JP6512118B2 - Fuel cell - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell.

  The fuel cell includes a fuel cell stack in which a plurality of fuel cells are stacked, and the fuel cell stack is accommodated in a stack case. In order to suppress misalignment of the fuel cell stack that has already been accommodated and to ensure impact resistance, a method has been proposed in which an intervening layer that functions as an impact transmission member is disposed between the fuel cell stack and the stack case (for example, , Patent Document 1).

JP, 2015-82370, A

  According to the above-described method, when a large force is applied to the fuel cell stack along a direction intersecting the stacking direction of the fuel cells (hereinafter referred to as the cell stacking direction), the force that the fuel cell stack tends to shift is The intervening layer is excellent in that it exerts a reaction force to suppress the displacement of the fuel cell in the fuel cell stack. On the other hand, fuel cells are required to be reduced in weight in order to improve the mounting and handling properties on vehicles, in addition to cost reduction. Although such requirements can be met to a certain extent by limiting the intervening region of the intervening layer, the intervening region of the intervening layer is limited, so there is room for improvement in the arrangement of the intervening layer as described below.

  When an impact is applied to the fuel cell stack along the direction intersecting the cell stacking direction, the intervening layer on the side where the fuel cell stack is about to shift exerts a reaction force, but the intervening layer on the opposite side is the reaction force. Not reduce the force received from the fuel cell stack. By the way, when the fuel cell stack is disposed so that the cell stacking direction is along the vehicle width, not only the force in the vehicle longitudinal direction along the direction crossing the cell stacking direction but also the traveling of the uneven road surface The accompanying vertical force can also be added. As proposed in the above-mentioned patent documents, if an intervening layer is interposed substantially in the entire area of each side surface in the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell stack, the side to which the fuel cell stack tends to shift due to the force applied in the vehicle longitudinal direction. In the situation where the force received from the fuel cell stack in the intervening layer on the opposite side is reduced, even if vertical force is applied to the intervening layer on the opposite side, the intervening layer is continuously interposed in the vertical direction , It is difficult to cause misalignment of the intervening layer on the opposite side. However, in the case where the intervening region of the intervening layer is limited, each intervening layer is individually interposed between the fuel cell stack and the stack case, and hence the intervention on the opposite side to the side where the fuel cell stack tends to shift In the layer, if the force applied from the fuel cell stack is reduced in the vertical direction, it is feared that positional deviation may occur. From these reasons, it has been required to suppress displacement of the intervening layer after limiting the intervening region of the intervening layer.

  The present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the above-mentioned problems, and can be realized as the following modes.

(1) According to one aspect of the present invention, a fuel cell is provided. The fuel cell includes: a fuel cell stack in which a plurality of fuel cells are stacked; a stack case for accommodating the fuel cell stack; and a shape recovery characteristic that is resistant to impact and causes shape recovery when compression is relaxed under compression. An intervening layer disposed in a gap between the stack case and the fuel cell stack, wherein a portion of the gap is continuous along the cell stacking direction of the plurality of fuel cells An intervening layer disposed at a position corresponding to a plurality of fuel cells, and the disposed intervening layer are in contact from the side of the stack case, and the intervening layer is compressed in the direction of the fuel cell stack And a compression unit for maintaining the state.

  According to the fuel cell of this aspect, the intervening layer corresponds to the plurality of fuel cells continuous in the cell stacking direction among the plurality of fuel cells in a part of the gap between the stack case and the fuel cell stack. With the intervening layer disposed at the position, the intervening region of the intervening layer can be limited. Furthermore, in the fuel cell of this embodiment, the compression layer maintains the compressed state in the direction of the fuel cell stack by the compression section, thereby reducing the force that causes compression and exerting shape recovery characteristics when the compression is loosened. obtain. Therefore, according to the fuel cell of this embodiment, even if the force received from the fuel cell stack in the intervening layer on the side opposite to the side where the fuel cell stack tends to shift is reduced, the shape recovery characteristics when the compression is loosened Positional displacement of the intervening layer on the opposite side can be suppressed.

(2) In the fuel cell of the above embodiment, the fuel cell stack has a plurality of side surfaces corresponding to the shape, the cross section orthogonal to the cell stacking direction being substantially rectangular, and the intervening layer is At least one may be provided on each of the four sides of the fuel cell stack. In this case, the positional deviation of the intervening layer can be suppressed while the intervening region of the intervening layer is further limited.

(3) In the fuel cell according to the above aspect, the intervening layer is formed of the first side and the second side of the first side formed by the adjacent first and second side surfaces, among the four side surfaces, and the first side. Are disposed on both sides of the second corner diagonally opposite to each other, and the compression units are provided corresponding to the respective intervening layers disposed on both sides of the first corner. It may be done. In this way, the fuel cell stack is restrained from resistance to an impact due to an external force acting on the fuel cell stack from the direction intersecting the stacking direction while limiting the intervening region of the intervening layer to the first and second corner portions. Of the intervening layers on both sides of the first corner and the intervening layers on both sides of the second corner, the intervening layer disposed on the same direction as the direction of action of the external force exerts It is possible to prevent the fuel cell stack from shifting along the Moreover, according to the fuel cell of this embodiment, the positional deviation of the intervening layer on the side opposite to the side where the fuel cell stack is about to be displaced can be suppressed by the shape recovery characteristic when the compression is loosened.

(4) In the fuel cell of the above aspect, the compression section may be provided corresponding to each of the intervening layers disposed on both sides of the second corner. Also in this case, it is possible to prevent the displacement of the fuel cell stack along the action direction of the external force and to suppress the displacement of the intervening layer on the opposite side to the side where the fuel cell stack is about to be displaced.

(5) In the fuel cell of the above embodiment, the compression portion has a convex portion which enters into a window portion formed on the case side wall of the stack case along the cell stacking direction, and the interposition is performed using the convex portion The layer may be kept compressed in the direction of the fuel cell stack. In this case, the intermediate layer can be compressed toward the fuel cell stack by the compression section from the outside of the stack case through the window section, which is simple.

(6) In the fuel cell of the above aspect, the intervening layer may be disposed in the gap so as to overlap with the long window portion along the cell stacking direction. This facilitates compression of the long intervening layer by the compression unit through the window.

  The present invention can be realized in various aspects. For example, it can be realized in the form of a method of manufacturing a fuel cell.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a schematic configuration of the fuel cell of the embodiment as viewed from the front in the cell stacking direction. It is explanatory drawing which decomposes | disassembles and shows schematic structure of a fuel cell. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view schematically showing a state of stack installation and positioning in the manufacturing procedure of the fuel cell of the present embodiment, as viewed from the X-axis direction along the cell stacking direction. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the mode of stack | stuck installation and positioning seeing from the Y-axis direction which cross | intersects with the cell lamination direction. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the mode of the intermediate | middle layer initial stage mounting | wearing in the manufacture procedure of the fuel cell of this embodiment seeing from an X-axis direction. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the mode in the middle of intermediate | middle layer mounting | wearing seeing from an X-axis direction. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the mode of completion | finish of intermediate | middle layer mounting seeing from an X-axis direction. It is an explanatory view showing a schematic configuration of a fuel cell of another embodiment as viewed from the front in a cell stacking direction. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view schematically showing a state of stack installation and positioning in a fuel cell manufacturing procedure, as viewed from the X-axis direction along the cell stacking direction. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the mode of intermediate layer mounting in the manufacture procedure of the fuel cell of this embodiment seeing from an X-axis direction. It is explanatory drawing which shows the window part in a stack case, and the other form of a compression body. It is an explanatory view showing a schematic configuration of a fuel cell of a modification as viewed from the front in the cell stacking direction. It is explanatory drawing which decomposes | disassembles and shows schematic structure of the fuel cell of a modification.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a schematic configuration of the fuel cell 100 of the embodiment as viewed from the front in the cell stacking direction, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the schematic configuration of the fuel cell 100 in a disassembled state. In each of the drawings, the X, Y, and Z axes indicate the X-axis as an axis along the stacking direction of the fuel cells 122, the Y-axis indicates the horizontal direction, and the Z-axis indicates the vertical direction. Therefore, when the fuel cell 100 is mounted on a vehicle such that the cell stacking direction is the vehicle width direction, the X axis is the vehicle width direction, the Y axis is the front and back direction, and the Z axis is the vehicle vertical direction. Further, in FIG. 1, the stack case 110 is hatched as an integral product, and the hatching of the fuel cell stack 120 is omitted. The drawings including FIG. 1 do not show the actual dimensional ratio of the parts constituting the fuel cell 100, but merely schematically show the arrangement of the parts and the positional relationship.

  Fuel cell 100 includes a stack case 110, a fuel cell stack 120, first to fourth intervening layers 141 to 144, and a compression body 150. The stack case 110 is a case made of metal such as aluminum, and accommodates the fuel cell stack 120 after the lid 112 is assembled to the case body 111 with a bottom. The case main body 111 leaves the gap 113 on the stack outer wall surface of the fuel cell stack 120 along the cell stacking direction (hereinafter simply referred to as the cell stacking direction) of the fuel cells 122 described later in the stack accommodating recess 117. surround. As described later, since the fuel cell stack 120 has a rectangular stack shape when viewed along the cell stacking direction, both the case outer shape of the stack case 110 and the opening shape of the stack accommodation recess 117 have a rectangular shape. .

  The case body 111 of the stack case 110 includes a first case sidewall 201a along the Y axis forming the first case corner 201 among the four corners and a second case sidewall 201b along the Z axis. , The window portion 115 is provided. As shown in FIG. 2, the window portion 115 extends along the case longitudinal direction, which is the X axis direction indicating the cell stacking direction, on the both case side walls described above, and the window longitudinal direction dimension is the fuel in the fuel cell stack 120. The length of the laminated region of the battery cell 122 is approximately the same. In the stack case 110 of the present embodiment, the third case side wall 202 a and the fourth case side wall 202 b forming the second case corner 202 having a diagonal relationship with the first case corner 201 are windows. It does not have 115. The lid 112 is fixed to the case main body 111 using a bolt (not shown) after housing the fuel cell stack 120. In addition, the stack case 110 is provided with a sealing material 116 surrounding the window portion 115 in a recessed groove on the outer surfaces of the first case side wall 201a and the second case side wall 201b. Seal with the compression body 150 of the

  The fuel cell stack 120 has a stack structure in which a plurality of fuel cells 122 are stacked between two end plates 121. The plurality of fuel cells 122 are provided at the corner portions of the end plates 121 and the fuel cells 122. Fastening is performed via a fastening shaft (not shown) inserted into the opened through hole 137.

  The end plate 121 and the fuel cell 122 are both rectangular, and in addition to the through holes 137 described above, the gas inflow holes 131, the gas outflow holes 132, the air inflow holes 133, the air outflow holes 134, and the cooling A water inflow hole 135 and a cooling water outflow hole 136 are provided. The gas inflow holes 131 form a flow path for introducing a fuel gas, for example, hydrogen gas, to the respective fuel cells 122, and the gas outflow holes 132 form a flow path for introducing unconsumed hydrogen gas to the outside. Do. The air inflow holes 133 form a flow path for introducing the air, which is an oxygen-containing gas, to the respective fuel cells 122, and the air outflow holes 134 form a flow path for introducing excess air to the outside. The inflow holes and the outflow holes are along the rectangular short side so that the gas inflow holes 131 and the gas outflow holes 132 are diagonal in the YZ plane and the air inflow holes 133 and the air outflow holes 134 are diagonal. It is formed. And each of said inflow hole and outflow hole is continued between cells along the X-axis direction, ie, the cell lamination direction. The cooling water inflow holes 135 form a flow path for leading the refrigerant to the respective fuel cells 122, and the cooling water outflow holes 136 form a flow path for leading the refrigerant to the outside. The inflow holes and the outflow holes of the cooling water are formed along the long side of the rectangle so as to face each other, and even in the inflow holes and the outflow holes of the cooling water, the cells along the X axis direction (cell stacking direction). It is continuous between. The internal configuration of the fuel cell 122 is the same as the existing configuration, and thus the description of the configuration of each cell will be omitted.

  Since the end plate 121 and the fuel cell 122 have a rectangular shape, even in the fuel cell stack 120, the stack shape of the YZ plane, that is, the stack outer shape viewed from the fuel cell stack 120 along the cell stacking direction is also rectangular. The cross section orthogonal to the cell stacking direction is substantially rectangular. The fuel cell 100 includes a first stack side 125a along the Y axis of the first corner 125 of the four corners of the fuel cell stack 120 and a second stack side 125b along the Z axis. And a first intervening layer 141 and a second intervening layer 142. The first intervening layer 141 and the second intervening layer 142 are adjacent to the first corner 125 formed by the adjacent first stack side 125 a and the second stack side 125 b and in the vicinity of the corner. To position. Fuel cell 100 also includes third stack side surface 126a along the Y-axis and a fourth stack side 126 along the Z-axis of first corner 125 and second corner 126 in a diagonal relationship in the YZ plane. A third intervening layer 143 and a fourth intervening layer 144 are provided on the stack side surface 126 b. The third intermediate layer 143 and the fourth intermediate layer 144 are adjacent to the second corner 126 formed by the adjacent third stack side 126a and the fourth stack side 126b and in the vicinity of the second corner 126. To position. As shown, the fuel cell 100 does not have an intervening layer at the other corners, ie, the third corner 127 and the fourth corner 128.

  Each of the first to fourth intervening layers 141 to 144 has a rectangular cross section, and is a long body having the same length as the stacking region length which is the length in the stacking direction of the fuel cell 122 in the fuel cell stack 120 In a part of the gap 113 between the stack case 110 and the fuel cell stack 120, it is disposed along the cell stacking direction. In other words, the first to fourth intervening layers 141 to 144 are disposed at positions corresponding to the plurality of fuel cells 122 continuous along the cell stacking direction among the plurality of fuel cells 122. It will be. Hereinafter, the first to fourth intervening layers 141 to 144 will be referred to as first to fourth elongated intervening layers 141 to 144 from the viewpoint of their shape singular points.

  The first elongated intervening layer 141 and the second elongated intervening layer 142 are disposed in the gap 113 so as to overlap the window portion 115 of the stack case 110, and are compressed by a compression body 150 described later. The third elongated intervening layer 143 and the fourth elongated intervening layer 144 are compressed in the battery manufacturing process described later, and the compressed state is maintained by the assembly of the compressed body 150 described later.

  Each of the first to fourth long intervening layers 141 to 144 is an elastic body having dilatant properties, and behaves like a solid to a sudden impact, and to a slow impact. Indicates liquidity. From these characteristics, the first to fourth long intervening layers 141 to 144 exert resistance to impact in a state where the fuel cell stack 120 is restrained from the outside. An elastic body having dilatant properties is, for example, a rubber material obtained by blending silica spheres or polystyrene spheres of nano-order size obtained by various manufacturing methods into a rubber material such as low molecular weight silicone rubber. The shape, in this embodiment, is obtained by forming a rectangular cross section into a long shape. Alternatively, a small amount of catalyst (eg, iron chloride, nickel chloride, etc.) is added to a dilatant fluid, eg, a mixture of silicone oil and boric acid, and kneaded and dried in a high temperature environment (eg, 100 ° C. or higher) It is obtained by enclosing the obtained material in a hollow flexible flexible bag. As the above-mentioned material, for example, Dow Corning 3179 ("Dow Corning" is a registered trademark) of Dow Corning, and M48 and M49 of Wacker GmbH can be adopted. Moreover, it is also confirmed that the first to fourth long intervening layers 141 to 144 have the above-described dilatant-like characteristics, and cause the shape restoring action if the force involved in compression in the compressed state is weakened. ing. Therefore, the first to fourth long intervening layers 141 to 144 become properties having a shape recovery characteristic that causes shape recovery when the compression is loosened under compression, in addition to resistance to impact.

  The first to fourth long intervening layers 141 to 144 are formed of an elastic body (rubber) having dilatant characteristics, and therefore maintain the long shape of the rectangular cross section by itself. In this case, in a mode in which the dilatant fluid is sealed in a bag having a predetermined shape having elasticity, the bag maintains the elongated shape as it is with a substantially rectangular cross section.

  The first elongated intervening layer 141 and the second elongated intervening layer 142 are disposed to sandwich the first corner 125 and extend in the stacking direction of the fuel cells 122. The first elongated intervening layer 141 contacts the first stack side surface 125 a that forms the first corner 125 of the stack outline. The second elongated intervening layer 142 contacts the second stack side surface 125 b forming the first corner 125. The third elongated intervening layer 143 and the fourth elongated intervening layer 144 are disposed on both sides of the second corner 126 which is diagonal to the first corner 125 in the stack outer shape, and the fuel cell is formed. It extends in the stacking direction of the cells 122. The third elongated intervening layer 143 contacts the third stack side surface 126 a forming the second corner 126 of the stack outline and the third case sidewall 202 a of the stack case 110. The fourth elongated intervening layer 144 contacts the fourth stack side surface 126 b forming the second corner 126 and the fourth case sidewall 202 b in the stack case 110.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the compression body 150 includes a convex portion 151 which enters the window portion 115 of the stack case 110, and the convex portion 151 is made to project from the frame portion 152. The convex portion 151 is not shown for convenience of illustration in FIG. 2, but as shown in FIG. 1, the convex portion 151 enters from the window portion 115, reaches the gap 113, and contacts the first stack side surface 125 a. The long intermediate layer 141 and the second long intermediate layer 142 in contact with the second stack side surface 125b are in contact from the side of the stack case 110, and the above-mentioned two long intermediate layers are used as fuel cell stacks. Compress separately in the direction of 120 to maintain its compressed state. Therefore, the compression body 150 constitutes a compression portion in the present application together with the convex portion 151, and the first elongated intervening layer 141 and the second elongated intervening layer 142 are compressed by the compression body 150, and the gap 113 is formed. Will be placed in In the state where the first elongated intervening layer 141 and the second elongated intervening layer 142 are compressed as described above, the compression body 150 is configured such that the first case side wall 201 a of the stack case 110, the second It is screwed and fixed to the case side wall 201b. The compression body 150 thus fixed is sealed to the stack case 110 by the seal material 116 of both case side walls described above.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory view schematically showing the state of stack incorporation and positioning in the manufacturing procedure of the fuel cell 100 of the present embodiment as viewed from the X-axis direction along the cell stacking direction, and FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view schematically showing the appearance as seen from the Y-axis direction intersecting the cell stacking direction. As illustrated, in order to manufacture the fuel cell 100 of the present embodiment, first, the case main body 111 is placed on a work table ST which is horizontally laid out. Since this work table ST is configured as a so-called three-dimensional movement table, the case main body 111 can slide in the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis directions for each work table.

  Next, the fuel cell stack 120 is held horizontally with respect to the work table ST, held at the height in the Z-axis direction, and held at the X-axis position along the cell stacking direction by the posture ensuring jig 200 independent of the work table ST. The battery stack 120 is positioned and held. By such positioning and holding, the fuel cell stack 120 is positioned at the center of the stack receiving recess 117 in the case main body 111, as shown in FIG. Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the case body 111 is moved along the X axis along with the work table ST, and the fuel cell stack 120 is horizontally inserted into the stack accommodation recess 117 of the case body 111 from the opening side. The fuel cell stack 120 is incorporated into the case body 111 of the stack case 110 and accommodated. Thus, the fuel cell stack 120 is positioned and held with respect to the case body 111 also on the X axis along the cell stacking direction. A gap 113 is formed between the fuel cell stack 120 and the case body 111 of the stack case 110 so as to surround the fuel cell stack 120. The dimension of the gap 113 is the same on each side of the fuel cell stack 120. It is assumed.

  The black triangles in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show the state of securing the reference of the fuel cell stack 120 by the attitude securing jig 200. The black triangles in the respective drawings in FIG. The posture ensuring jig 200 holds the fuel cell stack 120 at a portion that does not interfere with the arrangement places of the first to fourth elongated intervening layers 141 to 144, and maintains the positioning posture.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory view schematically showing a state of initial attachment of the intervening layer in the manufacturing procedure of the fuel cell 100 of the present embodiment as viewed from the X-axis direction, and FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view schematically showing in a look, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory view schematically showing a state in which the intervening layer attachment is completed from the X-axis direction. As shown in the upper portion of FIG. 5, in mounting the intervening layer, first, the third elongated intervening layer 143 is interposed between the third case sidewall 202 a and the third stack side surface 126 a, and the fourth elongated intervening layer 144 are respectively inserted between the fourth case side wall 202b and the fourth stack side face 126b, and the third long intervening layer 143 is formed on the third case side wall 202a and the fourth long intervening layer 144. Each is closely attached to the fourth case side wall 202b. In this case, the third elongated intervening layer 143 is fixed to the third case side wall 202a with an adhesive so as to prevent the inadvertent positional displacement of the intervening layer during manufacture, and the fourth elongated intervening layer 144 is formed. May be fixed to the fourth case side wall 202b. In addition, a jig is inserted into the gap 113 on the lower side of the fourth long intervening layer 144, which is concerned about displacement to the vertically downward side in the figure, and the fourth long intervening layer 144 is formed by this jig. You may support it.

  Thereafter, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 5, the stack case 110 is moved in the YZ plane along the first movement M1 and the second movement M2 indicated by the solid arrows in the drawing. This movement is performed by the work table ST configured as a three-dimensional movement table. At this time, the work table ST may be sequentially moved in the Y-axis direction along the first movement M1 and in the Z-axis direction along the second movement M2, and the Y-axis along the first movement M1 It may move simultaneously in the direction of the sum of the Z-axis direction vector along the direction vector and the second movement M2. During such case movement, the fuel cell stack 120 remains positioned in the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction) and the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) by the posture ensuring jig 200. Therefore, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 5, the third elongated intervening layer 143 comes in contact with the third stack side surface 126 a of the fuel cell stack 120, and from the fuel cell stack 120 a solid arrow in the drawing. Is compressed in response to a first compression force F1 indicated by. Similarly, the fourth elongated intervening layer 144 is compressed by receiving the second compressive force F2 from the fuel cell stack 120 after contacting the fourth stack side surface 126b. The work table ST stops at the position after the movement described above, and the fuel cell stack 120 remains positioned by the posture securing jig 200. Therefore, the compression of the third elongated intervening layer 143 by the first compression force F1, and The compression of the fourth elongated intermediate layer 144 by the second compression force F2 is maintained.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the stack case 110 is moved in the YZ plane along the first movement M1 and the second movement M2, as follows. The stack case 110 is moved at an appropriate moving speed until the third elongated intervening layer 143 contacts the third stack side surface 126a of the fuel cell stack 120, and after the intervening layer contacts the third stack side surface 126a. In this case, the stack case 110 is moved at a higher speed than usual, and the third long intermediate layer 143 is compressed. If the stack case 110 moves at a low speed after the intervening layer contact, there is a concern that the third elongated intervening layer 143 having dilatant characteristics may be elastically deformed and the external shape may be deformed. However, by setting the movement of the stack case at high speed after the intervening layer contact, careless elastic deformation of the third elongated intervening layer 143 can be suppressed, which is useful for shape maintenance. The same applies to the fourth long intervening layer 144.

  Following the above-described movement of the stack case 110, attachment of the first elongated intervening layer 141 and the second elongated intervening layer 142, and compression and fixing of the elongated intervening layers by the compression body 150 are performed. This state is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. First, the first elongated intervening layer 141 and the second elongated intervening layer 142 are respectively formed on the top surfaces of the projections of the projections 151 in the compressed body 150. The temporary bonding is performed, and in this state, the first elongated intervening layer 141 contacts the first stack side surface 125a of the fuel cell stack 120, and the second elongated intervening layer 142 contacts the second stack side surface 125b. As described above, the convex portion 151 of the compression body 150 is inserted into the window portion 115 together with the above-described long intervening layers. In this state, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 6, the frame portion 152 of the compression body 150 is not yet in contact with the first case side wall 201a or the second case side wall 201b, and the first elongated intervening layer 141 And the second elongated intervening layer 142 are in a non-compressed state.

  The first elongated intervening layer 141 in contact with the first stack side surface 125 a and the second elongated intervening layer 142 in contact with the second stack side surface 125 b by the entry of the convex portion 151 into the window portion 115 After the compression body 150 is pushed, the convex portion 151 individually compresses the fuel cell stack 120. Thereafter, since the compression body 150 is screwed and fixed to the stack case 110 by the bolt 153, the compressed state of the both long intervening layers is maintained. Here, instead of temporarily bonding the first elongated intervening layer 141 and the second elongated intervening layer 142 to the top of the convex portion, the first elongated before the convex portion 151 enters the window portion 115. The intervening layer 141 and the second elongated intervening layer 142 may be inserted from the window portion 115 so as to be in close contact with the first stack side surface 125a or the second stack side surface 125b. In this case, the first elongated intermediate layer 141 is fixed to the first stack side surface 125 a with an adhesive so as to prevent an inadvertent positional displacement of the intermediate layer during compression by the compression body 150, The second elongated intervening layer 142 may be fixed to the fourth stack side surface 126 b. In addition, a jig is inserted into the gap 113 on the lower side of the second long intermediate layer 142 where there is a concern about shifting downward in the figure, and a second long intermediate layer is formed by this jig. You may support 142.

  During compression by the compression body 150, the fuel cell stack 120 remains positioned in the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction) and the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) by the posture ensuring jig 200. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the first elongated intervening layer 141 comes in contact with the first stack side surface 125 a of the fuel cell stack 120, and is indicated by a solid arrow in the figure from the fuel cell stack 120. It receives the third compression force F3 and is compressed. Similarly, the second elongated intervening layer 142 is compressed by receiving the fourth compressive force F4 from the fuel cell stack 120 after being in contact with the second stack side surface 125b. This compressed state is maintained by screwing and fixing the compression body 150 with the bolt 153.

  In the present embodiment, after the first elongated intervening layer 141 comes into contact with the first stack side surface 125 a when the first elongated intervening layer 141 and the second elongated intervening layer 142 are compressed by the compression body 150. And, after the second long intervening layer 142 comes in contact with the second stack side surface 125 b, the compression body 150 is quickly pressed from the outside of the case with a large force. Temporarily, if the compression body 150 is pressed with a small force, the first long intermediate layer 141 and the second long intermediate layer 142 having the dilatant characteristic are carelessly elastically deformed to deform the outer shape. It is feared. However, by pressing the compression body 150 quickly with a large force after the intervening layer contact, careless deformation of the first elongated intervening layer 141 and the second elongated intervening layer 142 can be suppressed, which is beneficial for shape maintenance .

  During compression by the compression body 150, the work table ST stops at the above-described position after movement. The fuel cell stack 120 remains positioned by the posture securing jig 200, and thereafter, the compression body 150 is screwed and fixed to the stack case 110. Therefore, the compression of the third long intervening layer 143 by the first compression force F1 and the compression of the fourth long intervening layer 144 by the second compression force F2 are maintained by the assembly of the compression body 150. The first to fourth elongated intervening layers 141 to 144 thus maintained in the compressed state are arranged in the fuel cell stack 120 in the stack receiving recess 117 of the stack case 110 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7. With the fuel cell stack 120 positioned at a predetermined position in the YZ plane intersecting the stacking direction, the fuel cell stack 120 is restrained from the outside. In this embodiment, the dimensions of the first to fourth long intervening layers 141 to 144 and the fuel cell stack in the stack accommodation recess 117 so that the first compression force F1 to the fourth compression force F4 have substantially the same magnitude. The positioning position of 120, the projecting dimension of the convex portion 151, and the like are defined.

  After the compression body 150 is screwed and fixed to the stack case 110, the posture securing jig 200 which has been performing positioning and holding of the fuel cell stack 120 is removed, and the opening of the stack case 110 is closed with the lid 112, and the lid 112 is fixed. Ru. The positioning and fixing of the fuel cell stack 120 in the cell stacking direction (X-axis direction) in the stack accommodation recess 117 of the stack case 110 is achieved by tightening a so-called push bolt on the lid 112.

  As described above, the fuel cell 100 according to the present embodiment has the dilatant-like characteristics, and the first to fourth long intervening layers exerting a reaction force against the force that the fuel cell 122 tries to shift at the time of impact. 141 to 144, and the fuel cell stack 120 is externally restrained by these long intervening layers. Therefore, according to the fuel cell 100 of the present embodiment, the fuel cell stack is restrained from the outside by the external resistance against the impact due to the external force acting on the fuel cell stack 120 from the direction intersecting the cell stacking direction of the fuel cell 122. Among the fourth long intervening layers 141 to 144, the long intervening layer disposed on the same direction as the action direction of the external force exerts the fuel cell stack 120 along the action direction of the external force. Deviation can be prevented.

  In the fuel cell 100 of the present embodiment, the first elongated intervening layer 141 and the second elongated intervening layer 142 overlap the window 115 extending in the cell stacking direction with the first case corner 201 interposed therebetween. And the third elongated intervening layer 143 and the fourth elongated intervening layer 144 are interposed between the first case corner 201 and the second case corner 202 in a diagonal relationship with the first case corner 201. Arranged at 113. Therefore, according to the fuel cell 100 of the present embodiment, by setting the intervening layer to be a long intervening layer also on the side of the second case corner portion 202, the intervening region of the intervening layer can be further limited. Further, according to the fuel cell 100 of the present embodiment, the intervening regions of the first to fourth long intervening layers 141 to 144 are limited as described above, so that the space between the stack case 110 and the fuel cell stack 120 can be reduced. Compared with the structure which arrange | positions the intervening layer in the whole region of the gap 113, weight reduction can be achieved.

  In the fuel cell 100 of the present embodiment, the first elongated intervening layer 141 and the second elongated intervening layer 142 are directed to the fuel cell stack 120 by the compression body 150 having the convex portion 151 which enters the window portion 115. More specifically, the fuel cell stack 120 is compressed toward the first stack side 125 a or the second stack side 125 b of the fuel cell stack 120. By so doing, in the compressed first long intervening layer 141 and the second long intervening layer 142, the shape restoring action can be exhibited if the force involved in the compression is weakened. Therefore, according to the fuel cell 100 of the present embodiment, there are the following advantages.

  In FIG. 7, when the external force GF in the −Y-axis direction intersecting the stacking direction of the fuel cells 122 is applied to the fuel cell stack 120 from the side of the second case side wall 201b, the second elongated intervening layer 142 Due to this external force GF, the fuel cell stack 120 is positioned on the opposite side to the side where the fuel cell stack 120 tends to be displaced. Then, in the second elongated intervening layer 142, the fourth compressive force F4 received from the fuel cell stack 120 is reduced by the external force GF. According to the fuel cell 100 of the present embodiment, the fuel cell stack 120 tends to be displaced by exerting the function of restoring the shape of the second elongated intervening layer 142 already compressed by the compression body 150 in such a situation. The positional deviation of the second long intervening layer 142 on the side opposite to the side can be suppressed. The same applies to the case where the first elongated intervening layer 141 is located on the opposite side to the side where the fuel cell stack 120 tends to shift due to the external force GF.

  The fuel cell 100 according to the present embodiment includes the third elongated intervening layer 143 and the fourth elongated intervening layer 144 disposed in the gap 113 with the second case corner 202 interposed therebetween. In the process, the compressed state is obtained (see FIG. 5), and this compressed state is maintained even after the compression of the first elongated intervening layer 141 and the second elongated intervening layer 142 by the compressed body 150 (see FIG. 7). Therefore, according to the fuel cell 100 of the present embodiment, even if the external force GF shown in FIG. 7 acts from the side of the fourth case side wall 202b, the fuel cell stack 120 tends to shift due to the external force GF. By the compression return action of the fourth long intervening layer 144 located on the opposite side, the positional deviation of the fourth long intervening layer 144 on the opposite side to the side where the fuel cell stack 120 tends to deviate can be suppressed. The same applies to the case where the third elongated intervening layer 143 is located on the opposite side to the side where the fuel cell stack 120 tends to be displaced by the external force GF.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a schematic configuration of the fuel cell 100A of another embodiment as viewed from the front in the cell stacking direction. The fuel cell 100 A is characterized in that the third elongated intervening layer 143 and the fourth elongated intervening layer 144 are also compressed by the compression body 150. In the following description, the description of the same configuration as the fuel cell 100 described above will be omitted as appropriate.

  As illustrated, the fuel cell 100A also has windows 115 in the third case side wall 202a and the fourth case side wall 202b that form the second case corner 202 in the stack case 110. In the fuel cell 100A, the third elongated intervening layer 143 overlaps the window 115 of the third case sidewall 202a, and the fourth elongated intervening layer 144 overlaps the window 115 of the fourth case sidewall 202b. Thus, both long intermediate layers are disposed in the gap 113 and compressed by the compression body 150.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory view schematically showing the state of stack installation and positioning in the manufacturing procedure of the fuel cell 100A, as viewed from the X-axis direction along the cell stacking direction. As shown, when manufacturing the fuel cell 100A, first, the case body 111 is placed on a work table ST of a three-dimensional moving table flatly laid out horizontally and made slidable in the X-axis direction.

  Next, the fuel cell stack 120 is positioned and held by the posture securing jig 200 as in the previous embodiment, and the fuel cell stack 120 is positioned at the center of the stack accommodation recess 117 in the case main body 111 as shown in FIG. Let Next, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the case body 111 is moved horizontally along the X axis along with the work table ST, and the fuel cell stack 120 is incorporated into the case body 111 of the stack case 110 and accommodated.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory view schematically showing how the intervening layer is attached in the manufacturing procedure of the fuel cell 100A of the present embodiment as viewed from the X-axis direction.

  When the intermediate layer is attached, as shown in FIG. 9, the first to fourth long intermediate layers 141 to 144 are attached, and the compression of the long intermediate layers is performed by the compression body 150. This intervening layer compression and fixing is not different from the state where the first elongated intervening layer 141 and the second elongated intervening layer 142 are attached in the previous embodiment, and first, the first to fourth elongated interventions Each of the layers 141 to 144 is temporarily adhered to the top surface of the convex portion of the convex portion 151, and in this state, the convex portion 151 of the compressed body 150 is inserted into the window portion 115 together with the long intervening layer, and each long intervening layer is Contact the opposing stack sides. Then, the first to fourth long intermediate layers 141 to 144 are individually compressed toward the fuel cell stack 120 by the projections 151 of the compression body 150, and the compression body 150 is formed into the stack case 110 by the bolt 153. Tighten the screws. Even in this embodiment, instead of temporarily bonding the first to fourth long intervening layers 141 to 144 to the top surface of the convex portion, the respective lengths before the convex portion 151 enters the window portion 115. The medial layer may be inserted through the window 115 and adhered to the corresponding stack side. In this case, each long intermediate layer may be fixed to the side surface of the stack with an adhesive in order to prevent inadvertent misalignment of the intermediate layer.

  During compression by the compression body 150, the fuel cell stack 120 remains positioned in the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction) and the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) by the posture ensuring jig 200. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the first to fourth long intervening layers 141 to 144 come in contact with the stack side surface of the fuel cell stack 120, and from the fuel cell stack 120 in black arrows in the drawing. The first to fourth compression forces F1 to F4 shown are respectively received and compressed. This compressed state is maintained by screwing and fixing the compression body 150 with the bolt 153. Even in this embodiment, when the first to fourth long intermediate layers 141 to 144 are compressed by the compression body 150, the compression body 150 is made large after each long intermediate layer contacts the stack side surface. Since it was made to press quickly from the case exterior by force, careless elastic deformation of the 1st-4th long intervening layers 141-144 can be suppressed, and it becomes useful to shape maintenance.

  The first to fourth long intervening layers 141 to 144 thus maintained in the compressed state are, as shown in FIG. 7, the fuel cell stack 120 in the cell stacking direction in the stack accommodation recess 117 of the stack case 110. The fuel cell stack 120 is externally restrained while being positioned at the center of the intersecting YZ plane. Even in this embodiment, the dimensions of the first to fourth long intervening layers 141 to 144 or the stack accommodation recess 117 are set so that the first compression force F1 to the fourth compression force F4 have substantially the same magnitude. The positioning position of the fuel cell stack 120, the projection dimension of the convex portion 151, and the like are specified.

  After screwing and fixing the compression body 150 to the stack case 110, the posture securing jig 200 is removed and the lid 112 is fixed, and then the push bolt is tightened from the lid 112. As a result, the fuel cell 100A positioned in the cell stacking direction (X-axis direction) in the stack accommodation recess 117 is obtained.

  As described above, also with the fuel cell 100A of this embodiment, the shift prevention of the fuel cell stack 120 when an external force is applied from the direction intersecting the cell stacking direction, and the side where the fuel cell stack 120 tends to shift The above-described effect of suppressing positional deviation of the first to fourth long intervening layers 141 to 144 on the opposite side can be achieved. Then, since the fuel cell 100A can put each of the first to fourth long intervening layers 141 to 144 in a compressed state by the compression body 150, the intervening layer can be easily attached.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the technical features of the embodiment corresponding to the technical features in the respective forms described in the section of the summary of the invention can be used to solve some or all of the problems described above, or a part of the effects described above Alternatively, it is possible to replace or combine as appropriate to achieve the whole. Also, if the technical features are not described as essential in the present specification, they can be deleted as appropriate.

  In the embodiment described above, the window portion 115 and the first to fourth long intervening layers 141 to 144 and the compression body 150 are made approximately the same as the stacking region length of the fuel cell 122 in the fuel cell stack 120. It is not limited to this. FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing another form of the window portion 115 and the compression body 150 in the stack case 110. As shown in FIG. As illustrated, a plurality of windows 115 are provided in the X-axis direction, which is the cell stacking direction, and the number of the windows is equal to the number of windows of the compression body 150 having the projections 151 that enter the windows 115. The length of the first long intermediate layer 141 and the second long intermediate layer 142 compressed by the compression body 150 may be substantially the same as the length of the stack region of the fuel cell 122, and the window 115 A plurality of long intervening layers may be provided in accordance with the size of.

  In the embodiment described above, the second corner 126 corresponding to the second case corner 202 is provided across the first corner 125 of the fuel cell stack 120 corresponding to the first case corner 201. The first to fourth long intervening layers 141 to 144 are disposed with the first corner portion 125 and the third corner portion 127 adjacent to each other in the YZ plane interposed therebetween. It may be set. A long intervening layer may be disposed with another fourth corner 128 interposed therebetween. Then, the long intervening layer in contact with the first stack side surface 125 a and the long intervening layer in contact with the second stack side surface 125 b can be compressed by the compression body 150 in the same manner as the first long intervening layer 141. Good.

  In the embodiment described above, although the first long intervening layer 141 and the like are compressed by the compression body 150 having the convex portion 151 which enters the window portion 115, the compression configuration of the intervening layer is not limited to this. FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing a schematic configuration of the fuel cell 100B of the modification as viewed from the front in the cell stacking direction, and FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing the schematic configuration of the fuel cell 100B of the modification.

  As shown, the fuel cell 100 B is provided with a plurality of through holes 118 instead of the windows 115 in the case body 111 of the stack case 110, and the periphery of the holes is sealed with a sealing material 116. Further, instead of the compression body 150 having the convex portion 151, the compression body 150A having the pressure pin 154 is used, and the first long plate is made engageable with the tip of the pressure pin 154 via the long plate 155. The intervening layer 141 and the second elongated intervening layer 142 are compressed as described above.

  The manufacturing procedure of this fuel cell 100 B is substantially the same as the manufacturing procedure of the fuel cell 100 described above, and differs in the procedures of compression and fixation of the first elongated intervening layer 141 and the second elongated intervening layer 142. . In mounting the first long intervening layer 141 and the second long intervening layer 142, the long plate 155 is temporarily bonded to both long intervening layers in advance. Then, in this state, the first elongated intervening layer 141 is placed at the defined position of the first stack side surface 125 a of the fuel cell stack 120, that is, the stack side surface facing the plurality of through holes 118. The second long intervening layer 142 is temporarily bonded to the specified position of the second stack side surface 125 b of the fuel cell stack 120, that is, the stack side surface facing the plurality of through holes 118. At this time, as in the fourth long intervening layer 144, the second long intervening layer 142 may be supported by a jig on the vertically lower side.

  Thereafter, the compression body 150A is mounted on the case main body 111 so that the pressing pin 154 enters the through hole 118, and the pressing pin 154 is engaged with the long plate 155 at its tip. In this engaged state, by screwing and fixing the frame portion 152, the first long intervening layer 141 in contact with the first stack side surface 125a and the second stack side surface 125b are in contact (provisionally adhered) The second elongated intervening layer 142 is compressed individually toward the fuel cell stack 120 by the elongated plate 155. Even in the intervening layer compression by the compression body 150A, after the long plate 155 engages with the pressing pin 154 of the compression body 150A, the compression body 150A may be quickly pressed from the outside of the case with a large force. The above-described effects can also be achieved by the fuel cell 100B thus obtained.

  In the fuel cell 100 according to the above-described embodiment, when the third elongated intermediate layer 143 and the fourth elongated intermediate layer 144 are brought into a compressed state, the stack case 110 on which both intervening layers have been mounted is used as a fuel cell stack. Although it moved with respect to 120, it does not restrict to this. That is, before the fuel cell stack 120 is positioned and held at the center position of the stack case 110 as shown in the upper part of FIG. 5, the third elongated intervening layer 143 and the fourth elongated intervening layer 144 are not And the compressed state. Then, after removing the pressing jig, the fuel cell stack 120 is inserted into the stack case 110 before the shapes of both intervening layers are completely restored, and the third elongated intervening layer 143 is inserted into the third fuel cell stack 120. The fourth elongated intermediate layer 144 is brought into contact with the fourth stack side surface 126 b of the fuel cell stack 120 on the stack side surface 126 a of the fuel cell 120, and this state is maintained. Thereafter, the first long intervening layer 141 and the second long intervening layer 142 are compressed and fixed using the compression body 150.

  In the embodiment described above, the fuel cell stack 120 has a substantially rectangular cross section orthogonal to the stacking direction, but the cross section may be an elliptical shape or a polygonal shape having three or more corners.

  In the embodiment described above, the first to fourth elongated intervening layers 141 to 144 are formed on the first stack side 125a, the second stack side 125b, the third stack side 126a, and the fourth stack side 126b. Although disposed, two or more long intervening layers may be disposed on one stack side surface, for example, the first stack side surface 125a.

  In the embodiment described above, the first elongated intervening layer 141 and the second elongated intervening layer 142 are provided on both sides of the first corner 125, and the third elongated intervening layer 143 and the fourth elongated intervention are provided. Layers 144 are disposed on both sides of the second corner 126, but is not limited thereto. For example, the first elongated intervening layer 141 is located near the center of the first stack side surface 125a, and the second elongated intervening layer 142 is located near the center of the second stack side surface 125b. The fourth long intervening layer 144 may be disposed near the center of the fourth stack side surface 126b near the center of the third stack side surface 126a.

  In the embodiment described above, the first to fourth long intervening layers 141 to 144 are formed using an elastic body having a dilatant characteristic or a dilatant fluid, but in the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell stack 120 It may be formed using synthetic rubber or resin as long as it can maintain the elongated shape along with it and can exhibit the resistance to impact and the shape return characteristic that causes the shape to return when compression is relaxed under compression.

  In the embodiment described above, the first to fourth long intervening layers 141 to 144 have lengths corresponding to the stack region length of the fuel cell 122, but may be slightly shorter than the stack region length, or may be a stack It may be hung on the end plates 121 at both ends. When the end plates 121 at both ends of the stack are hung, the first to fourth long intermediate layers 141 to 144 are compressed in the region corresponding to the plurality of fuel cells 122 continuous along the cell stacking direction. It may be compressed and held by the body 150.

100, 100A, 100B: fuel cell 110: stack case 111: case body 112: lid 113: gap 115: window portion 116: sealing material 117: stack accommodation recess 118: through hole 120: fuel cell stack 121: end plate 122: Fuel cell 125: First corner 125a: first stack side 125b: second stack side 126: second corner 126a: third stack side 126b: fourth stack side 127: fourth 3 corner portion 128 4th corner portion 131 gas inlet hole 132 gas outlet hole 133 air inlet hole 134 air outlet hole 135 cooling water inlet hole 136 cooling water outlet hole 137 through hole 141 fourth hole 1 intervening layer (first elongated intervening layer)
142: Second intervening layer (second elongated intervening layer)
143 ... third intervening layer (third elongated intervening layer)
144 ... fourth intervening layer (fourth long intervening layer)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 150 ... Compression body 151 ... Protrusion 152 ... Frame part 153 ... Bolt 154 ... Press pin 155 ... Long plate 200 ... Posture ensuring jig 201 ... 1st case corner part 201a ... 1st case side wall 201b ... 2nd case Side wall 202: second case corner portion 202a: third case side wall 202b: fourth case side wall F1: first compressive force F2: second compressive force F3: third compressive force F4: fourth compressive force GF: external force M1 ... 1st movement M2 ... 2nd movement ST ... Work table

Claims (6)

A fuel cell,
A fuel cell stack in which a plurality of fuel cells are stacked;
A stack case for housing the fuel cell stack;
It is an intervening layer having resistance to impact and shape recovery characteristics which cause shape recovery when compression is loosened under compression conditions, and is an intervening layer disposed in the gap between the stack case and the fuel cell stack, An intermediate layer disposed at a position corresponding to a plurality of fuel cells continuous in the cell stacking direction among the plurality of fuel cells in the part;
A fuel cell comprising: a compression unit in contact with the disposed intervening layer from the side of the stack case and keeping the intervening layer compressed in the direction of the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein
The fuel cell stack has a substantially rectangular cross section orthogonal to the cell stacking direction, and has a plurality of side surfaces corresponding to the shape.
The fuel cell, wherein the intervening layer is disposed at least one on each of four side surfaces of the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein
The intervening layer is a second one of the four side surfaces that is adjacent to the first corner formed by the adjacent first and second side surfaces, and the second corner diagonally related to the first corner. Are placed on both sides of the corner, respectively
The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the compression portion is provided corresponding to each of the intervening layers disposed on both sides of the first corner portion. The fuel cell according to claim 3, wherein
The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the compression portion is further provided corresponding to each of the intervening layers disposed on both sides of the second corner. The fuel cell according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein
The compression portion has a convex portion that enters a window portion formed on the case sidewall of the stack case along the cell stacking direction, and the convex portion is used to compress the intervening layer toward the fuel cell stack Fuel cell to keep it in a steady state. The fuel cell according to claim 5, wherein
The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the intervening layer is disposed in the gap so as to overlap with the long window part along the cell stacking direction.

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