JP2020053234A - Manifold structure of fuel cell stack - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a manifold structure of a fuel cell stack that can increase layout flexibility.SOLUTION: A manifold structure 22 of a fuel cell stack 10 allows a fuel gas, an oxidant gas, and a cooling medium to flow. A first layer portion 84 of a structure portion 82 includes a first flow passage 96 that is installed at a position adjacent to a mounting wall portion 72, and communicates with a fuel gas communication hole 50, and a plurality of first through holes 98 that communicate with an oxidizing gas communication hole 48 and a cooling medium communication hole 52. A second layer portion 86 includes a second flow passage 114 that is installed at a position adjacent to the first layer portion 84 and communicates with the oxidizing gas communication hole 48 via the first through hole 98, and a second through hole 118 that communicates with the cooling medium communication hole 52 via the first through hole 98.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell stack manifold structure for flowing a fuel gas, an oxidizing gas and a cooling medium.

  The fuel cell stack has a plurality of stacked power generation cells, and each power generation cell generates power based on supply of a fuel gas and an oxidizing gas. Further, a cooling medium for adjusting the temperature during power generation is also supplied to the fuel cell stack. For this reason, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, an end plate at one end of the fuel cell stack supplies a fuel gas, an oxidizing gas and a cooling medium to the power generation cell, and also supplies the fuel gas, the oxidizing gas and Manifolds for discharging the cooling medium from the power generation cells are respectively connected.

JP-A-2006-134335

  By the way, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the plurality of holes connecting the manifolds of the end plate are close to each other, and the communication holes in the fuel cell stack for mounting the joint members of each manifold. It is formed larger than. Therefore, in the end plate, the strength of the end plate itself tends to decrease in the vicinity of the connection point of the manifold.

  Further, in the actual system configuration of the fuel cell stack, a plurality of devices of a fuel cell system (fuel gas system or oxidant gas system) are arranged near the outside of the end plate in addition to the manifold. . In other words, a plurality of manifolds and a plurality of devices are present in a state of being close to each other, and there is a problem that the position near the outside of the end plate greatly reduces the degree of freedom in layout.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a manifold structure of a fuel cell stack that can increase the degree of freedom in layout and the strength near the location where the manifold is installed with a simple configuration. And

  In order to achieve the above object, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of power generation cells which generate power in accordance with supply of a fuel gas and an oxidizing gas and whose temperature is adjusted in accordance with supply of a cooling medium, and A fuel cell stack including an end plate disposed at an end in the stacking direction in which the power generation cells are stacked, and a structure for flowing the fuel gas, the oxidizing gas, and the cooling medium outside the end plate. , Wherein the plurality of power generation cells independently flow the fuel gas, the oxidizing gas, and the cooling medium along the stacking direction. A communication hole, wherein the structure is provided at a position adjacent to the end plate, has a first flow passage therein communicating with the first communication hole, and communicates with the second and third communication holes. A first layer portion having a plurality of first through-holes, and a second flow passage provided at a position adjacent to the first layer portion and communicating with the second communication hole through the first through-hole therein. And a second layer portion having a second through hole communicating with the third communication hole.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the manifold structure of a fuel cell stack can raise the degree of freedom of layout and the intensity | strength near the installation location of a manifold with a simple structure.

1 is a perspective view showing a fuel cell stack to which a manifold structure according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a power generation cell of a fuel cell stack. It is a front sectional view showing roughly the lamination state of a manifold structure. It is a perspective view showing the state where a manifold structure was attached to the 1st case member. It is a side view which shows the 1st layer part of a manifold structure. It is a side view which shows the 2nd layer part of a manifold structure. It is a side sectional view showing a connection part of a piping structure of a manifold structure concerning a modification.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a fuel cell stack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention generates a power according to a supply of a fuel gas and an oxidizing gas, and generates a plurality of powers whose temperatures are adjusted according to a supply of a cooling medium. A cell 12 is provided. Further, the fuel cell stack 10 includes a stack case 14 in which a plurality of power generation cells 12 are housed in a stacked state. The fuel cell stack 10 is mounted, for example, in a motor room of a fuel cell vehicle (not shown).

  When the fuel cell stack 10 is mounted on a fuel cell vehicle, the plurality of power generation cells 12 are arranged along the vehicle width direction (arrow B direction) orthogonal to the vehicle length direction (arrow A direction) with the electrode surface in a standing posture. Thus, a laminated body 16 is formed. The plurality of power generation cells 12 may be stacked in the direction of gravity (the direction of arrow C).

  Further, at both ends of the laminate 16 in the laminating direction (the direction of the arrow B), a terminal plate and an insulator (not shown) are sequentially arranged outward. The terminal plate is a metal plate member for extracting electric power from the power generation cell 12, and has a power extraction terminal (not shown) protruding from a predetermined position of the stacked body 16. The insulator is formed of, for example, an insulating material such as polycarbonate (PC) and phenol resin.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the power generation cell 12, the MEA 24 with a resin frame is sandwiched between two separators (hereinafter, also referred to as “first separator 26” and “second separator 28”, respectively). The first and second separators 26 and 28 are formed, for example, by pressing a steel sheet, a stainless steel sheet, an aluminum sheet, a plated steel sheet, or a thin metal sheet having its metal surface subjected to anticorrosion treatment into a corrugated shape. Is done. The outer periphery of the first separator 26 and the outer periphery of the second separator 28 are joined by welding, brazing, caulking, or the like, and are configured as an integral joined separator.

  The MEA 24 with a resin frame includes an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 30 (hereinafter, referred to as “MEA 30”), and a resin frame member 32 joined to the outer periphery of the MEA 30 and orbiting the outer periphery. The MEA 30 includes an electrolyte membrane 34, an anode electrode 36 provided on one surface of the electrolyte membrane 34, and a cathode electrode 38 provided on the other surface of the electrolyte membrane 34. In the MEA 30, the electrolyte membrane 34 may be projected outward without using the resin frame member 32. Further, a frame-shaped resin film may be provided on both sides of the electrolyte membrane 34 protruding outward.

  As the electrolyte membrane 34, for example, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane (cation exchange membrane) which is a thin film of perfluorosulfonic acid containing water is applied. The electrolyte membrane 34 can use an HC (hydrocarbon) -based electrolyte in addition to a fluorine-based electrolyte.

  The first separator 26 includes an oxidizing gas flow path 40 for flowing an oxidizing gas (for example, air containing oxygen) on a surface 26 a of the MEA 24 with a resin frame facing the cathode electrode 38 (in FIG. 2, for convenience). The flow direction of the oxidizing gas is shown on the cathode electrode 38 of the MEA 30). The oxidizing gas channel 40 is configured by a straight channel groove or a wavy channel groove formed between a plurality of convex portions extending in the direction of arrow A (horizontal direction) of the first separator 26.

  The second separator 28 includes a fuel gas flow path 42 for flowing a fuel gas (for example, a hydrogen-containing gas) on a surface 28 a of the MEA 24 with a resin frame facing the anode electrode 36. The fuel gas flow path 42 is configured by a straight flow path groove or a wavy flow path groove formed between a plurality of protrusions extending in the direction of arrow A of the second separator 28.

  Between the surface 26b of the first separator 26 and the surface 28b of the second separator 28, which are joined to each other, a cooling medium flow path 44 for flowing a cooling medium (for example, water) is provided. The cooling medium passage 44 is formed by overlapping the back surface shape of the first separator 26 in which the oxidizing gas passage 40 is formed and the back surface shape of the second separator 28 in which the fuel gas passage 42 is formed.

  Oxidant gas, fuel gas and cooling medium are independently supplied along the stacking direction of the power generation cells 12 on both sides (arrow Ar side, arrow Af) in the direction of arrow A which is the long side direction of the power generation cells 12. Are provided with a plurality of communication holes 46 for causing the fluid to flow.

  The plurality of communication holes 46 provided on the arrow Ar (rear side of the fuel cell stack 10) include an oxidizing gas inlet communication hole 48a as a second communication hole and two fuel gas outlet communication holes 50b as a first communication hole. And two cooling medium outlet communication holes 52b, which are third communication holes. The mutual communication holes 46 are substantially arranged in the vertical direction. The oxidant gas inlet communication hole 48a, the two cooling medium outlet communication holes 52b, and the two fuel gas outlet communication holes 50b penetrate the power generation cells 12 in the stacking direction.

  The oxidant gas inlet communication holes 48a are formed in the middle of five communication holes 46 arranged in the direction of arrow C. The two cooling medium outlet communication holes 52b are formed above and below the oxidizing gas inlet communication hole 48a and at positions sandwiching the oxidizing gas inlet communication hole 48a. The two fuel gas outlet communication holes 50b are arranged at a position above the upper cooling medium outlet communication hole 52b and at a position below the lower cooling medium outlet communication hole 52b. And two cooling medium outlet communication holes 52b.

  The plurality of communication holes 46 provided on the side of the arrow Af (in front of the fuel cell stack 10) include two oxidant gas outlet communication holes 48b that are second communication holes, a fuel gas inlet communication hole 50a that is the first communication hole, It includes two cooling medium inlet communication holes 52a, which are third communication holes. The communication holes 46 are arranged substantially in the direction of arrow C. The two oxidant gas outlet communication holes 48b, the fuel gas inlet communication holes 50a, and the two cooling medium inlet communication holes 52a respectively penetrate the power generation cells 12 in the stacking direction.

  The fuel gas inlet communication holes 50a are formed at intermediate positions between five communication holes 46 arranged in the direction of arrow C. The two cooling medium inlet communication holes 52a are formed adjacent to the upper and lower sides of the fuel gas inlet communication hole 50a and at positions sandwiching the fuel gas inlet communication hole 50a. The two oxidant gas outlet communication holes 48b are arranged at a position above the upper cooling medium inlet communication hole 52a and at a position below the lower cooling medium inlet communication hole 52a. And two cooling medium inlet communication holes 52a.

  In the present embodiment, the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 48a and the fuel gas inlet communication hole 50a are formed in a hexagonal shape. Furthermore, the flow path cross-sectional area of the fuel gas inlet communication hole 50a is smaller than the flow path cross-sectional area of the oxidizing gas inlet communication hole 48a. On the other hand, the oxidizing gas outlet communication hole 48b, the fuel gas outlet communication hole 50b, the cooling medium inlet communication hole 52a, and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 52b are formed in a substantially triangular shape.

  The oxidizing gas passage 40 is in fluid communication with the oxidizing gas inlet communicating hole 48a and the two oxidizing gas outlet communicating holes 48b. When the oxidizing gas is supplied from the oxidizing gas inlet communication hole 48a, the oxidizing gas flow path 40 causes the oxidizing gas to flow in the direction of arrow A, and the oxidizing gas flows into the two oxidizing gas outlet communication holes 48b. Discharge oxidant gas. The two oxidizing gas outlet communication holes 48 b have a triangular side (bottom side) facing the oxidizing gas flow path 40.

  The fuel gas passage 42 is in fluid communication with the fuel gas inlet communication hole 50a and the two fuel gas outlet communication holes 50b. When the fuel gas is supplied from the fuel gas inlet communication hole 50a, the fuel gas flow path 42 causes the fuel gas to flow in the direction of arrow A (the direction opposite to the oxidizing gas), and the two fuel gas outlets communicate with each other. The fuel gas is discharged into the hole 50b. One side (bottom) of the two fuel gas outlet communication holes 50b faces the fuel gas flow path 42.

  The cooling medium passage 44 fluidly communicates with the two cooling medium inlet communication holes 52a and the two cooling medium outlet communication holes 52b. When the cooling medium is supplied from the two cooling medium inlet communication holes 52a, the cooling medium flow path 44 causes the cooling medium to flow in the direction of arrow A (the same direction as the fuel gas), and the two cooling medium outlets The cooling medium is discharged to the communication hole 52b. The two cooling medium inlet communication holes 52a and the two cooling medium outlet communication holes 52b have triangular tops both facing the cooling medium flow path 44.

  The oxidizing gas communication hole 48 (oxidizing gas inlet communication hole 48a, oxidizing gas outlet communication hole 48b), fuel gas communication hole 50 (fuel gas inlet communication hole 50a, fuel gas outlet communication hole 50b), cooling medium communication The arrangement position, number, and shape of the holes 52 (the cooling medium inlet communication holes 52a and the cooling medium outlet communication holes 52b) are not limited to the above. Each communication hole 46 may be appropriately designed according to required specifications.

  A plurality of metal bead seals (seal members 54) are integrally formed on the surfaces of the first and second separators 26 and 28 by, for example, press molding toward the MEA 24 with the resin frame. As the seal member 54, a convex elastic seal made of an elastic material may be applied instead of the metal bead seal.

  Further, the power generation cell 12 is provided with a first drain 56 for discharging generated water generated on the cathode side during operation of the fuel cell stack 10 (during power generation). The first drain 56 is formed to penetrate at a position where the first and second separators 26 and 28 and the resin frame member 32 overlap. The first drain 56 communicates with the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 48b via a first connection channel (not shown) provided at an end (for example, an insulator) of the stacked body 16.

  Further, the power generation cell 12 is provided with a second drain 58 for discharging generated water generated on the anode side during operation of the fuel cell stack 10 (during power generation). The second drain 58 is formed to penetrate at a position where the first and second separators 26 and 28 and the resin frame member 32 overlap. The second drain 58 communicates with the fuel gas outlet communication hole 50b via a second connection channel (not shown) provided at an end (for example, an insulator) of the stacked body 16.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the stack case 14 accommodating the plurality of power generation cells 12 has a wall portion 18 extending in a planar shape and covering the entire surface on the front, top, and bottom surfaces. On the other hand, the rear surface and the left and right side surfaces of the stack case 14 are formed in a window frame 20 (frame shape) having a window 20 a communicating with the internal space 14 a of the stack case 14.

  A terminal plate and an insulating plate (not shown) provided on one end side (arrow Br side) in the stacking direction of the stacked body 16 are housed in the stack case 14 together with the power generation cells 12. A side wall 60 for closing the window 20 a of the stack case 14 is attached to one end of the stack case 14 in the direction of the arrow B with a seal member 61 interposed therebetween. The side wall 60 constitutes one end plate that applies a tightening load in the stacking direction of the power generation cells 12. A rear wall 62 for closing the window 20a is attached to the rear surface of the stack case 14 with the seal member 61 interposed therebetween.

  A terminal plate and an insulating plate (not shown) provided on the other end side (the arrow Bl side) of the stacked body 16 in the stacking direction are housed in the stack case 14 together with the power generation cells 12. An auxiliary case 64 is attached to the side surface of the stack case 14 at the other end in the stacking direction of the power generation cell 12 with the seal member 61 interposed therebetween so as to close the window 20a.

  The accessory case 64 is a protective case for housing and protecting the manifold structure 22, and is fixed to the stack case 14 in the horizontal direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the manifold structure 22 includes an auxiliary device 66 (device) and a pipe 67 of the fuel cell system, and flows a fuel gas, an oxidizing gas, and a cooling medium, which are fluids. The accessory case 64 has a concave first case member 68 screwed to the stack case 14 and a concave second case member 70 joined to the first case member 68. Inside, a storage space 64a for storing the manifold structure 22 is formed.

  The first case member 68 is joined to the stack case 14 by bolts, and has a mounting wall 72 that partitions the internal space 14a of the stack case 14 and the storage space 64a of the accessory case 64. The mounting wall 72 has a function as an end plate that applies a tightening load in the stacking direction to the stack 16 of the power generation cell 12.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the mounting wall 72 includes a plurality of holes 74 that respectively communicate with the plurality of communication holes 46 (oxidant gas communication holes 48, fuel gas communication holes 50, and cooling medium communication holes 52) of the power generation cell 12. Have. The mounting wall portion 72 has a pair of long holes extending vertically in the directions of the arrows Ar and Af, and penetrates the pair of long holes from the later-described manifold structure 22 (first piping structure 85). Alternatively, a configuration in which a pipe corresponding to each communication hole 46 is protruded may be used.

  The plurality of holes 74 are formed to penetrate the mounting wall 72 in the thickness direction. Each of the holes 74 includes an oxidizing gas introducing hole 76a communicating with the oxidizing gas inlet communicating hole 48a, and two oxidizing gas deriving holes 76b communicating with the two oxidizing gas outlet communicating holes 48b, respectively. , A fuel gas introduction hole 78a communicating with the fuel gas inlet communication hole 50a, two fuel gas outlet holes 78b respectively communicating with the two fuel gas outlet communication holes 50b, and two cooling medium inlet communication holes 52a. And two cooling medium outlet holes 80b, each of which communicates with two cooling medium outlet communication holes 52b. Although not shown, a gasket is attached to the inner wall of the hole 74, and the gasket is formed in a perfect circular shape on the outside (arrow Bl side), and each communication hole 46 faces inward (arrow Br side). It is configured to gradually change to a shape corresponding to the shape of. Note that a configuration in which the shape of the inner wall itself of the hole 74 is gradually changed may be employed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a structural portion 82 of the manifold structure 22 including the auxiliary device 66 and the piping 67 of the fuel cell system is constructed in a storage space 64a of the auxiliary device case 64. The structural portion 82 has first to third layer portions 84, 86, 88 in order from the fuel cell stack 10 to the outside (in the direction of the arrow Bl). That is, the first layer portion 84 is installed at a position adjacent to the mounting wall portion 72 of the first case member 68, and the second layer portion 86 is installed at a position adjacent to the arrow B1 side of the first layer portion 84, The three-layer portion 88 is installed at a position adjacent to the second layer portion 86 on the arrow Bl side.

  The first to third layer portions 84, 86, and 88 are divided by three piping structures in which a piping 67 for flowing a fuel gas, an oxidizing gas, and a cooling medium is formed in a unit shape. That is, a first piping structure 85 is provided in the first layer portion 84, a second piping structure 87 is provided in the second layer portion 86, and a third piping structure 89 is provided in the third layer portion 88.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first piping structure 85 is fixed to the mounting wall 72 of the first case member 68 and formed in a block shape that overlaps all the holes 74 provided in the mounting wall 72. Have been. Specifically, the first piping structure 85 includes a main body 90 having a substantially isosceles triangular shape when viewed from the front facing the mounting wall 72 of the first case member 68, and a vertical direction connected to the apex side of the main body 90. And a pair of horizontal extending portions 94 extending in a direction opposite to the main body portion 90 from an intermediate position in the vertical direction of the vertical extending portion 92. The first piping structure 85 protrudes from the mounting wall 72 in a direction indicated by an arrow B (thickness direction) by a predetermined length, and forms a first flow passage 96 through which a fluid (a fuel gas or a cooling medium in the present embodiment) can flow. Prepare inside. The structural wall 85a on the projecting end side (arrow Bl side) of the first piping structure 85 is formed in a flat shape exposing the first flow passage 96.

  The first piping structure 85 is joined to the mounting wall 72 by an appropriate joining method such as welding or bonding. In the joined state, the vertically extending portion 92 and the horizontally extending portion 94 are on the arrow Af side, and the bottom side of the main body portion 90 is on the arrow Ar side. In the joined state, the vertically extending portion 92 overlaps the plurality of holes 74 formed on the arrow Af side of the mounting wall portion 72, and the plurality of holes formed on the bottom side of the main body portion 90 on the arrow Ar side of the wall portion. It overlaps the part 74.

  The bottom side of the main body 90 is formed in a wavy shape according to the installation shape of the plurality of holes 74. The main body portion 90 has a plurality of (three) first through holes 98 at positions overlapping the three hole portions 74 at the center in the vertical direction on the arrow Ar side. Each first through-hole 98 penetrates the main body 90 in the thickness direction and communicates with each hole 74. Each of the first through holes 98 is provided with an oxidizing gas introducing first through hole 98a communicating with the oxidizing gas introducing hole 76a, and a cooling medium leading second communicating hole with each of the two cooling medium leading holes 80b. 1 through-hole 98b. That is, the oxidizing gas introduction first through hole 98a communicates with the oxidizing gas inlet communication hole 48a (see FIG. 2), and the two cooling medium outlet first through holes 98b communicate with the cooling medium outlet communication hole 52b ( (See FIG. 2).

  On the other hand, near the bottom angle in the vertical direction on the arrow Ar side of the main body 90, the two fuel gas outlet holes 78b are covered by the structural wall 85a of the main body 90. Near the bottom angle of the main body 90, an inner opening 100a communicating with the two fuel gas outlet holes 78b is provided on a surface facing the mounting wall 72. The fuel gas introduction hole 78a is covered by a structural wall 85a near the apex angle of the main body 90, and the fuel gas introduction hole 78a is formed on a surface facing the mounting wall 72 near the apex angle. An inner opening 100b that communicates is provided. Each of the inner openings 100 a and 100 b communicates with a first flow passage 96 formed in the main body 90.

  The first flow passage 96 of the main body 90 is covered with the structural wall 85a and extends along the surface direction of the main body 90 (the direction of arrow A and the direction of arrow C). In the present embodiment, the first flow passage 96 of the main body 90 is configured as a fuel gas flow passage 102 through which the fuel gas flows. For example, the fuel gas flow passage 102 has a pair of first paths 102a connected to the inner opening 100a, and a second path 102b and a third path 102c connected to the pair of first paths 102a. The second passage 102b allows the fuel gas (anode off-gas) to flow to the ejector 103 (auxiliary device 66) of the fuel gas system device provided outside the main body 90. The third passage 102c is connected to a pipe 67b for discharging the anode off-gas.

  The fuel gas flow passage 102 is connected to the outside of the injector 104 (auxiliary device 66) and the ejector 103 of the fuel gas system device, and communicates with the inside opening 100b from outside of the main body 90. And a fourth road 102d. The fourth path 102d supplies the fuel gas to the inner opening 100b and the fuel gas inlet communication hole 50a while the injector 104 is driven.

  The vertically extending portion 92 of the first piping structure 85 extends from the apex side of the main body portion 90 to the two oxidizing gas outlet holes 76b in the vertical direction. The vertically extending portion 92 has a wavy shape corresponding to four holes 74 (two cooling medium introduction holes 80a and two oxidant gas derivation holes 76b) provided on the arrow Af side of the mounting wall 72. And the same thickness as the main body 90. The vertically extending portion 92 has oxidant gas deriving first through holes 98c (first through holes 98) at positions facing the two oxidizing gas deriving holes 76b, respectively. That is, the two first oxidant gas lead-out holes 98c communicate with the oxidant gas outlet communication holes 48b (see FIG. 2) of the power generation cell 12.

  On the other hand, the vertically extending portion 92 covers the two cooling medium introduction holes 80a with the structural wall 85a. On the side of the longitudinally extending portion 92 facing the mounting wall portion 72, two inner openings 100c communicating with the two cooling medium introduction holes 80a are provided.

  The pair of laterally extending portions 94 has a cooling medium introduction passage 106 that is a first flow passage 96 that is connected to the side of the formation position of each inner opening 100c and supplies a cooling medium therein. The cooling medium introduction passage 106 extends to the vertically extending portion 92 and communicates with the inner opening 100c. That is, the cooling medium introduction passage 106 communicates with the cooling medium inlet communication hole 52a (see FIG. 2) via the cooling medium introduction hole 80a. The other end of the cooling medium introduction passage 106 extends outside the first case member 68 along the pair of laterally extending portions 94 and communicates with a pipe connected to a cooling device (not shown).

  A second layer 86 is laminated on the first layer 84 (first piping structure 85). As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the second layer portion 86 includes a humidifier 108 which is a device of the oxidizing gas system and a second piping structure 87 provided so as to be connected to the humidifier 108. The humidifier 108 and the second piping structure 87 are attached to the first layer portion 84 in a state where they are integrated with each other.

  The humidifier 108 humidifies the oxidizing gas supplied to the fuel cell stack 10 in order to bring the power generation cell 12 into a wet state suitable for power generation. For example, the humidifier 108 circulates an oxidizing gas (cathode off-gas) discharged from the fuel cell stack 10 and performs humidification with water contained in the cathode off-gas.

  The second piping structure 87 has a connecting body 110 installed at an end of the humidifier 108 on the arrow Ar side, and a pair of connecting pipes 112 installed at an end of the humidifier 108 on the arrow Af side. Each of the connecting body 110 and the connecting pipe 112 is joined to a predetermined position of the first piping structure 85, thereby positioning the humidifier 108 at a position slightly away from the structural wall 85a of the first piping structure 85. The connecting body 110 and the connecting pipe 112 are preferably joined to the first piping structure 85 by an appropriate joining method such as welding or bonding.

  The connecting body 110 is formed in a block shape that overlaps the first oxidizing gas introduction through-hole 98 a and the two first coolant introduction through-holes 98 b provided in the first piping structure 85. Also extends long in the direction of arrow B. A second oxidant gas introduction passage 116 (second passage 114) communicating with the oxidant gas introduction first through-hole 98 a of the first piping structure 85 is provided inside a vertically central portion of the connector 110. Is provided. On both sides in the up-down direction of the connecting body 110, a second through-hole 118 a (second through-hole 118) for leading out a cooling medium is provided which communicates with a pair of first through-holes 98 b for leading out a cooling medium of the first piping structure 85. I have.

  The pair of connecting pipes 112 provided on the arrow Af side of the humidifier 108 are formed in a pipe body that connects the first through hole 98 of the first piping structure 85 and the humidifier 108. A second flow passage 114 is provided inside the pair of connecting pipes 112, and the second flow passage 114 is provided between the humidifier 108 and the first through hole 98 c for oxidant gas derivation of the first piping structure 85. And a second flow passage 117 for deriving the oxidizing gas. That is, the second oxidant gas deriving passage 117 is connected to the oxidant gas (cathode off-gas) discharged from the stacked body 16 through the oxidant gas deriving hole 76b and the first oxidizing gas deriving through hole 98c. ) Flows to the humidifier 108.

  A supply pipe 120 for supplying an oxidizing gas into the humidifier 108 is connected to one end of the humidifier 108 to which the connector 110 is connected. The supply pipe 120 is connected to an air pump (not shown) provided outside the accessory case 64.

  At the other end of the humidifier 108 to which the connection pipe 112 is connected, the oxidant gas that has flowed into the humidifier 108 (cathode off-gas) is discharged from the humidifier 108 (the second layer 86) to the outside. Pipe 122 is connected. The discharge pipe 122 is provided with a valve (not shown) for changing the flow amount and flow path of the oxidizing gas.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, a third layer 88 is laminated on the second layer 86 (the connector 110 of the second piping structure 87). The third layer portion 88 has a third piping structure 89 configured in a unit shape, and the third piping structure 89 is formed by a suitable joining method such as welding or bonding, and the protruding end of the connecting body 110 on the arrow Bl side. Joined to.

  The third piping structure 89 has therein a third coolant passage deriving passage 126 (third flow passage 124) communicating with the pair of second coolant passage through holes 118a. Specifically, the third piping structure 89 is composed of two branch pipes 128 facing the pair of cooling medium leading-out second through holes 118a of the connector 110, and one junction pipe where the two branch pipes 128 join. 130.

  The pair of branch pipes 128 are provided with a fixing plate part 132 for bridging the branch pipes 128 and fixing the branch pipes 128 to the connecting body 110 at the end (arrow Br) side adjacent to the connecting body 110. The fixing plate 132 is joined so as to entirely cover the protruding end surface of the connecting body 110. The junction pipe 130 extends downward in the arrow Af direction, bypassing the lower side of the humidifier 108 by extending downward from the vertically arranged branch pipes 128 and bending at 90 ° at a predetermined position. . The junction pipe 130 is connected to a cooling device (not shown) provided on the front side of the fuel cell stack 10.

  The manifold structure 22 of the fuel cell stack 10 according to the present embodiment is basically configured as described above, and its operation will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell stack 10 accommodates a stacked body 16 in which a plurality of power generation cells 12 are stacked in a stack case 14 at the time of manufacturing. Then, the side wall 60 is fixed to the arrow Br side of the stack case 14, and the first case member 68 of the auxiliary machine case 64 is fixed to the arrow Bl side of the stack case 14. Is given. The mounting wall portion 72 of the first case member 68 has a plurality of holes 74 arranged so as to face the respective communication holes 46 of the laminate 16 in the mounted state, and the oxidizing gas, the fuel gas, and the cooling medium. Can be supplied and discharged.

  In manufacturing the structural portion 82 of the manifold structure 22, first, the first piping structure 85 of the first layer portion 84 is joined so as to overlap with all the holes 74 of the mounting wall portion 72, as shown in FIG. In the joined state, on the arrow Ar side of the first piping structure 85, the first oxidizing gas introduction through-hole 98a communicates with the oxidizing gas introduction hole 76a, and two cooling medium outlet holes 80b communicate with each other. The first through-hole 98b for medium derivation communicates with the fuel gas flow passage 102 to two fuel gas derivation holes 78b. On the arrow Af side of the first piping structure 85, the fuel gas flow passage 102 communicates with the fuel gas introduction hole 78a, and the two cooling medium introduction passages 106 communicate with the two cooling medium introduction holes 80a. Two oxidizing gas deriving first through holes 98c communicate with the two oxidizing gas deriving holes 76b.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the first piping structure 85 is joined to the second piping structure 87 constituting the second layer portion 86 and the humidifier 108 integrated with the second piping structure 87. In the joined state, on the arrow Ar side of the second piping structure 87, a connecting body 110 is disposed, and the first oxidizing gas introduction through-hole 98a and the second oxidizing gas introduction flow passage 116 communicate with each other, and the two cooling media are connected. Two second through holes 118a for leading out the cooling medium communicate with each of the first through holes 98b for leading out. A pair of connecting pipes 112 are arranged on the arrow Af side of the second piping structure 87, and two oxidizing gas deriving second flow passages 117 communicate with two oxidizing gas deriving first through holes 98c.

  Then, the third piping structure 89 forming the third layer portion 88 is joined to the arrow Ar side of the second piping structure 87. In the joined state, the third piping structure 89 causes the third coolant passages 126 to communicate with the two coolant passage second through holes 118a. The manifold structure 22 configured by laminating the first to third layer portions 84, 86, 88 passes through the first to third flow passages 96, 114, 124 and the first and second through holes 98, 118 to form a laminated body. Supply and drain fluid to 16.

  The fuel gas is supplied to the fuel gas flow passage 102 of the first piping structure 85 while the injector 104 is driven, and flows into the fuel gas inlet communication hole 50a via the fuel gas introduction hole 78a. The fuel gas (anode off gas) flowing through the two fuel gas outlet communication holes 50b flows out to the fuel gas flow passage 102 of the first piping structure 85 through the two fuel gas outlet holes 78b. The fuel gas flow passage 102 in the first piping structure 85 is designed to have a predetermined shape, so that a part of the anode off-gas is recirculated to the fuel gas introduction hole 78a, and the other part of the anode off-gas is used as the first gas. It is discharged from the piping structure 85.

  The oxidizing gas is supplied to the humidifier 108 through the supply pipe 120 under the driving of the air pump. The oxidizing gas is supplied from the humidifier 108 through the second oxidizing gas introducing passage 116, the first oxidizing gas introducing through hole 98a, and the oxidizing gas introducing hole 76a through the oxidizing gas inlet communication hole 48a. Flows into. Further, the oxidizing gas (cathode off-gas) flowing through the two oxidizing gas outlet communication holes 48b passes through the two oxidizing gas outlet holes 76b and the two oxidizing gas outlet first through holes 98c. The oxidant gas flows out to the two second flow passages 117. Further, the cathode off-gas is humidified through the humidifier 108 to oxidize the oxidant gas, and then discharged to the outside through the discharge pipe 122.

  The cooling medium is supplied from a pipe connected to the laterally extending portion 94 to the cooling medium inlet communication hole 52a through the cooling medium introduction passage 106 and the cooling medium introduction hole 80a under the driving of a pump (not shown) of the cooling device. Inflow. The cooling medium flowing through the cooling medium outlet communication hole 52b is supplied to the third piping structure 89 through the cooling medium outlet hole 80b, the cooling medium outlet first through hole 98b, and the cooling medium outlet second through hole 118a. Out of the third cooling medium outlet passage 126.

  In addition, the connection part of the 1st-3rd layer parts 84, 86, 88 (1st-3rd piping structure 85, 87, 89) is not limited to joining methods, such as welding and adhesion | attachment, A method may be employed. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a cylindrical joint member 134 is accommodated in a boundary between the first piping structure 85 and the second piping structure 87 and a boundary between the second piping structure 87 and the third piping structure 89. They may be joined together. The joint member 134 is designed to have an outer diameter that can be in close contact with the inner wall of each hole, and is made of an appropriate material such as a resin material (including an elastic material) or a metal material. The joint member 134 guides the connection between the first through hole 98 and the second through hole 118, the connection between the first through hole 98 and the second flow passage 114, and the connection between the second through hole 118 and the third flow passage 124. Thus, leakage of fluid from the boundary can be prevented.

  Further, the joint member 134 may be applied to a joint between the mounting wall 72 and the first piping structure 85. The configuration of the joint member 134 is not particularly limited. For example, the joint member 134 may be formed in a continuous cylindrical shape inside the mounting wall 72 and the first to third piping structures 85, 87, and 89.

  The technical ideas and effects of the present invention that can be grasped from the above embodiment will be described below.

  In the manifold structure 22 of the fuel cell stack 10, the structural portion 82 including the first layer portion 84 and the second layer portion 86 can increase the degree of freedom in layout and the strength near the location where the manifold is installed. That is, the first layer portion 84 causes the fuel gas to flow in the first layer portion 84 through the first flow passage 96, and guides the oxidant gas and the cooling medium to another path through the first through hole 98. The second layer portion 86 causes the oxidizing gas to flow in the second layer portion 86 through the second flow passage 114, and guides the cooling medium to another path through the second through hole 118. Therefore, a layout of different fluids (fuel gas and oxidant gas) can be easily formed for each layer, and the fluid can be satisfactorily flowed in each layer. In addition, the first and second layer portions 84 and 86 eliminate parts for supporting the conventional pipes and clearances generated by the conventional pipes, increase the strength near the installation location of the manifold, and greatly improve the assemblability at the time of manufacturing. Can be improved.

  In addition, the structure portion 82 includes a third layer portion 88 which is provided at a position adjacent to the second layer portion 86 and has a third flow passage 124 communicating with the second through hole 118 therein. The third layer portion 88 allows the cooling medium to flow more favorably by the third flow passage 124 communicating with the second through hole 118.

  The first layer portion 84 is configured as a series of piping structures (first piping structures 85) extending along the surface direction of the end plate (mounting wall portion 72). Thereby, the first piping structure 85 can easily secure the fluid flow path and reinforce the mounting wall portion 72.

  A plurality of third communication holes (cooling medium communication holes 52) are provided, and some of the plurality of cooling medium communication holes 52 are provided with first flow passages 96 (provided in the piping structure (first piping structure 85)). It communicates with a flow passage (cooling medium introduction passage 106) different from the fuel gas flow passage 102). Thereby, the cooling medium can be guided to another path via the cooling medium introduction path 106 of the first layer portion 84.

  The first communication hole (fuel gas inlet communication hole 50a, fuel gas outlet communication hole 50b) and the first flow passage 96 (fuel gas flow passage 102) of the first layer portion 84 allow the fuel gas to flow while The communication holes (oxidant gas inlet communication hole 48a, oxidant gas outlet communication hole 48b), the first through hole 98 of the first layer portion 84 (the first through hole 98a for introducing the oxidizing gas, the first The oxidizing gas flows through the through holes 98c) and the second flow passages 114 (the second oxidizing gas introducing flow passage 116 and the second oxidizing gas discharging flow passage 117) of the second layer portion 86. Thus, the auxiliary equipment 66 and the piping 67 of the fuel gas system can be easily arranged in the first layer 84, and the auxiliary equipment 66 and the piping 67 of the oxidizing gas system can be easily arranged in the second layer 86. be able to.

  The second layer portion 86 includes a humidifier 108 for humidifying the oxidizing gas, a second flow passage 114 attached to the humidifier 108 and communicating with the humidifier 108, and a connector 110 having a second through hole 118. ,including. As a result, the structure portion 82 transfers the oxidant gas humidified in the humidifier 108 of the second layer portion 86 to the second communication hole (oxidant gas inlet) of the power generation cell 12 through the second flow passage 114 of the connector 110. It can be supplied to the communication hole 48a).

  The length of the connector 110 along the stacking direction is longer than the length of the first layer portion 84 along the stacking direction. Thus, the structure portion 82 can reliably form the second layer portion 86 even when a relatively large device such as the humidifier 108 is arranged.

  At the end of the power generation cell 12 in the stacking direction, an accessory case 64 that accommodates the structural portion 82 is provided, and the mounting wall 72 of the accessory case 64 stacked on the power generation cell 12 forms an end plate. Thus, even if the mounting wall 72 of the accessory case 64 constitutes an end plate, it is possible to apply a tightening load to the plurality of power generation cells 12 and to make the fluid flow well through the structure 82.

  At the boundary between the first through-hole 98 and the second through-hole 118, a tubular joint member 134 that guides the attachment of the first layer 84 and the second layer 86 and covers the boundary is accommodated. Good. In the manifold structure 22, the first layer 84 and the second layer 86 can be easily assembled by the joint member 134. Moreover, the joint member 134 can prevent leakage of the fluid when the first layer 84 and the second layer 86 are assembled.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made in accordance with the gist of the invention. For example, although the manifold structure 22 is configured to be housed in the accessory case 64 in the above-described embodiment, it may be provided so as to be adjacent to the flat end plate of the fuel cell stack 10. .

  Further, for example, the shape of the first flow passage 96 formed inside the first piping structure 85 is not limited to the fuel gas flow passage 102 described above, and may be freely designed. Further, fluids (fuel gas, oxidation gas, etc.) flowing through the first flow passage 96 of the first layer portion 84, the second flow passage 114 of the second layer portion 86, and the third flow passage 124 of the third layer portion 88 in the structure portion 82. The type of the agent gas, the cooling medium) is not particularly limited. As another example, an oxidizing gas is caused to flow through the first flow passage 96 of the first layer portion 84 and a fuel gas is caused to flow through the second layer portion 86, or a cooling medium is caused to flow through the first layer portion 84. And a configuration in which the fuel gas flows through the second layer portion 86 and the oxidizing gas flows through the third layer portion 88. In other words, the stacking order of the layer provided with the fuel gas system device, the layer provided with the oxidizing gas system device, and the layer provided with the cooling device (pipe 67) in the structural portion 82 is set arbitrarily. Good. In this case, the first to third layer portions 84, 86, 88 may be designed to have an appropriate flow path shape according to the type of the fluid (fuel gas, oxidizing gas, cooling medium) to be flowed.

  The first layer portion 84 may be formed in a unit shape to which the auxiliary device 66 of the hydrogen gas system device is integrally attached in addition to the first piping structure 85. The second layer portion 86 does not need to be provided with the humidifier 108, and extends in the surface direction of the end plate like the main body portion 90 of the first piping structure 85 and has a second flow passage 114 therein. It may be formed in a block shape.

  Further, the manifold structure 22 may have a configuration in which a flow path of the cooling medium (the cooling medium introduction path 106) and the like are provided inside the end plate (the mounting wall portion 72), and the cooling medium flows through the inside of the end plate. Thereby, the configuration of the position near the outside of the end plate can be further simplified. Further, the configuration in which the cooling medium flows inside the end plate is not limited to the configuration in which the fuel gas system device (the structure in which the fuel gas flows) is disposed in the first layer portion 84 adjacent to the end plate. An apparatus (a structure for flowing an oxidizing gas) may be provided. That is, even in this configuration, the stacking order can be arbitrarily designed.

  Further, the piping of the cooling medium is a line for directly heating the fuel gas system device (for example, the first layer unit 84) and the oxidizing gas system device (for example, the second layer unit 86), etc. Or the device itself may be passed. Further, the piping of the cooling medium may be set as a line for heating each device by bypassing the outside of the fuel cell stack 10 when the temperature of the fuel cell stack 10 is low.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Fuel cell stack 12 ... Power generation cell 14 ... Stack case 16 ... Laminated body 22 ... Manifold structure 64 ... Auxiliary case 66 ... Auxiliary equipment 67 ... Piping 72 ... Mounting wall part 74 ... Hole part 82 ... Structure part 84 ... First Layer 85 First pipe structure 86 Second layer 87 Second pipe structure 88 Third layer 89 Third pipe structure 96 First passage 98 First through hole 108 Humidifier 110 Connecting body 112 ... Connecting pipe 114 ... Second flow path 118 ... Second through hole 124 ... Third flow path 134 ... Joint member

Claims (9)

A plurality of power generation cells that generate power in accordance with the supply of the fuel gas and the oxidant gas and whose temperature is adjusted in accordance with the supply of the cooling medium, and are disposed at ends in the stacking direction in which the plurality of power generation cells are stacked. A fuel cell stack having an end plate;
Outside the end plate, the fuel gas, the oxidizing gas, a structure for flowing the cooling medium, a manifold structure of a fuel cell stack comprising:
The plurality of power generation cells have first to third communication holes for independently flowing the fuel gas, the oxidizing gas, and the cooling medium along the stacking direction,
The structure section includes:
A first installed at a position adjacent to the end plate and having a first flow passage communicating with the first communication hole therein and having a plurality of first through holes communicating with the second and third communication holes. Layers,
A second through-passage installed at a position adjacent to the first layer portion and having a second flow passage therein communicating with the second communication hole through the first through-hole, and communicating with the third communication hole. And a second layer portion having holes. The manifold structure for a fuel cell stack according to claim 1,
The manifold structure of a fuel cell stack, comprising: a third layer portion provided at a position adjacent to the second layer portion and having a third flow passage communicating with the second through hole therein. The manifold structure for a fuel cell stack according to claim 1 or 2,
The manifold structure of a fuel cell stack, wherein the first layer portion is configured as a series of piping structures extending along a surface direction of the end plate. The manifold structure for a fuel cell stack according to claim 3,
A plurality of the third communication holes are provided,
A manifold structure for a fuel cell stack, wherein a part of the plurality of third communication holes communicates with a flow passage provided in the piping structure and different from the first flow passage. The manifold structure for a fuel cell stack according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The first communication hole and the first flow passage of the first layer portion allow the fuel gas to flow,
The manifold structure of a fuel cell stack, wherein the second communication hole, the first through hole of the first layer portion, and the second flow passage of the second layer portion allow the oxidant gas to flow. The manifold structure for a fuel cell stack according to claim 5,
The second layer portion includes a humidifier that humidifies the oxidizing gas, a second flow passage attached to the humidifier and communicating with the humidifier, and a connector having the second through hole. Including the manifold structure of the fuel cell stack. The manifold structure for a fuel cell stack according to claim 6,
The manifold structure of the fuel cell stack, wherein a length of the connector in the stacking direction is longer than a length of the first layer portion in the stacking direction. The manifold structure for a fuel cell stack according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
At the end of the power generation cell in the stacking direction, an auxiliary machine case that accommodates the structural unit is provided,
A manifold structure for a fuel cell stack, wherein a mounting wall portion of the accessory case stacked on the power generation cell constitutes the end plate. The manifold structure for a fuel cell stack according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
At the boundary between the first through-hole and the second through-hole, a cylindrical joint member for guiding the attachment of the first layer and the second layer and covering the boundary is accommodated. Stack manifold structure.

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