Elastomeric Cell Frame Water Discharge Flow Field
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel cell systems face challenges in effectively discharging generated water, leading to membrane electrode assembly (MEA) corrosion and increased production costs due to the need for separate adhesive and sealing members, as well as difficulties in forming groove structures for water drainage on thin layers and metal separating plates.
Innovation Solution
An elastomeric cell frame with a discharge flow field formed in the elastomeric frame, thermally bonded to the insert, which includes manifold through holes and diffusion parts to facilitate the smooth discharge of water along the longitudinal direction, preventing MEA corrosion and eliminating the need for additional structural changes on the metal separating plate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If groove structures are formed in the membrane electrode assembly or gas diffusion layer to discharge generated water, then water discharge is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases significantly due to the thin layer structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the water discharge function with the frame structure by forming the discharge flow field directly on the frame surface. This combines the structural support function of the frame with the water discharge function, eliminating the need for separate groove structures in the thin membrane layers while effectively discharging generated water.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of forming grooves within the thin planar layers of the membrane electrode assembly or gas diffusion layer, the patent transitions to a three-dimensional solution by creating a discharge flow field on the frame surface. This dimensional shift allows water discharge without compromising the integrity of the thin layers.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If groove structures are formed on the metal separating plate to collect generated water, then water discharge is improved, but the reaction region changes and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the water discharge function with the frame structure rather than modifying the metal separating plate. The discharge flow field is formed on the frame surface, merging structural support with water management functions and avoiding complications with the separating plate's reaction region.
3Reliability
If separate adhesive members and sealing members are used to adhere the separating plate and integrated frame, then assembly reliability is improved, but material cost and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the elastomeric frame structure. The frame provides both structural support and water discharge functions through the integrated discharge flow field, eliminating the need for separate adhesive members and sealing members while maintaining assembly reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric frame serves multiple functions: structural support, sealing, and water discharge. The discharge flow field is formed directly on the frame surface, making the frame a multi-functional component that eliminates the need for additional specialized parts.
4Productivity
If generated water is discharged through grooves in the membrane electrode assembly, then water discharge is improved, but membrane electrode assembly corrosion increases due to water remaining on the reaction region
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the water discharge function from the membrane electrode assembly and implements it on the frame structure. By forming the discharge flow field on the frame surface, generated water is effectively removed from the reaction region without compromising the membrane electrode assembly, preventing corrosion while maintaining discharge efficiency.
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
The elastomeric cell frame effectively directs generated water away from the reaction region, reducing MEA corrosion, simplifying the production process, and maintaining the reaction region integrity without additional structural changes, while enabling efficient water discharge through a simple injection mold design.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric frame disposed to surround the rim of the insert in the outer region of the insert, and formed with a discharge flow field provided in the form of a sheet bonded at the rim of the insert and the interface thereof while being thermally bonded
Data Source
AI summary
An elastomeric cell frame for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes, as a cell frame constituting a unit cell of a fuel cell, an insert including a membrane electrode assembly having an anode formed on one surface of a polymer electrolyte membrane, and having a cathode formed on the other surface thereof, and a pair of gas diffusion layers disposed on both surfaces thereof; and an elastomeric frame disposed to surround the rim of the insert in the outer region of the insert, and formed with a discharge flow field provided in the form of a sheet bonded at the rim of the insert and the interface thereof while being thermally bonded and for discharging generated water generated in the insert along the longitudinal direction at the widthwise edge.