Method and device for manufacturing membrane electrode assembly with sub-gasket

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to achieve high efficiency in a process for manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly (3) having a sub-gasket (5). A method for manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly (3) with a sub-gasket (5), the method comprising: a step for laminating the sub-gasket (5) on the membrane electrode assembly (3) with an adhesive layer (6) interposed therebetween; and a step for bonding the membrane electrode assembly (3) and the sub-gasket (5) by heating and pressurizing a laminate of the membrane electrode assembly (3), the adhesive layer (6), and the sub-gasket (5) with thermocompression bonding members (101, 102). The method further comprises a step for preheating the membrane electrode assembly (3), on which the adhesive layer (6) is laminated, or the sub-gasket (5) by heating devices (107, 108) before heating by the thermocompression bonding members (101, 102).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly with a subgasket. Background Art

[0002] Fuel cells generate electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in the air. Fuel cells are usually stacks of multiple unit cells, and each unit cell has a structure in which a membrane electrode assembly is sandwiched by a pair of diaphragms. Subgaskets may be provided around the membrane electrode assembly as a support or the like.

[0003] For example, a membrane electrode assembly with a subgasket is produced by cutting the inside of a resin film for a subgasket, placing the membrane electrode assembly therein, and joining it to the resin film (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-18832 Summary of the invention

[0007] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0008] The membrane electrode assembly and the resin film can be joined by sandwiching a hot melt adhesive between them and thermocompression bonding them. However, in the case of thermocompression bonding, the heating time required to fully melt the adhesive and the subsequent cooling time are the cause of the delay in the cycle time of membrane electrode assembly manufacturing.

[0009] The present invention aims to improve the efficiency of the manufacturing process of a membrane electrode assembly with a subgasket.

[0010] Means for solving technical problems

[0011] A technical solution of the present application is a method for manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly (3) with a subgasket (5). The manufacturing method comprises: a step of laminating the subgasket (5) on the membrane electrode assembly (3) with an adhesive layer (6) interposed therebetween; and a step of heating and pressing the laminate of the membrane electrode assembly (3), the adhesive layer (6) and the subgasket (5) with a thermocompression bonding component (101, 102) to bond the membrane electrode assembly (3) and the subgasket (5); and a step of preheating the membrane electrode assembly (3) or the subgasket (5) with the adhesive layer (6) laminated thereon with a heating device (107, 108) before heating by the thermocompression bonding component (101, 102).

[0012] Another technical solution of the present application is a manufacturing device (100) for a membrane electrode assembly (3) with a subgasket (5). The manufacturing device (100) comprises: a conveying mechanism (103, 104) for stacking the subgasket (5) on the membrane electrode assembly (3) with an adhesive layer (6) sandwiched therebetween; a thermocompression bonding component (101, 102) for heating and pressurizing the stack of the membrane electrode assembly (3), the adhesive layer (6) and the subgasket (5) to bond the membrane electrode assembly (3) to the subgasket (5); and a heating device (107, 108) for preheating the membrane electrode assembly (3) or the subgasket (5) stacked with the adhesive layer (6) before heating by the thermocompression bonding component (101, 102).

[0013] Effects of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the manufacturing process of a membrane electrode assembly with a subgasket. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional view showing a structural example of a fuel cell.

[0016] Figure 2 It is a top view of the membrane electrode assembly with a subgasket.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a flow chart showing an example of a process for manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly with a subgasket.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing an overview of the bonding process in the roll-to-roll process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of a method and apparatus for producing a membrane electrode assembly with a subgasket of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The structure described below is an example (representative example) of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this structure.

[0020] (Fuel Cell)

[0021] Figure 1 The structure of the fuel cell 10 is exemplified.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, the fuel cell 10 has an MEA 3, a pair of diaphragms 4 and a subgasket 5. The MEA 3 has an electrolyte membrane 1 and a pair of electrodes 2. The electrodes 2 and the diaphragms 4 are stacked in sequence on both sides of the electrolyte membrane 1. In the figure, the z direction represents the stacking direction. The x direction and the y direction are directions orthogonal to each other in a plane orthogonal to the z direction.

[0023] The electrolyte membrane 1 is an ion-conductive polymer electrolyte membrane. Examples of the electrolyte membrane 1 include perfluorosulfonic acid polymers such as Nafion (registered trademark) and Aquivion (registered trademark); aromatic polymers such as sulfonated polyetheretherketone (SPEEK) and sulfonated polyimide; and aliphatic polymers such as polyvinylsulfonic acid and polyvinylphosphoric acid.

[0024] The electrolyte membrane 1 may be a composite membrane in which a polymer electrolyte is infiltrated into a porous substrate 1a from the perspective of improving durability. The porous substrate 1a is not particularly limited as long as it can carry a polymer electrolyte, and a porous, woven, nonwoven, fibrillar, or other membrane may be used. The material of the porous substrate is also not particularly limited, and from the perspective of improving ion conductivity, the above-mentioned polymer electrolyte may be used. Among them, polytetrafluoroethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, and the like, which are fluorine-based polymers, are excellent in strength and shape stability.

[0025] One electrode 2 of the pair of electrodes 2 is an anode, also called a fuel electrode, and the other electrode 2 is a cathode, also called an air electrode. As fuel gas, hydrogen gas is supplied to the anode, and air containing oxygen is supplied to the cathode.

[0026] In the anode, the generation of electrons (e － ) and protons (H + ) reaction. The electrons move to the cathode via an external circuit (not shown). This movement of electrons generates a current in the external circuit. The protons move to the cathode via the electrolyte membrane 1.

[0027] In the cathode, oxygen ions (O2 － ). Oxygen ions and protons (2H + ) combine to become water (H2O).

[0028] The electrode 2 includes a catalyst layer 21. The electrode 2 of the present embodiment further includes a gas diffusion layer 22 in order to improve the diffusibility of the fuel gas.

[0029] The catalyst layer 21 promotes the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen by using a catalyst. The catalyst layer 21 includes a catalyst, a carrier that supports the catalyst, and an ionomer that covers the catalyst.

[0030] As the catalyst, for example, metals such as platinum (Pt), ruthenium (Ru), iridium (Ir), rhodium (Rh), palladium (Pd), tungsten (W), and mixtures and alloys of these metals can be cited. Among them, platinum, mixtures and alloys containing platinum are preferred from the perspectives of catalyst activity, resistance to poisoning by carbon monoxide, heat resistance, and the like.

[0031] Examples of the carrier include conductive porous metal compounds having fine pores such as acetylene black and Ketjen black.

[0032] As the ionomer, an ion-conductive polymer electrolyte similar to that of the electrolyte membrane 1 can be used.

[0033] The gas diffusion layer 22 can uniformly diffuse the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell 10 over the entire surface of the catalyst layer 21 .

[0034] The gas diffusion layer 22 can be formed by configuring a gas diffusion layer sheet as the outermost layer of the MEA 3. As the gas diffusion layer sheet, for example, in addition to porous fiber sheets such as carbon fibers having electrical conductivity, gas permeability and gas diffusivity, metal sheets such as foamed metal and porous metal mesh can also be cited.

[0035] (Diaphragm)

[0036] The diaphragm 4 is also called a bipolar plate. The diaphragm 4 of this embodiment is a plate having a surface provided with a recess 4a. When the diaphragm 4 is arranged on both sides of the MEA 3, the inner wall of the recess 4a of the diaphragm 4 and the surface of the MEA 3 form a flow path for the fuel gas.

[0037] A conductive material is used as the material of the diaphragm 4. Examples of the conductive material include metals such as stainless steel and carbon composites.

[0038] (Sub-gasket)

[0039] The subgasket 5 is a film or a plate provided at the end of the MEA 3. Such a subgasket 5 functions as a support body or a protective member of the end of the MEA 3. In addition, the subgasket 5 abuts against the diaphragm 4 to seal the inside of the fuel cell 10.

[0040] A resin with low conductivity can be used as the material of the subgasket 5. Examples of such resin materials include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PN), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polypropylene mixed with glass (PP-G), polystyrene (PS), silicone resin, and fluorine-based resin.

[0041] (Adhesive layer)

[0042] The fuel cell 10 includes an adhesive layer 6 between the subgasket 5 and the MEA 3. The subgasket 5 is bonded to the MEA 3 via the adhesive layer 6. The adhesive layer 6 contains a hot melt adhesive. As the hot melt adhesive, in addition to thermoplastic resins such as olefin resins such as polypropylene and polyethylene, thermoplastic elastomers such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) can also be used.

[0043] From the perspective of heat resistance, the melting point or softening point of the adhesive layer 6 is a temperature higher than the operating temperature of the fuel cell 10 (e.g., 70 to 85° C.), for example, 90° C. or higher, preferably 100° C. or higher, and more preferably 110° C. or higher. From the perspective of shortening the bonding process time, the melting point or softening point of the adhesive layer 6 is preferably 150° C. or lower, and more preferably 130° C. or lower.

[0044] The electrolyte membrane 1 of the MEA 3 of this embodiment protrudes in the x-direction and the y-direction from the electrode 2. Therefore, the protruding portion is bonded to the subgasket 5 via the adhesive layer 6, but the bonding position is not limited thereto and can be set to a position corresponding to the shape of the MEA 3. For example, when the positions of the ends of the electrolyte membrane 1 and the electrode 2 in the x-direction and the y-direction are the same, the subgasket is bonded to the end of the electrode 2.

[0045] Figure 2 It is a top view of MEA 3 with subgasket 5 .

[0046] The subgasket 5 has a frame shape with a cutout center portion. The area of ​​the MEA 3 is slightly larger than the cutout region 51. The MEA 3 is disposed in the cutout region 51 of the subgasket 5, and the inner peripheral end of the subgasket 5 overlaps with the end of the MEA 3, and the two are joined.

[0047] Figure 2 The shaded area in FIG. 8 is an area where the MEA 3 is bonded to the subgasket 5 . The adhesive layer 6 may be provided on the entire surface of the subgasket 5 , or may be provided only on the shaded area bonded to the MEA 3 .

[0048] (Manufacturing method)

[0049] The above-mentioned fuel cell 10 can be manufactured by arranging the separators 4 on both surfaces of the MEA 3 with the subgasket 5 .

[0050] Figure 3 This is a flow chart showing an example of a process for manufacturing the MEA 3 with the subgasket 5 .

[0051] In step S1, an adhesive layer 6 is laminated on one surface of the MEA 3. For example, by laminating an adhesive layer 6 on an end portion (e.g., Figure 2 The adhesive layer 6 is provided by applying an adhesive to the surface of the sub-gasket 5 (the oblique line area in the figure). In addition, the adhesive layer 6 may be provided on the entire surface of the sub-gasket 5 or on the inner peripheral end (for example, Figure 2 The adhesive layer 6 may be provided on the surfaces of both the MEA 3 and the subgasket 5. The method for forming the adhesive layer 6 is not limited to the coating method.

[0052] In step S2, the MEA 3 or the subgasket 5 provided with the adhesive layer 6 is preheated by a heating device. From the perspective of melting the adhesive layer 6, it is sufficient to preheat the MEA 3 or the subgasket 5 provided with the adhesive layer 6. From the perspective of reducing the deviation of the bonding position caused by the difference in thermal shrinkage between the two, it is preferred to preheat both the MEA 3 and the subgasket 5.

[0053] After preheating, in step S3, the subgasket 5 is laminated on one surface of the MEA 3 with the adhesive layer 6 interposed therebetween. That is, the inner peripheral end of the subgasket 5 is overlapped with the end of the MEA 3. The lamination is performed by a conveying mechanism. For example, the MEA 3 with the adhesive layer 6 is conveyed, and the subgasket 5 is conveyed onto the adhesive layer 6 and laminated.

[0054] In step S4, the stack of MEA3, adhesive layer 6 and subgasket 5 is heated and pressurized by a hot pressing component. Thus, MEA3 and subgasket 5 are bonded with adhesive layer 6 (hereinafter, bonding by heating and pressurizing is referred to as hot pressing). The whole area of ​​the stack can be hot pressed, or only the area where MEA3 and subgasket 5 overlap can be hot pressed.

[0055] The heating temperature in the bonding process is higher than the melting point or softening point of the adhesive layer 6. The thermocompression bonding member is not particularly limited as long as it can heat and pressurize, and examples thereof include roller members, and plate members such as upper and lower molds that sandwich the laminate.

[0056] By increasing the heating temperature of the hot pressing component or adjusting the contact time with the hot pressing component to prolong the heating time, the adhesive layer 6 can be fully melted, but this delays the manufacturing cycle time. This is because if the heating temperature is increased, it will take time for the subsequent cooling, and if the heating time is prolonged, the bonding process will become a bottleneck. It is also possible to increase the number of hot pressing components without reducing the speed and prolong the heating time, but this will increase the cost of the manufacturing equipment.

[0057] In contrast, by implementing the preheating process as described above, the adhesive layer 6 can be easily and fully melted with less heat energy in the subsequent bonding process. Compared with the case without preheating, the heating temperature during the thermocompression bonding can be reduced to shorten the subsequent cooling time or the heating time itself. Thus, the delay of the cycle time as described above can be eliminated, and the manufacturing process can be made more efficient. In order to increase efficiency, it is also necessary to increase the number of thermocompression bonding components to avoid cost increases.

[0058] Next, in step S5, an adhesive layer 6 is provided on the other surface of the MEA 3. The adhesive layer 6 can be formed in the same manner as in step S1.

[0059] In step S6, the MEA 3 or the subgasket 5 provided with the adhesive layer 6 is preheated by a heating device. This preheating process can be performed in the same manner as step S2.

[0060] In step S7, the subgasket 5 is laminated on the other surface of the MEA 3 via the adhesive layer 6. That is, the inner peripheral end of the subgasket 5 is overlapped with the end of the MEA 3 on the other surface as well.

[0061] After preheating, in step S8, the subgasket 5, the adhesive layer 6, the MEA 3, the adhesive layer 6 and the laminate of the subgasket 5 are heated and pressurized by the thermocompression bonding component. Thus, the subgasket 5 is bonded to both sides of the MEA 3. As in the bonding process of step S4, the adhesive layer 6 can be fully melted with less heat energy by preheating, so the manufacturing process is made more efficient as described above.

[0062] The joined stacked body is cut in step S9. For example, in the case of a roll-to-roll process, since sheets of the stacked body can be obtained, MEAs 3 with subgaskets 5 corresponding to one unit cell can be manufactured by cutting between MEAs 3.

[0063] Figure 4 An overview of the bonding process in the roll-to-roll process is shown.

[0064] Figure 4 The manufacturing device 100 shown as an example includes a pair of first rollers 101, and conveying mechanisms 103, 104, and 106. The conveying mechanisms 103, 104, and 106 can be composed of a plurality of rollers or a belt wound by the rollers. Such a manufacturing device 100 can be incorporated as a part of a manufacturing line for MEA 3 with a subgasket 5 or a manufacturing line for assembling a fuel cell 10 using the MEA 3.

[0065] The conveying mechanism 103 delivers the long sheet-shaped subgasket 5 to the first roller 101. The subgasket 5 has an adhesive layer 6 on the surface facing the MEA 3. A cover film 7 is laminated on the adhesive layer 6. The cover film 7 is wound by a winder 105 on the upstream side of the first roller 101 in the conveying direction.

[0066] The conveying mechanism 104 conveys the MEA 3 to the first roller 101. The MEA 3 has a subgasket 5 bonded in advance to one surface thereof via an adhesive layer 6. Between the pair of first rollers 101, the subgasket 5 conveyed by the conveying mechanism 104 is stacked on the other surface of the MEA 3 conveyed by the conveying mechanism 103.

[0067] The first roller 101 is an example of a thermocompression bonding component. For example, a roller with a built-in heater, a roller that circulates a heat medium, etc. can be used as the first roller 101. The MEA 3 and the subgasket 5 stacked between a pair of first rollers 101 are heated and pressurized by the first roller 101.

[0068] Thus, the subgasket 5 is bonded to the other side of the MEA 3 with the melted adhesive layer 6 interposed therebetween. The sheet with the subgasket 5 bonded to the ends of both sides of the MEA 3 is conveyed by the conveying mechanism 106. After the sheet is cooled, it is cut between adjacent MEAs 3 to obtain an MEA 3 with a subgasket 5 corresponding to one unit cell.

[0069] The manufacturing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment includes heating devices 107 and 108 . The heating devices 107 and 108 are arranged upstream of the first roller 101 in the conveying direction, and preheat the MEA 3 or the subgasket 5 before thermal compression bonding by the first roller 101 .

[0070] Preheating may be non-contact or contact. Non-contact heating is preferred because it can heat a wider range. Non-contact heating devices 107 and 108 include, for example, heat radiation heating devices such as infrared heaters, far infrared heaters, and halogen lamps, or convection heating devices such as hot air blowers. Contact heating devices 107 and 108 include, for example, heat conduction heating devices such as heated rollers and belts.

[0071] The heating device 107 preheats the subgasket 5 provided with the adhesive layer 6. In the present embodiment, the heating device 107 is arranged near the conveying mechanism 103 on the surface side of the subgasket 5 opposite to the adhesive layer 6, but in order to impart more thermal energy to the adhesive layer 6, the heating device 107 may also be arranged on the surface side of the adhesive layer 6.

[0072] The heating device 108 preheats the surfaces of the MEA 3 and the subgasket 5 on which the adhesive layer 6 is provided. The heating device 108 is arranged at a position facing the pre-set adhesive layer 6 of the MEA 3 and the adhesive layer 6 on the subgasket 5, respectively. In the case where both the MEA 3 and the subgasket 5 have the adhesive layer 6, by preheating the adhesive layers 6 of both, even if the heating time in the bonding process is short, the adhesive layers 6 of both can be fully melted. In addition, by preheating both, the position deviation of the MEA 3 and the subgasket 5 during lamination can also be reduced.

[0073] Preferably, the faster the speed at which MEA 3 or subgasket 5 is conveyed to first roller 101, the longer the preheating time by heating devices 107 and 108. When the preheating time is long, the adhesive can be sufficiently melted even if the heating time in the bonding process is short, thus eliminating bottlenecks.

[0074] From the perspective of sufficient melting, it is preferable to adjust the preheating temperature of the heating devices 107 and 108 to a range of -20°C to 0°C relative to the melting point or softening point of the adhesive. The preheating temperature of the heating devices 107 and 108 may be adjusted so that the closer to the first roller 101, the higher the preheating temperature.

[0075] By the above-mentioned preheating, the adhesive layer 6 can be fully melted only by the first roller 101, and no additional hot pressing component is required, so the manufacturing cost can be suppressed. However, additional hot pressing components can also be provided for adjusting the pressure, heating temperature or heating time in the bonding process. For example, the manufacturing device 100 can also include a pair of or more second rollers 102 as hot pressing components in addition to the first roller 101.

[0076] The manufacturing device 100 can also be used in each process (steps S2 to S4) of joining the subgasket 5 to one side of the MEA 3. In this case, the MEA 3 without the subgasket 5 is attached to the back plate, which is transported by the transport mechanism 104, and the subgasket 5 transported by the transport mechanism 103 is joined to one side of the MEA 3.

[0077] In addition, the manufacturing process of sequentially joining the subgasket 5 to each single side is described, but the subgasket 5, adhesive layer 6, MEA3, adhesive layer 6 and subgasket 5 can also be stacked in this order at once to join the subgasket 5 to both sides of the MEA3 at one time.

[0078] When the MEA 3 or the subgasket 5 is thermally shrunk by the bonding process or the preheating process, the change in size before and after the thermal shrinkage can be obtained in advance. The conveying timing of the MEA 3 or the subgasket 5 of the first roller 101 can be adjusted to match the obtained change in size, and the positions of the bonding can be matched.

[0079] As described above, the method for manufacturing the MEA 3 with the subgasket 5 according to the present embodiment includes the following steps (a) and (b).

[0080] (a) A subgasket 5 is laminated on the MEA 3 with an adhesive layer 6 interposed therebetween;

[0081] (b) The stacked body of the MEA 3 , the adhesive layer 6 , and the subgasket 5 is heated and pressurized by a thermocompression bonding device to bond the MEA 3 and the subgasket 5 .

[0082] Furthermore, the above-mentioned manufacturing method includes the following step (c).

[0083] (c) The MEA 3 or the subgasket 5 provided with the adhesive layer 6 is preheated before heating by the thermocompression bonding means.

[0084] By preheating, the adhesive layer 6 can be sufficiently melted with less heat energy during bonding. Since the heating time in the bonding process does not need to be prolonged, the speed of the entire production line does not need to be reduced for this purpose, and thus the efficiency of the production process can be improved.

[0085] Since the thermal energy required for joining is small, the heating temperature during thermocompression bonding can be lowered, or when the second rollers 102 are provided, the number of the second rollers 102 can be reduced. This can suppress an increase in manufacturing cost.

[0086] As mentioned above, although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described, the following modifications are possible, and the above-mentioned embodiment and the modified example can be combined.

[0087] [Modifications]

[0088] The present invention can also be applied to a batch-type manufacturing process.

[0089] In the batch method, a plate-shaped thermocompression bonding member may be used, or a mold-shaped thermocompression bonding member that thermocompresses only the joining area may be used.

[0090] In the batch processing method, in addition to rollers and belts, arms or the like can be used as a conveying mechanism for the MEA 3 and the subgasket 5. The MEA 3 and the subgasket 5 provided with the adhesive layer 6 are preheated by a heating device while being conveyed between the hot pressing parts. Thus, the manufacturing process can be made more efficient as in the roll-to-roll process.

[0091] Description of Reference Numerals

[0092] 10...fuel cell; 1...electrolyte membrane; 2...electrode; 21...catalyst layer; 22...diffusion layer; 3...membrane electrode assembly (MEA); 4...diaphragm; 5...subgasket; 6...adhesive layer; 100...manufacturing device; 101...first roller; 102...second roller; 103, 104...conveying mechanism; 107, 108...heating device.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly (3) with a subgasket (5), characterized in that: include: The step of laminating the subgasket (5) on the membrane electrode assembly (3) via an adhesive layer (6); and The step of heating and pressing the laminate of the membrane electrode assembly (3), the adhesive layer (6) and the subgasket (5) using a hot pressing component (101, 102) to bond the membrane electrode assembly (3) to the subgasket (5); The method further includes preheating the membrane electrode assembly (3) or the subgasket (5) laminated with the adhesive layer (6) using a heating device (107, 108) before heating by the thermal compression bonding components (101, 102).

2. The manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that The preheating performed by the aforementioned heating device (107, 108) is non-contact.

3. The manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating device (107, 108) preheats the membrane electrode assembly (3) or the subgasket (5) on which the adhesive layer (6) is provided.

4. The manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating device (107, 108) preheats the surface of the membrane electrode assembly (3) or the subgasket (5) on which the adhesive layer (6) is provided.

5. The manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The subgasket (5) is pre-bonded to the surface of one side of the membrane electrode assembly (3), and when the subgasket (5) having the adhesive layer (6) is stacked on the surface of the other side of the membrane electrode assembly (3), the heating device (107, 108) preheats both the membrane electrode assembly (3) and the subgasket (5) having the adhesive layer (6).

6. The production method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The faster the speed at which the membrane electrode assembly (3) and the subgasket (5) are conveyed to the thermocompression bonding components (101, 102), the longer the preheating time.

7. A manufacturing device (100) for a membrane electrode assembly (3) with a subgasket (5), characterized in that: have: A conveying mechanism (103, 104) laminates the sub-gasket (5) on the membrane electrode assembly (3) with an adhesive layer (6) interposed therebetween; Thermocompression bonding components (101, 102) heat and pressurize the stack of the membrane electrode assembly (3), the adhesive layer (6) and the subgasket (5) to bond the membrane electrode assembly (3) and the subgasket (5); and The heating device (107, 108) preheats the membrane electrode assembly (3) or the subgasket (5) laminated with the adhesive layer (6) before heating by the thermal compression bonding components (101, 102).

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