FUEL CELL FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

Fuel cell (100) for a vehicle, comprising: Receptacles (H) arranged on one side of a partition plate (120) and having a recessed lower part (122) and inclined sides (124) connecting the edges of the lower part (122) and the partition plate (120) at an angle; Seals (300) that protrude along the receptacles (H) on the side of the partition plate (120); and Mounting rails (200) which are received in the receptacles (H) with the seals (300) projecting thereon in the form of a strip fixing the fuel cell (100) and which have a main part (220) which is in close contact with the lower part (122) and flanges (240) which is in close contact with an inclined side (124).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fuel cell for a vehicle which can store / hold a mounting structure which is structurally safe even in the event of a collision by adapting a mounting rail to the module shape (divider plate shape). BACKGROUND

[0002] Fuel cell stacks consist of multiple cells sandwiched between end plates at both ends. Each cell comprises a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), a gas diffusion layer (GDL), and a partition plate. Hydrogen, air, and cooling water are supplied through a channel within the partition plates, and gaskets are used to seal the fluid between them. Because the cells in the stacks are directly related to ohmic losses due to increased contact resistance and mass transfer resistance in the GDL, maintaining adequate clamping force is essential for achieving high performance.

[0003] The stacks installed in vehicles require high power output, so the majority (one hundred to three hundred or more) of cells are stacked at approximately 1V. The stacked unit cells are pressed together at both ends by end plates and vertically secured by one or more mounting rails. In existing structures / arrangements, the mounting rails are in parallel contact with the module surface, meaning there is no locking mechanism. Consequently, the module can deform, or the separator plate can separate in a frontal or rear-end collision. This could lead to problems such as a secondary electrical accident or hydrogen leakage. Therefore, a structure for the stable mounting of a stack is necessary for structural stabilization.

[0004] From US patent 2009 / 0214928A1, a method for assembling a fuel cell stack is known in which, instead of a screw, a fastening block and a fastening pin are used to assemble the fuel cell stack, thereby reducing the time and process required for assembling the fuel cell stack, enabling an assembly process using an automated device and facilitating mass production.

[0005] US Patent 2005 / 0064268A1 discloses a fuel cell fastening mechanism comprising a pair of end plates for holding the fuel cell stack, each plate attached to both ends of the fuel cell stack. Several fastening straps extending in a collecting direction of the fuel cell stack exert a predetermined pressure on the end plate. Such a fastening mechanism enables uniform pressure on a separator and improves the sealing of a fuel cell stack.

[0006] US Patent 2005 / 0042493A1 provides a compact and lightweight fuel cell device with a structure in which several essentially horizontally arranged cells are stacked vertically into a stack, with end plates at the ends and the stack secured by two straps. Each cell includes a mechanical energy exchanger (MEA) comprising a pair of electrode layers and an intermediate reaction layer, as well as conductive separators sandwiching the MEA and containing channels for flowing fluids such as a gas and a liquid fuel. An unreformed organic liquid fuel is fed directly to an anode, while oxygenated air is fed to a cathode. An air inlet and fuel outlet are located in the upper part of the fuel cell device, while an air outlet and fuel inlet are located in the lower part of the opposite side.

[0007] Furthermore, KR 10 0 726 503 B1 discloses a fuel cell stack structure that ensures the sealing of the fluids used in a fuel cell stack and exhibits sufficient structural and electrical stability. The fuel cell stack structure comprises a unit module with a fuel cell containing a membrane electrode assembly and a separator; collectors arranged on both sides of the fuel cell; insulating plates located outside the collectors; end plates located outside the insulating plates and featuring several reinforcing ribs; and several fastening bands for connecting the end plates; a common manifold for supplying hydrogen, air, and cooling water to the unit module; and busbars for electrically connecting one unit module to another.

[0008] The description provided above as the prior art of the present disclosure serves only to provide background information on the present disclosure and should not be interpreted as being included in the prior art known to a person skilled in the art. OVERVIEW OF THE REVELATION

[0009] The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a fuel cell for a vehicle that can accommodate / hold a fastening structure concept that is structurally safe even in the event of a collision, by adapting a fastening rail to the module shape (divider plate shape).

[0010] The problem is solved by a fuel cell with the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments are found in the dependent claims.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a fuel cell for a vehicle has receptacles arranged on one side of a partition plate, comprising a recessed lower part and inclined sides that connect the edges of the lower part and the partition plate at an angle. Seals project along the receptacles on the side of the partition plate. Mounting rails are received in the receptacles with the projecting seals in the form of a strip that secures the fuel cell and have a main part in close contact with the lower part and flanges in close contact with an inclined side.

[0012] The seals can protrude along an edge of the side of the partition plate, so that one side of the seals extends to the receptacle on the side of the partition plate and covers a cross-section of the receptacle.

[0013] The main part of the mounting rails can have a length corresponding to the lower part of the mount.

[0014] The flanges of the mounting rails can have a length corresponding to the inclined side of the mounts.

[0015] The angle between the main part and the flanges of the mounting rails can be greater than the angle between the lower part and the inclined side of the mounts.

[0016] If the seals cannot completely cover an outer side of the partition plate, an insulator with the same shape as the mounting rail can be inserted between the mounting rails and the partition plate.

[0017] According to the fuel cell for a vehicle with the above-described structure, it is possible to achieve a fastening structure concept that is structurally safe even in the event of a collision by adapting a fastening rail and the module shape (divider plate shape).

[0018] Furthermore, it is possible to improve collision safety in a frontal / rear impact by holding the inclined sides of the mount on / at the partition plate and to increase the stiffness of the stacking module by improving the stiffness of the mounting rail itself. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The above and further features of the present disclosure are now described in more detail by reference to certain embodiments thereof by the accompanying drawings, which are shown below only for illustration and are therefore not limiting to the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a fuel cell for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 2 shows a view representing a mounting rail of a fuel cell for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 3 shows a view representing the state when a fuel cell for a vehicle is attached according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 4 shows a view representing the state when a fuel cell for a vehicle is attached according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] It should be noted that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily to scale and represent a somewhat simplified depiction of various preferred features, intended to illustrate the principles of the invention. The specific design features of the present invention, as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, installation locations, and shapes, are partly determined by the application specifically provided for this purpose and the working environment.

[0021] In the figures, the reference signs refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present revelation throughout the individual figures of the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a fuel cell for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 2 shows a view representing a mounting rail of a fuel cell for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 3 shows a view representing the state when a fuel cell for a vehicle is attached according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 4 shows a view representing the state when a fuel cell for a vehicle is attached according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, a fuel cell 100 according to the present disclosure comprises recesses H formed on one side of a partition plate 120, having a recessed lower part 122 and inclined sides 124 that connect the edges of the lower part 122 and the partition plate 120 at an angle. Seals 300 project along the recesses H on the side of the partition plate 120. Mounting rails 200 are received in the recesses H with the seals 300 projecting thereon in the form of a strip that secures the fuel cell 100 and have a main part 220 that is in close contact with the lower part 122 and flanges 240 that are in close contact with the inclined side 124.

[0025] The one with the reference symbol '10' in Fig. The element 1 specified is a mounting rail 10 of the general rail type and differs from the mounting rail 200 of the present disclosure in that it does not have the flanges 240.

[0026] In the present disclosure, the recesses H are formed on one side of the partition plate 120. The recess H has the recessed lower part 122 and the inclined sides 124, which connect the edges of the lower part 122 and the partition plate 120 at an angle. The shape of the recess H is shown in Fig. 3 shown in detail.

[0027] This means that a groove is formed on one side of the separating plate 120, which is a flat plate, and the fuel cell is fastened / fixed by the grooves so that a force connecting the fuel cell can be maintained stably.

[0028] In particular, since the receptacle H has the lower part 122, which represents a recessed straight part, and the edges of the lower part 122 and the separating plate are connected by the inclined sides 124, the manufacture is simple and a seal 300 can be kept in close contact with the receptacle.

[0029] The gasket 300, projecting from the partition plate 120, extends along the receptacle H on the side of the partition plate 120. The gasket 300 extends along one edge of the side of the partition plate 120 for airtightness. Furthermore, the gasket 300 can extend further to one side, so that the side facing the receptacle extends onto the side of the partition plate 120 and covers the cross-section of the receptacle H. Alternatively, the gasket 300 can be used on the outside of the partition plate 120 for a single fixing, or if the gasket cannot completely cover the receptacle, a separate insulator 400 can be used as shown in [reference]. Fig. 4 can be used. The insulator 400 has the same shape as the mounting rail 200 and is longer than the flanges 240 of the mounting rail 200.

[0030] The mounting rail 200 is received in the receptacle H with the seal 300 projecting thereon in the form of a strip fixing the fuel cell 100 and has the main part 220, which is in close contact with the lower part 122, and the flanges 240, which are in close contact with the inclined sides 124.

[0031] As in Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the mounting rail 200 has a main part 220 formed in a straight rail shape and flanges 240 bent outwards at the sides of the main part. The main part 220 of the mounting rail 200 can have a length corresponding to the lower part 122 of the receptacle H. The flanges 240 of the mounting rail 200 can have a length corresponding to the inclined sides 124 of the receptacle H.

[0032] Furthermore, the angle between the main part 220 and the flange 240 of the mounting rail 200 can be greater than the angle between the lower part 122 and the inclined side 124 of the receptacle H. According to this arrangement, the mounting rail 200 is slightly compressed and elastically deformed in close contact with the receptacle H. In particular, due to the difference in angles, the mounting rail 200 can be compressed and secured by simultaneously compressing the receptacle H and the separating plate 120. It also exerts a force on the seal 300.

[0033] On the other hand, if the seal cannot completely cover the outside of the partition plate, an insulator with the same shape as the mounting rail can be inserted between the mounting rail and the partition plate.

[0034] According to the fuel cell for a vehicle with the above-described structure, it is possible to achieve a fastening structure concept that is structurally safe even in the event of a collision by adapting a fastening rail and the module shape (divider plate shape).

[0035] Furthermore, it is possible to improve collision safety in a frontal / rear impact by holding the inclined sides of the mount on / at the partition plate and to increase the stiffness of the stacking module by improving the stiffness of the mounting rail itself.

Claims

[1] Fuel cell (100) for a vehicle, comprising: Receptacles (H) arranged on one side of a partition plate (120) and having a recessed lower part (122) and inclined sides (124) connecting the edges of the lower part (122) and the partition plate (120) at an angle; Seals (300) that protrude along the receptacles (H) on the side of the partition plate (120); and Mounting rails (200) which are received in the receptacles (H) with the seals (300) projecting thereon in the form of a strip fixing the fuel cell (100) and which have a main part (220) which is in close contact with the lower part (122) and flanges (240) which is in close contact with an inclined side (124). [2] Fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the seals (300) protrude along an edge of the side of the partition plate (120) such that one side of the seals (300) extends to a receptacle (H) on the side of the partition plate (120) and covers a cross-section of the receptacle (H). [3] Fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the main part (220) of the mounting rail (200) has a length corresponding to the lower part (122) of the receptacle (H). [4] Fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the flanges (240) of the mounting rails (200) have a length corresponding to the inclined side (124) of the receptacle (H). [5] Fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the angle between the main part (220) and the flanges (240) of the mounting rails (200) is greater than the angle between the lower part (122) and the inclined side (124) of the receptacles (H).

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