Fuel cell stack fixing device

Abstract

The present invention provides a fuel cell stack fixing device that reduces the time spent in the fixing process, prevents problems with variations in the force applied during the fastening process, and, without affecting fixing stability, enables rapid assembly design and shortens process time, while further improving fixing effectiveness. [Solution] The fuel cell stack fixing device includes at least one first pressing member, at least one second pressing member, at least one first fastener, at least one second fastener, and a plurality of connecting members, forming a first connecting passage, a second connecting passage, a third connecting passage, and a fourth connecting passage between the first pressing member and the first fastener, the first pressing member and the second fastener, the second pressing member and the first fastener, and the second pressing member and the second fastener, respectively, and installing and connecting members to fix them together, thereby generating clamping and fastening effects on the opposing top and bottom surfaces and opposing first and second surfaces of the fuel cell stack.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of fuel cells, particularly to a fixing device for a fuel cell stack.

Background Art

[0002] A fuel cell stack is formed by stacking a plurality of fuel cells and then fixing and packaging them. Its application fields are very wide, including, for example, power sources required for electric vehicles, ships, buildings or factories. Current fuel cell stack fixing methods mainly include the bolt type and the binding band type.

[0003] The bolt type has a low assembly difficulty, but it consumes process time, and is prone to errors due to the magnitude of the applied force by manual operation, the accuracy of the torque wrench, etc., affecting the stability of the fixing process.

[0004] In addition, the protruding bolts increase the gap between the fuel cell stack and the housing, making it difficult to stabilize during the housing assembly process. And when applied to automobiles, the nuts are prone to loosen during the driving process of the automobile, resulting in insufficient fastening force of the fuel cell stack, leading to performance degradation or leakage.

[0005] Compared with the bolt type, the assembly of the binding band type is relatively easy, and the force-receiving area of the end plate of the fuel cell stack is large, and the pressure distribution is more uniform. However, the binding band type is prone to deformation during the assembly process and requires laser welding equipment, resulting in high costs.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Therefore, on the premise of reducing the consumption time of the fixing process, preventing the problem of variation in the applied force during the fastening process, and not affecting the fixing stability, how to develop a "fixing device for a fuel cell stack" that realizes rapid assembly design and shortening of the process time, and further improves the fixing effect is an urgent problem to be solved by those skilled in the art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a fixing device for a fuel cell stack, wherein the fuel cell stack has opposing upper and lower surfaces, and the fixing device is installed on the upper surface of the fuel cell stack and has a plurality of first protrusions on one side, each of the first protrusions having a first hole penetrating each of the first protrusions, comprising at least one first pressing member, at least one second pressing member installed on the lower surface of the fuel cell stack, at least one first fastener having opposing first and second ends, the first end having at least one second hole penetrating the first end, the second end being connected to the second pressing member, the first end being fitted between the two first protrusions, and the second hole and each of the first holes constituting a first connecting passage, and at least one first connecting member installed penetrating the first connecting passage. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The fuel cell stack fixing device of the present invention reduces the time consumed in the fixing process, prevents problems with variations in applied force during the fastening process, and, without affecting fixing stability, enables rapid assembly design and shortens process time, and further improves fixing effectiveness. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram of a combined structure of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram of the exploded structure of the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a structural diagram illustrating the combination of an elastic member with the first pressing member in the embodiment shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is an exploded view illustrating the structure in which the first and second pressing members in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 are combined with the first and second fasteners. [Figure 5]This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the combined structure of the first pressing member and the second pressing member in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, with the first fastener and the second fastener combined. [Figure 6] This is a diagram illustrating the structure of the connecting member in the embodiment shown in Figure 1. [Figure 7] This is a front view diagram illustrating the embodiment shown in Figure 1. [Figure 8] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the AA cross-sectional structure. [Figure 9] This diagram illustrates the combined structure of three different embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 10] This diagram illustrates the combined structure of three different embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 11] This diagram illustrates the combined structure of three different embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 12] This diagram illustrates the combined structure of three different embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 13] This diagram illustrates the structure of the first and second fasteners in different embodiments of the embodiment shown in Figure 1. [Figure 14A] This is a diagram illustrating the structure of a different embodiment of the first fastener of the present invention. [Figure 14B] This is a diagram illustrating the structure of a different embodiment of the first fastener of the present invention. [Figure 14C] This is a diagram illustrating the structure of a different embodiment of the first fastener of the present invention. [Figure 15A] This is a diagram illustrating the structure of a different embodiment of the connector of the present invention. [Figure 15B] This is a diagram illustrating the structure of a different embodiment of the connector of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is a fixing device 100 for a fuel cell stack 90 provided by the present invention. The fuel cell stack 90 has an upper surface 91 and a bottom surface 92 that face each other and are parallel to each other. The upper surface 91 and the bottom surface 92 are parallel to the XY plane formed by the X-axis and the Y-axis. Between the upper surface 91 and the bottom surface 92, there are a first surface 93 and a second surface 94 that face each other and are parallel to each other. The first surface 93 and the second surface 94 are parallel to the XZ plane formed by the X-axis and the Z-axis, and the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are perpendicular to each other.

[0011] Note that there are many aspects to the form of the fuel cell stack 90. FIGS. 1 and 2 show only one embodiment, but it is not limited thereto.

[0012] The fixing device 100 includes a first pressing member 10, a second pressing member 20, four first fasteners 30, four second fasteners 40, and four sets of connecting members 50. The materials of the first pressing member 10, the second pressing member 20, the first fastener 30, and the second fastener 40 may be, for example, one of steel, aluminum, plastic steel, and plastic.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first pressing member 10 is installed on the upper surface 91 of the fuel cell stack 90. The bottom surface 15 of the first pressing member 10 and the upper surface 91 of the fuel cell stack 90 face each other. In this embodiment, a first recess 95 is provided on the upper surface 91 of the fuel cell stack 90, and a second recess 16 is provided on the bottom surface 15 of the first pressing member 10 corresponding to each first recess 95. The first pressing member 10 is installed on the upper surface 91 of the fuel cell stack 90.

[0014] Elastic members 60 are provided between the corresponding first recess 95 and second recess 16, respectively. The illustrated elastic member 60 is a disc spring, but it is not limited thereto and can be replaced with an elastic rubber, silicone, or foamed metal buffer pad, that is, the elastic member 60 can be any object having elastic stretchability parallel to the Z-axis.

[0015] The number of the elastic members 60 is not limited, on the premise that they can be evenly distributed between the first pressing member 10 and the fuel cell stack 90. For example, FIG. 3 shows eight elastic members 60, but it is not limited thereto.

[0016] The first pressing member 10 is provided with screw holes 17 corresponding to the positions of the second concave portions 16, and each screw hole 17 penetrates the first pressing member 10 parallel to the Z axis. Bolts 18 are provided in each screw hole 17, and each bolt 18 is screwed into the screw hole 17 from the outside of the first pressing member 10 (that is, the upper part of the first pressing member 10 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) parallel to the Z axis, penetrates the corresponding elastic member 60, and reaches the corresponding first concave portion 95. In this way, as shown in FIG. 1, the elastic member 60 can be positioned between the first pressing member 10 and the fuel cell stack 90.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a plurality of first convex portions 11 and a plurality of second convex portions 12 are provided on opposite sides of the first pressing member 10 respectively. Each first convex portion 11 has a first hole 13 that is coaxial and parallel to the X axis and penetrates each first convex portion 11. Each second convex portion 12 has a second hole 14 that is coaxial and parallel to the X axis and penetrates each second convex portion 12.

[0018] A plurality of third convex portions 21 and a plurality of fourth convex portions 22 are provided on opposite sides of the second pressing member 20 respectively. Each third convex portion 21 has a third hole 23 that is coaxial and parallel to the X axis and penetrates each third convex portion 21. Each fourth convex portion 22 has a fourth hole 24 that is coaxial and parallel to the X axis and penetrates each fourth convex portion 22. The second pressing member 20 is installed on the bottom surface 92 of the fuel cell stack 90.

[0019] The first fastener 30 has a first end 31 and a second end 32 that are parallel to each other along the Z axis. A fifth hole 33 that penetrates the first end 31 parallel to the X axis is provided at the first end 31. A sixth hole 34 that penetrates the second end 32 parallel to the X axis is provided at the second end 32.

[0020] The second fastener 40 has a third end 41 and a fourth end 42 that are opposite each other and parallel to the Z-axis. The third end 41 is provided with a seventh hole 43 that penetrates the third end 41 parallel to the X-axis. The fourth end 42 is provided with an eighth hole 44 that penetrates the fourth end 42 parallel to the X-axis.

[0021] In this embodiment, the shape of the first pressing member 10 and the structure of the second pressing member 20 are identical, the shape of the first fastener 30 and the structure of the second fastener 40 are identical, and the cross-sectional shape of both the first fastener 30 and the second fastener 40 parallel to the XY plane is U-shaped, but is not limited to this.

[0022] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first fastener 30 is installed on the first surface 93 of the fuel cell stack 90. ​​The first end 31 is fitted between two first protrusions 11, and each fifth hole 33 and each first hole 13 are coaxial to form a first connection passage P1. The second end 32 is fitted between two third protrusions 21, and each sixth hole 34 and each third hole 23 are coaxial to form a second connection passage P2.

[0023] Each second fastener 40 is installed on the second surface 94 of the fuel cell stack 90. ​​The third end 41 is fitted between the two second protrusions 12, and each seventh hole 43 and each second hole 14 are coaxial to form a third connection passage P3. The fourth end 42 is fitted between the two fourth protrusions 22, and each eighth hole 44 and each fourth hole 24 are coaxial to form a fourth connection passage P4.

[0024] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the first connecting passage P1, the second connecting passage P2, the third connecting passage P3, and the fourth connecting passage P4 are all parallel to the X-axis. Connecting members 50 are installed in the first connecting passage P1, the second connecting passage P2, the third connecting passage P3, and the fourth connecting passage P4, respectively.

[0025] The connecting member 50 consists of a connector 51 and a nut 52. In this embodiment, the connector 51 is in the form of a bolt. The connector 51 is installed through the first connecting passage P1, the second connecting passage P2, the third connecting passage P3, and the fourth connecting passage P4, and is screwed with the nut 52, thereby forming the combined external structure shown in Figures 1 and 7.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1, 7, and 8, the first pressing member 10, the second pressing member 20, the first fastener 30, and the second fastener 40 are installed on the top surface 91, bottom surface 92, first surface 93, and second surface 94 of the fuel cell stack 90, respectively, and are fixed by the connector 51 and nut 52 of the connecting member 50.

[0027] The bolt 18 is screwed in parallel to the Z-axis from the top surface of the first pressing member 10, passing through the corresponding elastic member 60 and reaching the corresponding first recess 95, where the elastic member 60 is located between the first pressing member 10 and the fuel cell stack 90. ​​By adjusting the depth to which the bolt 18 is screwed into the first pressing member 10, the distance between the first pressing member 10 and the top surface 91 can be adjusted, allowing the elastic member 60 to maintain a stable equilibrium state of force parallel to the X-axis direction, thereby enabling the fuel cell stack 90 to have a better fixing and pressure equalization effect.

[0028] As shown in Figure 6, the most important difference between the present invention and conventional fuel cell stack fastening devices is that, as a point to be emphasized, the first connection passage P1, second connection passage P2, third connection passage P3, and fourth connection passage P4 can be formed between the first pressing member 10 and the first fastener 30, between the first pressing member 10 and the second fastener 40, between the second pressing member 20 and the first fastener 30, and between the second pressing member 20 and the second fastener 40, respectively. After a single connector 51 passes through each of these and screws into a nut 52, the assembly can be completed, which is extremely simple and quick, and generates a clamping and fastening effect on the top surface 91, bottom surface 92, first surface 93, and second surface 94 of the fuel cell stack 90. ​​Similarly, when removing, the removal can be completed quickly by simply loosening the nut 52 and pulling out the connector 51.

[0029] By installing the elastic member 60 between the first pressing member 10 and the fuel cell stack 90, a further damping effect against external force vibrations can be provided, improving the pressure equalization effect of the fuel cell stack 90. ​​In other words, the user can decide whether or not to install the elastic member 60 according to their actual needs.

[0030] Please refer to the combination structures of three other different embodiments of the present invention shown in Figures 9 to 11. As shown in Figure 9, compared to the embodiment in Figure 1, the fuel cell stack 90A shown in Figure 9 has a shorter dimension parallel to the X-axis, and the lengths of the first pressing member 10A and the second pressing member 20A of the fixing device 100A parallel to the X-axis have also been shortened accordingly. Each connecting member 50A includes a connector 51A and a nut 52, and the length of the connector 51A parallel to the X-axis has also been shortened accordingly, and only three first fasteners 30 and three second fasteners 40 are used.

[0031] As shown in Figure 10, compared to the embodiment in Figure 1, the dimensions of the fuel cell stack 90 shown in Figure 10 are the same, but the fixing device 100B has two first pressing members 10B and two second pressing members 20B, the dimensions of the first pressing members 10B and the second pressing members 20B parallel to the X axis are shorter, the number of first fasteners 30 and second fasteners 40 is still four, but four sets of connecting members 50 are still employed.

[0032] As shown in Figure 11, the fixing device 100C employs the same first pressing member 10B and second pressing member 20B as shown in Figure 10, and the number of first fasteners 30 and second fasteners 40 remains at four, but employs eight sets of connecting members 50C, the connecting members 50C including connectors 51C and nuts 52. Compared to Figure 1 or Figure 10, the dimension length of the connector 51C parallel to the X axis in Figure 11 is shorter.

[0033] By referring comprehensively to Figures 1, 9 to 11, and by combining the first pressing member 10, the second pressing member 20, the first pressing member 10A, the second pressing member 20A, or the first pressing member 10B and the second pressing member 20B shown in Figures 10 and 11, it can be applied to fuel cell stacks of different dimensions, and similarly, connectors 51, 51A, and 51C of different lengths can be used as needed.

[0034] As shown in Figure 12, compared to the embodiment in Figure 1, the fuel cell stack 90B shown in Figure 12 has a longer dimension parallel to the X-axis, employs a combination of the first pressing member 10A and the second pressing member 20A and the first pressing member 10B and the second pressing member 20B, uses a total of five first fasteners 30 and five second fasteners 40, and employs corresponding connecting members 50A and 50C. In addition, this embodiment also shows a connecting member 50D, which includes a connector 51D and a nut 52, and the dimension of the connector 51D parallel to the X-axis is longer, allowing it to penetrate the first pressing members 10A and 10B simultaneously.

[0035] By referring to the embodiments shown in Figures 1, 9 to 12, although their configurations differ slightly, they all share common characteristics. Specifically, taking Figure 1 as an example, the first pressing member 10 and the first fastener 30, or the first pressing member 10 and the second fastener 40, or the second pressing member 20 and the first fastener 30, or the second pressing member 20 and the second fastener 40 can be connected by a single set of connecting members 50, and assembly or disassembly is very simple and quick.

[0036] As shown in Figure 13, the fixing device 100D includes a first pressing member 10, a second pressing member 20, four first fasteners 30D, four second fasteners 40D, and four sets of connecting members 50.

[0037] The difference from the embodiment in Figure 1 is that the first fastener 30D and the second fastener 40D of the fixing device 100D are cylindrical.

[0038] The first fastener 30D has a first end 31D and a second end 32D that are parallel to each other along the Z-axis. The first end 31D is provided with a fifth hole 33D that penetrates the first end 31D parallel to the X-axis. The second end 32D is provided with a sixth hole 34D that penetrates the second end 32D parallel to the X-axis. The structure of the second fastener 40D is the same as that of the first fastener 30D and will not be described in detail.

[0039] Even if this embodiment employs first fasteners 30D and second fasteners 40D of different shapes, the connections between the first pressing member 10 and the first fastener 30D, the first pressing member 10 and the second fastener 40D, the second pressing member 20 and the first fastener 30D, and the second pressing member 20 and the second fastener 40D can each be connected and fixed with only a single connector 51 and nut 52, making assembly and disassembly very easy and quick, and generating clamping and fastening effects on the top surface 91, bottom surface 92, first surface 93, and second surface 94 of the fuel cell stack 90.

[0040] Refer to the first fasteners 30E to 30G with different cross-sectional shapes shown in Figures 14A to 14C. The first fastener 30E shown in Figure 14A has multiple elongated holes 35E that are parallel to and parallel to each other along the Y-axis, and each elongated hole 35E penetrates the first fastener 30E parallel to the Z-axis. The first fastener 30F shown in Figure 14B has multiple square holes 35F that penetrate the first fastener 30F parallel to the Z-axis. The first fastener 30G shown in Figure 14C has a larger square hole 35G that penetrates the first fastener 30G parallel to the Z-axis.

[0041] The shapes of the first fasteners 30, 30D-30G shown in Figures 1, 13, and 14A-14C are different, but they can be used interchangeably, and the shape of the second fastener 40 in Figure 1 may be the same as or different from the first fasteners 30E-30G shown in Figures 14A-14C. In other words, the shape of the cross-section of the first and second fasteners of the present invention, parallel to the XY plane, is not limited and may be a regular or irregular geometric shape.

[0042] Refer to connectors 51H and 51K with different embodiment structures shown in Figures 15A and 15B. The connector 51H shown in Figure 15A has a cross-shaped cross-section in the YZ plane, the first hole 13H of the first protrusion 11H of the first pressing member 10H is cross-shaped, and the fifth hole 33H of the first fastener 30H is also cross-shaped, so that the connector 51H does not rotate after it has passed through the first hole 13H and the fifth hole 33H parallel to the X axis.

[0043] Similarly, the cross-section of the connector 51K in the YZ plane shown in Figure 15B, the first hole 13K of the first protrusion 11K of the first pressing member 10K, and the fifth hole 33K of the first fastener 30K are all triangular.

[0044] The first pressing member 10 and the second pressing member 20 shown in Figure 2 can be replaced with the first pressing members 10H and 10K shown in Figures 15A and 15B, the first fasteners 30 and 40 shown in Figure 2 can be replaced with the first fasteners 30H and 30K shown in Figures 15A and 15B, and the connector 51 shown in Figure 2 can be replaced with the connectors 51H and 51K shown in Figures 15A and 15B.

[0045] Figures 6 and 15A to 15B show connectors 51, 51H, and 51K with different cross-sectional structures, illustrating that the shape of the connector member used in the present invention is not limited, and that it is sufficient to provide holes of a shape that allows the connector to pass through, corresponding to the first pressing member, second pressing member, first fastener, and second fastener.

[0046] As described above, the fuel cell stack fixing device provided by the present invention can form a first connecting passage, a second connecting passage, a third connecting passage, and a fourth connecting passage between the first pressing member and the first fastener, between the first pressing member and the second fastener, between the second pressing member and the first fastener, and between the second pressing member and the second fastener, respectively. Each of these can be connected and fixed by providing only one set of connecting members, and assembly and disassembly are both very easy and quick.

[0047] Furthermore, an elastic member can be installed between the first pressing member and the fuel cell stack. By equalizing pressure fixing in the vertical direction of the fastening tool, the problem of pressure variations that concentrate local stress on the upper edge of the fuel cell stack can be reduced, thereby improving the performance and stability of the fuel cell stack.

[0048] Although the present invention is disclosed by the above embodiments, these do not limit the invention, and those skilled in the art can make some modifications and changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be based on the claims described below. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 100 Fixation device 100A fixing device 100B Fixing device 100C fixing device 100D fixation device 10 First pressing member 10A First pressing member 10B First pressing member 10H First pressing member 10K First pressing member 11. First protrusion 11H First protrusion 11K First protrusion 12 Second protrusion 13 Hole 1 13H Hole 1 13K 1st hole 14. Hole 2 15. Base 16. Second recess 17 screw holes 18 volts 20 Second pressing member 20A Second pressing member 20B Second pressing member 21 Third protrusion 22 Fourth protrusion 23 Third hole 24. Hole 4 30, 30D, 30E~30G, 30 First fastener 30D First fastener 30E~30G First fastener 30H First fastener 30K 1st fastener 31 1st end 31D 1st end 32 2nd end 32D 2nd end 33. Hole 5 33D 5th hole 33H 5th hole 33K 5th hole 34. Hole 6 34D 6th hole 35E long hole 35F square hole 35G square hole 40. Second fastener 40D Second fastener 41 3rd end 42 4th end 43. Hole No. 7 44. Hole 8 50 Connecting Members 50C connecting component 50D Connecting Member 51 Connectors 51A Connector 51C Connector 51D Connector 51H Connector 51K Connector 52 nuts 60 Elastic members 90 Fuel Cell Stack 90A Fuel Cell Stack 90B Fuel Cell Stack 91 Top surface 92 Bottom 93 Page 1 94 2nd page 95 First recess P1 First connecting passage P2 Second connecting passage P3 Third connecting passage P4 4th connecting passage XX axis YY axis ZZ axis

Claims

1. A fixing device for a fuel cell stack, wherein the fuel cell stack has opposing upper and lower surfaces, and the fixing device is Installed on the upper surface of the fuel cell stack, and having a plurality of first protrusions on one side, each of the first protrusions having a first hole passing through it, at least one first pressing member, At least one second pressing member is installed on the bottom surface of the fuel cell stack, Having opposing first and second ends, the first end is provided with at least one second hole passing through the first end, the second end is connected to the second pressing member, and the first end is fitted between two first protrusions, and the second hole and each of the first holes constitute a first connecting passage, at least one first fastener, At least one first connecting member installed penetrating the first connecting passage, A fixing device for fuel cell stacks, including the above.

2. The fixing device for a fuel cell stack according to claim 11, wherein the first connecting member is a bolt and a nut, and the bolt is installed through the first connecting passage and screwed into the nut.

3. The cross-section of the first fastener has a regular or irregular geometric shape. The fuel cell stack fixing device according to claim 11, wherein both the first hole and the second hole are conformal to the regular or irregular geometric cross-section of the first fastener.

4. The second pressing member has a plurality of second protrusions on one side, each of the second protrusions has a third hole passing through it, the second end of the first fastener is provided with at least one fourth hole passing through it, the second end is fitted between two of the second protrusions, and the fourth hole and each of the third holes constitute a second connecting passage. The fixing device for a fuel cell stack according to claim 11, further comprising at least one second connecting member installed through the second connecting passage.

5. The fixing device for a fuel cell stack according to claim 1, wherein at least one elastic member is provided between the first pressing member and the upper surface, and the elastic member has elastic stretchability in the direction normal to the upper surface.

6. The fixing device for a fuel cell stack according to claim 5, wherein each of the elastic members is a disc spring or a cushioning pad made of elastic rubber, silicone, or foamed metal.

7. The fixing device for a fuel cell stack according to claim 5, wherein the bottom surface of the first pressing member and the top surface of the fuel cell stack face each other, at least one first recess is provided on the top surface of the fuel cell stack, a second recess is provided on the bottom surface of the first pressing member corresponding to each of the first recesses, and the elastic member is provided between the corresponding first recess and the second recess.

8. The fixing device for a fuel cell stack according to claim 7, wherein each of the first pressing members is provided with a screw hole corresponding to the position of the second recess, each screw hole penetrates each of the first pressing members parallel to the direction normal to the upper surface, a bolt is provided in each screw hole, each bolt is screwed into the screw hole from outside the first pressing member parallel to the direction normal to the upper surface and penetrates the corresponding elastic member to reach the corresponding first recess, and the distance between each of the first pressing members and the upper surface is adjusted by the bolt and the elastic member.

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