Fuel Cell Membrane Humidifier Sealing and Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell membrane humidifiers face issues with gas leakage due to repeated operation and stop, which degrades power generation efficiency, and existing solutions have high manufacturing costs and low productivity.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell membrane humidifier design featuring a humidification module with a mid-case having a step and a bracket supported by the step, along with a packing member and damping protrusion to prevent gas leakage and vibration, eliminating the need for sealant application and curing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealant is applied to prevent gas leakage between mid-case and fixing layer, then sealing reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and time increase due to additional application and curing processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the sealant application process from the manufacturing workflow. Instead of applying sealant between the mid-case and fixing layer, the design uses a self-sealing structure where the fixing layer is directly supported by the mid-case with integrated sealing features, removing the need for separate sealing materials and their associated application and curing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing layer structure is designed to self-seal against gas leakage without requiring external sealant materials. The mid-case and fixing layer are configured with geometric features that create inherent sealing, allowing the structure to prevent gas leakage through its own design rather than requiring additional sealing components or processes.
2Reliability
If sealant curing process is implemented to ensure sealing, then gas leakage prevention is improved, but productivity decreases due to extended manufacturing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the sealant curing process entirely from the manufacturing sequence. The design achieves gas leakage prevention through mechanical and geometric sealing features integrated into the mid-case and fixing layer structure, eliminating the time-consuming curing step that would otherwise be required to achieve reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is built into the structure during the manufacturing of the mid-case and fixing layer components themselves, rather than being added as a subsequent step. The geometric features that provide sealing are formed as part of the base components, so sealing capability is present before assembly occurs, eliminating the need for post-assembly curing processes.
3Reliability
If bracket and packing member structure is added to prevent gas leakage, then sealing performance is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the separate bracket and packing member components that would traditionally be used to prevent gas leakage. Instead, the sealing function is integrated directly into the mid-case and fixing layer structures through geometric features, removing unnecessary intermediate components and simplifying the overall assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is merged with the structural components themselves. The mid-case and fixing layer are designed with integrated sealing features that combine the structural support and sealing functions into single components, eliminating the need for separate bracket and packing member elements.
4Stability of the object's composition
If damping protrusion is added to suppress vibration, then operational stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration suppression function is merged with the existing mid-case structure. The damping protrusion is formed as an integrated feature of the mid-case rather than as a separate component, combining the structural housing function with the vibration damping function in a single element that requires no additional assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping protrusion utilizes the elastic deformation of the mid-case material to suppress vibration. The protrusion is designed with dimensions and material properties that allow it to flex and absorb vibrational energy, providing vibration suppression through the inherent flexibility of the shell structure rather than through rigid mechanical dampers.
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
This design improves workability, reduces manufacturing time and costs, prevents gas leakage, and suppresses vibrations, enhancing sealing efficiency and productivity.
Implementation Method 1
a selective permeable membrane used in the membrane humidification scheme is preferably a hollow fiber membrane having a large permeable area per unit volume when a module is formed
Implementation Method 2
a damping protrusion fitted into the fixing layer to suppress a vibration generated in the cartridge using air flowing inside the humidification module
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a fuel cell membrane humidifier which can prevent gas leakage due to repetition of driving and stopping of a fuel cell, can be manufactured with relatively low manufacturing costs and high productivity, and can suppress vibrations generated during operation. A fuel cell membrane humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a humidification module for humidifying air supplied from the outside with moisture in exhaust gas discharged from a fuel cell stack; and caps respectively coupled to both ends of the humidification module. The humidification module comprises: a mid-case which has both ends opened and a step difference formed on the inner circumferential surface thereof; at least one cartridge which is disposed within the mid-case and accommodates a plurality of hollow fiber membranes; a fixed layer in which ends of the hollow fiber membranes are potted and supported by the inner wall of the mid-case; a bracket which is supported by the step difference of the mid-case and is in contact with the fixed layer; and a packing member which has a groove into which an end of the mid-case is fitted and is in contact with the bracket. In addition, the humidification module has a damping protrusion which is formed on the inner wall of the mid-case and fitted into the fixed layer to suppress vibration generated in the cartridge by air flowing inside the humidification module.