Fuel Cell Frame Support Members for Pressure Dispersion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fuel battery cells face breaking issues due to low strength of membrane electrode assemblies under surface pressure, leading to increased manufacturing complexity and costs when reinforcing members are used.

Innovation Solution

A fuel battery cell design featuring a membrane electrode assembly, a frame, separators, and support members that protrude along the edge of the frame to disperse surface pressure, preventing excessive load on the bonded region between the membrane electrode assembly and the frame.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If reinforcing members are disposed on the diffusion layers of the fuel battery cells to improve rigidity, then the rigidity against bending stress is improved, but the manufacturing steps become complicated and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverigidity against bending stressVSAvoidmanufacturing steps

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support member is integrated with the frame structure, combining the functions of structural support and pressure distribution into a single unified component. This eliminates the need for separate reinforcing members on the diffusion layers, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining rigidity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The frame is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support, distributes surface pressure through the support member, and maintains the positional relationship between components. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional specialized reinforcing components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If reinforcing members are disposed on the diffusion layers to prevent breaking of the membrane electrode assembly, then the reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of membrane electrode assembly breakingVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The frame with the support member serves itself to provide both structural support and protection to the membrane electrode assembly. By integrating the protective function into the existing frame structure, no additional components or complex assembly steps are required, maintaining ease of manufacture while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the membrane electrode assembly is held by the frame to make handling easier, then the ease of operation is improved, but the bonded part may break under surface pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling easeVSAvoidbonded part integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support member acts as an intermediary between the frame and the membrane electrode assembly. It transfers surface pressure from the membrane electrode assembly to the frame, preventing excessive stress concentration at the bonded interface while maintaining the holding function for easy handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10276879B2Fuel cell

Publication Date: 2019.04.30 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A fuel battery cell has a membrane electrode assembly, a frame, a pair of separators, and support members. The membrane electrode assembly is formed with an anode and a cathode bonded so as to face an electrolyte membrane. The frame holds the periphery of the membrane electrode assembly. The pair of separators sandwich the frame holding the membrane electrode assembly. The support members protrude along an edge part of the frame so as to pass beyond the frame and support the membrane electrode assembly.