Fuel Cell Assembly Tool with Movable Port Covers
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Solution Overview
Problem
During the assembly of components in a fuel cell stack, there is a risk of components dropping into or contaminating connection ports not targeted for assembly, which can lead to operational issues and contamination.
Innovation Solution
An assembly tool with a base portion and movable covering portions is used to position only the targeted connection port for assembly in a non-covering position, while keeping other ports covered, and optionally includes a purge gas spraying mechanism to further reduce contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If assembly is performed sequentially for each connection port without covering other ports, then assembly operation is simple, but components may drop into or contaminate non-targeted connection ports
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly tool is divided into multiple covering portions (22-27), each corresponding to a specific connection port. Each covering portion can be independently moved between covering and non-covering positions, allowing selective exposure of only the target connection port while maintaining coverage of others, thus preventing contamination without complicating the overall assembly operation
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly tool acts as an intermediary device between the operator and the connection ports. By introducing this tool with movable covering portions, the system mediates the assembly process to prevent direct exposure of non-targeted ports to potential contaminants, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing operational complexity
2Ease of operation
If all connection ports are kept open during assembly, then assembly access is easy, but components may drop into communication holes causing serious issues
Solution Approach 1:
The covering portions are designed to provide localized coverage over specific connection ports and communication holes. When a covering portion is in the covering position, it locally protects the underlying communication hole from component dropping, while allowing access to other ports. This local quality approach prevents harmful effects without restricting overall assembly access
Solution Approach 2:
The covering portions are configured to be movable between covering and non-covering positions relative to the base portion. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt to different assembly needs: covering portions can be moved to expose only the required connection port while protecting others, thus maintaining ease of access while preventing components from dropping into communication holes
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an assembly method using an assembly tool used when a component is assembled to each of a plurality of connection ports to provided at an upper surface of a fuel-cell stack and communicating with a plurality of communication holes. The assembly tool includes a base portion positioned on the upper surface of the fuel-cell stack and a plurality of covering portions covering the plurality of connection ports. Each of the plurality of covering portions is, relative to the base portion, provided movably between a covering position for covering a corresponding one of the connection ports and a non-covering position accessible to a corresponding one of the connection ports.