JP2003215190A - Short-circuit detector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely detect a plurality of short-circuited portions. <P>SOLUTION: This short-circuit detector 1 for detecting the position of a short-circuited portion between a pair of plate electrodes EL1, EL2 arranged mutually opposedly is provided with a current supplying part 2 for supplying a current between a prescribed portion A in the one plate electrode EL1 out of the paired plate electrodes EL1, EL2 and a prescribed portion B of the other plate electrode EL2, a voltage measuring part 3 for measuring respective potential differences between a plurality of measuring points specified on the one plate electrode EL1 matrix-pattern-likely and the one reference point A specified on the one plate electrode EL1, and an arithmetic and control part 5 for calculating respective potential gradients between the each measuring point and the other measuring points adjacent along vertical and lateral directions, based on the measured respective potential differences, and for detecting the measuring point of the minimum potential point, based on the calculated potential gradients. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a short-circuit detecting device for detecting the position of a short-circuit portion between a pair of flat plate electrodes arranged so as to face each other.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a fuel cell, flat electrodes (hereinafter, also referred to as "flat electrodes") are arranged to face each other with an electrolyte membrane ELF interposed therebetween. In this case, the flat plate electrodes arranged facing each other need to be maintained in an electrically insulated state. Therefore, at the time of manufacturing a fuel cell, first, the presence or absence of a short-circuited portion between the flat plate electrodes is inspected, and when the short-circuited portion is present, the position of the short-circuited portion (hereinafter, also referred to as “short-circuited position”) is detected (specified). Repairs. When inspecting the presence / absence of this short-circuited portion, conventionally, the resistance between the flat plate electrodes is generally measured using a DC type ohmmeter (tester), and the measured resistance value is a predetermined value. If it is above the threshold value, it is determined that there is no short circuit. Further, at the time of detecting the short-circuited position, the short-circuited position detecting device 51 shown in FIG. 16 is generally used conventionally.

As shown in FIG. 1, the short-circuit position detecting device 51 includes a current supply section 2, a voltage measuring section 53, a drive mechanism 54, an arithmetic control section 55 and a display section 6. In this case, the current supply unit 2 includes a pair of plate electrodes EL1, EL
A constant current is supplied between a portion A of one plate electrode EL1 of the two and a portion B of the other plate electrode EL2. In this example, the flat plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 are each formed in a rectangle of the same size as an example, and each point to which a constant current is supplied (hereinafter, also referred to as “current supply point”) A and B.
Are respectively set at one facing corner of each plate electrode EL1, EL2. The voltage measuring unit 53 measures the potential difference between the contact point between the current supply point A on the plate electrode EL1 and the probe (voltage detection terminal) 7 and outputs it as voltage data Dv. The drive mechanism 54 includes the probe 7
An arm 54a for supporting the probe 7 is provided so that the probe 7 can be moved three-dimensionally above the plate electrode EL1 and the probe 7 can be brought into contact with any position of the plate electrode EL1. The arithmetic control unit 55 controls the current supply unit 2, the voltage measurement unit 53, and the drive mechanism 54, and detects the short position between the flat plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 based on the voltage data Dv output from the voltage measurement unit 53. To do. The display unit 6 displays information on the short-circuit position detected by the arithmetic control unit 55.

In the short-circuit position detecting device 51, when detecting the short-circuit position between the pair of flat plate electrodes EL1 and EL2, the arithmetic control unit 55 first activates the current supply unit 2 to make one flat plate electrode EL1. A DC constant current is continuously supplied between the current supply point A of the above and the current supply point B of the other plate electrode EL2. In this case, when there is a short-circuited portion, the constant current is input from the current supply point A and output from the current supply point B via the short-circuited position. The arithmetic control unit 55 controls the drive mechanism 54 to move the probe 7 and sequentially bring the probe 7 into contact with each predetermined measurement position on the plate electrode EL1. Further, the arithmetic control unit 55
Each time the probe 7 is brought into contact with the measurement position, the voltage measuring unit 53
Is controlled to measure the potential difference between the current supply point A and each measurement position (potential at the measurement position with reference to the current supply point A). At this time, the voltage measurement unit 53 outputs the potential difference at each measurement position as voltage data Dv. Further, the arithmetic control unit 55 takes in the voltage data Dv output from the voltage measurement unit 53, associates the taken-in voltage data Dv with the position data of the measurement position, and sequentially stores it in the internal memory. Next, the arithmetic control unit 55 detects the measurement position of the largest potential difference in the captured voltage data Dv when the measurement of the potential difference for all the measurement positions is completed. In this case, since the current supplied from the current supply point A to the flat plate electrode EL1 flows out only from the short position, the voltage drop at the short position becomes the largest, so that the potential difference with respect to the current supply point A becomes the largest at the short position. Become. Therefore, the arithmetic control unit 55 specifies the measurement position of the detected largest potential difference. Subsequently, the arithmetic control unit 55 causes the display unit 56 to display the position information of the specified measurement position as the position information of the short position, and ends the short position detection operation.

[0005]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-117277 (first
page)

[0006]

However, the above-mentioned short circuit inspection has the following problems. That is, the short position detecting device 5 used for this short inspection
In No. 1, when there are two or more short points between the pair of flat plate electrodes EL1 and EL2, it is possible to detect that there is one short point in the vicinity of the measurement position where the potential difference is the largest, but other shorts. It is difficult to detect the position at the same time. Therefore, the plate electrodes EL1, E
There are two or more short points between L2. In order to detect all of them, when one short position is detected, the short point is repaired and then other short positions are detected in the same manner. There is a need to. Therefore, as a result of the detection process being complicated and requiring a long time, the conventional short position detection device 51 has a problem that the inspection time is extended as a whole for the short inspection. Further, in this short-circuit inspection, when the existence or nonexistence of the short-circuited portion is inspected prior to the detection of the short-circuited position, the resistance value between the plate electrodes is measured using a DC type resistance meter (tester). In this case, since a capacitance is formed by a pair of flat plate electrodes, the voltage supplied between the flat plate electrodes continues to rise due to the current supplied from the ohmmeter, and as a result, the apparent resistance value also rises and the measurement of the resistance value is completed. It will take a long time to get there. Therefore, there is a problem in that it takes a long time to inspect the existence of a short-circuited portion, and eventually the entire short-circuit inspection. This problem is particularly prominent in non-defective products that do not have short-circuited parts, but even in the case of defective products that have short-circuited parts, the capacitance is composed of parts other than short-circuited parts, so even if it is not as good as good products, Since it takes time to stabilize the resistance value, the same problem occurs.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a short-circuit detecting device capable of surely detecting each short-circuit position even if there are a plurality of short-circuit positions. Another object of the present invention is to provide a short-circuit detection device that can detect each short-circuit position in a short time even if there are a plurality of short-circuited positions.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a short-circuit detecting device according to claim 1 is a short-circuit detecting device for detecting the position of a short-circuited portion between a pair of flat plate electrodes arranged facing each other. , A current supply unit that supplies a current between a predetermined portion of one plate electrode of the pair of flat plate electrodes and a predetermined portion of the other plate electrode, and on the one plate electrode in a predetermined pattern. A voltage measuring unit that measures each potential difference between a plurality of defined measurement positions and one reference point defined on the one flat plate electrode, and is adjacent to each measurement position along a predetermined direction. And a detection unit that calculates each voltage gradient with another measurement position based on each of the measured potential differences and detects the measurement position that is the voltage minimum point based on each calculated voltage gradient. There.

A short-circuit detecting device according to a second aspect is the short-circuit detecting device according to the first aspect, wherein the detection section is
With each measurement position by dividing each difference between the potential difference of each measurement position and the potential difference of another measurement position adjacent to each measurement position along the predetermined direction by the corresponding mutual distance. Each of the voltage gradients with respect to the other measurement position is calculated, and the measurement position at which the polarity of the voltage gradient is reversed and the difference is equal to or more than a predetermined value is detected as the voltage minimum point.

A short-circuit detecting device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the short-circuit detecting device according to the first or second aspect, in which a plurality of voltages arranged corresponding to the plurality of measurement positions and capable of contacting the one plate electrode are provided. The voltage measuring unit includes a detection terminal, and measures the potential differences based on the voltages respectively input via the plurality of voltage detection terminals.

A short-circuit detection device according to a fourth aspect is the short-circuit detection device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the current is supplied to at least one of the one plate electrode and the other plate electrode. It is configured such that the predetermined part to be changed to another part.

A short circuit inspection apparatus according to a fifth aspect is the short circuit detection apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the voltage measuring section has a predetermined portion of the one plate electrode and the other plate electrode. In the predetermined portion, the detection unit, the detection unit, prior to detection of the measurement position that is the voltage minimum point, the electrode within a predetermined time from the start of the current supply by the current supply unit It is detected whether or not the inter-potential difference reaches a preset limiting voltage, and when it reaches, it is determined that the short-circuited portion does not exist between the pair of flat plate electrodes, and when it does not reach, the short circuit between the pair of flat plate electrodes is performed. Perform a preliminary inspection to determine that there is a short-circuited part.

A short-circuit inspection device according to a sixth aspect is the short-circuit detection device according to the fifth aspect, wherein the detection section is
When it is determined in the preliminary inspection that the short-circuited portion is present, the increase rate of the potential difference between any one of the plurality of measurement positions and the reference point is calculated and the increase rate is preset. When it is determined that the increase rate is within the reference range by comparing with the reference range, the measurement position serving as the voltage minimum point is detected.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a short detection device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, the configuration of the short-circuit detecting device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. The same components as those of the conventional short position detecting device 51 are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the short-circuit detection device 1 includes a current supply unit 2, a voltage measurement unit 3, a drive mechanism 4, an arithmetic control unit (detection unit) 5, a display unit 6, a plurality of probes (voltage detection units). , And the support plate 8 to determine whether or not there is a short circuit between the pair of flat plate electrodes EL1 and EL2, and when there is a short circuit,
The short-circuited position can be detected (specified). In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the flat plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 are each formed in a rectangular shape having the same size. Further, the electrolyte membrane ELF interposed between the flat plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 has conductivity when it is actually arranged in the fuel cell, but has dry insulation when it is the state of the short position detection target. ing.

Under the control of the arithmetic control unit 5, the current supply unit 2 is a predetermined portion (current supply) of one flat plate electrode EL1 of the pair of flat plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 facing each other across the electrolyte membrane ELF. Point) A and the other plate electrode EL
A constant DC current is supplied to a predetermined portion (current supply point) B in FIG. In the present embodiment, each current supply point A,
B is set at one of the facing corners of each plate electrode EL1, EL2. Further, the direct current constant generated by the current supply unit 2 is, as shown in FIG.
When there is no short-circuited portion between the pair of flat plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 (good product), the output voltage Vc reaches the limit voltage Vr within a predetermined time Tr, and the pair of flat plate electrodes EL
When there is a short-circuited portion between 1 and EL2 (in the case of a defective product), the output voltage Vc is preset to a value that does not reach the limit voltage Vr by the end of all the short-circuit inspections. Further, the current supply unit 2 has a function of switching between a constant current operation and a constant voltage operation under the control of the arithmetic control unit 5.

The voltage measuring unit 3 has a potential difference (inter-electrode potential difference) between a predetermined portion of the plate electrode EL1 (current supply point A as an example) and a predetermined portion of the other plate electrode EL2 (current supply point B as an example). Vc is measured and output as voltage data Dvc. In addition, the voltage measuring unit 3
Each potential difference between the reference point (current supply point A as an example) of the plate electrode EL1 and each portion where each probe 7 is brought into contact is measured and output as voltage data Dv. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, the measurement position MP with which the probe 7 is brought into contact is a flat plate electrode EL1 corresponding to each intersection point position in a matrix of 30 mm × 40 mm as an example of a predetermined pattern in the present invention.
121 pieces in total (MP (i, j): i = 1, 2, 3,
..., 9, a, b, j = 1, 2, 3, ..., 9,
a, b) Specified. Correspondingly, as many probes 7 as the number of these intersection positions are arranged side by side in a matrix on the same plane so as to correspond to the respective intersection positions, and in this state, they are arranged in parallel with the plate electrode EL1. Attached to the support plate 8.

The drive mechanism 4 includes an arm 4a for supporting a support plate 8 to which a plurality of probes 7 are attached,
By moving the arm 4a up and down to bring the support plate 8 into and out of contact with the plate electrode EL1, all the probes 7 are simultaneously brought into contact with the corresponding measurement positions MP on the plate electrode EL1. In this case, each probe 7 is, as shown in FIG.
A guide cylinder 7a, a contactor 7b slidably accommodated in the guide cylinder 7a along its longitudinal direction (vertical direction in the figure), and a spring arranged in the guide cylinder 7a (one example And a coil spring) 7c. Further, a plurality of dummy probes 9 are arranged facing the respective probes 7 on the plate electrode EL2 side. Here, by arranging the dummy probes 9 so that their tops are located on the same plane, a pair of flat plate electrodes EL
1 and EL2 are held by being lightly sandwiched by a plurality of probes 7 and a plurality of dummy probes 9. Therefore, according to this configuration, the pair of plate electrodes EL1, EL
All probes 7 can be brought into contact with corresponding measurement positions MP on the flat plate electrode EL1 at substantially the same pressure and at the same time while holding 2 in a state in which the deflection is small. Further, instead of the plurality of dummy probes 9, a pair of plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 are placed on a plate having sufficient flatness, and the plurality of probes 7 are arranged at corresponding measurement positions M on the plate electrode EL1.
It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which P is lightly contacted. Even with this configuration, the pair of plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 are similar to the configuration using a plurality of dummy probes 9.
It is possible to bring all the probes 7 into contact with the measurement position MP at the same time while holding the probe in a state in which there is little bending.

The arithmetic control unit 5 controls the current supply unit 2, the voltage measurement unit 3 and the drive mechanism 4. In addition, the arithmetic control unit 5
Has a function of measuring an elapsed time T from the start of the supply of the constant DC current by the current supply unit 2. In addition, the arithmetic control unit 5 controls the voltage data D output by the voltage measuring unit 3.
vc is compared with a preset limit voltage Vr, and the elapsed time T is compared with a preset predetermined time Tr so that the potential difference V before the elapsed time T reaches the predetermined time Tr.
It has a function of determining whether or not there is a short-circuited portion between the flat plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 by detecting whether or not c has reached the limit voltage Vr. In this case, the limit voltage Vr
Is an electrolyte membrane ELF located between the plate electrodes EL1 and EL2
Is set to be less than the withstand voltage (about 1.6 V as an example), and when the arithmetic control unit 5 detects that the potential difference Vc reaches the limit voltage Vr, the arithmetic control unit 5 controls the current supply unit 2 to operate the same. Is switched from a constant current operation to a constant voltage operation to prevent damage to the electrolyte membrane ELF due to overvoltage. In addition, the arithmetic control unit 5 controls the voltage data Dv output from the voltage measuring unit 3.
It has a function of detecting a short-circuited position between the flat plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 based on. The limit voltage Vr and the predetermined time Tr are stored in advance in the internal memory (not shown) of the arithmetic control unit 5. The display unit 6 displays the determination result of the presence or absence of the short-circuited portion by the arithmetic control unit 5 and the information (number, position, etc.) regarding the short-circuited position detected by the arithmetic control unit 5.

Next, a short circuit detection process between the pair of plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 by the short circuit detection device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. As an example, the flat plate electrode EL is provided at two points, that is, a measurement position MP (3,9) and a measurement position MP (6,6) indicated by black marks in FIG.
Assuming that EL1 and EL2 are shorted together, this 2
The operation of detecting one measurement position MP will be described.

First, a pair of flat plate electrodes EL1 and EL2, which are opposed to each other with the electrolyte membrane ELF sandwiched therebetween, are placed on a plurality of dummy probes 9. Next, the arithmetic control unit 5 controls the drive mechanism 4 to cause each probe 7 attached to the support plate 8 to be measured at each measurement position MP on the corresponding flat plate electrode EL1.
(Step 61). At this time, each spring 7c of each probe 7 is elastically deformed, so that each contact 7
The contact pressure of b with respect to the plate electrode EL1 is controlled so as not to become excessive. After that, the arithmetic control unit 5 operates the discharge circuit (not shown) to cause the plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 to operate.
After discharging the electric charge charged in the
2), the current supply unit 2 is operated at a constant current so that the plate electrode EL
The continuous supply of the constant DC current between the current supply point A of No. 1 and the current supply point B of the plate electrode EL2 is started (step 63). At the same time, the arithmetic control unit 5 starts measuring the elapsed time T from the start of the supply of the DC constant current, and at the same time, supplies the current supply point A and the current supply point B to the voltage measurement unit 3.
The measurement of the potential difference Vc between and is started.

Thereafter, the arithmetic control unit 5 detects whether or not the measured potential difference Vc has reached a preset limit voltage Vr (step 64), and the elapsed time T is a preset time Tr. The process (step 65) of detecting whether or not has reached is repeatedly executed (preliminary inspection). In this case, when there is no short-circuited portion between the flat plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 (good product), the output voltage Vc is limited before the elapsed time T reaches the predetermined time Tr, as shown by the waveform G in FIG. The voltage Vr is reached. At this time, the arithmetic control unit 5 switches the current supply unit 2 from the constant current operation to the constant voltage operation, and also causes the display unit 6 to display, for example, "no short circuit" (step 66), and proceeds to step 69. To do. On the other hand, when there is a short-circuited portion between the plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 (in the case of a defective product), the elapsed time T is predetermined before the output voltage Vc reaches the limit voltage Vr, as shown by the waveform F shown in FIG. Reach time Tr. this is,
When there is a short-circuited portion, part of the DC constant current supplied from the current supply unit 2 flows through the short-circuited portion, so that the flat plate electrode EL is better than a non-defective product in which the short-circuited portion does not exist.
This is because the potential difference Vc increases with a delay as a result of the decrease in the amount of current that charges the capacitance component between EL1 and EL2. Therefore, when there is a short-circuited portion, that is, when the elapsed time T reaches (or has passed) the predetermined time Tr in step 65, the arithmetic control unit 5 shifts the processing from step 65 to step 67. Then
The arithmetic control unit 5 causes the voltage measuring unit 3 to start measuring the potential difference between the current supply point A and any one predetermined measurement position MP, and at the same time, increases the measured potential difference Rv. The calculation processing (step 67) for calculating the increase rate Rv and the determination processing (step 68) for determining whether or not the calculated increase rate Rv are within a predetermined reference range (Rv ≦ Rhi). Repeat until included within ≦ Rhi). In this case, as the above-mentioned one predetermined measurement position MP, a measurement position MP which is distant from the current supply point A to some extent is preferable. For example, MP (b, b), or current supply point A
A position (MP (6,6)) or the like is preferable in the middle between and (MP (b, b)) (see FIG. 2). The upper limit increase rate Rhi is set to 0.1% / second, for example. As a result, the arithmetic control unit 5 supplies a constant DC current between the flat plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 by the current supply unit 2 and stabilizes the potential difference between the current supply point A and one predetermined measurement position MP. Then, the timing (the timing at which the current flowing in the plate electrode EL1 stably increases) is detected.

Next, at step 68, the rate of increase Rv
When it is determined that is included in the reference range, the arithmetic control unit 5 executes the short position detection process shown in FIG. 3 (step 30). Specifically, the arithmetic control unit 5 causes the voltage measuring unit 3 to perform a scanning operation. In this case, the voltage measuring unit 3 sequentially scans each probe 7 to measure the potential difference between the reference point and each measurement position MP with reference to the potential at this reference point, and measures the measured potential difference at each measurement position MP. The voltage data Dv is output to the arithmetic control unit 5 (step 3).
1). The arithmetic control unit 5 sequentially captures the voltage data Dv, and sequentially stores the captured voltage data Dv in the internal memory in association with the measurement position MP. As an example, as shown in FIG. 4, the voltage data Dv is stored in the internal memory in a matrix format corresponding to the measurement position MP (i, j). Each value of the voltage data Dv in FIG. 4 is in μV.

After completing the acquisition of the voltage data Dv for all the measurement positions MP, the arithmetic and control unit 5 searches for the maximum value (the value having the maximum absolute value) of all the voltage data Dv, and FIG. As shown in, the standardized data Ds is obtained by performing standardization on the retrieved maximum value of −100 for each voltage data Dv. Then, the normalized data Ds is also measured in the same manner as the voltage data Dv, and the measurement position MP
The data is stored in the internal memory in the matrix format corresponding to (i, j). Specifically, in the example of FIG. 4, the measurement position MP (3,
Since the potential difference (-207) of 9) is the maximum value, this value (-207)
207) is used as a value (-100) for normalization for each voltage data Dv.

Next, the arithmetic and control unit 5 standardizes data Ds between the adjacent measurement positions MP and MP along the predetermined direction.
And the distance L between them, the adjacent measurement positions MP,
The voltage gradient Vs between MPs is calculated (step 3
2). As an example, the calculation control unit 5 first calculates the voltage gradient Vs1 between the measurement positions MP and MP that are adjacent to each other along the left-right direction in FIG. Specifically, the arithmetic and control unit 5 uses the standardized data Ds of the measurement position MP (i, j + 1).
To the left of the measurement position MP (i, j) standardized data Ds
Is subtracted, and the subtracted value is the distance L (0.4c in the left-right direction).
m) to obtain the voltage gradient Vs1 and store it in the internal memory in the matrix form shown in FIG. In this case, in FIG. 6, the voltage gradient Vs specified by i = 1 and j = (1-2)
1 is the measurement position MP (1,1) and the measurement position MP (1,1)
2) represents the voltage gradient between and. Similarly, the arithmetic and control unit 5 calculates the voltage gradient Vs2 between the adjacent measurement positions MP and MP along the vertical direction in FIG. Specifically, the arithmetic and control unit 5 subtracts the standardized data Ds of the lower adjacent measurement position MP (i, j) from the standardized data Ds of the measurement position MP (i + 1, j), and the subtracted value is the distance. Divide by L (0.3 cm in the vertical direction) to obtain the voltage gradient Vs2,
The data is stored in the internal memory in the matrix format shown in FIG. In this case, in FIG. 7, the voltage gradient Vs2 specified by i = (1-2) and j = 1 is the voltage gradient between the measurement position MP (1,1) and the measurement position MP (2,1). Represents

Next, the arithmetic control unit 5 detects the measurement position MP (short position) which is the minimum voltage point based on the voltage gradients Vs1 and Vs2 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 (step 3).
3). Specifically, the arithmetic and control unit 5 sequentially searches the voltage gradient Vs1 from the left direction to the right direction for each row in FIG. 6, and the measurement position MP at which the polarity of the voltage gradient Vs1 is reversed.
(Measurement position MP which is the minimum voltage point) is detected. In this case, when the DC voltage supplied to the current supply point A is a positive voltage, the measurement position MP that changes from the negative polarity to the positive polarity
When the DC voltage is a negative voltage, the measurement position MP at which the positive polarity changes to the negative polarity is detected. Therefore, in this example, the measurement position MP at which the negative polarity changes to the positive polarity is detected. Therefore, the third line (i =
The voltage gradient Vs1 at j = (8-9) in 3) is the value (-21), and the voltage gradient Vs1 at the next j = (9-a).
Becomes a value (12), the arithmetic control unit 5 detects the measurement position MP (3, 9) as the voltage minimum point and sets this measurement position MP (3, 9) as a short-circuit position candidate. Also, 6
Voltage gradient V at j = (5-6) in row (i = 6)
Since s1 is the value (−35) and the voltage gradient Vs1 at the next j = (6−7) is the value (17), the calculation control unit 5 sets the measurement position MP (6,6) as the voltage minimum point. Is detected, and this measurement position MP (6, 6) is set as a candidate for the short position.

Similarly, the arithmetic control unit 5 sequentially searches the voltage gradient Vs2 from the lower direction to the upper direction for each column in FIG. 7, and the measurement position MP at which the voltage gradient Vs2 changes from the negative polarity to the positive polarity. (Measurement position MP which is the minimum voltage point) is detected. In this case, the voltage gradient Vs2 at i = (5-6) in the sixth column (j = 6) has a value (-32).
Then, the voltage gradient Vs2 at the next i = (6−7) is the value (2
7), the arithmetic control unit 5 detects the measurement position MP (6, 6) as the minimum voltage point, and the measurement position MP (6, 6) is detected.
(6, 6) is a candidate for the short position. Further, the voltage gradient Vs2 at i = (2-3) in the ninth column (j = 9)
Is the value (-18), and the voltage gradient V at the next i = (3-4)
Since s2 becomes the value (18), the measurement position MP (3,9)
Is a candidate for the short position. When detecting the minimum voltage point, the difference between the two voltage gradients Vs is equal to or more than a predetermined value (for example, 10% of the standardized reference value (100) (value 10 in this example)). By detecting the above condition as a condition, it becomes difficult to be affected by noise at the time of measuring the potential difference, and as a result, the short-circuited position can be accurately detected. The arithmetic control unit 5 compares the detection results of the voltage minimum points (short positions) along two different directions (a left-right direction and a vertical direction which are orthogonal to each other) and compares the measurement positions MP (6, 6).
Since 6) and the measurement position MP (3, 9) are both detected as short positions, these two measurement positions MP are specified as final short positions. Next, the arithmetic control unit 5 determines the measurement position M as the specified (detected) minimum voltage point.
Information (position and number information) about P is displayed on the display unit 6 (step 34), and the short position detection process is terminated. Note that, due to the resolution of the measurement position, the measurement position MP itself, which is the minimum voltage point, is not always the short position, but at least the measurement position MP, which is the minimum voltage point, is an actual short circuit among all the measurement positions MP. Closest to the position. Therefore, by specifying the predetermined measurement position MP as the short-circuit position, the actual short-circuit position existing in the immediate vicinity of the measurement position MP is substantially specified.

When the short position detecting process in step 30 is completed or the display process in step 66 is completed, the arithmetic control unit 5 operates the discharge circuit (not shown) to cause the plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 to operate. The electric charge charged in is discharged (step 69). Finally, the arithmetic control unit 5 controls the drive mechanism 4 to separate each probe 7 from the plate electrode EL1 (step 70).
This completes the short circuit inspection.

As described above, according to the short-circuit detecting device 1, the arithmetic control unit 5 sets the potential difference Vc to the preset limit voltage Vr within the predetermined time Tr from the start of the supply of the DC constant current by the current supply unit 2. A preliminary inspection for determining whether or not there is a short-circuited portion between the flat plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 by detecting whether or not it has been reached is executed prior to the short-circuiting position detection processing, and the processing is performed only for those where the short-circuited portion exists. By executing the short position detection process that requires the short position detection process for a short-circuited portion that does not exist, the time required for the entire short detection process can be sufficiently shortened. Further, when it is determined in the above preliminary inspection that there is a short-circuited portion, the increase rate Rv of the potential difference between the current supply point A and any one predetermined measurement position MP is calculated, and the increase rate Rv is calculated. When it is determined that the current value is within the reference range (Rv ≦ Rhi), the arithmetic control unit 5 performs the short position detection process, so that the DC constant current supplied by the current supply unit 2 is maintained in a steady state (flat plate electrode EL1). The short-circuit position detection process can be performed at the timing when the current flowing therein stably increases. Therefore, the short-circuited position can be detected stably.

Further, according to the short-circuit detecting device 1,
Based on the voltage gradient Vs between the adjacent measurement positions MP, MP calculated from the respective potential differences between the plurality of measurement positions MP and the reference point, the measurement position MP that is the voltage minimum point is obtained, and the obtained measurement position MP is short-circuited. By specifying the positions, even when there are a plurality of short-circuited positions between the flat plate electrodes EL1 and EL2, the plurality of short-circuited positions can be detected reliably and simultaneously. Further, the detection accuracy of the short-circuited position can be enhanced by specifying the measurement position MP, which is the voltage minimum point in both directions, as the final short-circuited position based on the voltage gradients Vs1 and Vs2 along the two different directions. In addition, by adopting a configuration in which a plurality of probes 7 are brought into contact with respective corresponding measurement positions MP at the same time, as compared with a configuration in which one probe 7 is sequentially moved to the measurement positions MP, at all measurement positions MP. The time required to measure the potential difference can be significantly reduced.

Further, as shown in FIG.
1, a plurality existing between EL2 (3 as an example, MP,
A short circuit location of (3,3), MP (6,6), MP (a, a) may exist on the same virtual straight line (or in the vicinity of the same virtual straight line) passing through the current supply point A. .
When there are a plurality of short-circuited locations in such an arrangement, the detection processing described above may not be able to reliably detect the short-circuited location. That is, when the short-circuit position is detected in the same manner as in the above detection process, first, the voltage data Dv of each measurement position MP is obtained as shown in FIG. 9, and then the standard of each measurement position MP is obtained as shown in FIG. The converted data Ds is calculated, and further, as shown in FIG. 11 and FIG.
Vs2 is calculated, and the measurement position MP serving as the voltage minimum point is detected based on the calculated voltage gradients Vs1 and Vs2. At this time, each measurement position M increases with increasing distance from the current supply point A.
The difference in the potential difference between P and MP becomes small, and particularly in the vicinity of MP (a, a) farthest from the current supply point A, this difference becomes very small. As a result, it becomes difficult to detect MP (a, a) as the minimum voltage point, and it becomes difficult to reliably detect the short-circuit position.

In such a case, the position of the current supply point A with respect to the plate electrode EL1 is changed (for example, the second time is shown in FIG.
The point C in FIG. 2 is set as a current supply point), and the voltage gradient Vs is obtained by repeating Step 31 to Step 35 described above.
1, Vs2 is calculated again, and the previously calculated voltage gradient Vs is calculated.
1, Vs2 and two types of voltage gradients Vs1 and Vs2
The short position is detected based on. In this way, by changing the position of the current supply point with respect to the plate electrode EL1 and recalculating the voltage gradients Vs1 and Vs2, it is possible to reliably detect the voltage gradients that are far from the current supply point A during the first measurement. Even if there is a short-circuit point that is difficult to determine, the distance from the current supply point (point C in this example) becomes short during the second measurement, so that this short-circuit position can be detected reliably. You can Therefore, the current supply point A
By changing the position and performing the short circuit detection process at least twice, it is possible to detect the positions of a plurality of short circuits existing in various arrangements between the flat plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 with higher accuracy.

The present invention is not limited to the configurations shown in the above embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate.
For example, in the short detection device 1, a plurality of measurement positions MP
Although a configuration in which a plurality of probes 7 are arranged corresponding to the above is adopted, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which one probe 7 is sequentially brought into contact with each measurement position MP to measure the potential difference at each measurement position MP. In this case, although it takes a long time to identify the short-circuit position, the short-circuit detection device 1
The configuration can be simplified, and the device cost can be reduced. Further, in the short-circuit detection device 1, right and left,
Although the voltage minimum point is detected based on the voltage gradients Vs1 and Vs2 along the two upper and lower directions to identify the short-circuit position, the voltage minimum point is detected based on the voltage gradient along the diagonal direction. A method of identifying the short-circuit position can also be adopted. In addition, the voltage gradient Vs in the two directions of left and right and up and down
It is also possible to employ a configuration in which the short-circuit position is detected based on the voltage gradient in the diagonal direction in addition to 1, Vs2. With this configuration, the accuracy of detecting the short-circuited position can be further improved.

Further, in the short-circuit detecting device 1, different 2
Although the detection accuracy is improved by adopting a configuration that detects the short-circuit position based on the voltage gradients Vs1 and Vs2 along the direction, when the detection speed is prioritized over the detection accuracy, the voltage gradient Vs along the one direction is set. It is also possible to detect the short-circuited position based only on. In the short detection device 1, the voltage gradients Vs1 and Vs are based on the standardized data Ds obtained by standardizing the voltage data Dv measured by the voltage measuring unit 3.
Although the configuration for calculating 2 is adopted, a configuration for directly calculating the voltage gradients Vs1 and Vs2 from the voltage data Dv by omitting the standardization process may be adopted. in this case,
As the “predetermined value” of “the polarity of the voltage gradient is reversed and the difference becomes a predetermined value or more” in the present invention, for example, a value of about 10% with respect to the maximum value (absolute value) of the voltage gradient. Stipulate.

Further, in the short-circuit detection device 1, a plurality of measurement positions MP, MP, ... At which the probe 7 is brought into contact with the flat plate electrode EL1 are arranged in a matrix pattern as shown in FIG.
Although a plurality of polygons such as regular triangles, squares, parallelograms and regular hexagons are arranged adjacent to each other and each measurement position MP is associated with the apex of each polygon, regularity is defined. Each measurement position MP can also be arranged on the pattern. Further, the short-circuit detection device 1 adopts a configuration in which the reference point when the voltage measurement unit 3 measures the voltage data Dv is set to the current supply point A in the flat plate electrode EL1, but this reference point is referred to as the current supply point A. It can also be set at different arbitrary points. Further, the detection of the short position between the flat plate electrodes in the fuel cell has been described as an example,
The present invention can be effectively applied to detection of a short position between a pair of flat plate electrodes in other fields. Further, in step 61 of the above-mentioned short circuit detection processing, each probe 7 is connected to the plate electrode E while the current supply unit 2 is activated.
Although it is possible to adopt a configuration in which L1 is brought into contact with this configuration, in this configuration, each probe 7 is connected to the plate electrodes EL1, EL in a state where electric charges are stored between the plate electrodes EL1, EL2.
Pressure is applied between the two to locally plate electrodes EL1, EL2
The distance between them may decrease. Therefore, the potential may locally increase. The same applies when the probe 7 is separated from the plate electrode EL1. Therefore, as in this embodiment, the plate electrodes EL1, E
It is preferable to contact and separate the probe 7 in a state where no charge is stored between L2.

[0037]

As described above, according to the short-circuit detection device of the present invention, the detection unit calculates each voltage gradient between each measurement position and another measurement position adjacent along the predetermined direction. By detecting the measurement position that becomes the voltage minimum point based on each voltage gradient calculated with, it is possible to distinguish the measurement position that becomes the voltage minimum point from the short position, so there are multiple short points between a pair of flat plate electrodes. Even if there is, it is possible to detect each of these short-circuit positions reliably and simultaneously.

Further, according to the short-circuit detection device of the present invention, the potential at the time of measuring the potential difference is detected by detecting the measurement position at which the polarity of the calculated voltage gradient is reversed and the difference becomes the predetermined value or more as the voltage minimum point. As a result, the short-circuit position can be accurately detected as a result of being less susceptible to the noise of.

Further, according to the short-circuit detecting device of the present invention, the voltage measuring section measures each potential difference based on the voltages respectively inputted through the plurality of voltage detecting terminals, so that the potential difference at all the measuring positions is measured. As a result of being able to greatly reduce the time required for measurement, it is possible to detect a plurality of short-circuited points in a short time.

Further, according to the short-circuit detecting device of the present invention, since at least one of the plate electrode on one side and the plate electrode on the other side is configured to be able to change the portion for supplying the current, a plurality of short-circuit points can be formed. Even if they are arranged in a straight line, these short-circuited positions can be accurately detected.

Further, according to the short-circuit detecting device of the present invention, the voltage measuring unit measures the inter-electrode potential difference between the predetermined portion of one plate electrode and the predetermined portion of the other plate electrode, and the voltage minimum Prior to the detection of the measurement position as the point, it is detected whether or not the potential difference between the electrodes reaches a preset limiting voltage within a predetermined time from the start of the current supply by the current supply unit, and when it reaches, a pair of flat plate electrodes The detection unit performs a preliminary inspection that determines that there is no short-circuited area between them and that it does not reach when there is no short-circuited area. As a result, the time required for the entire short-circuit detection process can be shortened sufficiently.

Further, according to the short-circuit detection device of the present invention, when the detection unit determines that the short-circuited portion exists in the preliminary inspection, the short-circuited detection device detects the short-circuited portion between any one of the plurality of measurement positions and the reference point. By calculating the rate of increase of the potential difference and comparing the rate of increase with a preset reference range, and when determining that the rate of increase is within the reference range, by detecting the measurement position that is the voltage minimum point, As a result of being able to perform the short position detection process in the steady supply state of the current that the current flowing in the flat plate electrode of steadily increases,
The short-circuited position can be detected stably.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a short circuit detection device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of FIG.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a support plate 8 with a plurality of probes 7 attached.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a short position detection process in the short detection device 1.

4 is a data diagram showing voltage data Dv at each measurement position MP measured by the short-circuit detection device 1 in a state where a short-circuit portion exists in the arrangement shown in FIG.

FIG. 5: Each measurement position MP calculated by the arithmetic control unit 5
6 is a data diagram showing standardized data Ds in FIG.

6 is a data diagram in which a voltage gradient Vs1 between adjacent measurement positions MP and MP in the left-right direction in FIG. 2 is calculated based on the standardized data Ds shown in FIG.

7 is a data diagram in which a voltage gradient Vs2 between adjacent measurement positions MP and MP in the vertical direction in FIG. 2 is calculated based on the normalized data Ds shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 shows a flat plate electrode EL in an arrangement different from that shown in FIG.
3 is a plan view of the flat plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 showing the positions of short-circuited portions existing between 1 and EL2. FIG.

9 is a data diagram showing voltage data Dv at each measurement position MP measured by the short circuit detection device 1 in a state where a short circuit portion exists in the arrangement shown in FIG.

FIG. 10: Each measurement position M calculated by the arithmetic and control unit 5.
It is a data figure which shows the standardization data Ds in P.

11 is a data diagram in which a voltage gradient Vs1 between adjacent measurement positions MP and MP in the left-right direction in FIG. 8 is calculated based on the standardized data Ds shown in FIG.

12 is a data diagram in which a voltage gradient Vs2 between adjacent measurement positions MP and MP in the vertical direction in FIG. 8 is calculated based on the standardized data Ds shown in FIG.

FIG. 13: Plate electrode E when there is no short-circuited portion
It is explanatory drawing which shows the waveform G of the electric potential difference Vc between L1 and EL2, and the waveform F of the electric potential difference Vc between flat plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 when a short circuit part exists.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a holding structure of a pair of flat plate electrodes EL1, EL2 by a probe 7 and a dummy probe 9.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a short circuit detection process in the short circuit detection device 1.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a conventional short position detection device 51.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Short detection device 2 Current supply section 3 Voltage measurement section 4 drive mechanism 5 Operation control section 6 Display 7 probe Ds standardized data Dv, Dvc voltage data EL1, EL2 flat plate electrode Vc potential difference

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Shiro Akiyama             1 Toyota Town, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture Toyota Auto             Car Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 2G014 AA03 AB59 AB61 AC18                 5H027 AA00 KK54

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A short-circuit detection device for detecting the position of a short-circuited portion between a pair of flat plate electrodes arranged to face each other, wherein a predetermined portion of one flat plate electrode and a predetermined portion of the other flat plate electrode A current supply unit that supplies a current between a predetermined portion of the plate electrode, a plurality of measurement positions defined on the one plate electrode in a predetermined pattern, and one measurement position defined on the one plate electrode. A voltage measuring unit that measures each potential difference between the reference point and each, based on the measured potential difference each voltage gradient between the measurement position and another measurement position adjacent along a predetermined direction. The short-circuit detection device, which includes: a detection unit that calculates the above-described voltage gradient and detects the measurement position that is the voltage minimum point based on each calculated voltage gradient. 2. The mutual distance corresponding to each difference between the potential difference at each measurement position and the potential difference at another measurement position adjacent to each measurement position along the predetermined direction. By calculating each voltage gradient between each measurement position and the other measurement position by dividing by, the polarity of the voltage gradient is reversed, and the measurement position where the difference is a predetermined value or more The detection is performed as a minimum voltage point.
Short circuit detection device described. 3. A plurality of voltage detection terminals arranged corresponding to the plurality of measurement positions and capable of contacting the one plate electrode are provided, and the voltage measurement unit is provided with the plurality of voltage detection terminals via the plurality of voltage detection terminals. The short-circuit detection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the potential differences is measured based on the input voltage. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined portion for supplying the current in at least one of the one plate electrode and the other plate electrode can be changed to another part. The short-circuit detection device described in Crab. 5. The voltage measuring unit measures an inter-electrode potential difference between a predetermined portion of the one plate electrode and a predetermined portion of the other plate electrode, and the detection unit is
Prior to the detection of the measurement position serving as the voltage minimum point, it is detected whether or not the inter-electrode potential difference reaches a preset limit voltage within a predetermined time from the start of supply of the current by the current supply unit, and 5. A pre-inspection is performed to determine that the short-circuited portion does not exist between the pair of flat plate electrodes, and to determine that the short-circuited portion exists between the pair of flat plate electrodes when the pair of flat plate electrodes does not reach. The short-circuit detection device described in. 6. The detection unit calculates an increase rate of a potential difference between any one of the plurality of measurement positions and the reference point when it is determined that the short-circuited portion exists in the preliminary inspection. At the same time, the increase rate is compared with a preset reference range, and when it is determined that the increase rate is within the reference range, the measurement position serving as the voltage minimum point is detected. Detection device.