KR20230127500A - Fuel cell stack and clamp device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fuel cell stack, and relates to a reaction unit provided by stacking a plurality of unit cells, an end plate provided to cover an end of the reaction unit along the stacking direction of the unit cells, and a unit cell provided to measure voltage information Advantageous effects of simplifying the structure and manufacturing process and reducing manufacturing cost can be obtained by including the voltage measuring device and a support clamp fastened to the end plate to cover the circumference of the reaction unit and supporting the voltage measuring device.

Description

Fuel cell stack and clamp device {FUEL CELL STACK AND CLAMP DEVICE}

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a fuel cell stack and a clamp device, and more particularly, to a fuel cell stack and clamp device capable of simplifying a structure and manufacturing process and reducing manufacturing cost.

A fuel cell stack is a kind of power generation device that generates electrical energy through a chemical reaction of fuel (eg, hydrogen), and may be configured by stacking tens or hundreds of fuel cell cells (unit cells) in series.

A fuel cell is a Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) in which an electrolyte membrane capable of transporting hydrogen cations and electrodes (catalyst electrode layers) provided on both sides of the electrolyte membrane to allow hydrogen and oxygen to react are combined. It may include a gas diffusion layer (GDL) that adheres to both sides of the electrode assembly to evenly distribute reactive gases and transmits the generated electrical energy, and a bipolar plate that adheres to the gas diffusion layer and forms a flow path. there is.

In addition, a pair of end plates connected via a fastening member (strap) are provided at both ends of a plurality of fuel cell cells constituting the fuel cell stack, and each fuel cell cell is It can be supported (maintaining a frictional contact state) to maintain.

On the other hand, when a fuel cell cell does not generate power normally due to abnormal sealing (airtightness) of the fuel cell and deterioration of the characteristics of the electrolyte membrane, abnormal voltage is generated. If left for several seconds, the fuel cell stack is permanently damaged ( failure) may occur, it is necessary to be able to timely diagnose the failure and stop the operation of the fuel cell stack in the early stage of the failure (early occurrence of abnormal voltage).

To this end, the fuel cell stack is equipped with a voltage measuring device (stack voltage monitor, SVM) that measures voltage information of each fuel cell and transmits the information to a higher controller (eg, fuel cell control unit, FCU). .

However, conventionally, in order to mount a voltage measuring device on a fuel cell stack, a separate support member (for example, a mounting block) must be prepared and the support member must be fastened to the end plate, so that the structure and manufacturing process are cumbersome. However, there are problems in that productivity and production efficiency decrease and cost increases.

Accordingly, in recent years, various studies have been conducted to simplify the structure and manufacturing process of the fuel cell stack, but it is still insufficient, and development thereof is required.

An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell stack and clamp device capable of simplifying the structure and manufacturing process.

In particular, an object of an embodiment of the present invention is to allow a voltage measuring device to be fastened to a fuel cell stack without using a separate support member.

In addition, embodiments of the present invention are intended to contribute to miniaturization and weight reduction of fuel cell stacks and to reduce costs.

Further, an object of the present invention is to simplify the structure and manufacturing process of the end plate and improve the structural rigidity of the end plate.

The problem to be solved in the embodiment is not limited thereto, and it will be said that the solution to the problem described below or the purpose or effect that can be grasped from the embodiment is also included.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above-described objects of the present invention, a fuel cell stack is provided to cover a reaction unit provided by stacking a plurality of unit cells and an end portion of the reaction unit along the stacking direction of the unit cells. It includes an end plate, a voltage measuring device provided to measure voltage information of a unit cell, and a support clamp fastened to the end plate to cover the circumference of the reaction unit and supporting the voltage measuring device.

This is to simplify the structure and manufacturing process of the fuel cell stack and reduce cost.

That is, in the past, a separate support member (eg, a mounting block) is provided to mount a voltage measuring device (SVM) that measures voltage information of a fuel cell cell and transmits the information to a higher-order controller on a fuel cell stack. , As the support member must be fastened to the end plate, the structure and manufacturing process are cumbersome, productivity and production efficiency are reduced, and cost is increased.

However, in the embodiment of the present invention, a separate support member for supporting the voltage measurement device is provided by allowing the support clamp to perform the role of the support member for supporting the voltage measurement device while performing the role of fastening the unit cell. Since there is no need to prepare, advantageous effects of simplifying the structure and manufacturing process and reducing cost can be obtained.

Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is not necessary to additionally fasten the fastening bolts for fixing the support member (the support member for supporting the voltage measuring device) to the end plate (even without forming a bolt hole for fastening the fastening bolts). Therefore, the structure and manufacturing process of the end plate can be simplified, and advantageous effects of improving the structural rigidity of the end plate can be obtained.

The support clamp may be provided in various structures capable of supporting the voltage measurement device while securing airtightness (clamping pressure) of the fuel cell stack.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support clamp is provided to cover the outer surface of the reaction unit along the stacking direction of the unit cells, and is connected to a clamp body fastened to the end plate, a connection part connected to the clamp body, and a connection part, and measuring voltage It may include a mounting portion on which the device is seated.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connecting portion may be integrally connected to the end of the clamp body adjacent to the end plate.

This is due to the fact that the load of the voltage measuring device is applied to the clamp body through the connecting portion, and the connecting portion is the end of the clamp body adjacent to the end plate (the end of the clamp body having high rigidity capable of resisting bending deformation). By being connected to, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect of minimizing the bending deformation of the clamp body due to the load of the voltage measuring device and maintaining the arrangement state of the voltage measuring device more stably.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the seating portion provides an inclined seating surface inclined with respect to the side of the reaction unit facing the voltage measuring device, and the voltage measuring device can be seated on the inclined seating surface inclined with respect to the side surface of the reaction unit.

In this way, by arranging the voltage measuring device to be inclined with respect to the reaction unit, an advantageous effect of minimizing the space occupied by the voltage measuring device can be obtained while securing an arrangement space for signal wires electrically connecting each unit cell and the control unit. can

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fuel cell stack may include a support clamp and a fastening clamp fastened to the end plate to individually cover the circumference of the reaction unit.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support clamp is fastened to an end along the longitudinal direction of the end plate to cover the circumference of the side surface of the reaction unit, and the fastening clamp is end plated to cover the circumference of at least one of the upper or lower surface of the reaction unit. It may be fastened to an end portion along the width direction of the plate.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fuel cell stack may include a support clamp and a reinforcing clamp fastened to the end plate to individually cover the circumference of the side of the reaction unit.

In this way, by allowing the reinforcing clamp and the support clamp to wrap around the circumference of the side surface of the reaction unit and mutually cooperatively apply clamping pressure to each unit cell, it is possible to stably maintain the airtight performance of each unit cell, and to apply to the unit cell It is possible to obtain an advantageous effect of minimizing deformation and damage of the fuel cell due to the fastening pressure by suppressing the concentration of the fastening pressure (fastening load) on a specific part.

According to another preferred field of the present invention, a reaction unit prepared by stacking a plurality of unit cells, an end plate provided to cover the end of the reaction unit along the stacking direction of the unit cells, and a voltage measurement for measuring voltage information of the unit cells A clamp device for a fuel cell stack including the device includes a support clamp fastened to an end plate to cover a circumference of a reaction unit and supporting a voltage measuring device.

According to another preferred field of the present invention, the support clamp is provided to cover the outer surface of the reaction unit along the stacking direction of the unit cells and is connected to a clamp body fastened to the end plate, a connection part connected to the clamp body, and a connection part, and a voltage It may include a seating portion on which the measuring device is seated.

According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the connecting portion may be integrally connected to the end of the clamp body adjacent to the end plate.

According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the seating portion provides an inclined seating surface inclined with respect to the side of the reaction unit facing the voltage measuring device, and the voltage measuring device may be seated on the inclined seating surface inclined with respect to the side surface of the reaction unit.

According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, a fastening clamp fastened to the end plate so as to cover the circumference of the reaction unit separately from the support clamp may be included.

According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the support clamp is fastened to an end along the longitudinal direction of the end plate so as to cover the circumference of the side surface of the reaction unit, and the fastening clamp is end plated to cover the circumference of at least one of the upper or lower surface of the reaction unit. It may be fastened to an end portion along the width direction of the plate.

According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, a reinforcing clamp fastened to the end plate so as to cover the circumference of the side of the reaction unit separately from the support clamp may be included.

As described above, according to an embodiment of the present invention, advantageous effects of simplifying the structure and manufacturing process can be obtained.

In particular, according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect of stably fastening the voltage measurement device to the fuel cell stack without using a separate support member.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to contribute to miniaturization and weight reduction of a fuel cell stack, and advantageous effects of cost reduction can be obtained.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the structure and manufacturing process of the end plate can be simplified, and advantageous effects of improving the structural rigidity of the end plate can be obtained.

1 is a diagram for explaining a fuel cell stack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a view for explaining a clamp device for a fuel cell stack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 and 4 are views for explaining a support clamp as a fuel cell stack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a view for explaining another embodiment of a fuel cell stack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

However, the technical idea of the present invention is not limited to some of the described embodiments and can be implemented in various different forms, and if it is within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, one or more of the components among the embodiments can be selectively selected. can be used by combining and substituting.

In addition, terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the embodiments of the present invention, unless explicitly specifically defined and described, can be generally understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. It can be interpreted as meaning, and commonly used terms, such as terms defined in a dictionary, can be interpreted in consideration of contextual meanings of related technologies.

Also, terms used in the embodiments of the present invention are for describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

In this specification, the singular form may also include the plural form unless otherwise specified in the phrase, and when described as "at least one (or more than one) of A and (and) B and C", A, B, and C are combined. may include one or more of all possible combinations.

In addition, in describing the components of the embodiment of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b) may be used.

These terms are only used to distinguish the component from other components, and the term is not limited to the nature, sequence, or order of the corresponding component.

And, when a component is described as being 'connected', 'coupled' or 'connected' to another component, the component is not only directly connected to, coupled to, or connected to the other component, but also with the component. It may also include the case of being 'connected', 'combined', or 'connected' due to another component between the other components.

In addition, when it is described as being formed or disposed on the "top (above) or bottom (bottom)" of each component, the top (top) or bottom (bottom) is not only the case where two components are in direct contact with each other, but also one A case in which another component above is formed or disposed between the two components is also included. In addition, when expressed as "upper (above) or lower (down)", it may include not only an upward direction but also a downward direction based on one component.

1 to 5 , a fuel cell stack 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a reaction unit 100 provided by stacking a plurality of unit cells 110; an end plate 120 provided to cover an end of the reaction unit 100 along the stacking direction of the unit cells 110; A voltage measuring device 300 provided to measure voltage information of the unit cell 110, and a support clamp fastened to the end plate 120 and supporting the voltage measuring device 300 so as to cover the circumference of the reaction unit 100 (310).

For reference, the fuel cell stack 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention can be applied to various mobility such as vehicles, ships, and aviation, and the fuel cell stack 10 is applied to the target object (mobility). The present invention is not limited or limited by types and characteristics.

The reaction unit 100 is a kind of power generation device that produces electrical energy by chemically reacting fuel (eg, hydrogen), and includes tens or hundreds of unit cells (fuel cell) 110 in series in a reference stacking direction. It can be configured by layering with.

The unit cell 110 may be formed in various structures capable of generating electricity through an oxidation-reduction reaction of a fuel (eg, hydrogen) and an oxidizing agent (eg, reaction air), and the structure of the unit cell 110 The present invention is not limited or limited by.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the unit cell 110 may include a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) (not shown) and a separator (not shown) laminated on both sides of the membrane electrode assembly.

A Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) is provided to generate electricity through an oxidation-reduction reaction between a fuel (eg, hydrogen) as a first reactant gas and an oxidant (eg, air) as a second reactant gas.

The structure and material of the membrane electrode assembly may be variously changed according to required conditions and design specifications, and the present invention is not limited or limited by the structure and material of the membrane electrode assembly.

For example, the membrane electrode assembly may be configured by attaching a catalyst electrode layer in which an electrochemical reaction occurs on both sides of an electrolyte membrane through which hydrogen ions move. In addition, a gas diffusion layer (GDL) (not shown) may be provided on both sides of the membrane electrode assembly to evenly distribute reactive gases and transfer generated electrical energy.

The separating plate is provided to perform a role of securing a flow field for movement of the reactive gas and cooling water and transferring current to an external circuit, in addition to serving to block hydrogen and air, which are reactive gases.

In addition, the separator also serves to distribute the heat generated in the unit cell 110 to the entire unit cell 110, and excessive heat is generated by the cooling water moving along the cooling passage (not shown) of the separator. can be discharged to the outside.

The separator is provided to supply a first reactant gas (eg, hydrogen) and a second reactant gas (eg, air) to the membrane electrode assembly, and the membrane electrode is provided based on the stacking direction of the unit cells 110. It is placed in close contact with one side and the other side of the assembly.

For example, a separator (for example, a first separator) provided on one surface of a membrane electrode assembly includes an anode separator for forming a flow path for fuel (eg, hydrogen), which is a first reactant gas, and a second reactor It may be any one of the cathode separators forming a flow path of air, which is a chain oxidant (eg, air), and the separator (eg, the second separator) provided on the other surface of the membrane electrode assembly is anode separator. plate and cathode separator plate.

For example, the first separator is in close contact with one surface of the membrane electrode assembly, and the first channel (not shown) through which the first reaction gas (eg, hydrogen) flows on one surface of the first separator facing the membrane electrode assembly. When) is formed, and a cooling channel (not shown) through which cooling water flows may be formed on the other surface of the first separator.

The second separator is in close contact with the other surface of the membrane electrode assembly, and a second channel (not shown) through which the second reaction gas (eg, air) flows is formed on one surface of the second separator facing the membrane electrode assembly. A cooling channel (not shown) through which cooling water flows may be formed on the other surface of the second separator.

For reference, hydrogen as a fuel and air as an oxidizing agent are supplied to the anode (not shown) and the cathode (not shown) of the membrane electrode assembly through channels (not shown) of the first and second separators, respectively. supplied to the anode, and air may be supplied to the cathode.

Hydrogen supplied to the anode is decomposed into protons and electrons by the catalysts of the electrode layers provided on both sides of the electrolyte membrane, and only hydrogen ions are selectively transferred to the cathode through the electrolyte membrane, which is a cation exchange membrane. At the same time, electrons are transferred to the cathode through the gas diffusion layer and the separator, which are conductors.

In the cathode, hydrogen ions supplied through the electrolyte membrane and electrons transferred through the separator meet oxygen in the air supplied to the cathode by the air supply device to cause a reaction to generate water. At this time, due to the movement of hydrogen ions, a flow of electrons occurs through the external conductor, and current is generated by the flow of these electrons.

The end plate 120 is provided to protect the reaction unit 100 from external impact, etc., and is provided to form the outermost side of the fuel cell stack 10 .

The end plate 120 may be formed of various materials according to required conditions and design specifications, and the present invention is not limited or limited by the material of the end plate 120 . For example, the end plate 120 may be formed of a common metal material.

The end plate 120 may be provided in various structures capable of covering the outermost end (outer surface) of the reaction unit 100, and the present invention is not limited or limited by the structure and shape of the end plate 120. no.

For example, the end plate 120 may be provided to have a structure corresponding to the unit cell 110, and the outer surface of the unit cell 110 (the outermost end of the reaction unit 100) is the end plate 120 can be entirely covered by

A stack voltage monitor (SVM) 300 is provided to measure voltage information of the unit cell 110 .

That is, when the unit cell 110 is not normally generated due to abnormal sealing (airtightness) of the unit cell (fuel cell) 110 and deterioration in the characteristics of the electrolyte membrane, an abnormal voltage is generated, which is left unattended for several seconds. Since permanent damage (failure) of the fuel cell stack 10 may occur, it is necessary to timely diagnose the failure (early occurrence of abnormal voltage) and stop the operation of the fuel cell stack 10.

The voltage measuring device 300 is provided in the fuel cell stack 10 to measure voltage information of each fuel cell cell and transmit the information to a higher controller (eg, fuel cell control unit, FCU), the upper controller The operation of the fuel cell stack 10 may be selectively stopped based on the voltage information measured by the voltage measuring device 300 .

As the voltage measuring device 300, various voltage measuring means capable of measuring the voltage information of each unit cell 110 can be used, and the present invention is not limited or limited by the type and structure of the voltage measuring device 300. no.

For example, the voltage measurement device 300 may include a circuit network including a plurality of voltage measurement modules that individually measure the voltage of each unit cell 110 and a control unit electrically connected to each voltage measurement module.

1 to 4 , the clamp device 200 is provided to support the voltage measuring device 300 while ensuring airtightness (tightening pressure) of the fuel cell stack 10 .

More specifically, the clamp device 200 includes a support clamp 310 fastened to the end plate 120 to cover the circumference of the reaction unit 100 and supporting the voltage measuring device 300 .

The voltage measuring device 300 can be supported on the fuel cell stack 10 via the support clamp 310, and each unit cell 110 can be closely attached to the fuel cell stack 10 by the support clamp 310 with a predetermined clamping pressure. .

The support clamp 310 may be provided in various structures capable of supporting the voltage measuring device 300 while securing airtightness (tightening pressure) of the fuel cell stack 10, and can be seen by the structure of the support clamp 310. The invention is not limited or limited.

For example, referring to FIGS. 2 to 4 , the support clamp 310 is provided to cover the outer surface of the reaction unit 100 along the stacking direction of the unit cells 110 and is fastened to the end plate 120. It may include a body 312, a connection part 314 connected to the clamp body 312, and a seating part 316 connected to the connection part 314 and on which the voltage measuring device 300 is seated.

The clamp body 312 is provided to ensure airtightness (fastening pressure) of the fuel cell stack 10, and each unit cell 110 can be brought into close contact with the clamp body 312 by a predetermined fastening pressure.

More specifically, the clamp body 312 is provided to cover the outer surface of the reaction unit 100 along the stacking direction of the unit cells 110, and both ends of the clamp body 312 cover the outer surface of the end plate 120. It may be fastened to the end plate 120 via a fastening bolt in a state arranged so as to be.

Hereinafter, an example in which the clamp body 312 is formed to form a substantially “U” shape and fastened to an end portion of the end plate 120 along the longitudinal direction D1 so as to cover the circumference of the side surface of the reaction unit 100 is shown. listen and explain

According to another embodiment of the present invention, it is also possible to configure the clamp body to cover the circumference of the upper or lower surface of the reaction unit, and to configure an end portion of the clamp body to be fastened to an end portion of the end plate in the width direction.

The connecting portion 314 is formed to protrude from the clamp body 312 to connect the seating portion 316 and the clamp body 312 .

The connection part 314 may be provided in various structures capable of connecting the seating part 316 and the clamp body 312, and the present invention is not limited or limited by the structure and shape of the connection part 314.

For example, the connecting portion 314 may be formed in a substantially straight line shape. According to another embodiment of the present invention, it is also possible to form the connection part in a curved shape or any other shape.

Preferably, the connecting portion 314 is integrally connected to an end of the clamp body 312 adjacent to the end plate 120 .

This is due to the fact that the load of the voltage measuring device 300 is applied to the clamp body 312 via the connection part 314, and the connection part 314 is located at the end of the clamp body 312 adjacent to the end plate 120. By connecting to (the end of the clamp body having high rigidity capable of resisting bending deformation), the bending deformation of the clamp body 312 caused by the load of the voltage measuring device 300 is minimized, and the voltage measuring device An advantageous effect of maintaining the arrangement state of 300 more stably can be obtained.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, it is also possible to connect the connection part to the central part of the clamp body or any other location. Alternatively, it is also possible to provide a separate reinforcing member (for example, a reinforcing rib) for supporting the connecting part with respect to the clamp body in order to reinforce the rigidity of the connecting part.

The seating portion 316 is connected to the connection portion 314, and the voltage measuring device 300 may be seated on the seating portion 316.

The seating portion 316 may be provided in various structures capable of seating the voltage measuring device 300, and the present invention is not limited or limited by the structure and shape of the seating portion 316.

For example, a fastening nut may be integrally formed (eg, welded) on the seating portion 316, and the voltage measuring device 300 is attached to the fastening nut (not shown) while being seated on the seating portion 316. It may be fixed via a fastening bolt (not shown).

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the seating portion 316 may be provided to form an inclined seating surface 316a inclined with respect to the side of the reaction portion 100 of the connecting portion 314, and the voltage measuring device 300 ) may be disposed inclined with respect to the side surface of the reaction unit 100 in a state where it is seated on the inclined seating surface 316a.

In this way, by placing the voltage measuring device 300 inclined with respect to the reaction unit 100, while securing the arrangement space of the signal wires electrically connecting each unit cell 110 and the control unit, the voltage measuring device ( 300) can obtain an advantageous effect of minimizing the space occupied.

For example, based on FIG. 4 , the upper end of the inclined seating surface 316a may be spaced apart from the side surface of the reaction unit 100 at a first interval, and the lower end of the inclined seating surface 316a may be disposed at a first interval. It may be disposed spaced apart from the side of the reaction unit 100 at a second interval greater than the interval, and the voltage measuring device 300 is relative to the side of the reaction unit 100 to correspond to the inclination of the inclined seating surface 316a. It can be placed obliquely. At this time, the signal wire 301 electrically connecting each unit cell 110 and the circuit network may be located between the lower end of the inclined seating surface 316a and the side surface of the reaction unit 100.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, it is also possible to configure the seating part to form a seating surface parallel to the side surface of the reaction part.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fuel cell stack 10 includes a support clamp 310 and a fastening clamp 210 that is fastened to the end plate 120 so as to individually cover the circumference of the reaction unit 100. can do.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support clamp 310 is fastened to the end of the end plate 120 along the longitudinal direction D1 so as to cover the circumference of the side of the reaction unit 100, and the fastening clamp 210 may be fastened to an end portion of the end plate 120 along the width direction D2 so as to cover at least one circumference of the upper or lower surface of the reaction unit 100 .

Hereinafter, an example in which two fastening clamps 210 are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval on the upper and lower surfaces of the reaction unit 100 will be described. According to another embodiment of the present invention, it is also possible to provide only one fastening clamp or three or more fastening clamps on the upper and lower surfaces of the reaction unit.

Alternatively, fastening clamps are fastened to end portions along the length of the end plate to cover the circumference of the side surface of the reaction unit, and supported at the end portion along the width direction of the end plate so as to cover the circumference of at least one of the upper or lower surface of the reaction unit. It is also possible to fasten the clamp.

The fastening clamp 210 is provided to secure airtightness (fastening pressure) of the fuel cell stack 10 together with the aforementioned support clamp 310, and each unit cell 110 is connected to a predetermined It can be closely attached by clamping pressure.

The fastening clamp 210 may be provided in various structures capable of applying fastening pressure to each unit cell 110, and the present invention is not limited or limited by the structure of the fastening clamp 210.

For example, the fastening clamp 210 may be provided to have a structure corresponding to the aforementioned clamp body 312 (eg, a substantially “U”-shaped structure). More specifically, the approximate central portion of the fastening clamp 210 is provided to cover the upper surface (bottom surface) of the reaction unit 100 along the stacking direction of the unit cells 110, and both ends of the fastening clamp 210 are provided with end plates ( 120) may be fastened to the end plate 120 via a fastening bolt in a state of being disposed to cover the outer surface (to cover an end portion of the end plate in the width direction).

For example, the fastening clamp 210 may be formed by continuously bending one member (eg, a metal member).

In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the fastening clamp 210 and the clamp body 312 have been described as being formed in the same structure, but according to another embodiment of the present invention, the fastening clamp and the clamp body are different from each other. It is also possible to form a structure.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fuel cell stack 10 includes a support clamp 310 and a reinforcing clamp 220 fastened to the end plate 120 so as to cover the circumference of the side of the reaction unit 100 individually. can include

The reinforcing clamp 220 is provided to apply clamping pressure to each unit cell 110 while surrounding the circumference of the side of the reaction unit 100 in a mutually cooperative manner with the support clamp 310 .

The number and position of the reinforcing clamps 220 may be variously changed according to required conditions and design specifications, and the present invention is not limited or limited by the number and position of the reinforcing clamps 220.

For example, only one reinforcing clamp 220 may be provided at the bottom of the support clamp 310 (refer to FIG. 5 ). According to another embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to place a reinforcing clamp on top of the support clamp, and it is also possible to apply two or more reinforcing clamps.

For reference, in the embodiment of the present invention, the fact that the reinforcing clamp 220 wraps around the side surface of the reaction unit 100 in a mutually cooperative manner with the support clamp 310 means that the support clamp 310 is mounted on the reaction unit ( 100) is defined as including all of the provision of the reinforcing clamp 220 on one side, or the provision of the reinforcement clamp 220 on the other side of the reaction unit 100.

The reinforcing clamp 220 may be provided in various structures capable of applying clamping pressure to each unit cell 110, and the present invention is not limited or limited by the structure of the reinforcing clamp 220.

For example, the reinforcing clamp 220 may be provided to have a structure corresponding to the aforementioned clamp body 312 (or fastening clamp) (eg, a substantially “U”-shaped structure). More specifically, the approximately central portion of the reinforcing clamp 220 is provided to cover the side surface of the reaction unit 100 along the stacking direction of the unit cells 110, and both ends of the reinforcing clamp 220 are provided to cover the end plate 120. It may be fastened to the end plate 120 via a fastening bolt in a state of being arranged to cover the outer surface (disposed to cover the end of the end plate along the length direction).

For example, the reinforcing clamp 220 may be formed by continuously bending one member (eg, a metal member).

In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the reinforcing clamp 220 and the clamp body 312 (fastening clamp) are described as an example formed in the same structure, but according to another embodiment of the present invention, the reinforcing clamp and the clamp It is also possible to form the body in different structures.

As such, in the embodiment of the present invention, the reinforcing clamp 220 and the support clamp 310 wrap together the circumference of the side surface of the reaction unit 100 and mutually cooperate to apply clamping pressure to each unit cell 110 As a result, it is possible to stably maintain the airtight performance of each unit cell 110, and suppress the concentration of the fastening pressure (fastening load) applied to the unit cell 110 at a specific part, thereby increasing the efficiency of the fuel cell by the fastening pressure. An advantageous effect of minimizing deformation and damage can be obtained.

Although the above has been described with reference to the embodiments, this is only an example and does not limit the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs will not deviate from the essential characteristics of the present embodiment. It will be appreciated that various variations and applications are possible. For example, each component specifically shown in the embodiment can be modified and implemented. And differences related to these variations and applications should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

10: fuel cell stack
100: reaction unit
110: unit cell
120: end plate
200: clamp device
210: fastening clamp
220: reinforcement clamp
300: voltage measuring device
301: wiring member
310: support clamp
312: clamp body
314: connection part
316: seating part
316a: inclined seating surface

Claims (14)

A reaction unit provided by stacking a plurality of unit cells;
an end plate provided to cover an end portion of the reaction unit along the stacking direction of the unit cells;
a voltage measuring device provided to measure voltage information of the unit cell; and
a support clamp fastened to the end plate to cover a circumference of the reaction unit and supporting the voltage measuring device;
A fuel cell stack comprising a.
According to claim 1,
The support clamp,
a clamp body provided to cover the outer surface of the reaction unit along the stacking direction of the unit cells and fastened to the end plate;
a connecting portion connected to the clamp body; and
a seating portion connected to the connection portion and on which the voltage measuring device is seated;
A fuel cell stack comprising a.
According to claim 2,
The fuel cell stack wherein the connecting portion is integrally connected to an end portion of the clamp body adjacent to the end plate.
According to claim 2,
The seating portion provides an inclined seating surface inclined with respect to a side surface of the reaction portion facing the voltage measuring device,
The fuel cell stack wherein the voltage measuring device is seated on the inclined seating surface at an angle with respect to the side surface of the reaction unit.
According to claim 1,
A fuel cell stack comprising fastening clamps fastened to the end plate so as to individually cover the circumference of the reaction unit with the support clamp.
According to claim 5,
The support clamp is fastened to an end portion of the end plate in the longitudinal direction so as to cover a circumference of a side surface of the reaction unit,
The fastening clamp is fastened to an end portion of the end plate in the width direction so as to cover a circumference of at least one of an upper surface and a lower surface of the reaction unit.
According to claim 6,
A fuel cell stack including a reinforcing clamp fastened to the end plate so as to cover the circumference of the side surface of the reaction part separately from the support clamp.
A fuel cell including a reaction unit prepared by stacking a plurality of unit cells, an end plate provided to cover an end of the reaction unit along a stacking direction of the unit cells, and a voltage measuring device for measuring voltage information of the unit cells. As a clamp device for a stack,
A clamp device for a fuel cell stack including a support clamp fastened to the end plate to cover a circumference of the reaction unit and supporting the voltage measuring device.
According to claim 8,
The support clamp,
a clamp body provided to cover an outer surface of the reaction unit along the stacking direction of the unit cells and fastened to the end plate;
a connecting portion connected to the clamp body; and
a seating portion connected to the connection portion and on which the voltage measuring device is seated;
A clamp device for a fuel cell stack comprising a.
According to claim 9,
The connecting portion is integrally connected to an end of the clamp body adjacent to the end plate.
According to claim 9,
The seating portion provides an inclined seating surface inclined with respect to a side surface of the reaction portion facing the voltage measuring device,
The voltage measuring device is a clamp device for a fuel cell stack that is seated on the inclined seating surface at an angle with respect to the side surface of the reaction unit.
According to claim 8,
A clamping device for a fuel cell stack comprising a fastening clamp fastened to the end plate to cover the circumference of the reaction unit individually with the support clamp.
According to claim 12,
The support clamp is fastened to an end portion of the end plate in the longitudinal direction so as to cover a circumference of a side surface of the reaction unit,
The fastening clamp is fastened to an end portion of the end plate in the width direction so as to cover a circumference of at least one of an upper surface or a lower surface of the reaction unit.
According to claim 8,
A clamp device for a fuel cell stack comprising a reinforcing clamp fastened to the end plate to cover the circumference of the side surface of the reaction part separately from the support clamp.

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