JP3712592B2 - Manufacturing method of fuel cell - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for producing a fuel cell in which an electrode membrane structure composed of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane and anode-side diffusion electrodes and cathode-side diffusion electrodes on both sides thereof is sandwiched between a pair of separators, In particular, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a fuel cell that can reliably seal an electrode membrane structure between separators.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Some fuel cells have a structure in which an electrode membrane structure composed of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, an anodic diffusion electrode and a cathode diffusion electrode on both sides thereof is sandwiched between a pair of separators. When fuel gas (for example, hydrogen gas) is supplied to the reaction surface of the anode side diffusion electrode, hydrogen is ionized here and moves to the cathode side diffusion electrode side through the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. Electrons generated during this time are taken out to an external circuit and used as direct current electric energy. Since an oxidizing gas (for example, air containing oxygen) is supplied to the cathode electrode, hydrogen ions, electrons, and oxygen react to generate water.
[0003]
An example of this will be described with reference to FIG. 17. In the figure, 1 indicates a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 1 is sandwiched between gas diffusion electrodes (anode side diffusion electrode and cathode side diffusion electrode) 2 and 3 from both sides. Thus, the fuel battery cell 4 is configured. Sheet-like gaskets 5 having openings at positions corresponding to the reaction surfaces of the fuel cells 4 are arranged on both surfaces of the fuel cells 4, and the peripheral edges of the fuel cells 4 are arranged via the gaskets 5, 5. The fuel cell 4 is sandwiched and sandwiched from both sides by the separators 7 and 7 in a state where the periphery of the fuel cell 4 is pressed through the outer presser 6 (see JP-A-6-325777). ).
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above conventional fuel cell, the gasket 5 blocks the space between the separator 7 and the gas diffusion electrodes 2 and 3 from the outside, so that the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas do not leak to the outside. In addition, since both are not mixed, it is excellent in that it is possible to perform power generation without waste, but variation in the dimensions in the thickness direction of the separator 7 and the gas diffusion electrodes 2 and 3 is unavoidable. When the gaskets 5 having a certain size are used and fastened together, the seal reaction force differs at each part. Therefore, there is a problem that a uniform sealing property cannot be ensured over the entire circumference between the separator 7 and the gas diffusion electrodes 2 and 3.
[0005]
In order to ensure uniform sealing performance, the dimensional accuracy of the separator 7 and the gas diffusion electrodes 2 and 3 must be strictly controlled, leading to an increase in cost.
Further, there is a problem that the surface pressure of the gasket 5 varies around the gas diffusion electrodes 2 and 3, and the bending stress that is biased acts on the separator 7.
[0006]
In particular, when used as a fuel cell for a vehicle, if the thickness dimension of the separator 7 is secured so that the bending stress acting on the separator 7 is not more than a predetermined magnitude even when the surface pressure of the gasket 5 varies. However, there is a problem that the fuel cell stack formed by stacking the fuel cells is enlarged and the compartment space is narrowed.
Accordingly, the present invention is intended to ensure the sealing property between the electrode film structure and the separator to provide a method of manufacturing easy fuel cell.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention described in claim 1 is characterized in that an electrode membrane structure composed of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane and anode-side diffusion electrodes and cathode-side diffusion electrodes on both sides thereof is composed of a pair of separators. In the fuel cell manufacturing method configured to be sandwiched, a liquid seal is individually applied in a groove formed in the outer peripheral portion in the separator surface, and a liquid seal before curing is provided around the solid polymer electrolyte membrane The electrode film structure is sandwiched between a pair of separators in a state of being in close contact with the protruding portion protruding from the periphery of the anode side diffusion electrode and the cathode side diffusion electrode, and then heated to cure the liquid seal.
[0010]
By configuring in this way, the liquid seal applied in the groove portion of the separator sufficiently secures a crushing space while maintaining a certain width in the groove portion, so that the solid polymer electrolyte membrane protrudes from the protruding portion. It can be adhered and deformed according to the size of the familiar seal, and then heated and cured.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fuel cell 10 includes a fuel cell (electrode membrane structure) 12 and a first separator 14 and a second separator 16 sandwiching the fuel cell (electrode membrane structure), and a plurality of these are laminated to constitute a fuel cell stack for a vehicle. It is.
The fuel cell 12 includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 18 and a cathode electrode 20 and an anode electrode 22 that are disposed with the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 18 interposed therebetween. For example, a first gas diffusion layer 24 and a second gas diffusion layer 26 made of porous carbon cloth or porous carbon paper, which are porous layers, are disposed. Here, a perfluorosulfonic acid polymer is used as the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 18. The cathode electrode 20 and the anode electrode 22 are mainly composed of Pt. The cathode electrode 20 and the first gas diffusion layer 24 constitute a cathode side diffusion electrode, and the anode electrode 22 and the second gas diffusion layer 24 constitute an anode side diffusion electrode.
[0013]
The solid polymer electrolyte membrane 18 is provided with a protruding portion 18a that protrudes from the outer periphery of the cathode electrode 20 and the anode electrode 22 that are disposed therebetween, and the first and first portions from both sides are located at positions corresponding to the protruding portion 18a. A liquid seal S (described later) applied to the two separators 14 and 16 is in direct contact.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 3, the first separator 14 has an inlet-side fuel gas communication hole for allowing a fuel gas such as a hydrogen-containing gas to pass through the upper ends of both lateral ends located in the outer peripheral edge within the plane. 36a and an inlet side oxidant gas communication hole 38a for allowing an oxidant gas, which is an oxygen-containing gas or air, to pass therethrough.
An inlet-side cooling medium communication hole 40a for passing a cooling medium such as pure water, ethylene glycol, or oil, and an outlet for allowing the used cooling medium to pass through are provided at the center of both lateral ends of the first separator 14. A side cooling medium communication hole 40b is provided.
Further, an outlet-side fuel gas communication hole 36b for allowing the fuel gas to pass therethrough and an outlet for allowing the oxidant gas to pass to the lower portions of both ends in the lateral direction located in the outer peripheral edge portion within the plane of the first separator 14 The side oxidant gas communication hole 38b is provided so as to be diagonal to the inlet side fuel gas communication hole 36a and the inlet side oxidant gas communication hole 38a.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 1, on the surface 14a of the first separator 14 facing the cathode electrode 20, a plurality of, for example, six independent first oxidizers are provided in the vicinity of the inlet-side oxidant gas communication hole 38a. The gas flow path groove 42 is provided in the direction of gravity while meandering in the horizontal direction. The first oxidant gas flow channel 42 joins the three second oxidant gas flow channels 44, and the second oxidant gas flow channel 44 is adjacent to the outlet side oxidant gas communication hole 38b. It is terminated.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 3, the first separator 14 penetrates through the first separator 14, and one end thereof communicates with the inlet-side oxidant gas communication hole 38a on the surface 14b opposite to the surface 14a. A first oxidant gas connection channel 46 whose end communicates with the first oxidant gas channel groove 42 on the surface 14a side, and one end communicates with the outlet side oxidant gas communication hole 38b on the surface 14b side, A second oxidant gas connection channel 48, the other end of which communicates with the second oxidant gas channel groove 44 on the surface 14a side, is provided through the first separator 14.
[0017]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the inlet-side fuel gas communication hole 36 a and the inlet are formed on both ends in the lateral direction within the plane of the second separator 16 and located on the outer peripheral edge, as with the first separator 14. A side oxidant gas communication hole 38a, an inlet side cooling medium communication hole 40a, an outlet side cooling medium communication hole 40b, an outlet side fuel gas communication hole 36b, and an outlet side oxidant gas communication hole 38b are formed.
[0018]
In the surface 16a of the second separator 16, a plurality of, for example, six first fuel gas passage grooves 60 are formed in the vicinity of the inlet side fuel gas communication hole 36a. The first fuel gas flow channel 60 extends in the direction of gravity while meandering in the horizontal direction, and merges with the three second fuel gas flow channels 62 to form the second fuel gas flow channel 62. Terminates in the vicinity of the outlet side fuel gas communication hole 36b.
The second separator 16 has a first fuel gas connection channel 64 communicating the inlet side fuel gas communication hole 36a from the surface 16b side to the first fuel gas channel groove 60, and an outlet side fuel gas communication hole 36b. A second fuel gas connection channel 66 communicating with the second fuel gas channel groove 62 from the 16b side is provided through the second separator 16.
[0019]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the surface 16b of the second separator 16 is close to the inlet side cooling medium communication hole 40a and the outlet side cooling medium communication hole 40b within a range surrounded by a liquid seal S described later. Thus, a plurality of main flow path grooves 72a and 72b constituting the cooling medium flow path are formed. Between the main flow path grooves 72a and 72b, branch flow path grooves 74 that branch into a plurality of lines are provided extending in the horizontal direction.
The second separator 16 has a first cooling medium connection channel 76 that communicates the inlet side cooling medium communication hole 40a and the main channel groove 72a, and an outlet side cooling medium communication hole 40b and the main channel groove 72b that communicates with each other. A second cooling medium connection channel 78 is provided through the second separator 16.
[0020]
Here, as shown in FIG. 2, a surface 16a facing the anode electrode 22 of the second separator 16 sandwiching the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 1 is located at a position corresponding to the protruding portion 18a of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 18. Is provided with a liquid seal S. The liquid seal S is applied to the groove 28. Further, the inlet side fuel gas communication hole 36a, the inlet side oxidant gas communication hole 38a, the inlet side cooling medium communication hole 40a, the outlet side cooling medium communication hole 40b, and the outlet side fuel gas communication hole of the surface 16a of the second separator 16 are provided. A groove 30 is also formed around 36 b and the outlet side oxidant gas communication hole 38 b, and the liquid seal S is also applied to the groove 30. Here, the grooves 30 around the inlet side cooling medium communication hole 40a and the outlet side cooling medium communication hole 40b are formed so as to surround the first cooling medium connection channel 76 and the second cooling medium connection channel 78, respectively. Has been.
[0021]
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a groove portion 28 and a groove portion of the surface 16a of the second separator 16 are also formed on the surface 14a facing the cathode electrode 20 of the first separator 14 that sandwiches the fuel cell 12 together with the second separator 16. A groove 28 and a groove 30 are formed at positions corresponding to 30, and a liquid seal S is applied to each of the grooves 28 and 30. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the liquid seals S applied to the groove portions 28 and 30 of the first separator 14 and the second separator 16 sandwiching the fuel cells 12 are replaced with the liquid seals of the groove portions 28. In the case of S, the protruding portion 18a is sandwiched in a position facing from both sides and directly adhered to seal the periphery of the fuel cell 12, and in the liquid seal S of the groove portion 30, the communication holes 36a, The periphery of 36b, 38a, 38b, 40a, 40b is sealed.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 5, the surface 16 b of the second separator 16 is a position facing the surface 14 b of the first separator 14 when a plurality of fuel cells 10 are stacked, A groove 34 surrounding the periphery is provided, and a liquid seal S is applied to the groove 34. Further, the inlet side fuel gas communication hole 36a, the inlet side oxidant gas communication hole 38a, the inlet side cooling medium communication hole 40a, the outlet side cooling medium communication hole 40b, and the outlet side fuel gas communication hole of the surface 16b of the second separator 16 are provided. A groove 35 is also formed around 36 b and the outlet side oxidant gas communication hole 38 b, and the liquid seal S is also applied to the groove 35.
[0023]
Here, the grooves 35 around the inlet side fuel gas communication hole 36a and the outlet side fuel gas communication hole 36b are formed so as to surround the first fuel gas connection channel 64 and the second fuel gas connection channel 66, respectively. Has been. A groove 35 around the inlet-side oxidant gas communication hole 38a and the outlet-side oxidant gas communication hole 38b is connected to the inlet-side oxidant gas communication hole 38a and the outlet-side oxidant gas communication hole of the surface 14b of the first separator 14. It is provided so as to surround the hole 38b.
[0024]
In this way, when the fuel cells 10 are stacked, if the surface 14b of the first separator 14 and the surface 16b of the second separator 16 are polymerized, the inlet-side fuel gas communication hole 36a and the inlet-side oxidant gas communication hole 38a. The inlet side cooling medium communication hole 40a, the outlet side cooling medium communication hole 40b, the outlet side fuel gas communication hole 36b, the outlet side oxidant gas communication hole 38b, and the branch flow path groove 74 are arranged on the second separator 16 side. Since the liquid seal S is in close contact with the surface 14 b of the first separator 14, water tightness between the first separator 14 and the second separator 16 is ensured.
[0025]
Here, the liquid seal S is made of thermosetting fluorine-based or thermosetting silicon, has a viscosity that does not change the cross-sectional shape in the applied state, and is cured while retaining a certain degree of elasticity after application. Either non-adhesive or adhesive can be used. It should be noted that it is desirable to use a non-adhesive liquid seal S between parts that need to be replaced for maintenance, for example, the surface 14 b of the first separator 14 and the surface 16 b of the second separator 16. Specifically, the dimensions of the liquid seal S are as follows: the application diameter of the liquid seal S is 0.6 mm, the seal load is 0.5 (the sealing performance is reduced when it is smaller than this), and 2 (the sag occurs when it is larger than this) Can be about. The grooves 28, 30, 34, and 35 are set to have a width of about 2 mm and a depth of about 0.2 mm. In these grooves 28, 30, 34, and 35, the liquid seal S is crushed after application, so that the cross-sectional area of the seal is enlarged to absorb a dimensional error in the seal portion, and it is possible to make a close contact.
[0026]
That is, as shown in FIG. 8, when a solid seal S ′ is used in a portion that is in close contact with the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 18, if the solid seal S ′ is pressed against the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 18, When the seal S ′ is compressed, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 18 does not slide uniformly in the lateral direction, so that a part of the polymer electrolyte membrane 18 is distorted and the sealing performance is lowered. However, if the liquid seal S is used as shown in FIG. At this time, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 18 is not twisted, and the liquid seal S is flexibly deformed in the wrinkles of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 18 to ensure a sealing property.
[0027]
Next, a method for manufacturing the fuel cell 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 9, a liquid seal S is applied to the grooves 28 and 30 of the surface 14 a of the first separator 14 and the grooves 28 and 30 of the second separator 16. The first separator 14 and the second separator 16 after applying the liquid seal S are stored in a storage rack 80 shown in FIG. 10 for transportation and storage. Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the first separator 14 and the second separator 16 are set so as to sandwich the pre-assembled fuel cell 12, and these are set so as to be sandwiched between the holding jigs 82 and 82. To do. The holding jig 82 is configured such that the lower holding jig 82 can be raised and lowered by an automatic elevator 84.
Further, the fuel cell 12 is supported by a support jig 86 around the periphery, and is positioned in the in-plane direction with respect to the first and second separators 14 and 16.
[0028]
Then, the lower holding jig 82 is raised, the fuel cell 12 is sandwiched between the first and second separators 14, 16, and the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 18 is positioned at a position where the liquid seals S of the groove portions 28 face each other. The fuel cell 12 is sandwiched between the separators 14 and 16 in close contact with the protruding portion 18a. At this time, the liquid seals S of the groove 30 are in close contact with each other, and the reaction surface and the inlet side fuel gas communication hole 36a, the inlet side oxidant gas communication hole 38a, the inlet side cooling medium communication hole 40a, and the outlet side cooling medium. The periphery of the communication hole 40b, the outlet side fuel gas communication hole 36b, and the outlet side oxidant gas communication hole 38b is sealed.
[0029]
Next, as shown in FIG. 12, the fuel cell 12 sandwiched between the first separator 14 and the second separator 16 is heated together with the holding jig 82 in the oven 88 to cure the liquid seal S. Then, as shown in FIG. 13, the fuel cell 10 in which the fuel cell 12 and the first and second separators 14 and 16 are integrated is removed from the holding jig 82 and allowed to cool. Next, as shown in FIG. 14, a liquid seal S is applied to the grooves 34 and 35 of the surface 16b of the second separator 16 of the fuel cell 10, and the surface 16b of the second separator 16 is applied to the surface 16b of the second separator 16 as shown in FIG. The surfaces 14b of the first separators 14 of the other fuel cells 10 are overlapped, and the fuel cells 10 are sequentially stacked on the end plate 90 of the fuel cell stack. When a predetermined number of fuel cells 10 are stacked, an end plate (not shown) is fastened with mounting bolts 92 to form a fuel cell stack.
[0030]
The operation of the fuel cell 10 according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described below.
The fuel cell 10 is supplied with a fuel gas, for example, a gas containing hydrogen obtained by reforming hydrocarbons, and is supplied with air or an oxygen-containing gas (hereinafter also simply referred to as air) as an oxidant gas. A cooling medium is supplied to cool the power generation surface. The fuel gas supplied to the inlet-side fuel gas communication hole 36a of the fuel cell 10 moves from the surface 16b side to the surface 16a side via the first fuel gas connection channel 64, as shown in FIG. The first fuel gas channel groove 60 formed on the 16a side is supplied.
[0031]
The fuel gas supplied to the first fuel gas channel groove 60 moves in the direction of gravity while meandering in the horizontal direction along the surface 16a of the second separator 16. At that time, the hydrogen-containing gas in the fuel gas is supplied to the anode-side electrode 22 of the unit fuel cell 12 through the second gas diffusion layer 26. Unused fuel gas is supplied to the anode-side electrode 22 while moving along the first fuel gas channel groove 60, while unused fuel gas passes through the second fuel gas channel groove 62. After being introduced into the second fuel gas connection channel 66 and moving to the surface 16b side, it is discharged to the outlet side fuel gas communication hole 36b shown in FIG.
[0032]
The air supplied to the inlet-side oxidant gas communication hole 38a in the fuel cell stack 10 passes through the first oxidant gas connection channel 46 that communicates with the inlet-side oxidant gas communication hole 38a of the first separator 14. Are introduced into the first oxidant gas channel groove 42. While the air supplied to the first oxidant gas flow channel 42 moves in the gravity direction while meandering in the horizontal direction, the oxygen-containing gas in the air is supplied from the first gas diffusion layer 24 to the cathode side electrode 20. Is done. On the other hand, unused air is discharged from the second oxidant gas connection channel 48 through the second oxidant gas channel groove 44 to the outlet side oxidant gas communication hole 38b shown in FIG. As a result, the fuel cell 10 generates power, and for example, power is supplied to a motor (not shown).
[0033]
Furthermore, after the cooling medium supplied to the fuel cell 10 is introduced into the inlet side cooling medium communication hole 40a shown in FIG. 1, as shown in FIG. 5, the first cooling medium connection flow path of the second separator 16 is used. It is supplied to the main flow path groove 72a on the surface 16b side through 76. The cooling medium cools the power generation surface of the unit fuel cell 12 through a plurality of branch channel grooves 74 branched from the main channel groove 72a, and then merges with the main channel groove 72b. Then, the used cooling medium is discharged from the outlet side cooling medium communication hole 40 b through the second cooling medium connection channel 78.
[0034]
According to the above embodiment, the liquid seal S that directly adheres to the protruding portion 18 a provided around the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 18 is formed between the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 18 and the first and second separators 14, 16. The shape changes between them to follow the variation in seal dimensions, and a certain surface pressure is secured in each of the grooves 28, 30, 34, 35 to ensure airtightness between the two without any gap. Therefore, a uniform sealing reaction force can be obtained over the entire circumference between the first and second separators 14 and 16 and the fuel battery cell 12, and the effect of ensuring uniform sealing performance can be obtained. is there.
Therefore, it is not necessary to strictly manage the dimensions of the first and second separators 14 and 16 and the fuel cell 12 particularly in the thickness direction because of the good followability to the dimensional error due to the liquid seal S, and the dimensional accuracy management can be performed. It becomes easy and the cost can be reduced.
[0035]
Further, the liquid seal S applied to the groove portions 28 of the first and second separators 14 and 16 is in close contact with the protruding portion 18a of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 18 while maintaining a certain width in the groove portion 28. Thus, since the fuel cell 12 can be deformed according to the seal size, the airtightness at the seal portion can be ensured only by sandwiching the fuel cell 12 between the first and second separators 14 and 16. That is, since the cross-sectional area of the liquid seal S can be enlarged in the groove portion 28 as compared with the case where the groove portion 28 is not provided, the amount of elastic deformation can be increased, and thus a sufficient crushing margin can be secured to improve the sealing performance. it can.
[0036]
Then, the liquid seal S absorbs the variation in the seal size between the first and second separators 14 and 16 and the protruding portion 18a of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 18, whereby a biased force is applied to the separators 14 and 16. Since the action can be prevented, the separators 14 and 16 can be thinned, and the overall weight and size can be reduced. Therefore, there is a limitation on the arrangement space, which is suitable when the separators 14 and 16 are used for vehicles that need to be made as thin as possible.
[0037]
Moreover, in order to make the liquid seal S adhere directly to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 18, for example, the number of parts and assembly man-hours are reduced as compared with the case where a frame-like frame is provided around the fuel electric cell 12. This is advantageous in that it can be reduced. Further, the surface pressure of the liquid seal S with respect to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 18 becomes uniform, and the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 18 does not receive a biased force. As described above, even when the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 18 is waved, it can be deformed in accordance with this, so that wrinkles are not generated in the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 18.
[0038]
In addition, since the liquid seal S is applied to the groove portions 28, 30, 34, and 35, the cross-sectional area of the liquid seal S is expanded in accordance with the groove portions, and thereby the surface pressure fluctuation with respect to the compression amount of the liquid seal S can be moderated. Therefore, the difference in stress due to the variation in the distance between the liquid seals S can be reduced.
[0039]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the present invention is also applicable to a fuel cell 10 in which two sets of fuel cells 12 are sandwiched using three separators 15. Can do.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the invention described in claim 1, the liquid seal applied in the groove portion of the separator sufficiently secures a crushing margin while maintaining a certain width in the groove portion, The solid polymer electrolyte membrane adheres to the protruding portion of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and can be deformed according to the familiar seal size, and then heated and cured. There is an effect that can be assembled.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a view of the first separator according to the embodiment of the present invention as seen in the direction of arrow B in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a view of the second separator according to the embodiment of the present invention as seen from the direction of the arrow C in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a view of the second separator according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed in the direction of arrow D in FIG.
6 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing the relationship between a solid polymer electrolyte membrane and a liquid seal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a conventional explanatory diagram corresponding to FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a manufacturing process according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a manufacturing process of the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a manufacturing process according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a manufacturing process according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a manufacturing process of the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a manufacturing process of the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a manufacturing process of the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 6 of another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the prior art.
[Explanation of symbols]
12 Fuel cell (electrode membrane structure)
14 First separator 16 Second separator 18 Solid polymer electrolyte membrane 18a Overhang portion 20 Cathode electrode 22 Anode electrode 24 First gas diffusion layer 26 Second gas diffusion layer 28 Groove portion S Liquid seal

Claims (1)

In the method of manufacturing a fuel cell comprising a solid polymer electrolyte membrane and an electrode membrane structure composed of an anode-side diffusion electrode and a cathode-side diffusion electrode on both sides of the membrane, sandwiched between a pair of separators. A liquid seal is individually applied in the groove formed on the outer peripheral portion of the liquid crystal , and the liquid seal before curing is provided around the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and protrudes from the periphery of the anode side diffusion electrode and the cathode side diffusion electrode. A method for manufacturing a fuel cell, wherein the electrode membrane structure is sandwiched between a pair of separators in a state of being in close contact, and then heated to cure the liquid seal.

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