Current collector and fuel cell

Abstract

The utility model relates to a kind of current collector plate and fuel cell, the current collector plate includes: plate body and connecting ear, the connecting ear is located the outer edge of the plate body, the plate body is equipped with gas inlet area along the side of first direction, the plate body is equipped with gas outlet area along the other side of first direction, the first direction is orthogonal to the thickness direction of the plate body, the plate body is equipped with recessed groove along its thickness direction, the recessed groove is located between the gas inlet area and the gas outlet area.The current collector plate of the utility model can make the temperature of the end position of fuel cell higher than the temperature of the main body of electric pile by structural optimization, effectively solve the problem of low temperature and water flooding of the end of fuel cell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of fuel cell technology, specifically to a manifold and a fuel cell. Background Technology

[0002] As a new generation of clean energy devices, fuel cells have significant advantages such as low noise, rapid start-up, high power density, and zero carbon emissions, showing broad application prospects in fields such as new energy vehicles and distributed power generation. A fuel cell stack mainly consists of core components such as end plates, insulating plates, current collectors, bipolar plates, sealing gaskets, and membrane electrode assemblies. Among these, the current collectors are key components for current collection and conduction in the stack, while also undertaking heat management and structural support functions.

[0003] In actual operation, fuel cells face two typical water management problems: (1) Flooding under low power conditions: When the reactant gas flow rate is low, the generated water is prone to accumulate in the flow channel to form liquid blockage, resulting in uneven gas distribution. The flow channel that is not blocked bears more reaction load, causing current distribution imbalance. (2) Water management challenges under high power conditions: As the current density increases, the rate of water generation from the electrochemical reaction increases. Under low temperature and high humidity conditions, excess liquid water cannot be discharged in time, exacerbating the risk of "flooding". In addition, during the cold start of the fuel cell, the temperature of the outermost single cell drops due to heat dissipation to the environment, forming the "end single low" phenomenon, which affects the overall performance and life of the battery. Utility Model Content

[0004] This utility model aims to at least partially solve one of the technical problems in the related art.

[0005] Therefore, embodiments of this utility model propose a current collector plate. Through structural optimization, the current collector plate can make the temperature at the end of the fuel cell higher than the temperature of the main body of the fuel cell stack, which can effectively solve the problems of low temperature at the end of the fuel cell and flooding.

[0006] An embodiment of this utility model also proposes a fuel cell.

[0007] The manifold of this utility model includes a plate body and a connecting ear. The connecting ear is disposed on the outer edge of the plate body. The plate body has an air inlet area on one side along a first direction and an air outlet area on the other side along the first direction. The first direction is orthogonal to the thickness direction of the plate body. The plate body has a recessed groove on one side along its thickness direction. The recessed groove is disposed between the air inlet area and the air outlet area.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the current collector plate has a recessed groove on one side of its thickness direction, located between the inlet and outlet regions. This allows for a thinner plate design, saving material. Furthermore, the recessed groove reduces the contact area between the plate's thickness direction and the bipolar plate, thereby increasing the internal resistance of the current collector plate. Additionally, the recessed groove facilitates the discharge of liquid water. Therefore, through structural optimization, the current collector plate of this embodiment allows the temperature at the end of the fuel cell to be higher than the temperature of the main stack, effectively solving the problems of low temperature at the end of the fuel cell and flooding.

[0009] In some embodiments, there are multiple recessed grooves, and the array of multiple recessed grooves is arranged on one side of the plate in the thickness direction.

[0010] In some embodiments, the plate has a flow channel on one side along its thickness direction, the flow channel is connected to the air inlet area and the air outlet area, and the recessed groove is located within the contour enclosed by the flow channel in a projection orthogonal to the thickness direction of the plate.

[0011] In some embodiments, the outer periphery of the recessed groove is one of a circle, an ellipse, and a racetrack shape in a projection orthogonal to the thickness direction of the plate.

[0012] In some embodiments, the thickness of the plate is M1, wherein 0.5mm ≤ M1 ≤ 5mm.

[0013] In some embodiments, the depth of the recessed groove is M2, wherein 0.08mm≤M2≤0.12mm.

[0014] In some embodiments, the dimension of the plate body along the first direction is W1, and the dimension of the connecting lug along the first direction is W2, wherein 0.1mm≤W2 / W1≤0.15mm.

[0015] In some embodiments, the contact pressure between the plate and the adjacent component is P, wherein 1.2MPa≤P≤1.5MPa.

[0016] In some embodiments, the roughness of one side of the plate along its thickness direction is Ra, wherein Ra ≤ 0.8 μm.

[0017] In some embodiments, the outer surface of the plate has a coating, which is one of copper, aluminum, titanium and gold.

[0018] Another embodiment of the fuel cell of the present invention includes the current collector plate described in any one of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0019] The fuel cell of this embodiment features a recessed groove on one side of the current collector plate along its thickness direction, located between the inlet and outlet regions. This groove allows for a thinner design of the current collector plate, saving material. Furthermore, it reduces the contact area between the plate's thickness direction and the bipolar plate, thereby increasing the internal resistance of the current collector plate. The groove also facilitates the drainage of liquid water. Therefore, through structural optimization, the current collector plate of this embodiment allows the temperature at the end of the fuel cell to be higher than the temperature of the main stack, effectively solving the problems of low temperature at the end of the fuel cell and flooding. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a front view of the collector plate according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0021] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of AA.

[0022] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A magnified view of B in the middle.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a partial view of the manifold of an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a rear view of the collector plate according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0025] Figure label:

[0026] 1. Plate; 11. Inlet area; 12. Outlet area; 13. Recessed groove; 14. Flow channel;

[0027] 2. Connecting ear; 21. Through hole. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0029] The following is a reference appendix. Figures 1 to 5 This invention describes a current collector and a fuel cell according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0030] like Figures 1 to 5As shown, the manifold of this utility model embodiment includes a plate body 1 and a connecting ear 2. The connecting ear 2 is located on the outer edge of the plate body 1. The plate body 1 has an air inlet area 11 on one side along the first direction and an air outlet area 12 on the other side along the first direction. The first direction is orthogonal to the thickness direction of the plate body 1. The plate body 1 has a recessed groove 13 on one side along its thickness direction. The recessed groove 13 is located between the air inlet area 11 and the air outlet area 12.

[0031] According to the current collector plate of this utility model, since a recessed groove 13 is provided on one side of the plate body 1 along its thickness direction, and the recessed groove 13 is located between the air inlet region 11 and the air outlet region 12, on the one hand, the plate body 1 of the current collector plate can be thinned to save material; on the other hand, the recessed groove 13 can reduce the contact area between the side of the plate body 1 along its thickness direction and the bipolar plate, thereby increasing the internal resistance of the current collector plate, and the recessed groove 13 can promote the discharge of liquid water. Therefore, through structural optimization, the current collector plate of this utility model can make the temperature at the end of the fuel cell higher than the temperature of the main body of the stack, which can effectively solve the problems of low temperature at the end of the fuel cell and flooding.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, the air intake area 11 of the plate 1 can be used to arrange an air inlet, a hydrogen inlet, and a coolant inlet. The air outlet area 12 of the plate 1 can be used to arrange an air outlet, a hydrogen outlet, and a coolant outlet, with the first direction being the length direction of the plate 1.

[0033] Optionally, there are multiple recessed grooves 13, and the multiple recessed grooves 13 are arranged in an array on one side of the plate 1 in the thickness direction. This can further thin the plate 1, thereby increasing the internal resistance of the current collector, raising the temperature of the current collector, and promoting the discharge of liquid water, thus avoiding the problem of water flooding at the end of the fuel cell stack.

[0034] A flow channel 14 is provided on one side of the plate 1 along its thickness direction. The flow channel 14 communicates with the air inlet area 11 and the air outlet area 12. In the projection orthogonal to the thickness direction of the plate 1, the recessed groove 13 is located within the contour enclosed by the flow channel 14. It can be understood that the flow channel 14 is integrated on the plate 1, which can improve the integration degree of the current collector plate compared to the solution of "arranging a dummy battery with a flow channel separately on one side of the current collector plate in the thickness direction". Furthermore, the structural design of the flow channel 14 can also reduce the contact area between the side of the plate 1 along its thickness direction and the bipolar plate, thereby increasing the internal resistance of the current collector plate, increasing the temperature of the current collector plate, and greatly reducing the problems of low end voltage and flooding at the end.

[0035] For example, in the projection orthogonal to the thickness direction of the plate 1, the outer periphery of the recessed groove 13 is one of a circle, an ellipse, and a racetrack shape. In this example of the present invention, the outer periphery of the recessed groove 13 is racetrack shaped, that is, the edge of the recessed groove 13 is provided with a rounded corner structure. Since the outer periphery of the recessed groove 13 adopts the above-mentioned structural arrangement, the stress concentration problem of the recessed groove 13 can be reduced, which is beneficial to improving the structural strength of the current collector plate.

[0036] Understandably, the manifold needs to maintain structural strength in its critical current-carrying areas, while selectively thinning non-critical areas. For example, recessed grooves 13 or flow channels 14 can be provided on the plate body 1.

[0037] like Figure 3 As shown, the thickness of plate 1 is M1, where 0.5mm ≤ M1 ≤ 5mm. For example, M1 can be 0.5mm, 1mm, 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, or 5mm. By adopting the above-mentioned thickness parameters for plate 1, the current collector of this embodiment can still meet the mechanical strength and current carrying requirements after thinning plate 1. Furthermore, the thinning design of plate 1 can reduce thermal resistance, which is beneficial to improving heat transfer efficiency, while also reducing the overall weight of the current collector.

[0038] like Figure 3 As shown, the depth of the recessed groove 13 is M2, where 0.08mm ≤ M2 ≤ 0.12mm. For example, M2 can be 0.08mm, 0.09mm, 0.1mm, 0.11mm, or 0.12mm. By adopting the above-mentioned thickness parameters, the flow field distribution of the manifold in this embodiment of the present invention can be optimized, thus promoting the discharge of liquid water.

[0039] Optionally, the dimension of plate 1 along the first direction is W1, and the dimension of connecting ear 2 along the first direction is W2, wherein 0.1mm ≤ W2 / W1 ≤ 0.15mm. For example, W2 / W1 can be 0.1mm, 0.12mm, 0.13mm, or 0.15mm. It is understood that the location of connecting ear 2 is designed with a slight undersize to create a controllable resistive heating zone, resulting in a temperature at the location of connecting ear 2 that is 5-10°C higher than the main body of the fuel cell stack. This heat is then transferred to the end of the fuel cell stack via thermal conduction, making it a heat source and helping to improve the low-temperature cold start performance of the fuel cell and avoid end-flooding problems.

[0040] like Figure 1 As shown, a through hole 21 is provided at the position of the connecting ear 2 so that the connecting ear 2 can be connected to the opposite part.

[0041] Optionally, the contact pressure between plate 1 and adjacent components is P, where 1.2 MPa ≤ P ≤ 1.5 MPa, and the roughness of one side of plate 1 along its thickness direction is Ra, where Ra ≤ 0.8 μm. This ensures the reliability of the electrical contact between the current collector and the bipolar plate.

[0042] For example, the outer surface of the plate 1 has a coating, which is one of copper, aluminum, titanium and gold, to further improve the reliability of the electrical contact between the current collector and the bipolar plate.

[0043] In summary, the current collector plate of the embodiments of this utility model has at least the following technical effects:

[0044] (1) Cost optimization: The materials used in the design of the manifold were reduced, resulting in a cost reduction of more than 30%.

[0045] (2) Temperature controllable: The operating temperature of the current collector plate position, i.e. the end plate of the fuel cell stack, has been increased, which greatly reduces the problems of low end plate temperature and flooding at the end.

[0046] (3) Improved water management: The surface depression structure promotes the drainage of liquid water, reducing the risk of flooding by more than 30%.

[0047] (4) Improved lifespan: Increased the operating lifespan of the fuel cell stack;

[0048] (5) Performance improvement: The mass power density and volume power density of the fuel cell stack have been improved.

[0049] (6) Cold start optimization: The auxiliary heating function reduces the cold start time by about 20% in an environment of -30℃.

[0050] Another embodiment of the fuel cell of the present invention includes the current collector of the present invention.

[0051] In this embodiment of the fuel cell, a recessed groove 13 is provided on one side of the plate 1 along its thickness direction. The recessed groove 13 is located between the inlet region 11 and the outlet region 12. This design allows for a thinner plate 1, saving material. Furthermore, the recessed groove 13 reduces the contact area between the plate 1 and the bipolar plate along its thickness direction, thereby increasing the internal resistance of the current collector. The recessed groove 13 also promotes the discharge of liquid water. Therefore, through structural optimization, the current collector in this embodiment of the present invention allows the temperature at the end of the fuel cell to be higher than the temperature of the main stack, effectively solving the problems of low temperature at the end of the fuel cell and flooding.

[0052] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.

[0053] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0054] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between them; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0055] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0056] In this utility model, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example, which is included in at least one embodiment or example of this utility model. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0057] Although the above embodiments have been shown and described, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Any changes, modifications, substitutions and variations made to the above embodiments by those skilled in the art are within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A current collector plate, characterized in that, The manifold includes a plate body (1) and a connecting ear (2). The connecting ear (2) is located on the outer edge of the plate body (1). The plate body (1) has an air inlet area (11) on one side along a first direction and an air outlet area (12) on the other side along the first direction. The first direction is orthogonal to the thickness direction of the plate body (1). The plate body (1) has a recessed groove (13) on one side along its thickness direction. The recessed groove (13) is located between the air inlet area (11) and the air outlet area (12).

2. The current collector plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are multiple recessed grooves (13), and the multiple recessed grooves (13) are arranged in an array on one side of the plate (1) in the thickness direction.

3. The current collector plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plate (1) has a flow channel (14) on one side along its thickness direction. The flow channel (14) is connected to the air inlet area (11) and the air outlet area (12). In the projection orthogonal to the thickness direction of the plate (1), the recessed groove (13) is located within the contour enclosed by the flow channel (14).

4. The current collector plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, Within the projection orthogonal to the thickness direction of the plate (1), the outer periphery of the recessed groove (13) is one of a circle, an ellipse, and a racetrack shape.

5. The current collector plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the plate (1) is M1, wherein 0.5mm≤M1≤5mm.

6. The current collector plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The depth of the recessed groove (13) is M2, wherein 0.08mm≤M2≤0.12mm.

7. The current collector plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plate (1) has a dimension of W1 along the first direction, and the connecting ear (2) has a dimension of W2 along the first direction, wherein 0.1mm≤W2 / W1≤0.15mm.

8. The current collector plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The contact pressure between the plate (1) and the adjacent component is P, wherein 1.2MPa≤P≤1.5MPa; And / or, the roughness of one side of the plate (1) along its thickness direction is Ra, wherein Ra≤0.8μm.

9. The current collector plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer surface of the plate (1) has a coating, which is one of copper, aluminum, titanium and gold.

10. A fuel cell, characterized in that, The manifold includes any one of claims 1-9.

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