Gas inlet end plate structure of fuel cell stack

Abstract

The utility model discloses a gas inlet end plate structure of a fuel cell stack, belongs to the field of fuel cells, and solves the problem of non-uniform distribution of assembly force of the fuel cell stack in the prior art. According to the invention, the electric pile is located between the air inlet end plate and the tail end plate, and the two ends of the electric pile are in tight pressing contact with the air inlet end plate and the tail end plate respectively; a plate spring combined part is arranged between the tail end plate and the end part of the electric pile; the part, facing the electric pile, of the plate spring combined part is a plane part, and the part, facing the tail end plate, of the plate spring combined part is an elastic part; the plane part of the plate spring combined part is attached to the end part of the galvanic pile, and the elastic part of the plate spring combined part is arc-shaped and is in tight pressing contact with the surface, facing the galvanic pile, of the tail end plate. According to the air inlet end plate structure of the fuel cell stack, the distribution uniformity of stack assembling force is effectively improved, and the mass power density and the stack consistency of the fuel cell stack are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to an air inlet end plate structure of a fuel cell stack, belonging to the field of fuel cells. Background Art

[0002] A proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is an electrochemical device that directly converts chemical energy into electrical energy. It is considered a promising technology for clean and efficient energy production, with characteristics such as high energy conversion efficiency and no pollution, and has broad application prospects in fields such as fuel cell vehicles, stationary power generation, and power sources for submarines. A fuel cell stack is the core module of a fuel cell power generation system, consisting of components such as membrane electrodes, bipolar plates, and end plates.

[0003] As a structural component of a fuel cell stack, the fuel cell end plate mainly functions in mechanical fixation, stack sealing, fluid distribution, etc. The end plate is provided with inlets and outlets for hydrogen, air, and coolant. During the operation of the stack, it provides an air flow channel for the stack and discharges the generated water. Currently, most fuel cell end plates adopt a plate structure and jointly form an external support framework of the fuel cell stack with components such as current collector plates and insulating plates. In order to increase the power of the fuel cell, the fuel cell area is increased. Since the fuel cell stack forms a stack fastening force through the end plate fastening, the internal pressure of the stack generally has a distribution characteristic of being high at the edges and low in the middle. Currently, adding disc springs, springs, etc. is mostly used to improve the internal force distribution of the stack, but there are many such spare parts and the assembly process is complex. Moreover, the improvement of the distribution situation of high edges and low middle in the internal pressure of the stack is limited, affecting the assembly and sealing quality of the stack. Summary of the Utility Model

[0004] The utility model provides an air inlet end plate structure of a fuel cell stack, which solves the problem of uneven distribution of the assembly force of the fuel cell stack, effectively improves the uniformity of the assembly force distribution of the stack, and enhances the mass power density and stack consistency of the fuel cell stack.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by the utility model is an air inlet end plate structure of a fuel cell stack, including an air inlet end plate (1), a stack (2), and a tail end plate (3); the stack (2) is located between the air inlet end plate (1) and the tail end plate (3), and both ends of the stack (2) are in pressing contact with the air inlet end plate (1) and the tail end plate (3) respectively;

[0006] There is a leaf spring combination component between the tail end plate (3) and the end of the stack (2); the part of the leaf spring combination component facing the stack (2) is a flat part, and the part of the leaf spring combination component facing the tail end plate (3) is an elastic part; the flat part of the leaf spring combination component is attached to the end of the stack (2), and the elastic part of the leaf spring combination component is arc-shaped and in pressing contact with the surface of the tail end plate (3) facing the stack (2).

[0007] Optimized, for the above-mentioned inlet end plate structure of the fuel cell stack, there are several threaded tie rods between the inlet end plate (1) and the tail end plate (3). Both ends of the threaded tie rods pass through the inlet end plate (1) and the tail end plate (3) respectively and are fixed to the inlet end plate (1) and the tail end plate (3) through nuts.

[0008] Optimized, for the above-mentioned inlet end plate structure of the fuel cell stack, the flat part of the leaf spring combination component includes a metal flat plate (401), and the elastic part of the leaf spring combination component includes a metal arc plate (402);

[0009] The arc opening of the metal arc plate (402) faces the metal flat plate (401), and both ends of the arc opening of the metal arc plate (402) are fixedly connected to both ends of the metal flat plate (401).

[0010] Optimized, for the above-mentioned inlet end plate structure of the fuel cell stack, a groove (301) is constructed on the surface of the tail end plate (3) facing the fuel cell stack (2). The shape of the groove (301) is arranged in cooperation with the elastic part of the leaf spring combination component, and the elastic part of the leaf spring combination component fits on the inner surface of the groove (301).

[0011] Optimized, for the above-mentioned inlet end plate structure of the fuel cell stack, the inlet end plate (1) is made of insulating resin sheet material, and the tail end plate (3) is made of metal sheet material.

[0012] Optimized, for the above-mentioned inlet end plate structure of the fuel cell stack, a number of screw holes are respectively arranged on the inlet end plate (1) and the tail end plate (3);

[0013] The screw holes on the inlet end plate (1) and the tail end plate (3) are arranged in cooperation; the threaded tie rods sequentially pass through the screw holes of the inlet end plate (1) and the screw holes of the tail end plate (3) and are fixed to the inlet end plate (1) and the tail end plate (3) through nuts.

[0014] The advantages of this application are as follows: The technical solution of this application can effectively solve the problem of uneven distribution of the stack assembly force on the plate surface.

[0015] To achieve uniform pressure on the stack surface, the prior art generally increases the deflection of the end plate by increasing the end plate thickness. This application introduces a leaf spring combination component, which plays a role in pressure distribution on the surface. There is no need to achieve pressure distribution on the surface by generally increasing the end plate thickness, and the thickness of the end plate can be reduced, thereby reducing the mass of the stack.

[0016] The reduction of the end plate thickness and the simultaneous reduction of the mass improve the mass power density of the stack, and further optimize the output consistency of the stack. Description of the Drawings

[0017] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the inlet end plate of this application;

[0018] Figure 2 Structural schematic diagram of the end plate of this application;

[0019] Figure 3 Structural schematic diagram of the leaf spring combination component of this application;

[0020] Figure 4 Cooperating structural schematic diagram of the leaf spring combination component and the end plate of this application. Specific embodiments

[0021] The technical features of the present utility model will be further elaborated below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0022] As shown in the figure, the present utility model is a fuel cell stack intake end plate structure, including an intake end plate (1), a fuel cell stack (2), and an end plate (3). Among them, the intake end plate (1) and the end plate (3) are pressing mechanisms at both ends of the fuel cell stack (2). The intake end plate (1) and the end plate (3) are respectively pressed against both ends of the fuel cell stack (2) to press the multiple single cells of the fuel cell stack (2) together.

[0023] The tension between the intake end plate (1) and the end plate (3) is achieved through threaded tie rods. A plurality of threaded tie rods are used between the intake end plate (1) and the end plate (3). Both ends of the threaded tie rods respectively pass through the intake end plate (1) and the end plate (3) and are fixed to the intake end plate (1) and the end plate (3) through nuts. By adjusting the position of the nuts on the threaded tie rods, the distance between the intake end plate (1) and the end plate (3) can be adjusted, and thus the pressing force of the intake end plate (1) and the end plate (3) on the fuel cell stack (2) can be adjusted.

[0024] The threaded tie rods cannot pass through the middle parts of the intake end plate (1), the end plate (3), and the fuel cell stack (2), and can only be arranged around the fuel cell stack (2). This results in insufficient pressure on the middle parts of the intake end plate (1) and the end plate (3) on the fuel cell stack (2). In view of this situation, this application provides a leaf spring combination component to increase the pressure of the middle part of the end plate (3) on the fuel cell stack (2) and improve the pressure uniformity of the fuel cell stack (2).

[0025] In this application, the leaf spring combination component is installed between the middle part of the end plate (3) and the end of the fuel cell stack (2).

[0026] The part of the leaf spring combination component facing the fuel cell stack (2) is a flat part, and the surface of the flat part facing the end of the fuel cell stack (2) is flat, which can fit well with the middle surface of the end of the fuel cell stack (2). The part of the leaf spring combination component facing the end plate (3) is an elastic part. The elastic part deforms under pressure, and the elastic restoring force of the elastic part applies pressure to the middle part of the end of the fuel cell stack (2) through the flat part.

[0027] In this embodiment, the flat part of the leaf spring combination component includes a metal flat plate (401), and the elastic part of the leaf spring combination component includes a metal arc plate (402). As shown in the figure, the arc opening of the metal arc plate (402) faces the metal flat plate (401), and both ends of the arc opening of the metal arc plate (402) are fixedly connected to both ends of the metal flat plate (401) by welding or bolt connection.

[0028] In this embodiment, in order to fix the position of the leaf spring combination component, a groove (301) is formed in the middle of the surface of the tail end plate (3) facing the fuel cell stack (2). The shape of the groove (301) is set to match the shape of the metal arc plate (402). When the leaf spring combination component is installed in the groove (301), the arc surface of the metal arc plate (402) can fit against the inner surface of the groove (301), and the metal flat plate (401) protrudes from the surface of the groove (301) to facilitate contact with the end surface of the fuel cell stack (2).

[0029] When pressure is applied to the surface of the tail end plate (3) towards the fuel cell stack (2), the metal arc plate (402) deforms under pressure, and a pressure is applied to the metal flat plate (401) through the elastic restoring force of the metal arc plate (402), causing the metal flat plate (401) to tightly press against the middle of the end surface of the fuel cell stack (2), thereby applying pressure to the middle of the end surface of the fuel cell stack (2), improving the distribution characteristic that the internal pressure of the fuel cell stack (2) generally has a high edge and a low middle, and increasing the uniformity of the internal pressure of the fuel cell stack (2).

[0030] In this embodiment, the intake end plate (1) is made of insulating resin material, and the tail end plate (3) is made of metal material. A number of screw holes are respectively provided on the intake end plate (1) and the tail end plate (3). The screw holes on the intake end plate (1) and the tail end plate (3) are set to cooperate. The threaded tie rod sequentially passes through the screw holes of the intake end plate (1) and the screw holes of the tail end plate (3) and is fixed to the intake end plate (1) and the tail end plate (3) by nuts.

[0031] Certainly, the above description is not a limitation of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above examples. Any changes, modifications, additions, or substitutions made by those of ordinary skill in the art within the scope of the essence of the present invention shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fuel cell stack air intake end plate structure, comprising an air intake end plate (1), a fuel cell stack (2), and a tail end plate (3); the fuel cell stack (2) is located between the air intake end plate (1) and the tail end plate (3), and the two ends of the fuel cell stack (2) are in tight contact with the air intake end plate (1) and the tail end plate (3) respectively; characterized in that: A leaf spring assembly component is provided between the tail end plate (3) and the end of the cell stack (2); the portion of the leaf spring assembly component facing the cell stack (2) is a planar portion, and the portion of the leaf spring assembly component facing the tail end plate (3) is an elastic portion; the planar portion of the leaf spring assembly component is fitted to the end of the cell stack (2), and the elastic portion of the leaf spring assembly component is arc-shaped and is in tight contact with the surface of the tail end plate (3) facing the cell stack (2).

2. The fuel cell stack intake end plate structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of threaded tie rods are provided between the air intake end plate (1) and the tail end plate (3), and two ends of the threaded tie rods respectively pass through the air intake end plate (1) and the tail end plate (3) and are fixed to the air intake end plate (1) and the tail end plate (3) via nuts.

3. The fuel cell stack intake end plate structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flat portion of the leaf spring assembly component includes a metal flat plate (401), and the elastic portion of the leaf spring assembly component includes a metal arc plate (402); The arc-shaped opening of the metal arc-shaped plate (402) faces the metal flat plate (401), and two ends of the arc-shaped opening of the metal arc-shaped plate (402) are respectively fixedly connected to two ends of the metal flat plate (401).

4. The fuel cell stack intake end plate structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: A groove (301) is constructed on the surface of the tail end plate (3) facing the battery stack (2); the shape of the groove (301) is matched with the elastic part of the leaf spring assembly component; the elastic part of the leaf spring assembly component is attached to the inner surface of the groove (301).

5. The fuel cell stack intake end plate structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air intake end plate (1) is an insulating resin plate, and the tail end plate (3) is a metal plate.

6. The fuel cell stack intake end plate structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The air inlet end plate (1) and the tail end plate (3) are respectively provided with a plurality of screw holes; The screw holes on the air intake end plate (1) and the tail end plate (3) are arranged in coordination; the threaded tie rod passes through the screw hole of the air intake end plate (1) and the screw hole of the tail end plate (3) in sequence and is fixed to the air intake end plate (1) and the tail end plate (3) through a nut.

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