Fuel Cell Sealing Plate Welding Position Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fuel cells, the welding of a sealing plate to a gas flow path member can create regions where gas and water do not flow easily, leading to decreased power generation performance due to blockages or narrow flow paths.
Innovation Solution
The fuel cell design includes a membrane electrode assembly, gas flow path members with separators having holes, and a sealing plate welded at positions on straight lines perpendicular to the separators' sides, avoiding areas where gas and water already have difficulty flowing, thus maintaining gas supply and water discharge without creating new blockages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the sealing plate is welded to the gas flow path member, then the sealing plate is securely fixed to the gas flow path member, but the gas flow path becomes blocked or narrow at the welding position
Solution Approach 1:
The welding positions are strategically located in regions where gas flow is already restricted by separating portions, so that local welding does not further degrade overall gas flow performance. This resolves the contradiction by making the welding area locally suboptimal for flow but acceptable due to the global flow distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The separating portions act as intermediaries that naturally restrict gas flow in specific regions, allowing welding to occur in these areas without significantly impacting the main gas flow paths. The separating portions mediate between the need for welding and the need for gas flow.
2Stability of the object's composition
If welding is performed at multiple positions, then deformation and floating of components are suppressed, but welding costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of welding at all possible positions, the patent applies welding at specific partial positions (1 to 6 locations) that are sufficient to prevent deformation and floating while minimizing welding costs. This resolves the contradiction by using just enough welding action to achieve stability without excessive welding.
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 inhibits the decrease in power generation performance by ensuring consistent gas flow and water discharge, while also reducing deformation and floating of components and lowering welding costs through optimal welding position placement.
Implementation Method 1
The sealing plate is joined to the gas flow path member by welding
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell includes: a membrane electrode assembly; a gas flow path member that has a first side that is arranged on a surface of the membrane electrode assembly; a pair of separators that are arranged sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly and the gas flow path member, and each have a separating portion and a plurality of holes separated by the separating portion, the holes being provided in each of opposite sides of the separator and being lined up in a predetermined direction along the sides; and a sealing plate that is arranged on an end portion of the first side adjacent to the holes, and is welded to the gas flow path member at a predetermined welding position, the predetermined welding position being provided in a region that includes a position on a straight line that passes through the separating portion and is perpendicular to the sides.