A hydrogen fuel cell production system and process

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of hydrogen fuel cell manufacturing technology, specifically to a hydrogen fuel cell single-cell manufacturing system and process. The hydrogen fuel cell single-cell manufacturing system includes: a production room equipped with humidity monitoring equipment; assembly equipment installed within the production room, with the humidity monitoring equipment positioned close to the assembly equipment to monitor the ambient humidity around the assembly equipment in real time; and a water mist generating device communicatively connected to the humidity monitoring equipment, equipped with a mist outlet installed within the production room. By controlling the humidity near the assembly equipment in the production room in real time, and then starting the assembly of single cells within a specific humidity range, the swelling of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) can be effectively avoided, ensuring the flatness of the MEA surface. This allows the MEA to be smoothly adhered to the gas diffusion layer under the adhesive effect of the sealing layer, significantly improving the yield rate of single-cell production.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of hydrogen fuel cell manufacturing technology, specifically to a hydrogen fuel cell single-cell manufacturing system and process. Background Technology

[0002] A hydrogen fuel cell is a non-combustion energy conversion device that converts the chemical energy of hydrogen at the anode and oxygen at the cathode into electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction. A single cell in a fuel cell mainly consists of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and bipolar plates. The MEA, composed of a proton exchange membrane, catalyst, and gas diffusion layer, is the site of the reaction. The bipolar plates are thin metal or graphite plates with flow channels; their main function is to supply the reactant gases to the MEA through the flow field, while simultaneously collecting and conducting current and discharging the water and heat generated during the reaction.

[0003] However, during the production of single cells in hydrogen fuel cells, when bonding the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), gas diffusion layer, and bipolar plate, environmental factors can cause the MEA to curl or warp at the edges. This directly results in the MEA not being able to be flatly bonded to the gas diffusion layer, causing the single cell to have no power generation performance or to fail to achieve the expected power generation performance. This leads to a decrease in the single cell production qualification rate and an increase in production costs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the defects of the membrane electrode in the production process of hydrogen fuel cell that are prone to edge curling or warping deformation, which leads to a decrease in power generation performance or even failure of the single cell, thereby providing a hydrogen fuel cell single cell production system and process.

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides a hydrogen fuel cell single-cell production system, comprising:

[0006] The production area is equipped with humidity monitoring equipment.

[0007] Assembly equipment is installed in the production room, and humidity monitoring equipment is placed close to the assembly equipment to monitor the ambient humidity value around the assembly equipment in real time.

[0008] The water mist generating equipment is connected to the humidity monitoring equipment. The water mist generating equipment is equipped with a mist outlet, which is installed in the production room.

[0009] Optionally, the water mist generating device includes an atomizing element, a water container, and a circulation pipeline. The atomizing element is installed inside the water container, both ends of the circulation pipeline are connected to the water container, and the mist outlet is located on the circulation pipeline.

[0010] Optionally, multiple mist outlets are provided at intervals along the extension direction of the circulation pipeline.

[0011] Optionally, the assembly equipment includes an operating table and a robotic arm, with sealing equipment mounted on the operating table.

[0012] Optionally, a blower is also installed in the production room.

[0013] This invention also provides a manufacturing process for a single hydrogen fuel cell. The single hydrogen fuel cell manufacturing system of this invention includes the following steps:

[0014] The humidity in the production room should be controlled at 70%-80%.

[0015] Assemble single cells of hydrogen fuel cells.

[0016] Optionally, the steps for assembling a single hydrogen fuel cell are as follows: sequentially covering and bonding the bipolar plate, the first gas diffusion layer, the first sealing layer, the membrane electrode, the second sealing layer, and the second gas diffusion layer.

[0017] Optionally, both the first sealing layer and the second sealing layer are silicone layers.

[0018] Optionally, the steps for controlling the humidity in the production room to 70%-80% are as follows: when the humidity monitoring device detects an ambient humidity value of no more than 70%, the water mist generating device is turned on to release water mist in the production room to increase the humidity; when the humidity monitoring device detects an ambient humidity value of no less than 80%, the water mist generating device is turned off.

[0019] Optionally, the blowing equipment blows air into the production room to circulate the air within the room.

[0020] The technical solution of this invention has the following advantages:

[0021] 1. The hydrogen fuel cell single cell production system provided by the present invention includes: a production room, in which a humidity monitoring device is installed; an assembly device installed in the production room, wherein the humidity monitoring device is positioned close to the assembly device to monitor the ambient humidity value around the assembly device in real time; and a water mist generating device, which is communicatively connected to the humidity monitoring device, wherein a mist outlet is installed on the water mist generating device and the mist outlet is installed in the production room.

[0022] Characterization analysis of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) exhibiting edge curling or warping deformation during the production of single hydrogen fuel cell cells in existing technologies revealed a swelling phenomenon during single-cell production. This swelling caused unevenness on the MEA surface, ultimately leading to edge curling or warping deformation. In the production of single hydrogen fuel cell cells using a hydrogen fuel cell production system, real-time humidity control near the assembly equipment within the production area is achieved through a combination of water mist production equipment and humidity monitoring devices. Within a specific humidity range, the assembly equipment begins assembling the single cells. Humidifying the assembly process effectively prevents MEA swelling, ensuring surface flatness and allowing the MEA to adhere smoothly to the gas diffusion layer under the adhesive effect of the sealing layer. This significantly improves the yield rate of single-cell production and reduces the production cost of fuel cells.

[0023] 2. The hydrogen fuel cell single-cell production system provided by this invention also includes a blower installed in the production room. By installing the blower, air is circulated within the production room, resulting in a more uniform humidity level.

[0024] 3. The hydrogen fuel cell single-cell production process provided by this invention, using the hydrogen fuel cell single-cell production system of this invention, includes the following steps: controlling the humidity in the production room to 70%-80%; assembling the hydrogen fuel cell single cells. By humidifying the assembly of the hydrogen fuel cell single cells within a predetermined humidity range of 70%-80%, the humidity of the membrane electrode assembly can be effectively increased, effectively preventing the swelling of the membrane electrode and ensuring the flatness of the membrane electrode surface. This allows the membrane electrode to be smoothly attached to the gas diffusion layer under the adhesive effect of the sealing layer, greatly improving the yield rate of single-cell production and reducing the production cost of fuel cells. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a hydrogen fuel cell single-cell production system provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached diagram: 1. Production room; 2. Humidity monitoring equipment; 3. Fogging component; 4. Atomizing component; 5. Water container; 6. Circulation pipeline; 7. Operating table; 8. Robotic arm; 9. Sealing equipment; 10. Blowing equipment. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The technical solution of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0030] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0031] Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0032] Example 1

[0033] like Figure 1 The figure shown is a hydrogen fuel cell single cell production system provided in this embodiment, including: production room 1, assembly equipment and water mist generation equipment.

[0034] Multiple assembly units can be installed within a production room 1. At least one humidity sensor (humidity monitoring device 2) is installed near each assembly unit to monitor the ambient humidity around each unit in real time, ensuring humidity control within a defined production range. A water mist generating device is communicatively connected to the humidity monitoring device 2. The water mist generating device is equipped with a mist outlet 3, which is installed within the production room 1. In this embodiment, to prevent the water mist generating device from affecting the assembly of individual batteries during operation, the water mist generating device includes an atomizing element 4, a water tank (serving as a water container 5), and a circulation pipe 6. The atomizing element 4 is installed inside the water container 5, and both ends of the circulation pipe 6 are connected to the water container 5. The mist outlet 3 is located on the circulation pipe 6. The water container 5 is installed outside the production room 1, and the circulation pipe 6 extends from the water container 5 to above each assembly unit within the production room 1, ultimately circulating back to the water container 5. The misting device 3 is installed on the circulation pipe 6 of the assembly equipment inside the production room 1 to spray water mist above the assembly equipment, thereby increasing the ambient humidity near the assembly equipment. Multiple misting devices 3 are arranged at intervals along the extension direction of the circulation pipe 6.

[0035] The assembly equipment includes a worktable 7 for holding individual batteries and a robotic arm 8 for covering and bonding the individual batteries. A silicone coating device 9, serving as a sealing device, is mounted on the worktable 7. To improve the uniformity of humidity within the production room 1, fans 10, serving as air-blowing devices, are also installed inside the production room 1. Multiple sets of fans can be installed within the production room 1. The air-blowing devices 10 circulate air within the production room 1, thereby promoting humidity balance throughout the production room 1.

[0036] When producing single cells for hydrogen fuel cells using a hydrogen fuel cell single-cell production system, the humidity near the assembly equipment in the production room 1 is controlled in real time through a water mist production device and a humidity monitoring device 2. Then, within a specific humidity range, the assembly equipment begins assembling the single cells. By humidifying the assembly of the single cells, the swelling of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) can be effectively avoided, ensuring the flatness of the MEA surface. This allows the MEA to adhere smoothly to the gas diffusion layer under the adhesion of the sealing layer, greatly improving the yield rate of single-cell production and reducing the production cost of fuel cells.

[0037] Example 2

[0038] This embodiment provides a hydrogen fuel cell single-cell manufacturing process, applying the hydrogen fuel cell single-cell manufacturing system provided in Embodiment 1, including the following steps:

[0039] The humidity in production room 1 is controlled at 70%-80%: when the humidity monitoring device 2 detects an ambient humidity value of no more than 70%, the water mist generating device is turned on to release water mist into production room 1 to increase humidity; when the humidity monitoring device 2 detects an ambient humidity value of no less than 80%, the water mist generating device is turned off. While controlling the humidity, the blower device 10 is used to circulate air within production room 1.

[0040] The hydrogen fuel cell is assembled by sequentially covering and bonding the bipolar plate, first gas diffusion layer, first sealing layer, membrane electrode assembly, second sealing layer, and second gas diffusion layer. In this embodiment, both the first and second sealing layers are silicone layers.

[0041] During the production process, deionized water is first poured into the water tank of the water mist generator. The atomizer 4 is then activated, and the humidified water mist flows out from the outlet pipe of the circulation pipe 6 and is sprayed out through the mist outlet holes (actually mist outlets) of the circulation pipe within the production room 1. At this time, the humidity in the area where the single battery is produced rises. When the humidity monitoring device 2 detects that the humidity reaches 80% or higher, the atomizer 4 stops working. When the humidity monitoring device 2 detects that the humidity is below 70%, the atomizer 4 restarts to begin humidification. When the atomizer 4 stops working, if the pressure in the circulation pipe is insufficient to allow it to spray out through the mist outlet holes, the water mist will flow back into the water tank of the water mist generator through the return pipe of the circulation pipe 6. The fan will start or stop based on the humidity changes in the area to ensure a balanced humidity environment and to protect the electrical components on the assembly equipment. The assembly equipment is started to assemble the single cell. The robotic arm 8 of the assembly equipment attaches the bipolar plate and the hydrogen-side diffusion layer (serving as the first gas diffusion layer). Then, after the silicone coating equipment applies a silicone sealing layer to the hydrogen-side diffusion layer, the robotic arm 8 attaches the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) to the silicone sealing layer. Because the MEA is subjected to humidification by water mist in the production area, swelling and other phenomena do not occur, ensuring that the MEA is flatly attached to the hydrogen-side diffusion layer. After the silicone coating equipment applies the silicone sealing layer to the MEA, the robotic arm 8 again covers and attaches the air-side diffusion layer (serving as the second gas diffusion layer) to the MEA, completing the production process of the hydrogen fuel cell single cell.

[0042] By humidifying the assembly of hydrogen fuel cell units within a predetermined humidity range of 70%–80%, the adaptability of the hydrogen fuel cell unit manufacturing process to environmental humidity has been expanded. Assembling hydrogen fuel cell units within this humidity range effectively increases the humidity of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), preventing MEA swelling and ensuring the flatness of the MEA surface. This allows the MEA to adhere smoothly to the gas diffusion layer under the adhesive effect of the sealing layer, significantly improving the yield rate of unit production and reducing fuel cell production costs.

[0043] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely illustrative examples for clear explanation and are not intended to limit the implementation. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all possible implementations here. However, obvious variations or modifications derived therefrom are still within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A single-cell production system for hydrogen fuel cells, characterized in that, include: The production room (1) is equipped with humidity monitoring equipment (2); Assembly equipment is installed in the production room (1), and the humidity monitoring device (2) is set close to the assembly equipment to monitor the ambient humidity value around the assembly equipment in real time; A water mist generating device is communicatively connected to the humidity monitoring device (2). A mist outlet (3) is installed on the water mist generating device. The mist outlet (3) is installed in the production room (1) to control the humidity in the production room (1) to be 70%-80%. When the ambient humidity value detected by the humidity monitoring device (2) is not greater than 70%, the water mist generating device is turned on to release water mist in the production room (1) to increase the humidity. When the ambient humidity value detected by the humidity monitoring device (2) is not less than 80%, the water mist generating device is turned off. The water mist generating device includes an atomizing element (4), a water container (5), and a circulation pipe (6). The atomizing element (4) is installed inside the water container (5). Both ends of the circulation pipe (6) are connected to the water container (5). The mist outlet (3) is located on the circulation pipe (6). The mist outlet (3) is provided in multiple locations at intervals along the extension direction of the circulation pipeline (6).

2. The hydrogen fuel cell single-cell production system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The assembly equipment includes an operating table (7) and a robotic arm (8), and a sealing device (9) is installed on the operating table (7).

3. The hydrogen fuel cell single-cell production system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The production room (1) is also equipped with a blower (10).

4. A manufacturing process for a single hydrogen fuel cell, characterized in that, The hydrogen fuel cell single-cell production system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 includes the following steps: The humidity in the production room (1) is controlled at 70%-80%; Assemble single cells of hydrogen fuel cells; The steps for assembling the hydrogen fuel cell single cell are as follows: sequentially covering and bonding the bipolar plate, the first gas diffusion layer, the first sealing layer, the membrane electrode, the second sealing layer, and the second gas diffusion layer. Both the first sealing layer and the second sealing layer are silicone layers; The steps for controlling the humidity in the production room (1) to be 70%~80% are as follows: when the humidity monitoring device (2) detects an ambient humidity value of no more than 70%, the water mist generating device is turned on to release water mist in the production room (1) to increase the humidity; when the humidity monitoring device (2) detects an ambient humidity value of no less than 80%, the water mist generating device is turned off. The air blowing device (10) blows air into the production room (1) to circulate the air in the production room (1).

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