Integrated Fuel Cell Assembly and Inspection Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel cell assembly and inspection processes require multiple jigs and devices, leading to increased labor and reduced productivity due to the need for separate power generation inspections of unit cells and fuel cells, as well as the frequent installation and removal of piping and gases.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell assembly and inspection device that integrates power generation inspection, assembly, and fuel cell inspection capabilities in a single system, featuring a base plate with integrated gas supply and discharge passages, a guide member for stacking unit cells, and a floating mechanism to prevent short circuits, allowing for simultaneous assembly and inspection of multiple fuel cell stacks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate jigs and devices are used for power generation inspection of unit cells and fuel cells, then inspection accuracy is maintained, but device complexity and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the power generation inspection function for both unit cells and fuel cells into a single integrated device. The inspection device includes a fuel gas supply passage, oxidizing agent gas supply passage, and cooling medium supply passage that can serve both inspection purposes, eliminating the need for separate jigs and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining inspection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection device is designed with universal functionality to perform power generation inspections on both unit cells and assembled fuel cells using the same apparatus. The gas supply passages, discharge passages, and control systems are configured to accommodate different inspection scenarios, allowing one device to replace multiple specialized jigs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple jigs and devices are used for assembly and inspection, then functional requirements are met, but productivity decreases due to frequent assembly and disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the assembly function and inspection function into a single integrated device. The fuel cell stack is assembled within the same device that performs power generation inspection, eliminating the need to transfer the stack between separate assembly jigs and inspection devices. This continuous process within one device significantly improves productivity by removing repeated assembly and disassembly operations.
3Reliability
If supply and discharge piping are installed and removed for each fuel cell inspection, then inspection accuracy is ensured, but labor time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection device is pre-configured with permanently installed fuel gas supply passages, oxidizing agent gas supply passages, cooling medium supply passages, and corresponding discharge passages. These piping systems are prepared in advance and remain in place, eliminating the need to install and remove supply and discharge piping for each inspection. The preliminary setup ensures inspection accuracy is maintained while dramatically reducing the labor time required.
4Reliability
If separate devices are used for unit cell inspection and fuel cell assembly, then each function performs optimally, but the overall process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed with universal capabilities to perform both unit cell power generation inspection and fuel cell assembly within a single integrated system. The same gas supply passages, control mechanisms, and measurement systems are used for both functions, simplifying the overall process complexity while maintaining the quality and reliability of both inspection and assembly operations through standardized procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell assembly and inspection device comprising a first base plate on which can be mounted a fuel cell stack including a current collecting plate placed on a first end plate and a plurality of unit cells stacked on the current collecting plate, and a pressure cylinder for pressing the stack, assembles a fuel cell by fixing a second end plate to a pressed stack. The device is provided with fuel gas supply piping, fuel gas discharge piping, oxidizing agent gas supply piping, oxidizing agent gas discharge piping, cooling medium supply piping, and cooling medium discharge piping which are connected, respectively, with a fuel gas supply port, a fuel gas discharge port, an oxidizing agent gas supply port, an oxidizing agent gas discharge port, a cooling medium supply port, and a cooling medium discharge port, which are provided on the first end plate.