A metal bipolar plate fixing device

Abstract

The utility model relates to a kind of metal bipolar plate fixing device, including base unit, it includes bearing platform, the bearing platform is opened with accommodating groove along thickness direction;The accommodating groove is opened with first through-hole;Cover plate unit, it includes cover plate, the cover plate is installed in the bearing platform, and can cover the accommodating groove;The cover plate is matched with the accommodating groove and forms accommodating cavity;Multiple second through-holes that are communicated with the accommodating cavity are equipped on the cover plate;To be fixed piece is placed on the cover plate upper surface;Lower pressing unit, it includes at least one group of lower pressing component installed in bearing platform, and the lower pressing component includes lower pressing piece and driving mechanism, lower pressing piece moves along the thickness direction of to-be-fixed piece under the driving of the driving mechanism, to compress the to-be-fixed piece.The utility model can be modularized quick change, so as to facilitate the quick disassembly of different to-be-fixed piece, adaptation range is extensive, and can effectively improve assembly efficiency, effectively reduce production cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of hydrogen fuel cell technology, and in particular to a metal bipolar plate fixing device. Background Technology

[0002] A hydrogen fuel cell is a chemical power generation device that directly converts the chemical energy of fuel (hydrogen) into electrical energy. Because fuel cells convert the Gibbs free energy portion of the fuel's chemical energy into electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction, they are not limited by the Carnot cycle effect and are far more efficient than internal combustion engines. Furthermore, hydrogen fuel cells use hydrogen and air as fuel, have no mechanical transmission parts, produce no harmful gas emissions, and are noiseless. Therefore, from an energy and environmental perspective, fuel cells are the most promising power generation technology with a wide range of applications. Currently, the metal bipolar plates in fuel cells often encounter deformation and fixation problems during welding and adhesive application, especially in the processing of ultra-thin plates (0.1mm level), which are prone to warping and unevenness due to residual stress and heat input, affecting the welding and adhesive application effects and efficiency, and even impacting the sealing and assembly accuracy of the entire fuel cell stack. Currently, most fixing devices typically use fixtures adapted to the bipolar plates for fixation.

[0003] However, the shortcomings of the existing technology are that different models of bipolar plates require corresponding fixtures, the applicability of which is low, thereby increasing production costs. In addition, the clamping structure is usually quite complex, which makes it difficult to quickly disassemble and fix the bipolar plates, thus reducing the assembly efficiency of the bipolar plates. Utility Model Content

[0004] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a metal bipolar plate fixing device to improve the above-mentioned problems. It can adapt to bipolar plates of different shapes, improve applicability, and has a simple clamping structure, which facilitates quick assembly and disassembly by operators and effectively improves installation efficiency.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model provides a metal bipolar plate fixing device, comprising, The base unit includes a support platform, on which a receiving groove is formed along the thickness direction; the receiving groove has a first through hole. A cover plate unit includes a cover plate, which is installed on the support platform and covers the receiving groove; the cover plate and the receiving groove cooperate to form a receiving cavity; the cover plate is provided with a plurality of second through holes communicating with the receiving cavity; the component to be fixed is placed on the upper surface of the cover plate; A pressing unit includes at least one set of pressing components mounted on a support platform. The pressing components include pressing members and a driving mechanism. The pressing members move along the thickness direction of the component to be fixed under the drive of the driving mechanism to press the component to be fixed. A vacuum generating unit is connected to the accommodating cavity through the first through hole to evacuate the accommodating cavity; The control unit is communicatively connected to the pressing unit and the vacuum generating unit to output control signals to the pressing unit and the vacuum generating unit.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, the base unit further includes a positioning block, which is installed on the bearing platform and surrounds the edge of the cover plate to position the cover plate.

[0007] In one embodiment of this utility model, the positioning structure further includes a positioning post, which is installed on the bearing platform and connected to the positioning block. The positioning post is located on the side of the positioning block that is in contact with the part to be fixed. The edge of the cover plate is provided with a positioning groove, and the positioning post matches the positioning groove.

[0008] In one embodiment of this utility model, the cover plate is assembled to the bearing platform by welding, gluing or screwing.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, a sealing element is further included, which is disposed on the support platform and located between the cover plate and the support platform.

[0010] In one embodiment of this utility model, the vacuum generating unit includes a vacuum generating device; the vacuum generating device includes a vacuum pump and a vacuum generator.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first through hole is formed on the side wall of the receiving groove.

[0012] In one embodiment of this utility model, six sets of pressing components are provided, wherein four sets of pressing components are arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the long side of the bearing platform, and the other two sets of pressing components are arranged opposite each other on opposite sides of the short side of the bearing platform.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cover plate unit further includes a buffer layer, which is disposed on the cover plate and located on the side of the cover plate that is in contact with the part to be fixed; along the thickness direction, the projected shape of the buffer layer matches the projected shape of the part to be fixed.

[0014] In one embodiment of this utility model, the buffer layer includes a buffer sponge; the material of the buffer sponge includes one or more of polyurethane, polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene-vinyl acetate, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), and silicone.

[0015] The above-mentioned technical solution of this utility model has the following advantages compared with the prior art: The present invention discloses a metal bipolar plate fixing device comprising a base unit, a cover plate unit, a pressing unit, a vacuum generating unit, and a control unit. The base unit includes a support platform and a receiving groove formed on the support platform. The cover plate unit includes a cover plate mounted on the support platform, which covers the receiving groove and together with the groove forms a receiving cavity. The cover plate has multiple second through holes for placing the component to be fixed. The vacuum generating unit communicates with the receiving cavity to evacuate the cavity. At this time, the component to be fixed, placed on the upper surface of the cover plate, can be firmly adsorbed onto the cover plate through the second through holes, thereby achieving stress equalization. The components are evenly distributed; furthermore, the pressing unit can further press down on the parts to be fixed to ensure their stability, thereby achieving the specified flatness for subsequent processes such as dispensing, welding, and measurement. Through the coordinated operation of the pressing unit and the vacuum generating unit, vacuum adsorption and mechanical clamping are linked, ensuring clamping force while compensating for thickness fluctuations of the parts to be fixed within a certain range. In addition, this invention can perform modular rapid changeover, facilitating the quick assembly and disassembly of different parts to be fixed, with a wide range of applicability, effectively improving assembly efficiency and reducing production costs. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To make the content of this utility model easier to understand, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the metal bipolar plate fixing device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the pressing component of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the cover plate unit of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the metal bipolar plate fixing device and the component to be fixed in a preferred embodiment of this utility model.

[0021] Explanation of reference numerals on the accompanying drawings: 10. Receiving groove; 11. Supporting platform; 101. First through hole; 12. Positioning block; 13. Positioning post; 20. Cover plate; 201. Second through hole; 202. Positioning groove; 31. Component to be fixed; 40. Pressing component; 41. Drive mechanism; 43. Base plate; 50. Vacuum generating equipment. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, so that those skilled in the art can better understand and implement the present invention. However, the embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0023] Reference Figures 1 to 4 As shown, this utility model discloses a metal bipolar plate fixing device. In this embodiment, the component to be fixed 31 is a metal bipolar plate.

[0024] The base unit includes a support platform 11, and a receiving groove 10 is formed in the middle of the support platform 11 along the thickness direction; a first through hole 101 is formed on the receiving groove 10. The metal bipolar plate fixing device also includes a cover plate unit, which includes a cover plate 20. The cover plate 20 is installed on the support platform 11 and can cover the receiving groove 10. The lower surface of the cover plate 20 is in contact with the support platform 11, and the cover plate 20 and the receiving groove 10 cooperate to form a receiving cavity.

[0025] Furthermore, the cover plate 20 is provided with a plurality of second through holes 201 communicating with the accommodating cavity, which are used for vacuum adsorption. It should be noted that the plurality of second through holes 201 are similar in shape to the through holes of the metal bipolar plate to be fixed, to facilitate vacuum adsorption. The plurality of second through holes 201 are mainly located in the reaction zone of the metal bipolar plate and the bonding position of the sealing element.

[0026] The fixing component 31 is placed on the upper surface of the cover plate 20; Furthermore, the metal bipolar plate fixing device also includes a pressing unit, which includes at least one set of pressing components mounted on the support platform 11. Specifically, the pressing components include a pressing member 40 and a driving mechanism 41. The pressing member 40 moves along the thickness direction of the member to be fixed 31 under the drive of the driving mechanism 41 and can press the member to be fixed 31 against the cover plate 20. The metal bipolar plate fixing device also includes a vacuum generating unit, which communicates with the accommodating cavity through the first through hole 101 to evacuate the accommodating cavity. With this configuration, when the accommodating cavity is in a vacuum environment, the component to be fixed 31 is tightly adsorbed onto the upper surface of the cover plate 20, thereby ensuring a tighter fixation of the component to be fixed to the cover plate 20 and improving the stability of the connection.

[0027] The metal bipolar plate fixing device also includes a control unit, which is communicatively connected to the pressing unit and the vacuum generating unit. The control unit can output control signals to the pressing unit and the vacuum generating unit to control the pressing unit and the vacuum generating unit to work together.

[0028] Therefore, it can be understood that the metal bipolar plate fixing device protected by this utility model includes a base unit, a cover plate unit, a pressing unit, a vacuum generating unit, and a control unit. The base unit includes a supporting platform 11 and a receiving groove formed on the supporting platform 11. The cover plate unit includes a cover plate installed on the supporting platform 11. The cover plate can cover the receiving groove and together with the receiving groove forms a receiving cavity. The cover plate has multiple second through holes, and the component to be fixed is placed on the cover plate. The vacuum generating unit is connected to the receiving cavity to evacuate the receiving cavity. At this time, the component to be fixed placed on the upper surface of the cover plate can be firmly adsorbed onto the cover plate through the second through holes. This achieves uniform stress distribution. Furthermore, the pressing unit can further press down on the component to be fixed, ensuring its stability and achieving the specified flatness for subsequent processes such as gluing, welding, and measurement. Through the coordinated operation of the pressing unit and the vacuum generating unit, vacuum adsorption and mechanical clamping are linked, ensuring clamping force while compensating for thickness fluctuations in the component to be fixed within a certain range. In addition, this invention allows for modular and rapid changeover, facilitating quick assembly and disassembly of different components, providing wide applicability, and effectively improving assembly efficiency and reducing production costs.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the control unit includes a PLC.

[0030] Furthermore, the base unit also includes a positioning block 12, which is installed on the support platform 11 and surrounds the perimeter of the cover plate 20 to position the cover plate 20 horizontally, thereby achieving initial positioning of the cover plate 20. The positioning block 12 has mounting holes, allowing it to be detachably installed on the support platform 11 using fasteners, including but not limited to bolts. This allows for quick assembly and disassembly through the cooperation of the positioning block 12 and the cover plate 20, enabling rapid model changeover.

[0031] In some embodiments, to avoid damage to the component 31 to be fixed, the positioning block 12 has a small gap with the component 31 to be fixed, the gap being 0.02mm-0.05mm.

[0032] It should be noted that the positioning block 12 is made of materials including but not limited to steel and aluminum alloy.

[0033] Furthermore, the positioning structure also includes a positioning post 13, which is installed on the supporting platform 11 and connected to the positioning block 12. The positioning post 13 is located on the side of the positioning block 12 that is in contact with the part to be fixed 31. The edge of the cover plate 20 is provided with a positioning groove 202, and the positioning post 13 matches the positioning groove 202, thereby further positioning the cover plate 20 in the horizontal direction and achieving precise positioning of the cover plate 20. In addition, the positioning post 13 can be detachably installed on the supporting platform 11 by screws or pins, and the positioning post 13 can also be used for initial positioning of the part to be fixed 31.

[0034] In detail, the cover plate 20 is assembled to the support platform 11 by welding, gluing, or screwing. The material of the cover plate 20 includes, but is not limited to, steel and aluminum alloy.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the metal bipolar plate fixing device further includes a sealing element disposed on the support platform 11 and located between the cover plate 20 and the support platform 11 to ensure airtightness and avoid poor airtightness between the cover plate 20 and the support platform 11.

[0036] In detail, the vacuum generating unit includes a vacuum generating device 50; the vacuum generating device 50 includes a vacuum pump and a vacuum generator. Specifically, the vacuum generator is connected to one end of the vacuum pump, and the other end of the vacuum pump is connected to the first through hole 101 through a pipeline, and communicates with the accommodating cavity through the first through hole 101. When the vacuum generating device is working, it can create a vacuum environment in the accommodating cavity.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the first through hole 101 is formed on the side wall of the receiving groove 10.

[0038] Furthermore, six sets of pressing components are provided, with four sets of pressing components arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the long side of the support platform 11, and the other two sets of pressing components arranged opposite each other on opposite sides of the short side of the support platform 11. The two sets of pressing components located on the short side are used to supplement the clamping force, thereby ensuring that the metal bipolar plate can be firmly fixed to the cover plate 20 while ensuring that the flatness of the metal bipolar plate meets the requirements, so as to facilitate subsequent processes such as dispensing, welding, and measurement.

[0039] In one embodiment, the drive mechanism 41 is mounted on the edge of the support platform 11, and the pressing member 40 is connected to the output end of the drive mechanism 41. The pressing member 40 is raised and lowered under the drive of the drive mechanism 41, thereby pressing down the member to be fixed 31.

[0040] Preferably, the drive mechanism 41 is a pneumatic module. The pressing component 40 is a pressing plate.

[0041] In other embodiments, combined Figure 2 As shown, the pressing unit also includes a base plate 43. The driving mechanism 41 has two movable ends. The pressing plate is connected to one of the movable ends, and the base plate is connected to the other movable end. The pressing plate and the base plate move synchronously relative to each other under the drive of the driving mechanism 41. The pressing plate and the base plate move closer to each other or further away from each other, so that the base plate and the pressing plate cooperate with each other to clamp or release the component to be fixed 31 and the bearing platform 11.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the cover unit further includes a buffer layer disposed on the cover plate 20 and located on the side of the cover plate 20 that is in contact with the member to be fixed 31.

[0043] Preferably, along the thickness direction, the projected shape of the buffer layer matches the projected shape of the member to be fixed 31.

[0044] The buffer layer includes, but is not limited to, a buffer sponge; the hardness of the buffer sponge is approximately 15° to 80° (Shore A); the foaming ratio of the buffer sponge is approximately 10-60 times; the buffer sponge can be an open-cell structure or a closed-cell structure; the buffer sponge has adhesive on one side to facilitate its fixation and bonding to the contoured area on the cover plate 20.

[0045] Specifically, the cushioning sponge is made of one or more of the following materials: polyurethane, polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene-vinyl acetate, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), and silicone. The cushioning sponge (compression resilience > 95%) absorbs and reduces deformation, thereby filling the recessed area of ​​the metal bipolar plate, effectively preventing vacuum breakage. Simultaneously, the vacuum channels formed by the multiple second through holes 201 provide a relatively uniform vacuum suction force, thus tightly adhering the metal bipolar plate to be fixed and achieving uniform stress distribution.

[0046] It should be noted that the second through hole 201 on the side of the cover plate 20 that contacts the part to be fixed 31 is subjected to a reduction treatment, and the reduction height is -0.05mm to -0.1mm of the thickness of the foamed sponge after compression.

[0047] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0048] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0049] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely illustrative examples for clear explanation and are not intended to limit the implementation. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all possible implementations here. However, obvious variations or modifications derived therefrom are still within the protection scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A metal bipolar plate fixing device, characterized in that: include, The base unit includes a support platform, on which a receiving groove is formed along the thickness direction; the receiving groove has a first through hole. A cover plate unit includes a cover plate, which is installed on the support platform and covers the receiving groove; the cover plate and the receiving groove cooperate to form a receiving cavity; the cover plate is provided with a plurality of second through holes communicating with the receiving cavity; the component to be fixed is placed on the upper surface of the cover plate; A pressing unit includes at least one set of pressing components mounted on a support platform. The pressing components include pressing members and a driving mechanism. The pressing members move along the thickness direction of the component to be fixed under the drive of the driving mechanism to press the component to be fixed. A vacuum generating unit is connected to the accommodating cavity through the first through hole to evacuate the accommodating cavity; The control unit is communicatively connected to the pressing unit and the vacuum generating unit to output control signals to the pressing unit and the vacuum generating unit.

2. The metal bipolar plate fixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The base unit further includes a positioning block, which is installed on the support platform and surrounds the edge of the cover plate to position the cover plate.

3. The metal bipolar plate fixing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The base unit also includes a positioning post, which is installed on the bearing platform and connected to the positioning block. The positioning post is located on the side of the positioning block that is in contact with the part to be fixed. The edge of the cover plate is provided with a positioning groove, and the positioning post matches the positioning groove.

4. The metal bipolar plate fixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cover plate is assembled to the support platform by welding, gluing or screwing.

5. The metal bipolar plate fixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a seal, which is disposed on the support platform and located between the cover plate and the support platform.

6. The metal bipolar plate fixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vacuum generating unit includes a vacuum generating device; the vacuum generating device includes a vacuum pump and a vacuum generator.

7. The metal bipolar plate fixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first through hole is formed on the side wall of the receiving groove.

8. The metal bipolar plate fixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressing components are provided in six groups, of which four groups are arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the long side of the bearing platform, and the other two groups are arranged opposite each other on opposite sides of the short side of the bearing platform.

9. A metal bipolar plate fixing device according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that: The cover plate unit further includes a buffer layer, which is disposed on the cover plate and located on the side of the cover plate that is in contact with the part to be fixed; along the thickness direction, the projected shape of the buffer layer matches the projected shape of the part to be fixed.

10. A metal bipolar plate fixing device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The buffer layer includes a cushioning sponge.

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