JP2005142000A - Fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention enables a separator to hold each other or the separator and an electrolyte / electrode structure to each other with a simple configuration, and enables an assembly operation to be performed easily and efficiently.
An electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12 is sandwiched between first and second metal separators 14 and 16, and first and second seal members 40 and 48 are respectively attached to the first and second metal separators 14. Are integrated. The first seal member 40 integrally forms a suction plate 44, and the suction plate 44 sucks the second metal separator 16 by being pressed against the surface of the second seal member 48. For this reason, the first and second metal separators 14 and 16 are held together under the suction action of the suction disk 44.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell configured by sandwiching an electrolyte / electrode structure provided with a pair of electrodes on both sides of an electrolyte with a pair of separators.

  For example, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell has an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure (an electrolyte / electrode structure) in which an anode side electrode and a cathode side electrode are provided on both sides of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane made of a polymer ion exchange membrane, respectively. ) Are sandwiched between separators to constitute a unit cell.

  In this unit cell, a fuel gas supplied to the anode side electrode, for example, a gas mainly containing hydrogen (hereinafter also referred to as a hydrogen-containing gas) is ionized with hydrogen on the electrode catalyst, and the cathode passes through the electrolyte membrane. Move to the side electrode side. Electrons generated during that time are taken out to an external circuit and used as direct current electric energy. The cathode side electrode is supplied with an oxidant gas, for example, a gas mainly containing oxygen or air (hereinafter also referred to as an oxygen-containing gas). And oxygen reacts to produce water.

  By the way, the fuel cell normally forms a stack by stacking several tens to several hundreds of unit cells. At that time, it is necessary to accurately position each unit cell, and therefore, an operation of inserting a knock pin into a positioning hole formed in the unit cell is performed. However, as the number of stacked unit cells increases, the operation of inserting the knock pin becomes difficult, the workability is lowered, the position of the member is easily displaced, and the sealing function is lowered. .

  In order to solve the above problem, for example, an electrochemical fuel cell assembly of Patent Document 1 is known. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the electrochemical fuel cell assembly 1 includes an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 2 and first and second plates 3a disposed with the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 2 interposed therebetween. 3b. In the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 2, cathode electrodes 6 a and 6 b are stacked on both sides of the anode electrode 4 with ion exchange membranes 5 a and 5 b interposed therebetween.

  Mount rails 7a and 7b are provided at both ends of the first and second plates 3a and 3b, respectively. A plurality of twist wire springs 8 are attached to each of the mount rails 7a and 7b, and a tightening load is applied to the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 2.

US Pat. No. 5,686,200 (FIG. 1)

  However, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, it is necessary to attach a plurality of torsion wire springs 8 to several tens to several hundreds of unit cells, and there is a problem that this attaching operation becomes considerably complicated.

  On the other hand, even if it is going to automate this kind of work, after the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 2 is interposed between the first and second plates 3a, 3b, a load is applied to these and the seal is incorporated inside. A step of attaching the plurality of twisted wire springs 8 to the mount rails 7a and 7b in a state where the member is compressed is necessary. As a result, it has been pointed out that the working time is not effectively shortened, and the facility cost is soaring that it is not economical.

  In addition, since a potential difference is generated between the first and second plates 3a and 3b during power generation, the first and second plates 3a and 3b are prevented from being electrically short-circuited via the twist wire spring 8. There must be. Therefore, it is necessary to provide an insulating structure between the torsion wire spring 8, the first and second plates 3a, 3b, or between them, which is not economical.

  Further, a twist wire spring 8 is attached to the outside of the first and second plates 3a and 3b. For this reason, when power generation is performed in this state, the twisted wire spring 8 occupies the external space, and the electrochemical fuel cell assembly 1 cannot be reduced in size.

  Furthermore, if it is attempted to obtain a sealing function and an energization function only with the compressive force of the torsion wire spring 8, it is necessary to ensure rigidity so that the component parts are not deformed by the compressive force. As a result, the thickness of the first and second plates 3a, 3b themselves cannot be reduced, and the electrochemical fuel cell assembly 1 cannot be reduced in size.

  The present invention solves this type of problem, and with a simple configuration, the separators or the separator and the electrolyte / electrode structure can be held together, and the assembly operation can be performed easily and efficiently. An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell capable of satisfying the requirements.

  In the fuel cell of the present invention, an electrolyte / electrode structure provided with a pair of electrodes on both sides of the electrolyte is sandwiched between a pair of separators, and at least one separator or the electrolyte / electrode structure includes: An elastically deformable suction cup structure is provided to hold the two separators or the separator and the electrolyte / electrode structure together.

  Specifically, a suction cup structure is provided on the surface of one separator facing the electrolyte / electrode structure. And the said separators are hold | maintained through a suction cup structure in the state which has arrange | positioned the electrolyte and electrode structure between one separator and the other separator. Therefore, the fuel cell (unit cell) having the electrolyte / electrode structure and the pair of separators is integrated.

  Further, a suction cup structure is provided on the surface of one separator opposite to the electrolyte / electrode structure. For this reason, each separator which comprises the fuel cell laminated | stacked and adjoins mutually is hold | maintained via a suction cup structure.

  Further, when the electrolyte / electrode structure is provided with a suction cup structure, the electrolyte / electrode structure and the separator are held via the suction cup structure. Furthermore, at least one separator and the electrolyte / electrode structure are each provided with a suction cup structure. Accordingly, the separators are held by one suction cup structure, and the separator and the electrolyte / electrode structure are held by the other suction cup structure. As a result, the unit cells are integrated.

  In addition, the suction cup structure is preferably formed integrally with the seal member at least on either the separator or the electrolyte / electrode structure. Furthermore, the suction cup structure is preferably attached to at least either the separator or the electrolyte / electrode structure.

  In the fuel cell according to the present invention, since the components of the fuel cell are held together under the suction action of the suction cup structure, there is no need to attach a fixture such as a clip to the fuel cell, and the assembly operation of the fuel cell is performed. It becomes possible to carry out easily and efficiently. In particular, when a large number of fuel cells are stacked, the stacking operation can be performed satisfactorily to quickly configure the fuel cell stack.

  Moreover, since the suction cup structure is installed inside the fuel cell, the fixture is not exposed to the outside of the fuel cell. Accordingly, the entire fuel cell is made compact, and the installation space for the fuel cell is made as narrow as possible. For this reason, it becomes possible to apply effectively especially as a fuel cell stack for vehicles.

  Furthermore, since the suction cup structure is made of a resin material integrally with the seal member, it has a desired insulating function and simplifies the processing work. Thereby, the structure of the whole fuel cell is simplified and it is economical.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of a fuel cell 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel cell 10 taken along line II-II in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell 10 includes an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure (electrolyte / electrode structure) 12 sandwiched between first and second metal separators 14 and 16. The first and second metal separators 14 and 16 are made of, for example, a steel plate, a stainless steel plate, an aluminum plate, a plated steel plate, or a metal plate whose surface is subjected to anticorrosion treatment. Instead of the first and second metal separators 14 and 16, for example, a separator made of carbon or resin may be used.

  One end edge of the fuel cell 10 in the direction of arrow B (horizontal direction in FIG. 1) communicates with each other in the direction of arrow A, which is the stacking direction, and oxidant for supplying an oxidant gas, for example, an oxygen-containing gas. An agent gas inlet communication hole 20a, a cooling medium outlet communication hole 22b for discharging a cooling medium, and a fuel gas outlet communication hole 24b for discharging a fuel gas, for example, a hydrogen-containing gas, are provided in an arrow C direction (vertical direction). Are provided in an array.

  The other end edge in the direction of arrow B of the fuel cell 10 communicates with each other in the direction of arrow A, a fuel gas inlet communication hole 24a for supplying fuel gas, and a cooling medium inlet communication hole for supplying a cooling medium. 22a and an oxidizing gas outlet communication hole 20b for discharging the oxidizing gas are arranged in the direction of arrow C.

  The electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12 includes, for example, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 26 in which a perfluorosulfonic acid thin film is impregnated with water, and an anode side electrode 28 and a cathode side electrode 30 that sandwich the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 26. With. The anode side electrode 28 has a smaller surface area than the cathode side electrode 30.

  The anode side electrode 28 and the cathode side electrode 30 are composed of a gas diffusion layer made of carbon paper or the like, and an electrode catalyst layer in which porous carbon particles having a platinum alloy supported on the surface are uniformly applied to the surface of the gas diffusion layer. And have. The electrode catalyst layer is bonded to both surfaces of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 26.

  The surface 14a of the first metal separator 14 facing the cathode side electrode 30 communicates with the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 20a and the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 20b, and has, for example, a linear shape extending in the arrow B direction. An oxidant gas flow path 32 is provided. On the surface 16a of the second metal separator 16 facing the anode side electrode 28, a linear fuel gas flow path that communicates with the fuel gas inlet communication hole 24a and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 24b and extends in the arrow B direction. 34 is formed.

  Between the surface 14b of the first metal separator 14 and the surface 16b of the second metal separator 16, a cooling medium flow path 36 communicating with the cooling medium inlet communication hole 22a and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 22b is formed. The cooling medium flow path 36 extends linearly in the direction of arrow B.

  The first seal member 40 is integrated with the surfaces 14a and 14b of the first metal separator 14 around the outer peripheral end of the first metal separator 14 by, for example, injection molding. The first seal member 40 uses, for example, a seal material such as EPDM, NBR, fluoro rubber, silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, butyl rubber, natural rubber, styrene rubber, chloroplane, or acrylic rubber, a cushion material, or a packing material. To do.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a protrusion 42 a constituting the first seal member 40 is integrated with the surface 14 a of the first metal separator 14 in the vicinity of the outer peripheral end of the first metal separator 14. The The protrusion 42a surrounds the outer periphery of the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12, and communicates the oxidant gas flow path 32 with the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 20a and the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 20b.

  The surface 14 a of the first metal separator 14 is provided with an elastically deformable suction cup (suction cup structure) 44. The suction disk 44 is formed integrally with the first seal member 40, and is provided at a total of six locations at the four corners of the first metal separator 14 and at the center of both upper and lower sides, as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the suction disk 44 has a neck portion 46a that is integrated with the first seal member 40 and protrudes from the surface of the first seal member 40, and the neck portion 46a has a curved cup portion 46b. Is integrally molded. The height H from the surface of the first seal member 40 to the tip of the cup 46b is set to be greater than the height H1 from the surface of the first seal member 40 to the tip of the protrusion 42a (H> H1). .

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second seal member 48 is integrated with the surfaces 16 a and 16 b of the second metal separator 16 around the outer peripheral end of the second metal separator 16. The second seal member 48 is made of the same material as the first seal member 40 described above. A protrusion 50 constituting the second seal member 48 is integrated with the surface 16 a of the second metal separator 16. The protrusion 50 is in close contact with the outer peripheral edge of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 26 constituting the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12.

  Next, the operation of assembling the fuel cell 10 configured as described above will be described below.

  First, as shown in FIG. 2, the first and second metal separators 14 and 16 are disposed with the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12 interposed therebetween. In this state, when a pressing load is applied to the first and second metal separators 14 and 16, the cup portion 46 b of the suction plate 44 contacts the second seal member 48 of the second metal separator 16. Therefore, the cup part 46b is deformed by the pressing load to adsorb the second metal separator 16, and the first and second metal separators 14 and 16 are held together with the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12 interposed therebetween ( (See FIG. 3).

  As described above, the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12 and the first and second metal separators 14 and 16 constituting the fuel cell 10 are integrated under the suction action of a plurality (for example, six) of the suction plates 44. The Thereby, in the first embodiment, there is no need to attach a fixture such as a clip to the fuel cell 10, and an effect that the assembly operation of the fuel cell 10 can be performed easily and efficiently is obtained. It is done.

  In particular, when a large number of fuel cells 10 are stacked, the stacking operation of the fuel cells 10 can be performed satisfactorily, and there is an advantage that the fuel cell stack 52 can be quickly configured (see FIG. 3).

  Moreover, since the adsorption plate 44 is provided in the surface 14 a of the first metal separator 14, the fixture is not exposed to the outside of the fuel cell 10. Accordingly, the entire fuel cell 10 is configured in a compact manner, and the installation space for the fuel cell 10 is reduced as much as possible. For example, the fuel cell 10 can be favorably used as the in-vehicle fuel cell stack 52.

  Further, the suction plate 44 is made of a resin material integrally with the first seal member 40. For this reason, the suction plate 44 has a desired insulation function, simplifies the processing operation, and provides an effect that the entire fuel cell 10 can be configured economically.

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

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, an oxidant gas such as an oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 20a, and a fuel gas such as a hydrogen-containing gas is supplied to the fuel gas inlet communication hole 24a. Further, a cooling medium such as pure water, ethylene glycol, or oil is supplied to the cooling medium inlet communication hole 22a.

  For this reason, the oxidant gas is introduced into the oxidant gas flow path 32 of the first metal separator 14 from the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 20a, and moves in the direction of arrow B while constituting the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12. It is supplied to the side electrode 30. On the other hand, the fuel gas is introduced into the fuel gas flow path 34 of the second metal separator 16 from the fuel gas inlet communication hole 24a, and moves to the anode side electrode 28 constituting the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12 while moving in the arrow B direction. Supplied.

  Therefore, in the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12, the oxidant gas supplied to the cathode side electrode 30 and the fuel gas supplied to the anode side electrode 28 are consumed by an electrochemical reaction in the electrode catalyst layer to generate power. Is done.

  The oxidant gas consumed by being supplied to the cathode side electrode 30 is discharged in the direction of arrow A along the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 20b. Similarly, the fuel gas consumed by being supplied to the anode side electrode 28 is discharged in the direction of arrow A along the fuel gas outlet communication hole 24b.

  The cooling medium supplied to the cooling medium inlet communication hole 22a is introduced into the cooling medium flow path 36 between the first and second metal separators 14 and 16, and then flows in the direction of arrow B. This cooling medium is discharged from the cooling medium outlet communication hole 22b after the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12 is cooled.

  FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional explanatory view of a fuel cell 60 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those of the fuel cell 10 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Similarly, in the third to fifth embodiments described below, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The fuel cell 60 circulates around the outer peripheral end of the first metal separator 14, and the first seal member 62 is integrated by, for example, injection molding. The first seal member 62 includes a protrusion 64 a integrated with the surface 14 a, and the protrusion 64 a goes around the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12 to seal the oxidant gas flow path 32. In the first seal member 62, the protrusion 64b is integrated with the surface 14b corresponding to the protrusion 64a.

  The second seal member 66 is integrated by, for example, injection molding around the outer peripheral end of the second metal separator 16. The second seal member 66 includes a protrusion 68 integrated with the surface 16a and first and second suction cups (suction cup structures) 70 and 72.

  The protrusion 68 is in close contact with the outer peripheral edge of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 26 constituting the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12, and the first adsorption plate 70 faces the outer peripheral edge of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 26. A plurality are arranged. A plurality of second suction plates 72 are arranged to face the first seal member 62 of the first metal separator 14.

  In the second embodiment configured as described above, after the second metal separator 16 is arranged at a predetermined position on an arrangement table (not shown), the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12 is positioned on the second metal separator 16. The

  In this state, when the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12 and the second metal separator 16 are pressed against each other, the first suction plate 70 of the second seal member 66 provided on the second metal separator 16 is It is pressed against the outer peripheral edge of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 26 of the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12. For this reason, the first adsorption plate 70 is deformed to adsorb and hold the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 26, and the second metal separator 16 and the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12 are integrated.

  Next, after the first metal separator 14 is positioned on the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12, the first metal separator 14 is pressed toward the second metal separator 16. The second suction plate 72 of the second seal member 66 provided on the second metal separator 16 contacts and deforms the first seal member 62 provided on the first metal separator 14. Thereby, the 2nd adsorption board 72 adsorbs this 1st metal separator 14, and the 1st and 2nd metal separators 14 and 16 are united.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, first, the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12 is arranged on the second metal separator 16 to apply the pressing force. Next, the first metal separator 14 is placed on the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12, and the suction action of the first and second suction plates 70, 72 is simply applied to the first metal separator 14. Below, the entire fuel cell 60 is integrated.

  For this reason, the assembly operation of the fuel cell 60 is simplified, automation is further facilitated, and the holding function of the fuel cell 60 is more reliably performed.

  FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional explanatory view of a fuel cell 80 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The fuel cell 80 includes a member 82 integrated with an outer peripheral end portion of the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12. The member 82 is integrally provided with a suction cup (suction cup structure) 84 that protrudes toward the second metal separator 16.

  In the third embodiment configured as described above, a pressing force is applied in a state in which the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12 is aligned with the second metal separator 16, as in the second embodiment. The Therefore, the suction plate 84 of the member 82 integrated with the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12 comes into contact with the second seal member 48 of the second metal separator 16.

  Therefore, the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12 is held by the second metal separator 16 under the suction action of the suction plate 84, and the first metal separator 14 is further laminated on the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12 so that the pressing force is increased. Is granted. As a result, the first metal separator 14 and the second metal separator 16 are integrated under the suction action of the suction plate 44, and the entire fuel cell 80 can be held integrally.

  FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional explanatory view of a fuel cell stack 92 in which fuel cells 90 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention are stacked.

  In the fuel cell 90, the first seal member 62 a is integrated with the first metal separator 14, and the second seal member 94 is integrated with the second metal separator 16. The first seal member 62a integrates the protrusion 64a with the surface 14a, while the second seal member 94 has a protrusion 64a and a suction cup (suction cup structure) on the surface 16b opposite to the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12. 96).

  In the fourth embodiment configured as described above, the second metal separator 16 constituting one fuel cell 90 is superimposed on the first metal separator 14 constituting the other fuel cell 90. For this reason, the suction disk 96 of the second seal member 94 provided on the second metal separator 16 contacts the first seal member 62 a provided on the first metal separator 14.

  Thereby, the adsorption board 96 deform | transforms and adsorb | sucks the surface of the 1st seal member 62a, and the 1st and 2nd metal separators 14 and 16 of each fuel cell 90 laminated | stacked are integrated. Therefore, the effect that the assembly operation of the fuel cell stack 92 is easily and reliably performed can be obtained.

  FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional explanatory view of the fuel cell stack 102 in which the fuel cells 100 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention are stacked.

  In the fuel cell 100, the first seal member 104 is integrated with the first metal separator 14, and the second seal member 106 is integrated with the second metal separator 16.

  The first seal member 104 is integrally provided with a suction cup (suction cup structure) 108 on a surface 14b on which the protrusion 42b is provided. The second seal member 106 is integrally provided with a seal projection 110 on a surface 16a on which the protrusion 50 is provided. A member 82 integrally provided with a suction plate 84 is integrated with the outer periphery of the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 12.

  In the fifth embodiment configured as described above, similarly to the fourth embodiment, the first metal separator 14 configuring one fuel cell 100 and the second metal separator 16 configuring the other fuel cell 100. Are integrally held under the suction action of the suction platen 108, so that there is an advantage that the assembling work of the fuel cell stack 102 is efficiently performed.

  In the first to fifth embodiments, the suction plates 44, 70, 72, 84, 96, and 108 include a pair of the neck portion 46a and the curved cup portion 46b, but the present invention is not limited to this. is not. For example, the suction cup (suction cup structure) 120 shown in FIG. 8 is integrated with the seal member 122 and is configured in a substantially cylindrical shape. Therefore, there is an effect that the mold configuration for integrally forming the suction disk 120 on the seal member 122 is simplified.

  Further, the suction cup (suction cup structure) 124 shown in FIG. 9 is integrally formed with the seal member 126, and the cup portion 128 is directly formed integrally with the seal member 126 without using a neck portion. The suction plate 124 has an advantage that the reaction force of the suction plate 124 itself is unlikely to rise to the flat surface of the seal member 126 when pressed against an object to be sucked (not shown).

  On the other hand, in the first to fifth embodiments, the suction plates 44, 70, 72, 84, 96 and 108 are integrated with the first metal separator 14 together with the first seal member 40 by injection molding. It is not limited. For example, the suction cup (suction cup structure) 130 shown in FIG. 10 is attached to the separator 132 by fitting or the like.

  A mounting hole 134 having a taper in part is formed in the separator 132. On the other hand, the suction plate 130 is integrally formed of a rubber material or the like that can elastically deform a spherical portion 136 that fits into the attachment hole 134 and a curved cup portion 138. Therefore, when the spherical portion 136 of the suction plate 130 is pushed in from the small diameter side of the mounting hole 134, the spherical portion 136 engages with the tapered portion of the mounting hole 134. As a result, the suction plate 130 is attached to the separator 132.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, it is possible to employ a structure in which a pre-molded seal member 140 is prepared and the seal member 140 is attached to the separator 142 via a seal groove 144 provided in the separator 142. .

  The seal member 140 is integrally formed with a seal portion 146 that fits in the seal groove 144 of the separator 142, a seal projection 148, and a suction cup (suction cup structure) 150. Therefore, the suction plate 150 is held by the separator 142 only by previously forming the seal member 140 integrally formed with the suction plate 150 and attaching the seal member 140 to the separator 142.

It is a principal part disassembled perspective explanatory drawing of the fuel cell which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the II-II sectional view taken on the line of the said fuel cell in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the state in which the said fuel cell was assembled | attached. It is a partial cross section explanatory view of the fuel cell concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a partial cross section explanatory view of the fuel cell concerning a 3rd embodiment of the present invention. It is a partial cross section explanatory view of the fuel cell stack by which the fuel cell concerning a 4th embodiment of the present invention was laminated. It is a partial cross section explanatory view of the fuel cell stack which laminated the fuel cell concerning a 5th embodiment of the present invention. It is a partial cross section explanatory view which shows another shape of a suction disk. It is a partial cross-section explanatory drawing which shows another structure of a suction disk. It is a cross-sectional explanatory drawing of the suction disk fitted in a separator. It is explanatory drawing at the time of attaching the sealing member with which an adsorption | suction board is provided integrally to a separator. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of an electrochemical fuel cell assembly of Patent Document 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 60, 80, 90, 100 ... Fuel cell 12 ... Electrolyte membrane electrode structure 14, 16 ... Metal separator 14a, 14b, 16a, 16b ... Surface 20a ... Oxidant gas inlet communication hole 20b ... Oxidant gas outlet communication Hole 22a ... Cooling medium inlet communication hole 22b ... Cooling medium outlet communication hole 24a ... Fuel gas inlet communication hole 24b ... Fuel gas outlet communication hole 26 ... Solid polymer electrolyte membrane 28 ... Anode side electrode 30 ... Cathode side electrode 32 ... Oxidizing agent Gas passage 34 ... Fuel gas passage 36 ... Cooling medium passage 40, 48, 62, 62a, 66, 82, 94, 104, 106, 122, 126, 140 ... Seal members 42a, 42b, 50, 64a, 64b , 68, 148... Projections 44, 70, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 124, 130, 150 ... Suction plate 46a ... Neck 46b ... Cup part 10 ... projections

Claims (3)

A fuel cell configured by sandwiching an electrolyte / electrode structure provided with a pair of electrodes on both sides of an electrolyte with a pair of separators,
At least one separator or the electrolyte / electrode structure is provided with an elastically deformable suction cup structure for holding two separators or the separator and the electrolyte / electrode structure together. Fuel cell.   2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the suction cup structure is formed integrally with a seal member at least on either the separator or the electrolyte / electrode structure. 2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the suction cup structure is attached to at least one of the separator and the electrolyte / electrode structure.

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