Flow battery stack assembly line

Abstract

The invention provides a flow battery stack assembly line. The flow battery stack assembly line comprises a material table station; the single battery stacking station is provided with a single battery stacking device and is used for stacking the materials in the material placing device according to a preset sequence to form single batteries; the electric pile stacking station is provided with a battery electric pile stacking device and is used for stacking an outer end plate, an insulating plate, an end frame, a collector plate and single batteries formed by stacking according to a preset sequence to form an electric pile assembly; a fastener assembly station; the electric pile press-fitting station is provided with an electric pile press-fitting device; a speed chain mechanism; the stack of the single battery and the stack assembly is located in the stack jig mechanism, and the stack jig mechanism can be arranged on the speed chain mechanism so as to transmit and transfer the single battery and / or the stack assembly among the stations. According to the invention, the labor intensity of manpower can be greatly reduced, the assembly efficiency and the assembly quality are improved, and the product production consistency of the galvanic pile is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of flow battery assembly equipment technology, and more specifically to a flow battery stack assembly line. Background Technology

[0002] A flow battery stack is mainly assembled from components such as an outer end plate, insulating plate, end frame, current collector, and multiple individual cells. Each individual cell consists of a plate frame, bipolar plates, a separator, gaskets, and carbon felt. The plate frame and carbon felt are typically pre-assembled into a plate-frame-carbon-felt assembly before being assembled with the bipolar plates, separator, and gaskets to form the aforementioned individual cell. Currently, battery stack assembly mainly relies on manual assembly, which presents the following problems: 1) It requires a large number of assembly personnel, resulting in high labor costs; 2) Manual assembly cannot guarantee product consistency, affecting product quality; 3) Manual assembly poses safety hazards; 4) Manual assembly is inefficient, impacting production efficiency and hindering automated production. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The flow battery stack assembly line designed in this invention can at least partially solve the above problems.

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a flow battery stack assembly line, comprising: The material station is equipped with a material placement device for placing the various materials used to assemble a single battery. The single-battery stacking station is equipped with a single-battery stacking device, which is used to stack the materials in the material placement device in a preset order to form a single battery. The battery stacking station is equipped with a battery stacking device, which is used to stack the outer end plate, insulating plate, end frame, current collector plate and the stacked single battery in a preset order to form a battery stack assembly. Fastener assembly station, where the battery stack assembly formed in the battery stack assembly station is pre-fastened with fasteners; The fuel cell stack pressing station is equipped with a fuel cell stack pressing device, which is used to press the fuel cell stack assembly down to the target thickness and then lock the fasteners. A double-speed chain mechanism is used to transfer the single cell and / or the stack assembly between various workstations; The battery stack fixture mechanism is used to stack the single cells and the battery stack assembly. The battery stack fixture mechanism can be placed on the speed-multiplying chain mechanism to transfer the single cells and / or the battery stack assembly between various workstations. The battery stack fixture mechanism includes a fixture base plate and a stacking plate. The top surface of the fixture base plate has an upwardly protruding boss. The outer peripheral edge of the stacking plate is provided with a plurality of receiving countersunk holes. Each receiving countersunk hole corresponds one-to-one with the fastener setting position of the battery stack. The stacking plate is supported on the boss.

[0005] In some implementations... Multiple positioning rods are arranged around the boss, the bottom end of each positioning rod is detachably connected to the base plate of the fixture, and each positioning rod is correspondingly arranged with a positioning groove on the outer peripheral wall of the fuel cell assembly and / or a single cell; and / or, The fixture base plate is equipped with rollers at its four corners; and / or, A support arm through groove is formed on the top surface of the boss, which extends along its first direction. The bottom of the support arm through groove is lower than the top surface of the bearing flange.

[0006] In some embodiments, the following is further included after the fuel cell stack pressing station: The positioning rod removal station is used to remove the positioning rods from the fuel cell jig mechanism that has entered the station. The fuel cell stack flipping station is used to flip the fuel cell assembly in the fuel cell jig mechanism that has entered the station from the positioning rod removal station by 90°. The double-speed chain mechanism is also used to transfer the fuel cell stack fixture mechanism from the positioning rod removal station to the fuel cell stack flipping station.

[0007] In some implementations... The single-cell stacking device includes a robotic arm and a first frame. The first frame is equipped with a first lifting mechanism, which has at least three parallel support arms spaced apart. The central support arm can be inserted into the support arm through slot, while the two side support arms can be inserted into the gap between the positioning rod and the boss, so as to jointly form a lifting and jacking mechanism for the stacking plate. The robotic arm is used to take the corresponding material from the material placement device according to the stacking order of the single cells and place it on the top surface of the stacking plate.

[0008] In some implementations... After the corresponding material is placed on the stacking plate, the first lifting mechanism lowers the thickness of the material so that the height of the top surface behind the material is the same as the height of the top surface when the material is not placed.

[0009] In some implementations... The first lifting mechanism is also provided with a first position detection component, which is located in the upper area of ​​the first lifting mechanism to detect the position of the material placed on the stacking plate each time.

[0010] In some implementations... The material placement device includes a plate and frame assembly material platform, a separator and bipolar plate material platform, and a gasket material platform. The robotic arm is used to transfer the plate and frame assemblies on the plate and frame assembly material platform, the separators and bipolar plates on the separator and bipolar plate material platform, and the gaskets on the gasket material platform to the single-cell stacking device.

[0011] In some implementations... The diaphragm and bipolar plate material stage includes a second frame and diaphragm and bipolar plate material carts that can be combined and matched with it. The second frame is equipped with a diaphragm gripping mechanism, a diaphragm correction platform, a diaphragm separator paper frame, and a vision inspection component, corresponding to the diaphragm material cart. The diaphragm gripping mechanism transfers the diaphragm from the diaphragm material cart to the diaphragm correction platform. The vision inspection component detects the position and quality defects of the diaphragm on the correction platform. When a diaphragm has quality defects or its positional deviation exceeds the correction range, the diaphragm gripping mechanism further transfers the diaphragm with quality defects or positional deviation on the correction platform, along with the separator paper on the diaphragm material cart, to the separator paper frame. When the vision inspection component detects that the diaphragm meets the requirements, the robotic arm transfers the diaphragm from the correction platform into the single-cell stacking device; and / or, The second frame is equipped with a bipolar plate gripping mechanism and a bipolar plate correction platform corresponding to the bipolar plate material cart. The bipolar plate gripping mechanism is used to transfer the bipolar plates on the bipolar plate material cart to the bipolar plate correction platform. The bipolar plate correction platform has a rectangular outer edge. Baffles are respectively provided on two adjacent right-angled sides of the outer edge. Telescopic correction mechanisms are respectively provided on the other two adjacent right-angled sides of the outer edge. The telescopic direction of each correction mechanism is perpendicular to the corresponding right-angled side.

[0012] The flow battery stack assembly line of the present invention: The flow battery stack assembly line consists of various components and devices in the material table station, single cell stacking station, stack assembly station, fastener assembly station, and stack pressing station, thereby realizing the automated operation of single cell and stack assembly. At the same time, the stack fixture mechanism and the double-speed chain mechanism form a mechanized and streamlined transfer of materials between various stations, which can greatly reduce the intensity of manual labor, improve assembly efficiency and assembly quality, and help ensure the consistency of stack product production. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the flow battery stack assembly line of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 yes Figure 1A three-dimensional structural diagram of the diaphragm and bipolar plate material stage.

[0015] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A magnified view of a portion of point A in the middle.

[0016] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural diagram of a single-cell stacking device.

[0017] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the electrical stacking device.

[0018] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the fastener assembly station.

[0019] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the fuel cell stack pressing device.

[0020] Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the fuel cell stack fixture mechanism of the present invention.

[0021] In the picture: 1. Material station; 11. Plate and frame assembly material station; 12. Diaphragm and bipolar plate material station; 121. Second frame; 122. Diaphragm material cart; 123. Diaphragm gripping mechanism; 124. Diaphragm correction platform; 1241. Suction cup; 125. Vision inspection component; 126. Diaphragm paper tray; 127. Bipolar plate material cart; 128. Bipolar plate gripping mechanism; 129. Bipolar plate correction platform; 1291. Baffle; 1292. Correction mechanism; 13. Gasket material station; 2. Single-cell stacking station; 21. Robotic arm; 22. First frame; 23. First lifting mechanism; 231. Support arm; 24. First position detection component; 3. Battery stacking station; 31. Gantry frame; 32. Three-axis module; 33. Gripping component; 4. Fastener assembly station; 41. First lifting and transfer mechanism; 5. Battery stack pressing station; 51. Press machine; 52. Second lifting mechanism; 6. Positioning rod removal station; 61. Second lifting and transfer mechanism; 7. Battery stack flipping station; 71. Third frame; 72. Flipping mechanism; 8. Double-speed chain mechanism; 81. First chain segment; 9. Battery stack fixture mechanism; 90. Fixture base plate; 901. Boss; 902. Support arm through slot; 903. Roller; 91. Stacking plate; 911. Accommodating countersunk hole; 92. Positioning rod. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, these exemplary embodiments can be implemented in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, they are provided so that the invention will be thorough and complete, and the concept of the exemplary embodiments will be fully conveyed to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, for clarity, the thickness of regions and layers is exaggerated. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar structures, and therefore their detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0023] The described features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Numerous specific details are provided in the following description to give a full understanding of embodiments of the invention. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details described, or other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

[0024] The following example describes a flow battery stack assembly line of the present invention. This example is only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without inventive effort should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0025] Please refer to the reference. Figures 1 to 8 According to embodiments of the present invention, see details below. Figure 1 As shown, a flow battery stack assembly line is provided, comprising: Material station 1, also known as section 1, is equipped with a material placement device for placing various materials for assembling a single battery. Specifically, the aforementioned materials include plate frames, bipolar plates, separators, gaskets, and carbon felt, etc. The plate frames and carbon felt are pre-assembled to form plate frame assemblies. The plate frame assemblies can be assembled manually, preferably using a corresponding pre-assembly line to improve assembly efficiency and assembly quality. Single-cell stacking station 2, also known as section 2, is equipped with a single-cell stacking device, which is used to stack the materials in the material placement device in a preset order to form a single cell. That is, the single cells in the battery stack are assembled at this station. The aforementioned preset order corresponds to the stacking order of the constituent materials of the single cell, which is common knowledge and will not be elaborated here. Battery stacking station 3, also known as section 3, is equipped with a battery stacking device for stacking the outer end plate, insulating plate, end frame, current collector plate and the stacked single cell in a preset order to form a battery stack assembly. The aforementioned preset order corresponds to the stacking order of the components in the battery stack, which is common knowledge and will not be elaborated here. Fastener assembly station 4, also known as section four, is where the electric stack assembly formed by the electric stack assembly station is pre-tightened with fasteners. The aforementioned fasteners typically include nuts, studs, corresponding anti-loosening springs, and flat washers. The aforementioned pre-tightening means that the aforementioned fasteners are screwed together with a certain force according to the connection relationship, but the screwing torque is not the final target torque. The fuel cell stack pressing station 5, also known as section 5, is equipped with a fuel cell stack pressing device, which is used to press the fuel cell stack assembly down to the target thickness and then lock the fasteners. That is, at this time, the tightening torque of the fasteners is tightened to the target torque to ensure the connection reliability of the fuel cell stack assembly. The pre-tightening and locking of the fasteners can be done manually. The double-speed chain mechanism 8 is used to transfer the single cell and / or the stack assembly between various workstations. As a commonly used transfer mechanism in the industry, the present invention does not provide special protection for its specific structural configuration, and will not elaborate on it here. The stack fixture 9 is located within which the single cell and the stack assembly are stacked. That is, the stack fixture 9 is a component that directly carries the single cell and the various components of the stack. The stack fixture 9 can be placed on the double-speed chain mechanism 8 to transfer the single cell and / or the stack assembly between each station.

[0026] In this technical solution, the flow battery stack assembly line consists of various components and devices in the material table station 1, single cell stacking station 2, stack assembly station 3, fastener assembly station 4, and stack pressing station 5, thereby realizing the automated operation of single cell and stack assembly. At the same time, the stack fixture mechanism 9 and the double-speed chain mechanism 8 form a mechanized and streamlined transfer of materials between the various stations, which can greatly reduce the intensity of manual labor, improve assembly efficiency and assembly quality, and help ensure the consistency of stack product production.

[0027] See details Figure 8As shown, the fuel cell stack fixture mechanism 9 includes a fixture base plate 90 and a stacking plate 91. The top surface of the fixture base plate 90 has an upwardly protruding boss 901. The outer periphery of the stacking plate 91 is provided with multiple receiving countersunk holes 911. During the specific assembly process, the flat washers and springs corresponding to the bottom end of the aforementioned fasteners can be pre-placed into each receiving countersunk hole 911 from bottom to top. Then, the outer end plate of the bottom end of the fuel cell stack is placed on the stacking plate 91 to facilitate the stacking of the fuel cell stack. The aforementioned operation of pre-placing the fasteners in each receiving countersunk hole 911 can be done manually. Each receiving countersunk hole 911 corresponds one-to-one with the setting position of each fastener in the fuel cell stack. The stacking plate 91 is supported on the boss 901. It is understood that the aforementioned receiving countersunk holes 911 should be designed in terms of diameter to support the flat washers and springs, while also ensuring the smooth passage of studs and nuts through the holes.

[0028] In this technical solution, by setting a countersunk hole 911 on the outer periphery of the stacking plate 91 to pre-install fasteners, it is beneficial to facilitate the subsequent axial fastening of the fuel cell stack, and to improve the positional stability of the stacked materials, thereby enhancing the rationality of the fuel cell stack assembly sequence and the assembly efficiency.

[0029] In this technical solution, by fitting the stacked plates 91 together and supporting them on the bearing flanges around the bosses 901, a suspended space is formed between each settling countersunk hole 911 and the top surface of the fixture base plate 90. The formation of this suspended space facilitates the operator's operation of tightening the nuts and studs at the bottom of the fuel cell stack. Generally, the height of this suspended space is not less than 100mm.

[0030] Multiple positioning rods 92 are arranged around the boss 901. The bottom end of each positioning rod 92 is detachably connected to the fixture base plate 90, and each positioning rod 92 corresponds one-to-one with the positioning groove on the outer peripheral wall of the battery stack assembly and / or single cell. Thus, the positioning rods 92 form a space for placing the components of the single cell or battery stack. Because the positioning rods 92 correspond one-to-one with the positioning grooves on the outer peripheral wall of the battery stack assembly and / or single cell, they effectively guide the placement of each material, ensuring the accuracy of the material's position. The detachable connection of the bottom end of each positioning rod 92 to the fixture base plate 90 in this technical solution makes the alignment of each material more accurate during the stacking of the battery stack or single cells. After the battery stack is assembled and pressed, the positioning rods 92 can be removed, facilitating further processing of the battery stack.

[0031] For example, the aforementioned fixture base plate 90 is constructed with multiple positioning sleeves, and the bottom end of each positioning rod 92 is inserted into each positioning sleeve and tightened by corresponding bolts.

[0032] Rollers 903 are provided at the four corners of the fixture base plate 90 to prevent the sides of the fixture base plate from contacting the sides of the double-speed chain mechanism 8 and causing malfunctions.

[0033] A support arm passage groove 902 is formed on the top surface of the boss 901, which extends along its first direction. The bottom of the support arm passage groove 902 is lower than the top surface of the bearing flange. The aforementioned first direction is specifically the extension and retraction direction of the support arm on the corresponding component.

[0034] In this technical solution, by setting a support arm passage groove 902 on the top surface of the boss 901, the support arm on the corresponding component can be placed under the stacking plate 91, and the height of the stacking plate 91 can be adjusted by controlling the lifting and lowering of the support arm.

[0035] See Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, after the fuel cell stack pressing station 5, there is also: a positioning rod removal station 6, also called section six, used to remove each positioning rod 92 that enters the fuel cell stack fixture mechanism 9 in this station; a fuel cell stack flipping station 7, also called section seven, used to flip the fuel cell stack assembly that enters the fuel cell stack fixture mechanism 9 from the positioning rod removal station 6 by 90°; the double-speed chain mechanism 8 is also used to transfer the fuel cell stack fixture mechanism 9 from the positioning rod removal station 6 to the fuel cell stack flipping station 7.

[0036] In this technical solution, the operator can remove each positioning rod 92 at the positioning rod removal station 6. After the positioning rod 92 is removed, the press-fitted fuel cell stack assembly can be flipped 90° at the fuel cell stack flipping station 7, thereby switching the fuel cell stack from the stacked state to the use state. The flipped fuel cell stack assembly is directly separated from the fuel cell stack fixture mechanism 9, which facilitates the subsequent transportation and use of the fuel cell stack assembly.

[0037] See Figure 1 As shown, the aforementioned fuel cell stack flipping station 7 specifically includes a third frame 71 and a flipping mechanism 72, which can adopt various feasible structures. Theoretically, as long as the fuel cell stack can be smoothly switched from the stacked state to the working state, it is acceptable.

[0038] See details Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, the single-cell stacking device includes: a robotic arm 21 (see...) Figure 1As shown in the figure, a first frame 22 is provided on the first frame 22. The first frame 22 is provided with a first lifting mechanism 23 (for example, using a vertical lifting screw or other components to achieve its lifting purpose; the specific implementation of this invention is not particularly limited). The first lifting mechanism 23 has at least three parallel support arms 231 spaced apart. The central support arm 231 can be inserted into the support arm passage slot 902. Specifically, the first lifting mechanism 23 can be controlled to be in its low position. At this time, the fuel cell jig mechanism 9 approaches the support arm 231 under the drive of the double-speed chain mechanism 8, so that the central support arm 231 is in the aforementioned support arm passage slot 902, and the support arms 231 on both sides can be inserted into the gap between the positioning rod 92 and the boss 901, so as to jointly form a lifting and lifting of the stacking plate 91. The robot arm 21 is used to take the corresponding material from the material placement device according to the stacking order of the single battery and place it on the top surface of the stacking plate 91.

[0039] In this technical solution, the first lifting mechanism 23 lifts and supports the stacking plate 91 in the fuel cell jig mechanism 9 through each support arm 231, thereby adjusting the height of each material stacked on the stacking plate 91. During material stacking, the first lifting mechanism 23 can be raised to the top position of each positioning rod 92 in the fuel cell jig mechanism 9, thus reducing the downward displacement of the robot arm 21, saving significant assembly time and improving stacking efficiency. It is understood that if the stacking plate 91 and all the materials stacked on it are at the bottom, the robot arm 21 will descend a considerable distance (approximately the depth within the positioning rod 92) for each material placed, resulting in significantly lower stacking efficiency. Preferably, the aforementioned robot arm 21 is a commercially available six-axis robot arm.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, after the corresponding material is placed on the stacking plate 91, the first lifting mechanism 23 lowers the thickness of the material so that the height of the top surface behind the material is the same as the height of the top surface before the material is placed. That is, each time a stacked material is placed into the fuel cell jig mechanism 9 at this station, the first lifting mechanism 23 will detect and lower the material by a certain height through the corresponding sensor so that the height of the top surface of the material after placement is consistent with the height of the top surface before placement. In this way, the assembly and placement position of the robot 21 at the single battery stacking station is fixed each time, which simplifies the control logic of the robot 21. At the same time, the fixed material placement position helps to ensure the stacking accuracy and thus ensure product quality.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the first lifting mechanism 23 is further provided with a first position detection component 24, which is located above the first lifting mechanism 23 to detect whether the position of the material placed on the stacking plate 91 is accurate each time. Specifically, the position of the first position detection component 24 relative to the first lifting mechanism 23 is relatively fixed. Since the first lifting mechanism 23 descends by the thickness of the corresponding material each time a material is placed, i.e., the top height remains unchanged, the first position detection component 24 can always detect the position of the material placed in the electric stack fixture mechanism 9 at the workstation without being obstructed or interfered with by the increasingly tall stack of materials. Specifically, the first position detection component 24 may employ an existing image recognition system (optical system), which uses acquired images to determine whether the position of the placed material is accurate. When the position is incorrect, an alarm will be triggered to prompt manual correction of the material.

[0042] like Figure 1 As shown, the material placement device includes a plate and frame assembly material platform 11, a separator and bipolar plate material platform 12, and a gasket material platform 13. The robotic arm 21 is used to transfer the plate and frame assembly on the plate and frame assembly material platform 11, the separator and bipolar plate on the separator and bipolar plate material platform 12, and the gasket on the gasket material platform 13 into the single battery stacking device.

[0043] In this technical solution, the assembly materials for each individual battery are placed on their respective material platforms, and the robotic arm 21 performs large-radius material grasping, transfer, and placement, offering flexible operation and a relatively compact structure. In a specific embodiment, two sets of the aforementioned plate-and-frame assembly material platforms 11 are configured to improve the stack assembly efficiency. In this case, two robotic arms 21 can be configured, ensuring a one-to-one correspondence between the robotic arms 21 and the plate-and-frame assembly material platforms 11, thereby increasing the production cycle time and further improving production efficiency.

[0044] See details Figure 2The diaphragm and bipolar plate material stage 12 includes a second frame 121 and diaphragm material carts 122 and 127 that can be combined and matched with it. The second frame 121 is equipped with a diaphragm gripping mechanism 123, a diaphragm correction platform 124, a diaphragm paper frame 126, and a vision inspection component 125, corresponding to the diaphragm material cart 122. The diaphragm gripping mechanism 123 is used to transfer the diaphragm from the diaphragm material cart 122 to the diaphragm correction platform 124. The vision inspection component 125 is used to detect the position and quality defects of the diaphragm on the diaphragm correction platform 124. If the diaphragm has quality defects or its positional deviation exceeds the correction range, the component will detect the defects. During the process, the diaphragm gripping mechanism 123 is also used to transfer diaphragms with quality defects or positional deviations on the diaphragm correction platform 124 and separator paper on the diaphragm material cart 122 to the diaphragm and separator paper frame 126. When the vision inspection component 125 detects that the diaphragm meets the requirements (i.e., the positional deviation does not exceed the correction range and there are no quality defects such as wrinkles), the robotic arm 21 is used to transfer the diaphragm on the diaphragm correction platform 124 into the single-cell stacking device. The aforementioned diaphragm gripping mechanism 123 can adopt a commonly used lifting gripper structure, which has the functions of clamping, lifting, and translating to achieve its purpose of lifting and transferring the diaphragm. The aforementioned vision inspection component 125 can also be an image recognition system module.

[0045] In this technical solution, the visual inspection component 125 can detect the quality and position of the separator in real time. When quality defects such as wrinkles are present or the positional deviation exceeds the correction range, feedback is sent to the corresponding component, such as the gripping mechanism 123, to process the defective separator as an NG (not acceptable) sample, thus ensuring the assembly quality of subsequent single cells. It should be noted that, to prevent the separator gripping mechanism 123 from gripping multiple separators simultaneously, in actual operation, separator paper is placed between the separators on the separator cart 122. Correspondingly, the separator gripping mechanism 123 of this invention is also configured to transfer the separator paper from the separator cart 122 to the separator paper frame 126, thus not affecting the subsequent use of the separator.

[0046] The aforementioned diaphragm alignment platform 124 is equipped with multiple suction cups 1241. Each suction cup 1241 is connected to a vacuum component to form a negative pressure, which can adsorb the diaphragm placed on the diaphragm alignment platform 124 to ensure its accurate and stable position.

[0047] See details Figure 3As shown, the second frame 121 is equipped with a bipolar plate gripping mechanism 128 and a bipolar plate correction platform 129 corresponding to the bipolar plate material cart 127. The bipolar plate gripping mechanism 128 is used to transfer the bipolar plates on the bipolar plate material cart 127 to the bipolar plate correction platform 129. The bipolar plate correction platform 129 has a rectangular outer edge. Baffles 1291 are respectively provided on two adjacent right-angled sides of the outer edge, and telescopic correction mechanisms 1292 are respectively provided on the other two adjacent right-angled sides of the outer edge. The telescopic direction of each correction mechanism 1292 is perpendicular to the corresponding right-angled side.

[0048] In this technical solution, the bipolar plate correction platform 129 is rectangular, matching the outer periphery of the bipolar plate. The position of the bipolar plate on this platform can be accurately adjusted by means of a retractable correction mechanism 1292 corresponding to the baffles 1291 on each of the two adjacent right-angled sides. The structure is simple and the adjustment is accurate. In a specific embodiment, the aforementioned correction mechanism 1292 can be a cylinder with a push plate at the free end of the extension rod.

[0049] It should be noted that the diaphragm material cart 122 and the bipolar plate material cart 127 in this invention share a second frame 121, which allows the diaphragm and the bipolar plate to be arranged adjacent to each other, saving space and making the structure more compact.

[0050] See details Figure 7 As shown, the fuel cell stack pressing device includes a press 51, which includes a base module (not labeled in the figure) and a pressing module (not labeled in the figure) positioned vertically opposite each other. The aforementioned base module and pressing module are necessary components of a conventional press, and will not be specifically described in this invention. The double-speed chain mechanism 8 has two first chain segments 81 that pass through the pressing module and the base module in parallel intervals. The base module has a support platform that protrudes toward the pressing module and is located in the interval between the two first chain segments 81. The bottom surface of the first chain segment 81 is provided with a second lifting mechanism 52. The second lifting mechanism 52 is used to control the first chain segment 81 to descend below the top surface of the support platform during fuel cell stack pressing and to control the first chain segment 81 to rise to be flush with the other chain segments of the double-speed chain mechanism 8 when not performing fuel cell stack pressing.

[0051] In this technical solution, the first chain segment 81 can be raised and lowered independently according to the operating conditions of the pressing device, thereby achieving a perfect combination between the pressing device and the double-speed chain mechanism 8. This effectively prevents the pressing device from interfering with or damaging the double-speed chain mechanism 8, ensuring the technical requirement of online pressing of fuel cell stacks on the assembly line while the stacking process is in progress. This allows the pre-assembled fuel cell stack components to be pressed without needing to be transferred to another location, further improving the fuel cell stack assembly efficiency.

[0052] See details Figure 5 As shown, the electric stacking assembly device includes a gantry frame 31 mounted on a double-speed chain mechanism 8. The gantry frame 31 spans the left and right sides of the assembly line, and a three-axis module 32 is installed on it. The three-axis module 32 controls the lateral (translation perpendicular to the assembly line) and longitudinal (translation parallel to the assembly line) movement of the gripping component 33. The gripping component 33 has a lifting structure and is compatible with both clamping and suction functions. When gripping relatively heavy materials such as outer end plates, the gripping method is used to pick up the materials. When gripping relatively light materials (insulating plates, end frames, current collectors, and gaskets), the suction method is used to pick up the materials, thereby realizing the sequential gripping and placement of the various components of the electric stack.

[0053] The working principle of the flow battery stack assembly line of the present invention will be further explained below with reference to a specific embodiment.

[0054] First, the first lifting and transferring mechanism 41 of section four is activated, and the fuel cell stack fixture mechanism 9 enters section four from the fixture transfer car (not shown in the figure). The operator manually places the flat washers and springs into the corresponding countersunk holes (i.e., the aforementioned receiving countersunk holes 911, hereinafter the same) on the stacking plate 91 of the fuel cell stack fixture mechanism 9. Then, the first lifting and transferring mechanism 41 resets, and the fuel cell stack fixture mechanism 9 enters section three along with the double-speed chain mechanism 8. The operator manually operates the control box of the three-axis module 32 to move the three-axis module 32 to a designated position where the gripping component 33 grips the material from the material cart. The gripping component 33 combines clamping and suction functions; when gripping heavier materials such as outer end plates, it uses clamping; when gripping lighter materials, it uses suction. After the material is gripped, it is moved to the fuel cell stack fixture mechanism 9 for assembly. After the bottom outer end plate, insulation plate, end frame, etc. are assembled, the fuel cell jig mechanism 9 enters the second section along the double-speed chain. The first lifting mechanism 23 of this station is activated, and the stacking plate 91 on the fuel cell jig mechanism is raised to the single cell stacking position through the support arm 231 under the first lifting mechanism 23. At this time, the two robotic arms 21 are activated and grab materials from the corresponding material table according to the set program. Then, they are stacked according to the stacking order of the single cell materials. The stacking position is equipped with a sensor. After each piece of material is stacked, the stacking platform lowers the height of one piece of material to ensure that the robotic arms place materials at the same height each time. At the same time, after each piece of material is stacked, the first position detection component 24 located on the first frame 22 will detect the position of each stacked material. When the position is incorrect, an alarm will be triggered to prompt manual correction of the material.

[0055] When the single-cell stacking station 2 starts working, the material station 1 also starts working. The separator gripping mechanism 123 grips the separator from the separator cart 122 and places it onto the separator alignment platform 124. At this time, multiple suction cups 1241 arranged under the separator alignment platform 124 actuate to adsorb the separator onto the platform. Then, the vision inspection unit 125 operates to detect the separator's placement position and judge quality defects such as wrinkles. If wrinkles or other defects are found, the separator is judged as NG (not good), and the separator gripping mechanism 123 grips the NG separator and places it into the separator paper frame 126. If the separator is detected as normal, the vision inspection unit 125 feeds back the separator's placement position to the six-axis robot (i.e., the aforementioned robot 21). The robot 21 automatically grips the separator correctly according to the feedback position. Simultaneously, to prevent the separator gripping mechanism 123 from gripping multiple separators, separator paper is placed between the separators on the separator cart.

[0056] When the single-cell stacking station 2 starts working, the bipolar plate gripping mechanism 128 on the material table station 1 also starts to operate, gripping the bipolar plate from the bipolar plate trolley 127 and placing it on the bipolar plate correction platform 129. Then, the cylinders (i.e., the aforementioned correction mechanism 1292) set on both sides of the bipolar plate correction platform 129 are activated to correct the bipolar plate, ensuring that the position of the bipolar plate is accurate when the robot grips it.

[0057] When the battery stacking station starts working, the corresponding mechanism of the gasket material station 13 on the material station 1 also starts to move. Since the mechanism of the gasket material station is similar to that of the separator material station, the sequence of action is also the same, so it will not be described in detail here.

[0058] After the single-cell stacking station completes the stacking of the required number of single cells according to the set program, the first lifting mechanism 23 descends, and the stacking plate 91 returns to below the fuel cell jig mechanism 9. The fuel cell jig mechanism 9 then enters section three along with the double-speed chain to complete the assembly of the top current collector plate, end frame, insulation plate, and outer end plate of the fuel cell stack. Next, the fuel cell jig mechanism 9 enters section four along with the double-speed chain, where workers manually install fasteners such as gaskets, springs, screws, and nuts. After completion, the fuel cell jig mechanism 9 enters section five along with the double-speed chain. At this time, the second lifting mechanism 52 at section five activates, causing the double-speed chain at section five to descend, and the fuel cell jig mechanism 9 descends onto the base of the press 51. The press 51 begins operation, pressing the fuel cell stack according to the specified pressure and stroke. After the fuel cell stack reaches the specified height, workers manually tighten the nuts. After completion, the press cylinder and the second lifting mechanism 52 reset, and the fuel cell jig mechanism 9 enters section six along with the double-speed chain. The lifting mechanism under the second lifting and transfer mechanism 61 is activated, causing the fuel cell stack fixture mechanism to stop at this position. Then, the positioning rod 92 on the fuel cell stack fixture mechanism 9 is manually removed, and the second lifting and transfer mechanism 61 is reset. The fuel cell stack fixture mechanism 9 enters the seventh section with the double-speed chain. The flipping mechanism 72 at the seventh section is activated, realizing a 90-degree flip of the fuel cell stack. After the flip, the fuel cell stack is removed by a forklift. The flipping mechanism 72 is reset, and the fuel cell stack fixture mechanism 9 returns to the sixth section with the double-speed chain. The second lifting and transfer mechanism 61 at the sixth section is activated, and the fuel cell stack fixture mechanism 9 enters the fuel cell stack fixture turnover cart from the sixth section. Then, it returns to the fourth section with the turnover cart to begin the assembly of the new fuel cell stack.

[0059] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flow battery stack assembly line, characterized in that, include: The material station (1) is equipped with a material placement device for placing various materials for assembling single batteries; The single battery stacking station (2) is equipped with a single battery stacking device, which is used to stack the materials in the material placement device in a preset order to form a single battery. The battery stacking station (3) is equipped with a battery stacking device, which is used to stack the outer end plate, insulating plate, end frame, current collector and the stacked single battery in a preset order to form a battery stack assembly. Fastener assembly station (4), where the electric stack assembly formed by the electric stack assembly station is pre-fastened with fasteners; The fuel cell stack press-fitting station (5) is equipped with a fuel cell stack press-fitting device, which is used to press the fuel cell stack assembly down to the target thickness and then lock the fasteners; A double-speed chain mechanism (8) is used to transfer the single cell and / or the stack assembly between stations; The stack fixture mechanism (9) is used to house the stack of the single cell and the stack assembly. The stack fixture mechanism (9) can be placed on the double-speed chain mechanism (8) to transfer the single cell and / or the stack assembly between each station. The stack fixture mechanism (9) includes a fixture base plate (90) and a stacking plate (91). The top surface of the fixture base plate (90) has an upward protrusion (901). The outer periphery of the stacking plate (91) is provided with a plurality of receiving countersunk holes (911). Each receiving countersunk hole (911) corresponds one-to-one with the fastener setting position of the stack. The stacking plate (91) is supported on the protrusion (901).

2. The flow battery stack assembly line according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple positioning rods (92) are arranged around the boss (901). The bottom end of each positioning rod (92) is detachably connected to the base plate (90) of the fixture, and each positioning rod (92) is arranged in a corresponding manner to the positioning groove on the outer peripheral wall of the fuel cell assembly and / or the single cell.

3. The flow battery stack assembly line according to claim 1, characterized in that, Rollers (903) are provided at the four corners of the base plate (90) of the fixture.

4. The flow battery stack assembly line according to claim 1, characterized in that, A support arm through groove (902) is formed on the top surface of the boss (901) and extends along its first direction.

5. The flow battery stack assembly line according to claim 2, characterized in that, Following the fuel cell stack pressing station (5) is also: The positioning rod removal station (6) is used to remove each positioning rod (92) inside the fuel cell jig mechanism (9) that has entered the station; The fuel cell stack flipping station (7) is used to flip the fuel cell stack assembly inside the fuel cell stack fixture mechanism (9) that has been moved from the positioning rod removal station (6) by 90°. The double-speed chain mechanism (8) is also used to transfer the fuel cell jig mechanism (9) from the positioning rod removal station (6) to the fuel cell flipping station (7).

6. The flow battery stack assembly line according to claim 4, characterized in that, The single-cell stacking device includes a robotic arm (21) and a first frame (22). The first frame (22) is provided with a first lifting mechanism (23). The first lifting mechanism (23) has at least three parallel support arms (231) spaced apart. The central support arm (231) can be inserted into the support arm through slot (902), and the two side support arms (231) can be inserted into the gap between the positioning rod (92) and the boss (901) to jointly form a lifting and lifting mechanism for the stacking plate (91). The robotic arm (21) is used to take the corresponding material from the material placement device according to the stacking order of the single cells and place it on the top surface of the stacking plate (91).

7. The flow battery stack assembly line according to claim 6, characterized in that, After the corresponding material is placed on the stacking plate (91), the first lifting mechanism (23) lowers the thickness of the material so that the height of the top surface behind the material is the same as the height of the top surface when the material is not placed.

8. The flow battery stack assembly line according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first lifting mechanism (23) is also provided with a first position detection component (24), which is located in the area above the first lifting mechanism (23) to detect the position of the material placed on the stacking plate (91) each time.

9. The flow battery stack assembly line according to claim 6, characterized in that, The material placement device includes a plate and frame assembly material platform (11), a separator and bipolar plate material platform (12), and a gasket material platform (13). The robotic arm (21) is used to transfer the plate and frame assembly on the plate and frame assembly material platform (11), the separator and bipolar plate on the separator and bipolar plate material platform (12), and the gasket on the gasket material platform (13) into the single battery stacking device.

10. The flow battery stack assembly line according to claim 9, characterized in that, The diaphragm and bipolar plate material stage (12) includes a second frame (121) and diaphragm material cart (122) and bipolar plate material cart (127) that can be combined and matched with it. The second frame (121) is equipped with a diaphragm gripping mechanism (123), a diaphragm correction platform (124), a diaphragm paper frame (126), and a vision inspection component (125) corresponding to the diaphragm material cart (122). The diaphragm gripping mechanism (123) is used to transfer the diaphragm from the diaphragm material cart (122) to the diaphragm correction platform (124). The vision inspection component (125) is used to detect the position and quality defects of the diaphragm on the diaphragm correction platform (124). When the membrane has quality defects or its positional deviation exceeds the correction range, the membrane gripping mechanism (123) is also used to transfer the membrane with quality defects or positional deviation on the membrane correction platform (124) and the separator paper on the membrane material cart (122) to the membrane separator paper frame (126). When the vision inspection component (125) detects that the membrane meets the requirements, the robot arm (21) is used to transfer the membrane on the membrane correction platform (124) to the single battery stacking device; and / or The second frame (121) is provided with a bipolar plate gripping mechanism (128) and a bipolar plate correction platform (129) corresponding to the bipolar plate material cart (127). The bipolar plate gripping mechanism (128) is used to transfer the bipolar plates on the bipolar plate material cart (127) to the bipolar plate correction platform (129). The bipolar plate correction platform (129) has a rectangular outer edge. Baffles (1291) are respectively provided on two adjacent right-angled sides of the outer edge. Extension and retraction correction mechanisms (1292) are respectively provided on the other two adjacent right-angled sides of the outer edge. The extension and retraction direction of each correction mechanism (1292) is perpendicular to the corresponding right-angled side.

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