Electrochemical Cell Stack Assembly Using Edge Alignment Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing electrochemical cell stacks face a conflict between achieving high positional accuracy and speed, leading to increased costs and inefficiencies in mass production, as they rely on costly gripper-based 'pick-and-place' methods and mechanical connections that are inadequate for rapid assembly.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the orientation of components on their edges and the use of a shaking boom for alignment, eliminating the need for grippers and allowing for faster, more accurate stacking without increasing contact friction, with components being placed on a conveyor belt and transferred to a second conveyor belt for further processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If gripper-based pick-and-place method is used, then positional accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and production speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a shaking boom that vibrates horizontally to facilitate the alignment and stacking of electrochemical cell components. The vibration enables components to self-align during the stacking process, achieving both high positional accuracy and rapid production without requiring expensive gripper systems. The shaking motion reduces friction and allows components to settle into precise positions naturally.
2Ease of operation
If components are placed flat on conveyor belt, then handling is simplified, but friction increases making positioning and alignment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions components from a horizontal flat placement on the conveyor belt to a vertical orientation on the shaking boom. This dimensional change from 2D to 3D positioning reduces the contact surface area from a large flat area to a narrow edge, significantly reducing friction and enabling precise positioning during the stacking operation while maintaining ease of handling through the conveyor system.
3Stability of the object's composition
If stack is built upward with increasing weight, then gravitational stability is improved, but contact surface friction increases making alignment more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The shaking boom uses horizontal vibration to counteract the increasing gravitational force as the stack builds upward. The vibrational energy enables each new component to overcome static friction and align properly with the existing stack, maintaining alignment accuracy regardless of the increasing weight and contact surface pressure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces capital investments and manufacturing costs by enabling faster and more precise assembly of electrochemical cell stacks, improving positional accuracy and reducing the need for costly grippers, thus facilitating more efficient and cost-effective mass production.
Implementation Method 1
a shaking boom is provided for receiving the components oriented to their edge
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a method for producing a stack formed from multiple electrochemical cells, each of the electrochemical cells having a plurality of constituent components including at least one membrane component and a bipolar plate. The method includes orienting each constituent component of the constituent components on an edge of the constituent component, forming aligned components by feeding each constituent component of the constituent components oriented on the edge of the constituent component to a shaking boom, and forming the stack from the aligned components. The disclosure furthermore relates to a device for producing such a stack.