Fuel Cell Manifold Hole Structure to Prevent Frozen Gas Passage Blockage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Water droplets tend to remain on the inner peripheral face of the manifold hole due to the high water repellency of the resin frame body, leading to blockage of gas passages and hindered power generation when frozen, especially in fuel cells with a frame body that protrudes from the separators.
Innovation Solution
The inner wall face of the separators protrudes further than the frame body, making it more hydrophilic, allowing water droplets to connect and be discharged by gravity or gas flow, reducing the amount remaining and preventing passage blockage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the inner wall face of the frame body protrudes from the inner peripheral face of the manifold hole, then the structural support is improved, but water droplets remain on the inner peripheral face due to high water repellency, causing gas passage blockage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different surface properties to different parts of the manifold hole structure. The frame body maintains its water-repellent resin material for structural support, while the separator that contacts the inner peripheral face is designed with hydrophilic properties to promote water droplet coalescence and discharge, thus resolving the contradiction between structural support and preventing passage blockage
Solution Approach 2:
The separator acts as an intermediary element between the frame body and the manifold hole inner peripheral face. By making the separator hydrophilic while keeping the frame body water-repellent, the system uses the separator as a mediator to achieve water droplet discharge without compromising the structural support function of the frame body
2Ease of manufacture
If the frame body is made of resin with high water contact angle, then manufacturing ease and structural integrity are improved, but water droplets become smaller and remain on the inner peripheral face, leading to freezing and gas passage blockage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a local quality distinction where the frame body maintains its water-repellent resin properties for ease of manufacture and structural integrity, while the separator portion exposed to the manifold hole inner peripheral face is designed with hydrophilic properties to prevent water droplet accumulation, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and preventing harmful water accumulation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potentially harmful water-repellent property of the resin frame body into a beneficial configuration by using the hydrophilic separator to counteract the water repellency at the critical location, thereby preventing water droplet accumulation while maintaining the manufacturing advantages of the resin frame body
3Area of stationary object
If water droplets remain on the inner peripheral face of the manifold hole, then the surface area for gas contact is increased, but the water droplets block the gas passage when frozen, preventing reactive gas supply to the membrane electrode assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different surface properties to different locations: the bulk manifold hole maintains its structural surface area, while the inner peripheral face where separators are exposed is designed with hydrophilic properties to promote water droplet coalescence and discharge, preventing freezing and maintaining power generation capability
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
The configuration effectively reduces the amount of water droplets remaining on the manifold hole, ensuring uninterrupted gas supply and improved startability of the fuel cell by preventing passage blockage.
Implementation Method 1
the inner wall face of the first separator is more hydrophilic than the inner wall face of the frame body. Due to this hydrophilicity, in the first region, water droplets adhering to the inner peripheral face of the first manifold hole can be easily connected to each other
Implementation Method 2
Volume of the water droplets increases, and accordingly the water droplets can be readily discharged by gravity or gas flow
Data Source
AI summary
The fuel cell includes a resin frame body having an opening portion, a membrane electrode assembly disposed in the opening, and a first separator and a second separator opposed to each other via the frame body and the membrane electrode assembly. A first manifold hole is formed in the frame body, the first separator, and the second separator. A plurality of first gas passages extending from the first manifold hole to the membrane electrode assembly are opened in a first region that is a part of the inner peripheral face of the first manifold hole. The first gas passages are formed between the frame body and the first separator. In the first region, in the cross section passing through the central axis of the first manifold hole, the inner wall face of the first separator protrudes toward the central axis side than the inner wall face of the frame body.