End plate assembly for fuel cell and packaging device thereof

Abstract

The utility model provides an end plate assembly for a fuel cell and a packaging device of the end plate assembly. The end plate assembly comprises a base plate and an end plate arranged on the base plate, the end plate is an injection molding piece with the base plate as a base body. The two ends of the end plate comprise through pore channel structures, and the pore channel structures are used for being matched with a fluid channel of the fuel cell; the pore channel structure extends towards the direction of the substrate to form an embedded part; the base plate comprises a mounting part extending along the periphery of a plate body of the base plate and a containing part matched with the embedding part, and the containing part is used for containing the embedding part; wherein at least parts of the joints of the end plates and the base plate are embedded with each other to form an embedded structure. Through the matching design of the embedded part of the end plate assembly and the accommodating part of the substrate assembly, and in combination with an injection molding process, the bonding strength of the end plate and the substrate is improved, so that the anti-deformation capability and the sealing effect of the end plate assembly are enhanced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of fuel cell manufacturing, and in particular to an end plate assembly for a fuel cell and a packaging device thereof. Background Art

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

[0003] In the prior art, the stack of a fuel cell includes end plates at both ends, and a packaging device for packaging the stack. Based on the above structure, some technical solutions integrate the end plates of the stack with the bottom plate of the packaging device to form an end plate assembly. The end plate assembly can be used for both the stacked end plates of the stack and the bottom plate of the packaging device, thereby optimizing the structure. However, in terms of the structural composition of the end plate assembly, it is necessary to consider both the structural strength when used as a bottom plate and the insulation when used as an end plate. Therefore, a metal substrate and a plastic end plate are often assembled to form an end plate assembly. On the one hand, this design increases the complexity of assembly and the difficulty of sealing. On the other hand, due to the different thermal expansion coefficients between metal parts and plastic parts, different degrees of deformation are likely to occur during the operation of the fuel cell, which makes it easy for the plastic end plate to have a gap with the metal substrate, resulting in poor structural stability, affecting the performance of the fuel cell, and may even cause sealing failure. Utility Model Content

[0004] In order to solve the technical problem in the prior art that the end plate assembly is prone to gaps due to different thermal expansion coefficients, resulting in poor structural stability and sealing failure, the present application provides an end plate assembly for a fuel cell and a packaging device thereof, which has at least the advantages of high bonding strength and good sealing performance.

[0005] First aspect

[0006] The present application provides an end plate assembly for a fuel cell, comprising: a substrate and an end plate arranged on the substrate; the end plate is an injection molded part with the substrate as a base; both ends of the end plate include a through channel structure, and the channel structure is used to adapt to the fluid channel of the fuel cell; the channel structure extends toward the substrate to form an embedded part; the substrate includes a mounting part extending along the four sides of its plate body, and a receiving part adapted to the embedded part, and the receiving part is used to accommodate the embedded part; wherein, at the junction of the end plate and the substrate, at least part of them are embedded with each other to form an embedded structure.

[0007] Specifically, one of the concepts of the present application is to improve the bonding strength between the end plate and the substrate through the matching design of the embedded part of the end plate assembly and the receiving part of the substrate assembly, combined with the injection molding process, so that the deformation resistance of the end plate assembly is enhanced, the structural stability is strong, and it is conducive to ensuring the effectiveness of the seal. At the same time, another concept of the present application is that at the junction of the end plate and the substrate, at least part of the interlocking structure is interlocked with each other, so that the bonding strength between the end plate and the substrate is further strengthened. It is worth mentioning that the junction of the end plate and the substrate includes the overlapping surface of the end plate and the substrate and the bonding surface between the outer wall of the embedded part of the end plate and the inner wall of the receiving part of the substrate. By forming a interlocking structure on the overlapping surface of the end plate and the substrate, the bonding strength, structural stability and overall flatness of the end plate and the substrate can be further improved.

[0008] The fluid channel refers to the flow channel of the fuel (hydrogen), oxidant (such as air, oxygen) and heat exchange medium (such as deionized water or coolant suitable for fuel cells) in the fuel cell.

[0009] It is worth noting that adaptation refers to mutual cooperation and needs to be understood in context. For example: the pore structure is used to adapt to the fluid channel of the fuel cell, which means that the channel opening of the pore structure is connected to the channel opening of the fluid channel, so that the fuel, oxidant and heat exchange medium can smoothly enter the corresponding channel opening of the fluid channel through the corresponding channel openings of the pore structure; the accommodating part adapted to the embedded part, the accommodating part is used to accommodate the embedded part, which means that the appearance of the joint surface of the accommodating part is exactly the same as the appearance of the joint surface of the embedded part, so that the embedded part can be completely accommodated by the accommodating part.

[0010] Furthermore, the chimeric structure includes the following implementation technical solutions:

[0011] A possible technical solution is as follows: the interlocking structure includes: along the plane direction of the substrate, the outer wall of the embedded part is convex or inward on all sides to form at least one group of first interlocking rings or first interlocking grooves; and correspondingly, the inner wall of the accommodating part is inward or convex on all sides to form at least one group of second interlocking grooves or second interlocking rings.

[0012] Specifically, another concept of the present application is to provide mutually engaging rings or engaging grooves on the joining surfaces of the embedding portion and the accommodating portion, thereby improving the joining strength between the two.

[0013] It is worth understanding that the outer wall of the embedded part here refers to the joint surface between the embedded part and the receiving part. When the embedded part is provided with a first convex fitting ring, the receiving part is provided with a second fitting groove at the corresponding position, and the first fitting ring and the second fitting groove fit together; conversely, when the embedded part is provided with a first inward-sunk fitting groove, the receiving part is provided with a second fitting ring at the corresponding position, and the first fitting groove and the second fitting ring fit together. The convex or inward-sunk in other parallel technical solutions can be understood based on the above description and will not be repeated one by one.

[0014] A second possible technical solution is that the interlocking structure includes: at the overlapping surface of the end plate and the substrate, the end plate bulges outward or sinks inward toward the substrate to form a first intersecting mesh block or a first mesh groove; and correspondingly, the substrate sinks inward or bulges outward toward the end plate to form a second intersecting mesh groove or a second mesh block.

[0015] Specifically, the overlapping surfaces of the end plate and the base plate are configured as cross-engaged mesh blocks or mesh grooves, which can effectively increase the bonding area between the two, thereby enhancing the bonding strength between the two.

[0016] A possible technical solution three is that the interlocking structure includes: at the overlapping surface of the end plate and the substrate, the end plate bulges outward or sinks inward toward the substrate to form a first protrusion block or a first lower groove; and correspondingly, the substrate sinks inward or bulges outward toward the end plate to form a second lower groove or a second protrusion block.

[0017] Specifically, the protruding block or the lower groove can further enhance the bonding strength between the two.

[0018] It is worth noting that the above three possible implementation schemes can be combined in pairs or all three can be used simultaneously.

[0019] A possible technical solution four is that the interlocking structure includes: at the overlapping surface of the end plate and the base plate, the end plate protrudes outward toward the base plate to form a raised block and a crossed mesh block; adapted thereto, the base plate sinks inward toward the end plate to form a lower groove and a crossed mesh groove; wherein the raised block is arranged at the center of the grid formed by the mesh block, and the lower groove is arranged at the center of the grid formed by the mesh groove.

[0020] Preferably, when the protruding block or the lower groove and the mesh block or the mesh groove are used simultaneously, the protruding block or the lower groove is arranged at the center of the grid formed by the mesh block or the mesh groove, which is beneficial to the uniform transmission of the assembly force of the battery stack.

[0021] More preferably, the protruding block and the mesh block are both arranged on the end plate, and the lower groove and the mesh groove are both arranged on the base plate. It can be understood that since the base plate is made of metal and the end plate is made of plastic, this interlocking structure is conducive to reducing the total weight of the end plate assembly, thereby helping to improve the mass power density of the stack.

[0022] In some possible implementations, in the outward convex direction, the first protruding block includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion in sequence, and the length of the second protrusion in any direction is greater than the length of the first protrusion in the corresponding direction.

[0023] Specifically, another concept of the present application is that the length of the second protrusion in any direction is greater than the length of the first protrusion in the corresponding direction, so as to limit the second protrusion, thereby effectively preventing the end plate from escaping from the base plate, thereby further enhancing the structural strength.

[0024] In some possible implementations, in the inward direction, the second lower groove includes a first notch and a second notch in sequence, and a length of the second notch in any direction is greater than a length of the second notch in a corresponding direction.

[0025] Specifically, the second lower groove adopts the same technical concept as the first protruding block, which can be understood by reference.

[0026] In some possible implementations, a sunken installation groove is provided in the middle of the end plate, and the installation groove is provided with an embedded screw sleeve.

[0027] Specifically, the mounting groove is used to mount a current collecting plate of a fuel cell, and the current collecting plate is fixed by the embedded screw sleeve.

[0028] In some possible implementations, the mounting portion is provided with a sealing groove, and the sealing groove is used for glue dispensing, glue injection or glue sticking.

[0029] Specifically, the installation portion is used for installing an external packaging box shell, and the packaging box shell is sealed through the sealing groove.

[0030] Second aspect

[0031] The present application provides a packaging device for a fuel cell, including an end plate assembly for a fuel cell provided in any possible embodiment of the first aspect, including: a packaging box shell; the packaging box shell includes an inner cavity and a cavity opening arranged at an open end of the inner cavity, the inner cavity is used to accommodate a stack of fuel cells stacked on the end plate, and is inverted and connected to the mounting portion through the cavity opening.

[0032] Specifically, the end plate assembly cooperates with the packaging box shell to form a sealed packaging device for packaging the fuel cell stack.

[0033] In summary, the present application provides an end plate assembly for a fuel cell and a packaging device thereof, which has at least the following advantages:

[0034] 1. Through the matching design of the embedding part of the end plate assembly and the accommodating part of the base plate assembly, combined with the injection molding process, the bonding strength between the end plate and the base plate is improved, so that the deformation resistance of the end plate assembly is enhanced, the structural stability is strong, and it is conducive to ensuring the effectiveness of the seal;

[0035] 2. The joint between the end plate and the base plate adopts a mutually interlocking interlocking structure, so that the joint strength between the end plate and the base plate is further improved. The interlocking structure includes but is not limited to the implementation of an interlocking ring or an interlocking groove, the implementation of a mesh block or a mesh groove, and the implementation of a protruding block and a lower groove;

[0036] 3. In the implementation of the protrusion block and the lower groove, through the structural design of the first protrusion and the second protrusion, or the structural design of the first notch and the second notch, the interlocking structure can limit the second protrusion and the second notch, which can effectively prevent the end plate from falling out of the base plate, so that the structural strength is further enhanced;

[0037] 4. The mounting groove is used to mount the current collecting plate of the fuel cell. The current collecting plate is fixed by the embedded screw sleeve, so that the current collecting plate can also be installed and integrated through the end plate assembly, so as to facilitate the assembly of the fuel cell stack as a whole, thereby improving the flexibility of assembly;

[0038] 5. Based on the end plate assembly, the present application also provides a packaging device for a fuel cell, which realizes the sealing of the fuel cell by cooperating with the packaging box shell through the end plate assembly, thereby ensuring the sealing of the packaging device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] 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.

[0040] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the composition of an end plate assembly for a fuel cell provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of disassembly of an end plate assembly for a fuel cell provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Figure 3A schematic side cross-sectional view of a packaging device for a fuel cell provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Figure 4 The embodiment of the present application provides a schematic diagram of the matching of the engaging ring and the engaging groove;

[0044] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the coordination of the mesh block and the mesh groove provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the cooperation between the protruding block and the lower groove provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0046] 1. end plate; 2. substrate; 3. packaging box shell; 4. laminated body; 11. channel structure; 12. embedded part; 13. mounting groove; 21. mounting part; 22. accommodating part; 31. inner cavity; 32. cavity opening; 121. interlocking structure; 131. embedded screw sleeve; 211. sealing groove; 221. interlocking structure; 1211. first interlocking ring; 1212. first interlocking groove; 1213. first mesh block; 12 14. first mesh groove; 1215. first protruding block; 1216. first lower groove; 2211. second interlocking groove; 2212. second interlocking ring; 2213. second mesh groove; 2214. second mesh block; 2215. second lower groove; 2216. second protruding block; 12151. first protruding block; 12152. second protruding block; 22151. first notch; 22152. second notch. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] The following is combined with Figures 1 to 6 , a detailed description of this application is given.

[0048] 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.

[0049] It is worth noting that, unless otherwise specified, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" used in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish multiple objects, and are not used to limit the order, timing, priority or importance of multiple objects. For example, the first bump and the second bump are only for the convenience of description, and do not indicate the difference in order, importance, etc. between the first bump and the second bump.

[0050] See also Figure 1 Shown is a schematic diagram of the composition of an end plate assembly for a fuel cell provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0051] Specifically, the end plate assembly includes a substrate 2 and an end plate 1 disposed on the substrate 2. The end plate 1 is used as an end plate or insulating plate of the battery stack. A stack 4 is stacked along a side thereof away from the substrate 2 to form a battery stack. The stack 4 refers to a stacking structure composed of other components of the battery stack except the end plate 1. The substrate 2 is used as the bottom plate of the battery stack package. The mounting portion 21 extending around the plate body is provided for the cavity 32 of the packaging box shell 3 to be invertedly installed, so that the stack 4 stacked on the end plate 1 is packaged through the inner cavity 31 (see Figure 3 To understand, Figure 3 A side cross-sectional schematic diagram of a packaging device for a fuel cell provided in an embodiment of the present application. The mounting portion 21 is provided with a sunken sealing groove 211, and the sealing groove 211 is provided or formed into a sealing member by a process such as gluing, gluing, dispensing or injecting glue, so as to achieve sealing between the packaging box shell 3 and the substrate 2.

[0052] Among them, the end plate 1 is an injection molded part with the substrate 2 as the base. It is worth explaining that the substrate 2 is made of metal to provide high-strength structural support, and the end plate 1 is made of plastic to provide good insulation. A pore structure 11 is provided at both ends of the end plate 1. The pore structure 11 is adapted to the fluid channel of the fuel cell, and its channel opening is connected to the channel opening of the fluid channel to realize the circulation of fuel (hydrogen), oxidant (such as air, oxygen) and heat exchange medium (such as deionized water or coolant suitable for fuel cells).

[0053] For further explanation of the technical concept of this application, please refer to Figure 2 Shown is a disassembly schematic diagram of an end plate assembly for a fuel cell provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0054] Specifically, the end plate 1 is accommodated in the receiving portion 22 of the substrate 2 through its embedding portion 12. Since the end plate 1 is an injection-molded part with the substrate 2 as the base material, the embedding portion 12 of the end plate 1 is injection-molded based on the shape of the receiving portion 22, so that the embedding portion 12 of the end plate 1 is just engaged with the receiving portion 22 of the substrate 2 to form a tight fit, thereby improving the bonding strength between the two.

[0055] Furthermore, at the junction of the end plate 1 and the base plate 2, at least part of them are mutually embedded to form an embedded structure (121, 221). The junction of the end plate 1 and the base plate 2 includes the overlapping surface of the end plate 1 and the base plate 2 and the bonding surface between the outer wall of the embedded part 12 of the end plate 1 and the inner wall of the accommodating part 22 of the base plate 2. Therefore, the embedded structure (121, 221) is arranged on the above-mentioned overlapping surface and bonding surface.

[0056] In some possible implementations, a sunken mounting groove 13 is provided in the middle of the end plate 1, and the mounting groove 13 is used to mount the current collecting plate of the fuel cell. A pre-embedded screw sleeve 131 is pre-embedded in the mounting groove 13, and the current collecting plate is fixed in the mounting groove 13 by screw connection.

[0057] Furthermore, a heating plate may be provided in the installation groove 13 to control the temperature of the end of the stack 4 .

[0058] Further, the mosaic structure (121, 221) includes the following possible implementations:

[0059] A possible technical solution 1 (see Figure 4 The embodiment of the present application provides a schematic diagram of the matching of the interlocking ring and the interlocking groove for understanding), the interlocking structure (121, 221) includes: along the plane direction of the substrate 2, the outer wall of the embedded part 12 is convex or inward in all directions, forming at least one set of first interlocking rings 1211 or first interlocking grooves 1212. It can be understood that when the embedded part 12 is provided with a convex first interlocking ring 1211, the accommodating part 22 is provided with a second interlocking groove 2211 at the corresponding position, and the two are interlocked with each other ( Figure 4 (a)); on the contrary, when the embedded portion 12 is set to the first embedded groove 1212, the accommodating portion 22 is set at the corresponding position to the second embedded ring 2212, thereby forming a mutually embedded structure ( Figure 4 (b)). The outer protrusion or inner sinking in other parallel technical solutions can be understood based on the above description.

[0060] A possible technical solution 2 (see Figure 5 The mesh blocks and mesh grooves provided in the embodiment of the present application are shown in the schematic diagram for understanding), the interlocking structure (121, 221) includes: at the overlapped surface of the end plate 1 and the base plate 2, the end plate 1 is convex or inwardly sunken toward the base plate 2 to form a first intersecting mesh block 1213 or a first mesh groove 1214, and the base plate 2 is inwardly sunken or convexly sunken toward the end plate 1 to form a second intersecting mesh groove 2213 or a second mesh block 2214. The first mesh blocks 1213 and the second mesh grooves 2213 intersecting each other ( Figure 5 (c)), or, the first mesh grooves 1214 and the second mesh blocks 2214 intersecting each other ( Figure 5 (d)) can effectively increase the bonding area between the base plate 2 and the end plate 1, thereby enhancing the bonding strength between the two.

[0061] A possible technical solution 3 (please refer to Figure 6The mating structure (121, 221) includes: on the overlapping surface of the end plate 1 and the base plate 2, the end plate 1 is convex or inward toward the base plate 2 to form a first convex block 1215 or a first lower groove 1216, and the base plate 1 is inward or convex toward the end plate 2 to form a second lower groove 2215 or a second convex block 2216. The first convex block 1215 and the second lower groove 2215 ( Figure 6 (e)), or, the first lower groove 1216 or the first protruding block 2216 ( Figure 6 (f)) interlock.

[0062] It is worth noting that the above three possible implementation schemes can be used simultaneously, namely the three interlocking structures (121, 221) shown in the figure substrate 2.

[0063] For further information, see Figure 6 As shown in (e), in some possible embodiments, the first protrusion 1215 includes a first protrusion 12151 and a second protrusion 12152 in sequence, and the length of the second protrusion 12152 in any direction is greater than the length of the first protrusion 12151 in the corresponding direction, so as to limit the second protrusion 12152, thereby effectively preventing the end plate 1 from escaping from the base plate 2, thereby further enhancing the structural strength.

[0064] In some possible implementations, the second lower groove 2215 may include a first notch 22151 and a second notch 22152 in sequence, and the length of the second notch 22152 in any direction is greater than the length of the second notch 22152 in the corresponding direction.

[0065] 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. An end plate assembly for a fuel cell, characterized in that: include: A base plate and an end plate arranged on the base plate; the end plate is an injection molded part with the base plate as a matrix; Both ends of the end plate include through-hole structures, and the hole structures are used to adapt to the fluid channels of the fuel cell; the hole structures extend toward the substrate to form an embedded portion; The base plate includes a mounting portion extending along the periphery of the base plate, and a receiving portion adapted to the embedded portion, the receiving portion being used to receive the embedded portion; Wherein, at the joint of the end plate and the base plate, at least a part of them are embedded with each other to form an embedded structure.

2. An end plate assembly for a fuel cell as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The interlocking structure includes: along the plane direction of the substrate, the outer wall of the embedded part is convex or inward on all sides to form at least one group of first interlocking rings or first interlocking grooves; and adapted thereto, the inner wall of the accommodating part is inward or convex on all sides to form at least one group of second interlocking grooves or second interlocking rings.

3. An end plate assembly for a fuel cell as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The interlocking structure includes: at the overlapping surface of the end plate and the base plate, the end plate bulges outward or sinks inward toward the base plate to form a first intersecting mesh block or a first mesh groove; and correspondingly, the base plate sinks inward or bulges outward toward the end plate to form a second intersecting mesh groove or a second mesh block.

4. An end plate assembly for a fuel cell as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The interlocking structure includes: at the overlapping surface of the end plate and the substrate, the end plate bulges outward or sinks inward toward the substrate to form a first protrusion block or a first lower groove; and correspondingly, the substrate sinks inward or bulges outward toward the end plate to form a second lower groove or a second protrusion block.

5. An end plate assembly for a fuel cell as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that: In the outward convex direction, the first protruding block includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion in sequence, and the length of the second protrusion in any direction is greater than the length of the first protrusion in the corresponding direction.

6. An end plate assembly for a fuel cell as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that: In the inward sinking direction, the second lower groove includes a first notch and a second notch in sequence, and the length of the second notch in any direction is greater than the length of the first notch in the corresponding direction.

7. An end plate assembly for a fuel cell as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The interlocking structure includes: at the overlapping surface of the end plate and the base plate, the end plate protrudes outward toward the base plate to form a raised block and a crossed mesh block; adapted thereto, the base plate sinks inward toward the end plate to form a lower groove and a crossed mesh groove; wherein the raised block is arranged at the center of the mesh formed by the mesh block, and the lower groove is arranged at the center of the mesh formed by the mesh groove.

8. An end plate assembly for a fuel cell as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: A sunken installation groove is arranged in the middle of the end plate, and the installation groove is provided with an embedded screw sleeve.

9. An end plate assembly for a fuel cell as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The mounting portion is provided with a sealing groove, and the sealing groove is used for dispensing glue, injecting glue or sticking glue.

10. A packaging device for a fuel cell, comprising an end plate assembly for a fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising: Packaging box shell; The packaging box shell comprises an inner cavity and a cavity opening arranged at an open end of the inner cavity, wherein the inner cavity is used to accommodate a stack of fuel cells stacked on the end plate, and is inverted and connected to the mounting portion through the cavity opening.

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