Fuel Cell Stack Pressurized by Press Forks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel cell stack assembly processes and components are complex and cumbersome, requiring multiple fasteners and increasing assembly time and weight.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell stack design that uses an enclosure with a housing and cover to pressurize and seal fuel cells, eliminating the need for end plates and fastening mechanisms by utilizing a press fork and fork grooves to apply and release pressure, reducing assembly processes and components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional end plates and fastening mechanisms are used to pressurize and assemble fuel cells, then the fuel cells are securely held in place, but the assembly process becomes complex and the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing combines multiple functions: it serves as both the enclosure and the pressurizing mechanism. The press fork integrates the pressing action and the positioning function into a single component, eliminating the need for separate end plates and fastening mechanisms. This merging of functions directly reduces assembly complexity while maintaining securing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing performs multiple roles simultaneously: it provides structural enclosure, applies pressurizing force through the press fork, and maintains fuel cell positioning. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated end plates and fastening components, simplifying the overall assembly process while ensuring reliable fuel cell securing.
2Reliability
If conventional end plates and fastening mechanisms are used to pressurize and assemble fuel cells, then the fuel cells are securely held in place, but the number of assembly components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing combines multiple functions: it serves as both the enclosure and the pressurizing mechanism. The press fork integrates the pressing action and the positioning function into a single component, eliminating the need for separate end plates and fastening mechanisms. This merging of functions directly reduces assembly complexity while maintaining securing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing performs multiple roles simultaneously: it provides structural enclosure, applies pressurizing force through the press fork, and maintains fuel cell positioning. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated end plates and fastening components, simplifying the overall assembly process while ensuring reliable fuel cell securing.
3Reliability
If conventional end plates and fastening mechanisms are used to pressurize and assemble fuel cells, then the fuel cells are securely held in place, but the weight of the fuel cell stack increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing combines multiple functions: it serves as both the enclosure and the pressurizing mechanism. The press fork integrates the pressing action and the positioning function into a single component, eliminating the need for separate end plates and fastening mechanisms. This merging of functions directly reduces assembly complexity while maintaining securing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing performs multiple roles simultaneously: it provides structural enclosure, applies pressurizing force through the press fork, and maintains fuel cell positioning. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated end plates and fastening components, simplifying the overall assembly process while ensuring reliable fuel cell securing.
4Reliability
If multiple fastening mechanisms are used to assemble fuel cells, then the fuel cells are securely fastened, but the assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel cells are pre-pressurized and positioned using the press fork before being inserted into the housing. This preliminary action ensures that the fuel cells are already in the correct position and under appropriate pressure, eliminating the need for time-consuming fastening operations after assembly. The securing action is performed in advance, reducing overall assembly time while maintaining fastening security.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing combines multiple functions: it serves as both the enclosure and the pressurizing mechanism. The press fork integrates the pressing action and the positioning function into a single component, eliminating the need for separate end plates and fastening mechanisms. This merging of functions directly reduces assembly complexity while maintaining securing reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell stack is provided and includes a fuel cell assembly in which a plurality of fuel cells are stacked between upper and lower current collectors. The fuel cell stack includes an enclosure that pressurizes and seals the fuel cell assembly in a stacked direction of the fuel cells.