Fuel cell seal structure

Abstract

A fuel cell seal structure includes a placement portion in which a seal member is placed and to which the seal member is bonded, and a bonding layer provided between the placement portion and the seal member and bonding the placement portion and the seal member. The bonding layer includes a first portion and a second portion in a width direction of the seal member, the second portion having a thickness smaller than that of the first portion or being a gap.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a fuel cell sealing structure. Background Technology

[0002] Regarding the sealing structure of fuel cells, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-55276 discloses a technique for bonding an annular gasket to a sealing surface using an adhesive.

[0003] In the sealed structure of a fuel cell, it is desirable to further improve the adhesive strength of the sealing components. To improve adhesive strength, for example, if only the thickness of the adhesive layer containing the adhesive is increased, the amount of adhesive used increases. Therefore, a technique is desired to improve adhesive strength while suppressing the increase in the amount of adhesive used. Summary of the Invention

[0004] means for solving problems

[0005] This disclosure can be implemented in the following ways.

[0006] (1) According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a fuel cell sealing structure is provided. The fuel cell sealing structure includes: a sealing member; a placement portion disposed on and bonded to the sealing member; and an adhesive layer disposed between the placement portion and the sealing member, bonding the placement portion to the sealing member. The adhesive layer includes a first portion and a second portion in the width direction of the sealing member, the second portion having a thickness smaller than the thickness of the first portion, or a void.

[0007] According to this method, the adhesive strength of the sealing member based on the adhesive layer can be ensured by the first part of the adhesive layer. Furthermore, by having a second part of the adhesive layer, it is possible to suppress the increase in the amount of adhesive used to form the adhesive layer. In this way, it is possible to ensure adhesive strength while suppressing the increase in the amount of adhesive used.

[0008] (2) In the above-described manner, the first portion may be positioned opposite the end portion, which includes the end portion in the width direction of the sealing member, and the second portion may be positioned opposite the inner portion, which is located in the sealing member further inward in the width direction than the end portion. According to this method, higher adhesive strength can be ensured at the end portion, where greater shear stress is easily generated, and the amount of adhesive used can be reduced at the inner portion, where less shear stress is easily generated. As a result, adhesive strength throughout both the end and inner portions can be effectively ensured while suppressing an increase in the amount of adhesive used.

[0009] (3) Alternatively, in the above-described manner, the adhesive layer may include a third portion in the width direction, the third portion being disposed between the first portion and the second portion, the third portion having a thickness smaller than that of the first portion and larger than that of the second portion. According to this method, since a greater adhesive strength than that of the second portion can be ensured at the third portion adjacent to the first portion, it is possible to further allow the sealing member to shift its position relative to the adhesive layer in the width direction while suppressing an increase in the amount of adhesive used.

[0010] (4) In the above method, the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion are positioned corresponding to the distribution of shear stress in the width direction, which is generated on the sealing member when the fuel cell sealing structure is compressed along the thickness direction of the sealing member. The first portion is positioned opposite to the portion generating a first intensity of shear stress, the second portion is positioned opposite to the portion generating a second intensity of shear stress, the second intensity being less than the first intensity, and the third portion is positioned opposite to the portion generating a third intensity of shear stress, the third intensity being less than the first intensity and greater than the second intensity. According to this method, it is possible to more effectively ensure adhesive strength while suppressing an increase in the amount of adhesive used.

[0011] (5) In the above-described manner, the adhesive layer may also include a plurality of first portions and a plurality of second portions, each of the plurality of first portions being disposed between adjacent second portions. According to this manner, by utilizing the plurality of recesses formed by the plurality of first portions and the plurality of second portions, an anchoring effect can be appropriately generated between the sealing member and the adhesive layer, thereby further improving the adhesive strength.

[0012] In addition to the aforementioned fuel cell sealing structure, this disclosure can also be implemented as a fuel cell, a method for manufacturing a fuel cell sealing structure, or a method for manufacturing a fuel cell. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is an explanatory diagram showing the schematic structure of the fuel cell in the first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 This is an explanatory diagram of the fuel cell sealing structure in the first embodiment.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a process diagram illustrating the manufacturing method of the fuel cell sealing structure.

[0016] Figure 4 This is an explanatory diagram of the fuel cell sealing structure in the second embodiment.

[0017] Figure 5 This is an explanatory diagram of the fuel cell sealing structure in the third embodiment.

[0018] Figure 6 This is an explanatory diagram of the fuel cell sealing structure in the fourth embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0019] A. First implementation method:

[0020] Figure 1 This is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic structure of the fuel cell 10 in the first embodiment. The fuel cell 10 includes a stack 150, a pair of terminal blocks 300 and 310, a pair of insulating plates 320 and 330, and a pair of end plates 340 and 350. The stack 150 is composed of a plurality of individual cells 140 stacked in the stacking direction ds. The terminal blocks 300 and 310 clamp the stack 150 in the Z direction. The insulating plates 320 and 330 are respectively grounded to the terminal blocks 300 and 310 from the outside in the Z direction. The end plates 340 and 350 are respectively grounded to the insulating plates 320 and 330 from the outside in the Z direction. The fuel cell 10 is stacked by fastening members (not shown) along the stacking direction ds. The stacking direction ds is a direction orthogonal to the planar direction of the individual cells 140. In the stacked fuel cell 10, each of the plurality of individual cells 140 is held in a state with a fastening pressure generated by a fastening force along the stacking direction ds.

[0021] The fuel cell 10 is a solid polymer fuel cell that generates electricity by accepting a supply of hydrogen-containing anode gas and oxygen-containing cathode gas. The electricity generated in the fuel cell 10 through an electrochemical reaction is collected in terminal blocks 300 and 310 and taken out from the terminals provided in the terminal blocks 300 and 310 to an external load.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, the fuel cell 10 includes an anode gas supply manifold 410 for supplying anode gas to the fuel cell 10 and an anode gas discharge manifold 415 for discharging anode gas from the fuel cell 10. Similarly, the fuel cell 10 includes a cathode gas supply manifold 420 and a cathode gas discharge manifold 425 for supplying and discharging cathode gas, and a refrigerant supply manifold 430 and a refrigerant discharge manifold 435 for supplying and discharging refrigerant. Each manifold is configured to pass through the end plate 350, the insulating plate 330, the terminal block 310, and all the stacked individual cells 140.

[0023] Each single cell 140 includes a membrane electrode gas-diffusion-layer assembly (MEGA) plate 20 and a pair of separators 40, 50. The MEGA plate 20 has a MEGA 21 and a resin sheet 31 bonded around the MEGA 21.

[0024] The MEGA21 comprises a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and a pair of gas diffusion layers sandwiching the MEA. The MEA has an electrolyte membrane and anolyte and cathode catalyst layers disposed on both sides of the electrolyte membrane. The electrolyte membrane is a solid polymer film exhibiting good proton conductivity in a wetted state. The electrolyte membrane is, for example, an ion-exchange membrane made of a fluorinated resin. The catalyst layers contain a catalyst that promotes the chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, and carbon particles supporting the catalyst. The gas diffusion layers are disposed adjacent to the sides of the catalyst layers. The gas diffusion layers are layers that diffuse the reaction gases used in the electrode reaction along the surface direction of the electrolyte membrane, and are composed of a porous diffusion layer substrate. Porous substrates with conductivity and gas diffusion properties, such as carbon fiber substrates, graphite fiber substrates, and foamed metals, are used as diffusion layer substrates.

[0025] In this embodiment, the resin sheet 31 is formed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). In other embodiments, the resin sheet 31 may also be formed of various other thermoplastic resin components such as polypropylene and polyethylene. A slit-shaped gas inlet passage (not shown) is provided on the resin sheet 31 to connect the various manifolds and MEGA 21. The gas inlet passage is formed, for example, through the resin sheet 31.

[0026] Partitions 40 and 50 clamp the MEGA plate 20 along the stacking direction ds. Hereinafter, the direction along the stacking direction ds from partition 40 toward partition 50 will be referred to as "downward," and the direction from partition 50 toward partition 40 will be referred to as "upward." That is, partition 40 is located above partition 50. In this embodiment, partitions 40 and 50 are made of stainless steel. In other embodiments, partitions 40 and 50 may also be made of titanium, for example.

[0027] Figure 2 This is an explanatory diagram of the fuel cell sealing structure 35 in the first embodiment. Figure 2 The upper part shows the view of a single cell 140 from one side of the stacking direction ds. Figure 2 The middle section shows an observation along the II-II section indicator line. Figure 2 The case of the single battery 140 at the top. In Figure 2 The lower part shows the compressed fuel cell sealing structure 35, which will be described later. (As shown...) Figure 2As shown, the fuel cell sealing structure 35 has a sealing member 60, a partition 40, and an adhesive layer 70 as configuration parts.

[0028] At least a portion of the separator 40 in the fuel cell sealing structure 35 corresponds to a "configuration section" in the fuel cell sealing structure 35. The configuration section is the portion on which the sealing member 60 is disposed and bonded to the sealing member 60 via an adhesive layer 70. The adhesive layer 70 is disposed between the configuration section and the sealing member 60, and bonds the configuration section and the sealing member 60 together. In this embodiment, the adhesive layer 70 is formed using an adhesive comprising a UV-curable resin. That is, the adhesive layer 70 is configured as a layer comprising a cured adhesive.

[0029] The baffle 40 has multiple gas flow paths GC formed by grooves of concave and convex shapes at positions corresponding to the gas inlet path. The portion of the baffle 40 including the gas flow paths GC is also referred to as the central section CP. Gas flowing through each manifold is supplied to the MEGA 21 through the gas inlet path and the gas flow paths GC. In addition, the baffle 50 is the same as the baffle 40, having gas flow paths GC and a central section CP.

[0030] like Figure 2 As shown, a sealing member 60 is disposed above the separator 40. That is, the sealing member 60 is disposed in the stacking direction ds between the separator 40 of a certain single cell 140 and the separator 50 of the next adjacent single cell 140. The sealing member 60 is configured as a gasket to seal between the separator 40 and the separator 50. In this embodiment, sealing members 60A, 60B, 60C, 60D, and 60E are provided as the sealing member 60. Sealing member 60A is disposed to surround the refrigerant supply manifold 430, the refrigerant discharge manifold 435, and the central portion CP. Sealing member 60B is disposed to surround the anode gas supply manifold 410, 60C is disposed to surround the anode gas discharge manifold 415, 60D is disposed to surround the cathode gas supply manifold 420, and 60E is disposed to surround the cathode gas discharge manifold 425.

[0031] In this embodiment, the sealing member 60 is constructed as a UV-curable CIPG (Cured In Place Gasket). That is, the sealing member 60 is formed by curing a fluid sealing member precursor, such as a liquid or paste, using ultraviolet light. In other embodiments, the sealing member 60 may also be constructed from various elastomers, such as rubber materials or thermoplastic elastomers. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, "sealing member 60" refers to the cured sealing member 60.

[0032] like Figure 1As shown, the sealing member 60 has a base portion 61 and a protrusion 62. The base portion 61 is the wider portion of the sealing member 60 in the width direction dw compared to the protrusion 62. The width direction dw is orthogonal to the thickness direction dt and the extension direction de of the sealing member 60. The thickness direction dt is along the lamination direction ds and is orthogonal to the extension direction de. As described later, the base portion 61 is bonded to the partition 40 via an adhesive layer 70.

[0033] The protrusion 62 is a portion that protrudes from the base portion 61 and has an upwardly projecting shape. The protruding direction of the protrusion 62 is along the thickness direction dt. The front end of the protruding portion 62 in the protruding direction has a rounded curved shape. As described above, the protrusion 62 is pressed from above by the separator 50 through the fastening of the fuel cell 10. As a result, the sealing member 60 is compressed from above in the thickness direction dt. In addition, in the stacked fuel cell 10, the sealing member 60 is maintained in a compressed state by maintaining the fastening pressure. Through such compression of the sealing member 60, the contact area between the sealing member 60 and the separator 50 increases, ensuring the tightness between the sealing member 60 and the separator 50. Hereinafter, the fuel cell sealing structure 35 including the such compressed sealing member 60 will also be referred to as the "compressed fuel cell sealing structure 35".

[0034] The adhesive layer 70 has a first portion 71 and a second portion 72 in the width direction dw. The thickness of the second portion 72 is less than the thickness of the first portion 71. In this embodiment, the second portion 72 is configured to have a thickness greater than zero.

[0035] In this embodiment, the first portion 71 is positioned in the width direction dw opposite to the end portion 63 of the sealing member 60. Furthermore, as used herein, "opposite" refers to the opposition between the sealing member 60 and the adhesive layer 70 in the thickness direction dt. The end portion 63 is the portion of the sealing member 60 that includes its end portion in the width direction dw. Additionally, the second portion 72 is positioned in the width direction dw opposite to the inner portion 64 of the sealing member 60. The inner portion 64 is the portion of the sealing member 60 located in the width direction dw that is further inside than the end portion 63. Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, when viewed in a cross section along the extension direction de, the second portion 72 is disposed between the two first portions 71.

[0036] exist Figure 2 The lower part is shown with dotted shading to indicate the distribution of shear stress generated in the compressed sealing member 60. The shear stress distribution represents the distribution of shear stress in the cross-section of the sealing member 60. An orthogonal cross-section refers to a cross-section orthogonal to the extension direction de. More specifically, in Figure 2The lower part, where higher shear stress is generated, is marked with a higher density of shading. Figure 2 The distribution of shear stress in the lower part was obtained as a result of a compression simulation of the fuel cell sealing structure 35. The compression simulation simulated the compression of the fuel cell sealing structure 35 in the fastened fuel cell 10. In addition, in actual use of the fuel cell 10, in addition to the shear stress caused by compression due to fastening, forces caused by fluids such as cathode gas, hydrogen, and cooling water are also applied to the sealing member 60.

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, the inventors of this application discovered that in the compressed sealing member 60, higher shear stress is generated at the end portion 63 and lower shear stress is generated at the inner portion 64. Furthermore, the inventors of this application discovered that the greater the thickness of the adhesive layer 70, the greater the tendency for the adhesive strength of the adhesive layer 70 to increase. Therefore, in this embodiment, by arranging the first portion 71 at a position opposite to the end portion 63, greater adhesive strength is ensured in the end portion 63 where greater adhesive strength is required. Additionally, by arranging the second portion 72 at a position opposite to the inner portion 64 where less adhesive strength is required, for example, compared to the case where the adhesive layer 70 is composed only of the first portion 71, an increase in the amount of adhesive used to form the adhesive layer 70 is suppressed.

[0038] Figure 3 This is a process diagram illustrating the manufacturing method of the fuel cell sealing structure 35 in this embodiment.

[0039] In step S10, a coating process is performed. The coating process is the process of applying an adhesive for forming the adhesive layer 70 to the placement section. In this embodiment, the adhesive is applied to the partition 40 using inkjet technology. More specifically, the adhesive is applied to the partition 40 by dispensing droplets of adhesive from the nozzle of the inkjet device onto the partition 40. In other embodiments, the adhesive can be applied to the partition 40 using, for example, a syringe-type dispenser or a spray dispenser. By using inkjet technology or a dispenser, the application position or thickness of the adhesive can be controlled with greater precision in the coating process. In particular, inkjet technology is useful when forming an adhesive layer 70 for bonding relatively small sealing members 60 with a width of less than 2 mm.

[0040] In the coating process of this embodiment, the adhesive is applied according to the shear stress distribution described above. By implementing the coating process, the adhesive for forming the first portion 71 and the second adhesive for forming the second portion 72 are disposed on the partition 40. In the coating process, the adhesive can also be said to be applied in a manner that forms both the first portion 71 and the second portion 72. Furthermore, by applying the adhesive in this manner that forms both the first portion 71 and the second portion 72, for example, compared to applying the adhesive only to form the first portion 71, it is possible to suppress the wetting and spreading of the adhesive towards the outside of the sealing member 60 in the width direction dw. As a result, the amount of adhesive used can be reduced. Additionally, it is possible to prevent the accidental formation of a layer of adhesive that does not contribute to adhesion on the partition 40.

[0041] In step S20, a first curing process is performed. The first curing process is a process that cures a portion of the adhesive applied in the coating process after the coating process. More specifically, in the first curing step, an adhesive layer precursor is formed by irradiating the applied adhesive with ultraviolet light. The adhesive layer precursor includes a cured layer formed by the cured adhesive and an uncured layer composed of uncured adhesive. The cured layer is formed inside the uncured layer. The uncured layer is formed to cover the cured layer. The uncured layer is formed by inhibiting the curing of the near-surface portion of the adhesive using oxygen inhibition.

[0042] In step S30, a configuration process is performed. The configuration process is the process of configuring a sealing member precursor onto the adhesive layer precursor. In this embodiment, the configuration process uses a forming mold to shape and configure a fluid sealing member precursor onto the adhesive layer precursor into a shape corresponding to the finished shape of the sealing member 60. At this time, an uncured portion is formed, where the lower end of the sealing member precursor and at least a portion of the uncured layer are integrated. The uncured portion is also referred to as the interface miscibility layer.

[0043] In step S40, a second curing process is performed. In this second curing process, the uncured layers of the sealing member precursor and the adhesive layer precursor are cured to form the sealing member 60 and the adhesive layer 70. At this time, by curing the uncured portions, the sealing member 60 and the adhesive layer 70 are bonded together. Through the second curing process, the adhesive layer 70 bonds the sealing member 60 and the partition 40, which serves as the mounting portion, to form the fuel cell sealing structure 35.

[0044] According to the fuel cell sealing structure 35 of this embodiment described above, the adhesive layer 70 has a first portion 71 and a second portion 72 in the width direction dw, and the second portion 72 has a thickness smaller than that of the first portion 71. Therefore, the first portion 71 ensures the adhesive strength of the sealing member 60 based on the adhesive layer 70. In addition, by having the second portion 72 in the adhesive layer 70, the increase in the amount of adhesive used to form the adhesive layer 70 can be suppressed. Thus, according to this embodiment, the increase in the amount of adhesive used can be suppressed while ensuring adhesive strength.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first portion 71 is positioned opposite to the end portion 63 in the sealing member 60, and the second portion 72 is positioned opposite to the inner portion 64 in the sealing member 60. This ensures higher adhesive strength at the end portion 63, where higher shear stress is more likely to occur, and reduces the amount of adhesive used at the inner portion 64, where lower shear stress is more likely to occur. As a result, adhesive strength throughout both the end portion 63 and the inner portion 64 can be effectively ensured while suppressing an increase in adhesive usage.

[0046] B. Second implementation method:

[0047] Figure 4 This is an explanatory diagram of the fuel cell sealing structure 35b in the second embodiment. Figure 4 and Figure 2 The lower part is the same, showing the shear stress distribution in the sealing member 60. (As shown) Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the second portion 72b is configured as a void. That is, the thickness of the second portion 72b in this embodiment is zero. Furthermore, the second portion 72b corresponds to a through-hole penetrating the adhesive layer 70b along the thickness direction dt. In the fuel cell sealing structure 35b of the second embodiment, aspects not specifically described are the same as in the first embodiment. According to the second embodiment, it is also possible to suppress the increase in the amount of adhesive used while ensuring adhesive strength. In particular, in this embodiment, by configuring the second portion 72b as a void, the increase in the amount of adhesive used can be suppressed more effectively.

[0048] C. Third implementation method:

[0049] Figure 5 This is an explanatory diagram of the fuel cell sealing structure 35c in the third embodiment. (and...) Figure 4 same, Figure 5 The shear stress distribution in the sealing member 60 is shown. For example... Figure 5As shown, in this embodiment, the adhesive layer 70c further has a third portion 73 in the width direction dw. The third portion 73 is disposed between the first portion 71 and the second portion 72 in the width direction dw. The thickness of the third portion 73 is less than the thickness of the first portion 71 and greater than the thickness of the second portion 72. Furthermore, when the second portion 72 is a void, the thickness of the third portion 73 only needs to be greater than zero. In this embodiment, the third portion 73 is formed by progressively increasing the thickness of the adhesive layer 70c from the second portion 72 toward the first portion 71. In the fuel cell sealing structure 35c of the third embodiment, aspects not specifically described are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0050] In this embodiment, the first portion 71, the second portion 72, and the third portion 73 are arranged in the width direction dw at positions corresponding to the shear stress distribution in the compressed sealing member 60. More specifically, the first portion 71 is arranged in the width direction dw opposite to the portion P1 that generates a first intensity of shear stress. The second portion 72 is arranged in the width direction dw opposite to the portion P2 that generates a second intensity of shear stress. The second intensity is less than the first intensity. The third portion 73 is arranged in the width direction dw opposite to the portion P3 that generates a third intensity of shear stress. The third intensity is less than the first intensity but greater than the second intensity. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first portion 71 and the third portion 73 are arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction dw.

[0051] According to the fuel cell sealing structure 35c described above in the third embodiment, the adhesive layer 70c further has a third portion 73 disposed between the first portion 71 and the second portion 72 in the width direction dw. The thickness of the third portion 73 is less than the thickness of the first portion 71 and greater than the thickness of the second portion 72. During the manufacturing stage of the fuel cell sealing structure 35c, even if the arrangement position of the sealing member 60 relative to the adhesive layer 70c is slightly offset in the width direction dw, the portion that was originally intended to be bonded by the first portion 71 can be bonded by the third portion 73, which has a higher adhesive strength than the second portion 72. Thus, according to this embodiment, a greater adhesive strength than the second portion 72 can be ensured in the third portion 73 adjacent to the first portion 71, thereby allowing for further offset of the arrangement position of the sealing member 60 relative to the adhesive layer 70c in the width direction dw while suppressing an increase in the amount of adhesive used. That is, in this embodiment, even assuming an offset in the arrangement position, the possibility of ensuring higher adhesive strength is higher compared to a method without the third portion 73. In particular, in this embodiment, since the first portion 71 and the third portion 73 are arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction dw, the configuration position offset can be allowed more effectively.

[0052] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the first portion 71, the second portion 72, and the third portion 73 are positioned corresponding to the shear stress distribution in the sealing member 60. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively ensure bond strength while suppressing an increase in the amount of adhesive used.

[0053] D. Fourth Implementation Method:

[0054] Figure 6 This is an explanatory diagram of the fuel cell sealing structure 35d in the fourth embodiment. (and...) Figure 4 same, Figure 6 The shear stress distribution in the sealing member 60 is shown. For example... Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the adhesive layer 70d includes a plurality of first portions 71 and a plurality of second portions 72 in the width direction dw. Each of the plurality of second portions 72 is disposed between adjacent first portions 71 in the width direction dw. As a result, the adhesive layer 70d includes a plurality of recesses 76 divided by the first portions 71 and the second portions 72. The plurality of recesses 76 are arranged along the width direction dw and opposite to the sealing member 60. That is, each recess 76 opens upward toward the sealing member 60. In the fuel cell sealing structure 35d of the fourth embodiment, aspects not specifically described are the same as in the first embodiment. According to this embodiment, by utilizing the plurality of recesses 76 formed by the plurality of first portions 71 and the plurality of second portions 72, an anchoring effect can be appropriately generated between the sealing member 60 and the adhesive layer 70d, further improving the adhesive strength. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, by utilizing the recesses 76, even if the surface of the separator 40 is not formed with unevenness through surface treatment such as sandblasting, the sealing member 60 can be fixed relative to the disposed portion by utilizing the anchoring effect. As a result, for example, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the electrical properties of the separator 40 caused by surface treatment.

[0055] E. Other implementation methods:

[0056] (E1) In the above embodiments, the adhesive may not be applied according to the shear stress distribution during the coating process. Furthermore, the first portion 71 and the second portion 72 may not be positioned corresponding to the shear stress distribution. Similarly, the third portion 73 may not be positioned corresponding to the shear stress distribution.

[0057] (E2) In the third and fourth embodiments described above, the second portion 72 may also be configured as a gap, similar to the second embodiment. Furthermore, in the second and fourth embodiments described above, the third portion 73 may also be disposed between the first portion 71 and the second portion 72, similar to the third embodiment.

[0058] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various structures without departing from its spirit. For example, in order to solve some or all of the above-described problems, or to achieve some or all of the above-described effects, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in the various methods described in the Summary of the Invention section can be appropriately replaced or combined. In addition, if a technical feature is not described as an essential technical feature in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

Claims

1. A fuel cell sealing structure, wherein, have: Sealing components; A configuration section, wherein the sealing member is disposed, and is bonded to the sealing member; and An adhesive layer is disposed between the configuration portion and the sealing member, and bonds the configuration portion and the sealing member together. The adhesive layer comprises a first portion and a second portion in the width direction of the sealing member, wherein the second portion has a thickness less than that of the first portion, or is a void.

2. The fuel cell sealing structure according to claim 1, wherein, The first portion is positioned opposite an end portion of the sealing member, the end portion including an end portion in the width direction. The second portion is positioned opposite the inner portion of the sealing member, the inner portion being located further inward in the width direction than the end portion.

3. The fuel cell sealing structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The adhesive layer includes a third portion in the width direction, the third portion being disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The third part has a thickness that is smaller than that of the first part and larger than that of the second part.

4. The fuel cell sealing structure according to claim 3, wherein, The first portion, the second portion, and the third portion are positioned corresponding to the distribution of shear stress in the width direction, which is the distribution of shear stress generated on the sealing member when the fuel cell sealing structure is compressed along the thickness direction of the sealing member. The first portion is positioned opposite the portion that generates the first intensity of shear stress. The second portion is positioned opposite the portion that generates the second intensity of shear stress, which is less than the first intensity. The third portion is positioned opposite the portion that generates the third shear stress, which is less than the first strength and greater than the second strength.

5. The fuel cell sealing structure according to claim 1, wherein, The adhesive layer includes a plurality of first portions and a plurality of second portions in the width direction. Each of the plurality of second portions is configured between adjacent first portions.

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