Bipolar Plate Seal Geometry for Electrochemical Short-Circuit Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochemical devices face a high risk of electrical short circuits between bipolar plates due to the presence of dirt or contaminated water, which is exacerbated by the accessibility of the outer and inner edge regions of the bipolar plates, and applying additional electrically insulating layers complicates the manufacturing process.
Innovation Solution
The use of seals that extend beyond the bipolar plate contours to shield the plates from external and internal contaminants, forming a closed sealing surface to prevent short circuits without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional electrically insulating layers are applied in the outer and inner edge areas of the bipolar plates, then the risk of electrical short circuits is reduced, but the manufacturing effort and process complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sealing function and the electrical insulation function into a single component (the seal). The seal made of electrically insulating material simultaneously prevents medium leakage and provides electrical insulation between adjacent bipolar plates, eliminating the need for separate insulating layers and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal is designed to perform multiple functions: it seals the interface between electrochemical units to prevent medium leakage, and simultaneously provides electrical insulation between adjacent bipolar plates. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components and manufacturing steps while improving reliability.
2Reliability
If the seals are designed to project laterally beyond the bipolar plate contours when pressed, then the shielding effect against contaminants is improved, but the seal geometry and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the seal's protective function into a new spatial dimension by making the seal project laterally beyond the bipolar plate contours in the compressed state. This lateral projection creates an additional barrier against contaminants approaching from the outside or medium channels, enhancing protection without requiring complex internal structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal is pre-designed with a specific geometry that ensures lateral projection beyond the bipolar plate contours when pressed. This preliminary geometric design guarantees the shielding effect is automatically achieved during normal operation, eliminating the need for additional adjustment or complex assembly steps.
Data Source
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AI summary
In order to create an electrochemical device comprising a plurality of electrochemical units which follow one another along a stacking direction, with each electrochemical unit comprising a bipolar plate and an electrically insulating seal, and said electrochemical device further comprising a clamping device for pressing the electrochemical units along the stacking direction, in which device the risk of a short circuit between adjacent bipolar plates is reduced while the expense for producing the electrochemical device is not excessively increased, it is proposed that at least one seal of at least one electrochemical unit, in the pressed state, protrudes laterally beyond a contour of the bipolar plate of the electrochemical unit in a protrusion direction perpendicular to the stacking direction.