Electrochemical device and method for producing an electrochemical device

Abstract

In order to provide an electrochemical device comprising multiple electrochemical units which follow one another along a stacking direction and each comprise at least one perforated plate, a bipolar plate and a membrane arrangement, which electrochemical device easily allows for precise positioning of the membrane arrangement of one electrochemical unit relative to a further, at least partially metallic element of the same electrochemical unit and / or relative to an at least partially metallic element of another electrochemical unit during the assembly of the electrochemical device, according to the invention, each electrochemical unit comprises a positioning means for positioning the membrane arrangement in at least one transverse direction, orientated perpendicular to the stacking direction, relative to a further, at least partially metallic element of the same electrochemical unit and / or relative to an at least partially metallic element of another electrochemical unit.

Description

[0001] Electrochemical device and method for manufacturing an electrochemical device

[0002] The present invention relates to an electrochemical device comprising several electrochemical units arranged successively along a stacking direction, each comprising at least one perforated plate, one bipolar plate and one membrane arrangement.

[0003] With known devices of this type, a problem arises from the fact that high tolerances for individual components must be taken into account during the assembly of the electrochemical device, especially the electrochemical units, particularly in the positioning of the membrane arrangement relative to another, at least partially metallic element of the same electrochemical unit and / or relative to an at least partially metallic element of another electrochemical unit, since an offset in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction can lead to a short circuit in the stack or to a leakage.

[0004] Currently, the membrane assembly, which may be flexible, is positioned relative to other elements of the electrochemical unit to which it belongs and relative to elements of adjacent electrochemical units in the stacking direction, using guide elements of a stacking device. Due to component tolerances and device tolerances, the membrane assembly can be misaligned relative to other elements of the electrochemical unit and / or relative to elements of adjacent electrochemical units in the stacking direction. In particular, the membrane assembly can be misaligned relative to the bipolar plate of the electrochemical unit, which can lead to an electrical short circuit and / or leakage. To counteract this problem, relatively large overhangs of the membrane assembly relative to its nominal position have been required.Furthermore, stacking the individual components of the electrochemical device using the guide elements requires stacking a relatively large number of individual components in a single operation, which increases assembly time. Pre-assembly of smaller sub-assemblies within the stack is not currently possible.

[0005] The present invention is based on the objective of creating an electrochemical device of the type mentioned above, which enables in a simple manner a precise positioning of the membrane arrangement of an electrochemical unit relative to another, at least partially metallic element of the same electrochemical unit and / or relative to an at least partially metallic element of another electrochemical unit of the electrochemical device during the assembly of the electrochemical device.

[0006] This problem is solved in an electrochemical device with the features of the preamble of claim 1 according to the invention in that each electrochemical unit comprises a positioning device for positioning the membrane arrangement in at least one transverse direction, which is oriented perpendicular to the stacking direction, relative to a further, at least partially metallic element of the same electrochemical unit and / or relative to an at least partially metallic element of another electrochemical unit.

[0007] The present invention is based on the concept of enabling precise positioning of the membrane assembly of an electrochemical unit, independent of external positioning aids, by means of a mechanical coupling between the membrane assembly of an electrochemical unit and an at least partially metallic element of the same electrochemical unit and / or an at least partially metallic element of another electrochemical unit. Preferably, the positioning device is configured to position the membrane assembly in a transverse direction oriented perpendicular to the stacking direction and in a further transverse direction oriented perpendicular to the stacking direction.

[0008] The transverse direction and the further transverse direction are particularly preferably aligned perpendicular to each other.

[0009] At least one positioning device preferably comprises two positioning elements.

[0010] Preferably, an electrochemical unit comprises at least two positioning devices, and more preferably four or more. With two positioning devices, and especially with four, positioning the membrane arrangement in the transverse direction and in the further transverse direction is particularly easy.

[0011] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that at least one positioning device is not rotationally symmetrical with respect to the stacking direction, thereby enabling torsionally rigid positioning of the membrane arrangement in two different transverse directions by only one positioning device.

[0012] In principle, it can be provided that at least one positioning device has a cross-section perpendicular to the stacking direction, which is designed as a polygon, for example as a triangle or as a quadrilateral.

[0013] Preferably, all positioning devices have a cross-section perpendicular to the stacking direction, which is designed as a polygon, for example as a triangle or a quadrilateral. Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that at least one positioning device has a cross-section perpendicular to the stacking direction, which is designed in a cross-shaped or rhombus-shaped form.

[0014] Preferably, all positioning devices have a cross-section perpendicular to the stacking direction, which is cross-shaped or diamond-shaped.

[0015] In principle, it can also be provided that at least one positioning device has a cross-section perpendicular to the stacking direction, which is ring-shaped.

[0016] It is advantageous if all positioning devices have a cross-section perpendicular to the stacking direction, which is ring-shaped.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the positioning device of an electrochemical unit comprises a positioning through-opening and / or that the positioning device of an electrochemical unit comprises a positioning receptacle.

[0018] The positioning fixture preferably comprises a dome-shaped protrusion, which is preferably formed by a forming process, for example by embossing.

[0019] Preferably, the positioning through-hole and / or the positioning receptacle is arranged on the membrane assembly of the electrochemical unit.

[0020] Preferably, the positioning receptacle is formed integrally with the membrane assembly of the electrochemical unit. Preferably, the positioning device comprises a positioning projection that engages with the positioning through-hole and / or the positioning receptacle.

[0021] It is particularly advantageous if the intervention is designed to be form-fitting and / or force-fitting.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the positioning projection comprises a metallic material.

[0023] It is advantageous if the positioning projection is formed essentially entirely, and preferably entirely, from a metallic material.

[0024] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the positioning projection is arranged on the bipolar plate of an electrochemical unit and / or on a perforated sheet of an electrochemical unit.

[0025] In technical terms, the perforated sheet is also referred to as a sieve sheet, especially when it is arranged on the anode side of an electrochemical unit.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an electrochemical unit comprises two perforated sheets, an anode-side perforated sheet and a cathode-side perforated sheet.

[0027] It is particularly advantageous if at least one positioning projection comprises a plastic element, which in turn comprises at least one plastic material. Preferably, this plastic element is designed such that the surface of the positioning projection, which faces a further perforated sheet and / or a bipolar plate of the electrochemical unit not provided with the positioning projection, is at least partially, and more preferably substantially completely, formed from the plastic element. This electrically insulates the positioning projection from the perforated sheet and / or the bipolar plate of the electrochemical unit not provided with the positioning projection.

[0028] The plastic element of the positioning projection is particularly preferably arranged on a convex side of the positioning projection.

[0029] Preferably, the plastic element is designed as a layer of a plastic material, preferably arranged on a metallic base body.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plastic material of the plastic element comprises a fluororubber, a nitrile butadiene rubber, a polyimide, a polyamide-imide and / or an epoxy resin.

[0031] Preferably, the plastic element is formed by a screen printing process.

[0032] Alternatively or additionally, the plastic element can be formed by a spraying process, an injection molding process, a pad printing process, a coating process and / or a rolling process.

[0033] In principle, the positioning protrusion can be formed entirely or at least substantially entirely from a plastic material. Preferably, the positioning protrusion is formed by a forming process on the at least partially metallic element, for example, on the perforated sheet or the bipolar plate, for example by deep drawing and / or embossing. This is particularly time-efficient to implement in manufacturing.

[0034] The membrane arrangement of the electrochemical unit preferably comprises a membrane, a membrane support frame, a cathode and an anode.

[0035] In principle, it can be provided that the perforated sheet with the positioning projection is arranged on the anode side of an electrochemical unit.

[0036] Preferably, however, the perforated sheet provided with the positioning projection is arranged on the cathode side of an electrochemical unit.

[0037] The electrochemical device preferably comprises two end plates, between which the electrochemical units are arranged successively in the stacking direction.

[0038] Preferably, a perforated sheet of an electrochemical unit not provided with the positioning projection, a bipolar plate of an electrochemical unit not provided with the positioning projection and / or at least one end plate of the electrochemical device comprises a recess into which the positioning projection extends.

[0039] To avoid an electrical short circuit and thus ensure reliable operation of the electrochemical device, it is necessary that the positioning projection is electrically insulated from the perforated sheet not provided with the positioning projection, from the bipolar plate of the electrochemical unit not provided with the positioning projection and / or from at least one of the end plates of the electrochemical device.

[0040] Therefore, it is advantageous if an edge of the perforated sheet not provided with the positioning projection, an edge of the bipolar plate not provided with the positioning projection, and / or an edge of at least one of the end plates of the electrochemical device has a minimum distance of more than 0.2 mm from a surface of the positioning projection.

[0041] This ensures that, even taking into account manufacturing tolerances and tolerances in the assembly of the electrochemical units and the electrochemical device, the positioning projection does not come into electrically conductive contact with the perforated sheet not provided with the positioning projection, with the bipolar plate not provided with the positioning projection and / or with one of the end plates of the electrochemical device.

[0042] Preferably, an edge of the perforated sheet not provided with the positioning projection, an edge of the bipolar plate not provided with the positioning projection and / or an edge of at least one of the end plates of the electrochemical device has a minimum distance m of more than 0.4 mm, particularly preferably more than 1.0 mm, from a surface of the positioning projection.

[0043] It is advantageous if the recess is located at an edge of the perforated sheet, at an edge of the bipolar plate and / or at an edge of at least one of the end plates.

[0044] The recess is particularly preferably arranged at a corner region of the perforated sheet not provided with the positioning projection, at a corner region of the bipolar plate not provided with the positioning projection, and / or at a corner region of at least one of the end plates. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electrochemical device is designed as an electrolyzer or as an electrochemical compressor. The membrane arrangement preferably comprises a polymer electrolyte membrane.

[0045] The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing an electrochemical device comprising several electrochemical units arranged successively along a stacking direction, each comprising at least one perforated plate, one bipolar plate and one membrane arrangement.

[0046] The present invention is based on the further objective of creating a method of the aforementioned type which enables, in a simple manner, a particularly precise positioning of the membrane arrangement of an electrochemical unit relative to another, at least partially metallic element of the same electrochemical unit and / or relative to an at least partially metallic element of another electrochemical unit during the assembly of the electrochemical device.

[0047] This problem is solved according to the invention by a method for manufacturing an electrochemical device, wherein the method comprises the following:

[0048] Providing at least one positioning device for positioning the membrane assembly in at least one transverse direction, oriented perpendicular to the stacking direction, relative to another, at least partially metallic element of the same electrochemical unit and / or relative to an at least partially metallic element of another electrochemical unit, wherein the positioning device comprises two different positioning elements; engaging the two different positioning elements of the positioning device;

[0049] Stacking of several electrochemical units, each comprising at least one positioning element of the positioning device.

[0050] Specific embodiments of the method according to the invention have already been explained above in connection with specific embodiments of the electrochemical device according to the invention.

[0051] The method according to the invention is particularly suitable for manufacturing an electrochemical device according to the invention.

[0052] The device according to the invention is preferably manufactured by the method according to the invention.

[0053] Further features and advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and the graphic representation of exemplary embodiments.

[0054] The drawings show:

[0055] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of an electrochemical device, wherein the electrochemical device comprises several electrochemical units arranged successively along a stacking direction, each comprising a cathode-side perforated plate, an anode-side perforated plate, a bipolar plate and a membrane arrangement, wherein each electrochemical unit comprises a positioning device for positioning the membrane arrangement in at least one transverse direction, which is oriented perpendicular to the stacking direction, relative to another element of the same electrochemical unit and / or relative to an element of another electrochemical unit;

[0056] Fig. 2 shows a top view of the electrochemical device from Fig. 1, in particular of an end plate of the electrochemical device, which comprises several fluid supply openings and fluid discharge openings and which has a recess at one edge, in particular at each corner area, into which a positioning projection extends;

[0057] Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of an electrochemical unit and a bipolar plate of an electrochemical unit adjacent to this electrochemical unit of the electrochemical device from the Fig.l and 2, wherein the electrochemical unit comprises a bipolar plate, an anode-side perforated sheet, a membrane arrangement and a cathode-side perforated sheet, and wherein the electrochemical unit comprises several, for example four, positioning devices for positioning the membrane arrangement in a transverse direction oriented perpendicular to the stacking direction and in a further transverse direction oriented perpendicular to the stacking direction relative to another element of the same electrochemical unit, wherein in particular the positioning device comprises a positioning through-hole arranged on the membrane arrangement of the electrochemical unit and a positioning projection arranged on the cathode-side perforated sheet;

[0058] Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of region I from Fig. 2, wherein the positioning projection engages with the positioning through-hole; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the corner regions of elements of several electrochemical units arranged successively in the stacking direction, wherein a positioning projection arranged on the cathode-side perforated plate of the electrochemical unit engages with a positioning through-hole on the membrane assembly of the same electrochemical unit, and wherein the anode-side perforated plate and the bipolar plate of an electrochemical unit each comprise a recess, which is arranged in particular at an edge region of the perforated plate or the bipolar plate, wherein a positioning projection extends into each of these recesses;

[0059] Fig. 6 shows a side view of the corner regions of elements of several electrochemical units arranged successively in the stacking direction, with the viewing direction along the arrow 6 in Fig. 2, wherein a positioning projection arranged on the cathode-side perforated plate of an electrochemical unit engages with a positioning through-hole on the membrane arrangement of the same electrochemical unit;

[0060] Fig. 7 shows a partial longitudinal section through several electrochemical units following one another in the stacking direction in a corner region of the same, along line 7-7 in Fig. 4;

[0061] Fig. 8 shows an exploded view corresponding to Fig. 3 of an electrochemical unit and a bipolar plate of a further electrochemical unit following in the stacking direction of an electrochemical device in a second embodiment of an electrochemical device, wherein the electrochemical unit comprises a bipolar plate, an anode-side perforated plate, a cathode-side perforated plate and a membrane arrangement, wherein the bipolar plate of the electrochemical unit and the bipolar plate of the further electrochemical unit following in the stacking direction each comprise several positioning projections, for example four positioning projections, and wherein the membrane arrangement of the electrochemical unit comprises several positioning through-holes, for example four positioning through-holes, which each engage with one of the positioning projections of the bipolar plate of the electrochemical unit;

[0062] Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of the corner regions of elements of several electrochemical units of the second embodiment of an electrochemical device, corresponding to Fig. 5;

[0063] Fig. 10 shows a side view corresponding to Fig. 6 of corner areas of elements of several electrochemical units of the second embodiment of an electrochemical device arranged successively in the stacking direction;

[0064] Fig. 11 shows a partial longitudinal section corresponding to Fig. 7 through several electrochemical units of the second embodiment of an electrochemical device arranged successively in the stacking direction; and

[0065] Fig. 12 shows a longitudinal section corresponding to Fig. 7 through several electrochemical units arranged successively in the stacking direction of an alternative embodiment of the first embodiment of an electrochemical device. Identical or functionally equivalent elements are designated with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0066] An electrochemical device, shown in partial detail in Figs. 1 to 7 and designated as a whole by 100, comprises a stack 102 of several electrochemical units 106 arranged in a stacking direction 104, each of which comprises a cathode-side perforated plate 109, an anode-side perforated plate 108, a bipolar plate 110 and a membrane arrangement 112.

[0067] The electrochemical device 100 can, for example, be designed as a polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyzer or as an electrochemical compressor with polymer electrolyte membranes.

[0068] The membrane arrangement 112 can in particular comprise, in addition to a membrane 114, an anode, a cathode and a membrane support frame 116 on which the membrane 114 is held.

[0069] An electrochemical unit 106 preferably comprises two perforated plates 108, 109, wherein one perforated plate 108 is preferably arranged on the anode side (anode-side perforated plate 108) and the other perforated plate 109 is preferably arranged on the cathode side (cathode-side perforated plate 109). The perforated plates 108, 109, in particular the anode-side perforated plate 108, are sometimes also referred to as perforating plates in technical language.

[0070] An electrochemical unit 106 may also include further components, some of which are shown schematically in the drawings.

[0071] These additional components can include, in particular, a sealing device 118, which, for example, comprises elastomer seals, gas diffusion layers, fluid guide channels, and fluid guide channel openings 120. The membrane support frame 116 can be made of a plastic material, for example, a polytetrafluoroethylene material.

[0072] The bipolar plate 110 of an electrochemical unit 106 is preferably made of a metallic material, for example a sheet of steel.

[0073] Furthermore, the electrochemical device can comprise 100 end plates 126 and 128, wherein the electrochemical units 106 are arranged along the stacking direction 104 between the end plates 126 and 128.

[0074] As can best be seen from Fig. 2, at least one of the end plates 126, 128 comprises at least one fluid supply opening 122 and at least one fluid discharge opening 124, wherein each fluid supply opening 122 and each fluid discharge opening 124 on one of the end plates 126, 128 can be at least partially or completely surrounded by a region of the membrane support frame 116 of an electrochemical unit 106 adjacent in the stacking direction 104.

[0075] Preferably, all fluid supply openings 122 and fluid discharge openings 124 on an end plate 126, 128 are surrounded by a region of the membrane support frame 116 of an electrochemical unit 106 adjacent in the stacking direction 104, wherein the fluid supply openings 122 and the fluid discharge openings 124 are also preferably sealed by the sealing device 118 of the electrochemical unit 106 adjacent in the stacking direction of the respective end plate 126, 128 against other fluid guide channels and against the environment.

[0076] The sealing device 118 is preferably arranged on the anode-side perforated plate 108 and / or on the cathode-side perforated plate 109 of the respective adjacent electrochemical unit 106 in the stacking direction 104. During the assembly of the electrochemical device 100, in particular the electrochemical units 106, very precise positioning of the membrane arrangement 112 relative to the other elements of the respective electrochemical unit 106 and relative to the elements of adjacent electrochemical units 106' and 106" must be ensured in order to prevent, for example, an electrical short circuit and / or leakage.

[0077] As can best be seen from Fig. 3, in this first embodiment each electrochemical unit 106 comprises a positioning device 130, which includes two positioning elements 129, for positioning the membrane arrangement 112 in at least one transverse direction 133, which is oriented perpendicular to the stacking direction 104, preferably for positioning the membrane arrangement 112 in the transverse direction 133 and in a further transverse direction 135, which is also oriented perpendicular to the stacking direction 104 and preferably perpendicular to the transverse direction 133, relative to a further, at least partially metallic element 131 of the same electrochemical unit 106 and / or relative to an at least partially metallic element 131', 131" of another electrochemical unit 106', 106".

[0078] Preferably, in this first embodiment, the positioning device 130 comprises a first positioning element 129, in particular a positioning through-hole 132, which is arranged on the membrane arrangement 112, and a second positioning element 129, in particular a positioning projection 134, which is arranged on the cathode-side perforated plate 109 of the electrochemical unit 106.

[0079] The positioning projection 134 can, for example, be formed integrally with the cathode-side perforated sheet 109 by a forming process, such as embossing and / or deep drawing. In this first embodiment of an electrochemical device 100 shown in Figures 1 to 7, during assembly of the electrochemical device 100, the positioning projection 134 on the cathode-side perforated sheet 109 of the electrochemical unit 106 is brought into engagement with the positioning through-hole 132 on the membrane arrangement 112 of the electrochemical unit 106, which is associated with the positioning projection 134.

[0080] The intervention can be designed, for example, as a form-fit and / or force-fit.

[0081] In a preferred embodiment of the first embodiment of an electrochemical device 100, at least one positioning projection 134 comprises a (not shown) plastic element which comprises at least one plastic material.

[0082] It is advantageous if the plastic material of the plastic element includes a fluororubber, a nitrile butadiene rubber, a polyimide, a polyamide-imide and / or an epoxy resin.

[0083] It is particularly advantageous if the plastic material of the plastic element consists entirely or substantially entirely of a fluororubber, a nitrile butadiene rubber, a polyimide, a polyamide-imide and / or an epoxy resin.

[0084] Preferably, the plastic element is formed by a screen printing process.

[0085] Alternatively or additionally, the plastic element can be formed by a spraying process, an injection molding process, a pad printing process, a coating process, and / or a rolling process. The plastic element is preferably designed as an electrically insulating layer that electrically insulates the positioning projection 134 from the anode-side perforated sheet 108 of the electrochemical unit 106 (which does not have the positioning projection 134) and / or from a bipolar plate 110" of an electrochemical unit 106" following in the stacking direction 104.

[0086] As can also be seen from Fig. 3, the anode-side perforated sheet 108, the bipolar plate 110 of the electrochemical unit 106 and the bipolar plate 110" of the electrochemical unit 106" adjacent in the stacking direction 104 each comprise at least one recess 136a or 136b, preferably four recesses 136a or 136b, which are arranged, for example, at an edge 138a of one of the bipolar plates 110, 110" or at an edge 138b of the anode-side perforated sheet 108, preferably at a corner region 137 of the anode-side perforated sheet 108, the bipolar plate 110 or the bipolar plate 110" respectively, wherein a positioning projection 134 extends into such a recess 136a and 136b in the stacking direction 104.

[0087] As can best be seen from Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, the end plates 126 and 128 each comprise a recess 136c in each corner region 137 of the end plates 126 and 128, wherein a positioning projection 134" of the electrochemical unit 106" adjacent in the stacking direction 104 extends through the respective recess 136c.

[0088] As can best be seen from Fig. 4, in this first embodiment the positioning opening 132 of the membrane arrangement 112 of an electrochemical unit 106 is circular in plan view, and the positioning projection 134 associated with the positioning opening 132 is complementary to the positioning opening 132 and circular in plan view. As can best be seen from the side view in Fig. 5, the positioning projection 134, which projects in the stacking direction 104 into the recesses 136b of the anode-side perforated plate 108 and into the recesses 136a" of the bipolar plate 110", has a dome shape.

[0089] In principle, it can be provided that at least one positioning device 130 has a cross-section perpendicular to the stacking direction 104, which is ring-shaped.

[0090] Preferably, all positioning devices 130 have a cross-section perpendicular to the stacking direction 104, which is ring-shaped.

[0091] Alternatively, the positioning opening 132 of the membrane assembly 112 of an electrochemical unit 106 may be non-rotationally symmetrical in plan view, and the positioning projection 134 associated with this positioning opening 132 may be complementary and non-rotationally symmetrical in plan view to the positioning opening 132. The non-rotationally symmetrical nature of the engagement of the positioning projection 134 with the positioning opening 132 in the assembled state of the electrochemical device 100 counteracts rotation in a plane perpendicular to the stacking direction 104, even if only one positioning device 130 is provided for each electrochemical unit 106.

[0092] In principle, it can be provided that at least one positioning device 130 has a cross-section perpendicular to the stacking direction 104, which is designed as a polygon, for example as a triangle or a quadrilateral. Preferably, all positioning devices 130 have a cross-section perpendicular to the stacking direction 104, which is designed as a polygon, for example as a triangle or a quadrilateral.

[0093] Alternatively, it can be provided that at least one positioning device 130 has a cross-section perpendicular to the stacking direction 104, which is cross-shaped or diamond-shaped.

[0094] Preferably, all positioning devices 130 have a cross-section perpendicular to the stacking direction 104, which is cross-shaped or diamond-shaped.

[0095] The edge 138a of the recess 136a of the bipolar plate 110, the edge 138b of the recess 136b of the anode-side perforated plate 108 and / or the edge 138c of the end plate 126 or 128, in the assembled state of an electrochemical unit 106, preferably have a minimum distance m of more than 0.2 mm, in particular more than 0.4 mm, most preferably more than 1.0 mm from a surface of the positioning projection 134, as can best be seen from Fig. 4.

[0096] This ensures that, even taking into account manufacturing tolerances and tolerances in the assembly of the electrochemical units 106 and the electrochemical device 100, the positioning projection 134 does not come into electrically conductive contact with the anode-side perforated sheet 108 and / or with the end plate 126 of the electrochemical device, or that the positioning projection 134' of an electrochemical unit 106' adjacent in the stacking direction does not come into electrical contact with the bipolar plate 110 of the electrochemical unit 106.In a first alternative (not shown) of the first embodiment of an electrochemical device 100, the positioning projections 134 of the cathode-side perforated plate 109 project such that, in the assembled state of the electrochemical device 100, each positioning projection 134 of the cathode-side perforated plate 109 of the electrochemical unit 106 engages with each positioning through-opening 132' of an electrochemical unit 106' following in the stacking direction 104. Here, the positioning projection 134 of the cathode-side perforated plate 109 of the electrochemical unit 106 extends through the recesses 136a' of the bipolar plate 110' and the recesses 136b' of the anode-side perforated plate 108' of the electrochemical unit 106' adjacent in the stacking direction 104.

[0097] With the same representation as in Fig. 3, the positioning projections 134 in this first alternative of the first embodiment of an electrochemical device 100 consequently project downwards and not upwards, as provided in the first embodiment.

[0098] Furthermore, the (not shown) first alternative of the first embodiment of an electrochemical device 100 corresponds in terms of structure, function and method of manufacture to the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 7, to whose preceding description reference is made in this respect.

[0099] In a second alternative (not shown) of the first embodiment of an electrochemical device 100, the positioning projections 134 are arranged on the anode-side perforated plate 108 and not on the cathode-side perforated plate 109. The positioning projections 134 protrude such that, in the assembled state of the electrochemical device 100, they engage with one of the positioning through-holes 132 of the membrane arrangement 112 of the electrochemical unit 106. Accordingly, in the second alternative of the first embodiment of an electrochemical device 100, the recesses 136b of the anode-side perforated plate 108 are located not on the anode-side perforated plate 108, but on the cathode-side perforated plate.

[0100] 109 arranged, wherein each of the positioning projections 134 of the anode-side perforated plate 108 passes through a recess 136b of the cathode-side perforated plate 109 and through a recess 136a of the bipolar plate

[0101] 110 of the electrochemical unit 106 extends.

[0102] Furthermore, the (not shown) second alternative of the first embodiment of an electrochemical device 100 corresponds in terms of structure, function and method of manufacture to the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 7, to whose preceding description reference is made in this respect.

[0103] With the same representation as in Fig. 3, the positioning projections 134 in this second alternative of the first embodiment of an electrochemical device 100 consequently project downwards and not upwards, as provided in the first embodiment.

[0104] Furthermore, the (not shown) second alternative of the first embodiment of an electrochemical device 100 corresponds in terms of structure, function and method of manufacture to the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 7, to whose preceding description reference is made in this respect.

[0105] A third alternative (not shown) of the first embodiment of an electrochemical device 100 differs from the second alternative of the first embodiment in that the positioning projections 134 of the anode-side perforated sheet 108 are aligned such that, in the assembled state of the electrochemical device 100, they each engage with a positioning through-hole 132" of the membrane arrangement 112" of the electrochemical unit 106" adjacent in the stacking direction 104.

[0106] In this case, the positioning projection 134 of the anode-side perforated sheet 108 of the electrochemical device 104 extends through the recesses 136a" of the bipolar plate 110" and the recesses 136b" of the cathode-side perforated sheet 109" of the electrochemical unit 104 adjacent in the stacking direction 104".

[0107] With the same representation as in Fig. 3, the positioning projections 134 in this (not shown) third alternative of the first embodiment of an electrochemical device 100 consequently project upwards, as also provided in the first embodiment.

[0108] Furthermore, the (not shown) third alternative of the first embodiment of an electrochemical device 100 corresponds in terms of structure, function and method of manufacture to the second alternative of the first embodiment, which is not shown and to whose preceding description reference is made.

[0109] A fourth alternative (not shown) of the first embodiment of an electrochemical device 100 differs from the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7 in that at least one positioning projection 134, preferably two diametrically opposed positioning projections 134 out of a total of four positioning projections 134, projects such that it engages with the membrane arrangement 112' of the electrochemical unit 106' adjacent in the stacking direction 104. Here, the bipolar plate 110 and the anode-side perforated sheet 108' of the electrochemical unit 106' adjacent in the stacking direction 104 comprise recesses 136a and 136b', respectively, through which the preferably diametrically opposed positioning projections 134 of the cathode-side perforated sheet 109 of the electrochemical unit 106 extend.

[0110] With the same representation as in Fig. 3, one subgroup of the positioning projections 134 in this (not shown) fourth alternative of the first embodiment of an electrochemical device 100 projects downwards and another subgroup of the positioning projections 134 projects upwards.

[0111] Consequently, one subgroup of the positioning projections 134 of the cathode-side perforated sheet 109 of the electrochemical unit 106 engages with the membrane arrangement 112 of the electrochemical unit 106, and another subgroup of the positioning projections 134 of the cathode-side perforated sheet 109 of the electrochemical unit 106 engages with the membrane arrangement 112' of the electrochemical unit 106' adjacent in the stacking direction 104.

[0112] Furthermore, a subgroup of the positioning through-holes 132 of the membrane arrangement 112 of the electrochemical unit 106 engages with a subgroup of the positioning projections 134" of the cathode-side perforated sheet 108" of the electrochemical unit 106 adjacent in the stacking direction 104 and engages with a subgroup of the positioning projections 134 of the cathode-side perforated sheet 108 of the electrochemical unit 106.

[0113] An advantage here is that, in the assembled state of the stack 102 of electrochemical units 106, each electrochemical unit 106 is mechanically coupled to each further electrochemical unit 106', 106" of the stack 102 by means of the positioning devices 130, 130' and 130". Furthermore, the fourth alternative (not shown) of the first embodiment of an electrochemical device 100 corresponds in terms of structure, function and method of manufacture to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7, to whose preceding description reference is made in this respect.

[0114] A fifth alternative (not shown) of the first embodiment of an electrochemical device differs from the second alternative of the first embodiment of an electrochemical device in that at least one positioning projection 134, but particularly preferably two diametrically opposed positioning projections 134 out of a total of four positioning projections 134, of the anode-side perforated sheet 108 are oriented such that, in the assembled state of the electrochemical device 100, they each engage with a positioning through-opening 132" of the membrane arrangement 112" of the electrochemical unit 106" adjacent in the stacking direction 104, wherein the remaining two positioning projections 134 of the anode-side perforated sheet 108 are oriented such that, as already provided in the second alternative of the first embodiment of an electrochemical device 100,In the assembled state of the electrochemical device 100, each component engages with a positioning through-hole 132 of the membrane arrangement 112 of the electrochemical unit 106.

[0115] It is provided that the bipolar plate 110" of the electrochemical unit 106" adjacent in the stacking direction 104 and the cathode-side perforated sheet 109" of the electrochemical unit 106" adjacent in the stacking direction 104 each comprise two recesses 136a" and 136b" respectively, wherein a positioning projection 134 of the preferably two diametrically opposed positioning projections 134 of the anode-side perforated sheet 108 of the electrochemical unit 106 extends through a recess 136a" of the bipolar plate 110" and through a recess 136b" of the cathode-side perforated sheet 109" respectively. In the same representation as in Fig. 3, one subgroup of the positioning projections 134 in this (not shown) fifth alternative of the first embodiment of an electrochemical device 100 jumps downwards and another subgroup of the positioning projections 134 jumps upwards.

[0116] One subgroup of the positioning projections 134 of the anode-side perforated sheet 108 of the electrochemical unit 106 is therefore in engagement with the membrane arrangement 112" of the electrochemical unit 106 adjacent in the stacking direction 104", and another subgroup of the positioning projections 134 of the anode-side perforated sheet 108 of the electrochemical unit 106 is in engagement with the membrane arrangement 112 of the electrochemical unit 106.

[0117] Furthermore, a subgroup of the positioning through-holes 132 of the membrane arrangement 112 of the electrochemical unit 106 engages with a subgroup of the positioning projections 134 of the anode-side perforated sheet 108 of the electrochemical unit 106 and engages with a subgroup of the positioning projections 134' of the anode-side perforated sheet 108' of the electrochemical unit 106' adjacent in the stacking direction 104.

[0118] An advantage here is that in the assembled state of the stack 102 of electrochemical units 106, each electrochemical unit 106 is mechanically coupled to each further electrochemical unit 106', 106" of the stack 102 by means of the positioning devices 130, 130' and 130".

[0119] Furthermore, the fifth alternative (not shown) of the first embodiment of an electrochemical device 100 is identical in structure, function, and method of manufacture to the second alternative of the first embodiment, to the preceding description of which reference is made. A sixth alternative of the first embodiment of an electrochemical device 100, shown in part in Fig. 12, differs from the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 7 in that, instead of the positioning through-holes 132 on the membrane assembly 112, a positioning receptacle 127 is provided, which engages with a positioning projection 134 of the cathode-side perforated plate 109 of the electrochemical unit 106.

[0120] The positioning receptacle 127 preferably comprises a dome-shaped protrusion, which is preferably formed by an embossing.

[0121] The positioning fixture 127 can, for example, be formed in one piece with the cathode-side perforated sheet 109 by means of a forming process, for example by embossing and / or by deep drawing.

[0122] The positioning recording 127 shown in the drawing is a closed design.

[0123] Alternatively, it can be provided that a positioning projection 134 of the cathode-side perforated plate 109 engages with a positioning through-opening 132 on a dome-shaped positioning receptacle 127.

[0124] Furthermore, the sixth alternative of the first embodiment of an electrochemical device 100 shown in Fig. 12 corresponds in terms of structure, function and method of manufacture to the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 7, to whose preceding description reference is made in this respect.

[0125] A second embodiment of an electrochemical device 100, shown in partial detail in Figures 8 to 11, differs from the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7 in that at least one positioning projection 134 is arranged on the bipolar plate 110 of each electrochemical unit 106, preferably with four positioning projections 134 being arranged on the bipolar plate 110 of the electrochemical unit 106. In contrast to the first embodiment, the bipolar plate 110 of the electrochemical unit 106 in the second embodiment does not have any of the recesses 136a provided in each corner region 137 in the first embodiment.

[0126] The positioning projections 134 engage positively and / or force-fit with the positioning passage opening 132 of the membrane arrangement 112 of the electrochemical unit 106, wherein in this second embodiment, in contrast to the first embodiment, no positioning projections are provided on the cathode-side perforated plate 108 of the electrochemical unit 106.

[0127] In addition, in this second embodiment of an electrochemical device 100, the perforated sheet 109 on the cathode side has recesses 136b through which one of the positioning projections 134 of the bipolar plate 110 of the electrochemical unit 106 extends.

[0128] Furthermore, the second embodiment of an electrochemical device 100 shown in Figs. 8 to 11 corresponds in terms of structure, function and method of manufacture to the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 7, to whose preceding description reference is made in this respect.

[0129] In a (not shown) first alternative of the second embodiment of an electrochemical device 100, the positioning projection 134" of the bipolar plate 110" projects from an electrochemical unit 106" adjacent in the stacking direction 104 in such a way that it engages with the positioning passage opening 132 of the membrane arrangement 112 of the electrochemical unit 106, wherein the positioning projection 134 of the electrochemical unit 106 engages with the positioning passage opening 132' of the membrane arrangement 112' of the electrochemical unit 106' adjacent in the stacking direction 104.

[0130] With the same representation as in Fig. 8, the positioning projections 134 in this first alternative of the second embodiment of an electrochemical device 100 point downwards and not upwards, as provided in the second embodiment.

[0131] Furthermore, the (not shown) first alternative of the second embodiment of an electrochemical device 100 corresponds in terms of structure, function and method of manufacture to the second embodiment shown in Figs. 8 to 11, to whose preceding description reference is made in this respect.

[0132] A second alternative (not shown) of the second embodiment of an electrochemical device 100 differs from the second embodiment of an electrochemical device 100 shown in Figs. 8 to 11 in that at least one positioning projection 134, but preferably two diametrically opposed positioning projections 134 out of a total of four positioning projections 134, protrude in such a way that they engage with the membrane arrangement 112' of the electrochemical unit 106' adjacent in the stacking direction 104.

[0133] Here, the perforated sheet 108' on the anode side of the electrochemical unit 106' adjacent in the stacking direction 104 comprises recesses 136b' through which the two diametrically opposed positioning projections 134 of the bipolar plate 110 of the electrochemical unit 106 extend. In the same representation as in Fig. 8, in this second alternative of the second embodiment of an electrochemical device 100, one subgroup of the positioning projections 134 projects downwards and another subgroup of the positioning projections 134 projects upwards.

[0134] One subgroup of the positioning projections 134 of the bipolar plate 110 of the electrochemical unit 106 is therefore in engagement with the membrane arrangement 112 of the electrochemical unit 106, and another subgroup of the positioning projections 134 of the bipolar plate 110 of the electrochemical unit 106 is in engagement with the membrane arrangement 112' of the electrochemical unit 106' adjacent in the stacking direction 104.

[0135] Furthermore, a subgroup of the positioning through-holes 132 of the membrane arrangement 112 of the electrochemical unit 106 engages with a subgroup of the positioning projections 134" of the bipolar plate 110" of the electrochemical unit 106 adjacent in the stacking direction 104 and engages with a subgroup of the positioning projections 134 of the bipolar plate 110 of the electrochemical unit 106.

[0136] An advantage here is that in the assembled state of the stack 102 of electrochemical units 106, each electrochemical unit 106 is mechanically coupled to each further electrochemical unit 106', 106" of the stack 102 by means of the positioning devices 130, 130' and 130".

[0137] Furthermore, the (not shown) second alternative of the second embodiment of an electrochemical device 100 corresponds in terms of structure, function and method of manufacture to the second embodiment shown in Figs. 8 to 11, to whose preceding description reference is made in this respect.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Electrochemical device comprising several electrochemical units (106) arranged successively along a stacking direction (104), each comprising at least one perforated plate (108, 109), a bipolar plate (110) and a membrane arrangement (112), characterized in that each electrochemical unit (106) comprises a positioning device (130) for positioning the membrane arrangement (112) in at least one transverse direction (133) oriented perpendicular to the stacking direction (104), relative to another, at least partially metallic element (131) of the same electrochemical unit (106) and / or relative to an at least partially metallic element (131', 131") of another electrochemical unit (106', 106").

2. Electrochemical device according to claim 1, characterized in that the positioning device (130) of an electrochemical unit (106) comprises a positioning through-hole (132) and / or that the positioning device (130) of an electrochemical unit (106) comprises a positioning receptacle (127).

3. Electrochemical device according to claim 2, characterized in that the positioning through-hole (132) and / or the positioning receptacle (127) is arranged on the membrane arrangement (112) of the electrochemical unit (106).

4. Electrochemical device according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the positioning device (130) comprises a positioning projection (134) which engages with the positioning through-hole (132) and / or the positioning receptacle (127).

5. Electrochemical device according to claim 4, characterized in that the engagement is designed to be positively locking and / or force-locking.

6. Electrochemical device according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the positioning projection (134) comprises a metallic material.

7. Electrochemical device according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the positioning projection (134) is arranged on the bipolar plate (110) of an electrochemical unit (106) and / or on a perforated sheet (108; 109) of an electrochemical unit (106).

8. Electrochemical device according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that at least one positioning projection (134) comprises a plastic element which comprises at least one plastic material.

9. Electrochemical device according to claim 8, characterized in that the plastic element is designed as a layer of a plastic material arranged on a metallic base body.

10. Electrochemical device according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the plastic material comprises a fluorocarbon rubber, a nitrile butadiene rubber, a polyimide, a polyamide-imide and / or an epoxy resin.

11. Electrochemical device according to one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that the positioning projection (134) and / or the positioning receptacle (127) is formed by a forming process.

12. Electrochemical device according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the perforated sheet (109) provided with the positioning projection (134) is arranged on a cathode side of an electrochemical unit (106).

13. Electrochemical device according to one of claims 4 to 12, characterized in that a perforated sheet (108; 108, 109) not provided with a positioning projection (134) and / or the bipolar plate (110) of an electrochemical unit (106) comprises a recess (136a, 136b) into which the positioning projection (134) extends.

14. Electrochemical device according to claim 13, characterized in that the recess (136a, 136b) is arranged on an edge (138a) of the bipolar plate (110) and / or on an edge (138b) of the perforated sheet (108; 108, 109) which is not provided with a positioning projection (134).

15. Electrochemical device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the electrochemical device (100) is designed as an electrolyzer or as an electrochemical compressor.

16. Method for producing an electrochemical device comprising several electrochemical units (106) arranged successively along a stacking direction (104), each of which has at least one perforated sheet (108, 109), a bipolar plate (110) and a membrane assembly (112), comprising the method comprising: Providing at least one positioning device (130) for positioning the membrane arrangement (112) in at least one transverse direction (133) oriented perpendicular to the stacking direction (104), relative to another, at least partially metallic element (131) of the same electrochemical unit (106) and / or relative to an at least partially metallic element (131'; 131") of another electrochemical unit (106', 106"), wherein the positioning device (130) comprises two different positioning elements (129); Engaging the two different positioning elements (129) of the positioning device (130); Stacking several electrochemical units (106), each comprising at least one positioning element (129) of the positioning device (130).

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