A rotary metal bipolar plate cleaning device

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the technical field of metal bipolar plate cleaning, and specifically relates to a rotary metal bipolar plate cleaning device, comprising a cylindrical cage, wherein a plurality of metal bipolar plates to be cleaned are placed in the cylindrical cage, and the plurality of metal bipolar plates to be cleaned are circumferentially arranged around the center of the cylindrical cage; a support rod is fixedly connected to the bottom center of the cylindrical cage, a central nozzle is passed through the support rod, one end of the central nozzle passes through the center of the cylindrical cage and is fixedly connected to a top nozzle, and the top nozzle is located above the cylindrical cage; the support rod is connected to a drive assembly, and the drive assembly is used to drive the support rod to rotate; in the process of the drive assembly driving the support rod and the cylindrical cage to rotate, a cleaning liquid is transported to the top nozzle through the central nozzle, and the cleaning liquid cleans the metal bipolar plates to be cleaned through the central nozzle and the top nozzle, effectively eliminating cleaning dead corners and achieving uniform cleaning.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of metal bipolar plate cleaning, and in particular relates to a rotary metal bipolar plate cleaning device. Background Art

[0002] Metal bipolar plates are a key material in the manufacturing of fuel cells and proton exchange membrane electrolyzers in the new energy sector. To prevent contaminants from the processing process from affecting subsequent coating processes, metal bipolar plates must be cleaned before shipment. As the flow path structures of metal bipolar plates become increasingly complex, simple ultrasonic immersion cleaning and rinsing are often ineffective, especially around the weld seams. Flushing the plates is necessary to ensure effective cleaning: First, the cleaning fluid must be sprayed onto each bipolar plate surface with a certain amount of kinetic energy. This kinetic jet of cleaning fluid effectively removes dust and processing residues adsorbed on the plate surface. It also rapidly dissipates the mixture of dust, processing residue, and cleaning fluid, preventing residue from remaining. Second, the cleaning fluid jet must reach every surface of the bipolar plate to avoid blind spots. Traditional metal bipolar plate cleaning systems use a relatively fixed jet of cleaning fluid relative to the plate, often only reaching a limited area of ​​the plate surface, resulting in poor cleaning results. At the same time, when cleaning multiple bipolar plates, most traditional bipolar plate cleaning devices only allow the outer bipolar plates to be exposed to the cleaning liquid jet, and the cleaning effect on the middle bipolar plates is poor.

[0003] Patent CN108296206A provides a cleaning and storage tooling for fuel cell bipolar plates. In this device, the bipolar plates are placed vertically. After the cleaning liquid jet passes through the bipolar plates loaded on the periphery of the working condition, the impact force decreases rapidly, and the plates in the middle of the tooling cannot be fully cleaned; Patent CN117443839B provides a bipolar plate cleaning device. The cleaning nozzle sprays cleaning liquid from one end of the plate to clean the entire bipolar plate. For curved flow channel structures, the flow channel surface facing away from the direction of cleaning liquid spraying is difficult to clean. Patents CN108296206A, CN220611665U and CN210435019U also have the same problem. CN218191293U provides a cleaning device for battery bipolar plates. The cleaning liquid nozzle of the device is a movable structure, and an adjustable brush plate is provided. The brush plate directly contacts the surface of the bipolar plate for cleaning. However, in this device, a set of nozzles and brush plates can only process one side of a plate at a time. The back side of the bipolar plate still needs to be cleaned twice, resulting in low cleaning efficiency and equipment space utilization.

[0004] Analysis shows that how to clean multiple metal bipolar plates at the same time and ensure the cleaning effect of the metal bipolar plates is a technical problem that needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a rotary metal bipolar plate cleaning device, which can not only clean multiple metal bipolar plates at the same time, but also clean the dead corners of the metal bipolar plates to ensure the cleaning effect.

[0006] The present invention is specifically implemented through the following technical solutions.

[0007] A rotary metal bipolar plate cleaning device includes a cylindrical cage, the top of which is an open structure. The cylindrical cage has a accommodating cavity inside, and the accommodating cavity is used to place a plurality of metal bipolar plates to be cleaned. The plurality of metal bipolar plates to be cleaned are arranged circumferentially around the center of the accommodating cavity.

[0008] A support rod is installed at the bottom center of the cylindrical cage body, and a central nozzle is passed through the support rod. One end of the central nozzle passes through the center of the accommodating chamber and is connected to a top nozzle. The top nozzle is located above the metal bipolar plate to be cleaned; the part of the central nozzle located between the top nozzle and the center of the accommodating chamber is used to spray cleaning liquid to clean the metal bipolar plate to be cleaned along the radial direction of the accommodating chamber; the top nozzle is used to spray cleaning liquid to clean the metal bipolar plate to be cleaned from top to bottom along the axial direction of the accommodating chamber.

[0009] The support rod is also connected to a driving assembly, which is used to drive the support rod to rotate; when the cylindrical cage rotates with the support rod, the cleaning liquid cleans the metal bipolar plate to be cleaned in the radial and axial directions respectively.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of partitions are installed in the accommodating chamber, and a metal bipolar plate to be cleaned is placed between two adjacent partitions. The partition is a frame structure, and each of the frame structures includes a first side and a second side. One end of the first side is fixedly connected to one end of the second side. A plurality of first grooves are vertically and evenly opened on the inner wall of the accommodating chamber, and a plurality of second grooves are radially opened on the bottom surface of the accommodating chamber at positions corresponding to the first grooves. The second grooves are connected to the corresponding first grooves. The first side is clamped in the first groove, and the second side is clamped in the corresponding second groove. A metal bipolar plate to be cleaned is placed between two adjacent partitions.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a partition fixing plug is placed in the center of the accommodating cavity, and a plurality of third grooves are distributed on the outer wall of the partition fixing plug, each of the third grooves is connected to a corresponding second groove, and the frame structure also includes a third side, one end of the third side is fixedly connected to an end of the second side away from the first side, and the third side is clamped in the corresponding third groove.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a second through hole is opened in the center of the accommodating cavity, a third through hole is opened in the center of the partition fixing plug, the third through hole is connected to the second through hole, and the central nozzle passes through the second through hole and the third through hole in sequence to connect with the top nozzle.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the top nozzle is a tube structure with closed ends, the top nozzle is perpendicular to the center nozzle, the middle part of the top nozzle is connected to the center nozzle, the length of the top nozzle is equal to the inner diameter of the cylindrical cage, and the first water spray holes are evenly opened on the side wall below the top nozzle.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, second water spray holes are evenly opened on the side wall of the portion of the central nozzle located between the top nozzle and the center of the accommodating chamber, and the second water spray holes are located above the partition fixing plug.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, first through holes are evenly distributed on the bottom surface of the accommodating cavity, and the cleaning liquid after cleaning is discharged from the accommodating cavity through the first through holes.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the driving assembly includes a motor, a driving wheel, a driven wheel and a conveyor belt. The driven wheel is fixed to the outer wall of the support rod. The driven wheel is connected to the driving wheel through a conveyor belt. The output shaft of the motor is fixed to the driving wheel.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a bearing seat is provided at the bottom of the support rod, a channel is vertically opened in the bearing seat, the bottom of the support rod is located in the channel, a bearing is arranged between the bottom of the support rod and the channel, and the central nozzle enters the interior of the support rod from the channel.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0019] The device provided by the present invention arranges multiple metal bipolar plates to be cleaned in a circumferential direction, and rotates the metal bipolar plates during the cleaning process. During the rotation, the cleaning liquid cleans the metal bipolar plates radially from the center, and the cleaning liquid cleans the metal bipolar plates downward from the top of the metal bipolar plates, so that each metal bipolar plate can fully contact with the cleaning liquid, avoiding cleaning dead corners, and improving the cleaning effect and cleaning efficiency. Specifically:

[0020] The device of the present invention comprises a cylindrical cage body, which has a receiving cavity, in which a plurality of metal bipolar plates to be cleaned are placed, and the plurality of metal bipolar plates to be cleaned are arranged circumferentially around the center of the receiving cavity; a support rod is fixedly connected to the bottom center of the cylindrical cage body, a central nozzle is passed through the support rod, one end of the central nozzle passes through the center of the receiving cavity and is fixedly connected to a top nozzle, and the top nozzle is located above the metal bipolar plate to be cleaned; the portion of the central nozzle located between the top nozzle and the center of the receiving cavity is used to spray cleaning liquid to clean the metal bipolar plate to be cleaned along the radial direction of the receiving cavity; the top nozzle is used to spray cleaning liquid to clean the metal bipolar plate to be cleaned from top to bottom along the axial direction of the receiving cavity. The cleaned metal bipolar plates are cleaned; the support rod is connected to the drive assembly, and the drive assembly is used to drive the support rod to rotate; as the cylindrical cage rotates with the support rod, the cleaning liquid cleans the metal bipolar plates to be cleaned in the radial and axial directions respectively. Through cleaning in multiple directions, each metal bipolar plate can be fully contacted with the cleaning liquid, which can effectively eliminate the dead corners of the cleaning metal bipolar plates and achieve uniform cleaning. The bipolar plates are arranged circumferentially along the central nozzle and rotate during the cleaning process. The centrifugal force provided during the rotation can also make the dirt in the dead corners easier to separate, thereby improving the cleaning effect and ensuring that each metal bipolar plate is fully cleaned. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of the rotary metal bipolar plate cleaning device provided by the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a perspective structural schematic diagram of the rotary metal bipolar plate cleaning device provided by the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the rotary metal bipolar plate cleaning device provided by the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the rotary metal bipolar plate cleaning device provided by the present invention (upper and lower isometric views).

[0025] Figure 5 This is an exploded view (front view) of the rotary metal bipolar plate cleaning device provided by the present invention.

[0026] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the process of assembling partitions in a cylindrical cage.

[0027] Description of reference numerals:

[0028] 1. Top nozzle, 2. Partition fixing plug, 3. Partition, 31. First side, 32. Second side, 33. Third side, 4. Cylindrical cage, 41. First groove, 42. Second groove, 5. Driven pulley, 6. Driving pulley, 7. Conveyor belt, 8. Support rod, 9. Bearing, 10. Bearing seat, 11. Center nozzle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand and implement the technical solution of the present invention, the present invention is further described below with reference to specific embodiments and drawings, but the embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0030] The present invention provides a rotary metal bipolar plate cleaning device, such as Figure 1-Figure 5 As shown, it includes a cylindrical cage body 4, the top of which is an open structure. The cylindrical cage body has a receiving cavity, in which a plurality of metal bipolar plates to be cleaned are placed. The plurality of metal bipolar plates to be cleaned are arranged circumferentially around the center of the cylindrical cage body.

[0031] A support rod 8 is installed at the bottom center of the cylindrical cage body 4, and a central nozzle 11 is passed through the support rod 8. One end of the central nozzle 11 passes through the center of the accommodating cavity and is connected to the top nozzle 1. The top nozzle 1 is located above the cylindrical cage body 4; the support rod 8 is also connected to a drive assembly, and the drive assembly is used to drive the support rod 8 to rotate.

[0032] The part of the central nozzle 11 located between the top nozzle 1 and the center of the accommodating chamber is used to spray cleaning liquid to clean the metal bipolar plate to be cleaned along the radial direction of the accommodating chamber; the top nozzle 1 is used to spray cleaning liquid to clean the metal bipolar plate to be cleaned from top to bottom along the axial direction of the accommodating chamber.

[0033] As the drive assembly rotates the support rods 8 and the cylindrical cage 4, cleaning fluid is delivered to the top nozzle 1 via the central nozzle 11. The cleaning fluid then cleans the metal bipolar plates being cleaned via the central nozzle 11 and the top nozzle 1. The cleaning fluid of the present invention cleans the metal bipolar plates radially and axially. This multi-directional cleaning effectively eliminates blind spots in the metal bipolar plates and achieves uniform cleaning. The bipolar plates are arranged circumferentially along the central nozzle and rotate during the cleaning process, ensuring that each bipolar plate is thoroughly cleaned.

[0034] The device of the present invention has a simple assembly structure and can clean metal bipolar plates of various sizes. It can clean metal bipolar plates independently or be set as a cleaning accessory inside other bipolar plate cleaning equipment to enhance the cleaning ability of the equipment.

[0035] During the rotation process, in order to ensure that the metal bipolar plates to be cleaned are stable and the metal bipolar plates do not interfere with each other, and to ensure that each metal bipolar plate can be cleaned by the cleaning liquid, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the metal bipolar plates are also fixed, specifically as follows Figure 6 As shown, the chamber is equipped with several separators 3. These separators 3 form a frame structure, each comprising a first side 31 and a second side 32. One end of the first side 31 is fixedly connected to one end of the second side 32. The chamber's inner wall is vertically and evenly defined with a plurality of first grooves 41. The chamber's bottom surface is radially defined with a plurality of second grooves 42, each second groove 42 communicating with a first groove 41. The first side 31 snaps into the first groove 41, and the second side 32 snaps into the corresponding second groove 42. A metal bipolar plate to be cleaned is placed between two adjacent separators 3. This snap-fitting connection secures the separators 3 and prevents interaction between the plates. The frame structure of the separators 3 allows cleaning fluid to flow between the plates under centrifugal force during rotation, flushing away dirt and preventing accumulation of liquid.

[0036] In order to further improve the fixing effect of the partition 3, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a partition fixing plug 2 is placed in the center of the accommodating cavity, and a plurality of third grooves are distributed on the outer wall of the partition fixing plug 2. One of the third grooves is correspondingly connected to one of the second grooves 42. The frame structure also includes a third side 33, one end of the third side 33 is fixedly connected to an end of the second side 32 away from the first side 31, and the third side 33 is clamped in the corresponding third groove.

[0037] A second through-hole is defined at the center of the accommodating chamber, and a third through-hole is defined at the center of the partition fixing plug 2. The third through-hole is connected to the second through-hole, and the center nozzle 11 passes through the second and third through-holes in sequence to connect to the top nozzle 1. This ensures that cleaning fluid can be transported from the center to the center nozzle 11 and the top nozzle 1, thereby cleaning the bipolar plates in multiple directions. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the top nozzle 1 is a tubular structure with both ends closed. The top nozzle 1 is perpendicular to the center nozzle 11, and the middle portion of the top nozzle 1 is connected to the center nozzle 11. The length of the top nozzle 1 is equal to that of the cylindrical cage 4, and first water spray holes are uniformly defined below the top nozzle 1. During the rotation of the metal bipolar plate, the top nozzle 1 located above sprays cleaning fluid downward through the first water spray holes to clean the bipolar plate. The centrifugal force provided during the rotation also facilitates the removal of dirt from corners, improving the cleaning effect. Setting the length of the top nozzle 1 equal to the inner diameter of the cylindrical cage 4 ensures sufficient axial contact between the metal bipolar plates and the cleaning fluid, avoiding blind spots. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, second spray holes are evenly distributed on the sidewall of the central nozzle 11 within the cylindrical cage 4. More specifically, the second spray holes are evenly distributed on the sidewall of the central nozzle 11 between the top nozzle 1 and the center of the accommodating chamber. The second spray holes are located above the partition fixing plug 2. The bottom surface of the accommodating chamber is evenly distributed with first through-holes, through which the cleaning fluid is discharged from the accommodating chamber after cleaning, preventing liquid accumulation within the accommodating chamber.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the drive assembly includes a motor, a driving wheel 6, a driven wheel 5 and a conveyor belt 7. The driven wheel 5 is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the support rod 8. The driven wheel 5 is connected to the driving wheel 6 through the conveyor belt 7. The output shaft of the motor is fixedly connected to the driving wheel 6. When the motor is turned on, the motor drives the driving wheel 6 to rotate. The driving wheel 6 drives the driven wheel 5 to rotate through the conveyor belt 7, thereby rotating the support rod 8 and the cylindrical cage 4. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a bearing 9 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the support rod 8, and the bearing 9 is installed in the bearing seat 10. A channel is vertically opened in the bearing seat 10, and the bottom of the support rod 8 is located in the channel. The central nozzle 11 enters the interior of the support rod 8 from the channel. The bearing seat 10 and the bearing 9 ensure the stability of the rotation process.

[0039] like Figure 6 As shown, the assembly method of the device of the present invention includes: first, inserting the partition 3 into the cage along the second groove 42 and the first groove 41 on the cylindrical cage 4; after all the partitions 3 are inserted in the above manner, the partition fixing plug 2 is placed in the center of the cylindrical cage 4, and when it is placed, the front end of the partition 3 (i.e., the third side 33) is embedded in the corresponding third groove on the circumference of the partition fixing plug 2, which plays the role of fixing the partition 3. Then, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 Assemble the device as shown in the following steps: (1) Pass the central nozzle 11 through the bearing seat 10, bearing 9, support rod 8, transmission belt 7, driven wheel 5, cylindrical cage 4 and the center hole of the partition fixing plug 2 (specifically the second through hole and the third through hole mentioned above) in sequence, so that the lowest position of the second water spray hole on it is higher than the partition fixing plug 2 (as shown in FIG. Figure 4 (2) Connect the top nozzle 1 to the top of the center nozzle 11; (3) Connect the driven wheel 5 to the support rod 8 (as shown in FIG. Figure 4 (4) Connect the bearing 9 to the support rod 8 (as shown); Figure 4 (as shown), and place the bearing 9 in the bearing seat 10; (5) connect the cylindrical cage 4 to the top of the support rod 8. The assembled device is as follows Figure 1 shown.

[0040] During cleaning, the metal bipolar plates are first placed in the wedge-shaped space within the cylindrical cage 4, separated by the partition 3. The rotation of the driving wheel 6 drives the rotation of the driven wheel 5, which in turn, via the support rod 8, drives the entire cylindrical cage 4. Cleaning liquid is introduced from the bottom of the central nozzle 11 and moves along the central hole of the central nozzle 11 to the top nozzle 1. During this process, small circular holes in the central nozzle 11 and the top nozzle 1 spray jets of cleaning liquid to clean the bipolar plates in the cylindrical cage 4. The speed and direction of rotation of the cylindrical cage 4 can be controlled by adjusting the speed and direction of the driving wheel 6 to ensure thorough cleaning of the plates. The cleaning process ends after several minutes.

[0041] The device of the present invention can also be used as a bipolar plate cleaning container with rotation capability and be arranged in other equipment with spray cleaning capability, and the cleaning effect can be further enhanced by combining the spray capability of the cleaning equipment itself.

[0042] Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, if such changes and modifications of the present invention fall within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, such changes and modifications are intended to be included.

Claims

1. A rotary metal bipolar plate cleaning device, characterized in that: The cylindrical cage (4) comprises a cylindrical cage (4), the top of the cylindrical cage (4) being an open structure, the cylindrical cage (4) having a receiving cavity therein, the receiving cavity being used to place a plurality of metal bipolar plates to be cleaned, and the plurality of metal bipolar plates to be cleaned being arranged circumferentially around the center of the receiving cavity; A support rod (8) is installed at the bottom center of the cylindrical cage (4), and a central nozzle (11) is inserted into the support rod (8), one end of the central nozzle (11) passes through the center of the accommodating chamber and is connected to the top nozzle (1), and the top nozzle (1) is located above the metal bipolar plate to be cleaned; the portion of the central nozzle (11) located between the top nozzle (1) and the center of the accommodating chamber is used to spray cleaning liquid to clean the metal bipolar plate to be cleaned along the radial direction of the accommodating chamber; the top nozzle (1) is used to spray cleaning liquid to clean the metal bipolar plate to be cleaned from top to bottom along the axial direction of the accommodating chamber; The support rod (8) is also connected to a drive assembly, and the drive assembly is used to drive the support rod (8) to rotate; when the cylindrical cage (4) rotates with the support rod (8), the cleaning liquid cleans the metal bipolar plate to be cleaned in the radial and axial directions respectively; A plurality of partitions (3) are installed in the accommodating chamber, and a metal bipolar plate to be cleaned is placed between two adjacent partitions (3). The partition (3) is a frame structure, and the frame structure includes a first side (31) and a second side (32). One end of the first side (31) and one end of the second side (32) are fixedly connected. A plurality of first grooves (41) are evenly and vertically opened on the inner wall of the accommodating chamber. A plurality of second grooves (42) are radially opened on the bottom surface of the accommodating chamber at positions corresponding to the first grooves (41). The second grooves (42) are connected to the corresponding first grooves (41). The first side (31) is clamped in the first groove (41), and the second side (32) is clamped in the corresponding second groove (42). A partition fixing plug (2) is placed at the center of the accommodating cavity, and a plurality of third grooves are distributed on the outer side wall of the partition fixing plug (2), and one of the third grooves is correspondingly connected to one of the second grooves (42). The frame structure also includes a third side (33), and one end of the third side (33) is fixedly connected to an end of the second side (32) away from the first side (31), and the third side (33) is clamped in the corresponding third groove.

2. The rotary metal bipolar plate cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A second through hole is provided at the center of the accommodating cavity, a third through hole is provided at the center of the partition fixing plug (2), the third through hole is communicated with the second through hole, and the central nozzle (11) passes through the second through hole and the third through hole in sequence to communicate with the top nozzle (1).

3. The rotary metal bipolar plate cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top nozzle (1) is a tube structure with closed ends. The top nozzle (1) is perpendicular to the center nozzle (11). The middle of the top nozzle (1) is connected to the center nozzle (11). The length of the top nozzle (1) is equal to the inner diameter of the cylindrical cage (4). The side wall below the top nozzle (1) is evenly provided with first water spray holes.

4. The rotary metal bipolar plate cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The central nozzle (11) is located between the top nozzle (1) and the center of the accommodating chamber, and second water spray holes are evenly opened on the side wall. The second water spray holes are located above the partition fixing plug (2).

5. The rotary metal bipolar plate cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom surface of the accommodating cavity is evenly distributed with first through holes, and the cleaning liquid after cleaning is discharged from the accommodating cavity through the first through holes.

6. The rotary metal bipolar plate cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving assembly comprises a motor, a driving wheel (6), a driven wheel (5) and a conveyor belt (7); the driven wheel (5) is mounted on the outer wall of the support rod (8); the driven wheel (5) is connected to the driving wheel (6) via the conveyor belt (7); and the output shaft of the motor is fixedly connected to the driving wheel (6).

7. The rotary metal bipolar plate cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A bearing seat (10) is provided at the bottom of the support rod (8), a channel is vertically opened in the bearing seat (10), the bottom of the support rod (8) is located in the channel, a bearing is arranged between the bottom of the support rod (8) and the channel, and the central nozzle (11) enters the interior of the support rod (8) from the channel.

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