JP2006210060A - Fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure desired sealing capability by a simple compact constitution, and miniaturize a fuel cell as a whole. <P>SOLUTION: A fuel cell 10 is equipped with an electrolyte membrane/electrode assembly 12, an anode side composite separator 14, and a cathode side composite separator 16. First and second conductors 52, 54 are installed on both surfaces of a first resin frame member 50 constituting the anode side composite separator 14, and a third conductor 60 is installed in a second resin frame member 59 constituting the cathode side composite separator 16. The first and third conductors 52, 60 are welded by coming in contact with a resin frame 34 constituting the electrolyte membrane/electrode assembly and generating heat, and a desired seal line is formed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell in which a separator is laminated with an electrolyte / electrode structure in which a pair of electrodes are provided on both sides of an electrolyte.

  For example, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell employs an electrolyte membrane (electrolyte) made of a polymer ion exchange membrane. An electrolyte membrane / electrode structure in which an anode side electrode and a cathode side electrode are opposed to each other on both sides of the electrolyte membrane includes a unit cell sandwiched between separators. Usually, a fuel cell is configured by stacking a plurality of unit cells.

  In this unit cell, a fuel gas, for example, a gas mainly containing hydrogen (hereinafter also referred to as hydrogen-containing gas) is supplied to the anode side electrode, while an oxidant gas, for example, A gas or air mainly containing oxygen (hereinafter also referred to as oxygen-containing gas) is supplied. In the fuel gas supplied to the anode side electrode, hydrogen is ionized on the electrode catalyst and moves to the cathode side electrode side through the electrolyte membrane. Electrons generated during that time are taken out to an external circuit and used as direct current electric energy.

  In the above fuel cell, a fuel gas channel for flowing fuel gas to the anode side electrode and an oxidant gas channel for flowing oxidant gas to the cathode side electrode are provided in the plane of the separator. . Further, between the separators, a cooling medium flow path for allowing a cooling medium to flow as needed is provided along the surface direction of the separator.

  Generally, a fuel cell constitutes a so-called internal manifold in which a fluid supply communication hole and a fluid discharge communication hole penetrating in the stacking direction of the separator are provided inside the fuel cell. The fuel gas, the oxidant gas, and the cooling medium, which are fluids, are supplied to the fuel gas flow path, the oxidant gas flow path, and the cooling medium flow path from the fluid supply communication holes, and then the fluid discharge communication holes. Have been discharged.

  For this reason, it is necessary to prevent the fuel gas, the oxidant gas, and the cooling medium from being mixed or leaked. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, the cell disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an electrolyte membrane 1, a pair of frames 2 that support the outer extension of the electrolyte membrane 1, and the electrolyte membrane 1 on both sides. Two electrodes 3 sandwiched between the two electrodes, two collector electrodes 4 sandwiching the electrodes 3 and forming a reaction gas flow path between the electrodes 3, and a separator 5 disposed outside the collector electrodes 4 And a seal member 6 interposed between the separator 5 and the frame 2.

  The pair of frames 2 are made of resin, and the protruding portions 2a and 2a protruding from the respective frames 2 in the directions close to each other are welded, while the protruding portions 2b and 2b are welded to the electrolyte membrane 1. It is integrated.

JP-A-7-235314 (FIG. 2)

  In general, in a fuel cell, in order to reduce the size of the entire stack, it is desired to reduce the thickness of a single cell (unit cell) considerably. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the thickness of the seal member 6 together with the frame 2, and the dimensional tolerance of the seal member 6 is required with high accuracy. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the seal member 6 increases, and the handling workability of the thin seal member 6 is remarkably lowered, and the assembly work of the fuel cell becomes complicated.

  An object of the present invention is to solve this type of problem, and to provide a fuel cell that has a simple and compact configuration, can secure a desired sealing property, and can reduce the overall size of the fuel cell. And

  The present invention is a fuel cell in which an electrolyte / electrode structure having a pair of electrodes provided on both sides of an electrolyte and a separator are stacked. The separator includes a conductive electrode reaction part and a first outer peripheral part made of resin that covers the periphery of the electrode reaction part, and the electrolyte / electrode structure covers the periphery of the electrode and is made of resin. A second outer peripheral portion is provided. And the said 1st outer peripheral part and the said 2nd outer peripheral part are integrated by fusion | melting via the heat generating body interposed between the 1st outer peripheral part and the 2nd outer peripheral part.

  In the fuel cell of the present invention, the separator includes a conductive electrode reaction part and a resin outer peripheral part provided to cover the periphery of the electrode reaction part, and is opposed to the electrolyte / electrode structure. In the pair of separators, the outer peripheral parts are integrated by melting through a heating element interposed between the outer peripheral parts.

  Further, the separator is provided with a reaction gas flow path for supplying a desired reaction gas along the surface direction of the electrode, and a reaction gas communication hole through which the reaction gas passes through in the stacking direction. It is preferable to form a seal line that connects the reaction gas flow path and the reaction gas communication hole. This is because a seal line having desired airtightness is easily and reliably formed between the first outer peripheral member and the second outer peripheral portion or between the outer peripheral portions.

  Furthermore, a cooling medium flow path for supplying a cooling medium along the surface direction of the electrode and a cooling medium communication hole that passes through the cooling medium through the stacking direction are provided between the two separators that overlap each other. In addition, it is preferable that a seal line for connecting the cooling medium flow path and the cooling medium communication hole is formed via a heating element interposed between the two separators. This is because a seal line having a desired liquid tightness is easily and reliably formed between the two separators.

  In addition, the heating element is preferably composed of a conductive member, and is preferably electrically connected to the one separator by bringing a part thereof into contact with the electrode reaction portion of the one separator. It is preferable that a part of the electrolyte / electrode structure is brought into contact with and electrically connected to the electrolyte / electrode structure. This is because the heating element can be used as a cell voltage terminal for monitoring the voltage during cell operation.

  In the present invention, the outer peripheral portion of the separator and the outer peripheral portion of the electrolyte / electrode structure, or the outer peripheral portions of the pair of separators are integrated by being melted through the heating element. For this reason, a desired seal line can be formed easily and reliably only by selecting the shape of the heating element. As a result, it is possible to ensure a desired sealing property with a simple and compact configuration and to reduce the size of the entire fuel cell. In addition, since the fuel cells are integrated by welding, the handling workability of the fuel cells is effectively improved.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of a fuel cell 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell 10 is configured by sandwiching an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12 between an anode-side composite separator 14 and a cathode-side composite separator 16. The anode-side composite separator 14 and the cathode-side composite separator 16 are a composite of a conductive electrode reaction part and a resin-made first outer peripheral part (first resin frame member 50 and second resin frame member 59) described later. Composed. As this conductive electrode reaction part, for example, a steel plate, a stainless steel plate, an aluminum plate, a plated steel plate, or a metal plate having a surface treated for corrosion prevention on its metal surface is used, but is not limited thereto. Instead, for example, various conductive materials such as a carbon material can be used.

  An oxidant gas inlet for supplying an oxidant gas, for example, an oxygen-containing gas, communicates with each other in the direction of the arrow A at one end edge of the long side direction (the arrow B direction in FIG. 1) of the fuel cell 10. A communication hole 18a and a fuel gas outlet communication hole 20b for discharging a fuel gas, for example, a hydrogen-containing gas, are provided.

  The other end edge in the long side direction of the fuel cell 10 communicates with each other in the direction of arrow A, and a fuel gas inlet communication hole 20a for supplying fuel gas, and an oxidant gas for discharging oxidant gas. An outlet communication hole 18b is provided.

  Cooling medium inlet communication holes 22a and 22a for supplying a cooling medium are provided at the upper edge of the fuel cell 10, and a cooling medium for discharging the cooling medium at the lower edge of the fuel cell 10. Outlet communication holes 22b and 22b are provided.

  The electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12 includes, for example, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 24 in which a perfluorosulfonic acid thin film is impregnated with water, and an anode side electrode 26 and a cathode side electrode 28 that sandwich the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 24. With.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the anode-side electrode 26 and the cathode-side electrode 28 are composed of gas diffusion layers 30a, 30b made of carbon paper or the like, and porous carbon particles carrying a platinum alloy on the surface thereof. And electrode catalyst layers 32a and 32b formed uniformly on the surface of 30b. The electrode catalyst layers 32 a and 32 b are formed on both surfaces of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 24.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a resin frame (resin-made second outer peripheral portion) 34 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the cathode side electrode 28. The resin frame 34 is made of a thermoplastic resin (including an elastomer), and an impregnation portion 34a is provided at the tip of the gas diffusion layer 30b (see FIG. 2). The resin frame 34 is bonded to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 24 through the bonding site 36.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a fuel gas flow path 40 communicating with the fuel gas inlet communication hole 20a and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 20b is formed on the surface 14a of the anode-side composite separator 14 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12. It is formed. This fuel gas flow path 40 is comprised by the some groove part extended in the arrow B direction, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a cooling medium flow path 42 communicating with the cooling medium inlet communication hole 22 a and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 22 b is formed on the surface 14 b of the anode-side composite separator 14. The cooling medium flow path 42 includes a plurality of grooves extending in the direction of arrow C.

  The surface 16a of the cathode-side composite separator 16 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12 is provided with an oxidant gas flow path 44 including a plurality of grooves extending in the direction of arrow B. The oxidant gas flow path 44 communicates with the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 18a and the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 18b.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the surfaces 14 a and 14 b of the anode-side composite separator 14 are covered with a first resin frame member (resin-made) covering the periphery of the fuel gas flow path 40 that is a conductive electrode reaction part. The first outer peripheral portion 50) is integrated by injection molding or the like. Examples of the first resin frame member 50 include PEEK (polyether-terketone), PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), LCP (liquid crystal plastic), PP (polypropylene), PC (polycarbonate), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PPE ( An alloy of polyphenylene ether) and PS (polystyrene) is used.

  As shown in FIG. 2, first and second conductors (heating elements) 52 and 54 are integrally provided on both surfaces of the first resin frame member 50 when the anode-side composite separator 14 is molded. The first and second conductors 52 and 54 are provided, for example, by screen printing a copper foil.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first conductor 52 forms a seal line that connects the fuel gas inlet communication hole 20 a and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 20 b to the fuel gas flow path 40. The first conductor 52 is positioned between the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 18a and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 20b, and between the fuel gas inlet communication hole 20a and the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 18b. Current-carrying portions 56 a and 56 b extending at both ends of the side composite separator 14 in the direction of arrow B are integrally provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the second conductor 54 forms a seal line that connects the cooling medium inlet communication hole 22 a and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 22 b to the cooling medium flow path 42. Similarly to the first conductor 52, the second conductor 54 is integrally provided with current-carrying portions 58 a and 58 b that extend at both ends in the arrow B direction of the anode-side composite separator 14.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the surface 16a of the cathode-side composite separator 16 covers the periphery of an oxidant gas flow path 44, which is a conductive electrode reaction part, and a second resin frame member (resin first outer periphery made of resin). Part) 59 is integrated. A third conductor (heating element) 60 is integrally formed with the second resin frame member 59. The third conductor 60 forms a seal line that connects the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 18 a and the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 18 b to the oxidant gas flow path 44.

  The third conductor 60 is located between the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 18a and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 20b, and between the fuel gas inlet communication hole 20a and the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 18b, and is on the cathode side. Current-carrying portions 62a and 62b extending at both ends in the arrow B direction of the composite separator 16 are integrally provided. A conducting portion 64 is integrally formed on the energizing portion 62b so as to protrude toward the oxidant gas flow path 44.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the cathode-side composite separator 16 is laminated on the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12, the conducting portion 64 is more specifically connected to the cathode-side electrode 28 constituting the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12. Specifically, it is in direct contact with the gas diffusion layer 30b. That is, the energization part 62b is partly brought into contact with the cathode side electrode 28 and is electrically connected to constitute a cell voltage terminal as will be described later.

  In addition, although the 1st-3rd conductors 52, 54, and 60 are provided by screen-printing copper foil, it is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the first to third conductors 52, 54, and 60 may be configured by sputtering copper to form the thin layer 66a. As shown in FIG. 6, the first to third conductors 52, 54 and 60 may be constituted by a plurality of thin copper wires 66b, and further, as shown in FIG. The first to third conductors 52, 54 and 60 may be configured.

  Next, an operation for assembling the fuel cell 10 configured as described above will be described.

  First, the fuel cell 10 is stacked by disposing the anode-side composite separator 14 and the cathode-side composite separator 16 with the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12 interposed therebetween. A plurality of the fuel cells 10 are stacked to obtain a unit 70, and this unit 70 is disposed, for example, in a heating device 80 shown in FIG. The heating device 80 includes a power supply unit 82. One cable 84a of the power supply unit 82 is connected to the current-carrying units 56a, 58a, and 62a of each fuel cell 10, and the other cable 84b is connected to the fuel. The battery 10 is connected to the current-carrying parts 56b, 58b and 62b.

  Therefore, a predetermined surface pressure is applied to the unit 70 in the stacking direction (arrow direction), and the power supply unit 82 is driven to energize the first to third conductors 52, 54 and 60. For this reason, the 1st-3rd conductors 52, 54, and 60 generate heat by energization.

  The first conductor 52 is in contact with the resin frame 34 constituting the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12, and the resin frame 34 and the first resin frame member 50 are melted along the first conductor 52. Further, when the energization is stopped, the resin frame 34 and the first resin frame member 50 are welded so as to cover the first conductor 52, and the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12 and the surface 14a of the anode-side composite separator 14 are connected. In close contact. At that time, between the resin frame 34 and the first resin frame member 50, the fuel gas inlet communication hole 20 a, the fuel gas outlet communication hole 20 b, and the fuel gas flow path 40 are arranged along the shape of the first conductor 52. A connecting seal line is formed.

  On the other hand, the third conductor 60 is in contact with the other surface of the resin frame 34 constituting the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12. Accordingly, when the third conductor 60 generates heat, the resin frame 34 and the second resin frame member 59 are melted along the shape of the third conductor 60, and the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12 and the cathode side composite are melted. The surface 16a of the separator 16 is welded. At that time, between the resin frame 34 and the second resin frame member 59, along with the shape of the third conductor 60, the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 18a, the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 18b, and the oxidant gas flow path. A seal line is formed to connect 44 with each other.

  Further, the anode-side composite separator 14 and the cathode-side composite separator 16 constituting each fuel cell 10 are melted and welded when the second conductor 54 generates heat and the first and second resin frame members 50 and 59 are melted. The Therefore, the fuel cell 10 is integrated with the anode-side composite separator 14 and the cathode-side composite separator 16 which are welded and integrated, and between them, a cooling medium is formed along the shape of the second conductor 54. A seal line that connects the inlet communication hole 22a, the cooling medium outlet communication hole 22b, and the cooling medium flow path 42 is formed.

  Thereby, the unit 70 in which the predetermined number of fuel cells 10 are stacked is welded and integrated with each other by the heating device 80. Therefore, the assembly workability of the fuel cell 10 is improved at once, the productivity is improved, and the handling workability of the fuel cell 10 is improved.

  Instead of the heating device 80 described above, for example, a high frequency induction heating device 90 shown in FIG. 9 may be used. The high-frequency induction heating device 90 includes a coil 92, and a high-frequency current is supplied to the coil 92 in a state where the unit 70 is disposed inside the coil 92. For this reason, the 1st-3rd conductors 52, 54, and 60 are induction-heated by high frequency, and similarly to said heating apparatus 80, each fuel cell 10 and said fuel cells 10 are welded and integrated.

  Next, the operation of the fuel cell 10 will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an oxidant gas such as an oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 18a, and a fuel gas such as a hydrogen-containing gas is supplied to the fuel gas inlet communication hole 20a. Further, a cooling medium such as pure water, ethylene glycol, or oil is supplied to the cooling medium inlet communication hole 22a.

  Therefore, the oxidant gas is introduced from the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 18a into the oxidant gas flow path 44 of the cathode side composite separator 16 and moves in the direction of arrow B to move the cathode side electrode of the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12 28. On the other hand, the fuel gas is introduced into the fuel gas flow path 40 of the anode-side composite separator 14 from the fuel gas inlet communication hole 20a. The fuel gas moves in the direction of arrow B along the fuel gas flow path 40 and is supplied to the anode electrode 26 of the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12.

  Accordingly, in each electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12, the oxidant gas supplied to the cathode side electrode 28 and the fuel gas supplied to the anode side electrode 26 are electrochemically reacted in the electrode catalyst layers 32 b and 32 a. It is consumed to generate electricity.

  Next, the oxidant gas consumed by being supplied to the cathode side electrode 28 is discharged in the direction of arrow A along the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 18b. Similarly, the fuel gas consumed by being supplied to the anode electrode 26 is discharged in the direction of arrow A along the fuel gas outlet communication hole 20b.

  The cooling medium supplied to the cooling medium inlet communication hole 22a is introduced into the cooling medium flow path 42 of the anode-side composite separator 14 and then flows in the direction of arrow C. This cooling medium is discharged from the cooling medium outlet communication hole 22b after the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12 is cooled.

  In this case, in the first embodiment, the first and second conductors 52 and 54 are provided on both surfaces of the first resin frame member 50 constituting the anode-side composite separator 14, and the cathode-side composite separator 16 is provided. A third conductor 60 is provided on one surface of the second resin frame member 59 that constitutes the second resin frame member 59. The anode-side composite separator 14 and the cathode-side composite separator 16 are stacked with the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12 interposed therebetween, and the first to third conductors are interposed via the heating device 80 or the high-frequency induction heating device 90. 52, 54 and 60 generate heat.

  Accordingly, the resin frame 34 and the first and second resin frame members 50 and 59 are melted along the shapes of the first to third conductors 52, 54 and 60, and thus the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12. The anode side composite separator 14 and the cathode side composite separator 16 are welded and integrated with each other. In addition, the first conductor 52 forms a seal line connecting the fuel gas inlet communication hole 20a and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 20b and the fuel gas flow path 40, while the third conductor 60 is an oxidant gas inlet. A seal line is formed which communicates the communication hole 18 a and the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 18 b with the oxidant gas flow path 44.

  Therefore, it is not necessary to dispose a thin seal member (for example, a gasket) between the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12 and the anode side composite separator 14 and the cathode side composite separator 16. Thereby, in 1st Embodiment, the effect that the desired seal line of fuel gas and oxidizing agent gas can be formed easily and reliably by simple operation | work is acquired.

  Further, the melting and heating process is performed on the unit 70 in which the plurality of fuel cells 10 are stacked. For this reason, between the fuel cells 10, that is, the anode-side composite separator 14 and the cathode-side composite separator 16 are integrated under the heat generation action of the second conductor 54, and between them, there is a cooling medium inlet. A seal line that connects the communication hole 22a, the cooling medium outlet communication hole 22b, and the cooling medium flow path 42 is formed.

  As a result, it is possible to ensure a desired sealing property with a simple and compact configuration and to easily reduce the size of the fuel cell 10 and the entire fuel cell stack.

  Furthermore, in the cathode-side composite separator 16, the third conductor 60 includes a conducting portion 64. As shown in FIG. 4, the conducting portion 64 is in direct contact with the cathode side electrode 28 constituting the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12 and is electrically connected to the cathode side electrode 28. Accordingly, the energization part 62b integrated with the conduction part 64 functions as a cell voltage terminal. That is, a cell voltage detector (not shown) is connected to the energization unit 62b, and for example, the potential of each fuel cell 10 can be detected by a cell voltage monitor.

  In the first embodiment, the first and second resin frame members 50 and 59 are formed so as to protrude outward from the metal plate portions constituting the anode-side composite separator 14 and the cathode-side composite separator 16. Only in the first and second resin frame members 50 and 59 (other than the metal plate portion), the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 18a, the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 18b, the fuel gas inlet communication hole 20a, the fuel gas outlet communication hole 20b, and the cooling Although the medium inlet communication hole 22a and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 22b are formed, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 18a, the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 18b, the fuel gas inlet communication hole 20a, and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 20b are formed in the conductive plate portions constituting the anode side composite separator 14 and the cathode side composite separator 16. The cooling medium inlet communication hole 22a and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 22b may be formed, and the first and second resin frame members 50 and 59 may be formed on the conductive plate portion so as to surround them.

  FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of a fuel cell 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged plan explanatory view of the fuel cell 100. The same components as those of the fuel cell 10 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Similarly, in the third to sixth embodiments described below, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The fuel cell 100 is configured by sandwiching an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 102 between an anode-side composite separator 104 and a cathode-side composite separator 106. In the anode-side composite separator 104, the current-carrying portions 56a and 56b of the first conductor 52 and the conductive portions 58a and 58b of the second conductor 54 are separated in the arrow C direction with respect to the stacking direction (arrow A direction). Provided. In the cathode-side composite separator 106, the current-carrying parts 62a and 62b of the third conductor 60 are connected between the current-carrying parts 56a and 58a of the first and second conductors 52 and 54 and between the current-carrying parts 56b and 58b. Correspondingly provided.

  At both ends of the cathode-side composite separator 106 in the direction of arrow B, notches 108a and 108b are formed corresponding to the positions of the current-carrying portions 58a and 58b of the second conductor 54. At both ends of the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 102 in the direction of arrow B, current-carrying portions 56a, 58a, and 62a and cut-out portions 110a and 110b for exposing the current-carrying portions 56b, 58b, and 62b to the outside are formed. .

  In the second embodiment configured as described above, when a unit is configured by stacking a plurality of fuel cells 100, the energizing portions 56a, 62a and 56b, 62b of the first and third conductors 52, 60 are The electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 102 is exposed to the outside through the notches 110a and 110b of the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 102. Furthermore, the current-carrying portions 58a and 58b of the second conductor 54 are exposed to the outside through the notches 110a and 110b and the notches 108a and 108b of the cathode-side composite separator 106 (see FIG. 11).

  Thereby, the effect that the energization process with respect to the 1st-3rd conductors 52, 54, and 60 is performed more easily and reliably via energization part 56a, 56b, 58a, 58b and 62a, 62b is acquired. .

  FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part in a state where the fuel cell 120 according to the third embodiment of the present invention is stacked.

  The fuel cell 120 includes an anode-side composite separator 124 that sandwiches the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 122 and a cathode-side composite separator 16. In the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 122, the surface area of the anode-side electrode 26 is set smaller than the surface area of the cathode-side electrode 28, and the outer peripheral portion of the anode-side electrode 26 and the outer peripheral portion of the cathode-side electrode 28 are respectively made of resin. Frames 126a and 126b are provided. The resin frames 126a and 126b are bonded to both surfaces of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 24 through the bonding sites 36a and 36b.

  FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part in a state where fuel cells 130 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention are stacked.

  The fuel cell 130 includes an anode-side composite separator 134 and a cathode-side composite separator 16 that sandwich the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 132. In the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 132, as in the third embodiment, resin frames 136a and 136b are provided on the anode-side electrode 26 and the cathode-side electrode 28 via adhesive portions 36a and 36b. An impregnation portion 34a in which a metal is impregnated with a resin is provided at the tip of the gas diffusion layer 30b constituting the cathode side electrode 28.

  In the third and fourth embodiments configured as described above, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of main parts of a fuel cell 140 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel cell 140 taken along the line XV-XV in FIG.

  The fuel cell 140 includes an anode-side composite separator 144 and a cathode-side composite separator 146 that sandwich the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12. The second conductor 54 provided on the anode-side composite separator 144 is provided with an energization portion 148 that protrudes on the side opposite to the energization portion 58b, that is, on the cooling medium flow path 42 side. The energization unit 148 is in contact with the metal portion 150 of the anode-side composite separator 144, and the energization unit 58b is used as a cell voltage terminal (see FIG. 15). Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  In the first to fifth embodiments, the anode-side composite separators 14, 104, 124, 134 and 144 and the cathode-side composite separators 16, 106 and 146 are connected to the first to third conductors 52, 54 and Although 60 is provided, it is not limited to this. For example, the first conductor 52 is provided on one surface of the resin frame 34 constituting the electrolyte membrane / electrode structures 12, 102, 122, and 132, or the first and third conductors are provided on both surfaces of the resin frame 34. The bodies 52 and 60 may be provided respectively.

  FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of main parts of a fuel cell 160 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel cell 160 taken along the line XVII-XVII in FIG.

  The fuel cell 160 includes an anode-side composite separator 164 and a cathode-side composite separator 166 that sandwich the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 162. The electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 162 includes a cathode side electrode 28 set to have approximately the same surface area as the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 24 and an anode side electrode 26 set to a surface area smaller than the cathode side electrode 28.

  The anode-side composite separator 164 is provided with a plurality of supply hole portions 168a and discharge hole portions 168b adjacent to the fuel gas inlet communication hole 20a and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 20b. The anode-side composite separator 164 does not provide the first conductor on one surface facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 162, and provides the third conductor 54 on the other surface.

  The third conductor 60 provided on the cathode-side composite separator 166 is in direct contact with the first resin frame member 50 constituting the anode-side composite separator 164. When the third conductor 60 generates heat, the first resin frame member 50 and the second resin frame member 59 are integrated, and the oxidant gas is disposed on the cathode side electrode 28 side with the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 162 interposed therebetween. A seal line is formed.

  Thus, in the sixth embodiment, the first resin frame member 50 and the second resin frame member 59 provided on the anode-side composite separator 164 and the cathode-side composite separator 166 cause the heat generation action of the third conductor 60. It is melted down and integrated. For this reason, the effect similar to 1st-5th embodiment is acquired, such as being able to form a desired seal line easily and reliably.

It is a principal part disassembled schematic perspective view of the fuel cell concerning the 1st embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the fuel cell taken along line II-II in FIG. 1. It is front explanatory drawing of the anode side composite separator which comprises the said fuel cell. It is the IV-IV sectional view taken on the line of the said fuel cell in FIG. It is explanatory drawing at the time of comprising a conductor by copper sputtering. It is explanatory drawing at the time of comprising the said conductor with a copper fine wire. It is explanatory drawing at the time of comprising the said conductor with a carbon felt material. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of a heating apparatus. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of a high frequency induction heating apparatus. It is a principal part disassembled perspective explanatory drawing of the fuel cell which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a partially expanded plan explanatory view of the fuel cell. It is a principal part expanded sectional view of the state by which the fuel cell concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention was laminated | stacked. It is a principal part expanded sectional view of the state by which the fuel cell concerning the 4th Embodiment of this invention was laminated | stacked. It is a principal part disassembled perspective explanatory drawing of the fuel cell which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is the XV-XV sectional view taken on the line of the said fuel cell in FIG. It is a principal part disassembled perspective explanatory drawing of the fuel cell which concerns on the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is the XVII-XVII sectional view taken on the line of the said fuel cell in FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional explanatory view of a single battery of Patent Document 1.

Explanation of symbols

10, 100, 120, 130, 140, 160 ... Fuel cells 12, 102, 122, 132, 162 ... Electrolyte membrane / electrode structures 14, 104, 124, 134, 144, 164 ... Anode-side composite separators 16, 106, 146, 166 ... cathode side separator 18a ... oxidant gas inlet communication hole 18b ... oxidant gas outlet communication hole 20a ... fuel gas inlet communication hole 20b ... fuel gas outlet communication hole 22a ... cooling medium inlet communication hole 22b ... cooling medium outlet Communicating hole 24 ... solid polymer electrolyte membrane 26 ... anode side electrode 28 ... cathode side electrode 30a, 30b ... gas diffusion layers 32a, 32b ... electrode catalyst layers 34, 126a, 126b, 136a, 136b ... resin frame 40 ... fuel gas flow Path 42 ... Cooling medium flow path 44 ... Oxidant gas flow path 50, 59 ... Resin frame members 52, 54, 60 ... Electric bodies 56a, 56b, 58a, 58b, 62a, 62b, 148 ... energization section 64 ... conduction section 80 ... heating apparatus 90 ... high frequency induction heating apparatus 108a, 108b, 110a, 110b ... notch section 150 ... metal part

Claims (6)

A fuel cell in which a separator is laminated with an electrolyte / electrode structure in which a pair of electrodes is provided on both sides of an electrolyte,
The separator includes a conductive electrode reaction part;
A resin-made first outer peripheral portion provided to cover the periphery of the electrode reaction portion;
With
The electrolyte / electrode structure is provided with a resin-made second outer peripheral portion covering the periphery of the electrode,
The fuel cell, wherein the first outer peripheral portion and the second outer peripheral portion are integrated by melting through a heating element interposed between the first outer peripheral portion and the second outer peripheral portion. . A fuel cell in which a separator is laminated with an electrolyte / electrode structure in which a pair of electrodes is provided on both sides of an electrolyte,
The separator includes a conductive electrode reaction part;
A resin outer periphery provided to cover the periphery of the electrode reaction part;
With
A pair of separators facing each other with the electrolyte / electrode structure interposed therebetween, and the outer peripheral portions are integrated by melting through a heating element interposed between the respective outer peripheral portions. . 3. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the separator includes a reaction gas channel that supplies a desired reaction gas along a surface direction of the electrode;
A reaction gas communication hole penetrating the reaction gas in the stacking direction;
Provided,
The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the heating element forms a seal line that connects the reaction gas flow path and the reaction gas communication hole. The fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a cooling medium flow path for supplying a cooling medium along a surface direction of the electrode between two overlapping separators,
A cooling medium communication hole that allows the cooling medium to flow through in the stacking direction;
Is provided,
A fuel cell, wherein a seal line that connects the cooling medium flow path and the cooling medium communication hole is formed via a heating element interposed between the two separators. The fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the heating element is composed of a conductive member,
A fuel cell, wherein a part of the electrode reaction part of one separator is brought into contact with and electrically connected to the one separator. The fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the heating element is composed of a conductive member,
A fuel cell, wherein a part of the electrolyte / electrode structure is brought into contact with and electrically connected to the electrolyte / electrode structure.

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