Fuel Cell Stack Collar Rotation Restriction Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fuel cell stack assembly, the positioning pin may undesirably rotate relative to the collar member during screwing, leading to inefficient attachment.
Innovation Solution
A rotation restriction mechanism is implemented to prevent the collar member from rotating relative to the end plate during screw tightening, ensuring stable attachment of the positioning pin to the collar member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the positioning pin is screwed with the collar member, then the positioning pin can be attached to the collar member, but the collar member may rotate relative to the end plate during screw tightening, causing inefficient attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The collar member is designed with an asymmetric structure featuring a flat surface that contacts the end plate. This asymmetric geometry prevents rotational movement during screw tightening, as the flat surface creates a mechanical stop that eliminates the co-rotation problem while maintaining simple assembly operations.
2Productivity
If the collar member is allowed to rotate during screw tightening, then the screwing operation can proceed freely, but the positioning pin attachment becomes inefficient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The collar member is pre-configured with a flat surface oriented in a specific direction before assembly begins. This preliminary geometric configuration ensures that when the positioning pin is screwed in, the collar member cannot rotate, thereby guaranteeing both fast assembly speed and reliable attachment without requiring additional control mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell stack includes an insulating collar member provided in an end plate and screwed with a positioning pin, and a rotation restriction mechanism that restricts rotation of the collar member relative to the end plate in a screw tightening direction of the positioning pin. A method of assembling the fuel cell stack includes a screwing step and a stacking step. In the screwing step, rotation of the collar member relative to the end plate in the screw tightening direction of the positioning pin is restricted by the rotation restriction mechanism.