Fuel cell component stacking device

Abstract

This technology provides a way to stack fuel cell components at a faster rate. [Solution] The fuel cell cell component stacking device comprises a rotating blade section having a holding surface for holding fuel cell cell components and configured to be rotatable, and a stacking section that receives fuel cell cell components from the rotating blade section and stacks the received fuel cell cell components in a direction parallel to the horizontal plane. The rotating blade section is configured to be switchable by rotation between a first state in which fuel cell cell components can be received onto the holding surface and a second state in which fuel cell cell components can be passed to the stacking section. In the first state, the holding surface and the horizontal plane are parallel to each other, and in the second state, the holding surface and the horizontal plane are perpendicular to each other, and the rotating blade section is configured to be perpendicular to each other.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fuel cell component stacking device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for manufacturing a fuel cell stack by pressure-fastening a plurality of stacked fuel cells.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Conventionally, fuel cells are stacked by transporting and stacking fuel cell components, for example, in a pick-and-place method. However, a technique for stacking fuel cell components at a higher speed is desired.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present disclosure can be realized in the following forms.

[0006] (1) According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a fuel cell component stacking device is provided. This fuel cell component stacking device comprises a rotating blade section having a holding surface for holding fuel cell components and configured to be rotatable, and a stacking section that receives the fuel cell components from the rotating blade section and stacks the received fuel cell components in a direction parallel to a horizontal plane. The rotating blade section is configured to be switchable by rotation between a first state in which the fuel cell components can be received onto the holding surface and a second state in which the fuel cell components can be passed to the stacking section, wherein in the first state, the holding surface and the horizontal plane are parallel to each other, and in the second state, the holding surface and the horizontal plane are perpendicular to each other, and the rotating blade section is configured to be switchable by rotation. This configuration allows for the continuous transport of fuel cell components to the stacking section and the stacking of fuel cell components within the stacking section, utilizing the rotation of the rotating blades. As a result, fuel cell components can be stacked at a higher speed compared to, for example, the pick-and-place method. (2) In the above embodiment, the rotating blade portion has a pair of holding members that are aligned along the direction of the rotation axis of the rotating blade portion and have surface portions that form the holding surface, and the pair of holding members are configured to be switchable between a closed state in which the surface portions are close to each other to the extent that the fuel cell components can be received on the holding surface, and an open state in which the surface portions are further apart from each other than on the closed state, and when the rotation direction of the rotating blade portion from the first rotation angle to the second rotation angle is the forward rotation direction, the pair of holding members may be configured to take the open state to avoid the fuel cell components in the stacked portion, and then take the closed state, while rotating in the forward rotation direction from the second rotation angle to the first rotation angle. (3) In the above embodiment, the rotating blade portion has a pair of side walls that are perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotating blade portion and that receive the fuel cell component in a first direction along the holding surface, and that are arranged to sandwich the fuel cell component on the holding surface in a second direction along the rotation axis, and that extend along the first direction, and the end portion of the pair of side walls, including the end on the third direction side which is opposite to the first direction, may be configured such that the distance between the side walls becomes wider towards the third direction. According to this embodiment, the side walls can suppress misalignment of the fuel cell component on the holding surface in the second direction, and the side walls can prevent the acceptance of the fuel cell component onto the holding surface from being obstructed. (4) In the above embodiment, the holding surface may be provided with a friction-reducing structure to reduce friction between the holding surface and the fuel cell component. This embodiment allows the fuel cell component to be received more smoothly on the holding surface. (5) In the above embodiment, the holding surface may be provided with an adsorption portion for adsorbing the fuel cell components on the holding surface to the holding surface. In this embodiment, the fuel cell components on the holding surface can be held more firmly by the adsorption portion while the rotating blade portion rotates from the first rotation angle to the second rotation angle. This disclosure can be implemented not only in the form of a fuel cell cell component stacking apparatus as described above, but also in other forms such as a fuel cell manufacturing system, a fuel cell cell component stacking method, and a fuel cell manufacturing method. Furthermore, it can be applied to other fields besides fuel cells, such as methods for aligning and stacking stacked structures like battery packs. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the general configuration of the manufacturing system. [Figure 2] This is a side view showing the schematic configuration of the manufacturing system. [Figure 3] This is a diagram showing the top view and cross-section of the rotating blade section. [Figure 4] This is the first figure illustrating an example of a rotating blade section in another embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure illustrates an example of a rotating device in another embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a second figure illustrating an example of a rotating blade section in another embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] A. First Embodiment: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the manufacturing system 10 in the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a side view showing the schematic configuration of the manufacturing system 10. Figures 1 and 2 show arrows indicating the mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z directions. The X and Y directions are directions along the horizontal plane, and the Z direction is a direction along the vertical upward direction. In other figures as well, arrows indicating the X, Y, and Z directions are shown as appropriate so that the directions shown correspond to those in Figures 1 and 2. In the following description, when specifying the direction, the direction indicated by the arrow in each figure will be represented as "+" and the opposite direction as "-", and positive and negative signs will be used in the direction notation.

[0009] The manufacturing system 10 is used to manufacture fuel cells. The manufacturing system 10 comprises a stacking device 100 and a transport device 200. The stacking device 100 is used as a fuel cell component stacking device for stacking multiple fuel cell components. The transport device 200 is used to transport cell components FP, which are fuel cell components, to the stacking device 100.

[0010] In this embodiment, the conveying device 200 is configured as a feeder that sequentially conveys a plurality of cell components FP arranged along the X direction on a conveyor to the stacking device 100, thereby transferring each cell component FP to the stacking device 100 in order. The conveyor may be, for example, a belt type, a roller type, or a ball type, and the conveying device is not limited to a conveyor. In this embodiment, the direction of conveyance of the cell components FP by the conveying device 200 is the -X direction.

[0011] In this embodiment, the cell component FP is a fuel cell. More specifically, the cell component FP is configured as a polymer electrolyte fuel cell and includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), a sub-gasket, and a separator. The MEA includes a cathode catalyst layer, an anode catalyst layer, an electrolyte membrane, and a gas diffusion layer. In this embodiment, the separator is configured as a bipolar plate in which the cathode-side separator and the anode-side separator are integrated. In the stacking section 150 of the stacking apparatus 100, which will be described later, each cell component FP is stacked such that the MEA, sub-gasket, and separator are stacked alternately.

[0012] The cell component FP is in sheet form. The cell component FP has a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction when viewed in the thickness direction of the cell component FP. In this embodiment, the cell component FP is handled in the transport device 200 and the stacking device 100 in an orientation where the longitudinal direction of the cell component FP is aligned with the Y direction. The cell component FP is provided with guide holes HL that penetrate the cell component FP in the thickness direction. In this embodiment, a pair of guide holes HL are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cell component FP, corresponding to a pair of guide pins 151 which will be described later. In other embodiments, the number of guide holes HL provided in one cell component FP may be, for example, one or three or more.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the lamination apparatus 100 comprises a rotating device 110 having one or more rotating blades 111, a lamination section 150, and a control unit 190.

[0014] The control unit 190 is configured as a computer comprising a CPU 191, a memory unit 192, and an input / output interface. The CPU 191, the memory unit 192, and the input / output interface are connected bidirectionally via an internal bus. The memory unit 192 includes ROM and RAM. The CPU 191 executes programs stored in the memory unit 192, thereby enabling the control unit 190 to implement various functions, such as functions for controlling each part of the stacking device 100. In this embodiment, the control unit 190 also functions as a control unit for controlling each part of the transport device 200. In other embodiments, the functions of the control unit 190 may be implemented by circuits.

[0015] The rotating device 110 includes a rotating blade section 111, a rotating shaft section 120, and a drive section 130. The rotating device 110 is configured to rotate the rotating blade section 111 around the rotating shaft RX1 by rotating the rotating shaft section 120 with the driving force of the drive section 130. The rotating shaft RX1 corresponds to the rotation axis of the rotating blade section 111. In this embodiment, the rotating device 110 is arranged so that the rotating shaft RX1 is aligned with the Y direction, and the rotating blade section 111 is rotated in the XZ plane. The rotating blade section 111 receives cell components FP from the conveying device 200, rotates while holding the cell components FP, and delivers the cell components FP to the stacking section 150.

[0016] In this embodiment, the stacking unit 150 is disposed on the -X direction side and the +Z direction side of the rotating device 110. The stacking unit 150 receives the cell component FP from the rotating blade portion 111 and stacks the received cell component FP in a direction parallel to the horizontal plane. More specifically, the stacking unit 150 stacks the cell component FP in a direction orthogonal to the rotation shaft portion 120 among the directions parallel to the horizontal direction. In the present disclosure, "parallel to the horizontal plane" includes not only being completely parallel to the horizontal plane but also having an angular difference of 30 degrees or less from the horizontal plane. However, as will be described later, from the viewpoint of more efficiently performing the pressure fastening of the stacked cell components SFP, the angular difference between the stacking direction of the cell component FP in the stacking unit 150 and the horizontal plane is preferably 10 degrees or less, and more preferably 5 degrees or less. Further, when the stacking direction and the horizontal plane are not completely parallel, from the viewpoint of more easily stacking the cell component FP, the stacking direction is preferably inclined such that the conveyance device 200 side is located more upward. In this embodiment, the angular difference between the stacking direction and the horizontal plane is 5 degrees or less, and more specifically, 0 degrees.

[0017] The stacking unit 150 includes a pair of guide pins 151 and a support plate 152. The pair of guide pins 151 are respectively arranged such that their axial directions are along the X direction. Each guide pin 151 is spaced apart from each other in the Y direction such that the support plate 152 is positioned between the guide pins 151 in the Y direction. Each guide pin 151 is configured to be insertable into a corresponding guide hole HL. The guide pin 151 receives the cell component FP from the rotating blade portion 111 and guides the received cell component FP. In this embodiment, by the pair of guide pins 151, the cell component FP is guided in the X direction in a state where the longitudinal direction of the cell component FP is along the horizontal plane.

[0018] The support plate 152 is disposed at the rear side of the stacked cell component SFP stacked on the stacking portion 150 in the stacking portion 150. Here, the "rear side" means the direction side from the stacking portion 150 toward the rotating device 110 in the stacking direction, and in this embodiment, it is the -X direction side. The support plate 152 has a rectangular plate shape, and is arranged such that the direction of the plate surface of the support plate 152 is along the direction of the sheet surface of the cell component FP constituting the stacked cell component SFP.

[0019] The support plate 152 is configured to move in the front-rear direction of the support plate 152 in response to the stacking of the cell component FP on the stacking portion 150. The support plate 152 is moved by the stacking drive unit 153 under the control of the control unit 190. The stacking drive unit 153 has, for example, a motor that generates a rotational driving force, and a transmission mechanism that converts the rotational driving force of the motor into a translational motion and transmits it to the support plate 152. With such a configuration of the support plate 152, the stacking portion 150 is always configured to receive the cell component FP near the tip on the +X direction side of the guide pin 151. More specifically, in the X direction, the stacking portion 150 receives the cell component FP from the rotating blade portion 111 in a state where the surface on the +X direction side of the support plate 152 is slightly behind the tip of the guide pin 151. After the stacking portion 15 receives the cell component FP from the rotating blade portion 111, the support plate 152 is moved backward by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the cell component FP.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rotating blade portion 111 is configured to be rotatable around the rotation axis RX1. More specifically, the rotating blade portion 111 is configured to be rotatable in the forward rotation direction DF. The forward rotation direction DF means the rotation direction in which the rotating blade portion 111 rotates from the first rotation angle to the second rotation angle. In this embodiment, when the first rotation angle is set to 0 degrees, the second rotation angle is +90 degrees. Details of the first rotation angle and the second rotation angle will be described later. As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, when the rotating blade portion 111 is viewed from the -Y direction side to the +Y direction, the forward rotation direction DF is the counterclockwise direction. Hereinafter, the rotation of the rotating blade portion 111 in the forward rotation direction DF is also referred to as "the rotating blade portion 111 rotates forward".

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in this embodiment, the rotating device 110 has four rotating blade sections 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D. In the forward rotation direction DF, the rotating blade sections 111D, 111C, 111B, and 111A are arranged in this order at equal angular intervals. In Figures 1 and 2, the rotating blade section 111A is in the first rotation angle. Also in Figures 1 and 2, the rotating blade section 111D is in the second rotation angle. In this embodiment, the configurations of the rotating blade sections 111A to 111D are the same. Hereafter, unless otherwise distinguished, the rotating blade sections 111A to 111D will simply be referred to as the rotating blade section 111.

[0022] Figure 3 shows the top view and cross-section of the rotating blade portion 111. Figure 3 shows the rotating blade portion 111 in the first state, which will be described later. In the top view of Figure 3, the cell component FP held by the rotating blade portion 111 is indicated by a dashed line. The cross-sectional view of Figure 3 shows the III-III section in the top view of Figure 3. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the rotating blade portion 111 has a retaining surface 121 for holding the cell component FP. In this embodiment, the retaining surface 121 is formed by a pair of surfaces, a first surface portion 122 and a second surface portion 123, which will be described later. In this disclosure, the term "surface" such as the retaining surface 121 includes not only flat surfaces composed only of planes, but also surfaces that can be understood as occupying a certain area, such as surfaces with some irregularities or slightly curved surfaces.

[0023] In this embodiment, the rotating blade section 111 has a pair of retaining members 112, namely a first retaining member 113 and a second retaining member 114. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, each retaining member 112 is rod-shaped and arranged so that its longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the rotating shaft section 120. In this embodiment, each rotating blade section 111 and each retaining member 112 are arranged radially, extending outward from the rotating shaft section 120 when viewed along the Y direction. The first retaining member 113 and the second retaining member 114 are spaced apart from each other in the Y direction and are arranged side by side in the Y direction. The second retaining member 114 is located on the +Y direction side of the first retaining member 113. The first retaining member 113 has a first surface portion 122 on its forward rotation direction DF side. The second retaining member 114 has a second surface portion 123 on its forward rotation direction DF side.

[0024] The rotating blade section 111 is configured to be switchable between a first state and a second state by the rotation of the rotating blade section 111. In this disclosure, in each figure including Figures 1 to 3, the rotating blade section 111 in the first state is appropriately denoted by the reference numeral ST1, and the rotating blade section 111 in the second state is appropriately denoted by the reference numeral ST2. The first state is a state in which the rotating blade section 111 is at a first rotation angle and is capable of receiving cell components FP from the conveying device 200 onto the holding surface 121. The first rotation angle is a rotation angle in which the holding surface 121 is parallel to the horizontal plane and the holding surface 121 faces upward. In Figures 1 and 2, the rotating blade section 111A is in the first state. The second state is a state in which the rotating blade section 111 is at a second rotation angle and is capable of transferring cell components FP from the holding surface 121 to the stacking section 150. The second rotation angle is the rotation angle at which the holding surface 121 is perpendicular to the horizontal plane and faces the stacking portion 150. In Figures 1 and 2, the rotating blade portion 111D is in the second state. In this disclosure, "perpendicular to the horizontal plane" includes not only being perfectly perpendicular to the horizontal plane, but also having an angle difference of 30 degrees or less between it and a vertical plane perpendicular to the horizontal plane. In this embodiment, the angle difference between the holding surface 121 and the horizontal plane at the first rotation angle and the angle difference between the holding surface 121 and the horizontal plane at the second rotation angle are each 5 degrees or less, more specifically, 0 degrees. In other embodiments, the angle difference between the first rotation angle and the second rotation angle does not have to be 90 degrees.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in this embodiment, the rotating blade section 111 receives the cell component FP in the first direction DL1. That is, the first direction DL1 corresponds to the direction in which the cell component FP is received from the conveying device 200 to the holding surface 121. The first direction DL1 is the direction that runs along the holding surface 121 and is perpendicular to the rotating shaft section 120, and is the direction that runs from the outside of the rotating shaft section 120 toward the rotating shaft section 120. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in this embodiment, when the rotating blade section 111 takes the first rotation angle, the first direction DL1 is the -X direction. The direction that is perpendicular to the first direction DL1 and runs along the holding surface 121 is also called the second direction DL2. In this embodiment, the second direction DL2 is the +Y direction. The direction opposite to the first direction DL1 is also called the third direction DL3.

[0026] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, in this embodiment, the rotating blade portion 111 has a pair of side wall portions 115 and a back wall portion 124. The pair of side wall portions 115 include a first side wall portion 116 and a second side wall portion 117. Each side wall portion 115 extends in a first direction DL1. In a second direction DL2, each side wall portion 115 is positioned to sandwich the cell component FP held on the holding surface 121 between the side wall portions 115. More specifically, the first side wall portion 116 is provided on the first holding member 113 and is positioned on the forward rotation direction DF side and the -Y direction side of the first surface portion 122. The second side wall portion 117 is provided on the second holding member 114 and is positioned on the forward rotation direction DF side and the +Y direction side of the second surface portion 123.

[0027] The back wall portion 124 is positioned on the DL1 side of the cell component FP held on the holding surface 121. The back wall portion 124 can contact and face the DL1 side end of the cell component FP held on the holding surface 121. In this embodiment, the position of the DL1 side face of the back wall portion 124 is set as a reference position for the DL3 side end of the cell component FP on the holding surface 121. The reference position is set to transfer the cell component FP on the holding surface 121 to the stacking portion 150, more specifically to the guide pin 151, with greater positional accuracy. In this embodiment, the back wall portion 124 is composed of a first back wall portion 125 and a second back wall portion 126. The first back wall portion 125 is erected in the +Y direction from the DL1 side end of the first side wall portion 116. The second back wall portion 126 is erected in the -Y direction from the DL1 side end of the second side wall portion 117.

[0028] In this embodiment, the heights of the back wall 124 and the side wall 115 are greater than the thickness of the cell component FP. "Height of the back wall 124" refers to the height of the back wall 124 from the holding surface 121 in a direction perpendicular to the holding surface 121. Similarly, "height of the side wall 115" refers to the height of the side wall 115 from the holding surface 121. In this embodiment, the heights of the back wall 124 and the side wall 115 are 1.2 times or more the thickness of the cell component FP. The heights of the back wall 124 and the side wall 115 may be different.

[0029] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, of the pair of side wall portions 115, the inner upper end portion 118 is configured in a tapered shape, where the distance between the side wall portions 115 widens towards the upper side in the height direction. The inner upper end portion 118 is the part of the side wall portion 115 that is on the inside in the second direction DL2 and on the upper side in the height direction. More specifically, the inner upper end portion 118 is configured in a linear tapered shape, where the distance between the side wall portions 115 widens linearly toward the upper side in the height direction. This prevents the acceptance of cell components FP into the holding surface 121 from being hindered by the side wall portions 115, and allows the cell components FP to be smoothly scooped up by the rotating blade portion 111. It is preferable that the angle difference between the vertical direction and the extension direction of the inner upper end portion 118 is 30 degrees or less. Also, in this embodiment, the inner upper end portion 118 corresponds to the introduction structure described later. In other embodiments, the inner upper end portion 118 does not have to be configured as an introduction structure.

[0030] The rotating blade section 111 is configured to open and close a pair of retaining members 112 while rotating forward from the second rotation angle to the first rotation angle. As a result, the retaining members 112 of the rotating blade section 111 are configured to be switchable between an open state and a closed state. In Figure 3, the rotating blade section 111 in the closed state is shown by a solid line, and the rotating blade section 111 in the open state is shown by a dashed line.

[0031] In the closed state, the surfaces 122 and 123 are close enough in the second direction DL2 to allow the cell component FP to be received by the holding surface 121. As shown in Figure 3, in the closed state, the shortest distance dm1 between the surfaces 122 and 123 in the second direction DL2 is less than or equal to the longitudinal width W of the cell component FP. The holding member 112 takes the closed state in the first state.

[0032] The open state is a state in which the surfaces 122 and 123 are further apart from each other in the second direction DL2 than in the closed state. The shortest distance dm2 in the open state is longer than the width W. In this embodiment, the open and closed states are achieved by the overall opening and closing operation of the holding member 112. The overall opening and closing operation is an opening and closing operation that moves the entire first holding member 113 and the entire second holding member 114 closer to or further apart in the second direction DL2.

[0033] In this embodiment, the retaining member 112 of the rotating blade section 111 is configured to open immediately after the rotating blade section 111 takes a second rotation angle and to close before the rotating blade section 111 takes a first rotation angle. Furthermore, the retaining member 112 remains open for at least the period during which the rotating blade section 111 passes outside the stacked cell component SFP while the rotating blade section 111 is rotating in the forward direction from the second rotation angle to the first rotation angle. This opening and closing operation of the retaining member 112 is realized, for example, by an opening and closing mechanism that operates the retaining member 112 in accordance with the rotation angle of the rotating blade section 111. The opening and closing mechanism may be configured, for example, as a cam mechanism that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating blade section 111 and operates the retaining member 112, or as an actuator that operates the retaining member 112 under the control of the control unit 190.

[0034] As described above, in the manufacturing system 10, the cell components FP transported from the transport device 200 to the stacking device 100 are transported to the stacking section 150 by the rotating blade section 111 and stacked in the stacking section 150. For example, when the rotating blade section 111A transports the cell components FP, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the rotating blade section 111A first takes a first state. In the first state, the rotating blade section 111A takes a first rotation angle and receives the cell components FP on the holding surface 121 of the rotating blade section 111A in a first direction DL1. Next, the rotating blade section 111A takes a second state by rotating forward. In the second state, the rotating blade section 111A takes a second rotation angle and transfers the cell components FP on the holding surface 121 of the rotating blade section 111A to the stacking section 150. Furthermore, immediately after transferring the cell component FP to the stacking section 150, the holding member 112 of the rotating blade section 111A opens in the stacking section 150 to avoid the stacked cell component SFP and the stacking section 150. Subsequently, the rotating blade section 111A rotates forward while remaining open, avoiding the stacked cell component SFP and the stacking section 150. The holding member 112 of the rotating blade section 111A then closes again before the rotating blade section 111A returns to the first state, that is, before the rotating blade section 111A returns to the first rotation angle. Then, the rotating blade section 111A, having returned to the first state, accepts a new cell component FP.

[0035] While the rotating blade section 111A completes one rotation, the rotating blade sections 111B through 111D, similar to the rotating blade section 111A, receive cell components FP and transport the received cell components FP to the stacking device 100. For example, when the rotating blade section 111A enters the second state, the rotating blade section 111B enters the first state and, at the first rotation angle, receives a cell component FP different from the one handled by the rotating blade section 111A onto the holding surface 121 of the rotating blade section 111B. Subsequently, the rotating blade section 111B enters the second state through the rotation of the rotating shaft section 120 and transfers the cell component FP to the stacking section 150. The process is substantially the same for the rotating blade sections 111C and 111D. Note that the control unit 190 does not need to control the rotation speed of the rotating shaft section 120 to a constant value. For example, the control unit 190 may adjust the rotation speed of the rotating shaft 120 according to the progress of the transport of the cell components FP in the transport device 200, so that the rotating blade 111 can smoothly receive the cell components FP.

[0036] In the stacking apparatus 100 of this embodiment described above, the rotating blade section 111 is configured to switch between a first state and a second state by the rotation of the rotating blade section 111. In the first state, the rotating blade section 111 takes a first rotation angle in which the holding surface 121 is parallel to the horizontal plane, and is capable of receiving cell components FP onto the holding surface 121. In the second state, the rotating blade section 111 takes a second rotation angle in which the holding surface 121 is perpendicular to the horizontal plane, and is capable of transferring the cell components FP to the stacking section 150. Therefore, by utilizing the rotation of the rotating blade section 111, the transport of cell components FP to the stacking section 150 and the stacking of cell components FP in the stacking section 150 can be performed continuously. Furthermore, by increasing at least one of the rotation speed of the rotating blade section 111 or the number of rotating blade sections 111, the transport and stacking of cell components FP can be increased more easily. As a result, for example, cell component FPs can be stacked at a higher speed compared to a system where cell component FPs are transported and stacked using a pick-and-place method. Furthermore, in this embodiment, compared to a system where the upper surface of cell component FPs is grasped by a suction hand for transport and stacking, for example, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of foreign matter caused by the suction hand to the upper surface of cell component FPs and the occurrence of suction marks on the upper surface of cell component FPs.

[0037] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the stacking direction of the cell components FP in the stacking section 150 is parallel to the horizontal plane. Here, for example, if the stacking direction is vertical, each cell component constituting the stacked cell component is subjected to a pressing force due to the weight of the cell components stacked above it, making it difficult to adjust the position of each cell component after stacking, and requiring time and effort to adjust the position of each cell component. In this embodiment, the effort required for such position adjustment can be suppressed, and cell components FP can be stacked at a higher speed. In addition, in this embodiment, compared to, for example, the case where the stacking direction is vertical, the stacked cells can be pressure-fastened horizontally without significantly changing the orientation of the stacked cells after the stacking of each cell component FP is complete, thereby manufacturing a fuel cell stack. As a result, fuel cell stacks can be manufactured more efficiently. Moreover, by pressure-fastening the stacked cells horizontally, the effect of gravity during pressure fastening can be reduced compared to pressure-fastening the stacked cells vertically, and the stacked cell components can be properly pressure-fastened.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, while the rotating blade section 111 rotates forward from the second rotation angle to the first rotation angle, the pair of holding members 112 are configured to open to avoid the cell components FP in the stacked section 150, and then close to allow for the acceptance of new cell components FP. Therefore, the rotating blade section 111 can more smoothly transfer cell components FP from the holding surface 121 to the stacked section 150 and accept new cell components FP into the holding surface 121.

[0039] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the rotating blade portion 111 is provided with a side wall portion 115, positional displacement of the cell component FP on the holding surface 121 in the second direction DL2 can be suppressed. Also, in this embodiment, since the rotating blade portion 111 is provided with a back wall portion 124, positional displacement of the cell component FP on the holding surface 121 in the first direction DL1 can be suppressed.

[0040] B. Other embodiments: (B1) In the above embodiment, the opening and closing operation of the retaining member 112 is a whole opening and closing operation, but is not limited to this. For example, Figure 4 is the first figure illustrating an example of a rotating blade section in another embodiment. In Figure 4, similarly to Figure 3, the rotating blade section in the closed state is shown by a solid line, and the rotating blade section in the open state is shown by a dashed line. The rotating blade section 111a shown on the upper side of Figure 4 has a pair of retaining members 112a, namely a first retaining member 113a and a second retaining member 114a. The retaining members 112a are configured to switch between an open state and a closed state by a partial opening and closing operation. The partial opening and closing operation is an operation that moves a part of the first retaining member 113a and a part of the second retaining member 114a closer to or further away from each other in the second direction DL2. More specifically, each retaining member 112a performs a partial opening and closing operation by rotating each retaining member 112a around the rotation axis RX2 of each retaining member 112a. Each rotation axis RX2 is located at the end of each holding member 112a on the DL1 side in the first direction and is perpendicular to the holding surface 121.

[0041] Furthermore, for example, the rotating blade section 111b shown on the lower side of Figure 4 has a pair of retaining members 112b, namely a first retaining member 113b and a second retaining member 114b. The retaining members 112b are configured to switch between an open state and a closed state by vertical rotation. Vertical rotation is the operation of moving the retaining surfaces 121 closer together or further apart by rotating each retaining member 112b in a plane perpendicular to the retaining surfaces 121. More specifically, each retaining member 112b performs vertical rotation by rotating each retaining member 112b around its rotation axis RX3. Each rotation axis RX3 is located at the outer end of each retaining member 112b in the Y direction and is aligned with the first direction DL1. Note that in Figure 4, the rotating blade sections 111a and 111b do not have a back wall section 124, but they may have one.

[0042] (B2) In the above embodiment, the four rotating blades 111 are arranged radially at equal angular intervals in the forward rotation direction DF when viewed along the direction of the rotation axis RX1. In contrast, the number of rotating blades 111 may be one, two, three, five or more. Furthermore, the shape and arrangement of each rotating blade 111 may be arbitrary. For example, Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a rotating device in another embodiment. The rotating devices 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d shown in Figure 5 are equipped with 6, 8, 10, and 12 rotating blades 111, respectively, arranged at equal angular intervals in the forward rotation direction DF. Thus, the number of rotating blades 111 may be arbitrary. Note that multiple rotating blades 111 do not have to be arranged at equal angular intervals.

[0043] Furthermore, the rotating blades provided on the rotating devices 110e to 110i shown in Figure 5 are arranged in a windmill shape rather than radially when viewed along the direction of the rotation axis RX1. As shown in Figure 5, the holding surface 121e of the rotating blade 111e in the rotating device 110e is inclined 30 degrees toward the forward rotation direction DF with respect to the horizontal plane at the first rotation angle, and is inclined 30 degrees toward the forward rotation direction DF with respect to the vertical plane at the second rotation angle. "The holding surface is inclined toward the forward rotation direction DF" means that the portion of the holding surface on the third direction DL3 side is located toward the forward rotation direction DF side than the portion on the first direction DL1 side. Also, the rotating blade 111f in the rotating device 110f has a holding surface 121e similar to the rotating blade 111e. However, the height of the back wall portion 124f of the rotating blade 111f is set to more than twice the thickness of the cell component FP. Furthermore, the height of the side wall portion 115f of the rotating blade portion 111f is set to be higher towards the first direction DL1. Also, the holding surface 121g of the rotating blade portion 111g in the rotating device 110g is inclined in the opposite direction to the forward rotation direction DF, in contrast to the holding surface 121e.

[0044] Furthermore, the inclination of the holding surface 121h of the rotating blade portion 111h in the rotating device 110h, and the inclination of the holding surface 121i of the rotating blade portion 111i in the rotating device 110i, are the same as those of the holding surface 121 in the first embodiment. However, in the rotating device 110h, the rotating blade portion 111h is located below the rotation axis RX1 at the first rotation angle. In the rotating device 110i, the rotating blade portion 111i is located above the rotation axis RX1 at the first rotation angle.

[0045] (B3) In the above embodiment, the rotating blade portion 111 may have an introduction structure to facilitate the acceptance of cell components FP onto the holding surface 121. For example, Figure 6 is a second diagram illustrating an example of a rotating blade portion in another embodiment. Of the pair of side wall portions 115j provided on the holding member 112j of the rotating blade portion 111j shown in Figure 6, the end portion 127j on the third direction DL3 side is configured in a tapered shape in which the distance between the side wall portions 115j widens towards the third direction DL3. More specifically, the end portion 127j is configured in a linear tapered shape in which the distance between the side wall portions 115j widens linearly toward the third direction DL3. According to this configuration, the side wall portions 115j can suppress misalignment of the cell components FP on the holding surface 121 in the second direction DL2, and can also suppress obstruction of the acceptance of cell components FP onto the holding surface 121 due to the side wall portions 115j. Furthermore, it is preferable that the angular difference between the first direction DL1 and the extension direction of the end portion 127j be 30 degrees or less.

[0046] Furthermore, of the pair of side wall portions 115k provided on the holding member 112k of the rotating blade portion 111k, the end portion 127k is configured in a curved tapered shape in which the distance between the side wall portions 115k increases nonlinearly toward the third direction DL3. More specifically, the end portion 127k is configured in a curved tapered shape that draws a convex curve toward the third direction DL3 when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the holding surface 121. This further suppresses the obstruction of the acceptance of cell components FP caused by the side wall portions 115k. It is preferable that the angle difference between the first direction DL1 and the tangential direction of the curved tapered end portion 127k be 30 degrees or less. In addition, not limited to the end portion 127k, the inner upper end portion 118 as an introduction structure may also be configured in a curved tapered shape in the same manner as described above.

[0047] (B4) In the above embodiment, the retaining surface 121 may be provided with a friction reduction structure. The friction reduction structure is a structure for reducing friction between the retaining surface 121 and the cell component FP that is received on the retaining surface 121 in the first direction DL1. For example, the retaining surface 121L of the retaining member 112L of the rotating blade portion 111L shown in Figure 6 is provided with a friction reduction structure 140. The friction reduction structure 140 is configured as an uneven surface and has a first portion 141 and a second portion 142. The first portion 141 is configured as a recess and is recessed on the opposite side of the forward rotation direction DF than the second portion 142. The second portion 142 is configured as a convex portion and protrudes on the forward rotation direction DF than the first portion 141. With this friction reduction structure 140, the contact area between the retaining surface 121L and the cell component FP is reduced, and the friction between the retaining surface 121L and the cell component FP is reduced, so that the cell component FP can be received on the retaining surface 121L more smoothly. Furthermore, the friction-reducing structure 140 as irregularities is preferably formed by, for example, surface modification. As a method of surface modification, for example, a method of impacting the target member to which the irregularities are to be formed with fine particles at high speed can be used. In this way, the holding surface 121L can be made harder and tougher, and the wear resistance of the holding surface 121 can be further improved.

[0048] Furthermore, a friction reduction structure 140m is provided on the holding surface 121m of the rotating blade section 111m shown in Figure 6. The holding surface 121m is inclined toward the forward rotation direction DF side, similar to the holding surface 121e shown in Figure 5. Note that the holding surface 121m may be, for example, perfectly parallel to the horizontal plane. The friction reduction structure 140m is composed of the side surfaces of a plurality of cylindrical members 143 fixed to the holding member 112m. More specifically, the plurality of cylindrical members 143 are arranged in a straight line with their axial direction along the Y direction and perpendicular to the Y direction. The portion of the side surface of each cylindrical member 143 arranged in this way that faces toward the forward rotation direction DF side forms the holding surface 121m and the friction reduction structure 140m is formed. In this configuration as well, the friction reduction structure 140m reduces the contact area between the holding surface 121m and the cell component FP, thereby reducing friction between the holding surface 121m and the cell component FP, allowing the cell component FP to be received more smoothly by the holding surface 121m. Furthermore, since the holding member 112m is provided with a back wall portion 124, similar to the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress the cell component FP on the holding surface 121m from unintentionally moving beyond the reference position toward the first direction DL1 due to the friction reduction structure 140m.

[0049] Furthermore, in the rotating blade section 111m, at least some of the multiple cylindrical members 143 may be configured, for example, as free rollers that can rotate in place. In this way, the rotation of the cylindrical members 143 can promote the movement of the cell component FP on the holding surface 121m toward the first direction DL1, and the cell component FP can be received by the holding surface 121m more smoothly. In addition, during the period when the rotating blade section 111m rotates from the first rotation angle to the second rotation angle, the movement of the holding surface 121m toward the third direction DL3 can be suppressed, thereby suppressing misalignment of the cell component FP in the first direction DL1 and preventing the cell component FP from falling out.

[0050] (B5) In the above embodiment, the rotating blade portion 111 may have a detachment suppression structure to suppress the detachment of cell components FP on the holding surface 121. For example, the rotating blade portion 111o shown in Figure 6 is provided with a front stopper 144 as a detachment suppression structure. The front stopper 144 is positioned on the third direction DL3 side of the cell component FP held on the holding surface 121. The front stopper 144 can contact and face the end of the cell component FP held on the holding surface 121 on the third direction DL3 side. In this embodiment, the front stopper 144 is composed of a first stopper 145 and a second stopper 146. The first stopper 145 is positioned to protrude in the second direction DL2 from the end of the first side wall portion 116 on the third direction DL3 side. The second stopper 146 is positioned to protrude in the opposite direction to the second direction DL2 from the end of the second side wall portion 117 on the third direction DL3 side. The front stopper 144 prevents the cell component FP on the holding surface 121 from moving toward the third direction DL3, thereby preventing misalignment of the cell component FP in the third direction DL3 and preventing the cell component FP from falling out. The back wall portion 124 can also be said to function as a rear stopper that prevents the cell component FP held on the holding surface 121 from moving toward the first direction DL1. In other words, the rear stopper is an example of a structure that prevents detachment.

[0051] Furthermore, the holding surface 121p of the holding member 112p of the rotating blade section 111p shown in Figure 6 is provided with a suction section 147 as a structure to prevent detachment. The suction section 147 is used to attract the cell components FP on the holding surface 121 to the holding surface 121p. The suction section 147 is configured as an attraction hole that penetrates the holding surface 121p in the thickness direction, and more specifically, as a slit. With this configuration, it is possible to attract the cell components FP on the holding surface 121p to the holding surface 121p from the opposite side of the forward rotation direction DF using a suction device (not shown) via the suction section 147 as an attraction hole. With this configuration, the cell components FP on the holding surface 121p can be held more firmly by the suction section 147 while the rotating blade section 111p rotates from the first rotation angle to the second rotation angle. The suction portion 147, which serves as a suction hole, may be provided over the entire holding surface 121p, or it may be provided only on a part of the holding surface 121p. In Figure 6, the rotating blade portion 111p does not have a back wall portion 124, but it may have one.

[0052] Furthermore, in the rotating blade section 111q shown in Figure 6, the suction section 147q is composed of a plurality of suction pads 148. More specifically, the plurality of suction pads 148 are arranged in a linear fashion on the holding member 112q, with their suction surfaces facing the forward rotation direction DF and perpendicular to the Y direction. The suction surfaces of each of the suction pads 148 arranged in this way form the holding surface 121q and the suction section 147q. In this configuration as well, the cell component FP on the holding surface 121q can be held more firmly by the suction section 147q as the rotating blade section 111q rotates from the first rotation angle to the second rotation angle. Note that in Figure 6, the rotating blade section 111q does not have side walls 115 or a back wall 124, but it may have them. Also, any two or more of the configurations described in (B1) to (B5) above may be combined and applied.

[0053] (B6) In the above embodiment, the pair of retaining members 112 are configured to be openable and closable, but this configuration is not required. For example, the stacking section 150 may be configured to be movable, and the stacked cell components SFP may be moved to avoid the rotating blade section 111 by moving the stacking section 150. In this case, the rotating blade section 111 may have, for example, a single retaining member 112 instead of a pair of retaining members 112.

[0054] (B7) In the above embodiment, for example, the lamination apparatus 100 may be held in a vacuum state. This makes it possible to suppress the cell component FP on the holding member 112 from experiencing air resistance while the rotating blade portion 111 is rotating. As a result, for example, even when the rotating blade portion 111 is rotated at a relatively high speed, it is possible to suppress the cell component FP from remaining on the third direction D3 side of the reference position during the period when the rotating blade portion 111 rotates from the first rotation angle to the second rotation angle.

[0055] (B8) In the above embodiment, the rotating blade portion 111 does not have to have a side wall portion 115. Also, the rotating blade portion 111 does not have to have a back wall portion 124.

[0056] (B9) In the above embodiment, the cell component FP does not have to be a fuel cell cell. For example, the cell component FP may be a component for forming a fuel cell, such as an MEA, a sub-gasket, a separator, or any combination of two or more of these. That is, various cell components may be sequentially transported to the stacking section 150 by the rotating blade section 111 and stacked sequentially in the stacking section 150, thereby forming a fuel cell while stacking in the stacking section 150.

[0057] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various configurations without departing from its spirit. For example, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each form described in the summary of the invention can be replaced or combined as appropriate in order to solve some or all of the above-described problems, or to achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be deleted as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 10...Manufacturing system, 100...Lamination device, 110, 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e, 110f, 110g, 110h, 110i...Rotation device, 111, 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D, 111a, 111b, 111e, 111f, 111g, 111h, 111i, 111j, 111k, 111L, 111m, 1 11o, 111p, 111q… Rotating blade section, 112, 112a, 112b, 112j, 112k, 112L, 112m, 112p, 112q… Holding member, 113, 113a, 113b… First holding member, 114, 114a, 114b… Second holding member, 115, 115f, 115j, 115k… Side wall section, 116… First side wall section, 117… Second side wall section, 118...Inner upper end part, 120...Rotating shaft part, 121,121e,121g,121h,121i,121L,121m,121p,121q...Holding surface, 122...First surface part, 123...Second surface part, 124,124f...Back wall part, 125...First back wall part, 126...Second back wall part, 127j,127k...End part, 130...Drive part, 140,140m...Friction reduction Structure, 141...First part, 142...Second part, 143...Cylindrical member, 144...Front stopper, 145...First stopper, 146...Second stopper, 147,147q...Suction part, 148...Suction pad, 150...Lamination part, 151...Guide pin, 152...Support plate, 153...Lamination drive unit, 190...Control unit, 191...CPU, 192...Storage unit, 200...Transport device

Claims

1. A fuel cell cell component stacking apparatus, A rotating blade section having a retaining surface for holding fuel cell components and configured to be rotatable, The system includes a stacking section that receives the fuel cell components from the rotating blade section and stacks the received fuel cell components in a direction parallel to the horizontal plane, The aforementioned rotating blade section is The system is configured to allow switching between a first state in which the fuel cell component can be received onto the holding surface and a second state in which the fuel cell component can be transferred to the stacking section by the rotation of the rotating blade section. In the first state, the holding surface and the horizontal plane take a first rotation angle in which they are parallel, In the second state, the holding surface and the horizontal plane take a second rotation angle perpendicular to each other. Fuel cell component stacking device.

2. A fuel cell cell component stacking apparatus according to claim 1, The rotating blade portion has a pair of retaining members that are aligned along the direction of the rotation axis of the rotating blade portion and have surface portions that form the retaining surface, The pair of holding members are configured to be switchable between a closed state in which the surfaces are close together to the extent that the fuel cell components can be received on the holding surfaces, and an open state in which the surfaces are further apart than in the closed state. When the rotation direction in which the rotating blade portion rotates from the first rotation angle to the second rotation angle is defined as the forward rotation direction, A fuel cell component stacking apparatus, wherein the pair of holding members are configured to take the open state to avoid the fuel cell components in the stacking portion, and then take the closed state, while rotating in the forward direction from the second rotation angle to the first rotation angle.

3. A fuel cell cell component stacking apparatus according to claim 1, The aforementioned rotating blade section is In a first direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotating blade portion and along the holding surface, the fuel cell component is received. In a second direction along the rotation axis, it is arranged to sandwich the fuel cell component on the holding surface and has a pair of side walls extending along the first direction, A fuel cell component stacking apparatus, wherein the end portion of the pair of side wall portions, including the end on the third direction side which is opposite to the first direction, is configured such that the distance between the side wall portions increases towards the third direction.

4. A fuel cell cell component stacking apparatus according to claim 1, A fuel cell component stacking apparatus, wherein the holding surface is provided with a friction reduction structure for reducing friction between the holding surface and the fuel cell component.

5. A fuel cell cell component stacking apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A fuel cell component stacking apparatus, wherein the holding surface is provided with an adsorption portion for adsorbing the fuel cell component on the holding surface to the holding surface.

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