U.S. patent application number 10/545228 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-22 for gasket.
Invention is credited to Yoshihiro Kurano, Takashi Mashimo.
Application Number | 20060131819 10/545228 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34277683 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060131819 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kurano; Yoshihiro ; et
al. |
June 22, 2006 |
Gasket
Abstract
In order to inhibit a gasket (1) adhered to a plate body such as
a separator (3) of a fuel battery or the like from being adversely
affected by an elution component from an adhesion means, the gasket
has a main lip (11), a back surface seal portion (12) formed in a
back surface of the main lip and closely contacted with a separator
(a plate body to be adhered) (3), an adhesion portion (14) arranged
in a position in an opposite side to a space (S) to be sealed with
respect to the back surface seal portion (12) and adhered to a
bottom portion (31a) of a gasket installation groove (31) of the
separator (3) via an adhesive agent (2), and an adhesive agent sump
(15) formed between the back surface seal portion (12) and the
adhesion portion (14) and holding an excess adhesive agent
(2a).
Inventors: |
Kurano; Yoshihiro;
(Fujisawa-shi, JP) ; Mashimo; Takashi;
(Fujisawa-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JACOBSON HOLMAN PLLC
400 SEVENTH STREET N.W.
SUITE 600
WASHINGTON
DC
20004
US
|
Family ID: |
34277683 |
Appl. No.: |
10/545228 |
Filed: |
August 31, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
August 31, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP04/12511 |
371 Date: |
August 12, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
277/628 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01M 8/0273 20130101;
H01M 8/0271 20130101; F16J 15/0806 20130101; Y02E 60/50
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
277/628 |
International
Class: |
F16J 15/02 20060101
F16J015/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 2, 2003 |
JP |
2003-309834 |
Nov 5, 2003 |
JP |
2003-375132 |
Claims
1. A gasket adhered to a plate body, comprising: a back surface
seal portion which is closely contacted with the plate body to be
adhered; and an adhesion portion adhered to said plate body to be
adhered via an adhesion means at a position in an opposite side to
a space to be sealed with respect to the back surface seal
portion.
2. The gasket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the back surface seal
portion is formed in a back surface of a main lip.
3. The gasket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adhesion means is
constituted by an adhesive agent, and an adhesive agent sump
holding an excess adhesive agent is provided between the back
surface seal portion and the adhesion portion.
4. The gasket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the back surface seal
portion is closely contacted with a bottom portion of a gasket
installation groove formed in the plate body to be adhered.
5. A gasket, wherein a gasket lip is integrally provided in an
insulation layer interposed between separators of a fuel battery,
and the insulation layer is adhered to a separator via an adhesion
means in a region in an opposite side to a space to be sealed with
respect to said gasket lip.
6. The gasket as claimed in claim 5, wherein a gasket lip made of
the same material as the insulation layer is integrally formed in
the insulation layer.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a gasket sealing between
fixed members, and more particularly to a gasket which can be
applied as a sealing means for a separator of a fuel battery and a
top cover of a hard disc drive (HDD).
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] The fuel battery employs a stack structure obtained by
laminating a lot of fuel battery cells each constituted by a
membrane electrode assembly (MEA) in which a high polymer
electrolyte membrane is inserted between a pair of catalyst
electrode layers, and a carbon separator. In the case that they are
many, the number of the fuel battery cells is some hundreds. An
oxidizing gas (an oxygen) is supplied to one catalyst electrode
layer from an oxidizing gas flow path formed in one surface of each
of the separators, a hydrogen is supplied to the other catalyst
electrode layer from a fuel gas flow path formed in the other
surface of each of the separators, and an electric power is
generated on the basis of an electrochemical reaction corresponding
to a reverse reaction of an electrolytic process of the water, that
is, a reaction of generating the water from the hydrogen and the
oxygen.
[0003] FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view showing a part of the fuel
battery. Reference numeral 101 denotes a high polymer electrolyte
membrane, reference symbols 102A and 102K denote catalyst electrode
layers in both sides thereof, and reference numeral 103 denotes a
separator. The separator 103 is provided with a gasket 104 made of
a rubber-like elastic material, and a seal projection 104a is close
contacted with the high polymer electrolyte membrane 101, thereby
preventing the hydrogen gas and the oxygen gas supplied to the
catalyst electrode layers 102A and 102K from leaking to the
external. It has been conventionally known that this kind of gasket
104 is adhered to the separator 103 via an adhesive agent 105 after
being formed.
[0004] In this case, since the separator 103 has an operation as a
collecting plate from the catalyst electrode layers 102A and 102K
in addition to an operation of sealing the gas supplied to the
catalyst electrode layers 102A and 102K, and the separators 103 in
both sides of the high polymer electrolyte membrane 101 or the like
respectively form a negative electrode and a positive electrode, it
is necessary to insulate them. Accordingly, in conventional, for
example, as described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
2003-197249, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-283893
and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-158018, an
insulating means is provided between the separators in the
periphery of a power generating portion by the MEA. In other words,
in the insulating means described in the Japanese Unexamined Patent
Publication No. 2003-197249, the insulation between the separators
is achieved by the high polymer electrolyte membrane by making an
outer peripheral edge of the high polymer electrolyte membrane into
the same shape and the same size as an outer peripheral edge of the
separator. Further, in the case that the size of the high polymer
electrolyte membrane is limited to a peripheral edge portion of a
power generating region as in the structure described in the
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-283893 or No.
2002-158018, a sheet-like insulating layer is interposed between
the separators, in an outer peripheral side of the high polymer
electrolyte membrane.
[0005] However, in accordance with the structure as shown in FIG.
14, if there is a portion where the layer of the adhesive agent 105
adhering the separator 103 (or the high polymer electrolyte
membrane 101) and the gasket 104 is not applied, the leakage is
generated there. Accordingly, the adhesive agent 105 is applied all
around the periphery. However, if a part of the adhesive agent 105
runs over from the adhesion surface of the gasket 104 as shown by
reference symbol 105a and is exposed to the gas flow path in large
quantities, there is a case that a battery performance is adversely
affected by an elution component from the adhesive agent 105.
[0006] Further, in accordance with the structure as described in
the Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-197249, since
an area of the expensive high polymer electrolyte membrane is
expanded to a portion which is not used for power generation, there
is a problem that a cost is increased. In this connection, the
structure described in the Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication
No. 2001-283893 or No. 2002-158018 does not have the problem
mentioned above, however, an independent gasket lip (a linear
projection) is provided in the sheet-like insulating layer. In this
case, the gasket lip is adhered to the sheet-like insulating layer
by using the adhesive agent in the light of a displacement
prevention and a sealing performance. Accordingly, similarly to
that shown in FIG. 14, there is a risk that a part of the adhesive
agent is exposed to the gas flow path or the like and a battery
performance is adversely affected by the elution component from the
adhesive agent. Further, there is a risk that an adhesion peeling
between the insulating layer and the gasket lip is generated in use
for a long period and a sealing performance is deteriorated.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Problem to be Solved by the Invention
[0007] The present invention is made by taking the problem
mentioned above into consideration, and a technical problem of the
present invention is to inhibit a gasket adhered to a plate body
such as a separator of a fuel battery or the like from being
adversely affected by an elution component from an adhesion
means.
MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM
[0008] As a means for effectively solving the technical problem
mentioned above, in accordance with a first aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a gasket adhered to a plate body,
comprising:
[0009] a back surface seal portion which is closely contacted with
the plate body to be adhered; and
[0010] an adhesion portion adhered to the plate body to be adhered
via an adhesion means at a position in an opposite side to a space
to be sealed with respect to the back surface seal portion.
[0011] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a gasket as recited in the first aspect, wherein
the back surface seal portion is formed in a back surface of a main
lip.
[0012] In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a gasket as recited in the first or second
aspect, wherein the adhesion means is constituted by an adhesive
agent, and an adhesive agent sump holding an excess adhesive agent
is provided between the back surface seal portion and the adhesion
portion.
[0013] In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a gasket as recited in any one of the first to
third aspects, wherein the back surface seal portion is closely
contacted with a bottom portion of a gasket installation groove
formed in the plate body to be adhered.
[0014] In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a gasket, wherein a gasket lip is integrally
provided in an insulation layer interposed between separators of a
fuel battery, and the insulation layer is adhered to a separator
via an adhesion means in a region in an opposite side to a space to
be sealed with respect to the gasket lip.
[0015] In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a gasket as recited in the fifth aspect, wherein
a gasket lip made of the same material as the insulation layer is
integrally formed in the insulation layer.
EFFECT OF THE INVENTION
[0016] In accordance with the gasket on the basis of the invention
described in the first aspect, since the portion between the
adhesion portion (the adhesion means) and the space to be sealed is
sealed by the back surface seal portion, it is possible to
effectively prevent the component included in the adhesion means
from being eluted to the space to be sealed, so that in the case
that the gasket is applied to the gasket of the fuel battery
separator, it is possible to effectively prevent the adverse effect
caused by the component elution into the oxidizing gas flow path or
the fuel gas flow path corresponding to the space to be sealed.
Further, since sealing in the fixed side to the plate body to be
adhered is made by the back surface seal portion, and does not
depend upon the sealing performance by the adhesion means, it is
possible to reduce a use amount of the adhesion means such as the
adhesive agent or the like, and it is possible to restrict an
amount of the elution component.
[0017] In accordance with the gasket on the basis of the second
aspect of the present invention, since the back surface seal
portion is exposed to the reaction force on the basis of a
collapsing margin of the main lip, a close contact force with
respect to the plate body to be adhered is increased, and it is
possible to further improve the sealing performance between the
adhesion portion (the adhesion means) and the space to be
sealed.
[0018] In accordance with the gasket on the basis of the third
aspect of the present invention, since the excess adhesive agent
going to run over to the back surface seal portion side from the
portion between the adhesion portion and the plate body to be
adhered is held in the adhesive agent sump in the case that the
adhesive agent is employed as the adhesion means, it is possible to
further securely prevent the excess adhesive agent from running
over to the space to be sealed side.
[0019] In accordance with the gasket on the basis of the fourth
aspect of the present invention, since the back surface seal
portion of the gasket is positioned by the gasket installation
groove formed in the plate body to be adhered, it is possible to
stably fix the gasket.
[0020] In accordance with the gasket on the basis of the fifth
aspect of the present invention, since the adhesion region between
the insulation layer integrally having the gasket lip, and the
separator exists in the opposite side to the space to be sealed
with respect to the gasket lip, the portion between the adhesion
region and the space to be sealed is sealed by the reaction force
against the collapse of the gasket lip, it is possible to
effectively prevent the component included in the adhesion means
from being eluted to the space to be sealed, and it is possible to
effectively prevent the adverse effect caused by the component
elution of the adhesion means to the space to be sealed.
[0021] In accordance with the gasket on the basis of the sixth
aspect of the present invention, since no joint portion exists
between the gasket lip and the insulation layer, the sealing
performance is further improved, the adhesion means between the
gasket lip and the insulation layer is not necessary, and the
gasket can be provided at a low cost.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a partly cross sectional perspective view showing
a single body of a first embodiment in which a gasket in accordance
with the present invention is applied as a gasket for a fuel
battery;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a partly cross sectional perspective view showing
an installation state of the first embodiment in which the gasket
in accordance with the present invention is applied as the gasket
for the fuel battery;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a partly cross sectional perspective view showing
an installation state of a second embodiment in which the gasket in
accordance with the present invention is applied as the gasket for
the fuel battery;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a partly cross sectional perspective view showing
an installation state of a third embodiment in which the gasket in
accordance with the present invention is applied as the gasket for
the fuel battery;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a view showing a surface of a separator to which
the gasket is attached;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a partly cross sectional perspective view showing
an installation state of a fourth embodiment in which the gasket in
accordance with the present invention is preferably applied to a
portion VI in FIG. 5;
[0028] FIG. 7 is a partly cross sectional perspective view showing
an installation state of a fifth embodiment in which the gasket in
accordance with the present invention is applied as the gasket for
the fuel battery;
[0029] FIG. 8 is a partly cross sectional perspective view showing
a single body of a sixth embodiment in which the gasket in
accordance with the present invention is applied as the gasket for
the fuel battery;
[0030] FIG. 9 is a view, as seen from a laminating direction, of a
separated state of a fuel battery cell to which the invention in
accordance with the sixth aspect is applied, as a seventh aspect in
accordance with the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 10 is a view, as seen from the laminating direction, of
an assembled state of the fuel battery cell in FIG. 9;
[0032] FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of a separated state of
the fuel battery cell, shown by cutting at a position along a line
XI-XI in FIG. 10;
[0033] FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of a separated state of a
fuel battery cell, shown by cutting at a position along the line
XI-XI in FIG. 10, in accordance with an eighth embodiment in which
the gasket in accordance with the present invention is applied as
the gasket for the fuel battery;
[0034] FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the separated state of
the fuel battery cell, showing the gasket in FIG. 12 by cutting at
a position along a line XIII-XIII in FIG. 10; and
[0035] FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view showing a part a fuel
battery to which a gasket in accordance with conventional art is
installed.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0036] 1, 1A, 1B GASKET [0037] 11, 11A, 11B, 52A, 53A MAIN LIP
[0038] 12, 12A, 12B BACK SURFACE SEAL PORTION [0039] 13, 13A, 13B
EXTENSION PORTION [0040] 13a FITTING GROOVE [0041] 14, 14A, 14B
ADHESION PORTION [0042] 15 ADHESIVE AGENT SUMP [0043] 16 STEP
PORTION [0044] 17 MEMBRANE PORTION [0045] 2 ADHESIVE AGENT
(ADHESION MEANS) [0046] 2a EXCESS ADHESIVE AGENT [0047] 21
SHEET-LIKE ADHESION MEMBER (ADHESION MEANS) [0048] 3 SEPARATOR
[0049] 3a FLAT SURFACE [0050] 31, 31A-31D GASKET INSTALLATION
GROOVE [0051] 31a BOTTOM PORTION [0052] 32, 37, 38 GROOVE SHOULDER
[0053] 33 FLOW PATH GROOVE (SPACE TO BE SEALED) [0054] 34-36,
51b-51d MANIFOLD (SPACE TO BE SEALED) [0055] 4 HIGH POLYMER
ELECTROLYTE MEMBRANE [0056] 40 MEA [0057] 41, 42 CATALYST ELECTRODE
LAYER [0058] 5 GASKET [0059] 51 INSULATION LAYER [0060] 51a WINDOW
PORTION [0061] 52, 53 GASKET LIP [0062] 52B, 53B BACK SURFACE LIP
[0063] P ADHESIVE AGENT APPLICATION REGION [0064] S, S1, S2 SPACE
TO BE SEALED
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0065] A description will be given below of a preferable embodiment
of a gasket in accordance with the present invention with reference
to the accompanying drawings. First, FIG. 1 is a partly cross
sectional perspective view showing a single body of a first
embodiment in which a gasket in accordance with the present
invention is applied as a gasket for a fuel battery, and FIG. 2 is
a partly cross sectional perspective view showing an installation
state of the same. In this case, in the following description, a
term "back surface" means a surface directed to an opposite side to
a main lip 11 in a gasket 1, that is, a surface directed to a
separator 3 side.
[0066] The gasket in accordance with this embodiment is provided
with a structure corresponding to the first to fourth aspects, is
adhered to the separator 3 of a fuel battery via an adhesive agent
2 as shown in FIG. 2, is interposed between the separator 3 and a
high polymer electrolyte membrane 4 so as to prevent a hydrogen gas
or an oxidizing gas from leaking out from a space S to be sealed
such as a fuel gas flow path, an oxidizing gas flow path or the
like for supplying a hydrogen gas or an oxidizing gas (an oxygen)
to a catalyst electrode layer (not shown), and is formed by a
rubber-like elastic material, preferably a rubber-like elastic
material selected from a silicone rubber (VMQ), a
fluorine-contained rubber (FKM), an ethylene propylene rubber
(EPDM) or the like. In this case, the separator 3 corresponds to
the plate body to be adhered described in the first aspect, is
formed by a carbon and has a conductivity.
[0067] As shown in FIG. 1, the gasket 1 has the main lip 11
protruding in a chevron shape, a back surface seal portion 12
protruding to a back surface side, an extension portion 13
protruding to an opposite side to the space S to be sealed from a
portion between the main lip 11 and the back surface seal portion
12, and an adhesion portion 14 formed so as to protrude to a back
surface side of the extension portion 13. Further, a groove-like
adhesive agent sump 15 is provided in a concave shape between the
back surface seal portion 12 and the adhesion portion 14.
[0068] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, a gasket installation
groove 31 extending in correspondence to an installation position
of the gasket 1 and having a rectangular cross section is formed in
the separator 3. The gasket installation groove 31 is formed at a
width which can receive the back surface seal portion 12 and the
adhesion portion 14 in the gasket 1. In other words, the gasket 1
is structured such that, in the state of a step portion 16 between
an end portion of the extension portion 13 and the adhesion portion
14 being positioned at a groove shoulder 32 in an opposite side to
the space S to be sealed in the gasket installation groove 31, the
back surface seal portion 12 is closely contacted with a position
close to the space S to be sealed in a bottom portion 31a of the
gasket installation groove 31, and the adhesion portion 14 is
adhered to a position close to the opposite side to the space S to
be sealed in the bottom portion 31a of the gasket installation
groove 31 via the adhesive agent 2.
[0069] In the structure mentioned above, when adhering the gasket 1
to the separator 3, the gasket 1 is adhered to the separator 3 by
first applying the adhesive agent 2 to a position close to the
opposite side to the space S to be sealed in the bottom portion 31a
of the gasket installation groove 31 in the separator 3, and
pressing the adhesion portion 14 of the gasket 1 to an application
surface of the adhesive agent 2 in the state of positioning the
step portion 16 at the groove shoulder 32 in the opposite side to
the space S to be sealed of the gasket installation groove 31. At
this time, an excess adhesive agent 2a runs over to both sides of
the adhesion portion 14, however, since the adhesive agent sump 15
is provided between the adhesion portion 14 and the back surface
seal portion 12, the excess adhesive agent 2a running over toward
the back surface seal portion 12 side from the adhesion portion 14
is held within the adhesive agent sump 15, whereby it is possible
to effectively prevent the excess adhesive agent 2a from
interposing to the back surface seal portion 12 side.
[0070] Further, since the gasket 1 is structured such that the main
lip 11 is closely contacted with the high polymer electrolyte
membrane 4 shown by a single dot chain line in FIG. 2 with a
desired collapse margin, the back surface seal portion 12 formed in
the back surface side of the main lip 11 is closely contacted with
the bottom portion 31a of the gasket installation groove 31 by a
suitable surface pressure. Accordingly, it is possible to
effectively prevent an eluted component from the excess adhesive
agent 2a within the adhesive agent sump 15 from being discharged to
the space S to be sealed. In this case, the high polymer
electrolyte membrane 4 is provided with catalyst electrode layers
(a fuel electrode and an air electrode) (not shown) in both sides
in a thickness direction thereof so as to structure the MEA.
[0071] Further, the sealing with the separator 3 corresponding to
the plate body to be adhered in the fixed side is executed by the
back surface seal portion 12, and does not depend on the adhesive
agent 2 interposed between the bottom portion 31a and the adhesion
portion 14. Accordingly, the adhesive agent 2 is not necessarily
applied to an entire periphery of the bottom portion 31a as far as
a necessary amount for fixing the gasket 1 is provided. Therefore,
it is possible to reduce a use amount of the adhesive agent 2, and
it is possible to inhibit an amount of the eluted component from
the adhesive agent 2. Further, in the case that the adhesive agent
2 is applied to the entire periphery of the bottom portion 31a, the
sealing is executed by both of the back surface seal portion 12 and
the adhesion portion 14. Accordingly, it is possible to make a
sealing performance with respect to the space S to be sealed on the
basis of a double seal operation.
[0072] Next, FIG. 3 is a partly cross sectional perspective view
showing an installation state of a second embodiment in which the
gasket in accordance with the present invention is applied as the
gasket for the fuel battery. This embodiment is also basically
provided with the structure corresponding to the first to fourth
aspects, and is structured such that a flat back surface of the
extension portion 13 protruding to the opposite side to the space S
to be sealed from a portion between the main lip 11 and the back
surface seal portion 12 forms the adhesion portion 14, and the
gasket installation groove 31 of the separator 3 is formed at a
width which can receive the back surface seal portion 12 of the
gasket 1.
[0073] In other words, the adhesion portion 14 of the gasket 1 is
adhered to the groove shoulder 32 in the opposite side to the space
S to be sealed of the gasket installation groove 31 via the
adhesive agent 2. The adhesive agent sump 15 is formed in a step
groove shape between the back surface seal portion 12 and the
adhesion portion 14, the excess adhesive agent 2a running over to
the back surface seal portion 12 side from the portion between the
groove shoulder 32 and the adhesion portion 14 at a time of
applying the adhesive agent 2 to the groove shoulder 32 so as to
adhere the adhesion portion 14 is held between the end portion 31a
in the opposite side to the space S to be sealed of the gasket
installation groove 31 and the adhesive agent sump 15, thereby
effectively preventing the excess adhesive agent from interposing
to the back surface seal portion 12 side. Accordingly, the same
effect as the first embodiment can be achieved.
[0074] Next, FIG. 4 is a partly cross sectional perspective view
showing an installation state of a third embodiment in which the
gasket in accordance with the present invention is applied as the
gasket for the fuel battery. The gasket in accordance with this
embodiment is provided with the structure corresponding to the
first to third aspects, and has a chevron-shaped main lip 11 which
is closely contacted with the high polymer electrolyte membrane
(not shown) with a desired collapse margin, plural lines of back
surface seal portions 12 which are formed to protrude in a back
surface side thereof, an extension portion 13 which protrudes to
the opposite side to the space S to be sealed from a base portion
of the main lip 11, and an adhesion portion 14 which is formed to
protrude in parallel to the back surface seal portion 12 in a back
surface side of the extension portion 13. Further, a groove-like
adhesive agent sump 15 is provided in a concave shape between the
back surface seal portion 12 and the adhesion portion 14.
[0075] On the other hand, a gasket installation groove as shown in
FIG. 2 or 3 is not formed in the separator 3 corresponding to the
plate body to be adhered, the adhesion portion 14 of the gasket 1
is adhered to the flat surface 3a of the separator 3 facing to the
high polymer electrolyte membrane (not shown) via the adhesive
agent 2, and the back surface seal portions 12 positioned at the
space S to be sealed side are closely contacted therewith. The
excess adhesive agent 2a running over to the back surface seal
portion 12 side from the portion between the surface 3a of the
separator 3 and the adhesion portion 14 at a time of adhesion is
held in the adhesive agent sump 15, thereby effectively preventing
the excess adhesive agent from interposing to the back surface seal
portion 12 side. Accordingly, the same effect as the first
embodiment can be achieved.
[0076] FIG. 5 is a view showing a surface of the separator 3 to
which the gasket 1 is attached. Reference numeral 33 in the drawing
denotes a lot of flow path grooves formed in the surface of the
separator 3 and circulating the fuel gas or the oxidizing gas,
reference numeral 34 denotes a manifold provided in the separator 3
and communicating with the flow path groove 33, and reference
numerals 35 and 36 denote manifolds provided in the separator 3 and
communicating with respective flow path grooves (not shown).
[0077] In the separator 3 shown in FIG. 5, there are the gasket 1
provided so as to surround a forming region of the flow path groove
33 and an opening portion of the manifold 34, the gasket 1 provided
so as to surround an opening portion of the manifold 35, and the
gasket 1 provided so as to surround an opening portion of the
manifold 36. Further, in a portion shown by reference symbol VI,
the gasket 1 surrounding the forming region of the flow path groove
33 and the opening portion of the manifold 34 and a part of the
gasket 1 surrounding the opening portion of the manifold 35, or the
gasket 1 surrounding the forming region of the flow path groove 33
and the opening portion of the manifold 34 and a part of the gasket
1 surrounding the opening portion of the manifold 36 extend in
parallel in the state of being close to each other.
[0078] FIG. 6 is a partly cross sectional perspective view showing
an installation state of a fourth embodiment in which the gasket in
accordance with the present invention is applied as the gasket for
the fuel battery. The gasket in accordance with this embodiment is
basically provided with the structure corresponding to the first to
fourth aspects, and is preferably applied to the case of including
the part extending in parallel in the state of being close to each
other as shown by the portion VI in FIG. 5 mentioned above. Gaskets
1A and 1B shown in FIG. 6 respectively aim at sealing against
different fluids. For example, the fuel gas circulates in the space
S1 to be sealed by one gasket 1A, and the oxidizing gas circulates
in the space S2 to be sealed by the other gasket 1B.
[0079] The gaskets 1A and 1B are basically the same as the
previously described gasket in FIG. 3 (the second embodiment). The
gaskets 1A and 1B respectively have main lips 11A and 11B
protruding in a chevron shape and closely contacted with the high
polymer electrolyte membrane 4 by a desired collapse margin, back
surface seal portions 12A and 12B formed in back surface sides
thereof, and extension portions 13A and 13B protruding from
portions between the main lips 11A, 11B and the back surface seal
portions 12A, 12B, and flat back surfaces of the extension portions
13A and 13B form adhesion portions 14A and 14B. Further, a concave
fitting groove 13a is formed in a leading end of the extension
portion 13A in one gasket 1A, and a leading end of the extension
portion 13B in the other gasket 1B is formed in a convex shape
capable of closely fitting to the fitting groove 13a.
[0080] On the other hand, a pair of gasket installation grooves 31A
and 31B extending in correspondence to the position in which the
respective back surface seal portions 12A and 12B of the gaskets 1A
and 1B are placed and having a rectangular cross section are formed
in the separator 3. The gasket installation grooves 31A and 31B are
formed at a width which can receive the back surface seal portions
12A ad 12B, and an interval between both the grooves 31A and 31B (a
width of a groove shoulder 37) is slightly smaller than a length of
both the extension portions 13A and 13B at a time of fitting the
fitting groove 13a of the extension portion 13A in the gasket 1A to
the leading end of the extension portion 13B in the gasket 1B.
[0081] In the structure mentioned above, when adhering the gaskets
1A and 1B to the separator 3, the gaskets 1A and 1B are adhered by
first applying the adhesive agent 2 to the groove shoulder 37
between the gasket installation grooves 31A and 31B in the
separator 3, inserting both the back surface seal portions 12A and
12B to the gasket installation grooves 31A and 31B in the state of
fitting the fitting groove 13a of the extension portion 13A in the
gasket 1A to the leading end of the extension portion 13B in the
gasket 1B, and pressing the adhesion portions 14A and 14B in the
back surfaces of the extension portions 13A and 13B to the
application surface (the groove shoulder 37) of the adhesive agent
2. At this time, the excess adhesive agent 2a runs over to both
sides from the portion between the groove shoulder 37 and the
adhesion portions 14A and 14B, however, since adhesive agent sumps
15A and 15B are provided respectively between the adhesion portion
14A in the gasket 1A and the back surface seal portion 12A, and
between the adhesion portion 14B in the gasket 1B and the back
surface seal portion 12B, the running over excess adhesive agents
2a and 2a are held within the adhesive agent sumps 15A and 15B,
thereby effectively preventing the excess adhesive agent from
interposing to the back surface seal portions 12A and 12B side.
[0082] The first to fourth embodiments mentioned above employ the
adhesive agent 2 as an adhesion means of the gasket 1 (1A or 1B) to
the separator 3, however, the present invention can be applied to a
structure adhered in accordance with a vulcanizing adhesion or a
structure using a sheet-like adhesive member. The next described
embodiments in FIGS. 7 and 8 employ the adhesion means mentioned
above.
[0083] First of all, FIG. 7 is a partly cross sectional perspective
view showing an installation state of a fifth embodiment in which
the gasket in accordance with the present invention is applied as
the gasket for the fuel battery. The gasket 1 in accordance with
this embodiment is integrally formed in the separator 3, and has
the main lip 11 protruding in a chevron shape and closely contacted
with the high polymer electrolyte membrane 4 by a desired collapse
margin, the back surface seal portion 12 formed in a back surface
side thereof, the extension portion 13 protruding to the opposite
side to the space S to be sealed from a portion between the main
lip 11 and the back surface seal portion 12, and a flat back
surface of the extension portion 13 forms the adhesion portion 14.
The back surface seal portion 12 is closely fitted to a gasket
installation groove 31 formed in the separator 3 in correspondence
to the installation position of the gasket 1 and having a
rectangular cross section, and the adhesion portion 14 is
vulcanized and adhered to a groove shoulder 32 in an opposite side
to the space S to be sealed of the gasket installation groove
31.
[0084] The gasket 1 is made integral to the separator 3 at the same
time of forming the gasket 1 by previously applying an adhesive
agent for vulcanizing adhesion to the groove shoulder 32 of the
separator 3, thereafter setting the separator 3 within a
predetermined metal mold (not shown), injecting an unvulcanized
rubber material into a cavity defined with respect to an inner
surface of the metal mold along the gasket installation groove 31
and vulcanizing it. The adhesion portion 14 is integrally
vulcanized and adhered to the groove shoulder 32 by the adhesive
agent for vulcanizing adhesion applied to the groove shoulder 32 of
the separator 3, however, the back surface seal portion 12 is
formed in a rectangular cross sectional shape while copying with
the inner surface of the gasket installation groove 31 of the
separator 3, that is, is closely contacted with the inner surface
of the gasket installation groove 31 in a non-adhesion state.
[0085] In this case, a membrane-like portion 17 is formed in the
opposite side to the extension portion 13 (the adhesion portion
14), that is, in the space S to be sealed side of the main lip 11
and the back surface seal portion 12, and is closely contacted with
the groove shoulder 38 in the space S to be sealed side of the
gasket installation groove 31 in the separator 3.
[0086] In this embodiment, since the back surface seal portion 12
exists between the adhesion portion 14 and the space S to be
sealed, and the membrane-like portion 17 has a sealing function, it
is possible to prevent an influence caused by the eluted component
from the vulcanizing adhesion portion eluting into the gas
circulating in the space S to be sealed. Further, similarly to each
of the embodiments mentioned above, since a suitable close contact
surface pressure is applied to the back surface seal portion 12 on
the basis of a reaction force of the collapse margin of the main
lip 11 with respect to the high polymer electrolyte membrane 4, an
excellent sealing performance can be achieved, and since the back
surface seal portion 12 is firmly fixed to the inner surface of the
gasket installation groove 31 on the basis of the reaction force
with the fastening margin mentioned above, a fixing performance of
the gasket 1 is high, so that it is possible to reduce a use amount
of the agent for vulcanizing adhesion at a time of forming, and it
is possible to effectively inhibit the component eluting
amount.
[0087] Next, FIG. 8 is a partly cross sectional perspective view
showing a single body of a sixth embodiment in which the gasket in
accordance with the present invention is applied as the gasket for
the fuel battery. The gasket 1 in accordance with this aspect is
structured such that a sheet-like adhesion member 21 is stuck to
the adhesion portion 14 of the gasket 1 in the previously described
FIG. 1 (the first embodiment).
[0088] In detail, the sheet-like adhesive member 21 is structured
such that an adhesive agent or a pressure sensitive adhesive agent
(not shown) is applied to one surface (a lower surface in the
drawing) 21a of a synthetic resin film, and the other surface (an
upper surface in the drawing) 21b is adhered to the adhesion
portion 14 of the gasket 1 in accordance with an insert molding
method. The synthetic resin film is selected from a synthetic resin
film made of an electrical insulating synthetic resin material such
as a polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a polyethylene naphthalate
(PEN), a polyimide (PI) or the like. Further, the rubber material
of the gasket 1 is not particularly limited, however, the silicone
rubber (VMQ), the fluorine-contained rubber (FKM), the ethylene
propylene rubber (EPDM) mentioned above and the like are
preferable.
[0089] The synthetic resin film, in which the adhesive agent for
the vulcanizing adhesion is previously applied to the other surface
21b, is set within the metal mold for injection molding the gasket
1, the unvulcanized rubber material is injected into the metal
mold, and the synthetic resin film is made integral to the gasket 1
at the same time of forming the gasket 1. The structure is made
such that a releasing film (not shown) is stuck to one surface 21a
of the synthetic resin film to which the adhesive agent or the
pressure sensitive adhesive agent is applied, the releasing film
mentioned above is peeled off at a time of attaching the gasket 1
to a predetermined position of the separator 3 so as to expose one
surface 21a, to which the adhesive agent or the pressure sensitive
adhesive agent is applied, and adhere.
[0090] In this embodiment, since the back surface seal portion 12
exists between the sheet-like adhesion member 21 provided in the
adhesion portion 14 and the space S to be sealed, it is possible to
prevent an influence caused by the eluted component from the
adhesive agent or the pressure sensitive adhesive agent of the
sheet-like adhesion member 21 eluting to the gas circulating in the
space to be sealed, and it is possible to achieve the same effect
as the first embodiment. Accordingly, in this embodiment, since the
fixed side seal with the separator is carried out by the back
surface seal portion 12, and does not depend on the sheet-like
adhesion member 21, it is not necessary that the sheet-like
adhesion member 21 is stuck to an entire periphery of the adhesion
portion 14.
[0091] In all the embodiments mentioned above, the gasket 1 is
adhered to the separator 3 side, however, the structure may be made
such that the gasket 1 is adhered to the high polymer electrolyte
membrane 4 and the main lip 11 is closely contacted with the
separator 3. In this case, the high polymer electrolyte membrane 4
corresponds to the plate body to be adhered described in the first
aspect.
[0092] Further, the gasket in accordance with the embodiments
mentioned above can be applied, for example, to a gasket of a
gasket integrally formed type top cover for sealing a case
receiving a hard disc corresponding to a recording medium, a head
reading and writing data with respect to the head disc, an actuator
driving the head and the like, in a hard disc drive apparatus (HDD)
of a personal computer, in addition to the fuel battery.
[0093] Next, FIG. 9 is a view, as seen from a laminating direction,
of a separated state of a fuel battery cell as a seventh embodiment
to which the gasket in accordance with the present invention is
applied as the gasket for the fuel battery, FIG. 10 is a view, as
seen from the laminating direction, of an assembled state of the
fuel battery cell in FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view
of a separated state of the fuel battery cell, shown by cutting at
a position along a line XI-XI in FIG. 10.
[0094] This embodiment corresponds to the invention in accordance
with the fifth aspect. In these FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, reference
numeral 3 denotes a separator, reference numeral 4 denotes a high
polymer electrolyte membrane, reference numerals 41 and 42 denote a
pair of catalyst electrode layers provided in both surfaces of the
high polymer electrolyte membrane 4, and reference numeral 5
denotes a gasket in accordance with the present embodiment in which
gasket lips 52 and 53 are integrally provided in an insulating
layer 51 positioned in an outer peripheral side of the catalyst
electrode layers 41 and 42 and interposed between outer peripheral
portions of the respective separators 3. The high polymer
electrolyte membrane 4 and the catalyst electrode layers 41 and 42
provided in both surfaces thereof construct a membrane electrode
assembly (MEA) 40.
[0095] The separator 3 is made of a carbon or the like having a
conductivity and a gas impermeability, a lot of groove-shaped flow
path grooves 33 are formed in both surfaces thereof so as to be
positioned to face surfaces of the catalyst electrode layers 41 and
42, and a plurality of manifolds 34 to 36 for supplying or
discharging a fuel gas, an oxidizing gas or a cooling water are
provided in an outer peripheral portion thereof, in the same manner
as FIG. 5 described previously. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, in a
plurality of manifolds 34 to 36, the manifolds for supplying the
fuel and discharging the fuel communicate via flow paths 33a and
33a covered by cover plates 33b and 33b supporting the gasket 5 in
both ends of the flow path groove 33 formed in one surface of the
separator 3, and the manifolds for supplying the oxidizing gas and
discharging the oxidizing gas communicate in the same manner via a
passage (not shown) covered by a cover plate supporting the gasket
5 in both ends of the flow path groove 33 formed in the other
surface of the separator 3.
[0096] The gasket 5 is structured such that gasket lips 52 and 53
made of a rubber-like elastic material such as VMQ, FKM, EPDM or
the like are integrally provided in the insulating layer 51 made of
a synthetic resin material, for example, PET, PEN, PI or the like,
or a rubber-like elastic material which is excellent in an electric
insulating property between the respective separators 3. As a
method of integrally forming the gasket lips 52 and 53 with respect
to the insulating layer 51, there can be employed both of a method
of directly forming the gasket lip 52 in the insulating layer 51 in
accordance with an injection molding or the like, and a method of
attaching the independently formed gasket lips 52 and 53 by an
adhesive agent. In this case, in the latter method, since there is
a possibility that the elution component is eluted from the
adhesive agent, and there is a risk that the adhesive agent peeling
or the like is generated, the former integrally forming method is
preferable.
[0097] The insulating layer 51 is in a sheet shape with an outer
peripheral edge which is formed in the same shape and the same size
as those of an outer peripheral edge of the separator 3, has a
window portion 51a corresponding to a power generating region (a
forming region of the catalyst electrode layers 41 and 42 in the
MEA 40 and the flow path groove 33 in the separator 3) in an inner
periphery, and is provided with a plurality of manifolds 51b to 51d
which have the same shape and the same size as those of the
respective manifolds 34 to 36, at positions corresponding to the
respective manifolds 34 to 36 in the separator 3. Further, the
gasket lip 52 is formed so as to surround an outer periphery of the
window portion 51a, and the gasket lip 53 is formed so as to
surround an outer periphery of each of the manifolds 51b to
51d.
[0098] If a thickness of the insulating layer 51 is too thin, a
strength and a sufficient insulating property can not be obtained,
and if it is too thick inversely, a volume of a stack formed by
laminating the fuel battery cells is vainly increased. Accordingly,
the thickness of the insulating layer 51 is set to 50 to 500 .mu.m,
and preferably set to 100 to 300 .mu.m.
[0099] A region P shown by hatching with diagonal lines in FIG. 9
corresponds to an adhesive agent applying region in the separator
3. The adhesive agent applying region P, as shown in FIG. 11,
corresponds to a region in the opposite side to the flow path
groove 33 and each of the manifolds 34 to 36, which are the objects
to be sealed by the gasket lips 52 and 53, with respect to the
gasket lips 52 and 53 at a time of positioning and laminating the
gasket 5 to the separator 3. The gasket 5 is adhered by applying
the adhesive agent to the adhesive agent applying region P in the
separator 3 and thereafter positioning and pressing the surface in
the side in which the gasket lips 52 and 53 are not formed in the
insulating layer 51.
[0100] In each of the fuel battery cells provided with the
structured mentioned above, the fuel gas (the hydrogen) is supplied
to the flow path groove 33 facing to one of the catalyst electrode
layers 41 and 42 of the MEA 40, via the passages 33a and 33a
between the manifolds for supplying the fuel and discharging the
fuel, and the oxidizing gas (the oxygen) is supplied to the flow
path groove 33 facing to the other catalyst electrode layer.
Further, a reaction for decomposing a hydrogen molecule into a
hydrogen ion and an electron is executed in a side (an anode) to
which the fuel gas is supplied, and a reaction for generating water
from an oxygen, the hydrogen ion and the electron is executed in a
side (a cathode) to which the oxidizing gas is supplied, whereby an
electromotive force is generated.
[0101] The outer peripheral portions (the outer peripheral sides of
the power generating region) of the separator 3 which are adjacent
in the thickness direction are insulated from each other on the
basis of the interposition of the sheet-shaped insulating layer 51
in the gasket 5. In an assembled state, the gasket lip 52 in the
gasket 5 is closely contacted with the outer peripheral portion of
the high polymer electrolyte membrane 4 (the MEA 40) by a suitable
collapse margin, the gasket lip 53 is closely contacted with the
outer peripheral portion of the separator 3 by a suitable collapse
margin, thereby achieving an excellent sealing performance with
respect to the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas circulating within
the flow path groove 33, and the fuel gas, the oxidizing gas or the
cooling water circulating in the manifolds 34 to 36. Further, the
gasket lip 52 has a function of elastically pressing the outer
peripheral portion of the high polymer electrolyte membrane 4 (the
MEA 40) so as to clamp.
[0102] Further, since the gasket lips 52 and 53 of the gasket 5 are
closely contacted with the separator 3 or the high polymer
electrolyte membrane 4 by the desired collapse margin, a close
contact surface pressure applied to the separator 3 or the high
polymer electrolyte membrane 4 is increased on the basis of the
compression reaction force of the gasket lips 52 and 53, in the
portion corresponding to the back surface side of the gasket lips
52 and 53 in the insulating layer 51, whereby the portion functions
as aback surface seal portion, and on the contrary, the surface
pressure becomes small in the portion corresponding to the adhesive
agent applying region P. Accordingly, the adhesive agent applied to
the adhesive agent applying region P is hard to run over to the
side of the flow path groove 33 and each of the manifolds 34 to 36
corresponding to the spaces to be sealed, and it is possible to
effectively prevent the elution component from the adhesive agent
from being discharged to the side of the flow path groove 33 and
each of the manifolds 34 to 36 corresponding to the spaces to be
sealed.
[0103] Next, FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of a separated state
of a fuel battery cell, shown by cutting at a position along the
line XI-XI in FIG. 10, in accordance with an eighth embodiment in
which the gasket in accordance with the present invention is
applied as the gasket for the fuel battery, and FIG. 13 is a cross
sectional view of the separated state of the fuel battery cell,
shown by cutting at a position along a line XIII-XIII in FIG.
10.
[0104] This embodiment corresponds to the invention in accordance
with the sixth aspect, and the gasket 5 is adhered to both surfaces
of each of the separators 3. The gasket 5 is entirely made of a
single rubber-like elastic material selected from VMQ, FKM, EPDM
and the like, and gasket lips 52A and 53A (hereinafter, refer to as
a main lip) and gasket lips 52B and 53B (hereinafter, refer to as a
back surface lip) are integrally formed with each other in both
surfaces of the insulating layer 51. Accordingly, the insulating
layer 51, the main lips 52A and 53A and the back surface lips 52B
and 53B are made of rubber-like elastic materials which are
continuous with each other, and are structured such that no adhered
portion is interposed between both the elements.
[0105] In detail, the insulating layer 51 has the outer peripheral
edge which is formed in the same shape and the same size as those
of the outer peripheral edge of the separator 3, has the window
portion 51a corresponding to the power generating region (the
forming region of the catalyst electrode layers 41 and 42 in the
MEA 40 and the flow path groove 33 in the separator 3) in the inner
periphery, and is formed in a sheet shape provided with a plurality
of manifolds 51b to 51d corresponding to the respective manifolds
34 to 36 in the separator 3 shown in the previous FIG. 9 (only the
manifolds 35 and 51c are shown in FIGS. 12 and 13). The main lip
52A and the back surface lip 52B are formed along an outer
periphery of the window portion 51a, and the main lip 53A and the
back surface lip 53B are formed along an outer periphery of each of
the manifolds 51c (51b, 51d). Further, the back surface lips 52B
and 53B are not provided in the portion corresponding to the cover
plate 33b (the passage 33a) of the separator 3 shown in the
previous FIG. 9, and only the main lips 52A and 53A are formed in
this portion as shown in FIG. 13.
[0106] On the other hand, gasket installation grooves 31C and 31D
are respectively formed in both surfaces in an outer peripheral
side of the power generating region in the separator 3 in
correspondence to the back surface lips 52B and 53B of the gasket
5. The back surface lips 52B and 53B are closely contacted within
the gasket installation grooves 31C and 31D by a predetermined
collapse margin. In this case, the gasket installation grooves 31C
and 31D are not formed in a portion in which the passage 33a of the
separator 3 shown in FIG. 9 passes.
[0107] The structures of the other portions, for example, the flow
path groove 33 in the separator 3, the arrangement of the manifolds
34 to 36 and the like, the MEA 40 (the high polymer electrolyte
membrane 4 and the catalyst electrode layers 41 and 42) and the
like are basically the same as the previously explained seventh
embodiment.
[0108] The insulating layer 51 of the gasket 5 having the structure
mentioned above is adhered to the separator 3 via the adhesive
agent, and the adhesive agent applying region P of the separator 3
for the adhesion is formed in a region corresponding to an opposite
side to the flow path groove 33 and the manifold 35 (34, 36), which
are the objects to be sealed by the back surface lips 52B and 53B,
with respect to the back surface lips 52B and 53B at a time of
positioning and laminating the gasket 5 to the separator 3, in
other words, an opposite side to the flow path groove 33 and the
manifold 35 (34, 36) with respect to the gasket installation
grooves 31C and 31D. The gasket 5 is adhered by applying the
adhesive agent to the adhesive agent applying region P of the
separator 3 and thereafter pressing the surface in which the back
surface lips 52B and 53B exist in the insulating layer 51. Further,
since the back surface lips 52B and 53B are fitted to the gasket
installation grooves 31C and 31D in the above process, it is
possible to easily position them.
[0109] At this time, a part of the adhesive agent applied to the
separator 3 runs over to both sides from the adhesive agent
applying region P by pressing the insulating layer 51 of the gasket
5, however, since the adhesive agent sump shown in the previously
explained FIG. 3 is formed between the adhesive agent applying
region P and the back surface lips 52B and 53B of the gasket 5 by
the gasket installation grooves 31C and 31D, it is possible to
effectively prevent the excess adhesive agent from being interposed
to the seal surface by the back surface lips 52B and 53B.
[0110] In the assembled state of the fuel battery cell, the main
lip 52A of the gasket 5 adhered to one separator 3 in the
separators 3 and 3 adjacent to each other, and the main lip 52A of
the gasket 5 adhered to the other separator 3 are closely contacted
with the outer peripheral portion of the MEA 40 (the high polymer
electrolyte membrane 4) by the suitable collapse margin, thereby
well sealing the power generating region and elastically clamping
the MEA 40. Further, the main lip 53A of the gasket 5 adhered to
one separator 3, and the main lip 53A of the gasket 5 adhered to
the other separator 3 are closely contacted with each other by the
suitable collapse margin, thereby achieving a good sealing
performance with respect to the manifold 35 (34, 36). Further,
since the back surface lips 52B and 53B are closely contacted with
the bottom portion of the gasket installation grooves 31C and 31D
by the suitable surface pressure on the basis of the compression
reaction force of the main lips 52A and 53A, it is possible to
effectively prevent the adhesive agent in the adhesive agent
applying region P and the elution component from the run over
excess adhesive agent from being discharged to the flow path groove
33 and the manifold 35 (34, 36).
[0111] In this case, since the main lips 52A and 53A are backed up
by the cover plate 33b in the forming portion of the passage 33a of
the separator 3 shown in FIG. 13, the main lips 52A and 53A can be
well closely contacted with the facing separator 3.
[0112] Since the gasket 5 has the structure in which the insulating
layer 51 and the gasket lips (the main lips 52A and 53A and the
back surface lips 52B and 53B) are continuously formed with each
other, it is possible to provide at a low cost in accordance with a
simultaneous integral molding with the rubber-like elastic
material. Further, it is not necessary to adhere between both the
elements. Further, since it is not necessary to adhere the
insulating layer 51 and the gasket lip by the adhesive agent, the
elution component is not generated therefrom, and there is no risk
that the adhesive agent peeling or the like is generated.
[0113] In accordance with this embodiment, the gasket 5 is provided
in both the surfaces of each of the separators 3, however, the
structure may be made such that the gasket 5 is provided only in
one surface and the main lip 53A is closely contacted with the
adjacent separator 3, in the same manner as shown in FIG. 11.
* * * * *