JP5121759B2 - Fuel cell vehicle - Google Patents

Description

  In the present invention, a plurality of unit cells each including an electrolyte / electrode structure in which a pair of electrodes are provided on both sides of an electrolyte and a separator are stacked in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and at least one side surface includes a plurality of cell voltages. The present invention relates to a fuel cell vehicle including a fuel cell stack in which terminals are arranged along the stacking direction of the unit cells.

  For example, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell employs an electrolyte membrane (electrolyte) made of a polymer ion exchange membrane. A unit cell is configured by sandwiching an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure in which an anode side electrode and a cathode side electrode are disposed on both sides of the electrolyte membrane with a separator.

  Usually, a fuel cell is used as a fuel cell stack in which a predetermined number (for example, several tens to several hundreds) of unit cells are stacked in order to obtain a desired power generation. In this type of fuel cell stack, it is necessary to detect whether each unit cell has a desired power generation performance. For this reason, usually, an operation of detecting a cell voltage for each unit cell during power generation by connecting a cell voltage terminal provided in the separator to a voltage detection device (cell voltage monitor) is performed.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 9, a solid polymer fuel cell stack 1 is provided, and the fuel cell stack 1 is formed by stacking a plurality of cells 2. The cell 2 is configured as one unit every two cells, and a power measurement terminal 3 is disposed in each unit.

  In the fuel cell stack 1, end plates 4a and 4b are disposed at both ends of the cell 2 in the stacking direction, and the corners of the end plates 4a and 4b are fixed to a connecting plate 5 having a bent shape. 2, a load in the stacking direction is applied. A voltage measuring terminal 3 is arranged on the side of the fuel cell stack 1 so as to protrude outward, and a connector (not shown) is connected to the voltage measuring terminal 3.

JP 11-339828 A

  By the way, the fuel cell stack may be used as an in-vehicle fuel cell stack mounted on a fuel cell vehicle in a state in which a stacked body in which a plurality of unit cells are stacked is housed in a box-shaped casing. Specifically, for example, between the end plates 4a and 4b, four side plates are attached so as to cover the upper, lower, left and right side surfaces of each cell 2, and the voltage measuring terminals 3 arranged in the stacking direction. Must be exposed to the outside of the casing.

  Accordingly, the side plate on which the voltage measuring terminal 3 is provided is divided into two parts in the vertical direction. At that time, the side plate is configured to be thin in order to reduce the weight, and when the side plate is divided into two, the strength on the open side of each divided portion is lowered.

  For this reason, when an external load is applied to the fuel cell stack in the stacking direction, the divided side plates may be deformed outward on the open side of each divided portion. Accordingly, there is a problem that the deformed portion easily collides with the wall portion of the arrangement portion where the fuel cell stack is arranged, other components, and the like, and foreign matters are mixed in the casing.

  The present invention solves this type of problem, and can satisfactorily prevent the divided side plate from being deformed when an external load is applied. An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell vehicle capable of preventing the contamination of the fuel as much as possible.

  In the present invention, a plurality of unit cells having an electrolyte / electrode structure in which a pair of electrodes are provided on both sides of an electrolyte and a separator are stacked in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and at least one side surface includes a plurality of cell voltages. A fuel cell stack having terminals arranged along the stacking direction of the unit cells, end plates disposed at both ends of the fuel cell stack in the stacking direction, and a side surface of the fuel cell stack extending in the stacking direction. The present invention relates to a fuel cell vehicle including a housing having a side plate fixed between the end plates.

  The fuel cell vehicle is provided with a protective member for protecting the cell voltage terminal, and the side plate is divided into first and second side plate portions to expose the cell voltage terminal to the outside, while the protective member is divided. A flat plate portion that overlaps at least a part of the first side plate portion when viewed from one side surface is provided at an end portion that is exposed to the outside of the housing through the first and second side plate portions.

  Moreover, it is preferable that a flat plate part overlaps each one part of each divided | segmented 1st and 2nd side plate part seeing from one side.

  Further, the one side surface is a surface corresponding to either the left or right side of the fuel cell vehicle, and the side plate is divided into the first and second side plate portions in the vehicle vertical direction, and the rigidity of the upper first side plate portion is: It is preferable to set lower than the rigidity of the lower second side plate portion.

  Furthermore, the cell voltage terminal to which the protective member is attached is preferably used during vehicle inspection.

  The fuel cell stack is preferably provided with a cell voltage terminal used for vehicle inspection on one side surface and a cell voltage terminal for vehicle control on the other side surface.

  Further, in the fuel cell stack, it is preferable that unit cells provided with cell voltage terminals used during vehicle inspection and unit cells provided with the cell voltage terminals for vehicle control are alternately stacked.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the protective member is integrally connected to the plurality of cell voltage terminals and extends in the stacking direction.

  In the present invention, the end portion of the protective member exposed to the outside of the housing is provided with a flat plate portion that overlaps at least a part of the first side plate portion when viewed from one side surface. For this reason, when an external load is applied in the stacking direction of the fuel cell stack and the housing is deformed, at least the first side plate portion is held by the flat plate portion and is prevented from being deformed outward.

  As a result, when an external load is applied to the fuel cell stack in the stacking direction, it is possible to satisfactorily prevent the divided side plates from being deformed outward with a simple configuration, and foreign matter can be found in the housing. It becomes possible to prevent mixing as much as possible.

1 is a partial side view of a fuel cell vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective explanatory view from one side of a fuel cell stack. It is a perspective explanatory view from the other side of the fuel cell stack. It is a disassembled perspective explanatory drawing of the unit cell which comprises the said fuel cell stack. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the connection state of the cell voltage terminal for vehicle control, and a connector. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the connection state of the cell voltage terminal used at the time of vehicle inspection, and a protection member. It is explanatory drawing of the state which the casing which comprises the said fuel cell stack deform | transformed. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective explanatory view of a fuel cell stack constituting a fuel cell vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a fuel cell stack of Patent Document 1. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell vehicle 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is located in a passenger compartment 16 between left and right front seats (driver seat and front passenger seat) 18a, 18b. 14 is provided, and the center console 14 extends in the vehicle length direction (arrow L direction) of the fuel cell vehicle 10. The fuel cell stack 20 is accommodated in the center console 14.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the fuel cell stack 20 includes a stacked body 24 in which a plurality of unit cells 22 are stacked in the horizontal direction (arrow A direction). A terminal plate 26a, an insulating plate 28a, and an end plate 30a are sequentially disposed at one end of the stack 24 in the stacking direction (arrow A direction).

  At the other end in the stacking direction of the stacked body 24, a terminal plate 26b, an insulating plate 28b, and an end plate 30b are sequentially disposed outward. The fuel cell stack 20 is integrally held by a box-shaped casing (housing) 32 including end plates 30a and 30b configured in a vertically long rectangular shape as end plates. The end plates 30a and 30b are made of, for example, an aluminum plate.

  As shown in FIG. 4, each unit cell 22 includes an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure (electrolyte / electrode structure) 40, and a thin plate-shaped first and second metal sandwiching the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 40. Separators 42 and 44 are provided. Instead of the first and second metal separators 42 and 44, a carbon separator may be used.

  In order to supply an oxidant gas, for example, an oxygen-containing gas, to one end edge (upper edge) in the long side direction (the arrow C direction in FIG. 4) of the unit cell 22 in communication with each other in the arrow A direction. The oxidant gas supply communication hole 46a and a fuel gas supply communication hole 48a for supplying a fuel gas, for example, a hydrogen-containing gas, are provided.

  The other end edge (lower edge) in the long side direction of the unit cell 22 communicates with each other in the direction of the arrow A, and discharges the fuel gas discharge communication hole 48b for discharging the fuel gas and the oxidant gas. An oxidant gas discharge communication hole 46b is provided.

  A cooling medium supply communication hole 50a for supplying a cooling medium is provided at one end edge of the unit cell 22 in the short side direction (arrow B direction), and the other end edge of the unit cell 22 in the short side direction. Is provided with a cooling medium discharge communication hole 50b for discharging the cooling medium.

  The electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 40 includes, for example, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 52 in which a perfluorosulfonic acid thin film is impregnated with water, and an anode side electrode 54 and a cathode side electrode 56 that sandwich the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 52. With.

  The anode side electrode 54 and the cathode side electrode 56 are uniformly coated with a gas diffusion layer (not shown) made of carbon paper or the like, and porous carbon particles carrying a platinum alloy on the surface thereof. And an electrode catalyst layer (not shown) formed. The electrode catalyst layers are formed on both surfaces of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 52.

  A fuel gas flow path 58 that connects the fuel gas supply communication hole 48a and the fuel gas discharge communication hole 48b is formed along the arrow C direction on the surface 42a of the first metal separator 42 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 40. Is done. A cooling medium flow path 60 that communicates the cooling medium supply communication hole 50a and the cooling medium discharge communication hole 50b is formed on the surface 42b of the first metal separator 42 along the arrow B direction.

  The surface 44a of the second metal separator 44 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 40 is provided with an oxidant gas flow path 62 along the direction of arrow C, and the oxidant gas flow path 62 is provided with an oxidant gas supply. The communication hole 46a communicates with the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 46b. On the surface 44 b of the second metal separator 44, a cooling medium flow path 60 is integrally formed so as to overlap the surface 42 b of the first metal separator 42.

  A first seal member 64 a is integrally formed on the surfaces 42 a and 42 b of the first metal separator 42 around the outer peripheral edge of the first metal separator 42. A second seal member 64 b is integrally formed on the surfaces 44 a and 44 b of the second metal separator 44 around the outer peripheral edge of the second metal separator 44.

  A recess 66a is formed at one edge of the unit cell 22 in the short side direction (arrow B direction). For example, the first metal separator 42 is disposed in the recess 66a and is used for vehicle control. A cell voltage terminal 68a is attached.

  The other unit cell adjacent to the one unit cell 22 has a recess 66b at the other end edge in the short side direction (arrow B direction). For example, the first metal separator 42 is provided with a cell voltage terminal 68b that is disposed in the recess 66b and used during vehicle inspection. One unit cell 22 and the other unit cell 22 are alternately stacked.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, first and second power extraction terminals 70 a and 70 b are provided extending outward from the center in the plane of the terminal plates 26 a and 26 b in the stacking direction. The first power extraction terminal 70a penetrates the insulating plate 28a and the end plate 30a and protrudes outside, while the second power extraction terminal 70b penetrates the insulation plate 28b and the end plate 30b and protrudes outside. For example, a load such as a vehicle driving motor is connected to the first and second power extraction terminals 70a and 70b.

  The casing 32 includes end plates 30 a and 30 b that are end plates, a plurality of side plates 74 a to 74 d disposed on the side of the laminate 24, and end portions of the side plates 74 a to 74 d that are close to each other via screws 75. And an angle member 76 that is connected to each other, and a hinge mechanism 78 that connects the end plates 30a and 30b and the side plates 74a to 74d.

  The side plates 74a to 74d are composed of thin metal plates, and as shown in FIG. 2, the side plates 74a are divided into two in the vehicle vertical direction (arrow C direction) and are spaced apart from each other. It has a side plate portion 80a and a second side plate portion 80b. As shown in FIG. 3, the side plate 74 c similarly includes a first side plate portion 82 a and a second side plate portion 82 b that are divided into two in the vehicle vertical direction (arrow C direction) and are spaced apart from each other.

  The hinge mechanism 78 includes first hinge portions 84a and 84b provided on the end plates 30a and 30b, a second hinge portion 86 provided on the side plates 74a to 74d, and the first hinge portions 84a and 84b and the second hinge portion 86. Are provided with connecting pins 88a and 88b inserted in an alternately arranged state.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an oxidant gas inlet manifold 90a communicating with the oxidant gas supply communication hole 46a and a fuel gas inlet manifold 92a communicating with the fuel gas supply communication hole 48a are provided on the upper side of the end plate 30a. Provided. An oxidant gas outlet manifold 90b that communicates with the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 46b and a fuel gas outlet manifold 92b that communicates with the fuel gas discharge communication hole 48b are provided on the lower side of the end plate 30a.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the end plate 30b includes a cooling medium inlet manifold 93a that extends in the direction of arrow C and communicates with the cooling medium supply communication hole 50a, and a cooling medium outlet that communicates with the cooling medium discharge communication hole 50b. A manifold 93b is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, a connector (protection member) 94 is attached for each predetermined number of cell voltage terminals 68a. The connector 94 includes a connection terminal portion 96 connected to each cell voltage terminal 68a, and the connection terminal portion 96 is coupled to one end of a cable (harness) 98 via a solder portion 100 (see FIG. 5). A flat plate member 102 is provided at the end of the connector 94 exposed to the outside of the casing 32.

  The flat plate member 102 has a flat plate portion 102a that overlaps a portion of the first side plate portion 80a and a flat plate that overlaps a portion of the second side plate portion 80b when viewed from one side surface (side plate 74a) (arrow F in FIG. 5). Part 102b. Note that at least one of the flat plate portions 102a and 102b, for example, only the flat plate portion 102a may be used.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, a connector-type protection member 104 is attached to each predetermined number of cell voltage terminals 68b. A flat plate member 106 is provided at the end of the protective member 104 exposed to the outside of the casing 32. The flat plate member 106 is viewed from one side surface (side plate 74c) (arrow G in FIG. 6), and a flat plate portion 106a that overlaps a part of the first side plate portion 82a and a flat plate portion that overlaps a part of the second side plate portion 82b. 106b. The flat plate member 106 may have only the flat plate portion 106a.

  In the side plates 74a and 74c, the rigidity of the upper first side plate portions 80a and 82a is set lower than the rigidity of the lower second side plate portions 80b and 82b.

  The operation of the fuel cell stack 20 configured as described above will be described below.

  First, in the fuel cell stack 20, as shown in FIG. 2, an oxidant gas such as an oxygen-containing gas is supplied from the oxidant gas inlet manifold 90a of the end plate 30a to the oxidant gas supply communication hole 46a, and the fuel gas A fuel gas such as a hydrogen-containing gas is supplied from the inlet manifold 92a to the fuel gas supply communication hole 48a.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, a cooling medium such as pure water or ethylene glycol is supplied from the cooling medium inlet manifold 93a of the end plate 30b to the cooling medium supply communication hole 50a. Therefore, in the stacked body 24, the oxidant gas, the fuel gas, and the cooling medium are supplied in the arrow A direction to the plurality of unit cells 22 that are overlapped in the arrow A direction.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the oxidant gas is introduced into the oxidant gas flow path 62 of the second metal separator 44 through the oxidant gas supply communication hole 46 a, and along the cathode side electrode 56 of the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 40. Move. On the other hand, the fuel gas is introduced into the fuel gas flow path 58 of the first metal separator 42 from the fuel gas supply communication hole 48 a and moves along the anode side electrode 54 of the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 40.

  Therefore, in each electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 40, the oxidant gas supplied to the cathode side electrode 56 and the fuel gas supplied to the anode side electrode 54 are consumed by an electrochemical reaction in the electrode catalyst layer, Power generation is performed.

  Next, the oxidant gas consumed by being supplied to the cathode side electrode 56 flows along the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 46b, and then is discharged to the outside from the oxidant gas outlet manifold 90b of the end plate 30a. Similarly, the fuel gas consumed by being supplied to the anode electrode 54 flows along the fuel gas discharge communication hole 48b, and is then discharged to the outside from the fuel gas outlet manifold 92b of the end plate 30a.

  The cooling medium flows in the direction of arrow B after being introduced into the cooling medium flow path 60 between the first and second metal separators 42 and 44 from the cooling medium supply communication hole 50a. After cooling the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 40, the cooling medium moves through the cooling medium discharge communication hole 50b and is discharged from the cooling medium outlet manifold 93b of the end plate 30b.

  In this case, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the side plate 74c is divided into the first side plate portion 82a and the second side plate portion 82b, and is arranged between them. A protection member 104 is attached to the plurality of cell voltage terminals 68b.

  The protective member 104 is provided with a flat plate member 106 at an end portion exposed to the outside of the casing 32 through the first and second side plate portions 82a and 82b. The flat plate member 106 has a flat plate portion 106a that overlaps a part of the first side plate portion 82a and a flat plate portion 106b that overlaps a part of the second side plate portion 82b when viewed from the side plate 74c.

  Here, when an external load is applied to the fuel cell stack 20 in the stacking direction, as shown in FIG. 7, each opening side of the first and second side plate portions 82a and 82b, which is a low strength portion of the casing 32, is provided. The end tends to deform outward. At that time, the opening side end portions of the first and second side plate portions 82a and 82b are held in contact with the flat plate portions 106a and 106b of the flat plate member 106, and each deformation is suppressed.

  Thereby, when an external load is applied to the fuel cell stack 20 in the stacking direction, it is possible to satisfactorily suppress deformation of the divided first and second side plate portions 82a and 82b with a simple configuration. At the same time, it is possible to prevent foreign matters from entering the casing 32.

  In addition, since the deformation of the first and second side plate portions 82a and 82b is suppressed, the deformation of the entire casing 32 can be further reliably suppressed.

  Furthermore, the rigidity of the upper first side plate portion 82a is set lower than the rigidity of the lower second side plate portion 82b. Therefore, when the fuel cell stack 20 receives an external load, the upper first side plate portion 82a is deformed first, and the deformation of the lower second side plate portion 82b is deformed under the deformation action of the first side plate portion 82a. Can be suppressed. Thereby, it is possible to effectively prevent the gap between the lower second side plate portion 82b and the laminated body 24, which is relatively easy for foreign substances to enter, to be effectively prevented, and contamination from the gaps is made possible as much as possible. Is prevented.

  On the other hand, the side plate 74a is similarly divided into first and second side plate portions 80a and 80b, and a connector 94 attached to the cell voltage terminal 68a is arranged between them. A flat plate member 102 is provided at the end of the connector 94 exposed to the outside of the casing 32. The flat plate member 102 has a flat plate portion 102a that overlaps a part of the first side plate portion 80a and a flat plate portion 102b that overlaps a part of the second side plate portion 80b, and the same effect as the flat plate member 106 described above is obtained. can get.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective explanatory view of the fuel cell stack 110 constituting the fuel cell vehicle according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In addition, the same referential mark is attached | subjected to the component same as the fuel cell stack 20 which comprises the fuel cell vehicle 10 which concerns on 1st Embodiment, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The fuel cell stack 110 includes a single protection member 112, which extends in the direction of arrow A and is integrally attached to each cell voltage terminal 68b. The protection member 112 is configured to be long in the direction of the arrow A, and on both upper and lower side surfaces, a flat plate portion 114a exposed to the outside of the casing 32 and overlapping a part of the first side plate portion 82a, and a second side plate portion A predetermined number of flat plate portions 114b overlapping a part of 82b are provided.

  In addition, you may comprise the flat plate parts 114a and 114b by one plate-shaped object long in the arrow A direction. Further, although not shown, a single connector that is long in the direction of arrow A may be integrally attached to the cell voltage terminal 68a for vehicle control.

  In the second embodiment configured as described above, the protection member 112 is provided with a flat plate portion 114a that overlaps a part of the first side plate portion 82a and a flat plate portion 114b that overlaps a part of the second side plate portion 82b. It has been. Accordingly, when an external load is applied to the fuel cell stack 110 in the stacking direction, deformation of the first and second side plate portions 82a and 82b is favorably suppressed by the flat plate portions 114a and 114b. The same effect as in the embodiment can be obtained.

  Furthermore, in the second embodiment, a plurality of vehicle voltage terminals 68b for vehicle inspection provided in a plurality of unit cells 22 arranged in the direction of arrow A are integrally attached to a single protective member 112. Has been. For this reason, the protection member 112 can position and hold the plurality of stacked unit cells 22 as a whole, and the positional deviation of the unit cells 22 can be prevented as much as possible. can get.

  In the first and second embodiments, the fuel cell stacks 20 and 110 are disposed on the center console 14 in the vehicle compartment 16, but are not limited thereto. For example, it can be accommodated in the front portion (bonnet portion) of the fuel cell vehicle 10 or the lower floor of the fuel cell vehicle 10.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Fuel cell vehicle 14 ... Center console 20, 110 ... Fuel cell stack 22 ... Unit cell 24 ... Laminated body 30a, 30b ... End plate 32 ... Casing 40 ... Electrolyte membrane and electrode structure 42, 44 ... Metal separator 52 ... Solid Polymer electrolyte membrane 54 ... Anode side electrode 56 ... Cathode side electrode 58 ... Fuel gas channel 60 ... Coolant flow channel 62 ... Oxidant gas channel 68a, 68b ... Cell voltage terminals 74a-74d ... Side plates 80a, 80b, 82a , 82b ... side plate portion 94 ... connector 102, 106 ... flat plate member 102a, 102b, 106a, 106b, 114a, 114b ... flat plate portion 104, 112 ... protective portion

Claims (7)

A plurality of unit cells having an electrolyte / electrode structure in which a pair of electrodes are provided on both sides of the electrolyte and a separator are stacked in the vehicle front-rear direction, and at least one side has a plurality of cell voltage terminals on the unit. A fuel cell stack arranged along the cell stacking direction;
End plates disposed at both ends of the fuel cell stack in the stacking direction, and a housing having side plates extending in the stacking direction along the side surfaces of the fuel cell stack and fixed between the end plates;
A fuel cell vehicle comprising:
A protective member for protecting the cell voltage terminal is provided,
The side plate is divided into first and second side plate portions to expose the cell voltage terminal to the outside.
The protective member is a flat plate that overlaps at least a part of the first side plate portion when viewed from the one side surface at an end portion exposed between the divided first and second side plate portions and exposed to the outside of the housing. A fuel cell vehicle characterized in that a portion is provided.   2. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the flat plate portion overlaps a part of each of the divided first and second side plate portions when viewed from the one side surface. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the one side surface is a surface corresponding to either the left or right side of the fuel cell vehicle,
The side plate is divided into the first and second side plate portions in the vehicle vertical direction, and the rigidity of the upper first side plate portion is set lower than the rigidity of the lower second side plate portion. A fuel cell vehicle.   The fuel cell vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cell voltage terminal to which the protection member is attached is used during vehicle inspection. 5. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the fuel cell stack is provided with the cell voltage terminal used at the time of the vehicle inspection on the one side surface.
A fuel cell vehicle characterized in that a cell voltage terminal for vehicle control is provided on the other side.   6. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the fuel cell stack includes a unit cell provided with the cell voltage terminal used during the vehicle inspection and a unit cell provided with the cell voltage terminal for vehicle control. A fuel cell vehicle characterized by being alternately stacked.   7. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the protection member is integrally connected to the plurality of cell voltage terminals and extends in the stacking direction. Fuel cell vehicle.

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