Gasket and gasket device

Abstract

A gasket (2) is provided with a gasket member (10) and a support member (30). The gasket member (10) comprises a seal side surface (11), a contact side surface (12), and a plurality of through holes (16). The gasket member (10) comprises: a first seal portion (13) and a second seal portion (14) that seal an anode chamber (S1) or a cathode chamber (S2); and a third seal portion (15) that seals some of a plurality of flow paths (109) with respect to the anode chamber (S1) or the cathode chamber (S2). The first seal portion (13) defines, along the seal side surface (11), communication regions (17) that provide communication between each of the others of the plurality of flow paths (109) and the anode chamber (S1) or the cathode chamber (S2). The support member (30) is provided in each of the communication regions (17), and comprises an annular protruding portion (34) that contacts one of separators (101, 102) and protrudes on the side of the other of the separators (101, 102). The protruding portion (34) can be accommodated in the through hole (16) communicating with the communication regions (17).

Description

Gasket and gasket device

[0001] The present invention relates to a gasket and a gasket device.

[0002] A gasket is provided in each cell of a hydrogen generator 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, seals the space between each separator and the electrolyte membrane, prevents leakage of fluid in the space inside these cells, and also prevents mixing of fluids in each space (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

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

[0004] When assembling a hydrogen generator or a fuel cell, in each cell, the gasket is tightened and compressed between the separators. If the gasket is compressed too much, the filling rate of the gasket becomes excessive and the gasket may be damaged. Therefore, in the cell tightening process, the crushing allowance of the gasket is managed by managing the tightening load, the distance between the separators, etc., so that the gasket is not in an over-compressed state.

[0005] Thus, for a conventional gasket, in the cell tightening process, it is necessary to manage the crushing allowance of the gasket, which complicates the cell assembly process. Therefore, a configuration that can simplify the cell assembly process has been demanded for conventional gaskets.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a gasket and a gasket device that can simplify the cell assembly process.

[0007] To achieve the above objective, 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 facing each of the pair of members in the opposing direction, wherein the gasket is configured such that one gasket is inverted and superimposed on the other gasket to seal the space, and comprises an annular gasket member formed of an elastic material and a support member formed of a resin material, wherein the gasket member has a pair of annular surfaces facing each other, namely a sealing side surface and a contact side surface, and a plurality of through holes on the outer circumference of the intermediate member, each included in a plurality of flow channels extending in the opposing direction between the pair of members, and one of the pair of members The device has a first sealing portion and a second sealing portion that seal the space between the intermediate member and the other member, and a third sealing portion for sealing a portion of the plurality of flow paths in the space between one of the pair of members and the intermediate member, wherein the first sealing portion defines a communication region along the sealing side surface, which is a region that connects the through holes included in each of the other portions of the plurality of flow paths to the space between one of the pair of members and the intermediate member, and the support member is provided in each of the communication regions and is in contact with one of the pair of members, and has an annular projection that protrudes to the other side of the pair of members, and the projection is accommodating the through hole that communicates with the communication region.

[0008] In a gasket according to one aspect of the present invention, the first sealing portion has a bead protruding from the sealing side surface, and the third sealing portion has a bead protruding from the sealing side surface, and in the opposing directions, the bead protrudes more than the support member in the direction in which the bead protrudes.

[0009] In a gasket according to one aspect of the present invention, the support member has a through hole that communicates with the through hole that communicates with the communication region.

[0010] In a gasket according to one aspect of the present invention, the support member has a passage that connects each of the other passages with the space between one of the pair of members and the intermediate member.

[0011] In a gasket according to one aspect of the present invention, the flow path is formed by a recess that is recessed on the inner side of the support member.

[0012] In a gasket according to one aspect of the present invention, the support member has a pair of surfaces facing away from each other and is plate-shaped.

[0013] In a gasket according to one aspect of the present invention, the first sealing portion surrounds the through holes included in each of the other flow paths on the inner circumference side on the sealing side surface, and the third sealing portion surrounds the through holes included in each of the other flow paths on the inner circumference side on the outer circumference side of the first sealing portion on the sealing side surface.

[0014] 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.

[0015] To achieve the above objective, the gasket device according to the present invention is a gasket device 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, comprising an annular first gasket and an annular second gasket, wherein the first gasket has an annular gasket member formed from an elastic material and a support member formed from a resin material, the gasket member has a pair of annular surfaces facing each other, namely a sealing side surface and a contact side surface, a plurality of through holes on the outer circumference of the intermediate member that are each included in a plurality of flow channels extending in the opposing direction between the pair of members, a first sealing portion and a second sealing portion that seal the space between one of the pair of members and the intermediate member, and a portion of the plurality of flow channels that seal the space between one of the pair of members and the intermediate member. The first seal portion has a third seal portion for sealing the space, and the first seal portion defines a communication region along the seal side surface, which is a region that connects the through holes included in each of the other parts of the plurality of flow paths to the space between one of the pair of members and the intermediate member, and the support member is provided in each of the communication regions and is in contact with one of the pair of members and has an annular projection that protrudes to the other side of the pair of members, the projection being accommodating in the through holes that communicate with the communication region, the second gasket is the same as the first gasket, and the contact side surface of the gasket member of the first gasket and the contact side surface of the gasket member of the second gasket are brought into contact with each other, so that the first gasket and the second gasket are stacked and the space is sealed.

[0016] In a gasket device according to one aspect of the present invention, the first seal portion has a bead protruding from the seal side surface, and the third seal portion has a bead protruding from the seal side surface, and in the opposing directions, the bead protrudes more than the support member in the direction in which the bead protrudes.

[0017] In a gasket device according to one aspect of the present invention, the support member has a through hole that communicates with the through hole that communicates with the communication region.

[0018] In a gasket device according to one aspect of the present invention, the support member has a passage that connects each of the other passages with the space between one of the pair of members and the intermediate member.

[0019] In a gasket device according to one aspect of the present invention, the flow path is formed by a recess that is recessed on the inner side of the support member.

[0020] In a gasket device according to one aspect of the present invention, the support member has a pair of surfaces facing away from each other and is plate-shaped.

[0021] In a gasket device according to one aspect of the present invention, the first seal portion surrounds the through holes included in each of the other flow paths on the inner circumference side on the seal side, and the third seal portion surrounds the through holes included in each of the other flow paths on the inner circumference side on the outer circumference side of the first seal portion on the seal side.

[0022] In a gasket device according to one aspect of the present invention, the pair of members are separators for a water electrolyzer or a fuel cell cell, and the intermediate member is the electrolyte membrane of the cell.

[0023] The gasket and gasket apparatus according to the present invention can simplify the cell assembly process.

[0024] This is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing a gasket device and a water electrolysis apparatus equipped with a gasket according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is a front view of the gasket device. This is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section along line A-A in Figure 2. This is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section along line B1-B1 or line B2-B2 in Figure 2. This is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a cross section in Figure 4. This is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section along line C1-C1 or line C2-C2 in Figure 2. This is a front view of the gasket member. This is a rear view of the gasket member. This is a front view of the support member of the gasket member. This is a rear view of the support member.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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 faces each of the pair of members in the opposing direction. Furthermore, the gasket device according to the present invention is a gasket device for sealing the space between each of a pair of opposing members and an intermediate member that faces each of these members in the opposing direction. These opposing pair of members and intermediate member are, for example, a pair of separators and an electrolyte membrane used in cells such as hydrogen generators and fuel cells. As an example, the gasket and gasket device according to the embodiment of the present invention are for sealing the space between each of a pair of opposing separators and an electrolyte membrane in a cell of a water electrolysis device of a hydrogen generator. However, the application of the gasket device according to the present invention is not limited to this and includes other applications.

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a water electrolysis apparatus 4 equipped with a gasket 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The water electrolysis apparatus 4 is equipped with a gasket 2. The gasket 2 is used by inverting and stacking one of the gaskets 2 (gasket 3) on top of the other gasket 2. As shown in Figure 1, the gasket 2 is designed to seal 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 4. The gasket 2 comprises an annular gasket member 10 made of an elastic material and a support member 30 made of a resin material. The gasket member 10 has a pair of annular surfaces facing away from each other, namely a sealing side surface 11 and a contact side surface 12, and a plurality of through holes 16 each included in a plurality of flow channels 109 that extend in opposing directions between separator 101 and separator 102 on the outer circumference side of the electrolyte membrane 104. The gasket member 10 also has a first sealing portion 13 and a second sealing portion 14 that seal the space S1 or space S2 between one of separator 101, 102 and the electrolyte membrane 104, and a third sealing portion 15 for sealing a portion of the plurality of flow channels 109 to the space S1 or S2 between one of separator 101, 102 and the electrolyte membrane 104. The first sealing portion 13 defines a communication region 17 along the sealing side surface 11, which is a region that connects each of the other portions of the plurality of flow channels 109 to the space S1 or space S2 between one of separator 101, 102 and the electrolyte membrane 104. The support members 30 are provided in each of the communication regions 17 and are in contact with one of the separators 101 and 102. They also have annular projections 34 that protrude from the other side of the separators 101 and 102. The projections 34 can be accommodated in a through hole 16 that communicates with the communication region 17. The configuration of the gasket 10 will be described in detail below.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1, the second sealing portion 14 is formed by the inner circumferential end of the contact surface 12. When another gasket 2 (gasket 3) is placed on top of gasket 2 inverted, the second sealing portion 14 of the gasket member 10 of gasket 2 faces the second sealing portion 14 of the gasket member 10 of the other gasket 2 in the inversion direction, and faces the outer circumferential end of the electrolyte membrane 104. An annular gap open to the inner circumferential side may be formed between the second sealing portion 14 of the gasket member 10 of gasket 2 and the second sealing portion 14 of the gasket member 10 of the other gasket 2. In this case, the outer circumferential end of the electrolyte membrane 104 can be accommodated in this gap. The opposing direction is the direction in which separator 101 and separator 102 face each other in cell 100. The inversion direction coincides with the opposing direction in cell 100. Therefore, the inversion direction will also be referred to as the opposing direction below.

[0029] The through-hole 16 penetrates between the sealing side surface 11 and the contact side surface 12, and the gasket member 10 has at least two pairs of through-holes 16. When one gasket 2 is placed on top of another gasket 2 in an inverted state, one of the pair of through-holes 16 of the gasket member 10 of gasket 2 overlaps with the other of the pair of through-holes 16 of the gasket member 10 of the other gasket 2 in the inverted direction. Also, when one gasket 2 is placed on top of another gasket 2 in an inverted state, the portion of the contact side surface 12 of the gasket member 10 of gasket 2 that is on the outer circumference side of the second sealing portion 14 overlaps with the portion of the contact side surface 12 of the gasket member 10 of the other gasket 2 that is on the outer circumference side of the second sealing portion 14 in an opposing direction.

[0030] The gasket 2 described above will now be explained in more detail. As shown in Figure 1, one of the gaskets 2 and the other gasket 2 constitute the gasket device 1. Hereafter, one of the gaskets 2 will be referred to as the first gasket 2, and the other gasket 2 as the second gasket 3. The gasket portion 10 of the second gasket 3 will be referred to as the gasket portion 20.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1, the gasket device 1 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 Figure 1, the gasket device 1 comprises an annular first gasket 2 and an annular second gasket 3. As described above, the second gasket 3 is gasket 2 and is the same as the first gasket 2. The first gasket 2 seals space S1, and the second gasket 3 seals space S2. The configuration of the gasket device 1 will be described in detail below.

[0032] As shown in Figure 1, in the cell 100 of the water electrolysis apparatus 4, 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 Figure 1, 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 1. As shown in Figure 1, the anode chamber S1 is sealed by the first gasket 2, and the cathode chamber S2 is sealed by the second gasket 3. 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 4 comprises, for example, a plurality of cells 100, which are stacked and compressed in the stacking direction to hold them in place. The water electrolysis device 4 may also be formed by a single cell 100.

[0033] Figure 2 is a front view of the gasket device 1, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section along line A-A in Figure 2, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section along line B1-B1 or line B2-B2 in Figure 2, Figure 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the cross-section of Figure 4, and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section along line C1-C1 or line C2-C2 in Figure 2. Figures 2 to 6 show the assembled gasket device 1, in which the first gasket 2 and the second gasket 3 are assembled and the electrolyte membrane 104 is assembled between the first gasket 2 and the second gasket 3. In Figure 2, the reference numerals for the corresponding components of the opposite first gasket 2 or second gasket 3 are shown in parentheses. In Figures 2 to 6, the anode catalyst layer 105, the cathode catalyst layer 106, and the diffusion layers 107 and 108 are omitted from the illustration. As shown in Figures 2 to 6, the gasket device 1 has an annular shape that follows a plane.

[0034] As shown in Figure 2, the gasket device 1 has, for example, four through holes 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d. The through holes 6a to 6d each penetrate the first gasket 2 and the second gasket 3. The through holes 6a to 6d each form part of one of the multiple flow paths 109 of the cell 100. The through holes 6a to 6d are passages for supplying electrolyte to the anode chamber S1 or the cathode chamber S2 in the cell 100, or passages for discharging products generated from the anode chamber S1 or the cathode chamber S2 to the outside of the cell 100. For example, through hole 6a is a supply passage for supplying electrolyte to the anode chamber S1, and through hole 6b is a supply passage for supplying electrolyte to the cathode chamber S2. Furthermore, through-hole 6c is a discharge passage for discharging products generated from the anode chamber S1 to the outside of cell 100, and through-hole 6d is a discharge passage for discharging products generated from the cathode chamber S2 to the outside of cell 100. The electrolytes supplied from through-holes 6a and 6b 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 a specific one, but for example, a KOH aqueous solution, a NaOH aqueous solution, or K ２ CO ３ Aqueous solution, KHCO ３ Aqueous solution, Na２ 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 6c and 6d, along with the products.

[0035] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, in the assembled gasket device 1, a portion of the contact surface 12 of the gasket member 10 of the first gasket 2 and a portion of the contact surface 22 of the gasket member 20 of the second gasket 3 are in contact. Note that the assembled gasket device 1 shown in Figures 3 to 6 is in a free state, and no external force is applied to the gasket device 1. Furthermore, the outer peripheral end 104a of the electrolyte membrane 104 is sandwiched between the second seal portion 14 on the inner circumference side of the gasket member 10 of the first gasket 2 and the second seal portion 24 of the gasket member 20 of the second gasket 3. Note that a harbor space, which is an annular space open to the inner circumference side, may be formed between the second seal portion 14 and the second seal portion 24, in which case the end 104a of the electrolyte membrane 104 is harbored in the harbor space.

[0036] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 4 to 6, the first gasket 2 has a support member 30 made of the resin described above, and the support member 30 is attached to the communication region 17 of the gasket member 10 of the first gasket 2. Similarly, the second gasket 3 also has a support member 30, and the support member 30 is attached to the communication region 27 of the gasket member 20 of the second gasket 3. In the water electrolysis apparatus 4, in each cell 100 compressed in the stacking direction, as will be described later, the support member 30 of the first gasket 2 contacts the separator 101 and limits the amount of compression of the gasket member 10, and the support member 30 of the second gasket 3 contacts the separator 102 and limits the amount of compression of the gasket member 20.

[0037] Next, the configuration of the gasket member 10 of the first gasket 2 will be described in detail. Figure 7 is a front view of the gasket member 10, and Figure 8 is a rear view of the gasket member 10. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the gasket member 10 has a shape corresponding to the gasket device 1 and has an annular shape along a plane. Specifically, the gasket member 10 has an axis x, which is a virtual line extending in the direction of reversal (opposite direction), and has an annular shape around this axis x along a plane perpendicular to this axis x. The shape of the outer circumference end of the gasket member 10 is a rectangle or approximately rectangle with axis x as the central axis, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, for example. Also, the shape of the inner circumference end of the gasket member 10 is a rectangle or approximately rectangle, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, for example. In other words, the shape of the anode chamber S1 is, for example, a rectangle or approximately rectangle when viewed in the direction of axis x. The shape of the gasket member 10 is not limited to the shape described above; the outer circumference may be a circular shape or other shape, and the inner circumference may also be a circular shape or other shape.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, the gasket member 10 is plate-shaped and, as described above, has a pair of annular sealing surfaces 11 and contact surfaces 12 facing away from each other. The sealing surface 11 is the front surface, and the contact surface 12 is the back surface. For the sake of explanation, the side facing the sealing surface 11 in the axial x direction will be referred to as the front side, and the side facing the contact surface 12 in the axial x direction will be referred to as the back side. The sealing surface 11 extends, for example, along a plane perpendicular to the axis x, and the contact surface 12 extends, for example, along a plane perpendicular to the axis x. Specifically, the sealing surface 11 extends, for example, along a plane perpendicular to the axis x or a substantially plane, and specifically, the contact surface 12 extends, for example, along a plane perpendicular to the axis x or a substantially plane.

[0039] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the gasket member 10 has four through holes 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d, which form the four through holes 6a to 6d of the gasket device 1 described above. The through holes 16a to 16d penetrate between the seal side surface 11 and the contact side surface 12. The through holes 16a and 16b correspond to the through holes 6a and 6b of the gasket device 1, respectively, and as described above, are openings for supplying electrolyte to the anode chamber S1 and cathode chamber S2, respectively. The through holes 16c and 16d correspond to the through holes 6c and 6d of the gasket device 1, respectively, and as described above, are openings for discharging products generated from the anode chamber S1 and cathode chamber S2, respectively, to the outside of the cell 100. The through holes 16a and 16c are paired, and the through holes 16b and 16d are paired. Furthermore, the through holes 16c and 16d may correspond to the through holes 6a and 6b of the gasket device 1, respectively, and serve as openings for supplying electrolyte to the anode chamber S1 and cathode chamber S2, respectively. Alternatively, the through holes 16a and 16b may correspond to the through holes 6c and 6d of the gasket device 1, respectively, and serve as openings for discharging products generated from the anode chamber S1 and cathode chamber S2, respectively, to the outside of the cell 100.

[0040] For example, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the through-holes 16a and 16b are provided such that the positions of the centers of the through-holes 16a and 16b are symmetric or substantially symmetric to each other with respect to the symmetry plane P. Similarly, for example, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the through-holes 16c and 16d are provided such that the positions of the centers of the through-holes 16c and 16d are symmetric or substantially symmetric to each other with respect to the symmetry plane P. Further, for example, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the supply-side through-holes 16a and 16b and the discharge-side through-holes 16c and 16d face each other in the direction along the symmetry plane P. The symmetry plane P is a plane including the axis x and is a virtual plane. Also, the through-hole 16a and the through-hole 16c are, for example, of the same or substantially the same size (opening area) and shape as each other, and the through-hole 16b and the through-hole 16d are, for example, of the same or substantially the same size and shape as each other. Note that the through-hole 16a and the through-hole 16c do not have to be of the same or substantially the same size and shape as each other, and the through-hole 16b and the through-hole 16d do not have to be of the same or substantially the same size and shape as each other. Also, the through-hole 16a and the through-hole 16c may be rotationally symmetric to each other with respect to the axis x, and the through-hole 16b and the through-hole 16d may be rotationally symmetric to each other with respect to the axis x.

[0041] Also, for example, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the size of the through-hole 16a is the same as or substantially the same as the size of the through-hole 16b. Similarly, for example, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the size of the through-hole 16c is the same as or substantially the same as the size of the through-hole 16d. As shown in FIG. 7, the through-holes 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d are formed in each of the four communication regions 17.

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 to 7, a first sealing portion 13 for sealing the anode chamber S1 described above is formed on the sealing side surface 11. The first sealing portion 13 constitutes, for example, a bead 13 that protrudes from the sealing side surface 11. The bead 13 protrudes from the sealing side surface 11 toward the front and extends in an annular shape along the sealing side surface 11. The bead 13 is an annularly closed bead. Also, as shown in Figure 7, the bead 13 is provided on the outer circumference side of the through holes 16a and 16c and surrounds the through holes 16a and 16c toward the inner circumference side. As an example, as shown in Figure 7, the first sealing portion 13 constitutes one bead 13. Note that the first sealing portion 13 may constitute two or more beads. In this case, the multiple beads may be arranged parallel or substantially parallel to each other with a gap between them.

[0043] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, a third sealing portion 15 is formed on the sealing side surface 11 for sealing one of the flow channels 109 of the cell 100 to the anode chamber S1 described above. As described above, the first gasket 2 is a gasket that forms the anode chamber S1 in the cell 100, and the third sealing portion 15 of the gasket member 10 seals the flow channel 109 communicating with the cathode chamber S2 to the anode chamber S1. In other words, the third sealing portion 15 seals the through hole 16c included in the flow channel 109 that supplies electrolyte to the cathode chamber S2 and the through hole 16d included in the flow channel 109 that discharges products generated from the cathode chamber S2 to the outside of the cell 100 to the anode chamber S1.

[0044] The third seal portion 15 constitutes, for example, beads 15 protruding from the seal side surface 11, and the beads 15 are formed at two locations. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, one bead 15 is annular and surrounds the through hole 16b on the inner peripheral side. The other bead 15 surrounds the through hole 16d on the inner peripheral side. The third seal portion 15 is located on the outer peripheral side of the first seal portion 13. Thus, one of the beads 15 closes and surrounds the through hole 16b so that the through hole 16b does not communicate with the anode chamber S1, and the other bead 15 closes and surrounds the through hole 16d so that the through hole 16d does not communicate with the anode chamber S1. Note that the third seal portion 15 may be constituted by a plurality of beads 15 at each installation location. In this case, the plurality of beads 15 are arranged, for example, parallel or substantially parallel to each other with an interval therebetween.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example, the height of the bead 13 of the first seal portion 13 and the height of the bead 15 of the third seal portion 15 are the same or substantially the same, and the cross-sectional shape of the bead 13 and the cross-sectional shape of the bead 15 are the same or substantially the same. The height of the bead 13 (hereinafter referred to as height h1) is the width in the axial direction x from the contact side surface 12 to the tip of the bead 13, and the height of the bead 15 (hereinafter referred to as height h2) is the width in the axial direction x from the contact side surface 12 to the tip of the bead 15. The cross-sectional shapes of the beads 13 and 15 are respectively the shapes in the cross-section by a plane orthogonal to the extending direction which is the direction in which the beads 13 and 15 extend.

[0046] As shown in Figures 1, 3 to 6, the annular end on the inner circumference of the contact surface 12 of the gasket member 10 forms a second seal portion 14, which is the part that contacts the end 104a of the electrolyte membrane 104. The second seal portion 14 is located on the inner circumference of the through holes 16a to 16d. The second seal portion 14 extends to the inner circumference end of the contact surface 12, corresponding to the shape of the end 104a of the electrolyte membrane 104. On the contact surface 12, the second seal portion 14 may be recessed toward the seal surface 11 side compared to the other parts, forming an annular space that opens toward the inner circumference to accommodate the end of the electrolyte membrane 104 as described above. Furthermore, the part of the contact surface 12 of the gasket member 10 excluding the second seal portion 14 contacts the part of the contact surface 22 of the gasket member 20 of the second gasket 3 excluding the second seal portion 24 in the assembled gasket device 1.

[0047] As described above, the first seal portion 13 defines a communication region 17 along the seal side surface 11, which is a region that connects a portion of each of the multiple flow paths 109 to the anode chamber S1 or the cathode chamber S2. As described above, the first gasket 2 is a gasket that forms the anode chamber S1 in the cell 100, and the communication region 17 of the gasket member 10 connects the through-hole 16a included in the flow path 109 that supplies electrolyte to the anode chamber S1 and the through-hole 16c included in the flow path 109 that discharges products generated from the anode chamber S1 to the outside of the cell 100, to the anode chamber S1, respectively.

[0048] As shown in Figure 7, the communication regions 17 are formed in two locations on the seal side surface 11, and in this embodiment, the gasket portion 10 has two communication regions 17. The communication regions 17 are located on the inner circumference side of the bead 13 of the first seal portion 13. One communication region 17 is formed on the portion surrounding the through hole 16a of the seal side surface 11, and the other communication region 17 is formed on the portion surrounding the through hole 16c of the seal side surface 11. As shown in Figure 7, part of the ends of the communication regions 17 communicate with the anode chamber S1, and the other part is surrounded by part of the bead 13a of the first seal portion 13. Thus, the communication region 17 is a space defined by part of the seal side surface 11 and part of the bead 13a of the first seal portion 13. One communication region 17 connects the through hole 16a and the anode chamber S1, and the other communication region 17 connects the through hole 16c and the anode chamber S1. The two communication regions 17 may have the same shape and size, in which case they are, for example, rotationally symmetric with respect to axis x. Alternatively, the two communication regions 17 may have different shapes and sizes, and may not be rotationally symmetric with respect to axis x. The portion of the seal side surface 11 that defines the communication region 17 forms the installation surface 17a. As shown in Figure 7, a portion of the end of the installation surface 17a (inner circumferential end 17b) is connected to the inner circumferential end surface 19, which is the inner circumferential end of the gasket member 10, and the other portion of the end of the installation surface 17a is connected to a portion of the bead 13 of the first seal portion 13. A support member 30 is housed in the communication region 17, and the support member 30 is installed on the installation surface 17a. Furthermore, recesses or protrusions may be formed on the mounting surface 17a. These recesses or protrusions may, for example, form recesses corresponding to the support member 30.

[0049] Next, the configuration of the support members 30 provided in the first gasket 2 will be described. Figure 9 is a front view of the support member 30, and Figure 10 is a rear view of the support member 30. The first gasket 2 has a number of support members 30 corresponding to the communication region 17, and in this embodiment, it has two support members 30.

[0050] The support member 30 is formed from a resin material and, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, is a plate-shaped member having a pair of opposing surfaces, a front surface 31 and a back surface 32. The front surface 31 and the back surface 32 have, for example, the same or substantially the same contour. The support member 30 is shaped and sized to fit within the communication region 17. The front surface 31 extends along a plane, for example, being a plane or substantially a plane. The back surface 32 extends along a plane, for example, being a plane or substantially a plane. The front surface 31 and the back surface 32 are, for example, parallel or substantially parallel. The shape of the back surface 32 is such that it contacts the installation surface 17a, which is the portion of the sealing side surface 11 in the communication region 17 of the gasket member 10. For example, the shape of the back surface 32 is the same as or substantially the same as the shape of the installation surface 17a. The shape of the back surface 32 is such that it fits inside the edge of the installation surface 17a. The area of ​​the back surface 32 is the same as, approximately the same as, or smaller than, the area of ​​the installation surface 17a. The support member 30 has a communication end surface 30a which is an end surface that extends along the end of the communication region 17 that connects to the anode chamber S1. Specifically, the communication end surface 30a is, for example, the surface facing the inner circumference that extends along the inner circumference end 17b of the installation surface 17a in the first gasket 2, as shown in Figures 2, 4 to 6. Also, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the support member 30 has a through hole 33. The through hole 33 penetrates between the surface 31 and the back surface 32.

[0051] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5 and 9, a flow path 35 is formed on the surface 31 of the support member 30. The flow path 35 is formed by recesses that are recessed inward on the support member 30 side. The flow path 35 is formed, for example, by a plurality of grooves 36 and recesses 37 that are recessed from the surface 31 toward the back surface 32 side. The plurality of grooves 36 are formed, for example, aligned along the communicating end surface 30a, and one end of each groove 36 is open to the outside of the support member 30 at the communicating end surface 30a. The recesses 37 are formed between the plurality of grooves 36 and the through holes 33, and the ends of the grooves 36 communicate with the recesses 37. As shown in Figures 5 and 9, the surface 31 extends along the end of the support member 30 excluding the communicating end surface 30a, and also extends between the plurality of grooves 36. Thus, on the surface 31 side of the support member 30, a flow path 35 is formed by a plurality of grooves 36 and recesses 37 that are recessed from the surface 31, connecting the through hole 33 with the outside of the support member 30 along the communicating end face 30a.

[0052] The height h3 of the support member 30 is set to a predetermined height based on the heights h1 and h2 of the beads 13 and 15 of the gasket member 10. Note that the height h3 is the width in the axial x direction between the surface 31 and the back surface 32, as shown in Figure 4. The height h3 of the support member 30 is such that, for example, in the cell 100 of the water electrolysis apparatus 4, the beads 13 and 15 of the gasket member 10 are compressed by a predetermined amount. The height h3 of the support member 30 will be described in detail later.

[0053] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, an annular projection 34 is formed on the back surface 32, protruding from the back surface 32. The projection 34 extends in an annular shape along the back surface 32, surrounding the through hole 33 from the outside. The projection 34 is also sized to be accommodated within the through holes 16a and 16c of the gasket member 10. In other words, the outer diameter of the projection 34 is the same as or smaller than the diameter of the through holes 16a and 16c. However, as long as the projection 34 can be accommodated within the through holes 16a and 16c, the outer diameter of the projection 34 may be larger than the diameter of the through holes 16a and 16c. The through holes 33 and projection 34 are arranged on the back surface 32 such that when the support member 30 is placed on the installation surface 17a, the projection 34 is accommodated within the through holes 16a and 16c, with the back surface 32 facing the installation surface 17a of the gasket member 10.

[0054] The tip surface 34a of the protrusion 34 is an annular surface extending along a plane, for example, a surface extending in an annular shape on a plane or substantially on a plane. The tip surface 34a is, for example, parallel or substantially parallel to the surface 31. The height h4 of the protrusion 34 is set to a predetermined height based on, for example, the height h4 of the bead 15 of the gasket member 10. The height h4 of the protrusion 34 is such that, for example as shown in Figure 6, in the first gasket 2, the tip surface 34a of the protrusion 34 is lower than the tip of the bead 15 in the axial x direction toward the front side. Specifically, the height h4 of the protrusion is such that, for example, in the cell 100 of the water electrolysis apparatus 4, the bead 15 of the gasket member 10 is compressed by a predetermined amount. The height h4 of the protrusion 34 is the width in the axial x direction from the back surface 32 to the tip surface 34a. The height h4 of the protrusion 34 will be described in detail later.

[0055] The two support members 30 may have the same shape and size, or they may have different shapes and sizes. For example, if the shape and size of the two communication regions 17 of the gasket member 10, the shape and size of the through holes 16a and 16c, and the positions of the through holes 16a and 16c on the installation surface 17a are the same, the two support members 30 can be the same. On the other hand, if the two communication regions 17 are not the same shape or size, the through holes 16a and 16c are not the same shape or size, the positions of the through holes 16a and 16c on the installation surface 17a are not the same, or if the configurations of the two communication regions 17 and the two installation surfaces 17a are not the same, then two types of support members 30 corresponding to the respective configurations of the two communication regions 17 and the respective configurations of the two installation surfaces 17a may be provided. For example, if the through holes 16a and 16c are not the same shape or size, the protruding portion 34 of one support member 30 can be accommodated in the through hole 16a, and the protruding portion 34 of the other support member 30 can be accommodated in the through hole 16c.

[0056] The first gasket 2 has the configuration described above. The second gasket 3 is the same as the first gasket 2 and has the same configuration. The only difference between the first gasket 2 and the second gasket 3, as shown in Figure 1, is whether they are used to seal the anode chamber S1 in the cell 100 or to seal the cathode chamber S2 by inverting them.

[0057] As described above, the configuration of the second gasket 3 is the same as that of the first gasket 2, and the second gasket 3 has the same configuration as the first gasket 2, as shown in Figures 1 to 6. In Figures 2, 7, and 8, the corresponding reference numerals for the second gasket 3 are shown in parentheses next to the reference numerals for the first gasket 2.

[0058] The second gasket 3 has a gasket member 20 corresponding to the gasket member 10 of the first gasket 2, and a support member 30 corresponding to the support member 30 of the first gasket 2. In this embodiment, the second gasket 3 has two support members 30. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the gasket member 20 has a sealing side 21 and a contact side 22 that correspond to the sealing side 11 and the contact side 12 of the gasket member 10, respectively. Furthermore, the gasket member 20 has a first seal portion 23, bead 23, second seal portion 24, third seal portion 25, bead 25, through holes 16, 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, communication region 17, installation surface 17a, inner circumferential end 17b, and inner circumferential end surface 29, which correspond to the first seal portion 13, bead 13, second seal portion 14, third seal portion 15, bead 15, through holes 16, 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, communication region 17, installation surface 17a, inner circumferential end 17b, and inner circumferential end surface 19 of the gasket member 10, respectively.

[0059] As described above, the second gasket 3 is the same as the first gasket 2, and therefore the contact surface 22 of the gasket member 20 can contact the contact surface 12 of the gasket member 10, so as to coincide or substantially coincide with each other when viewed in the direction of contact.

[0060] The gasket members 10 and 20 have the above-described structure and are each integrally formed from the same elastic material. The elastic material of the gasket members 10 and 20 is, for example, rubber. Specifically, the elastic material of the gasket members 10 and 20 can be, for example, ethylene propylene rubber (EPM), ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), fluororubber (FKM), silicone rubber (VMQ), etc. Since the gasket members 10 and 20 are made from an elastic material, they are flexible. In particular, when the gasket members 10 and 20 are large, each part of the gasket members 10 and 20 is flexible. The description of the gasket members 10 and 20, especially the description of their shape, refers to the gasket members 10 and 20 in an undeformed state, for example, in the state shown in the design drawings.

[0061] Next, the operation of the gasket device 1 having the first gasket 2 and the second gasket 3 having the above-described configuration will be explained. In order to assemble the cell 100, the first gasket 2 and the second gasket 3 are assembled with the electrolyte membrane 104 in between, as shown in Figures 1 to 6, to assemble the gasket device 1 and the membrane assembly 103. Furthermore, the assembled gasket device 1 and the membrane assembly 103 are sandwiched between a pair of separators 101 and 102, as shown in Figure 1, to assemble the cell 100. Note that the assembled cell 100 shown in Figure 1 is in a state of use that constitutes a water electrolysis device 4 in which a plurality of cells 100 are stacked and compressed and fixed in the stacking direction, and the beads 13, 15, 23, and 25 are crushed by a predetermined amount.

[0062] As described above, the first gasket 2 and the second gasket 3 are identical. Therefore, in the assembled gasket device 1, each component of the first gasket 2 coincides with or substantially coincides with the component of the second gasket 3 that is symmetrically positioned with respect to the plane of symmetry P in the first gasket 2, in the axial x direction. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the assembled gasket device 1, in the axial x direction, the first gasket 2 and the second gasket 3 face opposite each other, and the contact surface 12 of the gasket member 10 and the contact surface 22 of the gasket member 20 are in contact. Specifically, the entire or substantially entire contact surface 12 of the gasket member 10, excluding the second seal portion 14, and the entire or substantially entire contact surface 22 of the gasket member 20, excluding the second seal portion 24, are in contact. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the assembled gasket device 1, the second sealing portion 14 of the contact surface 12 of the gasket member 10 and the second sealing portion 24 of the contact surface 22 of the gasket member 20 face each other in the axial x direction via the end portion 104a of the electrolyte membrane 104 of the membrane assembly 103. The second sealing portion 14 may or may not be in contact with the end portion 104a of the electrolyte membrane 104, and similarly, the second sealing portion 24 may or may not be in contact with the end portion 104a of the electrolyte membrane 104.

[0063] As described above, in the gasket member 10, the positions of the through holes 16a and 16b are symmetrical or approximately symmetrical with respect to the plane of symmetry P, and in the gasket member 20, the positions of the through holes 26a and 26b are symmetrical or approximately symmetrical with respect to the plane of symmetry P. Therefore, as shown in Figures 1, 4, and 5, in the assembled gasket device 1, the through hole 26b of the gasket member 20 faces the through hole 16a of the gasket member 10 in the axial x direction, and the through holes 16a and 26b communicate with each other. As a result, the through hole 6a is formed in the gasket device 1. Similarly, as shown in Figures 1 and 6, in the assembled gasket device 1, the through hole 26a of the gasket member 20 faces the through hole 16b of the gasket member 10 in the axial x direction, and the through holes 16b and 26a communicate with each other. As a result, the through hole 6b is formed in the gasket device 1.

[0064] Similarly, in the gasket member 10, the through holes 16c and 16d are symmetrical or substantially symmetrical with respect to the plane of symmetry P, and in the gasket member 20, the through holes 26c and 26d are symmetrical or substantially symmetrical with respect to the plane of symmetry P. Therefore, as shown in Figures 1, 4, and 5, in the assembled gasket device 1, the through hole 26d of the gasket member 20 faces the through hole 16c of the gasket member 10 in the axial x direction, and the through holes 16c and 26d communicate with each other. As a result, the through hole 6c is formed in the gasket device 1. Similarly, as shown in Figures 1 and 6, in the assembled gasket device 1, the through hole 26c of the gasket member 20 faces the through hole 16d of the gasket member 10 in the axial x direction, and the through holes 16d and 26c communicate with each other. As a result, the through hole 6d is formed in the gasket device 1.

[0065] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5, the two support members 30 are placed on the two mounting surfaces 17 of the gasket member 10 and attached to the gasket member 10. In the attached state, the back surfaces 32 of each support member 30 are in contact with the two mounting surfaces 17a of the gasket member 10. Also, in the attached state, the protruding portion 34 of one support member 30 is housed in the through hole 16a of the gasket member 10, and the protruding portion 34 of the other support member 30 is housed in the through hole 16c of the gasket member 10. As a result, in the attached state, the through holes 33 of the support members 30 are in communication with the through holes 16a and 16c of the gasket member 10, respectively. The support members 30 may each be fixed to the mounting surfaces 17a. For example, the support members 30 may each be fixed to the mounting surfaces 17a by adhesive. Alternatively, the support members 30 may each be fixed by being sandwiched between the beads 13. In this manner, the two support members 30 are each housed in the two communication regions 17 of the gasket member 10.

[0066] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 6, the two support members 30 are placed on the two mounting surfaces 27 of the gasket member 20 and attached to the gasket member 20. In the attached state, the back surfaces 32 of each support member 30 are in contact with the two mounting surfaces 27a of the gasket member 20. Also, in the attached state, the protruding portion 34 of one support member 30 is housed in the through hole 26a of the gasket member 20, and the protruding portion 34 of the other support member 30 is housed in the through hole 26c of the gasket member 20. As a result, in the attached state, the through holes 33 of the support members 30 are in communication with the through holes 26a and 26c of the gasket member 20, respectively. The support members 30 may each be fixed to the mounting surfaces 27a. For example, the support members 30 may each be fixed to the mounting surfaces 27a by adhesive. Alternatively, the support members 30 may each be fixed by being sandwiched between the beads 23. Thus, the two support members 30 are each housed in the two communication regions 27 of the gasket member 20.

[0067] As shown in Figures 1, 2, 4 to 6, in the installed state, the through holes 33 of the four support members 30 are in communication with the through holes 6a to 6d of the gasket device 1, respectively. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5, in the support member 30 in which the through hole 33 is in communication with the through hole 6a, the flow path 35 is in communication with the anode chamber S1 through the through hole 6a, and as shown in Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5, in the support member 30 in which the through hole 33 is in communication with the through hole 6c, the flow path 35 is in communication with the anode chamber S1 through the through hole 6c. Furthermore, in the support member 30 in which the through-hole 33 communicates with the through-hole 6b, the flow path 35 communicates the through-hole 6b with the cathode chamber S2 (see Figures 1, 2, and 6), and in the support member 30 in which the through-hole 33 communicates with the through-hole 6d, the flow path 35 communicates the through-hole 6d with the cathode chamber S2 (see Figures 1, 2, and 6). As a result, in the cell 100, two flow paths 109 communicate with the anode chamber S1, and two other flow paths 109 communicate with the cathode chamber S2.

[0068] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, in the free-state gasket device 1, the beads 13 and 15 protrude beyond the support member 30 in the direction of the protrusion of the beads 13 and 15 in the axial x direction. As shown in Figure 4, in the free-state gasket device 1, the height h3 of the support member 30 of the first gasket 2 is such that the surface 31 is lower than the tip of the beads 13 and 15 (back side position) when facing the front side in the axial x direction. For example, the height is such that the surface 31 is lower than the tip of the beads 13 and 15 (back side position) when facing the front side in the axial x direction by a predetermined amount of compression of the beads 13 and 15, or approximately a predetermined amount of compression of the beads 13 and 15. Thus, the height h3 of the support member 30 of the first gasket 2 is set relative to the heights h1 and h2 of the beads 13 and 15.

[0069] Similarly, as shown in Figure 6, in the free-state gasket device 1, the beads 23 and 25 protrude beyond the support member 30 in the direction of the protrusion of the beads 23 and 25 in the axial x direction. As shown in Figure 6, in the free-state gasket device 1, the height h3 of the support member 30 of the second gasket 3 is such that the surface 31 is lower than the tip of the beads 23 and 25 (front position) toward the rear side in the axial x direction. For example, the height is such that the surface 31 is lower than the tip of the beads 23 and 25 (front position) toward the rear side in the axial x direction by a predetermined amount of compression of the beads 23 and 25, or approximately by a predetermined amount of compression of the beads 23 and 25. Thus, the height h3 of the support member 30 of the second gasket 3 is set relative to the heights h1 and h2 of the beads 23a and 25a.

[0070] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, in the free-state gasket device 1, the bead 15 protrudes more than the protruding portion 34 in the direction of the protrusion of the bead 15 in the axial x direction. As shown in Figure 6, in the free-state gasket device 1, the height h4 of the protruding portion 34 of the support member 30 of the first gasket 2 is such that the tip surface 34a is lower than the tip of the bead 15 (back side position) when facing the front side in the axial x direction. For example, the height is such that the tip surface 34a is lower than the tip of the bead 15 (back side position) when facing the front side in the axial x direction by a predetermined amount of the bead 15's compression allowance, or approximately a predetermined amount of the bead 15's compression allowance. Thus, the height h4 of the protruding portion 34 of the support member 30 is set relative to the height h2 of the bead 15.

[0071] Similarly, as shown in Figure 4, in the free-state gasket device 1, the bead 25 protrudes more than the protruding portion 34 in the direction of the bead 25 protruding in the axial x direction. As shown in Figure 4, in the free-state gasket device 1, the height h4 of the protruding portion 34 of the support member 30 of the second gasket 2 is such that the tip surface 34a is lower than the tip of the bead 25 (front position) toward the rear side in the axial x direction. For example, the height is such that the tip surface 34a is lower than the tip of the bead 25 (front position) toward the rear side in the axial x direction by a predetermined amount of the bead 25's compression allowance, or approximately by a predetermined amount of the bead 25's compression allowance. Thus, the height h4 of the protruding portion 34 of the support member 30 of the second gasket 3 is set relative to the height h2 of the bead 25.

[0072] As described above, the gasket device 1, which is assembled from the gasket device 1 and the membrane bonding body 103, is sandwiched between separators 101 and 102, as shown in Figure 1, thereby assembling the cell 100. Specifically, separator 101 is positioned opposite the sealing side surface 11 of the gasket member 10 of the first gasket 2 of the gasket device 1, and is in contact with the gasket member 10, and separator 102 is positioned opposite the sealing side surface 21 of the gasket member 20 of the second gasket 3 of the gasket device 1, and is in contact with the gasket member 20.

[0073] In the assembled cell 100, separator 101 is in contact with beads 13 and 15, facing the first gasket 2. Separator 102 is in contact with beads 23 and 25, facing the second gasket 3. In the assembled cell 100, when 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, the gasket members 10 and 20 are compressed, and the cell 100 becomes ready for use.

[0074] In the cell 100 in use, the beads 13 and 15 of the gasket member 10 are pressed against the separator 101, and the second seal portion 14 of the gasket member 10 is pressed against the end portion 104a of the electrolyte membrane 104, thereby sealing the anode chamber S1. Also in the cell 100 in use, the beads 23 and 25 of the gasket member 20 are pressed against the separator 102, and the second seal 24 of the gasket member 20 is pressed against the end portion 104a of the electrolyte membrane 104, thereby sealing the cathode chamber S2. The contact of the second seal portions 14 and 24 with the electrolyte membrane 104 prevents communication between the anode chamber S1 and the cathode chamber S2, so-called cross-leakage. Furthermore, the portion of the contact surface 12 of the gasket member 10 excluding the second sealing portion 14 and the portion of the contact surface 22 of the gasket member 20 excluding the second sealing portion 24 are in contact, thereby preventing the sealed object in the anode chamber S1 from blowing out to the outside of the cell 100, and also preventing the sealed object in the cathode chamber S2 from blowing out to the outside of the cell 100.

[0075] As described above, in use, the gasket members 10 and 20 are compressed by being sandwiched between separator 101 and separator 102. For example, as shown in Figure 1, separators 101 and 102 are pressed in opposing directions such that the surface 101a of separator 101 contacts the surface 31 of the support member 30 of the first gasket 2, and the surface 102a of separator 102 contacts the surface 31 of the support member 30 of the second gasket 3.

[0076] As described above, the heights h1 and h2 of the beads 13 and 15 and the height h3 of the support member 30 of the first gasket 2 are such that, in the assembled gasket device 1, the surface 31 of the support member 30 is positioned lower than the tip of the beads 13 and 15 by the amount of the compression allowance of the beads 13 and 15, or approximately the amount of the compression allowance of the beads 13 and 15, towards the front side in the axial x direction (see Figure 4). Therefore, in the above-described usage state, the beads 13 and 15 are compressed by the amount of the compression allowance, or approximately the amount of the compression allowance. As a result, each of the beads 13 and 15 generates the desired surface pressure and exhibits the desired sealing performance.

[0077] Similarly, the heights h1 and h2 of the beads 23 and 25 and the height h3 of the support member 30 of the second gasket 3 are such that, in the assembled gasket device 1, the surface 31 of the support member 30 is positioned (front side position) lower than the tip of the beads 23 and 25 by the amount of the compression allowance of the beads 23 and 25, or approximately the amount of the compression allowance of the beads 23 and 25, towards the back side in the axial x direction (see Figure 6). Therefore, in the above-described usage state, the beads 23 and 25 are compressed by the amount of the compression allowance, or approximately the amount of the compression allowance. As a result, each of the beads 23 and 25 generates the desired surface pressure and exhibits the desired sealing performance.

[0078] Furthermore, the support member 30 is formed from a resin material and does not compress or deform in the direction of compression due to the pressure of the separators 101 and 102, or if it does compress or deform in the direction of compression, the amount of deformation is minimal. Therefore, damage to the beads 13 and 15 or beads 23 and 25 due to overcompression can be prevented or suppressed. This prevents or suppresses a reduction in the lifespan of the gasket members 10 and 20. In addition, the flow path 35 of the support member 30 does not deform due to the pressure of the separators 101 and 102, or if it does deform, it is minimal, and the flow paths between the through holes 6a and 6c and the anode chamber S1, and between the through holes 6b and 6d and the cathode chamber S2, do not decrease, or their decrease is suppressed.

[0079] Furthermore, the support member 30 has protrusions 34 that are accommodated in the through holes 16a, 16c, 26a, and 26c, which facilitates attachment of the support member 30 to the communication region 17.

[0080] Furthermore, in the operating state, as shown in Figure 1, when the surface 102a of separator 102 contacts the tip surface 34a of the projection 34 of the support member 30 of the first gasket 2, the width between separator 101 and separator 102 becomes the total width of the support member 30 (h3 + h4), allowing for more precise control of the amount of compression of the beads 13 and 15. Similarly, when the surface 101a of separator 101 contacts the tip surface 34a of the projection 34 of the support member 30 of the second gasket 3, the width between separator 101 and separator 102 becomes the width of the support member 30 (h3 + h4), allowing for more precise control of the amount of compression of the beads 23 and 25.

[0081] Furthermore, in the usage state, as shown in Figure 1, when the surface 102a of the separator 102 contacts the tip surface 34a of the projection 34 of the support member 30 of the first gasket 2, the bead 15 is compressed by the distance in the axial x direction between the tip of the bead 15 and the tip surface 34a of the projection 34 in the assembled gasket device 1 described above. For this reason, if the height h2 of the bead 15 and the height h4 of the projection 34 of the support member 30 of the first gasket 2 are such that in the assembled gasket device 1 the tip surface 34a of the projection 34 is lower than the tip of the bead 15 by the amount of the bead's compression allowance or approximately the amount of the bead's compression allowance (back side position) toward the back side in the axial x direction (see Figure 6), then in the usage state described above, the bead 15 is compressed by the amount of the compression allowance or approximately the amount of the bead's compression allowance. This makes it possible to generate the desired surface pressure on the bead 15 and achieve the desired sealing performance.

[0082] Similarly, in the usage state, as shown in Figure 1, when the surface 101a of the separator 101 contacts the tip surface 34a of the projection 34 of the support member 30 of the second gasket 3, the bead 25 is compressed by the distance in the axial x direction between the tip of the bead 25 and the tip surface 34a of the projection 34 in the assembled gasket device 1 described above. Therefore, if the height h2 of the bead 25 and the height h4 of the projection 34 of the support member 30 of the second gasket 3 are such that in the assembled gasket device 1 the tip surface 34a of the projection 34 is lower than the tip of the bead 25 by the amount of the bead's compression allowance or approximately the amount of the bead's compression allowance (front side position) toward the front side in the axial x direction (see Figure 4), then in the usage state described above, the bead 25 is compressed by the amount of the compression allowance or approximately the amount of the bead's compression allowance. This makes it possible to generate the desired surface pressure on the bead 25 and achieve the desired sealing performance.

[0083] Furthermore, in the operating state, as shown in Figure 1, when the surface 101a of the separator 101 contacts the tip surface 34a of the protrusion 34 of the support member 30 of the second gasket 3, damage to the bead 15 due to overcompression can be prevented or suppressed, similar to the cases of beads 13 and 15 described above. This prevents or suppresses a reduction in the lifespan of the gasket member 10. Similarly, in the operating state, as shown in Figure 1, when the surface 102a of the separator 102 contacts the tip surface 34a of the protrusion 34 of the support member 30 of the first gasket 2, damage to the bead 25 due to overcompression can be prevented or suppressed. This prevents or suppresses a reduction in the lifespan of the gasket member 20.

[0084] Furthermore, in the assembled gasket device 1, even if the difference (width) between the position of the tips of the beads 13 and 15 in the axial x direction and the position of the surface 31 of the support member 30 of the first gasket 2 is greater than the set compression allowance of the beads 13 and 15, the separators 101 and 102 are supported by the support member 30, and the beads 13 and 15 will not be compressed more than the amount of compression when the separators 101 and 102 each contact the surface 31 of the support member 30. Therefore, damage due to overcompression of the beads 13 and 15 can be prevented or suppressed. The same applies when, in the assembled gasket device 1, the difference (width) between the position of the tips of the beads 23 and 25 in the axial x direction and the position of the surface 31 of the support member 30 of the second gasket 3 is greater than the set compression allowance of the beads 23 and 25. In this case as well, the flow path 35 of the support member 30 ensures a flow path between the through holes 6a and 6c and the anode chamber S1, and a flow path between the through holes 6b and 6d and the cathode chamber S2.

[0085] Similarly, in the operating state, as shown in Figure 1, when the surface 101a of the separator 101 contacts the tip surface 34a of the projection 34 of the support member 30 of the second gasket 3, even if the difference (width) between the position of the tip of the bead 15 in the axial x direction and the position of the tip surface 34a of the projection 34 of the support member 30 of the second gasket 3 is greater than the set compression allowance of the bead 15 in the assembled gasket device 1, the separators 101 and 102 are supported by the support member 30, and the bead 15 will not be compressed more than the amount of compression when each of the separators 101 and 102 contacts the surface 31 of the support member 30. Therefore, damage due to overcompression of the bead 15 can be prevented or suppressed. The same applies when, in the assembled gasket device 1, the difference (width) between the position of the tip of the bead 25 in the axial x direction and the position of the tip surface 34a of the protruding portion 34 of the support member 30 of the first gasket 2 is greater than the set crushing allowance of the bead 25.

[0086] As described above, the gasket device 1 eliminates the need for strict control of the tightening load of the cell 100 during the assembly of the water electrolysis apparatus 4. Furthermore, the gasket members 10 and 20 can be easily brought into a state that exhibits suitable sealing performance. In addition, regardless of the magnitude of the tightening load of the cell 100, the flow paths between the through holes 6a and 6c and the anode chamber S1, and the flow paths between the through holes 6b and 6d and the cathode chamber S2 can be secured. Moreover, the gasket device 1 eliminates the need for strict control of the spacing between the separators 101 and 102 for tightening the cell 100 during the assembly of the water electrolysis apparatus 4.

[0087] On the other hand, if the support member 30 is absent, the tightening load on the cell 100 may become excessive, causing the bead to be crushed more than necessary. This may damage the bead. In addition, the flow paths between the through holes 6a and 6c and the anode chamber S1, and between the through holes 6b and 6d and the cathode chamber S2 may be crushed, making it impossible to maintain these flow paths. Furthermore, the separators 101 and 102 may come into contact with the diffusion layers 107 and 108, potentially damaging the film bonding body 103 and the diffusion layers 107 and 108. Thus, if the support member 30 is absent, strict control of the tightening load on the cell 100 is necessary. Also, if the support member 30 is absent, strict control of the spacing between the separators 101 and 102 for tightening the cell 100 is necessary.

[0088] Furthermore, the flow path 35 of the support member 30 ensures a flow path between the through holes 6a, 6c and the anode chamber S1, and a flow path between the through holes 6b, 6d and the cathode chamber S2. For this reason, the separators 101 and 102 do not need to have a configuration for forming a flow path between the through holes 6a, 6c and the anode chamber S1, and a flow path between the through holes 6b, 6d and the cathode chamber S2. However, the separators 101 and 102 may have a configuration for forming a flow path between the through holes 6a, 6c and the anode chamber S1, and a flow path between the through holes 6b, 6d and the cathode chamber S2.

[0089] In the water electrolysis apparatus, multiple cells 100 are arranged in series, and these arranged cells 100 are pressed and fixed in such a way that the separators 101 and 102 in each cell 100 are pressed in opposing directions. Furthermore, only one separator is provided between two adjacent cells 100, and this single separator functions as both separator 101 and separator 102.

[0090] The gasket device 1 has the above-described configuration, and when assembling the cell 100, the gasket device 1 and the membrane bond 103 can be integrated into one unit. Therefore, when assembling the cell 100, the handling of the gasket device 1 and the membrane bond 103 can be made easier, and the assembly of the gasket device 1 and the membrane bond 103 with the separators 101 and 102 can be made easier. In this way, the gasket device 1 makes it possible to assemble the cell 100 and improve the manufacturing efficiency of the cell 100.

[0091] As described above, according to the gaskets 2, 3 and gasket apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the manufacturing of the cell 100 can be facilitated.

[0092] 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.

[0093] 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.

[0094] For example, within the scope of the gasket device 1 described above and the function and effect of the gasket device 1, the second gasket 3 does not have to be exactly the same as the first gasket 2, but may be substantially the same, for example.

[0095] In the above explanation, the gasket device 1 was described using a water electrolysis apparatus as an example of an applicable device, but the application of the gasket device 1 is not limited to water electrolysis apparatuses. For example, the gasket device 1 can also be used in the cells of a fuel cell.

[0096] 1 Gasket device, 2 First gasket (gasket), 3 Second gasket (gasket), 4 Water electrolysis device, 6 (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) Through hole, 10 Gasket member, 11 Seal side, 12 Contact side, 13 First seal portion, 13 Bead, 14 Second seal portion, 15 Third seal portion, 15 Bead, 16, 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d Through hole, 17 Communication region, 17a Installation surface, 17b Inner circumferential end, 19 Inner circumferential end surface, 20 Gasket member, 21 Seal side, 22 Contact side, 23 First seal portion, 23 Bead, 24 Second seal portion, 25 Third seal portion, 25 Bead, 26, 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d Through hole, 27 Communication region, 27a Installation surface, 27b 103 Inner circumferential end, 29 Inner circumferential end surface, 30 Support member, 30a Communicating end surface, 31 Surface, 32 Back surface, 33 Through hole, 34 Protrusion, 34a Tip surface, 35 Flow channel, 36, 37 Groove, 38 Recess, 100 Cell, 101, 102 Separator, 101a Surface, 101b Recess, 101c-101f Through hole, 103 Membrane assembly, 104 Electrolyte membrane, 104a End, 104b Outer circumferential end, 105 Anode catalyst layer, 106 Cathode catalyst layer, 107, 108 Diffusion layer, 109 Flow channel, h1, h2, h3, h4 Height, P Symmetrical plane, S1 Anode chamber (space), S2 Cathode chamber (space), T1 Thickness, x axis

Claims

1. 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, wherein the gasket is configured such that one gasket is inverted and placed on top of the other gasket to seal the space, comprising an annular gasket member formed of an elastic material and a support member formed of a resin material, wherein the gasket member has a pair of annular surfaces facing each other, namely a sealing side surface and a contact side surface, a plurality of through holes included in a plurality of flow channels extending in the opposing direction between the pair of members on the outer circumference side of the intermediate member, a first sealing portion and a second sealing portion that seal the space between one of the pair of members and the intermediate member, and a third sealing portion for sealing a portion of the plurality of flow channels with respect to the space between one of the pair of members and the intermediate member, wherein the first sealing portion defines a communication region along the sealing side surface, which is a region that connects the through holes included in each of the other portions of the plurality of flow channels to the space between one of the pair of members and the intermediate member. The support member is provided in each of the communication regions, is in contact with one of the pair of members, and has an annular projection that protrudes from the other side of the pair of members, the projection being accommodable in the through hole communicating with the communication region, a gasket.

2. The gasket according to claim 1, wherein the first sealing portion has a bead protruding from the sealing side surface, and the third sealing portion has a cord protruding from the sealing side surface, and in the opposing directions, the bead protrudes more than the support member in the direction in which the bead protrudes.

3. The gasket according to claim 1, wherein the support member has a through hole that communicates with the through hole that communicates with the communication region.

4. The gasket according to claim 1, wherein the support member has a passage that connects each of the other passages to the space between one of the pair of members and the intermediate member.

5. The gasket according to claim 4, wherein the flow path is formed by a recess that is recessed on the inner side of the support member.

6. The gasket according to claim 1, wherein the support member has a pair of surfaces facing each other and is plate-shaped.

7. The gasket according to claim 1, wherein the first sealing portion surrounds the through holes included in each of the other flow paths on the inner circumference side on the sealing side surface, and the third sealing portion surrounds the through holes included in each of the other flow paths on the inner circumference side on the outer circumference side of the first sealing portion on the sealing side surface.

8. The gasket according to claim 1, wherein the pair of members are separators for a water electrolyzer or a fuel cell cell, and the intermediate member is the electrolyte membrane for the cell.

9. A gasket device 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, comprising an annular first gasket and an annular second gasket, wherein the first gasket has an annular gasket member formed from an elastic material and a support member formed from a resin material, the gasket member has a pair of annular surfaces facing each other, namely a sealing side surface and a contact side surface, a plurality of through holes each included in a plurality of flow channels extending in the opposing direction between the pair of members on the outer circumference side of the intermediate member, a first sealing portion and a second sealing portion that seal the space between one of the pair of members and the intermediate member, and a third sealing portion for sealing a portion of the plurality of flow channels with respect to the space between one of the pair of members and the intermediate member, the first sealing portion defines a communication region along the sealing side surface, which is a region that connects the through holes included in each of the other portions of the plurality of flow channels to the space between one of the pair of members and the intermediate member. The support members are provided in each of the communication regions and are in contact with one of the pair of members, and have an annular projection that protrudes from the other side of the pair of members, the projection being accommodable in the through hole communicating with the communication region, the second gasket is the same as the first gasket, and the contact side of the gasket member of the first gasket and the contact side of the gasket member of the second gasket are brought into contact with each other, so that the first gasket and the second gasket are stacked and the space is sealed, the gasket device.

10. The gasket device according to claim 9, wherein the first seal portion has a bead protruding from the seal side surface, the third seal portion has a bead protruding from the seal side surface, and in the opposing directions, the bead protrudes more than the support member in the direction in which the bead protrudes.

11. The gasket device according to claim 9, wherein the support member has a through hole that communicates with the through hole that communicates with the communication region.

12. The gasket device according to claim 9, wherein the support member has a passage that connects each of the other passages to the space between one of the pair of members and the intermediate member.

13. The gasket device according to claim 12, wherein the flow path is formed by a recess that is recessed on the inner side of the support member.

14. The gasket device according to claim 9, wherein the support member has a pair of surfaces facing each other and is plate-shaped.

15. The gasket device according to claim 9, wherein the first seal portion surrounds the through holes included in each of the other flow paths on the inner circumference side on the seal side surface, and the third seal portion surrounds the through holes included in each of the other flow paths on the inner circumference side on the outer circumference side of the first seal portion on the seal side surface.

16. The gasket device according to claim 9, wherein the pair of members are separators for a water electrolyzer or a fuel cell cell, and the intermediate member is the electrolyte membrane for the cell.

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