JP5675478B2 - Fuel cell - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides a fuel cell unit in which a rectangular electrolyte membrane / electrode structure in which a pair of electrodes are provided on both sides of an electrolyte membrane and a frame-shaped resin frame is provided on an outer peripheral portion, and a rectangular separator are laminated. And a fuel cell in which a plurality of the fuel cell units are stacked.

  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. ing. This fuel cell is usually used as an in-vehicle fuel cell, for example, by being laminated in a predetermined number.

  In a fuel cell, normally, several tens to several hundreds of fuel cell units are stacked to constitute a fuel cell. At that time, it is necessary to accurately position the fuel cell unit itself and the fuel cell units. For example, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known.

  As shown in FIG. 14, this fuel cell is configured by simply sandwiching a fuel cell 1 in which a fuel electrode 1B and an oxidant electrode 1C are disposed on both surfaces of an electrolyte layer 1A by separators 2A and 2B. A battery 3 is provided. In the separators 2A and 2B, a holding pin insertion side holding hole 4a and a retaining ring insertion side holding hole 4b are formed, and in the electrolyte layer 1A, a hole 5 is formed coaxially.

  The holding pin 6 is inserted toward the holding pin insertion side holding hole 4a, the hole portion 5 and the retaining ring insertion side holding hole 4b, and a retaining ring 7 is attached to the distal end portion of the unit cell 3. Are integrally held. A pin tip insertion hole 8 is formed at the rear end portion of the holding pin 6 for inserting the tip portion of the adjacent holding pin 6 when the plurality of single cells 3 are stacked.

JP 2000-12067 A

  By the way, in the unit cell 3 described above, since the stepped holding pin insertion side holding hole 4a and the retaining ring insertion side holding hole 4b are formed in the separators 2A and 2B, the hole machining operation is considerably complicated. It becomes.

  Moreover, when stacking a plurality of unit cells 3 to form a stack, the tip portions of the holding pins 6 must be inserted into the pin tip insertion holes 8 of other holding pins 6 adjacent in the stacking direction. For this reason, the holding pins 6 interfere with each other in the stacking direction, and there is a problem that the dimension in the stacking direction cannot be shortened.

  The present invention solves this type of problem, and with a simple and economical configuration, the fuel cell unit can be reliably positioned and held and the fuel cell can be reduced in size in the stacking direction. An object is to provide a battery.

The present invention is provided with a pair of electrodes on both sides of the electrolyte membrane has a rectangular membrane electrode assembly of frame-shaped resin frame is provided on the outer periphery, and a rectangular separator, first the An electrolyte membrane / electrode structure; a first separator; a second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure; a second separator; and a third separator. The present invention relates to a fuel cell in which battery units are stacked.

In this fuel cell, the fuel cell unit is provided with a plurality of fastening members on two long sides facing each other of the frame-shaped resin frame provided in the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure, The fuel cell unit is integrally held, and the fastening member is a resin convex portion integrally formed with the frame-shaped resin frame, and the resin convex portion is the first separator of the first separator . The hole, the second hole of the frame-shaped resin frame of the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure, the third hole of the second separator, and the fourth hole of the third separator are integrally inserted in this order. The fuel cell units that are caulked and adjacent to each other include the first to fourth holes provided in one of the fuel cell units, and the first to fourth holes provided in the other fuel cell unit. Is the product of the fuel cell unit The Rukoto formed only at a position not overlapping with each other with respect to the direction, each of the fastening member is disposed at a position not overlapping with each other in the stacking direction of the fuel cell unit.

  In the present invention, the fuel cell units are integrally held by the fastening members, and the fuel cell units adjacent to each other are arranged at positions where the respective fastening members do not overlap each other in the stacking direction. For this reason, the fastening members do not interfere with each other in the stacking direction, and the fuel cell units can be stacked. Accordingly, the fuel cell unit can be reliably positioned and held with a simple and economical configuration, and the entire fuel cell can be reduced in the stacking direction.

1 is a perspective explanatory view of a fuel cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a principal part disassembled perspective explanatory drawing of the fuel cell unit which comprises the said fuel cell. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel cell taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. It is front explanatory drawing of the 3rd separator which comprises the said fuel cell. It is front explanatory drawing of the 1st separator which comprises the said fuel cell. It is front explanatory drawing of the 2nd separator which comprises the said fuel cell. It is front explanatory drawing of the 1st electrolyte membrane and electrode structure which comprises the said fuel cell. It is front explanatory drawing of the 2nd electrolyte membrane and electrode structure which comprises the said fuel cell. It is the IX-IX sectional view taken on the line of the said fuel cell in FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel cell taken along line XX in FIG. 8. It is explanatory drawing of another resin pin part of the said fuel cell. It is explanatory drawing at the time of fixing the said fuel cell with a rebuilding pin. It is principal part cross-sectional explanatory drawing of the fuel cell which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 2 is an exploded explanatory view of a fuel cell disclosed in Patent Document 1. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes fuel cell units 12A and 12B that are alternately stacked, and the fuel cell units 12A and 12B are arranged in the horizontal direction (arrows). A direction) or a gravitational direction (arrow C direction).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the fuel cell unit 12A includes a first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure (MEA) 14a, a first separator 16, a second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure (MEA) 14b, a second separator 18, and a second separator. The three separators 20 are stacked in this order. The first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14a, the first separator 16, the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14b, the second separator 18 and the third separator 20 each have a rectangular shape, for example, a horizontally long shape. Arranged.

  The 1st separator 16, the 2nd separator 18, and the 3rd separator 20 are comprised by the metal plate which gave the surface treatment for anticorrosion to the metal surface, for example, a steel plate, a stainless steel plate, an aluminum plate, a plating treatment steel plate. The 1st separator 16, the 2nd separator 18, and the 3rd separator 20 have cross-sectional uneven | corrugated shape by pressing a metal thin plate into a waveform.

  The outer peripheral portion of the second separator 18 and the outer peripheral portion of the third separator 20 are joined by a joining means such as welding, adhesion, brazing, or caulking, and the cooling medium flow path 52 (described later) is hermetically sealed. Is done. The first separator 16, the second separator 18, and the third separator 20 may be carbon separators instead of metal separators.

  The first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14a and the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14b include, for example, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22 in which a perfluorosulfonic acid thin film is impregnated with water, and the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22. And an anode side electrode 24 and a cathode side electrode 26 (see FIG. 3).

  The anode side electrode 24 and the cathode side electrode 26 are uniformly coated on the surface of the gas diffusion layer with a gas diffusion layer (not shown) made of carbon paper or the like and porous carbon particles carrying a platinum alloy on the surface. And an electrode catalyst layer (not shown) formed. The electrode catalyst layers are formed on both surfaces of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22.

  The solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22 is set to have a larger surface area than the anode side electrode 24 and the cathode side electrode 26. A resin frame portion (frame-shaped resin frame) 28 is integrally formed on the outer peripheral edge portion of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22 by, for example, injection molding. As the resin material, engineering plastics, super engineering plastics, etc. are adopted in addition to general-purpose plastics.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an oxidant gas inlet communication hole for supplying an oxidant gas, for example, an oxygen-containing gas, communicates with each other in the arrow A direction at one end edge of the frame portion 28 in the arrow B direction. 30a, a cooling medium outlet communication hole 34b for discharging the cooling medium and a fuel gas outlet communication hole 32b for discharging a fuel gas, for example, a hydrogen-containing gas, are arranged in the direction of arrow C (vertical direction). .

  The other end edge of the frame portion 28 in the direction of arrow B communicates with each other in the direction of arrow A, a fuel gas inlet communication hole 32a for supplying fuel gas, and a cooling medium inlet communication hole for supplying a cooling medium. 34a and an oxidizing gas outlet communication hole 30b for discharging the oxidizing gas are arranged in the direction of arrow C.

  The outer peripheries of the first separator 16, the second separator 18, and the third separator 20 are an oxidant gas inlet communication hole 30a, a cooling medium inlet communication hole 34a, a fuel gas outlet communication hole 32b, a fuel gas inlet communication hole 32a, and a cooling medium. It arrange | positions inside the outlet communicating hole 34b and the oxidizing gas outlet communicating hole 30b.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, an oxidant gas inlet communication hole 30 a and an oxidant gas outlet communication hole 30 b communicate with the surface 20 a of the third separator 20 facing the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14 a. A first oxidant gas flow path 36 is formed. The first oxidant gas flow channel 36 has a plurality of wave-shaped flow channel grooves extending in the direction of arrow B, and has a plurality of embossments near the inlet and the outlet of the first oxidant gas flow channel 36, respectively. An inlet buffer unit 38 and an outlet buffer unit 40 are provided.

  At both ends of the third separator 20 in the direction of arrow B, protrusions 42a and 42b projecting corresponding to the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 30a and the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 30b are provided. The protrusion 42a is formed with an undulating inlet channel 44a that connects the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 30a to the first oxidant gas channel 36, while the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 30b is formed in the protrusion 42b. Is formed in a wave shape in the outlet channel 44b communicating with the first oxidant gas channel 36.

  At both ends of the third separator 20 in the direction of arrow C, projecting portions 46a and 46b having a long shape in the direction of arrow B and projecting outward (in the direction of arrow C) are formed. A plurality of holes 48a and a plurality of rebuilt pin insertion holes 50a are alternately formed in the protruding portion 46a, for example, one by one along the arrow B direction.

  Two holes 48a and one rebuilt pin insertion hole 50a may be alternately arranged. The same applies to each hole described below. Similarly, a plurality of hole portions 48b and a plurality of rebuilt pin insertion hole portions 50b are alternately formed through the protruding portion 46b, for example, one by one along the arrow B direction.

  A cooling medium flow path 52 that connects the cooling medium inlet communication hole 34 a and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 34 b is formed on the surface 20 b of the third separator 20. The cooling medium flow path 52 has a back surface shape of the first oxidant gas flow path 36.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the first fuel gas that communicates the fuel gas inlet communication hole 32a and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 32b to the surface 16a of the first separator 16 that faces the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14a. A flow path 54 is formed. The first fuel gas channel 54 has a plurality of wave-shaped channel grooves extending in the direction of arrow B. In the vicinity of the inlet and outlet of the first fuel gas channel 54, an inlet buffer 56 and an outlet buffer 58 are provided.

  At both ends of the first separator 16 in the direction of arrow B, protrusions 58a and 58b projecting corresponding to the fuel gas inlet communication hole 32a and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 32b, and the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 30a and the oxidant gas outlet. Protrusions 60a and 60b projecting corresponding to the communication holes 30b are provided. In the surface 16a, the protrusion 58a is formed with an inlet channel 62a that communicates the fuel gas inlet communication hole 32a with the first fuel gas channel 54, while the protrusion 58b has a fuel gas outlet communication hole. An outlet channel 62b that communicates 32b with the first fuel gas channel 54 is formed in a wave shape.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the second separator 16 communicates with the surface 16b of the first separator 16 facing the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14b through the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 30a and the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 30b. An oxidant gas flow path 64 is formed. The second oxidant gas channel 64 has a plurality of undulating channel grooves extending in the direction of arrow B, and an inlet buffer 66 and an outlet are provided near the inlet and outlet of the second oxidant gas channel 64. A buffer unit 68 is provided.

  On the surface 16b, the protrusion 60a has an oxidant gas inlet communication hole 30a formed in a wave shape in the inlet flow path 70a communicating with the second oxidant gas flow path 64, while the protrusion 60b has an oxidant gas An outlet channel 70b that communicates the outlet communication hole 30b with the second oxidant gas channel 64 is formed in a wave shape.

  At both ends in the arrow C direction of the first separator 16, projecting portions 72 a and 72 b that have an elongated shape in the arrow B direction and project outward (arrow C direction) are formed. As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of holes 74 a and a plurality of rebuild pin insertion holes 76 a are alternately formed through the protrusion 72 a, for example, one by one along the arrow B direction. Similarly, a plurality of hole portions 74b and a plurality of rebuild pin insertion hole portions 76b are alternately formed in the protruding portion 72b, for example, one by one along the arrow B direction.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the second fuel gas that communicates the fuel gas inlet communication hole 32a and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 32b to the surface 18a of the second separator 18 facing the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14b. A channel 78 is formed. The second fuel gas channel 78 has a plurality of wavy channel grooves extending in the direction of arrow B. In the vicinity of the inlet and outlet of the second fuel gas channel 78, an inlet buffer portion 80 and an outlet buffer portion 82 are provided.

  At both ends of the second separator 18 in the direction of arrow B, protrusions 84a and 84b projecting corresponding to the fuel gas inlet communication hole 32a and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 32b, and the cooling medium inlet communication hole 34a and the cooling medium outlet communication hole. Projection portions 86a and 86b projecting corresponding to 34b are provided.

  On the surface 18a, the protrusion 84a is formed with a wave-like inlet passage 88a that connects the fuel gas inlet communication hole 32a to the second fuel gas passage 78, while the protrusion 84b has a fuel gas outlet communication hole. An outlet channel 88 b that communicates 32 b with the second fuel gas channel 78 is formed in a wave shape.

  As shown in FIG. 2, on the surface 18b, the protrusion 86a is formed with an inlet flow path 90a that communicates the cooling medium inlet communication hole 34a with the cooling medium flow path 52, while the protrusion 86b An outlet channel 90b that communicates the cooling medium outlet communication hole 34b with the cooling medium channel 52 is formed in a wave shape.

  The surface 18b is a back surface shape of the second fuel gas channel 78 on the surface 18a side. The surface 18b and the surface 20b of the third separator 20 are overlapped to form the cooling medium flow path 52. An inlet buffer unit 92 and an outlet buffer unit 94 are provided in the vicinity of the inlet and outlet of the cooling medium flow path 52.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, protrusions 96a and 96b having a long shape in the arrow B direction and protruding outward (in the arrow C direction) are formed at both ends of the second separator 18 in the arrow C direction. Is done. A plurality of holes 98a and a plurality of rebuilt pin insertion holes 100a are alternately formed through the protrusion 96a, for example, one by one along the arrow B direction. Similarly, a plurality of holes 98b and a plurality of rebuilt pin insertion holes 100b are alternately formed through the protrusion 96b, for example, one by one along the arrow B direction.

  A first seal member 102 is integrally formed on the frame portion 28 of the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14a. As the first seal member 102, for example, a seal material such as EPDM, NBR, fluorine rubber, silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, butyl rubber, natural rubber, styrene rubber, chloroplane or acrylic rubber, a cushion material, or a packing material is used. It is done. In addition, the same material is used for the 2nd seal member 114 demonstrated below.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first seal member 102 has a first seal portion 102 a that slidably contacts around the outer peripheral edge of the third separator 20 on the surface on the third separator 20 side.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the surface of the first seal member 102 on the side of the first separator 16 has a second seal portion 102b that slidably contacts the periphery of the outer periphery of the first separator 16; A third seal portion 102c that is located outside the outer peripheral portion of the first separator 16 and that is in sliding contact with the frame portion 28 of the adjacent second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14b is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the third seal portion 102 c is formed on both ends of the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14 a in the direction of arrow C so as to make a detour outward in a relatively wide range in the direction of arrow B. The Between the bypass portion of the upper third seal portion 102c and the second seal portion 102b, a plurality of resin pin portions (resin convex portions) 104a, which are fastening members, and a plurality of rebuilt pin insertion hole portions 106a Are provided alternately one by one, for example. Between the bypass portion of the lower third seal portion 102c and the second seal portion 102b, a plurality of resin pin portions (resin convex portions) 104b, which are fastening members, and a plurality of rebuilt pin insertion hole portions 106b, Are provided alternately one by one, for example.

  By providing the resin pin portions 104a and 104b only on the long side of the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14a, the number of the resin pin portions 104a and 104b can be set large, and the oxidizing agent on the short side. Space is provided for disposing the gas inlet communication hole 30a, the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 30b, the fuel gas inlet communication hole 32a, the fuel gas outlet communication hole 32b, the cooling medium inlet communication hole 34a, and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 34b. It becomes possible.

  The resin pin portions 104a and 104b are located between the bypass portion of the third seal portion 102c and the second seal portion 102b, that is, double seals (seal the periphery of the rebuilt pin insertion holes 106a and 106b). Can be located between the seals). The resin pin portions 104a and 104b are integrally formed with the frame portion 28 and project toward the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14b (see FIG. 2).

  Resin guide members 108a are integrally formed with the frame portion 28 on both sides of each long side of the first electrolytic membrane / electrode structure 14a. The resin guide member 108a may be integrally joined after being molded separately from the frame portion 28. A concave relief portion 112 that is spaced inward from the outer peripheral end portion 110a is formed at the outer peripheral end portion 110a of the resin guide member 108a.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the second seal member 114 is integrally formed on the frame portion 28 of the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14b. The second seal member 114 has a first seal portion 114a that circulates around the outer peripheral edge of the second separator 18 on the surface on the second separator 18 side, and an outer periphery of the second separator 18 outward. A second seal portion 114b that is positioned and circumscribes the frame portion 28 of the adjacent first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14a.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the second seal portion 114b is formed on both ends of the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14b in the direction of the arrow C so as to make a detour outwardly over a relatively wide range in the direction of the arrow B. The Between the bypass part of the upper second seal part 114b and the first seal part 114a, a plurality of hole parts 116a and a plurality of rebuild pin insertion hole parts 118a are alternately formed, for example, one by one. The A plurality of holes 116b and a plurality of rebuild pin insertion holes 118b are alternately formed, for example, one by one between the bypass portion of the lower second seal portion 114b and the first seal portion 114a. The

  The hole 74a of the first separator 16, the hole 116a of the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14b, the hole 98a of the second separator 18 and the hole 48a of the third separator 20 are set to have the same diameter and the same number. Is done. The hole 74b of the first separator 16, the hole 116b of the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14b, the hole 98b of the second separator 18 and the hole 48b of the third separator 20 are set to have the same diameter and the same number. Is done.

  Rebuild pin insertion hole 106a of the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14a, rebuild pin insertion hole 76a of the first separator 16, rebuilt pin insertion hole 118a of the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14b, The rebuild pin insertion hole 100a of the second separator 18 and the rebuild pin insertion hole 50a of the third separator 20 are set to have the same diameter and the same number.

  Rebuild pin insertion hole 106b of the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14a, rebuild pin insertion hole 76b of the first separator 16, rebuilt pin insertion hole 118b of the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14b, The rebuild pin insertion hole 100b of the second separator 18 and the rebuild pin insertion hole 50b of the third separator 20 are set to have the same diameter and the same number.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a resin guide member 108b is integrally formed on the frame portion 28 of the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14b. The resin guide member 108b is provided with an outer peripheral end portion 110b, and the outer peripheral end portion 110b is exposed outward from the escape portion 112 provided in the resin guide member 108a of the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14a. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the plurality of resin pin portions 104 a provided in the frame portion 28 of the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14 a include the hole 74 a of the first separator 16, the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure. 14b, the hole portion 116a of the second separator 18, and the hole portion 48a of the third separator 20 are integrally inserted.

  The tip of the resin pin portion 104a is formed by a welding tip 120 that constitutes a welding die. The welding tip 120 has a molding surface 120a that is heated to a predetermined temperature, and a caulking function portion 122 that projects in a substantially conical shape is formed on the molding surface 120a.

  The welding chip 120 is pressed against the tip of the resin pin portion 104a while being heated to a predetermined temperature. For this reason, a predetermined shape, for example, a large-diameter head portion 124 is formed through the molding surface 120 a of the welding tip 120, and a caulking concave portion 126 is formed through the caulking function portion 122.

  Accordingly, the resin pin portion 104a is deformed so as to be crushed in the axial direction, that is, bulges outward in the radial direction, and is integrally fitted to the inner peripheral surface of each of the holes 74a, 116a, 98a and 48a without a gap. doing. The resin pin portion 104b is the same as the resin pin portion 104a.

  The first separator 16, the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14b, the second separator 18 and the third separator 20 are the frame portion 28 of the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14a and the head portion 124 of the resin pin portions 104a, 104b. And is held between.

  The fuel cell unit 12B is configured substantially the same as the fuel cell unit 12A described above, and the positions of the resin pin portions 104a that are fastening members are different as shown in FIG. At that time, the bottom portion 125 of the resin pin portion 104a on the one side in the stacking direction and the head portion 124 of the resin pin portion 104a on the other side in the stacking direction overlap each other, and thus are arranged in a staggered manner.

  Instead of the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 11, a recess 127 for accommodating the head portion 124 of the resin pin portion 104a is formed in the frame portion 28 of the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14a. Also good.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the third separator 20 constituting the fuel cell unit 12B, the hole 48a and the rebuilt pin insertion hole 50a are formed by the hole 48a of the third separator 20 constituting the fuel cell unit 12A. And the rebuilt pin insertion hole 50a. That is, it arrange | positions in the position which does not mutually overlap with respect to the lamination direction. Similarly, the hole 48b of the fuel cell unit 12B and the rebuilt pin insertion hole 50b are disposed between the hole 48b of the fuel cell unit 12A and the rebuilt pin insertion hole 50b.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the first separator 16 constituting the fuel cell unit 12B, the hole 74a and the rebuilt pin insertion hole 76a are the hole 74a of the first separator 16 constituting the fuel cell unit 12A. And the rebuilt pin insertion hole 76a. Similarly, the hole 74b and the rebuild pin insertion hole 76b of the fuel cell unit 12B are disposed between the hole 74b and the rebuild pin insertion hole 76b of the fuel cell unit 12A.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the second separator 18 constituting the fuel cell unit 12B, the hole 98a and the rebuilt pin insertion hole 100a are the hole 98a of the second separator 18 constituting the fuel cell unit 12A. And the rebuilt pin insertion hole 100a. Similarly, the hole 98b of the fuel cell unit 12B and the rebuilt pin insertion hole 100b are disposed between the hole 98b of the fuel cell unit 12A and the rebuilt pin insertion hole 100b.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14a constituting the fuel cell unit 12B, the resin pin portion 104a and the rebuilt pin insertion hole portion 106a are the first electrolyte constituting the fuel cell unit 12A. The membrane / electrode structure 14a is disposed between the resin pin portion 104a and the rebuilt pin insertion hole portion 106a. Similarly, the resin pin portion 104b and the rebuilt pin insertion hole 106b of the fuel cell unit 12B are disposed between the resin pin portion 104a and the rebuilt pin insertion hole 106b of the fuel cell unit 12A.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14b constituting the fuel cell unit 12B, the hole 116a and the rebuilt pin insertion hole 118a constitute the second electrolyte membrane constituting the fuel cell unit 12A. -It arrange | positions between the said hole part 116a of the electrode structure 14b, and the said rebuilding pin insertion hole part 118a. Similarly, the hole 116b of the fuel cell unit 12B and the rebuilt pin insertion hole 118b are disposed between the hole 116b of the fuel cell unit 12A and the rebuilt pin insertion hole 118b.

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

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the oxidant gas such as the oxygen-containing gas supplied to the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 30 a passes through the inlet channel 44 a formed in the protrusion 42 a of the third separator 20. To the first oxidant gas flow path 36. Similarly, the oxidant gas is supplied to the second oxidant gas flow path 64 via the inlet flow path 70 a formed in the protrusion 60 a of the first separator 16.

  The oxidant gas that has flowed through the first oxidant gas flow path 36 is discharged from the outlet flow path 44b formed in the protrusion 42b of the third separator 20 to the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 30b. Similarly, the oxidant gas flowing through the second oxidant gas flow path 64 is discharged from the outlet flow path 70b formed in the protrusion 60b of the first separator 16 to the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 30b.

  On the other hand, the fuel gas such as the hydrogen-containing gas supplied to the fuel gas inlet communication hole 32a is supplied to the first fuel gas channel 54 from the inlet channel 62a formed in the protrusion 58a of the first separator 16. . Similarly, the fuel gas is supplied to the second fuel gas channel 78 from the inlet channel 88 a formed in the protrusion 84 a of the second separator 18.

  The fuel gas flowing through the first fuel gas channel 54 is discharged from the outlet channel 62b formed in the protrusion 58b of the first separator 16 to the fuel gas outlet communication hole 32b. Similarly, the fuel gas flowing through the second fuel gas channel 78 is discharged from the outlet channel 88b formed in the protrusion 84b of the second separator 18 to the fuel gas outlet communication hole 32b.

  In addition, the cooling medium such as pure water, ethylene glycol, or oil supplied to the cooling medium inlet communication hole 34 a is supplied to the cooling medium flow path 52 from the inlet flow path 90 a formed in the protrusion 86 a of the second separator 18. Is done. This cooling medium flows through the cooling medium flow path 52, and then is discharged from the outlet flow path 90b formed in the protrusion 86b to the cooling medium outlet communication hole 34b.

  In this case, in the first embodiment, a plurality of resin pin portions 104a and 104b are integrally formed on the frame portion 28 of the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14a so as to be arranged in the arrow B direction. The resin pin portions 104a and 104b include holes 74a and 74b of the first separator 16, which are other constituent members, holes 116a and 116b of the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14b, and a hole 98a of the second separator 18, respectively. 98b and the holes 48a and 48b of the third separator 20, respectively, and then a large-diameter head portion 124 and a caulking concave portion 126 are formed by a welding process.

  Accordingly, the fuel cell units 12A and 12B are integrally held through the resin pin portions 104a and 104b, which are fastening members, and the hole portions 74a, 74b, 116a, 116b, 98a, 98b and 48a, 48b, respectively. Yes. At that time, the fuel cell unit 12A and the fuel cell unit 12B adjacent to each other are disposed at positions where the resin pin portions 104a and 104b do not overlap each other in the stacking direction (see FIG. 10).

  Accordingly, the resin pin portions 104a and 104b do not interfere with each other in the stacking direction, and the fuel cell units 12A and 12B are reliably positioned and held with a simple and economical configuration, and the entire fuel cell 10 is stacked. There is an effect that the direction can be reduced.

  Next, when the assembled fuel cell 10 is disassembled for parts replacement or analysis due to a failure or the like, first, the resin pin portions 104a and 104b are broken and the fuel cell units 12A and 12B are replaced. Separated from each other. On the other hand, individually built rebuild pins 129a and 129b are prepared.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the rebuilt pins 129 a and 129 b include the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14 a, the first separator 16, the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14 b, the second separator 18, and the third separator 20. These rebuilt pin insertion holes 106a, 106b, 76a, 76b, 118a, 118b, 100a, 100b and 50a, 50b are integrally inserted and welded. Thereby, fuel cell unit 12A, 12B is assembled again.

  At that time, the fuel cell unit 12A and the fuel cell unit 12B are such that the respective rebuild pin insertion holes 106a, 106b, 76a, 76b, 118a, 118b, 100a, 100b and 50a, 50b do not overlap each other in the stacking direction. Placed in position. Therefore, the rebuilt pins do not interfere with each other in the stacking direction, and the fuel cell 10 as a whole can be downsized in the stacking direction.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a main part of a fuel cell 130 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those of the fuel cell 10 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The fuel cell 130 includes fuel cell units 132A and 132B that are alternately stacked. Holes (preferably stepped holes) 134 are formed at the positions of the resin pin portions 104a of the first embodiment in the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structures 14a constituting the fuel cell units 132A and 132B. The Although not shown, the resin pin portion 104b side of the first embodiment is similarly configured.

  Hole 134 of first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14a, hole 74a of first separator 16, hole 116a of second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14b, hole 98a of second separator 18 and third separator 20 A resin clip 136 is integrally inserted into the hole 48a.

  The resin clip 136 has a split (slit) 138 formed in the head 136a. The split 138 can be composed of a plurality of slits divided at equal angular intervals in addition to one slit extending in the radial direction. The bottom 136b of the resin clip 136 is disposed with a gap S in the hole 134 of the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 14a. The resin clip 136 may be welded to the head without using the split 138.

  At that time, the resin clip 136 of the fuel cell unit 132A and the resin clip 136 of the fuel cell unit 132B are arranged at positions that do not overlap each other in the stacking direction (see FIG. 13). Thus, in the second embodiment, the fuel cell units 132A and 132B can be reliably positioned and held with a simple and economical configuration, and the fuel cell 130 as a whole can be downsized in the stacking direction. An effect is obtained.

  In the first and second embodiments, the fuel cell unit is composed of two MEAs and three separators, but is not limited to this. For example, a fuel cell unit composed of one MEA and two separators, a fuel cell unit composed of three MEAs and four separators, or the like may be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 130 ... Fuel cell 12A, 12B, 132A, 132B ... Fuel cell unit 14a, 14b ... Electrolyte membrane and electrode structure 16, 18, 20 ... Separator 22 ... Solid polymer electrolyte membrane 24 ... Anode side electrode 26 ... Cathode side Electrode 28 ... Frame 30a ... Oxidant gas inlet communication hole 30b ... Oxidant gas outlet communication hole 32a ... Fuel gas inlet communication hole 32b ... Fuel gas outlet communication hole 34a ... Cooling medium inlet communication hole 34b ... Cooling medium outlet communication hole 36 64 ... Oxidant gas flow paths 46a, 46b, 72a, 72b, 96a, 96b ... Projections 48a, 48b, 50a, 50b, 74a, 74b, 76a, 76b, 98a, 98b, 100a, 100b, 106a, 106b, 116a, 116b, 118a, 118b, 134 ... hole 52 ... cooling medium flow path
54, 78 ... Fuel gas flow path 102, 114 ... Seal members 104a, 104b ... Resin pin part 136 ... Resin clip

Claims (1)

A first electrolyte membrane / electrode having a rectangular electrolyte membrane / electrode structure provided with a pair of electrodes on both sides of the electrolyte membrane and having a frame-shaped resin frame on the outer periphery, and a rectangular separator A fuel cell unit that is laminated in the order of a structure, the first separator, the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure, the second separator, and the third separator, and a plurality of the fuel cell units are laminated; A fuel cell,
In the fuel cell unit, a plurality of fastening members are provided on two opposite long sides of the frame-shaped resin frame provided in the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure, respectively, While the battery unit is held together,
The fastening member is a resin convex portion integrally formed with the frame-shaped resin frame,
The resin convex portion includes a first hole portion of the first separator, a second hole portion of the frame-shaped resin frame of the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure, and a third hole of the second separator . Part and the fourth hole of the third separator are sequentially inserted and caulked.
Together the fuel cell units adjacent, said first through fourth hole portion provided in one of the fuel cell unit, and the first to fourth holes provided on the other of the fuel cell unit, fuel By forming the fastening members only at positions that do not overlap each other in the stacking direction of the battery units , the respective fastening members are arranged at positions that do not overlap each other in the stacking direction of the fuel cell units. Fuel cell.

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