Patent ID: 7048838

Claim:
An ion exchange membrane electrolyzer, wherein: an anode chamber partition in a flat sheet form is joined to a cathode chamber partition in a flat sheet form, an electrode retainer member in a sheet form is joined to at least one of said anode chamber partition and said cathode chamber partition at a belt-like junction, a projecting strip with an electrode joined thereto is located between adjacent junctions, a space on an electrode surface side of said electrode retainer member defines a path through which a fluid goes up in the electrode chamber, and a space that spaces away from said space defines a path through which an electrolyte separated from a gas at a top portion of the electrode goes down, wherein said electrode retainer member comprises a springy member, said springy member is formed of a flexible member comprising between the adjacent junctions at least three projecting strips extending away from a junction side with the partition, and said electrode is joined to a projecting strip of said projecting strips, which has a largest amount of displacement upon receipt of pressure; wherein the projecting strip is joined with the electrode via a protective member for the projecting strip, wherein when the electrode is urged toward a partition side, an angle of opening of said protective member upon the electrode coming into contact with a projecting strip near to a junction defines a maximum angle of opening of the projecting strip.