Ventilation device for fuel cell and method for manufacturing fuel cell

Abstract

This ventilation device for a fuel cell is provided with: a fuel cell case for housing a laminate in which a plurality of power generation cells are laminated; and a ventilation unit attached to the fuel cell case so as to cover an opening that is provided in the fuel cell case and that connects the internal space and the external space of the fuel cell case. The ventilation unit is provided with: a filter disposed so as to face the opening; a frame-shaped holding member attached to the fuel cell case while holding the peripheral edge of the filter; and a cover attached to the holding member so as to cover the inner side of the peripheral edge portion of the filter. The holding member is attached to the cover in a state in which a gap is formed between the peripheral edge portion of the cover and the holding member along the entire circumference of the peripheral edge portion of the cover.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel cell ventilation device for ventilating the inner space of a fuel cell housing and a method for manufacturing the fuel cell. Background Art

[0002] As such a device, the following device is known in the past: a filter is arranged in a manner covering the opening of the front surface of the fuel cell housing, and a cover member is installed on the front surface of the fuel cell housing via a pressing member. Such a device is described in Patent Document 1, for example. In the device described in Patent Document 1, a slit-shaped communication hole is provided in the cover member, so that external air enters the fuel cell housing through the communication hole and the filter. In addition, in order to protect the filter, the front surface of the filter is covered by a cover member, and the communication hole of the cover member is arranged opposite to the pressing member.

[0003] However, as in the device described in Patent Document 1, if a slit-shaped connecting hole is provided only at a position not opposite to the filter element of the cover member as an inlet for external air, the opening area of ​​the connecting hole cannot be increased, making it difficult for external air to fully enter the fuel cell housing.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-126924 (JP 2022-126924 A). Summary of the invention

[0007] A ventilation device for a fuel cell according to one technical solution of the present invention comprises: a fuel cell housing that accommodates a stack formed by stacking a plurality of power generation cell units; and a ventilation unit that is mounted on the fuel cell housing in a manner that covers an opening provided in the fuel cell housing and that connects the internal space of the fuel cell housing with the external space. The ventilation unit comprises: a filter that is arranged facing the opening; a retaining member that is frame-shaped and is mounted on the fuel cell housing while retaining the peripheral edge of the filter; and a cover that is mounted on the retaining member in a manner that covers the inner side of the peripheral edge of the filter. The cover is mounted on the retaining member in a state where a gap is left between the peripheral edge of the cover and the retaining member along the entire circumference of the peripheral edge of the cover.

[0008] Another technical solution of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a fuel cell by installing a ventilation unit in a fuel cell housing in a manner that covers an opening, wherein the opening is provided in a fuel cell housing that accommodates a stack formed by stacking a plurality of power generation battery cells and connects the internal space of the fuel cell housing with the external space, and the method includes: a step of installing a peripheral portion of a filter disposed facing the opening in a frame-shaped retaining member; a step of installing a cover in the retaining member in a manner that covers the inner side of the peripheral portion of the filter; and a step of installing the retaining member in the fuel cell housing. The step of installing the cover includes installing the cover in the retaining member in a state where a gap is left between the peripheral portion of the cover and the retaining member along the entire circumference of the peripheral portion of the cover. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be further clarified through the following description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0010] Figure 1 This is a perspective view schematically showing the overall structure of a fuel cell stack provided with a fuel cell ventilation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line II-II.

[0012] Figure 3 is from Figure 1 A front view of the fuel cell stack with the ventilation unit removed.

[0013] Figure 4 is Figure 1 A front view of a ventilation unit of an upper ventilation device provided for a fuel cell stack.

[0014] Figure 5 is Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of a ventilation unit of an upper ventilation device provided for a fuel cell stack.

[0015] Fig. 6A It is along Figure 4 Cross-sectional view taken along line AA.

[0016] Figure 6B It is along Figure 4 Cross-sectional view taken along line BB.

[0017] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 An enlarged view of Section VII.

[0018] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing an example of the flow of air and fuel gas in the ventilation device according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Below, refer to Figures 1 to 8 The embodiments of the present invention are described. The ventilation device of the fuel cell according to the embodiments of the present invention can be applied to various mobile bodies equipped with fuel cells, for example. The following describes an example of applying the ventilation device of the fuel cell to a fuel cell vehicle that runs on electricity generated by a fuel cell. The fuel cell vehicle has a fuel cell stack composed of a plurality of stacked power generation cell units as the main component of the fuel cell. The ventilation device of the fuel cell according to the present embodiment is provided on the fuel cell stack.

[0020] Figure 1 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the overall structure of a fuel cell stack 100 provided with a ventilation device for a fuel cell according to the present embodiment. For convenience, the three mutually orthogonal axes are defined as the front-to-back direction, the left-to-right direction, and the up-to-down direction as shown in the figure below, and the structure of each part is described according to the definition. The lower side of the up-to-down direction corresponds to the gravity direction. The front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction are, for example, consistent with the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction of a vehicle. The fuel cell stack 100 is arranged at the front of a vehicle, for example, in such a way that the wind blows toward its front surface during travel.

[0021] like Figure 1 As shown, the fuel cell stack 100 has a battery cell stack (stack) 110, roughly rectangular end plates 120 arranged at the left and right ends of the battery cell stack 110, and a shell (fuel cell shell) 130 surrounding the battery cell stack 110. The shell 130 has four roughly rectangular side walls, namely an upper wall 131 arranged at the upper part, a front wall 132 arranged at the front part, a bottom wall 133 arranged at the lower part, and a rear wall 134 arranged at the rear part. The fuel cell stack 100 is roughly rectangular in shape as a whole. Figure 1 A portion of the upper wall 131 of the housing 130 is cut away to show a portion of the upper wall 131 of the housing 130. Figure 1 As shown in the A part of FIG. 1 , the battery cell stack 110 is formed by stacking a plurality of power generation battery cells 111 (for convenience, only a single power generation battery cell 111 is shown) in the front-to-back direction, and has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole.

[0022] The power generation cell 111 has: an integrated electrode assembly 112, which has a membrane electrode assembly including an electrolyte membrane and an electrode; and a separator 113, which is arranged on the left and right sides of the integrated electrode assembly 112 to clamp the integrated electrode assembly 112. The integrated electrode assembly 112 and the separator 113 are arranged alternately in the left and right directions. The separator 113 on the left side also functions as a separator 113 for the power generation cell 111 adjacent to the left side, and the separator on the right side also functions as a separator 113 for the power generation cell 111 adjacent to the right side. The separator 113 has a pair of left and right metal thin plates with a corrugated plate cross-section, and the outer peripheral portions of the pair of thin plates are joined to each other to form a whole. A cooling flow channel for a cooling medium (such as water) to flow is formed inside the pair of thin plates, and the power generation surface of the power generation cell 111 is cooled by the flow of the cooling medium.

[0023] The separator 113 on the left side of the integrated electrode assembly 112 is, for example, a separator on the anode side (anode separator), and an anode flow channel for a fuel gas including hydrogen to flow is formed between the anode separator 113 and the membrane electrode assembly of the integrated electrode assembly 112. The separator 113 on the right side of the integrated electrode assembly 112 is, for example, a separator on the cathode side (cathode separator), and a cathode flow channel for an oxidant gas including oxygen to flow is formed between the cathode separator 113 and the membrane electrode assembly of the integrated electrode assembly 112.

[0024] The integrated electrode assembly 112 has a membrane electrode assembly and a resin frame supporting the periphery of the membrane electrode assembly. The membrane electrode assembly has an electrolyte membrane, an anode electrode arranged on the left surface of the electrolyte membrane, and a cathode electrode arranged on the right surface of the electrolyte membrane. The electrolyte membrane is, for example, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The anode electrode has an electrode catalyst layer formed on the left surface of the electrolyte membrane, which serves as a reaction field for an electrode reaction, and a gas diffusion layer arranged on the left surface of the electrode catalyst layer, which diffuses and supplies a fuel gas. The cathode electrode has an electrode catalyst layer formed on the right surface of the electrolyte membrane, which serves as a reaction field for an electrode reaction, and a gas diffusion layer arranged on the right surface of the electrode catalyst layer, which diffuses and supplies an oxidant gas.

[0025] At the anode electrode, the fuel gas (hydrogen) supplied via the anode flow channel and the gas diffusion layer is ionized due to the action of the catalyst and moves to the cathode electrode side through the electrolyte membrane. The electrons generated at this time are extracted as electrical energy through the external circuit. At the cathode electrode, the oxidant gas (oxygen) supplied via the cathode flow channel and the gas diffusion layer reacts with the hydrogen ions derived from the anode electrode and the electrons moved from the anode electrode to generate water. The generated water provides appropriate humidity to the electrolyte membrane, and the remaining water is discharged to the outside of the integrated electrode assembly 112.

[0026] The right end plate 120 has through holes 121 to 126 that penetrate the end plate 120 in the left-right direction. The through holes 121 to 123 are arranged at staggered positions in the up-down direction near the rear end of the end plate 120, and the through holes 124 to 126 are arranged at staggered positions in the up-down direction near the front end of the end plate 120. The through holes 121 to 126 are not arranged in the left end plate 120, and the left surface of the fuel cell stack 100 is closed. Fuel gas is supplied to the interior of the battery cell stack 110 through the through hole 121, oxidant gas is supplied through the through hole 124, and cooling medium is supplied through the through hole 125. The cooling medium is discharged from the battery cell stack 110 to the outside of the fuel cell stack 100 through the through hole 122, the oxidant exhaust gas is discharged through the through hole 123, and the fuel exhaust gas is discharged through the through hole 126.

[0027] Although not shown in the figure, the battery cell stack 110 is supported from the inner wall of the housing 130 via a plurality of support members made of, for example, a resin material. The support members are provided, for example, at the middle of the upper wall 131 and the bottom wall 133 in the front-to-back direction and at the middle of the front wall 132 and the rear wall 134 in the top-to-bottom direction, and are respectively extended in the left-right direction. Therefore, in addition to the location where the support members are provided between the battery cell stack 110 and the inner wall of the housing 130, Figure 2 A gap (internal space) SP is provided as shown. The support member may be provided at intersections of the side walls of the housing 130 such as the intersection of the upper wall 131 and the front wall 132 , the intersection of the front wall 132 and the bottom wall 133 , etc.

[0028] However, sometimes a small amount of fuel gas leaks from the battery cell stack 110 of the fuel cell stack 100, for example, from the stacking surface of the power generation battery cell. The leaked fuel gas is retained in the internal space SP of the shell 130, so it is necessary to discharge the fuel gas retained in the internal space SP to the outside. In this embodiment, the internal space SP is ventilated through the ventilation device, thereby discharging the fuel gas in the internal space SP to the outside of the shell 130. The structure of the ventilation device is described below.

[0029] like Figure 1 As shown, the ventilation device 1 of this embodiment is respectively provided at the upper and lower parts of the front wall 132 among the multiple side walls of the housing 130 extending in the stacking direction (left-right direction) of the multiple power generation battery cells 111. The upper ventilation device 1 is sometimes referred to as the upper ventilation device 1A, and the lower ventilation device 1 is sometimes referred to as the lower ventilation device 1B. The ventilation device 1 has a ventilation unit 10 that can be detachably mounted on the front surface of the front wall 132. Figure 2 The ventilation unit 10 (the ventilation unit 10 of the upper ventilation device 1A) is shown along the Figure 1 The cross-sectional view taken along line II-II, Figure 3This is a front view of the fuel cell stack 100 in a state where the ventilation unit 10 is removed. Although not shown in the figure, the ventilation unit 10 of the lower ventilation device 1B is installed in the same manner as the ventilation unit 10 of the upper ventilation device 1A.

[0030] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, a substantially rectangular recess 135 elongated in the left-right direction is provided at the upper portion above the middle portion in the up-down direction and at the lower portion below the middle portion in the up-down direction on the front surface of the front wall 132. A recess 136 elongated in the left-right direction is also provided inside the recess 135. That is, a pair of stepped recesses 135 and 136 are provided in the front surface of the front wall 132. The length of the upper recess 135 and 136 in the up-down direction is equal to the length of the lower recess 135 and 136 in the up-down direction. On the other hand, the length of the upper recess 135 and 136 in the left-right direction is longer than the length of the lower recess 135 and 136 in the left-right direction, for example, about twice that of the lower recess 135 and 136. A screw hole 138 with a bottom is provided around the recess 135 on the front wall 132.

[0031] A plurality of communication holes 137 are provided on the bottom surface of the recess 136 and penetrate the front wall 132 in the front-to-back direction. Figure 3 As shown, the upper concave portion 136 is provided with four rows of upper and lower pairs of roughly rectangular communication holes 137 in the left-right direction, and the lower concave portion 136 is provided with two rows of upper and lower pairs of roughly rectangular communication holes 137 in the left-right direction. The shapes of the plurality of communication holes 137 are all equal. The shape and number of the communication holes 137 are not limited to those described above.

[0032] The area inside the recess 135 where a pair of upper and lower connecting holes 137 are provided is defined as an open area AR1, and the area where the connecting holes 137 are not provided is defined as a closed area AR2. The open areas AR1 and the closed areas AR2 exist alternately in the left-right direction by a dividing line extending in the up-down direction. Therefore, four open areas AR1 and three closed areas AR2 between them are provided in the upper recess 135, and two open areas AR1 and one closed area AR2 between them are provided in the lower recess 135. In addition, closed areas AR2 are also provided in the area inside the recess 135 along the peripheral portion of the recess 135, that is, to the right of the opening area AR1 at the right end, to the left of the opening area AR1 at the left end, and above and below the opening area AR1.

[0033] The ventilation unit 10 of the upper ventilation device 1A and the ventilation unit 10 of the lower ventilation device 1B have the same structure except for the difference in the left-right dimensions. Therefore, the structure of the ventilation unit 10 of the upper ventilation device 1A will be mainly described below. Figure 41A is a front view (viewed from the front) of the ventilation unit 10 of the upper ventilation device 1A. Figure 5 It is an exploded stereogram. Figure 4 The position of the communication hole 137 when the ventilation unit 10 is attached to the front wall 132 of the housing 130 is shown by a two-dot chain line.

[0034] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, the ventilation unit 10 includes a substantially rectangular frame-shaped holding member 2, a substantially rectangular plate-shaped filter 3 mounted on the rear surface of the holding member 2, and a substantially rectangular plate-shaped cover 4 mounted on the front surface of the holding member 2. The holding member 2 and the cover 4 are formed by resin molding using resin as a constituent material. The filter 3 is made of a material that allows gases such as fuel gas and air to pass through but prevents foreign matter such as dust from passing through.

[0035] The holding member 2 has a substantially flat base portion 20 and a plurality of fixing portions 21 protruding upward and downward from the peripheral edge of the base portion 20. The fixing portion 21 has a circular through hole 21a extending therethrough in the front-rear direction.

[0036] Fig. 6A It is along Figure 4 The cross-sectional view taken along line AA of Figure 6B It is along Figure 4 The cross-sectional view of the BB line. Fig. 6A , Figure 6B As shown, a substantially rectangular recess 22 corresponding to the outer shape of the filter element 3 is provided on the rear surface of the base 20. The edge of the filter element 3 is fitted into the recess 22. In this state, the filter element 3 is bonded to the base 20 by bonding or welding. At this time, the rear surface of the filter element 3 protrudes rearward than the rear surface of the base 20. A recess 23 is also provided on the rear surface of the base 20 in a manner that surrounds the outer peripheral edge of the filter element 3 along the entire circumference of the base 20. Figure 2 As shown, the sealing material 24 is fitted into the recess 23 .

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the outer peripheral edge of the filter element 3 engaged with the holding member 2 is fitted into the recess 136 of the front wall 132. The outer peripheral edge of the base portion 20 is fitted into the recess 135 on the front side of the recess 136. In this state, the through hole 21a ( Figure 5 ) is screwed into the threaded hole 138, thereby fixing the holding member 2 to the housing 130 via the filter 3. It should be noted that a sealing material 25 such as a gasket is provided between the peripheral surface of the recess 135 and the outer peripheral edge of the base 20.

[0038] like Figure 5As shown in FIG. 2 , four substantially rectangular windows 26 are provided on the base 20 at equal intervals in the left-right direction and penetrate the base 20 in the front-back direction. Figure 4 As shown by the double-dashed line in the middle, when the ventilation unit 10 is installed on the front wall 132, the upper and lower communicating holes 137 ( Figure 3 The area AR1) is located inside the window portion 26. Figure 5 As shown, a substantially rectangular wall 27 is provided on the front surface of the base 20 to protrude forward so as to surround the four windows 26. The height (length in the front-rear direction) of the wall 27 is constant over the entire area of ​​the wall 27.

[0039] A plurality of protrusions 29 of a predetermined height protruding forward are provided on the front surface of the base 20, inside the wall 27 and near the wall 27. Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, the base portion 20 has a window frame portion 28 (first window frame portion 281) in the shape of a substantially rectangular frame extending along the wall portion 27 in a manner to surround all of the multiple window portions 26, and a window frame portion 28 (second window frame portion 282) that crosses the inner side of the first window frame portion 281 and divides the inner side of the first window frame portion 281 into multiple window portions 26. An upper and lower pair of protrusions 29 are also provided on the first window frame portion 281 at the left end and the first window frame portion 281 at the right end. Among these protrusions 29, the upper protrusion 29 is located above the upper end of the window portion 26, and the lower protrusion 29 is located below the lower end of the window portion 26. As shown in FIG. Fig. 6A As shown, the height (the amount of protrusion toward the front) of the protrusion 29 is the same as the height of the wall 27 or slightly lower than the height of the wall 27 .

[0040] When the ventilation unit 10 is mounted on the front wall 132, the protrusion 29 is located Figure 3 At this time, the plurality of communication holes 137 of the front wall 132 are opposite to the plurality of areas (window portions 26) divided by the second window frame portion 282 on the inner side of the first window frame portion 281 via the filter element 3. In other words, the plurality of communication holes 137 are arranged on the inner side of the plurality of window portions 26 in a manner not to intersect with the window frame portion 28 (the first window frame portion 281 and the second window frame portion 282).

[0041] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 An enlarged view of Section VII. Figure 7 As shown, the protrusion 29 includes a large diameter portion 291 of a generally cylindrical shape protruding forward from the front surface of the base portion 20, a small diameter portion 292 of a generally cylindrical shape protruding forward from the center of the front end surface 291a of the large diameter portion 291, and an arc portion 293 protruding forward from the front end of the small diameter portion 292 in a generally arc shape. Fig. 6AAs shown, the diameter of the small diameter portion 292 is smaller than the diameters of the large diameter portion 291 and the arc portion 293. The length of the small diameter portion 292 in the front-rear direction is the same as or substantially the same as the plate thickness of the cover 4.

[0042] like Figure 4 As shown, the length of the cover 4 in the left-right direction is shorter than the left-right length of the inner side of the rectangular frame-shaped wall portion 27, and the length of the cover 4 in the up-down direction is shorter than the up-down length of the inner side of the wall portion 27. Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , a plurality of substantially circular through holes 41 are provided at the upper and lower ends of the cover 4 at positions corresponding to the protrusions 29. The diameter of the through holes 41 is Figure 7 The diameters of the large diameter portion 291 and the arc portion 293 of the protrusion 29 shown are small and are equal to or substantially equal to the diameter of the small diameter portion 292 .

[0043] like Fig. 6A As shown, the protrusion 29 is engaged with the through hole 41 of the cover 4. In more detail, the arc portion 293 passes through the through hole 41 while undergoing elastic deformation, so that the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 292 is engaged with the through hole 41. The position of the cover 4 relative to the retaining member 2 in the up-down, left-right direction is thereby restricted. In addition, the rear surface of the cover 4 abuts against the front end surface 291a of the large diameter portion 291, thereby restricting the position of the cover 4 relative to the retaining member 2 in the front-to-back direction. That is, the protrusion 29 is engaged with the through hole 41, thereby positioning the cover 4 in the front-to-back direction, the left-to-right direction, and the up-down direction. After the protrusion 29 is engaged with the through hole 41, it is joined to the cover 4, for example, by welding.

[0044] When the cover 4 is mounted on the protrusion 29, Figure 6B As shown, a gap (clearance CL) is provided between the base portion 20 of the holding member 2 and the cover 4 and between the wall portion 27 and the cover 4 along the entire periphery of the cover 4. Therefore, when the front surface of the filter 3 is covered by the cover 4, air (traveling wind) can flow from the front of the cover 4 to the filter 3 through the gap CL and the window portion 26.

[0045] like Figure 5 , Fig. 6A As shown, a plurality of elongated through holes (slit holes 42) extending between the upper and lower through holes 41 in the vertical direction are provided in the central portion of the cover 4 (except the right and left ends). Figure 3 The closed area AR2 of the front wall 132 is opposite. Figure 4 As shown, the width of the slit hole 42 in the left-right direction is shorter than the width of the second window frame portion 282 of the holding member 2. Thus, air can flow from the front of the cover 4 to the filter 3 through the slit hole 42 and the window portion 26.

[0046] The manufacturing method of the ventilation device 1 in the manufacturing method of the fuel cell is as follows. Fig. 6A As shown, the peripheral portion of the filter element 3 is fitted into the recessed portion 22 on the rear surface of the retaining member 2, and the filter element 3 is then joined to the retaining member 2 by welding or the like (filter element installation step). Next, the cover 4 is installed on the retaining member 2 in a manner covering the inner side of the peripheral portion of the filter element 3 (cover installation step). That is, the through hole 41 of the cover 4 is fitted into the protruding portion 29 on the front surface of the retaining member 2, and the cover 4 is then joined to the retaining member 2 by welding or the like. In the cover installation step, the cover 4 is installed on the retaining member 2 in a state where a gap is left between the peripheral portion of the cover 4 and the retaining member 2 along the entire circumference of the peripheral portion of the cover 4. Thus, the ventilation unit 10 is assembled. Next, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, the ventilation unit 10 is fitted into the recesses 135 and 136 on the front surface of the housing 130, the bolts 5 are fastened to the threaded holes 138, and the holding member 2 is mounted on the housing 130 (holding member mounting step). Thus, the ventilation unit 10 is fixed to the housing 130, and the ventilation device 1 is manufactured.

[0047] The main operation of the ventilation device for the fuel cell configured as above will be described. Figure 8 1 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of air and fuel gas in the ventilation device 1 of this embodiment. When the ventilation unit 10 is installed in the housing 130, as shown in FIG. Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , a gap CL is provided between the retaining member 2 and the cover 4 along the entire periphery of the cover 4. Figure 8 As shown by arrow A, the traveling wind enters the internal space SP of the housing 130 through the gap CL, the window portion 26 of the holding member 2, the filter 3, and the communication hole 137 of the front wall 132. The traveling wind not only passes through the gap CL, but also passes through the Fig. 6A The slit holes 42 of the cover 4 are shown to enter the inner space SP.

[0048] On the other hand, Figure 8 As shown by the arrow B, the fuel gas leaked from the battery cell stack 110 into the internal space SP is discharged to the outside of the housing 130 through the connecting hole 137 of the front wall 132, the filter 3, the window portion 26 of the retaining member 2, and the gap CL. As a result, the internal space SP0 of the housing 130 can be ventilated. In the present embodiment, the gap CL for the passage of air and fuel gas is provided along the entire periphery of the cover 4, so that the flow area of ​​the air and fuel gas in the ventilation unit 10 is increased. As a result, the flow rate of air entering the internal space SP and the flow rate of fuel gas discharged from the internal space SP can be increased, and the internal space SP can be fully ventilated.

[0049] The front surface of the filter element 3 is covered by the cover 4 except for the portion where the slit hole 42 is provided. Fig. 6A As shown in the figure, the front surface of the filter element 3 is covered by the second window frame portion 282 at the location where the slit hole 42 is provided. Therefore, when the vehicle is running, raindrops and foreign matter can be prevented from colliding with the filter element 3 through the slit hole 42. In addition, when the vehicle is washed with high pressure, the washing water can also be prevented from colliding with the filter element 3. Therefore, the filter element 3 can be protected and the durability of the ventilation unit 10 can be improved. When cleaning or replacing the filter element 3, loosen the bolt 5 ( Figure 8 ) The ventilation unit 10 is removed from the housing 130. This makes it easy to clean and replace the filter element 3.

[0050] The present embodiment can achieve the following effects.

[0051] (1) The ventilation device 1 comprises: a housing 130 that accommodates a battery cell stack 110 formed by stacking a plurality of power generation battery cells 111; and a ventilation unit 10 that is mounted in the housing 130 so as to cover a communication hole 137 that communicates with an internal space SP of the housing 130 provided in the housing 130. Figure 1 , Figure 2 The ventilation unit 10 comprises: a filter 3 disposed facing the communicating hole 137; a holding member 2 in a frame shape and mounted on the housing 130 while holding the peripheral edge of the filter 3; and a cover 4 mounted on the holding member 2 in a manner covering the inner side of the peripheral edge of the filter 3 ( Figure 2 The cover 4 is mounted on the holding member 2 ( ) with a gap (clearance CL) being provided between the peripheral edge of the cover 4 and the holding member 2 along the entire circumference of the peripheral edge of the cover 4. Figure 5 , Figure 6B ).

[0052] As a result, the flow channel area of ​​the ventilation unit 10 when the outside air enters the internal space SP of the housing 130 becomes larger, and a large amount of outside air can enter the internal space SP. As a result, the internal space SP can be fully ventilated. In addition, the front surface of the filter 3 is covered by the cover 4, so that raindrops and foreign matter can be prevented from colliding with the filter 3 when the vehicle is running, and the cleaning water can be prevented from colliding with the filter 3 when the vehicle is high-pressure washed, so that the filter 3 can be prevented from being damaged.

[0053] (2) The holding member 2 includes a first window frame portion 281 in a frame shape and a second window frame portion 282 that crosses the inside of the first window frame portion 281 and divides the first window frame portion 281 ( Figure 4 , Figure 5 The cover 4 is provided with a slit hole 42 ( Figure 5). Thus, the outside air can also enter the internal space SP from the central part of the cover 4 through the slit hole 42, and the internal space SP can be ventilated more efficiently. In addition, the slit hole 42 is opposite to the second window frame portion 282, so that the high-pressure cleaning water or the like flowing in through the slit hole 42 can be prevented from colliding with the filter 3.

[0054] (3) The holding member 2 has a protrusion 29 ( Figure 5 The cover 4 is provided with a through hole 41 ( Figure 5 ). Thus, the cover 4 can be supported by the holding member 2 while the gap CL is provided between the peripheral edge of the holding member 2 and the cover 4. In addition, the length of the protrusion 29 can be adjusted, and the size of the gap CL can be easily set.

[0055] (4) The protrusion 29 has the large diameter portion 291 and the small diameter portion 292 which are formed in a stepped shape to regulate the position of the cover 4 relative to the holding member 2. Thus, the cover 4 can be easily mounted on the holding member 2. In addition, the position of the cover 4 relative to the holding member 2 can be accurately regulated.

[0056] (5) A method for manufacturing a fuel cell is a method for manufacturing a fuel cell by mounting a ventilation unit 10 on a housing 130 in a manner covering a communication hole 137, wherein the through hole 127 is provided in the housing 130 that accommodates a battery cell stack 110 formed by stacking a plurality of power generation battery cells 111 and communicates with an internal space SP of the housing 130. The manufacturing method includes: a filter mounting step of mounting the peripheral edge of a filter 3 disposed facing the communication hole 137 on a frame-shaped holding member 2; a cover mounting step of mounting a cover 4 on the holding member 2 in a manner covering the inner side of the peripheral edge of the filter 3; and a holding member mounting step of mounting the holding member 2 on the housing 130. The cover mounting step includes mounting the cover 4 on the holding member 2 in a state where a gap CL is left between the peripheral edge of the cover 4 and the holding member 2 along the entire circumference of the peripheral edge of the cover 4. Thus, a ventilation device 1 capable of allowing a sufficient amount of external air to enter the internal space SP of the housing 130 can be easily manufactured.

[0057] (6) The cover mounting step includes fitting and welding the protrusion 29 protruding from the holding member 2 into the through hole 41 provided in the cover 4. This allows the cover 4 to be mounted on the holding member 2 easily and accurately.

[0058] It should be noted that, in the above embodiment, the ventilation unit 10 is installed at the upper and lower parts of the front wall 132 of the housing 130, respectively, but the installation position of the ventilation unit is not limited to the above. In the above embodiment, the ventilation unit 10 is installed in the housing 130 in a manner covering the communication hole 137 communicating with the internal space SP of the housing 130, but as long as it is installed in a manner covering the opening communicating with the internal space, the shape of the opening may be any form.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the holding member 2 has a first window frame portion 281 (frame portion) in a frame shape and a second window frame portion 282 (crossing portion) that crosses the inner side of the first window frame portion 281 to divide the first window frame portion, but the structures of these frame portions and the cross-crossing portion are not limited to the above. In the above embodiment, the slit hole 42 is provided at a position of the cover 4 opposite to the second window frame portion 282, but the shape of the opening is not limited to the above.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the protrusion 29 is provided to protrude from the retaining member 2 toward the cover 4, but the structure of the protrusion is not limited to the above. In the above embodiment, the protrusion 29 is engaged with the through hole 41 of the cover 4. That is, the through hole 41 is provided as a coupled portion in a manner for the protrusion to engage and combine, but the coupled portion may also be provided in a manner for the protrusion to engage and combine. In the above embodiment, the large diameter portion 291 and the small diameter portion 292 are provided on the protrusion 29 to position the cover 4, but the structure of the stepped positioning portion that limits the position of the cover relative to the retaining member is not limited to the above.

[0061] In the above embodiment, an example in which the ventilation device 1 is applied to a fuel cell mounted on a vehicle is described. However, the ventilation device of the present invention can be applied to fuel cells mounted on various industrial machines in addition to mobile bodies other than vehicles such as aircraft and ships and robots.

[0062] One or more of the above-described embodiments and modifications may be arbitrarily combined, and modifications may be combined with each other.

[0063] According to the present invention, external air can be sufficiently introduced into the fuel cell casing.

[0064] The present invention has been described above in conjunction with preferred embodiments, but it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A ventilation device for a fuel cell, characterized in that: have: A fuel cell casing (130) that accommodates a stacked body (110) formed by stacking a plurality of power generation battery cells (111); and A ventilation unit (10) is installed in the fuel cell housing (130) in a manner covering an opening (137) provided in the fuel cell housing (130) for communicating the internal space of the fuel cell housing (130) with the external space, The ventilation unit (10) comprises: A filter element (3) disposed facing the opening (137); a holding member (2) in the form of a frame, mounted on the fuel cell housing (130) while holding the peripheral edge of the filter element (3); and a cover (4) mounted on the holding member (2) so as to cover the inner side of the peripheral edge portion of the filter element (3), The cover (4) is mounted on the holding member (2) in a state where a gap is left between the peripheral edge of the cover (4) and the holding member (2) along the entire circumference of the peripheral edge of the cover (4).

2. The fuel cell ventilation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The holding member (2) comprises a frame portion (281) in a frame shape and a traversing portion (282) traversing the inner side of the frame portion (281) to divide the frame portion (281). An opening (42) is provided on the cover (4) at a position opposite to the transverse portion (232).

3. The ventilation device for a fuel cell according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The holding member (2) has a convex portion (29) protruding toward the cover (4), The cover (4) has a coupled portion (41) that is engaged or snap-fitted with the convex portion (29).

4. The fuel cell ventilation device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The convex portion (29) has stepped positioning portions (291, 292) for limiting the position of the cover (4) relative to the holding member (2).

5. The ventilation device for a fuel cell according to claim 2, characterized in that: The plurality of openings (137) are arranged in opposition to each other in the fuel cell housing (130) through the filter (3) and the plurality of regions partitioned by the transverse portion (282) on the inner side of the frame portion (281).

6. The ventilation device for a fuel cell according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The fuel cell housing (130) has a side wall (132) extending in the stacking direction of the plurality of power generation battery cells (111), and the ventilation unit (10) is mounted on the side wall (132) of the fuel cell housing (130).

7. The ventilation device for a fuel cell according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The holding member (2) has a frame-shaped wall portion (27) which is provided protruding in the mounting direction of the cover (4) so ​​as to surround the peripheral edge portion of the cover (4).

8. A method for manufacturing a fuel cell, comprising installing a ventilation unit (10) in a fuel cell housing (130) in a manner covering an opening (137) to thereby manufacture the fuel cell, wherein the opening (137) is provided in a fuel cell housing (130) that accommodates a stack (110) formed by stacking a plurality of power generation battery cells (111), and the internal space of the fuel cell housing (130) is communicated with the external space, the method comprising: A step of installing a peripheral portion of a filter element (3) disposed facing the opening (137) on a frame-shaped retaining member (2); a step of attaching a cover (4) to the holding member (2) so as to cover the inner side of the peripheral edge portion of the filter (3); and The step of installing the retaining member (2) on the fuel cell housing (130), The step of installing the cover (4) includes installing the cover (4) on the holding member (2) in a state where a gap is left between the peripheral edge of the cover (4) and the holding member (2) along the entire circumference of the peripheral edge of the cover (4).

9. The method for manufacturing a fuel cell according to claim 8, characterized in that: The step of installing the cover (4) includes fitting or engaging a protrusion (29) protruding from the holding member (2) with a coupled portion (41) provided on the cover (4) and welding the resultant.

Images