JP2015103322A - Fuel battery - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel battery which is simple in structure, and is arranged to be able to suppress the displacement in a laminating direction and a separator plane direction orthogonal to the laminating direction as far as possible to ensure a desired seal function even if an impact or the like is given to the fuel battery from the outside.SOLUTION: A fuel battery 10 comprises: power generation units 12 each including a first metal separator 24, a first electrolytic film-electrode structure 26a, a second metal separator 28, a second electrolytic film-electrode structure 26b, and a third metal separator 30; and an upper load-receiving member 78a. The upper load-receiving member has a four-teeth pectinate strip-like receiving part 82at arranged to be able to hold an outer periphery protrusion 70b of the first metal separator 24, an outer periphery protrusion 72b of the second metal separator 28, and an outer periphery protrusion 74b of the third metal separator 30 between its teeth.

Description

  In the present invention, an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure provided with a pair of electrodes on both sides of an electrolyte membrane, and a metal separator having an outer dimension larger than the outer dimension of the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure are laminated, The present invention relates to a fuel cell in which an elastic seal member is integrally provided on the outer periphery of a metal separator.

  For example, in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure in which an anode electrode is disposed on one side of an electrolyte membrane made of a polymer ion exchange membrane and a cathode electrode is disposed on the other surface side ( MEA). The electrolyte membrane / electrode structure constitutes a power generation cell by being sandwiched between separators. A fuel cell is usually incorporated in a fuel cell electric vehicle as an in-vehicle fuel cell stack, for example, by stacking a predetermined number of power generation cells.

  In the fuel cell, it is necessary to distribute the fuel gas, the oxidant gas, and the cooling medium in an airtight (liquid-tight) manner along respective dedicated flow paths. Therefore, various sealing members are usually interposed between the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure and the separator. However, when configuring an on-vehicle fuel cell stack, there is a risk that the seal member will be greatly deformed when subjected to vibration during travel, impact during sudden stop or sudden start, or impact load from the outside. is there.

  For this reason, a sealing member cannot ensure a favorable contact area, and it may become difficult to maintain desired sealing performance. In particular, when a metal separator is used as the separator, there is a problem that a good seal surface pressure between the seal member and the separator surface cannot be secured due to deformation of the metal separator itself.

  Thus, for example, a fuel cell disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. In this fuel cell, the metal separator is provided with a load receiving member around the outer peripheral end portion of the metal separator so as to restrict at least the seal member or the deformation amount of the metal separator. . The load receiving member has a shape having a flat upper surface, and is disposed so that the upper surfaces of adjacent load receiving members face each other with a predetermined gap.

  Therefore, when the metal separator fluctuates due to the gas pressure inside the fuel cell or when the metal separator fluctuates due to vibration and impact from the outside of the fuel cell, the upper surfaces of the adjacent load receiving members are in contact with each other. . This prevents excessive deformation of the metal separator and the seal member, and makes it possible to exhibit good sealing performance.

Japanese Patent No. 4450553

  The present invention has been made in connection with this type of fuel cell stack. When an impact is applied from the outside, the displacement in the stacking direction and the separator surface direction perpendicular to the stacking direction is suppressed as much as possible. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel cell capable of ensuring a desired sealing function with a simple configuration.

  In the fuel cell according to the present invention, an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure provided with a pair of electrodes on both sides of the electrolyte membrane and a metal separator having an outer dimension larger than the outer dimension of the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure are laminated. ing. An elastic seal member is integrally provided on the outer periphery of the metal separator.

  The fuel cell includes a load receiving member disposed along the outer periphery of a plurality of metal separators, and the load receiving member is a comb-like plate disposed between the elastic seal members of the metal separators adjacent to each other. A shape receiving part is provided.

  In this fuel cell, the metal separator preferably has a polygonal shape, and the load receiving member is preferably provided separately for each side of the metal separator.

  Further, in this fuel cell, it is preferable that a plurality of load receiving members are arranged in the stacking direction of the metal separators, and a locking member is provided for positioning and holding the load receiving members adjacent to each other.

  According to the present invention, the load receiving member includes a comb-like plate-shaped receiving portion disposed between the elastic seal members of the metal separators adjacent to each other. For this reason, when an impact or the like is applied to the fuel cell from the outside, each metal separator can be prevented from shifting in the stacking direction and the separator surface direction orthogonal to the stacking direction. Thereby, with a simple configuration, it is possible to suppress as much as possible a shift in the stacking direction and the separator surface direction perpendicular to the stacking direction due to external impacts, and to secure a desired sealing function.

1 is a schematic perspective explanatory view of a fuel cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the fuel cell taken along line II-II in FIG. 1. It is a principal part disassembled perspective explanatory drawing of the electric power generation unit which comprises the said fuel cell. It is a disassembled perspective explanatory drawing of the load receiving structure which comprises the said fuel cell. It is a partially exploded perspective view of a load receiving structure constituting a fuel cell according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a partial cross section explanatory view of the fuel cell. It is a schematic perspective explanatory drawing of the fuel cell which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part disassembled perspective explanatory drawing of the electric power generation unit which comprises the said fuel cell. FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the fuel cell taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 8.

  As shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2, the fuel cell 10 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention is mounted in the fuel cell electric vehicle which is not shown in figure, for example. In the fuel cell 10, a plurality of power generation units 12 are stacked in the horizontal direction (arrow B direction) with the electrode surface in a standing posture. The fuel cell 10 may be configured by stacking a plurality of power generation units 12 in the direction of gravity.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a first terminal plate 14a, a first insulating plate 16a, and a first end plate 18a are sequentially disposed at one end in the stacking direction of the power generation unit 12 toward the outside. At the other end of the power generation unit 12 in the stacking direction, the second terminal plate 14b, the second insulating plate 16b, and the second end plate 18b are sequentially disposed outward.

  A first power output terminal 20a connected to the first terminal plate 14a extends outward from the center portion of the horizontally long first end plate 18a. A second power output terminal 20b connected to the second terminal plate 14b extends outward from the center portion of the horizontally long second end plate 18b. As shown in FIG. 1, both ends of a connecting bar (connecting member) 21 are fixed by screws 22 between the long sides of the first end plate 18 a and the second end plate 18 b. Both ends of the connecting bar 21 are fixed by screws 22 between the short sides of the first end plate 18a and the second end plate 18b.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the power generation unit 12 includes a first metal separator 24, a first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure (MEA) 26a, a second metal separator 28, a second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure (MEA). ) 26b and the third metal separator 30.

  The 1st metal separator 24, the 2nd metal separator 28, and the 3rd metal separator 30 are constituted by, for example, a steel plate, a stainless steel plate, an aluminum plate, a plated steel plate, or a metal plate whose surface has been subjected to anticorrosion treatment. Is done. The first metal separator 24, the second metal separator 28, and the third metal separator 30 have a horizontally long shape (polygonal shape) with a rectangular plane, and are pressed into a corrugated shape by pressing a metal thin plate into a wave shape. Molded.

  The first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 26a and the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 26b include, for example, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane (cation exchange membrane) 32 in which a perfluorosulfonic acid thin film is impregnated with water. The solid polymer electrolyte membrane 32 is sandwiched between the anode electrode 34 and the cathode electrode 36. The anode electrode 34 constitutes a step MEA having a smaller planar dimension than the cathode electrode 36, but is not limited to this. For example, the anode electrode 34 may have a larger planar dimension than the cathode electrode 36, or may have the same planar dimension as the cathode electrode 36.

  The anode electrode 34 and the cathode electrode 36 have a gas diffusion layer (not shown) made of carbon paper or the like, and porous carbon particles carrying a platinum alloy on the surface are uniformly applied to the surface of the gas diffusion layer. And an electrode catalyst layer (not shown) to be formed. The electrode catalyst layer is formed on both surfaces of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 32, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 3, one end edge portion in the long side direction (arrow A direction) of the power generation unit 12 communicates with each other in the arrow B direction, and has an oxidant gas supply communication hole 38 a and a fuel gas discharge communication hole 40 b. Provided. The oxidant gas supply communication hole 38a supplies an oxidant gas, for example, an oxygen-containing gas. The fuel gas discharge communication hole 40b discharges fuel gas, for example, hydrogen-containing gas.

  The other end edge of the power generation unit 12 in the long side direction (arrow A direction) communicates with each other in the arrow B direction to discharge the fuel gas supply communication hole 40a for supplying fuel gas and the oxidant gas. The oxidant gas discharge communication hole 38b is provided.

  A pair of cooling medium supply communication holes 42 a for supplying a cooling medium to each other in the direction of arrow B is provided at one end of both ends of the long side of the power generation unit 12 facing each other. A pair of cooling medium discharge communication holes 42b for discharging the cooling medium is provided on the other end of both ends of the long sides of the power generation unit 12 facing each other.

  The cooling medium supply communication holes 42a and 42a are distributed to the long sides on both sides in the direction of arrow C, close to the oxidant gas supply communication hole 38a and the fuel gas discharge communication hole 40b. Each of the cooling medium discharge communication holes 42b and 42b is arranged close to the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 38b and the fuel gas supply communication hole 40a, respectively, and is distributed to the respective long sides on both sides in the direction of arrow C.

  The surface 24a of the first metal separator 24 facing the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 26a has a wave-shaped (or linear) first fuel that communicates the fuel gas supply communication hole 40a and the fuel gas discharge communication hole 40b. A gas flow path 44 is formed. The first fuel gas channel 44 extends in the direction of arrow A, and an inlet buffer portion 46a and an outlet buffer portion 46b each having a plurality of embosses are provided in the vicinity of the inlet and the vicinity of the outlet.

  A part of the cooling medium flow path 48 that connects the cooling medium supply communication hole 42 a and the cooling medium discharge communication hole 42 b is formed on the surface 24 b of the first metal separator 24. A part of the cooling medium flow path 48 is formed as a back surface shape of the first fuel gas flow path 44. The cooling medium flow path 48 extends along the arrow A direction.

  The surface 28a of the second metal separator 28 facing the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 26a has a wave-shaped (or linear) first shape that communicates the oxidant gas supply communication hole 38a and the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 38b. A single oxidant gas flow path 50 is formed. An inlet buffer portion 52a and an outlet buffer portion 52b are provided in the vicinity of the inlet and the outlet of the first oxidizing gas channel 50.

  On the surface 28b of the second metal separator 28 facing the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 26b, a wave-shaped (or linear) second fuel that communicates the fuel gas supply communication hole 40a and the fuel gas discharge communication hole 40b. A gas flow path 54 is formed. In the vicinity of the inlet and the outlet of the second fuel gas channel 54, an inlet buffer portion 56a and an outlet buffer portion 56b are provided.

  The surface 30a of the third metal separator 30 facing the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 26b has a wave-shaped (or linear) first shape that communicates the oxidant gas supply communication hole 38a and the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 38b. A dioxidant gas flow path 58 is formed. In the vicinity of the inlet and the outlet of the second oxidizing gas channel 58, an inlet buffer 60a and an outlet buffer 60b are provided.

  A part of the cooling medium flow path 48 is formed on the surface 30 b of the third metal separator 30. A pair of cooling medium supply communication holes 42 a are provided on the inlet side of the cooling medium flow path 48 so as to sandwich the cooling medium flow path 48 in the flow path width direction. On the outlet side of the cooling medium flow path 48, a pair of cooling medium discharge communication holes 42b are provided with the cooling medium flow path 48 sandwiched in the flow path width direction.

  The first metal separator 24 includes a plurality of supply connection passages 62 a that connect the fuel gas supply communication holes 40 a and the first fuel gas flow channel 44, and a fuel gas discharge communication hole 40 b and the first fuel gas flow channel 44. A plurality of discharge connection paths 62b communicating with each other. The second metal separator 28 includes a plurality of supply connection passages 64 a that connect the fuel gas supply communication holes 40 a and the second fuel gas flow passage 54, and a fuel gas discharge communication hole 40 b and the second fuel gas flow passage 54. A plurality of discharge connection paths 64b communicating with each other.

  Lids 66a and 66b are disposed on the supply connection path 62a and the discharge connection path 62b. Lids 68a and 68b are disposed in the supply connection path 64a and the discharge connection path 64b.

  A first seal member (elastic seal member) 70 is integrally formed on the surfaces 24 a and 24 b of the first metal separator 24 around the outer edge of the first metal separator 24. A second seal member (elastic seal member) 72 is integrally formed on the surfaces 28 a and 28 b of the second metal separator 28 around the outer peripheral edge of the second metal separator 28. A third seal member (elastic seal member) 74 is integrally formed on the surfaces 30 a and 30 b of the third metal separator 30 around the outer peripheral edge of the third metal separator 30.

  Examples of the first seal member 70, the second seal member 72, and the third seal member 74 include EPDM, NBR, fluorine rubber, silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, butyl rubber, natural rubber, styrene rubber, chloroprene, or acrylic rubber. A sealing member having elasticity such as a sealing material, a cushioning material, or a packing material is used.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first seal member 70 has a base seal 70 a extending at a uniform thickness along the separator surface of the first metal separator 24. A thick outer peripheral convex portion 70 b is integrally formed on the base seal 70 a along the outer peripheral shape of the first metal separator 24. The base seal 70a is integrally formed with a seal projection 70c for hermetically and liquid-tightly sealing the fuel gas, the oxidant gas, and the cooling medium.

  The second seal member 72 has a base seal 72 a extending with a uniform thickness along the separator surface of the second metal separator 28. A thick outer peripheral convex portion 72b is integrally formed on the base seal 72a along the outer peripheral shape of the second metal separator 28. The base seal 72a is integrally formed with a seal projection 72c for sealing the fuel gas, the oxidant gas, and the cooling medium in an airtight and liquid tight manner.

  The third seal member 74 has a base seal 74 a that extends with a uniform thickness along the separator surface of the third metal separator 30. A thick outer peripheral convex portion 74 b is integrally formed on the base seal 74 a along the outer peripheral shape of the third metal separator 30. The base seal 74a is integrally formed with a seal projection 74c for hermetically and liquid-tightly sealing the fuel gas, the oxidant gas, and the cooling medium.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first end plate 18a is formed with an oxidant gas supply communication hole 38a, an oxidant gas discharge communication hole 38b, a fuel gas supply communication hole 40a, and a fuel gas discharge communication hole 40b. Although not shown, the second end plate 18b is provided with a pair of cooling medium supply communication holes 42a and a pair of cooling medium discharge communication holes 42b.

  In the first embodiment, the fuel cell 10 is disposed along the outer periphery (also simply referred to as the separator outer periphery) of the first metal separator 24, the second metal separator 28, and the third metal separator 30 that constitute each power generation unit 12. The load receiving structure 76 is provided. The load receiving structure 76 is divided into four parts for each side of the first metal separator 24, the second metal separator 28, and the third metal separator 30, and is made of an electrically insulating resin.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the load receiving structure 76 includes a plurality of upper load receiving members 78a disposed along the upper long side of the separator outer periphery, and the lower long side of the separator outer periphery. A plurality of lower load receiving members 78b are provided along the same. The load receiving structure 76 is further disposed along a plurality of side load receiving members 80a disposed along one short side of the outer periphery of the separator and along the other short side of the outer periphery of the separator. And a plurality of side load receiving members 80b.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the upper load receiving member 78 a protrudes downward, and the outer peripheral convex portion 70 b of the first metal separator 24, the outer peripheral convex portion 72 b of the second metal separator 28, and the outer periphery of the third metal separator 30. Four comb-shaped plate-shaped receiving portions 82at on which the convex portions 74b are sandwiched are integrally provided. A space portion 82a is formed between the plate-like receiving portions 82at, and outer peripheral convex portions 70b, 72b, and 74b are arranged in the space portion 82a. That is, one plate-shaped receiving portion 82at is disposed between the outer peripheral convex portion 70b and the outer peripheral convex portion 72b adjacent to each other and between the outer peripheral convex portion 72b and the outer peripheral convex portion 74b (see FIG. 2). ). The plate-shaped receiving portion 82at has an overlapping portion over the range t with the outer peripheral convex portion 70b of the first metal separator 24, the outer peripheral convex portion 72b of the second metal separator 28, and the outer peripheral convex portion 74b of the third metal separator 30.

  One or more, for example, two pin members (locking members) 84a are provided on one side of the upper load receiving member 78a integrally or with another member fixed thereto. On the other side of the upper load receiving member 78a, a hole 86a into which the pin member 84a is inserted is formed coaxially with the pin member 84a in the stacking direction (arrow B direction). The adjacent upper load receiving members 78a are connected to each other by inserting (fitting) one pin member 84a into the other hole 86a.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the lower load receiving member 78 b protrudes upward, and the outer peripheral convex portion 70 b of the first metal separator 24, the outer peripheral convex portion 72 b of the second metal separator 28, and the outer peripheral convex portion 74 b of the third metal separator 30. Are integrally provided with four comb-like plate-shaped receiving portions 82bt. A space portion 82b is formed between the plate-shaped receiving portions 82bt, and outer peripheral convex portions 70b, 72b, and 74b are disposed in the space portion 82b.

  On one side of the lower load receiving member 78b, one or more, for example, two pin members (locking members) 84b are provided integrally or with another member fixed thereto. On the other side of the lower load receiving member 78b, a hole 86b into which the pin member 84b is inserted is formed coaxially with the pin member 84b in the stacking direction (arrow B direction). The adjacent lower load receiving members 78b are connected to each other by inserting (fitting) one pin member 84b into the other hole 86b.

  The side load receiving member 80a protrudes laterally, and the outer peripheral convex portion 70b of the first metal separator 24, the outer peripheral convex portion 72b of the second metal separator 28, and the outer peripheral convex portion 74b of the third metal separator 30 are sandwiched therebetween 4 A sheet-like comb-shaped receiving portion 88at is integrally provided. A space portion 88a is formed between the plate-shaped receiving portions 88at, and outer peripheral convex portions 70b, 72b, and 74b are disposed in the space portion 88a.

  At one side of the side load receiving member 80a, one or more, for example, two pin members (locking members) 90a are provided integrally or with another member fixed thereto. On the other side portion of the side load receiving member 80a, a hole portion 92a into which the pin member 90a is inserted is formed coaxially with the pin member 90a in the stacking direction (arrow B direction). The side load receiving members 80a adjacent to each other are connected to each other by inserting (fitting) one pin member 90a into the other hole 92a.

  The side load receiving member 80b protrudes laterally, and the outer peripheral convex portion 70b of the first metal separator 24, the outer peripheral convex portion 72b of the second metal separator 28, and the outer peripheral convex portion 74b of the third metal separator 30 are sandwiched therebetween 4 A sheet-like comb-shaped receiving portion 88bt is integrally provided. A space 88b is formed between the plate-shaped receiving portions 88bt, and outer peripheral convex portions 70b, 72b, and 74b are disposed in the space 88b.

  One or more, for example, two pin members (locking members) 90b are provided on one side of the side load receiving member 80b integrally or with another member fixed thereto. A hole portion 92b into which the pin member 90b is inserted is formed coaxially with the pin member 90b in the stacking direction (arrow B direction) on the other side portion of the side load receiving member 80b. The side load receiving members 80b adjacent to each other are connected to each other by inserting (fitting) one pin member 90b into the other hole 92b.

  The plurality of upper load receiving members 78a, lower load receiving members 78b, and side load receiving members 80a and 80b are provided between the first insulating plate 16a and the second insulating plate 16b, or between the first end plate 18a and the first end plate 18a. It is clamped and fixed between the two end plates 18b.

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

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, an oxidant gas supply communication hole 38 a of the first end plate 18 a is supplied with an oxidant gas such as an oxygen-containing gas, and the fuel gas supply communication hole 40 a contains hydrogen. Fuel gas such as gas is supplied. On the other hand, although not shown, a coolant such as pure water, ethylene glycol, or oil is supplied to the pair of coolant supply passages 42a of the second end plate 18b.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the oxidant gas flows from the oxidant gas supply communication hole 38 a to the first oxidant gas channel 50 of the second metal separator 28 and the second oxidant gas channel 58 of the third metal separator 30. be introduced. The oxidant gas moves in the direction of arrow A (horizontal direction) along the first oxidant gas flow path 50 and is supplied to the cathode electrode 36 of the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 26a. Further, the remaining oxidant gas moves in the direction of arrow A along the second oxidant gas flow path 58 and is supplied to the cathode electrode 36 of the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 26b.

  On the other hand, the fuel gas moves in the horizontal direction (in the direction of arrow A) along the first fuel gas flow path 44 of the first metal separator 24 from the fuel gas supply communication hole 40a, and the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 26a. It is supplied to the anode electrode 34. The remaining fuel gas moves in the direction of arrow A along the second fuel gas flow path 54 of the second metal separator 28 and is supplied to the anode electrode 34 of the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 26b.

  Therefore, in the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 26a and the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 26b, the oxidant gas supplied to the cathode electrode 36 and the fuel gas supplied to the anode electrode 34 are converted into the electrode catalyst layer. Power is generated by being consumed by electrochemical reaction.

  Next, the oxidant gas supplied and consumed to each cathode electrode 36 of the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 26a and the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 26b is moved along the arrow B along the oxidant gas discharge passage 38b. Circulate in the direction. The fuel gas supplied to and consumed by the anode electrodes 34 of the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 26a and the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 26b flows in the direction of arrow B along the fuel gas discharge communication hole 40b. .

  On the other hand, the cooling medium supplied to the pair of upper and lower cooling medium supply communication holes 42 a is between the first metal separator 24 constituting one power generation unit 12 and the third metal separator 30 constituting the other power generation unit 12. Is introduced into the cooling medium flow path 48 formed in the above.

  The cooling medium supplied to the cooling medium flow path 48 from each cooling medium supply communication hole 42a once flows along the inside of the arrow C direction, and then moves in the direction of the arrow A to move to the first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 26a. Then, the second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 26b is cooled. The cooling medium further moves outward in the direction of arrow C, and is then discharged to the pair of cooling medium discharge communication holes 42b.

  In this case, in the first embodiment, the load receiving structure 76 includes a plurality of upper load receiving members 78a disposed along the upper long side of the outer periphery of the separator, as shown in FIGS. Yes. The upper load receiving member 78a includes a plurality of comb-like plate-shaped receiving portions disposed between the outer peripheral convex portion 70b and the outer peripheral convex portion 72b adjacent to each other and between the outer peripheral convex portion 72b and the outer peripheral convex portion 74b. 82 at.

  The load receiving structure 76 further includes a plurality of lower load receiving members 78b disposed along the lower long side of the outer periphery of the separator, and a plurality of members disposed along the short side of both sides of the outer periphery of the separator. Side load receiving members 80a and 80b are provided. The lower load receiving member 78b and the side load receiving members 80a and 80b are configured in the same manner as the upper load receiving member 78a.

  For this reason, when an impact or the like is applied to the fuel cell 10 from the outside, the first metal separator 24 to the third metal separator 30 constituting each power generation unit 12 are arranged in the stacking direction and the separator surface direction orthogonal to the stacking direction. It is possible to prevent deviation. Moreover, the upper load receiving members 78a are positioned and held in the stacking direction with each other under the fitting action of the pin member 84a and the hole 86a. On the other hand, the lower load receiving members 78b and the side load receiving members 80a and 80b are similarly positioned and held with each other.

  Therefore, in the fuel cell 10, the displacement in the stacking direction and the separator surface direction perpendicular to the stacking direction due to an external impact or the like can be suppressed as much as possible with a simple configuration. Thereby, the effect that it becomes possible to ensure a desired sealing function as the fuel cell 10 whole is acquired.

  In addition, in 1st Embodiment, although the load receiving structure 76 is provided for every single electric power generation unit 12, it is not limited to this. For example, a load receiving structure that positions and holds two or three or more power generation units 12 integrally may be used. The same applies to the second and subsequent embodiments described below.

  FIG. 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of the load receiving structure 102 constituting the fuel cell 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those of the fuel cell 10 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Similarly, in the third embodiment described below, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The load receiving structure 102 includes a plurality of upper load receiving members 104 disposed along the upper long side of the outer periphery of the separator. The upper load receiving member 104 protrudes downward and includes three outer peripheral convex portions 70b of the first metal separator 24, an outer peripheral convex portion 72b of the second metal separator 28, and an outer peripheral convex portion 74b of the third metal separator 30. A comb-like plate-shaped receiving portion 106t is provided. The upper load receiving member 104 has a plate-like portion 108 protruding in the horizontal direction. The plate-like portion 108 is provided by substantially removing the plate-like receiving portion 82at at the end of the first embodiment.

  A space portion 106 is formed between the plate-like receiving portions 106t, and a space portion 106 is formed between the upper load receiving members 104 adjacent to each other via the plate-like portion 108. One or more, for example, two pin members (locking members) 109a are provided at the tip of the plate-like portion 108 integrally or with another member fixed thereto. In the side portion of the upper load receiving member 104, one or more, for example, two holes 109b into which the pin member 109a is inserted are formed.

  In the second embodiment configured as described above, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the thickness of the joint portion between the upper load receiving members 104 can be reduced. That is, the thickness of one plate-like receiving portion 82at is reduced. Therefore, there is an effect that the dimension in the stacking direction of the entire fuel cell 100 is further shortened.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective explanatory view of a fuel cell 110 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the fuel cell 110, a plurality of power generation units 112 are stacked in the horizontal direction (arrow B direction) with the electrode surface in a standing posture, or in the vertical direction (arrow C direction) with the electrode surface in a horizontal posture.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the power generation unit 112, the first metal separator 114, the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 26, and the second metal separator 116 are stacked in the arrow B direction. An oxidant gas supply communication hole 38a, a cooling medium supply communication hole 42a, and a fuel gas discharge communication hole 40b communicate with each other in the arrow B direction at one end edge in the long side direction (arrow A direction) of the power generation unit 112. It is done. A fuel gas supply communication hole 40a, a cooling medium discharge communication hole 42b, and an oxidant gas discharge communication hole 38b are provided at the other end edge in the long side direction of the power generation unit 112 so as to communicate with each other in the arrow B direction.

  A fuel gas passage 44 a is formed on the surface 114 a of the first metal separator 114 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 26. The fuel gas passage 44a communicates with the fuel gas supply communication hole 40a through a plurality of supply communication holes 117a, and communicates with the fuel gas discharge communication hole 40b through a plurality of discharge communication holes 117b. An oxidant gas flow path 50a is formed on the surface 116a of the second metal separator 116 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 26. A cooling medium flow path 48 is formed between the surface 114 b of the first metal separator 114 and the surface 116 b of the second metal separator 116.

  A first seal member (elastic seal member) 118 is integrally formed with the first metal separator 114. A second seal member (elastic seal member) 120 is integrally formed on the second metal separator 116. The first seal member 118 has a base seal 118a, and an outer peripheral convex portion 118b and a seal convex portion 118c are integrally formed on the base seal 118a. The second seal member 120 includes a base seal 120a, and an outer peripheral convex portion 120b and a seal convex portion 120c are integrally formed on the base seal 120a.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the fuel cell 110 includes a load receiving structure 122 that is disposed along the outer periphery (also simply referred to as the separator outer periphery) of the first metal separator 114 and the second metal separator 116 that constitute each power generation unit 112. Is provided.

  The load receiving structure 122 includes a plurality of upper load receiving members 124a disposed along the upper long side of the outer periphery of the separator and a plurality of lower load receivers disposed along the lower long side of the outer periphery of the separator. A member 124b is provided. The load receiving structure 122 is further disposed along a plurality of side load receiving members 126a disposed along one short side of the outer periphery of the separator and along the other short side of the outer periphery of the separator. And a plurality of side load receiving members 126b.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the upper load receiving member 124 a has three combs that protrude downward and sandwich the outer peripheral convex portion 118 b of the first metal separator 114 and the outer peripheral convex portion 120 b of the second metal separator 116. A tooth-shaped plate-shaped receiving portion 128t is integrally provided. A space portion 128 is formed between the plate-shaped receiving portions 128t, and outer peripheral convex portions 118b and 120b are disposed in the space portion 128. That is, one plate-shaped receiving portion 128t is disposed between the outer peripheral convex portion 118b and the outer peripheral convex portion 120b adjacent to each other.

  On one side of the upper load receiving member 124a, for example, two pin members (locking members) 130a are provided integrally or with another member fixed thereto. For example, two holes 130b into which the pin member 130a is inserted are provided on the other side of the upper load receiving member 124a.

  The lower load receiving member 124b and the side load receiving members 126a and 126b are configured in the same manner as the upper load receiving member 124a, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted. Description is omitted.

  In the fuel cell 110, when an impact or the like is applied from the outside, the first metal separator 114 and the second metal separator 116 constituting each power generation unit 112 are displaced in the stacking direction and the separator surface direction orthogonal to the stacking direction. Can be blocked. As a result, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Note that the third embodiment can be configured similarly to the second embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 100, 110 ... Fuel cell 12, 112 ... Electric power generation unit 18a, 18b ... End plate 24, 28, 30, 114, 116 ... Metal separator 26, 26a, 26b ... Electrolyte membrane and electrode structure 32 ... Solid polymer electrolyte Membrane 34 ... Anode electrode 36 ... Cathode electrode 38a ... Oxidant gas supply communication hole 38b ... Oxidant gas discharge communication hole 40a ... Fuel gas supply communication hole 40b ... Fuel gas discharge communication hole 42a ... Cooling medium supply communication hole 42b ... Cooling medium Discharge communication hole 44, 44a, 54 ... Fuel gas flow path 48 ... Cooling medium flow path 50, 50a, 58 ... Oxidant gas flow path 70, 72, 74, 118, 120 ... Seal members 76, 102, 122 ... Load receiver Structure 78a, 104, 124a ... Upper load receiving member 78b, 124b ... Lower load receiving member 80a, 80b, 126a, 1 26b: Side load receiving members 82a, 82b, 88a, 88b, 106, 128 ... Space portions 82at, 82bt, 88at, 88bt, 106t, 128t ... Plate-shaped receiving portions 84a, 84b, 90a, 90b, 109a, 130a ... Pins Member 86a, 86b, 92a, 92b, 109b, 130b ... hole

Claims (3)

An electrolyte membrane / electrode structure provided with a pair of electrodes on both sides of the electrolyte membrane and a metal separator having an outer dimension larger than the outer dimension of the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure are laminated, and an outer periphery of the metal separator Is a fuel cell in which an elastic seal member is integrally provided,
A load receiving member disposed along the outer periphery of the plurality of metal separators;
The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the load receiving member includes a comb-like plate-shaped receiving portion disposed between the elastic seal members of the metal separators adjacent to each other. 2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the metal separator has a polygonal shape.
The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the load receiving member is provided separately for each side of the metal separator. The fuel cell according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of the load receiving members are arranged in the stacking direction of the metal separator,
A fuel cell comprising a locking member for positioning and holding the load receiving members adjacent to each other.

Images