Fuel cell pack assembling structure and electric pile

Abstract

The fuel cell pack assembly structure comprises a first membrane electrode, a first sealing element, a first transition layer, a first bipolar plate, an outer sealing element and a plurality of half cell unit bodies, the outer sealing element is bonded on the outer side face of the first bipolar plate, the first transition layer is bonded on the end face, opposite to the first bipolar plate, of the first sealing element, and the half cell unit bodies are bonded on the end face of the first sealing element. The first bipolar plate is bonded on the first transition layer, the other end face of the first sealing piece is connected with the first membrane electrode, the plurality of half cell units are overlapped together, and the first membrane electrode is connected with the whole formed by the plurality of half cell units to form the battery pack. The utility model aims to improve the assembly efficiency and the sealing performance of the bipolar plate and the membrane electrode, improve the stability of the fuel cell, prolong the service life of the fuel cell and increase the product competitiveness. Meanwhile, a battery pack concept which is the same as that of a lithium battery is put forward, and a more stable fuel battery pack and a structure which can replace a damaged battery pack more quickly and conveniently are manufactured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of hydrogen fuel cell technology, and in particular to a fuel cell pack assembly structure and stack. Background Technology

[0002] A hydrogen fuel cell is a chemical power generation device that directly converts the chemical energy of fuel (hydrogen) into electrical energy. Because fuel cells convert the Gibbs free energy portion of the fuel's chemical energy into electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction, they are not limited by the Carnot cycle effect and are far more efficient than internal combustion engines. Furthermore, hydrogen fuel cells use hydrogen and air as fuel, have no mechanical transmission parts, produce no harmful gas emissions, and are noiseless. Therefore, from an energy and environmental perspective, fuel cells represent the most promising power generation technology with a wide range of applications.

[0003] Currently, the sealing of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and bipolar plates in fuel cell stacks is mainly achieved through sealing rings to prevent cross-leakage between the fuel cell antifreeze and the anode and cathode gases. In existing domestic processing technologies, the sealing ring between the MEA and bipolar plates is achieved using sealant. The most widely used method is to pre-adhere sealant strips to the sealing grooves of the bipolar plates before assembling the MEAs in an orderly manner. However, this assembly method is inefficient and unsuitable for mass production. An improved sealing method has emerged, which involves applying sealant through dispensing or injection into the sealing grooves to form a sealing ring. Both sides of the bipolar plates are then processed using the same method to obtain bipolar plates with sealing rings on both sides before the MEAs are assembled in an orderly manner.

[0004] The aforementioned sealing method, due to the presence of relatively soft membrane electrode assemblies, significantly increases the risk of poor assembly consistency and airtightness during stacking. This can lead to leaks of air, hydrogen, and antifreeze during fuel cell use, affecting fuel cell stability and even shortening its lifespan. To address this deficiency, this patent discloses a fuel cell pack assembly structure and stack. Utility Model Content

[0005] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to overcome the problem that the presence of relatively soft membrane electrodes during the stacking of fuel cells in the traditional sealed method greatly increases the risk of poor assembly consistency and poor airtightness. At the same time, it may also lead to the leakage of air, hydrogen and antifreeze during the use of fuel cells, which will affect the performance of fuel cells and even shorten their life cycle.

[0006] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this utility model provides a fuel cell pack assembly structure and stack, comprising: a first membrane electrode assembly (MEA), a first sealing element, a first transition layer, a first bipolar plate, an outer sealing element, and a plurality of half-cell units. The outer sealing element is bonded to the outer surface of the first bipolar plate, the first transition layer is bonded to the end face of the first sealing element opposite to the first bipolar plate, and the first bipolar plate is bonded to the first transition layer. The other end face of the first sealing element is connected to the first MEA. The plurality of half-cell units are stacked together, and the MEA and the plurality of half-cell units are integrally connected to form a battery pack. Each half-cell unit includes a second MEA, a second sealing element, a second transition layer, a second bipolar plate, a third transition layer, and a third sealing assembly. The second sealing element and the third sealing assembly are respectively disposed on two opposite end faces of the second bipolar plate. The second transition layer is disposed on the end face of the second sealing element opposite to the second bipolar plate, and the third transition layer is disposed on the end face of the third sealing assembly opposite to the second bipolar plate. The second MEA and the second sealing element are connected, and the third sealing assembly is connected to the first MEA. The purpose of this invention is to improve the assembly efficiency and sealing performance of bipolar plates and membrane electrodes, enhance the stability and lifespan of fuel cells, and increase product competitiveness. It also proposes a battery pack concept similar to lithium batteries, aiming to create more stable fuel cell stacks and a structure for faster and more convenient replacement of damaged battery stacks.

[0007] In one embodiment of this utility model, the outer sealing element is one or more of silicone rubber, polyolefin, and EPDM.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first sealing element, the second sealing element, and the third sealing assembly are one or more of silicone, polyurethane, polyolefin, acrylic resin, and epoxy resin.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, a sealing groove is provided on one side of the first bipolar plate, and the opposite side of the first bipolar plate is provided as a sealing plane. The sealing groove is used to bond an outer seal, and the sealing plane is used to bond a first membrane electrode.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, both opposite sides of the second sealing member and the third sealing assembly are planar.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, both the first membrane electrode and the second membrane electrode include a membrane electrode frame and a membrane electrode body. The membrane electrode body is disposed on the membrane electrode frame and includes a cathode diffusion layer, a cathode catalytic layer, a proton exchange membrane, an anode catalytic layer and an anode diffusion layer stacked sequentially.

[0012] In one embodiment of this utility model, the material of the membrane electrode frame is PEN, PI, PPS, or PEEK.

[0013] In one embodiment of this utility model, the first bipolar plate and the second bipolar plate are made of machined graphite plate, flexible graphite plate, titanium plate or stainless steel plate.

[0014] The present invention provides a fuel cell stack comprising: two end connection components, a battery pack, and fasteners. The two end connection components are respectively disposed at both ends of the battery pack and are connected by fasteners. The battery pack is the fuel cell stack assembly structure described above.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the end connection assembly includes an end plate, an insulating plate, and a current collector plate. The current collector plate is disposed in contact with the end of the battery pack, and the insulating plate is disposed between the end plate and the current collector plate.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the above-mentioned technical solution of this utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0017] This utility model discloses a fuel cell pack assembly structure and stack, which aims to improve the assembly efficiency and sealing performance of bipolar plates and membrane electrode assemblies, thereby enhancing the stability and lifespan of the fuel cell and increasing product competitiveness. It also proposes a battery pack concept similar to lithium batteries, striving to create more stable fuel cell stacks and enabling faster and more convenient replacement of damaged battery packs. This patent discloses a fuel cell pack assembly structure and stack. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To make the content of this utility model easier to understand, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the fuel cell pack assembly structure in a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the front structure of the first bipolar plate in a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the reverse side structure of the first bipolar plate in a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first membrane electrode in a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fuel cell stack in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the accompanying drawings: First membrane electrode 1, membrane electrode frame 11, cathode diffusion layer 12, cathode catalyst layer 13, proton exchange membrane 14, anode catalyst layer 15, anode diffusion layer 16, first seal 2, first transition layer 3, first bipolar plate 4, seal groove 41, seal plane 42, outer seal 5, half-cell unit 100, second membrane electrode 101, second seal 102, second transition layer 103, second bipolar plate 104, third transition layer 105, third sealing assembly 106, end connection assembly 6, end plate 61, insulating plate 62, current collector 63, battery pack 7, fastener 64. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, so that those skilled in the art can better understand and implement the present invention. However, the embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention. Example 1

[0026] Reference Figure 1-4 As shown, the fuel cell pack assembly structure and stack of this utility model include: a first membrane electrode 1, a first sealing element 2, a first transition layer 3, a first bipolar plate 4, an outer sealing element 5, and a plurality of half-cell units 100. The outer sealing element 5 is bonded to the outer surface of the first bipolar plate 4. The first transition layer 3 is bonded to the end face of the first sealing element 2 opposite to the first bipolar plate 4, and the first bipolar plate 4 is bonded to the first transition layer 3. The other end face of the first sealing element 2 is connected to the first membrane electrode 1. The plurality of half-cell units 100 are stacked together. The first membrane electrode 1 and the plurality of half-cell units 100 are integrally connected to form a battery pack. The plurality of half-cell units 100 are multiple repeating units. The half-cell unit 100 includes a second membrane electrode 101, a second sealing element 102, a second transition layer 103, a second bipolar plate 104, a third transition layer 105, and a third sealing assembly 106. The second sealing element 102 and the third sealing assembly 106 are respectively disposed on two opposite end faces of the second bipolar plate 104. The second transition layer 103 is disposed on the opposite end face of the second sealing element 102 and the second bipolar plate 104. The third transition layer 105 is disposed on the opposite end face of the third sealing assembly 106 and the second bipolar plate 104. The second membrane electrode 101 and the second sealing element 102 are connected, and the third sealing assembly 106 is connected to the first membrane electrode 1.

[0027] The bonding method between the aforementioned transition layer and the bipolar plate can be one or more of the following: heat curing, room temperature curing, and UV curing. The bonding method between the transition layer and the membrane electrode can also be one or more of the following: heat curing, room temperature curing, and UV curing.

[0028] In the above structure, the outer sealing element 5 is one or more of silicone rubber, polyolefin, and EPDM. The first sealing element 2, the second sealing element 102, and the third sealing assembly 106 are one or more of silicone, polyurethane, polyolefin, acrylic resin, and epoxy resin. The first bipolar plate 4 and the second bipolar plate 104 are made of machined graphite plate, flexible graphite plate, titanium plate, or stainless steel plate.

[0029] Existing technologies use sealing elements to seal between the membrane electrode and the bipolar plate. This invention improves upon the single-sided sealing element by bonding an easily bondable transition layer onto the graphite or metal bipolar plate, which is difficult to bond, thus enabling the bonding between the bipolar plate and the membrane electrode.

[0030] The first transition layer 3, the second transition layer 103, and the third transition layer 105 are all films made of one or more of the following: PEN, PI, PPS, PEEK, or silicone, polyurethane, polyolefin, acrylic resin, epoxy resin, etc. There may be one or more transition layers, the thickness of which is 0.03-0.2 mm, and the width of which is 1.5 times or more the width of the outer sealing assembly.

[0031] In the above structure, a sealing groove 41 is provided on one side of the first bipolar plate 4, and the opposite side of the first bipolar plate 4 is provided as a sealing plane 42. The sealing groove 41 is used to bond the outer sealing member 5, and the sealing plane 42 is used to bond the first membrane electrode 1. The two opposite sides of the second sealing member 102 and the third sealing assembly 106 are both planes.

[0032] In the above structure, both the first membrane electrode 1 and the second membrane electrode 101 include a membrane electrode frame 11 and a membrane electrode body. The membrane electrode body is disposed on the membrane electrode frame 11 and includes a cathode diffusion layer 12, a cathode catalyst layer 13, a proton exchange membrane 14, an anode catalyst layer 15, and an anode diffusion layer 16 stacked sequentially. The membrane electrode frame 11 is made of PEN, PI, PPS, or PEEK. Example 2

[0033] Reference Figure 5As shown, a fuel cell stack includes: two end connection components 6, a battery pack 7, and fasteners 64. The two end connection components 6 are respectively disposed at both ends of the battery pack 7 and are connected by fasteners 64. The battery pack is the fuel cell pack assembly structure described above. Each end connection component 6 includes an end plate 61, an insulating plate 62, and a current collector 63. The current collector 63 is disposed in contact with the end of the battery pack 7, and the insulating plate 62 is disposed between the end plate 61 and the current collector 63. The current collector 63 is located on the upper and lower sides of several battery packs 7, and the end plate 61 is located on the opposite side of the current collector 63 and the battery pack 7. The fasteners 64 connect and fix the end plate 61 to achieve a fixed connection of multiple battery packs 7.

[0034] This invention provides a fuel cell pack assembly structure and stack that improves the assembly efficiency and sealing performance of bipolar plates and membrane electrode assemblies, thereby enhancing the stability and lifespan of the fuel cell and increasing product competitiveness. It also proposes a battery pack concept similar to lithium-ion batteries, aiming to create more stable fuel cell stacks and facilitate faster and more convenient replacement of damaged battery packs.

[0035] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely illustrative examples for clear explanation and are not intended to limit the implementation. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all possible implementations here. However, obvious variations or modifications derived therefrom are still within the protection scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A fuel cell pack assembly structure, characterized in that, The application relates to a fuel cell package assembly structure. The outer seal is one or more of silicone rubber, polyolefin and EPDM. The first seal, the second seal and the third seal assembly are one or more of silicone, polyurethane, polyolefin, acrylic resin and epoxy resin.

2. The fuel cell pack assembly structure according to claim 1, characterized by: One side of the first bipolar plate is provided with a seal recess, and the opposite side of the first bipolar plate is provided with a seal plane, the seal recess is used for bonding the outer seal, and the seal plane is used for bonding the first membrane electrode.

3. The fuel cell pack assembly structure according to claim 1, characterized by: The two opposite sides of the second seal and the third seal assembly are both planes.

4. The fuel cell pack assembly structure according to claim 1, characterized by: The first membrane electrode and the second membrane electrode both comprise a membrane electrode frame and a membrane electrode body, the membrane electrode body is arranged on the membrane electrode frame, and the membrane electrode body comprises a cathode diffusion layer, a cathode catalytic layer, a proton exchange membrane, an anode catalytic layer and an anode diffusion layer which are sequentially stacked.

5. The fuel cell pack assembly structure according to claim 1, characterized by: The material of the membrane electrode frame is PEN, PI, PPS or PEEK.

6. The fuel cell pack assembly structure according to claim 1, characterized by: The materials of the first bipolar plate and the second bipolar plate are machined graphite plates, flexible graphite plates, titanium plates or stainless steel plates.

7. The fuel cell pack assembly structure according to claim 6, characterized by: Two end connecting assemblies, a fuel cell package and fasteners, the two end connecting assemblies are respectively arranged at the two ends of the fuel cell package, and the two end connecting assemblies are connected through the fasteners, and the fuel cell package is the fuel cell package assembly structure according to any one of claims 1-8.

8. The fuel cell pack assembly structure according to claim 1, characterized by: The end connecting assembly comprises an end plate, an insulating plate and a current collecting plate, the current collecting plate is arranged at the end of the fuel cell package, and the insulating plate is arranged between the end plate and the current collecting plate.

9. A stack comprising: ​ 10. The stack of claim 9, wherein: ​

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