Patent ID: 9553324
Date: 2017-01-24
CPC Classifications: H01M,Y02E

Claim:
1. A fuel cell resin frame equipped membrane electrode assembly comprising: a membrane electrode assembly central section including a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, a first electrode provided on one surface of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and a second electrode provided on another surface of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, the first electrode including a first catalyst layer and a first diffusion layer, the second electrode including a second catalyst layer and a second diffusion layer, said second catalyst layer protruding outwardly beyond the second diffusion layer, and a planar size of the first electrode being larger than a planar size of the second electrode; and a resin frame member provided around an outer circumference of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, wherein the resin frame member includes an inner extension extending inwardly beyond an outer edge of the second catalyst layer, the inner extension having a contact surface, a portion of which contacts a surface of the second catalyst layer facing toward the second diffusion layer of the membrane electrode assembly central section, the inner extension configured to substantially suppress diffusion of gases therepast toward the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, with an enclosed recess being formed between the polymer electrolyte membrane and the contact surface, and an adhesive is provided in a portion of the recess, the adhesive contacting part of the surface of the second catalyst layer facing toward the second diffusion layer, and also contacting the outer edge of the second catalyst layer; an inner protrusion, as an integral part of the resin frame member, is provided adjacent the recess on an inner end side of the inner extension; and an outer protrusion, as an integral part of the resin frame member, is provided adjacent the recess on an outer end side of the resin frame member; and the inner protrusion abuts against the second catalyst layer at a portion of the second electrode protruding outward beyond and spaced away from the second diffusion layer of the membrane electrode assembly central section, and the outer protrusion abuttingly contacts an outermost portion of the first diffusion layer of the membrane electrode assembly central section, and wherein a portion of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane is interposed between a portion of the outer protrusion and the first diffusion layer.