Fuel Cell Stack Conductive Displacement Absorber for Contact Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The contact resistance between fuel cells in a stack is high due to the lack of effective measures to reduce electrical contact resistance in the connection portions, affecting the power generation performance of fuel cell stacks used in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a conductive displacement absorber between the separators of adjacent fuel cells, which is connected by welding or alternative methods like brazing or adhesion, to form a tighter contact and reduce electrical resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a wave-shaped pre-load plate is used to distribute load evenly, then mechanical load distribution is improved, but electrical contact resistance increases due to line contact only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pre-load plate and connector into a single integrated component. The pre-load plate with wave-shaped cross section is provided with protrusions that extend in the stacked direction, which come into contact with recesses in the separator of the adjacent fuel cell. This integration allows the component to simultaneously perform mechanical load distribution and electrical connection functions, reducing electrical contact resistance while maintaining even load distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions and recesses are pre-formed in the pre-load plate and separator respectively, so that when the fuel cell stack is assembled, the electrical contact connection is automatically established without requiring additional connection steps. This preliminary preparation of connection structures ensures low electrical contact resistance is achieved as part of the normal assembly process.
2Power
If multiple single fuel cells are stacked to form a fuel cell stack, then power generation capacity is improved, but electrical contact resistance at connection portions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is integrated with the pre-load plate structure, combining mechanical support and electrical connection functions into one component. The protrusions on the pre-load plate engage with recesses in the separator, creating reliable electrical contact between adjacent fuel cells while maintaining mechanical stability, thus enabling scalable stack assembly with consistently low contact resistance.
3Reliability
If a conductive displacement absorber is added to reduce electrical contact resistance, then electrical connection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for separate connector components by integrating the connection function directly into the pre-load plate. The wave-shaped pre-load plate includes protrusions that engage with separator recesses, allowing the same component to perform both load distribution and electrical connection. This integration reduces device complexity while achieving low electrical contact resistance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces the electrical contact resistance between fuel cells, enhancing the power generation performance and durability of the fuel cell stack while maintaining low manufacturing costs and corrosion resistance.
Implementation Method 1
the displacement absorber and at least one of the separators are joined to each other by welding or alternative joining methods
Implementation Method 2
welding or alternative joining methods like brazing or adhesion
Implementation Method 3
welding or alternative joining methods like brazing or adhesion
Data Source
AI summary
A single fuel cell, a plurality of which are to be stacked to form a fuel cell stack, includes a membrane electrode assembly having a structure including paired electrode layers and an electrolyte membrane held between the paired electrode layers, paired separators each forming a gas passage between the separator and the membrane electrode assembly, and a displacement absorber having a conductive property and interposed between one separator of the single fuel cell and an adjacent-side separator of another single fuel cell to be stacked adjacent to the single fuel cell. The displacement absorber is connected to at least any one of the separators.