WO2009154203A1 - ガス流路形成部材、製造方法、及び成形装置 - Google Patents
ガス流路形成部材、製造方法、及び成形装置 Download PDFInfo
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- WO2009154203A1 WO2009154203A1 PCT/JP2009/060954 JP2009060954W WO2009154203A1 WO 2009154203 A1 WO2009154203 A1 WO 2009154203A1 JP 2009060954 W JP2009060954 W JP 2009060954W WO 2009154203 A1 WO2009154203 A1 WO 2009154203A1
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- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- gas flow
- flow path
- portions
- forming member
- plate
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D13/00—Corrugating sheet metal, rods or profiles; Bending sheet metal, rods or profiles into wave form
- B21D13/08—Corrugating sheet metal, rods or profiles; Bending sheet metal, rods or profiles into wave form by combined methods
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D53/00—Making other particular articles
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/02—Details
- H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
- H01M8/0204—Non-porous and characterised by the material
- H01M8/0206—Metals or alloys
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/02—Details
- H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
- H01M8/0258—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/02—Details
- H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
- H01M8/0258—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
- H01M8/026—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant characterised by grooves, e.g. their pitch or depth
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
- H01M8/2465—Details of groupings of fuel cells
- H01M8/2483—Details of groupings of fuel cells characterised by internal manifolds
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
- Y02E60/50—Fuel cells
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P70/00—Climate change mitigation technologies in the production process for final industrial or consumer products
- Y02P70/50—Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a gas flow path forming member interposed between a gas diffusion layer and a separator in a power generation cell of a fuel cell, a method for manufacturing the gas flow path forming member, a molding apparatus used for manufacturing the gas flow path forming member, and a gas
- the present invention relates to a power generation cell for a fuel cell including a flow path forming member, and a method for manufacturing the power generation cell for a fuel cell.
- Patent Document 1 a polymer electrolyte fuel cell disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been proposed.
- This type of fuel cell includes a fuel cell stack in which power generation cells are stacked.
- the power generation cell includes a membrane-electrode assembly including an electrolyte membrane, an anode electrode layer, and a cathode electrode layer.
- An anode electrode layer is formed on the first surface of the electrolyte membrane, and a cathode electrode layer is formed on the second surface of the electrolyte membrane.
- a fuel gas such as hydrogen gas and an oxidant gas such as air are supplied to the anode electrode layer and the cathode electrode layer via a gas flow path forming member (collector).
- a gas flow path forming member collector
- an electrode reaction occurs in the membrane-electrode assembly to generate electric power.
- the generated electricity is output to the outside through a collector and a plate-shaped separator.
- the gas flow path forming member is required to have an ability to efficiently supply fuel gas and oxidant gas to the anode electrode layer and the cathode electrode layer, respectively.
- the gas flow path forming member is formed of a lath cut metal made of a thin metal plate.
- the lath cut metal is formed with a plurality of small through holes having a predetermined shape.
- the lath cut metal has a substantially hexagonal through-hole formed in a mesh shape by performing a lath cut process on a stainless steel plate having a thickness of about 0.1 mm, for example.
- the ring part (strand) which forms a hexagonal through-hole is connected so that it may mutually overlap. For this reason, the lath cut metal has a stepped cross-sectional shape.
- FIG. 49 shows a state in which a conventional gas flow path forming member 1021 is interposed between the carbon paper 19 bonded to the anode electrode layer 17 and the separator 23.
- the separator 23 is pressed downward in this state, as shown in FIG. 50, the contact portion 1028 of the gas flow path forming member 1021 is strongly pressed against the carbon paper 19 and bites in.
- a part of the carbon paper 19 is cut by the contact portion 1028, and the function as the gas diffusion layer may be deteriorated. Further, a part of the gas diffusion layer may enter the fuel gas passage of the gas flow path forming member 1021, and the effective area of the fuel gas passage may be reduced. In this case, the pressure loss of the fuel gas increases, and the supply amount of fuel gas and the power generation efficiency decrease.
- the cut carbon fibers may be caused to flow by the fuel gas and adhere to the narrow gas flow path of the gas flow path forming member, resulting in clogging. In this case, the flow of the fuel gas is hindered and the power generation efficiency is reduced. Furthermore, since the amount of biting of the contact portion 1028 to the carbon paper 19 varies between the power generation cells, the power generation voltage becomes unstable.
- the gas flow path forming member 1021 has another contact portion 1030 on the side opposite to the contact portion 1029. For this reason, the corner
- a lath cut molding apparatus shown in FIG. 40 was employed. As shown in FIG. 40, the lath cut molding device is located above the first shearing die 333 in which only the shearing blade 333b is formed, and the recesses 334b and the projections 334a are alternately formed. And a second shearing type 334. When forming the lath cut metal using this apparatus, the upper half ring portion and the lower half ring portion are alternately formed by the concave portion 334b and the convex portion 334a in one up and down operation of the second shearing die 334. Is done.
- the upper half ring part formed by the concave part 334b hangs obliquely downward.
- This hanging portion forms a bent flat portion 1029 shown in FIG.
- the bent flat portion 1029 functions as the contact portion 1029 of the gas flow path forming member 1021 and is in surface contact with the gas diffusion layer 1019.
- the problem resulting from the biting of the contact portion 1029 described above is solved.
- the bent flat portion 1029a is formed, the thickness T of the gas flow path forming member 1021 is reduced, and the effective area of the gas flow path is reduced.
- An object of the present invention is to prevent a contact portion of a gas flow path forming member from biting into a gas diffusion layer and improve the power generation efficiency of a fuel cell, and a method for manufacturing the gas flow path forming member
- the present invention relates to a molding apparatus used for manufacturing a gas flow path forming member, a power generation cell of a fuel cell including the gas flow path forming member, and a method of manufacturing the power generation cell of the fuel cell.
- a gas flow path forming member used for a power generation cell of a fuel cell includes a gas diffusion layer formed in the electrode layer of the electrode structure, a separator for isolating adjacent power generation cells, and a gas flow path formed between the gas diffusion layer and the separator and having a gas flow path And a member.
- the power generation cell is configured to generate power by generating an electrode reaction in the electrode layer by supplying fuel gas or oxidant gas to the electrode layer through the gas flow path.
- the gas flow path forming member used for the power generation cell is made of a lath cut metal made of a thin metal plate.
- the lath cut metal has a plurality of through holes formed in a mesh shape.
- the gas flow path forming member has a plurality of ring portions that form the respective through holes.
- the ring portion has a flat portion at the contact portion with the gas diffusion layer.
- the flat portion is formed in the contact portion with the gas diffusion layer such as carbon paper in the ring portion that forms the through hole of the gas flow path forming member.
- the gas flow path forming member preferably further has a flat portion at a contact portion with the separator.
- each through hole and the ring portion are preferably formed in a hexagonal cross section, and the contact portion is provided at a position corresponding to one side of the hexagon.
- the power generation cell includes a gas diffusion layer formed in the electrode layer of the electrode structure, a separator for isolating adjacent power generation cells, and a gas flow path formed between the gas diffusion layer and the separator and having a gas flow path And a member.
- the power generation cell is configured to generate power by generating an electrode reaction in the electrode layer by supplying fuel gas or oxidant gas to the electrode layer through the gas flow path.
- This gas flow path forming member manufacturing method includes a first step of manufacturing a lath cut metal by forming a plurality of through holes in a metal thin plate in a mesh shape, and each through hole of the lath cut metal after the first step. And a second step of forming a flat portion at a contact portion with the gas diffusion layer in the ring portion forming the gas.
- the lath cut metal manufactured in the first step is placed between a pair of rollers, the lath cut metal is compressed, and the contact portion is plastically deformed. It is preferable that a plane portion is formed.
- the contact portion is arranged in the thickness direction of the Lascut metal using a fixed cutting die and a movable cutting die at the time of manufacturing the Lascut metal as the first step. It is preferable that the flat portion is formed by plastic deformation.
- a molding apparatus used for manufacturing a gas flow path forming member.
- the molding apparatus is engaged with the fixed cutting die having the first concave portions and the first convex portions alternately arranged at a predetermined pitch, and the first concave portion and the first convex portion of the fixed cutting mold, respectively, and at a predetermined pitch.
- a movable cutting die having a second convex portion and a second concave portion. The movable cutting die can reciprocate along the thickness direction and the width direction of the metal thin plate.
- a plurality of cuts are made in the metal thin plate at a predetermined pitch and the same metal.
- the thin plate is bent and stretched to form a plurality of ring portions that form each through hole in the metal thin plate.
- an inclined surface is formed on the upper surface of the first projection of the fixed cutting type. The inclined surface is inclined so as to become lower toward the downstream side as the feeding direction of the metal thin plate.
- a molding apparatus used for manufacturing a gas flow path forming member.
- the molding apparatus is engaged with the fixed cutting die having the first concave portions and the first convex portions alternately arranged at a predetermined pitch, and the first concave portion and the first convex portion of the fixed cutting mold, respectively, and at a predetermined pitch.
- a movable cutting die having a second convex portion and a second concave portion. The movable cutting die can reciprocate along the thickness direction and the width direction of the metal thin plate.
- the fixed cutting die and the movable cutting die bend the both side portions sandwiching the contact portion with the gas diffusion layer of the fuel cell toward the center of the through hole.
- a gas diffusion layer formed in the electrode layer of the electrode structure, and interposed between the gas diffusion layer and the separator, the fuel gas or oxidation A gas flow path forming member having a gas flow path for supplying the agent gas, and the fuel gas or the oxidant gas is supplied to the electrode layer through the gas flow path, and power is generated by an electrode reaction in the electrode layer.
- a configured gas flow path forming member is provided.
- the gas flow path forming member is made of lath cut metal formed by forming a plurality of ring portions having through holes on a metal thin plate in a mesh shape.
- a first flat portion is formed in the first contact portion that contacts the surface of the gas diffusion layer in the ring portion.
- the 2nd plane part is formed in the 2nd contact part which contacts the back surface of a separator in a ring part.
- the width of the first flat portion in the gas flow path direction is set wider than the width of the second flat portion in the gas flow path direction.
- the gas flow path forming member is formed with a plurality of ring portions that form through holes.
- a first flat surface portion is formed by press molding at a first contact portion that contacts a gas diffusion layer such as carbon paper in the outer peripheral edge of the ring portion. For this reason, the first flat surface portion can be brought into surface contact with the surface of the gas diffusion layer. For this reason, the first contact portion does not bite into the gas diffusion layer. Therefore, destruction of the gas diffusion layer is prevented. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the effective area of the gas flow path from being reduced due to the fragments of the gas diffusion layer entering the gas flow path of the gas flow path forming member.
- the second flat surface portion is also formed by press molding in the second contact portion that contacts the separator in the outer peripheral edge of the ring portion. For this reason, a 2nd plane part can be surface-contacted also with respect to the back surface of a separator. For this reason, damage to the separator is prevented. Further, a current-carrying area between the gas flow path forming member and the separator can be secured. Therefore, the electrical resistance during power generation is reduced and the power generation efficiency is improved.
- the width of the first plane portion is set relatively wide to prevent the first plane portion from biting into the gas diffusion layer.
- the width of the second plane portion is set to be smaller than that of the first plane portion to prevent damage to the separator and to secure a current-carrying area between the second plane portion and the separator.
- the thickness dimension of a gas flow path formation member can be hold
- the gas flow path forming member includes a connecting plate portion for connecting a plurality of ring portions, and the ring portion is provided with a first half ring portion facing the gas diffusion layer, and the first half ring portion is connected A pair of first side plate portions connected to the plate portion, a pair of first inclined plate portions integrally connected to the end portions of the respective first side plate portions, and the first inclined plate portions so as to bridge them.
- a first flat plate portion integrally connected to the first flat plate portion, and the first flat plate portion includes a first contact portion that contacts the gas diffusion layer. Is provided with a second half ring portion facing the separator, and the second half ring portion is provided at a pair of second inclined plate portions integrally connected to the connecting plate portion, and at an end portion of each second inclined plate portion.
- a pair of second side plate portions that are integrally connected and arranged in parallel, and are integrally connected so as to bridge both the second side plate portions.
- a second flat plate portion which is, the second plate portion includes a second contact portion for contacting a separator, it is preferable that the second contact portion and the second flat portion are shaped.
- a method for manufacturing a gas flow path forming member corresponds to a first shearing die in which a plurality of first concave portions and first convex portions are alternately formed at a predetermined pitch, and a second convex portion and a first convex portion corresponding to the first concave portion.
- a first step of alternately forming facing second half-ring portions a metal sheet is fed by a predetermined amount, and the first shearing type and the second shearing type are offset in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the metal sheet,
- a through hole is formed by the first half ring part and the second half ring part that are adjacent along the feed direction.
- a molding apparatus used in a method for manufacturing a gas flow path forming member.
- the forming apparatus includes a first shearing die, a second shearing die, and a press device that press-molds a lath cut metal in which a plurality of ring portions are arranged in the thickness direction thereof.
- the last cut metal reciprocates the first and second shear molds in the thickness direction of the metal thin plate and the direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the metal thin plate, respectively, and the first concave portion, the second convex portion, the first convex portion, and the second It is formed by meshing the recesses, forming a plurality of cuts at a predetermined pitch with respect to the thin metal plate, and then bending and extending the thin metal plate, and the shape of the first protrusion and the first recess, and the second recess and the second protrusion.
- the shape of the part is set so as to press the half ring parts with different amounts of deformation when the first half ring part and the second half ring part are pressed.
- the first shearing type first convex portion and the second shearing type second concave portion include a molding surface for molding a pair of first side plates constituting the first half ring portion, and both first A molding surface for molding a pair of first inclined plate portions connected to the side plates, and a molding surface for forming a first flat plate portion connected so as to bridge both the first inclined plate portions.
- the first shearing-type first concave portion and the second shearing-type second convex portion include a molding surface for molding a pair of second inclined plate portions constituting the second half ring portion, and a first inclined plate portion. A molding surface for molding the pair of second side plate portions connected to each other, and a molding surface for molding the second flat plate portion connected to bridge the second side plate portions.
- an electrode layer a gas diffusion layer formed on the surface of the electrode layer, a separator facing the gas diffusion layer, and a gas diffusion layer
- a gas channel forming member formed with a gas channel for supplying either the fuel gas or the oxidant gas to the electrode layer, and generating power by an electrode reaction occurring in the electrode layer.
- the gas flow path forming member is constituted by a lath cut metal formed of a thin metal plate, and the gas flow path forming member has a mesh-shaped ring portion having through holes of a predetermined shape.
- the ring portion is formed with a bent plane portion in surface contact with the surface of the gas diffusion layer, and a non-bent plane portion is formed between the bent plane portion and the connecting plate portion connecting the ring portion. Bend and non-bending plane
- the song planar portion, the power generation cell of a fuel cell is formed by a plurality of steps one after the Rasukatto molding apparatus is provided.
- the bent flat portion is formed in the contact portion that comes into contact with the gas diffusion layer such as carbon paper in the outer peripheral edge of the ring portion that forms the through hole of the gas flow path forming member, the surface of the gas diffusion layer On the other hand, the bent flat portion is brought into surface contact. For this reason, the contact portion does not bite into the gas diffusion layer, the destruction of the gas diffusion layer is prevented, and the destroyed gas diffusion layer enters the gas passage of the gas flow path forming member and the effective area of the gas passage Will not decrease.
- the gas diffusion layer such as carbon paper
- the present invention has a structure in which a bent flat portion and a non-bent flat portion are formed by two lath cuts, so that a wide bent flat portion is formed in the entire width direction of the ring portion by a single lath cut.
- the formation width of the bent flat portion can be reduced, and the thickness of the gas flow path forming member can be increased correspondingly, the effective area of the gas flow path can be increased, and the power generation efficiency can be improved.
- each ring portion is preferably formed in a pentagonal shape or a hexagonal shape.
- a first shearing die having a linear first shearing blade and a plurality of recesses and projections alternately formed at a predetermined interval are provided.
- a second shearing die provided with a second shearing blade that forms a plurality of cuts in the metal thin plate in cooperation with the first shearing blade at each convex portion.
- a plurality of first processed portions and second processed portions that are alternately positioned along the feeding direction of the thin plate are sequentially processed, and the first processed portion of the thin metal plate is compared with the first and second shear types.
- the second processed portion adjacent to the first processed portion from the upstream side in the feeding direction of the thin metal plate in the thin metal plate is In a state where the first shearing die and the second shearing die are sent to the intermediate forming position, the second shearing die is offset in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the metal thin plate, and the bent flat portion is formed with respect to the second processed portion.
- a third step of forming a half ring part including: and after the third step, the second processed part is further sent to the final forming position with respect to the first shear mold and the second shear mold,
- the fourth step of forming the half ring portion including the non-bent flat portion with respect to the second processed portion, the first and second steps, and the third and fourth steps are alternately repeated, and the metal Forming a lath cut metal by forming the ring portion into a mesh shape with respect to the thin plate.
- the second step and the fourth step are each performed a plurality of times.
- FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG.
- the partial perspective view of the lath metal before forming a plane part The schematic diagram of a plane part forming apparatus.
- the fragmentary perspective view which shows another embodiment of a fixed cutting type and a movable cutting type. Sectional drawing for demonstrating the method of forming the plane part of a lath metal using the fixed cutting type
- the fragmentary sectional view which shows another embodiment of the plane part shaping
- Sectional drawing of the lath metal before forming a plane part Sectional drawing of the lath metal after forming a plane part. Sectional drawing of the lath metal after forming a plane part. Sectional drawing of the lath metal before forming a plane part. Sectional drawing of the lath metal after forming a plane part.
- the fragmentary perspective view of the gas flow path formation member which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention.
- the partial front view of a gas flow path formation member The fragmentary sectional view of a gas channel formation member. Sectional drawing which shows a lath cut processing apparatus.
- FIG. The partial front view of a Ruscut metal. Cross-sectional view of Ruscut Metal.
- the partial front view which expands and shows the ring part of a lath cut metal.
- the front view of a press apparatus The expanded sectional view which shows the laminated structure of a gas diffusion layer, the 1st gas flow path formation member, and a 1st separator.
- the partial front view which shows another embodiment of a ring part.
- the fragmentary perspective view of the gas flow path formation member which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention.
- the front view which shows a part of 1st gas flow path formation member.
- Sectional drawing which shows a part of 1st gas flow path formation member.
- Sectional drawing which shows the lamination
- (A) is a sectional side view which shows the manufacturing process of a gas flow path formation member
- (b) is a front view which shows the manufacturing process.
- (A) is a sectional side view which shows the manufacturing process of a gas flow path formation member
- (b) is a front view which shows the manufacturing process.
- (A) is a sectional side view which shows the manufacturing process of a gas flow path formation member
- (b) is a front view which shows the manufacturing process.
- (A) is a sectional side view which shows the manufacturing process of a gas flow path formation member
- (b) is a front view which shows the manufacturing process.
- (A) is a sectional side view which shows the manufacturing process of a gas flow path formation member
- (b) is a front view which shows the manufacturing process.
- (A) is a sectional side view which shows the manufacturing process of a gas flow path formation member
- (b) is a front view which shows the manufacturing process.
- (A) is a sectional side view which shows the manufacturing process of a gas flow path formation member
- (b) is a front view which shows the manufacturing process.
- (A) is a sectional side view which shows the manufacturing process of a gas flow path formation member
- (b) is a front view which shows the manufacturing process.
- Sectional drawing which shows the state by which the carbon paper which comprises the conventional power generation cell, the 1st gas flow path formation member, and the 1st separator were laminated
- stacked Sectional drawing which shows the state by which the 1st separator was pressed with respect to carbon paper.
- Sectional drawing which shows the laminated structure of the gas diffusion layer of a conventional power generation cell, a gas flow path formation member, and a separator.
- the fuel cell stack 11 is configured by stacking a plurality of power generation cells 12.
- the power generation cell 12 includes first and second frames 13 and 14 and an MEA 15 (Membrane-Electrode-Assembly) as an electrode structure.
- the first and second frames 13 and 14 are both made of synthetic rubber or synthetic resin and formed in a square frame shape.
- the first and second frames 13 and 14 have a fuel gas passage space S1 and an oxidant gas passage space S2, respectively.
- the MEA 15 is disposed between the frames 13 and 14.
- the power generation cell 12 includes a first gas flow path forming member 21 accommodated in the fuel gas passage space S1 and a second gas flow path forming member 22 accommodated in the oxidant gas passage space S2.
- the first and second gas flow path forming members 21 and 22 are both made of titanium.
- the power generation cell 12 includes a first separator 23 and a second separator 24.
- the first separator 23 is bonded to the upper surfaces of the first frame 13 and the first gas flow path forming member 21, and the second separator 24 is bonded to the lower surfaces of the second frame 14 and the second gas flow path forming member 22. Yes.
- the first and second separators 23 and 24 are both made of titanium and formed in a flat plate shape. In FIG. 2, the shapes of the gas flow path forming members 21 and 22 are simplified.
- Gas passages 13a and 13b made of long holes are formed in a pair of opposing edges of the first frame 13, respectively.
- Gas passages 14a and 14b each having a long hole are also formed in a pair of opposing edges of the second frame 14, respectively.
- the gas passages 13a and 13b and the gas passages 14a and 14b are formed at the edges of the first and second frames 13 and 14 that do not correspond to each other.
- the MEA 15 includes an electrolyte membrane 16, an anode electrode layer 17 and a cathode electrode layer 18, and carbon papers 19 and 20 as gas diffusion layers having conductivity.
- the anode electrode layer 17 is formed by laminating a predetermined catalyst on the upper surface of the electrolyte membrane 16, and the cathode electrode layer 18 is formed by laminating a predetermined catalyst on the lower surface of the electrolyte membrane 16.
- the carbon papers 19 and 20 are bonded to the surfaces of the anode and cathode electrode layers 17 and 18, respectively.
- gas inlets 23a are formed at a pair of orthogonal edges, and gas outlets 23b are formed at another pair of orthogonal edges.
- gas inlets 24a are formed at a pair of orthogonal edges, and gas outlets 24b are formed at the other pair of orthogonal edges.
- the first and second gas flow path forming members 21 and 22 are formed of titanium lath cut metal 25 (hereinafter simply referred to as lath metal) having a thickness of about 0.1 mm. .
- lath metal titanium lath cut metal 25
- substantially hexagonal through holes 26 are formed in a staggered arrangement.
- the ring portions 27 forming the through holes 26 are connected so as to overlap each other.
- the ring portion 27 is formed with a first contact portion 28 that contacts the carbon papers 19 and 20 and a second contact portion 29 that contacts the inner surfaces of the first or second separators 23 and 24.
- the first and second contact portions 28 and 29 are formed with first and second plane portions 28a and 29a, respectively.
- the first flat surface portion 28a is in contact with the carbon paper 19, 20 on the surface
- the second flat surface portion 29a is in contact with the separators 23, 24 on the surface.
- the first gas flow path forming member 21 is disposed in the fuel gas passage space S1 of the first frame 13 so as to contact the surface of the carbon paper 19 and the inner surface of the first separator 23.
- the second gas flow path forming member 22 is disposed in the oxidant gas passage space S ⁇ b> 2 of the second frame 14 so as to contact the surface of the carbon paper 20 and the inner surface of the second separator 24.
- the fuel gas introduced into the fuel gas passage space S1 from the first gas introduction port 23a of the first separator 23 by the first gas flow path forming member 21 is the first gas outlet port. 23 b or the gas passage 14 b of the second frame 14 and the first gas outlet 24 b of the second separator 24.
- the second gas flow path forming member 22 introduces the oxidant gas passage space S2 from the second gas introduction port 23a of the first separator 23 through the gas passage 13a of the first frame 13.
- the oxidant gas flows through the gas passage 13b of the first frame 13 to the second gas outlet 23b or the second gas outlet 24b of the second separator 24.
- the first and second frames 13 and 14 are both made of synthetic rubber in order to ensure the sealing performance at the contact surface between the first frame 13 and the electrolyte membrane 16 and the second frame 14. For this reason, when the fuel cell stack 11 is configured by stacking the power generation cells 12, the first and second gas flow path forming members 21, 22 are separated from each other by the load due to the fastening of the fuel cell stack 11. 23 and 24 are assembled in a state of being pressed against the MEA 15. Therefore, in the first gas flow path forming member 21, the contact state between the first flat surface portion 28 a of the first contact portion 28 and the carbon paper 19, and the second flat surface portion 29 a of the second contact portion 29 and the first separator 23. The contact state of each is properly maintained.
- the second gas flow path forming member 22 is also configured in the same manner as the gas flow path forming member 21, the contact state between the first flat surface portion 28a of the first contact portion 28 and the carbon paper 20, and the first The contact state between the second flat surface portion 29 a of the two contact portions 29 and the second separator 24 is properly maintained.
- the first gas introduction port 23 a of the first separator 23 and the first gas introduction port 24 a of the second separator 24 are connected to the fuel gas passage space S 1 of the first frame 13 and the second frame 14. It communicates via the gas passage 14a. Thereby, a fuel gas (hydrogen gas) flow passage is formed.
- the second gas introduction port 23a of the first separator 23 and the second gas introduction port 24a of the second separator 24 are connected via the gas passage 13b of the first frame 13 and the oxidant gas passage space S2 of the second frame 14, respectively. It is communicated. Thereby, an oxidizing gas (air) flow passage is formed.
- the fuel gas supplied to the fuel gas flow passage is uniformly diffused and flows in the fuel gas passage space S1 by the first gas flow path forming member 21. Further, the oxidant gas supplied to the oxidant gas passage space S2 also flows in the oxidant gas passage space S2 while being diffused uniformly by the second gas flow path forming member 22. That is, the flow of the fuel gas in the fuel gas passage space S ⁇ b> 1 becomes turbulent by passing through the staggered through holes 26 formed in the first gas flow path forming member 21. As a result, the fuel gas is uniformly diffused in the gas passage space S1. Accordingly, the fuel gas is diffused through the carbon paper 19 and is uniformly supplied to the anode electrode layer 17.
- the flow of the oxidant gas in the oxidant gas passage space S2 also becomes turbulent by passing through the staggered through holes 26 formed in the second gas flow path forming member 22.
- the oxidant gas is uniformly diffused in the oxidant gas passage space S2.
- the oxidant gas is diffused through the carbon paper 20 and is uniformly supplied to the cathode electrode layer 18.
- the first gas flow path forming member 21 is formed using the lath cut processing apparatus shown in FIG.
- the lath cutting apparatus includes a pair of feed rollers 31 that sequentially supply the titanium thin plate 25A.
- the lath cut processing apparatus includes a forming mechanism 32 for forming the lath metal 25.
- the forming mechanism 32 makes a plurality of cuts in the titanium thin plate 25A and bends and stretches the thin plate 25A to cause plastic deformation.
- the forming mechanism 32 forms a plurality of hexagonal through holes 26 in a mesh shape and a titanium thin plate 25A in a step shape in the titanium thin plate 25A.
- the molding mechanism 32 includes a fixed cutting die 33 that is immovably fixed at a predetermined position, and a movable cutting die 34 that can reciprocate vertically and horizontally.
- the fixed cutting die 33 has a side wall 33a on the downstream side in the feed direction of the titanium thin plate 25A.
- a plurality of convex portions 33b (first convex portions) and concave portions 33c (first concave portions) are formed on the upper portion of the side wall 33a.
- the convex portions 33b and the concave portions 33 are alternately formed at a predetermined pitch in the lateral direction.
- a plurality of convex portions 34 a (second convex portions) and concave portions 34 b (second concave portions) that are respectively meshed with the concave portions 33 c and the convex portions 33 b of the fixed cutting die 33 are formed in the lower portion of the movable cutting die 34.
- the convex portions 34a and the concave portions 34b are alternately formed at a predetermined pitch in the lateral direction.
- the fixed cutting die 33 has a shearing blade 33d that cuts the titanium thin plate 25A at the upper end of the inner surface of the recess 33c.
- the movable cutting die 34 has a shearing blade 34c that cuts the titanium thin plate 25A at the lower end of the convex portion 34a.
- the titanium thin plate 25 ⁇ / b> A is fed from the fixed cutting die 33 to the movable cutting die 34 by a predetermined processing pitch by the feed roller 31.
- a part of the titanium thin plate 25A is sheared by the shearing blade 33d of the fixed cutting die 33 and the shearing blade 34c of the movable cutting die 34 descending to make a plurality of cuts in the titanium thin plate 25A.
- the movable cutting die 34 is lowered to the lowest point position, and the titanium thin plate 25A is pressed downward by the convex portion 34a of the movable cutting die 34 to bend and extend.
- a part of the titanium thin plate 25A is bent and extended in this manner, thereby forming a substantially trapezoidal shape as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the movable cutting die 34 moves upward from the lowest point position and returns to the original position.
- the feed roller 31 again feeds the titanium thin plate 25A toward the forming mechanism 32 by a predetermined pitch.
- the movable cutting die 34 moves to the left or right by a distance that is half the arrangement pitch of the ring portions 27.
- the movable cutting die 34 is lowered again, and the titanium thin plate 25A is cut at a position offset to the left or right by a half pitch from the previously processed bending and extending portion, and bending and extending are performed.
- a plurality of through holes 26 are formed in the titanium thin plate 25A, and the thin metal plate 25A is bent and stretched, whereby the lath metal 25 is formed.
- the lath metal 25 is formed with a plurality of through holes 26 in a mesh pattern and in a staggered arrangement as shown in FIGS.
- the convex portions 33b and concave portions 33c of the fixed cutting die 33 and the convex portions 34a and concave portions 34b of the movable cutting die 34 are engaged with each other, but the lath metal 25 is not processed by the movable cutting die 34 that is lowered. A part is formed.
- the plurality of ring portions 27 are connected so as to overlap each other.
- a lath metal 25 having a stepped cross section is formed.
- the flat surface forming device 40 includes a pair of tables 42 and 43 for supporting the lath metal 25 on the upper surface of the bed 41.
- a flat surface forming mechanism 44 is mounted on the upper surface of the bed 41.
- the flat surface forming mechanism 44 includes a column 45, a motor (not shown) mounted on the column 45, and a pair of compression rollers 46 and 47 rotated by the motor.
- the lath metal 25 is sent from the table 42 between the compression rollers 46, 47 rotating in the direction of the arrow. Then, the lath metal 25 is sent out in the right direction shown in FIG. 10 while the upper surface and the lower surface of the lath metal 25 are respectively compressed by the pair of compression rollers 46 and 47. By this operation, the first and second contact portions 28 and 29 of the lath metal 25 are respectively compressed by a predetermined amount from the vertical direction. As a result, the first and second contact portions 28 and 29 are plastically deformed, the first flat portion 28 a is formed in the first contact portion 28, and the second flat portion 29 a is formed in the second contact portion 29. Thereafter, the lath metal 25 is cut into a predetermined dimension, and the first and second gas flow path forming members 21 and 22 are formed.
- the first gas flow path forming member 21 has the first flat surface portion 28 a in surface contact with the upper surface of the carbon paper 19 and the second flat surface portion 29 a in surface contact with the back surface of the first separator 23. In the state, it is incorporated in the power generation cell 12 shown in FIG.
- the first gas flow path forming member 21 housed in the fuel gas passage space S 1 of the first frame 13 is made of a lath metal 25.
- the second gas flow path forming member 22 housed in the oxidant gas passage space S ⁇ b> 2 of the second frame 14 is also made of lath metal 25.
- the 1st plane part 28a is formed in the 1st contact part 28 which contacts the carbon paper 19.
- the 1st contact part 28 can be made to contact with the surface with respect to the carbon paper 19 which consists of fibers. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the first contact portion 28 from biting into the surface of the carbon paper 19.
- the carbon paper 19 and 20 and the 1st and 2nd gas flow path formation members 21 and 22 are included. Electrical connection can be made properly. Thereby, the flow of electricity from the carbon papers 19 and 20 to the first and second gas flow path forming members 21 and 22 becomes smooth, and the current collection efficiency is improved. Furthermore, damage to the carbon papers 19 and 20 due to the first and second contact portions 28 and 29 can also be prevented. Thereby, it is possible to prevent clogging of the gas passages of the gas flow path forming members 21 and 22 due to the cut carbon fibers, and it is possible to ensure power generation performance.
- a second flat surface portion 29 a is formed on the second contact portion 29 of the first and second gas flow path forming members 21 and 22.
- the 2nd plane part 29a can be made to contact on the surface with respect to the 1st and 2nd separator 23,24.
- the 1st and 2nd gas flow path formation members 21 and 22 and the 1st and 2nd separators 23 , 24 can be properly connected.
- the flow of electricity from both gas flow path forming members 21 and 22 to both separators 23 and 24 becomes smooth, and the current collection efficiency is improved.
- the plane portion forming apparatus 40 includes a pair of rollers 46 and 47 as shown in FIG. By using the pair of rollers 46 and 47, the flat portions 28 a and 29 a can be easily formed on the first and second contact portions 28 and 29 of the lath metal 25.
- the first embodiment may be modified as follows.
- the structure of the fixed cutting die 33 of the forming mechanism 32 may be changed as shown in FIGS.
- an inclined surface 33 e is formed on the upper surface of each convex portion 33 b of the fixed cutting die 33.
- the inclined surface 33e is inclined so as to become lower toward the downstream side in the feed direction of the titanium thin plate 25A.
- An inclined surface 34 d is also formed on the inner surface of the recess 34 b of the movable cutting die 34.
- the inclined surface 34d is inclined so as to become lower toward the downstream side in the feed direction of the titanium thin plate 25A.
- the lath metal 25 is processed by the fixed cutting die 33 and the movable cutting die 34, a bent portion is formed in the first contact portion 28 of the ring portion 27 by the inclined surfaces 33e and 34d as shown in FIG. .
- the surface of the bent portion becomes the first flat portion 28a.
- the first flat surface portion 28 a is formed only on the first contact portion 28 that contacts the carbon paper 19.
- the thickness of the movable cutting die 34 may be increased to form a flat portion 34 e that projects horizontally from the inclined surface 34 d to the movable cutting die 34. Thereby, the rigidity of the movable cutting die 34 is improved.
- the first gas flow path forming member 21 manufactured in this manner is applied to the power generation cell 12 with the first flat surface portion 28 a of the first contact portion 28 in contact with the carbon paper 19 of the MEA 15 on the surface. Incorporated.
- an inclined surface 34 f that increases toward the upstream side in the feed direction of the titanium thin plate 25 ⁇ / b> A may be formed on the lower surface of the convex portion 34 a of the movable cutting die 34.
- the flat portion 29 a is formed on the second contact portion 29.
- the configuration shown in Fig. 12 and the configuration shown in Fig. 15 may be used in combination.
- the first flat surface portion 28a and the second flat surface portion 29a can be formed on both contact portions 28 and 29 of the gas flow path forming member 21, respectively.
- both side portions sandwiching the contact portion with the carbon paper 20 swell outward.
- the effective area of the gas passage T surrounded by the carbon paper 20 and the lath metal 25 tends to be narrowed.
- both sides of the hexagonal ring portion 27 are bent toward the center of the through-hole 26 to form a substantially L-shaped or arc-shaped bent portion 27a. Also good.
- the lath metal 25 shown in FIG. 18 is molded and then passed through the flat surface forming device 40, the area of the through hole 26 is reduced as shown in FIG. The power generation efficiency of the fuel cell is improved.
- both side surfaces of the convex portion 34a and the concave portion 34b of the movable cutting die 34 may be changed to inclined surfaces.
- both side surfaces of the convex portion 33b and the concave portion 33c of the fixed cutting die 33 may be changed to inclined surfaces.
- the flat portions 28a and 29a may be formed in the first and second gas flow path forming members 21 and 22 by compressing the lath metal 25 by a predetermined amount in the thickness direction by a press machine. Further, the first contact portion 28 and the second contact portion 29 may be formed by a grinding machine or machining.
- the fixed cutting die 33 may be composed of a die 33h and a lower movable cutting die 33i which are separate bodies.
- the upper movable cutting die 34 can be reciprocated vertically and horizontally by a lifting mechanism (not shown), a servo motor M1, and the like.
- the die 33h is fixed at a predetermined position.
- the lower movable cutting die 33i can be reciprocated left and right by the servo motor M2.
- FIG. 12 may also be constituted by a separate die and a lower movable cutting die, similarly to the structure shown in FIG. (Second Embodiment)
- FIG. 12 A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Note that the detailed description of the same parts in the second embodiment as those in the first embodiment is omitted.
- the half ring portion R1 includes a pair of first side plate portions 227a, a pair of first inclined plate portions 227b, and a first flat plate portion 227c.
- the first inclined plate portion 227b is integrally connected to the upper end of the side plate portion 227a.
- the first flat plate portion 227c is integrally connected to the tips of the first inclined plate portions 227b so as to bridge them.
- a half ring portion R ⁇ b> 2 (second half ring portion) that is in contact with the separator 23 is provided below the ring portion 227.
- the half ring portion R2 includes a pair of second inclined plate portions 227d, a pair of second side plate portions 227e, and a second flat plate portion 227f.
- the second side plate portion 227e extends downward from the tip of the second inclined plate portion 227d.
- the second flat plate portion 227f is integrally connected to the distal ends of the side plate portions 227e so as to bridge them.
- the connecting plate portion 228 corresponds to the second flat plate portion 227f constituting the half ring portion R2.
- the first flat plate portion 227c of the half ring portion R1 has an end portion on the opposite side to the connecting plate portion 228 (second flat plate portion 227f). This end portion is the first contact portion 229 that contacts the surface of the gas diffusion layer 19 (or 20).
- the second flat plate portion 227f (connection plate portion 228) of the half ring portion R2 has an end on the opposite side to the first flat plate portion 227c. As shown in FIG. 24, this end portion is a second contact portion 230 that contacts the inner surface of the first or second separator 23, 24.
- Both contact portions 229 and 230 are provided with first and second plane portions 229a and 230a, respectively.
- the first and second flat portions 229a and 230a are formed by simultaneously compressing both surfaces of the lath metal 25 in the thickness direction.
- the first and second plane portions 229a and 230a are formed in parallel to each other.
- the first plane portion 229a is in surface contact with the gas diffusion layer 19 (20).
- the second flat surface portion 230a is in surface contact with the separator 23 (24).
- the first planar portion 229a has a width W1 in the gas flow path direction (the arrow direction in FIG. 24).
- the width W1 is set to 0.2 mm, for example.
- the second flat surface portion 230a also has a width W2 in the gas flow path direction.
- the width W2 is set to 0.1 mm, for example.
- the width W1 is set wider than the width W2.
- the forming mechanism 232 includes a first shear mold 233 and a second shear mold 234.
- the first shearing die 233 can reciprocate along a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the thin metal plate 225A (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 25) by an offset mechanism (not shown).
- the second shearing die 234 reciprocates along the vertical direction by a lifting mechanism (not shown), and reciprocates along a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the metal thin plate 225A by an offset mechanism.
- the first shearing die 233 has a side wall 233a on the downstream side in the feeding direction of the thin metal plate 225A.
- convex portions 233b as first convex portions and concave portions 233c as first concave portions are alternately formed.
- the convex part 233b and the recessed part 233c are arrange
- a convex part 234a as a second convex part meshing with the concave part 233c of the first shear mold 233 and a concave part as a second concave part meshing with the convex part 233b of the first shear mold 233 234b.
- the convex portions 234 a and the concave portions 234 b are alternately formed in the lower portion of the second shearing mold 234.
- the convex part 234a and the recessed part 234b are arrange
- the concave portion 233c of the first shearing die 233 has a side surface on the upstream side in the feeding direction of the thin metal plate 225A.
- a shearing blade 233d that cuts the metal thin plate 225A is formed at the upper edge of the side surface.
- An inverted trapezoidal shear blade 234 c is formed on the lower end edge and both side edges of the convex portion 234 a of the second shear mold 234.
- the shearing blade 234c is provided at a position corresponding to the shearing blade 233d.
- the shear blade 234c cuts the metal thin plate 225A in cooperation with the shear blade 233d.
- a pair of molding surfaces 233e, a pair of molding surfaces 233f, and a molding surface 233g are formed on the convex portion 233b of the first shearing die 233.
- the molding surface 233e molds the inner surfaces of the first side plate portions 227a of the ring portion 227 (the outer surfaces of the second side plate portions 227e).
- the molding surface 233f molds the inner surfaces of both first inclined plate portions 227b.
- the molding surface 233g molds the inner surface of the flat plate portion 227c.
- a pair of molding surfaces 234d, a pair of molding surfaces 234e, and a molding surface 234f are formed in the recess 234b of the second shearing die 234.
- the molding surface 234d molds the outer surface of the first side plate portion 227a of the ring portion 227 (the inner surface of the second side plate portion 227e).
- the molding surface 234e molds the outer surface of the first inclined plate portion 227b of the ring portion 227 (the inner surface of the second inclined plate portion 227d).
- the molding surface 234f molds the outer surface of the flat plate portion 227c.
- a molding surface 234g for molding the inner surface of the flat plate portion 227f of the ring portion 227 is formed at the lower end of the convex portion 234a of the second shear mold 234.
- the metal thin plate 225A is fed from the first shearing die 233 to the second shearing die 234 by a predetermined processing pitch by the feed roller 231.
- a part of the metal thin plate 225A is sheared by the shear blade 233d of the first shearing die 33 and the shearing blade 234c of the second shearing die 234 descending, and a plurality of cuts are made in the metal thin plate 225A.
- the second shearing die 234 descends to the lowest point position, and the metal thin plate 225A is pressed downward by the convex portion 234a of the second shearing die 234 to bend and extend.
- a part of the thin metal plate 225A bent and stretched in this way is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the second shearing die 234 moves upward from the lowest point position and returns to the original position.
- the feed roller 231 again feeds the thin metal plate 225A toward the forming mechanism 232 by a predetermined pitch.
- the first shearing type 233 and the second shearing type 234 move to the left or right by a distance (half pitch) that is half the arrangement pitch of the ring portions 227.
- the second shearing die 234 is lowered again, and the metal thin plate 225A is cut at a position offset to the left or right by a half pitch from the bending / stretching portion processed last time, and bending / stretching is performed.
- the ring portion 227 having the plurality of through holes 226 is formed, and the lath metal 225 is formed.
- the lath metal 225 is formed with a plurality of through holes 226 in a mesh shape and the ring portions 227 are formed in a staggered arrangement as shown in FIGS.
- the convex part 233b and the recessed part 233c of the 1st shear type 233, and the convex part 234a and the recessed part 234b of the 2nd shear type 234 are meshed
- an unprocessed portion that is not processed by the descending second shearing die 234 is formed on the lath metal 225.
- This unprocessed portion is formed as a connecting plate portion 228 (second flat plate portion 227f).
- the plurality of ring portions 227 are connected so as to overlap each other via the connecting plate portion 228.
- a lath metal 225 having a stepped cross section is formed.
- the ring portion 227 is formed in a polygonal shape.
- the ring portion 227 allows plastic deformation of the first flat plate portion 227c when the first flat plate portion 227c is pressed downward by the first side plate portion 227a and the first inclined plate portion 227b constituting the half ring portion R1.
- a first deformation allowing portion F1 is formed. For this reason, when an external force is applied downward to the flat plate portion 227c, the first deformation allowing portion F1 is deformed as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG.
- the second side plate portion 27e constituting the half ring portion R2 forms a second deformation allowing portion F2 that allows the second flat plate portion 227f to be plastically deformed when the second flat plate portion 227f is pressed upward. Yes. For this reason, when an external force is applied upward to the second flat plate portion 227f, the second deformation allowing portion F2 is deformed as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG.
- the deformation amount of the first deformation allowing portion F1 is set to be larger than the deformation amount of the second deformation allowing portion F2.
- an external force is applied downward to the first flat plate portion 227c of the first deformation allowing portion F1
- the force is transmitted to the first side plate portion 227a via the first inclined plate portion 227b.
- the first side plate portion 227a is deformed leftward or rightward with the base end as the center, and the first inclined plate portion 227b is rotated downward about the connecting portion with the first side plate portion 227a. Is done.
- transformation permission part F1 becomes a structure which is easy to deform
- the second inclined plate portion 227d is fixed as it is without being rotated around its base end. ing.
- both the second side plate portions 227e are only slightly deformed leftward or rightward with the base end as the center.
- transformation permission part F2 becomes a structure which is hard to deform
- the configuration of the press device for forming the first and second flat portions 229a and 230a is the same as the press device 40 of the first embodiment shown in FIG.
- the lath metal 225 is fed from the table 42 between the compression rollers 46 and 47 rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Then, the lath metal 225 is sent out in the right direction shown in FIG. 32 while being compressed in the vertical direction by the compression rollers 46 and 47.
- the first and second contact portions 229 and 230 of the lath metal 225 are respectively compressed by a predetermined amount from the vertical direction.
- the first flat surface portion 229 a is formed in the first contact portion 229
- the second flat surface portion 230 a is formed in the second contact portion 230.
- the first deformation allowing portion F1 of the half ring portion R1 is more easily compressed than the second deformation allowing portion F2 of the half ring portion R2. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 24, the width W1 of the first flat surface portion 229a of the first contact portion 229 in the gas flow path direction is wider than the width W2 of the second flat surface portion 230a of the second contact portion 230.
- the first and second gas flow path forming members 221 and 222 are formed by cutting the lath metal 225 into a predetermined dimension. As shown in FIG. 33, the first gas flow path forming member 221 formed in this way brings the first flat surface portion 229a into surface contact with the upper surface of the gas diffusion layer 19, and the second flat surface portion 230a is connected to the back surface of the first separator 223. It is incorporated in the power generation cell 12 in a state of surface contact with the power generation cell 12.
- the half ring portion R1 of the ring portion 227 is provided with a first deformable portion F1 that is easily deformed, and the half ring portion R2 of the ring portion 227 is not easily deformed.
- a deformation allowing portion F2 is provided.
- the first and second contact portions 229 and 230 of the lath cut metal 225 are formed with first and second plane portions 229a and 230a.
- the first and second flat portions 229a and 230a are formed by compressing both surfaces of the lath cut metal 225 using the compression rollers 246 and 247.
- the width W1 of the first plane portion 229a is set wider than the width W2 of the second plane portion 230a.
- the width W2 of the second plane part 230a can be set to an appropriate width regardless of the width W1 of the first plane part 229a. Accordingly, the width W2 of the second flat surface portion 230a can be set to such an extent that the inner surface of the separator 23 is not damaged, and the current-carrying area between the outer surface of the separator 23 and the second flat surface portion 230a is appropriately maintained. You can also. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 24, the thickness T of the gas flow path forming member 221, that is, the effective area of the gas flow path of the gas flow path forming member 221 can be appropriately maintained.
- the pressure loss of the gas supplied to the gas flow path is reduced, and the power generation efficiency is properly maintained. If the width W2 of the second flat surface portion 230a of the second contact portion 230 is set to be the same as the width W1 of the first flat surface portion 229a, as shown by a chain line in FIG. 24, the thickness T of the gas flow path forming member 221 is set. Becomes smaller and the effective area of the gas flow path becomes smaller.
- the second embodiment may be modified as follows. As shown in FIG. 34, the first inclined plate portion 227b and the second inclined plate portion 227d of the ring portion 227 may each be formed in an arc shape. That is, the entire ring portion 227 may be formed in a smooth shape.
- the first shearing die 233 shown in FIG. 26 may be divided into a main body having a shearing blade 233d and a shearing plate having a convex portion 233b and a concave portion 233c.
- the shear plate of the first shear mold 233 is provided at a position corresponding to the second shear mold 234.
- the main body of the first shearing die 233 is fixed at a predetermined position, and the shearing plate is formed so as to be capable of reciprocating in the horizontal direction.
- the first shearing die 233 and the second shearing die 234 are separated by a distance that is half the pitch of the projections of the second shearing die 234 and the recesses 234a and 234b.
- the offset amount may be changed as appropriate.
- the upper half ring portion R1 of the ring portion 327 includes a pair of first inclined plate portions 327a and a first flat plate portion 327b.
- the pair of first inclined plate portions 327a are opposed to each other, and the first flat plate portion 327b is formed integrally with the inclined plate portion 327a so as to bridge the upper end portions of both inclined plate portions 327a.
- the lower half ring portion R2 on the lower side of the ring portion 327 includes a pair of second inclined plate portions 327c and a second flat plate portion 327d.
- the pair of second inclined plate portions 327c are opposed to each other, and the second flat plate portion 327d is formed integrally with the inclined plate portion 327c so as to be bridged with the upper end portions of the both inclined plate portions 327c.
- the connecting plate portion 328 is the same plate portion as the second flat plate portion 327d of the ring portion 327.
- a first contact portion 329 that faces the second flat plate portion 327d of the ring portion 327 is formed on the first flat plate portion 327b of each ring portion 327.
- the first contact portion 329 contacts the surface of the gas diffusion layer 19.
- the first contact portion 329 is formed with a bent flat surface portion 329a.
- the bent flat portion 329a is in surface contact with the gas diffusion layer 19 (20).
- a second contact portion 330 that faces the first flat plate portion 327b of the ring portion 327 is formed on the second flat plate portion 327d of each ring portion 327.
- the second contact portion 330 is in line contact with the inner surfaces of the first or second separators 23 and 24 as shown in FIG.
- the first flat plate portion 327b is formed with a non-bending flat surface portion 327f that is positioned substantially on the same plane as the connecting plate portion 328. .
- the first flat plate portion 327b is formed by a non-bent flat portion 327f and a bent flat portion 329a.
- the bending angle ⁇ of the bending plane portion 329a with respect to the connecting plate portion 328 (non-bending plane portion 327f) is set in a range of 60 to 70 °.
- the bending angle ⁇ is set to 65 °.
- the forming mechanism 332 includes a first shear mold 333 and a second shear mold 334.
- the first shearing mold 333 is fixed to a support base (not shown).
- the second shearing die 334 reciprocates along the vertical direction, the width direction of the thin metal plate 325A, that is, along the rotation axis of the feed roller 331 (the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 39) by a lifting mechanism and an offset mechanism (not shown).
- the upper surface 333a of the first shearing die 333 functions as a surface that supports the thin metal plate 325A.
- a linear first shearing blade 333b is formed at the edge of the metal thin plate 325A on the downstream side in the feed direction H.
- a planar position regulating surface 333c is formed below the first shearing blade 333b.
- a plurality of convex portions 334 a are formed at a lower portion of the second shearing die 334 with a predetermined pitch D along the horizontal direction.
- a horizontal molding surface 334 c is formed at the lower end of the convex portion 334 a of the second shearing die 334.
- An inclined molding surface 334d is formed on each of the left and right side surfaces of the convex portion 334a.
- a horizontal molding surface 334e is formed between the inclined molding surfaces 334d of the two adjacent convex portions 334a.
- a plurality of recesses 334b are defined by the inclined molding surface 334d and the horizontal molding surface 334e.
- the concave portions 334b are formed alternately with the convex portions 334a.
- an inverted trapezoidal second shearing blade 334f is formed at the upstream edge of the metal thin plate 325A in the feed direction H.
- the second shearing blade 334f cuts the metal thin plate 325A in cooperation with the first shearing blade 333b.
- a method for forming the gas flow path forming members 321 and 322 using the forming apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.
- a plurality of first processed portions P1 and second processed portions P2 that are alternately positioned along the feed direction H are set on the thin metal plate 325A.
- the first processed portion P1 and the second processed portion P2 are sequentially processed.
- the first step first, as shown in FIG. 41 (a), the first processed part P1 of the metal thin plate 325A is moved by the feed roller 331 (see FIG. 39) into the first shear mold 333 and the second shear mold 334. To the intermediate molding position.
- the end portion of the thin metal plate 325A is fed out from the first shearing blade 333b in the feed direction H by a predetermined first feed amount L1 (for example, 0.2 mm).
- L1 for example, 0.2 mm
- the second shearing die 334 descends toward the first shearing die 333, and a part of the first workpiece portion P1 is sheared by the first shearing blade 333b and the second shearing blade 334f, so that a plurality of Are cut into the thin metal plate 325A.
- the second shearing die 334 is lowered to the lowest point position.
- the curved and elongated portions of the thin metal plate 325A are formed into a substantially inverted trapezoidal shape.
- the portion between the curved and elongated portions is formed into a substantially trapezoidal shape by entering the recess 334b.
- the second flat plate portion 327d (connection plate portion 328) forming the lower half ring portion R2 of the ring portion 327 is a horizontal molding surface of the convex portion 334a. It is pushed down by 334c and molded horizontally.
- the upper half ring portion R1 of the ring portion 327 formed corresponding to the concave portion 334b is not pressed upward by a forming portion having a horizontal forming surface, such as the convex portion 334a. For this reason, as shown in FIG.
- the first flat plate portion 327b of the half ring portion R1 formed by the concave portion 334b hangs downward and tilts around the first shearing blade 333b.
- the bent flat portion 329a is formed to have a bending angle ⁇ with respect to the horizontal portion of the thin metal plate 325A.
- the bent flat portion 329a functions as the first contact portion 329.
- the second shearing die 334 returns from the lowest point position to the upper original position.
- the metal thin plate 325A is moved in the feed direction H by a feed roller 331 (see FIG. 39) to a predetermined second feed amount L2 (for example, 0). .1 mm). Accordingly, the first processed portion P1 of the thin metal plate 325A is sent to the final processing position with respect to the first shearing die 333 and the second shearing die 334.
- the second shear mold 334 descends again from the position in the first step without being offset in the width direction of the metal thin plate 325A.
- the upper half ring part R1 and the lower half ring part R2 of the ring part 327 are respectively formed on the edge of the metal thin plate 325A.
- the first flat plate portion 327b of the upper half ring portion R1 is in a free state like the first contact portion 329.
- the second feed amount L2 is set smaller than the first feed amount L1 described above.
- the entire first flat plate portion 327b is located in the vicinity of the first shearing blade 333b. Therefore, the first flat plate portion 327b can easily follow the horizontal molding surface 334e of the concave portion 334b of the second shear mold 334. As a result, as shown in FIG.
- the first flat plate portion 327b positioned on the rear side of the bent flat portion 329a is held in a substantially horizontal state without drooping downward.
- the first flat plate portion 327b becomes a non-bent flat portion 327f.
- the half ring portions R1 and R2 including the non-bending flat portion 327f are finally formed.
- the half ring portions R1 and R2 originally formed by one molding were molded in two steps. Specifically, the non-bending flat surface portion 327f is formed following the bent flat surface portion 329a formed at the first time.
- variety of the bending plane part 329a can be made small, and it can form in an appropriate width
- the second shearing die 334 is lifted and moved to the original position, the second processed portion P2 adjacent to the first processed portion P1.
- the thin metal plate 325A is again fed in the feed direction H by the first feed amount L1.
- mold 334 is offset by the half (half pitch) of the arrangement pitch D of the ring part 327 along the width direction of metal thin plate 325A.
- the second shearing die 334 is lowered to form the second processed portion P2 as shown in FIGS. 46 (a) and 46 (b).
- the half ring portion R1 is formed on the upper side of the half ring portion R2, and the half ring portion R2 is formed on the lower side of the half ring portion R1, thereby forming a plurality of ring portions 327.
- the thin metal plate 325A is further fed by the second feed amount L2 with the second shearing die 334 being offset.
- the second processed portion P2 is sent to the final processing position with respect to the first shearing die 333 and the second shearing die 334.
- the second shearing die 334 is lowered, and the half ring portions R1 and R2 including the non-bending flat surface portion 327f are finally formed.
- the first and second steps and the third and fourth steps are alternately repeated.
- the parts P1 and P2 to be processed are alternately processed, and the lath metal 325 shown in FIGS. 35 to 37 is formed.
- the lath metal 325 in which the plurality of through holes 326 are formed in a mesh shape is formed so that the ring portion 327 meanders.
- An unprocessed portion that is not sheared by the second shearing die 334 is formed on the lath metal 325.
- this unprocessed portion is formed as a connecting plate portion 328 (second flat plate portion 327d)
- the plurality of ring portions 327 are connected to overlap each other.
- a lath metal 325 having a stepped cross section is formed.
- the half ring portion of the ring portion 327 is performed in one step.
- R1 and R2 were molded.
- the half ring portions R1 and R2 are formed in two steps.
- the formation width W1 of the bent flat surface portion 329a is reduced and the thickness T1 of the gas flow path forming member 321 is set larger than in the conventional method performed in one step. be able to. Therefore, the effective area of the gas flow path in the gas flow path forming member 321 can be secured, and the gas is appropriately supplied, so that power generation efficiency is improved.
- a molding surface that faces the horizontal molding surface 334c of the convex portion 334a of the second shearing die 334 may be provided on the side surface of the first shearing die 333 that is located downstream in the feed direction H of the thin metal plate 325A.
- the forming surface of the first shearing die 333 and the horizontal forming surface 334c of the convex portion 334a sandwich the thin metal plate 325A, so that the second flat plate portion 327d of the ring portion 327 is It can prevent curving.
- the second step shown in FIGS. 43 and 44 and the fourth step shown in FIGS. 47 and 48 may be performed in a plurality of times.
- the second shearing die 334 is offset in the width direction of the metal thin plate 325A by half the half pitch (half pitch) of the protrusions and the recesses 334a and 334b of the second shearing die 334. You may change this offset amount suitably.
- the ring portion 327 may not be arranged to meander.
- the shape of the ring part 327 may be, for example, a pentagon.
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Abstract
Description
上記のガス流路形成部材において、各貫通孔及びリング部は断面六角形状に形成され、接触部は六角形の一辺と対応する位置に設けられていることが好ましい。
上記の課題を解決するため、本発明の第八の態様によれば、直線状の第1剪断刃を有する第1剪断型と、所定の間隔を隔てて交互に形成された複数の凹部と凸部とを備え、各凸部に、第1剪断刃と協働して金属薄板に複数の切り込みを形成する第2剪断刃が設けられた第2剪断型とを用いて、金属薄板において同金属薄板の送り方向に沿って交互に位置する複数の第1被加工部分及び第2被加工部分を順次加工し、金属薄板の第1被加工部分を第1剪断型及び第2剪断型に対して中間成形位置にまで送った状態で、同第1被加工部分に対し屈曲平面部を含む半リング部を成形する第1の工程と、第1の工程の後に、第1被加工部分を第1剪断型及び第2剪断型に対して最終成形位置にまで更に送った状態で、同第1被加工部分に対し非屈曲平面部を含む半リング部を成形する第2の工程と、第2の工程の後に、金属薄板において同金属薄板の送り方向の上流側から第1被加工部分に隣接する第2被加工部分を第1剪断型及び第2剪断型に対して中間成形位置にまで送った状態で、第2剪断型を金属薄板の送り方向と直交する方向にオフセットさせて、第2被加工部分に対し屈曲平面部を含む半リング部を成形する第3の工程と、第3の工程の後に、第2被加工部分を第1剪断型及び第2剪断型に対して最終成形位置にまで更に送った状態で、同第2被加工部分に対し非屈曲平面部を含む半リング部を成形する第4の工程と、第1及び第2の工程と、第3及び第4の工程とを交互に繰り返し行い、金属薄板に対しリング部を網目状に成形してラスカットメタルを成形する工程と、を含む燃料電池の発電セルの製造方法が提供される。
以下、本発明のガス流路形成部材を固体高分子型の燃料電池スタック11に適用した一実施形態について図1~図21に従って説明する。
第1ガス流路形成部材21は、図4に示すラスカット加工装置を用いて成形される。ラスカット加工装置は、チタン薄板25Aを順次供給する一対の送りローラ31を備えている。ラスカット加工装置は、ラスメタル25を成形するための成形機構32を備えている。成形機構32は、チタン薄板25Aに複数の切れ目を入れると共に、薄板25Aを曲げ伸ばして塑性変形させる。成形機構32は、チタン薄板25Aに複数の六角形の貫通孔26を網目状に、かつチタン薄板25Aを階段状に成形する。成形機構32は、所定位置に移動不能に固定された固定切断型33と、上下左右に往復動可能な可動切断型34とを備えている。
図10に示すように、平面部形成装置40は、ベッド41の上面にラスメタル25を支持するための一対のテーブル42,43を備えている。ベッド41の上面には、平面部形成機構44が装着されている。平面部形成機構44は、コラム45と、コラム45に装着された図示しないモータと、モータにより回転する一対の圧縮ローラ46,47とを備えている。
(1)第1フレーム13の燃料ガス通路空間S1内に収容された第1ガス流路形成部材21はラスメタル25からなる。また、第2フレーム14の酸化剤ガス通路空間S2内に収容された第2ガス流路形成部材22もラスメタル25からなる。そして、ラスメタル25の貫通孔26を形成するリング部27において、カーボンペーパー19と接触する第1接触部28には、第1平面部28aが形成されている。このため、繊維からなるカーボンペーパー19に対し第1接触部28を面で接触させることができる。よって、カーボンペーパー19の表面に第1接触部28が食い込むことを防止することができる。従って、第1ガス流路形成部材21の燃料ガス流路と第2ガス流路形成部材22の酸化剤ガス流路とにカーボンペーパー19,20が侵入することを防止できる。よって、燃料ガス通路空間S1及び酸化剤ガス通路空間S2の有効断面積の低減が防止される。従って、燃料ガス及び酸化剤ガスの供給量の低減が防止されて、発電効率の低下が回避される。
・例えば、成形機構32の固定切断型33の構造を、図12~図14に示すように変更してもよい。この場合、固定切断型33の各凸部33bの上面には傾斜面33eが形成されている。傾斜面33eは、チタン薄板25Aの送り方向となる下流側に向かうほど低くなるように傾斜している。又、可動切断型34の凹部34bの内面にも、傾斜面34dが形成されている。傾斜面34dは、傾斜面33eと同じく、チタン薄板25Aの送り方向となる下流側に向かうほど低くなるように傾斜している。そして、固定切断型33と可動切断型34とによりラスメタル25を加工する際、図13に示すように、傾斜面33e,34dにより、リング部27の第1接触部28に屈曲部が形成される。この屈曲部の表面が第1平面部28aとなる。この場合、カーボンペーパー19と接触する第1接触部28のみに第1平面部28aが形成される。また、図13の二点鎖線で示すように、可動切断型34の厚みを大きくして、同可動切断型34に対し傾斜面34dから水平に張り出すフラット部34eを形成してもよい。これにより、可動切断型34の剛性が向上する。
・図21に示すように、固定切断型33を、別体であるダイ33hと下側可動切断型33iとから構成してもよい。この場合、上側の可動切断型34は、図示しない昇降機構やサーボモータM1等により上下左右に往復動可能である。ダイ33hは、所定の位置に固定されている。また、下側可動切断型33iは、サーボモータM2により左右に往復移動可能である。図12に示す固定型33の構造についても、図21に示す構成と同様に、別体であるダイと下側可動切断型とから構成してもよい。
(第2実施形態)
以下、本発明の第2実施形態を図22~図34を参照して説明する。なお、第2実施形態における第1実施形態と同様の部分についてはその詳細な説明を省略する。
成形機構232は、第1剪断型233と第2剪断型234とによって構成されている。第1剪断型233は、図示しないオフセット機構により、金属薄板225Aの送り方向と直交する方向(図25の紙面に直交する方向)に沿って往復動可能する。第2剪断型234は、図示しない昇降機構により上下方向に沿って往復移動すると共に、オフセット機構により金属薄板225Aの送り方向と直交する方向に沿って往復移動する。
(1)図31に示すように、リング部227の半リング部R1には、変形し易い第1変形許容部F1が設けられ、リング部227の半リング部R2には、変形し難い第2変形許容部F2が設けられている。また、ラスカットメタル225の第1及び第2接触部229,230には、第1及び第2平面部229a、230aが形成されている。第1及び第2平面部229a、230aは、ラスカットメタル225の両面を圧縮ローラ246,247を用いて圧縮することにより形成される。更に、第1平面部229aの幅W1は、第2平面部230aの幅W2よりも広く設定されている。このため、圧縮ローラ246,247を用いるにもかかわらず、第1平面部229aの幅W1とは無関係に、第2平面部230aの幅W2を適正な幅に設定することができる。従って、第2平面部230aの幅W2を、セパレータ23の内面を損傷しない程度に設定することができ、また、セパレータ23の外面と第2平面部230aとの間の通電面積を適正に保持することもできる。このため、図24に示すように、ガス流路形成部材221の厚さT、即ち、ガス流路形成部材221のガス流路の有効面積を適正に保持することができる。よって、ガス流路に供給されるガスの圧力損失が低減され、発電効率が適正に保持される。仮に、図24に鎖線で示すように、第2接触部230の第2平面部230aの幅W2を第1平面部229aの幅W1と同じに設定すると、ガス流路形成部材221の厚さTが小さくなり、ガス流路の有効面積が小さくなる。
・図34に示すように、リング部227の第1傾斜板部227b、及び第2傾斜板部227dをそれぞれ円弧状に形成してもよい。即ち、リング部227の全体を滑らかな形状に形成してもよい。
(第3実施形態)
以下、本発明の第3実施形態を図35~図48を参照して説明する。なお、第3実施形態における第1及び第2実施形態と同様の部分についてはその詳細な説明を省略する。
図40に示すように、成形機構332は、第1剪断型333と、第2剪断型334とによって構成されている。第1剪断型333は、図示しない支持台に固定されている。第2剪断型334は、図示しない昇降機構及びオフセット機構により、上下方向、金属薄板325Aの幅方向、即ち送りローラ331の回転軸(図39の紙面直交方向)に沿って往復動する。第1剪断型333の上面333aは、金属薄板325Aを支持する面として機能する。第1剪断型333の上面333aにおいて、金属薄板325Aの送り方向Hの下流側の縁部には、直線状の第1剪断刃333bが形成されている。第1剪断刃333bの下方には、平面状の位置規制面333cが形成されている。
第3実施形態の方法では、金属薄板325Aには、その送り方向Hに沿って交互に位置する複数の第1被加工部分P1及び第2被加工部分P2が設定される。金属薄板325Aでは、第1被加工部分P1及び第2被加工部分P2が順次加工される。第1の工程では、まず、図41(a)に示すように、送りローラ331(図39参照)によって、金属薄板325Aの第1被加工部分P1が第1剪断型333及び第2剪断型334に対して中間成形位置にまで送られる。つまり、金属薄板325Aの端部が第1剪断刃333bから送り方向Hに向けて所定の第1送り量L1(例えば0.2mm)だけ送り出される。この状態で、第2剪断型334が第1剪断型333に向けて下降し、第1剪断刃333bと第2剪断刃334fとによって、第1被加工部分P1の一部が剪断されて、複数の切れ目が金属薄板325Aに入れられる。次に、図42(a),(b)に示すように、第2剪断型334が最下点位置まで下降する。すると、第2剪断型334の凸部334aと接触する金属薄板325Aの一部は、下方に湾曲及び延伸される。こうして、図42(b)に示すように、金属薄板325Aの湾曲及び延伸部分は略逆台形状に成形される。一方、湾曲及び延伸部分間の部分は、凹部334bに入り込むことにより略台形状に成形される。
(1)本来、第1剪断刃333bのみを有する第1剪断型333と、凸部334a及び凹部334bを備える第2剪断型334とを用いて、一回の工程でリング部327の半リング部R1,R2を成形していた。本発明によれば、こうした半リング部R1,R2の成形を、二工程で行うようにした。これにより、図37に示すように、一回の工程で行う従来の方法と比較して、屈曲平面部329aの形成幅W1が小さくなり、ガス流路形成部材321の厚さT1を大きく設定することができる。従って、ガス流路形成部材321内のガス流路の有効面積を確保でき、ガスが適正に供給されるため、発電効率が向上する。
・第1剪断型333において金属薄板325Aの送り方向Hの下流側に位置する側面に、第2剪断型334の凸部334aの水平成形面334cと対向する成形面を設けてもよい。この場合、第2剪断型334が下降する際、第1剪断型333の成形面と凸部334aの水平成形面334cとが金属薄板325Aを挟持するため、リング部327の第2平板部327dが湾曲することを防止できる。
・第3実施形態では、第2剪断型334の凸部及び凹部334a,334bのピッチDの半分(半ピッチ)だけ、第2剪断型334を金属薄板325Aの幅方向にオフセットしていたが、このオフセット量を適宜に変更してもよい。又、リング部327が蛇行するように配置されなくてもよい。
Claims (18)
- 燃料電池の発電セルに用いられるガス流路形成部材であって、前記発電セルは、電極構造体の電極層に形成されたガス拡散層と、隣接する発電セルを隔離するためのセパレータと、前記ガス拡散層及び前記セパレータ間に配置され、ガス流路を有するガス流路形成部材とを備え、前記ガス流路を通じて前記電極層に燃料ガス又は酸化剤ガスを供給することにより、前記電極層において電極反応が生じて発電するように構成された発電セルに用いられるガス流路形成部材において、
前記ガス流路形成部材は、金属薄板よりなるラスカットメタルからなり、前記ラスカットメタルには、複数の貫通孔が網目状に形成され、前記ガス流路形成部材は、前記各貫通孔を形成する複数のリング部を有し、前記リング部は、前記ガス拡散層との接触部に平面部を有していることを特徴とするガス流路形成部材。 - 請求項1記載のガス流路形成部材において、
前記ガス流路形成部材は、更に、前記セパレータとの接触部に平面部を有していることを特徴とするガス流路形成部材。 - 請求項1又は2記載のガス流路形成部材において、
前記各貫通孔及びリング部は断面六角形状に形成され、前記接触部は六角形の一辺と対応する位置に設けられていることを特徴とする発電セルに用いるガス流路形成部材。 - 燃料電池の発電セルに用いられるガス流路形成部材の製造方法であって、前記発電セルは、電極構造体の電極層に形成されたガス拡散層と、隣接する発電セルを隔離するためのセパレータと、前記ガス拡散層及び前記セパレータ間に配置され、ガス流路を有するガス流路形成部材とを備え、前記ガス流路を通じて前記電極層に燃料ガス又は酸化剤ガスを供給することにより、前記電極層において電極反応が生じて発電するように構成された発電セルに用いられるガス流路形成部材の製造方法であって、
金属薄板に複数の貫通孔を網目状に形成して、ラスカットメタルを製造する第1の工程と、
第1の工程の後、ラスカットメタルの各貫通孔を形成するリング部において前記ガス拡散層との接触部に平面部を形成する第2の工程と
を含むことを特徴とするガス流路形成部材の製造方法。 - 請求項4記載のガス流路形成部材の製造方法において、
第2の工程では、第1の工程で製造されたラスカットメタルを一対のローラ間に入れて前記ラスカットメタルを圧縮し、前記接触部を塑性変形させることにより、前記平面部が形成されることを特徴とするガス流路形成部材の製造方法。 - 請求項4記載のガス流路形成部材の製造方法において、
第2の工程では、第1の工程であるラスカットメタルの製造時に、固定切断型と可動切断型とを用いて、前記接触部を前記ラスカットメタルの厚み方向に塑性変形させることにより、前記平面部が形成されることを特徴とするガス流路形成部材の製造方法。 - 請求項4記載のガス流路形成部材の製造に用いられる成形装置であって、
所定のピッチで交互に配置された第1凹部及び第1凸部を有する固定切断型と、
前記固定切断型の第1凹部と第1凸部とにそれぞれ噛合され、所定のピッチで配置された第2凸部及び第2凹部を有する可動切断型とを備え、
前記可動切断型は、金属薄板の厚み方向及び幅方向に沿って往復動可能であり、前記固定切断型の第1凹部と第1凸部とを前記可動切断型の第2凸部と第2凹部とにそれぞれ噛合させることで、前記金属薄板に所定のピッチで複数の切れ目が入れられると共に同金属薄板が曲げ伸ばされて、前記金属薄板に前記各貫通孔を形成する複数のリング部が形成され、
前記固定切断型の第1凸部の上面には傾斜面が形成され、前記傾斜面は、前記金属薄板の送り方向となる下流側に向かうほど低くなるように傾斜していることを特徴とする成形装置。 - 請求項4記載のガス流路形成部材の製造方法に用いられる成形装置であって、
所定のピッチで交互に配置された第1凹部及び第1凸部を有する固定切断型と、
前記固定切断型の第1凹部と第1凸部とにそれぞれ噛合され、所定のピッチで配置された第2凸部及び第2凹部を有する可動切断型とを備え、
前記可動切断型は、金属薄板の厚み方向及び幅方向に沿って往復動可能であり、前記固定切断の第1凹部と第1凸部とを前記可動切断型の第2凸部と第2凹部とにそれぞれ噛合させることで、前記金属薄板に所定のピッチで複数の切れ目が入れられると共に同金属薄板が曲げ伸ばされて、前記金属薄板に前記各貫通孔を形成する複数のリング部が形成され、
前記可動切断型の第2凸部の下面には傾斜面が形成され、前記傾斜面は、前記金属薄板の送り方向とは逆の上流側に向かうほど高くなるように傾斜していることを特徴とする成形装置。 - 請求項7又は8記載の成形装置において、
前記固定切断型及び可動切断型は、前記リング部において前記燃料電池のガス拡散層との接触部分を挟む両側部を、前記貫通孔の中心に向けてそれぞれ屈曲させることを特徴とする成形装置。 - 電極構造体の電極層に形成されたガス拡散層と、前記ガス拡散層とセパレータとの間に介在され、燃料ガス又は酸化剤ガスを供給するためのガス流路を有するガス流路形成部材とを備え、前記ガス流路により前記電極層に前記燃料ガス又は酸化剤ガスが供給されて、前記電極層での電極反応により発電するように構成されたガス流路形成部材において、
前記ガス流路形成部材は、貫通孔を有する複数のリング部を金属薄板に網目状に形成してなるラスカットメタルからなり、前記リング部において前記ガス拡散層の表面と接触する第1接触部には第1平面部が形成され、前記リング部において前記セパレータの裏面と接触する第2接触部には第2平面部が形成され、前記第1平面部のガス流路方向の幅は、前記第2平面部のガス流路方向の幅よりも広く設定されていることを特徴とするガス流路形成部材。 - 請求項10記載のガス流路形成部材において、
前記複数のリング部を連結する連結板部を備え、
前記リング部には、前記ガス拡散層に面する第1半リング部が設けられ、
前記第1半リング部は、前記連結板部に連結された一対の第1側板部と、前記各第1側板部の端部に一体に連結された一対の第1傾斜板部と、前記両第1傾斜板部に対しそれらを架橋するように一体に連結された第1平板部とを備え、前記第1平板部は、前記ガス拡散層と接触する第1接触部を備え、前記第1接触部には前記第1平面部が成形され、
前記リング部には、前記セパレータに面する第2半リング部が設けられ、
前記第2半リング部は、前記連結板部に一体に連結された一対の第2傾斜板部と、前記各第2傾斜板部の端部に一体に連結され、かつ平行に配置された一対の第2側板部と、前記両第2側板部に対しそれらを架橋するように一体に連結された第2平板部とを備え、前記第2平板部は、前記セパレータと接触する第2接触部を備え、前記第2接触部には前記第2平面部が成形されていることを特徴とする発電用ガス流路形成部材。 - 請求項10又は11記載のガス流路形成部材の製造方法において、
複数の第1凹部と第1凸部とが交互に所定のピッチで形成された第1剪断型と、前記第1凹部に対応する第2凸部と前記第1凸部に対応する第2凹部とが交互に所定のピッチで複数箇所に形成された第2剪断型とを用いて、前記金属薄板の端部の複数箇所に対し前記ガス拡散層に面する第1半リング部と前記セパレータに面する第2半リング部とを交互に形成する第1の工程と、
前記金属薄板を所定量送り、前記第1剪断型及び第2剪断型を前記金属薄板の送り方向と直交する方向にオフセットし、前記金属薄板の複数箇所に対し第1半リング部と第2半リング部とを交互に形成する第2の工程と、
前記第1及び第2の工程と同様の工程を交互に繰り返すことにより、前記金属薄板の送り方向に沿って隣接する前記第1半リング部と前記第2半リング部とによって、貫通孔を有する複数のリング部を前記金属薄板に網目状に形成してラスカットメタルを得る第3の工程と、
第3の工程後、前記ラスカットメタルの両面を同時にプレスして、前記第1半リング部の第1接触部に第1平面部を形成し、前記第2半リング部の第2接触部に第2平面部を形成する第4の工程であって、前記第1平面部のガスの流路方向の幅は、前記第2平面部のガスの流路方向の幅よりも小さく設定されている第4の工程と
を備えることを特徴とするガス流路形成部材の製造方法。 - 請求項12記載のガス流路形成部材の製造方法に用いる成形装置であって、
前記第1剪断型と、前記第2剪断型と、前記複数のリング部が配置されたラスカットメタルをその厚さ方向にプレス成形するプレス装置とを備え、
前記ラスカットメタルは、前記第1及び前記第2剪断型を前記金属薄板の厚み方向と前記金属薄板の送り方向に直交する方向とにそれぞれ往復動させ、前記第1凹部と第2凸部及び前記第1凸部と第2凹部をそれぞれ噛み合わせ、前記金属薄板に対し所定のピッチで複数の切れ目を入れてから前記金属薄板を曲げ伸ばすことにより形成され、
前記第1凸部及び前記第1凹部の形状、及び前記第2凹部及び前記第2凸部の形状は、前記第1半リング部及び前記第2半リング部の押圧時の変形量を相違させて前記両半リング部をプレスするように設定されていることを特徴とする成形装置。 - 請求項13記載のガス流路形成部材の製造方法に用いる成形装置において、
前記第1剪断型の第1凸部、及び第2剪断型の第2凹部は、前記第1半リング部を構成する一対の第1側板を成形する成形面と、前記両第1側板に連結された一対の第1傾斜板部を成形する成形面と、前記両第1傾斜板部に対しそれらを架橋するように連結された第1平板部を成形する成形面とを備え、
前記第1剪断型の第1凹部、及び第2剪断型の第2凸部は、前記第2半リング部を構成する一対の第2傾斜板部を成形する成形面と、前記第1傾斜板部に連結された一対の第2側板部を成形する成形面と、前記第2側板部に対しそれらを架橋するように連結された第2平板部を成形する成形面とを備えていることを特徴とする成形装置。 - 電極層と、前記電極層の表面に形成されたガス拡散層と、前記ガス拡散層と対向するセパレータと、前記ガス拡散層と前記セパレータとの間に介在し、燃料ガス及び酸化剤ガスのいずれか一方を前記電極層に供給するガス流路が形成されたガス流路形成部材とを備え、前記電極層において生じる電極反応により発電を行う燃料電池の発電セルにおいて、
前記ガス流路形成部材は、金属薄板により形成されたラスカットメタルによって構成され、同ガス流路形成部材には、所定形状の貫通孔を有する多数のリング部が網目状に形成され、前記リング部には、前記ガス拡散層の表面と面接触する屈曲平面部が形成され、該屈曲平面部と前記リング部を連結する連結板部との間には、非屈曲平面部が形成され、前記屈曲平面部と非屈曲平面部とは、ラスカット成形装置により前後して複数工程で成形されることを特徴とする燃料電池の発電セル。 - 請求項15記載の燃料電池の発電セルにおいて、
前記各リング部は、五角形状又は六角形状に成形されていることを特徴とする燃料電池の発電セル。 - 請求項15又は16記載の燃料電池の発電セルの製造方法において、
直線状の第1剪断刃を有する第1剪断型と、所定の間隔を隔てて交互に形成された複数の凹部と凸部とを備え、前記各凸部に、前記第1剪断刃と協働して前記金属薄板に複数の切り込みを形成する第2剪断刃が設けられた第2剪断型とを用いて、前記金属薄板において同金属薄板の送り方向に沿って交互に位置する複数の第1被加工部分及び第2被加工部分を順次加工し、
前記金属薄板の第1被加工部分を前記第1剪断型及び前記第2剪断型に対して中間成形位置にまで送った状態で、同第1被加工部分に対し前記屈曲平面部を含む半リング部を成形する第1の工程と、
前記第1の工程の後に、前記第1被加工部分を前記第1剪断型及び前記第2剪断型に対して最終成形位置にまで更に送った状態で、同第1被加工部分に対し前記非屈曲平面部を含む半リング部を成形する第2の工程と、
前記第2の工程の後に、前記金属薄板において同金属薄板の送り方向の上流側から前記第1被加工部分に隣接する第2被加工部分を前記第1剪断型及び前記第2剪断型に対して前記中間成形位置にまで送った状態で、前記第2剪断型を前記金属薄板の送り方向と直交する方向にオフセットさせて、前記第2被加工部分に対し前記屈曲平面部を含む半リング部を成形する第3の工程と、
前記第3の工程の後に、前記第2被加工部分を前記第1剪断型及び前記第2剪断型に対して前記最終成形位置にまで更に送った状態で、同第2被加工部分に対し前記非屈曲平面部を含む半リング部を成形する第4の工程と、
前記第1及び第2の工程と、前記第3及び第4の工程とを交互に繰り返し行い、前記金属薄板に対し前記リング部を網目状に成形して前記ラスカットメタルを成形する工程と
を含むことを特徴とする燃料電池の発電セルの製造方法。 - 請求項17記載の燃料電池の発電セルの製造方法において、
前記第2の工程及び前記第4の工程は、それぞれ複数回行われることを特徴とする燃料電池の発電セルの製造方法。
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