KR20230012407A - Bead type separator for fuel cell and its assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bead-type separator for a fuel cell and an assembly including the same, which prevents a bead seal portion from being deformed by external pressure when stacked to reduce air tightness. The bead-type separator for a fuel cell according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: an outer bead seal formed in a plate shape to protrude such that the outer circumference is sealed; a plurality of manifold through-holes where reaction gas or cooling water is introduced or discharged; a plurality of inner bead seals protruding to seal the circumference of each area where the manifold through-hole is formed; and at least one connection bead seal formed in at least one inner bead seal among the inner bead seals to communicate with the outer bead seal.

Description

Bead type separator for fuel cell and its assembly {Bead type separator for fuel cell and its assembly}

The present invention relates to a bead-type separator for a fuel cell and an assembly thereof, and more particularly, to a bead-type separator for a fuel cell and an assembly thereof capable of preventing deterioration of airtightness due to deformation of a bead seal portion from external pressure during lamination. it's about

A fuel cell is a kind of power generation device that converts the chemical energy of fuel into electrical energy by electrochemically reacting it in a stack. It can be used for, and recently, its use area is gradually expanding as a high-efficiency clean energy source.

A typical fuel cell stack has a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) located at the innermost part. This membrane-electrode assembly has a polymer electrolyte membrane capable of transporting hydrogen cations (protons) and hydrogen on both sides of the electrolyte membrane. It consists of a catalyst layer coated so that oxygen can react with it, that is, an anode and a cathode.

In addition, a gas diffusion layer (GDL) is stacked on the outside of the membrane electrode assembly, that is, on the outside where the fuel electrode and the air electrode are located, and fuel is supplied to the outside of the gas diffusion layer and water generated by the reaction is stored. A separator plate having a flow field for discharge is positioned with a gasket therebetween, and an end plate for supporting and fixing each of the above components is coupled to the outermost part.

Therefore, in the anode of the fuel cell stack, an oxidation reaction of hydrogen proceeds to generate hydrogen ions (Proton) and electrons (Proton), and at this time, the generated hydrogen ions and electrons move to the air electrode through the electrolyte membrane and the wire, respectively. In the air electrode, water is generated through an electrochemical reaction in which hydrogen ions and electrons moved from the fuel electrode and oxygen in the air participate, and at the same time, electric energy is generated from the flow of electrons.

On the other hand, the separator is a component that serves to allow hydrogen and air, which are reaction gases, and coolant for cooling purposes to flow in and out of each channel, and includes a land that serves as a support and a channel that serves as a fluid flow path (flow path). ) is generally manufactured in a structure in which a repetition is formed.

That is, since a general separator has a structure in which lands and channels (flow paths) are repeatedly bent, the channel on one side facing the gas diffusion layer is used as a space through which reaction gases such as hydrogen or air flow, and at the same time, the opposite channel is As it is used as a space through which cooling water flows, one unit cell can be configured with a total of two separator plates, one separator having a hydrogen/coolant channel and one separator having an air/coolant channel.

On the other hand, a plurality of manifold through-holes, which are passages through which reaction gas or cooling water is introduced and discharged, are formed in the separator plate, and a passage through which reaction gas or cooling water flows is formed between the inlet-side manifold through-hole and the outlet-side manifold through-hole. A reaction surface is formed. At this time, the passage is formed by the above-described repeated structure of lands and channels.

Further, a diffusion part may be formed between the reaction surface, the inlet-side manifold through-hole, and the outlet-side manifold through-hole so that the reaction gas or cooling water may be diffused.

Meanwhile, the manifold through-hole, the reaction surface, and the diffusion part are spaces in which reaction gas or coolant is introduced, discharged, or flows, and an airtight line is formed along the circumference of the manifold through-hole for airtightness by a gasket.

In general, the airtight line is formed by injecting a rubber gasket to a predetermined thickness on the surface of the separator.

However, in the case of forming the hermetic line using a general method of forming the hermetic line, there is a problem in that the amount of gasket used increases and the quality of the hermetic line varies by region depending on the quality of the gasket.

So, in order to solve the problem of the general confidential line, research is being conducted on how to form the confidential line in a different way.

A typical example is to form a bead-type airtight line.

1 is a plan view showing a conventional bead-type separator plate assembly for a fuel cell, and FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a conventional bead-type separator plate assembly for a fuel cell.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the conventional bead-type separator plate assembly 10 for a fuel cell, a pair of plate-shaped separator plates 10a and 10b face each other and are bonded. At this time, a plurality of manifold through-holes 11, which are passages through which reaction gas or cooling water is introduced and discharged, are formed in each of the separation plates 10a and 10b, similarly to general separation plates. And, between the inlet-side manifold through-hole 11 and the outlet-side manifold through-hole 11, a reaction surface 12 is formed in which a passage through which the reaction gas or cooling water flows is formed. And, a diffusion part 13 is formed between the reaction surface 12 and the inlet manifold through hole 11 and the outlet manifold through hole 11 so that the reaction gas or cooling water can be diffused.

In addition, an outer bead seal 14 protruding for sealing along the outer edge of each of the separator plates 10a and 10b is formed, and a plurality of manifold through holes 11 are formed for sealing along the circumference of each area. A plurality of protruding inner bead seals 15 are formed.

At this time, a gasket (not shown), which is a sealing material made of rubber, is applied to the surfaces of the outer bead seal 14 and the inner bead seal 15 to achieve an airtight effect by the outer bead seal 14 and the inner bead seal 15. can do.

On the other hand, the plurality of manifold through-holes 11 are formed by penetrating the plate-shaped separator plates 10a and 10b, and the lands and channels forming the passage are separated from the outer bead seal 14 and the inner bead seal 15. It is formed by forming irregularities on the plates 10a and 10b. Therefore, since the outer bead seal 14 and the inner bead seal 15 can be formed at the same time during the press process performed to form the land and the channel, a separate process is not additionally performed.

And, as shown in FIG. 2, while the pair of separator plates 10a and 10b are bonded, an outer airtight line 14a composed of an outer bead seal 14 formed on each separator 10a and 10b is formed, A plurality of inner hermetic lines 15a composed of a plurality of inner bead seals 15 are formed.

Meanwhile, FIGS. 3A to 3C are views showing a path through which reaction gas or coolant is introduced or discharged in a conventional bead-type separator plate assembly for a fuel cell. FIG. 3A is a hydrogen outlet manifold through-hole through which hydrogen, a reaction gas, is discharged. 11a is a view showing a flow path of hydrogen, FIG. 3b is a view showing a flow path of cooling water in the manifold through-hole 11b at the inlet side of the cooling water into which the cooling water flows, and FIG. It is a view showing a path through which air flows in the manifold through-hole 11c at the inlet side of the incoming air.

As shown in FIG. 3A, hydrogen remaining after reacting on the reaction surface 12 flows through the lower surface of the separator plate assembly 10, and then the pair of separator plates 10a and 10b constituting the separator plate assembly 10 ) After passing through the hydrogen discharge passage 16 formed at the interface, hydrogen is discharged to the outside of the fuel cell stack through the manifold through-hole 11a at the outlet side.

And, as shown in FIG. 3B, the cooling water introduced from the outside of the fuel cell stack flows through the cooling water inlet side manifold through hole 11b, and then a pair of separator plates 10a constituting the separator plate assembly 10. , 10b) After passing through the cooling water inlet passage 17 formed at the interface, it flows into the reaction surface 12.

And, as shown in FIG. 3C, air introduced from the outside of the fuel cell stack flows through the manifold through-hole 11c at the air inlet side, and then a pair of separator plates 10a constituting the separator plate assembly 10. , 10b) After passing through the air inlet passage 18 formed at the interface, the air flows through the upper surface of the separator plate assembly 10 and flows into the reaction surface 12 .

Therefore, in the conventional bead-type separation plate assembly 10 for a fuel cell, hydrogen, air, and cooling water, which are reaction gases, are introduced into the inlet manifold through-hole 11, pass through the reaction surface 12, and then pass through the outlet manifold. While being discharged to the through hole 11, it flows regardless of the outer airtight line 14a and the inner airtight line 15a.

Therefore, since the insides of the outer airtight line 14a and the inner airtight line 15a are empty in the conventional bead type separator assembly 10 for fuel cells, when a fuel cell stack is formed by stacking a plurality of unit cells As the unit cell is compressed, structural deformation of the outer bead seal 14 and the inner bead seal 15 occurs, resulting in a decrease in surface pressure, resulting in a decrease in airtightness.

The description of the above background art is only for understanding the background of the present invention, and should not be taken as an admission that it corresponds to the prior art already known to those skilled in the art.

JP 6731008 B2 (2020.07.07) JP 6563966 B2 (2019.08.02)

The present invention provides a bead-type separator for a fuel cell and an assembly thereof capable of preventing deterioration of airtightness as the structure of a bead seal is deformed from external pressure during stacking of unit cells.

In addition, the present invention provides a bead-type separator for a fuel cell and an assembly thereof capable of preventing cooling water from flowing into an undesirable area and corroding the interior of the separator.

A bead-type separator for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention is a bead-type separator for a fuel cell, which is formed in a plate shape and has an outer bead seal protruding for sealing along the outer edge, and reaction gas or coolant is introduced or discharged. A plurality of manifold through-holes are formed, a plurality of inner bead seals protruding for sealing are formed along the circumference of each area where the manifold through-holes are formed, and at least one of the inner bead seals is formed. It is characterized in that at least one connection bead seal is formed in communication with the outer bead seal.

The connection bead seal is characterized in that it is formed to communicate with an inner bead seal formed along a circumference of a manifold through-hole through which a reaction gas flows among a plurality of manifold through-holes.

The manifold through-hole through which the reaction gas is introduced may be a manifold through-hole into which air is introduced.

In the separator plate, a reaction surface is formed between a manifold through-hole through which a reaction gas or cooling water flows and a flow path through which a reaction gas or cooling water flows is formed between a manifold through-hole through which reaction gas or cooling water is discharged, and air flows into the separator plate. A plurality of air inlet passages through which air introduced from the manifold through hole through which air is introduced into the reaction surface are formed between the manifold through hole and the reaction surface, and the inner bead seal communicates with the air inlet passage. It is characterized in that it is formed so as to be.

The width of the connection bead seal is characterized in that the same or increases in the direction from the inner bead seal to the outer bead seal.

A sealing material is applied to the surfaces of the outer bead seal and the inner bead seal.

Meanwhile, a bead-type separator plate assembly for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention is a bead-type separator plate assembly for a fuel cell in which a pair of bead-type separator plates are bonded to each other, and is formed in a plate shape and protrudes for sealing along the outer edge. A first outer bead seal is formed, a plurality of first manifold through-holes are formed through which reaction gas or coolant is introduced or discharged, and protrudes for sealing along the circumference of each area where the first manifold through-holes are formed. a first separator on which a plurality of first inner bead seals are formed; It is formed in a plate shape and is bonded and integrated with the first separator plate, and a second outer bead seal protruding in a direction opposite to the protrusion direction of the first outer bead seal is formed at a position corresponding to the position where the first outer bead seal is formed. And a second separator having a plurality of second inner bead seals protruding in a direction opposite to the protrusion direction of the first inner bead seal at a position corresponding to the position where the first inner bead seal is formed, and wherein the first inner bead seal is formed. As the first separation plate and the second separation plate are joined, an outer airtight line composed of the first outer bead seal and the second outer bead seal is formed, and a plurality of inners composed of the plurality of first inner bead seals and the second inner bead seal A hermetic line is formed, and at least one connection hermetic line communicating with the outer hermetic line is formed on at least one inner hermetic line of the plurality of inner hermetic lines.

A plurality of second manifold through-holes are formed in the second separator plate at positions corresponding to the positions where the plurality of first manifold through-holes formed in the first separator plate are formed so that reaction gas or cooling water is introduced or discharged. , The connection airtight line communicates with an inner airtight line formed along the circumference of the first manifold through hole and the second manifold through hole through which the reaction gas flows among the plurality of first manifold through holes and second manifold through holes. It is characterized in that it is formed so as to be.

The first manifold through-hole and the second manifold through-hole through which the reaction gas flows are characterized in that the first manifold through-hole and the second manifold through-hole through which air flows.

In the first separator, a flow path through which the reaction gas or cooling water flows is formed between the first manifold through-hole through which the reaction gas or cooling water flows and the first manifold through-hole through which the reaction gas or cooling water is discharged. A plurality of first manifold through-holes are formed between the first manifold through-hole through which air is introduced and the first reaction surface through which air introduced from the first manifold through-hole into which air flows into the first reaction surface. An air inlet passage is formed, the first inner bead seal is formed to communicate with the first air inlet passage, and a second manifold through-hole through which a reaction gas or cooling water is introduced and a reaction gas or cooling water are formed in a second separator plate. A second reaction surface is formed between the second manifold through-holes through which the gas is discharged, and a flow path through which the reaction gas or cooling water flows is formed. A plurality of second air inlet passages through which air introduced from the introduced second manifold through-hole flows into the second reaction surface are formed, and the second inner bead seal is formed to communicate with the second air inlet passage, , While the first separator and the second separator are bonded, a plurality of air inlet lines composed of the first air inlet passage and the second air inlet passage are formed, and the inner airtight line is formed to communicate with the air inlet line. characterized by

The cross-sectional area of the connection hermetic line is the same or increases in the direction from the inner hermetic line to the outer hermetic line.

It is characterized in that a sealing material is applied to the surface of the outer confidential line and the inner confidential line.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, in order to secure airtightness, the pressure inside the airtight line may be increased by flowing the reaction gas into the airtight line formed by the bead seal of the bead type separator.

Accordingly, since it is possible to prevent the bead seal from being deformed by external pressure during stacking of the unit cells, the rigidity of the airtight line is maintained at a high level and the surface pressure can be maintained uniformly, thereby improving the driving efficiency of the fuel cell stack. .

In addition, since it is possible to prevent the cooling water from being undesirably introduced into the airtight line, it is possible to prevent the inside of the airtight line from being corroded by the cooling water, thereby improving the durability of the fuel cell stack.

On the other hand, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the connection bead seal that communicates the outer bead seal and the inner bead seal can be formed together in the press molding process of forming the outer bead seal and the inner bead seal, there is no additional cost increase, Since the fluid filled in the airtight line also uses air as a reaction gas, the above effects can be expected without additional cost increase.

1 is a plan view showing a conventional bead-type separator plate assembly for a fuel cell;
2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a conventional bead-type separator plate assembly for a fuel cell;
3A to 3C are views showing a path through which reaction gas or coolant is introduced or discharged in a conventional bead-type separator plate assembly for a fuel cell;
4 is a plan view showing a first separator constituting a bead-type separator plate assembly for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention;
5 is a plan view showing a second separator constituting a bead-type separator plate assembly for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention;
6 is a view showing a main part of a bead-type separator plate assembly for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention;
7 is a view showing a path through which air is introduced from a main part of a bead-type separator plate assembly for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention;
8A and 8B are views showing a path through which air flows in a bead-type separator plate assembly for a fuel cell according to Comparative Examples and Examples.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but will be implemented in a variety of different forms, only these embodiments will complete the disclosure of the present invention, and will fully cover the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. It is provided to inform you. Like reference numerals designate like elements in the drawings.

4 is a plan view showing a first separator constituting a bead-type separator plate assembly for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a bead-type separator plate assembly for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a main part of a bead-type separator plate assembly for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a bead-type fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is a view showing a path through which air is introduced from the main part of the separation plate assembly.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the bead-type separator plate assembly 1 for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention has a structure similar to that of the conventional bead-type separator plate assembly 10 as a whole.

For example, in the bead-type separator plate assembly 1 for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention, a pair of plate-shaped separator plates 100 and 200 are bonded to each other to be integrated. At this time, the pair of separation plates 100 and 200 are referred to as a first separation plate 100 and a second separation plate 200, respectively. So, the first separator 100 is a cathode-side separator and corresponds to the separator disposed on the upper side among the pair of separators in FIGS. 2 and 5, and the second separator 200 is the anode ( As the anode) side separator, it corresponds to the separator disposed on the lower side among the pair of separator plates in FIGS. 2 and 5 .

Since the first separating plate 100 and the second separating plate 200 are formed to be symmetrical to each other based on the surfaces facing each other, their shapes and components will be described based on the first separating plate 100 and overlapping The description is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the first separator 100 is formed in a plate shape and has a plurality of first manifold through-holes 110 through which reaction gas or coolant is introduced or discharged on both sides. At this time, the first manifold through-hole 110 includes the inlet-side first manifold through-holes 110f, 110c, and 110b through which reaction gas or cooling water flows in and the outlet-side first manifold through-hole through which reaction gas or cooling water is discharged ( 110a, 110d, 110e). So, as shown in FIG. 4, one side of the first separator 100 has one inlet-side first manifold through-hole 110f through which hydrogen as a reaction gas flows in, cooling water and air as a reaction gas are discharged, respectively. Two outlet-side first manifold through-holes 110e and 110d are formed. And, on the other side of the first separator 100, one outlet-side first manifold through-hole 110a through which hydrogen as a reaction gas is discharged and two inlet-side first manifold through-holes 110a into which cooling water and air as a reaction gas are respectively introduced. Manifold through-holes 110b and 110c are formed. So hydrogen and air flow in opposite directions, and cooling water flows in the same direction as air. Of course, the function of the proposed manifold through-hole 110 may be variously changed depending on the shape of the separator and product specifications.

In addition, in the first separator 100, between the inlet-side first manifold through-holes 110f, 110c, and 110b and the outlet-side first manifold through-holes 110a, 110d, and 110e, preferably the first separator plate A flow path through which the reaction gas or cooling water flows is formed between the first manifold through-holes 110d, 110e, and 110f formed on one side and the first manifold through-holes 110a, 110b, and 110c formed on the other side of the A first reaction surface 120 is formed. And, the reaction gas or cooling water is diffused between the first reaction surface 120 and the inlet-side first manifold through-holes 110f, 110c, and 110b and the outlet-side first manifold through-holes 110a, 110d, and 110e. The first diffusion part 130 is formed so that

Meanwhile, on the first separator 100, the first reaction surface 120, the first diffusion part 130, and the plurality of first manifold through-holes 110 are all surrounded by the outside of the first separator 100. A first outer bead seal 140 protruding for sealing along is formed. In addition, a plurality of first inner bead seals 150 protruding for sealing are formed along the periphery of each region where the plurality of first manifold through holes 110 are formed.

In addition, at least one first connection bead seal 160 communicating with the first outer bead seal 140 is formed on at least one of the plurality of first inner bead seals 150. do. At this time, the number, shape and position of the first connecting bead seals 160 may be variously changed according to the shape and size of the first separator 100 .

In addition, between the inlet-side first manifold through-hole 110c through which air is introduced and the first reaction surface 120, preferably between the inlet-side first manifold through-hole 110c into which air is introduced and the first diffusion part Between the 130, a plurality of first air flows through the first manifold through-hole 110c on the inlet side through which air is introduced, and flows into the first reaction surface 120 through the first diffusion part 130. An inflow passage 111 is formed. At this time, the first air inlet passage 111 is formed to protrude in the same direction as the first inner bead seal 150 and the first outer bead seal 140 .

In particular, the first inner bead seal 150 is formed to communicate with the first air introduction passage 111 . 7, the air introduced from the first manifold through-hole 110c on the inlet side through which air is introduced flows into the first air inlet passage 111, and some of it flows into the first inner bead seal 150. Next, it flows to the first outer bead seal 140 through the first connecting bead seal 160 . Then, among the air introduced from the first manifold through-hole 110c at the inlet side through which air is introduced, the rest of the air is introduced into the first reaction surface 120 via the first diffusion unit 130 .

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the second separator 200 is formed in a plate shape similar to the first separator 100, and has a plurality of second manifold through-holes through which reaction gas or coolant is introduced or discharged on both sides 210) is formed. In addition, the second reaction surface 220 and the second diffusion part 230 are formed on the second separator 200 like the first separator 100 .

In addition, the outer boundary of the second separator 200 surrounds the second reaction surface 220, the second diffusion part 230, and the plurality of second manifold through-holes 210 on the second separator 200. A second outer bead seal 240 protruding for sealing along is formed. Further, a plurality of second inner bead seals 250 protruding for sealing are formed along the periphery of each region where the plurality of second manifold through holes 210 are formed.

In addition, at least one second connection bead seal 260 communicating with the second outer bead seal 240 is formed on at least one second inner bead seal 250 among the plurality of second inner bead seals 250. A plurality of second air inlet passages 211 are formed between the second manifold through hole 210c at the inlet side through which air is introduced and the second diffusion part 230.

At this time, the second outer bead seal 240 formed on the second separator 200, the plurality of second inner bead seals 250, the second air inlet passage 211, and the second connection bead seal 260 are The position where the first outer bead seal 140, the plurality of first inner bead seals 150, the first air inlet passage 111, and the first connection bead seal 160 are formed on the first separation plate 100 and A first outer bead seal 140, a plurality of first inner bead seals 150, a first air introduction channel 111, and a first connection bead formed at corresponding positions and formed on the first separation plate 100 It protrudes in a direction opposite to the protrusion direction of the seal 160 .

Thus, the outer airtight line 140a composed of the first outer bead seal 140 and the second outer bead seal 240 is formed as the first separator 100 and the second separator 200 face each other and are bonded. do. Then, a plurality of inner airtight lines 150a composed of a plurality of first inner bead seals 150 and second inner bead seals 250 are formed. In order to form the outer airtight line 140a and the inner airtight line 150a with empty insides, the first separator 100 has a first outer bead seal 140 and a plurality of first inner bead seals 150 protruding. The surface opposite to the direction facing the second separator 200 faces the second separator 200, and the second separator 200 is opposite to the direction in which the second outer bead seal 240 and the plurality of second inner bead seals 250 protrude. The surface faces the first separating plate 100 .

In particular, at least one connection confidential line 160a communicating with the outer confidential line 140a is formed in at least one inner confidential line 150a of the plurality of inner confidential lines 150a. At this time, the connection airtight line 160a is formed when the first connection bead seal 160 of the first separation plate 100 and the second connection bead seal 260 of the second separation plate 200 face each other.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, it is preferable that the inner airtight line 150a in which the connection airtight line 160a is formed is formed on the inflow-side inner airtight line 150a through which air is introduced among the plurality of inner airtight lines 150a. The reason is that when cooling water is selected as a fluid filled in the inner hermetic line 150a, the connection hermetic line 160a, and the outer hermetic line 140a, the first separator 100 and the second separator ( 200) may cause corrosion, and hydrogen among the reaction gases is expensive and has a small molecular weight and high volatility compared to air. Because it is advantageous to fill.

Also, the width of the first connecting bead seal 160 of the first separator 100 is preferably the same or gradually increases in the direction from the first inner bead seal 150 to the first outer bead seal 140 . Similarly, the width of the second connection bead seal 260 of the second separator 200 is preferably the same or gradually increases in the direction from the second inner bead seal 250 to the second outer bead seal 240 . So, the cross-sectional area of the connection hermetic line 160a formed by the first connection bead seal 160 and the second connection bead seal 260 is the same as it goes from the inner hermetic line 150a to the outer hermetic line 140a, or It is desirable to increase The reason is to ensure that the air flowing into the outer airtight line 140a flows smoothly by having the same cross-sectional area or gradually increasing in the direction in which the air flows.

Meanwhile, it is preferable that a rubber sealing material (not shown) is applied to the surfaces of the first outer bead seal 140 and the first inner bead seal 150 of the first separator 100 . Similarly, it is preferable that a rubber sealing material (not shown) is applied to the surfaces of the second outer bead seal 240 and the second inner bead seal 250 of the second separator 200 . Therefore, as a sealing material made of rubber is applied to the surfaces of the outer confidential line 140a and the inner confidential line 150a, the outer confidential line 140a and the inner confidential line 150a prevent the fuel cell stack from being stacked when unit cells are stacked. ensure confidentiality is maintained.

Next, paths through which air flows in a comparative example according to a conventional bead-type separator plate assembly for a fuel cell and an embodiment according to a bead-type separator plate assembly for a fuel cell according to the present invention were compared with reference to the drawings.

8A and 8B are diagrams showing a path through which air flows in a bead-type separator plate assembly for a fuel cell according to a comparative example and an embodiment, and FIG. 8A shows a comparative example according to a conventional bead-type separator plate assembly for a fuel cell. , Figure 8b shows an embodiment according to the bead-type separator plate assembly for a fuel cell of the present invention.

As can be seen in FIG. 8A, in the case of the bead-type separator plate assembly 10 for a fuel cell according to the prior art, air introduced through the inlet manifold through-hole 10c through which air is introduced passes through the air inlet passage 18. Air flows into the diffusion unit 13 through the diffusion unit 13, and the air diffused in the diffusion unit 13 flows into the reaction surface 12. Then, the air that has passed through the reaction surface 12 flows through the air discharge passage 18a to the outlet side manifold through-hole 11d and is then discharged to the outside.

Therefore, the introduced air does not flow into the inner airtight line 15a and the outer airtight line 14a.

On the other hand, as can be seen in FIG. 8B, in the case of the bead-type separator plate assembly 1 for a fuel cell according to the present invention, the first inlet manifold through-hole 110c and the second inlet manifold through-hole 110c through which air is introduced The air introduced through the hole 210c is introduced into the air inflow passage 111, and some of the air is introduced into the inner airtight line 150a, and the rest is introduced into the first diffusion unit 130 and diffused as in the comparative example. 1 flows into the reaction surface 120. Then, the air that has passed through the first reaction surface 120 flows through the air discharge passage 111a to the outlet side manifold through-hole 110d and is then discharged to the outside.

At this time, the air introduced into the inner airtight line 150a flows into the outer airtight line 140a through the connection airtight line 160a to the inner airtight line 150a, the connection airtight line 160a and the outer airtight line 140a. are filled The air filled in this way increases the pressure inside the inner airtight line 150a, the connection airtight line 160a and the outer airtight line 140a, so that when the unit cells are stacked, the inner airtight line 150a, the connection airtight line 160a and It is possible to prevent the outer confidential line 140a from being deformed.

In addition, while air is filled in the inner airtight line 150a, the connection airtight line 160a, and the outer airtight line 140a, the cooling water flows through the inner airtight line 150a, the connection airtight line 160a, and the outer airtight line 140a. ) can be prevented from being introduced into the interior, and thus the first separator 100 and the second separator 200 can be prevented from being corroded by the cooling water.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, but is limited by the claims described below. Therefore, those skilled in the art can variously modify and modify the present invention within the scope not departing from the technical spirit of the claims described below.

1, 10: Separator plate assembly 10a, 10b: Separator plate
11: manifold through-hole 12: reaction surface
13: diffusion part 14: outer bead seal
14a: outer confidential line 15: inner bead seal
15a: Inner airtight line 16: Hydrogen discharge channel
17: cooling water inflow passage 18: air inflow passage
100: first separator 110: first manifold through-hole
111: first air introduction path 120: first reaction surface
130: first diffusion part 140: first outer bead seal
140a: outer airtight line 150: first inner bead seal
150a: inner airtight line 160: first connection bead seal
160a: connection confidential line

Claims (12)

As a bead-type separator for a fuel cell,
It is formed in a plate shape and an outer bead seal protruding for sealing along the outer edge is formed,
A plurality of manifold through-holes are formed through which reaction gas or coolant is introduced or discharged, and a plurality of inner bead seals protruding for sealing are formed along the circumference of each area where the manifold through-holes are formed,
A bead-type separator for a fuel cell, characterized in that at least one connection bead seal communicating with the outer bead seal is formed on at least one of the inner bead seals.
The method of claim 1,
The connection bead seal is a bead-type separator plate for a fuel cell, characterized in that formed to communicate with an inner bead seal formed along the circumference of the manifold through-hole through which the reaction gas flows among the plurality of manifold through-holes.
The method of claim 2,
The manifold through-hole through which the reaction gas is introduced is a bead-type separator plate for a fuel cell, characterized in that the manifold through-hole through which air is introduced.
The method of claim 3,
On the separating plate,
A reaction surface is formed between a manifold through-hole through which a reaction gas or cooling water flows and a flow path through which a reaction gas or cooling water flows is formed between a manifold through-hole through which reaction gas or cooling water is discharged,
A plurality of air inlet passages are formed between the manifold through-hole through which air is introduced and the reaction surface, through which air introduced from the manifold through-hole through which air is introduced into the reaction surface,
The inner bead seal is a bead-type separator plate for a fuel cell, characterized in that formed to communicate with the air inlet passage.
The method of claim 1,
A bead-type separator for a fuel cell, characterized in that the width of the connection bead seal is the same or increases in the direction from the inner bead seal to the outer bead seal.
In claim 1.
Bead-type separator, characterized in that the sealing material is applied to the surface of the outer bead seal and the inner bead seal.
A bead-type separator plate assembly for a fuel cell in which a pair of separator plates formed in a bead type are bonded to each other,
A first outer bead seal formed in a plate shape and protruding for sealing along the outer periphery is formed, a plurality of first manifold through-holes are formed through which reaction gas or coolant is introduced or discharged, and the first manifold through-hole is a first separator on which a plurality of first inner bead seals protruding for sealing are formed along the periphery of each formed area;
It is formed in a plate shape and is bonded and integrated with the first separator plate, and a second outer bead seal protruding in a direction opposite to the protrusion direction of the first outer bead seal is formed at a position corresponding to the position where the first outer bead seal is formed. And a second separation plate in which a plurality of second inner bead seals protruding in a direction opposite to the protrusion direction of the first inner bead seal are formed at a position corresponding to the position where the first inner bead seal is formed,
As the first separator and the second separator are bonded, an outer airtight line composed of the first outer bead seal and the second outer bead seal is formed, and a plurality of the plurality of first inner bead seals and the second inner bead seal are formed. An inner confidential line of is formed,
A bead-type separator plate assembly for a fuel cell, characterized in that at least one connection hermetic line communicating with the outer hermetic line is formed on at least one of the plurality of inner hermetic lines.
The method of claim 7,
A plurality of second manifold through-holes are formed in the second separator plate at positions corresponding to the positions where the plurality of first manifold through-holes formed in the first separator plate are formed so that reaction gas or cooling water is introduced or discharged. ,
The connection airtight line communicates with an inner airtight line formed along the periphery of the first manifold through hole and the second manifold through hole, through which the reaction gas flows, among the plurality of first manifold through holes and second manifold through holes. A bead-type separator plate assembly for a fuel cell, characterized in that formed.
The method of claim 8,
A bead-type separator plate assembly for a fuel cell, characterized in that the first manifold through-hole and the second manifold through-hole through which the reaction gas is introduced are the first manifold through-hole and the second manifold through-hole through which air is introduced.
The method of claim 9,
In the first separator, a flow path through which the reaction gas or cooling water flows is formed between the first manifold through-hole through which the reaction gas or cooling water flows and the first manifold through-hole through which the reaction gas or cooling water is discharged. A plurality of first manifold through-holes are formed between the first manifold through-hole through which air is introduced and the first reaction surface through which air introduced from the first manifold through-hole into which air flows into the first reaction surface. An air inlet passage is formed, and the first inner bead seal is formed to communicate with the first air inlet passage,
In the second separator, a second reaction surface in which a flow path through which the reaction gas or cooling water flows is formed between the second manifold through-hole through which the reaction gas or cooling water flows and the second manifold through-hole through which the reaction gas or cooling water is discharged. is formed, and between the second manifold through-hole through which air flows in and the second reaction surface, a plurality of second air through which air introduced from the second manifold through-hole through which air flows into the second reaction surface flows into the second reaction surface. An inlet passage is formed, and the second inner bead seal is formed to communicate with the second air inlet passage,
A plurality of air inlet lines composed of the first air inlet passage and the second air inlet passage are formed as the first separator plate and the second separator plate are joined,
The inner airtight line is a bead-type separator plate assembly for a fuel cell, characterized in that formed to communicate with the air inlet line.
The method of claim 7,
A bead-type separator plate assembly for a fuel cell, characterized in that the cross-sectional area of the connection hermetic line is the same or increases in the direction from the inner hermetic line to the outer hermetic line.
The method of claim 7,
A bead-type separator plate assembly for a fuel cell, characterized in that a sealing material is applied to the surfaces of the outer airtight line and the inner airtight line.

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