Collector plate assembly of fuel cell, electric pile and fuel cell system

Abstract

The utility model discloses a collector plate assembly of a fuel cell, an electric pile and a fuel cell system. The collector plate assembly of the fuel cell comprises a collector plate and a sealing ring, the collector plate is provided with two opposite plate surfaces and a fluid through hole penetrating through the two plate surfaces, the sealing ring is arranged in the fluid through hole in a sleeved mode so as to wrap the inner side wall face of the fluid through hole, and the sealing ring is arranged on the inner side wall face of the fluid through hole. A mounting groove communicated with the fluid through hole is formed in at least one plate face of the collector plate, the sealing ring comprises a mounting part mounted in the mounting groove, and a protrusion protruding out of the plate face where the mounting groove is located is arranged on the mounting part. The protrusion surrounds the fluid through hole by a circle so that the protrusion can be extruded and deformed for sealing. The collector plate assembly of the fuel cell, the electric pile and the fuel cell system disclosed by the utility model are simple in structure, have high current transmission efficiency, isolate a fluid medium and improve the insulation and corrosion resistance of the fluid medium.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of fuel cell technology, and in particular to a current collector assembly, fuel cell stack, and fuel cell system for a fuel cell. Background Technology

[0002] A fuel cell stack typically consists of multiple stacked individual cells, current collectors arranged adjacent to the individual cells at both ends, and clamping end plates at both ends for holding and fixing the stacked individual cells and current collectors. Hydrogen and oxygen undergo a chemical reaction on the multiple individual cells, and the generated electrical energy is collected by the current collectors and then transmitted to the outside.

[0003] During operation, the current collector needs to maintain constant contact with the individual solar cells to ensure low contact resistance, while simultaneously isolating it from the fluid medium flowing into the fuel cell stack, ensuring insulation and reducing corrosion from the fluid medium. One existing technology, such as utility model patent CN210866366U, discloses a composite structure of a current collector and an insulating plate. This structure embeds the current collector into an insulating first plate, using insulating material to encase the metal current collector and isolate it from the fluid medium, thus improving insulation performance. However, its structure and manufacturing process are complex, resulting in high component costs. Furthermore, because the fuel cell stack operates within a wide temperature range of -30 to 95°C, the different thermal expansion coefficients of the materials at the embedding mating surfaces can easily lead to localized thermal deformation, resulting in poor contact performance of the current collector, or localized overvoltage causing breakage and failure of the mating bipolar plate.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to propose a technical solution to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies. Utility Model Content

[0005] To overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, this utility model proposes a current collector assembly, a stack, and a fuel cell system. It has a simple structure, high current transmission efficiency, and improves insulation and corrosion resistance by isolating the fluid medium.

[0006] This utility model is achieved through the following technical solution: a manifold assembly for a fuel cell, comprising a manifold and a sealing ring. The manifold has two opposing surfaces and a fluid through-hole penetrating the two surfaces. The sealing ring is fitted inside the fluid through-hole to cover the inner wall of the fluid through-hole. At least one surface of the manifold has a mounting groove communicating with the fluid through-hole. The sealing ring includes a mounting portion installed in the mounting groove. The mounting portion has a protrusion extending out of the surface of the mounting groove. The protrusion surrounds the fluid through-hole so that it can be squeezed and deformed to seal.

[0007] As a further improved technical solution, both surfaces of the manifold are provided with the mounting groove to form a flange surrounding the fluid passage.

[0008] As a further improved technical solution, the sealing ring covers the upper and lower surfaces and side surfaces of the flange, and the sealing ring includes two mounting portions installed in the mounting groove and a lateral sealing portion connected between the two mounting portions.

[0009] As a further improved technical solution, the cross-sections of the two mounting portions of the sealing ring and the lateral sealing portion are U-shaped.

[0010] As a further improved technical solution, the cross-section of the protrusion is V-shaped, with its tip facing outwards from the sealing ring.

[0011] As a further improved technical solution, each of the mounting parts has one or more protrusions.

[0012] As a further improved technical solution, the fluid passage includes a hydrogen passage for hydrogen flow, an oxygen passage for oxygen flow, and a water passage for cooling medium flow.

[0013] This utility model is also achieved through the following technical solution: a fuel cell stack, which includes an end plate, a cell module and a current collector assembly as described in any of the above embodiments, wherein the current collector assembly is sandwiched between the cell module and the end plate.

[0014] As a further improved technical solution, the cell module squeezes the protrusion to deform until it is flush with the surface of the current collector, and the surface of the cell module is in close contact with the surface of the current collector.

[0015] This utility model is also achieved through the following technical solution: a fuel cell system, which includes the stack as described above.

[0016] The fuel cell current collector assembly provided by this utility model includes a current collector and a sealing ring. The sealing ring is installed in a fluid through-hole on the current collector. At least one surface of the current collector has a mounting groove communicating with the fluid through-hole. The sealing ring includes a mounting part installed in the mounting groove. The mounting part has a protrusion extending out of the surface of the mounting groove. The protrusion surrounds the fluid through-hole and can be squeezed and deformed to achieve a seal. The current collector assembly provided by this utility model has a simple structure, few parts, and low cost. The current collector has a large effective size, allowing for full contact with the cell module, which can improve current transmission efficiency, reliability, and stability. The sealing ring isolates the fluid medium from the current collector, preventing fluid leakage and corrosion of the current collector, while also enhancing insulation and improving safety performance. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an embodiment of the fuel cell stack of this utility model.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the current collector assembly of this utility model.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a detailed anatomical view of the current collector assembly of this utility model.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the current collector assembly, end plate, and battery cell module of this utility model.

[0021] The reference numerals in the attached figures are as follows: 1-Current collector assembly; 11-Current collector; 111-Flange; 112-Mounting groove; 113-Inner wall surface; 12-Electrode tab; 120-Connecting hole; 13-Fluid passage; 131-Hydrogen passage; 132-Water passage; 132-Oxygen passage; 15-Sealing ring; 151-Mounting part; 152-Side sealing part; 153-Protrusion; 2-End plate; 3-Cell module. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To provide a clearer understanding of the technical features, objectives, and effects of this utility model, the specific embodiments of this utility model will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present utility model without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0024] Please see Figures 1 to 4 As shown, this utility model provides a current collector assembly 1 for a fuel cell, which is disposed at both ends of a cell module 3 to collect the current generated by the cell module 3. The current collector assembly 1 includes a current collector 11 and a sealing ring 15. The current collector 11 has two opposing plate surfaces and a fluid through hole 13 penetrating the two plate surfaces. The sealing ring 15 is sleeved in the fluid through hole 13 to cover the inner wall 113 of the fluid through hole 13. At least one plate surface of the current collector 11 has a mounting groove 112 communicating with the fluid through hole 13. The sealing ring 15 includes a mounting part 151 installed in the mounting groove 112. The mounting part 151 is provided with a protrusion 153 protruding from the plate surface where the mounting groove 112 is located. The protrusion 153 surrounds the fluid through hole 13 and can be squeezed and deformed to seal.

[0025] The current collector assembly 1 provided by this utility model has a simple structure, few parts, and low cost; the current collector 11 has a large effective size for contact with the battery cell module 3, which can fully contact the battery cell module 3 and improve current transmission efficiency, reliability and stability; the sealing ring 15 isolates the fluid medium from the current collector 11, avoids fluid medium leakage and corrosion of the current collector 11, and at the same time enhances insulation and improves safety performance.

[0026] Please see Figure 2 As shown, the current collector 11 is generally sheet-like, having a substrate and a tab 12 formed by bending one side of the substrate. The tab 12 is used to electrically connect with a wire harness to transmit electrical energy. A connection hole 120 is provided on the tab for connecting and fixing the wire harness. In this embodiment, the tab 12 is located on one side of the long side of the current collector 11. The tab 12 and its connection hole 120 can be set in other positions according to different wire harness connection requirements. The current collector 11 is formed by stamping and bending a single-layer metal sheet. Compared with an embedded covering structure, its structure is simpler, and its size requirements and manufacturing costs are lower.

[0027] In this embodiment of the invention, the size of the current collector 11 is approximately the same as the size of the single cell of the cell module 3 that it cooperates with; that is, the length and width of the current collector 11 are basically the same as the length and width of the single cell of the cell module 3. Thus, except for the area where the fluid through-hole 13 is formed, the other areas of the current collector 11 are areas where current can be effectively collected. This results in a larger effective area of ​​the current collector 11, which can uniformly transmit the sealing pressure to the stacked single cells under the preset sealing pressure of the fuel cell. Simultaneously, the larger bonding area results in a larger current area, and the current collector 11 experiences a lower temperature rise under high current conditions, increasing current transmission capacity and enabling stable current collection and transmission under different operating conditions.

[0028] In this embodiment, the current collector 11 may be made of a highly conductive metal material, such as aluminum alloy or copper, and the thickness of the current collector 11 is 1-5 mm. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the surface of the current collector 11 may be coated with an electroplated layer to improve conductivity, such as by gold plating or silver plating.

[0029] The manifold 11 has a plurality of fluid through holes 13. In this embodiment, the fluid through holes 13 include a hydrogen through hole 131 for hydrogen flow, an oxygen through hole 132 for oxygen flow, and a water through hole 132 for cooling medium flow. The fluid through holes 13 are located on both sides of the manifold 11 along its length, with one side being an inlet for fluid to enter the battery cell module 3 and the other side being an outlet for fluid to flow out of the battery cell module 3. The shape of the fluid through holes 13 can be designed according to requirements, and this utility model does not limit its specific shape.

[0030] A sealing ring 15 is provided inside the fluid passage 13. Please refer to the following carefully. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the sealing ring 15 is inserted into the inner side of the fluid through hole 13 to seal the periphery of the fluid through hole 13. In this embodiment, mounting grooves 112 are provided on both surfaces of the manifold 11 around the fluid through hole 13. Since mounting grooves 112 are provided on both surfaces, the manifold 11 forms a flange 111 surrounding the fluid through hole 13.

[0031] The sealing ring 15 covers the upper and lower surfaces and side surfaces of the flange 111. The side surfaces of the flange 111 also form the inner wall surface 113 of the fluid passage 13. The sealing ring 15 includes two mounting portions 151 installed in the mounting groove 112 and a lateral sealing portion 152 connecting the two mounting portions 151. The cross-section of the two mounting portions 151 and the lateral sealing portion 152 of the sealing ring 15 is U-shaped. The lateral sealing portion 152 covers the inner wall surface 113 of the fluid passage 13. When fluid flows through the fluid passage 13, it passes over the surface of the lateral sealing portion 152 without contacting the inner wall surface 113 of the fluid passage 13. The sealing ring 15 has a U-shaped structure and can be sleeved with the flange 111 for easy installation. The sealing ring 15 covers the edge of the fluid through hole 13 to prevent the manifold 11 from contacting the fluid medium and improve the corrosion resistance and insulation of the manifold 11. At the same time, it seals the fluid through hole 13 to prevent fluid leakage.

[0032] A protrusion 153 is provided on the outer surface of the mounting portion 151. The protrusion 153 has a V-shaped cross-section, with its tip facing outward from the sealing ring 15. The protrusion 153 is arranged in a continuous ring shape to contact and seal with the end plate 2 and the cell module 3. When the sealing ring 15 is not compressed, the protrusion 153 protrudes above the mounting groove 112. In this embodiment, there is one protrusion 153 on each mounting portion 151; in other embodiments, there may be two or more protrusions to achieve multi-ring sealing and increase sealing performance.

[0033] Please see Figure 4 As shown, in use, the sealing ring 15 is installed in the fluid through hole 13 of the current collector 11 to form a current collector assembly 1. The current collector assembly 1 is sandwiched between the battery cell module 3 and the end plate 2. The battery cell module 3 deforms the protrusion 153 by pressing it until it is flush with the surface of the current collector 11. The surface of the battery cell module 3 is in close contact with the surface of the current collector 11. The end plate 2 deforms the protrusion 153 by pressing it until it is flush with the surface of the current collector 11. The surface of the end plate 2 is in close contact with the surface of the current collector 11.

[0034] This invention also provides a fuel cell stack, which includes an end plate 2, a cell module 3, and a current collector assembly 1 as described above. This invention also provides a fuel cell system, which includes the fuel cell stack as described above.

[0035] As described above in the specific embodiments, the fuel cell manifold assembly 1 provided by this utility model includes a manifold 11 and a sealing ring 15. The sealing ring 15 is installed in a fluid through hole 13 opened on the manifold 11. At least one surface of the manifold 11 is provided with a mounting groove 112 communicating with the fluid through hole 13. The sealing ring 15 includes a mounting part 151 installed in the mounting groove 112. The mounting part 151 is provided with a protrusion 153 protruding from the surface of the mounting groove 112. The protrusion 153 surrounds the fluid through hole 13 and can be squeezed and deformed to seal. The manifold assembly 1 provided by this utility model has a simple structure, few parts, and low cost. The manifold 11 has a large effective size, which can fully contact the cell module 3, thereby improving current transmission efficiency, reliability, and stability. The sealing ring 15 isolates the fluid medium from the manifold 11, avoiding fluid medium leakage and corrosion of the manifold 11, while also enhancing insulation and improving safety performance.

[0036] This utility model has been described through several specific embodiments. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications and equivalent substitutions can be made to this utility model without departing from its scope. Furthermore, various modifications can be made to this utility model for specific situations or circumstances without departing from its scope. Therefore, this utility model is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but should include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A current collector assembly for a fuel cell, characterized in that, It includes a manifold and a sealing ring. The manifold has two opposing surfaces and a fluid passage through the two surfaces. The sealing ring is fitted inside the fluid passage to cover the inner wall of the fluid passage. At least one surface of the manifold has a mounting groove communicating with the fluid passage. The sealing ring includes a mounting portion installed in the mounting groove. The mounting portion has a protrusion extending out of the surface of the mounting groove. The protrusion surrounds the fluid passage so that it can be squeezed and deformed to seal.

2. The current collector assembly for a fuel cell as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The two surfaces of the manifold are provided with mounting grooves to form flanges surrounding the fluid passage.

3. The current collector assembly for a fuel cell as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The sealing ring covers the upper and lower surfaces and side surfaces of the flange, and the sealing ring includes two mounting portions installed in the mounting groove and a lateral sealing portion connected between the two mounting portions.

4. The current collector assembly for a fuel cell as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The two mounting portions of the sealing ring and the cross-section of the lateral sealing portion are U-shaped.

5. The current collector assembly of the fuel cell as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The protrusion has a V-shaped cross-section, with its pointed end facing outwards from the sealing ring.

6. The current collector assembly for a fuel cell as described in claim 5, characterized in that, Each of the aforementioned mounting parts has one or more protrusions.

7. The current collector assembly for a fuel cell as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The fluid passages include hydrogen passages for hydrogen flow, oxygen passages for oxygen flow, and water passages for cooling medium flow.

8. A fuel cell stack, characterized in that, It includes an end plate, a cell module, and a current collector assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the current collector assembly is sandwiched between the cell module and the end plate.

9. The fuel cell stack as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The cell module is deformed by pressing the protrusion until it is flush with the surface of the current collector, and the surface of the cell module is in close contact with the surface of the current collector.

10. A fuel cell system, characterized in that, It includes the fuel cell stack as described in claim 8 or 9.

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