Strippable Adhesive for Electrochemical Cell Stacks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing bonding methods in electrochemical cell stacks, such as fuel cell stacks, are difficult to dismantle for replacing defective components without causing leakage or damage, as they rely on mechanical clamping and silicone seals, which are cumbersome and time-consuming to reassemble.
Innovation Solution
The use of a strippable pressure-sensitive adhesive strip that can be detached without residue or damage by stretching, allowing for easy replacement and reassembly of components in electrochemical cell stacks, particularly in fuel cell systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical clamping devices and silicone seals are used to bond components in electrochemical cell stacks, then the bonding strength and sealing reliability are improved, but the ease of disassembly and reassembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical and physical parameters of the bonding material from permanent mechanical clamping and curing adhesives to pressure-sensitive adhesives that exhibit reversible bonding behavior. The PSA maintains strong bonding under compression (improving reliability) but can be easily removed by stretching (improving ease of repair), thus resolving the contradiction between bonding strength and disassembly ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic characteristics to the bonding system by using pressure-sensitive adhesive that responds differently to compressive forces (maintaining bond) versus tensile forces (allowing easy removal). This dynamic response enables the same bonding material to provide both strong sealing reliability and easy disassembly, resolving the technical contradiction.
2Strength
If conventional adhesives are used to bond components in electrochemical cell stacks, then the bonding strength is improved, but the time required for disassembly and reassembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temporal parameters of the bonding material by selecting pressure-sensitive adhesives with appropriate tackification characteristics that allow immediate bonding strength while enabling rapid removal. This eliminates the time-consuming disassembly process associated with conventional adhesives that require curing or mechanical fastening, thus resolving the contradiction between bonding strength and reassembly time.
3Ease of repair
If pressure-sensitive adhesive strips are used to bond components in electrochemical cell stacks, then the ease of disassembly is improved, but the bonding strength may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing the PSA strip with specific properties at different locations: the adhesive layer provides strong bonding to substrates, while the elastomeric carrier layer provides the mechanical strength and elasticity needed for easy removal. This localized functional differentiation allows the composite structure to achieve both strong bonding and easy disassembly, resolving the technical contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structure combining pressure-sensitive adhesive layer with elastomeric carrier layer. The adhesive layer ensures strong bonding to components, while the elastomeric carrier provides mechanical strength and flexibility for easy removal by stretching. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between bonding strength and ease of disassembly.
4Device complexity
If adhesive bonding is used to replace mechanical clamping and sealing, then the device complexity is reduced, but the risk of leakage during disassembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the bonding system by using pressure-sensitive adhesive with high elongation capacity. This allows the adhesive to accommodate dimensional changes and stress during disassembly without failing, thereby reducing leakage risk while maintaining simple adhesive-only construction, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and leakage risk.
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
Enables residue-free and non-destructive detachment of the adhesive strip, reducing the risk of leakage during reassembly and facilitating the replacement of defective components in electrochemical cell stacks, improving the efficiency and reliability of fuel cell systems.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure-sensitive adhesive strip which can be detached again by stretching essentially in the bond plane
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electrochemical cell or a stack of at least two electrochemical cells, wherein at least two components of the electrochemical cell or of the stack of electrochemical cells are bonded together by means of a strip of adhesive which can be removed again, in particular without residue or destruction, by stretching substantially in the bonding plane, wherein the strip of adhesive comprises one or more adhesive material layers and optionally one or more carrier layers, and wherein the outer upper surface and the outer lower surface of the strip of adhesive are formed by the one or more adhesive material layers. The invention also relates to the use of a strip of adhesive of this kind for bonding together components in an electrochemical cell or in a stack of at least two electrochemical cells.