JP2008166204A - Fuel cell module, and fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel cell module capable of improving productivity, and to provide a fuel cell equipped with the fuel cell module. <P>SOLUTION: This is equipped with a plurality of tubular fuel battery cells arranged regularly with a spacing, the outer current collector which contacts the outer peripheral face of the plurality of tubular fuel battery cells, and a case member to house the plurality of tubular fuel battery cells and the plurality of the outer current collectors. The tubular fuel battery cells are provided with a hollow structure equipped with a hollow ion conductor, a first hollow electrode arranged and installed at the inner peripheral face side of the ion conductor, and a second hollow electrode arranged and installed at the outer peripheral face side of the ion conductor, and provided with a first current collector arranged and installed at the inner peripheral face side of the first current collector and the second electrode arranged and installed at the outer peripheral face side of the second electrode. A heating medium flow passage is equipped inside the outer current collector, and the plurality of tubular fuel battery cells is pinched by the case member and the plurality of the outer current collectors. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell module including a plurality of tube-type single cells each including a hollow membrane electrode assembly, and a fuel cell including a plurality of the fuel cell modules.

  The fuel cell is a membrane electrode structure (hereinafter referred to as “MEA”) including an electrolyte layer (hereinafter referred to as “electrolyte membrane”) and electrodes (anode and cathode) respectively disposed on both sides of the electrolyte membrane. The electrical energy generated by the electrochemical reaction in (1) is taken out to the outside through current collectors arranged on both sides of the MEA. Among fuel cells, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (hereinafter referred to as “PEFC”) used in a home cogeneration system or an automobile can be operated in a low temperature region. In addition, PEFC has attracted attention as a power source and portable power source for electric vehicles because it exhibits high energy conversion efficiency, has a short start-up time, and is compact and lightweight.

  For the purpose of improving the amount of power generation per unit volume, etc., research on a PEFC having a single cell columnar shape (hereinafter referred to as “tube type PEFC”) has been underway in recent years. A unit cell of a tube-type PEFC (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a “tube-type fuel cell”) is generally disposed on a hollow electrolyte membrane and on an inner peripheral surface side and an outer peripheral surface side of the electrolyte membrane, respectively. A hollow MEA including a catalyst layer. For example, an electrochemical reaction is caused by supplying a hydrogen-containing gas to the inner peripheral surface side of the MEA and an oxygen-containing gas to the outer peripheral surface side, and the electric energy generated by this electrochemical reaction is converted into the inner energy of the MEA. It is taken out to the outside through current collectors arranged on the peripheral surface side and the outer peripheral surface side, respectively. That is, in the tube type PEFC, one reaction gas (for example, hydrogen-containing gas) is provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the MEA provided in each tube type fuel cell, and the other reaction gas (for example, oxygen-containing gas) is provided on the outer peripheral surface side. ) Is taken out, so that the reaction gas supplied to the outer peripheral surface side of two adjacent tubular fuel cells can be made the same. Therefore, according to the tube type PEFC, a separator that has gas shielding performance in the conventional flat plate type PEFC is not required, and it is easy to reduce the size of the unit cell.

  As a technique related to such a tube-type PEFC, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses six tube-type fuel cells in which the center of the bottom surface is arranged at each vertex position of a regular hexagon, and the six tube-type fuel cells. A technology related to a fuel cell stack is disclosed in which a cell is disposed at each vertex position of a regular hexagon and has a cooling medium flow pipe inserted into a gap formed at the center thereof. According to this type of fuel cell stack, it is possible to provide a fuel cell stack that can obtain a high current and a high voltage and that is small and lightweight. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique related to a membrane electrode assembly bundle for a tube type fuel cell.

JP 2004-158335 A JP 2006-216416 A

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, since an external current collector that is a component different from the cooling medium flow pipe is provided in addition to the cooling medium flow pipe, the degree of integration of the tube-type fuel cells is increased. There was a problem that it was difficult to improve. Furthermore, it is difficult to position the tube type fuel cell and the cooling medium flow pipe, and there is a problem that the productivity is easily lowered. Further, even with the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, there is a problem that it is difficult to position the tube-type fuel cell, and the productivity is likely to be lowered.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell module capable of improving productivity and a fuel cell including a plurality of the fuel cell modules. More specifically, the present invention facilitates a tubular fuel cell. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel cell module that can be positioned in a position and a fuel cell that includes a plurality of the fuel cell modules.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention takes the following means. That is,
According to a first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of tubular fuel cells arranged regularly at intervals, and an outer peripheral surface of the plurality of tubular fuel cells arranged in a space surrounded by the plurality of tubular fuel cells. An external current collector in contact with a plurality of tube-type fuel cells and a case member containing the plurality of external current collectors, the tube-type fuel cell having a hollow ion conductor, an ion conductor A hollow-shaped structure provided with a hollow-shaped first electrode disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the first electrode and a hollow-shaped second electrode disposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the ion conductor; A first current collector disposed on the inner peripheral surface side, and a second current collector disposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the second electrode, and a heat medium inside the external current collector A flow path is provided, and a plurality of tube-type fuel cells are connected to the case member and a plurality of external parts. Characterized in that it is sandwiched by the collector, a fuel cell module.

Here, "a plurality of tubular fuel cells regularly arranged at intervals" means, for example, each of rectangles or squares arranged in one direction in such a manner that adjacent vertices of adjacent rectangles or squares overlap each other. In addition to the form in which each tubular fuel cell is arranged at the apex position (hereinafter referred to as the “first form” in this paragraph), each hexagonal apex position arranged continuously in a honeycomb shape A plurality of tubular fuel cells are geometrically arranged according to a specific rule, such as a form in which the tubular fuel cells are arranged (hereinafter referred to as “second form” in this paragraph). Means. Further, in the case of the first embodiment, “an external current collector that is disposed in a space surrounded by a plurality of tube-type fuel cells and is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the plurality of tube-type fuel cells” refers to a plurality of rectangles. Alternatively, a plurality of external current collectors are respectively arranged at the center position of the square, and the outer peripheral surface of the external current collector is in contact with the outer peripheral surfaces of the plurality of tubular fuel cells arranged at the vertex positions of the rectangle or square. Means that In the case of the second embodiment, a plurality of external current collectors are arranged at the center positions of a plurality of hexagons, and a plurality of tubes are arranged at the outer peripheral surface of the external current collector and at the vertex positions of a rectangle or a square. This means that the outer peripheral surface of the fuel cell is in contact. The form of the external current collector is not particularly limited as long as the external current collector is made of a conductive material that can withstand the environment during operation of the fuel cell.
Furthermore, in the case of PEFC, the “hollow shape ion conductor” corresponds to a hollow solid polymer membrane containing a proton conductive polymer, and is an oxide solid oxide fuel cell (hereinafter referred to as “SOFC”). ) Corresponds to a hollow electrolyte containing an oxide ion conductive material (for example, a ceramic solid electrolyte). Furthermore, the “hollow shape first electrode” and the “hollow shape second electrode” correspond to electrodes (anode, cathode) containing a catalyst such as Pt in the case of PEFC, and in the case of SOFC. This corresponds to an electrode (anode, cathode) containing a catalyst such as Ni or LaMnO 3. Furthermore, if the “first current collector” and the “second current collector” are made of a conductive material that can withstand the environment during operation of the fuel cell, the form thereof is particularly limited. is not. Furthermore, the “heating medium” means a heating medium or a cooling medium that can heat or cool the tube-type fuel cell, and a specific example of the heating medium can be exemplified by hot water. As a specific example, in addition to cold water, LLC ("LLC" is a registered trademark of Denso Corporation) and the like can be exemplified. Furthermore, the “heat medium flow path” may have a form in which holes formed in the external current collector function as a heat medium flow path, and a cavity or the like provided in advance in the external current collector is used as a heat medium flow. It may be configured to function as a road.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the rigidity of the external current collector and the case member is preferably higher than the rigidity of the hollow structure.

  Here, “the rigidity of the external current collector and the case member is higher than the rigidity of the hollow structure” means that the case member and the external current collector are in contact with the case member and the external current collector. When a pressure is applied to the cell arranged between the case member and the external current collector, it means that the hollow structure is recessed before the case member and the external current collector. The same applies to the following.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the first current collecting member that comes into contact with the plurality of first current collectors provided in the plurality of tube-type fuel cells is provided at the longitudinal ends of the plurality of tube-type fuel cells. The first current collecting member is provided with a first current collecting elastic body made of an elastic material having conductivity, and a first connecting body having a plurality of openings through which the plurality of first current collectors can penetrate. A first current collector elastic body is disposed in the opening of the first connector, and the first current collector elastic body disposed in the opening of the first connector is formed by the first current collector and the first connector. It is preferable to be pinched.

  Here, the “first current collecting member in contact with the plurality of first current collectors” means a case member when all of the plurality of external current collectors accommodated in the case member are arranged in a line. Means that all of the first current collectors provided in each of the plurality of tubular fuel cells accommodated in the battery are in contact with the first current collector. On the other hand, when the plurality of external current collectors accommodated in the case member are arranged in two rows, each of the plurality of tube-type fuel cells that come into contact with the external current collector arranged in a row is provided. This means that all of the first current collectors to be brought into contact with one first current collector. That is, when the external current collectors are arranged in two rows, half of the plurality of first current collectors accommodated in the case member and one first current collector are in contact with each other, and the remaining first current collectors The current collector means contact with another first current collecting member. Similarly, when a plurality of external current collectors accommodated in the case member are arranged in n rows (n is a natural number of 3 or more), the n first current collector members (each In the case where the first current collecting members are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the tubular fuel cell, 2n first current collecting members are provided, and each of the n first current collecting members is a case member. This means that 1 / n of the plurality of first current collectors included in the contact is made. Further, in the present invention, specific examples of the “conductive elastic material” include metals such as copper, silver, gold, and platinum. Furthermore, “a plurality of openings through which a plurality of first current collectors can penetrate” means the same number of openings as the number of first current collectors in contact with one first current collector. Furthermore, in the present invention, the “longitudinal end portion” is a concept including one end side end portion and both end side end portions in the longitudinal direction, and “provided at the longitudinal end portion” means one end in the longitudinal direction. In addition to the form provided only at the side end part, it means that the form provided at both end parts in the longitudinal direction can also be adopted.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the second current collecting member that comes into contact with the plurality of second current collectors provided in the plurality of tube-type fuel cells is provided at the longitudinal ends of the plurality of tube-type fuel cells. The second current collecting member is provided with a second current collecting elastic body made of an elastic material having conductivity, and a second connecting body having a plurality of openings through which the plurality of second current collectors can be passed through. The second current collector elastic body is disposed in the opening of the second connector, and the second current collector elastic body disposed in the opening of the second connector is formed by the second current collector and the second connector. It is preferable to be pinched.

  Here, the “second current collector member in contact with the plurality of second current collectors” refers to the first current collector in the description regarding the “first current collector member in contact with the plurality of first current collectors”. Is replaced with a second current collector, and the first current collecting member is replaced with a second current collecting member. Furthermore, “a plurality of openings through which a plurality of second current collectors can penetrate” means the same number of openings as the number of second current collectors in contact with one second current collector.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, a positioning member including a plurality of openings having an inner diameter that is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the tubular fuel cell is provided at a longitudinal end of the plurality of tubular fuel cells. Is preferred.

  In the first aspect of the present invention in which the positioning member is provided at the longitudinal ends of the plurality of tube-type fuel cells, the positioning member is provided with a plurality of openings having an inner diameter that is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the tube-type fuel cell. Preferably, the first positioning member and the second positioning member are provided, and the adhesive is disposed in a space surrounded by the first positioning member and the second positioning member.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fuel cell comprising: a multilayer body configured by laminating a plurality of fuel cell modules according to the first aspect of the present invention; and an outer case member that accommodates the multilayer body. It is.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the plurality of tube-type fuel cells are sandwiched by the case member and the plurality of external current collectors, the plurality of tube-type fuel cells and the plurality of tube-type fuel cells accommodated in the case member Positioning of the external current collector is facilitated. Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a fuel cell module capable of improving productivity by facilitating positioning of the constituent members.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the rigidity of the external current collector and the case member is made higher than the rigidity of the hollow structure, thereby further positioning the plurality of tubular fuel cells and the plurality of external current collectors. It becomes easy.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, a first current collecting member that contacts a plurality of first current collectors is provided at longitudinal ends of the plurality of tubular fuel cells, and the first connector and the plurality of first current collectors are provided. By adopting a configuration in which the first current collecting elastic body is held by the electric body, the current collecting efficiency can be improved. Further, by adopting a configuration in which the first current collecting member is provided at the longitudinal ends of the plurality of tube-type fuel cells, the positioning of the plurality of tube-type fuel cells can be facilitated and productivity can be improved. it can.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, a second current collecting member that comes into contact with the plurality of second current collectors is provided at the longitudinal ends of the plurality of tubular fuel cells, and the second connector and the plurality of second current collectors are provided. By adopting a configuration in which the second current collecting elastic body is held by the electric body, the current collecting efficiency can be improved. Furthermore, by adopting a configuration in which the second current collecting member is provided at the longitudinal ends of the plurality of tube-type fuel cells, the positioning of the plurality of tube-type fuel cells can be facilitated and productivity can be improved. it can.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, since the positioning members are provided at the longitudinal ends of the plurality of tube-type fuel cells, the positioning of the plurality of tube-type fuel cells is further facilitated. Can be improved.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, since the adhesive is disposed in the space surrounded by the first positioning member and the second positioning member, it is possible to prevent the adhesive from flowing out during the manufacturing process. Can be improved.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the fuel cell module according to the first aspect of the present invention is provided, it is possible to provide a fuel cell capable of improving the productivity by facilitating the positioning of the constituent members.

  The fuel cell module and fuel cell of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The illustrated form is merely an example of the present invention, and the fuel cell module and the fuel cell of the present invention are not limited to the illustrated form. In the following description, a case in which a plurality of unit cells of tube type PEFC are provided in the case member is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. For example, the case member may be formed of a columnar SOFC having a single cell. A configuration in which a plurality of unit cells are provided is also possible. In the following description, an oxygen-containing gas (hereinafter referred to as “air”) is supplied to the outer peripheral surface side of the hollow MEA provided in the tubular fuel cell, and to the inner peripheral surface side of the MEA. A mode in which a hydrogen-containing gas (hereinafter referred to as “hydrogen”) is supplied and the refrigerant is supplied to the heat medium flow path provided inside the external current collector is exemplified, but the present invention is limited to this mode. It is not a thing. It is also possible to supply hydrogen to the outer peripheral surface side of the hollow MEA and supply air to the inner peripheral surface side of the MEA in the tubular fuel cell. For example, at the time of starting, a hot medium such as hot water can be supplied instead of the refrigerant.

1. Fuel Cell Module FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing an example of a fuel cell module according to the present invention, and the vertical direction in FIG. 1 is the longitudinal direction of the tubular fuel cell. FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing an embodiment of the fuel cell module of the present invention, and the vertical direction in FIG. 2 is the longitudinal direction of the tube-type fuel cell. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 1, and the back / front direction in FIG. 3 is the longitudinal direction of the tubular fuel cell. 4 is an enlarged view of the area indicated by A in FIG. FIG. 5 is a view showing a VV cross section of FIG. 1, and the vertical direction in FIG. 5 is the longitudinal direction of the tubular fuel cell. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the area indicated by B in FIG. FIG. 7 is a view showing a VII-VII cross section in FIG. 1, and the vertical direction in FIG. 7 is the longitudinal direction of the tubular fuel cell. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the area indicated by C in FIG. FIG. 9 is a view showing a IX-IX cross section of FIG. 2, and the vertical direction in FIG. 9 is the longitudinal direction of the tubular fuel cell. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a cross section taken along line XX in FIG. 1, and the back / front direction in FIG. 10 is the longitudinal direction of the tubular fuel cell. FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the area indicated by D in FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XII-XII of FIG. 1, and the back / front direction of FIG. 12 is the longitudinal direction of the tubular fuel cell. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the area indicated by E in FIG. FIG. 14 is a view showing the XIV-XIV cross section of FIG. 1 with the case member omitted, and the back / front direction of FIG. 14 is the longitudinal direction of the tubular fuel cell. FIG. 15 is a front view schematically showing an example of the form of the second positioning member provided in the fuel cell module of the present invention, and penetrates the opening provided in the second positioning member for easy understanding of the form. The description of the cell and the external current collector that are arranged in such a manner is omitted. Hereinafter, the fuel cell module of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a fuel cell module 100 of the present invention includes a case member 1 having a case main body 1x and end case members 1y and 1z, and the case member 1 includes a plurality of tube-type fuel cells 2. 2,... (Hereinafter simply referred to as “cells 2, 2,...”, Etc.) and a plurality of external current collectors 7, 7,. The case body 1x is provided with projections 3 and 3, and the projections 3 and 3 are fitted with the opening 4 provided in the end case member 1y and the opening 5 provided in the end case member 1z. Thus, the case main body 1x and the end case members 1y and 1y are connected (see FIG. 2). Further, the end case members 1y and 1z are provided with refrigerant manifolds 28 and 28 and hydrogen manifolds 29 and 29, respectively, and the end case members 1y and 1z have sealing members ( For example, bead gaskets 35 and 35 are bonded by vulcanization. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, openings 6, 6,... Are provided on the side surfaces of the case body 1 x, and when the fuel cell module 100 is in operation, the case member is interposed through the openings 6, 6,. Air is supplied to the outer peripheral surfaces of the plurality of cells 2, 2,.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the case member 1 is arranged in a form that allows contact with the outer peripheral surfaces of the plurality of cells 2, 2,. A plurality of external current collectors 7, 7,... Are provided. Inside the case member 1, the plurality of cells 2, 2,... Stacked in four layers are separated into two layers by the partition wall 8 constituting the case body 1 x, and the cells 2, 2,. ..., and one module unit 9 is formed by one layer of external current collectors 7, 7, ... arranged at intervals formed by the plurality of cells 2, 2, ... arranged in the two layers. ing. That is, the case member 1 has two module units 9 and 9 (hereinafter referred to as “unit 9a” and “unit 9b”). ", And when the members provided in the unit 9b are distinguished from each other and are referred to," b "is added to the reference numerals.). As described above, in the fuel cell module 100, the plurality of cells 2, 2,... Are sandwiched between the external current collectors 7, 7,. Therefore, according to the fuel cell module 100, positioning of the plurality of cells 2, 2,... And the plurality of external current collectors 7, 7,.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a refrigerant flow path 10 is provided inside the external current collector 7. On the other hand, in the cells 2, 2,..., Hollow MEAs 14, 14,... And inner peripheral surfaces of the MEAs 14, 14,... (A gas diffusion layer (not shown) are arranged on the inner peripheral surfaces of the MEAs 14, 14,. When provided, the inner current collectors 15, 15,... And MEA 14, 14, and the outer peripheral surfaces (MEA 14, 14,. When a gas diffusion layer (not shown) is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of ..., the external current collectors 16, 16, ..., respectively disposed so as to be in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the gas diffusion layer; The outer peripheral surface of the external current collectors 16, 16, 16, 16 and the outer peripheral surface of the external current collector 7 are in contact with each other. The hollow MEA 14, 14,... Has a hollow solid polymer membrane 11, 11,... And a hollow anode catalyst layer disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the solid polymer membrane 11, 11,. , And hollow cathode catalyst layers 13, 13,... Disposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the solid polymer membranes 11, 11,. ,... Are provided with hydrogen passages 30, 30,. The external current collector 7 is disposed in a space surrounded by the four cells 2, 2, 2, 2, and the outer peripheral surface of the four external current collectors 16, 16, 16, 16 and the external current collector 7. An external current collector 7 having an outer diameter larger by several tens of μm than the outer diameter required for making point contact with the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral surface is disposed in the space. Here, as will be described later, since the external current collector 7 is constituted by a metal tube, the substances contained in the MEAs 14, 14,... Is more rigid than the MEAs 14, 14,. Therefore, when the cells 2, 2,... And the external current collector 7 are arranged in the above form, the surfaces of the cells 2, 2, 2, 2 in contact with the external current collector 7 are recessed, and the external current collector 7 The cells 2, 2, 2, 2 can be brought into surface contact. As described above, according to the fuel cell module 100, the external current collectors 7, 7,... Through which the refrigerant circulates and the cells 2, 2,. It becomes easy to make.

  Furthermore, as will be described later, the case member 1 is made of an insulating resin or the like having rigidity that can withstand the pressure when the plurality of fuel cell modules 100 are stacked, and thus has higher rigidity than the MEA 14. Therefore, in the fuel cell module 100, the cells 2, 2,... Are sandwiched between the case member 1 and the external current collectors 7, 7,. Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the longitudinal length of the external current collectors 7, 7,... Is longer than the longitudinal length of the cells 2, 2,. The cells 2, 2,... Are in contact with each other over the entire length of the MEAs 14, 14,. Therefore, it is easy to position the cells 2, 2,... Over the entire length in the longitudinal direction by sandwiching the cells 2, 2,... By the case member 1 and the external current collectors 7, 7,. Therefore, the cells 2, 2,... And the external current collectors 7, 7,.

  As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 10, and 11, external current collectors 7, 7,... (Hereinafter referred to as “external current collectors 7a, 7a,. , Second current collecting elastic bodies 17, 17 (hereinafter, the second current collecting elastic bodies 17, 17 in contact with the external current collectors 7 a, 7 a,... Are referred to as “external elastic bodies 17 a, 17 a”). Two connected bodies (hereinafter referred to as “external current collector plates”) 18 and 18 are energized. That is, in the fuel cell module 100, the second current collecting members 19 and 19 including the external elastic bodies 17a and 17a and the external current collecting plates 18 and 18 are energized with the external current collectors 7a, 7a,. On the other hand, the series connection plates 20 and 20 and the external current collector plates 18 and 18 are insulators 21 and 21 (hereinafter, the insulator 21 disposed between the series connection plate 20 and the external current collector plate 18 is referred to as “insulator”. The first current collecting elastic bodies 22 and 22 that are separated by the first current collecting elastic bodies 22 and 22 (hereinafter referred to as internal current collecting portions 15, 15,. .. And the external current collectors 7a, 7a,... Are also separated by the insulators 21a, 21a.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 10, and 11, external current collectors 7, 7,... (Hereinafter referred to as “external current collectors 7 b, 7 b,. 2) the second current collecting elastic bodies 17, 17 (hereinafter, the second current collecting elastic bodies 17, 17 in contact with the external current collecting bodies 7b, 7b,... Are referred to as “external elastic bodies 17b, 17b”). The series connection plates 20 and 20 are energized through That is, the series connection plates 20 and 20 function as the second current collecting member of the unit 9b. Further, the first connector (hereinafter referred to as “internal current collector plate”) 23, 23 and the series connection plates 20, 20 are the insulators 21, 21 (hereinafter referred to as the internal current collector plate 23 and the series connection plate 20). The first current collecting elastic bodies 22 and 22 (hereinafter referred to as the internal current collecting plate 23) separated from each other by the “insulating material 21 b” and in contact with the internal current collecting plates 23 and 23. , 23 are referred to as "inner elastic bodies 22b, 22b") and outer current collectors 7b, 7b, ... are also separated by insulators 21b, 21b.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 12, and FIG. 13, the internal current collectors 15, 15,... (Hereinafter referred to as “internal current collectors 15a, 15a,. Is electrically connected to the series connection plates 20 and 20 through the internal elastic bodies 22a and 22a. Therefore, the series connection plates 20 and 20 function as the first current collecting member of the unit 9a. The external current collector plates 18 and 18 that are energized with the external elastic bodies 17a and 17a and the series connection plates 20 and 20 are separated by insulators 21a and 21a. In addition, the internal current collectors 15, 15,... (Hereinafter referred to as “internal current collectors 15 b, 15 b,...”) Included in the unit 9 b are connected to the internal current collector plate 23 through the internal elastic bodies 22 b and 22 b. 23 is energized. That is, in the fuel cell module 100, the first current collecting members 24, 24 including the internal elastic bodies 22b, 22b and the internal current collecting plates 23, 23 are energized with the internal current collecting portions 15b, 15b,. The series connection plates 20 and 20 that are energized with the external elastic bodies 17b and 17b and the internal current collector plates 23 and 23 are separated by insulators 21b and 21b.

  Thus, in the fuel cell module 100, the internal current collectors 15a, 15a,... Provided in the unit 9a via the internal elastic bodies 22a, 22a, the series connection plates 20, 20, and the external elastic bodies 17b, 17b. And the external current collectors 7b, 7b,... Provided in the unit 9b are energized, so that the unit 9a and the unit 9b are electrically connected in series to increase the voltage. On the other hand, the internal elastic bodies 22a, 22a and the series connection plates 20, 20 that are energized with the internal current collectors 15a, 15a, ..., and the external elastic bodies that are energized with the external current collectors 7a, 7a, ... 17a, 17a and the external current collecting plates 18, 18 are separated by the insulators 21a, 21a, thereby preventing a short circuit in the unit 9a. Furthermore, the internal elastic bodies 22b and 22b and the internal current collector plates 23 and 23 that are energized with the internal current collectors 15b and 15b, and the external elastic body 17b that is energized with the external current collectors 7b, 7b, and so on. 17b and the serial connection plates 20 and 20 are separated by the insulators 21b and 21b, thereby preventing a short circuit in the unit 9b. That is, in the fuel cell module 100, by adopting such a configuration, a high voltage is achieved while preventing a short circuit in the units 9a and 9b.

  Further, in the fuel cell module 100, the external current collectors 7a, 7a,... And the external current collector plates 18, 18 are in contact via the external elastic bodies 17a, 17a, and the external current collectors 7b, 7b,. And the series connection plates 20 and 20 are in contact with each other through the external elastic bodies 17b and 17b. Therefore, it is difficult to form a gap between the external current collectors 7a, 7a,... And the external current collector plates 18, 18, and between the external current collectors 7b, 7b,. It can be in the form. Since the contact resistance between the members can be reduced by adopting a configuration in which the gap is not easily formed in this way, according to the fuel cell module 100 of the present invention, the current collection efficiency can be improved. .

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, in the fuel cell module 100, the cells 2, 2,... Than the external current collector plates 18, 18, the serial connection plates 20, 20, and the internal current collector plates 23, 23. An adhesive is disposed in the spaces formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction. As described above, in the present invention, between the external current collectors 7a, 7a,... And the external current collector plates 18, 18, and between the external current collectors 7b, 7b,. Since it is difficult to form a gap between them, even if components such as cells 2, 2,... Are arranged on the case member 1 and then injected into the case member 1, the adhesive Outflow can be prevented. Therefore, according to the fuel cell module 100, productivity can be improved by preventing the adhesive from flowing out.
In addition, in the fuel cell module 100, first positioning members 26 and 26 and second positioning members 27 and 27 are provided inside the end case members 1y and 1z (hereinafter referred to as end case member 1y). The first positioning member and the second positioning member provided on the inner side are referred to as “first positioning member 26y” and “second positioning member 27y”, and the first positioning member and the second positioning member provided on the inner side of the end case member 1z. The positioning members are referred to as “first positioning member 26z” and “second positioning member 27z”). An adhesive is disposed in a space formed by the inner surfaces of the first positioning member 26y, the second positioning member 27y, and the end case member 1y, and the first positioning member 26z and the second positioning member 27z. The adhesive is disposed in a space formed by the inner surface of the end case member 1z. The first positioning members 26y and 26z and the second positioning members 27y and 27z will be described later.

    As shown in FIG. 9, the case member 1 includes cells 2, 2,... And external current collectors 7, 7,. The longitudinal ends of the external current collectors 7, 7,... Are arranged on the refrigerant manifolds 28, 28 provided in the end case members 1y, 1z (hereinafter referred to as the refrigerant manifold 28y provided in the end case member 1y). The refrigerant manifold 28 provided in the end case member 1z is referred to as “refrigerant manifold 28z”). During operation of the fuel cell module 100, for example, the refrigerant supplied via the refrigerant manifold 28y branches to the refrigerant flow paths 10, 10,... Respectively provided in the external current collectors 7, 7,. The cells 2, 2, ... that are in contact with the external current collectors 7, 7, ... are cooled by the refrigerant that has flowed into the external current collectors 7, 7, .... Then, the refrigerant after cooling the cells 2, 2,... Flows out from the refrigerant flow paths 10, 10,... To the refrigerant manifold 28z, and is discharged from the refrigerant manifold 28z to the outside of the fuel cell module 100 and collected. Is done.

  The external current collectors 7, 7,... Are in contact with the external current collector plates 18, 18 through the external elastic bodies 17, 17,. ,..., And current collection on the cathode side of the cells 2, 2,... Via the external elastic bodies 17, 17,. A space provided between the refrigerant manifolds 28y, 28z and the external current collectors 18, 18 is filled with an adhesive (potting material), and the refrigerant manifolds 28y, 28z and the refrigerant flow paths 10, 10,. It is set as the structure where a refrigerant | coolant does not flow out into space other than. In the fuel cell module 100, the external current collectors 7, 7,... And the external current collector plates 18, 18 are connected via external elastic bodies 17a, 17a,. Thus, the adhesive does not flow out between the external current collectors 7, 7,... And the external current collector plates 18, 18.

The longitudinal ends of the cells 2, 2, ... that are in contact with the external current collectors 7, 7, ... (the longitudinal ends of the internal current collectors 15, 15, ...) are end case members 1y, 1z. (Hereinafter, the hydrogen manifold 29 provided in the end case member 1y is referred to as “hydrogen manifold 29y”, and the hydrogen manifold 29 provided in the end case member 1z is referred to as “hydrogen manifold 29z”). ). During operation of the fuel cell module 100, for example, hydrogen supplied via the hydrogen manifold 29z branches to the hydrogen flow paths 30, 30,... Provided on the surfaces of the internal current collectors 15, 15,. Hydrogen is supplied to the anode catalyst layers 12, 12,... Via the flow paths 30, 30,. Thereafter, hydrogen flows out from the hydrogen flow paths 30, 30,... To the hydrogen manifold 29y, and is discharged from the hydrogen manifold 29y to the outside of the fuel cell module 100 and collected.
On the other hand, during operation of the fuel cell module 100, air supplied through the openings 6, 6,... Provided in the case body 1x is supplied to the outer peripheral surfaces of the cells 2, 2,. Air (oxygen) is supplied to 13, 13,. Thereafter, the air is discharged to the outside of the fuel cell module 100 through the openings 31, 31,... Provided in the case main body 1x.

  In the fuel cell module 100, positioning members 25 and 25 are provided on the case main body 1x side of the hydrogen manifolds 29y and 29z (hereinafter, the positioning member 25 including the first positioning member 26y and the second positioning member 27y is referred to as “positioning member”). The positioning member 25 including the first positioning member 26z and the second positioning member 27z is referred to as “positioning member 25z”. Then, an adhesive (potting material) is provided in a space provided between the first positioning member 26y and the second positioning member 27y and a space provided between the first positioning member 26z and the second positioning member 27z. By filling, mixing of hydrogen supplied through the hydrogen manifolds 29y, 29z and air supplied through the openings 6, 6,... Is prevented.

  Hereinafter, the positioning members 25y and 25z provided in the fuel cell module 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the fuel cell module 100, since the positioning member 25y and the positioning member 25z have substantially the same form, only the positioning member 25y is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, and the description of the positioning member 25z is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the first positioning member 26y and the second positioning member 27y provided in the positioning member 25y have convex portions 32, 32,... Provided in the second positioning member 27y as the first positioning member. .. Are connected by being fitted into the openings 33, 33,. As shown mainly in FIGS. 14 and 15, the second positioning member 27y is provided with openings 34, 34 in which the cells 2, 2,... And the external current collectors 7, 7,. Yes. Although not shown in the figure, both ends of the cells 2, 2,... And the external current collectors 7, 7,. An opening that can be provided is provided. In the fuel cell module 100 of the present invention, since the positioning member 25y and the positioning member 25z of the form are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cells 2, 2,..., When the fuel cell module 100 is manufactured, The cells 2, 2,... And the external current collectors 7, 7,. Therefore, by adopting such a configuration, it is possible to provide the fuel cell module 100 having a structure capable of improving productivity.

  In the fuel cell module 100, the case member 1 (the case main body 1x and the end case members 1y and 1z, hereinafter simply referred to as “case member 1”) has at least an inner surface thereof from the viewpoint of preventing a short circuit. An insulating material (for example, an insulating resin) is used. In the case where the case member 1 is made of metal, it is preferable that at least an inner surface of the case member 1 has an insulating coating. Further, as will be described later, in the case where the case member 1 is made of an insulating resin from the viewpoint of providing the case member 1 having rigidity capable of withstanding the pressure applied when the fuel cell modules 100 are stacked, It is preferable to use an insulating resin having rigidity higher than that of MEA 14 at least.

  In the present invention, the number of cells 2, 2,... Accommodated in the case member 1 is the current required for the fuel cell module 100 by electrically connecting the cells 2, 2,. The number is not particularly limited as long as it can reach the value. The number of cells 2, 2,... Accommodated in the case member 1 can be, for example, about several tens to several hundreds. In the above description, the case in which the two module units 9 and 9 are accommodated in the case member 1 is exemplified, but the fuel cell module of the present invention is not limited to this form. The number of module units accommodated in the case member can be an appropriate number of 1 or more in consideration of the degree of cell integration, the current value required for the fuel cell module, ease of assembly, and the like. .

  Further, in the fuel cell module 100, an electrolyte membrane that can be used in PEFC can be suitably used as the solid polymer membrane 11 constituting the cell 2. Specific examples of the proton conductive polymer contained in the solid polymer film 11 include a fluorine-based polymer having at least one of a sulfonic acid group, a phosphonic acid group, and a phosphoric acid group with a fluorine-containing polymer as a skeleton, A hydrocarbon-based polymer having a hydrocarbon skeleton such as polyolefin may be used. Specific examples of the electrolyte membrane containing the fluorine polymer include Nafion (“Nafion” is a registered trademark of DuPont, USA) and Flemion (“Flemion” is a registered trademark of Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.). . On the other hand, as a specific example of the electrolyte membrane containing the hydrocarbon-based polymer, there can be mentioned Selemion and the like (“Selemion” is a registered trademark of Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.).

  Further, in the fuel cell module 100, the anode catalyst layer 12 and the cathode catalyst layer 13 constituting the cell 2 are particularly limited as long as they include a substance (catalyst) that functions as a catalyst for electrochemical reaction and a proton conductive substance. However, a catalyst layer that can be used in PEFC can be preferably used. Specific examples of the catalyst contained in the anode catalyst layer 12 and the cathode catalyst layer 13 include Pt, Co, Ru, Ir, Au, Ag, Cu, Ni, Fe, Cr, Mn, V, Ti, Mo, Examples thereof include a Pt alloy having one or more metals selected from the group consisting of Pd, Rh, and W and Pt. In addition, specific examples of the proton conductive material contained in the anode catalyst layer 12 and the cathode catalyst layer 13 include the proton conductive polymer that can be contained in the solid polymer membrane 11.

  Furthermore, in the fuel cell module 100, the internal current collector 15 and the external current collector 16 that constitute the cell 2 have good electronic conductivity and can withstand the environment during operation of the fuel cell module 100. If it has (for example, heat resistance, water resistance, etc., the same shall apply hereinafter), the constituent material is not particularly limited. Specific examples of the material constituting the internal current collector 15 and the external current collector 16 include copper, aluminum, silver, gold, and platinum. When copper or aluminum is used as the base material of the internal current collector 15 and / or the external current collector 16, the surface is preferably covered with gold or the like from the viewpoint of improving acid resistance.

  Furthermore, in the fuel cell module 100, the external current collector 7 has a good electron conductivity and has a property that can withstand the environment during operation of the fuel cell module 100. It is not limited. Specific examples of the material constituting the external current collector 7 include metals such as copper, silver, gold, and platinum. When copper is used as the base material of the external current collector 7, the surface is preferably covered with gold or the like from the viewpoint of improving acid resistance. Furthermore, when the external current collector 7 is made of metal, it is preferable that the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path 10 is an insulating refrigerant from the viewpoint of preventing leakage.

  Furthermore, in the fuel cell module 100, the external elastic body 17 and the internal elastic body 22 have good electronic conductivity and elasticity, and have properties that can withstand the environment during operation of the fuel cell module 100. The constituent material is not particularly limited. Specific examples of the material constituting the external elastic body 17 and the internal elastic body 22 include copper, silver, gold, and platinum. When copper is used as the base material of the external elastic body 17 and / or the internal elastic body 22, the surface is preferably covered with gold or the like from the viewpoint of improving acid resistance.

  Further, in the fuel cell module 100, the external current collector plate 18, the series connection plate 20, and the internal current collector plate 23 have good electronic conductivity and elasticity, and the operating environment of the fuel cell module 100. If it has the property which can endure, the constituent material will not be specifically limited. Specific examples of the material constituting the external current collector plate 18, the series connection plate 20, and the internal elastic plate 23 can include copper, aluminum, silver, gold, platinum, and the like. From the viewpoint of making it easier to achieve, it is preferable to use aluminum. When copper or aluminum is used as a constituent material of at least one member of the external current collector plate 18, the series connection plate 20, and the internal elastic plate 23, its surface from the viewpoint of improving electron conductivity Is preferably covered with gold or the like.

  Further, in the fuel cell module 100, the insulator 21 is an insulating material that can prevent a short circuit in the module units 9, 9 and has a property that can withstand the environment during operation of the fuel cell module 100. For example, the constituent material is not particularly limited. Specific examples of the constituent material of the insulator 21 include an insulating resin.

  Further, in the fuel cell module 100, the positioning member 25 (first positioning members 26y, 26z and second positioning members 27y, 27z) positions the cells 2, 2,... And the external current collectors 7, 7,. The constituent material is not particularly limited as long as it is an insulating material having such rigidity and has a property capable of withstanding the environment during operation of the fuel cell module 100. Specific examples of the constituent material of the positioning member 25 include an insulating resin. From the viewpoint of facilitating the positioning of the cells 2, 2,... And the external current collectors 7, 7,. It is preferable to use an insulating resin having higher rigidity than MEA14.

  Further, in the fuel cell module 100, the adhesive disposed in the space formed between the first positioning members 26 y and 26 z and the second positioning members 27 y and 27 z There is no particular limitation as long as hydrogen sealing properties can be secured. As the adhesive, those used as potting materials for PEFC can be suitably used.

2. Fuel Cell FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a partial cross section of a stacked body provided in the fuel cell of the present invention. In order to make it easy to identify each stacked fuel cell module, three fuels arranged at intervals are provided. The cross section of the battery module is shown, and only a part of the reference numerals are attached. The back / front direction in FIG. 16 is the longitudinal direction of the tubular fuel cell. FIG. 17 is a front view showing an example of a fuel cell according to the present invention, and schematically shows the arrangement of a laminate, a refrigerant pipe and a hydrogen pipe, an end plate, and an electrode element. The straight arrow in FIG. 17 indicates the direction of gravity. FIG. 18 is a plan view showing an embodiment of the fuel cell of the present invention, and schematically shows the arrangement of the laminate, the refrigerant pipe and the hydrogen pipe, the electrode element, and the outer case member. The dotted arrows in FIG. 18 indicate the air flow direction. 16 to 18, parts and members having the same configurations as those in FIGS. 1 to 15 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in FIGS. 1 to 15 and description thereof is omitted. Hereinafter, the fuel cell of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.

  The fuel cell of the present invention includes a plurality of fuel cell modules 100, 100,... (Hereinafter, the fuel cell modules 100, 100, 100 at the left end, the center, and the right end in FIG. A stacked body 200 is provided that is formed by stacking “fuel cell module 100β” and “fuel cell module 100γ”. As shown in FIG. 16, in the fuel cell module 100α and the fuel cell module 100β, the external current collector plates 18 and 18 provided in the fuel cell module 100α and the internal current collector plates 23 and 23 provided in the fuel cell module 100β are in contact with each other. Thus, the fuel cell module 100β and the fuel cell module 100γ are electrically connected in series, and the external current collector plates 18 and 18 provided in the fuel cell module 100β and the internal current collector plate 23 provided in the fuel cell module 100γ. , 23 are electrically connected in series. That is, in the fuel cell of the present invention, high voltage is achieved by stacking the fuel cell modules 100, 100,.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the fuel cell 1000 of the present invention includes a plurality of fuel cell modules 100, 100,... Electrically connected in series and a manifold integrated end plate 505 (hereinafter referred to as “ A manifold 505 ”) and an end plate 506, and electrode elements 601 and 602, and refrigerant pipes 501 and 502 and hydrogen pipes 503 and 504 are connected to the manifold 505. And the pressure which can reduce the contact resistance between fuel cell modules is given from the both ends of the lamination direction of several fuel cell modules 100,100, ... by the pressure provision means (not shown). In the fuel cell 1000, hydrogen supplied via the hydrogen pipe 503 is supplied to the fuel cell modules 100, 100,... Via the manifold 505 and used for power generation. Then, the hydrogen discharged from the fuel cell modules 100, 100,... Is recovered via the manifold 505 and the hydrogen pipe 504. On the other hand, the refrigerant supplied via the refrigerant pipe 501 is supplied to the fuel cell modules 100, 100,... Via the manifold 505, and the refrigerant discharged from the fuel cell modules 100, 100,. And through the refrigerant pipe 502. And the external current collector plates 55, 55 and electrodes provided in the fuel cell module 100 located on the outermost side (the left side in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18) of the fuel cell modules 100, 100,. The first case member 10 provided in the fuel cell module 100 connected to the element 601 and located on the outermost side (the right side in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18) opposite to the fuel cell module 100 to which the electrode element 601 is connected. Are connected to the electrode element 602. Therefore, according to the fuel cell 1000, electric energy can be taken out via the electrode element 601 and the electrode element 602.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the fuel cell 1000 includes an outer case member 700, and each member shown in FIG. 17 is accommodated in the outer case member 700. The outer case member 700 is provided with an opening through which permeable membranes 701, 701,... Capable of removing dust and dust and the like and capable of transmitting air can be disposed, and the air that has passed through the permeable membranes 701, 701,. Are supplied to the fuel cell modules 100, 100,. As described above, in the fuel cell 1000, the fuel cell modules 100, 100 capable of improving productivity by facilitating the positioning of the cells 2, 2,... And the external current collectors 7, 7,. , ... are provided. Therefore, according to the present invention, a fuel cell 1000 capable of improving productivity can be provided.

  In the above description regarding the fuel cell of the present invention, the mode in which the fuel cell modules 100, 100,... Are stacked in a row is illustrated, but the fuel cell of the present invention is not limited to this mode and is electrically It is also possible to stack two or more rows in a form connected in series.

  Further, in the above description regarding the fuel cell of the present invention, the form in which the manifold integrated end plate is provided is illustrated, but the fuel cell of the present invention is not limited to this form, and the manifold and the end plate are separated. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a manifold and an end plate are configured so that the refrigerant and hydrogen are connected to each other so that they can flow in and out.

It is a top view which shows roughly the example of a form of the fuel cell module of this invention. It is a side view which shows roughly the example of the form of the fuel cell module of this invention. It is a figure which shows the III-III cross section of FIG. It is a figure which expands and shows the area | region shown by A in FIG. It is a figure which shows the VV cross section of FIG. It is a figure which expands and shows the area | region shown by B in FIG. It is a figure which shows the VII-VII cross section of FIG. It is a figure which expands and shows the area | region shown by C in FIG. It is a figure which shows the IX-IX cross section of FIG. It is a figure which shows the XX cross section of FIG. It is a figure which expands and shows the area | region shown by D in FIG. It is a figure which shows the XII-XII cross section of FIG. It is a figure which expands and shows the area | region shown by E in FIG. It is a figure which shows the XIV-XIV cross section of FIG. It is a front view which shows schematically the example of a form of a 2nd positioning member. It is a figure which shows the partial cross section of the laminated body with which the fuel cell of this invention is equipped. It is a front view which shows the example of a form of the fuel cell of this invention. It is a top view which shows the example of a form of the fuel cell of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Case member 1x ... Case main body 1y, 1z ... End case member 2 ... Cell (tube type fuel cell)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... Convex part 4, 5, 6 ... Opening part 7 ... External collector 8 ... Partition 9, 9, 9a, 9b ... Module unit 10 ... Refrigerant flow path (heat medium flow path)
11 ... Solid polymer membrane (hollow ion conductor)
12 ... Anode catalyst layer (hollow first electrode)
13 ... Cathode catalyst layer (hollow second electrode)
14 ... MEA (hollow structure)
15 ... Internal current collector (first current collector)
16 ... External current collector (second current collector)
17 ... External elastic body (second current collecting elastic body)
18 ... External current collector (second connector)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 19 ... 2nd current collection member 20 ... Series connection board 21 ... Insulator 22 ... Internal elastic body (1st elastic body)
23 ... Internal current collector (first connector)
24 ... 1st current collection member 25, 25y, 25z ... Positioning member 26, 26y, 26z ... 1st positioning member 27, 27y, 27z ... 2nd positioning member 28, 28y, 28z ... Refrigerant manifold 29, 29y, 29z ... Hydrogen Manifold 30 ... Hydrogen flow path 31 ... Opening 32 ... Projection 33, 34 ... Opening 100 ... Fuel cell module 200 ... Laminate 501, 502 ... Refrigerant pipe 503, 504 ... Hydrogen pipe 505, 506 ... Manifold 601, 602 ... Electrode element 700 ... External case member 701 ... Permeation membrane 1000 ... Fuel cell

Claims (7)

A plurality of tube-type fuel cells arranged regularly at intervals, and an external collector that is disposed in a space surrounded by the plurality of tube-type fuel cells and contacts the outer peripheral surface of the plurality of tube-type fuel cells. An electrical body, and a case member that houses the plurality of tube-type fuel cells and the plurality of external current collectors,
The tubular fuel cell is disposed on a hollow ion conductor, a hollow first electrode disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the ion conductor, and an outer peripheral surface side of the ion conductor. A hollow structure having a hollow second electrode, a first current collector disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the first electrode, and an outer peripheral surface side of the second electrode. A second current collector,
A heat medium flow path is provided inside the external current collector,
The fuel cell module, wherein the plurality of tubular fuel cells are sandwiched between the case member and the plurality of external current collectors. 2. The fuel cell module according to claim 1, wherein rigidity of the external current collector and the case member is higher than rigidity of the hollow structure. 3. A first current collecting member that contacts a plurality of the first current collectors provided in the plurality of tube-type fuel cells, is provided at a longitudinal end of the plurality of tube-type fuel cells,
The first current collecting member is provided with a first current collecting elastic body made of an elastic material having conductivity and a first connecting body having a plurality of openings through which the plurality of first current collecting bodies can penetrate. ,
The first current collecting elastic body is disposed in the opening of the first connecting body, and the first current collecting elastic body disposed in the opening of the first connecting body is the first current collecting body. The fuel cell module according to claim 1, wherein the fuel cell module is sandwiched between a body and the first connection body. A second current collecting member that comes into contact with the plurality of second current collectors provided in the plurality of tubular fuel cells is provided at a longitudinal end of the plurality of tubular fuel cells,
The second current collecting member is provided with a second current collecting elastic body made of a conductive elastic material and a second connecting body having a plurality of openings through which the plurality of second current collectors can penetrate. ,
The second current collector elastic body is disposed in the opening of the second connector, and the second current collector elastic body disposed in the opening of the second connector is the second current collector. The fuel cell module according to claim 1, wherein the fuel cell module is sandwiched between a body and the second connecting body. Further, a positioning member having a plurality of openings having an inner diameter that is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the tube-type fuel cell is provided at a longitudinal end portion of the plurality of tube-type fuel cells. Item 5. The fuel cell module according to any one of Items 1 to 4. The positioning member includes a first positioning member and a second positioning member each having a plurality of openings having an inner diameter that is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the tubular fuel cell,
The fuel cell module according to claim 5, wherein an adhesive is disposed in a space surrounded by the first positioning member and the second positioning member. A fuel cell comprising: a stacked body formed by stacking a plurality of the fuel cell modules according to claim 1; and an outer case member that accommodates the stacked body.

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