KR20230115365A - Fuel cell apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fuel cell device including: a membrane electrode assembly; a gas diffusion unit disposed to face the membrane electrode assembly; a pair of separation plate units having a channel unit for supplying a reaction gas to the gas diffusion unit and a land unit alternately arranged with the channel unit; a cooling channel unit which is provided between the pair of separation plate units and into which a coolant is introduced; and a flow concentration unit provided in the separation plate units, and concentrating the flow of the coolant introduced into the cooling channel unit to an effective cooling area.

Description

Fuel cell device {FUEL CELL APPARATUS}

The present invention relates to a fuel cell device, and more particularly, to a fuel cell device capable of improving cooling efficiency in a reaction region of a membrane electrode assembly.

In general, a fuel cell is a power reaction means that continuously produces electrical energy through a chemical reaction of continuously supplied fuel, and continuous research and development is being conducted as an alternative solution to global environmental problems.

Depending on the type of electrolyte used, fuel cells are classified into phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFCs), molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs), and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). It can be classified into polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), alkaline fuel cell (AFC) and direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), and works with the type of fuel used. Depending on temperature, output range, etc., it can be applied to various application fields such as mobile power, transportation, and distributed power generation.

Since the ion exchange membrane of a fuel cell has the property of conducting hydrogen ions in proportion to the water content, a humidified supply gas is used to increase the ion conductivity, and the fuel cell generates water through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. do. Accordingly, if proper water management is not performed in the fuel cell, water blocks the passage of the reaction gas, causing a flooding phenomenon in which performance is rapidly deteriorated. Therefore, it is necessary to research and develop methods for properly managing water in a fuel cell.

The background art of the present invention is disclosed in Korean Patent Registration Publication No. 10-0599776 (registered on July 5, 2006, title of the invention: fuel cell system and its stack).

An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell device capable of improving cooling efficiency in a reaction region of a membrane electrode assembly.

In order to solve the above problems, a fuel cell device according to the present invention includes: a membrane electrode assembly; a gas diffusion unit disposed to face the membrane electrode assembly; a pair of separation plate parts including a channel part supplying a reaction gas to the gas diffusion part, and a land part alternately disposed with the channel part; a cooling channel portion provided between the pair of the separating plate portions and into which cooling water flows; and a flow concentration unit provided in the separation plate unit and concentrating the flow of the cooling water introduced into the cooling channel unit into an effective cooling region.

In addition, the flow concentration unit interferes with the flow of the cooling water introduced into the cooling channel unit to prevent the cooling water from flowing out of the effective cooling region.

In addition, the flow concentrating portion protrudes toward the cooling channel portion from the separating plate portion.

In addition, the flow concentration part is formed on both sides of the cooling channel part.

In addition, the flow concentration unit is disposed parallel to the cooling channel unit.

In addition, the flow concentration part provided in one of the separation plate parts is in contact with the flow concentration part provided in the other separation plate part.

In addition, a sub gasket supporting the membrane electrode assembly; and a communication portion formed through the sub gasket and communicating the membrane electrode assembly with the gas diffusion portion.

Also, an area of the gas diffusion unit is larger than that of the communication unit.

In addition, the area of the effective cooling region is equal to the area of the communication part.

In addition, a deflection prevention unit provided in the flow concentrating unit and supporting the gas diffusion unit; is further included.

In addition, the deflection prevention part protrudes from the flow concentration part toward the gas diffusion part and contacts the gas diffusion part.

In addition, the height of the sagging prevention portion is the same as that of the land portion.

In addition, the sagging prevention portion is provided in plurality and disposed along the longitudinal direction of the flow concentration portion.

In the fuel cell device according to the present invention, the contact performance improving unit presses the gas diffusion unit toward the membrane electrode assembly so that the gas diffusion unit adheres to the membrane electrode assembly in the reaction area, thereby reducing interface resistance in the reaction area and improving power generation performance of the fuel cell. can make it

In addition, in the fuel cell device according to the present invention, as the contact performance improving part is formed in a section facing the reaction region of the membrane electrode assembly among the entire section of the land section, excessive pressing force is applied to the rim of the gas diffusion section disposed outside the reaction region. As a result, damage to the gas diffusion unit can be prevented.

In addition, in the fuel cell device according to the present invention, the pressure of the reaction gas flowing in the channel part is reduced by reducing the pressure applied by the land part to the gas diffusion part at both ends of the channel part through which the reaction gas is introduced and discharged by the supply performance improving part. can prevent it from happening.

In addition, in the fuel cell device according to the present invention, the cooling efficiency in the reaction region of the membrane electrode assembly can be further improved by concentrating the flow of the cooling water introduced into the cooling channel unit into the effective cooling region by the flow concentration unit.

In addition, in the fuel cell device according to the present invention, the sagging prevention part protrudes in a direction different from the flow concentrating part to support the rim of the gas diffusion part disposed to face the flow concentrating part outside the effective cooling region, thereby preventing the gas diffusion part from sagging. can do.

1 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a fuel cell device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a sub gasket according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a sub gasket according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is an enlarged perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration of a separator unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a cross-sectional view of an installed state of a separating plate unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, cut in the X-axis direction.
6 is a cross-sectional view of a configuration of a separating plate unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, cut in the Y-axis direction.
7 is an enlarged perspective view schematically illustrating the configuration of a flow concentration unit and a deflection prevention unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a cross-sectional perspective view schematically illustrating the configuration of a flow concentration unit and a deflection prevention unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an installation state of a flow concentration unit and a deflection prevention unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a fuel cell device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In this process, the thickness of lines or the size of components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of description. In addition, terms to be described later are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present invention, which may vary according to the intention or custom of a user or operator. Therefore, definitions of these terms will have to be made based on the content throughout this specification.

In addition, in this specification, when a part is said to be “connected (or connected)” to another part, this is not only the case where it is “directly connected (or connected)”, but also “with another member in between” It also includes cases where it is indirectly connected (or connected). In this specification, when it is said that a certain part "includes (or includes)" a certain component, this does not exclude other components unless otherwise stated, but "includes (or includes)" other components. It means you can.

Also, like reference numerals may refer to like elements throughout this specification. Even if the same reference numerals or similar reference numerals are not mentioned or described in a particular drawing, the numerals may be described based on another drawing. In addition, even if there are parts not marked with reference numerals in specific drawings, the parts can be described based on other drawings. In addition, the number, shape, size, and relative difference of the detailed components included in the drawings of the present application are set for convenience of understanding, and may be implemented in various forms without limiting the embodiments.

1 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a fuel cell device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a fuel cell device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a membrane electrode assembly 100, a sub gasket 200, a gas diffusion unit 300, a separator unit 400, and a cooling channel unit. 500, and a flow concentration unit 600.

The Membrane-Electrode Assembly (MEA) 100 generates electrical energy by inducing an electrochemical reaction of reaction gases, that is, hydrogen and oxygen, supplied from a separator 400 to be described later. The membrane electrode assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a polymer electrolyte membrane capable of moving hydrogen cations (protons) and an air electrode (cathode) coated on both sides of the polymer electrolyte membrane so that hydrogen and oxygen can react, respectively. ) and a catalyst layer composed of an anode. Such a catalyst layer may be provided with a platinum material. The membrane electrode assemblies 100 are provided in plurality and are spaced apart from each other along the stacking direction of the fuel cell stack.

The sub gasket 200 is coupled to the membrane electrode assembly 100 to support the membrane electrode assembly 100 . More specifically, the sub-gasket 200 maintains the shape of the membrane-electrode assembly 100 by its own rigidity, thereby preventing damage to the membrane-electrode assembly 100 due to repeated swelling and contraction during fuel cell operation, and It functions as a configuration that improves poor handling of the membrane electrode assembly 100 having characteristics and prevents a reaction gas from flowing out from the membrane electrode assembly 100 .

2 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a sub gasket according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a sub gasket according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 to 3 , sub gaskets 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention are provided as a pair and are disposed to face each other with the membrane electrode assembly 100 interposed therebetween. Surfaces of the pair of sub-gaskets 200 facing each other are bonded to the upper and lower surfaces of the membrane electrode assembly 100, respectively. The sub gasket 200 may be made of polymer materials such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), poly ethylene terephthalate (PEN), polymide (PI), and polypropylene (PP). The thickness of the sub gasket 200 is greater than that of the membrane electrode assembly 100 . For example, the thickness of the membrane electrode assembly 100 may be about 15 μm, and the thickness of the sub gasket 200 may be about 35 μm.

A communication part 210 is provided at the center of the sub gasket 200 . The communication portion 210 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be formed to have a shape of a hole vertically penetrating the sub gasket 200 vertically. By means of the communicating portion 210 , the sub gasket 200 is formed to have a shape surrounding only the edge portion of the membrane electrode assembly 100 . The communication part 210 is formed to individually penetrate the pair of sub gaskets 200 . The communication unit 210 exposes a central region of the membrane electrode assembly 100 supported by the sub gasket 200 to the outside, thereby allowing the membrane electrode assembly 100 and a gas diffusion unit 300 to be described later to communicate with each other. That is, the communication unit 210 can function as a passage through which reaction gas and moisture can move between the membrane electrode assembly 100 and the gas diffusion unit 300 . Here, the reaction region of the membrane electrode assembly 100 refers to a region exposed to the outside by the communication unit 210 and substantially supplied with a reaction gas through a gas diffusion unit 300 to be described later. The area of the reaction region of the membrane electrode assembly 100 may be the same as that of the communication unit 210 .

The gas diffusion unit 300 is disposed to face the membrane electrode assembly 100 . The gas diffusion unit 300 diffuses the reaction gas supplied from the separator unit 400 described below to the catalyst layer of the membrane electrode assembly 100, that is, the air electrode or the fuel electrode, and removes moisture generated from the membrane electrode assembly 100 to the separator unit. Discharge to (400). The gas diffusion unit 300 is provided as a pair for each membrane electrode assembly 100 . The pair of gas diffusion units 300 are spaced apart from each other with the membrane electrode assembly 100 interposed therebetween, and surfaces facing each other face the air electrode and fuel electrode of the membrane electrode assembly 100, respectively.

The gas diffusion unit 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate composed of a fiber-type carbon fiber and a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-based hydrophobic binder, and acetylene black carbon. Carbon), black pearls carbon, etc., and a polytetrafluoroethylene-based hydrophobic agent (Hydrophobic Agent) prepared by mixing, and then applied to one side of the substrate may include a microporous layer . The substrate and the microporous layer are formed in a porous structure having a porosity of a predetermined value. The porosity of the microporous layer may be smaller than the porosity of the substrate. As shown in FIG. 3 , the area of the gas diffusion unit 300 is larger than that of the communication unit 210 . Accordingly, when the fuel cell stacks are stacked, the gas diffusion unit 300 can be stably supported by being in contact with the rim portion of the sub gasket 200 .

The separation plate unit 400 is disposed to face the gas diffusion unit 300 and structurally supports the membrane electrode assembly 100 and the gas diffusion unit 300 . The separation plate unit 400 supplies reaction gas to the membrane electrode assembly 100 through the gas diffusion unit 300 and at the same time discharges moisture generated by the electrochemical reaction in the membrane electrode assembly 100 to the outside. function In addition, the separator 400 serves as a conductor electrically connecting the air electrode and the fuel electrode in the membrane electrode assembly 100 . The separator 400 may be made of a material such as stainless steel, aluminum alloy steel, or nickel alloy steel so as to secure sufficient rigidity and electrically conduction.

The separating plate units 400 are provided as a pair and are disposed symmetrically with each other. When the fuel cell stacks are stacked, the opposing surfaces of the pair of separators 400 are in contact with each other. A pair of separation plate units 400 are provided in a plurality of sets and are individually disposed between the pair of gas diffusion units 300 facing the air electrode and fuel electrode of the adjacent membrane electrode assembly 100 , respectively. The pair of separators 400 supply different kinds of reaction gases to the neighboring membrane electrode assemblies 100 . That is, one of the pair of separator plates 400 supplies hydrogen to an anode of any one of the neighboring membrane electrode assemblies 100, and the other one of the pair of separator plates 400 supplies hydrogen to the fuel electrode of one of the neighboring membrane electrode assemblies 100. Air is supplied to the other air electrode of (100).

Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a separating plate unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the installation state of the separating plate unit according to an embodiment of the present invention cut in the X-axis direction, 6 is a cross-sectional view of the configuration of the separator unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, cut in the Y-axis direction.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6 , a separator plate unit 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an inlet unit 410 , an outlet unit 420 , a channel unit 430 , and a land unit 440 .

The inlet 410 is provided at one end of the separating plate unit 400 to introduce reaction gas and cooling water into the separating plate unit 400 .

The discharge unit 420 is provided at the other end of the separation plate unit 400 to discharge reaction gas and cooling water from the separation plate unit 400 .

The inlet 410 and the outlet 420 are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the separator 400, that is, in the X-axis direction with reference to FIG. 5 .

The channel part 430 is provided in the central region of the separator plate part 400 , that is, between the inlet part 410 and the discharge part 420 . The channel unit 430 guides the flow of the reaction gas introduced from the inlet unit 410 to the outlet unit 420 and supplies the reaction gas to the gas diffusion unit 300 . The channel unit 430 according to an embodiment of the present invention is formed concavely in a direction away from the gas diffusion unit 300 from the surface of the separation plate unit 400 facing the gas diffusion unit 300 . The channel unit 430 extends in a direction parallel to the X-axis direction in its longitudinal direction. The channel unit 430 guides the flow of the reaction gas introduced into one end of the separator 400 and the water discharged from the membrane electrode assembly 100 in the X-axis direction. The channel unit 430 is formed such that a surface facing the gas diffusion unit 300 is open. Accordingly, the channel unit 430 may supply the reaction gas flowing therein to the gas diffusion unit 300 . A plurality of channel units 430 may be provided. The plurality of channel units 430 are spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals along the Y-axis direction with reference to FIG. 4 . The number and spacing of the plurality of channel units 430 can be variously designed depending on the size of the separating plate unit 400 and the like.

The land part 440 is provided in the central region of the separating plate part 400, that is, between the inlet part 410 and the discharge part 420, and is alternately disposed with the channel part 430. The land part 440 separates the gas diffusion part 300 from the channel part 430 and at the same time functions as a barrier rib partitioning the plurality of channel parts 430 from each other. The land part 440 is provided in plurality and is respectively disposed between a pair of adjacent channel parts 430 . That is, the plurality of land parts 440 and the plurality of channel parts 430 are alternately disposed along the Y-axis direction with reference to FIG. 4 .

The land part 440 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a contact performance improving part 441 and a supply performance improving part 422 .

The contact performance improving unit 441 forms part of the exterior of the land unit 440 and improves the contact performance between the membrane electrode assembly 100 and the gas diffusion unit 300 . More specifically, as described above, due to the difference in thickness between the sub gasket 200 and the membrane electrode assembly 100, the gas diffusion unit 300 is formed in the reaction region of the membrane electrode assembly 100, that is, the communication unit 210. A phenomenon in which the membrane electrode assembly 100 is not completely adhered to occurs. Since the gas diffusion unit 300 and the membrane electrode assembly 100 are made of different materials, non-contact between the gas diffusion unit 300 and the membrane electrode assembly 100 increases the interface resistance of the reaction region and fuel cell development. cause performance degradation. Accordingly, the contact performance improving unit 441 presses the gas diffusion unit 300 toward the membrane electrode assembly 100 so that the gas diffusion unit 300 adheres to the membrane electrode assembly 100 in the reaction area, so that the interface in the reaction area It is provided to perform functions of reducing resistance and improving power generation performance of the fuel cell.

The contact performance improving unit 441 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be formed such that the separation plate unit 400 protrudes toward the gas diffusion unit 300 from a surface facing the gas diffusion unit 300 . The contact performance improving unit 441 extends in a direction parallel to the X-axis direction in its longitudinal direction. The contact performance improving unit 441 is formed such that a surface facing the gas diffusion unit 300 and a surface opposite to the gas diffusion unit 300 are open. Accordingly, the contact performance improving unit 441 may form a cooling channel unit 500 to be described later therein. The contact performance improving part 441 has an upper end protruding into the communication part 210, and both end surfaces in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are disposed at a position facing the inner surface of the sub-gasket 200. The contact performance enhancing unit 441 may be provided on all land units 440 or may be provided only on some of the plurality of land units 440 .

The contact performance improving part 441 may be formed in a section facing the reaction region of the membrane electrode assembly 100 among the entire sections of the land section 440 . More specifically, the length of the contact performance improving unit 441 in the X-axis direction corresponds to the length of the communication unit 210 in the X-axis direction or may be formed smaller than the length of the communication unit 210 in the X-axis direction. can In addition, the distance between the outer surfaces of the pair of contact performance improving units 441 disposed at the outermost part in the Y-axis direction corresponds to the length of the communication unit 210 in the Y-axis direction or the Y-axis of the communication unit 210. It may be formed smaller than the length in the direction. Accordingly, the contact performance improving unit 441 is disposed outside the reaction region of the membrane electrode assembly 100 and applies an excessive pressing force to the edge portion of the gas diffusion unit 300 that is in direct contact with the sub gasket 200, thereby applying an excessive pressing force to the gas diffusion unit. (300) can be prevented from being damaged.

The supply performance enhancing unit 422 is provided on the land unit 440 and prevents a pressure drop of the reaction gas supplied to or discharged from the channel unit 430 . More specifically, the supply performance improving unit 422 supports the gas diffusion unit 300 outside the reaction zone and at the same time, a channel through which the reaction gas is introduced through the inlet 410 or discharged to the outlet 420. At both ends of the portion 430, the pressure of the reaction gas flowing through the channel portion 430 is prevented from dropping by mitigating the pressure applied to the gas diffusion portion 300 by the land portion 440.

The supply performance improving unit 422 according to an embodiment of the present invention is disposed on both sides of the contact performance improving unit 441 . That is, as shown in FIG. 4 , the supply performance improving unit 422 extends from both ends of the contact performance improving unit 441 in the longitudinal direction in a direction parallel to the X-axis direction. The top surface of the supply performance improving part 422 comes into contact with the edge of the gas diffusion part 300 disposed outside the reaction region of the membrane electrode assembly 100 . The height of the supply performance improving unit 422 is lower than that of the contact performance improving unit 441 . For example, when the contact performance improving unit 441 is provided only on a part of the land portion 440, the height of the supply performance improving unit 422 is the height of the land portion 440 without the contact performance improving unit 441. It can be formed with a height corresponding to. Accordingly, the supply performance improving unit 422 prevents the gas diffusion unit 300 from being pushed into the channel unit 430 due to excessive pressing force of the land unit 440 outside the reaction region, and the channel unit 430 It is possible to prevent the pressure of the reaction gas flowing through the drop.

The cooling channel unit 500 is provided between a pair of separating plate units 400 in contact with each other. Cooling water flows into the cooling channel unit 500 and cools the separating plate unit 400 through a heat exchange action between the cooling water and the separating plate unit 400 .

In the cooling channel part 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the tubular hollow formed between the pair of land parts 440 as the opposing surfaces of the pair of separator plate parts 400 come into contact with each other. space can be exemplified. The cooling channel unit 500 extends in a longitudinal direction parallel to the X-axis direction. Both sides of the cooling channel unit 500 in the longitudinal direction communicate with the inlet 410 and the outlet 420, respectively. The cooling channel unit 500 receives cooling water through the inlet 410 , guides the flow of the cooling water along the longitudinal direction, and discharges the cooling water to the outside through the discharge unit 420 . The cooling channel unit 500 is provided in plurality and is spaced apart at a predetermined interval along the Y-axis direction. The number and spacing of the plurality of cooling channel units 500 may correspond to the number and spacing of the plurality of land units 440 .

The flow concentrating part 600 is provided on the separating plate part 400 and concentrates the flow of the cooling water flowing into the cooling channel part 500 into an effective cooling area. Here, the effective cooling region means a region facing the reaction region of the membrane electrode assembly 100 among the entire region of the cooling channel unit 500, and the effective cooling region has the same area as the communication unit 210. It can be. That is, the flow concentration unit 600 is provided to be capable of interfering with the flow of the cooling water flowing into the cooling channel unit 500 and functions as a configuration that blocks the flow of the cooling water to the outside of the effective cooling region. Accordingly, the flow concentration unit 600 can further improve cooling efficiency in the reaction area of the membrane electrode assembly 100 .

7 is an enlarged perspective view schematically illustrating the configuration of a flow concentration unit and a deflection prevention unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an installation state of the flow concentration unit and the sagging prevention unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 to 9, the flow concentration unit 600 according to an embodiment of the present invention is convex in a direction away from the separation plate unit 400 and the cooling channel unit 500, that is, the gas diffusion unit 300. it protrudes The bottom surface of the flow concentrating part 600 and the bottom surface of the channel part 430 may be located on the same plane. The flow concentration unit 600 is provided as a pair and is formed on both sides of the cooling channel unit 500 in the Y-axis direction, respectively. In this case, the flow concentrating part 600 is disposed outside the effective cooling region and is disposed facing the rim of the gas diffusion part 300 directly contacting the sub gasket 200 .

The flow concentration part 600 is disposed parallel to the cooling channel part 500 in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, the flow concentrating unit 600 may block the outflow of the cooling water to the outside of the effective cooling region in the entire flow direction of the cooling water.

The flow concentration unit 600 provided on one of the separation plate units 400 is in contact with the flow concentration unit 600 provided on the other separation plate unit 400 . Accordingly, the flow concentrating unit 600 may serve as a barrier to block the outflow of cooling water to the outside of the effective cooling region in the edge region in the Y-axis direction of the effective cooling region.

The deflection prevention part 700 is provided on the flow concentration part 600 and supports the gas diffusion part 300 . More specifically, the deflection preventing part 700 protrudes in a direction different from the flow concentrating part 600 and supports the edge of the gas diffusion part 300 disposed to face the flow concentrating part 600 outside the effective cooling region. . Accordingly, the deflection prevention unit 700 can prevent the gas diffusion unit 300 from sagging due to the flow concentration unit 600 protruding in a direction away from the gas diffusion unit 300 .

The deflection prevention part 700 according to an embodiment of the present invention protrudes convexly from the flow concentrating part 600 toward the gas diffusion part. That is, the flow concentrating part 600 and the deflection prevention part 700 protrude in opposite directions with respect to the separating plate part 400 . The cross-sectional shape of the anti-sagging part 700 can be changed in design to various shapes such as a circular shape and a polygonal shape in addition to the elliptical shape shown in FIG. 7 .

The upper surface of the deflection prevention part 700 is disposed outside the effective cooling area and comes into contact with the rim of the gas diffusion part 300 directly in contact with the sub gasket 200 . In this case, the height of the sagging prevention part 700 is formed to be the same as that of the land part 440, more specifically, the land part 440 without the contact performance improving part 441 or the supply performance improving part 442. It can be.

The deflection prevention part 700 may be provided in plural and spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the flow concentrating part 600 . Accordingly, the deflection prevention unit 700 can stably support the gas diffusion unit 300 over the entire longitudinal direction of the flow concentrating unit 600 .

The flow concentration unit 600 and the deflection prevention unit 700 may be molded together with the separation plate unit 400 by a press mold. In this case, the flow concentrating part 600 and the deflection preventing part 700 may be integrally manufactured as they are pressed in opposite directions during the pressing process of the separating plate part 400 .

The present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but this is only exemplary, and those skilled in the art can make various modifications and equivalent other embodiments. will understand

Therefore, the technical protection scope of the present invention should be determined by the claims below.

1: fuel cell device 100: membrane electrode assembly
200: sub gasket 210: communication part
300: gas diffusion unit 400: separation plate unit
410: inlet 420: outlet
430: channel unit 440: land unit
441: contact performance improvement unit 442: supply performance improvement unit
500: cooling channel unit 600: flow concentration unit
700: sagging prevention unit

Claims (13)

membrane electrode assembly;
a gas diffusion unit disposed to face the membrane electrode assembly;
a pair of separation plate units having a channel unit for supplying a reaction gas to the gas diffusion unit, and land units alternately disposed with the channel unit;
a cooling channel portion provided between the pair of the separating plate portions and into which cooling water flows; and
and a flow concentration unit provided in the separation plate unit and concentrating the flow of the cooling water introduced into the cooling channel unit into an effective cooling region.
According to claim 1,
The fuel cell device according to claim 1 , wherein the flow concentration unit interferes with the flow of the cooling water introduced into the cooling channel unit to prevent the cooling water from flowing out of the effective cooling region.
According to claim 1,
The fuel cell device according to claim 1 , wherein the flow concentrating portion protrudes from the separating plate portion toward the cooling channel portion.
According to claim 3,
The fuel cell device, characterized in that the flow concentration portion is formed on both sides of the cooling channel portion.
According to claim 3,
The fuel cell device according to claim 1 , wherein the flow concentration part is disposed parallel to the cooling channel part.
According to claim 3,
The fuel cell device according to claim 1 , wherein the flow concentration part provided in one of the separation plate parts is in contact with the flow concentration part provided in the other separation plate part.
According to claim 1,
a sub gasket supporting the membrane electrode assembly; and
The fuel cell device further comprising a communication portion formed to penetrate the sub gasket and communicate the membrane electrode assembly with the gas diffusion portion.
According to claim 7,
The fuel cell device according to claim 1 , wherein an area of the gas diffusion unit is larger than an area of the communication unit.
According to claim 7,
The fuel cell device according to claim 1 , wherein an area of the effective cooling region is equal to an area of the communication part.
According to claim 1,
The fuel cell device of claim 1, further comprising a deflection preventing part provided in the flow concentrating part and supporting the gas diffusion part.
According to claim 10,
The fuel cell device according to claim 1 , wherein the deflection preventing part protrudes from the flow concentrating part toward the gas diffusion part and contacts the gas diffusion part.
According to claim 11,
The fuel cell device, characterized in that the height of the sagging prevention portion is the same as the height of the land portion.
According to claim 11,
The fuel cell device, characterized in that the sagging prevention portion is provided in plurality and disposed along the longitudinal direction of the flow concentration portion.