Equipment for manufacturing elastomeric cell frames for fuel cells

Abstract

An apparatus for manufacturing an elastomeric cell frame for a fuel cell may include: an apparatus for manufacturing an elastomeric cell frame, the apparatus including an insert in which a membrane electrode assembly and a gas diffusion layer are combined, and a sheet-like elastomeric frame made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), the frame being integrated into an outer region of the insert to form a unit cell of the fuel cell; a lower clamp module so as to accommodate an overlapping region where the insert and the elastomeric frame overlap in a predetermined region; and an upper clamp module mounted above the lower clamp module to provide heat and pressure to the overlapping region to thermally bond an interface between the insert and the elastomeric frame in the overlapping region.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing an elastomeric cell frame for a fuel cell, and more particularly to an apparatus for manufacturing an elastomeric cell frame for a fuel cell, in which a sheet-like elastomeric frame made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) is integrally bonded to an insert in which a membrane electrode assembly and a gas diffusion layer are bonded without a separate bonding member. Background Art

[0002] A fuel cell is a power generation device configured to cause the chemical energy of the fuel in the stack to undergo an electrochemical reaction to convert it into electrical energy. It is used not only to provide driving force for industry, homes and vehicles, but also to provide power for small electronic products (such as portable devices). Recently, its scope of use has gradually expanded to efficient clean energy.

[0003] The unit cell of a general fuel cell has a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) installed in its innermost part, and the membrane electrode assembly is composed of a polymer electrolyte membrane capable of transferring hydrogen protons and a catalyst layer, namely a cathode and an anode, and the catalyst layer is coated on both sides of the polymer electrolyte membrane in order to make hydrogen and oxygen react with each other.

[0004] In addition, a pair of separators for supplying reaction gas and discharging water generated by the reaction are installed on one surface and the other surface of the membrane electrode assembly, that is, on the outside where the cathode and the anode are installed. At this time, a gas diffusion layer (GDL) for diffusing or smoothing the flow of the reaction gas and the generated water can be provided between the membrane electrode assembly and the separator.

[0005] Meanwhile, a membrane electrode gasket assembly (MEGA) for integrating a membrane electrode assembly and a gasket into one body has been conventionally manufactured and used to maintain airtightness of unit cells and convenience in a stacking process.

[0006] Furthermore, recently, there has been provided an integrated frame for integrating an insert having a gas diffusion layer coupled to a membrane electrode assembly and a gasket.

[0007] However, conventional integrated frames have been bonded together by using an adhesive to bond the frame and the insert of the plastic material. In addition, when manufacturing a unit battery by using the conventional integrated frame, a separate bonding member and a sealing member are required to bond the separator and the integrated frame. This process leads to an increase in material cost and manufacturing cost.

[0008] Furthermore, conventionally, a pair of separators facing each other are previously bonded to each other, and then the separators are aligned with each other in unit cells adjacent to each other when the unit cells are stacked during a stacking process.

[0009] Therefore, the applicant conducted research to integrate the gasket with the insert by replacing a sheet-like elastomeric frame made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), and therefore, required an apparatus configured to perform thermal bonding by simultaneously providing heat and pressure to the elastomeric frame and the insert.

[0010] The information included in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and is not to be taken as an admission or any form of suggestion that this information constitutes the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art. Summary of the invention

[0011] Various aspects of the present invention are directed to providing an apparatus for manufacturing an elastomeric cell frame for a fuel cell, which can integrally bond an insert and an elastomeric frame without a separate bonding member by simultaneously providing heat and pressure to an overlap region between the insert and the elastomeric frame.

[0012] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for manufacturing an elastomeric cell frame for a fuel cell includes: an apparatus for manufacturing an elastomeric cell frame including an insert and a sheet-like elastomeric frame to form a unit cell of a fuel cell, wherein the insert is combined with a membrane electrode assembly and a gas diffusion layer, and the sheet-like elastomeric frame is made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) integrated into an outer area of ​​the insert; a lower clamp module to accommodate an overlapping area where the insert and the elastomeric frame overlap in a predetermined area; and an upper clamp module installed above the lower clamp module to provide heat and pressure to the overlapping area to thermally bond the interface between the insert and the elastomeric frame in the overlapping area.

[0013] The upper clamp module includes a movable shaft that moves forward from the lower clamp module or moves backward toward the lower clamp module; an upper clamp installed at one end of the movable shaft to provide heat and pressure when opposite to the overlapping area; and a power unit installed at the other end of the movable shaft to provide power to operate the movable shaft forward or backward.

[0014] The overlapping area includes a short-axis overlapping area and a long-axis overlapping area, the short-axis overlapping area is formed on the short-axis portion of the elastomeric frame, and the long-axis overlapping area is formed on the long-axis portion of the elastomeric frame, the upper clamp includes a first upper clamp and a second upper clamp, the first upper clamp is used to provide heat and pressure to the short-axis overlapping area, the second upper clamp is used to provide heat and pressure to the long-axis overlapping area, and the movable axis includes: a first movable axis and a second movable axis, the first movable axis is connected to the first upper clamp to move the first upper clamp, and the second movable axis is connected to the second upper clamp to move the second upper clamp.

[0015] The first upper clamp includes a first main body and a first heating part, the first main body is connected to the first movable axis, the first heating part protrudes toward the lower clamp module on the surface of the first main body to provide heat and pressure when directly opposite to the short axis overlapping area, and the second upper clamp includes a second main body and a second heating part, the second main body is connected to the second movable axis, and the second heating part protrudes toward the lower clamp module on the surface of the second main body to provide heat and pressure when directly opposite to the long axis overlapping area.

[0016] The first movable axis is formed in a hollow tube at both ends thereof, and the second movable axis is slidably installed by penetrating the interior of the first movable axis, and the second main body portion of the second upper clamp is installed more toward the lower clamp module than the first main body portion of the first upper clamp, and the first heating portion of the first upper clamp protrudes more toward the lower clamp module than the second heating portion of the second upper clamp.

[0017] The first heating part and the second heating part are made of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the first body part and the second body part.

[0018] The power unit independently controls whether to move the first moving axis and the second moving axis and the amount of movement thereof.

[0019] The apparatus for manufacturing an elastomeric cell frame for a fuel cell further includes a base plate in which the lower jig module is accommodated; and a support module mounted on the base plate to support so that the upper jig module is mounted above the lower jig module.

[0020] The first upper jig includes a first non-contact portion formed so that the first heating portion does not directly contact the elastic body frame in other areas other than the short axis overlap area.

[0021] The second upper jig includes a second non-contact portion formed so that the second heating portion does not directly contact the elastic body frame in other regions than the major axis overlap region.

[0022] The first upper jig includes a first contact portion formed so that the first heating portion is in direct contact with the elastomer frame in other regions than the minor axis overlap region.

[0023] The second upper jig includes a second contact portion formed so that the second heating portion is in direct contact with the elastomer frame in other regions than the major axis overlap region.

[0024] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an insert in which a membrane electrode assembly and a gas diffusion layer have been bonded can be easily aligned and thermally bonded, and a sheet-like elastomer frame made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) is integrated into an outer region of the insert.

[0025] Furthermore, the overlap area between the insert and the elastomeric frame may be divided by region, and the upper fixture module may be divided according to each region to control the heat and pressure conditions provided to each region in different ways, thereby enhancing the quality of the elastomeric battery frame.

[0026] The method and apparatus of the present invention have other features and advantages, which will become apparent or will be described in more detail in the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings herein. Figure 1 It is used to explain some principles of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 is a side view showing an apparatus for manufacturing an elastomer cell frame for a fuel cell according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,

[0028] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of an apparatus for manufacturing an elastomer cell frame for a fuel cell according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,

[0029] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a main part of an upper fixture module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,

[0030] Figure 4 , Figure 5A and Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of a main part according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and

[0031] Fig. 6A , Figure 6B , Fig. 7A and Figure 7B 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a cross section of a heating portion according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0032] It will be appreciated that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but rather show somewhat simplified representations of various features illustrating the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the present invention as incorporated herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes, will be determined in part by the specific intended application and use environment.

[0033] In the drawings, reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present invention throughout the several views. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings and described below. Although the present invention will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that this specification is not intended to limit the present invention to those exemplary embodiments. On the other hand, the present invention is intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0035] 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 exemplary embodiments included below, but can be implemented in various forms that are different from each other. These embodiments are provided to make the present invention more thorough and complete and to fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements.

[0036] Figure 1 is a side view showing an apparatus for manufacturing an elastomer cell frame for a fuel cell according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of an apparatus for manufacturing an elastomer cell frame for a fuel cell according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a main part of an upper fixture module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 , Figure 5A and Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of a main part according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 6A , Figure 6B , Fig. 7A and Figure 7B 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a cross section of a heating portion according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0037] at present, Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line AA of Figure 5A It is along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view taken along line BB of Figure 5B It is along Figure 3 Cross-sectional view taken along line CC.

[0038] As shown in the figure, an apparatus for manufacturing an elastomeric cell frame for a fuel cell according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for manufacturing an elastomeric cell frame including: an insert 10 in which a membrane electrode assembly 20 and a gas diffusion layer 30 are combined; and a sheet-like elastomeric frame 40 made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), which is integrated into an outer region of the insert 10 to form a unit cell of the fuel cell and is generally divided into a substrate 100, a support module 200, an upper clamp module 300 and a lower clamp module 400.

[0039] First, the insert 10 and the elastomer frame 40 forming the elastomer battery frame manufactured by using the present invention will be described.

[0040] The insert 10 is an assembly in which a membrane electrode assembly 20 and a pair of gas diffusion layers 30 are stacked, and the gas diffusion layers 30 are mounted and stacked on one side and the other side of the membrane electrode assembly 20, respectively.

[0041] The membrane electrode assembly 20 is implemented by a polymer electrolyte membrane 21 configured to move hydrogen protons and an electrode layer 22 coated with a catalyst so that hydrogen and oxygen can react on both sides of the polymer electrolyte membrane (i.e., a general membrane electrode assembly composed of a cathode and an anode). Therefore, the membrane electrode assembly 20 according to the exemplary embodiment has a pair of electrode layers 22 formed on both sides of the polymer electrolyte membrane 21.

[0042] The gas diffusion layer 30 passes the reaction gas flowing through the separator while diffusing it to the membrane electrode assembly 20, and the gas diffusion layer 30 is composed of a separate substrate or a substrate and a microporous layer (MPL) formed on one side of the substrate. At this time, the materials of the substrate and the microporous layer are implemented by the materials applied to the general gas diffusion layer.

[0043] Meanwhile, the insert 10 is configured such that the polymer electrolyte membrane 21 and the electrode layer 22 , in which thermal bonding with the elastomer frame 40 is relatively easier than the gas diffusion layer 30 , are directly opposed and easily bonded by thermal bonding with the elastomer frame 40 .

[0044] For this purpose, Figure 2As shown, the lengths of the electrode layer 22 and the gas diffusion layer 30 sequentially formed on both sides of the polymer electrolyte membrane 21 may be applied differently. For example, the lengths of the electrode layer 22 and the gas diffusion layer 30 formed on one side of the polymer electrolyte membrane 21 and the lengths of the electrode layer 22 and the gas diffusion layer 30 formed on the other side thereof may be formed differently from each other. Therefore, the side surface and one side edge portion of the polymer electrolyte membrane 21 may be exposed, and the side surface and one side edge portion of the electrode layer 22 may also be exposed. Of course, the lengths and shapes of the polymer electrolyte membrane 21, the electrode layer 22, and the gas diffusion layer 30 forming the insert 10 are not limited to specific lengths and shapes, and may be achieved by making various changes thereto to thermally bond with the elastomer frame 40.

[0045] The elastomer frame 40 is a device for airtightness and stacking processing of the insert 10 integrally formed in the outer area of ​​the insert 10, and the elastomer frame 40 is formed into a sheet by using thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) to be bonded by thermal bonding without a separate bonding member while maintaining a predetermined shape.

[0046] At the same time, the insert 10 and the elastomer frame 40 have an overlapping area that overlaps in a predetermined area. The elastomer frame 40 is installed to surround the edge portion of the insert 10 in the outer area of ​​the insert 10. Therefore, an overlapping area is formed in the outer peripheral area of ​​the insert 10 and the inner peripheral area of ​​the elastomer frame.

[0047] like Figure 2 , Figure 5A and Figure 5B As shown, the elastomeric frame 40 has through holes 42 corresponding to a plurality of intake manifolds and exhaust manifolds formed on a partition forming a unit cell of a fuel cell, the intake manifolds and exhaust manifolds being formed in both ends based on the longitudinal direction thereof, and the through holes 42 are formed with sealing protrusions 41 for sealing in an area surrounding a reaction surface on which the insert 10 is mounted.

[0048] Therefore, a diffusion portion is formed between the through hole 42 and the reaction surface area, wherein the insert 10 is mounted on both ends of the elastomeric frame 40 based on the longitudinal direction thereof, and a sealing portion is formed on both ends based on the width direction of the elastomeric frame 40. Therefore, the overlapping area formed in the elastomeric frame 40 includes an area corresponding to the diffusion portion of the elastomeric frame 40, that is, a short-axis overlapping area 40b formed on the short-axis portion of the elastomeric frame 40, and an area corresponding to the sealing portion of the elastomeric frame 40, that is, a long-axis overlapping area 40a formed on the long-axis portion of the elastomeric frame 40.

[0049] The apparatus for manufacturing an elastomer cell frame for a fuel cell according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is used to integrate the insert 10 and the elastomer frame 40 configured as described above by thermally bonding them together, and the apparatus further includes: a lower jig module 400 accommodating an overlapped area where the insert 10 and the elastomer frame 40 overlap at a predetermined area; an upper jig module 300 mounted on an upper portion of the lower jig module 400, and thermally bonding an interface between the insert 10 and the elastomer frame 40 in the overlapped area by providing heat and pressure to the overlapped area. In addition, the apparatus for manufacturing an elastomer cell frame for a fuel cell according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention further includes: a substrate 100 on which the lower jig module 400 is accommodated; and a support module 200 mounted on the substrate 100 for support such that the upper jig module 300 is mounted above the lower jig module 400.

[0050] The base plate 100 is configured as a base on which a support module 200 for supporting the upper fixture module 300 and the lower fixture module 400 is mounted. The base plate 100 is not limited to a specific shape or form and may be implemented by various changes so that the lower fixture module 400 and the support module 200 can be stably accommodated and installed. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the base plate is implemented by a plate having a flat surface formed on the top.

[0051] The support module 200 is a module for supporting the upper fixture module 300, which can be installed above the lower fixture module 400, and is divided into a vertical support 210 perpendicular to the substrate 100 and a horizontal support 220 extending parallel to the substrate 100. Therefore, the upper fixture module 300 is supported by the horizontal support 220. Of course, the support module 200 is not divided into the vertical support 210 and the horizontal support 220, and the vertical support 210 and the horizontal support 220 can be formed integrally. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the cantilever shape formed by the vertical support 210 and the horizontal support 220, and can be implemented in various forms, which can be arranged while stably supporting the upper fixture module 300 above the lower fixture module 400.

[0052] The upper clamp module 300 is a module for thermally bonding the interface between the insert 10 and the elastomeric frame 40 by simultaneously providing heat and pressure to the overlapping area between the insert 10 and the elastomeric frame 40 accommodated on the lower clamp module 400, and includes a movable shaft 310 that moves forward or backward toward the lower clamp module 400; an upper clamp 320 installed at one end of the movable shaft 310 to provide heat and pressure while opposite to the overlapping area; and a power unit 350, installed at the other end of the movable shaft 310, to provide power for the forward or backward operation of the movable shaft 310.

[0053] The moving shaft 310 is a mechanism that moves the lower clamp module 400 forward or backward by the power provided from the power part 350, and its operation method can be realized by variously changing it according to various forms of the power part 350. The exemplary embodiment of the present invention is realized in the form of a rod that moves forward or backward by the operation of the motor forming the power part 350.

[0054] The upper clamp 320 is installed at the end of the moving shaft 310 to move forward together with the lower clamp module 400 by the forward or backward movement of the moving shaft 310 to provide pressure to the overlapping area between the insert 10 and the elastomer frame 40. In addition, the upper clamp 320 is heated by the heating device to provide heat together with pressure to the overlapping area between the insert 10 and the elastomer frame 40.

[0055] The power part 350 is used to provide power to move the moving shaft 310 forward or backward, and can be implemented in various ways configured to operate the moving shaft 310. The exemplary embodiment includes a motor configured to operate the moving shaft 310 forward or backward to control the forward or backward level of the moving shaft 310 according to whether the motor is operated and the control of the operation amount thereof, so that the upper clamp 320 adjusts the pressure of the overlapping area between the pressing insert 10 and the elastomer frame 40 accommodated in the lower clamp module 400.

[0056] At the same time, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the overlapping area between the insert 10 and the elastomeric frame 40 includes a short-axis overlapping area 40b and a long-axis overlapping area 40a, and currently, the upper clamp module 300 is configured to provide heat and pressure to the short-axis overlapping area 40b and the long-axis overlapping area 40a, respectively.

[0057] For example, Figure 3 As shown, the upper fixture 320 includes a first upper fixture 330 and a second upper fixture 340, wherein the first upper fixture 330 is used to provide heat and pressure to the short axis overlap region 40b, and the second upper fixture 340 is used to provide heat and pressure to the long axis overlap region 40a. In addition, the moving shaft 310 includes a first moving shaft 311 and a second moving shaft 312, wherein the first moving shaft 311 is used to move the first upper fixture 330, and the second moving shaft 312 is used to move the second upper fixture 340. At this time, the first moving shaft 311 is formed in a tube having a hollow at both ends, and the second moving shaft 312 is installed by penetrating the interior of the first moving shaft 311, so that the first moving shaft 311 and the second moving shaft 312 are separately moved forward or backward.

[0058] Therefore, the power unit 350 can move the first moving shaft 311 through the first upper clamp 330 to provide heat and pressure to the short axis overlap area 40b, and the power unit 350 can separately move the second moving shaft 312 through the second upper clamp 340 to provide heat and pressure to the long axis overlap area 40a. Therefore, the power unit 350 separately operates whether to move the first moving shaft 311 and the second moving shaft 312 and the amount of movement thereof. For this purpose, the power unit 350 is provided with a motor for operating the first moving shaft 311 and a motor configured to operate the second moving shaft 312, respectively.

[0059] In addition, the first upper jig 330 and the second upper jig 340 locally provide heat and pressure to the short-axis overlap region 40b and the long-axis overlap region 40a, respectively. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the first upper jig 330 includes a first body portion 331 connected to the first moving shaft 311 and a first heating portion 332 protruding toward the lower jig module 400 on the surface of the first body portion 331 to provide heat and pressure when directly opposite to the short-axis overlap region 40b. In addition, the second upper jig 340 includes a second body portion 341 connected to the second moving shaft 312 and a second heating portion 342 protruding toward the lower jig module 400 on the surface of the second body portion 341 to provide heat and pressure when directly opposite to the long-axis overlap region 40a.

[0060] At present, since the first moving shaft 311 and the second moving shaft 312 are formed by a double-tube structure, the first upper clamp 330 and the second upper clamp 340 are installed to overlap each other. Therefore, the second body 341 of the second upper clamp 340 is installed to be installed more toward the lower clamp module 400 than the first body 331 of the first upper clamp 330, and thus installed farther than the first body 331, so that the first body part 331 and the second body part 341 are installed in a form of overlapping each other. However, the first heating part 332 of the first upper clamp 330 protrudes more toward the lower clamp module 400 than the second heating part 342 of the second upper clamp 340. Therefore, the first moving shaft 311 and the second moving shaft 312 are separately operated forward or backward, respectively, so as not to interfere with the operation of the first heating part 332 and the second heating part 342 to provide heat and pressure to the short axis overlap area 40b and the long axis overlap area 40a, respectively.

[0061] Of course, the construction of the first movable axis 311 and the first upper clamp 330 and the second movable axis 312 and the second upper clamp 340 is not limited to the included embodiments, but can be achieved by changing them in various ways to provide heat and pressure to the short axis overlap area 40b and the long axis overlap area 40a, respectively.

[0062] At the same time, since the first heating part 332 and the second heating part 342 directly provide heat and pressure to the short-axis overlap region 40b and the long-axis overlap region 40a, and preferably the first main body part 331 and the second main body part 341 do not provide heat and pressure to the region other than the short-axis overlap region 40b and the long-axis overlap region 40a, the first heating part 332 and the second heating part 342 are made of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the first main body part 331 and the second main body part 341.

[0063] In addition, the short-axis overlap area 40b and the long-axis overlap area 40a can have different thicknesses, and currently, the first heating part 332 and the second heating part 342 can change the shape of the surface facing the short-axis overlap area 40b and the long-axis overlap area 40a to provide the same surface pressure to each other with different thicknesses.

[0064] For example, Fig. 6A As shown, a second non-contact portion 342a can be formed so that when the second heating portion 342 provides heat and pressure to the long-axis overlapping region 40a, the second heating portion 342 is not in direct contact with the elastomeric frame 40 in other regions except the long-axis overlapping region 40a, so that when the second heating portion 342 presses the long-axis overlapping region 40a, the surface pressure pressed to the long-axis overlapping region 40a can be detected by measuring the compression displacement of the elastomeric frame 40.

[0065] In addition, if Figure 6B As shown, a first non-contact portion 332a can be formed so that when the first heating portion 332 provides heat and pressure to the short-axis overlapping region 40b, the first heating portion 332 is not in direct contact with the elastomeric frame 40 in other regions except the short-axis overlapping region 40b, so that when the first heating portion 332 presses the short-axis overlapping region 40b, the surface pressure pressed to the short-axis overlapping region 40b can be detected by measuring the compression displacement of the elastomeric frame 40.

[0066] Therefore, the surface pressure pressed to the major axis overlap region 40a and the surface pressure pressed to the minor axis overlap region 40b may be compared to control the movement amounts of the second moving axis 312 and the first moving axis 311, respectively, thereby providing the same surface pressure to each other.

[0067] At the same time, if Fig. 7AAs shown, the second contact portion 342b can be formed so that when the second heating portion 342 provides heat and pressure to the long-axis overlapping region 40a, the second heating portion 342 is in direct contact with the elastomeric frame 40 in other regions except the long-axis overlapping region 40a, so that when the second heating portion 342 presses the long-axis overlapping region 40a, the surface pressure pressed to the long-axis overlapping region 40a can be detected by measuring the load applied to the elastomeric frame 40 by the second contact portion 342b.

[0068] In addition, if Figure 7B As shown, the first contact portion 332b can be formed so that when the first heating portion 332 provides heat and pressure to the short-axis overlapping region 40b, the first heating portion 332 is in direct contact with the elastomeric frame 40 in other regions except the short-axis overlapping region 40b, so that when the first heating portion 332 presses the short-axis overlapping region 40b, the surface pressure pressed to the short-axis overlapping region 40b can be detected by measuring the load applied to the elastomeric frame 40 by the first contact portion 332b.

[0069] Therefore, the surface pressure pressed to the major axis overlap region 40a and the surface pressure pressed to the minor axis overlap region 40b may be compared with each other to respectively control the movement amounts of the second moving axis 312 and the first moving axis 311 so as to provide the same surface pressure to each other.

[0070] The lower fixture module 400 is a module on which the insert 10 and the elastomer frame 40 are accommodated to perform thermal bonding between the insert 10 and the elastomer frame 40, and the lower fixture module 400 is installed on the upper surface of the substrate 100. Therefore, the lower fixture module 400 has the elastomer frame 40 and the insert 10 accommodated in sequence. Therefore, the upper surface of the lower fixture module 400 is implemented in a shape corresponding to the shape of the lower surface of the elastomer frame 40. For example, the upper surface of the lower fixture module 400 is formed by corresponding to the overall shape of the elastomer frame 40 and the shape of the sealing protrusion 41.

[0071] A mounting groove 410 corresponding to the shape of the elastomer frame 40 is formed on the upper surface of the lower clamp module 400. At this time, a sealing groove 411 corresponding to the sealing protrusion 41 of the elastomer frame 40 may be formed in the mounting groove 410, and a through hole protrusion 412 corresponding to the through hole 42 of the elastomer frame 40 may be formed.

[0072] Next, a method of manufacturing an elastomer cell frame by using the apparatus for manufacturing an elastomer cell frame for a fuel cell according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described.

[0073] First, the insert 10 and the elastomer frame 40 are overlapped and accommodated in the mounting groove 410 of the lower jig module 400. At this time, when the sealing protrusion 41 and the through hole 42 are installed corresponding to the sealing groove 411 and the through hole 42 formed on the lower jig module 400, the elastomer frame 40 is accommodated in the mounting groove 410 of the lower jig module 400 in an easily aligned state.

[0074] As described above, when the insert 10 and the elastomer frame 40 are accommodated in the lower clamp module 400 in a stable posture, the power unit 350 is operated to advance the first movable shaft 311 and the second movable shaft 312 toward the lower clamp module. At this time, the first heating unit 332 and the second heating unit 342 are heated by receiving heat. When the first movable shaft 311 and the second movable shaft 312 are continuously advanced, the first heating unit 332 and the second heating unit 342 face the short axis overlap area 40b and the long axis overlap area 40a, respectively, and provide heat to the short axis overlap area 40b and the long axis overlap area 40a by continuously advancing, while pressurizing them.

[0075] Therefore, the elastomer frame 40 is melted by the heat provided and thermally bonded at the interface with the insert 10. At this time, since the movement amounts of the first movable axis 311 and the second movable axis 312 are controlled separately, the heat and pressure provided to the short-axis overlap region 40b and the long-axis overlap region 40a are controlled separately. As described above, since the heat and pressure provided to the short-axis overlap region 40b and the long-axis overlap region 40a are controlled separately, even if the thicknesses of the short-axis overlap region 40b and the long-axis overlap region 40a are different from each other, the same surface pressure can be provided, so that the insert 10 and the elastomer frame 40 can be thermally bonded to be uniformly integrated in the short-axis overlap region 40b and the long-axis overlap region 40a whose thicknesses are different from each other.

[0076] For convenience of explanation and accurate definition of the appended claims, the terms "above", "below", "inside", "outside", "up", "down", "upward", "downward", "front", "back", "backside", "inside", "outside", "inward", "outward", "inside", "outside", "forward" and "rearward" are used to refer to the features of the exemplary embodiments as described in the positions shown in the drawings. It will also be understood that the term "connect" or its derivatives refer to both direct and indirect connections.

[0077] For the purpose of illustration and description, the foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been given. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise form disclosed, and it is apparent that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. Exemplary embodiments are selected and described to explain certain principles of the present invention and their practical applications so that other persons skilled in the art can make and utilize various exemplary embodiments of the present invention and various substitutions and modifications thereof. The scope of the present invention is intended to be limited by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An apparatus for manufacturing an elastomeric cell frame for a fuel cell, It is a device for manufacturing an elastomeric cell frame comprising an insert in which a membrane electrode assembly and a gas diffusion layer are incorporated and a sheet-like elastomeric frame made of a thermoplastic elastomer integrated into the outer region of the insert to form a unit cell of a fuel cell, the device comprising: a lower fixture module to accommodate an overlap region where the insert and the sheet-like elastomeric frame overlap at a predetermined region; as well as an upper fixture module mounted above the lower fixture module to provide heat and pressure to the overlap region to thermally bond the interface between the insert and the sheet-like elastomeric frame in the overlap region, Wherein, the upper fixture module comprises: a moving shaft that moves forward from the lower fixture module or moves backward toward the lower fixture module; an upper fixture mounted on the first end of the moving shaft to provide heat and pressure when opposed to the overlap region; and A power unit is installed at the second end of the moving shaft to provide power to move the moving shaft forward or backward. The overlapping region includes a short-axis overlapping region and a long-axis overlapping region, wherein the short-axis overlapping region is formed on the short-axis portion of the sheet-like elastic body frame, and the long-axis overlapping region is formed on the long-axis portion of the sheet-like elastic body frame. The upper clamp comprises a first upper clamp and a second upper clamp, the first upper clamp is used to provide heat and pressure to the short axis overlapping area, the second upper clamp is used to provide heat and pressure to the long axis overlapping area, and Wherein, the moving axis includes: a first moving axis and a second moving axis, the first moving axis is connected to the first upper clamp to move the first upper clamp, and the second moving axis is connected to the second upper clamp to move the second upper clamp.

2. The apparatus for manufacturing an elastomeric cell frame for a fuel cell according to claim 1, in, The first upper fixture includes a first body portion connected to the first moving axis and a first heating portion protruding on a surface of the first body portion toward the lower fixture module to provide heat and pressure when directly opposite to the short axis overlap area, and Wherein, the second upper clamp includes a second main body portion and a second heating portion, the second main body portion is connected to the second movable axis, and the second heating portion protrudes toward the lower clamp module on the surface of the second main body portion to provide heat and pressure when directly opposite to the long axis overlapping area.

3. The apparatus for manufacturing an elastomeric cell frame for a fuel cell according to claim 2, in, The first moving shaft is formed in a tube having a hollow formed by a first end portion and a second end portion of the first moving shaft, and the second moving shaft is slidably installed by penetrating an interior of the first moving shaft, and The second main body of the second upper clamp is installed toward the lower clamp module more than the first main body of the first upper clamp, and the first heating part of the first upper clamp protrudes toward the lower clamp module more than the second heating part of the second upper clamp.

4. The apparatus for manufacturing an elastomeric cell frame for a fuel cell according to claim 2, in, The first heating part and the second heating part are made of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than that of the first body part and the second body part.

5. The apparatus for manufacturing an elastomeric cell frame for a fuel cell according to claim 1, in, The power unit individually operates whether to move the first moving shaft and the second moving shaft, and controls the movement amounts of the first moving shaft and the second moving shaft.

6. The apparatus for manufacturing an elastomeric cell frame for a fuel cell according to claim 1, further comprising a base plate in which the lower fixture module is accommodated; and A support module is installed on the base plate for support so that the upper fixture module is installed above the lower fixture module.

7. The apparatus for manufacturing an elastomeric cell frame for a fuel cell according to claim 1, in, A mounting groove corresponding to the shape of the sheet-shaped elastic body frame is formed on an upper surface of the lower jig module.

8. The apparatus for manufacturing an elastomeric cell frame for a fuel cell according to claim 7, in, A sealing groove corresponding to the sealing protrusion of the sheet-like elastic body frame is formed in the mounting groove.

9. The apparatus for manufacturing an elastomeric cell frame for a fuel cell according to claim 1, in, A through-hole protrusion corresponding to the through-hole of the sheet-shaped elastic body frame is formed on an upper surface of the lower jig module.

10. The apparatus for manufacturing an elastomeric cell frame for a fuel cell according to claim 2, in, The first upper clamp includes a first non-contact portion formed so that the first heating portion does not directly contact the elastic body frame in other areas other than the short axis overlap area, The second upper clamp includes a second non-contact portion, and the second non-contact portion is formed so that the second heating portion does not directly contact the elastic frame in other areas other than the long-axis overlapping area.

11. The apparatus for manufacturing an elastomeric cell frame for a fuel cell according to claim 2, in, The first upper clamp includes a first contact portion formed so that the first heating portion is in direct contact with the elastic body frame in other regions other than the minor axis overlap region, The second upper clamp includes a second contact portion formed so that the second heating portion is in direct contact with the elastic frame in other regions other than the long axis overlapping region.

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