Spacer integrated gasket

Abstract

The present invention provides a separator integrated gasket capable of improving production efficiency. The separator integrated gasket comprises a separator body (100) for a fuel cell and a gasket (150) made of an elastic system and integrally arranged on the separator body (100), wherein the separator body (100) comprises a flange (130) and a pair of protrusions (141, 142), wherein the pair of protrusions (141, 142) are respectively arranged on both sides of the flange (130) for blocking liquid rubber applied on the flange (130), and the gasket (150) is formed by curing the liquid rubber.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a separator-integrated gasket for a fuel cell. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there are known methods of forming a gasket on a separator for a fuel cell by various methods such as screen printing, etc. In addition, among such techniques, there is a known technique of providing a bead on the separator in order to improve sealing performance and forming a gasket on the bead.

[0003] Reference Figure 8 (a) and (b) of the drawings illustrate a separator-integrated gasket according to a conventional example. Figure 8 (a) and (b) are schematic cross-sectional views of a separator-integrated gasket according to a conventional example, wherein (a) shows a state when the gasket is properly formed, and (b) shows a state when a defect occurs during the manufacturing process.

[0004] The separator integrated gasket 500G includes a separator body 500 for a fuel cell and a gasket 550 made of an elastic material and integrally provided on the separator body 500. A flange 510 is provided on the separator body 500. By providing the gasket 550 made of an elastic material on the flange 510, the sealing performance is improved. In addition, in order to improve the sealing performance, it is necessary to provide the gasket 550 of the desired height t at the correct position on the flange 510. The gasket 550 is generally formed by curing liquid rubber. In addition, liquid rubber is applied on the flange 510 along the flange 510 by various methods such as screen printing, coating using a dispenser, and inkjet, and the applied liquid rubber is cured, thereby forming the gasket 550.

[0005] The liquid rubber applied to the flange 510 is cured by its surface tension while maintaining the shape at the time of application, thereby forming a gasket 550 of a desired shape (see Figure 8 However, for some reason, the shape of the applied liquid rubber cannot be maintained, and the liquid rubber sometimes flows down to the bottom of the flange 510. Figure 8 (b) shows a state where a portion (portion indicated by 560X in the figure) of the liquid rubber 560 flows down toward the lower side of the flange 510. In particular, such a phenomenon is likely to occur when the viscosity of the liquid rubber is low or the desired height t is high. If the liquid rubber flows down, the gasket 550 of the desired size and shape cannot be obtained, resulting in a defective product, thereby reducing production efficiency.

[0006] Prior art literature

[0007] Patent Documents

[0008] Patent document 1: International Publication No. 2007 / 10914. Summary of the invention

[0009] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a gasket that can improve production efficiency.

[0011] Means used to solve problems

[0012] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention adopts the following means.

[0013] That is, the separator-integrated gasket of the present invention comprises a separator body for a fuel cell and a gasket made of an elastic material integrally provided on the separator body, and is characterized in that:

[0014] The partition body includes a flange and a pair of protrusions, wherein the pair of protrusions are respectively arranged on both sides of the flange and are used to block the liquid rubber coated on the flange.

[0015] Furthermore, the gasket is formed by solidifying the liquid rubber.

[0016] According to the present invention, when the liquid rubber is applied to the flange, the liquid rubber is blocked by the pair of protrusions and can be prevented from flowing down further, so that the size and shape of the liquid rubber on the flange can be stabilized.

[0017] The gasket may be provided in such a manner as to cover a boundary portion between the flange and the protrusion.

[0018] In addition, the gasket may be provided so as to cover the entire protrusion.

[0019] According to such a structure, deformation of the separator body can be suppressed when the gasket is compressed, thereby suppressing the gasket from peeling off from the separator body.

[0020] The partition body is provided with a stepped protruding portion protruding from the flat plate-shaped portion, and among the stepped protruding portion, the protruding portion in the center in the width direction is the flange, and the two protruding portions on both sides in the width direction that are lower in height than the flange are the pair of protrusions.

[0021] In addition, preferably, the partition body is provided with three adjacent protruding parts protruding from the flat plate-shaped part, among which the central protruding part is the flange, and the two protruding parts on both sides of the protruding part whose height is lower than the flange are the pair of protrusions.

[0022] A pair of auxiliary protrusions are provided so as to sandwich the flange and the pair of protrusions. The pair of auxiliary protrusions are capable of blocking the liquid rubber, and at least one pair of the pair of auxiliary protrusions is provided.

[0023] Thus, the liquid rubber is blocked at multiple stages, so that the size and shape of the liquid rubber on the flange can be further stabilized.

[0024] Effects of the Invention

[0025] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to improve production efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 is a top view of a spacer-integrated gasket according to Example 1 of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a portion of a fuel cell according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 (a) to (c) are manufacturing process diagrams of the spacer-integrated gasket involved in Example 1 of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a spacer-integrated gasket according to Example 2 of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a spacer-integrated gasket according to Example 3 of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a spacer-integrated gasket according to Example 4 of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a spacer-integrated gasket according to Example 5 of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 8 (a) and (b) are schematic cross-sectional views of a separator-integrated gasket according to a conventional example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The following is a detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative configurations, etc. of the components described in the embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention to these unless otherwise specifically described.

[0035] (Example 1)

[0036] Reference Figure 1 to Figure 3, a separator-integrated gasket according to Example 1 of the present invention is described. Figure 1 It is a top view of the spacer-integrated gasket according to Example 1 of the present invention. Figure 2 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a portion of a fuel cell according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 2 In the pair of spacer integrated gaskets 100G, the lower spacer integrated gasket 100G corresponds to Figure 1 AA section view in. Figure 3 (a) to (c) are manufacturing process diagrams of the spacer-integrated gasket according to Example 1 of the present invention. Figure 3 The partition body 100 shown in (a) to (c) is equivalent to Figure 1 AA section view in.

[0037] <Fuel Cell>

[0038] Reference Figure 2 A fuel cell having a separator-integrated gasket 100G according to this embodiment is described. Generally, a fuel cell is constructed as a cell stack composed of a plurality of single cells. Figure 2 , a schematic cross-sectional view of a single cell 10 is shown. The single cell 10 has a pair of separator-integrated gaskets 100G and an MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly) disposed between the pair of separator-integrated gaskets 100G. The membrane electrode assembly includes an electrolyte membrane 200 and a pair of gas diffusion layers 300 disposed on both sides of the electrolyte membrane 200.

[0039] <Spacer integrated gasket>

[0040] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , a separator-integrated gasket 100G provided in a fuel cell (single cell 10) is described in more detail. The separator-integrated gasket 100G has a separator body 100 for a fuel cell, and a gasket 150 made of an elastic system integrally provided on the separator body 100. The separator body 100 is composed of a plate-like member, and the plate-like member is composed of a metal or the like. However, as a material for the separator body 100, in addition to carbon materials, resin materials or the like can also be used. A plurality of manifolds 110 and a flow path 120 formed on the surface of the separator body 100 are provided on the separator body 100. The manifold 110 provided on the separator body 100 is provided for distributing fuel gas, oxidant gas, coolant, etc. to each battery. In addition, the flow path 120 formed on the surface of the separator body 100 is used as a flow path for the flow of fuel gas, oxidant gas, etc.

[0041] Furthermore, in order to prevent the above-mentioned fuel gas from leaking to the outside, etc., the above-mentioned gasket 150 made of elastic material is integrally provided on the separator body 100 around the manifold 110 and around the area where the flow path 120 is formed. Figure 1 In the figure, the portion where the gasket 150 is provided is indicated by a bold line. In order to improve the sealing performance, a flange 130 is provided on the separator body 100, and the gasket 150 is formed on the flange 130. That is, on the separator body 100, flanges 130 are formed around the manifold 110 and around the area where the flow path 120 is formed, and gaskets 150 made of an elastic material are formed on these flanges 130. As the material of the gasket 150, silicone rubber, fluororubber, EPDM, butyl rubber, etc. can be cited as preferred examples. The gap between the separator body 100 and the electrolyte membrane 200 is sealed by the gasket 150.

[0042] <Main body of partition>

[0043] In particular, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 (a) to (c) of the present embodiment will further describe the separator body 100 involved in this embodiment. The separator body 100 of this embodiment includes a flange 130 and a pair of protrusions 141 and 142 respectively provided on both sides of the flange 130 and used to block the liquid rubber applied on the flange 130. More specifically, the separator body 100 is provided with a stepped protrusion protruding from the flat plate-shaped portion. Among the stepped protrusions, the protrusion in the center in the width direction is the flange 130, and the two protrusions on both sides in the width direction that are lower in height than the flange 130 are the pair of protrusions 141 and 142. In addition, although it is also affected by the planar layout of the separator body 100, the width of the pair of protrusions 141 and 142 can be set to 20μm to 500μm, and the height (the amount of protrusion from the flat plate-shaped surface) can be set to 100μm to 500μm.

[0044] <Method of Forming Gasket>

[0045] In particular, refer to Figure 3 (a) to (c) of the present embodiment describe the method for forming the gasket 150 involved in the present embodiment. The method for forming the gasket 150 involved in the present embodiment generally includes: a step of applying liquid rubber on the flange 130 of the partition body 100; and a step of curing the applied liquid rubber by cross-linking. In addition, in the "step of applying liquid rubber" involved in the present embodiment, various methods such as screen printing, application using a dispenser, and inkjet can be used for the application of liquid rubber.

[0046] When the liquid rubber is applied to the flange 130 of the partition body 100, the liquid rubber flows down to one side in the width direction of the flange 130 when the liquid rubber is offset from the center in the width direction of the flange 130 to one side. Figure 3 In (a), the liquid rubber is shown to be offset from the center of the flange 130 in the width direction to the left side in the figure. In this way, even if the liquid rubber flows down to one side in the width direction of the flange 130, it is blocked by one of the pair of protrusions 141 and 142. Figure 3 In the example shown in (b), the liquid rubber flows down in the direction of arrow R1, but is blocked by the protrusion 141 on the left side of the figure (see Figure 3 (b)).

[0047] After the liquid rubber is blocked by one of the pair of protrusions 141 and 142, the liquid rubber flows down to the other of the pair of protrusions 141 and 142 and is blocked by the other protrusion. Figure 3 In the example shown in (c), the liquid rubber is blocked by the protrusion 141, flows to the right side in the figure (in the direction of arrow R2), and is blocked by the protrusion 142 on the right side. Then, the liquid rubber is cured by cross-linking, thereby forming the gasket 150 (see Figure 3 (c) The gasket 150 formed in this way is provided so as to cover each boundary portion between the flange 130 and the pair of protrusions 141 and 142.

[0048] <Advantages of the Spacer-Integrated Gasket of the Present Embodiment>

[0049] According to the spacer integrated gasket 100G of this embodiment, when liquid rubber is applied to the flange 130, the liquid rubber is blocked by the pair of protrusions 141 and 142, thereby preventing it from flowing down further, thereby stabilizing the size and shape of the liquid rubber on the flange 130. Therefore, the production efficiency can be improved.

[0050] (Example 2)

[0051] Figure 4 Embodiment 2 of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the structure of the flange and the pair of protrusions is different from that of the above-mentioned embodiment 1. The other structures and functions are the same as those of the embodiment 1, so the same reference numerals are attached to the same structural parts and their descriptions are omitted.

[0052] Figure 4 : is a schematic cross-sectional view of a spacer-integrated gasket according to Example 2 of the present invention. Figure 4 Equivalent to the above Figure 1AA cross-sectional view. In the separator integrated gasket 100G according to the present embodiment, similarly to the case of the above-mentioned embodiment 1, it includes a separator body 100a for a fuel cell and an elastic gasket 150a integrally provided on the separator body 100a.

[0053] Furthermore, the diaphragm body 100a according to the present embodiment includes a flange 130 and a pair of protrusions 143 and 144 provided on both sides of the flange 130 for blocking the liquid rubber applied to the flange 130. More specifically, the diaphragm body 100a is provided with three protrusions protruding from the flat plate-shaped portion and adjacent to each other. Of the three protrusions, the central protrusion is the flange 130, and the two protrusions on both sides thereof, which are lower in height than the flange 130, are the pair of protrusions 143 and 144.

[0054] The materials and the like of the separator body 100a and the gasket 150a are the same as those described in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. In addition, the separator body 100a is provided with flanges 130 around the manifold and around the region where the flow path 120 is formed, and the gaskets 150a made of an elastic material are formed on the flanges 130, as described in the first embodiment. The method for forming the gasket 150a is also the same as that in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0055] In the spacer integrated gasket 100G according to the present embodiment, when the liquid rubber is applied to the flange 130, the liquid rubber is blocked by the pair of protrusions 143 and 144 and is prevented from flowing down further. Therefore, the size and shape of the liquid rubber on the flange 130 can be stabilized.

[0056] (Example 3)

[0057] Figure 5 Embodiment 3 of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, a structure in which the structure related to the gasket is different from that in the above-mentioned embodiment 1 is shown. The other structures and functions are the same as those in the embodiment 1, so the same reference numerals are attached to the same structural parts and their description is omitted.

[0058] Figure 5 : is a schematic cross-sectional view of a spacer-integrated gasket according to Example 3 of the present invention. Figure 5 Equivalent to the above Figure 1 AA cross-sectional view. In the separator-integrated gasket 100G according to the present embodiment, similarly to the case of the first embodiment, it includes a separator body 100 for a fuel cell and an elastic gasket 150b integrally provided on the separator body 100.

[0059] The structure of the partition body 100 is the same as that of the first embodiment, so the description thereof is omitted. In addition, in the present embodiment, the gasket 150b is provided so as to cover the entire pair of protrusions 141 and 142 in the partition body 100. That is, in the present embodiment, the amount of liquid rubber applied to the flange 130 is increased compared to the case of the first embodiment. Thus, as described above, after the liquid rubber is blocked by the pair of protrusions 141 and 142 (see Figure 3 (c)), the liquid rubber also flows over the pair of protrusions 141 and 142 (refer to Figure 5 Then, the liquid rubber is cured by cross-linking to form the gasket 150b. Figure 5 , the state after the gasket 150b is formed is shown. Even in the case of this embodiment, when the liquid rubber is applied to the flange 130, since the liquid rubber passes through the process of being blocked by the pair of protrusions 141 and 142, the size and shape of the liquid rubber on the flange 130 can be stabilized. Therefore, the same effect as in the case of the above-mentioned embodiment 1 can be obtained.

[0060] In this embodiment, the gasket 150b is provided to cover the entire pair of protrusions 141 and 142. Therefore, the deformation of the separator body 100 can be suppressed when the gasket 150b is compressed. Therefore, the gasket 150b can be suppressed from peeling off from the separator body 100.

[0061] In addition, the materials of the partition body 100 and the gasket 150b are the same as those described in the first embodiment, so the description thereof is omitted. In addition, flanges 130 are formed around the manifold and around the area where the flow path 120 is formed on the partition body 100, and gaskets 150b made of an elastic material are formed on these flanges 130, which is also described in the first embodiment.

[0062] (Example 4)

[0063] Figure 6 Embodiment 4 of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, a structure in which a pair of auxiliary protrusions are provided on the partition body in a manner of sandwiching a flange and a pair of protrusions is shown, and the pair of auxiliary protrusions can block the liquid rubber. The other structures and functions are the same as those in Embodiment 1, so the same reference numerals are attached to the same structural parts, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0064] Figure 6 : is a schematic cross-sectional view of a spacer-integrated gasket according to Example 4 of the present invention. Figure 6 Equivalent to the above Figure 1AA cross-sectional view. In the separator integrated gasket 100G according to the present embodiment, similarly to the case of the above-mentioned embodiment 1, it includes a separator body 100c for a fuel cell and an elastic gasket 150c integrally provided on the separator body 100c.

[0065] Furthermore, the diaphragm body 100c according to the present embodiment also includes the flange 130 and a pair of protrusions 141a and 142a provided on both sides of the flange 130 and for blocking the liquid rubber applied to the flange 130. In addition, the diaphragm body 100c according to the present embodiment is further provided with a pair of auxiliary protrusions 141b and 142b sandwiching the flange 130 and the pair of protrusions 141a and 142a, and the pair of auxiliary protrusions 141b and 142b can block the liquid rubber.

[0066] The materials of the partition body 100c and the gasket 150c are the same as those described in the first embodiment, so the description thereof is omitted. In addition, flanges 130 are formed around the manifold and around the area where the flow path 120 is formed on the partition body 100c, and gaskets 150c made of an elastic material are formed on these flanges 130, which is also described in the first embodiment.

[0067] The formation method of the gasket 150c is the same as that of the above-mentioned embodiment 3. By adopting the same formation method as that of the embodiment 3, the liquid rubber is blocked by the pair of auxiliary protrusions 141b and 142b, and is provided in a manner covering the entire pair of protrusions 141a and 142a. Therefore, the same effect as that of the above-mentioned embodiment 3 can be obtained. In addition, in this embodiment, after the liquid rubber applied to the flange 130 is blocked by the pair of protrusions 141a and 142a, it is also blocked by the pair of auxiliary protrusions 141b and 142b. Therefore, the size and shape of the liquid rubber on the flange 130 can be made more stable.

[0068] In addition, in this embodiment, a configuration in which one pair of auxiliary protrusions 141b and 142b is provided is shown, but two or more sets of auxiliary protrusions may be provided in such a manner as to sandwich the flange and the pair of protrusions. In this way, the liquid rubber is blocked at multiple levels, so that the size and shape of the liquid rubber on the flange can be made more stable.

[0069] (Example 5)

[0070] Figure 7 Embodiment 5 of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the flange and a pair of protrusions have different structures from those in the above-mentioned embodiment 1. Other structures and functions are the same as those in the embodiment 1, so the same reference numerals are attached to the same structural parts and their description is omitted.

[0071] Figure 7 : is a schematic cross-sectional view of a spacer-integrated gasket according to Example 5 of the present invention. Figure 7 Equivalent to the above Figure 1 AA cross-sectional view. In the separator-integrated gasket 100G according to the present embodiment, similarly to the case of the first embodiment, it includes a separator body 100d for a fuel cell and an elastic gasket 150d integrally provided on the separator body 100d.

[0072] Furthermore, the partition body 100d according to the present embodiment also includes the flange 130 and a pair of protrusions 141c and 142c provided on both sides of the flange 130 and for blocking the liquid rubber applied to the flange 130. In the case of the above-mentioned first embodiment, the pair of protrusions 141 and 142 are configured to protrude from the flat plate-shaped portion, whereas in the present embodiment, the pair of protrusions 141c and 142c are provided only at the midpoint of the portion protruding from the flat plate-shaped portion, which is different from the case of the first embodiment. In addition, the center of the protruding portion is the flange 130, which is the same as the case of the first embodiment.

[0073] The materials and the like of the separator body 100d and the gasket 150d are the same as those described in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. In addition, the separator body 100d is provided with flanges 130 around the manifold and around the region where the flow path 120 is formed, and gaskets 150da made of an elastic material are formed on these flanges 130, as described in the first embodiment. The method of forming the gasket 150d is also the same as that in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0074] In the spacer integrated gasket 100G according to the present embodiment, when the liquid rubber is applied to the flange 130, the liquid rubber is blocked by the pair of protrusions 141c and 142c and is prevented from flowing down. Therefore, the size and shape of the liquid rubber on the flange 130 can be stabilized.

[0075] Explanation of symbols:

[0076] 10 single battery

[0077] 100G spacer integrated gasket

[0078] 100, 100a, 100c, 100d partition body

[0079] 110 Manifold

[0080] 120 flow path

[0081] 130 flange

[0082] 141, 142, 141a, 142a, 141c, 142c, 143, 144 protrusions

[0083] 141b, 142b auxiliary protrusions

[0084] 150, 150a, 150b, 150c, 150d gasket

[0085] 200 electrolyte membrane

[0086] 300 Gas Diffusion Layer

Claims

1. A separator-integrated gasket, comprising a separator body for a fuel cell and a gasket made of an elastic material integrally provided on the separator body, characterized in that: The partition body has a stepped protruding portion protruding from the flat plate-shaped portion, the stepped protruding portion including a flange protruding in a direction in which the stepped protruding portion protrudes, and a pair of protruding portions provided on both sides of the flange in a manner of protruding in the same direction as the flange. The protrusion amount of the pair of protrusions from the flat surface of the partition body does not increase as it moves away from the center of the flange. The liquid rubber applied on the flange is blocked by the pair of protrusions. Furthermore, the gasket is provided so as to cover a boundary portion between the flange and the protruding portion, and is formed by curing the liquid rubber.

2. The spacer-integrated gasket according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gasket is provided so as to cover the entire protrusion.

3. The spacer-integrated gasket according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flange is located at the center in the width direction of the stepped protruding portion, and the height of the pair of protruding portions is lower than that of the flange.

4. The spacer-integrated gasket according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: A pair of auxiliary protrusions are provided in a manner of sandwiching the flange and the pair of protrusions, The pair of auxiliary protrusions can block the liquid rubber, The pair of auxiliary protrusions is provided in at least one set.

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