JP5297358B2 - Fuel cell - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell.

  There are various types of solid oxide fuel cells (hereinafter referred to as “SOFC”), which are a type of fuel cell, such as a planar type, a horizontal stripe cylindrical type, and a vertical stripe cylindrical type.

Among them, in the horizontal-striped cylindrical SOFC, fuel cells in which a fuel electrode, an electrolyte, and an air electrode are sequentially arranged on the circumferential surface of a base tube formed of a porous ceramic or the like in a cylindrical shape are formed side by side. A configuration is known in which a cell tube is provided, the cell tubes are arranged in parallel, and one end and the other end of the cell tube are electrically connected to a plate-like current collecting connector (for example, a patent) Reference 1).
Specifically, a current collecting cap is disposed at the end of the cell tube with a member such as nickel felt interposed between the cell tube and the current collecting cap, and the current collecting cap and the current collecting cap are screwed together. An electrical connection is ensured by sandwiching a current collecting connector between the holding nut.

  The above-described Patent Document 1 also discloses a configuration in which a current collecting cap is disposed at the end of the cell tube and a conductive wire is electrically connected to the current collecting cap. Specifically, using the elastic force of the current collecting cap, the current collecting cap is attached to the end of the cell tube, and the conducting wire is secured to the current collecting cap. The electric power generated in the plurality of cell tubes is collected using this conducting wire.

In addition, a structure in which a spring-like structure is formed on a current collector connector formed in a plate shape, and the cell tube is arranged on the current collector connector by deforming the spring-like structure with the cell tube is also known. ing.
By doing so, the spring-like structure is pressed against the cell tube by an elastic force, and electrical connection between the current collector connector and the cell tube is ensured.

JP 2004-139818 A

  However, in the method of interposing a member such as nickel felt between the cell tube and the current collecting cap in order to ensure the electrical connection between the cell tube and the current collecting cap, a method using the elastic force of the current collecting cap Compared to the above, there is a problem that it takes time to install the current collecting cap. In particular, when the number of cell tubes increases, the time required increases in proportion to the number of cell tubes, and this problem becomes remarkable.

  Furthermore, in the method of sandwiching the current collecting connector between the current collecting cap and the holding nut, it is necessary to screw in the holding nut, and it takes time to electrically connect the current collecting cap and the current collecting connector. was there. Also in this case, when the number of cell tubes increases, the time required increases in proportion to the number of cell tubes, and this problem becomes remarkable.

  Further, in the method of sandwiching the current collecting connector between the current collecting cap and the holding nut, it is necessary to secure a space for inserting a tool for rotating the holding nut, and the interval between the adjacent cell tubes cannot be reduced. was there. In other words, there is a problem that it is difficult to increase the arrangement density of the cell tubes.

  When collecting current using a conducting wire from a current collecting cap, there is a problem that it takes time to tie up a plurality of conducting wires or to collect and connect currents. Also in this case, when the number of cell tubes increases, the time required increases in proportion to the number of cell tubes, and this problem becomes remarkable.

  Furthermore, since the SOFC is operated at a high temperature (for example, 500 ° C. to 700 ° C. at the connection site), if the SOFC operation is performed after conducting the wire lashing operation at room temperature, the SOFC is fixed due to the temperature difference between the room temperature and the operation temperature. There was a risk that the binding site would loosen and the contact resistance would change.

  On the other hand, in order to perform the wire securing operation, it is necessary to secure a predetermined space between the adjacent cell tubes. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to narrow the interval between adjacent cell tubes.

  In the method of securing the electrical connection with the cell tube using the spring-like structure provided on the current collecting connector, if an electrical connection failure occurs in one cell tube, Even if the general connection was sound, the entire current collecting connector had to be replaced.

  Furthermore, when the SOFC has a plurality of cell tubes and the plurality of cell tubes are arranged in a matrix (for example, 100 cell tubes are arranged in 5 columns × 20 rows), the plurality of cell tubes are collected. It will be plugged into the connector all at once. Then, even if the load required to insert a single cell tube into the current collector connector is small, the load required to insert multiple cell tubes increases, making it difficult for workers to insert them. there were. In other words, there has been a problem that it is necessary to make an insertion work apparatus.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and can simplify the manufacturing process of the fuel cell, facilitate repair work, and reduce the size and performance of the fuel cell. An object is to provide a fuel cell.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means.
The fuel cell of the present invention is a fuel cell that is disposed at an end portion of a base tube and includes a fixing portion that electrically connects and fixes a current collector plate and the base tube, and the fixing portion includes: A space in which the base tube is inserted and a part of a wall surface of the space, and a fixed portion-side pressing portion configured to be radially displaceable are provided, and the current collector plate A through hole into which the fixed portion side pressing portion is inserted, and the fixed portion side pressing portion is displaced toward the base tube side by rotating the fixed portion side pressing portion with respect to the current collector plate. An electric plate side hole is provided.

  According to the present invention, when the fixing portion is inserted into the current collecting plate side hole formed in the current collecting plate and rotated by a predetermined angle, the fixing portion side pressing portion provided in the fixing portion is And the circumferential surface of the base tube can be pressed from the outer diameter side toward the center side.

Therefore, the work of fixing the base tube to the current collector plate and the work of electrically connecting are performed only by relatively rotating the fixing portion and the current collector plate, and the manufacturing process of the fuel cell having the fuel cell of the present invention Repair work is simplified.
Furthermore, when there is continuity of the base tube due to the failure of the reduction operation, breakage due to a shortage of fuel in the base tube can be prevented by disconnecting the current collecting unit alone.

  On the other hand, it is only necessary to secure a work space necessary for rotating the fixing portion with respect to the current collector plate. Therefore, the arrangement interval of the base tube can be narrowed, and the fuel cell can be downsized. Or when the size of the whole fuel cell is made the same, more base tubes can be provided inside, and the performance of the fuel cell can be improved.

  In the above invention, it is desirable that the radius of the current collector plate side hole is gradually reduced as it rotates around the center of the current collector plate side hole.

  According to the present invention, the displacement of the fixed portion side pressing portion is performed by the shape of the current collector plate side hole portion whose radius is gradually reduced. In other words, the fixed portion presser that rotates around the center of the current collector plate side hole, in other words, around the base tube, is pushed toward the center of the base tube by the current collector side hole whose radius is gradually reduced, The circumferential surface of the base tube is suppressed from the outer diameter side toward the center side.

  The fuel cell of the present invention is a fuel cell that is disposed at an end portion of a base tube, and includes a fixing portion that electrically connects and fixes the current collector plate and the base tube. A current collector plate side hole through which the base tube is inserted, and a position extending in the circumferential direction and displaceable radially inward at a position facing the circumferential surface of the base tube in the current collector plate side hole A current collector plate side pressing portion, and the fixing portion extends along the base tube, and is inserted into a gap between the current collector plate side hole and the base tube, and the current collector plate side A claw portion that enters between the current collector plate side hole portion and the current collector plate side pressing portion by being rotated around the center of the hole portion is provided.

According to the present invention, when the fixing portion is inserted into the current collector plate side hole provided in the current collector plate and rotated by a predetermined angle, the current collector plate side press portion provided in the current collector plate is attached to the claw portion. By being pushed and displaced toward the center side of the base tube, the base tube can be suppressed from the outer diameter side toward the center side.
Therefore, the work of fixing the base tube to the current collector plate and the work of electrically connecting are performed only by relatively rotating the fixing portion and the current collector plate, and the manufacturing process of the fuel cell having the fuel cell of the present invention Repair work is simplified.

  On the other hand, it is only necessary to secure a work space necessary for rotating the fixing portion with respect to the current collector plate. Therefore, the arrangement interval of the base tube can be narrowed, and the fuel cell can be downsized. Or when the size of the whole fuel cell is made the same, more base tubes can be provided inside, and the performance of the fuel cell can be improved.

  In the above invention, the radially outer edge of the current collecting plate side pressing portion has an inclination that approaches the center side of the base tube as it goes to the tip of the current collecting plate side pressing portion, It is desirable that the claw portion and the radially outer edge of the collector plate side pressing portion come into contact with each other by rotating the fixing portion around the center of the side hole portion.

  According to the present invention, the current collector plate-side presser is displaced by the shape of the current collector plate-side presser that is formed on the outer peripheral side of the current collector plate-side presser and whose radius is gradually reduced. In other words, the claw portion that rotates is brought into contact with the edge on the radially outer side of the current collector plate-side pressing portion, and the current collector plate-side pressing portion is pushed radially inward. Thereby, the current collector plate-side pressing portion holds the circumferential surface of the base tube from the outer diameter side toward the center side.

  According to the fuel cell of the present invention, when the fixed portion is inserted into the current collector plate side hole formed in the current collector plate and rotated by a predetermined angle, the fixed portion side presser portion provided in the fixed portion is Displacement to the center side of the tube and pressing the circumferential surface of the base tube from the outer diameter side toward the center side simplifies the manufacturing process of the fuel cell, facilitates repair work, and reduces the size of the fuel cell And has the effect of improving performance.

It is a schematic diagram explaining the structure of the fuel cell which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the structure of the discharge side current collecting plate of FIG. It is a schematic diagram explaining the structure of the supply side current collecting plate of FIG. It is a schematic diagram explaining the structure of the current collection plate side hole part formed in the 1st discharge side current collection plate, the 2nd discharge side current collection plate, and the supply side current collection plate. It is a mimetic diagram explaining the composition of the cap for fixation concerning a 1st embodiment. It is an AA arrow directional cross-sectional view explaining the structure of the fixing cap of FIG. It is a schematic diagram explaining the structure of the fixing cap side pressing part of FIG. It is a schematic diagram explaining the state by which the cap for fixing was inserted in the current collection board side hole. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the positional relationship between the fixing cap side pressing portion and the cell tube in FIG. 8. It is a schematic diagram explaining the state by which the cell tube was fixed by the fixing cap. It is a schematic diagram explaining the arrangement | positioning relationship between the fixing cap side pressing part in FIG. 10, and a cell tube. It is a schematic diagram explaining the structure regarding the electrical connection and fixation in the cell tube which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining the structure of the current collecting plate side hole of FIG. It is a schematic diagram explaining the structure of the cap for fixation of FIG. It is a BB sectional view explaining the composition of the cap for fixation of Drawing 14. It is a schematic diagram explaining the state by which the cell tube was fixed by the current collector side hole.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a fuel cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the fuel cell according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the discharge-side current collector plate in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the supply-side current collector plate in FIG.

The fuel cell 1 of the present embodiment will be described by applying the fuel cell of the present invention to a horizontally-striped cylindrical SOFC.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the fuel cell 1 includes a housing 2, a plurality of cell tubes (base tube) 3, an upper support portion 4, a lower support portion 5, and a first discharge side collector. An electric plate (current collector plate) 6, a second discharge side current collector plate (current collector plate) 7, and a supply side current collector plate (current collector plate) 8 are mainly provided.

The housing 2 houses therein a plurality of cell tubes 3, a first discharge side current collector plate 6, a second discharge side current collector plate 7, a supply side current collector plate 8, and the like.
As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 2 is provided with a fuel supply chamber 21, a power generation chamber 22, and a fuel discharge chamber 23.

The fuel supply chamber 21 is a space surrounded by the housing 2 and the lower support 5 and is a space into which fuel gas used for power generation flows from the outside.
Inside the fuel supply chamber 21, the supply-side current collector plate 8 is disposed, and the open end of the cell tube 3 on the fuel supply chamber 21 side is disposed.

The power generation chamber 22 is a space surrounded by the casing 2, the upper support portion 4, and the lower support portion 5, and is a space from which air used for power generation flows in and out from the outside.
Inside the power generation chamber 22, a region of the cell tube 3 where the power generation cell is provided is arranged.

The fuel discharge chamber 23 is a space surrounded by the casing 2 and the upper support 4 and is a space into which fuel gas after being used for power generation flows.
Inside the fuel discharge chamber 23, the first discharge side current collector plate 6 and the second discharge side current collector plate 7 are disposed, and the open end of the fuel discharge chamber 23 of the cell tube 3 is disposed.

  The upper support 4 supports the cell tube 3 together with the lower support 5, and is disposed between the power generation chamber 22 and the fuel discharge chamber 23. In other words, the upper support portion 4 also partitions the power generation chamber 22 and the fuel discharge chamber 23.

  The lower support portion 5 supports the cell tube 3 together with the upper support portion 4 and is disposed between the power generation chamber 22 and the fuel supply chamber 21. In other words, the lower support portion 5 also partitions the power generation chamber 22 and the fuel supply chamber 21.

  The cell tube 3 generates power by receiving supply of fuel gas and air (oxygen). In the cell tube 3, power generation cells are arranged in series along the longitudinal direction of the cell tube 3 on the circumferential surface of a cylindrical base tube. Furthermore, the cell tube 3 is disposed inside the housing 2 such that one open end opens into the fuel discharge chamber 23 and the other open end opens into the fuel supply chamber 21.

The plurality of cell tubes 3 are formed to have substantially the same length and are arranged in parallel. Furthermore, the open ends on the fuel discharge chamber 23 side of the plurality of cell tubes 3 are located on substantially the same plane, and the open ends on the fuel supply chamber 21 side are also located on the substantially same plane.
On the other hand, the plurality of cell tubes 3 includes a first cell group 3A electrically connected to the first discharge side current collector plate 6 and the supply side current collector plate 8, a second discharge side current collector plate 7 and a supply. The second cell group 3B is electrically connected to the side current collector plate 8.

The first discharge side current collector plate 6 is electrically connected and fixed to the end of the cell tube 3 of the first cell group 3A, and together with the supply side current collector plate 8, the first cell group 3A. The cell tubes 3 are connected in parallel. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first discharge-side current collector plate 6 is arranged on the substantially same plane as the second discharge-side current collector plate 7 and is arranged side by side with a predetermined interval. Yes.
Thus, since the 1st discharge side current collecting plate 6 and the 2nd discharge side current collecting plate 7 are arrange | positioned at intervals, both are electrically isolated.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of current collector plate side holes formed in the first discharge side current collector plate, the second discharge side current collector plate, and the supply side current collector plate.
Further, the first discharge-side current collector plate 6 is a metal plate disposed in the fuel discharge chamber 23 of the housing 2, and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the first discharge-side current collector plate 6 includes a plurality of first discharge-side current collector plates 6. Current collector plate side hole 61 is provided.
A plurality of current collecting plate side holes 61 provided in the first discharge side current collecting plate 6 are electrically connected to the negative electrode 32 in the cell tube 3 of the first cell group 3A through a fixing cap 9 described later. It is what is done.

  The second discharge side current collector plate 7 is electrically connected and fixed to the end of the cell tube 3 of the second cell group 3B, and together with the supply side current collector plate 8, the second cell group 3B. The cell tubes 3 are connected in parallel. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second discharge-side current collector plate 7 is disposed substantially on the same plane as the first discharge-side current collector plate 6 and is arranged side by side with a predetermined interval. Yes.

Further, the second discharge side current collector plate 7 is a metal plate disposed in the fuel supply chamber 21 of the housing 2, and a plurality of current collector plate side holes 61 are provided as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. It is what was done.
A plurality of current collecting plate side holes 61 provided in the second discharge side current collecting plate 7 are electrically connected to the positive electrode 33 in the cell tube 3 of the second cell group 3B through a fixing cap 9 described later. It is what is done.

  The supply side current collecting plate 8 is electrically connected and fixed to the end portions of the cell tubes 3 of the first cell group 3A and the second cell group 3B. Further, the supply-side current collector plate 8 connects the cell tube 3 of the first cell group 3A in parallel with the first discharge-side current collector plate 6, and the cell tube 3 of the second cell group 3B together with the second discharge-side current collector plate 7. Are connected in parallel, and the cell tube 3 of the first cell group 3A and the cell tube 3 of the second cell group 3B are connected in series.

Further, the supply-side current collector plate 8 is a metal plate disposed in the fuel supply chamber 21 of the housing 2, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the supply-side current collector plate 8 includes a plurality of current collector plates. A side hole 61 is provided.
The plurality of current collector plate side holes 61 provided in the supply side current collector plate 8 are electrically connected to the positive electrode 31 in the cell tube 3 of the first cell group 3A through a fixing cap 9 described later. It is electrically connected to the negative electrode 34 in the cell tube 3 of the second cell group 3B.

The current collector plate side hole 61 is a through hole formed in the first discharge side current collector plate 6, the second discharge side current collector plate 7, and the supply side current collector plate 8, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. is there.
As shown in FIG. 4, the current collector plate side hole portion 61 is formed on a substantially circular shape, and a plug portion 62 into which the fixing cap side presser portion 92 is inserted is provided in a part thereof.

In the present embodiment, a description will be given by applying to an example in which the pair of insertion portions 62 are provided at positions facing each other in the current collector plate side hole portion 61.
The insertion portion 62 is formed such that the distance L from the center of the current collector plate side hole 61 is larger than the radius R in the current collector plate side hole 61 (L> R). Furthermore, at least one of the boundary between the insertion part 62 and the current collector plate side hole part 61 is connected by an inclination 63. In other words, the distance (radius) from the center of the current collector plate side hole 61 gradually decreases as the distance from the insertion portion 62 increases.

Here, the radius R of the current collector plate side hole 61 is slightly larger than the radius of the cell tube 3.
Therefore, even in the fuel cell 1 having a plurality of cell tubes, a plurality of cell tubes are provided on the first discharge side current collector plate 6, the second discharge side current collector plate 7, and the supply side current collector plate 8. When inserting, the load more than the weight of the 1st discharge side current collection board 6 grade does not occur.

  On the other hand, a spring-like structure is provided on the first discharge-side current collector plate 6, the second discharge-side current collector plate 7, and the supply-side current collector plate 8, and the elasticity of the structure is used. When the cell tube 3 is in electrical contact with the first discharge side current collector plate 6 or the like, the above-described structure is elastically deformed when the cell tube 3 is inserted into the first discharge side current collector plate 6 or the like. Therefore, a load greater than the weight of the first discharge side current collector plate 6 and the like was generated.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the fixing cap according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA for explaining the configuration of the fixing cap of FIG.
The fixing cap (fixing portion) 9 ensures electrical connection between the cell tube 3 and the first discharge side current collector plate 6, the second discharge side current collector plate 7, and the supply side current collector plate 8. At the same time, both are fixed.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the fixing cap 9 is provided with a pair of fixing cap side pressing portions (fixing portion side pressing portions) 92 on the circumferential surface of the cap body 91.
The cap body 91 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a space in which the cell tube 3 is disposed is provided inside. Therefore, the fixing cap 9 does not seal the end of the cell tube 3.

The fixing cap side pressing portion 92 secures an electrical connection between the cell tube 3 and any one of the first discharge side current collector plate 6, the second discharge side current collector plate 7 and the supply side current collector plate 8. The cell tube 3 is fixed to any one of the first discharge side current collector plate 6, the second discharge side current collector plate 7 and the supply side current collector plate 8.
In the present embodiment, a description will be given by applying to an example in which the pair of fixing cap-side pressing portions 92 are disposed to face each other on the circumferential surface of the cap body 91.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the fixing cap side pressing portion of FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the fixing cap-side pressing portion 92 is separated from the circumferential surface of the cap body 91 by a slit 93 formed on the circumferential surface of the cap body 91. Further, the fixing cap side pressing portion 92 is folded back in the vicinity of the end portion of the cap main body 91 and is formed in a U shape in a sectional view.
A stopper portion 94 that is bent outward is formed at the end of the fixing cap side pressing portion 92.

  Next, an electrical connection method and a fixing method of the cell tube 3 in the fuel cell 1 having the above configuration will be described.

Here, in order to facilitate understanding, when the cell tube 3 is electrically connected and fixed to the current collector plate side hole 61 of the first discharge side current collector plate 6 by using the fixing cap 9 Will be described.
The same applies to the case where the cell tube 3 is electrically connected and fixed to the current collector plate side hole 61 of the second discharge side current collector plate 7 or the supply side current collector plate 8 using the fixing cap 9. Therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a fixing cap is inserted into the current collector plate side hole. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the positional relationship between the fixing cap side pressing portion and the cell tube in FIG. 8.
First, the cell tube 3 is inserted into the current collector plate side hole 61 of the first discharge side current collector plate 6. At this time, the cell tube 3 is arrange | positioned in the predetermined position inside the housing | casing 2, as shown in FIG.
Then, the fixing cap 9 is put on the end portion of the cell tube 3, and the fixing cap side pressing portion 92 is inserted into the insertion portion 62 of the current collector plate side hole portion 61 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. . At this time, the stopper 94 of the fixing cap side pressing portion 92 abuts on the insertion portion 62 so that the fixing cap side pressing portion 92 is not inserted too much into the insertion portion 62.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the cell tube is fixed by a fixing cap. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining an arrangement relationship between the fixing cap side pressing portion and the cell tube in FIG. 10.
Thereafter, the fixing cap 9 is rotated with respect to the current collector plate side hole 61 as shown in FIGS. 10 and 12. Specifically, the fixing cap 9 is rotated around the cell tube 3 so that the fixing cap side pressing portion 92 is moved from the insertion portion 62 to the inclined 63 side.
Then, the fixing cap side pressing portion 92 is pushed into the center side of the cell tube 3 by the inclination 63 and is elastically deformed. As a result, the fixing cap side pressing portion 92 comes into contact with the circumferential surface of the cell tube 3 and presses the circumferential surface from the outside toward the center side. In other words, the cell tube 3 is electrically connected to the fixing cap 9 and is fixed to the fixing cap 9. Further, the fixing cap 9 is electrically connected to the first discharge side current collector plate 6 and is fixed to the first discharge side current collector plate 6.

  According to the above configuration, the fixing cap 9 is inserted into the current collector plate side hole 61 formed in the first discharge side current collector plate 6, the second discharge side current collector plate and the supply side current collector plate 8. When rotated by an angle, the fixing cap side pressing portion 92 provided on the fixing cap 9 is displaced toward the center side of the cell tube 3 so that the circumferential surface of the cell tube 3 is moved from the outer diameter side toward the center side. It can be depressed.

Therefore, the work for fixing the cell tube 3 to the first discharge side current collector plate 6 and the like and the work for electrical connection are performed only by relatively rotating the fixing cap 9 and the first discharge side current collector plate 6 etc. Thus, the manufacturing process and repair work in the fuel cell 1 of the present embodiment are simplified.
Furthermore, when there is continuity of the cell tube 3 due to the failure of the reduction work, the cell is separated by separating the first discharge side current collector plate 6, the second discharge side current collector plate 7, and the supply side current collector plate 8. Breakage due to fuel shortage in the tube 3 can be prevented.

  On the other hand, it is only necessary to secure a working space necessary for rotating the fixing cap 9 with respect to the first discharge-side current collector plate 6 and the like, so that the arrangement interval of the cell tubes 3 can be reduced, and the fuel cell 1 can be miniaturized. Or when the magnitude | size of the whole fuel cell 1 is made the same, more cell tubes 3 can be provided in an inside, and the performance enhancement of the fuel cell 1 can be achieved.

  The displacement of the fixing cap side pressing portion 92 is performed by the shape of the current collecting plate side hole portion 61 whose radius is gradually reduced. In other words, by the current collector plate side hole 61 whose radius is gradually reduced, the fixing cap side pressing portion 92 that rotates is pushed toward the center side of the cell tube 3, and the circumferential surface of the cell tube 3 is moved to the outer diameter side. Hold down toward the center.

Further, since the first discharge side current collecting plate 6 and the like and the fixing cap 9 are separated, the thickness of the first discharge side current collecting plate 6 and the like and the thickness of the fixing cap 9 are arbitrarily determined. can do.
Therefore, for the purpose of reducing the contact resistance, the thickness of the first discharge-side current collector plate 6 and the like can be determined regardless of the thickness of the fixing cap 9.
On the other hand, for the purpose of adjusting the spring force (elastic force) in the fixing cap side pressing portion 92, the plate thickness of the fixing cap 9 is determined irrespective of the plate thickness of the first discharge side current collector plate 6 and the like. You can also.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The basic configuration of the fuel cell of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, but differs from the first embodiment in the configuration relating to electrical connection and fixation in the cell tube. Therefore, in the present embodiment, only the configuration relating to electrical connection and fixation in the cell tube will be described using FIGS. 12 to 16, and description of other components and the like will be omitted.
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration related to electrical connection and fixation in the cell tube according to the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the current collector plate side hole of FIG.
In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the component same as 1st Embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

The first discharge side current collector plate 6, the second discharge side current collector plate 7, and the supply side current collector plate 8 of the fuel cell 101 of the present embodiment are provided with current collector plate side holes 161.
As shown in FIG. 12, the current collector plate side hole 161 is electrically connected to the cell tube 3 using a fixing cap (fixing portion) 109 and fixes the cell tube 3. Further, the current collecting plate side hole 161 is a through hole formed in the first discharge side current collecting plate 6, the second discharge side current collecting plate 7 and the supply side current collecting plate 8.
In FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the current collector plate side hole 161 of the first discharge side current collector plate 6 is shown as a representative for ease of explanation.

The current collector plate side hole 161 is provided with a current collector plate side presser 162 as shown in FIGS.
The collector plate side pressing portion 162 is pressed by the claw portion 192 of the fixing cap 109 to be elastically deformed, thereby being electrically connected to the cell tube 3 and fixing the cell tube 3. The current collector plate-side presser 162 is a member extending in a cantilever shape along the circumferential direction of the current collector plate-side hole 161, and the current collector plate-side presser 162 from the center of the current collector plate-side hole 161. The radius up to is slightly larger than the radius of the cell tube 3.
In this way, even in the fuel cell 101 having a plurality of cell tubes 3, the first discharge side current collector plate 6, the second discharge side current collector plate 7, and the supply side current collector plate 8 When inserting a plurality of cell tubes, a load exceeding the weight of the first discharge-side current collector plate 6 or the like is not generated.

  A slit 163 into which the claw portion 192 of the fixing cap 109 enters is formed between the radially outer edge of the current collecting plate side pressing portion 162 and the circumferential surface of the current collecting plate side hole portion 161. . Furthermore, an inclination 164 is formed at the radially outer edge of the current collector plate-side presser 162 toward the tip and toward the center of the current collector plate side hole 161.

  In the present embodiment, a description will be given by applying to an example in which a pair of current collector plate side pressing portions 162 are provided at positions facing each other in the current collector plate side hole portion 161.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the fixing cap of FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B for explaining the configuration of the fixing cap of FIG. 14.
The fixing cap 109 is elastically deformed to the center side of the cell tube 3 by rotating the current collecting plate side pressing portion 162 of the current collecting plate side pressing portion 162.
As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the fixing cap 109 is provided with a cap main body 191 and a claw portion 192.
The cap body 191 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and is configured so that the cell tube 3 can be disposed therein.

The claw portion 192 is a triangular prism-shaped member extending from the end portion of the cap body 191 along the central axis of the cylinder, and comes into contact with the inclination 164 of the current collector plate-side pressing portion 162. In other words, it is a columnar member formed in a wedge shape in a sectional view.
In the present embodiment, a description will be given by applying to an example in which the pair of claw portions 192 are provided at positions facing each other in the fixing cap 109.

  Next, an electrical connection method and a fixing method of the cell tube 3 in the fuel cell 101 having the above configuration will be described.

Here, in order to facilitate understanding, when the cell tube 3 is electrically connected and fixed to the current collector plate side hole 161 of the first discharge side current collector plate 6 using the fixing cap 109 Will be described.
The same applies to the case where the cell tube 3 is electrically connected and fixed to the current collecting plate side hole 161 of the second discharge side current collecting plate 7 or the supply side current collecting plate 8 using the fixing cap 109. Therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

  First, as shown in FIG. 12, the cell tube 3 is inserted into the current collector plate side hole 161 of the first discharge side current collector plate 6. Then, the fixing cap 109 is put on the end of the cell tube 3, and the claw portion 192 is inserted into the gap between the cell tube 3 and the current collector plate side hole 161.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state where the cell tube is fixed by the current collector plate side hole.
Thereafter, the fixing cap 109 is rotated with respect to the current collector plate side hole 161 as shown in FIG. Specifically, the claw portion 192 is rotated around the cell tube 3 so as to move in the direction of entering the slit 163.

  Then, the claw portion 192 comes into contact with the inclination 164 of the current collector plate-side pressing portion 162. When the claw portion 192 is further rotated, the current collector plate side pressing portion 162 is pushed out to the center side of the cell tube 3 by the claw portion 192. As a result, the current collector plate-side presser 162 presses the circumferential surface of the cell tube 3 from the outside toward the center. In other words, the cell tube 3 is electrically connected to the first discharge-side current collector plate 6 and fixed to the first discharge-side current collector plate 6.

According to the above configuration, the fixing cap 109 is inserted into the current collector plate side hole 161 provided in the first discharge side current collector plate 6, the second discharge side current collector plate 7 and the supply side current collector plate 8, When rotated by a predetermined angle, the current collector plate-side pressing portion 162 provided on the first discharge-side current collector plate 6 and the like is pushed by the claw portion 192 and displaced toward the center of the cell tube 3, and the cell tube 3 is moved. It can be suppressed from the outer diameter side toward the center side.
Therefore, the operation of fixing the cell tube 3 to the first discharge side current collector plate 6 or the like and the operation of electrically connecting the cell tube 3 are performed only by relatively rotating the fixing cap 109 and the first discharge side current collector plate 6 or the like. Thus, the manufacturing process and repair work of the fuel cell 101 of this embodiment are simplified.

  On the other hand, it is only necessary to secure a work space necessary for rotating the fixing cap 109 with respect to the first discharge-side current collector plate 6 and the like, so that the arrangement interval of the cell tubes 3 can be reduced, and the fuel cell The size of 101 can be reduced. Or when the size of the whole fuel cell 101 is made the same, more cell tubes 3 can be provided inside, and the high performance of the fuel cell 101 can be achieved.

  The current collector plate-side presser 162 is displaced by the inclination 164 of the current collector plate-side presser 162 that is formed on the outer peripheral side of the current collector plate-side presser 162 and whose radius is gradually reduced. In other words, the claw portion 192 that rotates is brought into contact with the edge on the radially outer side of the current collector plate-side presser portion 162, and the current collector plate-side presser portion 162 is pushed radially inward. Thereby, the current collector plate-side presser 162 can suppress the circumferential surface of the cell tube 3 from the outer diameter side toward the center side.

Further, since the first discharge side current collecting plate 6 and the like and the fixing cap 109 are separated, the plate thickness of the first discharge side current collecting plate 6 and the plate thickness of the fixing cap 109 are arbitrarily determined. can do.
Therefore, for the purpose of reducing the contact resistance, the thickness of the first discharge side current collector plate 6 and the like can be determined regardless of the thickness of the fixing cap 109.

1,101 Fuel cell 3 Cell tube (base tube)
6 First discharge side current collector (current collector)
7 Second discharge side current collector (current collector)
8 Supply-side current collector (current collector)
9,109 Cap for fixing (fixing part)
61,161 Current collecting plate side hole 92 Fixing cap side presser part (fixing part side presser part)
162 Current collector side presser 192 Claw

Claims (4)

A fuel cell comprising a fixing portion disposed at an end of the base tube and electrically connecting and fixing the current collector plate and the base tube;
The fixing portion is provided with a space into which the base tube is inserted, and a fixing portion-side pressing portion that is configured to be displaceable in the radial direction while constituting a part of the wall surface of the space.
The current collector plate is a through-hole into which the fixing portion side pressing portion is inserted, and the fixing portion side pressing portion is rotated with respect to the current collecting plate so that the fixing portion side pressing portion becomes the base. A fuel cell, wherein a current collector plate side hole to be displaced toward the tube side is provided.   2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the radius of the current collector plate side hole is gradually reduced as the current collector plate side hole rotates around the center of the current collector plate side hole. A fuel cell comprising a fixing portion disposed at an end of the base tube and electrically connecting and fixing the current collector plate and the base tube;
The current collector plate has a current collector plate side hole through which the base tube is inserted, and a radial direction and a radial direction at a position facing the circumferential surface of the base tube in the current collector plate side hole. A current collector plate pressing portion configured to be displaceable on the inside, and
The fixing portion extends along the base tube, is inserted into a gap between the current collector plate side hole and the base tube, and rotates around the center of the current collector plate side hole, thereby A fuel cell, wherein a claw portion is provided between the electric plate side hole and the current collector side pressing portion. The radially outer edge of the current collector plate pressing portion has an inclination that approaches the center side of the base tube as it goes to the tip of the current collector plate pressing portion,
4. The claw portion and a radially outer edge of the collector plate-side pressing portion come into contact with each other by rotating the fixing portion around the center of the collector plate-side hole portion. The fuel cell as described.

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