Fuel cell separator transport device and fuel cell separator transport method

Abstract

To provide a fuel cell separator conveying device capable of separating a protective sheet from a separator at a desired position.SOLUTION: A fuel cell separator conveying device 50 comprises: a suction hand 60 has a lower surface 60b extending in a substantially horizontal direction and facing an upper surface of a separator 3; a suction unit 61 which is provided on the suction hand 60 and suctions the separator 3 to the suction hand 60; and a robot 55 which movably supports the suction hand 60. The suction unit 61 includes: a first suction part which suctions the separator 3 to the suction hand 60 by attraction through a through-hole of the suction hand 60; and a second suction part which suctions a protective sheet 201 to the suction hand 60 by attraction through another through-hole of the suction hand 60.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel cell separator transport device and a fuel cell separator transport method for transporting fuel cell separators. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, technological development has been conducted on fuel cells that contribute to energy efficiency in order to ensure that more people have access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and advanced energy. A conventional technology for transporting separators for this type of fuel cell is a device that adsorbs and transports stacked separators with protective sheets sandwiched between them (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The device described in Patent Document 1 assumes that the protective sheet will be attached to the underside of the separator when it is adsorbed, and removes the protective sheet from the underside of the separator by blowing air onto the protective sheet simultaneously with or after adsorbing the separator. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-145417 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the protective sheet does not necessarily adhere to the underside of the separator when the separator is adsorbed, and therefore there is a risk that the protective sheet may fall off the separator at an unintended position due to free fall. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present invention is a fuel cell separator transport device that transports fuel cell separators that are stacked with protective sheets interposed therebetween and that have a flow path for a reactant gas and a plurality of through holes through which the reactant gas and a cooling medium pass. The device includes: a movable body that extends substantially horizontally and has an opposing surface that faces the top surface of the separator; an adsorption unit that is provided on the movable body and adsorbs the separator to the movable body; and a support unit that movably supports the movable body. The movable body is provided with a first communication hole that communicates with the flow path and a second communication hole that communicates with at least one of the plurality of through holes. The adsorption unit has a first adsorption unit that adsorbs the separator to the movable body by suction through the first communication hole, and a second adsorption unit that adsorbs the protective sheet to the movable body by suction through the second communication hole.

[0006] Another aspect of the present invention is a method for transporting separators for fuel cells, which are stacked via a protective sheet and have a flow path for a reactant gas and a plurality of through holes through which the reactant gas and a cooling medium pass, and includes the steps of: moving a movable body that extends in a substantially horizontal direction and has an opposing surface that faces the upper surface of the separator to a first position so that the opposing surface abuts the upper surface of the separator; after moving the movable body to the first position, adsorbing the separator to the movable body by suction through a first communication hole provided in the movable body so as to communicate with the flow path, and adsorbing the protective sheet to the movable body by suction through a second communication hole provided in the movable body so as to communicate with at least one of the plurality of through holes; moving the movable body from the first position to a second position; and after moving the movable body to the second position, releasing the adsorption by the second adsorption portion while maintaining the adsorption by the first adsorption portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the protective sheet can be detached from the separator at a desired position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1]1 is a perspective view showing a schematic overall configuration of a fuel cell stack having separators to which a fuel cell separator transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an electrode unit included in the fuel cell stack of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the separator of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a bead portion of a separator. [Figure 6A] 4. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 6B] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a fuel cell separator transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] 8 is a plan view of a suction hand included in the fuel cell separator transport device of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing the suction operation of the suction hand. [Figure 11] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the fuel cell separator transport device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a modified example of the suction hand. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 12. A fuel cell separator transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a transport device for fuel cell separators. First, the configuration of a fuel cell, particularly the configuration of a fuel cell stack including separators, will be described.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic view of the overall configuration of a fuel cell stack 100. For convenience, the three mutually orthogonal axial directions shown in the figure are defined as the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction, and the configuration of each part will be described in accordance with these definitions. These directions are not necessarily the same as the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction of a vehicle. For example, the front-rear direction in FIG. 1 may be the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, or the up-down direction of a vehicle. The front-rear direction in FIG. 1 is the stacking direction of the fuel cell stack 100, and when assembling the fuel cell stack 100, the stacking direction is aligned with the direction of gravity.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, the fuel cell stack 100 has a cell stack 101 formed by stacking a plurality of power-generating cells 1 in the front-to-rear direction, and end units 102 arranged at both front and rear ends of the cell stack 101, and has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole. The length of the cell stack 101 in the left-to-right direction is longer than the length in the up-to-down direction. For convenience, only a single power-generating cell 1 is shown in Fig. 1.

[0012] The power-generating cell 1 has an electrode unit 2 (so-called UEA: Unitized Electrode Assembly) having an assembly including an electrolyte membrane and electrodes, and separators 3, 3 arranged on both the front and rear sides of the electrode unit 2. The electrode unit 2 is sometimes called a membrane electrode structure. The electrode units 2 and the separators 3 are arranged alternately in the front-to-rear direction. The separator 3 arranged on the front side of the electrode unit 2 is sometimes called the first separator, and the separator 3 arranged on the rear side is sometimes called the second separator. Although not shown in the figure, the cell stack 101 is covered by a roughly rectangular parallelepiped case.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view (a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1) of a main portion of the cell stack 101 in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the separator 3 has a front plate 3F and a rear plate 3R, which are a pair of front and rear metal thin plates with a corrugated cross section. The front plate 3F extends vertically and horizontally and has a front surface 3Fa facing forward and a rear surface 3Fb facing rearward. The rear plate 3R extends vertically and horizontally and has a front surface 3Ra facing forward and a rear surface 3Rb facing rearward. The rear surface 3Fb of the front plate 3F and the front surface 3Ra of the rear plate 3R, which face each other, are joined at their outer peripheries by welding or the like. This integrally joins the front plate 3F and the rear plate 3R to form the separator 3. The separator 3 is made of a conductive material with excellent corrosion resistance, such as stainless steel, titanium, or a titanium alloy.

[0014] A cooling flow path PAw through which a coolant flows is formed inside the separator 3 surrounded by the front plate 3F and the rear plate 3R, that is, between the rear surface 3Fb of the front plate 3F and the front surface 3Ra of the rear plate 3R. The flow of the coolant cools the power generation surface of the power generation cell 1. Water, for example, can be used as the coolant. The surface of the separator 3 facing the electrode unit 2 (the front surface 3Fa and the rear surface 3Rb) is formed unevenly by press molding or the like to form a gas flow path between the separator 3 and the electrode unit 2. More specifically, the separator 3 has a pair of front and rear rib portions 3A protruding toward the electrode unit 2, and a pair of front and rear recesses 32 formed in a concave shape and connected to the pair of front and rear rib portions 3A.

[0015] The pair of front and rear rib portions 3A abut against the front surface 2a and rear surface 2b of the electrode unit 2. A compressive load F is applied to the cell stack 101 in the front-to-rear direction during assembly of the fuel cell stack 100, and this compressive load F is maintained after assembly of the fuel cell stack 100 is complete. As a result, a predetermined surface pressure due to the compressive load F acts on the electrode unit 2 in the front-to-rear direction via the rib portions 3A.

[0016] Between the front surface 2a of the electrode unit 2 and the rear plate 3R of the separator 3 facing this front surface 2a, an anode flow path PAa through which a fuel gas flows is formed by a recess 32. Between the rear surface 2b of the electrode unit 2 and the front plate 3F of the separator 3 facing this rear surface 2b, a cathode flow path PAc through which an oxidizer gas flows is formed by a recess 32. For example, hydrogen gas can be used as the fuel gas, and for example, air can be used as the oxidizer gas. Sometimes, the fuel gas and the oxidizer gas are referred to as reactant gases without distinction between them.

[0017] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the electrode unit 2. As shown in Fig. 3, the electrode unit 2 has a substantially rectangular assembly 20 and a frame 21 that supports the assembly 20. The assembly 20 is a membrane electrode assembly (so-called MEA; Membrane Electrode Assembly). As shown in the detailed view of part A in Fig. 2, the assembly 20 has an electrolyte membrane 23, an anode electrode 24 provided on a front surface 231 of the electrolyte membrane 23, and a cathode electrode 25 provided on a rear surface 232 of the electrolyte membrane 23.

[0018] The electrolyte membrane 23 is, for example, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and a thin film of a perfluorosulfonic acid polymer containing water can be used. The electrolyte membrane 23 is not limited to a fluorine-based electrolyte membrane, and a hydrocarbon-based electrolyte membrane can also be used.

[0019] The anode 24 is formed on the front surface 231 of the electrolyte membrane 23 and has an electrode catalyst layer 241 that serves as a reaction field for an electrode reaction, and a gas diffusion layer 242 that is provided in front of the electrode catalyst layer 241 and that diffuses and supplies a fuel gas. An intermediate layer (base layer) can also be provided between the electrode catalyst layer 241 and the gas diffusion layer 242.

[0020] The cathode electrode 25 is formed on the rear surface 232 of the electrolyte membrane 23 and has an electrode catalyst layer 251 that serves as a reaction field for an electrode reaction, and a gas diffusion layer 252 that is provided on the rear surface of the electrode catalyst layer 251 and that diffuses and supplies an oxidant gas. An intermediate layer (base layer) may be provided between the electrode catalyst layer 251 and the gas diffusion layer 252.

[0021] At the anode electrode 24, the fuel gas (hydrogen) supplied via the anode flow path PAa is ionized by the action of the catalyst and moves through the electrolyte membrane 23 toward the cathode electrode. The electrons generated at this time pass through an external circuit and are extracted as electrical energy. At the cathode electrode 25, the oxidant gas (oxygen) supplied via the cathode flow path PAc reacts with the hydrogen ions introduced from the anode electrode 24 and the electrons transferred from the anode electrode 24, producing water. The produced water provides an appropriate humidity to the electrolyte membrane 23, and excess water is discharged to the outside of the electrode unit 2 along the gas flow.

[0022] 3, the frame 21 is a thin plate having a substantially rectangular shape and is made of insulating resin, rubber, or the like. A substantially rectangular opening 21a is provided in the center of the frame 21. The joining body 20 is provided so as to cover the entire opening 21a, and the peripheral edge of the joining body 20 is supported by the frame 21.

[0023] Three through holes 211 to 213 are aligned vertically and penetrate the frame 21 in the front-to-rear direction on the left side of the opening 21a of the frame 21. Three through holes 214 to 216 are aligned vertically and penetrate the frame 21 in the front-to-rear direction on the right side of the opening 21a. For convenience, the through holes 211 to 216 are shown as being substantially rectangular, but the shape of the through holes 211 to 216 is not limited to this.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the separators 3 on the front and rear of the electrode unit 2 are provided with through holes 301 to 306, respectively, which penetrate the separators 3 in the front-rear direction at positions corresponding to the through holes 211 to 216 of the frame 21. The through holes 301 to 306 are connected to the through holes 211 to 216 of the frame 21, respectively. A collection of these mutually communicating through holes 211 to 216 and 301 to 306 form flow paths PA1 to PA6 (indicated by arrows for convenience) which penetrate the cell stack 101 and extend in the front-rear direction. The flow paths PA1 to PA6 are sometimes called manifolds. The flow paths PA1 to PA6 are connected to a manifold external to the fuel cell stack 100.

[0025] The front and rear end units 102 of the cell stack 101 have a plurality of plates 4 to 6 stacked in the front-rear direction. More specifically, the end unit 102 has a terminal plate 4 arranged on the inside in the front-rear direction, an insulating plate 5 arranged on the outside of the terminal plate 4 in the front-rear direction, and an end plate 6 arranged on the outside of the insulating plate 5 in the front-rear direction.

[0026] The terminal plate 4 is a generally rectangular metal plate-like member and has a terminal portion for extracting the power generated by the electrochemical reaction in the cell stack 101. The insulating plate 5 is a generally rectangular non-conductive resin or rubber plate-like member that electrically insulates the terminal plate 4 from the end plate 6. The end plate 6 is a metal or high-strength resin plate-like member.

[0027] In Figure 1, the end unit 102 and the cell stack 101 are shown on the toilet as being the same size (same vertical length and same horizontal length) when viewed from the front and back. However, in reality, the end unit 102 is larger than the cell stack 101, and the edges of the end unit 102 (e.g., end plate 6) protrude in the vertical and horizontal directions beyond the edges of the cell stack 101. The front and rear ends of a case (not shown) provided around the cell stack 101 are fixed to the protruding portions of the end unit 102 with bolts or the like.

[0028] A plurality of through holes 102a to 102f are formed in the front end unit 102 at positions corresponding to the through holes 211 to 216 and 301 to 306, penetrating the end unit 102 in the front-rear direction. For convenience, the through holes 102a to 102f are shown as being substantially rectangular, but the shape of the through holes 102a to 102f is not limited to this.

[0029] A fuel gas tank storing high-pressure fuel gas is connected to through-hole 102a via an ejector, injector, etc., and the fuel gas is supplied to fuel cell stack 100 via through-hole 102a along solid-line flow path PA1. This fuel gas is guided via through-holes 211 and 301 to an anode flow path PAa between electrode unit 2 and rear plate 3R of separator 3. After passing through anode flow path PAa, the fuel gas (fuel exhaust gas) is discharged from through-hole 102f via through-holes 216 and 306 and along solid-line flow path PA6.

[0030] An oxidant gas supply compressor is connected to through-hole 102d, and oxidant gas compressed by the compressor is supplied to fuel cell stack 100 via through-hole 102d along dotted flow path PA4. This oxidant gas is guided via through-holes 214 and 304 to a cathode flow path PAc between the electrode unit 2 and the front plate 3F of the separator 3. After passing through the cathode flow path PAc, the oxidant gas (oxidant exhaust gas) is discharged from through-hole 102c via through-holes 213 and 303 and along dotted flow path PA3.

[0031] A pump for supplying a cooling medium is connected to the through-hole 102e, and the cooling medium is supplied to the fuel cell stack 100 via the through-hole 102e along the flow path PA5 shown in dashed dotted line. This cooling medium is guided to a cooling flow path PAw between the front plate 3F and the rear plate 3R of the separator 3 via the through-holes 215 and 305. After passing through the cooling flow path PAw, the cooling medium passes through the through-holes 212 and 302 and is discharged from the through-hole 102b along the flow path PA2 shown in dashed dotted line. The discharged cooling medium is cooled by heat exchange in the radiator and is supplied again to the fuel cell stack 100 via the through-hole 102e. The above is a schematic configuration of the fuel cell stack 100.

[0032] The structure of the separator 3 will be described in more detail. Fig. 4 is a rear view (view from behind) of the separator 3. That is, Fig. 4 is a view showing the rear surface 3Rb (Fig. 2) of the separator 3 facing the anode electrode 24 on the front surface 2a of the electrode unit 2. Point P in the figure is the midpoint in the left-right direction and the midpoint in the up-down direction of the separator 3, and is called the center point. The left-right direction and the up-down direction in Fig. 4 correspond to the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the separator 3, respectively.

[0033] 4, the region of the electrode unit 2 facing the assembly 20, i.e., the region AR1 facing the power generation surface, is called the active region of the separator 3, and the region other than the active region is called the inactive region. Because the active region AR1 is located in the center of the separator 3 in the left-right direction, the active region AR1 is sometimes called the center region of the separator 3.

[0034] Of the inactive area, the regions at the left and right ends where the through holes 301 to 306 are provided are called edge regions AR2 of the separator 3. Of the inactive area, the regions inside the edge regions AR2 in the left and right directions are called connection regions AR3 of the separator 3. The connection regions AR3 are located between the active area AR1 and the left and right edge regions AR2.

[0035] 2 and 4 , although some of the illustration is omitted, a plurality of protrusions 31 are provided in the active region AR1 of the separator 3, protruding rearward at equal intervals in the up-down direction over substantially the entire area. Each of the plurality of protrusions 31 extends in the left-right direction, and a recess 32 is provided between adjacent protrusions 31 in the up-down direction. An anode flow path PAa is formed between the plurality of recesses 32 and the front surface 2a of the assembly 20.

[0036] 4, a rear surface 3Rb of the separator 3 (rear plate 3R) is provided with a plurality of bead portions for sealing, i.e., metal bead seals, protruding rearward toward the frame 21. The plurality of bead portions include an outer bead portion 331, an inner bead portion 332, and an end bead portion 333.

[0037] The outer bead portion 331 extends along the periphery of the rear plate 3R so as to surround all of the through holes 301-306, and has a generally rectangular shape overall. The end bead portions 333 are provided in the same number as the through holes 301-306. Each of the end bead portions 333 has a generally rectangular shape and surrounds one of the through holes 301-306 individually. The inner bead portion 332 is provided inside the outer bead portion 331. More specifically, the inner bead portion 332 extends in a zigzag pattern, passing along the outer side in the left-right direction of the end bead portions 333 around the through holes 301, 303, 304, and 306, and also passing along the inner side in the left-right direction of the end bead portions 333 around the through holes 302 and 305. The end bead portions 333 around the through holes 302 and 305 are located between the outer bead portion 331 and the inner bead portion 332 .

[0038] The connection region AR3 of the separator 3 is provided with a plurality of approximately cylindrical embossed portions 341, 342 that protrude in the front-rear direction. The protrusions 31, recesses 32, metal bead seals, etc. are formed by pressing the rear plate 3R. Although not shown, the protrusions 31, recesses 32, metal bead seals (outer bead portion 331, inner bead portion 332, end bead portion 333), etc. are also formed on the front surface 3Fa of the separator 3 (front plate 3F) by pressing the front plate 3F.

[0039] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of the separator 3, with the bead portions 331-333 cut vertically. As shown in FIG. 5, the bead portions 331-333 have a generally rectangular cross section, more specifically, a generally trapezoidal cross section. The multiple bead portions 331-333 of the rear plate 3R and the multiple bead portions 331-333 of the front plate 3F are located at the same positions as each other in the vertical and horizontal directions when viewed from the front. Therefore, a generally rectangular space SP0 is located between the bead portions 331-333 of the front plate 3F and the bead portions 331-333 of the rear plate 3R.

[0040] A sealant 40 is fixed to the front surfaces of the bead portions 331-333 of the front plate 3F and the rear plate 3R. The sealant 40 is made of a resilient material such as rubber or resin. The front sealant 40 is pressed against the rear surface 2b of the frame 21 (FIG. 2) of the electrode unit 2, and the rear sealant 40 is pressed against the front surface 2a of the frame 21. This closes the gap between the bead portions 331-333 and the frame 21, forming a sealed anode flow path PAa and a sealed cathode flow path PAc between the electrode unit 2 and the separator 3. The sealant 40 may be omitted, and the leading ends of the bead portions 331-333 may be directly abutted against the frame 21.

[0041] The anode flow channel PAa and the cathode flow channel PAc are provided inside an inner bead portion 332 when viewed from the front of the separator 3. A plurality of through-holes 301, 303, 304, and 306 are arranged inside the inner bead portion 332. However, communication between the anode flow channel PAa and the through-holes 301, 303, 304, and 306 and communication between the cathode flow channel PAc and the through-holes 301, 303, 304, and 306 are blocked by an end bead portion 333. The anode flow channel PAa and the through-holes 301 and 306 communicate with each other via a plurality of tunnel portions 41 and 42 (three tunnel portions each in FIG. 4 ) provided to cross the end bead portion 333. The cathode flow channel PAc and the through-holes 303 and 304 communicate with each other via a plurality of tunnel portions 43 and 44 (three tunnel portions each in FIG. 4 ) provided to cross the end bead portion 333.

[0042] 6A is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4) showing the configuration of the tunnel portion 41 near the through-hole 301. As shown in FIG. 6A, the front plate 3F is provided with a tunnel portion 41 that is convex toward the front, and the rear plate 3R is provided with a tunnel portion 41 that is convex toward the rear. The amount of protrusion of the tunnel portion 41 in the front-to-rear direction is smaller than the amount of protrusion of the bead portion 333 in the front-to-rear direction. Although not shown in the figure, the tunnel portion 41 has a substantially rectangular or trapezoidal cross section, and a communication flow path PA11 is formed between the front and rear tunnel portions 41, 41.

[0043] Of the tunnel portion 41, the left side of the bead portion 333 (the through-hole 301 side) is called the outer tunnel portion 411, and the right side of the bead portion 333 (the anode flow path PAa side) is called the inner tunnel portion 412. The left end of the outer tunnel portion 411 is located on the periphery of the through-hole 301, and the left end of the communication flow path PA11 is open facing the through-hole 301. The right end of the outer tunnel portion 411 penetrates the bead portion 333 and communicates with the internal space of the bead portion 333.

[0044] The left end of the inner tunnel 412 penetrates the bead 333 and communicates with the internal space of the bead 333. A tapered section 412a is provided at the right end of the inner tunnel 412, the amount of protrusion gradually decreasing toward the right. At the right end of the tunnel 412, the amount of protrusion in the front-to-rear direction becomes zero, and the communication flow path PA11 is closed. A fuel gas outlet 410 is opened in the tapered section 412a of the rear plate 3R. This allows the through-hole 301 to communicate with the anode flow path PAa at the rear of the rear plate 3R via the communication flow path PA11 and the outlet 410. Therefore, the fuel gas flowing through the through-hole 301 can be supplied to the anode flow path PAa via the communication flow path PA11 and the outlet 410, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 6A.

[0045] Although not shown, the tunnel 42 near the through hole 306 is configured similarly to the tunnel 41 in FIG. 6A. That is, the tunnel 41 and the tunnel 42 are symmetrical with respect to an axis (not shown) that passes through the center point P in FIG. 4 and extends in the vertical direction. Therefore, a fuel gas inlet 420 opens in the tapered portion at the left end of the tunnel 42 of the rear plate 3R. As a result, the fuel gas that has flowed through the anode flow path PAa is guided to the through hole 306 via the inlet 420 and the communication path PA11 inside the tunnel 42.

[0046] 6B is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 4) showing the configuration of tunnel portion 41 near through-hole 304. As shown in FIG. 6B, a tunnel portion 44 is provided in the front plate 3F so as to protrude forward, and a tunnel portion 44 is provided in the rear plate 3R so as to protrude rearward. The amount of protrusion of tunnel portion 44 in the front-rear direction is smaller than the amount of protrusion of bead portion 333 in the front-rear direction. Although not shown, tunnel portion 44 has a generally rectangular or trapezoidal cross section, and a communication flow path PA12 is formed between the front and rear tunnel portions 44, 44.

[0047] Of the tunnel portion 44, the left side of the bead portion 333 (the through-hole 304 side) is called the outer tunnel portion 441, and the left side of the bead portion 333 (the cathode flow path PCa side) is called the inner tunnel portion 442. The right end of the outer tunnel portion 441 is located on the periphery of the through-hole 304, and the right end of the communication flow path PA12 is open facing the through-hole 304. The left end of the outer tunnel portion 441 penetrates the bead portion 333 and communicates with the internal space of the bead portion 333.

[0048] The right end of the inner tunnel 442 penetrates the bead 333 and communicates with the internal space of the bead 333. A tapered section 442a is provided at the left end of the inner tunnel 442, the amount of protrusion gradually decreasing toward the left. At the left end of the tunnel 442, the amount of protrusion in the front-rear direction becomes zero, and the communication flow path PA12 is closed. An oxidant gas outlet 440 is opened in the tapered section 442a of the front plate 3F. This allows the through-hole 304 to communicate with the cathode flow path PCa in front of the front plate 3F via the communication flow path PA12 and the outlet 440. Therefore, the oxidant gas flowing through the through-hole 304 can be supplied to the cathode flow path PCa via the communication flow path PA12 and the outlet 440, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 6B.

[0049] Although not shown, the tunnel portion 43 near the through hole 303 is configured similarly to the tunnel portion 44 in FIG. 6B. That is, the tunnel portion 43 and the tunnel portion 44 have bilaterally symmetrical shapes with respect to an axis (not shown) that passes through the center point P in FIG. 4 and extends in the up-down direction. Therefore, a fuel gas inlet 430 is opened in the tapered portion at the right end of the tunnel portion 43 of the front plate 3F. As a result, the oxidant gas that has flowed through the cathode flow path PCa is guided to the through hole 303 via the inlet 430 and the communication flow path PA12 inside the tunnel portion 43.

[0050] 7 is a diagram showing a schematic view of the overall configuration of a fuel cell separator transfer device 50 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 7, the fuel cell separator transfer device 50 includes an industrial robot 55 having articulated arms 51 and 52 and a hand 53 attached to the tip of the arm 52, and a suction hand 60 supported by the hand 53.

[0051] The arms 51 and 52 are rotatably connected via a rotation shaft 55a, and the arm 52 and hand 53 are rotatably connected via a rotation shaft 55b. The configuration of the robot 55 (such as the number of arms) is not limited to that shown in the figure. The arms 51 and 52 and the hand 53 are rotated by the drive of an actuator 54 such as a servo motor provided on the rotation shafts 55a and 55b, thereby changing the position and posture of the hand 53. The actuator 54 is controlled by an ECU 56. The ECU 56 is an electronic control unit including a computer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, and other peripheral circuits.

[0052] The suction hand 60 is made of a plate member that is generally rectangular in plan view and has a uniform thickness, and has an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape overall. The suction hand 60 is supported by the hand 53 so that it is in a generally horizontal position. The suction hand 60 is made entirely of metal, for example. The suction hand 60 can also be made of a resin material that is more rigid than the separator 3. The suction hand 60 has an upper surface 60a and a lower surface 60b. The upper surface 60a is fixed to the hand 53. The lower surface 60b is configured as a flat surface with no irregularities that extends in a generally horizontal direction.

[0053] The suction hand 60 is provided with a suction unit 61, which will be described later. A vacuum generator 65 is connected to the suction unit 61, and operation of the vacuum generator 65 allows the separator 3 to be sucked onto the lower surface 60b of the suction hand 60. The operation of the vacuum generator 65 is controlled by the ECU 56.

[0054] The suction hand 60 is moved from the first position to the second position by the robot 55 while remaining in a substantially horizontal position, and then moved from the second position to the third position. A tray 200 with an open top is placed in the first position. Separators 3 and protective sheets 201 are stacked alternately in a horizontal position on the tray 200. By stacking the separators 3 with the protective sheets 201 in between, the surfaces of the separators 3 can be protected.

[0055] The separator 3 is disposed so that its rear surface (on the anode channel PAa side) 3Rb faces upward, i.e., so that the rear surface 3Rb is the upper surface. The separator 3 may be disposed so that its front surface (on the cathode channel PAc side) 3Fa faces upward, i.e., so that the front surface 3Fa is the upper surface. The protective sheet 201 is a flexible, bendable thin-film resin film such as polyethylene naphthalate. Inside the tray 200, the protective sheet 201 is in close contact with the upper surface (rear surface 3Rb) and the lower surface (front surface 3Fa) of the separator 3. The protective sheet 201 is formed in a generally rectangular shape so as to cover the entire upper and lower surfaces of the separator 3 (see FIG. 8).

[0056] The operation of the fuel cell separator transport device 50 is outlined as follows. First, the suction hand 60 is moved above the tray 200 by the robot 55. Next, it is lowered toward the tray 300, and the suction hand 60 is moved to the first position. Then, the separator 3 arranged at the top of the tray 200 is sucked onto the lower surface 60b of the suction hand 60 via the suction portion 61. At this time, the protective sheet 201 on the lower surface of the separator 3 is also sucked at the same time.

[0057] Thereafter, the suction hand 60 is moved to the second position by the robot 55, and the suction of the protective sheet 201 via the suction portion 61 is released. This causes the protective sheet 201 to detach from the lower surface of the separator 3. The detached protective sheet 201 falls onto a recovery table 202 provided at the second position. This makes it easy to dispose of and recover the protective sheet 201.

[0058] Thereafter, the suction hand 60 is moved to the third position by the robot 55, and the suction of the suction hand 60 via the suction portion 61 is released. This causes the separator 3 to detach from the lower surface 60b of the suction hand 60. The detached separator 3 is placed on the mounting table 203 provided at the third position and subjected to a predetermined operation. The suction hand 60 is then returned to the first position by the robot 55, and the same operation is repeated. This allows the separators 3 stacked at the first position to be transported one by one to the third position with the protective sheets 201 removed.

[0059] The configuration of the suction unit 61 provided in the suction hand 60 will be described. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the suction hand 60, and Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the suction hand 60 taken along line IX-IX in Fig. 8. Figs. 8 and 9 show the separator 3 and the protective sheet 201 suctioned by the suction hand 60, with the thickness direction of the separator 3 in a substantially horizontal position being shown as the up-down direction, the longitudinal direction (the left-right direction in Fig. 4) as the X1-X2 direction, and the lateral direction (the up-down direction in Fig. 4) as the Y1-Y2 direction. The up-down direction is the vertical direction, and the downward direction corresponds to the direction of gravity. Figs. 8 and 9 show a simplified configuration of the separator 3.

[0060] 8, the suction hand 60 has a generally rectangular shape in plan view, similar to the separator 3 and the protective sheet 201. The length of the protective sheet 201 in the X1-X2 direction and the Y1-Y2 direction is longer than the length of the separator 3 in the X1-X2 direction and the Y1-Y2 direction. Therefore, the protective sheet 201 is formed larger than the separator 3, and the entire separator 3 is covered by the protective sheet 201.

[0061] The lengths of the suction hand 60 in the X1-X2 direction and the Y1-Y2 direction are longer than the lengths of the protective sheet 201 in the X1-X2 direction and the Y1-Y2 direction. Therefore, the suction hand 60 is formed larger than the protective sheet 201, and the suction hand 60 covers the entire separator 3 and the protective sheet 201. A center point P1 that passes through the midpoint of the suction hand 60 in the X1-X2 direction and the midpoint in the Y1-Y2 direction coincides with the center point P of the separator 3.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the suction hand 60 has a suction portion 61 (first suction portion 61A) at a portion facing the active area AR1 of the separator 3. The suction hand 60 further has a suction portion 61 (second suction portion 61B) at a portion facing the end area AR2 on the X1 direction side and a portion facing the end area AR2 on the X2 direction side. The suction portion 61 includes substantially circular through-holes 601 to 603 that penetrate the suction hand 60 in the vertical direction. The through-holes 601 to 603 have the same diameter. The diameter of the through-hole 601 may be larger or smaller than the diameters of the through-holes 602 and 603.

[0063] The through-hole 601 is opened with the center point P1 of the suction hand 60 at the center. The through-holes 602 and 603 are provided symmetrically in the X1-X2 direction with the through-hole 601 as the reference. That is, the through-hole 602 is opened at a position a predetermined distance away from the through-hole 601 in the X1 direction, and the through-hole 603 is opened at a position a predetermined distance away from the through-hole 601 in the X2 direction. The centers of the through-holes 602 and 603 coincide with the centers of the through-holes 302 and 305 of the separator 3, respectively. Therefore, the through-holes 602 and 603 communicate with the through-holes 302 and 305, respectively. Note that the centers of the through-holes 602 and 603 do not have to coincide with the centers of the through-holes 302 and 305, as long as the through-holes 602 and 603 communicate with the through-holes 302 and 305, respectively.

[0064] Pipe mounting portions 611 to 613 are provided on the upper surface 60a of the suction hand 60 so as to cover the through holes 601 to 603 in a sealed state, respectively. One end of hoses 621 to 623 is connected to the pipe mounting portions 611 to 613, respectively. The hoses 622 and 623 merge into a single hose 624 midway.

[0065] 9, vacuum generator 65 includes a vacuum source 651, such as a vacuum pump, that generates a vacuum, and a pair of solenoid valves 652 and 653 connected to vacuum source 651. An end of hose 621 is connected to solenoid valve 652, and an end of hose 624 is connected to solenoid valve 653. Solenoid valves 652 and 653 are switched to connect or disconnect vacuum source 651 and hoses 621 and 624 in response to a command from ECU 56 (FIG. 7). This connects vacuum source 651 and through-holes 601 to 603, and it is possible to create a negative pressure inside through-holes 601 to 603.

[0066] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing the suction operation of the suction hand 60. As shown in Fig. 10, the upper surfaces of the outer bead portion 331, the inner bead portion 332, and the end bead portion 333 come into contact with the lower surface 60b of the suction hand 60. Strictly speaking, the bead portions 331 to 333 come into contact with the suction hand 60 via the sealing material 40 (Fig. 5), but for convenience, the sealing material 40 is not shown in Fig. 10.

[0067] The through-hole 601 in the center of the suction hand 60 communicates with a space SP11 surrounded by the lower surface 60b of the suction hand 60, the upper surface (rear surface 3Rb) of the separator 3, and the inner bead portion 332, i.e., the space SP11 facing the active area AR1 of the separator 3. As a result, when air is sucked in through the through-hole 601 as shown by arrow A1, negative pressure is created in the space SP11, and the separator 3 facing the space SP11 can be sucked onto the suction hand 60.

[0068] The through holes 602, 603 at the end of the suction hand 60 communicate with the space SP12 surrounded by the lower surface 60b of the suction hand 60, the upper surface of the protective sheet 201, and the end bead portion 333, i.e., the space SP12 facing the end region AR2 of the separator 3, via the through holes 302, 305 of the separator 3. As a result, when air is sucked in through the through holes 602, 603 as shown by arrow A2, negative pressure is created in the space SP12, and the protective sheet 201 facing the space SP12 can be sucked onto the suction hand 60 via the separator 3.

[0069] 10, when the suction of air through the through-holes 602 and 603 is stopped, the suction force on the protective sheet 201 is removed. This causes the protective sheet 201 to detach from the lower surface of the separator 3 and fall. When the suction of air through the through-hole 601 is further stopped, the suction force on the separator 3 is removed. This causes the separator 3 to detach from the lower surface 60b of the suction hand 60 and fall.

[0070] 9, solenoid valve 653 may be configured as, for example, a three-way selector valve, and an air source 66 such as a compressor may be connected to solenoid valve 653. In this case, solenoid valve 653 is switched to connect or disconnect hose 624 and air source 66 in response to a command from ECU 56. This allows air to be blown onto the upper surface of protective sheet 201, making it possible to easily detach protective sheet 201 from separator 3 even when protective sheet 201 is in close contact with the lower surface of separator 3. In FIG. 9, air is blown onto protective sheet 201 via hose 624, which is used when adhering protective sheet 201, thereby minimizing the number of parts required.

[0071] The main operations of the fuel cell separator transport device 50 according to this embodiment will now be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the operations performed by the fuel cell separator transport device 50. This flowchart shows the operations for transporting a single separator 3 from a first position to a second position and a third position, and the operations of FIG. 11 are repeated a number of times corresponding to the number of separators 3 to be transported. The flowchart of FIG. 11 embodies the fuel cell separator transport method according to this embodiment.

[0072] First, in step S1, the ECU 56 outputs a control signal to the actuator 54 to move the suction hand 60 to the first position as shown in (i) of Fig. 7 (first position movement step). That is, the suction hand 60 is moved above the tray 200, and further, the suction hand 60 is lowered until it abuts against the upper surface of the separator 3.

[0073] Next, in step S2, the ECU 56 outputs a control signal to the vacuum generator 65 (vacuum source 651, solenoid valves 652, 653) to create a vacuum in the space SP11 below the through-hole 601 and in the space SP12 below the through-holes 602, 603. As a result, as shown in (ii) of FIG. 7, the separator 3 is sucked onto the lower surface 60b of the suction hand 60 via the first suction portion 61A. Furthermore, the protective sheet 201 is sucked onto the lower surface of the separator 3 via the second suction portion 61B in a state in which the protective sheet 201 is in contact with the lower surface of the separator 3 (suction step).

[0074] Next, in step S3, the ECU 56 outputs a control signal to the actuator 54, and as shown in FIG. 7(iii), the suction hand 60 is raised and moved to a second position above the collection table 202 (second position movement step).

[0075] Next, in step S4, the ECU 56 outputs a control signal to the solenoid valve 653 to cut off communication between the vacuum source 651 and the hose 624. This causes the pressure in the space SP12 to become atmospheric, the suction force on the protective sheet 201 is removed, and the suction of the protective sheet 201 is released (sheet suction release step). As a result, as shown in (iv) of FIG. 7, the protective sheet 201 detaches from the separator 3 and falls onto the recovery table 202. Note that, to facilitate the detachment of the protective sheet 201, the ECU 56 may output a control signal to the solenoid valve 653 to connect the air source 66 (FIG. 9) to the hose 624 so that air can be blown onto the protective sheet 201.

[0076] Next, in step S5, the ECU 56 outputs a control signal to the actuator 54, and as shown in FIG. 7(v), the suction hand 60 moves to a third position above the mounting table 203 (third position movement step).

[0077] Next, in step S6, ECU 56 outputs a control signal to solenoid valve 652 to cut off communication between vacuum source 651 and hose 621. As a result, the pressure in space SP11 becomes atmospheric, the suction force on separator 3 is removed, and suction of separator 3 is released (separator suction release step). As a result, as shown in FIG. 7(vi), separator 3 is released from suction hand 60 and falls onto mounting table 203. Thereafter, the process returns to step S1, and the same operations are repeated.

[0078] However, when the separator 3 is suctioned by the suction hand 60, if there are cracks, irregularities, or foreign matter attached to the bead portion of the separator 3, it may be impossible to generate sufficient negative pressure in the space SP11, and the separator 3 may not be suctioned with sufficient suction force. In this embodiment, the presence or absence of such abnormalities is monitored when the separator 3 is transported using the suction hand 60. This makes it possible to quickly and easily identify quality defects in the separator itself. In other words, in this embodiment, when the separator 3 is transported from the first position to the third position to perform a predetermined processing on the separator 3, a leak test for the separator 3 having a sealed structure can be performed at the same time.

[0079] According to this embodiment, the following effects can be achieved. (1) The fuel cell separator transport device 50 is configured to transport fuel cell separators 3 that are stacked with protective sheets 201 interposed therebetween and that are provided with reactant gas flow paths PAa, PAc and a plurality of through-holes 301-306 through which the reactant gas and the cooling medium pass (FIG. 7). The fuel cell separator transport device 50 includes a suction hand 60 that extends substantially horizontally and has a lower surface 60b that faces the upper surface of the separator 3, a suction unit 61 that is provided on the suction hand 60 and that suctions the separator 3 to the suction hand 60, and a robot 55 that movably supports the suction hand 60 (FIG. 7). The suction hand 60 is provided with a through-hole 601 (first communication hole) that communicates with the flow paths PAa, PAc and through-holes 602, 603 (second communication hole) that communicate with the through-holes 302, 305 of the separator 3 (FIG. 9). The suction portion 61 has a first suction portion 61A that adsorbs the separator 3 to the suction hand 60 by suction through the through hole 601, and a second suction portion 61B that adsorbs the protective sheet 201 to the suction hand 60 by suction through the through holes 602, 603 (Figures 8 to 10).

[0080] This allows the separator 3 and the protective sheet 201 to be simultaneously attracted by the suction hand 60. This prevents the protective sheet 201 from falling off the separator 3 at an unintended location. The protective sheet 201 can be detached from the separator 3 by releasing the operation of the second suction portion 61B. This allows the protective sheet 201 to be collected or discarded at a predetermined location. Furthermore, since the suction hand 60 has a simple configuration, it can be constructed inexpensively. Furthermore, the lower surface 60b of the suction hand 60 is flat, eliminating the need for the suction hand 60 to be configured so that the lower surface 60b elastically deforms when it contacts the upper surface of the separator 3. This allows the suction hand 60 to be constructed of metal or other materials, and the durability of the suction hand 60 is higher than that of a suction pad with a flexible suction surface. As a result, the suction hand 60 does not need to be replaced as frequently as a suction pad, and the separator 3 can be transported continuously for a long period of time. To improve the efficiency of the separator 3 transport operation, the separator 3 must be transported at high speed. In this regard, according to this embodiment, the separator 3 can be stably held by the suction hand 60, and therefore the separator 3 can be transported at high speed.

[0081] (2) The reaction gas flow paths PAa and PAc are provided in the active area AR1 in the center of the separator 3, and the through-holes 302 and 305 are provided in a pair of edge areas AR2 of the separator 3 that sandwich the active area AR1 (FIG. 4). The protective sheet 201 is arranged to cover the entire lower surface of the separator 3 (FIG. 8). The through-hole 601 is opened facing the active area AR1, and the through-holes 602 and 603 are opened facing the pair of edge areas AR2 (FIG. 8). This allows the separator 3 to be sucked onto the suction hand 60 over a wide area. Therefore, if the separator 3 is warped or wavy, the warp or wavy can be corrected when the separator 3 is sucked onto the suction hand 60, and the separator 3 can be accurately positioned and transported.

[0082] (3) An air source 66 is further provided that blows air onto protective sheet 201 through through-holes 602, 603 (FIG. 9). This allows protective sheet 201 to be easily removed from separator 3 even when protective sheet 201 is in close contact with separator 3.

[0083] (4) The separator 3 has an inner bead portion 332 protruding from the upper surface to surround the active area AR1 in which the reaction gas flow paths PAa and PAc are provided, and end bead portions 333 protruding from the upper surface to surround each of the through-holes 301-306 (FIG. 4). The first suction unit 61A is configured to generate negative pressure in a space SP11 inside the inner bead portion 332 between the lower surface 60b of the suction hand 60 and the upper surface of the separator 3 (FIG. 10). The second suction unit 61B is configured to generate negative pressure in a space SP12 inside the end bead portion 333 between the lower surface 60b of the suction hand 60 and the upper surface of the separator 3 (FIG. 10). This allows sufficient negative pressure to be generated in the space SP11 inside the inner bead portion 332 and the space SP12 inside the end bead portion 333. Therefore, there is no need to use a large-capacity vacuum generator 65 for suction, and costs can be kept from increasing.

[0084] (5) The fuel cell separator transport device 50 further includes an ECU 56 control unit that controls the robot 55 and the suction unit 61 (first suction unit 61A, second suction unit 61B) ( FIG. 7 ). The ECU 56 controls the robot 55 and the first suction unit 61A and second suction unit 61B to move the suction hand 60 to a first position, and after the suction hand 60 moves to the first position, perform suction by the first suction unit 61A and suction by the second suction unit 61B. Thereafter, the ECU 56 controls the robot 55 and the first suction unit 61A and second suction unit 61B to move the suction hand 60 from the first position to a second position, and after the suction hand 60 moves to the second position, release suction by the second suction unit 61B while maintaining suction by the first suction unit 61A ( FIG. 11 ). This allows the protective sheet 201 that was suctioned together with the separator 3 at the first position to be detached at the second position.

[0085] (6) The ECU 56 further controls the robot 55 and the first suction unit 61A to move the suction hand 60 from the second position to the third position and to release the suction by the first suction unit 61A after the suction hand 60 moves to the third position (FIG. 11). This allows the separator alone, from which the protective sheet 201 has been detached, to be transported to the third position.

[0086] (7) The method for transporting fuel cell separators is configured to transport fuel cell separators 3 that are stacked via protective sheets 201 and have flow paths PAa, PAc for reactant gases and a plurality of through holes 301-306 through which the reactant gases and cooling medium pass. This fuel cell separator transport method includes the steps of: moving an adsorption hand 60, which extends in a substantially horizontal direction and has a lower surface 60b facing the upper surface of the separator 3, to a first position so that the lower surface 60b abuts the upper surface of the separator 3 (first position movement step); adsorbing the separator 3 to the moving body by suction through a through hole 601 provided in the adsorption hand 60 so as to communicate with the reaction gas flow paths PAa, PAc after the adsorption hand 60 is moved to the first position; and adsorbing the protective sheet 201 to the adsorption hand 60 by suction through through holes 602, 603 provided in the adsorption hand 60 so as to communicate with the plurality of through holes 302, 305 (adsorption step); moving the adsorption hand 60 from the first position to a second position (second position movement step); and releasing the adsorption by the second adsorption portion 61B while maintaining the adsorption by the first adsorption portion 61A after the adsorption hand 60 is moved to the second position (sheet adsorption release step) (Figure 11). This allows protective sheet 201 to be detached from the lower surface of separator 3 at the second position, and prevents protective sheet 201 from naturally falling and becoming detached from separator 3 at an unintended position.

[0087] (8) The fuel cell separator transport method further includes a step of moving the suction hand 60 from the second position to the third position (third position movement step), and a step of releasing the suction by the first suction part 61A after the suction hand 60 has moved to the third position (separator suction release step) (FIG. 11). This allows the separator alone after the protective sheet 201 has been removed to be transported to the third position.

[0088] The above-described embodiment can be modified in various ways. Several modifications are described below. In the above-described embodiment, the space SP11 between the lower surface 60b of the suction hand 60 and the upper surface of the separator 3 is placed in a negative pressure state to suction the separator 3 to the suction hand 60. Therefore, when the anode flow path PAa faces the space SP11, the space SP11 communicates with the through-holes 301 and 306 via the communication flow path PA11 (FIG. 6A) inside the tunnel sections 41 and 42 (FIG. 4). This may cause air to be drawn into the space SP11 via the through-holes 301 and 306 and the communication flow path PA11, making it difficult to maintain a sufficient negative pressure in the space SP11. Therefore, to maintain a sufficient negative pressure in the space SP11, the end of the communication flow path PA11 may be blocked. FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a suction hand 60 configured in this manner.

[0089] Fig. 12 shows the configuration of the suction hand 60 near the tunnel portion 41 on the X1 direction side of the separator 3. Although not shown, the configuration of the suction hand 60 near the tunnel portion 42 on the X2 direction side of the separator 3 is the same as that shown in Fig. 12. As shown in Fig. 12, a curtain 67 is attached to the suction hand 60. Specifically, a recess 605 is provided in the lower surface 60b of the suction hand 60, and a fixing portion 606 is detachably provided in the recess 605. The curtain 67 is fixed to the suction hand 60 by sandwiching the upper end of the curtain 67 between the recess 605 and the fixing portion 606.

[0090] The curtain 67 is made of a flexible sheet-like or film-like member (e.g., a resin material). The curtain 67 extends in the vertical direction and the Y1-Y2 direction (FIG. 8) so as to cover the entrances of the multiple tunnel portions 41 (FIG. 4) facing the through-hole 301. Before a negative pressure is generated in the space SP11, the curtain 67 hangs downward as shown by the solid line in FIG. 12.

[0091] When the suction hand 60 descends from this state, the curtain 67 is bent outward (toward the X1 direction) by wind pressure, as shown by arrow A1 in FIG. 12, to assume the state indicated by the dashed line. On the other hand, when negative pressure is generated in the space SP11, the curtain 67 is bent inward (toward the X2 direction) by the negative pressure, as shown by arrow A2 in FIG. 12, to assume the state indicated by the dotted line. This covers the entrance of the tunnel section 41 with the curtain 67, preventing air from being sucked in through the communication flow path PA11. This blocks communication between the through-hole 301 and the space SP11, allowing the space SP11 to assume a sufficiently negative pressure state. As a result, the suction force of the suction hand 60 on the separator 3 can be increased.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the suction hand 60 is supported by the robot 55 having an articulated arm so that it can move from the first position to the second position and the third position, but the configuration of the support part is not limited to that described above. In the above embodiment, the suction hand 60 is configured in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, but the configuration of the suction hand 60 as a movable body having a lower surface 60b (opposing surface) facing the upper surface of the separator 3 is not limited to that described above.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the suction hand 60 is provided with a substantially circular through-hole 601 (first communication hole) that communicates with the anode flow path PAa and substantially circular through-holes 602, 603 (second communication holes) that communicate with a pair of through-holes 302, 305 through which the cooling medium passes. However, the first communication hole may be provided to communicate with the cathode flow path PAc, and the second communication hole may be provided to communicate with the other through-holes 301, 303, 304, 306 through which the reactant gas passes. The number of first communication holes may be two or more. The number of second communication holes may be one, or three or more.

[0094] In the above embodiment, protective sheet 201 is formed to be larger than separator 3, but it may be formed to be the same size as separator 3. Protective sheet 201 may be formed to be smaller than separator 3 as long as it protects the bead portions of separator 3. In the above embodiment, air is blown from air source 66 to protective sheet 201 using hoses 622 to 624 connecting vacuum source 651 and second suction portion 61B, but air may be blown from air source 66 to protective sheet 201 using other hoses, and the configuration of the air blowing portion is not limited to that described above.

[0095] In the above embodiment, negative pressure is generated in the inner space SP11 of the inner bead portion 332 (first seal portion) via the first suction portion 61A, but the configuration of the first suction portion 61A is not limited to the above. In the above embodiment, negative pressure is generated in the inner space SP12 of the end bead portion 333 (second seal portion) via the second suction portion 61B, but the configuration of the second suction portion 61B is not limited to the above. In the above embodiment, the robot 55 and the vacuum generator 65 are controlled by commands from the ECU 56 as a control unit, but the control operation by the ECU 56 is not limited to the above.

[0096] The above description is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and modifications as long as the features of the present invention are not impaired. One or more of the above-described embodiment and modifications can be arbitrarily combined, and modifications can also be combined with each other.

[0097] 3 Separator, 50 Fuel cell separator transport device, 55 Robot, 56 ECU, 60 Suction hand, 61 Suction section, 61A First suction section, 61B Second suction section, 65 Vacuum generator, 66 Air source, 201 Protective sheet, 301 to 306 Through holes, 332 Inner bead section, 333 End bead section, 601 to 603 Through holes, AR1 Active area, AR2 End area, SP11, SP12 Space

Claims

1. A fuel cell separator transport device for transporting fuel cell separators that are stacked with protective sheets interposed therebetween and that are provided with a flow path for a reactant gas and a plurality of through-holes through which the reactant gas and a cooling medium pass, a movable body extending in a substantially horizontal direction and having an opposing surface facing the upper surface of the separator; an adsorption portion provided on the movable body and adsorbing the separator to the movable body; a support portion that movably supports the movable body, the movable body is provided with a first communication hole communicating with the flow path and a second communication hole communicating with at least one of the plurality of through holes, The fuel cell separator transport device is characterized in that the suction section has a first suction section that adsorbs the separator to the moving body by suction through the first communication hole, and a second suction section that adsorbs the protective sheet to the moving body by suction through the second communication hole.

2. 2. The fuel cell separator transport device according to claim 1, the flow path is provided in a central region of the separator, and the plurality of through holes are provided in a pair of end regions of the separator that sandwich the central region, the protective sheet is disposed so as to cover the entire lower surface of the separator, The fuel cell separator transport device is characterized in that the first communication hole opens to face the central region, and the second communication hole opens to face the pair of end regions.

3. 2. The fuel cell separator transport device according to claim 1, The fuel cell separator transport device further comprises an air blowing unit that blows air onto the protective sheet through the second communication hole.

4. 2. The fuel cell separator transport device according to claim 1, the separator has a first seal portion protruding from the top surface so as to surround a region in which the flow path is provided, and a second seal portion protruding from the top surface so as to surround each of the plurality of through holes, the first suction portion is configured to generate a negative pressure in an inner space of the first seal portion between the opposing surface and the upper surface, The fuel cell separator transport device, wherein the second suction portion is configured to generate a negative pressure in an inner space of the second seal portion between the opposing surface and the upper surface.

5. The fuel cell separator transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, a control unit that controls the support unit, the first suction unit, and the second suction unit, the control unit controls the support unit, the first suction unit, and the second suction unit to move the moving body to a first position, and after the moving body has moved to the first position, perform suction by the first suction unit and suction by the second suction unit, and then move the moving body from the first position to a second position, and after the moving body has moved to the second position, release suction by the second suction unit while maintaining suction by the first suction unit.

6. 6. The fuel cell separator transport device according to claim 5, The control unit further moves the movable body from the second position to a third position, and controls the support unit and the first adsorption unit to release the adsorption by the first adsorption unit after the movable body moves to the third position.

7. A method for transporting fuel cell separators, the method comprising: transporting fuel cell separators stacked with protective sheets interposed therebetween, the separators having a reactant gas flow path and a plurality of through-holes through which the reactant gas and a cooling medium pass; a step of moving a movable body, which extends in a substantially horizontal direction and has an opposing surface facing the upper surface of the separator, to a first position so that the opposing surface abuts against the upper surface of the separator; after the moving body is moved to the first position, adsorbing the separator to the moving body by suction through a first communication hole provided in the moving body so as to communicate with the flow path, and adsorbing the protective sheet to the moving body by suction through a second communication hole provided in the moving body so as to communicate with at least one of the plurality of through holes; moving the movable body from the first position to a second position; a step of releasing suction by the second suction portion while maintaining suction by the first suction portion after the moving body has moved to the second position.

8. 8. The fuel cell separator transport method according to claim 7, moving the movable body from the second position to a third position; a step of releasing the suction force of the first suction portion after the moving body has moved to the third position, the method for transporting a separator for a fuel cell further comprising the steps of:

Images