JP2002329512A - Gasket for fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gasket 1 for a fuel cell with a favorable handling characteristic as a gasket 1 made of rubber-like elastic material, preventing damage of an electrolyte film 15 when attaching the gasket 1 to the electrolyte film 15, and capable of facilitating attachment to the electrolyte film 15. SOLUTION: The gasket 1 for the fuel cell is adhered to the electrolyte film 15 of the fuel cell and seals fuel gas, oxidizer gas, or sealed fluid such as coolant. It has a structure with a gasket body 6 made of the rubber-like elastic material integrated with a laminated film body 2 provided with a resin film 3, a pressure sensitive adhesive 4 and a separating film 5. It is attached to the electrolyte film 15 by an adhesive function of the pressure sensitive adhesive 4 by peeling off at least a part of the separating film 5 in attachment work to the electrolyte film 15.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a component for a fuel cell, which is a component of a fuel cell, and more particularly to a gasket for a fuel cell.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a liquid or gas is sealed from an external space or from an adjacent space, a sealing component such as a gasket is used. Is relatively small, but the sealing area is relatively large, so the handling (handling) is not very good. For this reason, a method has been devised in which a gasket is directly formed on a portion where the gasket is to be mounted (see JP-A-2000-133288).

However, an electrolyte membrane (ion exchange membrane)
When the gasket is directly formed on the upper side, since the electrolyte membrane contains water, damage such as deformation of the electrolyte membrane due to evaporation of water due to heat of the molding die (die) may occur. .

Therefore, it is conceivable to form a gasket on a resin film having an adhesive applied to a surface on which the gasket is not formed, and to bond the resin film and the gasket integrally to the electrolyte membrane with the adhesive. In the fuel cell system, it is important to reduce the height of the gasket after setting (in a state where the gasket is crushed). In a fuel cell, since a single fuel cell called a cell is stacked, it is necessary to reduce the reaction force of the gasket. In order to reduce the reaction force, it is important to reduce the crush amount of the gasket. That is, a shape having a low gasket height before setting is required. Further, in order to reduce the height of the gasket and to seal gas in the fuel cell, the peak surface pressure of the gasket is increased. Generally, a beat is provided to increase the surface pressure of the gasket.

Therefore, when attaching a gasket-integrated resin film having an adhesive adhered to both sides of the electrolyte membrane, it is important to align the films in order to align the beat positions on both sides. If the positions of the beats are displaced on both sides, the designed peak value of the surface pressure may decrease, and if the peak value of the surface pressure decreases, the safety factor of gas leakage decreases.

An adhesive is applied to the entire surface of the resin film opposite to the surface on which the gasket is not formed. For this reason, difficult work and precise jigs are required for positioning when attaching to the electrolyte membrane. Once pasted, it is difficult to remove and it is almost impossible to reposition.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, the present invention has good handling properties as a gasket made of a rubber-like elastic material, and causes damage to the electrolyte membrane when the gasket is attached to the electrolyte membrane. The object of the present invention is to provide a gasket for a fuel cell, which does not have any problem and can easily perform the mounting work on the electrolyte membrane, and in addition to this, can easily perform the work of correcting the alignment with the electrolyte membrane It is an object to provide a gasket for a battery.

[0008]

To achieve the above object, a gasket for a fuel cell according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises:
In a gasket for a fuel cell which is adhered to an electrolyte membrane of a fuel cell and seals a sealing fluid such as a fuel gas, an oxidizing gas or a refrigerant, a gasket for a resin film, a pressure-sensitive adhesive and a release film are laminated. It has a structure in which a gasket body made of a rubber-like elastic material is integrated, and is attached to the electrolyte membrane by the adhesive action of the adhesive by peeling off at least a part of the release film during the attachment work to the electrolyte membrane. It is characterized by being able to.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gasket for a fuel cell according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the gasket body made of a rubber-like elastic material has a flat surface of a resin film in a laminated film body. A resin film side portion to be adhered to, an end surface side portion to be adhered to an end surface of the film body, and a release film side portion to be integrally adhered to a part of a plane of the release film. A double-sided gasket is formed with the resin film side portion and the release film side portion.

A gasket for a fuel cell according to a third aspect of the present invention is the gasket for a fuel cell according to the second aspect, wherein the gasket is made of a rubber-like elastic material on the plane of the release film in the laminated film body. A portion which is not attached and which is peeled off at the time of the mounting operation is provided over the entire circumference of the gasket.

The gasket for a fuel cell according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the gasket for a fuel cell according to the second aspect, wherein a gasket made of a rubber-like elastic material is formed on a plane of the release film in the laminated film body. The gasket is provided with a plurality of portions on the periphery of the gasket which are to be peeled off during the mounting operation without the main body being attached.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gasket for a fuel cell according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the gasket is provided on one surface of the electrolyte membrane by adhesion with an adhesive. The gasket and the electrolyte membrane are integrated in advance by sticking.

Further, the gasket for a fuel cell according to claim 6 of the present invention is the gasket for a fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the gasket is attached to both sides of the electrolyte membrane by an adhesive. The gasket and the electrolyte membrane are preliminarily integrated by sticking to each of them.

In the gasket for a fuel cell according to the first aspect of the present invention having the above-described structure, a gasket body made of a rubber-like elastic material is integrated with a laminated film body including a resin film, an adhesive and a release film. Because of this, a gasket integrally formed of the film body and the gasket body is manufactured, and the film body has a reinforcing effect on the gasket body. Therefore, the rigidity or shape retention of the entire product is improved as compared with a rubber-only product, so that the handling of the gasket can be improved.

Further, since the gasket main body made of a rubber-like elastic material is integrated with the laminated film body and is post-adhered to the electrolyte membrane via the film body, the electrolyte membrane is formed when the gasket main body is formed. Does not need to be mounted on the mold. Therefore, it is possible to prevent damage such as deformation of the film due to evaporation of water due to heat of the mold.

Further, when attaching the gasket to the electrolyte membrane, it is only necessary to peel off at least a part of the release film from the resin film and press the resin film against the electrolyte membrane. It becomes possible.

In addition to the above, in the gasket for a fuel cell according to the second aspect of the present invention having the above structure,
A double-sided gasket is formed on the rubber-like elastic material gasket main body, and in particular, since a release film side portion is formed as one of the gasket main body, the release film side portion allows a gap between the laminated film body and the electrolyte membrane. It becomes possible to seal effectively.

In the case where the release film side portion is formed as a part of the gasket body made of a rubber-like elastic material as described above, the release film side portion is attached to the flat surface of the release film. The gasket is attached to the electrolyte membrane by being separated into a portion and a portion where the release film side portion is not applied, and at least a part of the release film in the latter portion is peeled off when the gasket is attached. As described above, on the plane of the release film, the portion that is peeled off during the mounting operation without the release film side portion being attached is provided over the entire circumference of the gasket (Claim 3). When the number is small, the gasket may be provided at a plurality of positions on the circumference (claim 4). In addition, when the gasket is attached to the electrolyte membrane with a part of the surface instead of the entire surface of the resin film as described above, the attachment area is set to be small, so that the attachment operation can be simplified. In addition, since it can be easily peeled off even after pasting once, it is possible to facilitate the work of correcting the alignment.

The present invention has the above-mentioned structure.
In the gasket for a fuel cell according to the present invention, the gasket and the electrolyte membrane are integrated in advance by sticking the gasket to one surface of the electrolyte membrane by adhesion with an adhesive, and the fuel according to claim 6 of the present invention. In a battery gasket, the gasket and the electrolyte membrane are preliminarily integrated by adhering the gasket to both sides of the electrolyte membrane by adhesion with an adhesive, so that in any case, the stack is assembled at the time of stack assembly. It is possible to reduce the number of laminated parts and to facilitate the lamination work.

The present application includes the following technical matters.

That is, in order to achieve the above object, one gasket proposed in the present application has the following contents.

In a gasket in which sealing surfaces are located on both surfaces of a film having a three-layer structure of a resin film, an adhesive, and a release film, the gasket has a shape that completely covers one end surface of the three-layer film, and has an opposite end surface. Is a gasket with a three-layer film exposed.

In a gasket in which sealing surfaces are located on both surfaces of a film having a three-layer structure of a resin film, an adhesive, and a release film, the gasket has a shape that completely covers one end surface of the three-layer film, and has an opposite end surface. Is a gasket with a three-layer film exposed. Also, a film-integrated double-sided gasket that can peel off the release film only at a portion near the exposed end surface of the three-layer film to expose the adhesive.

An integrated product of a fuel cell electrolyte membrane and a gasket, which is manufactured by laminating the film-integrated double-sided gasket of the above item on both sides of the fuel cell electrolyte membrane.

The film-integrated double-sided gasket wherein the end face of the three-layer film not covered with rubber is not the entire periphery of the gasket. That is, a product in which the portion where the adhesive is exposed is dispersed on the periphery of the gasket.

An integrated gasket in which a rubber gasket is formed so as to cover one end surface of a film having a three-layer structure of a resin film, an adhesive and a release film, and only a part of the release film is peeled off.

In a gasket in which sealing surfaces are located on both surfaces of a film having a three-layer structure of a resin film, an adhesive, and a release film, the gasket has a shape that completely covers one end surface of the three-layer film, and has an opposite end surface. Is manufactured to have a three-layer film exposed. After that, the release film is peeled off only at a portion near the exposed end face of the three-layer film to expose the adhesive. Also, the exposed adhesive part
It is not necessary that the gasket is present around the entire periphery of the gasket. afterwards,
By laminating a film-integrated double-sided gasket on both sides of the electrolyte membrane, an integrated product of the fuel cell electrolyte membrane is completed. At that time, most of the adhesive applied to the resin film is covered with the release film and is only partially exposed, so that it is possible to reduce the adhesiveness with the electrolyte membrane. Since the number of adhesive portions is small, alignment with the electrolyte membrane becomes easy.

The sealing property with the electrolyte membrane is maintained by providing rubber portions on both sides of the resin film. That is, in the prior art, the adhesive property between the electrolyte film and the resin film was maintained by the adhesion of the adhesive on the resin film and the electrolyte film, but in the present proposal, by arranging gaskets on both surfaces of the resin film, The gasket seals between the electrolyte membrane and the resin film. Also, the assembly of the electrolyte membrane and the resin film is performed by the exposed portion of the adhesive.

[0029] PET, PI,
PEN or the like is used. The rubber is preferably an adhesive material that reacts and chemically bonds with the resin film during vulcanization, and may be either liquid rubber or solid rubber.

According to the above configuration, the assemblability when attaching the gasket-integrated resin film to both sides of the electrolyte membrane can be improved, and the improvement in the assemblability can improve the electrolyte membrane. On the other hand, it is possible to prevent the gasket positions on both sides from shifting.

[0031]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a gasket 1 for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows an enlarged cross section (end face) along line AA of FIG. The gasket 1 according to this embodiment is configured as follows.

That is, first, the adhesive 4 and the release film 5 are arranged in this order on one surface of the resin film 3 (the lower surface in FIG. 2), and the laminated film body 2 having a three-layer structure is provided. A gasket main body 6 made of a rubber-like elastic material is insert-molded on the film body 2.
They are integrated by bonding means such as bonding or fitting. The resin film 3 is formed in a predetermined planar layout according to the planar shape of the fuel cell, is formed in an endless shape, and is formed in the same width shape over the entire circumference. The adhesive 4 is adhered to one surface of the resin film 3 over the entire surface, and the release film 5 is formed in the same plane shape as the resin film 3.

A gasket main body 6 made of a rubber-like elastic material includes a resin film side portion 7 attached to a part of a plane (upper surface in the drawing) 3a of the resin film 3 in the film body 2;
An end face side portion 8 attached to an outer end face (outer side face, left end face or left side face in the drawing) 2a of the film body 2 and a part of a flat surface (upper and lower faces in the drawing) 5a of the release film 5 And a release film side portion 9 integrally formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section. The resin film side portion 7 forms an upper surface sealing portion, and this portion 7 is provided with a lip portion 10 having a substantially triangular cross section. The release film side portion 9 forms a lower surface seal portion, and this portion 9 is formed in a planar shape. The two parts 7 and 9 are paired up and down to form a double-sided gasket.

The laminated film body 2 is not entirely covered by the gasket body 6, but its inner part (right part in the figure) is surface-exposed all around. The notch 12 is provided in the release film 5 in the surface exposed portion 11 over the entire circumference. Therefore, the release film 5 has the portion 1 inside the cut portion 12.
When the user grips 3 with his finger and pulls, the inner portion 13 is peeled off, and the adhesive 4 on the inner surface is exposed at the peeled portion. Therefore, the gasket 1 is attached to a predetermined location by the adhesive action of the exposed adhesive 4.

FIG. 3 shows the mounting state of the gasket 1. As shown, the gasket 1 is mounted on the upper and lower surfaces of an electrolyte membrane (ion exchange membrane) 15 of a fuel cell, respectively, so as to be vertically symmetrical. At the time of attachment, the inner portion 13 of the release film 5 is attached to the film body 2 as described above.
The gasket 1 is aligned with the electrolyte membrane 15 on a plane, the release film side portion 9 of the gasket main body 6 is brought into close contact with the electrolyte membrane 15, and the film body 2 is removed.
Of the resin film 3 in the surface exposed portion 11 of the electrolyte membrane 1
5, the resin film 3 is adhered to the electrolyte membrane 15 by the adhesive force of the adhesive 4 exposed on the surface. When pressing the resin film 3 against the electrolyte membrane 15, the resin film 3
Is brought close to the electrolyte membrane 15, and the resin film 3 is connected to the electrolyte membrane 1.
Press firmly against 5. If the positioning is not successful, the resin film 3 is once peeled off from the electrolyte membrane 15, and is again positioned and attached.

In this embodiment, as shown in the plan view of FIG.
1 is provided over the entire circumference of the gasket 1, so that on the plane of the release film 5, the release film side portion 9 is not adhered but is torn off during the mounting operation (the inner portion 1 described above).
3) is provided over the entire circumference of the gasket 1, but if the adhesive area can be small, the surface exposed portion 11 and the inner portion 13 are attached to the gasket 1 as shown in FIGS. It may be provided at some point on the circumference, and in this case, the adhesive area is set small, so that the positioning operation can be further facilitated.
In the plan view of FIG. 4, the surface exposed portion 11 and the inner portion 13 are shown.
Are provided at six locations on the circumference of the gasket 1, and the surface exposed portions 11 are provided as projecting inwards with respect to the main body portion of the film body 2 covered with the gasket main body 6. FIG. 5 is BB in FIG.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along a line, and an enlarged sectional view taken along a line CC in FIG. 4 has the same shape as FIG. 2.

[0038]

The present invention has the following effects.

First, in the gasket for a fuel cell according to the first aspect of the present invention having the above structure, a gasket made of a rubber-like elastic material is added to a laminated film body including a resin film, an adhesive, and a release film. Since the main body is integrated, an integrally molded product of the gasket including the film body and the gasket main body is manufactured, and the film body performs a reinforcing action on the gasket main body. Therefore, the rigidity or shape retention of the entire product is improved as compared with a rubber-only product, so that the gasket can be easily handled.

Further, since the gasket body made of a rubber-like elastic material is integrated with the laminated film body and is post-adhered to the electrolyte membrane through the film body, the electrolyte membrane is formed when the gasket body is formed. Does not need to be mounted on the mold. Therefore, it is possible to prevent damage such as deformation of the film due to evaporation of water due to heat of the mold.

Further, when the gasket is attached to the electrolyte membrane, it is only necessary to peel off at least a part of the release film from the resin film and press the resin film against the electrolyte membrane. be able to.

In addition to the above, in the gasket for a fuel cell according to the second or third aspect of the present invention having the above-described structure, a double-sided gasket is formed on a gasket body made of a rubber-like elastic material. Since the mold film side portion is formed, the laminated film body and the electrolyte membrane can be effectively sealed by the release film side portion.

Further, since the pressure-sensitive adhesive adhered to the flat surface of the resin film is partially adhered to the electrolyte membrane instead of the entire plane, the adhesive area is set to be relatively small. Therefore, the sticking work can be easily performed, and even if the sheet is once stuck, it can be easily peeled off, so that the work of correcting the alignment can be easily performed.

Further, the present invention has the above-mentioned structure.
In the gasket for a fuel cell according to the above, on the plane of the release film in the laminated film body, a portion that is peeled off at the time of mounting work without the gasket main body made of rubber-like elastic material being attached is provided at a plurality of locations on the circumference of the gasket. Due to the provision, the adhesive area is further reduced. Therefore, the above-mentioned attaching work and the work of correcting the alignment can be performed more easily.

Further, the present invention having the above-mentioned structure has a fifth aspect.
In the gasket for a fuel cell according to the present invention, the gasket and the electrolyte membrane are preliminarily integrated by sticking the gasket to one surface of the electrolyte membrane by adhesion with an adhesive, and the fuel according to claim 6 of the present invention. In a battery gasket, the gasket and the electrolyte membrane are preliminarily integrated by adhering the gasket to both sides of the electrolyte membrane by adhesion with an adhesive, so that in any case, the stack is assembled at the time of stack assembly. Can be reduced. Therefore, the number of parts to be handled can be reduced, and the laminating operation can be easily performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a gasket for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1 and an enlarged sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 4;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main part showing a mounting state of the gasket.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a gasket for a fuel cell according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 4;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gasket for fuel cells 2 Film body 2a Outer end face (end face) 3 Resin film 3a, 5a Flat surface 4 Adhesive 5 Release film 6 Gasket main body 7 Resin film side part 8 End face side part 9 Release film side part 10 Lip part 11 Surface exposed part 12 Cut part 13 Inner part 15 Electrolyte membrane

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] May 18, 2001 (2001.5.1)
8)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All figures

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG.

FIG. 2

FIG. 3

FIG. 4

FIG. 5

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A gasket (1) for a fuel cell which is attached to an electrolyte membrane (15) of a fuel cell and seals a sealed fluid such as a fuel gas, an oxidizing gas or a refrigerant. Agent (4) and release film (5)
Having a structure in which a gasket body (6) made of a rubber-like elastic material is integrated with a laminated film body (2) provided with the above, and at least a part of the mold release during an attachment work to the electrolyte membrane (15). A gasket for a fuel cell, wherein the gasket is attached to the electrolyte membrane (15) with the adhesive action of the adhesive (4) by peeling off the film (5). 2. The gasket for a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the gasket body (6) made of a rubber-like elastic material is provided on a plane (3) of the resin film (3) in the laminated film body (2).
a) the resin film side portion (7) to be applied, the end surface side portion (8) applied to the end surface (2a) of the film body (2), and the flat surface (5a) of the release film (5). ) Has a release film side portion (9) attached to a part of
A gasket for a fuel cell, wherein a double-sided gasket is formed with the resin film side portion (7) and the release film side portion (9). 3. The gasket for a fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein the release film (5) in the laminated film body (2).
A portion (13) which is not adhered to the gasket body (6) made of a rubber-like elastic material and is peeled off at the time of mounting work on the plane of
Is provided over the entire circumference of the gasket (1). 4. The gasket for a fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein the release film (59) in the laminated film body (2).
A portion (13) which is not adhered to the gasket body (6) made of a rubber-like elastic material and is peeled off at the time of mounting work on the plane of
Are provided at a plurality of locations on the circumference of the gasket (1). 5. The gasket for a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the gasket (1) is adhered by an adhesive (4).
A gasket for a fuel cell, wherein the gasket (1) and the electrolyte membrane (15) are integrated in advance by sticking the gasket onto one surface of the electrolyte membrane (15). 6. The gasket for a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the gasket (1) is adhered by an adhesive (4).
A gasket for a fuel cell, wherein the gasket (1) and the electrolyte membrane (15) are preliminarily integrated by adhering to both surfaces of an electrolyte membrane (15).