JP5449848B2 - Fuel cell stack - Google Patents

Description

The invention, together with the separator and the membrane electrode assembly in which a pair of electrodes on both sides of the electrolyte membrane is a product layer, a fuel cell stack having a rectangular shape in plan view.

  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. A unit cell is provided. This type of fuel cell is normally used as a fuel cell stack by stacking a predetermined number of unit cells.

  The 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 for in-vehicle use, for example. 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, generally, the operation | work which detects the cell voltage for every unit cell at the time of electric power generation by connecting the cell voltage terminal provided in the separator to the voltage detection apparatus (cell voltage monitor) is performed.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 10, a solid polymer fuel cell stack 1 is provided, and the fuel cell stack 1 is configured 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 in the stacking direction of the cells 2, and each corner of the end plates 4a and 4b is fixed to a connecting plate 5 having a bent shape. A load in the stacking direction is applied to the cell 2. 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.

  The fuel cell stack 1 is provided with an air supply passage 6a, a refrigerant water passage 7 and a hydrogen supply passage 8a on the upper end side in the vertical direction (arrow X direction), and on the lower end side in the vertical direction with the air exhaust passage 6b. A coolant water passage 7 and a hydrogen exhaust passage 8b are provided.

JP 11-339828 A

  By the way, in the fuel cell stack 1 described above, for example, when the stacking direction of the cells 2 is mounted on the vehicle along the vehicle length direction (arrow Z direction), the voltage measurement terminals 3 are arranged in the vehicle width direction (arrow Y direction). It will protrude. For this reason, there is a problem that the fuel cell stack 1 is enlarged in the vehicle width direction and is relatively narrow, for example, the fuel cell stack 1 cannot be accommodated in the center console.

  On the other hand, it is conceivable that the fuel cell stack 1 is mounted on a vehicle in a state where the fuel cell stack 1 is rotated by 90 ° so that each voltage measurement terminal 3 faces upward. However, since the air supply passage 6a, the refrigerant water passage 7 and the hydrogen supply passage 8a, and the air exhaust passage 6b, the refrigerant water passage 7 and the hydrogen exhaust passage 8b are arranged on the left and right, the vehicle width direction substantially Will become longer. Thereby, there exists a problem that the fuel cell stack 1 cannot be effectively accommodated in a narrow space.

  In the fuel cell stack 1, a hydrogen supply passage 8 a is provided in the vicinity of each voltage measurement terminal 3. Therefore, the voltage measurement terminal 3 may affect the hydrogen flowing through the hydrogen supply passage 8a.

  The above-mentioned problem is not limited to the on-vehicle fuel cell, and even a stationary fuel cell is a concern when the storage space is used efficiently.

  The present invention solves this type of problem, and can effectively shorten the overall width dimension and prevent the current extraction terminal from affecting the fuel gas as much as possible. The purpose is to provide a stack.

The present invention includes a separator and the membrane electrode assembly in which a pair of electrodes on both sides of the electrolyte membrane with the product layer, to a fuel cell stack having a rectangular shape in plan view.

The fuel cell stack is provided with a notch at one corner on the short side of the rectangular shape, and a current extraction terminal that bulges into the notch and extracts current from the outside. A fuel gas communication hole through which fuel gas flows is provided at the other corner on the short side.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the current extraction terminal is formed so as to protrude within the width dimension on the short side of the rectangular shape.

  Further, the fuel cell stack is mounted on the vehicle, the long side of the rectangular shape is disposed along the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the current extraction terminal is disposed toward the rear side of the vehicle. It is preferable to be provided.

  Furthermore, in the fuel cell stack, it is preferable that a device connected to the current extraction terminal is disposed on the rear side of the vehicle of the fuel cell stack.

  According to the present invention, since the current extraction terminal is provided at one corner of the short side of the fuel cell stack, a connector, a cable, and the like are provided on the long side of the fuel cell stack in addition to the current extraction terminal. It is possible to adopt a structure that is not arranged. Therefore, the fuel cell stack can reduce the width dimension on the short side as much as possible. For example, the fuel cell stack can be effectively accommodated in a narrow space, and the efficient utilization of the accommodation space is easy. Is envisioned.

  The fuel cell stack is provided with a current extraction terminal at one corner of the rectangular short side and a fuel gas communication hole at the other corner of the rectangular short side. For this reason, the current extraction terminal is separated from the fuel gas communication hole, and it is possible to prevent the current extraction terminal from affecting the fuel gas flowing through the fuel gas communication hole as much as possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partial side view of a fuel cell vehicle in which a fuel cell stack according to a first embodiment of the present invention is incorporated. It is a plane explanatory view of the fuel cell vehicle. It is a schematic perspective view of the fuel cell stack. It is a principal part disassembled perspective explanatory drawing of the fuel cell which comprises the said fuel cell stack. It is a principal part disassembled perspective explanatory drawing of the fuel cell which comprises the fuel cell stack which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the fuel cell stack which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the fuel cell module and bypass circuit which comprise the said fuel cell stack. It is explanatory drawing of the fuel cell stack which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the fuel cell module and discharge circuit which comprise the said fuel cell stack. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a fuel cell stack of Patent Document 1. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell stack 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a fuel cell vehicle 12. The fuel cell vehicle 12 is provided in the passenger compartment 14 between the left and right front seats (driver seat and front passenger seat) 16a, 16b, and a center console 18 is provided (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The center console 18 extends in the vehicle length direction (arrow L direction) of the fuel cell vehicle 12, and the fuel cell stack 10 and the voltage measuring device (ECU) 20 are accommodated in the center console 18.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the fuel cell stack 10 has a rectangular shape in plan view, and a plurality of fuel cells 22 are stacked in the direction of arrow A (vertical direction). The first terminal plate 24a, the first insulating plate 26a and the first end plate 28a are stacked at the lower end (one end) of the fuel cell 22 in the stacking direction, while the second terminal plate is stacked at the upper end (the other end) of the stacking direction. 24b, the second insulating plate 26b, and the second end plate 28b are laminated.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the fuel cell 22 includes an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 30 sandwiched between first and second separators 32 and 34. The first and second separators 32 and 34 are made of, for example, a metal separator such as a steel plate, a stainless steel plate, an aluminum plate, or a plated steel plate, or a carbon separator.

  One end edge of the fuel cell 22 in the direction of arrow B (the horizontal direction in FIG. 4), that is, one short side of the rectangular shape, communicates with each other in the direction of arrow A, which is the stacking direction, For example, an oxidant gas inlet communication hole 36a for supplying an oxygen-containing gas and a fuel gas inlet communication hole 38a for supplying a fuel gas, for example, a hydrogen-containing gas, are arranged in an arrow C direction (horizontal direction). Provided.

  The other end edge of the fuel cell 22 in the direction of the arrow B, that is, the other short side of the rectangular shape, communicates with each other in the direction of the arrow A, and a fuel gas outlet communication hole 38b for discharging the fuel gas; Oxidant gas outlet communication holes 36b for discharging the oxidant gas are arranged in the direction of arrow C.

  A cooling medium inlet communication hole 40a for supplying a cooling medium and a cooling medium outlet communication hole 40b for discharging the cooling medium are provided at both ends of the fuel cell 22 in the arrow C direction.

  An oxidant gas flow path 42 communicating with the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 36a and the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 36b is provided on the surface 32a of the first separator 32 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 30.

  A fuel gas passage 44 communicating with the fuel gas inlet communication hole 38a and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 38b is provided on the surface 34a of the second separator 34 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 30.

  A cooling medium that connects the cooling medium inlet communication hole 40a and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 40b between the surface 32b of the first separator 32 and the surface 34b of the second separator 34 that constitute the fuel cells 22 adjacent to each other. A flow path 46 is provided.

  A first seal member 48 is integrally or individually provided on the surfaces 32 a and 32 b of the first separator 32, and a second seal member 50 is integrally formed on the surfaces 34 a and 34 b of the second separator 34. Or it is provided separately.

  The first and second seal members 48 and 50 are, for example, EPDM, NBR, fluoro rubber, silicon rubber, fluorosilicon rubber, butyl rubber, natural rubber, styrene rubber, chloroprene, or acrylic rubber or the like, cushion material, Alternatively, a packing material is used.

  The first separator 32 is provided with notches 52a and 52b at one corner of each rectangular short side, and a voltage measuring terminal that is used for voltage measurement by bulging into the notches 52a and 52b. (Current extraction terminals) 54a and 54b are provided. The first separator 32 is provided with a fuel gas inlet communication hole 38a and a fuel gas outlet communication hole 38b at the other corner of each rectangular short side.

  The voltage measuring terminals 54a and 54b are formed so as to protrude within the width dimension H on the short side of the rectangular shape. It should be noted that the voltage measurement terminal 54a is provided only at one corner on one short side of the rectangular shape, for example, only at the corner adjacent to the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 36a, and the voltage measurement terminal 54b is deleted. May be.

  Similarly, the second separator 34 is provided with notches 56a and 56b at one corner of each rectangular short side, and bulges into the notches 56a and 56b to be used for voltage measurement. Voltage measurement terminals 58a and 58b are provided. The second separator 34 is provided with a fuel gas inlet communication hole 38a and a fuel gas outlet communication hole 38b at the other corner of each rectangular short side.

  The electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 30 includes, for example, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 60 in which a thin film of perfluorosulfonic acid is impregnated with water, and a cathode side electrode 62 and an anode side electrode 64 that sandwich the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 60. With.

  The cathode side electrode 62 and the anode side electrode 64 are formed by uniformly applying a gas diffusion layer made of carbon paper or the like and porous carbon particles carrying a platinum alloy on the surface thereof to the surface of the gas diffusion layer. An electrode catalyst layer. The electrode catalyst layers are formed on both surfaces of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 60.

  As shown in FIG. 3, for example, a plurality of connecting members 66 are bridged between the first and second end plates 28a, 28b made of aluminum. The connecting members 66 have, for example, a long plate shape made of aluminum, and two connecting members 66 are provided on the long side of the fuel cell stack 10 and one on the short side of the fuel cell stack 10. Is done. The connecting member 66 is fixed to the side portions of the first and second end plates 28a, 28b via screws 68.

  The first end plate 28a includes an oxidant gas inlet communication hole 36a, a fuel gas inlet communication hole 38a, a cooling medium inlet communication hole 40a, an oxidant gas outlet communication hole 36b, a fuel gas outlet communication hole 38b, and a cooling medium outlet communication hole. A manifold (not shown) that communicates with 40b and extends to the outside is provided, while the second end plate 28b is formed in a flat plate shape in which these are omitted.

  A connector 70 is attached to the voltage measurement terminals 54 a and 58 a of each fuel cell 22. This connector 70 is connected to the voltage measuring device 20 via a cable 72.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fuel cell stack 10 has a rectangular long side disposed along the front-rear direction (arrow L direction) of the fuel cell vehicle 12, and the voltage measurement terminals 54a and 58a are The fuel cell vehicle 12 is disposed toward the rear side. The voltage measuring device 20 is disposed on the voltage measurement terminals 54a and 58a side of the fuel cell stack 10, that is, on the rear side of the fuel cell vehicle 12 of the fuel cell stack 10.

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

  First, as shown in FIG. 4, an oxidant gas such as an oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 36a, and a fuel gas such as a hydrogen-containing gas is supplied to the fuel gas inlet communication hole 38a. Further, a cooling medium such as pure water, ethylene glycol, or oil is supplied to the cooling medium inlet communication hole 40a.

  Therefore, the oxidant gas is introduced into the oxidant gas flow path 42 of the first separator 32 from the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 36a. The oxidant gas is supplied to the cathode side electrode 62 constituting the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 30 while moving in the arrow B direction.

  On the other hand, the fuel gas is introduced into the fuel gas flow path 44 of the second separator 34 from the fuel gas inlet communication hole 38a. The fuel gas is supplied to the anode side electrode 64 constituting the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 30 while moving in the arrow B direction.

  Therefore, in the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 30, the oxidant gas supplied to the cathode side electrode 62 and the fuel gas supplied to the anode side electrode 64 are consumed by an electrochemical reaction in the electrode catalyst layer to generate power. Is done.

  Next, the oxidant gas consumed by being supplied to the cathode side electrode 62 is discharged in the direction of arrow A along the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 36b. On the other hand, the fuel gas consumed by being supplied to the anode side electrode 64 is discharged in the arrow A direction along the fuel gas outlet communication hole 38b.

  The cooling medium supplied to the cooling medium inlet communication hole 40a is introduced into the cooling medium flow path 46 between the first and second separators 32 and 34, and then flows in the direction of arrow C. The cooling medium is discharged from the cooling medium outlet communication hole 40b after the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 30 is cooled.

  In this case, in the first embodiment, the fuel cell stack 10 has a rectangular shape, and voltage measuring terminals 54a and 58a are provided at one corner of the short side of the rectangular shape. The voltage measuring terminals 54a and 58a are formed so as to project within the width dimension H on the short side of the rectangular shape.

  For this reason, on the long side of the fuel cell stack 10, the connector 70, the cable 72, and the like are not disposed in addition to the voltage measurement terminals 54a and 58a. Therefore, the fuel cell stack 10 can reduce the width dimension H on the short side as much as possible. For example, the fuel cell stack 10 can be effectively accommodated in a narrow space in the center console 18. The effect that the utilization of the accommodation space is achieved is obtained.

  Further, the fuel cell stack 10 is provided with voltage measurement terminals 54a and 58a at one corner of the rectangular short side, and a fuel gas inlet communication hole at the other corner of the rectangular short side. 38a and a fuel gas outlet communication hole 38b are provided. Thereby, the voltage measurement terminals 54a and 58a are separated from the fuel gas inlet communication hole 38a and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 38b, and the voltage measurement terminals 54a and 58a can influence the fuel gas as much as possible. Can be blocked.

  Further, the fuel cell stack 10 has a long rectangular side disposed along the front-rear direction of the fuel cell vehicle 12, and the voltage measurement terminals 54 a and 58 a are disposed toward the rear side of the fuel cell vehicle 12. In addition, the voltage measuring device 20 is disposed on the rear side of the fuel cell stack 10.

  For this reason, the length of the cable 72 for connecting the voltage measurement terminals 54a, 58a and the voltage measurement device 20, that is, the line distance is shortened as much as possible, and the fuel cell stack 10 and the voltage measurement are performed. The overall width of the unit including the device 20 is narrowed, and the unit installation space in the center console 18 is favorably reduced. Therefore, the space efficiency in the passenger compartment 14 can be easily improved.

  FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of a fuel cell 80 constituting a fuel cell stack according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Note that the same components as those of the fuel cell 22 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the fuel cell 80, an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 82 is sandwiched between first and second separators 84 and 86. The 1st and 2nd separators 84 and 86 are comprised with a metal separator or a carbon separator.

  The fuel cell 80 has an oxidant gas inlet communication hole 36a, a fuel gas inlet communication hole 38a, and a cooling medium inlet communication hole 40a at one end edge in the direction of arrow B, that is, one short side of the rectangular shape. Arranged in the direction.

  The fuel cell 80 has an oxidant gas outlet communication hole 36b, a fuel gas outlet communication hole 38b, and a cooling medium outlet communication hole 40b on the other end edge in the direction of arrow B, that is, on the other short side of the rectangle. They are arranged in the C direction.

  The first separator 84 is provided with voltage measurement terminals 54a and 54b at one corner portion of each rectangular short side via notches 52a and 52b, and the other short side of the rectangular shape. A fuel gas inlet communication hole 38a and a fuel gas outlet communication hole 38b are provided at the corners.

  Similarly, the second separator 86 is provided with voltage measurement terminals 58a and 58b via notches 56a and 56b at one corner of each rectangular short side, and each rectangular short side is also provided. A fuel gas inlet communication hole 38a and a fuel gas outlet communication hole 38b are provided at the other corner of the side.

  In the second embodiment configured as described above, the fuel cell 80 has a rectangular shape, and voltage measuring terminals 54a and 58a are provided at one corner of the short side of the rectangular shape. For this reason, the fuel cell 80 has the same effects as those of the first embodiment, such that the width dimension is reduced as much as possible and the voltage measurement terminals 54a and 58a do not affect the fuel gas. Is obtained.

  In the first and second embodiments, the voltage measurement terminals 54a and 54b have been described as current extraction terminals. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  A fuel cell stack 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 6 includes a plurality of fuel cells 22 or fuel cells 80 (hereinafter simply referred to as fuel cells 22) stacked in the direction of arrow A, and a predetermined number. The fuel cells 22 are connected to each other in series. The fuel cell module 102 may be a single fuel cell 22.

  Current extraction terminals 104a and 104b are provided at both ends in the stacking direction of each fuel cell module 102, and a connector (not shown) of a bypass circuit 106 is connected to the current extraction terminals 104a and 104b.

  The bypass circuit 106 is provided with a diode 108. As shown in FIG. 7, the diode 108 has an anode side connected to the anode side electrode 64 and a cathode side connected to the cathode side electrode 62. The diode 108 is set to be in a reverse bias state when the fuel cell module 102 is normal, and to be in a forward bias state when an abnormality occurs in the fuel cell module 102.

  In the third embodiment configured as described above, when any of the fuel cells 22 fails, the diode 108 connected in parallel to the fuel cell module 102 including the fuel cell 22 is in a forward bias state, A current flows through the diode 108 (see FIG. 7).

  The fuel cell stack 110 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 8 is a fuel cell in which a plurality of fuel cells 22 are stacked in the direction of arrow A and a predetermined number of the fuel cells 22 are connected in series. The module 112 is configured. The fuel cell module 112 may be a single fuel cell 22.

  Current extraction terminals 114a and 114b are provided at both ends in the stacking direction of each fuel cell module 112, and a connector (not shown) of a discharge circuit 116 is connected to the current extraction terminals 114a and 114b.

  The discharge circuit 116 is provided with a diode 118. As shown in FIG. 9, the diode 118 has an anode side connected to the cathode side electrode 62 and a cathode side connected to the anode side electrode 64.

  In the fourth embodiment configured as described above, the diode 118 is provided in order to consume gas (particularly fuel gas) remaining in the fuel cell 22 when the fuel cell stack 110 is stopped. Therefore, when the operation is stopped, a current flows through the diode 118 as shown by an arrow in each discharge circuit 116 as shown in FIG. As a result, the fuel cell module 112 is discharged, and the gas remaining in the fuel cell module 112 is consumed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 100, 110 ... Fuel cell stack 12 ... Fuel cell vehicle 14 ... Vehicle compartment 18 ... Center console 20 ... Voltage measuring device 22, 80 ... Fuel cell 28a, 28b ... End plate 30, 82 ... Electrolyte membrane and electrode structure 32 34, 84, 86 ... Separator 36a ... Oxidant gas inlet communication hole 36b ... Oxidant gas outlet communication hole 38a ... Fuel gas inlet communication hole 38b ... Fuel gas outlet communication hole 40a ... Cooling medium inlet communication hole 40b ... Cooling medium outlet Communication hole 42 ... Oxidant gas channel 44 ... Fuel gas channel 46 ... Cooling medium channels 52a, 52b, 56a, 56b ... Notches 54a, 54b, 58a, 58b ... Voltage measuring terminal 60 ... Solid polymer electrolyte membrane 62 ... Cathode side electrode 64 ... Anode side electrode 66 ... Connecting member 70 ... Connector 72 ... Cables 104a, 104b, 114 , 114b ... current extraction terminal 106 ... bypass circuit 108, 118 ... diodes 116 ... discharge circuit

Claims (4)

An electrolyte membrane / electrode structure provided with a pair of electrodes on both sides of the electrolyte membrane and a separator are stacked, and a fuel cell stack having a rectangular shape in plan view,
At one corner on the short side of the rectangular shape, a notch is provided, and a current takeout terminal is provided that bulges into the notch and takes out current to the outside.
A fuel cell stack, wherein a fuel gas communication hole through which fuel gas flows is provided at the other corner portion on the short side of the rectangular shape.   2. The fuel cell stack according to claim 1, wherein the current extraction terminal is formed so as to protrude within a width dimension of the short side of the rectangular shape. 3. The fuel cell stack according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fuel cell stack is mounted on a vehicle,
The long side of the rectangular shape is disposed along the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the current extraction terminal is disposed toward the rear side of the vehicle.   4. The fuel cell stack according to claim 3, wherein a device connected to the current extraction terminal is disposed on the rear side of the vehicle of the fuel cell stack.

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