Stacking mounting structure of a fuel cell

Abstract

A stack mounting structure of a fuel cell (300) comprising: a mounting mechanism (100) mounted on one side of a plurality of stacked fuel cells (300) to generate a force pressing against the plurality of stacked fuel cells (300); and an insertion body (200) mounted in the mounting mechanism (100) to adjust the force pressing against the plurality of stacked fuel cells (300); an end plate (110) attached to the plurality of fuel cells (300), the end plate (110) having an inclined surface (111) formed on a top side of the end plate (110) and adjacent to the insertion body; and a transmission device (114) arranged on one side of the inclined surface (111) to press the insertion body (200) in a horizontal direction towards the fuel cell (300);wherein the transmission device (114) comprises an elastic body (115) which elastically supports the insertion body (200), a projecting body which projects vertically in the direction of the end plate (110), and a control screw part (116) which is configured to be screwed to the projecting body, wherein the control screw part (116) is attached to the elastic body (115).

Description

Technical FieldThe present disclosure relates to a stack mounting structure of a fuel cell, and more particularly, to a stack mounting structure of a fuel cell that measures a mounting force when the fuel cell stack is mounted and more specifically adjusts the mounting force applied to the fuel cell stack.BackgroundA fuel cell stack is configured to include a plurality of stacked fuel cells, and a mounting mechanism for electrically connecting therebetween and maintaining airtightness therein (e.g., a gasket). In particular, when an applied fastening force is too strong, damage may be caused to an inside of a fuel cell, and when the applied fastening force is too weak, it may be difficult to obtain the required airtightness and the electrical connection. Therefore, there is a need to apply an appropriate fastening force.FIG. 1 illustrates the existing stack fixing structure in which an end plate 2 ais disposed in a fuel cell stack 1 ato apply the fixing force to the fuel cell stack 1 a, and a fixed fixing band 3 ais fixed to the end plate 2 aby a bolt 4 a. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the existing stack fixing structure is not adjustable in length based on dimensional deviation of components in the fuel cell such as a gas diffusion layer or a gasket, and when the fixing force is reduced due to prolonged use, it becomes difficult to compensate the fixing force until the fuel cell stack 1 ais disassembled, and then an insert body is inserted therein or the fixing band 3 amade in various dimensions is replaced.Instead of the fastening band 3 a, a bolt penetrates the fuel cell stack 1 aand a combination of a nut coupled to the bolt may adjust the fastening force applied to the fuel cell stack. However, when a pitch of a thread formed in the used bolt 4 ais too large, it may be difficult to finely adjust the fastening force and quantitatively determine the fastening force when the fuel cell stack 1 is fastened.FIG. 2 illustrates an elastic body 3 binterposed between the fastening mechanism 1 band the stack 2 bto measure the fastening force according to the related art. As shown in FIG. 2, the elastic body 3 bis interposed between the fixing mechanism 1 band the stack 2 bto measure a compressed length of the elastic body 3 bto thereby measure the fixing force. However, considering that the applied fastening force for a fastening band is about 5000 to 6000 N, a change in the length of the elastic body 3 bbased on a change in the fastening force is minimal, and as a result, it may be difficult to measure the change in the length of the elastic body 3 b.For example, when the elastic body having an elastic modulus of 100 N / mm is used, since an original length of the elastic body 3 bis equal to or more than 50 mm, a length of the fastening mechanism 1 bis too large, and as a result, it becomes difficult to fasten it. On the other hand, the elastic body 3b having an elastic modulus of 5000 N / mm has a length change as large as 0.02 mm when the elastic modulus is changed as large as 100 N, and as a result, it becomes difficult to fix it.Incidentally, US 2009 / 0 226 794 A1 discloses a stack mounting structure of a fuel cell including: a mounting mechanism supported on one side of a plurality of stacked fuel cells to generate a force pressing against the plurality of stacked fuel cells; and an insertion body supported in the mounting mechanism to adjust the force pressing against the plurality of stacked fuel cells.DE 101 35 025 A1 further discloses a fuel cell apparatus comprising a fuel cell stack, first and second end plates arranged at opposite ends of the fuel cell stack for pressing the fuel cell stack and connected by a fastening element, and a pressure plate arranged facing inward from the first end plate. A concave portion is formed on an inward facing surface of the first end plate, and a convex portion is formed on an outward facing surface of the pressure plate.OverviewIt is an object of the present disclosure to provide a stack mounting structure of a fuel cell that measures a mounting force when the fuel cell stack is mounted, and more specifically adjusts the mounting force applied to the fuel cell stack.The object is achieved by a stack fastening structure having the features of claims 1 or 10.According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a stack mounting structure of a fuel cell may include: a mounting mechanism supported on an outer side of a plurality of stacked fuel cells to generate a force pressing the plurality of stacked fuel cells; and an insertion body supported in the mounting mechanism to adjust the force; an end plate mounted on the plurality of fuel cells, the end plate having an inclined surface formed on an upper side of the end plate and abutting the insertion body; and a transmission device disposed on a side of the inclined surface to press the insertion body toward the fuel cell in a horizontal direction. The transmission device includes an elastic body that elastically supports the insertion body, a protruding body that protrudes vertically toward the end plate, and a control screw part configured to be screwed to the protruding body, the control screw part being fixed to the elastic body.In an exemplary embodiment according to another aspect of the present disclosure, a stack mounting structure of a fuel cell includes an end plate mounted to a plurality of stacked fuel cells, the end plate having an inclined surface formed on an upper surface of the end plate; a mounting band mounted to the end plate to press the plurality of fuel cells; an insertion body configured to move along the inclined surface, the insertion body being disposed between the end plate and the mounting band; and a transfer device disposed on a side of the inclined surface to press the insertion body in a horizontal direction toward the fuel cell. The transmission device includes an elastic body that elastically supports the insertion body, a protruding body that protrudes vertically toward the end plate, and a control screw part configured to be screwed to the protruding body, the control screw part being fixed to the elastic body.Brief Description of the FiguresThe above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an exemplary sectional view of main parts of a stack fixing structure of a fuel cell according to the related art; FIG. 2 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of main parts of the stack-attaching structure of a fuel cell including an elastic body for measuring an attaching force according to the related art; FIG. 3 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of main parts of a stack fixing structure of a fuel cell according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 4 is another exemplary cross-sectional view of main parts of the stack mounting structure of a fuel cell of FIG. 3 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 5 is an exemplary perspective view of an insert body included in the stack mounting structure of a fuel cell of FIG. 3 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 6 is an exemplary plan view of the insertion body included in the stack fixing structure of a fuel cell of FIG. 3 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 7 is an exemplary front view of the insertion body included in the stack fixing structure of a fuel cell of FIG. 3 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 8 is an exemplary side view of the insertion body included in the stack fixing structure of a fuel cell of FIG. 3 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 9 is another exemplary plan view of the insertion body included in the stack fixing structure of a fuel cell of FIG. 3 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 10 is still another exemplary plan view of the insertion body included in the stack fixing structure of a fuel cell of FIG. 3 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.Detailed DescriptionIt is understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicle... " ; or any other similar term as used herein, includes motor vehicles in general such as passenger cars, including sports utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, various industrial vehicles, watercraft including a variety of boats and ships, aircraft, and the like, as well as hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, hybrid plug-in electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles and vehicles operated with other alternative fuels (e.g., fuels derived from a source other than petroleum). As used herein, a hybrid vehicle refers to a vehicle having two or more sources of power, for example, a vehicle that operates on both gasoline and electric power.The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is therefore not intended to be limiting of the invention in any way. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It is further understood that the terms "comprise" and / or "comprising," when used in the present specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components / constituents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components / constituents, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combination of one or more of the listed items associated therewith.Unless expressly stated or apparent from context, the term "about" as used herein is intended to be within a range of tolerance limits normal in science, for example, within 2 standard deviations from the mean. "About" may be understood to be within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%.2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.01% of the stated value. Unless otherwise clear from the context, all numerical values given herein are to be considered as being extended by the term "about.".Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 to 10, a stack mounting structure of a fuel cell 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include an end plate 110 fixed to the plurality of stacked fuel cells 300 and a mounting band 120 fixed to the end plate 110 to press the plurality of fuel cells 300, the end plate 110 including an inclined surface 111 and an insertion body 200 that moves along the inclined surface 111 and that may be inserted between the end plate 110 and the mounting band 120.The insertion body 200 may have an inclined bottom surface 210 configured to be able to have approximately the same angle as an inclination angle of the inclined surface 111, and may contact (e.g., support) the inclined surface 111. The end plate 110 may include a transmission 114 configured to apply an external force to the insertion body 200 in a direction horizontal to the end plate 110. The insertion body 200 is therefore moved along the inclined surface 111 by the external force transmitted by the transmission means 114. The transmission device 114 may include an elastic body 115 provided to elastically support the insertion body 200. A variation of the fastening force generated between the end plate 110 and the fastening band 120 may be calculated based on a variation in length of the elastic body 115 and an inclination of the inclined surface 111.The stack mounting structure of a fuel cell 300 will be described in more detail below. The stack mounting structure of a fuel cell 300 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include a mounting mechanism 100 supported on an outer side (for example, outside) of the plurality of fuel cells 300 to generate a force pressing the plurality of stacked fuel cells 300, and the insertion body 200 supported in the mounting mechanism 100 to adjust the force pressing the plurality of fuel cells 300.The fixing mechanism 100 may include the end plate 110 supported in the plurality of fuel cells 300 to be horizontal to the fuel cells 300 and the fixing band 120 enclosing the plurality of fuel cells 300 and fixed to the end plate 110, and the insert body 200 may be inserted in a fixing portion between the end plate 110 and the fixing band 120. Further, the end plate 110 may include the inclined surface 111 inclined to have a predetermined angle with respect to the fuel cell 300 and may contact (for example, support) the insert body 200 and the transfer 114 provided on one side (for example, a first side) of the inclined surface 111 to press the insert body 200 in a horizontal direction toward the fuel cell 300. The inclined surface 111 may include a plurality of protrusions 112 and 113 that restrict a moving distance of the insert body 200. In addition, the transmission device 114 may include the elastic body 115 that elastically supports the insertion body 200.According to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the transmission device 114 may further include a protruding body 117 protruding vertically toward the end plate 110, and a control screw part 116 configured to be screw-coupled to the protruding body 117 by allowing the control screw part 116 to be fixed with a spring as the elastic body 115. Specifically, the spring may be fixed to one side of the insertion body 200. In other words, the insertion body 200 and the control screw member may be connected via the spring.The insertion body 200 may be a solid object in which the inclined bottom surface 210 having approximately the same angle as the inclined surface 111 and a horizontal top surface 220 contacting the fastening band 120 may be formed. The inclined bottom surface 210 and the horizontal top surface 220 may include a friction reducing member 230 to minimize contact friction between the end plate 110 and the fastening band 120. The friction reducing member 230 may be a plurality of balls supported on the inclined bottom surface 210 or the horizontal top surface 220.Specifically, for the friction reducing member 230, a cylindrical roller may be supported on the inclined bottom surface 210 or the horizontal top surface 220 instead of a ball, and a lubricant oil may be applied thereto. Further, a smooth coating may be applied to the insertion body 200, the end plate 110, and the fastening band 120. According to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, for the friction reducing member 230, the plurality of balls may be supported on the inclined bottom surface 210 and the horizontal surface.Dimensional deviation of the insertion body 200 due to play between balls, manufacturing error in balls, and the like generated during the manufacturing process of the insertion body 200 can be compensated by movement of an initial position of the insertion body 200 left and right during the stack fixing process, and therefore does not affect the fixing force set after the fixing.In other words, after the fastening is completed, the fastening force applied to the insertion body 200, the elastic body 115, and the fastening band 120 can be determined by the length of the elastic body 115, and is not affected by a manufacturing error of other parts or the clearance between the parts. As a result, when a magnitude of a reproducing force is more accurately determined based on the length of the elastic body 115, the variation of the fastening force can be measured by measuring the length of the elastic body 115 after the stack is fastened. In other words, it may be possible to more accurately adjust the fastening force by more accurately measuring the magnitude of the fastening force applied to the stack and by operation of the transfer device 114.Further, the end plate 110 and the fastening band 120 may be screw-coupled via a fixed screw 400. The insertion body 200 may have an opening 240 through which the fixed screw 400 may pass (for example, be inserted). As illustrated in FIG. 6, the opening 240 may be cut inward from one side of the insertion body 200. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 9 or 10, the opening 240 may be formed to penetrate through the inclined bottom surface 210 from the horizontal top surface 220 of the insertion body 200.When the insertion body 200 moves by applying a lateral force from the elastic body 115 due to the opening 240, the insertion body 200 can freely move without being limited by the screw fixing the fastening band 120 and the end plate 110. A shape of the opening 240 can be determined by considering a moving distance of the insertion body 200 required during adjustment of the number of screws, an interval between the screws, and the fastening force.The present disclosure configured as above can increase or reduce the fastening force as the insertion body 200 moves along the inclined surface 110 by an inclined plane effect. The transmission device 114 can change the height of the insertion body 200 along the inclined surface 111 to precisely control the fastening force.A more detailed description thereof is provided below. Since the height of the insertion body 200 may be different based on the inclined bottom surface 210, a tensile force may be generated between the end plate 110 and the fastening band that the bolt is fastened, and thus the fastening force may increase as the insertion body 200 rises along the inclined surface 111 from the initial position. Further, when the insertion body 200 descends along the inclined surface 111 from the initial position, a space may be created between the end plate 110 and the fastening band fastened by the screw to reduce the fastening force.As described above, the transmission device 114 may include the elastic body 115 that elastically supports the insertion body 200, and therefore, the variation of the fastening force may be calculated based on the change in the height of the insertion body 200 based on the change in the length of the elastic body 115. For example, the pitch of the inclined surface 111 is about 10°, and the end plate 110 and the fastening band 120 may be fastened via the bolt, and therefore, when the fastening force applied to the stack of the fuel cell 300 is about 5000 N, the lateral force transmitted to the transmitter 114 is about 880 N. When the fastening force is changed to about 100 N, the lateral force is changed to about 18 N. The lateral force is obtained based on the following equation 1. where t=angle of the inclined surfaceTherefore, when the elastic body 115 having an elastic modulus of about 50 N / mm is provided in the transmission device 114, the length of the elastic body 115 can be changed by about 0.36 mm in the initial state, and therefore the change in the fastening force can be detected by measuring the change in the length of the elastic body 115.As described above, according to the stack fixing structure of a fuel cell according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, it may be possible to more accurately adjust the fixing force using the insertion body and the measurement of the external force applied to the insertion body to measure the fixing force.Symbol of each of the elements in the Figures100 Fastening mechanism 110 End plate 111 Inclined surface 112, 113 Protrusion 114 Transmission device 115 Elastic body 120 Fastening band 200 Insertion body 210 Inclined bottom surface 220 Horizontal upper surface 230 Friction reducing member 240 Opening 300 Fuel cell 400 Fixed screw

Claims

A stack mounting structure of a fuel cell (300) comprising: a mounting mechanism (100) supported on one side of a plurality of stacked fuel cells (300) to generate a force pressing against the plurality of stacked fuel cells (300); and an insertion body (200) supported in the mounting mechanism (100) to adjust the force pressing against the plurality of stacked fuel cells (300); an end plate (110) mounted on the plurality of fuel cells (300), the end plate (110) having an inclined surface (111) formed on an upper surface of the end plate (110) and abutting against the insertion body; and a transmission device (114) disposed on one side of the inclined surface (111) to press the insertion body (200) in a horizontal direction toward the fuel cell (300); wherein the transmission device (114) includes an elastic body (115) that elastically supports the insertion body (200), a protruding body that protrudes vertically toward the end plate (110), and a control screw part (116) configured to be screwed to the protruding body, the control screw part (116) being fixed to the elastic body (115).The stack fixing structure of a fuel cell (300) according to claim 1, wherein the fixing mechanism (100) includes: a fixing band (120) configured to enclose the plurality of fuel cells (300) and fixed to the end plate (110), wherein the insertion body (200) is inserted in a fixing portion between the end plate (110) and the fixing band (120).The stack fixing structure of a fuel cell (300) according to claim 1, wherein the inclined surface (111) includes a protrusion (112, 113) that restricts a moving distance of the insertion body (200).The stack fixing structure of a fuel cell (300) according to claim 1, wherein the insertion body (200) is a solid object in which an inclined bottom surface (210) having the same angle as the inclined surface (111) and a horizontal top surface (220) contacting the fixing band (120) are formed.The stack mounting structure of a fuel cell (300) according to claim 4, wherein the inclined bottom surface (210) and the horizontal top surface (220) include a friction reducing member (230) to minimize contact friction between the end plate (110) and the mounting band (120).The stack mounting structure of a fuel cell (300) according to claim 5, wherein the friction reducing member (230) is a plurality of balls supported on the inclined bottom surface (210) or the horizontal top surface (220).The stack mounting structure of a fuel cell (300) according to claim 5, wherein the friction reducing member (230) is a plurality of cylindrical rollers supported on the inclined bottom surface (210) or the horizontal top surface (220).The stack mounting structure of a fuel cell (300) according to claim 5, wherein the friction reducing member (230) is a lubricant oil applied to the inclined bottom surface (210) or the horizontal top surface (220).The stack-type fixing structure of a fuel cell (300) according to claim 4, wherein the end plate (110) and the fixing band (120) are screw-coupled to each other by a fixed screw (400), and the insertion body (200) includes an opening (240) through which the fixed screw (400) passes to measure and adjust the fixing force.A stack fixing structure of a fuel cell (300) comprising: an end plate (110) fixed to a plurality of stacked fuel cells (300), the end plate (110) having an inclined surface (111) formed on an upper surface of the end plate (110); a fixing band (120) fixed to the end plate (110) to press the plurality of fuel cells (300); an insertion body (200) configured to move along the inclined surface (111), the insertion body (200) being disposed between the end plate (110) and the fixing band (120); A transmission device (114) disposed on a side of the inclined surface (111) to press the insertion body (200) in the horizontal direction toward the fuel cell (300), wherein the transmission device (114) comprises an elastic body (115) that elastically supports the insertion body, a protruding body that protrudes vertically toward the end plate (110), and a control screw part (116) configured to be screwed to the protruding body, wherein the control screw part (116) is fixed to the elastic body (115).The stack fixing structure of a fuel cell (300) according to claim 10, wherein the insertion body (200) includes an inclined bottom surface (210) formed to have the same angle as the inclination angle of the inclined surface (111) and abuts against the inclined surface (111).The attachment structure of a fuel cell (300) according to claim 10, wherein a variation of an attachment force generated between the end plate (110) and the attachment band (120) is calculated based on a length variation of the elastic body (115) and an inclination of the inclined surface (111).

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