JP5137478B2 - Fuel cell - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention includes an electrolyte / electrode structure in which a pair of electrodes are disposed on both sides of an electrolyte, the electrolyte / electrode structure and a metal separator are stacked, and at least a fuel gas, an oxidant gas, or a cooling medium. The present invention relates to a fuel cell in which fluid communication holes for supplying any fluid in the stacking direction are formed in the stacking direction.

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

  In the fuel cell described above, a fuel gas flow path (fluid flow path) for flowing a fuel gas (fluid) facing the anode side electrode and an oxidant gas facing the cathode side electrode in the plane of the separator An oxidant gas flow path (fluid flow path) for flowing (fluid) is provided. Further, a fuel gas inlet communication hole and a fuel gas outlet communication hole that are fluid communication holes that penetrate the separator in the stacking direction and communicate with the fuel gas flow path, and an oxidant gas flow path An oxidant gas inlet communication hole and an oxidant gas outlet communication hole, which are fluid communication holes communicating with each other, are formed. In addition, a cooling medium flow path (fluid flow path) for cooling the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure is provided between the separators, and a cooling medium inlet communication that penetrates in the stacking direction and communicates with the cooling medium flow path. A hole and a cooling medium outlet communication hole (fluid communication hole) are formed.

  In this case, the fluid channel and the fluid communication hole communicate with each other via a connection channel having parallel grooves or the like in order to allow fluid to flow smoothly and evenly. However, when the separator and the electrolyte / electrode structure are clamped and fixed with a seal member interposed therebetween, the seal member enters the connecting flow path, and the desired sealing performance cannot be maintained. In addition, there is a problem that the reaction gas does not flow well.

  Therefore, in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack disclosed in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 14, a meandering reaction gas channel, for example, an oxidant gas channel 2 is formed in the plane of the separator 1. ing. The oxidant gas flow channel 2 communicates with an oxidant gas supply through hole 3 and an oxidant gas discharge through hole 4 that penetrate the peripheral edge of the separator 1 in the stacking direction. A packing 5 is disposed in the separator 1, and the through holes 3, 4 and the oxidant gas flow path 2 are communicated with each other in the plane of the separator 1, and other through holes are sealed from these.

  In the connection flow paths 6a and 6b that connect the through holes 3 and 4 and the oxidant gas flow path 2, a SUS plate 7 that is a seal member is disposed so as to cover the connection flow paths 6a and 6b. The SUS plate 7 is configured in a rectangular shape, and ears 7a and 7b are provided at two locations, respectively, and the ears 7a and 7b are fitted into a step 8 formed on the separator 1.

  Thus, in Patent Document 1, since the SUS plate 7 covers the connection flow paths 6a and 6b, the polymer film (not shown) and the packing 5 do not fall into the oxidant gas flow path 2, The desired sealing performance can be ensured, and an increase in the pressure loss of the reaction gas can be prevented.

JP 2001-266911 A

  However, in Patent Document 1 described above, the SUS plate 7 is attached to each of the connection flow paths 6a and 6b of the separator 1, and the attaching operation of the SUS plate 7 is complicated. In particular, when several tens to several hundreds of fuel cells are stacked, there is a problem that the mounting process of the SUS plate 7 becomes considerably complicated and time-consuming, and the cost is significantly increased. .

  The present invention solves this type of problem, and provides a fuel cell capable of effectively simplifying the assembly process of the fuel cell and ensuring a desired sealing function with an economical and simple configuration. The purpose is to provide.

  The present invention includes an electrolyte / electrode structure in which a pair of electrodes are disposed on both sides of an electrolyte, the electrolyte / electrode structure and a metal separator are stacked, and at least a fuel gas, an oxidant gas, or a cooling medium. The present invention relates to a fuel cell in which a fluid flow path for flowing one of the fluids in the surface direction of the metal separator and a fluid communication hole for supplying the fluid in the stacking direction are formed.

The metal separator is provided with a rubber wall member that partitions between the fluid flow path and the fluid communication hole, and the rubber wall member has a passage that communicates the fluid flow path and the fluid communication hole. A groove portion that extends in the flow direction of the fluid flowing through the passage portion and is notched in the stacking direction, and a partition wall portion that blocks at least a part of the groove portion and can block the flow of the fluid. Is provided.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the other surface opposite to the surface on which the rubber wall member of the metal separator is provided is provided with a sealing convex portion overlapping the rubber wall member in the stacking direction. Further, it is preferable that the partition wall is integrally formed with the rubber wall member with respect to the metal separator.

  Furthermore, the metal separator is preferably provided with a rubber seal member that is integrally formed with the rubber wall member to prevent fluid leakage.

  According to the present invention, the rubber wall member for partitioning between the fluid flow path and the fluid communication hole is configured to have a relatively large size, and the rubber wall member is formed by forming a groove in the rubber wall member. The elasticity of the wall member itself can be increased. This is because the compression load characteristics of the rubber wall member are deteriorated. For this reason, the metal separator has improved adhesion in the stacking direction, and can secure a desired sealing property.

  And the partition part which obstruct | occludes at least one part of a groove part and blocks | prevents the flow of the fluid is provided. Therefore, the fluid flows only through the passage portion, and a predetermined amount of fluid can be reliably circulated, so that desired power generation performance and cooling performance can be ensured.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of a fuel cell 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1 of the fuel cell stack 12 in which a plurality of fuel cells 10 are stacked in the direction of arrow A. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel cell stack 12 in FIG. , III-III line cross-sectional explanatory drawing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the fuel cell 10, an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure (electrolyte / electrode structure) 14 is sandwiched between first and second metal separators 16 and 18. The first and second metal separators 16 and 18 are made of, for example, a steel plate, a stainless steel plate, an aluminum plate, a plated steel plate, or the like.

  One end edge of the fuel cell 10 in the direction of arrow B (horizontal direction in FIG. 1) communicates with each other in the direction of arrow A, which is the stacking direction, and oxidant for supplying an oxidant gas, for example, an oxygen-containing gas An agent gas inlet communication hole 20a, a cooling medium outlet communication hole 22b for discharging a cooling medium, and a fuel gas outlet communication hole 24b for discharging a fuel gas, for example, a hydrogen-containing gas, are provided in an arrow C direction (vertical direction). Are provided in an array.

  The other end edge in the direction of arrow B of the fuel cell 10 communicates with each other in the direction of arrow A, a fuel gas inlet communication hole 24a for supplying fuel gas, and a cooling medium inlet communication hole for supplying a cooling medium. 22a and an oxidizing gas outlet communication hole 20b for discharging the oxidizing gas are arranged in the direction of arrow C. The oxidant gas inlet communication hole 20a, the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 20b, the cooling medium inlet communication hole 22a, the cooling medium outlet communication hole 22b, the fuel gas inlet communication hole 24a, and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 24b constitute a fluid communication hole. To do.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, for example, an oxidant gas channel (fluid channel) 26 extending in the direction of arrow B is formed on the surface 16 a of the first metal separator 16 on the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14 side. Is provided. The oxidant gas flow path 26 includes a plurality of grooves provided by forming the first metal separator 16 into a wave shape, and the oxidant gas flow path 26, the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 20a, and the oxidant gas. The outlet communication hole 20b communicates with the connection channels 28a and 28b.

  A first seal member (rubber seal member) 32 is integrated with the surfaces 16a and 16b of the first metal separator 16 by baking or injection molding around the outer peripheral end of the first metal separator 16. . The first seal member 32 uses, for example, a seal material such as EPDM, NBR, fluorine rubber, silicon rubber, fluorosilicon rubber, butyl rubber, natural rubber, styrene rubber, chloroplane, or acrylic rubber, a cushion material, or a packing material. To do.

  The first seal member 32 includes a first flat part 34 integrated with the surface 16 a of the first metal separator 16 and a second flat part 36 integrated with the surface 16 b of the first metal separator 16. As shown in FIG. 4, the first flat portion 34 is formed so as to surround the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 20 a and the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 20 b so as to communicate with the oxidant gas flow path 26. On the other hand, the second flat portion 36 is formed by communicating the cooling medium inlet communication hole 22a and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 22b with a cooling medium flow path (described later).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the surface 18a of the second metal separator 18 on the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14 side communicates with the fuel gas inlet communication hole 24a and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 24b. A fuel gas channel (fluid channel) 40 extending in the direction is formed. The fuel gas channel 40 includes a plurality of grooves, and the fuel gas channel 40, the fuel gas inlet communication hole 24a, and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 24b are connected via connection channels 42a and 42b, as will be described later. Communicate.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a cooling medium flow path (fluid flow path) communicating with the cooling medium inlet communication hole 22 a and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 22 b is provided on a surface 18 b opposite to the surface 18 a of the second metal separator 18. 46 is formed.

  A second seal member (rubber seal member) 48 is integrated with the surfaces 18 a and 18 b of the second metal separator 18 around the outer peripheral end of the second metal separator 18. The second seal member 48 is made of the same material as the first seal member 32 described above.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the second seal member 48 includes an outer convex seal 50 a provided on the surface 18 a in the vicinity of the outer peripheral end of the second metal separator 18, and inward from the outer convex seal 50 a. An inner convex seal 50b is provided at a predetermined distance. The inner convex seal 50b closes the fuel gas flow path 40.

  On the surface 18a, rubber bridges (rubber wall members) 52a and 52b are formed in the vicinity of the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 20a and the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 20b, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the rubber bridge 52 a is formed with a plurality of passage portions 56 a that connect the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 20 a and the oxidant gas flow channel 26. The rubber bridge 52a is substantially divided into two. A plurality of groove portions 58a narrower than the passage portion 56a are formed between the passage portions 56a, and the groove portion 58a is closed at two locations in the rubber bridge 52a to prevent the flow of the oxidizing gas. A pair of partition walls 60a is provided.

  The partition wall 60a is integrally formed with the rubber bridge 52a with respect to the second metal separator 18, and is formed in a mountain shape toward the open side of the groove 58a. In order to reliably prevent the flow of the fuel gas, the height of the partition wall 60a is preferably set to a height at which the rubber bridge 52a is compressed or higher. This is because the height of the rubber bridge 52a at the time of molding (no load) becomes larger than the height at the time of lamination compression. The partition wall 60a may be formed separately from the rubber bridge 52a and fixed to the rubber bridge 52a.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the rubber bridge 52b is similarly formed with a plurality of passage portions 56b that connect the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 20b and the oxidant gas flow path 26. A plurality of groove portions 58b narrower than the passage portion 56b are formed between the passage portions 56b, and the rubber bridge 52b closes the groove portions 58b at two locations to prevent the flow of the oxidizing gas. A pair of partition walls 60b is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 7, on the surface 18b of the second metal separator 18, an outer convex seal 62a that constitutes the second seal member 48, and a cooling medium flow path 46 spaced inward of the outer convex seal 62a. And an inner convex seal 62b provided so as to surround.

  Rubber bridges (rubber wall members) 64a and 64b are formed in the vicinity of the cooling medium inlet communication hole 22a and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 22b, respectively. In the rubber bridge 64a, a plurality of passage portions 66a that connect the cooling medium inlet communication hole 22a and the cooling medium flow path 46 are formed. A plurality of groove portions 68a narrower than the passage portion 66a are formed between the passage portions 66a, and a pair of the rubber bridges 64a closes the groove portions 68a at two locations to prevent the flow of the cooling medium. The partition wall 69a is provided.

  Similarly, the rubber bridge 64b is formed with a plurality of passage portions 66b that connect the cooling medium outlet communication hole 22b and the cooling medium flow path 46. A plurality of groove portions 68b narrower than the passage portion 66b are formed between the passage portions 66b, and a pair of the rubber bridges 64b closes the groove portions 68b at two locations to prevent the flow of the cooling medium. The partition wall 69b is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, on both surfaces of the second metal separator 18, the rubber bridges 52a and 52b overlap a part of the outer convex seal 62a (sealing convex portion) in the stacking direction, while the rubber bridge 64a. 64b overlaps a part of the outer convex seal 50a (sealing convex portion) in the stacking direction.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of passages 65a, 65b communicating with the fuel gas inlet communication hole 24a and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 24b are formed on the surface 18b of the second metal separator 18, respectively. The passages 65a and 65b communicate with the plurality of holes 67a and 67b, and the holes 67a and 67b communicate with the fuel gas flow path 40 provided on the surface 18a (see FIG. 5).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14 includes, for example, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 70 in which a perfluorosulfonic acid thin film is impregnated with water, and an anode side sandwiching the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 70. The electrode 72 and the cathode side electrode 74 are provided. The surface area of the anode side electrode 72 is set to be smaller than the surface areas of the cathode side electrode 74 and the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 70 and constitutes a so-called step MEA.

  The anode side electrode 72 and the cathode side electrode 74 include a gas diffusion layer made of carbon paper or the like, and an electrode catalyst layer in which porous carbon particles having a platinum alloy supported on the surface are uniformly applied to the surface of the gas diffusion layer. And have. The electrode catalyst layers are bonded to both surfaces of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 70 so as to face each other with the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 70 interposed therebetween.

  The operation of the fuel cell 10 configured as described above will be described below.

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, a fuel gas such as a hydrogen-containing gas is supplied to the fuel gas inlet communication hole 24a, and an oxidant gas such as an oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 20a. Further, a cooling medium such as pure water, ethylene glycol, or oil is supplied to the cooling medium inlet communication hole 22a.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the fuel gas passes through the passage 65a from the fuel gas inlet communication hole 24a of the second metal separator 18, and then moves from the plurality of holes 67a to the surface 18a side to flow the fuel gas. It is introduced into the road 40. In the fuel gas channel 40, the fuel gas is supplied to the anode side electrode 72 constituting the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14 while moving in the arrow B direction.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the oxidant gas passes through the passage portions 56 a of the rubber bridge 52 a provided in the second metal separator 18 from the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 20 a and passes through the first metal separator 16. The oxidant gas flow path 26 is introduced. As a result, the oxidant gas is supplied to the cathode side electrode 74 constituting the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14 while moving the oxidant gas flow path 26 in the arrow B direction as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. The

  Therefore, in the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14, the oxidant gas supplied to the cathode side electrode 74 and the fuel gas supplied to the anode side electrode 72 are consumed by an electrochemical reaction in the electrode catalyst layer to generate power. Is done.

  Next, the fuel gas consumed by being supplied to the anode electrode 72 moves from the plurality of holes 67b to the passage 65b, and is then discharged in the direction of arrow A along the fuel gas outlet communication hole 24b. Similarly, the oxidant gas supplied to and consumed by the cathode side electrode 74 is discharged from the passage portion 56b of the rubber bridge 52b in the direction of arrow A along the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 20b.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the cooling medium supplied to the cooling medium inlet communication hole 22a passes through the passage portions 66a of the rubber bridge 64a, and the cooling medium flow path between the first and second metal separators 16 and 18. After being introduced to 46, it circulates in the direction of arrow B. The cooling medium cools the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14 and then is discharged to the cooling medium outlet communication hole 22b through the passage portions 66b of the rubber bridge 64b.

  In this case, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the oxidant gas inlet is provided in the rubber bridge 52 a that partitions the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 20 a and the oxidant gas flow path 26. One or more passage portions 56a are formed for communicating the communication hole 20a with the oxidant gas flow path 26. Further, a plurality of narrow groove portions 58a are formed between the passage portions 56a, and the rubber bridge 52a having a relatively large size is divided into a plurality of portions. For this reason, the compressive load characteristic of the rubber bridge 52a is lowered, and the elasticity of the rubber bridge 52a itself can be effectively increased.

  Accordingly, when the fuel cell 10 is tightened in the stacking direction and a tightening load is applied to the rubber bridge 52a and the part of the outer convex seal 62a overlapping in the stacking direction, the rubber bridge 52a and the outer convex shape are provided. The compression ratio with a part of the seal 62a is approximated.

  For this reason, for example, the compression rate of the narrow outer convex seal 62a increases and a large sag occurs, and the wide and low compression rate of the rubber bridge 52a cannot maintain the linear pressure necessary for the seal. Can be avoided. As a result, the rubber bridge 52a and the outer convex seal 62a can each maintain a desired linear pressure necessary for sealing, and prevent leakage of oxidant gas, fuel gas, and cooling medium as much as possible. Can be obtained.

  Further, the rubber bridge 52a is provided with a partition wall 60a for closing the groove 58a and preventing the flow of the oxidizing gas. Therefore, since the oxidant gas flows only through the passage portion 56a, the flow rate of the oxidant gas supplied to the oxidant gas flow path 26 can be reliably maintained at a predetermined amount, and desired power generation performance is ensured. It becomes possible. The rubber bridge 52b has the same effect as the rubber bridge 52a.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the cooling medium inlet communication hole 22 a and the cooling medium flow path 46 are communicated with a rubber bridge 64 a that partitions the cooling medium inlet communication hole 22 a and the cooling medium flow path 46. One or more passage portions 66a are formed, and a plurality of groove portions 68a each closed by a pair of partition walls 69a are formed between the passage portions 66a. For this reason, the rubber bridge 64a having a relatively large size can be divided into a plurality of parts to increase the compression rate of the rubber bridge 64a.

  As a result, the compression ratio of the rubber bridge 64a and the convex portion 50 overlapping in the stacking direction is adjusted to be equal to each other. Therefore, the cooling medium leaks in the rubber bridge 64a, the fuel gas leaks in the outer convex seal 50a, etc. The same effects as those of the rubber bridge 52a can be obtained. The rubber bridge 64b that partitions the cooling medium outlet communication hole 22b and the cooling medium flow path 46 has the same effect as the rubber bridge 64a.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, when the second seal member 48 is integrally formed on the surfaces 18a and 18b of the second metal separator 18, the rubber bridges 52a, 52b, 64a and 64b are also integrally formed. At that time, the partition walls 60a, 60b, 69a and 69b are integrally formed together with the rubber bridges 52a, 52b, 64a and 64b. Thereby, the sealing molding process is simplified at a time, and the advantage that the productivity of the second metal separator 18 can be effectively improved is obtained.

  In the first embodiment, the outer convex seal 50a, the inner convex seal 50b, the outer convex seal 62a, and the inner convex seal 62b are provided on the surfaces 18a and 18b of the second metal separator 18, respectively. It is not limited to this. For example, the inner convex seal 62b and the rubber bridges 64a and 64b are integrally formed on the surface 18b of the second metal separator 18, while only the outer convex seal 50a is provided on the surface 18a of the second metal separator 18. May be. The same applies to the second to fourth embodiments described below.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of one surface 18a of the second metal separator 80 constituting the fuel cell according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the same referential mark is attached | subjected to the component same as the 2nd metal separator 18 which comprises the fuel cell 10 which concerns on 1st Embodiment, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted. In the third and fourth embodiments described below, the description thereof is also omitted.

  Rubber bridges (rubber wall members) 82a and 82b are formed in the vicinity of the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 20a and the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 20b, respectively. The rubber bridge 82a is substantially divided into three by a plurality of passage portions 56a. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a plurality of groove portions 84a narrower than the passage portion 56a are formed between the passage portions 56a, and the groove portion 84a is closed at one place on the rubber bridge 82a. In addition, a partition wall portion 86a for preventing the flow of the oxidant gas is provided.

  The rubber bridge 82b is substantially divided into three via a plurality of passage portions 56b, and a plurality of groove portions 84b narrower than the passage portion 56b are formed between the passage portions 56b. The rubber bridge 82b is provided with a partition wall portion 86b that closes the groove portion 84b at one place and prevents the flow of the oxidant gas.

  Although not shown, the rubber bridges 82a and 82b are provided on the surface 18b side of the second metal separator 90 in place of the rubber bridges 64a and 64b.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of one surface 18a of the second metal separator 90 constituting the fuel cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  Rubber bridges (rubber wall members) 92a and 92b are formed in the vicinity of the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 20a and the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 20b. The rubber bridges 92a and 92b are substantially divided into three by a plurality of passage portions 56a and 56b. A plurality of groove portions 94a and 94b narrower than the passage portions 56a and 56b are formed between the passage portions 56a and 56b, and one end portions of the groove portions 94a and 94b are closed in the rubber bridges 92a and 92b. In addition, partition walls 96a and 96b that prevent the flow of the oxidant gas are provided (see FIGS. 10 and 11).

  Although not shown, rubber bridges 92a and 92b are provided on the surface 18b of the second metal separator 90 in place of the rubber bridges 64a and 64b.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory view of one surface 18a of the second metal separator 100 constituting the fuel cell according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  On the surface 18a, rubber bridges (rubber wall members) 102a and 102b are formed in the vicinity of the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 20a and the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 20b, respectively. The rubber bridges 102a and 102b are substantially divided into three by a plurality of passage portions 56a and 56b. A plurality of groove portions 104a and 104b narrower than the passage portions 56a and 56b are formed between the passage portions 56a and 56b, and both end portions of the groove portions 104a and 104b are closed in the rubber bridges 102a and 102b. In addition, a pair of partition walls 106a and 106b for preventing the flow of the oxidizing gas is provided (see FIGS. 12 and 13).

  Although not shown, the surface 18b is provided with rubber bridges 102a and 102b instead of the rubber bridges 64a and 64b.

  In the second to fourth embodiments configured as described above, passage portions 56a and 56b and groove portions 84a, 84b, 94a, 94b and 104a, 104b narrower than the passage portions 56a and 56b are provided. Thus, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, both end portions of the groove portions 104a and 104b are closed to provide partition portions 106a and 106b, and the groove portions 104a and 104b are closed from the passage portions 56a and 56b. Therefore, there is an advantage that it is possible to satisfactorily prevent drainage from entering the grooves 104a and 104b.

It is a principal part disassembled perspective explanatory drawing of the fuel cell which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1 of the fuel cell stack in which the fuel cells are stacked. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the fuel cell stack taken along line III-III in FIG. 1. It is front explanatory drawing of the 1st metal separator which comprises the said fuel cell. It is explanatory drawing of one surface of the 2nd metal separator which comprises the said fuel cell. It is a schematic perspective view of a rubber bridge constituting the fuel cell. It is explanatory drawing of the other surface of the said 2nd metal separator. It is explanatory drawing of one surface of the 2nd metal separator which comprises the fuel cell which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic perspective view of a rubber bridge constituting the fuel cell. It is explanatory drawing of one surface of the 2nd metal separator which comprises the fuel cell which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic perspective view of a rubber bridge constituting the fuel cell. It is explanatory drawing of one surface of the 2nd metal separator which comprises the fuel cell which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic perspective view of a rubber bridge constituting the fuel cell. It is front view explanatory drawing of the separator which comprises the fuel cell stack which concerns on patent document 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Fuel cell 12 ... Fuel cell stack 14 ... Electrolyte membrane and electrode structure 16, 18, 80, 90, 100 ... Metal separator 20a ... Oxidant gas inlet communication hole 20b ... Oxidant gas outlet communication hole 22a ... Cooling medium inlet Communication hole 22b ... Cooling medium outlet communication hole 24a ... Fuel gas inlet communication hole 24b ... Fuel gas outlet communication hole 26 ... Oxidant gas flow path 32, 48 ... Seal member 40 ... Fuel gas flow path 46 ... Cooling medium flow path 50a, 62a ... Outer convex seal 50b, 62b ... Inner convex seals 52a, 52b, 64a, 64b, 82a, 82b, 92a, 92b, 102a, 102b ... Rubber bridges 56a, 56b, 66a, 66b ... Passage portions 58a, 58b, 68a, 68b, 84a, 84b, 94a, 94b, 104a, 104b ... groove portions 60a, 60b, 69a, 69b, 6a, 86b, 96a, 96b, 106a, 106b ... partition wall 70 ... solid polymer electrolyte membrane 72 ... anode 74 ... cathode

Claims (4)

An electrolyte / electrode structure having a pair of electrodes disposed on both sides of the electrolyte, the electrolyte / electrode structure and the metal separator are stacked, and at least one of a fuel gas, an oxidant gas, or a cooling medium A fuel cell in which a fluid flow path for flowing a fluid in a surface direction of the metal separator and a fluid communication hole for supplying the fluid in a stacking direction are formed;
The metal separator is provided with a rubber wall member that partitions between the fluid flow path and the fluid communication hole,
The rubber wall member has a passage portion communicating the fluid flow path and the fluid communication hole;
A groove that extends in the flow direction of the fluid flowing through the passage and is notched in the stacking direction;
A partition wall that closes at least a part of the groove and can block the flow of the fluid;
A fuel cell comprising:   2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein a sealing convex portion overlaps the rubber wall member in the stacking direction on the other surface of the metal separator opposite to the one surface on which the rubber wall member is provided. A fuel cell provided.   2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the partition wall is integrally formed with the rubber wall member with respect to the metal separator.   4. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the metal separator includes a rubber seal member that is integrally formed with the rubber wall member and prevents leakage of the fluid. 5. A fuel cell.

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