# US 2017/0256808 A1 · Fuel cell component and manufacturing device thereof

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- Number: US 2017/0256808 A1
- Document ID: US20170256808A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/256,863
- Filed: 2016-09-06
- Published: 2017-09-07
- Earliest claimed: 2016-03-04
- Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company
- Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company
- Inventors: Young Gun Kim; Sun Ho Lee
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170256808A1

## CPC

- H01M 8/1004: characterised by membrane-electrode assemblies [MEA] (H01M8/12 takes precedence)
- H01M 8/0271: Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes
- H01M 8/0273: with sealing or supporting means in the form of a frame
- H01M 8/1018: Polymeric electrolyte materials
- B32B 37/0046: {characterised by constructional aspects of the apparatus}
- B32B 37/1284: {Application of adhesive}
- B32B 2457/18: Fuel cells
- H01M 2008/1095: {Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes}
- Y02E 60/50: Fuel cells
- Y02P 70/50: Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
- H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

## Abstract

A device for manufacturing a fuel cell component is provided. The device includes a movement device configured to load a gas diffusion layer from a magazine when the gas diffusion layer is loaded to an inlet of a conveyor and unload the gas diffusion layer from an outlet side of the conveyor. An adhesive layer forming device that is disposed over the conveyor forms an adhesive layer in an edge region of the gas diffusion layer. A drying device is configured to dry the adhesive layer formed in the gas diffusion layer. An inspection vision is configured to detect an image of the gas diffusion layer that the adhesive layer is formed. Additionally, a controller operates the movement device, the adhesive layer forming device, and the drying device and configured to use the image to determine a shape of the adhesive layer formed in the gas diffusion layer.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A fuel cell component, comprising:
an electrolyte membrane;
electrodes formed on a first surface and a second surface of the electrolyte membrane;
a subgasket that covers sides of the electrolyte membrane and the electrodes and extends in a width direction or a longitudinal direction of the electrolyte membrane;
a gas diffusion layer coupled to one surface of the subgasket and one surface of the electrode; and
an adhesive layer formed between the subgasket and the gas diffusion layer.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The fuel cell component of claim 1, wherein the electrode includes:
an anode electrode formed on the first surface of the electrolyte membrane; and
a cathode electrode formed on the second surface of the electrolyte membrane.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The fuel cell component of claim 2, wherein the gas diffusion layer includes:
an upper gas diffusion layer coupled to the anode electrode; and
a lower gas diffusion layer coupled to the cathode electrode.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The fuel cell component of claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer is formed in an edge region of the gas diffusion layer except for a portion that corresponds to the electrode.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The fuel cell component of claim 4, wherein the adhesive layer is formed in the edge region of the gas diffusion layer not to be exposed to the exterior of the subgasket and the gas diffusion layer.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The fuel cell component of claim 4, wherein the adhesive layer is continuously formed along the edge region of the gas diffusion layer.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The fuel cell component of claim 4, wherein the adhesive layer is formed with space along the edge region of the gas diffusion layer.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The fuel cell component of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte membrane protrudes a distance from the sides of the electrodes and the subgasket covers the side of the electrode and the side of the electrolyte membrane.

### Claim 9

A device for manufacturing a fuel cell component, comprising:
a movement device configured to load a gas diffusion layer from a magazine in which the gas diffusion layer is loaded to an inlet of a conveyor and configured to unload the gas diffusion layer from an outlet side of the conveyor;
an adhesive layer forming device disposed over the conveyor and configured to form an adhesive layer in an edge region of the gas diffusion layer;
a drying device configured to dry the adhesive layer formed in the gas diffusion layer;
an inspection vision configured to detect an image of the gas diffusion layer on which the adhesive layer is formed; and
a controller configured to operate the movement device, the adhesive layer forming device, and the drying device and configured to use the image to determine a shape of the adhesive layer formed in the gas diffusion layer.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The device of claim 9, wherein the adhesive layer forming device is configured to form the adhesive layer in an edge region of the gas diffusion layer.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The device of claim 9, wherein the adhesive layer forming device is configured to continuously form the adhesive layer along an edge region of the gas diffusion layer.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The device of claim 9, wherein the adhesive layer forming device is configured to form the adhesive layer with space along an edge region of the gas diffusion layer.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The device of claim 9, wherein the drying device is configured to apply heated air to the gas diffusion layer and the adhesive layer.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The device of claim 9, wherein the movement device is configured to separate a slip sheet attached to the gas diffusion layer and load the gas diffusion layer from which the separator sheet is separated to an inlet of the conveyor.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

The device of claim 9, wherein the drying device configured to use a hot plate to apply heat to the gas diffusion layer and the adhesive layer.

### Claim 16 (depends on 9)

The device of claim 9, wherein the adhesive layer forming device includes:
a spray nozzle configured to spray an adhesive to form the adhesive layer in an edge region of the gas diffusion layer; and
an imagining device configured to detect the adhesive sprayed from the spray nozzle and image data of the sprayed adhesive.