DE102021119054A1 - Device for holding a plate-shaped component when testing and/or processing the component, and use therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for holding a panel-shaped component (1) during testing and/or processing of the component (1), the device (10) having a lower part (20), an upper part (30) and an adjusting device ( 40), by means of which the lower part (20) and the upper part (30) can be displaced relative to one another along an adjustment direction (V) away from one another into an open position and towards one another into a closed position, so that in the open position a plate-shaped component (1) can be inserted into or removed from a gap between the lower part (20) and the upper part (30) and in the closed position the lower part (20) and the upper part (30) are brought together in such a way that a plate-shaped component (1) previously inserted in the gap is pinched in a reduced space between the lower part (20) and the upper part (30). According to the invention, the lower part (20) is equipped with at least one centering body (50), which can be displaced in the adjustment direction (V) by means of a guide (60) formed in the lower part (20) and is elastically preloaded with a spherical end (52). protrudes from the lower part (20), so that when a component (1) is inserted, the component (1) can be centered by engaging the convex end (52) in a corresponding centering recess (2) formed on the component (1). The invention also relates to the use of such a device (10) for holding a bipolar plate or bipolar half-plate as the component (1) in a leak test.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for holding a plate-shaped component during testing and/or processing of the component, the device having: a lower part and an upper part, and an adjustment device, by means of which the lower part and the upper part move away from one another relative to one another along an adjustment direction into an open position and towards each other into a closed position, so that in the open position a plate-shaped component can be inserted into a space between the lower part and the upper part or removed from it, and in the closed position the lower part and the upper part are brought together in such a way that a previously Gap inserted plate-shaped component is clamped in a reduced gap between the lower part and the upper part.

Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of such a device.

Devices of this type are known from the prior art for various fields of application.

In many applications, it is necessary for the plate-shaped component in question to be introduced into the device with a so-called "indexing" so that after the lower part and upper part have been brought together, it is clamped in a position that is defined as precisely as possible for subsequent testing and/or processing and is thus fixed.

For this purpose, it is known from the prior art to equip the lower part with at least one centering bolt, which protrudes from the lower part into the gap between the lower part and the upper part, so that when a component is inserted by the centering bolt engaging in a the component trained corresponding centering recess in the form of a through hole (z. B. hole or punched out) the component can be centered at the point of the centering pin. The centering pin can here z. B. have a cylindrical shape or preferably a tapered (z. B. conical) towards the distal end.

However, if such known devices for mechanically relatively unstable plate-shaped components such. B. thin-walled components or thin foils or sheets are used, there is a risk that when inserting and especially when removing the component on the one or more centering pin tilted and thus deformed and thus damaged.

It is therefore an object of the invention to show a way with which the range of application of a device of the type mentioned can be increased, in particular to use such a device to hold a mechanically relatively unstable plate-shaped component without the risk of undesired deformation of the component to be able to

According to the present invention, this object is achieved in a device of the type mentioned at the outset in that the lower part is equipped with at least one centering body which, by means of a guide formed in the lower part, can be displaced in the adjustment direction and is elastically preloaded with a spherical end protruding from the lower part. so that when a component is inserted, the component can be centered by engaging the crowned end in a corresponding centering recess formed on the component.

With the device according to the invention, it is advantageously possible, in particular, to gently insert and remove a mechanically relatively unstable component from the device.

The convex end of the centering body can, for. B. have a shape that tapers starting from a located in the guide shank portion of the centering to the distal end of the centering (protruding from the guide), be it z. B. an approximately conical shape or z. B. a spherical shape.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device is used to hold a component, with the convex end of the centering body and the corresponding centering cutout of the component being designed in such a way that when the component is inserted, the component comes into contact with an edge of the centering cutout on the convex end of the centering body system is coming. This is the case when the convex end of the centering body and the centering recess (relative to each other) are dimensioned in such a way that the convex end does not fit completely into the centering recess or, in the case of a centering recess designed as a through opening, does not fit through this opening. In this case, the convex end of the centering body comes into contact with an edge of the centering recess, for example in a contact area that runs in a closed ring shape in the circumferential direction.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device is used to hold a component, with the convex end of the centering body and the corresponding centering recess of the component are designed in such a way that when the component is inserted, the component comes to rest against the crowned end of the centering body with a base of a centering recess that does not go through the component. This is the case when the convex end of the centering body fits completely or at least so far into the centering recess of the component (designed as a "blind hole") that the convex end comes to rest on the base of the centering recess. In this embodiment, it is preferred that the shapes of the convex end on the one hand and the centering recess on the other hand correspond to one another, ie are at least approximately identical (e.g. both spherical with the same curvature).

In both of the above-described embodiments, it can advantageously be provided that when inserting and removing the component, the component is arranged at a certain distance from the lower part (resting on the spherical end(s)) due to the elastically preloaded spherical end of the centering body protruding from the lower part ), which makes it easier to insert and remove the component.

For example, a clearance can be provided between the upper side of the lower part and the lower side of the inserted component, viewed in the direction of adjustment, which is viewed at least at one point over the surface of the (plate-shaped) component (or even apart from the points of the centering body over the entire surface of the component) is at least 5 times, in particular at least 50 times or at least 100 times the extent of the inserted component viewed in the adjustment direction and/or is at least 1 mm, in particular at least 2 mm.

In a development of this embodiment that is preferred in many applications, it is provided that at the end of an adjustment from the open position to the closed position, the centering body is pushed back into the lower part against its elastic preload so far that at this point (immediately around the centering body) the component with its underside comes to rest on the upper side of the lower part.

However, it is also possible that, according to an alternative development, at the end of an adjustment from the open position to the closed position, the centering body is only pushed back into the lower part against its elastic preload (or can be pushed back, e.g. due to a stop) so far that at this point (immediately around the centering body) in the closed position the component does not come into contact with the lower part, which should not rule out that the maximum push-back is dimensioned in such a way that this occurs at (at least) another point (further away from the centering body ) the component comes into contact with the lower part.

In one embodiment, the device is designed to hold a component designed as a bipolar plate or bipolar half-plate for a fuel cell, and also has means for carrying out a leak test of the bipolar plate or bipolar half-plate.

The term "bipolar plate" refers to a plate-shaped component which is usually used to produce a fuel cell stack formed from stacked fuel cells and which separates two adjacent fuel cells in the fuel cell stack in question, electrically acting as a cathode for one of these fuel cells and at the same time as an anode for the other of these Fuel cells is used. For the prior art of fuel cell stacks, see the publications as an example EP 2 357 698 B1 , EP 2 445 045 B1 , EP 2 584 635 B1 , EP 2 946 431 B1 and EP 3 316 377 A1 referred.

Such a bipolar plate is usually, if not only provided as a cathode or anode at one end of the fuel cell stack, consists of two interconnected on their flat sides ("back-to-back"), z. B. welded "bipolar half-plates" (e.g. made of metallic material) are formed, with a cooling medium channel structure often being formed in a space between the two half-plates in order to prevent e.g. B. a cooling medium (z. B. air or water) to flow between the half-plates. The half-plates can e.g. B. in each case by forming (z. B. deep drawing or the like) of a metal sheet may be produced, so that the half-plates are corrugated to a certain extent by this forming, d. H. are provided with depressions and elevations on their flat sides, so that after two half-plates have been joined and connected (e.g. by welding), the channel structure mentioned between the two half-plates (and e.g. a so-called "flow field" on each of the outer Flat sides of the composite structure) is formed.

Irrespective of this, a bipolar plate typically has a fuel channel structure on both sides and a bipolar half-plate on one side for guiding a fuel (e.g. hydrogen) or an oxidizing agent channel structure for guiding an oxidizing agent (e.g. oxygen or air) during operation of the fuel cell stack (so-called “flow fields”).

The order of magnitude of the thickness of a (eg metallic) sheet metal material used to produce bipolar half plates, and thus also the order of magnitude of the thickness of bipolar half plates and bipolar plates, is a few 100 μm. Consequently, bipolar half-plates and bipolar plates are very sensitive “plate-shaped components” for which the device according to the invention can be used particularly advantageously.

In such bipolar plates and z. B. the bipolar half plates prefabricated for this purpose, it is desirable in practice to check the "tightness" of one or more of the aforementioned channel structures (coolant, fuel and / or oxidant channel structure) and / or other areas of such plates, be it as part of series production of these components or randomly as part of quality assurance in such series production.

As an alternative or in addition to a leak test of channel structures that are realized by the shape of the plate or plate side in question (and possibly welds), a leak test of sealed areas can also be considered, which are provided by sealing devices arranged on the component in question (e.g . injected or dispensed sealing beads) are limited.

In such a leak test, the device according to the invention can be used particularly advantageously in order to fix the plate-shaped component (here: bipolar plate or bipolar half-plate) gently and indexed in the device by means of the at least one centering body.

A further advantage of using the device according to the invention specifically for holding a bipolar plate or bipolar half-plate is that this type of plate-shaped component can usually be provided with one or preferably several centering recesses during production without any significant additional effort Use of the invention are required. As already mentioned, sheets are typically formed for the production of bipolar half plates or bipolar plates, so that e.g. B. recesses produced by forming can be provided as such centering recesses. In addition, such metal sheets are often provided with local bores and/or punched-out portions, so that centering recesses that can be used for the use of the invention can also be formed.

In one embodiment of the device it is provided that the adjusting device has at least one threaded spindle passing through the lower part and the upper part. In this way, the adjustability of the device can be implemented in a simple manner, with the adjustment between the open position and the closed position being able to take place by rotating one or more threaded spindles. The relative movement of the lower part and the upper part by means of one or more threaded spindle(s) is then preferably a linear movement, e.g. a lifting movement. In principle, however, a non-linear relative movement, e.g. a pivoting movement about a common axis, is also conceivable.

Actuation of the adjusting device, in the above example, for. B. by appropriate rotation of one or more threaded spindles can be provided both manually by an operator and motorized (z. B. automated) within the scope of the invention.

In one embodiment of the device it is provided that the convex end of the centering body has an at least approximately rotationally symmetrical shape with respect to the adjustment direction. For example, the convex end of the centering body can have an at least approximately spherical shape. Alternatively or additionally, the centering body can have an at least approximately spherical shape overall.

In one embodiment of the device it is provided that an end of the centering body opposite the convex end of the centering body has a cylindrical shape. In this case, the centering can advantageously z. B. be guided in a likewise cylindrical guide seat.

In one embodiment of the device it is provided that the elastic preloading of the centering body is realized by means of a spring, in particular z. B. is realized by means of a compression spring (e.g. spiral compression spring) arranged in the lower part and loading an end of the centering body opposite the convex end of the centering body. Alternatively, other means of realizing the elastic preloading of the centering element can be considered, e.g. B. a preload by magnetic force (e.g. with at least one magnet on or in the centering body and in the area of the guide).

In an advantageous embodiment of the device, it is provided that the lower part is equipped with several centering bodies, each of which can be displaced in the adjustment direction by means of a respective guide formed in the lower part and is elastically preloaded with a spherical end protruding from the lower part, so that when a component is inserted through respective interventions convex ends in corresponding centering recesses formed on the component, the component can be centered.

In one embodiment, the lower part is equipped with three centering bodies. In another embodiment, the lower part is equipped with four or more centering bodies.

In one embodiment, the plurality of centering bodies, together with the respective guide formed in the lower part, are of identical design.

In one embodiment of the device it is provided that in or on the lower part and/or upper part at least one device provided for testing and/or processing a plate-shaped component inserted in the device and clamped in the closed position between lower part and upper part is arranged.

Alternatively or additionally, the device can also have at least one device provided for testing and/or processing that is separate from the lower part and the upper part.

In one embodiment, a pressure supply device is provided as such a “device” in order to supply a pressurized medium (e.g. air or e.g. water) to the component clamped in the device at (at least) a specific point.

A pressure supply device can be used, for example, to test the component for leaks, for example by checking whether the component “holds”, i. H. a relevant area of the component is tight or not, d. H. a relevant area of the component is not tight.

Depending on the component (and depending on the area to be checked), the area to be checked for leaks can be either an area that is completely sealed off by areas (walls) of the component or an area that is also partially sealed by the base and/or or upper part (or sealing parts arranged thereon) of the device (in its closed position) is sealed.

In one embodiment of the device, a pressure supply device is provided which has at least one pressure supply channel which runs through the lower part and/or upper part.

According to a further aspect of the invention, use of a device of the type described here for holding a plate-shaped component during testing (e.g. leak testing, optical testing, etc.) and/or processing (e.g. material removal, drilling, etc.) of the component is suggested.

In particular, use of a device of the type described here for holding a component designed as a bipolar plate or bipolar half-plate for a fuel cell during (at least) a leak test of the bipolar plate or bipolar half-plate is proposed.

The embodiments and special configurations described here for the device according to the invention can, individually or in any combination, also be provided in an analogous manner for embodiments or special configurations of a use according to the invention, and vice versa.

In one embodiment of the use according to the invention, it is provided that the device is used to hold a component designed as a bipolar plate or bipolar half-plate for a fuel cell and that the bipolar plate or bipolar half-plate held in the device is checked for leaks, the device having (at least) equipped with a device provided for this leak test, this (at least one) device e.g. B. is arranged in or on the lower part, and / or in or on the upper part, and / or elsewhere in the device.

• 1 eine Seitenansicht einer Vorrichtung zur Prüfung einer Bipolarplatte, in einer Öffnungsstellung der Vorrichtung,
• 2 eine Draufsicht eines Unterteils der Vorrichtung von 1,
• 3 eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung von 1 während einer Verstellung von der Öffnungsstellung in eine Schließstellung der Vorrichtung,
• 4 eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung von 1 nach Erreichen der Schließstellung,
• 5 eine Seitenansicht eines Details einer Vorrichtung gemäß eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels,
• 6 eine Seitenansicht eines Details einer Vorrichtung gemäß eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels,
• 7 die Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung von 1 in der Öffnungsstellung, jedoch gemäß eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels der Verwendung dieser Vorrichtung, und
• 8 die Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung von 7, jedoch in der Schließstellung.

The invention is described in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. They each represent schematically:

• 1 a side view of a device for testing a bipolar plate, in an open position of the device,
• 2 a top view of a bottom part of the device of FIG 1 ,
• 3 a side view of the device of FIG 1 during an adjustment from the open position to a closed position of the device,
• 4 a side view of the device of FIG 1 after reaching the closed position,
• 5 a side view of a detail of a device according to a further embodiment,
• 6 a side view of a detail of a device according to a further embodiment,
• 7 the side view of the device from 1 in the open position, but according to another embodiment of the use of this device, and
• 8th the side view of the device from 7 , but in the closed position.

1 1 shows a device 10 in a schematic and not to scale manner, by means of which a plate-shaped component 1 (a bipolar plate in the example) can be held during testing and/or processing of this component 1. 1 shows the device 10 with the component 1 already inserted into the device 10.

The device 10 has a lower part 20, an upper part 30 and an adjustment device 40, by means of which the lower part 20 and the upper part 30 are moved away from one another relative to one another along an adjustment direction “V” into an open position ( 1 ) and towards each other in a closed position ( 4 ) can be relocated so that in the in 1 shown in the open position of the device 10, the plate-shaped component 1 (here: bipolar plate) can be easily inserted into an intermediate space between the lower part 20 and the upper part 30.

In the example shown, the adjustment device 40 has a plurality of threaded spindles which pass through the lower part 20 and the upper part 30 and are oriented in the adjustment direction V, so that the aforementioned adjustment between the open position ( 1 ) and closed position ( 4 ) can be done.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, it is assumed that when the device 10 is in use, the lower part 20 represents a stationary base of the device 10 or is connected to such a stationary base (not shown), and that when the adjusting device 40 is actuated (in the example by rotating the threaded spindles ) consequently the upper part 30 shifts, whereas the lower part 20 remains stationary. Within the scope of the invention, however, only the possibility of a relative displacement of these two device components 20 and 30 is essential, so that, contrary to the exemplary embodiment shown, it can also be provided within the scope of the invention that by actuating the adjustment device, the upper part can also be moved as an alternative or in addition (to the lower part). is relocated.

A special feature of the device 10 is that the lower part 20 is equipped with a plurality of centering bodies 50 (balls in the example), which can each be displaced in the adjustment direction V by means of a respective guide 60 formed in the lower part 20 .

The centering bodies 50 protrude elastically preloaded with a crowned (convexly curved) end 52 from the lower part 20, so that when the component 1 is inserted, the crowned ends 52 engage in the corresponding centering recesses 2 formed on the component 1, so that the component 1 is centered ( "indexed").

The elastic preloading of the centering bodies 50 is realized in the example by means of respective springs 70 which are arranged in the lower part 20 within the respective guides 60 . The springs 70 are embodied as compression springs (here: spiral compression springs) and each load an end 54 of this centering body 50 that is opposite the spherical end 52 of the relevant centering body 50.

2 is a plan view of the lower part 20 of the device 10, from which it can be seen that in the example shown, a total of four centering bodies 50 with associated guides 60 and springs 70 are provided, the arrangements of the centering bodies 50 with associated guides 60 and springs 70 being identical in the example are formed to each other.

During an adjustment starting from the in 1 shown open position in an in 4 In the closed position shown, initially only the upper part 30 (in 1 down) until it contacts the convex ends 52 of the centering body 50.

In the further course of this adjustment, the convex ends 52 and thus the centering bodies 50 are pushed back into the lower part 20 against their elastic preload, until finally an underside of the component 1 contacts an upper side of the lower part 20 and is thus “indexed” on the lower part 20. will (cf. 3 ).

3 shows this stage of the adjustment immediately after the component 1 has been placed on the lower part 20. The upper part 30 already has the centering body 50 a little way into the guides 60 (in 3 down) pushed back.

As the adjustment continues, the crowned ends 52 and thus the centering bodies 50 are pushed back even further against the elastic preload into the lower part 20 by the upper part 30 moving downwards, until finally an underside of the upper part 30 contacts an upper side of the component 1 and the component 1 is thus clamped (indexed) in the gap between the lower part 20 and the upper part 30, which is correspondingly reduced due to the adjustment of the device 10, and is thus fixed (cf. 4 ).

4 shows this closed position of the device 10 reached at the end of the adjustment, in which the component 1 is fixed by being trapped in the device 10 and can be checked and/or processed in this state.

After that, an adjustment can be made again starting from the in 4 shown closed position to the in 1 shown open position take place, in which the lower part 20 and the upper part 30 are shifted relative to each other again so far away from each other that the tested and / or machined component 1 can be easily removed from the device 10.

In all of the exemplary embodiments described here, the adjustment direction V is shown running in the vertical direction when the device 10 is in use, with the lower part 20 correspondingly being located “vertically” under the upper part 30 . However, within the scope of the invention, the terms “lower part” and “upper part” are not to be understood as being limited to this vertical orientation of the adjustment direction V, which is often preferred. Deviating from an adjustment direction V that runs vertically in the situation of use, this could easily also run at an angle inclined to the vertical direction. Such an angle can e.g. B. preferably a maximum of 45 °, z. B. maximum 30 ° amount. In the context of the invention, it is only important that a component can be “deposited” in the area of the lower part 20 when it is placed in the device 10 .

Furthermore, although in the exemplary embodiments described here the sides of the lower part 20 and the upper part 30 facing the inserted or clamped component 1, i. H. the upper side of the lower part 20 and the lower side of the upper part 30, are shown in the figures as being flat (and orthogonal to the adjustment direction V), these sides can in practice also be shaped differently, for example with one or more orthogonal to the adjustment direction V running surface sections (e.g. to bring about the clamping), but otherwise running surface sections differently oriented. The component 1 facing sides of the lower part 20 as well as the upper part 30 can also z. B. have a (not shown in the figures) structuring (with local depressions and elevations). The same applies to the two flat sides of the component 1, which may have a structure that differs from the schematic representation in the figures and z. B. in the case of using a bipolar plate or bipolar half-plate as component 1 usually also have.

In one embodiment, at least one device provided for testing and/or processing the component 1 inserted into the device 10 and clamped in the closed position is arranged in or on the lower part 20 and/or upper part 30 .

In particular, if the device 10 is designed to hold a component 1 designed as a bipolar plate or a bipolar half-plate for a fuel cell and is to have means that can be used to carry out a leak test on the bipolar plate or bipolar half-plate. B. a pressure supply device may be provided, by means of which the clamped in the device 10 component 1 at (at least) a specific point, a pressurized medium such. B. air or z. B. water can be supplied.

In 4 such pressure supply devices are symbolized with dashed arrows, merely by way of example. The two in 4 arrows drawn in the area of the lower part 20 or upper part 30 can in particular each z. B. represent a pressure supply channel formed in the lower part 20 or in the upper part 30, via which the pressure medium can be supplied at a specific point on the underside or upper side of the component 1. The further in 4 In contrast, the arrow drawn symbolizes a pressure supply device arranged elsewhere in the device 10 .

In addition to one or more "pressure supply devices" within the scope of the invention, e.g. B. as part of a leak test of the type described here, "pressure discharge devices" can also be provided, e.g. B. again in or on the lower part 20, and/or in or on the upper part 30, and/or at another point of the device 10, in order to direct a pressure medium supplied to the component via (at least) one such pressure discharge device out of the component in a controlled manner .

In the embodiment according to 1 until 4 As already mentioned, the centering bodies 50 are in the form of balls (e.g. metal balls) and each centering body 50 therefore has a spherical shape.

This embodiment is therefore an example of a generally advantageous design within the scope of the invention, in which the convex end 52 of the respective centering body 50 has a rotationally symmetrical shape (spherical shape in the example) with respect to the adjustment direction V.

In the following description of further exemplary embodiments, the same reference symbols are used for components that have the same effect. Essentially, only the differences from the exemplary embodiment(s) already described will be discussed, and otherwise reference is expressly made to the description of previous exemplary embodiments.

the 5 and 6 illustrate modified embodiments of centering bodies 50 for use in an apparatus 10 of the type described herein.

5 shows a centering body 50, the crowned (in 5 upper) end as in the embodiment according to 1 until 4 spherical (here: hemispherical) in shape, whereas the opposite (in 5 lower) end of the centering body 50 in accordance with the example 5 has a cylindrical shape.

6 shows a centering body 50, the crowned (in 6 upper) end as in the exemplary embodiments described above ( 1 until 5 ) is rotationally symmetrical in shape, but deviating from this is not spherical in shape. Regardless, the embodiment of FIG 6 a modification that is also possible within the scope of the use of the device according to the invention compared to the exemplary embodiments described above, which consists in the fact that in cooperation with the relevant component 1 (cf. 6 ) the convex end 52 does not completely penetrate the corresponding centering recess 2 of the component 1 at any stage of use and on the upper side of the component 1 (in 6 upwards) protrudes.

Furthermore, regardless of the non-spherical shape of the spherical end 52, the embodiment of FIG 6 A further modification possible within the scope of using the device according to the invention, which consists in the fact that in cooperation with the relevant component 1 (cf. 6 ) the crowned end 52 with a (in 6 lower) edge of the relevant centering recess 2 of component 1 comes into contact, as in the examples already described ( 1 until 5 ), here (cf. 6 ) but at a "relatively flat angle" in the surrounding contact area. This is often advantageous in order to further reduce the risk of the component 1 jamming at the convex end 52 of the centering body 50 when it is inserted and/or removed.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is therefore provided that, at least when the device is in the open position, a (local) angle between the surface of the spherical end 52 on the one hand and the normal plane of the adjustment direction V (ie plane orthogonal to the adjustment direction V, horizontal plane in the figures) a maximum of 60 °, in particular z. B. is a maximum of 45, or even a maximum of 30 °. On the other hand, this angle z. B. at least 5 °, in particular at least 10 °.

the 7 and 8th illustrate another embodiment of using the already referred to 1 until 4 described device 10. 7 shows the opening position and 8th shows the closed position of the device 10.

The modification to the embodiment according to the 1 until 4 is that the corresponding centering recesses 2 formed on the component 1 held using the device 10 are not through-openings passing through the component, i.e. have a recess base (bottom), and the convex ends 52 of the centering bodies 50 after the component 1 has been inserted come to rest on the bottom of the respective centering recess 2.

As a result, during an adjustment based on the in 7 illustrated opening position to the in 8th shown closed position, the upper part 30 contacts an upper side of the component 1 and in the further course of this adjustment exerts a force on the component 1, by which the component 1 and thus the centering body 50 are pushed back into the lower part 20 against the elastic preload, until finally an underside of the component 1 contacts an upper side of the lower part 20 and is thus placed “indexed” on the lower part 20 and clamped between the lower part 20 and the upper part 30 and thus fixed.

8th shows this closed position of the device 10 reached at the end of the adjustment, in which the component 1 is fixed by being trapped in the device 10 and in this state z. B. can be checked and / or edited. After that, an adjustment can be made again starting from the in 8th shown closed position to the in 7 shown open position take place, in which the lower part 20 and the upper part 30 are shifted relative to each other again so far away from each other that the component 1 can be easily removed from the device 10.

Reference List

1

plate-shaped component

2

centering recess

10

contraption

20

lower part

30

top

40

adjusting device

V

adjustment direction

50

centering body

52

crowned end (of the centering body)

54

opposite end (of center body)

60

guide

70

Feather

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• EP 2357698 B1 [0018]
• EP 2445045 B1 [0018]
• EP 2584635 B1 [0018]
• EP 2946431 B1 [0018]
• EP 3316377 A1 [0018]

Claims (12)

Device (10) for holding a panel-shaped component (1) during testing and/or processing of the component (1), the device (10) having: - a lower part (20) and an upper part (30), - an adjusting device ( 40), by means of which the lower part (20) and the upper part (30) can be displaced relative to one another along an adjustment direction (V) away from one another into an open position and towards one another into a closed position, so that in the open position a plate-shaped component (1) in can be inserted into or removed from a gap between the lower part (20) and the upper part (30) and in the closed position the lower part (20) and the upper part (30) are brought together in such a way that a panel-shaped component (1) previously inserted in the gap can be reduced space between the lower part (20) and the upper part (30) is clamped, characterized in that the lower part (20) is equipped with at least one centering body (50) which mitt els a guide (60) formed in the lower part (20) displaceable in the adjustment direction (V) and elastically preloaded with a convex end (52) protruding from the lower part (20), so that when a component (1) is inserted by an intervention of the convex end (52) in a corresponding centering recess (2) formed on the component (1), the component (1) can be centered. Device (10) after claim 1 , designed to hold a component (1) designed as a bipolar plate or bipolar half-plate for a fuel cell, and further having means for carrying out a leak test of the bipolar plate or bipolar half-plate. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the adjusting device (40) has at least one threaded spindle passing through the lower part (20) and the upper part (30). Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the convex end (52) of the centering body (50) has an at least approximately rotationally symmetrical shape with respect to the adjustment direction (V). Device (10) after claim 4 , wherein the convex end (52) of the centering body (50) has an at least approximately spherical shape. Device (10) one of Claims 4 or 5 , wherein the centering body (50) has an at least approximately spherical shape. Device (10) one of Claims 4 or 5 , wherein an end (54) of the centering body (50) opposite the spherical end (52) of the centering body (5) has a cylindrical shape. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the elastic preloading of the centering body (50) by means of an end (54) of the centering body (50) which is arranged in the lower part (20) and is opposite the spherical end (52) of the centering body (50). ) loading compression spring (70) is realized. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower part (20) is equipped with a plurality of centering bodies (50) which are each displaceable and elastically preloaded in the adjustment direction (V) by means of a respective guide (60) formed in the lower part (20). protrude from the lower part (20) with a spherical end (52), so that when a component (1) is inserted, the component ( 1) can be centered. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in or on the lower part (20) and/or upper part (30) at least one for testing and/or processing a lower part (20 ) and upper part (30) clamped plate-shaped component (1) provided device is arranged. Use of a device (10) according to one of the preceding claims for holding a component designed as a bipolar plate or bipolar half-plate for a fuel cell, in particular when checking the tightness of the bipolar plate or bipolar half-plate. use after claim 11 , wherein a component (1) designed as a bipolar plate or bipolar half-plate for a fuel cell is held and a leak test of this bipolar plate or bipolar half-plate held in the device (10) takes place, the device (10) having a leak test provided for this Device is equipped, which is arranged in or on the lower part (20), and / or in or on the upper part (30), and / or at another point of the device (10).

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