JP2005190868A - Manufacturing method of fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an intended current collecting performance with a simple process, and efficiently generate power by preventing deterioration of a separator. <P>SOLUTION: In a separator 28, at first, a flat plate member 32 and a channel member 34 are joined with brazing or the like, to form a fuel gas feeding communicating hole 30 and a fuel gas feeding channel 52 between the flat plate member 32, and the channel 34. Next, first bridging parts 40 of the flat plate member 32 is fitted into notch parts 54 of each circular plate part 36, so that the circular plate parts 36 are not affected by the heat during joining. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a fuel cell in which an electrolyte / electrode assembly configured by sandwiching an electrolyte between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode is disposed between a pair of separators.

  In general, a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) uses an oxide ion conductor, for example, stabilized zirconia, as an electrolyte, and an electrolyte / electrode assembly in which an anode electrode and a cathode electrode are disposed on both sides of the electrolyte ( A single cell) is sandwiched between separators (bipolar plates). This fuel cell is usually used as a fuel cell stack in which a predetermined number of single cells and separators are stacked.

In the fuel cell, when an oxidant gas, for example, a gas containing mainly oxygen or air (hereinafter also referred to as an oxygen-containing gas) is supplied to the cathode electrode, this oxidation is performed at the interface between the cathode electrode and the electrolyte. Oxygen in the agent gas is ionized (O ²⁻ ), and oxygen ions move to the anode electrode side through the electrolyte. A fuel gas, for example, a gas containing mainly hydrogen (hereinafter also referred to as a hydrogen-containing gas) or CO is supplied to the anode electrode, so that oxygen ions and hydrogen (or CO) are supplied to the anode electrode. The reaction produces water (or CO ₂ ). Electrons generated during that time are taken out to an external circuit and used as direct current electric energy.

  In this type of fuel cell, various proposals have been made for the purpose of reducing the thickness of the separator and reducing the number of components in order to reduce the dimension in the stacking direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, a fuel cell separator 1 disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a thin sheet-like separator body 2 and a number of first fine bodies integrally formed on one side of the separator body 2. The projection 3 has a large number of second fine projections 4 integrally formed on the other surface of the separator body 2. A fuel gas passage 6 is formed between the separator 1 and the fuel electrode 5 via the first fine protrusion 3, while a second fine protrusion 4 is formed between the separator 1 and the air electrode 7. An oxidant gas passage 8 is formed through the.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, in a fuel cell composed of an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, an electrolyte plate, an anode gas channel, a cathode gas channel, and the like, the anode gas channel and the cathode gas channel are separated by a single plate. A fuel cell is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2002-75408 (FIG. 2) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-326624 (FIG. 1)

  In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, since the fuel gas passage 6 and the oxidant gas passage 8 are formed on both surfaces of the single separator 1, the fuel gas and the oxidant gas passage 8 are respectively disposed in the fuel gas passage 6 and the oxidant gas passage 8. It is necessary to join the flow path member for supplying the oxidant gas to the separator 1.

  At that time, the sealing portion between the separator 1 and the flow path member is subjected to a joining process by brazing, laser welding, electron beam welding, or the like, so the first and second fine protrusions 3 that are current collectors, 4 is exposed to high temperatures during the bonding process. As a result, variations in the heights of the first and second fine protrusions 3 and 4 and a reduction in material strength occur due to thermal strain, and the current-collecting contact resistance is affected by a film formed by oxidation. For this reason, there is a problem that efficient current collection performance cannot be obtained.

  The present invention solves this type of problem and provides a fuel cell manufacturing method capable of obtaining desired current collecting performance and performing efficient power generation by preventing deterioration of the separator in a simple process. The purpose is to provide.

  In the present invention, an electrolyte / electrode assembly configured by sandwiching an electrolyte between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode is disposed between a pair of separators, and an electrode of the anode electrode is disposed on one surface of the separator. A first protrusion is provided to form a fuel gas passage for supplying fuel gas along the surface, and an oxidant gas is supplied to the other surface of the separator along the electrode surface of the cathode electrode. A fuel cell manufacturing method is provided in which a second projecting portion that forms the oxidant gas passage is provided, and the fuel gas supply portion that penetrates the separator communicates with the fuel gas passage through the fuel gas supply passage.

  In this manufacturing method, the separator is divided into a first member, a second member, and a third member that are independent of each other in advance. In this case, the first and second members include first and second end plate portions through which the fuel gas supply portion passes in the central portion, and a fuel gas supply passage extending from the first and second end plate portions. The third member is formed into the shape of an electrolyte / electrode assembly and provided with first and second protrusions, and is cut from the outer peripheral part to the central part. Has a notch.

  Therefore, first, after the first member and the second member are joined and the fuel gas supply portion and the fuel gas supply passage are formed in the first and second members, at least the first bridge portion or the second bridge portion. Is fitted into the notch of the third member, whereby the separator is manufactured.

  Further, the first and second members are provided with first and second end plate portions at a central portion, and a plurality of first and second bridge members extend radially from the first and second end plate portions. It is preferable to do.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the first bridge portion or the second bridge portion has a wide portion extending around the fuel gas supply passage, and the wide portion contacts the third member.

  In the present invention, after the first member and the second member are joined by, for example, brazing, at least the first bridge portion of the first member or the second bridge portion of the second member is the third member. Fit into the notch. Therefore, it is not necessary to thermally bond the third member, the process is simplified, and the third member is not exposed to high heat due to bonding. For this reason, the third member is not affected by heat, and the third member can be well maintained in the thermal strain and the material strength prevention and the current collecting characteristics. As a result, the fuel cell can reliably perform efficient power generation.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective explanatory view of a fuel cell stack 12 in which a plurality of fuel cells 10 manufactured by the manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention are stacked in the direction of arrow A, and FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional explanatory view of a fuel cell system 16 in which a battery stack 12 is accommodated in a housing 14. FIG.

  The fuel cell 10 is a solid oxide fuel cell, and is used for various applications such as in-vehicle use in addition to installation. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the fuel cell 10 is provided with a cathode electrode 22 and an anode electrode 24 on both surfaces of an electrolyte (electrolyte plate) 20 made of an oxide ion conductor such as stabilized zirconia, for example. The electrolyte / electrode assembly 26 is provided. The electrolyte / electrode assembly 26 is formed in a disk shape, and a barrier layer is provided at an outer peripheral end portion to prevent the oxidant gas from entering.

  The fuel cell 10 is configured by sandwiching a plurality of, for example, eight electrolyte / electrode assemblies 26 between a pair of separators 28. Between the separators 28, eight electrolyte / electrode assemblies 26 are arranged concentrically with the fuel gas supply communication hole (fuel gas supply part) 30 which is the central part of the separator 28.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the separator 28 includes, for example, a substantially manual plate member (first member) 32 made of a sheet metal such as a stainless alloy, and a passage member (second member) joined to the plate member 32. ) 34 and at least a disk portion (third member) 36 fitted to the flat plate member 32 or the passage member 34.

  The flat plate member 32 has a first end plate portion 38 that forms the fuel gas supply communication hole 30 at the center. A plurality of, for example, eight first bridge portions 40 extend radially from the first end plate portion 38. A fuel gas inlet 42 for supplying fuel gas from the center side of the anode electrode 24 to a fuel gas passage 66 described later is formed at the tip of each first bridge portion 40.

  The position of the fuel gas inlet 42 is determined by the pressure of the fuel gas and the oxidant gas. For example, the center position of the disk part 36 or the flow direction of the oxidant gas with respect to the center of the disk part 36 ( It is set at a position eccentric to the upstream side (in the direction of arrow B).

  The passage member 34 has a second end plate portion 44 that forms the fuel gas supply communication hole 30 at the center. A plurality of, for example, eight second bridge portions 46 extend radially from the second end plate portion 44. The second bridge portion 46 is configured to have a curved cross section so as to be elastically deformable in the stacking direction with respect to a load in the stacking direction (arrow A direction) (see FIG. 6). Preferably, it is configured in a cross-sectional arc shape or a cross-sectional slope shape.

  On the joint surface of the passage member 34, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of slits 48 are formed radially in the second end plate portion 44 so as to communicate with the fuel gas supply communication hole 30. A concave portion 50 communicates with the slit 48 around the second end plate portion 44.

  When the first and second bridge portions 40 and 46 are joined, the fuel gas introduction port is provided between the first and second bridge portions 40 and 46 through the slit 48 and the recess 50 from the fuel gas supply communication hole 30. A fuel gas supply passage 52 communicating with 42 is formed. The second bridge portion 46 has a wide portion 46a extending around the fuel gas supply passage 52 (see FIG. 6).

  As shown in FIG. 5, the disc portion 36 is set to have substantially the same shape as the electrolyte / electrode assembly 26, and a notch portion for fitting at least the first bridge portion 40 from the outer peripheral portion to the central portion. 54 is formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 7, and 8, the adjacent disk portions 36 have projecting piece portions 60 a and 60 b that protrude toward the disk portions 36 on both sides. A space 62 is formed between the protruding pieces 60a and 60b adjacent to each other. In this space 62, the oxidant gas passage 70, which will be described later, is not in the flow direction (arrow B direction) of the oxidant gas passage 70. A baffle plate member 64 for preventing the oxidant gas from entering in different directions is provided. Each baffle plate member 64 is installed in the stacking direction so as to extend along the space portion 62. 3, 7, and 8, the baffle plate member 64 that is bent in a square shape is shown, but any shape may be used as long as the entrance of the oxidant gas can be prevented.

  A first protrusion 68 that forms a fuel gas passage 66 for supplying fuel gas along the electrode surface of the anode electrode 24 is provided on a surface 36 a of each disk portion 36 that contacts the anode electrode 24 ( (See FIG. 7). A second protrusion 72 that forms an oxidant gas passage 70 for supplying an oxidant gas along the electrode surface of the cathode electrode 22 is provided on the surface 36 b of each disk portion 36 that contacts the cathode electrode 22. (See FIG. 8).

  As shown in FIG. 9, the first and second protrusions 68 and 72 are formed coaxially with each other, the first protrusion 68 forms a ring-shaped protrusion, and the second protrusion 72 is a peak. Construct a protrusion. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a plurality of first and second protrusions 68 and 72 are formed, and a height H1 of the first protrusion 68 and a height H2 of the second protrusion 72 are shown. Is set to a relationship of H1 <H2. This is because the volume of the oxidant gas passage 70 is made larger than the volume of the fuel gas passage 66.

  In addition, while the 1st projection part 68 is comprised with a mountain-shaped protrusion, you may comprise the 2nd projection part 72 with a ring-shaped protrusion. In that case, it is preferable to set the height of the ring-shaped protrusion to be larger than the height of the mountain-shaped protrusion.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the oxidant gas passage 70 supplies the oxidant gas in the direction of arrow A from between the outer peripheral end portion of the electrolyte / electrode assembly 26 and the outer peripheral end portion of the disc portion 36. It communicates with the oxidant gas supply unit 74. The oxidant gas supply unit 74 is provided between the projecting piece portions 60 a and 60 b of each disk portion 36. Oxidant gas cannot enter from other than the oxidant gas supply part 74 by the baffle plate member 64 installed in the space part 62 in the projecting part 60a, 60b.

  As shown in FIG. 10, an insulating seal 76 for sealing the fuel gas supply communication hole 30 is provided between the separators 28. The insulating seal 76 is made of, for example, mica material or ceramic material. The fuel cell 10 is formed with an exhaust gas passage 78 that is located inside the disc portion 36 and extends in the stacking direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fuel cell stack 12 includes disk-shaped end plates 80 a and 80 b at both ends in the stacking direction of the plurality of fuel cells 10, and the stacking direction via the tightening load applying mechanism 82. Tightened and held.

  The tightening load application mechanism 82 has a first tightening portion 84a that applies a first tightening load T1 to the vicinity of the fuel gas supply communication hole 30, and the electrolyte / electrode assembly 26 more than the first tightening load T1. And a second tightening portion 84b that applies a small second tightening load T2 (T1> T2).

  The end plate 80 a is insulated from the housing 14, and a fuel gas supply port 86 is formed at the center, and the fuel gas supply port 86 communicates with the fuel gas supply communication hole 30 of each fuel cell 10. Two bolt insertion ports 88a are formed in the end plate 80a with the fuel gas supply port 86 interposed therebetween. The bolt insertion port 88 a corresponds to the exhaust gas passage 78 of the fuel cell stack 12.

  Eight circular openings 90 are formed in the end plate 80 a along a virtual circle centered on the fuel gas supply port 86, that is, corresponding to each electrolyte / electrode assembly 26. Each circular opening 90 communicates with a rectangular opening 92 protruding toward the fuel gas supply port 86, and a part of the rectangular opening 92 overlaps the exhaust gas passage 78. Exhaust gas is discharged.

  The end plate 80b is made of a conductive member. As shown in FIG. 2, a connection terminal portion 94 is formed in an axial direction in the center portion of the end plate 80 b, and two bolt insertion openings 88 b are formed with the connection terminal portion 94 interposed therebetween. Each bolt insertion port 88a, 88b is provided coaxially, and two fastening bolts (fastening tools) 96 are inserted, and the fastening bolts 96 are insulated from the end plate 80b. A nut 98 is screwed onto the tip of the tightening bolt 96 to form a first tightening portion 84a, and a desired tightening load is applied between the end plates 80a and 80b.

  The connection terminal portion 94 is electrically connected to the output terminal 102 a via the conductive wire 100, and the output terminal 102 a is fixed to the housing 14.

  A second fastening portion 84b is disposed in each circular opening 90 of the end plate 80a. A pressing member 104 as a current collecting plate that is in electrical contact with the stacking direction end of the fuel cell stack 12 is disposed in the second tightening portion 84b. One end of the spring 106 contacts the pressing member 104, and the other end of the spring 106 is supported by the inner wall portion of the housing 14. The spring 106 is set to a spring load lower than the first tightening load T1, and is made of, for example, ceramics in order to avoid the influence of heat during power generation and to provide insulation.

  A connecting conductor portion 108 is connected to the end portion of each pressing member 104, and the connecting conductor portion 108 and one end of one tightening bolt 96 are electrically connected via a conducting wire 110. The other end (head) of the tightening bolt 96 is close to the connection terminal portion 94, and the other end is electrically connected to the output terminal 102 b via the conductive wire 112. The output terminal 102b is electrically insulated in close proximity and parallel to the output terminal 102a and is fixed to the housing 14.

  In the housing 14, an air supply port 114 is formed adjacent to the output terminals 102a and 102b, and an exhaust port 116 is provided on the other end plate 80a side. A fuel gas supply port 118 is formed in the vicinity of the exhaust port 116 so that the exhaust gas and the fuel gas can exchange heat with each other. The fuel gas supply port 118 communicates with the fuel gas supply communication hole 30 through the reformer 119 as necessary. A heat exchanger 117 is disposed outside the reformer 119.

  A method for manufacturing the fuel cell 10 configured as described above will be described below.

  First, as shown in FIG. 5, the flat plate member 32 and the passage member 34 are joined by brazing or the like. Therefore, a fuel gas supply communication hole 30 and a fuel gas supply passage 52 are formed between the flat plate member 32 and the passage member 34, and the fuel gas supply communication hole 30 is interposed via the fuel gas supply passage 52. To the fuel gas inlet 42. As shown in FIG. 12, the wide portion 46 a of the second bridge portion 46 protrudes outward from the peripheral portion of the first bridge portion 40.

  Next, for example, the first bridge portion 40 is fitted into the notch portion 54 of each disk portion 36. At that time, the second bridge portion 46 has the wide portion 46a pressed against the surface 36b of the disc portion 36 in the stacking direction, so that the sealing property of the fitting portion is maintained and the fuel gas and the oxidant gas are hermetically sealed. Can be held. Further, this fitting portion is close to the exhaust gas passage 78, and high sealing performance is not required.

  In this case, in the first embodiment, after the flat plate member 32 and the passage member 34 are joined by brazing, for example, the first and second bridge portions 40 and 46 of the flat plate member 32 and the passage member 34 are used. And the disc portion 36 are fitted to each other. Therefore, it is not necessary to thermally bond the disk part 36, the process is simplified, and the disk part 36 is not exposed to high heat due to bonding. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the disk portion 36 from being affected by heat.

  That is, in the disc portion 36, heat distortion occurs in the first and second protrusions 68 and 72 due to heat, resulting in variations in height, a decrease in material strength, and further due to the oxide film. The current collection characteristics of the first and second protrusions 68 and 72 are not deteriorated, and the rigidity and current collection characteristics of the disc part 36 can be maintained well. Thereby, the fuel cell 10 has an effect that it is possible to reliably perform efficient power generation.

  The separator 28 is obtained by the above manufacturing method, and the separator 28 is provided with a ring-shaped insulating seal 76 around the fuel gas supply communication hole 30, and eight electrolytes are provided between the separators 28. The electrode assembly 26 is sandwiched between the fuel cells 10. At that time, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each separator 28 has the electrolyte / electrode assembly 26 disposed between the surfaces 36 a and 36 b facing each other, and a fuel gas inlet 42 at the center of each anode electrode 24. Is placed.

  A plurality of the fuel cells 10 are stacked in the direction of arrow A, and end plates 80a and 80b are disposed at both ends in the stacking direction. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a fastening bolt 96 is inserted into each of the bolt insertion openings 88 a and 88 b of the end plates 80 a and 80 b, and a nut 98 is screwed onto the tip of the fastening bolt 96. Thus, the fuel cell stack 12 is configured, and the fuel cell stack 12 is mounted in the housing 14 in a state of being clamped and held in the stacking direction via the tightening load applying mechanism 82 (see FIG. 2).

  Therefore, a fuel gas (for example, hydrogen-containing gas) is supplied from a fuel gas supply port 118 provided in the housing 14, and an oxygen-containing gas (oxidant gas) is supplied from the air supply port 114 of the housing 14. (Hereinafter also referred to as air). The fuel gas is supplied to the fuel gas supply communication hole 30 of the fuel cell stack 12 through the reformer 119 and moves in the stacking direction (arrow A direction), and the slit 48 in the separator 28 constituting each fuel cell 10. Is introduced into the fuel gas supply passage 52 (see FIG. 10).

  The fuel gas moves between the first and second bridge portions 40 and 46 along the fuel gas supply passage 52, and enters the fuel gas passage 66 from the fuel gas inlet 42 disposed at the substantially central portion of the disc portion 36. be introduced. The fuel gas inlet 42 is set at a substantially center position of the anode electrode 24 of each electrolyte / electrode assembly 26 or a position eccentric from the center position to the upstream side in the flow direction of the oxidant gas (arrow B direction). . Therefore, the fuel gas is supplied from the fuel gas inlet 42 to the center side of the anode electrode 24 and moves along the fuel gas passage 66 toward the outer peripheral portion of the anode electrode 24 (see FIG. 11).

  On the other hand, the oxidant gas supplied to the oxidant gas supply part 74 provided on the outer peripheral side of each fuel cell 10 is generated between the outer peripheral end of the electrolyte / electrode assembly 26 and the outer peripheral end of the disc part 36. It flows in the direction of arrow B from between and sent to the oxidant gas passage 70. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in the oxidant gas passage 70, from the one outer peripheral end portion (the outer peripheral end portion of the separator 28) side of the cathode electrode 22 of the electrolyte / electrode assembly 26 to the other outer peripheral end portion (the separator). The oxidant gas flows toward the central portion 28).

  Therefore, in the electrolyte / electrode assembly 26, the fuel gas is supplied from the center side of the electrode surface of the anode electrode 24 toward the outer peripheral side, and also toward one direction (arrow B direction) of the electrode surface of the cathode electrode 22. Oxidant gas is supplied (see FIGS. 11 and 12). At that time, oxygen ions move to the anode electrode 24 through the electrolyte 20, and power is generated by a chemical reaction.

  Here, each fuel cell 10 is electrically connected in series in the direction of arrow A (stacking direction), and as shown in FIG. 2, one pole is a connection provided on a conductive end plate 80b. The terminal portion 94 is connected to the output terminal 102a through the conducting wire 100. The other pole is connected from the fastening bolt 96 to the output terminal 102b via the conducting wire 112. For this reason, electrical energy can be taken out between the output terminals 102a and 102b.

  On the other hand, the exhaust gas mixed with the reacted fuel gas and the oxidant gas that has moved to the outer periphery of each electrolyte / electrode assembly 26 moves in the stacking direction via the exhaust gas passage 78 formed in the separator 28, and the casing 14 exhaust ports 116 are discharged to the outside.

  FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a fuel cell 120 manufactured by the manufacturing method according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a fuel cell stack 122 in which a plurality of the fuel cells 120 are stacked. FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional explanatory view for explaining the operation of the fuel cell 120. Note that the same components as those of the fuel cell 10 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Each separator 124 constituting the fuel cell 120 includes a flat plate member 32, a passage member (second member) 126 joined to the flat plate member 32, and a circle fitted to the flat plate member 32 and the passage member 126. And a plate portion 36.

  The passage member 126 includes a second bridge portion 128 fixed to the first bridge portion 40 of the flat plate member 32, and a fuel gas supply passage 52 is formed between the first and second bridge portions 40 and 128. The tip of each second bridge portion 128 terminates in the vicinity of the center position of the anode electrode 24 of the electrolyte / electrode assembly 26, and a plurality of fuel gas openings opening toward the anode electrode 24 are introduced into this tip portion. A mouth 130 is formed. The disk portion 36 of each separator 124 is not provided with the fuel gas inlet 42 of the first embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, after the flat plate member 32 and the passage member 126 are joined, the disc portion 36 is exposed to high heat because it is fitted into the notch portion 54 of the disc portion 36. There is no. Therefore, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, for example, it is possible to efficiently maintain the rigidity and current collection characteristics of the disc portion 36 and perform efficient power generation.

1 is a schematic perspective explanatory view of a fuel cell stack in which a plurality of fuel cells manufactured by a manufacturing method according to a first embodiment of the present invention are stacked. 2 is a partial cross-sectional explanatory view of a fuel cell system in which the fuel cell stack is housed in a housing. FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the fuel cell. It is a partially exploded perspective view showing the gas flow state of the fuel cell. It is a disassembled perspective explanatory drawing of the separator which comprises the said fuel cell. It is a partially expanded explanatory view of the passage member which constitutes the separator. It is explanatory drawing of one surface of the said separator. It is explanatory drawing of the other surface of the said separator. It is a perspective explanatory view of the 1st and 2nd projection parts formed in the separator. It is sectional drawing of the said fuel cell stack. It is a schematic cross-sectional explanatory drawing explaining operation | movement of the said fuel cell. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel cell stack taken along line XII-XII in FIG. 10. It is a disassembled perspective view of the fuel cell manufactured by the manufacturing method which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a fuel cell stack in which a plurality of the fuel cells are stacked. FIG. It is a schematic cross-sectional explanatory drawing explaining operation | movement of the said fuel cell. 6 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a fuel cell separator of Patent Document 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 120 ... Fuel cell 12, 122 ... Fuel cell stack 20 ... Electrolyte 22 ... Cathode electrode 24 ... Anode electrode 28, 124 ... Separator 26 ... Electrolyte electrode assembly 30 ... Fuel gas supply communication hole 32 ... Flat plate member 34, 126 ... passage member 36 ... disc part 38, 44 ... end plate part 40, 46, 128 ... bridge part 42, 130 ... fuel gas inlet 46a ... wide part 52 ... fuel gas supply passage 54 ... notch part 66 ... fuel gas Paths 68, 72 ... Projection part 70 ... Oxidant gas path 74 ... Oxidant gas supply part 78 ... Exhaust gas path 82 ... Tightening load application mechanism

Claims (3)

An electrolyte / electrode assembly configured by sandwiching an electrolyte between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode is disposed between a pair of separators, and one surface of the separator extends along the electrode surface of the anode electrode. A first protrusion for forming a fuel gas passage for supplying a fuel gas is provided, and an oxidant gas for supplying an oxidant gas along the electrode surface of the cathode electrode on the other surface of the separator. A fuel cell manufacturing method in which a second protrusion that forms a passage is provided, and the fuel gas supply section that penetrates the separator communicates with the fuel gas passage through the fuel gas supply passage;
The separator is preliminarily divided into a first member, a second member and a third member which are independent from each other,
The first and second members include first and second end plate portions through which the fuel gas supply portion passes through a central portion, and the fuel gas supply passage extending from the first and second end plate portions. While having first and second bridge portions to form,
The third member is formed into the shape of the electrolyte / electrode assembly, provided with the first and second protrusions, and has a notch from the outer peripheral part to the center part,
First, after joining the first member and the second member, and forming the fuel gas supply section and the fuel gas supply passage in the first and second members,
A method of manufacturing a fuel cell, wherein the separator is manufactured by fitting at least the first bridge portion or the second bridge portion into the cutout portion. The manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second members are provided with the first and second end plate portions in a central portion,
A method of manufacturing a fuel cell, wherein a plurality of the first and second bridge members extend radially from the first and second end plate portions. 3. The manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the first bridge part or the second bridge part has a wide part extending around the fuel gas supply passage, and the wide part serves as the third member. A method of manufacturing a fuel cell, characterized by contacting.

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