JP2015207501A - Fuel cell, manufacturing method of fuel cell, and manufacturing method of fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel cell which eliminates the need of the use of an adhesive and a primer and installation of seal members of separators at a power generation region, and to provide a manufacturing method of the fuel cell and a manufacturing apparatus of the fuel cell.SOLUTION: A fuel cell 100 according to the invention includes: a lamination body 10a where membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) 11, each of which includes a frame member 15 attached to an outer periphery, and separators 13, 14 are laminated; and a coating body 20 which coats the lateral side of the lamination body which intersects with a lamination direction. A position of an end part of the frame member, which contacts with the separators, is located at the outer side relative to a position of end parts of the separators, which contact with each other, in a surface direction.

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell, a fuel cell manufacturing method, and a fuel cell manufacturing apparatus.

  A fuel cell is mainly configured by stacking a plurality of fuel cell cells in which separators are arranged on both sides of a membrane electrode assembly (hereinafter referred to as MEA). The MEAs and separators to be stacked are fixed using, for example, an adhesive (see Patent Document 1). If an adhesive is used, it must wait for the adhesive to cure. Furthermore, a primer may be necessary to improve the effect of fixing with an adhesive. Therefore, there is a technique in which a laminated body in which fuel cells are laminated without using an adhesive or a primer as described above is integrally formed with a resin (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2007-220403 A Japanese Patent No. 4771271

  In the technique described in Patent Document 2, an adhesive is not used, but a seal member is installed on the outer periphery of the power generation region in the separator in order to prevent molten resin from flowing between the MEA and the separator. Therefore, even if the use of an adhesive or the like can be made unnecessary, the installation work of the sealing member is necessary, and accordingly, the cost of parts of the sealing member is required, and the cost is increased due to an increase in the installation work of the sealing member. There is a problem such as.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a method of manufacturing a fuel cell that can eliminate the use of an adhesive or a primer and does not require the installation of a seal member on the outer periphery of the power generation region of the separator. An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell manufacturing apparatus and a fuel cell manufactured by the method.

  The present invention that achieves the above object is a fuel cell. The fuel cell includes a laminated body in which a membrane electrode assembly having a frame member attached to the outer periphery and a separator are laminated, and a covering that covers a side that intersects the lamination direction of the laminated body. In the present invention, the frame member is characterized in that the position of the end contacting the separator is more outward in the surface direction than the position of the end contacting each other.

  Another aspect of the present invention that achieves the above object is a method for manufacturing a fuel cell. This method is a laminated body in which a membrane electrode assembly having a frame member attached to the outer periphery and a separator are laminated, and the position of the end where the frame member contacts the separator is more than the position of the end where the separator contacts. Preparing the laminated body which is also outward in the plane direction, and arranging the laminated body in a space formed by a mold including a fixed mold and a movable mold, and applying pressure in the stacking direction of the laminated body And a forming step of forming a covering covering the laminated body from a direction intersecting with the laminating direction of the laminated body.

  Another aspect of the present invention that achieves the above object is a fuel cell manufacturing apparatus. The apparatus is a laminated body in which a membrane electrode assembly with a frame member attached to the outer periphery and a separator are stacked, and the position of the end where the frame member contacts the separator is more than the position of the end where the separators contact each other. A molding die that forms a space for accommodating a laminate that is outward in the plane direction, a pressurizing unit that applies pressure to the laminate disposed in the space in the stacking direction of the laminate, and the space is covered And an injection unit that injects the resin constituting the body in a melted state.

  According to the fuel cell of the present invention having the above configuration, the covering is disposed on the side of the laminated body, and the position of the end where the frame member contacts the separator is more than the position of the end where the separator contacts. It is configured to be outward in the direction. The place where the separator contacts is a power generation region that conducts electric power generated by the electrochemical reaction of the fuel cell in the stacking direction, and the frame member abuts the separator on the outer side in the plane direction than the region where power generation is performed. is there. In this way, the position where the frame member abuts on the separator is set to be outward in the surface direction from the position where the separators contact each other, and the side of the laminate is covered with the covering so that the fuel and oxidant flowing through the laminate Leakage can be prevented and a seal member can be dispensed with. Therefore, a sealing member can be made unnecessary together with an adhesive and a primer.

  Similarly, according to another method and apparatus for manufacturing a fuel cell according to the present invention, the position of the end where the frame member contacts the separator is more outward in the surface direction than the position of the end where the separator contacts. In a state where the laminate to be formed is arranged in the space formed by the mold, the molten resin is injected into the space by the injection portion and cured to form a covering. Since the resin is injected in a state where pressure is applied in the stacking direction of the laminate, a seal part can be formed by closely adhering between the adjacent MEA and the separator. Adhesives, primers, and seal members can be eliminated.

It is a process block diagram shown about shaping | molding of a covering body also in the manufacturing method of the fuel cell which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2A is a front view showing a stacked portion in the fuel cell manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment, and FIG. 2B is an enlarged view showing a tip portion of an arm in the stacked portion. It is a perspective view which shows the shaping | molding part in the manufacturing apparatus. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the molding part. It is a front view which shows the shaping | molding part in the manufacturing apparatus. It is a top view which shows the shaping | molding part in the manufacturing apparatus. It is sectional drawing which follows the 4-4 line of FIG. 3D. 5A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5A-5A in FIG. 3D, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5B-5B in FIG. 3D. It is a perspective view which shows a fuel cell. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the fuel cell. 8A is a front view showing the frame member, FIG. 8B is a sectional view taken along line 8B-8B in FIG. 8A, and FIG. 8C is a line 8C-8C in FIG. 8A. FIG. 8D is a front view showing a joint portion of the separator with the adjacent separator. It is sectional drawing which shows the separator and MEA which comprise the fuel cell of the fuel cell. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the shaping | molding part in the manufacturing apparatus of the fuel cell which concerns on this invention. FIG. 11A is a perspective view showing a modification of the fuel cell, and FIG. 11B is a front view. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the shaping | molding part of the same fuel cell.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the following description does not limit the technical scope and terms used in the claims. In addition, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation, and may differ from actual ratios.

  FIG. 1 is a process block diagram showing molding of a covering in a fuel cell manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 (A) is a front view showing a stacked portion in the fuel cell manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 and FIG. 2B are enlarged views showing the tip portion of the arm in the laminated portion. 3A is a perspective view showing a molding part in the manufacturing apparatus, FIG. 3B is an exploded perspective view showing the molding part, FIG. 3C is a front view showing the molding part in the manufacturing apparatus, and FIG. 3D is a molding part in the manufacturing apparatus. FIG.

  4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3D, FIG. 5A is a sectional view taken along line 5A-5A in FIG. 3D, and FIG. 5B is a sectional view taken along line 5B-5B in FIG. It is. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the fuel cell, and FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the fuel cell. 8A is a front view showing the frame member, FIG. 8B is a sectional view taken along line 8B-8B in FIG. 8A, and FIG. 8C is a line 8C-8C in FIG. 8A. FIG. 8D is a front view showing a joint portion of the separator with the adjacent separator. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the separator and MEA that constitute the fuel cell of the fuel cell.

  The fuel cell manufacturing method according to the present embodiment will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. First, a predetermined number of fuel cell cells 10 b including separators 13 and 14 and MEA 11 are stacked to form a stacked body 10 a. Further, the current collectors 16 and 17 and the insulating members 18 and 19 are stacked at both ends in the stacking direction to form the accommodation 10 (step ST1). Then, the container 10 including the formed laminate 10a is placed in a mold (step ST2), and the molds 228 to 233 are assembled in a state where the container 10 is stored (step ST3). Then, resin is inject | poured and the covering 20 is formed (step ST4) and it molds (step ST5). Step ST1 corresponds to the preparation process, and steps ST2 to ST5 correspond to the formation process of the covering 20. In the manufacturing method according to the present embodiment, the separators 13 and 14 adjacent to each other in the stacked body 10 a are joined to form the separator assembly 12. A frame member 15 is attached to the MEA 11 outward in the surface direction. Details will be described later.

(Fuel cell manufacturing equipment)
Next, a fuel cell manufacturing apparatus that uses the manufacturing method according to the present embodiment will be described. The fuel cell manufacturing apparatus includes a stacking unit 210 used in the stacking step, a forming unit 220 used in the forming step, and a control unit (not shown) used in any step.

  The stacked unit 210 includes a holding arm 211 that holds the MEA 11, the separators 13 and 14, the current collectors 16 and 17, and the insulating members 18 and 19, and an installation base 218. The sandwiching arm 211 includes a fixed unit 212, a moving unit 213, a holding unit 214, and a transport unit 217. The fixed portion 212 is configured in an L shape when viewed from the side, and the MEA 11, the separators 13 and 14, the current collectors 16 and 17, and the insulating members 18 and 19 are placed on the horizontal portion of the L shape. A vertical portion of the fixing portion 212 in the L shape is connected to the holding portion 214. The moving unit 213 holds the MEA 11, the separators 13 and 14, the current collectors 16 and 17, and the insulating members 18 and 19 together with the horizontal portion of the fixed unit 212. The moving part 213 is connected to the fixed part 212 in a vertical portion of the fixed part 212 so as to be able to approach and separate. The MEA 11, the separators 13 and 14, the current collectors 16 and 17, and the insulating members 18 and 19 are sandwiched by contacting the horizontal portion of the fixed portion 212 and the moving portion 213.

  The holding part 214 includes a holding arm 215 and an extension part 216. The holding arm 215 is connected to the vertical portion of the fixed unit 212 and holds the fixed unit 212 and the moving unit 213. The extension portion 216 is configured to connect the holding arm 215 so as to be movable back and forth in the horizontal direction in FIG. The extension portion 216 incorporates a motor and a gear (not shown), and the holding arm 215 incorporates a gear that meshes with the gear of the extension portion 216, and the operation of the motor allows the holding arm 215 to move forward and backward. However, the forward / backward movement mechanism of the holding arm 215 is not limited to this.

  The transport unit 217 is installed on the installation table 218. The installation table 218 is provided with a rail on which the transfer unit 217 moves, and the transfer unit 217 moves on the rail of the installation table 218. As a result, the holding arm 211 grips the MEA 11, the separators 13 and 14, the current collectors 16 and 17, or the insulating members 18 and 19 from a component installation location (not shown), conveys them to the stacking position of the stacked body 10a, and mounts them. And stack.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A to 5, the molding unit 220 includes an injection unit (not shown), a sprue 221, runners 222 to 227, a fixed mold 228 to 232, a movable mold 233, and an insert mold 234 to 239. And a pressing cylinder 240 (corresponding to a pressurizing part). The fixed molds 228 to 232 and the movable mold 233 correspond to a forming mold in this embodiment. The injection unit heats and melts the charged resin, and introduces it into the space 220 a surrounded by the fixed molds 228 to 232 and the movable mold 233 through the sprue 221 and the runners 222 to 227. The injection unit has a configuration such as a hopper for charging the material and a screw for kneading the resin, etc., but these are the same as the configuration for supplying the molten resin in the resin injection molding machine, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  The sprue 221 is a flow path for transferring the molten resin supplied from the injection unit toward the molding space 220 a surrounded by the fixed molds 228 to 232 and the movable mold 233. The runners 222 to 227 are molten resin flow paths that connect to the sprue 221 and branch off from the sprue 221. In the molding space 220a surrounded by the fixed molds 228 to 232 and the movable mold 233, the container 10 including the laminated body 10a is installed in advance before the fixed molds 228 to 232 and the movable mold 233 are installed. As will be described later, the separators 13 and 14 have corrugated shapes 13 g and 14 g, and the adjacent separators are welded together to form the separator assembly 12. Outer peripheral recesses 222a to 227a are formed between the separator 13 and the separator 14 constituting the separator assembly 12 and in the outer peripheral portion thereof. The runners 222 to 227 are arranged so as to face the outer peripheral recesses 222a to 227a in the stacked body 10a. The outer peripheral recesses 222a to 227a become the gripping portions 21a to 21f of the covering 20.

  The fixed mold 228 is a mold on which the contents 10 are placed. In the present embodiment, the current collectors 16 and 17 and the insulating members 18 and 19 are arranged at both ends in the stacking direction of the stacked body 10a as the configuration of the container 10, and according to the protrusion shape of the current collectors 16 and 17 Although the concave portion is formed in the approximate center of the fixed mold 228, the present invention is not limited to this. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3B, FIG. 5 (A), and FIG. 5 (B), the fixed mold 228 is provided with a recess for installing and positioning the insert molds 234 to 239.

  The solid molds 229 to 232 are molds arranged on the side of the stacked body 10a. Fixed molds 229-232 are placed on fixed mold 228 to form a space 220 a through which molten resin flows. In addition, runners 222 to 227 are connected to the fixed mold 229 so that the molten resin can flow into a space 220 a surrounded by the fixed molds 228 to 232 and the movable mold 233. The fixed molds 229 to 232 have a high melting point at the contact portion between the fixed mold 228 and the movable mold 233 so that the space 220a for molding the covering 20 can be maintained even when the movable mold 233 approaches the fixed mold 228. It is made of a material such as rubber.

  The movable mold 233 is configured to be able to approach and separate from the fixed mold 228. The movable mold 233 is formed with a portion that engages with the protruding portions of the current collectors 16 and 17. The movable mold 233 is connected to the hydraulic cylinder 240 so as to be able to approach and separate from the fixed mold 228.

  The insert molds 234 to 239 are molds for forming a flow path in the covering body 20 through which fuel, an oxidant, and cooling water are circulated in the fuel cell 100 in the stacking direction. The insert molds 234 to 239 are formed of rectangular columns that are long in the stacking direction, but the shape is not limited to this.

  The control unit includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like, and controls operations of the stacking unit 210 and the molding unit 220.

(Fuel cell)
Next, the fuel cell manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the fuel cell 100 includes an accommodation 10 and a covering body 20. As shown in FIG. 7, the container 10 includes a laminated body 10 a, current collectors 16 and 17, and insulating members 18 and 19. The stacked body 10a is configured by stacking a plurality of MEAs 11 and separators 13 and 14. The MEA 11 and the separators 13 and 14 adjacent to both side surfaces of the MEA 11 are collectively referred to as a fuel cell 10b as shown in FIG.

  In the MEA 11, an anode 11b is joined to one side of the electrolyte membrane 11a, and a cathode 11c is joined to the other side. The separator assembly 12 has two separators 13 and 14. In addition, the current collectors 16 and 17 are provided at end portions in the stacking direction of the stacked body 10a. The insulating members 18 and 19 are arranged on the outer side in the stacking direction than the current collectors 16 and 17 to insulate the generated electricity from the outside. The covering 20 corresponds to the housing of the accommodation 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the separators 13 and 14 energize the electric power generated in the MEA 11 while isolating the adjacent MEAs 11 in the stacked body 10a. The separators 13 and 14 are classified into an anode side separator 13 and a cathode side separator 14. The anode separator 13 is in contact with the anode 11b of the MEA 11. The anode side separator 13 is made of a metal having a conductive material, and is formed in a thin plate shape larger than the anode 11b. The separators 13 and 14 may be collectively referred to as a separator assembly 12.

  As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 9, a plurality of irregularities are formed at a constant interval in the center of the anode side separator 13 so as to form a flow path that separates the fuel gas (hydrogen) and the cooling fluid such as cooling water. The waveform shape 13g formed in (1) is provided. The anode-side separator 13 uses a closed space formed in contact with the anode 11b among the concavo-convex shape as an anode gas flow path 13h for supplying hydrogen to the anode 11b. On the other hand, the anode-side separator 13 has a cooling fluid channel 13j for supplying cooling water in a closed space formed between a corrugated shape 13g having a plurality of concave and convex sections and a corrugated shape 14g of the cathode-side separator 14. (14j).

  The anode-side separator 13 has a rectangular shape, and has a through hole corresponding to the cathode gas supply port 13a, the cooling fluid supply port 13b, and the anode gas supply port 13c at one end in the longitudinal direction. Similarly, the anode-side separator 13 has a through hole corresponding to the anode gas discharge port 13d, the cooling fluid discharge port 13e, and the cathode gas discharge port 13f at the other end in the longitudinal direction.

  The cathode separator 14 is in contact with the cathode 11 c of the MEA 11. The cathode side separator 14 is made of a metal having a conductive material, and is formed in a thin plate shape larger than the cathode 11c.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the cathode-side separator 14 has a plurality of concave and convex sections in cross section so as to form a flow channel portion that flows the oxidant gas (air containing oxygen or pure oxygen) and cooling water as shown in FIG. The waveform shape 14g which consists of a shape is provided. The cathode-side separator 14 uses a closed space formed in contact with the cathode 11c among the concavo-convex shape as a cathode gas flow path 14h for supplying an oxidant gas to the cathode 11c. On the other hand, the cathode-side separator 14 uses a closed space formed between the concavo-convex shape and the anode-side separator 13 as a cooling fluid channel 14j (13j) for supplying cooling water.

  The cathode-side separator 14 has a rectangular shape, and has a through hole corresponding to the cathode gas supply port 14a, the cooling fluid supply port 14b, and the anode gas supply port 14c at one end in the longitudinal direction. Similarly, the cathode separator 14 has a through hole corresponding to the anode gas discharge port 14d, the cooling fluid discharge port 14e, and the cathode gas discharge port 14f at the other end in the longitudinal direction. The separator 14 is joined to the separator 13, and the supply ports 14 a to 14 c and the discharge ports 14 d to 14 f communicate with the supply ports 13 a to 13 c and the discharge ports 13 d to 13 f of the separator 13. Further, as shown in FIG. 8D, the separator 14 comes into contact with and is bonded to the adjacent separator 13 at the time of stacking at the outer periphery 14m (13m in the case of the separator 13). Similarly, as shown in FIG. 8D, the separator 14 includes an adjacent separator 13, a cathode gas supply port 14a (13a), an anode gas supply port 14c (13c), an anode gas discharge port 14d (13d), a cathode It joins in the edge part 14n (13n) of the gas exhaust port 14f (13f).

  The MEA 11 shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 9 generates electric power by chemically reacting the supplied oxygen and hydrogen. The MEA 11 is formed by joining the anode 11b to one side of the electrolyte membrane 11a and joining the cathode 11c to the other side. The electrolyte membrane 11a is made of, for example, a solid polymer material and is formed in a thin plate shape.

  As the solid polymer material, for example, a fluorine-based resin that conducts hydrogen ions and has good electrical conductivity in a wet state is used. The anode 11b is formed by laminating an electrode catalyst layer, a water repellent layer, and a gas diffusion layer, and is formed in a thin plate shape slightly smaller than the electrolyte membrane 11a. The cathode 11c is formed by laminating an electrode catalyst layer, a water repellent layer, and a gas diffusion layer, and is formed in a thin plate shape with the same size as the anode 11b.

  The electrode catalyst layers of the anode 11b and the cathode 11c include an electrode catalyst in which a catalyst component is supported on a conductive carrier and a polymer electrolyte. The gas diffusion layers of the anode 11b and the cathode 11c are formed of, for example, carbon cloth, carbon paper, or carbon felt woven with yarns made of carbon fibers having sufficient gas diffusibility and conductivity.

  A frame member 15 is attached to the outer periphery of the MEA 11. The frame member 15 integrally holds the outer periphery of the laminated electrolyte membrane 11a, anode 11b, and cathode 11c. The frame member 15 is made of, for example, a resin such as unsaturated polyester, polyvinylidene chloride, polycarbonate, or epoxy that has electrical insulation properties and does not melt even when the covering 20 is formed. It is formed with the same outer shape as the outer shape of the outer peripheral portion.

  As shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C, the frame member 15 includes a cathode gas supply port 15a, a cooling fluid supply port 15b, an anode gas supply port 15c, an anode gas discharge port 15d, and a cooling fluid discharge port 15e. , A cathode gas discharge port 15f, a contact portion 15g (corresponding to a blocking portion), and a step portion 15h.

  The cathode gas supply port 15 a, the cooling fluid supply port 15 b, and the anode gas supply port 15 c are formed as openings at predetermined ends in the longitudinal direction of the frame member 15. The anode gas discharge port 15d, the cooling fluid discharge port 15e, and the cathode gas discharge port 15f are formed at predetermined intervals at the end opposite to the cathode gas supply port 15a, the cooling fluid supply port 15b, and the anode gas supply port 15c. ing.

  The contact portion 15g is a portion that is formed on the outer periphery of the rectangular frame member 15 and is in contact with the adjacent separators 13 and 14 when the stacked body 10a is formed.

  The step portion 15h is formed one step lower in the stacking direction than the outer periphery of the frame member 15, and forms a flow path (section) through which fuel or oxidant flows. In FIG. 8A, the step portion 15h forms a flow path from the anode gas supply port 15c through which air and oxygen flow to the anode gas discharge port 15d. The step portion 15h on the opposite surface of FIG. 8A forms a flow path from the cathode gas supply port 15a through which hydrogen or the like as fuel flows to the cathode gas discharge port 15f. By forming the step portion 15h in this way, a seal member disposed between the frame member 15 and the adjacent separators 13 and 14 can be made unnecessary.

  Further, the corrugated shapes 13g and 14g of the separators 13 and 14 when viewed from above and the inner portion in the surface direction (MEA 11) of the MEA 11 than the frame member 15 correspond to a power generation region where power generation is performed.

  Further, in this embodiment, by forming the covering body 20 in a state in which the laminated body 10a is formed and being pressurized in the laminating direction, the contact portion 15g is a damming portion that dams fluid from the outside, a so-called seal portion, This eliminates the need for a sealant or a primer used together with the sealant.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the pair of current collectors 16 and 17 takes out the electric power generated by the stacked body 10a to the outside.

  The pair of current collectors 16 and 17 are disposed at both ends of the stacked body 10a. The outer shape of the pair of current collectors 16 and 17 is the same as that of the frame member 15 of the MEA 11 having a slightly increased layer thickness except for some shapes. The pair of current collectors 16 and 17 has through holes corresponding to the cathode gas supply ports 16a and 17a, the cooling fluid supply ports 16b and 17b, and the anode gas supply ports 16c and 17c at one end in the longitudinal direction. Yes. Similarly, through holes corresponding to the anode gas discharge ports 16d and 17d, the cooling fluid discharge ports 16e and 17e, and the cathode gas discharge ports 16f and 17f are opened at the other end in the longitudinal direction. The pair of current collectors 16 and 17 includes a current collector 16j (the same applies to the current collector 17) at the center thereof.

  The current collectors 16j of the pair of current collectors 16 and 17 are made of, for example, a conductive member such as dense carbon that does not allow gas permeation, and are formed in a thin plate shape slightly smaller than the outer shapes of the anode 11b and the cathode 11c. ing. The pair of current collectors 16j and the like are in contact with the anode 11b or the cathode 11c of the MEA 11 provided in the outermost fuel cell 10b that is stacked. The current collector 16h and the like are provided with a cylindrical protrusion 16k and the like having conductivity from one surface thereof. The protrusions 16k and the like face the outside through the through holes 18g and the like of the pair of insulating members 18 and 19. Further, the shape corresponding to the protrusion 16k of the current collector 16 is also provided for the current collector 17 in the same manner.

  The outer shape of the pair of insulating members 18 and 19 is the same as that of the frame member 15 of the MEA 11 having an increased layer thickness, except for some shapes. The pair of insulating members 18 and 19 are made of, for example, metal and insulate the electric power generated by the stacked body 10a from the outside. The pair of insulating members 18 and 19 have through holes 18g and 19g through which the protrusions 16g and the like of the pair of current collectors 16 and 17 described above are inserted.

  The pair of insulating members 18 and 19 have through holes corresponding to cathode gas supply ports 18a and 19a, cooling fluid supply ports 18b and 19b, and anode gas supply ports 18c and 19c at one end in the longitudinal direction. . Similarly, through holes corresponding to the anode gas discharge ports 18d and 19d, the cooling fluid discharge ports 18e and 19e, and the cathode gas discharge ports 18f and 19f are opened at the other end in the longitudinal direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the cover 20 holds the stacked body 10 a, the pair of current collectors 16 and 17, and the insulating members 18 and 19 in close contact with each other. The covering 20 corresponds to a conventional casing made of metal or the like. The covering 20 is manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIGS. 3A to 5, and is formed of, for example, butadiene rubber. The covering 20 covers the container 10 from the direction intersecting the stacking direction of the stacked body 10a.

  The covering 20 is formed with gripping portions 21a to 21f in the stacking direction so that the stacked body 10a, the current collectors 16 and 17, and the insulating members 18 and 19 can be pressed in the stacking direction. The number of the gripping portions 21 a to 21 f varies depending on the number of stacked layers of the MEA 11 and the separators 13 and 14. In addition, the covering body 20 allows a cathode, gas supply port 20a, a cooling fluid supply port 20b, an anode gas supply port 20c, an anode gas discharge port 20d, a cooling fluid discharge so that a fluid such as fuel, oxidant, and cooling water can flow. An outlet 20e and a cathode gas outlet 20f are formed.

  Separators 13 and 14, frame member 15, current collectors 16 and 17, insulation members 18 and 19 and cathode gas supply ports 13a to 20a of cooling body 20, cooling fluid supply ports 13b to 20b, anode gas supply ports 13c to 20c, The anode gas discharge ports 13d to 20d, the cooling fluid discharge ports 13e to 20e, and the cathode gas discharge ports 13f to 20f are connected to the separators 13 and 14, the MEA 11, the current collectors 16 and 17, the insulating members 18 and 19, and the covering body 20, respectively. It is comprised so that it may communicate when it aligns.

(Fuel cell manufacturing method)
Next, a process for forming a covering in the method for manufacturing a fuel cell according to the present embodiment will be described. Since other methods are the same as the conventional method, description thereof is omitted. Formation of the covering 20 constituting the fuel cell 100 according to the present embodiment includes a preparation process and a formation process.

  In the preparation step, the container 10 having the MEA 11, the separators 13 and 14, the current collectors 16 and 17, and the insulating members 18 and 19 is stacked using the stacking unit 210.

  When the storage 10 is formed, the insert molds 234 to 239 are inserted into the cathode gas supply ports 13a to 19a, the cooling fluid supply ports 13b to 19b, the anode gas supply ports 13c to 19c, and the anode gas discharge ports 13d to 19d of the storage product 10, respectively. The cooling fluid discharge ports 13e to 19e and the cathode gas discharge ports 13f to 19f are inserted. Thereby, the things 10 are fixed integrally.

  Next, the container 10 into which the insert molds 234 to 239 are inserted is placed in the fixed mold 228, and the fixed molds 229 to 232 located on the side among the molds are installed. When the fixed mold 229 is installed, the runners 222 to 227 and the sprue 221 are connected to the fixed mold 229.

  Next, the movable mold 233 connected to the hydraulic cylinder 240 is approached from above the fixed molds 229 to 232 toward the fixed mold 228, and the insulating member 18, the fixed mold 228, and the movable mold positioned at the end of the accommodation 10 are moved. 233 and the insulating member 19 are brought into contact with each other. Further, the movable mold 233 is moved toward the fixed mold 228, and the space 220a is made a sealed space by the fixed molds 228 to 232 and the movable mold 233.

  Next, the resin is poured from the injection portion and melted, and then poured into the space 220 a formed by the fixed molds 228 to 232 and the movable mold 233 through the sprue 221 and the runners 222 to 227. Cathode gas supply ports 13a to 19a, cooling fluid supply ports 13b to 19b, anode gas supply ports 13c to 19c, anode gas discharge ports 13d to 19d, cooling fluid discharge ports 13e to 19e, and cathode gas discharge port 13f in the storage 10 Insert molds 234 to 239 are inserted into .about.19f, and the object 10 is pressurized in the stacking direction by the fixed mold 228 and the movable mold 233. Therefore, the covering body 20 is formed in the space 220 a surrounded by the molds 228 to 233 except for the contents 10.

  When the molten resin poured in is cured, the movable mold 233 and the fixed molds 229 to 232 are removed, and the covering 20 formed of the molten resin together with the contents 10 is removed from the fixed mold 228. Then, the insert molds 234 to 239 are removed, and if necessary, if the burrs are formed on the outer surface of the covering body 20, they are removed to form the fuel cell 100.

  Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described. In some fuel cells, adjacent MEAs and separators are in an assembled state by an adhesive, and in that case, it is necessary to wait for curing of the primer that enhances the effect of fixing the adhesive or adhesive. In addition, even if the MEA and separator are integrally formed of resin without using an adhesive or the like, conventionally, a sealing member is disposed on the outer periphery of the power generation region so that the molten resin does not flow into the flow path of anode gas or the like. ing. Therefore, it becomes necessary to install a seal member on the outer periphery of the power generation region, and the parts cost of the seal member and the number of man-hours for installation work increase accordingly.

  On the other hand, according to the fuel cell according to the present embodiment, the covering body 20 is disposed on the side of the stacked body 10a, and the separators are in contact with each other at the end positions where the frame member 15 is in contact with the separators 13 and 14. It is comprised so that it may become a surface direction outer side rather than the position of an edge part. The place where the separators 13 and 14 are in contact is a power generation region where power generated by the electrochemical reaction of the fuel cell 100 is conducted in the stacking direction, and the frame member 15 is in contact with the separators 13 and 14 where power generation is performed. Is more outward in the surface direction. In this way, the position where the frame member 15 contacts the separators 13 and 14 is set to be more outward in the surface direction than the position where the separators are in contact with each other, and the side of the stacked body is covered with the covering 20 to circulate the stacked body. It is possible to prevent the fuel and the oxidant from leaking out and to eliminate the need for a sealing member. Therefore, a sealing member can be made unnecessary together with an adhesive and a primer.

  Further, according to the method of manufacturing a fuel cell according to the present embodiment, the laminated body 10a in which the MEA 11 with the frame member 15 attached to the outer periphery and the separators 13 and 14 are laminated in the preparation step, and the frame member 15 is the separator 13. , 14 is prepared in such a manner that the position of the end in contact with 14 is more outward in the surface direction than the position of the end in contact with the separators. Then, in the forming step, the laminated body 10a is arranged in a space 220a formed by a mold including the fixed molds 228 to 232 and the movable mold 233, and melted in the space 220a while applying pressure in the stacking direction of the laminated body 10a. Resin is circulated and cured to form a covering 20 that covers the laminate 10a from a direction that intersects the lamination direction of the laminate 10a.

  In addition, the fuel cell manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes the fixed molds 228 to 232 and the movable mold 233 that form the space 220a that houses the stacked body 10a, and the stacking direction with respect to the stacked body 10a disposed in the space 220a. And a pressure cylinder 240 for applying pressure to the space 220a, and an injection portion for injecting the resin constituting the cover 20 in the space 220a in a molten state.

  According to the manufacturing method and the manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention as described above, the molten resin is circulated between the adjacent MEA 11 and the separators 13 and 14 while applying pressure by the fixed mold 228 and the movable mold 233. By forming the covering 20, the gripping portions 21 a to 21 h can bring the MEA 11 and the separators 13 and 14 into close contact with each other to form a seal portion. Therefore, the seal member, primer, and adhesive installed on the outer periphery of the power generation area are not required, and the part cost and installation man-hour can be reduced accordingly.

  The frame member 15 includes a cathode gas supply port 15a, a cooling fluid supply port 15b, an anode gas supply port 15c, an anode gas discharge port 15d, a cooling fluid discharge port 15e, a cathode gas discharge port 15f, an anode A step from the gas supply port 15c to the anode gas discharge port 15d or from the cathode gas supply port 15a to the cathode gas discharge port 15f is provided with a step portion 15h that is one step lower than the surroundings. Therefore, when the periphery of the step portion 15h is raised by one step, the portion can be made to function as a breakwater that prevents fluid from the outside from flowing, and a seal member can be made unnecessary.

  In addition, an anode gas or a cathode gas can be circulated through the step portion 15h to generate an electrochemical reaction necessary for power generation without using a seal member.

  Moreover, the adjacent separators 13 and 14 prepared in the preparation process are joined at the outer peripheral portion to constitute a separator assembly 12. Therefore, the separators adjacent to each other can be quickly assembled by a simple method of joining the two, and when the laminated body 10a is formed, the flow path of the cooling fluid can be easily formed, and the number of work steps Can be reduced.

  Further, in the preparatory process, the adjacent separators 13 and 14 and the frame member 15 of the MEA 11 are brought into contact with each other on the outer periphery to form a contact portion 15g, and in the forming process, the covering body 20 is pressed in the stacking direction. Is formed. For this reason, the frame member 15 of the MEA 11 and the separators 13 and 14 are brought into close contact with each other at the contact portion 15g, and the anode gas, the cathode gas, and the cooling fluid that circulate inside the MEA 11 can be dammed so as not to circulate outside. Such a sealing member installed on the outer periphery of the power generation area can be eliminated.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, A various change is possible in a claim.

  10 is a perspective view showing a modification of the mold according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 11A is a perspective view showing the mold, and FIG. 11B is a front view. Although FIG. 3A demonstrated embodiment which resin branches from the sprue 221 to the runners 222-227 through one flow path, it is not limited to this. The flow path continuing from the sprue 221 may be divided into two flow paths 221a and 221b as shown in FIG. 10 so that the runner is connected not only to the mold 229 but also to the mold 232. With this configuration, the resin can be filled into the space 220a more quickly.

  Further, in FIG. 3A, the melted resin flows in the flow path 221 that accommodates the screw, and branches and flows from the flow path 221 to the flow paths 222 to 227 bent at approximately 90 degrees (a plurality of gates). Although described, it is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C, the flow path 221c may be configured with a single gate for the fixed type without bending or branching. Further, the configuration of the mold is not limited to the above. For example, the fixed mold 228b and the movable mold 233b are configured to cover the container 10 from the side at the height from both ends in the stacking direction to the middle of the container 10, The height position in the middle may be a parting of the mold (mold division position, parting line).

  FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the laminate according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the above description, the embodiment has been described in which the melted resin is prevented from flowing by pressurizing between the MEA 11 and the adjacent separators 13 and 14 in the laminating direction, but is not limited thereto. As shown in FIG. 12, a protrusion 15j (corresponding to a damming portion) is provided at the outer peripheral end in the surface direction of the frame member 15, and the separators 13 and 14 are engaging portions 13k that engage with the protrusion 15j. , 14k are provided. Protrusions 16j and 17j are provided at the center in the stacking direction of the current collectors 16 and 17 at both ends in the stacking direction. The fixed mold 228 and the movable mold 233 are provided with lips 228a and 233a for preventing the molten resin from flowing into unintended portions, and the insulating members 18 and 19 are engaging portions that engage with the lips 228a and 233a. 18j and 19j are provided.

  The protrusions 15j, 16j, and 17j protrude in the stacking direction. By preparing the MEA 11 and the current collector to which the frame member having such a protrusion 15j is attached in the preparation process, the protrusions 15j, 16j, and 17j are melted when the covering 20 is manufactured. It is possible to prevent the resin from flowing into the anode gas channel 13h and the cathode gas channel 14h, and to block the anode gas and the cathode gas from flowing to the outside in the case of a product. The lips 228a and 233a may be configured similarly to the engaging portions 16j and 17j of the current collectors 16 and 17.

  Further, in the cooling fluid flow paths 13j and 14j formed between the separator 13 and the separator 14, a member such as a padding that prevents the inflow of resin during the forming process is disposed, and the covering 20 is formed. The padding may be removed after the insert molds 234 to 239 are removed.

  In addition, the current collectors 16 and 17 and the insulating members 18 and 19 constituting the fuel cell 100 are paired with the anode gas supply ports 16a to 19a, the cooling fluid supply ports 16b to 19b, and the cathode gas supply ports 16c to 16c. Although the embodiment in which the 19c, the cathode gas discharge ports 16d to 19d, the cooling fluid discharge ports 16e to 19e, and the anode gas discharge ports 16f to 19f are provided has been described, it is not limited thereto. The supply port and the discharge port may not be provided at both ends of the current collectors 16, 17 and the insulating members 18, 19. For example, the supply port and the discharge port may be provided only at the current collector 16 and the insulating member 18. Good.

  Moreover, although embodiment which joined the separators 13 and 14 adjacent by welding etc. was demonstrated, it is not limited to this, The separators 13 and 14 do not need to be joined.

10 Containment,
10a laminate,
10b Fuel cell,
100 fuel cells,
11 Membrane electrode assembly (MEA),
11a electrolyte membrane,
11b anode,
11c cathode,
11d cutout,
12 separator assembly,
13 Anode separator,
14 cathode separator,
13g, 14g waveform shape,
13h anode gas flow path,
13j (14j) cooling fluid flow path,
13k, 14k engagement part,
14h cathode gas flow path,
15 MEA frame member,
15g contact part (damming part),
15h Stair shape (damming part),
15j protrusion (damming part),
16, 17 current collector,
16g protrusion,
16h current collector,
16j, 17j protrusion,
18, 19 Insulating member,
18g, 19g through hole,
18j, 19j engaging portion,
20 covering,
13a to 20a cathode gas supply port,
13b-20b Cooling fluid supply port,
13c-20c anode gas supply port,
13d-20d anode gas outlet,
13e-20e Cooling fluid outlet,
13f-20f cathode gas outlet,
21a-21h gripping part,
210 stacking section,
211 clamping arms,
212 fixing part,
213 moving part,
214 holder,
215 holding arm,
216 extension,
217 transport section,
218 installation stand,
220 molded part,
220a space,
221 sprue,
222-227 runner (flow path),
228 fixed mold (molding mold),
228a lip,
229 to 232 fixed mold (molding mold),
233 movable mold (molding mold),
233a lip,
234-239 insert type,
240 Hydraulic cylinder (pressurizing part).

Claims (13)

A laminate in which a membrane electrode assembly having a frame member attached to the outer periphery and a separator are laminated;
A covering that covers a side that intersects the stacking direction of the laminate,
The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein a position of an end portion of the frame member that contacts the separator is more outward in a surface direction than a position of an end portion that contacts the separators. The frame member includes a supply port and a discharge port through which fluid flows,
2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein a path from the supply port to the discharge port includes a stepped portion that is lowered by one step in the stacking direction of the stacked body from the surroundings.   The fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein a fluid constituting a fuel or an oxidant flows through the stepped portion.   4. The fuel cell according to claim 1, further comprising: a joint portion where the adjacent separator is joined at a portion where the adjacent separator contacts. 5. A laminated body in which a membrane electrode assembly having a frame member attached to the outer periphery and a separator are laminated, wherein the position of the end where the frame member contacts the separator is more than the position of the end where the separator contacts A preparation step of preparing the laminate that is outward in the direction;
The laminated body is disposed in a space formed by a mold including a fixed mold and a movable mold, and the molten resin is circulated and cured in the space while applying pressure in the laminating direction of the laminated body. Forming a covering covering the laminate from a direction crossing the stacking direction of the bodies.   The said separator and the said frame member are contacted in an outer periphery in the said preparation process, The said coating body is formed in the state which pressurized the said laminated body in the lamination direction of the said laminated body in the said formation process. Fuel cell manufacturing method.   The method for manufacturing a fuel cell according to claim 5 or 6, wherein in the preparation step, the membrane electrode assembly to which the frame member having a shape protruding from the adjacent separator is attached is prepared.   The method for manufacturing a fuel cell according to claim 5, wherein the separators adjacent to each other are joined in the preparation step. A laminated body in which a membrane electrode assembly having a frame member attached to the outer periphery and a separator are laminated, wherein the position of the end where the frame member contacts the separator is more than the position of the end where the separator contacts A mold for forming a space for accommodating the laminate that is outward in the direction;
A pressure unit that applies pressure in the stacking direction of the stack to the stack disposed in the space; and
An apparatus for manufacturing a fuel cell, comprising: an injection unit that injects the resin constituting the covering in the space in a molten state.   The adjacent separator and / or the frame member flows into a flow path formed between the adjacent separator and the membrane electrode assembly including the frame member when the melted resin is formed in the covering body. The fuel cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a damming portion for damming the fuel cell. The adjacent separator and the frame member are formed with contact portions that contact at the outer periphery,
The fuel cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the damming portion includes the contact portion.   12. The fuel cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the damming portion includes a protruding portion that protrudes toward the adjacent separator at the contact portion of the adjacent separator and / or the frame member.   The said separator which adjoins is the manufacturing apparatus of the fuel cell of any one of Claims 9-12 joined.