MODULAR FUEL CELL

Abstract

In one embodiment, a modular fuel cell includes a cell frame, a plurality of separators, each having a guide portion for a cooling medium with a selected area extending from a manifold opening, a plurality of support protrusions projecting from the guide portion of each of the separators toward the cooling surface and spaced apart from each other and defining a cooling flow field between the spaced protrusions, and an adhesive medium between the cell frame and the reaction surface on the guide portion of each of the separators to create a bonding force between each of the separators and the cell frame. In some embodiments, the adhesive medium does not overlap the plurality of support protrusions on the guide portion.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a modular fuel cell (unitized fuel cell). STATE OF THE ART

[0002] A fuel cell is a type of power generator that converts the chemical energy of a fuel into electrical energy by electrochemically reacting the fuel in a stack. Fuel cells can not only provide power for industries, homes, buildings, aviation, and vehicles, but can also be used to power small electronic products such as portable devices. Recently, the application of fuel cells as a highly efficient clean energy source has been gradually expanded.

[0003] A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is located at the innermost point of a unit cell in a general fuel cell. The MEA consists of a polymer electrolyte membrane capable of moving protons, as well as an anode and a cathode, which act as electrodes arranged so that hydrogen and oxygen can react on either side of the electrolyte membrane.

[0004] Furthermore, a gas diffusion layer (GDL) is deposited on the outer section of the MEA, i.e., the outer section where the anode and cathode are located. A separator with a flow field is located outside the GDL to supply fuel and vent water generated by reactions.

[0005] A fuel cell stack is formed by stacking a plurality of unit cells constructed as described above in series to produce a desired fuel cell performance level. In a fuel cell stack, an end plate is attached to the outermost unit cell among the unit cells to hold and secure the plurality of unit cells.

[0006] To maintain the airtightness of the unit cell and facilitate a stacking process, an electricity generating assembly (EGA) is commonly manufactured and used, which integrates the MEA and the GDL.

[0007] Recently, research has been conducted on a cell frame that integrates the EGA and a frame that holds the EGA.

[0008] One of the results of this research is to create an elastic frame that surrounds the edge of the EGA.

[0009] The elastic frame is manufactured by fabricating a sheet-shaped frame made of heat-sealable thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and then heat-sealing it to the EGA. In this case, the EGA may be damaged or the elastic frame may be deformed due to the heat and pressure applied to the bond during heat-sealing.

[0010] Furthermore, because the elastic frame is joined to the separator made of a metallic material by heat sealing, there is a problem that the bond between the separator and the elastic frame is not achieved to the desired degree. Consequently, when manufacturing the fuel cell stack by stacking the unit cells, the unit cells may be misaligned.

[0011] On the other hand, the manufacture and use of this type of EGA makes it possible to reduce the amount of electrolyte membrane used, thus reducing costs. However, when manufacturing a stack by simply stacking multiple components, the tolerance in the cell arrangement increases, it is difficult to replace only one cell within the stack that is detected as defective, and there is a limit to increasing the stack's productivity.

[0012] Furthermore, there is a need to develop a technology that ensures a necessary flow field for the cooling medium, maximizing the area of ​​a reaction zone relative to a total cell area, achieving perfect sealing, and optimizing the flow field, thus increasing the cooling efficiency.

[0013] The description provided above as related art of the present disclosure is for understanding the background of the present disclosure and should not be construed as necessarily being included in the related art that is generally known. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present disclosure relates to a modular fuel cell that is integrated into a unit cell and thus facilitates assembly and repair, and more particularly to a modular fuel cell that has excellent sealing of a cooling medium, easily secures a flow field for the cooling medium, and has excellent cooling efficiency due to small deformation of the flow field, thus effectively preventing deterioration of the fuel cell.

[0015] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a modular fuel cell that has excellent sealing of a cooling medium, can easily ensure a flow field for the cooling medium, and has excellent cooling efficiency due to the small deformation of the flow field, thereby effectively preventing deterioration of the fuel cell.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a modular fuel cell comprises a cell frame to which an electricity generating assembly (EGA) and a frame are connected, a plurality of separators each stacked on both sides of the cell frame, each separator having a reaction surface facing the cell frame on a first side and a cooling surface through which a cooling medium flows on a second side, and having a manifold opening on one side through which the cooling medium flows, and a cooling medium guide part extending from the manifold opening and having a predetermined area, a plurality of support projections protruding from the guide part of each of the separators toward the cooling surface, spaced apart from each other, and having a cooling medium flow field between the spaced apart projections, and an adhesive,which is arranged between the cell frame and the reaction surface on the guide part of each of the separators to provide a connecting force to each of the separators and the cell frame, and which is provided at a point that does not overlap the plurality of support projections on the guide part.

[0017] The EGA may be configured by coupling an electrolyte membrane, an electrode, and a gas diffusion layer, the frame may be formed of a plastic material, and the EGA and the frame may be integrally connected to form the cell frame.

[0018] The cell frame and each of the separators may be integrally connected by the adhesive medium, so that a pair of separators and the cell frame arranged between the pair of separators may form a modular fuel cell.

[0019] A fuel cell and another adjacent fuel cell may be stacked with the cooling surfaces of the separators facing each other, and a gasket may be placed between the facing separators to seal the cooling medium.

[0020] One fuel cell and another adjacent fuel cell may be stacked so that the cooling surfaces of the separators face each other, and the two separators may be held against each other by the support projections in the guide members.

[0021] The two separators facing the cooling surfaces may be configured such that the support projections are formed at corresponding positions in the guide members, and thereby the support projections of the two separators can be supported while contacting each other at their ends.

[0022] The two separators facing the cooling surfaces may be configured such that the support projections in the guide members are offset from each other, and thereby one end of each of the support projections may be in contact with and supported by the guide member of the opposite separator.

[0023] The plurality of support projections may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other along a direction intersecting a flow direction of the cooling medium flowing through the guide member.

[0024] The plurality of support protrusions may be arranged along a direction intersecting a flow direction of the cooling medium in the guide part so as to be spaced from each other and thus form a layer, and a plurality of layers may be arranged along the flow direction of the cooling medium so as to be spaced from each other.

[0025] The flow fields of the cooling medium formed in adjacent layers can be arranged so that they are aligned along the flow direction of the cooling medium.

[0026] The adhesive may have the shape of a line formed in a direction intersecting the flow direction of the cooling medium.

[0027] The plurality of support protrusions may be arranged along a direction intersecting the flow direction of the cooling medium in the guide part so as to be spaced apart from each other and thus form a layer, and the adhesive medium may have the shape of a line formed in a direction intersecting the flow direction of the cooling medium at a point spaced apart from the layer formed by the support protrusions.

[0028] The plurality of support protrusions may be arranged along a direction intersecting the flow direction of the cooling medium in the guide part so as to be spaced from each other and thus form a layer, the plurality of layers may be arranged along the flow direction of the cooling medium so as to be spaced from each other, and the adhesive medium may have the shape of a line formed in a direction intersecting the flow direction of the cooling medium between the plurality of layers.

[0029] The plurality of support protrusions may be arranged to be offset from each other along a direction intersecting the flow direction of the cooling medium in the guide part, thus forming a zigzag layer, and the adhesive medium may be in the form of a line formed in a zigzag shape along the direction intersecting the flow direction of the cooling medium to avoid the support protrusions.

[0030] Each of the separators may be made of a metal material, and the support projections may be formed and shaped such that points of the guide member protrude toward the cooling surface.

[0031] According to the present disclosure, a modular fuel cell has excellent sealing of a cooling medium, it is easy to secure a flow field for the cooling medium, and has excellent cooling efficiency due to the small deformation of the flow field, thereby effectively preventing deterioration of the fuel cell. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The above and other features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure can be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a modular fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are views illustrating a guide part of a separator of the modular fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 4 is a sectional view along the line AA' of Fig. 3, which illustrates the modular fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 5 is a sectional view along the line BB' of Fig. 3, which illustrates the modular fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 6 is a sectional view along the line CC' of Fig. 3, which illustrates the modular fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 7 is a sectional view along the line DD' of Fig. 3, which illustrates the modular fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 are sectional views illustrating a modular fuel cell according to embodiments of the present disclosure; and Fig. 10 is a view that Fig. 3 to illustrate an adhesive of the modular fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0033] In the following, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar components may be provided with the same reference numerals regardless of the number of figures and will not necessarily be described repeatedly.

[0034] In the following description, if it is determined that the detailed description of known technologies related to the present disclosure makes the subject matter of the embodiments described herein unclear, the detailed description may be omitted. Furthermore, the accompanying drawings are provided for easier understanding of the embodiments disclosed in the description, and the technical idea disclosed in the description is not necessarily limited by the accompanying drawings, and all changes, equivalents, and substitutions can be understood as being included within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0035] Terms that have ordinal numbers such as "first," "second," etc., may be used to describe different components, but the components are not necessarily construed as being limited to these terms. The terms may, for example, be used to distinguish one component from another.

[0036] Singular forms may include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0037] Furthermore, it should be understood that the terms "comprise" or "have" as used in this specification may indicate the presence of certain features, steps, operations, components, parts, or a combination thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or a combination thereof.

[0038] When an element is described as being "connected to" or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly connected or coupled to another element, or it may be connected or coupled to another element with one or more other elements intervening. On the other hand, an element described as being "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element may be connected or coupled to another element without the other element intervening.

[0039] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a modular fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are views illustrating a guide part of a separator of the modular fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 is a sectional view along the line AA' of Fig. 3, which uses the modular fuel cell according to a Fig. 3 depicted embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 5 is a sectional view along the line BB' of Fig. 3, which uses the modular fuel cell according to a Fig. 3 depicted embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 6 is a sectional view along the line CC' of Fig. 3, which uses the modular fuel cell according to a Fig. 3 depicted embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 7 is a sectional view along the line DD' of Fig. 3, which uses the modular fuel cell according to a Fig. 3 depicted embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 are sectional views illustrating a modular fuel cell according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 10 is a view that Fig. 3 to illustrate an adhesive of the modular fuel cell according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] The modular fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cell frame 100 to which a power generation assembly (EGA) and a frame 160 are connected, and a plurality of separators 300 and 300', each stacked on both sides of the cell frame 100, having on one side thereof a reaction surface facing the cell frame 100, and on the other side a cooling surface through which a cooling medium flows, having at one end thereof a distribution opening 310 through which the cooling medium flows, and a guide part 330 for the cooling medium extending from the distribution opening 310 and having a predetermined or selected area, a plurality of support projections 350 protruding from the guide part 330 of each of the separators 300 and 300' toward the cooling surface,are spaced apart from each other and have a flow field C for the cooling medium formed between the spaced projections, and an adhesive 370 disposed between the cell frame 100 and the reaction surface on the guide part 330 of each of the separators 300 and 300' to provide a bonding force to each of the separators 300 and 300' and the cell frame 100, and provided at a point that does not overlap the plurality of support projections 350 on the guide part 330.

[0041] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a modular fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The fuel cell of the present disclosure may be configured such that the EGA and the frame 160 are integrated to form the cell frame 100. The EGA may be configured such that an electrolyte membrane and an electrode are bonded to form an MEA 120. The EGA may be formed by bonding gas diffusion layers (GDL) 140 to both sides of the MEA 120.

[0042] The frame 160 can be used to hold the EGA. The frame 160 can be made of various materials and can typically be formed from a plastic material by injection molding, for example. The frame 160 can be formed from engineering plastic or super engineering plastic with a thermal expansion coefficient of 40 x 10-6 / °C or less by injection molding and can be formed into a three-dimensional structure by, for example, injection molding, hybrid injection / compression molding, compression molding, or 3D printing.

[0043] The EGA can be attached to the frame 160 using adhesive or the like. Furthermore, the frame 160 can be injection-molded with the EGA inserted. Through these processes, the EGA and the frame 160 can be integrated into the cell frame 100.

[0044] The cell frame 100 can be arranged between the separators 300 and 300'. The separators 300 and 300' can consist of an anode separator and a cathode separator. Air can be introduced and flowed between the anode separator and the EGA, and hydrogen can be supplied and flowed between the cathode separator and the EGA.

[0045] The side of each of the separators 300 and 300' facing the EGA may form a reaction surface, while the opposite side may form a cooling surface. A gasket 500 may be bonded to the cooling surface of either the anode separator or the cathode separator to seal the cooling medium. In one embodiment, after bonding the EGA and frame 160 to form the cell frame 100, the separators 300 and 300' may be attached to both sides of the cell frame 100, and the gasket 500 may be bonded to the separator 300 or 300' to form a unitary fuel cell. This may be referred to as a modular fuel cell.

[0046] The EGA may be configured by bonding an electrolyte membrane, an electrode, and a gas diffusion layer. The frame 160 may be formed of a plastic material. The EGA and the frame 160 may be integrally bonded to form the cell frame 100. Further, the cell frame 100 and each of the separators 300 and 300' may be integrally bonded by the adhesive medium 370, so that a pair of separators 300 and 300' and the cell frame 100 between the pair of separators 300 and 300' may form a modular fuel cell.

[0047] Furthermore, one fuel cell and another adjacent fuel cell may be stacked such that the cooling surfaces of the separators 300 and 300' face each other, and the gasket 500 may be disposed between the facing separators 300 and 300' to seal the cooling medium.

[0048] In the case of the modular fuel cell, a unit cell can be manufactured and transported independently, each cell can be connected in a stacked manner and then separated into cell units, thus facilitating removal, maintenance and recycling.

[0049] When the fuel cells are stacked, the gasket 500 may be provided between the anode separator and the cathode separator, and the cooling medium may be introduced and flowed between the facing surfaces to cool the fuel cell. Various media, such as coolants or special refrigerants, may be used for the cooling medium.

[0050] Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are views illustrating a guide part of the separator of the modular fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] The cooling medium may provide cooling while flowing between the cooling surfaces of the facing separators 300 and 300'. Distribution ports 310 for introducing and discharging the cooling medium may be formed at both ends of the separator 300 or 300'. The distribution ports may be configured to introduce and circulate the cooling medium, as well as air and hydrogen. Therefore, three distribution ports may be formed at each end of the separator. The distribution port described in one embodiment of the present disclosure may refer to an opening through which the cooling medium flows. Fig. Figure 2 shows the manifold opening 310 through which the cooling medium can be introduced / discharged. The seal 500 can be mounted to surround the perimeter of the manifold opening 310, thus sealing the cooling medium.

[0052] Furthermore, the cooling medium introduced from the distribution opening 310 can be guided to the cooling surface of the separator 300 or 300'. The guide part 330 can be provided on the separator 300 or 300', respectively, to extend from the distribution opening 310 to the cooling surface. The guide part 330 can be formed in the shape of a flat plate and define a specific flow field. In one embodiment, the cooling medium can be guided to the cooling surfaces of the separators 300 and 300' while flowing between the guide parts 330 facing each other on the cooling surfaces of the separators 300 and 300'.

[0053] Therefore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow field can be maintained by maintaining a constant distance between the facing guide members 330. In one embodiment, this can keep the cooling efficiency of the fuel cell constant, prevent deterioration due to local overheating of the fuel cell by reducing the cooling deviation between the cells, and realize heat balance between the cells.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the support protrusions 350 may be formed on the guide parts 330 to maintain a flow field space between the guide parts 330 of the separators 300 and 300'. The separators 300 and 300' may be manufactured using various materials and methods. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the separator may be formed of a metallic material to ensure support strength, thermal conductivity, formability, etc. Therefore, the separators 300 and 300' may be made of the metallic material, and the support protrusions 350 may be formed and shaped such that some points of the guide part 330 protrude toward the surface.

[0055] The support projections 350 may protrude from the guide portions of the separators 300 and 300' to the cooling surfaces, may consist of a plurality of projections arranged at a distance from one another, and may form a cooling flow field at points between the spaced support projections. Fig. Figure 3 is a diagram showing a finished thermocouple unit cell of one embodiment, viewed from one side. The separator shown in the drawing of Fig. 3 is visible, and the separator located behind it and shown in the drawing of Fig. 3 is not visible, face each other, with the guide parts arranged at a distance from each other. In the facing guide parts, the support projections can protrude toward the cooling chamber.

[0056] One embodiment of the present disclosure corresponds to a case where the support protrusions 350 protrude from each guide part 330 by half the height of the entire cooling flow field. One fuel cell and another adjacent fuel cell may be stacked so that the cooling surfaces of the separators face each other, and the two separators 300 and 300' may be mutually supported by the support protrusions 350 in the guide parts 330.

[0057] In the two separators 300 and 300' facing the cooling surfaces according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the support protrusions 350 may be formed at corresponding locations in the guide parts 330 so that the support protrusions 350 of the two separators 300 and 300' can support each other by contacting their end surfaces. The molding depth of the support protrusion 350 may not be deep, so that the formability of the separators 300 and 300' can be increased and the support protrusion 350 can easily obtain the required strength.

[0058] Fig. 4 is a line along the line AA' of Fig. 3, showing the modular fuel cell according to a Fig. 3. As shown in the drawing, the support protrusions 350 may be arranged in a direction intersecting a direction in which the cooling medium flows, and may be spaced apart from each other at regular intervals. Further, the facing support protrusions 350 may be formed to protrude at the same position relative to each other so that the surfaces of the facing support protrusions 350 come into contact with each other to be supported within the cooling flow field. A cooling flow field C through which the cooling medium can flow may be formed between the support protrusions 350. Therefore, the support protrusions 350 can hold the guide parts 330 and simultaneously serve to maintain the cross-sectional area and form the cooling flow field C.

[0059] Fig. 5 is a sectional view along the line BB' of Fig. 3, which uses the modular fuel cell according to a Fig. 3. It can be seen that a point where the support protrusion 350 is not disposed can form a predetermined or selected flow field C with a predetermined or selected cross-sectional area. The support protrusion 350 can serve to hold the flow field C so that its depth is kept constant.

[0060] Fig. 6 is a line along the CC' of Fig. 3, showing the modular fuel cell according to a Fig. 3 depicted embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 6 shows a state in which the modular fuel cell is cut along a direction in which the cooling medium flows. The support protrusions 350 can be arranged at regular intervals. Fig. 7 is a sectional view along the line DD' of Fig. 3, which uses the modular fuel cell according to a Fig. 3 depicted embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 7 shows an embodiment without support projections and the flow field C is designed to be kept in a straight line along the flow of the cooling medium.

[0061] As shown in the drawings, the plurality of support projections 350 may be arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other along the direction intersecting the flow direction of the cooling medium flowing through the guide part 330. As shown in Fig. 4, the plurality of support protrusions 350 can be arranged along the direction intersecting the flow direction of the cooling medium in the guide part 330 so that they are spaced apart from each other and thus form a layer, and a plurality of layers can be arranged along the flow direction of the cooling medium so that they are spaced apart from each other. In the illustrated embodiment, it is shown that the support protrusions can form two layers. As shown in Fig. 3, it can be seen that the layer near the distributor opening can be formed by the support projections A1 to A5 and a further layer spaced therefrom is formed by the support projections B1 to B5.

[0062] Furthermore, the cooling flow fields C formed in adjacent layers can be arranged so that they are aligned along the flow direction of the cooling medium. Therefore, even when a plurality of layers are formed in a row, the flow fields C formed between the support protrusions 350 can be aligned, allowing the cooling medium to flow stably.

[0063] On the other hand, the separators 300 and 300' can be attached to the cell frame 100 by the adhesive medium 370, thus forming a unitary fuel cell. In particular, the adhesive medium 370 can be arranged between the reaction surface in the guide part 330 of the separator 300 or 300' and the cell frame 100 to provide a bonding force between the separator 300 or 300' and the cell frame 100, thus achieving sealing of the cooling medium.

[0064] Furthermore, the adhesive medium 370 may be provided at a location on the guide member 330 that does not overlap the plurality of support protrusions 350. Since the separators 300 and 300' may be made of plate-shaped metal, a protruding shape may appear on the cooling surface of the separator 300 or 300' and a depressed shape may appear on the reaction surface when the support protrusions 350 are formed by pressing or the like. Therefore, the adhesive medium 370 may be applied to a point on the reaction surface of the separator 300 or 300' that avoids the support protrusion 350 formed in a groove shape, so that actual adhesion can be achieved continuously without interruption to exhibit the fixing performance of the adhesive medium 370.

[0065] Therefore, the adhesive 370 can be provided at a position of the guide member 330 that does not overlap the plurality of support projections 350.

[0066] The adhesive medium 370 may be in the shape of a line formed in a direction that crosses the flow direction of the cooling medium. Such a shape can maintain sealing, and the adhesive medium 370 can be formed in a continuous line shape without interruption.

[0067] More specifically, the plurality of support protrusions 350 may be arranged along the direction intersecting the flow direction of the cooling medium in the guide part 330 so as to be spaced apart from each other and thus form a layer, and the adhesive medium 370 may have the shape of a line formed in a direction intersecting the flow direction of the cooling medium at a point spaced apart from the layer formed by the support protrusions 350.

[0068] In particular, when the support protrusions 350 form two layers, as in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the two layers may be spaced apart from each other, and the adhesive medium 370 may be disposed at a point between the spaced layers, as in Fig. 2. In this case, the adhesive medium 370 can form a predetermined line without interruption, regardless of the shape of the groove in the reaction surface of the separator 300 or 300' due to the support projections 350. Fig. 10 shows a state in which the adhesive medium 370 forms a predetermined line.

[0069] The plurality of support protrusions 350 may be arranged along the direction intersecting the flow direction of the cooling medium in the guide part 330 so as to be spaced apart from each other, thus forming a layer, and the plurality of layers may be arranged along the flow direction of the cooling medium so as to be spaced apart from each other. The adhesive medium 370 may be in the shape of a line formed in a direction intersecting the flow direction of the cooling medium between the plurality of layers.

[0070] Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 are sectional views illustrating a modular fuel cell according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 8 corresponds to Fig. 4, taken along the line AA' of the fuel cell in Fig. 3. Fig. 9 corresponds to the sectional view of Fig. 6 along the line C-C'.

[0071] The two separators 300 and 300' facing the cooling surfaces can be configured such that the support projections 350 in the guide parts 330 are offset from each other, allowing the end of the support projection 350 to contact and bear against the guide part 330 of the opposing separator. Instead of the support projections 350 each protruding halfway so that the support projections abut each other internally, one support projection 350 can protrude up to the opposing guide part 330, and its end can be supported on the opposing guide part 330.

[0072] In this form, the support protrusions 350 of the separators 300 and 300', which face each other, can be formed at offset points instead of corresponding points. In this case, too, the overall configuration of the layer can be the same due to the support protrusions 350, but the configuration of the flow field can also be substantially identical, except for the height of each support protrusion 350. Likewise, the adhesive 370 can be applied along the location where the support protrusion 350 is not formed.

[0073] However, in each of the separators 300 and 300', the support projections 350 may be arranged as shown in Fig. 10 shown, be arranged in a zigzag pattern. That is, based on Fig. 3, the support projections A1, A3, A5, B2, and B4 may be formed on the guide part of one separator, while the support projections A2, A4, B1, B3, and B5 may be formed on the guide part of the other separator. Thus, the support projections on the separators 300 and 300', as shown in Fig. 10 shown.

[0074] Fig. 10 is a view that Fig.3 to illustrate an adhesive of the modular fuel cell according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In this case, the plurality of support protrusions 350 may be arranged to be offset from each other along the direction intersecting the flow direction of the cooling medium in the guide parts 330, thus forming a zigzag layer, and the adhesive medium 370 may be in the shape of a line formed in a zigzag shape along the direction intersecting the flow direction of the cooling medium to avoid the support protrusions 350.

[0075] The adhesive medium 370 can be applied in a zigzag pattern between the support protrusions 350, so that a linear distance between the layers of the support protrusions 350 can be made shorter. Even if a gap between the layers is reduced per se, the line width of the required adhesive medium 370 can be maintained. Thus, in one embodiment, it is possible to reduce the total area of ​​the guide part 330 while maintaining an adhesive force and increase the reaction area of ​​the fuel cell.

[0076] As described above, an embodiment of the present disclosure can provide a modular fuel cell that has excellent sealing of a cooling medium, in which a flow field for the cooling medium is easy to secure, and that has excellent cooling efficiency due to the small deformation of the flow field, thereby effectively preventing deterioration of the fuel cell.

[0077] Although the present disclosure has been provided above with reference to specific embodiments illustrated in the drawings, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments of the present disclosure may be changed and modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as described in the following claims.

Claims

[1] Modular fuel cell comprising: a cell frame connected to a power generation assembly (EGA) and a frame; a plurality of separators each stacked on both sides of the cell frame, each separator having a reaction surface on a first side facing the cell frame, a cooling surface on a second side configured to allow cooling medium to flow therethrough, a distribution opening at one end configured to allow cooling medium to flow therethrough, and a guide member for the cooling medium extending from the distribution opening and having a guide portion; a plurality of support projections projecting from the guide portion of each of the separators toward the cooling surface, spaced apart from each other, and having a cooling flow field between the spaced projections; and an adhesive medium disposed between the cell frame and the reaction surface on the guide part of each of the separators to provide a bonding force between each of the separators and the cell frame such that the adhesive medium does not overlap the plurality of support projections on the guide part. [2] The cell of claim 1, wherein the EGA comprises an electrolyte membrane, an electrode, and a gas diffusion layer, wherein the electrolyte membrane, the electrode, and the gas diffusion layer are bonded together, wherein the frame comprises a plastic material, and wherein the EGA and the frame are integrally connected to form the cell frame. [3] The cell according to claim 1, wherein the cell frame and each of the separators are integrally bonded by means of the adhesive medium. [4] The cell according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of support projections are arranged to be spaced apart from each other along a direction intersecting a flow direction of the cooling medium through the guide part. [5] The cell according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of support projections are arranged along a direction intersecting a flow direction of the cooling medium through the guide member, the plurality of support projections being spaced apart from each other to form a layer, and a plurality of the layers are arranged along the flow direction of the cooling medium and spaced apart from each other. [6] A cell according to claim 5, wherein cooling flow fields formed in adjacent layers are arranged to be aligned along the direction in which the cooling medium flows. [7] The cell according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive medium has the shape of a line formed in a direction intersecting the flow direction of the cooling medium. [8] The cell according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of support projections are arranged along a direction intersecting the flow direction of the cooling medium through the guide member, the plurality of support projections being spaced apart from each other to form a layer, and the adhesive medium has the shape of a line formed in a direction intersecting the flow direction of the cooling medium at a point spaced apart from the layer. [9] The cell according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of support projections are arranged along a direction intersecting the flow direction of the cooling medium through the guide member, the plurality of support projections being spaced apart from each other to form a layer, the plurality of layers being arranged along the flow direction of the cooling medium and spaced apart from each other, and the adhesive medium has the shape of a line formed in a direction intersecting the flow direction of the cooling medium between the plurality of layers. [10] The cell according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of support projections are arranged to be offset from each other along a direction intersecting the flow direction of the cooling medium through the guide member and to form a zigzag-shaped layer, and the adhesive medium is in the form of a line formed in a zigzag shape along the direction intersecting the flow direction of the cooling medium to avoid the support projections. [11] The cell according to claim 1, wherein each of the separators is made of a metal material and the support projections are formed and shaped such that points of the guide member protrude toward the cooling surface. [12] Fuel cell device comprising: a first modular fuel cell; a second modular fuel cell, each of the modular fuel cells comprising: a cell frame connected to a power generation assembly (EGA) and a frame, a plurality of separators each stacked on both sides of the cell frame, each separator having a reaction surface on a first side facing the cell frame, a cooling surface on a second side configured to allow cooling medium to flow through it, a distribution opening at one end configured to allow cooling medium to flow through it, and a guide member for the cooling medium extending from the distribution opening and having a guide portion, a plurality of support projections projecting from the guide portion of each of the separators toward the cooling surface, spaced apart from one another, and having a cooling flow field between the spaced projections, and an adhesive medium disposed between the cell frame and the reaction surface on the guide part of each of the separators to provide a bonding force between each of the separators and the cell frame, wherein the cell frame and each of the separators are integrally connected by means of the adhesive medium, wherein the first modular fuel cell is stacked on the second modular fuel cell, the cooling surfaces of the separators of the first and second modular fuel cells facing each other; and a seal is arranged between the mutually facing separators to form a cooling medium seal. [13] The device of claim 12, wherein the adhesive medium does not overlap the plurality of support projections on the guide member. [14] Fuel cell device comprising: a first modular fuel cell; and a second modular fuel cell, each of the modular fuel cells comprising: a cell frame connected to a power generation assembly (EGA) and a frame, a plurality of separators each stacked on both sides of the cell frame, each separator having a reaction surface on a first side facing the cell frame, a cooling surface on a second side configured to allow cooling medium to flow through it, a distribution opening at one end configured to allow cooling medium to flow through it, and a guide member for the cooling medium extending from the distribution opening and having a guide portion, a plurality of support projections projecting from the guide portion of each of the separators toward the cooling surface, spaced apart from each other, and having a cooling flow field between the spaced projections, and an adhesive medium disposed between the cell frame and the reaction surface on the guide part of each of the separators to provide a bonding force between each of the separators and the cell frame such that the adhesive medium does not overlap the plurality of support projections on the guide part, wherein the cell frame and each of the separators are integrally connected by means of the adhesive medium, wherein the first modular fuel cell is adjacent to the second modular fuel cell, and wherein the first and second modular fuel cells are stacked such that the cooling surfaces of the separators face each other, and the two separators are mutually held by the support projections in the guide parts. [15] The device of claim 14, wherein the adhesive does not overlap the plurality of support projections on the guide member. [16] The device according to claim 14, wherein the two separators facing the cooling surfaces are formed such that the support projections are formed at corresponding positions in the guide members, and thereby the support projections of the two separators are supported while contacting each other at the ends thereof. [17] Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the two separators facing the cooling surfaces are formed such that the support projections in the guide parts are offset from each other, and thereby one end of each of the support projections is in contact with and held on the guide part of the opposite separator.

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