JP2010112401A - Gasket - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gasket overcoming unfavorable handling in a rubber single gasket, having no constraints in forming conditions, and having a favorable material yield ratio. <P>SOLUTION: A tab 41 for improving handling is provided on a planar gasket body 11 comprising a single body of a rubbery elastic body. The tab 41 comprises a resin piece or a metal piece, and tabs 41 comprising the resin pieces or metal pieces are plurally attached to the gasket body 11. Or, the tab 41 comprises a rubbery elastic body thinner than the gasket body 11, and the tabs 41 comprising the thin rubbery elastic body are plurally formed integrally with the gasket body 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gasket according to a sealing technique. The gasket of the present invention is used, for example, as a fuel cell gasket or as another general gasket.

  For example, a gasket for a fuel cell is disposed between cells of the fuel cell and has a function of sealing fuel gas (hydrogen), air, refrigerant, and the like. This fuel cell gasket requires a low reaction force because it seals the outer periphery of the reaction surface of the fuel cell and each manifold, and the closely mating material is a carbon plate or a thin metal plate. Since it becomes a gasket with a cross section, the rubber itself is not easy to handle, and studies such as integration into a plate and integration into the MEA side to be held are underway.

  However, when considering such integration, the molding conditions and the like are restricted by the specifications of the mating member, and it is necessary to cope with conditions such as low temperature molding and low pressure molding that deteriorate productivity. In addition, in order to improve the handleability of rubber alone, it is possible to integrally mold with a resin film or a metal thin plate as a frame material. In this case, since the frame is produced in a window frame shape, the material yield is low and the cost is high. There is a possibility.

JP 2006-210234 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to overcome the poor handling properties of a single rubber gasket and to provide a gasket with good material yield without any restrictions on molding conditions.

  In order to achieve the above object, a gasket according to claim 1 of the present invention is characterized in that a tab for improving the handleability is provided on a planar gasket body made of a single rubber-like elastic body.

  The gasket according to claim 2 of the present invention is the gasket according to claim 1, wherein the tab is made of a resin piece or a metal piece, and a plurality of tabs made of the resin piece or the metal piece are attached to the gasket body. It is characterized by that.

  The gasket according to claim 3 of the present invention is the gasket according to claim 1, wherein the tab is made of a rubber-like elastic body that is thinner than the gasket body, and the tab made of the thin-walled rubber-like elastic body is the gasket body. It is characterized in that a plurality of parts are integrally molded.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gasket according to the first aspect, wherein the gasket is a fuel cell gasket, and the gasket body includes a portion for sealing the outer peripheral portion of the reaction surface of the fuel cell and each of the portions. It has a portion that seals the outer periphery of the manifold, has a planar rectangular shape, and is provided with tabs at each of the four corners of the gasket body that forms the planar rectangular shape.

  Furthermore, the gasket according to claim 5 of the present invention is the gasket according to claim 1 described above, wherein the gasket is a fuel cell gasket, and the gasket main body seals the reaction surface outer peripheral portion of the fuel cell and the gasket. Each manifold has a portion for sealing the outer peripheral portion, and a tab is provided to support a seal line corner portion and a seal line intersection portion in the gasket body.

  The gasket has a gasket body as a seal portion in order to perform a required sealing function. In the present invention, a tab is additionally provided on the gasket body, and the tab is chucked during handling. Thus, it is possible to provide a gasket capable of preventing automatic product assembly and twisting.

  A tab made of a resin piece or a metal piece is suitable as the tab, and a plurality of tabs made of the resin piece or the metal piece are attached to the gasket body. A tab made of a resin piece or a metal piece is a dedicated part for the tab and is a component of the gasket. Therefore, it is possible to set molding conditions that are uniquely convenient for the gasket.

  Further, the tab is preferably made of a rubber-like elastic body that is thinner than the gasket body, and a plurality of tabs made of this thin-walled rubber-like elastic body are integrally formed on the gasket body. Since the tab made of a rubber-like elastic body is formed integrally with the gasket body, a new molding condition is not imposed on the gasket, and a convenient molding condition can be set independently.

  Further, when the gasket is a fuel cell gasket, the gasket main body includes a part for sealing the outer peripheral part of the reaction surface in the fuel cell (reaction surface seal part) and a part for sealing the outer peripheral part of each manifold (manifold seal part). However, if a tab is provided at each of the four corners of the gasket body that has the flat rectangular shape, the tabs at each of the four corners are chucked at the same time, so that the product is entangled and twisted. It becomes difficult to occur.

  Similarly, when the gasket is a fuel cell gasket, the gasket body includes a part for sealing the outer peripheral part of the reaction surface in the fuel cell (reaction surface seal part) and a part for sealing the outer peripheral part of each manifold (manifold seal part). However, when a tab is provided so as to support the seal line corner portion and the seal line intersection portion in the gasket body, the seal line corner portion and the seal line intersection portion are reinforced by the tab. Accordingly, since the seal line is not easily deformed when the tab is chucked, the product is also less likely to be entangled or twisted.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since a tab is additionally provided on the planar gasket body made of a single rubber-like elastic body, the entanglement of the product can be achieved by chucking this tab. It is possible to provide a gasket that can prevent twisting and can be automatically assembled. The tab may be made of a resin piece or a metal piece, or a thin rubber-like elastic body, but in any case, the gasket body is not molded integrally with a mating member such as MEA, but the gasket is molded independently. Therefore, it is possible to set molding conditions convenient for the gasket. The planar shape of the tab is not limited and does not need to be a window frame, so that the material yield can be improved. Therefore, as described above, according to the intended purpose of the present invention, it is possible to overcome the poor handleability of the single rubber gasket, and to provide a gasket with a good material yield without any restrictions on molding conditions.

  In addition, when tabs are provided at each of the four corners of the gasket main body having a flat rectangular shape, or when tabs are provided so as to support the seal line corner portion and the seal line intersection portion in the gasket main body, by chucking these tabs, In particular, the product can be prevented from being entangled or twisted.

  The present invention includes the following embodiments.

First embodiment
(1-1) In the present invention, in order to improve the handleability of a single rubber gasket, a resin or metal tab is partially provided (molded integrally), and the product is handled using the tab. In addition to overcoming the poor handling characteristics of rubber alone, we propose gaskets with good material yield that have no restrictions on molding conditions.
(1-2) In order to improve the handleability of the single rubber gasket, a resin piece, a metal piece, etc. are integrally formed at a location effective for maintaining the product shape to form a tab structure. By handling these tabs in a chucked manner, it is possible to prevent tangling and twisting of the product and to supply a gasket that can be automatically assembled.
(1-3) The material of the tab is not particularly limited with respect to the resin piece, such as PET, PEN, PI, PP. About a metal piece, if it is a material excellent in rust prevention, such as SUS, it will not specifically limit. The rubber material is not particularly limited as long as it is a material that can be used for a fuel cell, such as fluorine, silicone, and EPDM.
(1-4) The shape of the tab may be a rectangular shape (planar rectangular shape) with a good material yield, but an irregular shape (a shape other than the planar rectangular shape) that matches the product shape is also possible.
(1-5) The tab and the gasket (gasket main body) are ideally integrated at the time of vulcanization molding with an internally added adhesive contained in the rubber material, but may be bonded in advance. The tab is inserted into the mold and integrally molded. After that, the tab is chucked and can be used as a guide in each process such as mold release, secondary vulcanization, and packaging.

Second embodiment ...
(2-1) Fluid seals used in fuel cells are placed on the reaction surface outer periphery and manifold outer periphery, but the carrier material of the carrier (tab) integrated gasket needs to have the required shape with respect to the seal line. It can be arranged at the site and can be used for an automated process, and the amount of carrier material used can be reduced. Therefore, specifically, the carrier material is disposed at least at the seal line corner portion and the seal line intersecting portion, and the arrangement method is such that the seal line is a straight line in the unreinforced gasket single region by the carrier material. .

(2-2) FIG. 4 relating to a second embodiment to be described later shows a planar shape of the carrier material and an arrangement example with respect to the seal line. This is an example in which a manifold is arranged on the short side of the reaction surface, in which a carrier material having a shape in which manifold seal lines are connected is arranged. The gasket has a part where the gasket is a single part and a part where the carrier is integrated. By using a vacuum chuck or the like on the front and back surfaces of the carrier material, handling can be automated. Further, when positioning such as assembly to the stack is necessary, it is possible to appropriately select a handling point and to extend the gasket in a necessary direction. The cross section of the gasket and the shape as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5C can be applied to the cross section of the gasket at the location where the carrier is integrated. In addition, as for the location unnecessary for handling, you may enclose the carrier material edge part with rubber | gum like FIG.5 (E) (F) (G).

(2-3) FIG. 6 according to the third embodiment to be described later shows a planar shape of the carrier material and an arrangement example with respect to the seal line. In this example, a manifold is arranged on the short side of the reaction surface, and a carrier material having a shape along the seal line of the manifold is arranged. The gasket has a part where the gasket is a single part and a part where the carrier is integrated. By using a vacuum chuck or the like on the front and back surfaces of the carrier material, handling can be automated. Further, when positioning such as assembly to the stack is necessary, it is possible to appropriately select a handling point and to extend the gasket in a necessary direction. The cross section of the gasket and the shape as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5C can be applied to the cross section of the gasket at the location where the carrier is integrated. In addition, as for the location unnecessary for handling, you may enclose the carrier material edge part with rubber | gum like FIG.5 (E) (F) (G).

(2-4) FIG. 7 relating to a fourth embodiment to be described later shows a planar shape of the carrier material and an arrangement example with respect to the seal line. This is an example in which a manifold is arranged on the short side of the reaction surface, and is an example in which a strip-shaped carrier material is arranged at a location where the carrier material needs to be arranged. The gasket has a part where the gasket is a single part and a part where the carrier is integrated. By using a vacuum chuck or the like on the front and back surfaces of the carrier material, handling can be automated. Further, when positioning such as assembly to the stack is necessary, it is possible to appropriately select a handling point and to extend the gasket in a necessary direction. The cross section of the gasket and the shape as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5C can be applied to the cross section of the gasket at the location where the carrier is integrated. In addition, as for the location unnecessary for handling, you may enclose the carrier material edge part with rubber | gum like FIG.5 (E) (F) (G).

(2-5) FIG. 8 relating to a fifth embodiment to be described later shows a planar shape of the carrier material and an arrangement example with respect to the seal line. (2-2) to (2-4) is an example in which the seal line is different and each manifold is an independent line, and a strip-shaped carrier material is arranged at a place where the carrier material needs to be arranged. This is an example. The gasket has a part where the gasket is a single part and a part where the carrier is integrated. By using a vacuum chuck or the like on the front and back surfaces of the carrier material, handling can be automated. Further, when positioning such as assembly to the stack is necessary, it is possible to appropriately select a handling point and to extend the gasket in a necessary direction. The cross section of the gasket and the shape as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5C can be applied to the cross section of the gasket at the location where the carrier is integrated. In addition, as for the location unnecessary for handling, you may enclose the carrier material edge part with rubber | gum like FIG.5 (E) (F) (G).

(2-6) FIG. 9 relating to a sixth embodiment to be described later shows a planar shape of the carrier material and an arrangement example with respect to the seal line. The above (2-2) to (2-5) are examples in which the seal line is different, and is an example in which strip-shaped carrier materials are arranged at places where the carrier material needs to be arranged. The gasket has a part where the gasket is a single part and a part where the carrier is integrated. By using a vacuum chuck or the like on the front and back surfaces of the carrier material, handling can be automated. Further, when positioning such as assembly to the stack is necessary, it is possible to appropriately select a handling point and to extend the gasket in a necessary direction. The cross section of the gasket and the shape as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5C can be applied to the cross section of the gasket at the location where the carrier is integrated. In addition, as for the location unnecessary for handling, you may enclose the carrier material edge part with rubber | gum like FIG.5 (E) (F) (G).

(2-7) FIG. 10 relating to the seventh embodiment to be described later shows a planar shape of the carrier material and an arrangement example with respect to the seal line. The above (2-2) to (2-6) are examples in which the arrangement of the manifold with respect to the reaction surface is different, and is an example in which strip-shaped carrier materials are arranged at places where the carrier material needs to be arranged. The gasket has a part where the gasket is a single part and a part where the carrier is integrated. By using a vacuum chuck or the like on the front and back surfaces of the carrier material, handling can be automated. Further, when positioning such as assembly to the stack is necessary, it is possible to appropriately select a handling point and to extend the gasket in a necessary direction. The cross section of the gasket and the shape as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5C can be applied to the cross section of the gasket at the location where the carrier is integrated. In addition, as for the location unnecessary for handling, you may enclose the carrier material edge part with rubber | gum like FIG.5 (E) (F) (G).

Third embodiment ...
(3-1) In the present invention, a rubber tab is partially provided (integrated molding), and handling is performed using the tab, so that the handling property is improved, the molding conditions are not limited, and the material yield is improved. Suggest a good gasket.
(3-2) In order to improve the handleability of the rubber alone, a tab structure is provided at a location effective for maintaining the product shape. By sucking this tab and chucking uneven parts, etc., we can prevent the product from getting tangled and twisted, and supply a gasket that can be assembled automatically.
(3-3) The rubber material is not particularly limited as long as it is a material that can be used for a fuel cell, such as fluorine, silicone, and EPDM. The shape of the tab is preferably a rectangular shape (planar rectangular shape) with a good material yield, but an irregular shape (a shape other than the planar rectangular shape) can be used according to the product shape. Further, by providing irregularities and through holes on the front and back of the tab according to the assembly member, it is possible to improve the handleability and the alignment accuracy during assembly. Further, by providing a taper or the like on the unevenness, positioning between gaskets is also possible. In addition, by making the thickness of the tab coincide with a desired clearance, it is possible to play a role of fixed sizing, and a uniform clearance for each cell can be realized.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  Each of the gaskets according to each embodiment described below is a fuel cell gasket, and a flat gasket main body 11 made of a single rubber-like elastic body is provided with a tab 41 for improving its handleability. Yes.

First embodiment ...
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a gasket according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 (A) is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1, and FIG. B line expanded sectional drawing is shown. FIG. 3 shows an example of the handling state of the gasket.

  The gasket body 11 includes a portion (hereinafter also referred to as “reaction surface seal portion”) 21 that seals the reaction surface outer peripheral portion of the fuel battery cell and a portion that seals each manifold outer peripheral portion (hereinafter also referred to as “manifold seal portion”). 31 is formed into a flat rectangular shape (quadrangle) as a whole, and tabs 41 are provided at the four corners of the flat rectangular gasket main body 11, respectively.

  In the gasket body 11, the reaction surface seal portion 21 has a flat rectangular frame shape surrounding the reaction surface H, that is, is constituted by four straight sides connecting points a, b, c, and d, and its long side The manifold seal portions 31 are integrally provided on the outer sides of each. Since the upper and lower manifold seal portions 31 in the figure have the same shape, only one of them will be described. Since two manifolds M are arranged side by side, two manifold seal portions 31 are also provided side by side. Each manifold seal portion 31 has a planar rectangular frame shape so as to surround the manifold M, and includes four straight sides. The seal portions 21 and 31 adjacent to each other share a border side. Although not shown in the drawings, the part where the fluid flows between the reaction surface H and the manifold M is partially omitted or thinned in order to secure a flow path. Will be.

  On the other hand, the tabs 41 are arranged at the four corners of the gasket main body 11 as described above, and are each a flat rectangular plate-like metal piece (metal plate) or resin piece (resin film or resin plate) thinner than the gasket main body 11. ). Then, four tabs 41 are prepared, arranged at the four corners of the gasket body 11, and are insert-molded into the gasket body 11 in a cantilever structure. Accordingly, the tab 41 is exposed at a portion other than the end portions (two sides orthogonal to each other in the rectangle) embedded in the gasket body 11, and a vacuum chuck 51 or the like is applied to the exposed portion as shown in FIG. The handling can be automated.

  As a cross-sectional shape of the gasket main body 11 constituting the double-sided gasket, in addition to the cross-sectional quadrangle shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a cross-sectional octagon as shown in FIG. ), A circular cross section as shown in FIG. 2D, or a seal lip 13 having a triangular cross section or a circular arc shape on both sides of the base 12 as shown in FIG. In any case, an overhanging tab holding portion 14 for embedding and holding the end portion of the tab 41 is provided on the side surface portion of the gasket main body 11.

Second embodiment ...
FIG. 4A shows a single plan view of a tab provided in the gasket according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4B shows a plan view of the entire gasket. 5A is an enlarged sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 4B, and FIG. 5B is an enlarged sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 4B.

  The gasket body 11 includes a portion (hereinafter also referred to as “reaction surface seal portion”) 21 that seals the reaction surface outer peripheral portion of the fuel battery cell and a portion that seals each manifold outer peripheral portion (hereinafter also referred to as “manifold seal portion”). 31 is formed into a flat rectangular shape as a whole, and a tab 41 is provided so as to support the seal line corner portion and the seal line intersection portion in the gasket main body 11. Therefore, the single-piece | unit part only by the gasket main body 11 is made into only a seal line linear part.

  In the gasket body 11, the reaction surface seal portion 21 has a flat rectangular frame shape surrounding the reaction surface H, that is, is composed of four straight lines connecting points a, b, c, d, and its short side The manifold seal portions 31 are integrally provided on the outer sides of each. Since the left and right manifold seal portions 31 in the figure have the same shape, only one of them will be described. Since three manifolds M are arranged side by side, three manifold seal portions 31 are also provided side by side. Each manifold seal portion 31 has a planar rectangular frame shape so as to surround the manifold M, and includes four straight sides. The seal portions 21 and 31 adjacent to each other share a border side. Although not shown in the drawings, the part where the fluid flows between the reaction surface H and the manifold M is partially omitted or thinned in order to secure a flow path. Will be.

  On the other hand, the tab 41 is made of a flat rectangular plate-shaped metal piece (metal plate) or resin piece (resin film or resin plate), and has a planar shape corresponding to three manifold seal portions, that is, on one plate. It is constituted by a part provided with three manifold holes. Two tabs 41 are prepared, arranged on the left and right short sides of the gasket body 11, are insert-molded, and the gasket body 11 is attached to both front and back surfaces. Since the line width of the tab 41 is set larger than the line width of the gasket body 11, a part of the tab 41 is exposed, and handling can be automated by applying a vacuum chuck or the like to the exposed part. Has been.

  As a cross-sectional shape of the gasket main body 11 constituting the double-sided gasket, in addition to the circular cross section shown in FIGS. 5 (A) and 5 (B), as shown in FIGS. A seal lip 13 having a triangular or arcuate cross section may be provided. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 5E, 5F, and 5G, the tab 41 may include an end portion of the tab 41 that is not necessary for handling by a gasket body (rubber) 11.

Third embodiment ...
FIG. 6A shows a single plan view of a tab provided in the gasket according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6B shows a plan view of the entire gasket.

  The gasket body 11 includes a portion (hereinafter also referred to as “reaction surface seal portion”) 21 that seals the reaction surface outer peripheral portion of the fuel battery cell and a portion that seals each manifold outer peripheral portion (hereinafter also referred to as “manifold seal portion”). 31 is formed into a flat rectangular shape as a whole, and a tab 41 is provided so as to support the seal line corner portion and the seal line intersection portion in the gasket main body 11. Therefore, the single-piece | unit part only by the gasket main body 11 is made into only a seal line linear part.

  In the gasket body 11, the reaction surface seal portion 21 has a flat rectangular frame shape surrounding the reaction surface H, that is, is composed of four straight lines connecting points a, b, c, d, and its short side The manifold seal portions 31 are integrally provided on the outer sides of each. Since the left and right manifold seal portions 31 in the figure have the same shape, only one of them will be described. Since three manifolds M are arranged side by side, three manifold seal portions 31 are also provided side by side. Each manifold seal portion 31 has a planar rectangular frame shape so as to surround the manifold M, and includes four straight sides. The seal portions 21 and 31 adjacent to each other share a border side. Although not shown in the drawings, the part where the fluid flows between the reaction surface H and the manifold M is partially omitted or thinned in order to secure a flow path. Will be.

  On the other hand, the tab 41 is made of a flat rectangular plate-shaped metal piece (metal plate) or resin piece (resin film or resin plate) and has a planar shape corresponding to one manifold seal portion, that is, on one plate. It is constituted by a part provided with one manifold hole. Then, four tabs 41 are prepared, arranged at the four corners of the gasket body 11, are insert-molded, and the gasket body 11 is attached to both front and back surfaces. Since the line width of the tab 41 is set larger than the line width of the gasket body 11, a part of the tab 41 is exposed, and handling can be automated by applying a vacuum chuck or the like to the exposed part. Has been. Since the cross-sectional shape of the gasket body 11 is the same as that of the second embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

Fourth embodiment ...
FIG. 7A shows a single plan view of a tab provided in the gasket according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7B shows a plan view of the entire gasket.

  The gasket body 11 includes a portion (hereinafter also referred to as “reaction surface seal portion”) 21 that seals the reaction surface outer peripheral portion of the fuel battery cell and a portion that seals each manifold outer peripheral portion (hereinafter also referred to as “manifold seal portion”). 31 is formed into a flat rectangular shape as a whole, and a tab 41 is provided so as to support the seal line corner portion and the seal line intersection portion in the gasket main body 11. Therefore, the single-piece | unit part only by the gasket main body 11 is made into only a seal line linear part.

  In the gasket body 11, the reaction surface seal portion 21 has a flat rectangular frame shape surrounding the reaction surface H, that is, is composed of four straight lines connecting points a, b, c, d, and its short side The manifold seal portions 31 are integrally provided on the outer sides of each. Since the left and right manifold seal portions 31 in the figure have the same shape, only one of them will be described. Since three manifolds M are arranged side by side, three manifold seal portions 31 are also provided side by side. Each manifold seal portion 31 has a planar rectangular frame shape so as to surround the manifold M, and includes four straight sides. The seal portions 21 and 31 adjacent to each other share a border side. Although not shown in the drawings, the part where the fluid flows between the reaction surface H and the manifold M is partially omitted or thinned in order to secure a flow path. Will be.

  On the other hand, the tab 41 is made of a flat rectangular plate-shaped metal piece (metal plate) or resin piece (resin film or resin plate) and has a strip-like planar shape, that is, the point a in the reaction surface seal portion 21. , D, or a part having a shape that supports a straight line portion (outer side portion) between points e and f in the manifold seal portion 31. The tab 41 is not provided with a manifold hole. Then, four tabs 41 are prepared, two on each of the left and right short sides of the gasket body 11, are insert-molded, and the gasket body 11 is attached to both front and back surfaces. Since the line width of the tab 41 is set larger than the line width of the gasket body 11, a part of the tab 41 is exposed, and handling can be automated by applying a vacuum chuck or the like to the exposed part. Has been. Since the cross-sectional shape of the gasket body 11 is the same as that of the second embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

Fifth Example ...
FIG. 8A shows a single plan view of a tab provided in a gasket according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8B shows a plan view of the entire gasket.

  The gasket body 11 includes a portion (hereinafter also referred to as “reaction surface seal portion”) 21 that seals the reaction surface outer peripheral portion of the fuel battery cell and a portion that seals each manifold outer peripheral portion (hereinafter also referred to as “manifold seal portion”). 31 is provided as a separate body and has a planar rectangular shape as a whole, and a tab 41 is provided so as to support the seal line corner portion and the seal line intersection portion in the gasket body 11. Therefore, the single-piece | unit part only by the gasket main body 11 is made into only a seal line linear part.

  In the gasket body 11, the reaction surface seal portion 21 has a flat rectangular frame shape surrounding the reaction surface H, that is, is composed of four straight lines connecting points a, b, c, d, and its short side The manifold seal portions 31 are separately provided on the outer sides of the two. Since the left and right manifold seal portions 31 in the figure have the same shape, only one of them will be described. Since three manifolds M are arranged side by side, three manifold seal portions 31 are also provided side by side. Each manifold seal portion 31 has a planar rectangular frame shape so as to surround the manifold M, and includes four straight sides. Adjacent seal portions 21 and 31 do not share a boundary side and have their own sides, and thus the two sides are arranged slightly apart and in parallel. Although not shown in the drawings, the part where the fluid flows between the reaction surface H and the manifold M is partially omitted or thinned in order to secure a flow path. And the seal parts 21 and 31 are mutually connected.

  On the other hand, the tab 41 is made of a flat rectangular plate-shaped metal piece (metal plate) or resin piece (resin film or resin plate) and has a strip-like planar shape, that is, the point a in the reaction surface seal portion 21. , D and a straight line part (inner side part) between the points g and h in the manifold seal part 31 or a straight line part (outer side part) between the points e and f in the manifold seal part 31. It is comprised by the part of the shape which supports. The tab 41 is not provided with a manifold hole. Then, four tabs 41 are prepared, two on each of the left and right short sides of the gasket body 11, are insert-molded, and the gasket body 11 is attached to both front and back surfaces. Since the line width of the tab 41 is set larger than the line width of the gasket body 11, a part of the tab 41 is exposed, and handling can be automated by applying a vacuum chuck or the like to the exposed part. Has been. Since the cross-sectional shape of the gasket body 11 is the same as that of the second embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

Sixth Example ...
FIG. 9A shows a single plan view of a tab provided in the gasket according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9B shows a plan view of the entire gasket.

  The gasket body 11 includes a portion (hereinafter also referred to as “reaction surface seal portion”) 21 that seals the reaction surface outer peripheral portion of the fuel battery cell and a portion that seals each manifold outer peripheral portion (hereinafter also referred to as “manifold seal portion”). 31 is formed into a substantially rectangular shape as a whole, and a tab 41 is provided so as to support the seal line corner portion and the seal line intersecting portion in the gasket body 11. Therefore, the single-piece | unit part only by the gasket main body 11 is made into only a seal line linear part.

  In the gasket body 11, the reaction surface seal portion 21 has a flat rectangular frame shape surrounding the reaction surface H, that is, is composed of four straight lines connecting points a, b, c, d, and its short side The manifold seal portions 31 are integrally provided on the outer sides of each. Since the left and right manifold seal portions 31 in the figure have the same shape, only one of them will be described. Since three manifolds M are arranged side by side, three manifold seal portions 31 are also provided side by side. Each manifold seal portion 31 has a planar rectangular frame shape so as to surround the manifold M, and includes four straight sides. The seal portions 21 and 31 adjacent to each other share a border side. Although not shown in the drawings, the part where the fluid flows between the reaction surface H and the manifold M is partially omitted or thinned in order to secure a flow path. Will be.

  On the other hand, the tab 41 is made of a flat rectangular plate-shaped metal piece (metal plate) or resin piece (resin film or resin plate) and has a strip-like planar shape, that is, the point a in the reaction surface seal portion 21. , D or a straight line between the points e and f in the manifold seal part 31 (outer side, where the straight line between the points e and f is a straight line between the points a and d. It is configured by a part having a shape that supports (which is set slightly shorter than). The tab 41 is not provided with a manifold hole. Then, four tabs 41 are prepared, two on each of the left and right short sides of the gasket body 11, are insert-molded, and the gasket body 11 is attached to both front and back surfaces. Since the line width of the tab 41 is set larger than the line width of the gasket body 11, a part of the tab 41 is exposed, and handling can be automated by applying a vacuum chuck or the like to the exposed part. Has been. Since the cross-sectional shape of the gasket body 11 is the same as that of the second embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

Seventh Example ...
FIG. 10A shows a single plan view of a tab provided in the gasket according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10B shows a plan view of the entire gasket.

  The gasket body 11 includes a portion (hereinafter also referred to as “reaction surface seal portion”) 21 that seals the reaction surface outer peripheral portion of the fuel battery cell and a portion that seals each manifold outer peripheral portion (hereinafter also referred to as “manifold seal portion”). 31 is formed into a substantially rectangular shape as a whole, and a tab 41 is provided so as to support a seal line corner portion and a seal line intersection portion in the gasket body 11. Therefore, the single-piece | unit part only by the gasket main body 11 is made into only a seal line linear part.

  In the gasket body 11, the reaction surface seal portion 21 has a flat rectangular frame shape surrounding the reaction surface H, that is, is constituted by four straight sides connecting points a, b, c, and d, and its long side The manifold seal portions 31 are integrally provided on the outer sides of each. In addition, an overhanging frame portion 15 is integrally provided on the outer side of the short side. Since the upper and lower manifold seal portions 31 in the figure have the same shape, only one of them will be described. Since one manifold M is arranged, one manifold seal portion 31 is also provided. Each manifold seal portion 31 has a planar rectangular frame shape so as to surround the manifold M, and includes four straight sides. The seal portions 21 and 31 adjacent to each other share a border side. Although not shown in the drawings, the part where the fluid flows between the reaction surface H and the manifold M is partially omitted or thinned in order to secure a flow path. Will be.

  On the other hand, the tab 41 is made of a flat rectangular plate-shaped metal piece (metal plate) or a resin piece (resin film or resin plate), and is short in the planar rectangular gasket main body 11 apart from the arrangement of the manifold seal portion 31. They are arranged on the outer sides of the sides and are constituted by planar U-shaped parts as shown. Two tabs 41 are prepared, arranged on the left and right short sides of the gasket body 11, are insert-molded, and the gasket body 11 is attached to both front and back surfaces. Since the line width of the tab 41 is set larger than the line width of the gasket body 11, a part of the tab 41 is exposed, and handling can be automated by applying a vacuum chuck or the like to the exposed part. Has been. Since the cross-sectional shape of the gasket body 11 is the same as that of the second embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

Eighth Example ...
11 shows a plan view of a gasket according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 12 (A) is an enlarged sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. 11, and FIG. 12 (B) is an F- The F line expanded sectional view is shown.

  The gasket body 11 includes a portion (hereinafter also referred to as “reaction surface seal portion”) 21 that seals the reaction surface outer peripheral portion of the fuel battery cell and a portion that seals each manifold outer peripheral portion (hereinafter also referred to as “manifold seal portion”). 31 is formed into a planar rectangular shape as a whole, and tabs 41 are integrally provided at four corners of the planar rectangular gasket body 11.

  In the gasket body 11, the reaction surface seal portion 21 has a flat rectangular frame shape surrounding the reaction surface H, that is, is constituted by four straight sides connecting points a, b, c, and d, and its long side The manifold seal portions 31 are integrally provided on the outer sides of each. In addition, a planar U-shaped projecting frame portion 15 is integrally provided on the outer side of the short side. Since the upper and lower manifold seal portions 31 in the figure have the same shape, only one of them will be described. Since two manifolds M are arranged side by side, two manifold seal portions 31 are also provided side by side. Each manifold seal portion 31 has a planar rectangular frame shape so as to surround the manifold M, and includes four straight sides. The seal portions 21 and 31 adjacent to each other share a border side. Although not shown in the drawings, the part where the fluid flows between the reaction surface H and the manifold M is partially omitted or thinned in order to secure a flow path. Will be.

  On the other hand, the tabs 41 are arranged at the four corners of the gasket main body 11 as described above, and are each formed of a flat rectangular plate-like rubber-like elastic body that is thinner than the gasket main body 11. The tab 41 is integrally formed with the gasket main body 11 at the same time. More specifically, the tab 41 is integrally formed with the short side of the manifold seal portion 31 and the short side of the overhanging frame portion 15 in the gasket main body 11. Therefore, the tab 41 is exposed at all of its parts, and handling can be automated by applying a vacuum chuck or the like to the exposed parts.

  As a cross-sectional shape of the gasket main body 11 constituting the double-sided gasket, in addition to the cross-sectional circle shown in FIGS. 12 (A), (B), and (C), the cross-sectional square as shown in FIG. 12 (D), FIG. In which a cross-sectional octagonal shape or a circular arc-shaped seal lip 13 is provided on both sides of the base 12 as shown in FIG. There may be. 12C, 12D, and 12E, an overhanging connecting portion 16 is provided on the side surface of the gasket body 11.

  Further, the configuration of the tab 41 may be added or changed as follows.

Ninth Example ...
As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14A, a convex portion 42 is provided on one surface of the tab 41. In the figure, a planar circular convex portion 42 is provided.

Tenth embodiment
As shown in FIG. 14B, a recess 43 is provided on one surface of the tab 41.

Eleventh Example ...
As shown in FIG. 14C, a convex portion 42 is provided on one surface of the tab 41, and a concave portion 43 is provided on the back side thereof in alignment.

Twelfth embodiment
As shown in FIG. 14D, the tab 41 is provided with a through hole 44 penetrating in the thickness direction.

  According to these configurations, by providing the convex portion 42, the concave portion 43, and the through hole 44 according to the assembly member, the handleability and the alignment accuracy during the assembly can be improved.

Thirteenth embodiment
As shown in FIG. 15 (A) or (B), a convex portion 42 is provided on one surface of the tab 41 and a concave portion 43 is provided on the back side thereof so as to be aligned with the convex portion 42 and concave portion 43. 45 and 46 are provided.

  According to this configuration, as shown in FIG. 16, the gaskets can be accurately positioned during stack assembly. Reference numeral s denotes a separator, and reference numeral m denotes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16, by making the thickness of the tab 41 coincide with the interval c between the separators s, the tab 41 can also serve as a fixed dimension stop. A uniform cell clearance can be realized.

The top view of the gasket which concerns on 1st Example of this invention (A) is an enlarged sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1, (B) is an enlarged sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 1, and (C), (D), and (E) are examples of other sectional shapes of the gasket body, respectively. Cross section showing Explanatory drawing showing an example of the handling state of the gasket (A) is a single plan view of a tab provided in the gasket according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a plan view of the gasket. 4A is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 4B, FIG. 4B is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. 4B, and FIGS. ) Are sectional views showing examples of other sectional shapes of the gasket body. (A) is a single plan view of a tab provided in the gasket according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a plan view of the gasket. (A) is a single plan view of a tab provided in a gasket according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a plan view of the gasket. (A) is a single item plan view of a tab provided in a gasket according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a plan view of the gasket. (A) is a single item plan view of a tab provided in a gasket according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a plan view of the gasket. (A) is a single item plan view of a tab provided in a gasket according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a plan view of the gasket. Plan view of the gasket according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. (A) is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. 11, (B) is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line FF in FIG. 11, and (C), (D), (E), and (F) are other cross sections of the gasket body. Sectional view showing examples of shapes The top view of the gasket which concerns on 9th Example of this invention 13A is an enlarged sectional view taken along line GG in FIG. 13, FIG. 13B is a sectional view of the main part of the gasket according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13C is a gasket according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention. The principal part sectional drawing of this, (D) is principal part sectional drawing of the gasket which concerns on 12th Example of this invention. (A) is principal part sectional drawing of the gasket which concerns on 13th Example of this invention, (B) is sectional drawing which shows the example of other cross-sectional shapes of a convex part and a recessed part Explanatory drawing showing the stack assembly state of the gasket

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Gasket body 12 Base 13 Seal lip 14 Tab holding part 15 Overhang frame part 16 Connection part 21 Reaction surface seal part 31 Manifold seal part 41 Tab 42 Convex part 43 Concave 44 Through hole 45, 46 Taper 51 Chuck H Reaction surface M Manifold s Separator m Membrane electrode composite c Separator spacing

Claims (5)

  A gasket comprising a flat gasket main body made of a single rubber-like elastic body and provided with a tab for improving its handleability. The gasket according to claim 1,
The tab is made of a resin piece or a metal piece, and a plurality of tabs made of the resin piece or the metal piece are attached to the gasket body. The gasket according to claim 1,
The tab is made of a rubber-like elastic body that is thinner than the gasket body, and a plurality of tabs made of the thin-walled rubber-like elastic body are integrally formed on the gasket body. The gasket according to claim 1,
The gasket is a fuel cell gasket, and the gasket body has a planar rectangular shape having a portion for sealing the outer peripheral portion of the reaction surface in the fuel cell and a portion for sealing the outer peripheral portion of each manifold. A gasket characterized in that a tab is provided at each of the four corners of the formed gasket body. The gasket according to claim 1,
The gasket is a fuel cell gasket, and the gasket main body has a portion for sealing the outer peripheral portion of the reaction surface in the fuel cell and a portion for sealing the outer peripheral portion of each manifold. A gasket provided with a tab so as to support the intersection.

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