JP2012003857A - Fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

An output performance and durability of a fuel cell including a gas flow path layer between a power generation layer and a separator are suppressed.
A fuel cell includes a power generation layer, a separator disposed with the power generation layer sandwiched therebetween, and a gas flow path layer disposed between the power generation layer and the separator. The gas flow path layer is a plurality of protrusions protruding toward the power generation body layer, and secures the first reaction gas flow path between the portion between the protrusions of the gas flow path layer and the power generation layer. A plurality of convex portions for securing the second reactive gas flow path between the portion where the convex portion of the gas flow path layer is formed and the separator, and an opening facing the gas flow direction of the first reactive gas flow path And a plurality of through holes communicating the first reaction gas channel and the second reaction gas channel. The cross-sectional shape along the first direction and the cross-sectional shape along the second direction perpendicular to the first direction of the portion of the convex portion adjacent to the power generation layer are curved shapes that are convex toward the power generation layer side. .
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell, and more particularly, to a fuel cell including a gas flow path layer between a power generator layer and a separator.

  A fuel cell, for example, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, causes an electrochemical reaction by supplying a reaction gas (a fuel gas and an oxidizing gas) to a pair of electrodes (anode and cathode) arranged with an electrolyte membrane interposed therebetween, respectively. This converts the chemical energy of a substance directly into electrical energy.

  Conventionally, in a fuel cell, by providing a gas flow path layer formed using an expanded metal (metal lath) between a power generator layer including an electrolyte membrane and a pair of electrodes and a separator, the diffusibility of the reaction gas is increased. Techniques for improving and improving the power generation efficiency of fuel cells are known.

JP 2008-287955 A

  However, in the above conventional technique, stress concentrates on the surface of the power generation layer on the gas flow path layer side in contact with the edge portion of the expanded metal constituting the gas flow path layer, and the power generation layer is damaged. As a result, the output performance and durability of the fuel cell may deteriorate.

  Such a problem is not limited to a solid polymer fuel cell, and is a problem common to all fuel cells including a gas flow path layer having a reaction gas flow path between a power generator layer and a separator.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and aims to suppress a decrease in output performance and durability of a fuel cell including a gas flow path layer between a power generation layer and a separator. To do.

  In order to solve at least a part of the above problems, the present invention can be realized as the following forms or application examples.

Application Example 1 A fuel cell,
A power generator layer including an electrolyte membrane, an anode disposed on one side of the electrolyte membrane, and a cathode disposed on the other side of the electrolyte membrane;
A pair of separators arranged with the power generation layer interposed therebetween;
A gas flow path layer disposed between the power generation layer and at least one of the pair of separators,
The gas flow path layer is a plurality of convex portions projecting toward the power generator layer side, and a first reactant gas flow is provided between the portion of the gas flow path layer between the convex portions and the power generator layer. A plurality of protrusions for securing a second reaction gas flow path between a portion of the gas flow path layer where the protrusion is formed and the separator, and the first reaction gas flow path A plurality of through holes that open in opposition to the gas flow direction and communicate the first reaction gas flow path and the second reaction gas flow path,
The cross-sectional shape along the first direction and the cross-sectional shape along the second direction perpendicular to the first direction of the portion of the convex portion adjacent to the power generating layer are both on the power generating layer side. A fuel cell having a convex curved shape.

  In this fuel cell, generated water generated by power generation flows from the power generation layer into the first reaction gas flow path, and has a through hole that opens in the gas flow direction of the first reaction gas flow path. It passes through and is drawn into the second reaction gas channel on the separator side. By such movement of the generated water, further inflow of generated water from the power generation layer to the first reaction gas channel is promoted. Therefore, in this fuel cell, an increase in the concentration overvoltage due to the generated water is suppressed, the output is improved, and the separation of the water and the reactive gas in the gas flow path layer is promoted. An increase in pressure loss is suppressed, distribution variation of the reaction gas between cells is suppressed, and cell voltage variation between cells is suppressed. Further, in this fuel cell, both the cross-sectional shape along the first direction and the cross-sectional shape along the second direction perpendicular to the first direction of the portion adjacent to the power generating layer of the convex portion are both the power generator. Due to the curved surface shape convex to the layer side, on the gas flow path layer side surface of the power generator layer, the occurrence of damage due to stress concentration at the contact part with the convex part and contact with the edge part is suppressed, and the fuel cell It is possible to suppress a decrease in output performance and durability.

[Application Example 2] The fuel cell according to Application Example 1,
The gas flow path layer is formed with a plurality of slit-like opening groups arranged along the first direction on the metal plate along the second direction, and in the second direction of the metal plate. A predetermined position close to each of the openings in a portion between the groups of the plurality of openings adjacent to each other is stretched to form the convex portion at the predetermined position, and each of the openings is used as the through hole. Produced by the fuel cell.

  In this fuel cell, the efficiency and simplification of the manufacturing process of the gas flow path layer can be achieved, and the productivity can be improved.

[Application Example 3] The fuel cell according to Application Example 1 or Application Example 2,
The plurality of convex portions are arranged such that the positions along the first direction are shifted in one direction along the first direction as compared with the other convex portions adjacent along the second direction. A fuel cell comprising: a portion; and the convex portion shifted in the opposite direction along the first direction.

  In this fuel cell, the diffusibility of the reaction gas flowing in the gas flow path layer can be improved, and the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell can be further improved.

  Note that the present invention can be realized in various modes, and can be realized in the form of, for example, a fuel cell, a fuel cell system including a fuel cell, and a moving body such as an automobile including the fuel cell system. .

It is explanatory drawing which shows roughly the structure of the fuel cell 100 in the Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a gas flow path layer. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a gas flow path layer. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a gas flow path layer. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a gas flow path layer. It is explanatory drawing which shows the manufacturing method of a gas flow path layer. It is explanatory drawing which shows the cross-sectional structure of the cathode side gas flow path layer 132 in a 1st modification. It is explanatory drawing which shows the cross-sectional structure of the cathode side gas flow path layer 132 in a 2nd modification.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples.

A. Example:
A-1. Fuel cell configuration:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the configuration of a fuel cell 100 in an embodiment of the present invention. The fuel cell 100 of the present embodiment is a solid polymer fuel cell that is relatively small and excellent in power generation efficiency. The fuel cell 100 has a stack structure in which a plurality of power generator layers 120 and a plurality of separators 140 are alternately stacked and fastened. The fuel cell 100 also includes an anode-side gas passage layer 134 and a cathode-side gas passage layer 132 (hereinafter collectively referred to as “gas passage layer”) disposed between the power generation layer 120 and the separator 140. It has. FIG. 1 shows only one cell composed of the power generator layer 120, the gas flow path layers 132 and 134, and the separator 140 for easy understanding of the configuration of the fuel cell 100. The illustration is omitted.

  The power generator layer 120 includes an electrolyte membrane 112, an anode 116 disposed on one side of the electrolyte membrane 112, and a cathode 114 disposed on the other side of the electrolyte membrane 112. Hereinafter, the anode 116 and the cathode 114 are collectively referred to as a “catalyst layer”. A laminate composed of the electrolyte membrane 112 and the catalyst layers 114 and 116 is referred to as MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly (membrane / electrode assembly)). The power generation layer 120 is also configured such that the anode-side diffusion layer 124 disposed on the side opposite to the side in contact with the electrolyte membrane 112 of the anode 116 and the cathode disposed on the side opposite to the side in contact with the electrolyte membrane 112 of the cathode 114. Side diffusion layer 122.

  The electrolyte membrane 112 is an ion exchange membrane formed of a fluorine-based resin material or a hydrocarbon-based resin material, and has good proton conductivity in a wet state. The catalyst layers 114 and 116 are layers that provide a catalyst that promotes the electrode reaction, and are formed of, for example, a material containing platinum-supported carbon and an electrolyte. The anode-side diffusion layer 124 and the cathode-side diffusion layer 122 (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “diffusion layer”) are formed in such a manner that the reaction gas (oxidation gas and fuel gas) used for the electrode reaction is directed in the plane direction (the stacking direction of the fuel cells 100 ( This layer is diffused in a direction substantially orthogonal to FIG. 1), and is formed of, for example, carbon cloth or carbon paper. In this embodiment, the diffusion layer is subjected to water repellent treatment with, for example, PTFE resin.

  The separator 140 is formed of a dense material that does not transmit gas and has conductivity, such as dense carbon, metal, and conductive resin that are compression-molded. The gas flow path layers 132 and 134 are layers that function as gas flow paths for allowing the reactant gas to flow while diffusing in the surface direction, and are manufactured by processing a metal plate. In the present embodiment, the surface of the gas flow path layers 132 and 134 is subjected to a hydrophilic treatment. The detailed configuration and manufacturing method of the gas flow path layers 132 and 134 will be described later.

  Although not shown in FIG. 1, each of the fuel cells 100 includes a fuel gas supply manifold that penetrates the fuel cells 100 in the stacking direction, a fuel gas discharge manifold, an oxidizing gas supply manifold, and an oxidizing gas discharge manifold. ,have. The fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell 100 is distributed to the anode side gas flow path layer 134 of each cell via the fuel gas supply manifold, and further supplied to the anode side of the power generation layer 120 to generate the power generation layer 120. It is used for electrochemical reaction. The fuel gas not used for the reaction is discharged to the outside through the fuel gas discharge manifold. Further, the oxidizing gas supplied to the fuel cell 100 is distributed to the cathode gas flow path layer 132 of each cell via the oxidizing gas supply manifold, and further supplied to the cathode side of the power generator layer 120 to generate the power generator. Used for the electrochemical reaction in layer 120. The oxidizing gas that has not been used for the reaction is discharged to the outside through the oxidizing gas discharge manifold. For example, hydrogen gas is used as the fuel gas, and air is used as the oxidizing gas, for example.

  The fuel cell 100 may further include a cooling medium supply manifold to which a cooling medium is supplied and a cooling medium discharge manifold from which the cooling medium is discharged. As the cooling medium, for example, water, antifreeze water such as ethylene glycol, air, or the like is used.

  2-5 is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a gas flow path layer. FIG. 2 shows a planar configuration of the cathode side gas flow path layer 132 on the power generator layer 120 side (that is, the cathode side diffusion layer 122 side). FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cathode-side gas flow path layer 132 viewed from the power generator layer 120 side. 4 shows an AA cross section of the cathode side gas flow path layer 132 in FIG. FIG. 5 shows a BB cross section of the cathode side gas flow path layer 132 in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the cathode-side gas flow path layer 132 is formed with a plurality of peaks MP that are convex toward the power generator layer 120. In the cathode-side gas flow path layer 132, a portion between the peak portion MP and the peak portion MP (portion where the peak portion MP is not formed) constitutes a valley portion VP that protrudes toward the separator 140 side. The cathode-side gas flow path layer 132 has an uneven shape when viewed from the separator 140 side and when viewed from the power generator layer 120 side. In this specification, for convenience, the names “mountain MP” and “valley VP” are used based on the uneven shape when viewed from the power generator layer 120 side.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the contact portion CP of the mountain portion MP with the power generation body layer 120 (the top portion of the mountain portion MP) is a curved surface whose cross-sectional shape along the first direction D1 is convex toward the power generation layer 120 side. Shape. As shown in FIG. 4, the contact portion CP of the mountain portion MP is also a curved surface shape in which the cross-sectional shape along the second direction D <b> 2 is convex toward the power generator layer 120 side. Note that the contact portion CP of the peak portion MP may have a spherical shape.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the plurality of peak portions MP in the cathode-side gas flow path layer 132 is arranged in a plurality of peak portions arranged in a line at substantially the same pitch P1 along the first direction D1 in the plane direction. A group composed of MPs is repeatedly arranged at substantially the same pitch P2 along a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1 in the plane direction.

  In addition, one side along the first direction D1 is referred to as “positive side” (“+ side”), and the other side along the first direction D1 is referred to as “negative side” (“− side”). Assuming that, in the cathode-side gas flow path layer 132, the group of peak portions MP arranged along the first direction D1 is the position of another group of peak portions MP adjacent along the second direction D2. In some cases, the relationship is a positional relationship shifted to the positive side in the first direction D1, and in other cases, the positional relationship is shifted to the negative side in the first direction D1. That is, the plurality of peak portions MP in the cathode-side gas flow path layer 132 has a first direction D1 as compared with other peak portions MP that are adjacent to each other along the second direction D2 in the position along the first direction D1. And a peak portion MP shifted to the negative side in the first direction D1. As a result, the direction of displacement of the position of the peak portion MP along the second direction D2 of the cathode-side gas flow path layer 132 is not only one direction but both directions. For example, in FIG. 2, the position of the peak portion MP is slightly shifted to the positive side in the first direction D1 from the lowermost part of the illustrated range to the vicinity of the center, and is opposite from the vicinity of the center of the illustrated range to the uppermost part. Furthermore, the position of the peak portion MP is gradually shifted toward the negative side in the first direction D1.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the stacking direction tip portion (contact portion CP) of each peak portion MP of the cathode-side gas flow path layer 132 abuts on the surface of the power generation layer 120, and the stacking direction tip portion of each valley portion VP is It contacts the surface of the separator 140. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, in the cathode side gas flow path layer 132, the power generator layer side reaction gas flow path CHm is secured between the cathode side gas flow path layer 132 and the power generation body layer 120 along the position of the valley VP. At the same time, a separator-side reaction gas channel CHv is secured between the separator 140 and the position along the peak MP. The power generator layer side reaction gas channel CHm corresponds to the first reaction gas channel in the present invention, and the separator side reaction gas channel CHv corresponds to the second reaction gas channel in the present invention.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the direction of displacement of the peak portions MP and valley portions VP in the cathode side gas flow path layer 132 is not only one direction but also both directions. The channel CHm and the separator-side reaction gas channel CHv are neither in a shape parallel to the second direction D2 nor in a shape unilaterally bent to the right or left with respect to the second direction D2, but in the second direction D2. On the other hand, the shape is bent left and right (in the first direction D1) (meandering left and right) (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a plurality of through holes TH are formed in the cathode-side gas flow path layer 132. The arrangement of the through holes TH in the plane of the cathode-side gas flow path layer 132 is a plurality of through holes arranged in a line at substantially the same pitch P1 along the first direction D1 in the surface direction, similarly to the arrangement of the mountain portions MP. The group composed of TH is arranged repeatedly at substantially the same pitch P2 along the second direction D2 in the surface direction. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each through-hole TH faces the adjacent peak portions MP on both sides along the second direction D2. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, each through hole TH has an approximately half portion opened in one direction along the second direction D2, and the remaining approximately half portion along the second direction D2. Open in the opposite direction. That is, each through-hole TH is opened facing the gas flow direction of the power generator layer side reaction gas channel CHm. The through hole TH thus formed communicates the power generator layer side reaction gas flow channel CHm and the separator side reaction gas flow channel CHv.

  In the fuel cell 100 according to the present embodiment, the generated water generated by power generation (electrochemical reaction) is generated from the power generation layer 120 (the cathode side diffusion layer 122) to the power generation layer 120 side of the cathode side gas flow path layer 132. It flows into the secured power generator layer side reaction gas channel CHm. Here, the cathode-side gas flow path layer 132 has a through-hole TH that is opened facing the gas flow direction of the power generator layer-side reaction gas flow path CHm. Further, the cathode side gas flow path layer 132 is subjected to hydrophilic treatment, while the cathode side diffusion layer 122 is subjected to water repellent treatment. Therefore, the generated water that has flowed into the power generator layer side reaction gas channel CHm passes through the through hole TH according to the reaction gas flow, and is drawn into the separator side reaction gas channel CHv. By such movement of the generated water, further inflow of generated water from the power generation body layer 120 to the power generation body layer side reaction gas channel CHm is promoted. The generated water that has flowed into the separator-side reaction gas channel CHv flows through the separator-side reaction gas channel CHv, which is a continuous channel, and is efficiently discharged. Thus, in the fuel cell 100 of the present embodiment, the drainage of the generated water from the power generator layer 120 (the cathode side diffusion layer 122 thereof) is promoted, so that the increase in the concentration overvoltage due to the generated water is suppressed and the output is reduced. improves. In addition, separation of water and reaction gas (oxidizing gas) in the cathode side gas flow path layer 132 is promoted, and an increase in pressure loss in the cathode side gas flow path layer 132 due to the presence of generated water is suppressed. Therefore, in the fuel cell 100 of this embodiment, the distribution variation of the reaction gas between the cells is suppressed, and the cell voltage variation between the cells is suppressed.

  Further, in the fuel cell 100 of the present embodiment, the power generator layer side reaction gas channel CHm and the separator side reaction gas channel CHv have a shape meandering left and right with respect to the second direction D2. The diffusibility of the reaction gas (oxidizing gas) flowing through the gas flow path layer 132 is improved, and the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell 100 is improved.

  Furthermore, in the fuel cell 100 of the present embodiment, the cross-sectional shape along the first direction D1 of the contact portion CP with the power generation body layer 120 of the mountain portion MP is a curved surface shape, and along the second direction D2. Since the cross-sectional shape is also a curved surface shape, the stress concentration at the contact portion with the peak MP and the edge portion on the cathode-side gas flow path layer 132 side surface of the power generator layer 120 (the cathode-side diffusion layer 122) The occurrence of damage due to the contact of the fuel cell 100 is suppressed, and the output performance and durability of the fuel cell 100 are suppressed from being lowered. In addition, the cathode-side gas flow path layer 132 bites into the power generator layer 120, so that a decrease in the performance of the fuel cell 100 due to a decrease in the volume of the reaction gas flow paths CHm and CMv in the cathode-side gas flow path layer 132 is suppressed. .

  In the fuel cell 100, the configuration of the anode-side gas flow path layer 134 is the same as that of the cathode-side gas flow path layer 132. Therefore, in the fuel cell 100 of the present embodiment, the diffusibility of the reaction gas (fuel gas) flowing through the anode-side gas flow path layer 134 is improved, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell 100 is improved, and the durability of the fuel cell 100 is increased. Deterioration is suppressed.

A-2. Manufacturing method of gas flow path layer:
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a method for manufacturing the gas flow path layer. The gas flow path layers (the cathode side gas flow path layer 132 and the anode side gas flow path layer 134) are manufactured by processing the metal plate PL. First, as shown in FIG. 6A, a hole forming step for forming a slit hole SL in the metal plate PL is performed. The slit hole SL is a hole that becomes the through-hole TH in the projecting process subsequent to the drilling process. The slit hole SL may be a simple cut or a hole having a predetermined width (size along the second direction D2). The slit hole SL is a group composed of a plurality of slit holes SL arranged in a line at substantially the same pitch P1 along the first direction D1 in the surface direction of the metal plate PL in the second direction D2 in the surface direction. It is formed so as to be repeated at substantially the same pitch P2. The perforating step may be performed so that one group of slit holes SL (a plurality of slit holes SL arranged along the first direction D1) is sequentially formed, or a plurality of groups of slit holes SL are formed. May be performed simultaneously.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, a projecting process is performed in which the position where the peak portion MP is to be formed on the metal plate PL is projected by the punch P. The position where the peak portion MP is to be formed is a position close to each slit hole SL in a portion between the groups of slit holes SL adjacent along the second direction D2 in the metal plate PL. By the projecting process, a plurality of peak portions MP are formed at predetermined positions of the metal plate PL, and a portion around the slit hole SL of the metal plate PL is deformed to form a through hole TH. In addition, the overhanging process may be performed so that one group of mountain parts MP (a plurality of mountain parts MP arranged along the first direction D1) is sequentially formed, like the hole making process, You may carry out so that the several group of peak part MP may be formed simultaneously. In the overhanging step, as shown in FIG. 6C, a punch P having a curved tip (for example, a spherical surface) is used, so that the tip portion (contact portion CP) of the peak portion MP is along the first direction D1. The cross section is a curved surface, and the cross section along the second direction D2 is also a curved surface. Through the above steps, the cathode-side gas passage layer 132 and the anode-side gas passage layer 134 having the above-described configuration are manufactured.

  As described above, in the method of manufacturing the gas flow path layer in the present embodiment, the gas flow path layer can be manufactured by repeating two relatively simple processes, the perforating process and the overhanging process. The efficiency and simplification of the road layer manufacturing process can be achieved, and the productivity can be improved. In particular, in the method for producing a gas flow path layer in the present embodiment, a plurality of groups of slit holes SL and peak portions MP can be formed simultaneously by a combination of a single punching process and an overhanging process. It can be improved effectively.

B. Variations:
The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.

B1. Modification 1:
In the above embodiment, the fuel cell 100 has the cathode side gas flow path layer 132 and the anode side gas flow path layer 134. However, the fuel cell 100 has only the cathode side gas flow path layer 132 and has the anode side gas flow layer 132. On the contrary, the fuel cell 100 may include only the anode-side gas flow path layer 134 and may not include the cathode-side gas flow path layer 132. Further, only the cathode side gas flow path layer 132 and the anode side gas flow path layer 134 have the above-described configuration, and the other has a conventional gas flow path layer (for example, a gas flow path layer or carbon formed using expanded metal). A gas flow path layer formed using a porous body) may be used.

  Moreover, the structure of the gas flow path layers 132 and 134 in the said Example is an example to the last, and can be variously deformed. For example, the interval P1 along the first direction D1 of the peak portion MP does not need to be the same in the entire region of the cathode-side gas flow path layer 132, and there may be a portion where the interval P1 is different. Similarly, the interval P2 along the second direction D2 of the peak portion MP does not have to be the same in the entire area of the cathode-side gas flow path layer 132, and there may be a portion where the interval P2 is different. For example, in the downstream region of the reaction gas flow, the interval P1 and the interval P2 may be reduced in consideration of the reactant gas consumption.

  Further, the shape of the peak portion MP can be variously modified. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of the cathode-side gas flow path layer 132 in the first modification. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a cross-sectional configuration of the cathode-side gas flow path layer 132 in the second modification. 7 and 8 correspond to the AA cross section in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the contact portion CP of the peak portion MP may be shifted to the downstream side in the reaction gas flow direction along the second direction D2. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the contact portion CP of the peak portion MP may be shifted to the upstream side in the reaction gas flow direction along the second direction D2. Further, the shape of the peak portion MP does not need to be the same in the entire area of the cathode side gas flow path layer 132.

B2. Modification 2:
In the above embodiment, the fuel cell 100 has the anode side diffusion layer 124 and the cathode side diffusion layer 122, but the fuel cell 100 may not have the diffusion layers 122 and 124. That is, the power generation layer 120 may be configured only by the electrolyte membrane 112, the anode 116, and the cathode 114. In the above embodiment, the diffusion layers 122 and 124 are treated with water repellent treatment, but the diffusion layers 122 and 124 need not necessarily be treated with water repellent treatment. In the above embodiment, the gas flow path layers 132 and 134 are subjected to hydrophilic treatment, but the gas flow path layers 132 and 134 are not necessarily subjected to hydrophilic treatment.

B3. Modification 3:
In the above embodiment, the material of each layer of the fuel cell 100 is specified. However, the material is not limited to these materials, and various appropriate materials can be used. In the above embodiment, the fuel cell 100 is a solid polymer fuel cell, but the present invention is also applicable to other types of fuel cells (for example, direct methanol fuel cells and phosphoric acid fuel cells). Is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Fuel cell 112 ... Electrolyte membrane 114 ... Cathode 116 ... Anode 120 ... Electric power generation body layer 122 ... Cathode side diffusion layer 124 ... Anode side diffusion layer 132 ... Cathode side gas passage layer 134 ... Anode side gas passage layer 140 ... Separator

Claims (3)

A fuel cell,
A power generator layer including an electrolyte membrane, an anode disposed on one side of the electrolyte membrane, and a cathode disposed on the other side of the electrolyte membrane;
A pair of separators arranged with the power generation layer interposed therebetween;
A gas flow path layer disposed between the power generation layer and at least one of the pair of separators,
The gas flow path layer is a plurality of convex portions projecting toward the power generator layer side, and a first reactant gas flow is provided between the portion of the gas flow path layer between the convex portions and the power generator layer. A plurality of protrusions for securing a second reaction gas flow path between a portion of the gas flow path layer where the protrusion is formed and the separator, and the first reaction gas flow path A plurality of through holes that open in opposition to the gas flow direction and communicate the first reaction gas flow path and the second reaction gas flow path,
The cross-sectional shape along the first direction and the cross-sectional shape along the second direction perpendicular to the first direction of the portion of the convex portion adjacent to the power generating layer are both on the power generating layer side. A fuel cell having a convex curved shape. The fuel cell according to claim 1,
The gas flow path layer is formed with a plurality of slit-like opening groups arranged along the first direction on the metal plate along the second direction, and in the second direction of the metal plate. A predetermined position close to each of the openings in a portion between the groups of the plurality of openings adjacent to each other is stretched to form the convex portion at the predetermined position, and each of the openings is used as the through hole. Produced by the fuel cell. The fuel cell according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
The plurality of convex portions are arranged such that the positions along the first direction are shifted in one direction along the first direction as compared with the other convex portions adjacent along the second direction. A fuel cell comprising: a portion; and the convex portion shifted in the opposite direction along the first direction.