Fuel Cell Voltage-Detection Connector Recess Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel cell attachment structures for voltage-detection cell connectors increase the thickness of the fuel cell, compromising its original power-generating thickness.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell design featuring a recess portion with a plate-like guide and a protruding pressing member from a resin sheet between separators, allowing stable attachment of the cell connector without increasing the fuel cell's thickness, using a recess portion near the fuel gas manifold and an insulating resin sheet for sealing and support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cell connector is attached using a mating part structure, then the cell connector can be securely attached to the fuel cell, but the thickness of the fuel cell increases due to the required thickness of the resin frame
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a three-dimensional protruding mating part structure to a two-dimensional planar guide portion structure. The guide portion is formed in the plane of the separator rather than protruding in the thickness direction, allowing the cell connector to be positioned accurately without increasing fuel cell thickness. This dimensional change resolves the contradiction by providing attachment reliability through planar guidance while maintaining the original thickness requirement for power generation.
2Reliability
If a bulging portion is formed on the separator to fix the cell connector, then the cell connector can be firmly fixed between separators, but the fuel cell thickness increases by the width of the bulging portion
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fixation function from the thickness direction and relocates it to the plane direction. Instead of using a bulging portion that protrudes in the thickness direction, the guide portion is formed within the plane of the separator to provide positioning and fixation guidance. This extraction allows firm connector fixation while avoiding the thickness increase that would compromise power-generating capability.
3Strength
If the resin frame thickness is increased to prevent mating part deformation, then the mating part can be securely attached, but the overall fuel cell thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the vertical thickness-based strength approach with a horizontal plane-based guidance approach. The guide portion provides structural support and positioning accuracy in the plane direction, eliminating the need to increase resin frame thickness in the vertical direction. This maintains mating part structural integrity while preserving the fuel cell's original thickness for optimal power generation.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell that can have a voltage-detection cell connector reliably held thereon without the thickness of the fuel cell increased to a thickness of greater than that originally required to generate power. The fuel cell includes a recess portion in which a cell connector is adapted to be inserted. In the recess portion, a guide portion, which can guide a cell connector being inserted into the recess portion, is formed of a part of a separator (or a second extending portion thereof). In a portion of the recess portion opposite the second extending portion, a protrusion that forms a part of an insulating resin sheet, which is arranged between a pair of separators, protrudes toward the second extending portion. A to-be-crimped portion of the cell connector inserted in the recess portion is pressed against the second extending portion by the protrusion so that its stable posture is held.