Fuel Cell Separator Seal Part Pre-Curing Method
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional method of manufacturing fuel cell separators using a two-component adhesive with epoxy resin and polyamidoamine as a hardener is time-consuming due to the long curing time, which deteriorates productivity and can result in shape and position instability of the seal parts during handling and conveyance.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a placing step to apply uncured thermosetting resin on a substrate, a pre-curing step to partially cure the resin, and a curing step to collectively form seal parts on multiple substrates, improving handling and reducing the number of steps, thereby enhancing productivity and maintaining the stability of the seal parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If uncured thermosetting resin is placed on substrates and collectively cured, then productivity is improved, but the resin flows easily causing shape and position instability during conveyance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a preliminary action by pre-curing the thermosetting resin to a semi-cured state before collective curing. This intermediate state reduces resin flow during conveyance while maintaining the ability to complete curing later, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity improvement through collective curing and shape/position stability during handling.
2Reliability
If a two-component adhesive with epoxy resin and polyamidoamine is used, then the seal part is formed, but the curing time is long deteriorating productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of curing time by using a one-component thermosetting resin that cures faster than the conventional two-component adhesive. This parameter change reduces the curing time significantly while still forming an effective seal part, thus resolving the contradiction between seal part formation reliability and productivity.
3Manufacturing precision
If each separator is cured individually, then the seal part shape is stable, but the productivity deteriorates due to huge time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-curing the resin to a semi-cured state that provides sufficient shape stability during handling, then allows collective curing of multiple separators. This two-stage approach maintains seal part shape stability while enabling productivity improvement through batch processing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method significantly improves the productivity of fuel cell separators by preventing resin flow and ensuring stable shape and position of the seal parts, allowing for efficient collective curing and reducing the time required for each separator, compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
a pre-curing step of pre-curing the uncured thermosetting resin placed on the substrate
Implementation Method 2
a curing step of collecting a plurality of the substrates and curing the pre-cured thermosetting resin to collectively form the seal parts
Data Source
AI summary
A method for manufacturing a separator for fuel cell including a seal part of thermosetting resin can have improved productivity. The method includes a placing step to place uncured thermosetting resin on a substrate, a pre-curing step to pre-cure the uncured thermosetting resin on the substrate, and a curing step to cure the pre-cured thermosetting resin on the collected plurality of substrates to collectively form the seal parts on the plurality of substrates.