Integrated clamping structure and processing method for laser welding of metal bipolar plates

Abstract

The present invention discloses an integrated clamping structure for laser welding of a metal bipolar plate, which includes a base of a welding mechanism. A slider is provided on one side of the base of the welding mechanism. Two linear guide rails matching with the above-mentioned slider are provided on the surface of the base of the welding mechanism. A first rotary swing cylinder is arranged at the slider, and the first rotary swing cylinder is connected with a first pneumatic gripper. Mechanical fingers are provided at the first pneumatic gripper. A second rotary swing cylinder is provided on the other side of the base of the welding mechanism. The second rotary swing cylinder is connected with a second pneumatic gripper. Mechanical fingers are also provided at the second pneumatic gripper. A metal bipolar plate welding tooling mechanism is arranged between the mechanical fingers on both sides. The metal bipolar plate welding tooling mechanism is composed of a welding tooling cover plate and a welding tooling bottom plate which are superposed on each other. It has the following advantages: Two welding tooling plates are used to clamp the metal bipolar plate as the lower plate and the cover plate respectively, reducing the number of clamping times and avoiding the risk of misalignment of the two bipolar plates caused by secondary clamping.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of laser welding tooling fixtures, in particular to an integrated clamping structure for laser welding of metal bipolar plates, and particularly to its mechanical connection structure. Background Art

[0002] Fuel cells generate electrical energy through the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, and the final product is water, which is an important part of the current new energy with no pollution and zero emissions. Existing metal bipolar plates mainly connect the anode plate and the cathode plate together by laser welding to form a "two-plate three-field" structure.

[0003] Existing laser welding processing methods: Since the welding path forms a closed loop and cannot be achieved on a single tooling plate, whether it is a general welding device or an automatic welding device, at least two weldings are required to make the welding tooling, and three plates must be used for the welding tooling, namely one lower tooling base plate 16 and two upper cover plates 17, 18. As Figure 6 , the metal bipolar plate 19 is placed on the base plate, the upper cover plate is moved to the matching position above the base plate, the metal bipolar plate is clamped and then welded. After completion, the clamping is released, the upper cover plate is moved back to the original position, the upper cover plate is moved to the matching position above the base plate, and the metal bipolar plate is clamped and welded again. This method requires secondary clamping of the metal bipolar plate during welding, which affects both positioning and working duration, and has low efficiency.

[0004] In summary, traditional laser welding tooling cannot meet the requirements for mass production and high efficiency of fuel cell metal bipolar plates. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an integrated clamping structure for laser welding of metal bipolar plates. The metal bipolar plate is welded by a fully automatic welding tooling mechanism. The tooling base plate is modified by opening an opening on the reverse side of the base plate to make it a combination of the base plate and the cover plate. Cooperating with the opening path of the upper cover plate, a closed welding path is formed. Only one clamping is required, and the two tooling plates serve as the cover plate and the base plate respectively to complete the entire welding work. This technical solution overcomes the disadvantages and deficiencies existing in the prior art.

[0006] To achieve the above purpose, the technical solution of the present invention is: an integrated clamping structure for laser welding of metal bipolar plates, as Figure 1As shown in the figure, it includes the base of the welding mechanism. A slider is provided on one side of the base of the welding mechanism. Two linear guides that cooperate with the above-mentioned slider are provided on the surface of the base of the welding mechanism. A first rotary oscillating cylinder is arranged at the slider. The first rotary oscillating cylinder is connected to a first pneumatic gripper. Mechanical fingers are provided at the first pneumatic gripper. A second rotary oscillating cylinder is provided on the other side of the base of the welding mechanism. The second rotary oscillating cylinder is connected to a second pneumatic gripper. Mechanical fingers are also provided at the second pneumatic gripper. A metal bipolar plate welding tooling mechanism is provided between the mechanical fingers on both sides. The metal bipolar plate welding tooling mechanism is composed of a welding tooling cover plate and a welding tooling bottom plate that are superimposed on each other.

[0007] Preferably, welding opening paths are distributed on the welding tooling cover plate, and bottom plate welding opening paths are distributed on the welding tooling bottom plate. The cover plate welding opening paths cooperate with the bottom plate welding opening paths to form a closed welding path.

[0008] Preferably, a guide rail brake is provided on the linear guide.

[0009] Preferably, an assembly substrate for the first rotary oscillating cylinder is provided outside the first rotary oscillating cylinder, and the lower part of the assembly substrate for the first rotary oscillating cylinder is fixed at the slider.

[0010] The processing technology involved in this case includes: processing the corresponding welding tooling bottom plate and cover plate. After the processing is completed, it is used for laser welding treatment of the metal bipolar plate. The laser welding treatment includes three stages. The first stage includes self-positioning of the metal bipolar plate. The robotic arm places the metal bipolar plate to be welded on the lower welding tooling plate, and the electromagnet on the tooling performs adaptive positioning. The second stage includes clamping the welding tooling plate by the mechanical fingers and welding the first side of the metal bipolar plate. The third stage includes rotating the pneumatic gripper 180 degrees by the rotary oscillating cylinder to turn the bottom plate of the tooling plate to the working surface and perform welding on the second side, completing the welding of the metal bipolar plate.

[0011] The present invention discloses an integrated clamping structure for laser welding of metal bipolar plates. This technical solution realizes integrated and automated welding without changing the welding path, and achieves efficient processing of fuel cell metal bipolar plate welding. Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0012] 1. The present invention uses two welding tooling plates to clamp the metal bipolar plate as the lower plate and the cover plate respectively, reducing the number of clamping times and avoiding the risk of misalignment of the two bipolar plates caused by secondary clamping;

[0013] 2. One-time clamping shortens the processing time and improves production efficiency. The welding process adopts a fully automatic process, simplifying the overall process, and providing a practical processing method for laser welding of fuel cell metal bipolar plates. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the first embodiment of the processing technology of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the second embodiment of the processing technology of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic structural diagram of the welding tooling mechanism for the metal bipolar plate of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the superposition state of the welding tooling mechanism for the metal bipolar plate of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 6 This is a schematic structural diagram of the welding tooling mechanism for the metal bipolar plate of the prior art. Detailed implementation manners

[0020] In order to make the technical means, creative features, achieved purposes and effects of the present invention easy to understand, the present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the drawings and specific embodiments.

[0021] The present invention discloses an integrated clamping structure for laser welding of metal bipolar plates. As Figure 1 shown in the figure, it is different from the prior art in that it includes a welding mechanism base 1. A slider 2 is provided on one side of the welding mechanism base 1. Two linear guide rails 3 cooperating with the above-mentioned slider 2 are provided on the surface of the welding mechanism base 1. A first rotary swing cylinder 5 is provided at the slider 2. The first rotary swing cylinder 5 is connected to a first pneumatic gripper 6. Mechanical fingers 7 are provided at the first pneumatic gripper 6. A second rotary swing cylinder 8 is provided on the other side of the welding mechanism base 1. The second rotary swing cylinder 8 is connected to a second pneumatic gripper 9. Mechanical fingers 7 are also provided at the second pneumatic gripper 9. A welding tooling mechanism for the metal bipolar plate is provided between the mechanical fingers 7 on both sides. The welding tooling mechanism for the metal bipolar plate is composed of a welding tooling cover plate 10 and a welding tooling bottom plate 11 that are superposed on each other. The first rotary swing cylinder 5 and the second rotary swing cylinder 8 are 180-degree rotary swing cylinders.

[0022] During specific implementation, cover plate welding opening paths 14 are distributed at the welding tooling cover plate 10, and bottom plate welding opening paths 15 are distributed at the welding tooling bottom plate 11. The cover plate welding opening paths 14 cooperate with the bottom plate welding opening paths 15 to form a closed welding path.

[0023] During specific implementation, a rail brake 4 is provided at the linear guide rail 3.

[0024] During specific implementation, a first rotary swing cylinder assembly substrate 12 is provided outside the first rotary swing cylinder 5, and the lower part of the first rotary swing cylinder assembly substrate 12 is fixed at the slider 2.

[0025] In specific implementation, a second rotary swing cylinder assembly substrate 13 is provided outside the second rotary swing cylinder 8, and the lower part of the second rotary swing cylinder assembly substrate 13 is fixed to the welding mechanism base 1.

[0026] In specific implementation, the welding mechanism base 1 is used to support the entire automatic metal bipolar plate welding device, and the length of the slider on the linear guide is controlled by the guide rail brake, so as to ensure the length control and support of the metal bipolar plate welding tooling.

[0027] In specific implementation, the mechanical finger mechanism is used to connect the welding tooling plate, facilitating the subsequent positioning and clamping of the metal bipolar plate welding tooling.

[0028] In specific implementation, as Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown in, the metal bipolar plate welding tooling mechanism includes a welding tooling cover plate 10 and a welding tooling bottom plate 11. An opening path is opened on the reverse side of the welding tooling bottom plate to make it a combination of the bottom plate and the cover plate, and in cooperation with the opening path of the welding tooling cover plate, a closed welding path is formed. Only one clamping is required, and the two tooling plates serve as the cover plate and the bottom plate for each other to complete the entire welding work.

[0029] In specific implementation, the rotating mechanism includes a first rotary swing cylinder 5 and a second rotary swing cylinder 8. After the first side of the metal bipolar plate is welded, the welding tooling is rotated 180 degrees by the rotary swing cylinder, and the welding of the second side is continued to complete the entire welding process.

[0030] Preferably, the closed welding path is completed by the cooperation of the cover plate and the lower bottom plate. The opening path of the welding tooling can be changed according to the welding path of the metal bipolar plate. Therefore, the welding clamping mechanism is applicable not only to metal bipolar plates with three cavities (hydrogen cavity, air / oxygen cavity, coolant cavity) arranged at the same end, but also to metal bipolar plates with cavities arranged around the perimeter.

[0031] Preferably, the length and width of the metal bipolar plate by the welding clamping mechanism are not restricted, and it is applicable to all metal bipolar plate types.

[0032] Preferably, the metal bipolar plate rotating mechanism rotates the metal bipolar plate welding tooling bottom plate in the lower position 180 degrees by the rotary swing cylinder to the upper position to become the cover plate for subsequent welding treatment of the metal bipolar plate; it can also remain unchanged after clamping, change the laser application method, and directly shoot from below for double-sided welding.

[0033] In specific implementation, the slider positioning is controlled by a guide rail brake, and the installation preparation before welding is completed in cooperation with the welding tooling equipment. The robotic arm places the metal bipolar plate to be welded on the tooling bottom plate, and performs adaptive positioning by relying on the electromagnets installed on the tooling. The welding tooling cover plate and the tooling bottom plate clamp the metal bipolar plate through mechanical fingers, and the welding of the upper cover plate surface is completed. Then, the pneumatic gripper is rotated 180 degrees by a rotary swing cylinder, and the welding tooling bottom plate stays on the working surface as the cover plate for welding, and the entire welding work is completed.

[0034] As Figure 2 shown in, the first embodiment of the processing method using the above integrated clamping structure includes the following main steps:

[0035] (1) Design the surface features of the welding tooling cover plate and the welding tooling bottom plate according to the welding path of the metal bipolar plate;

[0036] (2) The mechanical fingers release the welding tooling cover plate and the welding tooling bottom plate. The robotic arm places the metal bipolar plate on the welding tooling bottom plate, performs adaptive positioning through the electromagnet, and then the mechanical fingers clamp the welding tooling cover plate and the welding tooling bottom plate to complete the clamping of the metal bipolar plate;

[0037] (3) The equipment starts laser welding on the working surface (welding tooling cover plate). After the above work is completed, the rotary swing cylinder controls the pneumatic gripper to rotate 180 degrees, turns the welding tooling bottom plate to the working surface, and replaces the welding tooling cover plate to act as the lower tooling plate to complete the entire welding work.

[0038] The automatic welding process involved in the present invention is applicable to various types of metal bipolar plates, and only needs to modify the surface structures of the relevant components (welding tooling cover plate and welding tooling bottom plate).

[0039] As Figure 3 shown in, the second embodiment of the processing method using the above integrated clamping structure is a double-sided welding processing method, and the specific steps are as follows: The robotic arm places the metal bipolar plate to be welded on the welding tooling bottom plate, performs adaptive positioning by relying on the electromagnets installed on the tooling, and clamps the metal bipolar plate by the welding tooling cover plate and the welding tooling bottom plate through equipment clamping. After the clamping is completed, the laser can be directly irradiated from above and below for double-sided welding to complete the welding work.

[0040] The basic principles, main features and advantages of the present invention have been shown and described above. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited by the above embodiments. What is described in the above embodiments and the specification only illustrates the principles of the present invention. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, various changes and improvements will occur to the present invention, and all these changes and improvements fall within the scope of the present invention claimed. The scope of protection claimed by the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. Processing method of integrated clamping structure for laser welding of metal bipolar plates, characterized in that : It includes a welding mechanism base (1). A slider (2) is provided on one side of the welding mechanism base (1). Two linear guide rails (3) that cooperate with the above-mentioned slider (2) are provided on the surface of the welding mechanism base (1). A first rotary swing cylinder (5) is arranged at the slider (2). The first rotary swing cylinder (5) is connected to a first pneumatic gripper (6). A mechanical finger (7) is provided at the first pneumatic gripper (6). A second rotary swing cylinder (8) is provided on the other side of the welding mechanism base (1). The second rotary swing cylinder (8) is connected to a second pneumatic gripper (9). A mechanical finger (7) is also provided at the second pneumatic gripper (9). A metal bipolar plate welding tooling mechanism is provided between the mechanical fingers (7) on both sides. The metal bipolar plate welding tooling mechanism is composed of a welding tooling cover plate (10) and a welding tooling bottom plate (11) that are superposed on each other; Cover plate welding opening paths (14) are distributed at the welding tooling cover plate (10). Bottom plate welding opening paths (15) are distributed at the welding tooling bottom plate (11). The cover plate welding opening paths (14) cooperate with the bottom plate welding opening paths (15) to form a closed welding path; A guide rail brake (4) is provided at the linear guide rail (3); A first rotary swing cylinder assembly substrate (12) is provided outside the first rotary swing cylinder (5). The lower part of the first rotary swing cylinder assembly substrate (12) is fixed at the slider (2); A second rotary swing cylinder assembly substrate (13) is provided outside the second rotary swing cylinder (8). The lower part of the second rotary swing cylinder assembly substrate (13) is fixed at the welding mechanism base (1); The first rotary swing cylinder (5) and the second rotary swing cylinder (8) are 180-degree rotary swing cylinders; It includes the following main steps: (1) Design the surface features of the welding tooling cover plate and the welding tooling bottom plate according to the welding path of the metal bipolar plate; (2) The mechanical fingers loosen the welding tooling cover plate and the welding tooling bottom plate. The robotic arm places the metal bipolar plate on the welding tooling bottom plate, performs adaptive positioning through an electromagnet, and then the mechanical fingers clamp the welding tooling cover plate and the welding tooling bottom plate to complete the clamping of the metal bipolar plate; (3) The equipment starts laser welding on the working surface. After completing the above work, the rotary swing cylinder controls the pneumatic gripper to rotate 180 degrees, turns the welding tooling bottom plate to the working surface, and replaces the welding tooling cover plate to act as the lower tooling plate to complete the entire welding work; The robotic arm places the metal plate to be welded on the welding tooling bottom plate, performs adaptive positioning relying on the electromagnet installed on the tooling, and through the clamping of the equipment, the welding tooling cover plate and the welding tooling bottom plate clamp the metal bipolar plate. After completing the clamping, the laser can directly enter from above and below for double-sided welding to complete the welding work.

Images