Fuel Cell Stack Spring and Stopper Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fuel cell stacks, particularly metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), height variations in the separator due to welding quality lead to increased contact resistance and decreased power generation performance, as existing solutions fail to adequately address height variations and vibration resistance.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell stack design incorporating a spring portion to absorb displacement and a stopper portion to restrict displacement, both integral with each other, which are arranged between the metal-supported cell and the separator to maintain consistent contact and reduce contact resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the separator is welded to the metal-supported cell, then the structural integrity is improved, but height variation occurs due to welding quality issues
Solution Approach 1:
A current collection assisting layer is introduced as an intermediary component between the metal-supported cell and the separator. This assisting layer absorbs the height variation caused by welding quality issues, maintaining consistent contact between the metal-supported cell and the separator while preserving structural integrity through the welded connection.
2Productivity
If the flow passage portion of the separator has protrusions and recesses, then gas flow is improved, but height variation is likely to occur
Solution Approach 1:
The current collection assisting layer serves as a mediator that compensates for the height variation introduced by the protrusions and recesses in the flow passage portion. This allows the separator to maintain its functional geometry for gas flow while the assisting layer ensures uniform contact pressure and consistent electrical contact.
3Ease of manufacture
If height variation in the separator is not addressed, then manufacturing is simpler, but contact resistance increases and power generation performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The current collection assisting layer is positioned between the separator and the metal-supported cell to act as a compensating intermediary. This layer absorbs height variations without requiring complex manufacturing adjustments to the separator or welding process, thereby maintaining manufacturing simplicity while ensuring consistent contact and reducing contact resistance.
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 design effectively reduces contact resistance and improves power generation performance by compensating for height variations and enhancing vibration resistance, ensuring consistent contact between components.
Implementation Method 1
a spring portion configured to apply absorption reaction force for absorbing displacement in a stacking direction in the welded portion
Implementation Method 2
a welded portion in which the metal-supported cell and the separator are welded to each other
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell stack including: a metal-supported cell including a power generation cell formed of paired electrodes and an electrolyte sandwiched from both sides between the paired electrodes, and a metal supporting portion which is made of metal and which supports the power generation cell; a separator defining and forming a flow passage portion for gas flow between the separator and the power generation cell; a welded portion in which the metal-supported cell and the separator are welded to each other; a spring portion configured to apply absorption reaction force for absorbing displacement in a stacking direction in the welded portion to the metal-supported cell; and a stopper portion configured to restrict a displacement amount of the spring portion.