Fuel Cell Joining Device Positioning via Membrane Expansion Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The electrolyte membrane used in fuel cell manufacturing expands or contracts due to external forces or wet state variations, leading to misalignment of joining members during the joining process, which complicates the control and accuracy of positioning in existing manufacturing techniques.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a first conveying assembly, a second conveying assembly, a joining roller, a detector, and a conveyance controller that conveys strip members with placement indicators, allowing for precise positioning of joining members by detecting passage points and adjusting conveyance times to account for membrane expansion or contraction, ensuring accurate alignment and efficient manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the electrolyte membrane is conveyed during joining process, then productivity is improved, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to expansion or contraction of the membrane
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a line sensor to detect the actual position of the catalyst layer on the conveyed electrolyte membrane, feeds this position information back to the controller, which then adjusts the joining roller's position accordingly to maintain accurate joining despite membrane expansion or contraction during conveyance
Solution Approach 2:
The joining roller is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to move and rotate in real-time during the conveying process to adapt to changes in electrolyte membrane position caused by expansion or contraction, thereby maintaining precise joining accuracy throughout continuous manufacturing
2Manufacturing precision
If the joining roller is moved and rotated to adjust positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The joining roller is designed to perform multiple functions: it conveys the electrolyte membrane, positions the gas diffusion layer, and executes the joining operation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate positioning mechanisms and simplifies the overall control system while maintaining positioning accuracy
3Ease of operation
If the gas diffusion layer is placed on the side surface of the joining roller, then ease of operation is improved, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to curved surface misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical positioning mechanisms with a sensor-based detection and controller-based coordination system. The line sensor optically detects the catalyst layer position, and the controller coordinates the joining roller's movement to achieve accurate positioning, eliminating the need for complex mechanical alignment mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a technique that readily performs positioning of a joining member relative to a strip member during conveyance. A joining device 100 joins a gas diffusion layer 7 with a first catalyst electrode layer 2 of a strip body 5r which is a continuous strip member of a membrane electrode assembly 5, while conveying the strip body 5r. A controller 101 of the joining device 100 obtains a detection time td based on a detection signal of a catalyst layer detector 130 when a front end 3e of a second catalyst electrode layer 3 placed on the strip body 5r passes through a detection point DP. The controller 101 subsequently obtains a joining position reach time tt based on the detection time td when the gas diffusion layer 7 reaches a press point PP of joining rollers 152. The controller 101 starts conveying the gas diffusion layer 7 by means of a transfer at a conveying start time ts that is obtained based on the joining position reach time tt and a specified speed pattern of the transfer 141.