JP2003017100A - Fuel cell system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a counter flow of water sprayed into an air supply chamber to an air intake duct or an air supply fan. SOLUTION: This fuel cell system is equipped with a cell of a fuel cell having a fuel electrode, a fuel passage in contact with the fuel electrode, an oxygen electrode, an air passage in contact with the oxygen electrode, and an electrolyte membrane interposed between the fuel electrode and the oxygen electrode; an air supply chamber connected to an air inlet end present at one end of the air passage of a plurality of cells of the fuel cell; a water supply means installed inside the air supply chamber; an air exhaust chamber connected to an air outlet end present at the other end of the air passage of a plurality of cells of the fuel cell; and an air intake duct connecting a discharge port of the air supply fan and an air intake port installed on the top of the air supply chamber, and the air intake duct is formed so as to extend upward from the top of the air supply chamber in the periphery of air intake port.

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a fuel cell device.
Is what you do. [0002] Conventionally, fuel cells have high power generation efficiency and are harmful.
Since it does not emit substances, it can be used as an industrial or household power generator.
Or as a power source for satellites and spacecraft
In recent years, cars such as passenger cars, buses, trucks, etc.
It is being developed as a power source for both uses. [0003] Various types of fuel cells are known.
And alkaline aqueous solution type, phosphoric acid type, molten carbonate type,
Solid oxide type, direct type methanol, etc.
However, fuel cells using solid electrolytes are promising.
You. In this case, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane is
Are sandwiched between the diffusion electrodes, integrated and joined. And the
One of the gas diffusion electrodes is used as a fuel electrode and is in contact with the surface of the fuel electrode.
Hydrogen gas as fuel gas to the fuel electrode through a fuel flow path
Supply hydrogen to hydrogen ions (protons) and electrons
Hydrogen ions permeate the solid polymer electrolyte membrane
You. Further, the other of the gas diffusion electrodes is used as an oxygen electrode,
An oxidant is added to the oxygen electrode through an air flow path in contact with the surface of the element electrode.
When the air is supplied, the oxygen in the air and the hydrogen
The on and electrons combine to produce water. like this
Electromotive force is generated by electrochemical reaction
You. Further, the solid electrolyte, the fuel electrode,
The fuel electrode is combined with the oxygen electrode, the air flow path, and the fuel flow path.
We assume pond cell. Further, a plurality of the fuel cells are stacked.
These are called fuel cell stacks. This fuel cell device
In the installation, by supplying liquid water to the air flow path
Some keep the solid polymer electrolyte membrane wet
(See JP-A-2000-12056). SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In conventional fuel cell devices, the air supply fan
It is located at almost the same height as the pond stack. others
Water sprayed into the air supply chamber
And the air provided between the air supply fan and the air supply chamber.
Backflow may occur in the air introduction duct. Generally, in the case of vehicles such as automobiles, occupants and cargo
Drive to increase space for loading objects
Power source, driving force transmission mechanism, etc. under the floor of the cabin or luggage compartment
Is required. Therefore, the conventional fuel cell device
In addition to the fuel cell stack and fuel storage means,
Air supply fan or between the air supply fan and the air supply chamber
The installed air introduction duct should also be installed under the floor
Has become. Therefore, the air supply fan and the air guide
The position of the inlet duct is lower than the position of the air supply chamber,
Water sprayed into the air supply chamber may flow back
There is. FIG. 2 shows a conventional fuel cell device mounted on a vehicle.
Cell stack, air supply fan and air in the unit
FIG. 3 is a view showing an introduction duct, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an air flow in the fuel cell device.
You. In the figure, reference numeral 51 denotes a fuel cell stack, 5
6 is an air supply fan. And the fuel cell stack
The hook 51 is attached above the lower frame 53 of the vehicle.
The air supply fan 56 is connected to the fuel cell stack 51.
Can be mounted at almost the same height. Further, on the upper side of the fuel cell stack 51,
Are a plurality of fuel cell cells constituting the fuel cell stack 51.
One end of the air flow path of the
An air supply chamber 54 for introduction is attached. Further
In front of the air supply chamber 54 (left side in the figure),
The air from the air supply fan 56 is sent to the air supply chamber 54
An air introduction duct 55 is connected to the air inlet. Also before
In the air supply chamber 54, water is sprayed (not shown).
A fresh water supply nozzle is provided. On the other hand, the other end of the air passage of the fuel cell unit
On the lower side of the fuel cell stack 51 corresponding to
Air discharge chamber 57 for discharging air discharged from the road
Is attached. Further, behind the air discharge chamber 57
(Right side in the figure) discharges air to the outside of the vehicle
Exhaust duct 61 is connected. The sky
The bottom surface of the gas discharge chamber 57 is connected to a water tank via a drain pipe 58.
52 is continued to the upper surface. In the fuel cell stack 51, as shown in FIG.
A number of air passages extending in the vertical direction are formed,
One surface of the air flow path is in contact with the oxygen electrode. And the oxygen
The fuel electrode is located on the opposite side of the electrode with the solid polymer electrolyte membrane
And a fuel as a hydrogen gas passage in contact with the fuel electrode.
A channel is formed. The fuel cell stack 51 is located at the front.
Is slightly tilted downward.
The upper surface of the air supply chamber 54 is horizontal in the drawing.
It has become. Therefore, it is sent from the air introduction duct 55.
The flow path cross section of the air as the oxidant
As the air becomes narrower from the front to the rear of 54,
It is evenly introduced into all air channels. On the other hand, the lower surface of the air discharge chamber 57 is also horizontal.
Flow section of the air discharged from the air flow path
Is widened from the front to the rear of the air discharge chamber 57.
So that the air flows smoothly to the air discharge duct 61
Is discharged. By the way, spray from the water supply nozzle
The water that has been removed by gravity and air flow
Enter into the air flow path. And make the oxygen electrode wet
The solid polymer electrolyte sandwiched between the oxygen electrode and the fuel electrode
The membrane works well. In addition, hydrogen as fuel and oxidizer
Oxygen, which combines with oxygen to produce water
Reaction heat is generated, and the reaction heat is
Absorbed by spilled water. That is, the spray
The drained water also performs a cooling function. [0016] The sprayed water is air
It is discharged together with air from the lower end of the flow path. in this case,
The water in the liquid phase can be removed from the bottom of the air discharge chamber 57 as it is.
Then, the water flows into the water tank 52 through a drain pipe 58.
Is stored. In addition, gas phase discharged with air
Water, i.e., water vapor, is disposed in the air discharge chamber 57.
Trapped by the wire mesh, metal rod, etc.
And is condensed into a liquid. And the air discharge chamber 57
From the bottom surface, through the drain pipe 58, into the water tank 52
It flows in and is stored. The air from which the water has been separated is discharged to the air exhaust port.
Exhaust through air discharge duct 61 connected to exit chamber 57
It is discharged outside from the pipes 59L and 59R. Where
The air discharge duct 61 is a fuel storage means such as a hydrogen storage alloy.
The exhaust pipe 59L, which passes through the inside of the exhaust pipe 60 and branches left and right,
59R. On the other hand, the water is stored in the water tank 52.
The retained water is returned to the water supply nozzle by a circulation pump or the like.
Supplied and sprayed. As a result, the water
Since most of the water is recycled and used,
Can be reduced. However, in the conventional fuel cell device,
Is that the air supply fan 56 is almost the same as the fuel cell stack 51.
The air supply fan 5 is disposed so as to be at the same height.
For introducing the air supplied from 6 into the air supply chamber 54
The outlet of the air introduction duct 55 is located at the front of the air supply chamber 54.
It is connected to the. Therefore, the air supply from the water supply nozzle
The water sprayed into the supply chamber 54 is
Backflow tends to occur in the direction of the air supply fan 56. In a normal use situation of the fuel cell device
Represents the fuel cell stack as indicated by the arrow in FIG.
The air supplied to the rack 51 flows from the front to the rear of the vehicle.
Therefore, the water sprayed in the air supply chamber 54 conducts air.
Backflow in the direction of the inlet duct 55 and the air supply fan 56
And almost none. However, the vehicle rides on obstacles and steps
When the vehicle leans when crossing or traveling on a rough road
When the vehicle or the vehicle bounces, the air supply chamber 5
4 sprayed into the air introduction duct 55 and the air supply duct.
It may flow backward in the direction of the supply fan 56. Then, it is sprayed into the air supply chamber 54 and
Water flowing in the direction of the air introduction duct 55 and the air supply fan 56
Backflow into the fuel cell air flow path.
The amount of water that is drained decreases. As a result, the air
The surface of the oxygen electrode cannot be kept moist
The solid polymer electrolyte membrane does not function in good condition
As a result, the output of the fuel cell decreases. When the backflowed water flows out, the fuel
The total amount of water supplied to the air passage of the fuel cell decreases,
Replenishment amount increases. Further, the water flowing backward is supplied to the air supply fan 56.
Water that has adhered to the electrical wiring of
Adhesion to air wiring, corrosion of electrical connectors, leakage, etc.
May occur. Further, the water that has flowed back is supplied to the air introduction duct 55.
And leave it attached to the air supply fan 56 in winter
May freeze. The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems,
Provided on the discharge port of the air supply fan and the upper surface of the air supply chamber
Connected air inlet with air inlet duct,
The air inlet duct provides air supply around the air inlet.
By extending upward from the top of the chamber,
The water sprayed into the air supply chamber is
Provides a fuel cell device that does not flow backward to the air supply fan
The purpose is to do. [0025] For this purpose, the fuel of the present invention is provided.
In a fuel cell device, the fuel electrode and the fuel in contact with the fuel electrode
A fuel flow path, an oxygen electrode and an air flow path in contact with the oxygen electrode,
Fuel with an electrolyte membrane sandwiched between the fuel electrode and the oxygen electrode
Fuel cells and one of the air flow paths of the plurality of fuel cells.
An air supply chamber connected to the air inlet end at the end;
Water supply means disposed in a supply room, and a plurality of the fuel cells
Air connected to the air outlet end at the other end of the cell air flow path
A discharge chamber, a discharge port of the air supply fan, and the air supply chamber.
An air inlet duct connecting the air inlet provided on the upper surface
And the air introduction duct is provided around the air introduction port.
And extend upward from the upper surface of the air supply chamber.
Have been. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
This will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fuel cell stack and air conduction of mounted fuel cell device
FIG. 4 is a side view of a main part showing an inlet duct, and FIG. 4 is an embodiment of the present invention.
Schematic plan view of a fuel cell device mounted on a vehicle in,
FIG. 5 is a view showing the fuel mounted on the vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view showing the flow of air in the fuel cell device.
Is a fuel cell mounted on the vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention.
It is a schematic cross section which shows the flow of water in a pond device. In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a plurality of fuel cells.
Fuel cell stack (FC) composed of
Cars such as cars, buses, trucks, passenger carts, luggage carts, etc.
Used as a power source for both uses. Here, the vehicle is
Lighting equipment, radio, power windows, etc.
Equipped with many auxiliary devices that consume electricity
Driving patterns are diverse,
The power output range is extremely wide, so the fuel cell
11 and a secondary battery (not shown) as power storage means.
It is desirable to use it. The fuel cell is made of an alkaline aqueous solution.
Type (AFC), phosphoric acid type (PAFC), molten carbonate type
(MCFC), solid oxide type (SOFC), direct type meta
Noll (DMFC), etc.
It is desirable to use a molecular fuel cell (PEMFC). More preferably, hydrogen gas is used as fuel.
PEMFC (Prot) using oxygen or air as an oxidizing agent
on Exchange Membrane Fuel
Cell) type fuel cell or PEM (Proton
Exchange Membrane type fuel cells
What is called. Here, the PEM fuel cell is
Generally, solid polymer electrolytes that transmit ions such as protons
A catalyst, electrode, and separator combined on both sides of the
(Cell) connected in series and multiple
(Stack) (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-3172)
No. 35). In this case, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane is
Are sandwiched between the diffusion electrodes, integrated and joined. Then, one of the gas diffusion electrodes is used as a fuel electrode.
And the fuel electrode is connected to the fuel electrode through a fuel flow path in contact with the surface of the fuel electrode.
When hydrogen gas is supplied as fuel gas, hydrogen is
(Protons) and electrons are separated into hydrogen ions
Permeates through the polymer electrolyte membrane. Further, the gas diffusion electrode
The other is used as an oxygen electrode, and an air flow path is in contact with the oxygen electrode surface.
When air is supplied as oxidizing gas to the oxygen electrode,
The oxygen inside, the hydrogen ions and the electrons combine to form water
Generated. The electromotive force generated by such an electrochemical reaction
Is to occur. For example, in this embodiment, one example
Then, it is a PEM type fuel cell, and 100 cells are connected in series.
Use the stack connected to. In this case, the total electrode area
Is 150 cm ^Two ] And the open terminal voltage is about 100
[V], the output is about 6 [kW]. And steady operation
The temperature at this time is about 50 to 90 [° C.]. A meta-forming device (not shown) converts the
Water, which is fuel obtained by reforming knol, gasoline, etc.
Raw gas can be supplied directly to the fuel cells,
Stable and sufficient supply of hydrogen even during high-load operation of vehicles
In order to be able to
It is desirable to supply the hydrogen gas stored in 2. here
The fuel storage means 12 is made of hydrogen storage alloy or decalin.
Such as a container containing hydrogen storage liquid
As described above. This
Hydrogen gas is always supplied sufficiently at almost constant pressure
Therefore, the fuel cell may not be able to keep up with changes in vehicle load.
The required current can be supplied immediately following. In this case, the output impedance of the fuel cell is
-Dance is very low and can be approximated to 0
You. In the figure, the fuel cell
A device for supplying hydrogen gas and air as an oxidant is shown.
It is. Here, the fuel cell stack 11 includes a vehicle bottom plate 15.
It is arranged above. Further, the fuel cell stack 11
A fuel storage means 12 is provided at the rear (right side in the figure).
Is disposed on the vehicle bottom plate 15. Further, the fuel storage
Behind the means 12, a drain pump 14 and a water tank 13
Is arranged. Note that the vehicle bottom plate 15 is
The frame may be a strength member or a strength member.
Simply cover the bottom of the vehicle without performing its function
Plate member. And the vehicle bottom plate 1
When 5 is a strength member, the fuel cell stack 11,
The fuel storage means 12, the drain pump 14 and the water tank 13
The vehicle bottom plate 15 is mounted on the vehicle bottom plate 15.
Is not a strength member, the fuel cell stack 11
Charge storage means 12, drain pump 14 and water tank 13,
Attached to a strength member (not shown) separate from the vehicle bottom plate 15
Can be The left and right front wheels 28 of the vehicle shown in FIG.
L, 28R and left and right rear wheels 29L, 29R
When both bottom plates 15 are strength members, the suspension machine
The vehicle bottom plate 15 is attached to the vehicle bottom plate 15 through a structure or the like.
If 15 is not a strength member, use a
To a strength member (not shown) separate from the vehicle bottom plate 15.
Attached. Here, the fuel cell stack 11, the fuel
The storage means 12, the drain pump 14 and the water tank 13 are thin.
It has the shape of a flat rectangular parallelepiped,
That is, since the fuel cell stack is provided in tandem,
Cabin 11 and fuel storage means 12
Even if the floorboard of the luggage compartment is installed, the height of the floor
There is no need to be high. In addition, heavy fuel cell
, Fuel storage means 12, drain pump 14 and water tank
Link 13 is located at a lower position, so the center of gravity of the vehicle
And the stability of the vehicle is improved. Further, the fuel
Fuel cell stack 11, fuel storage means 12, drain pump 1
4 and the water tank 13 are axles of the front wheels 28L, 28R and the rear.
Since it is arranged between the axles of the wheels 29L and 29R,
Heavy objects concentrate near the center of gravity of the vehicle, causing inertia around the center of gravity
The moment is reduced, and the turning performance of the vehicle is improved. The hydrogen gas is stored in the fuel storage means 1.
2 through a fuel supply line (not shown)
The fuel is supplied to each fuel cell of the stack 11. Also before
The fuel supply line has a fuel pressure regulating valve (not shown)
A charge supply solenoid valve, a check valve and a pressure sensor are provided. So
And the hydrogen gas supplied to the fuel cells is
A pressure sensor is used to maintain the set constant pressure.
While monitoring the pressure of hydrogen gas in the fuel supply line,
Adjust the fuel pressure control valve to store hydrogen gas in the fuel storage
Supplied from stage 12. Note that the fuel storage means 12 is
Hydrogen gas with a large capacity per minute and always at a sufficiently high pressure
Has the ability to supply The hydrogen discharged from the fuel cell unit
Gas is discharged to the atmosphere through a fuel discharge line (not shown).
Will be issued. In addition, the hydrogen gas is discharged into the atmosphere as it is.
Instead of combining it with oxygen to form water and then letting it drain.
You may do it. Also, the fuel discharge line is shown in the drawing.
Filter, fuel discharge solenoid valve, check valve, etc.
You. On the other hand, air as an oxidizing agent is shown in FIG.
As shown by the arrow,
The air supply fan 26 as an oxidant supply source
An air guide connected to the discharge port 26a of the air supply fan 26
Through the inlet duct 25 and above the fuel cell stack 11
It is supplied to the attached air supply chamber 17. In addition,
A water supply nozzle that sprays water inside the air supply chamber 17
Are arranged. Here, the air supply fan 26 and the air
The position of the outlet of the introduction duct 25 is the air supply chamber.
Arranged at a position higher than the highest part of 17
It is. Therefore, the air introduction duct 25 is provided in the air supply chamber.
17 is connected to an air inlet 17a formed on the upper surface of
You. Further, the air introduction duct 25 is connected to the air introduction port 17.
a, it extends upward from the upper surface of the air supply chamber around
It is formed as follows. Thus, the vehicle gets over an obstacle or a step.
Vehicle leans or jumps when driving on rough roads
Even when it is knocked, the water supply nozzle is
Sprayed into the air introduction duct 25 and its front
Until the air supply fan 26 reaches the discharge port 26a.
No shedding. That is, the vehicle leans or jumps
When sprayed, the water sprayed into the air supply chamber 17 splashes
Rises and enters the air introduction duct 25.
Even if it does not reach the inside of the air introduction duct 25
And the air supply duct 25 and the air supply connected in front of it.
It does not enter the supply fan 26. As a result, the discharge of the air
Air supply from outlet 26a through air introduction duct 25
A generally downward air flow path is formed up to the chamber 17.
You. In addition, the air introduction part of the air supply fan 26 or the air
In the middle of the introduction duct 25, dust in the air (dust),
A filter is installed to remove pollutants and harmful components
It is desirable to be done. In this case, the air supplied to the fuel cells
Pressure is about atmospheric pressure and it is necessary to pressurize
There is no. Therefore, the air supply fan 26,
Duct 25, air supply chamber 17, air discharge chamber 1 described later
8, connection manifold 19, air discharge duct 27L,
7R etc. do not need to have pressure resistance, so the configuration is simplified
can do. Further, the air flow path of the fuel cell unit
At the other end with respect to one end, the air discharged from the air flow path is provided.
An air discharge chamber 18 for discharging air is attached.
Further, behind the air discharge chamber 18, air is supplied outside the vehicle.
The connection manifold 19 for discharging to the section is connected
You. The connection manifold 19 branches into a plurality of fuel
The left and right sky passing through the inside of the storage means 12 and disposed behind.
It is connected to the air discharge duct 27L, 27R. FIG. 1 shows the inside of the fuel cell.
A number of air passages extending in the vertical direction are formed,
One surface of the air flow path is in contact with the oxygen electrode. And the oxygen
The fuel electrode is located on the opposite side of the electrode with the solid polymer electrolyte membrane
And a fuel as a hydrogen gas passage in contact with the fuel electrode.
A channel is formed. The fuel cell stack 11 is located at the front
(Left side in the figure) tilted slightly down
Arranged in state. And the upper surface of the air supply chamber 17
Are horizontal as shown in FIG. That
As an oxidant sent from the air introduction duct 25
Cross section of the air flow from the front to the rear of the air supply chamber 17
Air narrows toward all air channels
Will be introduced. The height of the upper surface of the air supply chamber 17
Of the floorboards of the cabin and luggage compartment
It is desirable to keep the height as low as possible to keep the height low.
No. On the other hand, the lower surface of the air discharge chamber 18 is also horizontal.
Flow section of the air discharged from the air flow path
Is widened from the front to the rear of the air discharge chamber 18.
Air flows smoothly to the connection manifold 19
And discharged. This causes the air to flow in FIG.
As shown by the mark, the air flow path of the fuel cell
The air discharge chamber 18, the connection manifold 19 and the left and right
Discharged into the atmosphere through air discharge ducts 27L and 27R
Is done. The lower surface of the air discharge chamber 18 is also
The mounting position of the battery stack 11 and the height of the floor panel of the cabin or the cargo room
Do not protrude as low as possible to keep it low
Is desirable. That is, the thickness of the air discharge chamber 18 is
It is desirable to be as thin as possible. By the way, spray from the water supply nozzle
The water that has been removed by gravity and air flow
Enter into the air flow path. And make the oxygen electrode wet
The solid polymer electrolyte sandwiched between the oxygen electrode and the fuel electrode
The membrane works well. In addition, hydrogen as fuel and oxidizer
Oxygen, which combines with oxygen to produce water
Reaction heat is generated, and the reaction heat is
Absorbed by spilled water. That is, the spray
The drained water also performs a cooling function. Here, the sprayed water is in a liquid state,
That is, it is in a liquid phase and absorbs heat of reaction and evaporates. So
Therefore, oxygen electrode etc. in the air flow path is cooled by latent heat of vaporization
Therefore, the cooling efficiency is extremely high. Also, in normal pressure air
Only spray water in the liquid phase to the water supply nozzle.
Can be conventional and have a special configuration
There is no. And, the sprayed water is the air
It is discharged together with air from the lower end of the flow path. in this case,
The liquid water is left as it is on the bottom of the air discharge chamber 18.
Once (simply) stored. It is also discharged with air
The vapor-phase water, ie, water vapor, enters the air discharge chamber 18.
It is trapped by members such as wire nets and metal rods,
It is cooled and condensed into a liquid. And the air discharge chamber
18 is temporarily stored on the bottom surface. In addition, the sky where water was separated
The air is connected to the connection manifold connected to the air discharge chamber 18.
Through the gate 19 to the outside. The rear lower end of the air discharge chamber 18
The unit is connected to a drain pipe 22 as a water discharge pipe. So
Then, the drain pipe 22 is connected to the suction port of the drain pump 14.
Is stored once at the bottom of the air discharge chamber 18.
Water is sucked through the holes and discharged through the drain 22
Is done. Then, a drain pump is passed through the drain pipe 22.
14 is indicated by the solid arrow in FIG.
One end is connected to the discharge port of the drain pump 14 so that
Water drain pipe with the other end connected to the upper surface of the water tank 13
Flows into the water tank 13 through the connecting pipe 23 as
Is stored. The air discharge ducts 27L, 27R
A condenser (not shown) is provided and discharged to the outside
The water contained in the air is condensed and separated
You. The separated water passes through a drain pipe (not shown).
Is sucked by the drain pump 14 and stored in the water tank 13.
Is done. Here, the condenser is, for example, a wire mesh,
And the like, but may be any. The water stored in the water tank 13 is
As shown by a dotted arrow in FIG.
Through the circulation pump, water supply line, etc. to the water supply nozzle.
Supplied and sprayed. Thus, most of the water is recycled.
It can be used with less water
Wear. The secondary battery as the power storage means is as follows:
It is a so-called battery (storage battery).
Kercadmium battery, nickel metal hydride battery, lithium ion
Batteries and sodium-sulfur batteries are common,
High-performance lead-acid batteries used in automobiles, etc., lithium ion
Batteries, sodium-sulfur batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, etc. are desirable
New For example, in this embodiment, one example
And use a high performance lead-acid battery. In this case, open terminal
The voltage is about 50 [V], and the current of about 1 [kW]
It has a capacity that can be supplied for about 20 minutes. The power storage means is not necessarily a battery.
It is not necessary to use capacitors such as electric double layer capacitors.
Sensors (capacitors), flywheels, superconducting coils,
Electrically accumulates and discharges energy, such as a pressurizer
Any form that has the function of
You may. In addition, one of these can be used alone
May be used or a combination of multiple
Good. Further, the fuel cell is a negative electrode (not shown).
The load is connected to a load and supplies the generated current to the load. This
Here, the load is generally the drive control device.
A fuel cell or a battery.
DC current is converted to AC current, and the wheels of the vehicle are rotated.
Supply to the drive motor. Here, the drive motor is
It also functions as an electric
Generates a so-called regenerative current. In this case, the drive
The dynamic motor is rotated by the wheels to generate electricity,
Braking the wheels, i.e. the braking system of the vehicle
Acts as a brake (brake). And the regenerative current
Is supplied to the battery to charge the battery. In the present embodiment, the fuel cell device
The device has control means (not shown). The control means is C
Operation means such as PU and MPU, storage means such as semiconductor memory
Pressure sensors,
And hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell from other sensors
Element, air flow, temperature, output voltage, etc.
Air supply fan 26, fuel pressure regulating valve, fuel supply electromagnetic
Controls the operation of valves, fuel discharge solenoid valves, etc. In addition,
The control means cooperates with another sensor and another control device,
The operation of the fuel cell device is controlled overall. As described above, in the present embodiment, the empty
The air introduction duct 25 is located above the fuel cell stack 11.
Air introduction formed on the upper surface of the attached air supply chamber 17
It is adapted to be connected to the mouth 17a. Also, the air
The introduction duct 25 is empty around the air introduction port 17a.
It is formed to extend upward from the upper surface of the air supply chamber.
You. Therefore, when the vehicle leans or bounces,
Water sprayed into the air supply chamber 17 jumps up,
Around the air inlet 17a of the air inlet duct 25
Even if it invades, it will reach above the air introduction duct 25
Is not reachable, so it is connected to the air introduction duct 25 and its front
To the inside of the discharge port 26a of the air supply fan 26
Never enter. As a result, the sprayed water flows out and burns.
The amount of water supplied to the air passage of the fuel cell decreases.
Wet the surface of the oxygen electrode in the air flow path because there is no beating
State can be maintained. And solid polymer electric
Since the degraded membrane works well, the output of the fuel cell is low.
There is no going down. Also, the air flow of the fuel cell
Since the total amount of water supplied to the road does not decrease,
No need to increase. Further, the water that has flowed back is supplied to the air supply fan 26.
Impacts on the rotor blades and corrodes the rotor blades.
Absent. Further, the water that has flowed back is supplied to the air supply fan 26.
Water that has adhered to the electrical wiring of
Electrical connectors are not corroded because they do not adhere to air wiring
And there is no danger of electric leakage or the like. Also,
There is no danger that the water will freeze in winter. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.
It is not intended to be
And exclude them from the scope of the present invention.
Not something. As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
Then, in the fuel cell device, the fuel electrode and the fuel electrode
A fuel flow path in contact with the oxygen electrode and an air flow in contact with the oxygen electrode
Channel and electrolyte membrane sandwiched between the fuel electrode and the oxygen electrode
And a plurality of the fuel cells having air
An air supply chamber connected to an air inlet end at one end of the flow path,
Water supply means disposed in the air supply chamber;
Connects to the air outlet at the other end of the fuel cell air flow path
Air discharge chamber, the outlet of the air supply fan and the air
Air connecting the air inlet provided on the upper surface of the supply chamber
An introduction duct, wherein the air introduction duct has an air introduction port.
At the periphery, extend upward from the upper surface of the air supply chamber
Is formed. In this case, the air was sprayed into the air supply chamber.
Water jumps up and the air introduction duct and air supply fan
Never enter the interior.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a main part side view showing a fuel cell stack and an air introduction duct of a fuel cell device mounted on a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a fuel cell stack, an air supply fan, and an air introduction duct in a conventional fuel cell device mounted on a vehicle. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a flow of air in a conventional fuel cell device mounted on a vehicle. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a fuel cell device mounted on a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a flow of air in a fuel cell device mounted on a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a flow of water in a fuel cell device mounted on a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Description of Signs] 11 Fuel cell stack 17 Air supply chamber 17a Air introduction port 18 Air discharge chamber 25 Air introduction duct 26 Air supply fan 26a Discharge port

   ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page    (72) Inventor Makoto Okada             2-19-12 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo             Equos Research Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Ryoichi Okimoto             2-19-12 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo             Equos Research Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 5H026 AA06 CX05                 5H027 AA06 DD00

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A fuel electrode and a fuel flow path in contact with the fuel electrode, an oxygen electrode and an air flow path in contact with the oxygen electrode, and a narrower fuel flow path between the fuel electrode and the oxygen electrode. A fuel cell having an electrolyte membrane held therein, and (b) an air supply chamber connected to an air inlet end at one end of an air flow path of the plurality of fuel cells.
(C) water supply means disposed in the air supply chamber;
(D) an air discharge chamber connected to an air outlet end at the other end of the air flow path of the plurality of fuel cells, and (e) air provided on a discharge port of an air supply fan and an upper surface of the air supply chamber. A fuel cell device, comprising: an air introduction duct connected to an introduction port; wherein the air introduction duct is formed so as to extend upward from an upper surface of the air supply chamber around the air introduction port.