A graphite bipolar plate inspection controller component structure and installation method thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides a graphite bipolar plate inspection controller component structure and an installation method thereof, wherein the inspection controller component structure includes a graphite bipolar plate, a metal insert and a female plug terminal PCB board; the graphite bipolar plate includes two monopolar plates, one of which is provided with a metal insert connection portion on the side of one monopolar plate, the metal insert connection portion includes a fixing groove and a water field bonding groove, and the two monopolar plates are mutually bonded and fixed by the adhesive applied in the water field bonding groove; the bonding and fixing end of the metal insert is installed in the fixing groove by snapping, and the metal insert also includes a wiring lead-out terminal; the female plug terminal PCB board includes a female plug terminal structure and a wiring prong, and the female plug terminal structure is connected to the wiring lead-out terminal. The present invention solves the reliability problem of the inspection controller component being fixed in the thin graphite bipolar plate, improves the stability and reliability of the inspection controller collecting electrical signals, and improves the assembly efficiency of the component.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of fuel cell technology, and in particular to a graphite bipolar plate inspection controller component structure and an installation method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Fuel cells are an ideal energy conversion medium with the characteristics of high efficiency, cleanliness and low noise. Fuel cells are usually composed of multiple bipolar plates and membrane electrodes, as well as components such as sealants and fasteners. In order to monitor the internal operating status of the fuel cell, a signal acquisition terminal is provided on the bipolar plate, which is connected to the inspection controller harness to send the inter-node electrical signal to the inspection controller to obtain information such as voltage and impedance to ensure stable operation of the battery.

[0003] Due to the different materials of the bipolar plates themselves, the common connection methods of the bipolar plate inspection controller include integrated stamping-assembly type (metal plates), welding type (metal plates), pin type (graphite plates), clamping ring type (graphite plates) and conductive adhesive bonding type (graphite plates). Due to the brittleness of the graphite bipolar plate itself and the shortcomings of easy shedding of carbon materials, the existing contact methods such as pin type and clamping ring type are prone to permanent damage to the graphite bipolar plate, unstable signal detection and cumbersome operation. The contact method is easily affected by vibration, resulting in virtual connection, affecting the stability of signal transmission; the welding method is complicated and time-consuming to operate, and is not suitable for repeated assembly; the conductive adhesive bonding method is prone to cause bipolar plate contamination, which is also not conducive to repeated assembly and affects subsequent maintenance. At the same time, in order to increase the volume power density, the graphite plate tends to be thinner, and the utilization rate in the two-dimensional space needs to be greatly improved, which puts higher requirements on the fixing method of the inspection controller component on the graphite plate. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the invention provides a graphite bipolar plate inspection controller assembly structure and an installation method thereof, aiming to solve the reliability problem of fixing the inspection controller assembly in the thin graphite bipolar plate through the inspection controller assembly structure, improve the stability and reliability of the inspection controller in collecting electrical signals, and improve the assembly efficiency of the inspection controller assembly.

[0005] The technical means adopted by the present invention are as follows:

[0006] A graphite bipolar plate inspection controller component structure, comprising a graphite bipolar plate, a metal insert and a female plug terminal PCB board;

[0007] The graphite bipolar plate comprises two monopolar plates, one of which has a metal insert connecting portion on its side, the metal insert connecting portion comprising a fixing groove and a water field bonding groove, and the two monopolar plates are bonded and fixed to each other by bonding glue applied into the water field bonding groove;

[0008] The bonding and fixing end of the metal insert is installed in the fixing groove by clamping, the metal insert is installed between the two monopolar plates, and the metal insert also includes a wiring lead-out terminal;

[0009] The female plug terminal PCB board comprises a female plug terminal structure and a wiring insertion opening, and the female plug terminal structure is connected to the wiring lead-out terminal.

[0010] Furthermore, the thickness of the monopolar plate provided with the metal insert connecting portion is greater than that of the other monopolar plate, and the position on the monopolar plate not provided with the metal insert connecting portion corresponding to the metal insert connecting portion is a plane.

[0011] Furthermore, the fixing groove is connected to the water field adhesive groove; a fixing protrusion is arranged in the fixing groove, the adhesive fixing end is a hollow ring structure, the adhesive fixing end cooperates with the fixing protrusion to be snap-fitted and installed in the fixing groove, and is partially located in the water field adhesive groove, and the area of ​​the portion of the adhesive fixing end located in the water field adhesive groove accounts for less than or equal to 3 / 5.

[0012] Furthermore, the wiring lead-out end of the metal insert extends out of the graphite bipolar plate and has a length of 2 to 5 cm, and an oblong hole is provided at the end of the wiring lead-out end.

[0013] Furthermore, it includes a plurality of the graphite bipolar plates for assembling a fuel cell stack, in which the positions of the metal insert connecting portions and the metal inserts on adjacent graphite bipolar plates are staggered; it also includes a plurality of the female plug terminal PCB boards, the female plug terminal PCB boards include a plurality of the female plug terminal structures staggered in a Z shape, and each of the female plug terminal structures is connected to the wiring lead-out terminal of one of the graphite bipolar plates.

[0014] Furthermore, each of the female plug terminal PCB boards is provided with 6 to 10 female plug terminal structures.

[0015] Furthermore, the female plug terminal structure is a double-piece elastic clamping structure, including two clips, and a protrusion is arranged between the two clips.

[0016] Furthermore, the female plug terminal PCB board includes a plurality of the wiring prongs, and each of the female plug terminal structures on the female plug terminal PCB board corresponds to one wiring prong, which are connected through a printed circuit.

[0017] Furthermore, it also includes an end plate fixing plate, the end plate fixing plate is made of insulating material, and the female plug terminal PCB board is fixedly installed on the end plate fixing plate.

[0018] The present invention also provides a method for installing the above-mentioned graphite bipolar plate inspection controller assembly structure, comprising the following steps:

[0019] S1: Take a monopolar plate provided with a metal insert connecting portion in a graphite bipolar plate, and install the bonding and fixing end of the metal insert in a fixing groove;

[0020] S2: applying adhesive into the water field bonding groove of the monopolar plate provided with the metal insert connection portion, aligning another monopolar plate with the above monopolar plate, and then pressurizing and heating to complete the water field bonding of the two monopolar plates to form a complete graphite bipolar plate;

[0021] S3: Connect the female plug terminal structure on the female plug terminal PCB board to the wiring lead-out terminal of the metal insert.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0023] The graphite bipolar plate inspection controller assembly structure provided by the present invention can effectively avoid the risk of permanent damage to the graphite bipolar plates caused by foreign objects such as pins and clamps, and the inspection controller assembly is fixed together by a raised structure and a water field adhesive. Its installation method is more reliable, simple and quick, and can ensure that the electrical signals are effectively acquired and transmitted during the working process, and can also meet the needs of repeated assembly and maintenance.

[0024] Based on the above reasons, the present invention can be widely promoted in the field of fuel cell inspection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative labor.

[0026] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the assembly structure of graphite bipolar plates and metal inserts.

[0027] Figure 2 The schematic diagram of the structure of the monopolar plate part is provided with fixing grooves, fixing protrusions and water field bonding grooves.

[0028] Figure 3 (a)-(d) are schematic diagrams of the four metal insert structures described in Example 1.

[0029] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the structure after the metal insert connection part of the monopolar plate and the metal insert are assembled.

[0030] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of the female plug terminal PCB board structure.

[0031] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the female plug terminal of the PCB board female plug terminal.

[0032] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the female plug terminal PCB board and the end plate fixing board.

[0033] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the installation position of the inspection controller component structure described in the present invention in the fuel cell stack.

[0034] In the figure: 1. graphite bipolar plate; 11. anode plate; 12. cathode plate; 111. fixing groove; 112. fixing protrusion; 113. water field bonding groove; 2. metal insert; 21. bonding fixing end; 22. wiring lead-out end; 3. female plug terminal PCB board; 31. female plug terminal structure; 32. wiring insertion port; 4. end plate fixing plate; 41. bolt I; 42. bolt II. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments of the present invention and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other. The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with the embodiments.

[0036] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is actually only illustrative and is by no means intended to limit the present invention and its application or use. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0037] It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit exemplary embodiments according to the present invention. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. In addition, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, it indicates the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0038] Unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement of the parts and steps described in these embodiments, the numerical expressions and numerical values ​​do not limit the scope of the present invention. At the same time, it should be clear that, for ease of description, the sizes of the various parts shown in the drawings are not drawn according to the actual proportional relationship. The technology, methods and equipment known to ordinary technicians in the relevant field may not be discussed in detail, but in appropriate cases, the technology, methods and equipment should be regarded as part of the authorization specification. In all examples shown and discussed here, any specific value should be interpreted as merely exemplary, rather than as a limitation. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values. It should be noted that similar numbers and letters represent similar items in the following drawings, so once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not need to be further discussed in subsequent drawings.

[0039] In the description of the present invention, it is necessary to understand that the directions or positional relationships indicated by directional words such as "front, back, up, down, left, right", "lateral, vertical, perpendicular, horizontal" and "top, bottom" are usually based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise specified, these directional words do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction or be constructed and operated in a specific direction. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention: the directional words "inside and outside" refer to the inside and outside relative to the contours of each component itself.

[0040] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "above", "above", "on the upper surface of", "above", etc. may be used here to describe the spatial positional relationship between a device or feature and other devices or features as shown in the figure. It should be understood that spatially relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation described in the figure. For example, if the device in the accompanying drawings is inverted, the device described as "above other devices or structures" or "above other devices or structures" will be positioned as "below other devices or structures" or "below their position devices or structures". Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below". The device can also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptions used here are interpreted accordingly.

[0041] In addition, it should be noted that the use of terms such as "first" and "second" to limit components is only for the convenience of distinguishing the corresponding components. If not otherwise stated, the above terms have no special meaning and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0042] Example 1

[0043] like Figure 1-7 As shown, the present invention provides a graphite bipolar plate inspection controller component structure, including a graphite bipolar plate 1, a metal insert 2 and a female plug terminal PCB board 3;

[0044] The graphite bipolar plate 1 includes two monopolar plates, namely an anode plate 11 and a cathode plate 12, wherein a metal insert connecting portion is provided on the side of one monopolar plate (in this embodiment, the anode plate 11), and the metal insert connecting portion includes a fixing groove 111 and a water field bonding groove 113, and the two monopolar plates are bonded and fixed to each other by the bonding glue applied into the water field bonding groove 113;

[0045] The bonding and fixing end 21 of the metal insert 2 is installed in the fixing groove 111 by snapping, and the metal insert 2 is installed between the two monopolar plates. The metal insert 2 also includes a wiring lead-out end 22;

[0046] The female plug terminal PCB board 3 includes a female plug terminal structure 31 and a wiring insertion opening 32 , and the female plug terminal structure 31 is connected to the wiring lead-out terminal 22 .

[0047] Furthermore, the thickness of the monopolar plate provided with the metal insert connecting portion is greater than that of the other monopolar plate, and the position on the monopolar plate without the metal insert connecting portion corresponding to the metal insert connecting portion is a plane. Providing a metal insert connecting portion on the monopolar plate with a larger thickness can ensure that the plate itself is not affected by the groove thickness, and setting the monopolar plate on the other side as a plane can reduce the difficulty of water field bonding, and there is no need to worry about positioning risks.

[0048] Further, the fixing groove 111 is connected to the water field bonding groove 113; a fixing protrusion 112 is arranged in the fixing groove 111, and the bonding fixing end 21 is a hollow annular structure, and the bonding fixing end 21 is mounted in the fixing groove 111 in cooperation with the fixing protrusion, and is partially located in the water field bonding groove 113, and the area of ​​the part of the bonding fixing end 21 located in the water field bonding groove 113 is less than or equal to 3 / 5, and the bonding fixing end 21 extends into the part of the water field bonding groove 11c. The parts can be bonded by adhesive to ensure that the metal insert 2 has high stability, realize one-time integration of multiple components during the molding process of the graphite bipolar plate 1, and will not increase the two-dimensional design size of the graphite bipolar plate 1, ensuring that the fuel cell has a good volume power ratio; through this design, the adhesive can be used to simultaneously achieve the bonding of the double-sided plates and the fixation of the metal insert, which can simplify the installation process and increase the fixing strength of the metal insert; at the same time, the unbonded part of the metal insert can be in benign contact with the double-sided graphite plates over a large area, so as to stably obtain the electrical signals generated on the plates.

[0049] Furthermore, the wiring lead-out terminal 22 of the metal insert 2 extends out of the graphite bipolar plate 1 with a length of 2 to 5 cm. To ensure the coordination of subsequent electrical signal lead-out, an oblong hole is provided at the end of the wiring lead-out terminal 22 to enhance fixation.

[0050] Furthermore, it includes several graphite bipolar plates for assembling a fuel cell stack, in which the metal insert connecting parts and the metal inserts on adjacent graphite bipolar plates are staggered; it also includes several female plug terminal PCB boards, the female plug terminal PCB boards include several female plug terminal structures staggered in a Z shape, each of the female plug terminal structures is connected to the wiring lead-out terminal of one of the graphite bipolar plates; such a design can ensure that a safe distance is reserved, form an effective staggering, and avoid the risk of short circuit caused by overlap.

[0051] Furthermore, each of the female plug terminal PCB boards 3 is provided with 6 to 10 female plug terminal structures 31 .

[0052] Furthermore, the female plug terminal structure 31 is a double-piece elastic clamping structure, including two clips, and a circular protrusion is arranged between the two clips, which can cooperate with the oblong hole opened at the end of the wiring lead-out terminal 22 to strengthen the fit and fixation between the two structures; the elastic clamping structure can achieve repeated plugging and unplugging effect, does not require welding, is convenient for loading and unloading, is convenient for subsequent maintenance and use, has high reliability, and is not affected by impact, vibration and other use conditions.

[0053] Furthermore, the female terminal PCB board 3 includes a plurality of wiring openings 32, and each of the female terminal structures 31 on the female terminal PCB board 3 corresponds to one wiring opening 32. The printed circuit is connected, and the generated electrical signal is led out through the wiring opening 32, thereby effectively avoiding the short circuit risk caused by the contact of the inspection controller components between adjacent graphite bipolar plates 1.

[0054] Furthermore, it also includes an end plate fixing plate 4, which is made of insulating material. The female terminal PCB board 3 is fixedly installed on the end plate fixing plate by bolts I 41, and the two ends of the end plate fixing plate 4 are respectively fixedly installed on the two end plates of the fuel cell stack by bolts II 42, so as to realize high integration of the inspection controller assembly and facilitate subsequent assembly and maintenance.

[0055] Furthermore, to ensure stable signal acquisition and transmission, the metal insert 2 should be a benign conductor, such as copper, and according to the skin effect, a conductive coating such as gold or silver may be added to its surface.

[0056] Furthermore, to ensure that the metal insert 2 is in good contact with the monopolar plate, the thickness of the metal insert 2 is not less than the depth of the fixing groove 111 .

[0057] Figure 3 (a)-(d) show four structures of the metal insert 2, and the bonding and fixing end 21 can be a circular, triangular, rectangular or diamond-shaped hollow ring structure.

[0058] like Figure 8 As shown, the installation method of the above-mentioned graphite bipolar plate inspection controller assembly structure includes the following steps:

[0059] S1: Take a monopolar plate provided with a metal insert connection portion in the graphite bipolar plate 1, and clamp and install the hollow annular structure of the bonding and fixing end 21 of the metal insert 2 on the fixing protrusion 112, so that the metal insert 2 is installed in the fixing groove 111;

[0060] S2: Apply adhesive into the water field bonding groove 113 of the monopolar plate provided with the metal insert connection portion, align another monopolar plate with the above monopolar plate, and then pressurize and heat to complete the water field bonding of the two monopolar plates to form a complete graphite bipolar plate 1; at the same time, the metal insert 2 is further bonded and fixed between the two monopolar plates by the adhesive, and the metal insert 2 is in full contact with the monopolar plates on both sides to achieve full and stable acquisition of electrical signals;

[0061] S3: Connect the female plug terminal structure 31 on the female plug terminal PCB board 3 to the wiring lead-out terminal 22 of the metal insert 2; specifically, assemble the graphite bipolar plates 1 equipped with the metal inserts 2 and bonded into a fuel cell stack according to the set number of sections, and the metal inserts 2 on adjacent graphite bipolar plates 1 are arranged in a staggered manner. The same female plug terminal PCB board 3 can connect multiple graphite bipolar plates 1, align the female plug terminal structure 31 on each female plug terminal PCB board 3 with the wiring lead-out terminal 2b on the graphite bipolar plate 1, and press downward to form a stable connection between the double-piece elastic clamping structure of the female plug terminal structure 31 and the wiring lead-out terminal 2b;

[0062] S4: After the female terminal PCB board 3 is assembled, it is fixed to the end plate fixing plate 4 by bolts Ⅰ41, and then the two ends of the end plate fixing plate 4 are fixed to the end plates at both ends of the battery stack by bolts Ⅱ42 for further reinforcement.

[0063] When the inspection controller assembly structure of the present invention is used for electrical signal detection, the inspection controller wiring harness is plugged into the wiring insertion port 32 of the female plug terminal PCB board 3 .

[0064] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein by equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A graphite bipolar plate inspection controller component structure, characterized in that: Including graphite bipolar plates, metal inserts and female plug terminal PCB boards; The graphite bipolar plate comprises two monopolar plates, one of which has a metal insert connecting portion on its side, the metal insert connecting portion comprising a fixing groove and a water field bonding groove, and the two monopolar plates are bonded and fixed to each other by bonding glue applied into the water field bonding groove; The bonding and fixing end of the metal insert is installed in the fixing groove by clamping, the metal insert is installed between the two monopolar plates, and the metal insert also includes a wiring lead-out terminal; The female plug terminal PCB board comprises a female plug terminal structure and a wiring insertion port, and the female plug terminal structure is connected to the wiring lead-out terminal; The fixing groove is connected with the water field bonding groove; a fixing protrusion is arranged in the fixing groove, and the bonding fixing end is a hollow ring structure. The bonding fixing end cooperates with the fixing protrusion to be snap-fitted and installed in the fixing groove, and is partially located in the water field bonding groove, and the area of ​​the portion of the bonding fixing end located in the water field bonding groove accounts for less than or equal to 3 / 5.

2. The graphite bipolar plate inspection controller assembly structure according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The thickness of the monopolar plate provided with the metal insert connecting portion is greater than that of the other monopolar plate, and the position on the monopolar plate not provided with the metal insert connecting portion corresponding to the metal insert connecting portion is a plane.

3. The graphite bipolar plate inspection controller assembly structure according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The wiring lead-out end of the metal insert extends out of the graphite bipolar plate and has a length of 2 to 5 cm. An oblong hole is provided at the end of the wiring lead-out end.

4. The graphite bipolar plate inspection controller assembly structure according to claim 1 is characterized in that: It includes a plurality of graphite bipolar plates for assembling a fuel cell stack, in which the metal insert connecting portions and the metal inserts on adjacent graphite bipolar plates are staggered; it also includes a plurality of female plug terminal PCB boards, the female plug terminal PCB boards include a plurality of female plug terminal structures staggered in a Z shape, each of the female plug terminal structures is connected to the wiring lead-out terminal of one of the graphite bipolar plates.

5. The graphite bipolar plate inspection controller assembly structure according to claim 4 is characterized in that: Each of the female plug terminal PCB boards is provided with 6 to 10 female plug terminal structures.

6. The graphite bipolar plate inspection controller assembly structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The female plug terminal structure is a double-piece elastic clamping structure, including two clips, and a convex point is arranged between the two clips.

7. The graphite bipolar plate inspection controller assembly structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The female plug terminal PCB board includes a plurality of the wiring holes, and each of the female plug terminal structures on the female plug terminal PCB board corresponds to one wiring hole, which are connected through a printed circuit.

8. The graphite bipolar plate inspection controller assembly structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an end plate fixing plate, which is made of insulating material, and the female plug terminal PCB board is fixedly installed on the end plate fixing plate.

9. A method for installing the graphite bipolar plate inspection controller assembly structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: S1: Take a monopolar plate provided with a metal insert connecting portion in a graphite bipolar plate, and install the bonding and fixing end of the metal insert in a fixing groove; S2: applying adhesive into the water field bonding groove of the monopolar plate provided with the metal insert connection portion, aligning another monopolar plate with the above monopolar plate, and then pressurizing and heating to complete the water field bonding of the two monopolar plates to form a complete graphite bipolar plate; S3: Connect the female plug terminal structure on the female plug terminal PCB board to the wiring lead-out terminal of the metal insert.

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