Fuel Cell Membrane Humidifier Cartridge Sealing for Gap Tolerance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fuel cell membrane humidifiers suffer from gas bypass due to dimensional variations in the gap between the inner case and the mid-case, leading to reduced humidification efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of gaskets between the cap and the inner case, which transmit fastening forces to either a rib or a hook, ensuring these components seal the gap between the inner case and the partition, preventing gas bypass.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If dimensional tolerances are not controlled in the gap between inner case and mid-case, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but gas bypass occurs and humidification efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a gasket (flexible sealing element) positioned between the inner case and mid-case to seal the gap. The gasket deforms under compression from the cap to conform to surface irregularities, achieving reliable sealing without requiring high dimensional precision in the rigid components. This resolves the contradiction by using a flexible sealing element that compensates for manufacturing tolerances.
2Reliability
If the gap between inner case and mid-case is sealed with high precision, then gas bypass is prevented, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket serves as an intermediary sealing element between the inner case and mid-case. Instead of requiring precise mating surfaces of the rigid components, the gasket mediates the sealing function by deforming to fill gaps and conform to surfaces. This simplifies the overall sealing structure while maintaining high reliability.
3Force
If cap fastening force is applied, then sealing contact is ensured, but dimensional variations in the gap may still cause bypass
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the sealing interface by introducing a compliant gasket material that can deform under the applied fastening force from the cap. This parameter change (from rigid to compliant sealing) allows the system to accommodate dimensional variations in the gap while maintaining sealing effectiveness under compression.
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 effectively seals the gap between the inner case and the mid-case, preventing off-gas bypass and enhancing humidification efficiency by ensuring consistent contact and force transmission, even with manufacturing tolerances.
Implementation Method 1
a gasket which is positioned between the cap and the inner case and transmits the fastening force between the cap and the mid-case to the rib to seal the gap between the inner case and the partition
Implementation Method 2
a membrane that selectively transmits only the water vapor contained in exhaust gas
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a fuel cell membrane humidifier capable of preventing the bypass of exhaust gas by sealing a gap between an inner case and a middle case which form a cartridge, wherein the disclosed fuel cell membrane humidifier comprises:a middle case having a partition dividing an inner space;a first cap fastened to one side of the middle case; a second cap fastened to another side of the middle case;an inner case, which is disposed in the middle case and accommodates a plurality of hollow fiber membranes therein;a rib, which protrudes from one side of the inner case and is in contact with one surface of the partition;a hook, which protrudes from another side of the inner case and is in contact with another surface of the partition;a first gasket, which is disposed between the first cap and the inner case and transmits, to the rib, a fastening force between the first cap and the middle case; anda second gasket, which is disposed between the second cap and the inner case and transmits, to the hook, the fastening force between the second cap and the middle case.