PEM electrolytic bath assembly equipment and assembly method thereof

Abstract

The PEM electrolytic cell assembling equipment comprises an assembling table, a plurality of lead screw sliding tables are arranged on the assembling table, each lead screw sliding table is provided with bent arm calipers, the bent arm calipers clamp the periphery of a positioning column on the corresponding side, and the positioning column can be driven by the lead screw sliding tables to move front and back relative to the assembling table; a positioning groove is formed in the periphery of the positioning column in the axis direction, a laser calibrator is arranged on the assembly table right in front of the positioning groove, and the perpendicularity of the positioning column is judged through the straight line coincidence degree of laser of the laser calibrator and the positioning groove; the PEM electrolytic cell comprises a cathode composite plate, a cathode collector plate, a cell core, an anode collector plate and an anode composite plate, positioning holes are formed in the cathode composite plate and the anode composite plate, and the positioning holes are matched with the positioning columns in an inserted mode; and the peripheral edges of the cathode collector plate, the cell core and the anode collector plate abut against the inner sides of the positioning columns. In the assembling process, the perpendicularity of the positioning column is monitored in real time, and the problem caused by the assembling precision can be effectively avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of hydrogen production by water electrolysis, and specifically discloses a PEM electrolyzer assembly equipment and its assembly method. Background Technology

[0002] Electrolytic cell assembly mainly involves the assembly of structural components including anode and cathode plates, insulating plates, current collectors, and core components including bipolar plates, seals, gas diffusion layers, and membrane electrodes. The core components typically integrate the bipolar plates, seals, and gas diffusion layers before the stacking process; therefore, the core components can be simplified to the stacking of membrane electrodes and bipolar plate assemblies.

[0003] The stacking accuracy of the core components directly affects the performance of the electrolytic cell. Since the components of the bipolar plate assembly include a gas diffusion layer that is in direct contact with the membrane electrode, poor assembly accuracy may lead to interference, which may affect performance or even damage the membrane electrode.

[0004] Existing assembly methods mostly use external positioning baffles and internal positioning posts for positioning during stacking. The positioning surface of the external positioning baffle has high requirements for perpendicularity with the bottom surface, and the perpendicularity of the positioning surface may deteriorate during long-term use, resulting in poor assembly accuracy. Moreover, it is difficult to detect problems in time by visual inspection except for periodic inspections. The straightness of the internal positioning post is difficult to control, and the assembly accuracy is also difficult to guarantee.

[0005] To ensure high stacking accuracy of cell core components during electrolytic cell assembly, this patent proposes an assembly fixture and method. After precise perpendicularity calibration of the external positioning posts using a lead screw and slider, the cell cores are stacked. The perpendicularity is monitored in real time during the stacking process. The positioning posts used in this patent can replace traditional external and internal positioning components. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology and provide a PEM electrolytic cell assembly device that monitors the verticality of the positioning column in real time during the assembly process, thereby ensuring the assembly accuracy of the electrolytic cell.

[0007] The technical solution adopted in this invention is: a PEM electrolytic cell assembly equipment, which includes an assembly table, a plurality of lead screw slides are provided on the assembly table, each lead screw slide is provided with a bent arm clamp, each bent arm clamp clamps the outer periphery of a positioning post on the corresponding side, and the positioning post can move back and forth relative to the assembly table under the drive of the lead screw slides. Each positioning post has a positioning groove along the axial direction on its outer periphery. A laser calibrator is set on the assembly table directly in front of the positioning groove. The perpendicularity of the positioning post is judged by the straight line coincidence between the laser of the laser calibrator and the positioning groove. The PEM electrolytic cell includes a cathode composite plate, a cathode current collector, a cell core, an anode current collector, and an anode composite plate arranged sequentially from bottom to top. Positioning holes are provided at the positions of the positioning posts on the cathode composite plate and the anode composite plate, and the positioning holes and the corresponding positioning posts are inserted into each other. The outer peripheral edges of the cathode current collector, the cell core, and the anode current collector abut against the inner sides of the multiple positioning posts.

[0008] Preferably, in the PEM electrolytic cell assembly equipment, the positioning posts include six, namely a first positioning post, a second positioning post, a third positioning post, a fourth positioning post, a fifth positioning post, and a sixth positioning post, in sequence. The first positioning post and the sixth positioning post are located on the lower side of the assembly table, the third positioning post and the fourth positioning post are located on the upper side of the assembly table, and the second positioning post and the fifth positioning post are located on the left and right sides of the assembly table, respectively.

[0009] Preferably, in the PEM electrolytic cell assembly equipment, the cathode composite plate includes a cathode end plate and a cathode insulating plate, the cathode insulating plate being disposed between the cathode end plate and the cathode current collector; the anode composite plate includes an anode insulating plate and an anode end plate, the anode insulating plate being disposed between the anode current collector and the anode end plate; and the cell core includes multiple bipolar plates and a membrane electrode disposed between two adjacent bipolar plates.

[0010] Preferably, in the PEM electrolytic cell assembly equipment, the assembly table is provided with a plurality of conical bosses in the middle, and the cathode end plate is provided with conical grooves corresponding to the positions of each conical boss. The shape of the conical bosses is adapted to the shape of the conical grooves, and the conical bosses and the corresponding conical grooves are engaged.

[0011] Preferably, in the PEM electrolytic cell assembly equipment, the diameter of the conical boss is 25-30mm and the height is 25-30mm.

[0012] Preferably, in the PEM electrolytic cell assembly equipment, the positioning groove is triangular in shape, and a triangular positioning protrusion is provided in the positioning hole of the cathode end plate corresponding to the position of each positioning groove. The shape of the positioning protrusion is adapted to the shape of the positioning groove, and the positioning protrusion and the corresponding positioning groove engage with each other.

[0013] Preferably, in the PEM electrolytic cell assembly equipment, the depth of the positioning groove is 2-3 mm and the included angle is 20-30°.

[0014] An assembly method for use in PEM electrolytic cell assembly equipment, comprising the following steps: Step S1. Place the female end plate on the assembly table and engage the conical groove of the female end plate with the conical boss on the assembly table. Step S2. Insert the first positioning post, the second positioning post, and the sixth positioning post into the positioning holes of the female end plate, and engage the positioning groove and the positioning protrusion to fix the angle of the positioning post. Then, install the lead screw slide and laser calibrator corresponding to the first positioning post, the second positioning post, and the sixth positioning post into place simultaneously. Step S3. Turn on the laser calibrator and calibrate the perpendicularity of the first positioning post, the second positioning post, the sixth positioning post and the assembly table. Then, move the bent arm caliper by rotating the lead screw slide to move the corresponding positioning post. When the laser of the laser calibrator is completely aligned with the straight line of the positioning groove of the corresponding positioning post, the perpendicularity of the positioning post meets the requirements. Step S4. Place the cathode insulating plate and cathode current collector onto the first positioning post, the second positioning post, and the sixth positioning post in sequence, and calibrate the verticality of the positioning posts using a laser calibrator and a lead screw slide. Step S5. Install the fifth positioning post and the corresponding laser calibrator in place, and alternately stack the bipolar plate and membrane electrode on the cathode current collector to form the core. Control the edges of the bipolar plate and membrane electrode to be close to the positioning post. Finally, install and calibrate the third positioning post, the fourth positioning post and the corresponding laser calibrator in place, and use a feeler gauge to further check the verticality of the stacked core. Step S6. After the cell cores are stacked, remove the third, fourth, and fifth positioning posts. Then, install the anode current collector, anode insulation plate, and anode end plate on the cell cores in sequence. Finally, install the third, fourth, and fifth positioning posts and check the verticality of the cell cores with a feeler gauge. When the verticality of the cell cores meets the set requirements, the assembly of the PEM electrolytic cell is complete.

[0015] The present invention has the following advantages: (1) The PEM electrolytic cell assembly equipment of the present invention uses the conical boss of the assembly table as the initial positioning point, and does not require the additional fabrication of the whole cell positioning fixture; the detection of the existing positioning method has a lag, and it is necessary to expose the problem or detect it after a fixed time before it can be found whether there is a problem with the verticality of the positioning device; the present invention can effectively calibrate the verticality by using the positioning column with positioning groove.

[0016] (2) The PEM electrolytic cell assembly equipment and assembly method of the present invention can effectively avoid problems caused by assembly accuracy by real-time monitoring of the verticality of the positioning column during the assembly process. When the electrolytic cell has performance or other problems, the assembly accuracy problem can be quickly eliminated, greatly accelerating the speed of locking the problem. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the PEM electrolytic cell assembly equipment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of the assembly table of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the positioning column of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the PEM electrolytic cell of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the cathode end plate of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cathode end plate of the present invention with positioning holes.

[0023] Figure 7 This is an enlarged view of the mounting hole for the positioning post on the cathode end plate of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Unless otherwise stated, the terminology used herein should be understood in accordance with the conventional usage of those skilled in the art.

[0025] Example 1 like Figures 1-7 A PEM electrolytic cell assembly device includes an assembly table 2, on which a plurality of lead screw slides 1 are provided. Each lead screw slide 1 is provided with a bent arm clamp 11, and each bent arm clamp 11 clamps the outer periphery of a positioning post 4 on the corresponding side. The positioning post 4 can move back and forth relative to the assembly table 2 under the drive of the lead screw slide 1. Each positioning post 4 has a positioning groove 47 set on its outer periphery along the axial direction. A laser calibrator 3 is set on the assembly table 2 directly in front of the positioning groove 47. The perpendicularity of the positioning post 4 is judged by the straight line overlap between the laser of the laser calibrator 3 and the positioning groove 47. The PEM electrolytic cell 5 includes a cathode composite plate, a cathode current collector 53, a cell core 54, an anode current collector 55, and an anode composite plate arranged sequentially from bottom to top. The cathode composite plate and the anode composite plate are provided with positioning holes 58 at the positions corresponding to the positioning posts 4. The positioning holes 58 and the corresponding positioning posts 4 are inserted into each other. The outer peripheral edges of the cathode current collector 53, the cell core, and the anode current collector 55 abut against the inner sides of the multiple positioning posts 4.

[0026] The positioning posts 4 include six in total, namely, the first positioning post 41, the second positioning post 42, the third positioning post 43, the fourth positioning post 44, the fifth positioning post 45, and the sixth positioning post 46. The first positioning post 41 and the sixth positioning post 46 are located on the lower side of the assembly platform 2, the third positioning post 43 and the fourth positioning post 44 are located on the upper side of the assembly platform 2, and the second positioning post 42 and the fifth positioning post 45 are located on the left and right sides of the assembly platform 2, respectively.

[0027] The cathode composite plate includes a cathode end plate 51 and a cathode insulating plate 52, with the cathode insulating plate 52 disposed between the cathode end plate 51 and the cathode current collector 53. The anode composite plate includes an anode insulating plate 56 and an anode end plate 57, with the anode insulating plate 56 disposed between the anode current collector 55 and the anode end plate 57. The core 54 includes multiple bipolar plates and a membrane electrode disposed between two adjacent bipolar plates.

[0028] The assembly table 2 is provided with a plurality of conical bosses 21 in the middle. The female end plate 51 is provided with conical grooves 511 corresponding to the positions of each conical boss 21. The shape of the conical boss 21 is adapted to the shape of the conical groove 511. The conical boss 21 and the corresponding conical groove 511 are engaged. The diameter of the conical boss 21 is 25-30mm and the height is 25-30mm.

[0029] The positioning groove 47 is triangular in shape. In the positioning hole 58 of the negative end plate 51, a triangular positioning protrusion 512 is provided at the position corresponding to each positioning groove 47. The shape of the positioning protrusion 512 is adapted to the shape of the positioning groove 47. The positioning protrusion 512 and the corresponding positioning groove 47 are engaged. The depth of the positioning groove 47 is 2-3mm and the included angle is 20-30°.

[0030] A bent-arm caliper 11 is fixedly connected to the lead screw slide 1. The height and angle of the caliper 11 are movable. Its function is to use the bent-arm caliper 11 to clamp the main positioning column 4 and rotate the lead screw slide 1 to adjust the verticality.

[0031] The conical boss on the assembly table 2 is the starting surface for assembly; the laser calibrator 3 can emit an extremely fine laser perpendicular to the assembly table to ensure the perpendicularity of the positioning post within the stacking range of the core components; the positioning post 4 is provided with a triangular positioning groove 47. The function of the positioning groove 47 is to allow the laser from the laser calibrator 3 to enter the straight line within the triangular positioning groove 47 to determine whether the perpendicularity meets the requirements. The main function of the positioning post is to serve as the positioning surface when the core components are stacked. There are a total of six posts.

[0032] Example 2 like Figures 1-7An assembly method for use in PEM electrolytic cell assembly equipment, comprising the following steps: Step S1. Place the female end plate 51 on the assembly table 2 and engage the conical groove of the female end plate with the conical boss 21 on the assembly table 2. Step S2. Insert the first positioning post 41, the second positioning post 42, and the sixth positioning post 46 into the positioning holes of the negative end plate, and engage the positioning groove 47 and the positioning protrusion 512 to fix the angle of the positioning post 4. Then, the lead screw slide 1 and the laser calibrator 3 corresponding to the first positioning post 41, the second positioning post 42, and the sixth positioning post 46 are also installed in place simultaneously. Step S3. Turn on the laser calibrator 3 and calibrate the perpendicularity of the first positioning post 41, the second positioning post 42, the sixth positioning post 46 and the assembly table 2. Then, move the bent arm caliper 11 by rotating the lead screw slide 1, thereby moving the corresponding positioning post 4. When the laser of the laser calibrator 3 is completely aligned with the straight line of the positioning groove 47 of the corresponding positioning post, the perpendicularity of the positioning post 4 meets the requirements. Step S4. The cathode insulating plate 52 and the cathode current collector 53 are sequentially placed on the first positioning post 41, the second positioning post 42 and the sixth positioning post 46, and the verticality of the positioning posts is calibrated by the laser calibrator 3 and the lead screw slide 1. Step S5. Install the fifth positioning post 55 and the corresponding laser calibrator 3 into place, and alternately stack the bipolar plate and membrane electrode on the cathode current collector 53 to form the groove core 54. Control the edges of the bipolar plate and membrane electrode to be close to the positioning post. Finally, install and calibrate the third positioning post 53, the fourth positioning post 54 and the corresponding laser calibrator 3 into place, and use a feeler gauge to further check the verticality of the stacked groove core. Step S6. After the cell cores are stacked, remove the third positioning post 43, the fourth positioning post 44, and the fifth positioning post 45. Then, install the anode current collector 55, the anode insulation plate 56, and the anode end plate 57 on the cell cores in sequence. Finally, install the third positioning post 43, the fourth positioning post 44, and the fifth positioning post 45. Check the verticality of the cell cores with a feeler gauge. When the verticality of the cell cores meets the set requirements, the assembly of the PEM electrolytic cell 5 is completed.

[0033] Finally, it should be noted that the above specific embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and not to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to examples, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention, and all such modifications or substitutions should be covered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A PEM electrolytic cell assembly device, characterized in that, The assembly includes an assembly table (2), on which multiple lead screw slides (1) are provided. Each lead screw slide (1) is provided with a bent arm caliper (11). Each bent arm caliper (11) clamps the outer periphery of a positioning post (4) on the corresponding side. The positioning post (4) can move back and forth relative to the assembly table (2) under the drive of the lead screw slide (1). Each positioning post (4) has a positioning groove (47) along the axial direction on its outer periphery. A laser calibrator (3) is set on the assembly table (2) directly in front of the positioning groove (47). The perpendicularity of the positioning post (4) is judged by the straight line overlap between the laser of the laser calibrator (3) and the positioning groove (47). The PEM electrolytic cell (5) includes a cathode composite plate, a cathode current collector (53), a cell core (54), an anode current collector (55), and an anode composite plate arranged sequentially from bottom to top. Positioning holes are provided at the positions of the positioning posts (4) on the cathode composite plate and the anode composite plate, and the positioning holes and the corresponding positioning posts (4) are inserted and matched. The outer peripheral edges of the cathode current collector (53), the cell core, and the anode current collector (55) abut against the inner sides of the multiple positioning posts (4).

2. The PEM electrolytic cell assembly equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The positioning posts (4) include six in total, namely the first positioning post (41), the second positioning post (42), the third positioning post (43), the fourth positioning post (44), the fifth positioning post (45), and the sixth positioning post (46). The first positioning post (41) and the sixth positioning post (46) are located on the lower side of the assembly table (2), the third positioning post (43) and the fourth positioning post (44) are located on the upper side of the assembly table (2), and the second positioning post (42) and the fifth positioning post (45) are located on the left and right sides of the assembly table (2), respectively.

3. The PEM electrolytic cell assembly equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The cathode composite plate includes a cathode end plate (51) and a cathode insulating plate (52), the cathode insulating plate (52) being disposed between the cathode end plate (51) and the cathode current collector (53). The anode composite plate includes an anode insulating plate (56) and an anode end plate (57), the anode insulating plate (56) being disposed between the anode current collector (55) and the anode end plate (57). The core (54) includes multiple bipolar plates and a membrane electrode disposed between two adjacent bipolar plates.

4. The PEM electrolytic cell assembly equipment as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The assembly table (2) is provided with multiple conical bosses (21) in the middle. The negative end plate (51) is provided with conical grooves (511) corresponding to the positions of each conical boss (21). The shape of the conical boss (21) is adapted to the shape of the conical groove (511). The conical boss (21) and the conical groove (511) corresponding to it are engaged.

5. The PEM electrolytic cell assembly equipment as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The diameter of the conical boss (21) is 25-30 mm and the height is 25-30 mm.

6. The PEM electrolytic cell assembly equipment as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The positioning groove (47) is triangular in shape. The positioning hole of the negative end plate (51) is provided with a triangular positioning protrusion (512) corresponding to the position of each positioning groove (47). The shape of the positioning protrusion (512) is adapted to the shape of the positioning groove (47). The positioning protrusion (512) and the positioning groove (47) corresponding to it are engaged.

7. The PEM electrolytic cell assembly equipment as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The positioning groove (47) has a depth of 2-3 mm and an included angle of 20-30°.

8. An assembly method for use in the PEM electrolytic cell assembly equipment as described in any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step S1. Place the cathode end plate (51) on the assembly table (2) and snap the conical groove of the cathode end plate with the conical boss (21) on the assembly table (2); Step S2. Insert the first positioning post (41), the second positioning post (42), and the sixth positioning post (46) into the positioning holes of the negative end plate (51), and snap the positioning groove (47) and the positioning protrusion (512) together to fix the angle of the positioning post (4). Then, the lead screw slide (1) and the laser calibrator (3) corresponding to the first positioning post (41), the second positioning post (42), and the sixth positioning post (46) are also installed in place simultaneously. Step S3. Turn on the laser calibrator (3) and perform perpendicularity calibration of the first positioning post (41), the second positioning post (42), the sixth positioning post (46) and the assembly table (2). Move the bent arm caliper (11) by rotating the lead screw slide (1) to drive the corresponding positioning post (4) to move. When the laser of the laser calibrator (3) is completely aligned with the straight line of the positioning groove (47) of the corresponding positioning post, the perpendicularity of the positioning post (4) meets the requirements. Step S4. Place the cathode insulating plate (52) and cathode current collector (53) onto the first positioning post (41), the second positioning post (42), and the sixth positioning post (46) in sequence, and calibrate the verticality of the positioning posts using the laser calibrator (3) and the lead screw slide (1). Step S5. Install the fifth positioning post (55) and the corresponding laser calibrator (3) in place, and alternately stack the bipolar plate and membrane electrode on the cathode current collector (53) to form the core (54). Control the edges of the bipolar plate and membrane electrode to be close to the positioning post. Finally, install and calibrate the third positioning post (53), the fourth positioning post (54) and the corresponding laser calibrator (3), and use a feeler gauge to further check the verticality of the stacked core. Step S6. After the core is stacked, remove the third positioning post (43), the fourth positioning post (44), and the fifth positioning post (45). Then install the anode current collector (55), the anode insulation plate (56), and the anode end plate (57) on the core in sequence. Finally, install the third positioning post (43), the fourth positioning post (44), and the fifth positioning post (45). Check the verticality of the core with a feeler gauge. When the verticality of the core meets the set requirements, the assembly of the PEM electrolytic cell (5) is completed.

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