Fuel Cell Stack Fastening Band Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fuel cell stack fastening methods result in increased size, weight, and surface area, leading to heat radiation issues and reduced assembly efficiency, with complex and time-consuming assembly processes.

Innovation Solution

A compact fuel cell stack design using a fastener band with engagement portions and pins that surround the cell stack, allowing for direct or indirect engagement to secure the stack with fewer components and steps, reducing protrusions and heat radiation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fastener rods (bolts and nuts) are used to fasten the cell stack, then the fastening structure is simple and reliable, but the protruding portions increase the size and surface area of the fuel cell

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening reliabilityVSAvoidfuel cell surface area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a band-like fastener with engagement portions that wraps around the cell stack body, replacing rigid bolts and nuts with a flexible band structure. This thin film approach eliminates protruding fastening components while maintaining secure fastening through the engagement portions that interface with the end plates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Strength

If bolts and nuts are used for fastening, then the fastening strength is sufficient, but the number of components and assembly steps increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening strengthVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple fastening functions into a single integrated band structure. The band-like fastener with engagement portions replaces the separate bolt and nut components, consolidating the fastening system into one piece that performs both clamping and securing functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The band-like fastener serves multiple functions: it provides clamping force through its tension, secures the engagement portions to the end plates, and maintains uniform pressure distribution across the cell stack. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If bolts and nuts are used for fastening, then the fastening reliability is maintained, but the assembly time and manufacturing steps increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening reliabilityVSAvoidassembly efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement portions are pre-formed on the band structure during manufacturing, eliminating the need for现场 assembly of multiple components. The band is prepared with integrated engagement features before installation, allowing for faster on-site assembly while maintaining fastening reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Stability of the object's composition

If welding is used to form the annular band, then the band structure is complete, but heat is transmitted to heat-sensitive components degrading durability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveband structure integrityVSAvoidfuel cell durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the thermal welding process with a mechanical joining method. The band structure achieves structural integrity through mechanical engagement of the fastening portions with the end plates, eliminating the need for heat input and protecting heat-sensitive fuel cell components from thermal damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution enables a compact fuel cell stack with reduced surface area and assembly complexity, maintaining performance while simplifying the assembly process and minimizing heat radiation.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member (33) which applies an elastic force to the cell stack structure (20)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2360768B1Cell stack of fuel cells and method for fastening cell stack of fuel cells

Publication Date: 2014.06.04 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP

Figure 1
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Figure 3A

AI summary

A cell stack of a fuel cell of the present invention comprises a cell stack body (50) including a cell stack structure (20), an elastic member (33) disposed at an end of the cell stack structure (20) in a direction in which the cells (10) are stacked, and a pair of end plates (34, 34) sandwiching the cell stack structure (20) and the elastic member (33), and a fastener band (80) extending to surround the cell stack body (50) and to cover a pair of end surfaces and a pair of opposing side surfaces of the cell stack body (50), the fastener band including a first band engagement portion (68) and a second band engagement portion (78) at both end portions thereof, respectively, and the cell stack body (50) is fastened by the fastener band by direct or indirect engagement between the first band engagement portion (68) and the second band engagement portion (78).