A multi-process positioning device for dispensing membrane electrode of proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Abstract

This invention discloses a multi-step positioning device for dispensing membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The device includes a base assembly and a positioning plate. The base assembly has a positioning cavity for positioning the bottom layer (GDL) of the MEA. At least two positioning pins are arranged around the positioning cavity on the top surface of the base assembly. The axes of the positioning pins are perpendicular to the plane of the base assembly and engage with pre-set positioning holes on the frame of the CCM coating of the MEA. The positioning plate is hinged to one side of the base assembly. The free end of the positioning plate has an alignment opening. When the positioning plate is flipped and stacked on the base assembly, the alignment opening positions at least both sides of the top layer (GDL) of the MEA. This invention integrates the positioning structures of the bottom GDL, CCM coating, and top GDL into one unit, reducing the accumulation of errors caused by repeated positioning operations and thus helping to improve the relative positional accuracy between the layers of the MEA. Combined with the automated operation of the dispensing and pressing devices, it improves the assembly efficiency of the MEA.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of fuel cell technology, specifically to a multi-process positioning device for dispensing membrane electrodes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Background Technology

[0002] The membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, as the core component of the electrochemical reaction, is typically composed of a bottom GDL, an intermediate CCM coating, and a top GDL stacked sequentially. Specifically, the intermediate CCM coating is fixed to the surface of the bottom GDL with an adhesive, while the top GDL needs to be further aligned and bonded to the intermediate CCM coating to ultimately form a sandwich structure.

[0003] In existing technologies, the assembly process of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) generally adopts a step-by-step manual alignment and adhesive dispensing curing method: First, adhesive is applied along the outline of the bottom layer GDL using a dispensing machine. Then, the CCM coating is aligned and placed on the surface of the bottom layer GDL using a positioning device. After the bottom layer GDL and CCM coating are bonded, the positioning fixture is manually adjusted again to align the top layer GDL and CCM coating a second time and fix them with adhesive. This process has the following significant drawbacks: poor alignment accuracy and low efficiency; manual alignment relies on operator experience, and visual errors can easily lead to interlayer misalignment between the CCM and GDL (usually >0.5mm), affecting the consistency of the proton conduction path; multiple switching of positioning fixtures prolongs the assembly time of a single piece, resulting in insufficient mass production efficiency; and manual operation makes it difficult to ensure the uniformity of adhesive line width and thickness, affecting the interface contact resistance and sealing reliability. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, the present invention proposes a multi-process positioning device for dispensing membrane electrodes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells, which integrates multiple positioning processes into one, achieves rapid positioning, and works in conjunction with the dispensing device to improve assembly efficiency.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] A multi-step positioning device for dispensing membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell includes: a base assembly and a positioning plate. The base assembly has a positioning cavity with an upper opening in the middle, which is used to position the bottom layer GDL of the MEA. The top surface of the base assembly is provided with at least two positioning pins surrounding the positioning cavity. The axis of the positioning pins is perpendicular to the plane of the base assembly and forms an insertion fit with the pre-set positioning hole of the CCM coating of the MEA. The positioning plate is hinged to one side of the base assembly. The free end of the positioning plate has an alignment opening. When the positioning plate is flipped and stacked on the base assembly, the alignment opening positions at least both sides of the top layer GDL of the MEA.

[0007] To better achieve the above technical solution, optionally, the base assembly includes: a substrate and a frame. The top surface of the substrate is provided with a positioning boss. The positioning boss is provided with a packaging station for placing the bottom layer GDL. The frame has an annular frame structure. The frame is coaxially nested around the outer periphery of the positioning boss and together with the packaging station forms a positioning cavity. The positioning pin is fixed at the corner of the top surface of the frame.

[0008] Optionally, a positioning groove is formed on the top surface of the substrate, and the bottom of the positioning boss is fixed in the positioning groove.

[0009] Optionally, a plurality of guide posts are fixedly provided around the positioning groove on the top surface of the substrate, and guide holes corresponding to each guide post are provided on the frame, and the guide posts and guide holes are axially slidably engaged.

[0010] Optionally, the top surface of the substrate and the bottom surface of the frame are provided with a plurality of grooves around the positioning groove, and a plurality of elastic buffer members are provided between the top surface of the substrate and the bottom surface of the frame, with the two ends of the elastic buffer members respectively placed in the grooves of the substrate and the frame.

[0011] Optionally, it also includes a plurality of limiting screws, the bottom end of which movably passes through the frame and is fixedly connected to the substrate, and the top end of which is used to constrain the axial displacement of the frame.

[0012] Optionally, the alignment opening has an approximately U-shaped structure.

[0013] Optionally, the positioning cavity has two spaced-apart packaging stations, and the alignment openings correspond one-to-one with the positioning cavities.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0015] This utility model relates to a multi-step positioning device for dispensing membrane electrodes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. By integrating the positioning structures that define the bottom layer GDL, CCM coating, and top layer GDL into one unit, compared to the traditional step-by-step positioning method, it reduces the accumulation of errors caused by repeated positioning operations, which helps to improve the relative positional accuracy between the layers of the membrane electrode. At the same time, in conjunction with the automated operation of the dispensing device and the pressing device, it improves the assembly efficiency of the membrane electrode. Furthermore, due to the precise positioning, it reduces defects such as glue overflow and interlayer misalignment, thereby improving the yield of the membrane electrode.

[0016] This invention relates to a multi-process positioning device for dispensing membrane electrodes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. During the membrane electrode pressing process, the frame can slide downward along the guide post, and the elastic buffer provides a buffering effect, so that the frame is attached to the membrane electrode with elastic pressure, avoiding damage to the membrane electrode due to rigid extrusion, and achieving a flexible pressing effect. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a multi-process positioning device for dispensing membrane electrodes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells according to an embodiment of this utility model (the free end cap of the positioning plate is located on the frame);

[0018] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a multi-process positioning device for dispensing membrane electrodes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells according to an embodiment of this utility model (the free end of the positioning plate is away from the frame);

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Exploded view;

[0020] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A diagram illustrating its usage;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the membrane electrode structure;

[0022] Figure label:

[0023] Substrate 10, positioning groove 101, guide post 102, groove 103, elastic buffer 104, positioning boss 11, packaging station 111, frame 20, positioning pin 201, limiting screw 202, positioning plate 30, alignment opening 31, positioning pin clearance hole 32, sliding base 40, bottom layer GDL 51, CCM coating 52, top layer GDL 53, membrane electrode dispensing and pressing platform 60. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solution of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Identical components are indicated by the same reference numerals.

[0025] Please see Figures 1 to 5 This utility model discloses a multi-process positioning device for dispensing membrane electrodes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells, including a base assembly and a positioning plate 30.

[0026] like Figure 1 and Figure 2The base assembly has a positioning cavity with an upper opening in the middle. The positioning cavity is used to position the bottom layer GDL51 of the membrane electrode. Specifically, the positioning cavity can limit at least three side walls of the bottom layer GDL51 to prevent displacement of the bottom layer GDL51 during dispensing and subsequent assembly processes. The top surface of the base assembly is provided with at least two positioning pins 201 around the positioning cavity. The axis of the positioning pins 201 is perpendicular to the plane of the base assembly and forms an insertion fit with the pre-set positioning hole on the frame of the CCM coating 52 of the membrane electrode, thereby achieving precise positioning of the CCM coating 52 on the bottom layer GDL51. The positioning plate 30 is hinged to one side of the base assembly. The free end of the positioning plate 30 has an alignment opening 31. When the positioning plate 30 is flipped and stacked on the base assembly, the alignment opening 31 positions at least both sides of the top layer GDL53 of the membrane electrode.

[0027] This invention integrates the positioning structure defining the bottom layer GDL51, CCM coating 52, and top layer GDL53 into one unit. Compared with the traditional step-by-step positioning method, it reduces the accumulation of errors caused by repeated positioning operations, which helps to improve the relative positional accuracy between the layers of the membrane electrode. Combined with the automated operation of the dispensing device and the pressing device, it improves the assembly efficiency of the membrane electrode. At the same time, due to the precise positioning, it reduces defects such as glue overflow and interlayer misalignment, thereby improving the yield of the membrane electrode.

[0028] like Figure 3 As shown, the base assembly includes a substrate 10 and a frame 20. A positioning boss 11 is fixed to the top surface of the substrate 10. The positioning boss 11 has an encapsulation station 111 for placing the bottom layer of the membrane electrode GDL51. The frame 20 has an annular frame structure, coaxially nested around the outer periphery of the positioning boss 11, and together with the encapsulation station 111, forms a positioning cavity. Positioning pins 201 are fixed at the corners of the top surface of the frame 20. Both the substrate 10 and the frame 20 are rectangular structures. The positioning cavity has two spaced-apart encapsulation stations 111, each with four positioning pins 201. This allows for simultaneous positioning of the four corners of the two membrane electrode CCM coatings 52, enabling parallel operation of the two stations and further improving assembly efficiency.

[0029] like Figure 3 As shown, a positioning groove 101 is provided on the top surface of the substrate 10, and the bottom of the positioning boss 11 is embedded in the positioning groove 101 and fixedly connected by screws. Specifically, a first connecting hole is provided in the positioning groove 101, and a second connecting hole is provided on the positioning boss 11 located between the two packaging stations 111. Two connecting pins pass through the second connecting hole and are screwed into the first connecting hole, which effectively enhances the fixing strength of the positioning boss 11 on the substrate 10 and prevents it from loosening during repeated use.

[0030] In an embodiment of this utility model, a plurality of guide posts 102 are fixedly provided around the positioning groove 101 on the top surface of the substrate 10, and the frame 20 is provided with guide holes corresponding to each guide post 102. The guide holes are blind holes, and the guide posts 102 and the guide holes form an axial sliding fit to provide precise guidance for the lifting and lowering of the frame 20. At the same time, a plurality of grooves 103 are provided around the positioning groove 101 on the top surface of the substrate 10 and the bottom surface of the frame 20, and a plurality of elastic buffer members 104 are provided between the top surface of the substrate 10 and the bottom surface of the frame 20. The two ends of the elastic buffer members 104 are respectively placed in the grooves 103 of the substrate 10 and the frame 20.

[0031] Specifically, there are four elastic buffers 104, all of which are compression springs. The four elastic buffers 104 are evenly distributed between the substrate 10 and the frame 20. During the pressing process of the membrane electrode, the frame 20 can slide down along the guide post 102. The elastic buffers 104 provide a buffering effect, so that the frame 20 fits the membrane electrode with elastic pressure, avoiding damage to the membrane electrode due to rigid compression, and achieving a flexible pressing effect.

[0032] In addition, this positioning device also includes four limiting screws 202, the bottom of which moves through the frame 20 and is fixedly connected to the base plate 10, and the top of which is used to limit the axial displacement of the frame 20, preventing the frame 20 from detaching from the base plate 10 during the lifting process, thus ensuring the stability and reliability of the base assembly structure.

[0033] Specifically, there are four limiting screws 202, which are respectively set at the corners of the frame 20. The four limiting screws 202 prevent the frame 20 from detaching from the substrate 10, thereby ensuring the stability of the connection between the substrate 10 and the frame 20.

[0034] In the embodiments of this utility model, the alignment opening 31 adopts an approximately U-shaped structure. The operator only needs to insert the side of the top layer GDL53 into the U-shaped opening to quickly complete the vertical alignment with the bottom layer GDL51. Compared with the traditional positioning method, the positioning time of a single membrane electrode top layer GDL53 can be reduced by at least 1 / 3.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, in an embodiment of this utility model, the positioning plate 30 is connected to one side of the frame 20 via a hinge shaft assembly, so that the positioning plate 30 can rotate 180° around the hinge shaft in the hinge shaft assembly. The positioning plate 30 is provided with a positioning pin avoidance hole 32 to prevent the positioning pin 201 from interfering with the rotation of the positioning plate 30.

[0036] like Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown in the embodiment of this utility model, the bottom surface of the substrate 10 is fixed with a sliding base 40 by a plurality of screws, so that the positioning device can be slidably assembled on the dispensing and pressing platform 60. By integrating with the dispensing and pressing platform 60, during the assembly of the membrane electrode, the dispensing device can automatically and precisely dispense adhesive to each layer of membrane electrode, and the pressing device simultaneously completes the pressing operation, realizing the fully automated operation of positioning, dispensing and pressing, further improving the production efficiency and product quality consistency of the membrane electrode.

[0037] In the embodiments of this utility model, it should be noted that the dispensing and pressing platform 60 is prior art. The positioning device of this utility model is applied to the dispensing and pressing platform 60 to improve the assembly efficiency of the membrane electrode.

[0038] like Figure 5 As shown, during the membrane electrode assembly process, the positioning device achieves multi-stage positioning and dispensing coordination in the following steps:

[0039] First, the bottom layer GDL51 is placed in the positioning cavity and fixed by the limiting effect of the side wall and bottom wall of the positioning cavity. Then, the glue application device of the glue application and pressing platform 60 applies glue around the top edge of the bottom layer GDL51 to provide an adhesive base for the subsequent bonding of CCM film 52.

[0040] Next, align the pre-set positioning holes on the edge of the CCM film 52 with the positioning pins 201 and insert them to make the CCM film 52 accurately cover the glued bottom layer GDL51. Then, use the glue applicator to apply glue around the edge of the CCM film 52.

[0041] Next, flip the positioning plate 30 so that it overlaps one side of the CCM film 52, align the side of the top layer GDL 53 with the alignment opening 31, and place it on the top surface of the CCM film 52. Through the limiting effect of the alignment opening 31, the top layer GDL 53 and the bottom layer GDL 51 are quickly and accurately aligned vertically.

[0042] Finally, the positioning plate 30 is flipped in the reverse direction so that its free end is away from the top layer GDL53 of the membrane electrode. The pressing device of the dispensing and pressing platform 60 is used to press the top layer GDL53, so that the bottom layer GDL51, CCM coating 52 and the top layer GDL53 are bonded together with adhesive and pressed into one piece. Through the above steps, this positioning device tightly connects the positioning, dispensing and pressing processes of each layer of the membrane electrode, shortening the assembly time.

[0043] The technical solution of this utility model has been described in detail above with reference to specific embodiments. The specific embodiments described are used to help understand the concept of this utility model. Derivations and modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the specific embodiments of this utility model also fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A multi-step positioning device for dispensing membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, characterized in that, include: The base assembly has a positioning cavity with an upper opening in the middle. The positioning cavity is used to position the bottom layer GDL (51) of the membrane electrode. The top surface of the base assembly is provided with at least two positioning pins (201) around the positioning cavity. The axis of the positioning pins (201) is perpendicular to the plane of the base assembly and forms an insertion fit with the pre-set positioning hole of the frame of the CCM coating (52) of the membrane electrode. And a positioning plate (30), which is hinged to one side of the base assembly. The free end of the positioning plate (30) is provided with an alignment opening (31). When the positioning plate (30) is flipped and stacked on the base assembly, the alignment opening (31) forms a positioning on at least both sides of the top layer GDL (53) of the membrane electrode.

2. The multi-step positioning device for dispensing membrane electrodes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base assembly includes: The substrate (10) has a positioning boss (11) on its top surface and a packaging station (111) for placing the bottom layer GDL (51). And the frame (20); the frame (20) has a ring frame structure. The frame (20) is coaxially nested on the outer periphery of the positioning boss (11) and together with the packaging station (111) forms a positioning cavity. The positioning pin (201) is fixed at the corner of the top surface of the frame (20).

3. The multi-step positioning device for dispensing membrane electrode assemblies for proton exchange membrane fuel cells according to claim 2, characterized in that, The top surface of the substrate (10) is provided with a positioning groove (101), and the bottom of the positioning boss (11) is fixed in the positioning groove (101).

4. The multi-step positioning device for dispensing membrane electrodes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells according to claim 3, characterized in that, The top surface of the substrate (10) is fixed with a plurality of guide posts (102) surrounding the positioning groove (101). The frame (20) is provided with guide holes corresponding to each guide post (102). The guide posts (102) and guide holes slide in axial direction.

5. The multi-step positioning device for dispensing membrane electrode assemblies for proton exchange membrane fuel cells according to claim 4, characterized in that, The top surface of the substrate (10) and the bottom surface of the frame (20) are provided with a plurality of grooves (103) around the positioning groove (101). A plurality of elastic buffers (104) are provided between the top surface of the substrate (10) and the bottom surface of the frame (20). The two ends of the elastic buffers (104) are respectively placed in the grooves (103) of the substrate (10) and the frame (20).

6. The multi-step positioning device for dispensing membrane electrode assemblies for proton exchange membrane fuel cells according to claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes multiple limiting screws (202), the bottom end of which moves through the frame (20) and is fixedly connected to the base plate (10), and the top end of which is used to constrain the axial displacement of the frame (20).

7. The multi-step positioning device for dispensing membrane electrode assemblies for proton exchange membrane fuel cells according to claim 1, characterized in that, The alignment opening (31) has an approximately U-shaped structure.

8. The multi-step positioning device for dispensing membrane electrodes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells according to claim 1, characterized in that, The positioning cavity has two spaced-apart packaging stations (111), and the alignment opening (31) corresponds to and cooperates with the positioning cavity.

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