Fuel Cell Frame Member Accommodation Portion for Resin Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fuel cell modules, the melting of resin frame members during heat pressing can lead to increased pressure loss and non-uniform gas supply due to resin flow into reaction gas flow paths, causing blockages and size reductions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an accommodation portion between the seal portion and gas flow paths in the frame member to accommodate melted resin, which acts as a dummy gas flow path and prevents blockages, ensuring uniform gas supply by maintaining path integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If heat pressing is performed to weld the frame member to separators, then the frame member and separators are joined together, but the resin material of the frame member melts and flows into the gas flow path causing blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The frame member is segmented into functional zones: a seal portion for welding to separators, a gas flow path for reaction gas transport, and an accommodation portion to capture excess resin. This segmentation isolates the welding process from the gas flow path, allowing strong welding without compromising gas flow integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The accommodation portion acts as an intermediary buffer zone between the seal portion and the gas flow path. It intercepts and contains the melted resin material during welding, preventing it from reaching and blocking the gas flow path while still allowing the welding process to proceed effectively.
2Ease of manufacture
If the frame member is made of resin for ease of manufacture, then manufacturing is simplified, but the resin melts during heat pressing and reduces the opening size of gas flow paths
Solution Approach 1:
The accommodation portion is pre-formed in the frame member before the welding process. This preliminary structure is ready to receive and contain the melted resin during heat pressing, preventing unauthorized resin flow into the gas flow path and maintaining precise opening dimensions throughout manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The melted resin material, which would normally be harmful by blocking gas flow paths, is redirected into the accommodation portion. The harmful melting phenomenon is converted into a beneficial filling process where the resin securely anchors the seal portion to the separators while maintaining gas flow path integrity.
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 design effectively suppresses pressure loss and ensures uniform reaction gas supply by preventing blockages and maintaining the opening size of gas flow paths, thereby stabilizing the contact between the frame member and separators.
Implementation Method 1
a portion of the frame member is melted by performing heat pressing through which heat is applied while a pressure is applied, so that the frame member and the separators are welded together
Implementation Method 2
performing heat pressing through which heat is applied while a pressure is applied
Implementation Method 3
a portion of the material of the frame member is heated and melted between the separators and is caused to flow from the seal portion toward the gas flow path
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell includes: a membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly; a frame member which surrounds the membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly; and a pair of separators with the frame member and the membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly sandwiched therebetween. The separators include a manifold hole through which a reaction gas is supplied or discharged. The frame member includes a manifold opening which communicates with the manifold hole, an in-plane opening in which the membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly is disposed, a gas flow path which communicates with the in-plane opening and the manifold opening, a seal portion which is welded to the separators around the gas flow path, and an accommodation portion which is provided between the seal portion and the gas flow path to accommodate a material of the frame member caused to flow by welding.