JP2000048850A - Fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small-sized fuel cell having light weight and good assembling workability. SOLUTION: In this fuel cell 100, a fastening bolt for fastening and holding pressure plates 4a, 4b of the fuel cell 100 with suitable pressurizing force is eliminated, four corners in the direction P1 as the layered direction of separators 1 of the fuel cell 100 are fastened to the pressure plates 4a, 4b in the directions R1, Q1 perpendicular to the direction P1 or in directions opposite to them by using holding members 60 having the L-shaped sections, and the pressure plates 4a, 4b are connected to each other.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel cell.

[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. It is necessary to apply a suitable pressing force to the endmost pressure plate and tighten and fix it.

[0003] As a prior art, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 9-7627 and 9-17437 disclose a method of tightening using a tightening bolt.

[0004]

However, the prior art method has a problem in that the fastening bolt, which is not directly connected to the function of power generation of the fuel cell, occupies a large volume and makes the fuel cell large.

[0005] The fastening bolt may be disposed so as to penetrate a component such as a separator which is laminated on the fuel cell, or may be disposed outside the component. In any case, only the pressure plate is provided. The fastening bolt penetrates.

If the tightening bolt is arranged so as to penetrate the component, the volume of the component and the pressure plate increases, and the weight also increases.

When the tightening bolt is disposed outside the component, the volume of the component can be reduced, but the volume of the pressure plate increases and the weight increases, and the volume of the entire fuel cell increases. As the weight increases, the weight increases.

Although the function of the tightening bolt is important, it does not directly relate to the function of power generation of the fuel cell, but is a part that needs to be compressed as compactly as possible.
Further, inserting a long fastening bolt in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the separator requires a space at least twice as long as the entire length of the fuel cell, which makes the operation difficult.

An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell which is small and lightweight and has good workability in assembling while minimizing the area of a portion which is not directly connected to power generation.

[0010]

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 includes at least a pressure plate, In a fuel cell in which a separator, an electrode unit, and an insulator are stacked, and the pressure plates provided at both ends are connected by a holding member, the pressure plate is held by a holding member that can be fastened from a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the separator. A fuel cell, wherein the holding member is fastened.

The effects of the first technical means are as follows.

That is, there is an effect that a compact fuel cell can be obtained because no fastening bolt is required. Further, since no tightening bolt is required, the area of a surface perpendicular to the laminating direction of the separators of the pressure plate is reduced, so that there is an effect that the weight is reduced. Further, since there is no tightening bolt penetrating the pressure plate, there is an effect that the workability of assembling the fuel cell is good.

[0013] In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical means (hereinafter referred to as second technical means) taken in claim 2 of the present invention is such that the cross-sectional shape of the holding member is L.
2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the fuel cell has a character shape.

The effects of the second technical means are as follows.

That is, in the case of a fuel cell having a rectangular cross section,
This has the effect that the pressure plates can be securely tightened and held.

In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problem, the technical means (hereinafter referred to as third technical means) taken in claim 3 of the present invention is that the holding member is provided in a direction in which the separators are laminated. 3. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the pressure plates provided at four corners and provided at both ends are connected to each other.

The effects of the third technical means are as follows.

That is, in the case of a fuel cell having a rectangular cross section,
This has the effect that the pressure plates can be most securely tightened and held.

[0019]

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 a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell for use in a vehicle such as an automobile in which holding members having an L-shaped cross section according to the embodiment of the present invention are provided at four corners perpendicular to the laminating direction of separators. FIG.

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

The separator 1, terminal plates 2a and 2b, insulators 3a and 3b, pressure plates 4a and 4
A guide notch 5 which is a substantially V-shaped notch is provided on the front and rear sides of the fuel cell 100 shown in FIG.

The pressure plate 4a and the pressure plate 4b are connected by a holding member 60 having an L-shaped cross section.

That is, the holding member 60 is applied to the four corners in the direction P1 which is the laminating direction of the separator 1, and
It is fastened to the pressure plate 4a or the pressure plate 4b by bolts 61 in the R1 direction and the Q1 direction, which are perpendicular to one direction, or in the opposite direction.

Since there is no tightening bolt penetrating between the pressure plates 4a and 4b, and there is no capacity for the tightening bolt, the fuel cell is small and lightweight.

Although the holding member 60 has an L-shaped cross section in this embodiment, it may have an I-shaped or other shape. Further, in the present embodiment, the holding member is located at P in the stacking direction of the separator 1 of the fuel cell 100.
Although they are provided at four corners in one direction, they may be provided in another place or the number may be reduced.

As in this embodiment, when the holding member has an L-shaped cross section and is provided at four corners in the direction P1 which is the laminating direction of the separator 1 of the fuel cell 100, the space between the pressure plates 4a and 4b is provided. It can be most securely tightened and held.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the fuel cell 100 as viewed from one separator.

A substantially V-shaped notch 5 for positioning and stacking the separators 1 on opposite sides of the separators 1 is provided.

A holding member 60 having an L-shaped cross section
Are fixed to the four corners of the pressure plate 4b with bolts 61. The size of the cross section perpendicular to the stacking direction of the separators 1 of the fuel cell is small because it is not much different from the area of the separators 1.

FIG. 3 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, 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, so that only the separator 1 is visible in the external view of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view during the assembly of the fuel cell according to the embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 22 denotes a guide post for positioning a component such as a separator of a fuel cell to be stacked. The pressure plate 4a, the insulator 3a, the terminal plate 2a, and the separator 1 are laminated on the assembly base plate 20.

FIG. 4 shows only relevant parts for the purpose of explanation. In practice, however, the guide post 22 extends further upward, and the terminal plate 2b and the insulator 3
b, pressure plate 4b is provided.

The pressure plate 4 located at the end of the fuel cell at a predetermined position on the assembly base plate 20.
is installed, and the guide post 22 is fixed. The insulator 3 is positioned on the pressure plate 4 a by the guide post 22 and the guide notch 5.
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, bolts are inserted into the screw holes 27 of the pressure plate 4a and the upper pressure plate 4b, and the holding members are fastened to the pressure plates 4a, 4b. Insert the guide post 22 into the guide notch 5
Move it away from and remove it to complete the fuel cell.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the method of assembling the fuel cell in more detail.

The fuel cell assembling apparatus 40 comprises 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 pressurizing cylinder 50.

There are four pillars 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 pressure plate 4a is placed approximately at the center of the base plate 20. The guide post 22 is aligned with the substantially V-shaped guide notch provided on the pressure plate 4a, and the guide post fixing jig 43a is
The guide post fixing screws 45a and 45b of 43b are inserted into screw holes provided in the guide post 22, and the guide post 22 is fixed.

The insulator 3a is obliquely inserted between the guide posts 22, and the substantially V-shaped notch provided on the insulator 3a is overlapped on the pressure plate 4a with the guide posts 22 aligned.

Next, the terminal plate 2a is obliquely inserted between the guide posts 22 and substantially V-shaped provided on the terminal plate 2a.
The letter-shaped guide notch is overlapped on the insulator 3a with the guide post 22 aligned.

Similarly, a required number of separators 1 and electrode units are alternately stacked, and a terminal plate 2b, an insulator 3b, and a pressure plate 4b are sequentially stacked thereon.

Using the pressure cylinder 50, pressure is applied from above the pressure plate 4b with an appropriate pressing force to tighten and restrain the whole. Here, the pressurizing cylinder 50 is used as the pressurizing means, but another pressurizing means may be used.

The separator 1 and the terminal plate 2
a, 2b, the insulators 3a, 3b, and the seal members provided on the pressure plates 4a, 4b are appropriately compressed to ensure the sealing of air, hydrogen, and cooling water.

In this state, the holding members 60 are applied to the four corners in the direction P5 which is the laminating direction of the separator 1 of the fuel cell 100, and the pressure plates 4a and 4a are bolted in a direction perpendicular to the P direction. 4b.

A hole 54 for inserting the bolt 61 provided on the holding member 60 on the pressure plate 4b side.
Has a long hole, and can be adjusted in accordance with the dimension of the separator 1 of the fuel cell 100 in the stacking direction.

When using the conventional fastening bolt,
After tightening and restraining the whole using the pressure cylinder 50,
Since it is necessary to insert the fastening bolts in the stacking direction of the separator 1 of the fuel cell 100, the height of the fuel cell assembly device 40 is the length in the direction P5 which is the stacking direction of the separator 1 of the fuel cell 100. At least 2
The workability is poor because it is required more than twice.

On the other hand, the holding member 60 according to the present embodiment is provided with P5 in the stacking direction of the separator 1 of the fuel cell 100.
The height of the fuel cell assembly apparatus 40 may be slightly larger than the length in the direction P5 which is the stacking direction of the separators 1 of the fuel cell 100 because the bolt 61 may be tightened by pressing the fuel cell 100 from the vertical direction. Is good.

By loosening the guide post fixing screws 45a and 45b, the guide post 22 is slid in the direction away from the fuel cell 100 and detached, and the fuel cell 100 is taken out of the fuel cell assembly device 40.
00 is completed.

In this embodiment, the positioning of the components of the separator 1, the terminal plates 2a and 2b, the insulators 3a and 3b, and the pressure plates 4a and 46b is performed by positioning substantially V-shaped parts on two opposite sides of the components. Although a guide notch is provided and the guide post 22 is used, a commonly used knock pin can be used.

[0058]

As described above, the present invention relates to a fuel cell in which at least a pressure plate, a separator, an electrode unit, and an insulator are laminated, and the pressure plates provided at both ends are connected by a holding member. The fuel cell is characterized in that the pressure plate and the holding member are fastened by a holding member that can be fastened in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction. Therefore, the fuel cell is small and lightweight, and the workability of assembly is improved. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell for mounting on a vehicle, such as an automobile, in which holding members having an L-shaped cross section according to an embodiment of the present invention are provided at four corners in a direction perpendicular to a laminating direction of separators. Figure

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of one embodiment of a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell for a vehicle such as an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from one separator.

FIG. 3 is an exploded cross-sectional view illustrating an arrangement of a separator and an electrode unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention during assembly.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view illustrating a method of assembling a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Description of Signs] 1: Separator 2a, 2b ... Terminal plate 3a, 3b ... Insulator 4a, 4b ... Pressure plate 60 ... Holding member 61 ... Bolt 100 ... Fuel cell

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A fuel cell in which at least a pressure plate, a separator, an electrode unit, and an insulator are stacked, and the pressure plates provided at both ends are connected by a holding member, and the fuel cell is fastened in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the separator. A fuel cell, wherein the pressure plate and the holding member are fastened by a possible holding member. 2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the holding member has an L-shaped cross section. 3. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the holding members are arranged at four corners of the separator in a stacking direction, and connect the pressure plates provided at both ends. .