JP6977580B2 - Fuel cell connection member - Google Patents

Description

The invention of the present disclosure relates to a connecting member of a fuel cell that electrically and mechanically connects a plurality of fuel cell cells side by side.

Conventionally, as a connection member of this type, a first current collector that is electrically connected to the outer peripheral surface of the outer electrode layer, which is the air electrode of the fuel cell, and a fuel cell that is adjacent to the first current collector. The second current collector, which extends toward the end of the fuel electrode and is electrically connected to the inner electrode terminal attached to the inner electrode layer which is the fuel electrode, and the first and second current collectors are electrically connected. A current collector including a connecting portion to be connected is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this current collector, the first and second current collectors have a flat surface portion extending in the longitudinal direction along the fuel cell and a plane portion extending vertically from the left and right sides of the flat surface portion and longitudinally along the fuel cell. It has a pair of side surface portions extending in a direction, and a grip portion extending from each side surface portion in a semi-arc shape in the circumferential direction along the fuel cell and being attached to an outer electrode layer or an inner electrode terminal. Further, one of the pair of grips is formed with two protrusions extending in the circumferential direction along the fuel cell so as to surround the outer periphery of the fuel cell, and the other is formed with the two protrusions. One protrusion facing the protrusion is formed. Further, at the tip of each protruding portion, a claw portion having a curved surface portion extending from the inner direction to the outer direction of the first or second current collecting portion is formed.

Further, as a connecting member of the fuel cell, a current collector (metal plate) having a plurality of mounting holes and a plurality of elastic pieces provided in each mounting hole is also known (see, for example, Patent Document 2). ). The end of the corresponding fuel cell is inserted into each mounting hole of the current collector, and the current collector is attached to the cell array by the elastic force of the elastic piece. Then, each elastic piece is adhered to the electrode of the fuel cell.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-79519 JP-A-2015-170499

When a plurality of fuel cell cells are electrically and mechanically connected using the current collector described in Patent Document 1, four current collectors are assembled in one fuel cell, but in view of productivity. For example, it is preferable to assemble four current collectors simultaneously (all at once) for one fuel cell. However, each current collecting portion of the current collector described in Patent Document 1 is provided with two grip portions having two or one claw portion, respectively, and one fuel cell and four current collectors. When assembling with the body, it is necessary to bring the one fuel cell into contact with a total of eight grips. For this reason, when assembling the fuel cell and the current collector, stress in various directions is applied to each connecting member due to interference between each gripping portion and the fuel cell due to manufacturing tolerances of the fuel cell and the current collector. It occurs, and it becomes difficult to simultaneously and smoothly assemble four current collectors for one fuel cell. On the other hand, when the current collector described in Patent Document 2 is used, the assembling property can be improved as compared with the case where the current collector described in Patent Document 1 is used, but the current collector (elasticity). The insufficient contact area between the piece) and the electrode may increase the electrical resistance and reduce the power generation efficiency.

Therefore, the invention of the present disclosure is to improve the assemblability between a connecting member for electrically and mechanically connecting a plurality of fuel cell cells and the fuel cell, and to suppress a decrease in power generation efficiency of the fuel cell. Is the main purpose.

The fuel cell connection member of the present disclosure includes a first current collector electrically connected to the anode layer of one of the two fuel cell cells provided in a tubular shape, and the other of the two fuel cell cells. In the connection member of the fuel cell, which includes a second current collector electrically connected to the cathode layer and electrically and mechanically connects a plurality of the fuel cell adjacent to each other, the first and second collections. The electric part is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape so as to partially surround the contacted portion defined in the anode layer or the contacted portion defined in the cathode layer and to contact the surface of the contacted portion. The contact holding portion, the clamp portion extending from the contact holding portion so as to be elastically pressed against the contacted portion, and the contact holding portion facing the clamp portion and from the contact holding portion rather than the clamp portion. Each includes a flat assembly guide portion extending from the contact holding portion so as to be separated from each other, and at least one of the first and second current collecting portions is along the circumferential direction of the contact holding portion. It is divided into a plurality of parts by an extending first slit.

When assembling the connecting member and the fuel cell, the first or second current collecting portion of the connecting member and the contacted portion of the anode layer or the cathode layer of the fuel cell are brought close to each other. At this time, since the assembly guide portions of the first and second current collectors are formed so as to be separated from the contact holding portion by the clamp portion, the contacted portion of the fuel cell is first or first. 2 It contacts the end of the assembly guide portion of the current collector and approaches the contact holding portion of the first or second current collector while being guided by the assembly guide portion. Further, the contacted portion of the fuel cell enters the contact holding portion so as to push the clamp portion open, and comes into contact with the surface of the contact holding portion. Further, since at least one of the first and second current collectors provided with the first slit extending in the circumferential direction of the contact holding portion is divided by the first slit, when the first slit is not provided. In comparison, the fuel cell makes contact along the shape of the surface of the contacted portion of the fuel cell. Then, the clamp portion is elastically pressed against the contacted portion, so that the fuel cell is firmly held by the contact holding portion, the clamp portion, and the assembly guide portion.

In this way, by forming the assembly guide portions of the first and second current collectors so as to be separated from the contact holding portion by the clamp portion, the contact portion between the connecting member and the fuel cell at the start of assembly is formed. It is possible to reduce the number of. As a result, the stress generated in the connecting member due to the interference between the first and second current collectors and the fuel cell due to the manufacturing tolerance of the fuel cell and the connecting member is reduced, and the connecting member and the fuel cell are connected to each other. Assemblability can be improved. Therefore, one fuel cell can be smoothly and simultaneously attached to a plurality of connecting members, and productivity can be further improved. Further, in this connecting member, it is possible to secure a contact area between the contact holding portion and the contacted portion of the fuel cell and suppress an increase in electric resistance. As a result, it is possible to improve the assembling property between the connecting member for electrically and mechanically connecting a plurality of fuel cell cells and the fuel cell, and to suppress the decrease in the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell.

Further, in the connecting member, the plurality of portions adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the contact holding portion may be provided so that the axial lengths are different from each other. As a result, even when the size of the contacted portion of the fuel cell changes along the axial direction of the fuel cell due to the manufacturing tolerance of the fuel cell or the like, the first and second current collectors provided with the first slit are provided. At least one of the portions is in contact with each other so as to follow the shape of the surface of the contacted portion of the fuel cell.

Further, the connecting member may include a connecting portion that electrically and mechanically connects the first and second current collecting portions so as to be separated from each other in the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell, and the connecting portion may be provided. , The flat plate portion extending along the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell may be included, and the flat plate portion may be provided with a second slit. As a result, it is possible to suppress the stress generated in the contact holding portion and the contacted portion of the fuel cell due to the inclination caused by the manufacturing tolerance of the fuel cell cells adjacent to each other.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the fuel cell stack including the connection member of the fuel cell of the present disclosure. It is a partial cross-sectional view which shows the fuel cell included in the fuel cell stack of FIG. It is a top view which shows the connection member of the fuel cell of this disclosure. It is a top view which shows the connection member of the fuel cell of this disclosure. It is a front view which shows the connection member of the fuel cell of this disclosure. It is a side view which shows the connection member of the fuel cell of this disclosure. It is a top view which shows the procedure of connecting a plurality of fuel cell cells electrically and mechanically by using a plurality of connecting members. It is a top view which shows the procedure of connecting a plurality of fuel cell cells electrically and mechanically by using a plurality of connecting members. It is explanatory drawing which shows the procedure of connecting a plurality of fuel cell cells electrically and mechanically using a plurality of connecting members. It is a side view which shows the connection member of the fuel cell of this disclosure.

Next, a mode for carrying out the invention of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a fuel cell stack FCS including a connecting member of the fuel cell of the present disclosure. The fuel cell stack FCS shown in the figure includes a plurality of fuel cell cells 1 and a plurality of connecting members 10, 10', and the plurality of fuel cell cells 1 are electrically and mechanically formed by using the plurality of connecting members 10. It is assembled by connecting the fuel cells. In the present embodiment, the fuel cell 1 is configured as a solid oxide fuel cell (cylindrical fuel cell) provided in a cylindrical shape (specifically, a cylindrical shape), as shown in FIG. Includes a solid electrolyte layer 2, an anode layer (inner electrode layer) 3, and a cathode layer (outer electrode layer) 4, respectively, which are formed in a long cylindrical shape.

The solid electrolyte layer 2 is arranged between the anode layer 3 and the cathode layer 4, and the anode layer 3 is arranged inside the solid electrolyte layer 2. An anode gas (fuel gas) containing hydrogen is supplied to the inside of the anode layer 3, and the anode layer 3 functions as a negative electrode. Further, the cathode layer 4 comes into contact with a cathode gas (oxidizing agent gas) containing oxygen such as air supplied around the cathode layer 4 and functions as a positive electrode. The fuel cell 1 generates electricity by an oxidation reaction of hydrogen in the anode layer 3 and a reduction reaction of oxygen in the cathode layer 4.

The solid electrolyte layer 2 is one or more selected from rare earth elements such as Y and Sc, stabilized zirconia doped with one or more selected from Ca, and one or more selected from rare earth elements such as Gd, Y, Sm. It is formed by a lanthanum gallate or the like doped with one or more selected from Celia, La, Sr, Ga, Mg and Co doped with the above.

The anode layer 3 is a mixture of a catalyst metal such as Ni or Fe and a stabilized zirconia doped with one or more selected from rare earth elements such as Y and Sc and Ca, and a catalyst metal such as Ni and Fe. And a mixture of ceria doped with one or more selected from rare earth elements such as Gd, Y, Sm, catalytic metal such as Ni and Fe, and one selected from La, Sr, Ga, Mg, Co. Alternatively, it is formed by a mixture with a lanthanum gallate doped with two or more kinds.

The cathode layer 4 is formed of, for example, a perovskite-type oxide containing Sr. Examples of perovskite-type oxides include La1-xSrxCo1-yFeyO3-based oxides (eg, x = 0.4, y = 0.8), La1-xSrxCoO3-based oxides (eg, x = 0.4), and La1. Examples thereof include -xSrxFeO3 based oxide (for example, x = 0.4), La1-xSrxMnO3 based oxide (for example, x = 0.2), Sm1-xSrxCoO3 based oxide (for example, x = 0.5) and the like. The solid electrolyte layer 2 and the cathode layer 4 were formed of a ceria mixture doped with rare earths such as GDC (gadolinium-doped ceria), YDC (yttria-doped ceria), and SDC (samarium-doped ceria). An anti-reaction layer (not shown) may be provided.

Further, the fuel cell 1 includes two current collector caps (current collector members) 5 provided at both ends. Each current collector cap 5 is formed of a conductive metal in a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape, and as shown in FIG. 2, the disk-shaped bottom plate portion 5a and the bottom plate portion 5a extend axially from the outer periphery thereof. It has a formed cylindrical tubular portion 5b and an extension pipe portion 5c extending from the center of the bottom plate portion 5a to the side opposite to the tubular portion 5b. The extension pipe portion 5c is formed with a gas flow hole (through hole) 5d that penetrates the extension pipe portion 5c and communicates with the inside of the tubular portion 5b.

In the present embodiment, both ends of the solid electrolyte layer 2 and the anode layer 3 of the fuel cell 1 project outward from both ends of the cathode layer 4, and each end of the solid electrolyte layer 2 and the anode layer 3 protrudes outward. , The end surface of the anode layer 3 is inserted into the tubular portion 5b so as to abut on the inner bottom surface of the bottom plate portion 5a of the current collecting cap 5. Then, a silver paste containing silver, palladium, or the like is filled between the tubular portion 5b and the solid electrolyte layer 2 and the anode layer 3, and the silver paste is dried at a high temperature (for example, about 150 ° C.). By firing, an annular conductive seal portion 6 is formed. As a result, the anode layer 3 and the current collector cap 5 are directly and electrically connected via the conductive seal portion 6. Further, the anode gas is supplied to the gas flow hole 5d of the extension pipe portion 5c of one of the current collector caps 5. As a result, the anode gas is supplied to the inside of the anode layer 3 from the gas flow hole 5d of the one current collector cap 5, and the anode layer 3 is supplied from the gas flow hole 5d of the extension pipe portion 5c of the other current collector cap 5. The anode off gas that has passed through the can be discharged.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the fuel cell 1 is provided with a gas seal portion 7 for sealing a gap between the anode layer 3 and the current collector cap 5. The gas seal portion 7 is, for example, a dense layer formed of a glass material that is melted by heat in the operating temperature range of the fuel cell 1 (for example, about 600 to 1000 ° C.), and is collected with the outer peripheral surface of the solid electrolyte layer 2. It extends in an annular shape along the end surface of the tubular portion 5b of the electric cap 5. The gap between the anode layer 3 and the current collector cap 5 includes a minute gap between the end surface of the anode layer 3 and the bottom plate portion 5a of the current collector cap 5, and the outer peripheral surface of the solid electrolyte layer 2 and the anode layer 3. Examples thereof include a minute gap formed between the conductive seal portion 6 and the conductive seal portion 6, a minute gap formed between the conductive seal portion 6 and the inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion 5b of the current collector cap 5. ..

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the connecting member 10, and FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the connecting member 10'. 5 is a front view showing the connecting member 10, and FIG. 6 is a side view showing the connecting member 10. The connecting members 10, 10'shown in these drawings are formed by press-molding a conductive metal plate such as stainless steel, and two fuel cell 1s are independently electrically and mechanically connected side by side. It is possible. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the connecting members 10 and 10'include a first current collecting unit 11, a second current collecting unit 12, and a connecting unit 13 integrally formed of a conductive material. The first current collecting unit 11 is electrically connected to the anode layer 3 of one of the two fuel cell 1 to be connected, and the second collecting unit 12 is the other cathode layer of the two fuel cell cells. It is electrically connected to 4. Further, the connecting portion 13 electrically and mechanically connects the first and second current collecting portions 11 and 12 so as to be separated from each other in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the fuel cell 1. Here, since the connecting member 10'has a structure in which the connecting member 10 is mirror-inverted, the configuration of both will be described below by taking the connecting member 10 as an example.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the first current collector 11 of the connecting member 10 is a cylindrical portion of the current collector cap 5 as a contacted portion defined in the anode layer 3 of the fuel cell 1. It includes a contact holding portion 110 formed to partially surround the 5b and to be in contact with the surface of the tubular portion 5b. As shown in FIG. 5, the contact holding portion 110 is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape (specifically, a semi-cylindrical shape) and has a semi-arc-shaped cross-sectional shape. Further, the inner peripheral surface of the contact holding portion 110 is formed in a concave cylindrical surface having a radius of curvature slightly larger than the radius of curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 5b.

Further, the first current collecting unit 11 of the connecting member 10 is assembled with a clamp portion 111 extending from the contact holding portion 110 and a flat plate-shaped assembly extending from the contact holding portion 110 so as to face the clamp portion 111. Includes a guide portion 112. As shown in FIG. 5, the clamp portion 111 holds the contact so as to be partially close to the assembly guide portion 112 from one end of the contact holding portion 110 (semi-cylindrical) (see the broken line portion in FIG. 5). It extends to the side opposite to the inner peripheral surface of the portion 110. As shown in FIG. 5, the assembly guide portion 112 is located on the side opposite to the inner peripheral surface of the contact holding portion 110 from the other end portion (see the broken line portion in FIG. 5) of the contact holding portion 110 (semi-cylinder). It has been postponed. Then, the assembly guide portion 112 extends in the tangential direction at the other end of the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the contact holding portion 110 (semi-cylindrical) to a position separated from the contact holding portion 110 by the clamp portion 111. There is. The surface of the assembly guide portion 112 facing the clamp portion 111 is formed flat, and the clamp portion 111 and the assembly guide portion 112 are more than twice the radius of curvature of the inner peripheral surface of the contact holding portion 110. Oppose each other with a slightly short interval.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the second current collector 12 of the connecting member 10 is the surface of the cathode layer 4 as a contacted portion defined in the cathode layer 4 of the fuel cell 1. Includes a contact holding portion 120 formed to partially surround and contact the surface of the cathode layer 4. The contacted portion of the cathode layer 4 corresponds to a part of the outer peripheral surface of the cathode layer 4. As shown in FIG. 5, the contact holding portion 120 is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape (specifically, a semi-cylindrical shape) and has a semi-arc-shaped cross-sectional shape. Further, the inner peripheral surface of the contact holding portion 120 is formed in a concave cylindrical surface having a radius of curvature slightly larger than the radius of curvature of the surface of the cathode layer 4.

Further, the second current collector 12 of the connecting member 10 is assembled with a clamp portion 121 extended from the contact holding portion 120 and a flat plate-shaped assembly extending from the contact holding portion 120 so as to face the clamp portion 121. Includes a guide portion 122. As shown in FIG. 5, the clamp portion 121 is contact-held so as to be partially close to the assembly guide portion 122 from one end portion (see the broken line portion in FIG. 5) of the contact holding portion 120 (semi-cylinder). It extends to the side opposite to the inner peripheral surface of the portion 120. As shown in FIG. 5, the assembly guide portion 122 is located on the side opposite to the inner peripheral surface of the contact holding portion 120 from the other end portion (see the broken line portion in FIG. 5) of the contact holding portion 120 (semi-cylinder). It has been postponed. Then, the assembly guide portion 122 extends in the tangential direction at the other end of the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the contact holding portion 120 (semi-cylinder) to a position farther from the contact holding portion 120 than the clamp portion 121. There is. The surface of the assembly guide portion 122 facing the clamp portion 121 is formed flat, and the clamp portion 121 and the assembly guide portion 122 are more than twice the radius of curvature of the inner peripheral surface of the contact holding portion 120. Oppose each other with a slightly short interval.

Further, the connecting portion 13 of the connecting member 10 has a relatively short flat plate portion 130 extending along the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell 1 and a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction from one end of the flat plate portion 130 in the longitudinal direction. The first relay section 131 that is extended and connected to the assembly guide section 112 of the first current collector section 11 and the first relay section 131 so as to be orthogonal to the longitudinal direction from the other end in the longitudinal direction of the flat plate section 130. Includes a second relay section 132 that extends to the opposite side and is connected to the assembly guide section 122 of the second current collector section 12. The first relay portion 131 extends so as to be orthogonal to the flat plate portion 130 and the assembly guide portion 112 between the upper end of the flat plate portion 130 in FIG. 5 and the upper end of the assembly guide portion 112 in FIG. Further, the second relay portion 132 extends so as to be orthogonal to the flat plate portion 130 and the assembly guide portion 122 between the upper end of the flat plate portion 130 in FIG. 5 and the upper end of the assembly guide portion 122 in FIG. ..

As a result, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the first current collector 11 is the fuel cell 1 so that the assembly guide portion 112 is closer to the connecting portion 13 (flat plate portion 130) than the clamp portion 111. It is provided on one side (left side in FIGS. 3 and 5) of the connecting portion 13 in the arrangement direction. Further, the second current collector portion 12 is located on the other side of the connecting portion 13 in the arrangement direction of the fuel cell 1 so that the assembling guide portion 122 is closer to the connecting portion 13 (flat plate portion 130) than the clamp portion 121. It is provided on the right side in FIGS. 3 and 5). Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the assembly guide portions 112 and 122 of the first and second current collectors 11 and 12 are connected to each other with spaces 133 and 134 having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape. It faces parallel to the flat plate portion 130.

Further, in the connecting members 10 and 10', as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second current collecting portion 12 corresponding to the cathode layer 4 is provided by the first slit 14 extending along the circumferential direction of the contact holding portion 120. It is divided into a plurality of parts (first part 12a and second part 12b). One first slit 14 is provided so as to extend from the second relay portion 132 to the assembly guide portion 122, the contact holding portion 120, and the clamp portion 121 along the circumferential direction of the contact holding portion 120. As a result, the second relay portion 132, the assembly guide portion 122, the contact holding portion 120, and the clamp portion 121 are divided into two in the axial direction of the contact holding portion 120 (the subscripts a and the subscripts a and each of the divided portions are divided). One of the subscripts b is attached).

Specifically, the first portion 12a is composed of a first second relay portion 132a, a first assembly guide portion 122a, a first contact holding portion 120a, and a first clamp portion 121a. The second portion 12b is composed of a second relay portion 132b, a second assembly guide portion 122b, a second contact holding portion 120b, and a second clamp portion 121b. As a result, the stress concentration of the cathode layer 4 that occurs when the contact holding portion 120 holds the cathode layer 4 can be suppressed.

Further, in this case, a plurality of portions adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the contact holding portion 120 with the first slit 14 interposed therebetween may be provided so that the axial lengths are different from each other. For example, the axial length A of the first portion 12a is set to be longer than the axial length B of the second portion 12b. When the contact holding portion 120 holds the cathode layer 4, the second portion 12b having a short axial length among the plurality of portions is located on the axial central portion side of the fuel cell 1. Generally, the dimensional accuracy of the cathode layer 4 decreases from the axial end side to the axial center side of the fuel cell 1, and therefore, as described above, the axial lengths of a plurality of parts are set. Thereby, the stress concentration of the cathode layer 4 can be further suppressed.

Subsequently, with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9, a procedure for assembling the fuel cell stack FCS by electrically and mechanically connecting the plurality of fuel cell 1s using the plurality of connecting members 10 and 10'will be described. ..

When connecting a plurality of fuel cell 1s using a plurality of connecting members 10, 10', an assembly jig 90 as shown in FIG. 7 is used in the present embodiment. The assembly jig 90 is arranged in the space between the flat plate-shaped base portion 91, the two first positioning portions 92 installed on the base portion 91, and the two first positioning portions 92 in the base portion 91. A plurality of second positioning portions 95 are included. The two first positioning portions 92 are long plates installed perpendicular to the base portion 91, and are from the end face of one current collecting cap 5 of the fuel cell 1 to the end face of the other current collecting cap 5. It extends parallel to each other at intervals according to the length up to. Further, on the end surface (upper end surface) of each first positioning portion 92, a plurality of positioning recesses 93 (= the number of arrangements of the fuel cell 1) are formed at intervals according to the arrangement pitch of the fuel cell 1. There is. Each positioning recess 93 is formed so that the extension pipe portion 5c of the current collecting cap 5 of the fuel cell 1 is fitted.

The second positioning portion 95 of the assembly jig 90 is a short plate body installed perpendicular to the base portion 91. As shown in FIG. 7, on the base portion 91, a plurality of second positioning portions 95 (the number of arrangements of the fuel cell 1-1) are arranged at intervals according to the arrangement pitch of the fuel cell 1. A plurality of second positioning units 95 (the number of arrangements of the fuel cell 1-1) are arranged along the first positioning unit 92 at intervals according to the arrangement pitch, and the other first positioning unit 95 is provided. Arranged along 92. In the present embodiment, each of the second positioning portions 95 is a space 134 between the assembly guide portion 122 of the second current collecting portion 12 of the connecting members 10 and 10'and the flat plate portion 130 of the connecting portion 13 (see FIG. 5). ) Has a thickness slightly smaller than the width of). Further, a recess 96 into which the second relay portion 132 of the connecting members 10 and 10'is fitted is formed on the end surface (upper end surface) of the second positioning portion 95.

When assembling the fuel cell stack FCS, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of connecting members 10 are assembled to the assembly jig 90 along the first positioning portion 92 on one side (upper side in the figure), and the other (upper side in the figure). A plurality of connecting members 10'are assembled along the first positioning portion 92 (lower side in the figure). That is, in the connecting members 10, 10', the bottom surface of the recess 96 abuts on the second relay portion 132 in the space 134 between the assembly guide portion 122 of the second current collecting portion 12 and the flat plate portion 130 of the connecting portion 13. By inserting the second positioning portion 95 as described above, the position is positioned on the base portion 91. As described above, in the connecting members 10 and 10', the space 134 between the assembling guide portion 122 of the second current collecting portion 12 and the connecting portion 13 is used as a space for inserting the second positioning portion 95. As a result, the connecting members 10 and 10'can be accurately positioned with respect to the assembly jig 90. Further, by bringing the second relay portion 132 into contact with the second positioning portion 95 (bottom surface of the recess 96) inserted into the space 134, the connecting members 10 and 10'are more accurately attached to the assembly jig 90. It is possible to improve the workability of assembling as well as positioning.

Next, after applying silver paste to the inner peripheral surfaces of the contact holding portions 110, 120 of the connecting members 10, 10', the plurality of connecting members 10, corresponding to the fuel cell 1 by an assembling machine or manually. Assemble to 10'sequentially. As described above, in the connecting members 10 and 10', the assembly guide portions 112 and 122 of the first and second current collectors 11 and 12 are separated from the contact holding portions 110 and 120 by the clamp portions 111 and 121. Is formed in. Therefore, when assembling the fuel cell 1 to a total of four connecting members 10, 10', the fuel cell 1 is brought close to the first and second current collecting portions 11 and 12 of the connecting members 10, 10'. Then, the cathode layer 4 of the fuel cell 1 and the tubular portion 5b of the current collector cap 5 first come into contact with the ends of the assembly guide portions 112 and 122 of the first and second current collectors 11 and 12. (See the cathode layer 4 shown by the broken line in FIG. 9). Further, the fuel cell 1, that is, the cathode layer 4 and the tubular portion 5b approach the contact holding portions 110 and 120 of the first or second current collector portions 11 and 12 while being guided by the flat assembly guide portions 112 and 122. Then, the clamp portions 111 and 121 are pushed open to enter the contact holding portions 110 and 120 and come into contact with the inner peripheral surface (surface) of the contact holding portions 110 and 120. Then, the clamp portions 111 and 121 are elastically pressed against the cathode layer 4 and the tubular portion 5b, so that the fuel cell 1 has the contact holding portions 110 and 120, the clamp portions 111 and 121 and the assembly guide portion. It is firmly held by 112 and 122 (see the tubular portion 5b shown by the broken line in FIG. 9).

As described above, the connecting members are formed by forming the assembly guide portions 112 and 122 of the first and second current collectors 11 and 12 so as to be separated from the contact holding portions 110 and 120 by the clamp portions 111 and 121. It is possible to reduce the number of contact points at the start of assembling the 10 and 10'and the fuel cell 1. That is, when one fuel cell 1 is assembled to a total of four connecting members 10, 10', there are a total of four contact points between the connecting members 10, 10'and the fuel cell 1 at the start of assembly ( There are two assembly guides 112 and 122), respectively. As a result, the fuel cell 1 and the connecting members 10 and 10'are generated in the connecting members 10 and 10'due to interference between the first and second current collectors 11 and 12 and the fuel cell 1 due to manufacturing tolerances and the like. The stress can be reduced and the assemblability of the fuel cell 1 to the connecting members 10 and 10'can be further improved. Therefore, one fuel cell 1 can be smoothly and simultaneously attached to a plurality of connecting members 10, 10', and productivity can be further improved. Further, in the connecting members 10 and 10', the contact area between the contact holding portions 110 and 120 having the concave inner peripheral surface and the cathode layer 4 and the tubular portion 5b is sufficiently secured to increase the electric resistance. It is possible to satisfactorily suppress the formation.

Further, in the connecting members 10 and 10', the first current collecting unit 11 is one of the connecting portions 13 in the arrangement direction of the fuel cell 1 so that the assembly guide portion 112 is closer to the flat plate portion 130 than the clamp portion 111. The second current collecting unit 12 is provided on the side, and is provided on the other side of the connecting portion 13 in the arrangement direction of the fuel cell 1 so that the assembly guide portion 122 is closer to the flat plate portion 130 than the clamp portion 121. As a result, when assembling the plurality of fuel cell 1s to the plurality of connecting members 10 and 10', the connecting members 10 are caused by the interference between the first and second current collectors 11 and 12 and the fuel cell 1. It is possible to cancel each other's stresses generated in the connecting members 10 and 10'in each of the connecting members 10 and 10', and it is possible to further improve the assembling property of the fuel cell 1 with respect to the connecting members 10 and 10'.

As described above, according to the connecting members 10 and 10'that electrically and mechanically connect the plurality of fuel cell 1s, the assembling property of the fuel cell 1 to the connecting members 10 and 10'is improved. At the same time, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell 1.

The structure of the connecting members 10, 10'is formed by moving the assembly guide portions 112, 122 closer to the connecting portion 13 (flat plate portion 130) than the clamp portions 111, 121, as in the connecting members 10, 10'. Can be formed more easily, but the configuration of the connecting members 10, 10'is not limited to this. That is, the connecting members 10 and 10'may be formed so that the clamp portions 111 and 121 are close to the connecting portion 13 (flat plate portion 130) and the assembly guide portions 112 and 122 are located on the outside.

Further, in the connecting members 10 and 10', the surface area of the contact holding portion 120 of the second current collecting unit 12 corresponding to the cathode layer 4 is the surface area of the contact holding portion 110 of the first current collecting unit 11 corresponding to the anode layer 3. It may be larger than the surface area.

Although one first slit 14 is provided in FIGS. 3 and 4, a plurality of first slits 14 may be provided. For example, when m first slits 14 are formed, the second current collector 12 is divided into m + 1 portions. Further, in this case, the axial length of the portion of the fuel cell 1 located on the axially central portion side of the plurality of portions adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the contact holding portion 120 with the first slit 14 interposed therebetween is shortened. You may set it. On the other hand, of the plurality of portions adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the contact holding portion 120, the axial length of the portion located on the axial central portion side of the fuel cell 1 may be set to be longer or the same.

Further, the length of the contact holding portion 120 in the first slit 14 in the circumferential direction may be changed. For example, the first slit 14 is formed so as to extend over both ends of the contact holding portion 120 and the clamp portion 121.

Further, the first slit 14 is provided so as to divide the second current collector 12 into two parts, a first part 12a and a second part 12b, but instead of this, it is shown in FIG. As described above, by providing the first slit 14 in the shape of a hole penetrating the second current collector portion 12, the first portion 12a, the second portion 12b, and the third portion 12c indicated by the broken line are divided. It may be provided in. In this case, the first slit 14 is formed so as to extend from the second relay portion 132 to the assembly guide portion 122 and the contact holding portion 120 along the circumferential direction of the contact holding portion 120. That is, the clamp portion 121 is not divided without forming the first slit 14. In this case, the clamp portion 121 has a portion constituting the first portion 12a, a portion constituting the second portion 12b, and a third portion 12c connecting the first portion 12a and the second portion 12b. .. Further, although the first slit 14 is provided in the second current collector 12, it may be provided only in the first current collector 11 or in both the first and second current collectors 11 and 12. good.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the second slit 15 may be provided in the connecting portion 13. The second slit 15 is provided in the flat plate portion 130. A plurality of second slits 15 are provided in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the fuel cell. As a result, the stress generated when the contact holding portions 110 and 120 hold the anode layer 3 and the cathode layer 4 can be suppressed due to the inclination of the fuel cell 1 adjacent to each other. The second slit 15 may be provided in a direction different from the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the fuel cell 1 (for example, a direction along the axial direction of the fuel cell 1), or only one may be provided. good.

Further, in the above embodiment, the space 134 between the assembly guide portion 122 and the connecting portion 13 of the second current collecting unit 12 is used as a space for inserting the second positioning unit 95, but the space is not limited to this. That is, when positioning the connecting members 10 and 10'with respect to the assembling jig 90, the space 133 between the assembling guide portion 112 and the connecting portion 13 of the first current collector 11 inserts the second positioning portion 95. It may be used as a space.

Further, the above-mentioned fuel cell 1 is a cylindrical solid oxide fuel cell, but by changing the shape of the contact holding portions 110 and 120, the connecting members 10 and 10'are made into a cylinder other than the cylindrical type. Needless to say, it can be applied to the fuel cell provided in the mold. Further, in the fuel cell 1, even if the cathode layer is arranged inside the electrolyte layer and the end portion of the cathode layer is inserted into a current collecting cap (collecting member) through which the cathode gas passes. good. Further, the fuel cell 1 may be a fuel cell of a type other than the solid oxide fuel cell.

It goes without saying that the invention of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes can be made within the scope of the extension of the present disclosure. Further, the above embodiment is merely a specific embodiment of the invention described in the column of the outline of the invention, and does not limit the elements of the invention described in the column of the outline of the invention.

The invention of the present disclosure can be used in the fuel cell stack manufacturing industry and the like.

1 fuel cell, 2 solid electrolyte layer, 3 anode layer, 4 cathode layer, 5 current collector cap, 5a bottom plate, 5b tubular, 5c extension tube, 5d gas flow hole, 6 conductive seal, 7 Gas seal part, 10,10'connecting member, 11 1st current collecting part, 12 2nd current collecting part, 14 1st slit, 15 2nd slit, 110, 120 contact holding part, 111, 121 clamp part, 112, 122 Assembly guide part, 13 connection part, 130 flat plate part, 131 first relay part, 132 second relay part, 133,134 space, 90 assembly jig, 91 base part, 92 first positioning part, 93 recess, 95 2nd positioning part, 96 recess, FCS fuel cell stack.

Claims (3)

A first current collector electrically connected to one anode layer of two tubular fuel cell cells and a second electrically connected to the other cathode layer of the two fuel cell cells. In a fuel cell cell connecting member provided with a current collecting unit and electrically and mechanically connecting a plurality of the fuel cell cells side by side.
The first and second current collectors are
A contact holding portion formed in a semi-cylindrical shape so as to partially surround the contacted portion defined on the anode layer or the contacted portion defined on the cathode layer and to contact the surface of the contacted portion. When,
A clamp portion extended from the contact holding portion so as to be elastically pressed against the contacted portion, and a clamp portion.
Each includes a flat assembly guide portion that faces the clamp portion and extends from the contact holding portion so as to be separated from the contact holding portion by the clamp portion.
At least one of the first and second current collectors is a fuel cell connecting member divided into a plurality of portions by a first slit extending along the circumferential direction of the contact holding portion. In the fuel cell connection member according to claim 1,
The plurality of portions adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the contact holding portion are connecting members of a fuel cell, which are provided so as to have different axial lengths. In the fuel cell connecting member according to claim 1 or 2.
Further provided, a connecting portion for electrically and mechanically connecting the first and second current collectors so as to be separated from each other in the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell.
The connecting portion includes a flat plate portion extending along the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell.
A fuel cell connecting member provided with a second slit in the flat plate portion.

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