Integrated Static Electricity Removal for Fuel Cell MEA Cartridges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional static electricity removing apparatuses for fuel cell stack manufacturing devices are inefficient due to their separate configuration, resulting in suboptimal ionized air delivery to MEAs and interleafs, leading to increased malfunction and defect rates during the manufacturing process.
Innovation Solution
An integrated static electricity removing apparatus with an air nozzle portion within the MEA cartridge supplies ionized air directly between the MEAs and interleafs, utilizing a blower and ion emitter to ensure effective neutralization of static electricity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate static electricity removing apparatus is used, then the manufacturing device structure is simpler, but the static electricity removal effect is insufficient due to large distance from the MEA
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the static electricity removing apparatus with the MEA cartridge to form an integrated unit. The air nozzle portion is disposed inside the cartridge, allowing ionized air to be delivered directly to the MEA and interleaf at close proximity, thereby maximizing the static electricity removal effect while maintaining a compact structure.
2Productivity
If ionized air is delivered from a separate apparatus, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the cycle time increases due to inefficient static electricity removal
Solution Approach 1:
The static electricity removing apparatus is integrated into the cartridge structure, enabling preliminary removal of static electricity between the MEA and interleaf before the transfer process. This preliminary action prevents subsequent manufacturing issues and reduces cycle time by eliminating the need for separate post-processing steps.
3Reliability
If the air nozzle portion is integrated in the cartridge, then the static electricity removal effect is maximized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air nozzle portion is nested within the cartridge structure, with the nozzle disposed inside the cartridge body. This nesting arrangement allows the static electricity removing function to be integrated into the existing cartridge without requiring a separate external apparatus, thereby maximizing removal effect while controlling overall device complexity.
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
This solution enhances the static electricity removal effect, reduces malfunction and defect rates, optimizes cycle time, and enables direct application to mass production processes by providing a compact and efficient static electricity removing function.
Implementation Method 1
an ion emitter disposed between the blower and the air inlet portion and configured to emit cations and anions to air that moves from the blower to the air inlet portion
Implementation Method 2
the ionized air arrives directly between the MEA received in the cartridge and the interleaf, thereby neutralizing static electricity between the MEA and the interleaf
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for removing static electricity of a fuel cell stack manufacturing device, includes a cartridge in which a plurality of Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEAs) are received, an air nozzle portion disposed in an upper portion of the cartridge and including an air flow channel for air movement, a plurality of nozzle holes defined along an inner side of the air nozzle portion, which faces the MEAs disposed in the cartridge, to communicate with the air flow channel, and an air inlet portion configured to be supplied with ionized air from the outside to deliver the ionized air to the air flow channel of the air nozzle portion.