JP2008218205A - Manufacturing method of fuel cell module, manufacturing method of fuel cell, and fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve power generation efficiency of a fuel cell by increasing load sharing to an electrode part. <P>SOLUTION: This is a manufacturing method of a fuel cell module 200. At least on one face of a membrane electrode assembly 216, a power generating body is formed by arranging a gasket 252 and a porous body 232 with a prescribed spacing. The power generating body is pinched by a plate 310 having a filling hole 376 in order to fill a liquid sealing agent to a space 242 formed by the gasket 252 and the porous body 232 and a plate 320, a load of the same or more as a fastening load in fastening a fuel cell 100 by laminating the fuel cell module 200 is added between the plate 310 and the plate 320, the liquid sealing agent is filled into the space 242 from the filling hole 376 under the load, and cured. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell, and more particularly to a technique for improving the power generation efficiency of a fuel cell.

  Some fuel cells use a porous body as a reaction gas flow path, diffuse the reaction gas in the porous body, and supply the reaction gas to the membrane electrode assembly. The porous body is generally disposed with a gap from the inner wall of the gasket so as not to interfere with the gasket when assembled. Since the airflow resistance is small in the gap between the gasket and the porous body, the reaction gas easily flows. Since the reaction gas flowing through the gap between the gasket and the porous body is discharged without being used for the power generation reaction, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell decreases when the amount of the reaction gas flowing through the gap between the gasket and the porous body increases. A technique for filling / curing a liquid sealant in a gap between a gasket and a porous body is known as a technique for making the reaction gas difficult to flow in the gap (Patent Document 1). In addition, a technique is known in which a thermoplastic resin is disposed in a gap between a gasket and a porous body, heated and melted under pressure, and cooled and cured (Patent Document 2).

JP 2005-174875 A JP 2005-183210 A

  However, in the prior art, when the liquid sealant is filled / cured in the fuel cell module, the magnitude of the load applied to the fuel cell module has not been considered. As a result, when the fuel cell modules of the fuel cell are stacked and fastened, there is a problem that the load is applied to the filling portion of the liquid sealant, the load sharing of the electrode portion is reduced, and the performance of the fuel cell is lowered. . Further, since the gap between the gasket and the porous body does not contribute to power generation, it is preferable to make it as narrow as possible, but it has been difficult to design.

  The present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to increase the load sharing to the electrode portion and improve the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell.

  In the method for manufacturing a fuel cell module according to the first aspect of the present invention, a gasket and a porous body forming a gas flow path are arranged at predetermined intervals on at least one surface of the membrane electrode assembly. A power generator is formed, the power generator is sandwiched by a plate having a filling hole for filling a liquid sealant in a space formed by the gasket and the porous body, and fuel cells are stacked to fasten the fuel cell A load equal to or greater than the fastening load at the time of applying is applied between the plates, and the liquid sealant is filled into the space from the filling hole under the load and is cured. According to the fuel cell module according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the load is applied to the electrode portion, the performance of the fuel cell module can be improved. In the present specification, the term “porous body” may include a gas diffusion layer and a porous body.

  In the method of manufacturing the fuel cell module according to the first aspect of the present invention, the plate includes a plurality of the filling holes, and the filling of the liquid sealing agent is performed by filling the liquid sealing agent from the plurality of filling holes. It is preferable. According to this aspect, it is possible to suppress a filling defect of the sealant into the space and suppress a decrease in power generation efficiency due to the reaction gas flowing into the space.

  A fuel cell according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a membrane electrode assembly in which a gasket is disposed at an outer edge, and at least one surface of the membrane electrode assembly with a predetermined distance from the inner wall of the gasket. A power generation body having a porous body disposed; a separator disposed so as to sandwich the power generation body; a manifold formed by a hole penetrating the separator; the manifold; the gasket; and the porous body. A communication path communicating with the space to be formed. According to the fuel cell of the second aspect of the present invention, the liquid sealant can be filled after a fastening load is applied to the fuel cell. Therefore, even if the liquid sealant is cured, the load is not applied to the filled portion. Since it is applied to the portion, the performance of the fuel cell can be improved.

  In the fuel cell according to the second aspect of the present invention, the separator is formed on a first plate having a first hole for forming the manifold and the branch path, and on one surface of the first plate. A second plate having a second hole for connecting the first hole and the space, a third hole for forming the manifold, and the other surface of the first plate. And a third plate having a fourth hole for constituting the manifold. According to this aspect, when making the plate used for a separator, the hole used for filling with a liquid sealing agent can be created simultaneously.

  In the fuel cell according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that a plurality of the second holes are provided in the second plate. According to this aspect, it is possible to suppress a filling defect of the sealant into the space and suppress a decrease in power generation efficiency due to the reaction gas flowing into the space.

  In the fuel cell according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that a contact portion of the communication path and the space with the liquid sealant is surface-treated with a fluororesin. According to this aspect, since the filling resistance can be reduced, the liquid sealing agent can be filled smoothly.

  In the fuel cell according to the second aspect of the present invention, the space is preferably filled with a liquid sealant and cured. According to this aspect, since the liquid sealing agent is filled, it is possible to suppress the reaction gas from flowing into the space and to suppress the decrease in power generation efficiency of the fuel cell.

  In the fuel cell according to the second aspect of the present invention, the manifold and the communication path include an anode-side manifold and an anode-side communication path connected to an anode-side porous body through which the fuel gas flows, and a cathode through which the oxidizing gas flows. It is preferable that the cathode side manifold and the cathode side communication path connected to the second space adjacent to the side porous body are provided independently. According to this aspect, since the first space on the anode side and the second space on the cathode side are not connected via the manifold and the communication path, mixing of the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas can be suppressed.

  In the method of manufacturing a fuel cell according to the third aspect of the present invention, a porous body is disposed on at least one surface of a membrane electrode assembly in which a gasket is disposed on an outer edge portion with a predetermined distance from the inner wall of the gasket. The fuel cell module is configured, the separator plate is formed with holes for forming the manifold and the communication path, the separator is assembled from the separator plate, and the power generator and the separator are alternately stacked to assemble the fuel cell. Then, the space formed by the gasket and the porous body is filled with a liquid sealant through the manifold and the communication path and cured. According to the method of manufacturing the fuel cell according to the third aspect of the present invention, the liquid sealant can be filled and cured after the fuel cell is configured. Therefore, since the load is applied to the electrode portion, the performance of the fuel cell module can be improved.

A. First embodiment:
The external configuration of the fuel cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the external configuration of the fuel cell according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the fuel cell according to the first embodiment as viewed from the front, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the fuel cell as viewed from the back.

  The fuel cell 100 is configured by stacking fuel cell modules 200. The fuel cell 100 includes a plurality of manifolds penetrating the outer edge portion in the stacking direction. That is, the fuel cell 100 includes a fuel gas supply manifold 110 that supplies fuel gas, a fuel gas discharge manifold 120 that discharges unreacted fuel gas, an oxidizing gas supply manifold 130 that supplies oxidizing gas, and an unreacted oxidation gas. Oxidizing gas discharge manifold 140 for discharging gas and water generated by electrochemical reaction, cooling medium supply manifold 150 for supplying a cooling medium for cooling fuel cell 100, and cooling medium for discharging the cooling medium A discharge manifold 160.

  The fuel cell module 200 includes a frame 400 that supports a power generation unit (not shown), and an anode plate 310 and a cathode plate 320 that sandwich the power generation unit and the frame 400. The anode plate 310 includes an anode-side sealant filling port 376 for filling the outer edge portion with a liquid sealant. The cathode plate 320 includes a cathode side sealing agent filling port 386 for filling the outer edge portion with a liquid sealing agent.

  The cross-sectional structure of the fuel cell module will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view schematically showing a cross section of the fuel cell module when cut along the 1-1 cutting line shown in FIG.

  The fuel cell module 200 includes a frame 400, an electrolyte membrane 210, an anode side catalyst layer 212, a cathode side catalyst layer 214, an anode side gas diffusion layer 222, a cathode side gas diffusion layer 224, and an anode side porous body 232. A cathode side porous body 234, an anode plate 310, a cathode plate 320, an anode side gasket 252, a cathode side gasket 254, an anode side seal portion 262, and a cathode side seal portion 264.

  The frame 400 is a substantially rectangular flat plate made of a resin material, and has an opening for supporting the electrolyte membrane 210 at the center.

  The electrolyte membrane 210 is a proton conductive membrane, and moves protons (hydrogen ions) from the anode side catalyst layer 212 to the cathode side catalyst layer 214. In this embodiment, as the electrolyte membrane 210, for example, a proton conductive ion exchange membrane made of a polymer material, for example, a fluorine-based resin such as perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid polymer is used.

The anode-side catalyst layer 212 and the cathode-side catalyst layer 214 are layers each including a catalyst that promotes an electrochemical reaction, such as a platinum catalyst or a catalyst in which a platinum alloy catalyst composed of platinum and another metal is supported on carbon. The anode side catalyst layer 212 and the cathode side catalyst layer 214 are formed in a portion excluding the outer edge portion of the electrolyte membrane 210. In this embodiment, the electrolyte membrane 210, the anode side catalyst layer 212, and the cathode side catalyst layer 214 are collectively referred to as a membrane electrode assembly 216.

  The anode side gas diffusion layer 222 is disposed on the anode side catalyst layer 212 and diffuses the fuel gas used in the fuel cell 100. The cathode side gas diffusion layer 224 is disposed on the cathode side catalyst layer 214 and diffuses the oxidizing gas used in the fuel cell 100. In this embodiment, carbon cloth or carbon paper woven with carbon fibers is used as the anode side gas diffusion layer 222 and the cathode side gas diffusion layer 224. The fuel gas diffuses while flowing through the anode side gas diffusion layer 222 and moves to the anode side catalyst layer 212. On the other hand, the oxidizing gas diffuses while flowing through the cathode side gas diffusion layer 224 and moves to the cathode side catalyst layer 214.

  The anode-side porous body 232 is a substantially rectangular porous body made of metal, for example, and is disposed on the portion excluding the outer edge of the anode-side gas diffusion layer 222 with a gap from the frame 400, and is attached to the fuel cell 100. A flow path for the fuel gas to be used is formed. In this embodiment, the anode side porous body 232 is made smaller than the size of the opening of the frame 400. This is to avoid mutual interference due to variations in processing accuracy between the anode side porous body 232 and the frame 400. As a result, a gap space (hereinafter referred to as “anode side gap space 242”) is formed between the anode side porous body 232 and the frame 400. On the cathode side, a cathode side porous body 234 having the same structure as the anode side porous body 232 is disposed, and a cathode side gap space 244 is generated. Here, since the electrolyte membrane 210 exists between the anode side gap space 242 and the cathode side gap space 244, they do not communicate with each other.

  The anode plate 310 is a substantially rectangular metal plate separator disposed on the anode-side porous body 232. The anode plate 310 prevents the fuel gas from leaking in the stacking direction of the fuel cell module 200. The anode plate 310 has an anode side sealant filling port 376 for filling the anode side gap space 242 with a liquid sealant at a position directly above the anode side gap space 242. The anode plate 310 preferably includes a plurality of anode side sealant filling ports 376. This is because defects in the filling of the liquid sealant into the anode-side gap space 242 are less likely to occur. The cathode plate 320 is a substantially rectangular metal plate separator disposed on the cathode-side porous body 234. The cathode plate 320 prevents the oxidizing gas from leaking in the stacking direction of the fuel cell module 200. The cathode plate 320 has a cathode-side sealant filling port 386 for filling the cathode-side gap space 244 with a liquid sealant at a position directly above the cathode-side gap space 244. The cathode plate 320 preferably includes a plurality of cathode side sealing agent filling ports 386. This is because defects in filling the cathode-side gap space 244 with the liquid sealing agent are less likely to occur.

  The anode side gasket 252 is made of a resin material such as silicon rubber, butyl rubber, or fluorine rubber, and is disposed between the frame 400 and the anode plate 310. The anode-side gasket 252 is in close contact with the frame 400 and the anode plate 310 due to the fastening pressure when assembling the fuel cell module 200, and suppresses fuel gas from leaking out of the fuel cell module 200 along the anode plate 310. Similarly, a cathode side gasket 254 is disposed between the frame 400 and the cathode plate 320.

  The anode side sealing portion 262 is formed by curing the liquid sealing agent filled in the anode side gap space 242. The anode side seal portion 262 suppresses the fuel gas from flowing into the anode side gap space 242. The cathode side seal portion 264 is formed by curing the liquid sealant filled in the cathode side gap space. The cathode side seal part 264 suppresses the oxidizing gas from flowing into the cathode side gap space 244.

  A method for manufacturing the fuel cell module will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a fuel cell module. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view schematically showing a cross-sectional structure of a fuel cell module being manufactured.

  The anode side catalyst layer 212 is formed on one surface of the electrolyte membrane 210, the cathode side catalyst layer 214 is formed on the other surface, and the membrane electrode assembly 216 is formed (step S100, FIG. 4A). Formation of the anode side catalyst layer 212 and the cathode side catalyst layer 214 on the electrolyte membrane 210 is performed by, for example, applying a catalyst ink containing a catalyst supported on carbon to the electrolyte membrane 210 and drying it. As a coating method, for example, a spray method is used.

  A frame 400 is formed on the outer edge of the membrane electrode assembly 216 (step S110, FIG. 4B). The frame 400 is formed integrally with the electrolyte membrane 210 by, for example, injection molding.

  The anode side gas diffusion layer 222 is disposed on the anode side catalyst layer 212, and the anode side porous body 232 is disposed on the anode side gas diffusion layer 222, while the cathode side gas diffusion is disposed on the cathode side catalyst layer 214. The layer 224 is disposed, and the cathode-side porous body 234 is disposed on the cathode-side gas diffusion layer 224 (step S120, FIG. 4C). Since the anode side gas diffusion layer 222 and the anode side porous body 232 are smaller than the size of the opening of the frame 400, an anode side gap space 242 is formed between the anode side porous body 232 and the frame 400. Similarly, a cathode side clearance space 244 is formed between the cathode side porous body 234 and the frame 400. Here, the anode-side porous body 232 and the cathode-side porous body 234 are made smaller than the size of the opening of the frame 400 to suppress interference between the anode-side porous body 232 and the cathode-side porous body 234 and the frame 400. It is to do.

  An anode side gasket 252 is disposed on the anode side of the frame 400, and an anode plate 310 is disposed on the anode side porous body 232. On the other hand, the cathode side gasket 254 is disposed on the cathode side of the frame 400, and the cathode plate 320 is disposed on the cathode side porous body 234 (step S130).

  The anode side load plate 510 is disposed on the anode plate 310, and the cathode side load plate 520 is disposed on the cathode plate 320 (step S140, FIG. 4D). The anode-side load plate 510 has an anode-side sealant filling port 576 at a position overlapping the anode-side sealant filling port 376 of the anode plate 310. By overlapping the anode side sealant filling port 376 of the anode plate 310 and the anode side sealant filling port 576 of the anode side load plate 510, the filling resistance of the liquid sealant into the anode side gap space 242 can be reduced. Similarly, the cathode side load plate 520 has a cathode side sealant filling port 586 at a position overlapping the cathode side sealant filling port 386 of the cathode plate 320.

  A load equal to or higher than the fastening load for fastening the fuel cell 100 is applied between the anode-side load plate 510 and the cathode-side load plate 520 (step S150). As a result, the anode side gasket 252 is in close contact with the anode plate 310 and the frame 400. As a result, fuel gas leakage along the anode plate 310 is suppressed. On the other hand, the cathode side gasket 254 is in close contact with the cathode plate 320 and the frame 400. As a result, leakage of oxidizing gas along the cathode plate 320 is suppressed.

  In a state where the fastening load is maintained, the liquid sealant is filled from the anode side sealant filling port 576 and the cathode side sealant filling port 586 and cured (step S160). As the liquid sealing agent, for example, a thermosetting resin can be used. In this case, after the liquid sealing agent is filled, the liquid sealing agent is cured by heat treatment. A thermoplastic resin can be used as the liquid sealant. In this case, the fuel cell module 200 is heated in a state where the fastening load is maintained, and a thermoplastic resin that has been separately heated and softened is filled from the anode side sealant filling port 576 and the cathode side sealant filling port 586, and after filling, By cooling the fuel cell module 200, the liquid sealant is cured. In the state where the fastening load is maintained, when the fuel cell module 200 is stacked and the fuel cell 100 is assembled by filling and curing the liquid sealant, the load is not applied to the anode side seal portion 262, and the anode It covers the side catalyst layer 212 and the cathode side catalyst layer 214 portion. As a result, the contact resistance of the anode side catalyst layer 212 portion is reduced, and the performance of the fuel cell module can be improved. The same applies to the cathode side.

  The fuel cell module is completed by removing the anode side load plate 510 and the cathode side load plate 520 (step S170). When the anode side load plate 510 and the cathode side load plate 520 are removed, the anode side seal portion 262 may protrude from the surfaces of the anode plate 310 and the cathode plate 320 in some cases. In this case, for example, it is preferable to smooth the surfaces of the anode plate 310 and the cathode plate 320 by cutting off the protruding portion. If the anode-side seal portion 262 protrudes, when the fuel cell module 200 is stacked, the degree of adhesion between the adjacent anode plate 310 and the cathode plate 320 decreases, the contact resistance increases, and the fuel cell 100 This is because the power generation efficiency is reduced.

  The fuel cell modules 200 are stacked and fastened (step S180). The fuel cell modules are stacked in series and fastened using, for example, bolts (not shown). Thereby, the fuel cell 100 can be manufactured.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the liquid sealant is filled from the anode side sealant filling port 576 and the cathode side sealant filling port 586 and cured while maintaining the fastening load. Therefore, the fastening load when the fuel cell modules 200 are stacked and fastened mainly applies to the anode side catalyst layer 212 and the cathode side catalyst layer 214 portion. As a result, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell 100 can be increased.

  According to this embodiment, a plurality of anode side sealant filling ports 376 and cathode side sealant filling ports 386 for filling the liquid sealant are provided. As a result, the filling defect of the liquid sealant can be suppressed, and the fuel gas can be prevented from flowing through the anode side gap space 242 and the oxidizing gas can be prevented from flowing through the cathode side gap space 244. Accordingly, a decrease in power generation efficiency of the fuel cell 100 can be suppressed.

B. Second embodiment:
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing an external configuration of the fuel cell according to the second embodiment. In the description of the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a part of the description is omitted.

  The fuel cell 101 is configured by alternately laminating separators 300 and frames 400. The fuel cell 100 includes a fuel gas supply manifold 110 that supplies fuel gas, a fuel gas discharge manifold 120 that discharges unreacted fuel gas, and an oxidizing gas supply manifold 130 that supplies oxidizing gas as manifolds that penetrate in the stacking direction. An oxidizing gas discharge manifold 140 for discharging unreacted oxidizing gas and water generated by an electrochemical reaction, a cooling medium supply manifold 150 for supplying a cooling medium for cooling the fuel cell 100, and a cooling medium. A cooling medium discharge manifold 160 for discharging, an anode side sealant supply manifold 170 for filling the anode side gap space 242 with the liquid sealant, and a cathode side for filling the cathode side gap space 244 with the liquid sealant. A sealant supply manifold 180 is provided.

  The internal configuration of the fuel cell 101 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically showing the frame. FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically showing the anode plate. FIG. 8 is a plan view schematically showing the cathode plate. FIG. 9 is a plan view schematically showing the intermediate plate. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along the 2-2 cutting line after the members shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 are overlapped.

  The frame 400 is, for example, a substantially rectangular flat plate, and has an opening 490 for supporting the electrolyte membrane 210 at the center and openings (fuel gas supply) for forming the various manifolds described in FIG. Manifold hole 412, fuel gas discharge manifold hole 422, oxidizing gas supply manifold hole 432, oxidizing gas discharge manifold hole 442, cooling water supply manifold hole 452, cooling water discharge manifold hole 462, anode side sealant supply manifold hole 472, cathode side It has a sealant supply manifold hole 482). In this embodiment, the frame 400 is made of a resin material, and is formed integrally with the electrolyte membrane 210 by, for example, injection molding.

  On the anode side of the frame 400, an anode side gasket 252 is disposed so as to surround each opening. The anode-side gasket 252 is in close contact with the frame 400 and the anode plate 310 due to the fastening pressure when assembling the fuel cell 101, and suppresses fuel gas from leaking out of the fuel cell module 200 along the plate. Although hidden in FIG. 6, a cathode side gasket 254 is similarly arranged on the cathode side of the frame 400 so as to surround the opening.

  The inside of the opening 490 will be described. An electrolyte membrane 210 is disposed inside the opening 490. An anode side catalyst layer 212 is formed on the anode side of the electrolyte membrane 210, and a cathode side catalyst layer 214 is formed on the cathode side. An anode side gas diffusion layer 222 is disposed on the anode side catalyst layer 212, and a cathode side gas diffusion layer 224 is disposed on the cathode side catalyst layer 214. An anode side porous body 232 is disposed on the anode side gas diffusion layer 222, and a cathode side porous body 234 is disposed on the cathode side gas diffusion layer 224. An anode side gap space 242 is formed between the frame 400 and the anode side porous body 232, and a cathode side gap space 244 is formed between the frame 400 and the cathode side porous body 234. Since these are the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  In this embodiment, the separator 300 is composed of three plates: an anode plate 310, a cathode plate 320, and an intermediate plate 330. Hereinafter, each plate constituting the separator 300 will be described.

  The anode plate 310 is a thin metal plate having a substantially rectangular plane, for example, disposed on the anode side of the fuel cell 101. The anode plate 310 has openings (fuel gas supply manifold holes 312, fuel gas discharge manifold holes 322, oxidizing gas supply manifold holes 332, oxidizing gas discharge manifold holes 342) for forming the various manifolds described in FIG. , A coolant supply manifold hole 352, a coolant discharge manifold hole 362, an anode side sealant supply manifold hole 372, and a cathode side sealant supply manifold hole 382).

  The anode plate 310 further includes a fuel gas supply port 316 formed inside the anode plate 310 of the fuel gas supply manifold hole 312, and a fuel gas discharge port formed inside the anode plate 310 of the fuel gas discharge manifold hole 322. 326 and an anode side sealant filling port 376 formed on the anode plate 310 inside of the anode side sealant supply manifold hole 372. The fuel gas supply port 316 supplies the fuel gas supplied to the fuel gas supply manifold 110 to the anode side porous body 232 through the inside of the separator 300. The fuel gas discharge port 326 discharges unused fuel gas in the anode-side porous body 232 to the fuel gas discharge manifold 120 through the inside of the separator 300. The anode side sealant filling port 376 supplies the liquid sealant supplied to the anode side sealant supply manifold 170 to the anode side gap space 242 through the inside of the separator 300.

  The cathode plate 320 is a thin metal plate having a substantially rectangular plane, for example, disposed on the cathode side of the fuel cell 100. The cathode plate 320 has openings (fuel gas supply manifold holes 312, fuel gas discharge manifold holes 322, oxidizing gas supply manifold holes 332, oxidizing gas discharge manifold holes 342) for forming the various manifolds described with reference to FIG. , A coolant supply manifold hole 352, a coolant discharge manifold hole 362, an anode side sealant supply manifold hole 372, and a cathode side sealant supply manifold hole 382).

    The cathode plate 320 further includes an oxidizing gas supply port 336 formed on the inside of the cathode plate 320 of the oxidizing gas supply manifold hole 332 and an oxidizing gas discharge port formed on the inside of the cathode plate 320 of the oxidizing gas discharge manifold hole 342. 346 and a cathode side sealant filling port 386 formed inside the cathode plate 320 of the cathode side sealant supply manifold hole 382. The oxidizing gas supply port 336 supplies the oxidizing gas supplied to the oxidizing gas supply manifold 130 to the cathode-side porous body 234 through the inside of the separator 300. The oxidizing gas discharge port 346 discharges the oxidizing gas that has not been used in the cathode-side porous body 234 and the water generated by the reaction through the inside of the separator 300 to the oxidizing gas discharge manifold 140. The cathode side sealant filling port 386 supplies the liquid sealant supplied to the cathode side sealant supply manifold 180 to the cathode side gap space 244 through the inside of the separator 300.

  The intermediate plate 330 is a thin plate made of metal or resin having a substantially rectangular plane, for example, which is sandwiched between the anode plate 310 and the cathode plate 320. The intermediate plate 330 has openings (fuel gas supply manifold holes 312, fuel gas discharge manifold holes 322, oxidizing gas supply manifold holes 332, oxidizing gas discharge manifolds) for forming the various manifolds described in FIG. 5 along the outer edge. Hole 342, cooling medium supply manifold hole 352, cooling medium discharge manifold hole 362, anode side sealant supply manifold hole 372, cathode side sealant supply manifold hole 382).

  The intermediate plate 330 includes a fuel gas supply channel 314 that opens in a comb shape from the inside of the fuel gas supply manifold hole 312 toward the inside of the intermediate plate 330, and an internal direction of the intermediate plate 330 from the inside of the fuel gas discharge manifold hole 322. Comb-opening fuel gas discharge flow path 324, an oxidizing gas supply flow path 334 opening in a comb shape from the inside of the oxidizing gas supply manifold hole 332 toward the inside of the intermediate plate 330, and an oxidizing gas discharge manifold hole An oxidizing gas discharge channel 344 that opens in a comb shape from the inside of the intermediate plate 330 toward the inside of the intermediate plate 330; a cooling medium channel 354 that connects the cooling medium supply manifold hole 352 and the cooling medium discharge manifold hole 362; Inside the intermediate plate 330 from the inside of the sealant supply manifold hole 372 It has an anode-side sealing agent supply passage 374 toward the direction, and a cathode-side sealing agent supply passage 384 extending from the inside of the cathode-side sealing agent supply manifold hole 382 toward the inside of the intermediate plate 330.

  The fuel gas supply channel 314 guides the fuel gas supplied to the fuel gas supply manifold 110 to the fuel gas supply port 316. The fuel gas discharge channel 324 guides unreacted fuel gas discharged to the fuel gas discharge port 326 to the fuel gas discharge manifold 120. The oxidizing gas supply channel 334 guides the oxidizing gas supplied to the oxidizing gas supply manifold 130 to the oxidizing gas supply port 336. The oxidizing gas discharge channel 344 guides unreacted oxidizing gas discharged to the oxidizing gas discharge port 346 and water generated by the reaction to the oxidizing gas discharge manifold 140. The cooling medium channel 354 flows the cooling medium supplied to the cooling medium supply manifold 150 to cool the fuel cell 101 and guides it to the cooling medium discharge manifold 160. The anode side sealant supply channel 374 guides the liquid sealant supplied to the anode side sealant supply manifold 170 to the anode side sealant filling port 376. The cathode side sealant supply flow path 384 guides the liquid sealant supplied to the cathode side sealant supply manifold 180 to the cathode side sealant filling port 386.

  The fuel cell 101 preferably includes a plurality of anode side sealant supply manifolds 170, anode side sealant supply channels 374, and anode side sealant filling ports 376. By providing a plurality, it is possible to suppress filling defects of the liquid sealant. The same applies to the cathode side sealant supply manifold 180, the cathode side sealant supply flow path 384, and the cathode side sealant filling port 386.

  The fuel cell 101 includes an anode side sealant supply manifold 170, an anode side sealant supply channel 374, an anode side sealant filling port 376, a cathode side sealant supply manifold 180, a cathode side sealant supply channel 384, and a cathode side seal. The agent filling port 386 is preferably provided independently. If shared, fuel gas and oxidizing gas may be mixed through the manifold.

  A fuel cell manufacturing method according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a method of manufacturing a fuel cell according to the second embodiment.

    The anode side catalyst layer 212 is formed on one surface of the electrolyte membrane 210, the cathode side catalyst layer 214 is formed on the other surface, and the membrane electrode assembly 216 is formed (step S200). The frame 400 is formed on the outer edge of the membrane electrode assembly 216 (step S210). The anode side gas diffusion layer 222 is disposed on the anode side catalyst layer 212, and the anode side porous body 232 is disposed on the anode side gas diffusion layer 222, while the cathode side gas diffusion on the cathode side catalyst layer 214 is arranged. The layer 224 is disposed, and the cathode-side porous body 234 is disposed on the cathode-side gas diffusion layer 224 (step S220). Steps S200 to S220 are the same as steps S100 to S120 described in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  An anode plate 310, a cathode plate 320, and an intermediate plate 330 are formed (step S230). The anode plate 310 is formed, for example, by punching a substantially square metal plate with a mold. At this time, the anode side sealant supply manifold hole 372 and the anode side sealant filling port 376 are formed simultaneously with other openings, for example, the fuel gas supply manifold hole 312 and the like. That is, it can be formed only by changing the mold without adding a special process. Similarly, the cathode plate 320 can be formed simply by changing the mold. Similarly, when the intermediate plate 330 is made of metal, it can be formed simply by changing the mold. Even if the intermediate plate 330 is made of resin, the intermediate plate 330 can be easily formed by changing the injection mold.

  The anode plate 310, the intermediate plate 330, and the cathode plate 320 are stacked and pressurized to assemble the separator 300 (step S240).

  The frames 400 and separators 300 formed in step S220 are alternately stacked, and a fastening load is applied to fasten the fuel cell (step S250). At this time, an anode side gasket 252 and a cathode side gasket 254 are disposed between the frame 400 and the separator 300. By applying a fastening load, the anode side gasket 252 is in close contact with the anode plate 310 and the frame 400. As a result, fuel gas leakage along the anode plate 310 is suppressed. On the other hand, the cathode side gasket 254 is in close contact with the cathode plate 320 and the frame 400. As a result, leakage of oxidizing gas along the cathode plate 320 is suppressed.

  The anode-side gap space 242 and the cathode-side gap space are filled with a liquid sealant and cured (step S260). The liquid sealing agent supplied to the anode side sealing agent supply manifold 170 branches in each separator 300 and flows into the anode side sealing agent supply flow path 374 formed in the intermediate plate 330. The liquid sealant flows through the anode side sealant filling port 376 formed in the anode plate 310 and flows into the anode side gap space 242. When the liquid sealing agent is a thermosetting resin, the liquid sealing agent is sufficiently filled in the gap space on the anode side, and then the fuel cell 101 is heated to cure the liquid sealing agent. On the other hand, when the liquid sealant is a thermoplastic resin, the fuel cell 101 is heated and filled with the liquid sealant softened by heating, and the liquid sealant is sufficiently filled in the gap space on the anode side. Thereafter, the liquid sealing agent is cured by cooling the fuel cell 101. Since the liquid sealant is cured in a state where the fuel cell 101 is loaded and fastened, the fastening load does not apply to the hardened portion, but is applied to the anode side catalyst layer 212 and the cathode side catalyst layer 214 portion. As a result, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell 101 can be increased. The same applies to the cathode side.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, since the liquid sealant is filled and cured after the fuel cell is fastened, the load is mainly applied to the anode side catalyst layer 212 and the cathode side catalyst layer 214 portion. As a result, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell 101 can be increased. The same applies to the cathode side.

  According to this embodiment, the fuel cell 101 includes an anode side sealant supply manifold 170, an anode side sealant supply channel 374, an anode side sealant filling port 376, a cathode side sealant supply manifold 180, and a cathode side sealant supply. Since the flow path 384 and the cathode side sealant filling port 386 are provided independently, mixing of the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas through the liquid sealant filling manifold can be suppressed.

  According to this embodiment, the anode side sealant supply manifold hole 372, the anode side sealant supply flow path 374, and the anode side sealant filling port 376 change the mold used for manufacturing the anode plate 310 and the intermediate plate 330. Thus, it can be easily formed without changing the manufacturing process. The same applies to the cathode side sealant supply manifold hole 382, the cathode side sealant supply channel 384, and the cathode side sealant filling port 386.

  According to this embodiment, the liquid sealant is filled in the anode-side gap space 242 through the anode-side sealant supply manifold hole 372, the anode-side sealant supply channel 374, and the anode-side sealant filling port 376. Since it is not necessary to put a solid thermoplastic resin in the anode-side gap space 242 in advance, it is not necessary to widen the gap between the frame 400 and the anode-side porous body 232 in the anode-side gap space 242 and the design is facilitated. .

C. Variation:
(1) Modification 1
In the second embodiment, two sets of anode side sealant supply manifold 170, anode side sealant supply manifold hole 372, anode side sealant supply flow path 374, and anode side sealant filling port 376 are provided. May be used as a gas vent. Thereby, since the air clogged in the anode side clearance space 242 can be discharged when the liquid sealant is filled, the liquid sealant can be easily filled. Needless to say, a gas venting path may be provided separately. The same applies to the cathode side.

(2) Modification 2
In the first and second embodiments, the anode side sealant filling port 376 and the cathode side sealant filling port 386 are formed at the four corners of the fuel cell 100 or the fuel cell 101. The port 376 and the cathode side sealant filling port 386 may be formed on the long side or the short side of the fuel cell 100 or the fuel cell 101, for example.

(3) Modification 3
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the frame 400, the anode side gasket 252 and the cathode side gasket 254 are different members, but the frame may be integrated with the gasket. In this case, the anode side porous body 232 is arranged with a predetermined gap from the gasket, and an anode side gap space 242 is formed between the gasket and the anode side porous body 232.

(4) Modification 4
The contact portions of the anode-side sealant supply manifold 170, the anode-side sealant supply channel 374, the anode-side sealant filling port 376 and the anode-side gap space 242 with the liquid sealant are preferably surface-treated with a fluororesin. . Since the filling resistance of the liquid sealant is reduced by the surface treatment with the fluororesin, filling is facilitated.

(5) Modification 5
In the first and second embodiments, the anode-side porous body 232 or the cathode-side porous body 234 is used. However, the anode-side porous body 232 or the cathode-side porous body 234 is not limited to the porous body layer as long as it can diffuse the reaction gas. For example, the reaction gas may be diffused by digging a groove in the separator 300 to flow the reaction gas.

(6) Modification 6
In the second embodiment, the separator 300 uses a three-layer separator, and the surface facing the membrane electrode assembly 216 has a flat shape. However, the separator 300 may have any other configuration and shape. Is possible. For example, a carbon separator having a shape with grooves formed on the surface may be used.

(7) Modification 7
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the anode side gas diffusion layer 222 is provided between the membrane electrode assembly 216 and the anode side porous body 232. The anode side porous body 232 may be arranged on the membrane electrode assembly 216. The same applies to the cathode side.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above based on some examples. However, the above-described embodiments of the present invention are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and limit the present invention. It is not a thing. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, and it is needless to say that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

The perspective view which shows typically the external appearance structure of the fuel cell which concerns on a 1st Example. Explanatory drawing which shows typically the cross section of a fuel cell module when it cut | disconnects at the 1-1 cutting line shown in FIG. The flowchart explaining the manufacturing method of a fuel cell module. Explanatory drawing which shows typically the cross-section of the fuel cell module in the middle of manufacture. The perspective view which shows typically the external appearance structure of the fuel cell which concerns on a 2nd Example. The top view which shows a flame | frame typically. The top view which shows an anode plate typically. The top view which shows a cathode plate typically. The top view which shows an intermediate | middle plate typically. Sectional drawing which shows typically the cross section cut | disconnected by the 2-2 cutting line after each member shown in FIGS. 6-9 was accumulated. It is a flowchart explaining the manufacturing method of the fuel cell which concerns on a 2nd Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Fuel cell 101 ... Fuel cell 110 ... Fuel gas supply manifold 120 ... Fuel gas discharge manifold 130 ... Oxidation gas supply manifold 140 ... Oxidation gas discharge manifold 150 ... Coolant supply manifold 160 ... Coolant discharge manifold 170 ... Anode side sealant Supply manifold 180 ... Cathode side sealant supply manifold 200 ... Fuel cell module 210 ... Electrolyte membrane 212 ... Anode side catalyst layer 214 ... Cathode side catalyst layer 216 ... Membrane electrode assembly 222 ... Anode side gas diffusion layer 224 ... Cathode side gas diffusion Layer 232 ... Anode-side porous body 234 ... Cathode-side porous body 242 ... Anode-side gap space 244 ... Cathode-side gap space 252 ... Anode-side gasket 254 ... Cathode-side gasket 262 ... Anode-side sheath 264 ... Cathode side seal part 300 ... Separator 310 ... Anode plate 312 ... Fuel gas supply manifold hole 314 ... Fuel gas supply flow path 316 ... Fuel gas supply port 320 ... Cathode plate 322 ... Fuel gas discharge manifold hole 324 ... Fuel gas Discharge flow path 326 ... Fuel gas discharge port 330 ... Intermediate plate 332 ... Oxidation gas supply manifold hole 334 ... Oxidation gas supply flow path 336 ... Oxidation gas supply manifold 342 ... Oxidation gas discharge manifold hole 344 ... Oxidation gas discharge flow path 346 ... Oxidation Gas discharge port 352 ... Cooling medium supply manifold hole 354 ... Cooling medium flow path 362 ... Cooling medium discharge manifold hole 372 ... Anode side sealant supply manifold hole 374 ... Anode side sealant supply path 376 ... Anode side sealant filling port 382 ... Cathode Side sealant supply manifold hole 384 ... Cathode side sealant supply flow path 386 ... Cathode side sealant filling port 400 ... Frame 412 ... Fuel gas supply manifold hole 422 ... Fuel gas discharge manifold hole 432 ... Oxidation gas supply manifold hole 442 ... Oxidation Gas discharge manifold hole 452 ... Cooling water supply manifold hole 462 ... Cooling water discharge manifold hole 472 ... Anode side sealant supply manifold hole 482 ... Cathode side sealant supply manifold hole 490 ... Opening portion 510 ... Anode side load plate 520 ... Cathode Side load plate 576... Anode side sealant filling port 586... Cathode side sealant filling port

Claims (9)

A method for manufacturing a fuel cell module, comprising:
On at least one surface of the membrane electrode assembly, a gasket and a porous body forming a gas flow path are arranged at a predetermined interval to form a power generator,
The power generating body is sandwiched by a plate having a filling hole for filling a liquid sealing agent in a space formed by the gasket and the porous body,
Apply a load equal to or greater than the fastening load when the fuel cell module is laminated and the fuel cell is fastened, between the plates,
A method for producing a fuel cell module, wherein the space is filled with a liquid sealing agent from the filling hole under the load and cured. In the manufacturing method of the fuel cell module according to claim 1,
The plate includes a plurality of the filling holes,
The fuel cell module manufacturing method, wherein the filling of the liquid sealing agent is performed by filling the liquid sealing agent from the plurality of filling holes. A fuel cell,
A membrane electrode assembly in which a gasket is disposed on the outer edge, and
A power generating body having an inner wall of the gasket and a porous body disposed on at least one surface of the membrane electrode assembly at a predetermined interval;
A separator arranged to sandwich the power generator;
A manifold formed by holes penetrating the separator;
A communication passage that communicates the manifold and the space formed by the gasket and the porous body;
A fuel cell comprising: The fuel cell according to claim 3, wherein
The separator is
A first plate having a first hole for forming the manifold and the branch path;
A second plate facing one surface of the first plate and having a second hole for connecting the first hole and the space and a third hole for constituting the manifold; ,
A fuel cell comprising: a third plate facing the other surface of the first plate and having a fourth hole for constituting the manifold. The fuel cell according to claim 4, wherein
The fuel cell, wherein a plurality of the second holes are provided in the second plate. The fuel cell according to any one of claims 3 to 5,
The fuel cell, wherein the contact portion of the communication path and the space with the liquid sealant is surface-treated with a fluororesin. The fuel cell according to any one of claims 3 to 6,
A fuel cell in which the space is filled with a liquid sealant and cured. The fuel cell according to any one of claims 3 to 7,
The manifold and the communication passage are adjacent to the anode-side manifold and the anode-side communication passage connected to the first space adjacent to the anode-side porous body through which the fuel gas flows, and the cathode-side porous body through which the oxidizing gas flows. And a cathode side manifold and a cathode side communication passage connected to the second space. A fuel cell manufacturing method comprising:
A fuel cell module is configured by disposing a porous body at a predetermined distance from the inner wall of the gasket on at least one surface of a membrane electrode assembly in which a gasket is disposed on the outer edge portion;
Form holes to form manifolds and communication passages in the separator plate,
Assemble the separator from the separator plate,
Assembling a fuel cell by alternately laminating the power generator and the separator,
A method for manufacturing a fuel cell, comprising filling a space formed by the gasket and the porous body with a liquid sealant via the manifold and the communication path and curing the liquid sealant.

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