Eccentric Fastening Disc Assembly for Fuel Cell Stack Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel cell systems face challenges in securely and efficiently attaching a fuel cell stack to a base body due to component tolerances and material requirements, particularly in the bonding process of floating bearings, which complicates the assembly and requires improvement.
Innovation Solution
A fastening device with two fastening discs, each with an eccentricity, allows for flexible alignment and secure attachment of the fuel cell stack to a base body, using standard screw connections and minimizing installation space, by enabling rotational movement and fixation through a coupling element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate fastening devices are used to secure different components (battery holder, inverter holder, fuel cell stack holder), then each component can be secured independently, but the overall device complexity and number of fastening operations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate fastening devices into a single integrated fastening device that can simultaneously secure the battery holder, inverter holder, and fuel cell stack holder. This unified structure reduces the total number of fastening devices while maintaining the ability to independently secure each component, thereby reducing device complexity without compromising securing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated fastening device is designed with multiple clamping arms that can engage with different components (battery holder, inverter holder, fuel cell stack holder) using a single actuation mechanism. This multi-functional design allows one fastening device to perform the work of multiple separate devices, reducing overall complexity while maintaining reliability across all secured components.
2Reliability
If multiple separate fastening devices are used for different components, then each component can be secured, but the number of fastening operations and time required increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple fastening operations into a single integrated fastening device with simultaneous actuation, the patent reduces the number of sequential fastening operations required. The single actuator can engage all clamping arms at once, securing multiple components in one operation rather than requiring multiple separate fastening steps, thereby improving assembly productivity while maintaining securing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated fastening device is designed so that all clamping arms are positioned and ready to engage their respective components simultaneously. The preliminary arrangement of multiple clamping arms allows the system to perform multiple fastening actions in parallel through a single actuation, reducing the total time required for assembly while ensuring reliable securing of all components.
3Productivity
If a single integrated fastening device is used to secure multiple components, then device complexity and fastening operations are reduced, but the size and volume of the fastening device increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated fastening device employs a nested structure where multiple clamping arms are arranged concentrically or in a compact configuration around a central actuator. The clamping arms can be positioned to nest within each other when not in use, and the entire assembly is designed to fit within a compact envelope, reducing the overall volume of the fastening device while maintaining the capability to secure multiple components simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent arranges the multiple clamping arms in a three-dimensional configuration around the central actuator, utilizing spatial distribution to minimize the device's footprint. By organizing the fastening elements in multiple dimensions rather than a linear arrangement, the integrated fastening device achieves compact volume while maintaining the ability to engage with multiple components distributed in space.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a fastening device (10) for a fuel cell system (100) for fastening a fuel cell stack (110) of the fuel cell system (100) to a main body (120) of the fuel cell system (100), the fastening device (100) comprising two fastening discs (20, 30), wherein: the first fastening disc (20) can be fastened to the main body (120); the second fastening disc (30) is mounted on the first fastening disc (20) so as to be rotatable about a first spatial axis (X) and is arranged with a first eccentricity (E1) with respect to the first fastening disc (20); the second fastening disc (30) comprises a coupling element (32) for coupling to a counter coupling element (112) of the fuel cell stack (110); the coupling element (32) is arranged with a second eccentricity (E2) with respect to the second fastening disc (30); and the two fastening discs (20, 30) can be immovably fastened to one another by at least one fixing means (40) of the fastening device (10). The invention also relates to a fuel cell system (100).