JP7115838B2 - fuel cell - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to fuel cells.

Conventionally, an invention relating to a separator structure for a fuel cell has been known (see Patent Document 1 below). The invention described in Patent Document 1 uses a corrugated separator to solve the problem that when the separator is a corrugated separator such as a metal press-molded product, variations in the flow rate of reaction gas and cooling water between cells become large. The object is to reduce the cell pitch while suppressing variations in the flow rates of the reaction gas and the cooling water among the cells when the temperature rises (see paragraphs 0003 to 0004 of the same document).

To achieve this purpose, Patent Document 1 discloses a first separator having, at one end, a first manifold through which a first reaction gas flows, a second manifold through which a second reaction gas flows, and a cooling medium manifold through which a cooling medium flows. and a separator structure of a fuel cell comprising a second separator (see the same document, claim 1, etc.).

The first separator has a first reactant gas channel portion through which a first reactant gas flows, and a first coolant channel portion through which a cooling medium flows behind the first reactant gas channel portion. The second separator has a second reactant gas channel portion through which a second reactant gas flows, and a second coolant channel portion through which a coolant flows behind the second reactant gas.

In the fuel cell having this conventional separator structure, the electrolyte is arranged such that the surface of the first separator facing the first reactant gas channel and the surface of the second separator facing the second reactant gas channel face each other. It is constructed by stacking a plurality of fuel cells each having a membrane-electrode assembly sandwiched therebetween. In addition, this conventional fuel cell separator structure includes a first reaction gas distribution portion, a second reaction gas distribution portion, a first cooling medium distribution portion, and a second cooling medium distribution portion.

The first reaction gas distribution section is provided between the first manifold and the first reaction gas flow path section on the surface of the first separator on the first reaction gas flow path side, and distributes the first reaction gas to the The reaction gas is distributed in the width direction of the first reaction gas flow path. The second reaction gas distribution section is provided between the second manifold and the second reaction gas flow path section on the surface of the second separator on the second reaction gas flow path side, and distributes the second reaction gas to the The reaction gas is distributed in the width direction of the second reaction gas flow path.

The first cooling medium distribution portion is recessed between the back surface of the first reaction gas distribution portion and the cooling medium manifold and the second manifold on the surface of the first separator on the first cooling medium flow path side. and distributes the cooling medium in the width direction of the first cooling medium flow path. The second cooling medium distribution part is recessed between the back surface of the second reaction gas distribution part and the cooling medium manifold and the first manifold on the surface of the second separator on the second cooling medium flow path side. and distributes the cooling medium in the width direction of the second cooling medium flow path.

The first reaction gas distribution portion and the second reaction gas distribution portion are shifted in the flow direction of the first reaction gas flow channel portion and the second reaction gas flow channel portion with respect to the stacking direction of the separators. there is The rear surface of the first reaction gas distribution section faces the second reaction gas flow path section. The rear surface of the second reaction gas distribution section faces the first cooling medium distribution section. The cooling medium supplied from the cooling medium manifold flows through the first cooling medium distribution section on the back surface of the second reaction gas distribution section, and then flows in the second cooling medium flow on the back surface of the first reaction gas distribution section. flow down the road.

Further, a plurality of slit-like fuel gas introduction portions are provided between the first reaction gas distribution portion and the first manifold. One end of the fuel gas introducing portion and the end of the first manifold are arranged apart from each other by a predetermined distance (see Paragraph 0011 of the same document, FIG. 2, etc.). A plurality of slit-like oxidant gas introduction portions are provided between the second reaction gas distribution portion and the second manifold. One end of the oxidant gas introducing portion and the end of the second manifold are arranged with a predetermined distance therebetween (see the same document, paragraph 0014, FIG. 3, etc.).

JP 2008-21515 A

In the separator structure of the conventional fuel cell, a plurality of slit-shaped fuel gas outlets similar to the fuel gas inlet are usually provided between the first reaction gas flow path and the manifold for discharging the first reaction gas. is provided. In addition, a plurality of slit-like oxidizing gas outlets are provided between the second reaction gas flow path and the manifold for discharging the second reaction gas, similarly to the oxidizing gas inlet. Such a plurality of slit-shaped gas lead-out portions may be blocked by liquid such as water during scavenging for discharging moisture inside the fuel cell stack, for example.

One aspect of the present invention provides a fuel cell capable of suppressing clogging of a plurality of slit-like communication channels that communicate a manifold and a gas channel with a liquid such as water.

One aspect of the present invention is a fuel cell comprising a manifold, a gas flow channel, and a plurality of slit-shaped communication flow channels communicating between the gas flow channel and the manifold, wherein the plurality of communication flow channels A fuel cell comprising a connection connecting an end of a channel adjacent said manifold, said connection communicating with said manifold.

The fuel cell of the above aspect includes, for example, a pair of separators forming a gas flow path, and an insulating material and a membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly (Membrane-Electrode-Gas Diffusion Layer) disposed between the pair of separators. Assembly: MEGA). The insulating material is welded to the pair of separators, for example, and also functions as a joining material that joins the pair of separators.

A pair of separators has manifold holes forming a manifold. The insulating material is formed, for example, in a frame shape having an opening for arranging the MEGA in the center, and has a plurality of manifold openings forming manifolds in the peripheral edge. The communication flow path is, for example, a plurality of slit-like through holes or grooves formed between the opening in the central portion of the insulating material and the manifold openings in each of the peripheral portions, and the opening in the central portion of the insulating material. and the manifold openings in the peripheral edge.

A pair of separators form a first gas flow path along one side of the insulating material and the MEGA and a second gas flow path along the other side of the insulating material and the MEGA. One end of the first gas channel communicates with the first manifold that supplies the first reaction gas via the first communication channel. The other end of the first gas channel communicates through a second communication channel with a second manifold that discharges the first reaction gas that has not been used in the reaction in MEGA.

One end of the second gas channel communicates with a third manifold that supplies the second reaction gas via a third communication channel. The other end of the second gas channel communicates through a fourth communication channel with a fourth manifold that discharges the second reaction gas that has not been used in the reaction in MEGA. For example, a fuel gas and an oxidant gas are used as the first reaction gas and the second reaction gas. Hydrogen gas and air, for example, are used as the fuel gas and the oxidant gas.

The connecting portion is, for example, a slit-shaped through hole or groove formed in an insulating material, extends in a direction traversing the plurality of slit-shaped communication channels, and is adjacent to the manifold of the plurality of slit-shaped communication channels. It connects the ends and communicates with the manifold. More specifically, the connecting portion connects at least the downstream ends of the plurality of communication channels with a manifold for discharging the gas that has flowed through the plurality of communication channels. It is provided at the end of the path on the manifold side. In addition, the connection portion connects at least the downstream ends of the gas in the plurality of slit-shaped communication channels to communicate the downstream ends of the gas in the plurality of communication channels with each other, and the gas It also communicates with a manifold for discharging the

A plurality of fuel cells are stacked to form a fuel cell stack, for example. During power generation by the fuel cell stack, the inside of the fuel cell stack is maintained in a moderately moist state. Therefore, when power generation by the fuel cell stack is stopped, water may remain inside the fuel cells constituting the fuel cell stack and in the pipes of the fuel cell stack, and the water may freeze in a low-temperature environment.

If water freezes inside the fuel cells or in the pipelines that make up the fuel cell stack, when power generation by the fuel cell stack is restarted, the flow of reaction gases such as fuel gas and oxidant gas is obstructed, preventing power generation. Otherwise, the fuel cells may deteriorate. In order to avoid such a problem, scavenging may be performed to remove moisture generated by the operation of the fuel cell stack by feeding gas into the fuel cell stack after stopping the power generation of the fuel cell stack.

However, the separator structure of the conventional fuel cell has, as described above, a plurality of slit-shaped separators similar to the fuel gas introduction section between the first reaction gas flow path section and the manifold for discharging the first reaction gas. are provided. Further, a plurality of slit-like oxidizing gas outlets similar to the oxidizing gas inlets are provided between the second reaction gas flow path and the manifold for discharging the second reaction gas. Such a plurality of slit-shaped gas lead-out portions may be clogged with liquid such as water remaining at the downstream end portion of the gas during scavenging for removing moisture, for example.

On the other hand, the fuel cell of the aspect described above includes a connection portion that connects the ends of the plurality of communication channels adjacent to the manifold. Furthermore, the connection communicates with the manifold. In this case, for example, when gas is sent into the gas channel during scavenging to remove moisture, the moisture inside the gas channel flows into the plurality of slit-shaped communicating channels together with the gas. At this time, when the liquid such as water reaches the end adjacent to the manifold, which is the end of the plurality of communicating channels on the downstream side of the gas, it flows into the connecting portion connecting the ends of the plurality of communicating channels. and discharged to a manifold that communicates with the connection.

That is, by connecting the ends of the plurality of communicating channels adjacent to the manifold and communicating with the manifold, the retention of liquid such as water at the ends of the plurality of communicating channels adjacent to the manifold is suppressed. . Therefore, according to the fuel cell of the aspect described above, it is possible to prevent the plurality of slit-like communication channels that communicate between the manifold and the gas channel from being clogged by a liquid such as water.

As described above, the fuel cell of the above aspect includes a pair of separators forming the gas flow path, and an insulating material disposed between the pair of separators. The insulating material has a manifold hole forming the manifold, the insulating material has a manifold opening forming the manifold, and a through hole forming the communication flow path and the connection portion, and in the extending direction of the communication flow path , The edge of the connecting portion adjacent to the manifold opening of the insulating material may be located inside the opening edges of the manifold holes of the pair of separators.

When a fuel cell stack is constructed by stacking fuel cells of such an aspect, at least a part of the connection portion, which is a through hole formed in the insulating material of the plurality of fuel cells, is aligned with the opening edge of the manifold hole of the separator. inside and adjacent in the stacking direction of the fuel cells. As a result, the liquid such as water that has reached the connection portion of the fuel cells combines with the liquid such as water that has reached the connection portion of the fuel cells that are adjacent to each other in the stacking direction, increases its volume, and moves downward due to gravity. Easier to move. Therefore, the liquid such as water that is discharged from the gas flow path of the fuel cell and has reached the connecting portion connecting the ends of the plurality of slit-shaped communication flow paths adjacent to the manifold can be easily discharged to the manifold. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the plurality of slit-shaped communication channels that communicate between the manifold and the gas channel from being clogged by liquid such as water.

In the fuel cell of one aspect described above, the cross-sectional areas of the plurality of slit-shaped communication channels may be varied. As a result, it is possible to change the flow velocity of the gas flowing through the plurality of slit-shaped communication channels, and to consolidate the gas downward in the vertical direction of the connecting portion. That is, more gas during scavenging can be concentrated downward in the vertical direction, and liquid such as water can be more effectively discharged from the connecting portion. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the plurality of slit-shaped communication channels that communicate between the manifold and the gas channel from being clogged by liquid such as water.

In the fuel cell of one aspect described above, the connection portion may be connected to the manifold opening at a lower end portion in the vertical direction. As a result, the liquid such as water that has reached the connecting portion of the fuel cell flows vertically downward due to gravity, and is discharged from the vertically lower end portion of the connecting portion to the manifold opening. Therefore, the liquid such as water can be more effectively discharged from the connecting portion, and the plurality of slit-shaped communication channels communicating between the manifold and the gas channel can be prevented from being clogged by the liquid such as water. can be suppressed more reliably.

In the fuel cell of the aspect described above, the connection portion may be connected to the manifold opening at an upper end portion and a lower end portion in the vertical direction. As a result, when a liquid such as water that reaches the connecting portion of the fuel cell flows vertically downward due to gravity, gas is introduced from the manifold opening to the upper end of the connecting portion, and the liquid such as water flows smoothly. flow through the connecting portion and is discharged from the lower end portion in the vertical direction of the connecting portion to the manifold opening. Therefore, the liquid such as water can be more effectively discharged from the connecting portion, and the plurality of slit-shaped communication channels communicating between the manifold and the gas channel can be prevented from being clogged by the liquid such as water. can be suppressed more reliably.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a fuel cell capable of suppressing clogging of a plurality of slit-like communication channels that connect a manifold and a gas channel with a liquid such as water. .

1 is a plan view of a fuel cell according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view in the vicinity of the manifold of the fuel cell shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view in the vicinity of the manifold of the fuel cell shown in FIG. 1; 4 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of the fuel cell taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3; FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of a manifold of a conventional fuel cell; FIG. 6 is a plan view of the vicinity of the manifold of the conventional fuel cell shown in FIG. 5;

An embodiment of a fuel cell according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a fuel cell 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. 2 and 3 are an enlarged perspective view and an enlarged plan view of the vicinity of the manifold M2 of the fuel cell 1 shown in FIG. 1, respectively. FIG. 4 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of the fuel cell 1 taken along line IV-IV in FIG.

The fuel cell 1 of this embodiment includes, for example, a pair of separators 10, 10 forming a first gas flow path G1 and a second gas flow path (not shown), and a separator between the pair of separators 10, 10. It is provided with an insulating material 20 and a membrane-electrode-gas diffusion layer assembly (MEGA) 30 arranged in the .

A pair of separators 10, 10 has a plurality of manifold holes 11-16 forming manifolds M1-M6. The separator 10 is made of, for example, a material having gas barrier properties and electronic conductivity, such as a carbon member such as dense carbon that is impermeable to gas by compressing carbon particles, or a press-molded metal member such as stainless steel or titanium. made by

The insulating material 20 is formed into a frame shape having an opening 20a in the center for disposing the MEGA 30, for example, by punching a flexible film-like member that can be thermally welded. . The insulating material 20 is, for example, welded to the pair of separators 10 and 10 and functions also as a joining material that joins the pair of separators 10 and 10 .

The insulating material 20 has a plurality of manifold openings 21 to 26 forming manifolds M1 to M6 on the peripheral edge, for example, between the central opening 20a and each of the peripheral manifold openings 21 to 24. , has a plurality of slit-shaped communication channels 27 . In FIG. 1, only the communication flow path 27 that communicates between the central opening 20a of the insulating material 20 and the manifold openings 21 and 22 at the peripheral edge is indicated by broken lines. The communication flow path 27 is a plurality of slit-like through holes or grooves formed in the peripheral edge of the insulating material 20, and extends from the manifold openings 21 and 22 in the peripheral edge of the insulating material 20 to the central opening 20a. extending radially.

Of the pair of separators 10, 10, one separator 10 on the front side forms a first gas flow path G1 along one surface of the insulating material 20 and the MEGA 30, and the other separator 10 on the back side forms an insulating material. A second gas flow path (not shown) is formed along the other surface of the material and the MEGA 30 . In FIG. 1, only the first gas flow path G1 formed by one separator 10 is indicated by a dashed line, and the illustration of the second gas flow path is omitted.

One end of the first gas channel G1 communicates via a first communication channel 27 with a first manifold M1 that supplies the first reaction gas. The other end of the first gas channel G1 communicates through a second communication channel 27 with a second manifold M2 that discharges the first reaction gas that has not been used in the reaction in the MEGA 30. .

Also, although illustration is omitted, one end of the second gas flow path formed by the other separator 10 on the back side of the pair of separators 10, 10 is connected to a third manifold for supplying the second reaction gas. It communicates with M3 via a third communication channel similar to the first communication channel 27 . The other end of the second gas channel is connected to a fourth manifold M4 that discharges the second reaction gas not used in the reaction in the MEGA 30, and a fourth communicating channel similar to the second communicating channel 27. communicated through roads.

As the first reaction gas and the second reaction gas, for example, fuel gas and oxidant gas are used. Hydrogen gas and air, for example, are used as the fuel gas and the oxidant gas.

The fuel cell 1 of the present embodiment includes at least a connection portion 28 that connects the ends of the plurality of slit-shaped communication channels 27 adjacent to the manifolds M2 and M4. The most important feature is that they are connected.

The connecting portion 28 is, for example, a slit-shaped through hole or groove formed in the insulating material 20 , extends in a direction crossing the plurality of slit-shaped communication channels 27 , and extends in a direction crossing the plurality of slit-shaped communication channels 27 . It connects the end adjacent to the manifold M2 and communicates with the manifold M2.

More specifically, the connection part 28 has a plurality of connections that communicate at least the downstream end of the gas flow path G1 with the manifold M2 for discharging the gas that has flowed through the gas flow path G1. It is provided at the end of the flow path 27 on the manifold M2 side. In addition, the connecting portion 28 connects at least the downstream ends of the gas in the plurality of slit-shaped communication channels 27 to communicate the downstream ends of the gas in the plurality of communication channels 27 with each other. It also communicates with a manifold M2 for discharging gas.

As shown in FIG. 4, the fuel cell 1 includes a pair of separators 10, 10 forming a first gas channel G1 and a second gas channel (not shown), and a pair of separators 10, 10. and insulating material 20 disposed therebetween. A pair of separators 10, 10 have manifold holes 12, 12 forming a manifold M2.

The insulating material 20 has a manifold opening 22 forming the manifold M2 and a through hole forming a communication channel 27 and a connecting portion 28 . In the example shown in FIG. 4, the edge 28a of the connection portion 28 adjacent to the manifold opening 22 of the insulating material 20 in the extending direction of the communication flow path 27 is aligned with the manifold holes 12, 12 of the pair of separators 10, 10. Located inside the opening rim.

Although illustration is omitted, in the fuel cell 1, the cross-sectional areas of the plurality of slit-shaped communication channels 27 may be changed to change the flow velocity of the gas flowing through the plurality of communication channels 27. good.

In the fuel cell 1 shown in FIG. 3 , the connecting portion 28 provided at the end adjacent to the manifold M2 of the plurality of slit-shaped communication channels 27 has a lower end in the vertical direction V that is connected to the manifold opening 22 . It is connected. More specifically, the connecting portion 28 is connected at its lower end in the vertical direction V to the manifold opening 22 via a connecting path 29 which is a groove or through hole provided in the insulating material 20 . The connection portion 28 may be connected to the manifold opening 22 via a connection path 29 at its upper and lower ends in the vertical direction V, for example.

Hereinafter, the operation of the fuel cell 1 of this embodiment will be described based on comparison with a conventional fuel cell.

A plurality of fuel cells 1 are stacked to form a fuel cell stack, for example. During power generation by the fuel cell stack, for example, fuel gas is supplied to each fuel cell 1 via the first manifold M1, and oxidant gas is supplied via the third manifold M3. .

The fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell 1 via the first manifold M1 flows into one end of the first gas flow path G1 via the first communication flow path 27, and flows into the first gas flow path G1. is used for reaction with the oxidant gas in the MEGA 30 in the process of flowing toward the other end of the . The oxidant gas supplied to the third manifold M3 flows into one end of the second gas flow path through the third communication flow path, and flows toward the other end of the second gas flow path. , MEGA 30 for reaction with the fuel gas.

The fuel gas that is not used for the reaction with the oxidizing gas in the MEGA 30 and has reached the other end of the first gas flow path G1 flows into the plurality of slit-shaped second communication flow paths 27 and flows into the plurality of slit-shaped communication flow paths 27. reaches the connecting portion 28 that connects the end portion of the communication channel 27 adjacent to the second manifold M2. The fuel gas that has reached the connection portion 28 is discharged to the second manifold M2 communicating with the connection portion 28 .

The oxidant gas that has not been used for reaction with the fuel gas in the MEGA 30 and has reached the other end of the second gas flow path flows into the plurality of slit-shaped fourth communication flow paths, and flows into the plurality of slit-shaped communication flow paths. A connection is reached that connects the ends of the channels adjacent to the fourth manifold M4. The oxidant gas that has reached the connecting portion is discharged to the fourth manifold M4 communicating with the connecting portion.

In this way, during power generation by the fuel cell stack, water is generated by the reaction between the fuel gas and the oxidant gas, and the inside of the fuel cell stack is maintained in a moderately moist state. Therefore, when power generation by the fuel cell stack is stopped, water may remain inside the fuel cells 1 constituting the fuel cell stack and in the pipes of the fuel cell stack, and the water may freeze in a low-temperature environment. .

If water freezes inside the fuel cell 1 or in the conduits that make up the fuel cell stack, the flow of reaction gases such as fuel gas and oxidizing gas will be blocked when power generation by the fuel cell stack is restarted, and power generation will not be possible. There is a possibility that the fuel cell 1 may be deteriorated. In order to avoid such a problem, scavenging may be performed to remove moisture generated by operation of the fuel cell stack by feeding gas into the fuel cell stack after stopping the power generation of the fuel cell stack.

5 and 6 are an enlarged perspective view and an enlarged plan view of the vicinity of the manifold MX of the conventional fuel cell 1X, corresponding to FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively. In the conventional fuel cell separator structure, a plurality of slit-shaped lead-out portions 27X are provided between the first reaction gas flow path portion GX and the manifold MX for discharging the first reaction gas. Such a plurality of slit-shaped gas lead-out portions 27X may be clogged by liquid such as water staying at the downstream end portion of the gas during scavenging to remove moisture, for example.

On the other hand, the fuel cell unit 1 of the present embodiment includes a connecting portion 28 that connects the ends of the communication channels 27 adjacent to the manifold M2. Further, the connecting portion 28 communicates with the manifold M2. Therefore, when gas is sent into the gas flow path G1 during scavenging to remove moisture, the moisture inside the gas flow path G1 flows into the plurality of slit-shaped communication flow paths 27 together with the gas. At this time, when the liquid such as water reaches the end adjacent to the manifold M2, which is the end of the plurality of communication channels 27 on the downstream side of the gas, the connection that connects the ends of the plurality of communication channels 27 is performed. It flows into the portion 28 and is discharged from the connection portion 28 to the manifold M2.

That is, by connecting the ends of the plurality of communication channels 27 adjacent to the manifold M2 and communicating with the manifold M2, the liquid such as water at the ends of the plurality of communication channels 27 adjacent to the manifold M2 is removed. retention is suppressed. Therefore, according to the fuel cell unit 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the plurality of slit-like communication channels 27 communicating with the manifold M2 and the gas channel G1 from being clogged with liquid such as water.

Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the edge 28a of the connecting portion 28 adjacent to the manifold opening 22 of the insulating material 20 in the extending direction of the connecting flow path 27 of the fuel cell 1 is aligned with the pair of separators 10, 10. are located inside the opening edges of the manifold holes 12, 12 of the . In this case, when the fuel cells 1 are stacked to form a fuel cell stack, at least a part of the connection portion 28 which is a through hole formed in the insulating material 20 of the plurality of fuel cells 1 becomes the manifold hole of the separator 10. It is adjacent to the stacking direction of the fuel cells 1 inside the 12 opening edges.

As a result, the liquid such as water that has reached the connecting portion 28 of the fuel cell 1 combines with the liquid such as water that has reached the connecting portion 28 of the fuel cells 1 adjacent to each other in the stacking direction to increase the volume. Gravity makes it easier to move downwards. Therefore, the liquid such as water discharged from the gas channel G1 of the fuel cell 1 and reaching the connection portion 28 connecting the ends of the plurality of slit-shaped communication channels 27 adjacent to the manifold is discharged to the manifold M2. easier to do. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the plurality of slit-like communication channels 27 communicating with the manifold M2 and the gas channel G1 from being clogged by liquid such as water.

Further, in the fuel cell 1, when the cross-sectional area of the plurality of slit-shaped communication channels 27 is changed to change the flow velocity of the gas flowing through the plurality of communication channels 27, the gas It is possible to collect them downward in the vertical direction V of the connecting portion 28 . That is, more gas during scavenging can be concentrated downward in the vertical direction V, and liquid such as water can be more effectively discharged from the connecting portion 28 . Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the plurality of slit-like communication channels 27 communicating with the manifold M2 and the gas channel G1 from being clogged by liquid such as water.

Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 3 , in the fuel cell 1 , the lower end of the connecting portion 28 in the vertical direction V is connected to the manifold opening 22 . In this case, the liquid such as water that has reached the connecting portion 28 of the fuel cell 1 flows downward in the vertical direction V due to gravity and is discharged from the lower end of the connecting portion 28 in the vertical direction V to the manifold opening 22 . Therefore, the liquid such as water can be more effectively discharged from the connecting portion 28, and the plurality of slit-like communication channels 27 communicating between the manifold M2 and the gas channel G1 are blocked by the liquid such as water. can be suppressed more reliably.

The connecting portion 28 may be connected to the manifold opening 22 at its upper end and lower end in the vertical direction V. As shown in FIG. In this case, when the liquid such as water that has reached the connection portion 28 of the fuel cell 1 flows downward in the vertical direction V due to gravity, gas is introduced from the manifold opening 22 to the upper end portion of the connection portion 28, and water or the like is introduced into the upper end portion of the connection portion 28. of liquid flows more smoothly through the connecting portion 28 and is discharged from the lower end of the connecting portion 28 in the vertical direction V to the manifold opening 22 . Therefore, the liquid such as water can be more effectively discharged from the connecting portion 28, and the plurality of slit-like communication channels 27 communicating between the manifold M2 and the gas channel G1 are blocked by the liquid such as water. can be suppressed more reliably.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and design changes and the like may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. are also included in the present invention.

1 fuel cell 27 communication channel 28 connection part G1 gas channel M2 manifold

Claims (1)

A fuel cell comprising a pair of separators and a frame-shaped insulating material and membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly disposed between the pair of separators ,
The separator has
a manifold hole that is provided at the peripheral edges of the pair of separators and constitutes a manifold;
a gas flow path formed by the pair of separators along the insulating material and the membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly;
is formed and
The insulating material includes:
an opening provided in the central portion of the insulating material and in which the membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly is arranged;
a manifold opening that is provided at the peripheral edge of the insulating material and constitutes the manifold;
a plurality of slit-like communication channels that communicate the gas channel and the manifold between the opening in the central portion of the insulating material and the manifold opening ;
is formed and
The insulating material is further formed with a connecting portion that is a slit-shaped through hole or groove and that connects ends of the plurality of communication channels adjacent to the manifold,
The fuel cell is arranged such that the connecting portion is formed along the vertical direction,
The connecting portion extends along a vertical direction, which is a direction along the surface of the insulating material and a direction intersecting the plurality of communication channels,
The fuel cell, wherein the connecting portion communicates with the manifold through a connecting path, which is a groove or a through hole provided in the insulating material, at the lower end portion in the vertical direction.

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