JP4842549B2 - Short detection device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a short detection device that detects the position of a short portion between a pair of opposed flat plate electrodes.

As this type of short detection device, the present inventor has already proposed a short detection device described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-215190. In this short detection device, the current supply unit supplies current between a predetermined part of one flat plate electrode and a predetermined part of the other flat plate electrode of a pair of flat plate electrodes arranged to face each other. In the state, the voltage measurement unit measures and detects each potential difference between a plurality of measurement positions defined on one plate electrode and one reference point defined on one plate electrode in a predetermined pattern. The unit calculates each voltage gradient between each measurement position and another measurement position adjacent in a predetermined direction based on each potential difference measured by the voltage measurement unit. Based on this, the measurement position that becomes the voltage minimum point is detected as the position of the shorted portion between the pair of plate electrodes. Therefore, in this short detection device, even if there are a plurality of short portions between the pair of flat plate electrodes, the positions of these short portions can be reliably and simultaneously detected.
JP 2003-215190 A (page 4-7, FIG. 1)

  However, as a result of studying the above-described short detection device, the inventor has found a point to be improved. That is, in this short detection device, the measurement position that becomes the voltage minimum point is detected as the short position by detecting the measurement position that becomes the voltage minimum point based on the voltage gradient between two adjacent measurement positions. Therefore, at the measurement position located at the outer edge of one of the plurality of measurement positions, there is no other measurement position on the outer side, so the pair of plate electrodes are short-circuited at the outer edge of each other. Even when you are, it may not be a local minimum. In particular, in the case of a pair of flat electrodes whose planar shape is formed in a polygon such as a quadrangle, the pair of flat electrodes are short-circuited at the corner at the measurement position located at the corner of one flat electrode. Even if it does, it will not be a local minimum. For this reason, in this short detection device, it is difficult to detect the position of the shorted portion when the pair of flat plate electrodes are short-circuited at the outer edges of each other, and it is preferable to solve this point.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and provides a short detection device capable of reliably detecting the position of a shorted portion even if a pair of flat plate electrodes are short-circuited at the outer edge portions of each other. The main purpose.

In order to achieve the above object, a short detection device according to claim 1 is provided between a predetermined portion of one flat plate electrode and a predetermined portion of the other flat plate electrode of a pair of opposed flat plate electrodes. A plurality of measurement positions defined on the one plate electrode in a predetermined pattern, and a current supply unit for supplying a current, and a state defined on the one plate electrode in a state in which the current is supplied by the current supply unit; A voltage measuring unit that measures each potential difference between the reference point as a voltage distribution, and another measurement position adjacent to each measurement position along a predetermined direction based on the measured voltage distribution; And detecting the measurement position that becomes the voltage minimum point as a position of one short point between the pair of plate electrodes based on the calculated voltage gradient When the detection unit detects the position of one short part after the detection part detects the position of one short part, the current supply unit is configured as the one short part in the one plate electrode. The current is supplied between the new predetermined portion and the predetermined portion of the other plate electrode, with the measurement position as the new predetermined portion, and the voltage measuring unit is configured to supply the new predetermined portion. As the one reference point , the voltage distribution in a state where the current is supplied by the current supply unit is measured, and the detection unit measures the lowest voltage based on the measured voltage distribution. When the detected measurement position is located at the outer edge of the one flat plate electrode, the detected measurement position is detected between the pair of flat plate electrodes and the other show. Detecting a position of the point.

The short detection device according to claim 2, wherein a current supply for supplying a current between a predetermined portion of one flat plate electrode and a predetermined portion of the other flat plate electrode of a pair of opposed flat plate electrodes is provided. And a plurality of measurement positions defined on the one plate electrode in a predetermined pattern and one reference point defined on the one plate electrode in a state where current is supplied by the current supply unit A voltage measurement unit that measures each potential difference between the first and second plate electrodes as a voltage distribution, and detects the measurement position of the lowest voltage based on the measured voltage distribution, and the detected measurement position is an outer edge of the one plate electrode A detection unit that detects the detected measurement position as the position of one short point between the pair of flat plate electrodes when the detection unit is located at one part, When detecting the position of another short portion after detecting the position of the current, the current supply unit uses the measurement position as the one short portion in the one plate electrode as the new predetermined portion, The current is supplied between a new predetermined part and the predetermined part of the other flat plate electrode, and the voltage measuring unit uses the new predetermined part as the one reference point and the current supply unit The voltage distribution in a state where the current is supplied is measured, and the detection unit detects the measurement position of the lowest voltage based on the measured voltage distribution, and the detected measurement position is When located at the outer edge portion of the one flat plate electrode, the detected measurement position is detected as the position of the other short portion between the pair of flat plate electrodes.

According to the short detection device of claim 1, when the detection unit detects another short position after detecting a measurement position that is a voltage minimum point as one short position based on the voltage gradient, The new predetermined part measured by the voltage measurement unit in a state where the DC constant current is supplied to the current supply unit with the measurement position as the two short positions as the new predetermined part is used as one reference point. The measurement position of the lowest voltage is detected based on the voltage distribution on the surface of one plate electrode, and when the detected measurement position is located at the outer edge of one plate electrode, the measurement position is determined between the pair of plate electrodes. By setting the other short-circuited position, the pair of flat plate electrodes are short-circuited at one place on the outer edge and short-circuited at one place on the non-outer edge. It also, it is possible to reliably detect both short position.

According to the short detection device of claim 2, the detection unit detects the measurement position of the lowest voltage based on the voltage distribution measured by the voltage measurement unit, and the detected measurement position is an outer edge of one plate electrode. When the position is located in the section, the detected measurement position is detected as a position of one short-circuited portion, and a DC constant current is supplied to the current supply section with the detected position as one short-circuited position as a new predetermined portion. The measurement position of the lowest voltage is detected and detected based on the voltage distribution on the surface of one plate electrode with the new predetermined portion measured by the voltage measuring unit in the supplied state as one reference point . When the measurement position is located at the outer edge of one flat plate electrode, the other short position between the pair of flat plate electrodes of the measurement position pair Even when the plate electrodes to each other are short-circuited at two locations at the outer edge portion, it is possible to reliably detect both short position.

  Hereinafter, the best mode of a short detection device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, the configuration of the short detection device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the short detection device 1 includes a current supply unit 2, a voltage measurement unit 3, a drive mechanism 4, an arithmetic control unit (detection unit in the present invention) 5, a display unit 6, a plurality of probes (voltage detection). Terminals) 7, 7... And a support plate 8, and when a short-circuit portion exists between the pair of flat plate electrodes EL 1 and EL 2 disposed in the fuel cell, it is within the plane of the pair of flat plate electrodes EL 1 and EL 2. The position of the short portion (hereinafter also referred to as “short position”) can be detected. In this example, it is assumed that the plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 are formed in rectangular shapes having the same size as an example. The electrolyte membrane ELF interposed between the flat plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 is electrically conductive when it is actually disposed in the fuel cell, but is dry and insulative in the state of the short position detection object. ing.

  Under the control of the arithmetic control unit 5, the current supply unit 2 includes a predetermined portion of the one plate electrode EL1 and the other plate electrode EL2 of the pair of plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 disposed to face each other with the electrolyte membrane ELF interposed therebetween. A constant DC current is supplied to a predetermined part of (a current supply point B as an example). In this case, the short detection device 1 has a predetermined portion that is a current supply point for the plate electrode EL1 at an arbitrary position on the surface of the plate electrode EL1, such as the current supply point A or the current supply point A1, as described later. It is configured to be configurable. As a configuration for enabling the current supply point for the plate electrode EL1 to be set at an arbitrary position, the current supply unit 2 is provided with, for example, a three-dimensional (XYZ) moving mechanism (not shown) and a flat plate. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which a probe (not shown) for supplying a current to the electrode EL1 is automatically moved by being attached to the three-dimensional movement mechanism.

  The voltage measuring unit 3 measures each potential difference between a predetermined part (for example, the current supply point A (or A1)) of the flat plate electrode EL1 as a reference point and each part where the probes 7 are in contact with each other. And output as voltage data Dv. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, the measurement positions MP with which the probe 7 is brought into contact are, as an example of the predetermined pattern in the present invention, a total of 121 (MP ( i, j): i = 1, 2, 3,..., 9, a, b, j = 1, 2, 3,..., 9, a, b. "It is also referred to as"). Correspondingly, the same number of probes 7 as the number of intersection positions are arranged in parallel with the plate electrode EL1 in a matrix on the same plane so as to correspond to each intersection position. It is attached to the support plate 8.

  The drive mechanism 4 includes an arm 4a for supporting a support plate 8 to which a plurality of probes 7 are attached. By moving the arm 4a up and down to move the support plate 8 to and away from the plate electrode EL1, All probes 7 are simultaneously brought into contact with corresponding measurement positions MP on the plate electrode EL1.

  The arithmetic control unit 5 controls the current supply unit 2, the voltage measurement unit 3, and the drive mechanism 4. In addition, the arithmetic control unit 5 performs first and second short position detection processing based on the voltage data Dv output from the voltage measurement unit 3 to detect a short position between the plate electrodes EL1 and EL2. . In addition, the calculation control unit 5 causes the display unit 6 to display the result of short position detection by the calculation control unit 5.

  Next, short detection processing between the pair of flat plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 by the short detection device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. As an example, a short position detection processing operation when there is a short at two points of the measurement position MP (6, 8) and the measurement position MP (b, 1) indicated by black circles in FIG. 2 will be described. It is assumed that the pair of flat plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 disposed so as to face each other with the electrolyte membrane ELF interposed therebetween is previously disposed at the position (measurement position) shown in FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 3, the arithmetic control unit 5 controls the drive mechanism 4 to bring each probe 7 attached to the support plate 8 into contact with each measurement position MP on the surface of the corresponding plate electrode EL1 ( Step 31). Subsequently, the arithmetic control unit 5 operates the discharge circuit (not shown) to discharge the charges charged in the plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 (step 32).

  Next, the arithmetic control unit 5 executes a first short position detection process (step 33). In this processing, as shown in FIG. 4, the arithmetic control unit 5 operates the current supply unit 2 at a constant current, so that the current supply point A between the plate electrode EL1 and the current supply point B of the plate electrode EL2 Supply of DC constant current is started (step 41). In this case, as an example, each of the current supply points A and B is set at one opposing corner (lower left corner) in each of the plate electrodes EL1 and EL2, as shown in FIGS. Next, the arithmetic control unit 5 scans the voltage measuring unit 3 to measure the voltage distribution on the surface of the plate electrode EL1 (step 42). Specifically, the voltage measuring unit 3 sequentially scans each probe 7 to detect a potential difference between the reference point (current supply point A) and each measurement position MP (each measurement position MP based on the potential of the reference point). ) Is measured as a voltage distribution, and the measured potential difference at each measurement position MP is output to the arithmetic control unit 5 as voltage data Dv. The arithmetic control unit 5 sequentially captures the voltage data Dv, and stores the captured voltage data Dv in the internal memory in association with the position of the measurement position MP. In addition, after completing the measurement of the voltage distribution, the arithmetic control unit 5 stops the constant current operation of the current supply unit 2 and operates the discharge circuit (not shown) to charge the plate electrodes EL1 and EL2. Discharge the charge.

The calculation control unit 5 calculates the voltage gradient Vs (Vs1, Vs2) between the adjacent measurement positions MP, MP after completing the acquisition of the voltage data Dv for all the measurement positions MP (step 43). Specifically, first, the arithmetic control unit 5 searches for the maximum value (value in which the absolute value is maximum) among all the voltage data Dv, and standardizes the searched maximum value as −100 for each voltage. The normalized data Ds is obtained by executing the data Dv, and the obtained normalized data Ds is stored in the internal memory in a matrix format corresponding to the measurement position MP (i, j) in the same manner as the voltage data Dv. . Next, the arithmetic control unit 5 determines the voltage between the adjacent measurement positions MP and MP based on the difference between the normalized data Ds between the measurement positions MP and MP adjacent in the predetermined direction and the distance L between them. The gradient Vs is calculated. As an example, the arithmetic control unit 5 firstly standardizes data of the measurement position MP in which the voltage gradient Vs1 between the measurement positions MP adjacent to each other along the horizontal direction (row direction) in FIG. Calculation is based on Ds. Specifically, the arithmetic control unit 5 calculates the voltage gradient Vs1 with reference to the normalized data Ds of the measurement position MP positioned in the left direction. That is, the arithmetic control unit 5 subtracts the normalized data Ds of the measurement position MP (i, j) on the left side from the normalized data Ds of the measurement position MP (i, j + 1), and divides this subtracted value by the distance L. Thus, the voltage gradient Vs1 is obtained and stored in the internal memory in a matrix format (in this example, a matrix format of 10 rows and 10 columns corresponding to the values (i, j)). Further, the arithmetic control unit 5 uses the standardized data Ds of the measurement position MP positioned in a predetermined direction as the voltage gradient Vs2 between the measurement positions MP adjacent to each other along the vertical direction (column direction) in FIG. Calculate as Specifically, the arithmetic control unit 5 calculates the voltage gradient Vs 2 with reference to the normalized data Ds of the measurement position MP located in the downward direction. That is, the arithmetic control unit 5 subtracts the normalized data Ds of the lower measurement position MP (i, j) from the normalized data Ds of the measurement position MP (i + 1, j), and divides this subtraction value by the distance L. Thus, the voltage gradient Vs2 is obtained and stored in the internal memory in a matrix format (in this example, a matrix format of 10 rows and 10 columns corresponding to the values (i, j)).

Next, the arithmetic control unit 5 detects the measurement position MP (short position) that is the voltage minimum point based on the voltage gradients Vs1 and Vs2 (step 44). Specifically, the arithmetic control unit 5 sequentially searches, for example, from the left direction to the right direction for each row with respect to the voltage gradient Vs1 stored in the matrix format, and the measurement position where the polarity of the voltage gradient Vs1 is inverted. detects the MP (measurement position MP as a voltage minimum point), the voltage gradient Vs2 stored in matrix form, are sequentially searched in the upward direction for each column for example from below, the voltage gradient Vs 2 The measurement position MP where the polarity is inverted (measurement position MP that becomes the voltage minimum point) is detected, and the measurement position MP that is detected as the short position in both the left and right direction and the vertical direction search is specified as the final short position. .

  In this case, when the potential at the current supply point A is higher than the potential at the current supply point B, the current supplied from the current supply point A flows from the current supply point A to the short position on the plate electrode EL1. For this reason, the normalized data Ds of the specific measurement position MP closest to the short position is the smallest among the voltage data Dv for the plurality of measurement positions MP located around the short position. Therefore, it is calculated based on the difference obtained by subtracting the normalized data Ds of the measurement position MP located on the left side of the specific measurement position MP from the normalized data Ds of the specific measurement position MP and the distance L. The polarity of the voltage gradient Vs1 is always negative, and the difference and distance obtained by subtracting the standardized data Ds of the specific measurement position MP from the standardized data Ds of the measurement position MP located immediately to the right of the specific measurement position MP. The polarity of the voltage gradient Vs1 calculated based on L is always positive. Similarly, calculation is performed based on the difference obtained by subtracting the normalized data Ds of the measurement position MP located immediately below the specific measurement position MP from the normalized data Ds of the specific measurement position MP and the distance L. The polarity of the applied voltage gradient Vs1 is always negative, and the difference obtained by subtracting the normalized data Ds of the specific measurement position MP from the normalized data Ds of the measurement position MP located immediately above the specific measurement position MP. The polarity of the voltage gradient Vs1 calculated based on the distance L is always positive. Therefore, when the potential at the current supply point A is higher than the potential at the current supply point B, the arithmetic control unit 5 sequentially searches for the voltage gradient Vs1 from the left direction to the right direction for each row. A measurement position MP at which the polarity of the voltage gradient Vs1 changes from negative polarity to positive polarity is detected. Further, the voltage gradient Vs2 is sequentially searched from the lower direction to the upper direction for each column, and the measurement position MP where the polarity of the voltage gradient Vs2 changes from the negative polarity to the positive polarity is detected.

  On the other hand, when the potential at the current supply point A is lower than the potential at the current supply point B, conversely, current flows into the plate electrode EL1 from the plate electrode EL2 side through the short position. For this reason, among the voltage data Dv of the plurality of measurement positions MP located around the short position on the plate electrode EL1, the standardized data Ds of the specific measurement position MP closest to the short position is the largest. As a result, the polarities of the voltage gradients Vs1 and Vs2 between the four measurement positions MP adjacent to the specific measurement position MP in the left-right direction and the vertical direction and the specific measurement position MP are as follows. The polarity is opposite to that when the potential is higher than the potential at the supply point B. Therefore, when the potential at the current supply point A is lower than the potential at the current supply point B, the arithmetic control unit 5 sequentially searches for the voltage gradient Vs1 from the left direction to the right direction for each row. Then, the measurement position MP where the polarity of the voltage gradient Vs1 changes from the positive polarity to the negative polarity is detected. Further, for the voltage gradient Vs2, for example, the search is sequentially performed from the lower direction to the upper direction for each column, and the measurement position MP where the polarity of the voltage gradient Vs2 changes from the positive polarity to the negative polarity is detected. In this case, since the potential at the current supply point A is higher than the potential at the current supply point B, the arithmetic control unit 5 detects the measurement position MP that changes from the negative polarity to the positive polarity with respect to the voltage gradients Vs1 and Vs2. To do.

  In this example, since the plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 are short-circuited at the measurement position MP (6, 8), the sixth row (i = 10) in the 10 × 10 matrix format with respect to the voltage gradient Vs1. 6), the voltage gradient Vs1 in the seventh column (voltage gradient Vs1 between the seventh column and the eighth column in FIG. 2) has a negative polarity, and the voltage gradient Vs1 in the eighth column (the eighth column in FIG. 2). And the voltage gradient Vs1) between the 9th column becomes positive polarity. Therefore, the calculation control unit 5 detects the measurement position MP (6, 8) as a voltage minimum point related to the voltage gradient Vs1, and sets the measurement position MP (6, 8) as a short position candidate. For the voltage gradient Vs2, in the eighth column (j = 8) in the 10 × 10 matrix format, the voltage gradient Vs2 in the fifth row (between the fifth and sixth rows in FIG. 2). The voltage gradient Vs2) has a negative polarity, and the voltage gradient Vs2 of the sixth row (the voltage gradient Vs2 between the sixth and seventh rows in FIG. 2) has a positive polarity. Therefore, the arithmetic control unit 5 detects the measurement position MP (6, 8) as a voltage minimum point related to the voltage gradient Vs2, and sets the measurement position MP (6, 8) as a short position candidate. The arithmetic control unit 5 compares the detection result of the voltage minimum point (short position) along two different directions (right and left direction and vertical direction perpendicular to each other), and the measurement position MP (6, 8) is searched in both directions. Since both are detected as a short position, this measurement position MP (6, 8) is specified as the final short position.

  Next, the calculation control unit 5 displays information (position and number information) on the measurement position MP (6, 8), which is the detected voltage minimum point, on the display unit 6 (step 45) to detect the first short position. The process ends. Although the measurement position MP itself that is the voltage minimum point is not necessarily a short position because of the resolution of the measurement position, at least the measurement position MP that is the voltage minimum point is an actual short circuit among all the measurement positions MP. Closest to the location. Therefore, by specifying the measurement position MP detected as the short position in both directions of search as the short position, the actual short position that is present in the immediate vicinity of the measurement position MP is substantially specified. Since the measurement position MP (b, 1) is located at the outer edge (specifically, the corner) of the plate electrode EL1, the measurement positions MP (b, 2) and MP (a, 1) are adjacent to each other. Is always at a low potential. Therefore, in the first short position detection process for searching for the voltage minimum point, the measurement position MP (b, 1) is not detected as a short position.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the arithmetic control unit 5 determines whether or not the short position is detected in the first short position detection process (the presence or absence of the short position) (step 34), and detects the short position. Sometimes step 35 is executed to change the current supply point, and when the short position is not detected, the second short position detection process (step 36) is executed without executing step 35, thereby obtaining the plate electrodes EL1, EL2. The short position located at the outer edge of the is detected.

  In this example, since the measurement position MP (6, 8) is detected as the short position in the first short position detection process, first, instead of the current supply point A in the first short position detection process, FIG. , 2, the measurement position MP (6, 8) detected as the short position in the first short position detection processing is used as a new current supply point (new predetermined portion in the present invention) A1 for the plate electrode EL1. (Step 35). Next, the arithmetic control unit 5 executes a second short position detection process (step 36). Specifically, the arithmetic control unit 5 operates the current supply unit 2 at a constant current, and as illustrated in FIG. 5, the operation control unit 5 performs a current supply between the current supply point A1 of the plate electrode EL1 and the current supply point B of the plate electrode EL2. Supply of DC constant current is started (step 51). Next, the arithmetic control unit 5 causes the voltage measurement unit 3 to perform a scanning operation to measure the voltage distribution on the surface of the plate electrode EL1 (step 52). Specifically, the voltage measurement unit 3 sets the current supply point A1 of the plate electrode EL1 as a new reference point, and sequentially scans each probe 7 to obtain a new reference point (current supply point A1) and each measurement position. The potential difference from MP (the voltage at each measurement position MP with reference to the reference point) is measured as a voltage distribution, and the measured potential difference at each measurement position MP is output to the arithmetic control unit 5 as voltage data Dv. The arithmetic control unit 5 sequentially captures the voltage data Dv, and stores the captured voltage data Dv in the internal memory in association with the position of the measurement position MP. Further, after completing the measurement of the voltage distribution, the arithmetic control unit 5 stops the constant current operation of the current supply unit 2 and operates the discharge circuit (not shown) to charge the plate electrodes EL1 and EL2. Discharge the charge.

  Subsequently, the arithmetic control unit 5 detects a short position based on the voltage data Dv stored in the internal memory (step 53). Specifically, the arithmetic control unit 5 searches for the lowest measurement position MP of the voltage data Dv by comparing the voltage data Dv for each measurement position MP with each other. When there is no short position, the voltage data Dv at each measurement position MP is almost the same value although it varies slightly. Therefore, the arithmetic control unit 5 determines that there is no short position when the voltage data Dv at each measurement position MP is within this variation range, and the measurement position MP of the voltage data Dv that is lower than the variation range is When it exists, the measurement position MP of the lowest voltage data Dv among these measurement positions MP is searched. Next, when searching for such a measurement position MP, the arithmetic control unit 5 determines whether or not the measurement position MP is the measurement position MP located at the outer edge of the plate electrode EL1, and is located at the outer edge. At the measurement position MP, the searched measurement position MP is detected as a short position. In this example, the current supply unit 2 supplies a current to the plate electrode EL1 with the measurement position MP (6, 8), which is a short-circuit position, as a current supply point A1. Therefore, the current supply path from the plate electrode EL1 to the plate electrode EL2 includes a path directly flowing from the measurement position MP (6, 8) having the highest voltage, which is the current supply point A1, to the plate electrode EL2, and the measurement position MP. There are two paths: (6, 8) to a measurement position MP (b, 1), which is another short position, and then a flow path from the measurement position MP (b, 1) to the plate electrode EL2 after flowing on the plate electrode EL1. To do. Therefore, the voltage distribution on the surface of the plate electrode EL1 has the highest voltage even though the measurement position MP (6, 8) is a short position, and the measurement position MP (b, 1) which is another short position. ) Voltage is always the lowest. Therefore, the arithmetic control unit 5 detects the measurement position MP (b, 1) having the lowest voltage located at the outer edge of the plate electrode EL1 as a short position.

  On the other hand, when the plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 are not short-circuited except at the measurement position MP (6, 8), the current supply path from the plate electrode EL1 to the plate electrode EL2 is the measurement position MP (6) which is the current supply point A1. 8), and only the path that flows directly to the plate electrode EL2. In this state, the voltage distribution on the plate electrode EL1 has substantially the same potential at all measurement positions MP. Accordingly, when the measurement position MP having the smallest voltage data Dv does not exist as a result of the search, in other words, when the voltage data Dv at all the measurement positions MP is substantially equal, the arithmetic control unit 5 determines the measurement position MP (6, 8 It is determined that there is no short position other than). Next, the calculation control unit 5 displays information on the measurement position MP detected as the short position on the display unit 6 (step 54), and ends the second short position detection process. In this example, the calculation control unit 5 displays the position of the measurement position MP (b, 1) on the display unit 6 as information on the measurement position MP, and when it is determined that there is no short position, displays that fact. . When the short position is not detected in step 34, the short position detection (step 53) can be executed without executing steps 51 and 52 of the second short position detection process (step 36).

  After completing the second short position detection process, the arithmetic control unit 5 determines whether or not a short position is detected in the second short position detection process (presence / absence of a short position), as shown in FIG. When it is determined that the short position has not been detected (step 37), each probe 7 is separated from the plate electrode EL1 (step 39). On the other hand, when it is determined in step 37 that the short position has been detected, the arithmetic control unit 5 further determines whether or not the current supply point has been changed (step 38). 7 is separated from the plate electrode EL1 (step 39), and when it is determined that it has not been performed, steps 35 and 36 are executed again to detect other short positions located at the outer edge portions of the plate electrodes EL1 and EL2. To do. In this example, since the plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 are short-circuited at two positions of the measurement position MP (6, 8) and the measurement position MP (b, 1), the current supply point is already changed in step 35, The short position has already been detected in the first second short position detection process. Therefore, the arithmetic control unit 5 determines that the short position has been detected in Step 37 and proceeds to Step 38, and determines that the current supply point has already been changed in Step 38 and proceeds to Step 39. Finally, in step 39, the arithmetic control unit 5 controls the drive mechanism 4 to separate each probe 7 from the plate electrode EL1. This completes all short inspections.

  When the pair of plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 are short-circuited only at the outer edge portion, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the measurement position MP (3, b) and the measurement position MP (b) displayed by black triangle marks , B) When the plate electrodes EL1, EL2 are short-circuited at two points, the short position is not detected in the first short position detection process (step 33). In such a case, as described above, the calculation control unit 5 executes the second short position detection process (step 36) without executing step 35 (without changing the current supply point). As an example, it is assumed that the arithmetic control unit 5 detects the measurement position MP (3, b) as the first short position by the second short position detection process. Next, the arithmetic control unit 5 determines that the short position has been detected in Step 37 and determines that the current supply point has not been changed in the subsequent Step 38 and proceeds to Step 35. In step 35, a new current supply point for the plate electrode EL1 is replaced with the current supply point A instead of the measurement position MP (3, b) detected as the first short position in the second short position detection process executed first. And Next, the arithmetic control unit 5 executes a second short position detection process for the second time (step 36). In the second short position detection process for the second time, the arithmetic control unit 5 supplies a constant DC current to the current supply unit 2 with the measurement position MP (3, b) as a new current supply point for the plate electrode EL1. In this state, the measurement position MP (b, b) is detected as the next short position by detecting the measurement position MP having the smallest voltage data Dv. Next, the arithmetic control unit 5 determines that the short position has been detected in Step 37, determines that the current supply point has been changed in the subsequent Step 38, and proceeds to Step 39 to connect each probe 7 to the plate electrode EL1. To complete all short inspections.

  Further, when the pair of plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 are not short-circuited at the outer edge portion, even if the short-circuit position is detected and the current supply point is changed in the first short-position detection process, Even when the short-circuit position is not detected in the first short-position detection process and the current supply point is not changed, the calculation control unit 5 executes the second short-position detection process (step 36). In the voltage distribution on the flat plate electrode EL1, the potentials at all the measurement positions MP are substantially the same, and the short position is not detected in the second short position detection process. Accordingly, the arithmetic control unit 5 determines that the short position is not detected in Step 37 after the second short position detection process is first executed, and proceeds to Step 39 to connect each probe 7 to the plate electrode EL1. To complete all short inspections.

  Thus, according to this short detection device 1, when the arithmetic control unit 5 detects one short position and then detects another short position, it corresponds to one short position in one plate electrode EL1. The lowest voltage based on the voltage distribution on the surface of one plate electrode EL1 measured by the voltage measurement unit 3 in a state where a constant DC current is supplied to the current supply unit 2 with the measurement position MP as a new predetermined portion. The measurement position MP is detected, and when the detected measurement position MP is located at the outer edge portion of one plate electrode EL1, the measurement position MP is set as another short position between the pair of plate electrodes EL1 and EL2. Thus, other short positions can be reliably detected.

  Further, according to the short detection device 1, when the calculation control unit 5 detects the measurement position MP that becomes the voltage minimum point as the short position based on the voltage gradients Vs1 and Vs2, the measurement position corresponding to the detected short position. The measurement position MP of the lowest voltage based on the voltage distribution on the surface of the plate electrode EL1 measured by the voltage measurement unit 3 in a state where a constant DC current is supplied to the current supply unit 2 with MP as a new predetermined portion. When the detected measurement position MP is located at the outer edge of one plate electrode EL1, the measurement position MP is set as another short position between the pair of plate electrodes EL1 and EL2. When the flat plate electrodes EL1, EL2 are short-circuited at one place on the outer edge and short-circuited at one place on the non-outer edge Also, it is possible to reliably detect the measurement position MP corresponding respectively to both short position.

  Furthermore, according to the short detection device 1, the calculation control unit 5 detects the measurement position MP of the lowest voltage based on the voltage distribution measured by the voltage measurement unit 3, and the detected measurement position MP is the plate electrode. When located at the outer edge of EL1, the detected measurement position MP is detected as the position of one short location, and the measurement position MP corresponding to the detected short location is set as a new predetermined location to the current supply unit 2. In the state where the DC constant current is supplied, the lowest voltage measurement position MP is detected based on the voltage distribution on the surface of one plate electrode EL1 measured by the voltage measurement unit 3, and the detected measurement position MP is one When the measurement position MP is positioned at the outer edge of the flat plate electrode EL1, the short-circuit position between the pair of flat plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 Rukoto, even when the pair of plate electrodes EL1, EL2 each other is short-circuited at two locations at the outer edge portion, it is possible to reliably detect the measurement position MP corresponding respectively to both short position.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said structure, It can change suitably. For example, the short detection device 1 employs a configuration in which the first short position detection process and the second short position detection process are performed. However, when the plate electrodes EL1 and EL2 are always short-circuited only at the outer edge, the first short position detection process is performed. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which only the second short position detection process is executed without executing the short position detection process. Further, the short detection device 1 employs a configuration in which a plurality of probes 7 are arranged corresponding to a plurality of measurement positions MP. However, a single probe 7 is sequentially brought into contact with each measurement position MP to perform each measurement. A configuration for measuring the potential difference at the position MP can also be adopted. According to this configuration, although the time until the short position is specified becomes long, the configuration of the short detection device 1 can be simplified, and as a result, the device cost can be reduced. Further, in the short detection device 1, the voltage minimum point is detected based on the voltage gradients Vs1 and Vs2 along the left, right, and upper and lower directions, and the short position is specified, but based on the voltage gradient along the oblique direction. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the short position is specified by detecting the voltage minimum point. Further, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the short position is detected based on both the left and right, upper and lower voltage gradients Vs1, Vs2 and the diagonal voltage gradient. According to this configuration, the detection accuracy of the short position can be further increased.

  The short detection device 1 employs a configuration in which the short position is detected based on the voltage gradients Vs1 and Vs2 along two different directions to improve the detection accuracy. However, when priority is given to the detection speed over the detection accuracy. The short position can also be detected based only on the voltage gradient Vs along one direction. The short detection device 1 employs a configuration that calculates the voltage gradients Vs1 and Vs2 based on the normalized data Ds obtained by standardizing the voltage data Dv measured by the voltage measuring unit 3. It is also possible to adopt a configuration that directly calculates the voltage gradients Vs1 and Vs2 from the voltage data Dv.

  Further, in the short detection device 1, a plurality of measurement positions MP, MP,... With which the probe 7 is brought into contact are defined on the plate electrode EL1 in a matrix pattern as shown in FIG. It is also possible to arrange each measurement position MP on a regular pattern by arranging polygons such as parallelograms and regular hexagons adjacent to each other and making each measurement position MP correspond to the vertex of each polygon. . Further, the short detection device 1 employs a configuration in which the reference point at the time of measurement of the voltage data Dv by the voltage measurement unit 3 is set to the current supply point A in the plate electrode EL1, but this reference point is used as the current supply point A. It can also be set to any point different from. Moreover, although the example which detects the short position between flat electrode EL1, EL2 in a fuel cell was demonstrated, this invention can be applied effectively also to the short position detection with respect to between a pair of flat plate electrodes in another field | area. The short detection device 1 employs a configuration in which the current supply unit 2 and the voltage measurement unit 3 are provided separately. For example, the current supply unit 2 is arranged as a DC constant current source in the voltage measurement unit 3. And connecting the current supply unit 2 and the current supply point B in the voltage measurement unit 3 as shown by a one-dot chain line, and one of the plurality of probes 7 is used for current supply to the current supply unit 2. By connecting, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a DC constant current is supplied from the voltage measuring unit 3 between the plate electrodes EL1, EL2.

1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a short detection device 1. FIG. It is a top view of the support plate 8 in the state where the some probe 7 was attached. 3 is a flowchart of a short detection process in the short detection device 1. It is a flowchart of the 1st short position detection process shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of the 2nd short position detection process shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Short detection apparatus 2 Current supply part 3 Voltage measurement part 4 Drive mechanism 5 Calculation control part (detection part in this invention)
7 Probe A, A1 Current supply point (predetermined part of the plate electrode EL1)
Dv voltage data EL1, EL2 Plate electrode MP Measurement position

Claims (2)

A current supply section for supplying a current between a predetermined portion of one flat plate electrode and a predetermined portion of the other flat plate electrode of the pair of flat plate electrodes disposed opposite to each other;
Between a plurality of measurement positions defined on the one plate electrode in a predetermined pattern and one reference point defined on the one plate electrode in a state where current is supplied by the current supply unit A voltage measuring unit for measuring each potential difference of the voltage as a voltage distribution;
A voltage gradient between each measurement position and another measurement position adjacent along a predetermined direction is calculated based on the measured voltage distribution, and a voltage minimum point is calculated based on the calculated voltage gradient. A detection unit that detects the measurement position as a position of one short portion between the pair of plate electrodes,
When the detection unit detects the position of one short part after detecting the position of one short part, the current supply unit newly sets the measurement position as the one short part in the one plate electrode. As the predetermined portion, the current is supplied between the new predetermined portion and the predetermined portion of the other flat plate electrode, and the voltage measuring unit assigns the new predetermined portion to the one predetermined portion. As a reference point , the voltage distribution in a state where the current is supplied by the current supply unit is measured, and the detection unit detects the measurement position of the lowest voltage based on the measured voltage distribution. In addition, when the detected measurement position is located at the outer edge portion of the one flat plate electrode, the detected measurement position is the position of the other shorted portion between the pair of flat plate electrodes. Short-circuit detection device that detected. A current supply section for supplying a current between a predetermined portion of one flat plate electrode and a predetermined portion of the other flat plate electrode of the pair of flat plate electrodes disposed opposite to each other;
Between a plurality of measurement positions defined on the one plate electrode in a predetermined pattern and one reference point defined on the one plate electrode in a state where current is supplied by the current supply unit A voltage measuring unit for measuring each potential difference of the voltage as a voltage distribution;
Based on the measured voltage distribution, the measurement position of the lowest voltage is detected, and when the detected measurement position is located at an outer edge portion of the one plate electrode, the detected measurement position is set to the pair of flat plates. A detection unit that detects the position of one short spot between the electrodes,
When the detection unit detects the position of one short part after detecting the position of one short part, the current supply unit newly sets the measurement position as the one short part in the one plate electrode. As the predetermined portion, the current is supplied between the new predetermined portion and the predetermined portion of the other flat plate electrode, and the voltage measuring unit assigns the new predetermined portion to the one predetermined portion. As a reference point , the voltage distribution in a state where the current is supplied by the current supply unit is measured, and the detection unit detects the measurement position of the lowest voltage based on the measured voltage distribution. In addition, when the detected measurement position is located at the outer edge portion of the one flat plate electrode, the detected measurement position is the position of the other shorted portion between the pair of flat plate electrodes. Short-circuit detection device that detected.

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