JP2014225407A - Potential measuring device for fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a potential measuring device for a fuel cell capable of highly accurately measuring potential in a simple and economical configuration.SOLUTION: A potential measuring device 10 for a fuel cell is provided in an electrolyte membrane/electrode structure 14. The potential measuring device 10 comprises an anode-side reference electrode 51 and a cathode-side reference electrode 53, the anode-side reference electrode 51 installed in an anode electrode 22 and the cathode-side reference electrode 53 installed in a cathode electrode 24, and potential sensors 54, 56, 58, and 60 which are connected to the anode electrode 22 and measure each anode potential between themselves and the anode-side reference electrode 51. The anode-side reference electrode 51 is integrally provided with the potential sensors 54, 56, 58, and 60 via a base material 62a.

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell potential measuring device for measuring a potential of a fuel cell provided in an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure that sandwiches an electrolyte membrane between one electrode and the other electrode.

  For example, a solid polymer fuel cell employs a solid polymer electrolyte membrane made of a polymer ion exchange membrane. This fuel cell has an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure in which an anode electrode and a cathode electrode each having an electrode catalyst (electrode catalyst layer) and porous carbon (gas diffusion layer) are disposed on both sides of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane ( A power generation cell is formed in which the MEA is sandwiched between separators (bipolar plates). Normally, a fuel cell is used as, for example, an in-vehicle fuel cell stack by stacking a predetermined number of power generation cells.

  In this case, in the fuel cell, after the supply of the fuel gas and the oxidant gas is stopped along with the operation stop, the fuel gas and the oxidant gas remaining in the fuel cell easily react. For this reason, in particular, as the volume of the fuel gas on the fuel gas channel side decreases, the pressure in the fuel gas channel decreases, and passes through the electrolyte membrane from the oxidant gas channel to enter the fuel gas channel. Oxidant gas may enter. Thereby, in the fuel gas flow path, a local battery is easily formed in a portion where the fuel gas is unevenly distributed, and there is a problem that a current opposite to that during normal power generation flows in the portion where the oxidant gas is unevenly distributed.

  For this reason, in Patent Document 1, in order to detect the internal state of the fuel cell, the potential of the fuel cell can be reliably and satisfactorily measured with a simple configuration and process, and the entire apparatus can be thinned. A fuel cell potential measuring device and a method for manufacturing the same have been proposed. This potential measuring device includes a first sheet member provided with an anode side potential applying electrode and an anode side potential measuring electrode at one end portion disposed on the anode electrode, and a cathode side potential applied to one end portion disposed on the cathode electrode. A second sheet member provided with an electrode and a cathode side potential measurement electrode, and the other end of the first sheet member and the other end of the second sheet member are joined to each other.

  For this reason, as compared with the case where the potential applying electrode and the potential measuring electrode are individually configured, the configuration is simplified at a time, and the assembling work and the like are greatly reduced, which is economical. .

JP 2010-27544 A

  By the way, recently, it has been desired to specify in detail where the potential of the anode electrode or the cathode electrode is measured. For this reason, it is necessary to arrange a plurality of potential measurement electrodes on the anode electrode and the cathode electrode, and there is a possibility that the alignment work of the potential measurement electrodes becomes complicated.

  The present invention solves this type of problem, and an object thereof is to provide a fuel cell potential measuring device capable of measuring potential with high accuracy with a simple and economical configuration.

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell potential measurement device for measuring a potential of a fuel cell, which is provided in an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure that sandwiches an electrolyte membrane between one electrode and the other electrode.

  The potential measuring apparatus for a fuel cell includes a reference electrode disposed on one electrode and a plurality of measurement electrodes disposed on at least one electrode, and the reference electrode and the plurality of measurement electrodes are , Integrated with the electrode sheet and connected to the one electrode.

  Moreover, in this fuel cell potential measuring device, it is preferable that the plurality of measurement electrodes are arranged with their end portions shifted in stages along the arrangement direction.

  Further, the fuel cell potential measuring device has the other reference electrode disposed on the other electrode, and the other reference electrode is integrated with the other electrode sheet, It is preferable to sandwich the electrolyte membrane with the other electrode sheet.

  According to the present invention, the reference electrode and the plurality of measurement electrodes are integrated with the electrode sheet and connected to one electrode. For this reason, a plurality of measurement electrodes can be handled integrally, the installation work is simplified at once, and the efficiency of the manufacturing work is easily achieved. In addition, the measurement electrodes can be arranged close to each other, and the anode potential or cathode potential at a desired position can be reliably measured. Thereby, it is possible to perform the potential measurement and the potential distribution measurement with high accuracy with a simple and economical configuration.

1 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of a fuel cell in which a fuel cell potential measuring device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is incorporated. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1 of the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure constituting the fuel cell. It is a perspective explanatory view of the potential measuring device. It is front explanatory drawing of the said electric potential measurement apparatus. It is front explanatory drawing which shows other arrangement | positioning of the said electric potential measurement apparatus. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the potential measuring device taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 4. It is circuit explanatory drawing of the said electric potential measurement apparatus. It is principal part cross-sectional explanatory drawing of the electrolyte membrane and electrode structure in which the electric potential measuring apparatus for fuel cells which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is integrated. It is a perspective explanatory view of the potential measuring device. It is sectional explanatory drawing of the said electric potential measurement apparatus. It is circuit explanatory drawing of the said electric potential measurement apparatus. It is principal part sectional explanatory drawing of the electrolyte membrane and electrode structure in which the electric potential measuring apparatus for fuel cells which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention is integrated. It is a perspective explanatory view of the potential measuring device. It is a schematic perspective view of a fuel cell potential measuring device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective explanatory view of a fuel cell potential measuring device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. It is principal part cross-sectional explanatory drawing of the electrolyte membrane and electrode structure in which the potential measuring apparatus for fuel cells which concerns on the 6th Embodiment of this invention is integrated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the fuel cell 12 in which the fuel cell potential measuring device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is incorporated, the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14 includes a cathode separator 16 and an anode separator 18. Are stacked in the direction of arrow A (for example, horizontal direction) or the direction of arrow C (vertical direction).

  The plurality of fuel cells 12 are stacked in the direction of arrow A, for example, to constitute an in-vehicle fuel cell stack. The plurality of fuel cells 12 may be stacked in the direction of arrow C.

  The cathode side separator 16 and the anode side separator 18 are made of, for example, a steel plate, a stainless steel plate, a titanium (Ti) plate, an aluminum plate, a plated steel plate, or a metal plate whose surface is subjected to anticorrosion treatment. Alternatively, it may be composed of a carbon member or the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14 includes, for example, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 20 in which a perfluorosulfonic acid thin film is impregnated with water, and the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 20 interposed therebetween. An anode electrode 22 and a cathode electrode 24 are provided. As the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 20, for example, a fluorine-based electrolyte or an HC (hydrocarbon) -based electrolyte is used.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the anode electrode 22 includes an anode electrode catalyst layer 22a bonded to one surface 20a of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 20, and an anode gas diffusion layer 22b laminated on the anode electrode catalyst layer 22a. Have The cathode electrode 24 has a cathode electrode catalyst layer 24a joined to the other surface 20b of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 20, and a cathode gas diffusion layer 24b laminated on the cathode electrode catalyst layer 24a.

  The anode electrode catalyst layer 22a and the cathode electrode catalyst layer 24a are set to have different plane dimensions (anode side dimension <cathode side dimension), and the outer peripheral end of the cathode gas diffusion layer 24b is the outer periphery of the anode gas diffusion layer 22b. Projects outward from the end. The anode side dimension> the cathode side dimension may be satisfied, and the anode electrode catalyst layer 22a and the cathode electrode catalyst layer 24a may have the same planar dimension. The anode gas diffusion layer 22b may have a larger planar dimension than the cathode gas diffusion layer 24b, or may have the same planar dimension.

  The anode electrode catalyst layer 22a and the cathode electrode catalyst layer 24a are formed by forming catalyst particles in which platinum particles are supported on carbon black, using a polymer electrolyte as an ion conductive binder, and the catalyst in the solution of the polymer electrolyte. The catalyst paste prepared by uniformly mixing the particles is configured by printing, coating or transferring on both surfaces 20a and 20b of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 20. The anode electrode catalyst layer 22a and the cathode electrode catalyst layer 24a may be configured by printing, coating, or transferring to the anode gas diffusion layer 22b and the cathode gas diffusion layer 24b, and various other configurations are adopted. can do.

  The electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14 includes a resin frame member 26 that goes around the outer periphery of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 20. The resin frame member 26 is, for example, a general engineering plastic such as PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), PPA (polyphthalamide), LCP, PES, PEEK, PFA, or two or more kinds of polymer alloys and PP (polypropylene). It is composed of engineering plastics or two or more polymer alloys, and is provided as necessary.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an oxidant gas, for example, an oxygen-containing gas, is supplied to one end edge of the fuel cell 12 in the direction of arrow B (horizontal direction) in the direction of arrow A, which is the stacking direction. An oxidant gas inlet communication hole 28a for fuel and a fuel gas outlet communication hole 30b for discharging a fuel gas, for example, a hydrogen-containing gas, are arranged in the direction of arrow C (vertical direction).

  The other end edge of the fuel cell 12 in the direction of arrow B communicates with each other in the direction of arrow A, and a fuel gas inlet communication hole 30a for supplying fuel gas and an oxidant gas for discharging oxidant gas. Outlet communication holes 28b are arranged in the direction of arrow C.

  The upper end edge of the fuel cell 12 in the direction of arrow C is provided with a pair of cooling medium inlet communication holes 32a for supplying the cooling medium, and the lower end edge of the fuel cell 12 in the direction of arrow C is A pair of cooling medium outlet communication holes 32b for discharging the cooling medium is provided. The cooling medium inlet communication hole 32a and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 32b may each be one.

  An oxidant gas flow path 36 communicating with the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 28a and the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 28b is provided on the surface 16a of the cathode separator 16 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14. A fuel gas passage 38 communicating with the fuel gas inlet communication hole 30a and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 30b is formed on the surface 18a of the anode separator 18 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14. The oxidant gas channel 36 and the fuel gas channel 38 circulate the oxidant gas and the fuel gas in the horizontal direction.

  The cooling medium inlet communication hole 32a and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 32b communicate between the surface 16b opposite to the surface 16a of the cathode side separator 16 and the surface 18b opposite to the surface 18a of the anode side separator 18. A cooling medium flow path 40 is formed. The cooling medium flow path 40 circulates the cooling medium downward in the vertical direction (or may be upward in the vertical direction).

  The first seal member 42 is integrated with the surfaces 16 a and 16 b of the cathode separator 16 around the outer peripheral end of the cathode separator 16. The second seal member 44 is integrated with the surfaces 18 a and 18 b of the anode separator 18 around the outer peripheral end of the anode separator 18.

  The first seal member 42 and the second seal member 44 are, for example, EPDM, NBR, fluororubber, silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, butyl rubber, natural rubber, styrene rubber, chloroprene or acrylic rubber or the like, cushion material, Alternatively, an elastic seal member such as a packing material is used.

  The potential measuring device 10 is disposed, for example, in a region where the moisture content of the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14 is the largest and the smallest. Specifically, the potential measuring device 10 has the highest moisture content in the region below the gravitational direction, which is the region with the highest moisture content, in the vicinity of the fuel gas outlet communication hole 30b and in the vicinity of the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 28b. It is arranged in the lower part of the gravity direction, which is a small area, in the vicinity of the fuel gas inlet communication hole 30a and in the vicinity of the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 28a.

  In addition, the setting site | part of the electric potential measurement apparatus 10 is not limited to said area | region, It can install in the arbitrary positions where the electric potential measurement of the electrolyte membrane and electrode structure 14 is required.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the potential measuring device 10 includes an anode-side reference electrode electrode catalyst 22as on the anode-side surface 20a of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 20 constituting the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14, and a conductor. An anode side reference electrode 51 constituted by the anode side electrode 50 constituted, a cathode side reference electrode electrode catalyst 24as on the cathode side surface 20b of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 20, and a cathode constituted by a conductor. The cathode side reference electrode 53 constituted by the side electrode 52, and a plurality of potential sensors 54, 56, 58 and 60 disposed on the anode electrode catalyst layer 22a and the surface 20a are provided. The anode side electrode 50 and the cathode side electrode 52 are disposed to face each other with the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 20 interposed therebetween.

  In the first embodiment, the anode-side reference electrode electrode catalyst 22as and the cathode-side reference electrode electrode catalyst 24as are integrally provided on the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 20, but are provided on base materials 62a and 62b described later. May be.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the anode side electrode 50 and the potential sensors 54, 56, 58 and 60 are integrally provided on an insulating base material 62 a, and the cathode side electrode 52 is an insulating base material. 62b is integrally provided. As shown in FIG. 3, the base material 62b has an end opposite to the cathode side electrode 52 side fixed (adhered) or welded to the base material 62a, and the anode side electrode 50 and the cathode side electrode 52 are separated from each other. Arranged. The base materials 62a and 62b may be configured to be separated from each other, and are configured to be bent between the anode side electrode 50 and the cathode side electrode 52 using a single base material. It is also possible to do.

  Two conductor lines 64 a and 64 b are connected to the anode side electrode 50, and one conductor line 66 is connected to the cathode side electrode 52. The conducting wire lines 64a, 64b and 66 are covered with an insulating cover 68, and only the electrode portion at the tip is exposed to the outside. The same applies to other embodiments described below.

  The potential sensors 54, 56, 58, and 60 are made of, for example, thin film or thin gold (Au), and are configured to be short in length from the potential sensor 54 toward the potential sensor 60. As shown in FIG. 5, the potential sensors 54, 56, 58 and 60 may be configured to have the same length. The potential sensors 54, 56, 58, and 60 have measuring portions 54a, 56a, 58a, and 60a that protrude in the thickness direction on one end side (see FIGS. 3 and 6).

  As shown in FIG. 6, the potential sensors 54, 56, 58 and 60 are covered with a base material 62 a and an insulating sheet 70, and from openings 70 a, 70 b, 70 c and 70 d formed in the insulating sheet 70. The measuring units 54a, 56a, 58a and 60a protrude outside by a length L (several μm to several tens μm). Conductor lines 72a, 72b, 72c and 72d are connected to the lower ends of the potential sensors 54, 56, 58 and 60, respectively.

  The base materials 62a and 62b and the insulating sheet 70 have electrical insulation properties, are excellent in hot water resistance, acid resistance and heat resistance, and are formed of a flexible material. For example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), polyimide, and the like are suitable.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the potential measuring device 10 includes a DC power source 74 connected to the conductive line 64 b of the anode side reference electrode 51 and the conductive line 66 of the cathode side reference electrode 53. The conductor line 64a of the anode side reference electrode 51 and the conductor lines 72a, 72b, 72c and 72d of the potential sensors 54, 56, 58 and 60 are connected to a measuring instrument (not shown). Each anode potential is detected from the potential difference from the potential sensors 54, 56, 58 and 60.

  Note that a potential sensor 54ca and the like can also be provided on the cathode electrode 24 side on the cathode electrode catalyst layer 24a. At that time, the conductor line 74ca of the potential sensor 54ca and the conductor line 64a of the anode-side reference electrode 51 are connected to a measuring instrument (not shown), and the cathode potential is determined from the potential difference between the anode-side reference electrode 51 and the potential sensor 54ca. Is detected.

  The potential sensors 54, 56, 58 and 60 are provided on the anode electrode catalyst layer 22 a and the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 20, but between the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 20 and the anode electrode catalyst layer 22 a. It may be arranged.

  The operation of the fuel cell 12 configured as described above will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an oxidant gas such as an oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 28a, and a fuel gas such as a hydrogen-containing gas is supplied to the fuel gas inlet communication hole 30a. Further, a cooling medium such as pure water or ethylene glycol is supplied to the cooling medium inlet communication hole 32a.

  The oxidant gas is introduced into the oxidant gas flow path 36 of the cathode separator 16 from the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 28a. For this reason, the oxidant gas flows in the direction of arrow B along the oxidant gas flow path 36 and is supplied to the cathode electrode 24 of the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14.

  On the other hand, the fuel gas is introduced into the fuel gas passage 38 of the anode separator 18 from the fuel gas inlet communication hole 30a. In the fuel gas flow path 38, the fuel gas flows in the direction of arrow B and is supplied to the anode electrode 22 of the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14.

  Accordingly, in each electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14, the oxidant gas supplied to the cathode electrode 24 and the fuel gas supplied to the anode electrode 22 are electrically supplied in the cathode electrode catalyst layer 24 a and the anode electrode catalyst layer 22 a. It is consumed by chemical reaction to generate electricity.

  Next, the oxidant gas consumed by being supplied to the cathode electrode 24 is discharged in the direction of arrow A along the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 28b. Similarly, the fuel gas consumed by being supplied to the anode electrode 22 is discharged in the direction of arrow A along the fuel gas outlet communication hole 30b.

  Further, the cooling medium supplied to the cooling medium inlet communication hole 32 a is introduced into the cooling medium flow path 40 between the cathode separator 16 and the anode separator 18 and then flows in the direction of arrow C. The cooling medium is discharged from the cooling medium outlet communication hole 32b after the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14 is cooled.

  Incidentally, in the potential measuring device 10, as shown in FIG. 7, a DC power source 74 is driven to apply a voltage to the anode side reference electrode 51 and the cathode side reference electrode 53. Accordingly, water contained in the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 20 is electrolyzed and hydrogen is generated, so that each potential difference between the anode-side reference electrode 51 and the potential sensors 54, 56, 58 and 60 is based on this. Detected. Note that the anode-side reference electrode 51 may be used alone as a reference electrode for measuring the potential without providing the cathode-side reference electrode 53.

  In this case, in the first embodiment, the outputs from the potential sensors 54, 56, 58 and 60 (potentials installed at the anode and the cathode) provided in the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14 are detected easily and reliably. be able to.

  Moreover, at least the anode side electrode 50 is provided on the base material 62a integrally with the potential sensors 54, 56, 58 and 60, as shown in FIGS. For this reason, the arrangement work of at least the anode side electrode 50 and the potential sensors 54, 56, 58 and 60 is simplified at a time, and a plurality of measurement points on the anode side can be simultaneously measured. Furthermore, the anode-side electrode 50 and the potential sensors 54, 56, 58 and 60 can be disposed as close as possible, and an accurate anode potential can be stably measured.

  Thereby, the effect that it becomes possible to measure the electric potential of several places of the electrolyte membrane electrode structure 14 with high precision with a simple and economical structure is acquired.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a main part of an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 82 in which the fuel cell potential measuring device 80 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is incorporated. The same components as those of the potential measuring apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Similarly, in the third and subsequent embodiments described below, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the potential measuring device 80 is composed of an anode-side reference electrode electrode catalyst 22as on the anode-side surface 20a of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 20 constituting the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 82, and a conductor. An anode side reference electrode 51 constituted by the anode side electrode 50 constituted, a cathode side reference electrode electrode catalyst 24as on the cathode side surface 20b of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 20, and a cathode constituted by a conductor. And a plurality of potential sensors 84, 86, 88, and 90 disposed on the cathode electrode catalyst layer 24a and the surface 20b. In the second embodiment, the anode-side reference electrode electrode catalyst 22 as and the cathode-side reference electrode electrode catalyst 24 as are integrally provided on the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 20.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the cathode side electrode 52 and the potential sensors 84, 86, 88 and 90 are integrally disposed on the insulating base material 92 a, and the anode side electrode 50 is made of an insulating material. Provided on the substrate 92b. As shown in FIG. 9, the end of the base 92a opposite to the anode 50 is fixed (adhered or welded) to the base 92b, and the anode 50 and the cathode 52 are separated from each other. Arranged. The base materials 92a and 92b may be configured separately from each other, or a single base material may be used.

  The potential sensors 84, 86, 88, and 90 are formed of, for example, thin film or thin wire gold (Au), and are sequentially configured to be short from the potential sensor 84 toward the potential sensor 90. The potential sensors 84, 86, 88, and 90 may be set to the same length. The measurement parts 84a, 86a, 88a, and 90a of the potential sensors 84, 86, 88, and 90 protrude from the openings 94a, 94b, 94c, and 94d formed in the insulating sheet 94 to the outside by several μm to several tens of μm. .

  As shown in FIG. 10, the base material 92a has a protruding portion 92at that bulges toward the insulating sheet 94 on the back side of the measuring portion 84a of the potential sensor 84 (same for 86 to 90). Lead wires 96a, 96b, 96c and 96d are connected to the ends of the potential sensors 84, 86, 88 and 90, and these are connected to a measuring instrument (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the potential measuring device 80, the lead wires 96 a, 96 b, 96 c and 96 d of the potential sensors 84, 86, 88 and 90 and the lead wire 64 a of the anode side electrode 50 are connected to a measuring instrument (not shown). Has been. Each cathode potential is detected from the potential difference between the anode side reference electrode 51 and the potential sensors 84, 86, 88 and 90.

  Note that a potential sensor 84an or the like can also be provided on the anode electrode 22 side on the anode electrode catalyst layer 22a. At that time, the conductor line 96an of the potential sensor 84an and the conductor line 64a of the anode side electrode 50 are connected to a measuring instrument (not shown), and the anode potential is detected from the potential difference between the anode side reference electrode 51 and the potential sensor 84an. Is done.

  In the second embodiment configured as described above, the cathode side electrode 52 and the potential sensors 84, 86, 88, and 90 are integrally provided on the base material 92a. Thereby, at least the arrangement of the cathode side electrode 52 and the potential sensors 84, 86, 88, and 90 is simplified at a time, and a plurality of measurement points on the cathode side can be simultaneously measured. Furthermore, the measurement units 84a, 86a, 88a, and 90a can be provided as close as possible to each other, and the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a principal part of an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 102 in which the fuel cell potential measuring device 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention is incorporated. The potential measuring device 100 is configured by combining the first embodiment (potential measuring device 10) and the second embodiment (potential measuring device 80).

  The anode base electrode 50 and the plurality of potential sensors 54, 56, 58 and 60 are integrally disposed on the insulating base material 104a, and the cathode side electrode 52 and the plurality of potential sensors 54, 56, 58 and 60 are integrally provided on the insulating base material 104b. The potential sensors 84, 86, 88, and 90 are integrally arranged. As shown in FIG. 13, the base material 104a and the base material 104b are fixed (adhered) or welded to the end portion on the opposite side to the anode side electrode 50 side and the end portion on the opposite side to the cathode side electrode 52 side. Is done. The base material 104a and the base material 104a may be configured separately from each other, or may be configured by a single base material.

  In the third embodiment configured as described above, a plurality of measurement points on the anode side and the cathode side can be simultaneously measured, and the same effects as those in the first and second embodiments can be obtained. .

  FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective explanatory view of a fuel cell potential measuring device 120 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  The potential measuring device 120 includes a plurality of potential sensors 126, 128, 130, and 132 disposed on the anode side so as to be covered between a pair of insulating sheets (insulating base materials) 122 and 124 integrally with the anode side electrode 50. The cathode side electrode 52 is disposed on the base material 125, and the end of the base material 125 opposite to the cathode side electrode 52 side is fixed (adhered) or welded to the insulating sheet 122. The base material 125 may be configured separately from the insulating sheet 122 or integrally.

  The insulating sheets 122 and 124 are provided with narrow portions 122a and 124a on one end side, and the narrow portions 122a and 124a are integrally connected to the wide portions 122b and 124b via shoulders that extend outward.

  The potential sensors 126, 128, 130, and 132 are made of, for example, thin film or thin wire gold (Au). On the upper side of the potential sensors 126, 128, 130, and 132, measurement units 126a, 128a, 130a, and 132a are formed to bulge from different height positions. The measuring units 126a, 128a, 130a, and 132a may be arranged at the same height (thickness direction) as the surface of the insulating sheet 122, and in order to ensure contact with the measurement point, the surface of the insulating sheet 122 Alternatively, it may be configured to protrude slightly.

  The potential sensors 126, 128, 130, and 132 extend along the narrow portions 122 a and 124 a in parallel with each other, then increase the spacing between them, and extend in parallel with each other along the wide portions 122 b and 124 b. Exists. Conductor lines 136a, 136b, 136c, and 136d are connected to ends of the potential sensors 126, 128, 130, and 132, and these are connected to a measuring instrument (not shown).

  In the fourth embodiment configured as described above, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained, and the connection portions of the conductive lines 136a, 136b, 136c, and 136d form the wide portions 122b and 124b. doing. For this reason, there exists an advantage that the connection operation | work of each conducting wire 136a, 136b, 136c, and 136d can be performed easily and satisfactorily.

  FIG. 15 is a schematic front explanatory view of a fuel cell potential measuring device 140 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

  The potential measuring device 140 includes a plurality of potential sensors 146, 148, 150, and 152 that are disposed between the pair of insulating sheets 142 and 144 integrally with the cathode side electrode 52 and disposed on the cathode side. The anode side electrode 50 is disposed on the base 145, and the end of the base 145 opposite to the anode side electrode 50 is fixed (adhered) to the insulating sheet 142. The base material 145 may be configured separately from the insulating sheet 142 or integrally.

  The insulating sheets 142 and 144 are provided with narrow portions 142a and 144a on one end side, and the narrow portions 142a and 144a are integrally connected to the wide portions 142b and 144b via shoulders that extend outward.

  The potential sensors 146, 148, 150, and 152 are made of, for example, thin film or thin wire gold (Au). On the upper side of the potential sensors 146, 148, 150, and 152, measurement units 146a, 148a, 150a, and 152a are bulged from different height positions. The measuring units 146a, 148a, 150a, and 152a may be disposed at the same height (thickness direction) as the surface of the insulating sheet 142, and in order to ensure contact with the measurement point, the surface of the insulating sheet 142 Alternatively, it may be configured to protrude slightly.

  The potential sensors 146, 148, 150, and 152 extend along the narrow portions 142a and 144a in parallel with each other, and then increase the distance between them and extend in parallel with each other along the wide portions 142b and 144b. Exists. Lead wires 156a, 156b, 156c and 156d are connected to the ends of the potential sensors 146, 148, 150 and 152, and these are connected to a measuring instrument (not shown).

  In the fifth embodiment configured as described above, the same effects as those of the second embodiment described above can be obtained.

  Note that the fourth embodiment and the fifth embodiment can be combined and configured similarly to the third embodiment. Specifically, a plurality of potential sensors 126, 128, 130, and 132 can be disposed on the anode side, and a plurality of potential sensors 146, 148, 150, and 152 can be disposed on the cathode side.

  FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a main part of an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 162 into which a fuel cell potential measuring device 160 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention is incorporated.

  The potential measuring device 160 includes an anode-side reference electrode 164 configured by applying platinum (Pt) on the anode-side base material 62a with a conductor such as platinum (Pt) or the like, and a cathode. A cathode-side reference electrode 166 configured by applying a conductive material such as platinum (Pt) on the base material 62b on the side, or by integrally applying platinum (Pt) on the conductive material, and the anode electrode catalyst layer 22a; A plurality of potential sensors 54, 56, 58 and 60 are provided on the surface 20a.

  In the sixth embodiment configured as described above, the anode-side reference electrode 164 and the cathode-side reference electrode 166 apply platinum (Pt) on the base materials 62a and 62b or platinum (Pt) on the conductor. It is constituted by. Therefore, it is not necessary to align the anode-side reference electrode electrode catalyst 22as and the anode-side electrode 50 and the cathode-side reference electrode electrode catalyst 24as and the cathode-side electrode 52 on the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 20. become. Therefore, the effect that the installation work of the anode side reference electrode 164 and the cathode side reference electrode 166 is further simplified can be obtained.

  In addition, in 6th Embodiment, although the structure substantially the same as 1st Embodiment is employ | adopted, it is applicable also to 2nd Embodiment-5th Embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 80, 100, 120, 140, 160 ... Potential measuring device 12 ... Fuel cell 14, 82, 102, 162 ... Electrolyte membrane and electrode structure 16 ... Cathode side separator 18 ... Anode side separator 20 ... Solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22 ... Anode electrode 22a ... Anode electrode catalyst layer 22b ... Anode gas diffusion layer 24 ... Cathode electrode 24a ... Cathode electrode catalyst layer 24b ... Cathode gas diffusion layer 36 ... Oxidant gas channel 38 ... Fuel gas channel 40 ... Cooling medium flow Path 51, 164 ... anode side reference electrode 53, 166 ... cathode side reference electrode 54, 56, 58, 60, 84, 86, 88, 90, 126, 128, 130, 132, 146, 148, 150, 152 ... potential Sensors 62a, 62b, 92a, 92b, 104a, 104b, 125, 145... Base materials 64a, 64 , 66,96a~96d, 136a~136d, 156a~156d ... conductor line 68 ... insulation cover 70,94,122,124,142,144: insulating sheet 74 ... DC power source

Claims (3)

A fuel cell potential measuring device for measuring a potential of a fuel cell provided in an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure sandwiching an electrolyte membrane between one electrode and the other electrode,
A reference electrode disposed on the one electrode;
A plurality of measurement electrodes disposed on at least one of the electrodes;
With
The fuel cell potential measuring apparatus, wherein the reference electrode and the plurality of measuring electrodes are integrated into one electrode sheet and connected to the one electrode. The fuel cell potential measurement device according to claim 1, further comprising: the other reference electrode disposed on the other electrode, wherein the other reference electrode is integrated with the other electrode sheet;
A fuel cell potential measuring device, wherein the electrolyte membrane is sandwiched between the one electrode sheet and the other electrode sheet.   3. The fuel cell potential measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of measurement electrodes are arranged with their end portions shifted in stages along the arrangement direction. apparatus.

Images