JPH0822837A - Solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [PROBLEMS] To provide a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell capable of shortening the working time required for replacement of a defective fuel cell and reducing the occurrence of gas leakage of a reaction gas. [Structure] A solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell uses a plurality of individual laminated bodies 2 including a plurality of unit cells 3 and a pressurizing device 4. The unit cell 3 has a plane dimension larger than that of the fuel cell 7 in comparison with the conventional example, and is made of a carbon plate separator 31A,
The difference is that 31B is used. The pressurizing device 4 is installed on both outer side surface portions of the individual laminated body 2 and has separators 31A, 31
A pair of abutment plates 41, 41 made of carbon plates, which have the same outer dimension as that of B, and in which a cooling passage 412 for passing cooling water is formed, and the abutment plates 41, 41, 41 includes a plurality of screws 421 mounted across 41, a nut 422 fitted to the screws 421, and a pressurizing body 42 fitted to the screws 421 and having a disc spring 423 for giving a stable pressing force. ing.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, and more particularly to a structure of the fuel cell which has been improved to facilitate replacement of fuel cells.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As fuel cells, various types of fuel cells such as solid polymer electrolyte type, phosphoric acid type, molten carbonate type, and solid oxide type are known, depending on the type of electrolyte used therein. Among them, the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell shows a low resistivity when it is saturated with a polymer resin membrane having a proton (hydrogen ion) exchange group in the molecule, and functions as a proton conductive electrolyte. It is the fuel cell used.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view schematically showing a unit cell provided in a conventional solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell in an expanded state. In FIG. 4, 7 is an electrolyte layer 7C,
This is a fuel battery cell including a fuel electrode (also serving as an anode electrode) 7A and an oxidant electrode (also serving as a cathode electrode) 7B. As the electrolyte layer 7C, a perfluorosulfonic acid resin film (for example, Nafion film, manufactured by DuPont, USA) has become well known recently, and this perfluorosulfonic acid resin film is It is a membrane which shows a resistivity of 20 [Ω · cm] or less at room temperature when it is saturated with water and functions as a good proton conductive electrolyte. Further, the electrolyte layer (hereinafter, may be abbreviated as PE film) 7C has an outer dimension in the plane direction larger than the outer dimension in the plane direction of the electrode films 7A and 7B, and therefore, the electrode film 7A. , 7B around the PE
The exposed surface of the PE film 7C exists between the end of the film 7C and the end portion.

The fuel electrode 7A is an electrode which is laminated in close contact with one main surface of the PE film 7C and receives a supply of a fuel gas (for example, hydrogen or a gas containing hydrogen at a high concentration). . Further, the oxidant electrode 7B is closely laminated on the other main surface of the PE film 7C, and the oxidant gas (for example,
It's air. ) Is an electrode that receives the supply of. Fuel electrode 7
The outer surface side of A is the one side surface 7a of the fuel cell 7, and the outer surface side of the oxidizer electrode 7B is the other side surface 7b of the fuel cell 7. Fuel electrode 7A and oxidizer electrode 7
B both supports and supports the respective catalyst layers each containing a catalyst active material, and supplies and discharges a reaction gas (hereinafter, the fuel gas and the oxidant gas are collectively referred to as such). And a porous electrode substrate having a function as a current collector, and the catalyst layer is a PE film 7C.
It is general that they are adhered to both main surfaces by hot pressing.

Further, 61A is made of a material (for example, a carbon plate) which is impermeable to gas and has good thermal conductivity and good electrical conductivity, and the fuel cell 7 is manufactured.
A plurality of concave grooves are provided on one side surface 7a of the one side, through which a fuel gas (not shown) is made to flow on one side and at the same interval for discharging the fuel gas containing unconsumed hydrogen. (Gas distribution groove) 611A and convex partition wall 612A interposed between the gas distribution grooves 611A are separators formed alternately with each other. 61B
Is disposed on the other side surface 7b side of the fuel cell 7,
An oxidant gas (not shown) is allowed to flow through one surface of the oxidant gas, and a plurality of recessed grooves (gas distribution grooves) 611B are provided at the same intervals for discharging the oxidant gas containing unconsumed oxygen. The convex partition walls 612B interposed between the gas flow grooves 611B are alternately formed, and are separators made of the same material as the separator 61A. The tops of the convex partition walls 612A and 612B are the side surfaces 61 of the separators 61A and 61B, respectively.
It is formed so as to be flush with Aa and 61Ba.
In the separator 61A, the side surface 61Aa is brought into close contact with the side surface 7a of the fuel cell 7, and the separator 61B
Are arranged such that the side surfaces 61Ba are in close contact with the side surfaces 7b of the fuel cell unit 7 and the fuel cell unit 7 is sandwiched therebetween.

Further, 71 is a separator 61A, 61
A gas seal member (for example, an O-ring) made of an elastic material, which has a function of preventing the reaction gas flowing in the B gas flow grooves 611A and 611B from leaking out of the flow path. Peripheral portions of the respective separators 61A and 61B,
The PE film 7C of the fuel cell 7 is arranged in the space between the exposed peripheral portion and the PE film 7C.

The voltage generated by one fuel battery cell 7 is
Since the value is as low as about 1 [V] or less, a plurality of the unit cells 6 having the above-mentioned structure are connected in series with each other through each fuel cell 7 and the separators 61A and 61B inserted therein. It is generally constructed as a fuel cell integrated body and used for practical purposes by increasing the voltage. FIG. 5: is a block diagram which showed typically an example of the conventional solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, (a) is the side view, (b) is the top view. In addition, in FIG. 5, as for the reference numerals given in FIG. 4, only representative reference numerals are shown. In FIG. 5, 9
Is a solid comprising a plurality of cells 6 stacked in series with each other and a pressurizing device 8 for pressing the series stack of the cells 6 from the outer side of the separators 61A and 61B located at both ends thereof. It is a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as a fuel cell stack). Pressure device 8
Is a contact body 81A and a contact body 81B that are in contact with the outer surfaces of the separator 61A and the separator 61B located at both ends of the series laminated body of the unit cells 6, and the contact bodies 81A and 81B. The separators 61 </ b> A and 61 </ b> B located at both ends of the series laminated body of the unit cells 6 have a pressurizing body 82 that applies an appropriate pressing force from the outer surface side.

The contact member 81A is a collector plate 811A made of a conductive material and directly contacting the outer surface of the separator 61A located at one end of the series laminated body of the unit cells 6, and one of the fuel cell stack 9 An electrically insulating material for electrically insulating the metal plate tightening plate 812A mounted on the outermost end of the unit from the pressing body 82 and the tightening plate 812A. It is provided with an electric insulating plate 813A made of. The contact body 81B is a current collector plate 811B made of a conductive material, which directly contacts the outer surface of the separator 61B located at the other end of the series stack of the unit cells 6, and the other outermost part of the fuel cell stack 9. A metal-made tightening plate 812B attached to the end, and an electric insulating material for electrically insulating the unit cell 6 group and the current collecting plate 811B from the pressurizing body 82 and the tightening plate 812B. An insulating plate 813B is provided. In addition, the pressure body 82
Is a plurality of screws 821 such as hexagon bolts mounted across the respective tightening plates 812A and 812B, and nuts 8 such as hexagon nuts fitted to the respective screws 821.
22 and a spring body 823, which is a disc spring or the like, for example, which is fitted into the screw 821 to be mounted and which applies a stable pressing force to the tightening plates 812A and 812B.

The fuel cell stack 9 having the above structure
In each of the separators 61A and 61B, the flow direction of the reaction gas flowing through the gas flow grooves 611A and 611B is as shown by the arrow in FIG. It is arranged on the upper side so that its discharge side is on the lower side with respect to the direction of gravity. In the fuel cell 7, it is unavoidable that when generating direct-current electricity by the power generation function of a well-known solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, a loss of about the same amount as the generated power is generated. It is a thing. In order to positively remove heat due to this loss, a fuel cell stack in which a cooling body is attached to a fuel cell cell assembly is also known. FIG. 6 is a side view schematically showing the structure of a conventional solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell in which a cooling body is mounted. 6, the same parts as those of the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the conventional example shown in FIG. 5 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. In addition, in FIG. 6, the unit cell is illustrated in a simplified manner. In addition, in FIG. 6, as for the reference numerals given in FIGS. 4 and 5, only representative reference numerals are shown.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 9A denotes a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell 9 according to the conventional example shown in FIG. 5, in which a cooling body 83 is inserted every time a plurality of unit cells 6 are stacked. It is a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell. A cooling medium such as water or air (not shown) for removing heat is passed through the cooling body 83 to keep the fuel cell 7 at an appropriate temperature (in a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, from 50 [° C.]). 100
Generally, it is operated under a temperature condition of about [° C]. )
To hold. Therefore, in the fuel cell stack 9A having the configuration shown in FIG. 6, as in the case of the fuel cell stack 9 according to the conventional example shown in FIG.
The separator provided in secures a flow path for the reaction gas by the gas circulation groove, and collects the direct current electricity generated in the fuel cell unit through the partition walls having a convex shape or the like.
It plays the role of transmitting to 1B. In addition to this, the separator included in the unit cell 6 included in the fuel cell stack 9A also serves to transfer the heat generated in the fuel cell to the cooling body 83 via the convex partition wall or the like.

Therefore, in the fuel cell stack 9A, it is possible to improve the characteristics of the fuel cell by suppressing the values of electric resistance and thermal resistance between the fuel cell 7 and the current collectors 811A and 811B and the cooling body 83 to be small. Therefore, in order to reduce the electric resistance and the thermal resistance at each contact portion, the pressure is applied by the pressure device 8 including the spring body 823 that applies a substantially constant pressure. Generally, the applied pressure is about 5 [kg / cm ² ] inside / outside per apparent surface area of the fuel cell 7.

[0012]

In the above-mentioned solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells 9 and 9A according to the prior art, dozens (often 10 to 50) or more single cells are used. 6 is laminated and DC electricity having a required voltage value is generated to fully exert the function of DC power generation, but there are the following problems. That is, since the pressing force applied to the unit cell 6 is applied through the pair of tightening plates 812A and 812B included in the pressurizing device 8, the fuel cell 7 having a defective power generation performance or the like is deteriorated.
When replacing the fuel cell, it is necessary to first remove the pressurizing body 82, and then disassemble the fuel cell assembly to the defective fuel cell 7. When a defective fuel battery cell 7 is replaced with a non-defective fuel battery cell 7, in the reverse order of disassembly,
The stacking work of all the unit cells 6 and the assembling work of the pressurizing device 8 are performed, and the pressurizing device 8 pressurizes the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell 9, 9A by re-assembling. Need to do. That is, replacement of the defective fuel battery cell 7 requires an extremely long working time. Further, when the fuel cell stacks 9 and 9A are disassembled such as when the defective fuel cell 7 is replaced according to the above item, the pressing force for pressurizing all the gas seal bodies 71 respectively provided in the unit cells 6 once becomes zero. Gas seal body 7 with no applied pressure
1 is a pressurizing member 82 when reassembling the fuel cell stack 9A.
Will be pressurized again. However, since the elastic material is used for the gas seal body 71 of each unit cell 6, the gas seal body 71 may be deformed by the operation of the fuel cell stack 9A. When the gas seal body 71 is greatly deformed, even if pressure is applied again by the pressure device 8,
The pressure applied by the gas seal body 71 to the electrolyte layer 7C is
It is possible that the pressure will be lower than the pressure applied to the fuel cell stacks 9 and 9A before the decomposition. For this reason, in the fuel cell stacks 9 and 9A, after the reassembly, the sealing performance against the reaction gas is deteriorated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to shorten the working time required for replacing defective fuel cells and to reduce the occurrence of gas leakage of reaction gas. It is intended to provide a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell that can be reduced.

[0014]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the present invention, the above-mentioned objects are as follows: 1) A plurality of fuel battery cells for receiving a supply of a fuel gas and an oxidant gas to generate DC power, and to both surfaces of each fuel battery cell. A separator having a plurality of gas flow grooves for supplying a fuel gas or an oxidant gas to the fuel cells, and a series laminated body of the plurality of fuel cells and the plurality of separators. A pressure device for applying pressure from the outer surface side of the separator located at both ends of the body is provided, and each fuel cell has an electrolyte layer made of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and two main surfaces of this electrolyte layer. And an electrode placed in close contact with
Each of the separators has a plurality of gas flow grooves on the side surface of the fuel cell which is in contact with the electrodes, and the separator is provided with fuel gas or The pressurizing device has a gas seal body for preventing the oxidant gas from leaking to the outside of the gas flow passage, and the pressurizing device is brought into contact with the respective outer side surfaces of the separators located at both ends of the series laminated body. A solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell having a contact body and a pressurizing body for applying a pressing force to both contact bodies from the outer surface side of the separators located at both ends of the series laminated body. At
The series laminated body of the fuel battery cells and the separator is a plurality of individual laminated bodies in which a plurality of fuel battery cells and a plurality of separators are laminated in series, and each of the individual laminated bodies is A pressure device is provided that applies pressure from the outer surface side of the separators located at both ends of the laminate, and this pressure device provided in the individual laminate is applied to the respective outer surfaces of the separators located at both ends of the individual laminate. A contact body to be brought into contact with each other, and a configuration in which both contact bodies have a pressing body for applying a pressing force applied from the outer surface side of the separator located at both ends of the individual laminated body, 2) In the means described in 1) above, the abutting body included in the individual stacked body integrally includes a cooling path for passing a cooling medium that removes heat generated from the fuel cells. Achieved by Be done.

[0015]

According to the present invention, in a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, a plurality of individual laminates in which a plurality of fuel cells and a plurality of separators are laminated in series are provided. The individual laminates are laminated in series with each other, and each individual laminate includes a pressure device that applies pressure from the outer surface side of the separators located at both ends of the individual laminate, and the pressure device included in the individual laminates, An abutting body that comes into contact with the respective outer surfaces of the separators located at both ends of the individual laminated body, and a pressing force that is applied to both the abutting bodies from the outer surface side of the separators located at both ends of the individual laminated body. By adopting a configuration having a pressurizing body for giving, when replacing a defective fuel cell, removing the pressurizing body is the same as in the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell of the prior art,
In the work of taking out the defective fuel cell unit from the fuel cell unit assembly, it is not necessary to disassemble all of the fuel cell unit assembly, but only the individual laminated body including the defective fuel cell unit may be disassembled. It will be. The corresponding individual stacked body is disassembled by first removing the pressurizing body of the pressurizing device for the individual stacked body, and then disassembling the individual stacked body up to the defective fuel cell unit 7. When a defective fuel battery cell is replaced with a non-defective fuel battery cell, stacking and pressurization of the individual stacks are performed in the reverse order of disassembly. Subsequently, the assembly of all the individual laminated bodies to the whole solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell and the work of pressurization are performed, and the reassembly of the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell is completed. That is, the disassembling work up to the defective fuel cell at the time of replacing the defective fuel cell can be limited to only the individual laminated body.

In the above paragraph, the abutting body provided in the individual laminated body is integrally provided with a cooling path for passing a cooling medium for removing heat generated from the fuel cells, whereby the individual laminated body is formed. The contact body provided in the body can also serve as the cooling body by causing the cooling medium to flow through the cooling passage.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway side view schematically showing an individual laminate provided in a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a side view schematically showing a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell using the individual laminate shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a process of assembling the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a partially broken state schematically showing the state of FIG. 1 to 3, the same parts as those of the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the conventional example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Note that, in FIGS. 1 to 3, only the representative reference numerals are shown for the reference numerals given in FIGS. 4 and 5. Also,
In FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, only the representative reference numerals are shown for the reference numerals given in FIG.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell 9 according to the conventional example shown in FIG.
This is a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell (hereinafter, may be abbreviated as a fuel cell stack) in which a plurality of individual laminates 2 are used instead of the series laminate of the unit cells 6. In the case shown in FIG. 1, the individual stacked body 2 includes three unit cells 3 stacked in series with each other and a series stacked body of the unit cells 3,
The separators 31A and 31B located at both ends are provided with a pressurizing device 4 for applying pressure from the outer surface side.

The unit cell 3 is different from the unit cell 6 according to the conventional example shown in FIG.
Instead of 1B, a separator 31A and a separator 31B are used, respectively. The separators 31A and 31B have an outer dimension in the plane direction larger than the outer dimension in the plane direction of the fuel cell 7 with respect to the separators 61A and 61B, and are outside the outer dimension in the plane direction of the fuel cell 7. It is different in that a plurality of through holes 32 are provided in the area.

The pressurizing device 4 includes a separator 31A and a separator 31 located at both ends of the series stack of the unit cells 3.
A pair of abutting plates 41, 41 as abutting members to be brought into contact with the respective outer side surfaces of B, and these abutting plates 41, 41 are located at both ends of the series laminated body of the unit cells 3. Separator 31
A and 31B, and a pressurizing body 42 that applies an appropriate pressure from the outer surface side.

Each contact plate 41 is directly contacted with the outer surface of the separator 31A and the separator 31B located at one end of the series laminated body of the unit cells 3, and is made of the same material as the separators 31A, 31B. The same material is used, and it has the same outer dimension in the surface direction as the separators 31A and 31B. Each of the contact plates 41 has a hole 411 formed at a position facing the through hole 32 provided in the separators 31A and 31B, and a cooling medium such as water or air (not shown) is passed through the hole 411. A cooling path 412 is formed to allow the liquid to flow. Hole 4 above
Reference numeral 11 includes a through hole and a counterbore hole concentric with the through hole. Further, the pressurizing body 42 straddles the respective contact plates 41, 41 and has a plurality of screws 421 mounted in the respective holes 411, nuts 422 fitted into the respective screws 421, and the screws 421. A spring body 423, which is a disc spring or the like, is provided by being fitted into and attached to the contact plates 41, 41 to apply a stable pressing force to the contact plates 41, 41.

The value of the pressurizing force applied by the pressurizing body 42 is set so that the electric resistance and the thermal resistance between the fuel cell 7 and the contact plate 41 are suppressed to a small value. The resistance and thermal resistance are set to values that can be reduced. In the fuel cell stack 1,
In order to suppress the values of electric resistance and thermal resistance between the adjacent individual laminated bodies 2 and between the individual laminated bodies 2 and the current collector 811A or the current collector 811B to a small value, a pressure device The fact that the fuel cell stack 9 is constantly pressurized by 8 is the same as in the case of the fuel cell stacks 9 and 9A of the conventional example.

Further, in assembling the fuel cell stack 1, first, a required number of individual laminated bodies 2 are prepared, and the individual laminated bodies 2 are sequentially passed through the pressurizing device 8 as illustrated in FIG. After stacking and stacking a predetermined number of individual stacks 2, the pressurizing device 8 pressurizes the stack with a required pressure, and the assembling work of the fuel cell stack 1 is completed. In order to assemble the individual stacked body 2, first, a required number of the unit cells 3 are prepared, and the unit cells 3 are sequentially stacked by the pressurizing device 4, and a predetermined number of the unit cells 3 are stacked. Then, the pressurizing device 4 pressurizes the individual laminated body 2 with a required pressure to complete the assembly work.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, when the defective fuel battery cell 7 is replaced by the above-described structure, first, the nut of the pressurizing body 82 of the pressurizing device 8 has. 822 is loosened and at least the position of the contact body 81A is shifted so that the distance between the contact body 81A and the contact body 81B is widened, and the individual stacked body 2 including the defective fuel cell 7 is included.
Only is removed from the fuel cell stack 1. Subsequently, the nut 422 of the pressurizing body 42 included in the pressurizing device 4 of the individual laminated body 2 thus taken out is removed, and the series laminated body of the unit cells 3 is disassembled to remove the defective fuel cell unit 7. It will be replaced with a non-defective fuel cell 7. Then,
When the fuel cell 7 is replaced with a non-defective fuel cell 7, the series laminated body of the unit cells 3 is laminated and pressed, and the individual laminated body 2 is reassembled.

Further, each individual laminated body 2 having the above structure
Is a small number of fuel cells 7 having the same number of separators 31A,
It can be handled as a separate fuel cell stack, stacked with 31B. Therefore, when the defective fuel battery cell 7 is replaced, it is possible to replace it with the replacement individual stacked body 2 in which only the good fuel battery cell 7 prepared in advance is used. In this case, replacement of the defective fuel battery cell 7 with the non-defective fuel battery cell 7 is separately performed.
It is good to carry out at any time, and it is effective when the defective fuel cell unit 7 needs to be replaced urgently.

The reassembling work of the fuel cell stack 1 after the defective fuel cell 7 is replaced with the good fuel cell 7 is carried out in the reverse order of the disassembly. That is, the individual laminated body 2 having all the good-quality fuel battery cells 7 is incorporated in the void created by taking out the individual laminated body 2 having the defective fuel battery cells 7 of the fuel cell stack 1. Then, the nut 822 of the pressurizing body 82 included in the pressurizing device 8 is tightened and set to the required pressing force value, and the reassembly of the fuel cell stack 1 is completed.

As described above, in the fuel cell stack 1 according to the present invention, when the defective fuel cell 7 is replaced, the disassembling work up to the defective fuel cell 7 is carried out individually by the defective fuel cell 7. It is possible to limit only the laminated body 2. As a result, the defective fuel cell 7
It is possible to reduce the work time required for replacing the gas seal body 71, and the number of gas seal bodies 71 to be decomposed is only the gas seal body 71 of the individual laminate body 2 in which the defective fuel cell 7 is incorporated. It is possible to limit it to.

Further, the individual laminated body 2 of the fuel cell stack 1
Each of the abutting plates 41 included in is provided with the cooling path 412, and thus has a cooling function equivalent to that of the cooling body 83 included in the fuel cell stack 9A of the conventional example. Therefore, when it is necessary to install a cooling device for cooling the fuel cells 7 in the fuel cell stack 1, a part or all of the function of cooling the fuel cells 7 is provided by the contact plate 41. It is possible to share.

In the above description of the embodiment, the contact plate 41 of the pressurizing device 4 of the fuel cell stack 1 has the cooling passage 412 formed therein, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when it is not necessary to provide the fuel cell stack 1 with a cooling ability until the cooling body is installed, the cooling path 412 may not be formed in the contact plate 41.

[0030]

The present invention has the following effects due to the above-mentioned configuration. That is, it becomes possible to limit the disassembling work up to the defective fuel battery cell when replacing the defective fuel battery cell only to the individual stack body in which the defective fuel battery cell is incorporated. It is also possible to prepare a replacement individual laminated body and replace it with this. This makes it possible to shorten the working time required to replace the defective fuel cell unit. In addition, it is possible to limit the number of gas seal bodies that are disassembled when a defective fuel cell is replaced to only the gas seal body that the individual stack body in which the defective fuel cell is incorporated has. The number of gas seals to be reassembled is reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the frequency of occurrence of a decrease in the pressure applied to the electrolyte layer by the gas sealing body during reassembly of the fuel cell stack, and improve the reliability of the sealing performance against the reaction gas. It will be possible. Furthermore, in the above item 1 and 2, the contact body provided in the individual stacked body is integrally provided with a cooling path for passing a cooling medium that removes heat generated from the fuel cells, and Since the contact plate can share a part or all of the required cooling capacity with the cell stack, the structure of the fuel cell stack can be simplified and the manufacturing cost thereof can be reduced. Becomes

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway side view schematically showing an individual laminated body included in a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell using the individual laminated body shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway side view schematically showing a state during assembly of the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view schematically showing an unfolded unit cell included in the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell of the conventional example.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram schematically showing an example of a conventional solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, in which (a) is a side view thereof and (b) is a top view thereof.

FIG. 6 is a side view schematically showing the structure of a conventional solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell equipped with a cooling body.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Solid Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (Fuel Cell Stack) 2 Individual Laminate 3 Cell 31A Separator 31B Separator 4 Pressurizer 41 Contact Plate 412 Cooling Path 42 Pressurizer 421 Screw 422 Nut 423 Spring Body (Disc Spring) 7 Fuel cells

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of fuel battery cells for receiving a supply of a fuel gas and an oxidant gas to generate direct current power, and a fuel gas or an oxidant gas disposed on both sides of each fuel battery cell. A separator having a plurality of gas flow grooves for supplying the gas, a series laminate of the plurality of fuel cells and a plurality of separators from the outer surface side of the separator located at both ends of the series laminate. Each fuel cell has a pressurizing device for pressurizing, and each fuel cell has an electrolyte layer made of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane and electrodes arranged in close contact with each of the two main surfaces of the electrolyte layer. Yes, each separator has a plurality of gas flow grooves on the side surface of the fuel cell that is in contact with the electrode, and the peripheral portion of each side surface of the separator that is in contact with the fuel cell. Has a gas seal that prevents the fuel gas or oxidant gas from leaking out of the gas flow passage. The pressurizer is the outer surface of each of the separators located at both ends of the series laminate. A solid body having a contact body that is in contact with the contact body and a pressurizing body that applies a pressing force to both contact bodies from the outer surface side of the separators located at both ends of the series laminated body. In the molecular electrolyte fuel cell, the series laminated body of the fuel battery cell and the separator is a plurality of individual laminated bodies in which a plurality of fuel battery cells and a plurality of separators are laminated in series. The individual laminated body is provided with a pressurizing device for applying pressure from the outer surface side of the separators located at both ends of the individual laminated body, and the pressurizing device provided in the individual laminated body is a separator located at both ends of the individual laminated body. of Each of the contact bodies has an abutting body that comes into contact with the outer side surface thereof, and a pressurizing body that applies a pressing force to the both contacting bodies from the outer surface side of the separators located at both ends of the individual laminated body. A solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell characterized by the following. 2. The solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the abutting body included in the individual laminated body is a cooling medium for flowing a cooling medium for removing heat generated from the fuel cell unit. A solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, characterized in that it is integrally provided with a passage.