TWI541524B - Automatic leakage detection apparatus and method for single cell module - Google Patents

Description

Single cell module automatic airtight detecting device and method

The invention relates to a gas cell airtight detection method, and in particular to a single battery module automatic airtight detection device and method.

A fuel cell stack is formed by stacking a plurality of single cells, and the single cells are composed of a plurality of components. If a 1 kW fuel cell stack is taken as an example, 40 single cells are required. Contains 440 layers or 520 layers of components, so when the battery pack is fully assembled, the gas leakage problem is discovered, and it is difficult to detect which component causes leakage.

However, with the existing airtight detectors such as ATEQ of France, Uson of the United States, and COSMOS of Japan, there is no specific machine for detecting single cells, and it is impossible to automatically modularize the single cells. Therefore, it is urgent to seek various Do not check the method and equipment for single battery leakage.

The invention provides an automatic airtightness detecting device for a single battery module, which can quickly and instantly perform airtight detection on a single battery.

The invention further provides an automatic airtight detecting method for a single battery module, which can quickly and instantly determine whether the single battery has an external leakage problem and/or an internal leakage problem.

The single cell module automatic airtight detecting device of the present invention comprises at least a pressing device, a hydrogen end valve, a water end valve, a hydrogen end pressure gauge, a water end pressure gauge, an air end pressure gauge and a processor. . The pressing device includes an upper pressing seat and a lower pressing seat for applying a pressing force to a single battery module, wherein the lower pressing seat has at least one positioning tip for aligning the single battery module. Fastener. The hydrogen end valve and the water end valve respectively control the hydrogen end and the water end of the single cell module to charge and discharge gas. The hydrogen end pressure gauge, the water end pressure gauge and the air end pressure gauge respectively read the hydrogen end pressure value, the water end pressure value and the air end pressure value of the single battery module. The processor can determine whether the single battery module has an external leakage problem and an internal leakage problem according to the hydrogen end pressure value, the water end pressure value, and the air end pressure value.

The automatic airtight detecting method for the single battery module of the invention comprises pressing a single battery module, inflating a hydrogen end and a water end of the single battery module, and measuring the single battery module while stopping the inflation. A pressure balance value at the air end, a pressure balance value at the hydrogen end, and a pressure balance value at the water end. After a predetermined period of time, a pressure detection value of the air end of the single battery module, a pressure detection value of the hydrogen end, and a pressure detection value of the water end are measured. The pressure balance value of the air end, the hydrogen end and the water end, and the pressure of the air end, the hydrogen end and the water end Check the value to determine whether the battery module has external leakage problems and internal leakage problems.

Based on the above, the present invention can quickly detect the airtightness of the single battery module through the integration of the above-mentioned pressing device, pressure gauge and valve, thereby improving the quality of the fuel cell stack. Moreover, the present invention is capable of discerning that the gas leakage problem of a single cell is from a problem of leakage (bipolar plate or gasket leakage) or internal helium (MEA leakage).

The above described features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description.

100‧‧‧ Pressing device

102‧‧‧Upper press

104‧‧‧ Pressing seat

106‧‧‧ positioning tips

108‧‧‧Substrate

110‧‧‧Hydraulic column

112‧‧‧ Hydrogen end valve

114‧‧‧Water end valve

116‧‧‧Air end valve

118‧‧‧ Hydrogen end pressure gauge

120‧‧‧water end gauge

122‧‧‧Air end gauge

124‧‧‧ Processor

126‧‧‧Automatic cassette machine

128‧‧‧Bipolar board

130‧‧‧MEA card

132‧‧‧Mobile devices

200‧‧‧Single battery module

202‧‧‧ membrane electrode group

204a, 204b‧‧‧ bipolar plates

206‧‧‧Fixed parts

208a, 208b, 212a, 212b‧‧‧ gasket

210a, 210b‧‧‧ gas inlet

214, 216, 218, 220‧‧‧ through holes

S300~S324‧‧‧Steps

1 is a schematic diagram of an automatic airtightness detecting device for a single battery module according to an embodiment of the invention.

2A is an exploded view of a single cell module in the automatic airtightness detecting device of the single cell module of FIG. 1.

2B is a rear view of the module of the single battery module of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the automatic airtight detection of a single battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

1 is a schematic diagram of an automatic airtightness detecting device for a single battery module according to an embodiment of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the battery module automatic airtight detecting device of this embodiment is basically There is a pressing device 100. The pressing device 100 includes an upper pressing seat 102 and a lower pressing seat 104 for applying a pressing force to a single battery module as shown in FIG. 2A, and the pressing force is The appropriate pressing force is given to the single cell module via the setting. The lower press seat 104 has a positioning tip 106, but the invention is not limited thereto, and the number of the positioning tips 106 may be one or more. In addition to the above-mentioned necessary components, the pressing device 100 can be assembled with other components according to the design, such as a substrate 108 supporting the upper press-fit base 102 and the lower press-fit seat 104, and a hydraulic column for moving the upper press-fit seat 102 downward. 110, but the invention is not limited thereto. In addition, if the upper and lower press-fit seats 102 and 104 are made of aluminum, a low-viscosity press-fit seat material (such as a graphite veneer) may be attached to the surfaces of the upper and lower press-fit seats 102 and 104. ), to prevent the single cell module from being separated by the upper and lower press seats 102 and 104 after the detection due to the adsorption force of the gasket.

2A is an exploded view of the battery module of the embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2A , the single cell module 200 may include a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) 202 , two bipolar plates 204 a and 204 b disposed on both sides of the membrane electrode assembly 202 , and a plurality of fixing members 206 . In addition, a sealing gasket 208a and 208b may be disposed between the membrane electrode assembly 202 and the bipolar plates 204a and 204b, respectively, so that the modular membrane electrode assembly 202, the bipolar plate 204a, and the other bipolar plate 204b are disposed. The surrounding area forms a sealed structure. For example, since the bipolar plates 204a and 204b each have a gas passage hole 210a and 210b, the anode (hydrogen) and cathode (air) gases can be passed through the respective gases by the gaskets 208a and 208b. The inlet holes 210a and 210b flow into the sealing structure. In addition, there are two gaskets 212a and 212b in Fig. 2A, which can be used as a gasket between the unit battery modules stacked on each other.

In FIG. 2A, the fixing member 206 penetrates, for example, a plurality of through holes 214, 216, 218, and 220 and engages two bipolar plates 210a and 210b, thereby thereby sealing the membrane electrode group 202, the bipolar plates 204a and 204b, and the sealing. The spacers 208a, 208b, 212a, 212b constitute a single cell module 200.

FIG. 2B shows the structure of the single cell module of FIG. 2A after being modularized. The cell module 200 can be placed flat on the lower press-fit base 104 of FIG. 1 and aligned with the single-cell mode via the positioning tip 106. The fixtures 206 of the set 200 are aligned.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the battery module automatic airtight detecting device of the embodiment further includes a hydrogen end valve 112 , a water end valve 114 and an air end valve 116 , wherein the hydrogen end valve 112 is used to control the single cell module. A hydrogen end charge and discharge valve and a water end valve 114 are used to control the water supply and discharge of the single battery module. The air end valve 116 can also control an air end charge and discharge gas of the single battery module, but the airtight detection of the hydrogen end of the single battery module can be omitted, so it can be omitted. The hydrogen end valve 112 and the water end valve 114 are, for example, switches that control the air pressure through a telecommunication signal. In addition, if the hydrogen end valve 112 and the air end valve 116 are opened, the hydrogen end of the single cell module and the air end can be inflated to measure the electrical properties of the single cell module.

Referring to FIG. 1 again, the battery module automatic airtight detecting device of the embodiment further includes a hydrogen end pressure gauge 118, a water end pressure gauge 120 and an air end pressure gauge 122 for respectively reading the single battery module. A hydrogen end pressure value, a water end pressure value and an air end pressure value, wherein the hydrogen end pressure gauge 118, the water end pressure gauge 120 and the air end pressure gauge 122 are, for example, transmitted back through the electrical signal pressure value. Please also note that the above The hydrogen end valve 112, the water end valve 114 and the air end valve 116, the hydrogen end pressure gauge 118, the water end pressure gauge 120 and the air end pressure gauge 122 can be installed at different positions according to requirements, such as the press fitting device 100. The substrate 108 is either disposed beside the pressing device 100 and is connected by an individual pipe.

Moreover, the upper press-fit base 102 and the lower press-fit seat 104 can also be provided with an outlet connecting the hydrogen end valve 112 (ie, the inlet of the single-cell module), and an outlet connecting the water-end valve 114 (ie, the inlet of the single-cell module). ), an outlet of the air end valve 116 (ie, the inlet of the single battery module), a hydrogen end pressure gauge 118, a connection water pressure gauge 120, and an air end pressure gauge 122 (ie, an outlet of the battery module). Taking FIG. 1 as an example, the above-mentioned entrance and exit is provided in the lower press-fit seat 104, and the entrances and exits do not affect the placement of the battery module. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the above-described entrance and exit may be changed to be entirely provided in the upper press-fit base 102 or separately provided in the upper and lower press-fit seats 102 and 104. In addition, a hydrogen end inlet of the lower press seat 104 can communicate with the hydrogen end outlet through the single cell module 200, a water inlet can communicate with the water outlet through the single cell module 200, and an air inlet can pass through the single cell. The module 200 is in communication with an air outlet.

In Fig. 1, a processor 124 (such as a computer or a controller, etc.) is also required, according to a hydrogen end pressure value input from the hydrogen end pressure gauge 118, the water end pressure gauge 120 and the air end pressure gauge 122, a water The end pressure value and an air end pressure value are used to determine whether the single battery module 200 has an external leakage problem and an internal leakage problem. The leakage rate needs to be 0.1 psi/min@7 psi (representing a leakage pressure of ≦0.1 psi per minute at a pressure of 7 psi). ).

In addition, the apparatus of this embodiment may further include an automatic jamming machine 126 to Before applying the pressing force to the single battery module (200 of FIG. 2B) by using the pressing device 100, the single battery module 200 is combined and the two bipolar plates 204a, 204b and the fixing member 206 are automatically engaged (see FIG. 2A). Moreover, a bipolar plate clamp 128 and an MEA cassette 130 can be provided for automated work lines. The modular battery module can also be transferred to the compression device 100 using a mobile device 132 such as a robotic arm.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the automatic airtight detection of a single battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, in step S300, a single battery module is pressed and can be performed by using the pressing device 100 of FIG.

In addition, before step S300, step S310 may be selected to modularize a single battery, for example, combining a membrane electrode assembly and two bipolar plates and inserting and engaging the bipolar plates by a plurality of fixing members to form, for example, The battery module 200 of FIG. 2B.

Next, in step S302, a hydrogen end and a water end of the single cell module are inflated, and the gas charged therein may be general air or hydrogen. Moreover, if the hydrogen end is filled with hydrogen and the air end is filled with air, the electrical properties of the single battery module can be measured by other devices during this step, for example, hydrogen gas is introduced into the hydrogen battery at the hydrogen end of the single battery module. The air end of the module is ventilated, and the voltage can be measured using an external or built-in voltmeter.

In step S304, the inflation of step S302 is stopped and a pressure balance value (P _Air ) of the air end of the battery module and a pressure balance value of the hydrogen end are measured ( ) a pressure balance with the water end ( ).

After a predetermined period of time, in step S306, a pressure detection value (P _Air ') of the air end of the battery module and a pressure detection value of the hydrogen end are measured ( ) a pressure detection value with the water end ( ). The aforementioned predetermined time is not limited, mainly determined according to the production capacity, for example, 1 minute to 10 minutes, the predetermined time is longer, the test result is more accurate; if the predetermined time is shorter, the production capacity can be matched.

In step S308, P _Air obtained by the above steps S304 and S306, , , P _Air ', , , to determine whether the battery module has external leakage problems and internal leakage problems.

In detail, the manner of determining whether the battery module has an external leakage problem is in step S312, if Indicates that there is no external leakage, but if it is not 0, it means there is an external leakage problem. It is recommended to perform step S314 to replace the bipolar plate and the sealing gasket, such as the sealing gasket of the hydrogen end and the MEA clamp and the sealing of the air end and the MEA clamp. Gasket.

As for how to determine whether the single cell module has an internal leakage problem, step S316, step S320, and step S322 may be performed, including comparing the difference between the pressure detection value and the pressure balance value of the hydrogen end, the hydrogen end, and the water end. When P _Air '-P _Air =0, , there is no internal leakage; but when one of the two difference values is not 0, it is recommended to perform step S318 to replace the membrane electrode assembly. Similarly, when , there is no internal leakage; but when If it is not 0, there is an internal leakage problem. It is recommended to perform step S324 to replace the gasket at the water end.

If the single-cell module has neither an external leakage problem nor an internal leakage problem in step S308, the qualified single-cell module can be placed in a swingable transmission. Subsequent assembly of the fuel cell stack is performed on the Conveyor.

In summary, the automatic air-tightness detecting method of the single-cell module of the present invention uses a pressing device to close the single-cell module, and controls the gas pressure through the battery valve to measure the gas pressure, thereby performing internal and external The leak test detects the airtightness of the battery module in advance and prevents the leak from being discovered after the fuel cell is assembled.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention, and any one of ordinary skill in the art can make some changes and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

100‧‧‧ Pressing device

102‧‧‧Upper press

104‧‧‧ Pressing seat

106‧‧‧ positioning tips

108‧‧‧Substrate

110‧‧‧lower column

112‧‧‧ Hydrogen end valve

114‧‧‧Water end valve

116‧‧‧Air end valve

118‧‧‧ Hydrogen end pressure gauge

120‧‧‧water end gauge

122‧‧‧Air end gauge

124‧‧‧ Processor

126‧‧‧Automatic cassette machine

128‧‧‧Bipolar board

130‧‧‧MEA card

132‧‧‧Mobile devices

Claims (16)

An automatic airtight detecting device for a single battery module, comprising: a pressing device, comprising an upper pressing seat and a lower pressing seat for applying a pressing force to a single battery module, wherein the lower pressing seat Having at least one positioning tip, the positioning tip is aligned with at least one fixing member of the single battery module; a hydrogen end valve for controlling a hydrogen end filling and discharging gas of the single battery module; and a water end valve for To control the water supply and discharge of the single battery module; a hydrogen end pressure gauge, a water pressure gauge and an air pressure gauge for respectively reading a hydrogen pressure value of the single battery module, a water pressure value and an air pressure value; and a processor determining whether the battery module has an external leak or an internal leak according to the hydrogen end pressure value, the water end pressure value, and the air end pressure value. The single cell module automatic airtight detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the pressing device can set the pressing force applied to the battery module. The automatic airtightness detecting device for a single battery module according to claim 1, wherein the upper press seat and the lower press seat comprise an outlet connecting the hydrogen end valve, and an outlet connecting the water end valve And connecting the hydrogen end pressure gauge, connecting the water end pressure gauge and connecting the air end pressure gauge. The automatic airtightness detecting device for a single battery module according to claim 1, wherein a hydrogen end inlet of the lower press seat communicates with a hydrogen end outlet through the single battery module, and a water inlet inlet passes through the The single battery module is in communication with the water outlet, and an air inlet is communicated with the air outlet through the battery module. The automatic airtightness detecting device for a single battery module according to claim 1, wherein the hydrogen end valve and the water end valve are switches that control air pressure through an electric signal. The automatic airtightness detecting device for a single battery module according to claim 1, wherein the hydrogen end pressure gauge, the water end pressure gauge and the air end pressure gauge transmit a pressure value through an electric signal. The single cell module automatic airtight detecting device according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the battery module comprises a membrane electrode group, two bipolar plates disposed on two sides of the membrane electrode group, and a through-hole The fixing member of the two bipolar plates is engaged. The automatic airtightness detecting device for a single battery module according to the seventh aspect of the invention, further comprising an automatic jamming machine, configured to combine the single battery module before applying the pressing force to the single battery module The two bipolar plates and the fixing member are automatically engaged. The automatic airtightness detecting device for a single battery module according to claim 1, further comprising an air end valve for charging and discharging air to an air end of the single battery module. An automatic airtight detection method for a single battery module, comprising: pressing a single battery module; inflating a hydrogen end and a water end of the single battery module; stopping the inflation and simultaneously measuring the single battery module a pressure balance value of an air end, a pressure balance value of the hydrogen end, and a pressure balance value of the water end; after a predetermined time, measuring a pressure detection value of the air end of the battery module, the hydrogen end a pressure detection value and a pressure detection value of the water end; And the pressure balance value of the air end, the pressure balance value of the hydrogen end, the pressure balance value of the water end, the pressure detection value of the air end, the pressure detection value of the hydrogen end, and the pressure of the water end Check the value to determine whether the battery module has external leakage and internal leakage. The method for automatically detecting airtightness of a single battery module according to claim 10, wherein the method for determining whether the battery module has external leakage is: comparing the pressure balance value of the air end, the pressure balance of the hydrogen end a difference between the value and the pressure balance value of the water end and the pressure detection value of the air end, the pressure detection value of the hydrogen end, and the pressure detection value of the water end, when the difference is not 0 There is an external leak. The method for automatically detecting airtightness of a single battery module according to claim 10, wherein the method for determining whether the battery module has internal leakage comprises: comparing the pressure balance value of the hydrogen end with the pressure check of the hydrogen end A difference in the value of the value, when the difference is not 0, there is an internal leak. The method for automatically detecting airtightness of a single battery module according to claim 10, wherein the method for determining whether the battery module has internal leakage comprises: comparing the pressure balance value of the water end with the pressure check of the water end A difference in the value of the value, when the difference is not 0, there is an internal leak. The method for automatically detecting airtightness of a single battery module according to claim 10, wherein the method for determining whether the battery module has internal leakage comprises: comparing the pressure balance value of the air end with the pressure check of the air end a difference in value, When the difference is not 0, there is an internal leak. The method for automatically detecting airtightness of a single battery module according to claim 10, wherein before pressing the battery module, the method further comprises: combining a membrane electrode group and two bipolar plates; and by using a plurality of The fixing member penetrates and engages the two bipolar plates to form the single battery module. The method for automatically detecting airtightness of a single battery module according to claim 10, further comprising: inflating the hydrogen end and the air end of the single battery module to measure electrical properties of the single battery module .