US 11,837,765 B2
Cutting apparatus and method of manufacturing MEA for fuel cell
Yoosuk Hong, Yongin-si (KR); and Sung Hoon Jeong, Seoul (KR)
Assigned to Hyundai Motor Company, Seoul (KR); and Kai Motors Corporation, Seoul (KR)
Filed by Hyundai Motor Company, Seoul (KR); and Kia Motors Corporation, Seoul (KR)
Filed on Jun. 10, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/436,217.
Claims priority of application No. 10-2018-0139338 (KR), filed on Nov. 13, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2020/0153016 A1, May 14, 2020
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H01M 8/1004 (2016.01); B26F 1/44 (2006.01); B26F 1/40 (2006.01); B26D 5/00 (2006.01)
CPC H01M 8/1004 (2013.01) [B26D 5/007 (2013.01); B26F 1/40 (2013.01); B26F 1/44 (2013.01)] 5 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A cutting apparatus of membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell, which is configured for transferring a membrane electrode assembly sheet including an electrolyte membrane, electrode catalyst layers bonded to a first surface and a second surface of the electrolyte membrane and sub gaskets attached to the electrolyte membrane and edges of the electrode catalyst layers in a roll-to-roll manner along a feeding path and for cutting the membrane-electrode assembly sheet to produce a unit-type membrane-electrode assembly, the cutting apparatus comprising:
a cutting press including a cutting die disposed on a lower side of the feeding path and a driving cutter configured to be upwardly and downwardly movable on the cutting die at an upper side of the feeding path, and the cutting press disposed on a facility frame;
a plurality of gripper modules disposed on the facility frame through a base member along a feeding direction of the membrane-electrode assembly sheet, and gripping first and second side edges of the membrane-electrode assembly sheet; and
a gripper driving unit disposed in the facility frame and moving the base member in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the membrane-electrode assembly sheet and along the feeding direction of the membrane-electrode assembly sheet,
wherein each of the gripper modules includes:
a stationary gripper body fixedly mounted on the base member; and
an operating gripper body coupled to a first operating cylinder mounted on the base member and configured for selectively gripping the first and second edges of the membrane-electrode assembly sheet with the stationary gripper body,
wherein a gripping protrusion and a gripping groove for gripping predetermined portions of the membrane-electrode assembly sheet in a stepped manner are formed at the stationary gripper body and the operating gripper body respectively, and
wherein supporting protrusions for supporting the first and second side edges of the membrane-electrode assembly sheet are formed at the stationary gripper body and the operating gripper body respectively.