JP2012064384A - Fuel cell and fuel cell system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To apply a sufficient pressing force to the entire region of a gas diffusion layer by applying a sufficient pressure to a cathode side collector plate and an anode side collector plate.SOLUTION: A fuel cell contains a high stress part 25 for preventing in-plane displacements of a cathode side collector plate 21 and an anode side collector plate 22 when the cathode side collector plate 21 and the anode side collector plate 22 are fixed to a cathode body and an anode body sandwiching an electrolyte membrane. By applying a sufficient pressure to the cathode side collector plate 21 and the anode side collector plate 22 with the high stress part 25, a sufficient pressing force is applied to a gas diffusion layer on the electrolyte membrane side.

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell and a fuel cell device including a fuel storage source.

  The fuel cell has a solid polymer electrolyte membrane provided with a cathode side catalyst and an anode side catalyst on both sides of the electrolyte member, and a cathode side current collector plate and an anode side current collector plate on both sides of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane Is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). A gas diffusion layer made of a conductive fibrous member is interposed between the cathode side catalyst and the anode side catalyst and the cathode side current collecting plate and the anode side current collecting plate.

  The solid polymer electrolyte membrane sandwiched between the cathode side current collector plate and the anode side current collector plate is fixed by the cathode body to which the cathode fluid is supplied and the anode body to which the fuel is supplied to form one cell. . A single cell or a plurality of stacked cells are sandwiched between end plates, and a fuel cell is formed by fixing the end plates together.

  In the fuel cell described above, an oxidant gas containing oxygen such as air is supplied from the cathode body to the cathode side catalyst, and fuel is supplied from the anode body to the anode side catalyst. By supplying the oxidant gas and the fuel, electric power is generated by an electrochemical reaction in the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. As the fuel, hydrogen gas, methanol, or an aqueous solution of a borohydride compound is applied.

  In the conventionally proposed fuel cell, one fuel cell is configured by fastening the periphery of the end plate. For this reason, the central portion of the end plates is curved inward so that the cells are uniformly clamped in the plane, and sufficient pressure is applied to the current collector plates when the end plates are fastened together.

  The cells are uniformly clamped in the plane, and sufficient pressure is applied to the current collector plate, so that a sufficient pressing force can be applied to the entire power generation plane, and the power generation performance in the plane becomes uniform, and the air And leakage of hydrogen can be prevented, and a stable conductive state can be obtained. For this reason, it is possible to maintain the power generation efficiency and prevent the fuel cell from being damaged, thereby extending the battery life.

  In particular, in a structure in which a gas diffusion layer is interposed between the cathode side catalyst and the anode side catalyst and the cathode side current collector plate and the anode side current collector plate, sufficient pressure can be applied to the current collector plate, and sufficient compression can be achieved. The conductivity is improved by applying a load to the gas diffusion layer. Therefore, when the cells are uniformly clamped in the plane, the role of the electrode can be efficiently performed, and the power generation efficiency can be further improved.

  However, because the structure is such that the pressing force is adjusted by the end plate, when a plurality of cells are stacked, the greater the number of stacked cells, the more the center side cell cannot be pressed, and the current collector plate It was the present situation that there was variation in the pressure state.

  A fuel cell in which a solid polymer electrolyte membrane is sandwiched between a cathode-side current collector plate and an anode-side current collector plate, and the cathode-side current collector plate and the anode-side current collector plate are fixed by the cathode body and the anode body. It is known that a space is provided between the body and the anode current collector for discharging impurities (nitrogen, etc.) in water and air generated by an electrochemical reaction.

  In such a fuel cell, even if the pressing force is adjusted by the end plate, since there is a space, the cathode side current collecting plate and the anode side current collecting plate cannot be evenly pressurized. Even if a structure in which the central portion is curved inward is employed, an appropriate pressing force cannot be applied to the central portion.

JP 2009-163907 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and applies a sufficient pressing force to the entire power generation surface by applying a sufficient pressing force to the current collector plate within the surface of the cell, regardless of the cell structure or the stacking condition. An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell capable of performing

  In addition, the present invention has been made in view of the above situation. Regardless of the structure of the cell or the state of lamination, the present invention provides a sufficient pressing force to the entire power generation surface by applying sufficient pressure to the current collector plate within the cell plane. An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell device including a fuel cell that can be applied.

  In order to achieve the above object, a fuel cell of the present invention according to claim 1 includes an electrolyte membrane that generates power by an electrochemical reaction, and a cathode-side collector disposed on a cathode surface side of the electrolyte membrane and fixed to a cathode body. An electrode plate, an anode current collector disposed on the anode surface side of the electrolyte membrane and fixed to the anode body, a cathode current collector plate and an anode current collector sandwiching the electrolyte membrane, the cathode body and And a support portion that prevents in-plane displacement of at least one of the cathode-side current collector plate and the anode-side current collector plate when fixed to the anode body.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the cathode-side current collector plate and the anode-side current collector plate are fixed to the cathode body and the anode body with the electrolyte membrane interposed therebetween, sufficient support is applied to at least one current collector plate by the support portion. A pressure is applied, and a pressing force to the electrolyte membrane side by the current collector plate can be sufficiently applied.

  As a result, it becomes possible to apply a sufficient pressing force to the entire power generation surface by applying a sufficient pressing force to the current collector plate within the surface of the cell, regardless of the cell structure or stacking condition.

  The fuel cell of the present invention according to claim 2 is the fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the support portion has a bending stress applied to at least one of the cathode-side current collector plate and the anode-side current collector plate. It is characterized in that high high stress portions are continuously formed in the surface direction.

  In the present invention according to claim 2, since the high stress portion is continuously formed in the plane direction, the current collector plate is prevented from being displaced at the high stress portion, and the current collector plate is fixed to the cathode body and the anode body. When this is done, a sufficient pressing force can be applied to the electrolyte membrane side by the current collector plate.

  The fuel cell of the present invention according to claim 3 is the fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein an opening is provided in at least one of the cathode-side current collector plate and the anode-side current collector plate, and the high-stress part And the other parts are characterized by having different porosity of the opening.

  In the present invention according to claim 3, by providing openings having different porosity, a range of a portion having a relatively low porosity can be set as a high stress portion.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the fuel cell according to the third aspect, wherein the opening includes a first opening and a second opening having a smaller porosity than the first opening. The portion where the second opening is formed is formed by extending in a band shape, so that the portion where the second opening is formed is the high stress portion.

  In this invention which concerns on Claim 4, a high stress site | part can be distribute | arranged in strip | belt shape by extending | stretching and forming the site | part of 2nd opening with a small porosity.

  The fuel cell of the present invention according to claim 5 is the fuel cell according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the high-stress portion includes the cathode-side current collector plate and the anode-side current collector. It is formed in the site | part containing the part fixed to the said cathode body or the said anode body of at least one of an electroplate.

  In the present invention according to claim 5, since the high-stress part includes the part fixed to the cathode body or the anode body, the high-stress part can be supported by the fixed part, and displacement of the current collector plate itself is reliably prevented. be able to.

  The fuel cell of the present invention according to claim 6 is the fuel cell according to claim 5, wherein the high stress portion is the cathode of at least one of the cathode side current collector plate and the anode side current collector plate. It is formed over a plurality of places fixed to the body or the anode body.

  In the present invention according to claim 6, since the high-stress part includes a plurality of parts fixed to the cathode body or the anode body, the high-stress part can be supported by the plurality of fixed parts, and the current collector plate itself Displacement can be prevented more reliably.

  The fuel cell of the present invention according to claim 7 is the fuel cell according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the fuel cell is between the cathode body side and the cathode current collector plate, and the anode body side. A boss that supports a high-stress part having a high bending stress is provided between at least one of the anode-side current collector plates.

  The fuel cell of the present invention according to claim 8 is the fuel cell according to claim 7, wherein the boss is between the cathode body side and the cathode side current collector plate, and between the anode body side and the anode side current collector. It is provided in the opposing position between plates, respectively.

  In the present invention according to claims 7 and 8, even if the current collecting plate has a large area, the displacement can be uniformly prevented.

  The fuel cell of the present invention according to claim 9 is the fuel cell according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein at least one of the cathode-side current collector plate and the anode-side current collector plate is When the cathode side current collector plate and the anode side current collector plate are fixed to the cathode body and the anode body, the cathode side current collector plate and the anode side current collector plate are formed of curved leaf springs. At least one of these is held in a state in which in-plane deformation is prevented against the spring force.

  A fuel cell of the present invention according to claim 10 is the fuel cell according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein at least one of the cathode-side current collector plate and the anode-side current collector plate is provided. A bulging portion is provided on the surface facing the electrolyte membrane, and when the cathode side current collector plate and the anode side current collector plate are fixed to the cathode body and the anode body, the cathode side current collector plate and the At least one of the bulging portions of the anode-side current collector plate is relatively displaced toward the side away from the electrolyte membrane, and is held in a state where displacement in the surface direction is prevented.

  In the present invention according to claim 9 and claim 10, when the current collector plate is fixed to the cathode body and the anode body, the current collector plate is relative to the surface before the surface in contact with the electrolyte membrane is fixed. It is made the state displaced to the shape close | similar to a plane.

  The fuel cell of the present invention according to claim 11 is the fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the fuel cell is disposed between the electrolyte membrane and the cathode current collector plate, and A fluid diffusion layer member made of conductive fibers is provided between the electrolyte membrane and the anode current collector.

  In the present invention according to claim 11, a sufficient pressing force is applied to the current collector plate in the plane of the cell, and the pressing force of the current collector plate against the fluid diffusion layer member is sufficient to apply a sufficient pressing force to the entire power generation surface. It becomes possible.

  In order to achieve the above object, a fuel cell device according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the fuel cell according to the eleventh aspect, fuel storage means for storing fuel used for power generation of the fuel cell, and the fuel storage. And a fuel supply system for connecting between the anode surface of the electrolyte membrane of the fuel cell and the anode body.

  In the present invention according to claim 12, a fuel cell capable of applying a sufficient pressing force to the entire power generation surface by applying a sufficient pressing force to the current collector plate within the surface of the cell regardless of the cell structure or the stacking condition. It becomes a fuel cell device provided with.

  The fuel cell of the present invention can apply a sufficient pressing force to the entire power generation surface by applying a sufficient pressing force to the current collector plate within the surface of the cell, regardless of the cell structure or the stacking condition.

  Further, the fuel cell device of the present invention is a fuel that can apply a sufficient pressing force to the entire power generation surface by applying a sufficient pressing force to the current collector plate within the surface of the cell, regardless of the structure of the cell or the stacking condition. A fuel cell device including a battery is obtained.

1 is an overall schematic configuration diagram of a fuel cell device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a whole block diagram showing the external appearance of a fuel cell. It is a disassembled perspective view of a fuel cell. It is sectional drawing of a fuel cell. It is a top view of a current collecting plate. It is a top view of a current collecting plate. It is a top view of a current collecting plate. It is a top view of a current collecting plate. It is a top view of a current collecting plate. It is a top view of a current collecting plate. It is sectional drawing of a fuel cell. It is a top view of a current collecting plate. It is sectional drawing of a fuel cell.

  An embodiment of the fuel cell device will be described with reference to FIGS.

  1 is a schematic configuration of an entire fuel cell apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an overall configuration showing the appearance of the fuel cell, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the fuel cell, and FIG. A cross-sectional view of the battery is shown. The fuel cell shown in FIG. 2 is an example in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked to form a single stack, but FIGS. 3 and 4 show a fuel cell having one battery cell for convenience of explanation. The state is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell device 1 includes a fuel cell 2 including a power generation cell, and a fuel storage source 3 as a fuel storage unit that stores fuel supplied to the anode side of the fuel cell 2. . As the fuel, hydrogen gas, methanol, or an aqueous solution of a borohydride compound can be used. As the fuel storage source 3, one having a function of generating hydrogen inside or one storing hydrogen from outside can be applied.

  The fuel storage source 3 is connected to the fuel cell 2 by a fuel supply system 4. As will be described in detail later, fuel is supplied between the anode surface of the electrolyte membrane of the fuel cell 2 and the anode body. The fuel cell device 1 is provided with a control circuit 5 that controls the power generation status of the fuel cell 2 and the output status of the generated power. The fuel cell device 1 is connected to a device 6 to be used via the control circuit 5.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the fuel cell 2 is configured as a single stack by fixing a plurality of battery cells 11 between a pair of support plates 12. That is, a plurality of battery cells 11 are stacked, and support plates 12 are arranged above and below the stacked battery cells 11. The support plates 12 are fastened and fixed by fastening members 13 (for example, bolts, rivets, metal belts, etc.), and the plurality of stacked battery cells 11 are sandwiched and held between the pair of support plates 12.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the battery cell 11 is configured by disposing a solid polymer film 17 as an electrolyte film between a cathode body 15 and an anode body 16. Gas diffusion layers 18 are disposed on both sides of the solid polymer film 17. A cathode side current collector plate 21 is provided between the gas diffusion layer 18 and the cathode body 15, and an anode side current collector plate 22 is provided between the gas diffusion layer 18 and the anode body 16.

  The cathode body 15 is arranged to fix the peripheral portion of the cathode-side current collector plate 21 and supply air (oxidant: oxygen) to the cathode side of the solid polymer film 17. On the side surface of the cathode body 15, a hole for supplying oxygen to the cathode surface of the solid polymer film 17 is formed. The cathode body 15 may have a closed structure having only an inlet and an outlet to which an oxidant is supplied and a structure in which the oxidant is supplied using a fan or a pump.

  The anode body 16 has a space at the center and fixes the peripheral edge of the anode current collector plate 22. That is, the chamber structure is configured to supply only the fuel to the anode space, and the fuel is uniformly distributed to the anode side of the solid polymer film 17. Furthermore, a space for transferring impurities such as nitrogen and water is secured. Moreover, the anode body 16 is provided with a sealing means on the contact surface with the solid polymer film 17 at the periphery in order to shut off the anode space and the external atmosphere.

  For example, a catalyst typified by platinum, ruthenium, and cobalt is supported on both surfaces of the solid polymer film 17, and the side to which the oxidizing agent is supplied serves as a cathode, and the side to which fuel is supplied serves as an anode. The gas diffusion layer 18 is made of carbon fiber and diffuses the fluid in a state that does not hinder the flow of the fluid (fuel, oxidant). The gas diffusion layer 18 can move electrons by contacting the catalyst layer of the solid polymer film 17.

  Further, the cathode side current collecting plate 21 and the anode side current collecting plate 22 collect current by being in contact with the gas diffusion layer 18. Since the gas diffusion layer 18 has a higher electrical resistance in the plane direction than that of a metal conductive material and restricts movement of the electrons in the plane direction, the cathode-side current collector plate 21 and An anode side current collecting plate 22 is used.

  Moreover, the cathode side current collecting plate 21 and the anode side current collecting plate 22 have a porous structure so as not to hinder the supply of the oxidant and fuel to the catalyst layer of the solid polymer film 17. As the cathode side current collecting plate 21 and the anode side current collecting plate 22, a metal plate having a plurality of holes, or a conductive member such as a foam metal body is used.

  Since the anode side current collecting plate 22 is isolated from the outside by the anode body 16, the anode body 16 is used to energize the anode side current collecting plate 22 and the external load (the use device 6 shown in FIG. 1). In this case, a metal such as aluminum or SUS or a carbon material such as graphite is applied.

  As described above, the solid polymer film 17 having the gas diffusion layers 18 disposed on both sides is sandwiched between the cathode-side current collector plate 21 and the anode-side current collector plate 22, and the cathode-side current collector plate 21 and the anode-side current collector plate 22 is sandwiched between the cathode body 15 and the anode body 16. When the support plates 12 are fastened together, the cathode side current collector plate 21 and the anode side current collector plate 22 are fixed to the cathode body 15 and the anode body 16, and the gas diffusion layer 18 is connected to the cathode side current collector plate 21. The anode side current collecting plate 22 is sandwiched by a predetermined pressing force.

  The gas diffusion layer 18 is sandwiched between the cathode-side current collector plate 21 and the anode-side current collector plate 22 with a predetermined pressing force, that is, the cathode-side current collector plate 21 and the anode-side current collector plate 22 form the gas diffusion layer 18. By applying a compressive load, current collection is performed in a state where the electrical conductivity is kept good. The cathode side current collector plate 21 and the anode side current collector plate 22 are connected to an external terminal (not shown) (the control circuit 5 side shown in FIG. 1), and the generated power is taken out.

  As will be described in detail later, the cathode-side current collector plate 21 and the anode-side current collector plate 22 are formed with high stress portions 25 (support portions) having high bending stress in the surface direction. When the anode-side current collector plate 22 is fixed to the cathode body 15 and the anode body 16, the in-plane displacement of the cathode-side current collector plate 21 and the anode-side current collector plate 22 is prevented by the high stress portion 25. . Thereby, the cathode side current collecting plate 21 and the anode side current collecting plate 22 can be sufficiently applied with the pressing force against the gas diffusion layer 18 (the pressing force toward the solid polymer film side).

  Based on FIG. 5, the Example of the formation state of a high stress site | part is demonstrated. FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the cathode-side current collector plate 21 and the anode-side current collector plate 22, which represents an example of forming the high-stress site 25.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5A, the cathode side current collector plate 21 and the anode side current collector plate 22 are formed with a high stress portion 25 extending in a band shape toward the center. One end of the high-stress part 25 is formed at the position of the peripheral portion 10 fixed to the cathode body 15 and the anode body 16, and the other end of the high-stress part 25 is the cathode-side current collector plate 21 and the anode-side current collector plate 22. It extends to the central part.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5B, high-stress portions 25 are formed in a strip shape on the cathode-side current collector plate 21 and the anode-side current collector plate 22. One end of the high-stress part 25 is formed at the position of the peripheral part 10 fixed to the cathode body 15 and the anode body 16, and the other end of the high-stress part 25 is formed at the position of the peripheral part 10 facing. In other words, the belt-like high-stress part 25 is formed across the peripheral edge 10 facing the central part of the cathode-side current collector plate 21 and the anode-side current collector plate 22.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5C, the cathode side current collector plate 21 and the anode side current collector plate 22 are formed with high stress portions 25 extending in a strip shape along a diagonal line. One end of the high stress portion 25 is formed at the corner position of the peripheral edge portion 10 fixed to the cathode body 15 and the anode body 16, and the other end of the high stress portion 25 is located at the corner position of the peripheral edge portion 10. Is formed. That is, the belt-like high-stress part 25 extends along the diagonal line through the central part of the cathode-side current collector plate 21 and the anode-side current collector plate 22 and is formed across the corner part of the peripheral edge part 10.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5D, the high-stress part 25 is formed to extend in a strip shape along two diagonal lines. That is, the two belt-like high stress portions 25 extend along the diagonal lines through the central portions of the cathode-side current collector plate 21 and the anode-side current collector plate 22, and are formed across the corner portions of the peripheral edge portion 10. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the high-stress part 25 is formed in a strip shape on the cathode-side current collector plate 21 and the anode-side current collector plate 22, and the high-stress part 25 is formed on the part including the peripheral portion 10. The portion 25 can be supported by a fixed portion fixed to the cathode body 15 and the anode body 16, and the displacement of the cathode side current collector plate 21 and the anode side current collector plate 22 can be reliably prevented.

  In particular, as shown in FIGS. 5B, 5C, and 5D, the high-stress part 25 is formed in a strip shape over the part including the opposing peripheral edge 10, that is, the cathode body 15 and the anode body 16 Since the high-stress part 25 is formed in a strip shape over a plurality of fixed parts fixed to the substrate, the high-stress part 25 can be supported by the plurality of fixed parts, and the cathode-side current collecting plate 21 and the anode-side current collector are supported. The displacement of the plate 22 can be more reliably prevented.

  The high-stress part 25 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8 show plan views of the cathode-side current collector plate 21 and the anode-side current collector plate 22 that represent specific examples of the high-stress site 25. FIG. The specific examples shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 are specific examples of the situation shown in FIG. 5B.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a large number of second openings 31 are formed in the high-stress region 25 of the cathode-side current collector plate 21 and the anode-side current collector plate 22. A large number of first openings 32 are formed in the current collector 21 and the anode current collector 22. The first opening 32 and the second opening 31 are circular holes, and the second opening 31 has a lower porosity than the first opening 32.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, since the portion of the second opening 31 having a smaller porosity than the first opening 32 is the high stress portion 25, the range of the portion having a relatively low porosity is the bending stress. The high stress region 25 can be high. Since the second opening 31 having a low porosity is provided in the high-stress part 25 in addition to the first opening 32, the high-stress part 25 can be formed in a state where a supply path for supplying oxidant and fuel is secured.

  Further, since the high stress portion 25 is formed with openings having different porosity, there is no member in the space between the anode side current collector plate 22 and the anode body 16, so that impurities such as water and nitrogen can be discharged. The high stress portion 25 does not affect the securing of the space. In addition, although the high stress site | part 25 was formed with the opening from which a porosity differs, it is also possible to apply the 2nd opening of the same diameter as a 1st opening, and to arrange | position a 2nd opening in a low-density state.

  As shown in FIG. 7, it is also possible to form the first opening 32 and the second opening 31 with square holes. By forming the first opening 32 and the second opening 31 with square holes, the porosity can be managed accurately, and the design of the bending stress of the high stress portion 25 is facilitated.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a large number of first openings 32 are formed in the cathode-side current collector plate 21 and the anode-side current collector plate 22 other than the high-stress site 25, and the cathode-side current collector plate 21 and the anode-side current collector are formed. No opening is formed in the portion of the high stress portion 25 of the electric plate 22 (the porosity is 0).

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, since the porosity of the high stress portion 25 is zero, it is possible to reliably form a portion with extremely high bending stress, and the cathode side current collector 21 and anode The displacement of the side current collecting plate 22 is reliably prevented.

  Based on FIG. 9, an embodiment of the formation state of the high stress portion formed on the rectangular cathode side current collector plate 21 and anode side current collector plate 22 will be described. FIG. 9 shows a plan view of a rectangular cathode side current collector plate 21 and anode side current collector plate 22, which represents an example of formation of the high-stress site 25.

  In the example shown in FIG. 9A, two high-stress portions 25 are formed by extending from upper and lower corners of one short side of the peripheral portion 10 and extending in a belt shape to the peripheral portion 10 of the central portion of the long side. Has been. Further, two high stress portions 25 are formed so as to extend from the upper and lower corners of the other short side of the peripheral portion 10 to the peripheral portion 10 at the center of the long side, respectively. That is, the two high stress portions 25 shown in FIG. 5D are provided in parallel. And the intersection part 26 of the two high-stress site | parts 25 is each supported by the boss | hub mentioned later.

  In the example shown in FIG. 9B, the high-stress part 25 is formed across the peripheral parts 10 on the short side, and the three high-stress parts 25 are formed across the peripheral parts 10 on the long side. ing. Of the three high-stress sites 25 formed across the peripheral portions 10 on the long side, two high-stress sites 25 on both sides and the high stress formed over the short-side peripheral portions 10. The intersecting portion 26 of the stress portion 25 is supported by a boss described later.

  Based on FIG. 10, the high stress site | part 25 formed in the rectangular cathode side current collecting plate 21 and anode side current collecting plate 22 is demonstrated concretely. FIG. 10 shows a plan view of the cathode side current collector plate 21 and the anode side current collector plate 22, which represents a specific example of the high stress portion 25. The specific example shown in FIG. 10 is a specific example of the situation shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10, a large number of second openings 31 are formed in the high-stress region 25 of the cathode-side current collector plate 21 and the anode-side current collector plate 22. A large number of first openings 32 are formed in the current collector 21 and the anode current collector 22. The first opening 32 and the second opening 31 are circular holes, and the second opening 31 has a lower porosity than the first opening 32.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, since the portion of the second opening 31 having a smaller porosity than the first opening 32 is the high stress portion 25, the range of the portion having a relatively low porosity is bending stress. The high stress region 25 can be high. Since the second opening 31 having a low porosity is provided in the high-stress part 25 in addition to the first opening 32, the high-stress part 25 can be formed in a state where a supply path for supplying oxidant and fuel is secured.

  It is also possible to use the high-stress part 25 having a porosity of 0, or use the first opening 32 and the second opening 31 that are square holes.

  Even in the case of the rectangular cathode-side current collector plate 21 and anode-side current collector plate 22, the high-stress region 25 is formed, so that the high-stress region 25 is supported by a fixed portion that is fixed to the cathode body 15 and the anode body 16. Thus, the displacement of the rectangular cathode side current collector plate 21 and anode side current collector plate 22 can be reliably prevented.

  Based on FIG. 11, the structure of the boss | hub which supports the high stress site | part 25 is demonstrated. FIG. 11 shows a cross section of the battery cell in a state where the boss is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, the cathode body 35 is formed with two bridges 35a in a direction perpendicular to the drawing, and the bridge 35a is provided with a boss 36. The boss 36 is formed in a portion corresponding to the intersecting portion 26 of the high stress portion 25 of the cathode side current collecting plate 21 and the anode side current collecting plate 22 shown in FIG. 9. Further, a boss 37 is formed on the anode body 16 so as to face the boss 36, and the intersecting portion 26 shown in FIG. 9 is supported by the bosses 36 and 37.

  The bosses 36 and 37 are in contact with the end portions of the cathode-side current collector plate 21 and the anode-side current collector plate 22 in order to press the central portions of the cathode-side current collector plate 21 and the anode-side current collector plate 22. It is necessary to be in the same plane as the location of the cathode body 35 and the anode body 16 or higher. When the heights of the bosses 36 and 37 are high, even if the high stress portions 25 themselves of the cathode side current collector plate 21 and the anode side current collector plate 22 are bent, the cathode side current collector plate 21 and the anode side current collector plate 22 are illustrated. 9 can be reliably supported at the intersection 26 shown in FIG.

  The bosses 36 and 37 support the crossing portion 26 shown in FIG. 9 of the cathode side current collecting plate 21 and the anode side current collecting plate 22, so that the rectangular cathode side current collecting plate 21 and anode side having a large area are supported. Even with the current collector plate 22, the amount of bending can be kept low, and in-plane displacement can be uniformly prevented.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 11B, the boss 37 can be formed only on the anode body 16.

  In the embodiment described above, an example in which the high-stress portion 25 is formed on both the cathode-side current collector plate 21 and the anode-side current collector plate 22 has been described. However, the cathode-side current collector plate 21 and the anode-side current collector plate 22 are described. It is also possible to form the high stress part 25 in any one of these.

  It is also possible to provide bosses at a plurality of locations other than the intersection portion 26 or including the intersection portion 26. That is, it is possible to provide bosses at a plurality of locations of the cathode body 35 and the anode body 16 with respect to the cathode side current collecting plate 21 and the anode side current collecting plate 22 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the cathode-side current collector plate 21 and the anode-side current collector plate 22 have high stress portions 25 (portions where a large number of second openings 31 are formed) extending in the vertical direction in the drawing. A plurality of first openings 32 are formed in the cathode-side current collector plate 21 and the anode-side current collector plate 22 other than the high-stress site 25. As described above, the first opening 32 and the second opening 31 are circular holes, and the second opening 31 has a lower porosity than the first opening 32.

  In addition, the bosses 36 and 37 (see FIG. 11) can be provided on the cathode body 35 and the anode body 16 corresponding to the two portions 26a of the high stress portions 25, respectively.

  Another embodiment of the cathode side current collector plate and the anode side current collector plate will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 13 shows an exploded cross section of a battery cell including a cathode side current collector plate and an anode side current collector plate according to another embodiment. Members other than the cathode side current collector plate and the anode side current collector plate are the same as those shown in FIG.

  The cathode-side current collector plate and the anode-side current collector plate shown in FIG. 13 are current collector plates in which a high stress portion 25 is formed. It is also possible to apply to a current collector plate provided only with a fluid supply port.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, the cathode side current collector plate 41 and the anode side current collector plate 42 are formed by leaf springs whose central portions are curved toward the solid polymer film 17 side (gas diffusion layer 18 side). Yes. When the cathode-side current collector 41 and the anode-side current collector 42 are fixed to the cathode body 15 and the anode body 16, the cathode-side current collector 41 and the anode-side current collector 42 are in-plane against the spring force. It is held in a state where deformation is prevented.

  For this reason, when the cathode side current collecting plate 41 and the anode side current collecting plate 42 are fixed to the cathode body 15 and the anode body 16, the current collecting plate itself is against the solid polymer film 17 (gas diffusion layer 18). The solid polymer film 17 (gas diffusion layer 18) is displaced with sufficient pressure by the cathode-side current collecting plate 41 and the anode-side current collecting plate 42 so as to be in contact with sufficient pressure. it can.

  As shown in FIG. 13B, the cathode side current collector plate 45 and the anode side current collector plate 46 are gradually thickened at the center, and the cathode side current collector plate 45 and the anode side current collector plate 46 are solid. Swelling portions 45a and 46a are formed on the surface facing the polymer film 17 (gas diffusion layer 18). When the cathode side current collecting plate 45 and the anode side current collecting plate 46 are fixed to the cathode body 15 and the anode body 16, the bulging portions 45a and 46a are displaced to the side away from the solid polymer film 17 (gas diffusion layer 18). .

  For this reason, the cathode side current collecting plate 45 and the anode side current collecting plate 46 are brought into contact with the solid polymer film 17 (gas diffusion layer 18) with sufficient pressure, and the solid polymer film 17 (gas diffusion layer 18) is brought into contact. ) Can be pressed by the cathode side current collector plate 45 and the anode side current collector plate 46 with sufficient pressure.

  When the cathode side current collecting plate 45 and the anode side current collecting plate 46 are fixed to the cathode body 15 and the anode body 16, the bulging portions 45a and 46a are formed on the solid polymer film 17 (gas diffusion layer 18) in a planar state. Although an example in which the contact is made with sufficient pressure has been described, the solid polymer film only needs to be relatively in contact with the solid polymer film 17 (gas diffusion layer 18). It is also possible to adjust the shape of 17 (gas diffusion layer 18).

  As described above, when the cathode side current collector plate and the anode side current collector plate are fixed to the cathode body and the anode body, the cathode side current collector plate and the anode side with respect to the solid polymer film 17 (gas diffusion layer 18). The current collector plate can be brought into contact with a sufficient pressure. Therefore, sufficient pressure is applied to the cathode-side current collector plate and the anode-side current collector plate regardless of the structure / shape and the number of layers of the battery cells, so that the surface of the solid polymer film 17 (gas diffusion layer 18) A sufficient pressing force can be applied to the whole.

  For this reason, it is possible to eliminate the variation in the power generation performance in the plane of the battery cell, and to improve the battery performance of the fuel cell 2. Regardless of the structure and shape of the battery cell and the number of stacked layers, sufficient pressure is applied to the cathode side current collector plate and the anode side current collector plate, and the entire surface of the solid polymer film 17 (gas diffusion layer 18) is applied. Thus, the fuel cell device 1 including the fuel cell 2 that can apply a sufficient pressing force to the fuel cell can be obtained.

  The present invention can be used in the industrial field of fuel cells and fuel cell devices.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fuel cell apparatus 2 Fuel cell 3 Fuel storage source 4 Fuel supply system 5 Control circuit 6 Use apparatus 10 Peripheral part 11 Battery cell 12 Support plate 13 Fastening member 15, 35 Cathode body 16 Anode body 17 Solid polymer film 18 Gas diffusion layer 21, 41, 45 Cathode side current collector plate 22, 42, 46 Anode side current collector plate 25 High stress site 26 Cross site 31 2nd aperture 32 1st aperture 36, 37 Boss

Claims (12)

An electrolyte membrane that generates electricity by an electrochemical reaction;
A cathode-side current collector disposed on the cathode surface side of the electrolyte membrane and fixed to the cathode body;
An anode current collector disposed on the anode side of the electrolyte membrane and fixed to the anode body;
At least one surface of the cathode side current collector plate and the anode side current collector plate when the cathode side current collector plate and the anode side current collector plate are fixed to the cathode body and the anode body with the electrolyte membrane interposed therebetween. A fuel cell comprising a support portion for preventing internal displacement. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein
The support portion is
A fuel cell, wherein a high-stress portion having a high bending stress is continuously formed in a plane direction on at least one of the cathode-side current collector plate and the anode-side current collector plate. The fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein
An opening is provided in at least one of the cathode side current collector plate and the anode side current collector plate,
The fuel cell, wherein the high-stress part and the other part are configured by making the porosity of the opening different. The fuel cell according to claim 3, wherein
The opening includes a first opening and a second opening having a smaller porosity than the first opening.
The fuel cell, wherein the portion where the second opening is formed is formed by extending in a band shape so that the portion where the second opening is formed is the high stress portion. The fuel cell according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein
The high stress site is
It is formed in the site | part containing the part fixed to the said cathode body or the said anode body of at least one of the said cathode side collector plate and the said anode side collector plate. The fuel cell characterized by the above-mentioned. The fuel cell according to claim 5, wherein
The high stress site is
A fuel cell comprising: at least one of the cathode-side current collector plate and the anode-side current collector plate, a plurality of portions fixed to the cathode body or the anode body. The fuel cell according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein
A boss is provided between the cathode body side and the cathode side current collector plate and between at least one of the anode body side and the anode side current collector plate to support a high stress portion having a high bending stress. Fuel cell. The fuel cell according to claim 7, wherein
The boss
A fuel cell comprising: the cathode body side and the cathode side current collector plate; and the opposing positions between the anode body side and the anode side current collector plate. The fuel cell according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein
At least one of the cathode side current collector plate and the anode side current collector plate is formed of a curved leaf spring, and the cathode side current collector plate and the anode side current collector plate are fixed to the cathode body and the anode body. In this case, at least one of the cathode-side current collector plate and the anode-side current collector plate is held in a state in which in-plane deformation is prevented against a spring force. The fuel cell according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein
A bulging portion is provided on a surface of at least one of the cathode-side current collector plate and the anode-side current collector plate facing the electrolyte membrane, and the cathode-side current collector plate and the anode-side current collector plate include the cathode body and the When fixed to the anode body, at least one of the bulging portions of the cathode side current collector plate and the anode side current collector plate is relatively displaced toward the side away from the electrolyte membrane, and displacement in the plane direction is prevented. A fuel cell characterized in that the fuel cell is held in a closed state. The fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein
A fluid diffusion layer member made of conductive fibers is provided between the electrolyte membrane and the cathode current collector, and between the electrolyte membrane and the anode current collector. Fuel cell.   12. The fuel cell according to claim 11, a fuel storage means for storing fuel used for power generation of the fuel cell, and a connection between the fuel storage means, an anode surface of the electrolyte membrane of the fuel cell, and an anode body. A fuel cell device comprising a fuel supply system.

Images