Method of producing membrane electrode assemblies in form of continuous web

Abstract

To provide an efficient, automated, accurate, and cost-efficient method for production of multi-layer membrane electrode assemblies in the form of a continuous web.SOLUTION: A method for the production of membrane electrode assemblies 11, 45 in the form of a continuous web is provided. The membrane electrode assemblies each comprise: a layer assembly with a membrane which is arranged between an anode and a cathode; a frame-shaped seal which at least surrounds the outer rims of the layer assembly so that an inner region of the layer assembly surrounded by the frame-shaped seal is exposed; and gas diffusion plies 12. The method comprises the steps of: providing membrane electrode assemblies in the form of roll material with a cathode, an anode and a membrane lying therebetween as well as a seal frame surrounding at least the outer rims of the membrane electrode assemblies; and arranging first gas diffusion plies on first sides of the membrane electrode assemblies and / or arranging second gas diffusion plies on second sides of the membrane electrode assemblies.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to first and second methods for efficiently, automatically, accurately, and cost - effectively manufacturing a multilayer, continuous web - shaped membrane - electrode assembly suitable for use in fuel cells, water electrolysis cells, electrochemical compressors, and electrochemical sensors.

Background Art

[0002] Methods for manufacturing membrane - electrode assemblies are known in the prior art. For example, European Patent No. 1629559 describes a method for manufacturing a catalyst - coated membrane, a so - called CCM (catalyst - coated membrane). The CCM has a peripheral portion made of an edge material that functions as a seal so that reaction gas does not escape from the reaction region into the environment when the CCM is used. The drawback of the above - described method is that the catalyst - coated membrane is used as a continuous sheet and most of the membrane surface is covered by the edge material. In other words, since the overlap region between the membrane and the edge material is very large, most of the active region of the membrane cannot be used, resulting in a very low utilization rate of the membrane and high costs.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an efficient, automated, accurate, and at the same time cost - effective method for manufacturing a multilayer membrane - electrode assembly in the form of a continuous web, which can also be easily implemented without high technical effort.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] The means for solving this problem are provided by the independent claims. The dependent claims relate to further advantageous developments and embodiments of the present invention.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention is solved by the method described in detail below, in which the membrane electrode assembly is manufactured in the form of a continuous web. Each membrane electrode assembly consists of a layer assembly having a membrane disposed between an anode and a cathode. Further, a frame-shaped seal surrounding at least the outer edge of the layer assembly is provided, and an inner region of the layer assembly surrounded by the frame-shaped seal is exposed. In other words, a membrane is introduced between the anode and the cathode to form a layer assembly, and a membrane electrode assembly is provided that forms a layer assembly surrounded by a window frame-shaped seal such that an exposed window-shaped portion of the layer assembly is surrounded by the frame-shaped seal.

[0006] The method includes first providing a first gasket material for manufacturing a frame-shaped or frame-like gasket as a roll material. Thus, the sealing material initially exists as a continuous material wound in a roll, rather than as a sealing portion. The first sealing material is disposed on a first protective film, which also exists in the roll material.

[0007] Similarly, a second sealing material is also provided as a roll material. Like the first sealing material, the second sealing material is disposed on a protective film, i.e., on a second protective film. The first sealing material and the second sealing material may be the same or different, whereby similarities or differences may be related to chemical composition and / or geometric factors. It is essential for the present invention that the seal frame manufactured from the first and second sealing materials prevents undesirable leakage of reaction gas or reaction liquid, or gas or liquid generated during the reaction using the membrane electrode assembly.

[0008] Next, a step of generating a first frame-shaped partial seal from the first sealing material is performed so as not to damage the first protective film. As a result, the generated first frame-shaped partial seal remains disposed on the first protective film.

[0009] Similarly, the second frame-shaped partial seal is also manufactured from the second sealing material. Here too, the second frame-shaped partial seal is manufactured so that the second protective film is not damaged, and as a result, the second partial seal remains on the second protective film.

[0010] Manufacturing the partial seal according to the present invention is advantageous because the respective protective films are not cut, so the partial seals can be continuously processed successively, and there is no need to store, stockpile, or transport them separately.

[0011] Next, the first carrier film is placed on the first partial seal. The carrier film can advantageously have a cover film, which is removed before the first carrier film is placed on the first partial seal.

[0012] Next, the manufactured first frame-shaped partial seal is supplied to and deposited on the first transport medium with the first protective film removed. The first transport medium is not particularly limited, but preferably can be in the form of a vacuum transport belt, whereby the first partial seal can be effectively, simply, quickly, and reliably transported, and deviation can be prevented. The transport medium can be provided as appropriate when component transport is required.

[0013] In a further method step, a layer assembly material consisting of an anode, a cathode, and an intervening film is provided as a roll material. This means that although the anode, cathode, and film have not yet been cut to geometric dimensions suitable for use, a roll material in which the continuous layers of the anode, cathode, and intervening film exist in the form of a layer assembly is used. This promotes the continuous production of a membrane electrode assembly (hereinafter also referred to as MEA). In particular, the layer assembly material can be placed on a transport medium such as another carrier film that can effectively prevent damage. The carrier film can have an adhesive layer for better transport of the layer assembly material.

[0014] Next, the layer assemblies are cut from the layer assembly material, and these are deposited on the first framelike partial seal disposed on the carrier material. The cutting can be performed by conventional tools such as cutting tools and punches. After depositing the cut layer assemblies on the first framelike partial seal, the second framelike partial seal is supplied and deposited on the layer assemblies disposed on the first framelike partial seal, i.e., on the exposed upper side of the layer assemblies, whereby the second protective film is also removed here.

[0015] In this way, the first framelike partial seal and the second framelike partial seal surround the layer assembly circumferentially in the form of a seal frame, and the layer assembly is exposed inside. In other words, the window-shaped portions of the first framelike partial seal and the second framelike partial seal are arranged to coincide, and the layer assemblies are respectively disposed therebetween. A so-called assembly is created, whereby the assembly is composed of the first partial seal, the layer assembly, and the second partial seal in this order. Depending on how the layer assembly composed of the anode, the cathode, and the intervening film is disposed on the first partial seal, the orientation of the anode or the cathode with respect to the first partial seal or the second partial seal can vary.

[0016] To achieve a good sealing effect, after the first partial seal, the layer assembly, and the second partial seal are disposed one on top of the other, an adhesive or a radiation-curable agent is disposed between the first and second partial seals disposed one on top of the other, such that the adhesive is disposed on the first sealing material and / or the second sealing material, or the radiation-curable agent is disposed on the first sealing material and / or the second sealing material.

[0017] Next, the sealing effect of the frame-shaped seal formed from the first and second partial seals is achieved by heat activation of the adhesive or radiation curing of the radiation-curable agent, and during this step, in order to connect the first and second partial seals to the layer assembly, further compression of the assembly is carried out. In this way, a membrane electrode assembly having a frame-shaped seal is obtained as a continuous roll on a first carrier material, and this continuous roll is arranged on a web-shaped carrier material and can be further processed in a continuous process or transported for storage.

[0018] Accordingly, according to the present invention, a method for manufacturing a continuous web of a membrane electrode assembly is provided, which shows advantages over the prior art with respect to the effective, automated, technically and logically easy-to-handle manufacture of the membrane electrode assembly, and continuous and thus time-efficient component guidance and processing is always ensured.

[0019] According to the present invention, a membrane electrode assembly is produced in which there is a catalytically coated membrane that can be regarded as a composite consisting of an anode, a cathode, and a membrane located between the anode and the cathode, in particular a membrane capable of conducting protons. The membrane coated with the catalyst is in the form of a continuous web, in other words in the form of a roll (after the continuous web has been wound up). The membrane assembly is surrounded by a specially designed sealing frame, which is designed to surround the anode, the cathode, and the membrane at their ends. That is, after the first and second partial seals are connected, the cathode, the anode, and the membrane of each membrane assembly are surrounded on all sides by a frame-shaped seal at their outer edges. The frame-shaped seal or sealing frame has a shape like a picture frame or a window frame, and is understood to mean a sealing structure having a free inner region inside the membrane electrode assembly between the respective inner edges of the sealing frame, and has a shape like a cut-out picture frame or window frame. In this inner region, at least the overlapping portions of the cathode, the anode, and the membrane are exposed and are therefore not covered by the sealing frame. Here, the sealing frame can only contact the ends of the anode, the cathode, and the membrane, or the anode, the cathode, and / or the membrane can partially overlap in the layer thickness direction of the MEA, that is, in the arrangement direction of the layers of the MEA. The layer thickness direction also corresponds to the stacking direction of the MEA, that is, the arrangement direction of the anode, the membrane, and the cathode. The sealing frame is formed from a first partial seal and a second partial seal, and these partial seals are adhesively bonded, in particular by material bonding, by an adhesive or by radiation curing of a radiation-curable agent applied and compression of the assembly, and are therefore mechanically stable.

[0020] The membrane electrode assembly produced according to the present invention can be used, for example, in fuel cells, water electrolysis cells, electrochemical compressors, and electrochemical sensors.

[0021] According to a further development example that is advantageous from the viewpoint of continuous and time-efficient process management, the production of the first and second frame-shaped partial seals is carried out by rotary punching, flat punching, or laser cutting a window-shaped cut-out from a first sealing material and a second sealing material. The above-mentioned process is very low-loss and is characterized by high precision.

[0022] More advantageously, the first sealing material and the second sealing material are guided in opposite directions. This has the advantage of a space-saving processing method.

[0023] The first partial seal and the second partial seal are joined particularly efficiently by guiding them through a pair of rollers (at least the first roller of which is designed of an elastic material) before the heat activation of the adhesive or the radiation curing of the radiation curable agent, thereby pre-fixing the first partial seal and the second partial seal. The elastic material can be used to urge the partial seals against each other so that air pockets between the first and second partial seals are effectively prevented.

[0024] To prevent deviation of the individual parts of the assembly to be joined to each other, the heat activation or radiation curing and compression are preferably carried out by guiding the assembly through a fixture to which thermal energy and pressure or radiation and pressure are applied to the assembly. As a result, the scrap amount of the membrane electrode assembly is reduced.

[0025] To make the heat activation particularly efficient and thereby prevent damage to the assembly, the fixture is preferably heated to a temperature of 80°C to 160°C, more preferably 100°C to 140°C, and the thermal energy can be applied symmetrically or asymmetrically. When a radiation curable agent is used, radiation in the wavelength range of 450 nm to 100 nm, preferably 420 nm to 365 nm, is preferably selected and applied to the exposed upper side and the exposed lower side of the product to be manufactured, i.e., the assembly material that has not yet been cured. The exposed side is understood to be the side of the assembly that is not on the carrier material. In the simplest case, the radiation is supplied from the exposed upper side of the second partial seal.

[0026] When the pressure applied to the assembly by the fixture is 0.05 MPa to 10 MPa, preferably 0.15 MPa to 5 MPa, and more preferably 0.25 MPa to 3 MPa, it is particularly advantageous from the viewpoint of good sealing characteristics. In the pressure range up to 10 MPa, the first partial seal and the second partial seal can be compressed together to form a seal frame without air entrainment. Thus, the lower the pressure, the more effectively damage to the sealing material and, in some cases, the components of the assembly can be avoided. Considering the above advantages, a pressure of 0.25 MPa to 3 MPa is particularly suitable.

[0027] It is also advantageous when the compression is carried out for 0.006 seconds to 60 seconds, preferably 0.2 seconds to 120 seconds, and more preferably 0.25 seconds to 5 seconds.

[0028] According to a further advantageous further development, the cutting of the layer assembly from the layer assembly material is carried out such that the area of the layer assembly surrounded by the frame-shaped first and second partial seals is larger than the window-shaped cutouts of the first and second partial seals. As a result, a partial area of the layer assembly overlaps the partial seal, and a particularly good layer bond is formed, effectively preventing leakage between the layer assembly and the seal frame.

[0029] Preferably, the cut layer assembly is conveyed to a conveying medium before being deposited on the first frame-shaped partial seal and is conveyed from the first conveying medium to the second conveying medium such that the individual layer assemblies are spaced apart. Spacing is advantageous for improving the exact fitting arrangement of the layer assembly on the first partial seal, so that when the membrane electrode assembly is later used, the size of the layer assembly can use the largest internal area for the catalytic reaction.

[0030] More advantageously, since the layer assembly material includes a layer assembly carrier film, the layer assembly material can be effectively conveyed without distortion. Here, the cutting of the layer assembly is carried out such that the layer assembly carrier film is not cut, thereby promoting the continuous processing of the layer assembly.

[0031] According to a further advantageous further development, the layer assembly carrier film is removed from the layer assembly at an angle greater than 90°, preferably greater than 105°, more preferably greater than 120° before the layer assembly is deposited on the first framed partial seal. When the layer assembly carrier film is peeled off at an angle of 90° or more, deformation or (partial) peeling of the components of the layer assembly is particularly well prevented and is thus particularly gentle. The larger the angle, the easier and more efficient it is to remove the layer assembly carrier film.

[0032] Even more advantageously, during the creation of the first framed partial seal in the first sealing material, reference marks are additionally created to align the first partial seal, the layer assembly and the second partial seal with respect to each other in the machine direction. The reference marks are provided so as to accurately determine the position of the window-shaped cut of the partial seal, and as a result, the overlap area between the film and the partial seal is minimized. Also, by providing the reference marks, it becomes easy to separate the layer assemblies (catalyst-coated films) arranged on the first partial seal and to space the individual layer assemblies apart from each other by appropriate process control.

[0033] To facilitate the positioning of the components of the assembly to be arranged relative to each other, the method further includes the step of adjusting the width of the first transport medium to the width of the first carrier film. This means that the guidance of the component (the first partial seal) on the transport medium is thereby locally restricted. For example, when a vacuum belt conveyor is used as the transport medium, the width of the vacuum applied to it can be specifically adapted to the component to be transported, thereby preventing a bypass for air, preventing air leakage, and making it possible to particularly stabilize the vacuum, so that the position of the first framed partial seal is particularly well stabilized against deviation.

[0034] In order to save processing time and ensure deviation-preventing conveyance at the same time, the web speed of the first conveyance medium is particularly 0.1 m / min to 100 m / min, preferably 0.5 m / min to 50 m / min, and more preferably 1 m / min to 40 m / min.

[0035] Furthermore, in order to particularly effectively prevent resultant damage due to the influence of temperature on the membrane electrode assembly, it is more advantageously provided that the membrane electrode assembly is cooled after being compressed.

[0036] In order to protect the first and / or second partial sealing materials, preferably, a first protective film is provided on the exposed surface of the first sealing material, and / or a second protective film is provided on the exposed surface of the second sealing material. While the first protective film and / or the second protective film are removed from the frame-shaped partial seal, the frame-shaped partial seal is guided to an accurate position. The removal of the first and / or second protective film is preferably performed after the first and / or second partial seals are manufactured. The protective film has the advantage of preventing contamination of the sealing material.

[0037] More advantageously, after compressing the assembly, the membrane electrode assembly can be cut to its final contour.

[0038] Depending on how further processing of the membrane electrode assembly is intended, with or without the final contour cut, the membrane electrode assembly either remains on the carrier film or is consolidated as piece goods, separated from the carrier film, and stacked.

[0039] In order to improve the quality of the produced membrane electrode assemblies, each membrane electrode assembly is provided with a distinct label or mark, which is advantageous for checking consistency and quality identification.

[0040] Furthermore, after each method sequence, the quality of the obtained membrane electrode assembly is checked by an inspection system, and if there are defects in the components, defective parts can be recognized and sorted in subsequent further processing steps by applying a defect mark, preferably to a mark such as a data matrix / QR code (registered trademark), which is advantageous from the perspective of quality improvement.

[0041] Even more advantageously, each membrane electrode assembly is uniquely labeled or marked, and the label is checked for consistency and quality identification.

[0042] Even more preferably, after each method sequence, the quality of the obtained membrane electrode assembly can be checked by an inspection system, and if there are defects in the components, defective parts can be recognized and sorted in subsequent further processing steps by applying a defect mark, preferably to a mark.

[0043] Furthermore, according to the present invention, a second method for manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly is also provided. Also in the second method according to the present invention, the membrane electrode assembly is obtained in the form of a continuous web having a layer assembly that forms a membrane between a cathode and an anode and further includes a frame seal and a gas diffusion layer, and the frame seal surrounds at least the outer edge of the layer assembly such that the inner region of the layer assembly surrounded by the frame seal is exposed.

[0044] Thereby, the method provides a step of providing a membrane electrode assembly in the form of a roll material having a cathode, an anode, and a membrane disposed therebetween, and a seal frame surrounding at least the outer edge of the membrane electrode assembly. The membrane electrode assembly can be manufactured according to the first method of the present invention described above and is then disposed on the first carrier film. Therefore, each advantageous further embodiment, advantage, and effect of the first method according to the present invention also apply to the second method according to the present invention.

[0045] Furthermore, the second method according to the present invention includes disposing a first gas diffusion layer on a first side of the membrane electrode assembly and / or disposing a second gas diffusion layer on a second side of the membrane electrode assembly. In particular, if a first carrier film is present before disposing the first gas diffusion layer or the second gas diffusion layer, it can be removed.

[0046] Advantageously, the membrane electrode assembly with the gas diffusion layer can be further guided, for example, on a second carrier film on which the first gas diffusion layer is disposed. Thereby, the continuous process with the membrane electrode assembly as a roll material is improved.

[0047] By using the membrane electrode assembly as a roll material and further processing as a roll material in the second method according to the present invention, the second method according to the present invention is also characterized by the fact that it can be carried out in a method that is rapid, reliable, inexpensive, and substantially automated.

[0048] In particular, the membrane electrode assembly can include a gas diffusion layer as an outer layer on each side, i.e., the cathode side and the anode side, respectively. The gas diffusion layer can be provided as a piece good in a storage unit, or the gas diffusion layer can be separated from a roll of the gas diffusion layer provided as a roll material into piece goods before the gas diffusion layer is used. In this case, the gas diffusion layer is preferably disposed on a second carrier film at least after separation. A method with an advantageous further development for providing the gas diffusion layer includes disposing a first gas diffusion layer on a first side of the membrane electrode assembly and / or disposing a second gas diffusion layer on a second side of the membrane electrode assembly. The first side can be, for example, the cathode side, and as a result, the second side becomes the anode side. Alternatively, the first side can be the anode side and the second side can be the cathode side. The gas diffusion layer serves to disperse the reaction gas on each side surface of the membrane electrode assembly.

[0049] Advantageously, before disposing the first gas diffusion layer and / or the second gas diffusion layer in the edge region of the first surface of the membrane electrode assembly and / or the edge region of the second surface of the membrane electrode assembly, an adhesive, an adhesion promoter, or a double-sided adhesive film is applied, thereby improving the adhesion of the gas diffusion layer. According to another embodiment, for this purpose, the frame seal can also be softened. When an adhesive film is used, the adhesive can be selected, for example, from air-curable adhesives, heat-activatable adhesives, photo-activatable adhesives, UV-activatable adhesives, or two-component adhesives, whereby an adhesive amount of 0.1 to 10 mg / cm -1 is advantageously used, or the layer thickness of the applied adhesive layer is 1 to 30 pm. When the adhesive is a UV-activatable adhesive, the wavelength of the activating UV light is advantageously in the range of 100 nm to 440 nm, preferably 300 nm to 400 nm, more preferably 350 nm to 420 nm, and particularly 395 nm. The UV intensity is also advantageously in the range of 1 to 30 W / cm, and the exposure time can be about 0.003 seconds to 60 seconds depending on the width of the adhesive film, and the exposure width is advantageously adapted to the width of the applied adhesive. In this embodiment of the method according to the invention, the gas diffusion layer can be applied gently, so that folding of the gas diffusion layer, and thus damage to the gas diffusion layer, is avoided, and an accurate positioning of the gas diffusion layer is still possible.

[0050] To improve the permanent positioning of the gas diffusion layer and enable a precisely positional fixation of the gas diffusion layer thereafter, the method advantageously includes applying a temperature, particularly at 100 to 200 °C, preferably 140 to 180 °C, and more preferably applying a pressure of 0.5 to 5 MPa, preferably 1.0 to 5.0 MPa, to fix the first and / or second gas diffusion layer on the first and / or second surface of the membrane electrode assembly.

[0051] To accurately and conformably position the gas diffusion layer, it is further advantageously provided that the position of a window-shaped cutout of the frame seal or a reference mark of the membrane electrode assembly is detected, and the position of the first gas diffusion layer on the second carrier medium or the window-shaped cutout is detected. Alternatively, the position of a reference mark on the first surface of the membrane electrode assembly in the machine direction (which corresponds to the transport direction of the membrane electrode assembly) and in the machine transverse direction (which corresponds to the direction perpendicular to the machine direction in the surface expansion direction of the membrane electrode assembly) is adapted.

[0052] To further facilitate the method, and in particular for its spatial compactification, according to a further advantageous development, the transport direction of the membrane electrode assembly and the transport direction of the first gas diffusion layer are selected such that they are in opposite directions and / or horizontal before the gas diffusion layer and the membrane electrode assembly are joined together.

[0053] To improve the quality of the finally produced membrane electrode assembly, the method can in particular also include a test of gas tightness, in which case the membrane electrode assembly comprising the first and second gas diffusion layers is arranged in a sealing and fixing unit, and the gas tightness of each of the membrane electrode assemblies is determined using a test gas. This gas tightness test can be incorporated into the continuous transport process of the membrane electrode assembly, improving the simple and time-saving production of high-performance membrane electrode assemblies.

[0054] More advantageously, after compressing the assembly or after arranging and fixing the first gas diffusion layer on the first surface of the membrane electrode assembly and / or the second gas diffusion layer on the second surface of the membrane electrode assembly, the membrane electrode assembly can be cut to its final contour.

[0055] Depending on how a further method of the membrane electrode assembly is intended, the membrane electrode assembly with or without the final contour cut either remains on the (second) carrier film or is consolidated as a piece good, separated from the carrier film, and stacked.

[0056] To improve the quality of the produced membrane electrode assemblies, each membrane electrode assembly is provided with a distinct label or mark, which is advantageous for checking consistency and quality identification.

[0057] Furthermore, after each method sequence, the quality of the obtained membrane electrode assemblies is checked by an inspection system, and in the case of defective parts, defective marks are applied, preferably to marks such as data matrix / QR codes, so that defective parts can be recognized and sorted in subsequent further processing operations, which is advantageous from the perspective of quality improvement.

[0058] More advantageously, each membrane electrode assembly is uniquely labeled or marked, and the label is checked for consistency and quality identification.

[0059] Even more preferably, after each method sequence, the quality of the obtained membrane electrode assemblies can be checked by an inspection system, and in the case of defective parts, defective parts can be recognized and sorted in subsequent further processing steps, and preferably defective marks can be applied to the marks.

[0060] Further detailed advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments with reference to the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0061]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0062] Only the essential aspects and components of the present invention are shown in the figures. All other aspects are omitted for clarity. Further, the same reference numerals indicate the same device parts / components.

[0063] FIG. 1 shows in detail, by means of a schematic apparatus, the method steps for manufacturing a three-layer membrane electrode assembly in the form of a three-layer continuous web for use in fuel cells, water electrolysis cells, electrochemical compressors, and electrochemical sensors. The membrane electrode assembly includes a seal frame consisting of a first and a second partial seal and a catalyst-coated membrane (CCM). The method steps are divided into modules 1 to 4. This method is fast, reliable, and cost-effective.

[0064] In module 1, a first sealing material 1 is supplied as a roll material from a first roller 20. The first sealing material 1 is provided with a first protective film 3 on its upper side. The first sealing material 1 is first adjusted, i.e., arranged without wrinkles in the machine transverse direction Q and centered with respect to the width of the apparatus. Next, the first sealing material 1 arranged together with the first protective film 3 is supplied to a cutting device 23 consisting of a third roller 23a and a rotary cutter 23b (which may be a flat die cutter or a laser cutter). Then, a first carrier film 2 with a cover film 2a is supplied from a second roller 21. After removing the cover film 2a and winding it onto a roller 21a, the first sealing material 1 and the first carrier film 2 are guided onto a guide roller 22 (a pair of rollers), whereby the first sealing material 1 is arranged on the first carrier film 2. Then, while peeling off the protective film 3 including the sealing material scraps of the sealing material 1, a first partial seal 6 is formed from the first sealing material 1 via a peeling roller 23c. Since the first partial seal 6 has a frame-like or window frame-like shape, a window-like cut is formed within the inner peripheral edge of the first partial seal 6. The first protective film 3 from which the sealing material has been cut is wound onto a fourth roller 24.

[0065] In module 2, first, a reference mark is applied to the first partial seal 6 by the marking device 25, and the marking created by the marking check device 25a is checked. The reference mark can be applied, for example, by punching, cutting, or laser irradiation. As a further advantageous development of the method, in the same process in which the window-shaped cutout is created, a reference mark is additionally created on the first partial seal 6 by the same tool. By using the same tool in one process, in particular in a rotary cutting process, to simultaneously create a window-shaped cutout and a reference mark in the first sealing material 1, an accurate positioning of the reference mark relative to the window-shaped cutout is achieved. The exact position of the reference mark and thus of the window-shaped cut is preferably recorded using a camera system. The reference mark can be detected in subsequent processes via a sensor or a camera system and serves as a clock for the alignment of all other components, namely the layer assembly 7 and the second partial seal 8a, and thus as a clock for aligning the layer assembly 7 and the second partial seal 8a relative to the first partial seal 6 in the machine direction M. In this way, a very stable process control is achieved with regard to the alignment of the downstream components, namely the layer assembly 7 and the second partial seal 8a. The reference mark can be detected by a camera and / or a sensor and generates a signal for synchronizing and timing the layer assembly 7 and the second partial seal 8a. Furthermore, the feed rates of the layer assembly 7 and the second partial seal 8a can be controlled so that the layer assembly 7 and the second partial seal 8a are accurately positioned relative to the first partial seal 6. The position of the layer assembly 7 is determined in particular by a camera system that detects the edge of the layer assembly 7 in the machine direction M and converts it into a signal that can be synchronized with the signal of the reference mark of the first partial seal 6.

[0066] Furthermore, a layer assembly material 4 composed of an anode, a cathode, and an intervening film is supplied from a fifth roller 26 in the form of a roll material. The layer assembly material 4 is disposed at the center in the machine transverse direction Q with respect to the width of the apparatus. The exact position of the layer assembly material 4 in the machine transverse direction Q can be finely adjusted by using an additional guide roller 22. The layer assembly material 4 is supplied onto a layer assembly carrier film 5, and this layer assembly material 4 is supplied to a cutting device 27 composed of a sixth roller 27a and a rotary cutter 27b. In this cutting device 27, a layer assembly 7 is manufactured from the layer assembly material 4, and its format is adapted to the window-shaped cutout of the first partial seal 6. In particular, the format of the layer assembly 7 is selected to be larger than the format of the window-shaped cutout of the first partial seal 6 such that an overlap region with the first partial seal 6 is formed at the peripheral portion of the layer assembly 7. In particular, the overlap region is selected to be large enough to form an airtight assembly of the layer assembly 7 and the frame-shaped seal and small enough to minimize the loss of the active region of the layer assembly 7. The overlap area is preferably in the range of 0.5 mm to 6 mm, more preferably in the range of 1 mm to 3 mm.

[0067] By guiding the layer assembly 7 remaining disposed on the layer assembly carrier film 5 through the guide roller 22, the layer assembly 7 is disposed on the first partial seal 6 while peeling off the layer assembly carrier film 5, and this is wound up by a seventh roller 28. The exact positioning of the layer assembly 7 in the frame-shaped first partial seal 6 is achieved by aligning the layer assembly 7 with respect to the reference marks attached to the first partial seal 6.

[0068] In module 3, thus, there is the first partial seal 6 on the first carrier film, and the layer assembly 7 is disposed on its upper side.

[0069] In module 3, the second sealing material 8 is supplied from the eighth roller 28a onto the second protective film 9. As can be seen from the comparison between module 1 and module 3, the first sealing material 1 and the second sealing material 8 are guided in opposite directions, thereby achieving a particularly compact design and layout of the device. The second sealing material 8 is supplied to a cutting device 29 composed of a ninth roller 29a and a rotary cutter 29b. In the cutting device 29, by removing the second protective film 9 from the second sealing material 8, a second partial seal 8a is manufactured. At this time, the window-shaped cut of the first partial seal 6 is made to overlap on the window-shaped cut of the second partial seal 8a manufactured by the cutting device 29. The layer assembly is arranged inside the window-shaped cut so that as large an area as possible of the film is exposed inside the frame-shaped partial seals 6, 8a. After being peeled off, the second protective film 9 is wound around the tenth roller 29c. As already described for the first partial seal 6, reference marks can also be provided on the second partial seal 8a to facilitate the positioning of the second partial seal 8a on the first partial seal 6.

[0070] The first partial seal 6, the layer assembly 7, and the second partial seal 8a are stacked one on top of the other in this order in the B direction to form an assembly 10 in the sense of the present invention.

[0071] In module 4, the first and second partial seals 6, 8a are fixed together with the layer assembly 7 in fixture 30, in particular after the layer assembly 7 manufactured up to now has been checked by sensor D. For this purpose, the adhesive is arranged on the first sealing material 1 and / or on the second sealing material 8 such that after the first partial seal 6, the layer assembly 7 and the second partial seal 8a are arranged on top of each other, the adhesive is arranged between the first and second partial seals 6, 8a arranged on top of each other. Thereafter, the adhesive is thermally activated, for example, the assembly 10 is compressed in a fixture 30 designed as a pair of heated pressing jaws, and a membrane electrode assembly 11 with a frame-shaped seal as a continuous roll on the carrier film 2 is obtained. The adhesive is used to obtain a physically adhered, mechanically stable and airtight composite of the layer assembly 7 and the seal frame.

[0072] A pair of pressing jaws for fixing the partial seal and manufacturing the seal frame, or any pair of rollers for fixing, can be manufactured from different materials, and the materials are selected in particular from the group of metals, rubbers, rubber-coated metals, or coated metals. The material is also selected such that the continuous web assembly 10 does not adhere to the pressing jaws or rollers. The material of the pressing jaws or rollers is designed such that the pressure is evenly distributed during fixing and the difference in thickness of the overlapping portions of the partial seal and the layer assembly is equalized. The coating is selected, for example, from Viton or PTFE.

[0073] Furthermore, the temperature of the upper and lower pressing jaws of a pair of pressing jaws, or the temperature of the upper and lower rollers of a pair of rollers, may be different. In particular, the temperature of each lower element is between 40°C and 160°C, preferably between 50°C and 140°C, and the temperature of each upper element is between 80°C and 200°C, preferably between 100°C and 180°C. Furthermore, in particular, a pair of pressing jaws or a pair of rollers generates a pressure between 0.05 MPa and 10 MPa, preferably between 0.15 MPa and 5 MPa, more preferably between 0.25 MPa and 3 MPa. In this way, sufficient activation of the adhesive is achieved, and a materially adhered and bubble-free connection between the layer assembly and the first and second partial seals is achieved.

[0074] As a further advantageous development of the method, a pair of pressing jaws is arranged to move on a rail. Thereby, since the sealing process of the two partial seals follows the movement in the machine direction M of the continuous web, continuous process control becomes easier. The continuous process control is particularly efficient, and also the accuracy of the method is improved because an interruption of the movement of the web in the sense of a periodic stop and start of the web is avoided.

[0075] In a further advantageous development of the method, the layer assembly and the composite of the first and second partial seals, the so-called assembly, is cooled after being fixed between a pair of pressing jaws or a pair of rollers on a cooled conveyor belt. This step cures the adhesive and improves the cutting ability of the partial seals.

[0076] The membrane electrode assembly 11 having a frame-shaped seal obtained as a continuous roll can then be wound around the 11th roller 29d. This is possible because the membrane electrode assembly 11 still exists on the first carrier film 2.

[0077] Advantageously, in the devices A, B, C, E, F, and G provided as examples, a DataMatrixCode can be applied and controlled. For this purpose, for example, a DataMatrixCode can be applied in device A, the DataMatrixCode can be checked in device B, quality control of the membrane electrode assembly 7 (CCM) by the QC-CCM, i.e., an optical inspection system, can be performed in device C, and quality control of the three-layer membrane electrode assembly 7 (CCM) by the QC-3-L, i.e., an optical inspection system, can be performed in device E. That is, for example, quality control of the three-layer MEA (both sides) by an optical inspection system, which enables quality and / or gas leak testing of the layer assembly and the composite of the first and second partial seals. Further, a device F for defect marking can be provided, and / or defect mark verification can be performed in device G.

[0078] As shown in Figure 1, this method leads to the production of a continuous web of a three-layer membrane electrode assembly (membrane with anode and cathode), showing advantages over conventional methods in terms of efficiency, automation, and transport in process control, and always ensuring continuous and thus time-efficient component guidance and processing.

[0079] In the manufactured three-layer membrane electrode assembly 11, a composite of an anode, a cathode, and a membrane located between the anode and the cathode, particularly a catalyst-coated membrane considered as a proton-conducting membrane, is provided. The catalyst-coated membrane is in the form of a continuous web, i.e., roll-shaped (after winding up the continuous web), and is surrounded by a specially designed seal frame.

[0080] FIG. 2 shows in detail, by means of a schematic apparatus, the method steps for the manufacture of a five-layer membrane electrode assembly 45 in the form of a five-layer continuous web for use in fuel cells, water electrolysis cells, electrochemical compressors and electrochemical sensors. The membrane electrode assembly 45 has a seal frame including a gas diffusion layer, first and second partial seals and a catalyst coated membrane (CCM). The method steps are divided into modules 5 to 8. This method is fast, reliable, cost-effective and almost fully automatable.

[0081] In the method shown in FIG. 2, a three-layer membrane electrode assembly 11 manufactured according to the schematic first method and apparatus shown in FIG. 1 can be used. It is essential here that the membrane electrode assembly to be used has a membrane, an anode and a cathode sandwiching the membrane on opposite sides of the membrane, and a seal frame surrounding the membrane, and is present as a roll material supported by a first carrier film 2.

[0082] In module 5, the membrane electrode array 11 obtained as a continuous roll material is present on the first carrier film 2 on the 11th roller 29d, is unwound from the 11th roller 29d, their assemblies are checked by a sensor H, and are supplied to a first adhesive application device 31. An adhesive covering at least a partial region of the frame-shaped seal is applied to the exposed upper surface of the membrane electrode array 11 and then cured in an adhesive curing device 32. The vertical line between the adhesive application device 31 and the curing device 32 represents a protection device 32a to protect the adhesive from early solidification.

[0083] The adhesive is particularly selected from the group of air-curing adhesives, heat-activating adhesives, photo-activating adhesives, ultraviolet-activating adhesives, or two-component adhesives. The adhesive can be applied to the peripheral edge of the window-shaped cutout of the frame seal by a single coating system, or by two coating systems, each applying an L-shaped adhesive pattern, or by a plurality of coating systems, each applying a linear adhesive pattern. The coating system is a system well-known to those skilled in the art and can be understood as a pump and nozzle system suitable for applying the adhesive to the peripheral edge of the window-shaped cutout.

[0084] Next, in module 6a, a second carrier film 48 is unwound from a thirteenth roller 46 provided with a cover film 49 for protection. The cover film 49 is removed when passing through a pair of rollers 22 and wound up by a fourteenth roller 47.

[0085] Furthermore, in module 6a, the prepared and adjusted gas diffusion layer 12 is transferred from the magazine 33 to the second carrier film 48 and supplied to the gas diffusion layer coater 34. In this gas diffusion layer coater 34, the gas diffusion layer 12 is supplied to the upper surface of the membrane electrode assembly 11 provided with the adhesive and pressed by a pressing device 38. After passing through the pressing device 38, the first carrier film 2 is peeled off and wound up by a twelfth roller 29e.

[0086] Next, the membrane electrode assembly of module 6b is supplied to a second adhesive coater 35, where the adhesive is applied to the exposed second upper surface side of the membrane electrode assembly. Then, a further gas diffusion layer 12 is supplied from the magazine 36 to the second upper surface side of the membrane electrode assembly to which the adhesive has been applied. Thereafter, the gas diffusion layer 12 is pressed against the membrane electrode assembly 11 by a fifteenth roller 38. The membrane electrode assembly 11 and the gas diffusion layer 12 are held on the first upper surface side by a vacuum conveyor belt 37 and held while the membrane electrode assembly 11 having the gas diffusion layer 12 is further conveyed, with the lower side of the membrane electrode assembly 11 and the lower gas diffusion layer 12 being exposed.

[0087] Furthermore, the position of the window-shaped cut of the partial seal is detected by the sensor H, and the positioning of the first gas diffusion layer 12 on the vacuum conveyor belt 37 can be adapted to the position of the window-shaped or frame-shaped cut in the machine direction M and the machine transverse direction Q. Thereby, accurate positioning with respect to the window-shaped cut of the first gas diffusion layer 12 becomes possible, and a composite body with a high output density and a long service life can be obtained.

[0088] In module 7, the final contour cutting of the membrane electrode assembly including the gas diffusion layer 12 is carried out by the cutting device 39 so that the carrier film 1 is not damaged, and thus the membrane electrode assembly including the gas diffusion layer 12 remains arranged on the first carrier film 1. The membrane electrode assemblies can be separated from each other by the cutting device 39 and prepared for singulation, or can continue to be used as a roll material without being separated. Furthermore, quality control is performed by the camera system 40, which is composed of cameras that check the cutting quality and the dimensions of the window-shaped cut, and as a result, the use of proper and correct tools is guaranteed.

[0089] The membrane electrode assembly 45 with the gas diffusion layer 12 is conveyed on the conveying medium 41, the second carrier film 48 is removed from the membrane electrode assembly by being wound up on the 16th roller 42, and the completed membrane electrode assembly 45 is finally quality-controlled in the module 8 by the camera system 43. If its quality is not sufficient, it will be sorted, or if its quality is sufficient, it will be stocked in the storage container 44 for further processing or storage. Another camera system 43 can also be attached above and below the continuous web to check the alignment of the layer assembly with the first partial seal and the alignment of the layer assembly with the second partial seal. This ensures that the window-shaped cuts of the first and second partial seals are arranged in alignment. Furthermore, this camera system can check the quality of the preliminary fixing of the edge film with respect to the absence of wrinkles and bubbles. Additionally, with an additional camera (QC camera), the quality of the sealed composite of the layer assembly with the first and second partial seals can be checked with respect to the absence of bubbles and wrinkles.

[0090] Also, according to the method shown in FIG. 2 or the simplified apparatus for implementing this method, this method results in the production of a continuous web of membrane electrode assemblies that are currently 5-layer (membranes with a cathode, an anode, and two gas diffusion layers), showing advantages over conventional methods in terms of efficiency, automation, and transport in process control, thereby always ensuring continuous and thus time-efficient component guidance and processing.

[0091] In the manufactured 5-layer membrane electrode assembly, there are a catalyst-coated film and a gas diffusion layer, and these are accurately positioned. The 5-layer membrane electrode assembly can be in the form of a continuous web on a roll or can be cut to size for further processing.

[0092] The apparatus shown in FIG. 2 can alternatively be used to provide a 3-layer membrane electrode assembly with a final contour cut. In this case, the gas diffusion layers are not conveyed from the magazines 33 and 36.

[0093] In addition to the above detailed description of the present invention, for its supplementary disclosure, explicit reference is made to the drawings of FIGS. 1 and 2.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0094] 1 First sealing material 2 First carrier film 2a Cover film 3 First protective film 4 Layer assembly material 5 Layer assembly carrier film 6 First partial seal 7 Layer assembly material 8 Second sealing material 8a Second partial seal 9 Second protective film 10 Assembly 11 Membrane electrode assembly 12 Gas diffusion layer 20 First roller 21 Second roller 21a Other roller 22 Guide roller 23 Cutting device 23a Third roller 23b Rotary blade 23c Peeling roller 24 Fourth roller 25 Marking device 26 Fifth roller 27 Cutting device 27a Sixth roller 27b Rotary cutter 28 Seventh roller 28a Eighth roller 29 Cutting device 29a Ninth roller 29b Rotary blade 29c Tenth roller 29d Eleventh roller 29e Twelfth roller 30 Fixture 31 First adhesive coating device 32 Hardening device 32a Protection device 33 Magazine 34 Gas diffusion layer coating device 35 Second adhesive coating device 36 Magazine 37 Vacuum transfer belt 38 15th roller 39 Cutting device 40 Camera system 41 Conveying medium 42 16th roller 43 Camera system 44 Storage container 45 Membrane electrode assembly with gas diffusion layer 46 13th roller 47 14th roller 48 Second carrier film 49 Cover film Device for applying a data matrix code Device for checking a data matrix code Device for quality control of membrane electrode arrays D Sensor Device for quality control of three-layer membrane electrode arrays F Defect marking device G Defect mark verification device H Sensor

Prior art documents

Patent documents

[0095]

Patent Document 1

Claims

1. A method for producing membrane electrode assemblies (11) in the form of a continuous web, each of which comprises a layer assembly (7) having a membrane arranged between an anode and a cathode, and a frame seal surrounding at least the outer edge of the layer assembly (7) such that an inner area of ​​the layer assembly (7) surrounded by the frame seal is exposed, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first seal material (1) as a roll material, said first seal material (1) being disposed on a first protective film (3); providing a second seal material (8) as a roll material, said second seal material (8) being disposed on a second protective film (9); A step of producing a first frame-shaped partial seal (6) from the first sealing material (1) so as not to damage the first protective film (3); placing a first carrier film (2) on the first partial seal (6); generating a second frame-shaped partial seal (8a) from the second sealing material (8) so as not to damage the second protective film (9); supplying and depositing the first frame-shaped partial seal (6) on a web-shaped carrier material disposed on a first carrier medium while peeling off the first protective film (3); Providing a layer assembly material (4) consisting of an anode, a cathode and a membrane therebetween as a roll material; cutting a layer assembly (7) to size from said layer assembly material (4); depositing a layer assembly (7) on said first frame-shaped partial seal (6) arranged on a carrier; supplying and depositing the second frame-shaped partial seal (8a) on the layer assembly (7) arranged on the first frame-shaped partial seal (6) while removing the second carrier film (9) so that the window-shaped cuts of the first frame-shaped partial seal (6) and the window-shaped cuts of the second frame-shaped partial seal (8a) are arranged to coincide with each other to obtain an assembly (10), wherein, after the first partial seal (6), the layer assembly (7) and the second partial seal (8a) are arranged on top of each other, an adhesive or a radiation curing agent is arranged on the first sealing material (1) and / or on the second sealing material (8) such that the adhesive or radiation curing agent is arranged between the first and second partial seals (6, 8a) arranged on top of each other; thermally activating the adhesive or radiation curing the radiation curable agent; compressing the assembly (10) disposed on said web-like carrier material to obtain a membrane electrode assembly (11) having a frame-like seal as a continuous roll of material; A method for producing a membrane electrode assembly (11) comprising:

2. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of generating the first and second frame-shaped partial seals (6, 8a) is carried out by forming window-shaped cuts from the first seal material (1) and the second seal material (8) by rotary punching, flat punching or laser cutting.

3. the first seal (1) and the second seal (8) are guided in opposite directions, and / or 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first partial seal (6) and the second partial seal (8a) are pre-fixed by being guided through a pair of rollers before the adhesive is heat activated or the radiation curable agent is radiation cured, at least one of the rollers being mounted by an elastic material.

4. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the heat activation or radiation curing and compaction is achieved by guiding the assembly (10) through a fixture (30) where thermal energy and pressure or radiation and pressure are applied to the assembly (10).

5. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the fixture (30) is heated to a temperature of 80° C. to 160° C., preferably 100° C. to 140° C., and thermal energy is applied symmetrically or asymmetrically or radiation in the wavelength range of 450 nm to 100 nm, preferably 420 nm to 365 nm is irradiated to the exposed upper and lower surfaces of the assembly (10).

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the pressure applied to the assembly (10) by the fixture (30) is between 0.05 MPa and 10 MPa, preferably between 0.15 MPa and 5 MPa, more preferably between 0.25 MPa and 3 MPa.

7. said compression is carried out for a period of time between 0.006 seconds and 60 seconds, preferably between 0.2 seconds and 120 seconds, more preferably between 0.25 seconds and 5 seconds; and / or said cutting of the layer assembly (7) from said layer assembly material (4) to the desired size is performed in such a way that the area of ​​said layer assembly (7) enclosed by said frame-like first and second partial seals is larger than the window-like cuts of said first and second partial seals (6, 8a); and / or 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cut layer assemblies (7) are transported on a transport medium before they are deposited on the first frame-shaped partial seal (6) and are transported from the first transport medium onto a second transport medium such that the individual layer assemblies (7) are spaced apart from one another.

8. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the layer assembly material (4) further comprises a layer assembly carrier film (5), and the cutting of the layer assembly (7) to size is performed in such a way that the layer assembly carrier film (5) is not cut in two.

9. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the layer assembly carrier film (5) is removed from the layer assembly (7) at an angle of more than 90°, preferably more than 105°, more preferably more than 120°, before the layer assembly (7) is deposited on the first frame-shaped partial seal (6).

10. During the production of the first frame-shaped partial seal (6) in the first sealing material (1), additionally, reference marks are produced in order to align the first partial seal (6), the layer assembly (7) and the second partial seal (8a) relative to one another in the machine direction (M); and / or The method comprises the step of adjusting the width of the first transport medium to the width of the first carrier film (2), and / or the web speed of said first transport medium is between 0.1 m / min and 100 m / min, preferably between 0.5 m / min and 50 m / min, more preferably between 1 m / min and 40 m / min; and / or After compression, the membrane electrode assembly (11) is cooled, and / or the first protective film (3) is provided on the exposed surface side of the first sealing material (1), and / or the second protective film (9) is provided on the exposed surface side of the second sealing material (8), and when the first protective film (3) and / or the second protective film (9) are removed from the first or second frame-shaped partial seal (6), the frame-shaped partial seal (6, 8a) is guided with high positioning accuracy, and / or After compression of the assembly (10), the membrane electrode assembly (11) is cut to its final contour, and / or With or without a final contour cut, the membrane electrode assembly (11) remains on the first carrier film (2) or is singulated as piece goods, separated from the first carrier film (2) and stacked; and / or Each membrane electrode assembly (11) is clearly labeled or marked, said labels being checked for consistency and quality identification, and / or 10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that after each processing sequence the quality of the obtained membrane electrode assemblies (11) is checked by an inspection system and, in case of component defects, a defect mark is applied, preferably on labelling, so that defective membrane electrode assemblies (11) can be detected and sorted out in subsequent further processing steps.

11. A method for producing membrane electrode assemblies (45) in the form of a continuous web, each of the membrane electrode assemblies (45) having a layer assembly (7) with a membrane arranged between an anode and a cathode, a frame seal surrounding at least the outer edge of the layer assembly (7) such that an inner area of ​​the layer assembly (7) surrounded by the frame seal is exposed, and a gas diffusion layer (12), the method comprising the steps of: Providing a membrane electrode assembly (11) in the form of a roll material having an anode, a cathode, and a membrane disposed therebetween, and a sealing frame surrounding at least an outer edge of the membrane electrode assembly (11); disposing a first gas diffusion layer (12) on a first surface side of the membrane electrode assembly (11) and / or disposing a second gas diffusion layer (12) on a second surface side of the membrane electrode assembly (11); A method for producing a membrane electrode assembly (45) comprising:

12. 12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that before placing the first gas diffusion layer (12) and / or the second gas diffusion layer (12), an adhesive, an adhesion promoter or a double-sided adhesive film is applied to an edge region of the first face side of the membrane electrode assembly (11) and / or an edge region of the second face side of the membrane electrode assembly (11), or the frame seal is softened.

13. 13. The method according to claim 12, comprising the step of fixing the first and / or second gas diffusion layer (12) on the first and / or second face of the membrane electrode assembly (11), in particular while applying a temperature of 100-200°C, preferably 140-180°C, and a pressure of 0.5-5 MPa, preferably 1.0-5.0 MPa.

25. The manufacturing method described in any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the conveying direction of the membrane electrode assembly (11) and the conveying direction of the first gas diffusion layer (12) are opposite and / or horizontal.

14. the membrane electrode assembly (45) comprising the first and second gas diffusion layers (12) is placed in a sealing and fixing unit and the gas tightness of each of the membrane electrode assemblies (45) is determined using a test gas; and / or After the compression of the assembly (10) or after arranging and fixing the first gas diffusion layer (12) on the first side of the membrane electrode assembly (11) and / or after arranging and fixing the second gas diffusion layer (12) on the second side of the membrane electrode assembly (11), the membrane electrode assembly (11) is cut to a final contour, and / or The membrane electrode assemblies (11, 45) are either cut to their final contour or left uncut on the second carrier film (48) or singulated as piece goods, separated from the second carrier film (48) and stacked; and / or Each membrane electrode assembly (45) is uniquely labeled or marked, and said labels are checked to identify consistency and quality; and / or 14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that after each step sequence the quality of the obtained membrane electrode assembly (45) is checked by an inspection system (40, 43) and, in case of component defects, a defect mark is preferably applied to the label, so as to allow detection of component defects and their subsequent sorting in further processing steps.

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