Press working method and press working device

Abstract

The present application provides a kind of stamping processing method and stamping processing device.In the stamping processing method, the film material (80) of resin is carried out stamping processing by stamping processing device (10) and is formed on the film material (80) for the communication hole (40) of fuel cell fluid flow, the stamping processing method includes configuration process, clamping process and perforation processing process.In the perforation processing process, the outer peripheral portion of film material (80) is clamped by the 2nd die (98) and holding component (124).In the perforation processing process, in the state that stamping processing device (10) does not contact with the upper surface of processing adjacent part (113) adjacent to the part of film material (80) punched by perforation punch (122), perforation punch (122) is punched to film material (80).Accordingly, the damage to the hole edge portion of resin film can be inhibited, so that the communication hole can be formed on the film material with high precision.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a press working method and a press working apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0002] In recent years, in order to be able to ensure that more people benefit from reliable, sustainable and advanced energy, research and development have been conducted on fuel cells that contribute to improvement in energy efficiency. A power generation cell for a fuel cell has an MEA member (MEA: Membrane Electrode Assembly) and a set of separator members that sandwich the MEA member. The MEA member has an MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly) and a resin film provided to an outer peripheral portion of the MEA.

[0003] The MEA includes an electrolyte film and a set of electrodes provided on both sides of the electrolyte film. The resin film protrudes outward from the outer peripheral portion of the MEA and extends in a frame shape so as to surround the MEA. A plurality of communication holes for passage of a reaction gas (fuel gas and oxidant gas) or a cooling medium, that is, a fluid for a fuel cell, are formed in the resin film. Each separator member has a communication hole sealing portion that extends so as to surround each communication hole and is pressed into a hole edge portion of the resin film adjacent to each communication hole to prevent leakage of the reaction gas or the cooling medium.

[0004] For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-147768 discloses a press working apparatus for manufacturing a resin film of a power generation cell as described above. The press working apparatus press works a film material to form a plurality of communication holes in the film material. The press working apparatus has a first die and a second die arranged in a manner facing each other. The first die has a die (first die main body) that supports the film material. The second die includes a piercing punch for forming a communication hole in the film material and a pressing portion. In Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-147768, when the communication hole is formed by the piercing processing of the film material by the piercing punch, a portion of the film material adjacent to a portion (a portion that becomes a communication hole) punched by the piercing punch (a processing adjacent portion) is clamped by the die and the pressing portion. SUMMARY

[0005] In the above-described related art, when the piercing processing is performed by the piercing punch, foreign matter sometimes enters between the processing adjacent portion of the film material and the pressing portion. In this way, damage to a hole edge portion of the resin film of the power generation cell, which is a processed member of the film material, adjacent to the communication hole (a portion corresponding to the processing adjacent portion of the film material) sometimes occurs.

[0006] An object of the present application is to solve the above-described technical problem.

[0007] One embodiment of the present application is a press working method for forming a communication hole for fluid communication for a fuel cell in a resin film by press working a resin film material to manufacture the resin film having the communication hole, the press working method including: a placement step of placing the film material on a first punch and a second punch located outside the first punch; a clamping step of clamping an outer peripheral portion of the film material by the second punch and a holding member after the placement step; and a perforation working step of perforating the film material by a perforating punch to form the communication hole in the film material in a state where the film material is clamped by the second punch and the holding member, in which the perforating punch perforates the film material in a state where the press working device does not contact an upper surface of a working adjacent portion of the film material adjacent to a portion perforated by the perforating punch.

[0008] Another embodiment of the present application is a press working device for forming a communication hole for fluid communication for a fuel cell in a resin film by press working a resin film material to manufacture the resin film having the communication hole, the press working device including a first die and a second die arranged facing each other, the first die including a first punch for placing the film material, a second punch located outside the first punch in a state where the second punch is movable in an up-down direction with respect to the first punch, and a first urging member for urging the second punch toward the second die, the second die including a perforating punch for forming the communication hole in the film material by perforating the film material, a holding member located outside the perforating punch in a state where the holding member is movable in the up-down direction with respect to the perforating punch, and a second urging member for urging the holding member toward the first die, the second punch and the holding member clamping an outer peripheral portion of the film material, the press working device being configured not to contact an upper surface of a working adjacent portion of the film material adjacent to a portion perforated by the perforating punch when the perforating punch perforates the film material.

[0009] According to the present application, the press working device does not contact the upper surface of the working adjacent portion of the film material when the perforating punch perforates the film material, so that foreign matter is not pressed into the working adjacent portion. Thus, damage to the hole edge portion of the resin film can be suppressed. In addition, the perforating punch perforates the film material in a state where the outer peripheral portion of the film material is clamped by the second punch and the holding member, so that the communication hole can be formed in the film material with high precision.

[0010] The above-described objectives, features, and advantages should be readily understood through the description of the following embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a partially omitted exploded perspective view of a fuel cell stack having a resin membrane manufactured by a stamping process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 Sectional view II-II.

[0013] Figure 3 A 3D view of the workpiece.

[0014] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional illustration showing the initial state of a stamping apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the stamping process using the aforementioned stamping apparatus.

[0016] Figure 6 This is an illustration of the first action of the above-mentioned stamping process.

[0017] Figure 7 This is an illustration of the second action of the above-mentioned stamping process.

[0018] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating the third action of the above-mentioned stamping process.

[0019] Figure 9 This is the diagram illustrating the fourth action of the above-mentioned stamping process. Detailed Implementation

[0020] like Figures 4-9 As shown, the stamping apparatus 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for manufacturing the resin film 24 of the power generation battery 12 by stamping a resin film material 80. First, the power generation battery 12 will be described.

[0021] like Figure 1 As shown, the power generation cell 12 forms a single cell of the fuel cell stack 14. The fuel cell stack 14 is formed by stacking multiple power generation cells 12 along the direction of arrow A. A compressive load is applied to the fuel cell stack 14 along the stacking direction of the multiple power generation cells 12. The fuel cell stack 14 is mounted, for example, as an on-board fuel cell stack in a fuel cell electric vehicle (not shown).

[0022] The power generation cell 12 extends in the lateral direction. The power generation cell 12 has an MEA member 16, a first separator member 18, and a second separator member 20. The MEA member 16 has an MEA 22 (membrane electrode assembly) and a resin film 24.

[0023] The first separator member 18 is adjacent to the MEA member 16 in the direction of the arrow Al. The second separator member 20 is adjacent to the MEA member 16 in the direction of the arrow A2. The first separator member 18 and the second separator member 20 sandwich the MEA member 16 from the direction of the arrow A.

[0024] The first separator member 18 and the second separator member 20 are joined to each other by a plurality of joining lines not shown to form a joined separator 26. The first separator member 18 and the second separator member 20 are integrally joined by welding, brazing, riveting, or the like in a state of overlapping each other at the outer periphery.

[0025] The MEA 22 includes an electrolyte film 28, a cathode electrode 30, and an anode electrode 32. The electrolyte film 28 is, for example, a solid polymer electrolyte film (cation exchange film). The solid polymer electrolyte film is, for example, a perfluorosulfonic acid film containing moisture. The electrolyte film 28 can use an HC (hydrocarbon) electrolyte in addition to a fluorine electrolyte. The electrolyte film 28 is sandwiched by the cathode electrode 30 and the anode electrode 32.

[0026] The resin film 24 surrounds the outer peripheral portion of the MEA 22. The resin film 24 has electrical insulation. As a material constituting the resin film 24, for example, PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), PPA (polyphthalamide), PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), PES (polyethersulfone), LCP (liquid crystal polymer), PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), silicone resin, fluorine resin, m-PPE (modified polyphenylene ether resin), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), or modified polyolefin, or the like can be listed.

[0027] An oxidant gas supply communication hole 34a, a cooling medium supply communication hole 36a, and a fuel gas discharge communication hole 38b are provided at an end edge portion (end edge portion in the direction of the arrow Bl) of the power generation cell 12 in the longitudinal direction. The oxidant gas supply communication hole 34a, the cooling medium supply communication hole 36a, and the fuel gas discharge communication hole 38b are arranged in the short direction (direction of the arrow C) of the power generation cell 12.

[0028] In the oxidant gas supply communication hole 34a, an oxidant gas (for example, oxygen-containing gas) flows in the direction of the arrow A2. In the cooling medium supply communication hole 36a, a cooling medium (for example, pure water, ethylene glycol, oil, or the like) flows in the direction of the arrow A2. In the fuel gas discharge communication hole 38b, a fuel gas (for example, hydrogen-containing gas) flows in the direction of the arrow Al.

[0029] A fuel gas supply communication hole 38a, a cooling medium discharge communication hole 36b, and an oxidizing gas discharge communication hole 34b are provided at the other end edge portion (end edge portion in the arrow B2 direction) of the power generating cell 12 in the longitudinal direction thereof. The fuel gas supply communication hole 38a, the cooling medium discharge communication hole 36b, and the oxidizing gas discharge communication hole 34b are arranged in the arrow C direction.

[0030] In the fuel gas supply communication hole 38a, fuel gas flows in the arrow A2 direction. In the cooling medium discharge communication hole 36b, cooling medium (refrigerant) flows in the arrow Al direction. In the oxidizing gas discharge communication hole 34b, oxidizing gas flows in the arrow Al direction.

[0031] Hereinafter, without particularly distinguishing the oxidizing gas supply communication hole 34a, the oxidizing gas discharge communication hole 34b, the cooling medium supply communication hole 36a, the cooling medium discharge communication hole 36b, the fuel gas supply communication hole 38a, and the fuel gas discharge communication hole 38b, only "communication hole 40" is referred to. The communication hole 40 is formed in the first separator member 18, the resin film 24, and the second separator member 20, respectively. The arrangement, shape, and size of the communication hole 40 are not limited to the present embodiment, and can be appropriately set according to the required specifications.

[0032] A plurality of positioning holes 42 are formed in the outer peripheral portion of the power generating cell 12. Each of the positioning holes 42 is formed in a circular shape. Further, the positioning holes 42 are formed in the first separator member 18, the resin film 24, and the second separator member 20, respectively. An unillustrated positioning pin passes through each of the plurality of positioning holes 42 when the MEA member 16 and the joint separator 26 are alternately stacked. The size, position, and shape of the positioning hole 42 can be appropriately set.

[0033] The first separator member 18 has a first separator main body 44 which is a plate shape. The first separator main body 44 is, for example, a metal thin plate such as a steel plate, a stainless steel plate, or an aluminum plate. Surface treatment for corrosion prevention can be applied to the surface of the first separator main body 44. The first separator main body 44 is formed in a rectangular shape.

[0034] An oxidizing gas flow path 46 extending in the longitudinal direction (arrow B direction) of the power generating cell 12 is provided on the surface (hereinafter referred to as "surface 44a") of the first separator main body 44 facing the MEA member 16. The oxidizing gas flow path 46 is in fluid communication with the oxidizing gas supply communication hole 34a and the oxidizing gas discharge communication hole 34b. The oxidizing gas flow path 46 supplies oxidizing gas to the cathode electrode 30.

[0035] A first sealing portion 48 is provided on the surface 44a of the first partition body 44 to prevent leakage of reactant gas (oxidant gas or fuel gas) or cooling medium, i.e., fuel cell fluid. The first sealing portion 48 extends in a straight line when viewed from the thickness direction of the partition (arrow A direction). However, the first sealing portion 48 may also extend in a wavy shape when viewed from the thickness direction of the partition.

[0036] The first sealing part 48 is formed into a trapezoidal or rectangular cross-section by stamping the first partition body 44 (see reference). Figure 2 The first sealing portion 48 protrudes from the first partition body 44 toward the resin film 24. Resin material may also be applied to the protruding end face of the first sealing portion 48. Furthermore, the first sealing portion 48 is not limited to a so-called metal press-rib seal; it may also be a rubber seal. The first sealing portion 48 has a plurality of first connecting hole sealing portions 50 and a first flow path sealing portion 52. The plurality of first connecting hole sealing portions 50 respectively surround the plurality of connecting holes 40.

[0037] exist Figure 2 In this process, the first connecting hole sealing portion 50 contacts one surface 24a of the resin film 24. In other words, the first connecting hole sealing portion 50 contacts the edge portion 54 of the resin film 24 adjacent to the connecting hole 40 (see reference). Figure 2 ).like Figure 1 As shown, the first flow path sealing part 52 is provided on the outer periphery of the first partition body 44.

[0038] The second partition component 20 has a plate-shaped second partition body 56. The second partition body 56 is, for example, a thin metal sheet such as a steel plate, stainless steel plate, or aluminum plate. The surface of the second partition body 56 can be subjected to a corrosion-resistant surface treatment. The second partition body 56 is formed into a rectangle.

[0039] A fuel gas flow path 58 extending along the long side direction (arrow B direction) of the power generation cell 12 is provided on the surface of the second partition body 56 facing the MEA component 16 (hereinafter referred to as "surface 56a"). The fuel gas flow path 58 is in fluid communication with the fuel gas supply connection hole 38a and the fuel gas discharge connection hole 38b. The fuel gas flow path 58 supplies fuel gas to the anode electrode 32.

[0040] A second sealing portion 60 is provided on the surface 56a of the second partition body 56 to prevent leakage of reactant gas (oxidant gas or fuel gas) or cooling medium, i.e., fuel cell fluid. The second sealing portion 60 extends in a straight line when viewed from the thickness direction of the partition (arrow A direction). However, the second sealing portion 60 may also extend in a wavy shape when viewed from the thickness direction of the partition.

[0041] The cross-section of the second sealing part 60 is formed into a trapezoidal or rectangular shape by stamping the second partition body 56 (see reference).Figure 2 The second sealing portion 60 protrudes from the second partition body 56 toward the resin film 24. Resin material may also be applied to the protruding end face of the second sealing portion 60. Furthermore, the second sealing portion 60 is not limited to a so-called metal press-rib seal; it may also be a rubber seal. The second sealing portion 60 has a plurality of second connecting hole sealing portions 62 and a second flow path sealing portion 64. The plurality of second connecting hole sealing portions 62 respectively surround the plurality of connecting holes 40.

[0042] exist Figure 2 In this process, the second connecting hole sealing portion 62 contacts the other surface 24b of the resin film 24. In other words, the second connecting hole sealing portion 62 contacts the edge portion 54 of the resin film 24 adjacent to the connecting hole 40 (see reference). Figure 2 ).like Figure 1 As shown, the second flow path sealing part 64 is provided on the outer periphery of the second partition body 56.

[0043] A cooling medium flow path 68 is formed between the surface 44b of the first partition body 44 and the surface 56b of the second partition body 56, which are joined together, and is in fluid communication with the cooling medium supply communication hole 36a and the cooling medium discharge communication hole 36b.

[0044] The power generation battery 12 constructed in this way operates as follows.

[0045] First, such as Figure 1 As shown, fuel gas is supplied to fuel gas supply connection hole 38a. Oxidant gas is supplied to oxidant gas supply connection hole 34a. Cooling medium is supplied to cooling medium supply connection hole 36a.

[0046] Fuel gas is introduced into the fuel gas flow path 58 of the second partition component 20 from the fuel gas supply connection hole 38a. The fuel gas flows in the direction of arrow B1 in the fuel gas flow path 58, while being supplied to the anode electrode 32 of MEA22.

[0047] On the other hand, oxidant gas is introduced from the oxidant gas supply connection hole 34a into the oxidant gas flow path 46 of the first partition member 18. The oxidant gas flows in the direction of arrow B2 in the oxidant gas flow path 46, and is simultaneously supplied to the cathode electrode 30 of MEA22.

[0048] In MEA22, the fuel gas supplied to the anode electrode 32 and the oxidant gas supplied to the cathode electrode 30 are consumed through an electrochemical reaction, thereby generating electricity. The fuel gas consumed in the anode electrode 32 is then discharged as exhaust gas from the fuel gas flow path 58 to the fuel gas discharge port 38b. The oxidant gas consumed in the cathode electrode 30 is discharged as exhaust gas from the oxidant gas flow path 46 to the oxidant gas discharge port 34b.

[0049] The cooling medium supplied through the cooling medium supply connection hole 36a is introduced into the cooling medium flow path 68 formed between the first partition member 18 and the second partition member 20. After being introduced into the cooling medium flow path 68, the cooling medium flows in the direction of arrow B. After cooling MEA22, the cooling medium is discharged from the cooling medium discharge connection hole 36b.

[0050] Next, the workpiece W processed by the stamping apparatus 10 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0051] like Figure 3 As shown, the workpiece W has the aforementioned MEA22 and a resin-based membrane material 80. The membrane material 80 is disposed on the outer periphery of the MEA22. The membrane material 80 may be made of the same material as the resin membrane 24 described above. The shape of the resin membrane 24 is located further inward than the shape of the membrane material 80.

[0052] like Figure 4 As shown, the stamping apparatus 10 performs stamping processing on the film material 80 of the workpiece W. Specifically, the stamping apparatus 10 manufactures the aforementioned resin film 24 (MEA component 16) by forming a plurality of connecting holes 40 and a plurality of positioning holes 42 on the film material 80 and cutting the outer periphery of the film material 80 into a predetermined shape.

[0053] The stamping apparatus 10 has a first die 90 and a second die 92 arranged facing each other. The first die 90 is a lower die (fixed die) made of metal. The second die 92 is an upper die (moving die) made of metal. The second die 92 is movable in the vertical direction.

[0054] The first die 90 includes a punching plate 94, a first die 96, a second die 98, and a first force-applying member 100. The first die 96 is fixed to the punching plate 94. The first die 96 has a plurality of clearance holes 102. Specifically, the first die 96 has the same number of clearance holes 102 as the number of connecting holes 40 (6), and the clearance holes 102 have a shape corresponding to the shape of the connecting holes 40 (e.g., quadrilateral). In addition, the first die 96 has the same number of clearance holes 102 as the number of positioning holes 42 (2), and the clearance holes 102 have a shape corresponding to the shape of the positioning holes 42 (circular). The clearance holes 102 communicate with the outside, for example, through holes 103 formed in the punching plate 94.

[0055] The first die 96 has a die body 104 and a plurality of protrusions 106. The die body 104 has a flat upper surface 108. A first trimming blade 110 is provided at the outer corner of the upper part of the die body 104.

[0056] The first edge cutter 110 can be integrally formed with the die main body 104. In other words, the first edge cutter 110 can be formed by plating or build-up welding of a hard material on the die main body 104.

[0057] The plurality of protrusions 106 protrude upward from the upper surface 108 of the die main body 104. Each protrusion 106 extends in a ring shape so as to surround the upper end portions of the plurality of relief holes 102. The protruding end surface 112 of the protrusion 106 is located at a position higher than the upper surface 108 of the die main body 104. The protruding end surface 112 of the protrusion 106 is flat. The protruding end surface 112 of the protrusion 106 is a first support surface 114 that supports a lower surface of a processing adjacent portion 113 adjacent to a portion of the film material 80 that is to be punched by the punch 122 described later. The processing adjacent portion 113 corresponds to the hole edge portion 54 of the resin film 24. A first punch 116 is provided at an inner side corner portion above the protrusion 106. The upper end of the first punch 116 is located at a position higher than the upper end of the first edge cutter 110.

[0058] The first punch 116 can be integrally formed with the protrusion 106. In other words, the first punch 116 can be formed by plating or build-up welding of a hard material on the protrusion 106.

[0059] The second die 98 is located outside the first die 96. The second die 98 extends in a ring shape so as to surround the first die 96. The second die 98 has a flat second support surface 118 that supports an outer peripheral portion of one face, i.e., the first face 80a, of the film material 80. The second support surface 118 faces the second mold 92 (upward).

[0060] The first force applying member 100 applies an upward force to the second die 98. The first force applying member 100 is, for example, a spring member. The first force applying member 100 is disposed between the second die 98 and the die plate 94. In the initial state of the press working device 10, the second support surface 118 protrudes upward by a prescribed length LI from the first support surface 114. Further, in the initial state of the press working device 10, the second punch 122 is located at a position lower than the first punch 116. Figure 4 In the drawing, the length of the prescribed length LI is exaggerated.

[0061] The second mold 92 has a punch fixing plate 120, a plurality of punch 122, a holding member 124, a second force applying member 126, and a plurality of ejecting members 128. The punch fixing plate 120 is movable in the up-down direction along a guide pin, not shown.

[0062] The piercing punch 122 is fixed to the punch fixing plate 120. A plurality of piercing punches 122 are located above the plurality of escape holes 102. Specifically, the same number of piercing punches 122 as the number of the communication holes 40 (6) are provided on the punch fixing plate 120, and the piercing punches 122 have shapes corresponding to the shapes of the communication holes 40 (for example, quadrangular shapes). In addition, the same number of piercing punches 122 as the number of the positioning holes 42 (2) are provided on the punch fixing plate 120, and the piercing punches 122 have shapes corresponding to the shapes of the positioning holes 42 (circular shapes). The piercing punch 122 is inserted into the escape hole 102 when the second die 92 is moved toward the first die 90. A second piercing knife 130 is provided at a corner below the piercing punch 122.

[0063] The second piercing knife 130 can be integrally formed with the piercing punch 122. In other words, the second piercing knife 130 can be formed by plating or cladding a hard material on the piercing punch 122.

[0064] The holding member 124 is located above the second die 98. The holding member 124 extends in a ring shape. The holding member 124 has a flat pressing surface 132 that contacts the outer peripheral portion of the other face, that is, the second face 80b of the film material 80. The pressing surface 132 extends in parallel with the second support surface 118. The pressing surface 132 extends in a direction orthogonal to the up-down direction (the moving direction of the holding member 124). The holding member 124 is a trimming punch 134 for cutting the outer peripheral portion of the film material 80. A second trimming knife 136 is provided at a corner on the inner side below the trimming punch 134.

[0065] The second trimming knife 136 can be integrally formed with the trimming punch 134. In other words, the second trimming knife 136 can be formed by plating or cladding a hard material on the trimming punch 134.

[0066] The second force applying member 126 applies a force downward to the holding member 124. The second force applying member 126 is, for example, a spring member. The second force applying member 126 is disposed between the holding member 124 and the punch fixing plate 120. The second force applying member 126 connects the holding member 124 and the punch fixing plate 120 to each other. In the initial state of the press working device 10, the pressing surface 132 protrudes downward by a prescribed length L2 from the lower end 138 of the piercing punch 122.

[0067] The ejecting member 128 is provided to the punch fixing plate 120. The ejecting member 128 is disposed adjacent to the piercing punch 122 in a direction orthogonal to the up-down direction. The ejecting member 128 takes off the resin film 24 (the worked film material 80) that is caught on the outer peripheral surface of the piercing punch 122 from the second die 92 after the press working of the film material 80. The ejecting member 128 has a cylinder 140, a rod 142, and an ejecting plate 146.

[0068] A piston (not shown) is slidably disposed within a cylinder 140. The piston is movable vertically within the cylinder 140 by compressed air supplied thereto. A rod 142 is connected to the piston and extends downward from the cylinder 140. An ejector plate 146 is connected to the extended end (lower end) of the rod 142. The ejector plate 146 is, for example, a flat plate extending in a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The ejector plate 146 has a flat ejector surface 146a facing downward. In the initial state of the stamping apparatus 10, the ejector surface 146a is located above the lower end 138 of the piercing punch 122.

[0069] The second mold 92 is configured not to contact the upper surface of the adjacent processing portion 113 of the film material 80 when the film material 80 is stamped.

[0070] Next, the stamping process using the stamping processing device 10 will be described.

[0071] like Figure 5 As shown, the stamping process includes a configuration process, a clamping process, a piercing process, a trimming process, and an ejection process.

[0072] In the stamping process, during the configuration step (step S1), such as Figure 4 As shown, the workpiece W is placed on the first mold 90. At this time, the first surface 80a of the membrane material 80 is placed on the first support surface 114 and the second support surface 118. In other words, in the placement process, the membrane material 80 is placed on the protruding end face 112 (first support surface 114) of the protrusion 106 in a manner that spans the inner hole (avoidance hole 102) of the annular protrusion 106.

[0073] Next, the second die 92 (punch fixing plate 120) of the stamping processing device 10 is lowered toward the first die 90. In this way, the clamping process (step S2), the piercing process (step S3), and the trimming process (step S4) are performed in sequence.

[0074] Specifically, when the second mold 92 descends, as Figure 6As shown, the pressing surface 132 of the retaining member 124 (trimming punch 134) contacts the outer periphery of the second surface 80b of the film material 80. When the second die 92 descends further, the second die 98, pressed downward by the retaining member 124, moves downward while compressing the first force-applying member 100. At this time, the inner peripheral surface of the second die 98 slides on the outer peripheral surface of the die body 104. In addition, the retaining member 124, receiving a reaction force from the second die 98, moves upward relative to the punch fixing plate 120 (perforating punch 122) while compressing the second force-applying member 126. Accordingly, the outer periphery of the film material 80 is clamped by the second die 98 and the retaining member 124 (clamping process).

[0075] During the clamping process, the reaction force of the first force-applying component 100 after compression and the reaction force of the second force-applying component 126 after compression act as holding forces on the outer periphery of the membrane material 80. Therefore, the outer periphery of the membrane material 80 is firmly clamped by the second die 98 and the holding component 124.

[0076] Then, as Figure 7 As shown, the perforating punch 122 presses downwards onto the second surface 80b of the membrane material 80. This applies a shearing force to the membrane material 80 between the first perforating cutter 116 and the second perforating cutter 130, thus forming holes (connecting holes 40 and positioning holes 42) in the membrane material 80 with shapes corresponding to the shape of the perforating punch 122 (perforation process). In other words, the perforating punch 122 punches holes in the membrane material 80 placed on the protruding end face 112 of the protrusion 106. Accordingly, connecting holes 40 and positioning holes 42 are formed in the membrane material 80.

[0077] At this time, the second die 98, pressed by the holding member 124, moves further downward while compressing the first force-applying member 100. Furthermore, since the upper end of the first piercing blade 116 is positioned above the upper end of the first trimming blade 110, the film material 80 is not cut by the first trimming blade 110 during the piercing process. Additionally, the punched component is discharged from the clearance hole 102 and the hole 103.

[0078] Next, as Figure 8 As shown, the first cutting blade 110 contacts the first surface 80a of the membrane material 80. This creates a shearing force on the membrane material 80 between the first cutting blade 110 and the second cutting blade 136, thus cutting the outer periphery of the membrane material 80 (cutting process). The cutting process begins after the perforation process is completed. By completing the cutting process, a resin membrane 24 is formed. Furthermore, during the cutting process, the perforation punch 122 penetrates the holes (connecting holes 40 and positioning holes 42) formed in the membrane material 80 and is inserted into the clearance hole 102 of the first die 96.

[0079] When the trimming process is completed, as shown in Figure 9 the inner surfaces of the holes (communication holes 40 and positioning holes 42) formed in the resin film 24 can sometimes be caught on the outer peripheral surface of the piercing punch 122. Therefore, the second die 92 is moved upward while the ejection process is performed. In the ejection process, the ejection plate 146 is protruded downward by supplying compressed air to the cylinder 140. In this way, the resin film 24 is pushed downward by the ejection plate 146, and thus the resin film 24 is removed from the piercing punch 122. At this time, in the ejection process, the film material 80 is separated from the piercing punch 122 in a state where the film material 80 is sandwiched by the protruding end surface 112 of the protruding portion 106 and the ejection plate 146. The press working method ends when the ejection process is completed.

[0080] The present embodiment achieves the following effects.

[0081] According to the present embodiment, when the piercing punch 122 pierces the film material 80, the press working device 10 (the second die 92) does not come into contact with the upper surface of the processing-adjacent portion 113 of the film material 80, and thus foreign matter is not pressed into the processing-adjacent portion 113. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress damage to the hole edge portion 54 of the resin film 24. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the sealing effect based on the first communication hole sealing portion 50 and the second communication hole sealing portion 62. In addition, since the piercing punch 122 pierces the film material 80 in a state where the outer peripheral portion of the film material 80 is sandwiched by the second die 98 and the holding member 124, it is possible to form the communication holes 40 with high precision on the film material 80.

[0082] The holding member 124 is a trimming punch 134 for cutting the outer peripheral portion of the film material 80. The press working method includes a trimming process in which, after the piercing process is completed, the outer peripheral portion of the film material 80 is cut by the trimming punch 134 and the second die 98 in the sandwiched state.

[0083] Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently perform the piercing process and the trimming process of the film material 80. In addition, since the holding member 124 and the trimming punch 134 do not need to be prepared separately, it is possible to simplify the structure of the press working device 10.

[0084] The press working method includes an ejection process in which, after the trimming process is completed, the film material 80 is separated from the piercing punch 122 by pushing the upper surface of the film material 80 downward by the ejection member 128.

[0085] Accordingly, even in a case where the film material 80 is caught on the piercing punch 122, it is possible to easily remove the film material 80 (the resin film 24) from the piercing punch 122 by the ejection process.

[0086] The ejecting process is performed while moving the piercing punch 122 upward.

[0087] According to this method, the process of separating the second die 92 from the first die 90 and the ejecting process are performed simultaneously, so that the time required for the press working method can be shortened.

[0088] The first die 96 has a die main body 104 and a ring-shaped protruding portion 106 protruding upward from the die main body 104. In the arranging process, the film material 80 is placed on the protruding end surface 112 of the protruding portion 106 in such a manner as to straddle the inner hole of the protruding portion 106. In the piercing process, the piercing punch 122 pierces the film material 80 placed on the protruding end surface 112 of the protruding portion 106. In the trimming process, the outer peripheral portion of the film material 80 is cut by the trimming punch 134 and the die main body 104.

[0089] According to this method, the piercing process can be performed before the trimming process by a simple structure.

[0090] The relief hole 102 for avoiding the piercing punch 122 is formed in the die main body 104. The protruding portion 106 is located in the portion of the upper surface 108 of the die main body 104 adjacent to the relief hole 102.

[0091] In this case, the communication hole 40 and the positioning hole 42 can be formed with high precision on the film material 80 by the piercing punch 122.

[0092] In the ejecting process, the film material 80 is separated from the piercing punch 122 in a state where the film material 80 is gripped by the ejecting plate 146 of the ejecting member 128 and the protruding portion 106.

[0093] According to this method, the film material 80 can be separated from the piercing punch 122 efficiently and reliably.

[0094] The first die 96 has a die main body 104 and a protruding portion 106. The protruding portion 106 protrudes upward from the die main body 104 to support the processing adjacent portion 113. The upper surface 108 of the die main body 104 is located at a position lower than the protruding end surface 112 of the protruding portion 106. In the initial state of the press working apparatus 10, the upper surface (the second supporting surface 118) of the second die 98 is located at a position higher than the protruding end surface 112 of the protruding portion 106.

[0095] According to this structure, the outer peripheral portion of the film material 80 can be gripped by the holding member 124 and the second die 98 before the piercing punch 122 comes into contact with the film material 80. Therefore, the film material 80 can be pierced with high precision by the piercing punch 122.

[0096] The present embodiment discloses the following.

[0097] The above-described embodiment discloses a press working method of forming a communication hole (40) for fluid communication for a fuel cell on a resin-made film material (80) by press working the film material with a press working device (10) to manufacture a resin film (24) having the communication hole, the press working method including: a placement step of placing the film material on a first punch (96) and a second punch (98) located outside the first punch; a clamping step of clamping a peripheral portion of the film material by the second punch and a holding member (124) after the placement step; and a perforation working step of perforating the film material by a perforation punch (122) in a state where the peripheral portion of the film material is clamped by the second punch and the holding member, thereby forming the communication hole on the film material, in the perforation working step, the perforation punch perforates the film material in a state where the press working device does not contact an upper surface of a working-adjacent portion (113) of the film material adjacent to a portion perforated by the perforation punch.

[0098] In the above-described press working method, the holding member can be a trimming punch (134) for cutting the peripheral portion of the film material, and the press working method can include a trimming working step of cutting the peripheral portion of the film material by the trimming punch and the second punch in the clamped state after the perforation working step is completed.

[0099] In the above-described press working method, the press working method can include a push-out step of pushing down an upper surface of the film material by a push-out member (128) after the trimming working step is completed, thereby separating the film material from the perforation punch.

[0100] In the above-described press working method, the push-out step can be performed while moving the perforation punch upward.

[0101] In the above-described press working method, the first punch can have a punch main body (104) and a ring-shaped protruding portion (106) protruding upward from the punch main body, the film material can be placed on a protruding end surface (112) of the protruding portion in a manner of straddling a hole of the protruding portion in the placement step, the perforation punch perforates the film material placed on the protruding end surface of the protruding portion in the perforation working step, and the peripheral portion of the film material can be cut by the trimming punch and the punch main body in the trimming working step.

[0102] In the press working method described above, the protruding portion can be provided on a portion of the upper surface of the die main body adjacent to the avoidance hole.

[0103] In the press working method described above, the first die can have a die main body and a protruding portion protruding upward from the die main body, and in the ejecting step, the film material can be separated from the piercing punch in a state in which the film material is clamped by the ejecting plate (146) of the ejecting member and the protruding portion.

[0104] The embodiment described above discloses a press working apparatus for manufacturing a resin film having a communication hole for fluid communication for a fuel cell by forming the communication hole on a film material made of resin through press working of the film material, the press working apparatus having a first die (90) and a second die (92) disposed in a manner facing each other, the first die having a first die, a second die, and a first force applying member (100), in which the first die is for placing the film material; the second die is located outside the first die in a state capable of moving in the up-and-down direction with respect to the first die; the first force applying member (100) applies force to the second die in a direction toward the second die, the second die having a piercing punch, a holding member, and a second force applying member (126), in which the piercing punch forms the communication hole on the film material by piercing the film material; the holding member is located outside the piercing punch in a state capable of moving in the up-and-down direction with respect to the piercing punch; the second force applying member (126) applies force to the holding member in a direction toward the first die, the second die and the holding member clamp the outer peripheral portion of the film material, and the press working apparatus is formed so as not to contact the upper surface of a working adjacent portion of the film material adjacent to a portion pierced by the piercing punch when the piercing punch pierces the film material.

[0105] In the press working apparatus described above, the holding member can be a trimming punch, and the trimming punch and the first die cut the outer peripheral portion of the film material.

[0106] In the press working apparatus described above, the first die can have a die main body and a protruding portion protruding upward from the die main body to support the working adjacent portion, the upper surface (108) of the die main body can be located at a position lower than the protruding end surface of the protruding portion, and in an initial state of the press working apparatus, the upper surface (118) of the second die can be located at a position higher than the protruding end surface of the protruding portion.

[0107] In the above-described press working device, the second die can have a push-out member that pushes the film material downward.

[0108] Further, the present application is not limited to the above-described content, and various structures can be employed without departing from the gist of the present application.

Claims

1. A press working method of manufacturing a resin film (24) having a communication hole (40) for fluid communication for a fuel cell by press working a film material (80) made of resin with a press working device (10) to form the communication hole on the film material, characterized by, including: a placement step of placing the film material on a first die (96) and a second die (98) located outside the first die; a clamping step of clamping an outer peripheral portion of the film material by the second die and a holding member (124) after the placement step; and a piercing processing step of piercing the film material by a piercing punch (122) in a state where the outer peripheral portion of the film material is clamped by the second die and the holding member, thereby forming the communication hole in the film material, in the piercing processing step, the piercing punch pierces the film material in a state where the press processing device does not contact an upper surface of a processing-adjacent portion (113) of the film material adjacent to a portion pierced by the piercing punch, the holding member is a trimming punch (134) for cutting the outer peripheral portion of the film material, the press processing method includes a trimming processing step in which the outer peripheral portion of the film material is cut by the trimming punch and the second die in the clamped state after the completion of the piercing processing step, the first die has a die main body (104) and a ring-shaped protruding portion (106) protruding upward from the die main body, in the placement step, the film material is placed on a protruding end surface (112) of the protruding portion in a manner so as to straddle an inner hole of the protruding portion, in the piercing processing step, the piercing punch pierces the film material placed on the protruding end surface of the protruding portion, in the trimming processing step, the outer peripheral portion of the film material is cut by the trimming punch and the die main body.

2. The press processing method according to claim 1, characterized by including a push-out step in which an upper surface of the film material is pushed downward by a push-out member (128) after the completion of the trimming processing step, thereby causing the film material to be separated from the piercing punch.

3. The press processing method according to claim 2, characterized in that the push-out step is performed while moving the piercing punch upward.

4. The press processing method according to claim 1, characterized in that an avoidance hole (102) for avoiding the piercing punch is formed in the die main body, the protruding portion is located in a portion of an upper surface of the die main body adjacent to the avoidance hole.

5. A stamping process method comprising stamping a resin membrane material (80) using a stamping apparatus (10) to form a connecting hole (40) for fluid flow in a fuel cell on the membrane material, thereby manufacturing a resin membrane (24) having the connecting hole, characterized in that, including: a placement step of placing the film material on a first die (96) and a second die (98) located outside the first die; a clamping step of clamping an outer peripheral portion of the film material by the second die and a holding member (124) after the placement step; and a piercing processing step of piercing the film material by a piercing punch (122) in a state where the outer peripheral portion of the film material is clamped by the second die and the holding member, thereby forming the communication hole in the film material, in the piercing process, the piercing punch pierces the film material in a state where the press working device does not contact an upper surface of a processing-adjacent portion (113) of the film material adjacent to a portion pierced by the piercing punch, the holding member is a trimming punch (134) for cutting the outer peripheral portion of the film material, the press working method includes a trimming process in which, after the piercing process is completed, the outer peripheral portion of the film material is cut by the trimming punch and the second die in the clamped state, includes a push-out process in which, after the trimming process is completed, an upper surface of the film material is pushed downward by a push-out member (128), thereby causing the film material to be separated from the piercing punch, the first die has a die main body and a protruding portion protruding upward from the die main body, in the push-out process, the film material is separated from the piercing punch in a state where the film material is clamped by a push-out plate (146) of the push-out member and the protruding portion.

6. A press working device for manufacturing a resin film having a communication hole for fluid communication for a fuel cell by press working a resin film material to form the communication hole on the film material, the press working device being characterized by comprising: a first die (90) and a second die (92) disposed facing each other, the first die has a first die, a second die, and a first force applying member (100), wherein the first die is for placing the film material; the second die is located outside the first die in a state capable of moving in the up-and-down direction with respect to the first die; the first force applying member (100) applies force to the second die in a direction toward the second die, the second die has a piercing punch, a holding member, and a second force applying member (126), wherein the piercing punch forms the communication hole on the film material by piercing the film material; the holding member is located outside the piercing punch in a state capable of moving in the up-and-down direction with respect to the piercing punch; the second force applying member (126) applies force to the holding member in a direction toward the first die, the second die and the holding member clamp an outer peripheral portion of the film material, the press working device is formed so as not to contact an upper surface of a processing-adjacent portion of the film material adjacent to a portion pierced by the piercing punch when the piercing punch pierces the film material.

7. The press working device according to claim 6, characterized in that the holding member is a trimming punch, the trimming punch and the first die cut the outer peripheral portion of the film material.

8. The press working device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the first die has a die main body and a protruding portion that supports the processing-adjacent portion protruding upward from the die main body, an upper surface (108) of the die main body is located at a position lower than a protruding end surface of the protruding portion, In the initial state of the press working apparatus, the upper surface (118) of the second die is located at a position higher than the protruding end surface of the protruding portion.

9. The press working apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The second die has a push-out member that pushes the film material downward.

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