JP2013189159A - Fuel cell vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suitably suppress that a position of a fuel cell is shifted by external load, in a simple and compact structure.SOLUTION: In a fuel cell stack 12 for constituting a fuel cell vehicle 10, first and second end plates 20a and 20b located in both ends in a laminating direction of a fuel cell 14 are coupled mutually by a connection bar 24a etc., and an intermediate plate 28 is disposed between the first and second end plates 20a and 20b. The first and second end plate 20a and 20b are fixed to a frame member 68 by mount members 66a and 66b, and the intermediate plate 28 is fixed to the frame member 68 by the mount member 66c. A connection bar 24a is connected to the first and second end plates 20a and 20b, and the intermediate plate 28 through the bolt 26.

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell vehicle including a fuel cell that generates power by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, and including a fuel cell stack in which a plurality of the fuel cells are stacked in the vehicle width direction.

  For example, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell is a power generation cell in which an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure (MEA) in which an anode electrode and a cathode electrode are arranged on both sides of an electrolyte membrane made of a polymer ion exchange membrane is sandwiched by separators. It has. This fuel cell is usually used as an in-vehicle fuel cell stack by stacking a predetermined number of power generation cells.

  In a vehicle-mounted fuel cell stack, since a large number of power generation cells are stacked, the power generation cells must be accurately and reliably positioned and fixed. For this reason, for example, a fastening structure of a fuel cell stack disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known.

  In this fastening structure, as shown in FIG. 7, the fuel cell stack 1 is formed by alternately laminating membrane electrode assemblies and separator plates (cells), and both ends of the fuel cell stack 1 are at the ends. Plates 2a and 2b are mounted. A first fastening band 3 and a second fastening band 4 formed in a U shape are attached to the end plates 2a and 2b.

  The first fastening band 3 extends on two parallel side surfaces of the fuel cell stack 1, while the second fastening band 4 extends on the other two parallel side surfaces of the fuel cell stack 1. Yes. At that time, the open portions of the first fastening band 3 and the second fastening band 4 are elastically supported by different end plates 2a and 2b, respectively, and the first fastening band 3 and the second fastening band 4 are mutually connected. Not crossed.

  As a result, unnecessary bending load is minimized, so that the airtightness of the fuel cell stack 1 can be improved, and the entire volume of the fuel cell stack 1 can be made compact.

JP 2005-142145 A

  In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, for example, when the fuel cell stack 1 is mounted on a fuel cell electric vehicle (not shown), the stacking direction of the fuel cell stack 1 intersects the vehicle longitudinal direction (arrow X direction). It may be set in the vehicle width direction (arrow Y direction). Here, the fuel cell stack 1 is merely fastened to the end plates 2a, 2b at both ends via the first fastening band 3 and the second fastening band 4, and the distance between the fulcrums is considerably increased. .

  For this reason, when an external load (impact) is applied to the fuel cell stack 1 from the front of the vehicle due to a collision or the like, the cell on the center side in the stacking direction of the fuel cell stack 1 particularly protrudes greatly to the front of the vehicle (the direction of the arrow X1). (See the two-dot chain line in FIG. 7). Accordingly, the positional displacement between the cells increases, and an excessive load acts on the first fastening band 3, so that the first fastening band 3 itself must be configured to be considerably thick. Thereby, the 1st fastening band 3 enlarges and becomes a heavy article, and there exists a problem that handling workability | operativity falls.

  The present invention solves this type of problem and provides a fuel cell vehicle capable of satisfactorily suppressing the occurrence of displacement in the fuel cell due to the application of an external load with a simple and compact configuration. The purpose is to do.

  The present invention includes a fuel cell that generates electric power by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, and includes a fuel cell stack in which a plurality of the fuel cells are stacked in a vehicle width direction. End plates are disposed at both ends of the fuel cell in the stacking direction, an intermediate plate is disposed between the end plates, and the end plates relate to a fuel cell vehicle connected by a plurality of fastening members. is there.

  The fuel cell vehicle includes a first fixing mechanism for fixing the pair of end plates to the frame member, and a second fixing mechanism for fixing the intermediate plate to the frame member or another frame member, and at least A fastening member disposed in front of the vehicle is fastened to the pair of end plates and the intermediate plate.

  In this fuel cell vehicle, the fastening member disposed in front of the vehicle is divided into a first fastening portion and a second fastening portion, and the first fastening portion is divided into one end plate and an intermediate plate. It is preferable that both ends are fastened, and the second fastening portion is fastened at both ends to the other end plate and the intermediate plate.

  According to the present invention, the pair of end plates are fixed to the frame member via the first fixing mechanism, while the intermediate plate is fixed to the frame member or the other frame member via the second fixing mechanism. Yes. For this reason, a pair of end plate and intermediate | middle plate are hold | maintained firmly and reliably with respect to the vehicle.

  Further, the fastening member disposed in front of the vehicle is fastened to the pair of end plates and the intermediate plate. Accordingly, since the fuel cell stack is divided into independent regions by the intermediate plate, the distance between the fulcrums is greatly shortened. As a result, when an external load is applied to the fuel cell vehicle from the front of the vehicle, the pop-out amount of the stacked fuel cells is greatly reduced, and the fastening member itself can be easily reduced in size and weight.

  For this reason, it is possible to satisfactorily suppress the occurrence of displacement in the fuel cell due to the application of an external load with a simple and compact configuration.

1 is an explanatory plan view of a fuel cell vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective explanatory view of a fuel cell stack constituting the fuel cell vehicle. It is a principal part disassembled perspective explanatory drawing of the fuel cell which comprises the said fuel cell stack. It is side surface explanatory drawing of the said fuel cell stack. FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory diagram of the fuel cell stack. It is side surface explanatory drawing of the fuel cell stack which comprises the fuel cell vehicle which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective explanatory view of the fastening structure of the fuel cell stack disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a fuel cell vehicle (fuel cell vehicle) 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a fuel cell stack 12 housed in a front box (so-called motor room) (inside a vehicle body) 11. Prepare.

  In the fuel cell stack 12, a plurality of fuel cells 14 are stacked in the vehicle width direction (arrow B direction) intersecting the traveling direction (arrow A direction) of the fuel cell vehicle 10 in a standing posture. A first end plate 20a and a second end plate 20b are disposed at both ends in the stacking direction of the plurality of fuel cells 14 via terminal plates 16a and 16b and insulating plates 18a and 18b.

  An output terminal 22a connected to the terminal plate 16a extends from the center of the first end plate 20a, while an output terminal 22b connected to the terminal plate 16b extends from the center of the second end plate 20b. Exists (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

  The first end plate 20 a and the second end plate 20 b have a horizontally long rectangular shape and a larger outer shape than the fuel cell 14. Connection bars (fastening members) 24a, 24b, 24c, and 24d are disposed between the sides of the first end plate 20a and the second end plate 20b.

  Both ends of the connecting bars 24a, 24b, 24c and 24d are fixed to the first end plate 20a and the second end plate 20b via bolts 26, and are connected to the stacked fuel cells 14 in the stacking direction (arrow B direction). ) Is applied. The connection bar 24a is disposed in front of the fuel cell vehicle 10 in the travel direction (arrow Af direction), while the connection bar 24c is disposed in the rear of the fuel cell vehicle 10 in the travel direction (arrow Ab direction).

  In the fuel cell stack 12, an intermediate plate 28 is interposed at an arbitrary position in the stacking direction of the fuel cells 14, for example, at the center in the stacking direction. The intermediate plate 28 is set to the same outer dimensions as the first end plate 20a and the second end plate 20b, and can be made of the same material.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the fuel cell 14 has a horizontally long rectangular shape, and the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 30 is sandwiched between the first separator 32 and the second separator 34. The 1st separator 32 and the 2nd separator 34 are comprised by metal separators and carbon separators, such as a steel plate, a stainless steel plate, an aluminum plate, or a plating treatment steel plate, for example.

  One end edge of the fuel cell 14 in the direction of arrow A (horizontal direction in FIG. 3) communicates with each other in the direction of arrow B, which is the stacking direction, and oxidant for supplying an oxidant gas, for example, an oxygen-containing gas. An agent gas inlet communication hole 36a and a fuel gas outlet communication hole 38b for discharging a fuel gas, for example, a hydrogen-containing gas, are arranged in an arrow C direction (vertical direction).

  The other end edge of the fuel cell 14 in the direction of arrow A communicates with each other in the direction of arrow B, a fuel gas inlet communication hole 38a for supplying fuel gas, and an oxidant gas for discharging oxidant gas. The outlet communication holes 36b are arranged in the direction of arrow C.

  A cooling medium inlet communication hole 40a for supplying a cooling medium is provided at the upper edge of the fuel cell 14 in the direction of arrow C, and the cooling medium is provided at the lower edge of the fuel cell 14 in the direction of arrow C. Is provided with a cooling medium outlet communication hole 40b.

  Although not shown, the intermediate plate 28 has an oxidant gas inlet communication hole 36a, an oxidant gas outlet communication hole 36b, a fuel gas inlet communication hole 38a, a fuel gas outlet communication hole 38b, a cooling medium inlet communication hole 40a, and a cooling medium outlet. A communication hole through which each fluid (oxidant gas, fuel gas, cooling medium) flows is provided at a position corresponding to the communication hole 40b.

  An oxidant gas flow path 42 communicating with the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 36a and the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 36b is provided on the surface 32a of the first separator 32 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 30.

  A fuel gas passage 44 communicating with the fuel gas inlet communication hole 38a and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 38b is provided on the surface 34a of the second separator 34 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 30.

  A cooling medium that connects the cooling medium inlet communication hole 40a and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 40b between the surface 32b of the first separator 32 and the surface 34b of the second separator 34 that constitute the fuel cells 14 adjacent to each other. A flow path 46 is provided.

  The first separator 32 and the second separator 34 are respectively provided with seal members 48 and 50 integrally or individually. The seal members 48 and 50 use, for example, a seal material such as EPDM, NBR, fluoro rubber, silicon rubber, fluorosilicon rubber, butyl rubber, natural rubber, styrene rubber, chloroplane, or acrylic rubber, a cushion material, or a packing material. To do.

  The electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 30 includes, for example, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 52 in which a perfluorosulfonic acid thin film is impregnated with water, and a cathode electrode 54 and an anode electrode 56 that sandwich the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 52. Prepare.

  The cathode electrode 54 and the anode electrode 56 are an electrode catalyst formed by uniformly applying a gas diffusion layer made of carbon paper or the like and porous carbon particles carrying a platinum alloy on the surface thereof to the surface of the gas diffusion layer. And having a layer. The electrode catalyst layers are formed on both surfaces of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 52.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the oxidant gas communicating with the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 36a, the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 36b, the fuel gas inlet communication hole 38a, and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 38b is connected to the first end plate 20a. A supply manifold 60a, an oxidant gas discharge manifold 60b, a fuel gas supply manifold 62a, and a fuel gas discharge manifold 62b are attached.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a cooling medium supply manifold 64a and a cooling medium discharge manifold 64b communicating with the cooling medium inlet communication hole 40a and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 40b are attached to the second end plate 20b.

  Instead of the above configuration, the first end plate 20a includes all manifolds (oxidant gas supply manifold 60a, oxidant gas discharge manifold 60b, fuel gas supply manifold 62a, fuel gas discharge manifold 62b, cooling medium supply). A manifold 64a and a cooling medium discharge manifold 64b) may be provided. Further, instead of the first end plate 20a, all the manifolds may be provided on the second end plate 20b.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, one end of a pair of mount members (first fixing mechanism) 66a is fixed to the first end plate 20a, and the other end of the pair of mount members 66a is a frame member. 68 is fixed. One end of a pair of mount members (first fixing mechanism) 66b is fixed to the second end plate 20b, and the other end of the pair of mount members 66b is fixed to a frame member 68.

  One end of a mount member (second fixing mechanism) 66 c is fixed to each end of the intermediate plate 28 in the direction of arrow A, and the other end of the pair of mount members 66 c is fixed to the frame member 68.

  The frame member 68 is a frame member for mounting a fuel cell, and is attached to a vehicle body frame (not shown) constituting the fuel cell automobile 10. The frame member 68 may directly constitute a part of the vehicle body frame. Further, the mount member 66c may be fixed to a frame member different from the other mount members 66a and 66b.

  As shown in FIG. 4, at least the connecting bar 24 a disposed in front of the vehicle is fixed (fastened) to the end face of the intermediate plate 28 in the vehicle traveling direction through bolts 26. The other connecting bars 24b, 24c, and 24d may be fixed to the end surface of the intermediate plate 28 via bolts 26 as necessary.

  The operation of the fuel cell stack 12 in the fuel cell vehicle 10 configured as described above will be described below.

  First, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an oxidant gas such as an oxygen-containing gas is supplied from the oxidant gas supply manifold 60a to the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 36a, and the fuel gas inlet from the fuel gas supply manifold 62a. A fuel gas such as a hydrogen-containing gas is supplied to the communication hole 38a. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a cooling medium such as pure water, ethylene glycol, or oil is supplied from the cooling medium supply manifold 64a to the cooling medium inlet communication hole 40a.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the oxidant gas is introduced into the oxidant gas flow path 42 of the first separator 32 from the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 36a. The oxidant gas is supplied to the cathode electrode 54 constituting the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 30 while moving in the arrow A direction.

  On the other hand, the fuel gas is introduced into the fuel gas flow path 44 of the second separator 34 from the fuel gas inlet communication hole 38a. The fuel gas is supplied to the anode electrode 56 constituting the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 30 while moving in the arrow A direction.

  Therefore, in the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 30, the oxidant gas supplied to the cathode electrode 54 and the fuel gas supplied to the anode electrode 56 are consumed by an electrochemical reaction in the electrode catalyst layer to generate power. Is called. Thereby, since electric power is supplied to the driving motor (not shown), the fuel cell vehicle 10 can run.

  Next, the oxidant gas consumed by being supplied to the cathode electrode 54 flows in the direction of arrow B along the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 36b, and is discharged from the oxidant gas discharge manifold 60b (see FIG. 2). On the other hand, the consumed fuel gas supplied to the anode electrode 56 flows in the direction of arrow B along the fuel gas outlet communication hole 38b and is discharged from the fuel gas discharge manifold 62b.

  The cooling medium supplied to the cooling medium inlet communication hole 40a is introduced into the cooling medium flow path 46 between the first separator 32 and the second separator 34, and then flows in the direction of arrow C. The cooling medium cools the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 30, then flows through the cooling medium outlet communication hole 40b, and is discharged from the cooling medium discharge manifold 64b (see FIG. 4).

  As described above, the fuel cell vehicle 10 travels with power supplied from the fuel cell stack 12. At that time, as shown in FIG. 5, an external load F that is an impact may be applied to the fuel cell vehicle 10 from the front.

  At that time, in the first embodiment, the first end plate 20a is fixed to the frame member 68 via the mount member 66a, and the second end plate 20b is fixed to the frame member 68 via the mount member 66b. It is fixed. On the other hand, the intermediate plate 28 arranged at the center in the stacking direction of the fuel cell stack 12 is fixed to the frame member 68 (or another frame member) via the mount member 66c.

  Therefore, the first end plate 20 a, the second end plate 20 b, and the intermediate plate 28 are firmly and securely held with respect to the fuel cell vehicle 10 via the frame member 68.

  Further, the connecting bar 24a disposed in front of the fuel cell vehicle 10 (front in the traveling direction) is fastened to the first end plate 20a, the second end plate 20b, and the intermediate plate 28 via bolts 26, respectively. . Therefore, the fuel cell stack 12 is divided into two independent regions by the intermediate plate 28.

  For this reason, the distance between the fulcrums (the distance between the first end plate 20a and the intermediate plate 28 and the distance between the intermediate plate 28 and the second end plate 20b) is the distance between the fulcrums when the intermediate plate 28 is not used (the first distance). Compared to the distance between the first end plate 20a and the second end plate 20b), the length is significantly shortened, specifically, halved.

  Thus, when an external load F is applied from the fuel cell vehicle 10 to the fuel cell stack 12, the fuel cells 14 constituting the fuel cell stack 12 are inertial in half in the stacking direction with the intermediate plate 28 as a boundary. It tries to move forward (arrow Af direction) in the traveling direction by force. For this reason, the pop-out amount of the stacked fuel cells 14 is greatly reduced, and the load supported by the connection bars 24a in the respective divided regions is favorably reduced.

  Therefore, the connection bar 24a can be easily reduced in size and weight. Thereby, it is possible to obtain an effect that it is possible to satisfactorily suppress the occurrence of displacement in the fuel cell 14 due to the application of the external load F with a simple and compact configuration.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory side view of the fuel cell stack 82 constituting the fuel cell vehicle (fuel cell vehicle) 80 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Note that the same components as those of the fuel cell vehicle 10 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The fuel cell stack 82 includes connecting bars (connecting members) 84 a and 84 b that are arranged in front of the fuel cell automobile 80 in the traveling direction. The connection bars 84a and 84b have a configuration in which the connection bar 24a of the first embodiment is divided into two, and one end of each is fixed to the first end plate 20a and the second end plate 20b by a bolt 26.

  The other ends of the connecting bars 84a and 84b constitute, for example, protrusions 86a and 86b that are engaged with each other in a nested manner. The protrusions 86a and 86b are arranged at the respective cutout positions, thereby constituting a single connecting bar as a whole. The protrusions 86 a and 86 b are fixed to the intermediate plate 28 by bolts 26.

  In the second embodiment configured as described above, since the connecting member is divided into two connecting bars 84a and 84b, the load supported by the connecting bars 84a and 84b is reduced, and it is easy to reduce the size and weight. Is envisioned. Therefore, there is an advantage that the handling workability of the connecting bars 84a and 84b is further improved.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 80 ... Fuel cell vehicle 12, 82 ... Fuel cell stack 14 ... Fuel cell 20a, 20b ... End plates 24a-24d, 84a, 84b ... Connection bar 26 ... Bolt 28 ... Intermediate plate 30 ... Electrolyte membrane and electrode structure 32 34 ... Separator 36a ... Oxidant gas inlet communication hole 36b ... Oxidant gas outlet communication hole 38a ... Fuel gas inlet communication hole 38b ... Fuel gas outlet communication hole 40a ... Cooling medium inlet communication hole 40b ... Cooling medium outlet communication hole 42 ... Oxidant gas flow path 44 ... Fuel gas flow path 46 ... Cooling medium flow path 48, 50 ... Seal member 52 ... Solid polymer electrolyte membrane 54 ... Cathode electrode 56 ... Anode electrodes 66a-66c ... Mount member 68 ... Frame member

Claims (2)

A fuel cell that generates power by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas is provided, and includes a fuel cell stack in which a plurality of the fuel cells are stacked in a vehicle width direction, and the fuel cell stack is a stack of the fuel cells. End plates are disposed at both ends in the direction, an intermediate plate is disposed between the end plates, and the end plates are fuel cell vehicles connected by a plurality of fastening members,
A first fixing mechanism for fixing the pair of end plates to the frame member;
A second fixing mechanism for fixing the intermediate plate to the frame member or another frame member;
With
The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the fastening member disposed at least in front of the vehicle is fastened to the pair of end plates and the intermediate plate. 2. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the fastening member disposed in front of the vehicle is divided into a first fastening portion and a second fastening portion.
Both ends of the first fastening portion are fastened to one end plate and the intermediate plate, and both ends of the second fastening portion are fastened to the other end plate and the intermediate plate. A fuel cell vehicle.

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