KR20240078214A - Separator plate inspection apparatus and operating method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a separator inspection device and a method of operating the same.
To this end, a separator plate inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a support portion on which at least one separator plate is mounted; a transfer unit that transfers the separation plate to the support unit; and a photographing unit that acquires an image for inspecting the separation plate supported on the support unit, wherein the support unit supports the separation plate by attaching it to a position corresponding to a gasket formed on a lower portion of the separation plate on the upper surface of the support unit. Adhesive part; And it may include a separation part that separates the separator plate from the adhesive part by applying force to the gasket of the separator plate supported by the adhesive part.

Description

SEPARATOR PLATE INSPECTION APPARATUS AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a separator inspection device and a method of operating the same.

Generally, a fuel cell converts the chemical energy contained in fuel into electrical energy. Since this electrical energy is generated through an electrochemical reaction rather than combustion, there are advantages in that less substances polluting the environment are generated, thermal efficiency is high, and noise is not generated. Additionally, this fuel cell includes end plates at both ends and a plurality of separator plates stacked between them.

This separator serves to supply reaction gas to the unit cells within the fuel cell stack, supplies coolant to cool the stack, and serves as a passage for moving electric current. Therefore, technology to check whether the separator plate is sealed is important.

The first prior art (Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1525798, May 26, 2015) relates to a gasket burr removal system and method for a fuel cell integrated with a metal separator, which generates burrs in gaskets for hydrogen fuel cells after rubber molding on a thin metal plate. Discloses information on removing burrs.

In addition, the second prior art (Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2022-0094969, 2022.07.06) discloses inspection of defects in the separation plate before and after forming the fuel electric gasket.

However, the conventional separator inspection device only removes burrs generated after molding to check whether the separator is defective, or inspects the separator based on before and after gasket molding, and removes the inspected separator from the jig. It was not possible to safely separate it without deformation or distortion.

Therefore, there is a need for a separator plate inspection device that safely separates the separator plate from the jig.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1525798 Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2022-0094969

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a separator inspection device and a method of operating the same.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the objects mentioned above, and other objects and advantages of the present invention that are not mentioned can be understood through the following description and will be more clearly understood by examples of the present invention. Additionally, it will be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof indicated in the patent claims.

To achieve this purpose, a separator plate inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a support portion on which at least one separator plate is mounted; a transfer unit that transfers the separation plate to the support unit; and a photographing unit that acquires an image for inspecting the separation plate supported on the support unit, wherein the support unit supports the separation plate by attaching it to a position corresponding to a gasket formed on a lower portion of the separation plate on the upper surface of the support unit. Adhesive part; And it may include a separation part that separates the separator plate from the adhesive part by applying force to the gasket of the separator plate supported by the adhesive part.

In addition, a method of operating a separator inspection device including a support portion on which at least one separator plate is seated and a transfer portion that transfers the separator plate to the support portion according to an embodiment of the present invention involves inspecting the separator plate supported on the support portion. The process of acquiring images for: A process of supporting the separator plate by attaching it to an upper surface of the support portion at a position corresponding to a gasket formed on a lower portion of the separator plate; And it may include the process of separating the separator plate from the adhesive portion by applying force to the gasket of the separator plate supported on the adhesive portion.

The present invention can prevent the separator plate from bending downward by arranging a suction part that adsorbs the separator plate to the transfer part disposed on the upper part of the support part.

In addition, the present invention can maintain the parallelism of the separator plate by moving the suction portion downward through the hole formed in the transfer portion and adsorbing the separator plate.

In addition, the present invention allows the separator plate to be easily separated from the support portion by injecting air into the space between the support portion and the separator plate through a pump disposed below the support portion.

In addition, the present invention can maintain the parallelism of the separator plates by disposing an adhesive film on the upper surface of the support portion to increase the adsorption force with the separator plate.

In addition, the present invention allows the separator plate to be easily separated from the support portion while maintaining the parallelism of the separator plate by moving the shaft that separates the adhesive film attached to the upper surface of the support portion and the gasket attached to the lower portion of the separator plate in the upward direction. You can.

In addition to the above-described effects, specific effects of the present invention are described below while explaining specific details for carrying out the invention.

1 is a front view of a separation plate inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a separation plate inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a block diagram of a separation plate inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a flowchart showing a method of operating a separator inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is an exemplary diagram showing a state in which the separator plate according to an embodiment of the present invention is adsorbed through suction.
Figure 6 (a) is an exemplary diagram showing a state in which the gasket of the separator plate according to an embodiment of the present invention is adsorbed to the adhesive portion disposed on the upper surface of the support portion.
Figure 6 (b) is an exemplary diagram showing a state in which the first driving unit separates the separator plate from the adhesive unit through the shaft according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The above-described objects, features, and advantages will be described in detail later with reference to the attached drawings, so that those skilled in the art will be able to easily implement the technical idea of the present invention. In describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of known techniques related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings, identical reference numerals are used to indicate identical or similar components.

Although first, second, etc. are used to describe various components, these components are of course not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another component, and unless specifically stated to the contrary, the first component may also be a second component.

Hereinafter, the “top (or bottom)” of a component or the arrangement of any component on the “top (or bottom)” of a component means that any component is placed in contact with the top (or bottom) of the component. Additionally, it may mean that other components may be interposed between the component and any component disposed on (or under) the component.

Additionally, when a component is described as being “connected,” “coupled,” or “connected” to another component, the components may be directly connected or connected to each other, but the other component is “interposed” between each component. It should be understood that “or, each component may be “connected,” “combined,” or “connected” through other components.

Throughout the specification, unless otherwise stated, each element may be singular or plural.

As used herein, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the present application, terms such as “consists of” or “comprises” should not be construed as necessarily including all of the various components or steps described in the specification, and some of the components or steps may include It may not be included, or it should be interpreted as including additional components or steps.

Throughout the specification, when referring to "A and/or B", this means A, B or A and B, unless specifically stated to the contrary, and when referring to "C to D", this means unless specifically stated to the contrary. Unless absent, it means C or higher and D or lower.

Below, a separator inspection device and method according to some embodiments of the present invention will be described.

1 is a front view of a separation plate inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a separation plate inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the separator plate inspection device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a support part 110 on which at least one separator plate 140 is seated, and a support part 110 located on top of the support part 110. It may include a transfer unit 120. Additionally, the separator plate inspection device 100 may further include a photographing unit that acquires an image for inspecting the separator plate 140.

According to one embodiment, at least one separator plate 140 may be seated on the upper surface of the support part 110.

According to one embodiment, a pump 150 that injects air through a hole (eg, first hole) formed in the support part 110 may be disposed at the lower part of the support part 110. For example, the hole (eg, first hole) may be one.

According to one embodiment, at least one driving unit 131 and 132 may be disposed below the support unit 110. In addition, the support part 110 is formed with holes (eg, second holes) 201 and 202 corresponding to the number of driving parts disposed below. For example, four driving units may be disposed below the support unit 110. In this case, holes are formed in the support unit 110 at positions corresponding to each driving unit, and the number of holes is four.

For example, the support part 110 has a hole 201 formed in a position corresponding to the first driving part 131 disposed below, and a hole 202 formed in a position corresponding to the second driving part 132. It is formed.

According to one embodiment, an adhesive film is disposed around each of the second holes 201 and 202 to increase adhesion to the gasket attached to the lower surface of the separator plate 140. Then, the shaft that is dynamically connected to the driving units 131 and 132 and moves up and down passes through the corresponding second holes 201 and 202 and comes into contact with the gasket attached to the lower surface of the separator plate 140.

According to one embodiment, the transfer unit 120 may move in a downward direction to press the separation plate 140 mounted on the support unit 110. In addition, holes corresponding to the number of suctions are formed in the transfer unit 120 to allow at least one suction to pass through. The suction can move up and down independently of the movement of the transfer unit 120. For example, when there are two holes formed in the transfer unit 120, there are also two suctions.

According to one embodiment, the hole and each suction formed in the transfer unit 120 may be formed to maintain an airtight state even when the suction moves along the hole.

Figure 3 is a block diagram of a separation plate inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 3, the separation plate inspection device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an imaging unit 310, a suction unit 320, a memory 330, a pump 150, a separation unit 340, and a processor 350. Additionally, the separator plate inspection device 100 of FIG. 3 may include a support unit 110 and a transfer unit 120.

The configuration of the separation plate inspection device 100 shown in FIG. 3 is according to one embodiment, and the components of the separation plate inspection device 100 are not limited to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, and some may be added as necessary. Components may be added, changed, or deleted.

According to one embodiment, the photographing unit 310 is disposed at an appropriate position to acquire an image of the separation plate 140, and the position where the photographing unit 310 of the present invention is disposed is not limited. For example, the imaging unit 310 may be arranged to face the separation plate 140. The photographing unit 310 may include at least one image sensor.

For example, the photographing unit 310 may include various image sensors, such as a Red Green Blue (RGB) camera, a vision camera, and an optical character reader (OCR). Additionally, the photographing unit 310 may transmit the acquired image to the processor 350.

According to one embodiment, the suction unit 320 may include a first suction 121 and a second suction 122. Each suction is mounted in a hole formed in the transfer unit 120 and moves downward to adsorb the separation plate 140 and then moves upward again.

According to one embodiment, the memory 330 is configured to include at least one component of the separation plate inspection device 100 (e.g., the imaging unit 310, the suction unit 320, the memory 330, the pump 150, and the separation unit 100). Various data (e.g., programs, software, acquired information, measured information, control signals, etc.) acquired or used by the unit 340 and the processor 350, and instructions related thereto may be stored. Additionally, the memory 330 stores at least one image taken of the separation plate 140.

According to one embodiment, the memory 330 may include volatile memory or non-volatile memory. Accordingly, the processor 350 can perform control operations described later with reference to information stored in the memory 330. The memory 330 may store various platforms. The memory 330 may be, for example, a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, or a card type memory (e.g., SD or XD). It may include at least one type of storage medium among (memory, etc.), RAM, and ROM (EEPROM, etc.).

According to one embodiment, the pump 150 is disposed below the support part 110, and connects the support part 110 and the separation plate 140 through a hole (eg, first hole) formed in the support part 110. ) Air can be injected into the space between the liver. For example, when the inspection of the separation plate 140 is completed, the pump 150 may operate to inject air into the space between the support part 110 and the separation plate 140.

According to one embodiment, the separation unit 340 may include a plurality of driving units. For example, the separation unit 340 may include a first driving unit 131, a second driving unit 132, a third driving unit 341, and a fourth driving unit 342. Additionally, the separation unit 340 may include a shaft dynamically connected to each of the first driving unit 131, the second driving unit 132, the third driving unit 341, and the fourth driving unit 342. For example, the separation unit 340 may include a first driving unit 131 and a first shaft operated by the first driving unit 131, and a second driving unit 132 and a first shaft operated by the first driving unit 131. It may include a second shaft operated by, and may include a third drive unit 341 and a third shaft operated by the third drive unit 341, and a fourth drive unit 342 and the fourth drive unit 342. ) may include a fourth shaft operating by.

Each of these driving units may be disposed below the support unit 110 corresponding to the gasket attached to the lower surface of the separator plate 140. 1 and 2 show two driving parts 131 and 132 at the lower part of the support part 110, but the remaining driving parts 341 and 342 are located at positions corresponding to the gasket attached to the lower surface of the separator plate 140. This is further arranged.

Additionally, the separation unit 340 may further include a driving unit capable of moving the transfer unit 120 up and down.

For example, each of the driving units 131, 132, 341, and 342 may simultaneously move a shaft connected to the processor 350 to be physically operable in an upward direction.

According to one embodiment, each of the driving units 131, 132, 341, and 342 includes an adhesive film attached to the upper surface of the support part 110 and a lower part of the separating plate 140 to increase the adsorption force with the separating plate 140. The movement of the shaft that separates the gasket attached can be controlled.

For example, each of the driving units 131, 132, 341, and 342 has a shaft that penetrates a hole (e.g., a second hole) in the area where the adhesive film is attached in the support unit 110 to separate the adhesive film and the gasket. It can be raised.

According to one embodiment, the processor 350 runs software and includes at least one component (e.g., imaging unit 310, suction unit 320, memory 330, pump 150) connected to the processor 350. ), and the separation unit 340) can be controlled based on wired communication or wireless communication. Additionally, the processor 350 can perform various data processing and calculations based on the wired communication or the wireless communication.

According to one embodiment, the processor 350 stores commands or data received from the imaging unit 310, the suction unit 320, the memory 330, the pump 150, and the separation unit 340, etc. It can be loaded and processed in 330, and the processed data can be stored in memory 330. Alternatively, the processor 350 may display the processed data through a display unit (not shown).

According to one embodiment, the processor 350 includes application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), It may be implemented with at least one physical element selected from processors, micro-controllers, and microprocessors.

According to one embodiment, when the inspection of the separation plate 140 is completed, the processor 350 injects air into the space between the support part 110 and the separation plate 140 through the pump 150, and It can be identified whether the separation plate 140 is separated from the support part 110 based on the injection of air.

According to one embodiment, when the processor 350 determines that the separation plate 140 is not separated from the support unit 110, at least one driving unit 131, 132, and 133 disposed below the support unit 110. , 134), the shaft can be raised to separate the separator plate 140 from the support portion 110.

According to one embodiment, when the processor 350 determines that the separator plate 140 is not separated from the support portion 110, the processor 350 operates four driving units 131, 132, and 133 disposed below the support portion 110. 134) can be simultaneously controlled to simultaneously raise the shafts dynamically connected to each drive unit.

Figure 4 is a flowchart showing a method of operating a separator inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is an exemplary diagram showing a state in which the separator plate according to an embodiment of the present invention is adsorbed through suction. Figure 6 (a) is an exemplary diagram showing a state in which the gasket of the separator plate according to an embodiment of the present invention is adsorbed to the adsorption film disposed on the upper surface of the support portion. Figure 6 (b) is an exemplary diagram showing a state in which the first driving unit separates the separator plate from the adsorption film through the shaft according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to Figures 4 to 6 (b), the operating method of the separator inspection device according to an embodiment will be described in detail as follows.

According to one embodiment, the processor 350 may inject air through a pump (S410). When the processor 350 completes the inspection of the separator plate 140 mounted on the support portion 110, the airtight seal formed between the upper surface of the support portion 110 and the lower surface of the separator plate 140 through the pump 150. Air can be injected into the space. This air injection is to separate the separation plate 140 from the support portion 110.

For example, the processor 350 is configured to separate the gasket 510 attached to the lower portion of the separator plate 140 from the adhesive portion 520 disposed on the upper surface of the support portion 110. Air can be injected into the airtight space formed between the lower surfaces of the separation plate 140.

Referring to FIG. 5, the processor 350 separates the separation plate 140 disposed on the upper surface of the support unit 110 through the first suction 121 and the second suction 122 to prevent the separation plate 140 from falling down. ) can be adsorbed to maintain the parallelism of the separator plate 140.

An adhesive portion 520 is disposed on the upper surface of the support portion 110 corresponding to the gasket 510 attached to the lower surface of the separation plate 140. This adhesive portion 520 is used to maintain the separation plate 140 in parallel. For example, the adhesive portion 520 may include an adhesive film that increases adsorption force with the separator 140 at a position corresponding to the gasket 510 attached to the lower portion of the separator 140.

When the separation plate 140 is maintained parallel, the processor 350 acquires an image to inspect the leakage of the separation plate 140 through the photographing unit 310, and displays the separation plate 140 through the acquired image. Inspection can be performed.

When the inspection of the separation plate 140 is completed, the processor 350 may inject air into the airtight space formed between the support part 110 and the separation plate 140 through the pump 150.

According to one embodiment, the processor 350 may identify whether the separation plate is separated from the adhesive portion (S412). The processor 350 is based on the air injected into the airtight space formed between the upper surface of the support part 110 and the lower surface of the separator plate 140, and the gasket 510 attached to the lower part of the separator plate 140 is connected to the support part. Whether it is separated from the adhesive portion 520 disposed on the upper surface of 110 can be identified through a photographing unit or sensor (not shown).

For example, when the gasket 510 is separated from the adhesive portion 520, the processor 350 can control the pump 150 to stop air injection.

According to one embodiment, the processor 350 may separate the separator plate from the adhesive portion by raising the shaft through the driving unit (S414). If the separator plate 140 is not separated from the adhesive portion 520, the processor 350 controls at least one driving unit disposed below the support portion 110 to move the corresponding shaft upward, thereby adhesively attaching the separator plate. It can be separated from wealth.

For example, if the separation plate 140 is not separated from the adhesive portion 520, the processor 350 simultaneously operates the four driving units 131, 132, 341, and 342 disposed at the lower portion of the support portion 110. The shaft can be moved upward by controlling RPM (Revolutions Per Minute).

Referring to (a) and (b) of FIGS. 6, if the separator plate 140 is not separated from the adhesive portion 520, the processor 350 moves the shaft ( Example: By moving the first shaft 531) upward, the separation plate 140 can be forcibly separated from the adhesive portion 520. In this way, even in the state where the separation plate 140 is separated from the adhesive portion 520, the first suction 121 and the second suction 122 are in a state of adsorbing the separation plate 140, so the separation plate 140 ) can maintain a stable state.

In addition, the processor 350 measures the degree of adhesion between the separator 140 and the adhesive portion 520 at each position of the four driving units 131, 132, 341, and 342 through a photographing unit or sensor (not shown). can be identified.

For example, when the degree of adhesion at each position is different, the processor 350 separates the separation plate 140 from the support portion 110 at the same time by attaching each of the four driving units 131, 132, 341, and 342. RPM can be controlled differently.

As described above, the present invention moves the suctions 121 and 122, which adsorb the separation plate 140 seated on the support unit 110, up and down through the hole formed in the transfer unit 120, so that the separation plate 140 is parallel. can be maintained. In addition, the present invention allows the separation plate 140 to be separated from the support portion 110 without deformation, distortion, or damage to the separation plate 140 by injecting air into the space formed between the separation plate 140 and the support portion 110. You can.

In addition, the present invention separates the separator plate 140 and the support portion 110 by moving the shaft upward to the gasket portion of the separator plate 140, without causing deformation, distortion, or damage to the separator plate 140. (140) may be separated from the support portion (110).

Each step in each flowchart described above may be operated regardless of the order shown, or may be performed simultaneously. Additionally, at least one component of the present invention and at least one operation performed by the at least one component may be implemented in hardware and/or software.

As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the illustrative drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and drawings disclosed herein, and various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. It is obvious that transformation can occur. In addition, although the operational effects according to the configuration of the present invention were not explicitly described and explained while explaining the embodiments of the present invention above, it is natural that the predictable effects due to the configuration should also be recognized.

100: Separator plate inspection device 110: Support portion
120: Transfer unit 121: First suction
122: second suction 131: first driving unit
132: second driving unit 140: separation plate
150: pump

Claims (17)

a support portion on which at least one separator plate is seated;
a transfer unit that transfers the separation plate to the support unit; and
It includes a photographing unit that acquires an image for inspecting the separation plate supported on the support unit,
The support part
an adhesive portion for supporting the separator plate by attaching it to a position corresponding to a gasket formed on a lower portion of the separator plate on the upper surface of the support portion; and
A separator inspection device comprising a separator that separates the separator plate from the adhesive portion by applying force to the gasket of the separator plate supported by the adhesive portion.
According to claim 1,
A separator plate inspection device further comprising a suction portion that moves up and down through a hole formed in the transfer portion to adsorb the separator plate seated on the support portion.
According to clause 2,
The suction part,
Moves in a downward direction through the hole formed in the transfer unit to adsorb the separator plate,
A separator inspection device that moves upward when the separator is adsorbed.
According to claim 1,
The separator plate inspection device is disposed below the support portion and further includes a pump that injects air into the space between the support portion and the separator plate through a first hole formed in the support portion.
According to claim 1,
The adhesive part,
A separator inspection device comprising an adhesive film that increases adsorption with the separator plate at a position corresponding to a gasket attached to the lower portion of the separator plate.
According to claim 1,
It further includes at least one driving unit disposed below the jig,
The driving unit,
A separator plate inspection device that controls the movement of a shaft that separates the gasket attached to the bottom of the separator from the adhesive part attached to the upper surface of the support part to increase the adsorption force with the separator plate.
According to clause 6,
The driving part
A separator inspection device that raises the shaft to penetrate a second hole in the area where the adhesive part is attached in the support part to separate the adhesive part from the gasket.
According to claim 1,
It further includes a processor that controls the operation of the separation plate inspection device,
The processor,
When the inspection of the separation plate is completed, air is injected into the space between the support part and the separation plate through a pump,
A separator plate inspection device configured to identify whether the separator plate is separated from the support based on the injection of air.
According to clause 8,
The processor,
When it is determined that the separator plate is not separated from the support portion, a separator plate inspection device is set to separate the separator plate from the support portion by raising a shaft through at least one driving unit disposed below the support portion.
According to clause 8,
A separator plate inspection device in which four driving units are disposed at a lower portion of the support portion at positions corresponding to the position of a gasket attached to the lower portion of the separator plate.
According to claim 10,
The processor,
When it is determined that the separator plate is not separated from the support portion, a separator inspection device configured to simultaneously control four driving units disposed below the support unit to simultaneously raise a shaft dynamically connected to each driving unit.
In a method of operating a separator inspection device including a support portion on which at least one separator plate is seated and a transfer portion that transfers the separator plate to the support portion,
A process of acquiring an image to inspect the separation plate supported on the support;
A process of supporting the separator plate by attaching it to an upper surface of the support portion at a position corresponding to a gasket formed on a lower portion of the separator plate; and
A method of operating a separator inspection device comprising separating the separator plate from the adhesive portion by applying force to a gasket of the separator plate supported on the adhesive portion.
According to claim 12,
A method of operating a separator inspection device further comprising the step of adsorbing the separator plate mounted on the support portion by moving it up and down through a hole formed in the transfer portion.
According to claim 12,
A method of operating a separator inspection device further comprising injecting air into a space between the support part and the separator plate through a first hole formed in the support part.
According to claim 12,
A method of operating a separator plate inspection device further comprising controlling the movement of a shaft that separates the adhesive portion attached to the upper surface of the support portion and the gasket attached to the lower portion of the separator plate.
According to claim 15,
The process of controlling the movement of the shaft is,
A method of operating a separator inspection device comprising the step of raising the shaft to penetrate a second hole in the area where the adhesive portion is attached in the support portion to separate the adhesive portion from the gasket.
According to claim 16,
The process of controlling the movement of the shaft is,
A process of identifying whether the separator plate has been separated from the support portion based on the injection of air into the space between the support portion and the separator plate; and
When it is determined that the separation plate is not separated from the support, a method of operating a separation plate inspection device comprising simultaneously controlling four driving units disposed below the support to simultaneously raise a shaft dynamically connected to each driving unit. .

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