A membrane electrode gdl packaging method and positioning device

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of fuel cell technology, and particularly to a membrane electrode assembly (GDL) encapsulation method and positioning device. The GDL encapsulation method includes the following steps: S01: placing a positioning plate on the anode side of the sealing frame, inserting a first positioning post into the first positioning hole and the first manifold opening in sequence, and inserting a second positioning post into the second positioning hole and the second manifold opening in sequence; S02: placing the anode GDL in the third positioning hole and connecting it to the surface of the anode side; S03: placing the positioning plate on the cathode side of the sealing frame, inserting a first positioning post into the first positioning hole and the first manifold opening in sequence, and inserting a second positioning post into the second positioning hole and the second manifold opening in sequence; S04: placing the cathode GDL in the third positioning hole and connecting it to the surface of the cathode side; S05: hot pressing to attach the anode GDL and cathode GDL to both sides of the CCM.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fuel cell technology, and in particular to a membrane electrode assembly (GDL) packaging method and positioning device. Background Technology

[0002] The membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is the core unit of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, a key component in converting chemical energy into electrical energy. The fabrication process of the MEA includes coating, frame membrane encapsulation, and GDL (Gas Diffusion Layer) encapsulation. The GDL encapsulation process requires precise positioning of the anode and cathode GDLs. Deviations in the relative positions of the anode or cathode GDL with the CCM (Catalyst Coated Membrane) can affect the consistency of the MEA after subsequent hot-pressing and the performance of the fuel cell stack. Current GDL encapsulation processes mostly rely on manual positioning, which cannot guarantee accuracy. Using automated vision positioning equipment can ensure accurate positioning, but the cost is too high.

[0003] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a membrane electrode GDL packaging method and positioning device to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a GDL (Glass Die) packaging method for membrane electrodes that can ensure accurate positioning while reducing costs.

[0005] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] A method for GDL encapsulation of a membrane electrode includes the following steps:

[0007] S01: Place the positioning plate on the anode side of the sealing frame. The sealing frame has a first manifold port, a second manifold port, and a central through hole. The CCM part is set in the central through hole. The positioning plate has a first positioning hole, a second positioning hole, and a third positioning hole. The third positioning hole is set corresponding to the central through hole. Insert the first positioning post into the first positioning hole and the first manifold port in sequence. Insert the second positioning post into the second positioning hole and the second manifold port in sequence.

[0008] S02: Place the anode GDL in the third positioning hole and connect it to the surface on the anode side;

[0009] S03: Place the positioning plate on the cathode side of the sealing frame, insert the first positioning post into the first positioning hole and the first manifold opening in sequence, and insert the second positioning post into the second positioning hole and the second manifold opening in sequence.

[0010] S04: Place the cathode GDL in the third positioning hole and connect it to the surface on the cathode side;

[0011] S05: The anode GDL and the cathode GDL are attached to both sides of the CCM by hot pressing.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of the membrane electrode GDL encapsulation method, step S02 further includes applying adhesive to the anode GDL so that the anode GDL can be bonded to the surface on the anode side.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of the membrane electrode GDL encapsulation method, step S04 further includes applying adhesive to the cathode GDL so that the cathode GDL can be bonded to the cathode side surface.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the GDL encapsulation method for membrane electrodes, both the third positioning hole and the central through hole are rectangular. The length of the third positioning hole is greater than the length of the central through hole, the width of the third positioning hole is greater than the width of the central through hole, and the length direction of the third positioning hole is parallel to the length direction of the central through hole.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of a membrane electrode GDL encapsulation method, the thickness of the third positioning hole is greater than the thickness of the anode GDL, and the thickness of the third positioning hole is greater than the thickness of the cathode GDL.

[0016] As a preferred embodiment of the membrane electrode GDL packaging method, the length of the third positioning hole is A, and the length of the anode GDL is B, satisfying: A=B+K1, where K1 is less than the preset length tolerance;

[0017] The width of the third positioning hole is C, and the width of the anode GDL is D, satisfying: C=D+K2, where K2 is less than the preset width tolerance.

[0018] As a preferred embodiment of the GDL (Glass Diode) encapsulation method for membrane electrodes, the size and shape of the first positioning hole are consistent with the size and shape of the first manifold orifice, and the size and shape of the second positioning hole are consistent with the size and shape of the second manifold orifice.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a positioning device that can be used in the GDL encapsulation process to ensure the accuracy of the positioning of the anode GDL and the cathode GDL, while reducing manufacturing costs.

[0020] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0021] A positioning device is used in the above-described membrane electrode GDL packaging method, the positioning device comprising a positioning plate, a first positioning post, and a second positioning post.

[0022] As a preferred embodiment of the positioning device, the positioning plate is made of PET, PI, PP, PE, PEEK or PPS.

[0023] As a preferred embodiment of the positioning device, both the first positioning post and the second positioning post are made of acrylic or PVC.

[0024] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0025] This invention provides a method for encapsulating a membrane electrode GDL, comprising the following steps: S01: placing a positioning plate on the anode side of a sealing frame. The sealing frame has a first manifold opening, a second manifold opening, and a central through hole. The CCM portion is disposed within the central through hole. The positioning plate has a first positioning hole, a second positioning hole, and a third positioning hole, with the third positioning hole corresponding to the central through hole. A first positioning post is sequentially inserted into the first positioning hole and the first manifold opening, and a second positioning post is sequentially inserted into the second positioning hole and the second manifold opening; S02: placing the anode GDL within the third positioning hole and connecting it to the surface of the anode side; S03: placing the positioning plate on the cathode side of the sealing frame. A first positioning post is sequentially inserted into the first positioning hole and the first manifold opening, and a second positioning post is sequentially inserted into the second positioning hole and the second manifold opening; S04: placing the cathode GDL within the third positioning hole and connecting it to the surface of the cathode side; S05: attaching the anode GDL and the cathode GDL to both sides of the CCM using a hot-pressing process. This GDL encapsulation method for membrane electrodes not only ensures accurate positioning, thus guaranteeing the quality of the membrane electrode assembly, but also reduces costs and improves economic efficiency.

[0026] The present invention also provides a positioning device for use in the above-described membrane electrode GDL packaging method, the positioning device comprising a positioning plate, a first positioning post, and a second positioning post. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is the structural component to be GDL packaged according to the embodiments of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of step S01 of the membrane electrode GDL encapsulation method provided in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of step S02 of the membrane electrode GDL encapsulation method provided in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of step S03 of the membrane electrode GDL encapsulation method provided in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of step S04 of the membrane electrode GDL encapsulation method provided in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the membrane electrode assembly before hot pressing provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 7 This is a top view of the positioning plate provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 8 This is a front view of the positioning plate provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] In the picture:

[0036] 1. Positioning plate; 11. First positioning hole; 12. Second positioning hole; 13. Third positioning hole;

[0037] 2. Sealing frame; 21. Anode side; 22. Cathode side; 201. First manifold port; 202. Second manifold port; 203. Central through hole;

[0038] 3. CCM;

[0039] 4. Anode GDL;

[0040] 5. Cathode GDL. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and not intended to limit it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts relevant to the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, not all of them.

[0042] 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 fixed connections or detachable connections; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and internal connections between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0043] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0044] Existing GDL packaging processes mostly rely on manual positioning, which cannot guarantee accuracy. While automated vision positioning equipment can ensure accuracy, it is too costly. Therefore, this embodiment provides a GDL packaging method for membrane electrodes to solve the above problems.

[0045] like Figures 1-6 As shown, the GDL encapsulation method for the membrane electrode includes the following steps:

[0046] S01: As Figure 1 As shown, the structural components to be packaged before GDL include a sealing frame 2 and a CCM3. The sealing frame 2 has a first manifold port 201, a second manifold port 202 and a central through hole 203. The CCM3 is partially disposed in the central through hole 203 and partially sandwiched between the anode sealing frame and the cathode sealing frame.

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, the positioning plate 1 is placed on the anode side 21 of the sealing frame 2. Figures 7-8 As shown, the positioning plate 1 has a first positioning hole 11, a second positioning hole 12, and a third positioning hole 13, with the third positioning hole 13 corresponding to the central through hole 203. By inserting the first positioning pin into the first positioning hole 11 and the first manifold opening 201 in sequence, and inserting the second positioning pin into the second positioning hole 12 and the second manifold opening 202 in sequence, the positioning plate 1 can be fixed relative to the aforementioned structural component.

[0048] S02: As Figure 3 As shown, the anode GDL4 is placed in the third positioning hole 13 and connected to the surface of the anode side 21. Preferably, step S02 further includes applying adhesive to the anode GDL4 so that the anode GDL4 can adhere to the surface of the anode side 21 to prevent the anode GDL4 from shifting during subsequent operations. Optionally, the type of adhesive includes moisture-curing adhesive, solvent-based adhesive, double-sided tape, etc.

[0049] S03: As Figure 4As shown, the positioning plate 1 is placed on the cathode side 22 of the sealing frame 2, the first positioning post is inserted into the first positioning hole 11 and the first manifold port 201 in sequence, and the second positioning post is inserted into the second positioning hole 12 and the second manifold port 202 in sequence.

[0050] S04: As Figure 5 As shown, the cathode GDL5 is placed in the third positioning hole 13 and connected to the surface of the cathode side 22. Preferably, step S04 further includes applying adhesive to the cathode GDL5 so that the cathode GDL5 can adhere to the surface of the cathode side 22, preventing the cathode GDL5 from shifting during subsequent operations. Optionally, the type of adhesive includes moisture-curing adhesive, solvent-based adhesive, double-sided tape, etc.

[0051] S05: Remove the first positioning post, the second positioning post, and positioning plate 1, i.e. Figure 6 As shown. Then, through a hot-pressing process, the anode GDL4 and cathode GDL5 are attached to both sides of CCM3.

[0052] In order for both the anode GDL4 and the cathode GDL5 to cover the central through-hole 203, and for the edges of both the anode GDL4 and the cathode GDL5 to be bonded and positioned to the sealing frame 2, the third positioning hole 13 needs to match the shape of the central through-hole 203 and also needs to be larger in size. Preferably, both the third positioning hole 13 and the central through-hole 203 are rectangular, with the length of the third positioning hole 13 greater than the length of the central through-hole 203, the width of the third positioning hole 13 greater than the width of the central through-hole 203, and the length direction of the third positioning hole 13 parallel to the length direction of the central through-hole 203. Of course, in other embodiments, the third positioning hole 13 and the central through-hole 203 can also be other shapes, such as circular, polygonal, elliptical, or irregular shapes, depending on the design of the anode GDL4 and the cathode GDL5.

[0053] To ensure that both the anode GDL4 and the cathode GDL5 can be placed inside the third positioning hole 13, preferably, the thickness of the third positioning hole 13 is greater than the thickness of the anode GDL4 and the thickness of the cathode GDL5.

[0054] When manufacturing positioning plate 1, in order to ensure that positioning plate 1 can accurately position the anode GDL4 and cathode GDL5, the size of the third positioning hole 13 cannot be too large. Therefore, preferably, the length of the third positioning hole 13 is A, and the length of the anode GDL4 is B, satisfying: A=B+K1, where K1 is less than the preset length tolerance. The width of the third positioning hole 13 is C, and the width of the anode GDL4 is D, satisfying: C=D+K2, where K2 is less than the preset width tolerance.

[0055] Preferably, the size and shape of the first positioning hole 11 are consistent with the size and shape of the first manifold opening 201, and the size and shape of the second positioning hole 12 are consistent with the size and shape of the second manifold opening 202, so as to ensure that the first positioning post or the second positioning post does not wobble after insertion, thereby ensuring positioning accuracy. Optionally, the shape of the first positioning hole 11 is circular or polygonal, and the shape of the second positioning hole 12 is circular or polygonal.

[0056] This GDL encapsulation method for membrane electrodes not only ensures accurate positioning, thus guaranteeing the quality of the membrane electrode assembly, but also reduces costs and improves economic efficiency.

[0057] This embodiment also provides a positioning device used in the above-described membrane electrode GDL encapsulation method, including a positioning plate 1, a first positioning post, and a second positioning post. The positioning plate 1 is made of PET, PI, PP, PE, PEEK, or PPS. The first and second positioning posts are both made of acrylic or PVC. Of course, in other embodiments, the positioning plate 1 can also be made of other materials, and the first and second positioning posts can also be made of other materials.

[0058] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make other variations or modifications based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively describe all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method of packaging a membrane electrode GDL, characterized by, Includes the following steps: S01: Place the positioning plate (1) on the anode side (21) of the sealing frame (2). The sealing frame (2) has a first manifold port (201), a second manifold port (202) and a central through hole. The CCM (3) is partially disposed in the central through hole. The positioning plate (1) has a first positioning hole (11), a second positioning hole (12) and a third positioning hole (13). The third positioning hole (13) is disposed corresponding to the central through hole. Insert the first positioning post into the first positioning hole (11) and the first manifold port (201) in sequence. Insert the second positioning post into the second positioning hole (12) and the second manifold port (202) in sequence. S02: Place the anode GDL (4) in the third positioning hole (13) and connect it to the surface of the anode side (21); S03: Place the positioning plate (1) on the cathode side (22) of the sealing frame (2), insert the first positioning post into the first positioning hole (11) and the first manifold port (201) in sequence, and insert the second positioning post into the second positioning hole (12) and the second manifold port (202) in sequence. S04: Place the cathode GDL (5) in the third positioning hole (13) and connect it to the surface of the cathode side (22); S05: Remove the first positioning post, the second positioning post and the positioning plate (1), and then attach the anode GDL (4) and the cathode GDL (5) to both sides of the CCM (3) by hot pressing process; Step S02 also includes applying adhesive to the anode GDL (4) so ​​that the anode GDL (4) can be bonded to the surface of the anode side (21); Step S04 also includes applying adhesive to the cathode GDL (5) so that the cathode GDL (5) can be bonded to the surface of the cathode side (22); Both the third positioning hole (13) and the central through hole are rectangular. The length of the third positioning hole (13) is greater than the length of the central through hole, the width of the third positioning hole (13) is greater than the width of the central through hole, and the length direction of the third positioning hole (13) is parallel to the length direction of the central through hole.

2. The membrane electrode GDL packaging method of claim 1, wherein, The thickness of the third positioning hole (13) is greater than the thickness of the anode GDL (4), and the thickness of the third positioning hole (13) is greater than the thickness of the cathode GDL (5).

3. The membrane electrode GDL packaging method of claim 1, wherein, The length of the third positioning hole (13) is A, and the length of the anode GDL (4) is B, satisfying: A=B+K1, K1 is less than the preset length tolerance; The width of the third positioning hole (13) is C, and the width of the anode GDL (4) is D, satisfying: C=D+K2, where K2 is less than the preset width tolerance.

4. The GDL encapsulation method for membrane electrodes according to claim 1, characterized in that, The size and shape of the first positioning hole (11) are consistent with the size and shape of the first manifold opening (201), and the size and shape of the second positioning hole (12) are consistent with the size and shape of the second manifold opening (202).

5. A positioning device, characterized in that, In the GDL encapsulation method for membrane electrodes as described in any one of claims 1-4, the positioning device includes a positioning plate (1), a first positioning post, and a second positioning post.

6. The positioning device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The positioning plate (1) is made of PET, PI, PP, PE, PEEK or PPS.

7. The positioning device according to claim 5, characterized in that, Both the first positioning post and the second positioning post are made of acrylic or PVC.

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