Fuel Cell Gasket Integrated With Gas Diffusion Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of gaskets with the membrane-electrode assembly in fuel cells leads to potential damage from heat and increases the complexity of assembly, resulting in low precision and sealing issues.

Innovation Solution

A gas diffusion layer-integrated gasket system where a first gasket is molded in a first gas diffusion layer, a second gasket in a second gas diffusion layer, and a hinge part connects them, forming a seal protrusion for precise sandwiching of the membrane-electrode assembly, reducing the number of parts and assembly steps while enhancing sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If gaskets are integrally molded in the membrane-electrode assembly, then sealing ability is improved, but the membrane-electrode assembly is easily damaged by heat during molding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing abilityVSAvoidheat damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the gasket system into separate components: gaskets integrally molded with gas diffusion layers, and the membrane-electrode assembly as a distinct unit. This segmentation allows the gasket to provide sealing without exposing the membrane-electrode assembly to damaging molding heat, while still achieving reliable sealing through the separate but coordinated design of the gasket-GDL assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If gaskets are integrally molded in gas diffusion layers, then the number of parts is reduced, but the precision of assembly of fuel-cell cells tends to be low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of partsVSAvoidassembly precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating seal protrusions at specific locations on the gasket surface that contact the membrane-electrode assembly. These localized sealing features provide precise positioning and assembly alignment, compensating for the reduced overall part complexity. The seal protrusions are strategically positioned to ensure accurate assembly while maintaining the simplified integrated gasket-GDL structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple parts and assembly steps are used, then assembly precision can be maintained, but the number of molding steps and parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly precisionVSAvoidnumber of molding steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the gasket and gas diffusion layer into a single integrally molded component, reducing the total number of parts and molding steps. Despite this merging, assembly precision is maintained through the incorporation of seal protrusions that provide precise positioning features, eliminating the need for separate alignment components or additional assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9350034B2Fuel cell gas diffusion layer integrated gasket

Publication Date: 2016.05.24 NOK CORP

AI summary

To improve assembly precision of a fuel cell by improving a sealing property. A first gasket 12 is integrally formed with a first gas diffusion layer 11 and a second gasket 14 is integrally formed with a second gas diffusion layer 13, and a hinge portion 15 connects the first gasket 12 to the second gasket 14. The gas diffusion layer incorporated gasket sandwiches a membrane-electrode from both sides in the thickness direction. A seal protrusion 12c is formed in a surface of the first gasket 12 or the second gasket 14 and comes into close contact with the membrane-electrode.