Assembly jig and method for assembling cell or stack using same

Abstract

The present invention provides an assembly jig for minimizing misalignment of separators between cells when assembling a stack, and a method for assembling a cell or stack using the same. [Solution] An assembly jig X is used to alternately stack and assemble a rectangular frame M on which a membrane electrode assembly m is provided and separators S having a shape different from the outer dimensions of the frame M. The assembly jig X includes a first jig 1 that extends along a stacking direction d and positions the stacking positions of the separators S relative to each other, a second jig 2 that restricts movement of the frame M in the long side and short side directions, and a third jig 3 that fixes the relative positions of the first jig 1 and the second jig 2.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly jig used in assembling a cell or stack that constitutes a fuel cell, and a method of assembling a cell or stack using the same. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the advantages of fuel cells have been attracting attention against the backdrop of active efforts around the world to reduce the environmental impact.

[0003] Fuel cells can generate electricity using only hydrogen and oxygen, and because they only emit water during power generation, they place a low burden on the environment. In addition, fuel cells have many advantages, such as no noise being generated because electricity is generated solely through chemical reactions, there being little transmission loss, and the fuel is easily available.

[0004] A fuel cell is roughly constructed by stacking multiple roughly plate-shaped components called cells, which are capable of generating electricity by reacting hydrogen and oxygen on their own, to form a layered structure called a stack. And, traditionally, cells and stacks have been assembled in different ways.

[0005] As shown in Patent Document 1, for example, the cells are stacked and assembled by inserting a pair of positioning pins extending in the stacking direction into positioning holes provided in the separators and frames that constitute the cells.

[0006] As shown in Patent Document 2, for example, the stack is assembled by stacking each cell with its end face abutting against the side panel of the C-shaped cell stacking mounting section as a positioning guide (guide plate) and pressing from above with a pressure plate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-121027 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2009-266760 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Incidentally, when assembling a stack, when using a method in which the end faces of the cells are stacked while abutting against a positioning guide, as shown in Patent Document 2, the end faces of the separators in cells having outer dimensions larger than those of the frame body will abut against the positioning guide. In such cases, there is a risk of short circuits occurring between the separators due to contaminants or condensation water present between the separators and the positioning guides, making it impossible to adequately guarantee safety during manufacturing or the quality of the manufactured fuel cell.

[0009] In order to prevent the occurrence of the above problems, it is desirable to make the outer dimensions of the frame body larger than those of the separator for each cell, thereby abutting the end face of the frame body against the guide plate and stacking each cell while maintaining a certain or greater creepage distance between the guide plate and the separator.

[0010] Based on this premise, when assembling cells and stacks using the methods shown in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, problems arise due to differences in the external dimensions of the frame bodies between each cell, as will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 16 to 18. 16 to 18, a simplified example will be described in which three cells C1' to C3' are assembled and stacked to form a stack P'.

[0011] FIG. 16 shows a plan view of a configuration for explaining the above case. That is, each of the cells C1' to C3' is composed of (a) a frame M1' to M3' used therefor, and (b) a pair of separators S' (only one of which is shown) that sandwich the frame M1' to M3'.

[0012] The separator S' is provided with a pair of positioning holes hs, each of which has approximately the same diameter as the positioning pins L described below and through which each positioning pin L can be inserted, and the frames M1' to M3' are provided with a pair of communication holes hm, each of which communicates with the positioning holes hs. With respect to the frames M1' to M3', the external tolerance in the short side direction of each of the frames M1' to M3' is ±b, based on the external dimensions of the frame M2' of the cell C2'. Further, the diameter of the communication hole hm is d+2a, where d is the diameter of the positioning hole hs.

[0013] 16 to 18, the outer shape of the separator is indicated by a dashed line, and the outer shape of the frame is indicated by a dashed double-dashed line. Regarding the outer shapes of the frames M1' to M3', the reference frame M2' is indicated by a thick line, the frame M1' smaller than the frame M2' is indicated by a thin line, and the frame M3' smaller than the frame M2' is indicated by an extremely thick line. Moreover, the tolerances of the outer dimensions of the separators S in each of the cells C1' to C3' and the locations of the positioning holes hs are set to be sufficiently smaller than the outer tolerances of the frames M1' to M3'.

[0014] Based on this premise, when the cells C1' to C3' are assembled using positioning pins L in the manner as shown in Patent Document 1, an assembly mode as shown in FIG. 17 is assumed as an example. That is, for cell C1', the frame M1' is stacked with a shift a along the short side direction downward on the paper relative to the separator S, for cell C3', the frame M1' is stacked with a shift a along the short side direction upward on the paper relative to the separator S, and for cell C2', the cell is stacked without any shift (the centers of the positioning hole hs and the communicating hole hm are aligned).

[0015] When the stack P' is assembled using the frame guide G in the manner as shown in Patent Document 2, an assembly mode as shown in FIG. 18 is assumed as an example. In other words, since the end faces of the frame bodies M1' to M3' of each cell C1' to C3' are stacked while abutting against the frame body guide G, a misalignment of 2(a+b) occurs in the short side direction for the stacking positions of the separator S of cell C1' and the separator S of cell C3'.

[0016] In this way, when there is a tolerance in the external dimensions of the frame body and a tolerance in the hole diameter between the frame body and the separator, if the cell assembly and stack assembly are performed as completely independent processes using different jigs, the misalignment between each cell (separator) will become large. This causes an increase in surface pressure and contact resistance due to a reduction in the contact area of ​​the separator, which adversely affects the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell.

[0017] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an assembly jig for minimizing misalignment of separators between cells when assembling a stack, and a method for assembling a cell or stack using the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0018] The present invention for solving the above problems provides an assembly jig for alternately stacking and assembling a rectangular frame provided with a membrane electrode assembly and a separator having an outer dimension different from that of the frame, the assembly jig comprising: The frame includes a first jig extending along the stacking direction and positioning the stacking positions of the separators relative to each other, a second jig restricting movement of the frame in the long side and short side directions, and a third jig fixing the relative positions of the first jig and the second jig.

[0019] According to the present invention, the cells can be assembled in one assembly jig, and deviation in the position of the separators included in each cell can be minimized during assembly of the stack.

[0020] In detail, when using this assembly jig, when assembling a cell, the worker uses the first jig to position the stacking positions of each separator so that they are stacked on the frame body, while the second jig restricts the movement of the frame body. At this time, the relative positions of the first and second jigs are fixed by the third jig. Therefore, by performing assembly in the above manner, even if there is variation in the external dimensions of the frame body, the relative position of the frame body and the separator for each cell with respect to the second jig will be approximately constant. For this reason, even when the cells are stacked to assemble a stack, by stacking the cells while positioning the frame of each cell using the second jig, as in the case of assembling the cells, it is possible to minimize misalignment of the separators contained in each cell.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first jig is a positioning pin that can be inserted into a hole provided in the separator, the second jig is a frame guide capable of contacting a long side end surface and a short side end surface of the frame, The third jig is a base to which the positioning pin and the base ends of the frame guide are fixed.

[0022] By adopting such a configuration, the above assembly work can be performed with a simple configuration.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first jig is a positioning pin that can be inserted into a hole provided in the separator, the second jig is a frame pin that can be inserted only into a hole provided in the frame, The third jig is a base to which the base ends of the positioning pin and the frame body pin are fixed.

[0024] By adopting such a configuration, the above assembly work can be performed with a simple configuration.

[0025] The present invention also provides a method for assembling a cell or stack using an assembly jig, comprising the steps of: The process includes a step of positioning the stacking positions of the separators relative to each other using the first jig, a step of restricting movement of the frame body in the long side direction and short side direction using the second jig, and a step of fixing the relative positions of the first jig and the second jig using the third jig.

[0026] With this configuration, as described above, it is possible to assemble a stack or cells constituting the stack in which deviation in the position of the separators included in each cell is minimized.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first jig is a positioning pin that can be inserted into a positioning hole provided in the separator, the second jig is a frame guide capable of contacting a long side end surface and a short side end surface of the frame, The step of using the first jig includes inserting the positioning pin into the positioning hole, The process using the second jig involves inserting the positioning pin into a communicating hole that is provided in the frame body, communicates with each of the positioning holes, and is configured to have a larger diameter than each of the positioning holes, while simultaneously abutting the long side and short side of the frame body against the frame body guide, thereby stacking the frame body on the separator.

[0028] By adopting such a configuration, the above assembly work can be performed with a simple configuration.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first jig is a positioning pin that can be inserted into a first positioning hole provided in the separator, the second jig is a frame body pin that can be inserted only into a second positioning hole provided in the frame body, The step of using the first jig includes inserting the positioning pin into the first positioning hole, The process using the second jig involves inserting the positioning pin into a communicating hole provided in the frame body that communicates with each of the first positioning holes, while inserting the frame body pin into the second positioning hole provided in the frame body at a position that does not overlap each of the separators, thereby stacking the frame body on the separators.

[0030] By adopting such a configuration, the above assembly work can be performed with a simple configuration.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the separator stacked above the frame has a boss portion formed on a periphery of the positioning hole, the boss portion projecting upward.

[0032] With this configuration, the distance between the separators around the positioning hole in each cell is increased. Therefore, when an external force is applied, such as when the stack is compressed in the stacking direction, contact between the separators through the holes in the frame is minimized, thereby preventing short circuits in the cells that would otherwise occur.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the step of using the first jig and the step of using the second jig are performed in a state in which the relative positions of the first jig and the second jig are fixed by the third jig.

[0034] With this configuration, the cells or stacks can be assembled with improved positioning accuracy. Effect of the Invention

[0035] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an assembly jig for minimizing misalignment of separators between cells when assembling a stack, and a method for assembling a cell or stack using the same. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an assembly jig according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cell is assembled using the assembly jig according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cell is assembled using the assembly jig according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method for assembling a cell or a stack using the assembly jig according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method for assembling a cell or a stack using the assembly jig according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method for assembling a cell or a stack using the assembly jig according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method for assembling a cell or a stack using the assembly jig according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a boss portion provided on the separator according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an assembly jig according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cell is assembled using an assembly jig according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cell is assembled using an assembly jig according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method for assembling a cell or a stack using an assembly jig according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method for assembling a cell or a stack using an assembly jig according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method for assembling a cell or a stack using an assembly jig according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15]FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method for assembling a cell or a stack using an assembly jig according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method for assembling a cell or stack using conventional technology. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method for assembling a cell or stack using conventional technology. [Figure 18] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method for assembling a cell or stack using conventional technology. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] Hereinafter, an assembly jig according to each embodiment of the present invention and a method of assembling a cell or a stack using the same will be described with reference to Figs. It should be noted that the following embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. In these figures, the symbols X, C, and P indicate an assembly jig, a cell, and a stack according to this embodiment.

[0038] <Embodiment 1> Hereinafter, the assembly jig X according to the first embodiment and a method for assembling a cell C or a stack P using the same will be described with reference to Figs.

[0039] <<Assembly jig>> The assembly jig X is used to assemble a rectangular frame M (see FIG. 2, etc.) on which a membrane electrode assembly m is provided and a separator S (see FIG. 2, etc.) having a shape different from the outer dimensions of the frame M, by alternately stacking them. As shown in FIG. 1, the assembly jig X extends along the stacking direction D (see FIG. 2, etc.) and includes a first jig 1 which positions the stacking positions of each separator S, a second jig 2 which restricts movement of the frame body M in the long side direction and short side direction, and a third jig 3 which fixes the relative positions of the first jig 1 and the second jig 2.

[0040] The first jig 1 is a positioning pin L that can be inserted into a positioning hole hs (see FIG. 2) provided in the separator S, and is provided in a pair as a substantially cylindrical body extending along the stacking direction D.

[0041] The second jig 2 is a frame guide G that can come into contact with the long side end faces and short side end faces of the frame M, and is configured as a plurality of substantially rectangular parallelepiped block bodies. In addition, in this embodiment, the second jig 2 is composed of three frame body guides G that abut the long side end faces of the frame body M and one frame body guide G that abuts the short side end face, and each is arranged on the periphery of the base B, which is the third jig 3. Furthermore, the three frame guides G arranged along the long side direction are arranged so that the side surfaces that come into contact with the long side end faces of the frame M are arranged in approximately the same plane.

[0042] The third jig 3 is a base B having a substantially rectangular plate shape to which the positioning pin L and the base ends of the frame guide G are fixed.

[0043] Using the above-described assembly jig X, a pair of separators S (anode separator and cathode separator) and a frame M shown in FIG. 2 are laminated as shown in FIG.

[0044] Here, each separator S is provided with a positioning hole hs that is configured to have approximately the same diameter as each positioning pin L and through which each positioning pin L can be inserted. The frame M is also provided with a pair of communication holes hm which communicate with the respective positioning holes hs and have a larger diameter than the respective positioning holes hs. Furthermore, as described above, in order to prevent short circuits between the separators S, the outer dimensions of the frame M are configured to be larger than those of the separators S in both the long side direction and the short side direction.

[0045] <<Assembling method>> Based on the above-described configuration of the assembly jig X and the configurations of the separator S and the frame M, the cell C is assembled in the following manner. In addition, in the assembly method according to this embodiment, the process of fixing the relative positions of the first jig 1 (positioning pin L) and the second jig 2 (frame guide G) using the third jig 3 (base B) has already been performed by manufacturing the assembly jig X.

[0046] First, as shown in FIG. 3(a), an operator inserts the positioning pins L into the positioning holes hs of one separator S, and places this separator S on the base B (a step of using a first jig 1). At this time, neither the long side end face nor the short side end face of one separator S abuts against each of the frame guides G.

[0047] Next, as shown in Figure 3(b), the worker inserts each positioning pin L into each communicating hole hm of the frame body M, while simultaneously abutting the long side end face and short side end face of the frame body M against each frame body guide G, thereby stacking the frame body M on one of the separators S (step using the second jig 2).

[0048] Next, as shown in FIG. 3(c), the worker inserts the positioning pins L into the positioning holes hs of the other separator S, and stacks this separator S on the frame M (step using the first jig 1). At this time, neither the long side end face nor the short side end face of the other separator S abuts against the frame guides G.

[0049] Then, the worker assembles one cell C by, for example, thermocompression bonding each separator to an adhesive member (not shown).

[0050] Here, a method for assembling the cell C and the stack P using the assembly jig X according to the first embodiment will be described more geometrically with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a perspective view that diagrammatically shows the assembly jig X, the separators S, and the frame M shown in FIG. 2 for the explanation using FIGS.

[0051] In explaining the assembly method according to this embodiment, similar to the explanation of the conventional technology using Figures 16 to 18, a simplified example will be explained in which three cells C1 to C3 are assembled and stacked to form a stack P.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 5, each of the cells C1 to C3 used in this assembly method is composed of (a) a frame body M1 to M3 used therein, and (b) a pair of separators S (only one of which is shown) that sandwich the frame body M1 to M3. As with the description of the prior art, the outer dimension tolerance of each of the frame bodies M1 to M3 in the short side direction is ±b, based on the outer dimension of the frame body M2 of the cell C2.

[0053] Here, the diameter of the communication hole hm is configured to be larger than the frame bodies M1 to M3 so that the positioning pin L can be inserted therethrough and can abut against each frame body guide G, and is set to, for example, d+2√2b.

[0054] The rules for drawing the line type and thickness of the outer lines of the separator S and the frames M1 to M3 are the same as those described in the prior art. Moreover, the tolerances of the outer dimensions of the separators S between the cells C1 to C3 and the locations of the positioning holes hs are set to be sufficiently smaller than the outer tolerances of the frames M1 to M3.

[0055] On this premise, when the cells C1 to C3 are assembled using an assembly jig X, an assembly mode as shown in FIG. 6 is assumed as an example. It should be noted that the base B is not shown in FIG. 6 (and FIG. 7(a)).

[0056] Here, in the assembly mode of each of the cells C1 to C3, the relative position of the positioning pin L and the frame body guide G is fixed by the base B, so that the relative position of the frame body M and the separator S based on the frame body guide G is approximately constant regardless of the cell C. In detail, when viewed in a plan view, the distance d1 from the long side end face of the frame body M that abuts the frame body guide G to the long side end face of the separator S adjacent to it, and the distance d2 from the short side end face of the frame body M that abuts the frame body guide G to the short side end face of the separator S adjacent to it are approximately constant regardless of the cell C.

[0057] When the stack P is assembled using the same assembly jig X, the assembly state is as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 7(a), by making the distances d1 and d2 approximately constant regardless of the cell, even if there is variation in the external shapes of the frame bodies M1 to M3, the deviation in the stacking position of each separator S in a planar view is minimized. FIG. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line QQ' in FIG. 7(a), and the thicknesses of the frames M1 to M3 and the separators S constituting the cells C1 to C3 are exaggerated. Furthermore, when assembling the stack, substantially the same effect can be obtained even if the positioning pins L are omitted and assembly is performed using only the frame guides G, and the effect of making the work easier when stacking the cells can be obtained.

[0058] Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the separator S (referred to as separator S1) stacked above the frame M may have a boss j formed on the periphery of the positioning hole hs so as to protrude upward. In addition, FIG. 8(a) shows, as an example, a view similar to FIG. 5(b) (plan view of cell C2), and FIG. 8(b) shows an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line aa' in FIG. 8(a).

[0059] The boss portion j is formed by drawing the periphery of the positioning hole hs in the separator S. As a result, the distance k from the upper inner surface of the boss portion j to the inner surface of the separator S (referred to as separator S2) stacked below the frame body M is configured to be greater than the distance k' from the inner surface of the part of separator S1 where the boss portion j is not formed to the inner surface of separator S2. Furthermore, it is preferable that the protruding height of the boss portion j is configured to be lower than the protruding height of materials such as sealing material provided on the surface of the separator S1, thereby suppressing an increase in thickness when the stack P is assembled.

[0060] <<Effects>> According to this embodiment, the cells C can be assembled in a single assembly jig X having a simple configuration, and a stack P or the cells C constituting the stack P can be assembled in which the positional deviation of the separators S contained in each cell C is minimized.

[0061] Furthermore, the boss portion j increases the distance k between the separators S on the periphery of the positioning hole hs, making it possible to suppress a short circuit of the cell C caused by contact between the separators S1 and S2.

[0062] In addition, by performing a process using the first jig and a process using the second jig while the relative positions of the positioning pin L and the frame body guide G are fixed by the base B, it is possible to assemble the cell C or stack P with improved positioning accuracy.

[0063] <Embodiment 2> Hereinafter, the assembly jig X according to the second embodiment and a method for assembling the cell C or stack P using the same will be described with reference to Figs. In this embodiment, components that are basically the same as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be simplified.

[0064] <<Assembly jig>> As shown in FIG. 9, the assembly jig X extends along the stacking direction D and includes a first jig 1 which positions the stacking positions of each separator S relative to one another, a second jig 2 which restricts movement of the frame body M in the long side direction and short side direction, and a third jig 3 which fixes the relative positions of the first jig 1 and the second jig 2.

[0065] The first jig 1 is a positioning pin L that can be inserted into a first positioning hole h1 (see FIG. 10) provided in the separator S, and is provided as a pair of substantially cylindrical bodies extending along the stacking direction D.

[0066] The second jig 2 is a frame body pin W that can only be inserted into the second positioning hole h2 (see Figure 10) provided in the frame body, and like the positioning pin L, a pair is provided as an approximately cylindrical body extending along the stacking direction D. In this embodiment, the frame pin W is configured to have approximately the same diameter as the positioning pin L, but it may have a smaller or larger diameter than the positioning pin L, and the diameter of the second positioning hole h2 described later can also be changed accordingly.

[0067] The third jig 3 is a base B having a substantially rectangular plate shape to which the base ends of the positioning pins L and the frame body pins W are fixed.

[0068] 10 and a frame M are laminated by the above-described assembly jig X, and then laminated as shown in FIG.

[0069] Here, each separator S is provided with a first positioning hole h1 that is configured to have substantially the same diameter as each positioning pin L and through which each positioning pin L can be inserted. The frame M is provided with a pair of communication holes hm that communicate with the first positioning holes h1 and have substantially the same diameter as the first positioning holes h1.

[0070] Furthermore, as described above, in order to prevent short circuits between the separators S, the outer dimensions of the frame M are configured to be larger than those of the separators S in both the long side direction and the short side direction. In this embodiment, the outside dimensions, particularly in the short side direction, are configured to be larger than those in the first embodiment. As a result, a pair of second positioning holes h2 are provided in the frames M1 to M3 at positions (portions protruding toward the short sides) where the separator S does not overlap when each first positioning hole h1 and each communication hole hm are communicated.

[0071] <<Assembling method>> Based on the above-described configuration of the assembly jig X and the configurations of the separator S and the frame M, the cell C is assembled in the following manner. In addition, in the assembly method according to this embodiment, the process of fixing the relative positions of the first jig 1 (positioning pin L) and the second jig 2 (frame pin W) using the third jig 3 (base B) has already been performed by manufacturing the assembly jig X.

[0072] First, as shown in FIG. 11(a), an operator inserts the first positioning holes h1 of one separator S onto the positioning pins L, and places this separator S on the base B (a step of using a first jig 1).

[0073] Next, as shown in Figure 11 (b), the worker stacks the frame body M on one of the separators S by inserting each positioning pin L into each communicating hole hm of the frame body M while inserting each frame body pin W into each second positioning hole h2 (step using the second jig 2).

[0074] Next, as shown in FIG. 11(c), the worker inserts the first positioning holes h1 of the other separator S into the positioning pins L, and stacks this separator S on the frame M (step using the first jig 1).

[0075] Then, the worker assembles one cell C by, for example, thermocompression bonding each separator to an adhesive member (not shown).

[0076] Here, a method for assembling the cell C and the stack P using the assembly jig X according to the second embodiment will be described more geometrically with reference to Figs. FIG. 12 is a perspective view that typically shows the assembly jig X, the separators S, and the frame M shown in FIG. 10 for the explanation using FIGS. 13 to 15. As shown in FIG.

[0077] In explaining the assembly method according to this embodiment, as in the explanation of the conventional technology using Figures 16 to 18, a simplified example will be explained in which three cells C1 to C3 are assembled and stacked to form a stack P.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 13, each of the cells C1 to C3 used in this assembly method is composed of (a) a corresponding frame body M1 to M3, and (b) a pair of separators S (only one of which is shown) that sandwich the frame body M1 to M3. Moreover, with respect to the frames M1 to M3, the external tolerance in the short side direction of each of the frames M1 to M3 is ±c, based on the external dimensions of the frame M2 of the cell C2.

[0079] As in the first embodiment, the rules for drawing the line types and thicknesses of the outer lines of the separator S and the frames M1 to M3 are the same as those described in the prior art. Moreover, the tolerances of the outer dimensions of the separators S between the cells C1 to C3 and the locations of the positioning holes hs are set to be sufficiently smaller than the outer tolerances of the frames M1 to M3.

[0080] Furthermore, the tolerance of the relative positions between the second positioning holes h2 and the communication holes hm among the frames M1 to M3 is set to be sufficiently smaller than the external shape tolerance of the frames M1 to M3. Further, the diameter of each of the second positioning holes h2 and the communication holes hm is substantially the same as the diameter of each of the first positioning holes h1.

[0081] On this premise, when the cells C1 to C3 are assembled using an assembly jig X, an assembly mode as shown in FIG. 14 is assumed as an example. It should be noted that the base B is omitted in FIG. 14 (and FIG. 15(a)).

[0082] Here, in the assembly mode of each of the cells C1 to C3, the relative positions of the positioning pin L and the frame body pin W are fixed by the base B, so that the relative positions of the frame body M and the separator S based on the frame body pin W are approximately constant regardless of the cell C. More specifically, in a plan view, distances d3 and d4 from the center of the frame pin W to the long side end face of the separator S adjacent thereto are approximately constant regardless of the cell C.

[0083] When the cells C1 to C3 assembled in the above manner are assembled into a stack P using the same assembly jig X, the resulting assembly manner is as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 15(a), by making the distances d3 and d4 approximately constant regardless of the cell, even if there is variation in the external shapes of the frame bodies M1 to M3, the deviation in the stacking position of each separator S in a planar view is minimized. FIG. 15(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line RR' in FIG. 15(a), and the thicknesses of the frames M1 to M3 and the separators S constituting the cells C1 to C3 are exaggerated. Furthermore, when assembling the stack, substantially the same effect can be obtained even if the positioning pins L are omitted and assembly is performed using only the frame pins W, and the effect of making the workability when stacking the cells easier can be obtained.

[0084] <<Effects>> According to this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the cells C can be assembled in a single assembly jig X having a simple configuration, and a stack P or the cells C constituting the stack P can be assembled in which the positional deviation of the separators S contained in each cell C is minimized.

[0085] Furthermore, in particular in this embodiment, the first positioning hole h1 and the communicating hole hm are configured to have approximately the same diameter, making assembly possible. Therefore, unlike embodiment 1, even without forming the boss portion j, short-circuiting of cell C due to contact between separators S1 and S2 is suppressed. Incidentally, the diameter of the communication hole hm may be set to be larger than the diameter of the positioning pin L. In that case, the effect of making it easier to insert the positioning pin L into the frame M as shown in FIG. 11(b) can be obtained.

[0086] <Example of change> In addition, the word "abbreviated" in the application documents is a concept that means that the shape that follows may be chamfered or rounded, and also includes elements that make up the shape being deformed or changed in length within a range that does not impair the purpose of the shape. Furthermore, the shapes and dimensions of the components shown in the above-described embodiment are merely examples and can be modified in various ways based on design requirements, etc.

[0087] For example, in each embodiment, a process of using the positioning pin L (or the pin W for the frame body) and a process of using the guide G for the frame body are shown with the relative positions of the positioning pin L and the guide G for the frame body (or the pin W for the frame body) being fixed in advance by the base B. Recently, in the first embodiment, by configuring the base B to be divided, this order may be changed.

[0088] That is, the base B may be divided into a component in which the positioning pin L is provided and a component in which the frame guide G is provided. This allows the worker to first carry out a step of using the positioning pin L on one of the components. Then, the worker may combine the respective components and fix the relative positions of the positioning pin L and the frame body guide G, thereby abutting the frame body guide G against the frame body M, and perform a process using the frame body guide G.

[0089] Alternatively, the outer dimensions of the frame M may be larger than those of the separator S only in the short side direction and substantially the same in the long side direction, or may be larger only in the long side direction and substantially the same in the short side direction. Furthermore, the frame body guide G does not have to be multiple block bodies, but may be, for example, a long, thin rectangular columnar body, or one or more plate-shaped bodies may form a wall surface that stands approximately vertically from the base B, and this may be used as the frame body guide G. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] X Assembly Jig 1 First jig P Positioning pin 2 Second jig G Positioning guide W Frame Pin 3. Third jig B Base S Separator M, M1~M3 frame C, C1~C3 cells P-Stack

Claims

1. A method for assembling a cell or stack using an assembly jig that alternately stacks a rectangular frame provided with a membrane electrode assembly and a separator having an outer dimension different from that of the frame, the method comprising the steps of: the assembly jig includes a first jig extending along the stacking direction and configured to position the stacking positions of the separators relative to one another, a second jig configured to restrict movement of the frame in a long side direction and a short side direction, and a third jig configured to fix the relative positions of the first jig and the second jig, the first jig is a positioning pin that can be inserted into a positioning hole provided in the separator, the second jig is a frame guide capable of contacting a long side end surface and a short side end surface of the frame, performing a step of positioning the stacking positions of the separators relative to one another using the first jig, a step of restricting movement of the frame in the long side direction and the short side direction using the second jig, and a step of fixing the relative positions of the first jig and the second jig using the third jig; The step of using the first jig includes inserting the positioning pin into the positioning hole, The step of using the second jig includes inserting the positioning pin into a communication hole that is provided in the frame, communicates with each of the positioning holes, and has a diameter larger than that of each of the positioning holes, while simultaneously abutting a long side end surface and a short side end surface of the frame against the frame guide, thereby stacking the frame on the separator; A method for assembling a cell or stack, wherein the separator stacked above the frame has a boss portion protruding upward on the periphery of the positioning hole.

2. A method for assembling a cell or stack using an assembly jig that alternately stacks a rectangular frame provided with a membrane electrode assembly and a separator having an outer dimension different from that of the frame, the method comprising the steps of: the assembly jig includes a first jig extending along the stacking direction and configured to position the stacking positions of the separators relative to one another, a second jig configured to restrict movement of the frame in a long side direction and a short side direction, and a third jig configured to fix the relative positions of the first jig and the second jig, the first jig is a positioning pin that can be inserted into a first positioning hole provided in the separator, the second jig is a frame body pin that can be inserted only into a second positioning hole provided in the frame body, performing a step of positioning the stacking positions of the separators relative to one another using the first jig, a step of restricting movement of the frame in the long side direction and the short side direction using the second jig, and a step of fixing the relative positions of the first jig and the second jig using the third jig; The step of using the first jig includes inserting the positioning pin into the first positioning hole, The step of using the second jig includes inserting the positioning pin into a communicating hole that is provided in the frame and communicates with each of the first positioning holes, while inserting the frame pin into the second positioning hole that is provided in the frame at a position that does not overlap each of the separators, thereby stacking the frame on the separators; A method for assembling a cell or stack, wherein the separator stacked above the frame has a boss portion protruding upward on a periphery of the first positioning hole.

3. 3. The method for assembling a cell or stack according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a step of using the first jig and a step of using the second jig are performed in a state in which the relative positions of the first jig and the second jig are fixed by the third jig.

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