JP5115683B2 - Fuel cell and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell and a method for manufacturing the same, and more particularly to a technique for suppressing deformation of the membrane-electrode assembly in the manufacturing process of the membrane-electrode assembly that constitutes a cell that is a basic unit of the fuel cell.

  A membrane-electrode assembly (hereinafter also referred to as MEA; Membrane Electrode Assembly) included in a fuel cell is obtained by sandwiching an electrolyte membrane between a pair of electrodes, that is, an anode and a cathode. A seal member is disposed around the membrane-electrode assembly. The seal member is made of, for example, silicone rubber or the like, and functions to suppress leakage of the reaction gas to the outside of the cell and to suppress mixing of the reaction gas between the anode and the cathode. The seal member is formed by so-called injection molding, in which a molten liquid silicone rubber is injected and molded into the inside of a mold sandwiching the membrane-electrode assembly.

Conventionally, in a structure in which an MEA and a gasket (seal member) are integrated, a core material made of, for example, a film or the like (referred to as a shape-retaining member in this specification) is used in order to impart rigidity to the structure. Molding may be performed after insertion. The inserted shape holding member has an advantage that it is used for positioning, for example, when the cell stack is stacked. As an example, in the following Patent Document 1, in the process of manufacturing a membrane-electrode assembly, a gasket (seal member) made of a resin shape-retaining layer and an elastic layer is formed around the membrane-electrode assembly at the periphery of the electrolyte membrane. A technique is described in which both are integrated to form a mold, and then the gasket is vulcanized.
JP 2002260693 A

  However, in the manufacturing process of the conventional membrane-electrode assembly, when the liquid silicone rubber is injected into the inside of the mold, the shape holding member is pushed and deformed by the momentum of the flow of the silicone rubber. The film may be deformed, and the silicone rubber may be hardened without the shape holding member and the electrolyte film returning to their original shapes. If the shape retention member and the electrolyte membrane are deformed in this manner and the silicone rubber is hardened, the sealing member may not exhibit the desired characteristics, such as insufficient sealing performance due to a change in the compression rate of the sealing member. is there.

  An object of the present invention is to suppress deformation of a region of a membrane-electrode assembly in which a seal member is integrally formed (periphery of an electrolyte membrane) in a manufacturing process in which the seal member is integrally formed with a membrane-electrode assembly of a fuel cell. And a method for manufacturing the same.

  As means for solving the above-described problems, a fuel cell having the following structure and a manufacturing method thereof are employed. That is, first, the invention described in claim 1 is a fuel cell in which a sealing member is integrally formed on a peripheral portion of a membrane-electrode assembly, and the membrane-electrode assembly is disposed between the electrolyte membrane of the membrane-electrode assembly and the sealing member. A shape holding member that suppresses deformation of the membrane-electrode assembly is disposed, and at least a part of a portion of the shape holding member located on the outer periphery of the membrane-electrode assembly is from an end portion of the seal member. Is also characterized by a structure protruding to the outer peripheral side.

  As described above, the portion of the shape holding member that protrudes to the outer peripheral side (hereinafter also referred to as a protruding portion) is a portion that protrudes from the end of the seal member and protrudes to the outer peripheral side. is there. Therefore, when the sealing member is injection-molded with the membrane-electrode assembly or the like sandwiched between the molding dies, the projecting portion is sandwiched between the upper mold and the lower mold. In other words, the shape holding member at the time of injection molding is conventionally not sandwiched between molds at all, but in the present invention, at least a part thereof is sandwiched between molds. At this time, it is held as if pulled from the surroundings. For this reason, deformation of the membrane-electrode assembly (peripheral portion of the electrolyte membrane) is suppressed during injection molding.

  The invention described in claim 2 is a method of manufacturing a fuel cell in which a sealing member is injection-molded in a peripheral part of a membrane-electrode assembly in a molding die and integrated, and the electrolyte of the membrane-electrode assembly and the A shape holding member that suppresses deformation of the membrane-electrode assembly is disposed between the sealing member, and a part of the arranged shape holding member that is located on the outer periphery of the membrane-electrode assembly. Is projected to the outer peripheral side from the end portion of the seal member, and the seal member is injection molded in a state where at least a part of the projecting portion is fixed to at least one of the upper mold and the lower mold constituting the mold. It is characterized by doing.

  That is, in the present invention, the shape holding member is provided with a protruding portion that is held by a molding die for injection molding the seal member. Then, the electrolyte membrane and the shape holding member are arranged in the inside (cavity) of the molding die, and after the protruding portion is held in the molding die, the material of the seal member is injected into the inside of the die (cavity). As described above, in the present invention, since the protrusion provided on the shape holding member is held by the mold, when the material of the seal member is injected into the mold, the shape holding member and the electrolyte membrane are sealed. Even when pushed by the momentum of the material flow of the member, it does not deform and the seal member solidifies in a state where the electrolyte membrane retains its original shape.

  In the fuel cell manufacturing method as described above, it is preferable that the sealing member is injection-molded in a state where the membrane-electrode assembly is supported by an external support member from a direction intersecting the surface thereof. .

  Alternatively, as described in claim 4, when the molding die is provided with a protrusion protruding toward the electrolyte membrane and the shape holding member disposed in the molding die, and the seal member is injection molded It is also preferable that the displacement of the electrolyte membrane and the shape holding member inside the mold is restricted by the protrusion. In the present invention, since the displacement of the electrolyte membrane and the shape holding member is regulated by the protrusion, when the material of the seal member is injected into the cavity in the mold, the shape holding member and the electrolyte membrane flow of the material of the seal member. The seal member is solidified in a state in which the electrolyte membrane retains its original shape even if pushed by the momentum.

  Further, the invention according to claim 5 is a method of manufacturing a fuel cell in which a sealing member is injection-molded and integrated in a peripheral portion of a membrane-electrode assembly in a mold, and the electrolyte of the membrane-electrode assembly and the A shape-retaining member that suppresses deformation of the membrane-electrode assembly is disposed between the seal member and the seal member is injected from a portion corresponding to the manifold of the fuel cell in the mold. It is characterized by this.

  In the fuel cell manufacturing method as described above, it is preferable to inject the seal member in a direction along the surface of the membrane-electrode assembly. In the present invention, since the material of the seal member is injected in a direction along the electrolyte membrane, the electrolyte membrane is unlikely to become a resistance of the material flow of the seal member. Therefore, the sealing member is solidified in a state where the electrolyte membrane is not deformed and the original shape is retained.

  Alternatively, as described in claim 7, it is also preferable to inject while adjusting the material flow of the seal member inside the mold. In the present invention, since the flowability of the material of the seal member is adjusted so that the electrolyte membrane does not become a resistance, the seal member is solidified in a state in which the original shape is maintained without being deformed.

  According to the present invention, since the electrolyte membrane or the like of the membrane-electrode assembly is not deformed in the manufacturing process of the fuel cell, the sealing member integrally formed with the electrolyte membrane can exhibit desired characteristics.

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

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell and a method for manufacturing the same. The fuel cell according to the present invention has a structure in which a seal member 4 is integrally formed at the peripheral edge of a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA). In the present embodiment, regarding this fuel cell, a shape holding member 5 that suppresses deformation of the MEA is disposed between the electrolyte membrane 1 of the MEA and the seal member 4. At least a part of the outer peripheral portion of the membrane-electrode assembly, for example, the outermost peripheral portion protrudes to the outer peripheral side from the end portion of the seal member 4. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be sequentially described.

  A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. A fuel cell is configured by stacking a plurality of cells serving as basic units. The cell includes, for example, a planar membrane-electrode assembly, that is, MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly), and a pair of separators sandwiching the MEA. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the MEA constituting the cell includes an electrolyte membrane 1 made of an ion exchange membrane and a pair of electrodes (anode and cathode) 2 and 3 sandwiching the electrolyte membrane 1 from both sides. A sealing member 4 that is injection-molded and integrated with the electrolyte membrane 1 is provided on the periphery of the electrolyte membrane 1. The seal member 4 is in contact with each separator and suppresses the reaction gas from leaking to the outside of the cell and suppresses the reaction gas from being mixed between the pair of electrodes 2 and 3. 1 is formed by injection molding around the periphery. Inside the seal member 4, there is a reinforcing film (shape holding member) 5 that keeps the shape of the MEA electrolyte membrane 1 and the like and suppresses deformation of the electrolyte membrane 1 and the like along the surface of the electrolyte membrane 1. It is provided as such. For example, the reinforcing film 5 of the present embodiment is provided so as to be attached to both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane 1 and is integrated with a seal member 4 which is later injection-molded.

As a material for such a reinforcing film 5, it is preferable to use polyimide, polyethylene naphthalate, or the like excellent in chemical resistance and heat resistance. Moreover, it is preferable that the thickness of the reinforcing film 5 is about 25-250 micrometers. Further, the reinforcing film 5 preferably has a heat resistance of 180 ° C. or higher, and the thermal expansion coefficient thereof is preferably 40 × 10 ⁻⁶ / K or less.

  Further, as the material of the seal member 4, it is preferable to use liquid silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, thermoplastic elastomer (TPV), or the like. These viscosities are preferably 300 Pa · s or less at room temperature, and the shrinkage is preferably 4% or less. Further, the tensile strength of the seal member 4 is preferably 3 MPa or more, and more preferably 5 MPa or more. Further, the breaking elongation of the seal member 4 is preferably 250% or more. The optimum conditions when the seal member 4 is injection-molded are a molding temperature of 120 to 150 ° C. and a molding cycle of 0.5 to 2.0 minutes.

  On the periphery of the electrolyte membrane 1, a protrusion 6 is provided over the entire circumference (see FIG. 7 and the like). The protrusion 6 is a portion located on the outer periphery of the MEA, for example, the outermost periphery, of the reinforcing film 5 provided on the surface of the electrolyte membrane 1 as described above, and is intentionally outer than the end of the seal member 4. It is the part formed so that it may protrude to the side. In the process of injection molding of the seal member 4, such a protrusion 6 is formed in a mold divided into a plurality of parts (for example, an upper mold 10 and a lower mold 11) when the electrolyte membrane 1 is disposed inside the cavity of the mold. It is sandwiched between the split surfaces (see FIG. 6 etc.). The electrolyte membrane 1 to which the reinforcing film 5 is bonded by, for example, adhesion, thermocompression bonding, adhesion, or the like is fixed in place by sandwiching the protruding portion 6 between the molding dies. Such protrusions 6 are finally punched and cut from the electrolyte membrane 1. The protrusion 6 is preferably formed continuously over the entire circumference of the electrolyte 1 as described herein, but it is not always necessary to be continuous in this manner, and the protrusion 6 is discontinuous. Partially formed is sufficient. That is, since the protrusion 6 is sandwiched between the molds and suppresses the deformation of the reinforcing film (shape holding member) 5 during the injection molding of the seal member, the deformation is sufficiently suppressed. As long as it can be formed, it may not be formed continuously. Further, the outer periphery referred to in this specification includes not only the portion located at the outermost periphery as described above, but also the inner periphery of an opening (manifold) portion for allowing a reaction gas or a refrigerant to flow therethrough.

  Further, the electrolyte membrane 1 is provided with a through-hole 7 that constitutes a part of the oxidizing gas manifold, the hydrogen gas manifold, and the refrigerant manifold (see FIG. 1 and the like). The through hole 7 is formed so as to penetrate the electrolyte membrane 1 and the reinforcing film 5 and the seal member 4 disposed on both sides of the electrolyte membrane 1.

  Then, each process which manufactures MEA is demonstrated. In the following, silicone rubber is used as the seal member 4, but the material of the seal member 4 may be appropriately changed to the above-described materials and the like according to every requirement.

[Affixing the reinforcing film]
As shown in FIG. 3, a reinforcing film 5 having a peripheral shape and a dimension substantially matching those of the electrolyte membrane 1 is laminated on both surfaces of the rectangular electrolyte membrane 1 in plan view. The electrolyte membrane 1 is formed with a length and a width that are larger than the dimensions when mounted on the fuel cell in anticipation of the portion that functions as the protruding portion 6. A rectangular opening 5 a is formed at the center of the reinforcing film 5, and the electrolyte membrane 1 is partially exposed from the opening 5 a even when the reinforcing film 5 is attached.

[Electrode formation]
As shown in FIG. 4, electrodes 2 and 3 made of a gas diffusion layer and a catalyst layer are formed on both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane 1 exposed from the opening 5 a of the reinforcing film 5. The electrodes 2 and 3 are formed in a rectangular shape inside the rectangular opening 5a so that the directions of the long side and the short side coincide with each other. The electrodes 2 and 3 are formed with a gap between the edges of the opening 5 a so as not to touch the reinforcing film 5.

[Punching through holes]
As shown in FIG. 5, through-holes 7 constituting each manifold are punched into the electrolyte membrane 1 on which the electrodes 2 and 3 are formed. The through hole 7 is formed through the electrolyte membrane 1 and the reinforcing film 5 around the opening 5 a of the reinforcing film 5.

[Formation of seal member]
After applying a primer to the electrolyte membrane 1 in which the through-hole 7 is formed, the electrolyte membrane 1 is placed inside two upper and lower molds that define a cavity C for molding the seal member 4 as shown in FIG. Deploy. At this time, the protruding portion 6 is sandwiched between the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 11, and the electrolyte membrane 1 is fixed in place inside the cavity C of the molding mold in which the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 11 are combined. Then, liquid silicone rubber that is a material of the seal member 4 is injected into the cavity C. When the silicone rubber is cured for a while after the injection and the sealing member 4 is integrally formed with the electrolyte membrane 1 and the reinforcing film 5, the upper die 10 and the lower die 11 are divided and the electrolyte membrane 1 and the like are taken out from the cavity C. Seal members 4 are formed on both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane 1 (see FIG. 1 and the like).

[Excision of protrusion]
As shown in FIG. 7, the electrolyte membrane 1 taken out from the mold is punched, and the protrusion 6 provided around the electrolyte membrane 1 is cut off. For example, in the case of the present embodiment, a portion protruding outward from the seal member 4 formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view is cut out (see FIG. 7). Thus, the MEA that can be mounted on the fuel cell is completed.

  In the embodiment described above, when the seal member 4 is injection-molded in the mold, the protruding portion 6 can be sandwiched and held by the mold so that the seal member 4 can be deformed after molding. Will be suppressed. That is, the reinforcing film (shape holding member) 5 at the time of injection molding is not sandwiched between molds at all in the past, but at least a part thereof is sandwiched between molds in this embodiment. Therefore, it will be in the state hold | maintained so that it might be pulled from the circumference | surroundings at the time of injection molding. For this reason, it can suppress that the said shape holding member 5 and the electrolyte membrane 1 deform | transform at the time of injection molding. That is, when the sealing member 4 such as silicone rubber is injected into the cavity C, the electrolyte membrane 1 does not deform even when pressed by the flow force of the sealing member (silicone rubber) 4 and retains its original shape. In this state, the silicone rubber is solidified. Therefore, the sealing member 4 integrally formed with the electrolyte membrane 1 can exhibit desired characteristics.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the protrusion 12 is provided inside the above-described mold, and when the seal member 4 is injection-molded, the displacement of the electrolyte membrane 1 and the reinforcing film (shape holding member) 5 inside the mold ( The protrusion 12 restricts the electrolyte membrane 1 and the reinforcing film 5 from moving or deforming inside the mold. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component already demonstrated in the said 1st Embodiment, and those description is abbreviate | omitted.

  First, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, pin-shaped protrusions 12 protruding toward the electrolyte membrane 1 disposed inside the cavity C are formed on both the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 11, respectively. is doing. Each of the protrusions 12 is formed such that the protrusion tip is close to the electrolyte membrane 1 to which the reinforcing film 5 is attached (see FIG. 8). Such protrusions 12 are preferably arranged so as to be as uniform as possible so as to surround the electrodes 2 and 3, for example. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of protrusions 12 in the present embodiment are provided so as to surround the through-holes 7 constituting the manifold.

  According to the mold of this embodiment in which the protrusions 12 are formed as described above, there are the following advantages. That is, when the liquid silicone rubber is injected into the cavity C, the electrolyte membrane 1 is pushed by the momentum of the flow of the silicone rubber. At this time, the protrusions 12 hold the electrolyte membrane 1 or come into contact with each other. The displacement of the electrolyte membrane 1 and the like is restricted. That is, when the fuel cell MEA is manufactured using the mold as described above, the electrolyte membrane 1 remains in its original shape without being deformed even when pressed by the flow of silicone rubber. In this state, the silicone rubber is solidified. Therefore, the sealing member 4 integrally formed with the electrolyte membrane 1 can exhibit desired characteristics.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, the protrusion 12 having a shape in which the tip protrudes to a slight distance from the electrolyte membrane 1 and the reinforcing film 5 has been described (see FIG. 8). The shape or size of the protrusion 12 is particularly It is not limited to such a thing. That is, the protrusion 12 may protrude to the extent that it contacts the electrolyte membrane 1 from when the electrolyte membrane 1 is clamped, or may be slightly separated from the electrolyte membrane 1 as shown in the present embodiment. However, when the dimensional error (variation) of the electrolyte membrane 1 or the reinforcing film 5 is large, it may be more effective that the distance is slightly separated.

  In the present embodiment, the protrusions 12 are integrally formed on both the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 11. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to insert a protrusion in a slidable manner so that its tip protrudes toward the electrolyte membrane 1 inside the cavity C.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, the seal member 4 is injected so as to diffuse in the direction along the surface of the MEA or the surface of the electrolyte membrane 1. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component already demonstrated in said each embodiment, and those description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, of the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 11, the part that molds the through hole 7 constituting the manifold is a rectangular parallelepiped shape protruding from the upper mold 10 toward the lower mold 11. The divided body 13 and the rectangular parallelepiped-shaped divided body 14 protruding from the lower mold 11 toward the upper mold 10 are formed by arranging the top portions 13a and 14a facing each other. The divided body 13 forms a part of the upper mold 10, and the divided body 14 forms a part of the lower mold 11. The top portion 13a of the divided body 13 and the top portion 14a of the divided body 14 are both formed in a planar shape, are not in contact with each other, and face each other with a substantially uniform gap. Further, the upper mold 10 is provided with a gate 15 for introducing a liquid seal member (silicone rubber) 4 into the cavity C so as to communicate with the gap between the top portions 13a and 14a. As shown in FIG. 11, one gate 15 is provided at every part where the through hole 7 is formed.

  In the mold having such a structure, the liquid silicone rubber is supplied to the gap between the top parts 13a and 14a through the gate 15, hits the top part 14a of the divided body 14 on the lower mold 11 side, and reaches the surface of the top part 14a. Diffusion without deviation in all parallel directions is injected into the cavity C. Further, since the top portions 13 a and 14 a are formed so that the surfaces thereof are substantially parallel to both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane 1 disposed inside the cavity C, as a result, the silicone rubber is applied to both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane 1. It will be injected in the direction along.

  When a fuel cell (or MEA) is manufactured using the mold having the above-described structure, the silicone rubber is injected in a direction along both smooth surfaces (the front surface and the back surface) of the electrolyte membrane 1. 1 does not become the resistance of the flow of silicone rubber. For this reason, the silicone rubber can be solidified with the electrolyte membrane 1 kept in its original shape without being deformed. Therefore, the sealing member 4 integrally formed with the electrolyte membrane 1 can exhibit desired characteristics.

  By the way, when a gap is formed between the tops 13a and 14a as in the present embodiment, the gap is filled with silicone rubber, and as a result, the through-hole 7 is not die-cut. However, in this case, when punching the projecting portion 6 or the like, the silicone rubber filled in the gap between the top portions 13a and 14a and solidified may be punched and removed.

  Here, the embodiment in which the gate 15 is provided at the site where the through-hole 7 constituting the manifold is formed is described as an example, but the arrangement of the gate 15 is not particularly limited to this. In short, when the sheet member 4 is injected from directly above (or directly below) the electrolyte membrane 1 or the reinforcing film (shape holding member) 5 as in the prior art, the electrolyte 1 and the reinforcing film 5 are deformed by the pressure at the time of injection. On the other hand, if the gate 15 is arranged at an appropriate position as in the present embodiment, it is possible to avoid such deformation as much as possible. This means that the arrangement is not particularly limited. Moreover, in this embodiment, the injected material of the sheet member 4 is diffused in all directions along the surface (or the back surface) of the electrolyte membrane 1, and extra pressure is applied by appropriately distributing the material. Therefore, further effects can be obtained by combining with such a structure.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component already demonstrated in said each embodiment, and those description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the ridge 16 is formed on the top 13 a of the divided body 13 of the upper mold 10, and the upper mold is formed on the top 14 a of the divided body 14 of the lower mold 11. A similar ridge 17 is formed so that the ridge 16 on the 10 side faces the tip. The two protrusions 16 and 17 play a role of a diaphragm for diffusing liquid silicone rubber in the vertical direction. In addition, if an example of a specific numerical value is given here, for example, the interval between the top and bottom head portions 13a and 14a that are spaced apart from each other is preferably about 0.5 to 5 mm, and the tips of the two ridges 16 and 17 are mutually spaced. Is preferably about 0.02 to 0.2 mm.

  When a mold having such protrusions 16 and 17 is used, the liquid silicone rubber injected from the gate 15 is supplied to the gap between the top portions 13a and 14a, and the divided body 14 on the lower mold 11 side. It spreads in all directions parallel to the surface of the top 14a without any bias. Furthermore, when passing between the two protrusions 16 and 17, it diffuses also in the up-down direction and is injected into the cavity C. That is, the silicone rubber that flows into the cavity C through the gaps between the tops 13a and 14a flows largely biased into the cavity C on one side (more specifically, on the lower side) due to the influence of gravity. In addition, there is a risk that the electrolyte membrane 1 or the like may be moved upward and deformed. However, according to the molding die provided with the protrusions (squeezes) 16 and 17 as described above, the balance of the upper and lower flow amounts is balanced. It is possible to form a situation in which the material can flow into the upper and lower cavities C almost uniformly regardless of the action of gravity.

  In other words, when a fuel cell (or MEA) is manufactured using a mold having the above-described structure, the flow rate is equalized by the action of the ridges 16 and 17 that serve as a throttle for diffusing liquid silicone rubber, In other words, the flowability of silicone rubber can be improved. Further, since the electrolyte membrane 1 is adjusted so as not to have the resistance of the silicone rubber, the silicone rubber is solidified in a state where the electrolyte membrane 1 is not deformed and the original shape is retained. Therefore, the sealing member 4 integrally formed with the electrolyte membrane 1 can exhibit desired characteristics.

  By the way, in this embodiment, silicone rubber is injected into the cavity C with the electrolyte membrane 1 disposed substantially horizontally. However, silicone rubber is injected into the cavity C with the electrolyte membrane 1 disposed substantially vertically. Can also be injected. In a state where the electrolyte membrane 1 is arranged almost horizontally, a large amount of silicone rubber tends to flow into the lower surface side than the upper surface side of the electrolyte membrane 1 due to the influence of gravity, but the electrolyte membrane 1 is almost vertical. Then, it can be said that it is preferable from this point of view since silicone rubber flows into the cavities C on both the left and right sides of the electrolyte membrane 1 almost evenly.

  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 above-described embodiment, the protruding portion 6, that is, the portion formed so as to intentionally protrude to the outer peripheral side from the end portion of the sealing member 4 in the reinforcing film 5 provided on the surface of the electrolyte membrane 1. However, this is only a preferred example, and in short, it is fixed to the molding die in some form. It is enough if it is in the state. Therefore, for example, the shape may be fixed by being hooked on at least one of the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 11.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the shape maintaining member 5 is exemplified as a member separately disposed in the membrane-electrode assembly. However, the outer periphery of the electrolyte membrane 1 or the electrode or diffusion layer formed on the surface thereof (seal member) The material may be selected or chemically treated so as to partially increase the rigidity at the site where the material is to be disposed. In this case, the shape-retaining member 5 is not a separate body but can be interpreted as a state integrated with the membrane-electrode assembly.

It is a figure which shows the 1st Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a top view which shows a membrane-electrode assembly. It is sectional drawing which follows the II-II line of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the process of affixing a reinforcement film on an electrolyte membrane among the manufacturing methods of the membrane-electrode assembly of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the process of forming an electrode in the electrolyte membrane which affixed the reinforcement film. It is a top view which shows the process of punching a through-hole in the electrolyte membrane on which the reinforcement film was affixed. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the process of forming a sealing member in the electrolyte membrane on which the reinforcement film was affixed. It is a top view which shows the process of punching a through-hole in the electrolyte membrane on which the reinforcement film was affixed. It is a figure which shows the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is sectional drawing which shows the state which has arrange | positioned the membrane-electrode assembly inside the shaping | molding die. It is a top view which shows the position of the processus | protrusion provided in a shaping | molding die. It is a figure which shows the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is sectional drawing which shows the state which has arrange | positioned the membrane-electrode assembly inside the shaping | molding die. It is a top view which shows the position of the gate provided in a shaping | molding die. It is a figure which shows the 4th Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is sectional drawing which shows the state which has arrange | positioned the membrane-electrode assembly inside the shaping | molding die.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electrolyte membrane, 2, 3 ... Electrode, 4 ... Seal member, 5 ... Reinforcement film (shape holding member), 6 ... Projection part, 7 ... Through-hole, 12 ... Projection

Claims (8)

In a method of manufacturing a fuel cell component in which a seal member is injection-molded and integrated in a peripheral portion of a membrane-electrode assembly in a mold,
A shape holding member that suppresses deformation of the membrane-electrode assembly is disposed between the electrolyte of the membrane-electrode assembly and the seal member,
Of the arranged shape-retaining member, a part of the portion located on the outer periphery of the membrane-electrode assembly is protruded to the outer peripheral side from the end of the seal member to form a protruding portion ,
As the mold, the one provided with a projection protruding toward the electrolyte membrane and the shape holding member disposed in the mold,
When the sealing member is injection-molded in a state where at least a part of the projecting portion is fixed to at least one of an upper mold and a lower mold constituting the molding die, the electrolyte membrane and the shape holding member inside the molding die The state of the displacement is regulated by the protrusion ,
Using at least one of the upper mold and the lower mold constituting the molding mold, a gate provided so as to communicate a gap between the tops of the upper mold and the lower mold, and the seal member is inserted into the head through the gate. A method for producing a fuel cell component , characterized in that the fuel cell component is supplied into a gap between top portions . 2. The method of manufacturing a fuel cell component according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is formed such that a protrusion tip is close to the electrolyte membrane to which the shape holding member is attached. 2. The method of manufacturing a fuel cell component according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of protrusions are uniformly arranged so as to surround the electrode of the membrane-electrode assembly. 2. The method of manufacturing a fuel cell component according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of protrusions are provided so as to surround a through-hole constituting a manifold of the fuel cell. 5. The fuel cell component according to claim 1, wherein the seal member is injection-molded in a state where the membrane-electrode assembly is supported by an external support member from a direction intersecting the surface thereof . 6. Production method. 5. The method of manufacturing a fuel cell component according to claim 1, wherein the seal member is injected from a portion corresponding to a manifold of the fuel cell in the mold. The method of manufacturing a fuel cell component according to claim 6, wherein the seal member is injected in a direction along a surface of the membrane-electrode assembly. The method of manufacturing a fuel cell component according to claim 6, wherein the injection is performed while adjusting a material flow of the seal member inside the mold.

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