Fuel Cell Stack Resin Load Receiver Impact Absorption

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Fuel cell stacks in vehicles are vulnerable to impact loads perpendicular to the stacking direction, leading to potential damage and movement of unit cells, as the clamping load only secures them in the stacking direction, not in directions perpendicular to it.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating resin load receivers and connecting members with specific geometric features, such as projecting and depressed portions, to absorb and distribute loads perpendicular to the stacking direction, ensuring secure engagement and minimizing the risk of damage from external impacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a clamping load is applied to the fastening member in the stacking direction, then the unit cells are protected from falling apart in the stacking direction, but movement of the unit cells in directions perpendicular to the stacking direction is likely to occur under impact load

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of unit cells in stacking directionVSAvoidresistance to impact load in perpendicular direction

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening member is divided into multiple fastening portions arranged in the stacking direction, with intermediate portions between them. The load receiver is specifically provided in these intermediate portions to handle perpendicular direction loads, while the fastening portions handle stacking direction clamping. This segmentation allows each part to specialize in different directional loads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds functionality in another dimension by providing load receivers that extend in the perpendicular direction (horizontal or height direction) rather than only in the stacking direction. The load receiver has a specific structure with a base and extending portion that can absorb impact loads from the side, complementing the vertical clamping function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If a load receiver is provided in the outer peripheral edge of the separators to absorb impact load, then movement of unit cells in perpendicular direction is reduced, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to impact loadVSAvoidstructural complexity of separator and load receiver

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The load receiver is integrated with the fastening member as a unified structure rather than being a separate component. The load receiver includes a base portion that can be formed as part of the fastening member itself, and an extending portion that provides the impact absorption function. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening member is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides clamping force in the stacking direction through its fastening portions, and simultaneously provides impact absorption in perpendicular directions through the load receiver. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated impact absorption components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If the space between the projecting portion and depressed portion is uniform, then manufacturing is simpler, but the engagement strength and load distribution are suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of engagement portion geometryVSAvoidengagement strength between load receiver and connecting member

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The space between the projecting portion and depressed portion is made non-uniform, with a smaller gap at the root portion of the projecting portion and a larger gap at the tip. This local variation in geometry concentrates the engagement force at the root portion where the structure is stronger, improving engagement strength without significantly complicating manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10026986B2Fuel cell stack

Publication Date: 2018.07.17 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A fuel cell stack includes unit cells, a resin load receiver, and a connecting member. The resin load receiver is provided in each of a first and second separators. The resin load receiver has a projecting portion that projects outwardly from an outer peripheral edge of each of the first and second separators and that has a projecting portion lateral face. The connecting member includes an engagement portion engaged with the resin load receiver and having a depressed portion into which the projecting portion is inserted and which has a depressed portion lateral face facing the projecting portion lateral face. A distance between the projecting portion lateral face and the depressed portion lateral face at a root portion of the projecting portion is smaller than a distance between the projecting portion lateral face and the depressed portion lateral face at an end of the projecting portion.