Membrane Humidifier Ring Sealing for Airtight Air Chamber Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing humidifiers for fuel cell systems have complex and difficult-to-manufacture sealing arrangements, which complicate assembly and increase production costs.
Innovation Solution
A humidifier design utilizing three or four separate ring seals to create an airtight sealing arrangement around the flow surfaces of a cuboid membrane block, eliminating the need for additional sealing elements and simplifying the structure for easier assembly and production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex sealing arrangement with multiple separate sealing elements is used to seal the membrane block to the housing, then airtight separation of air chambers is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate sealing elements into a single integrated sealing element that performs all sealing functions. This sealing element includes a first sealing portion for sealing the first air chamber and a second sealing portion for sealing the second air chamber, eliminating the need for multiple separate sealing components and their associated mounting structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The single sealing element is designed to perform multiple sealing functions simultaneously. It seals both the first air chamber and the second air chamber to the housing, and also provides structural support for the membrane block, thereby reducing the overall number of components needed in the system.
2Reliability
If multiple separate sealing elements and mounting structures are used, then comprehensive sealing coverage is achieved, but ease of manufacture and assembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple sealing functions into a single manufacturable component. The sealing element can be produced as one piece using standard manufacturing processes, eliminating the need for multiple assembly steps to install separate sealing elements and their mounting structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is designed with distinct sealing portions (first sealing portion and second sealing portion) that are integrated into a single structure. Each portion is optimized for its specific sealing function while maintaining overall structural integrity, allowing for easier manufacturing compared to multiple separate components.
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 simplified sealing arrangement reduces manufacturing complexity and costs while maintaining airtight separation of air chambers, enhancing the operational stability and efficiency of the humidifier.
Implementation Method 1
a cuboid membrane block made of several water- or water vapor-permeable membranes... with the water or water vapor being transferred from the moist cathode exhaust air to the dry cathode supply air via the membranes of the membrane block
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 1
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a humidifier (1) comprising a housing (2), a cuboid membrane block (3), and a sealing arrangement (4). The membrane block (3) has two end faces (6a, 6b) and four flow-through surfaces (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) and is accommodated in the housing (2) such that an air chamber (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) is formed between each flow-through surface (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) and a region of the housing (2). The respective air chambers (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) are hermetically sealed from one another within the housing (2) by means of the sealing arrangement (4). According to the invention, the sealing arrangement (4) is formed from three or four ring seals (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) which are assigned to the respective flow-through surfaces (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d). The respective ring seal (5a,5b,5c,5d) surrounds the associated flow area (7a,7b,7c,7d) at its edge and is arranged to seal between the associated flow area (7a,7b,7c,7d) and the housing (2).