JP7484359B2 - Ventilation structure of the housing - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a ventilation structure for a housing that houses a fuel cell system.

Conventionally, in a rectangular parallelepiped housing made of a combination of flat panels, etc., a fuel cell is housed in the housing, and ventilation of the housing is known. Also, as a ventilation structure for a housing, a structure with a duct extending upward within the housing and communicating with an opening at the upper end and a ventilation port formed in the panel has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). The ventilation structure of Patent Document 1 includes a louver plate arranged at the ventilation port, a filter arranged at the opening at the upper end of the air guide box as a duct, and a baffle plate arranged between the opening at the upper end and the louver plate, and the baffle plate prevents water droplets blown in through the gaps in the louver plate from being blown up in the duct. Also, by inclining the back wall of the air guide box facing the louver plate so as to move away from the ventilation port as it moves from the top to the bottom, water droplets blown into the duct and collide with the back wall are made to bounce downward. Also, the ventilation structure of Patent Document 2 prevents water droplets blown in through the ventilation port from going upward by arranging multiple punching plates with multiple small holes in the duct.

JP 2003-243863 A JP 2007-170042 A

The above-mentioned ventilation structure can prevent water droplets blown in through the ventilation port from being released into the housing through the opening at the upper end of the duct. However, in the ventilation structure of Patent Document 1, the duct becomes larger due to the placement of a baffle plate in the duct and the inclination of the back wall, which may result in the housing itself becoming larger. In addition, in the ventilation structure of Patent Document 2, the placement of a punching plate increases pressure loss in the ventilation path, so if ventilation is performed using a ventilation fan, for example, the ventilation fan must be made larger or rotate at a higher speed. This may result in increased costs and increased noise.

The main objective of the present invention is to properly prevent water droplets that have entered through the ventilation holes from being released into the housing.

The present invention takes the following measures to achieve the above-mentioned main objective.

The ventilation structure of the housing of the present invention comprises:
A ventilation structure for a housing that houses a fuel cell system, comprising:
a duct having an opening at an upper end portion thereof so as to open upward within the housing, the duct communicating with a ventilation port provided in a side wall of the housing;
a water absorbing member that is provided above the duct to cover the opening and form a vertical gap between the upper end of the duct and the water absorbing member, and is capable of absorbing moisture;
The gist of the project is to provide the following:

The ventilation structure for a housing of the present invention includes a water-absorbing member capable of absorbing moisture, which is provided above the duct so as to cover the opening of the duct and form a gap between the upper end of the duct and the upper end of the duct to allow ventilation. Therefore, water droplets blown into the duct from the ventilation opening can be absorbed by the water-absorbing member and prevented from being released into the housing. In addition, since the water-absorbing member is provided above the duct, there is no need to make the duct larger, and since a gap between the upper end of the duct and the water-absorbing member allows ventilation, an increase in pressure loss can be suppressed. As a result, water droplets blown into the ventilation opening can be appropriately prevented from being released into the housing.

In the ventilation structure for the housing of the present invention, the duct may be provided so that the duct wall surface facing the ventilation opening extends along the wall surface of the side wall to the upper end, and the vertical distance from the opening edge of the ventilation opening to the upper end is longer than the horizontal distance from the opening edge of the ventilation opening to the duct wall surface. In this way, it is possible to prevent water droplets blown in from the ventilation opening from directly penetrating into the housing through the gap between the water absorbing member and the upper end of the duct until the water droplets are blown in at an angle of about 45° upward from the horizontal direction.

In the ventilation structure for a housing of the present invention, the ventilation opening may be formed with a ring-shaped peripheral wall portion that extends from the opening edge so as to rise toward the side wall, and the duct may be provided so that the position of the upper end is higher than the intersection point of the duct wall surface with a straight line connecting the base end of the peripheral wall portion at the lower end of the opening edge of the ventilation opening and the tip of the peripheral wall portion at the upper end of the opening edge. In this way, even if water droplets are blown in so as to pass between the base end of the peripheral wall portion at the lower end of the opening edge and the tip of the peripheral wall portion at the upper end of the opening edge, it is possible to prevent the water droplets from directly entering the housing through the gap between the water-absorbing member and the upper end of the duct.

In the ventilation structure for the housing of the present invention, the water-absorbing member may be provided so that the area of the gap, based on the height of the gap and the length of the upper end portion that forms the gap, is equal to or greater than the area of the opening of the duct. In this way, even if a water-absorbing member is provided, the amount of air passing through the gap can be ensured, and an increase in pressure loss can be more reliably prevented.

1 is an external perspective view of a housing 10 that houses a fuel cell system 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a ventilation structure 20. FIG. A cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a ventilation structure 20. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which water droplets are blown in from an exhaust port 17. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an exhaust duct 21B of a modified example. FIG.

Next, we will explain the form for implementing the present invention.

Figure 1 is an external perspective view of a fuel cell system 1. The fuel cell system 1 includes a fuel cell module 4 that generates electricity using reformed gas obtained by reforming raw fuel gas through steam reforming and oxidant gas, a power conversion unit 6 that converts the electricity generated by the fuel cell module 4, and a control unit that controls the operation of various auxiliary devices and components required for power generation, all of which are housed in a rectangular parallelepiped housing 10. In this embodiment, the up-down, left-right, and front-rear directions are as shown in Figure 1.

The housing 10 has, for example, an intake port 12 on the lower right side of the rear wall 11, and an exhaust port 17 on the upper side of the left side wall 16. An intake duct 13 communicating with the intake port 12 and a ventilation fan 14 for introducing outside air are provided on the inner surface of the rear wall 11. In the fuel cell system 1, ventilation is performed by driving the ventilation fan 14 to take in outside air from the intake port 12 into the intake duct 13, and discharging it from the exhaust port 17 through the periphery of the fuel cell module 4 and the power conversion unit 6. In addition, the housing 10 is provided with a ventilation structure 20 for ventilation (exhaust) via the exhaust port 17.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the ventilation structure 20, and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of the ventilation structure 20. The ventilation structure 20 includes an exhaust duct 21 attached to the side wall 16 using bolts 19, a water absorption member 25 disposed above the exhaust duct 21, and a bracket 27 for mounting the water absorption member 25 above the exhaust duct 21.

The exhaust duct 21 is formed in a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape with an opening 23a at the upper end 23 so as to open upward within the housing 10, and with one side open. The exhaust duct 21 is attached to the side wall 16 so as to cover the exhaust port 17, with the open side facing the exhaust port 17. The exhaust duct 21 also uses the side wall surface 16a, which is the inner surface of the side wall 16, as part of the duct, with the duct wall surface 21a extending upward along the side wall surface 16a, and connects the opening 23a at the upper end 23 to the exhaust port 17.

Here, the exhaust port 17 is formed with a ring-shaped peripheral wall portion 18 that extends from the opening edge 17a toward the side wall 16 so as to rise into the housing 10. This peripheral wall portion 18 is formed, for example, by burring. The horizontal distance from the tip of this peripheral wall portion 18 to the duct wall surface 21a is distance A, and the vertical distance from the uppermost opening edge 17a of the exhaust port 17 to the upper end 23 of the exhaust duct 21 is distance B. In this embodiment, the exhaust duct 21 is configured so that the relationship between distance A and distance B is distance A≦distance B.

The water-absorbing member 25 is a porous sponge-like member formed into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape using polyurethane foam or the like, and has water-absorbing and breathable properties. The water-absorbing member 25 is formed so that the area of its upper surface (lower surface) is equal to or larger than the opening area of the opening 23a, so that it covers the entire opening 23a of the exhaust duct 21 when viewed from above.

The bracket 27 is, for example, a metal plate-like member, and has a three-pronged hook portion 27a formed at the bottom and a plurality of (for example, three) support pins 27b extending perpendicularly to the plate surface formed at the top. The bracket 27 is attached to the exhaust duct 21 in a state in which the plate surface is erected along the vertical direction by hooking the hook portion 27a to the upper end portion 23 of the exhaust duct 21. The bracket 27 supports the water absorption member 25 in a cantilever manner by inserting the support pin 27b into the inside from the side of the water absorption member 25. In this embodiment, two brackets 27 of the same configuration are attached to the upper end portion 23 of the exhaust duct 21 with a gap therebetween, and the water absorption member 25 is supported in a substantially horizontal state by both brackets 27. For this reason, the distance C from the lower surface to the upper end portion 23 (upper surface) of the water absorption member 25 is constant, and the water absorption member 25 covers the opening 23a of the exhaust duct 21 from above, forming a constant gap (distance C).

Here, the area of the gap between the water-absorbing member 25 and the upper end 23 can be calculated as the product of the distance C, which is the height of the gap, and the length of the upper end 23. In this embodiment, in order to ensure an appropriate amount of ventilation, the distance C is determined so that the area of the gap between the water-absorbing member 25 and the upper end 23 is equal to or greater than the opening area of the opening 23a, and the bracket 27 is formed to ensure that distance C.

Next, we will explain how water droplets such as rainwater are blown into the housing 10 configured in this way. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the state when water droplets are blown in from the exhaust port 17. The exhaust port 17 normally drives the ventilation fan 14 to exhaust outside air introduced from the intake port 12, but depending on the force of the wind and rain, wind and rain (water droplets) may be blown in (Figure 4 (1)). In that case, the water droplets blown in from the exhaust port 17 may collide with the duct wall surface 21a and fly up as fine droplets in the form of splashes (Figure 4 (2)).

In this embodiment, the opening 23a of the exhaust duct 21 is covered with the water absorbing member 25, so that fine water droplets that fly up from the exhaust duct 21 adhere to the water absorbing member 25 and are absorbed (FIG. 4 (3)). As the water droplets absorbed by the water absorbing member 25 accumulate, a thin water film is formed on the lower surface of the water absorbing member 25, so that even fine water droplets can be efficiently absorbed. In addition, since there is usually a ventilation flow (dotted arrow in FIG. 4), it is possible to prevent the water droplets that fly up from penetrating into the housing 10. Then, when the water droplets absorbed by the water absorbing member 25 further accumulate, the water falls downward due to its own weight (FIG. 4 (4)) and is discharged to the outside through the bottom 22 of the exhaust duct 21 and the lowest opening of the exhaust port 17 (FIG. 4 (5)). In this way, even if water droplets blow in from the exhaust port 17, they can be absorbed by the water absorbing member 25 and prevented from penetrating into the housing 10. In addition, mist-like water droplets that do not adhere to the water-absorbing member 25 may float, but such mist-like water droplets are pushed out of the exhaust port 17 by the ventilation flow, or condense on the duct wall surface 21a or side wall surface 16a, etc., and are removed.

The ventilation structure 20 of the embodiment described above includes a water-absorbing member 25 that covers the opening 23a at the upper end 23 of the exhaust duct 21 by forming a predetermined gap. Therefore, the water droplets blown in from the exhaust port 17 are absorbed by the water-absorbing member 25, and can be prevented from being released into the housing 10. In addition, since the water-absorbing member 25 is disposed above the exhaust duct 21, there is no need to increase the size of the exhaust duct 21, and it is possible to prevent the housing 10 from becoming larger. In addition, since the water-absorbing member 25 forms a gap and suppresses an increase in pressure loss, it is possible to prevent the ventilation fan 14 from becoming larger and rotating at a higher speed.

In addition, the exhaust duct 21 has a vertical distance B from the opening edge 17a of the exhaust port 17 to the upper end 23 that is longer than the horizontal distance A from the tip of the peripheral wall portion 18 of the exhaust port 17 to the duct wall surface 21a (see FIG. 3). Therefore, even if the water droplets are blown in at an angle of about 45° upward from the horizontal direction, the water droplets can be made to collide with the duct wall surface 21a, preventing the water droplets from directly penetrating into the housing 10 through the gap between the exhaust duct 21 and the water absorbing member 25.

The water-absorbing member 25 is also provided so that the area of the gap between the upper end 23 of the exhaust duct 21 is equal to or larger than the opening area of the opening 23a, ensuring an appropriate amount of ventilation, thereby preventing an increase in pressure loss. As a result, the flow of air to the exhaust port 17 is not impeded, and the provision of the water-absorbing member 25 can prevent any effect on ventilation efficiency.

In the above embodiment, distance B is longer than distance A, but this is not limited thereto, and distance B may be equal to distance A, or distance B may be shorter than distance A. In the latter case, water droplets may be prevented from directly penetrating into the housing 10 through the gap between the exhaust duct 21 and the water absorption member 25 by forming the water absorption member 25 to extend further inward into the housing 10 than the exhaust duct 21.

In addition to or instead of making the distance B longer than the distance A, the following may be done. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of an exhaust duct 21B of a modified example. In the exhaust duct 21B of the modified example, the upper end 23 is set higher than the intersection P of the duct wall surface 21a with a straight line L connecting the base end of the peripheral wall portion 18 at the lower end of the uppermost opening edge 17a of the exhaust port 17 and the tip of the peripheral wall portion 18 at the upper end of the opening edge 17a. In this way, even if water droplets are blown in so as to pass between the base end of the peripheral wall portion 18 at the lower end of the opening edge 17a and the tip of the peripheral wall portion 18 at the upper end of the opening edge 17a, the water droplets can be prevented from directly entering the housing 10 through the gap between the upper end 23 and the water absorbing member 25.

In the embodiment, the water-absorbing member 25 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a certain gap (distance C) is formed between the water-absorbing member 25 and the upper end 23, but this is not limited thereto. For example, in order to avoid interference with other components in the housing 10, the water-absorbing member 25 may be formed in a deformed shape so that it is partially closer to the upper end 23. In such a case, a gap may be formed partially, such as a portion where there is no gap between the water-absorbing member 25 and the upper end 23. In addition, the area of the partial gap, i.e., the area of the gap based on the horizontal length of the upper end 23 that forms the gap and the height of the gap, may be greater than or equal to the opening area of the opening 23a.

In the embodiment, the area of the gap between the water-absorbing member 25 and the upper end portion 23 is set to be equal to or larger than the opening area of the opening 23a, but this is not limited thereto, and the area of the gap may be smaller than the opening area as long as the pressure loss does not increase significantly.

In the embodiment, the peripheral wall portion 18 is provided on the opening edge 17a of the exhaust port 17, but this is not limited thereto, and the peripheral wall portion 18 may not be provided. In such a case, the distance A may be the horizontal distance from the opening edge 17a of the exhaust port 17 to the duct wall surface 21a.

In the embodiment, the water absorbing member 25 is supported by the bracket 27 attached to the exhaust duct 21, but this is not limited to the above, and the water absorbing member 25 may be supported by other methods. For example, the bracket 27 may be integrally formed with the exhaust duct 21. Alternatively, the water absorbing member 25 may be supported on the side wall surface 16a. In addition, the exhaust duct 21 has the duct wall surface 21a extending along the side wall surface 16a, but it may extend at an angle to the side wall surface 16a as long as it communicates with the opening at the upper end and the exhaust port 17.

In the embodiment, the ventilation structure 20 is provided at the exhaust port 17 that exhausts the air introduced from the ventilation fan 14, but it is not limited to the presence or absence of the ventilation fan 14, and may be provided at any ventilation port that ventilates air.

The correspondence between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the section on means for solving the problem will be explained. In the embodiment, the housing 10 corresponds to the "housing", the side wall 16 corresponds to the "side wall", the exhaust port 17 corresponds to the "ventilation port", the exhaust duct 21 corresponds to the "duct", and the water-absorbing member 25 corresponds to the "water-absorbing member". The peripheral wall portion 18 corresponds to the "peripheral wall portion".

The correspondence between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column does not limit the elements of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column, since the embodiment is an example for specifically explaining the form for implementing the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column. In other words, the interpretation of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column should be based on the description in that column, and the embodiment is merely a specific example of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column.

The above describes the form for carrying out the present invention using an embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment in any way, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be carried out in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

This invention can be used in the fuel cell manufacturing industry, etc.

1 fuel cell system, 4 fuel cell module, 6 power conversion unit, 10 housing, 11 rear wall, 12 intake port, 13 intake duct, 14 ventilation fan, 16 side wall, 16a side wall surface, 17 exhaust port, 17a opening edge, 18 peripheral wall portion, 19 bolt, 20 ventilation structure, 21, 21B exhaust duct, 21a duct wall surface, 22 bottom portion, 23 upper end portion, 23a opening, 25 water absorbing member, 27 bracket, 27a hook portion, 27b support pin.

Claims (4)

A ventilation structure for a housing that houses a fuel cell system, comprising:
a duct having a duct wall surface facing a ventilation port provided in a side wall of the housing, extending upward along the wall surface of the side wall, and an opening formed at an upper end thereof so as to open upward within the housing, the duct communicating between the ventilation port and the opening;
a water absorbing member that is provided above the outer side of the duct to cover the opening and form a gap between the upper end of the duct and the upper end of the duct in a vertical direction to allow ventilation, and that is capable of absorbing moisture;
The ventilation structure of the housing is provided with: The ventilation structure for a housing according to claim 1,
The duct is provided such that a vertical distance from an opening edge of the ventilation opening to the upper end is longer than a horizontal distance from the opening edge of the ventilation opening to a wall surface of the duct. The ventilation structure for a housing according to claim 1 or 2,
The ventilation hole is formed with an annular peripheral wall portion extending from an opening edge so as to rise toward the side wall,
A ventilation structure for a housing, wherein the duct is arranged so that the position of the upper end is higher than the intersection point between a straight line connecting the base end of the peripheral wall portion at the lower end of the opening edge of the ventilation port and the tip end of the peripheral wall portion at the upper end of the opening edge and the duct wall surface. The ventilation structure for a housing according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The water-absorbing member is provided so that an area of the gap based on a height of the gap and a length of the upper end portion that forms the gap is equal to or greater than an area of the opening of the duct.

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