Fuel Cell Stack Body Additive Manufacturing for Airtight Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for manufacturing fuel cell stack bodies require numerous steps to ensure airtightness, leading to high production costs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving additive manufacturing to form a stack body cross-sectional pattern with line-shaped separator and electrolyte membrane patterns, along with electrode patterns, which are then stacked perpendicular to the build surface, allowing for simultaneous formation of membrane electrode assemblies and separators, thereby reducing production costs and achieving excellent airtightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods are used to manufacture fuel cell stack bodies with high airtightness, then airtightness is improved, but production cost increases due to numerous manufacturing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the manufacturing of separators and membrane electrode assemblies into a single integrated process. The separator and membrane electrode assembly are formed simultaneously in one manufacturing step, eliminating the need for separate assembly operations and reducing the number of steps required to achieve airtightness.
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing method achieves multiple functions in one process: forming the separator structure, forming the membrane electrode assembly, and ensuring airtightness all occur simultaneously. This multi-functional approach reduces production complexity while maintaining high airtightness standards.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional methods with dedicated facilities and guide jigs are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the forming processes of multiple components into a single integrated manufacturing step. By forming separators and membrane electrode assemblies simultaneously, the need for dedicated facilities and complex guide jigs is eliminated, reducing device complexity while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for manufacturing a fuel cell stack body includes a step of forming a plurality of line-shaped separator cross-sectional patterns. In the patterns, a first direction along the build surface is the stacking direction, and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction is the planar direction of the separators. The patterns extend in the second direction and meander so as to have convexities and concavities in the first direction. The manufacturing method further includes a step of forming the electrolyte membrane cross-sectional pattern and a step of forming the electrode cross-sectional patterns. These steps are repeated to perform stacking in a direction perpendicular to the build surface.