JP2005259662A - Fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel cell capable of uniformizing distribution of face pressure in a cell face. <P>SOLUTION: (1) The fuel cell comprises an anode side separator 18A having a plurality of ribs 34 different in size from each other on a fuel gas passage, and a cathode side separator 18B having a plurality of ribs 34 different in size from each other on an oxidizer gas passage, and the ribs 34 of the anode side separator and the ribs 34 of the cathode side separator are arranged so that the distribution of the area of overlapped part becomes uniform on a cell face. (2) The short ribs 34S of the anode side separator 18A and the short ribs 34S of the cathode side separator 18B are overlapped at whole face of respective short ribs, and the long ribs 34L of the anode side separator 18A and the long ribs 34L of the cathode side separator 18B are overlapped only at a part of respective long ribs, and the area of respective overlapped parts of the long ribs are arranged so as to become almost the same as the area of the overlapped part of the short ribs. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell, and more particularly to a fuel cell separator.

2. Description of the Related Art A fuel cell, for example, a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes a laminated body of a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) and a separator (however, the laminating direction may be arbitrary). The membrane-electrode assembly includes an electrolyte membrane composed of an ion exchange membrane, an electrode composed of a catalyst layer disposed on one surface of the electrolyte membrane (anode, fuel electrode), and an electrode composed of a catalyst layer disposed on the other surface of the electrolyte membrane ( Cathode, air electrode). Between the membrane-electrode assembly and the separator, diffusion layers are provided on the anode side and the cathode side, respectively. A fuel gas flow path for supplying fuel gas (hydrogen) to the anode is formed in the anode side separator, and an oxidizing gas for supplying oxidizing gas (oxygen, usually air) to the cathode in the cathode side separator. A flow path is formed. A cell is formed by stacking a membrane-electrode assembly and a separator, a module is formed from at least one cell, a module is stacked to form a cell stack, and terminals, insulators, end plates are formed at both ends of the cell stack in the cell stacking direction. The cell stack is fastened in the cell stacking direction and fixed with a fastening member (for example, a tension plate), bolts and nuts extending in the cell stacking direction to constitute a fuel cell stack.
On the anode side of each cell, an ionization reaction in which hydrogen is converted into hydrogen ions (protons) and electrons is performed. The hydrogen ions move through the electrolyte membrane to the cathode side, and on the cathode side, oxygen, hydrogen ions, and electrons (adjacent to the adjacent cells). The electrons generated at the anode of the MEA come through the separator, or the electrons generated at the anode of the cell at one end in the cell stacking direction come to the cathode of the other end cell through an external circuit) Thus, power generation is performed.
Anode side: H ₂ → 2H ⁺ + 2e ⁻
Cathode side: 2H ⁺ + 2e ⁻ + (1/2) O ₂ → H ₂ O

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-45453 includes a gas flow path including a straight line part and a corner part (U-turn part), a long rib is disposed in the straight line part of the gas flow path, and a short rib is provided in the corner part of the gas flow path. And a separator having a structure in which the MEA and the diffusion layer are sandwiched between the ribs is disclosed. By making the straight ribs long ribs, current collection performance is almost the same as continuous ribs, and drainage is made between the long ribs to provide good drainage performance. Can be obtained.

However, the fuel cell disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-45453 has the following problem.
By having a plurality of types of ribs having different sizes such as long ribs and short ribs, the surface pressure distribution between the separator diffusion layer and the MEA becomes non-uniform in the cell plane. In this case, the surface pressure of the long rib portion is higher than the surface pressure of the short rib portion. As a result, the output becomes non-uniform in the cell plane.
A diffusion layer having a rough surface strongly presses the MEA at a portion corresponding to the long rib portion having a high surface pressure, and the MEA in the portion is easily damaged. When the MEA is damaged, the durability of the fuel cell decreases.
JP 2003-45453 A

The problems to be solved by the present invention are the nonuniform surface pressure distribution and the deterioration of MEA in the high surface pressure portion in the fuel cell having separators having a plurality of types of ribs with different sizes in the gas flow path. is there.
An object of the present invention is a fuel cell having a separator having a plurality of types of ribs having different sizes in a gas flow path, and the surface pressure distribution can be made uniform in the cell surface, whereby there is a portion having a high surface pressure. An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell capable of suppressing the deterioration of MEA that is likely to occur.

The present invention for solving the above problems and achieving the above object is as follows.
(1) an anode separator having a plurality of types of ribs having different sizes in a fuel gas flow path, which is disposed on one side of an electrolyte membrane;
A cathode-side separator disposed on the other side of the electrolyte membrane and having a plurality of types of ribs having different sizes in the oxidizing gas flow path;
A fuel cell comprising:
The fuel cell, wherein the ribs of the anode-side separator and the ribs of the cathode-side separator are arranged so that the area distribution of portions overlapping each other in a direction orthogonal to the cell plane direction is substantially uniform in the cell plane.
(2) The rib of the anode side separator includes a long rib and a short rib, and the rib of the cathode side separator includes a long rib and a short rib,
The short rib of the anode side separator and the short rib of the cathode side separator overlap each other in the direction perpendicular to the cell in-plane direction on the entire surface of each short rib,
The long rib of the anode side separator and the long rib of the cathode side separator are partially overlapped with each other in the direction perpendicular to the cell in-plane direction, and the area of each overlapping portion is an overlap of the short rib. The fuel cell according to (1), wherein the fuel cell is disposed so as to have substantially the same area.
(3) The fuel gas flow path includes a straight part and a corner part, a long rib is disposed in the straight part of the fuel gas flow path, and a short rib is disposed in the corner part of the fuel gas flow path,
The oxidizing gas flow path includes a straight portion and a corner portion, a long rib is disposed in the straight portion of the oxidizing gas flow path, and a short rib is disposed in the corner portion of the oxidizing gas flow path,
The short rib of the anode side separator and the short rib of the cathode side separator are arranged so as to overlap each other in the direction perpendicular to the cell in-plane direction on the entire surface of each short rib,
The long rib of the anode side separator and the long rib of the cathode side separator are shifted in the longitudinal direction of the long rib so that each of the long ribs overlaps with each other in a direction perpendicular to the cell in-plane direction. The fuel cell according to (1), wherein the fuel cell is disposed so that an area thereof is substantially the same as an area of the overlapping portion of the short ribs.
(4) The fuel cell according to (1), wherein the rib includes a long rib, and the long rib is arranged in a brick pile shape.
(5) The fuel cell according to (1), wherein the rib includes a long rib, and the long rib is arranged in a square lattice shape.

According to the fuel cell of the above (1), the rib of the anode separator and the rib of the cathode separator overlap each other in a direction orthogonal to the cell in-plane direction (in this overlapping portion, the MEA and the diffusion layer are separated from the rib by the rib). Is arranged so that the area distribution of the surface pressure is substantially uniform in the cell plane, the surface pressure distribution is uniformed in the cell plane, and this is likely to occur if there is a portion with a high surface pressure. Degradation can be suppressed.
According to the fuel cell of (2), the long rib of the anode side separator and the long rib of the cathode side separator overlap each other in a direction orthogonal to the cell in-plane direction, with each long rib being a part, and each Since the area of the overlapping portion is arranged so as to be substantially the same as the area of the overlapping portion of the short ribs, the distribution and area of the overlapping portion, and hence the surface pressure distribution, are the same as the straight portion of the gas flow path and the corner. Therefore, the surface pressure distribution is made uniform in the cell plane. As a result, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of MEA that is likely to occur when there is a portion having a high surface pressure.
According to the fuel cell of the above (3), the short rib of the anode side separator and the short rib of the cathode side separator are arranged so as to overlap each other in the direction orthogonal to the cell in-plane direction on the entire surface of each short rib. The long rib of the anode side separator and the long rib of the cathode side separator are shifted in the longitudinal direction of the long rib so that each of the long ribs overlaps with each other in a direction orthogonal to the cell in-plane direction. Are arranged so that the area of the overlapping portion is substantially the same as the area of the overlapping portion of the short ribs. It becomes almost the same at the corner portion where there is, and the surface pressure distribution is made uniform in the cell plane. As a result, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of MEA that is likely to occur when there is a portion having a high surface pressure.
According to the fuel cell of the above (4), the rib includes the long rib, and the long rib is arranged in a brick shape, so that the gas distribution is maintained as well as the continuous rib, and the continuous rib is maintained. Compared with, drainage is improved.
According to the fuel cell of the above (5), since the rib includes a long rib and the long rib is arranged in a square lattice shape, the drainage is improved as compared with the continuous rib.

Below, the fuel cell of this invention is demonstrated with reference to FIGS. In the figure, FIG. 1 shows a structure having the features of the present invention that can be applied to both the first and second embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 2 shows the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 shows the implementation of the present invention. Example 2 is shown, and FIGS. 4 to 6 show general configurations applicable to Example 1 and Example 2 of the present invention. Portions common to the first and second embodiments of the present invention are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the first and second embodiments.
First, parts common to the first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 to 6.

The fuel cell of the present invention is, for example, a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell 10. The fuel cell 10 is mounted on, for example, a fuel cell vehicle. However, it may be used other than an automobile.
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell 10 includes a laminate of a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) and a separator 18. The stacking direction is arbitrary. The membrane-electrode assembly includes an electrolyte membrane 11 made of an ion exchange membrane, an electrode (anode, fuel electrode) 14 having a catalyst layer 12 disposed on one surface of the electrolyte membrane, and a catalyst disposed on the other surface of the electrolyte membrane 11. It comprises an electrode (cathode, air electrode) 17 having a layer 15. Diffusion layers 13 and 16 are provided between the membrane-electrode assembly and the separator 18 on the anode side and the cathode side, respectively, in order to circulate and diffuse the gas also below the ribs. The gas diffusion layers 13 and 16 are gas permeable layers containing carbon as a main component, and are made of, for example, carbon fibers bonded with a resin bander.
A cell (single cell) 19 is configured by stacking the membrane-electrode assembly and the separator 18, a module is configured from at least one cell, the modules are stacked to form a cell stack, and both ends of the cell stack in the cell stacking direction, A terminal 20, an insulator (electrical insulator) 21, and an end plate 22 are arranged, the cell stack is clamped in the cell stacking direction, a fastening member (for example, a tension plate 24) extending in the cell stacking direction outside the cell stack, and a bolt The fuel cell stack 23 is configured by fixing with the nut 25.

The separator 18 has conductivity, and is made of a carbon separator, a metal separator, a conductive resin separator, or a combination of a metal separator and a hollow resin frame.
Of the pair of separators 18 sandwiching the MEA, the anode-side separator 18A has a fuel gas passage 27 for supplying fuel gas (hydrogen) to the anode 14 on the side facing the MEA, and the cathode-side separator 18B. Is formed with an oxidizing gas passage 28 for supplying an oxidizing gas (oxygen, usually air) to the cathode 17 on the side facing the MEA. In addition, a coolant channel 26 for flowing a coolant (usually cooling water) is formed on the surface of the separator 18 opposite to the gas channels 27 and 28. A region where both the gas flow paths 27 and 28 and the MEA exist in the fuel cell constitutes a power generation region of the cell 19.

  In the cell 19, a fuel gas manifold 30, an oxidizing gas manifold 31, and a refrigerant manifold 29 extending in the cell stacking direction are formed. The fuel gas manifold 30 is connected to the fuel gas passage 27, and the fuel gas is supplied to and discharged from the fuel gas passage 27. The oxidizing gas manifold 31 is connected to the oxidizing gas channel 28, and supplies and discharges the oxidizing gas to and from the oxidizing gas channel 28. The refrigerant manifold 29 is connected to the refrigerant flow path 26 and supplies / discharges the refrigerant to / from the refrigerant flow path 26.

  The pair of separators 18 facing each other across the MEA of the cell 19 is sealed and bonded with an adhesive 33 which is an electrical insulating material around the outer periphery of the cell and the manifolds 29, 30 and 31. The adhesive 33 also seal-bonds between the film 11 and the separators 18 on both sides thereof. The cells 19 are sealed with a gasket (rubber gasket) 32 around the outer periphery of the cell and the manifolds 29, 30, and 31.

  On the surface of the anode side separator 18A and the cathode side 18B facing the MEA, a rib 34 as a convex portion is formed integrally with the separator 18, and a concave (groove) portion between the rib 34 and the rib 34 is formed. Gas flow paths 27 and 28 are formed. The rib 34 is a rib top surface (rib tip surface) and pushes the MEA through the diffusion layers 13 and 16. Therefore, in the stack fastening state, the rib 34 is pressed against the diffusion layers 13 and 16 in the cell stacking direction at the rib top surface.

The anode separator 18A disposed on one side of the electrolyte membrane 11 has ribs 34 in the fuel gas flow path 27, and the ribs 34 include a plurality of types of ribs having different sizes.
Similarly, the cathode separator 18B disposed on the other side of the electrolyte membrane 11 has ribs 34 in the oxidizing gas flow path 28, and the ribs 34 include a plurality of types of ribs having different sizes.
The rib 34 of the anode-side separator 18A and the rib 34 of the cathode-side separator 18B have an area distribution of portions overlapping each other in the direction orthogonal to the in-plane direction of the cell (the portion shaded in FIGS. 2 and 3) (gas The flow passages 27 and 28 are arranged so as to be substantially uniform in the cell plane (including the straight portion and the corner portion).

More specifically, the rib 34 of the anode side separator 18A includes a long rib 34L and a short rib 34S, and the rib 18B of the cathode side separator includes a long rib 34L and a short rib 34S. The long rib 34L is larger in size than the short rib 34S, and the long rib 34L and the short rib 34S constitute a plurality of types of ribs having different sizes. For example, when “size” is “length” (however, “size” is not limited to “length”, it may be an area. In the following, “size” is “length”. Taking the case as an example) The long rib 34L is longer than the short rib 34S, and the width of the long rib 34L and the width of the short rib 34S are the same or substantially the same.
The short ribs 34S of the anode side separator 18A and the short ribs 34S of the cathode side separator 18B overlap each other in the direction perpendicular to the in-cell direction on the entire surface of each short rib 34S (the entire top surface of each rib).
The long ribs 34L of the anode side separator 18A and the long ribs 34L of the cathode side separator 18B overlap each other in a direction perpendicular to the cell in-plane direction with only a part of each long rib 34 (in FIG. 2 and FIG. In addition, they are arranged so that the area of each overlapping portion is substantially the same as the area of the overlapping portion of the short ribs 34S.

More specifically, the fuel gas passage 27 includes a straight portion 27A and a corner portion (U-turn portion) 27B, and a long rib 34L is provided on the straight portion 27A of the fuel gas passage 27, and on the corner portion 27B of the fuel gas passage 27. Short ribs 34S are arranged.
Similarly, the oxidizing gas flow path 28 includes a straight portion 28A and a corner portion (U-turn portion) 28B. A long rib 34L is formed in the straight portion 28A of the oxidizing gas flow channel 28 and a short portion is formed in the corner portion 28B of the oxidizing gas flow channel 28. Ribs 34S are arranged.
The short rib 34S of the corner portion 27B of the fuel gas flow path 27 of the anode separator 18A and the short rib 34S of the corner portion 28B of the oxidation gas flow path 28 of the cathode side separator 18B are the entire surface of each short rib 34 (the top of each rib). Are arranged so as to overlap each other in a direction orthogonal to the cell in-plane direction.
Similarly, the long rib 34L of the straight portion 27A of the fuel gas flow path 27 of the anode side separator 18A and the long rib 34L of the straight portion 28A of the oxidation gas flow path 28 of the cathode side separator 18B are shifted in the long rib longitudinal direction. The long ribs 34L overlap each other in a direction perpendicular to the cell in-plane direction by only a part of the long ribs 34L, and the area of each overlapping portion (the hatched portion in FIGS. 2 and 3) is short. They are arranged so as to have substantially the same area as the area of the overlapping portion of 34S.

  For example, the short ribs 34 </ b> S are arranged such that each side is a square having a d and the width of the flow path between the short ribs is d. Further, the long rib 34L is a rectangular rib having a width d and a length 3d, and is arranged so that the width of the flow path between the long ribs is d. In that case, when the long rib 34L of the straight portion 27A of the fuel gas flow path 27 and the long rib 34L of the straight portion 28A of the oxidizing gas flow path 28 are shifted by 2d in the longitudinal direction of the long rib, (Applied part) appears in the part of length d at both ends of each long rib 34L, and each overlapping part is a square with one side d, and exhibits a distribution that is separated by d from the adjacent overlapping part. The distribution of the overlapping portions of the long ribs 34L is the distribution of the overlapping portions of the short ribs 34S (the overlapping portion of the short ribs 34S is a square having one side d and is separated from the adjacent overlapping portions by d). Is the same.

Next, operations and effects of parts common to the embodiments of the present invention will be described.
In the fuel cell of the present invention, the ribs 34 of the anode side separator 18A and the ribs 34 of the cathode side separator 18B have portions that overlap each other in the direction orthogonal to the in-plane direction of the cell (the overlapping portions serve as the MEA and the diffusion layer). Since the surface pressure from the rib 34 is applied), the area distribution of the overlapping portion is arranged so as to be substantially uniform in the cell surface, so that the surface pressure distribution from the rib 34 to the MEA and the diffusion layer is in the cell surface. It is made uniform with. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of MEA that easily occurs when there is a portion having a high surface pressure. That is, if the distribution of the surface pressure is not uniform, the diffusion layer that is strongly pressed by the separator rib portion in the portion where the surface pressure is large is difficult to be MEA, and the membrane 11 is easily damaged or perforated. Since the surface pressure distribution from each rib is made uniform, the MEA and the film 11 are hardly damaged. If the membrane 11 is perforated, hydrogen mixes with air and burns, damaging the membrane 11 and ending the life of the fuel cell. However, this phenomenon is unlikely to occur, so the life of the fuel cell is extended.

  More specifically, in the fuel cell of the present invention, the long ribs 34L of the anode side separator 18A and the long ribs 34L of the cathode side separator 18B overlap each other in a direction orthogonal to the cell in-plane direction with only a part of each long rib. In addition, since each overlapping portion (the hatched portion in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3) is arranged so that the area of the overlapping portion is substantially the same as the area of the overlapping portion of the short rib 34S, The area, and therefore the surface pressure distribution is substantially the same in the straight portions 27A and 28A and the corner portions 27B and 28B of the gas flow paths 27 and 28, and the surface pressure distribution is made uniform in the cell plane. As a result, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of MEA that is likely to occur when there is a portion having a high surface pressure.

  More specifically, in the fuel cell of the present invention, the short rib 34S of the anode side separator 18A and the short rib 34S of the cathode side separator 18B are formed on the entire surface of each short rib 34S (the entire top surface of each short rib 34S). The long ribs 34L of the anode side separator 18A and the long ribs 34L of the cathode side separator 18B are shifted in the longitudinal direction of the long ribs so as to overlap each other in the direction orthogonal to the in-plane direction. Are partially (only at both ends of each long rib 34L) and overlap each other in the direction orthogonal to the cell in-plane direction, and the area of each overlapping portion is substantially the same as the area of the overlapping portion of the short rib 34S. Therefore, the distribution and the area of the overlapping portion, and hence the surface pressure distribution, are the corners having the straight portions 27A and 28A having the long ribs 34L and the short ribs 34S. 27B, in the 28B, becomes substantially the same, surface pressure distribution is uniform in the cell surface. As a result, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of MEA that is likely to occur when there is a portion having a high surface pressure.

Next, parts specific to each embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[Example 1]
In Example 1 of this invention, as shown in FIG. 2, the long rib 34L is arrange | positioned at the brick pile shape. Both the long rib 34L of the straight portion 27A of the fuel gas passage 27 and the long rib 34L of the straight portion 28A of the oxidizing gas passage 28 are arranged in a brick shape. However, the long ribs 34L of the anode side separator 18A and the long ribs 34L of the cathode side separator 18B are shifted in the longitudinal direction of the long ribs, and each of the long ribs 34L is only a part (only both ends of each long rib 34L). They are arranged so that they overlap each other in the direction orthogonal to the cell in-plane direction, and the area of each overlapping part is substantially the same as the area of the overlapping part of the short ribs 34S.
For example, the short ribs 34 </ b> S are arranged so that each side is a square with a side d and the width of the flow path between the short ribs is d. Further, the long rib 34L is a rectangular rib having a width d and a length 3d, and is arranged so that the width of the flow path between the long ribs is d. The long rib 34L of the straight portion 27A of the fuel gas passage 27 and the long rib 34L of the straight portion 28A of the oxidizing gas passage 28 are shifted by 2d in the longitudinal direction of the long rib. As a result, the overlapping portions (hatched portions) of the long ribs 34L appear in the length d portions at both ends of each long rib 34L, and each overlapping portion is a square having one side d and adjacent overlapping portions. And a distribution separated by d. The distribution of the overlapping portions of the long ribs 34L is the distribution of the overlapping portions of the short ribs 34S (the overlapping portion of the short ribs 34S is a square having one side d and is separated from the adjacent overlapping portions by d). Is the same. However, the rib arrangement is not limited to this example.

  Regarding the operation and effect of the first embodiment of the present invention, the long ribs 34L are arranged in a brick shape so that the gas flowing through the straight portions 27A and 28A easily flows in parallel to the longitudinal direction of the long ribs 34L. In the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the long rib 34L, it becomes difficult to flow. This is because even if it flows in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the long rib 34L through the gap between the long rib 34L and the long rib 34L, it collides with the long rib 34L and is rectified in the longitudinal direction of the long rib 34L. is there. As a result, the gas is distributed over the entire cell surface along the long rib 34L, so that it does not drift to only the region where it easily flows, and the gas distribution is maintained as good as the continuous rib. In the case of continuous ribs, water is prevented from flowing downward by the continuous ribs, so drainage is poor. However, in the present invention, there is a gap between the long ribs 34L, and water is short-circuited downward through the gaps. Therefore, the drainage of generated water is improved as compared with the case of continuous ribs.

[Example 2]
In Embodiment 2 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, the long ribs 34L are arranged in a square lattice shape. Both the long ribs 34L of the straight portion 27A of the fuel gas flow path 27 and the long ribs 34L of the straight portion 28A of the oxidizing gas flow path 28 are arranged in a square lattice shape. However, the long ribs 34L of the anode side separator 18A and the long ribs 34L of the cathode side separator 18B are shifted in the longitudinal direction of the long ribs, and each of the long ribs 34L is only a part (only both ends of each long rib 34L). They are arranged so that they overlap each other in the direction orthogonal to the cell in-plane direction, and the area of each overlapping part is substantially the same as the area of the overlapping part of the short ribs 34S.
For example, the short ribs 34 </ b> S are arranged so that each side is a square with a side d and the width of the flow path between the short ribs is d. Further, the long rib 34L is a rectangular rib having a width d and a length 3d, and is arranged so that the width of the flow path between the long ribs is d. The long rib 34L of the straight portion 27A of the fuel gas passage 27 and the long rib 34L of the straight portion 28A of the oxidizing gas passage 28 are shifted by 2d in the longitudinal direction of the long rib. As a result, the overlapping portions (hatched portions) of the long ribs 34L appear in the length d portions at both ends of each long rib 34L, and each overlapping portion is a square having one side d and adjacent overlapping portions. And a distribution separated by d. The distribution of the overlapping portions of the long ribs 34L is the distribution of the overlapping portions of the short ribs 34S (the overlapping portion of the short ribs 34S is a square having one side d and is separated from the adjacent overlapping portions by d). Is the same. However, the rib arrangement is not limited to this example.

  Regarding the operation and effect of the second embodiment of the present invention, there is a gap between the long ribs 34L, and the water flows through the gap while being short-circuited downward. Is improved.

It is a partial expanded sectional view of the fuel cell of Example 1 and Example 2 of this invention. It is a one part enlarged plan view of the fuel cell of Example 1 of this invention. It is a one part enlarged plan view of the fuel cell of Example 2 of the present invention. It is a side view of the fuel cell stack of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the fuel cell of FIG. 4. It is a front view of the fuel cell of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 (Solid Polymer Electrolyte Type) Fuel Cell 11 Electrolyte Membrane 12, 15 Catalyst Layer 13, 16 Diffusion Layer 14 Electrode (Anode, Fuel Electrode)
17 electrodes (cathode, air electrode)
18 Separator 18A Anode side gasket 18B Cathode side gasket 19 Cell 20 Terminal 21 Insulator 22 End plate 23 Stack 24 Fastening member (tension plate)
25 Bolt 26 Refrigerant flow path (cooling water flow path)
27 Fuel gas channel 27A Fuel gas channel linear portion 27B Fuel gas channel corner portion 28 Oxidizing gas channel 28A Oxidizing gas channel linear portion 28B Oxidizing gas channel corner portion 29 Refrigerant manifold (cooling water manifold)
30 Fuel gas manifold 31 Oxidizing gas manifold 32 Gasket 33 Adhesive (adhesive layer)
34 rib 34L long rib 34S short rib

Claims (5)

An anode-side separator disposed on one side of the electrolyte membrane and having a plurality of types of ribs having different sizes in the fuel gas flow path;
A cathode-side separator disposed on the other side of the electrolyte membrane and having a plurality of types of ribs having different sizes in the oxidizing gas flow path;
A fuel cell comprising:
The fuel cell, wherein the ribs of the anode-side separator and the ribs of the cathode-side separator are arranged so that the area distribution of portions overlapping each other in a direction orthogonal to the cell plane direction is substantially uniform in the cell plane. The rib of the anode side separator includes a long rib and a short rib, and the rib of the cathode side separator includes a long rib and a short rib,
The short rib of the anode side separator and the short rib of the cathode side separator overlap each other in the direction perpendicular to the cell in-plane direction on the entire surface of each short rib,
The long rib of the anode side separator and the long rib of the cathode side separator are partially overlapped with each other in the direction perpendicular to the cell in-plane direction, and the area of each overlapping portion is an overlap of the short rib. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the fuel cell is disposed so as to have substantially the same area. The fuel gas flow path includes a straight part and a corner part, a long rib is disposed in the straight part of the fuel gas flow path, and a short rib is disposed in the corner part of the fuel gas flow path,
The oxidizing gas flow path includes a straight portion and a corner portion, a long rib is disposed in the straight portion of the oxidizing gas flow path, and a short rib is disposed in the corner portion of the oxidizing gas flow path,
The short rib of the anode side separator and the short rib of the cathode side separator are arranged so as to overlap each other in the direction perpendicular to the cell in-plane direction on the entire surface of each short rib,
The long rib of the anode side separator and the long rib of the cathode side separator are shifted in the longitudinal direction of the long rib so that each of the long ribs overlaps with each other in a direction perpendicular to the cell in-plane direction. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the fuel cell is arranged so that an area thereof is substantially the same as an area of the overlapping portion of the short ribs.   The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the rib includes a long rib, and the long rib is arranged in a brick pile shape.   The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the rib includes a long rib, and the long rib is arranged in a square lattice shape.

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