A fuel cell airtightness detection tooling

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of fuel cells, and discloses a fuel cell airtightness detection tooling, which includes: a base, a cover plate covering the base, a first sealing structure hermetically arranged on the base, and a second sealing structure hermetically arranged on the cover plate; the first sealing structure includes: two first sealing rings sequentially used for adhering to one end face of a single cell and surrounding the outside of the air outlet through hole and the outside of the air inlet through hole; the second sealing structure includes: two second sealing rings sequentially used for adhering to the other end face of the single cell and surrounding the outside of the air outlet through hole and the outside of the air inlet through hole; a first air passage is also opened in the base, and one end of the first air passage is located on the side surface of the base, and the other end thereof is located in a first area surrounded by one first sealing ring on the base. This tooling has a simple structure, is convenient to operate, has a low production cost, and is convenient for production and promotion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of fuel cells, and particularly to a fuel cell airtightness detection tooling. Background Art

[0002] Currently, a fuel cell is a device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction. When a fuel cell operates, hydrogen and air / oxygen serve as fuel gas and oxidant gas respectively, and reach the anode and cathode of the cell through the gas flow channels on the bipolar plate, and react to generate water under the action of a catalyst. During this process, electron migration occurs to generate an electric current. In order to ensure that the fuel and oxidant in the proton exchange membrane fuel cell can be evenly distributed on the surfaces on both sides of the entire membrane electrode without mixing, the sealing technology is very crucial. If the sealing is not good, hydrogen-oxygen mixing may occur, leading to risks. Therefore, airtightness detection is very important for fuel cells.

[0003] Existing fuel cells are composed of multiple identical plate-shaped single cells. Intake through holes are formed on the side surfaces of each single cell, and intake ports communicating with the internal reaction chambers of the single cells are formed on the side walls of the intake through holes. Moreover, one end face of a part of the single cells is a flat surface, and two opposite end faces are end faces with concave cavities, or both two opposite end faces are end faces with concave cavities. The concave cavities are used to accommodate cooling water to form cooling chambers. Airtightness detection of the internal chambers of each single cell is also particularly important. However, in the prior art, airtightness detection of fuel cells is performed on the entire fuel cell stack, and there is no detection of each single cell. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a tooling that can perform airtightness detection on each single cell, ensure that the airtightness of each single cell can meet the requirements, and guarantee the safety of the fuel cell.

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the present invention provides a fuel cell airtightness detection tooling, including: a base, a cover plate covering the base, a first sealing structure hermetically arranged on the base, and a second sealing structure hermetically arranged on the cover plate; the first sealing structure includes: two first sealing rings that are sequentially used for being attached to one end face of the single cell and surrounding the outside of the air outlet through hole and the outside of the air intake through hole respectively; the second sealing structure includes: two second sealing rings that are sequentially used for being attached to the other end face of the single cell and surrounding the outside of the air outlet through hole and the outside of the air intake through hole respectively;

[0006] A first air duct is further formed in the base, and one end of the first air duct is located on the side surface of the base, and the other end is located in a first area surrounded by one of the first sealing rings on the base.

[0007] Compared with the prior art, the fuel cell airtightness detection tooling in an embodiment of the present invention has the beneficial effects that: by sequentially providing corresponding first sealing structures and second sealing structures on the base and the cover body; sealing the intake through-hole and the exhaust through-hole of the single cell to form a sealed space, and then introducing high-pressure air into the sealed space through the first intake channel in the base, the gas flow condition in the sealed space can be detected when the air pressure in the chamber is stable, so as to obtain the airtightness condition of the single cell. This tooling has a simple structure, is convenient to operate, has a low production cost, and is convenient for production and promotion.

[0008] Further, the first sealing structure further includes: a first annular groove opened on the base for the first sealing ring to be snapped into, and the first annular groove is in sealing fit with the first sealing ring; the second sealing structure further includes: a second annular groove opened on the cover plate for the second sealing ring to be snapped into, and the second annular groove is in sealing fit with the second sealing ring. The provision of annular grooves for the corresponding sealing rings to be snapped into facilitates the installation and replacement of the sealing rings, and at the same time facilitates fixing the sealing rings on the corresponding cover plate and base, and the corresponding sealing rings are in interference fit with the corresponding annular grooves to form a sealed connection.

[0009] Further, the fuel cell airtightness detection tooling further includes: a plurality of first sealing structures and second sealing structures for detecting the single cell having a plurality of the intake through-holes and a plurality of the exhaust through-holes; a first area surrounded by one of the first sealing rings in each of the first sealing structures is communicated with a corresponding air channel; and the plurality of first sealing structures and second sealing structures correspond one-to-one with the plurality of intake through-holes and the plurality of exhaust through-holes. After a first sealing structure and a second sealing structure cooperate with each other, they can be used to detect the airtightness of one chamber in the single cell. To meet the need that the single cell has a plurality of chambers whose airtightness needs to be detected, this tooling has a plurality of first sealing structures and a plurality of second sealing structures corresponding one-to-one and arranged in the corresponding intake holes and exhaust holes of the single cell.

[0010] This tooling has two first sealing structures and two second sealing structures, which are respectively used to seal the chamber for introducing the reducing agent and the chamber for introducing the oxidant in the single cell in sequence.

[0011] Further, the number of both the first sealing structure and the second sealing structure is two; the number of the first annular grooves is four, and four first sealing grooves for communicating each adjacent first annular groove are further opened on the base; each of the first sealing grooves is in sealing fit with a first sealing member; both ends of each first sealing member are in sealing connection with the two first sealing rings communicated therewith in a one-to-one correspondence, and the four first sealing members and the four first sealing rings are connected to each other on the base and enclose a second area for sealing one end face of the single cell;

[0012] The number of the second annular grooves is also four, and four second sealing grooves for communicating each adjacent second annular groove are further formed in the cover plate; a second sealing member is hermetically fitted in each second sealing groove; both ends of each second sealing member are hermetically connected to the two corresponding second sealing rings communicated therewith, and the four second sealing members and the four second sealing rings are connected to each other on the cover plate to enclose a third area for sealing the other end face of the single cell; a second air passage is further formed in the cover plate, one end of the second air passage is located on the side surface of the base, and the other end thereof is located on the cover plate in the third area.

[0013] The first sealing ring and the first sealing member in the first area are both hermetically connected to the edge of the concave cavity on one end face of the single cell; the second sealing member and the second sealing ring in the second sealing area are both hermetically connected to the edge of the concave cavity on the other end of the single cell to form a sealed space with the concave cavity. When high-pressure air is introduced into the second air passage and enters the sealed space, the airtightness of the concave cavity can be judged by observing the gas flow rate of the second air passage after the air pressure in the concave cavity is stable.

[0014] Further, the base is of a rectangular structure; the four first sealing rings are respectively located near the four top corners of the base; a positioning groove is formed in the base in the second area; and a positioning pin for passing through the positioning through hole of the single cell is inserted in the positioning groove; a receiving cavity for receiving the positioning pin is further arranged on the cover plate in the third area. The position of the single cell can be defined by the positioning pin, so that the staff can ensure that the single cell is in a predetermined position every time the single cell is placed.

[0015] Further, the number of the positioning through holes, the positioning grooves, and the positioning pins is two; the two positioning grooves are respectively and sequentially arranged at both ends of the base; and the positioning through holes and the positioning pins are located on the positioning grooves in a one-to-one correspondence. By adopting two positioning pins, the single cell can be better defined in a predetermined position.

[0016] Further, the two positioning grooves are respectively and sequentially close to both ends of the base and are located between two adjacent first sealing rings. The positioning grooves are arranged at both ends of the base because of the influence of the position of the positioning through holes of the single cell, and at the same time, arranging the positioning grooves at both ends of the base can better define the single cell in a predetermined position.

[0017] Further, fixing holes for bolts to pass through and be fixed are arranged on both the base and the cover body. The arranged fixing holes can facilitate fixing the cover body or the base in the detection device to realize the movement of the cover body relative to the base and complete the airtightness detection work.

[0018] Further, a groove is formed on the base, and the groove is close to the first seal. The groove is provided to facilitate the staff to place the single cell to be tested or take out the single cell after detection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 is the assembly drawing of the detection tooling in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 is the structural diagram of the base in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 is the embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 the structural diagram of the lower end surface of the middle cover plate;

[0022] In the figure, 1, base; 2, cover plate; 111, first sealing ring; 112, first annular groove; 12, first air passage; 13, second air passage; 14, third air passage; 15, fixing hole; 16, groove; 17, first seal; 18, first sealing groove; 212, second annular groove; 22, accommodating cavity; 23, second sealing groove; 3, positioning groove; 4, positioning pin; 5, single cell; 51, intake through hole; 52, outlet through hole; 53, positioning through hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0023] The following combines the drawings and embodiments to further describe in detail the specific embodiments of the present invention. The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention, but are not used to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0024] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as "upper", "lower", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation of the present invention.

[0025] As Figures 1 - 3 shown, a fuel cell airtightness detection tooling in a preferred embodiment of the embodiment of the present invention includes: a base 1, a cover plate 2 covering the base 1, a first sealing structure hermetically arranged on the base 1, and a second sealing structure hermetically arranged on the cover plate 2; the first sealing structure includes: two first sealing rings 111 respectively used to be attached to one end face of the single cell 5 and surround the outside of the outlet through hole 52 and the outside of the intake through hole 51 in sequence; the second sealing structure includes: two second sealing rings respectively used to be attached to the other end face of the single cell 5 and surround the outside of the outlet through hole 52 and the outside of the intake through hole 51 in sequence.

[0026] A first air passage 12 is further formed in the base 1, one end of the first air passage 12 is located on the side surface of the base 1, and the other end thereof is located in a first region surrounded by a first sealing ring 111 on the base 1.

[0027] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effect of the fuel cell airtightness detection tooling according to the embodiment of the present invention lies in that: by sequentially arranging corresponding first sealing structures and second sealing structures on the base 1 and the cover body; sealing the air inlet through hole 51 and the air outlet through hole 52 of the single cell 5 to form a sealed space, and then introducing high-pressure air into the first air inlet passage in the base 1 to enter the sealed space, and detecting the gas flow condition in the sealed space when the air pressure in the chamber is stable, the airtightness condition of the single cell 5 can be obtained. The tooling has a simple structure, is convenient to operate, has a low production cost, and is convenient for production and promotion.

[0028] In one embodiment, the first sealing structure further includes: a first annular groove 112 formed in the base 1 for the first sealing ring 111 to be snapped into, and the first annular groove 112 is in sealing cooperation with the first sealing ring 111; the second sealing structure further includes: a second annular groove 212 formed in the cover plate 2 for the second sealing ring to be snapped into, and the second annular groove 212 is in sealing cooperation with the second sealing ring. The provision of the annular grooves for the corresponding sealing rings to be snapped into facilitates the installation and replacement of the sealing rings, and at the same time facilitates the fixing of the sealing rings on the corresponding cover plate 2 and the base 1, and the corresponding sealing rings are in interference fit with the corresponding annular grooves to form a sealed connection.

[0029] In one embodiment, the fuel cell airtightness detection tooling further includes: a plurality of first sealing structures and second sealing structures for detecting a single cell 5 having a plurality of air inlet through holes 51 and a plurality of air outlet through holes 52; a first region surrounded by a first sealing ring 111 in each first sealing structure is communicated with a corresponding air passage; and the plurality of first sealing structures and second sealing structures correspond one-to-one to the plurality of air inlet through holes 51 and the plurality of air outlet through holes 52. After a first sealing structure and a second sealing structure cooperate with each other, they can be used to detect the airtightness of a chamber in the single cell 5. To meet the requirement that the single cell 5 has a plurality of chambers whose airtightness needs to be detected, the tooling has a plurality of first sealing structures and a plurality of second sealing structures arranged in one-to-one correspondence in the corresponding air inlet holes and air outlet holes of the single cell 5.

[0030] As Figure 1 shown, the present tooling has two first sealing structures and two second sealing structures, which are respectively used to seal the chamber for introducing the reducing agent and the chamber for introducing the oxidant in the single cell 5 in sequence; among them, a first sealing ring 111 is located below the air inlet through hole 51 of the oxidant chamber, and one end of a third air passage 14 is communicated with the region surrounded by the first sealing ring 111 on the base 1, and the other end of the third air passage 14 is located on the side surface of the base 1.

[0031] In one embodiment, the number of the first sealing structure and the second sealing structure is two each; the number of the first annular grooves 112 is four, and four first sealing grooves 18 for communicating each adjacent first annular groove 112 are further formed on the base 1; a first seal 17 is sealingly fitted in each first sealing groove 18; both ends of each first seal 17 are sealingly connected to the two first sealing rings 111 communicated therewith in a one-to-one correspondence, and the four first seals 17 and the four first sealing rings 111 are connected to each other on the base 1 and enclose a second area for sealing one end face of the single cell 5;

[0032] In one embodiment, the number of the second annular grooves 212 is also four, and four second sealing grooves 23 for communicating each adjacent second annular groove 212 are further formed on the cover plate 2; a second seal is sealingly fitted in each second sealing groove 23; both ends of each second seal are sealingly connected to the two second sealing rings communicated therewith in a one-to-one correspondence, and the four second seals and the four second sealing rings are connected to each other on the cover plate 2 and enclose a third area for sealing the other end face of the single cell 5; a second air passage 13 is further formed on the cover plate 2, one end of the second air passage 13 is located on the side surface of the base 1, and the other end thereof is located on the cover plate 2 within the third area.

[0033] In this embodiment, the four first seals 17 and the four first sealing rings 111 are integrally injection-molded from an elastic rubber material, and the four second seals and the four second sealing rings are also integrally injection-molded from an elastic rubber material.

[0034] The first sealing ring 111 and the first seal 17 in the first area are both sealingly connected to the edge of the concave cavity on one end face of the single cell 5; the second seal and the second sealing ring in the second sealing area are both sealingly connected to the edge of the concave cavity on the other end of the single cell 5, and a sealed space is formed with the concave cavity. When high-pressure air is introduced into the second air passage 13 and enters the sealed space, the airtightness of the concave cavity can be judged by observing the gas flow rate of the second air passage 13 after the air pressure in the concave cavity is stabilized.

[0035] In one embodiment, the base 1 is of a rectangular structure; the four first sealing rings 111 are respectively located near the four top corners of the base 1; a positioning groove 3 is formed on the base 1 within the second area; and a positioning pin 4 for passing through the positioning through hole 53 of the single cell 5 is inserted in the positioning groove 3; a receiving cavity 22 for receiving the positioning pin 4 is further provided on the cover plate 2 within the third area. The position where the single cell 5 is placed can be defined by the positioning pin 4, so that the single cell 5 can be ensured to be in a predetermined position every time a staff member places the single cell 5.

[0036] In one embodiment, the number of positioning through holes 53, positioning grooves 3, and positioning pins 4 is two; the two positioning grooves 3 are respectively and sequentially arranged at both ends of the base 1; and the positioning through holes 53 and the positioning pins 4 are respectively located on the positioning grooves 3 in a one-to-one correspondence. Using two positioning pins 4 can better limit the single battery 5 in a predetermined position.

[0037] In one embodiment, the two positioning grooves 3 are respectively and sequentially close to both ends of the base 1 and are located between two adjacent first sealing rings. The positioning grooves 3 are arranged at both ends of the base 1 due to the position of the positioning through holes 53 of the single battery 5. At the same time, arranging the positioning grooves 3 at both ends of the base 1 can better limit the single battery 5 in a predetermined position.

[0038] In one embodiment, both the base 1 and the cover body are provided with fixing holes 15 for bolts to pass through and be fixed. The provided fixing holes 15 can facilitate fixing the cover body or the base 1 in the detection device to realize the movement of the cover body relative to the base 1 and complete the airtightness detection work.

[0039] In one embodiment, a groove 16 is further formed on the base 1, and the groove 16 is close to the first sealing member 17. Arranging the groove 16 can facilitate the staff to place the single battery 5 to be tested or take out the single battery 5 that has been tested.

[0040] The working process of the present invention is as follows: during the process of detecting the airtightness of the single battery 5, the single battery 5 is placed on the base 1, and the positioning pin 4 is inserted through the positioning through hole 53 of the single battery 5 into the positioning groove 4. The cover plate 2 is pressed down so that the second sealing ring and the second sealing member are in contact with one end face of the single battery 5, and the other end face of the single battery 5 is in contact with the first sealing ring 111 and the first sealing member 17.

[0041] When detecting the external leakage of the chamber of the single battery 5, high-pressure air with the same pressure is introduced into the first air passage 12, the second air passage 13, and the third air passage 14. After the air pressure in the three air passages is stable, observe the gas flow rate of the corresponding air passage, and compare the gas flow rate in the corresponding pipeline with the set value. If the gas flow rate in a certain pipeline is greater than the preset value, it indicates serious air leakage and poor airtightness, otherwise the airtightness is good.

[0042] When detecting the series leakage between the chambers of the single battery 5, high-pressure air is introduced into one air passage. After the air pressure is stable, detect the gas flow rate in the other two air passages. If the gas flow rate in one or two air passages is greater than the preset value, it indicates that the chamber into which the high-pressure air is introduced is in series leakage with the chamber connected to the one or two air passages; otherwise, there is no series leakage.

[0043] In summary, the embodiment of the present invention provides a fuel cell airtightness detection tooling, which sequentially sets corresponding first and second sealing structures on the base 1 and the cover body; seals the air inlet through hole 51 and the air outlet through hole 52 of the single cell 5 to form a sealed space, and then introduces high-pressure air into the first air inlet channel in the base 1 and into the closed space. When the air pressure in the chamber is stable, the gas flow in the sealed space is detected, and the airtightness of the single cell 5 can be obtained. This tooling has a simple structure, is easy to operate, has low production costs, and is convenient for production and promotion.

[0044] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the technical principle of the present invention, several improvements and substitutions can be made, and these improvements and substitutions should also be regarded as the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fuel cell airtightness detection tooling for detecting a single cell having an intake through-hole and an exhaust through-hole, the single cell having a reducing agent chamber for introducing a reducing agent and an oxidant chamber for introducing an oxidant, characterized in that, Comprising: A base, a cover plate covering the base, a first sealing structure hermetically provided on the base, and a second sealing structure hermetically provided on the cover plate; The first sealing structure includes: two first sealing rings respectively used for being attached to one end face of the single cell in sequence and surrounding the outside of the air outlet through hole and the outside of the air inlet through hole; the second sealing structure includes: two second sealing rings respectively used for being attached to the other end face of the single cell in sequence and surrounding the outside of the air outlet through hole and the outside of the air inlet through hole; A first air passage and a third air passage are further formed in the base, one end of the first air passage is located on the side surface of the base, and the other end is located in a first area surrounded by one of the first sealing rings on the base. One end of the third air passage is located in a first area surrounded by the other first sealing ring on the base, and the other end of the third air passage is located on the side surface of the base; When detecting the series leakage of the reducing agent chamber and the oxidant chamber of the single cell, high-pressure air is introduced into one of the first air passage and the third air passage. After the air pressure is stable, the flow rate of the gas in the other air passage is detected. If the gas flow rate in this air passage is greater than a preset value, it indicates that the chamber into which the high-pressure air is introduced is in series leakage with the chamber communicated with this air passage; The first sealing structure further includes: a first ring groove formed in the base for the first sealing ring to be snapped into, and the first ring groove is in sealing fit with the first sealing ring; the second sealing structure further includes: a second ring groove formed in the cover plate for the second sealing ring to be snapped into, and the second ring groove is in sealing fit with the second sealing ring.

2. The fuel cell airtightness detection tooling according to claim 1, characterized in that, Further comprising: A plurality of the first sealing structures and the second sealing structures for detecting the single cell having a plurality of the air inlet through holes and a plurality of the air outlet through holes; A first area surrounded by one of the first sealing rings in each of the first sealing structures is communicated with a corresponding air passage; and the plurality of the first sealing structures and the second sealing structures correspond to the plurality of the air inlet through holes and the plurality of the air outlet through holes one by one.

3. The fuel cell airtightness detection tooling according to claim 2, characterized in that, The number of both the first sealing structure and the second sealing structure is two; the number of the first ring grooves is four, and four first sealing grooves for communicating each adjacent first ring groove are further formed in the base; a first sealing member is hermetically fitted in each of the first sealing grooves; both ends of each first sealing member are hermetically connected to the two first sealing rings corresponding to it in communication, and the four first sealing members and the four first sealing rings are connected to each other on the base and enclose a second area for sealing one end face of the single cell; The number of the second annular grooves is also four, and four second sealing grooves for communicating each adjacent second annular groove are further formed in the cover plate; a second sealing member is hermetically fitted in each second sealing groove; both ends of each second sealing member are hermetically connected to the two second sealing rings communicated therewith in a one-to-one correspondence, and the four second sealing members and the four second sealing rings are connected to each other on the cover plate and enclose a third area for sealing the other end face of the single battery; a second air passage is further formed in the cover plate, one end of the second air passage is located on the side face of the base, and the other end thereof is located on the cover plate in the third area.

4. The fuel cell airtightness detection tooling according to claim 3, characterized in that, One ends of the first air passage and the second air passage are both located on the same side face of the base.

5. The fuel cell airtightness detection tooling according to claim 3, characterized in that, The base is of a rectangular structure; the four first sealing rings are respectively located near the four top corners of the base; a positioning groove is formed in the base in the second area; a positioning pin for passing through the positioning through hole of the single battery is inserted in the positioning groove; and a receiving cavity for receiving the positioning pin is further arranged on the cover plate in the third area.

6. The fuel cell airtightness detection tooling according to claim 5, characterized in that, The number of the positioning through holes, the positioning grooves, and the positioning pins is two; the two positioning grooves are respectively and sequentially arranged at both ends of the base; and the positioning through holes and the positioning pins are located on the positioning grooves in a one-to-one correspondence.

7. The fuel cell airtightness detection tooling according to claim 6, characterized in that, The two positioning grooves are respectively and sequentially close to both ends of the base and are located between two adjacent first sealing rings.

8. The fuel cell airtightness detection tooling according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, Both the base and the cover plate are provided with fixing holes for bolts to pass through for fixing.

9. The fuel cell airtightness detection tooling according to any one of claims 3-7, characterized in that, A groove is further formed in the base, and the groove is close to the first sealing member.

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