JP4258561B2 - Fuel cell and method for aligning membrane-electrode assembly thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell and a method for aligning a membrane-electrode assembly thereof. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improvement in the internal structure of a fuel cell.

In general, a fuel cell (for example, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell) includes an electrolyte membrane and a joined body (for example, MEGA) that includes a pair of electrodes disposed on both surfaces thereof, and a pair of separators that sandwich the joined body. . In addition, as such a fuel cell, there is a structure in which an anode (porous anode) and a cathode (porous cathode) made of a conductive porous material such as Lascut metal (expanded metal) are arranged on both sides of MEGA. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-087318 A

  However, in the fuel cell having the above structure, the MEGA sandwiched between the porous cathode and the porous anode may be displaced. On the other hand, there is also a problem that it is difficult to secure the strength of the conductive porous body when trying to suppress the positional deviation.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a fuel cell that can effectively prevent misalignment of a joined body (for example, MEGA) while securing the strength of the conductive porous body, and a method for aligning the membrane-electrode assembly. With the goal.

  As described above, in the case of a conventional structure in which a joined body (for example, MEGA) is sandwiched between a porous anode and a porous cathode, there is no restriction on the MEGA located between the porous bodies. In this regard, for example, a positioning hole may be provided in the film that is a component of the MEGA. However, the film may contract due to heat during molding, and the position may not be determined accurately. The present inventor, who has made further studies focusing on these points, has come to obtain new knowledge that leads to the solution of such problems.

  The present invention is based on such knowledge, and includes a membrane-electrode assembly in which electrodes are provided on both surfaces of an electrolyte membrane, an anode-side conductive porous body provided on one side of the membrane-electrode assembly, and the other side. And a separator sandwiching the membrane-electrode assembly, the anode-side conductive porous body and the cathode-side conductive porous body, the anode-side conductive porous body and A recess is formed in one of the cathode side conductive porous bodies, and a part of the membrane-electrode assembly is accommodated in the recess.

  The membrane-electrode assembly alignment method according to the present invention includes a membrane-electrode assembly, an anode-side conductive porous body provided on one side of the membrane-electrode assembly, and the other side. Anode-side conductive porous body and cathode-side conductive porous body in a fuel cell having a cathode-side conductive porous body, and a membrane-electrode assembly, an anode-side conductive porous body, and a separator sandwiching the cathode-side conductive porous body A recess is formed in one side of the body, and a part of the membrane-electrode assembly is accommodated in the recess.

  Thus, in the case of this invention which makes the state which accommodated a part of membrane-electrode assembly in the recessed part, this recessed part functions as a restraining member which suppresses the position shift of a membrane-electrode assembly.

  In the fuel cell of the present invention, a recess is formed in one of the anode side conductive porous body and the cathode side conductive porous body, and the other is planar. Thus, when it is set as the structure which forms a recessed part only in one electroconductive porous body, there exists an advantage that the other electroconductive porous body should just be formed in flat form.

  In such a fuel cell, the planar conductive porous body is preferably formed smaller than the membrane-electrode assembly. In such a case, it is easy to arrange the planar conductive porous body formed small so as to be accommodated inside the membrane-electrode assembly, and this makes it easy to suppress short circuit between the current collecting porous bodies.

  Furthermore, in the fuel cell according to the present invention, the membrane-electrode assembly is formed by laminating an electrolyte membrane and an electrode whose outer periphery is smaller than that of the electrolyte membrane and fits in the outer periphery of the electrolyte membrane. The porous body has a smaller outer periphery than the electrode and is formed in a shape that fits within the outer periphery of the electrode. In this case, it is easy to visually confirm and align the planar conductive porous body in plan view.

  Also, a fuel cell having a structure in which a plurality of fuel cells each having a membrane-electrode assembly, an anode-side conductive porous body, a cathode-side conductive porous body, and a separator are stacked, and a reaction gas for power generation is supplied to each fuel cell. A manifold for supplying to the cell or discharging from each fuel cell is provided, and the vicinity of the outer periphery of the conductive porous body in which the recess is formed has a shape extending in the planar direction of the electrolyte membrane to the vicinity of the manifold. It is also preferable.

  Furthermore, in the fuel cell according to the present invention, the metal density of at least a part of the conductive porous body other than the recess is higher than that of the other part. The strength is improved in the portion where the density is increased. Further, at least a part of the conductive porous body other than the recesses is pressurized and crushed to increase the metal density.

  In addition, the fuel cell includes a manifold for supplying or discharging the reaction gas for power generation to each fuel cell, and a portion corresponding to the periphery of the manifold in the conductive porous body is a fuel. It is preferable that the fuel cell is formed approximately at the center of the thickness in the stacking direction of the battery cells. If the portion of the conductive porous body is biased in any of the thickness directions, the load balance tends to be lost. However, if the portion is formed in the approximate center in the thickness direction, it is easy to ensure the load balance.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the position shift of a joined body (for example, MEGA) can be suppressed effectively, ensuring the intensity | strength of a conductive porous body.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the present invention will be described in detail based on an example of an embodiment shown in the drawings.

  1 to 5 show an embodiment of the present invention. The fuel cell 1 according to the present invention includes a membrane-electrode assembly 11 in which electrodes are provided on both surfaces of an electrolyte membrane 21 and an anode-side conductive porous body 24 provided on one side of the membrane-electrode assembly 11. And a cathode-side conductive porous body 25 provided on the other side, and separators 12 and 13 sandwiching the membrane-electrode assembly 11 and the conductive porous bodies 24 and 25.

  The fuel cell 1 described below can be used as, for example, an in-vehicle power generation system of a fuel cell vehicle (FCHV; Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle). It can also be used in power generation systems mounted on self-propelled devices such as airplanes) and robots, and even stationary power generation systems.

  Here, first, the entire fuel cell 1 in the present embodiment is schematically shown (see FIG. 5). The fuel cell 1 includes a cell stack (cell stack) 3 in which a plurality of cells 2 are stacked, and a current collector with an output terminal 5 a that is sequentially arranged outside the cells 2 and 2 at both ends of the cell stack 3. It has a structure having a plate (terminal plate) 5, an insulating plate (insulator) 6, and an end plate (not shown). Further, the fuel cell 1 is in a state in which a predetermined compressive force is applied in the stacking direction of the cells 2 by, for example, a tension plate (not shown) provided so as to bridge between both end plates.

  Each cell 2 has a structure in which a membrane-electrode assembly 11, conductive porous bodies 24 and 25 disposed on both sides thereof, and a pair of separators sandwiching them from both sides are laminated. (See FIG. 2 etc.). Further, a gasket 14 is provided around the membrane-electrode assembly 11.

  The membrane-electrode assembly 11 includes an electrolyte membrane 21 made of a polymer material ion exchange membrane (for example, a fluorine-based membrane, an HC membrane, etc.) and a pair of electrodes (cathode and anode) provided on both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane 21. It is configured to include. As the membrane-electrode assembly 11, for example, any of MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly) or MEGA (Membrane Electrode & Gas Diffusion Layer Assembly) including a diffusion layer can be used. For example, in this embodiment, MEGA is used as the membrane-electrode assembly 11 (hereinafter also referred to as MEGA 11).

  The diffusion layers 22 and 23 constituting the MEGA 11 are made of a porous material carrying a catalyst such as platinum. One anode side diffusion layer 22 is supplied with hydrogen gas as a fuel gas, and the other cathode side diffusion layer 23 is supplied with an oxidizing gas such as air or an oxidizing agent (see FIG. 2 and the like). Electrochemical reaction occurs in the MEGA 30 as the power generation unit by these two kinds of reaction gases supplied to the respective diffusion layers 22 and 23, and the electromotive force of the cell 2 can be obtained. As the diffusion layers 22 and 23, for example, a porous material such as paper, cloth, high cushion paper or the like can be used.

  The conductive porous bodies 24 and 25 are made of, for example, a substantially plate-like porous member disposed on both surfaces of the MEGA 11. In the case of this embodiment, both the anode side conductive porous body 24 and the cathode side conductive porous body 25 are made of a porous material (lasth metal porous body) made of a lath cut metal (expanded metal).

  The separators 12 and 13 are made of a gas impermeable conductive material. Examples of the conductive material include carbon and a hard resin having conductivity, and metals such as aluminum and stainless steel. Further, a manifold for circulation of reaction gas and cooling water is formed in the vicinity of the end portions of the separators 12 and 13. In addition, a plurality of irregularities may be formed on the front and back surfaces of the portions facing the diffusion layers 22 and 23 of the separators 12 and 13 by, for example, press molding. The plurality of convex portions and concave portions each extend in one direction (or may be serpentine-like), and define an oxidizing gas flow channel, a hydrogen gas flow channel, or a cooling water flow channel. ing.

  The gasket 14 is provided as a seal member around the MEGA 11 and at a position corresponding to the manifold of the separators 12 and 13 described above. For example, the gasket 14 of the present embodiment is formed into a shape having a convex lip portion protruding toward the separators 12 and 13 by injection molding. The gasket 14 may be made of a material such as a thermosetting silicone or a thermoplastic resin.

  Here, in the present embodiment, one of the conductive porous bodies 24, 25 described above, for example, the conductive porous body 25 on the cathode side is formed with a recess 25d that can accommodate a part of the MEGA 11 (FIG. 4 and the like). reference). In this case, the shape and depth of the recess 25 d are not particularly limited. For example, in this embodiment, a substantially rectangular recess 25 d that matches the shape of the MEGA 11 is formed in the center of the cathode-side conductive porous body 25. (Refer to FIG. 1 etc.). The anode-side porous body 24, which is the other conductive porous body, is formed in a flat plate shape without such a recess (see FIG. 4 and the like).

  The cathode-side conductive porous body 25 is preferably formed in a size and shape that extends to the manifold portion described above. For example, in this embodiment, the cathode-side conductive porous body 25 is extended in the plane direction of the electrolyte membrane 21 so as to be smaller than the separators 12 and 13 and larger than the manifold positions formed in the separators 12 and 13. (See FIGS. 1 and 3). In the vicinity of the edge of the cathode-side conductive porous body 25 (portion outside the MEGA 11 serving as the power generation body), a hydrogen gas manifold 25a, an oxidizing gas manifold 25b, A refrigerant manifold 25c is formed (see FIG. 1 and the like).

  The cathode-side conductive porous body 25 having such a structure can be formed by subjecting the entire area of the porous body 25 to a lath cut process. To give a specific example, by making a zigzag cut across the entire area of the metal plate and spreading it out, a rhombus-shaped or turtle-shaped three-dimensional mesh (mesh) structure is used in both the thickness direction and the surface direction. An excellent porous member can be formed. Such an expanded metal formed by so-called lath cut treatment is more advantageous than a sintered body in that it can be deformed, and also has excellent conductivity. Further, by further pressing (drawing) such a processed product (expanded metal or lath metal), the conductive porous body 25 having a substantially rectangular recess 25d at the center can be formed.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a portion near the outer periphery (indicated by reference numeral 25e in the figure) other than the concave portion 25d of the cathode-side conductive porous body 25 in which the concave portion 25d is formed is approximately the thickness of the cell 2 at the time of cell formation. It is located at the center (see FIG. 2). Moreover, the gasket 14 mentioned above is arrange | positioned on both surfaces of the outer peripheral part 25e. If the portion of the conductive porous body 25 is biased in any of the thickness directions, the load balance tends to be lost. However, if the portion is arranged in the approximate center in the thickness direction, it is easy to ensure the load balance.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, the cathode-side conductive porous body 25 is processed so that the metal density of part or all of the outer peripheral portion 25e other than the recess 25d is increased. For example, if the metal density of the peripheral portions of the manifolds 25a to 25c is made higher than the metal density of the portion overlapping the MEGA 11 (the portion where the concave portion 25d is formed), the strength of the portion where the density has increased is relatively increased. Can be improved. So-called consolidation for increasing the metal density can be performed, for example, by pressing and crushing a target portion of the cathode conductive porous body 25.

  Advantages of the fuel cell 1 in the present embodiment having the above-described structure will be described below in comparison with a reference example of the prior art (see FIGS. 6 to 21).

(A) First, in the present embodiment, the concave portion 25d is formed in the conductive porous body 25 as described above, and a part of the MEGA 11 is accommodated in the concave portion 25d. This is preferable in that it is possible. That is, by using the conductive porous body 25 in which the concave portion 25d is integrally molded in this way, the MEGA 11 before molding can be aligned, and the misalignment occurs when the fuel cell 1 (or cell 2) is molded. It is possible to suppress the occurrence. In other words, the concave portion 25d formed integrally with the conductive porous body 25 can function as a restraining member that suppresses the displacement of the MEGA 11.

  In this regard, it is difficult to suppress the displacement of the MEGA 11 in the conventional fuel cell 1. For example, when a non-porous flat plate member (shown with cross-hatching in the figure) is used in the peripheral part of the manifold (see FIGS. 6 and 7), the periphery of the manifold in the conductive porous body While it is easy to ensure the strength of the part, there arises a problem that the manufacturable conditions are limited. That is, if the lath cutting process is performed only on the recess 25d to be formed (see FIG. 8), the processing target part extends by cutting, while the other part (the part that is not cut) does not extend. This causes a difference and deformation, and wrinkles are generated near the end (see the portion surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 8). For this reason, it was impossible to manufacture a conductive porous body having a substantially rectangular recess as shown in FIG.

  Accordingly, conventionally, one of the pair of conductive porous bodies has a horizontally long shape and the other 25 'has a vertically long shape, and the lath cut process is not performed near the start end and near the end of the feed direction during the lath cut (not engraved). The manufacturing method is adopted. In this case, the cross section perpendicular to the feed direction of the processed product is only flat, and a top hat-shaped (or bowl-shaped) concave portion cannot be formed. Conventionally, such a horizontally long conductive porous body 24 ′ and a vertically long conductive porous body 25 ′ are combined in a cross shape so as to form a staggered structure, so that the conductive porous body 24 ′, MEGA 11 ′, and conductive porous body When the body 25 ′ is integrally formed with the body 25 ′, the MEGA 11 ′ that should be positioned at the center cannot be sufficiently restrained, resulting in a displacement.

  On the other hand, in the fuel cell 1 of this embodiment in which the concave portion 25d integral with one conductive porous body (for example, the cathode-side conductive porous body 25) is formed, the concave portion 25d functions as a restraining member. This is preferable in that the displacement of the MEGA 11 can be suppressed.

(B) In the fuel cell 1 of the present embodiment, it is easy to achieve high performance of the fuel cell 1 by securing the reaction gas distribution / diffusion performance and discharge performance in the conductive porous bodies 24 and 25.

  In this regard, when the horizontally long conductive porous body 24 ′ and the vertically long conductive porous body 25 ′ are combined in a cross shape as described above, the reaction gas distribution / diffusion performance and discharge performance may be inferior. That is, in the case where the holes (for example, punch holes) are inclined in the lath cut feed direction in the porous portion subjected to the lath cut process, there is no problem if the direction and the gas flow direction match ( If they do not match (or are orthogonal), the performance is degraded (see FIG. 9). In this case, the flow is reduced in one of the reaction gases (for example, hydrogen gas on the anode side).

  On the other hand, in the case of the present embodiment, the lath-cut feed direction of the anode side conductive porous body 24 and the cathode side conductive porous body 25 can be appropriately changed to match the gas flow direction. For this reason, it is easy to ensure the distribution / diffusion performance and discharge performance of the reaction gas in the conductive porous bodies 24 and 25.

(C) In the fuel cell 1 of the present embodiment, the function of the gasket 14 is easily maintained.

  In this regard, when the horizontally long conductive porous body 24 ′ and the vertically long conductive porous body 25 ′ are combined in a cross shape (alternate structure) as described above, the insert material into the bracket 14 (for example, the conductive porous body 24). There are cases where the portions in the vicinity of both edges of 'cannot be located at the center in the cell thickness direction (see FIGS. 11 and 12). In this case, a difference occurs in the stress acting on the gasket 14 between the front side and the back side of the insert material, and the load balance is easily lost. In other words, a stronger stress is generated in the thinner bank (upper side in FIG. 12), and the material such as rubber tends to break. On the other hand, if the conductive porous body is processed so that the insert material is located in the center in the cell thickness direction, both the conductive porous bodies 24 'and 25' need to be processed, and the number of steps is increased. In addition, there is a problem in that gas leakage occurs unless sufficient adhesion between the conductive porous body and the gasket 14 is secured.

  On the other hand, in the case of the present embodiment, a portion near the outer periphery (insert portion) 25e other than the concave portion 25d of the cathode-side conductive porous body 25 in which the concave portion 25d is formed is approximately the center of the thickness of the cell 2. (Refer to FIG. 2). For this reason, it is easy to ensure a load balance, and it is easy to maintain the function of the gasket 14.

(D) In the fuel cell 1 of the present embodiment, the strength can be improved by increasing the metal density of the conductive porous body 25 in the vicinity of the manifold.

  In the staggered structure in which the horizontally long conductive porous body 24 ′ and the vertically long conductive porous body 25 ′ are combined in a cross shape as described above, all of these conductive porous bodies 24 ′ and 25 ′ are made porous (non-porous). If the porous portion is not formed) (see FIG. 14), the gas flow direction can be matched between the conductive porous body 24 ′ and the conductive porous body 25 ′ by appropriately changing the lath cut feed direction (see FIG. 14). FIG. 15). However, in such a case, even the insert part to the bracket 4 around the manifold becomes a porous material, and there is a possibility that sufficient strength cannot be secured (see FIGS. 16 and 17).

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the outer peripheral portion 25e other than the recess 25d in the cathode-side conductive porous body 25 is processed so that the metal density of a part or all of the portion is increased. Therefore, the strength of the part can be relatively improved.

(E) In the fuel cell 1 of the present embodiment, gas leakage due to insufficient reaction force of the seal can be suppressed. Furthermore, an electrical short circuit can be suppressed.

  In this regard, as described above, when the horizontally long conductive porous body 24 ′ and the vertically long conductive porous body 25 ′ are combined in a cross shape (alternate structure) and a seal line is formed along the broken line (see FIG. 18). Only the electrolyte membrane 21 serves as a backup member at the four corners of the power generation unit (see FIG. 19), and the backup by the rigid body is not sufficient, and there is a possibility that gas leakage may occur due to insufficient half power of the seal. Further, in any of the configurations shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the MEGA is not sufficiently restrained, and there is a risk of displacement (see FIGS. 20 and 21). Furthermore, the conductive porous bodies 24 ′ and 25 ′ may damage the electrolyte membrane 21 during molding, which may cause an electrical short circuit (see FIG. 22).

  On the other hand, in the case of this embodiment, the rigid bodies (conductive porous bodies 24, 25) are backed up at the four corners of the power generation unit (MEGA11), and gas leakage due to insufficient seal reaction force at the four corners is suppressed. Can do. Further, in the cathode-side conductive porous body 25, the outer peripheral portion 25e other than the concave portion 25d has a high metal density to relatively improve the strength of the portion, and the conductive porous bodies 24 and 25 are in contact with each other. It is possible to suppress a short circuit due to. Furthermore, since the concave portion 25d having a shape having wall portions on all sides is formed, it is also preferable that the displacement of the MEGA 11 is suppressed in both the vertical and horizontal directions. In addition, in the case of the present embodiment, it is sufficient to form the recess 25d only in one of the conductive porous bodies 24 and 25, so that there is an advantage that the number of steps is small and the efficiency is high.

  As described above, the advantages of the fuel cell 1 in the present embodiment have been described in comparison with the prior art. However, the other conductive porous body (the anode-side conductive porous body 24) may be configured as follows. preferable.

  That is, it is preferable to form the anode-side conductive porous body 24 in a plate shape so as to be smaller than the diffusion layer 22 of the MEGA 11 (see FIG. 4 and the like). In such a case, it is easy to arrange the planar anode-side conductive porous body 24 that is formed in a small size so as to be accommodated inside the MEGA 11, and thereby it is easy to further suppress a short circuit between the current collecting porous bodies 24 and 25. It becomes. In addition, the MEGA 11 is more preferably configured by laminating an electrolyte membrane 21 and an anode electrode (diffusion layer 22) that has a smaller outer circumference than the electrolyte membrane 21 and fits in the outer circumference of the electrolyte membrane. In such a case, since the planar anode-side conductive porous body 24 has a smaller outer periphery than the anode electrode and fits within the outer periphery of the electrode, it is easy to visually confirm the planar conductive porous body 24 in a plan view during molding. , Easy to align. According to this, the relative positioning of the conductive porous bodies 24 and 25 is facilitated, and a structure more suitable for the alignment of the MEGA 11 and the conductive porous bodies 24 and 25 in the fuel cell 1 can be realized.

  The above-described embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in the present embodiment, the case where the concave portion 25d is formed in the cathode-side conductive porous body 25 has been illustrated, but the reverse configuration, that is, the concave portion may be formed in the anode-side conductive porous body 24.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where MEGA (membrane-electrode-diffusion layer assembly) 11 is used as the membrane-electrode assembly has been described as an example, but this is MEA (membrane-electrode assembly). However, the same effect can be realized.

It is a top view of the state which laminated | stacked the cathode side electroconductive porous body which shows one Embodiment of this invention, MEGA, and the anode side electroconductive porous body. It is sectional drawing in the II-II line of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a conductive porous body and MEGA. It is a side view of the laminated | stacked electroconductive porous body and MEGA. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of a fuel cell. It is a top view of the electroconductive porous body and MEGA shown as a reference example of a prior art. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the feed direction of the plate-shaped member at the time of a lath cut, and the shape which can be manufactured, (A) is the case where it feeds in the width direction of a plate-shaped member, (B) is the longitudinal direction of a plate-shaped member. It is a figure which shows an example of the shape which cannot be manufactured by the conventional lath cut process. It is a figure for demonstrating the influence which the relationship of the flow direction of a last cut and the flow direction of a reactive gas has on battery performance, (A) is a top view of an anode side electroconductive porous body, (B) is the part which carried out the last cut process FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the influence which the relationship between the flow direction of a last cut and the flow direction of a reactive gas has on battery performance, (A) is a top view of a cathode side electroconductive porous body, (B) is the part by which the last cut process was carried out FIG. It is a top view which shows the structural example at the time of combining a horizontally long electroconductive porous body and a vertically long electroconductive porous body in the shape of a cross. It is sectional drawing in the XII-XII line | wire of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the structural example at the time of processing a conductive porous body so that the insert material in FIG. 12 may be located in the cell thickness direction center. It is a top view which shows an example of the staggered structure which combines a horizontally long electroconductive porous body and a vertically long electroconductive porous body in a cross shape. In the staggered structure shown in FIG. 14, (A) one conductive porous body, (B) the other conductive porous body, and (C) Lascut showing a state in which the gas flow directions in the plurality of conductive porous bodies are matched. It is an enlarged view of the processed part. It is a top view which shows an example of the electroconductive porous body which is a porous material to the insert part to the bracket in the manifold periphery. It is sectional drawing of the electroconductive porous body in the XVII-XVII line of FIG. It is a top view which shows an example of the electroconductive porous body of the staggered structure which is a porous material to the insert part to the bracket in the manifold periphery. It is sectional drawing which shows a mode that the backup member in a gasket is only an electrolyte membrane. It is sectional drawing in the XX-XX line of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the structural example at the time of processing a conductive porous body so that the insert material in FIG. 20 may be located in the cell thickness direction center. It is sectional drawing which shows a mode when an electroconductive porous body damages an electrolyte membrane and produces an electrical short circuit.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Fuel cell, 2 ... Cell (fuel cell), 11 ... MEGA (membrane-electrode assembly), 12 ... Separator, 13 ... Separator, 21 ... Electrolyte membrane, 24 ... Anode side conductive porous body, 25 ... Cathode Side conductive porous body, 25d ... (conducting porous body) recess, 25e ... (conducting porous body) outer peripheral portion (near the outer periphery of the conductive porous body where the recess is formed)

Claims (10)

Membrane-electrode assembly, anode side conductive lascut metal provided on one side of the membrane-electrode assembly, cathode side conductive lascut metal provided on the other side, and the membrane-electrode assembly, anode side In a fuel cell having a separator that sandwiches a conductive Lascut metal and a cathode side conductive Lascut metal ,
One of the anode side conductive lascut metal and the cathode side conductive lascut metal is formed with a concave portion having wall portions in four directions, and a part of the membrane-electrode assembly in the thickness direction is accommodated in the concave portion. A fuel cell characterized by the above. Said anode-side conductive lath cut metal and one recess on the cathode side conductive lath cut metal is formed, the fuel cell according to claim 1 and the other is planar. The fuel cell according to claim 2 which is smaller than the electrode assembly - the planar and is conductive lath cut metal is the membrane. The membrane-electrode assembly is formed by laminating an electrolyte membrane and an electrode having a smaller outer circumference than the electrolyte membrane and fit within the outer circumference of the electrolyte membrane,
4. The fuel cell according to claim 3, wherein the planar conductive Lascut metal has a smaller outer periphery than the electrode and is formed in a shape that fits within the outer periphery of the electrode. A fuel cell having a structure in which a plurality of fuel cells each having the membrane-electrode assembly, the anode-side conductive Lascut metal , the cathode-side conductive Lascut metal, and a separator are laminated,
Provided with a manifold for supplying or discharging reaction gas for power generation to or from each fuel cell,
5. The fuel cell according to claim 4, wherein the vicinity of the outer periphery of the conductive Lascut metal in which the recess is formed has a shape that extends in the planar direction of the electrolyte membrane and extends to the vicinity of the manifold. The fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a metal density of at least a part of the conductive lath cut metal other than the recess is higher than that of a portion where the recess is formed . The fuel cell according to claim 6, wherein the metal density is increased by pressurizing and crushing at least a part of the conductive lath cut metal other than the recess. A manifold for supplying reaction gas for power generation to each fuel battery cell or discharging it from each fuel battery cell is provided, and a portion corresponding to the periphery of the manifold of the conductive lascut metal is a part of the fuel battery cell. The fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the fuel cell is formed at substantially the center of the thickness of the fuel cell in the stacking direction. Membrane-electrode assembly, anode side conductive lascut metal provided on one side of the membrane-electrode assembly, cathode side conductive lascut metal provided on the other side, and the membrane-electrode assembly, anode side forming a recess shape with a separator that sandwich the conductive lath cut metal and the cathode conductive lath cut metal, the wall portion in four directions to one of the anode-side conductive lath cut metal and the cathode conductive lath cut metal in a fuel cell having Aside,
A method of aligning a membrane-electrode assembly in a fuel cell, characterized in that a part of the membrane-electrode assembly in the thickness direction is accommodated in the recess.   A method for producing a fuel cell using the method for aligning a membrane-electrode assembly according to claim 9.

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