Electrolyte Membrane Short Circuit Detection via Segmented Electrodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for inspecting short circuits in electrolyte membranes struggle to accurately detect short circuit portions between adjacent divided portions, as electrical current distribution complicates the detection process.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that energize the electrolyte membrane using measurement terminal units to obtain and analyze the energization state of limited ranges including adjacent divided portions, allowing for precise determination of short circuit presence by calculating synthesized resistance values.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If electrical current is applied to the entire electrolyte membrane member using conventional measurement terminal units, then short circuit portions within divided portions can be detected, but short circuit portions between adjacent divided portions cannot be accurately detected due to current distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracy of short circuit portionsVSAvoidcomplexity of measurement terminal unit arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the electrolyte membrane member into multiple divided portions and introduces insulating portions between adjacent divided portions. This segmentation allows electrical current to be applied independently to each divided portion, preventing current distribution to adjacent portions and enabling accurate detection of short circuits between divided portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces insulating portions as intermediary elements between adjacent divided portions. These insulating portions act as mediators that block electrical current from flowing between adjacent divided portions, thereby enabling accurate detection of short circuits that would otherwise be masked by current distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If measurement terminal units are arranged in a matrix pattern with insulating portions between them, then short circuit detection coverage is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of short circuit inspectionVSAvoidstructural complexity of measurement terminal units

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement terminal units are segmented into multiple independent units arranged in a matrix pattern, with insulating portions positioned between adjacent units. This segmentation enables independent electrical connection to each divided portion, improving inspection reliability by eliminating current distribution effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating portions create equipotential regions between adjacent divided portions, ensuring that electrical potential differences are maintained independently for each divided portion. This equipotential arrangement improves detection reliability by preventing unwanted current flow between adjacent measurement areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

3Productivity

If the entire range of divided portions is inspected simultaneously, then inspection efficiency is maintained, but detection precision for short circuits between adjacent portions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection efficiencyVSAvoiddetection precision of short circuits between divided portions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The electrolyte membrane member is segmented into multiple divided portions with insulating portions between them, allowing each portion to be energized and inspected independently. This segmentation enables precise detection of short circuits between adjacent portions while maintaining overall inspection efficiency through systematic coverage of all divided portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of energizing the entire electrolyte membrane member simultaneously, the invention applies electrical current to limited ranges corresponding to individual divided portions or small groups of adjacent divided portions. This partial action approach improves detection precision for short circuits between portions while maintaining acceptable inspection productivity through methodical progression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

Enables accurate detection of short circuit portions between adjacent divided portions, improving the reliability of short circuit inspection in electrolyte membranes.

Implementation Method 1

voltage is applied between the plurality of first measurement terminal units and the second measurement terminal unit, and electrical current flowing through portions of the electrolyte membrane member facing the plurality of first measurement terminal units is measured

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS11594743B2Method of inspecting short circuit of electrolyte membrane and apparatus for inspecting short circuit of electrolyte membrane

Publication Date: 2023.02.28 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A method of inspecting short circuit of an electrolyte membrane by a short circuit inspection apparatus includes an obtaining step of performing a process of obtaining the energization state of a limited range including divided portions that are adjacent to each other in a range which is smaller than the entire range of the plurality of divided portions, for each of a plurality of limited ranges provided at different positions, and a determination step of determining whether or not a short circuit portion is present in the electrolyte membrane based on the energization state of the plurality of limited ranges.