JP2008288167A - FUEL CELL MODULE AND ITS MANUFACTURING METHOD, FUEL CELL AND ITS MANUFACTURING METHOD - Google Patents

Abstract

A fuel cell module capable of improving performance and a method for manufacturing the same, and a fuel cell including the fuel cell module and a method for manufacturing the fuel cell are provided.
SOLUTION: A hollow membrane electrode structure, an internal current collector disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the membrane electrode structure, and an external current collector disposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the membrane electrode structure A pair of internal current collector members in contact with the internal current collector, an external current collector member in contact with the external current collector, at least a tubular fuel cell, an internal current collector member, And a case member that accommodates the external current collecting member, the pair of internal current collecting members are arranged at intervals, and the tube-type fuel cell is wound around the pair of internal current collecting members A fuel cell module is provided in which an exposed membrane electrode structure is provided at a location of a tubular fuel cell that is fixed and fixed by a pair of internal current collecting members.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell module including a hollow membrane electrode structure and a manufacturing method thereof, and a fuel cell including the fuel cell module and a manufacturing method thereof.

  A fuel cell is a membrane electrode assembly (hereinafter referred to as “MEA”) including an electrolyte layer (hereinafter referred to as “electrolyte membrane”) and electrodes (anode and cathode) respectively disposed on both sides of the electrolyte membrane. This is an apparatus that causes an electrochemical reaction and takes out the electric energy generated by the electrochemical reaction to the outside through current collectors arranged on both sides of the MEA. Among fuel cells, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (hereinafter referred to as “PEFC”) used in a home cogeneration system, an automobile and the like has a feature that it can be operated in a low temperature region. This PEFC has been attracting attention as a power source and portable power source for electric vehicles because of its high energy conversion efficiency, short start-up time, and small and light system.

  Recently, for the purpose of improving the amount of power generation per unit volume, etc., research on a PEFC in which a single cell is columnar (hereinafter referred to as “tube type PEFC”) has been advanced. A unit cell of a tube type PEFC (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a “tube type fuel cell” or a “tube type cell”) generally has a hollow electrolyte membrane and an inner peripheral surface side and an outer peripheral surface side of the electrolyte membrane. And a hollow MEA having a hollow catalyst layer disposed on each of them. For example, an electrochemical reaction is caused by supplying a hydrogen-containing gas to the inner peripheral surface side of the MEA and an oxygen-containing gas to the outer peripheral surface side, and the electric energy generated by the electrochemical reaction is It takes out outside through the electrical power collector currently arrange | positioned at the inner peripheral surface side and the outer peripheral surface side, respectively. Thus, in the tube type PEFC, one reaction gas (for example, hydrogen-containing gas) is provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the hollow MEA provided in each tube type cell, and the other reaction gas (for example, for example, the outer peripheral surface side). Since electric energy is taken out by supplying (oxygen-containing gas), the reaction gas supplied to the outer peripheral surface side of two adjacent tube-type cells can be made the same. Therefore, according to the tube type PEFC, a separator having gas shielding performance in the conventional flat plate type PEFC is not required, and it is easy to improve the power generation amount per unit volume.

  As a technique related to such a tube-type PEFC, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a tube-shaped solid electrolyte membrane, an outer catalyst electrode layer formed on the outer peripheral surface of the solid electrolyte membrane, and an inner periphery of the solid electrolyte membrane. There is disclosed a membrane electrode assembly for a tube type fuel cell having an inner catalyst electrode layer formed on a surface and formed in a non-linear shape. According to such a technique, the membrane electrode assembly for a tubular fuel cell can be densely filled in a certain space, so that the electrode area per unit volume can be greatly increased, and the output density per unit volume can be increased. It can be improved. In addition, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique related to a cell module assembly in which two or more cell modules having a hollow electrolyte membrane are fixed integrally, and a fuel cell including the cell module assembly.

JP 2006-216415 A JP 2006-216409 A

  As described above, since the fuel cell is a device that extracts the electric energy generated by the electrochemical reaction to the outside, it is important to improve the current collection efficiency in order to improve the performance of the fuel cell. However, since Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 do not disclose the current collecting structure of the tube type PEFC, there is a problem that it is difficult to improve the performance of the fuel cell only by these techniques.

  Then, this invention makes it a subject to provide the fuel cell module which can improve performance, its manufacturing method, a fuel cell provided with the said fuel cell module, and its manufacturing method.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention takes the following means. That is,
The first aspect of the present invention is a hollow membrane electrode structure, an internal current collector disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the membrane electrode structure, and an outer peripheral surface side of the membrane electrode structure. An external current collector, a pair of internal current collector members in contact with the internal current collector, an external current collector member in contact with the external current collector, at least a tubular fuel cell, An internal current collecting member and a case member that accommodates the external current collecting member, and the pair of internal current collecting members are arranged at intervals, and the pair of internal current collecting members are connected to the tube-type fuel cell. The fuel cell module is characterized in that an exposed membrane electrode structure is provided at a location of a tubular fuel cell fixed by being wound and fixed by a pair of internal current collecting members.

  In the present invention, the “hollow membrane electrode structure” includes a hollow electrolyte membrane containing a proton conductive polymer that can be used in PEFC, and a hollow first membrane formed on the inner peripheral surface of the electrolyte membrane. It means a hollow MEA comprising a catalyst layer and a hollow second catalyst layer formed on the outer peripheral surface of the electrolyte membrane. Furthermore, “the internal current collector disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the membrane electrode structure” means the inner peripheral surface of the hollow MEA (more specifically, the inner surface of the hollow first catalyst layer). When a diffusion layer and / or a water repellent layer is provided on the peripheral surface (the same applies hereinafter), this means that the internal current collector is disposed in contact with the diffusion layer or the water repellent layer. On the other hand, when the diffusion layer and the water repellent layer are not provided on the inner peripheral surface of the hollow MEA, the internal current collector is disposed in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the first catalyst layer. Means. Furthermore, “the external current collector disposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the membrane electrode structure” means the outer peripheral surface of the hollow MEA (more specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the hollow second catalyst layer. The same shall apply hereinafter) is provided with a diffusion layer and / or a water repellent layer, which means that the external current collector is disposed in contact with the diffusion layer or the water repellent layer. On the other hand, when the diffusion layer and the water repellent layer are not provided on the outer peripheral surface of the hollow MEA, it means that the external current collector is disposed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the second catalyst layer. To do.

  In the present invention, “a pair of internal current collector members in contact with the internal current collector” refers to a pair in contact with the internal current collector provided in the tube-type fuel cell and the pair of internal current collector members in an energizable form. The contact form of the internal current collector and the pair of internal current collector members is not particularly limited. As a specific example of the contact form that can be adopted in the present invention, an internal current collecting member having a claw-like convex portion is pierced into the outer peripheral surface of the hollow MEA to provide an internal current collector provided inside the hollow MEA. The form etc. which an electrical power body and the convex part of the internal current collection member which penetrated hollow MEA contact can be mentioned. Furthermore, in the present invention, “at least a tubular fuel cell, an internal current collecting member, and a case member that accommodates an external current collecting member” are, for example, a tube type fuel cell and a fuel cell module according to the present invention. When a heat exchangeable heat exchange member is provided and the heat exchange member is configured separately from the external current collector member, in addition to the tube-type fuel cell, the internal current collector member, and the external current collector member This means that the heat exchange member can also be accommodated in the case member. Furthermore, in the present invention, “the tube-type fuel cell is wound and fixed around the pair of internal current collecting members” means that the coil is wound around the pair of internal current collecting members arranged at intervals. This means that the tubular fuel cell having a substantially spiral shape is fixed in such a manner that the internal current collector of the tubular fuel cell and the pair of internal current collecting members can be energized. Furthermore, in the present invention, "the exposed membrane electrode structure is provided at the location of the tube-type fuel cell fixed by the pair of internal current collector members" means that it is wound around the pair of internal current collector members. The tube-type fuel cell to be fixed has a part where the external current collector is not disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the hollow MEA (part A) and a part where the external current collector is disposed (part B). This means that the portion of the tubular fuel cell that is provided and contacts the pair of internal current collecting members is the portion (part A) where the external current collector is not disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the hollow MEA. . That is, when the external current collector is disposed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the second catalyst layer, the second catalyst layer with the outer peripheral surface partially exposed and the pair of internal current collector members Means that the outer current collector is partially exposed when the external current collector is disposed in contact with the diffusion layer or the water repellent layer; and It means that a pair of internal current collecting members come into contact. From the standpoint of making the tubular fuel cell in a form that can improve the performance by reducing the contact resistance, the external current collector disposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the hollow MEA has a hollow shape. It is preferably fixed in a form that is pressed toward the MEA side. Therefore, from this viewpoint, it is preferable that both ends in the longitudinal direction of the external current collector disposed on a part on the outer peripheral surface side of the hollow MEA are fixed by the fixing members. Specific examples of the fixing member include a heat shrinkable tube and an adhesive.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that at least a part of the external current collecting member is disposed in a space surrounded by the tubular fuel cells.

  Furthermore, in the first aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the longitudinal direction of the external current collecting member disposed in the space surrounded by the tubular fuel cell intersects the longitudinal direction of the tubular fuel cell.

  Furthermore, in the first aspect of the present invention (including modifications, the same applies hereinafter), the heat medium circulates inside the external current collecting member disposed in the space surrounded by the tubular fuel cells, and the external current collecting member It is preferable that at least a part of these also function as a heat exchange member capable of exchanging heat with the tube fuel cell.

  The second aspect of the present invention is a hollow membrane electrode structure, an internal current collector disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the membrane electrode structure, and an outer peripheral surface side of the membrane electrode structure. An external current collector, a pair of internal current collector members in contact with the internal current collector, an external current collector member in contact with the external current collector, at least a tubular fuel cell, A method of manufacturing a fuel cell module having an internal current collecting member and a case member that accommodates an external current collecting member, wherein a hollow membrane electrode structure is formed on the outer peripheral surface side of the internal current collector A first step, an external current collector is disposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the hollow membrane electrode structure formed in the first step, and a second step and the second step. By removing a part of the external current collector, the exposed portion of the membrane electrode structure and the external current collector are disposed. A third step of producing a tube-type fuel cell in a form provided with a portion provided, a fourth step of arranging a pair of internal current collecting members at intervals, and a tube produced in the third step The tubular fuel cell is connected to the pair of internal current collector members such that the outer peripheral surface of the exposed membrane electrode structure of the fuel cell and the pair of internal current collector members arranged in the fourth step are in contact with each other. A fifth step of winding and fixing, a sixth step of contacting and fixing at least a part of the external current collecting member and the external current collector of the tubular fuel cell, the fifth step and the sixth And a seventh step of housing at least the tube-type fuel cell, the internal current collecting member, and the external current collecting member in the case member after the step.

  In the second aspect of the present invention, “the hollow membrane electrode structure is formed on the outer peripheral surface side of the internal current collector” means that in the third step of the second aspect of the present invention, the internal current collector and the hollow shape When obtaining a tubular fuel cell having a diffusion layer and / or a water repellent layer between the MEA and the MEA, the diffusion layer formed on the outer peripheral surface of the internal current collector or the outer peripheral surface of the water repellent layer is provided. It means forming a hollow MEA. On the other hand, in the third step of the second aspect of the present invention, when obtaining a tubular fuel cell having a configuration in which a diffusion layer and a water repellent layer are not provided between the internal current collector and the hollow MEA. This means that a hollow MEA is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the internal current collector. Furthermore, in the second aspect of the present invention, “disposing an external current collector on the outer peripheral surface side of the hollow-shaped membrane electrode structure” means that in the third step of the second aspect of the present invention, the hollow-shaped MEA and When obtaining a tubular fuel cell having a diffusion layer and / or a water repellent layer between the external current collector, the diffusion layer or water repellent layer formed on the outer peripheral surface of the hollow MEA This means that an external current collector is disposed on the outer peripheral surface. In contrast, in the third step of the second aspect of the present invention, when obtaining a tubular fuel cell having a configuration in which a diffusion layer and a water repellent layer are not provided between the hollow MEA and the external current collector. This means that an external current collector is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the hollow MEA.

  In the third step of the second aspect of the present invention, a tubular fuel cell having a form in which the exposed portion of the membrane electrode structure and the portion where the external current collector is disposed is produced. From the viewpoint of making it possible to produce a tubular fuel cell that can improve performance by reducing resistance, the external current collector is held in a form that is pressed toward the hollow membrane electrode structure side. Is preferred. Therefore, from the viewpoint of making it possible to produce a tubular fuel cell that can reduce the contact resistance even if a part of the external current collector is removed, for example, the second step in the second invention It is preferable that a step of disposing a fixing member for fixing the position of the external current collector at a distance from the surface of the external current collector is further provided between the third step and the third step. Then, in the third step of the second aspect of the present invention, by removing a part of the fixing member arranged on the surface of the external current collector and the external current collector arranged inside the fixing member A tube having a shape in which both ends in the longitudinal direction of the external current collector left on the outer peripheral surface of the hollow membrane electrode structure are fixed by fixing members, and a part of the hollow membrane electrode structure is exposed. It is preferable that a type fuel cell is produced. In the second aspect of the present invention, when the external current collector is fixed by a fixing member, the “fixing member” fixes the external current collector disposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the hollow membrane electrode structure. If it is a member, the form will not be specifically limited. Specific examples of the fixing member that can be used in the second aspect of the present invention include a heat-shrinkable tube and an adhesive. For example, when a heat-shrinkable tube is used as the fixing member, in the second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of heat-shrinkable tubes are arranged at intervals on the surface of the external current collector, and then heated to form a plurality of heat-shrinkable tubes. By contracting, the position of the external current collector can be fixed by the plurality of contracted heat-shrinkable tubes.

  Furthermore, in the second aspect of the present invention, “winding and fixing the tube-type fuel cell to the pair of internal current collecting members” means winding around the pair of internal current collecting members arranged at intervals. This means that the tube-shaped fuel battery cell having a substantially spiral shape is fixed in such a manner that the internal current collector of the tube-type fuel battery cell and the pair of internal current collector members can be energized. Furthermore, in the second aspect of the present invention, as long as the sixth step can be fixed in a state in which at least a part of the external current collecting member and the external current collector of the tubular fuel cell are in contact with each other, the form thereof is particularly limited. It is not a thing. In the second aspect of the present invention, the external current collecting member can be disposed in a space surrounded by the substantially spiral tube-shaped fuel cell, or can be arranged by the substantially spiral-shaped tube fuel cell. It is also possible to arrange in a space that is not enclosed (outside the spiral shape). In addition, in the second aspect of the present invention, the external current collecting member may have a function as a heat exchanging member capable of exchanging heat with the tubular fuel cell during operation of the fuel cell module. May be provided with a heat exchange member constituted by another member. When a heat exchange member configured by a member different from the external current collector is provided, the sixth step in the second aspect of the present invention includes, for example, at least part of the external current collector and at least part of the heat exchange member And a step of fixing the tube type fuel cell in contact with an external current collector. In the second aspect of the present invention, the fifth step and the sixth step may be separate steps. In particular, a part of the external current collecting member is disposed in a space surrounded by the tubular fuel cells. It is preferable that a single process for simultaneously performing the fifth process and the sixth process is provided. When the fifth step and the sixth step are a single step, the single step includes an outer peripheral surface of the exposed membrane electrode structure of the tubular fuel cell produced in the third step, The tubular fuel cell is wound and fixed around the pair of internal current collector members so that the pair of internal current collector members arranged in the fourth step is in contact, and at least a part of the external current collector member and the tube A step of contacting and fixing an external current collector provided in the fuel cell.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fuel comprising: a laminated body configured by laminating a plurality of fuel cell modules according to the first aspect of the present invention; and an outer case member that accommodates the laminated body. It is a battery.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a fuel cell having a laminate configured by laminating a plurality of fuel cell modules, and an outer case member that accommodates the laminate, the fuel cell module comprising: A fuel cell module manufacturing process manufactured by the method for manufacturing a fuel cell module according to the second aspect of the present invention, and a plurality of fuel cell modules manufactured in the fuel cell module manufacturing process are stacked to form a stacked body. A method for manufacturing a fuel cell, comprising: a body manufacturing step; and a housing step of housing the laminated body produced in the laminated body producing step in an outer case member.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tube-type fuel cell that is wound around a pair of internal current collecting members arranged at an interval to have a substantially spiral shape, and the tube-type fuel having a substantially spiral shape is provided. Electrical energy is taken out through a pair of internal current collector members that come into contact with the internal current collector provided in the battery cell in a form that allows energization. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a tube type PEFC having a tube type fuel cell, a plurality of tube type fuel cells cut to a predetermined length are provided, and current collecting members are disposed at both longitudinal ends of the tube type fuel cell. And took out electrical energy. However, in the configuration provided with a plurality of tube-type fuel cells, it is difficult to fix all the internal current collectors and current-collecting members provided in each of the plurality of tube-type fuel cells in the same contact state. For this reason, the current collection efficiency is likely to be lowered, and the positioning of the plurality of tube-type fuel cells is difficult, so that the productivity is likely to be lowered. According to the first aspect of the present invention, only one tubular fuel cell is wound around and fixed around a pair of internal current collector members, and only one internal current collector and a pair of internal current collector members are Since contact can be secured, current collection efficiency can be improved, and productivity can be improved. Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a fuel cell module capable of improving the performance by improving the current collection efficiency and improving the productivity. In addition, in the first aspect of the present invention, the portion of the tubular fuel cell in which the external current collector is not disposed and the pair of internal current collecting members are in contact with each other, thereby preventing short circuit and improving performance. It is possible to provide a fuel cell module.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, it is easy to reduce the size of the fuel cell module by disposing at least a part of the external current collecting member in the space surrounded by the substantially spiral tubular fuel cell. become. Therefore, by adopting such a configuration, it is possible to provide a fuel cell module capable of improving the output density and improving the performance.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the longitudinal direction of the external current collector disposed in a space surrounded by the substantially spiral tubular fuel cell intersects the longitudinal direction of the tubular fuel cell, Electric energy can be easily taken out via the external current collecting member.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the heat medium circulates inside the external current collector disposed in the space surrounded by the tubular fuel cell, and at least a part of the external current collector also functions as a heat exchange member. As a result, the fuel cell module can be miniaturized and the number of parts can be reduced. Therefore, by adopting such a configuration, it is possible to provide a fuel cell module capable of improving the output density to improve the performance and improving the productivity. In addition, a tubular fuel cell can be obtained by allowing a heat medium to circulate inside the external current collecting member arranged in a form in which the longitudinal direction of the external current collecting member and the longitudinal direction of the tubular fuel cell intersect. The temperature distribution in the longitudinal direction of the cell can be reduced. If the temperature distribution is reduced, it is possible to improve the performance by making the power generation state uniform over the entire length of the tubular fuel cell in the longitudinal direction. A fuel cell module can be provided.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tube-type fuel cell that is wound around a pair of internal current collecting members arranged at an interval to have a substantially spiral shape, and the tube-type fuel having a substantially spiral shape. A fuel cell module in a form in which electric energy is taken out through a pair of internal current collector members that come into contact with an internal current collector provided in the battery cell in a form that can be energized. Since the fuel cell module of this form can improve the performance and the productivity as described above, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the performance and the productivity can be improved. It is possible to provide a method of manufacturing a fuel cell module that can manufacture a fuel cell module capable of improving the fuel efficiency.

  The fuel cell according to the third aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of fuel cell modules according to the first aspect of the present invention. Therefore, according to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a fuel cell capable of improving performance and improving productivity.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a fuel cell manufacturing method capable of manufacturing a fuel cell capable of improving performance and improving productivity.

  The fuel cell module of the present invention, the method of manufacturing the fuel cell module of the present invention, the fuel cell of the present invention, and the method of manufacturing the fuel cell of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description regarding the fuel cell module and the fuel cell of the present invention, a hydrogen-containing gas (hereinafter referred to as “hydrogen”) is supplied to a portion of the tube-type cell where the MEA is exposed (hereinafter referred to as “region A”). In addition, an example of a mode in which an oxygen-containing gas (hereinafter referred to as “air”) is supplied to a portion of the tube-type cell where the external current collector is provided (hereinafter referred to as “region B”) and is cooled by the refrigerant. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. In the fuel cell module and the fuel cell of the present invention, hydrogen can be supplied to the part B and air can be supplied to the part A. When used in a cold district, for example, At the time of start-up, it is possible to heat with a heating medium such as hot water instead of the refrigerant.

1. Fuel Cell Module FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing an embodiment of the fuel cell module of the present invention. The vertical direction in FIG. 1 is the longitudinal direction of the external current collector tube. In order to facilitate understanding of the structure of the fuel cell module according to the present invention, the description of the case members provided on the rear side and the front side of the drawing is omitted in FIG. FIG. 2 is a view taken in the direction of arrows II-II in FIG. 1 and a part of the description is omitted. FIG. 3 is a front view schematically showing a form example of a tube-type cell provided in the fuel cell module of the present invention, and shows a form before being wound around a pair of internal current collector plates. The left-right direction in FIG. 3 is the longitudinal direction of the tube-type cell. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 4 is the longitudinal direction of the tube-type cell. FIG. 5 is a plan view schematically showing an example of an internal current collector plate provided in the fuel cell module of the present invention. FIG. 5A schematically shows the form of the internal current collector plate before the tube type cell is wound, and FIG. 5B schematically shows the form of the internal current collector plate when the tube type cell is fixed. Is shown. FIG. 6 is a front view schematically showing an example of an external current collector plate provided in the fuel cell module of the present invention. Hereinafter, the fuel cell module of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fuel cell module 20 of the present invention is wound around a pair of internal current collector plates 9, 9 arranged at intervals, and the pair of internal current collector plates 9, 9. One tube type cell 8 is fixed. In the fuel cell module 20, the longitudinal direction of the plurality of external current collector tubes 10,... Is in a space surrounded by the tube-shaped cell 8 that is wound around the pair of internal current collector plates 9 and 9 and has a substantially spiral shape. The central portion is disposed, and the plurality of external current collector tubes 10, 10,... Are in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tube type cell 8 and the external current collector plates 11, 11. The tube-type cell 8, the pair of internal current collector plates 9, 9, the plurality of external current collector tubes 10, 10, ..., and the external current collector plates 11, 11 are accommodated in the case member 12, and a pair of internal current collector plates The current collecting plates 9 and 9 are held in a state of being engaged with the case member 12.

  In the fuel cell module 20, on the inner side of the case member 12, hydrogen circulation portions 13, 13 (hereinafter, the hydrogen circulation portion 13 located on the left side of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is referred to as “hydrogen circulation portion 13 a”, located on the right side thereof. The hydrogen circulation part 13 to be referred to as “hydrogen circulation part 13b”), the air circulation part 14, and the refrigerant circulation parts 15 and 15 (hereinafter, the refrigerant circulation part 15 located on the upper side in FIG. The circulation part 15a "and the refrigerant circulation part 15 located on the lower side are sometimes referred to as" refrigerant circulation part 15b "). The hydrogen circulation part 13a and the hydrogen circulation part 13b and the air circulation part 14 are separated by the partition walls 16 and 16, and the refrigerant circulation part 15a and the refrigerant circulation part 15b and the air circulation part 14 are separated by the partition walls 17 and 17. In addition, one end in the longitudinal direction of the plurality of external current collectors 10, 10,... Is disposed in the coolant circulation part 15 a through the partition wall 17, while the other end in the longitudinal direction penetrates the partition wall 17 to distribute the coolant. It arranges in part 15b. On the other hand, a pair of external current collector plates 11, 11 that come into contact with the plurality of external current collector tubes 10, 10,. 2, the case member 12 surrounding the hydrogen circulation part 13a and the hydrogen circulation part 13b is provided with hydrogen openings 18, 18,... , Air openings 19, 19,... Are provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tube-type cell 8 provided in the fuel cell module 20 includes an internal current collector 1 having grooves 1x, 1x,... On the outer peripheral surface, and an outer peripheral surface of the internal current collector 1. And a hollow MEA 5 formed on the outer periphery of the MEA 5 and an external current collector 6 wound around the outer peripheral surface of the MEA 5. The hollow MEA 5 includes a hollow first catalyst layer 2 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the internal current collector 1, a hollow electrolyte membrane 3 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first catalyst layer 2, and the A hollow second catalyst layer 4 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the electrolyte membrane 3. The tube-type cell 8 includes parts A, A,... Where the outer peripheral surface of the MEA 5 is exposed, and parts B, B,... Where the external current collectors 6, 6,. , And the longitudinal ends of the external current collectors 6, 6,... Provided in the portions B, B,... Are referred to as heat-shrinkable tubes 7, 7,. It is fixed by. As described above, in the tube-type cell 8, the MEA 5 is pressed by the external current collectors 6, 6,... By fixing the longitudinal ends of the external current collectors 6, 6,. The external current collectors 6, 6,... Are held in such a manner that the contact resistance at the interface between the external current collectors 6, 6,.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the internal current collector plate 9 provided in the fuel cell module 20 is a recess to be in contact with the portions A, A,... Of the tube-type cell 8 wound around the internal current collector plate 9. A first internal current collector plate 9a having 9x, 9x, ..., a second internal current collector plate 9b having claw portions 9y, 9y, ..., a first internal current collector plate 9a, and a second internal current collector plate 9b. And a fixing member 9c capable of being fastened and fixed. In the fuel cell module 20, when the tube-type cell 8 is wound around the pair of internal current collector plates 9, 9, the recesses 9x, 9x of the first internal current collector plates 9a, 9a arranged at intervals are provided. The tube-type cell 8 is wound around the pair of first internal current collector plates 9a, 9a in such a form that the portions A, A,. After that, the second internal current collector plates 9b, 9b are arranged in a form in which the claw portions 9y, 9y, ... are pierced into the portions A, A, ... of the tube type cells 8 arranged in the recesses 9x, 9x, ... The internal current collector plates 9a and 9a and the second internal current collector plates 9b and 9b are fastened and fixed by fixing members 9c and 9c (see FIG. 5B). In this way, in the present invention, a pair of internal current collector plates 9, 9 in which the tubular cells 8 including the portions A, A,... And the portions B, B,. It is wound around and fixed.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the external current collector plate 11 provided in the fuel cell module 20 includes holes 11x, 11x,... Into which a plurality of external current collector tubes 10, 10,. Although the manufacturing method of the fuel cell module 20 will be described later, when the fuel cell module 20 is manufactured, for example, the external current collecting tubes 10, 10,... Are inserted into the holes 11x, 11x,. By inserting, an external current collecting member (external current collecting member 22, see FIG. 9) including the external current collecting tubes 10, 10,... The external current collecting member is arranged between the pair of first internal current collecting plates 9a, 9a arranged open. Thereafter, the tube-type cell 8 is wound around the external current collecting member and the pair of first internal current collecting plates 9a and 9a, and the first internal current collecting plates 9a and 9a and the second internal current collecting plate are wound. By fixing 9b, 9b with fixing members 9c, 9c, the parts A, A,... Come into contact with the internal current collector plates 9, 9, and the external current collectors 6, 6 provided in the parts B, B,. The tube-type cell 8 is fixed in such a form that contacts the external current collector tubes 10, 10,. When a structure (structure 23; see FIG. 10) including the tube-type cell 8, the pair of internal current collector plates 9 and 9, and the external current collector is produced in this way, the structure is used as a case. After being accommodated in the member 12, the sealing material is injected from the outside of the case member 12 so that the sealing material (potting material) is disposed at the fixing members 7, 7,... By forming the partition walls 16 and 16, the hydrogen circulation parts 13 and 13 and the air circulation part 14 are isolated. The fuel cell module 20 can be manufactured through these steps.

  During operation of the fuel cell module 20, hydrogen is supplied to the hydrogen circulation part 13 a through the hydrogen openings 18, 18,..., And air is supplied to the air circulation part 14 through the air openings 19, 19,. Is supplied, and the refrigerant is supplied to the refrigerant circulation part 15a through an opening (not shown). The hydrogen supplied to the hydrogen flow part 13a reaches the surface of the parts A, A,... Of the tube-type cell 8 arranged in the hydrogen flow part 13a and fixed by the internal current collector plate 9. As described above, since the tube-type cell 8 is fixed in such a manner that the claw portions 9y, 9y,... Are pierced into the portions A, A,..., The claw portions 9y, 9y,. There are holes formed by Therefore, the hydrogen that has reached the surface of the parts A, A,... Penetrates into the tube-type cell 8 from the holes of the parts A, A,. To the first catalyst layer 2 facing the grooves 1x, 1x,. A part of the hydrogen that has reached the first catalyst layer 2 in this way is separated into protons and electrons under the action of the catalyst (for example, Pt, etc., the same applies hereinafter) contained in the first catalyst layer 2. . Protons generated in the first catalyst layer 2 are conducted to the second catalyst layer 4 by the proton conductive material contained in the first catalyst layer 2, the electrolyte membrane 3, and the second catalyst layer 4. On the other hand, the electrolyte membrane 3 does not have electronic conductivity. Therefore, electrons generated in the first catalyst layer 2 are conducted to the second catalyst layer 4 via an external circuit. On the other hand, the remainder of the hydrogen that has reached the first catalyst layer 2 reaches the hydrogen circulation part 13b through the grooves 1x, 1x,..., And the hydrogen opening provided in the case member 12 surrounding the hydrogen circulation part 13b. Are discharged to the outside of the fuel cell module 20 through 18, 18.

  On the other hand, during operation of the fuel cell module 20, since air is supplied to the air circulation part 14, the outer peripheral surface of the parts B, B,... Arranged in the air circulation part 14 (the outer peripheral surface of the second catalyst layer 4). Air is supplied. When air is supplied to the second catalyst layer 4, oxygen contained in the air and protons and electrons conducted from the first catalyst layer 2 to the second catalyst layer 4 are transferred to the second catalyst layer 4. Electrochemical reaction occurs under the action of the contained catalyst to produce water. Thus, when the fuel cell module 20 is operated, electrons are conducted from the first catalyst layer 2 to the second catalyst layer 4, and water is generated in the second catalyst layer 4.

  In the fuel cell module 20, one tube-type cell 8 is wound around a pair of internal current collector plates 9, 9, and the internal current collector 1 provided inside the portions A, A,. Claw portions 9y, 9y,... Provided in the pair of internal current collector plates 9, 9 are in contact with each other. Therefore, during the operation of the fuel cell module 20, the first catalyst layer 2 side is provided via the internal current collector 1 and the pair of internal current collector plates 9, 9 provided inside the portions A, A,. Current collection is performed. By controlling the force when the tube-type cell 8 is wound around the pair of first internal current collector plates 9a, 9a, the first internal current collector plates 9a, 9a and the portions A, A of the tube-type cell 8 are controlled. ,... Can be evenly adhered, and the internal current collector 1 and the plurality of claws 9y, 9y,... Can be made uniform by controlling the force when fastened by the fixing members 9c, 9c. Can be contacted. Therefore, according to the fuel cell module 20 that collects current on the first catalyst layer 2 side through the one internal current collector 1 and the pair of internal current collector plates 9, 9, the current collection efficiency is easily improved. be able to.

  Furthermore, unlike a conventional tube type PEFC (see, for example, Patent Document 2), the fuel cell module 20 of the present invention is not provided with a large number of tube cells cut to a predetermined length. A tube-type cell 8 is provided in a form wound around a pair of internal current collecting plates 9 and 9 and an external current collecting member. Therefore, it is not necessary to align the ends of a large number of tube-type cells, and only one tube-type cell 8 is wound around a pair of internal current collector plates 9, 9 to position the one tube-type cell 8. Therefore, the productivity of the fuel cell module 20 can be improved.

  On the other hand, in the fuel cell module 20, the external current collectors 6, 6,... Provided in the tube type cell 8 and the external current collectors 10, 10,. Therefore, the fuel cell module 20 is in contact with the external current collectors 6, 6,... And the external current collector tubes 10, 10,. It is possible to collect current on the second catalyst layer 4 side through the pair of external current collector plates 11 and 11.

  In addition, in the fuel cell module 20, external current collectors 10, 10,... That are in contact with the external current collectors 6, 6,... Are formed as tubular members (see FIG. 2). .., One end face is arranged in the refrigerant circulation part 15a, and the other end face is arranged in the refrigerant circulation part 15b. Therefore, when the refrigerant is supplied to the refrigerant circulation part 15a during the operation of the fuel cell module 20, the refrigerant supplied to the refrigerant circulation part 15a is provided on the end faces of the external current collector tubes 10, 10,. It flows into the inside of the external current collector tubes 10, 10,... From the opening. The refrigerant flowing into the external current collectors 10, 10,... Cools the tube-type cell 8 by exchanging heat with the tube-type cell 8 while moving to the refrigerant circulation portion 15b side. The temperature of the tube type cell 8 is controlled. As described above, since the fuel cell module 20 includes the external current collector tubes 10, 10,... That function as external heat collecting members and also as heat exchange members, the number of components can be reduced. Therefore, according to the fuel cell module 20, it is possible to improve the performance by improving the output per unit volume and improve the productivity.

  Further, in the fuel cell module 20, the external current collector tubes 10, 10,... Functioning as an external current collecting member and a heat exchange member are arranged in a space surrounded by the tubular cell 8 having a spiral shape. Therefore, according to the fuel cell module 20, it is easy to reduce the size, so that the output per unit volume can be improved and the performance can be improved.

  In the above description regarding the fuel cell module 20 of the present invention, the nail portions 9y, 9y,... Are inserted into the portions A, A,. Although the form in which the contact between the internal current collector 1 and the second internal current collector plates 9b, 9b,... Is ensured is illustrated, the present invention is not limited to this form. As another form which this invention can take, a part of internal current collector 1 exposed by removing a part of MEA5 located in site | part A, A, ..., and a pair of internal current collector plate 9, 9 (claw portions 9y, 9y,...) Can be secured. By adopting a form in which a part of the exposed internal current collector 1 and the pair of internal current collector plates 9 and 9 are in contact with each other, current collection is facilitated and grooves provided in the internal current collector 1 are provided. It becomes easy to flow hydrogen into 1x, 1x,. However, when a tube-type cell having a form in which a part of the internal current collector 1 is exposed is provided, compared to the above-described form in which the internal current collector 1 is not exposed at the portions A, A,. A process for removing a part of the MEA 5 is required separately, and the productivity tends to be lowered. Therefore, from the viewpoint of providing a fuel cell module that can easily improve not only performance but also productivity, a configuration in which a tube-type cell in which the internal current collector is not exposed is provided. It is preferable.

  In the above description regarding the fuel cell module 20 of the present invention, the longitudinal ends of the external current collectors 6, 6,... Provided in the portions B, B,. Although the form with which the tube type cell 8 is provided was illustrated, this invention is not limited to the said form. However, from the viewpoint of providing the fuel cell module 20 provided with the tube-type cell 8 that can improve the performance by reducing the contact resistance between the external current collectors 6, 6,. It is preferable that a tube type cell 8 having external current collectors 6, 6,... Fixed by fixing members 7, 7,. Examples of the fixing member that can be used in the fuel cell module of the present invention include various adhesives in addition to the heat-shrinkable tubes 7, 7. When heat-shrinkable tubes 7, 7,... Are used as the fixing member, specific examples of materials that can constitute the heat-shrinkable tubes 7, 7,... Are polyolefin, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl chloride, and fluororesin. And elastomers (fluorinated elastomers).

  Moreover, in the said description regarding the fuel cell module 20 of this invention, MEA5 penetrates the 1st internal current collection board 9a provided with the recessed part 9x, 9x, ... which can accommodate the tube-type cell 8, and site | part A, A, .... An internal current collector plate 9 having a second internal current collector plate 9b having claw portions 9y, 9y,... That can come into contact with the internal current collector 1 provided inside and a fixing member 9c for fastening and fixing them. Although the provided form was illustrated, this invention is not limited to the said form. The pair of internal current collecting members provided in the fuel cell module of the present invention may be any form that can be fixed by winding a tube-type cell. Other forms that the internal current collecting member can take include one end of one member having a recess capable of accommodating a tube-type cell, and another claw that can contact an internal current collector provided in the tube-type cell. One end of the member is connected, and when the tube type cell is wound, the one member and the other member are opened, and when the wound tube type cell is fixed, the one member and A substantially saddle shape in which the other member is in a closed state can be exemplified.

  Further, in the above description regarding the fuel cell module 20 of the present invention, a mode in which the plurality of external current collectors 10, 10,... Are provided is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this mode and a plurality of external current collectors are provided. One external current collector tube having a meandering shape by a method such as connecting ends of the current collector tubes 10, 10,... May be provided. However, from the viewpoint of providing a fuel cell module in a form in which the performance is easily improved by flowing a large amount of refrigerant into the external current collector tube to improve the cooling efficiency, a plurality of external current collector tubes 10, 10 are provided. ,... Are preferably provided.

  Moreover, in the said description regarding the fuel cell module 20 of this invention, the form arrange | positioned so that the longitudinal direction of several external collector tube 10,10, ... and the longitudinal direction of the tube-type cell 8 may cross substantially orthogonally. Although illustrated, this invention is not limited to the said form. However, from the viewpoint of making it possible to easily collect current via the external current collector tubes 10, 10,..., The longitudinal direction of the tube-type cell 8 and the plurality of external current collector tubes 10, 10,. It is preferable that a plurality of external current collectors 10, 10,... Are arranged so that the longitudinal direction is substantially perpendicular.

  Further, in the above description regarding the fuel cell module 20 of the present invention, an example in which a plurality of external current collector tubes 10, 10,... Functioning as an external current collecting member and also functioning as a heat exchange member is illustrated. The present invention is not limited to the embodiment. The fuel cell module of the present invention may be configured to include an external current collector tube that functions only as an external current collector member and a cooling tube that functions only as a heat exchange member. However, from the viewpoint of providing a fuel cell module in a form that easily reduces the number of parts and improves the amount of power generation per unit volume, it functions as an external current collecting member and also functions as a heat exchange member. It is preferable that external current collectors 10, 10,.

  In the above description regarding the fuel cell module 20 of the present invention, a plurality of external current collectors functioning as an external current collecting member and also functioning as a heat exchanging member in a space surrounded by the substantially spiral tubular cell 8. Although the form in which the pipes 10, 10,... Are arranged is illustrated, the present invention is not limited to the form. The fuel cell module of the present invention includes a plurality of external current collectors 10, 10,... And a plurality of external current collectors 6, 6,. Of the external current collector tubes 10, 10,... However, from the viewpoint of providing a fuel cell module whose performance can be easily improved by adopting a form that facilitates downsizing, a plurality of external current collectors 10, It is preferable to adopt a form in which 10,.

  Moreover, in the said description regarding the fuel cell module 20 of this invention, although the form with which only the one tube type cell 8 was provided in the case member 12 was illustrated, this invention is not limited to the said form. The fuel cell module of the present invention may be provided with a tube-type cell that is formed into a substantially spiral shape by being wound and fixed to a pair of internal current collecting members, and includes two or more tube-type cells 8, 8, Can be accommodated in the case member 12.

2. Manufacturing Method of Fuel Cell Module FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a manufacturing method of a fuel cell module according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a structure having a fixing member arranged in the fixing member arranging step shown in FIG. 7, and only a part thereof is shown in an enlarged manner. FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the form of the external current collector produced in the external current collector production process shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the structure of the structure formed by the winding and fixing step shown in FIG. 8 to 10, components having the same configurations as those in FIGS. 1 to 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in FIGS. 1 to 6, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate. Hereinafter, the case where the fuel cell module 20 is manufactured by the manufacturing method of the fuel cell module of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the manufacturing method of the fuel cell module of the present invention includes a first step (step S1), a second step (step S2), a fixing member disposing step (step S3), and a third step. (Step S4), external current collecting member manufacturing step (step S5), fourth step (step S6), and winding fixing step (step S7) in which the fifth step and the sixth step are performed in a single step, The seventh step (step S8) and the adhesive disposing step (step S9) are provided, and the fuel cell module 20 is manufactured through steps S1 to S9.

2.1. 1st process (process S1)
Step S <b> 1 is a step of forming a hollow MEA 5 on the outer peripheral surface of the internal current collector 1. The step S1 is not particularly limited as long as the hollow MEA 5 can be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the internal current collector 1. In step S1, for example, the internal current collector 1 is placed in a container containing an ink-like composition containing a catalyst and a proton conductive polymer (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “catalyst ink”), and the internal collector is collected from the container. The first structure in which the hollow first catalyst layer 2 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the internal current collector 1 can be formed by taking out the electric body 1 and drying it. When the first catalyst layer 2 is formed in this manner, the first structure is subsequently placed in a container containing the electrolyte composition containing the dissolved proton conductive polymer, and the first structure is removed from the container. By drying, the second structure in which the hollow electrolyte membrane 3 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first catalyst layer 2 can be formed. After the electrolyte membrane 3 is formed in this way, the outer peripheral surface of the electrolyte membrane 3 is subsequently placed by putting the second structure into a container containing the catalyst ink, taking out the second structure from the container and drying it. A third structure in which the hollow second catalyst layer 4 is formed can be formed. In the third structure thus formed, the hollow first catalyst layer 2, the hollow electrolyte membrane 3, and the hollow second catalyst layer 4 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the internal current collector 1. Therefore, the hollow MEA 5 can be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the internal current collector 1 through such steps and the like. In the step S1, the method of forming the first catalyst layer 2, the electrolyte membrane 3 and the second catalyst layer 4 on the outer peripheral surface of the internal current collector 1 is not limited to the above method. In addition to the above-described method, for example, the first catalyst layer 2 and the second catalyst layer 4 can be formed by spray application of catalyst ink, and the electrolyte membrane 3 can be formed by spray application of the electrolyte composition. Is possible.

2.2. Second step (Step S2)
Step S2 is a step of disposing the external current collector 6 on the outer peripheral surface of the hollow MEA 5 formed in the step S1. As long as the external current collector 6 can be disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the MEA 5, the form of the step S <b> 2 is not particularly limited. For example, the external current collector 6 made of a metal wire is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the MEA 5. It can be set as the process of winding. In the step S2, as a method of disposing the external current collector 6, for example, a known method used when manufacturing an electric wire can be used.

2.3. Fixing member arrangement process (process S3)
In step S3, fixing members 7, 7,... Are arranged at intervals on the surface of the external current collector 6 provided in step S2, and to the MEA 5 side by the fixing members 7, 7,. This is a step of manufacturing the structure 21 in a form in which the external current collector 6 is fixed in a pressed form (see FIG. 8). When the heat-shrinkable tubes 7, 7,... Are used as the fixing members 7, 7,..., In step S 3, first, a predetermined interval is provided on the surface of the external current collector 6 using a known fixing member disposing means. A plurality of heat-shrinkable tubes are provided with a gap (same as the gap between the partition walls 16 and 16; hereinafter the same). Then, using a known heating means or the like, the plurality of arranged heat-shrinkable tubes are heated to a predetermined temperature (for example, about 80 ° C.). When heated in this way, the heat-shrinkable tube disposed on the surface of the external current collector 6 is shrunk to become a heat-shrinkable tube 7, 7,..., And by the heat-shrinkable tube 7, 7,. The external current collector 6 can be fixed.
On the other hand, when an adhesive is used as the fixing member, in step S3, the adhesive is disposed on the surface of the external current collector 6 with a predetermined interval, and the external current collector 6 is fixed by the adhesive. It can be a process.

  In the step S3, when the heat-shrinkable tubes 7, 7,... Are used as the fixing members, the heating means is used to heat the heat-shrinkable tubes disposed at intervals on the surface of the external current collector 6. The temperature is not particularly limited as long as it does not affect the proton conducting performance of the proton conducting polymer contained in MEA 5. Specific examples of the temperature include room temperature to about 100 ° C.

  In the step S3, when the heat shrinkable tubes 7, 7,... Are used as the fixing member, the heat shrinkable tubes 7, 7,. If the body 6 can be fixed and is made of a substance having a property that can withstand the environment during operation of the fuel cell module 20 (for example, heat resistance, water resistance, etc., the same shall apply hereinafter), the material is particularly It is not limited. As a constituent material of the heat shrinkable tubes 7, 7,... That can be used in the fuel cell module manufacturing method according to the present invention, polyolefin (polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl chloride, fluororesin, elastomer (fluorinated elastomer), etc. Can be illustrated.

  Further, when an adhesive is used as the fixing member in step S3, the adhesive has a property that can withstand the environment during the operation of the fuel cell module, and continues even during the operation of the fuel cell module. The material is not particularly limited as long as the external current collector 6 is made of a substance that can fix the position of the current collector 6. Examples of the constituent material of the adhesive as the fixing member that can be used in the method for manufacturing the fuel cell module according to the present invention include polymer epoxy resins.

2.4. Third step (step S4)
In step S4, a part of each of the heat-shrinkable tubes 7, 7,... Arranged at an interval in step S3 is removed using a known processing means, etc., and the heat-shrinkable tubes 7, 7,. The external current collector 6 exposed by removing a part of each part is removed using a known processing means or the like, so that the parts A, A,. This is a step of producing a tube-type cell 8 having a configuration in which portions B, B,. That is, part of the external current collector 6 disposed in step S2 is removed in step S4, and parts A, A,... To be brought into contact with the pair of internal current collector plates 9, 9 in step S7 described later. The tube-type cell 8 having the form in which is provided is manufactured.

  In step S4, the heat shrinkable tubes 7, 7,... And a part of the external current collector 6 can be used as a processing means that can be used when stripping the coating of the wire. A commercially available stripper and the like can be exemplified.

2.5. External current collector manufacturing process (process S5)
In step S5, the external current collector plates 11, 11 and the external current collectors 11 and 11 are inserted into the holes 11x, 11x,. This is a step of producing the external current collecting member 22 fixed in a state where the contact with the electric tubes 10, 10,... Is maintained (see FIG. 9).

2.6. Fourth step (step S6)
Step S6 includes a pair of internal current collector plates 9 and 9 around which the tube-type cell 8 is to be wound in Step S7, which will be described later, and a pair of internal current collector plates 9 that are spaced apart from each other. 9 is a step of arranging the external current collecting member 22 produced in step S5. As shown in FIG. 5, the internal current collector plate 9 includes a first internal current collector plate 9 a having recesses 9 x, 9 x,... For housing the tube type cell 8, and portions A and A of the tube type cell 8. ,... Are provided with a second internal current collector plate 9b having claw portions 9y, 9y,..., And a fixing member 9c for fastening and fixing the first internal current collector plate 9a and the second internal current collector plate 9b. . Therefore, in the actual step S6, the pair of first internal current collector plates 9a, 9a are arranged at an interval, and the external current collector 22 is interposed between the pair of first internal current collector plates 9a, 9a. It is set as the process of arranging.

2.7. Winding fixing process (process S7)
In step S7, the one tubular cell 8 produced in step S4 is wound around the pair of first internal current collector plates 9a, 9a and the external current collector 22 arranged in step S6. After piercing the claws 9y, 9y,... Of the second internal current collector plates 9b, 9b into the parts A, A,... Of the one tube type cell 8, the first internal current collector plates 9a, 9a and the second internal current collector plates 9b, 9b This is a step of fixing the tube-type cell 8 by fixing the current collector plates 9b, 9b with fixing members 9c, 9c. In step S7, the pair of first internal current collector plates 9a, 9a are arranged so that the portions A, A,... Of the tube-type cell 8 and the recesses 9x, 9x,. The tube type cell 8 is wound around the outer periphery, and the external current collectors 6, 6,... Of the tube type cell 8 and the external current collector tubes 10, 10,. The tube type cell 8 is wound around the external current collecting member 22. Therefore, in step S7, the tube-type cell 8 is moved to the pair of internal current collector plates 9, 9 such that the outer peripheral surfaces of the parts A, A,. The fifth step in the method of manufacturing the fuel cell module of the present invention, which is wound and fixed, the external current collectors 10, 10,... That are part of the external current collector 22, and the external current collector of the tube-type cell 8 The sixth step in the manufacturing method of the fuel cell module of the present invention, which is brought into contact with and fixed to 6, 6,... Is performed in a single step. Structure including the tube-type cell 8 wound around the external current collector 22 and the pair of internal current collector plates 9 and 9 and fixed by the pair of internal current collector plates 9 and 9 by the step S7 according to the embodiment. 23 is produced (see FIG. 10).

2.8. Seventh step (step S8)
Step S <b> 8 is a step of housing the structure 23 produced in step S <b> 7 including the tube-type cell 8, the pair of internal current collector plates 9 and 9, and the external current collector member 22 in the case member 12. When the case member 12 is composed of two parts that can be divided and connected, the step S8 is performed after, for example, housing the structure 23 in one case member having the partition walls 17 and 17 and the refrigerant circulation portions 15 and 15. By connecting the one case member accommodating a part of the structure 23 and the other case member, the structure 23 can be accommodated in the case member 12.

2.9. Adhesive placement step (step S9)
In step S9, an adhesive (potting material) is injected from the outside of the case member 12 containing the structure 23 in the above step S8 into the inside of the case member 12, so that the hydrogen circulation portions 13 and 13 and the air circulation portion 14 are injected. This is a step of forming partition walls 16 and 16 that are separated from each other. In the tube-type cell 8 provided in the structure 23, both longitudinal ends of the external current collectors 6, 6,... Provided in the parts B, B,. Therefore, in step S9, by injecting an adhesive into a place where the heat shrinkable tubes 7, 7,... Are provided, the parts A, A,. And the site | parts B, B, ... of the tube-type cell 8 arrange | positioned at the air distribution | circulation part 14 can be made into the form separated by the partition 16,16. That is, according to the manufacturing method of the fuel cell module of the present invention, the fuel cell module 20 can be manufactured through the steps S1 to S9.

  As described above, the fuel cell module manufacturing method of the present invention includes step S7. In step S7, the claws 9y of the second internal current collector plates 9b, 9b are moved to the portions A, A,... Of one tube-type cell 8 wound around the pair of first internal current collector plates 9a, 9a. Are inserted into the tube-type cell 8 by fastening the first internal current collector plates 9a, 9a and the second internal current collector plates 9b, 9b with fixing members 9c, 9c. The electric body 1 is brought into contact with the first internal current collector plates 9 and 9 (claw portions 9y, 9y,...). Therefore, by controlling the force applied when winding the tube-type cell 8 and / or the fastening force applied via the fixing members 9c, 9c, a plurality of claw portions 9y, 9y,. And the internal current collector 1 can be contacted uniformly. Therefore, according to the method of manufacturing the fuel cell module of the present invention, the fuel capable of improving the performance by improving the current collection efficiency via the internal current collector 1 and the first internal current collector plates 9 and 9. The battery module 20 can be manufactured.

  Further, in step S7, the tube-type cell 8 is positioned only by winding and fixing one tube-type cell 8 around the pair of first internal current collector plates 9a, 9a and the external current collector member 22. Therefore, the productivity of the fuel cell module can be easily made as compared with the prior art (see, for example, Patent Document 2) in which a large number of tube-type cells cut to a predetermined length are provided in one fuel cell module module. Can be improved.

  In the above description regarding the method for manufacturing the fuel cell module of the present invention, the embodiment in which the winding fixing step (step S7) in which the fifth step and the sixth step are performed simultaneously is illustrated, but the present invention is limited to this mode. Is not to be done. When the fuel cell module manufactured according to the present invention has, for example, a configuration in which a plurality of external current collector tubes are disposed between a tube type cell and a case member, the tube type cell is paired with a pair of internal collectors. After the fifth step of winding and fixing on the electric member, the external current collecting member is moved to the outside of the tube type cell so that at least a part of the external current collecting member and the external current collector of the tube type cell come into contact with each other. It is also possible to adopt a form or the like that includes the sixth step of arrangement.

  Moreover, in the said description regarding the manufacturing method of the fuel cell module of this invention, the form with which an external current collection member preparation process (process S5) and a 4th process (process S6) are provided after a 3rd process (process S4) is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. The external current collecting member manufacturing step and the fourth step may be provided before the winding and fixing step (the fifth step when the fifth step and the sixth step are provided separately).

3. Fuel Cell FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a laminated body provided in the fuel cell of the present invention, and a part thereof is omitted. FIG. 11 corresponds to FIG. 2 and shows only two fuel cell modules provided in the laminate. In order to make it easy to understand the structure of the laminated body, in FIG. 11, a part of the case member is not shown, and each member located on the back side of the paper surface from the series connection plate is transmitted. The back / front direction in FIG. 11 is the longitudinal direction of the external current collector and the direction of gravity. FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a fuel cell according to the present invention, and schematically shows the arrangement of a laminate, a refrigerant pipe and a hydrogen pipe, an end plate, and the like. The vertical direction in FIG. 12 is the longitudinal direction of the external current collector provided in the fuel cell and the direction of gravity. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing an example of the fuel cell according to the present invention, and schematically shows the arrangement of the laminate, the refrigerant pipe and the hydrogen pipe, the outer case member, and the like. The back / front direction in FIG. 13 is the longitudinal direction of the external current collector and the direction of gravity. 11 to 13, components having the same configurations as those in FIGS. 1 to 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in FIGS. 1 to 6, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Hereinafter, the fuel cell of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 and FIGS. 11 to 13.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the laminate 24 includes fuel cell modules 20, 20,. The fuel cell module 20 constituting the laminate 24 includes series connection plates 25 and 25 connected to the pair of internal current collector plates 9 and 9, and the series connection plate provided in one fuel cell module 20. 25 and 25 are connected to the external current collectors 10 and 10 provided in the other fuel cell module 20 adjacent to the one fuel cell module 20. As described above, during the operation of the fuel cell module 20, current collection on the first catalyst layer 2 side is performed via the internal current collector 1 and the pair of internal current collector plates 9, 9, while the external current collector 10 ,... And current collection on the second catalyst layer 4 side through the external current collecting plates 11, 11. Therefore, the internal current collector plates 9 and 9 of one fuel cell module 20 and the external current collector tubes 10 and 10 of the other fuel cell module 20 are connected to each other by the serial connection plates 25 and 25. The fuel cell modules 20 and 20 can be electrically connected in series. That is, the stacked body 24 is configured by a plurality of fuel cell modules 20, 20,... Electrically connected in series.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the fuel cell 30 of the present invention includes a laminate 24 composed of a plurality of fuel cell modules 20, 20,... Electrically connected in series, and a manifold integrated end plate. 31 (hereinafter referred to as “manifold 31”), an end plate 32, and electrode elements 34 and 35. The manifold 31 is connected to refrigerant pipes 26 and 27 and hydrogen pipes 28 and 29. Yes. And these members are accommodated in the outer case member 33 provided with the opening parts 36 and 36 which distribute | circulate air (refer FIG. 13).

  When the fuel cell 30 is operated, hydrogen supplied via the hydrogen pipe 28 is supplied to the hydrogen circulation portions 13a, 13a,... Of the fuel cell modules 20, 20,. The hydrogen supplied to the portions 13a, 13a,... Passes through holes formed in the portions A, A,... By the claw portions 9y, 9y,. Branch. In the fuel cell 30, the grooves 1x, 1x,... Function as hydrogen flow paths, and hydrogen branched into the grooves 1x, 1x,... Is provided in the tube-type cells 8, 8,. 2 ... The hydrogen reaching the first catalyst layers 2, 2,... Is separated into protons and electrons under the action of the catalyst contained in the first catalyst layers 2, 2,. The protons thus generated reach the second catalyst layers 4, 4,... By being conducted through the proton conductive polymer contained in each MEA 5, 5,. On the other hand, electrons generated in the first catalyst layers 2, 2,... Reach the second catalyst layers 4, 4,. On the other hand, during operation of the fuel cell 30, through the openings 36, 36,... Provided in the outer case member 33 and the air openings 19, 19,... Provided in the fuel cell modules 20, 20,. Air is supplied to the air circulation portions 14, 14,... Of each fuel cell module 20, 20,. Then, air is supplied to the portions B, B,... Of the tube-type cells 8, 8,... Arranged in the air circulation portions 14, 14,. To reach. In this way, the oxygen contained in the air that has reached the second catalyst layers 4, 4,... Acts under the action of the catalyst contained in the second catalyst layers 4, 4,. It reacts with protons and electrons that have moved to 4, ..., and water is generated. The hydrogen remaining without being used for the reaction in the first catalyst layers 2, 2,... Passes through the grooves 1 x, 1 x,..., The hydrogen circulation portions 13 b, 13 b,. Collected.

  During operation of the fuel cell 30, heat is generated due to proton conduction resistance, electronic resistance, and the like. The proton conductive polymer contained in the MEAs 5, 5,... Provided in the fuel cell 30 exhibits a proton conductive performance by being kept in a water-containing state in a temperature environment of about 80 ° C., for example. During operation, the refrigerant is supplied through the refrigerant pipe 26 in order to prevent an excessive temperature rise in the tube-type cells 8, 8,... (See FIGS. 12 and 13). The refrigerant supplied via the refrigerant pipe 26 is supplied to the refrigerant circulation portions 15a, 15a,... Of the fuel cell modules 20, 20,. The refrigerant supplied to the refrigerant circulation portions 15a, 15a,... Then branches into the external current collectors 10, 10,... Having openings opened in the refrigerant circulation portions 15a, 15a,. It flows into the external current collector tubes 10, 10,. Then, the refrigerant comes into contact with the external current collector tubes 10, 10,... While flowing through the external current collector tubes 10, 10,. Are exchanged with heat, and the temperature of the tube-type cells 8, 8,... Is controlled. The refrigerant heated by exchanging heat with the tube-type cells 8, 8,... Is then discharged from the external current collectors 10, 10,... To the refrigerant circulation portions 15b, 15b,. The refrigerant discharged from 15b,... Is collected through the manifold 31 and the refrigerant pipe 27.

  In the fuel cell 30, the electrode element 34 is an internal current collector provided in the fuel cell module 20 on the outermost side (the left side in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13) of the fuel cell modules 20, 20,. It is electrically connected to the plates 9 and 9. On the other hand, the electrode element 35 is provided in the fuel cell module 20 on the outermost side (the right side in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13) opposite to the fuel cell module 20 to which the electrode element 34 is connected. 10 is electrically connected. Therefore, according to the fuel cell 30, electric energy can be taken out via the electrode element 34 and the electrode element 35.

  As described above, the fuel cell 30 includes the fuel cell modules 20, 20,... That can improve performance and productivity. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide the fuel cell 30 capable of improving performance and productivity.

4). FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for manufacturing a fuel cell according to the present invention. Hereinafter, the case where the fuel cell 30 is manufactured by the fuel cell manufacturing method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the fuel cell manufacturing method of the present invention includes a fuel cell module manufacturing step (step S11), a laminate manufacturing step (step S12), and an accommodating step (step S13). The fuel cell 30 is manufactured through S11 to S13.

4.1. Fuel cell module manufacturing process (process S11)
Step S11 is a step of manufacturing the fuel cell modules 20, 20,... Through the steps S1 to S9.

4.2. Laminate manufacturing process (process S12)
Step S12 is a step in which a plurality of fuel cell modules 20, 20,... Manufactured in Step S11 are stacked to produce a stacked body 24. As shown in FIG. 11, the adjacent fuel cell modules 20 and 20 provided in the stacked body 24 are electrically connected in series via series connection plates 25 and 25. Therefore, step S12 can be a step of manufacturing the laminate 24 while connecting the adjacent fuel cell modules 20 and 20 via the serial connection plates 25 and 25. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fuel cell module 20 manufactured by the above steps S1 to S9 is not provided with the series connection plates 25, 25. Therefore, in order to produce the laminated body 24 including a plurality of fuel cell modules 20, 20,... Connected via the series connecting plates 25, 25,. The module needs to be provided with serial connection plates 25 and 25. Therefore, the step S11 provided in the method for manufacturing a fuel cell according to the present invention is a step of connecting the serial connection plates 25, 25 to the pair of internal current collector plates 9, 9 in addition to the steps S1 to S9. Is provided. In order to manufacture the fuel cell module including the serial connection plates 25, 25 in the step S11, for example, between the step S7 and the step S8, each of the pair of internal current collector plates 9, 9 and the serial connection plate It is sufficient that the connecting step for connecting 25 and 25 is provided, and the structure to which the series connection plates 25 and 25 are connected may be accommodated in the case member 12 in the subsequent step S8.

4.3. Accommodation process (process S13)
Step S <b> 13 is a step of accommodating the laminate 24 produced in the step S <b> 12 in the outer case member 33. Here, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a manifold 31 is connected to the outer case member 33 of the fuel cell 30 in addition to the laminate 24, as well as refrigerant pipes 26 and 27 and hydrogen pipes 28 and 29. And an end plate 32 and electrode elements 34 and 35. Therefore, when the fuel cell 30 is manufactured, for example, the internal current collector plates 9 and 9 of the fuel cell module 20 disposed on one end side in the stacking direction of the stacked body 24 and the electrode element 34 are connected and stacked. The external current collector tubes 10 and 10 of the fuel cell module 20 disposed on the other end side in the stacking direction of the body 24 are connected to the electrode element 35. Then, the laminated body including the electrode element 34 and the electrode element 35 is sandwiched between the manifold 31 and the end plate 32 to produce the structure shown in FIG. 12, and the structure is accommodated in the outer case member 33. Through this process, the fuel cell 30 can be manufactured.

  As described above, the fuel cell 30 manufactured by the fuel cell manufacturing method of the present invention includes a plurality of fuel cell modules 20, 20,... Manufactured by the fuel cell module manufacturing method of the present invention. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a fuel cell manufacturing method capable of manufacturing the fuel cell 30 capable of improving performance and productivity.

  In the present invention, the shape of the hollow electrolyte membrane 3 provided in the tube-type cell 8 is not particularly limited as long as it is a hollow solid polymer membrane containing a proton conductive polymer usable in PEFC. Specific examples of the proton conductive polymer contained in the electrolyte membrane 3 include fluorine-based polymers having at least one of a sulfonic acid group, a phosphonic acid group, and a phosphoric acid group with a fluorine-containing polymer as a skeleton, and polyolefins. Examples thereof include hydrocarbon-based polymers having a hydrocarbon skeleton. Specific examples of the electrolyte membrane containing the fluorine polymer include Nafion (“Nafion” is a registered trademark of DuPont, USA) and Flemion (“Flemion” is a registered trademark of Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.). . On the other hand, as a specific example of the electrolyte membrane containing the hydrocarbon-based polymer, there can be mentioned Selemion and the like (“Selemion” is a registered trademark of Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.).

  In the present invention, the hollow-shaped first catalyst layer 2 and the hollow-shaped second catalyst layer 4 (hereinafter, these may be simply referred to as “catalyst layer”) included in the tube-type cell 8. If it has a substance (catalyst) that functions as a catalyst for the electrochemical reaction that occurs at the anode or cathode of the tube-type cell 8 and a substance that can conduct protons generated by the electrochemical reaction (proton conductive substance), The form is not particularly limited. Specific examples of the catalyst contained in the catalyst layer include Pt, Co, Ru, Ir, Au, Ag, Cu, Ni, Fe, Cr, Mn, V, Ti, Mo, Pd, Rh, and W. Examples thereof include a Pt alloy having one or more metals selected from the group and Pt. Specific examples of the proton conductive material contained in the catalyst layer include the proton conductive polymer that can be contained in the electrolyte membrane.

  In the present invention, the internal current collector 1, the internal current collector plate 9, the external current collector 6, the external current collector tube 10, and the external current collector plate 11 (hereinafter collectively referred to as “current collector”). Is preferably composed of a material (conductive material) having good electron conductivity, and specific examples of the conductive material include metals such as copper, silver, gold, and platinum. be able to. When copper is used as a constituent material of the current collector, the surface is preferably covered with silver, gold, platinum, or the like in order to improve acid resistance.

  Moreover, in the said description regarding this invention, although the tube type cell 8 of the form with which the external electrical power collector 6 wound around the hollow MEA5 was provided was illustrated, the tube type cell in this invention is the said form. It is not limited. From the viewpoint of making it possible to uniformly supply the reaction gas to the hollow MEA 5, it is preferable that a hollow diffusion layer is provided on the inner peripheral surface side and / or the outer peripheral surface side of the hollow MEA 5. When the tube-type cell used in the present invention is provided with a hollow diffusion layer, the diffusion layer can be constituted by, for example, carbon paper or carbon cloth. When the diffusion layer is provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the hollow MEA 5, the hollow MEA 5 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the diffusion layer formed on the outer peripheral surface side of the internal current collector 1. On the other hand, when the diffusion layer is provided on the outer peripheral surface side of the hollow MEA 5, the external current collector 6 is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the diffusion layer formed on the outer peripheral surface side of the hollow MEA 5.

  In the above description regarding the fuel cell 30 of the present invention, the mode in which the fuel cell modules 20, 20,... Are stacked in a row is illustrated, but the fuel cell of the present invention is not limited to this mode, and It is also possible to laminate two or more rows in a form that is connected in series.

  Further, in the above description regarding the fuel cell 30 of the present invention, the form in which the manifold integrated end plate 31 is provided is illustrated. However, the fuel cell of the present invention is not limited to this form, and the manifold and the end plate are provided. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a manifold and an end plate that are configured separately and are connected so that refrigerant and hydrogen can flow in and out of each other are provided.

3 is a plan view showing an example of a form of a fuel cell module 20. FIG. It is an II-II arrow line view of FIG. It is a front view which shows the example of a form of a tube type cell. It is IV-IV sectional drawing of FIG. It is a top view which shows the example of a form of an internal electrical power collecting plate. It is a front view which shows the example of a form of an external current collecting plate. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the form of the manufacturing method of the fuel cell module concerning this invention. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration example of a structure 21. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the form of an external current collecting member 22. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a form example of a structure 23. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a form of a laminated body 24. FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the example of a form of the fuel cell of this invention. It is a top view which shows the example of a form of the fuel cell of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the form example of the manufacturing method of the fuel cell concerning this invention.

Explanation of symbols

S1 ... 1st process S2 ... 2nd process S3 ... Fixing member arrangement | positioning process S4 ... 3rd process S5 ... External current collection member preparation process S6 ... 4th process S7 ... Winding fixing process (5th process, 6th process)
S8: Seventh step S9: Adhesive disposing step S11: Fuel cell module manufacturing step S12 ... Laminate manufacturing step S13 ... Housing step 1 ... Internal current collector 1x ... Groove 2 ... First catalyst layer 3 ... Electrolyte membrane 4 ... Second catalyst layer 5 ... MEA (membrane electrode structure)
6 ... External current collector 7 ... Fixing member 8 ... Tube type cell (Tube type fuel cell)
9 ... Internal current collector (internal current collector)
9a ... 1st internal current collection board (internal current collection member)
9b ... Second internal current collector (internal current collector)
9c: Fixing member (internal current collecting member)
9x ... concave portion 9y ... claw portion 10 ... external current collector (external current collector)
11 ... External current collector (external current collector)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11x ... Hole 12 ... Case member 13 ... Hydrogen circulation part 14 ... Air circulation part 15 ... Refrigerant circulation part 16, 17 ... Partition 18 ... Hydrogen opening part 19 ... Air opening part 20 ... Fuel cell module 21 ... Structure 22 ... External current collecting member 23 ... Structure 24 ... Laminated body 25 ... Series connecting plates 26, 27 ... Refrigerant pipes 28, 29 ... Hydrogen pipes 30 ... Fuel cell 31 ... Manifold 32 ... End plate 33 ... External case members 34, 35 ... Electrode element 36 ... Opening

Claims (7)

A hollow membrane electrode structure, an internal current collector disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the membrane electrode structure, and an external current collector disposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the membrane electrode structure, A tubular fuel cell, a pair of internal current collector members that contact the internal current collector, an external current collector member that contacts the external current collector, at least the tubular fuel cell, and the internal current collector A member, and a case member that houses the external current collecting member,
A pair of the internal current collecting members are arranged at intervals,
The tubular fuel cell is wound and fixed to a pair of the internal current collecting members,
The fuel cell module, wherein the exposed membrane electrode structure is provided at a location of the tubular fuel cell fixed by the pair of internal current collecting members. 2. The fuel cell module according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the external current collecting member is disposed in a space surrounded by the tubular fuel cells. 3. The longitudinal direction of the external current collecting member arranged in the space surrounded by the tubular fuel cell and the longitudinal direction of the tubular fuel cell intersect each other. Fuel cell module. A heat medium circulates inside the external current collecting member disposed in a space surrounded by the tubular fuel cell, and at least a part of the external current collecting member can exchange heat with the tubular fuel cell. The fuel cell module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fuel cell module also functions as a heat exchange member. A hollow membrane electrode structure, an internal current collector disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the membrane electrode structure, and an external current collector disposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the membrane electrode structure, A tubular fuel cell, a pair of internal current collector members that contact the internal current collector, an external current collector member that contacts the external current collector, at least the tubular fuel cell, and the internal current collector A member, and a case member that houses the external current collecting member, and a method of manufacturing a fuel cell module,
Forming the hollow membrane electrode structure on the outer peripheral surface side of the internal current collector; and
Disposing the external current collector on the outer peripheral surface side of the hollow membrane electrode structure formed in the first step; and
A mode in which a portion of the membrane electrode structure exposed and a portion where the external current collector is disposed are provided by removing a part of the external current collector disposed in the second step. A third step of producing the tube-type fuel cell of
A fourth step of arranging a pair of the internal current collecting members at intervals,
In order that the outer peripheral surface of the exposed membrane electrode structure of the tubular fuel cell produced in the third step and the pair of internal current collecting members arranged in the fourth step are in contact with each other, A fifth step of winding and fixing the tubular fuel cell to a pair of the internal current collecting members; and
A sixth step in which at least a part of the external current collector and the external current collector of the tubular fuel cell are brought into contact with each other and fixed,
After the fifth step and the sixth step, a seventh step of accommodating at least the tubular fuel cell, the internal current collecting member, and the external current collecting member in the case member;
A method for manufacturing a fuel cell module, comprising: 5. A fuel cell comprising: a stack formed by stacking a plurality of fuel cell modules according to claim 1; and an outer case member that accommodates the stack. A method of manufacturing a fuel cell having a laminate configured by laminating a plurality of fuel cell modules, and an outer case member that accommodates the laminate,
A fuel cell module manufacturing process for manufacturing the fuel cell module by the fuel cell module manufacturing method according to claim 5;
A laminate manufacturing step of stacking a plurality of the fuel cell modules manufactured in the fuel cell module manufacturing step to manufacture the stack; and
An accommodating step of accommodating the laminate produced in the laminate producing step in the outer case member;
A method for manufacturing a fuel cell, comprising:

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