JP2018120684A - Separator member for fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to improve the versatility of a separator member for a fuel cell that constitutes a cooling medium flow path for circulating a cooling medium between cooling surfaces. One cathode separator member of a pair of separators constituting a cooling medium flow path between cooling surfaces in contact with each other includes a cooling medium flow path, a cooling medium flow path, and an outer periphery of the cooling medium flow path. Groove-shaped adhesive recess 9 formed so as to be filled with adhesive on the side, and groove-shaped cooling medium gasket recess 10 formed adjacent to the outer peripheral side of adhesive recess 9 so as to be able to accommodate a gasket. The concave portion for adhesive 9 is shallower than the concave portion for cooling medium gasket 10 and has a depth suitable for an adhesive for sealing the cooling medium by adhesion. The depth is suitable for accommodating the gasket. [Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell separator member that constitutes a cooling medium flow path in which cooling surfaces of a pair of separators are brought into contact with each other and a cooling medium flows between the cooling surfaces.

  A polymer electrolyte fuel cell (hereinafter referred to as PEFC) has a catalytic reaction layer mainly composed of a carbon powder carrying a platinum-based metal catalyst on both sides of an electrolyte membrane, and further gas permeability on the outside thereof. And a pair of gas diffusion layers having both conductivity and an electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly (MEA: Membrane Electrode Assembly) comprising an anode and a cathode. A structure in which an insulating frame is provided on the outer periphery of the electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly is referred to as an electrode-membrane-frame assembly.

  By supplying a fuel gas containing hydrogen to the anode of the fuel cell having the above structure and supplying an oxidant gas containing oxygen to the cathode, electric energy can be continuously taken out.

  In addition, a separator is disposed between each electrode-membrane-frame assembly so that the fuel gas and the oxidant gas are not mixed. A structure in which an electrode-membrane-frame assembly is sandwiched between a pair of separators is called a cell.

  In the separator, a channel groove for supplying a fluid such as a fuel gas, an oxidant gas or a cooling medium to the electrode-membrane-frame assembly and a manifold for supplying or discharging the fluid are formed.

  By stacking a plurality of cells to form a fuel cell stack, it is possible to secure necessary power.

  The fuel cell stack supplies and discharges fuel gas, oxidant gas, and cooling medium during operation, but checks are performed during assembly so that the supplied fuel gas, oxidant gas, and cooling medium do not leak to the outside or mix with each other. Do.

  Normally, fuel cell stacks are inspected by providing threshold values for the amount of gas leakage and the amount of cooling medium leakage for each cell so that degradation in power generation performance and durability is not a problem.

  Further, in order to increase the efficiency and output of the fuel cell stack, it is common to increase the number of stacked cells, and thus the number of parts constituting the cell also increases.

  After stacking all the cells, when checking the leakage amount of the stack, the threshold value is obtained by accumulating the threshold value for each cell by the number of stacks, and it is determined whether there is a cell exceeding the threshold value. Can not. Inspecting each cell is reliable but takes time, so inspection and assembly are usually performed in a stack unit in which the amount of leakage can be determined. A stack unit in which the leakage amount of the cell can be identified is called a cell stack.

When the cell stack is an electrode-membrane-frame assembly between the cell stack having undergone leakage inspection and the next cell stack, that is, both end surfaces of the cell stack are electrode-membrane-frame assemblies. In the case of the surface that comes into contact with the electrode, the electrode-membrane-frame assembly is placed on the cell stack that has been inspected for leakage, and then the next cell stack that has been inspected for leak is placed. -Since it will be assembled into a fuel cell stack without leakage inspection between the membrane-frame assembly and the separators on the end faces of both inspected cell stacks, Between the cell stacks, a cooling surface in which a flow path for flowing a cooling medium is formed.

  As a configuration of the conventional separator, the position of the first seal member in the outer peripheral portion that seals the gas flow path surface of the separator is the cooling medium flow path in which the cooling medium flows on the cooling surface configured by matching the cooling surfaces on the back side. As a second seal member that is aligned with the groove and offset to the outside to seal the cooling medium, an adhesive is applied to the concave portion for the adhesive, and the cooling surfaces are bonded together to integrate the separator. By reducing the number of points and by adhering an elastic seal member as a second seal member to the recess for the elastic seal member, a structure in which two separators can be separated on the cooling surface is obtained, and as separators at both ends of the cell stack. It can be used (for example, refer patent document 1).

  FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a conventional anode separator member. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a conventional bonding cathode separator member. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a conventional cathode separator member for a cooling medium gasket. FIG. 23 is a sectional view showing the structure of a conventional anode separator with a gasket. FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a conventional gasket-attached cooling surface adhesive separator. FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a conventional cathode separator with a gasket. FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a conventional cell stack.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the conventional anode separator member 100 has a fuel gas passage 103 formed on one main surface, and a fuel gas gasket recess 107 for sealing the fuel gas outside the fuel gas passage 103, The other main surface (the back surface of the fuel gas passage 103) is a cooling surface 105.

  As shown in FIG. 21, in the conventional cathode separator member 101 for bonding, the back surface of the oxidant gas flow path 104 becomes the cooling surface 105, the cooling medium flow path 106 is formed on the cooling surface 105, and the oxidant gas flow path is formed. On the surface where 104 is formed, an oxidant gas gasket recess 108 for sealing the oxidant gas is formed outside the oxidant gas flow path 104. The recess 108 for the oxidant gas gasket is aligned with the cooling medium flow path 106.

  The adhesive recess 109 is disposed offset to the outside of the cooling medium flow path 106 in order to seal the cooling medium by bonding the anode separator member 100 and the bonding cathode separator member 101 with an adhesive. . The depth D1 of the adhesive recess 109 is set in consideration of the occurrence of defects such as voids.

  As shown in FIG. 22, in the conventional cathode separator member 102 for a cooling medium gasket, the back surface of the oxidant gas flow path 104 serves as a cooling surface 105, and the cooling medium 105 includes a cooling medium as in the case of the bonding cathode separator member 101. On the surface where the channel 106 is formed and the oxidant gas channel 104 is formed, an oxidant gas gasket recess 108 for sealing the oxidant gas is formed outside the oxidant gas channel 104. The recess 108 for the oxidant gas gasket is aligned with the cooling medium flow path 106.

  The cooling medium gasket cathode separator member 102 is not bonded to the anode separator member 100 and seals the cooling medium flowing through the cooling medium flow path 106 using the cooling medium gasket. It is arranged offset to the outside of the path 106. The depth D2 of the cooling medium gasket recess 110 is set in consideration of ensuring an appropriate compression rate, and is different from the bonding cathode separator member 101.

  As shown in FIG. 23, in the conventional anode separator 116 with a gasket, a fuel gas gasket 112 is installed (adhered) on the bottom surface of the recess 107 for the fuel gas gasket formed outside the fuel gas flow path 103 of the anode separator member 100. ).

  As shown in FIG. 24, the conventional cooling surface adhesive separator 111 with a gasket is configured such that the cooling surface 105 of the anode separator member 100 and the cooling surface 105 of the bonding cathode separator member 101 are brought into contact with each other, thereby causing a concave portion 109 for adhesive. The cooling surfaces 105 are adhered to each other with the adhesive 115 applied to the surface, and the cooling medium flow path 106 is formed between the cooling surfaces 105.

  A fuel gas gasket 112 is bonded to the bottom surface of the fuel gas gasket recess 107 of the anode separator member 100, and an oxidant gas gasket 113 is bonded to the bottom surface of the oxidant gas gasket recess 108 of the bonding cathode separator member 101. .

  With this configuration, the leakage of the cooling medium of the gasket-attached cooling surface adhesive separator 111 can be confirmed before assembly, and the number of components at the time of stacking is reduced by integrating the separator.

  As shown in FIG. 25, a conventional cathode separator 117 with a gasket is provided with an oxidant on the bottom surface of the oxidant gas gasket recess 108 formed outside the oxidant gas flow path 104 of the cathode separator member 102 for the cooling medium gasket. The gas gasket 113 is installed (adhered), and the cooling medium gasket 114 is installed (adhered) in the cooling medium gasket recess 110 formed outside the cooling medium flow path 106 of the cooling surface 105 of the cathode separator member 102 for cooling medium gasket. )doing.

  As shown in FIG. 26, the conventional cell stack 220 is formed by stacking cells in which it is possible to determine whether the leakage amount of fuel gas, oxidant gas, and cooling medium is within a threshold value. Here, five cells are stacked. The cell laminate 220 includes an anode separator 116 with a gasket, an electrode-membrane-frame assembly 118, a cooling surface adhesive separator 111 with a gasket, an electrode-membrane-frame assembly 118, a cooling surface adhesive separator 111 with a gasket, and an electrode- The membrane-frame assembly 118, the gasketed cooling surface adhesive separator 111, the electrode-membrane-frame assembly 118, the gasketed cooling surface adhesive separator 111, the electrode-membrane-frame assembly 118, and the gasketed cathode separator 117 are stacked in this order. Has been.

  With this configuration, the lower surface of the cell laminate 220 serves as the cooling surface 105 of the anode separator 116 with gasket, and the upper surface of the cell laminate 220 serves as the cooling surface 105 of the cathode separator 117 with gasket.

  Then, the cooling surface 105 of the anode separator 116 with gasket of the other cell stack 220 is in contact with the cooling surface 105 of the cathode separator 117 with gasket of the cell stack 220, and the cell stack overlapped by the cooling medium gasket 114. The cooling medium between 220 is sealed.

JP 2007-214049 A

However, in the conventional configuration, as shown in FIG. 26, in order to use the upper and lower end surfaces of the cell laminate 220 as the cooling surface 105, the anode separator with gasket 116, the electrode-membrane-frame assembly 118, and the cooling surface adhesion with gasket are used. Parts of the separator 111 and the cathode separator 117 with gasket are required.

  Among these, regarding the separator member that is the basis of the separator with gasket, the anode separator with gasket 116 is the anode separator member 100, the cooling surface adhesive separator 111 with gasket is the anode separator member 100, the cathode separator member 101 for bonding, and with the gasket. The cathode separator 117 is manufactured from the cathode separator member 102 for an elastic seal member.

  Here, if the cathode separator member 102 for elastic seal member is used instead of the cathode separator member 101 for bonding of the cooling surface adhesive separator 111 with gasket, there is a problem that the thickness of the adhesive is increased and voids are easily generated. Arise.

  In addition, if the cathode separator member 101 for adhesion is used instead of the cathode separator member 102 for the elastic seal member of the cathode separator 117 with gasket, there is a problem in that the compression ratio necessary for the elastic seal member cannot be secured, However, there is a problem that three types of fuel cell separator members are required.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and the number of parts constituting the cell stack is the same as the conventional one, and is configured between the cooling surfaces of the pair of separators in the original pair of separator members. The cooling medium flow path is sealed with an adhesive that bonds the cooling surfaces of the pair of separators on the outer peripheral side of the cooling medium flow path, or the cooling surfaces of the pair of separators can be separated without bonding, An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell separator member having excellent versatility that can be selected as to whether or not to seal with a gasket accommodated on the outer peripheral side of a cooling medium flow path.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the fuel cell separator member of the present invention configures a cooling medium flow path that causes the cooling surfaces of a pair of separators to contact each other and allows the cooling medium to flow between the cooling surfaces. A separator member for a fuel cell, which is formed so as to be able to accommodate a gasket on the outer peripheral side of the cooling medium flow path, and a groove-shaped first recess formed so as to be filled with an adhesive on the outer peripheral side of the cooling medium flow path. A groove-shaped second recess, and the first recess is shallower than the second recess.

  Thus, after the first recess is filled with the adhesive, the cooling surfaces of the pair of separators are brought into contact with each other, and the cooling surfaces of the pair of separators are separated from each other by the adhesive filled in the first recess. The cooling medium flow path formed between the cooling surfaces of the pair of separators can be sealed by bonding on the outer peripheral side. In this case, it is not necessary to accommodate the gasket in the second recess.

  Moreover, after the gasket whose height dimension is higher than the depth of the second recess is accommodated in the second recess, the cooling surfaces of the pair of separators are brought into contact with each other and compressed to the same height as the depth of the second recess. With the gasket, the cooling medium flow path configured between the cooling surfaces of the pair of separators can be sealed. In this case, the pair of separators can be separated by not bonding the cooling surfaces of the pair of separators with an adhesive.

  Further, since the first recess is shallower than the second recess, the first recess has a depth suitable for filling with adhesive (adhesion between the cooling surfaces of the pair of separators on the outer peripheral side of the cooling medium flow path by the adhesive). The second recess can be made to have a depth suitable for the accommodation of the gasket and the compression ratio of the gasket at the time of sealing, and if there is a clear difference in depth between the first recess and the second recess, the first recess It is difficult to make mistakes in which the gasket is accommodated and the second recess is filled with the adhesive.

  As a result, the number of parts that make up the cell stack is the same as in the past, but since the types of separator members can be reduced, the capital investment for manufacturing the separator members can be reduced, and the separator members can be easily managed. The risk of defects due to misuse of similar separator members that differ only in the depth of the first recess and the second recess for the gasket is also reduced.

  In the separator member for a fuel cell according to the present invention, after the first recess is filled with the adhesive, the cooling surfaces of the pair of separators are brought into contact with each other, and the cooling surface of the pair of separators is filled with the adhesive filled in the first recess. They can be bonded to each other on the outer peripheral side of the cooling medium flow path to seal the cooling medium flow path formed between the cooling surfaces of the pair of separators. In this case, it is not necessary to accommodate the gasket in the second recess.

  Moreover, after the gasket whose height dimension is higher than the depth of the second recess is accommodated in the second recess, the cooling surfaces of the pair of separators are brought into contact with each other and compressed to the same height as the depth of the second recess. With the gasket, the cooling medium flow path configured between the cooling surfaces of the pair of separators can be sealed. In this case, the pair of separators can be separated by not bonding the cooling surfaces of the pair of separators with an adhesive.

  Further, since the first recess is shallower than the second recess, the first recess has a depth suitable for filling with adhesive (adhesion between the cooling surfaces of the pair of separators on the outer peripheral side of the cooling medium flow path by the adhesive). The second recess can be made to have a depth suitable for the accommodation of the gasket and the compression ratio of the gasket at the time of sealing, and if there is a clear difference in depth between the first recess and the second recess, the first recess It is difficult to make mistakes in which the gasket is accommodated and the second recess is filled with the adhesive.

  As a result, the number of parts that make up the cell stack is the same as in the past, but since the types of separator members can be reduced, the capital investment for manufacturing the separator members can be reduced, and the separator members can be easily managed. The risk of defects due to misuse of similar separator members that differ only in the depth of the first recess and the second recess for the gasket is also reduced.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing the configuration of the fuel cell stack in the first to third embodiments of the present invention Sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the fuel cell stack in Embodiment 1-3 of this invention by the AA line of FIG. Sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the cathode separator member in Embodiment 1 of this invention by the AA line of FIG. Sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the anode separator member in Embodiment 1, 3 of this invention by the AA line of FIG. Sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the cathode separator with a gasket in Embodiment 1 of this invention by the AA line of FIG. Sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the cooling surface adhesion | attachment separator with a gasket in Embodiment 1 of this invention by the AA line of FIG. Sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the anode separator with a gasket in Embodiment 1, 3 of this invention by the AA line of FIG. Sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the electrode-membrane-frame assembly in Embodiment 1-3 of this invention by the AA line of FIG. Sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the cell laminated body in Embodiment 1 of this invention by the AA line of FIG. Sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the cathode separator member in Embodiment 2 of this invention by the AA line of FIG. Sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the anode separator member in Embodiment 2 of this invention by the AA line of FIG. Sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the cathode separator with a gasket in Embodiment 2 of this invention by the AA line of FIG. Sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the cooling surface adhesion | attachment separator with a gasket in Embodiment 2 of this invention by the AA line of FIG. Sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the anode separator with a gasket in Embodiment 2 of this invention by the AA line of FIG. Sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the cell laminated body in Embodiment 2 of this invention by the AA line of FIG. Sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the cathode separator member in Embodiment 3 of this invention by the AA line of FIG. Sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the cathode separator with a gasket in Embodiment 3 of this invention by the AA line of FIG. Sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the cooling surface adhesion | attachment separator with a gasket in Embodiment 3 of this invention by the AA line of FIG. Sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the cell laminated body in Embodiment 3 of this invention by the AA line of FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the conventional anode separator member Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the conventional cathode separator member for adhesion Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the cathode separator member for the conventional cooling medium gasket Sectional view showing the structure of a conventional anode separator with gasket Sectional view showing the structure of a conventional cooling surface adhesive separator with gasket Sectional view showing the structure of a conventional cathode separator with gasket Sectional view showing the structure of a conventional cell stack

  1st invention is a separator member for fuel cells which constitutes a cooling medium channel which makes cooling surfaces of a pair of separators contact, and distributes a cooling medium between cooling surfaces, A groove-shaped first recess formed on the outer peripheral side so as to be able to be filled with an adhesive; and a groove-shaped second recess formed on the outer peripheral side of the cooling medium flow path so as to be able to accommodate a gasket. Is shallower than the second recess.

  Thus, after the first recess is filled with the adhesive, the cooling surfaces of the pair of separators are brought into contact with each other, and the cooling surfaces of the pair of separators are separated from each other by the adhesive filled in the first recess. The cooling medium flow path formed between the cooling surfaces of the pair of separators can be sealed by bonding on the outer peripheral side. In this case, it is not necessary to accommodate the gasket in the second recess.

  Moreover, after the gasket whose height dimension is higher than the depth of the second recess is accommodated in the second recess, the cooling surfaces of the pair of separators are brought into contact with each other and compressed to the same height as the depth of the second recess. With the gasket, the cooling medium flow path configured between the cooling surfaces of the pair of separators can be sealed. In this case, the pair of separators can be separated by not bonding the cooling surfaces of the pair of separators with an adhesive.

  Further, since the first recess is shallower than the second recess, the first recess has a depth suitable for filling with adhesive (adhesion between the cooling surfaces of the pair of separators on the outer peripheral side of the cooling medium flow path by the adhesive). The second recess can be made to have a depth suitable for the accommodation of the gasket and the compression ratio of the gasket at the time of sealing, and if there is a clear difference in depth between the first recess and the second recess, the first recess It is difficult to make mistakes in which the gasket is accommodated and the second recess is filled with the adhesive.

  As a result, the number of parts that make up the cell stack is the same as in the past, but since the types of separator members can be reduced, the capital investment for manufacturing the separator members can be reduced, and the separator members can be easily managed. The risk of defects due to misuse of similar separator members that differ only in the depth of the first recess and the second recess for the gasket is also reduced.

  In addition, the adhesive that seals the cooling medium with a pair of separators can be applied and bonded to the first recess having an appropriate width in consideration of adhesiveness at an appropriate depth at which voids are unlikely to occur. Cooling surface adhesive separator with gasket excellent in performance can be manufactured, and the gasket that seals the cooling medium with the same pair of separators is at an appropriate depth considering the height dimension and compressibility of the gasket, It becomes possible to accommodate the second recess having an appropriate width in consideration of the accommodation of the gasket, and the anode separator with gasket and the cathode separator with gasket can be used separately.

  The second invention is particularly characterized in that the first recess of the first invention is arranged at a position closer to the cooling medium flow path than the second recess.

  Thereby, when bonding a pair of separator and using as a cooling surface adhesive separator, the area of an adhesive surface becomes small and the quantity of an adhesive agent can be reduced. Further, since there is no space between the adhesive surface and the cooling medium flow path, the cooling medium does not short-cut the space, and the cooling medium can flow stably through the cooling medium flow path.

  In particular, the third invention has a first recess and a second recess on the cooling surface of one of the pair of separators of the first or second invention, and the first recess and the second recess. Are adjacent to each other.

  As a result, there is no contact surface with the other separator between the first recess and the second recess, the amount of adhesive applied to the first recess varies, and the adjacent second recess even when there is too much Since the adhesive overflows, the adhesive overflows on the cooling medium flow path side, so that it is possible to prevent performance degradation due to an increase in contact resistance between the separators. Further, since the cooling water channel is not blocked by the overflowing adhesive, the cooling medium can be stably flowed into the cooling medium channel.

  In particular, the fourth invention has a first recess in the cooling surface of one separator of the pair of separators of the first or second invention, and the first cooling surface of the other separator of the pair of separators. It has two concave portions.

  Thereby, since application | coating of an adhesive agent can be performed in a state without a cooling-medium flow path and a 2nd recessed part in a cooling surface, the contamination by an adhesive agent can be reduced. In addition, since the first concave portion and the second concave portion can be combined to eliminate the abutting portion to form a single space, the amount of adhesive applied to the first concave portion varies and the amount is too large. Further, since the adhesive overflows in the connected second recesses, it is possible to prevent an increase in contact resistance due to the overflow of the adhesive on the cooling medium flow path side and hindering contact between the separator members. Further, since the cooling medium flow path is not blocked by the overflowing adhesive, the cooling medium can be stably flowed into the cooling medium flow path.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the configuration of the fuel cell stack according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel cell stack according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cathode separator member according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, taken along line AA in FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the anode separator member according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, taken along line AA in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the gasket-equipped cathode separator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the gasket-attached cooling surface adhesive separator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the gasketed anode separator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, cut along line AA in FIG.

  8 is a cross-sectional view of the electrode-membrane-frame assembly according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the cell stack according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, taken along line AA in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the fuel cell stack 90 of the present embodiment, a stack portion 91 in which cells are stacked is sandwiched between current collector plates 40 and 41, and end plates 70 and 77 are arranged on the outside thereof, and bolts At 80, the end plates are fastened and pressure is applied.

  From the upper surface of the end plate 70, a fuel gas inlet 71, a fuel gas outlet 72 for introducing and discharging hydrogen as a fuel gas, and an oxidant gas inlet for introducing and discharging air as an oxidant gas. 73, an oxidant gas outlet 74, a cooling medium inlet 75 for introducing and discharging ion-exchanged water as a cooling medium, and a cooling medium outlet 76.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the stack portion 91 of the present embodiment is formed by stacking a plurality of cell stacks 20, current collector plates 40, 41 at both ends, insulating plates 42, 43 at the outside, End plates 70 and 77 are arranged on the outside thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cathode separator member 2 according to the present embodiment has an oxidation in which air as an oxidant gas flows on one main surface facing the gas diffusion layer on the cathode side of the electrode-membrane-frame assembly. Cooling in which the oxidant gas channel 4 and the oxidant gas gasket recess 8 are formed in the outer periphery of the oxidant gas channel 4 and ion exchange water as a cooling medium flows on the other main surface (cooling surface 5). There are a medium flow path 6, an adhesive recess 9 serving as a first recess on the outer periphery of the cooling medium flow path 6, and a cooling medium gasket recess 10 serving as a second recess adjacent to the outside of the adhesive recess 9. Is formed.

  The oxidant gas gasket recess 8 houses an oxidant gas gasket that seals the air in the oxidant gas flow path 4, and the adhesive recess 9 bonds the anode separator member and the cathode separator member 2. The cooling medium gasket for sealing the ion exchange water in the cooling medium flow path 6 is accommodated in the cooling medium gasket recess 10.

  The recess 10 for the cooling medium gasket is set to a depth and width suitable for accommodating and arranging the cooling medium gasket, and the recess 9 for the adhesive is set to a depth and width suitable for adhesion by an adhesive and sealing of ion exchange water. The recess 8 for the oxidant gas gasket is set to a depth and width suitable for accommodating and arranging the oxidant gas gasket.

  The adhesive recess 9 is shallower than the cooling medium gasket recess 10, and the adhesive recess 9 does not contact the cooling surface of the other separator between the cooling medium gasket recesses 10.

As shown in FIG. 4, the anode separator member 1 of the present embodiment is a fuel gas in which hydrogen as a fuel gas flows on one main surface facing the gas diffusion layer on the anode side of the electrode-membrane-frame assembly. A flow path 3 and a fuel gas gasket recess 7 are formed on the outer periphery of the fuel gas flow path 3, and the other flat main surface (cooling surface 5) is in contact with the cooling surface 5 of the cathode separator member 2. The recess 7 for the fuel gas gasket is set to a depth and width suitable for accommodating and arranging the fuel gas gasket for sealing hydrogen.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the cathode separator 17 with a gasket according to the present embodiment has an oxidation formed on the outer peripheral side of the oxidant gas channel 4 on the surface of the cathode separator member 2 where the oxidant gas channel 4 is formed. An oxidant gas gasket 13 is installed in the concave part 8 for the agent gas gasket, and a cooling medium gasket 14 is installed in the concave part 10 for the cooling medium gasket formed on the outer peripheral side of the cooling medium flow path 6 of the cooling surface 5 on the back surface thereof. Is.

  In addition, since no adhesive is used for the cathode separator 17 with gasket of the present embodiment, nothing is installed in the concave portion 9 for adhesive.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the cooling surface adhesive separator 11 with a gasket according to the present embodiment is brought into contact with the cooling surface 5 of the anode separator member 1 and the cooling surface 5 of the cathode separator member 2, thereby forming the adhesive recess 9. The cooling medium flow path 6 formed between the cooling surface 5 of the anode separator member 1 and the cooling surface 5 of the cathode separator member 2, in which the cooling surfaces 5 are bonded together by the applied adhesive 15, is an adhesive. 15 is sealed.

  The recess 10 for the cooling medium gasket is a space because no cooling medium gasket is used. A fuel gas gasket 12 is installed in the recess 7 for the fuel gas gasket that seals hydrogen of the anode separator member 1, and an oxidant gas gasket 13 is installed in the recess 8 for the oxidant gas gasket that seals air of the cathode separator member 2. is set up.

  Thereby, the leakage of the cooling medium of the gasket-attached cooling surface adhesive separator 11 can be confirmed before assembly, and the number of parts can be reduced by integrating the separator.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the anode separator 16 with gasket of the present embodiment, the fuel gas gasket 12 is installed in the recess 7 for the fuel gas gasket formed on the outer peripheral side of the fuel gas flow path 3 of the anode separator member 1. Is.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the electrode-membrane-frame assembly 18 of the present exemplary embodiment includes an electrolyte membrane 31, an anode 32 disposed on one main surface of the electrolyte membrane 31, and the other main portion of the electrolyte membrane 31. An electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly 35 having a cathode 33 disposed on the surface; a gas diffusion layer 34 disposed on the anode 32 and the cathode 33 of the electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly 35; and an electrolyte membrane-electrode junction The frame body 30 is configured to support the electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly 35 so as to cover the electrolyte membrane 31 exposed at the outer peripheral portion of the body 35.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the cell stack 20 of the present embodiment is a stack of cells that can determine whether the amount of leakage of hydrogen, air, and ion exchange water is within a threshold. Here, five cells are stacked.

  The cell laminate 20 includes, from below, an anode separator 16 with a gasket, an electrode-membrane-frame assembly 18, a cooling surface adhesive separator 11 with a gasket, an electrode-membrane-frame assembly 18, a cooling surface adhesive separator 11 with a gasket, and an electrode. -Membrane-frame assembly 18, gasketed cooling surface adhesive separator 11, electrode-membrane-frame assembly 18, gasketed cooling surface adhesive separator 11, electrode-membrane-frame assembly 18, gasketed cathode separator 17 in this order. Are stacked.

Hydrogen flowing between the electrode-membrane-frame assembly 18 and the fuel gas flow path 3 is removed from the fuel gas gasket 1.
2 to seal. Air flowing between the electrode-membrane-frame assembly 18 and the oxidant gas flow path 4 is sealed by the oxidant gas gasket 13.

  With this configuration, the lower surface of the cell laminate 20 is the cooling surface 5 of the anode separator 16 with gasket, and the upper surface of the cell laminate 20 is the cooling surface 5 of the cathode separator 17 with gasket. The cooling surface 5 of the anode separator 16 with gaskets of the other cell stacks 20 abuts on the cooling surface 5 of the cathode separator 17 with gaskets of the cell stack 20, and the cell stacks 20 overlapped by the cooling medium gasket 14. The ion exchange water flowing through the cooling medium flow path 6 is sealed.

  The anode separator member 1 and the cathode separator member 2 have appropriate mechanical strength and conductivity. In this embodiment, a member formed by heat molding a kneaded product of graphite powder and a thermosetting resin is used.

  The fuel gas gasket 12, the oxidant gas gasket 13, and the cooling medium gasket 14 are synthetic resins having appropriate mechanical strength and flexibility. In this embodiment, fluororubber is used.

  The adhesive 15 has predetermined high temperature durability and water resistance. In this embodiment, a thermosetting epoxy resin adhesive is used.

  The frame 30 is a resin member having appropriate mechanical strength, heat resistance, and excellent chemical resistance. In the present embodiment, a member made of modified polyphenylene ether is used.

  The electrolyte membrane 31 is a polymer electrolyte membrane having hydrogen ion conductivity, and in this embodiment, a fluorine-based polymer electrolyte membrane made of perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid (Nafion (registered trademark) manufactured by DuPont, USA) is used. Use.

  The anode 32 is a layer containing a catalyst for the oxidation reaction of hydrogen. The cathode 33 is a layer containing a catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction. In the present embodiment, a porous member mainly composed of carbon powder carrying a platinum-based metal catalyst and a polymer material having proton conductivity is used.

  The gas diffusion layer 34 is a porous member having conductivity and water repellency. In the present embodiment, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), which is a water-repellent polymer resin typified by a fluororesin, is dispersed in a conductive substrate having a porous structure manufactured using carbon paper. Use constructed members.

  The operation and action of the fuel cell separator member of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described below.

  First, there are four types of components that constitute the cell stack 20, that is, a cooling surface adhesive separator 11 with a gasket, an anode separator 16 with a gasket, a cathode separator 17 with a gasket, and an electrode-membrane-frame assembly 18.

  The gasket-attached cooling surface adhesive separator 11 includes a fuel gas gasket 12 in the fuel gas gasket recess 7 of the anode separator member 1 and an oxidant gas gasket 13 in the oxidant gas gasket recess 8 of the cathode separator member 2. The installed one is obtained by applying an adhesive 15 to the adhesive recess 9 on the cooling surface 5 of the cathode separator member 2 and bonding it.

  In applying the adhesive 15, there is a cooling medium gasket recess 10 adjacent to the adhesive recess 9, but the contact surface of the anode separator member 1 between the adhesive recess 9 and the cooling medium gasket recess 10. Therefore, the amount of the adhesive 15 applied to the adhesive recess 9 varies, and the adhesive 15 overflows into the adjacent cooling medium gasket recess 10 even when the amount is too large. The increase in contact resistance due to the overflow of the adhesive 15 and hindering contact between the separator members can be prevented. Further, the cooling medium flow path 6 is not blocked by the overflowing adhesive 15.

  In addition, since the shallow adhesive concave portion 9 is closer to the cooling medium flow path 6 than the cooling medium gasket concave portion 10, the area of the adhesive surface is reduced, and the amount of adhesive can be reduced. In addition, since there is no space between the bonding surface and the cooling medium flow path, the ion exchange water does not shortcut the space, and the ion exchange water can flow stably through the cooling medium flow path 6.

  The anode separator 16 with a gasket can be formed by installing the fuel gas gasket 12 in the fuel gas gasket recess 7 of the anode separator member 1.

  The cathode separator 17 with a gasket can be formed by installing the oxidant gas gasket 13 in the oxidant gas gasket recess 8 of the cathode separator member 2 and the cooling medium gasket 14 in the cooling medium gasket recess 10.

  At this time, the depth of the recess for the gasket is set so as to have an appropriate compression rate according to the gasket. Although there is an adhesive recess 9 adjacent to the cooling medium gasket recess 10, it is clearly displaced, so there is a concern or durability that may lead to leakage even if the cooling medium gasket 14 is installed and compressed. There is no problem.

  As shown above, there are only two types of fuel cell separator members, the anode separator member 1 and the cathode separator member 2 to be used.

  As a result, the number of parts that make up the cell stack is the same as in the past, but since the types of separator members can be reduced, the capital investment for manufacturing separator members can be reduced, the separator members can be easily managed, and for adhesives. The risk of defects due to misuse of similar separator members that differ only in the depth of the recesses and the recesses for the gaskets is reduced.

  In this embodiment, the gasket has a circular cross section and can be attached and detached like an O-ring. However, the gasket need not be circular. The anode separator member 1, the cathode separator member 2, and the electrode-membrane-frame assembly 18 may be integrated. Moreover, although the cooling medium flow path groove | channel is formed in the cathode separator member 2, it can be formed in the cooling surface side of the anode separator member 1, and can also be formed in both surfaces.

  The cooling medium flow path 6 may be a serpentine shape, a straight shape, or a spiral shape. In addition, the separator member was a member formed by thermoforming a kneaded product of graphite powder and thermosetting resin. In addition to this, it was formed by thermoforming a kneaded product of carbon powder and thermoplastic resin. A metal material can be used by applying gold plating to the surface of the formed member or a plate made of titanium or stainless steel.

  In addition, fluororubber is used as the gasket material, but other than these, thermoplastic elastomers such as silicone rubber, natural rubber, EPDM, butyl rubber, butyl rubber, polystyrene, polyolefin, polyester and polyamide are used. be able to.

  Moreover, although the thermosetting epoxy resin adhesive was used for the adhesive 15, it may be thermoplastic as long as it has a predetermined high temperature durability and water resistance, It may be.

(Embodiment 2)
The configuration of the fuel cell stack in the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as that in the first embodiment, and the configuration of the fuel cell stack in the second embodiment is as shown in FIG.

  The cross section of the fuel cell stack according to the second embodiment of the present invention taken along line AA in FIG. 1 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and the fuel cell stack according to the second embodiment is taken along line AA in FIG. The cut section is shown in FIG.

  The cross section of the electrode-membrane-frame assembly in Embodiment 2 of the present invention cut along the line AA in FIG. 1 is the same as that in Embodiment 1, and the electrode-membrane-frame assembly in Embodiment 2 is the same. A cross section taken along line AA in FIG. 1 is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the cathode separator member according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, cut along line AA in FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the anode separator member according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, cut along line AA in FIG. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the gasket-equipped cathode separator according to the second embodiment of the present invention, cut along line AA in FIG.

  13 is a cross-sectional view of the gasket-attached cooling surface adhesive separator according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the gasketed anode separator according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, cut along line AA in FIG. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the cell stack according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, cut along line AA in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the fuel cell stack 90 of the present embodiment, a stack portion 91 in which cells are stacked is sandwiched between current collector plates 40 and 41, and end plates 70 and 77 are arranged on the outside thereof, and bolts At 80, the end plates are fastened and pressure is applied.

  From the upper surface of the end plate 70, a fuel gas inlet 71, a fuel gas outlet 72 for introducing and discharging hydrogen as a fuel gas, and an oxidant gas inlet for introducing and discharging air as an oxidant gas. 73, an oxidant gas outlet 74, a cooling medium inlet 75 for introducing and discharging ion-exchanged water as a cooling medium, and a cooling medium outlet 76.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the stack portion 91 of the present embodiment is formed by stacking a plurality of cell stacks 20, current collector plates 40, 41 at both ends, insulating plates 42, 43 at the outside, End plates 70 and 77 are arranged on the outside thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the electrode-membrane-frame assembly 18 of the present exemplary embodiment includes an electrolyte membrane 31, an anode 32 disposed on one main surface of the electrolyte membrane 31, and the other main portion of the electrolyte membrane 31. An electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly 35 having a cathode 33 disposed on the surface; a gas diffusion layer 34 disposed on the anode 32 and the cathode 33 of the electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly 35; and an electrolyte membrane-electrode junction The frame body 30 is configured to support the electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly 35 so as to cover the electrolyte membrane 31 exposed at the outer peripheral portion of the body 35.

As shown in FIG. 10, the cathode separator member 22 of the present embodiment has air as an oxidant gas on one main surface facing the gas diffusion layer 34 on the cathode 33 side of the electrode-membrane-frame assembly 18. The oxidant gas flow path 4 through which the oxidant gas flows and the oxidant gas gasket recess 8 are formed in the outer periphery of the oxidant gas flow path 4, and the other main surface (cooling surface 5) has ion-exchanged water as a cooling medium. The cooling medium flow path 6 through which the cooling medium flows and a cooling medium gasket recess 10 serving as a second recess are formed on the outer periphery of the cooling medium flow path 6.

  The oxidant gas gasket recess 8 houses an oxidant gas gasket that seals the air in the oxidant gas flow path 4, and the cooling medium gasket recess 10 seals the ion exchange water in the cooling medium flow path 6. A cooling medium gasket is received.

  The cooling medium gasket recess 10 is set to a depth and width suitable for accommodating and arranging the cooling medium gasket, and the oxidant gas gasket recess 8 is suitable for accommodating and arranging the oxidant gas gasket. Is set to

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the anode separator member 21 of the present embodiment has a fuel gas as fuel gas on one main surface facing the gas diffusion layer 34 on the anode 32 side of the electrode-membrane-frame assembly 18. A fuel gas passage 3 through which hydrogen flows and a fuel gas gasket recess 7 are formed on the outer periphery of the fuel gas passage 3, and the other flat main surface (cooling surface 5) is a cooling surface of the cathode separator member 22. 5 abuts.

  In the cooling surface 5 of the anode separator member 21, when the cooling surface 5 of the anode separator member 21 is brought into contact with the cooling surface 5 of the cathode separator member 22, the inner peripheral side of the cooling medium gasket recess 10 of the cathode separator member 22. An adhesive recess 9 is formed at a location adjacent to.

  When the cooling surface 5 of the anode separator member 21 is brought into contact with the cooling surface 5 of the cathode separator member 22, the adhesive recess 9 is positioned closer to the cooling medium flow path 6 than the cooling medium gasket recess 10. Is formed.

  The recess 7 for the fuel gas gasket is set to a depth and width suitable for accommodating and arranging the fuel gas gasket for sealing hydrogen. The recess 9 for the adhesive includes the cooling surface 5 of the anode separator member 21 and the cathode. An adhesive 15 that adheres the cooling surface 5 of the separator member 22 is applied.

  The adhesive recess 9 is suitable for sealing ion-exchanged water flowing through the cooling medium flow path 6 by bonding the cooling surface 5 of the anode separator member 21 and the cooling surface 5 of the cathode separator member 22 with an adhesive 15. Set to depth and width.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the cathode separator 17 with a gasket according to the present embodiment has an oxidation formed on the outer peripheral side of the oxidant gas channel 4 on the surface of the cathode separator member 22 where the oxidant gas channel 4 is formed. An oxidant gas gasket 13 is installed in the concave part 8 for the agent gas gasket, and a cooling medium gasket 14 is installed in the concave part 10 for the cooling medium gasket formed on the outer peripheral side of the cooling medium flow path 6 of the cooling surface 5 on the back surface. Is.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the gasket-attached cooling surface adhesive separator 11 of the present embodiment brings the cooling surface 5 of the anode separator member 21 and the cooling surface 5 of the cathode separator member 22 into contact with the adhesive recess 9. The cooling medium flow path 6 formed between the cooling surface 5 of the anode separator member 1 and the cooling surface 5 of the cathode separator member 2, in which the cooling surfaces 5 are bonded together by the applied adhesive 15, is an adhesive. 15 is sealed.

  When the cooling surface 5 of the anode separator member 21 and the cooling surface 5 of the cathode separator member 22 are brought into contact with each other, the cooling medium gasket recess 10 and the adhesive recess 9 constitute one space.

  The recess 10 for the cooling medium gasket is a space because no cooling medium gasket is used. A fuel gas gasket 12 is provided in the recess 7 for the fuel gas gasket that seals hydrogen of the anode separator member 21, and an oxidant gas gasket 13 is provided in the recess 8 for the oxidant gas gasket that seals air of the cathode separator member 22. is set up.

  Thereby, the leakage of the ion exchange water of the gasket-attached cooling surface adhesive separator 11 can be confirmed before assembly, and the number of parts can be reduced by integrating the separator.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the anode separator 16 with gasket of the present embodiment has the fuel gas gasket 12 installed in the recess for the fuel gas gasket that seals hydrogen outside the fuel gas flow path 3 of the anode separator member 21. Has been. In addition, no adhesive is used in the adhesive recess 9 on the cooling surface 5 on the back side, so nothing is installed.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the cell stack 20 of the present embodiment is a stack of cells that can determine whether the leakage of hydrogen, air, or ion exchange water is within a threshold. Here, five cells are stacked.

  The cell laminate 20 includes, from below, an anode separator 16 with a gasket, an electrode-membrane-frame assembly 18, a cooling surface adhesive separator 11 with a gasket, an electrode-membrane-frame assembly 18, a cooling surface adhesive separator 11 with a gasket, and an electrode. -Membrane-frame assembly 18, gasketed cooling surface adhesive separator 11, electrode-membrane-frame assembly 18, gasketed cooling surface adhesive separator 11, electrode-membrane-frame assembly 18, gasketed cathode separator 17 in this order. Are stacked.

  Hydrogen flowing between the electrode-membrane-frame assembly 18 and the fuel gas flow path 3 is sealed by the fuel gas gasket 12. Air flowing between the electrode-membrane-frame assembly 18 and the oxidant gas flow path 4 is sealed by the oxidant gas gasket 13.

  With this configuration, the lower surface of the cell laminate 20 is the cooling surface 5 of the anode separator 16 with gasket, and the upper surface of the cell laminate 20 is the cooling surface 5 of the cathode separator 17 with gasket.

  The cooling surface 5 of the anode separator 16 with gaskets of the other cell stacks 20 abuts on the cooling surface 5 of the cathode separator 17 with gaskets of the cell stack 20, and the cell stacks 20 overlapped by the cooling medium gasket 14. The ion exchange water flowing through the cooling medium flow path 6 is sealed.

  The anode separator member 21 and the cathode separator member 22 have appropriate mechanical strength and conductivity. In this embodiment, a member formed by heat molding a kneaded product of graphite powder and a thermosetting resin is used.

  The operation and action of the fuel cell separator member of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described below.

  First, there are four types of components that constitute the cell stack 20, that is, a cooling surface adhesive separator 11 with a gasket, an anode separator 16 with a gasket, a cathode separator 17 with a gasket, and an electrode-membrane-frame assembly 18.

  The gasket-attached cooling surface adhesive separator 11 includes a fuel gas gasket 12 provided in the fuel gas gasket recess 7 of the anode separator member 21 and an oxidant gas gasket 13 provided in the oxidant gas gasket recess 8 of the cathode separator member 22. The installation is applied by applying an adhesive 15 to the adhesive recess 9 in the cooling surface 5 of the anode separator member 21 and bonding it.

  Since the adhesive 15 can be applied without the cooling medium flow path or the cooling medium gasket recess on the cooling surface 5, contamination by the adhesive can be reduced. In addition, since the concave portion for the adhesive and the concave portion for the cooling medium gasket can be combined to eliminate the abutting portion and form a single space, the amount of the adhesive 15 applied to the concave portion for adhesive 9 varies, resulting in a large amount. Even if it passes, the adhesive 15 overflows in the adjacent recess 10 for the cooling medium gasket, so that the adhesive 15 overflows on the cooling medium flow path 6 side to prevent the contact resistance from increasing due to the contact between the separator members being prevented. can do.

  Further, the cooling medium flow path 6 is not blocked by the overflowing adhesive 15. In addition, since the shallow adhesive concave portion 9 is closer to the cooling medium flow path 6 than the cooling medium gasket concave portion 10, the area of the adhesive surface is reduced, and the amount of adhesive can be reduced. In addition, since there is no space between the bonding surface and the cooling medium flow path, the ion exchange water does not shortcut the space, and the ion exchange water can flow stably through the cooling medium flow path 6.

  The anode separator 16 with a gasket can be formed by installing the fuel gas gasket 12 in the fuel gas gasket recess 7 of the anode separator member 21.

  The cathode separator 17 with a gasket can be formed by installing the oxidant gas gasket 13 in the oxidant gas gasket recess 8 of the cathode separator member 22 and the cooling medium gasket 14 in the coolant medium recess 10.

  At this time, the depth of the recess for the gasket is set so as to have an appropriate compression rate according to the gasket. Although there is an adhesive recess 9 adjacent to the cooling medium gasket recess 10, it is clearly displaced, so there is a concern or durability that may lead to leakage even if the cooling medium gasket 14 is installed and compressed. There is no problem.

  As described above, there are only two types of fuel cell separator members, the anode separator member 21 and the cathode separator member 22.

  As a result, the number of parts that make up the cell stack is the same as in the past, but since the types of separator members can be reduced, the capital investment for manufacturing separator members can be reduced, the separator members can be easily managed, and for adhesives. The risk of defects due to misuse of similar separator members that differ only in the depth of the recesses and the recesses for the gaskets is reduced.

  In this embodiment, the gasket has a circular cross section and can be attached and detached like an O-ring. However, the gasket need not be circular. The anode separator member 21, the cathode separator member 22, and the electrode-membrane-frame assembly 18 may be integrated. Further, although the cooling medium flow channel is formed in the cathode separator member 22, it can be formed on the cooling surface side of the anode separator member 21 and can be formed on both surfaces.

The cooling medium flow path 6 may be a serpentine shape, a straight shape, or a spiral shape. In addition, the separator member was a member formed by thermoforming a kneaded product of graphite powder and thermosetting resin. In addition to this, it was formed by thermoforming a kneaded product of carbon powder and thermoplastic resin. A metal material can be used by applying gold plating to the surface of the formed member or a plate made of titanium or stainless steel.

  In addition, fluororubber is used as the gasket material, but other than these, thermoplastic elastomers such as silicone rubber, natural rubber, EPDM, butyl rubber, butyl rubber, polystyrene, polyolefin, polyester and polyamide are used. be able to. Moreover, although the thermosetting epoxy resin adhesive was used for the adhesive 15, it may be thermoplastic as long as it has a predetermined high temperature durability and water resistance, It may be.

(Embodiment 3)
The configuration of the fuel cell stack according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention is the same as that of Embodiment 1, and the configuration of the fuel cell stack according to Embodiment 3 is shown in FIG.

  The cross section of the fuel cell stack according to the third embodiment of the present invention taken along the line AA in FIG. 1 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and the fuel cell stack in the third embodiment is taken along the line AA in FIG. The cut section is shown in FIG.

  The cross section of the anode separator member according to the third embodiment of the present invention taken along the line AA in FIG. 1 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and the anode separator member in the third embodiment is taken along the line AA in FIG. The cut section is shown in FIG.

  The cross section of the gasketed anode separator according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention taken along line AA in FIG. 1 is the same as that in Embodiment 1, and the gasketed anode separator according to Embodiment 3 is taken along line AA in FIG. A cross section taken along the line is shown in FIG.

  The cross section of the electrode-membrane-frame assembly in Embodiment 3 of the present invention cut along the line AA in FIG. 1 is the same as that in Embodiment 1, and the electrode-membrane-frame assembly in Embodiment 3 is the same. A cross section taken along line AA in FIG. 1 is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the cathode separator member according to the third embodiment of the present invention cut along line AA in FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the gasket-equipped cathode separator according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, cut along line AA in FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the gasket-attached cooling surface adhesive separator according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the cell stack according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, cut along line AA in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the fuel cell stack 90 of the present embodiment, a stack portion 91 in which cells are stacked is sandwiched between current collector plates 40 and 41, and end plates 70 and 77 are arranged on the outside thereof, and bolts At 80, the end plates are fastened and pressure is applied.

  From the upper surface of the end plate 70, a fuel gas inlet 71, a fuel gas outlet 72 for introducing and discharging hydrogen as a fuel gas, and an oxidant gas inlet for introducing and discharging air as an oxidant gas. 73, an oxidant gas outlet 74, a cooling medium inlet 75 for introducing and discharging ion-exchanged water as a cooling medium, and a cooling medium outlet 76.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the stack portion 91 of the present embodiment is formed by stacking a plurality of cell stacks 20, current collector plates 40, 41 at both ends, insulating plates 42, 43 at the outside, and further End plates 70 and 77 are arranged outside.

As shown in FIG. 4, the anode separator member 1 of the present embodiment has hydrogen as a fuel gas on one main surface facing the gas diffusion layer 34 on the anode 32 side of the electrode-membrane-frame assembly 18. The flowing fuel gas channel 3 and the fuel gas gasket recess 7 are formed on the outer periphery of the fuel gas channel 3, and the other flat main surface (cooling surface 5) of the cathode separator member of the present embodiment. Contact the cooling surface. The recess 7 for the fuel gas gasket is set to a depth and width suitable for accommodating and arranging the fuel gas gasket for sealing hydrogen.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the anode separator 16 with gasket of the present embodiment, the fuel gas gasket 12 is installed in the recess 7 for the fuel gas gasket formed on the outer peripheral side of the fuel gas flow path 3 of the anode separator member 1. Is.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the electrode-membrane-frame assembly 18 of the present exemplary embodiment includes an electrolyte membrane 31, an anode 32 disposed on one main surface of the electrolyte membrane 31, and the other main portion of the electrolyte membrane 31. An electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly 35 having a cathode 33 disposed on the surface; a gas diffusion layer 34 disposed on the anode 32 and the cathode 33 of the electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly 35; and an electrolyte membrane-electrode junction The frame body 30 is configured to support the electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly 35 so as to cover the electrolyte membrane 31 exposed at the outer peripheral portion of the body 35.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the cathode separator member 23 of the present embodiment has air as an oxidant gas on one main surface thereof facing the gas diffusion layer on the cathode 33 side of the electrode-membrane-frame assembly 18. A flowing oxidant gas channel 4 and an oxidant gas gasket recess 8 are formed on the outer periphery of the oxidant gas channel 4, and ion exchange water as a cooling medium is formed on the other main surface (cooling surface 5). A cooling medium channel 6 that flows, an adhesive recess 9 that becomes a first recess on the outer periphery of the cooling medium channel 6, and a cooling medium gasket recess 10 that forms a second recess outside the adhesive recess 9 are formed. Has been.

  The oxidant gas gasket recess 8 houses an oxidant gas gasket that seals the air in the oxidant gas flow path 4, and the adhesive recess 9 bonds the anode separator member and the cathode separator member 2. The cooling medium gasket for sealing the ion exchange water in the cooling medium flow path 6 is accommodated in the cooling medium gasket recess 10.

  The recess 10 for the cooling medium gasket is set to a depth and width suitable for accommodating and arranging the cooling medium gasket, and the recess 9 for the adhesive is set to a depth and width suitable for adhesion by an adhesive and sealing of ion exchange water. The recess 8 for the oxidant gas gasket is set to a depth and width suitable for accommodating and arranging the oxidant gas gasket.

  The adhesive recess 9 is shallower than the cooling medium gasket recess 10, and the adhesive recess 9 is in contact with the cooling surface of the other separator between the cooling medium gasket recesses 10.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the cathode separator 17 with a gasket according to the present embodiment has an oxidation formed on the outer peripheral side of the oxidant gas channel 4 on the surface of the cathode separator member 23 where the oxidant gas channel 4 is formed. An oxidant gas gasket 13 is installed in the concave part 8 for the agent gas gasket, and a cooling medium gasket 14 is installed in the concave part 10 for the cooling medium gasket formed on the outer peripheral side of the cooling medium flow path 6 of the cooling surface 5 on the back surface. Is.

  In addition, since no adhesive is used for the cathode separator 17 with gasket of the present embodiment, nothing is installed in the concave portion 9 for adhesive.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the cooling surface adhesive separator 11 with a gasket according to the present embodiment brings the cooling surface 5 of the anode separator member 1 and the cooling surface 5 of the cathode separator member 23 into contact with each other to form the adhesive recess 9. The cooling medium flow path 6 formed between the cooling surface 5 of the anode separator member 1 and the cooling surface 5 of the cathode separator member 23, which is bonded to the cooling surfaces 5 with the applied adhesive 15, is an adhesive. 15 is sealed.

  The recess 10 for the cooling medium gasket is a space because no cooling medium gasket is used. A fuel gas gasket 12 is disposed in the fuel gas gasket recess 7 for sealing hydrogen of the anode separator member 1, and an oxidant gas gasket 13 is disposed in the oxidant gas gasket recess 8 for sealing the air of the cathode separator member 23. is set up.

  Thereby, the leakage of the ion exchange water of the gasket-attached cooling surface adhesive separator 11 can be confirmed before assembly, and the number of parts can be reduced by integrating the separator.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the cell stack 20 of the present embodiment is a stack of cells that can determine whether the leakage amount of hydrogen, air, or ion exchange water is within a threshold value. Here, five cells are stacked.

  The cell laminate 20 includes, from below, an anode separator 16 with a gasket, an electrode-membrane-frame assembly 18, a cooling surface adhesive separator 11 with a gasket, an electrode-membrane-frame assembly 18, a cooling surface adhesive separator 11 with a gasket, and an electrode. -Membrane-frame assembly 18, gasketed cooling surface adhesive separator 11, electrode-membrane-frame assembly 18, gasketed cooling surface adhesive separator 11, electrode-membrane-frame assembly 18, gasketed cathode separator 17 in this order. Are stacked.

  Hydrogen flowing between the electrode-membrane-frame assembly 18 and the fuel gas flow path 3 is sealed by the fuel gas gasket 12. Air flowing between the electrode-membrane-frame assembly 18 and the oxidant gas flow path 4 is sealed by the oxidant gas gasket 13.

  With this configuration, the lower surface of the cell laminate 20 is the cooling surface 5 of the anode separator 16 with gasket, and the upper surface of the cell laminate 20 is the cooling surface 5 of the cathode separator 17 with gasket.

  The cooling surface 5 of the anode separator 16 with gaskets of the other cell stacks 20 abuts on the cooling surface 5 of the cathode separator 17 with gaskets of the cell stack 20, and the cell stacks 20 overlapped by the cooling medium gasket 14. The ion exchange water flowing through the cooling medium flow path 6 is sealed.

  The cathode separator member 23 has appropriate mechanical strength and conductivity. In this embodiment, a member formed by heat molding a kneaded product of graphite powder and a thermosetting resin is used.

  The operation and action of the fuel cell separator member of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described below.

  First, there are four types of components that constitute the cell stack 20, that is, a cooling surface adhesive separator 11 with a gasket, an anode separator 16 with a gasket, a cathode separator 17 with a gasket, and an electrode-membrane-frame assembly 18.

  The gasket-attached cooling surface adhesive separator 11 includes a fuel gas gasket 12 in the fuel gas gasket recess 7 of the anode separator member 1 and an oxidant gas gasket 13 in the oxidant gas gasket recess 8 of the cathode separator member 23. The installation is made by applying an adhesive 15 to the adhesive recess 9 on the cooling surface 5 of the cathode separator member 23 and bonding it.

  In applying the adhesive 15, there is a cooling medium gasket recess 10 next to the adhesive recess 9, but the anode separator member 1 abuts between the adhesive recess 9 and the cooling medium gasket recess 10. Since there is a surface, the adhesive 15 applied to the adhesive recess 9 does not flow out to the cooling medium gasket recess 10, so there is no portion where the applied adhesive is low, and the cooling surface 5 of the anode separator member 1. And the adhesive 15 come into contact with each other and harden, so there is no leakage.

  Although not shown in the figure, as a countermeasure against the overflow of the adhesive due to variations in adhesive application, a recess is provided in the adhesive recess 9 or the overflow of the adhesive contact portion of the cooling surface 5 of the anode separator member 1. ing. Alternatively, it is applied accurately so that the adhesive does not overflow from the concave portion 9 for adhesive.

  In addition, since the shallow adhesive concave portion 9 is closer to the cooling medium flow path 6 than the cooling medium gasket concave portion 10, the area of the adhesive surface is reduced, and the amount of adhesive can be reduced. In addition, since there is no space between the bonding surface and the cooling medium flow path, the ion exchange water does not shortcut the space, and the ion exchange water can flow stably through the cooling medium flow path 6.

  The anode separator 16 with a gasket can be obtained by installing the fuel gas gasket 12 in the fuel gas gasket recess 7 of the anode separator member 1.

  The cathode separator 17 with a gasket can be obtained by installing the oxidant gas gasket 13 in the oxidant gas gasket recess 8 of the cathode separator member 23 and the coolant coolant gasket 14 in the coolant medium recess 10.

  At this time, the depth of the recess for the gasket is set so as to have an appropriate compression rate according to the gasket. There is an adhesive recess 9 next to the cooling medium gasket recess 10, but it is clearly displaced, so there is a concern or durability that may lead to leakage even if the cooling medium gasket 14 is installed and compressed. There is no problem with sex.

  As described above, there are only two types of fuel cell separator members, the anode separator member 1 and the cathode separator member 23 used.

  As a result, the number of parts that make up the cell stack is the same as in the past, but since the types of separator members can be reduced, the capital investment for manufacturing separator members can be reduced, the separator members can be easily managed, and for adhesives. The risk of defects due to misuse of similar separator members that differ only in the depth of the recesses and the recesses for the gaskets is reduced.

  In this embodiment, the gasket has a circular cross section and can be attached and detached like an O-ring. However, the gasket need not be circular. The anode separator member 1, the cathode separator member 23, and the electrode-membrane-frame assembly 18 may be integrated.

  Moreover, although the cooling medium flow path groove is formed in the cathode separator member 23, it can be formed on the cooling surface side of the anode separator member 1 and can also be formed on both surfaces.

  The cooling medium flow path 6 may be a serpentine shape, a straight shape, or a spiral shape.

  In addition, the separator member was a member formed by thermoforming a kneaded product of graphite powder and thermosetting resin. In addition to this, it was formed by thermoforming a kneaded product of carbon powder and thermoplastic resin. A metal material can be used by applying gold plating to the surface of the formed member or a plate made of titanium or stainless steel.

  In addition, fluororubber is used as the gasket material, but other than these, thermoplastic elastomers such as silicone rubber, natural rubber, EPDM, butyl rubber, butyl rubber, polystyrene, polyolefin, polyester and polyamide are used. be able to.

  Moreover, although the thermosetting epoxy resin adhesive was used for the adhesive 15, it may be thermoplastic as long as it has a predetermined high temperature durability and water resistance, It may be.

  As described above, the separator member for a fuel cell according to the present invention uses a cooling surface adhesive separator that seals the cooling surface with an adhesive from a pair of separators, thereby reducing the number of parts and sealing the cooling surface with a gasket. It can also be used as a type, and an inspectable cell stack can be configured with a small number of parts.

  In addition, since the fuel cell stack according to the present invention can ensure stable power generation performance, the fuel cell stack can be applied to applications such as portable power sources, portable device power sources, electric vehicle power sources, and home cogeneration systems.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,21 Anode separator member 2,22,23 Cathode separator member 3 Fuel gas flow path 4 Oxidant gas flow path 5 Cooling surface 6 Cooling medium flow path 7 Recess for fuel gas gasket 8 Recess for oxidant gas gasket 9 For adhesive Concave part 10 Concave part for cooling medium gasket 11 Cooling surface adhesive separator with gasket 12 Fuel gas gasket 13 Oxidant gas gasket 14 Cooling medium gasket 15 Adhesive 16 Anode separator with gasket 17 Cathode separator with gasket 18 Electrode-membrane-frame assembly 20 cell Laminate 30 Frame 31 Electrolyte membrane 32 Anode 33 Cathode 34 Gas diffusion layer 35 Electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly 40 Current collecting plate 41 Current collecting plate 42 Insulating plate 43 Insulating plate 70 End plate 71 Fuel gas inlet 72 Fuel gas outlet 73 Oxidation Gas inlet 74 oxidizing gas discharge port 75 coolant inlet 76 coolant discharge port 77 the end plate 80 bolt 90 fuel cell stack 91 stacking unit

Claims (4)

A separator member for a fuel cell that constitutes a cooling medium flow path that causes cooling surfaces of a pair of separators to contact each other and circulates the cooling medium between the cooling surfaces.
A groove-shaped first recess formed on the outer peripheral side of the cooling medium flow path so as to be filled with an adhesive; and a groove-shaped second recess formed on the outer peripheral side of the cooling medium flow path so as to accommodate a gasket; The fuel cell separator member is characterized in that the first recess is shallower than the second recess.   2. The fuel cell separator member according to claim 1, wherein the first recess is disposed closer to the cooling medium flow path than the second recess. 3.   The cooling surface of one of the pair of separators has the first recess and the second recess, and the first recess and the second recess are adjacent to each other. The fuel cell separator member according to claim 1 or 2.   The cooling surface of one of the pair of separators has the first recess, and the cooling surface of the other separator of the pair has the second recess. The fuel cell separator member according to claim 1 or 2.