment, which includes a cathode end plate 1, a spring compensation structure 2, a cathode insulating end plate 3, a cathode current collecting plate 4, a stack core 5, a fastening device 6, an anode current collecting plate 7, an anode insulating end plate 8, an end plate insulating pad 9 and a soft pole ear structure 10. Among them, the spring compensation structure 2 is evenly distributed and installed between the cathode end plate 1 and the cathode insulating end plate 3, and is used to compensate for the deformation of the stack core 5 during operation, and the soft pole ear structure 10 can stretch or shrink to compensate for the above deformation distance.

[0030] like Figure 2 The figure shows the connection relationship between the cathode current collector plate and the soft pole ear structure. Through the soft pole ear structure 10, the deformation range is confined inside the battery stack, which is convenient for external interface design and is conducive to the integration of the fuel cell system. The cathode current collector plate 4 and the anode current collector plate 7 are responsible for the current collection function of the core. One side of the soft pole ear structure 10 is connected to the cathode current collector plate 4, and the other side is insulated and connected to the cathode terminal plate 1. At the connection position, it is also connected to the system copper busbar, so that the copper busbar has sufficient support strength.

[0031] Preferably, the soft pole ear structure 10 is generally made of copper, and the soft pole ear structure 10 and the cathode current collector plate 4 can be connected by welding, riveting, bolting, etc., and the contact resistance at the connection is small. More preferably, the soft pole ear structure 10 can be stacked by multiple groups of 0.2mm thick copper sheets, which can withstand the maximum current required when the system is running, and have certain contraction and extension functions to meet the deformation compensation of the core.

[0032] Preferably, the end plate insulating spacer 9 is fixed to the cathode end plate 1 , and the soft pole ear structure 10 and the system copper busbar are fixed to the end plate insulating spacer 9 by bolt connection, thereby completing the hard connection and fixation of the soft pole ear structure 10 .

[0033] Preferably, the stack core, stack current collecting plates, stack insulating end plates and stack outer end plates are limited and fastened by fastening devices. More preferably, the fastening devices may be straps or screws.

[0034] Example 2

[0035] This embodiment is based on embodiment 1:

[0036] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, this embodiment provides a fuel cell system consisting of an upper and lower dual stack, wherein the lower stack positive copper bar 12 and the upper stack negative copper bar 13 are used as the positive and negative electrodes of the fuel cell system for power output. Due to the limited installation space of the upper and lower stacks, the following structure is adopted:

[0037] The soft pole ear structure 10 on the cathode end plate 1 side of the lower battery stack and the positive copper bus 12 of the lower battery stack are fixed to the end plate insulating spacer 9 by bolts, and the end plate insulating spacer 9 is fixed to the cathode end plate 1 of the upper battery stack, completing the rigid fixation of the soft pole ear structure 10.

[0038] The soft pole ear structure 10' on the cathode end plate 1' side of the upper battery stack and the copper bar 11 connecting the upper and lower battery stacks are fixed to the end plate insulating spacer 9' of the upper battery stack by bolts, and the end plate insulating spacer 9' is fixed to the cathode end plate 1 of the lower battery stack, completing the rigid fixation of the soft pole ear structure 10'.

[0039] The end plate insulating spacer 9' is made of insulating engineering material and has high rigidity. Figure 5 As shown, the end plate insulating spacer 9' is provided with a waist-shaped hole 14 and a countersunk hole 15. Among them, the waist-shaped hole 14 is used to connect and fix with the soft pole ear structure 10' and the bolts of the upper and lower battery stacks connecting the copper bus 11, and the waist-shaped hole 14 must meet the processing tolerance and assembly tolerance requirements. The countersunk hole 15 is used to fix the end plate insulating spacer 9' to the cathode end plate 1 of the lower battery stack by bolts to ensure that the bolt head does not protrude from the spacer plane. This end plate insulating spacer 9' meets both the insulation requirements and the support strength requirements of the soft pole ear structure 10'.

[0040] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the utility model. It should be understood that the utility model is not limited to the form disclosed herein, and should not be regarded as excluding other embodiments, but can be used in various other combinations, modifications and environments, and can be modified within the scope of the concept described herein through the above teachings or the technology or knowledge of the relevant field. The changes and modifications made by those skilled in the art do not deviate from the spirit and scope of the utility model, and should be within the scope of protection of the claims attached to the utility model.

Claims

1. A fuel cell integrated structure, characterized in that: include: A battery stack core, a battery stack current collector plate, a battery stack insulating end plate, a battery stack outer end plate, a spring compensation structure and a soft pole ear structure, wherein the battery stack core, the battery stack current collector plate and the battery stack insulating end plate are connected in sequence, and the battery stack insulating end plate is connected to the battery stack outer end plate via the spring compensation structure; one side of the soft pole ear structure is electrically connected to the battery stack current collector plate, and the other side is insulated and connected to the battery stack outer end plate; the spring compensation structure and the soft pole ear structure can stretch or contract to compensate for the deformation of the battery stack core during operation.

2. A fuel cell integrated structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The soft tab structure includes a plurality of stacked copper sheets.

3. A fuel cell integrated structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The soft pole ear structure is electrically connected to the system copper busbar.

4. A fuel cell integrated structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The soft pole ear structure is connected to the system copper busbar by bolts.

5. A fuel cell integrated structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an end plate insulating spacer, which is fixed to the outer end plate of the fuel cell stack.

6. A fuel cell integrated structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The soft pole ear structure is connected to the system copper busbar by bolts and fixed on the end plate insulating pad.

7. A fuel cell integrated structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixing method of the soft pole ear structure and the stack current collecting plate includes: welding, riveting or bolting.

8. A fuel cell integrated structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a fastening device, and the stack core, stack current collecting plate, stack insulating end plate and stack outer end plate are limited and fastened by the fastening device.

9. A fuel cell integrated structure according to claim 8, characterized in that: The fastening device comprises a strap or a screw.

10. A fuel cell integrated structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spring compensation structure includes a plurality of spring assemblies which are evenly distributed and installed between the insulating end plate of the fuel cell stack and the outer end plate of the fuel cell stack.

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