JP2015162331A - Method for electrolytic film connection, and connection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for electrolytic film connection by which two sheet members can be connected with each other in such a state that makes the shape of end faces of the two sheet members, each arranged by laminating an electrolytic film and a support member, be more identical to each other so that the support member can be removed from the electrolytic film continuously and smoothly.SOLUTION: A method for electrolytic film connection comprises the steps of: disposing a first part including a first end of a belt-shaped first sheet member 5 arranged by putting together a first support member 3 and a first electrolytic film 1, and a second part including a second end of a belt-shaped second sheet member 6 arranged by putting together a second support member 4 and a second electrolytic film 2 so that the first and second parts are superposed on each other when viewed from a thickness direction of the electrolytic films; at least partially fixing the sheet members by fixing device; cutting the sheet member along a section extending between the ends; bonding a first connection member to a surface on the side of the first support member 3 and a surface on the side of the second support member 4; removing the first support member 3 and the second support member 4; and bonding a second connection member 19 to a surface of the first electrolytic film on the side where the first support member is disposed, and a surface of the second electrolytic film 2 on the side where the second support member 4 is disposed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus for connecting an electrolyte membrane and an electrolyte membrane and supplying the electrolyte membrane continuously and smoothly.

  A polymer electrolyte fuel cell is an electrochemical reaction that occurs on both catalyst layers by supplying an oxidant gas and a fuel gas to a membrane catalyst layer assembly in which a cathode catalyst layer and an anode catalyst layer are formed on an electrolyte membrane. To generate electricity.

  When the electrolyte membrane contains moisture in the air or discharges moisture in the electrolyte membrane in the air atmosphere, the moisture content of the electrolyte membrane varies, and the dimensions of the electrolyte membrane swell and shrink. In order to prevent or suppress the dimensional change due to swelling and shrinkage of the electrolyte membrane, the electrolyte membrane is generally configured such that layers are stacked by supporting one or both sides with a member, and this member is called a support member.

  Since this support member is unnecessary for the polymer electrolyte fuel cell, the manufacturing process of the membrane electrode assembly includes a step of removing the support member from the electrolyte membrane. For example, in order to form the catalyst layer on the electrolyte membrane, it is necessary to expose the surface on which the catalyst layer is formed. Therefore, before the step of forming the catalyst layer, the support member on the surface on which the catalyst layer is formed is removed. Then, a step of forming a catalyst layer on the exposed surface of the electrolyte membrane is performed.

  Establishing a process for removing the support member continuously and smoothly is important in the mass production process of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell.

  In the mass production process of polymer electrolyte fuel cells, efforts are made to supply continuously, such as transporting a sheet member with an electrolyte membrane layer and a support member layer by a roll-to-roll method. The length of the sheet member is finite, and at the end of the sheet member to be conveyed, it is necessary to connect the start end of the next sheet member.

  For example, in the case of a sheet member having a two-layer structure in which an electrolyte membrane and a support member are laminated, when the sheet members are stacked for connection, four layers of the electrolyte membrane and the support member are alternately formed. When the support member is removed from the four layers, the support member interferes with the electrolyte membrane, so that the support member cannot be removed continuously and smoothly.

  Then, it is proposed by patent document 1 to connect with the connection member which has adhesiveness in the state in which the terminal part of the 1st supply roll opposed the start end part of the 2nd supply roll.

JP 2009-43549 A

  However, in the connection method proposed in Patent Document 1, the shape of the end surface of the first supply roll and the shape of the end surface of the second supply roll may not match well. .

  The present invention is a state in which the shapes of the end faces of two sheet members in which the electrolyte membrane and the support member are laminated are well matched so that the support member can be removed continuously and smoothly from the electrolyte membrane. An object of the present invention is to provide an electrolyte membrane connection method and a connection device capable of connecting two sheet members.

  In order to solve the above problems, when the cross section of one sheet member is opposed to the cross section of the other sheet member, the shapes of the cross sections need to be the same. In order to make each cross section into the same shape, it cut | disconnects in the state which accumulated one sheet member and the other sheet member. Since the shape of each cross section becomes the same by cutting repeatedly, when the sheet members face each other, the cross sections coincide with each other, and the sheets can be connected in a state where the cross sections of the sheet members face each other. The sheet members are connected in a state where the cross sections face each other. At this time, since the sheet member and the support member do not interfere with each other, the support member can be removed continuously and smoothly even in the step of removing the support member.

  According to the method and apparatus for connecting an electrolyte membrane of the present invention, when the cross section of one sheet member on which the electrolyte membrane and the support member overlap each other and the other sheet member face each other, the shapes of the cross sections become the same, The sheet members can be easily connected to each other without being separated from each other in distance between the cross sections, and the support member can be removed continuously and smoothly from the electrolyte membrane.

Sectional drawing which shows typically the electrolyte membrane connection method which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention Sectional drawing which shows typically the electrolyte membrane connection method which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention Sectional drawing which shows typically the electrolyte membrane connection method which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention Sectional drawing which shows typically the electrolyte membrane connection method which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention Sectional drawing which shows typically the electrolyte membrane connection method which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention Sectional drawing which shows typically the electrolyte membrane connection method which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention Sectional drawing which shows typically the electrolyte membrane connection method which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention Sectional drawing which shows typically the electrolyte membrane connection method which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention Sectional drawing which shows typically the electrolyte membrane connection method which concerns on the modification 1 of this invention Sectional drawing which shows typically the electrolyte membrane connection method which concerns on the modification 2 of this invention Sectional drawing which shows typically the electrolyte membrane connection method which concerns on the modification 3 of this invention

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
1 to 8 are cross-sectional views schematically showing an electrolyte membrane connection method and connection device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows that a first suction device 20 is attached to a fixing portion that fixes a surface of the first sheet member 5 on the first electrolyte membrane 1 side, in which the first support member 3 and the first electrolyte membrane 1 have a layer structure. It is the form used. The surface of the second sheet member 6 fixed to the first suction device 20 and having the layer structure of the second support member 4 and the second electrolyte membrane 2 is the first sheet member. 5 is a view showing a state in which it is fixed to the first suction device 20 so as to overlap a part of FIG. Note that the positions of the support member and the electrolyte membrane may be interchanged. Here, the location of the first sheet member 5 including the first end portion 9 of the first sheet member 5 and the second end portion 10 of the second sheet member 6 is defined as the first portion 7 and the second sheet. The part of the member 6 is a second part 8. In addition, the said 1st suction device 20 may be another apparatus by the surface which attracts | sucks the said 1st sheet member 5, and the surface which attracts | sucks the said 2nd sheet member 6. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the first sheet member 5 and the second sheet member 6 are fixed by the first suction device 20, and an overlapping portion of the first part 7 and the second part 8 is defined as the second end. It is a figure which shows the cut surface cut | disconnected by the cross section which passes between between the part 10 and the said 1st edge part 9. FIG. FIG. 3 shows the second breaking member which is a part of the second sheet member 6 after being cut with the first sheet member 5 and the second sheet member 6 fixed by the first suction device 20. It is a figure showing the state where 17 was removed. Here, the end of the first portion 7 opposite to the first breaking member 16 from the cut surface is defined as a third end 14, and the second breaking member 17 is opposed to the second breaking member 17 from the cross section of the second portion 8. The end on the side is referred to as a fourth end 15. FIG. 4 shows a state where the first end member 14 and the second sheet member 6 are fixed by the first suction device 20 after the step of removing the second breaking member 17, and the third end portion 14 is moved. The surface of the third part 12 including the second breaking member 17 on the first support member 3 side, and the fourth part 13 including the fourth end 15 on the second support member 4 side. It is a figure which shows the state of the 1st connection process which connects the surface of this to the 1st connection member. FIG. 5 is a view showing a state in which the suction of the first suction device 20 is stopped, the first suction device 20 moves downward, and the first breaking member 16 is removed. The first sheet member 5 and the second sheet member 6 may move. FIG. 6 is a view in which the surfaces of the first electrolyte membrane 1 and the second electrolyte membrane 2 of the first sheet member 5 and the second sheet member 6 are sucked and fixed by a second suction device 21. The first suction device 20 may be the same suction device as the second suction device 21 or may be a different suction device. FIG. 7 is a view in which the first support member 3 and the second support member 4 are removed from the first electrolyte membrane 1 and the second electrolyte membrane 2. FIG. 8 shows the second connecting member 19 so that the first electrolyte membrane 1 and the second electrolyte membrane 2 are joined together in the state where the second suction device 21 is sucked and fixed after the support member is removed. It is the figure connected by. By adopting such a method, the support member can be continuously and smoothly removed from the electrolyte membrane.

(Modification 1)
The electrolyte membrane connection method and the connection device according to this modification are connected to the electrolyte membrane connection method and the connection device of Embodiment 1 without removing the first fracture member 16. The process is different.

  FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an electrolyte membrane connection method and connection device according to Modification 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 5 of Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the first electrolyte membrane 1 and the second electrolyte membrane 2 are separated from the first suction device 20 in order to remove the first breaking member 16. However, in FIG. 9, the first support member 3 and the second support member 4 are connected to the first electrolyte membrane 1 and the second electrolyte membrane 2 in the state in which the first electrolyte membrane 1 and the second electrolyte membrane 2 are sucked and fixed to the first suction device 20. After the step of removing from the electrolyte membrane 1 and the second electrolyte membrane 2, the second connecting member 19 is connected so that the first electrolyte membrane 1 and the second electrolyte membrane 2 are joined together. By adopting such a method, the support member can be continuously and smoothly removed from the electrolyte membrane.

(Modification 2)
The electrolyte membrane connection method and connection device according to this modification are different from the electrolyte membrane connection method and connection device of Embodiment 1 in that a suction roller 24 is used in the second fixing device 22 and an application unit is provided. The configuration is different.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an electrolyte membrane connection method and connection device according to Modification 2 of the present invention. In FIG. 5 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the first sheet member 5 and the second sheet member 6 separated from the first suction unit 20 are sent out to the suction roller 24. In Modification 2 of FIG. 10, the first sheet member 5 and the second sheet member 6 are sucked and fixed to the surface of the suction roller 24, and the first support member 3 and the first support member 3 are interposed via the support member removal roller 25. The second support member 4 is peeled and removed. The support member is peeled and removed, the first electrolyte membrane 1 and the second electrolyte membrane 2 are connected by the second connecting member 19 so as to be connected, and the first electrolyte membrane 1 and the second electrolyte membrane fixed to the suction roller 24 are connected. The application part 28 is used on the surface of the electrolyte membrane 2 to apply the catalyst layer. By using the suction roller 24, the second fixing machine and the coating device can be integrated, so that a separate device for the coating process is not required, and the size of the device can be reduced. Either the connection process or the application process may be performed first. Further, the application unit 28 may be provided after leaving the suction roller. By adopting such a method, the support member can be continuously and smoothly removed from the electrolyte membrane.

(Modification 3)
The electrolyte membrane connection method and the connection device according to this modification are configured in that a sheet-like connection member is used instead of the second connection member with respect to the electrolyte membrane connection method and the connection device of Modification 2. Is different.

  FIG. 11: is sectional drawing which shows typically the electrolyte membrane connection method and connection apparatus which concern on the modification 3 of this invention. In FIG. 10 of the second modification of the present invention, the second connecting member 19 is connected in a single shot. However, in FIG. 11 of the third modified example, the first electrolyte membrane 1 and the second electrolyte membrane 2 are fed out by the sheet-like connecting member 27 via the sheet-like connecting member feeding roller 26 and sucked and fixed to the suction roller 24. Is connected. The sheet-like connecting member 27 is supported by connecting the continuous sheet-like connecting member 27 to the first electrolyte membrane 1 and the second electrolyte membrane 2 when being sucked and fixed to the suction roller 24. Also serves as a member. By adopting such a method, the support member can be continuously and smoothly removed from the electrolyte membrane.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION This invention is useful for the connection method and connection apparatus of the electrolyte membrane conveyed by roll toe roll, when removing the supporting member which supports an electrolyte membrane.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st electrolyte membrane 2 2nd electrolyte membrane 3 1st support member 4 2nd support member 5 1st sheet member 6 2nd sheet member 7 1st part 8 2nd part 9 1st edge part 10 2nd edge part 12 1st 3 part 13 4th part 14 3rd end part 15 4th end part 16 1st fracture | rupture member 17 2nd fracture | rupture member 18 1st connection member 19 2nd connection member 20 1st suction device 21 2nd suction device 24 Suction roller 25 Support member removing roller 26 Sheet-like connecting member feeding roller 27 Sheet-like connecting member 28 Application section

Claims (15)

A strip-shaped electrolyte membrane connection method,
A first portion including a first end of a strip-shaped first sheet member to which the first support member and the first electrolyte membrane are bonded, and a strip-shaped second sheet member to which the second support member and the second electrolyte membrane are bonded. An arrangement step in which the second portion including the second end portion is arranged so as to overlap when viewed from the thickness direction of the electrolyte membrane;
A fixing step of fixing at least a part of the first sheet member and at least a part of the second sheet member with a first fixing machine;
In a state where a part of the first sheet member and a part of the second sheet member are fixed by the first fixing machine, an overlapping part of the first part and the second part is defined as the second end part and the second part. Cutting in a cross section passing between the first end portion, and forming a first breaking member including the first end portion and a second breaking member including the second end portion; and
A second breaking member removing step of removing the second breaking member after the cutting step;
An end portion of the first portion that is opposite to the first fracture member from the cross section of the first portion is defined as a third end portion, and the second portion is opposite to the second fracture member. The end of is the fourth end,
After the second breaking member removing step, the second breaking member of the third portion including the third end portion in a state where the first sheet member and the second sheet member are fixed by the first fixing machine. A first connection step of connecting the surface on the first support member side that has been arranged and the surface on the second support member side of the fourth portion including the fourth end portion with a first connection member;
After the first connecting step, the first sheet member side surface of the first sheet member and the second sheet member side surface of the second sheet member are fixed by a second fixing machine, A support member removing step of removing the first support member and the second support member;
After the support member removing step, the surface of the first electrolyte membrane on the side where the first support member is disposed and the second support of the second electrolyte membrane in a state of being fixed by the second fixing machine. A second connection step of connecting the surface on which the member has been arranged with a second connection member;
An electrolyte membrane connection method comprising: The second fixing device is an aspirator and has a suction surface, and the suction surface is a surface of the first sheet member on the first electrolyte membrane side, and the second electrolyte membrane of the second sheet member. It is configured to suck and fix the side surface,
In the state where the first electrolyte membrane side surface of the first sheet member and the second electrolyte membrane side surface of the second sheet member are sucked and fixed by the second fixing device, the first support member and Performing a support member removal step of removing the second support member;
The method for connecting an electrolyte membrane according to claim 1.   The electrolyte membrane connection method according to claim 1, wherein the second fixing device includes a roll that conveys the first sheet member and the second sheet member. The second fixing machine fixes the first sheet member and fixes the second sheet member; a second position away from the first sheet member and the second sheet member; Is configured to be movable,
Placing the second fixing machine at the first position, performing the support member removing step, and performing the second connecting step;
The method for connecting an electrolyte membrane according to claim 1 or 2.   After the supporting member removing step, a catalyst layer is formed on the surface of the first electrolyte membrane and the surface of the second electrolyte membrane in a state where the first electrolyte membrane and the second electrolyte membrane are fixed by the second fixing machine. The method for connecting an electrolyte membrane according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a coating step of coating. A first breaking member removing step of removing the first breaking member after the first connecting step and before the supporting member removing step;
The method for connecting an electrolyte membrane according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: The first fixing machine fixes the first sheet member and fixes the second sheet member, a fourth position away from the first sheet member and the second sheet member, Is configured to be movable,
After placing the first fixing machine at the third position and performing the first connection step,
Disposing the first fixing device at the fourth position and performing the first breaking member removing step;
The method for connecting an electrolyte membrane according to claim 6. The first fixing device is a suction device and has a suction surface, and the suction surface sucks and fixes the surface of the first sheet member on the first support member side, and the second sheet member The third position for sucking and fixing the surface on the second support member side and the fourth position away from the first sheet member and the second sheet member are configured to be movable,
In the first connecting step, the suction surface is arranged at the third position, a part of the first sheet member is sucked and fixed, and a part of the second sheet member is sucked and fixed. After doing
The support portion is disposed at the fourth position, and the first breaking member removing step is performed.
The method for connecting an electrolyte membrane according to claim 7. The first fixing machine is a holding machine, and has a support part that supports the first part and the second part,
The support portion supports the first portion from one surface side, supports the second portion from one surface side, and a fourth position separated from the first portion and the second portion. Is configured to be movable, and
The support portion is disposed at the third position, and a part of the first sheet member is held and fixed to be sandwiched from both sides, and a part of the second sheet member is held to be sandwiched from both sides. After performing the first connection step in a fixed state,
The support portion is disposed at the fourth position, and the first breaking member removing step is performed.
The method for connecting an electrolyte membrane according to claim 7. A connecting device for connecting a belt-shaped electrolyte membrane,
At the end of the first sheet member, a band-shaped first sheet member bonded with the first support member and the first electrolyte membrane, a band-shaped second sheet member bonded with the second support member and the second electrolyte membrane, and A surface on the first support member side of a third portion including a third end portion, and a surface on the second support member side of a fourth portion including a fourth end portion which is an end portion of the second sheet member. A second fixing machine for fixing the surface on the first electrolyte side and the surface on the second electrolyte side of the connection sheet member including the connected first connection member;
The first support member and the second support connected from the connection sheet by the first connection member in a state in which the first electrolyte side surface and the second electrolyte side surface of the connection sheet member are fixed. A removal section for removing the member;
In a state of being fixed by the second fixing machine, the surface of the first electrolyte membrane on the side where the first support member is disposed, and the side of the second electrolyte membrane on which the second support member is disposed A second connecting member on a surface, and a connecting portion for connecting the first electrolyte membrane and the second electrolyte membrane;
An electrolyte membrane connecting device comprising: The second fixing device is an aspirator and has a suction surface, and the suction surface is a surface of the first sheet member on the first electrolyte membrane side, and the second electrolyte membrane of the second sheet member. It is configured to suck and fix the side surface,
In the state in which the removing unit sucks and fixes the surface on the first electrolyte membrane side of the first sheet member and the surface on the second electrolyte membrane side of the second sheet member with the second fixing machine, Configured to remove the first support member and the second support member;
The apparatus for connecting an electrolyte membrane according to claim 10.   The apparatus for connecting an electrolyte membrane according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the second fixing machine includes a roll for conveying the connection sheet member. The second fixing machine fixes the first sheet member and fixes the second sheet member; a second position away from the first sheet member and the second sheet member; Is configured to be movable,
Placing the second fixing machine at the first position, performing the support member removing step, and performing the second connecting step;
The apparatus for connecting an electrolyte membrane according to claim 10 or 11.   The surface of the first electrolyte membrane in a state where the first electrolyte membrane from which the first support member has been removed and the second electrolyte membrane from which the second support member has been removed are fixed by the second fixing device. The apparatus for connecting an electrolyte membrane according to any one of claims 10 to 13, further comprising a coating device for applying a catalyst layer to a surface of the second electrolyte membrane. The first portion including the first end portion of the first sheet member and the second portion including the second end portion of the second sheet member are arranged so as to overlap each other when viewed from the thickness direction of the electrolyte membrane. A first fixing device that fixes at least a part of the first sheet member and at least a part of the second sheet member in a state;
In a state where a part of the first sheet member and a part of the second sheet member are fixed by the first fixing machine, an overlapping part of the first part and the second part is defined as the second end part and the second part. Cutting in a cross section passing between the first end portion, and a cutting portion forming a first breaking member including the first end portion and a second breaking member including the second end portion, and
The connection sheet member is formed by being cut by the cutting portion. The end portion opposite to the first breaking member from the cross section of the first portion is a third end portion, and the cross section of the second portion is the cross section. In the state where the first sheet member and the second sheet member are fixed by the first fixing device when the end opposite to the second breaking member is the fourth end, the third end is The first connecting member includes a surface on the first support member side where the second breaking member of the third portion including the surface and a surface on the second support member side of the fourth portion including the fourth end portion are included. The apparatus for connecting an electrolyte membrane according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the connection device is an electrolyte membrane.