KR20210026928A - Apparatus for manufacturing an elastomeric cell frame for fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for manufacturing an elastomer cell frame for a fuel cell that can prevent an elastomer frame from lifting or bending due to the characteristics of the material and shape in a preparation step for thermally sealing an insert and a sheet-type elastomer frame made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The device for manufacturing an elastomer cell frame for a fuel cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as a device for manufacturing an elastomer cell frame comprising an insert in which a membrane electrode assembly and a gas diffusion layer are joined and a sheet-type elastomer frame made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) integrated into the outer region of the insert to constitute a unit cell of a fuel cell, comprises: a lower jig unit on which the insert and the elastomer frame are seated to form an overlapping area in a predetermined area; an upper jig unit disposed on the upper part of the lower jig unit to provide heat and pressure to the overlapping area, thereby thermally sealing the interface between the insert and the elastomer frame in the overlapping area; and a holder unit provided in the lower jig unit to cover the periphery of the overlapping area among the upper surfaces of the elastomer frame seated on the upper surface of the lower jig unit to fix the elastomer frame in a proper position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention: Apparatus for manufacturing an elastomeric cell frame for fuel cell

The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing an elastic cell frame for a fuel cell, and more particularly, in a preparatory step for heat-sealing a sheet-shaped elastic body frame made of an insert and a thermoplastic elastic body (TPE), the elastic body frame is lifted or bent due to the characteristics of the material and shape. It relates to an apparatus for manufacturing an elastic cell frame for a fuel cell capable of preventing the phenomenon.

A fuel cell is a type of power generation device that converts chemical energy contained in fuel into electrical energy by reacting electrochemically in a stack. It not only supplies power to drive industrial, domestic, and vehicles, but also supplies power to small electronic products such as portable devices. It can be used as a high-efficiency clean energy source, and its use area is gradually expanding.

Membrane-Electrode Assembly (MEA) is located at the innermost unit cell of a general fuel cell. This membrane electrode assembly has a polymer electrolyte membrane that can move hydrogen cations and this polymer electrolyte membrane. It is composed of a catalyst layer coated on both sides so that hydrogen and oxygen can react, that is, a cathode and an anode.

In addition, a pair of separating plates for supplying a reaction gas and discharging product water generated by the reaction are disposed on one side and the other side of the membrane electrode assembly, that is, the outer portion where the cathode and the anode are located. At this time, a gas diffusion layer (GDL) may be interposed between the membrane electrode assembly and the separator to diffuse or smooth the flow of the reaction gas and the generated water.

Meanwhile, in the related art, a membrane-electrode-gasket assembly (MEGA) in which a membrane electrode assembly and a gasket are integrated was manufactured and used for the convenience of the unit cell's airtightness and lamination process.

Also, in recent years, an integrated frame in which an insert in which a gas diffusion layer is bonded to a membrane electrode assembly and a gasket are integrated has been proposed.

However, in the conventional integrated frame, a frame made of plastic and an insert are bonded using an adhesive. In addition, in the case of manufacturing a unit cell using a conventional integrated frame, a separate adhesive member and a sealing member were required for adhesion between the separating plate and the integrated frame. This process caused material cost and production cost to rise.

Therefore, the applicant has conducted a study to integrate the gasket with the insert by replacing the sheet-shaped elastic body frame made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), and accordingly, a device that can provide heat and pressure to the elastic body frame and the insert at the same time to be thermally fused is required. Became.

In particular, in the case of arranging the elastic frame on the jig for heat fusion between the insert and the elastic frame, the sheet-shaped elastic frame made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) is lifted at the diffusion part or bent at the long axis due to the characteristics of the material and shape. As a result, there was a problem that the insert and the elastic body frame were not seated in a static position.

The content described as the background art is only for understanding the background of the present invention, and should not be taken as acknowledging that it corresponds to the prior art already known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Registered Utility Model Publication No. 20-0466802 (2013.05.02) Registered Utility Model Publication No. 20-0478989 (2015.12.08)

The present invention provides an elastic cell frame manufacturing apparatus for a fuel cell capable of preventing the elastic frame from being lifted or bent in a preparation step for heat-sealing an insert and a sheet-shaped elastic body frame made of a thermoplastic elastic body (TPE).

In addition, the present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing an elastic cell frame for a fuel cell capable of improving the stability of interfacial adhesion through thermal fusion.

The apparatus for manufacturing an elastic cell frame for a fuel cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises an insert in which a membrane electrode assembly and a gas diffusion layer are bonded, and a sheet-shaped elastic frame made of a thermoplastic elastic material (TPE) integrated in the outer region of the insert. An apparatus for manufacturing an elastic cell frame constituting a unit cell of a fuel cell, comprising: a lower jig unit seated to form an overlapping area in which the insert and the elastic frame are overlapped in a predetermined area; An upper jig unit disposed above the lower jig unit to provide heat and pressure to the overlapping region to thermally bond an interface between the insert and the elastic frame in the overlapping region; And a holder unit that is provided in the lower jig unit and covers a periphery of an overlapping region of the upper surface of the elastic body frame seated on the upper surface of the lower jig unit to fix the elastic body frame in a fixed position.

The upper jig unit may include a moving shaft that moves forward or backward in the direction of the lower jig unit; An upper jig installed at one end of the moving shaft to provide heat and pressure while facing the overlapping area; It is installed at the other end of the moving shaft and includes a power unit for providing power to the forward or backward motion of the moving shaft.

The lower jig unit is characterized in that a seating groove in which the elastic body frame is seated is formed on an upper surface, and the holder unit is provided in an outer region of the seating groove.

The overlapping region formed in the elastic body frame is divided into a diffusion region overlapping region formed in the diffusion portion of the elastic body frame and a long-axis region overlapping region formed in the long axis portion of the elastic body plane, and the holder unit is at least a periphery of the diffusion region overlapping region. It characterized in that it is provided to cover.

The holder unit includes: a first shaft provided in an outer region of the overlapping region of the diffusion part among the upper surface of the lower jig unit and rotated by an operation of a motor; At least one first support bar provided on the first shaft and rotated integrally with the rotation of the first shaft; And a first cover member provided on the first support bar to pressurize while covering a periphery of the overlapping region of the diffusion unit.

On the other hand, the holder unit of the apparatus for manufacturing an elastic body cell frame for a fuel cell according to the second embodiment of the present invention is provided in an outer region of the overlapping region of the long shaft portion of the upper surface of the lower jig unit and rotates by the operation of a motor. Wow; At least one second support bar provided on the second shaft and rotated integrally with the rotation of the second shaft; It further includes a second cover member provided on the second support bar to pressurize while covering the periphery of the overlapping region of the long axis.

In addition, the holder unit of the apparatus for manufacturing an elastic body cell frame for a fuel cell according to the second embodiment of the present invention is provided in an outer region of the overlapping region of the long shaft portion of the upper surface of the lower jig unit and rotated by the operation of a motor. With a shaft; At least one second support bar provided on the second shaft and rotated integrally with the rotation of the second shaft; And a third cover member provided on the second support bar for pressing while simultaneously covering the peripheries of the overlapping region of the diffusion portion and the overlapping region of the long axis portion.

In addition, the holder unit of the apparatus for manufacturing an elastic body cell frame for a fuel cell according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention is provided in an outer region of the overlapping region of the diffusion part among the upper surface of the lower jig unit and rotates by operation of a motor. A first shaft that becomes; At least one first link bar provided on the first shaft and rotated integrally with the rotation of the first shaft; A second link bar connected to the first link bar and the rotation shaft through a link structure; And a fourth cover member provided on the second link bar to pressurize while covering a periphery of the overlapping region of the diffusion unit.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an insert in which a membrane electrode assembly and a gas diffusion layer are bonded, and a sheet-shaped elastic body frame made of a thermoplastic elastic body (TPE) integrated in the outer region of the insert can be easily aligned and thermally fused. have.

In particular, even if a sheet-shaped elastic body frame made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) is raised in the diffusion part or bent in the long axis part due to the characteristics and shape of the material, the elastic body frame is arranged in a fixed position by the holder unit to heat it. There is an effect that can be fused.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, heat transferred from the upper jig unit to the interface between the insert and the elastic frame is uniformly transferred as the insert and the elastic frame are aligned in a static posture, thereby improving the stability of the interfacial adhesion through heat bonding. It works.

1 is a side view showing an apparatus for manufacturing an elastic cell frame for a fuel cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention,
2 is an exploded perspective view of a main part showing an apparatus for manufacturing an elastic cell frame for a fuel cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a plan view showing an apparatus for manufacturing an elastic cell frame for a fuel cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention,
4 is a plan view showing an apparatus for manufacturing an elastic cell frame for a fuel cell according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a plan view showing an apparatus for manufacturing an elastic cell frame for a fuel cell according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a perspective view of a main part showing an apparatus for manufacturing an elastic cell frame for a fuel cell according to a modified example of the first embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but will be implemented in a variety of different forms, only the present embodiments make the disclosure of the present invention complete, and the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art It is provided to inform you. In the drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements.

1 is a side view showing an apparatus for manufacturing an elastic cell frame for a fuel cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of an apparatus for manufacturing an elastic cell frame for a fuel cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention, 3 is a plan view showing an apparatus for manufacturing an elastic cell frame for a fuel cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The apparatus for manufacturing an elastic cell frame for a fuel cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an insert 10 in which an electrode assembly (MEA) and a gas diffusion layer (GDL) are bonded, and a thermoplastic elastomer integrated in the outer region of the insert 10. As an apparatus for manufacturing an elastic cell frame consisting of a sheet-shaped elastic body frame 20 made of (TPE) and constituting a unit cell of a fuel cell, largely, a base plate 100, a support 200, and an upper jig unit 300 , It is divided into a lower jig unit 400 and a holder unit 500.

First, an insert 10 and an elastic frame 20 constituting an elastic cell frame manufactured using the present invention will be described.

The insert 10 is an assembly in which a membrane electrode assembly and a pair of gas diffusion layers are stacked, and preferably, a gas diffusion layer is disposed on one side and the other side of the membrane electrode assembly.

The membrane electrode assembly is a polymer electrolyte membrane capable of moving hydrogen cation (Proton), and an electrode layer coated with a catalyst to allow hydrogen and oxygen to react on both sides of the polymer electrolyte membrane, that is, a cathode and an anode. It is implemented as a general membrane electrode assembly consisting of. Accordingly, in the membrane electrode assembly according to the present embodiment, a pair of electrode layers are formed on both sides of the polymer electrolyte membrane.

The gas diffusion layer is a means for passing the reaction gas flowing through the separation plate while diffusing to the membrane electrode assembly, and is composed of a substrate alone or composed of a substrate and a microporous layer (MPL) formed on one side of the substrate. At this time, the material of the substrate and the microporous layer is implemented as a material applied to a general gas diffusion layer.

The elastic body frame 20 is a means integrally formed in the outer region of the insert 10 for the purpose of maintaining airtightness of the insert 10 and convenience in the lamination process, and the elastic body frame 20 maintains a predetermined shape. It is formed in a sheet form using a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) for bonding by heat fusion without an adhesive member.

On the other hand, the insert 10 and the elastic body frame 20 are overlapped in a predetermined area is formed. Preferably, the elastic body frame 20 is disposed so as to surround the edge of the insert 10 in the outer region of the insert 10. Thus, the overlapping region is formed in the outer circumferential region of the insert 10 and the inner circumferential region of the elastic body frame.

In particular, as shown in Fig. 2, the elastic body frame 20 has a plurality of inlet manifolds and through holes corresponding to the outlet manifolds formed in the separation plate constituting the unit cell of the fuel cell at both ends based on the longitudinal direction. do.

Thus, a diffusion portion is formed between the through hole formed at both ends of the elastic body frame 20 in the longitudinal direction and the reaction surface region in which the insert 10 is disposed. Accordingly, the overlapping region formed on the elastic body frame 20 is a region corresponding to the diffusion of the elastic body frame 20, that is, the diffusion overlapping region 20a formed on the short axis of the elastic body frame 20, and the elastic body frame ( It is divided into an overlapping region 20b of the long-axis portion formed on the long-axis portion of 20).

The apparatus for manufacturing an elastic cell frame for a fuel cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention for integrating the insert 10 and the elastic frame 20 configured as described above by heat fusion includes the insert 10 and the elastic frame 20 A lower jig unit 400 mounted to form overlapping regions 20a and 20b overlapping in a predetermined region; An upper jig unit 300 disposed above the lower jig unit 400 to provide heat and pressure to the overlapping region to thermally bond the interface between the insert 10 and the elastic frame 20 in the overlapping region; A holder unit 500 that is provided on the lower jig unit 400 and covers the periphery of the overlapping region of the upper surface of the elastic body frame 20 seated on the upper surface of the lower jig unit 400 to fix the elastic body frame 20 in a fixed position. Includes. In addition, the base plate 100 on which the lower jig unit 400 is mounted; It further includes a support 200 installed on the base plate 100 to support the upper jig unit 300 so as to be disposed above the lower jig unit 400.

The base plate 100 serves as a base on which a support 200 supporting the upper jig unit 300 together with the lower jig unit 400 is installed. The base plate 100 is not limited to a specific shape or shape, and may be variously changed and implemented so that the lower jig unit 400 and the support unit 200 can be stably seated and installed. In this embodiment, it is implemented as a plate having a flat surface formed thereon.

The support 200 is a unit that supports the upper jig unit 300 to be disposed on the lower jig unit 400, and is provided in the form of a cantilever, and the upper jig unit 300 is supported at the end thereof. Of course, the support 200 is not limited to the shape of a cantilevered beam, and may be implemented in various forms that can be disposed while stably supporting the upper jig unit 300 on the upper portion of the lower jig unit 400.

The upper jig unit 300 heats the interface between the insert 10 and the elastic frame 20 by simultaneously providing heat and pressure to the overlapping area of the insert 10 and the elastic frame 20 mounted on the lower jig unit 400. A unit for fusing, comprising: a moving shaft 310 that moves forward or backward in a direction of the lower jig unit 400; An upper jig 320 installed at one end of the moving shaft 310 to provide heat and pressure while facing the overlapping region; It includes a power unit 330 installed at the other end of the moving shaft 310 to provide power to the moving shaft 310 forward or backward.

The moving shaft 310 is a means that is moved forward or backward in the direction of the lower jig unit 400 by the power provided from the power unit 330, and its operation method is various according to various forms of the power unit 330. It can be changed and implemented. In this embodiment, it is implemented in the form of a rod that moves forward or backward by the operation of a motor constituting the power unit 330.

The upper jig 320 is installed at the end of the moving shaft 310 and is advanced in the direction of the lower jig unit 400 together by a moving motion of the moving shaft 310 forward or backward to be seated on the lower jig unit 400. Pressure is applied to the overlapping region of the insert 10 and the elastic frame 20. In addition, the upper jig 320 is heated by a heating means to provide pressure to the overlapping region of the insert 10 and the elastic body frame 20 while also providing heat.

The power unit 330 is a means for providing power to move the moving shaft 310 forward or backward, and may be implemented in various ways capable of operating the moving shaft 310. In this embodiment, the upper jig 320 is configured with a motor that moves the moving shaft 310 forward or backward, and controls the degree to which the moving shaft 310 moves forward or backward through control of the motor's operation and the amount of motion. A pressure for pressing the overlapping region between the insert 10 and the elastic frame 20 mounted on the lower jig unit 400 is adjusted.

The lower jig unit 400 is a unit in which the insert 10 and the elastic frame 20 are mounted for heat fusion between the insert 10 and the elastic frame 20, and is disposed on the upper surface of the base plate 100. So, in the lower jig unit 400, the elastic body frame 20 and the insert 10 are sequentially seated. Accordingly, it is preferable that the upper surface of the lower jig unit 400 is implemented in a shape corresponding to the lower surface shape of the elastic body frame 20. For example, it is preferable that the seating groove 410 is formed on the upper surface of the lower jig unit 400 corresponding to the overall shape of the elastic body frame 20.

At this time, a cooling passage 420 through which cooling water flows is formed in the lower jig unit 400 to prevent unnecessary heating of the lower jig unit 400 by heating of the upper jig unit 300 during process automation. The temperature of the lower jig unit 400 can be uniformly maintained. Accordingly, an elastic cell frame can be manufactured under the same conditions.

On the other hand, the holder unit is provided with an outer area of the seating groove 410 formed on the upper surface of the lower jig unit 400 and is an overlapping region among the upper surface of the elastic body frame 20 seated in the seating groove 410 of the lower jig unit 400 It is a unit that covers the periphery of the elastic body and fixes the frame 20 in a static position.

At this time, the holder unit 500 is selectively provided in the outer regions of the diffusion overlapping region 20a and the long axis overlapping region 20b of the upper surface of the lower jig unit 400 to overlap the diffusion overlapping region 20a and the long axis. The periphery of the area 20b is selectively covered and fixed in a static posture. At this time, the holder unit 500 is preferably provided to cover at least the periphery of the overlapping region 20a of the diffusion part.

To this end, the holder unit 500 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is provided in the outer region of the diffusion overlapping region 20a of the upper surface of the lower jig unit 400 and rotates by the operation of the motor. 510) and; At least one first support bar 520 provided on the first shaft 510 and rotated integrally with the rotation of the first shaft 510; It includes a first cover member 530 provided on the first support bar 520 to pressurize while covering the periphery of the overlapping region 20a of the diffusion part.

The first shaft 510 is rotated by the operation of a motor as shown in FIG. 3 to integrally rotate the first support bar 520 and the first cover member 530. At this time, the first shaft 510 rotates the first support bar 520 and the first cover member 530 so that the first cover member 530 covers the periphery of the diffusion overlapping region 20a. It is installed parallel to the width direction of the lower jig unit 400 corresponding to the short axis of 20). So, by the rotation of the first shaft 510, the first support bar 520 and the first cover member 530 are rotated in the longitudinal direction of the lower jig unit 400 corresponding to the long axis of the elastic body frame 20. do.

If the first support bar 520 is connected to the first shaft 510 and provided to integrally rotate the first cover member 530, the shape and number of the first support bar 520 may be variously changed and implemented. For example, the first support bar 520 is provided with a pair of bar types so that the first cover member 530 is stably supported on the first shaft 510.

When the first cover member 530 covers the periphery of the diffusion portion overlapping region 20a of the elastic body frame 20 and presses it with a predetermined pressure, the elastic body frame 20 is lifted around the diffusion overlapping region 20a. This is corrected so that the elastic body frame 20 is seated in the seating groove 410 of the lower jig unit 400 in a fixed position. To this end, the first cover member 530 is preferably formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the diffusion portion overlapping region 20a of the elastic body frame 20. For example, the first cover member 530 may be formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape. Of course, the shape of the first cover member 530 is not limited to a rectangular plate shape, but may be implemented by changing into various shapes capable of pressing the periphery of the diffusion unit overlapping region 20a with a predetermined pressure.

On the other hand, in the present invention, when the elastic body frame 20 is seated in the seating groove 410 of the lower jig unit 400, a means for pressing the periphery of the long shaft portion may be further provided to prevent the long shaft portion from being bent and seated. have.

4 is a plan view showing an apparatus for manufacturing an elastic cell frame for a fuel cell according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The apparatus for manufacturing an elastic cell frame for a fuel cell according to the second embodiment of the present invention presses the periphery of the long-axis overlapping region 20b together with the periphery of the diffusion overlapping region 20a of the elastic body frame 20 with a predetermined pressure. The elastic body frame 20 is to be seated in a static position.

To this end, the holder unit 500 according to the second embodiment includes the lower jig unit 400 together with the first shaft 510, the first support bar 520 and the first cover member 530 according to the first embodiment. A second shaft 540 provided in an outer region of the long-axis portion overlapping region 20b of the upper surface of the upper surface and rotated by the operation of the motor; At least one second support bar 550 provided on the second shaft 540 and integrally rotated with the rotation of the second shaft 540; It further includes a second cover member 560 provided on the second support bar 550 to pressurize while covering the periphery of the long-axis portion overlapping region 20b.

At this time, the configuration and operation of the second shaft 540, the second support bar 550, and the second cover member 560 are the first shaft 510, the first support bar 520, and It is implemented in the same manner as the first cover member 530. However, the installation positions of the second shaft 540, the second support bar 550, and the second cover member 560 are changed so as to cover the periphery of the overlapping region 20b of the long axis portion of the elastic body frame 20.

For example, the second shaft 540 is installed in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the lower jig unit 400 corresponding to the long axis of the elastic frame 20. So, by the rotation of the second shaft 540, the second support bar 550 and the second cover member 560 are rotated in the width direction of the lower jig unit 400 corresponding to the short axis of the elastic body frame 20. do.

In addition, the second support bar 550 is provided with a pair of bar type like the first support bar 520 of the first embodiment, so that the second cover member 560 is stably attached to the second shaft 540. Be supported.

In addition, the second cover member 560 covers the periphery of the long-axis portion overlapping region 20b of the elastic body frame 20 and presses it with a predetermined pressure, so that the elastic body frame 20 is moved around the diffusion portion overlapping region 20a. In the case of bending, this is corrected so that the elastic body frame 20 is seated in the mounting groove 410 of the lower jig unit 400 in a fixed position. To this end, the second cover member 560 may be formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape like the first cover member 530 of the first embodiment.

On the other hand, in the present invention, when the elastic body frame 20 is seated in the seating groove 410 of the lower jig unit 400, in order to prevent the diffusion portion from being lifted and seated while the long shaft portion is bent and seated, the diffusion portion and the A holder unit can be implemented to simultaneously pressurize the periphery of the long shaft.

5 is a plan view showing an apparatus for manufacturing an elastic cell frame for a fuel cell according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

The holder unit 500 according to the third embodiment includes a second shaft 540 provided in an outer region of the long-axis overlapping region 20b of the upper surface of the lower jig unit 400 and rotated by the operation of a motor; At least one second support bar 550 provided on the second shaft 540 and integrally rotated with the rotation of the second shaft 540; It includes a third cover member 570 provided on the second support bar 550 to pressurize while simultaneously covering the peripheries of the overlapping region 20a of the diffusion portion and the overlapping region of the long axis portion 20b.

In this case, the second shaft 540 and the second support bar 550 may be implemented in the same manner as the second shaft 540 and the second support bar 550 according to the second embodiment.

However, the third cover member 570 is a plate having a substantially "C" shape as shown in FIG. 5 so as to cover the peripheries of the overlapping region 20a and the overlapping region 20b of the long axis at the same time. It can be formed in a shape. Therefore, it is possible to pressurize while simultaneously covering the diffusion portion overlapping region 20a and the long-axis portion overlapping region 20b by the third cover member 570.

On the other hand, in the present invention, in order to improve the efficiency in which the holder unit 500 presses the elastic body frame 20 with a predetermined pressure, the operation path of the cover member is vertically formed from the top to the bottom of the elastic body frame 20. It can be implemented by changing the shape of the support bar.

6 is a perspective view of a main part showing an apparatus for manufacturing an elastic cell frame for a fuel cell according to a modified example of the first embodiment.

The holder unit 500 according to the modification of the first embodiment includes a first shaft 510 provided in the outer region of the diffusion overlapping region 20a of the upper surface of the lower jig unit 400 and rotated by the operation of the motor. ; At least one or more first link bars 521 provided on the first shaft 510 and rotated integrally with the rotation of the first shaft 510; A second link bar 522 connected via a link structure through the first link bar 521 and the rotation shaft 523; It includes a fourth cover member 580 provided on the second link bar 522 to pressurize while covering the periphery of the overlapping region 20a of the diffusion part.

In this case, the first shaft 510 may be implemented in the same manner as the first shaft 510 according to the first embodiment.

However, in the present modified example, the first support bar 520 in the first embodiment was changed to a simple bar type and implemented as a link structure.

To this end, the first link bar 521 and the second link bar 522 are connected via a rotation shaft 523 to be implemented in a link structure. At this time, the first link bar 521 is integrally fixed to the first shaft 510, and the second link bar 522 is a rotation shaft 523 so as to be freely rotated by its own weight at the end of the first link bar 521. Connected by In addition, a fourth cover member 580 is connected to an end of the second link bar 522.

So, by the weight of the fourth cover member 580, the second link bar 522 is vertically disposed from the top to the bottom of the elastic body frame 20, and accordingly, the operation path of the fourth cover member 580 is It is formed to press the elastic body frame 20 vertically from the upper side of the elastic body frame 20 toward the lower side. Therefore, it is preferable that the fourth cover member 580 has a weight sufficient to maintain the posture of the second link bar 522 in the vertical direction. Accordingly, it is preferable that the fourth cover member 580 is formed of a heavy object so that the lower surface thereof maintains a substantially rectangular shape and forms a predetermined volume.

As the second link bar 522 maintains the vertical direction in this way, when the fourth cover member 580 presses the elastic body frame 20, the elastic body frame 20 is pushed by the fourth cover member 580 or It can prevent the occurrence of shear stress.

Next, a method of manufacturing an elastic cell frame using the elastic cell frame manufacturing apparatus for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described.

First, the elastic body frame 20 and the insert 10 are sequentially stacked and seated on the upper surface of the lower jig unit 400. At this time, if the elastic body frame 20 is lifted up in the diffusion portion due to material characteristics and shape characteristics, the elastic body frame 20 may not be seated in a fixed posture in the mounting groove of the lower jig unit 400.

Even if such a phenomenon occurs, as shown in FIG. 3, when the first shaft 510 is operated and rotated, the first support bar 520 is rotated and the first cover member 530 is rotated to rotate the first cover member 530. ) Presses and presses the periphery of the diffusion portion overlapping region 20a of the elastic body frame 20, and accordingly, the elastic body frame 20 is seated in the mounting groove 410 of the lower jig unit 400 in a fixed position.

In this way, when the elastic body frame 20 is aligned in a static posture, the power unit 330 is operated to advance the moving shaft 310 in the direction of the lower jig unit 400. At this time, heat is provided to the upper jig 320 to heat it. When the moving shaft 3100 continues to advance, the upper jig 320 moves forward and pressurizes while providing heat to the overlapping region of the insert 10 and the elastic frame 20.

Then, while the elastic frame 20 is melted by the heat provided, it is integrated while being thermally fused at the interface with the insert 10.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings and the above-described preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto, but is limited by the claims to be described later. Therefore, those of ordinary skill in the art can variously modify and modify the present invention within the scope of the technical spirit of the claims to be described later.

10: insert 20: elastic body frame
20a: diffusion region overlap region 20b: long axis region overlap region
100: base plate 200: support
300: upper jig unit 310: moving shaft
320: upper jig 330: power unit
400: lower jig unit 410: seating groove
420: cooling flow path 500: holder unit
510: first shaft 520: first support bar
521: first link bar 522: second link bar
523: rotation shaft 530: first cover member
540: second shaft 550: second support bar
560: second cover member 570: third cover member
580: fourth cover member

Claims (8)

A device for manufacturing an elastic cell frame constituting a unit cell of a fuel cell consisting of an insert in which a membrane electrode assembly and a gas diffusion layer are bonded, and a sheet-shaped elastic body frame made of a thermoplastic elastic body (TPE) integrated in the outer region of the insert. ,
A lower jig unit seated to form an overlapping area in which the insert and the elastic body frame overlap in a predetermined area;
An upper jig unit disposed above the lower jig unit to provide heat and pressure to the overlapping region to thermally bond an interface between the insert and the elastic body frame in the overlapping region;
An elastic body cell frame manufacturing apparatus for a fuel cell comprising a holder unit provided in the lower jig unit and covering a periphery of an overlapping region of the upper surface of the elastic body frame seated on the upper surface of the lower jig unit to fix the elastic body frame in a static position.
The method according to claim 1,
The upper jig unit,
A moving shaft that moves forward or backward in the direction of the lower jig unit;
An upper jig installed at one end of the moving shaft to provide heat and pressure while facing the overlapping region;
An elastic body cell frame manufacturing apparatus for a fuel cell comprising a power unit installed at the other end of the moving shaft and providing power to the moving shaft forward or backward.
The method according to claim 1,
The lower jig unit has a seating groove in which the elastic body frame is seated on an upper surface,
The holder unit is an elastic cell frame manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that provided in the outer region of the seating groove.
The method according to claim 1,
The overlapping region formed on the elastic body frame is divided into a diffusion region overlapping region formed on the diffusion portion of the elastic body frame and a long axis overlapping region formed on the long axis portion of the elastic body plane,
The holder unit is an elastic cell frame manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that provided to cover at least the periphery of the overlapping region of the diffusion unit.
The method of claim 4,
The holder unit,
A first shaft provided in an outer region of the overlapping region of the diffusion part of the upper surface of the lower jig unit and rotated by an operation of a motor;
At least one first support bar provided on the first shaft and rotated integrally with the rotation of the first shaft;
An elastic body cell frame manufacturing apparatus comprising a first cover member provided on the first support bar to pressurize while covering a periphery of the overlapping region of the diffusion unit.
The method of claim 5,
The holder unit,
A second shaft provided in an outer area of the upper surface of the lower jig unit of an overlapping area of the long axis and rotated by an operation of a motor;
At least one second support bar provided on the second shaft and rotated integrally with the rotation of the second shaft;
An elastic body cell frame manufacturing apparatus comprising a second cover member provided on the second support bar to pressurize while covering a periphery of the overlapping region of the long axis part.
The method of claim 4,
The holder unit,
A second shaft provided in an outer area of the upper surface of the lower jig unit of an overlapping area of the long axis and rotated by an operation of a motor;
At least one second support bar provided on the second shaft and rotated integrally with the rotation of the second shaft;
An elastic body cell frame manufacturing apparatus comprising a third cover member provided on the second support bar to simultaneously cover and press the peripheries of the overlapping region of the diffusion portion and the overlapping region of the long axis portion.
The method of claim 4,
The holder unit,
A first shaft provided in an outer region of the overlapping region of the diffusion part of the upper surface of the lower jig unit and rotated by an operation of a motor;
At least one first link bar provided on the first shaft and rotated integrally with the rotation of the first shaft;
A second link bar connected to the first link bar and the rotation shaft through a link structure;
An elastic body cell frame manufacturing apparatus comprising a fourth cover member provided on the second link bar to pressurize while covering a periphery of the overlapping region of the diffusion unit.

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