JP2007157438A - Manufacturing method of cell of fuel cell and manufacturing equipment of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a manufacturing method of a cell of a fuel cell, which conducting process from assembling metal plates constituting the cell or a membrane electrode assembly to mechanically sealing them. <P>SOLUTION: The method for crimping sealing peripheral regions 4a, 5a of metal plates 4, 5 arranged on both sides of the membrane electrode assembly 10 through insulating sheets 11, 12 has a process setting the metal plate 4 having a standing bent part in the circumference of a peripheral region on a mold in a state wherein the standing bent part is faced upward; a process setting the membrane electrode assembly 10 on the inside of the standing bent part; a process setting the metal plate 5 on the membrane electrode assembly 10; and a process sealing the peripheral regions 4a, 5a by bending down the circumference of the standing bent part to the peripheral region of the metal plate 5. Molds N1-N6, M1 and M2 for conducting each process are arranged every process along the circumferential direction, and each process is continuously conducted while a working object is moved along the circumferential direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention includes a plate-like thin film electrode composition, and a first metal plate and a second metal plate disposed on both sides of the thin film electrode composition, and the peripheral regions of the first and second metal plates are insulated. The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a fuel cell that is sealed by caulking with a layer interposed therebetween, and a manufacturing facility for the fuel cell.

  As such a fuel cell, a fuel cell disclosed in Patent Document 1 below is known. The basic configuration of the fuel cell includes a plate-shaped thin film electrode composition and a pair of metal plates (cathode side metal plate and anode side metal plate) disposed on both sides of the thin film electrode composition, The peripheral regions of these metal plates are sealed (mechanically sealed) by caulking with an insulating layer interposed therebetween. The thin film electrode composition is composed of a solid polymer electrolyte and a pair of electrode plates (an anode side electrode plate and a cathode side electrode plate) disposed on both sides thereof. Since the peripheral area of the metal plate is sealed with caulking in a state of being electrically insulated, the fuel cell can be reliably sealed without increasing the thickness while preventing a short circuit between them. . Thereby, maintenance is also facilitated, and the fuel cell can be significantly reduced in thickness. Furthermore, since a solid polymer electrolyte or a metal plate is used, a free shape and a bend are possible, and a small, light and free shape design is possible.

JP 2005-268176 A

  Then, the subject of this invention is providing the manufacturing method and manufacturing equipment of a fuel cell which have this structure. In particular, it is to provide a fuel cell manufacturing method and manufacturing equipment capable of efficiently performing the steps from assembling a metal plate and a thin film electrode composition constituting the cell to mechanically sealing the cell plate.

In order to solve the above problems, a method for producing a fuel cell according to the present invention includes:
A plate-shaped thin-film electrode composition, and a first metal plate and a second metal plate disposed on both sides of the thin-film electrode composition, and the peripheral regions of the first and second metal plates sandwich an insulating layer therebetween. In the method of manufacturing a fuel cell that is sealed by press bending in an interposed state,
A step of setting the first metal plate on which the standing bent part is formed on the entire circumference of the peripheral region on the mold in a state where the standing bent part faces upward;
Setting the thin film electrode composition inside the standing bent portion of the first metal plate;
A step of further setting a second metal plate on the thin film electrode composition;
A step of sealing the peripheral region by depressing the entire circumference of the standing bent part with respect to the peripheral region of the second metal plate by press bending, and
A mold for performing each of these steps is arranged for each step along the circumferential direction, and each step is continuously performed while moving the workpiece along the circumferential direction. Is.

  The operation and effect of this fuel cell manufacturing method will be described. A fuel cell to be manufactured includes a plate-shaped thin film electrode composition and first and second metal plates disposed on both sides thereof, and an insulating layer is provided around the peripheral region of the first and second metal plates. Sealing is performed by press bending process. Moreover, since this fuel battery cell is comprised based on a plate-shaped thin film electrode composition, it can be formed thin as a whole. The steps until the peripheral region is sealed are performed in the following order.

  First, the 1st metal plate in which the standing bending part was formed in the perimeter area | region perimeter is set on a metal mold | die. The first metal plate is set so that the standing bent part faces upward. The plate-shaped thin film electrode composition is set inside the standing bent portion of the first metal plate. Inside the standing bent portion, the thin film electrode composition is set on the first metal plate. Further, a second metal plate is set on the thin film electrode composition. As described above, the first metal plate / thin film electrode composition / second metal plate is set in a laminated state. Next, the peripheral region is mechanically sealed by press bending by tilting the entire circumference of the standing bent portion with respect to the peripheral region of the second metal plate. As a result, the inside is sealed.

  Moreover, the metal mold | die for implementing each process is arrange | positioned for every process along the circumferential direction. The object to be processed (first metal plate, thin film electrode composition, second metal plate) is moved along the circumferential direction, and each step is continuously performed. Therefore, it can be configured such that processing is successively performed along the circumferential direction, and a completed fuel cell is taken out from a predetermined location. As a result, it is possible to provide a method of manufacturing a fuel cell that can efficiently perform the steps from assembling a metal plate or a thin film electrode composition constituting the cell to mechanically sealing the cell plate.

  In the present invention, the step of sealing the peripheral region by press bending is a first step of performing at least one drawing process in which the entire circumference of the standing bent part is inclined at a predetermined angle toward the inner side of the metal plate; The entire circumference of the bent portion inclined at a predetermined angle is divided into a second step of tilting against the peripheral region of the second metal plate, and the mold for the first step and the second step are used. It is preferable that the metal molds are adjacently disposed along the circumferential direction.

  When the peripheral region is sealed, the peripheral region of the second metal plate is brought down with the insulating layer interposed therebetween, but this is not performed in one step but in at least two steps. That is, first, drawing is performed until the standing bent portion is inclined inward by a predetermined angle. Then, the inclined bent portion in the inclined state is brought down into the peripheral region of the second metal plate. Thereby, a peripheral area | region can be mechanically sealed by press bending process in the state which interposed the insulating layer. By performing the sealing process step by step, the standing bent portion can be reliably brought down. If this is done in one step, it may not fall down well, and the quality of the sealed state will also deteriorate, but by performing it stepwise, it can be surely sealed and gas leaks etc. are prevented. be able to. As a result, the inside of the cell can be reliably sealed by reliably performing mechanical sealing. In addition, the mold for the first process and the mold for the second process are arranged adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction, and the second process can be performed immediately after the first process, by press bending. The sealing process can be performed efficiently.

  In this invention, it is preferable that the said insulating layer is formed with the insulating sheet, and the insulating sheet is previously attached to the peripheral area | region of the 1st metal plate and / or the 2nd metal plate.

  The step of placing the insulating sheet may be provided separately, but by attaching the insulating sheet to the metal plate in advance at the predetermined interval, the step of interposing the insulating layer can be omitted, The manufacturing process can be simplified. The insulating sheet can be attached by an appropriate method such as adhesion.

In order to solve the above problems, the fuel cell manufacturing equipment according to the present invention comprises:
A plate-shaped thin-film electrode composition, and a first metal plate and a second metal plate disposed on both sides of the thin-film electrode composition, and the peripheral regions of the first and second metal plates sandwich an insulating layer therebetween. In a fuel cell manufacturing facility that is sealed by press bending in an interposed state,
A step of setting a first metal plate having a bent portion formed on the entire periphery of the peripheral region on the mold;
Setting the thin-film electrode composition on the first metal plate with the standing bent portion facing upward;
A step of further setting a second metal plate on the thin film electrode composition;
A die for performing at least the step of sealing the peripheral region by tilting the entire periphery of the standing bent portion with respect to the peripheral region of the second metal plate by press bending, along the circumferential direction. Mold equipment arranged for each process,
It comprises a mold drive facility for continuously performing each process while moving the workpiece along the circumferential direction.

  The fuel cell manufacturing facility includes a mold facility arranged along the circumferential direction and a mold drive facility for driving the mold facility. With such a configuration, as already described, it is possible to sequentially perform processing along the circumferential direction and take out the completed fuel cell from a predetermined location. As a result, it is possible to provide a fuel cell manufacturing facility capable of efficiently performing the steps from assembling the metal plate and the thin film electrode composition constituting the cell to sealing the peripheral region.

  In the present invention, the step of sealing the peripheral region by press bending is a first for performing at least one drawing process in which the entire circumference of the standing bent part is inclined at a predetermined angle toward the inner side of the metal plate. It is performed by a mold and a second mold for tilting the entire circumference of the standing bent portion inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the peripheral area of the second metal plate, and the first mold and the second mold. It is preferable that the molds are arranged adjacent to each other along the circumferential direction.

  As a result, as described above, the peripheral region can be reliably sealed, and the inside of the cell can be reliably sealed. In addition, the mold for the first process and the mold for the second process are arranged adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction, and the second process can be performed immediately after the first process. The stopping process can be performed efficiently.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a fuel cell manufacturing method and manufacturing equipment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the structure of the fuel cell to be manufactured will be described. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the fuel cell according to the present invention as viewed from the anode side, and FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the fuel cell as viewed from the cathode side. FIG. 3 is an assembled perspective view showing an example of the fuel battery cell shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the fuel battery cell shown in FIGS. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the shape of the flow channel.

  As shown in the drawings, the fuel battery cell of the present invention is disposed on a plate-shaped solid polymer electrolyte 1, a cathode-side electrode plate 2 disposed on one side of the solid polymer electrolyte 1, and on the other side. The anode side electrode plate 3 is provided. Further, the cathode side metal plate 4 (corresponding to the second metal plate) is arranged outside the cathode side electrode plate 2, and the anode side metal plate 5 (corresponding to the first metal plate) is arranged outside the anode side electrode plate 3. Is done.

  The peripheral regions 4a and 5a of the metal plates 4 and 5 are sealed by caulking (corresponding to press bending) after the solid polymer electrolyte 1 and the electrode plates 2 and 3 are accommodated. For convenience of explanation, regions other than the peripheral regions 4a and 5a of the metal plates 4 and 5 are referred to as central regions 4b and 5b.

  The solid polymer electrolyte 1 may be any solid polymer membrane battery as long as it is used in conventional solid polymer membrane batteries. From the viewpoint of chemical stability and conductivity, a perfluorocarbon having a sulfonic acid group which is a super strong acid. A cation exchange membrane made of a polymer is preferably used. Nafion (registered trademark) is preferably used as such a cation exchange membrane. In addition, for example, a porous film made of a fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene impregnated with the above Nafion or other ion conductive material, a porous film made of a polyolefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, or a non-woven fabric. A material carrying Nafion or another ion conductive material may be used.

  The thinner the solid polymer electrolyte 1 is, the more effective it is to make the whole thinner. However, in consideration of ion conduction function, strength, handling property, etc., 10 to 300 μm can be used, but 25 to 50 μm is preferable. .

  The electrode plates 2 and 3 can function as a gas diffusion layer, and can supply and discharge fuel gas, oxidizing gas, and water vapor, and at the same time can exhibit a current collecting function. As the electrode plates 2 and 3, the same or different ones can be used, and it is preferable to support a catalyst having an electrode catalytic action on the base material. The catalyst is preferably supported at least on the inner surfaces 2 b and 3 b in contact with the solid polymer electrolyte 1.

  As the electrode base material, for example, conductive carbon materials such as carbon paper, fibrous carbon such as carbon fiber nonwoven fabric, and aggregates of conductive polymer fibers can be used. In general, the electrode plates 2 and 3 are prepared by adding a water-repellent substance such as a fluororesin to such a conductive porous material. When the catalyst is supported, a catalyst such as platinum fine particles and fluorine It is formed by mixing a water-repellent substance such as a resin, mixing it with a solvent to form a paste or ink, and then applying this to one side of an electrode substrate that should face the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The

  In general, the electrode plates 2 and 3 and the solid polymer electrolyte 1 are designed according to the reducing gas and the oxidizing gas supplied to the fuel cell. In the present invention, it is preferable to use air as the oxidizing gas and hydrogen gas as the reducing gas. In addition, methanol, dimethyl ether, or the like can be used instead of the reducing gas.

  For example, when hydrogen gas and air are used, the cathode-side electrode plate 2 on the side where air is naturally supplied causes a reaction between oxygen and hydrogen ions, so that water is generated. Is preferred. In particular, under the operating conditions of low operating temperature, high current density, and high gas utilization rate, the electrode porous body is likely to be clogged (flooded) due to the condensation of water vapor, particularly at the air electrode where water is generated. Therefore, in order to obtain stable characteristics of the fuel cell over a long period of time, it is effective to ensure the water repellency of the electrode so that the flooding phenomenon does not occur.

  As the catalyst, at least one metal selected from platinum, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, silver, nickel, iron, copper, cobalt and molybdenum, or an oxide thereof can be used. A supported one can also be used.

  The thickness of the electrode plates 2 and 3 is more effective for reducing the overall thickness as the thickness is reduced, but is preferably 50 to 500 μm in view of electrode reaction, strength, handling properties, and the like. The electrode plates 2 and 3 and the solid polymer electrolyte 1 may be laminated and integrated in advance by adhesion, fusion, or the like, or may simply be arranged in a stacked manner. Such a laminate can also be obtained as a thin film electrode assembly 10 (MEA) and is preferably used.

  A cathode side metal plate 4 is disposed on the surface of the cathode side electrode plate 2, and an anode side metal plate 5 is disposed on the surface of the anode side electrode plate 3. The anode side metal plate 5 is provided with a fuel inlet 5c and a discharge port 5d, and in the present embodiment, the anode side metal plate 5 is provided with a flow channel 9 (see FIG. 5).

  The cathode side metal plate 4 is provided with a large number of opening holes 4c for supplying oxygen in the air. As long as the cathode side electrode plate 2 can be exposed, the number, shape, size, formation position, and the like of the opening holes 4c may be any. However, in consideration of the supply efficiency of oxygen in the air and the current collection effect from the cathode side electrode plate 2, the area of the opening 4c is preferably 10 to 50% of the area of the cathode side electrode plate 2, In particular, 20 to 40% is preferable. As for the opening hole 4c of the cathode side metal plate 4, you may provide a some circular hole, a slit, etc. regularly or randomly, or may provide an opening part with a metal mesh, for example.

  As the metal plates 4 and 5, any metal can be used as long as it does not adversely affect the electrode reaction, and examples thereof include stainless steel plates, nickel, copper, and copper alloys. However, from the viewpoint of elongation, weight, elastic modulus, strength, corrosion resistance, press workability, etching workability and the like, a stainless steel plate, nickel and the like are preferable.

  The channel groove 9 provided in the anode side metal plate 5 may have any planar shape or cross-sectional shape as long as a channel for hydrogen gas or the like can be formed by contact with the electrode plate 3. In the present embodiment, the inlet 5c and the outlet 5d are connected by a channel groove 9, and the channel groove 9 is formed in a zigzag shape that is periodically folded along the width direction of the metal plate 5. Yes. The flow channel groove 9 is composed of a wide horizontal groove 9a and a narrow vertical groove 9b, and the horizontal groove 9a and the horizontal groove 9a on both sides in the width direction are connected by three vertical grooves 9b. Even if one of the longitudinal grooves 9b is blocked for some reason, the remaining groove 9b prevents the channel groove 9 from being completely blocked. In consideration of the channel density, the stacking density at the time of stacking the fuel cells, the flexibility, etc., various forms of the channel grooves 9 can be adopted, and the present invention is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG.

  A part of the channel groove 9 of the metal plate 5 may be formed on the outer surface of the electrode plate 3. As a method of forming the flow channel groove on the outer surface of the electrode plate 3, a mechanical method such as heating press or cutting may be used. However, it is preferable to perform groove processing by laser irradiation in order to perform fine processing suitably. From the viewpoint of performing laser irradiation, the base material for the electrode plates 2 and 3 is preferably an aggregate of fibrous carbon.

  One or a plurality of inlets 5c and outlets 5d communicating with the channel groove 9 of the metal plate 5 can be formed. In addition, although the thickness of the metal plates 4 and 5 is more effective for reducing the overall thickness as the thickness is reduced, 0.1 to 1 mm is preferable in consideration of strength, elongation, weight, elastic modulus, handling property, and the like.

  As a method of forming the flow path groove 9 in the metal plate 5, it can be formed by performing press working (stamping) on the metal plate. That is, by performing the punching process on the metal plate 5 shown in FIG. 3 from the back side, the flow channel 9 can be formed on the back side of the metal plate 5 as shown in FIGS. Since the flow channel 9 is formed by stamping, the same shape as the flow channel 9 appears on the surface side of the metal plate 5 as shown in FIG. The cross-sectional shape of the channel groove 9 is preferably substantially square, substantially trapezoidal, substantially semicircular, V-shaped or the like.

  The formation of the opening hole 4c in the metal plate 4 and the formation of the injection port 5c and the discharge port 5d in the metal plate 5 are also performed using press working. Further, the metal plates 4 and 5 are similarly formed with recesses in the central regions 4b and 5b by using press working (stamping). This recessed part is a recessed part for accommodating the electrode plates 2 and 3 which comprise the thin film electrode composition 10, as shown in FIG. Therefore, the area of the recess is processed according to the size of the electrode plates 2 and 3 to be accommodated.

  In the present invention, the peripheral regions 4a and 5a of the metal plates 4 and 5 are sealed with caulking while being electrically insulated. Electrical insulation is performed using an insulating sheet (corresponding to an insulating layer), but can also be performed by interposing the peripheral edge 1a of the solid polymer electrolyte 1.

  On the cathode side metal plate 4, a ring-shaped (frame-shaped) insulating sheet 11 is disposed in the peripheral region 4a as shown in FIG. The outer edge of the insulating sheet 11 is set to be approximately the same size as the edge of the metal plate 4, and the inner edge is a region where many opening holes 4 c are formed (or a size slightly larger than the size of the electrode plate 2). Is set to a slightly larger size.

  As shown in FIG. 1, ring-shaped (frame-shaped) insulating sheets 12 are also disposed on the front and back surfaces of the peripheral region 5 a on the anode side metal plate 5. The sizes of the insulating sheets 12 on both the front and back surfaces are the same. The outer edge of the insulating sheet 12 is set to approximately the same size as the edge of the metal plate 5, and the inner edge is set to a size slightly larger than the electrode plate 3.

  The solid polymer electrolyte 1 is slightly larger than the size of the electrode plates 2 and 3, and as shown in FIG. 4, the peripheral region 1 a exposed from the electrode plates 2 and 3 has insulating sheets 11 and 12. It is assembled so that it may be pinched by.

  That is, in the present invention, when caulking, the peripheral region 1a of the solid polymer electrolyte 1 in the region outside the electrode plates 2 and 3 is sandwiched between the peripheral regions 4a and 5a via the insulating sheets 11 and 12. State. According to such a structure, inflow of gas or the like from one of the electrode plates 2 and 3 to the other can be effectively prevented. Moreover, the insulating sheet 12 is provided also on the surface side of the metal plate 5, and can be sealed in a state in which the insulating performance is ensured when the crimping is performed.

  As the insulating sheets 11 and 12, a sheet-like resin, rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, ceramics, or the like can be used, but a resin, rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, or the like is preferable in order to improve sealing performance. Before processing the metal plates 4 and 5 into a predetermined shape, the insulating sheets 11 and 12 are attached to the metal plates 4 and 5 in advance, or directly or via an adhesive. I can leave. This point will be described later.

  As the caulking structure, the structure shown in FIG. 4 is preferable from the viewpoint of sealing performance, ease of manufacture, thickness, and the like. That is, the peripheral region 4a of one cathode side metal plate 4 is made larger than the peripheral region 5a of the other anode side metal plate 5, and the peripheral regions 4a of the cathode side metal plate 4 are interposed with the insulating sheets 11 and 12 interposed therebetween. A caulking structure is preferable in which the metal plate is folded so as to sandwich the peripheral region 5 a of the anode side metal plate 5. A manufacturing method and manufacturing equipment for performing such caulking sealing will be described in detail later.

  When configuring a fuel cell, one or a plurality of fuel cells as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be used, but the solid polymer electrolyte 1, a pair of electrode plates 2, 3, and a pair of metal plates It is also possible to form unit cells with 4 and 5 and to stack a plurality of unit cells or to arrange them on the same surface. By doing so, it is possible to provide a high-power fuel cell without the need to apply a certain pressure to the cell parts by mutually coupling with the fastening parts of the bolts and nuts.

  When used as a fuel cell, it is possible to join a fuel supply pipe directly to the fuel inlet 5c and outlet 5d of the metal plate 5, but in making the fuel cell thinner, It is preferable to provide a joint mechanism having a small thickness and a pipe parallel to the surface of the metal plate 5.

  In FIG. 1, a joint booth (metal pin) 5 e is attached to the injection plate 5 c with respect to the metal plate 5. This attachment can be performed by caulking or press fitting. The metal pipe 13 can be press-fitted and attached to the booth 5e. A gas supply flow path can be formed by further inserting the resin pipe 14 into the metal pipe 13 (see FIG. 4). The same configuration is adopted for the outlet 5d.

  The metal plates 4 and 5 and the solid polymer electrolyte 1 which are members constituting the fuel battery cell are formed in a rectangular shape, but four corners thereof are formed in an R shape. By attaching R to the four corners, it is easy to perform the caulking sealing process described later.

<Manufacturing process of fuel cell>
Next, the manufacturing process and manufacturing equipment of the fuel battery cell described in FIGS. 1 to 5 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an outline of the manufacturing process of the fuel cell. As shown in FIG. 6, it is divided into the process of manufacturing the cathode side metal plate 4, the process of manufacturing the anode side metal plate 5, and the process of manufacturing the thin film electrode composition 10, and the metal plates 4 and 5 and the thin film electrode composition After the body 1 is manufactured, a process of assembling a fuel cell using these is performed.

  First, the structure of the progressive die equipment for manufacturing the cathode side metal plate 4 and the anode side metal plate 5 will be described. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the progressive die equipment. This progressive metal mold equipment can process both the cathode side metal plate 4 and the anode side metal plate 5, and therefore, seven molds are arranged along the conveyance path.

  As a raw material for processing the metal plates 4 and 5, a metal roll obtained by winding a long metal plate having a predetermined width around a roll is used. A long metal plate is pulled out from the metal roll and sent to a progressive mold facility, and necessary processing is performed. As the metal plates 4 and 5, long metal plates having the same width are used, but the metal plate 4 having an insulating sheet 11 attached to one side in advance is used, and the metal plate 5 is previously provided. A sheet having an insulating sheet 12 attached on both sides is used.

  The seven molds shown in FIG. 7 are arranged at predetermined intervals, and are used only when the anode side metal plate 5 is manufactured (first, second, third and sixth molds), and the cathode side metal. It has a mold (fourth and seventh molds) used only when the plate 4 is manufactured and a mold (fifth mold) that can be used in common for both the metal plates 4 and 5. Therefore, when the cathode side metal plate 4 is manufactured, the first, second, third, and sixth molds are controlled to be inoperative, and when the anode side metal plate 5 is manufactured, the fourth and seventh molds are used. A mold control unit is provided for controlling so as to be inactive.

  If comprised as mentioned above, since it is not necessary to provide a separate progressive metal mold | die equipment in the cathode side metal plate 4 and the anode side metal plate 5, an installation cost can be made cheap.

  Next, specific processing contents will be described. FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a state in which the cathode side metal plate 4 is processed by the progressive die equipment, and FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a state in which the anode side metal plate 5 is processed by the progressive die equipment. is there. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the cathode side metal plate 4 is processed by the progressive die equipment, and FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view showing a state in which the anode side metal plate 5 is processed by the progressive die equipment. is there.

  First, a process of manufacturing the cathode side metal plate 4 will be specifically described. In FIG. 8, the long metal plate 50 drawn out from the metal roll has a predetermined width, and positioning holes 50a are formed in advance in both sides in the width direction at predetermined intervals. The insulating sheet 11 is also attached in advance at predetermined intervals. When affixing the insulating sheet 11, it can be affixed with the positioning hole 50a as a reference. The long metal plate 50 is conveyed from the left side to the right side in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, first, a large number of holes 4c are formed by press drilling (S1). The cross-sectional shape at this stage is shown in FIG. This is done with a fourth mold. Next, a recess 4g punching process for accommodating the electrode plate 2 is performed (S2). The cross-sectional shape at this stage is shown in FIG. This is done with a fifth mold. Next, processing for punching out the outer shape of the metal plate 4 is performed (S3). The cross-sectional shape at this stage is shown in FIG. This is done with a seventh mold. The length after punching is indicated by L2.

  As the movement of the long metal plate 50, when the metal plate 50 moves intermittently with respect to the conveyance direction and a predetermined processing is performed by the mold, the long metal plate 50 is conveyed by a predetermined interval where the molds are arranged. As the operation of the mold, the processing of S1, S2, and S3 shown in FIG. 8 is performed simultaneously. That is, the processing progresses toward the downstream side in the transport direction. This is the same when the anode side metal plate 5 is processed.

  Next, the process of manufacturing the anode side metal plate 5 will be specifically described. In FIG. 9, a long metal plate 51 drawn out from a metal roll has a predetermined width, and positioning holes 51a are formed in advance in both sides in the width direction at predetermined intervals. The insulating sheet 12 is also attached to both the front and back surfaces at predetermined intervals. When the insulating sheet 12 is pasted, it can be pasted using the positioning hole 51a as a reference.

  As shown in FIG. 9, first, the punching process (first stage) of the flow channel groove 9 is performed (S11). This is done by the first mold. In this first stage, the channel groove 9 is not completely formed, and the groove depth is shallow. Next, the second stage punching process of the flow channel groove 9 is performed (S12). Thereby, the process of the flow-path groove | channel 9 is completed. The cross-sectional shape at this stage is shown in FIG. Next, press punching for forming holes (injection port 5c and discharge port 5d) for attaching the booth is performed (S13). This is done with a third mold.

  Next, a recess 5g is formed to accommodate the electrode plate 3 (S14). The cross-sectional shape at this stage is shown in FIG. This is done with a fifth mold. Next, processing for punching out the outer shape of the metal plate 5 is performed (S15). The cross-sectional shape at this stage is shown in FIG. This is done with a sixth mold. The length after punching is indicated by L1.

  As shown in FIG. 7, after punching out the outer shape of the anode side metal plate 5, a process for attaching a booth as shown in FIG. 4B is performed. The booth 5e can be connected to the inlet 5c and the outlet 5d by caulking.

  Further, after the outer shape of the cathode side metal plate 4 is punched, a drawing process for bending the peripheral region 4a 90 ° inward as shown in FIG. 12 is performed. FIG. 12B shows a perspective view after the drawing process, and a standing bent portion is formed on the entire periphery of the peripheral region 4a. By forming such a standing bent portion, it is possible to facilitate the caulking sealing process.

<Configuration of manufacturing equipment (turntable)>
Next, specific manufacturing equipment for assembling the fuel cells will be described. FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a manufacturing facility. A total of six steps are required until the fuel cell is assembled and completed, and six areas R1, R2,... R6 are set every 60 ° for each step. Six lower molds N1, N2,... N6 are provided so as to correspond to each area R. These lower molds N are in the form of turntables T and are driven to rotate by the lower mold drive unit 50. Each lower mold N has the same mold configuration, and is driven intermittently in the counterclockwise direction of FIG.

  The processing contents in each area R will be described. In the first area R 1, the cathode side metal plate 4 is supplied by the first metal plate supply unit 53. The cathode side metal plate 4 is manufactured through the process as shown in FIG. 7 as described above and is accommodated in the first metal plate supply unit 53. The first metal plate supply unit 53 is provided with, for example, a space for stacking the cathode side metal plate 4 in the vertical direction, and the cathode side metal plate is placed on the lower mold N1 waiting in the first area R1 sequentially by a feeder (not shown). Set 4

  In the second area R2, the thin film electrode composition 10 is set inside the standing bent portion of the cathode side metal plate 4. The thin film electrode composition 10 is placed on the central region 4 b of the cathode side metal plate 4. The thin film electrode composition 10 is configured to be sequentially supplied by the MEA supply unit 54.

  In the third area R <b> 3, the anode side metal plate 5 is further placed on the thin film electrode composition 10. The anode side metal plate 5 is supplied by the second metal plate supply unit 55, and the configuration of the second metal plate supply unit 55 can be the same as that of the first metal plate supply unit 53.

  In the fourth area R4 and the fifth area R5, upper molds M1 and M2 (corresponding to the first mold and the second mold for drawing) are provided, and the bent portion ( The peripheral area 4a) is pushed inward to perform caulking sealing. In the fourth area R4, the first stage caulking process is performed, and the standing bent portion is tilted 45 ° inward. In the fifth area R5, the standing bent portion that is tilted inward by 45 ° is tilted to 90 ° and brought into close contact with the peripheral region 5a of the anode side metal plate 5 to complete the mechanical sealing. Thus, caulking sealing is performed in two stages. This point will be described in more detail later. In the sixth area R6, the fuel cell in which the caulking sealing has been completed is taken out from the lower mold N, and a taking-out portion 56 is provided for this purpose. In the take-out portion 56, fuel cells that have been caulked and sealed are accumulated in an appropriate form.

  The upper drive unit 61 drives the upper molds M1 and M2 for caulking sealing. The upper molds M1 and M2 are configured to move up and down simultaneously. Further, the rotational drive of each lower mold N and the vertical drive of the upper molds M1 and M2 are performed in synchronization, and the control unit 62 controls the drive of the upper mold drive unit 61 and the lower mold drive unit 62. Done.

<Manufacturing process (cell assembly process)>
Next, the procedure for assembling the fuel cells using the turntable type manufacturing facility shown in FIG. 13 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 14 and the cross-sectional views of FIGS.

  First, as shown in FIG. 15, the cathode-side metal plate 4 is set on the lower mold N in the first area R1. The cathode side metal plate 4 has a peripheral region 4a bent by 90 ° by drawing and a standing bent portion is formed in advance. The mold 20 is formed with a recess 20a so that the outside of the standing bent portion of the cathode side metal plate 4 is just fitted and positioned. In addition, the insulating sheet 11 is attached in advance to the peripheral region 4a of the cathode side metal plate 4, and the insulating sheet 11 is attached inside the standing bent portion. A suction hole 20 b is provided at the center of the mold 20, and the cathode side metal plate 4 is sucked into the recess 20 a of the mold 20 by the suction mechanism 57. Thereby, the cathode side metal plate 4 can be reliably set to the mold 20. The size and number of the suction holes 20a can be set as appropriate according to the size of the fuel cell. The mold 20 shown in FIG. 15 has the same configuration at all six locations shown in FIG.

  When the setting of the cathode side metal plate 4 is completed in the first area R1, the turntable is rotated by 60 ° and moved to the second area R2. Here, as shown in FIG. 16, the thin film electrode composition 10 (MEA) is set inside the standing bent portion of the cathode side metal plate 4. The outer dimensions of the thin-film electrode composition 10 are such that the thin-film electrode composition 10 fits inside the standing bent portion, and the thin-film electrode composition 10 is positioned with respect to the cathode-side metal plate 4. At the same time as the thin film electrode composition 10 is set in the second area R2, the next cathode side metal plate 4 is set in the first area R1.

  When the setting of the thin film electrode composition 10 is completed in the second area R2, the turntable T is rotated by 60 ° and moved to the third area R3. Here, the anode side metal plate 5 is set on the thin film electrode composition 10 as shown in FIG. A booth 5e is attached to the anode side metal plate 5 in advance, and an insulating sheet 12 is also attached in advance. The anode side metal plate 5 is set so that the booth 5e is on the upper side and the insulating sheet 12 is on the thin film electrode composition 10 side. At this time, the electrode plate 2 of the thin film electrode composition 10 is accommodated in the recess 4 g of the metal plate 4, and the electrode plate 3 is accommodated in the recess 5 g of the metal plate 5. The external dimensions of the anode-side metal plate 5 are such that the anode-side metal plate 5 fits inside the standing bent portion, and the anode-side metal plate 5 is positioned with respect to the cathode-side metal plate 4. The peripheral region 1a of the thin film electrode composition 10 is sandwiched between the upper and lower insulating sheets 11 and 12, and insulation can be reliably performed.

  When the anode side metal plate 5 is set in the third area R3, the turntable T is rotated by 60 ° and moved to the fourth area R4. This state is shown in FIG. In the fourth area R4, a first stage caulking process (outer diameter 45 ° drawing) is performed, and an upper mold M1 including a first upper mold 31 and a second upper mold 32 is provided. The first upper mold 31 has a recess 31a for escaping the booth 5e that is caulked to the metal plate 5, and a recess 31b for escaping the protrusion on the surface of the metal plate 5 due to the formation of the flow channel groove 9. Is provided.

  When the anode side metal plate 5 is set in the third area R3, the thin film electrode composition 10 is set for the next processed product in the second area R2, and further in the first area R1 The cathode side metal plate 4 which is a workpiece is set. In the same manner, the processing target product is set.

  FIG. 19 shows a state where the upper mold M1 is operated from the state of FIG. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the second upper mold 32 includes an inclined surface 32 c of 45 ° with respect to the horizontal plane. By operating the inclined surface 32c, the peripheral region 4a bent at 90 ° is once drawn to 45 °.

  By driving the upper mold drive unit 51, the first and second upper molds 31 and 32 descend downward. As a result, the peripheral region 4a is bent inward by 45 ° and drawn. Further, when the 45 ° drawing process is performed, the concave portion 31 b of the first upper mold 31 presses (contacts) the upper surface of the metal plate 5. Thereby, it can suppress that the center area | regions 4b and 5b of a fuel battery cell deform | transform.

  The setting of the angle of 45 ° is preferably 45 ° ± 5 °, more preferably 45 ° ± 1 °. If it exceeds 50 °, there is a possibility that the bent part will not fall down well when performing 0 ° drawing. For example, a phenomenon such as buckling may occur, and it may not be crushed well, the quality of caulking sealing will deteriorate, and problems such as gas leakage will occur. On the other hand, if the angle is smaller than 40 °, it is not preferable because the bent portion does not easily fall down when it is smaller than 40 ° at a time.

  After the 45 ° drawing process is performed as described above, the turntable T is rotated 60 ° to move from the fourth area R4 to the fifth area R5. An upper mold M2 including a first upper mold 33 and a second upper mold 34 is also provided in the fifth area R5. The upper mold M2 is for drawing the outer metal plate 4 by 0 °, and drawing the portion bent inward by 45 ° in the first stage further to the inside. Thereby, the crimping process is completed, and the peripheral areas 4a and 5a of the cells are mechanically sealed.

  The die used for the 0 ° external drawing is a different die from the 45 ° drawing, and the press surface 34a of the second upper die 34 is formed in a horizontal plane as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the peripheral area 5a bent at 45 ° in the previous process is further pressed down and tilted inward. As a result, the peripheral area 4a is bent 180 ° in a horizontal state. As a result, the peripheral regions 4a and 5a are sealed with caulking. Further, insulating sheets 11 and 12 are interposed as insulating layers between the peripheral region 4a and the peripheral region 5a, and are sealed in a state in which a short circuit between the metal plates 4 and 5 is prevented.

  When the caulking sealing process is completed as described above, the turntable T is rotated by 60 °, and the caulking-sealed fuel cells are moved from the fifth area R5 to the sixth area R6. In order to take out the fuel battery cell from the mold, the fuel battery cell can be detached from the mold and taken out by blowing air from the suction hole 20b.

  As described above, a process for performing caulking sealing is performed. In particular, when the 90 ° standing bent portion formed in FIG. 12 is tilted inward, it is not tilted all at once, but is drawn once to 45 ° and then drawn to 0 °. Caulking sealing is performed in stages. If this is done in one stage, there is no guarantee that the bent part will fall down well, and the sealing state will deteriorate. However, as described above, the drawing process is performed in two stages to ensure sealing. Can do.

  The fuel cell manufacturing facility is configured in the form of a turntable T, and the mold facilities (lower molds N1 to N6 and upper molds M1 and M2) arranged along the circumferential direction and the drive for driving them. The mold drive equipment (lower mold drive unit 60, upper mold drive unit 61, control unit 62) is configured. With such a configuration, as already described, the processing for caulking sealing is successively performed along the circumferential direction, and the completed fuel cell can be taken out from the take-out portion 56. As a result, the steps from assembling the metal plates 4 and 5 and the thin film electrode composition 10 constituting the fuel battery cell to sealing the peripheral regions 4a and 5a can be performed efficiently.

<Another embodiment>
The configuration of the fuel cell is not limited to the structure shown in FIGS. For example, the cathode side metal plate 4 has a shape having a large number of opening holes 4 c for taking in air, but the cathode side metal plate 4 may be formed in the same shape as the anode side metal plate 5. Further, the size, number, shape and the like of the opening hole 4c formed in the cathode side metal plate 4 can be appropriately determined.

  In the present embodiment, the flow path groove 9 formed in the anode side metal plate 5 is divided into two press processes, but may be formed by one or three or more step processes.

  In the present embodiment, the metal plate is drawn in the caulking sealing process by setting a predetermined inclination angle to 45 ° and then performing 0 ° drawing. That is, although caulking sealing is performed in two stages, this may be three or more stages. For example, 60 ° → 30 ° → 0 ° can be set. Of course, other angles may be used. Also, it may be set in multiple stages of four or more stages.

  In the assembly process of the present embodiment, the thin film electrode composition 10 is assembled into the mold and then set in the mold. However, when the mold is set in the mold, the cathode side electrode plate 2 and the solid polymer electrolyte 1 are set. Alternatively, the anode side electrode plate 3 may be set in a stacked manner.

  In this embodiment, the peripheral region 4a of the cathode side metal plate 4 is bent and caulked and sealed, but the peripheral region 5a of the anode side metal plate 5 may be bent and caulked and sealed.

  In the present embodiment, the fuel cell as a finished product is taken out after the caulking process is completed, but ring pressing may be performed for further safety. This processing is a step of pressing the crimping-sealed peripheral regions 4a and 5a slightly inside the region with a press, whereby the sealed state can be made more reliable. Although not shown, the mold is provided with projections formed in a ring shape, and the inner sides of the peripheral regions 4a and 5a are pressed into a ring shape using these projections. Thereby, crimping sealing can be ensured more.

  Although turntable T in this embodiment is a total of 6 steps, it is not limited to this. For example, if caulking sealing is performed in two or more stages, the number of processes will be further increased. Further, if the above-described ring pressing process is performed, the number of processes is further increased.

1 is an external perspective view (anode side) showing the configuration of a fuel cell according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view (cathode side) showing the configuration of the fuel cell according to the present invention. Assembly perspective view showing an example of the fuel battery cell of the present invention The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows an example of the fuel battery cell of this invention The figure which shows the flow-path groove | channel of the fuel battery cell of FIG. The figure which shows the outline of the manufacturing process of a fuel cell Conceptual diagram showing the configuration of progressive mold equipment Plan view showing the cathode metal sheet manufacturing process Plan view showing manufacturing process of anode side metal plate Sectional drawing which shows the manufacturing process of a cathode side metal plate Sectional drawing which shows the manufacturing process of an anode side metal plate The figure which shows the drawing process of the bending part in the peripheral area of the cathode side metal plate The figure which shows the structure of the turntable for assembling a fuel cell Flow chart of assembly process of fuel cell The figure which shows the state which set the cathode side metal plate to the metallic mold Furthermore, the figure which shows the state which set the thin film electrode composition to the metal mold | die Furthermore, the figure which shows the state where the anode side metal plate is set to the mold The figure which shows the state before performing crimping sealing The figure which shows the state which performed the crimping sealing process (45 degree drawing process) of the 1st step The figure which shows the state which performed the crimping sealing process (0 degree drawing process) of the 2nd step

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Solid polymer electrolyte 1a Peripheral area | region 2 Cathode side electrode plate 3 Anode side electrode plate 4 Cathode side metal plate (2nd metal plate)
4a peripheral area 4b central area 5 anode side metal plate (first metal plate)
5a peripheral area 5b central area 5c inlet 5d outlet 5e booth 10 thin film electrode composition 11, 12 insulating sheet 20 mold 53 first metal plate supply part 54 MEA supply part 55 second metal plate supply part 56 take-out part 60 bottom Mold drive unit 61 Upper mold drive unit 62 Control units R1 to R6 Areas N1 to N6 Lower mold M1, M2 Upper mold T Turntable

Claims (5)

A plate-shaped thin-film electrode composition, and a first metal plate and a second metal plate disposed on both sides of the thin-film electrode composition, and the peripheral regions of the first and second metal plates sandwich an insulating layer therebetween. In the method of manufacturing a fuel cell that is sealed by press bending in an interposed state,
A step of setting the first metal plate on which the standing bent part is formed on the entire circumference of the peripheral region on the mold in a state where the standing bent part faces upward;
Setting the thin film electrode composition inside the standing bent portion of the first metal plate;
A step of further setting a second metal plate on the thin film electrode composition;
A step of sealing the peripheral region by depressing the entire circumference of the standing bent part with respect to the peripheral region of the second metal plate by press bending, and
A mold for performing each of these steps is arranged for each step along the circumferential direction, and each step is continuously performed while moving the workpiece along the circumferential direction. Manufacturing method of fuel cell.   The step of sealing the peripheral region by press bending is a first step in which drawing is performed at least once so that the entire circumference of the standing bent portion is inclined at a predetermined angle toward the inner side of the metal plate, and the predetermined angle. The entire circumference of the inclined bent portion is divided into the second step of tilting against the peripheral region of the second metal plate, and the mold for the first step and the mold for the second step are provided. The fuel cell manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the fuel cells are adjacently arranged along a circumferential direction.   3. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the insulating layer is formed of an insulating sheet, and the insulating sheet is previously attached to a peripheral region of the first metal plate and / or the second metal plate. Manufacturing method. A plate-shaped thin-film electrode composition, and a first metal plate and a second metal plate disposed on both sides of the thin-film electrode composition, and the peripheral regions of the first and second metal plates sandwich an insulating layer therebetween. In a fuel cell manufacturing facility that is sealed by press bending in an interposed state,
A step of setting a first metal plate having a bent portion formed on the entire periphery of the peripheral region on the mold;
Setting the thin-film electrode composition on the first metal plate with the standing bent portion facing upward;
A step of further setting a second metal plate on the thin film electrode composition;
A die for performing at least the step of sealing the peripheral region by tilting the entire periphery of the standing bent portion with respect to the peripheral region of the second metal plate by press bending, along the circumferential direction. Mold equipment arranged for each process,
A fuel cell manufacturing facility comprising: a mold driving facility for continuously performing each process while moving a workpiece along a circumferential direction.   The step of sealing the peripheral region by press bending includes a first mold for performing drawing processing so that the entire circumference of the standing bent portion is inclined at a predetermined angle toward the inner side of the metal plate; This is performed by a second mold for tilting the entire circumference of the standing bent portion inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the peripheral area of the second metal plate, and the first mold and the second mold are circular. The fuel cell manufacturing equipment according to claim 4, wherein the fuel cell is adjacently disposed along a circumferential direction.

Images