Automated film peeling system

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of vanadium redox flow battery stack manufacturing technology, and particularly to an automated membrane tearing system, including a material stacking platform with an open structure, and a robotic arm on each side of the platform. This utility model provides an automated membrane tearing system applied to the membrane tearing process of proton exchange membranes in vanadium redox flow batteries. The collaborative work of two robotic arms realizes the membrane tearing process during vanadium redox flow battery stack manufacturing, reducing labor costs; it addresses the characteristics of the vanadium redox flow battery proton exchange membrane by enabling membrane gripping and separation from the protective film, improving the success rate of membrane tearing; the open design of the membrane tearing platform enhances adaptability to the manufacturing of different power stacks, ensuring scalability in the manufacturing process of different stacks.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of vanadium redox flow battery stack manufacturing technology, and in particular to an automated film-removing system. Background Technology

[0002] Vanadium redox flow battery (VRB) energy storage technology has made pioneering progress in both research and application in China. However, due to its early stage of development and lack of economies of scale, VRB production still faces high costs. Compared to lithium-ion battery storage, the cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of VRB energy storage technology still has significant room for improvement. In the manufacturing process of VRB stacks, the cost of the proton exchange membrane (PEM) increases due to low material utilization. Currently, two main methods are used for separating and tearing the PEM: manual tearing and tearing equipment. However, as the operating power of VRB stacks increases, the area of ​​the PEM will also increase. Using these two methods for tearing has significant drawbacks.

[0003] First, manual tearing is the primary method: operators use their fingers to peel a corner of the release film off the workpiece, then pinch the corner to peel the film off. This manual tearing method is labor-intensive, inefficient, and poses a risk of fingerprint contamination to the workpiece due to human contact. This solution requires high labor costs and is limited by the operator's skill level, which has significant drawbacks in large-scale applications. This not only creates difficulties for large-scale production but also makes it difficult to reduce costs.

[0004] Secondly, by using a film-tearing device, the film-tearing equipment is integrated in a closed manner. The robotic arm, film-tearing components and membrane material are enclosed in the same space by a cabinet. The automated film-tearing process is usually achieved inside the cabinet through a rolling structure. Although this solution can be applied on a large scale, it is mostly suitable for film-tearing processes of smaller membranes and cannot be used for large-area proton exchange membranes, which limits the size of the membrane.

[0005] To improve the scalability of vanadium redox flow batteries, this patent proposes an automated membrane tearing system specifically designed for the proton exchange membrane of vanadium redox flow batteries. Utility Model Content

[0006] To address the aforementioned shortcomings, the purpose of this utility model is to provide an automated membrane tearing system that solves the problems of high cost and inconsistent manual tearing operations that limit large-area proton exchange membranes in the background art, as well as the problem that existing membrane tearing equipment can only tear smaller membranes.

[0007] This device enables unmanned and efficient film removal, improving the economies of scale in flow battery point-to-point production.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides an automated film-tearing system, including a material stacking platform with an open structure. A robotic arm is located on each side of the material stacking platform. One robotic arm is equipped with an adsorption device for adsorbing and fixing the film, and the other robotic arm is equipped with a film-tearing clamp for tearing the film.

[0009] As a preferred technical solution, the adsorption device includes a deformable connector and a suction cup assembly, wherein the suction cup assembly is installed at the bottom of the deformable connector.

[0010] As a preferred technical solution, the deformable connector has a convex structure.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution, the suction cup assembly is made of a flexible material.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution, the film-tearing clamp includes a first clamping arm and a second clamping arm, which are closable.

[0013] As a preferred technical solution, the clamping end of the first clamping arm is provided with a first clamping arm protrusion, and the clamping end of the second clamping arm is provided with a second clamping arm protrusion, and the first clamping arm protrusion and the second clamping arm protrusion are used for clamping the film.

[0014] As a preferred technical solution, the suction cup assembly includes a suction cup mounting frame, a suction cup plate is mounted on one side of the suction cup mounting frame, and a plurality of suction cups are provided on the suction cup plate; a sealing plate is mounted on the other side of the suction cup mounting frame, and a groove is built into the bottom of the sealing plate; a negative pressure cavity is formed between the suction cup mounting frame, the suction cup plate and the groove of the sealing plate; and a plurality of negative pressure pipe connection holes are provided on the side of the suction cup mounting frame.

[0015] As a preferred technical solution, a wind equalization plate is provided inside the negative pressure chamber, and a plurality of air holes are provided on the wind equalization plate; the wind equalization plate and the suction cup plate form a first adsorption chamber; a second adsorption chamber is formed between the groove of the wind equalization plate and the sealing plate, and the negative pressure pipe connection hole communicates with the second adsorption chamber.

[0016] As a preferred technical solution, a partition frame is provided in the first adsorption chamber, which divides the first adsorption chamber into multiple independent unit chambers, and each unit chamber independently controls multiple corresponding suction cups.

[0017] This invention provides an automated membrane peeling system for use in the peeling of proton exchange membranes in vanadium redox flow batteries. It offers the following advantages:

[0018] 1. The process of tearing the proton exchange membrane during the manufacturing of vanadium redox flow battery stacks is realized by the coordinated work of two robotic arms, reducing labor costs;

[0019] 2. Taking advantage of the characteristics of the proton exchange membrane in vanadium redox flow batteries, the membrane was grasped and separated from the protective membrane, improving the success rate of membrane removal.

[0020] 3. The film-tearing platform is designed to be open, which improves the adaptability to the manufacturing of fuel cell stacks with different power levels and ensures scalability in the manufacturing process of different fuel cell stacks. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the automated film-tearing system in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the deformable connector in Example 1 when it is not deformed;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the deformable connector in Example 1 under deformation.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the suction cup assembly in Embodiment 1;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a side view of the suction cup assembly in Embodiment 1;

[0026] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the suction cup plate in Example 2;

[0027] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the suction cup mounting frame and sealing plate in Example 2;

[0028] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the air distribution plate in Example 2;

[0029] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the film-tearing clamp in Example 1;

[0030] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the film-tearing clamp from another perspective in Example 1;

[0031] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating the automatic film-tearing system of this utility model during the film-tearing process;

[0032] In the picture:

[0033] 1-Adsorption device, 11-Deformable connector, 12-Suction cup assembly, 121-Suction cup mounting frame, 122-Suction cup, 123-Suction cup plate, 124-Cross line, 125-Sealing plate, 126-Separator, 127-Air distribution plate, 2-Tearing film clamp, 21-First clamping arm, 211-First clamping arm protrusion, 22-Second clamping arm, 221-Second clamping arm protrusion, 3-Material stacking platform. Detailed Implementation

[0034] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this utility model.

[0035] Example 1:

[0036] See Figure 1 This utility model provides an automated film-tearing system, including a material stacking platform 3. The material stacking platform 3 has an open structure, which means that there is no cabinet to isolate the film-tearing equipment. Compared with the non-open film-tearing structure, the open structure can ensure the operation of large-size flow battery proton exchange membranes.

[0037] There is a robotic arm on each side of the material stacking platform 3. One robotic arm is equipped with an adsorption device 1, which is used to adsorb and fix the film (protective film); the other robotic arm is equipped with a film tearing clamp 2, which is used to tear the film (protective film).

[0038] See Figures 2 to 5 The adsorption device 1 includes a deformable connector 11 and a suction cup assembly 12, with the suction cup assembly 12 mounted on the bottom of the deformable connector 11. The deformable connector 11 has a convex structure and can deform when energized. The suction cup assembly 12 is made of a flexible material and includes several suction cups. The deformable connector 11 deforms when energized, using existing technology, such as electrothermal microfiber or EPA. When energized and deformed, the suction cup assembly 12 deforms accordingly, causing one side of the protective film adsorbed by the suction cup assembly 12 to lift up.

[0039] See Figure 9 and Figure 10 The film-tearing clamp 2 includes a first clamping arm 21 and a second clamping arm 22, which are closable.

[0040] The first clamping arm 21 shown has a first clamping arm protrusion 211 at its clamping end, and the second clamping arm 22 has a second clamping arm protrusion 221 at its clamping end. Setting both the clamping ends of the first clamping arm 21 and the second clamping arm 22 as protruding structures (first clamping arm protrusion 211 and second clamping arm protrusion 221) helps to clamp the protective film that has been adsorbed by the suction cup assembly 12 and lifted up.

[0041] The work process is as follows Figure 11As shown, a robotic arm moves an adsorption device 1 to adsorb and grab the proton exchange membrane, and rotates the adsorption device 1 to place the proton exchange membrane on the material stacking platform 3. If the adsorption device 1 is not aligned with the edge of the proton exchange membrane, it needs to be repositioned. When the adsorption device 1 is aligned with the edge of the proton exchange membrane, the adsorption device 1 adsorbs the protective film, and when the deformable connector 11 bends and deforms, the edge of the protective film is lifted. Another robotic arm drives the film-tearing clamp 2 to move to the lifted edge of the protective film, and controls the opening and closing of the first clamping arm 21 and the second clamping arm 22 to peel off the protective film, thus separating the release film from the proton exchange membrane. The separated release film is placed in the waste stacking area, thus completing the film tearing process.

[0042] Example 2:

[0043] See Figures 6 to 8 This utility model also provides an automated film-tearing system, which differs from the above embodiments in that: the suction cup assembly 12 includes a suction cup mounting frame 121, a suction cup plate 123 is mounted on one side of the suction cup mounting frame 121, and a plurality of suction cups 122 are provided on the suction cup plate 123. A sealing plate 125 is mounted on the other side of the suction cup mounting frame 121, and a groove is built into the bottom of the sealing plate 125; a negative pressure cavity is formed between the suction cup mounting frame 121, the suction cup plate 123, and the groove of the sealing plate 125; a plurality of negative pressure pipe connection holes are provided on the side of the suction cup mounting frame 121, and during operation, negative pressure can be generated by the negative pressure device, so that airflow is discharged through the negative pressure cavity and the negative pressure pipe connection holes.

[0044] To ensure a uniform distribution of negative pressure within the negative pressure chamber, a wind equalization plate 127 is installed inside the chamber, and the wind equalization plate 127 has several air holes. The wind equalization plate 127 and the suction cup plate 123 form a first adsorption chamber; a second adsorption chamber is formed between the wind equalization plate 127 and the groove of the sealing plate 125, and the negative pressure pipe connection hole connects to the second adsorption chamber.

[0045] A partition frame 126 is provided in the first adsorption chamber. The partition frame 126 not only serves a supporting function but also divides the first adsorption chamber into multiple independent unit chambers. Each unit chamber independently controls multiple corresponding suction cups 122. For example, the partition frame 126 can divide the negative pressure chamber into four independent unit chambers. The suction cup plate 123 forms four independent adsorption areas A, B, C, and D along the cross lines 124 corresponding to the partition frame 126. Each adsorption area controls multiple corresponding suction cups 122. Each independent unit chamber discharges airflow after passing through the second adsorption chamber. By setting the partition frame 126, the suction cups 122 on the suction cup plate 123 can be controlled in different areas, thereby achieving regional adsorption of the protective film. Since the suction cup assembly 12 is made of flexible material, when the deformable connector 11 undergoes slight deformation, the suction cup assembly 12 deforms accordingly, causing the edge of the protective film to lift up. The slight deformation of the suction cup assembly 12 will not cause negative pressure leakage.

[0046] This invention provides an automated membrane-tearing system for the proton exchange membrane (PEM) removal process in vanadium redox flow batteries. By employing two robotic arms in synergy, the PEM removal process during vanadium redox flow battery stack manufacturing is achieved, reducing labor costs. The system effectively grasps the membrane and separates it from the protective film, improving the success rate of membrane removal. The open design of the membrane-tearing platform enhances adaptability to the manufacturing of different power stacks, ensuring scalability in the manufacturing process of various stacks.

[0047] Of course, there may be other embodiments of this utility model. Without departing from the spirit and essence of this utility model, those skilled in the art can make various corresponding changes and modifications based on this utility model, but these corresponding changes and modifications should all fall within the protection scope of the appended claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. Automated film tearing system comprising a material depositing platform (3), characterized in that, The material stacking platform (3) has an open structure. There is a robotic arm on each side of the material stacking platform (3). One robotic arm is equipped with an adsorption device (1) for adsorbing and fixing the film. The other robotic arm is equipped with a film tearing clamp (2) for tearing the film.

2. The automated film tear system of claim 1, wherein, The adsorption device (1) includes a deformable connector (11) and a suction cup assembly (12), the suction cup assembly (12) being installed at the bottom of the deformable connector (11).

3. The automated film tear system of claim 2, wherein, The deformable connector (11) has a convex structure.

4. The automated film tear system of claim 2, wherein, The suction cup assembly (12) is made of a flexible material and includes a plurality of suction cups.

5. The automated film tear system of claim 2, wherein, The film-tearing clamp (2) includes a first clamping arm (21) and a second clamping arm (22), which are openable and closable.

6. The automated film tear system of claim 5, wherein, The first clamping arm (21) shown has a first clamping arm protrusion (211) at its clamping end, and the second clamping arm (22) has a second clamping arm protrusion (221) at its clamping end. The first clamping arm protrusion (211) and the second clamping arm protrusion (221) are used for clamping the film.

7. The automated film tear system of claim 4, wherein, The suction cup assembly (12) includes a suction cup mounting frame (121), a suction cup plate (123) is mounted on one side of the suction cup mounting frame (121), and a plurality of suction cups (122) are provided on the suction cup plate (123); a sealing plate (125) is mounted on the other side of the suction cup mounting frame (121), and a groove is built into the bottom of the sealing plate (125); a negative pressure cavity is formed between the groove of the suction cup mounting frame (121), the suction cup plate (123) and the sealing plate (125); a plurality of negative pressure pipe connection holes are provided on the side of the suction cup mounting frame (121).

8. The automated film tear system of claim 7, wherein, A wind equalization plate (127) is provided inside the negative pressure chamber, and a plurality of air holes are provided on the wind equalization plate (127); the wind equalization plate (127) and the suction cup plate (123) form a first adsorption chamber; a second adsorption chamber is formed between the wind equalization plate (127) and the groove of the sealing plate (125), and the negative pressure pipe connection hole connects to the second adsorption chamber.

9. The automated film tear system of claim 8, wherein, The first adsorption chamber is provided with a partition frame (126), which divides the first adsorption chamber into multiple independent unit chambers, and each unit chamber independently controls multiple corresponding suction cups (122).

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