Rotatable Roller Suction for MEA Frame Material Window Cutout Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for creating window cutouts in web-shaped frame materials for membrane electrode assemblies face challenges in safely detaching and removing stamping residues, which can lead to wrinkling or air inclusions due to inadequate adhesive forces and material stiffness.
Innovation Solution
A device and method using a rotatable roller with suction openings and a vacuum device to detach and remove punched-out remnants from the carrier web without cutting it, employing a punching device to create contour cuts and a removal device with a rotatable roller to apply suction force for reliable removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the protective film adhesive effect is used to detach punching residues, then the punching residues can be removed from the frame material, but the adhesive effect must overcome both the carrier film adhesion and the inherent stiffness of the residue, which can cause wrinkling or air inclusions
Solution Approach 1:
The process is divided into two separate operations: first, the punching device creates contour cuts to separate the punching residues from the frame material; second, the removal device with rotatable roller and vacuum selectively detaches and removes only the residues. This segmentation allows each operation to be optimized independently, preventing the quality issues that arise when trying to accomplish both tasks simultaneously with adhesive delamination alone.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the carrier web adhesive effect is used to hold frame material, then the frame material is stabilized during processing, but the adhesive effect must be strong enough to prevent areas weakened by window cutouts from being pulled away or lifted
Solution Approach 1:
The punching device performs preliminary action by creating contour cuts that define the punching residues as separate entities while they are still attached to the frame material on the carrier web. This preliminary separation reduces the stress and adhesive force requirements for the subsequent removal operation, preventing the frame material from being pulled away or lifted during residue detachment.
3Reliability
If punching residues are left on the carrier web, then the CCM is protected when inserting window cutouts, but the residues cannot be easily removed without causing defects
Solution Approach 1:
The removal device uses a rotatable roller with vacuum that dynamically adapts to the position and shape of punching residues. The roller rotates through the material composite, and the vacuum selectively engages with residues that have been pre-cut by the punching device, allowing easy removal of residues while maintaining CCM protection during the cutting process.
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
Ensures safe and efficient detachment of stamping residues, preventing wrinkling and air inclusions by maintaining the integrity of the carrier web and facilitating easy disposal or recycling of the residues.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum device (42), wherein a suction opening (402) which can be fluidically connected to the vacuum device (42) is provided on the roller (400), wherein the vacuum device (42) is configured to apply a suction force to the punched-out remnant (201) via the suction opening (402) when the roller (400) is rotated
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a device and a method for introducing window cutouts (22) into a web-shaped frame material (20) for a membrane electrode unit, wherein the frame material (20) is processed at least section by section as a composite material with a carrier web (30), wherein a contour cut (50) severing the frame material (20) is introduced into the frame material (20) from a side of the frame material (20) opposite the carrier web (30), forming a punched-out remnant (201), wherein the contour cut (50) is introduced without severing the carrier web (30), wherein the punched-out remnant (201) is separated from the composite material by means of a rotatable roller (40, 40a) with a suction opening (402), wherein a suction force is applied to the punched-out remnant (201) via the suction opening (402), so that the punched-out remnant (201) is detached from the carrier web (30) by means of the suction force and by means of the roller (40, 40a) is transported away from the composite material.The invention further relates to the use of a rotatable roller when cutting out window openings.