Fuel Cell Case Rib Design for Rigidity and Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fuel cell cases with thin lower cases are prone to deformation due to gasket reaction, making it difficult to downsize them while maintaining structural integrity and sealing effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a rib on the inner circumference of the first member of the fuel cell case, which increases rigidity and prevents deformation, allowing for a thinner design without compromising sealing or increasing size, and using a groove portion in the second member to manage gasket placement effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a thinner lower case is used to downsize the fuel cell case, then the size and weight of the fuel cell case are reduced, but the lower case becomes deformed by reaction force from the gasket

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesize of fuel cell caseVSAvoidrigidity of lower case

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention adds a rib structure that protrudes upward from the lower case surface, utilizing the vertical dimension to increase rigidity without increasing the horizontal footprint. This allows the lower case to remain thin while gaining structural strength through the three-dimensional rib configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The rib is positioned specifically on the inner circumferential side of the portion where the lower case contacts the gasket, concentrating structural reinforcement exactly where the reaction force acts. This localized quality enhancement provides targeted rigidity improvement without adding unnecessary weight or volume elsewhere.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If a rib is added to increase rigidity, then deformation is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverigidity of lower caseVSAvoidstructural complexity of lower case

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lower case is segmented into functional zones: the base portion for overall support and the rib portion for localized reinforcement. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently, with the rib acting as an independent structural element that can be optimized separately from the base case design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the groove portion is provided in the first member to hold the gasket, then sealing is improved, but the size of the fuel cell case increases in the upper and lower direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidsize of fuel cell case

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of providing the groove portion in the lower case (first member), the invention inverts the arrangement by providing the groove portion in the upper case (second member). This inversion allows the gasket to be held securely while preventing the lower case from increasing in size, as the groove is now located in the upper component that can accommodate the gasket without affecting the overall height.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS10468705B2Fuel cell case

Publication Date: 2019.11.05 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A fuel cell case that is configured to place a fuel cell therein, the fuel cell case includes: a first member including a bottom surface of the fuel cell case; and a second member fixed to an outer circumferential portion of the first member using a fastener, wherein a gasket seals between the first member and the second member, and the first member includes a rib, wherein the rib is positioned on an inner circumferential side of a portion where the first member comes into contact, with the gasket and is protruded upward from a surface where the first member comes into contact with the gasket.