Fuel Cell Stack Terminal Stability via Protrusion Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel cell stacks experience tilting of cell voltage terminals due to their thin plate thickness, which compromises their stability during stacking.
Innovation Solution
The fuel cell stack design incorporates cell voltage terminals with first and second protrusions that face and contact each other through an electrically insulating member, providing support and preventing tilting in the stacking direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If cell voltage terminals are supported only by the separator body with thin plate thickness, then the structure is simple, but the terminals tilt easily in the stacking direction
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from single-sided support (one dimension) to dual-sided support by adding protrusions that extend in the stacking direction. The first protrusion extends from one separator body and the second protrusion extends from the opposite separator body, creating support in both directions along the stacking axis. This dimensional extension provides mutual support between opposing terminals, preventing tilting while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Volume of moving object
If the plate thickness of separator body is thin, then the device is compact, but the cell voltage terminals tilt easily
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is segmented between two separate components: the first protrusion from one separator body and the second protrusion from the opposite separator body. Each protrusion provides localized support at its respective end, and together they create a distributed support system that stabilizes the terminal without requiring increased separator thickness. This segmentation allows thin separators to achieve collective stability through coordinated multi-point support.
3Stability of the object's composition
If cell voltage terminals are arranged to face each other with protrusions contacting through insulating member, then terminal tilt is suppressed, but electrical insulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical insulation function is merged with the mechanical support function. The insulating member is positioned at the contact point between the first protrusion and second protrusion, serving dual purposes: providing electrical insulation between opposing terminals and acting as a mechanical stop that prevents excessive compression and maintains terminal alignment. This merging eliminates the need for separate insulation structures, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining stability.
Data Source
AI summary
Each of separator members of a fuel cell stack includes a cell voltage terminal protruding outward from an outer peripheral portion of a separator body. Each of the cell voltage terminals includes a plate shaped terminal, first protrusions, and second protrusions. At least some of the cell voltage terminals are arranged in a line in a stacking direction. In the cell voltage terminals facing each other in the stacking direction, the first protrusion of one of the cell voltage terminals and the second protrusion of the other of the cell voltage terminals face each other, and contact each other through an electrically insulating member.