JP7632008B2

JP7632008B2 - Fuel cell manufacturing apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: JP7632008B2
Application number: JP2021065821A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 達也石川; 大樹桑原
Original assignee: Toyota Motor Corp
Current assignee: Toyota Motor Corp
Priority date: 2021-04-08
Filing date: 2021-04-08
Publication date: 2025-02-19
Anticipated expiration: 2041-04-08
Also published as: JP2022161203A

Description

本開示は、燃料電池の製造装置および製造方法に関する。 This disclosure relates to a fuel cell manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method.

燃料電池の製造装置として、膜電極接合体（ＭｅｍｂｒａｎｅＥｌｅｃｔｒｏｄｅＡｓｓｅｍｂｌｙ：ＭＥＡ）を含む発電体の周縁部にスクリーン印刷で接着剤を塗布し、接着剤が塗布された発電体と枠状のシート部材とを加圧して接合するものが知られている。特許文献１には、発電体の周縁部のうちの外側部分を印刷する部分のメッシュ径が、発電体の周縁部のうちの内側部分を印刷する部分のメッシュ径よりも小さい印刷板を用いてスクリーン印刷を行う技術が記載されている。これにより、発電体の周縁部のうちの外側部分に塗布される接着剤の厚みが小さくなり、発電体の周縁部のうちの内側部分に塗布される接着剤の厚みが大きくなる。これにより、シート部材が発電体に向けて加圧される際に接着剤が発電体の端部から押し出されることを抑制できるため、接着剤の厚みが均一となる。 A known fuel cell manufacturing device applies adhesive to the periphery of a power generating body including a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) by screen printing, and then pressurizes and bonds the power generating body to which the adhesive has been applied and a frame-shaped sheet member. Patent Document 1 describes a technique for performing screen printing using a printing plate in which the mesh diameter of the portion for printing the outer portion of the periphery of the power generating body is smaller than the mesh diameter of the portion for printing the inner portion of the periphery of the power generating body. This reduces the thickness of the adhesive applied to the outer portion of the periphery of the power generating body, and increases the thickness of the adhesive applied to the inner portion of the periphery of the power generating body. This makes it possible to prevent the adhesive from being pushed out from the end of the power generating body when the sheet member is pressed toward the power generating body, thereby making the thickness of the adhesive uniform.

特開２０２０－１４９８８６号公報JP 2020-149886 A

特許文献１において、接着剤の厚みは考慮されているが、発電体とシート部材とが接着している領域の幅である接着幅については考慮されていない。そのため、接着幅が十分に確保できない領域が生じるおそれがある。例えば、発電体の角部においては、加圧時に接着剤が十分に行き届かず、接着幅が確保できないおそれがある。そのため、接着幅を確保できる技術が求められていた。 In Patent Document 1, the thickness of the adhesive is taken into consideration, but the adhesion width, which is the width of the area where the power generating body and the sheet member are adhered, is not taken into consideration. As a result, there is a risk that there will be areas where the adhesion width is not sufficiently secured. For example, at the corners of the power generating body, the adhesive may not reach sufficiently when pressure is applied, and the adhesion width may not be secured. Therefore, there has been a demand for technology that can secure the adhesion width.

本開示は、上述の課題を解決するためになされたものであり、以下の形態として実現することが可能である。
本開示の一形態によれば、膜電極接合体の少なくとも一方の面にガス拡散層を備える発電体と、前記発電体の周囲に配置される枠状のシート部材と、を有する燃料電池の製造装置が提供される。この製造装置は、前記シート部材は、前記発電体に対して反応ガスを流出入させる流出入孔が設けられた第１辺部と、前記流出入孔が設けられておらず前記第１辺部の端に接続される第２辺部と、を有し、前記発電体は、前記第１辺部と重ねられる第１領域と、前記第２辺部と重ねられる第２領域と、少なくとも前記第１辺部と重ねられ前記第１領域と前記第２領域とに接続されている第３領域とを有し、少なくとも前記第１領域と前記第２領域と前記第３領域との一部を含む周縁部に接着剤が配置された前記発電体の前記接着剤の配置領域と重なるように積層された前記シート部材を、前記発電体に向かって押圧する枠状の押圧部を備える。前記押圧部は、前記シート部材における前記第３領域と重なる部分と向かい合う面であって、前記押圧部が前記シート部材を押圧する押圧方向に垂直な面に対して、前記押圧方向とは逆の方向に、前記押圧部の外周に向かうにつれて後退しているテーパ面を有し、前記第１辺部における前記第１領域と重なる部分において、前記接着剤が前記発電体の内側から外側に移動するように押圧し、前記第２辺部における前記第２領域と重なる部分において、前記接着剤が前記発電体の外側から内側に移動するように押圧するように構成される。 The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and can be realized in the following forms.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a manufacturing apparatus for a fuel cell including a power generation body including a gas diffusion layer on at least one surface of a membrane electrode assembly, and a frame-shaped sheet member arranged around the power generation body, the sheet member having a first side portion provided with an inlet/outlet hole for allowing a reactant gas to flow in and out of the power generation body, and a second side portion connected to an end of the first side portion without the inlet/outlet hole, the power generation body having a first region overlapping the first side portion, a second region overlapping the second side portion, and a third region overlapping at least the first side portion and connected to the first region and the second region, and a frame-shaped pressing unit pressing the sheet member stacked so as to overlap the adhesive arrangement region of the power generation body having an adhesive arranged on a peripheral portion including at least a part of the first region, the second region, and the third region, toward the power generation body. The pressing portion has a tapered surface facing the portion of the sheet member that overlaps with the third region, and recedes in a direction opposite to the pressing direction with respect to a plane perpendicular to the pressing direction in which the pressing portion presses the sheet member, toward the outer periphery of the pressing portion, and is configured to press the adhesive so that it moves from the inside to the outside of the power generator at the portion of the first edge that overlaps with the first region, and to press the adhesive so that it moves from the outside to the inside of the power generator at the portion of the first edge that overlaps with the second region.

（１）本開示の一形態によれば、膜電極接合体の少なくとも一方の面にガス拡散層を備える発電体と、前記発電体の周囲に配置される枠状のシート部材と、を有する燃料電池の製造装置が提供される。この製造装置は、前記シート部材は、前記発電体に対して反応ガスを流出入させる流出入孔が設けられた第１辺部と、前記流出入孔が設けられておらず前記第１辺部の端に接続される第２辺部と、を有し、前記発電体は、前記第１辺部と重ねられる第１領域と、前記第２辺部と重ねられる第２領域と、少なくとも前記第１辺部と重ねられ前記第１領域と前記第２領域とに接続されている第３領域とを有し、少なくとも前記第１領域と前記第２領域と前記第３領域との一部を含む周縁部に接着剤が配置された前記発電体の前記接着剤の配置領域と重なるように積層された前記シート部材を、前記発電体に向かって押圧する枠状の押圧部を備える。前記押圧部は、前記シート部材における前記第３領域と重なる部分と向かい合う面であって、前記押圧部が前記シート部材を押圧する押圧方向に垂直な面に対して、前記押圧方向とは逆の方向に、前記押圧部の外周に向かうにつれて後退しているテーパ面を有する。
この形態の製造装置によれば、テーパ面を有するため、シート部材は押圧時に接着剤から力を受けてテーパ面に沿って弾性変形する。そのため、接着剤の流動抵抗を低減でき、押圧部は、第３領域における角先端まで接着剤を行き渡らせることができる。従って、接着幅を確保できる。
（２）上記形態の製造装置において、前記押圧部は、前記第１辺部における前記第１領域と重なる部分において、前記接着剤が前記発電体の内側から外側に移動するように押圧し、前記第２辺部における前記第２領域と重なる部分において、前記接着剤が前記発電体の外側から内側に移動するように押圧するように構成されてもよい。
このような態様とすれば、押圧部は、第１領域では発電体の周縁から中央に向かって接着剤を押し出し、第２領域では発電体の中央から周縁に向かって接着剤を押し出すように押圧できる。そのため、流出入孔が設けられた第１辺部の内側の端に接している接着剤の厚みを、第２辺部の内側の端に接している接着剤の厚みよりも薄くすることができる。
（３）上記形態の製造装置において、前記押圧部は、前記第１辺部における前記第１領域と重なる部分を押圧する、前記押圧方向に対して垂直な面である第１押圧面と、前記第１押圧面に接続され、前記第２辺部における前記第２領域と重なる部分を押圧する、前記押圧方向に対して垂直な面である第２押圧面と、前記第１押圧面に接続され、前記押圧方向とは逆の方向に、前記押圧部の外周端に向かうにつれて後退している第１テーパ面と、前記第２押圧面に接続され、前記押圧方向とは逆の方向に、前記押圧部の内周端に向かうにつれて後退している第２テーパ面と、を備えてもよい。
このような態様とすれば、第１テーパ面と第２テーパ面とを有するため、シート部材は押圧時に第１テーパ面および第２テーパ面に沿って弾性変形する。そのため、押圧部は、シート部材における第１領域と重なる部分において接着剤が発電体の内側から外側に移動するように押圧し、シート部材における第２領域と重なる部分において、接着剤が発電体の外側から内側に移動するように押圧できる。
（４）上記形態の製造装置において、前記発電体に前記接着剤を配置する接着剤配置部を備え、前記接着剤配置部は、前記第１領域に配置する前記接着剤の幅であって前記発電体の外側から内側へ向かう方向における幅を、前記第２領域に配置する前記接着剤の幅であって前記発電体の外側から内側へ向かう方向における幅よりも狭くしてもよい。
このような態様とすれば、第１辺部において内周側に押し出される接着剤の量を、第２辺部において内周側に押し出される接着剤の量よりも少なくできる。そのため、流出入孔が設けられた第１辺部における接着剤の厚みを、第２辺部における接着剤の厚みよりも薄くすることができる。 (1) According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a manufacturing apparatus for a fuel cell including a power generation body including a gas diffusion layer on at least one surface of a membrane electrode assembly, and a frame-shaped sheet member arranged around the power generation body, the sheet member having a first side portion provided with an inlet/outlet hole for allowing a reactant gas to flow in and out of the power generation body, and a second side portion not provided with the inlet/outlet hole and connected to an end of the first side portion, the power generation body having a first region overlapping the first side portion, a second region overlapping the second side portion, and a third region overlapping at least the first side portion and connected to the first region and the second region, and a frame-shaped pressing unit pressing the sheet member, stacked so as to overlap the adhesive arrangement region of the power generation body having an adhesive arranged on a peripheral portion including at least a part of the first region, the second region, and the third region, against the power generation body. The pressing portion has a surface facing the portion of the sheet member that overlaps with the third region, and has a tapered surface that recedes in the opposite direction to the pressing direction in which the pressing portion presses the sheet member, toward the outer periphery of the pressing portion, relative to a plane perpendicular to the pressing direction in which the pressing portion presses the sheet member.
According to this embodiment of the manufacturing device, since the sheet member has a tapered surface, the sheet member receives a force from the adhesive when pressed and elastically deforms along the tapered surface. This reduces the flow resistance of the adhesive, and the pressing unit can cause the adhesive to spread to the corner tips in the third region. This ensures a sufficient adhesive width.
(2) In the manufacturing apparatus of the above embodiment, the pressing unit may be configured to press the adhesive so that it moves from the inside to the outside of the power generator at a portion of the first side that overlaps with the first region, and to press the adhesive so that it moves from the outside to the inside of the power generator at a portion of the second side that overlaps with the second region.
In this embodiment, the pressing portion can press the adhesive from the periphery of the power generator toward the center in the first region, and from the center of the power generator toward the periphery in the second region, so that the thickness of the adhesive in contact with the inner edge of the first side portion where the inlet and outlet holes are provided can be made thinner than the thickness of the adhesive in contact with the inner edge of the second side portion.
(3) In the manufacturing apparatus of the above embodiment, the pressing portion may include a first pressing surface which is a surface perpendicular to the pressing direction and presses a portion of the first side portion which overlaps with the first region, a second pressing surface which is a surface perpendicular to the pressing direction and is connected to the first pressing surface and presses a portion of the second side portion which overlaps with the second region, a first tapered surface which is connected to the first pressing surface and recedes in the direction opposite to the pressing direction toward the outer circumferential end of the pressing portion, and a second tapered surface which is connected to the second pressing surface and recedes in the direction opposite to the pressing direction toward the inner circumferential end of the pressing portion.
In this embodiment, since the sheet member has the first tapered surface and the second tapered surface, the sheet member elastically deforms along the first tapered surface and the second tapered surface when pressed. Therefore, the pressing portion can press the portion of the sheet member overlapping the first region so that the adhesive moves from the inside to the outside of the power generator, and can press the portion of the sheet member overlapping the second region so that the adhesive moves from the outside to the inside of the power generator.
(4) In the manufacturing apparatus of the above-described form, an adhesive placement section is provided for placing the adhesive on the generator, and the adhesive placement section may be configured to make the width of the adhesive placed in the first region, in the direction from the outside to the inside of the generator, narrower than the width of the adhesive placed in the second region, in the direction from the outside to the inside of the generator.
With this configuration, the amount of adhesive pushed out toward the inner periphery at the first side can be made smaller than the amount of adhesive pushed out toward the inner periphery at the second side, so that the thickness of the adhesive at the first side where the inlet and outlet holes are provided can be made thinner than the thickness of the adhesive at the second side.

なお、本開示は、種々の形態で実現することが可能であり、例えば、接合体の製造装置や接合体の製造方法等の態様で実現することが可能である。 The present disclosure can be realized in various forms, such as a manufacturing apparatus for a bonded body or a manufacturing method for a bonded body.

燃料電池を分解して示す説明図である。FIG. 2 is an exploded explanatory view showing a fuel cell. 接合体を示す説明図である。FIG. 製造装置の説明図である。FIG. 押圧部の一部を示す説明図である。FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a part of a pressing portion. 図４をＶ－Ｖラインで切断した断面模式図である。5 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 4. 図４をＶＩ－ＶＩラインで切断した断面模式図である。6 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 4. 燃料電池の製造方法の一例を表わすフローチャートである。1 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for manufacturing a fuel cell. 接合体準備処理の一例を表すフローチャートである。13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a bonded body preparation process. 接合体準備処理の説明図である。FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a joint body preparation process. 第１押圧工程におけるシート部材の状態を示した図である。10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a state of a sheet member in a first pressing step. 第１押圧工程の完了後におけるシート部材の状態を示した図である。13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating a state of the sheet member after the first pressing step is completed. 第２押圧工程におけるシート部材の状態を示した図である。10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a state of the sheet member in a second pressing step. 第２押圧工程の完了後におけるシート部材の状態を示した図である。13 is a diagram showing a state of the sheet member after the second pressing step is completed. FIG.

Ａ．第１実施形態：
図１は、本開示の一実施形態における製造方法で製造される燃料電池１００を分解して示す説明図である。燃料電池１００は、反応ガスとして水素と酸素の供給を受けて発電する固体高分子形の燃料電池である。図１には互いに直交するｘ軸、ｙ軸、ｚ軸を示している。ｘ軸は燃料電池１００の長辺方向であり、ｙ軸は燃料電池１００の短辺方向であり、ｚ軸は燃料電池１００の積層方向である。これらの軸は図１以降に示した軸に対応している。燃料電池１００は、発電体１０と、シート部材２０と、一対のセパレータ４０、５０と、マニホールド孔６０と、を備える。 A. First embodiment:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an exploded view of a fuel cell 100 manufactured by a manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The fuel cell 100 is a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell that generates electricity by receiving hydrogen and oxygen as reactant gases. FIG. 1 shows an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis that are perpendicular to each other. The x-axis is the long side direction of the fuel cell 100, the y-axis is the short side direction of the fuel cell 100, and the z-axis is the stacking direction of the fuel cell 100. These axes correspond to the axes shown in FIG. 1 and subsequent figures. The fuel cell 100 includes a power generation body 10, a sheet member 20, a pair of separators 40 and 50, and a manifold hole 60.

発電体１０は、電解質膜（図示せず）と、電解質膜の両面にそれぞれ隣接して形成された触媒層（図示せず）と、触媒層の一方の面に隣接して形成されたガス拡散層（図示せず）とを備える。電解質膜は湿潤状態において良好なプロトン伝導性を示す固体高分子薄膜である。電解質膜は、例えば、フッ素系樹脂のイオン交換膜によって構成される。触媒層は水素と酸素の化学反応を促進する触媒と、触媒を担持したカーボン粒子とを備える。この電解質膜、触媒層を合わせて、膜電極接合体（ＭＥＡ（ＭｅｍｂｒａｎｅＥｌｅｃｔｒｏｄｅＡｓｓｅｍｂｌｙ））ともいう。 The power generating unit 10 comprises an electrolyte membrane (not shown), catalyst layers (not shown) formed adjacent to both sides of the electrolyte membrane, and a gas diffusion layer (not shown) formed adjacent to one side of the catalyst layer. The electrolyte membrane is a solid polymer thin film that exhibits good proton conductivity in a wet state. The electrolyte membrane is, for example, made of a fluorine-based resin ion exchange membrane. The catalyst layer comprises a catalyst that promotes a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, and carbon particles carrying the catalyst. The electrolyte membrane and catalyst layer are collectively referred to as a membrane electrode assembly (MEA).

ガス拡散層は、一方の触媒層側の面に隣接して設けられている。ガス拡散層は、電極反応に用いられる反応ガスを電解質膜の面方向に沿って拡散させる層であり、多孔質の拡散層用基材により構成されている。拡散層用基材としては、炭素繊維基材や黒鉛繊維基材、発砲金属など、導電性及びガス拡散性を有する多孔質の基材が用いられる。この電解質膜、触媒層、ガス拡散層を合わせて、膜電極ガス拡散層接合体（ＭＥＧＡ（ＭｅｍｂｒａｎｅＥｌｅｃｔｒｏｄｅＧａｓｓ－ｄｉｆｆｕｓｉｏｎ－ｌａｙｅｒＡｓｓｅｍｂｌｙ））ともいう。 The gas diffusion layer is provided adjacent to the surface on one side of the catalyst layer. The gas diffusion layer is a layer that diffuses the reaction gas used in the electrode reaction along the surface direction of the electrolyte membrane, and is composed of a porous diffusion layer substrate. Porous substrates that have electrical conductivity and gas diffusion properties, such as carbon fiber substrates, graphite fiber substrates, and foamed metals, are used as diffusion layer substrates. The electrolyte membrane, catalyst layer, and gas diffusion layer are collectively referred to as a membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly (MEGA (Membrane Electrode Gas-diffusion-layer Assembly)).

シート部材２０は、発電体１０の周囲に配置された枠状の３層のシート部材である。シート部材２０は、樹脂部材の両面にホットメルト接着剤による接着層がラミネート加工され形成されている。樹脂部材として、本実施形態では、例えばポリエチレンテレフタレート（ＰＥＴ）が用いられている。ただし、樹脂部材として、ポリプロピレン、ポリエチレン等の他の種々の熱可塑性樹脂部材も利用可能である。 The sheet member 20 is a frame-shaped three-layer sheet member arranged around the power generation body 10. The sheet member 20 is formed by laminating an adhesive layer of hot melt adhesive on both sides of a resin member. In this embodiment, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is used as the resin member. However, various other thermoplastic resin members such as polypropylene and polyethylene can also be used as the resin member.

一対のセパレータ４０、５０は、接合体３０を挟持する部材である。セパレータ４０、５０は、例えば、ステンレス鋼やチタン、あるいはそれらの合金からなる金属板をプレス成型することによって形成されている。 The pair of separators 40, 50 are members that sandwich the joint body 30. The separators 40, 50 are formed by press molding metal plates made of, for example, stainless steel, titanium, or an alloy thereof.

シート部材２０およびセパレータ４０、５０はマニホールド孔６０を有する。マニホールド孔６０は、シート部材２０とセパレータ４０、５０とを連通し、反応ガスまたは冷却水が流通する。 The sheet member 20 and the separators 40, 50 have manifold holes 60. The manifold holes 60 connect the sheet member 20 and the separators 40, 50, allowing reaction gas or cooling water to flow through.

図２は、接合体３０の説明図である。本実施形態において、発電体１０と発電体１０の他方の触媒層側の面に設けられるガス拡散層とシート部材２０とを接合したものを接合体３０ともいう。シート部材２０は、発電体１０に対して反応ガスを流出入させる流出入孔２３と、流出入孔２３が設けられた第１辺部２１と、流出入孔２３が設けられておらず第１辺部２１の端に接続される第２辺部２２と、を有する。流出入孔２３は、シート部材２０を貫通して形成されている。本実施形態において、シート部材２０は、複数の流出入孔２３を備えているが、これに限らず、流出入孔２３を１つのみ有していてもよい。 Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram of the assembly 30. In this embodiment, the assembly 30 is also referred to as the assembly obtained by joining the power generation body 10, the gas diffusion layer provided on the surface of the power generation body 10 on the other catalyst layer side, and the sheet member 20. The sheet member 20 has an inlet/outlet hole 23 for allowing the reactant gas to flow in and out of the power generation body 10, a first side portion 21 provided with the inlet/outlet hole 23, and a second side portion 22 connected to the end of the first side portion 21 without the inlet/outlet hole 23. The inlet/outlet hole 23 is formed penetrating the sheet member 20. In this embodiment, the sheet member 20 has a plurality of inlet/outlet holes 23, but is not limited thereto, and may have only one inlet/outlet hole 23.

発電体１０は、シート部材２０の第１辺部２１と重ねられる領域を含む第１領域１１と、シート部材２０の第２辺部２２と重ねられる領域を含む第２領域１２と、第１辺部２１と重ねられる領域を含み第１領域１１と第２領域１２とに接続されている第３領域１３とを有する。本実施形態において、第１辺部２１と第２辺部２２と流出入孔２３とは、発電体１０とシート部材２０とを接着する接着剤が配置される領域である。 The power generating body 10 has a first region 11 including an area overlapping with the first side portion 21 of the sheet member 20, a second region 12 including an area overlapping with the second side portion 22 of the sheet member 20, and a third region 13 including an area overlapping with the first side portion 21 and connected to the first region 11 and the second region 12. In this embodiment, the first side portion 21, the second side portion 22, and the inlet/outlet hole 23 are regions where adhesive is disposed to bond the power generating body 10 and the sheet member 20.

図３は、製造装置２００の説明図である。製造装置２００は、燃料電池１００を製造する製造装置２００である。製造装置２００は、接着剤配置部２１０と、押圧部２２０とを備える。製造装置２００は、中央処理装置（ＣＰＵ）や、ＲＡＭ、ＲＯＭにより構成されたマイクロコンピュータ等からなり、予めインストールされたプログラムをマイクロコンピュータが実行することによって、これらの各部の機能を実現する。ただし、これらの各部の機能の一部又は全部をハードウエア回路で実現してもよい。 Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of the manufacturing apparatus 200. The manufacturing apparatus 200 is used to manufacture the fuel cell 100. The manufacturing apparatus 200 includes an adhesive placement unit 210 and a pressing unit 220. The manufacturing apparatus 200 is made up of a microcomputer including a central processing unit (CPU), RAM, and ROM, and the functions of each of these units are realized by the microcomputer executing a program that has been pre-installed. However, some or all of the functions of each of these units may be realized by a hardware circuit.

接着剤配置部２１０は、発電体１０に接着剤を配置する。本実施形態において、接着剤配置部２１０は、製造装置２００の制御部とロボットにより構成される。接着剤は、例えば、紫外線硬化型の接着剤や、熱硬化型の接着剤である。本実施形態において、接着剤は流体である。接着剤配置部２１０は、発電体１０に対して刷毛をロボットにより移動させて、スクリーン印刷によって接着剤を発電体１０に塗布する。なお、接着剤の配置は、刷毛による塗布に限らず、例えば、スプレーによって塗布するとしてもよく、シート状のシール部材を配置するとしてもよい。 The adhesive placement unit 210 places adhesive on the power generation body 10. In this embodiment, the adhesive placement unit 210 is composed of a control unit of the manufacturing apparatus 200 and a robot. The adhesive is, for example, an ultraviolet-curing adhesive or a heat-curing adhesive. In this embodiment, the adhesive is a fluid. The adhesive placement unit 210 uses a robot to move a brush relative to the power generation body 10 and applies the adhesive to the power generation body 10 by screen printing. Note that the placement of the adhesive is not limited to application by a brush, and may be, for example, application by spraying, or a sheet-like sealing member may be placed.

押圧部２２０は、接着剤が配置された発電体１０の接着剤の配置領域と重なるように積層されたシート部材２０を、発電体１０に向かって押圧する。押圧部２２０は、枠状の部材と製造装置２００の制御部とロボットにより構成される。押圧部２２０は、枠状の部材をロボットにより移動させて、シート部材２０を発電体１０に向かって押圧する。以下では、枠状の部材を指して押圧部２２０ともいう。押圧部２２０によりシート部材２０を押圧する力は、押圧することにより押し出される接着剤によってシート部材２０を弾性変形させる程度の大きさである。なお、シート部材２０は、押圧部２２０に押圧されることにより押し出される接着剤によって弾性変形可能な厚みや材質で構成されている。 The pressing unit 220 presses the laminated sheet member 20, which is stacked so as to overlap the adhesive placement area of the power generation body 10 where the adhesive is placed, toward the power generation body 10. The pressing unit 220 is composed of a frame-shaped member, a control unit of the manufacturing device 200, and a robot. The pressing unit 220 moves the frame-shaped member using the robot to press the sheet member 20 toward the power generation body 10. Hereinafter, the frame-shaped member is also referred to as the pressing unit 220. The force with which the pressing unit 220 presses the sheet member 20 is large enough to elastically deform the sheet member 20 by the adhesive extruded by pressing. The sheet member 20 is composed of a thickness and material that allows elastic deformation by the adhesive extruded by pressing it with the pressing unit 220.

図４、図５および図６は、押圧部２２０の一部を示す説明図である。図４は、押圧部２２０がシート部材２０を押圧する場合に、シート部材２０側から見た押圧部２２０を示す。図５は、押圧部２２０がシート部材２０を押圧している状態を、図４のＶ－Ｖ断面において示した図である。図６は、押圧部２２０がシート部材２０を押圧している状態を、図４のＶＩ－ＶＩ断面において示した図である。押圧部２２０は、シート部材２０における第１領域１１と重なる部分において、後述する周縁部１５に配置された接着剤１４が発電体１０の内側から外側（＋ｘ軸方向）に移動するように押圧し、シート部材２０における第２領域１２と重なる部分において、周縁部１５に配置された接着剤１４が発電体１０の外側から内側（－ｘ軸方向）に移動するように押圧するように構成されている。接着剤１４は、押圧部２２０がシート部材２０を押圧する際に、発電体１０とシート部材２０との間を移動できる程度の粘性を有する。本実施形態において、押圧部２２０は、第１押圧面２２１と、第１テーパ面２２２と、第２押圧面２２３と、第２テーパ面２２４と、第３テーパ面２２５と、を有する。 Figures 4, 5 and 6 are explanatory diagrams showing a part of the pressing part 220. Figure 4 shows the pressing part 220 as seen from the sheet member 20 side when the pressing part 220 presses the sheet member 20. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the state in which the pressing part 220 is pressing the sheet member 20 in the V-V cross section of Figure 4. Figure 6 is a diagram showing the state in which the pressing part 220 is pressing the sheet member 20 in the VI-VI cross section of Figure 4. The pressing part 220 is configured to press the adhesive 14 arranged on the peripheral part 15 described later in the portion overlapping the first region 11 of the sheet member 20 so as to move from the inside to the outside (+x-axis direction) of the power generating body 10, and to press the adhesive 14 arranged on the peripheral part 15 in the portion overlapping the second region 12 of the sheet member 20 so as to move from the outside to the inside (-x-axis direction) of the power generating body 10. The adhesive 14 has a viscosity sufficient to move between the power generator 10 and the sheet member 20 when the pressing portion 220 presses the sheet member 20. In this embodiment, the pressing portion 220 has a first pressing surface 221, a first tapered surface 222, a second pressing surface 223, a second tapered surface 224, and a third tapered surface 225.

第１押圧面２２１は、シート部材２０における発電体１０の第１領域１１と重なる部分を押圧する、押圧方向（ｚ軸方向）に対して垂直な面である。第１テーパ面２２２は、第１押圧面２２１に接続され、押圧方向とは逆の方向（＋ｚ軸方向）に、押圧部２２０の外周端Ｐ１に向かうにつれて後退している面である。外周端Ｐ１とは、押圧部２２０の外周面における第１押圧面２２１側の端部である。本実施形態において、第１押圧面２２１に対する最大傾斜方向に沿って計測した第１テーパ面２２２の傾斜角度である第１角度ｄ１は、例えば、５度である。 The first pressing surface 221 is a surface perpendicular to the pressing direction (z-axis direction) that presses the portion of the sheet member 20 that overlaps with the first region 11 of the power generator 10. The first tapered surface 222 is a surface that is connected to the first pressing surface 221 and recedes in the direction opposite to the pressing direction (+z-axis direction) toward the outer peripheral end P1 of the pressing portion 220. The outer peripheral end P1 is the end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the pressing portion 220 on the first pressing surface 221 side. In this embodiment, the first angle d1, which is the inclination angle of the first tapered surface 222 measured along the maximum inclination direction relative to the first pressing surface 221, is, for example, 5 degrees.

第２押圧面２２３は、シート部材２０における発電体１０の第２領域１２と重なる部分を押圧する、押圧方向に対して垂直な面である。第２テーパ面２２４は、第２押圧面２２３に接続され、押圧方向とは逆の方向（＋ｚ軸方向）に、押圧部２２０の内周端Ｐ２に向かうにつれて後退している面である。内周端Ｐ２とは、押圧部２２０の内周面における第２押圧面２２３側の端部である。本実施形態において、第２押圧面２２３に対する最大傾斜方向に沿って計測した第２テーパ面２２４の傾斜角度である第２角度ｄ２は、例えば、６０度である。 The second pressing surface 223 is a surface perpendicular to the pressing direction that presses the portion of the sheet member 20 that overlaps with the second region 12 of the power generator 10. The second tapered surface 224 is connected to the second pressing surface 223 and is a surface that recedes toward the inner circumferential end P2 of the pressing portion 220 in the direction opposite to the pressing direction (the +z-axis direction). The inner circumferential end P2 is the end of the inner circumferential surface of the pressing portion 220 on the second pressing surface 223 side. In this embodiment, the second angle d2, which is the inclination angle of the second tapered surface 224 measured along the maximum inclination direction relative to the second pressing surface 223, is, for example, 60 degrees.

第３テーパ面２２５は、シート部材２０における発電体１０の第３領域１３と重なる部分と向かい合う面であって、押圧部２２０がシート部材２０を押圧する押圧方向に垂直な面に対して、押圧方向とは逆の方向に、押圧部２２０の外周に向かうにつれて後退している面である。第３テーパ面２２５を、「テーパ面」とも呼ぶ。本実施形態において、第１押圧面２２１に対する最大傾斜方向に沿って計測した第３テーパ面２２５の傾斜角度である角度は、例えば、５度である。 The third tapered surface 225 is a surface facing the portion of the sheet member 20 that overlaps with the third region 13 of the power generator 10, and is a surface that recedes from a surface perpendicular to the pressing direction in which the pressing portion 220 presses the sheet member 20, toward the outer periphery of the pressing portion 220 in the direction opposite to the pressing direction. The third tapered surface 225 is also called a "tapered surface." In this embodiment, the inclination angle of the third tapered surface 225 measured along the maximum inclination direction relative to the first pressing surface 221 is, for example, 5 degrees.

図７は、本実施形態の燃料電池１００の製造方法の一例を表わすフローチャートである。まず、ステップＳ１００において、接合体準備工程が行われる。「接合体準備工程」とは、接合体３０を準備する工程である。接合体３０は、例えば、発電体１０とシート部材２０とを接着剤を用いて接合することによって準備される。接合体準備工程の詳細については、後述する。 Figure 7 is a flow chart showing an example of a method for manufacturing the fuel cell 100 of this embodiment. First, in step S100, a bonded body preparation process is performed. The "bonded body preparation process" is a process for preparing the bonded body 30. The bonded body 30 is prepared, for example, by bonding the power generation body 10 and the sheet member 20 using an adhesive. The bonded body preparation process will be described in detail later.

ステップＳ１１０において、挟持工程が行われる。「挟持工程」とは、接合体３０を、一対のセパレータ４０、５０とで挟持する工程である。製造装置２００は、例えば、セパレータ４０の上に、ステップＳ１００で準備した接合体３０を配置し、その上にセパレータ５０を配置して、それらを接合する。例えば、熱圧着を行うことにより、接合体３０におけるシート部材２０を溶解してセパレータ４０、５０に接合する。なお、ステップＳ１１０の処理を繰り返して、燃料電池１００の積層体である燃料電池スタックを製造してもよい。 In step S110, a clamping process is performed. The "clamping process" is a process in which the bonded body 30 is clamped between a pair of separators 40, 50. The manufacturing apparatus 200 places the bonded body 30 prepared in step S100 on the separator 40, places the separator 50 on top of the bonded body 30, and bonds them together. For example, the sheet member 20 in the bonded body 30 is melted and bonded to the separators 40, 50 by performing thermocompression bonding. The process of step S110 may be repeated to manufacture a fuel cell stack, which is a stack of fuel cells 100.

図８は、接合体準備処理の一例を表すフローチャートである。この処理は、図７に示すステップＳ１００において、製造装置２００が、接合体３０を準備する一連の処理である。また、図９は、接合体準備処理の説明図である。 Figure 8 is a flow chart showing an example of the joined body preparation process. This process is a series of steps in which the manufacturing apparatus 200 prepares the joined body 30 in step S100 shown in Figure 7. Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram of the joined body preparation process.

ステップＳ２００（図８参照）において、接着剤配置部２１０が、接着剤配置工程を行う。「接着剤配置工程」とは、少なくとも第１領域１１と第２領域１２と第３領域１３との一部を含む周縁部１５に接着剤１４を配置する工程である。本実施形態において、接着剤配置部２１０は、発電体１０のガス拡散層が設けられていない他方の触媒層側の面に接着剤１４を配置する。本実施形態において、周縁部１５は、第１領域１１と、第２領域１２と、第３領域１３と、の一部と、シート部材２０が積層した場合における第１辺部２１の内側の端部よりも発電体１０の中央側へ延伸する領域と、シート部材２０が積層した場合における第２辺部２２の内側の端部よりも発電体１０の中央側へ延伸する領域と、を含む領域である（図５および図６、図９の上段参照）。図９の上段に示すように、本実施形態において、接着剤配置部２１０は、第１領域１１に配置された発電体１０の外側から内側へ向かう方向における接着剤１４の幅Ｗ１が、第２領域１２に配置された発電体１０の外側から内側へ向かう方向における接着剤１４の幅Ｗ２よりも狭くなるように接着剤１４を配置する。また、接着剤配置部２１０は、第１領域１１に配置された発電体１０とシート部材２０との積層方向における接着剤１４の厚みと第２領域１２に配置された発電体１０とシート部材２０との積層方向における接着剤１４の厚みとが同じになるように接着剤１４を配置する。 In step S200 (see FIG. 8), the adhesive placement unit 210 performs an adhesive placement process. The "adhesive placement process" is a process of placing adhesive 14 on the peripheral portion 15 including at least a portion of the first region 11, the second region 12, and the third region 13. In this embodiment, the adhesive placement unit 210 places adhesive 14 on the surface of the other catalyst layer side of the power generating body 10 on which the gas diffusion layer is not provided. In this embodiment, the peripheral portion 15 is a region including a portion of the first region 11, the second region 12, and the third region 13, a region that extends toward the center of the power generating body 10 from the inner end of the first side portion 21 when the sheet members 20 are stacked, and a region that extends toward the center of the power generating body 10 from the inner end of the second side portion 22 when the sheet members 20 are stacked (see FIGS. 5, 6, and the upper part of FIG. 9). As shown in the upper part of FIG. 9, in this embodiment, the adhesive placement unit 210 places the adhesive 14 so that the width W1 of the adhesive 14 in the direction from the outside to the inside of the power generation body 10 arranged in the first region 11 is narrower than the width W2 of the adhesive 14 in the direction from the outside to the inside of the power generation body 10 arranged in the second region 12. In addition, the adhesive placement unit 210 places the adhesive 14 so that the thickness of the adhesive 14 in the stacking direction of the power generation body 10 and the sheet member 20 arranged in the first region 11 is the same as the thickness of the adhesive 14 in the stacking direction of the power generation body 10 and the sheet member 20 arranged in the second region 12.

ステップＳ２１０（図８参照）において、製造装置２００は、積層工程を行う。「積層工程」とは、図９の中段に示すように、ステップＳ２００で接着剤１４が配置された発電体１０の接着剤１４の配置領域と重なるようにシート部材２０を積層する工程である。 In step S210 (see FIG. 8), the manufacturing apparatus 200 performs a lamination process. The "lamination process" is a process of laminating sheet members 20 so as to overlap the area of the adhesive 14 of the power generating body 10 in which the adhesive 14 was placed in step S200, as shown in the middle part of FIG. 9.

ステップＳ２２０（図８参照）において、押圧部２２０は、押圧工程を行う。「押圧工程」とは、ステップＳ２１０で積層したシート部材２０を、発電体１０に向かって押圧する工程である。本実施形態において、押圧工程は、第１押圧工程と第２押圧工程とを備える。「第１押圧工程」とは、シート部材２０における第１領域１１と重なる部分において、接着剤１４が、図９の下段に示す矢印Ａ１の方向である、発電体１０の内側から外側に向かう方向に移動するように押圧する工程である。「第２押圧工程」とは、シート部材２０における第２領域１２と重なる部分において、接着剤１４が、矢印Ａ２の方向である発電体１０の外側から内側に向かう方向に移動するように押圧する工程である。なお、第１押圧工程と第２押圧工程とは同時に行われる。押圧部２２０は、第３テーパ面２２５を備えているため、押圧工程において、シート部材２０は第３テーパ面２２５に沿って弾性変形する。そのため、シート部材２０における第３領域１３と重なる部分において、接着剤１４が、矢印Ａ３の方向である発電体１０の内側から外側に向かう方向に移動する。 In step S220 (see FIG. 8), the pressing unit 220 performs a pressing process. The "pressing process" is a process of pressing the sheet member 20 laminated in step S210 toward the power generation body 10. In this embodiment, the pressing process includes a first pressing process and a second pressing process. The "first pressing process" is a process of pressing the portion of the sheet member 20 that overlaps with the first region 11 so that the adhesive 14 moves in the direction of the arrow A1 shown in the lower part of FIG. 9 from the inside to the outside of the power generation body 10. The "second pressing process" is a process of pressing the portion of the sheet member 20 that overlaps with the second region 12 so that the adhesive 14 moves in the direction of the arrow A2 from the outside to the inside of the power generation body 10. The first pressing process and the second pressing process are performed simultaneously. Because the pressing portion 220 has a third tapered surface 225, in the pressing process, the sheet member 20 elastically deforms along the third tapered surface 225. Therefore, in the portion of the sheet member 20 that overlaps with the third region 13, the adhesive 14 moves in the direction of arrow A3, that is, from the inside to the outside of the power generating body 10.

ステップＳ２３０（図８参照）において、押圧部２２０は、硬化工程を行う。「硬化工程」とは、ステップＳ２００で配置した接着剤を硬化させる工程である。なお、本実施形態において、押圧部２２０は、この処理と並行して、もしくは、この処理の後に、ガス拡散層が設けられていない、発電体１０の他方の触媒層側の面にガス拡散層を積層および接合する。 In step S230 (see FIG. 8), the pressing unit 220 performs a curing process. The "curing process" is a process for curing the adhesive applied in step S200. In this embodiment, in parallel with this process or after this process, the pressing unit 220 laminates and bonds a gas diffusion layer to the other catalyst layer side surface of the power generation body 10 on which no gas diffusion layer is provided.

図１０は、第１押圧工程におけるシート部材２０の状態を示した図である。図１０は、図５において、押圧部２２０がシート部材２０を押圧している状態を、示した図である。図１０に示すように、シート部材２０は第１テーパ面２２２に沿って図５に示す状態から弾性変形する。より具体的には、第１押圧面２２１によって押し出された接着剤１４が、シート部材２０と第１テーパ面２２２との隙間を埋めるようにシート部材２０を押し上げる。シート部材２０が第１テーパ面２２２に沿うように押し上げられるため、第１押圧面２２１が面している領域におけるシート部材２０と発電体１０との間における流動抵抗よりも、第１テーパ面２２２が面している領域におけるシート部材２０と発電体１０との間における流動抵抗が小さくなり、接着剤１４が移動しやすくなる。そのため、シート部材２０の第１辺部２１における第１領域１１と重なる部分において、接着剤１４が、発電体１０の内側から外側（＋ｘ軸方向）に向かって移動する。押圧部２２０は、シート部材２０の第１辺部２１におけるシート部材２０の内周側から外周側へ向かう方向（ｘ軸方向）における接合体３０の内周側の端部と押圧部２２０の内周側の端部との距離Ｌ１が短くなるように配置されることが好ましい。本実施形態において、距離Ｌ１は、距離Ｌ１の延伸方向と同じ方向（ｘ軸方向）における発電体１０とシート部材２０とを接着剤１４によって接着させたい領域の距離Ｌ２の５．８％程度である。 Figure 10 is a diagram showing the state of the sheet member 20 in the first pressing step. Figure 10 is a diagram showing the state in which the pressing portion 220 is pressing the sheet member 20 in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 10, the sheet member 20 elastically deforms from the state shown in Figure 5 along the first tapered surface 222. More specifically, the adhesive 14 extruded by the first pressing surface 221 pushes up the sheet member 20 so as to fill the gap between the sheet member 20 and the first tapered surface 222. Since the sheet member 20 is pushed up along the first tapered surface 222, the flow resistance between the sheet member 20 and the power generation body 10 in the area facing the first tapered surface 222 is smaller than the flow resistance between the sheet member 20 and the power generation body 10 in the area facing the first pressing surface 221, and the adhesive 14 becomes easier to move. Therefore, in the portion of the first side 21 of the sheet member 20 that overlaps with the first region 11, the adhesive 14 moves from the inside to the outside (positive x-axis direction) of the power generator 10. It is preferable that the pressing portion 220 is disposed so that the distance L1 between the end of the inner periphery of the joining body 30 and the end of the inner periphery of the pressing portion 220 in the direction from the inner periphery to the outer periphery of the sheet member 20 in the first side 21 of the sheet member 20 (x-axis direction) is short. In this embodiment, the distance L1 is about 5.8% of the distance L2 of the region where the power generator 10 and the sheet member 20 are to be bonded by the adhesive 14 in the same direction (x-axis direction) as the extension direction of the distance L1.

図１１は、第１押圧工程の完了後におけるシート部材２０の状態を示した図である。図１１は、図５において、押圧工程が完了した状態を示した図である。図１１に示すように、シート部材２０の第１辺部２１における接着剤１４の厚みｔ１は、接着剤１４が発電体１０の内側から外側に向かって移動するため、過度に厚くならない。「接着剤１４の厚み」とは、接着剤１４の最も厚い部分の厚みであり、シート部材２０の内側の端部に接している接着剤１４の厚みである。シート部材２０の第１辺部２１における接着剤１４の厚みｔ１が過度に厚くなることを防げるため、接着剤１４により流出入孔２３が埋まってしまうことを防ぐことができる。 Figure 11 is a diagram showing the state of the sheet member 20 after the first pressing step is completed. Figure 11 is a diagram showing the state after the pressing step is completed in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 11, the thickness t1 of the adhesive 14 at the first side portion 21 of the sheet member 20 does not become excessively thick because the adhesive 14 moves from the inside to the outside of the power generator 10. The "thickness of the adhesive 14" is the thickness of the thickest part of the adhesive 14, and is the thickness of the adhesive 14 that is in contact with the inner end of the sheet member 20. Since the thickness t1 of the adhesive 14 at the first side portion 21 of the sheet member 20 is prevented from becoming excessively thick, it is possible to prevent the inflow and outflow holes 23 from being filled with the adhesive 14.

図１２は、第２押圧工程におけるシート部材２０の状態を示した図である。図１２は、図６において、押圧部２２０がシート部材２０を押圧している状態を、示した図である。図１２に示すように、シート部材２０は第２テーパ面２２４に沿って図６に示す状態から弾性変形する。より具体的には、第２押圧面２２３によって押し出された接着剤１４が、シート部材２０と第２テーパ面２２４との隙間を埋めるようにシート部材２０を押し上げる。シート部材２０が第２テーパ面２２４に沿うように押し上げられるため、第２押圧面２２３が面している領域におけるシート部材２０と発電体１０との間における流動抵抗よりも、第２テーパ面２２３が面している領域におけるシート部材２０と発電体１０との間における流動抵抗が小さくなり、接着剤１４が移動しやすくなるそのため、シート部材２０の第２辺部２２における第２領域１２と重なる部分において、接着剤１４が、発電体１０の外側から内側（－ｘ軸方向）に向かって移動する。 Figure 12 is a diagram showing the state of the sheet member 20 in the second pressing step. Figure 12 is a diagram showing the state in which the pressing portion 220 is pressing the sheet member 20 in Figure 6. As shown in Figure 12, the sheet member 20 elastically deforms from the state shown in Figure 6 along the second tapered surface 224. More specifically, the adhesive 14 pushed out by the second pressing surface 223 pushes up the sheet member 20 so as to fill the gap between the sheet member 20 and the second tapered surface 224. Because the sheet member 20 is pushed up along the second tapered surface 224, the flow resistance between the sheet member 20 and the power generator 10 in the area facing the second tapered surface 223 is smaller than the flow resistance between the sheet member 20 and the power generator 10 in the area facing the second pressing surface 223, making it easier for the adhesive 14 to move. Therefore, in the portion of the second side portion 22 of the sheet member 20 that overlaps with the second area 12, the adhesive 14 moves from the outside to the inside (-x-axis direction) of the power generator 10.

図１３は、第２押圧工程の完了後におけるシート部材２０の状態を示した図である。図１３は、図６において、押圧工程が完了した状態を示した図である。図１３に示すように、シート部材２０の第２辺部２２における接着剤１４の厚みｔ２は、接着剤１４が発電体１０の外側から内側に向かって移動するため、厚みｔ１よりも厚くなる。シート部材２０の第２辺部２２における接着剤１４の厚みｔ２を厚くできるため、シート部材２０の第１辺部２１における接着剤１４の発電体１０とシート部材２０とを接着する接着力を十分に確保できる。 Figure 13 is a diagram showing the state of the sheet member 20 after the second pressing step is completed. Figure 13 is a diagram showing the state after the pressing step is completed in Figure 6. As shown in Figure 13, the thickness t2 of the adhesive 14 at the second side 22 of the sheet member 20 is thicker than the thickness t1 because the adhesive 14 moves from the outside to the inside of the power generator 10. Because the thickness t2 of the adhesive 14 at the second side 22 of the sheet member 20 can be made thicker, the adhesive force of the adhesive 14 at the first side 21 of the sheet member 20 to bond the power generator 10 and the sheet member 20 can be sufficiently secured.

以上で説明した本実施形態の製造装置２００によれば、押圧部２２０は、第３テーパ面２２５を有するため、シート部材２０は押圧時に第３テーパ面２２５に沿って弾性変形する。そのため、押圧部２２０は、第３領域１３における角先端まで接着剤１４を行き渡らせることができる。従って、第３領域１３における接着剤１４の接着幅を確保できる。 According to the manufacturing apparatus 200 of this embodiment described above, since the pressing unit 220 has the third tapered surface 225, the sheet member 20 elastically deforms along the third tapered surface 225 when pressed. Therefore, the pressing unit 220 can spread the adhesive 14 to the corner tip in the third region 13. Therefore, the adhesive width of the adhesive 14 in the third region 13 can be secured.

また、押圧部２２０は、第１領域１１では発電体１０の周縁から中央に向かって接着剤１４を押し出し、第２領域１２では発電体１０の中央から周縁に向かって接着剤１４を押し出すように押圧できる。そのため、流出入孔２３が設けられた第１辺部２１の内側の端に接している接着剤１４の厚みを、第２辺部２２の内側の端に接している接着剤１４の厚みよりも薄くすることができる。 The pressing portion 220 can press the adhesive 14 from the periphery of the power generator 10 toward the center in the first region 11, and from the center of the power generator 10 toward the periphery in the second region 12. Therefore, the thickness of the adhesive 14 in contact with the inner end of the first side portion 21 where the inlet/outlet hole 23 is provided can be made thinner than the thickness of the adhesive 14 in contact with the inner end of the second side portion 22.

また、押圧部２２０が第１テーパ面２２２と第２テーパ面２２４とを有するため、シート部材２０は押圧時に第１テーパ面２２２および第２テーパ面２２４に沿って弾性変形する。そのため、押圧部２２０は、シート部材２０における第１領域１１と重なる領域において接着剤１４が発電体１０の内側から外側に移動するように押圧し、シート部材２０における第２領域１２と重なる領域において、接着剤１４が発電体１０の外側から内側に移動するように押圧できる。 In addition, since the pressing portion 220 has a first tapered surface 222 and a second tapered surface 224, the sheet member 20 elastically deforms along the first tapered surface 222 and the second tapered surface 224 when pressed. Therefore, the pressing portion 220 can press the adhesive 14 in the region of the sheet member 20 that overlaps with the first region 11 so that it moves from the inside to the outside of the power generator 10, and can press the adhesive 14 in the region of the sheet member 20 that overlaps with the second region 12 so that it moves from the outside to the inside of the power generator 10.

また、接着剤配置部２１０は、第１領域１１に配置する発電体１０の外側から内側へ向かう方向における接着剤１４の幅Ｗ１を、第２領域１２に配置する発電体１０の外側から内側へ向かう方向における接着剤１４の幅Ｗ１よりも狭くする。そのため、押圧部２２０でシート部材２０を押圧する場合に、第１辺部２１において内周側に押し出される接着剤１４の量を第２辺部２２において内周側に押し出される接着剤１４の量よりも少なくできる。従って、流出入孔２３が設けられた第１辺部２１における接着剤１４の厚みｔ１を、第２辺部２２における接着剤１４の厚みｔ２よりも薄くすることができる。 The adhesive placement section 210 also makes the width W1 of the adhesive 14 in the direction from the outside to the inside of the power generator 10 placed in the first region 11 narrower than the width W1 of the adhesive 14 in the direction from the outside to the inside of the power generator 10 placed in the second region 12. Therefore, when the pressing section 220 presses the sheet member 20, the amount of adhesive 14 pushed out to the inner periphery at the first side 21 can be made smaller than the amount of adhesive 14 pushed out to the inner periphery at the second side 22. Therefore, the thickness t1 of the adhesive 14 at the first side 21 where the inlet/outlet holes 23 are provided can be made thinner than the thickness t2 of the adhesive 14 at the second side 22.

Ｂ．他の実施形態：
（Ｂ１）上述した実施形態において、製造装置２００は、接着剤配置部２１０を備えている。これに限らず、製造装置２００は、接着剤配置部２１０を備えていなくてもよい。この場合、製造装置２００は、接着剤１４が配置された発電体１０を準備する。 B. Other embodiments:
(B1) In the above-described embodiment, the manufacturing apparatus 200 includes the adhesive placement unit 210. This is not limiting, and the manufacturing apparatus 200 does not have to include the adhesive placement unit 210. In this case, the manufacturing apparatus 200 prepares the power generating body 10 on which the adhesive 14 is placed.

（Ｂ２）上述した実施形態において、周縁部１５は、第１領域１１と、第２領域１２と、第３領域１３と、の一部と、シート部材２０が積層した場合における第１辺部２１の内側の端部よりも発電体１０の中央側へ延伸する領域と、シート部材２０が積層した場合における第２辺部２２の内側の端部よりも発電体１０の中央側へ延伸する領域と、を含む領域である（図５および図６、図９の上段参照）。これに限らず、周縁部１５は、第１領域１１の少なくとも一部と、第２領域１２の少なくとも一部と、第３領域１３の少なくとも一部とを含む領域であれば、任意の領域とできる。例えば、周縁部１５は、第１領域１１と、第２領域１２と、第３領域１３と、の全部を含む領域であって、シート部材２０が積層した場合における第１辺部２１の内側の端部よりも発電体１０の中央側へ延伸する領域と、シート部材２０が積層した場合における第２辺部２２の内側の端部よりも発電体１０の中央側へ延伸する領域と、を含まない領域でもよい。 (B2) In the above-described embodiment, the peripheral portion 15 includes parts of the first region 11, the second region 12, and the third region 13, a region that extends toward the center of the power generator 10 from the inner end of the first side portion 21 when the sheet members 20 are stacked, and a region that extends toward the center of the power generator 10 from the inner end of the second side portion 22 when the sheet members 20 are stacked (see Figures 5, 6, and the upper part of Figure 9). Without being limited thereto, the peripheral portion 15 can be any region that includes at least a portion of the first region 11, at least a portion of the second region 12, and at least a portion of the third region 13. For example, the peripheral portion 15 may be a region that includes all of the first region 11, the second region 12, and the third region 13, but does not include a region that extends toward the center of the power generator 10 beyond the inner end of the first side portion 21 when the sheet members 20 are stacked, and a region that extends toward the center of the power generator 10 beyond the inner end of the second side portion 22 when the sheet members 20 are stacked.

（Ｂ３）上述した実施形態において、接着剤配置部２１０は、第１領域１１に配置する発電体１０の外側から内側へ向かう方向における接着剤１４の幅Ｗ１を、第２領域１２に配置する発電体１０の外側から内側へ向かう方向における接着剤１４の幅Ｗ１よりも狭くなるようにしている。これに限らず、接着剤配置部２１０は、幅Ｗ１と幅Ｗ２とを同じ幅Ｗ１になるように接着剤１４を配置してもよい。 (B3) In the above-described embodiment, the adhesive placement section 210 sets the width W1 of the adhesive 14 in the direction from the outside to the inside of the power generation body 10 placed in the first region 11 to be narrower than the width W1 of the adhesive 14 in the direction from the outside to the inside of the power generation body 10 placed in the second region 12. Not limited to this, the adhesive placement section 210 may place the adhesive 14 so that the width W1 and the width W2 are the same width W1.

（Ｂ４）上述した実施形態において、押圧工程は、第１押圧工程と第２押圧工程とを備えている。これに限らず、押圧工程は、第１押圧工程と第２押圧工程とを省略してもよい。この場合、押圧工程において、押圧部２２０は、単に、シート部材２０を発電体１０に向かって押圧する。 (B4) In the above-described embodiment, the pressing process includes a first pressing process and a second pressing process. However, the pressing process is not limited to this, and the first pressing process and the second pressing process may be omitted. In this case, in the pressing process, the pressing unit 220 simply presses the sheet member 20 toward the power generation body 10.

（Ｂ５）上述した実施形態において、押圧部２２０は、第１テーパ面２２２と第２テーパ面２２４とを備えている。これに限らず、接着剤配置部２１０は、第１テーパ面２２２と第２テーパ面２２４とを備えていなくてもよい。この場合、例えば、接着剤配置部２１０は、第１押圧工程として、シート部材２０における第１領域１１と重なる部分において、発電体１０の内側から外側に第１押圧面２２１を傾けながら押圧する。また、接着剤配置部２１０は、第２押圧工程として、シート部材２０における第２領域１２と重なる部分において、発電体１０の外側から内側に第２押圧面２２３を傾けながら押圧する。 (B5) In the above-described embodiment, the pressing unit 220 has a first tapered surface 222 and a second tapered surface 224. Not limited to this, the adhesive placement unit 210 does not have to have the first tapered surface 222 and the second tapered surface 224. In this case, for example, the adhesive placement unit 210 presses the first pressing surface 221 from the inside to the outside of the power generation body 10 at a portion overlapping the first region 11 of the sheet member 20 as a first pressing step. Also, the adhesive placement unit 210 presses the second pressing surface 223 from the outside to the inside of the power generation body 10 at a portion overlapping the second region 12 of the sheet member 20 as a second pressing step.

（Ｂ６）上述した実施形態において、接着剤配置部２１０は、第１押圧工程と第２押圧工程とを同時に行っている。これに限らず、接着剤配置部２１０は、第１押圧工程と第２押圧工程とを異なるタイミングで行ってもよい。 (B6) In the above-described embodiment, the adhesive placement unit 210 performs the first pressing process and the second pressing process simultaneously. However, this is not limited to the above, and the adhesive placement unit 210 may perform the first pressing process and the second pressing process at different times.

本開示は、上述の実施形態に限られるものではなく、その趣旨を逸脱しない範囲において種々の構成で実現することができる。例えば発明の概要の欄に記載した各形態中の技術的特徴に対応する実施形態中の技術的特徴は、上述した課題を解決するために、あるいは上述の効果の一部又は全部を達成するために、適宜、差し替えや組み合わせを行うことが可能である。また、その技術的特徴が本明細書中に必須なものとして説明されていなければ、適宜削除することが可能である。 The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each form described in the Summary of the Invention column can be replaced or combined as appropriate to solve the above-described problems or to achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be deleted as appropriate.

１０…発電体、１１…第１領域、１２…第２領域、１３…第３領域、１４…接着剤、１５…周縁部、２０…シート部材、２１…第１辺部、２２…第２辺部、２３…流出入孔、３０…接合体、４０、５０…セパレータ、６０…マニホールド孔、１００…燃料電池、２００…製造装置、２１０…接着剤配置部、２２０…押圧部、２２１…第１押圧面、２２２…第１テーパ面、２２３…第２押圧面、２２４…第２テーパ面、２２５…第３テーパ面、Ｐ１…外周端、Ｐ２…内周端 10...power generation body, 11...first region, 12...second region, 13...third region, 14...adhesive, 15...periphery, 20...sheet member, 21...first side, 22...second side, 23...inlet/outlet hole, 30...joined body, 40, 50...separator, 60...manifold hole, 100...fuel cell, 200...manufacturing device, 210...adhesive placement section, 220...pressing section, 221...first pressing surface, 222...first tapered surface, 223...second pressing surface, 224...second tapered surface, 225...third tapered surface, P1...outer peripheral end, P2...inner peripheral end

Claims

A manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a fuel cell having a power generating body including a membrane electrode assembly and a frame-shaped sheet member disposed around the power generating body, comprising:
the sheet member has a first side portion provided with an inlet/outlet hole for allowing a reactant gas to flow in and out of the power generation body, and a second side portion connected to an end of the first side portion and not provided with the inlet/outlet hole,
the power generating body has a first region overlapping with the first side portion, a second region overlapping with the second side portion, and a third region overlapping with at least the first side portion and connected to the first region and the second region,
The manufacturing apparatus includes:
a frame-shaped pressing portion that presses the sheet member, which is laminated so as to overlap with an adhesive application area of the power generator, the adhesive application area including at least a portion of the first region, the second region, and the third region, toward the power generator;
The pressing portion is
a surface facing a portion of the sheet member overlapping with the third region, the surface having a tapered surface that recedes from a surface perpendicular to a pressing direction in which the pressing portion presses the sheet member in a direction opposite to the pressing direction toward an outer periphery of the pressing portion,
pressing the adhesive in a portion of the first side portion that overlaps with the first region so as to move the adhesive from the inside to the outside of the power generator;
A manufacturing apparatus configured to press the adhesive so that it moves from the outside to the inside of the power generating body at the portion of the second side portion that overlaps with the second region .

The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 ,
The pressing portion is
a first pressing surface that is a surface perpendicular to the pressing direction and presses a portion of the first side portion that overlaps with the first region;
a second pressing surface that is a surface perpendicular to the pressing direction and presses a portion of the second side portion that overlaps with the second region;
a first tapered surface connected to the first pressing surface and receding toward an outer circumferential end of the pressing portion in a direction opposite to the pressing direction;
a second tapered surface connected to the second pressing surface and receding in a direction opposite to the pressing direction toward an inner peripheral end of the pressing portion.

A method for producing a fuel cell having a power generating body including a membrane electrode assembly and a frame-shaped sheet member disposed around the power generating body, comprising the steps of:
the sheet member has a first side portion provided with an inlet/outlet hole for allowing a reactant gas to flow in and out of the power generation body, and a second side portion connected to an end of the first side portion and not provided with the inlet/outlet hole,
the power generating body has a first region overlapping with the first side portion, a second region overlapping with the second side portion, and a third region overlapping with at least the first side portion and connected to the first region and the second region,
The manufacturing method includes:
a lamination process of laminating the sheet member so as to overlap an adhesive application area of the power generating body, the adhesive application area including at least a portion of the first region, the second region, and the third region;
a pressing step of pressing the sheet member toward the power generating body using a frame-shaped pressing part after the lamination step,
the pressing portion has a surface facing a portion of the sheet member that overlaps with the third region, the surface having a tapered surface that recedes from a surface perpendicular to a pressing direction in which the pressing portion presses the sheet member in a direction opposite to the pressing direction toward an outer periphery of the pressing portion,
The pressing step includes:
pressing the portion of the sheet member that overlaps the first region so that the adhesive moves from the inside to the outside of the power generator;
pressing the sheet member so that the adhesive moves from the outside to the inside of the power generator at a portion overlapping the second region;
pressing the adhesive by the tapered surface at a portion of the sheet member overlapping with the third region.
Manufacturing method.

The method for producing a fuel cell according to claim 3 , further comprising the steps of:
A manufacturing method comprising an adhesive placement step, which is a step of placing the adhesive on the power generator prior to the lamination step, such that the width of the adhesive placed in the first region in the direction from the outside to the inside of the power generator is narrower than the width of the adhesive placed in the second region in the direction from the outside to the inside of the power generator.