TWI402431B - Locking apparatus of fuel cell module and fuel cell apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Fuel cell module locking device and fuel cell device

The present invention relates to a fuel cell device, and more particularly to a locking device for a fuel cell module.

Looking at the new energy devices currently under development, fuel cells are likely to be the fourth major source of electricity after hydraulic, thermal and nuclear energy because of their high power generation efficiency, low pollution and easy portability.

There are many types of fuel cells. If they are distinguished by electrolyte type, the fuel cells can be classified into an alkaline fuel cell (AFC), a phosphorous fuel cell (PAFC), and a carbonated fuel cell ( Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC), Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC), Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (PEFC), wherein the polymer electrolyte fuel cell can be different depending on the anode feed. It is divided into Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) and Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC).

As shown in FIG. 1, the geometry of the fuel cell 10 is now mostly rectangular, so the fuel cell must be assembled via a large number of screws 101. Therefore, in the process of repeated assembly and locking, stress unevenness is likely to occur, resulting in deformation of bipolar plates 102, 103 and air leakage.

Therefore, how to provide a fuel cell module locking device and a fuel cell device can simplify assembly and avoid stress unevenness, thereby preventing deformation and gas leakage of the fuel cell during the locking process, and has become one of important topics. .

In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a lock device and a fuel cell device for a fuel cell module which can simplify assembly and avoid stress unevenness.

To achieve the above object, a locking device for a fuel cell module according to the present invention comprises a fixing body, a first end body, a friction reducing mechanism and a second end body. The first end body has a first threaded structure. The friction reducing mechanism is located between the fixed body and the first end body. The second end body has a second threaded structure. The first end body and the second end body are screwed together by the first thread structure and the second thread structure, and the fixing system is fixed to the first end body and the second end body.

To achieve the above object, a fuel cell device according to the present invention comprises a fuel cell module and a locking device. The locking device comprises a fixing body, a first end body, a friction reducing mechanism and a second end body. The first end body has a first threaded structure. The friction reducing mechanism is located between the fixed body and the first end body. The second end body has a second threaded structure. The first end body and the second end body are screwed together by the first thread structure and the second thread structure, and the fixing system is fixed to the first end body and the second end body, and the fuel cell module is fixed to the fixing body and the second end body End body.

In one embodiment, the friction reducing mechanism includes a bearing and a convex portion. The bearing is disposed at the center of the fixed body, and the convex portion is disposed at the first end body and disposed corresponding to the bearing. Bearing thrust bearings, such as thrust ball bearings, tapered roller bearings, spherical roller bearings, and roller thrust bearings. When the first end body presses the fixing body and is combined with the second end body, the convex portion of the first end body passes through the bearing, and by the cooperation of the bearing and the convex portion, the first end body can be fixed when rotating The body is only subjected to a positive force and is not subjected to a torque, thereby preventing the fuel cell module from being deformed by the torsion.

In one embodiment, the friction reducing mechanism includes a plurality of convex portions disposed on a side of the first end body adjacent to the fixed body, or disposed on a side of the fixed body adjacent to the first end body, or disposed on the first side One end body is adjacent to one side of the fixed body and the fixed body is adjacent to one side of the first end body. When the first end body is pressed into the fixed body and combined with the second end body, the contact area of the first end body and the fixed body can be reduced by the convex portion, so that the first end body can be reduced when the rotating body is rotated. Torque, thus preventing the fuel cell module from being deformed by the torsion.

In one embodiment, the friction reducing mechanism includes at least one ball and at least one groove, the ball is located in the groove, and the friction reducing mechanism is disposed on the fixed body or the first end body. When the first end body is pressed into the fixed body and combined with the second end body, by the cooperation of the ball and the groove, when the first end body is rotated, the fixed body is only subjected to a positive force without being subjected to a torque. Therefore, the fuel cell module is prevented from being deformed by the torque.

In an embodiment, the locking device further includes a positioning mechanism for positioning the fixing body and the second end body, and the positioning mechanism may include, for example, at least one convex portion and at least one concave portion corresponding to each other, and the positioning mechanism is respectively disposed at the second End body and fixed body. Positioning the fixed body and the second end body by the positioning mechanism, so that when the first end body is rotationally pressed and fixed to the second end body, the relative movement between the fixed body and the second end body can be avoided, thereby ensuring The structure of the fuel cell module between the fixed body and the second end body is not destroyed.

In one embodiment, the positioning mechanism may include at least one positioning pin and a plurality of positioning holes, and the positioning holes are respectively disposed on the fixing body and the second end body, and the positioning pin is inserted into the positioning holes. This can also achieve the above effects.

In one embodiment, the first end body has a jig joint for coupling a jig to the first end body to rotate the first end body. The jig joint allows the user to conveniently rotate the first end body. The jig joint may be a recess, a protrusion, a snap, a lock, or a combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the fuel cell device further includes a positioning mechanism that positions the fuel cell module and the second end body or the fixed body. By positioning the fuel cell module and the second end body or the fixed body by the positioning mechanism, the relative movement of the fuel cell module with the fixed body or the second end body can be avoided, thereby ensuring the position between the fixed body and the second end body. The structure of the fuel cell module is not destroyed. The positioning mechanism can be implemented by the cooperation of the convex portion and the concave portion, or the cooperation of the positioning pin and the plurality of positioning holes.

In an embodiment, the locking device may further include a limiting mechanism that limits the first end body and the second end body. The limiting mechanism prevents the first end body from being loosened from the second end body after the first end body and the second end body are rotatably coupled. The limiting mechanism may include at least one limiting pin and a plurality of limiting holes, or a matching function by the cooperation of the concave portion and the convex portion.

As described above, the locking device of the present invention achieves the locking purpose by rotating, and reduces the friction between the fixed body and the first end body by the friction reducing mechanism, thereby causing the first end body to be When rotating, the fixed body receives only the positive force and is not subjected to the torsion force, so the average fuel cell module is subjected to the stress, and the fuel cell module is prevented from being deformed by the torsion force and the stress unevenness and the air leakage. In addition, the fuel cell module has different power generation performances depending on the stress, and the locking device of the present invention can control the stress and pitch of the fuel cell module, thereby achieving the most fuel cell module. Good performance. Moreover, since the locking device can be locked only by the rotation method, the assembly step can be simplified, and even the effect of one assembly can be achieved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a lock device and a fuel cell device for a fuel cell module according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements will be described with the same reference numerals.

2 is an exploded perspective view of a fuel cell device 20 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a combined schematic view of the fuel cell device 20. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the fuel cell device 20 includes a fuel cell module 30 and a locking device 40. The locking device 40 includes a fixing body 41, a first end body 42, a friction reducing mechanism 43 and a second end body 44. The first end body 42 has a first threaded structure 421 and the second end body 44 has a second threaded structure 441. The first end body 42 and the second end body 44 are screwed together by the first thread structure 421 and the second thread structure 441, and when the first end body 42 and the second end body 44 are screwed together, the fixing body 41 is fixed. The fuel cell module 30 is fixed to the fixed body 41 and the second end body 44 in the first end body 42 and the second end body 44. The first end body 42 presses the fixing body 41 to the second end body 44, so that the fixing body 41 is fixed to the first end body 42 and the second end body 44; the fixing body 41 is pressed against the fuel cell module 30. The two end bodies 44 are such that the fuel cell module 30 is fixed to the fixed body 41 and the second end body 44.

The friction reducing mechanism 43 is located between the fixed body 41 and the first end body 42. In the present invention, the friction reducing mechanism 43 can have various variations, which are implemented, for example, by bearings, protrusions, balls or grooves, in order to reduce the friction between the fixed body 41 and the first end body. Therefore, the fixed body is only subjected to the positive force applied when the first end body rotates, instead of the torsion force, thereby averaging the stress on the fuel cell module 30, preventing the stress from being uneven and deforming and leaking. The variation of the friction reducing mechanism 43 is exemplified below.

2 shows that the friction reducing mechanism 43 has a bearing 431 and a convex portion 432. The bearing 431 is disposed at the center of the fixed body 41, and the convex portion 432 is disposed at the first end body 42 and disposed corresponding to the bearing 431. The bearing 431 can be, for example, a push bearing such as a thrust ball bearing, a tapered roller bearing, a spherical roller bearing, and a roller thrust bearing. When the first end body 42 presses the fixed body 41 and is coupled with the second end body 44, the convex portion 432 of the first end body 42 passes through the bearing 431, and by the cooperation of the bearing 431 and the convex portion 432, the first When the one end body 42 is rotated, the fixed body 41 receives only a positive force and is not subjected to a torque, thereby preventing the fuel cell module 30 from being deformed by the torsion.

4A shows that the friction reducing mechanism 43 includes a plurality of convex portions 433 disposed on one side of the first end body 42 near the fixed body 41 or on the side of the fixed body 41 near the first end body 42. Or disposed on the side of the first end body 42 adjacent to the fixed body 41 and the side of the fixed body 41 adjacent to the first end body 42. Here, the convex portion 433 is provided on the side of the fixed body 41 close to the one side of the first end body 42 as an example. When the first end body 42 is pressed against the fixed body 41 and combined with the second end body 44, the contact area of the first end body 42 and the fixed body 41 can be reduced by the convex portion 433, and the first end body 42 can be rotated. At this time, the torsion force received by the fixed body 41 is reduced, thereby preventing the fuel cell module 30 from being deformed by the torsion.

4B shows that the friction reducing mechanism 43 includes at least one ball 434 and at least one groove 435. The ball 434 is located in the groove 435. The ball 434 and the groove 435 are disposed on the fixed body 41 or the first end body 42. The ball 434 and the groove 435 are provided in the fixed body 41 as an example. When the first end body 42 presses the fixed body 41 and is coupled with the second end body 44, by the cooperation of the balls 434 and the grooves 435, the fixed body 41 can only be positively rotated when the first end body 42 is rotated. The force is not subjected to the torque, thereby preventing the fuel cell module 30 from being deformed by the torque.

Referring to FIG. 2, the locking device 40 further includes a positioning mechanism 45 for positioning the fixing body 41 and the second end body 44. The positioning mechanism 45 can be, for example, by a convex portion, a concave portion, a locking portion, a latch or a plug. Hole to implement. For example, the positioning mechanism 45 can include at least one convex portion 451 and at least one concave portion 452 corresponding to each other, and the positioning mechanism 45 is respectively disposed on the second end body 44 and the fixed body 41. Here, the convex portion 451 is fixed on the fixed portion 451. The side edge of the body 41 and the recess 452 are disposed on the second end body 44. The fixing body 41 and the second end body 44 are positioned by the positioning mechanism 45. When the first end body 42 is rotatably pressed and coupled with the second end body 44, the fixing body 41 and the second end can be avoided. The body 44 produces relative motion to ensure structural integrity of the fuel cell module 30 between the fixed body 41 and the second end body 44.

In addition, the positioning mechanism 45 may include at least one positioning pin (not shown) and a plurality of positioning holes 453. The positioning holes 453 are respectively disposed on the fixing body 41 and the second end body 44, and the positioning pins are inserted in the positioning pins 45. Positioning hole 453. This can also achieve the above effects.

In addition, the first end body 42 has a jig connecting portion 422 for coupling a jig (for example, a torque wrench) with the first end body 42 to rotate the first end body 42. The jig joint 422 allows the user to conveniently rotate the first end body 42. The jig connecting portion 422 can be a recess, a protrusion, a snap portion, a latch portion, or a combination thereof, and a recess portion is taken as an example.

In addition, the fuel cell device 20 may further include a positioning mechanism for positioning the fuel cell module 30 and the second end body 44, or positioning the fuel cell module 30 and the fixed body 41. The positioning of the fuel cell module 30 and the second end body 44 or the fixed body 41 can prevent the fuel cell module 30 from moving relative to the fixed body 41 or the second end body 44, thereby ensuring that the fixed body is located. The structure of the fuel cell module 30 between the 41 and the second end body 44 is not destroyed. The positioning mechanism can be implemented by the cooperation of the convex portion and the concave portion, or the cooperation of the positioning pin and the plurality of positioning holes.

The positioning mechanism is exemplified by the positioning mechanism 45, and includes at least one positioning pin and a plurality of positioning holes 453. The positioning holes 453 are respectively disposed on the fuel cell module 30, the second end body 44 or the fixed body. 41. The positioning hole 453 is disposed on the fuel cell module 30, the second end body 44, and the fixed body 41, and the positioning pin is inserted into the positioning holes 453 to position the fuel cell module 30 and the second end. The body 44 and the fixed body 41. It should be noted that the positioning hole 453 may penetrate the entire fuel cell module 30 or only a part of the fuel cell module 30, for example, only a certain component of the fuel cell module 30, such as an electrode plate.

In addition, FIG. 5 shows another aspect of the positioning mechanism for positioning the fuel cell module 30 and the second end body 44 or the fixing body 41. The positioning mechanism includes at least one convex portion 455 and at least one concave portion 452 corresponding to each other. The mechanism 45 is respectively disposed on the fuel cell module 30, the second end body 44 or the fixed body 41. Here, the convex portion 455 of the positioning mechanism 45 is disposed in the fuel cell module 30, and the concave portion 452 of the positioning mechanism 45 is disposed in the second portion. End body 44. The fuel cell module 30 and the second end body 44 can be positioned by the cooperation of the convex portion 455 and the concave portion 452. Here, the convex portion 455 and the concave portion 452 are exemplified as the side edges of the fuel cell module 30 and the second end body 44. However, the convex portion 455 and the concave portion 452 may be disposed on the bottom surface of the fuel cell module 30 and the second portion. The top surface of the two end body 44.

In addition, the locking device 40 can further include a limiting mechanism that limits the first end body 41 and the second end body 44. The limiting mechanism prevents the first end body 41 from being reversed from the second end body 44 after the first end body 41 and the second end body 44 are rotatably coupled. The limiting mechanism may include at least one limiting pin and a plurality of limiting holes, or a locking function by the engagement of the concave portion and the convex portion. In the case of the limit pin and the limit hole, in the assembly, the first end body 41 and the second end body 44 can be screwed together, and the limiting hole of the first end body 41 is aligned with the second end body 44. The limit hole is inserted into the limit hole by the limit pin to reach the limit function. If the concave portion and the convex portion are engaged, the concave portion and the convex portion may be disposed at one end of the threaded structure of the first end body 41 and the second end body 44, and the first end body 41 and the second end body 44 are screwed together. After that, the concave portion and the convex portion can be engaged with each other to reach the limit function.

The present invention does not limit the aspect of the fuel cell module, and may be, for example, an Alkaline Fuel Cell (AFC), a Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell (PAFC), or a carbonated fuel cell (Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell). , MCFC), Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC), or Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (PEFC). Among them, polymer electrolyte fuel cells can be divided into Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) and Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) depending on the anode feed.

6 shows that the fuel cell module 30 is a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, which comprises a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) 301. The membrane electrode assembly can be a three-layer structure including a proton exchange membrane (proton exchange). Membrane) and two catalysts, or a five-layer structure, that is, a three-layer structure plus two gas diffusion layers (GDL), or a seven-layer structure, that is, a five-layer structure plus two electrode plates. Here, the membrane electrode group 301 is exemplified by a five-layer structure. The fuel cell module 30 can further include two flow channel plates 302 and two electrode plates 303. The electrode plates 303 have two convex portions and can transmit power to the outside. In addition, the fuel cell module 30 further includes a plurality of spacers 304 disposed between the membrane electrode assembly 301, the flow channel plate 302, the electrode plate 303, the fixed body 41, and the second end body 44. The material of the gasket 304 is, for example, PTFE (expansion). Teflon), with the function of compressing and preventing gas leakage. The components are assembled to the second end body 44 in a layer-by-layer manner, and are positioned by the positioning mechanism. Finally, the fixing body 41 is pressed by the first end body 42 and screwed into the second end body 44 to complete the assembly. .

The above fuel cell module 30 is merely an example and is not intended to limit the present invention. For example, the fuel cell module of the present invention may be a unit stack (including one MEA) or a multi-cell stack (for example, a three-cell stack including three MEAs).

In summary, the locking device of the present invention achieves the locking purpose by rotating, and reduces the friction between the fixed body and the first end body by the friction reducing mechanism, so that the first end body is When rotating, the fixed body receives only the positive force and is not subjected to the torsion force, so the average fuel cell module is subjected to the stress, and the fuel cell module is prevented from being deformed by the torsion force and the stress unevenness and the air leakage. In addition, the fuel cell module has different power generation performances depending on the stress, and the locking device of the present invention can control the stress and pitch of the fuel cell module, thereby achieving the most fuel cell module. Good performance. Moreover, since the locking device can be locked only by the rotation method, the assembly step can be simplified, and even the effect of one assembly can be achieved.

The above is intended to be illustrative only and not limiting. Any equivalent modifications or alterations to the spirit and scope of the invention are intended to be included in the scope of the appended claims.

10. . . The fuel cell

101. . . Screw

102, 103. . . Bipolar plate

20. . . Fuel cell device

30. . . Fuel cell module

301. . . Membrane electrode set

302. . . Flow channel board

303. . . Electrode plate

304. . . pad

40. . . Locking device

41. . . Fixed body

42. . . First end body

421. . . First thread structure

422. . . Jig joint

43. . . Friction reducing mechanism

431. . . Bearing

432, 433, 451, 455. . . Convex

434. . . Ball

435. . . Trench

44. . . Second end body

441. . . Second thread structure

45. . . Positioning mechanism

452. . . Concave

453. . . Positioning hole

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a conventional fuel cell;

2 is an exploded perspective view of a fuel cell device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a schematic view showing the combination of a fuel cell device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

4A and 4B are schematic views showing different aspects of a friction reducing mechanism of a fuel cell device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a different embodiment of a positioning mechanism for positioning a fuel cell module and a second end body according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

6 is an exploded perspective view of a fuel cell module in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

20. . . Fuel cell device

30. . . Fuel cell module

41. . . Fixed body

42. . . First end body

421. . . First thread structure

422. . . Jig joint

43. . . Friction reducing mechanism

431. . . Bearing

432, 451. . . Convex

44. . . Second end body

441. . . Second thread structure

45. . . Positioning mechanism

452. . . Concave

453. . . Positioning hole

Claims (14)

A locking device for a fuel cell module, comprising: a fixing body; a first end body having a first thread structure; a friction reducing mechanism located between the fixing body and the first end body; and a The second end body has a second threaded structure, the first end body and the second end body are screwed together by the first thread structure and the second thread structure, and the fixing system is fixed to the first end The body and the second end body. The locking device of claim 1, wherein the friction reducing mechanism comprises a bearing and a convex portion, the bearing is disposed at a center of the fixing body, and the convex portion is disposed on the first end body and The bearing corresponds to the setting. The locking device of claim 1, wherein the friction reducing mechanism comprises a plurality of protrusions disposed on a side of the first end body adjacent to the fixing body or disposed on the fixing body Adjacent to one side of the first end body, or disposed on a side of the first end body adjacent to the fixed body and the fixing body is adjacent to one side of the first end body. The locking device of claim 1, wherein the friction reducing mechanism comprises at least one ball and at least one groove, the ball is located in the groove, and the ball and the groove are disposed on the fixing body Or the first end body. The locking device of claim 1, further comprising: a positioning mechanism for positioning the fixed body and the second end body. The locking device of claim 1, further comprising: a limiting mechanism for limiting the first end body and the second end body. A fuel cell device comprising: a fuel cell module; and a locking device comprising: a fixing body; a first end body having a first thread structure; a friction reducing mechanism located at the fixing body and the The first end body and the second end body have a second threaded structure, and the first end body and the second end body are screwed together by the first thread structure and the second thread structure, and The fixing system is fixed to the first end body and the second end body, and the fuel cell module is fixed to the fixing body and the second end body. The fuel cell device of claim 7, wherein the friction reducing mechanism comprises a bearing and a convex portion, the bearing is disposed at a center of the fixed body, and the convex portion is disposed on the first end body and The bearing corresponds to the setting. The fuel cell device of claim 7, wherein the friction reducing mechanism comprises a plurality of convex portions disposed on a side of the first end body adjacent to the fixed body or disposed on the fixed body Adjacent to one side of the first end body, or disposed on a side of the first end body adjacent to the fixed body and the fixing body is adjacent to one side of the first end body. The fuel cell device of claim 7, wherein the friction reducing mechanism comprises at least one ball and at least one groove, the ball is located in the groove, and the ball and the groove are disposed on the fixing body Or the first end body. The fuel cell device of claim 7, wherein the locking device further comprises: a positioning mechanism for positioning the fixed body and the second end body. The fuel cell device of claim 7, wherein the locking device further comprises: a positioning mechanism for positioning the fuel cell module and the fixing body, or positioning the fuel cell module and the second end body . The fuel cell device of claim 7, wherein the locking device further comprises: a limiting mechanism that limits the first end body and the second end body. The fuel cell device according to claim 7, wherein the fuel cell module is an Alkaline Fuel Cell (AFC), a Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell (PAFC), or a carbonated fuel cell. (Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell, MCFC), Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC), or Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (PEFC).