An apparatus for evaluating a film electrode frame thickness retention rate

Abstract

The application provides a device for evaluating the thickness retention rate of a membrane electrode border frame, and relates to the technical field of fuel cells, comprising an upper pressing piece and a lower pressing piece for clamping the membrane electrode border frame, and a pressing piece for pressing the upper pressing piece and the lower pressing piece against each other; the upper pressing piece and the lower pressing piece are both provided with a heating device for heating the membrane electrode border frame and a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure value of the membrane electrode border frame. The application sets two pressing plates, and the thickness of the membrane electrode border frame after being pressed is measured by heating and pressing the membrane electrode border frame through a set pressure, so that the thickness retention rate of the membrane electrode border frame can be simply and effectively evaluated, and the risk of sealing failure of the contact position between the sealing strip and the border frame is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fuel cell technology, and in particular to an apparatus for evaluating the thickness retention rate of membrane electrode cladding. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) typically employ a seven-in-one design, encapsulating the MEA within a frame using adhesive layers, primarily hot melt adhesives, thermosetting adhesives, pressure-sensitive adhesives, and UV adhesives. During fuel cell operation, high temperatures are common, with rated temperatures reaching 80-105°C. At these temperatures, the frame adhesive layer softens, and the contact area with the sealing strip experiences significant pressure. The adhesive layer is squeezed to both sides of the sealing strip, leading to thinning of the sealing layer over time. This can result in MEA seal failure and a significant risk of gas leakage. However, existing equipment and tooling cannot easily and effectively simulate this area, making it impossible to assess the MEA frame thickness retention rate and increasing safety hazards. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the problems existing in the prior art, at least one embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for evaluating the thickness retention rate of a membrane electrode frame, which can simply and effectively evaluate the thickness retention rate of the membrane electrode frame and reduce the risk of sealing failure at the contact position between the sealing strip and the frame.

[0004] This invention provides an apparatus for evaluating the thickness retention rate of a membrane electrode frame, comprising an upper pressing member and a lower pressing member for clamping the membrane electrode frame, and a clamping member for pressing the upper pressing member and the lower pressing member together; both the upper pressing member and the lower pressing member are provided with a heating device for heating the membrane electrode frame and a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure value of the membrane electrode frame.

[0005] In some embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus for evaluating the thickness retention rate of a membrane electrode frame. The clamping member includes a plurality of bolts and nuts that match the bolts. The lower pressing member is provided with a plurality of threaded holes that match the bolts, and the upper pressing member is provided with a through hole that matches the bolts. The bolts pass through the through holes and engage with the threaded holes, and the nuts engage with the bolts. The nuts are located on the outside of the upper pressing member.

[0006] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a device for evaluating the thickness retention rate of a membrane electrode frame, wherein both the upper pressing member and the lower pressing member are rectangular in shape, threaded holes are distributed at the four corners of the lower pressing member, and through holes are distributed at the four corners of the upper pressing member.

[0007] In some embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus for evaluating the thickness retention rate of a membrane electrode frame, wherein an elastic member is sleeved on the screw of a bolt, one end of the elastic member abuts against a nut, and the other end of the elastic member abuts against an upper pressing member.

[0008] In some embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus for evaluating the thickness retention rate of a membrane electrode frame, wherein the elastic component is a spring.

[0009] In some embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus for evaluating the thickness retention rate of a membrane electrode frame, wherein the upper pressing member and the lower pressing member are both horizontally arranged, and the upper pressing member and the lower pressing member are heat-conducting plates.

[0010] In some embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus for evaluating the thickness retention rate of a membrane electrode frame, wherein the upper pressing member and the lower pressing member are metal plates.

[0011] In some embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus for evaluating the thickness retention rate of a membrane electrode frame, wherein the upper pressing member and the lower pressing member are each provided with corresponding thermally conductive bosses for placing the membrane electrode frame, a pressure sensor is disposed on the thermally conductive boss, and the heating end of the heating device abuts against the thermally conductive boss.

[0012] In some embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus for evaluating the thickness retention rate of a membrane electrode frame, wherein the thermally conductive boss is a metal boss.

[0013] As can be seen, the device for evaluating the thickness retention rate of the membrane electrode frame in this embodiment of the invention is provided with two pressing plates, one above the other. The membrane electrode frame is heated and pressed by a set pressure and its thickness after pressing is measured. This can simply and effectively evaluate the thickness retention rate of the membrane electrode frame and reduce the risk of sealing failure at the contact position between the sealing strip and the frame. Attached Figure Description

[0014] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0015] Figure 1 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of a device for evaluating the thickness retention rate of a membrane electrode frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 The image shown is a top view of a device for evaluating the thickness retention rate of a membrane electrode frame, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3 The diagram shown is a schematic of the frame for placing the membrane electrode in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are as follows:

[0019] 1. Membrane electrode frame, 2. Upper pressing component, 3. Lower pressing component, 4. Clamping component, 41. Bolt, 42. Nut, 5. Heating device, 6. Pressure sensor, 7. Elastic component, 8. Thermally conductive boss. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. In this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element.

[0022] In existing technologies, equipment and tooling cannot easily and effectively simulate and test this location, thus failing to assess the film electrode frame thickness retention rate and increasing safety hazards. This invention provides the following solution:

[0023] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus for evaluating the thickness retention rate of a membrane electrode frame, including an upper pressing member 2 and a lower pressing member 3 for clamping the membrane electrode frame 1, and a clamping member 4 for pressing the upper pressing member 2 and the lower pressing member 3 together. Both the upper pressing member 2 and the lower pressing member 3 are provided with a heating device 5 for heating the membrane electrode frame 1 and a pressure sensor 6 for detecting the pressure value of the membrane electrode frame.

[0024] It should be noted that the membrane electrode frame 1 can be a hot melt adhesive frame, thermosetting adhesive frame, pressure-sensitive adhesive frame, or UV adhesive frame, manufactured according to the actual required process parameters and cut into the corresponding shape. The membrane electrode frame 1 is placed between the upper pressing member 2 and the lower pressing member 3. The pressing member 4 secures the membrane electrode frame 1 firmly between the upper pressing member 2 and the lower pressing member 3. The pressure sensor 6 adjusts the pressing force to a suitable value. A heating device 5 heats the membrane electrode frame 1 to conduct a high-temperature simulation test. After the test, the membrane electrode frame 1 is removed to measure its thickness, thereby evaluating the retention rate of the membrane electrode frame.

[0025] In some embodiments, the clamping member 4 includes a plurality of bolts 41 and nuts 42 that match the bolts. The lower pressing member 3 is provided with a plurality of threaded holes that match the bolts, and the upper pressing member 2 is provided with a through hole that matches the bolts. The bolts pass through the through holes and engage with the threaded holes. The nuts 42 engage with the bolts 41 and are located on the outside of the upper pressing member 2.

[0026] It should be noted that by adjusting the nut 42, the upper pressing member 2 and the lower pressing member 3 are used to fix and tighten the membrane electrode frame 1.

[0027] In some embodiments, both the upper pressing member 2 and the lower pressing member 3 are rectangular in shape, with threaded holes distributed at the four corners of the lower pressing member 3 and through holes distributed at the four corners of the upper pressing member 2, thereby making the pressing force more uniform and improving the measurement accuracy.

[0028] In some embodiments, the bolt 41 is fitted with an elastic member 7, one end of which abuts against the nut 42 and the other end of which abuts against the upper pressing member 2. The elastic member 7 is a spring, which increases the stability after compression.

[0029] In some embodiments, the nut 42 is tightened to the appropriate position so that the reading of the pressure sensor 6 is the set pressure of the frame.

[0030] In some embodiments, the upper pressing member 2 and the lower pressing member 3 are both horizontally arranged, and the upper pressing member 2 and the lower pressing member 3 are heat-conducting plates, so that the membrane electrode frame 1 is directly heated by the heating device 5.

[0031] In some embodiments, the upper pressing member 2 and the lower pressing member 3 are metal plates, such as aluminum plates, iron plates, or copper plates.

[0032] In some embodiments, both the upper pressing member 2 and the lower pressing member 3 are provided with corresponding thermally conductive protrusions 8 for placing the membrane electrode frame, the pressure sensor 6 is disposed on the thermally conductive protrusion 8, and the heating end of the heating device 5 abuts against the thermally conductive protrusion 8.

[0033] It should be noted that the membrane electrode frame 1 is placed on the heat-conducting boss 8. After the heat-conducting boss 8 presses the membrane electrode frame 1 tightly, it is heated by the heating device 5.

[0034] In some embodiments, the heat-conducting boss 8 is a metal boss, such as an aluminum boss, an iron boss, or a copper boss.

[0035] In summary, the embodiments of the present invention provide a device for evaluating the thickness retention rate of a membrane electrode frame. It is equipped with two pressing plates, one above the other, which heat and press the membrane electrode frame with a set pressure and measure its thickness after pressing. This allows for a simple and effective evaluation of the membrane electrode frame thickness retention rate and reduces the risk of sealing failure at the contact point between the sealing strip and the frame.

[0036] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, and the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art can make changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application, and all such changes or substitutions should be within the scope of protection of this application.

[0037] Those skilled in the art will understand that although some embodiments described herein include certain features included in other embodiments but not others, combinations of features from different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention and form different embodiments.

[0038] Although embodiments of the invention have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and such modifications and variations all fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for evaluating the thickness retention rate of a membrane electrode frame, characterized in that, It includes an upper pressing member (2) and a lower pressing member (3) for clamping the membrane electrode frame (1), and a clamping member (4) for pressing the upper pressing member (2) and the lower pressing member (3) together; the upper pressing member (2) and the lower pressing member (3) are each provided with a heating device (5) for heating the membrane electrode frame (1) and a pressure sensor (6) for detecting the pressure value of the membrane electrode frame.

2. The apparatus for evaluating the thickness retention rate of a membrane electrode frame according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clamping member (4) includes multiple bolts (41) and nuts (42) that match the bolts. The lower pressing member (3) is provided with multiple threaded holes that match the bolts. The upper pressing member (2) is provided with through holes that match the bolts. The bolts pass through the through holes and are connected to the threaded holes. The nuts (42) are connected to the bolts (41). The nuts (42) are located on the outside of the upper pressing member (2).

3. The apparatus for evaluating the thickness retention rate of a membrane electrode frame according to claim 2, characterized in that, Both the upper pressing member (2) and the lower pressing member (3) are rectangular in shape. The threaded holes are distributed at the four corners of the lower pressing member (3) and the through holes are distributed at the four corners of the upper pressing member (2).

4. The apparatus for evaluating the thickness retention rate of a membrane electrode frame according to claim 2, characterized in that, The bolt (41) has an elastic component (7) sleeved on its threaded shaft. One end of the elastic component (7) abuts against the nut (42), and the other end of the elastic component (7) abuts against the upper pressing member (2).

5. The apparatus for evaluating the thickness retention rate of a membrane electrode frame according to claim 4, characterized in that, The elastic component (7) is a spring.

6. The apparatus for evaluating the thickness retention rate of a membrane electrode frame according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper pressing component (2) and the lower pressing component (3) are both horizontally arranged, and the upper pressing component (2) and the lower pressing component (3) are heat-conducting plates.

7. The apparatus for evaluating the thickness retention rate of a membrane electrode frame according to claim 6, characterized in that, The upper pressing component (2) and the lower pressing component (3) are metal plates.

8. The apparatus for evaluating the thickness retention rate of a membrane electrode frame according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the upper pressing member (2) and the lower pressing member (3) are provided with corresponding heat-conducting protrusions (8) for placing the membrane electrode frame. The pressure sensor (6) is disposed on the heat-conducting protrusion (8), and the heating end of the heating device (5) abuts against the heat-conducting protrusion (8).

9. The apparatus for evaluating the thickness retention rate of a membrane electrode frame according to claim 8, characterized in that, The heat-conducting boss (8) is a metal boss.

Images