Fuel Cell Lamination Using Self-Aligning Shelf Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing manufacturing methods for fuel cells require accurate positioning of each cell unit, which is time-consuming and can lead to damage of the sealing portions during the lamination process.
Innovation Solution
A manufacturing method involving a shelf device with shelves and positioning portions that allow cell units to be placed and aligned without precise individual positioning, using recessed portions and jigs to facilitate efficient lamination while protecting the sealing portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If cells are mounted repeatedly by accurately positioning each cell relative to the guide bar, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming manual positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The cell units automatically position themselves on the shelves during the stacking process. The shelf structure with positioning protrusions and cell recesses enables self-alignment without requiring manual positioning operations, thus improving productivity while maintaining positioning accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The shelves are pre-configured with positioning protrusions and the cell units are designed with corresponding recesses before the stacking process begins. This preliminary preparation of positioning features eliminates the need for time-consuming manual positioning during assembly
2Productivity
If cells are roughly positioned and then aligned after mounting, then productivity is improved by reducing positioning time, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to potential damage to sealing portions
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf structure incorporates positioning protrusions and cell recesses that cushion and guide the cell units into proper alignment during the stacking process. This prevents damage to sealing portions while achieving accurate alignment, allowing rough positioning followed by automatic alignment without harm
3Manufacturing precision
If a lamination jig with guide bar is used for cell alignment, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional positioning mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The lamination jig is segmented into multiple independent shelves, each with its own positioning protrusions. This segmentation allows each shelf to independently guide and position cell units, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining alignment accuracy through distributed positioning features
Data Source
AI summary
A shelf device including a plurality of shelves is prepared. A quadrangular plate-shaped cell unit can be placed on each of the selves. A plurality of cell units is placed such that the cell units are disposed on respective shelves. The cell unit is disposed on the shelf such that the second part is placed between the recessed portions. The cell units are disposed on the shelves such that corresponding recessed portions of the cell units overlap each other. A pair of jigs extending in a first direction is placed such that the jigs are disposed inside the recessed portions of the cell units. The shelf device is caused to retreat from the cell units and the jigs, and relative positions of the cell units are changed along the jigs so that the cell units make contact with each other.