JPH08115735A - Fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To keep airtightness independent of expansion and contraction of members on operation and stop of a cell by forming structure so as not to produce a gap between the side surface of a cell stack and a gas flow path forming member independent of temperature change. CONSTITUTION: Each opening of oxygen-containing gas flow paths X1, X2 for supplying and exhausting and a fuel gas flow path Y1 for supplying is closed by a base support 12. A plate-shaped body 14 having length over the whole length in the stacking direction of a cell stack NC is arranged in the base support 12 so as to come in contact with a stacked cell holding member 5 and so as to be capable of moving in the horizontal direction. A distance between the edge of a protruded part 15a and the plate-shaped body 14 is set so that even if the member is expanded by increase in cell temperature, a gap is kept. A column-shaped weight member 16 is passed across each inclined surfaces 15b of supporting poles 15 on both sides, and put on the inclined surfaces 15b on both sides so as to press the plate-shaped body 14. The weight member 16 is capable of rolling along the inclined surface 15b and falling and moving by rolling by its dead load.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

The present invention relates to an electrolyte layer having an oxygen electrode on one surface and a fuel electrode on the other surface, and an oxygen-containing gas passage on the side facing the oxygen electrode. A plurality of rectangular plate-shaped cells having a fuel gas flow path on the side facing the fuel electrode are juxtaposed in a stacked state to form a cell assembly, and the oxygen is provided on one of the pair of side surfaces facing each other in the cell assembly. The oxygen-containing gas passage is opened and the fuel gas passage is closed, and the oxygen-containing gas passage is closed and the fuel gas passage is opened on the other pair of opposite side surfaces. An oxygen-containing gas passage communicating with an oxygen-containing gas passage of each of the cells is provided on each of the pair of side surfaces opened, and each of the cells is provided on each of the pair of side surfaces in which the fuel gas passage is opened. In the fuel gas flow path A fuel gas passage passing therethrough is provided, and in order to form the oxygen-containing gas passage or the fuel gas passage, a gas passage forming member is provided on each of the facing side surfaces, and the pair of gas passage forming members are respectively formed. The present invention relates to a fuel cell having a contact surface for contacting a side surface of the cell assembly, which is provided on a peripheral portion of an opening facing the oxygen-containing gas flow path or the fuel gas flow path.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In such a fuel cell, an oxygen-containing gas is supplied to each of the oxygen-containing gas passages from one of the pair of oxygen-containing gas passages, and the oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the other of the pair of oxygen-containing gas passages. Ejecting oxygen-containing gas from each gas flow path,
Further, the fuel gas is supplied to each of the fuel gas passages from one of the pair of fuel gas passages, and the fuel gas is discharged from each of the fuel gas passages to the other of the pair of fuel gas passages. I am doing it. In order to form the oxygen-containing gas passage or the fuel gas passage, the gas passage forming member is provided with the abutting surface of the peripheral portion of the opening abutting the side surface of the cell assembly. When the abutting surface of the gas passage forming member is abutted on the side surface of the cell integrated body, a seal material having both adhesiveness and sealing property is interposed between them to separate the cell integrated body and the gas passage forming member. The connection is made and the connection is made airtight.

[0003]

By the way, the fuel cell becomes high in temperature during operation, for example, in the case of the solid electrolyte type, the temperature rises to about 1000 ° C.
When the temperature of the fuel cell rises to a high temperature, the viscosity of the sealing material decreases and the adhesive strength decreases, so that the positional relationship between the cell assembly and the gas passage forming member may shift. When the positional relationship between the cell aggregate and the gas passage forming member is deviated, a gap is created between the contact surface of the gas passage forming member and the side surface of the cell aggregate, and the connecting portion between the cell aggregate and the gas passage forming member. However, there is a problem that the airtightness may deteriorate.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is a means for maintaining the airtightness of a connecting portion between a cell integrated body and a gas passage forming member regardless of a temperature rise. To provide.

[0005]

A first characteristic configuration of a fuel cell according to the present invention is a pressing member for pressing one of the pair of gas passage forming members toward the cell assembly side, and the pressing member is the above-mentioned pressing member. An urging means for urging the pressing member to return to the cell assembly side in a state where the pressing member is allowed to move in a direction away from the cell assembly, and the other of the pair of gas passage forming members is provided with the urging means. The point is that the receiving means is provided to receive the biasing means in a state of preventing it from moving toward the biasing direction.

In a second characteristic configuration, the biasing means is in a state in which the biasing means is tilted downward toward the pressing member, and is movable along the tilted surface and is movable by falling by its own weight. Then, it is composed of a weight member which is placed on the inclined surface and pushes the pressing member.

In a third characteristic configuration, the pressing member is integrally formed with the gas passage forming member, and the weight member is placed on the inclined surface while directly pushing the gas passage forming member. There is a point.

In a fourth characteristic configuration, the gas passage forming member is divided in the cell stacking direction, and the pressing member is formed of a long member extending over the entire length of the cell assembly in the stacking direction. In point.

A fifth characteristic configuration is that the cell has an in-cell flow channel that functions as an oxygen-containing gas flow channel or a fuel gas flow channel on one of the side facing the oxygen electrode and the side facing the fuel electrode. Is formed by arranging the flow path forming members to form
The cell aggregate is formed by arranging a plurality of the cells side by side in a stacked state at intervals to form an inter-cell flow path that functions as a fuel gas flow path or an oxygen-containing gas flow path. The forming member is provided for each of the cells and includes cell holding members juxtaposed in a stacked state, and the cell holding member holds a space between adjacent cells in the stacking direction. An opening facing the in-cell flow path, a contact surface located in the peripheral portion of the opening, and a hole facing the opening and penetrating in the stacking direction, each of the holes being A passage connected in series in the stacking direction is used as an oxygen-containing gas passage or a fuel gas passage,
The pressing member is formed of an elongated member that extends over the entire length of the cell assembly in the stacking direction.

A sixth characteristic configuration is that a plurality of the inclined surfaces are arranged in parallel along the stacking direction.

A seventh characteristic configuration is that the weight member has a columnar shape, and the columnar weight member is movably mounted in a rolling state on the inclined surface.

[0012]

The operation of the first characteristic configuration is as follows. Due to the urging force of the urging means, both of the pair of gas passage forming members are in the state of being pushed toward the cell assembly side. Therefore, even if the viscosity of the sealing material decreases and the adhesive force thereof decreases as the temperature of the fuel cell rises, it is possible to reliably prevent the positional relationship between the pair of gas passage forming members and the cell assembly from shifting. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent a gap from being formed between the contact surface of the gas passage forming member and the side surface of the cell assembly. By the way, with the operation and stop of the fuel cell, the cell assembly and the gas passage forming member are thermally expanded and contracted, but the pressing member is allowed to move in a direction away from the cell assembly,
Since it is urged to return to the cell aggregate side, for example, when the cell aggregate and the gas passage forming member expand, the pressing member pushes the pair of gas passage forming members to the cell aggregate side along with the expansion. When the cell assembly and the gas passage forming member contract, on the contrary, when the cell assembly and the gas passage forming member contract, the pressing member causes the pair of gas passage forming members to separate from each other. It moves to the side of the cell stack while maintaining the state of pushing it toward the stack. That is, the pair of gas passage forming members can be pushed toward the cell aggregate while allowing the cell aggregate and the gas passage forming member to expand and following the contraction of the cell aggregate and the gas passage forming member. .

Further, when a non-adhesive sealing member, for example, rubber packing is interposed between the side surface of the cell assembly and the contact surface of the gas passage forming member, or when the side surface of the cell assembly and the gas passage are formed. Even when the two are brought into close contact with each other without any interposition between the contact surface of the member and the contact surface of the gas passage forming member, a gap is surely generated between the contact surface of the gas passage forming member and the side surface of the cell assembly. Can be prevented.

The operation of the second characteristic configuration is as follows. When the cell assembly and the gas passage forming member expand, the pressing member tries to move in a direction away from the cell assembly due to the expansion, but the weight member maintains the inclined surface while maintaining the state of pressing the pressing member. So move up
The pressing member is allowed to move in a direction away from the cell assembly. When the cell aggregate and the gas passage forming member contract, the weight member falls and moves on the inclined surface by its own weight while maintaining the state of pressing the pressing member. In other words, the pressing member is urged to return to the cell assembly side while allowing the pressing member to move in the direction away from the cell assembly. By the way, it is assumed that the biasing means is composed of an elastic body. However, if the urging means is composed of an elastic body, the elastic body may be exposed to a high temperature atmosphere and its urging force may gradually deteriorate. Therefore, for a long period of time, each of the pair of gas passage forming members is provided on the cell aggregate side. There is a risk that it will not be possible to push it stably. On the contrary,
With this second characteristic configuration, the biasing force does not deteriorate even when exposed to a high temperature atmosphere. Therefore, for a long period of time, the pair of gas passage forming members are pushed toward the cell assembly side in a stable state to generate gas. It is possible to prevent a gap from being formed between the contact surface of the passage forming member and the side surface of the cell assembly.

According to the third characteristic configuration, the pressing member is formed integrally with the gas passage forming member, and the weight member is placed on the inclined surface while directly pushing the gas passage forming member. Therefore, the pressing member can be omitted.

The operation of the fourth characteristic structure is as follows. In providing the gas passage forming member, the abutting surface of the gas passage forming member and the side surface of the cell aggregate are aligned with each other, and the abutting surface of the gas passage forming member and the side surface of the cell aggregate are arranged in the same manner. It is necessary to bring them into close contact with each other with a seal member interposed therebetween. According to the fourth characteristic configuration, since the gas passage forming member is divided, the work of aligning the contact surface of the gas passage forming member and the side surface of the cell aggregate when the gas passage forming member is provided. Also, the work of bringing the contact surface of the gas passage forming member and the side surface of the cell assembly into close contact can be simplified. Although the gas passage forming member is divided, since the pressing member is formed of a long member extending over the entire length in the cell stacking direction in the cell aggregate, all of the divided gas passage forming members are directed to the cell aggregate side. It can be pressed stably.

The operation of the fifth characteristic configuration is as follows. While abutting the contact surface of the cell holding member to the end surface of the cell (corresponding to the side surface of the cell aggregate), while maintaining the distance between the cells adjacent to each other in the cell stacking direction by the distance holding portion of the cell holding member, The cells and the cell holding members are juxtaposed in a stacked state to form a cell aggregate. When the cell assembly is formed in this manner, the gas passage forming member can be provided at the same time when the cell assembly is formed. or,
The work corresponding to the work of aligning the contact surface of the gas passage forming member and the side surface of the cell assembly, and the work corresponding to the work of closely contacting the contact surface of the gas passage forming member and the side surface of the cell assembly. Since the operation can be performed between one cell and one cell holding member, those operations are further simplified. Although the gas passage forming member is composed of cell holding members juxtaposed in a stacked state, since the pressing member is formed of a long member extending over the entire length in the stacking direction of the cell assembly, all of the cell holding members are the cells. It can be pushed stably toward the stack.

According to the sixth characteristic configuration, the pair of gas passage forming members can be stably pushed toward the cell assembly side in a more uniform state in the cell stacking direction.

According to the seventh characteristic configuration, when the cell assembly and the gas passage forming member expand, the cylindrical weight member inclines more smoothly while maintaining the state of pressing the pressing member. When the cell assembly and the gas passage forming member contract as they roll over the surface and ascend, and the contraction causes the weight member to maintain a state of pushing the pressing member, the weight member is more smoothly inclined by its own weight. To roll and fall.

[0020]

According to the first characteristic configuration, it is possible to prevent a gap from being formed between the contact surface of the gas passage forming member and the side surface of the cell assembly regardless of the temperature rise. It has become possible to maintain the airtightness of the connection portion between the cell assembly and the gas passage forming member regardless of the temperature rise. Moreover, despite the expansion and contraction of the cell aggregate and the gas passage forming member due to the operation and stop of the fuel cell, it is possible to maintain the airtightness of the connection portion between the cell aggregate and the gas passage forming member. became.

According to the second characteristic configuration, it is possible to prevent a gap from being formed between the contact surface of the gas passage forming member and the side surface of the cell assembly for a long period of time.
The effect obtained by the first embodiment can be achieved for a longer period of time.

According to the third characteristic constitution, the pressing member can be omitted, so that the effect of the first characteristic constitution can be achieved with a simpler constitution.

According to the fourth characteristic configuration, the work for providing the gas passage forming member is simplified, so that the present invention can be implemented with a simpler assembly configuration.

According to the fifth characteristic configuration, the gas passage forming member can be provided at the same time when the cell assembly is formed, and the work at the time of providing the gas passage forming member is simplified. The present invention can be implemented with a simple assembly configuration.

According to the sixth characteristic configuration, the pair of gas passage forming members can be pushed toward the cell integrated body side in a more uniform state in the cell stacking direction. It is possible to more reliably prevent a gap from being formed between the side surface of the cell assembly and
It is possible to obtain more suitable means for achieving the effect of the first characteristic configuration.

According to the seventh characteristic configuration, the pressing member can be moved more smoothly in the direction away from the cell stack, and the pressing force of the pressing member toward the cell stack can be further improved. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a more suitable means for achieving the effect of the first characteristic configuration.

[0027]

【Example】

[First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, the schematic configurations of the cell C and the cell assembly NC of the fuel cell will be described with reference to FIG. An oxygen electrode 2 is provided on one surface of the solid electrolyte layer 1, a fuel electrode 3 is provided on the other surface, and an oxygen-containing gas channel s is provided on the side facing the oxygen electrode 2 and on the side facing the fuel electrode 3. A plurality of rectangular plate-shaped cells C provided with a fuel gas flow channel f are arranged side by side in a stacked state to form a cell assembly NC. The oxygen-containing gas flow passage s is opened and the fuel gas flow passage f is closed on one of the pair of opposite side surfaces in the cell assembly NC, and the oxygen-containing gas flow passage s is closed and the fuel gas flow on the other pair of opposite side surfaces. Road f is open. On one of the pair of side surfaces in which the oxygen-containing gas channel s is opened,
A supply oxygen-containing gas passage X1 for supplying an oxygen-containing gas to the oxygen-containing gas flow paths s of the cells C is provided on the other side.
Oxygen-containing gas passages X2 for exhausting the oxygen-containing gas from the oxygen-containing gas passages s of the cells C are respectively provided, and the cell C is provided on one of the pair of side surfaces where the fuel gas passage f is opened. A supply fuel gas passage Y1 for supplying the fuel gas to each fuel gas passage f, and a discharge fuel gas passage Y2 for discharging the fuel gas from the fuel gas passage f of each cell C to the other. Are provided respectively. In order to form the oxygen-containing gas passages X1 and X2, a gas passage forming member G is provided on each of the pair of facing side surfaces. Each of the pair of gas passage forming members G is connected to the oxygen-containing gas passage s.
The contact surface 5c, which contacts the side surface of the cell integrated body NC, is provided on the peripheral portion of the opening 5a facing the above.

Next, the cell C will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The solid electrolyte layer 1 is formed in a rectangular plate shape in a plan view, and on one surface of the solid electrolyte layer 1, a pair of facing side edges of the solid electrolyte layer 1 are provided with an electrolyte layer exposed portion 1a over the entire side edge length. In the state where it is formed, the film-like or plate-like oxygen electrode 2 is integrally attached, and the film-like or plate-like fuel electrode 3 is integrally attached to the other surface over the entire surface or almost the entire surface, A rectangular plate-shaped three-layer plate body for obtaining electromotive force from the oxygen electrode 2 and the fuel electrode 3 is formed.

The conductive separator 4 includes a plate-shaped portion 4a and a pair of strip-shaped protrusions 4 located at both ends of the plate-shaped portion 4a.
b and a plurality of ridges 4c located between the pair of strip-shaped protrusions 4b are integrally formed of a conductive material. The conductive separator 4 is provided with a plurality of ridges 4c.
A pair of strip-shaped protrusions 4 in a state where each of them is in contact with the oxygen electrode 2.
Each b is attached to each electrolyte layer exposed portion 1a.
Then, the oxygen electrode 2 and the conductive separator 4 are connected to each other in a conductive state, and a groove-shaped cell internal flow opened between the oxygen electrode 2 and the conductive separator 4 at one pair of end faces facing each other in the cell C. A plurality of paths x are formed.
Therefore, the in-cell flow path x is closed at the other pair of opposite end faces of the cell C. This cell flow path x
Faces the oxygen electrode 2 and functions as an oxygen-containing gas flow path s that allows the oxygen-containing gas to flow therethrough. That is, the cell C is configured such that, on the side facing the oxygen electrode 2, the conductive separator 4 is disposed as a flow channel constituent member that is disposed to form the in-cell flow channel x that functions as the oxygen-containing gas flow channel s. I am doing it. In the following description, in the cell C, the open edge of the oxygen-containing gas flow channel s is the open edge, the open end face of the oxygen-containing gas flow channel s is the open end surface, and the oxygen-containing gas flow channel s. The closed end faces are abbreviated as closed end faces, respectively.

The four corners of the conductive separator 4, the solid electrolyte layer 1 and the fuel electrode 3 are formed into a slanted shape with a cut-off shape, so that both ends of the closed end surface of the cell C will be described in detail later. An inclined part Cs is formed in each part.

The solid electrolyte layer 1 is composed of tetragonal ZrO ₂ in which about 3 mol% Yt is dissolved, and other suitable materials, and the oxygen electrode 2 is composed of LaMnO ₃ and other suitable materials. The fuel electrode 3 is composed of a cermet of Ni and ZrO ₂ , or any other suitable material. The conductive separator 4 is made of LaCrO ₃ , which has excellent resistance to oxidation and reduction, or other suitable material.

Next, based on FIG. 2, a plurality of cells C are
A laminated structure for forming the cell integrated body NC by arranging them side by side in a laminated state at intervals to form the inter-cell flow passage y functioning as the fuel gas flow passage f will be described.
Reference numeral 5 in the figure denotes a rectangular plate-shaped cell holding member 5, on which the opening edge of the cell C is placed and which functions as an opening facing the oxygen-containing gas flow channel s. A cut portion 5a to be formed and a hole 5b which faces the cut portion 5a and penetrates in the stacking direction of the cells C are formed.
A pair of abutting surfaces 5c are formed on the peripheral portion of the cut portion 5a so as to be brought into close contact with the closed end surfaces adjacent to both ends of the opening edge of the cell C to be placed.
Are formed to a depth almost equal to the thickness of the cell C. Further, the pair of abutting surfaces 5c are formed in a slanted shape which is closer to each other as it goes inward from the end of the cut portion 5a when viewed in the stacking direction of the cells C. As described above, the slanted contact surface 5c is provided on each of both ends of the closed end surface of the cell C.
The inclined portion Cs that can be brought into close contact with is formed.

Then, the cell aggregate NC is formed by stacking the cells C with the open end edges on both sides placed on the cut portions 5a of the cell holding members 5 on both sides.
That is, the thin cells 5d having a small thickness that are left by forming the cut portions 5a hold the cells C adjacent to each other in the stacking direction at intervals. Therefore, the thin portion 5d has cells C adjacent to each other in the stacking direction.
Between the cells adjacent to each other in the stacking direction of the cells C by partitioning both side surfaces of the cells adjacent to each other in the stacking direction of the cells C by the space holding parts 5d of the cell holding member 5 functioning as a space holding part to hold the space between An inter-cell flow path y is formed in the.
The inter-cell flow path y faces the fuel electrode 3 and functions as a fuel gas flow path f that allows a fuel gas containing hydrogen gas to flow therethrough. Further, the fuel gas flow path f is closed on both open end face sides of the cell C, and is open on both closed end face sides of the cell C. That is, the oxygen-containing gas flow passage s is opened and the fuel gas flow passage f is closed on one of the pair of opposite side surfaces in the cell assembly NC, and the oxygen-containing gas flow passage s is closed and the fuel is formed on the other pair of opposite side surfaces. The gas flow path f is opened.

Between the cells adjacent to each other in the stacking direction of the cells C, that is, the fuel gas flow path f, is filled with a flexible conductive material 7 that allows the flow of gas so that the cells C adjacent to each other in the stacking direction are in a conductive state. Connected to.

By forming the cell integrated body NC as described above, the cell holding members 5 are juxtaposed in a stacked state. By the cell holding members 5 juxtaposed in this stacked state,
The gas passage forming member G is configured. Further, by forming the cell integrated body NC as described above, the holes 5b of the cell holding member 5 are continuously connected in the stacking direction of the cells C, and
Two passages are formed that communicate with each of the oxygen-containing gas passages s, and one of them is used as the supply oxygen-containing gas passage X1 and the other is used as the discharge oxygen-containing gas passage X2. .

When the opening edge of the cell C is placed on the cut portion 5a of the cell holding member 5, the cell holding member 5 is moved to the cell C.
The contact surfaces 5c are respectively applied to the inclined portions Cs of the closed end surfaces (corresponding to the side surfaces of the cell integrated body NC) on both sides of the cell C by pressing the contact surfaces 5c. The opening edge of the cell C is placed on the cut portion 5a of the cell holding member 5, and the closed end surfaces on both sides of the cell C (cell integrated body NC
(Corresponding to the side surface of the cell C), when the contact surface 5c is applied, the periphery of the open end of the oxygen-containing gas flow channel s in the cell C and the cell holding member 5 on which the cell C is placed As shown by a broken line in FIG. 2, a sealing material 6 is interposed between the gap holding portion 5d and the pair of abutting surfaces 5c of the No. 2 and the back surface of the adjacent cell holding member 5, and oxygen The containing gas channel s and the fuel gas channel f are partitioned in an airtight state. Further, the cell C and the cell holding member 5, that is, the closed end surface of the cell C (corresponding to the side surface of the cell integrated body NC) and the abutting surface 5c of the cell holding member 5, are interposed between the cell C and the cell holding member 5. The cell aggregate NC and the gas passage forming member G are connected to each other, and the airtightness of the connecting portion is obtained. Further, between the cell holding members 5 adjacent to each other in the stacking direction of the cells C, as indicated by a broken line in FIG.
The sealing material 6 is filled to obtain airtightness between the oxygen-containing gas passages X1 and X2 and the outside.

The flexible conductive material 7 is made of a Ni felt-like material excellent in heat resistance and reduction resistance, or any other suitable material.
The cell holding member 5 is made of a ceramic material having excellent heat resistance and electrical insulation. The sealing material 6 is made of a glass material having both adhesiveness and sealing property and excellent heat resistance, and other suitable materials.

As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of current collector holding members 8 are provided at both ends of the cell assembly NC formed as described above in the stacking direction. The current collecting plate holding member 8 is a plate-like member, and has only the hole 8a having the same shape as the hole 5b of the cell holding member 5 in the stacking direction view of the cell C, and the cut portion of the cell holding member 5 is formed. 5a is not formed. A current collecting plate 9 is provided between the pair of current collecting plate holding members 8 in contact with the flexible conductive material 7, and the output power is taken out by both current collecting plates 9. . Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the wall surface 5S is formed by the end faces of the cell holding members 5 in the stacked state,
The partition wall body 10 is provided in a state of being laid across each of the wall surfaces 5S on both sides, and the fuel gas is supplied to each of the fuel gas flow paths f between the partition wall body 10 and the side surface of the cell assembly NC where the fuel gas flow path f is opened. A fuel gas passage Y1 for supplying the gas is formed. Although illustration is omitted, a partition member 10 and the wall surface 5S are provided with a seal material made of the same material as the seal material 6 to connect the partition body 10 to the wall surface 5S and to hermetically seal the connection portion. I try to get sex. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, at one end of the cell assembly NC in the stacking direction, the lid 11 is provided with the oxygen-containing gas passages X1 and X2 for supply and discharge, and the fuel gas for supply. The passages Y1 are provided so as to close the respective openings.

Next, the overall structure of the fuel cell will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. As shown in FIG. 3, a cell integrated body NC provided with a current collector 9, a partition wall body 10, etc.
It is placed on the base 12 with the side up. At the base 12, the oxygen-containing gas passages X1, for supply and discharge,
The openings of X2 and the supply fuel gas passage Y1 are closed. Two square pillars 13 each having a length over the entire length in the stacking direction of the cell assembly NC are fixed to the base 12 while being in contact with one of the stacked cell holding members 5. In addition, the plate-shaped body 14 having a length over the entire length in the stacking direction of the cell assembly NC is in contact with the cell holding member 5 in the other stacked state, and is horizontally movable on the base 12. In this state, it is arranged on the base 12. The support column 15 having the two protruding portions 15a arranged in the vertical direction is fixed on the base 12 with a predetermined gap between the tip of the protruding portion 15a and the plate-like body 14. is there. The upper surface of the overhang portion 15a is formed as an inclined surface 15b that is inclined downward toward the plate-shaped body 14 side. The tip of the overhang portion 15a and the plate-like body 1
4 is set to have an interval even when the temperature of the cell assembly NC rises with the operation of the fuel cell and the cell assembly NC and the cell holding member 5 are thermally expanded. There is. The column-shaped weight member 16 is attached to the support columns 1 on both sides.
The plate-shaped body 1 is placed on the respective inclined surfaces 15b.
It is placed on the inclined surfaces 15b on both sides so as to push 4. The column-shaped weight member 16 can roll and move along the inclined surface 15b, and can roll and drop by its own weight.

Therefore, the plate-like body 14 corresponds to a pressing member that pushes one of the pair of gas passage forming members G toward the cell integrated body NC side. Further, the inclined surface 15b and the columnar weight member 16 return the plate-shaped body 14 to the cell integrated body NC side while allowing the plate-shaped body 14 to move in the direction away from the cell integrated body NC. A biasing means H for biasing is configured. Further, the two square columns 13 correspond to a receiving means for receiving the other of the gas passage forming members G in a state of preventing the movement of the gas passage forming member G in the urging direction of the urging means H.

When the weight of the cylindrical weight member 16 is W and the inclination angle of the inclined surface 15b with respect to the horizontal direction is α, the force by which the cylindrical weight member 16 pushes the plate member 14 in the horizontal direction is W × Since sin α × cos α, the weight W and the inclination angle α can be appropriately set to adjust the force pressing the plate-shaped body 14.

Further, the bottomed rectangular tubular body 17 is fixed to the base 12 with the opening facing downward. Square tubular body 17
The opening is closed by the base 12, and the base 12 and the rectangular tubular body 17 form a box-shaped body B. The side surface of the cell assembly NC where the partition wall body 10 is not provided faces the inside of the box-shaped body B while the side surface of the cell assembly NC where the fuel gas flow path f is opened faces the inside of the box-shaped body B. On the other hand, it is open. Therefore, the inside of the box-shaped body B is used as a discharge fuel gas passage Y2 for discharging the fuel gas from each of the fuel gas flow paths f.

Although not shown, an oxygen-containing gas supply pipe is provided in the oxygen-containing gas passage X1 for supply and an oxygen-containing gas discharge pipe is provided in the oxygen-containing gas passage X2 for discharge through the base 12. A fuel gas supply pipe is connected to the supply fuel gas passage Y1, and a fuel gas discharge pipe is connected to the discharge fuel gas passage Y2.

In the above embodiment, in order to reliably prevent the oxygen-containing gas from leaking and mixing with the fuel gas, the gas passage forming member G forming the oxygen-containing gas passages X1 and X2 is A plate-shaped body 14 as a pressing member, a biasing means H composed of an inclined surface 15b and a weight member 16 having a cylindrical shape, and two square columns 13 as a receiving means.
Is provided to prevent leakage of the oxygen-containing gas from the oxygen-containing gas passages X1 and X2. Further, although not shown, the following configuration may be added to prevent the fuel gas from leaking from the fuel gas passage Y1 for supply. That is, in order to urge the partition body 10 to the cell integrated body NC side in a state where the partition body 10 is allowed to move in the direction away from the cell integrated body NC, the inclined surface 15b is used as in the above embodiment.
The urging means H composed of the columnar weight member 16 is provided, and the wall surface 5S formed on the side opposite to the side on which the partition wall 10 is provided is moved in the urging direction of the urging means H. In order to receive in the state where it is blocked, two quadrangular columns 13 may be provided as a receiving means as in the above embodiment.

[Second Embodiment] A second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9. Since the cell C has the same structure as that of the first embodiment, its description is omitted.
However, the inclined portion Cs formed on the cell C in the first embodiment is not formed in the second embodiment. Next, based on FIG. 6, the plurality of cells C are connected to the fuel gas flow path f.
A laminated structure for forming the cell integrated body NC by arranging them side by side in a laminated state so as to form the inter-cell flow path y that functions as the above will be described. The first columnar body 21 and the second columnar body 22 each having a thickness substantially the same as that of the cell C and longer than the cell C are closely attached to the pair of closed end surfaces of the cell C, and the cells C having the same thickness as each other are provided. The long third columnar body 23 and the fourth columnar body 24 are individually adhered to the pair of opening end edges of the cell C, and the third columnar body 23 and the fourth columnar body 22 are attached to both ends of the first columnar body 21 and the second columnar body 22, respectively. Columnar body 23 and fourth columnar body 2
Both end portions of No. 4 are overlapped and closely adhered. Furthermore, those third
The cell C and the first columnar body 21 and the second columnar body 22 that are closely adhered to the pair of closed end faces of the cell C are repeatedly stacked on the columnar body 23 and the fourth columnar body 24 to repeat the cell integration. Formed body NC. Third columnar body 23
By partitioning both side surfaces of the cells C adjacent to each other in the stacking direction of the cells C by the fourth columnar body 24, the inter-cell flow path y is formed between the cells adjacent to each other in the stacking direction of the cells C. The inter-cell flow path y faces the fuel electrode 3 and functions as the fuel gas flow path f.

That is, the oxygen-containing gas flow passage s is opened and the fuel gas flow passage f is closed on one of the pair of opposite side surfaces in the cell assembly NC, and the oxygen-containing gas flow passage s is formed on the other pair of opposite side surfaces. The fuel gas flow path f is closed and opened. Then, the oxygen-containing gas passage X1 for supply for supplying the oxygen-containing gas to the oxygen-containing gas passages s of the cells C is provided on one of the pair of side surfaces in which the oxygen-containing gas passage s is opened, and the other side thereof. And a discharge oxygen-containing gas passage X2 for discharging the oxygen-containing gas from the oxygen-containing gas flow passage s of each cell C, respectively, and one of the pair of side surfaces where the fuel gas flow passage f is opened, A supply fuel gas passage Y1 for supplying the fuel gas to the fuel gas passage f of each cell C, and a discharge fuel gas for discharging the fuel gas from the fuel gas passage f of each cell C to the other Passageways Y2 are provided respectively.

Between the cells adjacent to each other in the stacking direction of the cells C, that is, the fuel gas flow path f is filled with a flexible conductive material 25 that allows gas flow, and the cells C adjacent to each other in the stacking direction of the cells C are filled. Are electrically connected.

As shown in FIG. 6, a current collecting plate holding member 26 is provided at each of both ends in the stacking direction of the cell integrated body NC formed as described above. The collector plate holding member 26 has an opening 26a having a shape substantially similar to the shape of the cell C when viewed in the stacking direction of the cell C. Then, a current collecting plate 27 is provided in the opening 26a of the current collecting plate holding member 26 in a state of being in contact with the flexible conductive material 25, and output power is taken out by both current collecting plates 27. is there.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, in order to form the oxygen-containing gas passages X1 and X2, a gas passage forming member G is provided on each of the pair of side faces where the oxygen-containing gas passage s is opened, In order to form the gas passages Y1 and Y2, a gas passage forming member G is provided on each of the pair of side surfaces where the fuel gas passage f is opened. The gas passage forming member G has an opening 2 facing the oxygen-containing gas passage s or the fuel gas passage f.
8a and a box-shaped body 28 provided with an abutting surface 28b abutting against the side surface of the cell integrated body NC on the entire circumference of the opening 28a.
It consists of. The box-shaped body 28 has an abutting surface 28.
b is provided by abutting on the side surface of the cell integrated body NC, but when the abutting surface 28b is placed on the side surface of the cell integrated body NC, between the abutting surface 28b and the side surface of the cell integrated body NC, In FIG. 7, as indicated by the broken line, the sealing material 29
The cell integrated body NC and the box-shaped body 28, that is, the gas passage forming member G are connected to each other with the interposition of, and the airtightness of the connecting portion is obtained.

Next, the overall structure of the fuel cell will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. As shown in FIG. 7, a cell assembly NC provided with a current collector 27, a box-shaped body 28, etc.
It is placed on top of 2. A pair of box-shaped bodies 28 for forming the oxygen-containing gas passages X1 and X2, and the fuel gas passage Y
For each of the pair of box-shaped bodies 28 for forming 1 and Y2, the biasing means H composed of the inclined surface 15b and the columnar weight member 16 as in the first embodiment, and Two square poles 13 are provided as a receiving means. However, the column-shaped weight member 16 is placed on the inclined surface 15b in a state where the bottom surface of the box-shaped body 28 is directly pressed. That is,
The bottom surface of the box-shaped body 28 is made to function as the plate-shaped body 14 as the pressing member provided in the first embodiment, so that the plate-shaped body 14 as the pressing member is formed integrally with the box-shaped body 28. There is. Therefore, the plate-shaped body 14 as the pressing member can be omitted. Further, the bottomed rectangular tubular body 17 is fixed to the base 12 with the opening facing downward. Square tubular body 17
The opening is closed by the base 12, and the base 12 and the rectangular tubular body 17 form a box-shaped body B.

[Other Embodiments] Next, other embodiments will be listed. In each of the above embodiments, the case where two inclined surfaces 15b are arranged in parallel along the stacking direction of the cells C has been illustrated, but the number of inclined surfaces 15b arranged in parallel along the stacking direction of the cells C can be changed. is there. For example, it may be one or three or more.

In each of the above embodiments, the weight member 1
Although the case where the shape of 6 is a column shape is illustrated, the shape of the weight member 16 can be variously changed. For example, it may be spherical. Also, it may be prismatic, but in this case,
It is necessary to minimize friction with the inclined surface 15b so that the prismatic weight member 16 can easily move along the inclined surface 15b.

The specific configuration of the biasing means H is not limited to the configuration illustrated in each of the above embodiments, but can be variously modified. For example, an elastic body or a cylinder may be used. However, when the elastic body is used, it is necessary to consider that the biasing force is less likely to deteriorate even when exposed to a high temperature environment for a long period of time.

In the second embodiment, the box-shaped body 28
May be divided into a plurality in the stacking direction of the cells C. However,
In this case, a long pressing member extending over the entire length of the cell stack NC in the stacking direction is movable in the horizontal direction on the base 12 while being in contact with all the divided parts of the box-shaped body 28. In such a state, it is necessary to place it on the base 12.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the sealing materials 6 and 29 having adhesiveness and sealing property are interposed between the side surface of the cell assembly NC and the gas passage forming member G has been described. Instead, a non-adhesive seal member,
For example, rubber packing may be interposed. Alternatively, the side surface of the cell assembly NC and the contact surface of the gas passage forming member G may be formed as smooth surfaces so that the two are brought into close contact with each other without any interposition therebetween.

The specific configuration of the pressing member is not limited to the configuration illustrated in each of the above embodiments, but can be variously modified. For example, it may be configured by a plurality of columnar bodies arranged in parallel. The specific structure of the receiving means is not limited to the structure illustrated in each of the above embodiments, but can be variously modified. For example, it may be configured by an upright plate-shaped body.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the conductive separator 4 is attached to the side of the three-layer plate facing the oxygen electrode 2 to form the cell C is illustrated, but instead of this, the conductive separator 4 is used. May be attached to the side of the three-layer plate body facing the fuel electrode 3 to configure the cell C, and the cell assembly NC may be configured to have the same laminated structure as in each of the above embodiments. In this case, since the in-cell flow path x faces the fuel electrode 3,
The in-cell flow passage x functions as the fuel gas flow passage f. On the other hand, since the inter-cell flow path y faces the oxygen electrode 2, the inter-cell flow path y functions as the oxygen-containing gas flow path s.

Incidentally, reference numerals are written in the claims for convenience of comparison with the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the attached drawings by the entry.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a structure of a cell of a fuel cell according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a divided perspective view showing a laminated structure of a cell assembly of a fuel cell in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part of the fuel cell according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional plan view of the overall configuration of the fuel cell according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional side view of the overall configuration of the fuel cell according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a divided perspective view showing a laminated structure of a cell assembly of a fuel cell according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main part of a fuel cell according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional plan view of the overall configuration of the fuel cell according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional side view of the overall configuration of the fuel cell according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Electrolyte Layer 2 Oxygen Electrode 3 Fuel Electrode 4 Flow Path Constituent Member 5 Cell Holding Member 5a, 28a Opening 5b Hole 5c, 28b Abutting Surface 5d Interval Holding Part 13 Receiving Means 14 Pressing Member 15b Inclined Surface 16 Weight Member f Fuel Gas Flow path s Oxygen-containing gas flow path x In-cell flow path y Inter-cell flow path C Cell G Gas passage forming member H Energizing means NC Cell aggregate X1, X2 Oxygen-containing gas passage Y1, Y2 Fuel gas passage

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An oxygen-containing gas is provided on one side of an electrolyte layer (1) with an oxygen electrode (2) and on the other side with a fuel electrode (3), and on the side facing the oxygen electrode (2). A plurality of rectangular plate-shaped cells (C) each having a flow channel (s) and having a fuel gas flow channel (f) on the side facing the fuel electrode (3) are juxtaposed in a stacked state to form a cell assembly ( NC) is formed, and the oxygen-containing gas flow channel (s) is opened and the fuel gas flow channel (f) is closed at one of the pair of side surfaces facing each other in the cell assembly (NC), and the other is opposed to each other. In the pair of side surfaces, the oxygen-containing gas flow channel (s) is closed and the fuel gas flow channel (f) is opened, and the oxygen-containing gas flow channel (s) is opened. Oxygen-containing gas passages communicating with the oxygen-containing gas flow passages (s) of each of the cells (C) X1), (X2)
Fuel gas passages (Y1), (Y2) communicating with the fuel gas passages (f) of the cells (C) respectively on the pair of side surfaces in which the fuel gas passages (f) are provided. A gas passage forming member (G) is provided on each of the pair of opposite side surfaces to form the oxygen-containing gas passages (X1), (X2) or the fuel gas passages (Y1), (Y2). Each of the pair of gas passage forming members (G) is provided in the peripheral portion of the opening (5a), (28a) facing the oxygen-containing gas flow passage (s) or the fuel gas flow passage (f). An abutting surface (5c) abutting on a side surface of the cell assembly (NC),
A fuel cell including (28b), wherein a pressing member (14) for pressing one of the pair of gas passage forming members (G) toward the cell assembly (NC) side is provided. A biasing means for biasing the pressing member (14) toward the cell assembly (NC) side while allowing the pressing member (14) to move in a direction away from the cell assembly (NC). (H) and a receiving means (13) for receiving the other of the pair of gas passage forming members (G) in a state in which they are prevented from moving toward the urging direction of the urging means (H). Fuel cell. 2. The urging means (H) is in a state in which the sloping surface (15b) is inclined downward toward the pressing member (14), and is movable along the sloping surface (15b). The slanted surface (15b) in a state where it can be dropped and moved by its own weight.
The fuel cell according to claim 1, further comprising: a weight member (16) mounted on the pressing member (14) for pressing the pressing member (14). 3. The pressing member (14) is integrally formed with the gas passage forming member (G), and the weight member (16) is the gas passage forming member (G).
The fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein the fuel cell is mounted on the inclined surface (15b) in a state of being directly pressed. 4. The gas passage forming member (G) is divided in the stacking direction of the cells (C), and the pressing member (14) has a long shape extending over the entire length of the cell assembly (NC) in the stacking direction. The fuel cell according to claim 1, which is formed of a member. 5. The cell (C) is provided on either the side facing the oxygen electrode (2) or the side facing the fuel electrode (3).
The cell aggregate (NC) is configured by arranging a channel constituent member (4) to form an in-cell channel (x) that functions as an oxygen-containing gas channel (s) or a fuel gas channel (f). ) Is a plurality of the cells (C),
The gas passage forming member (a) is formed by being juxtaposed in a stacked state with an interval between each other so as to form an inter-cell flow passage (y) that functions as a fuel gas flow passage (f) or an oxygen-containing gas flow passage (s). G) is provided for each of the cells (C) and is composed of cell holding members (5) juxtaposed in a stacked state, and is adjacent to the cell holding members (5) in the stacking direction. A space holding part (5d) for holding the space between the cells (C), an opening (5a) facing the in-cell flow channel (x), and an abutting surface located at the periphery of the opening (5a). (5c),
A hole (5b) facing the opening (5a) and penetrating in the stacking direction, each of the holes (5b) forming a series of passages in the stacking direction is an oxygen-containing gas passage (X1), ( X2) or fuel gas passages (Y1), (Y2), and the pressing member (14) is formed of a long member extending over the entire length of the cell assembly (NC) in the stacking direction. 2. The fuel cell according to 2. 6. A plurality of the inclined surfaces (15b) are arranged in parallel along the stacking direction.
The fuel cell described. 7. The weight member (16) has a cylindrical shape, and the cylindrical weight member (16) has the inclined surface (15).
The fuel cell according to claim 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, which is movably mounted in a rolling state on b).