JPH1197054A - Fastening structure and method of layered body - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fastening structure and a fastening method capable of fastening a layered body stacked with plate members with a specific fastening force by a simple method. SOLUTION: A fastening mechanism comprises a pressing plate 4 mounted between at least one of end plates 2 and a layered body, and pressing the layered body; supporting rods 5 of which the basic edge parts are fixed to the pressing plate 4, and the point edge parts are exposed from the through holes 21 formed on the end plate 2, and which are movable in the through holes 21 of the end plate 2 for supporting the pressing plate 4; elastic members 7 mounted between the end plate 2 and the pressing plate 4, having the resiliency to compressing action; and the locking members 6 mounted on the tip end parts of the supporting rods for holding the elastic members 7 in a specific compressed condition. The locking members 6 are located on the positions for holding the elastic members 7 in the specific compressed condition.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tightening structure and a tightening method which presses both end faces of a stacked body, such as a cell stacked body in a fuel cell, having a plurality of plate-like members at a predetermined pressure. It relates to the attachment method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a cell stack in a fuel cell
(1) is a plate-shaped member (10) having a fuel plate on the anode side of the cell and an oxidant plate on the cathode side for a cell having an anode on one surface and a cathode on the other surface of the electrolyte membrane. A plurality of unit cells are stacked as a unit cell. As shown in FIG. 8, the fastening structure of this type of laminated body is such that both ends of the laminated body (1) are respectively connected to end plates (2).
(2), a tie rod (30) is inserted into the through hole (20) of the end plate (2), and the end plate (2) is inserted from both ends of the tie rod using a fastening member (31) such as a nut. ) Is tightened. In this case, the end plate
In order for (2) to continue pressing both ends of the laminated body (1) at a predetermined pressure, as shown in FIG.
Between (2), an elastic member (90) having a repulsive force against a compressing action, such as a compression coil spring and a disc spring, is provided.

[0003]

In the case of the above-mentioned fastening structure,
To tighten the laminate (1), the nut (31) must be tightened using a hand tool such as a spanner. However, in this method, in order to uniformly tighten the end plates (2) and (2) to a predetermined pressure, it is necessary to carefully tighten the end plates (2) while referring to the measurement values by a measuring device such as a strain gauge. become.

[0004] Alternatively, using a pressing device,
(1) can also be tightened. In this case, the end plates (2) and (2) are pressed with a predetermined pressure by a press device and tightened with a nut (31), and the repulsive force applied to the press device from the end plates (2) and (2) is reduced by the nut (31). After the transition to ()), the pressing by the press device is completed. In this method, since the pressing device uniformly presses the end plates 2 and 2 with a predetermined pressure, the time required for tightening the laminate 1 with the nut 31 is short. However, in this method, it is necessary to prepare various press devices according to the lamination length of the laminate (1), and the capital investment increases. Also, when performing maintenance such as repair and replacement of the laminate (1),
In order to re-use the press equipment used at the time of tightening,
Maintenance burden increases.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a tightening structure and a tightening method capable of tightening a laminated body in which plate members are stacked with a predetermined tightening force by a very simple method. is there.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a fastening mechanism according to a first aspect of the present invention is provided in which a plate-like member (10) is stacked at both ends. It is sandwiched between a pair of end plates (2), and the through holes (2
0), a tie rod (30) is inserted through the tie rod, and the end plate (2) is fastened from both ends of the tie rod using the fastening members (31). A pressing plate (4) disposed between (2) and the laminated body (1) and pressing the laminated body (1), and a base end portion of the pressing plate (4)
The end portion is a rod-shaped member protruding from the through hole (21) opened in the end plate (2), and is disposed so as to be movable in the through hole (21) of the end plate. , Support rod (5) supporting the pressing plate (4), and end plate
An elastic member (7) disposed between (2) and the pressing plate (4) and having a repulsive force against a compressive action, and attached to a tip end of a support rod (5), the elastic member (7) And a locking member (6) for maintaining a predetermined compressed state.

The invention according to claim 2 relates to a mechanism for moving the end plate (2) toward the laminate (1), and the mechanism has an external thread portion and has an end plate.
(2) Tightening rod (81), through hole (85) through which tie rod (30) is inserted, and through hole with screw portion (86) that can be screwed into the external thread of tightening rod (81) Tightening plate opened
(80), wherein the tightening rod (81) is a tightening plate (80).
The tie rod (30) is screwed into the threaded through-hole (86), and the tie rod (30) has a fixing member (32) is attached.

In the invention described in claim 6, claim 1 is
The method relates to a method of tightening the laminate using the tightening mechanism described in the above, and includes a pressing plate (4) and an end plate.
While holding (2) in a predetermined compressed state, tie rod (3
By moving the end plate (2) toward the laminate (1) by tightening the tightening member (31) of (0), the laminate (1) is tightened via the pressing plate (4), and the elastic member (7) is further compressed than the predetermined compressed state, the pressing plate (4)
The tightening step of the laminate is completed when the distance between the end plate (2) and the end plate (2) is reduced.

[0009]

According to the invention described in claim 1, the tie rod (3
When the end plate (2) is moved toward the laminate (1) by tightening the tightening member (31) of (0), the elastic member (7) remains in a predetermined compressed state. The tightening force of the member (31) is transmitted to the pressing plate (4), and the laminate (1) is gradually tightened via the pressing plate (4). When the laminate (1) reaches a predetermined tightening state, the elastic member (7) is further compressed than the predetermined compression state, so that the pressing plate (4) and the end plate (2) are compressed. The spacing is reduced. From this state, it is confirmed that the laminate (1) has been tightened with the predetermined tightening force. The spring constant of the elastic member (7) is appropriately determined, and the degree to which the elastic member (7) is compressed is determined by the locking member (6).
By appropriately adjusting the pressure, the laminate can be tightened with a desired tightening force.

[0010] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the end plate (2) can be formed simply by tightening one tightening rod (81).
Can be easily moved toward the laminate (1).

[0011]

According to the present invention, in the elastic member (7) disposed between the end plate (2) and the pressing plate (4), the state in which a predetermined compressed state is maintained is determined by the tightening force of the laminate. Therefore, a measuring device is not required when tightening the laminate. Further, unlike the related art, it is not necessary to prepare various press devices suitable for the stacking length of the stack, so that tightening and maintenance of the stack are facilitated.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Tightening Structure First, referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a description will be given of a stacked body fastening structure according to the present invention. The tightening structure of the present invention is intended for a stacked body in which it is important to tighten with a predetermined tightening force. For example, a large number of plate-shaped unit cells are stacked like a cell stacked body in a fuel cell. Can be mentioned. In addition, as other laminated bodies, there are large-sized secondary batteries, plate heat exchangers, large-capacity capacitors, and the like used for electric vehicles and the like. Many plate-like members (1
The stacked body (1) in which (0) is overlaid has a pair of end plates (2).
It is tightened using (2) and tie rods (30). The end plate (2) is provided with a plurality of through holes (20) for inserting the tie rods (30) at both upper and lower ends. The tie rod (30) has threaded portions at both ends, and at the portion protruding from the end plate (2), a tightening member (3
It is tightened using 1).

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, one end plate is provided.
A pressing plate (4) for pressing the laminate (1) is provided between (2) and the laminate (1). The pressing plate (4) is connected to the end plate (2) via a plurality of support rods (5). The support rod (5) is a through hole formed in one end plate (2).
As shown in FIG. 4, one end is screwed and fixed to a screw hole (40) of the pressing plate (4), and a nut (6) is provided at the other end. You. An elastic member (7) is provided between the end plate (2) and the pressing plate (4). The elastic member (7) generates a repulsive force when compressed, and is preferably made of a stack of compression coil springs and disc springs, an air spring, rubber, or the like. From the force when the elastic member (7) is held in a predetermined compressed state, the tightening force of the laminate can be known. Also, as shown, the elastic member (7)
Is desirably configured to pass through the support rod (5).

Tightening Method [Preparation Step] Next, the tightening method of the above-described structure for tightening the laminate will be described below. First, press plate
The end of the support rod (5) is screwed into each screw hole (40) of (4), and, for example, a predetermined number of disc springs (7) are passed through the support rod (5), and then the end plate (2) is The support rod (5) is passed through the through hole (21). next,
Using a press device, the end plate (2) and the pressing plate (4) are pressed with a predetermined pressure to compress the disc spring (7). In order to maintain this compressed state, the locking member (6) such as a nut attached to the tip of the support rod (5) is turned to lock the end plate (2). Next, the end plate (2) is brought into contact with one side of the laminate (1), and the pressing plate (4) is brought into contact with the other side of the laminate (1). Through holes in both end plates (2) (2)
A tie rod (30) is inserted through (20), and fastening members (31) such as nuts are attached from both ends of the tie rod.

[Tightening Step] A tightening step is performed after the preparation step. In this step, the end plate (2) is moved toward the laminate (1) by tightening the nut (31) from one end (the left side in FIG. 1) of the tie rod (30). At this time, the elastic member (7) remains in the predetermined compressed state, and the force for maintaining this compressed state is the force required to tighten the laminate (1) in the first stage of the tightening step. Press plate (4) presses the laminate (1). When the laminate (1) reaches a predetermined tightening force, the force for maintaining the compressed state of the elastic member (7) becomes smaller this time, and the elastic member (7) is further pressed than the predetermined compressed state. When compressed, the distance between the end plate (2) and the pressing plate (4) is reduced, and the locking member (6) starts to loosen. At this point, the tightening of the nut (31) in the tie rod (30) is completed, and thus the tightening of the laminate (1) is completed.

In this embodiment, in the preparatory step, one of the end plate (2) and the pressing plate (4) is pressed with a predetermined pressure and the elastic member (7) is compressed to engage with the supporting rod (5). The pressed state is maintained by the stop member (6). Conventional laminate
In the tightening structure (1) (see FIGS. 8 and 9), the elastic member (90) such as a disc spring repels the elastic member (90) from the unloaded state to the compressed state at a predetermined pressure. In contrast to the necessity of turning the nut (31) against the force, in this embodiment, the elastic member (7) is in a compressed state in advance, so the nut (31) is opposed to the repulsive force of the elastic member (7). The amount of turning (31) is small, and the labor is reduced. In addition, since the end plate (2) and the pressing plate (4), which maintain the pressed state during the preparation process, are indicators of a predetermined tightening force, a measuring device is not required for tightening the laminate (1). It is.

In this embodiment, the pressing device for pressing to a predetermined pressure comprises an end plate (2) and a pressing plate.
Only a pressing device for pressing (4) is required. Therefore, unlike the related art, there is no need to use various pressing devices suitable for the stacking length of the stack (1), and the cost can be reduced. In addition, by performing the preparatory step in a factory or the like in advance, it is not necessary to carry a pressing device to a site where the laminate (1) is to be tightened, and the tightening and maintenance of the laminate (1) are facilitated.

Next, a tightening mechanism further provided with a mechanism for moving the end plate (2) toward the laminate (1) will be described with reference to FIG. This mechanism includes a tightening rod (81) for pressing the end plate (2) and a tightening plate (80) for applying a pressing force to the tightening rod (81). The tightening rod (81) has an external thread. Tightening plate (80)
Has a threaded through-hole (86) into which the external thread of the tightening rod (81) is screwed, and a tie rod () at both upper and lower ends, like the end plate (2). A through hole (85) through which 30) is inserted is provided. After the tie rod (30) is inserted into the through hole (85) of the tightening plate (80), a fixing member (32) such as a nut is attached. This fixing member (3
2) prevents the fastening plate (80) from moving in the direction opposite to the direction of the laminate (1).

This embodiment is the same as the previous embodiment until the end plates (2) and (2), the tie rods (30) and the nuts (31) are attached to the laminate (1) in the tightening step. However, after this, screw the nut (32) to the tie rod (30),
The tightening plate (80) is fitted, and the nut (32) is further screwed together, so that the tightening plate (80) faces the end plate (2) and is fixed. Next, a tightening rod (81) is screwed into the threaded through hole (86) of the tightening plate (80).
When turning (81), the outward movement of the tightening plate (80) is restricted by the nut (32), and the end plate (2) is
Move toward (1). As in the previous embodiment, when the laminate (1) reaches a predetermined tightened state, the locking member (6) starts to loosen. At this point, the rotation of the tightening rod (81) is stopped.
Next, when the nut (31) is turned until the end plates (2) and (2) are no longer loosened, the tightening of the laminate (1) is completed.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, since the tightening rod (81) presses substantially the center of the end plate (2), the nut
The bias in tightening is less than that in (31). Therefore, when the nut (31) is turned to tighten the end plates (2) and (2), it is not necessary to uniformly tighten the end plates, and the tightening process is facilitated and the time required for the tightening process is reduced. Also,
After turning the nut (31) to tighten the end plates (2) and (2), the nut (32) can be turned to remove the tightening plate (80) and the tightening rod (81). The tightening structure of (1) does not increase in size. The tightening rod (81)
May be provided at a plurality of balanced positions as necessary.

[0021]

Next, as a laminate (1), an example in which the fastening structure of the present invention is applied to a cell laminate of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell will be described. Generally, a fuel cell has a structure in which cells and separators are alternately stacked, and it is necessary to tighten the cell stack at a predetermined pressure in order to suppress an increase in internal resistance of the battery due to stacking. Therefore, 16 unit cell stacks are prepared by stacking the unit cells, and a tightening operation using a conventional press device and a tightening structure shown in FIG. 5 are applied to each cell stack. Then, the internal resistance of the battery was measured. Table 1 shows the measurement results. In Table 1, the unit of the internal resistance value is mΩ · cm ²
It is.

[0022]

[Table 1]

From the above table, it can be seen that the performance of the battery is not so different between this embodiment and the conventional example. Therefore, it can be seen that even if the fastening mechanism of the present invention is used, the same fastening performance as that of the related art can be secured.

The description of the above embodiments is for the purpose of explaining the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention described in the claims or reducing the scope thereof.
Further, the configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made within the technical scope described in the claims.

For example, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the laminated body (1) is sandwiched between one end plate (2) and the pressing plate (4). As shown in FIG. 6, it is also possible to use two sets of pressing plates (4) to hold the laminate (1) between the two pressing plates (4) (4).

Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, one laminated body (1) is tightened. However, as shown in FIG. 7, two laminated bodies (1) are sandwiched by a partition plate (25). It is also possible to adopt a structure in which the individual laminates (1) and (1) are tightened. That is, the above embodiment may have a structure in which the plurality of laminates (1) are fastened.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a laminate fastening structure of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 taken along line AA and viewed in a direction of an arrow.

3A and 3B are diagrams showing a mounting structure of an end plate and a pressing plate of FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 3A is a front view and FIG. 3B is a side view.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a main part showing a support rod, a locking member, and an elastic member of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a relevant part showing a fastening structure of the present invention provided with a mechanism for moving an end plate toward a laminate.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing another embodiment in which pressing plates are provided at both ends of a laminate.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing another embodiment in which two laminates are provided.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a conventional structure for fastening a laminate.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a main part showing the fastener of FIG. 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) Laminated body (2) End plate (4) Press plate (5) Support bar (6) Locking member (7) Elastic member (30) Tie rod (31) Tightening member (32) Fixing member (80) Tightening Plate (81) Tightening rod

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yasuo Miyake 2-5-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A laminate in which plate members (10) are stacked.
Both ends of (1) are sandwiched between a pair of end plates (2), a tie rod (30) is inserted into a through hole (20) of the end plate, and an end is provided from both ends of the tie rod using a fastening member (31). In the tightening structure of the laminate (1) for clamping the plate (2), a pressing plate () provided between at least one end plate (2) and the laminate (1) and pressing the laminate (1) 4), a rod-shaped member having a base end fixed to the pressing plate (4) and a front end coming out of a through hole (21) formed in the end plate (2), A support rod (5) movably disposed in the hole (21) and supporting the pressing plate (4), and disposed between the end plate (2) and the pressing plate (4);
An elastic member (7) having a repulsive force against a compressing action, and a locking member (6) attached to the tip of the support rod (5) and holding the elastic member (7) in a predetermined compressed state. While holding the elastic member (7) in a predetermined compressed state, the tightening member (31) of the tie rod (30) is tightened to
By moving (2) to the laminate (1) side, the laminate (1) is gradually tightened via the pressing plate (4), and when the laminate (1) reaches a predetermined tightening state. The elastic member (7) is further compressed than a predetermined compressed state, and the pressing plate (4)
The structure for tightening a laminated body, wherein a distance between the end plate (2) and the end plate (2) is reduced. 2. A mechanism for moving the end plate (2) toward the laminated body (1), the mechanism comprising an external thread portion and a tightening rod (81) for pressing the end plate (2). ), A through hole (85) through which a tie rod (30) is inserted, and a tightening rod.
And a tightening plate (80) having a threaded through hole (86) that can be screwed into the outer screw portion of (81), wherein the tightening rod (81) is a screw of the tightening plate (80). The tie rod (30) is screwed into the through hole (86), and the tie rod (30) has a fixing member (32) attached to the distal end protruding from the fastening plate (80) in order to restrict the movement of the fastening plate (80). ), And the tightening action of the tightening rod (81) causes the end plate (2)
The structure for tightening a laminate according to claim 1, wherein the structure can be moved toward the laminate (1). 3. A through hole (86) with a screw portion of a tightening plate (80).
Is installed almost at the center of the tightening plate, and the tightening rod
The fastening structure for a laminate according to claim 2, wherein the (81) presses a substantially central portion of the end plate (2). 4. The tightening structure for a laminate according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a compression coil spring, a disc spring, or an air spring. 5. The laminate (1) is a cell laminate of a fuel cell, wherein the cell laminate has an anode on one surface of an electrolyte membrane,
A plate-like member (10) having a fuel plate on the anode side and an oxidant plate on the cathode side as a unit cell for a cell having a cathode formed on the other surface, and a plurality of such unit cells are stacked. The tightening structure for a laminate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein 6. A laminate in which plate members (10) are stacked.
Both ends of (1) are sandwiched between a pair of end plates (2), a tie rod (30) is inserted into a through hole (20) of the end plate, and an end is provided from both ends of the tie rod using a fastening member (31). In the method for tightening the laminate (1) for tightening the plate (2), the laminate (1) is tightened by using a tightening mechanism, wherein the tightening mechanism includes at least one end plate. A pressing plate (4) disposed between (2) and the laminate (1) and pressing the laminate (1); a base end portion is fixed to the pressing plate (4), and a distal end portion is an end plate (2). ) Is a rod-shaped member protruding from the through-hole, the support rod (5) that is movably disposed in the through-hole of the end plate, supports the pressing plate (4), and an end plate (2) And between the pressing plate (4),
An elastic member (7) having a repulsive force against a compressing action, and a locking member (6) attached to the tip of the support rod (5) and holding the elastic member (7) in a predetermined compressed state. With the pressing plate (4) and the end plate (2) held in a predetermined compressed state, the tightening member (31) of the tie rod (30) is tightened to attach the end plate (2) to the laminate (1). ) Side, the laminate (1) is tightened via the pressing plate (4), and the elastic member (7) is further compressed from a predetermined compressed state. A method for tightening a laminate, in which the step of tightening the laminate is completed when the distance between the plates (2) is reduced.