JP6844337B2 - Warp correction device for metal separator - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a warp correction device for a metal separator.

Conventionally, a technique for removing residual stress in a member by applying ultrasonic vibration is known (for example, Patent Document 1). Deformation of the member can be suppressed by removing the residual stress in the member.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-018306

However, in the prior art, if the member has already been deformed, the deformation cannot be corrected. Therefore, a technique capable of correcting a deformed member is desired.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and can be realized in the following forms.
Form 1: According to Form 1, a warp correction device for a metal separator having a warp at one end and the other end is provided. This warp correction device includes an ultrasonic generator that causes ultrasonic vibration in the metal separator, a reflector that ultrasonically vibrates by the ultrasonic generator, and the metal separator when the metal separator is installed. The ultrasonic generator includes at least one end portion and a holding plate facing the reflecting plate with the other end portion sandwiched between the holding plate and the ultrasonic generator. The holding plate and the reflecting plate are ultrasonically vibrated in a state where the metal separator is arranged in a gap equal to or larger than the thickness of the metal separator in the state before correction and the gap is maintained. According to this form, ultrasonic waves are applied to a metal separator having a warp at one end and the other end to reduce the residual stress of the metal separator, and one end and the other end of the metal separator are pressed by a pressing plate and a reflector. Can be hit by. Therefore, it is possible to correct the deformation of the metal separator that has already been deformed (warped). Further, according to this form of the warp correction device, the ultrasonic generator has a state in which the metal separator is arranged in a gap equal to or larger than the thickness of the metal separator formed between the presser plate and the reflector, and the presser plate and the reflector are reflected. The plate and the plate are ultrasonically vibrated. As a result, it is possible to prevent the metal separator from being strongly sandwiched between the presser plate and the reflector. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the metal separator from being deformed due to the pinching force applied to the metal separator by the pressing plate and the reflector.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a warp correction device for a metal separator having a warp at one end and the other end. This warp correction device includes an ultrasonic generator that causes ultrasonic vibration in the metal separator, a reflector that ultrasonically vibrates by the ultrasonic generator, and a metal separator when the metal separator is installed. A pressing plate facing the reflecting plate with at least one end and the other end sandwiched between them is provided. In the ultrasonic generator, the holding plate and the reflecting plate are ultrasonically placed in a state where the metal separator is arranged in a gap equal to or larger than the thickness of the metal separator formed between the holding plate and the reflecting plate. Vibrate.
According to this type of warp correction device, ultrasonic waves are applied to a metal separator having a warp at one end and the other end to reduce the residual stress of the metal separator, and at the same time, the one end and the other end of the metal separator are pressed down. It can be hit by a plate and a reflector. Therefore, it is possible to correct the deformation of the metal separator that has already been deformed (warped). Further, according to this form of the warp correction device, the ultrasonic generator has a state in which the metal separator is arranged in a gap equal to or larger than the thickness of the metal separator formed between the presser plate and the reflector, and the presser plate and the reflector are reflected. The plate and the plate are ultrasonically vibrated. As a result, it is possible to prevent the metal separator from being strongly sandwiched between the presser plate and the reflector. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the metal separator due to the pinching force applied to the metal separator by the pressing plate and the reflector.

The present disclosure can be realized in various forms other than the above-mentioned metal separator straightening device, and can be realized in, for example, a method for correcting warpage of a metal separator, a method for manufacturing a metal separator, and the like. ..

The schematic diagram of the warp correction apparatus which concerns on embodiment. Schematic diagram of the metal separator. The figure for demonstrating the warp correction of a metal separator.

A. Embodiment FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a warp correction device 100 according to an embodiment. The warp correction device 100 includes a pair of ultrasonic wave applying mechanisms 10a and 10b, a reflector 20 arranged on the installation table 25, and a control unit 30. The warp correction device 100 corrects the warp of the metal separator 200 having a warp at one end 202 and the other end 204. One end 202 and the other 204 are positions that sandwich the flow path SP (FIG. 2 described later) in the longitudinal direction of the metal separator 200. The control unit 30 controls each unit of the warp correction device 100 (for example, the drive units 13a and 13b and the ultrasonic generators 12a and 12b).

The ultrasonic wave applying mechanisms 10a and 10b include holding plates 11a and 11b, ultrasonic generators 12a and 12b, and drive units 13a and 13b. The ultrasonic wave applying mechanisms 10a and 10b apply ultrasonic waves to the reflector 20 and the metal separator 200.

The ultrasonic generators 12a and 12b have ultrasonic vibrators (not shown), and apply ultrasonic waves to the holding plates 11a and 11b, the reflector 20, and the metal separator 200. As a result, the pressing plates 11a and 11b, the reflector 20, and the metal separator 200 are ultrasonically vibrated. The ultrasonic generators 12a and 12b are arranged between the pressing plates 11a and 11b and the drive units 13a and 13b. The wavelength of the ultrasonic waves applied by the ultrasonic wave generators 12a and 12b is set to a wavelength that can reduce the residual stress of the metal separator 200. Specifically, the wavelength of the ultrasonic wave is preferably a wavelength included in the range of 10 kHz to 50 kHz, and more preferably a wavelength included in the range of 15 kHz to 30 kHz. Further, the outputs of the ultrasonic generators 12a and 12b are outputs capable of correcting the warp of the metal separator 200, and for installing the flow path SP (FIG. 2 described later) and the seal member of the metal separator 200. The groove SL (FIG. 2 described later) is adjusted so that the output is smaller than the damaged output.

When the metal separator 200 is installed in the warp correction device 100, the pressing plates 11a and 11b are arranged so as to face the reflector 20 with one end 202 and the other end 204 of the metal separator 200 interposed therebetween. .. The pressing plates 11a and 11b are plate-shaped members having rigidity (for example, metal plates such as stainless steel), and are ultrasonically vibrated when ultrasonic waves are applied from the ultrasonic generators 12a and 12b. In the present embodiment, the surfaces of the pressing plates 11a and 11b on the side facing the metal separator 200 are horizontal, but the shape is not limited to this. For example, the presser plates 11a and 11b may have a shape that warps on the side opposite to the warp of the metal separator 200.

The drive units 13a and 13b are connected to the pressing plates 11a and 11b via the ultrasonic generators 12a and 12b, and are driven by a driving force (not shown) of a motor or the like. The drive units 13a and 13b adjust the distance between the pressing plates 11a and 11b and the reflecting plate 20 by moving the pressing plates 11a and 11b in the direction VD in which the pressing plates 11a and 11b and the reflecting plate 20 face each other. The distance between the pressing plates 11a and 11b and the reflecting plate 20 is adjusted so as to form a gap Ga. The size of the gap Ga is set to a size that is equal to or greater than the thickness Th of the metal separator 200 in the state before the warp is corrected, and the ultrasonic vibration is efficiently transmitted to the metal separator 200. The thickness Th is the distance from the upper end of the metal separator 200 to the reflector 20 when it is installed on the reflector 20. Specifically, the size of the gap Ga is preferably 1 time or more and less than 1.5 times the thickness Th. The size of the gap Ga may be set for each metal separator 200 visually or based on the detection signal of the sensor, or may be a size stored in advance in the control unit 30. The size of the gap Ga is maintained at a constant size from the start to the end of the warp correction of the metal separator 200 by the warp correction device 100.

The reflector 20 is a plate-shaped member (for example, a metal plate such as stainless steel) having a rigidity higher than that of the metal separator 200. The reflector 20 vibrates ultrasonically when ultrasonic waves are applied from the ultrasonic generators 12a and 12b. The surface of the reflector 20 on the side where the metal separator 200 is installed is horizontal, but the shape is not limited to this. For example, the reflector 20 may have a shape warped on the side opposite to the warp of the metal separator 200.

When the metal separator 200 is installed on the reflector 20, the distance between the reflector 20 and the pressing plates 11a and 11b is larger than the gap Ga. After the metal separator 200 is installed on the reflector 20, the presser plates 11a and 11b are moved by the drive units 13a and 13b to the positions where the gap Ga is formed. After the gap Ga is formed, the ultrasonic generators 12a and 12b apply ultrasonic waves to the pressing plates 11a and 11b. That is, the ultrasonic generators 12a and 12b ultrasonically vibrate the pressing plates 11a and 11b and the reflector 20 with the metal separator 200 arranged in the gap Ga. As a result, the correction of the warp of the metal separator 200 is started.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the metal separator 200. The metal separator 200 has manifold forming portions M1 to M6, an uneven flow path SP, and a groove portion SL. The manifold forming portions M1 to M6 are formed on both end portions 202 and 204 in the longitudinal direction of the metal separator 200. The flow path SP is formed in the central portion of the metal separator 200. The flow path SP is, for example, a flow path for circulating a fuel gas or an oxidation gas. The groove portion SL is a groove for installing the seal member, and is formed around the flow path SP and the manifold forming portions M1 to M6. The region surrounded by the broken lines A1 and A2 in FIG. 3 is a place where the pressing plates 11a and 11b are located when the metal separator 200 is installed in the warp correction device 100. The metal separator 200 is, for example, a separator for gripping a membrane electrode assembly of a single cell of a fuel cell and a separator for protecting a current collecting plate in a terminal plate of a fuel cell stack.

The metal separator 200 is, for example, a member obtained by pressing a thin plate made of titanium steel or stainless steel. In the metal separator 200, an imbalance of residual stress occurs when a flow path SP or a groove SL is formed by press working. When an imbalance of residual stress occurs, warpage occurs between one end 202 and the other end 204 of the metal separator 200.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the warp correction of the metal separator 200. Here, FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the presser plate 11a in the warp correction device 100. The warp correction of the metal separator 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 3, and the effect of the present embodiment will be described.

The metal separator 200 arranged in the gap Ga is flipped up by the ultrasonic vibration of the reflector 20 when the warp correction is started, and vibrates in the direction SV in which the presser plates 11a and 11b and the reflector 20 face each other. The metal separator 200 flipped up by the reflector 20 falls onto the reflector 20 after the one end 202 and the other end 204 collide with the pressing plates 11a and 11b. The metal separator 200 that has fallen onto the reflector 20 is flipped up again by the reflector 20. Therefore, the metal separator 200 is hit by the pressing plates 11a and 11b and the reflector 20 at the same time.

By applying ultrasonic waves to the metal separator 200, the yield stress of the metal separator 200 is reduced. As a result, the metal separator 200 is liable to undergo plastic deformation. The warp correction device 100 (FIG. 1) strikes the metal separator 200, which is liable to undergo plastic deformation due to the application of ultrasonic waves, with the pressing plates 11a and 11b and the reflector 20. As a result, the warp of the metal separator is reduced.

One end 202 and the other end 204 of the metal separator 200 are sandwiched between a pair of ultrasonic wave applying mechanisms 10a and 10b and a reflector 20. Since the warp correction device 100 hits one end 202 and the other end 204 of the metal separator 200 at the same time, the other end (for example, the other) is being corrected during the warp correction of one end (for example, one end 202). There is no need to fix the end 204). As a result, the labor required to attach the metal separator 200 to the warp straightening device 100 is reduced. In addition, the possibility of damage due to an external force received when the metal separator 200 is fixed to the device can be reduced.

The metal separator 200 repeats vibration by ultrasonic vibration. Since the metal separator 200 collides with the pressing plates 11a and 11b and the reflecting plate 20 each time it vibrates, it receives an impact of 1,000 times or more per second. Due to this impact, the residual stress of the metal separator 200 is reduced, and the imbalance of the residual stress in the metal separator 200 is reduced. Therefore, the warp straightening device 100 can prevent the warp-corrected metal separator 200 from being warped again.

As described above, according to the warp correction device 100 according to the embodiment, ultrasonic waves are applied to the metal separator 200 having a warp at one end 202 and the other end 204, and the one end 202 and the other end 204 Can be hit at the same time. Therefore, the metal separator 200 that has already been deformed (warped) can be corrected.

Further, according to the warp correction device 100, the ultrasonic generator 12a arranges the metal separator 200 in a gap Ga having a thickness Th or more of the metal separator 200 formed between the pressing plates 11a and 11b and the reflector 20. In this state, the pressing plates 11a and 11b and the reflector 20 are ultrasonically vibrated. As a result, it is possible to prevent the metal separator 200 from being strongly sandwiched between the pressing plates 11a and 11b and the reflecting plate 20. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the metal separator 200 from being deformed due to the pinching force applied to the metal separator 200 by the pressing plates 11a and 11b and the reflecting plate 20. In addition, damage to each structure of the metal separator 200 (for example, the flow path SP (FIG. 2) and the groove SL) caused by the pinching force can be suppressed.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be realized by various configurations within a range not deviating from the gist thereof. For example, the technical features in the examples corresponding to the technical features in each form described in the column of the outline of the invention may be used to solve some or all of the above-mentioned problems, or one of the above-mentioned effects. It is possible to replace or combine as appropriate to achieve part or all. Further, if the technical feature is not described as essential in the present specification, it can be deleted as appropriate.

10a, 10b ... Ultrasonic wave applying mechanism 11a, 11b ... Presser plate 12a, 12b ... Ultrasonic generator 13a, 13b ... Drive unit 20 ... Reflector plate 25 ... Installation stand 30 ... Control unit 100 ... Warp correction device 200 ... Metal separator 202 … One end 204… The other end Ga… Gap M1 to M6… Manifold forming part SL… Groove part SP… Flow path

Claims (2)

A metal separator warp correction device that has warpage at one end and the other end.
An ultrasonic generator that causes ultrasonic vibration in the metal separator,
A reflector that ultrasonically vibrates by the ultrasonic generator,
When the metal separator is installed, at least one end of the metal separator and a pressing plate facing the reflector with the other end sandwiched between the metal separators are provided.
The ultrasonic generator is a state in which the metal separator is arranged in a gap equal to or larger than the thickness of the metal separator in a state before the warp formed between the holding plate and the reflector is corrected. The holding plate and the reflecting plate are ultrasonically vibrated while the gap is maintained.
Warp correction device. The warp correction device according to claim 1.
The metal separator has a flow path portion through which gas flows.
The one end portion and the other end portion are arranged so as to sandwich the flow path portion.
The presser plate is a warp correction device that faces the reflector by sandwiching one end and the other end of the metal separator without facing the reflector by sandwiching the flow path portion of the metal separator.

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