Fuel Cell Stack Cooling Module With Integrated Coolant Flow Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing thermal management systems for fuel cell stacks require multiple pipes, fasteners, and valves, leading to increased material costs, complex assembly processes, and difficulties in miniaturization due to their bulky nature.
Innovation Solution
An integrated cooling module is attached to the fuel cell stack housing, featuring a first injection member with defined flow paths and coupled second injection members, which eliminates the need for separate pipes by serving as both a flow path and a valve to control coolant flow between components, reducing the number of required components and system volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pipes, fasteners, sealing members, and valves are used to implement the thermal management system, then the system can control coolant flow between components, but the number of components increases leading to increased material cost, complex assembly, and larger system volume
Solution Approach 1:
The injection member integrates multiple functions that were previously performed by separate components. It combines the flow path definition, valve mounting interface, and component connection functions into a single integrated structure, thereby reducing the total number of parts while maintaining coolant flow control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The injection member serves multiple purposes: it defines coolant flow paths, provides mounting interfaces for valves, and connects to various thermal management components. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated parts for each function, reducing system complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pipes are used to connect components, then coolant flow between components is enabled, but the system volume increases making miniaturization difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The injection member consolidates multiple pipe functions into a single integrated component. By defining flow paths within its structure and providing direct connection points for components, it eliminates the need for separate external pipes, thereby reducing system volume
Solution Approach 2:
The flow paths are defined within the internal structure of the injection member itself, nesting the coolant channels inside the component housing. This eliminates the need for external pipes and reduces the overall system footprint
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pipes, fasteners, sealing members, and valves are used, then the thermal management system can be implemented, but the assembly process becomes complicated and requires significant labor
Solution Approach 1:
The injection member integrates multiple assembly functions into a single component that can be installed as one unit. It combines flow path definition, valve mounting, and component connection capabilities, reducing the number of assembly steps and labor required
Solution Approach 2:
The injection member provides universal interfaces for connecting various thermal management components through its integrated valve mounting portions and flow path definitions, simplifying the assembly process by eliminating the need to install multiple separate connection components
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated cooling module of a fuel cell stack is attached to a housing of the fuel cell stack, and the integrated cooling module is connected to a plurality of components constituting a thermal management system of a fuel cell. In particular, the integrated cooling module includes: a first injection member defining flow paths guiding coolant into one or more components of the thermal management system of the fuel cell, and at least one second injection member coupled to the first injection member, and the coolants going through the components flow into the fuel cell stack through any one of the flow paths defined by the integrated cooling module.