Metal bipolar plate runner structure, metal bipolar plate and fuel cell

Abstract

The utility model discloses a metal bipolar plate runner structure which comprises a plate body provided with an active area and gas distribution areas, and the gas distribution areas are arranged at the two ends of the active area in the first direction; the gas flow channel comprises M flow channel ridges, M is an integer and is larger than or equal to 1, the M flow channel ridges are arranged at intervals in the second direction, the interval distance between any flow channel ridge and the flow channel ridges on the left side and the right side of the flow channel ridge is equal, and a groove used for gas circulation is formed between every two adjacent flow channel ridges; according to the metal bipolar plate, the multiple bosses are arranged in the gas flow channel of the active region, the bosses are arranged on the flow channel ridges of the gas flow channel, and when the anode metal bipolar plate and the cathode metal bipolar plate are overlapped, the contact area between the anode metal bipolar plate and the membrane electrode can be increased; therefore, the electron conduction efficiency is improved. The utility model also discloses a metal bipolar plate and a fuel cell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of fuel cell technology, and in particular to a metal bipolar plate flow channel structure, a metal bipolar plate and a fuel cell. Background Art

[0002] Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) (hereinafter referred to as fuel cells) rely on electrochemical reactions to directly convert chemical energy stored in fuel gas (such as hydrogen) into electrical energy. The fuel cell power generation process has the characteristics of fast start-up at room temperature, high energy conversion efficiency, green and pollution-free tail gas, and safety. It can be widely used in fixed power stations, mobile power stations, aviation (space) power generation, underwater equipment power generation, marine generators, vehicle-mounted generators, field emergency power supplies, portable power supplies and other fields. Around the world, with the continuous enhancement of environmental awareness, various countries are vigorously promoting the use of environmentally friendly energy, thereby promoting the rapid development of fuel cell power generation technology in recent years.

[0003] When a fuel cell is working, it needs fuel gas (such as hydrogen) and oxidant gas (such as oxygen) to participate in the electrochemical reaction on the fuel cell membrane electrode. The fuel gas and oxidant gas enter the corresponding gas diffusion layer through the anode side flow field and the cathode side flow field respectively and finally reach the anode and cathode, jointly participate in the electrochemical reaction in the fuel cell and produce water. The tail gas and generated water produced by the electrochemical reaction are discharged into the cathode side flow field through the cathode of the membrane electrode and the corresponding diffusion layer and discharged from the fuel cell. The metal bipolar plate is one of the key components in the proton exchange membrane fuel cell and plays multiple important roles. First, as a conductive support, it can effectively conduct electrons and promote the electrochemical reaction between the fuel and the oxidant. Secondly, by designing an appropriate gas channel structure, the metal bipolar plate can effectively distribute the fuel and oxidant, maintain the uniform reaction, and improve the battery efficiency. In addition, it also plays a role in thermal management, regulating the temperature inside the fuel cell to ensure operation within a suitable operating temperature range. At the same time, as a mechanical support inside the fuel cell stack, the metal bipolar plate helps to maintain the stability and structural strength of the battery assembly. Finally, it has good corrosion resistance and can extend the service life of the fuel cell.

[0004] In the process of implementing the present invention, the inventors found that there are at least the following technical problems in the prior art:

[0005] The existing anode metal bipolar plate and cathode metal bipolar plate have limited contact area between the two plates when in use, resulting in low electron conduction efficiency during the reaction of the fuel cell. Utility Model Content

[0006] In view of this, the present application provides a metal bipolar plate flow channel structure, a metal bipolar plate and a fuel cell to increase the contact area between the anode metal bipolar plate and the cathode metal bipolar plate, thereby at least solving the technical problem of low electron conduction efficiency of the fuel cell during reaction.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solutions:

[0008] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a metal bipolar plate flow channel structure for a metal bipolar plate, wherein a membrane electrode is bonded between two metal bipolar plates, and includes:

[0009] A plate body is provided with an active area and a gas distribution area, wherein the gas distribution area is provided at two ends of the active area along a first direction;

[0010] A gas flow channel is arranged in the active area and communicated with the gas distribution area, the gas flow channel includes M flow channel ridges, M is an integer, M ≥ 1, the M flow channel ridges are arranged in a spaced relationship along the second direction, any flow channel ridge is spaced at an equal distance from the flow channel ridges on its left and right sides, a groove for gas circulation is formed between two adjacent flow channel ridges, and the flow channel ridges are used to fit with the membrane electrode;

[0011] A plurality of bosses are provided on the flow channel ridge, and in the third direction, the height of the bosses and the height of the flow channel ridge satisfy the relationship:

[0012] H1=H2

[0013] Wherein, H1 is the height of the boss, and H2 is the height of the flow channel ridge.

[0014] Optionally, the longitudinal cross-section of the M flow channel ridges is trapezoidal in shape and is tapered along the third direction.

[0015] Optionally, the cross-section of the boss is circular, elliptical or polygonal.

[0016] Optionally, the cross section of the boss is circular, wherein the radius of the cross section of the boss satisfies the relationship between the width of the flow channel ridge and the width of the groove:

[0017] L1 / 2 <R<(L1+L2) / 2

[0018] Wherein, R is the radius of the cross section of the boss, L1 is the width of the flow channel ridge, and L2 is the width of the groove.

[0019] Optionally, the M flow channel ridges are distributed in a serpentine shape along the first direction.

[0020] Optionally, in the first direction, the bosses are spaced apart at an interval of one flow channel ridge; and / or,

[0021] In the second direction, the bosses are disposed at an intermediate position between two adjacent bending positions of the same flow channel ridge.

[0022] Optionally, the flow channel structure is formed integrally by any one of stamping, machining, etching, or 3D printing techniques.

[0023] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a flow channel structure for a metal bipolar plate, which is used for a metal bipolar plate. A membrane electrode is disposed between two metal bipolar plates in a fitting manner. The flow channel structure is characterized by comprising:

[0024] A plate body, which is provided with an active area and a gas distribution area, wherein the gas distribution area is disposed at both ends of the active area along the first direction;

[0025] Gas flow channels, which are disposed in the active area and communicate with the gas distribution area. The gas flow channels include M serpentine flow channel ridges, where M is an integer and M≥1. The M flow channel ridges are all spaced apart from each other along the second direction. The spacing distance between any one of the flow channel ridges and the flow channel ridges on its left and right sides is equal. A groove for gas flow is formed between two adjacent flow channel ridges. The flow channel ridges are used for fitting with the membrane electrode;

[0026] A plurality of bosses, which are respectively disposed on the flow channel ridges along the first direction and the second direction. Among them, the bosses disposed along the first direction are spaced apart at an interval of one flow channel ridge, and the bosses disposed along the second direction on the same flow channel ridge are spaced apart at an interval of a bending position of the flow channel ridge 1011. The cross-section of the boss is circular. The radius of the cross-section of the boss satisfies the relationship with the width of the flow channel ridge and the width of the groove: L1 / 2 < R < (L1 + L2) / 2, where R is the radius of the cross-section of the boss, L1 is the width of the flow channel ridge, and L2 is the width of the groove. In the third direction, the height of the boss satisfies the relationship with the height of the flow channel ridge:

[0027] H1 = H2

[0028] wherein, H1 is the height of the boss, and H2 is the height of the flow channel ridge.

[0029] In the third aspect, the embodiment of the present application also provides a metal bipolar plate, which includes the metal bipolar plate flow channel structure as in the above-mentioned first aspect or second aspect embodiment, the metal bipolar plate also includes a first inlet and outlet end and a second inlet and outlet end respectively connected to the gas distribution area, wherein the first inlet and outlet end includes an air outlet, a coolant outlet and a hydrogen inlet, and the second inlet and outlet end includes an air inlet, a coolant inlet and a hydrogen outlet, and the metal bipolar plate is divided into an anode metal bipolar plate and a cathode metal bipolar plate, wherein the anode metal bipolar plate and the cathode metal bipolar plate are provided with a boss on one side for bonding with the membrane electrode.

[0030] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a fuel cell, which uses the metal bipolar plate provided in the embodiment of the third aspect described above.

[0031] The metal bipolar plate flow channel structure, metal bipolar plate and fuel cell provided by the embodiments of the present application have at least the following beneficial effects:

[0032] The metal bipolar plate flow channel structure provided in the embodiment of the present application is provided with a plurality of bosses in the gas flow channel of the active area, wherein the bosses are provided on the flow channel ridges of the gas flow channel, and the height of the bosses is the same as the height of the flow channel ridges. When the anode metal bipolar plate and the cathode metal bipolar plate of the flow channel structure are bonded with the membrane electrode to form a battery assembly, the flow channel ridges and bosses of the two metal bipolar plates will be bonded and contacted with the membrane electrode, thereby playing the role of supporting, conducting electrons and transferring heat. Compared with the flow channel structure without bosses, the flow channel structure of this embodiment can increase the contact area between the metal bipolar plate and the membrane electrode. This increased area is the area of ​​the bosses minus the overlapped part with the flow channel ridges. Accordingly, increasing the contact area between the metal bipolar plate and the membrane electrode can bring the following three benefits:

[0033] 1. Improved electron conduction efficiency: Increasing the contact area between the two metal bipolar plates can reduce the resistance between the metal bipolar plates and the membrane electrode, which means that more electrons can be transferred through the metal bipolar plates, thereby improving the conduction efficiency of electrons between the metal bipolar plates and the conductivity of the entire battery system.

[0034] 2. More uniform temperature distribution: Metal bipolar plates also play a role in thermal management in fuel cells. By increasing the contact area, heat can be transferred more efficiently and a more uniform temperature distribution can be achieved. This helps avoid local temperatures that are too high or too low, and improves the stability and life of the battery.

[0035] 3. Improved support: The increase in the contact area between the two metal bipolar plates means a larger support area, which improves the support of the battery to a certain extent. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the embodiments of the present application, the following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for use in the embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0037] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a metal bipolar plate provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a flow channel structure provided by an embodiment of the present application from a first perspective;

[0039] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of the flow channel structure provided by an embodiment of the present application from a second perspective;

[0040] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the flow channel ridge and the boss provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Figure 5 It is a partial schematic diagram of the flow channel structure provided by the embodiment of the present application when the boss is respectively elliptical, circular, and circular chamfered;

[0042] Figure 6 The embodiment of the present application provides a comparative diagram of the distribution of oxygen and pressure in each flow channel obtained through experiments when the boss is respectively elliptical, circular, circular chamfered, and no boss is provided;

[0043] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the assembly of a metal bipolar plate provided in another embodiment of the present application;

[0044] Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of a fuel cell provided in yet another embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Fig. 9 It is a structural schematic diagram of the flow channel structure and the membrane electrode contact surface provided by another embodiment of the present application.

[0046] The specific reference numerals are as follows:

[0047] Plate body 1, active area 100, gas distribution area 200, first inlet and outlet end 300, second inlet and outlet end 400;

[0048] Gas flow channel 101, flow channel ridge 1011, boss 1012, groove 1013;

[0049] Air outlet 301, coolant outlet 302, hydrogen inlet 303;

[0050] Air inlet 401, coolant inlet 402, hydrogen outlet 403;

[0051] Anode metal bipolar plate 500, cathode metal bipolar plate 600, diffusion layer 700, catalyst layer 800, proton exchange membrane 900;

[0052] Membrane electrode 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] The features and exemplary embodiments of various aspects of the present application will be described in detail below. In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the present application will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only intended to explain the present application, rather than to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, the present application can be implemented without the need for some of these specific details. The following description of the embodiments is only to provide a better understanding of the present application by illustrating the examples of the present application.

[0054] It should be noted that, in this article, relational terms such as first and second, etc. are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. In the absence of further restrictions, the elements defined by the statement "include..." do not exclude the existence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device including the elements.

[0055] The metal bipolar plate is one of the key components in the proton exchange membrane fuel cell and plays multiple important roles. First, as a conductive support, it can effectively conduct electrons and promote the electrochemical reaction between the fuel and the oxidant. Secondly, by designing an appropriate gas channel structure, the metal bipolar plate can effectively distribute the fuel and oxidant, maintain the uniform reaction, and improve the battery efficiency. In addition, it also plays a role in thermal management, regulating the temperature inside the fuel cell to ensure operation within a suitable operating temperature range. At the same time, as a mechanical support inside the fuel cell stack, the metal bipolar plate helps maintain the stability and structural strength of the battery assembly. Finally, it has good corrosion resistance and can extend the service life of the fuel cell. However, the existing anode metal bipolar plate and cathode metal bipolar plate have a limited contact area between the two plates when in use, resulting in low electron conduction efficiency of the fuel cell during the reaction.

[0056] In order to solve the problems of the prior art, the applicant has improved the flow channel structure of the metal bipolar plate. The embodiments of the present application are further described below.

[0057] In order to better understand this application, Figures 1 to 4 The embodiments of the present application are described.

[0058] Metal bipolar plates are divided into anode metal bipolar plates and cathode metal bipolar plates. The flow channel area structures of the two plates are similar. When viewed in the direction perpendicular to the plate surface, the flow channel areas are the same. The difference between the flow channel areas of the two plates lies in the difference in the flow channel depths of the two plates.

[0059] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a metal bipolar plate flow channel structure for a metal bipolar plate, wherein the metal bipolar plate includes an anode metal bipolar plate 500 and a cathode metal bipolar plate 600, please refer to Figure 8 In an actual fuel cell, a membrane electrode 2 is provided between the anode metal bipolar plate 500 and the cathode metal bipolar plate 600, and the contact area between the metal bipolar plate and the membrane electrode 2 is proportional to the conduction efficiency of the electrons, such as Figure 1-Figure 4 As shown, the metal bipolar plate flow channel structure in the embodiment of the present application includes a plate body 1, which is provided with an active area 100 and a gas distribution area 200, wherein the gas distribution area 200 is arranged at both ends of the active area 100 along a first direction; a gas flow channel 101, which is arranged in the active area 100 and is connected to the gas distribution area 200, and the gas distribution area 200 is used to evenly distribute the gas to the active area 100 for reaction; the gas flow channel 101 includes M flow channel ridges 1011, M is an integer, M ≥ 1, and the M flow channel ridges 1011 are all arranged at intervals from each other along the second direction, and the interval distance between any flow channel ridge 1011 and the flow channel ridges 1011 on its left and right sides is equal, and a gas flow channel is formed between two adjacent flow channel ridges 1011 for gas circulation The groove 1013 serves as a gas flow path. When the metal bipolar plate is an anode metal bipolar plate, hydrogen flows in the groove 1013. When the metal bipolar plate is a cathode metal bipolar plate, oxygen flows in the groove 1013. A plurality of bosses 1012 are arranged on the flow channel ridge 1011. It should be noted that in the third direction, the height H1 of the boss 1012 is equal to the height H2 of the flow channel ridge 1011. Setting the height of the boss to be equal to the height of the flow channel ridge can ensure that when the two metal bipolar plates are bonded to the membrane electrode, the boss and the flow channel ridge can contact the membrane electrode at the same time, thereby achieving the purpose of increasing the contact area between the metal bipolar plate and the membrane electrode. The third direction is Figure 4 The Z direction in .

[0060] Please refer to Figure 2 or Figure 3The active area 100 serves as a place for oxygen and hydrogen to react when the fuel cell is working. A gas flow channel 101 is arranged in the active area 100, wherein the gas flow channel 101 includes M flow channel ridges 1011, and the longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the M flow channel ridges 1011 is trapezoidal, and is gradually tapered along the third direction. The M flow channel ridges 1011 are spaced apart from each other along the second direction, and each flow channel ridge 1011 is parallel to each other. It can be understood that the flow channel ridges 1011 can be distributed in any shape including straight line, serpentine, broken line, and wave along the first direction. Preferably, in the embodiment of the present application, serpentine-shaped flow channel ridges 1011 are selected, and the grooves 1013 for gas and fuel gas flow formed between the serpentine flow channel ridges 1011 are also serpentine, that is, the gas flow channel 101 adopts the form of a multi-channel serpentine flow channel. Such a design can promote full diffusion of the gas and improve the uniformity of gas flow distribution.

[0061] In particular, please continue to refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the embodiment of the present application, a plurality of bosses 1012 are arranged on the flow channel ridge 1011 of the gas flow channel 101, and the plurality of bosses 1012 are evenly distributed on the flow channel ridge 1011 along the first direction or the second direction. For the active area 100 with sufficient space, a boss 1012 is arranged on each flow channel ridge 1011 in the first direction, and on the serpentine flow channel ridge 1011 in the second direction, the boss 1012 is arranged at the middle position of two adjacent bends. It can be understood that the more the number of bosses 1012 on the flow channel ridge 1011, the more uniform the distribution. The denser the metal bipolar plates are, the larger the contact area when they overlap with the membrane electrode 2, thereby reducing the resistance between the metal bipolar plates and the membrane electrode 2, which is more conducive to improving the uniform diffusion of gas and the efficiency of electron conduction. In addition, by increasing the contact area, a more uniform temperature distribution can be achieved, which helps to avoid local temperatures that are too high or too low, thereby improving the stability and life of the fuel cell. One of the functions of the metal bipolar plate is to improve the support of the battery. Therefore, the larger the contact area between the two metal bipolar plates and the membrane electrode 2, the greater the support force that can be improved.

[0062] Specifically, in order to further prove that the flow channel structure in the embodiment of the present application can increase the contact area between the metal bipolar plate and the membrane electrode 2 after the boss 1012 is provided, the applicant has obtained the following conclusions through actual experimental calculations: Fig. 9 As shown, Fig. 9 1011 and the contact surface of the membrane electrode 2. It can be understood that a section of the arc-shaped flow ridge 1011 between the sample AB is taken as an example. A convex platform 1012 is provided on the flow ridge 1011 between the sample AB. The arc length of the flow ridge 1011 between the sample AB is L. 弧=12.06mm, where the width of one channel ridge 1011 is L 宽 =0.45mm, at this time, the area of ​​the flow channel ridge 1011 is the arc length multiplied by the width, that is, S1 = L 弧 *L 宽 =12.06*0.45=5.427mm 2 , the radius of the boss 1012 is R = 0.445 mm, so the area of ​​the boss 1012 is S2 = πR 2 ≈0.6217mm 2 The area of ​​the flow channel ridge 1011 overlapping with the boss 1012 is S3 = 0.45*0.89 = 0.4001 mm 2 , it can be calculated that the contact area S between the metal bipolar plate and the membrane electrode 2 can be increased by setting the boss 1012 增 =S3-S2=0.6217-0.4001=0.2216mm 2 , the percentage of the contact area increased after the boss 1012 is set is (S 增 / S1)*100%=(0.2216 / 5.427)*100%=4.1%. It can be seen that the contact area between the metal bipolar plate and the membrane electrode 2 can be increased by providing the boss 1012, thereby improving the efficiency of electron conduction.

[0063] It can be understood that the role of providing the boss 1012 on the flow channel ridge 1011 is not only to increase the contact area between the two plates, but also to increase the disturbance of the gas in the groove 1013, which specifically has the following three beneficial effects: 1. Promote the contact between the gas and the catalyst: the disturbance can increase the turbulence of the gas in the groove 1013, so that the gas can contact the catalyst more fully. This can increase the chance of the gas to undergo an electrochemical reaction on the catalyst surface, thereby improving the reaction efficiency of the fuel cell; 2. Enhance gas mixing: the disturbance can promote the mixing of the gas, so that hydrogen and oxygen are more evenly distributed in the groove 1013. This helps to reduce the local concentration difference in the gas flow and improve the uniformity and stability of the reaction; 3. Reduce mass transfer resistance: the disturbance can reduce the transmission resistance of the gas in the groove 1013, because it can break the boundary layer of the fluid and reduce the resistance to gas flow. This can reduce the pressure drop in the groove 1013 and improve the efficiency of gas flow.

[0064] In order to make the boss 1012 achieve the best effect for the contact between the gas and the catalyst, in one embodiment, please refer to Figure 1-Figure 4, in the first direction, the bosses 1012 are arranged at intervals with one flow channel ridge 1011 as the interval, or, in the second direction, the bosses 1012 are arranged at the middle position between two adjacent bending positions of the same flow channel ridge 1011. It is not difficult to understand that the bosses 1012 can be arranged at intervals in the first direction and at intervals in the second direction at the same time, where the first direction is Figure 1 the X direction in Figure 1 and the second direction is

[0065] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 4 , the cross-section of the boss 1012 is circular. At this time, the radius R of the boss 1012, the width L1 of the flow channel ridge 1011, and the width L2 of the groove 1013 satisfy the relational expression: L1 / 2 < R < (L1 + L2) / 2. The specific increased value of the contact area increased after adding the boss 1012 is related to the specific dimensional parameters. Taking the structure with the width of the flow channel ridge 1011 being L1 = 0.8 mm and the radius R of the boss 1012 being 0.5 mm as an example, after adding the boss 1012, through the calculation formula in the above embodiment, it can be obtained that the contact area between the two metal bipolar plates and the membrane electrode 2 has increased by about 23%. In some other embodiments, in addition to being circular, the cross-section of the boss 1012 can also be set as an ellipse, a special shape, or polygons such as a triangle or a quadrilateral, and it is specifically selected according to the actual situation.

[0066] It can be understood that the flow channel structure of the metal bipolar plate can be integrally formed by 3D printing technology, or can be manufactured by processes such as welding, machining, etching, stamping, and hydroforming, and is not limited thereto.

[0067] To further verify the actual influence of setting the boss 1012 on improving the electrochemical reaction of gas on the catalyst surface in the metal bipolar plate flow channel structure provided in this embodiment, taking the cathode metal bipolar plate as an example, the following is through Figure 5 , Figure 6 in combination with Table 1 for description, where Figure 5 shows partial schematic diagrams of the flow channel structures when the boss 1012 is an ellipse, a circle, and a circular chamfer respectively, Figure 6 shows the comparison diagrams of the distribution of oxygen and pressure in the air in each flow channel when the boss 1012 is an ellipse, a circle, a circular chamfer, and when the boss 1012 is not provided, obtained through experiments. Table 1 shows the current density data results in each flow channel when the boss 1012 is an ellipse, a circle, a circular chamfer, and when the boss 1012 is not provided, obtained according to the simulation test experiment. Specifically:

[0068] Table 1

[0069]

[0070]

[0071] according to Figure 6 From the pressure and oxygen distribution cloud diagrams of each case shown, it can be found that there is no significant difference in the pressure in a single flow channel and the oxygen distribution in the air between the cases. On this basis, combined with the final current density data obtained by simulation tests of each case shown in Table 1, it can be seen that, on the basis of the same flow channel width and flow channel length, it can be known through comparison that the current density of the flow channel with a circular boss 1012 represented by Case 2 and the flow channel with a circular chamfered boss 1012 represented by Case 3 are higher than the current density of the flow channel with an elliptical boss 1012 represented by Case 1 and the flow channel without a boss 1012 represented by Case 4. Therefore, it can be known that Case 2 and Case 3 are better in improving the performance of the electrochemical reaction of gas on the catalyst surface, while the flow channel with an elliptical boss 1012 represented by Case 1 and the flow channel without a boss 1012 represented by Case 4 are poor in improving the performance of the electrochemical reaction of gas on the catalyst surface. In summary, the elliptical boss 1012 can improve the performance of the flow channel to a certain extent, but the performance improvement effect of the circular boss 1012 is better than the performance improvement effect of the elliptical boss 1012.

[0072] In a second aspect, the present application also provides a metal bipolar plate, wherein the flow channel structure of the metal bipolar plate provided in the first aspect is adopted. In addition, please refer to Figure 1 The metal bipolar plate also includes a first inlet and outlet end 300 and a second inlet and outlet end 400 respectively connected to the gas distribution area 200, wherein the first inlet and outlet end 300 includes an air outlet 301, a coolant outlet 302 and a hydrogen inlet 303, and the second inlet and outlet end 400 includes an air inlet 401, a coolant inlet 402 and a hydrogen outlet 403.

[0073] To further understand the role of metal bipolar plates, please refer to Figure 7 , Figure 7 The schematic diagram of the assembly of the metal bipolar plate is shown in FIG. 1 . The fuel cell stack is composed of multiple single cells, each of which is composed of a metal bipolar plate, a membrane electrode, and a seal. The membrane electrode mainly includes a proton exchange membrane 900, a catalyst layer 800, and a diffusion layer 700. Figure 7 As shown, the anode metal bipolar plate 500, the diffusion layer 700, the catalyst layer 800, the proton exchange membrane 900, the catalyst layer 800, the diffusion layer 700 and the cathode metal bipolar plate 600 are sequentially stacked and combined into a single cell.

[0074] The metal bipolar plate in the embodiment of the present application adopts the flow channel structure in the embodiment of the first aspect, and therefore has all the beneficial effects of the above-mentioned flow channel structure, which will not be repeated here.

[0075] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a fuel cell, which uses the metal bipolar plate in the embodiment of the second aspect above and has all the beneficial effects of the metal bipolar plate above, which will not be described in detail here.

[0076] It should be noted that, in this article, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the term "comprising" or any other variant thereof is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. In the absence of further restrictions, the elements defined by the sentence "comprising a ..." do not exclude the existence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device including the elements.

Claims

1. A metal bipolar plate flow channel structure, used for a metal bipolar plate, wherein a membrane electrode (2) is bonded between two metal bipolar plates, characterized in that: include: A plate body (1) is provided with an active area (100) and a gas distribution area (200), wherein the gas distribution area (200) is arranged at two ends of the active area (100) along a first direction; A gas flow channel (101) is arranged in the active area (100) and is connected to the gas distribution area (200), the gas flow channel (101) comprises M flow channel ridges (1011), M is an integer, M≥1, the M flow channel ridges (1011) are arranged at intervals from each other along the second direction, any flow channel ridge (1011) is spaced from the flow channel ridges (1011) on its left and right sides by an equal distance, a groove (1013) for gas circulation is formed between two adjacent flow channel ridges (1011), and the flow channel ridges (1011) are used to fit the membrane electrode (2); A plurality of bosses (1012) are arranged on the flow channel ridge (1011), and in the third direction, the height of the bosses (1012) and the height of the flow channel ridge (1011) satisfy the relationship: H1=H2 Wherein, H1 is the height of the boss (1012), and H2 is the height of the flow channel ridge (1011).

2. The metal bipolar plate flow channel structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The longitudinal cross-section shape of the M flow channel ridges (1011) is trapezoidal and is arranged to be gradually reduced along the third direction.

3. The metal bipolar plate flow channel structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cross section of the boss (1012) is circular, elliptical or polygonal.

4. The metal bipolar plate flow channel structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cross section of the boss (1012) is circular, wherein the radius of the cross section of the boss (1012) satisfies the relationship between the width of the flow channel ridge (1011) and the width of the groove (1013): L1 / 2 <R<(L1+L2) / 2 Wherein, R is the radius of the cross section of the boss (1012), L1 is the width of the flow channel ridge (1011), and L2 is the width of the groove (1013).

5. The metal bipolar plate flow channel structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The M flow channel ridges (1011) are distributed in a serpentine shape along the first direction.

6. The metal bipolar plate flow channel structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: In the first direction, the bosses (1012) are distributed at intervals with one of the flow channel ridges (1011) as an interval; and / or, In the second direction, the boss (1012) is arranged at a middle position between two adjacent bending positions of the same flow channel ridge (1011).

7. The metal bipolar plate flow channel structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flow channel structure includes but is not limited to being realized by any one of stamping, machining, etching or 3D printing technology.

8. A metal bipolar plate flow channel structure, used for a metal bipolar plate, wherein a membrane electrode (2) is bonded between two metal bipolar plates, characterized in that: include: A plate body (1) is provided with an active area (100) and a gas distribution area (200), wherein the gas distribution area (200) is arranged at two ends of the active area (100) along a first direction; A gas flow channel (101) is arranged in the active area (100) and is connected to the gas distribution area (200), the gas flow channel (101) comprising M serpentine flow channel ridges (1011), M is an integer, M≥1, the M flow channel ridges (1011) are arranged at intervals from each other along the second direction, any flow channel ridge (1011) is spaced from the flow channel ridges (1011) on its left and right sides by an equal distance, a groove (1013) for gas circulation is formed between two adjacent flow channel ridges (1011), and the flow channel ridges (1011) are used to fit the membrane electrode (2); A plurality of bosses (1012) are arranged on the flow channel ridge (1011) along a first direction and a second direction, respectively, wherein the bosses (1012) arranged along the first direction are spaced apart by one flow channel ridge (1011), and the bosses (1012) arranged on the same flow channel ridge (1011) along the second direction are spaced apart by a bending position of the flow channel ridge (1011), the cross section of the boss (1012) is circular, the radius of the cross section of the boss (1012) and the width of the flow channel ridge (1011) and the width of the groove (1013) satisfy the relationship: R>L1 / 2, and R-L1 / 2>L2 / 2, wherein R is the radius of the cross section of the boss, L1 is the width of the flow channel ridge, and L2 is the width of the groove, and in the third direction, the height of the boss (1012) and the height of the flow channel ridge (1011) satisfy the relationship: H1=H2 Wherein, H1 is the height of the boss (1012), and H2 is the height of the flow channel ridge (1011).

9. A metal bipolar plate, comprising the metal bipolar plate flow channel structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The metal bipolar plate also includes a first inlet and outlet end (300) and a second inlet and outlet end (400) respectively connected to the gas distribution area (200), the first inlet and outlet end (300) includes an air outlet (301), a coolant outlet (302) and a hydrogen inlet (303), the second inlet and outlet end (400) includes an air inlet (401), a coolant inlet (402) and a hydrogen outlet (403), the metal bipolar plate is divided into an anode metal bipolar plate (500) and a cathode metal bipolar plate (600), wherein the anode metal bipolar plate (500) and the cathode metal bipolar plate (600) are provided with a boss (1012) on one side for bonding with the membrane electrode (2).

10. A fuel cell, characterized in that: The fuel cell comprises the metal bipolar plate according to claim 9.

Images