JP2010186590A - Fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent as much as possible closure by generated water of a coupling passage which communicates a reactant gas passage and a reactant gas communication hole, and to carry out efficient power generation stably. <P>SOLUTION: The first separator 14 to constitute a fuel cell 10 includes an exit-side first coupling passage 80b which communicates a first fuel gas passage 36 and a fuel gas exit communication hole 32b. The exit-side first coupling passage 80b has a plurality of outside exhaust hole portions 90a and a plurality of inside exhaust hole portions 90b. Each communication passage 92b, each outside exhaust hole portion 90a and each inside exhaust hole portion 90b are individually communicated through a plurality of partition portions 88b and form a plurality of exit-side continuous passages 86b which are each independent. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention comprises an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure provided with a pair of electrodes on both sides of an electrolyte membrane and a separator, a reaction gas flow path for supplying a reaction gas along the electrode surface, and the reaction gas in the lamination direction. The present invention relates to a fuel cell in which a reaction gas communication hole to be circulated is formed, and a connection flow channel portion that connects the reaction gas flow channel and the reaction gas communication hole is provided.

  For example, in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure (MEA) in which an anode side electrode and a cathode side electrode are disposed on both sides of an electrolyte membrane made of a polymer ion exchange membrane is sandwiched by separators. A unit cell is provided. This type of fuel cell is normally used as a fuel cell stack by stacking a predetermined number of unit cells.

  In the above fuel cell, a fuel gas channel (reactive gas channel) for flowing a fuel gas opposite to the anode side electrode and an oxidant gas for flowing the cathode gas facing the cathode side electrode in the plane of the separator. The oxidant gas flow path (reaction gas flow path) is provided. Further, between the separators, a cooling medium flow path for flowing the cooling medium is provided along the surface direction of the separator.

  This type of fuel cell has a so-called internal structure in which a reaction gas inlet communication hole, a reaction gas outlet communication hole, a cooling medium inlet communication hole, and a cooling medium outlet communication hole penetrating in the stacking direction of the separator are provided in the fuel cell. A manifold may be configured.

  For example, in the fuel cell disclosed in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 13, the MEA 1 and the separator 2 are alternately stacked, and air supply that supplies air used for power generation penetrates in the stacking direction. A manifold 3a and an air discharge manifold 3b that discharges unused air are provided.

  The air supplied to the fuel cell flows into the air flow path forming portion 7 through the air supply through hole 4a, the air flow path 5a, and the air supply port 6a. Thereafter, the air is used for power generation in the MEA 1 while passing through the inside of the air flow path forming portion 7, and the air that has not been used passes through the air discharge port 6 b, the air flow path 5 b, and the air discharge through hole 4 b. It is discharged outside the battery.

JP 2008-192338 A

  In the fuel cell described above, water is generated by the power generation in the MEA 1, and this water may stay in the air flow path 5b and block the air flow path 5b. For this reason, dispersion | distribution generate | occur | produces in distribution of air between fuel cells, and there exists a problem that stable electric power generation is not performed.

  The present invention solves this type of problem, and prevents the connection flow path portion connecting the reaction gas flow path and the reaction gas communication hole from being blocked by generated water as much as possible. An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell capable of stably generating power.

  The present invention comprises an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure provided with a pair of electrodes on both sides of an electrolyte membrane and a separator, a reaction gas flow path for supplying a reaction gas along the electrode surface, and the reaction gas in the lamination direction. The present invention relates to a fuel cell in which a reaction gas communication hole to be circulated is formed, and a connection flow channel portion for connecting the reaction gas flow channel and the reaction gas communication hole is provided.

  The connecting channel portion passes through one separator and passes through the first gas separator in the vicinity of the reaction gas communication hole and passes through the one separator and close to the reaction gas channel. A plurality of second openings for allowing the reaction gas to pass therethrough, a plurality of communication paths for communicating the first openings and the second openings, the communication paths, the first openings, and the second openings. And a partition part for forming a plurality of independent continuous flow paths.

  In addition, it is preferable that the fuel cell includes a seal member that integrally surrounds a plurality of communication paths to form a closed space, and the partition portion is integrally formed by the seal member.

  Furthermore, this fuel cell preferably includes a seal member that integrally circulates a plurality of communication passages to form a closed space, and the partition portion is preferably individually attached to the closed space.

  Furthermore, the connection flow path part is formed on the separator surface opposite to the communication path, and has a plurality of back side communication paths that allow the reaction gas communication holes and the plurality of first openings to communicate with each other. The flow path is preferably configured to be continuous from the second opening, the communication path, the first opening, and the back-side communication path to the reaction gas communication hole and independently of each other.

  According to the present invention, the connecting flow path portion has a plurality of continuous flow paths in which each communication path and each first opening and each second opening communicate with each other through the partition and are independent from each other. Yes. For this reason, there is no bypass between each continuous flow path, the drainage is improved and the stagnant water is suppressed, and the distribution of the reaction gas is well maintained and efficient power generation is stably performed. Is possible.

It is a principal part disassembled perspective explanatory drawing of 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. It is explanatory drawing of the one surface side of the 1st separator which comprises the said fuel cell. It is explanatory drawing of the other surface side of the said 1st separator. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the first separator taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the first separator taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 5. It is the VIII-VIII sectional view taken on the line of the said 1st separator in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the first separator taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 5. It is a partial perspective explanatory view of the 1st separator which constitutes the fuel cell concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a partial perspective explanatory view of the 1st separator which constitutes the fuel cell concerning a 3rd embodiment of the present invention. It is a section explanatory view of the 1st separator. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a fuel cell of Patent Document 1. FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the fuel cell 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is configured by laminating a plurality of power generation units 12 in the horizontal direction (arrow A direction). The power generation unit 12 includes a first separator 14, a first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure (electrolyte / electrode structure) (MEA) 16 a, a second separator 18, a second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 16 b, and a third separator 20. Provide.

  The 1st separator 14, the 2nd separator 18, and the 3rd separator 20 are comprised, for example with the steel plate, the stainless steel plate, the aluminum plate, the plating treatment steel plate, or the metal plate which gave the surface treatment for anticorrosion to the metal surface. The 1st separator 14, the 2nd separator 18, and the 3rd separator 20 have cross-sectional uneven | corrugated shape by pressing a metal thin plate into a waveform. The first separator 14, the second separator 18, and the third separator 20 may be carbon separators instead of metal separators.

  The first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 16a is set to have a smaller surface area than the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 16b. The first and second electrolyte membrane / electrode structures 16a and 16b include, for example, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22 in which a perfluorosulfonic acid thin film is impregnated with water, and an anode side sandwiching the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22 The electrode 24 and the cathode side electrode 26 are provided.

  The anode side electrode 24 constitutes a stepped MEA having a smaller surface area than the cathode side electrode 26. The solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22, the anode side electrode 24, and the cathode side electrode 26 are each provided with a cutout at the top and bottom of both ends in the direction of arrow B to reduce the surface area.

  The anode side electrode 24 and the cathode side electrode 26 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) formed. The electrode catalyst layers are formed on both surfaces of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22.

  An oxidant gas inlet communication hole (reaction) for supplying an oxidant gas, for example, an oxygen-containing gas, communicates with each other in the arrow A direction at the upper edge of the long side direction (arrow C direction) of the power generation unit 12. A gas communication hole) 30a and a fuel gas inlet communication hole (reaction gas communication hole) 32a for supplying a fuel gas, for example, a hydrogen-containing gas.

  A fuel gas outlet communication hole (reactive gas communication hole) 32b for communicating with each other in the direction of arrow A and discharging fuel gas is formed at the lower edge of the long side direction (arrow C direction) of the power generation unit 12, and oxidation An oxidant gas outlet communication hole (reaction gas communication hole) 30b for discharging the agent gas is provided.

  At one edge of the power generation unit 12 in the short side direction (arrow B direction), there is provided a cooling medium inlet communication hole 34a that communicates with each other in the direction of arrow A and supplies a cooling medium. A cooling medium outlet communication hole 34b for discharging the cooling medium is provided at the other end edge in the short side direction.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the first fuel gas flow that communicates the fuel gas inlet communication hole 32a and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 32b to the surface 14a of the first separator 14 facing the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 16a. A passage (reaction gas passage) 36 is formed. The first fuel gas channel 36 has a plurality of wave-shaped channel grooves extending in the direction of arrow C, and in the vicinity of the inlet (upper end) and outlet (lower end) of the first fuel gas channel 36, An inlet buffer portion 38 and an outlet buffer portion 40 each having a plurality of embossments are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a cooling medium flow path 44 that connects the cooling medium inlet communication hole 34 a and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 34 b is formed on the surface 14 b of the first separator 14. In the vicinity of the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the cooling medium flow path 44, buffer portions 46 and 48 that are back surface shapes of the inlet buffer portion 38 and the outlet buffer portion 40 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the surface 18a of the second separator 18 facing the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 16a is connected to the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 30a and the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 30b. An agent gas flow path (reaction gas flow path) 50 is formed. The first oxidant gas flow channel 50 has a plurality of wavy flow channel grooves extending in the direction of arrow C. In the vicinity of the inlet (upper end) and outlet (lower end) of the first oxidant gas flow path 50, an inlet buffer portion 52 and an outlet buffer portion 54 are provided.

  A second fuel gas channel (reactive gas channel) that communicates the fuel gas inlet communication hole 32a and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 32b to the surface 18b of the second separator 18 facing the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 16b. 58 is formed. The second fuel gas channel 58 has a plurality of wavy channel grooves extending in the direction of arrow C, and in the vicinity of the inlet (upper end) and outlet (lower end) of the second fuel gas channel 58, An inlet buffer unit 60 and an outlet buffer unit 62 are provided.

  On the surface 20a of the third separator 20 facing the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 16b, a second oxidant gas flow path (reactive gas) communicating the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 30a and the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 30b. Channel) 66 is formed.

  The second oxidant gas flow channel 66 has a plurality of wavy flow channel grooves extending in the direction of arrow C. In the vicinity of the inlet (upper end) and outlet (lower end) of the second oxidant gas flow channel 66, an inlet buffer portion 68 and an outlet buffer portion 70 are provided.

  A cooling medium flow path 44 that connects the cooling medium inlet communication hole 34 a and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 34 b is formed on the surface 20 b of the third separator 20. The cooling medium flow path 44 is formed by overlapping the back surface shapes (wave shapes) of the first fuel gas flow path 36 and the second oxidant gas flow path 66.

  A first seal member 74 is integrally formed on the surfaces 14 a and 14 b of the first separator 14 around the outer peripheral edge of the first separator 14. On the surfaces 18a and 18b of the second separator 18, a second seal member 76 is integrally formed around the outer peripheral edge of the second separator 18, and on the surfaces 20a and 20b of the third separator 20, A third seal member 78 is integrally formed around the outer peripheral edge of the third separator 20.

  As the first to third seal members 74, 76 and 78, for example, EPDM, NBR, fluorine rubber, silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, butyl rubber, natural rubber, styrene rubber, chloroprene or acrylic rubber or the like, cushion A material or packing material is used.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the first seal member 74 includes an outer seal 74 a provided on the surface 14 a in the vicinity of the outer peripheral end of the first separator 14, and is separated from the outer seal 74 a inwardly. An inner seal 74 b surrounding the one fuel gas flow path 36 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the first seal member 74 is provided on the surface 14b side of the first separator 14, and corresponds to the outer seal 74c corresponding to the outer seal 74a and the inner seal 74b. A surrounding inner seal 74d.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first separator 14 has an inlet-side first connection channel portion 80 a that communicates the fuel gas inlet communication hole 32 a and the first fuel gas channel 36, and a fuel gas outlet communication. An outlet-side first connection channel portion 80b that communicates the hole 32b and the first fuel gas channel 36 is provided.

  The inlet-side first connection flow path portion 80a corresponds to a portion where an area surrounded by the outer seal 74a and an area (closed space) surrounded by the connection seal 74e between the outer seal 74c and the inner seal 74d overlap. Corresponding to a portion where a plurality of outer supply holes (first openings) 82a formed so as to penetrate, a region surrounded by the inner seal 74b, and a region surrounded by the connecting seal 74e overlap. A plurality of inner supply holes (second openings) 82b formed therethrough.

  As shown in FIG. 4, on the surface 14a side, a plurality of back surface side communication passages 84a that communicate the fuel gas inlet communication holes 32a and the respective outer supply hole portions 82a are provided. As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of communication passages 84b that communicate the outer supply hole portion 82a and the inner supply hole portion 82b are formed on the surface 14b side.

  Between the communication passages 84b, the communication passages 84b, the outer supply hole portions 82a and the inner supply hole portions 82b are individually communicated, and a plurality of independent inlet-side continuous flow paths 86a are formed. A partition portion 88a is provided. As shown in FIG. 6, the partition portion 88a is integrally formed by the first seal member 74 and is configured to be shorter than the connection seal 74e by a dimension t in the height direction. The dimension t is set so that when the power generation unit 12 is stacked and the fuel cell 10 is assembled, the fuel cell 10 has a desired sealing property and can prevent the occurrence of an uneven load or the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, each inlet-side continuous flow path 86a is connected to the fuel gas inlet communication hole 32a from each inner supply hole 82b, communication path 84b, outer supply hole 82a, and back-side communication path 84a. Consecutive and independent of each other.

  Similarly, the outlet-side first connection flow path portion 80b is formed so as to penetrate the portion surrounded by the region surrounded by the outer seal 74a and the region surrounded by the connection seal 74e (closed space). A plurality of outer discharge hole portions (first opening portions) 90a, a plurality of regions formed so as to penetrate the region surrounded by the inner seal 74b and a region surrounded by the connection seal 74e. And an inner discharge hole (second opening) 90b.

  As shown in FIG. 4, on the surface 14a side, a plurality of back side communication passages 92a are formed which communicate the fuel gas outlet communication holes 32b and the respective outer discharge hole portions 90a. As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of communication passages 92b that communicate the outer discharge hole portion 90a and the inner discharge hole portion 90b are formed on the surface 14b side.

  Between the communication passages 92b, the communication passages 92b, the outer discharge hole portions 90a and the inner discharge hole portions 90b are individually communicated, and a plurality of independent outlet-side continuous flow paths 86b are formed. A partition portion 88b is provided. As shown in FIG. 8, the partition part 88b is integrally formed by the first seal member 74, and is configured to be shorter than the connection seal 74e by a dimension t in the height direction. The dimension t is set so that when the power generation unit 12 is stacked and the fuel cell 10 is assembled, the fuel cell 10 has a desired sealing property and can prevent the occurrence of an uneven load or the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, each outlet-side continuous flow path 86b is connected to the fuel gas outlet communication hole 32b from each inner discharge hole portion 90b, communication passage 92b, outer discharge hole portion 90a, and rear surface side communication passage 92a. Consecutive and independent of each other.

  The second seal member 76 includes an outer seal 76a provided in the vicinity of the outer peripheral end portion of the surface 18a of the second separator 18, and the first oxidant gas flow path 50 is enclosed inside the outer seal 76a. Thus, an inner seal 76b is provided. The outer seal 76 a and the inner seal 76 b communicate the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 30 a, the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 30 b, and the first oxidant gas flow path 50.

  The second seal member 76 includes an outer seal 76c provided in the vicinity of the outer peripheral end of the second separator 18 on the surface 18b side, and an inner seal 76d surrounding the second fuel gas channel 58 (FIGS. (See FIG. 3).

  The second separator 18 includes an inlet-side second connection channel 94a that communicates the fuel gas inlet communication hole 32a and the second fuel gas channel 58, a fuel gas outlet communication hole 32b, and the second fuel gas channel 58. And an outlet-side second connection channel 94b that communicates with each other.

  The inlet-side second connection flow path 94a has a plurality of supply holes 96a penetrating the second separator 18, and the supply holes 96a communicate with the fuel gas inlet communication holes 32a via a plurality of communication passages 97a. To do. Similarly, the outlet-side second connection flow path 94b has a plurality of discharge holes 96b that penetrate the second separator 18, and the discharge holes 96b communicate with the fuel gas outlet through a plurality of communication passages 97b. It communicates with the hole 32b.

  The third seal member 78 includes an outer seal 78 a provided in the vicinity of the outer peripheral end portion on the surface 20 a side of the third separator 20. An inner seal 78b surrounding the second oxidant gas flow channel 66 is provided inside the outer seal 78a. The third seal member 78 includes an outer seal 78 c provided in the vicinity of the outer peripheral end of the surface 20 b of the third separator 20, and an inner seal 78 d provided so as to surround the cooling medium flow path 44.

  The operation of the fuel cell 10 configured as described above will be described below.

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, an oxidant gas such as an oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 30a, and a fuel gas such as a hydrogen-containing gas is supplied to the fuel gas inlet communication hole 32a. Further, a cooling medium such as pure water, ethylene glycol, or oil is supplied to the cooling medium inlet communication hole 34a.

  Therefore, the oxidant gas is introduced into the first oxidant gas channel 50 of the second separator 18 and the second oxidant gas channel 66 of the third separator 20 from the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 30a. The oxidant gas moves in the direction of arrow C (the direction of gravity) along the first oxidant gas flow path 50 and is supplied to the cathode side electrode 26 of the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 16a. It moves in the direction of arrow C along the oxidant gas flow channel 66 and is supplied to the cathode electrode 26 of the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 16b (see FIG. 1).

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the fuel gas is introduced from the fuel gas inlet communication hole 32 a into the back surface side communication path 84 a and the communication path 97 a formed between the first separator 14 and the second separator 18. As shown in FIG. 4, the fuel gas introduced into the back surface side communication passage 84a moves to the surface 14b side of the first separator 14 through the outer supply hole portion 82a. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the fuel gas is introduced from the inner supply hole 82b to the surface 14a side through the communication path 84b.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the fuel gas is sent to the inlet buffer 38 through the inner supply hole 82b, and moves in the gravity direction (arrow C direction) along the first fuel gas flow path 36. , And supplied to the anode electrode 24 of the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 16a.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the fuel gas introduced into the communication path 97a moves to the surface 18b side of the second separator 18 through the supply hole 96a. Therefore, after the fuel gas is supplied to the inlet buffer 60 on the surface 18b side, the fuel gas moves in the direction of arrow C along the second fuel gas flow path 58, and the anode side of the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 16b. It is supplied to the electrode 24.

  Therefore, in the first and second electrolyte membrane / electrode structures 16a and 16b, the oxidant gas supplied to the cathode side electrode 26 and the fuel gas supplied to the anode side electrode 24 are electrically generated in the electrode catalyst layer. It is consumed by chemical reaction to generate electricity.

  Next, the oxidant gas consumed by being supplied to the cathode-side electrodes 26 of the first and second electrolyte membrane / electrode structures 16a and 16b is discharged in the direction of arrow A along the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 30b. The

  As shown in FIG. 4, the fuel gas consumed by being supplied to the anode side electrode 24 of the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 16 a passes through the inner discharge hole 90 b from the outlet buffer portion 40 and flows through the first separator 14. Derived to the surface 14b side.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the fuel gas led out to the surface 14b side is introduced into the outer discharge hole 90a, and again moves to the surface 14a side. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the fuel gas is discharged from the outer discharge hole portion 90a to the fuel gas outlet communication hole 32b through the back surface side communication passage 92a.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the fuel gas consumed by being supplied to the anode side electrode 24 of the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 16b passes from the outlet buffer portion 62 through the discharge hole portion 96b to the surface 18a side. Moving. The fuel gas passes through the communication path 97a and is discharged to the fuel gas outlet communication hole 32b.

  On the other hand, after the cooling medium supplied to the cooling medium inlet communication hole 34a is introduced into the cooling medium flow path 44 formed between the first separator 14 and the third separator 20, as shown in FIG. Circulate in the direction of arrow B. The cooling medium cools the first and second electrolyte membrane / electrode structures 16a and 16b, and then is discharged into the cooling medium outlet communication hole 34b.

  In this case, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5, 8, and 9, in the outlet-side first connection channel portion 80 b, the communication passages 92 b and the outer discharge holes are provided via the plurality of partition portions 88 b. A plurality of outlet-side continuous flow passages 86b are formed in which the portion 90a and the inner discharge hole portions 90b are individually communicated with each other and independent from each other. For this reason, the communication passages 92b are not bypassed with each other, and are introduced into the communication passages 92b from the outer discharge holes 90a along with the fuel gas used for power generation through the first fuel gas passage 36. The generated water does not stay in the connection seal 74e.

  Since each outlet side continuous flow path 86b is provided independently of each other, even if the generated water stays in a part of the communication paths 92b, the pressure loss of the outlet side continuous flow path 86b having the part of the communication paths 92b is reduced. It is because it becomes high and produced water can be discharged | emitted from this exit side continuous flow path 86b.

  Thereby, in 1st Embodiment, while improving the drainage property for every outlet side continuous flow path 86b and suppressing a stagnant water, the distribution property of fuel gas is maintained favorably, and efficient electric power generation is stabilized. The effect that it becomes possible to perform is obtained.

  Furthermore, each outlet-side continuous flow path 86b is provided on the surface 14a side of the first separator 14, and has a plurality of back-side communication passages 92a communicating the fuel gas outlet communication holes 32b and the outer discharge hole portions 90a. Yes. Accordingly, the outlet-side continuous flow path 86b is continuous to the fuel gas outlet communication hole 32b from the inner discharge hole 90b, the communication path 92b, the outer discharge hole 90a, and the back-side communication path 92a, and is configured independently of each other. Yes. Thereby, a plurality of piping structures that are substantially continuous from the first fuel gas flow path 36 to the fuel gas outlet communication hole 32b are formed, and the drainage performance is further improved.

  On the other hand, a plurality of inlet-side continuous flow passages 86a are formed in the inlet-side first connection flow passage portion 80a via partitioning portions 88a. For this reason, even if any of the plurality of communication passages 84b is blocked by the dew condensation water, the pressure loss of the inlet-side continuous flow path 86a including this communication passage 84b is increased, so that the dew condensation water can be reliably discharged. it can. Accordingly, the fuel gas can be distributed and supplied to the first fuel gas flow channel 36 in an excellent manner, and the same effect as that of the outlet-side continuous flow channel 86b can be obtained.

  FIG. 10 is a partial perspective explanatory view of the first separator 100 constituting the fuel cell according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Note that the same components as those of the first separator 14 constituting the fuel cell 10 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Similarly, in the third embodiment described below, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The outlet-side first connection channel portion 102b constituting the first separator 100 includes a partition portion 104 that is integrally formed in a closed space that is circulated by the connection seal 74e. The partition part 104 has a planar shape and is set lower than the upper surface position of the connection seal 74e.

  In the partition 104, a plurality of outer discharge holes 90a and a plurality of inner discharge holes 90b are formed through the first separator 100, and the outer discharge holes 90a and the inner discharge holes 90b are The communication path 92b communicates. A plurality of independent outlet-side continuous flow paths 86b are formed by the outer discharge hole portion 90a, the communication passage 92b and the inner discharge hole portion 90b, and further by the rear surface side communication passage 92a.

  In the second embodiment configured as described above, a plurality of independent outlet-side continuous flow paths 86b are provided, and the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  In the second embodiment, only the outlet-side first connection channel portion 102b has been described. However, similarly to the first embodiment, the inlet-side first connection channel portion (not shown) is also configured. be able to.

  FIG. 11 is a partial perspective explanatory view of the first separator 110 constituting the fuel cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The outlet-side first connection channel portion 112b that constitutes the first separator 110 includes a detachable partition portion 114 in a closed space surrounded by the connection seal 74e. In the first separator 110, a plurality of outer discharge holes 90a and a plurality of inner discharge holes 90b are formed in a region surrounded by the connection seal 74e.

  The partition 114 has a substantially rectangular shape made of the same material or resin material as the first seal member 74, and is set to a dimension lower in the height direction than the connection seal 74e (see FIG. 12).

  The partition 114 is formed with a plurality of communication passages (recesses) 116 that allow the outer discharge holes 90a and the inner discharge holes 90b to communicate individually and independently. By arranging the partition portion 114 in the connection seal 74e, a plurality of outlet side continuous flow paths 86b having an inner discharge hole portion 90b, a communication passage 116, and an outer discharge hole portion 90a (further, a rear surface side communication passage 92a). Are formed independently of each other.

  In the third embodiment configured as described above, the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments described above can be obtained, and the partition 114 is configured individually, and the partition 114 is connected and sealed. Since it is arranged in 74e, the advantage that simplification of the configuration is achieved is obtained.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Fuel cell 12 ... Electric power generation unit 14, 18, 20, 100, 110 ... Separator 16a, 16b ... Electrolyte membrane and electrode structure 22 ... Solid polymer electrolyte membrane 24 ... Anode side electrode 26 ... Cathode side electrode 30a ... Oxidizing agent Gas inlet communication hole 30b ... Oxidant gas outlet communication hole 32a ... Fuel gas inlet communication hole 32b ... Fuel gas outlet communication hole 34a ... Cooling medium inlet communication hole 34b ... Cooling medium outlet communication hole 36, 58 ... Fuel gas flow path 44 ... Cooling medium flow path 50, 66 ... Oxidant gas flow path 74, 76, 78 ... Seal member 80a ... Inlet side first connection flow path part 80b, 102b, 112b ... Outlet side first connection flow path part 82a ... Outer supply hole Portion 82b ... Inner supply hole 84a, 92a ... Back side communication passages 84b, 92b, 97a, 97b, 116 ... Communication passage 86a ... Inlet side continuous flow path 86b ... Outlet side communication Secondary flow path 88a, 88b, 104, 114 ... partition part 90a ... outer discharge hole part 90b ... inner discharge hole part

Claims (4)

An electrolyte membrane / electrode structure provided with a pair of electrodes on both sides of the electrolyte membrane and a separator are stacked, a reaction gas flow path for supplying a reaction gas along the electrode surface, and a reaction for flowing the reaction gas in the stacking direction A fuel cell in which a gas communication hole is formed and a connection flow path portion that connects the reaction gas flow path and the reaction gas communication hole is provided,
The connection channel portion passes through one separator, and a plurality of first openings that allow the reaction gas to pass through in proximity to the reaction gas communication hole,
A plurality of second openings that pass through the one separator and pass the reaction gas in proximity to the reaction gas flow path;
A plurality of communication passages for communicating the first opening and the second opening;
A partition for individually communicating each communication path with each first opening and each second opening and forming a plurality of independent continuous channels;
A fuel cell comprising: The fuel cell according to claim 1, further comprising a seal member that integrally surrounds the plurality of communication passages to form a closed space,
The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the partition portion is integrally formed with the seal member. The fuel cell according to claim 1, further comprising a seal member that integrally surrounds the plurality of communication passages to form a closed space,
The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the partition portion is individually mounted in the closed space. 4. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the connection channel portion is formed on a separator surface opposite to the communication path, and the reaction gas communication hole and the plurality of first openings are formed. A plurality of back side communication passages that communicate with each other,
The plurality of continuous flow paths are configured to be continuous from the second opening, the communication path, the first opening, and the back-side communication path to the reaction gas communication hole and independently of each other. Fuel cell.

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