Method and apparatus for manufacturing resin-framed membrane electrode assembly

An apparatus for manufacturing a resin-framed membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell, the resin-framed membrane electrode assembly including

• a stepped MEA that includes
• a solid polymer electrolyte membrane,
• a first electrode disposed on one surface of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and
• a second electrode disposed on the other surface of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane,
• wherein the first electrode has planar dimensions larger than those of the second electrode, and
• a resin frame member that is joined to an outer peripheral surface of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane by using a frame-shaped adhesive layer, the outer peripheral surface being exposed outward from the second electrode,
• the apparatus comprising:
• a first suction mechanism that sucks and holds the stepped MEA on a worktable when the stepped MEA is provided on the worktable such that a second suction mechanism is provided outside of the stepped MEA to surround the stepped MEA;
• and
• the second suction mechanism that sucks and holds a film member including the adhesive layer by using a second suction mechanism so that the adhesive layer overlaps the stepped MEA in a state in which the stepped MEA is sucked and held by the first suction mechanism, the film member extending from the stepped MEA to the second suction mechanism when the film member is sucked and held.

A method for manufacturing a resin-framed membrane electrode assembly including a stepped MEA and a resin frame member, the method comprising:

• using a first suction mechanism to hold the stepped MEA on a worktable, the stepped MEA being provided on the worktable such that a second suction mechanism is provided outside of the stepped MEA to surround the stepped MEA, the stepped MEA including a solid polymer electrolyte membrane sandwiched between a first electrode and a second electrode having an area smaller than an area of the first electrode;
• using the second suction mechanism to hold a film member including the frame-shaped adhesive layer to be placed on the stepped MEA held by the first suction mechanism, the film member extending from the stepped MEA to the second suction mechanism when the film member is sucked and held;
• peeling the film member from the stepped MEA after the frame-shaped adhesive layer has been affixed to the stepped MEA;
• and
• joining the resin frame member to an outer peripheral surface of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane of the stepped MEA via the frame-shaped adhesive layer, the outer peripheral surface being exposed from the second electrode.