Fuel Cell Stack Integrating Impurity Removal and Thermal Insulation

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fuel cell stack structures require multiple non-electricity generating cells to provide functions like impurity removal, heat insulation, and current collection, leading to increased part count and stack length.

Innovation Solution

A fuel cell stack structure that integrates an electricity generating cell with a non-electricity generating cell, which includes layers for impurity removal, heat insulation, and current collection, allowing these functions to be compactly combined in a single non-electricity generating cell, with the heat insulating layer positioned nearest to the electricity generating cells to reduce heat release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple non-electricity generating cells are stacked to provide impurity removal, heat insulation, and current collection functions, then all desired functions are achieved, but the number of parts increases and the stack length increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional completenessVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges impurity removal, heat insulation, and current collection functions into a single non-electricity generating cell by stacking different functional layers (impurity removal layer, heat insulating layer, current collecting layer) within one cell structure, eliminating the need for multiple separate cells

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The non-electricity generating cell is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs impurity removal, heat insulation, and current collection, making one cell serve multiple purposes that previously required separate cells

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple non-electricity generating cells are stacked to provide impurity removal, heat insulation, and current collection functions, then all desired functions are achieved, but the stack length increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional completenessVSAvoidstack length

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges impurity removal, heat insulation, and current collection functions into a single non-electricity generating cell by stacking different functional layers (impurity removal layer, heat insulating layer, current collecting layer) within one cell structure, eliminating the need for multiple separate cells

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a horizontal arrangement of multiple cells to a vertical stacking of functional layers within a single cell, changing the spatial dimension of function distribution from cell-level to layer-level

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Temperature

If a heat insulating layer is provided to prevent temperature decrease of electricity generating cells, then temperature stability is improved, but the number of parts and structure complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature stabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heat insulating layer is integrated into the non-electricity generating cell structure, combining thermal insulation functionality with the cell's structural framework rather than adding it as a separate component

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The non-electricity generating cell structure serves dual purposes: maintaining electrical isolation while providing thermal insulation, making the heat insulating layer an integral part of the cell design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 configuration reduces the number of parts and stack length while effectively providing impurity removal, heat insulation, and current collection, enhancing the overall efficiency and performance of the fuel cell.

Implementation Method 1

a heat insulating layer to function as a heat insulating structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

an impurity removal layer to function as an impurity removal structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS8076041B2Fuel cell

Publication Date: 2011.12.13 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A heat insulating member is sandwiched by a first separator and a second separator. The heat insulating member functions as a heat insulating layer to prevent the temperature decrease of electricity generating cells. A first impurity removal flow path is formed in the space enclosed by the grooves on the surface of the second separator and a partition plate. A second impurity removal flow path is formed in the space enclosed by the grooves on the surface of a third separator and the partition plate. The impurity removal flow paths function as filters to remove the impurities contained in the reaction gases. A terminal functions as a current collecting layer to collect the electricity generated in the electricity generating cells. An end laminated body functions as a heat insulating layer to prevent the temperature decrease of the electricity generating cells, impurity removal layers to remove the impurities contained in the reaction gases and a current collecting layer to collect the electricity generated in the electricity generating cells.