JP2019133874A - Leak inspection device for fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a leak inspection device for fuel cell capable of restraining positional deviation of a gasket and occurrence of local elongation.SOLUTION: A leak inspection device 1 for fuel cell includes a lower side jig 2 having a placement surface 21 for placing a fuel cell 10, and an annular second lower side gasket 32 fit into a second circumferential groove 23 provided in the placement surface 21, and securing sealability between the fuel cell 10 to be placed and the lower side jig 2. The second circumferential groove 23 includes an inlet part 23a having a prescribed width, an internal space part 23b placed below the inlet part 23a and wider than the inlet part 23a, and multiple recesses 23c provided, at prescribed intervals, in the hoop direction of the second circumferential groove 23 below the internal space part 23b. The second lower side gasket 32 has multiple mating protrusions 32c protruding downward from the body part 32a and capable of fitting in the recesses 23c of the second circumferential groove 23.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell leak inspection apparatus, and more particularly to a fuel cell leak inspection apparatus provided with a gasket.

  As a fuel cell leak inspection apparatus equipped with a gasket, in order to ensure a sealing property between a lower jig for placing a fuel cell and the lower jig and the placed fuel cell And a gasket having an upper jig for pressurizing a fuel cell to be placed are known. In the fuel cell leak inspection apparatus having such a structure, it has been studied to employ a gasket structure that can be fitted into a groove as described in Patent Document 1 from the viewpoint of improving maintainability.

JP 2000-249229 A

  However, if the gasket structure that can be fitted in the groove is adopted as it is, the gasket is displaced and the local elongation occurs due to the strength of the pressure, the number of inspections, etc. May occur.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a technical problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell leak inspection apparatus capable of suppressing the occurrence of gasket displacement and local elongation.

  A fuel cell leak inspection apparatus according to the present invention is a fuel cell leak inspection apparatus for inspecting the sealing performance of a fuel cell in which a plurality of fuel cells are stacked, and the fuel cell is mounted thereon. A lower jig having a placement surface, and a sealing property between the fuel cell and the lower jig, which is fitted in a circumferential groove provided on the placement surface of the lower jig, and is placed An annular gasket to be secured, and the circumferential groove has an inlet portion having a predetermined width, an inner space portion disposed below the inlet portion and wider than the inlet portion, and the inner portion A plurality of recesses provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the circumferential groove below the space portion, and the gasket is wider than the inlet portion and narrower than the inner space portion. When the main body and the main body protrude upward, A front end portion exposed to the outside from the inlet portion and abutted against the fuel cell; a plurality of fitting convex portions protruding downward from the main body portion and capable of fitting into the concave portion of the circumferential groove; It is characterized by having.

  In the fuel cell leak inspection apparatus according to the present invention, the circumferential groove has a plurality of recesses provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the circumferential groove, and the gasket can be fitted into the recesses of the circumferential groove. Since there are a plurality of convex portions, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of misalignment and local elongation of the gasket by fitting the fitting convex portion of the gasket into the concave portion of the circumferential groove.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of misalignment and local elongation of the gasket.

It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the principal part of the leak inspection apparatus for fuel cells which concerns on embodiment. It is a fragmentary sectional view showing the leak inspection device for fuel cells concerning an embodiment. It is an expanded sectional view showing the 2nd peripheral groove and the 2nd lower gasket. It is a fragmentary sectional view which follows the AA line of FIG. It is a top view for demonstrating the arrangement position of the recessed part of a 1st circumferential groove and a 2nd circumferential groove, the fitting convex part of a 1st lower gasket, and a 2nd lower gasket.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a fuel cell leak inspection apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the length direction is X, the width direction is Y, and the vertical direction (also referred to as the height direction) is Z.

  First, the structure of the fuel cell to be inspected will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The fuel cell 10 is a single cell constituting a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, and is formed in a thin plate shape. The fuel cell 10 includes a membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly 11, a resin frame 12 disposed on the outer periphery of the membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly 11, a membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly 11, and a resin frame 12. A pair of separators (an upper separator 13 and a lower separator 14) are provided (see FIG. 2). The solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell is formed by stacking a plurality of fuel cells 10 having such a structure along one direction.

  A cooling medium flow path through which a cooling medium flows in the central region of the upper surface of the fuel cell 10 (ie, the upper surface of the upper separator 13) and the central region of the bottom surface of the fuel cell 10 (ie, the bottom surface of the lower separator 14). 15 are arranged respectively. Further, reaction gas flow paths are arranged between the upper separator 13 and the membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly 11 and between the lower separator 14 and the membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly 11, respectively. In addition, the reactive gas here refers to oxidizing gas or fuel gas.

  Of the left edge and the right edge in the length direction of the fuel cell 10, one is an oxidizing gas supply port, a manifold hole 16 constituting a fuel gas supply port and a cooling medium supply port, and the other is an oxidizing gas. Three manifold holes 16 constituting the discharge port, the fuel gas discharge port and the cooling medium discharge port are provided.

  Next, the fuel cell leak inspection apparatus of this embodiment will be described. The fuel cell leak inspection apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is an apparatus for inspecting the sealing performance (that is, air tightness and liquid tightness) of a fuel cell, and a lower side treatment for mounting the fuel cell 10. A plurality of lower gaskets 3 for ensuring sealing performance between the tool 2, the lower jig 2 and the fuel cell 10 placed on the lower jig 2, and the fuel cell 10. And a plurality of upper gaskets 5 that ensure sealing performance between the upper jig 4 and the fuel cell 10.

  The lower jig 2 and the upper jig 4 are each formed of a metal plate having a certain thickness. The upper jig 4 is provided to be movable up and down with respect to the lower jig 2 so that the fuel cell 10 placed on the lower jig 2 can be pressurized.

  The lower jig 2 has a placement surface 21 on which the fuel battery cell 10 is placed. An inspection gas supply path 24 for supplying a leak inspection gas is provided inside the lower jig 2. Examples of the inspection gas include air, helium gas, and argon gas.

  On the mounting surface 21, an annular first circumferential groove 22 is provided at a position corresponding to the arrangement region of the reaction gas flow path in the fuel cell 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the first circumferential groove 22 has a rectangular frame shape in plan view, and the reaction gas flow path is arranged so that the arrangement region of the reaction gas flow path in the fuel cell 10 enters the frame. It is formed larger than the arrangement region. An annular first lower gasket 31 is fitted in the first circumferential groove 22 in plan view.

  In addition, on the placement surface 21, annular second circumferential grooves 23 are respectively provided at positions corresponding to the manifold holes 16 of the fuel cells 10. As described above, since the fuel cell 10 has the six manifold holes 16, six second circumferential grooves 23 are formed in the lower jig 2 corresponding to the six manifold holes 16. The six second circumferential grooves 23 are arranged three on each of the left and right sides of the first circumferential groove 22. Each second circumferential groove 23 is fitted with an annular second lower gasket 32 in plan view.

  The first circumferential groove 22 and the second circumferential groove 23 correspond to “circumferential grooves” recited in the claims. The first lower gasket 31 and the second lower gasket 32 constitute the lower gasket 3 and correspond to the “gasket” described in the claims. The first lower gasket 31 and the second lower gasket 32 are each formed of, for example, a rubber elastic material.

  Hereinafter, the structure of the second circumferential groove 23 and the second lower gasket 32 fitted thereto will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 5, the arrangement positions of the concave portions (described later) of the first circumferential groove 22 and the second circumferential groove 23 and the fitting convex portions (described later) of the first lower gasket 31 and the second lower gasket 32 are indicated by black circles. Show. The structure of the first circumferential groove 22 and the first lower gasket 31 fitted thereto is the same as that of the second circumferential groove 23 and the second lower gasket 32, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The second circumferential groove 23 is formed, for example, by hollowing out from the mounting surface 21 to the inside of the lower jig 2 to a predetermined depth. In the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 3, the second circumferential groove 23 has an inlet portion 23 a that opens upward and has a predetermined width, and an internal space portion that communicates with the inlet portion 23 a and is disposed below the inlet portion 23 a. 23b. The internal space part 23b is wider than the inlet part 23a so as to form a step part 23d with the inlet part 23a. The formed step portion 23d is the ceiling portion of the internal space portion 23b. The step portion 23d abuts on a body portion 32a (described later) of the second lower gasket 32 fitted in the second circumferential groove 23, and prevents the second lower gasket 32 from coming out of the second circumferential groove 23. To do.

  The second circumferential groove 23 further includes a plurality of recesses 23c provided below the internal space 23b. The plurality of recesses 23 c are provided at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction of the second circumferential groove 23. In the present embodiment, there are eight recesses 23c. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the eight recesses 23 c are arranged in pairs at the center positions of the four sides of the rectangular frame-shaped second circumferential groove 23, with two adjacent recesses 23 c as a set. . In addition, the number of the recessed parts 23c which comprise one set is not limited to two, Three or more may be sufficient as needed, and one may be sufficient.

  On the other hand, the second lower gasket 32 has a main body part 32a wider than the inlet part 23a of the second circumferential groove 23 and narrower than the inner space part 23b, and protrudes upward from the main body part 32a and has a tip part. Has an abutting portion 32b that is exposed to the outside from the inlet portion 23a and abuts against the fuel cell 10.

  The main body portion 32 a is formed to have a relatively large width, and is fitted into the internal space portion 23 b of the second circumferential groove 23. The upper surface of the main body portion 32a abuts on a step portion 23d formed between the inlet portion 23a of the second circumferential groove 23 and the internal space portion 23b. On the other hand, the contact portion 32b is formed smaller than the width of the main body portion 32a and smaller than the width of the inlet portion 23a of the second circumferential groove 23. The height of the abutting portion 32b is such that the tip portion of the abutting portion 32b protrudes upward from the mounting surface 21 of the lower jig 2 in a state where the second lower gasket 32 is fitted in the second circumferential groove 23, and the fuel cell. It is set to be able to contact the bottom surface of 10 (here, the bottom surface of the lower separator 14).

  Further, the second lower gasket 32 has a plurality of fitting convex portions 32 c that protrude downward from the main body portion 32 a and can be fitted into the concave portions 23 c of the second circumferential groove 23. These fitting projections 32c are provided so as to correspond to the positions where the recesses 23c of the second circumferential groove 23 are arranged. The two fitting projections 32c are set as a set and the circumference of the second lower gasket 32 is set. It is arrange | positioned over four places along a direction. That is, the second lower gasket 32 has eight fitting convex portions 32 c corresponding to the concave portions 23 c of the first circumferential groove 22.

  A plurality of recesses in the first circumferential groove 22 are formed so as to have the same structure as the recesses 23c in the second circumferential groove 23. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, three sets on the long side and two sets on the short side It is arranged one by one. The interval between adjacent sets may be equal or different along the circumferential direction of the first circumferential groove 22. The fitting protrusions of the first lower gasket 31 fitted into the first circumferential groove 22 correspond to the depressions of the first circumferential groove 22, with three sets on the long side and two sets on the short side. Has been placed.

  On the other hand, the upper gasket 5 is disposed between the upper jig 4 and the upper separator 13 of the fuel cell 10. The upper gasket 5 is disposed at a position corresponding to each manifold hole 16 of the fuel cell 10 and a first upper gasket 51 disposed at a position corresponding to the arrangement region of the reaction gas flow path in the fuel cell 10. 2 upper gasket 52. The first upper gasket 51 and the second upper gasket 52 are each formed in an annular shape by a rubber elastic material, for example.

  In the present embodiment, the upper gasket 5 is directly fixed to the bottom surface of the upper jig 4 by bonding or the like without having a structure to be fitted into the upper jig 4 unlike the lower gasket 3. Accordingly, it may be formed to have the same fitting structure as the lower gasket 3.

  According to the fuel cell leak inspection apparatus 1 configured as described above, the second circumferential groove 23 has a plurality of recesses 23c provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction thereof. Since the second lower gasket 32 to be fitted has a plurality of fitting projections 32c that can be fitted into the recess 23c, by fitting the fitting projection 32c into the recess 23c of the second circumferential groove 23, the second lower gasket 32 is fitted. It is possible to reliably suppress the occurrence of positional deviation and local elongation of the side gasket 32. The first circumferential groove 22 and the first lower gasket 31 fitted in the first circumferential groove 22 have the same structure as the second circumferential groove 23 and the second lower gasket 32, respectively. can get.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various designs can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention described in the claims. It can be changed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fuel cell leak inspection apparatus 2 Lower jig 3 Lower gasket 4 Upper jig 5 Upper gasket 10 Fuel cell 11 Membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly 12 Resin frame 13 Upper separator 14 Lower separator 16 Manifold hole 21 Placement surface 22 1st circumferential groove 23 2nd circumferential groove 23a Inlet part 23b Internal space part 23c Recess 24 Inspection gas supply path 31 1st lower gasket 32 2nd lower gasket 32a Main body part 32b Contact part 32c Fitting convexity Part

Claims (1)

A fuel cell leak inspection device for inspecting a sealing property of a fuel cell formed by laminating a plurality of fuel cells,
A lower jig having a placement surface on which the fuel cell is placed;
An annular gasket that is fitted in a circumferential groove provided on the placement surface of the lower jig and ensures sealing performance between the fuel cell to be placed and the lower jig;
Comprising at least
The circumferential groove includes an inlet portion having a predetermined width, an inner space portion that is disposed below the inlet portion and is wider than the inlet portion, and a circumferential direction of the circumferential groove below the inner space portion A plurality of recesses provided at predetermined intervals, and
The fuel cell has a main body portion that is wider than the inlet portion and narrower than the inner space portion, protrudes upward from the main body portion, and has a tip portion exposed to the outside from the inlet portion. And a plurality of fitting projections protruding downward from the main body portion and fitting into the recesses of the circumferential groove.

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