JP5920102B2 - Cutting apparatus and cutting method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a film member cutting apparatus.

  As the membrane member, for example, an electrolyte membrane used in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell and a membrane electrode assembly produced using the electrolyte membrane are known. The electrolyte membrane is a solid polymer thin film that exhibits good proton conductivity in a wet state, and the membrane electrode assembly is a thin film having a laminated structure in which an electrolyte membrane, a catalyst layer, and a gas diffusion layer are laminated. It is a power generator.

  In a fuel cell manufacturing process, a membrane electrode assembly and a membrane member such as an electrolyte membrane constituting the membrane electrode assembly are usually cut into a desired size by a cutting device. For example, in patent document 1, the peripheral part of a membrane electrode assembly is cut | disconnected by the cutting device provided with a trim blade. In Patent Document 2, a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies formed as a belt-like continuous body are cut into pieces by a rotary cutter.

JP 2003-022832 A JP 2008-258097 A JP2011-040485A

  However, in the cutting apparatus that cuts the film member with a cutting blade such as a cutter as in Patent Documents 1 and 2, there is a problem that the cutting blade is likely to be worn out due to repeated cutting processes. In particular, as in Patent Document 1, when the cutting edge of the cutting blade is received on the mounting surface on which the membrane member is mounted, the surface of the mounting table is worn by the cutting blade, and the cutting accuracy decreases. There is also a possibility to do.

  In Patent Document 2, in order to suppress wear of the blade edge of the rotary cutter, the membrane electrode assembly is not cut completely, and the blade edge of the rotary cutter is bitten in the middle of the membrane electrode assembly. The body is separated. However, in the case of this method, of the cut parts of the membrane electrode assembly, the parts separated without cutting are roughened, which may reduce the cutting accuracy.

  By the way, the electrolyte membrane of a fuel cell has the property of being easily swollen depending on the wet state. Therefore, the membrane electrode assembly is likely to be deformed such as being bent due to a difference in the amount of swelling between the electrolyte membrane and the gas diffusion layer. Therefore, when cutting the membrane electrode assembly, it is desirable that the membrane electrode assembly is securely held so that deformation of the membrane electrode assembly is suppressed. In addition, since a polymer resin film member such as an electrolyte film generally has high spreadability, it may become difficult to cut due to stretching deformation at the time of cutting, and cutting accuracy may be reduced.

  The above-mentioned problem in the cutting process of the membrane electrode assembly of the fuel cell is a problem common to the cutting process of various membrane members other than the constituent members of the fuel cell. Up to now, it has been desired to improve the cutting accuracy for a membrane member including a highly extensible member such as a membrane electrode assembly in a membrane member cutting apparatus. In addition, conventionally, it has been desired to reduce the size, reduce the cost, save resources, facilitate the manufacture, and improve the usability of the membrane member cutting apparatus.

SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms. 1st form of this invention is a cutting device which cut | disconnects the membrane member used as an electrolyte membrane for fuel cells, Comprising: The holding part holding the 1st site | part of the said membrane member, The said holding part, and the said membrane member A holding part that holds the second part of the membrane member at a position adjacent in the direction along the surface of the film member, and the second part is held by the holding part while being held by the holding part It is provided as a cutting device that separates the first and second parts by increasing the distance from the first part. A second aspect of the present invention is a method for cutting a membrane member used as an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, wherein (a) a step of holding a first portion of the membrane member on a holding portion; ) A step of holding the second part of the membrane member in the holding part; and (c) the first part held by the holding part while holding the second part in the holding part; And a step of separating the first part and the second part by increasing the distance between the first part and the second part.

(1) According to one aspect of the present invention, a cutting device for cutting a film member is provided. The cutting device includes a first holding portion for holding a portion of said membrane member; sandwiching the second portion of said membrane member in the holding portion and the position adjacent in the direction along the surface of said membrane member comprising a; and the holding portion and the left and the second portion is sandwiched in the sandwiching section, site distance is increased the first and second of the first part held by the holding portion To separate. According to this form of the cutting apparatus, the membrane member is cut by separating the first and second portions using the holding force in the holding portion and the holding force in the holding portion without using a cutting blade. be able to. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress a reduction in cutting accuracy due to wear of the cutting blade or a member in contact with the cutting blade.

(2) In the cutting device according to the above-described embodiment, the clamping unit includes: a punch unit that punches the second part; and the punch part is received while sandwiching the second part when punching by the punch part. , while holding the second portion together with said punch unit, and a receiving portion in which the distance between the first part held in the holding unit is moved to increase; may be provided with a . According to this form of the cutting apparatus, the film member can be cut with high accuracy using the punching force by the punch portion and the clamping force between the punch portion and the receiving portion.

(3) In the cutting device according to the above-described embodiment, the receiving portion may be installed such that the receiving portion is urged in a direction parallel to the punch direction of the punch portion. According to the cutting device of this embodiment, the impact force of the punch portion can be absorbed by the receiving portion, so that the cutting accuracy of the cutting device is prevented from being reduced due to accumulated fatigue of the cutting device due to repeated cutting processes. it can.

(4) In the cutting apparatus according to the above embodiment, the surface of the film member between the punch portion and the holding portion when the punch portion and the receiving portion sandwich the second portion. The clearance in the direction along the line may be 10 μm or less. According to the cutting device of this aspect, since the clearance between the punch portion and the holding portion is appropriately set, it is possible to ensure the cutting accuracy of the film member.

(5) cutting apparatus of the above embodiments, and the second site being clamped to the clamping portion, the distance between the first site being held by the holding portion, clamping direction of the clamping portion It is good also as what separates the said 1st and 2nd site | part by increasing in the direction which crosses. According to this cutting device, for example, by moving the holding part or the clamping part in the direction other than the direction along the clamping direction of the clamping portion, it is possible to separate the first and the second site.

(6) In the cutting device according to the above-described embodiment, the holding portion; a placement surface on which the first portion is placed; and a negative pressure is generated to adsorb the first portion on the placement surface. And a negative pressure generating part to be provided. According to this cutting device, the first part can be reliably held during cutting, and the cutting accuracy in the cutting device is improved.

(7) In the cutting apparatus according to the above-described embodiment, the membrane member may include a fuel cell electrolyte membrane. With this cutting device, it is possible to cut a highly malleable electrolyte membrane with high cutting accuracy, so in the manufacturing process of a fuel cell, an electrolyte membrane or a laminate in which an electrolyte membrane and a gas diffusion layer are laminated, The cutting property of the membrane electrode assembly can be improved.

(8) According to the other form of this invention, the cutting method of a film | membrane member is provided. This cutting method, (a) a step of holding the holding portion of the first portion of the film member; process and for clamped by the clamping portion (b) a second portion of said membrane member; (c) the first comprises; two sites remain tightly held the clamping unit, a step of separating the site distance is increased the first and second of the first part held by the holding portion . According to this cutting method, the film member can be cut by separating the first and second portions without using a cutting blade. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress a reduction in cutting accuracy due to wear of the cutting blade or a member in contact with the cutting blade.

  The present invention can be realized in various forms other than the apparatus. For example, the present invention can be realized in the form of a control method for the cutting apparatus, a computer program that realizes the control method, a non-temporary recording medium that records the computer program, and the like.

Schematic which shows the structure of a fuel cell. The flowchart which shows the manufacturing process of a membrane electrode assembly. The schematic diagram which shows the content of the manufacturing process of a membrane electrode assembly. Schematic which shows the structure of the cutting apparatus used in a cutting process. The schematic diagram for demonstrating operation | movement of the cutting device in the case of a cutting process. The schematic diagram for demonstrating operation | movement of the cutting device in the case of a cutting process. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating in detail the cutting process of the laminated film member by a cutting device. The schematic diagram which shows the cutting process of the laminated film member by the cutting apparatus as a comparative example. The schematic diagram for demonstrating the function of the receiving part in a cutting device. The schematic diagram which shows the arrangement | positioning process of a 2nd gas diffusion layer.

A. Embodiment:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a configuration of a fuel cell manufactured using a cutting apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention. The fuel cell 10 is a polymer electrolyte fuel cell that generates power by receiving supply of hydrogen and oxygen as reaction gases. The fuel cell 10 has a stack structure in which a plurality of power generation elements (hereinafter referred to as “single cells 11”) that can function as a single cell are stacked.

The single cell 11 includes a membrane electrode assembly 12 and first and second separators 13 and 14 that sandwich the membrane electrode assembly 12. The unit cell 11 is provided with an adhesive seal portion 17 on the outer periphery of the membrane electrode assembly 12 for preventing fluid leakage and bonding the first and second separators 13 and 14 together. The single cell 11 is provided with a manifold through which the reaction gas and the refrigerant circulate as a through hole penetrating the first and second separators 13 and 14 and the adhesive seal portion 17. Is omitted.

  The membrane electrode assembly 12 is a power generator in which electrodes are disposed on both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane 1 that exhibits good proton conductivity in a wet state. The electrolyte membrane 1 is constituted by a thin film of an ion conductive polymer (hereinafter referred to as “ionomer”), and can be constituted by, for example, a fluororesin ion exchange membrane such as Nafion (registered trademark). .

  First and second catalyst layers 2 and 3 are disposed on both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane 1. The first and second catalyst layers 2 and 3 carry a catalyst (for example, platinum (Pt)) for promoting the fuel cell reaction, and have gas permeability and gas diffusibility.

  The first and second catalyst layers 2 and 3 are formed by applying and drying a catalyst ink in which an ionomer in a water-soluble solvent or an organic solvent and conductive particles carrying the catalyst are dispersed in a solvent. be able to. In the present specification, the electrolyte membrane 1 in which the first and second catalyst layers 2 and 3 are arranged is also referred to as “catalyst-supported electrolyte membrane 5”.

  On the first and second catalyst layers 2 and 3, first and second gas diffusion layers 6 and 7 for spreading the reaction gas over the entire catalyst layers 2 and 3 are laminated. . The first and second gas diffusion layers 6 and 7 may be made of a porous fiber base material having conductivity, gas permeability and gas diffusion properties such as carbon fiber and graphite fiber.

  During the operation of the fuel cell 10, hydrogen is supplied to the first catalyst layer 2 and the first gas diffusion layer 6, and the first catalyst layer 2 and the first gas diffusion layer 6 function as an anode. Further, oxygen is supplied to the second catalyst layer 3 and the second gas diffusion layer 7, and the second catalyst layer 3 and the second gas diffusion layer 7 function as a cathode.

  The 1st and 2nd separators 13 and 14 can be comprised by the gas-impermeable plate-shaped member (for example, metal plate) which has electroconductivity. The first separator 13 is disposed on the anode side, and the second separator 14 is disposed on the cathode side. On the surface of each separator 13, 14 on the side facing the membrane electrode assembly 12, a flow channel 15 for a reactive gas is formed over the entire power generation region (region where the electrode is formed). The flow channel 15 may be omitted.

  By the way, in the membrane electrode assembly 12 of the present embodiment, the positions of the outer peripheral ends of the respective layers are different on the anode side and the cathode side. Specifically, on the anode side, the positions of the outer peripheral ends of the first catalyst layer 2 and the first gas diffusion layer 6 substantially coincide with the positions of the outer peripheral ends of the electrolyte membrane 1. On the other hand, on the cathode side, the outer peripheral end of the second catalyst layer 3 is located inside the outer peripheral end of the electrolyte membrane 1, and the outer peripheral end of the second gas diffusion layer 7 is the second catalyst layer 3. It is located on the inner side of the outer peripheral edge.

  With such a configuration, the membrane electrode assembly 12 of the present embodiment provides the advantages described below. In the membrane electrode assembly 12 of the present embodiment, the positions of the outer peripheral ends of the catalyst layers 2 and 3 are spaced apart from each other, and therefore opposite to the electrode on the side where the reaction gas is supplied at the outer peripheral end of the membrane electrode assembly 12. Occurrence of so-called cross leak that leaks to the side electrode is suppressed.

  Further, the outer peripheral end of the first gas diffusion layer 6 exists on the outer peripheral end of the electrolyte membrane 1, and the outer peripheral end of the second gas diffusion layer 7 exists on the surface of the second catalyst layer 3. The fluff at the outer peripheral ends of the first and second gas diffusion layers 6 and 7 is prevented from being directly pierced into the surface of the electrolyte membrane 1.

  Further, since there is no portion where each gas diffusion layer 7, 8 is in direct contact with the electrolyte membrane 1, the hydrogen peroxide radical generated in each gas diffusion layer 7, 8 is transferred to each catalyst before reaching the electrolyte membrane 1. It can be eliminated by the catalyst of layers 2 and 3. Therefore, deterioration of the electrolyte membrane 1 due to hydrogen peroxide radicals is suppressed.

  As described above, in the membrane electrode assembly 12 according to the present embodiment, the cross leak of the reaction gas is suppressed, and the electrolyte membrane caused by the fluff of the first and second gas diffusion layers 6 and 7 and hydrogen peroxide radicals. 1 damage and deterioration are suppressed. The membrane electrode assembly 12 can be efficiently manufactured by the following manufacturing process.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the manufacturing process of the membrane electrode assembly 12. FIGS. 3A to 3D are schematic views showing the contents of steps S10 to S30 shown in the flowchart of FIG. In step S10, the electrolyte membrane 1 is prepared (FIG. 3A). At this stage, the electrolyte membrane 1 has a size larger than the size of the completed state assembled to the membrane electrode assembly 12.

  In step S20, the first catalyst layer 2 is formed on one surface of the electrolyte membrane 1 (FIG. 3B). Specifically, the first catalyst layer 2 is formed by transferring a catalyst-carrying film 2a formed by applying a catalyst ink to the surface of the film substrate 20 and drying it onto one surface of the electrolyte film 1. The electrolyte membrane 1 is formed so as to cover the entire surface.

  In step S30, the second catalyst layer 3 is formed on the other surface of the electrolyte membrane (FIG. 3C). Specifically, the second catalyst layer 3 is formed by applying and drying catalyst ink with the die coater 30. The second catalyst layer 3 is formed so that the outer peripheral end is located inside the outer peripheral end of the electrolyte membrane 1. As a result, the catalyst-supporting electrolyte membrane 5 is formed.

  In addition, the formation process of the 1st and 2nd catalyst layers 2 and 3 in step S20, S30 is not limited to said process. For example, in step S20, the first catalyst layer 2 may be formed by directly applying the catalyst ink to the electrolyte membrane 1 in the same manner as the second catalyst layer 3. In step S30, the second catalyst layer 3 may be formed by transferring a catalyst-carrying film previously formed on the film substrate 20.

  In step S40, the first gas diffusion layer 6 is laminated on the surface of the first catalyst layer 2 of the catalyst-supporting electrolyte membrane 5 (FIG. 3D). Specifically, the fiber base material constituting the first gas diffusion layer 6 is disposed on the surface of the first catalyst layer 2 and bonded by hot pressing or the like. Hereinafter, a membrane member having a laminated structure in which the first gas diffusion layer 6 is joined to the catalyst-supporting electrolyte membrane 5 is referred to as a “laminated membrane member LB”.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the cutting apparatus 100 used in the cutting process of step S50. In step S50, the outer peripheral edge of the laminated film member LB is cut, and the laminated film member LB is processed into a completed size. The cutting device 100 includes an upper mold part 110 and a lower mold part 120 that sandwich the laminated film member LB in the vertical direction during the cutting process.

  The upper mold part 110 is for punching a cutting part that is a cutting target on the outer peripheral edge of the laminated film member LB and pressing a non-cutting part other than the cutting part of the laminated film member LB from above in the vertical direction. And a pressing portion 112. Each of the punch part 111 and the pressing part 112 is made of an alloy tool steel, and is arranged so as to be movable downward by a common drive mechanism (not shown).

  The punch portion 111 has a circumferential bottom surface that is in surface contact with the cut portion of the laminated film member LB. The punch part 111 punches the cutting part of the laminated film member LB by instantaneously moving the bottom surface below the mounting surface of the laminated film member LB.

  The pressing portion 112 is a flat plate member arranged horizontally in a region surrounded by the punch portion 111, and an urging mechanism 113 so as to apply a surface pressure to the laminated film member LB placed on the lower mold portion 120. Is energized by. The pressing portion 112 is configured to substantially overlap the mounting surface on which the uncut portion of the laminated film member LB is mounted in the lower mold portion 120 when viewed along the direction perpendicular to the plate surface. .

  On the surface of the pressing portion 112 on the lower mold portion 120 side, an outer peripheral convex portion 112t and a central concave portion 112c are provided. The outer peripheral convex portion 112t is provided on the outer peripheral edge portion of the pressing portion 112 so that the upper surface thereof can apply surface pressure to the outer peripheral edge portion of the uncut portion of the laminated film member LB. The upper surface of the outer peripheral convex portion 112t protrudes below the bottom surface of the pressing punch portion 111 when the pressing portion 112 is not pressing the laminated film member LB. The reason for this will be described later.

  The central concave portion 112c is a hollow portion formed by being surrounded by the outer peripheral convex portion 112t. As will be described later, the central recessed portion 112c functions as a relief portion of the catalyst layer 3 of the laminated film member LB when the pressing portion 112 presses the laminated film member LB.

  The lower mold part 120 includes a die 121, a receiving part 122, and a suction stand 124. In the lower mold part 120, the upper surface of the die 121, the upper surface of the receiving part 122, and the plate surface of the mounting plate 125 are located at the same height, so that the laminated film member LB to be processed is formed. A horizontal placement surface to be placed is formed, and the placement property of the laminated film member LB is ensured.

  The die 121 has an upper surface on which the laminated film member LB is placed. The die 121 is a side surface provided in a circumferential shape corresponding to the inner side surface of the punch portion 111 of the upper mold portion 110 and has a side surface extending parallel to the punching direction (vertical direction) of the punch portion 111. doing. The die 121 is fixedly installed so as to have a predetermined clearance in the lateral direction (horizontal direction) with respect to the punch portion 111. The die 121 can be made of gold tool steel.

  The receiving part 122 has an upper surface on which the outer peripheral edge part (cutting part) of the laminated film member LB is placed. The upper surface of the receiving portion 122 has the same shape as the bottom surface of the punch portion 111 so as to correspond to the punch portion 111. The receiving portion 122 is urged by the urging mechanism 123 so as to be movable in the vertical direction at a position adjacent to the die 121 and facing the bottom surface of the punch portion 111 along the vertical direction. is set up. The receiving portion 122 moves downward while receiving the punch portion 111 across the cutting portion of the laminated film member LB when the punch portion 111 is punched. Details thereof will be described later.

  The suction table 124 is installed in a region surrounded by the die 121, and sucks and holds the laminated film member LB on the mounting surface of the lower mold part 120 by negative pressure. The suction table 124 includes a placement plate 125 that is in surface contact with the central portion of the laminated film member LB, a negative pressure chamber 127 provided below the placement plate 125, and a suction pump 128 connected to the negative pressure chamber 127. And comprising. A plurality of through holes 126 are formed in the mounting plate 125 over the entire surface. Accordingly, when the negative pressure chamber 127 is in a negative pressure state by the suction operation of the suction pump 128, the laminated film member LB placed on the placement plate 125 is adsorbed by the placement plate 125.

  5 and 6 are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation of the cutting apparatus 100 during the cutting process in step S50. FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B show time-series until the laminated film member LB is set in the cutting apparatus 100 and the laminated film member LB is cut. It is.

  First, in the initial state where the upper mold part 110 and the lower mold part 120 are separated from each other, the laminated film member LB is placed on the placement surface of the lower mold part 120 (FIG. 5A). . Specifically, the cutting part of the laminated film member LB is positioned on the upper surface of the receiving part 122 of the lower mold part 120, and the non-cutting parts other than the cutting part are the upper surface of the die 121 of the lower mold part 120 and the suction table. The laminated film member LB is placed on the placement surface of the lower mold part 120 so as to be positioned on the upper surface of 124.

  Here, the electrolyte membrane 1 included in the laminated film member LB has a property of being easily swollen depending on the wet state. Therefore, the laminated film member LB is illustrated in accordance with the difference between the deformation amount due to the swelling of the electrolyte membrane 1 and the deformation amount due to the swelling of the catalyst layers 2 and 3 and the gas diffusion layer 6. There is a possibility of causing distortion such as curvature.

  Therefore, in the cutting apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the laminated film member LB is adsorbed to the mounting plate 125 by the adsorption stand 124, and the central portion of the laminated film member LB is extended substantially horizontally (FIG. 5B). )). In addition, by adsorbing the laminated film member LB to the adsorption table 124 in this manner, the arrangement position of the laminated film member LB is shifted in the direction along the arrangement surface in the punching process of the cutting portion by the punching unit 11 later. Can be suppressed.

  In the cutting apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, punching by the punch unit 111 is performed while pressing the laminated film member LB by the pressing part 112 in a state where the laminated film member LB is adsorbed to the lower mold part 120 as described above. Then, the cut portion of the laminated film member LB is punched (FIGS. 6A and 6B). Specifically, it is as follows.

Both the pressing part 112 and the punch part 111 are instantaneously moved downward toward the lower mold part 120 by the driving force of the common driving part. At this time, the upper surface of the outer periphery convex part 112t of the press part 112 contacts the laminated film member LB ahead of the bottom face of the punch part 111 (FIG. 6 (A)). Therefore, before the punch part 111 contacts the cutting part of the laminated film member LB, the outer peripheral edge part of the non-cut part of the laminated film member LB is sandwiched between the outer peripheral convex part 112t and the die 121 and securely held. become. In addition, since the press part 112 of this embodiment has the center recessed part 112c, the center part of the catalyst layers 2 and 3 of the laminated film member LB is damaged remarkably by the provision of the abrupt surface pressure by the press part 112. Is suppressed.

Thereafter, the bottom surface of the punch portion 111 is in surface contact with the cut portion of the laminated film member LB, and the cut portion of the laminated film member LB is sandwiched between the bottom surface of the punch portion 111 and the upper surface of the receiving portion 122 (see FIG. 6 (B)). Then, the receiving part 122 moves downward so as to sink below the mounting surface of the lower mold part 120 together with the punch part 111 while absorbing the collision force of the punch part 111. Accordingly, the cut portion of the laminated film member LB is separated from the non-cut portion of the laminated film member LB while being sandwiched between the punch portion 111 and the receiving portion 122. In this way, the laminated film member LB is sheared into the cut portion and the non-cut portion by the corner portions (edges) of the punch portion 111 and the die 121 facing each other.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the cutting process of the laminated film member LB by the cutting apparatus 100 in more detail. FIG. 7 illustrates a part of the punch unit 111, the die 121, and the receiving unit 122 in the cutting apparatus 100 when the laminated film member LB is cut. Here, the clearance x between the punch portion 111 and the die 121 is preferably 10 μm or less (x ≦ 10 μm). Thereby, the laminated film member LB can be cut at a more accurate position, and the cutting accuracy in the cutting apparatus 100 can be improved.

  Moreover, it is desirable that the cutting device 100 is configured to be able to prevent the cutting portion of the laminated film member LB from slipping through between the punch portion 111 and the receiving portion 122 during cutting. More specifically, the punch portion 111 is pressed so that an appropriate frictional force is generated between the punch portion 111 and the receiving portion 122 and the laminated film member LB so that slipping of the cut portion of the laminated film member BL is suppressed. The pressure (punching speed) may be controlled. Alternatively, the bottom surface of the punch portion 111 and the top surface of the receiving portion 122 may be configured so as to ensure a contact area with the laminated film member LB, or the bottom surface of the punch portion 111 and the top surface of the receiving portion 122 may be formed. A member that increases the friction coefficient or a minute pattern may be disposed.

  As described above, in the cutting apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the laminated film member LB can be securely held by the pressing portion 112 and the cut portion of the laminated film member LB can be punched by punching by the punch portion 111. Moreover, since the pressing part 112 and the punch part 111 can be driven by a common drive part, the cutting part can be efficiently punched.

  8A and 8B are schematic views showing a cutting process of the laminated film member LB by the cutting device 100a as a first comparative example with respect to the cutting device 100 of the present embodiment. FIG. 8A shows a state before cutting the laminated film member LB by the cutting apparatus 100a of the comparative example, and FIG. 8B shows the state of the laminated film member LB by the cutting apparatus 100a of the comparative example. The state after cutting is illustrated. The cutting apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment performs cutting of the laminated film member LB by punching (punching) by the punch unit 111. On the other hand, the cutting device 100a of the comparative example executes the cutting of the laminated film member LB by cutting.

  The configuration of the upper mold part 110a of the cutting device 100a of the comparative example is that the cutting blade 114 is provided in place of the punch part 111 and that the outer peripheral convex part 112t and the central concave part 112c are not provided in the pressing part 112. These are the same as the upper mold | type part 110 of the cutting device 100 of this embodiment. Further, the cutting apparatus 100a of the comparative example includes a mounting plate 130 for mounting the laminated film member LB to be processed instead of the lower mold part 120. The mounting plate 130 can be made of, for example, a resin film base material such as MC nylon having a size capable of mounting the entire laminated film member BL.

  In the cutting apparatus 100a of the comparative example, since the cutting edge 114 cuts the laminated film member LB by penetrating the laminated film member LB in the thickness direction, the cutting edge of the cutting blade 114 is cut each time the laminated film member LB is cut. It contacts with the mounting plate 130. For this reason, in the cutting apparatus 100a of the comparative example, the wear of the spilled SP occurs at the cutting edge of the cutting blade 114, and the cutting performance is likely to deteriorate. Further, in the cutting apparatus 100a of the comparative example, the surface of the mounting plate 130 is likely to be worn such as damaged CR due to contact with the cutting blade 114. If the mounting plate 130 is damaged, the mounting property of the laminated film member LB is deteriorated, and the cutting position is shifted, and the cutting line is distorted.

  On the other hand, in the cutting apparatus 100 of this embodiment, since the laminated film member LB is cut by punching by the punch unit 111, the blade spill SP of the cutting blade 114 and the mounting plate 130 of the cutting apparatus 100a of the comparative example are damaged. CR does not occur. That is, with the cutting apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, even when the cutting process of the laminated film member LB is repeatedly performed, the cutting accuracy is suppressed from being reduced due to wear of the component parts of the apparatus. .

  Further, the mounting plate 130 of the cutting apparatus 100a of the comparative example is not provided with a mechanism for sucking the laminated film member LB like the suction stand 124 of the cutting apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. Moreover, since the outer peripheral convex part 112t and the center recessed part 112c are not provided in the press part 112, there are many areas closely_contact | adhered with the laminated film member LB. Therefore, when the upper mold part 110a is separated from the mounting plate 130 after the cutting step, the laminated film member LB is stuck to the pressing part 112 of the upper mold part 110a and lifted together with the pressing part 112. There is a possibility of deteriorating the laminated film member LB.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining the function of the receiving unit 122 in the cutting apparatus 100. 9A and 9B illustrate a cutting process of the laminated film member LB in the cutting device 100b as a second comparative example of the cutting device 100 of the present embodiment. More specifically, FIG. 9A shows a state before punching by the punch portion 111, and FIG. 9B shows a state after punching by the punch portion 111. The cutting apparatus 100b of the comparative example is substantially the same as the cutting apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, except that the lower mold part 120b does not include the receiving part 122.

  Here, the cutting portion of the laminated film member LB that is not held by the pressing portion 112, the die 121, and the adsorption table 124 is formed by the gas diffusion layer 6 having a relatively low spreadability and the electrolyte membrane 1 having a relatively high spreadability. It is a laminate. Therefore, when the portion is punched by the punch portion 111, the outer peripheral portion 6p of the gas diffusion layer 6 may be separated and dropped, and the electrolyte membrane 1 and the catalyst layer 2 may enter the gap between the punch portion 111 and the die 121. (FIG. 9B).

However, if the cutting device 100 of the present embodiment, as described above, while during the cutting process, the receiving portion 122 of the lower mold part 120 sandwich the cut portion of the multilayer film member BL with the punch 111 Then, it moves downward together with the punch 111 (FIG. 7). Therefore, the electrolyte membrane 1 and the catalyst layer 2 at the cutting site are prevented from entering the gap between the punch portion 111 and the die 121 without being separated from the non-cutting site. Thus, with the cutting device 100 of the present embodiment, the punching force due to the punch of the punch part 111, the punch part 111, and the receiving part, even for the laminated film member LB including the electrolyte film 1 with high spreadability. The sheet can be reliably cut by the clamping force with 122.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement process of the second gas diffusion layer 7 in step S60 (FIG. 2). In step S60, the fiber base material constituting the second gas diffusion layer 7 is disposed on the second catalyst layer 3 of the laminated film member LB whose cutting site has been cut, and is bonded by hot pressing. The second gas diffusion layer 7 is prepared in a size smaller than that of the second catalyst layer 3 so that the outer peripheral end thereof can be disposed inside the outer peripheral end of the second catalyst layer 3. .

  As described above, in the manufacturing process of the present embodiment, the membrane electrode assembly 12 in which the occurrence of cross leak and the deterioration of the electrolyte membrane 1 are suppressed can be efficiently manufactured using the cutting device 100. . Further, with the cutting device 100 according to the present embodiment, even when the membrane electrode assembly 12 is continuously and repeatedly manufactured, a reduction in cutting accuracy due to wear and deterioration of the components of the cutting device 100 is suppressed. . Furthermore, in the cutting apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the retainability of the processing object in the cutting process is ensured by the pressing part 112 of the lower mold part 120 and the upper mold part 110. Moreover, it can suppress that a process target sticks to the press part 112 and is damaged by the negative pressure suction of the adsorption stand 124 after a cutting process.

B. Variations:
B1. Modification 1:
In the said embodiment, the cutting device 100 made the laminated film member LB containing the electrolyte membrane 1 the process target. However, the processing target of the cutting apparatus 100 may not be the laminated film member LB including the electrolyte membrane 1. The cutting device 100 may cut the single-layer electrolyte membrane 1 or cut a fuel cell from a membrane member other than the constituent members. As described above, the cutting apparatus 100 can reliably cut the film member using the clamping force between the punch part 111 and the receiving part 122, and is a highly spreadable film member such as the electrolyte film 1, It is suitable for processing a laminated member in which a film member having a high spreadability and a film member having a low spreadability are laminated. In the present specification, the “membrane member” means a member having a thickness of, for example, several hundred μm or less, and is constituted by a solid polymer thin film, a resin film substrate, or a fiber substrate constituting a woven fabric. The member is included.

B2. Modification 2:
In the above embodiment, the cutting device 100 is installed with the receiving portion 122 biased by the biasing mechanism 123, but the biasing mechanism 123 may be omitted. However, since the receiving portion 122 is urged by the urging mechanism 123, it is possible to absorb an impact force when the punch portion 111 is punched by punching, thereby suppressing deterioration of the apparatus due to repeated cutting. can do. In addition, the receiving part 122 is good also as what is hold | maintained with an impact absorber instead of the biasing mechanism 123. FIG.

B3. Modification 3:
In the above embodiment, the upper surface of the receiving portion 122 of the cutting apparatus 100 has the same shape as the bottom surface of the punch portion 111 so as to correspond to the punch portion 111. However, the upper surface of the receiving portion 122 may not have the same shape as the bottom surface of the punch portion 111. For example, the upper surface of the receiving portion 122 may be configured to have a smaller area than the bottom surface of the punch portion 111, or a part thereof may be omitted. However, by the upper surface of the receiving portion 122 has the same shape as the bottom surface of the punch unit 111, it is possible to reliably sandwich the cut site to be processed, it is possible to improve the cutting accuracy.

B4. Modification 4:
In the above embodiment, the lower mold portion 120 of the cutting device 100 is such that the upper surface of the die 121, the upper surface of the receiving portion 122, and the plate surface of the mounting plate 125 are positioned at the same height. A horizontal placement surface on which the laminated film member LB to be processed was placed was formed. However, at least the upper surface of the receiving portion 122 may be located at a different height from the upper surface of the die 121 and the plate surface of the mounting plate 125. However, by placing the upper surface of the receiving portion 122 together with the upper surface of the die 121 and the plate surface of the placement plate 125, a placement property of the laminated film member LB in the lower mold portion 120 is ensured. Therefore, it is preferable.

B5. Modification 5:
In the above embodiment, the cutting apparatus 100 performs the cutting of the laminated film member LB by the punching process by the punch unit 111. However, the cutting device 100 may not perform the cutting of the laminated film member LB by the punching process by the punch unit 111. The cutting device 100 includes a holding unit that holds a non-cutting portion of the laminated film member LB including the pressing portion 112 and the suction table 124 while holding the cut portion of the laminated film member LB between the punch portion 111 and the receiving portion 122. It is good also as what separates a cutting site | part and a non-cutting site | part by moving so that this distance may increase. That is, the cutting device 100 moves the cutting part of the laminated film member LB sandwiched between the punch part 111 and the receiving part 122 in a direction crossing the sandwiching direction to separate the cutting part and the non-cut part. It may be cut. The direction intersecting with the clamping direction is desirably a direction in which the corner portion of the punch portion 111 can bite into the laminated member LB and generate a shearing force on the laminated film member LB.
B6. Modification 6:
In the above embodiment, the cutting device 100 cuts the outer peripheral edge portion of the laminated film member LB in a circumferential shape, but the cutting device 100 may cut a portion other than the outer peripheral edge portion of the laminated film member LB. .

B7. Modification 7:
In the above embodiment, the cutting apparatus 100 includes the pressing portion 112 of the upper mold portion 110 and the suction platform 124 of the lower mold portion 120. However, in the cutting apparatus 100, the pressing portion 112 may be omitted, or the suction table 124 may be omitted. However, since the cutting device 100 includes the pressing unit 112 and the suction table 124 and can secure the retention of the object to be processed, it is preferable that the cutting device 100 includes the pressing unit 112 and the suction table 124.

B8. Modification 8:
In the embodiment, the pressing portion 112 has the outer peripheral convex portion 112t and the central concave portion 112c. However, the pressing portion 112 may not have the outer peripheral convex portion 112t and the central concave portion 112c. However, since the pressing portion 112 has the outer peripheral convex portion 112t and the central concave portion 112c, the catalyst by the pressing of the laminated film member LB is improved while improving the retainability of the outer peripheral edge portion of the uncut portion in the laminated film member LB Damage to the central part of the layers 2 and 3 can be suppressed. Further, in the above embodiment, the upper surface of the outer peripheral convex portion 112 t is configured to protrude from the bottom surface of the punch portion 111 when the laminated film member LB is not pressed by the pressing portion 112. If the outer periphery convex part 112t and the punch part 111 are comprised in that way, when the punch part 111 and the press part 112 are simultaneously moved downward by the common drive part, the outer periphery convex part 112t is made into the punch part 111. It can be made to contact the laminated film member LB earlier. Therefore, after securing the non-cutting portion of the laminated film member LB by the pressing portion 112, the cutting portion can be punched by the punch portion 111, and the cutting property of the laminated film member LB can be improved. .

B9. Modification 9:
In the above embodiment, the membrane electrode assembly 12 has the outer peripheral end of the second catalyst layer 3 positioned inside the outer peripheral end of the electrolyte membrane 1, and the outer peripheral end of the second gas diffusion layer 7 is the second catalyst layer. 3 was located inside the outer peripheral edge of 3. However, the membrane electrode assembly 12 may have other configurations. For example, the outer peripheral end of the first catalyst layer 2 may be located inside the outer peripheral end of the electrolyte membrane 1 in the same manner as the outer peripheral end of the second catalyst layer 3. The outer peripheral edge of 6 may be located inside the outer peripheral edge of the first catalyst layer 2.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, examples, and modifications, and can be realized with various configurations without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the technical features in the embodiments, examples, and modifications corresponding to the technical features in each embodiment described in the summary section of the invention are to solve some or all of the above-described problems, or In order to achieve part or all of the above effects, replacement or combination can be performed as appropriate. Further, if the technical feature is not described as essential in the present specification, it can be deleted as appropriate.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electrolyte membrane 2 ... 1st catalyst layer 2a ... Catalyst support film 3 ... 2nd catalyst layer 5 ... Catalyst support electrolyte membrane 6 ... 1st gas diffusion layer 6p ... Outer peripheral part 7 ... 2nd gas diffusion layer 10 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Fuel cell 11 ... Single cell 12 ... Membrane electrode assembly 13 ... 1st separator 14 ... 2nd separator 15 ... Channel groove 17 ... Adhesive seal part 20 ... Film base material 30 ... Die coater 100 ... Cutting apparatus 100a ... Cutting device (first comparative example)
100b ... Cutting device (second comparative example)
110 ... Upper mold part 110a ... Upper mold part (first comparative example)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 111 ... Punch part 112 ... Pressing part 112t ... Outer peripheral convex part 112c ... Central recessed part 113 ... Energizing mechanism 114 ... Cutting blade 120 ... Lower mold part 120b ... Lower mold part (2nd comparative example)
121 ... Die 122 ... Receiving part 123 ... Biasing mechanism 124 ... Suction table 125 ... Mounting plate 126 ... Through hole 127 ... Negative pressure chamber 128 ... Suction pump 130 ... Mounting plate BL ... Laminated film member CR ... Damaged LB ... Laminated film member

Claims (7)

A cutting device for cutting a membrane member used as an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell ,
A holding part for holding the first portion of the membrane member;
A clamping portion for clamping said second portion of said membrane member in a position adjacent in the direction along the surface of the film member and the holding portion,
With
Said second portion while tightly held the clamping portion, the increase the distance between the first part held by the holding portion to separate said first and second portions, the cutting device. The cutting device according to claim 1,
The clamping part is
A punch portion for punching the second portion;
The first portion held by the holding portion in a state where the second portion is held together with the punch portion while the punch portion is received with the second portion being sandwiched when punching by the punch portion. A receiving part that moves so as to increase the distance to the part;
A cutting device comprising: The cutting device according to claim 2,
The said receiving part is a cutting device installed urging | biasing in the direction parallel to the punch direction of the said punch part. The cutting device according to claim 2 or 3,
The clearance in the direction along the surface of the film member between the punch portion and the holding portion when the punch portion and the receiving portion sandwich the second portion is 10 μm or less. Cutting device. The cutting device according to claim 1,
It said second portion being clamped to the clamping portion, the distance between the first site being held by the holding portion, and the first is increased in a direction intersecting the clamping direction of the clamping portion A cutting device for separating the second part. The cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The holding part is
A mounting surface on which the first part is mounted;
A negative pressure generating unit that generates a negative pressure and adsorbs the first part to the placement surface;
A cutting device comprising: A method for cutting a membrane member used as an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell ,
(A) holding the first part of the membrane member in a holding part;
(B) a step of clamping the second portion of the membrane member to the clamping portion;
(C) while the second part was clamped in the clamping unit, thereby separating the portion distance is increased the first and second of the first part held by the holding portion Process,
A cutting method comprising:

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