JP2007066868A - Apparatus for separator manufacturing and method for manufacturing separator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a separator manufacturing apparatus for surely bonding separators together, and a method for manufacturing the separator. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus includes a pair of electrodes 22a and 22b holding a pair of separators 12a and 12b from the both side of stacking directions in a contact condition through a plurality of bonding sections 35, and a power feed controller for feeding power to the electrodes 22a and 22b. The electrodes 22a and 22b have a plurality of electrically independent conductive regions 26a and 26b. The pair of separators 12a and 12b are welded at the bonding section 35 by feeding power controlled independent to each conductive regions 26a and 26b on the condition that each conductive regions 26a and 26b are contacted to different regions of the separators 12a and 12b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a separator manufacturing apparatus provided in a fuel cell and a manufacturing method thereof.

  For example, a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell has a stack structure in which a plurality of cells including a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) and a pair of separators are stacked. The MEA includes an electrolyte membrane made of an ion exchange membrane, an electrode (anode) made of a catalyst layer disposed on one surface of the electrolyte membrane, and an electrode (cathode) made of a catalyst layer placed on the other surface of the electrolyte membrane. .

As a method of joining a pair of separators, more specifically, a pair of separators composed of a separator of one cell and a separator of the other cell of adjacent cells, for example, Patent Document 1 includes no adhesive. A method of joining by resistance welding is disclosed.
JP 2004-127711 A

  However, since the technology disclosed in the above-mentioned patent document is uniformly energized, it is difficult to reliably join the separators under the influence of variations in the thickness, material, surface treatment, etc. of the separators. There is a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a separator manufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing method thereof that can more reliably join separators together.

  In the present invention, the following means are employed in order to solve the above problems. That is, the separator manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 is configured such that at least a part of a pair of separators in contact with each other is electrically separated from each other at positions different from each other in a part where the pair of separators are in contact with each other. It is characterized by welding each.

  According to the present invention, when a current is passed through the electrodes, the separator generates heat, and the separators are resistance-welded to each other. At this time, the state of the separator, that is, the contact area between the separators, the separator thickness, the brazing material, the separator material, and the surface of the coating layer that is applied to improve the corrosion resistance by conducting electricity with an electrically independent electrode. It is possible to control the energization amount and thus the heat generation amount according to the roughness and the like, and the separators can be more reliably joined. Further, after joining, it is also possible to conduct an energization inspection of the contact portion.

  The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that, with respect to the pair of separators at least partially in contact with each other, the portions where the pair of separators are in contact with each other are independently welded by the electrodes.

  According to the present invention, when a current is passed through the electrodes, the separator generates heat, and the separators are resistance-welded to each other. At this time, the portions where the separators contact each other are energized to the electrodes and welded independently to improve the state of the separators, that is, the contact area between the separators, the separator thickness, the brazing material, the separator material, and the corrosion resistance. Depending on the surface roughness of the coating layer to be applied, etc., it is possible to control the amount of electricity and thus the amount of heat generated, and the separators can be bonded more satisfactorily.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the separator manufacturing apparatus for joining a pair of fuel cell separators, a pair of electrodes sandwiching the pair of separators that are at least partially in contact with each other in a stacked state from both sides in the stacking direction; An energization control device for energizing the electrodes, and at least one of the electrodes includes a plurality of electrically independent conduction regions, and each conduction region is in contact with a different region of the separator. Are controlled to be energized independently, whereby the pair of separators are welded to each other at the contact portions.

  According to the present invention, when current flows from one electrode to the other, the separator generates heat, and the separators are resistance-welded to each other. The energization control is performed independently for each conduction region, so that it is applied to improve the state of the separator in contact with each conduction region, that is, the contact area between the separators, the separator thickness, the brazing material, the separator material, and the corrosion resistance. By controlling the energization amount and thus the heat generation amount according to the surface roughness or the like of the coating layer to be coated, the separators can be bonded more reliably.

  Moreover, after joining, it is also possible to conduct an energization inspection of the contact portion by energizing the conduction region.

  One conductive region of the electrode may be brought into contact with one of the contact portions of the pair of separators, or a plurality of contact portions may correspond to one conductive region.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the separator manufacturing apparatus according to the third aspect, each of the electrodes includes a plurality of convex portions that respectively support the contact portion of the separator from both sides in the stacking direction. Is characterized by having a non-conductive portion provided between the convex portions as a boundary.

  According to the present invention, the boundary of the conduction region is located at a site where the separator and the electrode do not contact. Each contact portion becomes electrically independent by a non-conduction portion provided on the electrode, and energization control can be performed independently for each contact portion.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the separator manufacturing apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, one conductive region provided in one electrode is connected to the plurality of conductive regions provided in the other electrode. The non-conducting portion is provided so as to be electrically connected to each other, whereby a conduction path by each of the conductive regions passes through the contact portion.

  According to the present invention, by appropriately devising the arrangement of the non-conductive portion, for example, a current is passed from the conductive region of one electrode to the conductive region of the other electrode, and the one electrode side through the other contact portion. It is possible to pass a current through the other conduction region. Thereby, since the number of conduction | electrical_connection areas reduces, the structure of an apparatus type | system | group can be simplified.

  The invention according to claim 6 is a separator manufacturing method for joining a pair of fuel cell separators, the pair of separators are brought into contact with each other at least in part, and the contact portion is divided into a plurality of energized groups, The contact portions are heated by independently controlling the energization of each of the energization groups, thereby welding the pair of separators.

  According to the present invention, by conducting energization control of each contact portion independently for each energization group, the separator generates heat and the contact portions are resistance welded. By conducting energization control for each energization group, even if the contact area between separators, separator thickness, brazing material, separator material, surface roughness of the coating layer applied to improve corrosion resistance, etc. are different, By controlling the energization amount and thus the heat generation amount, the separators can be more reliably joined.

  One contact portion of the pair of separators may be one energization group, or a plurality of contact portions may correspond to one energization group.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the separator manufacturing method according to the sixth aspect, a brazing material is sandwiched between the pair of separators, and the brazing material is melted by energization to weld the pair of separators. Features.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to lower the joining temperature by brazing using a solder having a melting point lower than that of the separator, and to suppress the occurrence of distortion of the separator that may occur in the cooling process after joining. it can.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the separator manufacturing method according to claim 6, wherein a bonding film made of a conductive resin is sandwiched between the pair of separators, and the bonding film is dissolved by energization to form the pair of separators. It is characterized by welding.

  According to the present invention, by joining the separators using a joining film made of a conductive resin that is softer than the separators, it is possible to absorb the swell in the contact portion and weld the separators well to join them. it can.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the separator manufacturing method according to the sixth to eighth aspects, after the pair of separators are welded, the contact portion is further energized to conduct an energization inspection of the contact portion. Features.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to inspect the energization by passing a small current through each contact portion after welding. That is, since a current check can be performed in each independent conduction region, it is possible to easily detect a bonding failure or the like.

  In the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, by welding each of the portions where the pair of separators are in contact with each other using electrically independent electrodes, the second and third aspects of the present invention are also described. According to this invention, separators can be more reliably joined by carrying out energization control for every conduction field of an electrode to a contact part of a separator.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the number of conductive regions is reduced, so that the device system can be simplified.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the contact portions of the separator are divided into a plurality of energization groups, and energization control is performed for each energization group, whereby the separators can be more reliably joined.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, it is possible to lower the joining temperature by brazing and joining the separators using a brazing material having a melting point lower than that of the separator, which may occur in the cooling process after joining. Generation | occurrence | production of the distortion of a separator can be suppressed.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, after welding, by passing a small current through the contact portion, an energization inspection can be performed, and a bonding failure or the like can be easily detected.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)

  FIG. 1 shows a fuel cell 1 using a separator manufactured by a separator manufacturing apparatus and a separator manufacturing method according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The fuel cell 1 has a stack body 3 in which a plurality of single cells 2 are stacked. A current collector plate 6 with an output terminal 5 is sequentially formed outside the single cells 2 and 2 located at both ends of the stack body 3 and insulated. Each of the plate 7 and the end plate 8 is arranged.

  In the fuel cell 1, for example, a tension cell (not shown) provided so as to bridge between both end plates 8 and 8 is bolted to the end plates 8 and 8 so that the single cells 2 are stacked. A predetermined compression force is applied in the direction.

  The single cell 2 includes an MEA and a pair of separators 12a and 12b that sandwich the MEA, and has a laminated form as a whole. One single cell 2 includes an anode-side separator 12a and a cathode-side separator 12b, and these separators 12a and 12b are welded to the cathode-side separator 12b and anode-side separator 12a of another adjacent single cell 2, respectively. The

  Each separator 12a, 12b is made of a gas impermeable conductive material. Separator 12a, 12b of this embodiment is formed with the plate-shaped metal plate, and the several uneven | corrugated groove | channels 31a, 31b (refer FIG. 2) are formed in the front and back each surface by press molding. Each of the plurality of grooves 31a and 31b extends in one direction, and serves as a flow path for reaction gas (oxidation gas, fuel gas) and cooling water.

  Further, an inlet side manifold (not shown) of an oxidizing gas, a hydrogen gas, and a cooling water is formed through one end of the separators 12a and 12b. Similarly, an outlet side manifold (not shown) is also provided at the other end. These manifolds are provided separately for the oxidizing gas, the hydrogen gas, and the cooling water, respectively, but the same reference numerals are given here and description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a separator manufacturing apparatus for joining the separators 12a and 12b. The separator manufacturing apparatus 20 includes a pair of roller-type electrodes (hereinafter simply referred to as “electrodes”) 22a and 22b and an energization control device (not shown).

  The electrodes 22a and 22b are formed with grooves 23a and 23b extending in the circumferential direction in accordance with the concave and convex shapes of the separators 12a and 12b described later, and between the adjacent grooves 23a and 23a and the grooves 23b, Protrusions 24a and 24b projecting outward in the radial direction are formed between 23b and 23b. That is, the electrodes 22a and 22b have a shape in which the grooves 23a and 23b and the convex portions 24a and 24b are alternately formed along the axial direction.

  Further, the electrodes 22a and 22b are provided with a plurality of non-conductive portions 25. The non-conductive portion 25 is provided for each of the grooves 23a and 23b, and the electrodes 22a and 22b are divided into a plurality of electrically conductive regions 26a and 26b that are electrically independent by the non-conductive portion 25 that is an insulator. It has become. For example, the electrode 22a includes a plurality of conductive regions 26a that are electrically independent of each other along the axial direction by the non-conductive portion 25. Similarly, the electrode 22b includes a plurality of electrically conductive regions 26b that are electrically independent by the non-conductive portion 25.

  The conduction regions 26a and 26b are independently energized by an energization control device.

  Said separator manufacturing apparatus 20 is used as follows. First, the groove 31a of one separator 12a and the groove 31b of the other separator 12b are overlapped (stacked) in a state of facing each other. The convex portion 32a positioned between the adjacent grooves 31a and 31a and the convex portion 32b positioned between the adjacent grooves 31b and 31b are brought into a stacked contact state with each other at the joint portion (contact portion) 35. .

  Next, the convex portions 32a and 32b of the separators 12a and 12b are formed by the convex portions 24a and 24b of the electrodes 22a and 22b so that the grooves 31a and 31b of the separators 12a and 12b are accommodated in the grooves 23a and 23b of the electrodes 22a and 22b. Is held in a state of being supported from both sides in the stacking direction.

  Next, the separators 12a and 12b are pressed toward each other by the electrodes 22a and 22b, and in this state, a current flows as indicated by the arrows shown in FIG. That is, a current is supplied to the conduction region 26a of the electrode 22a, the separator 12a, the separator 12b, and further to the conduction region 26b of the electrode 22b. Thereby, the separator 12a and the separator 12b are resistance-welded at the joint portion 35. The current direction may be reversed.

  The entire longitudinal direction of the joint portion 35 is welded by rotating the electrodes 22a and 22b in the circumferential direction or performing parallel movement along the longitudinal direction of the grooves of the separators 12a and 12b while performing the above pressing and energization. .

  In the present embodiment, one joining portion 35 forms one energization group, and each joining portion 35 is energized independently. That is, energization control is independently performed on the conduction regions 26 a and 26 b corresponding to the joint portions 35. As a result, the current value or energization time passed through each of the conductive regions 26a and 26b can be changed, so that the contact area between the separators 12a and 12b, the separator thickness, the brazing material, the separator material, and the corrosion resistance were improved. Even if the surface roughness or the like of the coating layer is different for each of the separators 12a and 12b, an appropriate bonding state can be obtained according to the state of each bonding portion 35.

  Furthermore, after joining, the energization test | inspection of each joining part 35 can be performed by reducing a pressurizing force and sending a small electric current, and moving electrode 22a, 22b along the groove | channel longitudinal direction of separator 12a, 12b.

  As described above, according to the separator manufacturing apparatus 20 and the manufacturing method of the first embodiment, since the energization control can be performed independently for each joint portion 35, the separators 12a and 12b can be more reliably joined to each other. Can do. In addition, after the separators 12 and 12b are joined together, each joining portion 35 can be independently inspected for energization, so that a joining failure or the like can be easily detected during the manufacture of the separator.

  As a modification of the above embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, every other non-conductive portion 25 provided on one electrode 22b (or the other electrode 22a) is provided on the groove 23b. Thus, the current may be turned back as shown by the arrow in FIG.

  That is, in this modification, one conduction region 26b provided on one electrode 22b is electrically connected to the plurality of conduction regions 26a and 26a provided on the other electrode 22a via the separators 12a and 12b. In contact with each other so that electrical conduction is possible. For this reason, it is possible to flow from the conduction region 26a to the one junction 35, the conduction region 26b, the other junction 35, and the other conduction region 26a.

  As another modification, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, non-conductive portions 25 are alternately provided in the grooves 23a and 23b of one electrode 22a and the other electrode 22b, in other words, all the grooves 23a. , 23b may be arranged so that the non-conducting portion 25 of each electrode 22a, 22b does not face each other, and the current may meander and flow as indicated by the arrows in FIG.

  In each of these modified examples, since the plurality of joint portions 35 form one energization group, this reduces the number of electrically independent conductive regions 26a and 26b that are current control targets, and simplifies the device system. Can do.

  In addition, arrangement | positioning of the non-conductive part 25 in each of these modifications is an example, and the non-conductive part 25 is good also as different arrangement | positioning. For example, the non-conductive portion 25 may be provided only on one electrode 22a and the non-conductive portion 25 may not be provided on the other electrode 22b.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment and modification, although separator 12a, 12b is joined by the surface by convex part 24a, 24b of electrode 22a, 22b, depending on the structure of electrode 22a, 22b, it is a line or a point. You may join.

  In addition, each joint 35 (energization group) may be energized at the same time, and the energization control may be performed by providing a predetermined order for the joint 35 to be energized according to the joining area and facility energization capability. Also good.

  In addition, when laminating the separators 12a and 12b, a brazing filler metal having a melting point lower than that of the separators 12a and 12b is sandwiched between the joining portions 35, and in this state, a current is supplied to the conduction regions 26a and 26b in the same manner as described above. Also good. In this case, the separators 12a and 12b are joined by the heat generated by the separators 12a and 12b and melting of the brazing material. By using such a brazing material, it becomes possible to lower the joining temperature, and it is possible to suppress distortion that may occur in the cooling process of the separators 12a and 12b.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, by providing a plurality of non-conducting portions 25 on each of the electrodes 22a and 22b having a roller shape, a plurality of electrically independent conductive regions 26a and 26b are formed in the electrodes 22a and 22b. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the plurality of conductive regions 26a and 26b may be configured by a combination of a plurality of electrically independent electrodes.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the second embodiment, instead of a separator made of a metal plate, a resin separator mixed with carbon is targeted. FIG. 5 shows a part of a fuel cell using a separator manufactured by a separator manufacturing apparatus and a separator manufacturing method according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the fuel cell 41 includes a stack body 47 that is formed by stacking single cells 40 each composed of an MEA 42 and a pair of separators 43 a and 43 b that sandwich the MEA 42. Separator 43a, 43b which comprises this single cell 40 is mutually joined by the junction part 46 between separators 43a, 43b between the other adjacent single cells 40. FIG.

  These separators 43a and 43b are carbon separators formed by injection molding a thermoplastic resin containing carbon particles. In addition, when injection molding a thermoplastic resin, the blending ratio of carbon blended in the thermoplastic resin is relatively low, and good fluidity of the thermoplastic resin is ensured.

  As shown in FIG. 6, each separator 43a, 43b is formed with a plurality of concave and convex grooves 44a, 44b on the front and back surfaces. Each of the plurality of grooves 44a and 44b extends in one direction, and serves as a flow path for reaction gas (oxidation gas, fuel gas) and cooling water. An inlet side manifold (not shown) of oxidizing gas, hydrogen gas, and cooling water is formed through one end of the separators 43a and 43b, and an outlet side manifold (not shown) is similarly formed at the other end. (Not shown) is provided.

  Next, the case where the separators 43a and 43b which consist of the said injection molded product are joined is demonstrated.

  7 and 8 are views showing a separator manufacturing apparatus for joining the separators 43a and 43b. The separator manufacturing apparatus 50 includes a pair of flat plate electrodes (hereinafter simply referred to as “electrodes”) 52 a and 52 b and an energization control device (not shown) provided with a power supply 53.

  Each of the electrodes 52a and 52b is divided into a plurality of electrode blocks 53a and 53b that are independent from each other, and the electrode blocks 53a and 53b are insulated by a non-conductive portion 54 that is an insulator. Thereby, each electrode 52a, 52b is divided into the conduction | electrical_connection area | region where each electrode block 53a, 53b is mutually electrically independent. It should be noted that the division pattern such as the shape and number of the electrode blocks 53a and 53b is not limited to the illustrated form.

  And the conduction | electrical_connection control is made independently by the electricity supply control apparatus with respect to the conduction | electrical_connection area | region which consists of each electrode block 53a, 53b. The electrodes 52a and 52b are pressing surfaces 55a and 55b whose opposing surfaces are flat.

  In order to join the separators 43a and 43b by the separator manufacturing apparatus 50, first, the groove 44a of one separator 43a and the groove 44b of the other separator 43b are overlapped (stacked). Thereby, the convex part 45a located between adjacent groove | channels 44a and 44a and the convex part 45b located between adjacent groove | channels 44b and 44b mutually laminated-contacted in the junction part (contact part) 46. FIG. A state is reached (see FIG. 6).

  Next, separators 43 a and 43 b that are stacked and contacted at the joint 46 are disposed between the electrodes 52 a and 52 b of the separator manufacturing apparatus 50. Next, the upper electrode 52a is pushed downward, and the separators 43a and 43b are pressed against each other by sandwiching the separators 43a and 43b by the pressing surfaces 55a and 55b formed by the flat surfaces of the electrodes 52a and 52b.

  In this state, a current is passed as shown by an arrow A in FIG. That is, a current is supplied to the electrode block 53a, which is a conductive region of the electrode 52a, the separator 43a, the separator 43b, and further to the electrode block 53b, which is a conductive region of the electrode 52b. As a result, the separator 43a and the separator 43b generate heat due to resistance loss at the joint portion 46, whereby the resin on the surface is locally melted and welded to each other. The current direction may be reversed.

  Also in the said 2nd Embodiment, the one junction part 46 can be made into one electricity supply group, and can electrically supply with respect to each junction part 46 independently. That is, energization control is independently performed on the electrode blocks 53a and 53b corresponding to the joints 46.

  Thereby, since the current value or energization time passed through each electrode block 53a, 53b which is a conduction region can be changed, the contact area between the separators 43a, 43b, the separator thickness, the blending ratio of carbon, the surface roughness, etc. Even if it is different for each of the separators 43a and 43b, an appropriate joining state can be obtained according to the state of each joining portion 46.

  Furthermore, after joining, by applying a small current by reducing the applied pressure and bringing the electrodes 52a and 52b into contact with the separators 43a and 43b, it is possible to inspect the energization of each joint 46.

  As described above, according to the separator manufacturing apparatus 50 and the manufacturing method of the second embodiment, the energization control such as the applied current and the energization time is performed at the electrode blocks 53a and 53b of the electrodes 52a and 52b with respect to each joint portion 46. Therefore, the separators 43a and 43b can be bonded more favorably. Further, after the separators 43 and 43b are joined together, it is possible to inspect each joining portion 46 independently, so that a joining failure or the like can be easily detected during the manufacture of the separator.

  Further, since the electrodes 52a and 52b are composed of the electrode blocks 53a and 53b divided into a plurality of parts, the pressing force and pressurizing time applied to the joint portions 46 of the separators 43a and 43b by the opposing electrode blocks 53a and 53b are also provided. It can be controlled independently. Thereby, it is possible to independently and appropriately perform energization control such as applied current and energization time and pressurization control such as applied pressure and pressurization time with respect to the undulations of the surfaces of the separators 43a and 43b. It is possible to join well without variation.

  Here, it is also conceivable that the fuel cells 41 are simply brought into contact with each other without joining the separators 43a and 43b. However, in this case, in order to reduce the contact resistance at the contact portion, the blending ratio of carbon to the thermoplastic resin must be increased, and therefore the fluidity of the thermoplastic resin is greatly reduced. That is, when the fuel cell 41 is configured by simply contacting the separators 43a and 43b without joining them, the thermoplastic resin cannot have sufficient fluidity to perform injection molding, and the press It will form by processing, and productivity will fall significantly.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the separators 43a and 43b are joined together at the joining portion 46, there is no need to increase the blending ratio of carbon and lower the contact resistance. Therefore, the carbon blended into the thermoplastic resin is not necessary. The blending ratio can be made relatively low. Thereby, the favorable fluidity | liquidity of a thermoplastic resin can be ensured and separator 43a, 43b can be shape | molded by injection molding, and productivity can be improved.

  Further, since the opposing surfaces sandwiching the separators 43a and 43b are flat pressing surfaces 55a and 55b, the electrodes 52a and 52b sandwich and join the separators 43a and 43b by the electrodes 52a and 52b. Thus, the flatness and parallelism of the separators 43a and 43b can be corrected. Thereby, when the fuel cell 41 is configured with the MEA 42 sandwiched, the surface pressure to the MEA 42 can be made uniform, and the power generation performance can be improved.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 9A, when undulation occurs in the convex portions 45a and 45b, which are the joint portions 46 of the separators 43a and 43b, the joints are joined as shown in FIG. 9B. It is conceivable that the contact area between the joint portions 46 becomes insufficient and the joint portions 46 are not sufficiently joined.

  Therefore, when waviness occurs in the protrusions 45a and 45b, which are the contact portions between the separators 43a and 43b, as shown in FIG. 10A, the protrusions 45a and 45b of the separators 43a and 43b are formed. A bonding film 57 made of a conductive resin softer than the separators 43a and 43b is disposed between them.

  In this state, as described above, the separators 43a and 43b are energized while being pressurized by the electrodes 52a and 52b of the separator manufacturing apparatus 50, as shown in FIG. The convex portions 45 a and 45 b and the bonding film 57 are melted by overheating, and the convex portions 45 a and 45 b of the separators 43 a and 43 b are bonded to each other satisfactorily mechanically and electrically via the bonding film 57.

  As a modification of the second embodiment, what is shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 is a separator manufacturing apparatus 60 having another structure for joining separators 43a and 43b made of a carbon-containing thermoplastic resin. The separator manufacturing apparatus 60 includes a pair of roller-type electrodes (hereinafter simply referred to as “electrodes”) 62a and 62b. The electrodes 62a and 62b are arranged with a space therebetween and are parallel to each other and in the same direction. It is supported so as to be rotatable about the axis of.

  Even when the separators 43a and 43b are joined by the separator manufacturing apparatus 60, first, the grooves 44a of one separator 43a and the grooves 44b of the other separator 43b are overlapped to face each other, and the convex portions 45a and 45b are connected to each other. Are brought into contact with each other at the joint 46.

  Next, the separators 43a and 43b laminated and contacted at the joint portion 46 are arranged so that the contact portion 46 extends along the axial direction of the electrodes 62a and 62b, and sent between the electrodes 62a and 62b of the separator manufacturing apparatus 60. One end side of the separators 43a and 43b is disposed between the electrodes 62a and 62b.

  In this state, the upper electrode 62a is pushed downward, and the separators 43a and 43b are sandwiched between the pressing surfaces 65a and 65b formed by the peripheral surfaces of the electrodes 62a and 62b, thereby pressing the separators 43a and 43b together.

  In this state, a current is passed as shown by an arrow B in FIG. That is, a current is supplied to the electrode 62a, the separator 43a, the separator 43b, and further to the electrode 62b. As a result, the separator 43a and the separator 43b generate heat due to resistance loss at the joint portion 46, whereby the resin on the surface is locally melted and welded to each other. The current direction may be reversed.

  While the electrodes 62a and 62b are rotated in the circumferential direction or the separators 43a and 43b are moved in parallel while the above-described pressing and energization is performed, the joint portion 46 between the separator 43a and the separator 43b is connected to the separators 43a and 43b. They are welded and joined in order from one end side.

  In addition, by passing the separators 43a and 43b between the electrodes 62a and 62b arranged at a slightly narrower distance than the thickness of the separators 43a and 43b that are in contact with each other, the separators 43a and 43b are pressed from one end side. It may be energized to join the joints 46 in order.

  Even in this modified example, the separators 43a and 43b are sequentially joined at the joint 46, so there is no need to increase the blending ratio of carbon and lower the contact resistance. Therefore, the blending ratio of carbon blended in the thermoplastic resin is compared. Can be lowered. Thereby, the favorable fluidity | liquidity of a thermoplastic resin can be ensured and separator 43a, 43b can be shape | molded by injection molding, and productivity can be improved.

  In particular, since the roller-type electrodes 62a and 62b can be used and the joining work can be continuously performed between the electrodes 62a and 62b through the separators 43a and 43b, the productivity can be further improved.

  In addition, in the longitudinal direction of the separators 43a and 43b, that is, in the conveying direction between the electrodes 62a and 62b, energization control such as applied current and energization time and pressurization control such as pressurization and pressurization time are performed on the separators 43a and 43b. By performing according to the transfer position or transfer time, the energization control and the pressurization control can be performed independently and appropriately at the bonding portion 46 with respect to the undulation of the surface of each separator 43a, 43b, etc. It is possible to bond well without variation.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the electrodes 62a and 62b are divided into a plurality of electrodes in the axial direction to form a plurality of electrode blocks 63a and 63b that are independent from each other, and a non-insulator is provided between the electrode blocks 63a and 63b. A conductive portion 64 may be provided for insulation.

  In the electrodes 62a and 62b having such a structure, each of the electrode blocks 63a and 63b is divided into electrically independent conduction regions, and the conduction control can be independently performed on these conduction regions by the conduction control device. it can.

  And according to the separator manufacturing apparatus 60 provided with such electrodes 62a and 62b, current control such as an applied current and an energization time in the joint portion 46 of the separators 43a and 43b is performed by the electrode blocks 63a and 63b which are conductive regions. Pressurization control such as pressurization and pressurization time can be performed independently in the width direction of the separators 43a and 43b.

  The energization control such as applied current and energization time and the pressurization control such as pressurization time and pressurization time in the longitudinal direction of the separators 43a and 43b, that is, in the transport direction between the electrodes 62a and 62b are performed by the separators 43a and 43b. It can be performed according to the transfer position or transfer time.

  Thereby, it is possible to independently and appropriately perform energization control such as applied current and energization time and pressurization control such as applied pressure and pressurization time with respect to the undulations of the surfaces of the separators 43a and 43b. It is possible to perform better bonding without variations.

It is the perspective view which showed the fuel cell with which the manufacturing method of the separator which is 1st Embodiment of this invention is applied. It is the figure shown about the state which joins a pair of separator with the manufacturing apparatus of a separator. It is the figure shown about the modification of the manufacturing apparatus of a separator. It is the figure shown about the other modification of the manufacturing apparatus of a separator. It is the schematic sectional drawing which showed the fuel cell with which the manufacturing method of the separator which is 2nd Embodiment of this invention is applied. It is a side view of a pair of separator joined together. It is a schematic perspective view explaining the manufacturing apparatus of a separator. It is a schematic side view explaining the manufacturing apparatus of a separator. It is a figure explaining the shape of the convex part of a separator, Comprising: (a) is sectional drawing which shows the state before joining, (b) is sectional drawing which shows the state at the time of joining. It is a figure explaining the shape of the convex part of a separator, Comprising: (a) is sectional drawing which shows the state before joining, (b) is sectional drawing which shows the state at the time of joining. It is a schematic perspective view explaining the modification of the manufacturing apparatus of a separator. It is a schematic side view explaining the modification of the manufacturing apparatus of a separator. It is a schematic front view explaining the other modification of the manufacturing apparatus of a separator.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,41 ... Fuel cell, 2,40 ... Single cell, 3, 47 ... Stack main body, 12a, 12b, 43a, 43b ... Separator, 20, 50, 60 ... Separator manufacturing apparatus, 22a, 22b, 62a, 62b ... Roller Type electrode (electrode), 25, 54, 64 ... non-conducting portion, 26a, 26b ... conducting region, 35, 46 ... junction (contact portion), 52a, 52b ... flat plate type electrode (electrode), 53a, 53b, 63a , 63b ... Electrode block (conduction region), 57 ... Bonding film.

Claims (9)

  A separator manufacturing apparatus, wherein at least a part of the pair of separators are welded to each other at positions different from each other in a part where the pair of separators are in contact with each other by an electrically independent electrode.   A separator manufacturing apparatus, wherein a pair of separators are welded to each other by an electrode independently with respect to a pair of separators at least partially in contact with each other. In a separator manufacturing apparatus for joining a pair of fuel cell separators,
A pair of electrodes that sandwich the pair of separators that are in contact with each other at least partially in a stacked state from both sides in the stacking direction;
At least one of the electrodes includes a plurality of electrically independent conductive regions, and the conductive regions are independently energized and controlled while the conductive regions are in contact with different regions of the separator. The separator manufacturing apparatus is characterized in that the separators are welded to each other at the contact portions. Each of the electrodes includes a plurality of convex portions that respectively support the contact portion of the separator from both sides in the stacking direction,
The separator manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the conduction region has a non-conduction portion provided between the convex portions as a boundary.   The non-conductive portion is provided so that one conductive region provided on one electrode is electrically connected to a plurality of conductive regions provided on the other electrode via the separator, thereby The separator manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a conduction path by each conduction region passes through the contact portion. In a separator manufacturing method for joining a pair of fuel cell separators,
At least a part of the pair of separators are brought into contact with each other, the contact portions are divided into a plurality of energization groups, and the contact portions are controlled by energizing the contact portions independently for each energization group. A separator manufacturing method, wherein heat is generated and the pair of separators are welded thereby.   The separator manufacturing method according to claim 6, wherein a brazing material is sandwiched between the pair of separators, and the brazing material is melted by energization to weld the pair of separators.   The method for manufacturing a separator according to claim 6, wherein a bonding film made of a conductive resin is sandwiched between the pair of separators, the bonding film is dissolved by energization, and the pair of separators is welded. The separator manufacturing method according to claim 6, wherein after the pair of separators are welded, the contact portion is further energized to conduct an energization inspection of the contact portion.

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