Automated stack manufacturing method and system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2026058181-A1
Application number	US-202419005742-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 30, 2024
Priority date	Aug 20, 2024
Publication date	Feb 26, 2026
Grant date	—

Abstract

Proposed are an automated stack manufacturing method and system, according to which each plate forming a stack is automatically manufactured and held, and individual plates are sequentially placed on a moving part and stacked to be connected to manufacture the stack, thereby improving stack production efficiency.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An automated stack manufacturing method, comprising:
a first process step of cutting a first material to form a first frame and placing a bipolar plate on the first frame to form a first plate; a second process step of cutting a second material to form a second frame and placing a membrane on the second frame to form a second plate; a third process step of cutting a third material to form a flow path plate with a flow path on a side thereof; and a fourth process step of stacking the first plate, an electrode plate, the flow path plate, and the second plate in order.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein in the fourth process step, an adhesive material is applied to a first side or a second side of each of the first plate, the flow path plate, and the second plate, and the first plate, the flow path plate, and the second plate are pressed from above and below by a first pressure plate and a second pressure plate so as to be connected.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein in the first process step, the first material is supported by a first support part supported from below, and a first cutting part that moves from top to bottom to cut the first material cuts the first material.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the first support part comprises: a 1 a support surface; and a 1 b support surface having a smaller size than the 1 a support surface,
wherein the 1 a support surface and the 1 b support surface each are in contact with the first material and support the first material.

5 . An automated stack manufacturing system, comprising:
a first process section where a first cutting part cuts a first material to form a first frame, and a bipolar plate is disposed on a side of the first frame to manufacture a first plate; a second process section where a second cutting part cuts a second material to form a second frame, and a membrane is disposed on a side of the second frame to manufacture a second plate; a third process section where a third cutting part cuts a third material to form a flow path plate; and a fourth process section where the first plate, an electrode plate, the flow path plate, and the second plate are stacked to be arranged.

6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the first process section comprises:
a first winding part where the first material is wound; a first unwinding part configured to pull the first material in one direction; a first support part configured to support a lower side of the first material; and the first cutting part located corresponding to the first support part, and configured to cut the first material from above the first material supported on the first support part.

7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the first support part supports the first material while first material is cut by the first cutting part and, when the first material is cut and formed into the first frame, moves the first frame upward and then downward.

8 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the fourth process section comprises a moving part configured to perform movement in one direction,
wherein the first plate, the electrode plate, the flow path plate, and the second plate are positioned adjacent to the moving part, and a pusher is disposed corresponding to each of the first plate, the electrode plate, the flow path plate, and the second plate to move the first plate, the electrode plate, the flow path plate, and the second plate to the moving part, so that the first plate, the electrode plate, the flow path plate, and the second plate are stacked.

9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein each pusher can be raised and lowered, and
when the pusher is operated so that the first plate is placed on the moving part, another pusher rises in response to the first plate.

10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the fourth process section further comprises a first pressure plate configured to press from top to bottom and a second pressure plate configured to press from bottom to top to connect the first plate, the electrode plate, the flow path plate, and the second plate when the first plate, the electrode plate, the flow path plate, and the second plate are stacked.

Assignees

• Korea Inst Energy Res

Inventors

• Jin Chang Soo
• Kim Sung One
• Shin Kyoung Hee
• Yeon Sun Hwa
• Kim Dong Ha
• Park Se Kook
• Hwang Seung Hae
• Gueon Dong Hee

Classifications

• H01M8/0228

  in the form of layered or coated products · CPC title

• H01M8/188

  by recharging of redox couples containing fluids; Redox flow type batteries · CPC title

• H01M8/248

  Means for compression of the fuel cell stacks · CPC title

• H01M8/2404 Primary

  Processes or apparatus for grouping fuel cells · CPC title

• Y02E60/50

  Fuel cells · CPC title