Device for producing a membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell

Abstract

Device (1) for producing a membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell, wherein at least one heating zone (H1 to H4) for heating components (2) of the membrane electrode assembly and at least one rotating body (4) for laminating the heated components (2) are provided, characterized in that the at least one heating zone (H1 to H4) and / or at least one cooling zone (K1 to K4) for cooling the components (2) are integrated in a circumferential surface (U1) of the rotating body (4).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for producing a membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell, wherein at least one heating zone for heating components of the membrane electrode assembly and at least one rotating body for laminating the heated components are provided.

[0002] EP 1 766 713 B1 discloses a method and a device for producing an integrated membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell. The membrane-electrode assembly comprises an ion exchange membrane, at least one gas diffusion layer, at least one catalyst layer deposited on the gas diffusion layer and / or the ion exchange membrane, and at least one protective film material. The ion exchange membrane, the at least one gas diffusion layer, the at least one catalyst layer, and the at least one protective film material are bonded together in a lamination process.During the lamination process, the components are heated to a temperature in the range of 20°C to 250°C and laminated by exerting a laminating force with a pair of rotating bodies designed as a pair of rollers, wherein an air inlet pressure in order to pressurize at least one rotating body designed as a roller is in the range of 1 bar to 3.5 bar. A heating zone is provided for heating the components. The heating zone is formed from a lower and an upper heating plate, which are arranged upstream of the pair of rollers in the process direction. For subsequent cooling of the components, a cooling zone is provided, which is formed from a lower and an upper cooling plate, which are arranged downstream of the pair of rollers in the process direction.

[0003] DE 10 2010 033 725 A1 discloses a device for producing a molded component, comprising a conveyor line with a plurality of molding tools arranged on the conveyor line and a filling unit by means of which a material for producing the molded component can be filled into the molding tools, wherein a belt system is provided, the belt of which can be guided over one or more openings of the molding tools filled with the material in order to form the molded component.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of providing a device for producing a membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell which is improved compared to the prior art.

[0005] The object is achieved according to the invention with a device which has the features specified in claim 1.

[0006] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0007] The device for producing a membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell comprises at least one heating zone for heating components of the membrane electrode assembly and at least one rotating body for laminating the heated components. According to the invention, the at least one heating zone and / or at least one cooling zone for cooling the components are integrated into a peripheral surface of the rotating body.

[0008] By means of the device according to the invention, a continuous forming process and thus the continuous production of the membrane electrode assembly is particularly advantageously possible. Furthermore, a continuously integrated transfer of the membrane electrode assembly to another component is also possible. Different application positions and application techniques, in particular a so-called "wet-on-wet application," for applying the membrane electrode assembly to the other component are also feasible.

[0009] What is particularly advantageous is that, due to the integration of the at least one heating zone and / or the at least one cooling zone into the rotating body, the device's installation space requirement is reduced compared to devices known from the prior art. Furthermore, due to the implementation of multiple manufacturing process steps using the single rotating body, manufacturing time is reduced.

[0010] In particular, long loading times of the device with the components and long lamination times are avoided.

[0011] Furthermore, it is possible to manufacture the membrane electrode assembly and fuel cell components with a small number of work steps and a reduction in manual work steps. This makes it possible to reduce the manufacturing effort and time of the membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell and of the fuel cell itself. Using the device according to the invention, fluid-tight regions of the membrane electrode assembly can be produced, which serve to gas-seal the membrane electrode assembly from a bipolar plate and an active region of the fuel cell, as well as to gas-seal an ion-conductive region of an ion exchange membrane of the membrane electrode assembly. Due to the production of these sealing elements using the device according to the invention, combinations with other sealing concepts and the production of the sealing elements from different materials are easily possible.

[0012] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

[0013] Showing: Fig. 1A schematically shows a first embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention for producing a membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell in a side view, Fig. 1B schematically shows the device according to Fig. 1A in a top view, Fig. 2A schematically shows a second embodiment of the device according to the invention in a side view, and Fig. 2B schematically shows the device according to Fig. 2A in a top view.

[0014] Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0015] In the Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B shows a first embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention for producing a membrane electrode assembly (not shown) for a fuel cell.

[0016] To produce the membrane-electrode assembly, several components 2 are bonded together to form a laminated workpiece 3, which in particular forms the membrane-electrode assembly. The components 2 comprise, in particular, an ion exchange membrane, a gas diffusion layer, a catalyst layer, a frame, and / or a bipolar plate. The ion exchange membrane is, in particular, already provided with at least one catalyst layer. Several workpieces and / or materials can be processed as components 2, wherein the workpieces and / or materials are arranged side by side, one above the other, and / or stacked.

[0017] In one embodiment, the connection of the components 2 takes place at least partially before, during and / or after the lamination, whereby a force-fitting, material-fitting and / or form-fitting connection is created.

[0018] To carry out the lamination, the device 1 comprises a rotating rotary body 4 which has a cylindrical shape. The rotary body 4 has a plurality of heating zones Z1 to Z4 integrated into its circumferential surface U1 for heating the components 2 during lamination and a plurality of cooling zones K1 to K4 for cooling the components 2. The heating zones H1 to H4 are formed from frame-shaped heating elements 6, wherein the heating elements 6 are provided for electrical heating, heating by radiation and / or heating the components by means of a heat transfer medium (not shown). The cooling zones K1 to K4 are formed from cooling elements 7 surrounded by the frame-shaped heating elements 6, wherein the cooling elements 7 are cooled electrically and / or by means of a cooling medium.

[0019] The device 1 further comprises a transport device 5 for transporting the components 2. The transport device 5 is designed as a belt and forms a counter-tool to the rotating body 4, wherein three counter-rotating bodies 8, 9, 10 are provided for moving the transport device 5. In addition to transporting the components 2 and the workpiece 3 formed therefrom, the transport device 5 is also provided for correctly and very precisely positioning the components 2 beneath the rotating body 4. In an embodiment not shown, the transport device 5 is formed solely from the counter-rotating body 9.

[0020] The components 2 are applied and / or inserted in liquid, pasty, and / or solid form prior to lamination, with the application to and / or into the transport device 5 taking place automatically and / or manually using at least one nozzle, a doctor blade, and / or other feed units. Finished components are also preferably inserted.

[0021] The components 2 to be laminated are introduced from above manually and / or automatically into open tools (not shown) on the transport device 5, in particular by means of the nozzle, the squeegee and / or as a finished component.

[0022] Alternatively or additionally, the components 2 to be laminated are manually and / or automatically inserted laterally into the open and / or a closed tool (also not shown) arranged on the transport device 5, wherein the insertion takes place, for example, by pushing and / or injecting.

[0023] The tool, not shown, is arranged alternatively to the arrangement on the transport device 5 on the belt 12 of the outer tool 11 or, if the outer tool 11 is not present, directly on the rotary body 4.

[0024] Furthermore, the device 1 comprises an outer tool 11, which has a rotating belt 12 and three drive rollers 13 to 15. The belt 12 moves simultaneously with the transport device 5 and the rotating body 4.

[0025] During the application of the components 2, the transport device 5 and the rotating body 4 continue to move and after the application, the lamination takes place, wherein the transport device 5 and the rotating body 4 move in a timed or continuous manner and preferably simultaneously with respect to each other.

[0026] The application or transfer of components 2 occurs continuously or intermittently, with the transfer being assisted by the generation of pressure and / or predetermined temperatures. In an advantageous embodiment, the components 2 have a predetermined residual moisture content during the transfer, i.e., the components 2 are not completely dry. This results in improved adhesion of the components 2.

[0027] In a further embodiment not shown in detail, the transfer is assisted by one or more materials, in particular adhesives, wherein the at least one material is applied directly to the components 2. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one material is arranged on a release and / or transport film and is transferred to the components 2 by means of a temperature generated during lamination and / or a pressure or pressing force generated during lamination.

[0028] Both the transfer of components 2 and the transfer of the material to components 2 are carried out by means of pressure or pressing force, temperature, and / or chemical activation, and are preferably supported by dryers (not shown), UV radiation, microwaves, and other methods. When transferring multiple materials, such as adhesives, to different components 2 and / or the workpiece 3 produced from them, the materials are applied simultaneously or sequentially.

[0029] In a manner not shown in detail, it is also possible for the transfer of the components 2 as well as the transfer of the material to the components 2 to be extended by means of one or more additional transfer bodies, for example by means of rollers, plates and / or belts, wherein the transfer takes place on one or both sides and simultaneously and / or sequentially.

[0030] In order to enable the transfer even with a large spatial distance between individual lamination steps and / or the extended transfer time, belts and / or film carriers (not shown) are provided for transporting the components 2 and / or the workpiece 3 formed therefrom and / or the material.

[0031] The components 2 can be guided between the transport device 5 and the circumferential surface U1 of the rotating body 4 and can be pressed during lamination. For this pressing, the counter-rotating body 9 is arranged with its circumferential surface U2 parallel to the rotating body 4, whereby in the illustrated embodiment, the counter-rotating body 9 can be pressed against the rotating body 4. Alternatively or additionally, the rotating body 4 can be pressed in the direction of the counter-rotating body 9.

[0032] During pressing, the components 2 are at least partially heated by the respective heating zones H1 to H4 and laminated by a generated pressing force. At the same time, the cooling zones K1 to K4 prevent complete heating of the components 2 and / or achieve targeted cooling of the components 2. In particular, heating of an area of ​​the components 2 located in the area of ​​the cooling zones K1 to K4, which forms an active area of ​​the membrane electrode assembly, is avoided.

[0033] The workpiece 3 produced during lamination can be a strip, a component of a stand-alone assembly, and / or a stand-alone component. The components 2, which can also be stand-alone components, can be laminated onto further components 2 and / or further components. The components are, for example, a bipolar plate and the membrane-electrode assembly.

[0034] The components 2, parts and / or workpieces are transported within the device 1 as rolled goods and / or individual parts.

[0035] Process parameters present within the lamination process, such as a temperature of the heating zones H1 to H4 and / or the cooling zones K1 to K4, a pressure or pressing force, a speed of the components of the device 1 and the duration of the lamination can be variably specified and thus adapted to different applications.

[0036] In addition, the transport device 5 and / or the counter-rotation bodies 8 to 10 can also comprise one or more heating zones and / or cooling zones.

[0037] After lamination, the previously laminated components 2 are completely cooled by means of a cooling unit 16, so that cooling leads to rapid solidification of the components 2 in the previously heated areas and thus quickly to a stable connection between the components 2.

[0038] Both the lamination of the components 2 and the transfer of the components 2 and / or the additional material or several materials are carried out once or multiple times next to each other, one behind the other and / or on top of each other.

[0039] In a further development, further transfer and / or application processes, for example post-application processes such as pressing and / or drying, are provided after the lamination. To carry out these post-application processes, the device 1 comprises, in a manner not shown, at least one post-application unit, which is designed in particular as a double-belt press or roller press. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the lamination is followed by further processes, in particular assembly processes and / or cutting processes, in which the produced workpiece 3 is further processed with other workpieces (not shown) to form the membrane electrode assembly and / or the fuel cell.

[0040] During lamination and cooling, the belt 12 of the outer tool 11 prevents the components 2 and the workpiece 3 formed therefrom from adhering to the rotating body 4 as well as the heating zones H1 to H4 and the cooling zones K1 to K4.

[0041] In order to optimally adapt the rotation body 4, the belt 12 of the outer tool 11, the transport device 5 and the associated counter-rotation bodies 8 to 10 to the lamination process, these are each formed from one or more materials adapted to the requirements and / or provided with at least one coating.

[0042] In order to prevent the components 2 from sticking to the rotating body 4 and the transport device 5 and to achieve optimized transport, transport and / or separating films are additionally provided in a manner not shown in detail. The transport and / or separating films are designed to be circumferential or are unwound from one side to the other. Depending on requirements, the transport and / or separating film is designed to be rigid or mechanically flexible. When the film is designed as a transport and separating film, it is designed as a carrier belt, by means of which the components 2 and / or the workpiece 3 formed from them can be transported inside and, if necessary, outside the device 1.In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the transport and / or separating films are formed from sandwich-like materials, wherein one side facing the components 2 and / or the workpiece 3 is preferably smooth and solid and the remaining side is formed from a soft material.

[0043] In addition to the design as a rotational body 4, design as a belt tool, plate tool or other laminating tool is possible.

[0044] Both the transport device 5 and the laminating tool, designed as a rotating body 4, belt tool, or plate tool, preferably have a shape (not shown in detail) that corresponds entirely or partially to the component shape of the workpiece 3 to be produced. Additionally, multiple shapes are also possible. Preferably, multiple shapes and / or geometries can be produced.

[0045] In order to securely hold the components 2 and the workpiece 3 on the transport device 5, on the rotating body 4, or on the laminating tool designed as a belt tool or plate tool, the components 2 and the workpiece 3 are fixed mechanically, adhesively, magnetically, and / or pneumatically. The pneumatic fixation is supported and / or extended, for example, by means of vacuum and / or overpressure accumulators. The fixation can also be created by means of the release and / or transport films or can act through them. The components 2 and the workpiece 3 formed from them are designed to be porous, dense, magnetic, and / or adhesive to achieve the fixation. Various belts, tools, films, and / or components can also be combined with one another. Tool carriers can be used as an alternative to the tools.

[0046] In addition, the device 1 comprises, in a manner not shown in detail, one or more laminating chambers formed from one or more belts, rolls, plates, tools, and / or any combination thereof. To form the laminating chambers, for example, several tools are placed next to one another and / or one on top of the other, i.e., an upper tool is placed on a lower tool. The components 2 are fixed within or on one or more tools, with the fixing being achieved mechanically, chemically, pneumatically, and / or with negative pressure.

[0047] The components 2 arranged within the lamination chamber bind, dry and / or cure partially or completely before, during and / or after lamination, whereby the necessary parameters such as pressure, temperature and time can be variably adjusted.

[0048] The Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B show a second embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention in different views. In contrast to the Fig. 1A and Fig. In the first embodiment of the device 1 shown in Fig. 1B, no external tool 11 is present.

[0049] In addition to the Fig. 1A and Fig. In the first embodiment of the device 1 shown in Figure 1B, a structure S1 for transporting and / or positioning the components 2 is introduced into and / or applied to the peripheral surface U1 of the rotating body 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the structure S1 is formed from nubs introduced onto the peripheral surface U1 of the rotating body 4.

[0050] A structure S2 corresponding to the structure S1 is introduced into and / or applied to the transport device 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the structure S2 is formed from recesses corresponding to the studs of the structure S1, with the studs engaging in the recesses for transporting and positioning the components 2. This further ensures simultaneous movement of the rotating body 4 and the transport device 5, as well as the components 2 transported by the latter.

[0051] The structures S1 and S2 of the rotation body 4 and the transport device 5 are designed to be one-dimensional and / or multi-dimensional, wherein several structures S1 and / or S2 are arranged next to one another and / or one after the other as desired.

[0052] Alternatively, the transport device 5 has a smooth surface.

Claims

[1] Device (1) for producing a membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell, wherein at least one heating zone (H1 to H4) is provided for heating components (2) of the membrane electrode assembly and at least one rotating body (4) is provided for laminating the heated components (2), characterized by that the at least one heating zone (H1 to H4) and / or at least one cooling zone (K1 to K4) for cooling the components (2) are integrated in a circumferential surface (U1) of the rotary body (4). [2] Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that a structure (S1) for transporting and / or positioning the components (2) is introduced into and / or applied to the peripheral surface (U1) of the rotating body (4). [3] Device (1) according to claim 2, characterized by that the structure (S1) comprises knobs. [4] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the rotating body (4) has a cylindrical shape. [5] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a transport device (5) is provided, wherein the components (2) can be arranged between the transport device (5) and the circumferential surface (U1) of the rotary body (4) and can be pressed against the transport device (5) by means of the rotary body (4). [6] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a counter-rotation body (9) is arranged with its circumferential surface (U2) parallel to the rotation body (4), wherein the rotation body (4) can be pressed in the direction of the counter-rotation body (9) and / or the counter-rotation body (9) can be pressed against the rotation body (4).

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