Auxiliary clamping tool for PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coating of ultrathin metal corrugated plate for fuel cell
By designing ultra-thin metal corrugated plate PVD coating clamping aids, the problems of deformation and low clamping efficiency of ultra-thin metal bipolar plates during PVD coating process are solved, and an efficient and low-cost clamping effect is achieved, which is suitable for mass production.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202422437450.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-10
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-30
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-10-10
AI Technical Summary
Existing ultra-thin metal bipolar plates used in fuel cells are prone to deformation during the PVD coating process, and the clamping tools are inefficient and costly, making it difficult to meet mass production needs.
A PVD coating clamping aid for ultra-thin metal corrugated plates made by bending a single steel wire is designed. The fixture includes a hanging structure, a supporting structure, and a protective structure. The main body is composed of staggered hanging ears and supporting parts to avoid thermal deformation, improve clamping efficiency, and ensure reusability.
It effectively reduces the thermal deformation of metal bipolar plates during the PVD coating process, improves clamping efficiency, reduces costs, and is suitable for mass production.
Smart Images
Figure CN223397794U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of fuel cells, in particular to an ultra-thin metal corrugated plate PVD coating clamping auxiliary tool for fuel cells. Background Art
[0002] Bipolar plates are a key component of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Based on the material used, they are categorized into three types: graphite, metal, and composite. Metal bipolar plates excel in gas barrier properties, electrical and thermal conductivity, low cost, and suitability for mass production. They also feature fewer production steps, making them the predominant form of bipolar plates used in fuel cells. To achieve thinner and lighter fuel cells, metal strips can be as thin as 0.075mm or even thinner. Fuel cell stacks produced using ultra-thin metal bipolar plates are smaller and offer higher power density. Despite these advantages, metal bipolar plates made by stamping or bending pure metal materials (such as SU316L stainless steel) face drawbacks: surface oxides with poor conductivity can form in the PEMFC operating environment, increasing the contact resistance between the electrodes and the bipolar plates. Furthermore, stainless steel corrodes, and common components in stainless steel, such as nickel, chromium, and iron, dissolve from the plates. Metal ions contaminate the electrodes, significantly increasing the battery's ohmic impedance and charge transfer resistance.
[0003] In order to improve the corrosion resistance of metal bipolar plates and reduce the surface contact resistance, the formed bipolar plates need to be modified. Generally, the surface coating of metal plates mainly uses physical vapor deposition technology to coat a thin film with special properties on the surface of stainless steel bipolar plates. The formed metal bipolar plates need special clamping aids to place them, and then hang them on the hooks of the round cage electroplating rack to complete the coating of the metal bipolar plates. The existing method of clamping metal bipolar plates includes wrapping a metal plate with a thin metal wire and then hanging it on the hook of the electroplating rack. The disadvantage is that the efficiency is low and the wrapped part will leak. Another method is to use a vertical metal bipolar plate clamping aid to place the metal bipolar plate. The advantage is that the clamping aid can be reused. The disadvantage is that the thin formed metal plate is prone to thermal deformation during the electroplating process because it is completed at a certain temperature. As shown in the attached manual Figure 3 and 4 The bending and twisting deformation shown. Summary of the Invention
[0004] In view of the above-mentioned deficiencies in the prior art, the technical problem to be solved by this patent application is how to provide a PVD coating clamping aid for ultra-thin metal corrugated plates for fuel cells that is simple to manufacture, low in cost, and can reduce deformation of metal bipolar plates.
[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:
[0006] A fixture for PVD coating of ultra-thin metal corrugated plates for fuel cells, comprising a fixture body, which is made by bending a single steel wire; the fixture body comprises a hanging structure, a support structure and a protective structure; the hanging structure has a downward-bent hanging ear, the support structure has an upward-bent support portion, the hanging ear and the support portion are staggered, the hanging structure and the support structure constitute a main body, the protective structure is located between the hanging ear and the support portion in the vertical direction, the protective structure is located above the support portion, and the protective structure and the main body form a closed loop.
[0007] The hanging structure includes a main rod, a first side upper vertical rod, a first upper horizontal rod, a first upper vertical rod, a first hanging rod, a hook section, a second hanging rod, a second upper vertical rod, a second upper horizontal rod and a second side upper vertical rod arranged in sequence;
[0008] The connections between the main rod, the first side upper rod, the first upper cross bar, the first upper rod and the first hanging rod are all set at 90 degrees, the hook section is bent downward, and the connections between the second hanging rod, the second upper rod, the second upper cross bar and the second side upper rod are all set at 90 degrees;
[0009] The first upper crossbar and the second upper crossbar are both arranged parallel to the main bar; the first side upper vertical bar, the first upper vertical bar, the second upper vertical bar and the second side upper vertical bar are all arranged perpendicular to the main bar, and the first hanging bar and the second hanging bar are respectively arranged perpendicular to the first upper vertical bar and the second upper vertical bar;
[0010] The first upper vertical rod, the first hanging rod, the hook section, the second hanging rod and the second upper vertical rod constitute the hanging ear.
[0011] Wherein, the protective structure includes a first support rod, a protective rod and a second support rod. The first support rod, the protective rod and the second support rod form a U-shaped structure. The first support rod is connected to the upper pole on the second side, and the protective rod is opposite to the main pole and is arranged at intervals.
[0012] The support structure includes a first side lower vertical rod, a first lower cross rod, a first lower vertical rod, a first support rod, a first outer rod, an outer support rod, a second outer rod, a second support rod, a second lower vertical rod, a second lower cross rod and a second side lower vertical rod arranged in sequence;
[0013] The first lower crossbar, the second lower crossbar and the support bar are all arranged parallel to the main bar; the first side lower vertical bar, the first lower vertical bar, the first outer bar, the second outer bar, the second lower vertical bar and the second side lower vertical bar are all arranged perpendicular to the main bar;
[0014] The first lower vertical rod, the first supporting rod, the first outer rod, the outer support rod, the second outer rod, the second supporting rod and the second lower vertical rod constitute the supporting portion.
[0015] The clamp body is made by bending the main rod, the first side upper vertical rod, the first upper cross rod, the first upper vertical rod, the first hanging rod, the hook section, the second hanging rod, the second upper vertical rod, the second upper cross rod, the second upper vertical rod, the first support rod, the protective rod, the second support rod, the first side lower vertical rod, the first lower cross rod, the first lower vertical rod, the first supporting rod, the first outer rod, the outer support rod, the second outer rod, the second supporting rod, the second lower vertical rod, the second lower cross rod and the second side lower vertical rod in sequence.
[0016] In summary, this fixture for PVD coating of ultra-thin corrugated metal plates for fuel cells offers the advantages of simple manufacturing, low cost, and reduced deformation of metal bipolar plates. This fixture for PVD coating of metal bipolar plates is formed integrally from a single steel wire bent along a designed path, eliminating the need for welding. It effectively prevents or minimizes thermal deformation of metal bipolar plates formed from thin steel strips due to elevated temperatures during the PVD coating process. The fixture features a simple structure, high clamping efficiency, and is reusable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the normal appearance of the metal bipolar plate to be clamped.
[0018] Figure 2 A schematic diagram is provided for specifying the direction of the normal shape of the metal bipolar plates to be clamped.
[0019] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the twisted state of the metal bipolar plate.
[0020] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the bent metal bipolar plate.
[0021] Figure 5 This is a structural schematic diagram of a PVD coating fixture for ultra-thin metal corrugated plates for fuel cells described in the utility model.
[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a circular cross-section of a PVD coating fixture for ultra-thin metal corrugated plates for fuel cells described in the utility model.
[0023] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the bending route of a PVD coating fixture for an ultra-thin metal corrugated plate for a fuel cell described in the utility model.
[0024] Figure 8 This is a front view of a metal bipolar plate clamped on an ultra-thin metal corrugated plate PVD coating clamping aid for a fuel cell described in the utility model.
[0025] Figure 9 This is a side view of a metal bipolar plate clamped on an ultra-thin metal corrugated plate PVD coating clamping aid for a fuel cell according to the utility model.
[0026] Figure 10 This is a top view of a metal bipolar plate clamped on an ultra-thin metal corrugated plate PVD coating clamping aid for a fuel cell described in the utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] The present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the directions or positional relationships indicated by directional terms such as "upper, lower" and "top, bottom" are generally based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are intended only to facilitate the description of the present invention and simplify the description. Unless otherwise indicated, these directional terms do not indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have a specific direction or be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention; the directional terms "inside" and "outside" refer to the inside and outside relative to the outline of each component itself.
[0028] like Figure 1-10 As shown, a PVD coating fixture for ultra-thin metal corrugated plates for fuel cells includes a fixture body, which is made by bending a single steel wire; the fixture body includes a hanging structure, a support structure and a protective structure; the hanging structure has a downward-bent hanging ear, the support structure has an upward-bent support portion, the hanging ear and the support portion are staggered, the hanging structure and the support structure constitute a main body, the protective structure is located between the hanging ear and the support portion in the vertical direction, the protective structure is located above the support portion, and the protective structure forms a closed loop with the main body.
[0029] Specifically, the hanging structure includes a main rod 100, a first side upper vertical rod 101, a first upper horizontal rod 102, a first upper vertical rod 103, a first hanging rod 104, a hook section 105, a second hanging rod 106, a second upper vertical rod 107, a second upper horizontal rod 108 and a second side upper vertical rod 109 arranged in sequence;
[0030] The connections between the main rod, the first side upper rod, the first upper cross bar, the first upper rod and the first hanging rod are all set at 90 degrees, the hook section is bent downward, and the connections between the second hanging rod, the second upper rod, the second upper cross bar and the second side upper rod are all set at 90 degrees;
[0031] The first upper crossbar and the second upper crossbar are both arranged parallel to the main bar; the first side upper vertical bar, the first upper vertical bar, the second upper vertical bar and the second side upper vertical bar are all arranged perpendicular to the main bar, and the first hanging bar and the second hanging bar are respectively arranged perpendicular to the first upper vertical bar and the second upper vertical bar;
[0032] The first upper vertical rod, the first hanging rod, the hook section, the second hanging rod and the second upper vertical rod constitute the hanging ear.
[0033] Specifically, the protective structure includes a first support rod 110, a protective rod 111 and a second support rod 112. The first support rod, the protective rod and the second support rod form a U-shaped structure. The first support rod is connected to the upper pole on the second side, and the protective rod is opposite to the main pole and is spaced apart.
[0034] Specifically, the support structure includes a first side lower vertical rod 120, a first lower cross rod 121, a first lower vertical rod 122, a first support rod 123, a first outer rod 124, an outer support rod 125, a second outer rod 126, a second support rod 127, a second lower vertical rod 128, a second lower cross rod 129 and a second side lower vertical rod 130 arranged in sequence;
[0035] The first lower crossbar, the second lower crossbar and the support bar are all arranged parallel to the main bar; the first side lower vertical bar, the first lower vertical bar, the first outer bar, the second outer bar, the second lower vertical bar and the second side lower vertical bar are all arranged perpendicular to the main bar;
[0036] The first lower vertical rod, the first supporting rod, the first outer rod, the outer support rod, the second outer rod, the second supporting rod and the second lower vertical rod constitute the supporting portion.
[0037] Specifically, the clamp body is made by bending the main rod, the first side upper vertical rod, the first upper cross rod, the first upper vertical rod, the first hanging rod, the hook section, the second hanging rod, the second upper vertical rod, the second upper cross rod, the second upper vertical rod, the first support rod, the protective rod, the second support rod, the first side lower vertical rod, the first lower cross rod, the first lower vertical rod, the first supporting rod, the first outer rod, the outer support rod, the second outer rod, the second supporting rod, the second lower vertical rod, the second lower cross rod and the second side lower vertical rod in sequence.
[0038] The second support rod 112 is bent and wrapped around the bending part of the first side upper rod 101 and the main rod 100 , and the tail end of the second side lower rod 130 , the head end of the main rod 100 and the second side upper rod 109 are fixedly connected.
[0039] like Figure 2 The direction is determined according to the shape of the metal bipolar plates to be clamped. The direction along the flow channel is set as the longitudinal direction, and the direction perpendicular to the flow channel is set as the transverse direction. In order to ensure the stability of the metal bipolar plates to be clamped, the structure is placed horizontally in the transverse direction and vertically in the longitudinal direction.
[0040] In order to ensure that the designed auxiliary clamping aids meet the strength and rigidity requirements during the PVD coating process, steel wire with a thin cross-sectional diameter is selected for bending. This will help the auxiliary clamping aids to block the area of the metal bipolar plate as small as possible during the coating process, avoiding uneven coating or local uncoated conditions.
[0041] The upper part of the auxiliary clamping device is designed with a hanging structure, and the lower part is designed with a supporting structure with a certain width. The hanging structure of the clamping aid and the lower supporting structure are not in the same vertical position, which facilitates hanging and avoids interference.
[0042] During the PVD coating process, the fixture is hung on the coating rack hook. When the coating rack rotates, the metal bipolar plate is placed on the fixture and can move slightly back and forth within a small size margin, leaving no dead angles during coating.
[0043] The specific principles are as follows:
[0044] Step 1: Determine the length, width and height of the auxiliary clamping device based on the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the metal bipolar plate to be plated, combined with the metal plate flow channel dimensions and the coating process requirements. A certain margin needs to be left for each dimension, otherwise the dimensions will be too precise, making it difficult to clamp, or even getting stuck or having a coating dead point.
[0045] Step 2: Select the material and cross-sectional shape of the bending steel wire that can meet the strength requirements, such as stainless steel wire with a cross-sectional diameter of 0.6mm;
[0046] Step 3: Bend in sequence according to the bending route diagram, bend it into the shape shown in the diagram as a whole, form a closed loop, and correct the shape of the molded part to meet the use requirements.
[0047] Step 4: Place the metal bipolar plate to be plated in a fixture so that the lower lateral portion of the metal bipolar plate contacts the supporting structure of the fixture.
[0048] Step 5: Hang the hanging structure of the clamping fixture for the metal bipolar plates to be plated on the hanger hook of the PVD coating device. After the multiple clamping fixtures are hung, the subsequent PVD coating can be carried out.
[0049] For specific bending, refer to the bending diagram:
[0050] Bend in sequence
[0051] The sequence is 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6 → 7 → 8 → 9 → 10 → 11 → 1' → 12 → 13 → 2' → 14 → 15 → 16 → 17 → 18 → 19 → 20 → 21 → 22 → 23 → 1. 1 is fixedly connected to 11 and 23, and 13 is wound around the bends of 2 and 3.
[0052] The hanging structure is used to hang the clamped metal bipolar plate on the hanger hook of the PVD coating device. Figure 7 The positions of the numbers 4→5→6→7→8→9→10 in the middle. The supporting structure corresponds to Figure 7The positions numbered 15→16→17→18→19→20→21→22 can achieve reliable support for the metal bipolar plates. Figure 7 The closed loop formed by 1→2→13→12→1 can effectively prevent the metal bipolar plate to be plated from falling or tilting during the plating process.
[0053] The metal bipolar plates are placed in the auxiliary clamping structure in a horizontal and vertical direction. In this placement method, the metal bipolar plates become soft after being heated in the temperature environment of the PVD coating process. However, because the center of gravity of the metal bipolar plates is lower in this placement method, the bending or twisting thermal deformation caused by their own weight is smaller. Compared with the existing placement method, such as the clamping method in which the metal bipolar plates are placed horizontally and vertically, the center of gravity is higher, which makes it more conducive to bending and deformation when the temperature rises during the PVD coating process. As a result, bending and deformation occur after the coating process is completed, affecting the assembly of the battery stack, and even requiring the metal bipolar plates to be corrected to the required flatness.
[0054] Finally, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, the present invention is intended to include such modifications and variations.
Claims
1. A PVD coating fixture for ultra-thin corrugated metal plates for fuel cells, characterized in that: The clamp body is made by bending a single steel wire; The fixture body includes a hanging structure, a supporting structure and a protective structure; The hanging structure has a downward-bent hanging ear, the supporting structure has an upward-bent supporting portion, the hanging ear and the supporting portion are staggered, the hanging structure and the supporting structure constitute a main body, the protective structure is located between the hanging ear and the supporting portion in the vertical direction, the protective structure is located above the supporting portion, and the protective structure and the main body form a closed loop.
2. The PVD coating fixture for ultra-thin corrugated metal plates for fuel cells according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hanging structure includes a main rod, a first side upper vertical rod, a first upper horizontal rod, a first upper vertical rod, a first hanging rod, a hook section, a second hanging rod, a second upper vertical rod, a second upper horizontal rod and a second side upper vertical rod, which are arranged in sequence; The connections between the main rod, the first side upper rod, the first upper cross bar, the first upper rod and the first hanging rod are all set at 90 degrees, the hook section is bent downward, and the connections between the second hanging rod, the second upper rod, the second upper cross bar and the second side upper rod are all set at 90 degrees; The first upper crossbar and the second upper crossbar are both arranged parallel to the main bar; the first side upper vertical bar, the first upper vertical bar, the second upper vertical bar and the second side upper vertical bar are all arranged perpendicular to the main bar, and the first hanging bar and the second hanging bar are respectively arranged perpendicular to the first upper vertical bar and the second upper vertical bar; The first upper vertical rod, the first hanging rod, the hook section, the second hanging rod and the second upper vertical rod constitute the hanging ear.
3. The PVD coating fixture for ultra-thin corrugated metal plates for fuel cells according to claim 2, characterized in that: The protective structure includes a first support rod, a protective rod and a second support rod. The first support rod, the protective rod and the second support rod form a U-shaped structure. The first support rod is connected to the second side upper pole, and the protective rod is opposite to the main pole and is arranged at a distance.
4. The PVD coating fixture for ultra-thin corrugated metal plates for fuel cells according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support structure includes a first side lower vertical rod, a first lower cross rod, a first lower vertical rod, a first support rod, a first outer rod, an outer support rod, a second outer rod, a second support rod, a second lower vertical rod, a second lower cross rod and a second side lower vertical rod arranged in sequence; The first lower crossbar, the second lower crossbar and the support bar are all arranged parallel to the main bar; the first side lower vertical bar, the first lower vertical bar, the first outer bar, the second outer bar, the second lower vertical bar and the second side lower vertical bar are all arranged perpendicular to the main bar; The first lower vertical rod, the first supporting rod, the first outer rod, the outer support rod, the second outer rod, the second supporting rod and the second lower vertical rod constitute the supporting portion.
5. The PVD coating fixture for ultra-thin corrugated metal plates for fuel cells according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clamp body is made by bending the main rod, the first side upper vertical rod, the first upper cross rod, the first upper vertical rod, the first hanging rod, the hook section, the second hanging rod, the second upper cross rod, the second upper vertical rod, the first support rod, the protective rod, the second support rod, the first side lower vertical rod, the first lower cross rod, the first lower vertical rod, the first supporting rod, the first outer rod, the outer support rod, the second outer rod, the second supporting rod, the second lower vertical rod, the second lower cross rod and the second side lower vertical rod in sequence.