Separator plate structure and method for manufacturing stack

Abstract

The present invention provides a separator plate structure comprising: a lower separator plate and an upper separator plate stacked in a vertical direction; and a main gasket interposed therebetween, wherein the upper separator plate and the lower separator plate are provided with offset portions, forming a structure in which the upper separator plate is fastened to the lower separator plate.

Description

Separator structure and stack manufacturing method

[0001] The present invention relates to a separator plate structure and a method for manufacturing a stack. More specifically, the present invention relates to a separator plate structure formed by stacking separator plates in a vertical direction and a method for manufacturing a stack.

[0002] Separators used in fuel cells or water electrolysis stacks are core components that constitute the stack, along with membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) and gas diffusion layers (GDLs). Separators are manufactured to possess a certain level of strength to support and secure the membrane electrode assembly during stack formation and to maintain the stack's shape.

[0003] The separator plate is primarily flat in shape and is provided with a gasket along its edge. The gasket acts as a guide for incoming fuel and air to move to the catalyst layer of the membrane electrode assembly, respectively, and is designed to maintain airtightness to prevent fluid flowing along the manifold from moving to an adjacent manifold; it is typically formed by injection molding and curing together with the separator plate.

[0004] Figure 1 shows the slip (S) phenomenon of the gasket according to the load (W) during lamination when a gasket is attached to a conventional separator plate.

[0005] Referring to FIG. 1, a main gasket (2) and a sub-gasket (3) are typically provided between the separator plates (1). In order to increase the capacity of a fuel cell or water electrolysis cell, the cells are stacked to form a stack, and in this case, the separator plates (1) are stacked sequentially in a vertical direction from the bottom. In this case, when a load (W) is applied to the gasket (2) protruding from the outer surface of the separator plate (1), a slip (S) phenomenon occurs on the gasket (2), and the separator plates (1) become misaligned from each other during the stacking process.

[0006] In particular, in the case of a large-area separator plate (1), shear force is generated between the upper plate and the lower plate, making it difficult for the gasket (2) to be fixed in the correct position. If dozens of separator plates (1) are continuously stacked in a misaligned state due to the detachment of the gasket (2), there is not only a risk that the stack will tip over, but also a problem that after the final stack assembly, some separator plates are misaligned, resulting in a distorted stack shape.

[0007] Therefore, a separator structure is required that can be stacked so that the separator plates do not become misaligned even when stacked vertically, while excluding the influence of gaskets when stacking multiple separator plates.

[0008] Korean Published Patent Application No. 10-2017-0026771 is disclosed as background technology for the present invention.

[0009] The objective of the present invention is to provide a separator structure capable of manufacturing a high-capacity stack by vertically and continuously stacking large-area separators equipped with a main gasket.

[0010] The purpose is to provide a separator structure that can prevent the stack from being overturned or defects occurring in the stack, which occurs when separator plates equipped with main gaskets are stacked in succession, such that when the separator plates are stacked in succession, the protruding main gaskets slide against each other and the separator plates become misaligned, and especially in the case of large-area separator plates, shear force is easily generated on the main gasket interposed between the upper separator plate and the lower separator plate, causing the main gasket to detach and the upper separator plate and the lower separator plate to be stacked misaligned.

[0011] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a stack including a stackable separator structure through a simple press forming process.

[0012] The above and other objectives of the present invention can all be achieved by the present invention described below.

[0013] 1. One aspect of the present invention relates to a separator plate structure.

[0014] The above separator structure comprises a lower separator and an upper separator stacked in a vertical direction; and

[0015] It includes a main gasket interposed between the lower separator and the upper separator.

[0016] The upper and lower separator plates are provided with protrusions, and have a structure in which the upper separator plate is fastened to the lower separator plate.

[0017] 2. In the above 1 embodiment, a sub-gasket may be interposed between the main gaskets.

[0018] 3. Another aspect of the present invention provides a separator plate structure having a protrusion.

[0019] The above separator structure is a lower separator;

[0020] An upper separator plate spaced apart from the lower separator plate;

[0021] A lower gasket provided on the lower separator plate above;

[0022] An upper gasket provided at a position corresponding to the lower gasket above; and

[0023] A sub-gasket disposed between the lower gasket and the upper gasket; is included,

[0024] Protrusions are provided at the corners of the upper and lower separator plates to restrict the horizontal movement of the upper and lower gaskets.

[0025] 4. In the above 3 embodiments, the lower separator and the upper separator may be stainless steel.

[0026] 5. In the above 3 or 4 embodiments, the protrusion may be formed such that the protruding cross-section is parallel to the upper or lower separator plate, and a bevel may be formed in the direction inward toward the separator plate.

[0027] 6. In the above 3 to 5 embodiments, the cross-section may be square.

[0028] 7. In the above 3 to 6 embodiments, a fastening hole may be formed at the center of the cross-section.

[0029] 8. In the above 3 to 7 embodiments, the protrusion may be formed by press processing.

[0030] 9. In the above 3 to 8 embodiments, the height and width of the protrusion can be determined by the following Equation 1.

[0031] [Equation 1]

[0032] H < W1 < W2

[0033] In the above Equation 1, H is the height of the protrusion in the lower separator and the upper separator, W1 is the length from the corner of the protrusion to the first protrusion, and W2 is the length from the corner of the protrusion to the second protrusion.

[0034] 10. In the above 3 to 9 embodiments, the sub-gaskets are provided as a pair, and a membrane electrode assembly may be provided in the central portion of the sub-gaskets.

[0035] 11. In the above 3 to 10 embodiments, a seating groove is formed in the lower separator plate and the upper separator plate, and the lower gasket and the upper gasket can be inserted into the seating groove and fixed.

[0036] 12. Another aspect of the present invention provides a stack comprising the separator plate structure.

[0037] 13. In the above 12 embodiments, the stack may have the separator plate structure stacked such that the total number of stacked separator plates is 130 to 170 layers.

[0038] 14. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a stack.

[0039] The above stack manufacturing method comprises: (a) a step of manufacturing a separator plate structure by placing a metal plate and a main gasket in a press device equipped with a die plate having the shape of a protrusion and a punch, and press-forming them; and

[0040] (b) a step of manufacturing a stack by vertically stacking the above separator plate structure; is included.

[0041] 15. In the above 14 embodiments, the protrusions may be formed along the four corners of the metal plate in step (a).

[0042] 16. In the above 14 or 15 embodiments, in step (a), the separator plates are arranged such that a pair of separator plates face each other, and the protrusions of the upper separator plate and the lower separator plate are fastened together to restrict horizontal movement.

[0043] 17. In the above 14 to 16 embodiments, the separator plate may be stainless steel.

[0044] 18. In the embodiments 14 to 17 above, the metal plate of step (a) has a length of about 400 to 500 mm, a width of about 200 to 300 mm, and an area of ​​about 1,000 cm² 2 It could be more than that.

[0045] 19. In the above 14 to 18 embodiments, the stacking in step (b) can stack 130 to 170 layers in the vertical direction.

[0046] 20. In any one of the embodiments of 14 to 19 above, after step (b), a fastening rod may be passed through the fastening hole of the protrusion and fixed by fastening bolts to both ends of the fastening rod.

[0047] The separator plate stacking structure according to the present invention can prevent misalignment and poor fastening of the separator plates due to the slip phenomenon of the gasket provided in the separator plates when a plurality of separator plates are stacked in a vertical direction, thereby preventing damage or defects in the entire separator plate assembly. Furthermore, even when the separator plate assembly is stacked in 130 layers or more, the separator plate assembly can be stacked efficiently, and the quality can be greatly improved by preventing defects in the multi-layer stacked stack.

[0048] In addition, since the four corners of the separator plates are bent by press forming to create protrusions that allow for connection between plates, the manufacturing of the separator plate assembly is very easy. Not only is damage to the gasket prevented, but high-capacity stacks can also be manufactured by continuously stacking the separator plates vertically without a separate guide device. Approximately 100m, which was difficult to manufacture conventionally 2 Large-area separator plates having the above area can be effectively mass-produced, and high-capacity stacks can be manufactured by stacking them in 130 layers or more.

[0049] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the slip (S) phenomenon of the gasket according to the load (W) during lamination when a gasket is attached to a conventional separator plate.

[0050] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a separator plate structure according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 3 is a plan view of one of the protrusions of the separator plate according to Figure 2.

[0052] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of one of the protrusions of the separator plate according to FIG. 2.

[0053] Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view along the line A-A' of the separator plate structure according to Figure 2.

[0054] FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view showing a configuration in which a sub-gasket is fixed to a protrusion in a separator plate structure according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a stacked structure of a stack according to another aspect of the present invention.

[0056] FIG. 8 is a process flowchart of a stack manufacturing method according to another aspect of the present invention.

[0057] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings. However, the following drawings are provided merely to aid in understanding the present invention, and the present invention is not limited by the drawings. Furthermore, the shapes, sizes, ratios, angles, numbers, etc. disclosed in the drawings are exemplary, and the present invention is not limited to the depicted details.

[0058] Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same components. Additionally, in describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of related prior art are omitted if it is determined that such detailed descriptions would unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention.

[0059] Where terms such as 'includes,' 'have,' and 'consists of' are used in this specification, other parts may be added unless 'only' is used. Where a component is expressed in the singular, it includes cases where it is in the plural unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0060] In interpreting the components, they are interpreted to include a margin of error even in the absence of a separate explicit statement.

[0061] In this specification, "a to b" indicating a numerical range is defined as "≥a and ≤b".

[0062] In this specification, all numerical ranges include a 95% standard error range.

[0063]

[0064] One aspect of the present invention relates to a separator plate structure (1000).

[0065] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a separator plate structure according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a plan view of one of the protrusions of the separator plate according to FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of one of the protrusions of the separator plate according to FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view along the line A-A' of the separator plate structure according to FIG. 2, and FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view showing a configuration in which a sub-gasket is fixed to the protrusion in the separator plate structure according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0066]

[0067] A separator plate structure (1000) according to one aspect of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0068] The above separator structure (1000) includes a lower separator (400), an upper separator (100), and a main gasket (200).

[0069] The main gasket (200) is interposed between the lower separator plate (400) and the upper separator plate (100).

[0070] The above separator structure (100) can form a unit cell by having a main gasket (200) interposed between a pair of separator plates (100, 400).

[0071] The main gasket (200) includes an upper gasket (200a) and a lower gasket (200b).

[0072] The above protrusion (500) is provided on the upper separator plate (100) and the lower separator plate (400).

[0073] The above protrusion (500) may be provided in a portion of the upper separator plate (100) and the lower separator plate (400), for example, along the corner or at the corner.

[0074] It is highly desirable that the above protrusions (500) are provided at all four corners of the upper separator plate (100) and the lower separator plate (400) to increase the fastening force of the upper separator plate (100) and the lower separator plate (400) and to restrict the movement of the main gasket (200).

[0075] The protrusion (500) may be positioned on an outer portion of the main gasket (200), and the protrusion (500) may restrict the movement of the main gasket (200).

[0076] The above protrusion (500) may be provided in a form in which one or more surfaces are bent by pressing the lower separator plate (400) and the upper separator plate (100), and may have a structure in which the upper separator plate (100) can be seated on the lower separator plate (400) by being provided in the same form on the lower separator plate (400). For example, the protrusion (500) of the upper separator plate (100) may be fitted into and fixed to the protrusion (500) of the lower separator plate (400).

[0077] The lower separator plate (400) and the upper separator plate (100) are provided with the protrusion (500), and the bent portion of the protrusion (500) can be fixed by pressing the main gasket (200), and the movement of the main gasket (200) can be effectively restricted.

[0078] The lower separator plate (400) and the upper separator plate (100) can be manufactured by press molding, for example, by a press injection molding method in which a main gasket (200) is placed and fixed when molding the lower and upper separator plates (100, 400).

[0079] In one embodiment, a sub-gasket (300) may be interposed between the main gaskets (200).

[0080] The above main gasket (200) is provided on the lower separator plate (400) and the upper separator plate (100), respectively, and a sub-gasket (300) may be interposed between a pair of main gaskets (200a, 200b).

[0081] When the sub-gasket (300) is placed, it must be placed very precisely based on the lower separator plate (400). However, since the protrusion (500) restricts the movement of the sub-gasket (300), the placement of the sub-gasket (300) is very easy. Additionally, when the upper separator plate (100) is stacked on the lower separator plate (400), the sub-gasket (300) can be placed and fixed based on the bent portion of the protrusion (500) without a separate position adjustment process.

[0082] The above separator structure (1000) can be stacked in a vertical direction to form a stack. Specifically, the upper separator (100) is alternately stacked on top of the lower separator (400) to form the separator structure (1000), and the separator structure (1000) can be stacked sequentially in a vertical direction to form a stack.

[0083] Accordingly, the separator plate structure (1000) according to one aspect of the present invention is provided with a protrusion (500) having a shape in which a part of the lower separator plate (400) and the upper separator plate (100) is bent, so that the separator plate (100, 400) and the main gasket (200) can be effectively prevented from detaching, and the protrusion (500) can be press-molded with a simple structure, so the separator plate manufacturing efficiency is very high. Since the separator plates can be stably stacked in the vertical direction with a structure in which the upper separator plate (100) is fastened to the lower separator plate (400), a high-capacity stack of 130 layers or more can be manufactured.

[0084] Another aspect of the present invention provides a separator plate structure (1000) having a protrusion (500).

[0085] The above separator structure (1000) includes a lower separator (400), an upper separator (100), a lower gasket (200b), an upper gasket (200a), and a sub-gasket (300).

[0086] The lower separator plate (400) and the upper separator plate (100) are identical members, and provide a space in which the lower gasket (200b), the upper gasket (200a), and the sub-gasket (300) are arranged and fixed.

[0087] In one embodiment, the lower separator plate (400) and the upper separator plate (100) may be stainless steel.

[0088] The lower separator plate (400) and the upper separator plate (100) are made of stainless steel, which is corrosion-resistant and has high electrical conductivity, so they can be used to form a fuel cell or a water electrolysis cell.

[0089] The lower separator plate (400) and the upper separator plate (100) constitute a sub-gasket (300) unit cell, and a plurality of the unit cells can be stacked to form a stack.

[0090] The lower separator plate (400) and the upper separator plate (100) can maintain the shape of the separator plate structure (1000) and support the sub-gasket (300).

[0091] The above sub-gasket (300) supports the membrane electrode assembly, and the membrane electrode assembly (300) can be interposed between the lower separator (400) and the upper separator (100) through the sub-gasket (300).

[0092] The lower separator (400) and the upper separator (100) can transfer charges generated in the membrane electrode assembly and distribute fluid to supply it to the membrane electrode assembly (MEA).

[0093] The upper separator plate (100) is spaced apart from the lower separator plate (400) at a certain distance.

[0094] The lower gasket (200b) is provided on the lower separator plate (400), and the upper gasket (200a) is provided on the upper separator plate (100) and is provided at a position corresponding to the lower gasket (200b).

[0095] The lower gasket (200b) and the lower gasket (200b) together constitute the main gasket (200).

[0096] The lower gasket (200b) and the upper gasket (200a) must be fixed so that they do not move or detach when the upper separator plate (100) is stacked on the lower separator plate (400), but when the lower separator plate (400) and the upper separator plate (100) are repeatedly stacked and the vertical load increases, the lower separator plate (400) and the upper separator plate (100) may become misaligned due to shear force between the separator plates, or when a stronger load is applied, the lower gasket (200b) and the upper gasket (200a) may detach from the lower separator plate (400) and the upper separator plate (100), causing a defect in the separator plate structure (1000).

[0097] A protrusion (500) may be provided at the corners of the upper separator plate (100) and the lower separator plate (400).

[0098] Specifically, protrusions (500) of a certain shape may be provided at the four corners of the upper separator plate (100) and the lower separator plate (400), and the protrusions (500) may restrict the horizontal movement of the upper gasket (200a) and the lower gasket (200b).

[0099] The above protrusion (500) may be provided on the outer portion of the upper gasket (200a) and the lower gasket (200b), and the protrusion (500) is provided on the lower separator plate (400) and the upper separator plate (100), so that the upper gasket (200a) and the lower gasket (200b) placed on the inner portion of the protrusion (500) are restricted from moving in the horizontal direction.

[0100] The above protrusion (500) can be formed by pressing the upper separator plate (100) and the lower separator plate (400) so that a portion of the separator plate forms a step, and can effectively restrict the movement of the upper gasket (200a) and the lower gasket (200b).

[0101] The above protrusion (500) not only restricts the movement of the lower gasket (200b) and the upper gasket (200a), but also enables stable fastening when the upper separator plate (100) is stacked on the lower separator plate (400).

[0102] The above protrusion (500) is formed such that the protruding cross-section is parallel to the upper separator plate (100) or the lower separator plate (400), and a bevel may be formed in the direction inward toward the separator plate.

[0103] The above protrusion (500) is formed such that its cross-section protrudes parallel to the upper separator plate (100) or the lower separator plate (400), and a bevel is formed in the inner direction of the separator plates (100, 400), so that when one separator plate is stacked on another separator plate, it can slide along the bevel so that the separator plates can be stacked stably.

[0104] The above cross-section may be square.

[0105] When the cross-section is square, it is easy to form a protrusion (500) by pressing the separator plate, and when the protrusion (500) is connected to another protrusion (500), sufficient frictional force can be provided so that the separator plates do not become misaligned with each other.

[0106] In one embodiment, the cross-section may be a square with a length of about 15 mm and a width of about 15 mm, in which case sufficient frictional force can be provided to a large-area separator plate with a length of about 475 mm and a width of about 245 mm to fasten and fix the separator plate (100, 400).

[0107] The above cross-section is preferably square, but can be formed by pressing a separator plate, and the shape of the cross-section is not limited as long as the protrusions (500) can be connected to each other, and it is also possible to form it in the shape of a polygon such as a triangle or a pentagon.

[0108] A fastening hole (510) may be formed in the center of the above cross-section.

[0109] A fastening hole (510) may be formed at the center of the cross-section, and a fastening rod (2000) may be fastened to the fastening hole (510) to firmly secure a stack of multiple separator plate structures.

[0110] In one embodiment, the protrusion (500) can be formed by press processing.

[0111] The lower separator plate (400) and the upper separator plate (100) are selected from stainless steel, so that not only is general press forming possible, but the lower separator plate (400) and the upper separator plate (100) can also be mass-produced over a large area, so that the manufacturing efficiency of the separator plate structure (1000) can be greatly increased.

[0112] Since the above protrusion (500) is easily formed by pressing a portion of the lower separator plate (400) and the upper separator plate (100), complex shaped dies and punches are not required during press molding, and the efficiency of manufacturing the separator plate can be greatly increased.

[0113] In one embodiment, the height and width of the protrusion (500) can be determined by the following Equation 1.

[0114] [Equation 1]

[0115] H < W1 < W2

[0116] In the above equation 1, H is the height of the protrusion (500) in the lower separator (400) and the upper separator (100), W1 is the length from the corner of the protrusion to the first protrusion, and W2 is the length from the corner of the protrusion to the second protrusion.

[0117] According to the above formula 1, the height of the protrusion (500) is limited so that it is easy to manufacture by press molding. In addition, when the length to the second protrusion is longer than the length to the first protrusion, the angle of the bevel formed on the protrusion (500) is adjusted to 45° or less so that when the upper separator (100) is stacked on the lower separator (400), the bevel protruding from the upper separator (100) slides along the bevel of the lower separator (400) to be stacked stably, and the efficiency of the stacking operation can be greatly improved even when stacking repeatedly.

[0118] The above sub-gasket (300) is placed between the lower gasket (200b) and the upper gasket (200a).

[0119] The sub-gasket (300) is positioned between the lower gasket (200b) and the upper gasket (200a), and the lower gasket (200b) and the upper gasket (200a) can be fixed by being pressed against both sides of the sub-gasket (300).

[0120] In one embodiment, the sub-gasket (300) is provided as a pair, and a membrane electrode assembly (MEA, not shown) may be provided in the central portion of the sub-gasket (300).

[0121] A space is formed in the central part of the above sub-gasket (300), and a membrane electrode assembly can be inserted and fixed.

[0122] Since the above-mentioned western gasket (300) is fixed by the above-mentioned protrusion (500), the membrane electrode assembly is accurately positioned in the reaction portion of the separator and can be firmly fixed.

[0123] In one embodiment, a seating groove (110, 210) is formed in the lower separator plate (400) and the upper separator plate (100), and the lower gasket (200b) and the upper gasket (200a) can be inserted into and fixed in the seating groove (110, 210).

[0124] It is also possible to secure the lower gasket (200b) and the upper gasket (200a) by forming a seating groove (110, 210) in the lower separator plate (400) and the upper separator plate (100). If the seating groove (110, 210) is formed in advance in the lower separator plate (400) and the upper separator plate (100), the lower gasket (200b) and the upper gasket (200a) can be placed in a more accurate position, and the lower gasket (200b) and the upper gasket (200a) can be more effectively prevented from detaching when forming the protrusion (500) using a press device.

[0125] In one embodiment, a groove (210b) is formed in the lower gasket (200b) and a projection (210a) is formed in the upper gasket (200a) so that they may be connected to each other.

[0126] A groove (210b) is formed in the lower gasket (200b) and a protrusion (210a) is provided in the upper gasket (200a), so that the lower gasket (200b) and the upper gasket (200a) are configured such that the protrusion (210a) is fastened to the groove (210b), thereby increasing the fastening force between the lower gasket (200b) and the upper gasket (200a) and providing the effect of more effectively fixing the sub-gasket (300).

[0127] Accordingly, a separator plate structure (1000) according to another aspect of the present invention is provided with a protrusion (500) at the corner of the separator plate by simple press forming with stainless steel, and the protrusion (500) can not only restrict the movement of the main gasket (200), but also, when the upper separator plate (100) is stacked on the lower separator plate (400), the upper separator plate (100) is guided by the protrusion (500) and then firmly fixed, so that the slip of the gasket and damage to the stack due to increased load during the vertical stacking of conventional separator plates can be effectively prevented.

[0128] The above protrusion (500) effectively and completely restricts the movement of the upper separator plate (100) stacked on the lower separator plate (400), thereby effectively preventing misalignment between the separator plates caused by shear force when the lower separator plate (400) and the upper separator plate (100) are provided over a large area. In addition, it is possible to maintain the airtightness of the separator plates by preventing the detachment or damage of the main gasket (200) and the sub-gasket (300), and also to manufacture a stack with 130 or more layers stacked by very easily stacking large-area separator plates, thereby enabling the manufacture of large-capacity fuel cells and water electrolysis cells.

[0129]

[0130] Another aspect of the present invention provides a stack comprising the separator structure (1000).

[0131] The above stack may be a fuel cell stack or a water electrolysis stack.

[0132] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a stacked structure of a stack according to another aspect of the present invention.

[0133] Referring to FIG. 7, the separator structure (1000) can be mass-produced over a large area and is easy to stack vertically, so that a high-capacity fuel cell stack with a total number of stacked separators of 130 to 170 layers can be provided.

[0134]

[0135] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a stack.

[0136] FIG. 8 is a process flowchart of a stack manufacturing method according to another aspect of the present invention.

[0137] Referring to FIG. 8, the stack manufacturing method comprises: (a) a step of manufacturing a separator plate structure by placing a metal plate and a main gasket in a press device equipped with a die plate having the shape of a protrusion and a punch, and press-forming them; and

[0138] (b) a step of manufacturing a stack by vertically stacking the above separator plate structure; is included.

[0139] First, a metal plate and a main gasket are placed in a press device equipped with a die plate and a punch having the shape of a protrusion, and a separator plate is manufactured by press forming (S100).

[0140] The above die plate and punch are prepared to correspond to the shape of the protrusion, specifically by bending the four corners of the metal plate to form a protrusion with a protruding cross-section and a beveled surface.

[0141] The above metal plate may be manufactured as a lower separator or an upper separator. The lower separator and the upper separator are members of the same composition, and a stack structure may be formed in which the upper separator is stacked vertically on the upper side of the lower separator.

[0142] In one embodiment, the metal plate may be stainless steel.

[0143] If the above metal plate is stainless steel, press forming is very easy, and the manufacturing efficiency of the separator plate can be greatly increased.

[0144] In one embodiment, the protrusion in S100 may be formed along the four corners of the metal plate.

[0145] The above-mentioned protrusions are provided at the four corners of the metal plate to restrict the movement of the main gasket, and another separator plate can be stacked on the manufactured separator plate and firmly fixed.

[0146] Since the above-mentioned protrusion is formed to prevent movement of the main gasket, it is possible to prevent the separator plates from being stacked incorrectly due to gasket slip, and multiple separator plate structures can be stacked vertically without a separate device.

[0147] A separator plate structure can be manufactured by press injection molding by placing a main gasket on one side of the above-mentioned protrusion.

[0148] The above protrusion is formed to determine the position of the main gasket.

[0149] The above main gasket can form a lower gasket disposed on a lower separator plate and an upper gasket disposed on an upper separator plate.

[0150] In one embodiment, the metal plate of S100 has a length of about 400 to 500 mm (e.g., 400, 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480, 490, or 500 mm), a width of about 200 to 300 mm (e.g., 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, or 300 mm), and an area of ​​about 1,000 cm² 2 It may be more than that. Preferably about 1,000 to 1,600 cm 2 (e.g., 1,000, 1,010, 1,020, 1,030, 1,040, 1,050, 1,060, 1,070, 1,080, 1,090, 1,100, 1,110, 1,120, 1,130, 1,140, ​​1,150, 1,160, 1,170, 1,180, 1,190, 1,200, 1,210, 1,220, 1,230, 1,240, 1,250, 1,260, 1,270, 1,280, 1,290, 1,300, 1,310, 1,320, 1,330, 1,340, 1,350, 1,360, 1,370, 1,380, 1,390, 1,400, 1,410, 1,420, 1,430, 1,440, 1,450, 1,460, 1,470, 1,480, 1,490, 1,500, 1,510, 1,520, 1,530, 1,540, 1,550, 1,560, 1,570, 1,580, 1,590, or 1,600cm 2 ) It may be. Since the separator plate is manufactured by press forming, it can be manufactured as a metal plate having an area and aspect ratio within the above range, and mass production of a large-area separator plate structure is possible by press forming the metal plate.

[0151] Then, a stack is manufactured by vertically stacking the separator plate structures (S200).

[0152] A stack can be manufactured by stacking the separator plate structures produced by the above press molding in a vertical direction.

[0153] The above stack may be a fuel cell or a water electrolysis stack.

[0154] The above-mentioned separator structure has protrusions formed thereon, allowing for continuous stacking of the separator structures. In particular, even when stacked in a vertical direction and the load increases, the separator structures are not misaligned, thereby ensuring the appearance and quality of the stack of the final product.

[0155] In one embodiment, the stacking of the S200 can stack 130 to 170 layers in the vertical direction.

[0156] The above separator structure consists of a lower separator and an upper separator, and by alternately stacking the lower separator and the upper separator, a high-capacity stack with a total of 130 to 170 layers of separators can be manufactured.

[0157] After the above S200, a fastening rod can be passed through the fastening hole of the above protrusion, and bolts can be fastened to both ends of the fastening rod to secure it.

[0158] The stack can be more securely fixed by fastening a fastening rod into the fastening hole of the above-mentioned protrusion.

[0159] Accordingly, a stack manufacturing method according to another aspect of the present invention can very effectively manufacture a high-capacity stack by manufacturing a large-area separator structure with a gasket placed thereon by press injection molding and continuously stacking it in a vertical direction.

[0160]

[0161] The present invention has been described above with reference to embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may be embodied in modified forms without departing from the essential characteristics of the invention. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims, not by the foregoing description, and all variations within the scope of equivalents should be interpreted as being included in the invention.

Claims

1. A lower separator and an upper separator stacked in a vertical direction; and It includes a main gasket interposed between the lower separator and the upper separator. The upper and lower separator plates are provided with protrusions and have a structure in which the upper separator plate is fastened to the lower separator plate. Separator structure.

2. A separator plate structure according to claim 1, wherein a sub-gasket is interposed between the main gaskets.

3. Lower separator; An upper separator plate spaced apart from the lower separator plate; A lower gasket provided on the lower separator plate above; An upper gasket provided at a position corresponding to the lower gasket above; and A sub-gasket disposed between the lower gasket and the upper gasket; is included, Protrusions are provided at the corners of the upper and lower separating plates to restrict the horizontal movement of the upper and lower gaskets. Separator structure.

4. A separator structure according to paragraph 3, wherein the lower separator and the upper separator are made of stainless steel.

5. A separator structure according to paragraph 3, wherein the protrusion is formed such that the protruding cross-section is parallel to the upper separator or lower separator, and a bevel is formed in the direction inward toward the separator.

6. A separator structure according to claim 5, wherein the cross-section is square.

7. A separator plate structure according to claim 6, wherein a fastening hole is formed at the center of the cross-section.

8. A separator plate structure according to paragraph 3, wherein the protrusion is formed by press processing.

9. A separator plate structure according to paragraph 3, wherein the height and width of the protrusion are determined by the following Equation 1: [Equation 1] H < W1 < W2 In the above Equation 1, H is the height of the protrusion in the lower separator and the upper separator, W1 is the length from the corner of the protrusion to the first protrusion, and W2 is the length from the corner of the protrusion to the second protrusion.

10. A separator structure according to paragraph 3, wherein the sub-gaskets are provided in pairs, and a membrane electrode assembly is provided in the central portion of the sub-gaskets.

11. A separator plate structure according to paragraph 3, wherein a seating groove is formed in the lower separator plate and the upper separator plate, and the lower gasket and the upper gasket are inserted into and fixed in the seating groove.

12. A separator plate structure formed by repeatedly stacking according to any one of paragraphs 3 to 11, stack.

13. A stack according to claim 12, wherein the separator plate structure is stacked such that the total number of stacked separator plates is 130 to 170 layers.

14. (a) A step of manufacturing a separator plate structure by placing a metal plate and a main gasket in a press device equipped with a die plate having the shape of a protrusion and a punch, and press forming; and (b) a step of manufacturing a stack by vertically stacking the above-mentioned separator plate structure; comprising, Stack manufacturing method.

15. A method for manufacturing a stack according to claim 14, wherein in step (a), the protrusion is formed along the four corners of the metal plate.

16. A method for manufacturing a stack according to claim 14, wherein in step (a), the separator plates are arranged such that a pair of separator plates face each other, and the protrusions of the upper separator plate and the lower separator plate are fastened together to restrict horizontal movement.

17. A method for manufacturing a stack according to claim 14, wherein the separator plate is made of stainless steel.

18. In paragraph 14, the metal plate of step (a) above has a length of about 400 to 500 mm, a width of about 200 to 300 mm, and an area of ​​about 1,000 cm² 2 A stack manufacturing method that is the above.

19. A stack manufacturing method according to claim 14, wherein the stacking in step (b) above involves stacking 130 to 170 layers in a vertical direction.

20. A method for manufacturing a stack according to claim 14, wherein, after step (b) above, a fastening rod is passed through the fastening hole of the protrusion and bolts are fastened to both ends of the fastening rod to secure it.

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