JP2000048849A - Fuel cell and method for assembling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To miniaturize a fuel cell, reduce weight, and facilitate assembly and repair. SOLUTION: In the fuel cell, an approximately V-shaped cutout part 5 is provided on at least one side for forming the same side surface of the fuel cell of a separator 1, insulators 3a, 3b, terminal boards 2a, 2b and pressure plates 4a, 4b as laminated structure parts of the fuel cell. Moreover, in the fuel cell assembling method, the fuel cell is easily assembled and repaired by using a guide post.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a fuel cell and a method for assembling the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Fuel cells use a fuel gas (main component: hydrogen).
Is a device that obtains an electromotive force by electrochemically reacting oxygen and air with a separator provided with a groove serving as a gas passage or a cooling water passage on the surface, a hydrogen electrode serving as a cathode, and an oxygen electrode serving as an anode. Electrode units sandwiching an electrolyte are alternately stacked between two electrodes, and a terminal plate, an insulator, and a pressure plate are sequentially stacked on both ends thereof. The separator, the terminal plate, the insulator, and the pressure plate need to be positioned and laminated so as not to be displaced.

As a prior art, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-7627 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-134734 disclose a method using a knock pin for the positioning.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art method, although it is necessary for assembling the fuel cell,
Unnecessary knock pins will remain after assembly is completed, forming a useless area, and the fuel cell is large,
There was a problem that became heavy.

Further, in the event that any of the separators, terminal plates, insulators, pressure plates and electrode units, which are the laminated components of the fuel cell, becomes defective, the laminated components or a part of the electrode unit may be replaced. If it is necessary to replace the fuel cell, it is not possible to take out only the part that needs to be replaced when the knock pin is inserted. There was a problem that required.

Furthermore, the fitting between the knock pin and the positioning hole must be tight if sufficient positional accuracy is to be obtained, and it is difficult to fit the knock pin and stack the laminated components. There's a problem.

[0007] Further, even if an attempt is made to remove the knock pins after the completion of the lamination, there is a problem that if the number of laminations is large, the frictional resistance between the knock pins and the holes is large and it is difficult to remove the knock pins after the completion of the lamination.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a small, lightweight fuel cell that is easy to assemble and repair, and a method for assembling the fuel cell.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above technical problems, the technical means (hereinafter referred to as first technical means) taken in claim 1 of the present invention has at least a rectangular shape. In a fuel cell in which laminated components including a separator, a terminal plate, an insulator, and a pressure plate are laminated, a cutout portion is provided on at least one side of each of the laminated components forming the same side surface of the fuel cell. It is a fuel cell.

The effects of the first technical means are as follows.

That is, since the laminated component can be positioned by using the cutout portion of the laminated component, there is no need for a knock pin, so that there is an effect that the size and weight are reduced.
Further, there is no need to insert the laminated component into the knock pin, so that there is an effect that assembly and repair become easy.

In order to solve the above technical problem, the technical means (hereinafter referred to as second technical means) taken in claim 2 of the present invention form the same side surface of the fuel cell. 2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein a projection is provided on at least one side of each of the laminated components, and a notch is provided in the projection.

The effects of the second technical means are as follows.

That is, since the seal shape is simplified, the gas or cooling water can be easily sealed and the reliability is improved.

In order to solve the above technical problem, the technical means (hereinafter referred to as the third technical means) taken in claim 3 of the present invention is that the notch has a substantially V-shaped notch. 3. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the fuel cell is a fuel cell.

The effects of the third technical means are as follows.

That is, since the two points of the slopes of the substantially V-shaped notch are brought into contact with the upright guide posts, there is an effect that the positioning of the components of the fuel cell is simple and accurate.

In order to solve the above technical problems, the technical means (hereinafter referred to as fourth technical means) taken in claim 4 of the present invention comprises at least a rectangular separator, a terminal plate, and an insulator. In a fuel cell in which laminated components composed of pressure plates are laminated, a notch is provided on at least one side of each of the laminated components forming the same side surface of the fuel cell, and the notch is provided upright on an assembly base plate. A method for assembling a fuel cell, wherein a stackable component is stacked by bringing a contactable guide post into contact with the notch.

The effects of the fourth technical means are as follows.

That is, since there is no fitting, positioning is simple and assembly is easy, and when repair becomes necessary, only the necessary parts can be easily replaced.

In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problem, a technical means (hereinafter referred to as a fifth technical means) adopted in claim 5 of the present invention is that the notch has a substantially V-shaped notch. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the guide post is a column or a rod having a rectangular cross-section having a circumference in a part of the cross-section.

The effects of the fifth technical means are as follows.

That is, since the slope of the substantially V-shaped cutout portion and the circumferential portion of the guide post abut at two points, there is an effect that the positioning of the components of the fuel cell is simple and accurate.

[0024]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
This will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external view of a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell for use in a vehicle such as an automobile provided with a substantially V-shaped notch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The fuel cell 100 includes a separator 1, which is a laminated component, terminal plates 2a and 2b, an insulator 3a,
3b, pressure plates 4a and 4b, and an electrode unit.

Approximately 150 separators 1 are laminated, and the terminal plates 2a and 2b for taking out the generated electricity are provided outside the both ends thereof. The outside of the terminal plates 2a and 2b is provided with the terminal plates 2a and 2b for electrical insulation. There are insulators 3a and 3b, and the pressure plates 4a and 4b are outside the insulators 3a and 3b.

A guide notch 5 which is a substantially V-shaped notch is provided on the side of each of the laminated components forming the front and rear surfaces of the fuel cell 100.

Since there is no remaining member such as a knock pin required for positioning the laminated component, it is small and lightweight.

FIG. 2 is an exploded sectional view for explaining the arrangement of the separator and the electrode unit. In this exploded sectional view, two cells are configured as one unit with three types of separators.

An electrode unit 11a is provided between the separator 1a and the separator 1b.
The electrode unit 11b is arranged between the terminals c.

Air flows between the separator 1a and the electrode unit 11b, between the separator 1b and the electrode unit 11a, and hydrogen flows between the separator 1a and the electrode unit 11a and between the separator 1c and the electrode unit 11b. .

There is no electrode unit between the separator 1b and the separator 1c, and cooling water flows.

The electrode units 11a and 11b have a structure in which a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 8 as an electrolyte is sandwiched between two electrodes of a hydrogen electrode 6 as a cathode and an air electrode 7 as an anode. The separators 1a, 1b, 1c are formed with grooves serving as passages for air, hydrogen, or cooling water.

Normally, one cooling water passage 12 is included in one unit as in this embodiment. Of course, the cooling water passages 12 may be arranged for each cell, or a dedicated cooling water passage may not be provided.

When the fuel cell is stacked, the electrode unit cannot be seen from the outside. Therefore, only the separator 1 is visible in the external view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the guide post and the guide notch of the separator during assembly. Reference numeral 22 denotes a guide post which is a rod having a rectangular cross section having a circumference in a part of the cross section. The pressure plate 4a, the insulator 3a, the terminal plate 2a, and the separator 1 are laminated on the assembly base plate 20.

FIG. 3 shows only relevant portions for the purpose of explanation, but in reality, the guide post 22 extends further upward, and the terminal plate 2b and the insulator 3
b, pressure plate 4b is provided.

In the assembling method, the pressure plate 4a located at the end of the fuel cell is installed at a predetermined position on the assembly base plate 20, and the guide post 22 is fixed. The insulator 3 is positioned on the pressure plate 4 a by the guide post 22.
a, the terminal plates 2a are stacked, and the separators 1 and the electrode units are alternately stacked thereon.

After all the layers have been stacked, the space between the pressure plate 4a and the upper pressure plate 4b is pressurized with an appropriate pressure, and the whole is tightened and restrained. Thereafter, the guide post 22 is moved in a direction away from the guide notch 5 and removed to complete the fuel cell.

The positioning can be easily performed by positioning the guide notch 5 in alignment with the guide post 22, so that the assembly is easy.

FIGS. 4 to 7 are plan views of the separator showing various embodiments of the guide notches.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a separator having two substantially V-shaped notches. A guide notch 5, which is a substantially V-shaped notch, is provided in an opposite side of the separator 1 so as to be cut. Reference numeral 22 denotes a cross section of a guide post, which is a rod having a rectangular cross section having a part of a cross section and having a circumference, and is shown to show the relationship between the guide post 22 and the guide notch 5.

The substantially V-shaped slope of the guide notch 5 and the circumferential cross section of the guide post 22 are in contact at two points, and the separator 1 is completely positioned by the two fixed guide posts 22. can do.

A seal 35a for sealing hydrogen, air or cooling water when assembled in the fuel cell is provided. The seal 35a is curved at the guide notch 5 so that the width of the seal 35a is approximately constant to improve the sealing performance.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a separator having one substantially V-shaped notch. A guide notch 5a, which is a substantially V-shaped notch, is provided so as to cut into only one side of the separator 1b. Reference numerals 22a, 22b, and 22c denote guide posts, each of which is a rod having a rectangular cross-section having a circumference in a part of the cross-section.
This is shown to show the relationship of a and the method of positioning the separator 1b.

The guide notch 5 provided only on one side
The substantially V-shaped slope a is in contact with the circumferential cross section of the guide post 22a at two points, and opposing sides are supported at two points at a necessary and sufficient interval using the guide posts 22b and 22c. Therefore, the separator 1b can be completely positioned.

A seal 35b for sealing hydrogen, air or cooling water when assembled in the fuel cell is provided. The seal 35b is curved at the guide notch 5a to make the width of the seal 35b approximately constant to improve the sealing performance. Forming the curved portion of the seal is costly, but since there is only one curved portion, the cost of forming the seal can be reduced.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a separator provided with two substantially V-shaped notches in the projection. Protrusions 34 are provided on opposite sides of the separator 1c.
A guide notch 5b, which is a letter-shaped notch, is provided. 22d is a cross section of a guide post which is a rod having a rectangular cross section having a circumference in a part of the cross section.
And the guide notch 5b are shown in FIG.

The substantially V-shaped slope of the guide notch 5b is in contact with the circumferential cross section of the guide post 22d at two points, and the two guide posts 22d fixedly position the separator 1c. can do.

A seal 35c for sealing hydrogen, air or cooling water when assembled in the fuel cell is provided. Since the seal 35c is a straight shape without being bent at the guide notch 5b, the cost of forming the seal can be reduced and the reliability of the seal can be improved.

FIG. 7 shows that the protrusion with the cell voltage measuring terminal is substantially V-shaped.
It is a top view of the separator provided with the character-shaped notch part. Protrusions 34c and 34d are provided on opposing sides of the separator 1d, and guide notches 5c and 5d, which are substantially V-shaped notches, are provided on the protrusions 34c and 34d. A cell voltage measurement terminal 36 is provided on the protrusion 34d.

Reference numerals 22e and 22f denote guide posts, each of which is a rod having a rectangular cross-section having a circumference in a part of the cross-section, and the guide posts 22e and 22f and the guide notches 5c and 5c.
It is illustrated to show the relationship of d.

The substantially V-shaped slopes of the guide notches 5c, 5d and the circumferential cross-sections of the guide posts 22e, 22f respectively contact at two points, and are fixed by the two guide posts 22e, 22f. The separator 1d can be perfectly positioned.

As a means for knowing whether or not each cell comprising the separator and the electrode unit constituting the fuel cell is in a normal state, measurement of each cell voltage is performed. If one cell is damaged during operation of the fuel cell, the voltage of that cell drops significantly, so measuring the voltage of individual cells indicates that an abnormality has occurred, and immediately stops the operation of the cell can do.

The cell voltage measuring terminal 36 is provided for measuring the voltage of an individual cell. The cell voltage measuring terminal 36 is connected to a separator 1d at an end of the protrusion 34d.
Are provided so as to protrude in parallel to the sides of the cell, so that it is not necessary to provide a separate cell voltage measuring terminal, and
It becomes a small fuel cell because it has two functions.

A seal 35d for sealing hydrogen, air or cooling water when assembled in the fuel cell is provided. The seal 35d has a simple straight shape without being bent at the guide notches 5c and 5d, so that the cost of forming the seal can be reduced and the reliability of the seal can be improved.

In any case, since the guide post is not penetrated through the hole, the guide post can be slid in a direction away from the fuel cell and easily removed after assembly is completed. Since the completed fuel cell does not have the guide post, the fuel cell becomes small and light.

In FIGS. 4 to 7, the notch of the present invention is shown in the embodiment of the separator, but the same applies to the terminal plate, the insulator and the pressure plate.

In the embodiment, the notch is shown as a substantially V-shaped member, and the guide post is shown as a rod having a rectangular cross section having a circumference in a part of the cross section. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method of replacing a part of the components of the fuel cell.

The fuel cell assembling apparatus 40 includes an assembling base plate 20, an assembling top plate 21, a column 42, a guide post 22, guide post fixing jigs 43a and 43b, and a lifting jig 50.

There are four support columns 42, which are vertically provided at four corners on the assembly base plate 20 and are connected to the assembly top plate 21. The guide post fixing jig 43a is coupled to the assembly base plate 20,
The guide post fixing jig 43b is connected to the assembly top plate 21.

The fuel cell 100 is placed approximately at the center of the base plate 20 so that the separator 1 is horizontal. The guide post 22 is aligned with the guide notch 5 which is a substantially V-shaped notch of the fuel cell 100, and the guide post fixing screws 4 of the guide post fixing jigs 43a and 43b.
The guide posts 22 are fixed by inserting 5 a and 45 b into screw holes provided in the guide posts 22.

The separator 1 a in which a part of the lifting jig 50 needs to be replaced or the separator 1 a adjacent to the electrode unit in need of replacement and the separator 1 thereon
e, and lifts the lifting jig 50 in the P direction until there is a space where the separator 1a can be removed.
It is fixed to the support column 42 with the lifting jig fixing screw 51.

After the separator 1a is taken out at an angle and the separator or electrode unit that needs to be replaced is replaced, the separator 1a is returned to its original position. Loosen the lifting jig fixing screw 51 and lift the lifting jig 50
Is moved in the direction opposite to the direction P, and when the separator 1a and the separator 1e overlap, a part of the lifting jig 50 is removed from the gap between the separator 1a and the separator 1e.

After the pressure plates 4a and 4b are pressurized with an appropriate pressing force and the whole is tightened and restrained, the guide post fixing screws 45a and 45b are loosened and the guide post 22 is loosened.
Is removed by sliding in the direction away from the guide notch 5, the replacement is completed and the fuel cell 100 is completed.

By using the guide post 22 in this manner, the position does not shift even if the means for restraining the whole is released, so that it is necessary to replace a part of the laminated component or the electrode unit. In this case, the repair can be easily performed because the replacement can be easily performed.

[0069]

As described above, the present invention relates to a fuel cell in which laminated components including at least a rectangular separator, a terminal plate, an insulator, and a pressure plate are laminated, and forms the same side surface of the fuel cell. Since the fuel cell is characterized in that a cutout is provided on at least one side of each laminated component, the fuel cell can be reduced in size and weight, easy to assemble, and especially the laminated component or the electrode unit. If you need to replace some,
It is very easy to replace and easy to repair.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile and provided with a substantially V-shaped notch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded cross-sectional view illustrating an arrangement of a separator and an electrode unit.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a positional relationship between a guide post and a guide notch of a separator.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a separator having two substantially V-shaped cutouts according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a separator having one substantially V-shaped notch according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a separator having two substantially V-shaped notches in a protrusion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a separator having a substantially V-shaped notch in a projection with a cell voltage measuring terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view illustrating a method of replacing a part of the laminated component according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Separator 2a, 2b ... Terminal plate 3a, 3b ... Insulator 4a, 4b ... Pressure plate 5 ... Guide notch 22 ... Guide post 100 ... Fuel cell

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A fuel cell in which laminated components including at least a rectangular separator, a terminal plate, an insulator, and a pressure plate are laminated, at least one side of each of the laminated components forming the same side surface of the fuel cell is cut out. A fuel cell, comprising: a fuel cell; 2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein a projection is provided on at least one side of each of the laminated components forming the same side surface of the fuel cell, and the projection is provided with a notch. . 3. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the notch is a substantially V-shaped notch. 4. A fuel cell in which laminated components including at least a rectangular separator, a terminal plate, an insulator, and a pressure plate are laminated, at least one side of each of the laminated components forming the same side surface of the fuel cell is cut out. A fuel cell assembly method, further comprising: stacking the stacked components by providing a guide post that can be in contact with the notch provided on the assembly base plate and that can contact the notch. 5. The notch is a substantially V-shaped notch,
5. The method for assembling a fuel cell according to claim 4, wherein the guide post is a column or a rod having a rectangular cross section having a circumference in a part of the cross section.