JP2006054112A - Connection structure of voltage detection connector to cell, and fuel cell - Google Patents

Connection structure of voltage detection connector to cell, and fuel cell Download PDF

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JP2006054112A
JP2006054112A JP2004235153A JP2004235153A JP2006054112A JP 2006054112 A JP2006054112 A JP 2006054112A JP 2004235153 A JP2004235153 A JP 2004235153A JP 2004235153 A JP2004235153 A JP 2004235153A JP 2006054112 A JP2006054112 A JP 2006054112A
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cell
terminals
fuel cell
cells
anode
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JP4494125B2 (en
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Toshiaki Ariyoshi
敏明 有吉
Atsushi Kondo
淳 近藤
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Honda Motor Co Ltd
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    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
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    • Y02E60/50—Fuel cells

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Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connection structure of a voltage detection connector to a cell capable of restraining increase of weight due to terminals and suppressing cost, while detecting voltages of all cells and securing intervals between the terminals, and to provide a fuel cell. <P>SOLUTION: To the fuel cell 1 provided with a structure of alternately laminating a first cell 2a having a terminal 6, 7 each at an anode and a cathode, and a second cell 2b having terminals 6, 7 neither at the anode nor the cathode, connectors 8, 9 in contact with the terminals 6, 7 are connected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

本発明は、陽極と陰極とを有するセルを複数積層した燃料電池に接続されて、前記セルの電圧を検出する電圧検出コネクタのセルへの接続構造および燃料電池に関するものである。   The present invention relates to a connection structure to a cell of a voltage detection connector connected to a fuel cell in which a plurality of cells each having an anode and a cathode are stacked, and detects the voltage of the cell, and a fuel cell.

近年、自動車等の新たな動力源として燃料電池が注目されている。燃料電池としては、固体高分子電解質膜の両側にアノード電極（陽極）およびカソード電極（陰極）をそれぞれ配設した膜電極構造体（ＭＥＡ）を備えており、該膜電極構造体を一対のセパレータで挟持したものが一般的である。この燃料電池を用いて発電する場合には、燃料電池のアノード電極にガス燃料（例えば、水素ガス）を、カソード電極に酸化剤ガス（例えば、酸素を含む空気）を供給することで、電気化学反応を発生させる。この発電時に生成されるのは基本的には無害な水だけであるため、環境への影響や利用効率の観点から、前記燃料電池が注目されている。   In recent years, fuel cells have attracted attention as a new power source for automobiles and the like. The fuel cell includes a membrane electrode structure (MEA) in which an anode electrode (anode) and a cathode electrode (cathode) are disposed on both sides of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and the membrane electrode structure is a pair of separators. What is sandwiched between is common. In the case of generating power using this fuel cell, electrochemical fuel is supplied by supplying gaseous fuel (for example, hydrogen gas) to the anode electrode of the fuel cell and supplying oxidant gas (for example, air containing oxygen) to the cathode electrode. Generate a reaction. Since only harmless water is basically generated at the time of power generation, the fuel cell is attracting attention from the viewpoint of environmental impact and utilization efficiency.

ところで、一つの燃料電池では、自動車を駆動するのに十分な電力を得ることは困難である。そこで、前記駆動に十分な電力が供給できるように、膜電極構造体を一対のセパレータで挟持したセルを複数積層したスタック構造の燃料電池を形成し、この燃料電池を自動車に車載することが検討されている。   By the way, with one fuel cell, it is difficult to obtain sufficient electric power to drive an automobile. Therefore, it is considered to form a fuel cell having a stack structure in which a plurality of cells each having a membrane electrode structure sandwiched between a pair of separators are stacked so that sufficient electric power can be supplied for driving, and mounting the fuel cell in an automobile. Has been.

この場合において、燃料電池を構成するセルが正常に発電するかを監視するために、セルの電圧を検出することは非常に重要である。このような観点から、セルに電圧測定用の端子を備える構成の燃料電池が提案されている。
例えば特許文献１には、各セルのカーボンプレートに丸穴を開け、丸穴にバナナクリップにて出力端子の一端を接続し、出力端子束の他端をコネクターを介して電圧測定装置と接続する技術が提案されている。
また、特許文献２には、燃料電池の各セルのセパレータに設けられた端子を保持する端子ホルダを燃料電池カバーと端子カバーで挟持し移動不能とすることができる技術が提案されている。 In this case, it is very important to detect the voltage of the cell in order to monitor whether the cells constituting the fuel cell normally generate power. From such a viewpoint, a fuel cell having a configuration in which a cell is provided with a voltage measurement terminal has been proposed.
For example, in Patent Document 1, a round hole is formed in the carbon plate of each cell, one end of the output terminal is connected to the round hole with a banana clip, and the other end of the output terminal bundle is connected to the voltage measuring device via the connector. Technology has been proposed.
Patent Document 2 proposes a technique that makes a terminal holder for holding a terminal provided on a separator of each cell of a fuel cell sandwiched between the fuel cell cover and the terminal cover and cannot be moved.

また、従来における燃料電池や該燃料電池に接続される電圧検出コネクタの要部断面を図５に示す。同図に示すように、燃料電池３０はセル３１を所定数（この場合はｎ個）積層して構成されている。各セル３１は、膜電極構造体３２をセパレータ３３、３４で挟持されている。そして、各セル３１には、アノード電極側のセパレータ３３とカソード電極側のセパレータ３４のそれぞれに電圧測定用の端子３５、３６が設けられている。このように構成された燃料電池３０にセル接続装置３９が接続される。セル接続装置３９は、コネクタ３７、３８を所定数備えており、これらのコネクタ３７、３８を端子３５、３６にそれぞれ接触させることで、端子３５、３６の設けられたセパレータ３３、３４の電圧を測定し、これにより各セルの電圧を検出する。
特開平９−２８３１６６号公報 特開２００３−８６２１９号公報 FIG. 5 shows a cross section of a main part of a conventional fuel cell and a voltage detection connector connected to the fuel cell. As shown in the figure, the fuel cell 30 is configured by laminating a predetermined number (in this case, n) of cells 31. Each cell 31 has a membrane electrode structure 32 sandwiched between separators 33 and 34. Each cell 31 is provided with voltage measuring terminals 35 and 36 on a separator 33 on the anode electrode side and a separator 34 on the cathode electrode side, respectively. The cell connection device 39 is connected to the fuel cell 30 configured as described above. The cell connection device 39 is provided with a predetermined number of connectors 37 and 38, and by bringing these connectors 37 and 38 into contact with the terminals 35 and 36, respectively, the voltage of the separators 33 and 34 provided with the terminals 35 and 36 is increased. Measure and thereby detect the voltage of each cell.
JP-A-9-283166 JP 2003-86219 A

しかしながら、従来においては以下のような問題があった。すなわち、従来においては、上述の図５を用いて説明したように、燃料電池３０の各端子３５、３６は一般に、積層方向から見て同じ位置に直列に配置されている。しかし、燃料電池３０を車両等に搭載するために、各セル３１の厚さを可能な限り薄くすることが望まれており、これに伴い端子３５、３６同士の間隔は必然的に狭くなる傾向にある。   However, there have been the following problems in the prior art. That is, conventionally, as described with reference to FIG. 5, the terminals 35 and 36 of the fuel cell 30 are generally arranged in series at the same position when viewed from the stacking direction. However, in order to mount the fuel cell 30 on a vehicle or the like, it is desired to make the thickness of each cell 31 as thin as possible, and accordingly, the distance between the terminals 35 and 36 tends to be narrowed. It is in.

その結果、端子３５、３６が直列に配置されている場合、端子３５、３６同士の間隔が狭くなり、コネクタ３７、３８を備えるセル接続装置３９同士の間隔を十分に確保できずに、セル接続装置３９同士がぶつかり合うなど、その連結に支障をきたすおそれがある。また、燃料電池３０を車両に搭載する場合には、必要な出力を確保するために多数のセル３１を積層する必要があるため、各セル３１のセパレータ３３、３４の全てに端子３５、３６を設けると、端子３５、３６による重量の増大も無視できないものとなり、また、コストが嵩むという問題もある。   As a result, when the terminals 35 and 36 are arranged in series, the interval between the terminals 35 and 36 becomes narrow, and the cell connection device 39 including the connectors 37 and 38 cannot be sufficiently secured, so that the cell connection The devices 39 may collide with each other, and there is a risk of hindering the connection. In addition, when the fuel cell 30 is mounted on a vehicle, it is necessary to stack a large number of cells 31 in order to ensure a necessary output. Therefore, terminals 35 and 36 are provided on all the separators 33 and 34 of each cell 31. If provided, an increase in weight due to the terminals 35 and 36 cannot be ignored, and there is a problem that the cost increases.

従って、本発明は、全てのセル電圧を検出しつつ、端子間の間隔を確保して、端子による重量増大を抑制するとともにコストを抑えることができる電圧検出コネクタのセルへの接続構造および燃料電池を提供することを目的とする。   Therefore, according to the present invention, a connection structure to a cell of a voltage detection connector and a fuel cell that can detect all cell voltages and secure an interval between terminals to suppress an increase in weight due to the terminals and to reduce costs. The purpose is to provide.

請求項１に係る発明は、陽極（例えば、実施の形態におけるアノード電極１１）と陰極（例えば、実施の形態におけるカソード電極１２）のそれぞれに端子（例えば、実施の形態における端子６、７）を有する第１のセル（例えば、実施の形態における第１のセル２ａ）と、陽極と陰極のいずれにも端子を有さない第２のセル（例えば、実施の形態における第２のセル２ｂ）と、を交互に積層してなる構成を備える燃料電池（例えば、実施の形態における燃料電池１）に、前記端子と接触するコネクタ（例えば、実施の形態におけるコネクタ８、９）が接続されていることを特徴とする。   According to the first aspect of the present invention, terminals (for example, terminals 6 and 7 in the embodiment) are provided on each of the anode (for example, the anode electrode 11 in the embodiment) and the cathode (for example, the cathode electrode 12 in the embodiment). A first cell having (for example, the first cell 2a in the embodiment), and a second cell having no terminal on either the anode or the cathode (for example, the second cell 2b in the embodiment) Are connected to connectors (for example, connectors 8 and 9 in the embodiment) that are in contact with the terminals, to a fuel cell (for example, the fuel cell 1 in the embodiment) having a configuration in which these are alternately stacked. It is characterized by.

この発明によれば、積層方向に隣合うセル同士の互いに対向する電極同士は同電位となっているため、前記燃料電池における前記第２のセルの陽極または陰極は、この第２のセルと積層方向に隣合う第１のセルの陰極または陽極と同電位となっている。従って、前記端子を有さない第２のセルの電圧を、この第２のセルに積層方向に隣合う第１のセルの陽極または陰極の電位から求めることができるため、ほぼ全てのセル電圧を検出することができ、全てのセルの陽極と陰極に端子を設けた場合と同等の高い検出精度を維持することができる。さらに、全てのセルの陽極または陰極に端子を設けた場合に比べて、端子の総数を略半分に抑えることができるため、端子間の間隔を十分に確保することができ、コネクタと端子との連結を滑らかに行うことが可能となる。さらに、端子による重量増大を抑制するとともにコストを抑えることができる。   According to the present invention, since the electrodes facing each other in adjacent cells in the stacking direction have the same potential, the anode or cathode of the second cell in the fuel cell is stacked with the second cell. It has the same potential as the cathode or anode of the first cell adjacent in the direction. Therefore, since the voltage of the second cell not having the terminal can be obtained from the potential of the anode or cathode of the first cell adjacent to the second cell in the stacking direction, almost all cell voltages can be obtained. Detection can be performed, and high detection accuracy equivalent to the case where terminals are provided on the anode and cathode of all cells can be maintained. Furthermore, since the total number of terminals can be suppressed to approximately half compared to the case where terminals are provided on the anodes or cathodes of all cells, a sufficient interval between the terminals can be secured, and the connectors and terminals can be secured. Connection can be performed smoothly. Further, it is possible to suppress an increase in weight due to the terminal and to reduce the cost.

請求項２に係る発明は、請求項１に記載のものであって、前記第１のセルは少なくとも前記燃料電池の両端部に配置され、該両端部から前記第１のセルと前記第２のセルとを交互に積層してなる構成を備える燃料電池に、前記コネクタが接続されていることを特徴とする。   The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the first cell is arranged at least at both ends of the fuel cell, and the first cell and the second cell are arranged from both ends. The connector is connected to a fuel cell having a configuration in which cells are alternately stacked.

この発明によれば、前記第１のセルが前記燃料電池の両端部に配置され、両端部から前記第１のセルと前記第２のセルとを交互に積層してなる構成を備えているので、前記両端部に配置した第１のセルとこれに積層方向に隣合う第２のセルの電圧を確実に把握することができるため、端子による重量増大やコストを抑えつつ、略全セルに亘って電圧を検出することが可能となり、セル電圧の検出精度を全てのセルの陽極と陰極に端子をつけた場合と同等に維持することができる。また、両端部に端子のあるセルが配置されることで、特別なダミーセルのようなものが必要なくなる。   According to this invention, the first cell is disposed at both ends of the fuel cell, and the first cell and the second cell are alternately stacked from both ends. The voltage of the first cell arranged at both end portions and the voltage of the second cell adjacent to the first cell in the stacking direction can be grasped with certainty, so that the increase in weight and cost due to the terminals are suppressed, and almost all the cells are covered. Thus, the voltage can be detected, and the detection accuracy of the cell voltage can be maintained equivalent to the case where terminals are attached to the anode and the cathode of all cells. Further, since cells having terminals at both ends are arranged, a special dummy cell is not necessary.

請求項３に係る発明は、陽極と陰極を有するセルを複数積層した燃料電池であって、前記陽極と前記陰極のそれぞれに端子を有する第１のセルと、前記陽極と前記陰極のいずれにも端子を有さない第２のセルとを有し、前記第１のセルと前記第２のセルとを交互に積層してなる構成を備えることを特徴とする。   The invention according to claim 3 is a fuel cell in which a plurality of cells each having an anode and a cathode are stacked, the first cell having a terminal on each of the anode and the cathode, and any of the anode and the cathode And a second cell having no terminal, wherein the first cell and the second cell are alternately stacked.

この発明によれば、前記端子を有さない第２のセルの電圧を、この第２のセルに積層方向に隣合う第１のセルの陽極または陰極の電位から求めることができるため、ほぼ全てのセル電圧を検出することができ、全てのセルの陽極と陰極に端子を設けた場合と同等の高い検出精度を維持することができる。さらに、全てのセルの陽極または陰極に端子を設けた場合に比べて、端子の総数を略半分に抑えることができるため、端子間の間隔を十分に確保することができ、コネクタと端子との連結を滑らかに行うことが可能となる。さらに、端子による重量増大を抑制するとともにコストを抑えることができる。   According to the present invention, the voltage of the second cell not having the terminal can be obtained from the potential of the anode or cathode of the first cell adjacent to the second cell in the stacking direction. Cell voltage can be detected, and high detection accuracy equivalent to the case where terminals are provided on the anode and cathode of all cells can be maintained. Furthermore, since the total number of terminals can be suppressed to approximately half compared to the case where terminals are provided on the anodes or cathodes of all cells, a sufficient interval between the terminals can be secured, and the connectors and terminals can be secured. Connection can be performed smoothly. Further, it is possible to suppress an increase in weight due to the terminal and to reduce the cost.

請求項４に係る発明は、請求項３に記載のものであって、前記第１のセルは少なくとも積層方向の両端部に配置され、該両端部から前記第１のセルと前記第２のセルとを交互に積層してなる構成を備えることを特徴とする。   The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 3, wherein the first cell is disposed at least at both ends in the stacking direction, and the first cell and the second cell are arranged from both ends. It is characterized by comprising the structure which laminates | stacks alternately.

この発明によれば、前記両端部に配置した第１のセルとこれに積層方向に隣合う第２のセルの電圧を確実に把握することができるため、端子による重量増大やコストを抑えつつ、全セルに亘って電圧を検出することが可能となり、セル電圧の検出精度を全てのセルの陽極と陰極に端子をつけた場合と同等に維持することができる。また、両端部に端子のあるセルが配置されることで、特別なダミーセルのようなものが必要なくなる。   According to this invention, since it is possible to reliably grasp the voltage of the first cell arranged at both ends and the second cell adjacent to the first cell in the stacking direction, while suppressing the weight increase and cost by the terminal, The voltage can be detected over all the cells, and the detection accuracy of the cell voltage can be maintained equivalent to the case where terminals are attached to the anode and the cathode of all the cells. Further, since cells having terminals at both ends are arranged, a special dummy cell is not necessary.

請求項１、請求項３に係る発明によれば、ほぼ全てのセル電圧を検出しつつ、端子間の間隔を確保して、端子による重量増大を抑制するとともにコストを抑えることができる。
請求項２、請求項４に係る発明によれば、セル電圧の検出精度を全てのセルの陽極と陰極に端子をつけた場合と同等に維持することができる。また、両端部に端子のあるセルが配置されることで、特別なダミーセルのようなものが必要なくなる。 According to the first and third aspects of the invention, it is possible to secure an interval between the terminals while detecting almost all the cell voltages, thereby suppressing an increase in weight due to the terminals and reducing the cost.
According to the invention concerning Claim 2 and Claim 4, the detection accuracy of a cell voltage can be maintained equivalent to the case where the terminal is attached to the anode and cathode of all the cells. Further, since cells having terminals at both ends are arranged, a special dummy cell is not necessary.

以下、この発明の実施の形態における電圧検出コネクタのセルへの接続構造および燃料電池を図面と共に説明する。
図１は本発明の実施の形態における燃料電池や該燃料電池に接続される電圧検出コネクタを備えるセル接続装置の要部断面図である。同図に示すように、燃料電池１はセル２を所定数（この場合はｎ個）積層して構成されている。各セル２は、膜電極構造体３をセパレータ４、５で挟持されている。 Hereinafter, a connection structure of a voltage detection connector to a cell and a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a principal part of a cell connection device including a fuel cell and a voltage detection connector connected to the fuel cell in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the fuel cell 1 is configured by laminating a predetermined number (in this case, n) of cells 2. Each cell 2 has a membrane electrode structure 3 sandwiched between separators 4 and 5.

本実施の形態における燃料電池１は、アノード電極１１（図２参照）側のセパレータ４とカソード電極１２（図２参照）側のセパレータ５のそれぞれに電圧測定用の端子６、７が設けられた第１のセル２ａ（２）と、セパレータ４、５のいずれにも端子６、７を有さない第２のセル２ｂ（２）とを備えている。そして、前記第１のセル２ａは＋極側および−極側の両端部に配置され、該両端部から前記第１のセル２ａと前記第２のセル２ｂとを交互に積層してなる。   In the fuel cell 1 according to the present embodiment, terminals 6 and 7 for voltage measurement are provided on the separator 4 on the anode electrode 11 (see FIG. 2) side and the separator 5 on the cathode electrode 12 (see FIG. 2) side, respectively. A first cell 2a (2) and a second cell 2b (2) that does not have terminals 6 and 7 in either of the separators 4 and 5 are provided. The first cell 2a is disposed at both ends of the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side, and the first cell 2a and the second cell 2b are alternately stacked from the both ends.

このように構成された燃料電池１にセル接続装置１０が接続される。セル接続装置１０は、コネクタ８、９を所定数備えており、第１のセル２ａが有する端子６、７にコネクタ８、９をそれぞれ接触させることで、端子６、７の設けられた第１のセル２ａの電圧を検出することができる。第２のセル２ｂの電圧の検出については、詳細を後述する。   The cell connection device 10 is connected to the fuel cell 1 configured as described above. The cell connection device 10 includes a predetermined number of connectors 8 and 9, and the first and second terminals 6 and 7 are provided by bringing the connectors 8 and 9 into contact with the terminals 6 and 7 of the first cell 2 a, respectively. The voltage of the cell 2a can be detected. Details of the detection of the voltage of the second cell 2b will be described later.

図２は図１に示す燃料電池を構成するセルの概略断面図である。この図に示すように、膜電極構造体３は、固体高分子電解質膜１３と、その両側に配設されるアノード電極１１およびカソード電極１２を備えて構成されている。
この膜電極構造体３の両面に配設される一対のセパレータ４、５同士の対向面周縁側にリング状のシール部材１４をセットして、このシール部材１４により固体高分子電解質膜１３を挟持する。両セパレータ４、５には燃料ガスや酸化ガス、冷却媒体を供給するための燃料ガス通路１５、酸化剤ガス通路１６、冷却媒体通路１７が形成してある。 FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cell constituting the fuel cell shown in FIG. As shown in this figure, the membrane electrode structure 3 includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 13 and an anode electrode 11 and a cathode electrode 12 disposed on both sides thereof.
A ring-shaped seal member 14 is set on the peripheral side of the opposed surfaces of the pair of separators 4 and 5 disposed on both surfaces of the membrane electrode structure 3, and the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 13 is sandwiched by the seal member 14. To do. Both separators 4 and 5 are formed with a fuel gas passage 15, an oxidant gas passage 16, and a cooling medium passage 17 for supplying fuel gas, oxidizing gas, and cooling medium.

図３は本実施の形態における第１のセルの平面図である。同図に示すように、セパレータ４、５には、燃料ガス連通孔１８ａ，１８ｂ、酸化剤ガス連通孔１９ａ，１９ｂ、冷却媒体連通孔２０ａ，２０ｂが両側に形成され、これらの連通孔において一方（図示左側）が供給口１８ａ、１９ａ、２０ａとされ、他方（図示右側）が排出口１８ｂ、１９ｂ、２０ｂとされている。なお、セパレータはカーボン等を切削加工して形成したものであってもよく、また金属等をプレス成形して形成したものであってもよい。
また、前記第１のセル２ａのセパレータ４，５に設けられた端子６、７は、図４に示すように、積層方向から見て略同一の位置にそれぞれ形成されている。 FIG. 3 is a plan view of the first cell in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the separators 4 and 5 have fuel gas communication holes 18a and 18b, oxidant gas communication holes 19a and 19b, and cooling medium communication holes 20a and 20b formed on both sides. The left side (shown in the drawing) is the supply ports 18a, 19a, and 20a, and the other side (right side in the drawing) is the discharge ports 18b, 19b, and 20b. The separator may be formed by cutting carbon or the like, or may be formed by press molding metal or the like.
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the terminals 6 and 7 provided on the separators 4 and 5 of the first cell 2a are formed at substantially the same positions as viewed from the stacking direction.

上記のように構成した燃料電池１においては、燃料ガス通路１５を通してアノード電極１１に燃料ガス（例えば、水素ガス）を供給し、酸化剤ガス通路１６を通してカソード電極１２に酸化剤ガス（例えば、酸素を含む空気）を供給する。すると、アノード電極１１の触媒層（図示せず）で水素がイオン化され、固体高分子電解質膜１３を介してカソード電極１２側に移動する。この間に生じた電子が外部回路に取り出され、直流の電気エネルギーとして利用される。この際に、水素イオン、電子、及び酸素が反応して水が生成される。   In the fuel cell 1 configured as described above, a fuel gas (for example, hydrogen gas) is supplied to the anode electrode 11 through the fuel gas passage 15 and an oxidant gas (for example, oxygen) is supplied to the cathode electrode 12 through the oxidant gas passage 16. Supply air). Then, hydrogen is ionized by a catalyst layer (not shown) of the anode electrode 11 and moves to the cathode electrode 12 side through the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 13. Electrons generated during this time are taken out to an external circuit and used as direct current electric energy. At this time, hydrogen ions, electrons, and oxygen react to generate water.

このとき、積層方向に隣合うセル２ａ、２ｂ同士の互いに対向する電極同士は同電位となっている。例えば、図１に示すように、＋極側端部の第１列に位置する第１のセル２ａのカソード電極１２の電位Ｖｋ（１）は、これに隣合う第２列の第２のセル２ｂのアノード電極１１の電位Ｖａ（２）と同電位になっている。このように、前記燃料電池１における前記第２のセル２ｂのアノード電極１１またはカソード電極１２は、この第２のセル２ｂと積層方向に隣合う第１のセル２ａのカソード電極１２またはアノード電極１１と同電位となっている。   At this time, the electrodes facing each other in the cells 2a and 2b adjacent in the stacking direction have the same potential. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the potential Vk (1) of the cathode electrode 12 of the first cell 2a located in the first column at the positive pole end is the second cell in the second column adjacent to the potential Vk (1). It is the same potential as the potential Va (2) of the anode electrode 11 of 2b. Thus, the anode electrode 11 or the cathode electrode 12 of the second cell 2b in the fuel cell 1 is the cathode electrode 12 or the anode electrode 11 of the first cell 2a adjacent to the second cell 2b in the stacking direction. And the same potential.

例えば、−極側の第ｎ−１列に位置する第２のセル２ｂの電圧Ｖ（ｎ−１）は、この第２のセル２ｂのアノード電極１１の電位Ｖａ（ｎ−１）およびカソード電極１２の電位Ｖｋ（ｎ−１）の差により求められる。そして、この第２のセル２ｂのアノード電極１１は、第ｎ−２列に位置する第１のセル２ａのカソード電極１２と同電位であり、この第２のセル２ｂのカソード電極１２は、第ｎ列に位置する第１のセル２ａのアノード電極１１と同電位である。換言すれば、電位Ｖａ（ｎ−１）は電位Ｖｋ（ｎ−２）と等しく、電位Ｖｋ（ｎ−１）は電位Ｖａ（ｎ）と等しい。従って、第２のセル２ｂの電圧Ｖ（ｎ−１）は、電位Ｖｋ（ｎ−２）とＶａ（ｎ）との差により求めることができる。   For example, the voltage V (n−1) of the second cell 2b located in the (n−1) th column on the negative electrode side is equal to the potential Va (n−1) of the anode electrode 11 of the second cell 2b and the cathode electrode. It is obtained by the difference of 12 potentials Vk (n−1). The anode electrode 11 of the second cell 2b has the same potential as the cathode electrode 12 of the first cell 2a located in the (n-2) th column, and the cathode electrode 12 of the second cell 2b It has the same potential as the anode electrode 11 of the first cell 2a located in the nth column. In other words, the potential Va (n−1) is equal to the potential Vk (n−2), and the potential Vk (n−1) is equal to the potential Va (n). Therefore, the voltage V (n−1) of the second cell 2b can be obtained from the difference between the potentials Vk (n−2) and Va (n).

従って、前記端子６、７を有さない第２のセル２ｂの電圧を、この第２のセル２ｂに積層方向に隣合う第１のセル２ａのアノード電極１１またはカソード電極１２の電位から求めることができる。
また、本実施の形態の燃料電池１は、前記第１のセル２ａは＋極側および−極側の両端部に配置され、該両端部から前記第１のセル２ａと前記第２のセル２ｂとを交互に積層してなるので、前記両端部に配置した第１のセル２ａとこれに積層方向に隣合う第２のセル２ｂの電圧を確実に把握することができる。よって、ほぼ全てのセル電圧を検出することができ、全てのセル２のアノード電極１１またはカソード電極１２に端子６、７を設けた場合と同等の高い検出精度を維持することができる。特に、全セル数が奇数の場合には、第１のセルと第２のセルを交互に積層して全てのセル電圧を検出することが可能となる。また、全セル数が偶数の場合には、中央部で前記第１のセルが専属して積層されることで、全セルの電圧を検出できる。 Accordingly, the voltage of the second cell 2b not having the terminals 6 and 7 is obtained from the potential of the anode electrode 11 or the cathode electrode 12 of the first cell 2a adjacent to the second cell 2b in the stacking direction. Can do.
Further, in the fuel cell 1 according to the present embodiment, the first cell 2a is disposed at both ends of the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side, and the first cell 2a and the second cell 2b are provided from both ends. Therefore, the voltages of the first cells 2a arranged at both ends and the second cells 2b adjacent to the first cells 2a in the stacking direction can be reliably grasped. Therefore, almost all cell voltages can be detected, and high detection accuracy equivalent to the case where the terminals 6 and 7 are provided on the anode electrodes 11 or the cathode electrodes 12 of all cells 2 can be maintained. In particular, when the total number of cells is an odd number, it is possible to detect all cell voltages by alternately stacking the first cells and the second cells. When the total number of cells is an even number, the voltage of all the cells can be detected by laminating the first cell exclusively in the center.

そして、全てのセル２のアノード電極１１またはカソード電極１２に端子６、７を設けた場合に比べて、端子６、７の総数を略半分に抑えることができるため、端子６、７間の間隔を十分に確保することができ、コネクタ８、９と端子６、７との連結を滑らかに行うことが可能となる。さらに、端子６、７による重量増大を抑制するとともにコストを抑えることができる。   Since the total number of terminals 6 and 7 can be reduced to approximately half compared to the case where the terminals 6 and 7 are provided on the anode electrode 11 or the cathode electrode 12 of all the cells 2, the distance between the terminals 6 and 7 can be reduced. Can be sufficiently secured, and the connectors 8, 9 and the terminals 6, 7 can be smoothly connected. Furthermore, the weight increase by the terminals 6 and 7 can be suppressed and the cost can be suppressed.

なお、本発明の内容は上述の実施の形態のみに限られるものでないことはもちろんである。例えば、実施の形態では、端子６、７を有する第１のセル２ａを積層方向の両端部に配置した好ましい場合について説明したが、第２のセル２ｂを両端部に配置してもよい。この際には、両端にダミーセパレータを入れて、両端部セルの電圧を検出する必要がある。また、セパレータ４、５の端面外側に端子６、７を突起状に形成してコネクタ８、９に差し込むように構成したが、セパレータ４、５の端面内側に端子を溝状に形成してコネクタを差し込むように構成してもよく、セパレータ４、５の外形を変えることなく端子を一体的に作り込んでもよい。
また、本実施の形態では、燃料電池を構成する第１のセルと第２のセルとが、列全体に亘って交互に積層してなる場合について説明したが、少なくとも交互に積層してなる構成を備えていればよい。 Of course, the contents of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, in the embodiment, the preferred case where the first cells 2a having the terminals 6 and 7 are arranged at both ends in the stacking direction has been described, but the second cells 2b may be arranged at both ends. In this case, it is necessary to insert dummy separators at both ends and detect the voltages at both end cells. Further, the terminals 6 and 7 are formed in a protruding shape outside the end faces of the separators 4 and 5 and inserted into the connectors 8 and 9. However, the terminals are formed in a groove shape inside the end faces of the separators 4 and 5 to form a connector. The terminals may be formed integrally without changing the outer shape of the separators 4 and 5.
In the present embodiment, the case where the first cells and the second cells constituting the fuel cell are alternately stacked over the entire column has been described. As long as it has.

本発明の実施の形態における燃料電池や該燃料電池に接続される電圧検出コネクタを備えるセル接続装置の要部断面図である。It is principal part sectional drawing of a cell connection apparatus provided with the fuel cell in Embodiment of this invention, and the voltage detection connector connected to this fuel cell. 図１に示す燃料電池を構成するセルの概略断面図である。It is a schematic sectional drawing of the cell which comprises the fuel battery | cell shown in FIG. 図１に示す第１のセルの平面図である。It is a top view of the 1st cell shown in FIG. 図１に示す燃料電池の要部斜視図である。It is a principal part perspective view of the fuel cell shown in FIG. 従来における燃料電池や該燃料電池に接続される電圧検出コネクタの要部断面図である。It is principal part sectional drawing of the voltage detection connector connected to the conventional fuel cell and this fuel cell.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１…燃料電池
２（２ａ、２ｂ）…セル
２ａ…第１のセル
２ｂ…第２のセル
４、５…セパレータ
６、７…端子
８、９…コネクタ
１０…セル接続装置
１１…アノード電極（陽極）
１２…カソード電極（陰極）
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Fuel cell 2 (2a, 2b) ... Cell 2a ... 1st cell 2b ... 2nd cell 4, 5 ... Separator 6, 7 ... Terminal 8, 9 ... Connector 10 ... Cell connection apparatus 11 ... Anode electrode (anode) )
12 ... Cathode electrode (cathode)

Claims (4)

陽極と陰極のそれぞれに端子を有する第１のセルと、陽極と陰極のいずれにも端子を有さない第２のセルと、を交互に積層してなる構成を備える燃料電池に、前記端子と接触するコネクタが接続されていることを特徴とする電圧検出コネクタのセルへの接続構造。   A fuel cell having a configuration in which a first cell having a terminal on each of an anode and a cathode and a second cell having no terminal on either of the anode and the cathode are alternately stacked on the fuel cell. A connection structure to a cell of a voltage detection connector, wherein a connector to be contacted is connected. 前記第１のセルは少なくとも前記燃料電池の両端部に配置され、該両端部から前記第１のセルと前記第２のセルとを交互に積層してなる構成を備える燃料電池に、前記コネクタが接続されていることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の電圧検出コネクタのセルへの接続構造。   The first cell is disposed at least at both ends of the fuel cell, and the connector is provided in a fuel cell having a configuration in which the first cell and the second cell are alternately stacked from the both ends. The connection structure to the cell of the voltage detection connector according to claim 1, wherein the connection structure is connected. 陽極と陰極を有するセルを複数積層した燃料電池であって、
前記陽極と前記陰極のそれぞれに端子を有する第１のセルと、前記陽極と前記陰極のいずれにも端子を有さない第２のセルとを有し、
前記第１のセルと前記第２のセルとを交互に積層してなる構成を備えることを特徴とする燃料電池。 A fuel cell in which a plurality of cells having an anode and a cathode are stacked,
A first cell having a terminal on each of the anode and the cathode; and a second cell having no terminal on either the anode or the cathode;
A fuel cell comprising a configuration in which the first cells and the second cells are alternately stacked. 前記第１のセルは少なくとも積層方向の両端部に配置され、該両端部から前記第１のセルと前記第２のセルとを交互に積層してなる構成を備えることを特徴とする請求項３に記載の燃料電池。
The first cell is disposed at least at both ends in the stacking direction, and the first cell and the second cell are alternately stacked from the both ends. A fuel cell according to claim 1.
JP2004235153A 2004-08-12 2004-08-12 Structure for connecting voltage detection connector to cell and fuel cell Active JP4494125B2 (en)

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US11/198,259 US8026012B2 (en) 2004-08-12 2005-08-05 Connecting structure to cell of voltage detecting connector and fuel cell
US13/217,046 US8455149B2 (en) 2004-08-12 2011-08-24 Connecting structure to cell of voltage detecting connector and fuel cell

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KR100999264B1 (en) 2008-11-25 2010-12-07 현대자동차주식회사 connector for measuring cell voltage of fuel cell stack for vehicles
JP2018515880A (en) * 2015-04-16 2018-06-14 パワーセル スウェーデン アーベー Electrical connector for fuel cell stack
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