Gasket

Abstract

A gasket (10) is formed in a ring shape from an elastic material. The gasket (10) comprises a first side surface (11) and a second side surface (12) that face away from each other, a plurality of through holes (13) that pass between the first side surface (11) and the second side surface (12), a first seal part (14) for sealing a space (S1, S2), and a plurality of second seal parts (15) that respectively surround the plurality of through holes (13) further to the outer circumferential side than the first seal part (14). The gasket (10) also comprises a fiber body (30) that is formed from fibers. The fiber body (30) is provided along a ring-shaped end (10a, 10b) of the gasket (10).

Description

Gasket

[0001] The present invention relates to a gasket.

[0002] Gaskets are provided in each cell of a water electrolysis device or a fuel cell. The gasket is formed of an elastic material and is compressed between the anode-side separator and the cathode-side separator and the electrolyte membrane, respectively, to seal the space between each separator and the electrolyte membrane, prevent leakage of fluid in the space inside these cells, and also prevent mixing of fluids in each space (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-117140

[0004] For water electrolysis devices and fuel cells, further improvements in productivity and output are required. For this reason, a configuration is required for the gasket that can seal the inside of the cell at a higher pressure so that the inside of the cell can be made at a higher pressure. Thus, higher sealing performance with respect to pressure is required for conventional gaskets.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a gasket having higher sealing performance with respect to pressure.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the gasket according to the present invention is a gasket for sealing a space between each of a pair of opposing members and an intermediate member facing each of the pair of members in the opposing direction, the gasket is formed in an annular shape from an elastic material, and has a first side surface and a second side surface which are a pair of annular surfaces facing away from each other, a plurality of through holes penetrating between the first side surface and the second side surface, a first seal portion for sealing the space, a plurality of second seal portions surrounding each of the plurality of through holes on the outer peripheral side of the first seal portion, and a fibrous body formed from fibers, and the fibrous body is provided along the annular end of the gasket.

[0007] In the gasket according to one aspect of the present invention, the fibrous body is covered with the elastic material.

[0008] In a gasket according to one aspect of the present invention, the fibrous body has a plurality of gaps inside the fibrous body, and the elastic material is impregnated into the gaps.

[0009] In a gasket according to one aspect of the present invention, the woven fiber body is connected in a ring shape.

[0010] In a gasket according to one aspect of the present invention, the annular end of the gasket is the outer peripheral end.

[0011] In a gasket according to one aspect of the present invention, the fibrous material is provided at the end and in an annular region connected to the end.

[0012] In a gasket according to one aspect of the present invention, the fibrous material is a cloth.

[0013] In a gasket according to one aspect of the present invention, the first sealing portion has at least one annular bead, and the second sealing portion has at least one annular bead.

[0014] In a gasket according to one aspect of the present invention, the fibrous material is located on the outer circumference side of the second sealing portion.

[0015] In one aspect of the present invention, the gasket is configured such that one gasket is inverted and placed on top of the other gasket to seal the space, the first side is the sealing side, the second side is the contact side, and the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion are formed on the sealing side.

[0016] In a gasket according to one aspect of the present invention, the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion are formed on the first side surface and the second side surface, respectively.

[0017] In a gasket according to one aspect of the present invention, the pair of members are separators for a cell of a water electrolysis device or fuel cell, and the intermediate member is the electrolyte membrane of the cell.

[0018] The gasket according to the present invention can have higher sealing performance with respect to pressure.

[0019] This is a front view of a gasket according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This is a rear view of a gasket according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This is a cross-sectional view along line A-A in Figure 1. This is a partial cross-sectional view showing a schematic of a water electrolysis apparatus equipped with the gasket according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This is a cross-sectional view showing the gasket in a used state with a tightening load applied. This is a front view of the gasket apparatus. This is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section along line D-D in Figure 6. This is a cross-sectional view of a gasket according to the second embodiment of the present invention. This is a cross-sectional view showing the gasket in a used state with a tightening load applied.

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, not all of the components are assigned reference numerals, and some of the reference numerals for components may be omitted.

[0021] The gasket according to the present invention is a gasket for sealing the space between each of a pair of opposing members and an intermediate member that is opposite each of the pair of members in the opposing direction. These opposing pairs of members and intermediate members are, for example, a pair of separators and an electrolyte membrane used in cells such as water electrolysis devices and fuel cells of hydrogen generators. As an example, the gasket according to an embodiment of the present invention is for sealing the space between each of a pair of opposing separators and an electrolyte membrane in a cell of a water electrolysis device. However, the application of the gasket according to the present invention is not limited to this and includes other applications.

[0022] Figure 1 is a front view of the gasket 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a rear view of the gasket 10, and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A in Figure 1. Figures 4 and 5 are schematic partial cross-sectional views of a water electrolysis apparatus 1 equipped with the gasket 10. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the gasket 10 seals the space S1 between one separator 101 of a pair of separators and the electrolyte membrane 104 of the membrane assembly 103, which is an intermediate member, and the space S2 between the other separator 102 of the pair of separators and the electrolyte membrane 104 in the cell 100 of the water electrolysis apparatus 1. The water electrolysis apparatus 1 is equipped with the gasket 10. The gasket 10 is formed in an annular shape from an elastic material. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the gasket 10 comprises a pair of annular surfaces, a first side surface 11 and a second side surface 12, facing away from each other; a plurality of through holes 13 (13a, 13b, 13c, 13d) penetrating between the first side surface 11 and the second side surface 12; a first sealing portion 14 for sealing the spaces S1 and S2; and a plurality of second sealing portions 15 surrounding each of the through holes 13 on the outer circumference side of the first sealing portion 14. The gasket 10 also comprises a fibrous body 30 formed from fibers. The fibrous body 30 is provided along the annular ends 10a and 10b of the gasket 10. The configuration of the gasket 10 will be described in detail below.

[0023] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the gasket 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is specifically used by inverting and stacking one gasket 10 on top of the other gasket 10. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, one gasket 10 is sandwiched between one separator 101 of a pair of separators and the electrolyte membrane 104 in the cell 100 of the water electrolysis apparatus 1 to seal the space S1, and the other gasket 10 is sandwiched between the other separator 102 of the pair of separators and the electrolyte membrane 104 to seal the space S2.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the fibrous body 30 is covered with an elastic material that forms the gasket 10. For example, the fibrous body 30 has a plurality of gaps inside it. Specifically, these gaps inside the fibrous body 30 are, for example, gaps formed between the fibers that make up the fibrous body 30. For example, the elastic material that forms the gasket 10 is impregnated into these gaps inside the fibrous body 30, and the gaps in the fibrous body 30 are filled with this elastic material. The surface of the fibrous body 30 is also covered with this elastic material. Note that the elastic material does not have to fill all the gaps inside the fibrous body 30, and gaps may remain inside the fibrous body 30. Also, the entire surface of the fibrous body 30 does not have to be covered with the elastic material, and a part of the surface of the fibrous body 30 may be exposed from the elastic material.

[0025] As will be described later, the fiber body 30 is provided to form a high-rigidity portion 31 in the gasket 10. The high-rigidity portion 31 is a portion of the gasket 10 that is made more rigid than the portion made only of elastic material, and the high-rigidity portion 31 is more rigid than the portion made only of elastic material in the gasket 10.

[0026] The fibrous body 30 is formed by the aggregation of multiple fibers and is, for example, a cloth. The fibrous body 30 may be a woven fabric or a nonwoven fabric. The fibers forming the fibrous body 30 are, for example, plant fibers or chemical fibers. Specifically, the fibers forming the fibrous body 30 are, for example, cotton, aramid, polyester, etc. These are just examples of fibers that form the fibrous body 30, and any fibers that can form the high-rigidity part 31 may be used.

[0027] The fibrous body 30 extends in an annular shape inside the gasket 10, for example, along the outer peripheral end 10a of the gasket 10, as shown in Figures 1 to 3. The outer peripheral end 10a is the outer peripheral end of the gasket 10, specifically the end face facing the outer peripheral side of the gasket 10. The inner peripheral end 10b is the inner peripheral end of the gasket 10, specifically the end face facing the inner peripheral side of the gasket 10. Specifically, the gasket 10 has a high-rigidity portion 31, which is an annular portion along the outer peripheral end 10a, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, and the fibrous body 30 is provided in this high-rigidity portion 31. The high-rigidity portion 31 includes the outer peripheral end 10a and the annular region connected to the outer peripheral end 10a. In other words, the high-rigidity portion 31 is the portion of the gasket 10 that includes the outer peripheral end 10a and the annular portion that continues on the inner peripheral side of the outer peripheral end 10a. The fiber body 30 is provided at the outer peripheral end 10a and the annular region connected to the outer peripheral end 10a. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the radial width of the high-rigidity portion 31 is w1. For example, the radial width w1 of the high-rigidity portion 31 is constant or approximately constant over the entire circumference. Note that the radial width w1 of the high-rigidity portion 31 does not have to be constant over the entire circumference, and the size of the width w1 may vary over the entire circumference. In the high-rigidity portion 31, the fiber body 30 is covered with an elastic material that forms the gasket 10, as described above.

[0028] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the gasket 10 has a sealing surface 11 as a first surface 11 and a contact surface 12 as a second surface 12. The first sealing portion 14 for sealing space S1 or space S2 is formed on the sealing surface 11. In addition, on the outer circumference side of the first sealing portion 14, a plurality of second sealing portions 15 surrounding each of the plurality of through holes 13 are formed on the sealing surface 11. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the first sealing portion 14 has, for example, an annular inner sealing portion 16 and an annular outer sealing portion 17. The inner sealing portion 16 is located on the inner circumference side of the outer sealing portion 17, and the outer sealing portion 17 surrounds the inner sealing portion 16 from the outer circumference side.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the inner seal portion 16 has, for example, an annular inner seal surface 16a formed on the contact side surface 12. When one gasket 10 is placed on top of the other gasket 10 inverted, the inner seal surface 16a of the gasket 10 faces the inner seal surface 16a of the other gasket 10 in the inverted direction, forming a accommodating space 40, which is an annular gap open to the inner circumference, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The accommodating space 40 can accommodate the outer peripheral end of the electrolyte membrane 104. The inner seal portion 16 also has, for example, one or more beads 16b formed on the seal side surface 11. The beads 16b face away from the inner seal surface 16a in the inverted direction. The inverted direction is the direction of the other gasket 10 relative to the gasket 10 in the two combined gaskets 10, and the direction in which the gasket 10 faces the other gasket 10.

[0030] The gasket 10 has, for example, four through holes 13 (13a, 13b, 13c, 13d), with two of the four through holes 13 (through holes 13a, 13b) being adjacent and the other two of the four through holes 13 (through holes 13c, 13d) being adjacent. When another gasket 10 is placed on top of gasket 10 inverted, one of the pair of through holes 13 of gasket 10 overlaps with the other of the pair of through holes 13 of the other gasket 10 in the direction of inversion. Each of the through holes 13 is included in the flow path 3 of the water electrolysis apparatus 1. The flow path 3 is a flow path for the electrolyte and products generated from the electrolyte.

[0031] The second seal portion 15 is configured to seal the flow path 3, which includes each of the through holes 13, between the separators 101 and 102 in the cell 100 (see Figure 4). As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the second seal portion 15 has, for example, a sealing surface 15a formed on the contact side surface 12. The sealing surface 15a is configured such that when one gasket 10 is placed on top of another gasket 10 in an inverted position, the sealing surface 15a of gasket 10 contacts the sealing surface 15a of the other gasket 10 in the inverted direction. The second seal portion 15 also has, for example, one or more beads 15b formed on the sealing side surface 11. The beads 15b face away from the sealing surface 15a in the inverted direction.

[0032] The gasket 10 described above will now be explained in more detail. As shown in Figures 4 to 7, one gasket 10 and the other gasket 10 constitute the gasket assembly 2. Hereafter, one gasket 10 will be referred to as the first gasket 10, and the other gasket 10 as the second gasket 20. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the gasket assembly 2, and Figure 7 is a front view of the gasket assembly 2. Furthermore, Figure 4 corresponds to the cross-section along line B-B in Figure 6, and Figure 6 corresponds to the cross-section along line D-D in Figure 6.

[0033] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the gasket device 2 is provided in the cell 100 between one separator 101 of a pair of separators and the electrolyte membrane 104 of the membrane assembly 103 which is an intermediate member, and between the other separator 102 of the pair of separators and the electrolyte membrane 104, sealing the space S1 between separator 101 and the electrolyte membrane 104 and the space S2 between separator 102 and the electrolyte membrane 104. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the gasket device 2 comprises an annular first gasket 10 and an annular second gasket 20. The outer circumferential side of the first gasket 10 (contact surface 18, described later) and the outer circumferential side of the second gasket 20 (contact surface 28, described later) are in contact with each other. When the outer circumference of the first gasket 10 and the outer circumference of the second gasket 20 come into contact, a accommodating space 40, which is an annular gap open to the inner circumference, is formed between the inner circumference of the first gasket 10 (inner sealing surface 16a) and the inner circumference of the second gasket 20 (inner sealing surface 26a, described later). The accommodating space 40 is capable of accommodating the outer circumference end of the electrolyte membrane 104, which is an intermediate member. The configuration of the gasket device 2 will now be described in detail.

[0034] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, in the cell 100 of the water electrolysis apparatus 1, the membrane assembly 103 has an electrolyte membrane 104 and a pair of catalyst layers, an anode catalyst layer 105 which is the anode side electrode and a cathode catalyst layer 106 which is the cathode side electrode, respectively, provided on both sides of the electrolyte membrane 104. The electrolyte membrane 104 is, for example, an ion exchange membrane, and more specifically, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane. Gas diffusion layers 107 and 108 are provided on the surfaces of the anode catalyst layer 105 and the cathode catalyst layer 106, respectively. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, in the cell 100, the internal space of the cell 100 is divided into two spaces S1 and S2 by the electrolyte membrane 104, with an anode chamber S1 formed between the separator 101 and the electrolyte membrane 104, and a cathode chamber S2 formed between the separator 102 and the electrolyte membrane 104. The anode chamber S1 and the cathode chamber S2 are the spaces to be sealed by the gasket device 2. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the anode chamber S1 is sealed by the first gasket 10, and the cathode chamber S2 is sealed by the second gasket 20. The anode catalyst layer 105 and the gas diffusion layer 107 are located in the anode chamber S1, and the cathode catalyst layer 106 and the gas diffusion layer 108 are located in the cathode chamber S2. The water electrolysis device 1 comprises, for example, a plurality of cells 100, which are stacked. However, the water electrolysis device 1 may be formed by a single cell 100.

[0035] Figure 6 is a front view of the gasket device 2, and Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section along line D-D in Figure 6. Figures 6 and 7 show the gasket device 2 in an assembled state, with the first gasket 10 and the second gasket 20 assembled. Figures 6 and 7 also show the gasket device 2 in an assembled state without the electrolyte membrane 104 attached. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the gasket device 2 has an annular shape along a plane. The gasket device 2 is annular or substantially annular, for example, as shown in Figure 6. The shape of the gasket device 2 is not limited to annular, and may be other shapes such as a rectangular annular shape.

[0036] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the gasket device 2 has, for example, four through holes 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d. The through holes 4a to 4d each penetrate the first gasket 10 and the second gasket 20. The through holes 4a to 4d are passages for supplying electrolyte to the anode chamber S1 or cathode chamber S2 in the cell 100, or passages for discharging products generated from the anode chamber S1 or cathode chamber S2 to the outside of the cell 100. For example, through hole 4a is a supply passage for supplying electrolyte to the anode chamber S1, and through hole 4b is a supply passage for supplying electrolyte to the cathode chamber S2. Also, through hole 4d is a discharge passage for discharging products generated from the anode chamber S1 to the outside of the cell 100, and through hole 4c is a discharge passage for discharging products generated from the cathode chamber S2 to the outside of the cell 100. The electrolytes supplied through the through holes 4a and 4b may be the same or different. Cell 100 is, for example, an alkaline water electrolysis device, and an alkaline aqueous solution is used as the electrolyte. This alkaline aqueous solution is not limited to any particular type, but for example, a KOH aqueous solution, a NaOH aqueous solution, or K ２ CO ３ Aqueous solution, KHCO ３ Aqueous solution, Na ２ CO ３ Aqueous solution, NaHCO ３ The electrolyte is an aqueous solution, etc. Cell 100 may be, for example, a PEM-type water electrolysis apparatus. In this case, pure water is supplied to the anode chamber S1. The gases generated in the anode chamber S1 and the cathode chamber S2 are oxygen and hydrogen, respectively. The electrolyte may be discharged from the anode chamber S1 and the cathode chamber S2, respectively, through through holes 4c and 4d, along with the products.

[0037] As shown in Figure 7, in the assembled gasket device 2, the outer circumference side of the first gasket 10 (contact surface 18, described later) and the outer circumference side of the second gasket 20 (contact surface 28, described later) are in contact. Note that the assembled gasket device 2 shown in Figure 7 is in a free state, and no external force is applied to the gasket device 2. Furthermore, a housing space 40 is formed between the inner sealing surface 16a of the inner sealing portion 16 of the first sealing portion 14 of the first gasket 10 and the inner sealing surface 26a of the inner sealing portion 26 of the first sealing portion 24 of the second gasket 20, which will be described later, and is open to the inner circumference side. As described above, the outer circumference end 104a of the electrolyte membrane 104 is housed in the housing space 40.

[0038] Next, the configuration of the first gasket 10 will be described. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, 6, and 7, the first gasket 10 has a shape corresponding to the gasket device 2 and has an annular shape along a plane. Specifically, the first gasket 10 has a central axis x, an annular shape along a plane perpendicular to this central axis x, and an annular shape that is symmetric or substantially symmetric with respect to the plane of symmetry P, which is the plane containing this central axis x. Note that the central axis x is a hypothetical line, and the plane of symmetry P is a hypothetical plane. The first gasket 10 is, for example, an annular or substantially annular shape with the central axis x as its central axis, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Note that the shape of the first gasket 10 is not limited to an annular shape, and may be other shapes such as a rectangular annular shape.

[0039] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the first gasket 10 is plate-shaped and has a pair of annular surfaces, a sealing side 11 and a contact side 12, which are facing away from each other. The sealing side 11 is the front side, and the contact side 12 is the back side. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the first gasket 10 has four through holes 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d, which form the four through holes 4a to 4d of the gasket device 2 described above. The through holes 13a to 13d are the through holes 13 of the gasket 10 described above. The through holes 13a to 13d penetrate between the sealing side 11 and the contact side 12. The through holes 13a and 13b correspond to the through holes 4a and 4b, respectively, and as described above, are openings for supplying electrolyte to the anode chamber S1 and the cathode chamber S2. The through holes 13c and 13d correspond to the through holes 4c and 4d, respectively, and as described above, are openings for discharging products generated from the anode chamber S1 and cathode chamber S2 to the outside of the cell 100. For example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the supply-side through holes 13a and 13b are provided adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the first gasket 10, and the discharge-side through holes 13c and 13d are provided adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. Also, for example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the through holes 13a and 13b are provided such that the positions of the centers of the through holes 13a and 13b are symmetrical or substantially symmetrical with respect to the plane of symmetry P. Similarly, for example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the through holes 13c and 13d are provided such that the positions of the centers of the through holes 13c and 13d are symmetrical or substantially symmetrical with respect to the plane of symmetry P. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, for example, the through holes 13a and 13b on the supply side and the through holes 13c and 13d on the discharge side are opposite each other in a direction along the plane of symmetry P.

[0040] Further, for example, the shape on the projection plane that is rotationally symmetric with respect to the intersection line between the projection plane and the target plane P of the projection of the contour of the through hole 13a onto a virtual projection plane that is a plane orthogonal to the central axis line x (the projection of the contour of the inverted through hole 13a) is such that the through holes 13a and 13b are formed so as to overlap with the contour of the through hole 13b on the projection plane. Similarly, for example, the shape on the projection plane that is rotationally symmetric with respect to the intersection line between the projection plane and the target plane P of the projection of the contour of the through hole 13c onto the projection plane (the projection of the contour of the inverted through hole 13c) is such that the through holes 13c and 13d are formed so as to overlap with the contour of the through hole 13d on the projection plane.

[0041] Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the seal side surface 11 is, for example, a surface that extends on a plane or a substantially flat plane. As described above, on the seal side surface 11, beads 16b of the inner seal portion 16 of the first seal portion 14 and beads 17b of the outer seal portion 17 of the first seal portion 14 are formed. The beads 16b and 17b protrude from the seal side surface 11 toward the front side and extend, for example, along a circle or a substantially circle. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the beads 16b and 17b are provided on the inner peripheral side of the through holes 13a to 13d. As an example, as shown in FIG. 1, two beads 16b are provided on the seal side surface 11, and two beads 17b are also provided. The two beads 16b are formed concentrically, and the diameters increase in order in the radial direction. Similarly, the two beads 17b are formed concentrically, and the diameters increase in order in the radial direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the beads 16b and the beads 17b each form a group, the two beads 16b are provided close to each other, and the two beads 17b are provided close to each other. The group of beads 17b is provided at a distance from the group of beads 16b on the outer peripheral side. Also, the bead 16b on the inner peripheral side is provided facing away from the inner seal surface 16a of the inner seal portion 16 of the first seal portion 14 that defines the accommodation space 40 for accommodating the electrolyte membrane 104. On the other hand, the group of beads 17b on the outer peripheral side is provided facing away from the contact surface 18 described later.

[0042] As described above, a bead 15b of the second seal portion 15 is formed on the seal side surface 11. The bead 15b is a bead for sealing each of the flow paths 3 in the cell 100. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the bead 15b protrudes from the seal side surface 11 toward the front. The second seal portion 15 has multiple beads 15b, with a bead 15b for each of the through holes 13a to 13d. For example, as shown in Figure 1, the second seal portion 15 has four beads 15b, and each of the four beads 15b surrounds the through holes 13a to 13d. The second seal portion 15 may have multiple beads 15b for each of the through holes 13a to 13d. In this case, multiple beads 15b surround each of the through holes 13a to 13d, and multiple beads 15b are formed concentrically around each of the through holes 13a to 13d, with their diameters increasing sequentially in the radial direction. Furthermore, the beads 15b surrounding each of the through holes 13a to 13d may be connected to a bead 17b.

[0043] The heights from the seal side surface 11 to the tips of the beads 15b, 16b, and 17b are the same or approximately the same. However, the heights from the seal side surface 11 to the tips of the beads 15b, 16b, and 17b do not necessarily have to be the same.

[0044] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the contact surface 12 has an annular contact surface 18 on its outer circumference and an inner seal surface 16a of the inner seal portion 16 of the first seal portion 14 that forms the housing space 40. The contact surface 18 includes the outer seal surface 17a of the outer seal portion 17 of the first seal portion 14 and the seal surface 15a of the second seal portion 15. The contact surface 18 is the outer circumference portion of the first gasket 10, and the inner seal surface 16a is the inner circumference portion of the first gasket 10. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the inner seal surface 16a is provided on the inner circumference side of the contact surface 18, extends further toward the seal surface 11 than the contact surface 18, and forms a stepped portion 14a on the inner circumference side of the contact surface 18 that is recessed toward the seal surface 11. The stepped portion 14a constitutes the housing space 40 of the gasket device 2.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the contact surface 18 is a portion on the outer peripheral side of the step portion 14a of the contact side surface 12, and is, for example, a surface extending on a flat or substantially flat plane. Further, the contact surface 18 is a surface extending annularly, and has an annular shape corresponding to the shape of the contact side surface 12, and is, for example, circular or substantially circular. The through holes 13a to 13b open to the contact surface 18. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the step portion 14a is a portion on the inner peripheral side of the contact side surface 12 that extends inward from the inner peripheral side end of the contact surface 18.

[0046] The inner seal surface 16a forming the step portion 14a is a surface that contacts the electrolyte membrane 104 housed in the housing space 40 in the gasket device 2, and is also a surface that seals between the electrolyte membrane 104 in the cell 100. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the inner seal surface 16a is, for example, a surface extending on a flat or substantially flat plane. Further, the inner seal surface 16a is a surface extending annularly, and has an annular shape corresponding to the shape of the contact side surface 12, and is, for example, circular or substantially circular. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the step portion 14a is a portion on the inner peripheral side of the contact side surface 12 that extends inward from the inner peripheral side end of the contact surface 18.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the high-rigidity portion 31 does not reach the through hole 15a in the radial direction, and the inner peripheral end 31a, which is the inner peripheral side end of the high-rigidity portion 31, is located on the outer peripheral side of the through hole 15a. That is, the width w1 of the high-rigidity portion 31 is smaller than the radial distance from the outer peripheral end 10a of the gasket 10 to the through hole 15a.

[0048] Furthermore, the height t1 of the high-rigidity portion 31 is such that, for example, in the usage state described later, when the separator 101 and separator 102 are tightened with a predetermined tightening force, the high-rigidity portion 31 contacts the separator 101 and presses against it. The height t1 of the high-rigidity portion 31 is the distance in the x-direction of the central axis between the contact surface 12 and the surface 32 of the high-rigidity portion 31, as shown in Figure 3. The surface 32 is the surface facing the surface side of the high-rigidity portion 31. The height t1 of the high-rigidity portion 31 may also be such that, in the usage state described later, when the separator 101 and separator 102 are tightened with a predetermined tightening force, the high-rigidity portion 31 does not contact the separator 101, or it may be such that even if it contacts the separator 101, it does not press against it. The surface 32 is located on the contact surface 12 side of the tips of the beads 15b, 16b, and 17b. Furthermore, the surface 32 may be located at the same position as the seal side surface 11 in the direction of the central axis x, or it may be located at a different position from the seal side surface 11. Also, the back surface 33 of the high-rigidity portion 31, which is the surface facing away from the surface 32, is, for example, flush with or substantially flush with the contact side surface 12. Note that the back surface 33 of the high-rigidity portion 31 may be located at a different position from the contact side surface 12 in the direction of the central axis x.

[0049] The fiber body 30 extends into the high-rigidity portion 31. The fiber body 30 extends into the high-rigidity portion 31, for example, in a continuous annular shape. Also, as shown in Figure 3, the fiber body 30 spreads across the entire or substantially the entire high-rigidity portion 31 in cross-section. Note that the fiber body 30 does not have to extend in a continuous annular shape; for example, it may extend intermittently in an annular shape. Also, the fiber body 30 does not have to spread across the entire high-rigidity portion 31 in cross-section; the fiber body 30 may spread across a part of the high-rigidity portion 31 in cross-section. Furthermore, the spread of the fiber body 30 in the cross-section of the high-rigidity portion 31 does not have to be uniform over the entire circumference; the spread of the fiber body 30 in the cross-section of the high-rigidity portion 31 may vary over the entire circumference.

[0050] The first gasket 10 has the above-described structure and is integrally formed from an elastic material. The elastic material of the first gasket 10 is, for example, rubber. Specifically, the elastic material of the first gasket 10 can be, for example, ethylene propylene rubber (EPM), ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), fluororubber (FKM), silicone rubber (VMQ), etc.

[0051] In the gasket 10, the high-rigidity portion 31 is also integrated with the other parts of the gasket 10. For example, a fibrous body 30 of a predetermined size and shape and an elastic material such as rubber fabric that forms the gasket 10 are placed together in a mold and compressed to form the gasket 10 as a single unit.

[0052] Furthermore, the above description of the first gasket 10, particularly the description of its shape, refers to the first gasket 10 in an undeformed state, for example, in the state shown in the design drawings or other design-related documents.

[0053] The first gasket 10 has the above-described configuration, with the fiber body 30 extending along the high-rigidity portion 31 along the outer peripheral edge 10a. As a result, the high-rigidity portion 31 is more rigid than other parts of the gasket 10 and is less prone to deformation.

[0054] The second gasket 20 has the same configuration as the first gasket 10 and has the same or similar shape as the first gasket 10. For example, the second gasket 20 is the same as or substantially the same as the first gasket 10, and the only difference between the first gasket 10 and the second gasket 20 is whether they are used to seal the anode chamber S1 in the cell 100 or to seal the cathode chamber S2 by inversion, as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

[0055] As described above, the configuration of the second gasket 20 is the same as that of the first gasket 10, and the second gasket 20 has the same configuration as the first gasket 10, as shown in Figures 1 to 3. In Figures 1 to 3, the reference numerals for the components of the second gasket 20 are shown in parentheses, and the corresponding reference numerals for the components of the second gasket 20 are shown next to the reference numerals for the components of the first gasket 10.

[0056] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the second gasket 20 has an outer circumference 20a and an inner circumference 20b that correspond to the outer circumference 10a and inner circumference 10b of the first gasket 10, respectively. The second gasket 20 also has a sealing side surface 21 and a contact side surface 22 that correspond to the sealing side surface 11 and contact side surface 12 of the first gasket 10, respectively. The second gasket 20 also has through holes 23 (23a, 23b, 23c, 23d) that correspond to the through holes 13 (13a, 13b, 13c, 13d) of the first gasket 10, respectively. Furthermore, the second gasket 20 has a first sealing portion 24 and a second sealing portion 25 that correspond to the first sealing portion 14 and the second sealing portion 15 of the first gasket 10, respectively, and has a step portion 24a, an inner sealing portion 26, an inner sealing surface 26a, a bead 26b, an outer sealing portion 27, an outer sealing surface 27a, a bead 27b, a sealing surface 25a, and a bead 25b that correspond to the step portion 14a, an inner sealing portion 16, an inner sealing surface 16a, a bead 16b, an outer sealing portion 17, an outer sealing surface 17a, a bead 17b, a sealing surface 15a, and a bead 15b, respectively. In addition, the second gasket 20 has a contact surface 28 and a projection 29 that correspond to the contact surface 18 and projection 19 of the first gasket 10, respectively. Furthermore, the second gasket 20 has a fiber body 35, a high-rigidity portion 36, an inner circumferential end 36a of the high-rigidity portion 36, a surface 37 of the high-rigidity portion 36, and a back surface 38 of the high-rigidity portion 36, which correspond to the fiber body 30, high-rigidity portion 31, inner circumferential end 31a of the high-rigidity portion 31, surface 32 of the high-rigidity portion 31, and back surface 33 of the high-rigidity portion 31 of the first gasket 10, respectively.

[0057] As described above, the second gasket 20 is the same as or substantially the same as the first gasket 10, and therefore the contact surface 28 of the second gasket 20 can contact the contact surface 18 of the first gasket 10 in a manner that coincides with or substantially coincides with each other. Also, the stepped portion 24a of the second gasket 20 can face the stepped portion 14a of the first gasket 10 in a manner that coincides with or substantially coincides with each other when viewed in the direction of contact. In other words, when the contact surface 28 of the second gasket 20 contacts the contact surface 18 of the first gasket 10, the inner sealing surface 26a of the second gasket 20 faces the inner sealing surface 16a of the first gasket 10, and coincides with or substantially coincides with each other when viewed in the direction of contact. As a result, the stepped portion 24a faces the stepped portion 14a in a manner that coincides with or substantially coincides with each other when viewed in the direction of contact, and the accommodating space 40 is formed. Furthermore, when the contact surface 28 of the second gasket 20 contacts the contact surface 18 of the first gasket 10, the beads 25b, 26b, and 27b of the second gasket 20 face away from the beads 15b, 16b, and 17b of the first gasket 10, respectively, and are aligned or nearly aligned when viewed in the direction of contact. Also, when the contact surface 28 of the second gasket 20 contacts the contact surface 18 of the first gasket 10, the projection 29 of the second gasket 20 faces away from the projection 19 of the first gasket 10, and are aligned or nearly aligned when viewed in the direction of contact.

[0058] Furthermore, when the contact surface 28 of the second gasket 20 contacts the contact surface 18 of the first gasket 10, the high-rigidity portion 36 of the second gasket 20 contacts the high-rigidity portion 31 of the first gasket 10, and they coincide or substantially coincide when viewed in the direction of contact. For this reason, when the contact surface 28 of the second gasket 20 contacts the contact surface 18 of the first gasket 10, the fibrous body 35 of the second gasket 20 faces the fibrous body 30 of the first gasket 10, and they coincide or substantially coincide when viewed in the direction of contact.

[0059] The second gasket 20 has the above-described structure and is integrally formed from the same elastic material as the first gasket 10. The elastic material of the second gasket 20 is, for example, rubber. Specifically, the elastic material of the second gasket 20 may be, for example, ethylene propylene rubber (EPM), ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), fluororubber (FKM), silicone rubber (VMQ), etc. Also, in the second gasket 20, similar to the first gasket 10 described above, the high-rigidity portion 36 is integrated with the other parts of the second gasket 20. Note that, similar to the description of the first gasket 10, the description of the second gasket 20 above, particularly the description of its shape, describes the second gasket 20 in an undeformed state, for example, in the state shown in the design drawings or other design-stage descriptions.

[0060] The second gasket 20 has the configuration described above, with the fiber body 35 extending along the high-rigidity portion 36 along the outer peripheral edge 20a. As a result, the high-rigidity portion 36 is more rigid than other parts of the gasket 20 and is less prone to deformation.

[0061] Next, the operation of the first gasket 10 and the second gasket 20 having the above-described configuration, and the operation of the gasket device 2 will be explained. In order to assemble the cell 100, the first gasket 10 and the second gasket 20 are assembled with the electrolyte membrane 104 in between, as shown in Figure 4, to assemble the gasket device 2 and the membrane assembly 103. The assembled gasket device 2 and membrane assembly 103 are then sandwiched between a pair of separators 101 and 102 to assemble the cell 100. Note that the cell 100 in the assembled state shown in Figure 4 is in a free state, and no external force is applied to the cell 100.

[0062] As described above, the first gasket 10 and the second gasket 20 are the same or substantially the same. Therefore, in the assembled gasket device 2, each component of the first gasket 10 coincides with or substantially coincides with the component of the second gasket 20 that is symmetrically positioned with respect to the symmetry plane P in the first gasket 10, in the direction of the central axis x. As shown in Figure 4, in the assembled gasket device 2, in the direction of the central axis x, the first gasket 10 and the second gasket 20 face opposite each other, and the contact surface 18 of the first gasket 10 and the contact surface 28 of the second gasket 20 are in contact. Specifically, the entire or substantially entire contact surface 18 of the first gasket 10 and the entire or substantially entire contact surface 28 of the second gasket 20 are in contact. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, in the assembled gasket device 2, the stepped portion 14a of the first gasket 10 and the stepped portion 24a of the second gasket 20 face each other in the direction of the central axis x, forming a housing space 40. In the gasket device 2, in which the gasket device 2 and the membrane assembly 103 are assembled, the end portion 104a of the electrolyte membrane 104 of the membrane assembly 103 is housed in the housing space 40 of the gasket device 1. The inner sealing surface 16a of the first gasket 10 and the inner sealing surface 26a of the second gasket 20 are in contact with the electrolyte membrane 104 over their entire circumference. In addition, in the gasket device 2 in which the gasket device 2 and the membrane assembly 103 are assembled, gaps may be formed between the inner sealing surface 16a of the first gasket 10 and the electrolyte membrane 104, between the inner sealing surface 26a of the second gasket 20 and the electrolyte membrane 104, or between the inner sealing surface 16a and the electrolyte membrane 104 and between the inner sealing surface 26a and the electrolyte membrane 104.

[0063] As described above, in the first gasket 10, the positions of the through holes 13a and 13b are symmetrical or approximately symmetrical with respect to the plane of symmetry P, and in the second gasket 20, the positions of the through holes 23a and 23b are symmetrical or approximately symmetrical with respect to the plane of symmetry P. Therefore, as shown in Figures 4 and 6, in the assembled gasket device 1, the through hole 23b of the second gasket 20 faces the through hole 13a of the first gasket 10, and the through holes 13a and 23b communicate with each other. As a result, the through hole 4a is formed in the gasket device 2. Similarly, as shown in Figure 6, in the assembled gasket device 2, the through hole 23a of the second gasket 10 faces the through hole 13b of the first gasket 10, and the through holes 13b and 23a communicate with each other. As a result, the through hole 4b is formed in the gasket device 2. Similarly, in the first gasket 10, the through holes 13c and 13d are symmetrical or nearly symmetrical with respect to the plane of symmetry P, and in the second gasket 20, the through holes 23c and 23d are symmetrical or nearly symmetrical with respect to the plane of symmetry P. Therefore, as shown in Figure 6, in the assembled gasket device 2, the through hole 23d of the second gasket 20 faces the through hole 13c of the first gasket 10, and the through holes 13c and 23d communicate with each other. As a result, the through hole 4c is formed in the gasket device 2. Similarly, as shown in Figure 6, in the assembled gasket device 2, the through hole 23c of the second gasket 20 faces the through hole 13d of the first gasket 10, and the through holes 13d and 23c communicate with each other. As a result, the through hole 4d is formed in the gasket device 2.

[0064] As described above, the gasket device 2, which is assembled with the film bonding body 103, is sandwiched between separators 101 and 102, as shown in Figure 4, thereby assembling the cell 100. Specifically, separator 101 is positioned opposite the sealing side surface 11 of the first gasket 10 of the gasket device 2 and in contact with the first gasket 10, and separator 102 is positioned opposite the sealing side surface 21 of the second gasket 20 of the gasket device 1 and in contact with the second gasket 20.

[0065] In the assembled cell 100, separator 101 is in contact with beads 15b, 16b, and 17b, facing the first gasket 10. Separator 102 is in contact with beads 25b, 26b, and 27b, facing the second gasket 20. Also in the assembled cell 100, the high-rigidity portion 31 of the first gasket 10 is in contact with the high-rigidity portion 36 of the second gasket 20. In the assembled cell 100, separators 101 and 102 are tightened with a predetermined tightening force, a force is applied to separator 101 in the direction toward separator 102, and a force is applied to separator 102 in the direction toward separator 101, and the cell 100 becomes ready for use.

[0066] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing cell 100 in use with a tightening load applied. In cell 100 in use, the beads 16b and 17b of the first gasket 10 are pressed against the separator 101, and the inner sealing surface 16a of the first gasket 10 is pressed against the electrolyte membrane 104, thereby sealing the anode chamber S1. Also in cell 100 in use, the beads 26b and 27b of the second gasket 20 are pressed against the separator 102, and the inner sealing surface 26a of the second gasket 20 is pressed against the electrolyte membrane 104, thereby sealing the cathode chamber S2. Contact between the inner sealing surfaces 16a and 26a in the containment space 40 and the electrolyte membrane 104 prevents communication between the anode chamber S1 and the cathode chamber S2, so-called cross-leakage. Furthermore, the contact surface 18 of the first gasket 10 and the contact surface 28 of the second gasket 20 are in contact, thereby preventing the sealed material in the anode chamber S1 from blowing out of the cell 100, and also preventing the sealed material in the cathode chamber S2 from blowing out of the cell 100. In the cell 100 in use, the contact surface 18 of the first gasket 10 and the contact surface 28 of the second gasket 20 are pressed against each other, and the space between the contact surfaces 18 and 28 is more firmly sealed.

[0067] Furthermore, in the cell 100 in use, the bead 15b of the first gasket 10 is pressed against the separator 101, and the bead 25b of the second gasket 20 is pressed against the separator 102. As a result, the through holes 3a to 3d between the separator 101 and the separator 102 are sealed to form a flow path 4.

[0068] Furthermore, in the first gasket 10, the inner circumference bead 16b is provided facing away from the inner sealing surface 16a, and similarly, in the second gasket 20, the inner circumference bead 26b is provided facing away from the inner sealing surface 26a. As a result, in the cell 100 in use, the bead 16b is pressed against the separator 101, further pressing the inner sealing surface 16a against the electrolyte membrane 104. Similarly, in the cell 100 in use, the bead 26b is pressed against the separator 102, further pressing the inner sealing surface 26a against the electrolyte membrane 104. Furthermore, in the first gasket 10, the outer circumference bead 17b is provided facing away from the contact surface 18, and similarly, in the second gasket 20, the outer circumference bead 27b is provided facing away from the contact surface 28. Therefore, in the cell 100 in use, the bead 17b is pressed against the separator 101, further pressing its contact surface 18 against the contact surface 28 of the second gasket 20. Similarly, in the cell 100 in use, the bead 27b is pressed against the separator 102, further pressing its contact surface 28 against the contact surface 18 of the first gasket 10. In this way, since the multiple beads 16b, 17b, 26b, and 27b are formed separately on the inner and outer circumference sides, the anode chamber S1 and cathode chamber S2 are more firmly sealed, further preventing the sealed material in the anode chamber S1 from blowing out of the cell 100, and further preventing the sealed material in the cathode chamber S2 from blowing out of the cell 100.

[0069] Furthermore, in use, the high-rigidity portion 31 of the first gasket 10 and the high-rigidity portion 36 of the second gasket 20 are in contact with and pressed against the separator 101 and the separator 102, respectively. However, in use, the high-rigidity portion 31 of the first gasket 10 and the high-rigidity portion 36 of the second gasket 20 do not necessarily have to be in contact with the separator 101 and the separator 102, and even if they are in contact with the separator 101 and the separator 102, they do not necessarily have to be pressed against the separator 101 and the separator 102.

[0070] The first gasket 10 and the second gasket 20 each have a high-rigidity portion 31 and a high-rigidity portion 36, respectively. Therefore, the first gasket 10 and the second gasket 20 are less prone to deformation in the high-rigidity portion 31 and the high-rigidity portion 36, respectively. As a result, even if the sealed objects in the anode chamber S1, the cathode chamber S2, and the flow path 3 become high pressure, deformation of the first gasket 10 and the second gasket 20 can be suppressed. Specifically, because the high-rigidity portion 31 located on the outer circumference is less prone to deformation, deformation of the beads 16b and 17b of the first gasket 10, as well as the inner sealing surface 16a and outer sealing surface 17b, due to the high-pressure sealed objects in the anode chamber S1 can be suppressed on the inner circumference. Furthermore, because the high-rigidity portion 31 located on the outer circumference is less prone to deformation, deformation of the bead 15b and sealing surface 15a of the first gasket 10 due to high-pressure sealed objects in the flow path 3 can be suppressed on the inner circumference. Similarly, because the high-rigidity portion 36 located on the outer circumference is less prone to deformation, deformation of the beads 26b, 27b, inner sealing surface 26a, and outer sealing surface 27b of the second gasket 20 due to high-pressure sealed objects in the cathode chamber S2 can be suppressed on the inner circumference. Also, because the high-rigidity portion 36 located on the outer circumference is less prone to deformation, deformation of the bead 25b and sealing surface 25a of the second gasket 20 due to high-pressure sealed objects in the flow path 3 can be suppressed on the inner circumference.

[0071] In this way, the high-rigidity parts 31 and 35 can suppress deformation of the first gasket 10 and the second gasket 20 even when the sealed objects in the anode chamber S1, the cathode chamber S2, and the flow path 3 are subjected to high pressure. Therefore, the high-rigidity parts 31 and 35 can suppress the decrease in sealing performance of the first gasket 10 and the second gasket 20 due to the high pressure of the sealed objects. Thus, the first gasket 10 and the second gasket 20 have higher sealing performance with respect to pressure. For this reason, the first gasket 10 and the second gasket 10 can improve the productivity of each cell 100.

[0072] Furthermore, the high-rigidity parts 31 and 35 can suppress deformation of the first gasket 10 and the second gasket 20, which are in a free state, respectively. As a result, the first gasket 10 and the second gasket 20 are easy to handle.

[0073] As described above, the gasket 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention can have higher sealing performance with respect to pressure.

[0074] Next, a gasket 50 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0075] The gasket 50 according to the second embodiment of the present invention differs from the gasket 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention in that it is configured to seal the anode chamber S1 or the cathode chamber S2 in the cell on its own.Hereafter, for the gasket 50, components that have the same configuration or function as those of the gasket 10 described above will be denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions will be omitted, while components that differ from those of the gasket 10 will be described.

[0076] The gasket 50 has the same shape as the gasket device 2, but does not have a housing space 40. Also, the gasket 50 is formed as a single piece and is not assembled by stacking two gaskets 10 together, as in the gasket device 2. As will be described later, two gaskets 50 together form a gasket device that corresponds to the function of the gasket device 2.

[0077] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the gasket 50. Figure 8 shows a cross-section of the gasket 50 that corresponds to the cross-section of the gasket 10 shown in Figure 3. The gasket 50 is formed in an annular shape from the same elastic material as the gasket 10 and has a pair of annular surfaces, a first side surface 51 and a second side surface 52, which are opposite to each other. The first side surface 51 has the same or similar configuration as the sealing side surface 11 of the first gasket 10 in the gasket device 2. On the other hand, the second side surface 52 has the same or similar configuration as the sealing side surface 21 of the second gasket 20 in the gasket device 2. Specifically, the first side surface 51 and the second side surface 52 of the gasket 50 have the same configuration as the sealing sides 11 and 21 shown in Figure 1, respectively. Note that the gasket 50 may have only one bead each of 16b, 17b, 26b, and 27b.

[0078] The gasket 50 does not have the contact surface 12 of the gasket 10. Therefore, the first sealing portion 14 of the gasket 50 does not have the inner sealing surface 16a of the inner sealing portion 16 and the outer sealing surface 17a of the outer sealing portion 17, nor does it have a stepped portion 14a. Similarly, the first sealing portion 24 of the gasket 50 does not have the inner sealing surface 26a of the inner sealing portion 26 and the outer sealing surface 27a of the outer sealing portion 27, nor does it have a stepped portion 24a. Furthermore, the second sealing portion 15 of the gasket 50 does not have a sealing surface 15a, and the second sealing portion 25 does not have a sealing surface 25a. In the gasket 50, the first sealing portion 14 and the second sealing portion 15 are formed on the first side surface 51, and the first sealing portion 24 and the second sealing portion 25 are formed on the second side surface 52.

[0079] Furthermore, the gasket 50 has through holes 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d, which penetrate between the first side surface 51 and the second side surface 52. In the gasket 50, the through holes 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d are continuous through holes, and unlike the through holes 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d of the gasket device 2, the through holes 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d are not formed by overlapping with the through holes 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d.

[0080] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the gasket 50 has a high-rigidity portion 53 along its outer peripheral edge 50a, and a fibrous body 30 extends in an annular shape from the high-rigidity portion 53. The high-rigidity portion 53 is an integral part of the high-rigidity portion 31 and high-rigidity portion 36 in the gasket device 2, and is provided in the outer peripheral edge 50a and the annular region connected to the outer peripheral edge 50a. As shown in Figure 8, the radial width of the high-rigidity portion 53 is w1, similar to the high-rigidity portions 31 and 36. In the high-rigidity portion 53, as with the high-rigidity portions 31 and 36 described above, the fibrous body 30 extends. Also, the high-rigidity portion 53 is formed in the same way as the high-rigidity portions 31 and 36 and is integrated with the other parts of the gasket 50.

[0081] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the gasket 50 in use with a tightening load applied. As shown in Figure 9, the cell 110 in which the gasket 50 is used has a separator 111 with a different shape from the separators 101 and 102 of the cell 100 described above, and the gasket 50 is sandwiched between the separators 111 to seal the anode chamber S1, the cathode chamber S2, and the flow path 3. In cell 110 as well, the anode chamber S1 and the cathode chamber S2 are separated by the electrolyte membrane 104 of the membrane assembly 103.

[0082] As shown in Figure 9, the cell 110 has three separators 111. Each separator 111 is an annular plate-shaped member, having a pair of annular surfaces, side 111a and side 111b, that face away from each other, and a through hole 111c defined on its inner circumference. An annular stepped portion 111d connected to the through hole 111c is formed on the inner circumference of side 111a of the separator 111, and the end portion 104a of the electrolyte membrane 104 is housed in this stepped portion 111d, so that the electrolyte membrane 104 is supported by the separator 111.

[0083] As shown in Figure 9, in the cell 110 in use, the electrolyte membrane 104 of the membrane assembly 103 is housed in the stepped portion 111d of each separator 111, and the through hole 111c in each separator 111 is covered by the electrolyte membrane 104. In the cell 110, three separators 111 are stacked, and a gasket 50 is placed between two adjacent separators 111, with the gasket 50 sandwiched between the two separators 111 that are tightened with a predetermined tightening force. As a result, a sealed space is formed between the electrolyte membrane 104 of one separator 111 and the electrolyte membrane 104 of the other separator 111. In cell 110, the space sealed between two adjacent separators 111 of one of the three separators 111 is the anode chamber S1, and the space sealed between two adjacent separators 111 of the other of the three separators 111 is the cathode chamber S2.

[0084] As shown in Figure 9, between two adjacent separators 111, the beads 15b, 16b, and 17b of the gasket 50 are in contact with and pressed against the side surface 111b of one separator 111. Also, the beads 25b and 27b of the gasket 50 are in contact with and pressed against the side surface 111a of the other separator 111. Furthermore, the bead 26b of the gasket 50 is in contact with and pressed against the electrolyte membrane 104 supported by the other separator 111. Also, as shown in Figure 9, between two adjacent separators 111, the pair of surfaces 53a and 53b of the high-rigidity portion 53 of the gasket 50 are in contact with and pressed against the side surface 111b of one separator 111 and the side surface 111a of the other separator 111, respectively. Furthermore, the surfaces 53a and 53b of the high-rigidity portion 53 do not necessarily have to be in contact with the side surface 111b of one separator 111 and the side surface 111a of the other separator 111, nor do they necessarily have to be pressed against the other even if they are in contact.

[0085] The gasket 50 functions in the same way as the gasket 10 under operating conditions and produces the same effect. The high-rigidity portion 53 also functions in the same way as the high-rigidity portions 31 and 36 of the gasket 10 and produces the same effect.

[0086] As described above, the gasket 50 according to the second embodiment of the present invention can have higher sealing performance with respect to pressure.

[0087] Although the present invention has been described above through the embodiments described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the embodiments above. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the embodiments described above. It will be clear from the claims that such modified or improved forms may also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0088] The embodiments described above are for the purpose of facilitating understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit its interpretation. Furthermore, the embodiments described above do not limit the scope of application of the present invention, and the present invention may encompass anything as its target application. The components of the above embodiments, as well as their arrangement, materials, conditions, shapes, and sizes, are not limited to those exemplified and can be modified as appropriate. For example, the present invention includes differences that arise in the implementation of manufacturing tolerances, etc. Furthermore, components shown in different embodiments can be partially substituted or combined to the extent that they do not contradict each other in a technical sense. In addition, each configuration can be selectively combined as appropriate to achieve at least some of the problems and effects described above.

[0089] For example, within the range in which the above-described effects are achieved, the second gasket 20 does not have to be exactly the same as the first gasket 10, but may be substantially the same, for example.

[0090] In the above explanation, gaskets 10 (first gasket 10 and second gasket 20) and 50 were described as being applicable to a water electrolysis apparatus as an example. However, the applications of gaskets 10 and 50 are not limited to water electrolysis apparatuses. For example, gaskets 10 and 50 can be used similarly in fuel cell cells. Gaskets 10 and 50 function similarly and produce similar effects in fuel cell cells. Furthermore, gaskets 10 and 50 can improve the output of fuel cell cells.

[0091] 1 Water electrolysis device, 2 Gasket device, 3 Flow path, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d Through holes, 10 Gasket, 10a Outer circumference end, 10b Inner circumference end, 11 Seal side, 12 Contact side, 13, 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d Through holes, 14 First seal part, 14a Stepped part, 15 Second seal part, 15a Seal surface, 15b Bead, 16 Inner seal part, 16a Inner seal surface, 16b Bead, 17 Outer seal part, 17a Outer seal surface, 17b Bead, 18 Contact surface, 20 Gasket, 20a Outer circumference end, 20b Inner circumference end, 21 Seal side, 22 Contact side, 23, 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d Through holes, 24 First seal part, 24a Stepped part, 25 Second seal portion, 25a sealing surface, 25b bead, 26 inner seal portion, 26a inner seal surface, 26b bead, 27 outer seal portion, 27a outer seal surface, 27b bead, 28 contact surface, 30 fiber body, 31 high rigidity portion, 31a inner circumferential end, 32 surface, 33 back surface, 35 fiber body, 36 high rigidity portion, 36a inner circumferential end, 37 surface, 38 back surface, 40 housing space, 50 gasket, 50a outer circumferential end, 51, 52 side surface, 53 high rigidity portion, 53a, 53b surface, 100, 110 cell, 101, 102, 111 separator, 101a surface, 101b recess, 101c to 101f through hole, 103 membrane assembly, 104 electrolyte membrane, 104a End portion, 104b Outer edge, 105 Anode catalyst layer, 106 Cathode catalyst layer, 107, 108 Diffusion layer, 111a, 111b Side surface, 111c Through hole, 111d Step portion, P Symmetrical plane, R1 Primary material, R2 Fiber material, R3 Elastic material, S1 Anode chamber (space), S2 Cathode chamber (space), t1 Height, w1 Width, x Central axis

Claims

A gasket for sealing the space between each of a pair of opposing members and an intermediate member facing each of the pair of members in the opposing direction, The gasket is formed in an annular shape from an elastic material, The first and second sides are a pair of annular surfaces facing away from each other, Multiple through holes penetrating between the first side surface and the second side surface, A first sealing portion for sealing the aforementioned space, On the outer periphery of the first sealing portion, there are a plurality of second sealing portions surrounding each of the plurality of through holes, A fibrous body formed from fibers, The fibrous material is provided along the annular end of the gasket. gasket. 　 The fibrous material is covered with the elastic material. The gasket according to claim 1. 　 The fibrous body has a plurality of gaps inside the fibrous body, The elastic material is impregnated into the gap. The gasket according to claim 2. 　 The aforementioned fibrous material is arranged in a ring shape. The gasket according to claim 1. 　 The annular end of the gasket is the outer end, The gasket according to claim 1. 　 The fibrous material is provided at the end and in an annular region connected to the end. The gasket according to claim 1. 　 The aforementioned fibrous material is a cloth. The gasket according to claim 1. 　 The first sealing portion has at least one annular bead, The second sealing portion has at least one annular bead. The gasket according to claim 1. 　 The fibrous material is located on the outer circumference side of the second sealing portion. The gasket according to claim 1. 　 The gasket is configured such that one gasket is inverted and placed on top of the other gasket to seal the space. The first side is the sealing side, The second side is the contact side, The first seal portion and the second seal portion are formed on the seal side surface. The gasket according to claim 1. 　 The first sealing portion and the second sealing portion are formed on the first side surface and the second side surface, respectively. The gasket according to claim 1. 　 The pair of members are separators for cells in a water electrolysis device or fuel cell. The intermediate member is the electrolyte membrane of the cell. The gasket according to claim 1.

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