Box body device for galvanic pile packaging

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of fuel cell manufacturing, in particular to a box body device for galvanic pile packaging, which comprises a plate body comprising an open pore structure matched with a fluid channel of a galvanic pile; the box shell is in sealed connection with the plate body and is used for packaging the electric pile; the retainer is connected with the plate body and is used for fastening the electric pile so as to keep the press-fitting state of the electric pile; wherein the retainer comprises an adjusting piece, the extension length of the adjusting piece towards the direction of a laminated body of the electric pile is adjustable, and the adjusting piece is suitable for being propped against the end part of the laminated body. Therefore, the method at least has the advantages of being simple in packaging process, high in integration level, high in applicability and the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of fuel cell manufacturing, and in particular to a box device for fuel cell stack packaging. Background Art

[0002] The stack is composed of multiple single cells stacked together, with bipolar plates and membrane electrodes alternately stacked, seals embedded between each cell, and tightened with screws after the front and rear plates are pressed together to form a fuel cell stack. When the stack is working, fuel (such as hydrogen) and oxidant (such as air, oxygen) are introduced from the inlet respectively, distributed to each single cell through the main gas channel of the stack, and evenly distributed to both sides of the proton exchange membrane through the bipolar plate diversion, and electrochemical reactions are carried out under the action of the catalyst to convert chemical energy into electrical energy.

[0003] In order to ensure the sealing and safety of the stack, the fuel cell stack needs to be packaged. Most of the existing stack packaging structures put the fastened stack directly into the box shell, such as first using bolt fastening or strapping to fix the pre-tightened state of the stack, and then put the fastened stack into the box shell and seal it. In other words, the installation between the stack and the box shell mostly adopts the form of separate assembly and then combined and fixed. However, this packaging structure has a low degree of integration, and the box shell does not participate in the fastening of the stack at all, and is only used to achieve sealing. The overall size and weight are large, which is not conducive to reducing the overall volume power density and mass power density.

[0004] Moreover, in the process of fastening the battery stack, it is necessary to apply a preset pressing force to the stack after stacking, and after the battery stack is compacted, it is maintained at the current height for fastening. Since the tolerances of the components in the battery stack are superimposed due to stacking, even for the same batch of battery stacks, the final pressing height cannot be kept completely consistent under the same preset pressing force, which makes it difficult to use the box shell directly for fastening the battery stack. If the box shell is used directly to fasten the battery stack, although it can solve the problem of low integration, the height of the box shell is fixed, which will cause the fastening method of the battery stack to change to fastening according to a fixed height, which is contrary to the design principle of fastening the battery stack according to a preset pressing force. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the technical problem in the prior art that it is difficult to simultaneously improve the integration and tighten the fuel cell stack according to a preset pressing force during the fuel cell stack packaging process, the present application provides a box device for fuel cell stack packaging, which has at least the advantages of a simple packaging process, high integration, and strong applicability.

[0006] The present application discloses a box device for battery stack packaging, comprising: a plate body, comprising an open hole structure, wherein the open hole structure is adapted to a fluid channel of the battery stack; a box shell, sealed and connected to the plate body, and used to package the battery stack; a retaining frame, connected to the plate body, and used to fasten the battery stack to maintain the pressed state of the battery stack; wherein the retaining frame comprises an adjusting member, the extending length of the adjusting member in the direction of the stack of the battery stack is adjustable, and the adjusting member is suitable for abutting against the end of the stack.

[0007] Specifically, one of the concepts of the present application is to use a plate of the box device for fastening the battery stack, so that the plate serves as an end plate on one side of the battery stack. At the same time, the plate and the box shell cooperate with each other to encapsulate the battery stack. By sharing the plate structure, an independent end plate can be optimized, the integration of the box device is improved, and the overall volume power density and mass power density are improved. At the same time, based on the above concept, the present application further uses the adjustment parts on the retaining frame to enable the retaining frame to adapt to the height of the battery stack under different tolerances, ensuring that the battery stack is always in a pressed state with a preset pressing force applied.

[0008] Furthermore, the retaining frame has a U-shaped structure, wherein two connecting ends of the retaining frame are fixedly connected to the plate body.

[0009] Specifically, the retaining frame adopts a U-shaped skeleton structure, and through its combination with the plate body, the fuel cell stack is fastened.

[0010] Furthermore, a threaded through hole is provided on the top of the retaining frame, and the adjusting member is a set screw, wherein the adjusting member is fixed through the threaded through hole.

[0011] Specifically, according to the final height of the battery stack after being subjected to a preset pressing force in the pressing state, the retaining frame is adapted to the battery stack in the pressing state under the preset pressing force by adjusting the protruding length of the fixing screws toward the stacked body of the battery stack. The retaining frame can maintain the battery stack in a compressed state under the preset pressing force.

[0012] In some embodiments, a positioning groove is provided at the end of the stack, wherein the positioning groove is matched with the adjusting member.

[0013] Furthermore, a gap is provided between the side portion of the retaining frame and the stacked body.

[0014] Furthermore, the retaining frame includes a limiting member, wherein the limiting member is arranged between the retaining frame and the stacked body, and one end of the limiting member is connected to the retaining frame, and the other end of the limiting member faces the stacked body.

[0015] Furthermore, the limiting member is provided with an insulating portion facing the stacked body.

[0016] Furthermore, any pair of the two limiting members that are arranged opposite to each other are arranged on different horizontal planes.

[0017] In some embodiments, the limiting member includes an adjusting portion and an insulating portion, wherein the adjusting portion is adjustably connected to the retaining frame, and the insulating portion is disposed facing the stacked body.

[0018] In some embodiments, multiple groups of supporting structures are arranged between the box shell and the retaining frame; any supporting structure includes a mounting through hole and a supporting screw, wherein the mounting through hole is arranged in the box shell, and the supporting screw passes through the mounting through hole into the inner cavity of the box shell and abuts or connects to the retaining frame.

[0019] In summary, the present application improves the integration, applicability and reliability by setting up a box device for packaging the battery stack, through the reasonable combination and arrangement of the plate body, box shell and retaining frame, so that the present application has the advantages of simple packaging process, high integration, strong applicability, high reliability, and the ability to tighten the battery stack according to a preset pressing force. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The present application will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that these drawings are drawn only for the purpose of explaining the preferred embodiments and therefore should not be used as a limitation on the scope of the present application. In addition, unless otherwise specified, the drawings are only schematically representing the composition or structure of the described objects and may contain exaggerated displays, and the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a box device for battery stack packaging provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the working state of the retaining frame provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the staggered arrangement of the position limiting member provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of the position-limiting member provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] 100, laminated body; 210, plate body; 220, box shell; 230, retaining frame; 2301, connecting end; 211, opening structure; 221, mounting through hole; 222, supporting screw; 231, adjusting member; 232, threaded through hole; 233, positioning groove; 234, limiting member; 235, adjusting part; 236, insulating part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The following is combined with Figures 1 to 4 , a detailed description of this application is given.

[0027] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present application more clearly understood, the present application is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application.

[0028] A box device for battery stack packaging has at least the advantages of simple packaging process, high integration, and strong applicability.

[0029] See also Figure 1 Shown is a schematic structural diagram of a box device for battery stack packaging provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0030] Specifically, in order to facilitate the understanding of the structure of the box device provided in the present application, the top plate and the side plates of the box shell 220 are decomposed. In the actual assembly process, the box shell 220 is a semi-closed shell, which is installed in coordination with the plate body 210 to achieve sealed packaging of the battery stack.

[0031] exist Figure 2 In the figure, the stack 100 of the battery stack is indicated by a dotted line, wherein the stack 100 is formed by stacking some elements of the battery stack.

[0032] Furthermore, the present application realizes the process of assembling and fastening the stack as follows: using the plate 210 as the base of the stack, the elements constituting the stack 100 are sequentially stacked on the plate 210 along the stacking direction of the stack, and then pressed from above ( Figure 2 The stack 100 is then tightened by the retaining frame 230, the adjusting member 231 and the plate 210 to achieve assembly and tightening of the battery stack, and the battery stack is maintained in a pressed state with a preset pressing force. The adjusting member 231 can adjust the protruding length of the stack 100 (i.e., the length protruding from the retaining frame 230) according to the actual height of the stack 100 after pressing, so that the adjusting member 231 abuts against the end of the stack 100 (the end away from the plate 210).

[0033] The above structural design, on the one hand, enables the battery stack of the present application to utilize the plate body 210 of the box device as part of the fastening structure of the battery stack, and can optimize an independent end plate, wherein the plate body 210 can be regarded as an end plate on one side of the battery stack, thereby improving the integration of the box device; on the other hand, through the adjusting member 231, the retaining frame 230 is suitable for battery stacks with height differences due to tolerance problems, so that the battery stack can be fastened according to a preset pressing force. In particular, the plate body 210 includes an open hole structure 211, wherein the open hole structure 211 is adapted to the fluid channel of the battery stack to facilitate the introduction and export of fuel, oxidant and heat exchange medium (such as deionized water or other types of battery stack coolant). It can be understood that the plate body 210 serves as an open hole end plate of the battery stack, rather than a blind end plate of the battery stack, and this design facilitates the introduction and export of fluids. If one plate of the box device is selected as the blind end plate of the stack, a gap of varying size will exist between the open end plate of the stack and the box device, which will cause great difficulties in the structural design for implementing the introduction and export of fluids.

[0034] It is worth noting that the sealing structure between the box shell 220 and the plate body 210 is to apply sealant or set a sealant in the groove between the two to achieve the sealing between the two. In addition, the box shell 220 includes a top plate and four side plates. The top plate and the side plates can be assembled with each other through a connecting structure and a sealing structure, or can be welded into one by welding. Of course, the box shell 220 can also be directly integrally formed by integral casting, or partially formed and then assembled with the remaining top / side plates. It can be understood that the specific assembly or molding method of the box shell 220 has nothing to do with the core concept of the present application and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of protection of the present application.

[0035] For further explanation of the structure of the retaining frame 230, see Figure 2 Shown is a working schematic diagram of the retaining frame 230 provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0036] Specifically, the retainer 230 is constructed to have a U-shaped structure, or a U-shaped frame. A plurality of the retainers 230 are evenly distributed in the length direction of the battery stack (not in the stacking direction), and are connected to the plate 210 below in an inverted manner (with the opening of the U-shaped structure facing downward), thereby completing the fastening of the battery stack and placing the battery stack in a press-fit state with a preset press-fit force. The "U-shaped" in this application refers to a broad U-shaped shape, and should not be understood as the top ( Figure 1 and 2The top shown in the figure must have an arc, that is, the top of the retainer 230 can be implemented as a horizontally extending top. In other words, the "U-shaped" generally refers to a semi-enclosed structure including "ㄇ-shaped", "∩-shaped", etc., which can be wrapped around the three sides of the stacked body 100. The retainer 230 can be integrally formed by integral casting, or the top and the two side parts extending from the top can be manufactured separately, and then assembled or welded together, or the top and one side part can be integrally cast, and then the other side part can be assembled or welded.

[0037] It is worth noting that the retaining frame 230 is provided with two connecting ends 2301, which are respectively formed on two side portions of the retaining frame 230, and the connecting end 2301 is located at one end of the side portion of the retaining frame 230 away from the top, and is used to connect with the plate body 210. For example, the connecting end 2301 is configured with a threaded hole, and is fixed by bolts to achieve connection with the plate body 210. Of course, the connection structure between the connecting end 2301 and the plate body 210 is not limited to the connection structure of the threaded bolt.

[0038] Furthermore, a threaded through hole 232 is provided at the top of the retaining frame 230, and the adjusting member 231 is provided with a matching external thread, so that the adjusting member 231 can be screwed into the threaded through hole 232 from one side, and can be further screwed out of the threaded through hole 232 from the other side (toward the stack 100). The protruding length of the adjusting member 231 is adjusted based on the threaded structure so that the adjusting member 231 abuts against the end of the stack 100 to maintain the gap between the end of the stack 100 and the top of the retaining frame 230, thereby achieving the tightening of the battery stack according to the preset pressing force.

[0039] It is worth mentioning that in order to ensure that the retainer 230 has sufficient strength, the retainer 230 is made of metal material, so the side of the retainer 230 cannot contact the stack 100, otherwise the cathode and anode plates in the single cell will be electrically connected to each other, causing serious insulation problems. In other words, a gap is provided between the side of the retainer 230 and the stack 100.

[0040] In some embodiments, in order to facilitate the rapid positioning of the retaining frame 230 during the installation process and prevent the retaining frame 230 from tilting or shaking, a positioning groove 233 is provided at the end of the stack body 100. The positioning groove 233 can position the adjustment member 231, thereby limiting the freedom of the retaining frame 230 to shake forward and backward and left and right, which not only facilitates the installation of the retaining frame 230, but also enables the retaining frame 230 to be in a more stable state.

[0041] In some embodiments, the arrangement of the box device in the fuel cell system is horizontal (the stacking direction is consistent with the horizontal direction), rather than Figure 1 and Figure 2 The stack 100 is placed vertically in the stack (the stacking direction is consistent with the vertical direction), and the portion of the retainer 230 away from the plate body 210 (i.e., the top of the retainer 230 and the portion of the side close to the top) lacks support. Under the gravity of the stack 100, it is very easy to cause excessive deformation of the retainer 230, resulting in the retainer 230 being unable to effectively fasten the battery stack. In order to solve the above technical problems, multiple groups of support structures ( Figure 1 and Figure 2 Combined understanding), the support structure is used to support the retaining frame 230 to maintain the gap between the retaining frame 230 and the side plate of the box shell 220, to prevent the retaining frame 230 from being deformed due to the loss of support of the portion away from the plate body 210, thereby affecting its fastening effect on the battery stack. Further, the support structure includes a mounting through hole 221 and a support screw 222, the mounting through hole 221 is provided in the box shell 220, the support screw 222 can pass through the mounting through hole 221 into the inner cavity of the box shell 220, and abut or connect to the retaining frame 230, so as to support the retaining frame 230. Preferably, the mounting through hole 221 is provided on the side plate of the box shell 220.

[0042] When the box device is arranged in the fuel cell system in the above-mentioned horizontal placement manner, since there is a gap between the side of the retainer 230 and the stack 100, the box device also faces the following technical problems: since there are multiple single cells stacked or layered in the battery stack, ranging from dozens to one hundred or more than two hundred, and with the gradual improvement of the technical level, it may even reach hundreds of pieces in the future, even if the battery stack has been tightened in the stacking direction, under the long-term action of gravity, and in vibration and bumpy conditions, some of the plates in the battery stack are likely to shift up and down, especially the plates located in the middle of the stack 100 are more likely to shift. Therefore, in some embodiments, a limiter 234 is provided between the retainer 230 and the stack 100 to prevent excessive displacement of some of the plates in the stack 100, so as to solve the problem of easy displacement of the plates in the battery stack.

[0043] Further, such as Figure 3As shown, any pair of two relatively arranged limit members 234 are arranged on non-same horizontal planes. It is worth mentioning that "two relatively arranged limit members 234" refer to two limit members 234 respectively arranged on two opposite sides of the stack 100 and located between the stack 100 and the same retaining frame 230, wherein one limit member 234 is located between the stack 100 and one side of the retaining frame 230, and the other limit member 234 is located between the stack 100 and the other side of the retaining frame 230. It is also worth mentioning that the "horizontal plane" is defined as a plane parallel to the plane where the plates of the battery stack are located, that is, perpendicular to the stacking direction of the battery stack.

[0044] It is understandable that, due to the above-mentioned offset design of the limiting member 234, any electrode plate of the battery stack will not be squeezed by the limiting member 234 on both sides at the same time, which can avoid damage to the electrode plates of the battery stack.

[0045] Optionally, part of the stopper 234 can be set at the horizontal plane where the center of the side of the retainer 230 is located, part of the stopper 234 can also be set at the horizontal plane where the center of the side plate of the box shell 220 is located, part of the stopper 234 can also be set at the horizontal plane where the center of the stack 100 is located, part of the stopper 234 can also be set at the horizontal plane where the center of gravity of the stack 100 is located, part of the stopper 234 can also be set at the horizontal plane where the center of gravity of the box device is located, or other positions with or without special significance. Of course, the setting position of the stopper 234 should follow the above-mentioned staggered design principle to achieve the above-mentioned beneficial effect of preventing damage to the plate.

[0046] It is particularly worth mentioning that the portion of the stopper 234 close to the stack 100 should have insulating properties. For example, the stopper 234 includes an insulating portion, wherein when the electrode plate of the battery stack contacts the stopper 234, it is the insulating portion of the stopper 234 that contacts the electrode plate of the battery stack, thereby preventing the electrode plates that should not be electrically connected from being electrically connected, thereby avoiding causing serious insulation problems.

[0047] For further description of the structure of the stopper 234, see Figure 4 The structure diagram of the limiting member 234 provided in the embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0048] Specifically, the position-limiting member 234 is implemented as an adjustable position-limiting member, which can adjust the relative position relationship with the retaining frame 230, and in particular can be adjusted to be close to or away from the side of the retaining frame 230. The position-limiting member 234 includes an adjusting portion 235 and an insulating portion 236, wherein the adjusting portion 235 is connected to the retaining frame 230 in an adjustable manner, and the insulating portion 236 is arranged to face the stack 100. By adjusting the adjusting portion 235, the position-limiting member 234 is made to be close to or away from the side of the retaining frame 230, so that the contact state, the abutment state or the gap between the insulating portion 236 and the stack 100 can be adjusted. In other words, the insulating portion 236 of the position-limiting member 234 can just contact the stack 100, or abut against the stack 100 to exert a weak force, or retain a small gap between the stack 100. More specifically, the adjusting portion 235 may be connected to the retaining frame 230 via threads, and an adjusting step for a wrench to twist is reserved to facilitate the rotation of the adjusting portion 235 .

[0049] The present application is described in detail above. Specific examples are used in the present application to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present application. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the present application and its core ideas. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, without departing from the principles of the present application, several improvements and modifications can be made to the present application, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the scope of protection of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A box device for battery stack packaging, characterized in that: include: The plate body (210) comprises an open hole structure (211), wherein the open hole structure (211) is adapted to a fluid channel of the battery stack; A box shell (220) is sealed and connected to the plate body (210) and is used to encapsulate the battery stack; A retaining frame (230) connected to the plate body (210) and used for fastening the battery stack to maintain the pressed state of the battery stack; The retaining frame (230) comprises an adjusting member (231), the extension length of the adjusting member (231) in the direction of the stack (100) of the battery stack is adjustable, and the adjusting member (231) is suitable for abutting against an end of the stack (100).

2. A box device for battery stack packaging as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The retaining frame (230) has a U-shaped structure, wherein both connecting ends (2301) of the retaining frame (230) are fixedly connected to the plate body (210).

3. A box device for battery stack packaging as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: A threaded through hole (232) is provided at the top of the retaining frame (230), and the adjusting member (231) is a set screw, wherein the adjusting member (231) is fixed through the threaded through hole (232).

4. A box device for battery stack packaging as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: A positioning groove (233) is provided at the end of the stacked body (100), wherein the positioning groove (233) is matched with the adjusting member (231).

5. A box device for battery stack packaging as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: A gap is provided between the side portion of the retaining frame (230) and the stacked body (100).

6. A box device for battery stack packaging as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that: The retaining frame (230) comprises a limiting member (234), wherein the limiting member (234) is arranged between the retaining frame (230) and the stacked body (100), and one end of the limiting member (234) is connected to the retaining frame (230), and the other end of the limiting member (234) faces the stacked body (100).

7. A box device for battery stack packaging as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that: The limiting member (234) is provided with an insulating portion facing the stacked body (100).

8. A box device for battery stack packaging as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that: Any pair of two relatively arranged limiting members (234) are arranged on non-same horizontal planes.

9. A box device for battery stack packaging as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that: The limiting member (234) comprises an adjusting portion (235) and an insulating portion (236), wherein the adjusting portion (235) is connected to the retaining frame (230) in an adjustable manner, and the insulating portion (236) is arranged to face the stacked body (100).

10. A box device for battery stack packaging as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of support structures are arranged between the box shell (220) and the retaining frame (230); Any supporting structure comprises a mounting through hole (221) and a supporting screw (222), wherein the mounting through hole (221) is provided on the box shell (220), and the supporting screw (222) penetrates into the inner cavity of the box shell (220) through the mounting through hole (221) and abuts against or is connected to the retaining frame (230).

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