Fuel cell device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a fuel cell device. A support plate portion (14) of a fuel cell device (10) has a hollow cross-sectional structure portion (50) including an upper metal plate (46) and a lower metal plate (48), and a mounting portion (64) for mounting a fastening member (62) that fastens a mounting object (200) to the support plate portion, and a reinforcing portion (70) is provided at the mounting portion, extends in the up-down direction, and is sandwiched by the upper metal plate and the lower metal plate, a recess (74) that bulges toward the inside of the support plate portion is formed at a face of the support plate portion that faces the opposite side to the fuel cell stack, and the recess is adjacent to the mounting portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to fuel cell devices. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, in order to ensure that more people have access to appropriate, reliable, sustainable and advanced energy, research and development are underway on fuel cell devices that contribute to energy efficiency.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses a fuel cell device having a support plate portion for supporting a fuel cell stack.

[0004] Existing technical documents Patent documents Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-104598 Summary of the Invention

[0005] The problem that the invention aims to solve We look forward to better fuel cell devices.

[0006] The purpose of this disclosure is to address the aforementioned problems.

[0007] Solution for solving the problem This disclosure relates to a fuel cell device having a support plate portion for supporting a fuel cell stack. The support plate portion has: a hollow cross-section structure including an upper metal plate and a lower metal plate; and a mounting portion for mounting a fastening member for securing a mounting object to the support plate portion. The mounting portion has a reinforcing portion extending in a vertical direction and being clamped by the upper metal plate and the lower metal plate. A recess bulging toward the interior of the support plate portion is formed on a surface of the support plate portion facing the opposite side to the fuel cell stack, the recess being adjacent to the mounting portion.

[0008] The effects of the invention According to this disclosure, better fuel cell devices can be provided.

[0009] The above-described objectives, features, and advantages should be readily understood from the following description of the embodiments, which are illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a front view of a fuel cell device according to one embodiment of this disclosure.

[0011] Figure 2 This is an exploded 3D view of a fuel cell device.

[0012] Figure 3 It is along Figure 1A partial sectional view of line III-III, omitted from the original text.

[0013] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 A partial sectional view of line IV-IV, omitted from the original text.

[0014] Figure 5 This is an explanatory diagram of a modified example of the support plate. Detailed Implementation

[0015] The support plate portion of a fuel cell device, for example, has a hollow cross-section structure comprising an upper metal plate and a lower metal plate. Compared to a support plate portion with a solid cross-section, such a support plate portion can achieve weight reduction, but its rigidity is easily reduced. The support plate portion, for example, has a mounting portion for mounting fastening members that secure the object to the support plate portion. In such cases, it is necessary to improve the rigidity of the mounting portion of the support plate portion. According to this disclosure, a fuel cell device can be provided that enables weight reduction of the support plate portion and improves the rigidity of the mounting portion.

[0016] The fuel cell device 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The fuel cell device 10 can be mounted, for example, in a vehicle such as a fuel cell electric vehicle (not shown). The fuel cell device 10 can also be mounted in a stationary power generation system, etc.

[0017] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the fuel cell device 10 includes a fuel cell stack 12, a support plate (support frame) 14, and auxiliary equipment components 16. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the fuel cell stack 12 includes a fuel cell body 18 and a stack housing 20. The fuel cell body 18 is formed by stacking a plurality of power-generating individual cells 22. In this embodiment, the plurality of power-generating individual cells 22 are stacked along the X direction. Furthermore, in the following description, the direction orthogonal to the X direction and the vertical direction is sometimes referred to as the Y direction. The power-generating individual cells 22 generate electricity through the electrochemical reaction of fuel gas (e.g., hydrogen) and oxidant gas (e.g., air).

[0018] like Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, the stack housing 20 houses the fuel cell body 18. The stack housing 20 includes a peripheral wall housing 24 and a pair of end panels 26. The peripheral wall housing 24 is formed in a quadrilateral cylindrical shape. The peripheral wall housing 24 includes a lower plate 28, an upper plate 30, and a pair of side plates 32.

[0019] Two feet 34 are provided at each of the two ends of the lower plate 28 in the Y direction. The pair of feet 34 located at one end of the lower plate 28 in the Y direction (the end in the Y1 direction) are separated from each other in the X direction. The pair of feet 34 located at the other end of the lower plate 28 in the Y direction (the end in the Y2 direction) are also separated from each other in the X direction. The feet 34 are mounted to the support plate 14 by a plurality of bolts 36. The mounting structure of the feet 34 to the support plate 14 will be described later. The number, position, and size of the feet 34 can be appropriately set.

[0020] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the support plate 14 supports the fuel cell stack 12 and the auxiliary equipment components 16. The fuel cell stack 12 is positioned above the support plate 14, and the auxiliary equipment components 16 are positioned below the support plate 14. This allows for a compact fuel cell device 10. Furthermore, the support plate 14 can support the fuel cell stack 12 from below.

[0021] like Figure 2 As shown, the support plate portion 14 is formed in a ring shape. A notch 38 is formed in the center of the support plate portion 14, which extends through the support plate portion 14 in the vertical direction. When viewed from above, the outer peripheral edge portion 14a of the support plate portion 14 is formed in a quadrilateral shape.

[0022] The notched portion 38 includes a first hole 40, a second hole 42, and a third hole 44. The first hole 40 is located closer to the center of the support plate portion 14 in the Y direction, towards the Y1 direction. The second hole 42 extends from the first hole 40 in the Y2 direction. The third hole 44 is connected to the Y2 end of the second hole 42. The width of the first hole 40 in the X direction is wider than the width of the second hole 42 in the X direction. The width of the third hole 44 in the X direction is narrower than the width of the first hole 40 in the X direction, but wider than the width of the second hole 42 in the X direction.

[0023] like Figure 3 As shown, the support plate portion 14 has a hollow cross-section structure portion 50, which includes an upper metal plate 46 and a lower metal plate 48. This allows the support plate portion 14 to be lightweight and its rigidity to be improved. The upper metal plate 46 and the lower metal plate 48 are each, for example, steel plates, but are not limited thereto.

[0024] The outer peripheral edge 46a of the upper metal plate 46 overlaps with the outer peripheral edge 48a of the lower metal plate 48. The outer peripheral edge 46a of the upper metal plate 46 and the outer peripheral edge 48a of the lower metal plate 48 are joined together by a joint 52 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "outer joint 52"). In other words, an outer joint 52 is provided on the outer peripheral edge 14a of the support plate portion 14. The outer joint 52 extends in a quadrilateral shape along the outer peripheral edge 14a of the support plate portion 14. The outer joint 52 is not limited to the example of extending in a quadrilateral shape, and may also be provided at intervals on the outer peripheral edge 14a of the support plate portion 14.

[0025] The inner peripheral edge 46b of the notch 38 in the upper metal plate 46 overlaps with the inner peripheral edge 48b of the notch 38 in the lower metal plate 48. The inner peripheral edge 46b of the upper metal plate 46 and the inner peripheral edge 48b of the lower metal plate 48 are joined together by a joint 54 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "inner joint 54"). In other words, an inner joint 54 is provided on the inner peripheral edge 14b of the support plate portion 14. The inner joint 54 extends along the outer periphery of the notch 38. As a result, the rigidity of the inner peripheral edge 14b of the support plate portion 14 can be improved.

[0026] That is, the inner joint portion 54 is provided at the center of the support plate portion 14. In this case, the rigidity of the center of the support plate portion 14 can be improved by the inner joint portion 54. The inner joint portion 54 may also be provided at intervals on the inner peripheral edge portion 14b of the support plate portion 14.

[0027] The outer joint 52 and the inner joint 54 are each, for example, welded joints formed by welding the upper metal plate 46 to the lower metal plate 48. Such welded joints can be formed, for example, by laser welding, TIG welding (Tungsten Inert Gas welding), MIG welding (Metal Inert Gas welding), etc. The outer joint 52 and the inner joint 54 are not limited to welded joints; for example, they can also be formed by friction stir joining.

[0028] like Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, a portion of an auxiliary equipment component 16 for driving the fuel cell stack 12 is disposed in the cutout portion 38. The auxiliary equipment component 16 includes a refrigerant pump 56. The auxiliary equipment component 16 may also have structural elements other than these, but these are omitted here. The refrigerant pump 56 is a pump for circulating refrigerant within the fuel cell stack 12. As a refrigerant (cooling medium), pure water can be used, for example. The refrigerant may also include, for example, ethylene glycol.

[0029] A portion of the refrigerant pump 56 is disposed in the first bore 40. This allows for a reduction in the vertical dimension of the fuel cell unit 10. The refrigerant pump 56 is mounted to the support plate 14 by a plurality of bolts 58 (see reference). Figure 3 The location where the refrigerant pump 56 is installed (the position of bolt 58) is adjacent to the inner joint 54. This allows for stable support of the refrigerant pump 56.

[0030] like Figure 2 As shown, a refrigerant supply pipe 60 is connected to a refrigerant pump 56, and the refrigerant supply pipe 60 is used to supply refrigerant ejected from the refrigerant pump 56 to the fuel cell stack 12. The refrigerant supply pipe 60 is disposed in the second hole 42 and the third hole 44. This allows for easy installation of components forming the auxiliary equipment component 16 and the laying of piping. Furthermore, the refrigerant pump 56 (auxiliary equipment component 16) can be interconnected with the fuel cell stack 12 via a notch 38 formed in the center of the support plate portion 14.

[0031] In this embodiment, an example is described in which a portion of the refrigerant pump 56 is arranged in the cutout portion 38, but it is also possible to arrange a portion of the auxiliary equipment component 16 other than the refrigerant pump 56 in the cutout portion 38.

[0032] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the support plate portion 14 has a plurality of mounting portions 64 for mounting fastening members (e.g., bolts) 62 that secure the mounting object 200 to the support plate portion 14. The mounting object 200 is, for example, a vehicle body frame 202. The mounting object 200 is not limited to a vehicle body frame 202, and may also be the frame of a fixedly mounted power generation system.

[0033] like Figure 4 As shown, the mounting portion 64 has a first through hole 66 and a second through hole 68 for insertion by the fastening member 62. The first through hole 66 is formed in the upper metal plate 46. The second through hole 68 is formed in the lower metal plate 48. A reinforcing portion 70 is provided in the mounting portion 64, which extends in the vertical direction and is clamped by the upper metal plate 46 and the lower metal plate 48. In this case, the rigidity of the mounting portion 64 can be improved by the reinforcing portion 70.

[0034] The reinforcing portion 70 is formed in a cylindrical shape (e.g., a cylindrical shape). The hole 72 on the inner side of the reinforcing portion 70 communicates with the first through hole 66 and the second through hole 68. The reinforcing portion 70 is not limited to the example of being cylindrical, and may also have a C-shaped or U-shaped cross-section.

[0035] The fastening member 62 is screwed into the fastening hole (threaded hole) 204 formed in the mounting object 200 through the first through hole 66, the hole 72 inside the reinforcing part 70, and the second through hole 68. As a result, the support plate part 14 and the mounting object 200 are fastened to each other, and the lower surface of the support plate part 14 abuts against the upper surface of the mounting object 200.

[0036] A plurality of recesses 74 are formed on the surface of the support plate portion 14 facing the opposite side to the fuel cell stack 12. That is, the recesses 74 are formed on the lower surface of the support plate portion 14. In other words, the recesses 74 are formed on the lower metal plate 48. Two recesses 74 are formed at the end of the support plate portion 14 in the Y1 direction, and two recesses 74 are formed at the end of the support plate portion 14 in the Y2 direction. The recesses 74 bulge toward the interior of the support plate portion 14. The recesses 74 can be formed by stamping a plate-shaped member.

[0037] The recess 74 is adjacent to the mounting portion 64. In other words, the mounting portion 64 is located on both sides of the recess 74 in the X direction. In this case, the rigidity of the mounting portion 64 can be improved by the recess 74.

[0038] A pair of support sleeves (sleeve members) 78 are provided on the wall portion 76 (bottom wall portion of the recess 74) forming each recess 74. The pair of support sleeves 78 are arranged side by side in the X direction. The support sleeves 78 are arranged such that they span the upper metal plate 46 and the lower metal plate 48. The support sleeves 78 are positioned above the recess 74. As a result, the rigidity of the mounting portion 64 can be further improved by the support sleeves 78.

[0039] The support cylinder portion 78 penetrates the wall portion 76 forming the recess 74 and protrudes into the recess 74. That is, a through hole 80 is formed in the wall portion 76 forming the recess 74 for the support cylinder portion 78 to pass through. A connecting portion 82 is provided in the recess 74, which engages the support cylinder portion 78 with the wall portion 76 forming the recess 74. As a result, the support cylinder portion 78 can be engaged with the support plate portion 14 from the recess 74 side (outside the support plate portion 14), thus allowing the support cylinder portion 78 to be easily installed on the support plate portion 14.

[0040] The joint 82 extends around the support cylinder 78. The joint 82 is, for example, a welded portion. Such a welded portion can be formed, for example, by laser welding, TIG welding, MIG welding, etc. The protruding end (lower end) of the support cylinder 78 is located within the recess 74. In other words, the protruding end of the support cylinder 78 does not protrude outward from the recess 74. This prevents interference between the support cylinder 78 and the object 200 being mounted.

[0041] A hole 84 communicating with the interior of the support cylinder 78 is formed in the upper metal plate 46. An internal thread 86 is formed on the inner surface of the support cylinder 78. A bolt 36 for mounting the foot 34 of the fuel cell stack 12 to the support plate 14 is inserted into the interior of the support cylinder 78 through the hole 84. The external thread 88 of the bolt 36 engages with the internal thread 86 of the support cylinder 78. Thus, the fuel cell stack 12 can be easily mounted on the support plate 14. In addition, the rigidity of the part of the support plate 14 where the fuel cell stack 12 is mounted can be improved.

[0042] According to this embodiment, the support plate portion 14 has a hollow cross-section structure portion 50, thus enabling the support plate portion 14 to be lightweight. Furthermore, a reinforcing portion 70 is provided in the mounting portion 64 of the support plate portion 14, thereby improving the rigidity of the mounting portion 64. Additionally, a recess 74 is provided adjacent to the mounting portion 64, thus further improving the rigidity of the mounting portion 64. Moreover, the recess 74 bulges inward toward the support plate portion 14 and does not protrude outward, therefore it will not obstruct the fastening of the mounted object 200 to the support plate portion 14 by the fastening member 62.

[0043] like Figure 4 As shown, in the fuel cell device 10, when the mounting object 200 is fastened to the support plate portion 14 by the fastening member 62, the protrusion 206 provided on the mounting object 200 is inserted into the recess 74. In this case, the support plate portion 14 and the mounting object 200 can be easily positioned. In addition, the protrusion 206 being inserted into the recess 74 can improve the fastening strength between the support plate portion 14 and the mounting object 200.

[0044] The fuel cell device 10 is not limited to the structure described above. For example, such as... Figure 5 As shown, the recess 74 may also be formed on the upper surface (upper metal plate 46) of the support plate portion 14. In this case, the fuel cell stack 12 can be arranged below the support plate portion 14, and the mounting object 200 can be arranged above the support plate portion 14. Even in this case, the above-described effects can be achieved.

[0045] This embodiment is not limited to the example where the support cylinder portion 78 is disposed in the wall portion 76 forming the recess 74. Alternatively, the support cylinder portion 78 may be disposed in a portion of the support plate portion 14 that is different from the wall portion 76. In this case, the wall portion 76 does not form the through hole 80. The mounting object 200 is not limited to an assembly member for mounting the fuel cell device 10; for example, it may be a component forming the auxiliary equipment member 16.

[0046] The following notes are also disclosed regarding the above-described embodiments.

[0047] (Postscript 1) The fuel cell device 10 disclosed herein includes a support plate portion 14 for supporting a fuel cell stack 12. The support plate portion has: a hollow cross-section structure portion 50, which includes an upper metal plate 46 and a lower metal plate 48; and a mounting portion 64 for mounting a fastening member 62 for fastening a mounting object 200 to the support plate portion. A reinforcing portion 70 is provided in the mounting portion, which extends in a vertical direction and is clamped by the upper metal plate and the lower metal plate. A recess 74 is formed on the side of the support plate portion facing the opposite side to the fuel cell stack, which bulges toward the interior of the support plate portion and is adjacent to the mounting portion.

[0048] With this structure, the support plate has a hollow cross-section, thus enabling it to be lightweight. Furthermore, a reinforcing section is provided in the mounting section of the support plate, thereby increasing its rigidity. Additionally, a recess is provided adjacent to the mounting section, further enhancing its rigidity. Moreover, the recess bulges inwards from the support plate, rather than protruding outwards, thus preventing it from obstructing the fastening of the object to the support plate by fastening members.

[0049] (Postscript 2) According to the fuel cell device described in Appendix 1, the fuel cell stack may also be disposed above the support plate portion, and the recess is formed on the lower surface of the support plate portion.

[0050] With this structure, the fuel cell stack can be supported from below by the support plate.

[0051] (Note 3) According to the fuel cell device described in Appendix 1, the recess may be adjacent to the mounting portion, and a support cylinder portion 78 may be provided on the support plate portion in such a way that it spans the upper metal plate and the lower metal plate, and the support cylinder portion may be disposed above the recess.

[0052] With this structure, the rigidity of the mounting section can be further improved by the support cylinder section.

[0053] (Postscript 4) According to the fuel cell device described in Appendix 3, the support cylinder portion may pass through the wall portion 76 forming the recess and protrude into the recess, and a connecting portion 82 is provided in the recess, the connecting portion engaging the support cylinder portion with the wall portion forming the recess.

[0054] With this structure, the support cylinder can be joined to the support plate from the recessed side (outside of the support plate), thus allowing the support cylinder to be easily installed on the support plate.

[0055] (Note 5) According to the fuel cell device described in Appendix 4, the protruding end of the support cylinder may also be located within the recess.

[0056] This structure can prevent interference between the support cylinder and the object being installed.

[0057] (Note 6) According to any one of the appendices 3 to 5, the fuel cell device may also have an internal thread 86 formed on the inner surface of the support cylinder.

[0058] With this structure, for example, the external thread of the bolt used to mount the fuel cell stack engages with the internal thread of the support cylinder, thereby allowing the fuel cell stack to be easily mounted on the support plate. Furthermore, the rigidity of the portion of the support plate where the fuel cell stack is mounted can be improved.

[0059] (Note 7) According to any one of the appendices 1 to 6, the fuel cell device may also have an inner joint portion 54 provided at the center of the support plate portion for joining the upper metal plate and the lower metal plate together.

[0060] With this structure, the rigidity of the central part of the support plate can be improved by the inner joint.

[0061] (Postscript 8) According to Appendix 7, the fuel cell device may also have a cutout 38 extending vertically through the central portion of the support plate portion, the inner joint portion extending along the outer periphery of the cutout portion, and a portion of an auxiliary equipment component 16 for driving the fuel cell stack disposed in the cutout portion.

[0062] With this structure, a portion of the auxiliary equipment component is arranged in the cut-out section, thus facilitating the assembly of the components forming the auxiliary equipment component and the laying of piping. Furthermore, the auxiliary equipment component can be interconnected with the fuel cell stack via the cut-out section.

[0063] This disclosure has been described in detail, but it is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various additions, substitutions, modifications, and partial deletions can be made to these embodiments without departing from the spirit of this disclosure, or from the spirit of this disclosure derived from the claims and their equivalents. Furthermore, these embodiments can also be combined. For example, the order of each action and each process in the above embodiments is only one example and is not limited thereto. The same applies to the use of numerical values ​​or mathematical formulas in the description of the above embodiments.

Claims

1. A fuel cell device comprising a support plate portion for supporting a fuel cell stack, The support plate portion has: The hollow cross-section structure includes an upper metal plate and a lower metal plate; and The mounting section is used to install fastening components that secure the object to the support plate. A reinforcing part is provided in the mounting part, the reinforcing part extends in the vertical direction and is clamped by the upper metal plate and the lower metal plate. A recess is formed on the side of the support plate portion facing the opposite side to the fuel cell stack, bulging toward the interior of the support plate portion. The recess is adjacent to the mounting portion.

2. The fuel cell device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fuel cell stack is positioned above the support plate. The recess is formed on the lower surface of the support plate portion.

3. The fuel cell device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The recess is adjacent to the mounting portion. A support cylinder is provided on the support plate portion, spanning the upper metal plate and the lower metal plate. The support cylinder portion is positioned above the recess.

4. The fuel cell device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The supporting cylinder portion extends through the wall portion forming the recess and protrudes into the recess. A joining portion is provided within the recess, which joins the support cylinder portion to the wall portion forming the recess.

5. The fuel cell device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The protruding end of the support cylinder is located within the recess.

6. The fuel cell device according to claim 3, characterized in that, An internal thread is formed on the inner surface of the support cylinder.

7. The fuel cell device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, An inner joining portion is provided in the center of the support plate portion, which joins the upper metal plate and the lower metal plate together.

8. The fuel cell device according to claim 7, characterized in that, A cutout extending vertically is formed in the central portion of the support plate. The inner joint extends along the outer periphery of the notch. A portion of an auxiliary equipment component for driving the fuel cell stack is disposed in the cut-out section.

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