JP2021061112A - Fuel cell stack and manifold of fuel cell stack - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a manifold of a fuel cell stack with which it is possible to suppress the bending of the manifold of the fuel cell stack by a simple structure, and a fuel cell.SOLUTION: According to the present embodiment, the fuel cell stack comprises a cell laminate, a first manifold, and a second manifold. The cell laminate includes an electrolyte film, a fuel electrode passage plate in which a gas passage facing a fuel electrode is provided, and an oxidant electrode passage plate in which a gas passage facing an oxidant electrode is provided. The first manifold is arranged on a first side face along the lamination direction of the cell laminate. The second manifold adjoins the first side face and covers a second side face along the lamination direction of the cell laminate. The first manifold includes a space region covering the first side face of the cell laminate, and a first fixing part for fixing the first and second manifolds and provided on a first end face in a direction orthogonal to the lamination direction of the cell laminate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a fuel cell stack and a manifold of the fuel cell stack.

A fuel cell stack using a solid polymer electrolyte membrane having proton conductivity as an electrolyte has electrical conductivity in which gas flow passages are provided on both sides of a membrane electrode composite in which the electrolyte membrane is sandwiched between a fuel electrode and an oxidizing agent electrode. A single cell battery is constructed by arranging the separators of. A fuel cell stack is known in which both ends of a cell laminate in which a plurality of single cell batteries are laminated are held by end plates, a plurality of studs are passed through holes penetrating both end plates, and the laminate is tightened via a spring. ..

It is necessary to evenly supply the fuel (hydrogen) required for the reaction, the oxidant (air), and the cooling water required for cooling to each single cell battery in the fuel cell stack. Therefore, a manifold for distributing and recovering the reaction gas and the cooling water is provided in the fuel cell stack. These manifolds include an internal manifold system and an external manifold system. In the external manifold method, the gas flow passage provided in the separator is extended to the end of the separator and opened on the side surface of the laminate, and a separate external manifold is provided on the side surface to allow fuel, oxidizer, and cooling water to flow. .. In the external manifold method, since the separator does not include a manifold, the separator has a size equivalent to the effective area of the membrane electrode complex, the separator can be made compact, and it is advantageous in cost reduction.

In addition, it is possible to use inexpensive plastic with low insulation for the external manifold, and the cost increase can be minimized. The volume of the manifold can also be set without being restricted by the size of the separator, and the gas and cooling water can be uniformly distributed by the gas and cooling water flow passages of each single cell battery constituting the laminate. In such an external manifold, a gasket is used to seal the portion where the laminated body in which the cells are stacked and the manifold are in contact with each other to prevent gas and cooling water from leaking from the inside of the manifold to the outside. The manifold is sealed by the reaction force of the manifold tightened to the laminate and a force is applied to the gasket. Therefore, if the tightening pressure of the manifold on the laminated body varies in the plane, the sealing property of the portion where the tightening pressure is weak is lowered, so that the tightening pressure is required to be uniform in the plane.

The conventional external manifold generally has a structure in which the manifold is attached to the end plate of the laminate in order to press the manifold against the laminate, or a structure in which the manifolds are diagonally tightened to each other. However, in the case of a long stack having a large number of stacked cells, the manifold becomes longer as the laminated body becomes longer, so that the deflection of the manifold and the laminated body becomes larger. Therefore, in the structure in which the manifold is attached to the end plate, the long side portion of the manifold having a large deflection cannot be fixed, so that the surface pressure may become uneven. Further, in the structure in which the manifolds are fastened to each other diagonally, it is necessary to fasten the four manifold surfaces to the laminate at the same time, which makes it difficult to assemble the fuel cell stack.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-54378 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-254427

An object to be solved by the present invention is to provide a fuel cell stack manifold and a fuel cell capable of suppressing bending of the fuel cell stack manifold with a simpler configuration.

According to the present embodiment, the fuel cell stack includes a cell laminate, a first manifold, and a second manifold. The cell laminate includes an electrolyte membrane, a fuel electrode and an oxidant electrode sandwiching the electrolyte membrane, a fuel electrode flow path plate provided with a gas flow path facing the fuel electrode, and a gas flow facing the oxidant electrode. It has an oxidant electrode flow path plate provided with a path. The first manifold is arranged on the first side surface along the stacking direction of the cell laminate, and supplies the reaction gas to the fuel electrode flow path plate or the oxidant electrode flow path plate in the cell laminate. The second manifold is adjacent to the first side surface and covers the second side surface along the stacking direction of the cell laminate. The first manifold is provided on the space region portion covering the first side surface of the cell laminate and the first end surface in the direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the cell laminate, and the first manifold and the second manifold are fixed. It has a fixed portion and.

According to the present invention, bending of the fuel cell manifold can be suppressed with a simpler configuration.

The perspective view which shows the structure of the fuel cell stack which removed the manifold. An exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a fuel cell. The figure which shows the shape of the main surface side of a fuel electrode flow path plate. The figure which shows the shape of the main surface opposite to the main surface in the fuel electrode flow path plate shown in FIG. The figure which shows the shape of the main surface of the oxidant pole flow path plate. The figure which shows the shape of the main surface on the opposite side of the main surface of an oxidant electrode flow path plate. The schematic diagram which shows the shape which the 1st manifold was seen horizontally from the cell laminated body. The schematic diagram which shows the shape when the 2nd manifold is seen horizontally from the cell laminated body side. The schematic diagram which shows the shape when the 3rd manifold is seen horizontally from the cell laminated body side. The schematic diagram which shows the shape which the 4th manifold was seen horizontally from the cell laminated body side. A side view showing a state in which the first to fourth manifolds are fixed to the fuel cell stack. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. BB sectional view of FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings attached to the present specification, the scale, aspect ratio, etc. are appropriately changed from those of the actual product and exaggerated for the convenience of illustration and comprehension.

(One Embodiment)

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of the fuel cell stack 1 with the manifold removed. As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell stack 1 according to the embodiment is a structure that generates electricity by an electrochemical reaction in a fuel cell. That is, the fuel cell stack 1 includes a cell laminate 10, two current collector plates 20, two insulating plates 30, a first manifold 40 (FIG. 7), a second manifold 42 (FIG. 8), and a second manifold. It is configured to include a third manifold 44 (FIG. 9), a fourth manifold 46 (FIG. 10), two tightening plates 100, and a plurality of tie rods 200. The tightening plate 100 has an end plate 110 and a beam portion 120. FIG. 1 shows a Z direction parallel to the stacking direction of the cell laminated body 10, and an X direction and a Y direction perpendicular to the Z direction and parallel to each other. When the fuel cell stack 1 of the present embodiment is installed on a horizontal plane, the Z direction is parallel to the gravity direction.

Two current collector plates 20 are arranged on both sides of the cell laminate 10 in the stacking direction. The two current collector plates 20 are plate-shaped conductors and are arranged on both end faces of the cell laminate 10. The two insulating plates 30 are plate-shaped insulators, and are arranged between the two current collecting plates 20 and the two tightening plates 100, respectively. In this way, two current collector plates 20 and two insulating plates 30 are sequentially arranged on both sides of the cell laminated body 10 in the stacking direction, and these are integrally arranged from both sides in the stacking direction. By tightening with 100, the fuel cell stack 1 is obtained. The nut is tightened via a washer with the tie rod 200 passed through the opposing holes provided in the two tightening plates 100, and the two tightening plates 100 are connected. The first side surface F1 is a plane along the stacking direction of the cell laminated body 10. The second side surface F2 is a plane adjacent to the first side surface F1 and along the stacking direction of the cell laminated body 10. The third side surface F3 is a plane that is adjacent to the first side surface F1 and faces the second side surface F2, and is along the stacking direction of the cell laminate 10. The fourth side surface F4 is a plane that is adjacent to the second side surface F2 and the third side surface F3 and faces the first side surface F1 along the stacking direction of the cell laminate 10.

A detailed configuration of the fuel cell 10a according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the fuel cell according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the fuel cell 10a includes an electrolyte membrane 12, a fuel pole flow path plate 14, and an oxidant pole flow path plate 16. In the electrolyte membrane 12, a fuel electrode is formed on one main surface 12a, and an oxidant electrode is formed on the other main surface 12b. The electrolyte membrane 12 is, for example, a polymer type electrolyte membrane.

3 and 4 are views showing the configuration of the fuel pole flow path plate 14, FIG. 3 is a view showing the shape of the fuel pole flow path plate 14 on the main surface 14a side, and FIG. 4 is a view showing the shape of the fuel pole flow path plate 14. It is a figure which shows the shape of the main surface 14b side of a flow path plate 14. As shown in FIG. 3, the main surface 14a of the fuel electrode flow path plate 14 is opposite to the fuel electrode of the electrolyte membrane 12 and forms a flat surface.

As shown in FIG. 4, the fuel electrode flow path plate 14 forms a fuel electrode gas flow path groove 140b along the fuel electrode on the main surface 14b on the fuel electrode side of the electrolyte membrane 12. Further, the fuel electrode gas flow path groove 140b has a first inlet portion 14c, a first outlet portion 14d, a second inlet portion 14e, and a second outlet portion 14f. The fuel electrode gas introduced from the first inlet portion 14c flows along the fuel electrode gas flow path groove 140b and is discharged from the first outlet portion 14d. Further, the fuel electrode gas introduced from the second inlet portion 14e flows along the fuel electrode gas flow path groove 140b and is discharged from the second outlet portion 14f.

5 and 6 are views showing the configuration of the oxidant electrode flow path plate 16, FIG. 5 is a view showing the shape of the main surface 16a of the oxidant pole flow path plate 16, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing oxidation. It is a figure which shows the shape of the main surface 16b on the opposite side of the main surface 16a of the agent electrode flow path plate 16. As shown in FIG. 6, the oxidant electrode flow path plate 16 forms an oxidant gas flow path groove 160a along the oxidant electrode on the main surface 16a of the electrolyte membrane 12 on the oxidant electrode side. Further, the fuel electrode gas flow path groove 160a has a first inlet portion 16c, a first outlet portion 16d, a second inlet portion 16e, and a second outlet portion 16f. The oxidant gas introduced from the first inlet portion 16c flows along the oxidant gas flow path groove 160b and is discharged from the first outlet portion 16d. Further, the oxidant gas introduced from the second inlet portion 16e flows along the oxidant gas flow path groove 160b and is discharged from the second outlet portion 16f.

As shown in FIG. 6, a cooling water flow path groove 160b is formed on the main surface 16b on the side opposite to the oxidant electrode side. The cooling water flow path groove 160b has a first inlet portion 16h and a first outlet portion 16g. The cooling water introduced from the first inlet portion 16h flows along the cooling water flow path groove 160b and is discharged from the first outlet portion 16g.

These plurality of fuel cell cells 10a generate electricity by the reaction represented by the chemical formula 1. More specifically, the fuel electrode gas is, for example, a hydrogen-containing gas. The fuel electrode gas flows along the fuel electrode gas flow path groove 140b of the fuel electrode flow path plate 14 and causes a fuel electrode reaction. The oxidant gas is, for example, an oxygen-containing gas. The oxidant gas flows along the oxidant gas flow path groove 160a of the oxidant pole flow path plate 16 and causes an oxidant pole reaction. The fuel cell 1 utilizes these electrochemical reactions to extract electrical energy from electrodes provided on the current collector plate 20 (FIG. 1).

(Chemical formula 1)
Fuel electrode reaction: 2H ₂ → 4H ⁺ + 4e
Oxidizing agent electrode reaction: 4H ⁺ + O ₂ + 4e → 2H ₂ O

A detailed configuration of the first manifold 40, the second manifold 42, the third manifold 44, and the fourth manifold 46 included in the fuel cell stack 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10. The first manifold 40 is arranged on the first side surface F1 along the stacking direction (Z direction) of the cell laminate 10, and reacts gas to the fuel electrode flow path plate or the oxidant electrode flow path plate in the cell laminate 10. To supply. The second manifold 42 is adjacent to the first side surface F1 and is arranged on the second side surface F2 along the stacking direction of the cell laminate 10. The third manifold 44 is arranged on the third side surface F3 along the stacking direction of the cell laminated body 10, which is adjacent to the first side surface F1 and faces the second side surface F2. The fourth manifold 46 is arranged on the fourth side surface F4 along the stacking direction of the cell laminate, adjacent to the second side surface F2 and the third side surface F3 and facing the first side surface F1.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a shape of the first manifold 40 viewed horizontally from the cell laminated body 10 side (FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 7, the first manifold 40 has a reaction gas, that is, an oxidant manifold for supplying an oxidant gas and a cooling water manifold for supplying cooling water. The first manifold 40 includes a pipe joint portion 40a, a pipe joint portion 40b, a pipe joint portion 40c, a first space region portion 40d, a second space region portion 40e, a third space region portion 40f, and a first. It is configured to include one fixing portion 400, a second fixing portion 402, and a plurality of end plate fixing portions 404. That is, the oxidant manifold of the first manifold 40 has a pipe joint portion 40b, a pipe joint portion 40c, a first space region portion 40d, and a second space region portion 40e. Further, the cooling water manifold of the first manifold 40 has a pipe joint portion 40a and a third space region portion 40f.

The pipe joint portion 40a is a supply joint portion and communicates with the third space region portion 40f. The pipe joint portion 40a supplies cooling water to the third space region portion 40f.

The pipe joint portion 40b is a supply joint portion and communicates with the second space region portion 40e. The pipe joint portion 40b supplies a reaction gas, that is, an oxidant gas, to the second space region portion 40e.

The pipe joint portion 40c is a discharge joint portion and communicates with the first space region portion 40d. The pipe joint portion 40c discharges unreacted gas that has not been consumed by the electrochemical reaction from the first space region portion 40d.

The first fixing portion 400 is provided on the back surface of the first manifold 40 facing the first side surface F1 along the stacking direction of the cell laminated body 10 (FIG. 1). The first space region portion 40d, the second space region portion 40e, and the third space region portion 40f are spatial region portions arranged along the first side surface F1 along the cell stacking direction of the cell stacking body 10. is there.

The first fixing portion 400 is provided on the first end surface in the direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the cell laminated body 10, and fixes the first manifold 40 and the second manifold 42. The first fixing portion 400 has a hole portion 400a into which a bolt is inserted and a bolt embedding portion 400b. That is, the bolt embedded in the bolt embedded portion 420b (FIG. 8) of the second manifold 42 is fixed with a nut via the hole portion 400a. On the other hand, the bolt embedded in the embedded portion 400b of the bolt is fixed with a nut via the hole portion 420a (FIG. 8) of the second manifold 42.

The second fixing portion 402 is provided on the second end surface opposite to the first end surface in the direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the cell laminate 10, and fixes the first manifold 40 and the third manifold 44. The second fixing portion 402 has a hole portion 402a for inserting a bolt and a bolt embedding portion 402b. That is, the bolt embedded in the bolt embedded portion 442a (FIG. 10) of the third manifold 44 is fixed with a nut via the hole portion 402a. On the other hand, the bolt embedded in the embedded portion 402b of the bolt is fixed with a nut via the hole portion 442b (FIG. 10) of the third manifold 44.

The first fixing portion 400 and the second fixing portion 402 are formed from the third end surface of the cell laminate 10 of the first manifold 40 in the stacking direction to the fourth end surface on the opposite side from the third end surface to the fourth end surface to the fourth end surface. It is arranged in a range of up to one-third up to the three end faces. As a result, it is possible to prevent the first manifold 40 from bending.

The first fixing portion 400 and the second fixing portion 402 press the first manifold 40 against the first side surface F1 with a tightening force in a direction orthogonal to the first side surface F1. As a result, the first manifold 40 is prevented from bending in the direction away from the first side surface F1 along the stacking direction of the cell laminated body 10.

More specifically, the first fixing portion 400 presses the first manifold 40 against the first side surface F1 with a tightening force in the direction along the second side surface F2, and the second fixing portion 402 presses against the third side surface F3. The first manifold 40 is pressed against the first side surface F1 by a tightening force in the direction along the line. That is, the first fixing portion 400 presses the first manifold 40 against the first side surface F1 with a tightening force in the direction along the back plate of the second manifold 42, and the second fixing portion 402 is the back of the third manifold 44. The first manifold 4 is pressed against the first side surface F1 by a tightening force in the direction along the face plate. In this way, the first manifold 40 is pressed against the first side surface F1 by the tightening force in the direction along the back plate of the second manifold 42 and the third manifold 44 which are structurally resistant to bending, so that the second manifold 42 and the second manifold 42 and the second manifold 44 are pressed. The 3 manifold 44 can suppress the bending of the first manifold 40 without bending.

The plurality of end plate fixing portions 404 fix the first manifold 40 to the end plate 110 of the tightening plate 100. The end plate fixing portion 404 has a hole portion 404a. As a result, the end plate fixing portion 404 is fixed to the end plate 110 of the tightening plate 100 by bolts and nuts via the hole portion 404a.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the shape of the second manifold 42 when viewed horizontally from the cell laminated body 10 side. As shown in FIG. 8, the second manifold 42 is a fuel electrode manifold that supplies a reaction gas, that is, a fuel electrode gas, and has a hole 42a of the pipe joint, a hole 42b of the pipe joint, and a first space region portion. It is configured to include 42c, a second space region portion 42d, a third fixing portion 420, a fourth fixing portion 422, and a plurality of end plate fixing portions 424.

The hole portion 42a of the pipe joint is a supply hole portion, and the supply pipe communicates with the first space region portion 42c via the hole portion 42a of the pipe joint. The hole portion 42a of the pipe joint supplies the reaction gas to the first space region portion 42c.

The hole portion 42b of the pipe joint is a discharge hole portion, and the discharge pipe communicates with the second space region portion 42d via the hole portion 42b of the pipe joint. The hole 42b of the pipe joint discharges unreacted gas that has not been consumed by the electrochemical reaction from the second space region 42d. The first space region portion 42b and the second space region portion 42c are spatial region portions arranged along the side surfaces of the cell stacking body 10 along the cell stacking direction.

The third fixing portion 420 is provided on the fifth end surface in the direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the cell laminated body 10, and fixes the second manifold 42 and the first manifold 40. The first fixing portion 420 has a hole portion 420a into which a bolt is inserted and a bolt embedding portion 420b. As described above, the bolt embedded in the embedded portion 420b of the bolt is fixed with a nut via the hole portion 400a (FIG. 7) of the first manifold 40. On the other hand, the bolt embedded in the bolt embedded portion 400b (FIG. 7) of the first manifold 40 is fixed with a nut via the hole portion 420a.

The fourth fixing portion 422 is provided on the sixth end surface opposite to the fifth end surface in the direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the cell laminate 10, and fixes the second manifold 42 and the fourth manifold 46. The second fixing portion 422 has a hole portion 422a into which a bolt is inserted and a bolt embedding portion 422b. That is, the bolt embedded in the bolt embedded portion 460b (FIG. 10) of the fourth manifold 46 is fixed with a nut via the hole portion 422a. On the other hand, the bolt embedded in the embedded portion 422b of the bolt is fixed with a nut via the hole portion 462a (FIG. 10) of the fourth manifold 46. The third fixed portion 420 and the fourth fixed portion 422 are formed from one-third of the cell laminate 10 of the second manifold 42 from the upper end surface to the opposite lower end surface in the stacking direction to the lower end surface to the upper end surface. It is placed in the range of up to one-third. As a result, it is possible to prevent the second manifold 42 from bending.

The plurality of end plate fixing portions 424 fix the second manifold 42 to the end plate 110 of the tightening plate 100. The end plate fixing portion 424 has a hole portion 424a. As a result, the end plate fixing portion 424 is fixed to the end plate of the tightening plate 100 by bolts and nuts via the hole portion 424a.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing the shape of the third manifold 44 when viewed horizontally from the cell laminated body 10 side. As shown in FIG. 9, the third manifold 44 is a fuel electrode manifold that supplies a reaction gas, that is, a fuel electrode gas, and is a first space region portion 44a, a fifth fixed portion 440, and a sixth fixed portion 442. And a plurality of end plate fixing portions 444.

The fifth fixing portion 440 is provided on the seventh end surface in the direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the cell laminated body 10, and fixes the third manifold 44 and the fourth manifold 46. The first fixing portion 440 has a hole portion 440a into which a bolt is inserted and a bolt embedding portion 440b. The bolt embedded in the embedded portion 440b of the bolt is fixed with a nut via the hole portion 462a (FIG. 10) of the fourth manifold 46. On the other hand, the bolt embedded in the bolt embedded portion 462b (FIG. 10) of the fourth manifold 46 is fixed with a nut via the hole portion 440a.

The sixth fixing portion 442 is provided on the eighth end surface opposite to the seventh end surface in the direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the cell laminated body 10, and fixes the third manifold 44 and the first manifold 40. The second fixing portion 442 has a hole portion 442a into which the bolt is inserted and a bolt embedding portion 442b. As described above, the bolt embedded in the embedded portion 442b of the bolt is fixed with a nut via the hole portion 402a (FIG. 7). On the other hand, the bolt embedded in the embedded portion 402b (FIG. 7) of the bolt is fixed with a nut via the hole portion 442a of the third manifold 44. The fifth fixing portion 440 and the sixth fixing portion 442 are formed from one-third of the cell laminate 10 of the third manifold 44 from the upper end surface to the opposite lower end surface in the stacking direction to the lower end surface to the upper end surface. It is placed in the range of up to one-third. As a result, it is possible to prevent the third manifold 44 from bending.

The plurality of end plate fixing portions 444 fix the third manifold 44 to the end plate 110 of the tightening plate 100. The end plate fixing portion 444 has a hole portion 444a. As a result, the end plate fixing portion 444 is fixed to the end plate of the tightening plate 100 by bolts and nuts via the hole portion 444a.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the shape of the fourth manifold 46 as viewed horizontally from the cell laminated body 10 side. As shown in FIG. 10, the fourth manifold 46 has an oxidant manifold for supplying the oxidant gas and a cooling water manifold for discharging the cooling water. The fourth manifold 46 includes a pipe joint portion 46a, a first space region portion 46b, a second space region portion 46c, a third space region portion 46d, a seventh fixing portion 460, and an eighth fixing portion 462. , A plurality of end plate fixing portions 464, and a plurality of end plate fixing portions 464. The first space region portion 46b, the second space region portion 46c, and the third space region portion 46d are spatial region portions arranged along the side surfaces of the cell stacking body 10 along the cell stacking direction.

The seventh fixing portion 460 is provided on the ninth end surface in the direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the cell laminated body 10, and fixes the fourth manifold 46 and the second manifold 42. The seventh fixing portion 460 has a hole portion 460a into which a bolt is inserted and a bolt embedding portion 460b. The bolt embedded in the embedded portion 460b of the bolt is fixed with a nut via the hole portion 420a (FIG. 8) of the second manifold 42. On the other hand, the bolt embedded in the bolt embedded portion 420b (FIG. 8) of the second manifold 42 is fixed with a nut via the hole portion 460a.

The eighth fixing portion 462 is provided on the tenth end face opposite to the ninth end face in the direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the cell laminated body 10, and fixes the fourth manifold 46 and the third manifold 44. The eighth fixing portion 462 has a hole portion 462a into which a bolt is inserted and a bolt embedding portion 462b. As described above, the bolt embedded in the embedded portion 462b of the bolt is fixed with a nut via the hole portion 440a of the third manifold 44 (FIG. 9). On the other hand, the bolt embedded in the embedded portion 440b (FIG. 9) of the bolt of the third manifold 44 is fixed with a nut via the hole portion 462a. The seventh fixing portion 460 and the eighth fixing portion 462 are from one-third of the cell laminate 10 of the fourth manifold 46 from the upper end surface to the opposite lower end surface in the stacking direction to the lower end surface to the upper end surface. It is placed in the range of up to one-third. As a result, it is possible to prevent the fourth manifold 46 from bending.

The plurality of end plate fixing portions 464 fix the fourth manifold 46 to the end plate 110 of the tightening plate 100. The end plate fixing portion 464 has a hole portion 464a. As a result, the end plate fixing portion 464 is fixed to the end plate of the tightening plate 100 by bolts and nuts via the hole portion 464a.

The flow of the cooling water will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, and 10. The cooling water supplied from the pipe joint portion 40a is stored in the third space region 40f. Subsequently, the cooling water stored in the third space region 40f flows through the cooling water flow path groove 160b via the first inlet portion 16h of the oxidizing agent pole flow path plate 16, and flows from the first outlet portion 16h to the fourth manifold 46. It is discharged to the third space region portion 46d of the above. Then, the cooling water stored in the third space region portion 46d is discharged from the pipe joint portion 46a communicating with the third space region portion 46d. In this way, the cell laminate 10 is cooled by the cooling water flowing through the cooling water channel groove 160b of the oxidant electrode flow path plate 16 in the cell laminate 10.

The flow of the reaction gas (oxidizing agent gas) will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7 and 10. The oxidant gas supplied from the pipe joint portion 40b of the first manifold 40 is supplied to the second space region portion 40e. Subsequently, of the oxidant pole flow path plate 16 laminated on the cell laminate 10, the oxidant gas flow path is passed through the first inlet portion 16c of the oxidant pole flow path plate 16 communicating with the second space region portion 40e. It flows through the groove 160a and is discharged from the first outlet portion 16d to the first space region portion 46b of the fourth manifold 46. The oxidant gas discharged to the discharge in the first space region portion 46b is the oxidant pole flow path plate 16 communicating with the second space region portion 46c of the oxidant pole flow path plate 16 laminated on the cell laminate 10. It flows through the oxidant gas flow path groove 160a through the second inlet portion 16e of the above, and is discharged from the second outlet portion 16f to the second space region portion 40e of the first manifold 40.

The oxidant gas discharged to the second space region portion 40e of the first manifold 40 is discharged from the pipe joint portion 40c. In this way, the oxidant gas flows through the oxidant gas flow path groove 160a of the oxidant pole flow path plate 16 in the cell laminate 10, so that the oxidant gas is supplied to the oxidant pole of the electrolyte membrane 12.

The flow of the reaction gas (fuel electrode gas) will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 8 and 9. The fuel electrode gas supplied from the hole portion 42a of the pipe joint is supplied to the first space region portion 42c. Subsequently, of the fuel electrode flow path plate 14 laminated on the cell laminate 10, the fuel electrode gas flow path groove 140b is passed through the first inlet portion 14c of the fuel pole flow path plate 14 communicating with the first space region portion 42c. Is discharged from the first outlet portion 14d to the first space region portion 44a of the third manifold 44. The fuel electrode gas discharged to the first space region portion 44a is the second inlet of the fuel pole flow path plate 16 communicating with the first space region portion 46a of the fuel pole flow path plates 14 laminated on the cell laminate 10. It flows through the fuel electrode gas flow path groove 140b through the portion 14e, and is discharged from the second outlet portion 14f to the second space region portion 42d of the second manifold 42.

The fuel electrode gas discharged to the second space region portion 42d of the second manifold 42 is discharged from the hole portion 42b of the pipe joint. In this way, the fuel electrode gas flows through the fuel electrode gas flow path groove 140b of the fuel electrode flow path plate 14 in the cell laminate 10, so that the fuel electrode gas is supplied to the fuel electrode of the electrolyte membrane 12.

A method of fixing the first to fourth manifolds 46, 42, 44, 46 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13. FIG. 11 is a side view showing a state in which the first to fourth manifolds 46, 42, 44, and 46 are fixed to the fuel cell stack 1. FIG. 11 is a side view seen from the third manifold 44 side.

12 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 11, and FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. The discharge pipe 420b is connected to the hole 42b of the pipe joint of the second manifold 42.

As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, first, as a method of fixing the manifold, the first to fourth manifolds 46, 42, 44, 46 are attached to the end plate 110 of the fuel cell stack 1. As can be seen, by fixing the first to fourth manifolds 46, 42, 44, 46 to the end plate 110, the first to fourth manifolds 46, 42, 44, 46 on the four surfaces are attached to the cell laminate 10. It becomes possible to fix it.

Next, the first to eighth fixing portions 400, 402, 420, 422, 440, 442, 460, 462 of the first to fourth manifolds 46, 42, 44, 46 are fixed to each other using bolts or the like. At this time, it is possible to tighten with a specified pressure. Thereby, the first to fourth manifolds 46, 42, 44, and 46 can be fixed to the cell laminate 10 with the specified tightening pressure. In this way, by fixing the gas manifolds to the end plates first, it is possible to prevent the fixed positions from shifting without fixing the gas manifolds at the same time, and it is possible to improve the operability of assembly.

At this time, it is possible to make the tightening force in the horizontal direction and the tightening force in the vertical direction different. Fixing the first to fourth manifolds 46, 42, 44, 46 to the cell laminate 10 is performed when there is a leak of gas or cooling water from the inside of the cell laminate 10 to the outside, or when there is a partition inside the manifold. It prevents leaks beyond the partition. Therefore, the tightening force required for fixing may differ depending on the pressure inside the manifold and the sealing method. Since the first to eighth fixing portions 400, 402, 420, 422, 440, 442, 460, and 462 are perpendicular to the cell laminate 10, the tightening force is the tightening force of the manifolds facing each other among the four surfaces. If they are the same, it is possible to tighten with different tightening forces in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. As a result, the first to fourth manifolds 46, 42, 44, and 46 can be tightened to the cell laminate 10 with an appropriate tightening force without changing the structure.

As described above, according to the fuel cell stack 1 according to the present embodiment, the first fixing portion 400 is provided on the first end surface in the direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the cell laminate 10 of the first manifold 40. The first fixing portion 400 fixes the second manifold 42 and the first manifold 40 that cover the second side surface F2 of the cell laminate 10 adjacent to the first side surface F1 on which the first manifold 40 is arranged. As a result, it is possible to prevent the first manifold 40 from bending in the direction away from the first side surface F1 along the stacking direction of the cell laminate 10 due to the tightening force that presses the first manifold 40 against the first side surface F1.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and variations thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

1: Fuel cell stack, 10: Cell laminate, 10a: Fuel cell, 40: 1st manifold, 42: 2nd manifold, 44: 3rd manifold, 46: 4th manifold, 100: Tightening plate, 110: End plate, 400: 1st fixed part, 402: 2nd fixed part, 420: 3rd fixed part, 422: 4th fixed part, 440: 5th fixed part, 442: 6th fixed part, 460: 7th fixed part Part, 462: 8th fixing part, 404, 424, 444, 464, end plate fixing part, F1: 1st side surface, F2: 2nd side surface, F3: 3rd side surface, F4: 4th side surface.

Claims (11)

The electrolyte membrane, the fuel electrode and the oxidant electrode sandwiching the electrolyte membrane, the fuel electrode channel plate provided with the gas flow path facing the fuel electrode, and the gas flow path facing the oxidant electrode A cell laminate in which cells having an oxidizer electrode flow path plate provided are laminated, and
A first manifold that is arranged on the first side surface along the stacking direction of the cell laminate and supplies a reaction gas to the fuel electrode flow path plate or the oxidant electrode flow path plate in the cell laminate.
A second manifold adjacent to the first side surface and covering the second side surface along the stacking direction of the cell laminate.
With
The first manifold is
A space region portion that covers the first side surface of the cell laminate and
A first fixing portion provided on the first end surface in a direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the cell laminate and fixing the first manifold and the second manifold.
Has a fuel cell stack. A third manifold that is adjacent to the first side surface and faces the second side surface and covers the third side surface along the stacking direction of the cell laminate is further provided.
The first manifold is
A second fixing portion provided on the second end surface opposite to the first end surface in the direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the cell laminate and fixing the first manifold and the third manifold is provided.
The fuel cell stack according to claim 1, further comprising. The first fixing portion and the second fixing portion are formed from one-third of the first manifold from the third end surface of the cell laminate in the stacking direction to the fourth end surface on the opposite side, and from the fourth end surface. The fuel cell stack according to claim 2, which is arranged in a range of up to one-third to the third end face. The first side surface is a flat surface, and the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion press the first manifold against the first side surface with a first tightening force in a direction orthogonal to the first side surface. Item 3. The fuel cell stack according to item 3. The first fixing portion presses the first manifold against the first side surface with a tightening force in the direction along the second side surface.
The fuel cell stack according to claim 4, wherein the second fixing portion presses the first manifold against the first side surface with a tightening force in a direction along the third side surface. The first fixing portion presses the first manifold against the first side surface with a tightening force in the direction along the back plate of the second manifold.
The fuel cell stack according to claim 5, wherein the second fixing portion presses the first manifold against the first side surface by a tightening force in a direction along the back plate of the third manifold. A fourth manifold that is adjacent to the second side surface and the third side surface, faces the first side surface, and covers the fourth side surface along the stacking direction of the cell laminate is further provided.
The second manifold is
A second space region portion that covers the second side surface of the cell laminate, and
A third fixing portion provided on the fifth end surface in a direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the cell laminate and fixing the second manifold and the first manifold.
It has a fourth fixing portion provided on the sixth end surface opposite to the fifth end surface in the direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the cell laminate and fixing the second manifold and the fourth manifold.
The third manifold is
A third space region portion that covers the third side surface of the cell laminate, and
A fifth fixing portion provided on the seventh end surface in a direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the cell laminate and fixing the third manifold and the fourth manifold.
It has a sixth fixing portion provided on the eighth end surface opposite to the seventh end surface in the direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the cell laminate and fixing the third manifold and the first manifold.
The fourth manifold is
A fourth space region portion that covers the fourth side surface of the cell laminate, and
A seventh fixing portion provided on the ninth end surface in a direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the cell laminate and fixing the fourth manifold and the second manifold.
A claim that includes an eighth fixing portion provided on a tenth end surface opposite to the ninth end surface in a direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the cell laminate and fixing the fourth manifold and the third manifold. 6. The fuel cell stack according to 6. The second side surface is a flat surface, and the third fixing portion and the fourth fixing portion press the second manifold against the third side surface with a second tightening force in a direction orthogonal to the second side surface.
The fuel cell stack according to claim 7, wherein the first tightening force and the second tightening force have different sizes. A tightening plate for tightening and holding both ends of the cell laminate is further provided.
The fuel cell stack manifold according to claim 8, wherein each of the first to fourth manifolds has an end plate fixing portion for fixing to the end plate of the tightening plate. Each of the first to fourth manifolds is held by the cell laminate via an end plate fixing portion fixed to the end plate of the tightening plate, and then fixed by the first to eighth fixing portions. The manifold of the fuel cell stack according to claim 9. An electrolyte membrane, a fuel electrode and an oxidant electrode sandwiching the electrolyte membrane, a fuel electrode channel plate provided with a gas flow path facing the fuel electrode, and a gas flow path facing the oxidant electrode. The provided oxidant pole flow path plate and the fuel pole flow path plate in the cell laminate or the oxidant electrode are arranged on the side surface along the stacking direction of the cell laminate in which the cells having the cells are laminated. A manifold of a fuel cell stack that supplies reaction gas to the flow path plate.
A space region portion that covers the first side surface of the cell laminate and
A first fixing portion provided on a first end surface in a direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the cell laminate and fixing a second manifold covering the second side surface of the cell laminate adjacent to the first side surface.
The manifold of the fuel cell stack.

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