JP5194439B2 - Fuel cell and assembly constituting the fuel cell - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fuel cell, and relates to Assenbu Li of a fuel cell.

  In a fuel cell, for example, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, a reactive gas (a fuel gas containing hydrogen and an oxidizing gas containing oxygen) is respectively applied to two electrodes (a fuel electrode and an oxygen electrode) facing each other with an electrolyte membrane interposed therebetween. By supplying and causing an electrochemical reaction, the chemical energy of the substance is directly converted into electrical energy. As a main structure of such a fuel cell, a so-called stack structure is known in which laminated members including substantially flat electrolyte membranes and separators are alternately laminated and fastened in the lamination direction.

  By the way, as a fuel cell having the above-described stack structure, a technique is known in which a seal member is integrally formed at the end of a laminated member in which a membrane electrode assembly is sandwiched between gas diffusion layers from both sides (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-42836 A International Publication WO02 / 001658 JP 2002-124276 A JP 2006-216424 A JP 2003-68319 A JP 2005-327514 A

  However, in the above prior art, one reaction gas (for example, oxidizing gas) passes between the electrolyte membrane and the seal member and mixes with the other reaction gas (for example, fuel gas), so-called cross. It could not be said that the function of suppressing leakage was sufficient.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to suppress cross leak in a fuel cell having a stack structure.

In order to solve the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention provides an assembly that constitutes a fuel cell by stacking a plurality of layers. The assembly according to the first aspect includes a separator, an electrolyte membrane disposed on one side of the separator and having a catalyst layer on both sides, and a first diffusion disposed between the electrolyte membrane and the separator. A laminated member including at least a layer and a second diffusion layer disposed on the opposite side of the electrolyte membrane from the first diffusion layer, and the laminated member on the one side surface of the separator is disposed. A support portion that is bonded or closely adhered to a surrounding region surrounding the region and integrated with an end portion of the laminated member, and is formed and laminated on the support portion so as to protrude from the support portion in the laminating direction. A sealing member having a rib that is pressed in the laminating direction, and at the end of the laminating member integrated with the support portion, the electrolyte membrane, the first diffusion layer, and the Second expansion And a any one of the layers, the ribs and overlapping in the lamination direction, the other one of said first diffusion layer and said second diffusion layer do not overlap in the stacking direction as the rib.

According to the assembly according to the first aspect, the sealing properties between the sealing member and the diffusion layer and between the diffusion layer and the electrolyte membrane are ensured by the pressing force applied to the ribs at the time of lamination. As a result, the above-described cross leak can be suppressed. In addition, since the diffusion layer supports the electrolyte membrane when the seal member is molded, the seal material can be molded with high accuracy. In addition, it is possible to prevent the first diffusion layer and the second diffusion layer from being short-circuited due to the diffusion layer piercing the electrolyte membrane due to the pressing force applied to the rib.

  In the assembly according to the first aspect, at the end of the laminated member integrated with the support portion, the first diffusion layer overlaps with the rib in the lamination direction, and the second diffusion layer and the rib. It is not necessary to overlap in the stacking direction. If it carries out like this, the quantity of the sealing member under a rib can be ensured and the fall of the deformation amount of a rib can be suppressed. As a result, the sealing performance of the rib can be improved.

The present invention, this addition to, including the fuel cells which is configured by stacking a plurality of assemblies according to the first aspect may be realized in various aspects.

  Hereinafter, a fuel cell, an assembly constituting the fuel cell, and a seal integrated member constituting the fuel cell will be described based on examples with reference to the drawings.

A. First embodiment:
-Configuration of Fuel Cell A schematic configuration of the fuel cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. 1 and 2 are explanatory views showing the structure of the fuel cell in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing manufacturing steps of the fuel cell in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fuel cell 100 has a structure in which a plurality of assemblies 200 are stacked (so-called stack structure). As shown in FIG. 3, the fuel cell 100 stacks a predetermined number of assemblies 200 (step S102), and fastens the stacked assemblies 200 so as to apply a predetermined fastening force in the stacking direction (step S104). Manufactured.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell 100 includes an oxidizing gas supply manifold 110 that is supplied with oxidizing gas, an oxidizing gas discharge manifold 120 that discharges oxidizing gas, and a fuel gas supply manifold 130 that is supplied with fuel gas. A fuel gas discharge manifold 140 for discharging the fuel gas, a cooling medium supply manifold 150 for supplying the cooling medium, and a cooling medium discharge manifold 160 for discharging the cooling medium are provided. Note that air is generally used as the oxidizing gas, and hydrogen is generally used as the fuel gas. Further, both the oxidizing gas and the fuel gas are also called reaction gases. As the cooling medium, water, antifreeze water such as ethylene glycol, air, or the like can be used.

  The configuration of the assembly 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 in addition to FIG. A side view of the assembly 200 is shown in FIG. 4 is a front view of the assembly 200 (viewed from the right side in FIG. 2). FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the assembly 200 includes a separator 600, a laminated member 800, and a seal member 700.

  First, the configuration of the separator 600 will be briefly described. The separator 600 includes an anode plate 300, a cathode plate 400, and an intermediate plate 500.

  6-8 is explanatory drawing which shows the shape of the cathode plate 400 (FIG. 6), the anode plate 300 (FIG. 7), and the intermediate | middle plate 500 (FIG. 8), respectively. 6, 7, and 8 show the respective plates 400, 300, and 500 as viewed from the right side of FIG. 2. 6 to 8, a region DA indicated by a broken line at the center of each of the plates 300, 400, 500 is a porous body 840, 850 (described later) which is the smallest member among the above-described laminated members 800 in the assembly 200. This is a corresponding area and is an area where power is actually generated (hereinafter referred to as a power generation area DA).

  The cathode plate 400 is made of stainless steel, for example. The cathode plate 400 includes six manifold forming portions 422 to 432, an oxidizing gas supply slit 440, and an oxidizing gas discharge slit 444. The manifold forming portions 422 to 432 are through portions for forming the various manifolds described above when configuring the fuel cell 100, and are respectively provided outside the power generation area DA. The oxidizing gas supply slit 440 is disposed at the end portion (the upper end portion in FIG. 6) of the power generation area DA. The oxidizing gas discharge slit 444 is arranged side by side at the end of the power generation area DA (lower end in FIG. 6).

  The anode plate 300 is formed of stainless steel, for example, like the cathode plate 400. Similar to the cathode plate 400, the anode plate 300 includes six manifold forming portions 322 to 332, a fuel gas supply slit 350, and a fuel gas discharge slit 354. The manifold forming portions 322 to 332 are through portions for forming the various manifolds described above when configuring the fuel cell 100, and are provided outside the power generation area DA, similarly to the cathode plate 400. The fuel gas supply slit 350 is arranged at the end (the lower end in FIG. 7) of the power generation area DA so as not to overlap the above-described oxidizing gas discharge slit 444 in the cathode plate 400 when the separator 600 is configured. The fuel gas discharge slit 354 is arranged at the end (the upper end in FIG. 7) of the power generation area DA so as not to overlap the above-described oxidizing gas supply slit 440 in the cathode plate 400 when the separator 600 is configured.

  The intermediate plate 500 is made of, for example, stainless steel, like the above-described plates 300 and 400. The intermediate plate 500 has four manifold forming portions 522 to 528 for supplying / discharging the reaction gas (oxidizing gas or fuel gas) as feed-through portions penetrating in the thickness direction, supply flow path forming portions 542 and 546, and Discharge flow path forming portions 544 and 548 are provided. The intermediate plate 500 further includes a plurality of cooling medium flow path forming portions 550. The manifold forming portions 522 to 528 are through portions for forming the various manifolds described above when configuring the fuel cell 100, and are provided outside the power generation area DA, similarly to the cathode plate 400 and the anode plate 300. ing.

  Each cooling medium flow path forming portion 550 has an elongated hole shape that crosses the power generation area DA in the left-right direction in FIG. 8, and both ends thereof reach the outside of the power generation area DA. The cooling medium flow path forming portions 550 are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction in FIG.

  Reactive gas supply flow path forming portions 542 and 546 and discharge flow path forming portions 544 and 548 are respectively connected at one end to corresponding manifold forming portions 522 to 528. The other ends of these flow path forming portions 542 to 548 communicate with the corresponding gas supply / discharge slits 350, 354, 440, and 444 when the three plates are joined.

  FIG. 9 is a front view of the separator. The separator 600 joins the above-described anode plate 300 and cathode plate 400 to both sides of the intermediate plate 500 so as to sandwich the intermediate plate 500, and corresponds to the cooling medium supply manifold 150 and the cooling medium discharge manifold 160 in the intermediate plate 500. This is produced by punching the exposed part in the area to be processed. As a method of joining the three plates, for example, thermocompression bonding, brazing, welding, or the like can be used. As a result, the six manifolds 110 to 160, which are through portions indicated by hatching in FIG. 9, the oxidizing gas supply flow path 650, the oxidizing gas discharge flow path 660, the fuel gas supply flow path 630, and the fuel gas discharge flow path Separator 600 provided with 640 and cooling medium flow path 670 is obtained.

  Returning to FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the description of the assembly 200 will be continued. As shown in FIG. 2, the laminated member 800 is disposed so that the cathode-side porous body 850 overlaps the power generation area DA on the surface of the separator 600 on the cathode plate 400 side, and the outer side surrounding the power generation area DA on the same surface. The seal member 700 is disposed in this area (hereinafter referred to as the surrounding area). As shown in FIG. 5, the laminated member 800 is disposed in contact with the electrolyte membrane 810, the anode-side diffusion layer 820 disposed in contact with the anode-side surface of the electrolyte membrane 810, and the cathode-side surface of the electrolyte membrane 810. The cathode side diffusion layer 830, the anode side porous body 840, and the cathode side porous body 850 are configured. The anode-side porous body 840 is disposed on the anode side of the electrolyte membrane 810 with the anode-side diffusion layer 820 interposed therebetween, and the cathode-side porous body 850 is disposed on the cathode side of the electrolyte membrane 810 with the cathode-side diffusion layer 830 interposed therebetween. Yes. The cathode-side porous body 850 is in contact with the power generation area DA of the separator 600. The anode-side porous body 840 contacts the surface of the separator 600 of the other assembly 200 on the anode plate 300 side when the plurality of assemblies 200 are stacked to constitute the fuel cell 100.

  The anode side porous body 840 and the cathode side porous body 850 are formed of a porous material having gas diffusibility and conductivity such as a metal porous body. The anode-side porous body 840 and the cathode-side porous body 850 have a higher porosity than the anode-side diffusion layer 820 and the cathode-side diffusion layer 830 described above, and the gas flow resistance therein is the anode-side diffusion layer 820 and the cathode-side diffusion layer. Those below 830 are used and function as a flow path for the reaction gas to flow as will be described later. The anode side porous body 840 and the cathode side porous body 850 have a size corresponding to the power generation area DA described above.

  The anode side diffusion layer 820 and the cathode side diffusion layer 830 are formed of, for example, carbon cloth woven with yarns made of carbon fibers, carbon paper, or carbon felt. As shown in FIG. 4, the anode-side diffusion layer 820 is larger in both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction than the anode-side porous body 840 and the cathode-side porous body 850. The cathode-side diffusion layer 830 is slightly larger than the anode-side diffusion layer 820 in both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. In FIG. 4, the outer peripheral ends of the anode side diffusion layer 820 and the cathode side diffusion layer 830 are indicated by broken lines, respectively.

  The electrolyte membrane 810 has substantially the same size as the cathode side diffusion layer 830 as shown by the broken line in FIG. As described above, the anode-side diffusion layer 820, the cathode-side diffusion layer 830, and the electrolyte membrane 810 are larger in both the vertical direction and the left-right direction than the anode-side porous body 840 and the cathode-side porous body 850. Therefore, when the anode side diffusion layer 820, the cathode side diffusion layer 830, and the electrolyte membrane 810 are laminated with the porous bodies 840 and 850, the vicinity of the outer peripheral ends thereof protrudes outside the outer peripheral ends of the porous bodies 840 and 850. (FIGS. 4, 5). In the anode-side diffusion layer 820, the cathode-side diffusion layer 830, and the electrolyte membrane 810, portions that protrude outward from the outer peripheral ends of the porous bodies 840 and 850 are referred to as respective peripheral portions.

  The electrolyte membrane 810 is an ion exchange membrane formed of, for example, a fluorine resin material or a hydrocarbon resin material and having good ionic conductivity in a wet state. The electrolyte membrane 810 is coated with a catalyst layer on the surface corresponding to the power generation region DA of the separator 600 described above, that is, on the surfaces on both sides of the region on the inner side from the peripheral edge described above (illustration of the catalyst layer is omitted). The catalyst layer includes, for example, platinum or an alloy made of platinum and another metal.

  The seal member 700 includes a support portion 710 and ribs 720a and 700b formed on the support portion 710. The seal member 700 is formed of a material having gas impermeability, elasticity, and heat resistance in the operating temperature range of the fuel cell, for example, an elastic member such as rubber or elastomer. Specifically, silicon rubber, butyl rubber, acrylic rubber, natural rubber, fluorine rubber, ethylene / propylene rubber, styrene elastomer, fluorine elastomer and the like can be used.

  The support portion 710 of the seal member 700 is in contact with the entire surrounding area on the surface of the separator 600 on the cathode plate 400 side (FIGS. 4 and 5). A contact surface SU (FIG. 5: bold line) between the support portion 710 of the seal member 700 and the surface of the separator 600 on the cathode plate 400 side is bonded with a predetermined bonding force.

  Here, the predetermined bonding force is a bonding force in a state where the assembly 200 is not stacked and fastened, that is, a state where no load in the stacking direction is applied. As shown by the thin arrows in FIG. 5, the predetermined bonding force is such that when the fluid pressure assumed during the operation of the fuel cell is loaded on the seal member 700, the seal member 700 on the cathode plate 400 side of the separator 600. The coupling force does not deviate in the direction along the contact surface SU with respect to the surface. The fluid pressure assumed during the operation of the fuel cell is supplied to the fuel gas pressure, the oxidizing gas pressure, the cooling medium pressure in the manifolds 110 to 160, and the cathode side diffusion layer 830 and the cathode side porous body 850. The pressure of the oxidizing gas and the pressure of the fuel gas supplied to the anode side diffusion layer 820 and the anode side porous body 840 are provided.

  The predetermined binding force is preferably determined based on the maximum fluid pressure assumed. For example, the pressure of the oxidizing gas, the fuel gas, and the cooling medium increases as the fuel cell is operated at a higher load. Further, when the fluid flows, pressure loss occurs, so that the pressure on the upstream side (inlet side) of the flow path is higher than that on the downstream side (outlet side). When air is used as the oxidizing gas, only about 20% of the oxygen used in the electrochemical reaction is contained in the air, so the oxidizing gas is supplied at a high pressure to supply sufficient oxygen to the cathode. There are many cases to do. Further, when the generated water is to be discharged outside using the flow of the oxidizing gas, the oxidizing gas is often supplied at a high pressure in order to efficiently discharge the generated water. Therefore, in such a case, the contact surface SU is coupled so that there is no deviation with respect to the pressure on the upstream side (near the oxidizing gas supply manifold 110) of the oxidizing gas flow path during high-load operation. The power is determined.

  Specifically, the bonding force of the contact surface SU is preferably 0.01 N / mm (Newtons per millimeter) or more, more preferably 0.6 N / mm or more per unit length of the seal line.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the ribs 720a and 720b surround the entire circumference of the power generation area DA (corresponding to the area in which the anode-side porous body 840 is arranged) in FIG. It is formed so as to surround. When the assembly 200 is stacked and fastened and the fuel cell 100 is configured, the ribs 720a and 720b contact the anode side surface of the separator 600 of the other assembly 200 and are pressed in the stacking direction (FIG. 5: Black and white thick arrows). As shown in FIG. 4, the rib 720a and the rib 720b are not separated from each other and are connected to each other. However, in the present specification, a portion surrounding the entire circumference of the power generation area DA is defined as a rib. The other portion, that is, the portion surrounding only the manifolds 110 to 160 is referred to as a rib 720b. Hereinafter, in order to distinguish clearly in this specification, the part surrounding the perimeter of electric power generation area | region DA is called the 1st rib 720a, and a part other than that is called the 2nd rib 720b.

  As shown by reference numeral BB in FIGS. 4 and 5, the support portion 710 is integrated by impregnating the end portion of the laminated member 800. More specifically, the anode-side porous body 840 and the cathode-side porous body 850 of the laminated member 800 are impregnated with the molding material (described above) of the support portion 710 in a small portion of the outer peripheral end (FIG. 5). ). On the other hand, in the laminated member 800, the electrolyte membrane 810, the cathode side diffusion layer 830, and the anode side diffusion layer 820 have their respective peripheral portions extending beyond the bottom of the first rib 720a inside the support portion 710. (FIGS. 4 and 5). As a result, the peripheral portions of the electrolyte membrane 810, the cathode side diffusion layer 830, and the anode side diffusion layer 820 overlap with the first rib 720a when viewed from the stacking direction (vertical direction in FIG. 5) (FIGS. 4, 5). ). Then, the molding material of the support portion 710 is impregnated in the peripheral portions of the cathode side diffusion layer 830 and the anode side diffusion layer 820. As a result, when the fuel cell is configured by being stacked and fastened, the anode 720 a and the anode-side diffusion layer 820 are formed inside the support portion 710 by the pressing force applied by the first rib 720 a. Sealing properties are ensured between the side diffusion layer 820 and the electrolyte membrane 810, between the electrolyte membrane 810 and the cathode side diffusion layer 830, and between the cathode side diffusion layer 830 and the support portion 710, respectively.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the end of the peripheral portion of the anode side diffusion layer 820 is inside the support portion 710 by a length W from the ends of the peripheral portions of the cathode side diffusion layer 830 and the electrolyte membrane 810. Has been. Here, the length W is, for example, about 1 mm. This is to prevent the carbon fiber of the anode side diffusion layer 820 and the carbon fiber of the cathode side diffusion layer 830 from coming into contact with each other and short-circuiting around the end of the electrolyte membrane 810.

  As can be understood from the above description, when the assembly 200 is stacked and the fuel cell 100 is configured, the seal member 700 seals the space between the assembly 200 and the separator 600 by the contact surface SU of the support portion 710 and is adjacent thereto. The gap between the assembly 200 and the separator 600 is sealed by the first and second ribs 720a and 720b. Thereby, it is suppressed that fuel gas, oxidizing gas, and a cooling medium leak to the exterior of a fuel cell, or mix mutually.

-Operation | movement of fuel cell With reference to FIG. 10, operation | movement of the fuel cell 100 which concerns on an Example is demonstrated. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of the reaction gas in the fuel cell. In order to make the figure easy to see, FIG. 10 shows a state in which two assemblies 200 are stacked. FIG. 10A shows a cross-sectional view corresponding to the BB cross section in FIG. 10B, the right half shows a cross-sectional view corresponding to the DD cross section in FIG. 9, and the left half shows a cross sectional view corresponding to the CC cross section in FIG.

  The fuel cell 100 generates power by supplying the oxidizing gas to the oxidizing gas supply manifold 110 and supplying the fuel gas to the fuel gas supply manifold 130. In addition, the cooling medium is supplied to the cooling medium supply manifold 150 in order to suppress the temperature rise of the fuel cell 100 due to heat generated by power generation.

The oxidant gas supplied to the oxidant gas supply manifold 110 is supplied from the oxidant gas supply manifold 110 to the cathode-side porous body 850 through the oxidant gas supply channel 650 as indicated by arrows in FIG. . The oxidizing gas supply channel 650 is formed by the oxidizing gas supply channel forming portion 542 (FIG. 8) formed in the intermediate plate 500 and the oxidizing gas supply slit 440 (FIG. 6) formed in the cathode plate 400. The The oxidizing gas supplied to the cathode side porous body 850 flows from the upper side to the lower side in FIGS. 4 and 9 inside the cathode side porous body 850 that functions as a flow path for the oxidizing gas. Then, the oxidizing gas is discharged to the oxidizing gas discharge manifold 120 through the oxidizing gas discharge channel 660. The oxidizing gas discharge channel 660 is formed by the oxidizing gas discharge channel forming part 544 (FIG. 8) formed in the intermediate plate 500 and the oxidizing gas discharge slit 444 (FIG. 6) formed in the cathode plate 400. The A part of the oxidizing gas flowing through the cathode side porous body 850 diffuses over the entire cathode side diffusion layer 830 in contact with the cathode side porous body 850 and causes a cathode reaction (for example, 2H ⁺ + 2e ⁻ + (1 / 2) Used for O ₂ → H ₂ O).

The fuel gas supplied to the fuel gas supply manifold 130 is supplied from the fuel gas supply manifold 130 to the anode side porous body 840 through the fuel gas supply flow path 630 as indicated by an arrow in FIG. . The fuel gas supply channel 630 is formed by the fuel gas supply channel forming part 546 (FIG. 8) formed in the intermediate plate 500 and the fuel gas supply slit 350 (FIG. 7) formed in the anode plate 300. The The fuel gas supplied to the anode side porous body 840 flows from the lower side to the upper side in FIGS. 4 and 9 in the anode side porous body 840 functioning as a fuel gas flow path. Then, the fuel gas is discharged to the fuel gas discharge manifold 140 through the fuel gas discharge channel 640. The fuel gas discharge flow path 640 is formed by the fuel gas discharge flow path forming portion 548 (FIG. 8) formed in the intermediate plate 500 and the fuel gas discharge slit 354 (FIG. 7) formed in the anode plate 300. The A part of the oxidizing gas flowing through the anode-side porous body 840 diffuses over the entire anode-side diffusion layer 820 in contact with the anode-side porous body 840, and the anode reaction (for example, H ₂ → 2H ⁺ + 2e ⁻ ).

  The cooling medium supplied to the cooling medium supply manifold 150 is supplied from the cooling medium supply manifold 150 to the cooling medium flow path 670. As shown in FIG. 9, the cooling medium flow path 670 is formed by the cooling medium flow path forming portion 550 (FIG. 8) formed in the above-described intermediate plate 500, one end being the cooling medium supply manifold 150 and the other end being the other end. It communicates with the cooling medium discharge manifold 160. The cooling medium supplied to the cooling medium flow path 670 flows from one end of the cooling medium flow path 670 to the other end, and is discharged to the cooling medium discharge manifold 160.

・ Production method of assembly:
With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, a method of manufacturing assembly 200 having the above-described configuration will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing assembly manufacturing steps. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the manufacture of the assembly. FIG. 13 is a view showing a mold. FIG. 12 corresponds to the FF cross section in FIG.

  First, a mold for integral molding is prepared (step S202). The mold has an upper mold 910 and a lower mold 920 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the lower die 920 has a shape that matches the outer shape of the separator 600 so that the separator 600 can be disposed. Further, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the lower mold 920 is formed with a protruding portion PJ that fits into the manifolds 110 to 160 of the separator 600 when the separator 600 is disposed. The upper mold 910 has a molding material inlet SH formed above the protrusion PJ of the lower mold 920.

  Next, the separator 600 is disposed on the lower mold 920 (step S204). In this embodiment, the separator 600 is disposed in the lower mold 920 with the anode plate 300 side facing downward and the cathode plate 400 side facing upward.

  Next, the cathode-side porous body 850 is disposed on the separator 600 disposed on the lower mold 920 (step S206). The cathode-side porous body 850 is disposed in the power generation area DA (FIG. 6, etc.) on the surface of the separator 600 on the cathode plate 400 side.

  The MEGA 860 is placed over the placed cathode-side porous body 850 (step S208). The MEGA 860 is obtained by integrating the anode side diffusion layer 820 and the cathode side diffusion layer 830 in advance by hot pressing on both surfaces of the above-described electrolyte membrane 810. The cathode side diffusion layer 830 is hot-pressed so as to exactly overlap the cathode side surface of the electrolyte membrane 810. The anode-side diffusion layer 820 is hot-pressed on the anode-side surface of the electrolyte membrane 810 so that the outer peripheral end thereof is located inside the outer peripheral end of the electrolyte membrane 810 by a length W (FIGS. 4 and 5). The MEGA 860 is positioned on the cathode side porous body 850 so that the peripheral edge thereof protrudes outside the cathode side porous body 850.

  An anode-side porous body 840 is placed over the placed MEGA 860 (step S210). The anode-side porous body 840 is disposed in a region inside the peripheral edge of the MEGA 860, that is, a region corresponding to the power generation region DA.

  Thus, when all the laminated members 800 are arranged on the separator 600, the mold is clamped with a predetermined mold pressure, and injection molding is performed (step S212). FIG. 12B shows a state where the lower mold 920 and the upper mold 910 are clamped. In the clamped state, a space SP having the shape of the seal member 700 of the assembly 200 described above is formed above the peripheral region (region surrounding the outside of the power generation region DA) on the cathode side surface of the separator 600. . As shown in FIG. 12B, the space SP includes the cathode-side surface of the separator 600, the inner wall surfaces of the lower mold 920 and the upper mold 910, and the end portions of the laminated member 800 (the anode-side porous body 840 and the cathode). It is demarcated by the end surface of the side porous body 850 and the peripheral portion of the MEGA 860. Injection molding is performed in this space SP. Specifically, after the liquid rubber as the molding material of the seal member 700 is introduced into the space SP from the above-described inlet SH, the vulcanization process is performed.

  In this injection molding, when the molding material is impregnated into the end of the laminated member 800 (region BB in FIGS. 4 and 5), the injection pressure of the molding material is set so that the laminated member 800 and the seal member 700 are integrated. Be controlled. Further, by adding a silane coupling agent to the molding material, a bonding force between the contact surface SU (FIG. 5) of the seal member 700 and the separator 600 is ensured. After injection molding, the mold 200 is opened to obtain the assembly 200.

  According to the embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 5, the peripheral portion of MEGA 860 (electrolyte membrane 810, anode side diffusion layer 820, and cathode side diffusion layer 830) has the first rib 720a as viewed from the stacking direction. overlapping. As a result, when the fuel cell is configured by being stacked and fastened, the anode diffusing layer 820 between the support portion 710 and the anode side diffusion layer 820 is formed inside the support portion 710 by the pressing force applied to the first rib 720a. Sealing properties are ensured between the side diffusion layer 820 and the electrolyte membrane 810, between the electrolyte membrane 810 and the cathode side diffusion layer 830, and between the cathode side diffusion layer 830 and the support portion 710, respectively. As a result, the above-described cross leak can be suppressed.

  Furthermore, not only the electrolyte membrane 810 extends inside the support portion 710 of the seal member 700, but the entire MEGA 860 (the electrolyte membrane 810, the anode side diffusion layer 820, and the cathode side diffusion layer 830) is supported by the support portion 710. Extends inside. In the configuration in which only the electrolyte membrane 810 extends inside the support portion 710, the electrolyte membrane 810 is thin and has low rigidity. Therefore, when the seal member 700 is injection-molded, deformation of the electrolyte membrane 810 occurs, and the seal member 700 and It was difficult to reliably seal between the electrolyte membranes 810. However, in this embodiment, the entire MEGA 860 (the electrolyte membrane 810, the anode side diffusion layer 820, and the cathode side diffusion layer 830) is extended inside the seal member 700, thereby deforming the peripheral portion of the MEGA 860 during injection molding. The peripheral portion of the MEGA 860 and the seal member 700 can be integrated into a desired shape, and cross leak can be more reliably suppressed.

  Furthermore, the assembly 200 of the fuel cell 100 is improved because the assembly 200 in which the seal member 700, the separator 600, and the laminated member 800 are integrated and the assembly 200 is laminated and fastened to manufacture the fuel cell 100. In addition, the manufacturing process can be reduced.

For example, when the separator 600 and the laminated member 800 are assembled in separate assemblies, for example, if a fuel cell including 100 MEGAs is to be configured, 100 separators 600 and 100 laminated members 800 each. It is necessary to laminate a total of 200 members. However, in the present embodiment described above, it is only necessary to stack 100 assemblies 200, so that the manufacturing process is reduced. In order to ensure sealing performance, the seal member is made of a relatively soft and elastic material so that it can follow the deflection of the fuel cell. As a result, accurate assembly was difficult. However, in the present embodiment described above, since the seal member 700 is in surface contact with the highly rigid separator 600 and supported in its shape, deformation of the seal member 700 at the time of stacking and fastening is suppressed, and accuracy is improved. Good assembly is realized.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the fastening force in the stacking direction of the fuel cell 100 can be reduced. As a result, the fastening member that fastens the fuel cell 100 in the stacking direction can be reduced in size, the separator 600 can be thinned, and the fuel cell 100 can have a long life.

  Conventionally, when the fluid pressure assumed during operation of the fuel cell is loaded on the seal member, the only force that resists the load is the static friction force between the rib and the separator. Since the magnitude of the static frictional force is proportional to the fastening force loaded in the stacking direction, a relatively high fastening force is required to suppress the displacement of the seal member due to the fluid pressure assumed during operation of the fuel cell. There was a need to load. Since the displacement of the seal member due to the fluid pressure assumed during the operation of the fuel cell causes a seal failure, it needs to be suppressed.

  However, in this embodiment, the contact surface SU between the seal member 700 and the separator 600 can withstand the fluid pressure assumed during operation of the fuel cell in a state where no force is applied in the stacking direction as described above. It has a binding force. Therefore, the fastening force in the stacking direction of the fuel cell 100 may be determined in consideration of ensuring the sealing performance between the ribs 720a and 720b and the separator 600 without considering the suppression of the displacement of the seal member 700. . As a result, the fastening force in the stacking direction of the fuel cell 100 can be significantly reduced as compared with the conventional case.

Modification 1 of the first embodiment 1:
A first modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly in Modification 1 of the first embodiment. FIG. 15 is a front view of MGEA in the first modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 14 shows a cross section of a portion corresponding to FIG. 5 referred to when explaining the first embodiment. Further, in FIG. 15, a broken line indicates a portion where the first rib 720 a is formed when the seal member 700 is integrated. And in FIG. 15, the dashed-dotted line GG has shown the site | part corresponding to sectional drawing shown in FIG.

  Since the present modification is different from the first embodiment described above only in the configuration of the MEGA, the other components are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. The configuration of the MEGA Only will be described. The MEGA 860b in this modification is different from the MEGA 860 in the first embodiment in the configuration of the anode side diffusion layer 820b. The anode side diffusion layer 820b of the MEGA 860b in this modification is slightly smaller in the vertical and horizontal directions in FIG. 15 than the anode side diffusion layer 820 of the MEGA 860 in the first embodiment. As a result, the outer peripheral edge of the peripheral edge portion of the anode-side diffusion layer 820b is arranged so as not to overlap the first rib 720a (FIGS. 14 and 15). The other configuration of the MEGA 860b in this modification is the same as that of the MEGA 860 in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  According to this modification, it is possible to obtain the same operations and effects as the first embodiment described above. For example, as viewed from the stacking direction, the peripheral portion of the anode-side diffusion layer 820b does not overlap the first rib 720a, but the peripheral portion of the electrolyte membrane 810 and the cathode-side diffusion layer 830 overlaps the first rib 720a. . As a result, when the fuel cell is configured by being stacked and fastened, the electrolyte between the support portion 710 and the electrolyte membrane 810 is formed inside the support portion 710 by the pressing force applied through the first rib 720a. Sealing properties between the membrane 810 and the cathode side diffusion layer 830 and between the cathode side diffusion layer 830 and the support portion 710 are ensured, respectively. As a result, the cross leak can be suppressed as in the first embodiment.

  In addition, since the cathode side diffusion layer 830 extends inside the support portion 710 together with the electrolyte membrane 810, the deformation of the peripheral portion of the MEGA 860b at the time of injection molding is suppressed and the desired shape is formed as in the first modification. In addition, the peripheral edge portion of the MEGA 860 and the seal member 700 can be integrated, and the cross leak can be more reliably suppressed.

  Furthermore, according to this modification, in addition to the same operations and effects as those of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. Furthermore, in the present modification, the anode-side diffusion layer 820 does not overlap the first rib 720a when viewed from the stacking direction, so that the region below the rib of the first rib 720a (the region indicated by Z in FIG. 14). The amount of molding material (rubber in the examples) increases. As a result, in the present modification, the deformation amount of the first rib 720a when receiving a pressing force is greater than that in the first embodiment. As a result, when the fuel cell 100 is configured by being stacked and fastened, the followability to deformation such as deflection of the fuel cell is increased, and the sealing performance is improved.

  In addition, the second rib 720b having only the molding material (rubber in the embodiment) below and the first rib 720a having MEGA embedded below the deformation amount when the same pressing force is applied, and the same Characteristics such as reaction force when deformation occurs are different. In the present modification, the anode-side diffusion layer 820b does not extend below the first rib 720a, and the amount of molding material below the first rib 720a is increased, so that the first rib 720a and the first rib 720a The difference in characteristics between the two ribs 720b can be reduced. As a result, the sealing performance between the first rib 720a and the second rib 720b and the separator 600 in contact with these ribs can be improved.

  Further, the anode-side diffusion layer 820b does not extend below the first rib 720a, so that the carbon fiber of the anode-side diffusion layer and the carbon fiber of the cathode-side diffusion layer 830 are electrolyted by the pressing force of the first rib 720a. It is possible to prevent a short circuit from occurring by being stuck into and in contact with the film 810.

Modification of the first Reference Example 1:
A first modification of the first reference example will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly in Modification 1 of the first reference example. FIG. 17 is a front view of MGEA in Modification 1 of the first reference example. FIG. 16 shows a cross section of a portion corresponding to FIG. 5 referred to when explaining the first embodiment. Moreover, in FIG. 17, the broken line has shown the site | part in which the 1st rib 720a is formed when integrated with the sealing member 700. FIG. In FIG. 17, a dashed line HH indicates a portion corresponding to the cross-sectional view shown in FIG.

  Since the present modification is different from the first embodiment described above only in the configuration of the MEGA, the other components are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. The configuration of the MEGA Only will be described. The MEGA 860c in this modification is different from the MEGA 860 in the first embodiment in the configuration of the anode side diffusion layer 820c. The anode side diffusion layer 820c of the MEGA 860c in this modification is the same size as the anode side diffusion layer 820 of the MEGA 860 in the first embodiment. A through hole HLc is provided in the peripheral portion of the anode diffusion layer 820c in a portion overlapping with the first rib 720a when viewed from the stacking direction (FIGS. 16 and 17). As shown in FIG. 17, the through-hole HLc has a predetermined length over the entire portion overlapping the first rib 720a, that is, the entire periphery of the peripheral portion of the anode-side diffusion layer 820c as viewed from the stacking direction. Are provided at intervals. The through hole HLc is formed, for example, in the anode side diffusion layer 820c by punching before the anode side diffusion layer 820c is bonded to the electrolyte membrane 810 by hot pressing. The inside of the through hole HLc is filled with a molding material when the seal member 700 is integrally formed by injection molding. Other configurations of the MEGA 860c in the present modification are the same as those of the MEGA 860 in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  According to this modification, in addition to the same operations and effects as the first embodiment described above, the following operations and effects are achieved. As described above, in this modification, the through hole HLc is provided in the peripheral portion of the anode-side diffusion layer 820c in the portion overlapping the first rib 720a, and the through hole HLc is filled with the molding material. As a result, the amount of the molding material (for example, rubber) below the ribs of the first rib 720a increases. As a result, in the present modification, the deformation amount of the first rib 720a when receiving a pressing force is greater than that in the first embodiment. As a result, when the fuel cell 100 is configured by being stacked and fastened, the followability to deformation such as deflection of the fuel cell is increased, and the sealing performance is improved.

In addition, the second rib 720b having only the molding material (rubber in the embodiment) below and the first rib 720a having MEGA embedded below the deformation amount when the same pressing force is applied, and the same Characteristics such as reaction force when deformation occurs are different. In the present modification, the anode-side diffusion layer 820c below the first rib 720a is provided with a through hole HLc to increase the amount of the molding material below the first rib 720a, whereby the first rib 720a and the first rib 720a The difference in characteristics between the two ribs 720b can be reduced. As a result, the sealing performance between the first rib 720a and the second rib 720b and the separator 600 in contact with these ribs can be improved.
-Modification 2 of the first reference example:
A modification 2 of the first reference example will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly in the second modification of the first reference example. FIG. 18 shows a cross section of a portion corresponding to FIG. 5 referred to when explaining the first embodiment.

This modification, the first modification differs from the first reference example described above, since it is only the configuration of the MEGA, Other components the same reference numerals as modification 1 (FIG. 16) of the first reference example A description thereof will be omitted, and only the configuration of the MEGA will be described. The MEGA 860d in this modification is different from the MEGA 860c in the modification 1 of the first reference example in the configuration of the cathode side diffusion layer 830d. A through hole HLd is provided at the peripheral edge of the cathode side diffusion layer 830d of the MEGA 860d in this modification (FIG. 18). The through hole HLd of the cathode side diffusion layer 830d has the same shape and size as the through hole HLc (FIGS. 16 and 17) of the anode side diffusion layer 820c. Further, the through hole HLd of the cathode side diffusion layer 830d is provided at the same position as the through hole HLc of the anode side diffusion layer 820c when viewed from the stacking direction. The through hole HLd of the cathode side diffusion layer 830d is similar to the through hole HLc of the anode side diffusion layer 820c, for example, before the cathode side diffusion layer 830d is bonded to the electrolyte membrane 810 by hot pressing. It is formed by punching. The inside of the through hole HLd of the cathode side diffusion layer 830d is filled with a molding material when the seal member 700 is integrally formed by injection molding, similarly to the through hole HLc of the anode side diffusion layer 820c. The other configuration of the MEGA 860d in the present modification is the same as that of the MEGA 860c in the first modification of the first reference example, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

According to this modification, it provides the first same effects as the first modification of the reference example described above. Note that the amount of molding material below the ribs of the first rib 720a is equivalent to the amount of the through holes provided in the peripheral portion of the cathode-side diffusion layer 830d as compared with the first modification of the first reference example described above. Has increased further. As a result, the difference in characteristics between the first rib 720a and the second rib 720b can be further reduced. As a result, the sealing performance between the first rib 720a and the second rib 720b and the separator 600 in contact with these ribs can be further improved.

-Modification 3 of the first reference example:
A modification 3 of the first reference example will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of an assembly according to Modification 3 of the first reference example. FIG. 20 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the first rib in Modification 3 of the first reference example. FIG. 19 shows a cross section of a portion corresponding to FIG. 5 referred to when explaining the first embodiment.

Since this modification is different from Modification 2 of the first reference example described above only in the configuration of the MEGA, the other components have the same reference numerals as those of Modification 2 (FIG. 18) of the first reference example. A description thereof will be omitted, and only the configuration of the MEGA will be described. The MEGA 860e in this modification is different from the MEGA 860d in the modification 2 of the first reference example in the configuration of the electrolyte membrane 810e. A through hole HLe is provided in the peripheral portion of the electrolyte membrane 810e of the MEGA 860e in this modification (FIGS. 19 and 20). The through hole HLe has the same cylindrical shape as the through hole HLc of the anode side diffusion layer 820c and the through hole HLd of the cathode side diffusion layer 830d. Further, the through hole HLe of the electrolyte membrane 810e is located at a position where the center overlaps with the through hole HLc of the anode side diffusion layer 820 and the through hole HLc of the cathode side diffusion layer 830d as viewed from the stacking direction, that is, viewed from the stacking direction. It is provided concentrically.

  The inner diameter r1 of the through hole HLe of the electrolyte membrane 810e is smaller than the inner diameter r2 of the through hole HLc of the anode side diffusion layer 820c and the through hole HLd of the cathode side diffusion layer 830d (FIG. 20). As a result, the inner wall of the through hole HLe of the electrolyte membrane 810e protrudes inward from the inner wall of the through hole HLc of the anode side diffusion layer 820c and the through hole HLd of the cathode side diffusion layer 830d (FIG. 20). The protrusion amount nc shown in FIG. 20 is, for example, about 0.1 mm. For example, the inner diameter r2 is 1 mm and the inner diameter r1 is 0.8 mm.

The through hole HLe of the electrolyte membrane 810e is formed, for example, by punching the electrolyte membrane 810e before the cathode side diffusion layer 830d and the anode side diffusion layer 820c are bonded to the electrolyte membrane 810e by hot pressing. Similar to the through holes HLc and HLd, the inside of the through hole HLe is filled with a molding material when the seal member 700 is integrally formed by injection molding. Other configurations of the MEGA 860e in this modification are the same as those of the MEGA 860d in the modification 2 of the first reference example, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

According to this modification, the same operations and effects as those of Modification 1 of the first reference example and Modification 2 of the first reference example described above can be achieved. Incidentally, as compared with the second modification of the first modification and the first reference example of the first reference example described above, minute even through hole in the electrolyte membrane 810e are provided, the ribs below the first rib 720a The amount of molding material is further increased. As a result, the difference in characteristics between the first rib 720a and the second rib 720b can be further reduced. As a result, the sealing performance between the first rib 720a and the second rib 720b and the separator 600 in contact with these ribs can be further improved.

  Furthermore, in the present modification, as shown in FIG. 20, the inner wall of the through hole HLe of the electrolyte membrane 810e is formed along the entire wall of the through hole HLc of the anode side diffusion layer 820c and the through hole HLd of the cathode side diffusion layer 830d. Since it protrudes more inside, it can suppress that the carbon fiber of the anode side diffusion layer 820c and the carbon fiber of the cathode side diffusion layer 830d contact and short-circuit.

  As can be understood from the above description, in this modification, the through hole HLc of the anode side diffusion layer 820c and the through hole HLd of the cathode side diffusion layer 830d correspond to the first through hole in the claims, and the electrolyte membrane 810e. The through hole HLe corresponds to the second through hole in the claims.

-Other modifications of the first embodiment:
1. In the first embodiment and the modification thereof, the assembly 200 in which the laminated member 800 and the seal member 700 are integrated is used on the surface of the separator 600 on the cathode plate 400 side, but instead, the anode plate of the separator 600 is used. The laminated member 800 and the seal member 700 may be integrated on the surface on the 300 side. In such a case, the seal member 700 and the surface of the separator 600 on the anode plate 300 side are sealed by the contact surface SU, and the seal member 700 and the cathode plate 400 side surface are sealed by the ribs 720a and 720b. It will be. Which surface of the separator 600 is integrated with the laminated member 800 and the seal member 700 can be selected as appropriate according to the operating conditions of the fuel cell, such as the gas pressure of the oxidizing gas and the fuel gas, and the design concept. . For example, in the above embodiment, sealing the cathode side with the contact surface SU suppresses deformation of the sealing material on the cathode side, where the gas pressure tends to be high, and improves sealing failure. On the other hand, for example, as a design philosophy, when priority is given to suppressing hydrogen sealing failure, sealing failure relating to hydrogen may be suppressed by sealing the anode side with the contact surface SU.

2. In the first embodiment and the modifications thereof, the silane coupling agent is added to the seal member 700 to ensure the bonding force of the contact surface between the support portion 710 of the seal member 700 and the separator 600. The coupling force at the contact surface may be secured by various other methods. For example, intermolecular forces, chemical bonds such as covalent bonds and hydrogen bonds, and physical bonds such as mechanical bonds may be used. More specifically, as the chemical bond, various adhesives such as a primer treatment and an epoxy type can be used in addition to the silane coupling agent in the embodiment. The primer treatment and the adhesive may be applied to the separator 600 in addition to being added to the molding material. As the physical coupling, a so-called anchor in which the contact surface between the seal member 700 and the separator 600 is brought into close contact with the suction cup effect by creating a vacuum, or the contact surface of the separator 600 is provided with a shape such as a protrusion, a groove, or a hole. Bonding by effect can be used.

3. In the first embodiment and the modification thereof, the seal member 700 is formed by injection molding, but instead, the seal member 700 may be formed by compression molding. For example, heat vulcanization compression molding is used in which a solid unvulcanized rubber is filled in the mold space SP, the mold is clamped and heated, and the shape is molded and vulcanized simultaneously. obtain.

B. Second reference example:
A second reference example will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the configuration of the fuel cell in the second reference example. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel cell in the second reference example. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a portion corresponding to FIG. 5 in the first embodiment.

Unlike the fuel cell 100 in the first embodiment, the fuel cell 100b in the second reference example does not stack the assembly 200, but alternately stacks the seal-integrated members 200b and the separators 600, which are separately manufactured.・ Manufactured by fastening. Since the configuration of the separator 600 is the same as that of the separator 600 in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the seal-integrated member 200b has a seal member 700f at the end of the same laminated member 800 (MEGA 860, anode-side porous body 840, and cathode-side porous body 850) as in the first embodiment. It is molded integrally. The seal-integrated member 200b is manufactured, for example, by performing injection molding with the end of the laminated member facing the cavity of the mold.

  Unlike the seal member 700 in the first embodiment, the seal member 700f is not integrated with the separator 600. The seal member 700f includes a support portion 710f and ribs 720f and 720g. The seal lines of the ribs 720f and 720g are the entire circumference of the power generation area DA and the entire circumferences of the manifolds 110 to 160, as in the first embodiment (not shown). As in the first embodiment, the portion surrounding the entire circumference of the power generation area DA is called a first rib 720f, and the other portion is called a second rib 720g.

  In the seal member 700f, unlike the seal member 700 in the first embodiment, ribs 720f and 720g are formed on the support portion 710f symmetrically with respect to the electrolyte membrane 810 on both the anode side and the cathode side ( FIG. 22). When the seal-integrated member 200b and the separator 600 are alternately laminated and fastened, the rib on the anode side comes into contact with the separator 600 disposed on the anode side to seal between the separator, A rib contacts the separator 600 arrange | positioned at the cathode side, and seals between the said separators.

  Similarly to the support portion 710 in the first embodiment, the support portion 710f is integrated with the end portion of the laminated member 800 by impregnating the portion indicated by reference numeral BB in FIG. That is, in the laminated member 800, the anode side porous body 840 and the cathode side porous body 850 are impregnated with the molding material of the support portion 710f in a slight portion of the outer peripheral end. Of the laminated member 800, the electrolyte membrane 810, the cathode-side diffusion layer 830, and the anode-side diffusion layer 820 have a support portion 710f such that the peripheral portions thereof overlap the first rib 720f when viewed from the lamination direction. , And extends beyond below the first rib 720f (FIG. 22).

  Since the operation of the fuel cell 100b is the same as that of the first embodiment, its description is omitted.

According to the second reference example described above, the peripheral portion of the MEGA 860 overlaps with the first rib 720f when viewed from the stacking direction, as in the first embodiment. As a result, when the fuel cell is configured by being stacked and fastened, the anode 720f is interposed between the support portion 710f and the anode side diffusion layer 820 by the pressing force applied by the first rib 720f. Sealing properties are ensured between the side diffusion layer 820 and the electrolyte membrane 810, between the electrolyte membrane 810 and the cathode side diffusion layer 830, and between the cathode side diffusion layer 830 and the support portion 710, respectively. As a result, the above-described cross leak can be suppressed.

  Further, as in the first embodiment, not only the electrolyte membrane 810 extends into the support portion 710f but the entire MEGA 860 extends into the support portion 710f. As a result, similar to the first embodiment, the deformation of the peripheral portion of the MEGA 860 at the time of injection molding can be suppressed, and the peripheral portion of the MEGA 860 and the seal member 700 can be integrated into a desired shape. Can be suppressed.

-Modification 1 of the second reference example 1:
A modification 1 of the second reference example will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of a fuel cell according to Modification 1 of the second reference example. FIG. 23 shows a cross section of a portion corresponding to FIG. 22 referred to when describing the second reference example.

This modification is different from the above-described second reference example in that MEGA 860d (FIG. 18) employed in Modification 2 of the first reference example is employed instead of MEGA 860. Since other configurations are the same as those of the second reference example described above, the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals in FIG.

According to this modification, in addition to the same operations and effects as those of the second reference example described above, the following operations and effects similar to those of Modification 2 of the first reference example are exhibited. That is, in this modification, through holes HLc and HLd are provided in the peripheral portions of the anode-side diffusion layer 820c and the cathode-side diffusion layer 830d in the portions overlapping the first ribs 720f, and these through-holes are made of a molding material. Filled. As a result, the amount of the molding material below the ribs of the first rib 720f increases, and the amount of deformation of the first ribs 720f when receiving a pressing force is greater than that in the second reference example. Therefore, when the fuel cell 100b is configured by being stacked and fastened, the followability to deformation such as the deflection of the fuel cell is increased, and the sealing performance is improved. In addition, by increasing the amount of the molding material below the first rib 720f, the difference in characteristics between the first rib 720f and the second rib 720g can be reduced. Therefore, the sealing performance between the first rib 720f and the second rib 720g and the separator 600 in contact with these ribs can be improved.

-Modification 2 of the second reference example:
A modification 2 of the second reference example will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of a fuel cell according to Modification 2 of the second reference example. FIG. 24 shows a cross section of a portion corresponding to FIG. 22 referred to when describing the second reference example.

This modification differs from the second reference example described above in that MEGA 860e (FIGS. 19 and 20) employed in modification 3 of the first reference example is employed instead of MEGA 860. . Since other configurations are the same as those of the second reference example described above, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals in FIG. 24 as those in FIG.

According to this modification, the same operations and effects as those of Modification 1 of the second reference example described above are achieved. Note that, compared to the first modification of the second reference example described above, the amount of molding material below the ribs of the first rib 720f is further increased by the amount of the through holes provided in the electrolyte membrane 810e, The difference in characteristics between the first rib 720f and the second rib 720g can be further reduced. Therefore, the sealing performance between the first rib 720f and the second rib 720g and the separator 600 in contact with these ribs can be further improved.

Further, in the present modification, as in Modification 3 of the first reference example, the inner wall of the through hole HLe of the electrolyte membrane 810e is formed around the entire circumference of the through hole HLc of the anode side diffusion layer 820c and the cathode side diffusion layer 830d. Since it protrudes inward from the inner wall of the through-hole HLd, it is possible to prevent the carbon fiber of the anode side diffusion layer 820c and the carbon fiber of the cathode side diffusion layer 830d from coming into contact and short-circuiting.

C. Modifications common to the first reference example and the second reference example:
1. The arrangements and shapes of the through holes HLc, HLd, and HLe in the first to third modifications of the first reference example and the second to third modification examples of the second reference example are merely examples, and other shapes and arrangements may be employed. . For example, these through holes may have a square shape such as a square or a rectangle as viewed from the stacking direction, or may be another polygonal shape. However, in the third modification example of the first reference example and the third modification example of the second reference example, when other shapes are adopted, the inner wall of the through hole HLe of the electrolyte membrane 810e is disposed around the anode side diffusion layer 820c. The through holes HLc and the inner walls of the through holes HLd of the cathode side diffusion layer 830d are preferably protruded to the inner side. For example, the shape of the through hole HLe of the electrolyte membrane 810e may be a slightly similar shape to the shape of the through hole HLc of the anode side diffusion layer 820c and the shape of the through hole HLd of the cathode side diffusion layer 830d.

D. Other modification 2 of the first embodiment:
In each of the above embodiments and modifications, the material of each member of the laminated member 800 and each member of the separator 600 is specified, but is not limited to these materials, and various appropriate materials can be used. it can. For example, the anode-side porous body 840 and the cathode-side porous body 850 are formed using a metal porous body, but may be formed using other materials such as a carbon porous body. In addition, the separator 600 is formed using a metal, but other materials such as carbon may be used.

  In each of the above embodiments, the separator 600 has a configuration in which three metal plates are laminated, and the portion corresponding to the power generation area DA has a flat shape. However, the configuration of the separator 600 is different from any other configuration. The shape of the separator 600 can be any other shape.

  As mentioned above, although the Example and modification of this invention were demonstrated, this invention is not limited to these Example and modification at all, and implementation in a various aspect is possible within the range which does not deviate from the summary. It is.

It is the 1st explanatory view showing the composition of the fuel cell in the 1st example. It is the 2nd explanatory view showing the composition of the fuel cell in the 1st example. It is a flowchart which shows the manufacturing step of the fuel cell in 1st Example. 2 is a front view of the assembly 200. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the AA cross section in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the shape of a cathode plate. It is explanatory drawing which shows the shape of an anode plate. It is explanatory drawing which shows the shape of an intermediate | middle plate. It is a front view of a separator. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the reactive gas of a fuel cell. It is a flowchart which shows the manufacturing step of an assembly. It is a figure for demonstrating manufacture of an assembly. It is a figure which shows a shaping | molding die. It is sectional drawing of the assembly in the modification 1 of 1st Example. It is a front view of MGEA in the modification 1 of 1st Example. It is sectional drawing of the assembly in the modification 1 of a 1st reference example. It is a front view of MGEA in the modification 1 of a 1st reference example. It is sectional drawing of the assembly in the modification 2 of a 1st reference example. It is sectional drawing of the assembly in the modification 3 of a 1st reference example. It is a figure which expands and shows the 1st rib periphery in the modification 3 of a 1st reference example. It is a figure which shows the structure of the fuel cell in a 2nd reference example. It is sectional drawing of the fuel cell in a 2nd reference example. It is sectional drawing of the fuel cell in the modification 1 of a 2nd reference example. It is sectional drawing of the fuel cell in the modification 2 of a 2nd reference example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100, 100b ... Fuel cell 100b ... Fuel cell 110 ... Oxidation gas supply manifold 120 ... Oxidation gas discharge manifold 130 ... Fuel gas supply manifold 140 ... Fuel gas discharge manifold 150 ... Coolant supply manifold 160 ... Coolant discharge manifold 200 ... Assembly 200b ... Seal-integrated member 300 ... Anode plate 322 to 332 ... Manifold formation part 350 ... Fuel gas supply slit 354 ... Fuel gas discharge slit 400 ... Cathode plate 422 to 432 ... Manifold formation part 440 ... Oxidation gas supply slit 444 ... Oxidation gas discharge Slit 500 ... Intermediate plate 522 to 532 ... Manifold forming part 542 to 548 ... Reactive gas supply / discharge flow path forming part 550 ... Cooling medium flow path forming part 600 ... Separator 630 ... Fuel gas supply flow path 640 ... Fuel gas discharge flow path 650 ... Oxidation gas supply flow path 660 ... Oxidation gas discharge flow path 670 ... Cooling medium flow path 700, 700f ... Seal members 710, 710f ... Support portions 720a, 720b, 720f, 720g ... rib 800 ... laminated member 810, 810e ... electrolyte membrane 820, 820b, 820c ... anode side diffusion layer 830, 830d ... cathode side diffusion layer 840 ... anode side porous body 850 ... cathode side porous body 860, 860b, 860c 860d, 860e ... MEGA
910 ... Upper mold 920 ... Lower mold HLc, HLd, HLe ... Through hole

Claims (3)

It is an assembly that constitutes a fuel cell by laminating a plurality,
A separator;
An electrolyte membrane disposed on one side of the separator and having a catalyst layer on both sides thereof, a first diffusion layer disposed between the electrolyte membrane and the separator, and the first diffusion of the electrolyte membrane A laminated member including at least a second diffusion layer disposed on the opposite side of the layer;
A support portion that is bonded or closely attached to a peripheral region surrounding the region where the laminated member is disposed on a surface on one side of the separator and that is integrated with an end portion of the laminated member; A seal member having a rib formed so as to protrude from the support portion in the stacking direction and pressed in the stacking direction when stacked.
With
At the end of the lamination members are integral with said supporting portion, said electrolyte membrane, and any one of said first diffusion layer and said second diffusion layer, in the rib to the stacking direction An assembly that overlaps and the other of the first diffusion layer and the second diffusion layer does not overlap the rib in the stacking direction. The assembly of claim 1, wherein
The assembly in which the first diffusion layer overlaps the rib in the stacking direction and the second diffusion layer does not overlap the rib in the stacking direction at the end of the laminated member integrated with the support portion.   A fuel cell comprising a plurality of the assemblies according to claim 1 or 2 stacked thereon.

Images