Air Cell With Liquid Junction Prevention Portions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air cells using strong alkaline electrolysis solutions face issues with liquid junction between electrode structures, which is problematic for achieving high output power and capacity, especially in applications requiring onboard power for vehicles.
Innovation Solution
An injection-type air cell design featuring multiple electrode structures arranged in series, with a liquid supply unit and liquid junction prevention portions to prevent electrolyte liquid from flowing between electrodes, utilizing a storage tank and injection devices to control electrolyte flow and prevent short circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If fin-shaped portions and grooves are used to separate electrolyte holding regions, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but liquid junction between anodes cannot be completely prevented
Solution Approach 1:
A non-conductive baffle is introduced as an intermediary element between the fin-shaped portions and the electrolyte. This baffle is hydrophobic and prevents the electrolyte from bridging between adjacent electrode structures, thereby preventing liquid junction while maintaining the simple fin-and-groove overall structure for ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface properties of the baffle are changed by making it hydrophobic. This parameter change in surface wettability prevents the electrolyte (liquid) from adhering to or bridging across the baffle, effectively blocking liquid junction paths while allowing the simple structural design to be maintained.
2Reliability
If seawater is used as electrolysis solution, then liquid junction is not problematic due to low resistance, but the air cell cannot achieve high output power and capacity required for vehicle applications
Solution Approach 1:
The electrolyte is changed from seawater to strong alkaline electrolysis solution. This parameter change increases the electrolyte's resistance, which prevents liquid junction from causing short circuits, and enables the air cell to achieve the high output power and capacity needed for vehicle applications.
3Power
If strong alkaline electrolysis solution is used for high output power, then the air cell can meet vehicle power requirements, but liquid junction between electrode structures becomes problematic due to high resistance
Solution Approach 1:
A hydrophobic baffle is placed between adjacent electrode structures as a mediator. This baffle intercepts the electrolyte flow path and prevents it from forming continuous conductive paths (liquid junctions) between adjacent electrodes, thereby ensuring reliability when using high-resistance strong alkaline electrolytes for high power output.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface wettability parameter of the baffle is changed to be hydrophobic. This prevents the strong alkaline electrolyte from wetting or bridging across the baffle surface, effectively blocking liquid junction formation and enabling reliable high-power operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively prevents liquid junction between electrode structures, enabling the use of high-capacity, high-output air cells with strong alkaline electrolysis solutions, suitable for vehicle onboard power supplies by ensuring reliable power generation and preventing electrolyte leakage.
Implementation Method 1
the electrode housing portion includes a plurality of liquid injection holes to inject the electrolyte liquid into the filling chambers of the respective electrode structures and a plurality of liquid junction prevention portions each dividing a space between the liquid injection holes adjacent to each other
Data Source
AI summary
An air cell includes a plurality of electrode structures each including a filling chamber for an electrolyte liquid interposed between an air electrode and a metal negative electrode; an electrode housing portion individually housing the plural electrode structures; and a liquid supply unit which supplies the electrolyte liquid to the plural electrode structures. The electrode housing portion includes a plurality of liquid injection holes to inject the electrolyte liquid into the filling chambers of the respective electrode structures and a plurality of liquid junction prevention portions each dividing a space between the liquid injection holes adjacent to each other. The liquid supply unit includes a liquid injection device allowing the electrolyte liquid to flow into the plural liquid injection holes.