Compensating element, joining connection, and electrochemical device with such a compensating element and / or such a joining connection

Abstract

The invention relates to a compensating element (10) for a joining connection (12), in particular a screw connection (36), which is designed to compensate for a deformation of at least one part of the joining connection (12), in particular a fastening element (14), preferably a screw (16), in a connection direction (A). In this regard, it is proposed that the compensating element (10) also be designed to compensate for a deformation of at least one part of the joining connection (12), in particular the fastening element (14), preferably the screw (16), in at least one direction (B) laterally to the connection direction (A). The invention also relates to a compensating element (10) for a joining connection (12), in particular a screw connection (36), which is bent in the direction of passage (C) with respect to a through-opening (18) for a fastening element (14), in particular a screw (16). In this regard, it is proposed to design the compensating element (10) to be elongated laterally to the direction of passage (C). Furthermore, the invention relates to a joining connection (12) with a corresponding compensating element (10). Furthermore, the invention relates to an electrochemical device (100) with a corresponding compensating element (10) and / or a corresponding joining connection (12).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a compensating element for a joining connection, in particular a screw connection, which is designed to compensate for a deformation of at least one part of the joining connection, in particular a fastening element, preferably a screw, in a connection direction.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a compensating element for a joining connection, in particular a screw connection, which is bent in the direction of passage with respect to a through-opening for a fastening means, in particular a screw.

[0003] Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a joining connection with a corresponding compensating element.

[0004] Furthermore, the present invention relates to an electrochemical device with a corresponding compensating element and / or a corresponding joining connection. State of the art

[0005] Compensating elements are known which can compensate for deformations of a fastening element, such as a screw, in one direction of connection during a joining process.

[0006] Compensating elements are also known which are bent in the direction of passage with respect to a through-hole for a fastening device, such as a screw. Disclosure of the invention

[0007] The present compensating element with the features of claim 1 has the advantage that the compensating element is also designed to compensate for a deformation of at least one part of the joining element, in particular the fastening element, preferably the screw, in at least one direction laterally to the joining direction. This enables a more reliable joining element, despite deformations.

[0008] The present compensating element with the features of claim 2 has the advantage that the compensating element is elongated laterally to the direction of gas flow. This also enables a more reliable joining connection, despite deformations.

[0009] Within the scope of this invention, a "joining connection" can be understood to mean, in particular, a form-fit, force-fit, and / or material-fit connection by means of which at least two components are permanently joined together to form a larger structure or a more complex component. Preferably, this can be a screw connection or a rivet connection.

[0010] Within the scope of this invention, a "part of a joining connection" can be understood to mean any part and / or component of the joining connection. In particular, it refers to a fastening element or one of at least two components of a joining connection which are to be joined or connected by means of a fastening element.

[0011] Within the scope of this invention, "deformation" can be understood to mean, in particular, a change in the shape, size, orientation, or position of a body or material, preferably a part of the joining connection. Preferably, it can also mean a deformation and / or displacement of a body or material, preferably a part of the joining connection. In particular, it can also mean a deformation and / or displacement due to thermal influence, e.g., thermal expansion and / or contraction. Preferably, it can also mean a deformation and / or displacement due to time- and temperature-dependent viscoelastic or plastic change under constant load (known as "creep" or "retardation").

[0012] In the context of this invention, a “connection direction” can be understood in particular as a direction in which at least two components are connected or are to be connected to each other.

[0013] In the context of this invention, a “direction of passage” can be understood, in particular with regard to a passage opening, as a direction in which a part of the joining connection, in particular a fastening means, is provided to pass through the passage opening.

[0014] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are possible through the features listed in the remaining claims. For example, it is advantageous if the compensating element is designed in a U-shape and / or, particularly extending from the through-opening, preferably has U-shaped legs which are designed to compensate for deformation of the fastening element in at least one direction laterally to the through-direction and / or connection direction. This enables a technically elegant and cost-effective implementation.

[0015] It is also advantageous if the compensating element has a spherically shaped seat for the fastener. This improves the movement between the compensating element and the fastener in the event of deformation.

[0016] It is also advantageous if the compensating element, in particular the legs of the compensating element, preferably at an end opposite the through-opening, has a spherically shaped bearing surface for resting on a component to be joined by the joint. This improves the mobility between the compensating element and a component to be joined by the joint in the event of deformation.

[0017] Furthermore, it is advantageous if a joining connection comprises a fastening element, in particular a screw, at least two components to be joined, and a compensating element as described above. This increases the reliability of the joining connection in the event of deformation.

[0018] It is particularly advantageous if the compensating element is positioned between the fastener and at least one of the two components. This allows for particularly efficient compensation of deformation.

[0019] Furthermore, it is advantageous if an electrochemical device includes a compensating element and / or a joining connection as described above. This allows the joining connections of the electrochemical device to be designed more reliably with regard to deformation, which in turn increases the robustness and thus also the service life of the electrochemical device.

[0020] Within the scope of the present invention, an "electrochemical device" can be understood to mean, in particular, a system designed to convert chemical energy into electrical energy or vice versa. An electrochemical device can, for example, be a fuel cell device, which in particular enables the conversion of a fuel, e.g., hydrogen, into electrical energy, or an electrolysis cell device, which in particular enables the conversion of electrical energy into chemical energy, preferably for storage. Similarly, a high-temperature electrochemical device can, for example, be a high-temperature fuel cell device or a high-temperature electrolysis cell device.

[0021] It is particularly advantageous if an electrochemical unit, especially a base plate of an electrochemical unit, is connected to the compensating element and / or to another component of the electrochemical device, especially a media guide unit, by means of the joining connection. This can significantly increase the robustness and thus also the service life of the electrochemical device. Drawings

[0022] The drawings schematically illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are explained in more detail in the following description. They show Fig. 1 a cross-section of an exemplary embodiment of a compensating element for a joining connection Fig. 2 a top view of an embodiment of a compensating element for a joining connection made of Fig. 1 Fig. 3 a cross-section of an embodiment of a joining connection with a compensating element from the preceding figures, Fig. 4 a top view of an embodiment of a joining connection made of Fig. 3, Fig. 5 a schematic cross-section of an embodiment of an electrochemical device with joining connections and compensating elements according to the preceding figures. Description of the exemplary implementations

[0023] In Fig. 1 is a cross-section and in Fig. Figure 2 shows a top view of an embodiment of a compensating element 10 for a joining connection 12, while in Fig. 3 a cross-section and in Fig. Figure 4 shows a top view of an embodiment of a joining connection with such a compensating element 10.

[0024] The compensating element 10 is designed to compensate for a deformation of at least one part of the joining connection 12, in this case a fastening element 14, specifically a screw 16, in a connection direction A. The compensating element 10 is further characterized by the fact that it is also designed to compensate for a deformation of at least one part of the joining connection 12, in this case the fastening element 14 or the screw 16, in at least one direction B laterally to the connection direction A.

[0025] The compensating element is bent in the direction of passage C with respect to a through-opening 18 for a fastening element 14, or a screw 16. The compensating element 10 is characterized by the fact that, in this case in a direction D, it is elongated laterally to the direction of passage C.

[0026] The compensating element 10 compensates for both longitudinal and axial deformation of the fastener 14, or screw 16. Furthermore, it provides the fastener 14, or screw 16, with sufficient space to bend or tilt laterally in direction B relative to the connection direction A, or gas flow direction C, and additionally orthogonally to its longitudinal extent in direction D, or orthogonally to the longitudinal axis L of the compensating element 10. At the same time, at least two components 18 to be joined, in this case a first component 20 and a second component 22, are reliably held together. Thus, both a deformation, such as expansion or contraction, of the fastener 14, or screw 16, longitudinally relative to the connection direction A, or gas flow direction C, and a deformation, such as bending or tilting, of the fastener 14, or screw 16, are prevented.The screw 16 is specifically enabled to move laterally in direction B to the connection direction A, or gas flow direction C, and in this case additionally orthogonally to the longitudinal axis L of the compensating element 10. At the same time, the joining connection 12 is reliably maintained. Accordingly, a more reliable joining connection 12 is made possible, despite deformations, for example, creep.

[0027] In the present case, the compensating element is designed as a single piece, which enables a cost-effective implementation.

[0028] Furthermore, the compensating element 10 is designed in a U-shape and, in the case shown, has U-shaped legs 24 extending from the through-opening 18. These legs are designed to compensate for a deformation of the fastening element 14, or the screw 16, in direction B laterally to the through-direction C, or to the connection direction A. This enables a technically elegant and cost-effective implementation.

[0029] The compensating element 10 has a spherically shaped seat 26 for the fastening element 14, or the screw 16, in this case the screw head 28. In this case, the fastening element 14, here the screw head 28, forms a hinge-like structure with the compensating element 10. This improves the mobility between the compensating element 10 and the fastening element 14, or the screw 16, in the event of deformation.

[0030] Furthermore, the surface of the spherical seat 26, which essentially serves as the contact surface for the fastening element 14, in this case the screw head 28, has a structure 30, in this case serrations 32, designed to prevent or at least hinder separation of the fastening element 14 from the compensating element 10. In this case, the aforementioned structure 30 is designed to prevent or at least hinder rotation of the screw 16, thereby holding it in a tightened position. However, due to its design, the structure 30 simultaneously allows relative movement between the screw 16 and the compensating element 10, in this case in direction D, laterally to the direction of travel C. Thus, the previously described deformation of the fastening element 14, or the screw 16, in direction B laterally to the connection direction A, or laterally to the direction of travel C, remains possible.

[0031] Furthermore, the compensating element 10, in the case shown, each leg 24 of the compensating element 10, has a spherically shaped bearing surface 34 at an end 28 opposite the through-opening 18 for bearing on one of the components 18 to be joined by the joining connection 12, in this case, bearing on the first component 20. In the case shown, this reduces the contact area between the compensating element 10 and the component 18 to be joined by the joining connection 12, in this case, the first component 20, which in turn reduces the frictional forces. Accordingly, in the event of deformation, the mobility between the compensating element 10 and the component 18 to be joined by the joining connection 12, in this case, the first component 20, is improved.

[0032] At the in Fig. 3 and Fig. The joining connection 12 shown in Figure 4 is a screw connection 36. It comprises the fastening element 16, or the screw 16, the two components 18 to be joined together, or the first component 20 and the second component 22, as well as the compensating element 10.

[0033] The compensating element 10 is arranged between the fastener 14, or the screw 16, and at least one of the two components 18, in this case the first component 20. Accordingly, the compensating element 10 is arranged adjacent to the fastener 14, or the screw 16, and at least one of the two components 18, in this case the first component 20.

[0034] In the case shown, the fastening element 14, or the screw head 28 of the screw 16, has a spherically shaped contact surface 38 which corresponds in this case to the spherically shaped seat 26 of the compensating element 10.

[0035] Furthermore, in the case shown, one of the components 18 to be joined by the joining connection 12, in this case the first component 20, has recesses 40 into which the compensating element 10, in this case the ends 28 of the compensating element 10, with their spherically shaped bearing surfaces 38, can be, or have been, at least partially inserted. In the case shown, each bearing surface 38 of the compensating element 10 is located in a recess 40 of the one component 18 to be joined by the joining connection 12, in this case the first component 20. The recesses 40 are designed to position the compensating element 10 relative to the one component 18 to be joined by the joining connection 12, in this case the first component 20, in an area formed by the recesses 40. This increases the stability of the joining connection 12.

[0036] In Fig.Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-section of an embodiment of an electrochemical device 100 with joining connections 12, or screw connections 36, and compensating elements 10 according to the figures described above.

[0037] The electrochemical device 100 comprises an electrochemical unit 102.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, the electrochemical device 100 is a fuel cell device 104 and the electrochemical unit 102 is a fuel cell unit 106. Accordingly, the fuel cell device 104 comprises a fuel cell unit 106.

[0039] The fuel cell units 106 in turn are designed in the present case as a fuel cell stack 108, which has a plurality of fuel cells, in the present case solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC).

[0040] Alternatively, it would also be possible for the fuel cell unit 106 to be designed as a fuel cell stack, which has a large number of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC) or proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC).

[0041] In the case shown, fuel and air are supplied to the fuel cell unit 102 via a media control unit 112. Within the fuel cell units 102, the supplied fuel is then electrochemically converted with the participation of the oxygen contained in the air, generating energy, in particular electrical and / or thermal energy, for feeding into a network, for example a power grid, and / or for a consumer.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, the fuel cell unit 102, in this case a base plate 112 of the fuel cell unit 102, is connected to a further component 110 of the fuel cell device 104, in this case the media guide unit 112, by means of the compensating elements 10 or the joining connections 12. This enables a more reliable connection between the fuel cell unit 102, or the base plate 112 of the fuel cell unit 102, and the further component 110 of the fuel cell device 104, in this case the media guide unit 112, despite deformations such as creep or displacement of the base plate 114 relative to the media guide unit 112 caused by thermal expansion. Accordingly, the robustness and thus also the service life of the electrochemical device 100 are significantly increased.

Claims

[1] Compensating element (10) for a joint connection (12), in particular a screw connection (36), which is intended to compensate for a deformation of at least one part of the joint connection (12), in particular of a fastening means (14), preferably a screw (16), in a connection direction (A), characterized by that the compensating element (10) is also provided to compensate for a deformation of at least one part of the joining connection (12), in particular of the fastening means (14), preferably of the screw (16), in at least one direction (B) lateral to the connection direction (A). [2] Compensating element (10) for a joint connection (12), in particular a screw connection (36), which is bent in the direction of passage (C) relative to a through opening (18) for a fastening means (14), in particular a screw (16), characterized by that the compensating element (10) is elongated laterally to the gas flow direction (C). [3] Compensating element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the compensating element (10) is designed in the shape of a bow and / or, in particular starting from the through-opening (C), preferably has legs (24) designed in the shape of a bow, which are intended to compensate for a deformation of the fastening means (14) in at least one direction (B) lateral to the through-opening direction (C) and / or the connecting direction (A). [4] Compensating element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the compensating element (10) has a spherically shaped seat (26) for the fastening element (14). [5] Compensating element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the compensating element (10), in particular the legs (24) of the compensating element, preferably at an end (28) opposite the through-opening (18), has a spherically formed bearing surface (34) for bearing on a component (18, 20) to be connected with the joint. [6] Joining connection (12), in particular screw connection (36), comprising a fastening means (14), in particular a screw (16), at least two components (18, 20, 22) to be connected to one another and a compensating element (10) according to one of the preceding claims. [7] Joint connection (12) according to claim 6, characterized by that the compensating element (10) is arranged between the fastening means (10) and at least one of the two components (18, 20, 22). [8] Joining device (12) according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized bythat the fastening means (14), in particular a screw head (28) of the screw (14), has a spherically formed contact surface (38) corresponding in particular to the spherically formed seat (26) of the compensating element (10). [9] Electrochemical device (100) comprising a compensating element (10) and / or a joining connection (12) according to one of the preceding claims. [10] Electrochemical device (100) according to claim 9, characterized by that an electrochemical unit (102), in particular a base plate (114) of an electrochemical unit (102), is connected to the compensating element (10) and / or by means of the joining connection (12) to a further component of the electrochemical device (100), in particular a media guide unit (112).

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