KR20200063094A - Welding apparatus of separator for fuel cell stack - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a separator welding device for a fuel cell stack, which comprises: a separator loading unit for guiding a separator to a loading area to continuously transport the separator in a serial process in a state of selectively withdrawing and separating the separator including a slip sheet, a pore and a cathode from a loading cartridge; a separator transport device for adsorbing and transporting the separator including the pore and the cathode selected from the separator loading unit; a separator alignment jig unit for aligning the pore and the cathode transported by the separator transport device to maintain a coupling state; a separator welding unit including upper and lower welding frames in which a plurality of welding tips are formed to face each other at upper and lower portions thereof to weld a plurality of to-be-welded portions of the separator coupled in the separator alignment jig unit; an appearance inspection unit for scanning a photographed image obtained by photographing the separator welded by the separator welding unit to inspect a welding state of the separator and an alignment state of the pore and the cathode from scan data; and a separator unloading unit for guiding the separator completely inspected by the appearance inspection unit to an unloading area, and selecting and separating normal and defective separators. According to the present invention, a series of welding processes can be continuously, rapidly, and easily performed.

Description

Separation plate welding device for fuel cell stack {WELDING APPARATUS OF SEPARATOR FOR FUEL CELL STACK}

The present invention relates to a separator plate welding apparatus for a fuel cell stack, and more particularly, to a separator for welding a fuel cell stack capable of realizing automation and mass production of a separator by bonding a porous body and a cathode through welding. will be.

In general, a separator plate for a fuel cell is used to separate anode gas, cathode gas and coolant, and the combination is a cathode bipolar plate (hereinafter referred to as a'cathode'). It consists of an anode bipolar plate (hereinafter referred to as an'anode') and a porous body.

Gaskets or welding techniques are applied to the parts requiring sealing in combination of the above configurations, and laser welding is mainly used here.

When applied to a thin-plate fuel cell separator, laser welding can minimize deformation due to less heat input than other welding. Here, laser welding is used for sealing the fluid, and laser welding of a reaction area has an effect of improving adhesion and reducing internal contact resistance.

However, the conventional separator for welding a fuel cell stack has a problem in that it is difficult to accurately align the alignment jig for welding because the porous body and the cathode are provided as separate parts, respectively.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 2009-0016336 (2009.02.13)

Therefore, the present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to continuously perform a series of welding processes in a state in which the separators of different materials made of a porous body and a cathode are aligned in place. It is to provide a separator plate welding device for a fuel cell stack that can be performed quickly and easily.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention, in the state of selectively taking out and separating the separator made of a separator, a porous body and a cathode from a loading cartridge, the separator is continuously transferred along a series of processes Separation plate loading section for guiding the plate to the loading area; A separator transporting device for adsorbing and transporting the separator made of the porous body and the cathode selected from the separator loading part; A separation plate alignment jig unit for aligning the porous body and the cathode conveyed by the separation plate transfer device to maintain a coupled state; A separating plate welding part including an upper welding frame and a lower welding frame in which a plurality of welding tips are formed to face each other on the upper and lower portions in order to weld a plurality of welding portions of the separating plates joined by the separation plate alignment jig portion; An appearance inspection unit for scanning a photographed image of the separation plate welded at the separation plate welding part and inspecting the welding state of the separation plate and the alignment state of the porous body and the cathode from the scan data of the separation plate; And a separating plate unloading part for guiding the separating plate, which has been inspected by the external inspection part, to an unloading area, and separating by separating a normal separating plate and a bad separating plate. Provides

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the separating plate loading part is a frame structure having a plurality of layer structures, and the loading cartridge is transported and stopped along a conveyor, and the separator plate of the interstitial body, porous body, and cathode upwards. A lifting device that independently performs a lifting operation to transfer the sheets one by one; An icebreaker transfer unit for adsorbing the icebreaker conveyed by the lifting device and recovering it with an icebreaker recovery cartridge; And an image discrimination unit configured to scan the inside of the loading cartridge as an image from the upper side of the loading cartridge to discriminate the separator and the separator through scan data.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the separator transfer unit, the adsorption unit for adsorbing the separator;

A support for supporting the adsorption unit; And a transport body that reciprocates between the loading area and the recovery cartridge while the support is supported.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the separation plate transfer device, a guide rail formed long in the transfer direction of the separation plate; A plurality of adsorption units transported along the guide rail and simultaneously adsorbing each porous body and cathode stored in a loading cartridge disposed on a base surface of the lifting device; And, it includes a vertical transfer guide is formed in the Z-axis direction to move the guide rail to move up and down.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the separation plate alignment jig portion, the porous seating groove of the concave shape for seating the porous body in the center, and is formed to be stepped with the porous seating groove, the cathode seating having a larger area than the porous seating groove A jig lower plate penetrated in the front and rear directions and formed with a cathode alignment hole for aligning front and rear surfaces of the cathode; A jig top plate rotatably formed with respect to the jig bottom plate and formed to be in close contact with the jig bottom plate; And an alignment unit having a plurality of alignment members for aligning the cathode and the porous body accommodated in the jig lower plate.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the alignment unit, the first alignment member for aligning the porous body while entering or exiting the porous body alignment groove; A second alignment member for aligning the side surfaces of the cathode on the jig bottom plate by pressing the side surfaces of the cathode while entering or exiting in a direction crossing the jig bottom plate; And a third alignment member that is vertically inserted into the cathode alignment hole of the jig bottom plate and presses the front and rear ends of the cathode to align the front and rear surfaces of the cathode on the bottom of the jig.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of incisions are formed on the front and rear surfaces and side surfaces of the jig top plate so as not to interfere with the separation plate welding portion and the alignment portion.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the upper and lower welding frame of the separation plate welding portion, a fixed frame; Upper and lower holders supporting the welding tip; A support for supporting the upper and lower holders; And an elastic member installed between the fixed frame and the upper and lower holders to provide elastic force such that the welding tip elastically adheres to the welding portion of the separation plate.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the elastic member is guide rod which is fixedly installed between the fixed frame and the upper and lower holders; And a compression spring inserted into the guide rod.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the appearance inspection unit, the separation plate seating portion is a separation plate is transferred and seated by the separation plate transfer device; A separation plate transfer unit having a guide rail installed to transfer the separation plate mounted on the separation plate mounting portion; And, the scan section is installed by the separation plate transfer portion, the upper portion and the lower jig having a transparent portion in which a transparent glass is installed in the center, the scanning section scanned by the camera while the separation plate is seated between the transparent portion of the upper and lower jig It includes a transfer jig to precisely feed.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the appearance inspection unit, a photographing apparatus for continuously photographing the image of the separation plate; And a lighting device that repeatedly turns on/off the lighting based on the trigger signal of the recording device, and compares the scanned image data scanned with the captured image of the recording device with image data that has already been set, and scan image data. It is determined whether the defect is by detecting the appearance of the separation plate including the gasket by determining the shade of.

According to the separation plate welding apparatus for a fuel cell stack according to the present invention having the above-described configuration, by performing a series of welding processes more rapidly and easily in a state in which the separation parts of different materials are aligned in place, The degree of alignment for spot welding can be improved.

In addition, during the welding process, there is an effect that can prevent welding defects by preventing the contact failure of the welding tip to the welding site.

1 is a view showing a separator plate welding apparatus for a fuel cell stack according to the present invention.
2 is a perspective view showing a separation plate loading part of the separation plate welding apparatus for a fuel cell stack according to the present invention.
3 is a side view showing a separator loading portion of the separator welding apparatus for a fuel cell stack according to the present invention.
Figure 4 is a front view showing a separation plate transfer device of the separation plate welding apparatus for a fuel cell stack according to the present invention.
5 is a plan view showing a separation plate alignment jig portion of the separation plate welding apparatus for a fuel cell stack according to the present invention.
6 is a perspective view showing a separation plate alignment jig portion and a separation plate welding portion of the separation plate welding apparatus for a fuel cell stack according to the present invention.
7 is a front view showing a separation plate welding part of the separation plate welding apparatus for a fuel cell stack according to the present invention.
8 is a side view showing a separation plate welding part of the separation plate welding apparatus for a fuel cell stack according to the present invention.
9 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a separator welding portion of the separator welding apparatus for a fuel cell stack according to the present invention.
10 is a cross-sectional view of the tip alignment state inspection unit of the spot welding gun of the separation plate welding apparatus for a fuel cell stack according to the present invention.
11 is a cross-sectional view showing an external appearance inspection part of a separator welding apparatus for a fuel cell stack according to the present invention.
12 is a view showing a control signal structure of the photographing apparatus and the lighting apparatus of the external inspection unit of the separation plate inspection apparatus for a fuel cell stack according to the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a view showing separation and combination of images captured by the imaging device of FIG. 12.
14 is a perspective view showing a separation plate unloading part of the separation plate welding apparatus for a fuel cell stack according to the present invention.
15 is a side view showing a separation plate unloading part of the separation plate welding apparatus for a fuel cell stack according to the present invention.

The present invention can be applied to various changes and can have various forms, and the embodiments are described in detail in the text. However, it is not intended to limit the present invention to a specific disclosure form, it should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, or substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention. In describing each drawing, similar reference numerals are used for similar components.

The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from other components. The terms used in the present application are only used to describe specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in Figure 1, the welding device for a fuel cell stack according to the present invention, the separation plate loading unit 100, the separation plate transfer device 200, the separation plate alignment jig unit 300, the separation plate welding unit 400 ), the appearance inspection unit 500, the separation plate unloading unit 600, and the separation plate is continuously transferred from the separation plate loading unit 100 to the separation plate unloading unit 600 according to an automated series of processes. The defects of the separator are checked by inspecting the spot welding state of the porous body and the cathode of the separator and the alignment state of the separator.

In general, the separator may be a metal separator having excellent electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity properties. As the base material of the separator, one selected from stainless steel, titanium alloy, aluminum alloy, and nickel alloy may be adopted.

Particularly, the metal separator may be formed with a coating layer of a transition metal or carbon material on the surface of the base material, thereby compensating for insufficient corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity of the base material. In particular, a discontinuous coating layer formed of nanoparticles including at least one of gold, platinum, ruthenium, and iridium is formed on the surface of the base material, and an oxide film is formed on a portion where the discontinuous coating layer is not formed in terms of corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity. desirable.

2 and 3, as shown in the separation plate loading unit 100 is separated from the cartridge (hereinafter referred to as'loading cartridge'), the separation plate to be inspected is loaded in a predetermined number. As a device for separating the separator (porous body and cathode) and the separator sheet for transferring the plate to the welding area, the two loading cartridges 11 and 12 in which the porous body and the cathode are respectively stacked are separated along the conveyor 710 It is supplied into the frame of the loading unit 100.

In the loading cartridges 11 and 12, a plurality of porous bodies and cathodes are stacked and stored, respectively. In order to prevent the other porous bodies and the cathodes from interfering with each other, the separators are alternately disposed between the porous bodies and the cathodes. do.

On the other hand, the separating plate loading unit 100 is a frame structure having a plurality of layered structures separated into an upper layer portion 101 and a lower layer portion 102, the lower layer portion 102 carries a pair of loading cartridges 11 and 12 A pair of conveyors 710 are installed to perform the lifting operation independently to transfer the porous body and the cathode of the separation plate from the loading cartridges 11 and 12 conveyed along the conveyor 710 to the upper portion of each sheet one by one. A lifting device 110 such as a ball screw is installed. It is natural that the loading cartridges 11 and 12 are formed with a bottom surface through which the porous body and the cathode of the separation plate can be directly raised by the lifting device 100.

In addition, the upper layer portion 101, while reciprocating along the upper layer portion 101, the separator sheets stacked on the separation plates in the loading cartridges 11 and 12 transferred to the loading area of the upper portion 101 through the lifting device 110. An interleaving feeder 120 is installed which can be adsorbed and recovered by the interleaving cartridges 13 and 14.

The kanji conveying unit 120 includes an adsorption unit 121 for adsorbing kanji, a support 122 supporting the adsorption unit 121, and loading cartridges 11 and 12 in a state where the support 122 is supported. ) And a transfer member 123 that reciprocates in the Y-axis direction between the kanji recovery cartridges 13 and 14.

The conveyor 710 installed on the lower layer portion 102 of the separating plate loading portion 100 linearly moves the loading cartridges 11 and 12 transferred from the outside in the Y-axis direction in the frame to the base surface of the elevating device 110 The loading cartridges 11 and 12 are arranged in the separator plate transfer device 200, and linearly reciprocating along the X-axis direction to adsorb the porous body and the cathode in the loading cartridges 11 and 12, respectively, to align the separation plates. It is transferred to the jig unit 300.

A sensing device (not shown) that detects the loading cartridges 11 and 12 when the loading cartridges 11 and 12 reach the base surface of the lifting device 110 and stops is provided outside the base surface of the lifting device 110. , An alignment device (not shown) is provided to align the loading cartridges 11 and 12 in place.

When the loading cartridge (11,12) along the conveyor (700) reaches the base surface of the elevating device (110), the control means receives the signal detected by the sensing device for detecting the loading cartridge (11,12). (Not shown) is to control the lifting device 110, the lifting device 110 is the upper layer portion 101 of the porous body and the cathode of the separation plate stacked in the loading cartridge (11,12) through a motor drive one by one Will be moved up and down.

In the present invention, the lifting device 110 is described as independently moving the porous body and the cathode in the loading cartridges 11 and 12 through motor driving, but is not limited thereto, and other than the ball screw mentioned herein. Various driving means such as an actuator can be adopted.

When the porous body and the cathode of the separating plates stacked in the loading cartridges 11 and 12 are moved upwardly from the lower part 102 to the upper part 101 through the elevating device 110, the elevating device 110 is moved. When the image discrimination unit 130 made of the photographing device located in the scanning cartridge 11, 12 scans the image as an image and transmits the scan data to the control means, the control means determines the separation plate (porous body, cathode) and kanji. .

When the discriminant determined by the image discrimination unit 130 of FIGS. 2 and 3 is detected as a separator, not a separator, the control means controls the adsorption unit 121 of the separator separator 120 to absorb and separate the separator. do. Conversely, when the discriminated object is detected as a porous body and a cathode of a separator plate, rather than a separator sheet, the control means transmits a control signal to the separator plate transfer device 200.

The separation plate transfer apparatus 200 receiving the control signal from the control means transfers each porous body and cathode stacked in the loading cartridges 11 and 12 to the separation plate alignment jig unit 300.

As shown in FIG. 4, the separation plate transfer device 200 is each porous body stored in the loading cartridges 11 and 12 disposed on the base surface of the lifting device 110 of the separation plate loading unit 100. And the cathode are simultaneously adsorbed to move in the Z-axis and X-axis directions. At this time, the separation plate transfer device 200 is provided with a plurality of adsorption parts 210 for adsorbing the porous body and the cathode.

The separation plate conveying device 200 alternately reciprocates between the loading cartridges 11 and 12 of the separation plate loading unit 100 and the separation plate alignment jig unit 300, thereby loading the loading cartridge by the adsorption unit 210. Each of the porous bodies and cathodes located at (11, 12) is transferred to one separation plate alignment jig portion 300.

Here, the loading cartridges 11 and 12 are cartridges in which a porous body and a cathode are selectively taken out by the separation plate conveying device 200 while entering the separation plate loading unit 100, and the loading cartridges 11 and 12 ), the porous body and the cathode respectively stacked are introduced into the separation plate alignment jig unit 300 to maintain the bonding state by aligning the porous body and the cathode before being supplied by the welding process.

On the other hand, the sexage recovery cartridges 13 and 14 are cartridges for collecting and storing the sexagenary paper stacked on the loading cartridges 11 and 12 through the sexagenary transfer unit 120.

The guide rail 220 of the separation plate transfer device 200 is provided with a lift transfer unit 230 to move up and down in the Z-axis direction. For example, the adsorption unit 210 can be moved to the separation plate loading unit 100 along the guide rail 220 to adsorb the porous body and cathode of the separation plate located at a position lower than the height of the guide rail 220, respectively. So that the lift transfer unit 230 moves the guide rail 220 up and down in the Z-axis direction. That is, the guide rail 220 is the adsorption unit 210 is capable of simultaneously linear movement in the X-axis direction, and at the same time, it is possible to elevate in the Z-axis direction along the vertical guide 231 of the elevating transfer unit 230. Here, the guide rail 220 may be an LM guide.

As shown in FIG. 5, the separation plate alignment jig part 300 is installed between the separation plate loading part 100 and the separation plate welding part 400, and the porous body conveyed by the separation plate transfer device 200. And cathodes are stacked in sequence. In the state in which the porous body and the cathode are moved up and down in the Z-axis direction by the elevating and conveying part 230 while the X-axis direction of the guide rail 220 is stopped, the separation plate alignment jig parts 300 are respectively porous bodies. And each porous body and cathode are sequentially stacked while reciprocating between the adsorption part 210 of the separation plate transfer device 200 adsorbing the cathode.

The separation plate alignment jig part 300 includes a jig bottom plate 310, a jig top plate 320, and an alignment portion 330.

As shown in Figure 5, the jig lower plate 310 is provided with a porous body mounting groove 311 for seating the porous body. The porous seating groove 311 is provided in the shape of a concave groove for seating the porous body in the center of the jig lower plate 310.

The porous seating groove 311 may have a substantially the same area as the porous body, and the thickness may be the same as the porous body or may be designed to a height lower than the thickness of the porous body. Accordingly, the porous body can be stably stacked in the porous body seating groove. In particular, it is preferable that the porous body has an area corresponding to the channel region of the separator.

A metal material may be used for the separation plate alignment jig part 300, and it is preferable to use a SUS material among metal materials.

In addition, the jig lower plate 310 is formed with a cathode seating portion 312 formed to be stepped with the porous seating groove 311. The cathode seating portion 312 is preferably formed with a larger area than the porous seating groove 311.

A plurality of porous body alignment grooves 313 are formed on the outer side of the jig lower plate 310 to align the porous body as the first alignment member 331 to be described later enters or exits.

In addition, a cathode alignment hole 314 is formed in the front-rear direction of the jig lower plate 310 so that a third alignment member 333, which will be described later, is inserted through and aligns the cathode in the front-rear direction.

The alignment unit 330 includes a first alignment member 331 for aligning the porous body, a second alignment member 332 for aligning the cathode, and a third alignment member (not shown).

The first alignment member 331 presses the side surface of the porous body while entering or advancing the porous body alignment groove 313 formed in a direction inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the jig lower plate 310 to press the porous body into the porous body seating groove 311. It is inserted in an aligned state. An end portion of the first alignment member 331 is formed parallel to the side surface of the jig lower plate 310.

In addition, the second alignment member 332 presses the side surface of the cathode while entering or exiting in a direction crossing the jig bottom plate 310 so that the side surfaces of the cathode can be aligned on the jig bottom plate 310.

The third alignment member is installed in the front-rear direction of the separation plate transfer device 200 and is vertically inserted into the cathode alignment hole 314 of the jig bottom plate 310 to press the front end portion and the rear end portion of the cathode to press the jig bottom plate 310. The front and rear surfaces of the cathode stacked on the top are aligned.

The jig top plate 320 is rotatably formed through the hinge 321 with respect to the jig bottom plate 310 to be in close contact with the jig bottom plate 310 to ensure good contact.

The jig top plate 320 is formed with a plurality of incisions 322 to 324 on the front and back and side surfaces so as not to be interfered by the alignment portion 330 or the separation plate welding portion 400. The incisions 322 to 324 correspond to portions corresponding to the porous alignment grooves 313 and the cathode alignment holes 314, and spot welding portions of the separation plate welds 400.

The separation plate alignment jig part 300 maintains a separated state when the jig lower plate 310 and the jig upper plate 320 are aligned with each other when the porous body and the cathode are aligned, and after the alignment of the porous body and the cathode is completed, the jig is completed. When the upper plate 320 rotates by the hinge 321 in the direction of the jig lower plate 310, mutual contact is possible.

After adhesion between the jig bottom plate 310 and the jig top plate 320 is made, spot welding is performed on the porous body and the cathode compressed at a constant pressure by close contact between the jig bottom plate 310 and the jig top plate 320. .

Specifically, after inserting and aligning the porous body in the porous body seating groove 311 of the jig lower plate 310, a spot welding is performed after laminating the cathode on the porous body. In the embodiment of the present invention, as a process of spot welding after aligning a porous body and a cathode, the process of spot welding after laminating an anode on the cathode is not performed in this process, but can be performed in a later process.

In the above-described invention, the separation plate alignment jig part 300 inserts a porous body into the porous body seating groove 311 and stacks the cathodes, and then uses a plurality of alignment portions 330 to separate the porous body and the cathode from the jig bottom plate 310 ), it is possible to satisfy the alignment degree for spot welding by closely contacting the jig top plate 320 with the jig bottom plate 310.

As described above, spot welding is performed on the separation plate alignment jig portion 300 in which the porous body and the cathode are aligned between the jig lower plate 310 and the jig upper plate 320.

6 is a perspective view showing a separation plate alignment jig portion and a separation plate welding portion 400 of the separation plate welding apparatus for a fuel cell stack according to the present invention, wherein the separation plate alignment jig portion 300 is a separation plate welding portion 400 Is transferred. The separation plate transfer unit 350 for transferring the separation plate alignment jig portion 300 to the separation plate welding portion 400 transfers the separation plate alignment jig portion 300 along the guide rail 351 in the Y-axis direction. The guide rail 351 may be an LM guide capable of precisely moving the separation plate alignment jig portion 300.

When the welding parts of the separating plate coincide with the welding tips 411 and 421 of the separating plate welding part 400, the transfer of the separating plate conveying part 350 is stopped, so that the welding tips 411 and 421 and the welding parts are aligned.

The separation plate welding part 400 includes an upper welding frame 410 and a lower welding frame 420 formed to face each other on the upper and lower sides.

The upper and lower welding frames 410 and 420 are provided with a plurality of welding tips 411 and 421, and the upper and lower welding tips 411 and 421 are aligned with the center axes, so that they are in an exact alignment state, and move in a direction in which they can contact each other. Is done.

9 and 10, the upper and lower welding frames 410 and 420 have fixed frames 412 and 422, and upper and lower holders 413 and 423 supporting the welding tips 411 and 421, and the upper and lower holders. (413,423) is installed between the support (414,424), the fixed frame (412,422) and the upper and lower holders (413,423) to provide elastic force so that the welding tip (411,421) elastically adheres to the welding portion of the separation plate It includes an elastic member (415,425).

The upper and lower welding frames 410 and 420 are reciprocated in opposite directions to each other, and control means (not shown) to perform spot welding by a sensor signal detecting them when they come close to each other and come into close contact with the welding portion of the separation plate. This control.

Among the upper and lower welding frames 410 and 420 by the control signal of the control means, the upper welding frame 410 descends, and the lower welding frame 420 rises to be in close contact with the welding portion of the separation plate, Spot welding is performed. At this time, the welding process is simplified because a plurality of welding tips 411 and 421 installed at the upper and lower welding frames 410 and 420 are welded at a time.

In order to weld all of the welding sites at once using the plurality of welding tips 411 and 421, the entire welding tips 411 and 421 must be in close contact with the welding site at the same time, but even one of the welding tips 411 and 421 generates a gap with the welding site. If it does, welding cannot be performed.

In order to prevent the gap between the welding part and the welding tip 411,421, a guide rod 425a penetrates and is fixedly installed between the fixing frame 412,422 and the upper and lower holders 413,423, and the guide rod ( A compression spring 425b is inserted into 425a).

Therefore, when the upper and lower welding frames 410 and 420 move in opposite directions, and the welding tips 411 and 421 come into contact with the welding portion of the separation plate, the upper and lower holders 413 and 423 together with the support 414 and 424 A, the moving direction of the welding tips 411 and 421 is elastically moved in the opposite direction by the elastic compressive force of the elastic members 415 and 425, and the control means determines that the welding tips 411 and 421 contact the welding portion of the separation plate. It is controlled to perform spot welding.

As a result, when the welding tips 411 and 421 of the upper and lower welding frames 410 and 420 continuously move in opposite directions to contact the welding portion of the separation plate, the fixed frames 412 and 422 and the upper and lower holders 413 and 423 Since all the welding tips 411 and 421 are elastically contacted to the welding portion of the separation plate by the elastic members 415 and 425 provided between the welding portions, all welding portions can be welded at once.

As described above, by using the welding tips 411 and 421 provided in the upper and lower welding frames 410 and 420 of the separating plate welding part 400, a plurality of welding portions of the separating plate transferred by the separating plate conveying part 350 are all at once. Welding is possible.

11 is a cross-sectional view showing the appearance inspection unit of the separator welding apparatus for a fuel cell stack according to the present invention, the welding is completed separation plate is returned to the alignment jig unit 300 by the transfer unit, the separation plate transfer device 200 ) To the visual inspection unit 500.

The external inspection unit 500 is provided with photographing devices 511 and 512 and a lighting device 520 on the upper part, photographing an image of the separation plate s, scanning the photographed image, and transmitting the scanned image data to control means Then, the control means checks the appearance of the separation plate s from the scanned image data.

The exterior inspection unit 500 compares the scanned image data and the already set image data by the captured image, which is previously transmitted to a data storage unit (not shown), and determines the shading of the scanned image data, thereby separating the plate including the gasket. The appearance state of (s) is detected to determine whether it is defective.

12 is a view showing the control signal structure of the photographing apparatus and the lighting apparatus of the external inspection unit of the separation plate inspection apparatus for a fuel cell stack according to the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a separation and combination of images taken by the imaging apparatus of FIG. It is a diagram showing the state.

FIG. 12 shows the image acquisition section and the operation section of the lighting device for the photographing devices 511 and 512 of the visual inspection unit 500, and the photographing devices 511 and 512 continuously photograph for the time of inspecting the appearance of the separating plate s. And outputs the trigger signal of the photographing devices 511 and 512 to the lighting device 520, while the lighting device 520 repeatedly performs an on/off operation while scanning image data by the captured image of the imaging devices 511 and 512 Will be separated by region. The on/off signal of the lighting device 520 is alternately repeated, and a trigger delay is generated for a predetermined time during which a trigger operation is performed.

FIG. 13 separates the scanned image data photographed by the photographing apparatuses 511 and 512 for each region, and determines whether the defect is defective in the state of combining the gasket to be inspected and the scanned image data of the separating plate into one.

At this time, the photographing apparatus 511 for vertically photographing the image on the separation plate s can be specifically determined whether it is defective or not by comparing it with predetermined image data through the shadow of the image exposed on the plane. In the image capturing apparatus 512 for capturing an image, it is possible to specifically determine whether a defect is caused by comparing it with predetermined image data through shading of an image exposed in a vertical plane state.

The exterior inspection unit 500 is seated on the first separation plate seating portion 530 and the first separation plate seating portion 530 to which the separation plate s is transferred and seated by the separation plate transfer device 200. The separation plate includes a transfer jig 540 that is transferred along the guide rail of the transfer control unit (not shown).

The transfer jig 540 consists of an upper jig 541 and a lower jig 542 having a transparent part (not shown) in which a transparent glass is installed in the center, and is separated between the transparent parts of the upper and lower jigs 541,542. The scan section scanned by the photographing devices 511 and 512 is precisely transferred while the plate is seated.

The upper jig 541 of the transfer jig 540 fixes the separation plate by applying press pressure to the corresponding lower jig 542 while moving up and down in the Z axis direction by motor driving on the lower jig 542. .

When the transfer jig 540 in the state in which the separation plate is seated is transferred along the scan section, when the photographing by the photographing apparatus 510 is completed, the transfer jig 540 first positions the separation plate in the separation plate. (530).

The separation plate transferred to the first separation plate seating portion 530 is transferred to the separation plate unloading portion 600 by the separation plate transfer device 200.

14 is a perspective view showing a separation plate unloading part 600 of the separator welding apparatus for a fuel cell stack according to the present invention, and FIG. 15 is a separation board unloading part of a separator welding device for a fuel cell stack according to the present invention. As a side view, the separation plate is seated on the second separation plate seating portion 610 of the separation plate unloading part 600 by the separation plate transfer device 200.

The separating plate unloading part 600 selects and discharges a normal separating plate and a bad separating plate among the separating plates in which the inspection process for the welding state and alignment state of the separating plate is completed. ), and the defective separator is collected and processed with a separate take-out cartridge 16.

The side of the second separating plate seating portion 610 is provided with a take-out cartridge 16 that separately treats a defective separating plate having a problem in the appearance inspecting portion 500.

The separation plate on the upper surface of the separation plate unloading portion 600 to transfer the normal separation plate or the defective separation plate seated on the second separation plate mounting portion 610 to the unloading cartridge 15 and the extraction cartridge 16. It is provided with a transfer device 620 that can be transported in the X and Y axis directions.

The transfer device 520 includes an adsorption part 621 for adsorbing the separator or separator, a support 622 supporting the adsorption part 621, and an unloading cartridge in a state where the support 622 is supported (15), a guide conveying unit 623 to reciprocate in the X-axis direction between the take-out cartridge 16 and the separator feed cartridge 17.

The transfer device 620 is installed to allow reciprocating transfer along a guide rail (not shown) in the Y-axis direction as a whole.

Therefore, the transfer device 620 stacks the separator on the unloading cartridge 15 in a state where the normal separator is adsorbed using the adsorption unit 621.

The side of the unloading cartridge 15 is provided with a slip sheet supply cartridge 17 for supplying slip sheets between the separation plates stacked on the unloading cartridge 15. Therefore, the transfer device 620 is a state in which the normal separation plate is stacked on the unloading cartridge 15 by the second separation plate seating portion 610, and the separator is adsorbed from the interleaving feeding cartridge 17 from one side. Separation sheets are alternately stacked between the separation plates stacked on the loading cartridge 15.

The transfer device 620 adsorbs the separation plate transferred to the seating area of the second separation plate seating portion 610 and stacks it with the unloading cartridge 15, or slips from the slip sheet supply cartridge 17. The adsorption can be stacked on the unloading cartridge 15 or the separation plate transferred to the seating area of the second separation plate seating portion 610 can be adsorbed and stacked on the extraction cartridge 16.

Therefore, the present invention can continuously perform a series of welding processes in a state in which a metal separator plate made of a heterogeneous material, that is, a porous body and a cathode, is aligned at a predetermined position of the separator plate alignment jig part 300, It is possible to prevent welding defects by preventing contact failures of the welding tips 411 and 421 to the welding area.

In the above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited to the description of the above-described embodiments, and has ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains unless departing from the scope of the claims of the present invention. It should also be interpreted that various modifications performed by a person are within the protection scope of the present invention.

100: separation plate loading unit 200: separation plate transfer device
300: Alignment jig portion of the separation plate 400: Weld portion of the separation plate
500: visual inspection unit 600: separation plate unloading unit

Claims (11)

Separator loading section for guiding the separator to the loading area so that the separator is continuously transported along a series of processes in a state in which the separator made of a separator and a porous body and a cathode is selectively taken out and separated from the loading cartridge. ;
A separator transporting device for adsorbing and transporting the separator comprising the porous body and the cathode selected from the separator loading part;
A separation plate alignment jig unit for aligning the porous body and the cathode conveyed by the separation plate transfer device to maintain a coupled state;
A separating plate welding part including an upper welding frame and a lower welding frame in which a plurality of welding tips are formed to face each other on the upper and lower portions to weld a plurality of welding parts of the separating plate coupled at the separation plate alignment jig portion;
An appearance inspection unit for scanning a photographed image of the separator plate welded by the photographing device and inspecting the welding state of the separator and the alignment state of the porous body and the cathode from the scan data of the separator; And,
A separator welding apparatus for a fuel cell stack, comprising a separator unloading unit for guiding the separation plate, which has been inspected by the external inspection unit, to an unloading region, and selecting and separating a normal separator and a defective separator.
According to claim 1,
The separation plate loading unit,
As a frame structure having a plurality of layer structures, in the state in which the loading cartridge is transported and stopped along a conveyor, the lifting operation is independently performed to transport the separator and the separator of the porous body and the cathode one by one upward. A lifting device to perform;
An icebreaker transfer unit for adsorbing the icebreaker conveyed by the lifting device and recovering it with an icebreaker recovery cartridge; And,
And an image discrimination unit configured to scan the inside of the loading cartridge as an image from the upper side of the loading cartridge to discriminate the separator and the separator through scan data.
According to claim 2,
The kanji transfer unit,
An adsorption unit for adsorbing the interleave;
A support for supporting the adsorption unit; And,
And a transfer member for reciprocating transfer between the loading cartridge and the interleave recovery cartridge while the support is supported.
According to claim 1,
The separation plate transfer device,
A guide rail formed long in the transport direction of the separator;
A plurality of adsorption units transported along the guide rail and simultaneously adsorbing the respective porous bodies and the cathodes stored in the loading cartridge disposed on the base surface of the lifting device; And,
Separation plate welding apparatus for a fuel cell stack, characterized in that it comprises a vertical guide formed in the Z-axis direction to move the guide rail to move up and down.
According to claim 1,
The separation plate alignment jig portion,
A porous seating groove having a concave shape for seating a porous body in the center, a cathode seating portion formed to be stepped with the porous seating groove, and having a larger area than the porous seating groove, penetrating in the front-rear direction to align the front and rear surfaces of the cathode A jig bottom plate having a cathode alignment hole for making it;
A jig top plate rotatably formed with respect to the jig bottom plate to be in close contact with the jig bottom plate; And,
And an alignment unit having a plurality of alignment members for aligning the porous body and the cathode accommodated in the jig lower panel.
The method of claim 5,
The alignment unit, the first alignment member for aligning the porous body while entering or exiting the porous body alignment groove;
A second alignment member for aligning side surfaces of the cathode on the bottom surface of the jig by pressing the side surfaces of the cathode while entering or exiting in a direction crossing the bottom surface of the jig; And,
And a third alignment member for vertically inserting the cathode alignment hole of the jig plate into the front and rear ends of the cathode to align the front and rear surfaces of the cathode by pressing the front and rear ends of the cathode. Separator welding device.
The method of claim 5,
Separation plate welding apparatus for a fuel cell stack, characterized in that a plurality of cutouts are formed on the front and back and side surfaces of the jig top plate so as not to interfere with the separation plate welding portion and the alignment portion.
According to claim 1,
In the upper and lower welding frame of the separation plate welding portion,
Fixed frame;
Upper and lower holders supporting the welding tip;
A support for supporting the upper and lower holders; And,
Separation plate welding device for a fuel cell stack, characterized in that it comprises an elastic member installed between the fixed frame and the upper and lower holders to provide an elastic force so that the welding tip elastically adheres to the welding portion of the separation plate. .
The method of claim 8,
The elastic member is a guide rod that is fixedly installed between the fixed frame and the upper and lower holders; And,
Separation plate welding apparatus for a fuel cell stack, characterized in that consisting of a compression spring inserted into the guide rod.
According to claim 1,
The appearance inspection unit,
A separation plate seating portion through which the separation plate is transferred and seated by the separation plate transfer device;
A transfer control unit provided with a guide rail for transferring the separation plate seated on the separation plate seating portion; And,
It is installed on the separation plate transfer part, and is composed of an upper jig and a lower jig having a transparent part in which a transparent glass is installed in the center, to precisely transport the scan section scanned by the photographing device while the separation plate is seated between the transparent parts. Separation plate welding apparatus for a fuel cell stack comprising a transfer jig.
According to claim 1,
The appearance inspection unit,
A photographing apparatus for continuously photographing an image of the separation plate; And,
Includes; a lighting device for repeatedly turning on / off the lighting based on the trigger signal of the photographing device,
The scanned image data scanned by the photographing apparatus is compared with the already set image data, but by determining the shading of the scanned image data, the appearance of the separator including the gasket is detected to determine whether it is defective. Separator inspection device for fuel cell stack.

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