JP2016164856A - Fuel battery stack manufacturing apparatus and fuel battery stack manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel battery stack manufacturing apparatus and a method that properly arranges an interposition layer between the outer peripheral surface of a fuel battery main body and the inner peripheral surface of a case.SOLUTION: A fuel battery stack manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a fuel battery stack including a fuel battery main body 1, a case 2 for housing the fuel battery main body, and an interposition layer 3 disposed between the outer peripheral surface 1a of the fuel battery main body and the inner peripheral surface 2a of the case, comprises a clamping tool for clamping both ends of the fuel battery main body, and a compression tool 32 for compressing a pair of interposition layers disposed on a pair of outer peripheral surfaces 1a of the fuel battery main body so that the thickness of the interposition layers is less than the distance between the outer peripheral surface 1a and the inner peripheral surface 2a. The compression tool includes a pair of plate-like members 51, and a moving mechanism 52 for moving the pair of plate-like members disposed to confront the pair of interposition layers so that the pair of plate-like members approach to each other, thereby compressing the pair of interposition layers, and then moving the pair of plate-like members so that the pair of plate-like members separate from each other, thereby leaving the pair of plate-like members from the pair of interposition layers.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

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

  A fuel cell body including a stack formed by stacking a plurality of fuel cell single cells along the stacking direction; a tension plate provided outside the outer peripheral surface of the fuel cell body along the stacking direction; and a fuel There has been disclosed a fuel cell stack including an intervening layer having a low friction characteristic, a buffer characteristic and an insulating characteristic, which is disposed between an outer peripheral surface of a battery main body and a tension plate (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Examples of the intervening layer include foamable resin and rubber.

JP 2003-203670 A

  Although the method for manufacturing the fuel cell stack of Patent Document 1 is not specifically described in Patent Document 1, an intervening layer is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the fuel cell main body along the stacking direction, and the intervening layer is placed on the intervening layer. A method of arranging a tension plate on the surface can be considered. That is, there is a method in which intervening layers are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the fuel cell main body, subsequently tension plates are arranged on the respective intervening layers, and then the tension plates are connected to each other. In this case, in order to surround the fuel cell main body with a plate-like tension plate, a member such as a gasket to be inserted between the tension plates and a bolt for connecting the tension plates to each other is necessary to ensure water tightness. Manufacturing costs increase and productivity decreases. As a result of investigations to cope with this, the inventors prepared a box-shaped case instead of the tension plate, and placed the fuel cell body with an intervening layer on the outer peripheral surface in the case, thereby improving water tightness. It was found that the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the productivity can be improved while securing the above. Here, in order to exhibit the function of the intervening layer, particularly the buffering characteristic, it is necessary to dispose the intervening layer in a compressed state between the outer peripheral surface of the fuel cell main body and the inner peripheral surface of the case. However, in the case where the fuel cell main body is housed in the case, it is extremely difficult to dispose the intervening layer in a compressed state between the outer peripheral surface of the fuel cell main body and the inner peripheral surface of the case. A technique that can appropriately dispose an intervening layer between the outer peripheral surface of the fuel cell body and the inner peripheral surface of the case is desired.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a fuel cell main body including a stack formed by stacking a plurality of fuel cell single cells along the stacking direction, a case in which the fuel cell main body is accommodated, and When the fuel cell main body is disposed and deformed between a pair of outer peripheral surface portions facing each other among the outer peripheral surfaces along the stacking direction of the fuel cell main body and an inner peripheral surface of the case facing the pair of outer peripheral surface portions, respectively. A fuel cell stack manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a fuel cell stack comprising a pair of intervening layers having a restoring force to return to the dimension of the fuel cell, wherein the fuel cell main body is clamped at both ends in the stacking direction. The fuel cell main body is accommodated in the case with the sandwiching tool and the pair of intervening layers disposed on the pair of outer peripheral surface portions of the fuel cell main body sandwiched by the sandwiching tool. A compression tool that compresses from an initial thickness that is greater than the distance between the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface to a compressed thickness that is less than the distance, and the compression tool includes a pair of plate-like members, The pair of plate-like members disposed facing each other on the pair of intervening layers on the fuel cell main body are moved so as to approach each other, whereby the pair of intermediate members are interposed between the pair of plate-like members and the fuel cell main body. A moving mechanism that compresses a layer to the compressed thickness and then moves the pair of plate members away from each other, thereby detaching the pair of plate members from the pair of intervening layers A battery stack manufacturing apparatus is provided.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a fuel cell main body including a stack formed by stacking a plurality of fuel cell single cells along the stacking direction, a case in which the fuel cell main body is accommodated, When the fuel cell main body is disposed and deformed between a pair of outer peripheral surface portions facing each other among the outer peripheral surfaces along the stacking direction of the fuel cell main body and an inner peripheral surface of the case facing the pair of outer peripheral surface portions, respectively. A method of manufacturing a fuel cell stack comprising a pair of intervening layers having a restoring force to return to the dimensions of the step, and sandwiching the fuel cell main body in a compressed state at both ends in the stacking direction by a sandwiching tool; More than the distance between the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface when the fuel cell main body is accommodated in the case on the pair of outer peripheral surface portions of the fuel cell main body clamped by the clamping tool Compressing the pair of intervening layers disposed on the fuel cell main body simultaneously from the initial thickness to a compressed thickness smaller than the distance by a step of disposing the pair of intervening layers having an initial thickness and a compression tool And the step of compressing the pair of plate-like members to each other with the pair of interposition layers on the fuel cell main body, and a moving mechanism. The pair of interposition layers are simultaneously compressed to the compressed thickness between the pair of plate-like members and the fuel cell main body, and then the pair of plate-like members are moved away from each other. And a step of separating the pair of plate-like members from the pair of intervening layers, thereby providing a method of manufacturing a fuel cell stack.

  An intervening layer can be appropriately disposed between the outer peripheral surface of the fuel cell main body and the inner peripheral surface of the case.

It is sectional drawing of the lamination direction of a fuel cell stack. It is sectional drawing perpendicular | vertical to the lamination direction of a fuel cell stack. It is sectional drawing which shows the definition of the thickness of a compression layer. It is a side view of the clamping tool of a fuel cell stack manufacturing apparatus. It is a front view of the compression tool of a fuel cell stack manufacturing apparatus. It is a side view of the compression tool of a fuel cell stack manufacturing apparatus. It is a schematic diagram explaining operation | movement of a compression tool. It is sectional drawing of the lamination direction which shows the manufacturing process of a fuel cell stack. It is sectional drawing of the lamination direction which shows the manufacturing process of a fuel cell stack. It is sectional drawing perpendicular | vertical to the lamination direction which shows the manufacturing process of a fuel cell stack. It is sectional drawing of the lamination direction which shows the manufacturing process of a fuel cell stack. It is sectional drawing perpendicular | vertical to the lamination direction which shows the manufacturing process of a fuel cell stack. It is sectional drawing of the lamination direction which shows the manufacturing process of a fuel cell stack. It is sectional drawing perpendicular | vertical to the lamination direction which shows the manufacturing process of a fuel cell stack. It is sectional drawing of the lamination direction which shows the manufacturing process of a fuel cell stack. It is sectional drawing of the lamination direction which shows the manufacturing process of a fuel cell stack. It is a front view of the compression tool of the fuel cell stack manufacturing apparatus of another Example. It is a front view of the compression tool of the fuel cell stack manufacturing apparatus of another Example. It is a front view of the compression tool of the fuel cell stack manufacturing apparatus of another Example. It is sectional drawing perpendicular | vertical to the lamination direction of the fuel cell stack of another Example.

  The fuel cell stack A according to the example will be described. 1 and 2 are schematic sectional views of the fuel cell stack A. FIG. However, FIG. 1 is an E1-E1 sectional view of FIG. 2, and FIG. 2 is an E2-E2 sectional view of FIG. The fuel cell stack A includes a fuel cell main body 1, a case 2 in which the fuel cell main body 1 is accommodated, and an intervening layer 3 disposed between the fuel cell main body 1 and the case 2.

  The fuel cell body 1 is supplied with a fuel gas and an oxidant gas and generates electric power by an electrochemical reaction. The fuel cell body 1 includes a stacked body 11, a pair of terminal plates 12, a pair of end plates 14, and a pair of insulating plates 13. The stacked body 11 is formed by stacking a plurality of fuel cell single cells along the stacking direction S. The terminal plate 12 is disposed at both ends of the stacked body 11 in the stacking direction S. The end plate 14 is disposed outside the terminal plate 12 in the stacking direction S. The insulating plate 13 is disposed between the terminal plate 12 and the end plate 14. The terminal plate 12, the end plate 14, and the insulating plate 13 each have a rectangular shape when viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the stacking direction S. At that time, the terminal plate 12 and the insulating plate 13 have substantially the same size. On the other hand, the end plate 14 is approximately the same size as or slightly larger than the terminal plate 12 and the insulating plate 13. The terminal plate 12 and the end plate 14 are made of a conductive material, and the insulating plate 13 is made of an electrically insulating material.

  The case 2 accommodates the fuel cell body 1 in a compressed state and restrains the fuel cell body 1. The case 2 includes a case main body 22 and a lid plate 21. The case main body 22 can accommodate the fuel cell main body 1 therein. The case body 22 is substantially a rectangular parallelepiped, has four side walls 22a and a bottom wall 22b surrounding the fuel cell body 1 along the stacking direction S, and has an opening 22c facing the bottom wall 22b. An opening (not shown) for wiring and piping is formed in the bottom wall 22b. The width of the bottom wall 22 b inside the case body 22 is slightly larger than the width of the cross section perpendicular to the stacking direction S of the fuel cell body 1. The length in the stacking direction S inside the case body 22, that is, the depth is the same as the length of the compressed fuel cell body 1 in the stacking direction S. The lid plate 21 is a lid of the case body 22 and is fastened to the case body 22 with a fastening member (not shown) to seal the opening 22c. The case body 22 and the lid plate 21 are made of a metal such as stainless steel or aluminum. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the side wall 22a and the bottom wall 22b are substantially flat side walls, but in another embodiment (not shown), at least one of the side wall 22a and the bottom wall 22b is partly or entirely. A side wall having a curved surface.

  When the fuel cell main body 1 is accommodated in the case main body 22, the lid plate 21 closes the opening 22 c, and the case main body 22 and the lid plate 21 are fastened by a fastening member, the fuel cell main body 1 has the lid plate 21 and the case main body. 22 is restrained in a compressed state inward in the stacking direction S from both sides by the bottom wall 22b. As a result, the end plates 14 and 14 on both sides of the fuel cell main body 1 approach each other in the stacking direction S. Therefore, the stacked body 11, the terminal plate 12, the insulating plate 13, and the end plate 14 are in close contact with each other in the stacking direction S. At this time, a gap of a distance D is formed between the outer peripheral surface 1a of the fuel cell main body 1 along the stacking direction S and the inner peripheral surface 2a of the side wall 22a of the case 2 facing the outer peripheral surface 1a. The intervening layer 3 is disposed in the gap.

  The depth of the case body 22 may be slightly longer than the length of the compressed fuel cell body 1 in the stacking direction S. In that case, for example, a bolt is tightened from the outside of the bottom wall 22b of the case body 22 so that the bolt protruding from the inside of the bottom wall 22b pushes the end plate 14 of the fuel cell body 1 to to bound. In another embodiment (not shown), when the fuel cell main body 1 is accommodated in the case 2, the lid plate 21 and the end plate 14 in contact therewith are fastened by a fastening member, and the bottom wall 22 b of the case main body 22 and the end plate in contact therewith. 14 is fastened with a fastening member, whereby the case 2 and the fuel cell main body 1 are fastened.

  The lid plate 21, the terminal plate 12, the insulating plate 13 and the end plate 14 located at one end in the stacking direction S of the fuel cell stack A are connected to the lid plate 21, the terminal plate 12, the insulating plate 13 and the end plate 14 in the stacking direction S. And a plurality of flow paths (not shown) extending from the outside of the fuel cell stack A to the stacked body 11. In these flow passages, a supply path for supplying a fuel gas such as hydrogen to the stack 11, a discharge path for discharging the fuel gas from the stack 11, and a supply path for supplying an oxidant gas such as air to the stack 11 , A discharge path for discharging the oxidant gas from the stacked body 11, a supply path for supplying cooling water to the stacked body 11, and a discharge path for discharging cooling water from the stacked body 11.

  Each single fuel cell has an anode electrode and a cathode electrode (not shown), and the anode electrode is electrically connected to the cathode electrode of the fuel cell unit cell adjacent to one side, and the cathode electrode is adjacent to the other side. It is electrically connected to the anode electrode of the single fuel cell. The anode electrode at one end of the laminate 11 is electrically connected to one terminal plate 12, and the cathode electrode at the other end is electrically connected to the other terminal plate 12. The fuel cell unit cell generates electric power by an electrochemical reaction between the fuel gas and the oxidant gas supplied to the fuel cell unit cell. The electric power generated in the single fuel cell is taken out of the fuel cell stack A through a plurality of wires extending from the terminal plate 12 to the outside of the fuel cell stack A. The electric power extracted from the fuel cell stack A is supplied to, for example, an electric motor for driving a vehicle or a capacitor. The end plate 14 and the case 2 are grounded. Note that illustration of these electrical configurations is omitted.

  The intervening layer 3 is a member that absorbs an impact applied to the fuel cell main body 1, suppresses displacement of the fuel cell main body 1, and electrically insulates the fuel cell main body 1 and the case 2. The intervening layer 3 is formed between the fuel cell main body 1 and the case 2, that is, between the outer peripheral surface 1a of the fuel cell main body 1 along the stacking direction S and the inner peripheral surface 2a of the side wall 22a of the case 2 facing the outer peripheral surface 1a. Arranged between. Further, when viewed in a cross section in the stacking direction S (for example, FIG. 1), the intervening layer 3 is provided from one end to the other end of the fuel cell main body 1 along the stacking direction S. On the other hand, when viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the stacking direction S (for example, FIG. 2), the intervening layer 3 is at least in the vicinity of the four corners Cn of the fuel cell body 1, that is, at least in the vicinity of the four corners of the case 2. Is provided. In another embodiment (not shown), an electrical insulating member is further disposed between the fuel cell main body 1 and the case 2.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a pair of outer peripheral surface portions 1 a-1 and 1 a-2 facing each other out of the outer peripheral surface 1 a along the stacking direction S of the fuel cell main body 1 and the pair of outer peripheral surface portions 1 a-1 and 1 a. The intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2 are arranged in the gaps of the distance D between the inner peripheral surfaces 2a-1 and 2a-2 of the case 2 facing -2. At this time, the outer peripheral surface portion 1a-1 is provided with the intervening layers 3-1 in the vicinity of the corner portions Cn on both sides, and the outer peripheral surface portion 1a-2 is provided with the intervening layers 3-2 on the corner portions Cn on both sides. Be placed. Also, another pair of outer peripheral surface portions 1a-3 and 1a-4 facing each other in the outer peripheral surface 1a along the stacking direction S of the fuel cell main body 1 and another pair of outer peripheral surface portions 1a-3 and 1a-4. The intervening layers 3-3 and 3-4 are respectively disposed in the gaps of the distance D between the inner peripheral surfaces 2a-3 and 2a-4 of the case 2 facing each other. At this time, the intervening layer 3-3 is disposed in the vicinity of the corners Cn on both sides of the outer peripheral surface portion 1a-3, and the intervening layers 3-4 are disposed on the corner portions Cn of both sides of the outer peripheral surface portion 1a-4. Be placed. In another embodiment (not shown), instead of the two intervening layers 3 in the vicinity of the corner portion Cn, one intervening layer 3 covering almost the entire surface is arranged for one outer peripheral surface portion of the outer peripheral surface 1a.

  When the intervening layer 3 is viewed in a cross section in the stacking direction S (FIG. 1), the force in the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction S is provided along the stacking direction S from one end to the other end of the fuel cell body 1. This is to prevent the position of each fuel cell unit from being displaced when the is added, and to reliably hold the central portion of the stacked body 11 that is particularly likely to be displaced. Further, when the intervening layer 3 is viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the stacking direction S (FIG. 2), at least four corners of the case 2 are provided when the intervening layer 3 is about to be displaced. This is because when the force applied to the intermediate layer 3 is supported by the case 2, the force applied to the intervening layer 3 can be stably supported by supporting at least the corners of the case 2 having high rigidity. In addition, the interposing layer 3 is disposed so as to be paired on opposite side surfaces of the outer peripheral surface 1a so that the fuel cell main body 1 is evenly restrained from both sides of the fuel cell main body 1 via the intervening layer 3. This is because a force or a force for crushing the intervening layer 3 is applied.

  The intervening layer 3 has electrical insulation and restoring force. The restoring force is a force for returning to the original dimension when the dimension is changed by an external force. The material of the intervening layer 3 is not particularly limited as long as it has electrical insulation and restoring force, and is exemplified by a resin elastic material. The intervening layer 3 preferably further has dilatant characteristics. The dilatant characteristic is a property that exhibits fluidity to a slow input load, deforms slowly, behaves like a solid to a sudden input load, and hardly deforms. In this case, the material of the intervening layer 3 is not particularly limited as long as it further has dilatant characteristics in addition to the above characteristics, and examples thereof include a mixture of a resin and a solid material. Specifically, a mixture of silicone oil and boric acid is exemplified. In addition, products such as Dow Corning 3179 (Dow Corning is a registered trademark) manufactured by Dow Corning and M48 and M49 manufactured by Wacker GmbH may be used. A mixture of silicone resin (including gel) and silica can also be used. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and the embodiment shown below, the case where the intervening layer 3 further has a dilatant characteristic in addition to the electrical insulation and the restoring force will be described.

  As the intervening layer 3, a layer having a thickness larger than the distance D between the outer peripheral surface 1 a of the fuel cell main body 1 and the inner peripheral surface 2 a of the side wall 22 a of the case 2, that is, an initial thickness is used. And the intervening layer 3 arrange | positioned at the outer peripheral surface 1a is crushed, the thickness becomes smaller than the distance D, and the fuel cell main body 1 is accommodated in the case 2 before the thickness expands to the distance D, The fuel cell body 1 is accommodated in the case 2 without being affected by the intervening layer 3. In this case, the intervening layer 3 subsequently recovers to the same thickness as the distance D by its restoring force, but since the initial thickness is larger than the distance D, the outer periphery of the fuel cell body 1 is compressed in a compressed state without recovering the initial thickness. It arrange | positions between the surface 1a and the internal peripheral surface 2a of the side wall 22a of case 2. As shown in FIG. By disposing the intervening layer 3 in a compressed state, the impact applied to the fuel cell main body 1 is easily absorbed, and the displacement of the fuel cell main body 1 is further suppressed.

  The reason why it is preferable to use a material having a dilatant characteristic for the intervening layer 3 is as follows. When the fuel cell stack A is mounted on a vehicle, when the fuel cell main body 1 receives a sudden impact in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction S due to a vehicle collision or the like, each fuel cell single cell of the fuel cell main body 1 is restored to its original state. Try to deviate from the position in the direction of the force. At this time, if the intervening layer 3 has a dilatant characteristic, the intervening layer 3 behaves like a solid in response to an abrupt change. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of misalignment of each fuel cell single cell, and to suppress the leakage of the reaction gas and the cooling medium due to the misalignment. On the other hand, due to the thermal expansion of the single fuel cell, each single fuel cell may be slowly deformed in the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction S. At this time, if the intervening layer 3 has a dilatant characteristic, the intervening layer 3 is subjected to a slow change and fluidly changes, and the fuel cell single cell and the intervening layer 3 formed by the deformation of the fuel cell single cell. Deform to fill the gap. Therefore, even if a vehicle collision occurs after that and the fuel cell unit cell is about to shift suddenly, the occurrence of the shift can be suppressed by the intervening layer 3.

  Note that, in the stacked body 11, the end portions of the fuel cell single cells 11a in the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction S are aligned to form the outer peripheral surface 1a. However, when viewed in detail, adjacent fuel cells as shown in FIG. In some cases, the end portions of the single cells 11a are slightly shifted. In this case, the thickness of the intervening layer 3 is not a constant value because the thickness is not less than the minimum value dmin and not more than the maximum value dmax with reference to the outer surface of the intervening layer 3. In this embodiment, the average value “dave” of the thickness is defined as the thickness of the intervening layer 3.

  Next, a fuel cell stack manufacturing apparatus used for manufacturing the fuel cell stack A according to the embodiment will be described. The fuel cell stack manufacturing apparatus 30 includes a clamping tool 31 and a compression tool 32. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the configuration of the holding tool 31 of the fuel cell stack manufacturing apparatus 30.

  The clamping tool 31 clamps the fuel cell main body 1 in a compressed state at both ends in the stacking direction S. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the holding tool 31 has a rectangular plate-like base material 40. A plate-like vertical member 41 erected substantially vertically from the substrate 40 is coupled to one end of the substrate 40 in the longitudinal direction L, and the other end in the longitudinal direction L is erected substantially vertically from the substrate 40. A plate-like vertical member 42 is coupled. A drive mechanism 44 is disposed on the vertical member 42. The drive mechanism 44 moves the pressure shaft 43 extending to the vertical member 41 along the longitudinal direction L in the longitudinal direction L. In the manufacturing process of the fuel cell stack A, the fuel cell main body 1 is disposed with respect to the clamping tool 31 together with the lid plate 21 so that the stacking direction S coincides with the longitudinal direction L, and then the pressure shaft 43 extends along the longitudinal direction L. To move toward the vertical member 41. As a result, the fuel cell main body 1 is sandwiched between the vertical member 41 and the pressure shaft 43 in the stacking direction S in a compressed state. At this time, the case main body 22 is connected to the pressure shaft 43 so that the pressure shaft 43 passes through the opening and the opening 22c of the bottom wall 22b of the case main body 22, that is, the pressure shaft 43 penetrates the case main body 22. The case body 22 accommodates the compressed fuel cell body 1 by moving the case body 22 in the stacking direction S.

  The compression tool 32 compresses the intervening layer 3 disposed on the outer peripheral surface 1 a of the fuel cell main body 1 sandwiched by the sandwiching tool 31. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the compression tool 32 is formed separately from the holding tool 31.

  FIGS. 5 and 6 are a front view and a side view of the compression tool 32 of the fuel cell stack manufacturing apparatus 30. The compression tool 32 includes a pair of intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2 disposed on the pair of outer peripheral surface portions 1a-1 and 1a-2 of the fuel cell main body 1 sandwiched by the sandwiching tool 31. The main body 1 is compressed simultaneously from an initial thickness larger than the distance D between the outer peripheral surface 1a and the inner peripheral surface 2a when accommodated in the case 2 to a thickness smaller than the distance D, that is, a compressed thickness. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the compression tool 32 further includes another pair of fuel cell bodies 1 sandwiched by the sandwiching tool 31 and disposed on another pair of outer peripheral surface portions 1 a-3 and 1 a-4. The intervening layers 3-3 and 3-4 are simultaneously compressed from the initial thickness to the compressed thickness.

  The compression tool 32 includes a pair of plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2, a pair of support members 53-1 and 53-2, a fixing member 54a, and a pair of moving mechanisms 52-1 and 52-2. Contains. The pair of support members 53-1 and 53-2 support the corresponding plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2 via the moving mechanisms 52-1 and 52-2, respectively. The fixing member 54a connects the pair of support members 53-1 and 53-2 to each other around the fuel cell body 1, thereby keeping the distance between the pair of support members 53-1 and 53-2 constant. The moving mechanisms 52-1 and 52-2 approach the pair of plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2 facing each other on the pair of interposed layers 3-1 and 3-2 on the fuel cell main body 1. And thereby simultaneously compressing the pair of intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2 to a compressed thickness between the pair of plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2 and the fuel cell body 1, and then the pair of plates The pair of plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2 are moved away from each other, thereby separating the pair of plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2 from the pair of intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2. In other words, the moving mechanisms 52-1 and 52-2 move at least one of the pair of plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2 with respect to the corresponding support members 53-1 and 53-2, thereby The plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2 are moved toward or away from each other. Examples of the moving mechanisms 52-1 and 52-2 include an electric cylinder and an electric actuator. Here, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the first compression tool 32 corresponds to the two pairs of intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2 on the outer peripheral surface portions 1a-1 and 1a-2. Two sets of -1 are provided.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the compression tool 32 further includes another pair of plate-like members 51-3 and 51-4, another pair of support members 53-3 and 53-4, and another fixing member. 54b and another pair of moving mechanisms 52-3 and 52-4. The pair of support members 53-3 and 53-4 support the corresponding plate-like members 51-3 and 51-4 via the moving mechanisms 52-3 and 52-4, respectively. The fixing member 54b connects the pair of support members 53-3 and 53-4 to each other around the fuel cell main body 1, thereby keeping the distance between the pair of support members 53-3 and 53-4 constant. The moving mechanisms 52-3 and 52-4 approach the pair of plate-like members 51-3 and 51-4 facing each other on the pair of intervening layers 3-3 and 3-4 on the fuel cell main body 1. And thereby simultaneously compressing the pair of intervening layers 3-3 and 3-4 to the compressed thickness between the pair of plate-like members 51-3 and 51-4 and the fuel cell main body 1, and then the pair of plates The member 51-3 and 51-4 are moved away from each other, thereby separating the pair of plate members 51-3 and 51-4 from the pair of intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2. In other words, the moving mechanisms 52-3 and 52-4 move at least one of the pair of plate-like members 51-3 and 51-4 with respect to the corresponding support members 53-3 and 53-4, and thereby a pair of The plate-like members 51-3 and 51-4 are moved toward or away from each other. Here, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the second compression tool 32 corresponds to the two pairs of intervening layers 3-3 and 3-4 on the outer peripheral surface portions 1a-3 and 1a-4. Two sets of -2 are provided.

  The plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2 are formed so as to cover the outer surfaces of the intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2 extending in the stacking direction S on the outer peripheral surface portions 1a-1 and 1a-2. . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2 are wider than the width of the intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2 so as to cover the entire outer surfaces of the intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2. Is formed in a plate shape having a wide width and the same length as the length of the fuel cell body 1 in the stacking direction S. The plate-like members 51-3 and 51-4 are formed so as to cover the entire outer surfaces of the intervening layers 3-3 and 3-4, similarly to the plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a pair of moving mechanisms 52-1 and 52-2, a pair of support members 53-1 and 53-2 and a fixing member with respect to the pair of plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2 A plurality of 54a are arranged in the stacking direction S. Since these compress the pair of intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2 on the pair of opposed outer peripheral surface portions 1a-1 and 1a-2, in the following, for the sake of convenience, they will be referred to as the first compressor 32-1. To do. Similarly, with respect to the pair of plate-like members 51-3 and 51-4, the pair of moving mechanisms 52-3 and 52-4, the pair of support members 53-3 and 53-4, and the fixing member 54b are stacked in the stacking direction S. A plurality are arranged. Since these compress the pair of intervening layers 3-3 and 3-4 on another pair of outer peripheral surface portions 1a-3 and 1a-4 facing each other, they are hereinafter referred to as a second compression tool 32-2 for convenience. I will do it.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the compression tool. The operation of compressing the intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2 with the first compression tool 32-1 and the operation of compressing the interposing layers 3-3 and 3-4 with the second compression tool 32-2 are the same, Below, the operation | movement which compresses the intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2 with the 1st compression tool 32-1 is demonstrated.

  As shown in the figure on the left side of FIG. 7, before the intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2 are compressed by the first compression tool 32-1, the thickness of the interposing layers 3-1 and 3-2 is the initial thickness d1. It is. The moving mechanism 52-1 holds the plate-like member 51-1 at the outer position PS <b> 1 a that is away from the outer peripheral surface portion 1 a-1 by the same distance as the initial thickness d <b> 1 or larger than that. On the other hand, the moving mechanism 52-2 holds the plate-like member 51-2 at the outer position PS2a away from the outer peripheral surface portion 1a-2 by a distance equal to or larger than the initial thickness d1. At this time, the plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2 are disposed so that the surfaces facing the outer peripheral surface portions 1a-1 and 1a-2 are substantially parallel to the outer surfaces of the intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2, respectively. Is done.

  Subsequently, as shown in the diagram on the right side of FIG. 7, when the intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2 are compressed by the first compression tool 32-1, the moving mechanism 52-1 is moved to the plate-like member 51-. 1 is moved to the inner position PS1b away from the outer peripheral surface portion 1a-1 by a distance smaller than the distance D. That is, the plate-like member 51-1 is pressed against the intervening layer 3-1 to compress the intervening layer 3-1 so that the intervening layer 3-1 has a compressed thickness d 2. At the same time, the moving mechanism 52-2 moves the plate-like member 51-2 to the inner position PS2b away from the outer peripheral surface portion 1a-2 by a distance smaller than the distance D. That is, the plate-like member 51-2 is pressed against the intervening layer 3-2 to compress the intervening layer 3-2, so that the intervening layer 3-2 has a compressed thickness d2.

  Thereafter, the moving mechanism 52-1 returns the plate-like member 51-1 to the outer position PS1a. Similarly, the moving mechanism 52-2 returns the plate-like member 51-2 to the outer position PS2a. That is, the plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2 are detached from the intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2, respectively.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the compression tool 32 is formed as a separate body from the holding tool 31, but in another embodiment (not shown), the compression tool 32 is fixed to the holding tool 31, and both are formed integrally. The For example, the plurality of fixing members 54 a and 54 b of the compression tool 32 are fixed to the base material 40 of the clamping tool 31.

  In another embodiment (not shown), the fuel cell stack manufacturing apparatus 30 moves the case body 22 to the fuel cell body 1 so that the case body 22 accommodates the fuel cell body 1 in addition to the clamping tool 31 and the compression tool 32. And a storage mechanism. The housing mechanism includes a holder that holds the case main body 22 disposed on the pressure shaft 43 so that the pressure shaft 43 passes through the bottom wall 22b of the case main body 22, and a holder that holds the case main body 22 in the stacking direction. And a holding jig moving mechanism that moves toward the fuel cell main body 1 along S.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the fuel cell stack A according to the embodiment will be described. 8 to 16 are schematic cross-sectional views showing each manufacturing process of the fuel cell stack A.

  First, the fuel cell body 1 is clamped at both ends in the stacking direction S by the clamping tool 31 of the fuel cell stack manufacturing apparatus 30 as shown in FIG. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the lid plate 21 of the case 2 is brought into contact with one side surface of the vertical member 41 of the holding tool 31 and penetrates the vertical member 41 from the other side surface of the vertical member 41. The lid plate 21 is held by the vertical member 41 with a fastening member (not shown) such as a bolt that reaches the pressure, and the fuel cell body 1 is pressed against the held lid plate 21 by the pressure shaft 43 with a load P. Thereby, the fuel cell main body 1 is compressed with the load P from both ends in the stacking direction S. In FIG. 8, only the vertical member 41 and the pressure shaft 43 of the holding tool 31 in the fuel cell stack manufacturing apparatus 30 are illustrated. In this manufacturing method, the fuel cell main body 1 continues to be compressed by the clamping tool 31 until the lid plate 21 and the case main body 22 are fastened. Hereinafter, illustration of the vertical member 41 and the pressure shaft 43 is omitted.

  Next, intervening layers 3-1 to 3-4 having an initial thickness d1 are prepared, and as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, on the pair of outer peripheral surface portions 1a-1 and 1a-2 of the fuel cell main body 1, A pair of intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2 are respectively arranged, and another pair of interposing layers 3-3 and 3-4 are respectively arranged on another pair of outer peripheral surface portions 1a-3 and 1a-4. . 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line E9-E9 in FIG. 10, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line E10-E10 in FIG.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the first compressor 32-1 is disposed outside the pair of outer peripheral surface portions 1 a-3 and 1 a-4 of the fuel cell main body 1, respectively. A pair of plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2 are arranged facing each other on the pair of intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2. Similarly, another pair of intervening layers on the fuel cell main body 1 is arranged by disposing the second compressor 32-2 on the outside of another pair of outer peripheral surface portions 1a-1 and 1a-2 of the fuel cell main body 1, respectively. Another pair of plate-like members 51-3 and 51-4 are arranged facing each other on 3-3 and 3-4. However, FIG. 12 is an E12-E12 cross-sectional view of FIG. 11, and FIG. 11 is an E11-E11 cross-sectional view of FIG. 11 and 12 show only the plate-like member 51 (51-1 to 51-4) of the compressor 32 in the fuel cell stack manufacturing apparatus 30 (hereinafter the same in FIGS. 13 and 14). .) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the plate member 51 does not contact the intervening layer 3, but in another embodiment not shown, the plate member 51 contacts the intervening layer 3.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the pair of intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2 is moved from the initial thickness d1 to the compressed thickness d2 by the plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2 of the compression tool 32. Compress at the same time. At this time, the plurality of moving mechanisms 5-1 and 5-2 arranged in the stacking direction S simultaneously move the plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2 to the intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2. That is, the intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2 are compressed in the stacking direction S at a time. Similarly, the pair of intervening layers 3-3 and 3-4 are simultaneously compressed from the initial thickness d1 to the compressed thickness d2 by the plate-like members 51-3 and 51-4 of the compression tool 32. At this time, the plurality of moving mechanisms 5-3 and 5-4 arranged in the stacking direction S simultaneously move the plate-like members 51-3 and 51-4 to the intervening layers 3-3 and 3-4. That is, the intervening layers 3-3 and 3-4 are compressed at once in the stacking direction S. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line E14-E14 in FIG. 13, and FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line E13-E13 in FIG. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2 and the intervening layers 3-3 and 3-4 are compressed simultaneously. In another embodiment (not shown), the intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2 and the intervening layers 3-3 and 3-4 are compressed at different timings.

  Thereafter, the plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2 of the compression tool 32 are detached from the pair of intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2. Similarly, the plate-like members 51-3 and 51-4 of the compression tool 32 are detached from the pair of intervening layers 3-3 and 3-4. At this time, if the plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2 are detached at the same time, the thicknesses of the intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2 are more preferable. Similarly, if the plate-like members 51-3 and 51-4 are detached at the same time, the thicknesses of the intervening layers 3-3 and 3-4 become the same, which is more preferable. Then, the first compressor 32-1 and the second compressor 32-2 are detached from the fuel cell main body 1. When the compression tool 32 is detached and the plate-like members 51-1 to 51-4 are detached from the intervening layers 3-1 to 3-4, the thickness of the interposing layers 3-1 to 3-4 is slow. It will return to its original thickness at speed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 15, before the thickness of the intervening layer 3 swells to the distance D, the case body 22 is moved to the case body 22 through the opening while moving the case body 22 relative to the fuel cell body 1. The fuel cell main body 1 is accommodated. At this time, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the distance between the outer peripheral surface portion 1a-1 and the inner peripheral surface 2a-1, the distance between the outer peripheral surface portion 1a-2 and the inner peripheral surface 2a-2, the outer peripheral surface portion 1a-. 3 and the inner peripheral surface 2a-3 and the distance between the outer peripheral surface portion 1a-4 and the inner peripheral surface 2a-4 are all equal to the distance D. In this example, the distance between the four surfaces is equal to D, and the case body 22 is then fastened to the lid plate 21 with a fastening member (not shown) such as a bolt. Thereby, the fuel cell main body 1 in which the intervening layer 3 is disposed is accommodated in the case 2. At this time, as shown in FIG. 15, since the intervening layer 3 has a thickness of about d2, the case main body 22 is hardly touched. The load P is applied through an opening provided in the bottom wall 22b of the case 2. In another embodiment (not shown), the load P is applied while the case main body 22 is opened without providing the bottom wall 22b. In that case, after housing the fuel cell body 1 in the case body 22, the case body 22 is fastened to the lid plate 21 with a fastening member (not shown) such as a bolt, and the bottom wall 22b is fastened to a fastening member such as a bolt. (Not shown) and fastened to the side wall 22a.

  In another embodiment (not shown), the outer peripheral surface portions 1a-1 and 1a-2 facing each other have different distances from the inner peripheral surfaces 2a-1 and 2a-2, or the outer peripheral surface portions 1a-3 facing each other. And 1a-4, the distances from the inner peripheral surfaces 2a-3 and 2a-4 are different. In this case, for example, there is a difference between the thickness of the intervening layer 3-1 and the thickness of the intervening layer 3-2 in the fuel cell stack A, but if both are smaller than the initial thickness d 1, The layer 3-1 and the intervening layer 3-2 can perform the function.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 16, the intervening layer 3 returns to the original shape, that is, the initial thickness d1 by the restoring force. However, since the gap between the outer peripheral surface 1a and the inner peripheral surface 2a is only the distance D, the intervening layer 3 is held between the outer peripheral surface 1a and the inner peripheral surface 2a in a compressed state after returning to the thickness D. The

  Thus, the fuel cell stack A is completed. At this time, while the thickness of the intervening layer 3 is expanded and the thickness is restored, the gap with the case 2 is filled in accordance with the unevenness of each plate of the fuel cell main body 1 and each single cell of the fuel cell, and the outer peripheral surface 1a of the fuel cell main body 1 It arrange | positions in the compression state between the internal peripheral surfaces 2a of case 2. As shown in FIG.

  In the fuel cell stack manufacturing method described above, the intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2 disposed on the pair of outer peripheral surface portions 1a-1 and 1a-2 facing each other in the outer peripheral surface 1a of the fuel cell main body 1 are obtained. The pair of plate-like members 51-1 and 5-2 simultaneously compress the fuel cell main body 1 from the outside to the inside. At this time, the force with which the pair of plate-like members 51-1 and 5-2 crush the intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2 has the same magnitude, and the directions are opposite to each other. Therefore, when one force is larger than the other force, for example, the interstitial layer 3-1 is compressed only by the plate-like member 51-1 without compressing the intervening layer 3-2 by the plate-like member 51-2. In this case, since the force is applied to the stacked body 11 only from the outer peripheral surface portion 1a-1 side, the fuel cell single cell is pushed out from the original position where it is held in a compressed state to the opposite outer peripheral surface portion 1a-2 side. However, the above manufacturing method can avoid such a situation. That is, the intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2 can be crushed without causing a shift of the single fuel cell in the fuel cell main body 1. Further, by crushing the intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2 below the distance (gap) D between the fuel cell main body 1 and the case 2, the external force required to insert the fuel cell main body 1 into the case 2 can be reduced. The ease of inserting the battery body 1 into the case 2 can be improved. In addition, the thickness of the intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2 is restored after the fuel cell main body 1 is accommodated in the case 2, so that the intervening layer 3-3 is compressed between the fuel cell main body 1 and the case 2. 1 and 3-2 can be easily arranged. These effects are also exhibited when the interposition layers 3-3 and 3-4 are compressed by the plate-like members 51-3 and 5-4. Further, since the case 2 has functions of watertightness, fastening, and external restraint, the configuration for realizing these functions is simplified, the size of the fuel cell stack A can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

  As described above, in the method of manufacturing the fuel cell stack A according to the embodiment, the intervening layer 3 can be appropriately disposed between the outer peripheral surface of the fuel cell main body and the inner peripheral surface of the case.

  Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 17 is a front view of a compressor of a fuel cell stack manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment. The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is different from the embodiment shown in FIG. 17 in the moving mechanism for moving the plate-like members 51-1 to 51-4. Hereinafter, the difference will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 17, in the first compression tool 32-1, a bolt 52 a is disposed in a screw hole 52 s provided in the support member 53-1 as a moving mechanism. As shown in the enlarged view on the lower left side of FIG. 17, the tip of the bolt 52a is connected to the plate-like member 51-1 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis. Therefore, the plate-like member 51-1 is supported by the support member 53-1 via the bolt 52a, and is moved by the bolt 52a. At this time, since the distance between the support member 53-1 and the support member 53-2 is kept constant by the fixing member 54a, the plate-like member 51-1 is moved in the direction of the intervening layer 3-1 by the bolt 52a. 1, the distance between the plate-like member 51-1 and the plate-like member 51-2 is reduced, and the intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2 on the outer peripheral surface portions 1a-1 and 1a-2 are reduced. Compressed.

  Similarly, in the second compression tool 32-2, a bolt 52b is disposed in a screw hole 52s provided in the support member 53-4 as a moving mechanism. As shown in the lower right side enlarged view of FIG. 17, the tip of the bolt 52b is connected to the plate-like member 51-4 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis. Therefore, the plate-like member 51-4 is supported by the support member 53-4 via the bolt 52b, while being moved by the bolt 52b. Also in this case, since the distance between the support member 53-3 and the support member 53-4 is kept constant by the fixing member 54b, the plate-like member 51-4 is moved in the direction of the intervening layer 3-4 by the bolt 52b. Thus, the distance between the plate-like member 51-4 and the plate-like member 51-3 is reduced, and the intervening layers 3-4 and 3-3 on the outer peripheral surface portions 1a-4 and 1a-3 are compressed.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 17, the bolts 52a and 52b, which are moving mechanisms, are disposed on the support member 53-1 and the support member 53-4, respectively, and are not disposed on the support members 53-2 and 53-3. In another embodiment (not shown), the bolts 52a and 52b are arranged not only on the support member 53-1 and the support member 53-4, but also on the support members 53-2 and 53-3.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 17, the same effect as that in the embodiment of FIG. 5 can be obtained. In addition, the compression force applied to the intervening layers 3-1 to 3-4 can be controlled by the tightening torque of the bolts 52a and 52b, and the compression force can be easily controlled. In addition, for example, the bolt 52a as the moving mechanism may be disposed only on one of the support members 53-1 and 53-2, so that the structure and operation of the compression tool 32 can be simplified.

  Next, still another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 18 is a front view of a compressor of a fuel cell stack manufacturing apparatus according to still another embodiment. The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is different from the embodiment shown in FIG. 18 in the moving mechanism for moving the plate-like members 51-1 to 51-4. Hereinafter, the difference will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the first compression tool 32-1 supports a pair of plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2, and a pair of support members 56-1 and 56-2 separated from each other. And a connector 55a that detachably connects the pair of support members 56-1 and 56-2 around the fuel cell main body 1. The plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2 are supported by the support members so that they cannot move with respect to the support members 56-1 and 56-2, respectively. When the pair of support members 56-1 and 56-2 are connected to each other by the connector 55a, the pair of plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2 are moved so as to approach each other. Next, when the pair of support members 56-1 and 56-2 are separated from each other by the connector 55a, the pair of plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2 are moved away from each other. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 18, the pair of support members 56-1 and 56-2 has a substantially L shape, and is opposite to the plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2 in the support members 56-1 and 56-2. The end portions on the side approach each other and are connected by a connector 55a. A buckle is mentioned as the connection tool 55a. For example, as shown in the enlarged view on the lower side of FIG. 18, the buckle is provided in a band 61 having one end connected to the end of the support member 56-1 and a recess 64 in the end of the support member 56-2. The metal fitting 62 and the locking tool 63 provided at the end of the support member 56-1 are provided.

  After the first compressor 32-1 is disposed around the fuel cell body 1 so that the pair of plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2 abut against the intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2, respectively, The band 61 on the support member 56-1 side of the tool 55a is hooked on the metal fitting 62 on the support member 56-2 side, pulled back to the support member 56-1 side, and engaged with the locking tool 63 on the support member 56-1 side. Stopped. Thereby, the end portions of the supporting members 56-1 and 56-2 are connected to each other close to each other, and the plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2 are close to each other, so that the intervening layers 3-1 and 3- 2 is compressed. Thereafter, when the locking tool 63 opens the band 61, the pair of plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2 are detached from the intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2.

  Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 18, the second compression tool 32-2 includes a pair of support members 56-3 and 56-4 that respectively support the pair of plate-like members 51-3 and 51-4, and fuel. In the periphery of the battery main body 1, a pair of support members 56-3 and 56-4 are connected to each other so as to be separable from each other. The pair of support members 56-3 and 56-4 and the connector 55b also have the same functions as the pair of support members 56-1 and 56-2 and the connector 55a, and operate.

  As described above, the pair of support members 56-1 and 56-2 and the connector 55a move the pair of plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2 closer to each other and move away from each other. It can be regarded as a moving mechanism for moving the plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2. Similarly, the pair of support members 56-3 and 56-4 and the connector 55b move so that the pair of plate members 51-3 and 51-4 approach each other and move away from each other. It can be regarded as a moving mechanism for moving the plate-like members 51-3 and 51-4.

  The embodiment shown in FIG. 18 can achieve the same effects as the embodiment of FIG. In addition, by allowing the buckle to be removed with a single touch, the compression tool 32 can be quickly removed after the intervening layer 3 is compressed, and the working efficiency can be increased.

  Next, still another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 19 is a front view of a compressor of a fuel cell stack manufacturing apparatus according to still another embodiment. The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 and the embodiment shown in FIG. 19 are different from the compressor 32 of the embodiment of FIG. 5 in the moving mechanism for moving the plate-like members 51-1 to 51-4. Hereinafter, the difference will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the compression tool 32 includes a pair of plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2 disposed facing each other on the outer surfaces of the pair of intervening layers 3-1 and 3-2 on the fuel cell body 1. A band 57 surrounding the fuel cell body 1 and a winding mechanism 58 for winding or unwinding the band 57 are included. At this time, when the band 57 is wound up by the winding mechanism 58, the pair of plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2 are moved so as to approach each other. Next, when the band 57 is rewound by the winding mechanism 58, the pair of plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2 can move away from each other.

  Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 19, the band 57 further includes a pair of plate-like members 51-3 and 51 arranged on the outer surfaces of the pair of intervening layers 3-3 and 3-4 on the fuel cell main body 1. Surround -4. The pair of plate-like members 51-3 and 51-4 are the same as the pair of plate-like members 51-1 and 51-2. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 19, the plate-like members 51-1 and 51-3 are joined at the end, the plate-like members 51-1 and 51-4 are joined at the end, and the plate-like member 51-2. And 51-3 are joined at the end, and plate-like members 51-2 and 51-4 are joined at the end, and each has a substantially L-shape.

  Substantially L-shaped plate-like members 51-1 and 51-3, plate-like members 51-1 and 51-4, plate-like members 51-2 and 51-3, and plate-like members 51-2 and 51-4 are interposed. After being arranged around the fuel cell main body 1 so as to contact the layers 3-1 to 3-4, each plate-like member is surrounded by the band 57 together with the fuel cell main body 1, and then the band 57 is wound by the winding mechanism 58. Is wound up. Thereby, each plate-shaped member approaches each other with the fuel cell main body 1 interposed therebetween, and the intervening layers 3-1 to 3-4 are compressed, and the compression in the vertical direction and the compression in the horizontal direction are performed simultaneously. Thereafter, when the winding mechanism 58 rewinds the band 57, each plate-like member can be detached from the intervening layers 3-1 to 3-4, and is removed by the operator.

  Thus, since the band 57 and the winding mechanism 58 move the pair of plate-like members 51-1 to 51-4 so as to approach each other and move away from each other, the plate-like member 51-1. ˜51-4 can be viewed as a moving mechanism.

  In this further embodiment, the same effects as in the embodiment of FIG. 5 can be obtained. In addition, in this further embodiment, all eight intervening layers 3 can be compressed with a single fastening band 57. Further, more efficient work can be performed by a simple operation of removing and removing the band 57.

  Next, still another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the intervening layer 3 is disposed on two sets of outer peripheral surface portions 1a-1, 1a-2 and 1a-3, 1a-4 facing each other in the outer peripheral surface 1a. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 20, the intervening layer 3, that is, the interposing layers 3-1 and 3-2 are disposed only on the outer peripheral surface portions 1 a-1 and 1 a-2 that face each other in the outer peripheral surface 1 a. . When the restraining force of the intervening layer 3 is large, for example, when the degree of compression of the intervening layer 3 is large, the fuel can be obtained even if there is no intervening layer 3 in another set of mutually facing outer peripheral surface portions 1a-3 and 1a-4. The same effects as in the case of the embodiment of FIG. In addition, since the intervening layer 3 is reduced, productivity can be improved and manufacturing cost can be reduced. In another embodiment (not shown), one intervening layer 3 that covers almost the entire surface, not two near the corner, is disposed on one surface of the outer peripheral surface 1a.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fuel cell main body 1a Outer peripheral surface 2 Case 2a Inner peripheral surface 3 Intervening layer 11 Laminated body 30 Fuel cell stack manufacturing apparatus 31 Clamping tool 32 Compressor 51 Plate-shaped member 52 Moving mechanism 53 Support member A Fuel cell stack D Distance d1 Initial thickness d2 Compressed thickness S Lamination direction

Claims (9)

A fuel cell main body including a stack formed by stacking a plurality of fuel cell single cells along the stacking direction, a case in which the fuel cell main body is accommodated, and the fuel cell main body along the stacking direction Each of the outer peripheral surfaces is disposed between a pair of outer peripheral surface portions facing each other and the inner peripheral surface of the case facing the pair of outer peripheral surface portions, and has a restoring force to return to the original dimensions when deformed. A fuel cell stack manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a fuel cell stack comprising a pair of intervening layers,
A clamping tool for clamping the fuel cell main body in a compressed state at both ends in the stacking direction;
The pair of intervening layers disposed on the pair of outer peripheral surface portions of the fuel cell main body clamped by the clamping tool are arranged such that the fuel cell main body is accommodated in the case and the outer peripheral surface when the fuel cell main body is accommodated in the case. A compression tool that compresses from an initial thickness greater than the distance to the peripheral surface to a compressed thickness that is less than the distance;
With
The compression tool is
A pair of plate-like members;
The pair of plate-like members disposed facing each other on the pair of intervening layers on the fuel cell main body are moved so as to approach each other, and thereby the pair of plate-like members between the pair of plate-like members and the fuel cell main body. A moving mechanism that compresses the intervening layer to the compressed thickness and then moves the pair of plate-like members away from each other, thereby separating the pair of plate-like members from the pair of intervening layers;
including,
Fuel cell stack manufacturing equipment. The compression tool is
A pair of support members that respectively support the pair of plate-like members;
The pair of support members are connected to each other around the fuel cell main body, thereby fixing the distance between the pair of support members constant,
Further including
The moving mechanism moves at least one of the pair of plate-like members relative to the corresponding support member, thereby moving the pair of plate-like members closer to each other or away from each other.
The fuel cell stack manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1. The moving mechanism is
A pair of support members that respectively support the pair of plate-like members;
A connector for releasably connecting the pair of support members around the fuel cell body;
Including
When the pair of support members are connected to each other by the connector, the pair of plate-like members are moved so as to approach each other,
Next, when the pair of support members are separated from each other by the connector, the pair of plate-like members are moved away from each other.
The fuel cell stack manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1. The moving mechanism is
A band that surrounds the pair of plate-like members disposed on the outer surfaces of the pair of intervening layers on the fuel cell body together with the fuel cell body;
A winding mechanism for winding or rewinding the band;
Including
When the band is wound by the winding mechanism, the pair of plate-shaped members are moved so as to approach each other,
When the band is rewound by the winding mechanism, the pair of plate-like members can move away from each other.
The fuel cell stack manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1. The fuel cell stack manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a plurality of the moving mechanisms are arranged in the stacking direction. The fuel cell stack is disposed between another pair of outer peripheral surface portions facing each other in the outer peripheral surface of the fuel cell main body and an inner peripheral surface of the case facing the other pair of outer peripheral surface portions. A further pair of intervening layers,
The compression tool is
Another pair of plate members;
The another pair of plate-like members respectively disposed facing each other pair of the intervening layers on the fuel cell main body are moved so as to approach each other, whereby the other pair of plate-like members, the fuel cell main body, Simultaneously compressing the other pair of intervening layers to the compressed thickness and then moving the other pair of plate members away from each other, thereby moving the other pair of plate members to the other Another moving mechanism for separating from the pair of intervening layers;
Further including
The fuel cell stack manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The plate-like member is formed so as to cover the entire outer surface of the intervening layer.
The fuel cell stack manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A fuel cell main body including a stack formed by stacking a plurality of fuel cell single cells along the stacking direction, a case in which the fuel cell main body is accommodated, and the fuel cell main body along the stacking direction Each of the outer peripheral surfaces is disposed between a pair of outer peripheral surface portions facing each other and the inner peripheral surface of the case facing the pair of outer peripheral surface portions, and has a restoring force to return to the original dimensions when deformed. A method of manufacturing a fuel cell stack comprising a pair of intervening layers,
Clamping the fuel cell main body in a compressed state at both ends in the stacking direction with a clamping tool;
An initial thickness larger than the distance between the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface when the fuel cell main body is accommodated in the case on the pair of outer peripheral surface portions of the fuel cell main body clamped by the clamping tool. Disposing each of the pair of intervening layers having:
Simultaneously compressing the pair of intervening layers disposed on the fuel cell main body from the initial thickness to a compressed thickness smaller than the distance by a compression tool;
With
The compressing step includes
Placing a pair of plate-like members facing each other on the pair of intervening layers on the fuel cell body;
The moving mechanism moves the pair of plate-like members closer to each other, thereby compressing the pair of intervening layers simultaneously between the pair of plate-like members and the fuel cell main body to the compressed thickness, Moving the pair of plate members away from each other, thereby separating the pair of plate members from the pair of intervening layers;
including,
Manufacturing method of fuel cell stack. The method for manufacturing a fuel cell stack according to claim 8, wherein the intervening layer has a dilatant characteristic.

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