JP2011146160A - Fuel-cell stack and fuel-cell vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel-cell stack that achieves improvement in strength of a casing storing a fuel-cell laminate, and a fuel-cell vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: The fuel-cell stack 20 includes a fuel-cell laminate 40 formed by vertically laminating a plurality of fuel cells 41, each comprising an anode electrode and a cathode electrode respectively arranged on each of both sides of an electrolyte membrane and a separator arranged outside thereof, a first casing 60 covering the fuel-cell laminate, and a cell-voltage detector 30 for detecting a cell voltage of each fuel cell. The fuel cell includes a wiring 70 for detecting the cell voltage. The side face 60a of the first casing has an opening 71 formed along the lamination direction of the fuel-cell laminate to allow the wiring to pass therethrough. The opening is covered by a second casing 80 storing the cell-voltage detector to be connected with the wiring. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell stack and a fuel cell vehicle.

  In a conventional general fuel cell stack, a plurality of unit cells are stacked, and a fuel cell stack electrically connected in series with each other is interposed between a set of end plates. The end plates are fastened together by a fastening member such as a tie rod, and by this fastening, the fuel cell stack and one set of end plates are held under pressure. And this fuel cell laminated body is installed in the desired position in the state accommodated in the housing | casing (for example, refer patent document 1).

  The unit cell includes a membrane electrode structure configured by providing an anode electrode and a cathode electrode on both sides of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and a pair of separators that sandwich the membrane electrode structure. A first gas flow path for supplying and discharging fuel gas (for example, hydrogen gas) to the anode electrode is provided on the surface of the separator that faces the anode electrode. A second gas flow path for supplying and discharging an oxidant gas (for example, air) to the cathode electrode is provided.

  When the fuel cell stack configured as described above is operated, hydrogen gas supplied to the anode electrode is ionized on the electrode catalyst layer constituting the anode electrode, and as a result, hydrogen ions and electrons are generated. Among these, hydrogen ions move to the cathode electrode side through the electrolyte membrane. During this time, electrons are taken out to an external circuit and used as a direct current electric energy before reaching the cathode electrode.

  Since air is supplied to the cathode electrode, hydrogen ions, electrons, and oxygen in the air react to generate water at the cathode electrode.

This type of fuel cell stack is mounted on the body of an automobile, for example. In this case, by driving the motor with the electric energy generated by the above-described electrochemical reaction, the chemical energy is converted into mechanical energy, whereby the automobile can run. As described above, a vehicle that travels using a fuel cell stack as a driving source, a so-called fuel cell vehicle, does not emit CO _{2 that} causes global warming, NOx or SOx that is an air pollutant, hydrocarbon gas, and the like. It is attracting attention as something that can make a significant contribution to protection.

  By the way, when the fuel cell stack is mounted on the body of a fuel cell vehicle, the fuel cell stack is conventionally mounted between the left and right front seats. Specifically, a fuel cell vehicle has a floor panel that extends from the front of the vehicle body to the rear of the vehicle body. A floor tunnel that bulges upward between the left and right front seats and rear seats is provided on the floor panel. Further, a center console is formed between the left and right front seats in the floor tunnel, extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and bulging upward, and the fuel cell stack is accommodated in the center console. .

  As described above, when the fuel cell stack is mounted between the left and right front seats, the capacity of the passenger compartment is reduced. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the vehicle width in order to ensure the capacity of the passenger compartment. Therefore, there exists a problem that a vehicle body will enlarge.

  Therefore, in order to solve this problem, a technique for mounting the fuel cell stack in a motor room in front of the vehicle body (corresponding to an engine room of a gasoline vehicle) has been studied.

JP 2003-123828 A

Here, when the fuel cell stack is mounted in the motor room, it is necessary to consider collision safety more than ever. In particular, it is necessary to prevent the fuel cell stack from being damaged by the deformation of the housing that houses the fuel cell stack. In other words, it is necessary to improve the strength of the casing. However, since the wiring is connected between the fuel cell stack and the cell voltage detection device (ECU) that monitors the cell voltage, the wiring is allowed to pass through. Therefore, there is a limit to improving the strength of the housing.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a fuel cell stack and a fuel cell vehicle capable of improving the strength of a housing that accommodates a fuel cell stack.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention described in claim 1 includes an anode electrode (for example, the anode electrode 43 in the embodiment) and a cathode electrode (for example, the anode film 43 in the embodiment) on both sides of an electrolyte film (for example, the electrolyte film 42 in the embodiment). The fuel cell (for example, the unit cell 41 in the embodiment) in which the cathode electrode 44) in the embodiment is disposed and the separator (for example, the separators 48a and 48b in the embodiment) is disposed on the outer side thereof is vertically arranged. A plurality of stacked fuel cell stacks (for example, the fuel cell stack 40 in the embodiment), a first housing (for example, the enclosure 60 in the embodiment) that covers the fuel cell stack, and a cell voltage of the fuel cell A cell voltage detection device (e.g., ECU 30 in the embodiment) for detecting a fuel cell stack (e.g., In the fuel cell stack 20 in the embodiment, the fuel cell is provided with a wiring for detecting a cell voltage (for example, the wiring 70 in the embodiment), and the side surface of the first housing (for example, in the embodiment). In the side surface 60a), an opening (for example, the opening 71 in the embodiment) for allowing the wiring to pass therethrough is formed along the stacking direction of the fuel cell stack, and the opening is connected to the wiring. The cell voltage detection device is covered by a second housing (for example, the ECU case 80 in the embodiment).

  The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that the wiring is constructed in a substantially U shape having a slack between the fuel battery cell and the cell voltage detection device.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of the fuel cell stacks are arranged in parallel in the first casing, and the plurality of fuel cell stacks are arranged on the same side surface of the first casing. A plurality of corresponding openings are formed.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the fuel cell stack according to any one of the first to third aspects includes an electric motor room (for example, an embodiment) in which an electric motor in front of the vehicle (for example, the drive motor 12 in the embodiment) is disposed. In the motor room 10), and the opening is located on the rear side of the vehicle.

  According to the invention described in claim 1, the second casing in which the cell voltage detection device is accommodated is arranged so as to close the opening formed in the first casing in which the fuel cell stack is accommodated. The strength of the first housing can be improved. In addition, since the cell voltage detection device can be arranged so as to face the opening of the first housing, it is possible to facilitate wiring.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the wiring and the cell voltage detection device are connected, there is a margin in the length of the wiring, so that the connection can be easily made. Further, even if the positions of the fuel cell stack and the cell voltage detection device are moved after the wiring is connected, the wiring can be prevented from being cut because the wiring has a margin.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, since the plurality of fuel cell stacks are accommodated in the first housing, the output value of the fuel cell stack can be improved.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is easy to secure the volume of the passenger compartment by installing the fuel cell stack in the electric motor compartment in front of the vehicle. Therefore, in the case of a fuel cell vehicle having a vehicle width similar to that of the conventional vehicle, it is possible to secure a large volume of the vehicle compartment. Can be reduced. That is, the degree of freedom of the vehicle size of the fuel cell vehicle can be improved. Moreover, since it installed so that the opening part of a 1st housing | casing may be located in the vehicle rear side, it can suppress that a cell voltage detection apparatus receives damage by a collision.

1 is a schematic side view of a fuel cell vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic front view of a fuel cell vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective view (1) of the fuel cell stack in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective view (2) of the fuel cell stack in embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the unit cell in embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of ECU case and ECU in an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a fuel cell stack in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a partial horizontal sectional view (state before connection of an enclosure and ECU case) of a fuel cell stack in an embodiment of the present invention.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, a description will be given of a case where the fuel cell stack according to the present invention is employed in a fuel cell vehicle.
In addition, the definition which shows the attachment direction and position of each apparatus in this embodiment shall define a right direction and a left direction toward a vehicle advancing direction by making a vehicle advancing direction ahead.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fuel cell vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment has a fuel cell stack 20 that generates power by an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen mounted in a motor room (motor room) 10 in front of the vehicle body. Therefore, the vehicle travels by driving a drive motor (electric motor) 12 with electric power generated by the fuel cell. The fuel cell is a well-known polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) formed by laminating a large number of unit fuel cells (fuel cells), supplying hydrogen gas as a fuel gas to the anode side, and supplying to the cathode side By supplying air containing oxygen as an oxidant gas, electric power is generated by an electrochemical reaction and water is generated.

  In the fuel cell vehicle 1 of this embodiment, a motor room 10 is formed in front of the vehicle body. In the motor room 10, a fuel cell stack 20, a compressor 11 that supplies air to the fuel cell stack 20, and a driving motor 12 for traveling are arranged. Specifically, the fuel cell stack 20 is disposed on the right side of the vehicle, and the drive motor 12 and the compressor 11 are disposed on the left side of the vehicle. The fuel cell stack 20 is equipped with a cell voltage detection device (hereinafter referred to as ECU) 30 that manages the output of the fuel cell stack 20 (which will be described in detail later). In addition, a hydrogen tank 17 and a storage battery 18 that store hydrogen as fuel of the fuel cell stack 20 are disposed at the rear of the vehicle body.

  As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the fuel cell stack 20 includes a fuel cell stack 40 in which a plurality of unit cells (fuel cell) 41 are stacked in the vertical direction (downward is the direction of gravity), and the fuel cell stack 40. An enclosure (first housing) 60 formed so as to surround the ECU and an ECU 30 installed on the vehicle rear side of the fuel cell stack 40 are provided. In the present embodiment, two fuel cell stacks 40 are arranged in parallel in the enclosure 60, and the ECU 30 is individually provided in each fuel cell stack 40.

  The fuel cell stack 40 is configured such that a predetermined number of unit cells 41 are electrically connected in series with each other and stacked in the vertical direction. The two fuel cell stacks 40 are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction, preferably in parallel.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the unit cell 41 includes an electrode film structure 45 formed by arranging an anode electrode 43 and a cathode electrode 44 on both sides of an electrolyte film 42. The electrolyte membrane 42 is selected from a hydrogen ion conductor such as a perfluorosulfonic acid thin film impregnated with water.

  The anode electrode 43 and the cathode electrode 44 are formed by uniformly applying a gas diffusion layer (not shown) made of carbon cloth or the like and porous carbon particles carrying a platinum alloy on the surface thereof to the surface of the gas diffusion layer. Each has an electrode catalyst layer (not shown), and is joined to the electrolyte membrane 42 so that the electrode catalyst layers face each other with the electrolyte membrane 42 therebetween. The electrolyte membrane 42 is housed and held in the opening of the frame-shaped seal member 46, and the cathode electrode 44 or the anode electrode 43 is housed and held in the openings of the gaskets 47a and 47b. The unit cell 41 is configured by sandwiching the gaskets 47a and 47b and the frame-shaped seal member 46 holding the electrode film structure 45 between a pair of separators 48a and 48b. The separators 48a and 48b are formed by, for example, press-molding a metal conductive plate into a corrugated plate shape or injection-molding a mixture of carbon particles and a resin material.

  A first gas passage 49 for supplying and discharging a hydrogen-containing gas to and from the anode electrode 43 is provided on the surface of the separators 48 a and 48 b facing the anode electrode 43. Similarly, a second gas flow path 50 for supplying and discharging oxygen-containing gas to and from the cathode electrode 44 is provided on the surface facing the cathode electrode 44.

  Further, the separators 48a and 48b, the gaskets 47a and 47b, and the frame-shaped seal member 46 are provided with a first gas inlet passage 51 for allowing a hydrogen-containing gas to pass through the lower right corner in FIG. At the diagonal position, a first gas outlet passage 52 for allowing unreacted hydrogen-containing gas to pass therethrough is provided. Similarly, in FIG. 5, a second gas inlet passage 53 for allowing oxygen-containing gas to pass through is provided at the lower left corner, and at the diagonal position, unreacted oxygen-containing gas is allowed to pass. A second gas outlet passage 54 is provided. The first gas inlet passage 51 and the first gas outlet passage 52 are both in communication with the first gas flow path 49, while the second gas inlet passage 53 and the second gas outlet passage 54 are both in the second gas flow path. It communicates with the road 50.

  Further, the separators 48a and 48b, the gaskets 47a and 47b, and the frame-shaped seal member 46 are provided between the first gas inlet passage 51 and the second gas outlet passage 54 and between the second gas inlet passage 53 and the first gas outlet. Cooling water passages 55a and 55b are provided between the passage 52 and the passage 52, respectively. Further, in the separators 48a and 48b, an output terminal 56 for cell voltage detection is integrally extended from the left and right lower edges in FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, in the fuel cell stack 40, current collecting electrodes 70 a and 70 b are respectively provided in the unit cells 41 and 41 located at both outermost ends (upper and lower ends) in the stacking direction of the unit cells 41. Electrically connected. Further, an upper end plate 72 is disposed outside (on the upper side) of the current collecting electrode 70a via an insulating plate 71a for preventing leakage, and on the outer side (lower side) of the current collecting electrode 70b. A lower end plate 73 is arranged via an insulating plate 71b for prevention.

  Further, the first gas inlet passage 51, the first gas outlet passage 52, the second gas inlet passage 53, the second gas outlet passage 54, and the cooling water passage are provided in the current collecting electrode 70 b and the insulating plate 71 b on the lower side in the stacking direction. 55a and 55b are respectively formed.

  The upper end plate 72 and the lower end plate 73 are plate-like members having a thickness formed of a metal such as iron or aluminum, and the fuel cell stack is interposed between the upper end plate 72 and the lower end plate 73. The body 40 is sandwiched and supported and fixed.

  The lower end plate 73 is configured as an end plate that is commonly used for the two fuel cell stacks 40 and 40. A screw hole (not shown) for connecting to the flange portion 61 of the enclosure 60 is appropriately formed in the upper surface 73a of the lower end plate 73.

  The lower end plate 73 includes a first gas inlet passage 51, a first gas outlet passage 52, a second gas inlet passage 53, a second gas outlet passage 54, and cooling water passages 55a and 55b. Yes. That is, a pipe (not shown) through which the hydrogen-containing gas, the oxygen-containing gas, and the cooling water flow is connected to the lower side of the fuel cell stack 40.

  A hydrogen-containing gas supply source and an oxygen-containing gas supply source (both not shown) are connected to the first and second gas inlet passages 51 and 53, respectively, and a gas is supplied to the first and second gas outlet passages 52 and 54, respectively. A recovery mechanism (not shown) is connected to each other. Further, a cooling water supply source (not shown) is connected to the cooling water passage 55a, and a cooling water recovery mechanism (not shown) is connected to the cooling water passage 55b.

  The hydrogen-containing gas supplied from the hydrogen-containing gas supply source to the first gas inlet passage 51 is supplied to the anode electrode 43 via the first gas flow path 49 of each unit cell 41 and used for power generation. Unreacted hydrogen-containing gas is discharged from the first gas flow path 49 to the first gas outlet passage 52.

  On the other hand, the oxygen-containing gas supplied from the oxygen-containing gas supply source to the second gas inlet □ passage 53 is supplied to the cathode electrode 44 through the second gas channel 50 of each unit cell 41, react. Then, the unreacted oxygen-containing gas and generated water are discharged from the second gas passage 50 to the second gas outlet passage 54.

  The cooling water supplied from the cooling water supply source to the cooling water passage 55a is discharged to the cooling water passage 55b through the cooling water passage of each unit cell 41. As a result, the fuel cell stack 20 that rises in temperature due to power generation is cooled so as not to exceed a predetermined temperature.

  The two fuel cell stacks 40, 40 configured in this way are arranged in parallel on the lower end plate 73. At this time, the respective passages formed in the lower end plate 73 and the respective passages formed in the fuel cell stack 40 are arranged at the same position.

  Subsequently, an enclosure 60 is provided so as to cover the fuel cell stacks 40, 40. The enclosure 60 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom surface opened entirely. At the lower end of the enclosure 60, a flange portion 61 is formed over the entire circumference, and is configured to be connectable using a lower end plate 73 and screws (not shown). Further, on one side surface 60a of the enclosure 60, an opening 71 for allowing the output terminal 56 formed on the separators 48a and 48b of the unit cell 41 and the wiring 70 connecting between the ECU 30 to pass therethrough is provided for each fuel. Two are formed so as to correspond to the battery stack 40. In addition, it arrange | positions so that the side surface 60a in which the opening part 71 was formed may face the vehicle rear side.

  As shown in FIG. 6, an ECU case 80 containing the ECU 30 is attached to the openings 71 and 71 formed in the enclosure 60. The ECU case 80 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape in which only a surface facing the opening 71 is opened. An inner flange portion 82 is formed on the opening surface 81 facing the opening portion 71 over substantially the entire circumference. For example, the sealing performance between the enclosure 60 and the ECU case 80 can be improved by providing a sealing material made of an elastic material along the inner flange portion 82.

  Further, a wiring 83 is extended from the ECU 30 accommodated in the ECU case 80, and a socket 70a provided at the end of the wiring 70 extended from the output terminal 56 of the separators 48a and 48b is provided at the other end. A connection terminal 85 connected to (see FIG. 8) is provided. Further, a socket portion 86 is formed on the outer surface 80a of the ECU case 80, to which a wiring (not shown) for transmitting a signal from the ECU 30 to a main control device (not shown) of the fuel cell vehicle 1 is connected.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the wiring 70 has a slack between the output terminal 56 formed on the side adjacent to the side facing the opening 71 in the unit cell 41 and the connection terminal 85 of the ECU 30. It is built in. That is, the U-shaped portion 70 b is formed in the wiring 70. By configuring the wiring 70 in this way, when the wiring 70 and the ECU 30 are connected, there is a margin in the length of the wiring 70, so that the connection can be easily made. Even if the positions of the fuel cell stack 40 and the ECU 30 are displaced after the wiring is connected, the wiring 70 can be prevented from being cut because the wiring 70 has a sufficient length.

  Further, the ECU case 80 is configured to be connectable with the enclosure 60 and screws 88 and the like, and screw holes 89 and 63 are formed in the ECU case 80 and the enclosure 60 at positions corresponding to the appropriate cases.

  According to this embodiment, since the ECU case 80 in which the ECU 30 is accommodated is arranged so as to close the opening 71 formed in the enclosure 60 in which the fuel cell stack 40 is accommodated, the strength of the enclosure 60 is improved. Can do. Further, since the ECU 30 can be arranged so as to face the opening 71 of the enclosure 60, the wiring 70 can be easily routed.

  Further, when connecting the wiring 70 and the ECU 30, the wiring 70 has a sufficient length, so that the connection work can be easily performed. Even if the positions of the fuel cell stack 40 and the ECU 30 are displaced after the wiring is connected, the wiring 70 can be prevented from being cut because the wiring 70 has a sufficient length.

  Furthermore, since two fuel cell stacks 40 are accommodated in the enclosure 60, the output value of the fuel cell stack 20 can be improved. Furthermore, the output voltage can be increased by electrically connecting the two fuel cell stacks 40 in series.

  And it becomes easy to ensure the volume of a vehicle interior by installing the fuel cell stack 20 in the motor room 10 ahead of the vehicle. Therefore, in the case of a fuel cell vehicle having a vehicle width similar to that of the conventional vehicle, it is possible to secure a large volume of the vehicle compartment. Can be reduced. That is, the degree of freedom of the vehicle size of the fuel cell vehicle 1 can be improved.

  In addition, since the fuel cell stack 20 is installed in the motor room 10 so that the opening 71 of the enclosure 60 is located on the rear side of the vehicle, the ECU 30 can be prevented from being damaged by a collision in front of the vehicle.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and includes various modifications made to the above-described embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention. That is, the specific structure and shape described in the embodiment are merely examples, and can be changed as appropriate.
For example, in this embodiment, the fuel cell stack is disposed on the right side of the vehicle in the motor room and the drive motor is disposed on the left side of the vehicle. However, the arrangement may be reversed, and the front and rear direction (for example, the fuel cell) The stack may be arranged on the vehicle front side of the motor room, and the drive motor on the vehicle rear side).
Further, in this embodiment, the case where two fuel cell stacks are arranged in parallel has been described. However, only one fuel cell stack may be arranged, or three or more fuel cell stacks may be arranged. There may be.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Fuel cell vehicle 10 ... Motor room (electric motor room) 12 ... Drive motor (electric motor) 20 ... Fuel cell stack 30 ... ECU (cell voltage detection apparatus) 40 ... Fuel cell laminated body 41 ... Unit cell (fuel cell) 42 ... Electrolyte membrane 43 ... Anode electrode 44 ... Cathode electrodes 48a, 48b ... Separator 60 ... Enclosure (first housing) 60a ... Side 70 ... Wiring 71 ... Opening 80 ... ECU case (second housing)

Claims (4)

A fuel cell stack in which anode cells and cathode electrodes are arranged on both sides of the electrolyte membrane, and a plurality of fuel cells each having a separator disposed outside thereof are stacked in the vertical direction;
A first housing covering the fuel cell stack;
In a fuel cell stack comprising a cell voltage detection device that detects a cell voltage of the fuel cell,
The fuel cell is provided with a wiring for detecting a cell voltage,
An opening for passing the wiring is formed in a side surface of the first housing along a stacking direction of the fuel cell stack,
The fuel cell stack, wherein the opening is covered with a second casing in which the cell voltage detection device to which the wiring is connected is accommodated.   2. The fuel cell stack according to claim 1, wherein the wiring is provided in a substantially U shape having a slack between the fuel battery cell and the cell voltage detection device. In the first housing, a plurality of the fuel cell stacks are arranged in parallel,
3. The fuel cell stack according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the openings corresponding to the plurality of fuel cell stacks are formed on the same side surface of the first casing. 4. The fuel cell stack according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A fuel cell vehicle, wherein the fuel cell vehicle is installed in an electric motor room where an electric motor in front of the vehicle is arranged and the opening is positioned on the rear side of the vehicle.

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