JP2008192400A - Fuel cell, its manufacturing method, and laminate member for fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a laminating member for a fuel cell capable of retaining an electrolyte membrane at a desired position at integrally molding the electrolyte membrane and a seal member in a die. <P>SOLUTION: The fuel cell is equipped with a power generator 12 equipped with the electrolyte membrane and a pair of electrodes, a sealing part 16 integrally formed with the power generator 12, and a gas separator 30 arranged on both sides of the power generator 12 to contact the sealing part 16. Moreover, in a region in which the sealing part 16 overlapped with an encapsulated region encapsulating the power generator 12, between the power generator 12 and one of the gas separators 30, a support part formed by having a distance between the power generator 12 and the one of the gas separators 30 as the height is equipped. The sealing part 16 here is formed to fill a space formed at the surrounding of the support part between the power generator 12 and the one of the gas separators 30. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell, a method for manufacturing the same, and a laminated member for a fuel cell.

  In general, a fuel cell is formed by sequentially laminating plate members including an electrolyte layer, an electrode, or a gas separator in a predetermined order. As an example of such a configuration, a configuration has been proposed in which a seal member is provided integrally with the electrolyte membrane to ensure gas sealability on the outer periphery of the electrolyte membrane (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a configuration, after the member including the electrolyte membrane is disposed in the mold, the electrolyte membrane and the seal member are integrally formed by filling the mold with the material of the seal member.

JP 2002-42836 A JP 2006-216424 A JP 2002-124276 A JP 2002-352845 A

  However, when the electrolyte membrane and the seal member are integrally formed in the mold as described above, the electrolyte membrane or a member including the electrolyte membrane (for example, the electrolyte membrane, the electrode formed on the electrolyte membrane, and the electrode In some cases, it is difficult to hold these members in a desired position in the mold at the time of molding. That is, at the time of molding, it may be difficult to hold the member including the electrolyte membrane in a flat shape in the mold. When the member including the electrolyte membrane cannot be maintained in a flat shape and its outer peripheral portion hangs down due to gravity in the mold, the hanged member may prevent the material of the sealing member from spreading into the mold. . Thus, when the location where the material of the seal member does not spread in the mold occurs, the seal member having a desired shape corresponding to the mold is not molded. When such a seal member is used, the gas seal property in the fuel cell May be insufficient.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems, and aims to hold an electrolyte membrane in a desired position when the electrolyte membrane and a seal member are integrally formed in a mold. To do.

In order to achieve the above object, the fuel cell of the present invention comprises:
A power generator comprising an electrolyte membrane and a pair of electrodes formed on both sides of the electrolyte membrane;
A seal portion that includes the outer periphery of the power generation body at the outer periphery of the power generation body and is formed integrally with the power generation body;
A gas separator disposed on both sides of the power generator and in contact with the seal portion;
In a region where the seal portion overlaps an inclusion region that encloses the power generation body, a height between the power generation body and one of the gas separators is defined as a height between the power generation body and the one gas separator. And a supported portion,
The gist of the present invention is that the seal portion is formed so as to fill a space formed around the support portion between the power generator and the one gas separator.

  According to the fuel cell of the present invention configured as described above, since the support portion is formed between the power generator and the gas separator, the seal portion is used as a power generator and one gas separator using a mold. And the power generating body can be supported by the support portion in the mold, and the power generating body having low rigidity does not hang down due to gravity in the mold. Accordingly, the outer peripheral portion of the power generator does not hinder the constituent material of the seal portion from reaching the space in the mold, and the seal portion having a desired shape can be formed.

  In the fuel cell according to the present invention, the support portion may have a height equal to a distance between the power generator and the gas separator in a region closer to the center than the inclusion region in the power generator. With such a configuration, it is possible to further enhance the effect of ensuring that the constituent material of the seal portion spreads over the space in the mold.

  In the fuel cell of the present invention, the support portion may be a convex portion formed on the gas separator. With such a configuration, the number of parts does not increase by providing the support portion.

  In such a fuel cell of the present invention, the convex portion may be composed of a plurality of protrusions provided apart from each other. With such a configuration, the constituent material of the seal portion can pass between the protruding convex portions and spread into the space in the mold. Therefore, the hindrance of the movement of the constituent material of the seal portion due to the provision of the convex portion can be suppressed.

  In the fuel cell of the present invention, the support portion may be a spacer that is separate from the power generation body and the gas separator and is disposed between the power generation body and the gas separator. With such a configuration, the degree of freedom in setting the shape of the support portion can be increased.

  In such a fuel cell of the present invention, the spacer may be a plurality of granular bodies. If it is set as such a structure, a power generation body can be supported within a metal mold | die by arrange | positioning a some granular material between a power generation body and a gas separator. Furthermore, the whole fuel cell can be reduced in weight by forming the support portion with a granular material.

  Moreover, the fuel cell of this invention WHEREIN: The said spacer is good also as being a frame provided continuously over the area | region which overlaps with the said inclusion area | region. If it is set as such a structure, a power generation body can be supported within a metal mold | die by arrange | positioning a frame between a power generation body and a gas separator.

  In such a fuel cell of the present invention, the frame body includes a first convex portion in contact with the power generator, and a second convex portion in contact with the one gas separator, and the first and second Each of the convex portions may be composed of a plurality of protrusions provided apart from each other. With such a configuration, the constituent material of the seal portion can pass between the plurality of protrusions constituting the first and second convex portions and spread into the space in the mold. Therefore, the hindrance to the movement of the constituent material of the seal portion due to the provision of the frame can be suppressed.

  Further, in such a fuel cell, the frame body is provided in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the power generation body, and is provided so as to protrude to the other gas separator side to a height overlapping the cross section of the power generation body. It is good also as providing the positioning convex part. With such a configuration, when the seal portion is integrally formed with the power generation body and one of the gas separators using the mold, the power generation body may be disposed in accordance with the positioning convex portion within the mold. Thereby, the positioning operation of the power generator can be simplified.

  In the fuel cell of the present invention, the power generation body may further include a gas diffusion layer made of a porous body disposed on the electrode. With such a configuration, the gas supply efficiency to the electrode can be improved, the current collecting property on the electrode surface can be improved, and the electrolyte membrane can be protected.

  In the fuel cell of the present invention, the gas further includes a pair of gas flow path forming portions made of a porous body and disposed between the power generation body and the gas separator, and at least the gas in contact with the one gas separator The flow path forming part may be formed integrally with the seal part together with the power generator. With such a configuration, by integrating the seal portion and the gas flow path forming portion, it is possible to improve the gas sealing performance in the gas flow path formed between the power generation body and the gas separator.

  The present invention can be realized in various forms other than those described above. For example, the present invention can be realized in the form of a fuel cell manufacturing method, a fuel cell laminated member, or the like.

A. Configuration of the fuel cell of the first embodiment:
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the fuel cell according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged X region surrounded by a broken line in FIG. The fuel cell of this example is a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. In addition, the fuel cell according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of cell assemblies 10 that are units in which an electrochemical reaction proceeds, and a stack structure in which the cell assemblies 10 are stacked with a gas separator 30 interposed between the cell assemblies 10. have.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the cell assembly 10 includes a power generation laminate portion 11 and a seal portion 16. As shown in FIG. 2, the power generation stacking unit 11 includes a power generation body 12 and a pair of gas flow path forming portions 14 and 15 that sandwich the power generation body 12. The power generation body 12 sandwiches an MEA 13 and an MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly) 13 composed of an electrolyte membrane 20 and a pair of electrodes (cathode 22 and anode 24) formed on the surface of the electrolyte membrane 20. And a pair of gas diffusion layers 26, 28.

  The electrolyte membrane 20 is a proton conductive ion exchange membrane formed of a solid polymer material, for example, a fluororesin containing perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid, and exhibits good electrical conductivity in a wet state. The cathode 22 and the anode 24 include a catalyst that promotes an electrochemical reaction, such as platinum or an alloy made of platinum and other metals. In order to form the cathode 22 and the anode 24, for example, a carbon powder carrying a catalyst metal such as platinum is prepared, and a paste using this catalyst-carrying carbon and an electrolyte similar to the electrolyte constituting the electrolyte membrane 20 is used. And the prepared catalyst paste may be applied on the electrolyte membrane 20. The gas diffusion layers 26 and 28 are carbon porous members, and are formed of, for example, carbon cloth or carbon paper. The power generator 12 is manufactured by integrating the MEA 13 having the catalyst electrode formed on the electrolyte membrane 20 and the gas diffusion layers 26 and 28 by press bonding. The gas diffusion layers 26 and 28 are made of a porous body having an average pore diameter smaller than that of gas flow path forming portions 14 and 15 described later. Therefore, by providing the gas diffusion layers 26 and 28, the gas supply efficiency with respect to the catalyst electrode can be improved, and the current collecting property between the gas flow path forming portions 14 and 15 and the catalyst electrode can be increased. The membrane 20 can also be protected. However, the gas diffusion layers 26 and 28 may not be provided depending on the constituent materials and the porosity of the gas flow path forming portions 14 and 15.

  The gas flow path forming portions 14 and 15 are conductive thin plate members formed of a metal porous body such as foam metal or metal mesh, or a carbon porous body. The porous body made from is used. The gas flow path forming portions 14 and 15 are arranged so as to come into contact with the power generation body 12 and the gas separator 30, and a space formed by a large number of pores formed therein contains a gas used for an electrochemical reaction. It functions as an in-cell gas flow path. That is, the space formed by the pores of the gas flow path forming portion 14 disposed between the cathode 22 and the gas separator 30 functions as an in-cell oxidizing gas flow path through which oxygen-containing oxidizing gas passes. Further, the space formed by the pores of the gas flow path forming portion 15 disposed between the anode 24 and the gas separator 30 functions as an in-cell fuel gas flow path through which the fuel gas containing hydrogen passes.

  Here, between the adjacent gas separators 30 and on the outer peripheral portion of the power generation stacking portion 11, a seal portion 16 that includes the outer peripheral portion of the power generation body 12 is provided. The seal portion 16 is made of an elastic material, that is, rubber (for example, silicon rubber, butyl rubber, fluorine rubber) or a thermoplastic elastomer. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the seal portion 16 is in contact with one of the adjacent gas separators 30 without a gap on one side. Here, on the surface of the adjacent one of the gas separators 30, support convex portions 62, which are a plurality of convex portions that are in contact with the power generator 12, are formed in a region where the seal portion 16 overlaps the inclusion region that encloses the power generator 12. (See FIG. 2). Therefore, the one side of the seal portion 16 has a shape corresponding to the plurality of support convex portions 62. The seal portion 16 is formed integrally with the one adjacent gas separator 30 together with the power generation laminate portion 11, and the support convex portion 62 formed on the one adjacent gas separator 30 forms the seal portion 16. When it does, it has the function which supports the electric power generation body 12. The configuration of the support convex portion 62 and the manufacturing process of the seal portion 16 will be described in detail later. A gas stopper convex portion 60 is formed on the other side of the seal portion 16, and the seal portion 16 comes into contact with the other adjacent gas separator 30 at the top of the gas stopper convex portion 60.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the cell assembly 10 in which the power generation laminate portion 11 and the seal portion 16 are integrally formed. As shown in FIG. 3, the seal portion 16 is a substantially rectangular thin plate-like member, and is provided at the center portion with six hole portions (six hole portions 40 to 45 described later) provided at the outer peripheral portion. And a substantially square hole into which the power generation laminated portion 11 is incorporated. FIG. 3 is a view seen from the right side in FIG. 1 and shows the side on which the gas stop convex portion 60 described above is formed, and the power generation laminated portion fitted in the hole provided in the center portion. In FIG. 11, the gas flow path forming part 14 appears on the surface.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the gas stopper convex part 60 is provided on the outer periphery of the gas flow path forming part 14 incorporated in the hole provided in the central part of the seal part 16 and on the outer peripheral part of the seal part 16. In addition, it is a linear protrusion formed continuously as a whole so as to surround each of the six holes. Since the seal portion 16 is made of an elastic material, a gas sealing property is applied at the contact portion between the gas stopper convex portion 60 and the gas separator 30 by applying a pressing force in a direction parallel to the stacking direction in the fuel cell. Can be secured. Here, as for the gas stop convex part 60, the height and the width | variety of a top part are formed substantially constant as a whole. Therefore, the gas flow path forming portion 14 and the gas stopper convex portion 60 surrounding the six hole portions can generate a substantially uniform stress between the adjacent gas separators 30 as a whole, and provide a good gas sealing property. Can be realized. In the following description, a region corresponding to a portion exposed in the hole formed in the central portion of the seal portion 16 in the power generation laminate portion 11 is referred to as a power generation region DA.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the gas separator 30 includes a cathode side plate 31 in contact with the gas flow path forming unit 14, an anode side plate 32 in contact with the gas flow path forming unit 15, a cathode side plate 31 and an anode side plate 32. And an intermediate plate 33 to be sandwiched. These three plates are thin plate-like members formed of a conductive material, for example, a metal such as stainless steel or titanium or a titanium alloy. The cathode side plate 31, the intermediate plate 33, and the anode side plate 32 are superposed in this order. For example, they are joined by diffusion joining. Each of these three types of plates has a flat surface with no irregularities, and each has a hole with a predetermined shape at a predetermined position. 4 is a plan view showing the shape of the cathode side plate 31, FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the shape of the anode side plate 32, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the shape of the intermediate plate 33. 4 to 6 are views showing each plate as viewed from the same side as the seal portion 16 shown in FIG. 3, that is, from the right side in FIG. 4 to 6, the power generation area DA described above is shown surrounded by a one-dot broken line.

  Each of the cathode side plate 31 and the anode side plate 32 is provided with six holes at the same position as the seal part 16 on the outer periphery thereof. These six holes overlap each other when the thin plate-like members are stacked to form a stack structure, thereby forming a manifold that guides fluid parallel to the stacking direction inside the fuel cell. In each of the thin plate-like members, a hole 40 is formed in the vicinity of one side of the outer periphery that is substantially rectangular. Further, a hole 41 is formed in the vicinity of the side opposite to the side where the hole 40 is formed in the vicinity. Further, holes 42 and 44 are formed in the vicinity of one of the other two sides, and holes 43 and 45 are formed in the vicinity of the other side. The intermediate plate 33 does not have the holes 44 and 45 among the six holes, but is provided so that a plurality of refrigerant holes 58 to be described later overlap at positions corresponding to the holes 44 and 45. It has been.

The holes 40 provided in each of the thin plate members form an oxidizing gas supply manifold that distributes the oxidizing gas supplied to the fuel cell to the oxidizing gas passages in each cell (denoted as O ₂ in in the figure). The hole 41 forms an oxidant gas discharge manifold that guides the oxidant gas discharged and gathered from the oxidant gas flow paths in each cell to the outside (denoted as O ₂ out in the figure). The hole 43 forms a fuel gas supply manifold that distributes the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell to the fuel gas passages in each cell (denoted as H ₂ in in the figure). Then, a fuel gas discharge manifold is formed to guide the fuel gas discharged from each cell fuel gas flow path and gathered to the outside (denoted as H ₂ out in the figure). Further, the hole portion 44 forms a refrigerant supply manifold that distributes a refrigerant such as cooling water supplied to the fuel cell into each gas separator 30 (denoted as CLT in in the drawing). A refrigerant discharge manifold is formed to guide the refrigerant discharged and collected from each gas separator 30 to the outside (denoted as CLT out in the figure).

  Further, the cathode side plate 31 is provided along one side (the upper end portion in FIG. 4) of the power generation area DA in the vicinity of the side on the plate center side in the hole 40 and is formed so as to penetrate the cathode side plate 31. An oxidizing gas supply slit 50 is provided. Similarly, an oxidizing gas discharge slit 51 provided along the other side (the lower end in FIG. 4) of the power generation area DA is provided in the vicinity of the side on the plate center side in the hole 41 (FIG. 4). reference).

  Similar to the cathode side plate 31, the anode side plate 32 is provided along one side (upper end portion in FIG. 5) of the power generation area DA in the vicinity of the side of the hole 40 at the center of the plate. A fuel gas discharge slit 52 formed therethrough is provided. Moreover, the fuel gas supply slit 53 provided along the other side (lower end part in FIG. 5) of electric power generation area DA in the vicinity of the edge by the side of the plate center part in the hole part 41 is provided (refer FIG. 5). The fuel gas discharge slit 52 and the fuel gas supply slit 53 are arranged closer to the center of the plate so as not to overlap with the oxidizing gas supply slit 50 and the oxidizing gas discharge slit 51, respectively.

  In the intermediate plate 33, the shape of the hole 40 is different from that of other plates, and the hole 40 of the intermediate plate 33 has a side of the hole 40 on the side of the center of the plate protruding toward the center of the plate. The shape is provided with a plurality of protruding portions. The plurality of protrusions included in the hole 40 are referred to as communication portions 54. The communication portion 54 is formed so as to overlap the oxidizing gas supply slit 50 when the intermediate plate 33 and the cathode side plate 31 are laminated, and communicates the oxidizing gas supply manifold and the oxidizing gas supply slit 50. Similarly, the hole 41 is provided with a plurality of communication portions 55 so as to overlap the oxidizing gas discharge slit 51 (see FIG. 6). Further, the intermediate plate 33 communicates with each of the hole 43 and the hole 42 and overlaps with the fuel gas supply slit 53 or the fuel gas discharge slit 52 of the anode side plate 32. Is provided.

  Inside the fuel cell, the oxidizing gas flowing through the oxidizing gas supply manifold formed by the hole 40 passes through the space formed by the communication portion 54 of the intermediate plate 33 and the oxidizing gas supply slit 50 of the cathode side plate 31. It flows into the in-cell oxidizing gas channel formed in the gas channel forming part 14. In the in-cell oxidizing gas flow path, the oxidizing gas flows in a direction (plane direction) parallel to the gas flow path forming portion 14 and further diffuses in a direction perpendicular to the plane direction (stacking direction). The oxidizing gas diffused in the stacking direction reaches the cathode 22 via the gas diffusion layer 26 from the gas flow path forming part 14 and is subjected to an electrochemical reaction. Thus, the oxidizing gas that has passed through the in-cell oxidizing gas flow path while contributing to the electrochemical reaction is transferred from the gas flow path forming portion 14 to the oxidizing gas discharge slit 51 of the cathode side plate 31 and the communication portion 55 of the intermediate plate 33. It is discharged to the oxidizing gas discharge manifold formed by the hole 41 through the space to be formed. Similarly, the fuel gas flowing through the fuel gas supply manifold formed by the hole 43 inside the fuel cell passes through the space formed by the communication portion 57 of the intermediate plate 33 and the fuel gas supply slit 53 of the anode side plate 32. Then, it flows into the in-cell fuel gas flow path formed in the gas flow path forming portion 15. In the in-cell fuel gas flow path, the fuel gas flows in the plane direction and further diffuses in the stacking direction. The fuel gas diffused in the stacking direction reaches the anode 24 from the gas flow path forming part 15 through the gas diffusion layer 28 and is subjected to an electrochemical reaction. The fuel gas that has passed through the in-cell fuel gas flow path while contributing to the electrochemical reaction in this manner is transferred from the gas flow path forming portion 15 to the fuel gas discharge slit 52 of the anode side plate 32 and the communication portion 56 of the intermediate plate 33. It is discharged to the fuel gas discharge manifold formed by the hole 42 through the space to be formed.

  3 to 6, the position corresponding to the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 1 is shown as a 1-1 cross section. In FIG. 1, in the section 1-1, the gas flow path forming portion 14 is passed from the oxidizing gas supply manifold formed by the hole portion 40 through the communicating portion 54 of the intermediate plate 33 and the oxidizing gas supply slit 50 of the cathode side plate 31. The state in which the oxidizing gas is supplied into the interior is indicated by arrows. Further, in the cross section 1-1, from the gas flow path forming portion 14 to the oxidizing gas discharge manifold formed by the hole portion 41 through the oxidizing gas discharge slit 51 of the cathode side plate 31 and the communication portion 55 of the intermediate plate 33. A state in which the oxidizing gas is discharged is shown.

  Further, the above-described support convex portion 62 is further formed on the anode side plate 32. The support convex part 62 is provided by press-molding a thin plate to be the anode side plate 32, and is outside the power generation area DA and overlaps with the power generation body 12 (area overlapping with the aforementioned inclusion area). It is formed as a plurality of protrusions provided at regular positions separated from each other (see FIG. 5). The height of these support convex portions 62 is formed to be substantially the same as the thickness of the gas flow path forming portion 15 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

  The intermediate plate 33 further includes a plurality of elongated refrigerant holes 58 formed in parallel to each other in a region including the power generation region DA. The end portions of these refrigerant holes 58 overlap with the hole portions 44 and 45 when the intermediate plate 33 is overlapped with other thin plate-like members, and an inter-cell refrigerant flow path for the refrigerant to flow is formed in the gas separator 30. Form. That is, the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant supply manifold formed by the hole 44 inside the fuel cell is distributed to the inter-cell refrigerant flow path formed by the refrigerant hole 58, and the refrigerant discharged from the inter-cell refrigerant flow path is , And is discharged to the refrigerant discharge manifold formed by the hole 45.

B. Manufacturing method of fuel cell of first embodiment:
In this embodiment, when the fuel cell is manufactured, the seal portion 16 is formed integrally with the adjacent gas separator 30 in addition to the power generation stacking portion 11. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing the manufacturing process of the fuel cell of this embodiment. 8A is an explanatory view showing a state in which the seal portion 16 is integrally formed with the power generation laminate portion 11 and the gas separator 30 by injection molding using a mold having a predetermined shape. (B) is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing the state of the integrally formed member.

  When manufacturing the fuel cell of the present embodiment, first, the power generation body 12, the gas flow path forming portions 14 and 15, and the gas separator 30 are prepared (step S100). In addition, a mold for integrally molding the seal portion 16 is prepared (step S110). The mold includes an upper mold 72 and a lower mold 70 as shown in FIG. In the mold, an uneven shape is formed in which the gas separator 30, the power generation body 12, and the gas flow path forming portions 14 and 15 are just fitted. Further, the upper mold 72 is provided with a concavo-convex shape corresponding to the shape of the seal portion 16 to be formed, specifically, a concavo-convex shape corresponding to the shape of the gas stop convex portion 60 described above.

  Next, the gas separator 30 is disposed on the lower mold 70 (step S120). In the present embodiment, the gas separator 30 is disposed with the cathode side plate 31 facing downward and the anode side plate 32 with the support convex portion 62 formed facing upward. And the gas flow path formation part 15, the electric power generation body 12, and the gas flow path formation part 14 are further arrange | positioned in order on the arrange | positioned gas separator 30 (step S130). Thus, when each member is arrange | positioned in a metal mold | die, the area | region which overlaps with the gas flow path formation part 15 in the electric power generation body 12 is supported by the gas flow path formation part 15. FIG. Moreover, the outer peripheral area | region which does not overlap with the gas flow path formation part 15 in the electric power generation body 12 is supported by the support convex part 62 provided in the gas separator 30 (refer FIG. 8 (A)). As described above, the support convex portion 62 is provided over a region where the power generator 12 is disposed, and is formed to have a height substantially equal to the thickness of the gas flow path forming portion 15. Therefore, in the mold, the power generator 12 is supported by the gas flow path forming portion 15 and the support convex portion 62 to form a flat surface separated from the gas separator 30 by a certain distance as a whole. Retained.

  When each member is disposed in the mold, the mold is clamped with a predetermined mold pressure, injection molding is performed, and the seal portion 16 is integrally molded (step S140). As shown in FIG. 8A, a space SP having the shape of the seal portion 16 is formed in the vicinity of the outside of the power generation laminate portion 11 in the mold in which each member is arranged. As shown in FIG. 8A, the space SP is formed by the surface on the anode side plate 32 side of the gas separator 30, the inner wall surfaces of the lower mold 70 and the upper mold 72, and the outer peripheral surface of the power generation laminate 11. Partitioned. Further, in the upper mold 72 of the mold, a through hole that has an opening 74 and penetrates in the thickness direction is formed at a position where the manifold holes 40 to 45 are formed. At the time of injection molding, liquid rubber as a molding material of the seal portion 16 is introduced into the space SP through the through hole from the opening 74 described above, and then a vulcanization process is performed. In the present embodiment, at the time of injection molding, the mold clamping is performed so that the same pressure as the fastening pressure applied to the fuel cell when the fuel cell is assembled is applied to the power generation stack 11 and the gas separator 30. That is, the seal portion 16 is integrally formed in the same state as in the stacked fuel cells.

  In such injection molding, the molding material is impregnated in the end portions of the gas diffusion layers 26 and 28 and the gas flow path forming portions 14 and 15, that is, in the pores in the outer peripheral portion of these porous bodies. The injection pressure of the molding material is controlled so that the molding material enters and the power generation laminate portion 11 and the seal portion 16 are integrated. Further, by adding a silane coupling agent to the molding material, a bonding force at the contact surface between the seal portion 16 and the gas separator 30 is ensured, and the seal portion 16 and the gas separator 30 are adhered and adhered to each other. By opening the mold after injection molding, as shown in FIG. 8B, a structural unit in which the cell assembly 10 and the gas separator 30 are integrated is obtained.

  When a plurality of structural units are produced in this way, a plurality of these structural units are stacked, and at both ends of the laminate composed of the structural units, a current collector plate having output terminals, an insulating plate made of an insulating material, The assembly is performed by further stacking a rigid end plate. And it fixes, applying a fastening pressure to the whole laminated body in the lamination direction (step S150), and completes a fuel cell.

  According to the fuel cell of the present embodiment configured as described above, since the support convex portion 62 is provided in the gas separator 30, when the seal portion 16 is integrally formed, the support convex portion 62 is formed in the mold. The power generation body 12 can be supported, and the power generation body 12 having low rigidity does not hang down due to gravity in the mold. That is, the power generating body 12 can be positioned in the stacking direction in the mold by the support convex portion 62. Therefore, the outer peripheral portion of the power generator 12 does not hinder the molding material from reaching the space SP in the mold, and the seal portion 16 having a desired shape can be formed. In particular, in the present embodiment, the support convex portion 62 is formed at substantially the same height as the thickness of the gas flow path forming portion 15, that is, the distance between the flat portion of the gas separator 30 and the power generator 12. As a whole, the power generation body 12 is held in a state of forming a flat surface separated from the gas separator by a certain distance. Therefore, the effect of ensuring that the molding material reaches the space SP in the mold can be further enhanced.

  Here, as another method for suppressing the sag of the outer periphery of the power generation body 12 in the mold, for example, a configuration in which a core material is provided on the outer periphery of the power generation body 12 to increase the strength of the outer periphery of the power generation body 12. Is also possible. However, in this case, it is necessary to perform the operation of arranging the core material on the outer peripheral portion of the power generation body 12 with respect to each power generation body 12 when the power generation body 12 is manufactured, which complicates the manufacturing process. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the anode side plate 32 may be press-molded to form the support convex portion 62, so that a plurality of anode side plates 32 can be processed at one time, and the manufacturing process is complicated. It is possible to suppress sagging of the outer periphery of the power generation body 12 while suppressing the reduction.

  Moreover, since the support convex part 62 of a present Example is formed as several protrusion arrange | positioned mutually spaced apart, a molding material passes between the protrusion-shaped support convex parts 62, and in a metal mold | die. It can spread in the space SP. Therefore, the hindrance to the movement of the molding material due to the provision of the support convex portion 62 can be suppressed.

C. Fuel cell of second embodiment:
In the first embodiment, the support part for holding the power generation body 12 in the mold is provided in the gas separator 30, but a different configuration may be used. For example, the support part may be formed separately from the gas separator 30. An example of such a configuration will be described below as a second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view showing the outline of the configuration of the fuel cell of the second embodiment in the same manner as FIG. The fuel cell of the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the fuel cell of the first embodiment, except that a plurality of granular bodies 162 are provided in place of the support protrusions 62 as support portions for holding the power generator 12. ing. Therefore, in the following description, the same reference numerals are assigned to portions common to the first embodiment, and detailed description is omitted.

In the gas separator 130 included in the fuel cell according to the second embodiment, the anode side plate 132 does not have the support convex portion 62, and the entire surface including the region overlapping the power generator 12 is a flat surface. Further, a plurality of resin-made granular bodies 162 are arranged between the anode side plate 132 of the gas separator 130 and the power generation body 12. The granular body 162 is a hollow spherical body, and the diameter of the spherical body is substantially the same as the thickness of the gas flow path forming portion 15. Moreover, the granular material 162 is arrange | positioned in the whole area | region which overlaps with the electric power generation body 12, similarly to the place where the support convex part 62 is arrange | positioned in 1st Example. The resin constituting the granular body 162 may be a resin that is stable in an environment where the fuel cell generates power and has a sufficiently small influence on the power generation of the fuel cell. As resin which comprises the granular material 162, resin, such as a polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyether nitrile resin (PEN), can be used, for example. In addition to resins, glass, ceramics (e.g., ZrO ₂ or CeO ₂₎ may be prepared granules 162 by.

  The fuel cell of the second embodiment is manufactured by the same process as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. In step 100, the granular body 162 is prepared together with the power generation body 12, the gas flow path forming portions 14 and 15, and the gas separator 130. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the seal portion 16 is integrally formed with the power generation laminate portion 11 and the gas separator 130 by injection molding as in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the gas separator 130 is disposed on the lower mold 70 (step S120), and then the gas flow path forming unit 15, the power generator 12, and the gas flow path forming unit 14 are sequentially disposed on the gas separator 130. (Step S <b> 130), the granular material 162 is further arranged around the gas flow path forming unit 15. Since the outer peripheral portion of the power generation body 12 is supported by the arranged granular body 162, the power generation body 12 as a whole is held in the mold so as to be a flat surface separated from the gas separator 130 by a certain distance. . When arranging the granular material 162, in order to hold the granular material 162 at a desired position on the gas separator 130, the granular material 162 is fixed on the gas separator 130 using, for example, an adhesive. Also good.

  According to the fuel cell of the second embodiment configured as described above, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. That is, when the seal portion 16 is integrally formed in the mold, the power generation body 12 can be held in a flat state to prevent the power generation body 12 from sagging and the seal portion 16 having a desired shape can be formed. In such integral formation, since the granular material is formed in a spherical shape, the molding material can pass through the gaps between the granular materials 162 and spread into the space SP in the mold.

  Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, since the granular body 162 is formed in a hollow shape, the effect of reducing the weight of the entire fuel cell can be obtained. Even when the granular body 162 is not formed hollow, if the granular body 162 is formed of a resin having a weight density per unit volume lower than that of the constituent material of the seal portion 16, an effect of reducing the weight can be obtained in the same manner. It is done. Further, the constituent material of the granular body 162 is not limited to resin, but it is desirable to use an insulating material in order to suppress a short circuit inside the fuel cell due to the granular body.

  Moreover, the shape of the granular material 162 is not limited to a hollow spherical body, and a granular material having a shape other than a spherical shape may be used. If the diameter or height of the granular material is substantially the same as the height of the gas flow path forming portion 15, the same effect of holding the power generation body 12 as a flat surface in the mold can be obtained.

  In addition, when the rigidity of the granular material 162 is significantly different from the rigidity of the seal portion 16, the granular material 162 may not be disposed at a position corresponding to the gas stopper convex portion 60. For example, when the granular material 162 is higher in rigidity than the seal portion 16, the granular material 162 is disposed at the lower portion of the seal portion 16 when the granular material 162 is disposed at a position corresponding to the gas stopper convex portion 60. A larger reaction force is generated at the portion where the gas is disposed, and the reaction force generated as a whole of the gas stop projection 60 becomes non-uniform. If the reaction force becomes uneven in the entire gas stopper convex portion 60 in this way, the sealing performance by the seal portion 16 may be lowered. However, by disposing the granular material 162 below the seal portion 16, The problem can be suppressed.

D. Fuel cell of the third embodiment:
Another example in which the support for holding the power generation body 12 in the mold is formed separately from the gas separator 30 will be described below as a third embodiment. The fuel cell of the third embodiment has the same configuration as that of the fuel cell of the second embodiment except that a frame body 262 is provided instead of the granular body 162 as a support portion for holding the power generation body 12. In the following description, parts common to the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the outline of the configuration of the fuel cell of the third embodiment. Similar to the second embodiment, the fuel cell of the third embodiment includes a seal portion 16 that is integrally formed with the gas separator 130 and the power generation laminate portion 11. FIG. 11 is a cross section of a structural unit in which the gas separator 130, the power generation stacking section 11, and the seal section 16 are integrated, and shows a state of a cross section of the outer peripheral region in the vicinity of the hole 40 forming the oxidizing gas supply manifold. Yes.

  The frame body 262 included in the fuel cell according to the third embodiment is a frame-shaped member having a shape surrounding the entire outer periphery of the gas flow path forming portion 15. FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of the frame body 262, and illustrates a state in which the frame body 262 is disposed on the gas separator 130 together with the gas flow path forming unit 15. In FIG. 12, the frame body 262 is shown with hatching. The frame body 262 is a substantially rectangular thin plate-like member. As shown in FIG. 12, when the frame body 262 is disposed on the gas separator 130, the outer periphery of the frame body 262 just overlaps the side on the center side of each of the hole portions 40 to 45. Have The frame 262 is formed with a substantially square hole over a wide area including the center, and the hole has a size that overlaps with the power generation area DA, that is, the gas flow path forming portion 15. ing.

  Further, the frame body 262 has support convex portions that are a plurality of convex portions projecting on both surfaces. Each of these support convex portions includes a first convex portion 64 that protrudes toward the power generator 12 and contacts the power generator 12, and a second convex portion 65 that protrudes toward the gas separator 30 and contacts the gas separator 30. ing. The plurality of support protrusions are provided so that adjacent support protrusions are separated from each other on each surface. Further, the frame body 262 is a plurality of frames arranged along the outer periphery of the frame body 262 at positions closer to the outer periphery than the plurality of first protrusions 64 on the surface side where the first protrusions 64 are formed. The positioning projection 66 is provided. When the power generating body 12 is further arranged on the gas flow path forming portion 15 shown in FIG. 12, the positioning convex portion 66 has the top of the positioning convex portion 66 positioned further outside the outer periphery of the power generating body 12. It is provided as follows.

  Here, the frame 262 has substantially the same thickness as the gas flow path forming portion 15 at the position where the support convex portion is provided. Further, the frame body 262 is formed thicker than the gas flow path forming portion 15 at the position where the positioning convex portion 66 is provided. The height of the positioning convex portion 66 is such that the top of the positioning convex portion 66 is disposed close to the end face of the power generator 12 disposed on the gas flow path forming portion 15.

  Such a frame 262 is preferably formed of an insulating material, and can be formed of, for example, an elastic material, that is, rubber (for example, silicon rubber, butyl rubber, fluorine rubber) or a thermoplastic elastomer. In particular, if the frame 262 is formed of the same material as the seal part 16, when the fuel cell is assembled by laminating and fastening the power generation laminate part 11 and the gas separator 30, in the gas stop convex part 60 of the seal part 16, It is preferable that no undesirable reaction force is generated.

  The fuel cell of the third embodiment is also manufactured by the same process as that shown in FIG. In step 100, the frame body 262 is prepared together with the power generator 12, the gas flow path forming portions 14 and 15, and the gas separator 130. Then, the gas separator 130 is disposed on the lower mold 70 (step S120), and then the gas flow path forming unit 15, the power generator 12, and the gas flow path forming unit 14 are sequentially disposed on the gas separator 130 (step S130). ), A frame body 262 is further arranged around the gas flow path forming portion 15. At this time, when the power generation body 12 is disposed on the gas flow path forming portion 15 and the frame body 262, the power generation body 12 is placed along the outer periphery of the power generation body 12 with the positioning convex portion 66 provided on the frame body 262. By arrange | positioning, the electric power generation body 12 is positioned in a desired position. Further, since the outer peripheral portion of the power generation body 12 is supported by the support convex portion provided on the frame body 262, the power generation body 12 is a flat surface separated as a whole from the gas separator 130 within the mold. To be held. After each member is placed in the mold, the fuel cell of the third embodiment is obtained by performing injection molding, assembling and fastening as described above.

  According to the fuel cell of the third embodiment configured as described above, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. That is, when the seal portion 16 is integrally formed in the mold, the power generation body 12 can be held in a flat state to prevent the power generation body 12 from sagging and the seal portion 16 having a desired shape can be formed. In such integral formation, since the support convex portion and the positioning convex portion 66 are provided apart from each other, the molding material passes through the gaps between the respective convex portions, and the space in the mold is formed. Can spread to SP.

  Furthermore, according to the third embodiment, since the positioning convex portion 66 is provided in the frame 262 at a position corresponding to the position where the power generator 12 is to be disposed, when the members are laminated in the mold, The power generation body 12 may be arranged in accordance with the positioning convex portion 66. Thereby, the positioning operation can be simplified. Here, the position where the positioning convex portion 66 is provided is set so that the power generating body 12 is securely fitted inside each positioning convex portion 66 in consideration of the accuracy in manufacturing the frame body 262 and the power generating body 12. It is desirable.

  The positioning protrusions 66 do not have to be provided at predetermined intervals so as to be along all four sides of the power generator 12. If the power generating body 12 can be positioned by the positioning protrusions 66 when the members are stacked in the mold, the positioning protrusions 66 may be arranged differently. Further, in the frame body 262, it is possible to provide only the support convex portion 62 without providing the positioning convex portion 66. In this case, the effect of supporting the power generating body 12 when the seal portion 16 is integrally formed can be obtained.

  In the second and third embodiments described above, the support part for holding the power generation body 12 in the mold is formed separately from the gas separator 30. It is good also as a shape different from 2 and 3rd Example. When the seal portion 16 is integrally formed, a spacer having a portion substantially the same height as the gas flow path forming portion 15 on the gas separator 30 and outside the gas flow path forming portion 15 is used as a support portion. If arranged, the same effect can be obtained.

E. Manufacturing method of fuel cell of fourth embodiment:
As in the second and third embodiments, when the seal portion 16 is integrally formed using a mold, a spacer is disposed in a region corresponding to the outer peripheral region of the power generation body 12, and the power generation body 12 is placed in the mold. In the holding structure, the spacer may be removed after the seal portion 16 is formed. Such a configuration will be described below as a fourth embodiment. In the following description, the same reference numerals are assigned to portions common to the fuel cells of the above-described embodiments, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the manufacturing process of the fuel cell of the fourth embodiment. When manufacturing the fuel cell of the fourth embodiment, first, the power generator 12, the gas flow path forming portions 14, 15, the spacer, and the gas separator 130 are prepared (step S200). Then, as in steps 100 and S110, a mold is prepared, and the gas separator 130 is disposed on the lower mold 70 (steps S210 and S220). Thereafter, the gas flow path forming portion 15, the spacer, the power generator 12, and the gas flow path forming portion 14 are further sequentially disposed on the disposed gas separator 30 (step S230), and the seal portion is formed by injection molding in the same manner as in step S140. 16 is integrally formed (step 240). When the sealing portion 16 is integrally formed, the outer peripheral portion of the power generation body 12 is supported by a spacer, and if the height of the spacer is substantially the same as the thickness of the gas flow path forming portion 15, the power generation body 12 As a whole, it is held in a state of forming a flat surface that is separated from the gas separator 130 by a certain distance. After the seal portion 16 is integrally formed, the spacer is removed from the seal portion 16 (step S245), and assembly and fastening are performed in the same manner as in step S150 (step S250), thereby completing the fuel cell.

  Here, the spacer used in the fourth embodiment is formed of a material that can be removed from the seal portion 16 in a later step, for example, a sublimation substance. Various shapes can be selected as the shape of the spacer. For example, the spacer may be formed by a plurality of constituent members as in the second embodiment using a granular material. However, the constituent member of the spacer is not embedded in the seal portion 16 but communicates with the holes 40 to 45, and when the spacer is sublimated in a later process, the component is communicated through the communicating portion. The spacer is discharged and removed outside. The specific condition of the step of removing the spacer in step S245 may be set according to the constituent material of the spacer, and for example, it may be heated to a temperature at which the constituent material can be sublimated. In FIG. 13, the step of removing the spacer is performed after the integral molding of the seal portion 16, but it may be performed in a later step such as after assembly in step S250.

  According to the method of manufacturing the fuel cell of the fourth embodiment configured as described above, since the spacers are arranged when the seal portion 16 is integrally formed, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiments can be obtained. . That is, when the seal portion 16 is integrally formed in the mold, the power generation body 12 can be held in a flat state to prevent the power generation body 12 from sagging and the seal portion 16 having a desired shape can be formed. Furthermore, according to the fourth embodiment, since the spacer is removed after the sealing portion 16 is integrally formed, the effect of reducing the weight of the entire fuel cell can be obtained.

  Note that the substance constituting the spacer may be a substance other than the sublimable substance, and may be removed by a method such as decomposition by heating.

F. Variation:
The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and embodiments, and can be carried out in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.

F1. Modification 1:
The seal portion 16 integrally formed with the power generation laminate portion 11 and the gas separator 30 may be formed by a method other than injection molding. For example, the seal portion 16 can be integrally formed by compression molding. In this case, it is sufficient to perform vulcanization compression molding in which molding and vulcanization are performed simultaneously by filling the space SP in the mold with solid unvulcanized rubber, clamping the mold and heating the mold. .

F2. Modification 2:
In the first to fourth embodiments, the gas separator has a three-layer structure in which three plates are stacked, but may have a different configuration. Even when a gas separator having a different structure is used, if a support portion made of, for example, a plurality of protrusions is provided in an outer region of the region where the gas flow path forming portion is arranged in the gas separator, the same as in the first embodiment The effect of can be obtained. Further, if the outer region of the region where the gas flow path forming portion is disposed is formed in a shape where a spacer as a support portion can be disposed, for example, a flat surface, and the spacer is disposed, the same as in the second and third embodiments. The effect of can be obtained. Further, the power generation area DA in the gas separator does not have to be a flat surface. For example, a groove for forming an in-cell gas flow path may be provided on the surface of the gas separator.

F3. Modification 3:
In the first to fourth embodiments, the seal portion 16 has a flat surface on the side in contact with the anode side plate 32 and the gas stop convex portion 60 on the side in contact with the cathode side plate 31. However, different shapes may be used. . For example, the seal portion 16 may be integrally formed on the cathode side plate 31 with the surface on which the gas stopper convex portion 60 is provided and the flat surface reversed in the seal portion 16.

  Here, as in the embodiment, when the surface of the seal portion 16 that is in contact with the anode side plate 32 is a flat surface, and the seal portion 16 and the gas separator are bonded and adhered, the sealing property with respect to hydrogen that is likely to leak is obtained. , Can be raised more. In addition, when the surface in contact with the cathode side plate 31 in the seal portion 16 is a flat surface and is adhered and closely adhered to the gas separator, the sealing performance can be further enhanced on the oxidizing gas side generally having a higher gas pressure.

F4. Modification 4:
In the first to fourth embodiments, the members constituting the power generation laminate portion 11 are substantially the same size and overlap each other, and the end portion of the power generation laminate portion 11 forms one plane. However, a different configuration may be used. That is, the MEA 13 and the gas diffusion layers 26 and 28 may be formed to have different sizes, or may be arranged so that the positions of the outer circumferences thereof are shifted from each other.

F5. Modification 5:
In the embodiment, the fuel cell is a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, but may be a different type of fuel cell. For example, a solid oxide electrolyte fuel cell can be obtained. The present invention can be applied to any fuel cell that exhibits an operation temperature that can be appropriately selected from elastic materials such as rubber and thermoplastic elastomer as a constituent material of the seal portion.

It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing schematic structure of the fuel cell of 1st Example. It is explanatory drawing which expands and shows the X area | region enclosed with the broken line in FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of a cell assembly 10. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the shape of a cathode side plate 31. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the shape of the anode side plate 32. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the shape of the intermediate | middle plate. It is explanatory drawing showing the manufacturing process of the fuel cell of 1st Example. It is explanatory drawing showing a mode that the seal | sticker part 16 is integrally formed, and the mode of the member formed integrally. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing the outline of a structure of the fuel cell of 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing showing a mode that the seal | sticker part 16 is integrally formed by injection molding. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing the outline of a structure of the fuel cell of 3rd Example. 4 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a frame body 262. FIG. It is explanatory drawing showing the manufacturing process of the fuel cell of 4th Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Cell assembly 11 ... Power generation lamination | stacking part 12 ... Power generation body 13 ... MEA
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14, 15 ... Gas flow path formation part 16 ... Seal part 20 ... Electrolyte membrane 22 ... Cathode 24 ... Anode 26, 28 ... Gas diffusion layer 30, 130 ... Gas separator 31 ... Cathode side plate 32, 132 ... Anode side plate 33 ... Intermediate plate 40 to 45 ... hole 50 ... oxidizing gas supply slit 51 ... oxidizing gas discharge slit 52 ... fuel gas discharge slit 53 ... fuel gas supply slit 54 to 57 ... communication part 58 ... refrigerant hole 60 ... gas stop convex part 62 ... Supporting convex part 64 ... 1st convex part 65 ... 2nd convex part 66 ... Positioning convex part 70 ... Lower mold 72 ... Upper mold 74 ... Opening 162 ... Granule 262 ... Frame

Claims (23)

A fuel cell,
A power generator comprising an electrolyte membrane and a pair of electrodes formed on both sides of the electrolyte membrane;
A seal portion that includes the outer periphery of the power generation body at the outer periphery of the power generation body and is formed integrally with the power generation body;
A gas separator disposed on both sides of the power generator and in contact with the seal portion;
In a region where the seal portion overlaps an inclusion region that encloses the power generation body, a height between the power generation body and one of the gas separators is defined as a height between the power generation body and the one gas separator. And a supported portion,
The seal portion is formed so as to fill a space formed around the support portion between the power generation body and the one gas separator. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein
The said support part has height equal to the distance of the said electric power generation body and the said gas separator in the area | region from the center part rather than the said inclusion area | region in the said electric power generation body. The fuel cell according to claim 1 or 2,
The said support part is a convex part formed in the said gas separator. Fuel cell. The fuel cell according to claim 3, wherein
The convex portion includes a plurality of protrusions provided apart from each other. The fuel cell according to claim 1 or 2,
The support part is a spacer that is separate from the power generation body and the gas separator and is disposed between the power generation body and the gas separator. The fuel cell according to claim 5, wherein
The spacer is a plurality of granular bodies. The fuel cell according to claim 5, wherein
The said spacer is a frame provided continuously over the area | region which overlaps with the said inclusion area | region. Fuel cell. The fuel cell according to claim 7, wherein
The frame includes a first convex portion that contacts the power generator, and a second convex portion that contacts the one gas separator,
Each of the first and second protrusions is composed of a plurality of protrusions spaced apart from each other. The fuel cell according to claim 7 or 8, wherein
The frame body is provided with a positioning convex portion provided in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the power generation body and protruding toward the other gas separator side to a height that overlaps the cross section of the power generation body. The fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The power generation body further includes a gas diffusion layer made of a porous body disposed on the electrode. The fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising:
A porous body comprising a pair of gas flow path forming portions disposed between the power generation body and the gas separator;
At least the gas flow path forming portion in contact with the one gas separator is formed integrally with the seal portion together with the power generator. A method for producing a fuel cell comprising a power generator including an electrolyte membrane having an electrode formed on a surface and a gas separator,
A first step of disposing the gas separator in which a convex portion is formed in the vicinity of the outer periphery of one surface in a mold so that the other surface of the separator is in contact with the mold;
A second step of disposing the power generator on the gas separator such that an outer peripheral portion of the power generator is in contact with the convex portion;
A sealing portion is formed so as to enclose the outer peripheral portion of the power generator by filling the mold with a molding material and to fill the space between the power generator and the gas separator with the molding material. A third step of integrally forming the power generator and the gas separator at the outer periphery of the power generator. A method for producing a fuel cell according to claim 12, comprising:
The convex portion has a height that enables the power generating body to form a flat surface separated from the gas separator by a certain distance as a whole when the power generating body is disposed in the second step. Manufacturing method. The method for producing a fuel cell according to claim 12 or 13, further comprising:
Prior to the second step, comprising a fourth step of disposing a gas flow path forming portion made of a porous body on the gas separator,
The second step is a step of disposing the power generation body on the gas flow path forming part. A method for manufacturing a fuel cell. A method for producing a fuel cell comprising a power generator including an electrolyte membrane having an electrode formed on a surface and a gas separator,
A first step of disposing the gas separator in a mold;
A second step of disposing a spacer on the vicinity of the outer periphery of the gas separator;
A third step of disposing the power generator on the gas separator so as to be in contact with the spacer at the outer periphery;
By introducing a molding material into the mold, the outer periphery of the power generator is enclosed, and a space formed around the spacer is filled with the molding material between the power generator and the gas separator. A fuel cell manufacturing method comprising: a fourth step of integrally molding the seal portion formed in such a manner that the seal portion is integrally formed with the power generator and the gas separator at an outer peripheral portion of the power generator. A method for producing a fuel cell according to claim 15, comprising:
The spacer is a plurality of granular bodies. A method for manufacturing a fuel cell. A method for producing a fuel cell according to claim 15, comprising:
The spacer is a frame including a first convex portion that is formed so as to overlap with a peripheral portion of the gas separator, and that contacts the power generator, and a second convex portion that contacts the gas separator.
Manufacturing method of fuel cell. A method for producing a fuel cell according to any one of claims 15 to 17,
The spacer has a height such that when the power generation body is disposed in the third step, the power generation body as a whole can form a flat surface separated from the gas separator by a certain distance. Production method. The method for producing a fuel cell according to any one of claims 15 to 18, further comprising:
A method for manufacturing a fuel cell, comprising a fifth step of removing the spacer from between the gas generator and the power generator integrally formed with the seal portion after the fourth step. The method for producing a fuel cell according to any one of claims 15 to 19, further comprising:
Prior to the third step, comprising a sixth step of disposing a gas flow path forming portion made of a porous body on the gas separator,
The third step is a step of disposing the power generator on the gas flow path forming part. A method for manufacturing a fuel cell. A method of manufacturing a fuel cell according to any one of claims 12 to 20,
The power generation body further includes a gas diffusion layer made of a porous body disposed on the electrode.   A fuel cell manufactured by the method for manufacturing a fuel cell according to any one of claims 12 to 21. A laminated member for a fuel cell that constitutes a fuel cell by being laminated in a plurality,
A gas separator;
A power generator that is disposed on one side of the gas separator and includes an electrolyte membrane and a pair of electrodes formed on both sides of the electrolyte membrane;
A support portion that is disposed between the power generation body and the gas separator at the outer peripheral portion of the power generation body, and is formed with a distance between the power generation body and the one gas separator as a height;
The gas is provided in a region including the region where the support portion is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the gas separator, includes the outer peripheral portion of the power generator, and fills a space formed around the support portion. A fuel cell laminate member comprising: a separator; and a seal portion formed integrally with the power generator.

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