JP2015032416A - Membrane transferring device and transferring method for membrane - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve overlapping accuracy between an electrolyte membrane and an electrode catalyst layer.SOLUTION: A membrane transferring device includes: a lamination roller for bonding a first membrane and a second membrane; a first sensor disposed on the upstream of the lamination roller and measuring a position of the first membrane in a width direction thereof; an unwinding roller for unwinding the second membrane; and an unwinding roller moving device for moving the unwinding roller along the central axis of the unwinding roller, on the basis of a measurement value of the position of the first membrane in the width direction.

Description

  The present invention relates to a film transfer apparatus and a film transfer method.

  A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) used in a fuel cell is obtained by joining an electrode catalyst layer of an anode and a cathode carrying a catalyst for promoting a fuel cell reaction on both membrane surfaces of an electrolyte membrane. Yes. As a method for producing this membrane electrode assembly, a support sheet on which an electrode catalyst layer has been formed and a long electrolyte membrane sheet are overlapped to join the electrode catalyst layer to the electrolyte membrane surface, A method of transferring the image has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-19654

  By the way, the electrolyte membrane or the electrode catalyst layer may meander during web conveyance. In such a case, the electrolyte membrane is displaced from the electrode catalyst layer during transfer. Conventionally, the width of the electrolyte membrane has been increased so that the electrode catalyst layer does not come off from the electrolyte membrane even if a deviation occurs between the electrolyte membrane and the electrode catalyst layer. The portion of the electrolyte membrane that protruded from the electrode catalyst layer was discarded. In order to reduce the amount of the electrolyte membrane that is discarded, it is required to improve the alignment accuracy of the membrane during transfer and to reduce the width of the electrolyte membrane as much as possible. This problem occurs not only when the electrode catalyst layer is transferred to the electrolyte membrane, but also when a certain film is transferred to another film.

  In order to achieve at least a part of the problems described above, the present invention can be implemented as the following forms.

(1) According to one aspect of the present invention, a film transfer apparatus is provided. The film transfer apparatus includes a laminating roller that bonds a first film and a second film, and a first sensor that is disposed upstream of the laminating roller and measures a position in the width direction of the first film. And an unwinding roller that unwinds the second film, and a winding that moves the unwinding roller along the central axis of the unwinding roller based on the measured value of the position in the width direction of the first film. An exit roller moving device. According to this film transfer apparatus, the second film is unwound by moving the unwinding roller along the central axis of the unwinding roller based on the measured value of the position in the width direction of the first film. The alignment accuracy between the first film and the second film can be improved.

(2) In the film transfer device according to the above aspect, the apparatus further includes a second sensor that is disposed between the unwinding roller and the lamination roller and measures a position in the width direction of the second film,
The roller moving device is configured to move the unwinding roller to the center of the unwinding roller based on the measured value of the position in the width direction of the first film and the measured value of the position in the width direction of the second film. You may move along an axis. According to the film transfer apparatus of this aspect, the unwinding roller is arranged at the center of the unwinding roller based on the measured value of the position in the width direction of the first film and the measured value of the position in the width direction of the second film. Since the second film is unwound by being moved along the axis, it is possible to improve the alignment accuracy between the first film and the second film.

(3) In the film transfer apparatus of the above aspect, the distance from the unwinding roller to the lamination roller may be equal to or less than the distance from the first sensor to the lamination roller. According to the film transfer apparatus of this aspect, when the shifted portion of the first film detected by the first sensor reaches or before reaching the stacking roller, the second film portion is an unwinding roller. Since the position-corrected portion arrives by the movement of, the feedback effect is great, and the alignment accuracy between the first film and the second film can be improved.

(4) In the film transfer apparatus according to the above aspect, the transport time of the second film from the unwinding roller to the stacking roller is the transport time of the first film from the first sensor to the stacking roller. It may be the following. According to the film transfer apparatus of this aspect, when the shifted portion of the first film detected by the first sensor reaches or before reaching the stacking roller, the second film portion is an unwinding roller. Since the position-corrected portion arrives by the movement of, the feedback effect is great, and the alignment accuracy between the first film and the second film can be improved.

(5) According to one aspect of the present invention, a film transfer method is provided. This film transfer method measures the position in the width direction of the first film before the first film and the second film are bonded and transferred to the position in the width direction of the first film. Based on this, the unwinding roller for unwinding the second film is moved along the central axis of the unwinding roller, unwinding the second film, and the first film and the second film Paste and transfer. According to this film transfer method, the second film is unwound by moving the second lamination roller along the central axis of the second sheet roll based on the measured value of the position in the width direction of the first film. Since the first film and the second film are bonded and transferred, it is possible to improve the alignment accuracy between the first film and the second film.

  The present invention can be realized in various forms. For example, in addition to a film transfer device, the present invention can be realized in the form of a film transfer method, a catalyst transfer device in a fuel cell, a catalyst transfer method, and the like. .

It is explanatory drawing which shows schematically the cross section of the single cell which comprises the fuel cell as embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the structural member of a single cell is prepared. It is explanatory drawing which shows the manufacturing procedure of a fuel cell. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the form of preparation of an electrolyte membrane sheet, an anode sheet, and a cathode sheet. It is explanatory drawing which shows a MEA manufacturing apparatus typically. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically from a cathode sheet roll to a support sheet conveyance roller. It is explanatory drawing which shows the control flow in this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which compares the amount of meandering of the sheet | seat after an anode transfer, the amount of meandering of a cathode catalyst layer, and the deviation | shift amount of transfer. It is explanatory drawing which shows the effect of this embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a single cell 15 constituting a fuel cell 10 as an embodiment of the present invention in a cross-sectional view. The fuel cell 10 of this embodiment is a polymer electrolyte fuel cell having a stack structure in which a plurality of single cells 15 are stacked. The single cell 15 includes a membrane electrode diffusion layer assembly (Membrane-Electrode & Gas. Diffusion Layer Assembly) and separators 25 and 26. The membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly is also referred to as MEGA. The separators 25 and 26 sandwich the MEGA. The MEGA includes a membrane-electrode assembly, an anode side gas diffusion layer 23, and a cathode side gas diffusion layer 24. The membrane electrode assembly is also referred to as MEA. The anode side gas diffusion layer 23 and the cathode side gas diffusion layer 24 sandwich the MEA.

  The MEA includes an electrolyte membrane 20, an anode catalyst layer 21, and a cathode catalyst layer 22. The electrolyte membrane 20 is a proton conductive ion exchange membrane formed of a solid polymer material such as a fluorine resin. The electrolyte membrane 20 exhibits good electrical conductivity in a wet state. The anode catalyst layer 21 is disposed on one surface of the electrolyte membrane 20, and the cathode catalyst layer 22 is disposed on the other surface of the electrolyte membrane 20. The anode catalyst layer 21 and the cathode catalyst layer 22 are made of, for example, a conductive carrier carrying a catalyst such as platinum or a platinum alloy, such as carbon particles (hereinafter referred to as catalyst-carrying carbon particles) made of ionomer having proton conductivity. It is an electrode catalyst layer formed by coating. Usually, the ionomer is a polymer electrolyte resin (for example, a fluorine-based resin) that is a solid polymer material of the same quality as the electrolyte membrane 20, and has proton conductivity due to the ion exchange group that the ionomer has.

  As described above, the MEGA includes the MEA, the anode side gas diffusion layer 23 and the cathode side gas diffusion layer 24 that sandwich the MEA. The anode side gas diffusion layer 23 and the cathode side gas diffusion layer 24 are conductive members having gas permeability, for example, a carbon porous body such as carbon paper or carbon cloth, or a metal porous body such as metal mesh or foam metal. Formed by.

  The separator 25 is provided with an in-cell fuel gas flow channel 47 for flowing a fuel gas containing hydrogen on the anode side gas diffusion layer 23 side. The separator 26 includes an in-cell oxidizing gas flow channel 48 through which an oxidizing gas containing oxygen (air in the present embodiment) flows, on the cathode side gas diffusion layer 24 side. Although not shown in the figure, an inter-cell refrigerant flow path through which a refrigerant flows can be formed between adjacent single cells 15, for example. The separators 25 and 26 are made of a gas-impermeable conductive member, for example, a dense carbon that has been made gas impermeable by compressing carbon, baked carbon, or a metal material such as stainless steel.

  Although not shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of holes are formed at predetermined positions near the outer peripheries of the separators 25 and 26. The plurality of holes overlap each other when the separators 25 and 26 are laminated together with other members and the fuel cell 10 is assembled to form a flow path that penetrates the fuel cell 10 in the laminating direction. That is, a manifold for supplying and discharging fuel gas, oxidizing gas, or refrigerant is formed with respect to the in-cell fuel gas channel 47, the in-cell oxidizing gas channel 48, or the inter-cell refrigerant channel.

  In the fuel cell 10 of the present embodiment, on the anode side, hydrogen gas from the in-cell fuel gas channel 47 of the separator 25 is supplied to the anode catalyst layer 21 while being diffused in the anode side gas diffusion layer 23. On the cathode side, air from the in-cell oxidizing gas channel 48 of the separator 26 is supplied to the cathode catalyst layer 22 while being diffused by the cathode side gas diffusion layer 24. Upon receiving such gas supply, the fuel cell 10 generates power and supplies the generated power to an external load.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory view schematically showing the state of joining of the constituent members of the MEA together with its dimensional state. As shown in FIG. 2, the anode catalyst layer 21 has a rectangular shape with substantially the same dimensions as the electrolyte membrane 20, and the cathode catalyst layer 22 is shorter than the anode catalyst layer 21 both vertically and horizontally. The anode-side gas diffusion layer 23 and the cathode-side gas diffusion layer 24 have a rectangular shape with substantially the same dimensions, and the anode-side gas diffusion layer 23 is the same or slightly shorter than the anode catalyst layer 21 in both length and width. The cathode side gas diffusion layer 24 has substantially the same dimensions as the anode side gas diffusion layer 23. The anode catalyst layer 21, the anode side gas diffusion layer 23, and the like have different dimensions as described above. However, in the assembled state as the single cell 15, they are hermetically sealed by a seal member (not shown) around the periphery. Note that the short side of the anode catalyst layer 21 extending in the vertical direction in FIG. 2 may be wider than the width of the electrolyte membrane 20. To do this, the width of the anode sheet 21S described later is wider than the electrolyte membrane sheet 20S, What is necessary is just to cut into a rectangular shape.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the manufacturing procedure of the fuel cell 10. As shown in the drawing, the constituent members of the single cell 15 are prepared (step S100), the MEA is manufactured (step S110), the MEGA is manufactured (step S120), and the single cell 15 is manufactured (step S130). 15 are stacked and assembled (step S140), and the fuel cell 10 is manufactured. Hereinafter, each step will be described in detail.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing how the constituent members of the unit cell 15 are prepared in step S100. The electrolyte membrane sheet 20 </ b> S includes a back sheet Bs and the electrolyte membrane 20. The back sheet Bs is a long member formed of a polyester sheet such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), or a polymer sheet such as polystyrene. The electrolyte membrane 20 is formed on the backsheet Bs with the same width as the backsheet Bs using the above-described solid polymer material, for example, a fluorine-based resin. The electrolyte membrane 20 can be peeled from the back sheet Bs as described later. The formed electrolyte membrane sheet 20S is wound up in a roll shape and prepared as an electrolyte membrane sheet roll 20R.

  The anode sheet 21S includes an anode support sheet Ds1 and an anode catalyst layer 21 coated on the anode support sheet DS1. The anode support sheet Ds1 is a long member formed of a polymer sheet such as PET or PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) similarly to the back sheet Bs. The width of the anode support sheet Ds1 is wider than the width of the back sheet Bs. The anode catalyst layer 21 is formed by continuously applying the catalyst ink in which the catalyst-supporting carbon particles and the ionomer are dispersed to the anode support sheet Ds1 with an appropriate application device, and then performing subsequent drying. . The anode catalyst layer 21 is formed to be narrower than the sheet width of the anode support sheet Ds1, as shown in a side sectional view in the drawing. The width of the anode catalyst layer 21 is slightly larger than the width of the electrolyte membrane 20. The anode sheet 21S is wound into a roll shape in a formed state, and is prepared as an anode sheet roll DR1. The anode catalyst layer 21 and the anode support sheet Ds1 can be peeled as will be described later.

  The cathode sheet 22S includes a cathode support sheet Ds2 and a cathode catalyst layer 22 formed on the cathode support sheet Ds2. The cathode support sheet Ds2 is a long member formed of a polymer sheet such as PET or PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) similarly to the back sheet Bs. The cathode catalyst layer 22 is formed by intermittently applying the above-described catalyst ink to the cathode support sheet Ds2 with an appropriate application device, followed by drying. Therefore, the cathode catalyst layer 22 has a rectangular shape and is scattered on the cathode support sheet Ds2. Note that the rectangular shape of the cathode catalyst layer 22 may be determined using the mask M. Since the cathode catalyst layer 22 is to be formed on the cathode support sheet Ds2 to be peeled and removed later, the surface damage caused by the use of the mask M does not affect the MEA. The cathode catalyst layer 22 is formed narrower than the sheet width of the cathode support sheet Ds2, as shown in a side sectional view in the drawing. The cathode sheet 22S is wound in a roll shape with the cathode catalyst layers 22 already formed in a dotted manner, and is prepared as a cathode sheet roll DR2. The cathode catalyst layer 22 and the cathode support sheet Ds2 can be peeled as will be described later.

  The sheet rolls 20R, DR1, and DR2 are prepared while forming the electrolyte membrane sheet 20S, the anode sheet 21S, or the cathode sheet 22S as described above. In addition, each sheet roll 20R, DR1, DR2 is the electrolyte membrane 20, in the bonding process of the electrolyte membrane 20 and the anode catalyst layer 21, which will be described later, or in the bonding process of the electrolyte membrane 20 and the cathode catalyst layer 22, respectively. It functions as an unwinding roller for the anode catalyst layer 21 and the cathode catalyst layer 22. In addition, it is also possible to purchase and prepare the electrolyte membrane sheet roll 20R in which the electrolyte membrane sheet 20S has been formed and wound into a roll, and the anode sheet roll DR1 and the cathode sheet roll DR2. For the anode-side and cathode-side diffusion layers, a conductive and porous base material, such as carbon cloth, is prepared one by one in the above rectangular size (not shown). The separators 25 and 26 are prepared in a form having in-cell fuel gas flow paths 47 and 48 (not shown).

  In step S110 of FIG. 3, the electrolyte membrane sheet 20S on which the electrolyte membrane 20 is formed, the anode sheet 21S on which the anode catalyst layer 21 is formed, and the cathode sheet 22S on which the cathode catalyst layer 22 is formed are used as transfer target sheets. , MEA is formed.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory view schematically showing an MEA manufacturing apparatus (film transfer apparatus). The MEA manufacturing apparatus 100 includes an anode transfer mechanism unit 110, a cathode transfer mechanism unit 120, and a control device 200. Note that FIG. 5 schematically shows the state of sheet conveyance, sheet bonding, and sheet form, and does not reflect the thickness and vertical / horizontal size of the actual electrolyte membrane sheet 20S, anode sheet 21S, and cathode sheet 22S. Absent.

  From the upstream side, the anode transfer mechanism unit 110 includes an electrolyte membrane sheet roll 20R and an anode sheet roll DR1, a first transfer roller 112 (also referred to as a first lamination roller 112), a downstream first transport roller 113, and a first transfer roller 113. 1 peeling roller 114, the downstream 2nd conveyance roller 115, and the 2nd peeling roller 116 are provided. The electrolyte membrane sheet roll 20 </ b> R rotates under the control of the control device 200, and sends the electrolyte membrane sheet 20 </ b> S to the first transfer roller 112 in cooperation with a guide roller and a driving roller downstream of a roller (not shown). The anode sheet roll DR1 rotates under the control of the control device 200, and sends the anode sheet 21S to the first transfer roller 112 in cooperation with a guide roller and a driving roller downstream of a roller (not shown). During such sheet feeding, the electrolyte membrane sheet roll 20R and the anode sheet roll DR1 are pressed between the electrolyte membrane 20 of the electrolyte membrane sheet 20S and the anode catalyst layer 21 of the anode sheet 21S by sheet guidance by the guide rollers described above. The electrolyte membrane sheet 20S and the anode sheet 21S are sent out to the first transfer roller 112 so as to be in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the guide roller 112b.

  The first transfer roller 112 includes a pressing force applying roller 112a and a pressing guide roller 112b that are opposed to each other, and a sandwiching portion between the two rollers is a transfer pressure bonding portion. Both the pressing force applying roller 112a and the pressing guide roller 112b rotate under the control of the control device 200, and the electrolyte membrane sheet 20S and the anode sheet 21S are brought into contact with the electrolyte membrane 20 and the anode catalyst layer 21. The anode catalyst layer 21 is transferred to the electrolyte membrane 20 and conveyed downstream by being drawn into the transfer pressure bonding portion as it is.

  The pressing force application roller 112a is configured as a highly heat-conductive metal roller, for example, a nickel-based metal roller, and is heated by a heat source (not shown). The pressing force applying roller 112a applies a transfer pressing force toward the pressing guide roller 112b while heating the electrolyte membrane 20 and the anode catalyst layer 21 bonded thereto from the back sheet Bs. The controller 200 controls the temperature of the pressing force applying roller 112 a and the transfer pressing force to be applied.

  The pressure guide roller 112b is configured, for example, by covering the surface of a lightweight metal core roller with a heat-resistant rubber skin layer, and receives the transfer pressing force exerted by the pressing force applying roller 112a. Since the pressing force application roller 112a performs the application of the transfer pressing force and the heating for promoting the transfer in a state where the pressing force is received by the pressing guide roller 112b as described above, the anode sheet 21S is provided on the electrolyte membrane sheet 20S. The electrolyte membrane sheet 20S and the anode sheet 21S are conveyed downstream of the first transfer roller 112 while being stacked.

  The downstream first transport roller 113 rotates under the control of the control device 200 and transports the laminated electrolyte membrane sheet 20S and the anode sheet 21S sent from the first transfer roller 112 to the downstream side while applying tension. To do. Hereinafter, in the process in which a plurality of sheets are conveyed in a laminated form, these sheets are abbreviated as a laminated sheet. The first peeling roller 114 rotates under the control of the control device 200, peels the anode support sheet Ds1 from the laminated sheet, and sends the anode support sheet Ds1 to a collection roller (not shown). The portion of the anode catalyst layer 21 that protrudes from the electrolyte membrane 20 is cut off from the portion that is bonded to the electrolyte membrane 20 while being bonded to the anode support sheet Ds1, and is collected by the collection roller together with the anode support sheet Ds1. For this reason, the outer edges (edges) of the electrolyte membrane 20 and the anode catalyst layer 21 in the width direction substantially coincide. The downstream second transport roller 115 rotates under the control of the control device 200, and transports the laminated sheet from which the anode support sheet Ds1 has been peeled to the downstream side while applying tension. The second peeling roller 116 rotates under the control of the control device 200, peels the back sheet Bs from the laminated sheet, and sends the back sheet to a collection roller (not shown). For this reason, the anode transfer mechanism unit 110 sends a laminated sheet (hereinafter referred to as an anode-transferred sheet As) in which the electrolyte membrane sheet 20S and the anode sheet 21S are stacked to the cathode transfer mechanism unit 120.

  The cathode transfer mechanism section 120 is disposed on the downstream side of the anode transfer mechanism section 110, and transfers the cathode catalyst layer 22 of the cathode sheet 22S to the electrolyte membrane 20 of the anode-transferred sheet As. A receiving roller 123, a laminated sheet conveying roller 124, and a second transfer roller 122 (also referred to as a second lamination roller 122) from the upstream side in a path for conveying the anode-transferred sheet As of the cathode transfer mechanism unit 120. , Is arranged. Further, the path for transporting the cathode sheet 22S includes a cathode sheet roll DR2 and support sheet transport rollers 125 and 126 from the upstream side. Note that a first sensor 130 for measuring the position in the width direction of the anode-transferred sheet As is disposed immediately before the receiving roller 123. Further, a second sensor 132 for measuring the position of the cathode catalyst layer 22 in the width direction is disposed between the support sheet transport roller 125 and the support sheet transport roller 126. Further, a third sensor 134 for measuring the transfer deviation between the anode catalyst layer 21 and the cathode catalyst layer 22 is disposed downstream of the second transfer roller 122. The sensors 130, 132, and 134 are linear sensors that extend in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction, and include a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. In the present embodiment, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are described as transmissive sensors arranged with the measured part interposed therebetween, but the reflective sensor in which the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are arranged on the same side. It may be.

  The receiving roller 123 rotates under the control of the control device 200, and conveys and guides the anode-transferred sheet As fed from the anode transfer mechanism unit 110. The laminated sheet conveyance roller 124 rotates under the control of the control device 200, and while applying tension to the anode-transferred sheet As, the anode catalyst layer 21 of the anode sheet 21S contacts the surface of the pressing force applying roller 122a, and the electrolyte The anode-transferred sheet As is sent to the second transfer roller 122 so that the film sheet 20S is exposed. The cathode sheet roll DR <b> 2 rotates under the control of the control device 200, and sends the cathode sheet 22 </ b> S to the second transfer roller 122 in cooperation with the support sheet conveying rollers 125 and 126 downstream thereof. The cathode sheet roll DR2 sends the cathode sheet 22S to the second transfer roller 122 so that the cathode support sheet Ds2 of the cathode sheet 22S is in contact with the surface of the pressing guide roller 122b and the cathode catalyst layer 22 is exposed. The cathode catalyst layer 22 is in contact with the electrolyte membrane 20 of the electrolyte membrane sheet 20 </ b> S of the laminated sheet before the transfer press-bonding portion in the second transfer roller 122, and is drawn into the second transfer roller 122 in that state. It should be noted that the anode-transferred sheet measured by the sensor 130 when the cathode sheet roll DR2 sends out the cathode sheet so that no deviation occurs between the cathode catalyst layer 22 and the electrolyte membrane 20 (anode catalyst layer 21). The cathode sheet roll DR2 is controlled to move in the direction along its central axis based on the magnitude of the As meandering amount.

  Similar to the first transfer roller 112 described above, the second transfer roller 122 includes a pressing force applying roller 122a and a pressing guide roller 122b that are opposed to each other, and a sandwiching portion between the two rollers is a transfer pressure bonding portion. Both the pressing force applying roller 122a and the pressing guide roller 122b rotate under the control of the control device 200, and the cathode sheet 22S and the anode-transferred sheet As are in contact with each other, and the cathode catalyst layer 22 is in contact with the electrolyte membrane sheet 20S. The cathode catalyst layer 22 is transferred to the electrolyte membrane 20 by being drawn into the transfer press-bonded portion in the state. By this cathode transfer, a sheet-like MEA in which the anode catalyst layer 21 and the cathode catalyst layer 22 are joined to the front and back surfaces of the electrolyte membrane 20 is obtained. Such sheet pull-in and transfer by the second transfer roller 122 is performed in the same manner as the first transfer roller 112, the anode catalyst layer 21 is positioned on the roller surface side of the pressing force applying roller 122a, and the cathode support sheet Ds2 is the pressing guide roller. It is performed so as to be positioned on the roller surface side of 122b. In this case, the pressing force applying roller 122a is directed toward the pressing guide roller 122b while heating the electrolyte membrane sheet 20S and the cathode catalyst layer 22 bonded thereto from the anode catalyst layer 21 in the same manner as the pressing force applying roller 112a. A transfer pressing force is applied. The controller 200 controls the temperature of the pressing force application roller 122a and the transfer pressing force to be applied. Further, the pressing force applying roller 122a is configured in the same manner as the pressing force applying roller 112a, and even in the pressing guide roller 122b, it is configured in the same manner as the pressing guide roller 112b, and the surface thereof is a rubber skin layer. Also good.

  The second transfer roller 122 conveys the sheet-like MEA onto which the cathode catalyst layer 22 has been transferred to a semi-product collection unit (not shown). In the semi-finished product collection unit, the sheet-like MEA is used for producing MEGA as MEA obtained by cutting the sheet-like MEA into a rectangular shape shown in FIG. Moreover, it can also ship to a fuel cell manufacturing line as a sheet-like MEA of the semi-finished product wound up by the collection roller.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory view schematically showing from the cathode sheet roll DR2 to the support sheet conveying roller 126. FIG. The cathode sheet roll DR2 is moved by the unwinding roller moving device 140 based on the position of the anode-transferred sheet As measured by the first sensor 130 immediately before the receiving roller 123 (FIG. 5). The movement is controlled in a direction along the central axis. The movement of the cathode sheet roll DR2 along the central axis may be controlled based on the position of the anode-transferred sheet As and the position of the cathode catalyst layer 22 measured by the second sensor 132. Further, the amount of misalignment between the cathode catalyst layer 22 and the electrolyte membrane 20 (or the anode catalyst layer 21) in the sheet-like MEA to which the cathode catalyst layer 22 has been transferred is measured, and the accuracy of bonding (superposition) is confirmed. May be. The measurement of the deviation amount will be described later.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a control flow in the present embodiment. In step S200, the control device 200 uses the sensor 130 to measure the edge position A (t) of the anode-transferred sheet As at time t. In step S210, the control device 200 calculates the meandering amount ΔA (t) of the anode-transferred sheet As at time t based on the equation: ΔA (t) = A (t) −A0. Here, A0 is a reference value at which the amount of meandering becomes zero. In step S220, control device 200 calculates a moving mean value ΔMA (t) of the meandering amount. In step S230, the target value B0 (t) of the position of the cathode catalyst layer 22 is corrected based on the following formula B0 (t) = B0 + ΔMA (t). Here, B 0 is an initial target value of the position of the cathode catalyst layer 22.

  In step S240, the control device 200 uses the sensor 132 to measure the edge position B (t) of the cathode catalyst layer 22 at time t. In step S250, the control device 200 calculates the moving average value MB (t) of the edge position B (t) of the cathode catalyst layer 22. In step S260, the control device 200 calculates the control amount ΔB (t) of the cathode catalyst layer 22. The control amount ΔB (t) is calculated by, for example, an equation: ΔB (t) = MB (t) −K1 × B0 (t). Here, K1 is a value experimentally obtained between 0 and 1. In step S270, the position of the cathode sheet roll DR2 in the central axis direction is feedback controlled so that the control amount ΔB (t) approaches zero.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram comparing the meandering amount of the anode-transferred sheet As, the meandering amount of the cathode catalyst layer 22, and the transfer deviation amount. In the comparative example, the position in the central axis direction of the cathode sheet roll DR2 is fixed. In the present embodiment, the position in the central axis direction of the cathode sheet roll DR2 is the meandering amount of the anode-transferred sheet As. Based on this, movement control is performed. In the comparative example, the meandering amount La1 of the anode-transferred sheet As is relatively large. On the other hand, since the position of the cathode sheet roll DR2 in the central axis direction is fixed, the meandering amount Lb1 of the cathode catalyst layer 22 hardly changes. As a result, the shift amount Lc1 after transfer is relatively large. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the meandering amount La2 of the anode-transferred sheet As is largely changed as in the comparative example. However, the position of the cathode sheet roll DR2 in the central axis direction is controlled to move based on the meandering amount of the anode transferred sheet As. As a result, when the anode-transferred sheet As is displaced in the plus direction, the position of the cathode sheet roll DR2 in the central axis direction is also moved in the plus direction, and when the anode-transferred sheet As is displaced in the minus direction, The position of the cathode sheet roll DR2 in the central axis direction is also moved in the minus direction. For this reason, the shift amount Lc2 after transfer is small.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the effect of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining transfer with the sheet | seat As after anode transfer, and a cathode catalyst layer. Comparative Examples 1 and 2 are explanatory views showing a case where movement control along the central axis of the cathode sheet roll DR2 is not performed. In Comparative Example 1 and the embodiment, the width of the anode-transferred sheet As is the same, whereas in Comparative Example 2, the width of the anode-transferred sheet As is wider than that of Comparative Example 1 and the embodiment. ing. In Comparative Example 1, a part of the cathode catalyst layer 22 protrudes from the outer edge of the electrolyte membrane 20 and does not overlap. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 2, the entire cathode catalyst layer 22 is inside the outer edge of the electrolyte membrane 20, but the size of the electrolyte membrane 20 that does not overlap the cathode catalyst layer 22 is large and the electrolyte that does not overlap the cathode catalyst layer 22. Since the film 20 is discarded, the waste is great. In the embodiment, the cathode catalyst layer 22 is entirely inside the outer edge of the electrolyte membrane 20, and the size of the electrolyte membrane 20 that does not overlap the cathode catalyst layer 22 is not large, and the amount of the electrolyte membrane 20 discarded is small. , Less waste.

  As described above, when a sheet-like MEA is obtained, a sheet-like MEGA is produced in step S120 of FIG. That is, after the cathode support sheet Ds2 is peeled from the sheet-like MEA, the anode-side gas diffusion layer 23 and the cathode-side gas diffusion layer 24 are joined to the front and back surfaces of the sheet-like MEA by a technique such as hot pressing. Then, the sheet-like MEA bonded with the gas diffusion layer is cut into a rectangular shape, and a rectangular MEGA in which the MEA is sandwiched between the anode-side gas diffusion layer 23 and the cathode-side gas diffusion layer 24 is obtained. It is also possible to cut the sheet-like MEA into a rectangular shape in advance and join the two gas diffusion layers. Further, the MEGA that is not cut or in a cut state can be shipped to the fuel cell production line (step S150).

  Next, the MEGA is sandwiched between the separator 25 and the separator 26 to produce a single cell 15 (step S130), a predetermined number of single cells 15 are stacked and assembled into a stack, and are fastened in the stacking direction (step S130). S140). Thereby, the fuel cell 10 shown in FIG. 1 is obtained.

  As described above, the MEA manufacturing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment measures the position of the anode-transferred sheet As, and controls the movement along the central axis of the cathode sheet roll DR2 in accordance with the measured value. Therefore, the transfer accuracy of the electrolyte membrane 20 and the cathode catalyst layer can be improved, and materials that are wasted can be reduced.

Variation:
Since the edge position of the cathode catalyst layer 22 is considered to coincide with the position of the central axis of the cathode sheet roll DR2, the control device 200 uses only the sensor 130 to measure the position of the anode-transferred sheet As, and the measured value Accordingly, movement control along the central axis of the cathode sheet roll DR2 may be performed. For example, in step S220 of FIG. 7, the moving average value ΔMA (t) of the meandering amount of the anode-transferred sheet As is calculated, and this moving average value ΔMA (t) is multiplied by a coefficient K2 obtained in advance by experiments. Movement control along the central axis of the cathode sheet roll DR2 may be performed by K2 × ΔMA (t).

Further, the control device 200 may further measure the edge position B (t) of the cathode catalyst layer 22 using the sensor 132 and control as follows.
(1) The meandering amount ΔB (t) of the cathode catalyst layer 22 is calculated ΔB (t) = B (t) −B0)
(2) Calculate the moving average value ΔMB (t) of the meandering amount of the cathode catalyst layer 22 ΔMB (t) = (ΣΔB (t) / n)
(3) Calculate the controlled variable ΔB (t) ΔB (t) = α × ΔMB (t) −β × ΔMA (t)
(Α and β are numbers obtained experimentally)
(4) PID control so that the control amount ΔB (t) becomes zero.

  Further, the control device 200 may further check the transfer deviation between the anode catalyst layer 21 of the formed MEA and the cathode catalyst layer 22 using the sensor 134. The sensor 134 measures the width Wmea of the formed MEA. The width of the anode-transferred sheet As before transfer is Was, and the width of the cathode catalyst layer 22 is Wcn. Regarding the width of the sheet As As after the transfer of the MEA anode before transfer and the width of the cathode catalyst layer 22 as Wcd, it is easy to arrange the sensors 130 and 132 on both sides in the width direction with respect to the web conveyance direction. It can be measured. The displacement amount (width size of the non-overlapping portion) Las of the anode-transferred sheet As can be calculated by the equation Las = Wmea−Wcd, and the displacement amount of the cathode catalyst layer 22 (width size of the non-overlapping portion). ) Lcd can be calculated by the formula Lcd = Wmea-Was. Therefore, the control apparatus 200 should just confirm that Wmea-Wcd or Wmea-Was is below fixed. Further, the control device 200 may perform PID control so that Wmea-Wcd or Wmea-Was is equal to or less than a certain value.

  In the above embodiment, the distance from the first sensor 130 to the second transfer roller 122 (or the conveyance time of the anode-transferred sheet As) is the distance from the cathode sheet roll DR2 to the second transfer roller 122 (or the cathode sheet 22S). Or less than the transport time). The position of the cathode sheet roll DR2 is moved in accordance with the deviation detected by the first sensor 130. At this time, the position-corrected cathode sheet 22S reaches the second transfer roller 122 when the shifted portion of the anode-transferred sheet As reaches or before the second transfer roller 122 arrives. The alignment accuracy of the cathode sheet 22S can be improved. Also, the effect of feedback control is great.

  In the present embodiment, the joining / transfer of the anode-transferred sheet As and the cathode sheet 22S has been described as an example. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to the joining / transfer of the electrolyte membrane sheet 20S and the anode sheet 21S.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be realized with various configurations without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the technical features of the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each embodiment described in the summary section of the invention are intended to solve part or all of the above-described problems, or part of the above-described effects. Or, in order to achieve the whole, it is possible to replace or combine as appropriate. Further, if the technical feature is not described as essential in the present specification, it can be deleted as appropriate.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Fuel cell 15 ... Single cell 20 ... Electrolyte membrane 20R ... Electrolyte membrane sheet roll 20S ... Electrolyte membrane sheet 21 ... Anode catalyst layer 21S ... Anode sheet 22 ... Cathode catalyst layer 22S ... Cathode sheet 23 ... Anode side gas diffusion layer 24 ... Cathode side gas diffusion layer 25 ... Separator 26 ... Separator 47 ... Intra-cell fuel gas flow path 48 ... In-cell oxidizing gas flow path 110 ... Anode transfer mechanism 112 ... First transfer roller (first lamination roller)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 112a ... Pressing force provision roller 112b ... Press guide roller 113 ... Downstream side 1st conveyance roller 114 ... 1st peeling roller 115 ... Downstream side 2nd conveyance roller 116 ... 2nd peeling roller 120 ... Cathode transfer mechanism part 122 ... 2nd transfer Roller (second laminated roller)
122a ... Pressure imparting roller 122b ... Pressing guide roller 123 ... Accepting roller 124 ... Laminated sheet conveying roller 125 ... Supporting sheet conveying roller 126 ... Supporting sheet conveying roller 130 ... Sensor 132 ... Sensor 134 ... Sensor 140 ... Unwinding roller moving device DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 200 ... Control apparatus M ... Mask As ... Anode transfer finished sheet Bs ... Back sheet DR1 ... Anode sheet roll DR2 ... Cathode sheet roll Ds1 ... Anode support sheet Ds2 ... Cathode support sheet

Claims (5)

A film transfer device,
A laminating roller that bonds the first film and the second film;
A first sensor disposed upstream of the laminating roller and measuring a position in the width direction of the first film;
An unwinding roller for unwinding the second film;
An unwinding roller moving device that moves the unwinding roller along the central axis of the unwinding roller based on the measured value of the position in the width direction of the first film;
A film transfer apparatus comprising: The film transfer apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
A second sensor disposed between the unwinding roller and the laminating roller and measuring a position in the width direction of the second film;
The unwinding roller moving device moves the unwinding roller to the unwinding roller based on the measured value of the position in the width direction of the first film and the measured value of the position in the width direction of the second film. A film transfer device that moves along the central axis of the film. The film transfer apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The film transfer apparatus, wherein a distance from the unwinding roller to the lamination roller is equal to or less than a distance from the first sensor to the lamination roller. The film transfer apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The film transfer apparatus, wherein a transport time of the second film from the unwinding roller to the stacking roller is equal to or shorter than a transport time of the first film from the first sensor to the stacking roller. A film transfer method,
Measuring the position in the width direction of the first film before the first film and the second film are bonded and transferred;
Based on the position in the width direction of the first film, the unwinding roller for unwinding the second film is moved along the central axis of the unwinding roller,
Unwinding the second film,
Transferring the first film and the second film together,
Membrane transfer method.

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