JP6292316B2 - Fuel cell manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

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

  The main component of a fuel cell is a stack in which a plurality of fuel cells each having a separator disposed on both sides of a membrane electrode assembly are stacked. The fuel cell stack is supplied with a fuel such as hydrogen necessary for power generation and an oxidant such as air to generate power. The parts where the fuel and the oxidant flow are divided according to the structure of the fuel cell. Moreover, the separator which adjoins in an adjacent fuel battery cell may be joined, and a separator assembly may be formed. The separator assembly is likely to have a hole in the separator during joining, and fuel or oxidant may leak from the opened hole, and therefore inspection is performed to prevent leakage.

  As an inspection for leaks, there is a technique of adjusting the temperature of the test gas so that the temperature of the fuel cell stack or the ambient temperature of the test environment becomes equal to reduce the time required to start the leak test (Patent Literature). 1).

JP 2010-198909 A

  In Patent Document 1, the fuel cell stack is inspected for leakage, and when the leakage is detected, the fuel cell stack is discarded. However, fuel cells have not yet been put to practical use, and cost reduction for that is required.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus in which costs are reduced for leakage inspection.

The present invention for achieving the above object is a method for producing a fuel cell. In this method, adjacent separators are joined to form a separator joined body, leakage in the separator joined body is inspected, and fuel cells are laminated to form a laminated body. The above leakage inspection is performed on the separator assembly alone before forming the laminate, and the leakage inspection is performed using hydrogen or helium, and the air is tested before using hydrogen or helium. Perform an inspection using.

Another aspect of the present invention is a fuel cell manufacturing apparatus. The manufacturing apparatus includes an inspection unit that inspects leakage of fluid flowing through the separator assembly, and a transport unit that stacks the separator assembly and the membrane electrode assembly to form a laminate. The inspection unit flows a test fluid for inspecting leakage to a single separator assembly, the inspection unit forms a space for forming an inspection space for circulating the inspection fluid, and hydrogen for inspecting the inspection space for leakage Or it has further a supply part which supplies helium, and another supply part which supplies the air which test | inspects a leak to the said test | inspection space.

1 (A) and 1 (B) are perspective views showing an inspection unit (through leakage inspection unit, internal leakage inspection unit) in the fuel cell manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A to FIG. 2E are a perspective view, a plan view, a front view, and a side view showing a laminated portion constituting the manufacturing apparatus. FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are front views showing the inspection unit. 4 (A) and 4 (B) are plan views showing the inspection section. FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are side views showing the inspection section. FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C are a perspective view and a bottom view of the upper mold of the penetration leakage inspection part constituting the inspection part as seen from below. FIG. 7A to FIG. 7C are a perspective view and a plan view of the lower mold of the through-leakage inspection part constituting the inspection part as seen from above. FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C are a perspective view and a bottom view of the upper mold of the internal leakage inspection part constituting the inspection part as seen from below. FIG. 9A to FIG. 9C are a perspective view and a plan view of the lower mold of the internal leakage inspection part constituting the inspection part as seen from above. FIG. 10A to FIG. 10C are a perspective view, a front view, and a plan view showing a sealing member constituting the inspection section. 11A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 4A, and FIG. 11B is an enlarged view showing a portion B in FIG. 11A. It is sectional drawing which follows the 12-12 line | wire of FIG. 4 (A). 13A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 4B, and FIG. 13B is an enlarged view showing a portion B of FIG. 13A. It is a perspective view which shows the fuel cell which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the fuel cell. It is a disassembled perspective view of the laminated body which comprises the fuel cell. It is sectional drawing which shows the fuel cell which comprises the laminated body of a fuel cell. 18A is a view as seen from the surface where the separators of the separator assembly constituting the fuel cell are in contact with each other, FIG. 18B is a view as seen from the side joining the MEA in the anode separator, and FIG. ) Is a view of the cathode separator as viewed from the side joined to the MEA. It is a flowchart which shows the process of test | inspecting the leak of a separator assembly. It is an expanded sectional view showing the modification of Drawing 11 (B).

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the following description does not limit the technical scope and terms used in the claims. In addition, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation, and may differ from actual ratios.

  1 (A) and 1 (B) are perspective views showing inspection units (penetrating leakage inspection unit, internal leakage inspection unit) constituting the fuel cell manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. ) To FIG. 2 (E) are a perspective view, a plan view, a front view, and a side view showing a laminated portion constituting the manufacturing apparatus. 3 (A) and 3 (B) are front views showing the inspection section, and FIGS. 4 (A) and 4 (B) are plan views showing the inspection section.

  5 (A) and 5 (B) are side views showing the inspection unit, and FIGS. 6 (A) to 6 (C) show the upper mold of the through-leakage inspection unit constituting the inspection unit as viewed from below. A perspective view, a bottom view, and FIGS. 7A to 7C are a perspective view and a plan view of a lower mold of the penetration leakage inspection portion constituting the inspection portion as viewed from above.

  8 (A) to 8 (B) are a perspective view, a bottom view, and FIGS. 9 (A) to 9 (C) showing the upper mold of the internal leakage inspection part constituting the inspection part as viewed from below. The perspective view which looked at the lower mold of the internal leak inspection part which constitutes a section from the upper part, a top view, and Drawing 10 (A)-Drawing 10 (C) are the perspective views which show the seal member which constitutes the inspection part, the front view, It is a top view. 11A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 4A, FIG. 11B is an enlarged view showing a portion B in FIG. 11A, and FIG. 12 is 12 in FIG. FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 in FIG. 4B, and FIG. 13B is an enlarged view showing a portion B in FIG. 13A.

  14 is a perspective view showing a fuel cell according to the embodiment, FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the fuel cell, FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a laminate constituting the fuel cell, and FIG. 17 is a fuel cell. It is sectional drawing which shows the fuel battery cell which comprises this laminated body. 18A is a view as seen from the surface where the separators of the separator assembly constituting the fuel cell are in contact with each other, FIG. 18B is a view as seen from the side joining the MEA in the anode separator, and FIG. ) Is a view of the cathode separator as viewed from the side joined to the MEA. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a process for inspecting the separator assembly for leakage.

  The fuel cell 100 according to the present embodiment includes a laminated body 10 including a structure in which membrane electrode assemblies 11 and separator assemblies 12 are alternately laminated as shown in FIGS. It can be considered that the laminated body 10 is conceptually laminated with the fuel cell 10a in which the separators 13 and 14 are arranged on both surfaces of the membrane electrode assembly 11. An outline of the fuel cell manufacturing method will be described. As shown in FIG. 19, a separator assembly, a set of pressing members (step ST1), formation of a closed space (step ST2), and detection of leakage by the first fluid (step ST4), detection of leakage by the second fluid (step ST6), cleaning (steps ST7 and 8), and dismantling (steps ST9 and 11). The fuel cell manufacturing apparatus 200 mainly includes inspection units 200 and 300 and a stacking unit 400. The leak inspection is performed not on the laminated body 10 constituting the fuel cell but on the separator assembly 12 formed by welding the separator. Details will be described later.

(Fuel cell)
First, a fuel cell that is a target of the manufacturing method according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, the fuel cell 100 includes a laminated body 10 in which membrane electrode assemblies (hereinafter referred to as MEAs) 11 and separator assemblies 12 are alternately laminated as main components. . Moreover, it is thought that the laminated body 10 has laminated | stacked the fuel cell 10a which has arrange | positioned the separators 13 and 14 notionally on both surfaces of MEA11. The separator assembly 12 is configured by joining a separator 13 and a separator 14 in adjacent fuel cells 10a.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the MEA 11 has an anode 11b bonded to one side of an electrolyte membrane 11a and a cathode 11c bonded to the other side. The separator assembly 12 has two separators 13 and 14. Further, current collector plates 16 and 17 are provided at both ends in the stacking direction of the stacked body 10 as shown in FIG. The fuel cell 100 has a housing 20. The housing 20 includes a pair of fastening plates 21 and 22, reinforcing plates 23 and 24, and end plates 25 and 26.

  The separators 13 and 14, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, energize the electric power generated in the MEA 11 while isolating adjacent MEAs 11 in the plurality of stacked fuel cells 10 a. The separators 13 and 14 are classified into an anode side separator 13 and a cathode side separator 14. The anode separator 13 is in contact with the anode 11b of the MEA 11. The anode side separator 13 is made of a metal having a conductive material, and is formed in a thin plate shape larger than the anode 11b. The separators 13 and 14 may be collectively referred to as a separator assembly 12.

  In the center of the anode side separator 13, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, a plurality of irregularities are formed at regular intervals so as to form a flow path that separates the fuel gas (hydrogen) and a cooling fluid such as cooling water. The formed waveform shape 13g is provided. As shown in FIG. 17, the anode-side separator 13 uses a closed space formed in contact with the anode 11b among the irregular shapes as an anode gas flow path 13h for supplying hydrogen to the anode 11b. On the other hand, the anode-side separator 13 has a cooling fluid channel 13j for supplying cooling water in a closed space formed between a corrugated shape 13g having a plurality of concave and convex sections and a corrugated shape 14g of the cathode-side separator 14. (14j).

  The anode-side separator 13 has a rectangular shape as shown in FIGS. 16 and 18, and has through holes corresponding to the cathode gas supply port 13a, the cooling fluid supply port 13b, and the anode gas supply port 13c at one end in the longitudinal direction. It is open. Similarly, the anode-side separator 13 has a through hole corresponding to the anode gas discharge port 13d, the cooling fluid discharge port 13e, and the cathode gas discharge port 13f at the other end in the longitudinal direction.

  The cathode-side separator 14 is in contact with the cathode 11c of the MEA 11 as shown in FIG. The cathode side separator 14 is made of a metal having a conductive material, and is formed in a thin plate shape larger than the cathode 11c.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, a plurality of cross sections are formed in the center of the cathode separator 14 so as to constitute a flow path section that flows the oxidant gas (air containing oxygen or pure oxygen) and cooling water apart. The waveform shape 14g which consists of uneven | corrugated shape of this is provided. As shown in FIG. 17, the cathode-side separator 14 uses a closed space formed in contact with the cathode 11c among the concavo-convex shape as a cathode gas flow path 14h for supplying an oxidant gas to the cathode 11c. Yes. On the other hand, the cathode-side separator 14 uses a closed space formed between the concavo-convex shape and the anode-side separator 13 as a cooling fluid channel 14j (13j) for supplying cooling water.

  The cathode separator 14 has a rectangular shape as shown in FIGS. 16 and 18, and has through holes corresponding to the cathode gas supply port 14a, the cooling fluid supply port 14b, and the anode gas supply port 14c at one end in the longitudinal direction. It is open. Similarly, the cathode separator 14 has a through hole corresponding to the anode gas discharge port 14d, the cooling fluid discharge port 14e, and the cathode gas discharge port 14f at the other end in the longitudinal direction. The separator 14 is joined to the separator 13, and the supply ports 14 a to 14 c and the discharge ports 14 d to 14 f communicate with the supply ports 13 a to 13 c and the discharge ports 13 d to 13 f of the separator 13.

  As shown in FIG. 18A, the separator 13 and the separator 14 are welded at the outer periphery 13m (14m) of the contact surface. Among the contact surfaces of the separator 13 and the separator 14, the cathode gas supply ports 13a and 14a, the anode gas supply ports 13c and 14c, the anode gas discharge ports 13d and 14d, and the cathode gas discharge ports 13f and 14f are shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4B, the outer periphery of the joint 13b (14n) is formed by welding. Moreover, the part 13r (14r) which contacts among the waveform shapes 13g and 14g is welded.

  Further, on the surface of the anode separator 13 on the side in contact with the MEA 11, as shown in FIG. 18B, the anode gas supply port 13c and the anode gas discharge port 13d and the other supply ports 13a and 13b and the discharge ports 13e and 13f. A seal member is applied to the portion 13p so as to form a space through which anode gas flows. Similarly, on the surface of the cathode separator 14 on the side in contact with the MEA 11, as shown in FIG. 18C, the cathode gas supply port 13a and the cathode gas discharge port 13f are connected to the other supply ports 13b and 13c and the other discharge ports. A seal member is applied to the portion 14p so as to form a space through which the cathode gas flows by dividing the space 13d and 13e.

  The MEA 11 shown in FIG. 17 generates electric power by chemically reacting the supplied oxygen and hydrogen. The MEA 11 is formed by joining the anode 11b to one side of the electrolyte membrane 11a and joining the cathode 11c to the other side. The electrolyte membrane 11a is made of, for example, a solid polymer material and is formed in a thin plate shape.

  As the solid polymer material, for example, a fluorine-based resin that conducts hydrogen ions and has good electrical conductivity in a wet state is used. The anode 11b is formed by laminating an electrode catalyst layer, a water repellent layer, and a gas diffusion layer, and is formed in a thin plate shape slightly smaller than the electrolyte membrane 11a. The cathode 11c is formed by laminating an electrode catalyst layer, a water repellent layer, and a gas diffusion layer, and is formed in a thin plate shape with the same size as the anode 11b.

  The electrode catalyst layers of the anode 11b and the cathode 11c include an electrode catalyst in which a catalyst component is supported on a conductive carrier and a polymer electrolyte. The gas diffusion layers of the anode 11b and the cathode 11c are formed of, for example, carbon cloth, carbon paper, or carbon felt woven with yarns made of carbon fibers having sufficient gas diffusibility and conductivity.

  The MEA 11 includes a frame member 15. The frame member 15 integrally holds the outer periphery of the laminated electrolyte membrane 11a, anode 11b, and cathode 11c. The frame member 15 is made of, for example, a resin having electrical insulation, and has an outer shape similar to the outer shape of the outer peripheral portion of the separators 13 and 14 as shown in FIG. The frame member 15 has a through hole corresponding to the cathode gas supply port 15a, the cooling fluid supply port 15b, and the anode gas supply port 15c at one end in the longitudinal direction. Similarly, the frame member 15 has through holes corresponding to the anode gas discharge port 15d, the cooling fluid discharge port 15e, and the cathode gas discharge port 15f at the other end in the longitudinal direction. Further, the corrugated shapes 13g and 14g of the separators 13 and 14 and the MEA 11 when viewed in plan correspond to a power generation region where power generation is performed.

  It is necessary to stack a plurality of the fuel cells 10a in a state of being sealed with each other. For this reason, it seals by apply | coating the above-mentioned sealing member between MEA11 and the separator 13 and the separator 14 also in the fuel cell 10a to laminate | stack. For example, a thermosetting resin is used for the seal member. The thermosetting resin is selected from, for example, phenol resin, epoxy resin, unsaturated polyester, and the like.

  The pair of current collecting plates 16 and 17 are shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 and take out the electric power generated in the fuel cell 10a to the outside.

  The current collecting portions 16h and the like of the pair of current collecting plates 16 and 17 are made of, for example, a conductive member such as dense carbon that does not allow gas permeation, and are slightly larger than the outer shapes of the anode 11b and the cathode 11c as shown in FIG. It is formed in a small thin plate shape. The pair of current collectors 16h and the like are in contact with the anode 11b or the cathode 11c of the MEA 11 provided in the outermost fuel cell 10a that is stacked. The current collector 16h and the like are provided with a cylindrical protrusion 16g and the like having conductivity from one surface thereof. The protrusions 16g and the like face the outside through the through holes 25g and the like of a pair of end plates 25 and 26 of the casing 20 described later. In addition, the shape of the current collector plate 16 corresponding to the protruding portion 16g is similarly provided for the current collector plate 17. As for the current collector plates 16 and 17, cathode gas supply ports 16a and 17a, cooling fluid supply ports 16b and 17b, anode gas supply ports 16c and 17c, and anode gas discharge ports 16d and 17d Cooling fluid discharge ports 16e and 17e and cathode gas discharge ports 16f and 17f are formed.

  14 and 15, the housing 20 holds a plurality of stacked fuel cells 10 a and a pair of current collector plates 16 and 17 in close contact with each other.

  The housing 20 includes the pair of fastening plates 21 and 22, the pair of reinforcing plates 23 and 24, the pair of end plates 25 and 26, and the screws 27 as described above. Hereinafter, each member included in the housing 20 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the pair of end plates 25 and 26 sandwich and bias a pair of current collecting plates 16 and 17 disposed at both ends of the stacked fuel cells 10a. The outer shapes of the pair of end plates 25 and 26 are the same as those of the frame member 15 of the MEA 11 having an increased layer thickness, except for some shapes. The pair of end plates 25 and 26 are made of, for example, metal, and an insulator is provided at a portion that contacts the pair of current collector plates 16 and 17.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the pair of end plates 25 and 26 penetrates at one end in the longitudinal direction thereof corresponding to the cathode gas supply ports 25a and 26a, the cooling fluid supply ports 25b and 26b, and the anode gas supply ports 25c and 26c. A hole is opened. Similarly, through holes corresponding to the anode gas discharge ports 25d and 26d, the cooling fluid discharge ports 25e and 26e, and the cathode gas discharge ports 25f and 26f are opened at the other end in the longitudinal direction.

  Separator 13, 14, frame member 15, current collector plates 16, 17, and cathode gas supply ports 13a-17a, 25a, 26a of end plates 25, 26, cooling fluid supply ports 13b-17b, 25b, 26b, anode gas supply Ports 13c-17c, 25c, 26c, anode gas discharge ports 13d-17d, 25d, 26d, cooling fluid discharge ports 13e-17e, 25e, 26e, and cathode gas discharge ports 13f-17f, 25f, 26f are separators 13, 14, the MEA 11, the current collector plates 16 and 17, and the end plates 25 and 26 are configured to communicate with each other when aligned. The pair of end plates 25 and 26 have through holes 25g and 26g through which the protrusions 16g and the like of the pair of current collector plates 16 and 17 described above are inserted as shown in FIG.

  The pair of fastening plates 21 and 22 are made of metal, for example, and are formed in a plate shape as shown in FIG. The pair of fastening plates 21 and 22 are formed with part of their edges raised, and contact the surfaces of the pair of end plates 25 and 26 when assembled. Moreover, the surface which contacts the end plates 25 and 26 in the fastening plates 21 and 22 is provided with holes through which the screws 27 are inserted, and the end plates 25 and 26 and the current collectors are tightened by tightening the screws 27 attached to the holes. The plates 16 and 17 and the laminated body 10 are pressed in the laminating direction.

  The pair of reinforcing plates 23 and 24 are made of metal, for example, and are formed in a plate shape that is longer than the pair of fastening plates 21 and 22 as shown in FIG. The pair of reinforcing plates 23 and 24 are formed by raising a part of the end in the longitudinal direction, and a hole through which the screw 27 is inserted is provided in the part. The holes are formed so that the screws 27 are passed in the laminating direction. By attaching and fastening the screws 27, the end plates 25 and 26, the current collecting plates 16 and 17, and the laminating plates are installed like the fastening plates 21 and 22. The body 10 is pressurized in the stacking direction. In this manner, the pair of fastening plates 21 and 22 and the pair of reinforcing plates 23 and 24 fasten the screws 27, thereby bringing the end plates 25 and 26, the current collecting plates 16 and 17 and the laminate 10 in the stacking direction. Pressurized.

(Fuel cell manufacturing equipment)
Next, the fuel cell manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fuel cell manufacturing apparatus includes inspection units 200 and 300 and a stacking unit 400. First, the inspection units 200 and 300 will be described.

  The inspection units 200 and 300 that inspect the separator assembly 12 for leakage include a first inspection unit 200 and a second inspection unit 300. The first inspection unit 200 detects whether an external fluid passes (penetrates) through the welded portion 13r (14r) of the separator assembly 12 and does not flow to the opposite side (sometimes referred to as passage leakage or penetration leakage). The second inspection unit 300 detects whether or not the cooling fluid leaks to the outside from the flow paths 13j and 14j formed by the separator assembly 12 (so-called internal leakage).

(First inspection part)
As shown in FIG. 1A, the first inspection unit 200 includes an inspection fluid supply unit 210, a detection unit 220, a suction unit 230, a connection unit 240, and a space formation unit 260.

  The inspection fluid supply unit 210 supplies an inspection fluid for inspecting penetration leakage, and includes inspection fluid supply units 211 and 212 as shown in FIG. The inspection fluid supply units 211 and 212 are configured as cylinders in this embodiment, and the inspection fluid supply unit 211 (corresponding to another supply unit) supplies air, and the inspection fluid supply unit 212 (corresponding to the supply unit) supplies helium. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and hydrogen may be supplied instead of helium. In the present embodiment, as a first stage, the inspection fluid supply unit 211 supplies air to detect penetration leakage, and then supplies helium from the inspection fluid supply unit 212 to detect penetration leakage.

  By comprising in this way, the failure | damage of the detector when tracer gas (test fluid) leaks in large quantities can be prevented. Moreover, the mastering time at the time of carrying out a leak inspection with another separator assembly can be shortened by preventing a large amount of leakage. Note that the switching of the inspection fluid supply units 211 and 212 is performed by a valve 249.

  As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 10, the space forming portion 260 includes an upper mold 261, a lower mold 271, a seal member 280, and a seal member 290. The upper mold 261 includes a space 262, attachment holes 263 and 264, and blocking portions 265 to 268.

  The upper mold 261 forms a space for circulating the inspection fluid together with the separator assembly 12, and the space 262 corresponds to the upper mold 261. As shown in FIG. 5A, the attachment hole 263 is connected to the inspection fluid supply unit 210 via the pipes 241 to 243. The attachment hole 264 is connected to a suction pump 231 that configures a suction unit 230 described later via a pipe 244.

  As shown in FIG. 11 (B), the blocking portions 265 to 268 are disposed below the space 262 in the cathode gas supply port 12a, the anode gas supply port 12c, the anode gas outlet 12d, and the cathode gas outlet 12f of the separator assembly 12. The inspection fluid is prevented from entering the internal space 272 formed by the mold 271 and the separator assembly 12. The blocking portions 265 to 268 are configured to have a stepped shape so that the seal member 280 can be easily attached as shown in FIG. 6B, but is not limited thereto.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in the case of through-leakage, it is configured not to inspect the site of internal leakage, and it hits the cooling fluid inlet 12b and the cooling fluid outlet 12e through which the fluid flows inside the separator assembly 12. The upper mold 261 is configured so that the portion is not included in the internal space 262.

  The lower mold | type 271 has the space 272, the attachment holes 273 and 274, and the obstruction | occlusion parts 275-278 as shown in FIG. Similar to the space 262, the space 272 is a space to which a test fluid formed by the lower mold 271 and the separator assembly 12 is supplied. The attachment hole 273 is a hole for connecting the inspection fluid leaking through the separator assembly 12 to the detection unit 220 via the pipes 246 to 248. As shown in FIG. 5A, the attachment hole 274 is connected to the suction pump 232 constituting the suction unit 230 via the pipe 245 and causes the suction pump 232 to suck the fluid existing in the space 272. Since the closing portions 275 to 278 are the same as the closing portions 265 to 268 of the upper mold 261, the description thereof is omitted. The lower mold 271 has an outer shape so that the cooling fluid inlet 12b and the cooling fluid 12e are not included in the internal space, like the upper mold 261.

  The seal member 280 has a concave portion 281 (corresponding to a notch), a side portion 282, an opening 283, a locking portion 284, and a through hole portion 285 (corresponding to a circulation port). The separator assembly 12 is a member having relatively low rigidity formed by welding the separators 13 and 14 having a thickness of less than 1 mm. On the other hand, since the seal member 280 is a member having a certain degree of rigidity such as rubber, the seal member 280 is provided with a concave portion 281, an opening 283, and a through-hole portion 285, thereby reducing the rigidity of the seal member 280. While the separator assembly 12 is prevented from being deformed when the 280 is attached, the seal member 280 is brought into close contact with the separator assembly 12 so that the attachment portion can be sealed.

  The side portion 282 is formed outside the recess 281 and contacts the separator assembly 12 to form a seal portion. The opening 283 allows fluid to flow through the cooling fluid flow paths 13j and 14j that are the internal space of the separator assembly 12 in the case of an internal leak inspection described later. The seal member 280 is attached to the cathode supply port 12a, the anode supply port 12c, the anode discharge port 12d, and the anode discharge port 12f of the separator assembly 12 when inspecting the penetration leak.

  The locking portion 284 is formed so as to protrude in a direction crossing the mounting direction so that the seal member does not fall out of the supply port or the discharge port. The through-hole portion 285 allows the seal member 280 and the separator to circulate by allowing air or the like to flow in a state where the tightening is loosened by a vise or the like that adjusts the distance between the upper die 261 and the lower die 281 when the inspection for leakage is completed. The assembly 12 is pulled apart so that the seal member 280 can be easily removed from the separator assembly 12.

  The seal member 290 is a member such as an O-ring configured by a member having elasticity such as rubber similarly to the seal member 280. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the seal member 290 is attached to the outer periphery of the upper mold 261 and the lower mold 271 to seal the space 262 and 272 with the outside.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the connection portion 240 includes pipes 241 to 248 and valves 249 and 251. The pipe 241 connects the inspection fluid supply unit 211 and the valve 249, and supplies inspection fluid such as air to the space 262 of the upper mold 261. The pipe 242 connects the test fluid supply unit 212 and the valve 249 to supply test fluid such as helium to the space 262. The pipe 243 is connected to the valve 249 and the mounting hole 263 of the upper mold 261, and supplies the test fluid from the test fluid supply units 211 and 212 to the space 262 as shown in FIG.

  The pipe 244 is connected to the mounting hole 264 of the upper mold 261 and the suction pump 231, and causes the suction pump 231 to suck the fluid existing in the space 262. The pipe 245 is connected to the mounting hole 274 of the lower mold 271, and causes the suction pump 232 to suck the fluid existing in the space 272 of the lower mold 271.

  The pipes 246 to 248 cause the test fluid when the through-leak is generated to flow to the detection units 221 and 22, and flow the test fluid through the pipes 246 and 247 when flowing to the detection unit 221. When circulating to the detection unit 222, switching is performed by the valve 251, and the inspection fluid is circulated through the pipes 245 and 247. Since the configuration of the valves 249 and 251 is the same as the conventional one, the description thereof is omitted.

  The detection unit 220 includes detectors 221 and 222 as shown in FIG. The detection unit 221 detects air as a test fluid, and the detection unit 222 detects helium as a test fluid.

  The suction unit 230 includes suction pumps 231 and 232. The suction pump 231 sucks the fluid existing in the internal space 262 formed by the upper mold 261 that constitutes the space forming unit 260 described later. The suction pump 232 sucks the fluid existing in the internal space 272 formed by the lower mold 271 constituting the space forming unit 260.

(Second inspection part)
The second inspection unit 300 includes an inspection fluid supply unit 310, a detection unit 320, a suction unit 330, a connection unit 340, and a space formation unit 360. Since the second inspection unit 300 is similar in component to the first inspection unit 200, the same configuration simplifies the description.

  The test fluid supply unit 310 includes test fluid supply units 311 and 312 as shown in FIG. 5B, the test fluid supply unit 311 (corresponding to other supply units) supplies air, and the test fluid supply unit 312 ( (Corresponding to the supply unit) supplies helium. Switching between the inspection fluid supply units 311 and 312 is performed by a valve 352.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the space forming part 360 includes an upper mold 361, a lower mold 381, and seal members 391 and 392. The upper mold 361 includes a space 362, attachment holes 363 to 365, connection portions 366 and 367, and blocking portions 368, 369, 371, and 372.

  The space 362 is formed by the upper mold 361 and the separator assembly 12 similarly to the space 262 of the first detection unit 200, and constitutes a circulation space when the inspection fluid leaks from the cooling fluid flow paths 13j and 14j. The attachment hole 363 is connected to the pipe 343 as shown in FIG. 5B, and causes the test fluid supplied from the test fluid supply unit 310 through the pipes 341 to 343 to flow into the space 362 of the upper mold 361. The connection portion 366 communicates with the attachment hole 363 and allows the supplied inspection fluid to flow through the cooling fluid flow paths 13j and 14j of the separator assembly 12.

  The attachment hole 364 connects the upper mold 361 and the suction part 330 (suction pump) via the pipe 344, and causes the suction part 330 to suck the fluid existing in the cooling fluid flow paths 13j and 14j. The attachment hole 365 is connected to the detection unit 320 (321, 322) via the pipe 345, and causes the inspection fluid leaking from the cooling fluid flow paths 13j, 14j to flow to the detection unit 320.

  As shown in FIG. 9C, the connection portion 366 communicates from the mounting hole 363 and has a hollow shape that allows the test fluid supplied from the test fluid supply portion 310 to flow through the cooling fluid flow paths 13j and 14j of the separator assembly 12. The outer shape of the separator assembly 12 is rectangular according to the shape of the cooling fluid supply port 12b. The connecting portion 367 communicates with the attachment hole 364 and causes the fluid flowing from the cooling fluid flow paths 13j and 14j to flow toward the attachment hole 364. As shown in FIG. 13B, the connection portions 366 and 367 are formed such that the edge near the center is slightly lower than the outer edge, and the test fluid supplied from the test fluid supply unit 310 is supplied to the cooling fluid channel. 13j and 14j are configured to be discharged from the connecting portion 367.

  Since the blocking portions 368, 369, 371, and 372 are the same as the blocking portions 265 to 268 of the first inspection unit 200, description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 9C, the lower mold 381 has a space 382, a mounting hole 383, and closed portions 384 to 389. The space 382 is a part through which the internal leak test fluid partitioned by the lower mold 381 and the separator assembly 12 is circulated in the same manner as the space 272 of the first test unit 200. The attachment hole 383 is connected to the pipe 348 and causes the inspection fluid leaking from the cooling fluid flow paths 13j and 14j to flow to the detection unit 320.

  The blocking portions 384 to 389 are not only the portions corresponding to the cathode supply port 12a, the anode supply port 12c, the cathode discharge port 12d, and the anode discharge port 13f of the separator assembly 12 like the blocking portions 265 to 268 of the first detection unit 200, The cooling fluid supply port 12b and the cooling fluid discharge port 13e are also provided at portions corresponding to the cooling fluid discharge port 13e. However, since each shape is the same as that of the blocking portions 265 to 268, description thereof is omitted.

  The seal member 390 is the same as the seal member 280, and the concave portion 281, the side portion 282, the opening portion 283, the locking portion 284, and the through-hole portion 285 are the concave portion 391, the side portion 392, the opening portion 393, and the locking portion, respectively. Since it corresponds to 394 and the through-hole part 395, description is abbreviate | omitted. The seal member 396 is the same as the seal member 290, and is formed of a member such as an O-ring attached to the outer shape of the upper die 361 and the lower die 381.

  The connection unit 340 includes pipes 341 to 351 and valves 352 to 354. The pipes 341 to 343 connect the upper mold 361 from the inspection fluid supply unit 10 and are the same as the pipes 241 to 243, and thus description thereof is omitted. The pipe 344 connects the lower mold 381 and the suction part 330. The pipe 345 circulates the inspection fluid leaking into the space 362 of the upper mold 361 and guides it to the valve 353. The pipe 346 communicates with the detector 321 from the pipe 345 through the valve 353. The pipe 347 communicates with the detector 322 from the pipe 345 through the valve 353.

  The pipe 348 causes the inspection fluid leaking into the space 382 of the lower mold 381 to flow to the detection unit 320 to the valve 354. The pipe 349 communicates with the detector 321 from the pipe 348 through the valve 354. The pipe 351 communicates with the pipe 348 via the valve 354 and causes the inspection fluid to flow through the detector 322. Since the valves 352 to 354 are the same as the valves 249 and 251, description thereof is omitted.

  The detection unit 320 includes a detector 321 and a detector 322. The detector 321 detects air, and the detector 322 detects helium. In the inspection of internal leakage, the suction part 330 is constituted by a single suction pump so that only the cooling fluid flow paths 13j and 14j are sucked.

(Laminated part)
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the stacked unit 400 includes a mounting table 401, positioning pins 402 and 403, a pressing unit 404, and a transport unit 405.

  The mounting table 401 is a table on which the stacked body 10 to which the housing 20 is attached is mounted. The positioning pin 402 is inserted through the cooling fluid supply port of the laminate 10, and the positioning pin 403 is inserted through the cooling fluid discharge port to align the laminate 10. The pressing unit 404 applies a load in the stacking direction in a state where the stacked body 10 is aligned. The transport unit 405 includes hands 406 and 407, and the MEA 11, the separator assembly 12, and the like are transported to the mounting table 401 by the hands 406 and 407. Then, the MEA 11 and the separator assembly 12 necessary for the stacked body 10 are stacked, the housing 20 is disposed, and the fuel cell 100 is completed by fastening with the bolts 27.

(Fuel cell manufacturing method)
Next, a leakage inspection process and a stacking process in the fuel cell manufacturing method according to the present embodiment will be described. The other steps are the same as those in the prior art, so the description is omitted. 19 will be outlined with reference to FIG. 19. A set of molds 261, 271, 361, 381, seal members 280, 290, 391, 392 and separator assembly 12 (step ST1) and formation of a closed space ( Step ST2), detection of leakage by the first fluid (Step ST4), detection of leakage by the second fluid (Step ST6), cleaning (Steps ST7, 8), disassembly (Steps ST9, 11, 12) Have. In this embodiment, the penetration leak is first checked and then the internal leak is checked. However, the order may be reversed.

  In the setting of the separator or the like, the seal members 280 and 290 are attached to the lower mold 271 and the separator assembly 12 is set therein. Since the lower mold 271 has convex closed portions 275 to 278, the separator assembly 12 is set so that the supply ports 12a and 12c and the discharge ports 12d and 12f are aligned with the closed portions 275 to 278 (step). ST1). At that time, the side portions of the seal member 280 are fitted into the supply ports 12a and 12c and the discharge ports 12d and 12f.

  Next, seal members 280 and 290 are attached to the upper die 261, the upper die 261 is disposed from above the lower die 271, and the closed spaces 262 and 272 are formed by the upper die 261, the lower die 271, and the separator assembly 12. (Step ST2). The upper mold 261 and the lower mold 271 are clamped by, for example, disposing a vise from the outside of the molds 261 and 271 and tightening with an appropriate pressure.

  Next, the pump 231 is operated to suck and remove the fluid existing in the internal space 262. Similarly, the pump 232 is operated to suck and remove the fluid existing in the internal space 272. The suction pressure reduction may be, for example, about several hundred ppm even if the vacuum is not completely set (step ST3).

  Next, the detector 221 is actuated to supply air from the inspection fluid supply unit 211 to confirm the presence or absence of passage leakage (step ST4). At this time, the standard of leakage is such that if the detected amount of the test fluid within a certain time is several hundred ppm or less, it is OK.

  When the penetration leak is detected (step ST4: YES), the first inspection unit 200 is disassembled (step ST9). Then, it is determined that the separator assembly 12 in which the penetration leakage has been detected is a defective product, and the fuel cell is selected as not assembled (step ST14).

  When the penetration leakage due to air is not detected (step ST4: NO), the internal fluid is sucked into the internal spaces 262 and 272 again by the suction unit 230 (step ST5). Next, the valves 249 and 251 are switched to operate the detector 222, and helium is supplied from the inspection fluid supply unit 212 to check for penetration leakage (step ST6). When a penetration leak is detected (step ST6: YES), switching is performed by the valve 249, air is supplied from the inspection medium supply unit 211 to the first inspection unit 200, and the cooling channels 13j and 14j of the separator assembly 12 and the inside The spaces 262 and 272 are washed (step ST8). Then, the first inspection unit 200 is disassembled (step ST9), and the separator assembly 12 in which leakage is found is selected as a defective product (step ST14). When disassembling, the upper mold 261 and the lower mold 271 are loosened to such an extent that they cannot be removed by a vise for performing mold clamping, and when air is blown, the air flows into the through hole 285 of the seal member 280, and the seal member A gap formed between 280 and the separator assembly 12 can be enlarged, and thus the seal member 280 can be easily detached from the separator assembly 12 which is a workpiece.

  When the penetration leak due to helium is not detected (step ST6: NO), switching is performed by the valve 249, and air is supplied from the inspection fluid supply unit 211 to wash the cooling flow paths 13j and 14j (step ST7). Since internal leakage has not been confirmed at this time (step ST10: NO), dismantling is performed by loosening the vise that tightens the upper mold 261 and the lower mold 271, and the separator assembly 12 is taken out (step ST11).

  This time, the separator assembly 12 is attached to the lower mold 381 of the second detection unit 300. In that case, the sealing member 390 is attached to the closed portions 384 to 389 of the lower die 381 and the sealing member 396 is attached to the outer periphery of the lower die 381 in the same manner as the first detection unit 200 (step ST1). Then, like the lower die 361, the seal members 390 and 396 are attached to the upper die 361, and in this state, the upper die 361 is attached to the lower die 381 to form the internal spaces 362 and 382 (step ST2).

  Then, similarly to the first detection unit 200, the suction unit 330 is operated to suck the fluid existing in the cooling fluid flow paths 13j and 14j of the separator assembly 12 (step ST3). Then, air is supplied from the inspection fluid supply unit 311 to confirm the presence or absence of internal leakage (step ST4).

  When air leakage is detected, the upper die 361 and the lower die 381 are disengaged, disassembled, and defective products are sorted in the same manner as the first detector 200 (steps ST9 and ST14). Further, when no leakage due to air is detected (step ST4: NO), the suction unit 330 suctions the fluid in the cooling fluid flow paths 13j and 14j again, and the valves 352, 353, and 354 are switched, and helium The detection by is the same as the first detection unit 200 (steps ST5 and ST6). When leakage is detected by helium (step ST6: YES), switching is performed by the valve 352, and air is supplied from the inspection fluid supply unit 311 to clean the cooling fluid flow paths 13j and 14j of the separator assembly 12 (step). ST8).

  When no leakage due to helium is detected (step ST6: NO), switching is performed by the valve 352, and air is supplied from the inspection fluid supply unit 311 to clean the cooling fluid flow paths 13j and 14j (step ST7). When the inspection for penetration leakage is completed (step ST10: YES), the force of the vise that tightens the upper die 361 and the lower die 381 is loosened in the same manner as the first detection unit 200, and air is supplied from the inspection fluid supply unit 311. The seal member 390 is removed from the separator assembly 12 (step ST12).

  The separator assembly 12 that has been inspected is selected as a non-defective product and moved to the process of the stacking unit 400 (step ST13). The MEA 11 and the separator assembly 12 are stacked by the stacking unit 400 to form the stacked body 10, and the housing 20 is attached to form the fuel cell 100.

  Next, the function and effect according to this embodiment will be described. A fuel cell distributes fuel and an oxidant to generate electricity, and a separator constituting a unit cell of the fuel cell is joined to an adjacent separator to form a separator assembly. Since the separator assembly is welded with a corrugated portion through which the cooling fluid flows, depending on the welding mode, there is a risk that fuel or oxidant may penetrate the separator assembly or the cooling fluid flowing through the interior space of the separator assembly may leak to the outside. . Such inspection of internal leakage and passage leakage is performed on a stacked body in which fuel cells are stacked. However, if a leak is found, the inspection is performed on the laminate, and therefore the laminate must be discarded. In that case, extra members that are not related to the leak are also discarded. There is a problem that leads to cost increase.

  On the other hand, the fuel cell manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment is configured to inspect the internal leakage and the passage leakage for the single separator assembly 12 in the inspection units 200 and 300. For this reason, even if a leak is found, only the separator assembly 12 is discarded, thereby preventing a member not related to leakage such as the MEA 11 from being discarded, thereby reducing the cost of the fuel cell. Can contribute.

  Further, in the case of inspection of penetration leakage and internal leakage, a sealing member 280 (having a recess 281 (391) cut out on the opposite side of the side portion 282 (392) that is elastic and fits with the separator assembly 12 that is the counterpart component. 390) is attached to the upper molds 261 and 361 and the lower molds 271 and 281. Therefore, even when the seal member 280 (390) is attached to the separator assembly 12, the recess 281 (391) suppresses the rigidity of the seal member 280 (390) from being increased, and the separator assembly 12 has a plate thickness of less than 1 mm. Even when the separator assembly 12 is attached, the sealability of the attachment portion can be secured while preventing the separator assembly 12 from being deformed. Further, since the seal member 280 (390) is provided with openings such as the opening 283 (393) and the through hole 285 (395), the seal member 280 (390) is separated from the separator assembly 12 when the seal member 280 (390) is attached to the separator assembly 12. The adhesion can be improved in accordance with the shape of the assembly 12.

  Further, as the inspection fluid for inspecting the penetration leakage and the internal leakage, an inspection medium (tracer gas) such as helium or hydrogen can be specifically mentioned.

  Further, when detecting internal leakage or passage leakage, not only helium or hydrogen (second fluid) but also air (first fluid) is supplied as a test fluid to detect leakage. In many cases, hydrogen or the like is used as a tracer gas for inspection of internal leakage or passage leakage. However, if such a fluid is used extensively, the detector may be damaged if a large amount of hydrogen leaks out. May be. On the other hand, the situation where the detector breaks as described above can be suppressed by using the leak inspection using air together. Furthermore, the mastering time corresponding to the preparation time when setting the next separator assembly can be shortened.

  Further, when the inspection of the through leak or the internal leak is completed, the seal member 280 is prevented from sticking to the separator assembly 12 by causing air or the like to flow through the through hole 285 and pulling the seal member 280 and the separator assembly 12 apart. In addition, it can be easily removed and workability can be improved.

  In addition, this invention is not limited only to embodiment mentioned above, A various change is possible in a claim. Although the embodiment using air as the inspection fluid has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be configured to detect leakage only with hydrogen or helium without using air. In the second inspection unit 300, the embodiment in which the fluid in the cooling fluid flow paths 13j and 14j is sucked by the suction unit 330 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is present in the internal spaces 362 and 382 as in the case of through leakage. A pump for sucking fluid may be prepared.

  FIG. 20 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a modification of FIG. In the above description, the embodiment in which the seal member 280 is assembled to the separator assembly 12 in a state in which the seal member 280 is attached in a stepped shape such as the closing portions 265 to 268 has been described. As shown in FIG. 20, the upper molds 261 and 361 and / or the lower molds 271 and 381 have a metal or resin that holds the sealing members 280 and 390 fixed to the upper molds 261 and 361 and / or the lower molds 271 and 381. The sealing members 280 and 391 may be held using the holding member 397 made of the above.

  The holding member 397 and the upper molds 261 and 361 and / or the lower molds 271 and 381 are fixed together with the upper mold 261 and the lower mold 271 by tightening with a vise from the outside of the mold as described above. As shown in FIG. 20, the holding member 397 is provided with a stepped shape 397 a that engages with the engaging portion 284 of the seal member 284. With this configuration, when air or the like is circulated in order to remove the seal members 280 and 319 from the separator assembly 12 after leakage inspection, the seal members 280 and 391 are not the separator assembly 12 but the upper molds 261 and 361. In addition, it is possible to prevent the lower molds 271 and 381 from being detached first, and to more reliably remove the seal members 280 and 391 from the separator assembly 12 with a fluid such as air.

10 laminates,
10a Fuel cell,
100 fuel cells,
11 MEA
11a electrolyte membrane,
11b anode,
11c cathode,
12 Separator assembly (separator assembly),
13, 14 separator,
13a, 14a, 15a, 16a, 17a, 25a, 26a Cathode gas supply port,
13b, 14b, 15b, 16b, 17b, 25a, 26a Cooling fluid supply port,
13c, 14c, 15c, 16c, 17c, 25c, 26c Anode gas supply port,
13d, 14d, 15d, 16d, 17d, 25d, 26d Anode gas outlet,
13e, 14e, 15e, 16e, 17e, 25e, 26e Cooling fluid outlet,
13f, 14f, 15f, 16f, 17f, 25f, 26f Cathode gas outlet,
13g, 14g waveform shape,
13h anode gas flow path,
14h cathode gas flow path,
13m, 13n, 14m, 14n, 13r, 14r welding locations,
13p, 14p seal member installation location,
15 frame member,
16, 17 current collector plate,
16h, 17h Current collector,
16g, 17g protrusion,
20 housing,
21, 22 fastening plate,
23, 24 Reinforcement plate,
25, 26 End plate,
25g, 26g through hole,
27 screws,
100 fuel cells,
200 First inspection unit (inspection unit),
210, 310 Inspection fluid supply section,
211, 311 Inspection fluid supply part (other supply part),
212, 312 Inspection fluid supply part (supply part),
220, 320 detector,
230, 330 suction part,
240, 340 connections,
260, 360 space forming part,
280, 290, 390, 396 seal members,
281 and 391 recesses (notches),
282, 392 side,
283, 393 openings,
284, 394 locking part,
285, 395 through-hole part (distribution port),
300 Second inspection unit (inspection unit),
397 retaining member.

Claims (7)

A separator joined body obtained by joining adjacent separators;
A laminated body in which the separator assembly and the membrane electrode assembly are alternately laminated, and a method for producing a fuel cell,
Joining the separators adjacent to each other to form the separator assembly,
Inspect for leakage in the separator assembly,
Laminating the membrane electrode assembly and the separator assembly to form a laminate,
The leakage inspection is performed on the separator assembly alone before forming the laminate,
The leak inspection is performed using hydrogen or helium, and the fuel cell manufacturing method performs inspection using air before performing the inspection using hydrogen or helium.   2. The method of manufacturing a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein a seal member having a notch portion that is elastic and has a notch on the opposite side of a portion that fits with the separator assembly is attached to the separator when the leak is inspected. .   The said sealing member prepares the thing provided with the distribution | circulation port which distribute | circulates the fluid and sprays the said fluid distribute | circulated toward the said separator conjugate | zygote, when removing the said sealing member from the said separator conjugate | zygote after a leak test | inspection. 3. A method for producing a fuel cell according to 2. A separator joined body obtained by joining adjacent separators;
A laminate for alternately laminating the separator assembly and the membrane electrode assembly, and a fuel cell manufacturing apparatus comprising :
An inspection unit for inspecting leakage of fluid flowing through the separator assembly;
A transport unit that stacks the separator assembly and the membrane electrode assembly to form the laminate,
The inspection unit, flowing a test fluid for inspecting leakage against monomer of the separator assembly,
The inspection section supplies a space forming section for forming an inspection space for circulating an inspection fluid, a supply section for supplying hydrogen or helium for inspecting the inspection space for leakage, and air for inspecting the inspection space for leakage. A fuel cell manufacturing apparatus further comprising another supply unit.   5. The fuel cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the inspection unit includes a seal member having a cutout portion that is elastic and has a cutout portion on the opposite side of a portion that fits with the separator assembly. 6.   The fuel according to claim 5, wherein the seal member has a flow port through which a fluid is circulated and sprayed toward the separator assembly when the seal member is removed from the separator assembly after leakage inspection. Battery manufacturing equipment.   The said space formation part further has a holding member which suppresses that the said separator zygote is removed from the said space formation part when the said fluid is sprayed, and hold | maintains the said separator zygote in the said space formation part. The fuel cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1.