JP2008123750A - Fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable to superbly circulate reaction gas between a reaction gas communication hole extended in a lamination direction and a reaction gas flow channel extended in a direction of en electrode face, and to aim at thinning in a lamination direction. <P>SOLUTION: A power generating cell 12 has an electrolyte film/electrode structure 14 pinched by a first separator 16 and a second separator 18. The first separator 16 is provided with a first inlet notched part 36a communicated with an oxidant gas inlet communicating hole 26a, and a first outlet notched part 36b communicated with an oxidant gas outlet communicating hole 26b. The second separator 18 is provided with a second supply hole part 42a communicated with the first inlet notched part 36a along a lamination direction, and a second exhaust hole part 42b communicated with the first outlet notched part 36b along a lamination direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention includes an electrolyte / electrode structure in which electrodes are disposed on both sides of an electrolyte. The electrolyte / electrode structure is sandwiched between a first separator and a second separator, and extends along an electrode surface direction. The present invention relates to a fuel cell provided with a reaction gas flow path and a reaction gas communication hole through which reaction gas flows in the stacking direction.

  For example, a solid polymer fuel cell employs a solid polymer electrolyte membrane made of a polymer ion exchange membrane. In this fuel cell, an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure (electrolyte / electrode structure) in which an anode catalyst electrode and a cathode electrode made of porous carbon are disposed on both sides of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, respectively. A unit cell is configured by being sandwiched by a separator (bipolar plate). Usually, a fuel cell stack in which a predetermined number of unit cells are stacked is used.

  In general, a fuel cell constitutes a so-called internal manifold provided with an inlet communication hole and an outlet communication hole penetrating in the stacking direction of the separator. The fuel gas, the oxidant gas, and the cooling medium are supplied from the respective inlet communication holes to the fuel gas flow path, the oxidant gas flow path, and the cooling medium flow path, and then discharged to the respective outlet communication holes. .

  For example, in the process control device disclosed in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 18, a laminated plate in which two plates 1 a and 1 b arranged in parallel with each other are laminated alternately with the unit 2. . The unit 2 is configured such that the MEA 2a is sandwiched between the anode 2b and the cathode 2c, and these are sandwiched between a pair of contact plates 2d.

  A first chamber 3a is formed between the plate 1a and the unit 2, a second chamber 3b is formed between the plate 1b and the unit 2, and a third chamber 3c is formed between the plates 1a and 1b. Yes. Communication holes 5 are formed in the stacking direction via packings 4 at the ends of the plates 1a and 1b.

  The communication hole 5 communicates with, for example, the second chamber 3b via a flow path 6 formed between the plates 1a and 1b. Although not shown, two other communication holes are provided in the stacking direction, and the other two communication holes are provided in the first chamber via a flow path (not shown) between the plates 1a and 1b. 3a and the third chamber 3c communicate with each other.

JP-A-6-218275 (FIG. 5)

  However, in Patent Document 1 described above, the flow path 6 for communicating the communication hole 5 formed in the stacking direction with the second chamber 3b has a flow path height in the stacking direction in order to introduce the fluid satisfactorily. In addition to ensuring, it is necessary to ensure the seal height by the packing 4. For this reason, there is a problem that the interval between the units 2 becomes considerably large and the fuel cell cannot be reduced in size.

  In particular, the in-vehicle fuel cell stack is configured by laminating a large number, for example, several hundred fuel cells. Accordingly, there is a problem that the distance between the fuel cells is large, and the fuel cell stack as a whole cannot be miniaturized.

  The present invention solves this type of problem, and allows the reaction gas to flow well between the reaction gas communication hole extending in the stacking direction and the reaction gas flow path extending in the electrode surface direction, And it aims at providing the fuel cell which can achieve thickness reduction of the said lamination direction.

  The present invention includes a power generation cell that sandwiches an electrolyte / electrode structure in which electrodes are disposed on both sides of an electrolyte between a first separator and a second separator, and a plurality of the power generation cells are stacked along the electrode surface direction. The present invention relates to a fuel cell in which a reaction gas flow path extending in a stacking direction and a reaction gas communication hole through which reaction gas flows through in the stacking direction are provided.

  The first separator constituting one of the power generation cells is provided with a notch communicating with one of the reaction gas communication holes, constitutes the other power generation cell, and the first separator of the one power generation cell is provided with the first separator. The adjacent second separator is provided with a hole portion that communicates with the notch portion along the stacking direction and that communicates the reaction gas communication hole with the reaction gas channel.

  Further, the present invention includes a first electrolyte / electrode structure and a second electrolyte / electrode assembly in which electrodes are disposed on both sides of the electrolyte, and the first electrolyte / electrode assembly includes a first separator and a second separator. A first power generation cell sandwiched between the first power generation cell and a second power generation cell sandwiched between the third separator and the fourth separator and alternately stacked with the first power generation cell; The present invention relates to a fuel cell provided with a reaction gas flow path extending along a surface direction and a reaction gas communication hole through which a reaction gas flows in the stacking direction.

  Therefore, the first separator is provided with a first notch communicating with any one of the reaction gas communication holes, and the fourth separator adjacent to the first separator is formed in the first notch along the stacking direction. A first hole for communicating the reaction gas communication hole with the reaction gas flow path is provided, and a third separator communicates with the reaction gas communication hole communicating with the first notch. A second separator adjacent to the third separator communicates with the second notch and communicates the reaction gas communication hole with the reaction gas channel along the stacking direction. Two holes are provided.

  The first notch and the second notch are offset from each other in the stacking direction, and the first hole and the second hole are offset from each other in the stacking direction.

  In the present invention, the notch provided in the first separator constitutes a reaction gas chamber, and the reaction gas is introduced into the notch from the reaction gas communication hole and then reacted through the hole. It is reliably supplied to the gas flow path. On the other hand, the reaction gas that has flowed through the reaction gas channel is introduced into the cutout portion from the hole, and then smoothly discharged to the reaction gas communication hole. Therefore, the reaction gas can be flowed well between the reaction gas communication hole extending in the stacking direction and the reaction gas channel extending in the electrode surface direction.

  In addition, a reaction gas passage is formed by the notch provided in the first separator and the hole provided in the second separator. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the thickness in the stacking direction while maintaining the flow path height and the seal height in the reaction gas introduction part and the reaction gas outlet part. For this reason, the entire fuel cell can be easily reduced in size, and in particular, the in-vehicle fuel cell stack can be favorably downsized.

  In the present invention, in the adjacent first power generation cell and second power generation cell, the first notch and the second notch are offset from each other in the stacking direction, and the first hole and the second hole Are offset from each other in the stacking direction. Therefore, in the adjacent first power generation cell and second power generation cell, the thickness is reduced with respect to the stacking direction while maintaining the flow path height and the seal height in the reaction gas introduction part and the reaction gas outlet part, The entire fuel cell can be reduced in size.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a power generation cell 12 constituting a fuel cell 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1 of the fuel cell 10, FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 1 of the fuel cell 10, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the fuel cell 10 taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the power generation cell 12 sandwiches an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure (electrolyte / electrode structure) 14 between a first separator 16 and a second separator 18. The first separator 16 and the second separator 18 are made of, for example, a carbon separator or a metal separator and have a horizontally long rectangular shape.

  The electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14 includes, for example, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane (electrolyte) 20 in which a perfluorosulfonic acid thin film is impregnated with water, a cathode side electrode 22 and an anode sandwiching the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 20 Side electrode 24. The cathode side electrode 22 and the anode side electrode 24 are uniformly coated on the surface of the gas diffusion layer with a gas diffusion layer (not shown) made of carbon paper or the like and porous carbon particles carrying a platinum alloy on the surface. And an electrode catalyst layer (not shown).

  One end edge of the power generation cell 12 in the direction of arrow B communicates with each other in the direction of arrow A, which is the stacking direction, and communicates with an oxidant gas inlet for supplying an oxidant gas (reactive gas), for example, an oxygen-containing gas. A hole 26a, a cooling medium inlet communication hole 28a for supplying a cooling medium, and a fuel gas (reactive gas), for example, a fuel gas outlet communication hole 30b for discharging a hydrogen-containing gas, are provided in an arrow C direction (vertical direction). Are provided in an array.

  The other end edge in the arrow B direction of the power generation cell 12 communicates with each other in the arrow A direction, a fuel gas inlet communication hole 30a for supplying fuel gas, and a cooling medium outlet communication hole for discharging the cooling medium. 28b and an oxidant gas outlet communication hole 26b for discharging the oxidant gas are arranged in the arrow C direction.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a fuel gas flow path 32 is formed on the surface 16 a of the first separator 16 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14. The fuel gas flow path 32 communicates with the plurality of first supply holes 34a in the vicinity of the fuel gas inlet communication hole 30a, and communicates with the plurality of first discharge holes 34b in the vicinity of the fuel gas outlet communication hole 30b.

  The first separator 16 includes a first inlet notch 36a that communicates with the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 26a, and a first outlet notch 36b that communicates with the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 26b. The first inlet notch 36a and the first outlet notch 36b have the same opening height as the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 26a and the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 26b. The gas inlet communication hole 26a and the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 26b are expanded inward.

  A first seal member (for example, a gasket) 38 is provided on the surface 16 a of the first separator 16. The first seal member 38 circulates in the fuel gas flow path 32, and also includes an oxidant gas inlet communication hole 26a, a cooling medium inlet communication hole 28a, a fuel gas outlet communication hole 30b, a fuel gas inlet communication hole 30a, and a cooling medium outlet. The communication hole 28b and the oxidizing gas outlet communication hole 26b are surrounded. The first seal member 38 is made of, for example, EPDM (ethylene-propylene rubber), silicone rubber, nitrile rubber, or acrylic rubber. The surface 16b of the first separator 16 is a flat surface. In addition, each sealing member demonstrated below is the same as that of said 1st sealing member 38, The detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  An oxidant gas flow path 40 is formed on the surface 18 a of the second separator 18 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14. As shown in FIG. 6, the oxidant gas flow path 40 communicates with the plurality of second supply holes 42a in the vicinity of the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 26a, and a plurality of in the vicinity of the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 26b. It communicates with the second discharge hole 42b. The second separator 18 includes a second inlet notch 44a that communicates with the fuel gas inlet communication hole 30a and a second outlet notch 44b that communicates with the fuel gas outlet communication hole 30b.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the first separator 16 constituting one power generation cell 12 and the second separator 18 constituting the other power generation cell 12 are stacked adjacent to each other, the first separator The 16 first supply hole 34a and the first discharge hole 34b communicate with the second inlet notch 44a and the second outlet notch 44b of the second separator 18 along the stacking direction. The inlet communication hole 30a and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 30b communicate with the fuel gas flow path 32 (see FIGS. 3 and 5).

  Similarly, the second supply hole 42a and the second discharge hole 42b of the second separator 18 communicate with the first inlet notch 36a and the first outlet notch 36b of the first separator 16 along the stacking direction. As a result, the oxidant gas flow path 40 communicates with the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 26a and the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 26b (see FIGS. 2 and 6).

  As shown in FIG. 1, a cooling medium flow path 46 communicating with the cooling medium inlet communication hole 28 a and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 28 b is formed on the surface 18 b of the second separator 18. On the surface 18a of the second separator 18, a second seal member 48 that circulates around the oxidant gas channel 40 is provided (see FIG. 6), and on the surface 18b, the cooling medium channel 46 and the cooling medium inlet communication hole are provided. A third seal member 50 is provided to circulate between 28a and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 28b (see FIG. 1).

  The operation of the fuel cell 10 configured as described above 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 26a, and a fuel gas such as a hydrogen-containing gas is supplied to the fuel gas inlet communication hole 30a. The Further, a cooling medium such as pure water or ethylene glycol is supplied to the cooling medium inlet communication hole 28a.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the oxidant gas supplied to the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 26 a was introduced into the first inlet notch 36 a provided in the first separator 16 constituting one power generation cell 12. Thereafter, the other power generation cell 12 is configured and supplied to a plurality of second supply holes 42 a provided in the second separator 18 adjacent to the first separator 16. This is because the first inlet notch 36a and the second supply hole 42a communicate with each other in the stacking direction.

  The oxidant gas that has passed through the second supply hole 42a moves to the surface 18a side of the second separator 18, and moves in the direction of arrow B along the oxidant gas flow path 40 provided on the surface 18a. (See FIGS. 2 and 6).

  On the other hand, the fuel gas supplied to the fuel gas inlet communication hole 30a was introduced into the second inlet notch 44a provided in the second separator 18 constituting one power generation cell 12, as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the other power generation cell 12 is configured and supplied to the first supply hole 34 a of the first separator 16 stacked adjacent to the second separator 18. The fuel gas that has moved to the surface 16a side through the first supply hole 34a moves in the direction of arrow B along the fuel gas flow path 32 provided on the surface 16a (see FIG. 5).

  Thereby, as shown in FIG. 1, in the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14, the oxidant gas supplied to the cathode side electrode 22 and the fuel gas supplied to the anode side electrode 24 are within the electrode catalyst layer. It is consumed by the electrochemical reaction and power is generated.

  The oxidant gas used in the power generation reaction is introduced into the first outlet notch 36b provided in the first separator 16 through the second discharge hole 42b provided in the second separator 18, and this The oxidant gas outlet communication hole 26b communicated with the first outlet notch 36b is discharged (see FIG. 6).

  Similarly, the fuel gas used for the power generation reaction is introduced into the second outlet notch 44b of the second separator 18 through the first discharge hole 34b provided in the first separator 16, and this second The fuel gas is discharged to the fuel gas outlet communication hole 30b communicating with the outlet notch 44b (see FIG. 5).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the cooling medium is supplied to the cooling medium flow path 46 of the second separator 18 and moves in the direction of arrow B along the cooling medium flow path 46. The cooling medium cools the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14 and then is discharged to the cooling medium outlet communication hole 28b.

  In this case, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the first separator 16 includes a first inlet notch 36a communicating with the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 26a, and an oxidant gas outlet. A first outlet notch 36b communicating with the communication hole 26b is provided. The second separator 18 includes a second supply hole 42a that communicates with the first inlet notch 36a along the stacking direction, and a second outlet that communicates with the first outlet notch 36b along the stacking direction. A discharge hole 42b is provided (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

  For this reason, the first inlet notch 36a and the first outlet notch 36b constitute an oxidant gas chamber, and the oxidant gas passes through the first inlet notch 26a from the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 26a. After being introduced into the portion 36a, it is reliably supplied to the oxidant gas flow path 40 through the second supply hole portion 42a. Further, the oxidant gas that has flowed through the oxidant gas flow path 40 is introduced into the first outlet notch 36b from the second discharge hole 42b and then smoothly discharged into the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 26b.

  In addition, the first inlet notch 36a and the first outlet notch 36b provided in the first separator 16 and the second supply hole 42a and the second discharge hole 42b provided in the second separator 18 oxidize. An agent gas passage is formed.

  Thereby, in the power generation cell 12, the thickness in the stacking direction can be reduced in the state where the flow path height and the seal height in the stacking direction are maintained in the oxidizing gas introduction section and the oxidizing gas outlet section.

  On the other hand, in the fuel gas introduction part and the fuel gas lead-out part, similarly, the second inlet notch 44a communicating with the fuel gas inlet communication hole 30a and the second outlet notch 44b communicating with the fuel gas outlet communication hole 30b, The first supply hole 34a and the first discharge hole 34b communicate with each other in the stacking direction (see FIG. 5). Therefore, the same effect as the oxidant gas introduction part and the oxidant gas lead-out part can be obtained.

  For this reason, in the first embodiment, the power generation cell 12 is made thinner, and in particular, the fuel cell 10 in which a large number of the power generation cells 12 are stacked can be easily and reliably reduced in size. can get.

  FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a fuel cell 60 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel cell 60 taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel cell 60 taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 7, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line XX in FIG. 7 of the fuel cell 60, and FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG.

  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.

  The fuel cell 60 is configured by alternately stacking first power generation cells 62a and second power generation cells 62b in the direction of arrow A (horizontal direction). The first power generation cell 62 a sandwiches the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure (electrolyte / electrode structure) 64 a between the first separator 66 and the second separator 68. The second power generation cell 62 b sandwiches the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 64 b between the third separator 70 and the fourth separator 72.

  The second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 64b is practically the same as the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 64a, and the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 64a is rotated 180 degrees in the plane direction. Consists of. The solid polymer electrolyte membranes (electrolytes) 20a and 20b constituting the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 64a and the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 64b form two recesses 74 at one end, while the other end. A convex portion 76 is formed on the surface.

  As shown in FIG. 12, a first fuel gas channel 32a is formed on a surface 66a of the first separator 66 facing the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 64a. The first fuel gas passage 32a communicates with the plurality of first supply holes 78a in the vicinity of the upper side of the fuel gas inlet communication hole 30a, and the plurality of first discharge holes in the vicinity of the upper side of the fuel gas outlet communication hole 30b. It communicates with the part 78b.

  The first separator 66 includes a first inlet notch 80a communicating with the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 26a and a first outlet notch 80b communicating with the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 26b. The first inlet cutout portion 80a and the first outlet cutout portion 80b have an opening shape that is substantially rectangular, and communicate with the upper sides of the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 26a and the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 26b, respectively. Extending in the direction of arrow B.

  As shown in FIG. 13, a first cooling medium flow path 46 a is formed on the surface 66 b of the first separator 66. The first cooling medium flow path 46a communicates with the cooling medium inlet communication hole 28a and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 28b.

  On the surface 66a of the first separator 66, the inner seal member 82a and the inner seal member 82a circulate around the first fuel gas passage 32a, and the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 26a, the cooling medium inlet communication hole. 28a, a fuel gas outlet communication hole 30b, a fuel gas inlet communication hole 30a, a cooling medium outlet communication hole 28b, and an outer seal member 82b surrounding the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 26b are provided (see FIG. 12). The inner seal member 82a is formed corresponding to the shape of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 20a in order to contact the outer peripheral edge of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 20a.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the surface 66b is provided with a seal member 84 that communicates the first cooling medium flow path 46a with the cooling medium inlet communication hole 28a and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 28b.

  As shown in FIG. 14, a first oxidant gas flow path 40a is formed on the surface 68a of the second separator 68 facing the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 64a. The first oxidant gas flow path 40a communicates with the plurality of second supply holes 86a in the vicinity of the lower side of the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 26a, and the plurality of first oxidant gas flow paths 40a in the vicinity of the lower side of the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 26b. 2 It communicates with the discharge hole 86b.

  The second separator 68 includes a second inlet notch 88a that communicates with the fuel gas inlet communication hole 30a and a second outlet notch 88b that communicates with the fuel gas outlet communication hole 30b. The opening shape of the second inlet notch 88a and the second outlet notch 88b is set to be substantially rectangular, and communicates with the lower side of the fuel gas inlet communication hole 30a and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 30b, respectively. It extends in the direction of arrow B. The surface 68b of the second separator 68 constitutes a flat surface.

  As shown in FIG. 15, a second fuel gas flow path 32b is formed on the surface 70a of the third separator 70 facing the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 64b. The second fuel gas channel 32b communicates with the plurality of third supply holes 90a in the vicinity of the lower side of the fuel gas inlet communication hole 30a, and has a plurality of third discharge holes in the vicinity of the lower side of the fuel gas outlet communication hole 30b. It communicates with the part 90b. The third supply hole 90a is offset from the first supply hole 78a in the stacking direction, while the third discharge hole 90b is offset from the first discharge hole 78b in the stacking direction.

  The third separator 70 is provided with a third inlet notch 92a that communicates with the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 26a and a third outlet notch 92b that communicates with the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 26b. The opening shape of the third inlet notch 92a and the third outlet notch 92b is set to be substantially rectangular, and communicates with the lower sides of the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 26a and the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 26b, respectively. Extending in the direction of arrow B. The third inlet notch 92a is offset from the first inlet notch 80a in the stacking direction, while the third outlet notch 92b is offset from the first outlet notch 80b in the stacking direction.

  As shown in FIG. 16, a second cooling medium flow path 46 b is formed on the surface 70 b of the third separator 70. The second cooling medium flow path 46b communicates with the cooling medium inlet communication hole 28a and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 28b.

  An inner seal member 94a and an outer seal member 94b are provided on the surface 70a of the third separator 70 around the second fuel gas flow path 32b (see FIG. 15). As shown in FIG. 16, the surface 70b is provided with a seal member 96 that communicates the second cooling medium flow path 46b with the cooling medium inlet communication hole 28a and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 28b.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the second oxidant gas flow path 40b is formed on the surface 72a of the fourth separator 72 facing the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 64b. The second oxidant gas flow path 40b communicates with a plurality of fourth supply holes 98a in the vicinity of the upper side of the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 26a, and a plurality of second oxidant gas flow paths 40b in the vicinity of the upper side of the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 26b. 4 communicates with the discharge hole 98b. The fourth supply hole 98a is offset from the second supply hole 86a in the stacking direction, while the fourth discharge hole 98b is offset from the second discharge hole 86b in the stacking direction.

  The fourth separator 72 includes a fourth inlet notch 100a that communicates with the fuel gas inlet communication hole 30a and a fourth outlet notch 100b that communicates with the fuel gas outlet communication hole 30b. The fourth inlet notch portion 100a and the fourth outlet notch portion 100b have an opening shape that is set to a substantially rectangular shape, and communicate with the upper sides of the fuel gas inlet communication hole 30a and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 30b, respectively. It extends in the direction of arrow B. The fourth inlet notch 100a is offset from the second inlet notch 88a in the stacking direction, while the fourth outlet notch 100b is offset from the second outlet notch 88b in the stacking direction. The surface 72b of the fourth separator 72 constitutes a flat surface.

  The operation of the fuel cell 60 configured as described above will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the oxidant gas supplied to the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 26a thereby causes the first inlet notch portion (first notch portion) provided in the first separator 66. ) After being introduced into 80 a, it moves to the surface 72 a side of the fourth separator 72 through the fourth supply hole (first hole) 98 a formed in the fourth separator 72.

  On the surface 72a, after the oxidant gas moves along the second oxidant gas flow path 40b, it passes through the fourth discharge hole part (first hole part) 98b and the first outlet notch part ( The gas is discharged from the first cutout portion 80b to the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 26b (see FIG. 7).

  On the other hand, after a part of the oxidant gas supplied to the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 26a is introduced into the third inlet notch (second notch) 92a provided in the third separator 70, The gas is supplied to the first oxidant gas flow path 40a on the surface 68a side through the second supply hole (second hole) 86a provided in the second separator 68 (see FIG. 9).

  The oxidant gas that has moved through the first oxidant gas flow path 40a passes through the second discharge hole part (second hole part) 86b and passes through the third outlet notch part (second notch part) 92b of the third separator 70. Is discharged to the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 26b (see FIG. 7).

  On the other hand, a part of the fuel gas supplied to the fuel gas inlet communication hole 30 a is introduced into the fourth inlet notch 100 a provided in the fourth separator 72 and then provided in the first separator 66. The gas is supplied to the first fuel gas flow path 32a on the surface 66a side through the first supply hole 78a (see FIGS. 7 and 11).

  The fuel gas that has passed through the first fuel gas flow path 32a passes through the first discharge hole 78b and is discharged from the fourth outlet notch 100b of the fourth separator 72 to the fuel gas outlet communication hole 30b (see FIG. 7). ).

  A part of the fuel gas supplied to the fuel gas inlet communication hole 30 a is introduced into the second inlet notch 88 a provided in the second separator 68 and then provided in the third separator 70. It is supplied to the second fuel gas channel 32b on the surface 70a side through the third supply hole 90a (see FIGS. 7 and 10).

  The fuel gas that has passed through the second fuel gas passage 32b passes through the third discharge hole 90b and is discharged from the second outlet notch 88b of the second separator 68 to the fuel gas outlet communication hole 30b (see FIG. 7). ).

  Thus, in the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 64a and the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 64b, the oxidant gas supplied to the cathode side electrode 22 and the fuel gas supplied to the anode side electrode 24, respectively. In the electrode catalyst layer, it is consumed by an electrochemical reaction to generate electricity. The cooling medium supplied to the cooling medium inlet communication hole 28a is introduced into the first cooling medium flow path 46a and the second cooling medium flow path 46b and then discharged to the cooling medium outlet communication hole 28b.

  In this case, in the second embodiment, the first separator 66 is provided with a first inlet notch 80a communicating with the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 26a and a first outlet communicating with the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 26b. The notch 80b communicates with the fourth supply hole 98a and the fourth discharge hole 98b provided in the fourth separator 72 along the stacking direction.

  Similarly, a fourth inlet notch 100a that is provided in the fourth separator 72 and communicates with the fuel gas inlet communication hole 30a, and a fourth outlet notch 100b that communicates with the fuel gas outlet communication hole 30b. The first supply hole 78a and the first discharge hole 78b provided in the separator 66 communicate with each other along the stacking direction. As a result, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, for example, the fuel cell 60 can be easily downsized.

  Further, in the second embodiment, the first supply hole 78a and the first discharge hole 78b that communicate with the first fuel gas flow path 32a are connected to the third supply hole 90a that communicates with the second fuel gas flow path 32b. The third discharge hole 90b is set to be offset from each other in the stacking direction.

  On the other hand, the first inlet notch 80a and the third inlet notch 92a communicating with the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 26a are offset from each other in the stacking direction and communicate with the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 26b. The outlet notch 80b and the third outlet notch 92b are offset from each other in the stacking direction.

  Similarly, on the fuel gas side, the second supply hole portion 86a and the second discharge hole portion 86b are offset from each other in the stacking direction with respect to the fourth supply hole portion 98a and the fourth discharge hole portion 98b and The notch 88a and the second outlet notch 88b are offset from each other in the stacking direction with respect to the fourth inlet notch 100a and the fourth outlet notch 100b.

  Therefore, in the adjacent first power generation cell 62a and second power generation cell 62b, in the reaction gas introduction part and the reaction gas lead-out part including the oxidant gas and the fuel gas, while maintaining the flow path height and the seal height, The thickness can be further reduced with respect to the stacking direction. As a result, the effect that the size reduction of the entire fuel cell 60 can be performed more satisfactorily can be obtained.

It is a disassembled perspective explanatory drawing of the electric power generation cell which comprises the fuel cell which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the fuel cell taken along line II-II in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the fuel cell taken along line III-III in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the fuel cell taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 1. It is front explanatory drawing of the 1st separator which comprises the said electric power generation cell. It is front explanatory drawing of the 2nd separator which comprises the said electric power generation cell. It is a disassembled perspective explanatory drawing of the fuel cell which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the fuel cell taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7. FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the fuel cell taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 7. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the fuel cell taken along line XX in FIG. 7. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the fuel cell taken along line XI-XI in FIG. 7. It is explanatory drawing of one surface of the 1st separator which comprises the said fuel cell. It is explanatory drawing of the other surface of the said 1st separator. It is front explanatory drawing of the 2nd separator which comprises the said fuel cell. It is explanatory drawing of one surface of the 3rd separator which comprises the said fuel cell. It is explanatory drawing of the other surface of the said 3rd separator. It is front explanatory drawing of the 4th separator which comprises the said fuel cell. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a process control device of Patent Document 1.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 60 ... Fuel cell 12, 62a, 62b ... Power generation cell 14, 64a, 64b ... Electrolyte membrane and electrode structure 16, 18, 66, 68, 70, 72 ... Separator 20, 20a, 20b ... Solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22 ... Cathode side electrode 24 ... Anode side electrode 26a ... Oxidant gas inlet communication hole 26b ... Oxidant gas outlet communication hole 28a ... Cooling medium inlet communication hole 28b ... Cooling medium outlet communication hole 30a ... Fuel gas inlet communication hole 30b ... Fuel Gas outlet communication holes 32, 32a, 32b ... fuel gas flow paths 34a, 42a, 78a, 86a, 90a, 98a ... supply holes 34b, 42b, 78b, 86b, 90b, 98b ... discharge holes 36a, 44a, 80a, 88a, 92a, 100a ... inlet notch 36b, 44b, 80b, 88b, 92b, 100b ... outlet notch 40 ... oxidation Gas flow path

Claims (2)

A power generation cell that sandwiches an electrolyte / electrode structure having electrodes disposed on both sides of an electrolyte between a first separator and a second separator, wherein a plurality of the power generation cells are stacked, and the electrolyte / electrode structure and the separator A reaction gas flow path extending along the electrode surface direction and a reaction gas communication hole through which the reaction gas flows through the separator in the stacking direction,
The first separator constituting one power generation cell has a notch communicating with any of the reaction gas communication holes,
The second separator that constitutes the other power generation cell and is adjacent to the first separator of the one power generation cell communicates with the cutout portion along the stacking direction and passes the reaction gas communication hole through the reaction gas flow. A fuel cell comprising a hole for communicating with a road. A first power generation comprising a first electrolyte / electrode structure and a second electrolyte / electrode assembly having electrodes disposed on both sides of the electrolyte, and sandwiching the first electrolyte / electrode assembly between the first separator and the second separator. A cell and a second power generation cell sandwiched between the third separator and the fourth separator and alternately stacked with the first power generation cell, and extending along the electrode surface direction. A fuel cell provided with an existing reaction gas flow path and a reaction gas communication hole through which the reaction gas flows in the stacking direction,
The first separator has a first notch communicating with any one of the reaction gas communication holes,
The fourth separator adjacent to the first separator is provided with a first hole portion that communicates with the first notch portion along the stacking direction to communicate the reaction gas communication hole with the reaction gas flow channel. ,
The third separator has a second notch communicating with the reaction gas communication hole communicating with the first notch, and
The second separator adjacent to the third separator is provided with a second hole portion that communicates with the second notch portion along the stacking direction to communicate the reaction gas communication hole with the reaction gas flow channel. ,
The first notch and the second notch are offset from each other in the stacking direction, and the first hole and the second hole are offset from each other in the stacking direction. Fuel cell.

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