JP6051851B2 - Strain detection method and strain detection device for fuel cell separator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a strain detection method and a strain detection apparatus for a fuel cell separator.

As this type of prior art, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1 under the name of “shape evaluation method”.
In the shape evaluation method disclosed in Patent Document 1, the shape of a measurement object corresponding to the fuel cell separator in the present application is measured with a shape measuring instrument, an approximate curve is obtained by approximation from the measured value, and then the approximate value is obtained. The variation of the measurement value is calculated, and when the variation exceeds a predetermined allowable range, the measurement portion from which the measurement value is obtained is determined as a defective portion. On the other hand, after the approximate curve is obtained again by approximation from the remaining measurement values excluding the measurement value of the defective portion, the variation amount of the measurement value of the defective portion with respect to the approximate value is calculated.

  That is, each virtual curve is calculated from the measurement data of the object to be measured, and the quality of various shapes such as minute irregularities formed on the surface, surface distortion and waviness is evaluated with an allowable range.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-288863

  However, in the calculation determination using the measurement data of the measurement object disclosed in Patent Document 1, the deformation when the measurement object is stacked cannot be taken into account, and the actual usage state is accurately grasped. Can not do it.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a strain detection method and a strain detection device for a fuel cell separator that can detect the strain of the fuel cell separator when stacked.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the fuel cell separator strain detection method according to the present invention includes a fuel cell separator that is a strain detection target on a first reference plate, and the fuel cell separator is maintained at a predetermined interval. A second reference plate is installed on the first reference plate so as to cover the periphery of the battery separator, and the fuel cell separator is sandwiched between the first and second reference plates. Then, the contents of the fuel cell separator are detected by various methods from the contact state between the fuel cell separator and the first and second reference plates.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a fuel cell separator strain detection apparatus according to the present invention includes a first reference plate on which a fuel cell separator is placed, and a fuel disposed above the first reference plate. A second reference plate for sandwiching the battery separator with the first reference plate, holding means for adjusting and holding the distance between the first and second reference plates, and the fuel cell It has a detection means for detecting a contact state between the separator and the first and second reference plates, and a distortion determination means for determining the distortion of the fuel cell separator based on a signal from the detection means.

  In this configuration, the fuel cell separator is placed on the first reference plate, and the fuel cell separator disposed above the first reference plate is connected to the first reference plate and the second reference plate. And the distance between the first and second reference plates is adjusted and held by holding means, and the contact state between the fuel cell separator and the first and second reference plates is detected by the detecting means. The distortion of the fuel cell separator is determined based on the signal from the detecting means.

According to the present invention, the fuel cell separator to be strain-detected is placed on the first reference plate, and the first reference plate is covered so as to cover the periphery of the fuel cell separator while maintaining a predetermined interval. A second reference plate is installed to sandwich the fuel cell separator between the first and second reference plates, and the contact state between the fuel cell separator and the first and second reference plates is Since the distortion of the fuel cell separator is detected by various methods , it is possible to detect the distortion of the fuel cell separator when stacked.

It is a disassembled perspective view of the instrument for distortion detection concerning an example. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which detects the distortion of the separator for fuel cells. (A)-(F) is a perspective view which shows the procedure which detects the distortion of the separator for fuel cells. It is a flowchart which shows the detection process of the distortion in a laser shape measuring machine. (A) is a perspective view of a strain detection instrument A sandwiching a fuel cell separator, and (B) is a laser showing a state in which laser light is irradiated to the fuel cell separator sandwiched by the strain detection instrument A A perspective view of the shape measuring instrument B, (C) is an explanatory diagram showing measurement data displayed on a monitor, and (D) is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a file name is attached to the measurement data and stored. . It is a flowchart which shows the process which determines the measurement data acquired with the laser shape measuring machine. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the measurement data displayed on the monitor, (B) is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that a graph is produced based on the measurement data, (C) shows the evaluation point of the graph. FIG. 4D is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by a surrounding line I in FIG.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, the form for implementing this invention is demonstrated with reference to drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a strain detection instrument according to an example.
The strain detection instrument A according to an example is configured so as to be able to evaluate only the strain generated by plastic deformation during the molding of the fuel cell separator 10 by removing the warped and bent components. The reference plates 20 and 21, the spacers 30 and 30, and the weight 40 which is a pressing member.

The “distortion” is caused by bending of each piece (edge) of the rectangular fuel cell separator 10 from the contact state of the first and second reference plates 20 and 21 with the fuel cell separator 10. It is detected as a swell that occurs.
“Waviness” relates to a value between a peak (top) and a valley (bottom) in one piece of the fuel cell separator 10, and details thereof will be described later with reference to FIG.
That is, the undulation is detected from the contact state between the first reference plate 20 and the fuel cell separator 10 as a crest and the contact portion between the second reference plate 21 as a trough. .

The fuel cell separator 10 is used, for example, in a cell unit (none of which is shown) constituting a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack mounted on a vehicle.
The cell unit has two fuel cell separators 10 and 10 arranged on both sides of the membrane electrode assembly supported by the cell frame so as to define gas flow passages for flowing power generation gas. It is set.

The fuel cell separator 10 is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view, and manifold parts M, M are formed at both ends thereof.
The manifold part M on one side includes an oxidant gas supply hole H1, a fuel gas discharge hole H2, and an oxidant gas supply hole H3 that are opened in different sizes in plan view.
The manifold portion M on the other side includes a fuel gas supply hole H4, an oxidant gas discharge hole H5, and a fuel gas supply hole H6 that are opened in different sizes in plan view.

The first reference plate 20 has a required thickness and is formed in a rectangular shape that is slightly larger than the outer shape of the fuel cell separator 10 in plan view. In the present embodiment, the first reference plate 20 is formed of a light-impermeable member. Has been.
The second reference plate 21 has the same shape and size as the first reference plate 20 described above, but is formed of a light transmitting member in the present embodiment.

  The spacer 30 has a predetermined thickness t and is a rectangular plate having the same length as the dimension L between both end faces 20a, 20a (21a, 21b) of the first reference plate 20 (21). Is formed.

In the present embodiment, the thickness of the spacer 30 is set to the maximum value of the thickness tolerance at the time of manufacturing the fuel cell separator 10.
In other words, the distance between the first and second reference plates 20 and 21 is set to the maximum value of the thickness tolerance of the fuel cell separator 10.
In the present embodiment, the spacer 30 is a holding means that adjusts and holds the distance from the first and second reference plates 20 and 21.

  The weight 40 has substantially the same outer shape as the above-described spacer 30 in plan view and has a required weight. In this embodiment, a weight of 500 g is adopted. Reference numeral 40a denotes a knob.

  The weight 40 may be any weight that can correct the deformation of the fuel cell separator 10 within the thickness t of the spacer 30. In other words, any weight that can correct the warp may be used.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure for detecting the distortion of the fuel cell separator, and FIGS. 3A to 3F are perspective views showing a procedure for detecting the distortion of the fuel cell separator.
In the fuel cell separator strain detection method according to the present invention, the fuel cell separator 10 as a strain detection target is installed on the first reference plate 20, and the fuel cell separator 10 is maintained at a predetermined interval. A second reference plate 21 is installed on the first reference plate 20 so as to cover the periphery of the fuel cell, and the fuel cell separator 10 is sandwiched between the first and second reference plates 20 and 21 and the fuel The details of detecting the distortion of the fuel cell separator 10 from the contact state between the battery separator 10 and the first and second reference plates 20 and 21 are as follows.

  Step 1 (abbreviated as “S1” in FIG. 2; the same applies hereinafter): As shown in FIG. 3A, spacers 30 and 30 are formed along the long side edges 20c and 20d of the first reference plate 20. Is placed.

Step 2: As shown in FIG. 3B, the fuel cell separator 10 is placed on the first reference plate 20 and between the spacers 30 and 30. At this time, the spacers 30, 30 position the fuel cell separator 10 with respect to the first reference plate 20.
As described above, when the fuel cell separator 10 is merely placed between the spacers 30 and 30, the fuel cell separator 10 is warped and thus there is a portion protruding above the spacers 30 and 30.

Step 3: As shown in FIG. 3C, the second reference plate 21 is placed on the spacers 30 and 30. The figure shown on the left side of the figure shows a state before the second reference plate 21 is placed, and the right side of the figure shows the state after the second reference plate 21 is placed.
Step 4: As shown in FIG. 3D, the weights 40, 40 are placed along the long edges 21c, 21d of the second reference plate 21.

Step 5: As shown in FIG. 3E, the first reference of the fuel cell separator 10 with the weights 40, 40 placed along the long edges 21c, 21d of the second reference plate 21. The state of contact between the plate 20 and the second reference plate 21 is visually confirmed.
Here, if the undulation is visually confirmed from the contact state between the peaks and the valleys, the process proceeds to step 6, and if the undulation is not visually confirmed, the process returns to step 2 to mount another fuel cell separator 10. .

  Step 6: As shown in FIG. 3 (F), the strain detection instrument A in which the fuel cell separator 10 is sandwiched between the first and second reference plates 20 and 21, and the measurement table 50 of the laser profilometer B. Set to. Reference numeral 51 denotes a laser irradiation unit.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a strain detection process in the laser profilometer, FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a strain detection instrument A sandwiching a fuel cell separator, and FIG. 5B is a strain detection instrument. The perspective view of the laser shape measuring machine which shows a mode that laser beam is irradiated to the separator for fuel cells pinched by A, (C) is explanatory drawing which shows the measurement data currently displayed on a monitor, (D) is the It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that a file name is attached | subjected and saved to measurement data.

  The laser shape measuring machine B shown in FIG. 5B is sandwiched between the first and second reference plates 20 and 21 that are spaced apart from each other and pressed by the weight 40 that is a pressing member. This is an example of a strain detection device that detects and measures the distortion of the fuel cell separator 10 as a waviness without contact.

The laser shape measuring machine B includes a laser light irradiation means 51 for irradiating laser light along the edge of the fuel cell separator 10, a controller C for controlling the laser light irradiation means 51, and FIG. A monitor 52 shown in FIG.
The laser beam irradiation means 51 is a detection means for detecting a contact state between the fuel cell separator 10 and the first and second reference plates 20 and 21.
Specifically, it has a function of detecting peaks or valleys from the outside of the first and second reference plates 20 and 21 in a non-contact state. Reference numeral 50 denotes a measurement table on which the strain detection instrument A is set.

The controller C has a function of determining distortion of the fuel cell separator 10 based on a signal from the laser beam irradiation means 51 according to a required program. This function is referred to as “distortion determination means Ca”.
Specifically, based on the irradiation of the laser beam, the distortion at the outer peripheral edge of the fuel cell separator 10 is detected as a undulation and is determined by non-contact detection.

  The laser shape measuring machine B shown in the present embodiment is, for example, a stage scanning laser probe type, and detects and measures swell while irradiating laser light along the outer peripheral edge of the fuel cell separator 10. . The measurement data is sequentially stored in a storage unit (not shown) in the controller C with a specific file name 52b.

Step 1 (abbreviated as “Sa1” in FIG. 4, the same applies hereinafter): The waviness measurement program corresponding to the fuel cell separator 10 related to the measurement is started.
Step 2: Laser light is irradiated along the outer peripheral edge of the fuel cell separator 10 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B) set on the measurement table 50 to measure the swell. The measurement data is sequentially displayed on the monitor 52.

Step 3: It is determined whether or not there is an abnormality in the measurement data. If it is determined that there is no abnormality in the measurement data 52a, the process proceeds to Step 4. If not, the process proceeds to Step 5. The abnormality of the measurement data 52a is, for example, a scratch on the surface of the fuel cell separator 10 or the like.
Step 4: As shown in FIG. 5D, the measurement data 52a is sequentially stored in a storage unit (not shown) in the laser shape measuring machine B with a specific file name 52b.
Step 5: Confirm the waviness measurement program and return to Step 2.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing for determining measurement data acquired by a laser profilometer, FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram showing measurement data displayed on a monitor, and FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows a mode that a graph is produced based on it, (C) is a figure which shows the evaluation point of the graph, (D) is an enlarged view of the part shown with the encircling line I in (C). In FIG. 7C, the evaluation point is indicated by P.

The computer C for determining the measurement data detected and acquired by the laser shape measuring machine B has the following functions based on a predetermined program.
A function for graphing based on the measurement data acquired by the laser shape measuring machine B. This function is referred to as “graphing means Cb”.
A function for displaying the graphed measurement data on the monitor 52. This function is called “graph display means Cc”.

Step 1 (abbreviated as “Sb1” in FIG. 6; the same applies hereinafter): Measurement data acquired by the laser shape measuring machine B is opened.
Step 2: The measurement data is graphed by a predetermined graph wizard.

  Step 3: It is determined whether or not the evaluation can be performed from the graphed measurement data displayed on the monitor 52. If it is determined that the evaluation can be performed, the process proceeds to Step 4, and if not, the process proceeds to Step 5.

Step 4: Determine swell. As shown in FIG. 7D, the “swell” includes a swell amount that is a value between a mountain (top) and a valley (bottom), and the number of swells. In other words, suitability is determined based on both the number of swells and the amount of swells. Note that FIG. 3C shows an example in which the number of undulations is 15, and thus it is determined that the undulation is inappropriate.
Step 5: Change the graph settings and return to Step 2.

According to the strain detection method and the strain detection apparatus for the fuel cell separator 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention described above, the following effects can be obtained.
-The distortion of the separator 10 for fuel cells when it is laminated can be detected.
-The warping and bending component can be removed, and only the swell component generated by plastic deformation during molding of the fuel cell separator 10 can be evaluated.

  When at least one of the first and second reference plates 20 and 21 sandwiching the fuel cell separator 10 is formed of a light transmitting member, the detection and measurement of waviness can be easily performed visually or by the laser shape measuring instrument B. be able to.

  When the spacers 30 and 30 for setting these intervals are inserted between the two reference plates 20 and 21, the interval between the two reference plates 20 and 21 can be arbitrarily adjusted and changed. Therefore, undulation can be measured without being influenced by the thickness of the fuel cell separator 10.

By setting the thickness of the spacer 30 with the maximum thickness tolerance of the fuel cell separator 10 as a threshold value, the fuel cell separator 10 is not damaged.
By detecting waviness along the outer peripheral edge of the fuel cell separator 10, it is possible to easily detect and determine waviness.

  Waviness that is not in contact with the first and second reference plates can also be measured by measuring with a non-contact measuring instrument such as a laser shape measuring instrument B that measures swell by irradiating laser light. .

By determining the quality of the fuel cell separator by detecting the number of undulations, the determination can be easily performed.
By performing the pass / fail determination based on the number of undulations and the size of the gap, the determination can be performed regardless of the amount of displacement.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the following modifications can be made.
In the above-described embodiment, the waviness was measured along the outer peripheral edge of the fuel cell separator, but only the both end edges forming the manifold were measured without measuring the entire outer peripheral edge. Also good.

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the swell was measured in a non-contact manner with laser light has been described. You may make it determine by.
Specifically, the contact pressure may be determined by a contact measuring device such as a pressure sensor as a contact sensor. In this case, the second reference plate is not necessarily transparent.

  The controller C of the laser shape measuring machine B described above may be provided with pass / fail judgment means for judging pass / fail of the fuel cell separator based on the measurement value measured by the waviness measurement means.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the determination of the distortion, and hence the determination of the undulation is based on both the number of undulations and the amount of the undulation is described. You may make it carry out, and you may make it determine from the distance of a mountain or a valley.

10 Fuel Cell Separators 20, 21 First and Second Reference Plates 30 Spacers (holding means)
B Laser shape measuring machine

Claims (10)

Installing a separator for a fuel cell to be strain-detected on the first reference plate;
A second reference plate is installed on the first reference plate so as to cover the periphery of the fuel cell separator while maintaining a predetermined interval, and the fuel cell separator is placed between the first and second reference plates. While holding,
Detecting distortion of the fuel cell separator from the contact state between the fuel cell separator and the first and second reference plates ;
Detecting the distortion of the fuel cell separator as a swell generated by bending each piece of the rectangular fuel cell separator,
A method for detecting strain in a fuel cell separator, comprising detecting the curvature of each piece of the fuel cell separator from a contact state between an outer peripheral edge of the fuel cell separator and the first and second reference plates. . Installing a separator for a fuel cell to be strain-detected on the first reference plate;
A second reference plate is installed on the first reference plate so as to cover the periphery of the fuel cell separator while maintaining a predetermined interval, and the fuel cell separator is placed between the first and second reference plates. While holding,
Detecting distortion of the fuel cell separator from the contact state between the fuel cell separator and the first and second reference plates;
At least one of the first and second reference plates is formed of a transparent member, and the contact state between the first and second reference plates and the fuel cell separator is transparent among the first and second reference plates. A strain detection method for a separator for a fuel cell, characterized in that detection is performed from the outside of a member formed by a member. The swell is detected from a contact state between the first reference plate and the fuel cell separator, with a contact portion between the first reference plate and the fuel cell separator as a crest and a contact portion between the second reference plate and a trough as the contact portion. The strain detection method of the separator for fuel cells of Claim 1 . The fuel cell separator according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein an interval between the first and second reference plates is adjusted to sandwich the fuel cell separator between the first and second reference plates. Separator distortion detection method. Installing a separator for a fuel cell to be strain-detected on the first reference plate;
A second reference plate is installed on the first reference plate so as to cover the periphery of the fuel cell separator while maintaining a predetermined interval, and the fuel cell separator is placed between the first and second reference plates. While holding,
Detecting distortion of the fuel cell separator from the contact state between the fuel cell separator and the first and second reference plates;
Adjusting the distance between the first and second reference plates to sandwich the fuel cell separator between the first and second reference plates;
The first, the distance between the second reference plate, the distortion detection method for fuel cell separator you and sets the maximum value of the thickness tolerances of the separator for a fuel cell. Installing a separator for a fuel cell to be strain-detected on the first reference plate;
A second reference plate is installed on the first reference plate so as to cover the periphery of the fuel cell separator while maintaining a predetermined interval, and the fuel cell separator is placed between the first and second reference plates. While holding,
Detecting distortion of the fuel cell separator from the contact state between the fuel cell separator and the first and second reference plates;
Detecting the distortion of the fuel cell separator as a swell generated by bending each piece of the rectangular fuel cell separator,
The swell is detected from the contact state of these peaks or valleys, with the contact portion between the first reference plate and the fuel cell separator as a mountain and the contact portion with the second reference plate as a valley.
The peak or valley, the first, the strain detection method for fuel cell separator you and detects a signal from the contact sensor provided on the inner surface of the second reference plate. Installing a separator for a fuel cell to be strain-detected on the first reference plate;
A second reference plate is installed on the first reference plate so as to cover the periphery of the fuel cell separator while maintaining a predetermined interval, and the fuel cell separator is placed between the first and second reference plates. While holding,
Detecting distortion of the fuel cell separator from the contact state between the fuel cell separator and the first and second reference plates;
Detecting the distortion of the fuel cell separator as a swell generated by bending each piece of the rectangular fuel cell separator,
The swell is detected from the contact state of these peaks or valleys, with the contact portion between the first reference plate and the fuel cell separator as a mountain and the contact portion with the second reference plate as a valley.
The peak or valley, the first, the strain detection method of a separator for fuel cells you and detecting in a non-contact state from the outside of the second reference plate. The strain detection method for a fuel cell separator according to claim 7 , wherein the strain is detected from at least one of a peak and a valley. 9. The strain detection method for a fuel cell separator according to claim 7 , wherein the strain is detected from a gap distance between peaks and peaks or a gap distance between valleys and valleys . A first reference plate for placing a fuel cell separator;
A second reference plate for sandwiching the fuel cell separator disposed above the first reference plate with the first reference plate;
Holding means for adjusting and holding the distance between the first and second reference plates;
Detecting means for detecting a contact state between the fuel cell separator and the first and second reference plates;
And a strain determination means for determining the strain of the fuel cell separator based on a signal from the detection means.

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