Method and apparatus for manufacturing metal separator for fuel cell

#(a) Technical Field

#The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for manufacturing a metal separator for a fuel cell. More particularly, it relates to an apparatus and method for manufacturing a metal separator for a fuel cell, where the apparatus and method can manufacture large-sized metal separators in large quantities using, for example, metal plates such as stainless steel by thermoplastic deformation using an incremental and synchronized rubber molding process.

#(b) Background Art

#The above and other features of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof illustrated by the accompanying drawings which are given hereinbelow by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a fuel cell stack of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a metal separator of FIG. 1;

#Reference numerals set forth in the Drawings includes reference to the following elements as further discussed below:

#10: membrane electrode assembly 20: metal separator 30: concave-convex parts 40: first lower die 42: second lower die 44: rail 46: rail groove 48: pattern 50: metal plate 52: lower support 54: retainer 56: compression rubber

#It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various preferred features illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the present invention as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment.