A roll forming device for flexible graphite plates of fuel cells

Abstract

The present application provides a roller-forming device for a flexible graphite plate of a fuel cell, comprising two sealing plates, and also comprising an upper roller group and a lower roller group symmetrically arranged above and below, wherein the upper roller group and the lower roller group respectively comprise a first roller and a second roller from left to right, and a forming space is provided between the two second rollers, wherein the plate is extruded and formed by the two second rollers in the forming space, and the two first rollers are used for clamping and conveying the plate to the forming space; one sealing plate is slidably connected to the front side of the upper roller group and the lower roller group, and the other sealing plate is slidably connected to the rear side of the upper roller group and the lower roller group; the upper roller group, the lower roller group and the two sealing plates jointly define a negative pressure space, the air pressure in the negative pressure space is lower than the atmospheric pressure, and the forming space is located in the negative pressure space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of fuel cells, in particular to a roll-forming device for flexible graphite plates of fuel cells. Background Art

[0002] During the roll-forming process of flexible graphite plates for fuel cells, there are problems of plate bubbling and thickness rebound, which seriously affect the forming quality of the plates. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a roller-forming device for flexible graphite plates of fuel cells. The negative pressure space makes the forming space in a negative pressure environment, thereby helping to discharge the air in the plate during the plate forming process and effectively preventing the plate from bubbling and rebounding after forming.

[0004] The present invention provides a roll-forming device for a flexible graphite plate for a fuel cell, comprising two sealing plates, and an upper roller group and a lower roller group symmetrically arranged above and below. The upper roller group and the lower roller group each comprise, from left to right, a first roller and a second roller, with a forming space defined between the two second rollers. The plate is extruded and formed by the two second rollers in the forming space, and the two first rollers are used to clamp and convey the plate to the forming space.

[0005] One of the sealing plates is slidably connected to the front side of the upper roller group and the lower roller group, and the other sealing plate is slidably connected to the rear side of the upper roller group and the lower roller group;

[0006] The upper roller group, the lower roller group and the two sealing plates jointly define a negative pressure space, the air pressure in the negative pressure space is lower than the atmospheric pressure, and the forming space is located in the negative pressure space.

[0007] Furthermore, at least the wheel edges of the two first rollers are provided with rubber.

[0008] Furthermore, the distance between the two first rollers is smaller than the thickness of the electrode plate before being extruded by the two second rollers; and / or

[0009] The distance between the two first rollers is between 4 and 8 mm.

[0010] Furthermore, the two second rollers are steel rollers.

[0011] Furthermore, the distance between the two first rollers is greater than the distance between the two second rollers; and / or

[0012] The distance between the two second rollers is between 0.5 and 1.5 mm.

[0013] Furthermore, the first roller and the second roller have substantially the same roller diameter; and / or

[0014] The roller diameters of the first roller and the second roller are between 250 and 350 mm.

[0015] Furthermore, the upper roller group and the lower roller group each include a third roller, and the third roller is rollingly connected to the first roller and the second roller in the same group, and the distance between the two third rollers is greater than the thickness of the electrode plate.

[0016] Furthermore, at least the wheel edges of the two third rollers are provided with rubber, and the rubber on the wheel edges of the third rollers is squeezed when in contact with the first roller and the second roller.

[0017] Furthermore, at least one of the sealing plates has an air extraction hole.

[0018] The present invention provides a roll-forming device for a flexible graphite plate for a fuel cell, comprising a conveying device, a forming device, and a sealing device. The forming device defines a forming space, and the plate is extruded and formed by the forming device in the forming space. The conveying device is used to convey the plate to the forming space; wherein

[0019] The sealing device alone forms a negative pressure space, and the molding space is located in the negative pressure space; or

[0020] The sealing device is connected to the molding device and defines a negative pressure space together with the molding device, and the molding space is located in the negative pressure space; or

[0021] The sealing device is connected to the forming device and the conveying device, and defines a negative pressure space together with the forming device and the conveying device. The forming space is located in the negative pressure space.

[0022] The technical effect of the present invention is that by locating the molding space in a negative pressure space, the electrode plate is extruded and molded in a negative pressure environment, which helps to discharge the gas inside the electrode plate during the extrusion process, thereby effectively preventing the electrode plate from bubbling and rebounding after extrusion molding. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 This is a front view of a roll-forming device for a flexible graphite plate for a fuel cell provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A top view of

[0025] In the picture:

[0026] 1. Electrode plate; 2. Sealing plate; 3. First roller; 4. Second roller; 5. Third roller. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0028] Please refer to Figure 1 and 2 One embodiment of the present application provides a roll-forming device for a flexible graphite plate for a fuel cell, which is used to extrude and form a flexible graphite plate 1 for a fuel cell, for example, to convert a plate 1 with a thickness of 7 mm into a plate 1 with a thickness of about 1 mm.

[0029] In one embodiment, a roll-forming apparatus for a flexible graphite plate for a fuel cell includes a conveying device, a forming device, and a sealing device. The forming device defines a forming space, and the plate 1 is extruded and formed by the forming device in the forming space. The conveying device is used to convey the plate 1 into the forming space. The sealing device is used to independently form a negative pressure space, or the sealing device is used to form a partial boundary wall of the negative pressure space. The air pressure in the negative pressure space is less than atmospheric pressure, for example, the negative pressure space is a vacuum. The forming space is located in the negative pressure space. The negative pressure space provides a negative pressure environment for the plate 1 when it is formed in the forming space, which helps the air inside the plate 1 to be sucked into the negative pressure space when it is extruded by the forming device, thereby effectively reducing the air content inside the plate 1. This can prevent the plate 1 from bubbling on the surface or rebounding due to the air inside the plate after it is extruded, thereby affecting the forming effect of the plate 1.

[0030] In one embodiment, the negative pressure space can be jointly defined by the sealing device and the molding device; in one embodiment, the negative pressure space can be jointly defined by the sealing device, the molding device and the conveying device; in one embodiment, the negative pressure space can be jointly defined by the sealing device, the molding device, the conveying device and other devices, which is not limited here.

[0031] In such Figure 1 and 2In the embodiment shown, the roller-forming device for the flexible graphite plate of the fuel cell includes two sealing plates 2, and also includes an upper roller group and a lower roller group symmetrically arranged above and below, and the upper roller group and the lower roller group each include a first roller 3 and a second roller 4 from left to right, the two second rollers 4 constitute the forming device, and there is a gap between the two second rollers 4, and the gap forms the forming space, and the plate 1 is squeezed up and down by the two second rollers 4 in the forming space and formed, the two first rollers 3 constitute the conveying device, and there is a gap between the two first rollers 3, and the gap can accommodate the plate 1, so that the plate 1 is clamped by the two first rollers 3, and the friction between the first roller 3 and the plate 1 enables the first roller 3 to convey the plate 1 to the forming space during rotation.

[0032] The two first rollers 3 are symmetrically arranged, with the spacing between them being less than the thickness of the electrode plate 1 before being extruded by the two second rollers 4. For example, if the thickness of the electrode plate 1 before being extruded by the two second rollers 4 is 9 mm, then the spacing between the two first rollers 3 is less than 9 mm. In one embodiment, the spacing between the two first rollers 3 is between 4 and 8 mm. Specifically, if the thickness of the electrode plate 1 before being extruded by the two second rollers is 7 mm, the spacing between the two first rollers 3 is 6 mm.

[0033] Because the spacing between the two first rollers 3 is less than the thickness of the electrode plate 1 before being extruded by the two second rollers 4, when the electrode plate 1 is located between the two first rollers 3, the two first rollers 3 interfere with the electrode plate 1. As a result, when at least one of the first rollers 3 rotates, friction is generated between the electrode plate 1 and the two first rollers 3. Under the action of this friction, the electrode plate 1 moves toward the forming space. Preferably, both first rollers 3 rotate, with one first roller 3 rotating clockwise and the other first roller 3 rotating counterclockwise.

[0034] The first roller 3 uses its wheel edge to contact the electrode plate 1 and utilizes the friction between the wheel edge and the electrode plate 1 to convey the electrode plate 1. In one embodiment, at least the wheel edge of both first rollers 3 is coated with rubber. This rubber increases the friction experienced by the electrode plate 1 when conveyed by the first rollers 3, facilitating the conveyance of the electrode plate 1. In one embodiment, the first roller 3 is a rubber roller, which may be made of silicone rubber. In another embodiment, the first roller 3 comprises a rubber-coated steel roller, i.e., a steel roller covered with silicone rubber.

[0035] The two second rollers 4 are symmetrically arranged steel rollers, and can be made of stainless steel, offering high hardness to facilitate extrusion and shaping of the electrode plate 1. The spacing between the second rollers 4 is small, and is smaller than the spacing between the two first rollers 3. For example, if the spacing between the two first rollers 3 is 6 mm, the spacing between the two second rollers 4 is between 0.5 and 1.5 mm. For another example, if the electrode plate 1 is 7 mm thick before being extruded by the two second rollers 4, and the spacing between the two second rollers 3 is 1 mm, the electrode plate 1 can be extruded and stretched to a thickness of 1 mm.

[0036] In such Figure 1 and 2 In the embodiment shown, the upper roller group and the lower roller group both further include a third roller 5, and the third roller 5 is rollingly connected to the first roller 3 and the second roller 4 in the same group. The third roller 5 can be an active roller, which is connected to a motor so as to rotate. The third roller 5 is rollingly connected to the first roller 3 and the second roller 4 in the same group at the same time, and drives the first roller 3 and the second roller 4 to rotate through the connection.

[0037] In one embodiment, the first roller 3 and the second roller 4 have approximately the same roller diameter. Because the first roller 3 and the second roller 4 in the same group are driven by the same third roller 5, the first roller 3 and the second roller 4 can have the same rotational speed. This helps ensure consistent conveying and forming progress of the electrode plate 1, helps ensure the best forming effect, and can more fully squeeze out the air inside the electrode plate 1, preventing bubbling and rebound of the formed electrode plate 1. In one embodiment, the roller diameter of the first roller 3 and the second roller 4 is between 250 and 350 mm. Specifically, the roller diameter of the first roller 3 and the second roller 4 is 300 mm.

[0038] Please refer to Figure 1 The distance between the two third rollers 5 is greater than the thickness of the electrode plate 1 , so that there is no contact between the electrode plate 1 and the third rollers 5 .

[0039] In one embodiment, at least the edges of the two third rollers 5 are covered with rubber, and the rubber on the edges of the third rollers 5 is squeezed when in contact with the first and second rollers 3 and 4. The second roller 4 utilizes rubber to increase friction with the first and second rollers 3 and 4, contributing to more stable driving. In one embodiment, the third roller 5 is a rubber roller, which can be made of silicone rubber. In another embodiment, the third roller 5 comprises a steel roller with a rubber coating, i.e., a steel roller with a silicone rubber coating on its surface.

[0040] In one embodiment, reference may be made to Figure 1 and 2Of the two sealing plates 2, one is slidably connected to the front side surfaces of the upper and lower roller groups, including the first roller 3, second roller 4, and third roller 5 of the upper and lower roller groups; the other sealing plate 2 is slidably connected to the rear side surfaces of the upper and lower roller groups, including the first roller 3, second roller 4, and third roller 5 of the upper and lower roller groups. Rotating shafts are respectively fixed at the axis centers of the first and second rollers 3, 4, respectively, and the rotating shafts are coaxial with the first and second rollers 3, 4, respectively. The two ends of the rotating shafts pass through the sealing plates 2 on both sides and can rotate at the penetration points. The rotating shafts are sealed at the penetration points of the sealing plates 2.

[0041] The sliding connection includes the first roller 3, the second roller 4 and the third roller 5 rotating, and the sealing plate 2 remaining stationary, so that the first roller 3, the second roller 4 and the third roller 5 slide on the surface of the sealing plate 2, and the first roller 3, the second roller 4 and the third roller 5 are in contact with the sealing plate 2, so that the connection between the first roller 3, the second roller 4 and the third roller 5 and the sealing plate 2 is a sealed connection.

[0042] Thus, the upper roller group, the lower roller group and the two sealing plates 2 jointly define the negative pressure space. Before entering the molding space, the electrode plate 1 is already in the negative pressure space, so that before the electrode plate 1 is squeezed by the second roller 4, part of the air inside the electrode plate 1 has been sucked into the negative pressure space, thereby helping the electrode plate 1 to be molded in the molding space.

[0043] In one embodiment, at least one of the sealing plates 2 has an air extraction hole, through which a vacuum pumping device extracts air from the negative pressure space, thereby forming a negative pressure in the negative pressure space. In one embodiment, during the conveying or forming process of the electrode plate 1, the vacuum pumping device continues to extract air from the negative pressure space to maintain a stable pressure in the negative pressure space.

[0044] The above-mentioned roll-forming device for the flexible graphite plate of the fuel cell makes the forming space located in the negative pressure space, so that the plate 1 is extruded and formed in a negative pressure environment, which helps to discharge the gas inside the plate 1 during the extrusion process, thereby effectively preventing the plate 1 from bubbling and rebounding after extrusion.

[0045] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as first and second, etc., are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply the existence of any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article, or device comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or device. In the absence of further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising a ..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or device comprising the element.

[0046] While embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, and that the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A roll forming device for flexible graphite plates for fuel cells, characterized in that: It includes two sealing plates, and also includes an upper roller group and a lower roller group symmetrically arranged in the upper and lower directions. The upper roller group and the lower roller group each include a first roller and a second roller from left to right. There is a forming space between the two second rollers. The electrode plate is squeezed and formed by the two second rollers in the forming space. The two first rollers are used to clamp and transfer the electrode plate to the forming space. One of the sealing plates is slidably connected to the front side of the upper roller group and the lower roller group, and the other sealing plate is slidably connected to the rear side of the upper roller group and the lower roller group; The upper roller group, the lower roller group and the two sealing plates jointly define a negative pressure space, the air pressure in the negative pressure space is lower than the atmospheric pressure, and the molding space is located in the negative pressure space; The upper roller group and the lower roller group each further include a third roller, the third roller being in rolling connection with the first roller and the second roller of the same group, and the distance between the two third rollers being greater than the thickness of the electrode plate; The distance between the two first rollers is smaller than the thickness of the electrode plate before being squeezed and formed by the two second rollers, and the distance between the two first rollers is larger than the distance between the two second rollers.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: At least the wheel edges of the two first rollers are provided with rubber.

3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The distance between the two first rollers is between 4 and 8 mm.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The two second rollers are steel rollers.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The distance between the two second rollers is between 0.5 and 1.5 mm.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The first roller and the second roller have substantially the same roller diameter; and / or The roller diameters of the first roller and the second roller are between 250 and 350 mm.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein: At least the wheel edges of the two third rollers are provided with rubber, and the rubber on the wheel edges of the third rollers is squeezed when contacting the first roller and the second roller.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein: At least one of the sealing plates has an air extraction hole.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein The device comprises a conveying device, a forming device and a sealing device, wherein the forming device defines a forming space, the electrode plate is extruded and formed by the forming device in the forming space, and the conveying device is used to convey the electrode plate to the forming space; in The sealing device alone forms a negative pressure space, and the molding space is located in the negative pressure space; or The sealing device is connected to the molding device and defines a negative pressure space together with the molding device, and the molding space is located in the negative pressure space; or The sealing device is connected to the forming device and the conveying device, and defines a negative pressure space together with the forming device and the conveying device. The forming space is located in the negative pressure space.

Images