JP2017100110A - Functional membrane manufacturing system, functional membrane manufacturing method, fuel cell manufacturing system and fuel cell manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and reliably manufacture high quality functional membrane (laminated membrane) with a plurality of functional layers appropriately laminated.SOLUTION: A system 1, to manufacture a laminated membrane (functional membrane) 4 with a first functional layer 2 and a second functional layer 3 laminated, comprises: a frame formation unit 8 which forms a frame section 6 in a manner that surrounds a partial region of a sheet 5 including the first functional layer 2; an application unit 9 which has an application section 29 to apply liquid 7, to form the second layer 3, to at least one surface of the sheet 5 with the frame section 6 formed thereon; and a reduced-pressure drying unit 10 which has a chamber section to form a space including the sheet 5 with the liquid 7 applied thereto by the application unit 9 and a suction section to dry the liquid 7 by reducing pressure in the space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a functional membrane manufacturing system, a functional membrane manufacturing method, a fuel cell manufacturing system, and a fuel cell manufacturing method.

  Functional films are used in a wide range of industrial fields such as the chemical, electrical, and energy fields, and thinning is required for high performance and miniaturization. The functional film may be provided as a laminated film in which a plurality of functional layers are laminated. Examples of such a laminated film include a membrane electrode assembly in a fuel cell, an optical filter, and a laminated capacitor. For example, in the case of a membrane electrode assembly, a method of transferring a catalyst layer to a base electrolyte membrane (see, for example, Patent Document 1), or a method of applying a catalyst ink to a base electrolyte membrane and drying (for example, Patent Document 2). Manufactured by reference).

JP 2010-251012 A JP 2010-033731 A

  The above-described Patent Document 1 has a problem that the number of processes increases because a transfer process is added, and it takes time to manufacture a laminated film and also causes an increase in manufacturing cost. Furthermore, since the transfer is performed by pressure bonding with a press or the like, the functional layers may not be sufficiently in contact with each other, which may reduce the performance of the laminated film. Further, in Patent Document 2 described above, when the base functional film is a thin film, not only is it difficult to apply the catalyst ink, but the base functional film swells after application, and the laminated film undergoes deformation such as wrinkles and cracks. There is a problem of causing it.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can easily and reliably manufacture a high-quality functional film (laminated film) in which a plurality of functional layers are appropriately laminated. An object of the present invention is to easily manufacture a fuel cell with improved power generation efficiency.

  1st aspect of this invention is a functional film manufacturing system which laminated | stacked the 1st functional layer and the 2nd functional layer, Comprising: A frame part is formed so that the partial area | region of the sheet | seat containing a 1st functional layer may be enclosed. A frame forming unit, an application unit having an application part for applying a liquid for forming the second functional layer on at least one surface of the sheet on which the frame part is formed, and a sheet on which the liquid is applied by the application unit And a vacuum drying unit that includes a chamber part that can form a contained space, and a suction part that decompresses the space to dry the liquid.

  A second aspect of the present invention is a system for manufacturing a fuel cell, and includes the functional membrane manufacturing system described above.

  A third aspect of the present invention is a method of manufacturing a functional film in which a first functional layer and a second functional layer are laminated, and a frame portion is provided so as to surround a partial region of the sheet including the first functional layer. Forming, applying a liquid for forming the second functional layer on at least one surface of the sheet on which the frame part is formed by the application unit, and a space including the sheet coated with the liquid in the chamber Forming by the portion and drying the liquid by decompressing the space by the suction portion.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a fuel cell, including the above-described functional membrane manufacturing method.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can efficiently produce a high-quality functional film (laminated film) having high rigidity, and furthermore, a fuel having high power generation efficiency by using this functional film. The battery can be easily manufactured.

It is a figure which shows an example of the functional film manufacturing system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. (A) And (B) is a figure which shows an example of a frame formation unit, (A) is a side view, (B) is a top view. (A)-(E) are figures which show operation | movement of a frame formation unit. It is a figure which shows an example of a coating unit and a reduced pressure drying unit. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the coating unit and the vacuum drying unit shown in FIG. 4. (A) is sectional drawing which shows an example of a holding | maintenance part. (B) is a perspective view which shows an example of an application part. (A) is a perspective view showing an example of a vacuum drying unit. (B) is a perspective view which shows an example of a cover part. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a functional film manufacturing method. (A) And (B) is a figure explaining operation | movement of a functional film manufacturing system. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the functional film manufacturing system following FIG. 9. It is a figure which shows an example of the functional film manufacturing system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the functional film manufacturing system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the functional film manufacturing system which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the functional film manufacturing system which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the other example of a functional film manufacturing method. It is a figure which shows an example of the functional film manufacturing system which concerns on 6th Embodiment, (A) is a top view, (B) is a top view which shows the other example of a sheet | seat. It is a side view of the functional film manufacturing system shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the other example of a functional film manufacturing method. (A) is a figure which shows an example of a coating unit and a reduced pressure drying unit, (B) is a figure which shows the other example of a coating unit and a reduced pressure drying unit. It is a figure which shows an example of a reduced pressure drying unit, (A) is a perspective view, (B) is a side view. It is a figure which shows an example of the functional film manufacturing system which concerns on 7th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the functional film manufacturing system which concerns on 8th Embodiment, (A) is an enlarged view of a frame part formation sheet | seat part, (B) is a side view. It is a figure which shows an example of the frame formation unit which concerns on 9th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the functional film (laminated film) which concerns on 10th Embodiment, (B) is a figure which shows the functional film which concerns on another example. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the functional film manufacturing system which concerns on 11th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the frame part which concerns on 12th Embodiment, (A) is a perspective view, (B) is sectional drawing. It is a figure which shows the other example of a frame part, (A) is a perspective view, (B) is sectional drawing. 1A is a block diagram illustrating an example of a fuel cell manufacturing system according to an embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating an example of a fuel cell. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the manufacturing method of the fuel cell which concerns on embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Further, in the drawings, in order to describe the embodiment, the scale is appropriately changed and expressed by partially enlarging or emphasizing the description. In the following drawings, directions in the drawings will be described using an XYZ coordinate system. In this XYZ coordinate system, a plane parallel to the horizontal plane is defined as an XY plane. An arbitrary direction parallel to the XY plane is expressed as an X direction, and a direction orthogonal to the X direction is expressed as a Y direction. A direction perpendicular to the XY plane (up and down direction) is referred to as a Z direction. In each of the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction, the direction of the arrow in the figure is the + direction, and the direction opposite to the arrow direction is the − direction.

[First Embodiment]
A first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional film manufacturing system according to the first embodiment. In the following embodiments, “functional film manufacturing system” is referred to as “system”. The system 1 manufactures a laminated film (functional film) 4 in which a first functional layer 2 and a second functional layer 3 are laminated. The system 1 forms the laminated film 4 by forming the frame portion 6 on the sheet 5 including the first functional layer 2, applying the liquid 7 for forming the second functional layer 3 to the sheet 5, and drying it. . As shown in FIG. 1, the system 1 includes a frame forming unit 8, a coating unit 9, a vacuum drying unit 10, and storage units 11, 12, and 13.

  The system 1 is arranged in the order of the storage unit 11, the frame forming unit 8, the storage unit 12, the coating unit 9, the reduced pressure drying unit 10, and the storage unit 13 in the + X direction from the upstream side along the flow of processing. In the present system 1, whether or not the storage units 11, 12, and 13 are arranged is arbitrary, and the storage units 11, 12, and 13 may not be provided. Further, the system 1 may include a control device (not shown) that controls the above-described units in an integrated manner. Hereinafter, each unit will be described in order.

  The storage unit 11 is a frame part stocker, stores a plurality of frame parts 6, and sequentially supplies the frame parts 6 to the frame forming unit 8. The storage unit 11 includes a plurality of storage units 16. Each accommodating portion 16 accommodates, for example, a plurality of frame portions 6 in a stacked state, but may include a shelf that can be accommodated for each frame portion 6. The plurality of accommodating portions 16 are formed so as to be movable in the circumferential direction around the Z axis from the standby position PA toward the supply position PB by a drive device (not shown). The movement of the accommodating portion 16 may be controlled by a control device (not shown) or may be manually operated by an operator.

  In addition, although the accommodating part 16 is moved around the Z axis | shaft, it is not limited to this. Further, the standby position PA is not limited to three places, and may be one place or four places or more. The supply position PB is a position where the frame portion 6 can be transferred from the housing portion 16 to the frame forming unit 8. From the accommodating portion 16 at the supply position PB, for example, the frame portion 6 is transferred in the + X direction by a transfer device such as a robot hand or a manipulator and supplied to the frame forming unit 8. The storage unit 11 is not limited to that shown in the figure as long as the frame 6 can be sequentially supplied to the frame forming unit 8, and any configuration can be used. Further, in the present system 1, the storage unit 11 may not be provided. In that case, for example, the frame portion 6 may be supplied to the frame forming unit 8 manually by an operator.

  The frame forming unit 8 draws the sheet 5A in the −Y direction from the roll body R1 around which the long sheet 5A is wound, and forms the frame portion 6 on a part of the upper surface (the surface on the + Z side) of the sheet 5A. The sheet 5A is cut for each portion 6 to form a sheet 5 of sheets. The drawing direction of the sheet 5A is orthogonal to the direction in which the frame portion 6 is supplied, for example. The frame portion 6 is formed so as to surround a partial region of the sheet 5A. For example, the frame 6 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the + Z side, and has an opening on the inside. The length of the frame 6 in the short direction (X direction) is set, for example, substantially the same as the length of the width (X direction) of the sheet 5A. Note that the shape of the frame portion 6 is set corresponding to the shape of the sheet 5 cut from the sheet 5A. For example, the frame portion 6 having a size that protrudes outward from the sheet 5 is used. Good.

  The frame portion 6 is used for improving the rigidity of the sheet 5 and holding the sheet 5 in an unfolded state. The material of the frame portion 6 is arbitrary, and for example, a metal material, glass, or the like is used in addition to a resin material having electrical insulation. The frame portion 6 is made of, for example, a resin material such as a non-fluorine-based resin (polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyimide, etc.) or a fluorine-containing resin (PTFE, ETFE, FEP, PFA, etc.). Also good. The thickness of the frame portion 6 is set to, for example, several tens of μm to several hundreds of μm, but the thickness is not particularly limited. As long as the shape of the frame 6 surrounds a partial region of the sheet 5A, the shape of the frame portion 6 is not limited to that surrounding the partial region of the sheet 5A as shown in the figure. The frame portion 6 may be formed along one to three sides of the four sides of the region. Moreover, the frame part 6 may be provided with through-holes, such as a gas inflow / outflow hole used for a fuel cell or the like, and a screw hole or a positioning hole used for assembly.

  2A and 2B are diagrams showing an example of the frame forming unit 8, in which FIG. 2A is a side view seen from the −X direction, and FIG. 2B is a plan view seen from the + Z side. The frame forming unit 8 adheres the frame portion 6 supplied from the storage unit 11 to the long sheet 5 </ b> A, and further cuts the sheet 5 </ b> A for each frame portion 6 to form a single sheet 5. As shown in FIG. 2, the frame forming unit 8 includes a dancer roller 18, a fixed roller 19, a first holding unit 20, a cut table 21, a second holding unit 22, a movable holder 23, and a cutting unit 24. .

  In the frame forming unit 8, the roll body R1 is disposed on the + Y side, and a long sheet 5A is drawn out from the roll body R1 in the -Y direction and supplied. The roll body R1 is rotatably supported by a shaft portion (not shown), and rotates when the sheet 5A is pulled out. Note that the roll body R1 may be rotated corresponding to the drawing-out of the sheet 5A by a driving device (not shown). The sheet 5 </ b> A pulled out from the roll body R <b> 1 in the −Y direction is bridged between the dancer roller 18 and the fixed roller 19.

  The dancer roller 18 is formed to be movable in the Z direction, for example, and a predetermined load is applied thereto. The fixed roller 19 is a driven roller fixed so as not to move in the X, Y, and Z directions, for example. The dancer roller 18 and the fixed roller 19 are both disposed along the X direction, and the dancer roller 18 is disposed below the fixed roller 19. The dancer roller 18 and the fixed roller 19 apply a constant tension to the long sheet 5A to suppress the sagging of the sheet 5A. For example, when the sheet 5A is pulled by the movable holder 23 described later, the dancer roller 18 moves in the + Z direction so that excessive tension is not applied to the sheet 5A.

  The fixed roller 19 is set to a height at which the sheet 5 </ b> A is transferred horizontally (in the Y direction) with respect to the first holding unit 20, for example. The arrangement and configuration of the dancer roller 18 and the fixed roller 19 are not limited to those shown in the drawing, and any configuration can be applied as long as it guides the sheet 5A from the roll body R1. For example, the configuration may be such that there is no dancer roller 18 and only the fixed roller 19 is used. Further, the mechanism for keeping the tension of the sheet 5 </ b> A constant may include a mechanism other than the mechanism using the dancer roller 18.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the first holding unit 20 is disposed on the −Y side of the fixed roller 19. The first holding unit 20 is formed in a rod shape extending in the X direction, and holds the sheet 5A from the back side. The first holding unit 20 is connected to, for example, a suction device (not shown) and sucks and holds a part of the back surface of the sheet 5A by suction. The timing of holding the sheet 5A by the first holding unit 20, the holding force (suction force), and the like may be controlled by a control device (not shown).

  The cut table 21 is disposed on the −Y side of the first holding unit 20. Note that the cut table 21 may be formed integrally with a second holding portion 22 described later. The cutting table 21 is a plate extending in the X direction, and is arranged along the movement path of the cutting unit 24 described later. The cut table 21 is formed so as to be movable in the Z direction, and moves between a raised position almost in contact with the back surface of the sheet 5A and a retreat position retracted in the −Z direction from the back surface of the sheet 5A. In addition, when the cut stand 21 is formed integrally with the second holding part 22, it may be moved in the Z direction as the second holding part 22 moves. The cut table 21 is set so as to move and retract in the −Z direction when the sheet 5 </ b> A moves or is cut by the cutting unit 24. Note that whether or not to provide the cut table 21 is arbitrary, and the cut table 21 may not be provided.

  The second holding unit 22 is disposed adjacent to the −Y side of the cut table 21. The second holding unit 22 is formed in a rectangular plate shape, and holds it by adsorbing the back surface of the sheet 5A. The adsorption of the sheet 5A is performed by suction, for example. The second holding portion 22 is formed to be movable in the Z direction by a driving device (not shown). The second holding unit 22 moves between a substantially horizontal rising position with the first holding unit 20 and a retracted position retracted in the −Z direction. The second holding unit 22 is moved to a raised position by a driving device (not shown) when holding the sheet 5A, and is moved to a retracted position when moving the sheet 5A.

  The movable holder 23 moves the sheet 5A in the + X direction. The movable holder 23 includes a rod 26 and a holder 27. The rod 26 is formed so as to be movable in the Y direction by a guide (not shown), and is moved in the Y direction by a driving device (not shown). The holder 27 is formed at the + Y side end of the rod 26. The holder 27 is formed so as to be able to hold a part of the end portion on the −Y side of the sheet 5 </ b> A by sandwiching or adsorbing it. The movable holder 23 can hold the end of the sheet 5 held by the first holding unit 20 by the holder 27 and can hold the sheet 5A by the second holding unit 22 by pulling out the sheet 5A in the -Y direction. Move between positions. Note that the holder 27 is not limited to the illustrated one, and an arbitrary configuration that can hold the sheet 5 can be applied. The holder 27 is not limited to two portions for holding the sheet 5A, but may be one or three or more locations.

  The cutting part 24 has a blade part such as a cutter and cuts the −X side of the sheet 5 </ b> A held by the second holding part 22. The cutting part 24 is formed to be movable in the X direction along the upper surface of the cut table 21. The cutting unit 24 is retracted to the + X side of the cut table 21 and cuts a predetermined portion of the sheet 5A by moving in the −X direction by a driving device (not shown). When cutting the sheet 5 </ b> A by the cutting unit 24, the cut table 21 is disposed at the raised position. Note that the cutting unit 24 may be configured to sandwich and cut the sheet 5A in the Z direction instead of moving in the X direction and cutting the sheet 5A.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the frame forming unit 8. The following operations may be controlled by a control device (not shown), or an operator may perform manual operations for all or some of the operations. As shown in FIG. 3A, the process starts from a state in which the −Y side end of the sheet 5 is held by the first holding unit 20. In this state, the movable holder 23 moves the rod 26 in the + Y direction, and the holder 27 holds the end portion on the −Y side of the sheet 5. At this time, the cut table 21 and the second holding unit 22 are retracted in the −Z direction.

  Next, after stopping the holding of the sheet 5 by the first holding unit 20, the movable holder 23 moves in the −Y direction while holding the sheet 5 with the holder 27, as shown in FIG. At this time, the tension of the sheet 5 </ b> A is maintained substantially constant by the dancer roller 18. After the movable holder 23 pulls out a predetermined amount of the sheet 5A in the + X direction, the cut table 21 and the second holding part 22 are moved to the raised position and set to be substantially horizontal with respect to the first holding part 20. Subsequently, the second holding unit 22 holds the sheet 5A by suction or the like. Thereby, the sheet 5A is held by the second holding unit 22 in a spread state.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3C, the movable holder 23 releases the holding of the sheet 5 </ b> A, moves in the −Y direction, and retracts from the second holding unit 22. Subsequently, the cutting unit 24 forms the short sheet 5 from the sheet 5 </ b> A by moving in the −X direction along the cut table 21. The size of the sheet 5 after cutting is set to be substantially the same as the outer edge of the frame portion 6 or smaller than the outer edge of the frame portion 6. After cutting the sheet 5A, the cutting unit 24 moves in the + X direction and returns to the retracted position. Further, after the cutting of the sheet 5A, the cutting table 21 also moves in the −Z direction and returns to the retracted position.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3D, the frame portion 6 is supplied from the storage unit 11 by a not-shown transport device (see FIG. 2A). During conveyance of the frame part 6, an adhesive is applied to the surface to be bonded of the frame part 6 or the frame part adhesive surface of the sheet 5 by an adhesive application unit (not shown), and the frame part 6 is attached to the second holding part 22. The frame portion 6 is fixed to the sheet 5 by being pressed against the sheet 5 held on the sheet 5. Thereby, the frame portion 6 is formed on the sheet 5. Since the sheet 5 is held in a state of being spread on the second holding part 22, the frame part 6 can be accurately and appropriately formed with respect to the sheet 5. In addition, the sheet 5 on which the frame portion 6 is formed is maintained in a state of being spread by the frame portion 6, and deformation is suppressed.

  In addition, arbitrary adhesives are used as an above-mentioned adhesive agent. Alternatively, a part of the frame portion 6 may be melted and bonded to the sheet 5 without using an adhesive. For alignment between the sheet 5 and the frame portion 6, an alignment mark is formed on a part of the sheet 5 (for example, the outer edge of the sheet 5). The mark is recognized by an optical sensor or the like. The frame 6 may be aligned with respect to 5. In FIG. 3, the frame 6 is formed after the long sheet 5A is cut into the short sheet 5. Instead, the frame 6 is first formed on the long sheet 5A. Then, the sheet 5 may be cut by cutting every frame portion 6.

  Next, as illustrated in FIG. 3E, the movable holder 23 moves in the −Y direction and holds the sheet 5. At this time, the movable holder 23 may hold the rigid frame portion 6 or the sheet 5. Subsequently, after the holding of the sheet 5 by the second holding unit 22 is released, the sheet 5 is conveyed by the movable holder 23. 3E, the sheet 5 is illustrated as being conveyed in the −Y direction, but is conveyed in the + X direction and accommodated in the storage unit 12 as illustrated in FIG. In addition, instead of performing the conveyance of the sheet 5 to the storage unit 12 by the movable holder 23, another conveyance device may be used.

  In the frame forming unit 8 described above, the frame portion 6 is formed on one surface of the sheet 5, but the frame portion 6 may be formed on both surfaces of the sheet 5. Moreover, although the frame part 6 is adhere | attached on the sheet | seat 5 in the above, it is not limited to this. For example, the frame portion 6 may be formed by applying a thermosetting or photocurable resin material on the upper surface of the sheet 5 and curing the resin material as appropriate. In the above description, the long sheet 5A is supplied from the roll body R1 to the frame forming unit 8, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a sheet 5 cut in advance may be supplied to the frame forming unit 8, and the frame portion 6 may be formed on the sheet 5.

  As described above, according to the frame forming unit 8, the frame portion 6 can be easily formed on the sheet 5. Further, since the rigidity of the sheet 5 is improved by the frame portion 6, for example, even when the sheet 5 is as thin as about several tens of μm, handling properties such as subsequent conveyance and assembly can be improved. Further, since the sheet 5 is maintained in a state of being spread by the frame portion 6, it is possible to prevent deformation such as wrinkles and cracks during various processing on the sheet 5.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the storage unit 12 accommodates the plurality of sheets 5 with the frame portion 6 conveyed from the frame forming unit 8. For example, when the processing speed of the frame forming unit 8 is faster than the coating unit 9 and the vacuum drying unit 10 in the subsequent stage, the storage unit 12 temporarily stores the sheet 5 before sending it to the coating unit 9 to process each unit. Works to absorb the speed difference. The storage unit 12 may store the sheets 5 in a stacked state, and may include a shelf (slot) that can store the sheets 5 one by one or a plurality of sheets. Note that whether or not the storage unit 12 is disposed is arbitrary, and the storage unit 12 may not be provided.

  FIG. 4 is a view of the coating unit 9 and the vacuum drying unit 10 as viewed from the −X direction. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the coating unit 9 and the vacuum drying unit 10 as viewed from the + Z direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the application unit 9 applies a liquid 7 for forming the second functional layer 3 to at least one surface of the sheet 5. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the coating unit 9 includes a holding unit 28 and a coating unit 29. The holding unit 28 and the application unit 29 are supported by the main frame 30.

  The main frame 30 includes a plurality of support frames 32 in the Z direction, and a plurality of horizontal frames 33 and 34 and a table 35 disposed between the support frames 32. However, the main frame 30 is not limited to the illustrated one, and any shape that can support the holding portion 28 and the like can be applied. Further, a caster or the like may be provided on the lower surface of the main frame 30 so that the coating unit 9 and the vacuum drying unit 10 can be moved.

  The holding unit 28 holds the sheet 5. The holding unit 28 includes an adsorption unit 38, a base 39, and an adsorption suction unit 40. The suction part 38 holds the sheet 5 by sucking at least one of the sheet 5 and the frame part 6. For example, the suction part 38 has a rectangular flat plate shape and is supported on the upper side (+ Z side) of the base part 39. As the adsorption part 38, for example, a porous member made of ceramic, resin, carbon or the like is used. The outer shape and size of the suction portion 38 are not limited to those shown in the drawings as long as they are larger than the outer edge of the frame portion 6, and various shapes and sizes can be applied. The base 39 is disposed on the base portion 72 of the vacuum drying unit 10 described later. For example, a suction pump that generates a predetermined suction force is used as the suction unit 40 for suction. The suction part 40 for suction applies a suction force to the upper surface side of the suction part 38 via the base 39.

  FIG. 6A is a view showing an example of the holding portion 28, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. In FIG. 6A, the characteristic part is enlarged for description. FIG. 6A also shows application of the liquid 7 by the application unit 9. As shown in FIG. 6A, the suction portion 38 includes a plurality of holes 42 that penetrate the suction surface and the lower surface (the −Z side surface) using the upper surface side as the suction surface. For example, the suction surface of the suction portion 38 is disposed substantially horizontally, but is not limited thereto, and may be disposed in a state inclined in any direction. The hole 42 is formed with a hole diameter of, for example, about 0.1 μm to several mm, but the hole diameter is not particularly limited. The opening shape of the hole 42 may be any of a circular shape, an elliptical shape, an oval shape, and a polygonal shape.

  In addition, the number of the hole portions 42 is constant over the entire surface of the suction portion 38, but the number is not limited to this. For example, it may be arranged only at a position corresponding to the frame portion 6 of the sheet 5 to be attracted, and the number of hole portions 42 corresponding to the frame portion 6 per unit area is increased to correspond to the sheet 5. The number of hole portions 42 may be decreased, and conversely, the number of hole portions 42 corresponding to the sheet 5 may be increased and the number of hole portions 42 corresponding to the frame portion 6 may be decreased. Further, a plurality of groove portions may be formed on the suction surface of the suction portion 38, and the hole portion 42 may be connected to the groove portions.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the base 39 supports the suction portion 38 on the upper surface side, and includes a space portion 43 on the lower surface side of the suction portion 38. The base portion 39 is provided with a connection hole 44 that connects the space portion 43 and the suction portion 40 for suction. The suction portion 40 for suction and the connection hole 44 are connected by, for example, a tubular member (not shown). Accordingly, by driving the suction portion 40 for suction, the space portion 43 is sucked and decompressed, and the suction force is applied to the suction surface of the suction portion 38 through the hole portion 42 communicating with the space portion 43. The suction force of the suction part 38 is set by driving the suction part 40 for suction. The magnitude and driving timing of the suction force by the suction part 40 for suction may be controlled by a control device (not shown) or may be manually operated by an operator.

  A sheet member 46 is disposed on the upper surface of the suction portion 38. Accordingly, the sheet 5 is adsorbed by the adsorbing portion 38 with the sheet member 46 interposed therebetween. As the sheet member 46, a member that can be ventilated between the front and back surfaces thereof is used. For example, a resin porous sheet, a paper member such as Japanese paper, a nonwoven fabric, a membrane filter, or the like is used. The sheet member 46 having a smaller diameter than the hole 42 of the suction portion 38 is used. The hole diameter of the sheet member 46 means an average hole diameter. By disposing the sheet member 46, it is possible to suppress damage to the sheet 5 due to the suction force when the sheet 5 is adsorbed. Further, when the sheet member 46 has elasticity, even when the sheet 5 is strongly sucked, the sheet 5 can be received by elasticity, and damage sucked by the suction portion 38 can be further suppressed. Note that whether or not the sheet member 46 is disposed on the upper surface of the suction portion 38 is arbitrary, and the sheet member 46 may not be disposed.

  The holding unit 28 includes a heating unit 47 for heating the sheet 5 adsorbed to the adsorption unit 38 (see FIG. 6A). For the heating unit 47, for example, a heat source such as an electric heater is used. By driving the heating unit 47, the sheet 5 can be heated at a predetermined temperature via the base 39 and the suction unit 38. Thereby, the drying time of the liquid 7 apply | coated to the sheet | seat 5 mentioned later can be shortened. The heating temperature and the heating timing by the heating unit 47 may be controlled by a control device (not shown) or may be manually operated by an operator. As an example of the heating timing by the heating unit 47, the timing at which the liquid 7 is applied to the sheet 5 by the coating unit 9 described later, the timing when the liquid 7 is vacuum-dried by the vacuum drying unit 10 described later, or the timing after the vacuum drying, etc. is there.

  In addition, the heating part 47 is not limited to what heats the sheet | seat 5 via the base 39 etc. as shown in figure, The thing which heats the sheet | seat 5 by the radiant heat using far infrared rays etc. may be used. In the case of the heating unit 47 using radiant heat, the heating unit 47 is disposed above the adsorption unit 38 and irradiates light having a wavelength in the infrared region over the entire surface of the sheet 5. In addition, it is arbitrary whether the heating part 47 is provided, and the heating part 47 may not be provided. The holding unit 28 may include a cooling device instead of the heating unit 47 or in addition to the heating unit 47.

  As described above, the holding unit 28 holds the sheet 5 with the frame unit 6 by suction from the suction unit 38. Accordingly, even when the liquid 7 is applied by the application unit 9 to be described later, or when the liquid 7 is vacuum-dried by the reduced-pressure drying unit 10, the sheet 5 is reliably held, and uneven application of the liquid 7 occurs, 5 and the second functional layer 3 can be prevented from being deformed such as wrinkles and cracks.

  The holding unit 28 is not limited to the one that holds the sheet 5 by suction from the suction unit 38, and any configuration can be applied as long as the sheet 5 can be held. For example, the holding unit 28 may hold the sheet 5 using an electrostatic chuck. Further, the holding portion 28 may be one in which a peelable adhesive or adhesive tape is disposed and the sheet 5 is held by this adhesive action. Further, the holding unit 28 may hold the sheet 5 by combining two or more of suction, electrostatic chuck, adhesive, and the like. Further, whether or not the coating unit 9 includes the holding unit 28 is arbitrary, and the holding unit 28 may not be provided.

  Returning to FIGS. 4 and 5, the application unit 29 applies the liquid 7 for forming the second functional layer 3 to at least one surface of the sheet 5. The application unit 29 includes a carriage 50, a tank 51, a pump 52, and a nozzle 53. The carriage 50 is disposed between a rectangular plate-shaped lower plate 54 arranged in the horizontal direction, two vertical plates 55 standing from the ± Y side of the lower plate 54, and upper ends of the two vertical plates 55. The upper plate 56 has a nozzle support plate 57 extending downward from the upper plate 56.

  The lower plate 54 is disposed below the table 35 of the main frame 30. Each of the two vertical plates 55 is arranged so that the upper part is positioned above the table 35 in a state where the two openings 58 (see FIG. 5) formed in the X direction in the table 35 are penetrated. The upper plate 56 supports the tank 51 and the pump 52. The nozzle support plate 57 supports the nozzle 53. The tank 51 is provided above the pump 52 and stores the liquid 7. The tank 51 is used as a temporary storage when supplying the liquid 7 to the nozzle 53. The liquid 7 is supplied to the tank 51 from an ink storage container or the like disposed outside the main frame 30 through a tube (not shown) or the like. The tank 51 may include a temperature adjustment mechanism that adjusts the temperature of the stored liquid 7.

  The tank 51 and the nozzle 53 are connected by a tube or the like (not shown). The pump 52 supplies the liquid 7 stored in the tank 51 to the nozzle 53 via a tube or the like. As the pump 52, any pump capable of feeding the liquid 7 such as a rotary pump can be used. The amount of the liquid 7 supplied to the nozzle 53 is controlled by a control device (not shown), for example. In addition, arrangement | positioning of the tank 51 and the pump 52 is an example, and is not limited to the form of illustration. Further, the tank 51 and the pump 52 are not limited to being arranged on the carriage 50. For example, a tank 51 and a pump 52 may be disposed in addition to the carriage 50, and the liquid 7 may be supplied from the tank 51 to the nozzle 53 via a tube or the like.

  The nozzle 53 discharges the liquid 7. The nozzle 53 is attached so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Z direction) by a guide (not shown) provided on the nozzle support plate 57, and can be moved in the Z direction by a driving device (not shown). Thereby, when apply | coating the liquid 7, the space | interval of the nozzle 53 and the sheet | seat 5 can be adjusted. The coating unit 9 may include a sensor that can measure the distance between the sheet 5 and the nozzle 53. As this sensor, either a non-contact sensor such as an optical sensor, or a contact sensor using a probe or the like may be used. The movement of the nozzle 53 in the Z direction is controlled by a control device (not shown), for example. The nozzle 53 includes a storage unit (not shown) that stores the liquid 7 sent from the tank 51 and a discharge port 60 (see FIG. 6B) that discharges the liquid 7 in the storage unit.

  FIG. 6B shows an example in which the application unit 29 applies the liquid 7. The discharge port 60 is formed at the lower end (end on the −Z side) of the nozzle 53 so as to face the sheet 5. The discharge port 60 is formed in a slit shape extending in the X direction. The width of the discharge port 60 (the length in the Y direction) is set according to the viscosity of the liquid 7 and the discharge amount. The length of the discharge port 60 in the X direction is set according to the width of the liquid 7 applied to the sheet 5. The nozzle 53 may include a temperature adjustment mechanism that adjusts the temperature of the liquid 7. Further, the nozzle 53 may be detachably formed on the nozzle support plate 57 and may be replaceable. Moreover, the part of the discharge port 60 among the nozzles 53 may be formed so as to be removable and replaceable.

  Returning to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the application unit 29 is formed to be movable in the Y direction by the application unit driving unit 61. The application unit driving unit 61 includes a driving roller 62 and a driven roller 63 that are spaced apart from each other in the Y direction, and a belt 64 that spans the driving roller 62 and the driven roller 63. The driving roller 62 is disposed on the −Y side on the horizontal frame 34 and is driven by a driving device (not shown). The driven roller 63 is disposed on the + Y side on the horizontal frame 34. The belt 64 is made of stainless steel, resin, or cloth, and the lower plate 54 of the carriage 50 is fixed to the + Z side surface.

  By driving the driving roller 62 and moving the belt 64, the carriage 50 moves in the Y direction. Further, by stopping the driving of the driving roller 62, the carriage 50 can be disposed at an arbitrary position in the Y direction. In addition, the application part drive part 61 is not limited to the structure using the above-mentioned belt 64 etc. For example, a ball screw mechanism and a rack and pinion mechanism may be used. Further, the coating unit 9 is not limited to one that moves in the Y direction together with the carriage 50. For example, the nozzle 53 may be held by a robot arm, a manipulator, or the like, and the nozzle 53 may be movable in the Y direction, the Z direction, or the like by driving the robot arm or the like.

  The movement and stop position of the application unit 29 may be controlled by a control device (not shown) or may be manually operated by an operator. As shown in FIG. 4, the application unit 29 moves in the Y direction, and as shown in FIG. 4, a facing position P <b> 1 where the liquid 7 can be applied to the sheet 5, a retreat position P <b> 2 retreated outside the vacuum drying unit 10 described later It is possible to move between. The retreat position P2 is set according to the size of the vacuum drying unit 10 so as not to interfere with the vacuum drying unit 10. The retreat position P2 is not limited to the illustrated position, and can be set to an arbitrary position outside the reduced-pressure drying unit 10.

  The application unit 29 moves in the Y direction relative to the sheet 5 of the sheet 5 held by the holding unit 28 at the facing position P1, and at this time, the frame portion on the sheet 5 from the discharge port 60 of the nozzle 53. The liquid 7 is discharged inside 6 (see FIG. 6). At this time, since the sheet 5 is held by the suction unit 38 of the holding unit 28 and spreads by the frame unit 6 as described above, the liquid 7 can be applied onto the sheet 5 without unevenness. When the liquid 7 is discharged onto the sheet 5 from the discharge port 60, the height (Z direction position) of the nozzle 53 is adjusted to a position suitable for application. In addition, when apply | coating the liquid 7, it is not limited to moving the nozzle 53 to a Y direction. For example, the nozzle 53 may be fixed, and the liquid 7 may be applied by moving the holding unit 28 in the Y direction. Alternatively, the liquid 7 may be applied by moving the nozzle 53 and the holding unit 28 in opposite directions in the Y direction. May be.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the coating unit 9 includes a nozzle immersion unit 66 and a preliminary discharge unit 67 for maintaining the nozzle 53. The nozzle immersion unit 66 and the preliminary discharge unit 67 are arranged side by side in the Y direction on the + Y side of the holding unit 28 and are installed so as not to interfere with the vacuum drying unit 10. Moreover, the nozzle immersion part 66 and the preliminary discharge part 67 are arrange | positioned so that the nozzle 53 of the coating unit 9 of the retracted position P2 can be connected, respectively.

  The nozzle immersion portion 66 includes a container that opens in the + Z direction, and the tip portion of the nozzle 53 is formed to be insertable from the + Z direction. In the container, for example, the liquid 7, a solution that forms the liquid 7, and the like are stored. While the liquid 7 is not applied to the sheet 5, the discharge port 60 of the nozzle 53 can be prevented from being dried and the nozzle 53 can be cleaned by immersing the tip portion of the nozzle 53 in the solution of the nozzle immersion unit 66.

  The preliminary discharge unit 67 is provided for performing preliminary discharge of the liquid 7 by the nozzle 53. The preliminary discharge unit 67 is, for example, a container that opens in the + Z direction, and is formed so that the tip portion of the nozzle 53 can be inserted from the + Z direction. An ejection target surface for preliminary ejection of the liquid 7 may be formed in the container. In the first discharge of the liquid 7 by the nozzle 53, the discharge amount may vary. Prior to the application to the sheet 5, by performing preliminary discharge of the nozzle 53 by the preliminary discharge unit 67, the discharge amount of the liquid 7 can be stabilized.

  In order to maintain the nozzle 53, a processing unit other than the nozzle immersion unit 66 and the preliminary discharge unit 67 may be provided. Further, the nozzle immersion unit 66 and the preliminary discharge unit 67 are not limited to be arranged on the + Y side of the holding unit 28, and are arranged on the −Y side of the holding unit 28, the + X side or the −X side of the coating unit 9. May be. Further, instead of the nozzle 53 moving to the nozzle immersion part 66 or the like during nozzle cleaning, the nozzle immersion part 66 or the like may move to the nozzle 53 during nozzle cleaning. In this case, the nozzle immersion part 66 and the preliminary discharge part 67 are formed so as to be movable. For example, the nozzle immersion part 66 and the preliminary discharge part 67 are normally retracted in the X direction or Z direction with respect to the nozzle 53 and moved to the nozzle 53 during maintenance of the nozzle 53. Such an arbitrary configuration is adopted. Further, whether or not the nozzle immersion unit 66 and the preliminary discharge unit 67 are provided is arbitrary, and the nozzle immersion unit 66 or the like may not be provided.

  The application unit 29 is not limited to the above-described configuration, and any configuration that can discharge the liquid 7 can be applied. For example, instead of the nozzle 53, the liquid 7 may be applied to the sheet 5 by an ink jet method or a spray method. Alternatively, the liquid 7 may be discharged onto the sheet 5 with a dispenser or the like, and the liquid 7 may be spread on the sheet 5 with a squeegee or the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the vacuum drying unit 10 forms a sealed space 68 including the holding portion 28. This space 68 is a space that can be decompressed by suction. The reduced-pressure drying unit 10 includes a chamber unit 70 that can form a space 68, and a suction unit 71 that depressurizes the space 68 to dry the liquid 7. The chamber unit 70 is disposed on the table 35 of the main frame 30. Whether or not the suction part 71 is supported by the main frame 30 is arbitrary. The chamber part 70 includes a base part 72 and a lid part 73. The base portion 72 has a lower surface side fixed to the table 35 and a base portion 39 of the holding portion 28 fixed to the upper surface side. The base portion 72 is a rectangular plate member. Although not shown, the base portion 72 is provided with a connection hole communicating with the connection hole 44 (see FIG. 6A) provided in the base portion 39, and the suction force of the suction suction portion 40 is applied to the suction portion 38. The route to reach is secured. The lid part 73 is in contact with the upper surface of the base part 72 and is formed in a concave shape capable of forming the space 68.

  FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing an example of the reduced pressure drying unit 10, and FIG. 7B is a perspective view showing an example of the lid 73. FIG. As shown in FIG. 7A, the holding portion 28 is fixed to a substantially central region on the upper surface of the base portion 72. The lid portion 73 is connected to the base portion 72 by two hinge portions 74 on the −Y side of the upper surface of the base portion 72. Since the lid part 73 forms a small space 68 that covers the holding part 28, the time required for decompression of the space 68 can be shortened by the suction part 71 described later.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the lid portion 73 is formed to be rotatable around the X axis by a hinge portion 74, and a space forming position for forming a space 68 including the holding portion 28 and the holding portion 28 are opened. Rotate and move between the holding part open position. The holding portion opening position is set to a position where the above-described coating unit 9 does not interfere with the lid portion 73. The lid portion 73 is disposed at the holding portion opening position when the liquid 7 is applied to the sheet 5 of the holding portion 28 by the coating unit 9 (see the lid portion 57 indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 7A). When the space 68 is sucked and depressurized by a suction portion 71 described later, the space 68 is disposed at a space forming position (see the lid portion 57 shown by a solid line in FIG. 7A). The hinge portion 74 may be disposed on the + X side or the −X side of the base portion 72 instead of being disposed on the −Y side of the base portion 72.

  The base portion 72 is provided with a through hole 76. The through hole 76 is provided so as to penetrate from the + Z side of the base portion 72 to the −Z side. The through hole 76 is formed so as to be connected to the space 68 when the lid 73 is in the space forming position. The through hole 76 is connected to the suction portion 71 by a tubular member (not shown) such as a tube, for example. Therefore, by driving the suction part 71, the space 68 can be sucked and decompressed. The number and arrangement of the through holes 76 are arbitrary as long as they are connected to the space 68. For example, two or more through holes 76 may be formed and each connected to the suction portion 71. Further, the suction portion 71 is not limited to being connected through the through hole 76 of the base portion 72. For example, an opening is provided in a part of the lid portion 73, and the opening and the suction portion 71 are connected to the tube. The space 68 may be sucked from the lid 73 side.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the lid portion 73 may be formed with a window portion 73a whose inside can be visually observed at the center portion. As the window portion 73a, a plate-like resin such as a transparent or translucent plate-like glass or an acrylic plate is used. The window portion 73a allows an operator or the like to visually confirm the dry state of the liquid 7. However, it is arbitrary whether or not the window 73a is formed. In addition, the lid 73 may be attached to an edge with an elastic member such as rubber in order to improve adhesion to the base 72 at the space forming position.

  The reduced pressure drying unit 10 includes a lid driving unit 75 for driving the lid 73 to rotate. The driving of the lid drive unit 75 may be controlled by a control device (not shown) or may be manually operated by an operator. Further, whether or not the lid driving unit 75 is provided is arbitrary. When the lid driving unit 75 is not provided, the operator may perform an opening / closing operation of the lid 73. Further, the lid portion 73 is not limited to be formed to be opened and closed by the hinge portion 74. For example, the lid 73 may be formed so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Z direction). The lid 73 may be held by a robot arm or manipulator, and may be opened and closed by driving the robot arm.

  The suction unit 71 applies the liquid 7 to the sheet 5 by the coating unit 9 and the vacuum drying unit 10 forms the space 68, and then sucks and decompresses the space 68. As a result, the liquid 7 is dried under reduced pressure on the sheet 5. As the suction unit 71, for example, an arbitrary pump such as a vacuum pump that generates a predetermined suction force is applicable. The magnitude and driving timing of the suction force by the suction unit 71 may be controlled by a control device (not shown) or may be manually operated by an operator. At this time, the control device may control the suction force by the suction unit 71 to be smaller than the suction force of the suction suction unit 40 of the holding unit 28. By making the suction force of the suction part 40 for suction larger than the suction force of the suction part 71, it is possible to prevent the sheet 5 from coming off the suction part 38 even when the space 68 is sucked.

  The second functional layer 3 is formed on the sheet 5 by drying the liquid 7 under reduced pressure. Since the sheet 5 includes the first functional layer 2 or is the first functional layer 2 itself, the sheet 5 has a frame portion 6 in which the first functional layer 2 and the second functional layer 3 are laminated by drying the liquid 7. A laminated film 4 is formed. As shown in FIG. 1, the laminated film 4 is transported from the vacuum drying unit 10 to the storage unit 13 by a transport device (not shown).

  The storage unit 13 stores a plurality of laminated films 4. The storage unit 13 may store the stacked films 4 in a stacked state, and may include a shelf (slot) that can store the stacked films 4 one by one or plural sheets. Further, the storage unit 13 may store the long laminated film 4B described later in a folded state. The laminated film 4 may be stored in the storage unit 13 manually by an operator instead of being transported by a transport device (not shown). Note that whether or not the storage unit 13 is disposed is arbitrary, and the storage unit 13 may not be provided. Further, a production line for various devices such as a fuel cell may be connected to the subsequent stage of the storage unit 13.

  Here, the first functional layer 2, the second functional layer 3, and the liquid 7 that forms the second functional layer 3 constituting the laminated film 4 will be described. The contents described below are the same for the other embodiments. In the present specification, the “functional layer” refers to a layer having a function. For example, a film (sheet) having a function is included in the “functional layer”. The 1st functional layer 2 and the 2nd functional layer 3 may have the same function, and may have a different function. Further, the first functional layer 2 and the second functional layer 3 may partially have a function.

  For example, when the laminated film 4 is used as a membrane electrode assembly in a fuel cell, the first functional layer 2 is produced as an electrolyte membrane and the second functional layer 3 is produced as a catalyst layer. At this time, catalyst ink is applied as the liquid 7 in order to form the catalyst layer (second functional layer 3). According to the above-described embodiment, since the catalyst layer that is the second functional layer 3 has a porous shape, a high-quality membrane electrode assembly can be manufactured. The electrolyte membrane that is the first functional layer 2 is not particularly limited as long as it has a function of selectively allowing protons to permeate in the film thickness direction, and a known one can be used. The electrolyte membrane is roughly classified according to, for example, the type of ion exchange resin that is a constituent material, and a fluorine polymer electrolyte membrane, a hydrocarbon polymer electrolyte membrane, or the like can be used.

  Examples of ion exchange resins constituting the fluorine-based polymer electrolyte membrane include Nafion (registered trademark, manufactured by DuPont), Aciplex (registered trademark, manufactured by Asahi Kasei Co., Ltd.), Flemion (registered trademark, manufactured by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.), and the like. Perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid polymer, perfluorocarbon phosphonic acid polymer, trifluorostyrene sulfonic acid polymer, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene-g-styrene sulfonic acid polymer, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, polyvinylidene fluoride- Examples include perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid polymers. From the viewpoint of improving power generation performance such as heat resistance and chemical stability, these fluorine-based polymer electrolyte membranes are used, and in particular, fluorine-based polymer electrolyte membranes composed of perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid polymers. Is used.

  Examples of the ion exchange resin constituting the hydrocarbon electrolyte membrane include sulfonated polyethersulfone (S-PES), sulfonated polyaryletherketone, sulfonated polybenzimidazole alkyl, phosphonated polybenzimidazole alkyl, Examples include sulfonated polystyrene, sulfonated polyetheretherketone (S-PEEK), and sulfonated polyphenylene (S-PPP). Hydrocarbon polymer electrolyte membranes formed from these ion exchange resins have manufacturing advantages such as low cost raw materials, simple manufacturing processes, and high material selectivity. In addition, as for the ion exchange resin mentioned above, only 1 type may be used independently and 2 or more types may be used together. Moreover, it is not restricted only to the material mentioned above, Other materials may be used.

  The thickness of the electrolyte membrane may be appropriately determined in consideration of the characteristics of the fuel cell, and is not particularly limited. The thickness of the electrolyte membrane is usually about 5 to 100 μm. When the thickness of the electrolyte membrane is within such a range, the balance between strength during film formation, durability during use, and output characteristics during use is appropriate. In addition, what was laminated | stacked on the base material sheet (For example, base material sheet S of FIG. 25 etc.) which can be peeled may be used for an electrolyte membrane. This facilitates handling of the electrolyte membrane. As such a base material sheet, for example, it is appropriately selected according to the type of the conductive carrier or the like in the liquid 7, and is made of a resin such as a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) sheet, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sheet, or a polyester sheet. A sheet can be used.

  The catalyst layer as the second functional layer 3 has at least one of an anode catalyst layer used on the anode side in the fuel cell and a cathode catalyst layer used on the cathode side in the fuel cell. The anode catalyst layer has a catalytic action for, for example, an oxidation reaction of hydrogen. The cathode catalyst layer has a catalytic action for, for example, an oxygen reduction reaction. When the catalyst layer includes both the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer, the anode side catalyst layer and the cathode side catalyst layer are respectively formed on different surfaces of the electrolyte membrane.

  The anode side catalyst layer and the cathode side catalyst layer can be formed using, for example, catalyst ink as the liquid 7. The catalyst ink for forming the anode side catalyst layer and the catalyst ink for forming the cathode side catalyst layer are not particularly limited as long as they have the above-described catalytic action, and known ones can be used. As such a catalyst ink, for example, an ink containing a catalyst in which a catalyst component is coated with two ionomer layers as disclosed in JP2013-0669614A can be used. Moreover, as a catalyst ink, what contains the electrode catalyst by which the catalyst component was carry | supported by the electroconductive support | carrier, a polymer electrolyte, and a solvent can be used, for example.

  The catalyst component used in the anode catalyst layer is not particularly limited as long as it has a catalytic action for the oxidation reaction of hydrogen, and a known catalyst can be used. The catalyst component used in the cathode catalyst layer is not particularly limited as long as it has a catalytic action for the oxygen reduction reaction, and a known catalyst can be used. Specifically, it can be selected from metals such as platinum, ruthenium, iridium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, tungsten, lead, iron, chromium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, vanadium, molybdenum, gallium, aluminum, and alloys thereof. is there.

  Among these, in order to improve catalyst activity, poisoning resistance to carbon monoxide, etc., heat resistance, etc., for example, those containing platinum are used. The composition of the alloy described above depends on the type of metal to be alloyed. For example, the platinum content may be 30 to 90 atomic%, and the metal content to be alloyed with platinum may be 10 to 70 atomic%. . In general, an alloy is a generic term for a metal element having one or more metal elements or non-metal elements added and having metallic properties. The alloy structure consists of a eutectic alloy, which is a mixture of the component elements as separate crystals, a component element completely melted into a solid solution, and a component element composed of an intermetallic compound or a compound of a metal and a nonmetal. In the present embodiment, any may be used. At this time, the catalyst component used for the anode catalyst layer and the catalyst component used for the cathode catalyst layer can be appropriately selected from the above.

  The shape and size of the catalyst component are not particularly limited, and the same shape and size as known catalyst components can be employed. As the shape of the catalyst component, for example, a granular shape, a scale shape, a layer shape, or the like can be used. Under the present circumstances, the average particle diameter of a catalyst particle is 1-30 nm, 1-10 nm, 1-5 nm, 2-4 nm etc., for example. When the average particle diameter of the catalyst particles is within such a range, the balance between the catalyst utilization rate related to the effective electrode area where the electrochemical reaction proceeds and the ease of loading becomes appropriate. The average particle diameter of the catalyst particles is measured as the crystallite diameter obtained from the half-value width of the diffraction peak of the catalyst component in X-ray diffraction or the average value of the particle diameter of the catalyst component examined by a transmission electron microscope (TEM). Is possible.

  The conductive carrier functions as a carrier for supporting the above-described catalyst component and an electron conduction path involved in the transfer of electrons between the catalyst component and another member. Any conductive carrier may be used as long as it has a specific surface area for supporting catalyst particles in a desired dispersed state and has sufficient electronic conductivity as a current collector. (Carbon atoms) are used. Examples thereof include carbon particles made of carbon black, activated carbon, coke, natural graphite, artificial graphite and the like. In addition, what has carbon as a main component includes both what consists only of a carbon atom, or what consists of a carbon atom substantially. Moreover, in order to improve the characteristic of a fuel cell, elements other than a carbon atom may be contained. In addition, when substantially consisting of carbon atoms, mixing of impurities of about 2 to 3% by weight or less is allowed.

  The BET specific surface area of the conductive carrier may be a specific surface area sufficient to carry the catalyst component in a highly dispersed manner, and is, for example, 20 to 1600 m 2 / g, 80 to 1200 m 2 / g. If the specific surface area is in the above range, the catalyst component and the polymer electrolyte are sufficiently dispersed on the conductive support to obtain sufficient power generation performance, and the catalyst component and the polymer electrolyte are sufficiently effectively used. be able to. In addition, the size of the conductive carrier is not particularly limited, but the average particle size is, for example, 5 to 200 nm from the viewpoint of easy loading, catalyst utilization, and electrode catalyst layer thickness within an appropriate range. , About 10 to 100 nm.

  In the electrode catalyst in which the catalyst component is supported on the conductive support, the supported amount of the catalyst component is set to, for example, 10 to 80% by weight and 30 to 70% by weight with respect to the total amount of the electrode catalyst. When the supported amount of the catalyst component is within such a range, the balance between the degree of dispersion of the catalyst component on the catalyst carrier and the catalyst performance is appropriate. The amount of the catalyst component supported can be examined by inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP).

  As the polymer electrolyte, for example, the above-described fluorine-based polymer electrolyte membrane or hydrocarbon-based polymer electrolyte membrane can be used. Among them, those containing a fluorine atom are used because of excellent heat resistance, chemical stability, and the like. For example, fluorine-based electrolytes such as Nafion (registered trademark, manufactured by DuPont), Aciplex (registered trademark, manufactured by Asahi Kasei Co., Ltd.), Flemion (registered trademark, manufactured by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.), and the like are used. The content of the polymer electrolysis mass in the catalyst layer is not particularly limited, but the ratio of the polymer electrolysis mass to the amount of carbon in the electrode catalyst is set to 0.3 to 1.2, for example.

  It does not restrict | limit especially as a solvent, The normal solvent used for forming a catalyst layer can be used similarly. For example, lower alcohols such as water, cyclohexanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, and 2-propanol can be used. Further, the amount of the solvent used is not particularly limited, and a known amount can be used. In the catalyst ink, the electrocatalyst is used in any amount as long as it can sufficiently exert the desired action, that is, the action of catalyzing the hydrogen oxidation reaction (anode side) and the oxygen reduction reaction (cathode side). Also good. An electrode catalyst is set so that it may become 5 to 30 weight% and 9 to 20 weight% in catalyst ink, for example.

  Next, the manufacturing method of the laminated film 4 is demonstrated with reference to drawings with the operation | movement of the system 1. FIG. However, the following description is an example and does not limit the manufacturing method. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing the laminated film 4. 9 and 10 are diagrams illustrating the operation of the system 1. In addition, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 8, FIG. 3, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are referred to as appropriate.

  First, a sheet 5A including the first functional layer 2 is prepared. Any method can be applied to create the sheet 5A. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the sheet 5 </ b> A is prepared as a roll body R <b> 1 wound in a roll shape. Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the frame part 6 is formed so as to surround a partial region of the sheet 5 (step S1). As described above, the frame forming unit 8 is supplied with the frame portion 6 from the storage unit 11, for example, and forms the frame portion 6 on the sheet 5 cut from the sheet 5A. The sheet 5 with the frame part 6 is conveyed to the storage unit 12 and stored, for example.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the sheet 5 is held by the holding unit 28 (step S2). As shown in FIG. 9A, the sheet 5 is held by opening the lid 73 of the chamber unit 70 and placing the sheet 5 on the sheet member 46 on the suction unit 38. And the suction unit 40 for suction is driven to suck the sheet 5. As a result, the sheet 5 is held by the holding unit 28. At this time, the coating unit 9 is located at the retracted position P2.

  In addition, the operation | work which mounts the sheet | seat 5 in the holding | maintenance part 28 may be conveyed manually by an operator, and may be performed by various conveying apparatuses. Further, the drive timing of the suction unit for suction 40 may be either after the sheet 5 is placed on the sheet member 46 or before it is placed. When driving the suction unit 40 for suction before placing the sheet 5 on the sheet member 46, the suction force is set to be weak during the placement, and the suction force is strongly attracted after the placement is completed. It may be changed. It is possible to easily place the sheet 5 by sucking weakly during placement. Such a change in the suction force of the suction part for suction 40 may be controlled by a control device (not shown) or may be manually operated by an operator. Whether or not step S2 is performed is arbitrary, and step S2 may not be performed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the liquid 7 is applied to the sheet 5 by the application unit 29 (step S3). Prior to application, the nozzle 53 may be maintained by the nozzle immersion unit 66 and the preliminary discharge unit 67. The application unit 29 moves in the −Y direction by driving the application unit driving unit 61 (see FIG. 4), and is disposed on the + Y side of the facing position P1 from the retracted position P2. The position on the + Y side of the facing position P <b> 1 is, for example, a position facing the + Y side of the sheet 5 inside the frame portion 6. Subsequently, the drive unit (not shown) is driven to adjust the Z position of the nozzle 53. The Z position of the nozzle 53 is set so that the interval between the discharge port 60 and the sheet 5 is a predetermined interval. Note that the Z position of the nozzle 53 may be moved while the application unit 29 moves from the retracted position P2 to the facing position P1.

  Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 9B, the application unit driving unit 61 is driven to move the application unit 29 in the −Y direction. At this time, when the liquid 7 is discharged from the discharge port 60 of the nozzle 53 and the nozzle 53 reaches the predetermined position on the −Y side of the sheet 5 (the stage where the application unit 29 reaches the −Y side of the facing position P1). The discharge of the liquid 7 from the nozzle 53 is stopped. Thereby, the liquid 7 is applied to the region surrounded by the frame portion 6 on the sheet 5. Since the sheet 5 is maintained in a state of being spread by the frame portion 6, the liquid 7 can be appropriately applied without unevenness.

  For example, the liquid 7 may be discharged from the nozzle 53 when the application unit 29 is moving in the Y direction at a constant speed. That is, when the application unit 29 starts to move in the −Y direction, the liquid 7 may not be discharged during acceleration, and the discharge of the liquid 7 may be started after reaching a substantially constant speed. For example, when the discharge amount of the liquid 7 per unit time is controlled to be constant, if the relative speed of the nozzle 53 with respect to the sheet 5 changes, the amount of application per unit area of the sheet 5 changes and unevenness occurs. Therefore, by starting the discharge of the liquid 7 after the coating unit 29 reaches a substantially constant speed, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of unevenness of the liquid 7 on the sheet 5, for example, unevenness of application, unevenness of drying, and the like. Can be formed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the application unit 29 moves in the + Y direction by driving the application unit driving unit 61, and retreats to the outside of the chamber unit 70 (step S <b> 4). As shown in FIG. 10A, the application unit 29 moves away from the holding unit 28 and retreats to the outside of the chamber unit 70 by moving from the facing position P1 to the retreat position P2. In step S4, the suction of the sheet 5 is continued by the suction unit 40 for suction. Further, the liquid 7 in the vicinity of the discharge port 60 of the nozzle 53 may be sucked into the nozzle 53 so that the liquid 7 does not leak from the nozzle 53 while the application unit 29 is retracted. Whether or not step S4 is performed is arbitrary, and step S4 may not be performed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8, a space 68 including the sheet 5 coated with the liquid 7 is formed by the chamber unit 70 (step S5). As shown in FIG. 10B, the lid portion 73 drives the lid portion driving portion 75 to rotate from the holding portion opening position to the space forming position, thereby closely contacting the base portion 72 and forming a sealed space 68. Form. The space 68 includes the sheet 5 on which the liquid 7 is applied while being held by the holding unit 28. The timing at which the lid part 73 is rotated from the holding part open position by the lid part drive part 75 may be after the application part 29 has moved to the retracted position P2, or the application part 29 has moved from the facing position P1 to the retracted position P2. Above all.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the interior of the space 68 is sucked and decompressed by driving the suction portion 71 (step S6). Decompression of the space 68 is performed by driving the suction part 71 after the space 68 is formed, as shown in FIG. Due to the reduced pressure in the space 68, the liquid 7 is dried, and the second functional layer 3 is formed on the sheet 5. Since the liquid 7 is dried under reduced pressure, the porous second functional layer 3 can be formed, and the specific surface area of the second functional layer 3 can be increased. Further, since the space 68 of the chamber part 70 is a small space that covers the holding part 28, the time for decompressing the space 68 can be shortened. Note that the suction force of the sheet 5 by the suction suction unit 40 may be set to be larger than the suction force with respect to the space 68 during the decompression by the suction unit 71. Thereby, even when the space 68 is decompressed, the sheet 5 can be reliably held by the holding portion 28. Whether or not the suction force of the sheet 5 is greater than the suction force with respect to the space 68 is arbitrary.

  In step S6, the sheet 5 may be heated at a predetermined temperature by the heating unit 47 when the liquid 7 is dried under reduced pressure or after the reduced pressure drying. Thereby, the drying time of the liquid 7 can be shortened. Further, the heating of the sheet 5 by the heating unit 47 may be started during or after the application of the liquid 7 in the above-described step S3. Further, the heating temperature of the sheet 5 by the heating unit 47 may be changed in accordance with the progress of drying of the liquid 7, for example. Note that whether or not the sheet 5 is heated by the heating unit 47 is arbitrary.

  After the liquid 7 is dried under reduced pressure and the second functional layer 3 is formed, the driving of the suction portion 71 is stopped, and the lid portion driving portion 75 rotates the lid portion 73 to the holding portion opening position so that the holding portion 28 is moved. Open. Whether or not the second functional layer 3 has been formed may be visually confirmed by the operator through the window 73a of the lid 73, or may be determined with the passage of a preset time. Further, after the driving of the suction portion 71 is stopped, an inert gas (for example, nitrogen gas or argon gas) is supplied into the space 68 with respect to the sheet 5 and the second functional layer 3 to purge the space 68. May be. Further, when the space 68 is released from the decompressed state, for example, a part of the sheet 5 (for example, a part of the frame part 6) may be elastically pressed against the suction part 38 by a hook or the like. Thereby, even when the space 68 is opened to the atmosphere, for example, the sheet 5 (laminated film 4) can be reliably held by the suction and hooks of the suction portion 38 and can be prevented from peeling off from the suction portion 38. Subsequently, when the driving of the suction unit for suction 40 is stopped, the laminated film 4 can be taken out. In addition, various conveyance apparatuses may be used for taking out the laminated film 4 in addition to the manual operation by the operator. Moreover, the taken-out laminated film 4 may be conveyed and stored by the storage unit 13, for example. Through the above steps, the laminated film 4 in which the second functional layer 3 is laminated on the sheet 5 (first functional layer 2) is completed.

  In addition, when forming the 2nd functional layer 3 on both surfaces of the sheet | seat 5, after forming the 2nd functional layer 3 in one surface of the sheet | seat 5 first, the other surface of the sheet | seat 5 is made into the holding | maintenance part 28 again by making the other surface into an upper surface. By adsorbing and forming the second functional layer 3 on the other surface by the same procedure as described above, the laminated film 4 having the second functional layer 3 on both surfaces of the sheet 5 can be formed. In addition, when apply | coating the liquid 7 to both surfaces of the sheet | seat 5, the component of the liquid 7 may be changed for every one surface, and the different 2nd functional layer 3 may be formed.

  Further, the second functional layer 3 may be multilayered by repeating the above-described steps S2 to S6. In this case, the second functional layer 3 may be multilayered using the same liquid 7, and the second functional layer 3 may be multilayered using different liquids 7. When the same liquid 7 is used, the thickness of the second functional layer 3 made of the same material can be easily increased. Further, when different liquids 7 are used, the second functional layer 3 in a state where a plurality of materials are laminated can be easily formed.

  Thus, according to this embodiment, since the frame part 6 is previously formed on the sheet 5 by the frame forming unit 8, the deformation of the sheet 5 is suppressed in the subsequent application of the liquid 7 and drying under reduced pressure, and an appropriate laminated film 4 can be manufactured efficiently. In addition, since the liquid 7 is dried under reduced pressure after the liquid 7 is applied to the sheet 5 without transporting the sheet 5, the sheet 5 absorbs moisture in the liquid 7 to cause deformation such as wrinkles and distortion. It is possible to form the laminated film 4 that is suppressed and has little deformation and the like. Moreover, since the drying under reduced pressure is performed in a short time after the application of the liquid 7, the porous second functional layer 3 can be formed. Thereby, the specific surface area of the 2nd functional layer 3 can be enlarged, and the activity of the 2nd functional layer 3 can be made high. Further, since the time from application of the liquid 7 to the start of drying is short, a material that requires a short time from application to drying can be used as the liquid 7. Further, the manufactured laminated film 4 has improved rigidity due to the frame portion 6, and can improve handling properties such as subsequent conveyance and assembly.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is simplified or omitted. In addition, among the matters described in the first embodiment, all items applicable to the second embodiment may be applied in the second embodiment.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the reduced-pressure drying unit 110 in the system 100 according to the second embodiment. In the present embodiment, the reduced-pressure drying unit 110 is different from the first embodiment. The vacuum drying unit 110 includes a suction unit 171 and an adjustment unit 172. As in the first embodiment, for example, an arbitrary pump such as a vacuum pump that generates a predetermined suction force can be applied to the suction unit 171. Moreover, the magnitude | size and drive timing of the attraction | suction force by the suction part 171 may be controlled by a control apparatus not shown, and may be manually operated by the operator. The suction part 171 is connected to both the suction part 38 and the space 68 by a tubular member such as a tube via the adjustment part 172.

  The adjusting unit 172 distributes the suction performed by the suction unit 171 into the suction performed by the suction unit 38 and the suction performed by the space 68, and performs the respective adjustments. For example, a vacuum valve capable of controlling the gas flow rate is used as the adjustment unit 172. For example, the adjustment unit 172 adjusts so that the suction force with respect to the suction unit 38 is larger than the suction force with respect to the space 68. The adjustment unit 172 is not limited to being formed separately from the suction unit 171, and may be formed as a part of the suction unit 171. The adjustment by the adjustment unit 172 may be controlled by a control device (not shown) or may be manually operated by an operator.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the suction unit 38 and the space 68 are both sucked by one suction unit 171, the suction unit 40 for suction is not required as in the first embodiment. Become. Thereby, the number of suction parts (for example, vacuum pumps) can be reduced, and apparatus cost can be reduced. Further, by operating the adjustment unit 172, the suction force of the suction unit 38 and the suction force of the space 68 can be easily adjusted.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is simplified or omitted. In addition, among the matters described in the above-described embodiment, all items applicable to the third embodiment may be applied in the third embodiment.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the coating unit 209 and the vacuum drying unit 210 in the system 200 according to the third embodiment. In the present embodiment, the coating unit 209 and the vacuum drying unit 210 are different from the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the application unit 209 includes a first holding unit 228 </ b> A, a second holding unit 228 </ b> B, and an application unit 229. The vacuum drying unit 210 includes a chamber unit 270. The plurality of holding units 228A, 228B, the application unit 229, and the chamber unit 270 are supported by the main frame 230. The main frame 230 is the same as the main frame 30 except that it is formed longer in the Y direction than the main frame 30 shown in FIG.

  The first holding unit 228A and the second holding unit 228B have the same configuration as the holding unit 28 shown in FIG. The first holding part 228A and the second holding part 228B are arranged side by side in the Y direction on the base part 272 of the chamber part 270. The first holding unit 228A and the second holding unit 228B are connected to the first suction unit 240A and the second suction unit 240B, respectively. The first suction suction section 240A and the second suction suction section 240B have the same configuration as the suction suction section 40 shown in FIG. The first suction suction part 240A and the second suction suction part 240B are not limited to be arranged separately. For example, a single suction suction part 240A (or suction suction part 240B) is used to form a plurality of suction parts. 38 suctions may be performed.

  The application unit 229 is movable in the Y direction so as to apply the liquid 7 to the sheet 5 held on each of the first holding unit 228A and the second holding unit 228B. Accordingly, the range of the facing position P1 is also longer in the Y direction than in the first embodiment. The application unit driving unit 261 uses a belt 264 that is longer in the Y direction than the belt 64 of the first embodiment in order to ensure movement of the application unit 229 in the Y direction. In addition, the other structure of the application part 229 is the same as that of the application part 29 shown in FIG. The nozzle immersion part 66 and the preliminary discharge part 67 for maintaining the nozzle 53 are arranged on the + Y side of the first holding part 228A.

  The chamber part 270 includes a base part 272 that supports the first holding part 228A and the second holding part 228B, and a lid part 273 capable of forming a space 268 including the first holding part 228A and the second holding part 228B. . The lid portion 273 is formed by a driving device (not shown) so as to be movable between a holding portion opening position where the first holding portion 228A and the like are opened and a space forming position where the space 268 is formed. The lid portion 273 may be formed to be rotatable by the hinge portion 74, similarly to the lid portion 73 of the first embodiment. The space 268 is connected to the suction unit 71 and can be decompressed by suction by the suction unit 71. In addition, the chamber part 270 is individually provided for each of the first holding part 228A and the second holding part 228B instead of forming the space 268 including both the first holding part 228A and the second holding part 228B. A space may be formed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the liquid 7 can be applied by the single application unit 229 to the plurality of sheets 5 held by the first holding unit 228A and the second holding unit 228B. Furthermore, since the one space 268 is collectively reduced by reducing the pressure with respect to the plurality of sheets 5 coated with the liquid 7, the laminated film 4 can be manufactured efficiently. In FIG. 12, two first holding units 228A and second holding units 228B are used, but three or more holding units may be arranged.

  In the present embodiment, in addition to the usage mode in which the liquid 7 is applied to one surface of the sheet 5 by both the first holding unit 228A and the second holding unit 228B, the first holding unit 228A allows one of the sheets 5 to be applied. The usage form in which the liquid 7 is applied to the surface and then the liquid 7 is applied to the other surface of the sheet 5 by the second holding unit 228B may be employed. At this time, the conveyance of the sheet 5 from the first holding unit 228A to the second holding unit 228B may be performed manually by an operator or may be performed by various conveying devices.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is simplified or omitted. In addition, among the matters described in the above-described embodiment, all items applicable to the fourth embodiment may be applied in the fourth embodiment.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the coating unit 309 and the vacuum drying unit 210 in the system 300 according to the fourth embodiment. In the present embodiment, the coating unit 309 and the reduced pressure drying unit 210 are different from the first embodiment. The first holding unit 228A, the second holding unit 228B, and the vacuum drying unit 210 of the coating unit 309 are the same as those described in the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, the coating unit 309 includes a first coating unit 329A and a second coating unit 329B. The plurality of holding units 228A and 228B, the first application unit 329A and the second application unit 329B, and the chamber unit 270 are supported by the main frame 330. The main frame 330 is the same as the main frames 30 and 230 except that the main frame 330 is formed longer in the Y direction than the main frames 30 and 230 shown in FIGS.

  The first application unit 329A is used to apply the sheet 5 held by the first holding unit 228A. The first application unit 329A has the same configuration as the application unit 29 of the first embodiment. The retracted position P2A of the first application unit 329A is set on the + Y side of the first holding unit 228A. The nozzle immersion unit 366A and the preliminary discharge unit 367A that maintain the nozzle 53 of the first application unit 329A are disposed on the + Y side of the first holding unit 228A. The first application part 329A can be moved from the retracted position P2A in the −Y direction and disposed at the facing position P1A. The movement of the first application unit 329A is performed by the first application unit driving unit 361A. The first application unit driving unit 361A includes a driving roller 362A, a driven roller 363A, and a belt 364A. The first application unit drive unit 361A is substantially the same as the configuration of the application unit drive unit 61 of the first embodiment.

  The second application unit 329B is used to apply the sheet 5 held by the second holding unit 228B. The 2nd application part 329B is the same composition as application part 29 of a 1st embodiment. The retracted position P2B of the second application unit 329B is set on the −Y side of the second holding unit 228B. The nozzle immersion unit 366B and the preliminary discharge unit 367B that maintain the nozzle 53 of the second application unit 329B are disposed on the −Y side of the second holding unit 228B. The second application unit 329B can move from the retracted position P2B in the + Y direction and be disposed at the facing position P1B. The movement of the second application unit 329B is performed by the second application unit driving unit 361B. The second application unit driving unit 361B includes a driving roller 362B, a driven roller 363B, and a belt 364B. The 2nd application part drive part 361B is as substantially the same as the composition of application part drive part 61 of a 1st embodiment.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the liquid 7 is applied to the plurality of sheets 5 held by the first holding unit 228A and the second holding unit 228B in the first application unit 329A and the second application unit 329B, respectively. Application time can be shortened. Furthermore, since the plurality of sheets 5 are dried under reduced pressure in one space 268, the laminated film 4 can be manufactured efficiently. In FIG. 13, the two first holding units 228 </ b> A and the second holding unit 228 </ b> B are used, but three or more holding units may be arranged, and an application unit may be arranged for each holding unit.

  In the present embodiment, as in the third embodiment, in addition to the usage mode in which the liquid 7 is applied to one surface of the sheet 5 by both the first holding unit 228A and the second holding unit 228B, the first holding unit The liquid 7 may be applied to one surface of the sheet 5 by 228A, and then the liquid 7 may be applied to the other surface of the sheet 5 by the second holding unit 228B. At this time, the conveyance of the sheet 5 from the first holding unit 228A to the second holding unit 228B may be performed manually by an operator or may be performed by various conveying devices.

  In the present embodiment, the first application unit 329A and the second application unit 329B may apply the same liquid 7 or different liquids 7. In this case, the predetermined liquid 7 may be applied to one surface of the sheet 5 by the first application unit 329A, and the different liquid 7 may be applied to the other surface of the sheet 5 by the second application unit 329B. Thereby, the 2nd functional layer 3 which is different by the one surface and the other surface of the sheet | seat 5 can be formed.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is simplified or omitted. In addition, among the matters described in the above-described embodiment, all items applicable to the fifth embodiment may be applied in the fifth embodiment.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system 400 according to the fifth embodiment. The system 400 manufactures a laminated film (functional film) 4 </ b> A in which the second functional layer 3 is formed on both surfaces of the sheet 5. As shown in FIG. 14, the system 400 includes a first application unit 409A, a second application unit 409B, a first reduced pressure drying unit 410A, a second reduced pressure drying unit 410B, a reversing unit 412, a storage unit 12, 13. The first application unit 409A includes a first holding unit 428A and a first application unit 429A. The second application unit 409B includes a second holding unit 428B and a second application unit 429B.

  The first holding unit 428A and the second holding unit 428B have the same configuration as the holding unit 28 of the first embodiment. The first application unit 329A and the second application unit 429B have the same configuration as the application unit 29 of the first embodiment. The first vacuum drying unit 410A is disposed corresponding to the first coating unit 409A. The second reduced pressure drying unit 410B is disposed corresponding to the second coating unit 409B. The first reduced pressure drying unit 410A and the second reduced pressure drying unit 410B have the same configuration as the reduced pressure drying unit 10 of the first embodiment. For example, the sheet 5 including the frame portion 6 is conveyed from the storage unit 12 to the first application unit 409A. In the second coating unit 409B, the laminated film 4 in which the second functional layer 3 is formed on one surface of the sheet 5 is conveyed from the reversing unit 412 described later.

  The first application unit 409A applies the liquid 7 to the sheet 5 conveyed from the storage unit 12. For example, the first application unit 409A applies the liquid 7 to the surface of the sheet 5 on which the frame portion 6 is formed. However, the first application unit 409A is not limited thereto, and is applied to the other surface of the sheet 5 on which the frame portion 6 is formed. On the other hand, the liquid 7 may be applied. Note that the application of the liquid 7 to the sheet 5 by the first application unit 409A and the reduced pressure drying of the liquid 7 by the first reduced pressure drying unit 410A are the same as in the above-described embodiment. The first application unit 409A conveys the laminated film 4 in which the second functional layer 3 is formed on one surface of the sheet 5 to the reversing unit 412 using a conveyance device (not shown). The conveyance to the reversing unit 412 may be performed manually by an operator.

  The inversion unit 412 inverts the laminated film 4 conveyed from the first application unit 409A. Thereby, the laminated film 4 with the second functional layer 3 facing upward is in a state with the second functional layer 3 facing downward. The reversing unit 412 uses an arbitrary mechanism for inverting the laminated film 4. For example, a part of the laminated film 4 is held by a robot arm or a manipulator, and the robot film is driven to invert the laminated film 4. You may go. The inverted laminated film 4 is transferred to the second coating unit 409B by a transfer device (not shown). As described above, when the laminated film 4 is reversed by a robot arm or the like, the laminated film 4 may be transferred to the second coating unit 409B by the robot arm or the like as it is. Further, whether or not the inversion unit 412 is provided is arbitrary, and the inversion unit 412 may not be provided. For example, the laminated film 4 may be inverted manually by an operator.

  The second application unit 409 </ b> B applies the liquid 7 to the sheet 5 conveyed from the reversing unit 412. The second application unit 409B applies the liquid 7 on the sheet 5 on which the second functional layer 3 is not formed. The second holding unit 428B may adsorb (suck) the second functional layer 3 and hold the frame unit 6 when holding the laminated film 4. As a result, the second functional layer 3 can be prevented from being damaged when the laminated film 4 is held. The application of the liquid 7 to the sheet 5 by the second application unit 409B and the reduced pressure drying of the liquid 7 by the second reduced pressure drying unit 410B are the same as in the above-described embodiment. The second coating unit 409A transports the laminated film 4A in which the second functional layer 3 is formed on both surfaces of the sheet 5 to the storage unit 13 by a transport device (not shown). The conveyance to the storage unit 13 may be performed manually by an operator.

  Next, a manufacturing method of the laminated film 4A in which the second functional layer 3 is formed on both surfaces of the sheet 5 will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the following description is an example and does not limit the manufacturing method. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing the laminated film 4A. Note that the description of FIG. 15 is performed with reference to FIG. 14 as appropriate. The manufacturing method includes steps S1 to S6 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 15, after the second functional layer 3 is formed on one surface of the sheet 5 in step S <b> 6 of FIG. 8, the laminated film 4 (sheet 5) is reversed by the reversing unit 412 to perform the second coating. The liquid 7 is applied on the sheet 5 by the unit 409B (step S11). As for the laminated film 4 manufactured by step S1-S6, the 2nd functional layer 3 has faced upwards. The reversing unit 412 inverts the laminated film 4 so that the second functional layer 3 is directed downward, and the surface on which the second functional layer 3 is not formed is directed upward so that the laminated film 4 is directed to the second coating unit 409B. To supply.

  The second application unit 409B holds the inverted laminated film 4 with the second holding unit 428B, and applies the liquid 7 with the second application unit 429B. When the second holding unit 428B sucks and holds the laminated film 4, the suction force may be the same as the suction force by the first holding unit 428A of the first application unit 409A, and for example, the first holding unit They may be different from each other, such as having a smaller or larger suction force than the portion 428A. Note that whether or not the laminated film 4 is held by the second holding unit 428B is arbitrary. Further, the liquid 7 applied by the second application unit 409B may be the same as or different from the liquid 7 used by the first application unit 409A.

  Next, the 2nd application part 429B retracts outside the chamber part 70 (refer to Drawing 4 etc.) (Step S12). This step S12 is the same as step S4 shown in FIG. Next, a space 68 including the laminated film 4 after the liquid 7 is applied is formed by the chamber part 70 of the second reduced pressure drying unit 410B (step S13). This step S13 is the same as step S5 shown in FIG. Subsequently, by driving the suction unit 71, the space 68 is sucked and decompressed (step S14). This step S14 is the same as step S6 shown in FIG. Thereby, the laminated film 4A in which the second functional layer 3 is formed on both surfaces of the sheet 5 is completed.

  The suction force in the space 68 by the second reduced pressure drying unit 410B may be the same as the suction force in the space 68 by the first reduced pressure drying unit 410A, and is made larger or smaller than the first reduced pressure drying unit 410A. And so on. Further, in the first reduced pressure drying unit 410A, a part of the applied liquid 7 may be dried under reduced pressure, and the remaining together with the newly applied liquid 7 in the second reduced pressure drying unit 410B may be dried under reduced pressure.

  In addition, when applying the liquid 7 in the first application unit 409A and the second application unit 409B, or after application, the first reduced pressure drying unit 410A and the second reduced pressure drying unit 410B perform reduced pressure drying in the space 68. At this time or after drying under reduced pressure, the laminated films 4 and 4A may be heated at a predetermined temperature by the heating unit 47 (see FIG. 6A). Thereby, the drying time of the liquid 7 can be shortened. Note that whether or not to heat the laminated films 4 and 4A is arbitrary.

  Thus, according to this embodiment, the laminated film 4A in which the second functional layer 3 is formed on both surfaces of the sheet 5 in the sheet 5 can be efficiently manufactured. In addition, since the system 400 includes the first reduced pressure drying unit 410A and the second reduced pressure drying unit 410B corresponding to the first application unit 409A and the second application unit 409B, the reduced pressure drying after applying the liquid 7 is efficient. This can be performed well, and the high-quality laminated film 4A can be efficiently manufactured. Further, as in the first embodiment, since the application from the liquid 7 to the drying under reduced pressure is performed in a short time, the laminated film 4A having the porous second functional layer 3 can be manufactured.

[Sixth Embodiment]
Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is simplified or omitted. In addition, among the matters described in the above-described embodiments, all those applicable to the sixth embodiment may be applied in the sixth embodiment.

  16 and 17 are diagrams illustrating an example of a system 500 according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 16A is a plan view seen from the + Z direction, and FIG. 16B is a plan view of another example seen from the + Z direction. FIG. 17 is a side view of the system 500 shown in FIG. The system 500 forms the frame portion 6 on the long sheet 5 </ b> A, and applies the liquid 7 to each frame portion 6 without cutting each sheet 5. The system 500 includes a frame forming unit 508, a coating unit 509, a vacuum drying unit 510, and a cutting unit 511.

  The system 500 is supplied as a roll body R1 in which a long sheet 5A is wound in a roll shape. The roll body R1 is rotatably installed on the shaft portion, and for example, the sheet 5A is pulled out by a pair of drive rollers that sandwich the sheet 5A. The roll body R1 may be rotated by a driving device (not shown), and the sheet 5A may be sent out in the + X direction in synchronization with the sheet 5A being pulled out. In this case, the timing and amount of rotation of the roll body R1 (the transfer timing and the transfer amount of the sheet 5A) may be controlled by a control device (not shown) or may be performed manually by an operator. Further, the length and width (the length in the Y direction) in the X direction of the long sheet 5A are not particularly limited, and an arbitrary one can be used.

  As shown in FIGS. 16A and 17, the frame forming unit 508 forms the frame portion 6 on the sheet 5A drawn from the roll body R1. For example, a configuration in which the frame portion 6 is bonded to a part of the sheet 5A is applied to the frame forming unit 508 in the same manner as the frame forming unit 8 of the first embodiment described above. For example, the frame forming unit 508 adheres the frame portion 6 supplied from the storage unit 11 by a conveyance device (not shown) to a part of the sheet 5A. Of the sheet 5A, the portion surrounded by the frame 6 is maintained in an expanded state. The frame portion 6 is formed by the frame forming unit 508 at a predetermined interval in the X direction with respect to the sheet 5A.

  In addition, when the frame part 6 is a rectangle, it forms so that the longitudinal direction of the frame part 6 may turn into the Y direction as shown in FIG. It is not limited to that. For example, as shown in FIG. 16B, the frame 6 may be formed such that the longitudinal direction of the frame 6 is the X direction with respect to the sheet 5A extending in the X direction. Moreover, in this embodiment, although the frame part 6 is formed in one surface of the sheet | seat 5A, you may form the frame part 6 in both surfaces of the sheet | seat 5A. The method for forming the frame portion 6 on the sheet 5A is the same as that of the frame forming unit 8 of the first embodiment.

  The sheet 5A on which the frame portion 6 is formed is transferred to the coating unit 509 without being cut. The coating unit 509 includes a holding unit 528 and a coating unit 529. The holding unit 528 holds a part of the back surface of the sheet 5A. The holding unit 528 holds the at least one of the sheet 5A and the frame unit 6 by sucking with the suction unit 40 for suction, similarly to the holding unit 28 of the first embodiment. A sheet member 46 as shown in FIG. 3 may be disposed between the holding portion 528 and the sheet 5A. Whether or not the sheet 5A is held by suction is arbitrary.

  Rollers 514 and 515 are provided on the −X side and the + X side of the holding portion 528, respectively, to guide the long sheet 5A. The heights of the rollers 514 and 515 can be arbitrarily set. For example, the heights of the rollers 514 and 515 are set to a height at which the sheet 5A is transported substantially horizontally together with the holding portion 528. In addition to the rollers 514 and 515, other rollers may be arranged. Further, whether or not the rollers 514 and 515 are arranged is arbitrary.

  The application unit 529 applies the liquid 7 to the sheet 5 </ b> A held by the holding unit 528. The application part 529 is the same as the application part 29 shown in FIG. The application unit 529 is formed to be movable in the Y direction orthogonal to the transfer direction of the sheet 5A. The application unit 529 is movable between an opposing position P501 where the liquid 7 can be applied to the sheet 5A held by the holding unit 528 and a retreat position P502 set on the + Y side of the holding unit 528. The retreat position P502 may be set on the −Y side of the holding unit 528. Further, the nozzle immersion unit 66 and the preliminary discharge unit 67 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) that maintain the nozzle 53 of the application unit 529 may be arranged on the + Y side or the −Y side of the holding unit 528.

  The vacuum drying unit 510 includes a chamber unit 570 capable of forming a space 568 and a suction unit 71 that decompresses the space 568 to dry the liquid 7. The chamber part 570 includes a lid part 573. The lid portion 573 is formed to be movable in the Z direction between a space forming position where the space 568 is formed and a holding portion opening position where the liquid 7 can be applied to the sheet 5A by the applying portion 529. The movement of the lid 573 may be performed by a driving device (not shown) or may be performed by an operator. When the lid 573 is moved by the driving device, the timing of movement or the like may be controlled by a control device (not shown), or may be manually operated by an operator.

  When the lid portion 573 is in the space forming position, the lower end of the lid portion 573 is in close contact with the upper surface of the holding portion 528. At this time, both sides of the sheet 5 </ b> A extending from the application region of the liquid 7 are sandwiched between the lid portion 573 and the holding portion 528. That is, in a state where the space 568 is formed, the sheet 5A is held by the lid portion 573. An elastic member may be attached to the lower end of the lid 573. Thereby, even when the sheet 5A is sandwiched, a sealed space 568 can be formed. The point that the space 568 is decompressed by the suction portion 71 is the same as in the first embodiment. Further, the lid portion 573 is not limited to moving in the Z direction, and may be formed to be rotatable about the X direction as an axis, for example, using the hinge portion 74 as in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the cutting unit 511 cuts the laminated film 4B (sheet 5A) sent from the reduced-pressure drying unit 510 for each portion where the frame portion 6 is formed. As a result, the long laminated film 4 </ b> B becomes a single laminated film 4 cut for each frame portion 6. The cutting unit 511 is disposed on the + X side of the coating unit 509 and the vacuum drying unit 510. The cutting unit 511 includes a first holding unit 520, a cut table 521, a second holding unit 522, a movable holder 523, and a cutting unit 524. The operation of the cutting unit 511 may be controlled by a control device (not shown), or an operator may perform manual operation for all or part of the operation.

  In addition, the 1st holding | maintenance part 520, the cut stand 521, the 2nd holding | maintenance part 522, the movable holder 523, and the cutting | disconnection part 524 are respectively the 1st holding | maintenance part 20, the cut stand 21 of the frame formation unit 8 shown in FIG. The same as the second holding unit 22, the movable holder 23, and the cutting unit 24. The operation of the cutting unit 511 is as follows. First, in a state where the + X end portion of the laminated film 4B is held by the first holding portion 520, the end portion on the + X side of the laminated film 4B is held by the holder 527 of the movable holder 523. Subsequently, after the holding of the laminated film 4B by the first holding unit 520 is stopped, the rod 526 of the movable holder 23 is moved by a predetermined amount in the + X direction, and the laminated film 4B is held by the second holding unit 22. Subsequently, the cutting part 524 moves in the −Y direction on the cut table 521 to cut the laminated film 4B. Subsequently, the cut laminated film 4 is held by the movable holder 523, the holding by the second holding unit 22 is stopped, and then the movable holder 523 is moved in the + X direction so that the laminated film 4 is conveyed.

  The laminated film 4 is conveyed from the cutting unit 511 to, for example, the storage unit 13 (see FIG. 1). Transport to the storage unit 13 may be performed by the movable holder 523, or may be performed manually by a transport device (not shown) or an operator. Note that the cut table 521 and the second holding unit 522 may be movable in the Z direction, similarly to the cut table 21 and the second holding unit 22 shown in FIG. As the cutting unit 511, any unit can be applied as long as it cuts the laminated film 4 </ b> B for each portion where the frame portion 6 is formed. Further, whether or not the cutting unit 511 is provided is arbitrary, and the cutting unit 511 may not be provided. When the cutting unit 511 is not provided, for example, the long laminated film 4B sent from the vacuum drying unit 510 may be folded and stored in the storage unit 13, and the long laminated film 4B may be stored in another device or the like (for example, For example, a fuel cell assembling apparatus) and may be appropriately cut for each laminated film 4.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the laminated film 4 using the system 500 will be described. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing another example of the manufacturing method of the laminated film 4. 19A is a perspective view illustrating an example of the holding unit 528 and the application unit 529, and FIG. 19B is a perspective view illustrating another example of the holding unit 28 and the application unit 529. FIG. 20 shows an example of the chamber portion 570, where (A) is a perspective view and (B) is a side view seen from the -Y direction. In addition, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 18, FIGS. 19 to 20 will be referred to as appropriate.

  First, the starting end of the sheet 5A is pulled out from the roll body R1 in the + X direction, and the frame portion 6 is formed by the frame forming unit 508 so as to surround a partial region of the sheet 5A as shown in FIG. 18 (step S21). ). The sheet 5A may be transferred in the + X direction by a driving roller (not shown). Of the sheet 5 </ b> A, the portion surrounded by the frame portion 6 is maintained in a state of being expanded by the frame portion 6. The frame portions 6 are formed at predetermined intervals along the X direction of the sheet 5A, but this interval can be arbitrarily set.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 18, the sheet 5A is held by the holding unit 528 (step S22). A part of the sheet 5A on which the frame part 6 is formed is adsorbed and held by the holding part 528. The adsorption of the sheet 5A may be performed until after the application of the liquid 7 by the application unit 529 described later, or may be performed until after the decompression of the space 568 is completed. Note that whether or not the sheet 5A is held by the holding unit 528 in step S22 is arbitrary.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 18, the liquid 7 for forming the second functional layer 3 is applied to at least one surface of the sheet 5A by the application unit 529 (step S23). In step S23, the application unit 529 moves from the retracted position P502 to the facing position P501 (see FIG. 16), and the application unit 529 moves in the Y direction as shown in FIG. The liquid 7 is applied to a predetermined area inside the. The application unit 529 may move in the X direction and apply the liquid 7 to a predetermined region of the sheet 5A.

  Further, as in the application unit 529A shown in FIG. 19B, the liquid 5 is applied to the sheet 5A by utilizing the fact that the nozzle 53 does not move in the Y direction and the sheet 5A moves in the X direction. Good. As shown in FIG. 19B, the application unit 529A has a nozzle 53 disposed above a roller 516 that guides the sheet 5A. In the nozzle 53, the discharge port 60 is arranged in the Y direction along the roller 516. The nozzle 53 is arranged on the −X side of the holding unit 28 (chamber unit 570), and is arranged on the upstream side of the holding unit 28 in the transfer direction of the sheet 5A. The nozzle 53 may be formed so as to be movable in the Z direction, and the distance from the sheet 5 may be adjustable. Moreover, the nozzle immersion part 66 and the preliminary discharge part 67 (refer FIG. 1) which maintain the nozzle 53 may be arrange | positioned from the position of the nozzle 53 of illustration to the + Y side or -Y side. In the case shown in FIG. 19B, the sheet 5A is transferred in the + X direction, and the liquid 7 is applied to a predetermined region of the sheet 5A by discharging the liquid 7 from the nozzle 53.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 18, prior to forming the space 568 by the chamber portion 570, the coating portion 529 is retracted to the outside of the chamber portion 570 (step S24). This step S24 is performed, for example, as shown in FIG. 19A by the application unit 529 moving toward the retracted position in the + Y direction and retracting outside the chamber unit 570. In the case shown in FIG. 19B, the application unit 529A is disposed away from the holding unit 28, and thus has already been retracted. Note that whether or not the application unit 529 is retracted in step S24 is arbitrary.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 18, a space 568 including the sheet 5A coated with the liquid 7 is formed by the chamber unit 570 (step S25). In step S25, for example, as shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, the lid portion 573 moves in the −Z direction to come into contact with the upper surface of the holding portion 528 to form a space 568. At this time, the sheet 5 </ b> A extending in the + X direction and the −X direction from the application region of the liquid 7 is in a state of being sandwiched between the lid portion 573 and the holding portion 528. Note that since the chamber portion 570 forms a small space 568 surrounding the holding portion 528, the time required for decompression of the space 568 can be shortened.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 18, the space 568 is decompressed (step S26). For example, as shown in FIG. 20B, this step S26 is performed by driving the suction unit 71 and sucking the space 568 after the space 568 is formed. By reducing the pressure in the space 568, the liquid 7 is dried to form the second functional layer 3, and the laminated film 4B is manufactured. Note that when the space 568 is sucked, the suction force of the sheet 5A may be set to be larger than the suction force with respect to the space 568. Thereby, the sheet 5A can be reliably held by the holding portion 528. However, whether or not to hold the sheet 5A in the holding portion 528 is arbitrary when the space 568 is decompressed.

  In the case shown in FIG. 19B, the liquid 7 is applied together with the transfer of the sheet 5A (step S23), and the applied liquid 7 reaches the position P503 (corresponding to the retreat of the application unit 529 in step S24). The transfer of the sheet 5A is stopped. Subsequently, the sheet 5A is held by the holding portion 528, and then the lid portion 573 is moved so as to surround the position P503 to form a space 568 (step S25), and the inside of the space 568 is sucked by the suction portion 71. The liquid 7 is dried under reduced pressure by reducing the pressure (step S26). In the case shown in FIG. 19B, since the application part 529A does not reach the holding part 528, it is not necessary to move the entire cover part 573. For example, the lid portion 573 may be fixed on the holding portion 528, and only the entrance / exit portion of the sheet 5A may be opened, and the space 568 may be formed by opening and closing the opening with a shutter or the like.

  Further, when the liquid 7 is applied, or after the application, the sheet 5A may be heated at a predetermined temperature by the heating unit 47 (see FIG. 17) when the drying is performed in the space 568 under reduced pressure or after the reduced pressure drying. . Thereby, the drying time of the liquid 7 can be shortened. Note that whether or not to heat the sheet 5A is arbitrary.

  Through steps S21 to S26, a long laminated film 4B in which the frame portion 6 and the second functional layer 3 are formed at a predetermined interval on the long sheet 5A is formed. The long laminated film 4B may be folded and stored in the storage unit 13 shown in FIG. 1 or the like, or transported to another device or the like (for example, a fuel cell assembling device or the like) and appropriately laminated. Each film 4 may be cut and used as each laminated film 4. Moreover, when the thickness of the frame part 6 is thin, you may make the elongate laminated film 4B into the roll body by which the elongate laminated film 4B was wound. Further, when the second functional layer 3 is formed in a multilayer, the above steps are repeated, and the liquid 7 is applied on the second functional layer 3 in the laminated film 4B. In addition, when forming the multilayer 2nd functional layer 3, you may use the liquid 7 different for every layer.

  Next, after the liquid 7 is dried, the laminated film 4B (sheet 5A) is cut for each frame portion 6 (step S27). The long laminated film 4 </ b> B is cut for each frame portion 6 by the cutting unit 511 to be a single wafer laminated film 4. The laminated film 4 may be transported and stored, for example, in the storage unit 13. Note that whether or not the laminated film 4B (sheet 5A) is cut for each frame portion 6 in step S27 is arbitrary, and step S27 may not be performed. Note that the cutting unit 511 is not limited to cutting every frame portion 6. For example, you may cut | disconnect in the state in which the 2 or more frame part 6 was connected.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the long laminated film 4B or the single wafer laminated film 4 obtained by cutting the long laminated film 4B is formed using the roll body R1 around which the sheet 5A is wound. Therefore, the laminated films 4 and 4B can be efficiently manufactured. As in the first embodiment, since the application of the liquid 7 to the drying under reduced pressure is performed in a short time, the laminated films 4 and 4B having the porous second functional layer 3 can be manufactured.

[Seventh Embodiment]
Next, a seventh embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is simplified or omitted. In addition, among the matters described in the above-described embodiments, all those applicable to the seventh embodiment may be applied in the seventh embodiment.

  FIG. 21 is a side view of an example of a system 600 according to the seventh embodiment, viewed from the −Y direction. As shown in FIG. 21, the system 600 includes a first frame forming unit 608A, a second frame forming unit 608B, a first coating unit 609A, a second coating unit 609B, a first reduced pressure drying unit 610A, 2 vacuum drying unit 610B and cutting unit 511 are provided. The first frame forming unit 608A and the second frame forming unit 608B are the same as the first frame forming unit 508 of the sixth embodiment, respectively. The first frame forming unit 608A and the second frame forming unit 608B are arranged side by side in the X direction.

  The first application unit 609A includes a first holding unit 628A and a first application unit 629A. The second application unit 609B includes a second holding unit 628B and a second application unit 629B. The first application unit 609A and the second application unit 609B are the same as the application unit 509 of the sixth embodiment, respectively. The first application unit 609A and the second application unit 609B are arranged side by side in the X direction. The first reduced pressure drying unit 610A and the second reduced pressure drying unit 610B are disposed corresponding to the first application unit 609A and the second application unit 609B, respectively. The first application unit 609A and the second application unit 609B are the same as the reduced pressure drying unit 510 of the sixth embodiment, respectively.

  In this system 600, as shown in FIG. 21, the frame portion 6 is formed by the first frame forming unit 608A and the second frame forming unit 608B on the sheet 5A pulled out from the roll body R1 in the + X direction. . Subsequently, the sheet 5A is transferred in the + X direction, and the two places where the frame part 6 is formed are held by the first holding part 628A and the second holding part 628B, and are respectively held by the first application part 629A and the second application part 629B. Liquid 7 is applied to the inside of frame portion 6. Subsequently, in each of the first holding unit 628A and the second holding unit 628B, the space 568 (see FIG. 17) formed by the lid portion 573 is sucked, whereby the liquid 7 is dried under reduced pressure, and the second functional layer 3 Is formed. In addition, you may perform attraction | suction with respect to two spaces with the one suction part 71 (refer FIG. 17). Thereafter, the laminated film 4B is transferred in the + X direction, and is cut by the cutting unit 511, for example, for each frame portion 6 to form the laminated film 4.

  For example, the laminated film 4 may be stored in the storage unit 13. Further, whether or not the cutting unit 511 is provided is arbitrary. When there is no cutting unit 511, the long laminated film 4B may be stored as it is, or the long laminated film 4B may be supplied to another apparatus. In the above, two units having the same configuration are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this, and three or more same configuration units may be provided.

  Thus, according to this embodiment, since processing is simultaneously performed on two or more portions of the sheet 5A, the laminated films 4 and 4B can be efficiently manufactured. Further, as in the first embodiment, since the application from the liquid 7 to the drying under reduced pressure is performed in a short time, the laminated films 4 and 4B having the porous second functional layer 3 can be manufactured.

[Eighth Embodiment]
Next, an eighth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is simplified or omitted. In addition, among the matters described in the above-described embodiments, all those applicable to the eighth embodiment may be applied in the eighth embodiment.

  22A and 22B show an example of a system 700 according to the eighth embodiment. FIG. 22A is an enlarged view of the sheet 5A viewed from the + Z direction, and FIG. 22B is a side view of the system 700 viewed from the −Y direction. The system 700 according to the eighth embodiment forms the second functional layer 3 not only on one surface of the long sheet 5A but also on the other surface. As shown in FIG. 23A, a mark M is formed for each frame portion 6 on the long sheet 5A. The mark M has a preset positional relationship with each frame 6. As long as the mark M can be detected by a detection device such as a non-contact sensor such as an optical sensor or a contact sensor using a contact probe, any shape, color, or the like can be applied. Further, the mark M may be a through hole formed in a part of the sheet 5 or may be formed in the frame portion 6. Further, the mark M may be formed on a part of the functional layer 3. For the formation of the mark M, a dedicated mark forming apparatus may be used, or the mark M may be formed using the liquid 7. Further, the mark M may be formed on the surface where the second functional layer 3 is not formed, instead of being formed on the surface where the second functional layer 3 is formed. Whether or not the mark M is formed is arbitrary.

  As shown in FIG. 23B, the system 700 includes a frame forming unit 508, a first coating unit 709A, a second coating unit 709B, a first reduced pressure drying unit 710A, a second reduced pressure drying unit 710B, A plurality of reversing rollers 730 and a cutting unit 511 are provided. The first application unit 709A is disposed on the + Z side of the second application unit 709B.

  The first application unit 709A includes a first holding unit 728A and a first application unit 729A. The second application unit 709B includes a second holding unit 728B and a second application unit 729B. The first application unit 709A and the second application unit 709B are the same as the application unit 509 of the sixth embodiment, respectively. The first reduced pressure drying unit 710A and the second reduced pressure drying unit 710B are disposed corresponding to the first application unit 709A and the second application unit 709B, respectively. The first application unit 709A and the second application unit 709B are the same as the reduced pressure drying unit 510 of the sixth embodiment, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 22, in the system 700, after the frame portion 6 is formed by the frame forming unit 508 with respect to the sheet 5A pulled out from the roll body R1, the sheet 5A is transferred in the + X direction. The sheet 5A is held by the first holding part 728A, and the liquid 7 is applied to the inside of the frame part 6 by the first application part 729A. Subsequently, in the first holding portion 728A, the space 568 (see FIG. 17) formed by the lid portion 573 is sucked to dry the liquid 7 under reduced pressure, thereby forming the laminated film 4B having the second functional layer 3. .

  The laminated film 4B transferred from the first holding unit 728A is guided and reversed by the plurality of rollers 730, and is transferred toward the −X direction. In the drawing, the laminated film 4B is inverted by three rollers 730, but the laminated film 4B may be inverted by one roller 730. The laminated film 4B transferred in the −X direction has a state in which the surface on which the second functional layer 3 is formed is downward and the surface on which the second functional layer 3 is not formed is upward in the second holding portion 728B. It is transported by.

  The system 700 includes a detection device (not shown) that detects the mark M. When the detection device recognizes the mark M, for example, the detection device transmits a recognition result to a control device (not shown). The control device determines the position of the frame portion 6 on the −Z plane from the recognition result, and controls the transfer of the laminated film 4B so that the second holding portion 728B is aligned with the position of the frame portion 6. The laminated film 4B is held by the second holding unit 728B, and the liquid 7 is applied to the surface (the other surface) where the second functional layer 3 is not formed by the second application unit 729B. Subsequently, the liquid 7 is dried under reduced pressure by the second reduced pressure drying unit 710B, and a laminated film 4C in which the second functional layer 3 is formed on both surfaces of the sheet 5A is formed. Subsequently, the laminated film 4 </ b> C is transferred in the −X direction, and is cut into the laminated film 4 for each frame portion 6 by the cutting unit 511.

  For example, the laminated film 4 may be stored in the storage unit 13. Further, whether or not the cutting unit 511 is provided is arbitrary. When there is no cutting unit 511, the long laminated film 4C may be stored as it is, or the long laminated film 4B may be supplied to another apparatus. In the laminated film 4C, the same second functional layer 3 may be formed of the same liquid 7 on the + Z plane side and the −Z plane side, and different second functional layers 3 may be formed of different liquids 7. May be. In the above, the mark M is detected and the application position of the liquid 7 is controlled. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the previously formed second functional layer 3 or frame portion 6 can be recognized from the + Z plane side, the edge of the second functional layer 3 or frame portion 6 is detected by a detection device or the like, and the liquid 7 The application position may be controlled. Moreover, instead of controlling the application position of the liquid 7 by a control device using a detection device (not shown), the operator may set the application position of the liquid 7 by visual observation or the like.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the laminated films 4 and 4C having the second functional layer 3 can be efficiently manufactured on both surfaces of the long sheet 5A. In addition, the 2nd functional layer 3 formed in both surfaces of the sheet | seat 5 is not limited to being the same magnitude | size (area), A different magnitude | size may be sufficient. The size of each second functional layer 3 is set to the same or different size by setting the application region by the first application part 729A or the second application part 729B.

  In the above description, the first coating unit 709A is disposed on the + Z side of the second coating unit 709B. Conversely, the second coating unit 709B may be disposed on the + Z side of the first coating unit 709A. . Moreover, in this embodiment, although the transfer direction of the elongate laminated film 4B is reversed by making it reverse direction with the roller 730, it is not limited to this. For example, a roller may be disposed and reversed so as to gradually rotate the laminated film 4B around the axis in the X direction while transferring the laminated film 4B in the + X direction.

[Ninth Embodiment]
Next, a ninth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is simplified or omitted. In addition, among the matters described in the above-described embodiments, all those applicable to the ninth embodiment may be applied in the ninth embodiment.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a frame forming unit 808 used in the system 800 according to the ninth embodiment. The frame forming unit 808 is supplied with a long frame portion 6A in which portions corresponding to the frame portion 6 are continuously formed, and a long sheet 5A similar to the above. The frame portion 6A is the same as the frame portion 6 except that it is long. For example, a non-fluorine resin (polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyimide, etc.), fluorine-containing resin (PTFE, A resin material such as ETFE, FEP, PFA, etc.) is used. In the frame forming unit 808, a roll body R1 of the sheet 5A and a roll body R2 in which the frame portion 6A is wound in a roll shape are arranged. In addition, the frame forming unit 808 includes a cutting portion 824 that can move in the Y direction and cut the frame portion 6A and the like.

  The frame forming unit 808 adheres the frame portion 6A drawn in the + X direction from the roll body R2 to the sheet 5A drawn in the + X direction from the roll body R1, and cuts the frame portion 6 for each frame portion 6 by the cutting portion 824. By doing so, the sheet | seat 5 of the sheet | seat in which the frame part 6 was formed is formed. Before the frame portion 6A is bonded to the sheet 5A, an adhesive is applied to the bonding target surface of the frame portion 6A or the frame portion bonding surface of the sheet 5A by an adhesive application unit (not shown). A pair of rollers that sandwich the two may be disposed after the two are bonded. Moreover, arbitrary adhesives are used as an adhesive agent. Alternatively, a part of the frame 6A may be melted and bonded to the sheet 5A without using an adhesive.

  The sheet 5A to which the frame portion 6A is bonded is transferred in the + X direction, held at a predetermined position, and cut by the cutting portion 824 for each frame portion 6. The cutting part 824 has a blade part such as a cutter, and cuts the sheet 5A to which the frame part 6A is bonded by moving in the −Y direction along a guide (not shown). The configuration of the frame forming unit 8 of the first embodiment is applied to the holding of the sheet 5A, the configuration of the cutting unit 824, the conveyance of the sheet 5 after cutting, and the like. Moreover, as long as the cutting part 824 can cut | disconnect the sheet | seat 5A in which the frame part 6A was formed, arbitrary things can be applied. For example, the sheet 5A may be cut while being sandwiched in the Z direction. Moreover, you may store the cut | disconnected sheet | seat 5 in the storage unit 12 (refer FIG. 1) by the conveyance apparatus not shown, for example.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is not necessary to create the individual frame portion 6 and supply it to the frame forming unit 808, and the long frame portion 6A is bonded to the long sheet 5A and cut. The sheet 5 having the frame portion 6 can be efficiently manufactured by such a simple procedure.

[Tenth embodiment]
Next, a tenth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is simplified or omitted. In addition, among the matters described in the above-described embodiment, all those applicable to the tenth embodiment may be applied in the tenth embodiment.

  FIG. 24A shows an example of a laminated film 4D according to the tenth embodiment, and FIG. 24B shows an example of a laminated film 4E according to another example. As shown in FIG. 24A, the sheet 5 includes a peelable base sheet S on the −Z side surface. The sheet 5 may be formed by bonding the base sheet S to one surface with an adhesive or an electrostatic force, or by applying a liquid for forming the sheet 5 on the base sheet S, The sheet 5 may be formed on the base sheet S by drying the liquid. As the means for forming the frame portion 6 and the second functional layer 3 on the + Z side surface of the sheet 5, the above-described embodiments can be applied.

  The laminated film 4D in which the frame portion 6 and the second functional layer 3 are formed on the sheet 5 has a three-layer structure of the base sheet S, the sheet 5, and the second functional layer 3 in this order from the −Z side. As shown in FIG. 24A, the laminated film 4D becomes a usable laminated film 4 by peeling off the base material sheet S on the back surface. In addition, the base material sheet S can use the sheet | seat of arbitrary materials, if it can peel from the sheet | seat 5. FIG. For example, a resin-made sheet such as a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) sheet, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sheet, or a polyester sheet can be used.

  In the present embodiment, the base sheet S can be peeled off by using a dedicated peeling device or by an operator by hand. Moreover, in this embodiment, you may store in the state of laminated film 4D which has the base material sheet S, and may be stored in the state which peeled the base material sheet S from each laminated film 4E.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 24B, the long sheet 5A includes a long base sheet SA that can be peeled off on the surface on the −Z side, and may be supplied as a roll body R3. Similarly to the above, the sheet 5A may be formed by bonding the base sheet SA to one surface of the long sheet 5A, and a predetermined liquid is applied onto the long base sheet SA. It may also be formed. The above-described embodiments can be applied as means for appropriately forming the frame portion 6 and the second functional layer 3 on the + Z side surface of the sheet 5A drawn from the roll body R3. The material of the base sheet SA is the same as that of the base sheet S described above.

  The long laminated film 4E in which the second functional layer 3 is formed on the sheet 5A has the base sheet SA, the sheet 5A, and the second functional layer 3 in order from the −Z side in the portion where the second functional layer 3 is formed. It becomes a layer structure. As shown in FIG. 24B, in the laminated film 4E, the base sheet SA is continuously peeled from the sheet 5A in a part of the transfer path. A wedge-shaped member may be disposed at a position where the base sheet SA is peeled off, and the base sheet SA may be peeled off by the wedge-shaped member. The peeled substrate sheet SA is wound up to form a roll body R4. The roll body R5 is formed by winding the base sheet SA, and can be reused, for example, by forming the sheet 5A again.

  The laminated film 4E from which the base sheet SA has been peeled becomes a laminated film 4B. Note that the laminated film 4E may be cut for each frame portion 6 before the base sheet SA is peeled off. By cutting the laminated film 4E for each frame portion 6, a laminated film 4D shown in FIG. The laminated film 4E may be stored by folding the base sheet SA without peeling off. Moreover, when the thickness of the frame part 6 is thin, you may make the laminated film 4E into a roll body.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the base sheets S and SA that can be peeled are laminated on the sheets 5 and 5A, the sheets 5 and 5A are given rigidity by the base sheets S and SA, and are conveyed. Etc. can be improved. Further, since the base sheets S and SA cover the lower surfaces of the sheets 5 and 5A, it is possible to prevent the lower surfaces of the sheets 5 and 5A from being scratched and dust from being attached. In the present embodiment, one base sheet S, SA is laminated on the sheets 5, 5A, but two or more base sheets S, SA may be laminated. Moreover, in order to make peeling from the sheet | seat 5 easy, base material sheet S and SA may protrude in part and protrude from the sheet | seats 5 and 5A.

[Eleventh embodiment]
Next, an eleventh embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is simplified or omitted. In addition, among the matters described in the above-described embodiment, all those applicable to the eleventh embodiment may be applied in the eleventh embodiment.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system 900 according to the eleventh embodiment. The system 900 includes a plurality of frame forming units 8, a storage unit 12, a plurality of coating units 9, a plurality of reduced-pressure drying units 10, and a storage unit 13. The frame forming unit 8, the storage unit 12, the coating unit 9, the reduced-pressure drying unit 10 and the storage unit 13 are those shown in the first embodiment described above, and any of them shown in the other embodiments instead. These may be used.

  Each of the plurality of frame forming units 8 manufactures the sheet 5 in which the frame portion 6 is formed on the sheet 5. The sheet 5 manufactured by the plurality of frame forming units 8 is stored in the storage unit 12. The number of storage units 12 is not particularly limited, and a plurality of storage units 12 may be arranged. The sheets 5 stored in the storage unit 12 are respectively conveyed to a plurality of application units 9 and applied with the liquid 7, and further the liquid 7 is dried under reduced pressure by the corresponding reduced-pressure drying unit 10 to form the laminated film 4. It is conveyed to the storage unit 13. The number of storage units 13 is not particularly limited, and a plurality of storage units 13 may be arranged.

  The number of frame forming units 8 and the number of coating units 9 and reduced-pressure drying units 10 can be arbitrarily set according to the production scale and the like. Further, the number of units may be determined according to the processing speed of one frame forming unit 8 and the processing speeds of the coating unit 9 and the vacuum drying unit 10. For example, when the processing speed of the frame forming unit 8 is three times the processing speed of the coating unit 9 for one sheet 5, 3n frame forming units 8 for the n coating units 9 and the like. It is possible to increase the number of units having a high processing speed, such as by arranging the number of units, and reduce the standby time of each unit.

  Thus, according to this embodiment, the laminated film 4 can be efficiently manufactured by arranging the frame forming unit 8, the coating unit 9, and the vacuum drying unit 10 in parallel. In addition, by setting the number of units according to the processing speed of each unit, it is possible to improve the operating rate of each unit (especially the operating rate of the unit that is fast on the processing side).

[Twelfth embodiment]
Next, a twelfth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is simplified or omitted. In addition, among the matters described in the above-described embodiments, all those applicable to the twelfth embodiment may be applied in the tenth embodiment.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a frame portion 6B according to the twelfth embodiment, where (A) is a perspective view and (B) is a cross-sectional view. 27A and 27B are views showing a frame portion 6C according to another example, in which FIG. 27A is a perspective view and FIG. 27B is a cross-sectional view. As shown in FIGS. 26A and 26B, the rectangular frame-shaped frame portion 6 </ b> B is provided on each of the surfaces of the sheet 5 on the + Z side and the −Z side, and is formed so as to sandwich the edge portion of the sheet 5. Is done. Further, the second functional layer 3 is provided on each of the + Z side and the −Z side of the sheet 5 on the inner side of the frame portion 6B to form the laminated film 4F. As shown in FIG. 26B, the frame portion 6B prevents gas, liquid, etc. from leaking from the inside of the frame portion 6B to the outside in the X direction or the Y direction, and the outside air enters the inside of the frame portion 6B. It functions as a part of a so-called gasket (sub-gasket) that prevents entry.

  The laminated film 4F is used as, for example, a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) in a fuel cell. In the laminated film 4F, for example, gas diffusion layers C1 (see FIG. 28B) are laminated on the + Z side and the −Z side, as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. Further, a subgasket SG may be provided so as to surround the gas diffusion layer C1. This subgasket SG is laminated on the frame portion 6B, and prevents gas or liquid from leaking and prevents outside air from entering the inside of the frame portion 6B, similarly to the frame portion 6B.

  The frame portion 6B that sandwiches the edge portion of the sheet 5 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 26, and may be a frame portion 6C as shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 27A and 27B, the frame portion 6 </ b> C is provided on each of the + Z side surface and the −Z side surface of the sheet 5 and is formed so as to sandwich the edge portion of the sheet 5. Further, the second functional layer 3 is provided on each of the + Z side and the −Z side of the sheet 5 inside the frame portion 6 </ b> C to form a laminated film 4 </ b> G. However, the frame portion 6C is different from the frame portion 6B in FIG. 26 in that the frame portions 6C are joined to each other outside the sheet 5. Thereby, it is possible to prevent gas or liquid from leaking from the side of the sheet 5. The frame portion 6C functions as a part of a so-called gasket (sub-gasket), like the frame portion 6B of FIG. Further, the point that the subgasket SG of the gas diffusion layer C1 is laminated on the frame portion 6C is the same as the frame portion 6B of FIG.

  The frame portions 6B and 6C described above, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-207644, have a large number of air vent holes that open to the adhesive surface with the sheet 5 and reach the surface opposite to the adhesive surface. May be provided. In this case, when the frame portions 6B and 6C are bonded to the sheet 5, air between the bonding surfaces can be discharged to the outside through the air vent hole, so that the adhesion between the frame portions 6B and 6C and the sheet 5 is improved. Can be made.

  Note that any material can be used for the frame portions 6B and 6C as long as gas, liquid, or the like can be prevented from leaking. For example, the frame portions 6B and 6C are similar to the above-described frame portions 6 and 6A, in that a non-fluorine resin (polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyimide, etc.), fluorine-containing resin (PTFE, ETFE, FEP, A resin material such as PFA), a rubber material, a metal material, or the like can be used.

  The above-described embodiments can be applied to the method of forming the frame portions 6B and 6C on the + Z side and the −Z side of the sheet 5. For example, the frame portion 6B may use the above-described frame forming unit 8 or the like, and may first be provided on the + Z side of the long sheet 5A, and then may be provided on the −Z side of the sheet 5A. May be simultaneously provided on the + Z side and the −Z side. Further, the frame portion 6C may be provided so as to sandwich the sheet 5 from the + Z side and the −Z side of the single sheet 5. Further, as a method of forming the frame portions 6B and 6C on the sheet 5, a method of bonding using a protruding adhesive or the like as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-207644 may be employed. In this case, air can be suppressed from remaining on the bonding surface between the sheet 5 and the frame portions 6B and 6C, and the adhesion between the frame portions 6B and 6C and the sheet 5 can be improved.

  The frame portion 6B may be formed on the + Z side and the −Z side of the above-described long sheet 5A. In this case, the above-described embodiments can be applied as means for forming the frame portion 6B. Further, for example, the above-described frame forming unit 8 or the like is used as the frame portion 6B. The frame portion 6B may be provided first on the + Z side of the sheet 5 and then on the −Z side of the sheet 5. It may be provided simultaneously on the + Z side and the −Z side.

  Note that the thickness (length in the Z direction) of the frame portions 6B and 6C is not limited to being substantially the same as the thickness of the second functional layer 3, and a thickness thicker than the second functional layer 3 may be used. . In this case, the thickness of the frame portions 6B and 6C may be set to a thickness obtained by adding the thickness of the second functional layer 3 and the thickness of the gas diffusion layer C1 described above. Further, another functional layer (for example, a reinforcing layer) may be formed between the second functional layer 3 and the gas diffusion layer C1. Moreover, the laminated films 4F and 4G can be used for applications other than the membrane electrode assembly of the fuel cell.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, since the frame portions 6B and 6C are provided so as to sandwich the edge portion of the sheet 5, the rigidity of the laminated films 4F and 4G can be further improved. Furthermore, for example, when the laminated films 4F and 4G are used as membrane electrode assemblies, the frame portions 6B and 6C function as part of the gasket (subgasket) of the fuel cell, so that the fuel cell can be easily manufactured. it can.

[Fuel cell manufacturing system and fuel cell manufacturing method]
Next, an embodiment of the fuel cell manufacturing system SYS1 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 28A is a block diagram showing an example of the fuel cell manufacturing system SYS1, and FIG. 28B is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the cell C of the fuel cell. As shown in FIG. 28A, the fuel cell manufacturing system SYS1 includes a functional membrane manufacturing system 1, a gas diffusion layer manufacturing apparatus D1, a separator manufacturing apparatus D2, and an assembling apparatus D3. The cell C shown in FIG. The fuel cell manufacturing system SYS1 shown in FIG. 28A is an example and may be configured to include other devices, and also includes a gas diffusion layer manufacturing device D1, a separator manufacturing device D2, and an assembly device D3. The structure which does not contain one or more of them may be sufficient. The functional film manufacturing system 1 is shown in the first embodiment described above, and any one of the systems 100 to 900 shown in other embodiments may be used instead.

  Further, the functional membrane manufacturing system 1, the gas diffusion layer manufacturing apparatus D1, the separator manufacturing apparatus D2, and the assembly apparatus D3 are not limited to being configured by one unit, and a plurality of units are appropriately selected according to the processing time of each apparatus. May be arranged. Further, the arrangement of each device is arbitrary. For example, the functional film manufacturing system 1, the gas diffusion layer manufacturing apparatus D1, and the separator manufacturing apparatus D2 may be disposed around the assembly apparatus D3.

  In the present specification, the term “fuel cell” means a battery that can take out electricity by using a redox reaction of a fuel. For example, a laminated film having a catalyst layer on at least one surface of an electrolyte film. The provided battery is included in the “fuel cell”.

  In the present embodiment, the functional film manufacturing system 1 manufactures a laminated film (functional film) 4A used for the cell C. In the laminated film 4 </ b> A, a frame portion 6 is formed on an electrolyte membrane (sheet 5) for a fuel cell as the first functional layer 2. A known resin material having electrical insulation is used for the frame portion 6. An anode catalyst layer is formed as the second functional layer 3 on one surface of the electrolyte membrane (sheet 5), and a cathode catalyst layer is formed as the second functional layer 3 on the other surface. The laminated film 4A is an example, and the functional film manufacturing system 1 can form another laminated film (a membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell) that can be used for a fuel cell.

  As shown in FIG. 28 (B), in the cell C of the fuel cell, the gas diffusion layer C1 is disposed on the + Z surface side and the −Z surface side of the laminated film 4A, respectively, and the separator C2 is disposed outside the gas diffusion layer C1. Has been placed. A plurality of these cells are stacked to form a fuel cell stack. Note that the illustrated cell C is an example and may have other configurations.

  The gas diffusion layer manufacturing apparatus D1 shown in FIG. 28 (A) manufactures the gas diffusion layer C1 used for the cell C. For example, in the cell C, the gas diffusion layer C1 has a function of diffusing a gas such as hydrogen or oxygen (air) into the catalyst layer, and a function of collecting electrons generated by a chemical reaction at the electrode. The configuration of the gas diffusion layer manufacturing apparatus D1 is arbitrary. Separator manufacturing apparatus D2 manufactures separator C2 used for cell C. For example, in the cell C, the separator C2 has a function as a flow path of fuel such as hydrogen or air, a function as a partition between cells C to be stacked, a function as a current collector or a current transmission unit, etc. Have. The configuration of the separator manufacturing apparatus D2 is arbitrary. The assembling apparatus D3 receives parts constituting the cell C and assembles them to manufacture a fuel cell in which a plurality of cells C are stacked. The configuration of the assembling apparatus D3 is arbitrary.

  Next, a method for manufacturing a fuel cell will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing a fuel cell. As shown in FIG. 29, the fuel cell laminated membrane 4A (membrane electrode assembly) is manufactured by the functional membrane manufacturing system 1 (step S31), and the gas diffusion layer C1 is manufactured by the gas diffusion layer manufacturing apparatus D1 (step S32). ) And manufacture of the separator C2 by the separator manufacturing apparatus D2 (step S33). These steps S31 to S33 may be performed in parallel or sequentially.

  Next, using the laminated film 4A, the gas diffusion layer C1, and the separator C2 respectively formed in steps S31 to S33, the assembly apparatus D3 assembles the cell C and the fuel-electric stack in which the cells C are stacked ( Step S34). In step S34, for example, a gas diffusion layer C1, a functional film 4A, a gas diffusion layer C1, and a separator C2 are placed in this order on the separator C2, and a fuel cell stack in which a plurality of cells are stacked is repeated. Complete. Note that processes such as electrode formation of the fuel cell stack and electrical connection between the cells C are omitted.

  The fuel cell manufacturing method described above is merely an example, and other methods may be used. For example, in the above-described method, the laminated film 4A, the gas diffusion layer C1, and the separator C2 are manufactured and then assembled to manufacture the cell C and the fuel cell stack. However, the method is not limited to this method. For example, the laminated film 4A is first manufactured, the gas diffusion layer C1 is formed on both surfaces of the laminated film 4A by the gas diffusion layer manufacturing apparatus D1 to form a composite film, and the composite film and the separator C2 are alternately stacked. A fuel cell stack in which a plurality of cells C are stacked may be formed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the functional film manufacturing system 1 efficiently manufactures the laminated film (functional film) 4A having a high catalytic effect, and thus efficiently manufactures the cell C (fuel cell) with improved power generation efficiency. can do.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to said embodiment or modification. For example, one or more of the requirements described in the above embodiments or modifications may be omitted. In addition, the requirements described in the above embodiments or modifications can be combined as appropriate.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,200,300,400,500,600,700,800,900 ... system (functional film manufacturing system), 2 ... 1st functional layer, 3 ... 2nd functional layer 4, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, 4G ... laminated film (functional film), 5, 5A ... sheet, 6, 6A, 6B, 6C ... frame part, 7 ... liquid, 8, 608A, 608B, 808 ... frame forming unit, 9, 209, 309, 409A, 409B, 509, 609A, 609B, 709A, 709B ... coating unit 10, 210, 310, 410, 410A, 420B, 510, 610, 610A, 610B, 710A, 710B ... vacuum drying unit, 11, 12 , 13 ... Storage unit, 24, 524, 824 ... Cutting section, 28, 228A, 228B, 428A, 428B, 528, 628A, 628B, 72 A, 728B ... holding part, 29, 229, 329A, 329B, 429A, 429B, 529, 529A, 629A, 629B, 729A, 729B ... application part, 38 ... suction part, 40, 240A, 240B ... suction part for suction, 42 ... hole part, 46 ... sheet member, 47 ... heating part, 68, 268, 568 ... space, 70,570 ... chamber part, 71 ... suction part, 172 ... adjusting part, 412 ... inversion part, 511 ... cutting unit, P1, P1A, P1B, P501 ... facing position, P2, P2A, P2B, P502 ... retracted position, R1, R2, R3, R4 ... roll body, M ... mark, S, SA ... substrate sheet, SYS1 ... fuel cell manufacturing system

Claims (36)

A system for manufacturing a functional film in which a first functional layer and a second functional layer are laminated,
A frame forming unit that forms a frame so as to surround a partial region of the sheet including the first functional layer;
An application unit having an application part for applying a liquid for forming the second functional layer on at least one surface of the sheet on which the frame part is formed;
A vacuum drying unit that includes a chamber capable of forming a space including the sheet coated with the liquid by the coating unit, and a suction unit that decompresses the space to dry the liquid. Membrane manufacturing system.   The functional film manufacturing system according to claim 1, wherein the coating unit includes a holding unit that holds the sheet on which the frame portion is formed.   The functional film manufacturing system according to claim 2, wherein the holding unit includes an adsorption unit that holds the sheet by sucking at least one of the sheet and the frame unit.   The functional film manufacturing system according to claim 3, wherein the suction part includes a suction part for suction for sucking at least one of the sheet and the frame part.   The functional film manufacturing system according to claim 3, wherein the suction part sucks at least one of the sheet and the frame part using the suction part.   The functional film manufacturing system according to claim 5, wherein the suction unit includes an adjustment unit that adjusts each suction force with respect to the space and the suction unit.   The functional film manufacturing system according to claim 3, wherein a suction force by the suction unit is larger than a suction force with respect to the space.   The functional film manufacturing system according to claim 3, wherein the holding unit includes a heating unit that heats the sheet.   The application unit is formed to be movable between a facing position where the liquid can be applied to the sheet and a retracted position retracted to the outside of the chamber unit of the vacuum drying unit. 9. The functional film manufacturing system according to any one of 8 above.   The functional film manufacturing system according to claim 1, wherein the coating unit applies the liquid by relatively moving the coating unit and the sheet. The application unit includes a first application unit that applies the liquid to one surface of the sheet on which the frame portion is formed, and a second application unit that applies the liquid to the other surface of the sheet. ,
The functional film manufacturing system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the reduced-pressure drying unit is disposed corresponding to each of the first application unit and the second application unit.   The functional film manufacturing system according to claim 1, wherein the coating unit includes a reversing unit that reverses the sheet on which the frame portion is formed. The sheet is arranged as a roll body wound in a roll shape,
The functional film manufacturing system according to claim 1, wherein the frame forming unit pulls out the sheet from the roll body to form the frame portion.   The functional film manufacturing system according to claim 13, wherein the frame forming unit includes a cutting portion that cuts the sheet for each portion where the frame portion is formed. The coating unit applies the liquid to each of the frame portions on the sheet that is sent without being cut from the frame forming unit,
The functional film manufacturing system according to claim 13, wherein the chamber portion of the vacuum drying unit is capable of forming the space in a state where both sides of the sheet extending from the frame portion are sandwiched. The application unit includes a plurality of application units that apply the liquid to a plurality of regions on the sheet surrounded by the plurality of frame units, respectively.
The functional film manufacturing system according to claim 15, wherein the vacuum drying unit is capable of forming a space that collectively includes the plurality of frame portions by the chamber portion.   The functional film manufacturing system of Claim 15 or Claim 16 provided with the cutting unit which cut | disconnects the said sheet | seat sent from the said reduced pressure drying unit for every said frame part.   The said sheet | seat is a functional film manufacturing system of any one of Claims 1-17 laminated | stacked on the base material sheet which can be peeled.   The functional film manufacturing system according to any one of claims 1 to 18, further comprising a storage unit that stores the sheet sent from the frame forming unit before sending the sheet to the coating unit. The first functional layer is an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell;
The functional film manufacturing system according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the second functional layer is a catalyst layer for a fuel cell.   The functional film manufacturing system according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the frame portion is formed of an insulating material having electrical insulation. A fuel cell manufacturing system comprising:
A fuel cell manufacturing system including the functional membrane manufacturing system according to any one of claims 1 to 21. A method for producing a functional film in which a first functional layer and a second functional layer are laminated,
Forming a frame portion so as to surround a partial region of the sheet including the first functional layer;
Applying a liquid for forming the second functional layer to at least one surface of the sheet on which the frame portion is formed by an application unit;
Forming a space including the sheet coated with the liquid by a chamber portion;
Decompressing the space with a suction part to dry the liquid.   The functional film manufacturing method according to claim 23, comprising holding the sheet by a holding unit when applying the liquid by the applying unit.   The functional film manufacturing method according to claim 24, comprising sucking at least one of the sheet and the frame part in the holding part.   26. The functional film manufacturing method according to claim 25, wherein a suction force of at least one of the sheet and the frame portion is larger than a suction force with respect to the space.   27. The functional film manufacturing method according to any one of claims 23 to 26, wherein the application unit and the sheet are relatively moved, and the solution is applied to the sheet by the application unit.   28. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 27, comprising: applying the liquid to one surface of the sheet, then inverting the sheet, and applying the liquid to the other surface of the sheet. The functional film manufacturing method as described.   The functional film manufacturing method according to any one of claims 23 to 28, further comprising retracting the application unit to the outside of the chamber unit prior to forming the space by the chamber unit. .   30. The method for producing a functional film according to any one of claims 23 to 29, wherein the sheet is drawn from a roll body wound in a roll shape and the frame portion is formed in a part thereof.   31. The functional film manufacturing method according to claim 30, comprising cutting the sheet for each portion where the frame portion is formed prior to application of the liquid by the application portion. Applying the liquid for each of the frame parts to the sheet sent without being cut;
The functional film manufacturing method according to claim 30, further comprising: forming the space by sandwiching both sides extending from the frame portion of the sheet with the chamber portion.   The functional film manufacturing method according to claim 32, comprising: cutting the sheet for each of the frame parts after drying the liquid.   The functional film manufacturing method according to claim 23, comprising storing the sheet on which the frame portion is formed before applying the liquid by the applying unit.   35. The functional film according to any one of claims 23 to 34, comprising: applying the liquid to the sheet, and heating the sheet in at least one of decompressing the space and decompressing the space. Production method. A method of manufacturing a fuel cell, comprising:
36. A method for producing a fuel cell, comprising the method for producing a functional film according to any one of claims 23 to 35.

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