Fuel Cell Separator Resin Guide Member Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel cell stacks face challenges in achieving accurate positioning and effective shock absorption, which are crucial for maintaining the integrity and efficiency of the fuel cell system.
Innovation Solution
The integration of resin guide members with recessed portions on separators and membrane electrode assemblies allows for easy and accurate stacking while providing shock absorption capabilities by overlapping the outer ends of the resin guide members, enhancing both positioning and shock resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If resin guide members are provided on all separators and membrane electrode assemblies for positioning, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the positioning function from all resin guide members and concentrates it on only one separator or membrane electrode assembly. The other components have their resin guide members' outer ends recessed inward, eliminating redundant positioning structures while maintaining precise positioning capability through the single exposed outer end.
Solution Approach 2:
The resin guide members serve dual functions: components with recessed outer ends provide shock absorption, while the single component with the exposed outer end provides positioning. This multi-functional design reduces overall structure complexity while maintaining both positioning precision and shock resistance.
2Strength
If resin guide members are made long to improve shock absorption, then shock resistance is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different lengths and configurations of resin guide members to different separators and membrane electrode assemblies based on their specific functions. The component providing shock absorption has longer resin guide members that overlap with adjacent components, while the positioning component has a shorter exposed outer end. This localized differentiation optimizes shock resistance without requiring all components to be complex and lengthy.
3Ease of operation
If multiple resin guide members are exposed for positioning operations, then positioning ease is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to alignment difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the positioning operation to a single location where one resin guide member's outer end is exposed. This concentrated positioning interface simplifies alignment operations compared to coordinating multiple exposed ends, while still providing adequate access for positioning tools and operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell unit configuring a fuel cell is provided with a first separator, a first electrolyte film/electrode body, a second separator, a second electrolyte film/electrode body, and a third separator. Resin guide members are provided on the outer periphery of the first separator, the second separator, and the third separator. The resin guide members have outer peripheral ends which protrude outwards, and in the aforementioned resin guide members are formed concave reliefs which are spaced inwards from the aforementioned outer peripheral ends.