JP2004063295A - Constituent component for fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a constituent component for a fuel cell capable of responding to a request for thinning a gasket, and of securing a sufficient sealing property even if the gasket is not squeezed by compressing it with large force in stack assemblage. <P>SOLUTION: This constituent component for a fuel cell has: a separator 2; the flat gasket 3 integrated with the separator 2 by a means such as integral molding or adhesive bonding; and a mating plate 5 provided with beads 7 for forming a sealed space by being pressed against the flat gasket 3 in stack assemblage. A seal part having high peak surface pressure is formed by locally squashing the flat gasket 3 by the beads 7. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a component for a fuel cell, which is a component of the fuel cell, and more particularly to a combination product of a separator, a gasket, and a mating plate.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Since a fuel cell stack uses multiple layers of components such as a separator and an electrolyte membrane, it has been an issue to reduce the size. At present, the stack size is reduced by, for example, reducing the thickness of the separator. However, there is also a demand for a gasket sandwiched between the separator and the mating plate to be reduced in thickness.
[0003]
As shown in FIG. 5, the gasket 51 is usually preliminarily integrated with the separator 52 to reduce the number of stack assembly steps. However, the cross-sectional shape of the gasket 51 is to increase the surface pressure and improve the sealing performance. As shown in the figure, the shape is a mountain shape or a round shape (see, for example, JP-A-11-309746).
[0004]
However, it is difficult to make the cross-sectional shape of the gasket 51 into a mountain shape or a round shape in a small space.
[0005]
As shown in FIG. 6, a method of forming the gasket 51 into a flat shape in order to make the gasket 51 thinner and compressing it at the time of assembling the stack can be considered. In this case, as shown in FIG. Since the gasket 51 has a large reaction force against the interference, there is a disadvantage that a large force is required to compress the gasket 51. Further, if the separator 52 is tightened at a high compression ratio in order to improve the sealing property, there is a disadvantage that the separator 52 is damaged or durability is reduced.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In view of the above, the present invention can meet the demand for gasket thinning, and furthermore, a gasket can be compressed with a large force at the time of stack assembly, and a sufficient sealing performance can be ensured without tightening. An object is to provide a component for a battery.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the fuel cell component of the present invention includes a separator, a flat gasket integrated with the separator by means such as integral molding or bonding, and a flat gasket when the stack is assembled. And a mating plate provided with a bead which is pressed to form a sealed space.
[0008]
In the fuel cell component of the present invention having the above-described configuration, the gasket is formed in a flat shape, so that the gasket can be thinned. Since the bead is pressed against the flat gasket at the time of stack assembly to form a seal line, it is possible to secure a sufficient sealing surface pressure without compressing the flat gasket with a large force and tightening. .
[0009]
The present application includes the following technical matters.
[0010]
That is, to achieve the above object, one fuel cell component proposed by the present application has the following contents.
[0011]
(1) A product in which a flat gasket is integrally formed on a fuel cell separator (metallic, resin, or carbon), a bead (projection) is provided on a mating plate, and the gasket is crushed and sealed with the bead (projection).
[0012]
(2) A product in which a groove is formed in a fuel cell separator, a gasket is formed in the groove, a bead (projection) is provided in a mating plate, and the gasket is crushed and sealed with the bead (projection).
[0013]
(3) A product in which a flat gasket integrated with a resin film with an adhesive is attached to a separator, beads (projections) are provided on the mating plate, and the gaskets are crushed and sealed with the beads (projections).
[0014]
{Circle around (4)} The present invention proposes a gasket structure capable of increasing the surface pressure even when the gasket thickness is reduced, and improving the sealing safety. More specifically, a flat gasket is integrated with the separator, while a continuous bead (projection) is provided on the mating plate, and the bead (projection) is pressed against the flat gasket during assembly to perform sealing.
[0015]
The embodiment is as follows.
[0016]
Regarding the above item (1), the method of forming a flat gasket on a separator includes injection molding, screen printing or a dispenser. The thickness of the separator is usually about 5 to 0.1 mm. Types of gaskets include silicone, EPDM, fluorine, butyl rubber, and acrylic rubber. Liquid silicone rubber, fluoro rubber or liquid EPDM is mainly used from the viewpoint of moldability. Beads (projections) are provided on the mating separator during cutting or molding. It is possible to seal by installing and compressing the bead (projection) and the gasket so that they face each other.
[0017]
Regarding the above item (2), a groove is provided on a portion of the separator where the gasket is formed. The grooves may be processed during cutting or molding. Thereafter, a gasket is formed in the groove. The subsequent method is the same as in (1).
[0018]
Regarding the above item (3), a pressure-sensitive adhesive is applied to one side, and a gasket is formed on a resin film in which the pressure-sensitive adhesive is covered with a release film. The method of forming the gasket is the same as (1). For fixing the resin film and the gasket, an adhesive may be used, or a selective adhesive rubber which does not adhere to the mold and is selectively adhered only to the resin may be used. The type of rubber is the same as (1). The release film covering the adhesive of the molded resin film-integrated gasket is peeled off and attached to the separator. A bead (projection) is provided on the mating separator, and sealing is performed thereby.
[0019]
According to the above configuration, a gasket with high peak surface pressure and improved durability can be provided even when a flat gasket is used. The cross-sectional shape of the gasket may be flat because a bead (protrusion) is provided on the plate on the other side of the gasket and sealing is performed thereby. Therefore, the thickness of the gasket can be reduced. Further, since a high compression force is not required for locally crushing the gasket by the bead (projection) and the distortion in the gasket is small, the durability is improved even for a thin gasket. As shown in FIG. 7, even in the case of a flat gasket, the gasket reaction force during compression is small, and the assemblability of the stack is also improved.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0021]
First embodiment ...
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fuel cell component 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in a state before assembly (before pressing a bead). FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in the state after assembly (after pressing the beads).
[0022]
The component 1 for a fuel cell according to the present embodiment is constituted by a combination of a separator 2, a gasket 3, and a mating separator 5 which is a mating plate that sandwiches the gasket 3 between the separator 2 and the gasket 3.
[0023]
The separator 2 is formed in a flat plate shape from a predetermined material such as metal, resin, or carbon, and a hole (not shown) for forming a flow path is provided in the plane. The thickness of the separator 2 is about 0.1 to 5 mm in actual size.
[0024]
The gasket 3 is formed in a planar shape by a predetermined rubber-like elastic body such as silicone rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), fluorine rubber, butyl rubber or acrylic rubber, and has a predetermined planar layout such as endless shape. It is integrated on one surface 2a by an integrating means by integral molding. Injection molding, screen printing, a dispenser, or the like is used as a method of integrally molding the gasket 3 on the separator 2, and depending on the method, a liquid type silicone rubber, a fluorine rubber, or a liquid EPDM is used as a gasket material. The gasket 3 has a flat sealing surface 4 as a result of being formed entirely in a flat shape.
[0025]
The counterpart separator 5 is formed of a predetermined material such as a metal, a resin, or carbon in the shape of a flat plate similarly to the separator 2 described above, and a hole 6 or the like for forming a flow path is provided in the plane thereof. I have. A bead (string-like projection) 7 is provided on one surface 5a of the separator 5 along the plane layout of the gasket 3, and the bead 7 does not damage the gasket 3 made of a rubber-like elastic material. As shown in FIG. The bead 7 is formed by cutting, or is formed at the time of forming the separator 5.
[0026]
When the component 1 for a fuel cell having the above configuration is assembled, as shown in FIG. 2 (B), the bead 7 locally crushes the flat gasket 3, and a seal with a high peak surface pressure is applied to the portion. A part is formed.
[0027]
Second embodiment ...
FIG. 3 shows a fuel cell component 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 (A) shows a cross-sectional view of a main part in a state before assembly (before pressing a bead). FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of a main part in a state after assembly (after bead pressing).
[0028]
The component 1 for a fuel cell according to the present embodiment is constituted by a combination of a separator 2, a gasket 3, and a mating separator 5 which is a mating plate that sandwiches the gasket 3 between the separator 2 and the gasket 3.
[0029]
The separator 2 is formed in a flat plate shape from a predetermined material such as metal, resin, or carbon, and a hole (not shown) for forming a flow path is provided in the plane. The thickness of the separator 2 is about 0.1 to 5 mm in actual size. In addition, a groove-shaped recess 8 is provided on one surface 2 a of the separator 2 along the plane layout of the gasket 3. The recess 8 is formed by a cutting process or is formed at the time of forming the separator 2.
[0030]
The gasket 3 is formed in a planar shape by a predetermined rubber-like elastic body such as silicone rubber, EPDM rubber, fluorine rubber, butyl rubber, or acrylic rubber, and is provided on one surface 2a of the separator 2 with a predetermined planar layout such as an endless shape. It is integrated in the recessed portion 8 by integral means by integral molding. Injection molding, screen printing, a dispenser, or the like is used as a method of integrally forming the gasket 3 on the separator 2 and in the recess 8. Depending on the method, a liquid type silicone rubber, a fluoro rubber, or a liquid rubber is used as a gasket material. EPDM or the like is used. The gasket 3 has a flat sealing surface 4 as a result of being formed entirely in a flat shape.
[0031]
The counterpart separator 5 is formed of a predetermined material such as a metal, a resin, or carbon in the shape of a flat plate, similarly to the separator 2, and has a hole (not shown) for forming a flow path in the plane thereof. Is provided. A bead (string-like projection) 7 is provided on one surface 5a of the separator 5 along the plane layout of the recess 8 and the gasket 3, and the bead 7 damages the gasket 3 made of a rubber-like elastic material. In order to avoid this, it is formed in a round cross-sectional arc shape. The bead 7 is formed by cutting, or is formed at the time of forming the separator 5.
[0032]
When the fuel cell component 1 having the above-described structure is assembled, the structure shown in FIG. 3B is obtained. Since the bead 7 locally crushes the flat gasket 3, a seal portion having a high peak surface pressure is provided in the portion. It is formed.
[0033]
Third embodiment ...
FIG. 4 shows a fuel cell component 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 (A) shows a cross-sectional view of a main part in a state before assembly (before pressing a bead). FIG. 4B is a sectional view of a main part in a state after assembly (after pressing the beads).
[0034]
The component 1 for a fuel cell according to the present embodiment is constituted by a combination of a separator 2, a gasket 3, and a mating separator 5 which is a mating plate that sandwiches the gasket 3 between the separator 2 and the gasket 3.
[0035]
The separator 2 is formed in a flat plate shape from a predetermined material such as metal, resin, or carbon, and a hole (not shown) for forming a flow path is provided in the plane. The thickness of the separator 2 is about 0.1 to 5 mm in actual size.
[0036]
The gasket 3 is formed in a planar shape by a predetermined rubber-like elastic body such as silicone rubber, EPDM rubber, fluorine rubber, butyl rubber, or acrylic rubber, and is integrally formed on one surface 9a of the resin film 9 with a predetermined planar layout such as an endless shape. The gasket 3 is integrated with the separator 2 via the resin film 9 by attaching the resin film 9 to the one surface 2a of the separator 2 with the other surface 9b. I have. As a method of integrally forming the gasket 3 on the resin film 9, injection molding, screen printing, a dispenser, or the like is used. Depending on the method, a liquid type silicone rubber, a fluorine rubber, or a liquid EPDM is used as a gasket material. . As a means for integrating the gasket 3 with the resin film 9, a method using an adhesive or a method using a selective adhesive rubber may be used. An adhesive (not shown) is applied to the other surface 9b of the resin film 9 in advance, and the resin film 9 is adhered to the separator 2 by the adhesive or adhesive action of the adhesive. Before the attaching operation, the adhesive is covered with a release film (not shown), and at the time of the operation, the release film is peeled off and the resin film 9 is attached to the separator 2. The gasket 3 has a flat sealing surface 4 as a result of being formed entirely flat.
[0037]
The counterpart separator 5 is formed of a predetermined material such as a metal, a resin, or carbon in the shape of a flat plate, similarly to the separator 2, and has a hole (not shown) for forming a flow path in the plane thereof. Is provided. A bead (string-like projection) 7 is provided on one surface 5a of the separator 5 along the plane layout of the resin film 9 and the gasket 3. The bead 7 is formed by a gasket 3 made of a rubber-like elastic material. It is formed in a round cross-sectional arc shape so as not to damage it. The bead 7 is formed by cutting, or is formed at the time of forming the separator 5.
[0038]
When the component 1 for a fuel cell having the above configuration is assembled, as shown in FIG. 4 (B), the bead 7 locally crushes the flat gasket 3, so that a seal with a high peak surface pressure is applied to the portion. A part is formed.
[0039]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention has the following effects.
[0040]
That is, according to the component for a fuel cell of the present invention having the above configuration, first, since the gasket is formed in a planar shape, the thickness of the gasket can be reduced. Can be In addition to this, the beads provided on the mating plate such as the mating separator are pressed against the flat gasket at the time of assembling the stack to form a seal line, so that the flat gasket is compressed with a large force and does not need to be tightened. Also, sufficient sealing surface pressure can be secured. Therefore, as intended, it is possible to provide a fuel cell component that is thin and has good sealing properties.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fuel cell component according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a state before the assembly of the component, and FIG. FIG. 3A is a sectional view of a main part showing a state before assembling a fuel cell component according to a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 4A is a sectional view of a main part showing a state before assembly of a fuel cell component according to a third embodiment of the present invention; FIG. ) Is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the same component after assembly. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a conventional fuel cell component. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another conventional fuel cell component. Sectional view of main part [Fig. 7] Graph diagram showing the relationship between interference and reaction force [Explanation of reference numerals]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Component parts for fuel cells 2 Separator 2a, 5a, 9a One surface 3 Gasket 4 Seal surface 5 Counterpart separator (counterplate)
6 hole 7 bead 8 concave 9 resin film 9b other side

Claims (1)

A separator (2); a planar gasket (3) integrated with the separator (2) by means of integral molding or bonding; and a sealed space pressed against the planar gasket (3) during stack assembly. And a mating plate (5) provided with a bead (7) for forming a fuel cell.

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