Fuel Cell Packaging With Springs And Interleaves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional packaging solutions for fuel cell components are not specifically designed for their handling and transportation, leading to potential damage due to vibration and impact during shipping and handling.

Innovation Solution

A recyclable package design featuring boxes with top inserts and interleaves, along with springs at the top and bottom ends, to securely enclose and absorb vibrations, preventing damage to fuel cell components during transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional carton boxes are used for shipping fuel cell components, then the packaging is simple and readily available, but the fuel cell components may move around and be damaged due to vibration and impact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of fuel cell componentsVSAvoidpackage structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging system is divided into multiple functional segments: boxes for containment, top inserts for securing components, interleaves for separation and cushioning, and springs for vibration absorption. Each segment performs a specific protective function, collectively resolving the contradiction between protection and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The package design incorporates cushions, interleaves, and springs as predetermined protective elements that are placed beforehand to absorb vibrations and impacts during transportation. This pre-cushioning approach ensures fuel cell components are protected from damage before exposure to harmful transport conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If fuel cell components are placed in generic boxes, then packaging cost is low, but components are vulnerable to damage during handling and transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent safetyVSAvoidpackaging implementation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The protective packaging is segmented into reusable components (boxes, top inserts, interleaves, springs) that can be manufactured separately and assembled systematically. This segmentation maintains ease of manufacture while achieving reliable component protection through coordinated functionality of each element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The package design employs reusable protective elements such as top inserts and interleaves that can be recovered and reused across multiple packaging cycles. This approach reduces long-term manufacturing costs while maintaining high reliability of component protection during each shipping event.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Reliability

If specialized protective packaging is designed for fuel cell components, then damage from vibration and impact is prevented, but packaging complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidpackaging materials

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging elements serve multiple functions: boxes provide containment and structural support, top inserts secure components and prevent movement, interleaves separate components and absorb shock, and springs dampen vibrations. This multi-functionality achieves effective protection without excessive material usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The package utilizes flexible yet protective elements such as foldable top inserts and compressible interleaves that provide substantial protection with minimal material thickness. These thin-walled yet resilient components effectively absorb and distribute impact forces while minimizing the quantity of packaging materials required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 package effectively protects fuel cell components from damage by securing and absorbing vibrations, ensuring safe transportation and handling, as demonstrated by successful testing in simulated conditions.

Implementation Method 1

each box includes at least one spring configured to be located at least one of a top end and a bottom end of the stack

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 2

A recyclable package design featuring boxes with top inserts and interleaves, along with springs at the top and bottom ends, to securely enclose and absorb vibrations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact absorption: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS9688463B2Fuel cell package and method of packing and unpacking fuel cell components

Publication Date: 2017.06.27 BLOOM ENERGY CORP

AI summary

A package for transporting fuel cell components is provided. The package includes a carton and one or more boxes configured to be placed in the carton. The package also includes one or more boxes configured to be placed in the carton. The package also includes one or more top inserts configured to be inserted into the boxes, each top insert including a top portion and at least one side portion. The package also includes a plurality of interleaves configured to be placed alternately with the fuel cell components in a stack within each box, wherein each top insert is configured to be inserted into one of the boxes to substantially enclose the stack. The package further includes a plurality of springs, wherein each box includes at least one spring configured to be located at least one of a top end and a bottom end of the stack.