Device and method for securing a fuel cell stack

Abstract

Device for securing a fuel cell stack (30), comprising: an assembly frame (20) into which a stack (30) is loaded; a press block (40) which is set up to apply pressure to the stack (30); and a pressure maintenance unit (50) designed to keep the stack (30) in a compressed state by the press block (40), wherein the stack (30) is rotatable in a state in which the pressure maintenance unit (50) holds the stack (30) in a pressed state by the press block (40).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a device for fastening a fuel cell stack and in particular to a device and a method for fastening a fuel cell stack which are able to prevent insulating plates from being affected or hindered by other components during assembly by maintaining a suitable pressure with which a stack is pressed / compressed, thereby significantly improving the assembly characteristics and productivity of the stack. BACKGROUND

[0002] Recently, fuel cells have been investigated as an energy source for vehicles to reduce pollution. Specifically, fuel cells are an energy source that generates electrical energy from an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen or hydrocarbon-based fuels and an oxidant represented by oxygen. A fuel cell comprises a stack that generates electricity, a fuel supply section configured to deliver fuel to the stack, and an oxidant supply section configured to deliver an oxidant (e.g., air) to the stack. In particular, the stack has a structure in which membrane electrode assemblies and separators are sequentially stacked, and the membrane electrode assemblies generate electricity through the oxidation of fuel and the reduction reaction of a reducing agent.

[0003] Furthermore, unit cells separated by separators are stacked sequentially, and the output voltages of the unit cells are summed to determine the output voltage of the stack. The stack's performance can be assessed by the value of this output voltage, which is influenced by the pressure between the separators. The stack's separators are made of graphite, a metal, or a composite material and are designed to prevent leakage of fuel for the electrochemical reaction by means of a seal.

[0004] Hydrogen, guided through a gas flow channel formed on one surface of a separator, is supplied to the layered electrode arrays through a gas diffusion layer and undergoes a chemical reaction with oxygen supplied from the other surface of the separator. To determine the stack's efficiency, the current output by the electrodes formed at both ends of each separator was used, and the contact pressure between the separators affects the current strength. In other words, if the contact pressure is insufficient, the contact resistance between the separators can increase, preventing current flow; conversely, if the contact pressure is too high, the gas diffusion layer can be compressed, resulting in ineffective gas diffusion.

[0005] Thus, a predetermined contact pressure, at which the generated current has the most suitable strength, has been determined, and this contact pressure is set by providing a fastening device on the outside of a fuel cell stack. Such a device for fastening a fuel cell stack comprises a base plate that supports a lower end of the stack, a pressure plate that presses / compresses an upper end of the stack, and a guide mechanism designed to direct movement of the pressure plate. With this configuration, when the upper end of the stack is pressed through the pressure plate, the airtightness of the stack is verified, and subsequently, insulating plates are coupled to the front and back of the stack by fastening rails, thus completing the assembly of the fuel cell stack.

[0006] However, in the prior art device for securing the stack, if the insulating plates are coupled to the front and back of the stack when the stack is pressed, it can be difficult to mount the insulating plates due to interference from other components, such as a guide or the like, and furthermore, the alignment of the stack can be deteriorated, which reduces productivity and quality.

[0007] From JP 2013 - 219 028 A, a device for securing a fuel cell stack is known, comprising: a mounting frame into which a stack is loaded; a press block configured to apply pressure to the stack; and a pressure maintenance unit configured to keep the stack in a pressed state by the press block.

[0008] DE 11 2012 002 733 T5 discloses a fuel cell comprising a cell stack in which a plurality of unit cells are stacked, a housing that receives the cell stack, and a pressure plate arranged in the housing at a position between one end of the cell stack in the stacking direction and the housing. The housing has a first opening through which a pressure element, which presses on the pressure plate from outside the housing in the stacking direction, is brought into contact with the pressure plate, and a fixing section that secures the pressure plate in this position with the cell stack compressed in the stacking direction.

[0009] KR 10 2015 0 012 562 A also discloses a device for stacking fuel cells. The device automatically arranges several fuel cells on a pallet unit and comprises: i) a base frame; ii) a guide rail arranged vertically on the base frame; iii) a slide mounted vertically on the guide rail; iv) a threaded spindle rotatably mounted on the base frame and bolted to the slide; v) a drive unit mounted on the base frame that supplies rotational force to the threaded spindle; and vi) a mounting unit mounted on the slide that holds the fuel cells. OVERVIEW

[0010] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a device and a method for fastening a fuel cell stack which are able to significantly improve the assembly characteristics and productivity of a stack by preventing insulating plates from being affected or hindered by other components during assembly, by maintaining a suitable pressure with which a stack is pressed / compressed, and which are able to improve the quality by increasing the alignment of the stack.

[0011] The problem is solved by a device for fastening a fuel cell stack with the features of claim 1 or 12 and a method with the features of claim 19. Advantageous further developments are found in the dependent claims.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a device for securing a fuel cell stack may comprise: a mounting frame into which a stack can be loaded; a pressing block configured to compress the stack; and a pressure maintenance unit configured to maintain the pressure with which the stack is compressed (e.g., maintain the pressure exerted / applied upon it). The stack is rotatable in a state in which the pressure maintenance unit holds the stack in a compressed state by means of the pressing block.

[0013] The press block can be mounted in such a way that it is movable / travelable up and down (e.g., vertically) and rotatable about a vertical axial line. The mounting frame can comprise an upper frame with an opening, a support block spaced below the upper frame, and multiple alignment aids arranged between the upper frame and the lower support block. The pressure maintenance unit can comprise a first pressure maintenance plate located at a lower end of the press block, a second pressure maintenance plate located on a lower support block of the mounting frame, and retaining rods that connect the first and second pressure maintenance plates in a detachable manner (e.g., with a means of separation).

[0014] The first pressure-maintaining plate can be positioned at the lower end of the press block to press against the upper end of the stack loaded within the assembly frame, based on a downward movement of the press block. The second pressure-maintaining plate can be positioned to be movable up and down (e.g., vertically) on the lower support block of the assembly frame to support the underside of the stack.

[0015] A recessed section, onto which the second pressure-maintaining plate can be mounted, may be located on a top surface of the lower support block. When the second pressure-maintaining plate is mounted on the recessed section of the lower support block, a top surface of the second pressure-maintaining plate may be coplanar with a bottom surface of the lower support block. An upper end of each of the support rods may be integrally attached to the first pressure-maintaining plate, and a lower end of each support rod may be detachably coupled to the second pressure-maintaining plate.

[0016] A coupling end can be provided at the lower end of each of the support rods and detachably coupled to the second pressure-maintaining plate. The coupling end can be formed at the lower end of each support rod, a coupling opening can be formed at the coupling end, and a plurality of through-holes / perforations can be formed at positions in the second pressure-maintaining plate corresponding to the support rods. In a state where the coupling end of the support rods is able to protrude downwards by penetrating the through-holes, a coupling pin / bolt can be coupled to the coupling opening of the coupling end. The coupling end of each of the support rods can be coupled to the second pressure-maintaining plate.

[0017] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, a device for mounting a fuel cell stack may comprise: a base plate; an upper plate spaced apart from the base plate above the base plate; a mounting frame attached to / on the base plate, configured to receive a stack therein; a press block configured to compress the stack loaded (e.g., received) in the mounting frame; a drive unit configured to move / travel the press block vertically and to rotate / rotate the press block about a vertical axial line; and a pressure maintenance unit configured to hold the stack in a compressed state. In a state in which the pressure maintenance unit holds the stack in a compressed state by means of the press block, the stack is rotatable.

[0018] A guide rail can be positioned to extend vertically between the base plate and the top plate, and the press block can be guided vertically through the guide rail. The mounting frame can comprise an upper frame with an opening, a lower support block spaced below the upper frame, and multiple alignment aids arranged between the upper frame and the lower support block. A mounting component can be positioned on a top surface of the base plate, and the lower support block of the mounting frame can be mounted on a top surface of the mounting component.

[0019] A positioning recess and a positioning projection can be formed on the underside / bottom surface of the lower support block or on the top surface of the mounting part, respectively, to correspond to each other. The pressure maintenance unit can comprise a first pressure maintenance plate located at a lower end of the press block, a second pressure maintenance plate located on a lower support block of the mounting frame, and retaining rods that detachably connect the first and second pressure maintenance plates. An upper end of the retaining rod can be integrally attached to the first pressure maintenance plate, and a lower end of the retaining rod can be detachably coupled to the second pressure maintenance plate.

[0020] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for securing a fuel cell stack for mounting the fuel cell stack may comprise: loading a stack into an assembly frame; pressing the stack loaded into the assembly frame; holding the stack in a compressed state; moving / propelling the stack upward while held in a compressed state to separate the stack from the assembly frame; and mounting a front insulating plate and a rear insulating plate to a front face and a rear face, respectively, of the stack separated from the assembly frame. The method may further comprise rotating the stack at a predetermined angle about a vertical axial line between the stack separation operation and the insulating plate mounting operation. In a state where the pressure maintenance unit holds the stack in a compressed state by means of the pressing block, the stack is rotatable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The above and further tasks, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become clearer from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Fig. Figure 1 shows a view of a device for securing a fuel cell stack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. Figure 2 shows a front view illustrating the device for attaching a fuel cell stack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. Figure 3 shows a view representing a mounting frame of the device for attaching a fuel cell stack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. Figure 4 shows a view illustrating an assembly relationship of the mounting frame and an assembly part of the device for attaching a fuel cell stack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. Figure 5 shows a detailed view representing a state before a lower end of a support rod and a second pressure maintenance plate of a pressure maintenance unit of the device for securing a fuel cell stack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are coupled; Fig. Figure 6 shows a view representing a state in which the lower end of the retaining rod and the second pressure maintenance plate of the pressure maintenance unit of the device for securing a fuel cell stack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are coupled by a coupling pin; Fig. Figure 7 shows a view representing a state in which the stack is held pressed by the pressure maintenance unit of the device for securing a fuel cell stack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. Figures 8A-8C show views illustrating the loading of a stack, the application of a rack, the performance of pressing, and the examination / testing of an airtightness using the device for securing a fuel cell stack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. Figures 9A-9C show views illustrating the coupling of a coupling pin of the pressure maintenance unit, lifting of a stack and insertion of an insulating plate using the device for securing a fuel cell stack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. Figures 10A-10C show views illustrating the mounting / assembly of a front insulating plate on a front face of the stack using a front mounting rail, the mounting / assembly of a rear insulating plate on a rear face of the stack using a rear mounting rail, and the lowering of the stack using the device for securing a fuel cell stack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. Figures 11a-11B show views depicting the release of a coupling pin of the pressure maintenance unit, the unloading of the stack, and the return of the assembly frame using the device for securing a fuel cell stack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and Fig. Figure 12 shows a detailed view illustrating a process for mounting / assembling the front insulating panel and the rear insulating panel onto a front and a rear face of the stack by means of the front and rear mounting rails, respectively. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] It is understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicle-" or other equivalent terms as used herein include motor vehicles in general, such as passenger cars including sports utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, various utility vehicles, watercraft including a variety of boats and ships, aircraft and the like, and include hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles and other vehicles powered by alternative fuels (for example, fuel derived from sources other than petroleum). As referenced herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle having two or more sources of propulsion, such as both gasoline-powered and electric-powered vehicles.

[0023] Although the embodiment is described as using a plurality of units to perform the exemplary process, it is understood that the exemplary processes can also be performed by one or more modules. Furthermore, it is understood that the term controller / control unit refers to a hardware device comprising memory and a processor. The memory is configured to store the modules, and the processor is specifically configured to execute said modules to perform one or more processes, which are described below.

[0024] The terminology used herein is intended for the purpose of describing certain embodiments and is not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It is further understood that the expressions "possess" and / or "possessing," when used in this description, describe the presence of the specified features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the expression "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.

[0025] Unless expressly stated otherwise or evident from the context, the term "approximately" as used herein is understood to mean that the value lies within a range of standard tolerances in the prior art, for example, within two standard deviations of the mean values. "Approximately" may be understood to mean that the value lies within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.01% of the stated value. Unless otherwise indicated by the context, all numerical values ​​provided herein are modified by the term "approximately".

[0026] Unless expressly stated otherwise or evident from the context, the term "approximately" as used herein is understood to mean that the value lies within a range of standard tolerances in the prior art, for example, within two standard deviations of the mean values. "Approximately" may be understood to mean that the value lies within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.01% of the stated value. Unless otherwise indicated by the context, all numerical values ​​provided herein are modified by the term "approximately".

[0027] An embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. For reference, the dimensions of the elements or thicknesses / strengths of the lines shown in the drawings to describe the present disclosure may be exaggerated for clarity. Furthermore, the terms used below have been defined with regard to the functions of the present disclosure and may be modified according to the intent of a user or operator or common practice. Therefore, the terms should be defined based on the entire content of this description.

[0028] Fig. Figure 1 shows a view of a device for securing a fuel cell stack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As in Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the device for securing a fuel cell stack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can comprise a mounting frame 20 into which a stack 30 can be loaded (e.g. received), a pressing block 40 which is configured to press (e.g. apply or exert pressure on) an upper end of the stack 30 loaded into the mounting frame 20, and a pressure maintenance unit 50 which is configured to maintain a pressed state of the stack 30 after the stack 30 has been pressed through the pressing block 40.

[0029] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the mounting frame 20 can comprise an upper frame 21 with an opening 21a, a lower support block 22 spaced apart from the upper frame 21 below the upper frame 21, and a plurality of alignment aids 23 arranged between the upper frame 21 and the lower support block 22.

[0030] The upper frame 21 can have an essentially rectangular frame structure with the opening 21a, and the stack 30 can be inserted / inserted through the opening 21a of the upper frame 21. The lower support block 22 can be mounted on a base plate 11, and a recessed section 22c, on which a second pressure-maintaining plate 52 is mounted (described below), can be arranged on a top surface of the lower support block 22.

[0031] In particular, when the second pressure-maintaining plate 52 is mounted on / at the recessed section 22c of the lower support block 22, a top surface of the second pressure-maintaining plate 52 can be held coplanar with a top surface of the lower support block 22. Since the top surface of the second pressure-maintaining plate 52 and the top surface of the lower support block 22 can be arranged coplanarly, a bottom surface of the stack 30 can be supported on / at the lower support block 22.

[0032] The alignment aid 23 can be arranged to connect the upper frame 21 and the lower support block 22 in a vertical direction, and in particular, a plurality of alignment aids 23 can be arranged to align the stack 30 inserted through the opening 21a of the upper frame 21 as shown in Fig. 3 shown, to align. For example, two alignment aids can be arranged on a front side to align a front face of the stack 30, and two alignment aids can be arranged on a back side to align a rear face of the stack 30. Each of the alignment aids 23 can have alignment surfaces 23a extending in a longitudinal direction to align the front and rear faces of the stack 30.

[0033] Accordingly, the stack 30 can be loaded through the opening 21a of the upper frame 21, so that it is supported on the lower support block 22. Since the stack 30 can be aligned more precisely on its front and rear surfaces by the alignment surfaces 23a of the alignment aids 23, the assembly accuracy of the stack 30 can be significantly improved.

[0034] Furthermore, the stack 30 loaded into the assembly frame 20 can be formed by sequentially stacking a plurality of unit cells separated by a separator. The stack 30 loaded into the assembly frame 20 can be compressed (e.g., pressure can be applied to the stack 30) to ensure airtightness (e.g., to maintain an airtight seal) and to maintain a suitable contact pressure by the pressing block 40. Then, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 12, a front insulating plate 33a can be coupled to the front surface of the stack 30 by a front mounting rail 34a and a rear insulating plate 33b can be coupled to the rear surface of the stack 30 by a rear mounting rail 34b, thereby completing the assembly of the fuel cell stack.

[0035] The mounting frame 20 can be mounted on the base plate 11, an upper plate 12 can be spaced apart from the base plate 11 above the base plate 11, and a retaining guide 13 can be attached extending vertically between the base plate 11 and the upper plate 12. A mounting part 14 can be arranged on an upper surface of the base plate 11, and as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, a lower support block 22 of the mounting frame 20 can be mounted more precisely on an upper surface of the mounting part 14. In particular, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, positioning recesses 22a and positioning projections 14a are formed on a lower surface of the lower support block 22 and an upper surface of the mounting part 14, respectively, to correspond to each other, whereby the mounting frame 20 can be mounted more precisely on the mounting part 14 of the base plate 11.

[0036] Additionally, a drive unit 15, configured to move the press block 40 in a vertical direction and to rotate the press block 40 about a vertical axial line, can be mounted on the upper plate 12. Accordingly, the press block 40 can be mounted to be moved vertically by the drive unit 15 and rotated about the vertical axial line. In particular, the press block 40, moved downwards by the drive unit 15, can be configured to press the stack 30 loaded into the assembly frame 20 downwards (from above), whereby the stack 30 can be pressed with suitable pressure to maintain the pressed state.

[0037] A plurality of guide blocks 41 can be symmetrically connected to both sides of the press block 40 and can be guided in a vertical movement by the retaining guides 13. In particular, the retaining guides 13 can be configured to support the upper plate 12 more stably in the vertical direction with respect to the base plate 11 and to guide the guide block 41. The pressure maintenance unit 50 can be configured to hold the stack 30 in a compressed state within the mounting frame 20 based on a downward movement of the press block 40.

[0038] According to one embodiment, as in Fig. Figures 1 to 3 show the pressure maintenance unit 50 comprising a first pressure maintenance plate 51, which is arranged at a lower end of the press block 40, a second pressure maintenance plate 52, which is arranged at the lower support block 22 of the mounting frame 20, and a retaining rod 53, which separably connects the first pressure maintenance plate 51 and the second pressure maintenance plate 52.

[0039] The first pressure-maintaining plate 51 can be arranged at the lower end of the press block 40 and can be configured to press an upper end of the stack 30 loaded within the mounting frame 20 when the press block 40 is moved downwards by the drive unit 15. The second pressure-maintaining plate 52 can be moved to the lower support block 22 of the mounting frame 20 to support a lower surface of the stack 30.

[0040] Furthermore, the retaining rod 53 can extend downwards from the first pressure-maintaining plate 51, and in particular, a plurality of retaining rods 53 can be arranged to stably support the stack 30 pressed between the first pressure-maintaining plate 51 and the second pressure-maintaining plate 52. For example, two retaining rods 53 can be arranged on a front side of the first pressure-maintaining plate 51 and two retaining rods 53 can be arranged on a rear side of the first pressure-maintaining plate 51.

[0041] An upper end of the support rod 53 can be integrally attached to the first pressure maintenance plate 51 and a lower end of the support rod 53 can be detachably coupled to the second pressure maintenance plate 52, wherein the support rod 53 can detachably connect the first pressure maintenance plate 51 and the second pressure maintenance plate 52, while a uniform distance is maintained between the first pressure maintenance plate 51 and the second pressure maintenance plate 52.

[0042] In particular, as in Fig. 5 and Fig. As shown in Figure 6, a coupling end 54 can be arranged at a lower end of the retaining rod 53, and a coupling opening 54a, configured to receive a coupling pin 56, can be formed at the coupling end 54. A plurality of openings 55 can be formed at positions corresponding to the second pressure-maintaining plate 52, which correspond to the retaining rods 53, and each of the openings 55 can be formed in a vertical direction, and the coupling end 54 of the retaining rod 53 can penetrate each opening 55.When the press block 40 moves downwards towards the stack 30 loaded within the mounting frame 20 by the pressure maintenance unit 50, the stack 30 can be pressed with suitable pressure between the first pressure maintenance plate 51 and the second pressure maintenance plate 52, and the first pressure maintenance plate 51 and the retaining bar 53 can move downwards together with the press block 40.

[0043] Therefore, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the coupling end 54 of each support rod 53 penetrates the opening 55 of the second pressure maintenance plate 52 and can protrude downwards. When the coupling connection 54 of each support rod 53 protrudes downwards from the opening 55 of the second pressure maintenance plate 52, the coupling pin 56 can be inserted into a coupling opening 54a of each coupling connection 54 via the front support rod 53 and the rear support rod 51, whereby the lower end of the support rod 53 can be coupled to the second pressure maintenance plate 52. Since the lower end of the retaining rod 53 is coupled to the second pressure-maintaining plate 52, the first pressure-maintaining plate 51 can be configured to press the upper end of the stack 30, and the second pressure-maintaining plate 52 can be configured to press the lower end of the stack 30 in order to hold the stack 30 more stably in a pressed state (e.g.through the press block 40).

[0044] After the process of pressing the stack 30 by the press block 40 and the process of holding the stack 30 pressed by the pressure maintenance unit 50, when the press block 40 moves upwards, the stack 30 can be released upwards from the mounting frame 20, and in this state the press block 40 can be rotated at a suitable angle by the drive unit 15 and the front insulating plate 33a and the rear insulating plate 33b can subsequently be quickly and easily mounted to the front and rear surfaces of the stack 30, respectively.

[0045] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the support rod 53 can be spaced a predetermined distance t from the front and rear faces of the stack 30, which is held in place by the first and second pressure-maintaining plates 51 and 52. Since the support rod 53 can be spaced a predetermined distance t from the front and rear faces of the stack 30, it does not require separation when the front insulating plate 33a and the rear insulating plate 33b are mounted to the front and rear faces of the stack 30, respectively. This reduces and simplifies the assembly speed (e.g., the time required for assembly) of the insulating plates 33a and 33b, significantly improving the productivity of the fuel cell stack.

[0046] Fig. Figures 8A to 11B represent successive steps of a method for securing a fuel cell stack using the fuel cell stack securing device according to the present disclosure. First, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 8A, a mounting frame 20 with the stack 30 loaded therein can be mounted on the mounting part 14 of the base plate 11. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 8B, with the mounting frame 20 mounted on the mounting part 14 of the base plate 11, the press block 40 can be moved downwards to press the stack 30 loaded into the mounting frame 20 with a suitable pressure, and then, as shown in Fig. As shown in 8C, the airtightness can be checked with reference to a pressure applied to the stack 30.

[0047] In response to a determination that the stack 30 is in a state in which it is pressed through the press block 40 with a suitable amount of pressure, it can be, as in Fig. 9A shows that the retaining rod 53 of the pressure maintenance unit 50 is coupled to the second pressure maintenance plate 52 by the coupling pin 56 (see Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 for details thereof), wherein the stack 30 can be held more stably in a pressed state between the first pressure maintenance plate 51 and the second pressure maintenance plate 52.

[0048] When the stack 30 is held in a compressed state by the pressure maintenance unit 50 and the press block 40 is driven by the drive unit 15 as in Fig. When 9B is moved upwards, the stack 30, together with the press block 40, can be lifted by the pressure maintenance unit 50 to be completely detached from the mounting frame 20. When the stack 30 is detached from the mounting frame 20 as shown in Fig. As shown in 9C, once solved, the press block 40 can be rotated by approximately 90 degrees by the drive unit 15.

[0049] Therefore, the stack 30 can be rotated approximately 90 degrees together with the press block 40, thus allowing the front and rear surfaces of the stack 30 to be sufficiently spaced from the holding guide 13. In this state, as described in Fig. As shown in Figure 12, the front insulating plate 33a and the rear insulating plate 33b are inserted into the front and rear surfaces of the stack 30, respectively. Then, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 10A, the press block 40 can be reversed by approximately 90 degrees to return to its original position, and the front mounting rail 34a can then be attached to the front surface of the stack 30 to mount the front insulating panel 33a. After that, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 10B, the press block 40 can be rotated by about 180 degrees and the rear mounting rail 34b can be attached to the rear surface of the stack 30 to mount the rear insulating panel 33b.

[0050] After the front insulating plate 33a and the rear insulating plate 33b are mounted on the front and rear surfaces of the stack 30, respectively, the press block 40 can be moved downwards by the drive unit 15 to return the stack 30 to its original position within the mounting frame 20 and then press the stack 30 as shown in Fig. 10C is shown. Finally, as in Fig. 11A and Fig.As shown in Figure 11B, the coupling pin 56, which couples the retaining rod 53 and the second pressure maintenance plate 52 of the pressure maintenance unit 50, can be separated, the assembly frame 20 and the stack 30 can be separated, the stack 30 can be unloaded and the assembly frame 20 can then be returned to a process / operation for loading a subsequent stack 30.

[0051] As described above, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, since the insulating plates are not affected or hindered by other components during assembly, while the stack is held pressed with a suitable pressure applied thereto, the assembly properties and productivity of the stack can be significantly improved, and since stack alignment is increased, the quality can be improved. The advantages and effects of the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other advantages and effects not described herein will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art from the descriptions of the claims. REFERENCE MARKS OF THE ELEMENTS IN THE FIGURES 11 Base plate 12 top plate 13 Holding guide 20 Mounting frame 21 upper frame 22 lower support block 23 Alignment aid 30 stacks

Claims

[1] Device for securing a fuel cell stack (30), comprising: an assembly frame (20) into which a stack (30) is loaded; a press block (40) which is set up to apply pressure to the stack (30); and a pressure maintenance unit (50) designed to keep the stack (30) in a compressed state by the press block (40), wherein the stack (30) is rotatable in a state in which the pressure maintenance unit (50) holds the stack (30) in a pressed state by the press block (40). [2] Device according to claim 1, wherein the press block (40) is mounted in such a way as to be vertically movable and rotatable about a vertical axial line. [3] Device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting frame (20) comprises: an upper frame (21) with an opening (21a); a lower support block (22) which is spaced apart from the upper frame (21) below the upper frame (21); and a plurality of alignment aids (23) arranged between the upper frame (21) and the lower support block (22). [4] Device according to claim 3, wherein the pressure maintenance unit (50) comprises: a first pressure maintenance plate (51) which is arranged at a lower end of the press block (40); a second pressure maintenance plate (52) arranged on the lower support block (22) of the mounting frame (20); and Support rods that connect the first pressure maintenance plate (51) and the second pressure maintenance plate (52) in a separable manner. [5] Device according to claim 4, wherein the first pressure maintenance plate (51) is arranged at the lower end of the press block (40) to press an upper end of the stack (30) loaded within the assembly frame (20) on the basis of a downward movement of the press block (40). [6] Device according to claim 4, wherein the second pressure maintenance plate (52) is arranged to be vertically movable on the lower support block (22) of the mounting frame (20) in order to support a lower surface of the stack (30). [7] Device according to claim 4, wherein a recessed section (22c) on which the second pressure maintenance plate (52) can be mounted is arranged on an upper surface of the lower support block (22). [8] Device according to claim 7, wherein when the second pressure maintenance plate (52) is mounted on the recessed section (22c) of the lower support block (22), an upper surface of the second pressure maintenance plate (52) is coplanar with the upper surface of the lower support block (22). [9] Device according to claim 4, wherein an upper end of each of the support rods is integrally attached to the first pressure maintenance plate (51) and a lower end of each of the support rods is detachably coupled to the second pressure maintenance plate (52). [10] Device according to claim 9, wherein a coupling end is provided at a lower end of each of the support rods and is detachably coupled to the second pressure maintenance plate (52). [11] Device according to claim 10, wherein the coupling end is formed at the lower end of each retaining rod, a coupling opening is formed at the coupling end, and a plurality of through holes are formed at the second pressure maintenance plate (52) corresponding positions to the retaining rods, and when the coupling end is available to protrude downwards by passing through the openings (21a), a coupling pin is coupled to the coupling opening of the coupling end, wherein the coupling end of each of the retaining rods is coupled to the second pressure maintenance plate (52). [12] Device for securing a fuel cell stack (30), comprising: a base plate (11); an upper plate spaced away from the base plate (11) in a vertical direction; a mounting frame (20) attached to the base plate (11), which is designed to hold a stack (30) therein; a press block (40) which is set up to press the stack (30) loaded into the assembly frame (20); a drive unit configured to move the press block (40) vertically and to rotate the press block (40) about a vertical axial line; and a pressure maintenance unit (50) designed to keep the stack (30) in a compressed state, wherein the stack (30) is rotatable in a state in which the pressure maintenance unit (50) holds the stack (30) in a pressed state by the press block (40). [13] Device according to claim 12, wherein a retaining guide is arranged to extend in a vertical direction between the base plate (11) and the upper plate, and the press block (40) is guided in a vertical movement through the retaining guide. [14] Device according to claim 12, wherein the mounting frame (20) comprises: an upper frame (21) with an opening (21a); a lower support block (22) spaced apart from the upper frame (21) below the upper frame (21); and a plurality of alignment aids (23) arranged between the upper frame (21) and the lower support block (22). [15] Device according to claim 14, wherein a mounting part (14) is arranged on an upper surface of the base plate (11) and the lower support block (22) of the mounting frame (20) is mounted on an upper surface of the mounting part (14). [16] Device according to claim 15, wherein a positioning recess (22a) and a positioning projection (14a) are formed on a lower surface of the lower support block (22) and on the upper surface of the mounting part (14), respectively, to correspond to each other. [17] Device according to claim 12, wherein the pressure maintenance unit (50) comprises: a first pressure maintenance plate (51) which is arranged at a lower end of the press block (40); a second pressure maintenance plate (52) arranged on a lower support block (22) of the mounting frame (20); and Support rods that connect the first pressure maintenance plate (51) and the second pressure maintenance plate (52) in a separable manner. [18] Device according to claim 17, wherein an upper end of the retaining rod is integrally attached to the first pressure maintenance plate (51) and a lower end of the retaining rod is detachably coupled to the second pressure maintenance plate (52). [19] Method for securing a fuel cell stack (30), comprising: Loading a stack (30) into an assembly rack (20); Pressing the stack loaded into the assembly frame (20); Holding the stack (30) in a compressed state by applying pressure to it; Moving the stack (30) upwards while the stack (30) is held in a compressed state to separate the stack (30) from the mounting frame (20); and Mounting a front insulating panel and a rear insulating panel to a front surface and a rear surface respectively of the stack (30) separated from the mounting frame (20), wherein the stack (30) is rotatable in a state in which a pressure maintenance unit (50) holds the stack (30) in a pressed state by means of a press block (40). [20] Method according to claim 19, further comprising: Rotating the stack (30) at a predetermined angle about a vertical axial line between the stack separation process and the insulating panel assembly process.

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