Clamping mechanism for activation test of hydrogen fuel cell
By designing the probe adjustment plate and fixing plate structure, the adaptability problem of non-standard fuel cell stack testing was solved, achieving flexible probe adjustment and adaptability of test points, and avoiding probe damage.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ZHEJIANG HYDROGEN AVIATION TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-17
AI Technical Summary
Existing technologies are difficult to apply to the testing of non-standard hydrogen fuel cell stacks. The probe fixing holes evenly distributed on the probe fixing plate cannot be adjusted, which makes testing inconvenient and may damage the probes.
A hydrogen fuel cell activation test clamping mechanism was designed, which adopts a probe adjustment plate and a probe fixing plate structure. The probe can be flexibly adjusted by spring adjustment screws and cross adjustment groups to adapt to non-standard stacks of different sizes.
It enables convenient testing of non-standard fuel cell stacks, avoids probe damage, meets the needs of different test points, and is highly adaptable.
Smart Images
Figure CN224138131U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of fuel cell technology, and in particular to a clamping mechanism for hydrogen fuel cell activation testing. Background Technology
[0002] In the initial stage of a PEMFC stack and system, the water vapor transport channels within the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) are not yet established. Alternatively, during long-term storage, internal moisture evaporation, impurity intrusion, or oxidation of the Pt catalyst can lead to a decrease in fuel cell activity. Therefore, MEA activation is a necessary step before a PEMFC stack and system can be put into use. This involves using an appropriate activation process to gradually improve the performance of the PEMFC to achieve the required performance and voltage. PEMFC activation is essentially MEA activation, which involves improving the MEA's performance to its nominal or maximum value and ensuring it reaches a stable state before leaving the factory – thus completing the fuel cell activation process.
[0003] However, during the activation process, CVM (Continuous Motion Measurement) probes often need to perform point-to-point contact testing. To solve this technical problem, Chinese invention patent application No. 202510000699X, entitled "A Hydrogen Fuel Cell Activation Testing Device, Method, and Medium," proposes a method where a motor mounted on a lead screw guide rotates the guide, causing probes on a probe fixing plate to move downwards to the corresponding test points. However, this automated adjustment is suitable for commonly available standardized fuel cell stacks, such as the common 500W, 1500W, 2000W, and 3000W stacks. Hydrogen fuel cells, on the other hand, consist of membrane electrode assemblies and bipolar plates piece by piece. The stacked fuel cells have different power ratings, resulting in different dimensions. Customized non-standard fuel cell stacks differ from standard stacks in size (e.g., 550W, 1650W, etc.), and the bipolar plates vary in size and thickness, thus requiring different test points. This automated mechanism is not universal, and the probe fixing holes evenly distributed on the aforementioned patented probe fixing plate lack adjustment functionality for different points, making it difficult to perform point-to-point probe alignment during implementation, resulting in inconvenient operation. Furthermore, forcibly moving the probes to different points may damage them. Therefore, this invention provides a clamping mechanism for non-standard fuel cells to ensure the stable operation of the testing device. Utility Model Content
[0004] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the technical problem to be solved by this utility model is: how to provide a clamping mechanism that is suitable for non-standard hydrogen fuel cell stacks and facilitates the adjustment of the testing range.
[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:
[0006] A hydrogen fuel cell activation test clamping mechanism includes a clamp base plate arranged laterally, with probe guide rods vertically arranged at both ends of the base plate along its length. The two probe guide rods are movably connected to a probe testing mechanism, allowing the mechanism to move vertically along the probe guide rods. The probe testing mechanism includes a probe adjusting plate connected to the probe guide rods, a probe fixing plate disposed below the probe adjusting plate, and a probe inserted into the probe fixing plate.
[0007] The probe adjusting plate and the probe fixing plate are connected by a spring adjusting screw, leaving a movable gap between the probe fixing plate and the probe adjusting plate; the probe adjusting plate has a first adjusting group and a second adjusting group that are arranged through the entire length direction and are spaced apart along the length direction of the probe adjusting plate; the width of the first adjusting group is wider than the width of the second adjusting group, and the second adjusting group extends into the first adjusting group in the length direction, so that the first adjusting group and the second adjusting group are in an intersecting state in the length direction;
[0008] Both the first adjustment group and the second adjustment group have through holes, and the spring adjustment screw passes through the through holes; the probe fixing plate installed at the through hole adjacent to the first adjustment group or the second adjustment group can share two adjacent first adjustment groups and second adjustment groups.
[0009] Using the above structure, the hydrogen fuel cell stack is placed on the fixture base plate. A probe fixing plate is fixed below the probe adjusting plate using spring adjusting screws. Probes are inserted into the probe fixing plate after passing through the corresponding first or second adjusting group. Depending on the size of the hydrogen fuel cell stack to be tested, the probes are inserted into the corresponding adjusting group for testing. Simultaneously, the width of the first adjusting group is wider than the second adjusting group, allowing testing of different test points along the width of the hydrogen fuel cell stack through two different adjusting groups. Furthermore, the movement range of the probe fixing plate can be controlled by the spring adjusting screws. When the test points of the non-standard stack to be tested are wider than the probe adjusting plate, the vertically inserted probes cannot test the surrounding points. Therefore, the probes inserted into the probe fixing plate are tilted by the vertically moving probe adjusting plate and the spring adjusting screws controlling the movement range of the probe fixing plate. This allows for testing of more surrounding points without damaging the probes. Adjacent probe fixing plates mounted on different spring adjusting screws are independent of each other; that is, the probes can simultaneously tilt forward and backward to detect, meeting the testing needs of non-standard stacks.
[0010] Furthermore, the first adjustment group consists of a first strip-shaped hole disposed on both sides of the probe adjustment plate in the width direction, and the second adjustment group consists of a second strip-shaped hole disposed in the width direction of the probe adjustment plate, wherein the second strip-shaped hole is located in the middle of the probe adjustment plate in the width direction.
[0011] Furthermore, the fixture base plate is provided with a guide rail arranged along its length direction, and a left clamping plate and a right clamping plate are respectively vertically arranged at both ends of the fixture base plate along its length direction; and the left clamping plate and / or the right clamping plate can move along the guide rail along its length direction.
[0012] Furthermore, the left clamp and / or the right clamp are convex in shape.
[0013] Since the hydrogen fuel cell has a hydrogen inlet on one side, the triangular arrangement helps to prevent the clamps from interfering with the hydrogen inlet during testing, while also ensuring a tight clamping effect.
[0014] Furthermore, the left and / or right clamps have a protruding fixing block on the side opposite to the other clamp, the fixing block having a vertically penetrating threaded hole and a hand-tightening screw tightened thereon.
[0015] In this way, after the left and right clamps are moved to the appropriate positions, the hand-tightened screws are tightened to fix the hydrogen fuel cell, which helps to prevent relative movement of the hydrogen fuel cell stack during testing.
[0016] Furthermore, linear bearings for locking devices are provided at both ends of the probe adjustment plate along its length, allowing the probe adjustment plate to be locked and moved up and down on the probe guide rod.
[0017] In summary, this utility model has the advantages of facilitating the adjustment of test points in different ranges and enabling the testing of non-standard fuel cell stacks. Attached Figure Description
[0018] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention installed on the activation test platform.
[0019] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention.
[0020] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure hidden behind the hydrogen fuel cell stack.
[0021] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A partially enlarged structural diagram.
[0022] Reference numerals: 1. Fixture base plate; 11. Left clamping plate; 12. Right clamping plate; 2. Probe guide rod; 3. Probe testing mechanism; 31. Probe adjusting plate; 311. First adjusting group; 3111. First strip hole; 312. Second adjusting group; 3121. Second strip hole; 32. Probe fixing plate; 33. Probe; 4. Guide rail; 5. Hand screw; 6. Linear bearing; 7. Spring adjusting screw Detailed Implementation
[0023] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments.
[0024] A hydrogen fuel cell activation test clamping mechanism, such as Figures 1-4 As shown, the fixture includes a horizontally arranged base plate 1, with probe guide rods 2 vertically arranged at both ends of the base plate 1 along its length. The two probe guide rods 2 are movably connected to a probe testing mechanism 3, allowing the mechanism to move vertically. The probe testing mechanism 3 includes a probe adjusting plate 31 connected to the probe guide rods, a probe fixing plate 32 disposed below the probe adjusting plate 31, and probes 33 inserted into the probe fixing plate 32.
[0025] The probe adjusting plate 31 and the probe fixing plate 32 are connected by a spring adjusting screw 7, leaving a movable gap between the probe fixing plate 32 and the probe adjusting plate 31. The probe adjusting plate 31 has a first adjusting group 311 and a second adjusting group 312 that are arranged through it along its length, and are spaced apart along the length of the probe adjusting plate 31. The width of the first adjusting group 311 is wider than the width of the second adjusting group 312, and the second adjusting group 312 extends into the first adjusting group 311 in the length direction, so that the first adjusting group 311 and the second adjusting group 312 are in an intersecting state in the length direction.
[0026] Both the first adjustment group 311 and the second adjustment group 312 have through holes, and the spring adjusting screw passes through these through holes. The probe fixing plate 32 installed at the through hole adjacent to either the first adjustment group 311 or the second adjustment group 312 can share two adjacent first adjustment groups 311 and second adjustment groups 312. In implementation, the first adjustment group 311 consists of first strip-shaped holes 3111 on both sides of the probe adjustment plate 31 in the width direction, and the second adjustment group 312 consists of second strip-shaped holes 3121 in the width direction of the probe adjustment plate 31, with the second strip-shaped holes 3121 located in the middle of the probe adjustment plate 31 in the width direction. This allows for adjustment of the probe in the length direction through either the first or second strip-shaped holes. (In specific implementation, the probe fixing plate installed in the through hole of the first adjustment group can share a part of the second strip hole with the adjacent second adjustment group to achieve testing at different widths, and the probe fixing plate installed in the through hole of the second adjustment group can share a part of the first strip hole with the next adjacent first adjustment group; each probe fixing plate is independent of each other, and each independent probe fixing plate can be adjusted by the corresponding spring adjusting screw 7. The tilt direction of each probe fixing plate can be the same or different; the adjustment range corresponding to each spring screw can also be different, and it can be manually adjusted by the operator before testing. Therefore, it can well deal with the problem of customized non-standard fuel cell stacks. Customized non-standard fuel cell stacks are not commonly used in daily life. They are customized by customers, so the quantity is not particularly large and there is no efficiency problem. The patent mentioned in this utility model and background technology only needs to replace the clamping mechanism, which can realize the free switching between standard fuel cell stacks and non-standard fuel cell stacks.)
[0027] Using the above structure, the hydrogen fuel cell stack is placed on the fixture base plate. A probe fixing plate is fixed below the probe adjusting plate using spring adjusting screws. Probes are inserted into the probe fixing plate after passing through the corresponding first or second adjusting group. Depending on the size of the hydrogen fuel cell stack to be tested, the probes are inserted into the corresponding adjusting group for testing. Simultaneously, the width of the first adjusting group is wider than the second adjusting group, allowing testing of different test points along the width of the hydrogen fuel cell stack through two different adjusting groups. Furthermore, the movement range of the probe fixing plate can be controlled by the spring adjusting screws. When the test points of the non-standard stack to be tested are wider than the probe adjusting plate, the vertically inserted probes cannot test the surrounding points. Therefore, the probes inserted into the probe fixing plate are tilted by the vertically moving probe adjusting plate and the spring adjusting screws controlling the movement range of the probe fixing plate. This allows for testing of more surrounding points without damaging the probes. Adjacent probe fixing plates mounted on different spring adjusting screws are independent of each other; that is, the probes can simultaneously tilt forward and backward to detect, meeting the testing needs of non-standard stacks.
[0028] like Figure 3 As shown, the fixture base plate 1 is provided with a guide rail 4 arranged along its length direction. A left clamping plate 11 and a right clamping plate 12 are vertically arranged at both ends of the fixture base plate 1 along its length direction, respectively; and the left clamping plate 11 and / or the right clamping plate 12 can move along the guide rail 4 along its length direction. To ensure that the clamping plates do not interfere with the hydrogen gas interface during testing, while also achieving a clamping effect, the left clamping plate 11 and / or the right clamping plate 12 are convex in shape.
[0029] like Figure 2 As shown, the left clamping plate 11 and / or the right clamping plate 12 have a protruding fixing block on the side opposite to the opposing clamping plate (in specific implementation, the left clamping plate 11 has a fixing block on the side opposite to the right clamping plate, and the right clamping plate 12 has a fixing block on the side opposite to the left clamping plate; the left and right clamping plates can both have fixing blocks, or only one clamping plate can have a fixing block. If only one clamping plate has a fixing block, then the corresponding other clamping plate will be fixed on the fixture base plate and cannot move). The fixing block has a vertical through threaded hole and is fitted with a hand-tightening screw 5. In this way, when the left and right clamping plates are moved to the appropriate position, tightening the hand-tightening screw will fix the hydrogen fuel cell, which helps to prevent relative movement of the hydrogen fuel cell stack during testing. In actual implementation, the left clamping plate 11 and / or the right clamping plate 12 also have through threaded holes and are fitted with hand screws. The tightened hand screws can abut against the end plate of the hydrogen fuel cell stack to fix the hydrogen fuel cell stack in the front-back direction during testing.
[0030] like Figures 2-3 As shown, linear bearings 6 for locking devices are provided at both ends of the probe adjustment plate 31 along its length, so that the probe adjustment plate 31 can be locked and moved up and down on the probe guide rod 2.
[0031] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A hydrogen fuel cell activation test clamping mechanism, comprising a clamp base plate (1) arranged laterally, wherein probe guide rods (2) are respectively vertically arranged at both ends of the base plate (1) in the length direction, and the two probe guide rods (2) are movably connected to a probe testing mechanism (3) so that the mechanism can move in the vertical direction of the probe guide rods (2); characterized in that, The probe testing mechanism (3) includes a probe adjusting plate (31) connected to the probe guide rod, a probe fixing plate (32) disposed below the probe adjusting plate (31), and a probe (33) inserted on the probe fixing plate (32); The probe adjusting plate (31) and the probe fixing plate (32) are connected by a spring adjusting screw, so that there is a movable gap between the probe fixing plate (32) and the probe adjusting plate (31); the probe adjusting plate (31) has a first adjusting group (311) and a second adjusting group (312) that are arranged through the length direction, and are spaced apart along the length direction of the probe adjusting plate (31); the width of the first adjusting group (311) is wider than the width of the second adjusting group (312), and the second adjusting group (312) extends into the first adjusting group (311) in the length direction, so that the first adjusting group (311) and the second adjusting group (312) are in an intersecting state in the length direction; The first adjustment group (311) and the second adjustment group (312) each have through holes, and the spring adjustment screw passes through the through holes; the probe fixing plate (32) installed at the through hole adjacent to the first adjustment group (311) or the second adjustment group (312) can share two adjacent first adjustment groups (311) and second adjustment groups (312).
2. The hydrogen fuel cell activation test clamping mechanism of claim 1, wherein, The first adjustment group (311) is a first strip hole (3111) provided on both sides of the probe adjustment plate (31) in the width direction, and the second adjustment group (312) is a second strip hole (3121) provided in the width direction of the probe adjustment plate (31), and the second strip hole (3121) is located in the middle of the width direction of the probe adjustment plate (31).
3. The hydrogen fuel cell activation test clamping mechanism of claim 1, wherein, The fixture base plate (1) is provided with a guide rail (4) arranged along its length direction. A left clamping plate (11) and a right clamping plate (12) are respectively vertically arranged at both ends of the fixture base plate (1) along its length direction. The left clamping plate (11) and / or the right clamping plate (12) can move along the guide rail (4) along its length direction.
4. The hydrogen fuel cell activation test clamping mechanism of claim 3, wherein, The left clamp (11) and / or the right clamp (12) are convex in shape.
5. The hydrogen fuel cell activation test clamping mechanism as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The left clamp (11) and / or the right clamp (12) have a protruding fixing block on the side opposite to the other clamp, the fixing block having a vertical through threaded hole and a hand screw (5) tightened thereon.
6. The hydrogen fuel cell activation test clamping mechanism of claim 1, wherein, Linear bearings (6) for locking devices are provided at both ends of the probe adjustment plate (31) along its length, so that the probe adjustment plate (31) can be locked and moved up and down on the probe guide rod (2).