JP2010272314A - Fuel cell, and method for manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and quickly assemble a plurality of cell units and to efficiently assemble the cell units. <P>SOLUTION: A cell unit 12 constituting a fuel cell 10 includes a first separator 14, a first electrolyte membrane-electrode structure 16a, a second separator 18, a second electrolyte membrane-electrode structure 16b, and a third separator 20. Resin fastening parts 110a, 110b, 110c are arranged in the peripheral parts of the first separator 14, second separator 18 and third separator 20. A first hole 114a and a second hole 114b into which a joining pin 13 is selectively inserted are formed in the resin fastening parts 110a, 110b, 110c. The joining pin 13 has a large-diameter flange part 118a, and a recessed part 120 set in a tapered shape reducing the diameter inward in the pin axis direction is formed in the large-diameter flange part 118a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention includes a unit cell in which an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure provided with a pair of electrodes on both sides of an electrolyte membrane and a separator are stacked, and the unit cell is integrated by a joining pin, and a method for manufacturing the same About.

  For example, in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure (MEA) in which an anode side electrode and a cathode side electrode are disposed on both sides of an electrolyte membrane made of a polymer ion exchange membrane is sandwiched by separators. It constitutes a unit cell (unit cell). This type of fuel cell (unit cell) is normally used as a fuel cell stack by stacking a predetermined number.

  In this type of fuel cell, several tens to several hundreds of fuel cells are usually stacked to form a fuel cell stack. At that time, the fuel cell itself and the fuel cells need to be accurately positioned. For example, a fuel cell disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known.

  The conventional fuel cell includes a plurality of metal clip members that hold the outer circumferences of the first and second separators at a plurality of locations, and the metal clip member is bent at a side plate portion and an end portion of the side plate portion. The first and second tongue pieces gripping the outer circumferences of the first and second separators, the first and second tongue pieces being configured to be longer than the side plate, and springs It has sex.

JP 2004-241208 A

  In said fuel cell, the operation | work which mounts | wears with a metal clip member in multiple places for every fuel cell is required. For this reason, the mounting operation of the metal clip member becomes complicated, and particularly when the fuel cell stack is assembled by stacking several hundreds of fuel cells, the operation takes considerable time and labor. As a result, there is a problem that efficient assembly work is not performed.

  The present invention solves this type of problem, and provides a fuel cell capable of easily and rapidly assembling a plurality of fuel cells, and capable of efficiently assembling the fuel cells, and a method for manufacturing the same. The purpose is to provide.

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell including a cell unit in which an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure provided with a pair of electrodes on both sides of an electrolyte membrane and a separator are stacked, and the cell unit is integrated by a joining pin. .

  The joining pin has a large-diameter flange portion that engages with one end side of the cell unit and a head portion that engages with the other end side of the cell unit. Are formed.

  Moreover, it is preferable that a recessed part is set to the taper shape which diameter-reduces toward the inside of a joining pin axial direction.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the joining pin is formed of a resin material, and the head portion is configured by expanding the diameter of the end portion of the column body portion by welding.

  Furthermore, the present invention includes a cell unit in which an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure provided with a pair of electrodes on both sides of an electrolyte membrane and a separator are laminated, and the cell unit is integrated by a joining pin. It relates to a manufacturing method.

  In this manufacturing method, the step of positioning and holding the joining pin at the assembly position by sucking the recess formed in the large-diameter flange portion of the joining pin, and the joining pin in the hole provided in the cell unit. A step of disposing the cell unit by inserting, expanding a diameter of an end of the joining pin exposed to the outside from the cell unit to form a head, and the head and the large-diameter flange portion And holding the cell unit together.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the joining pin is formed of a resin material and the head portion is formed by expanding the diameter of the end portion of the column body portion by welding.

  According to the present invention, since the concave portion is provided in the large-diameter flange portion of the joining pin, the joining pin can be positioned and held by sucking the concave portion. Therefore, the cell unit can be integrally disposed with respect to each joining pin in a state where the plurality of joining pins are reliably positioned and held.

  As a result, when a small size and a large number of joining pins are used, the operation of integrating the cell units via the joining pins is performed accurately and quickly, and the workability can be easily improved.

  According to the present invention, the joining pin is inserted into the hole of the cell unit in a state where the joining pin is reliably positioned and held at the assembly position by the suction of the recess. For this reason, the operation | work which inserts a joining pin in the hole of a cell unit is simplified.

  Subsequently, the end of the joint pin exposed from the cell unit to the outside is expanded in diameter, so that the cell unit can be integrated via the joint pin. Thereby, the manufacturing operation of the cell unit can be performed easily and quickly.

It is a principal part disassembled perspective explanatory drawing of the fuel cell which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the one surface side of the 1st separator which comprises the said fuel cell. It is explanatory drawing of the one surface side of the 2nd separator which comprises the said fuel cell. It is front explanatory drawing of the 3rd separator which comprises the said fuel cell. It is the VV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 1 of the resin fastening part which comprises the said fuel cell. It is the VI-VI sectional view taken on the line in FIG. 1 when a joining pin is inserted in the said resin fastening part. It is a schematic perspective view of a welding apparatus. It is explanatory drawing at the time of assembling a fuel cell by the said resin-made fastening parts. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of a shaping | molding apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the state by which the said shaping | molding apparatus was released. It is explanatory drawing when a joining pin is released from the said shaping | molding apparatus. It is explanatory drawing when the said joining pin is adsorbed-held on an adsorption | suction work table. It is explanatory drawing when a fuel cell is arrange | positioned at the said joining pin. It is a principal part disassembled perspective explanatory drawing of the fuel cell which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional explanatory drawing of the resin-made fastening parts which comprise the said fuel cell. It is principal part cross-sectional explanatory drawing of the cell unit which comprises the fuel cell which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a cell unit 12, and the cell unit 12 is integrated by a joining pin 13. The cell unit 12 includes a first separator 14, a first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure (electrolyte / electrode structure) (MEA) 16 a, a second separator 18, a second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 16 b, and a third separator 20. They are stacked in the horizontal direction (arrow A direction) or in the direction of gravity (arrow C direction).

  The 1st separator 14, the 2nd separator 18, and the 3rd separator 20 are comprised, for example with the steel plate, the stainless steel plate, the aluminum plate, the plating treatment steel plate, or the metal plate which gave the surface treatment for anticorrosion to the metal surface. The 1st separator 14, the 2nd separator 18, and the 3rd separator 20 have cross-sectional uneven | corrugated shape by pressing a metal thin plate into a waveform. The first separator 14, the second separator 18, and the third separator 20 may be carbon separators instead of metal separators.

  The first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 16a is set to have a smaller surface area than the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 16b. The first and second electrolyte membrane / electrode structures 16a and 16b include, for example, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22 in which a perfluorosulfonic acid thin film is impregnated with water, and an anode side sandwiching the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22 The electrode 24 and the cathode side electrode 26 are provided.

  The anode side electrode 24 constitutes a so-called stepped MEA having a smaller surface area than the cathode side electrode 26. The solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22, the anode side electrode 24, and the cathode side electrode 26 are each provided with a cutout at the top and bottom of both ends in the direction of arrow B to reduce the surface area.

  The anode side electrode 24 and the cathode side electrode 26 are uniformly coated on the surface of the gas diffusion layer with a gas diffusion layer (not shown) made of carbon paper or the like and porous carbon particles carrying a platinum alloy on the surface. And an electrode catalyst layer (not shown) formed. The electrode catalyst layers are formed on both surfaces of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22.

  An oxidant gas inlet communication hole 30a for supplying an oxidant gas, for example, an oxygen-containing gas, communicates with each other in the arrow A direction at the upper edge of the long side direction (arrow C direction) of the cell unit 12. And a fuel gas inlet communication hole 32a for supplying a fuel gas, for example, a hydrogen-containing gas.

  The lower end edge of the cell unit 12 in the long side direction (arrow C direction) communicates with each other in the direction of arrow A to discharge the fuel gas outlet communication hole 32b for discharging the fuel gas, and to discharge the oxidant gas. The oxidant gas outlet communication hole 30b is provided.

  At one edge of the cell unit 12 in the short side direction (arrow B direction), there is provided a cooling medium inlet communication hole 34a communicating with each other in the arrow A direction for supplying the cooling medium. A cooling medium outlet communication hole 34b for discharging the cooling medium is provided at the other end edge in the short side direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first fuel gas flow that communicates the fuel gas inlet communication hole 32a and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 32b to the surface 14a of the first separator 14 facing the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 16a. A path 36 is formed. The first fuel gas channel 36 has a plurality of wave-shaped channel grooves extending in the direction of arrow C, and in the vicinity of the inlet (upper end) and outlet (lower end) of the first fuel gas channel 36, An inlet buffer portion 38 and an outlet buffer portion 40 each having a plurality of embossments are provided.

  A cooling medium flow path 44 that connects the cooling medium inlet communication hole 34 a and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 34 b is formed on the surface 14 b of the first separator 14. The cooling medium flow path 44 has a back surface shape of the first fuel gas flow path 36.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the surface 18a of the second separator 18 facing the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 16a is connected to the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 30a and the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 30b. An agent gas flow path 50 is formed. The first oxidant gas flow channel 50 has a plurality of wavy flow channel grooves extending in the direction of arrow C. In the vicinity of the inlet (upper end) and outlet (lower end) of the first oxidant gas flow path 50, an inlet buffer portion 52 and an outlet buffer portion 54 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the second fuel gas flow that communicates the fuel gas inlet communication hole 32a and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 32b to the surface 18b of the second separator 18 facing the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 16b. A path 58 is formed. The second fuel gas channel 58 has a plurality of wavy channel grooves extending in the direction of arrow C, and in the vicinity of the inlet (upper end) and outlet (lower end) of the second fuel gas channel 58, An inlet buffer unit 60 and an outlet buffer unit 62 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the surface 20a of the third separator 20 facing the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 16b is connected to the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 30a and the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 30b. An agent gas channel 66 is formed.

  The second oxidant gas flow channel 66 has a plurality of wavy flow channel grooves extending in the direction of arrow C. In the vicinity of the inlet (upper end) and outlet (lower end) of the second oxidant gas flow channel 66, an inlet buffer portion 68 and an outlet buffer portion 70 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a cooling medium flow path 44 that connects the cooling medium inlet communication hole 34 a and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 34 b is formed on the surface 20 b of the third separator 20. The cooling medium flow path 44 is formed by overlapping the back surface shapes (wave shapes) of the first fuel gas flow path 36 and the second oxidant gas flow path 66.

  A first seal member 74 is integrally formed on the surfaces 14 a and 14 b of the first separator 14 around the outer peripheral edge of the first separator 14. On the surfaces 18a and 18b of the second separator 18, a second seal member 76 is integrally formed around the outer peripheral edge of the second separator 18, and on the surfaces 20a and 20b of the third separator 20, A third seal member 78 is integrally formed around the outer peripheral edge of the third separator 20.

  As the first to third seal members 74, 76 and 78, for example, EPDM, NBR, fluorine rubber, silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, butyl rubber, natural rubber, styrene rubber, chloroprene or acrylic rubber or the like, cushion A material or packing material is used.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first separator 14 has an inlet-side first connection channel 80 a that communicates the fuel gas inlet communication hole 32 a and the first fuel gas channel 36, and a fuel gas outlet communication hole. An outlet-side first connection channel 80 b that communicates 32 b with the first fuel gas channel 36 is provided. The inlet-side first connection channel 80a has a plurality of outer supply holes 82a and a plurality of inner supply holes 82b.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of passages 84a are provided on the surface 14a side to communicate the fuel gas inlet communication holes 32a and the outer supply hole portions 82a. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of passages 84b communicating the outer supply hole 82a and the inner supply hole 82b are formed on the surface 14b side. Similarly, the outlet-side first connection flow path 80b includes a plurality of outer discharge holes 86a and a plurality of inner discharge holes 86b.

  On the surface 14a side, a plurality of passages 88a communicating the fuel gas outlet communication holes 32b and the respective outer discharge hole portions 86a are formed. On the surface 14b side, a plurality of passages 88b communicating the outer discharge hole portion 86a and the inner discharge hole portion 86b are formed (see FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of inlet-side connection flow paths 89 a and a plurality of outlets are provided at the communication portion between the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 30 a and the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 30 b and the first oxidant gas flow path 50. A plurality of receiving portions 90a and 90b that form the side connection channel 89b are provided.

  The second separator 18 includes an inlet-side second connection channel 92 a that communicates the fuel gas inlet communication hole 32 a and the second fuel gas channel 58, a fuel gas outlet communication hole 32 b, and the second fuel gas channel 58. And an outlet-side second connection channel 92b that communicates with each other. The inlet-side second connection channel 92 a has a supply hole 94. On the surface 18a side, a passage 96a that connects the fuel gas inlet communication hole 32a and the supply hole portion 94 is formed.

  Similarly, the outlet-side second connection channel 92b has a plurality of discharge holes 98. On the surface 18a side, a plurality of passages 100a that connect the discharge hole portion 98 to the fuel gas outlet communication hole 32b are formed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the third separator 20 includes a plurality of inlet-side connection flows in the communication portion between the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 30 a and the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 30 b and the second oxidant gas flow channel 66. A plurality of receiving portions 102a and 102b that form the channel 101a and the plurality of outlet-side connecting flow channels 101b are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of resin fastening portions 110a, 110b, and 110c are provided on the outer peripheral edge portions of the first separator 14, the second separator 18, and the third separator 20, respectively. The resin fastening portions 110a, 110b and 110c are made of PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), POM (polyacetal), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PEEK (polyether ether ketone), LCP (liquid crystal polymer), polyimide or ABS resin, or the like. Is done.

  The resin fastening portions 110a, 110b, and 110c are fixed in advance to the notches provided in the metal plates constituting the first separator 14 to the third separator 20 by caulking, bonding, etc. Alternatively, an insulating resin may be integrally injection-molded in the notch portion of the metal plate.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the resin fastening portion 110 a provided in the first separator 14 integrally forms a connecting pin portion 112 that protrudes toward the surface 14 a. On both sides of the connecting pin portion 112, at least a first hole portion 114a and a second hole portion 114b in which a joining pin (rebuilt pin) 13 can be selectively arranged are formed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the resin fastening portions 110 b and 110 c provided in the second and third separators 18 and 20 have a fastening hole portion 116 for fastening when a connecting pin portion 112 is inserted in the center. At the same time, at least a first hole 114 a and a second hole 114 b are formed on both sides of the hole 116.

  As shown in FIG.1 and FIG.6, the joining pin 13 used instead of the connection pin part 112 is comprised with insulating resin similarly to the resin fastening parts 110a-110c. The joining pin 13 has a large-diameter flange portion 118 a that is set to have a larger diameter than the first hole portion 114 a and the second hole portion 114 b of the first separator 14 and abuts on the surface 14 b side of the first separator 14.

  A recess 120 for sucking and holding the joining pin is formed in the large diameter flange portion 118a. The concave portion 120 is set in a tapered shape that decreases in diameter toward the inner side of the joining pin axial direction (arrow A direction). The column part 118b bulging from the large diameter flange part 118a is selectively inserted into each first hole part 114a or second hole part 114b. The distal end of the column body portion 118b constitutes a head portion 118c whose diameter has been increased by a welding process described later, and this head portion 118c is locked to the surface 20b side of the third separator 20.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the welding apparatus 130 that performs the welding process on the connecting pin portion 112 and the joining pin 13 includes an adsorption work table 134 disposed on a gantry 132. Six suction holes 136a and 136b are formed in the suction work table 134 corresponding to the positions of the first hole 114a and the second hole 114b. The suction holes 136a and 136b individually communicate with a negative pressure generation source (not shown).

  A plurality of support columns 138 are erected on the outside of the adsorption work table 134, and an elevating actuator (for example, a linear motor) 140 is attached to the upper portion of the support columns 138. A lift base 142 is attached to the lift actuator 140. For example, six welding tips 144 are provided on the elevating base 142 corresponding to the connecting pin portion 112 and the joining pin 13. The welding tip 144 is heated to a predetermined temperature, for example, a temperature of 250 ° C. to 300 ° C., and a molding surface 144a having a predetermined shape is provided on the tip side of the welding tip 144 (see FIG. 8). .

  FIG. 9 is a schematic explanatory view of a forming apparatus 150 for forming the joining pin 13. The molding apparatus 150 includes a fixed mold 152 and a movable mold 154, and a cavity 156 is formed between them. The fixed mold 152 is provided with a core pin 158 and an eject pin 160. A tapered surface 158 a corresponding to the concave portion 120 of the joining pin 13 is formed at the tip of the core pin 158.

  In the molding apparatus 150, the molten resin is filled into the cavity 156 with the fixed mold 152 and the movable mold 154 being clamped. After the molten resin is solidified in the cavity 156 and the joining pin 13 is formed, the movable mold 154 moves away from the fixed mold 152 (see FIG. 10).

  At that time, the taper surface 158a of the core pin 158 is in close contact with the recess 120 of the large diameter flange portion 118a due to the shrinkage of the injection resin. Therefore, the joining pin 13 is securely held by the core pin 158 and released from the movable die 154. Next, when the eject pin 160 is pushed into the large-diameter flange portion 118a, the joining pin 13 is released from the fixed die 152 (see FIG. 11). For this reason, there exists an advantage that the moldability of the joining pin 13 improves favorably.

  The operation of assembling the fuel cell 10 configured as described above will be described below.

  When each cell unit 12 is newly assembled, as shown in FIG. 8, the connecting pin portion 112 provided in the resin fastening portion 110 a of the first separator 14 is replaced with the resin fastening portion 110 b of the second and third separators 20. , 110c are inserted into the respective holes 116 provided integrally.

  In this state, the six welding tips 144 constituting the welding device 130 are lowered integrally with the lifting base 142 under the action of the lifting actuator 140 as shown in FIG. For this reason, each welding tip 144 brings the molding surface 144a into contact with the tip of each connecting pin portion 112.

  Here, the welding tip 144 is heated to a temperature of 250 ° C. to 300 ° C., for example, and is pressed against the tip of the connecting pin portion 112 with a pressure of 1N to 2N for 10 seconds to 30 seconds. Therefore, the tip of each connecting pin portion 112 is melted and deformed to form a head portion 112a (see FIG. 5). The head portion 112 a is enlarged in diameter on the surface 20 b side of the third separator 20 and is formed to have a larger diameter than the hole portion 116. Thereby, the 1st separator 14, the 2nd separator 18, and the 3rd separator 20 can be assembled | attached integrally.

  As described above, each cell unit 12 is fastened by the connecting pin portion 112 to constitute the fuel cell 10.

  Next, the operation of the fuel cell 10 will be described below.

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, an oxidant gas such as an oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 30a, and a fuel gas such as a hydrogen-containing gas is supplied to the fuel gas inlet communication hole 32a. Further, a cooling medium such as pure water, ethylene glycol, or oil is supplied to the cooling medium inlet communication hole 34a.

  Therefore, the oxidant gas is introduced from the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 30a into the first oxidant gas channel 50 of the second separator 18 and the second oxidant gas channel 66 of the third separator 20 (FIG. 3). And FIG. 4). The oxidant gas moves in the direction of arrow C (the direction of gravity) along the first oxidant gas flow path 50 and is supplied to the cathode side electrode 26 of the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 16a. It moves in the direction of arrow C along the oxidant gas flow channel 66 and is supplied to the cathode electrode 26 of the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 16b (see FIG. 1).

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the fuel gas is introduced into the passages 84 a and 96 a formed between the first separator 14 and the second separator 18 from the fuel gas inlet communication hole 32 a. As shown in FIG. 2, the fuel gas introduced into the passage 84a moves to the surface 14b side of the first separator 14 through the outer supply hole 82a. Further, the fuel gas is introduced from the inner supply hole 82b to the surface 14a side through the passage 84b.

  For this reason, the fuel gas is sent to the inlet buffer section 38 through the passage 84b, moves in the direction of gravity (in the direction of arrow C) along the first fuel gas flow path 36, and the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure. 16a is supplied to the anode side electrode 24.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the fuel gas introduced into the passage 96 a moves to the surface 18 b side of the second separator 18 through the supply hole portion 94. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 1, the fuel gas is supplied to the inlet buffer 60 on the surface 18b side, and then moves in the direction of arrow C along the second fuel gas flow path 58. It is supplied to the anode side electrode 24 of the electrode structure 16b.

  Therefore, in the first and second electrolyte membrane / electrode structures 16a and 16b, the oxidant gas supplied to the cathode side electrode 26 and the fuel gas supplied to the anode side electrode 24 are electrically generated in the electrode catalyst layer. It is consumed by chemical reaction to generate electricity.

  Next, the oxidant gas consumed by being supplied to the cathode-side electrodes 26 of the first and second electrolyte membrane / electrode structures 16a and 16b is discharged in the direction of arrow A along the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 30b. The

  As shown in FIG. 2, the fuel gas that is consumed by being supplied to the anode-side electrode 24 of the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 16a passes through the inner discharge hole 86b from the outlet buffer 40 and flows through the first separator 14 as shown in FIG. Derived to the surface 14b side.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel gas derived | led-out to the surface 14b side is introduce | transduced into the outer discharge hole part 86a, and moves to the surface 14a side again. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the fuel gas is discharged from the outer discharge hole 86a through the passage 88a to the fuel gas outlet communication hole 32b.

  In addition, the fuel gas supplied to and consumed by the anode electrode 24 of the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 16 b moves from the outlet buffer 62 to the surface 18 a through the discharge hole 98. As shown in FIG. 3, the fuel gas passes through the passage 100a and is discharged to the fuel gas outlet communication hole 32b.

  On the other hand, after the cooling medium supplied to the cooling medium inlet communication hole 34a is introduced into the cooling medium flow path 44 formed between the first separator 14 and the third separator 20, as shown in FIG. Circulate in the direction of arrow B. The cooling medium cools the first and second electrolyte membrane / electrode structures 16a and 16b, and then is discharged into the cooling medium outlet communication hole 34b.

  Next, when the assembled fuel cell 10 is disassembled for parts replacement or analysis due to failure or the like, first, the head portion 112a of the connecting pin portion 112 is removed, and the cell units 12 are separated from each other. Is done. On the other hand, the joining pin 13 comprised separately is prepared (refer FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIG. 12, each joining pin 13 is arrange | positioned corresponding to each suction hole 136a on the adsorption | suction work table 134 which comprises the welding apparatus 130, for example. And the recessed part 120 of the joining pin 13 is attracted | sucked through the suction hole 136a under the effect | action of the negative pressure generation source which is not shown in figure. For this reason, the joining pin 13 is sucked and held on the suction work table 134.

  In that case, the recessed part 120 is set to the taper shape which diameter-reduces toward the inside of a joining pin axial direction. Therefore, the concave portion 120 has centripetality, and the suction of the concave portion 120 has an effect that the joining pin 13 is positioned and held with high accuracy and reliability with respect to a desired work position.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the first separator 14, the second separator 18, and the third separator 20 are placed on the adsorption work table 134, and the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 16 a and the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure. The body 16b is sandwiched and stacked, and the joining pin 13 is integrally inserted into each first hole 114a, for example.

  In the joining pin 13, the column body portion 118 b is integrally inserted in each first hole portion 114 a, and the large-diameter flange portion 118 a is abutted and supported by the first separator 14. In this state, the six welding tips 144 are lowered integrally with the lifting base 142 under the action of the lifting actuator 140.

  As a result, a welding process is performed on the tip of each column body portion 118b via each welding tip 144, and a head portion 118c is formed. Therefore, the cell unit 12 is integrally sandwiched between the large-diameter flange portion 118a and the head portion 118c of the joining pin 13, and the fuel cell 10 is reassembled.

  Here, in the cell units 12 adjacent to each other, the joining pin 13 is inserted into the first hole 114 a constituting one cell unit 12, and the joining pin is inserted into the second hole 114 b constituting the other cell unit 12. 13 is inserted. For this reason, in the cell units 12 adjacent to each other, the respective joining pins 13 are arranged in a staggered manner along the laminating direction, whereby interference between the joining pins 13 can be prevented, and the dimension in the laminating direction can be reduced. It becomes possible to make it as short as possible.

  As described above, when the cell unit 12 is reassembled, the separate joining pin 13 is used instead of the connecting pin portion 112. The joining pin 13 is simply inserted into each first hole portion 114a or each second hole portion 114b, so that the effect of reassembling the cell unit 12 quickly and satisfactorily can be obtained.

  Further, when the cell unit 12 is reassembled, the joining pin 13 is integrally inserted into each first hole 114a, while when the fuel cell is reassembled, the joining pin 13 is integrally inserted into each second hole 114b. can do. Thereby, since the assembly of the cell unit 12 is easily performed a plurality of times, various processes such as component replacement and analysis of the cell unit 12 can be satisfactorily performed.

  Therefore, when the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 16a or the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 16b needs to be repaired or replaced, the first separator 14, the second separator 18 and the third separator 20 are re-installed. Can be used. For this reason, there is an advantage that the disassembly and reassembly work of the cell unit 12 is simplified at a time while being economical.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the concave portion 120 is provided in the large diameter flange portion 118 a of the joining pin 13. For this reason, the bonding pin 13 can be reliably positioned and held by sucking the recess 120 on the suction work table 134. Accordingly, the cell unit 12 can be integrally disposed with respect to each joining pin 13 in a state where the plurality of joining pins 13 are positioned and held.

  As a result, when the small number and a large number of joining pins 13 are used, the operation of integrating the cell units 12 via the joining pins 13 is performed accurately and quickly, and the manufacturing workability of the fuel cell 10 is improved. The effect that improvement is easily achieved is obtained.

  FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of a fuel cell 170 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The same components as those of the fuel cell 10 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The fuel cell 170 is configured by stacking a plurality of cell units 172, and the cell unit 172 includes a first separator 174, an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 176, and a second separator 178.

  An oxidant gas inlet communication hole 30a, a fuel gas inlet communication hole 32a, and a coolant inlet communication hole 34a are formed at the upper edge of the long side direction (arrow C direction) of the cell unit 172. An oxidant gas outlet communication hole 30b, a fuel gas outlet communication hole 32b, and a cooling medium outlet communication hole 34b are formed at the lower edge of the cell unit 172 in the long side direction.

  A first fuel gas flow path 36 is formed on a surface 14a of the first separator 174 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 176, and a surface 20a of the second separator 178 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 176 is formed on the surface 20a. A first oxidant gas flow path 50 is formed. A cooling medium flow path 44 is formed between the surface 14 b of the first separator 174 and the surface 20 b of the second separator 148.

  As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a plurality of resin fastening portions 180a are provided on the outer peripheral edge portion of the first separator 174, and the resin fastening portions 180a are provided on the outer peripheral edge portion of the second separator 178. A plurality of resin fastening portions 180b are provided correspondingly.

  In the resin fastening portion 180a, the connecting pin portion 112 is integrally formed at the center, and at least the first hole portion 114a and the second hole portion 114b are formed on both sides of the connecting pin portion 112. The resin fastening part 180b has a hole 116 formed in the center part, and at least a first hole part 114a and a second hole part 114b into which the joining pin 13 is selectively inserted on both sides of the hole part 116. It is formed.

  In the second embodiment configured as described above, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  FIG. 16 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a main part of a cell unit 192 constituting a fuel cell 190 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The same components as those of the fuel cell 10 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The first separator 14, the second separator 18 and the third separator 20 constituting the cell unit 192 are provided with resin fastening portions 194a, 194b and 194c on the outer peripheral edge portions, respectively. The resin fastening portion 194 a provided in the first separator 14 bulges in the laminating direction and is integrally formed with a connecting pin portion 196, and the third separator 20 circulates around the hole portion 116 and tapers 198. Is formed.

  In the third embodiment configured as described above, the connecting pin portion 196 integrally formed with the resin fastening portion 194 a of the first separator 14 is integrated with each hole 116 of the second separator 18 and the third separator 20. After the insertion, the conical head 196a is formed by performing a welding process on the tip.

  The head 196a is formed along the shape of the tapered surface 198 of the third separator 20, and can be assembled with the first separator 14, the second separator 18 and the third separator 20 positioned relative to each other. Therefore, in the third embodiment, positioning accuracy is improved and the same effects as those in the first and second embodiments are obtained.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 170, 190 ... Fuel cell 12, 172, 192 ... Cell unit 13 ... Joining pin 14, 18, 20, 174, 178 ... Separator 16a, 16b, 176 ... Electrolyte membrane and electrode structure 22 ... Solid polymer electrolyte membrane 24 ... anode side electrode 26 ... cathode side electrode 30a ... oxidant gas inlet communication hole 30b ... oxidant gas outlet communication hole 32a ... fuel gas inlet communication hole 32b ... fuel gas outlet communication hole 34a ... cooling medium inlet communication hole 34b ... cooling Medium outlet communication hole 36, 58 ... Fuel gas flow path 44 ... Cooling medium flow path 50, 66 ... Oxidant gas flow path 74, 76, 78 ... Seal members 110a to 110c, 180a, 180b, 194a to 194c ... Resin fastening 114a, 114b, 116 ... hole 118a ... large diameter flange 118b ... column body 118c ... head 120 ... recess 13 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 0 ... Welding apparatus 132 ... Stand 134 ... Adsorption work stand 136a, 136b ... Suction hole 140 ... Elevating actuator 144 ... Welding chip 150 ... Molding apparatus 152 ... Fixed mold 154 ... Movable mold 156 ... Cavity

Claims (5)

A fuel cell comprising a cell unit in which an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure provided with a pair of electrodes on both sides of an electrolyte membrane and a separator are stacked, and the cell unit is integrated by a joining pin,
The joining pin has a large-diameter flange portion that engages with one end side of the cell unit;
A head engaged with the other end of the cell unit;
And having
The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein a concave portion for sucking and holding the joining pin is formed in the large-diameter flange portion.   2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the concave portion is set in a tapered shape whose diameter is reduced inwardly in the joining pin axial direction. 3. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the joining pin is formed of a resin material,
The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the head is configured by expanding the diameter of the end of the column body by welding. A method of manufacturing a fuel cell comprising a cell unit in which an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure provided with a pair of electrodes on both sides of an electrolyte membrane and a separator are laminated, and the cell unit is integrated by a joining pin,
A step of positioning and holding the joining pin at the assembly position by sucking a recess formed in the large-diameter flange portion of the joining pin;
Inserting the joining pin into a hole provided in the cell unit and disposing the cell unit;
Expanding the end of the joining pin exposed to the outside from the cell unit to form a head, and holding the cell unit integrally with the head and the large-diameter flange; and
A method for producing a fuel cell, comprising: The manufacturing method according to claim 4, wherein the joining pin is formed of a resin material,
A method of manufacturing a fuel cell, wherein the head portion is formed by expanding the diameter of an end portion of a column body portion by welding.

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