Connection structure

Abstract

To provide a connection structure for preventing erroneous fitting in connecting a cell used for a fuel cell with a connector used for measuring a voltage of the cell.SOLUTION: A connection structure comprises: a main notch part in an outer peripheral portion of a first separator C1; a sub notch part in an outer peripheral portion of a second separator; and a guide part X3 which is formed in an end of a housing B1 storing a terminal therein and through which the first separator C1 is inserted. Each main notch part includes an approximately U-shaped first notch part and an elongated second notch part provided continuously to the first notch part and extending in an insertion direction of a connector B. One groove G consists of the first notch parts, and one slit S consists of the second notch parts. The guide part X3 includes a rib R which is fitted to the slit S. A height of the groove G is configured to be approximately equal to a height of the housing B1, and the slit S is disposed while being offset from a center in a height direction by a predetermined distance with respect to the groove G.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection structure for connecting a cell used in a fuel cell to a connector used for measuring the voltage of the cell. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the advantages of fuel cells have been attracting attention against the backdrop of active efforts around the world to reduce the environmental impact.

[0003] Fuel cells can generate electricity using only hydrogen and oxygen, and because they only emit water during power generation, they place a low burden on the environment. In addition, fuel cells have many advantages, such as no noise being generated because electricity is generated solely through chemical reactions, there being little transmission loss, and the fuel is easily available.

[0004] Incidentally, a fuel cell is generally constructed by stacking a plurality of roughly plate-shaped components called cells, each of which is capable of generating electricity by reacting hydrogen and oxygen. In the manufacture of fuel cells, etc., it is necessary to control conditions according to the power generation status of each cell, so connectors are used to monitor the voltage of each cell.

[0005] Regarding the above, Patent Document 1 describes an invention relating to a connection structure between a fuel cell (separator) and a connector. In this invention, a cutout portion that fits with a connector is provided in part of the separator that constitutes each cell, and the width of this cutout is set to a value slightly larger than the height of the connector case. Also, in this invention, the connector is provided with an engagement portion that engages with the connector connecting portion on the fuel cell side.

[0006] This makes it possible to position the connector in the vertical direction, and by restricting movement of the connector in the insertion direction when connecting, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems such as poor connection or damage when connecting. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. WO2011 / 148433 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, in the case of the connection structure described in Patent Document 1, the separator and connector can be fitted together even when the connector is inverted, which may result in incorrect fitting, causing a poor connection or a breakdown in the measuring device.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned situation, and has an object to provide a connection structure for preventing incorrect fitting when connecting a cell used in a fuel cell to a connector used to measure the cell voltage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a connection structure for connecting a plurality of cells used in a fuel cell to a connector used for measuring the voltage of each cell, the connection structure comprising: a main notch portion formed by cutting out a part of an outer periphery of a first separator which constitutes each of the cells and which comes into contact with a terminal of the connector, a sub-notch portion formed by cutting out a part of an outer periphery of a second separator which constitutes each of the cells and which does not come into contact with the terminal, and a guide portion formed at an end of a housing which accommodates the terminal and through which the first separator is inserted, Each of the main cutouts has a substantially U-shaped first cutout and an elongated second cutout that is connected to the first cutout and extends in the insertion direction of the connector, each of the secondary cutouts has a cutout depth such that the housing does not interfere with the second separator when the terminal is in contact with the first separator, The first notch portions are connected in the stacking direction to form one groove portion, The second cutout portions are connected in the stacking direction to form one slit portion, The guide portion has a rib portion that extends along the stacking direction and fits into the slit portion, The height of the groove is configured to be substantially the same as the height of the housing, The slit portion is disposed so as to be offset a predetermined distance from the center in the height direction of the groove portion.

[0011] According to the present invention, when each cell is connected to the connector, the first separator comes into contact with the terminal, and at this time, the connector is positioned by the groove portion and the rib portion fits into the slit portion. Furthermore, since this slit portion is positioned offset a predetermined distance from the height center of the groove portion, if the connector is flipped over from the orientation that allows connection, the rib portion will interfere with each separator, making it impossible to connect. That is, the configurations of the grooves, slits and ribs uniquely determine the orientation in which the connectors can be connected, thereby preventing erroneous mating when the connectors are reversed.

[0012] In a preferred form of the present invention, each of the main notches has a third notch that is connected to the second notch and extends along the height direction, and each of the third notches is connected along the stacking direction to form a single locking portion, and the rib portion is provided with a locking protrusion that locks into the locking portion.

[0013] This allows the worker to hook the locking projections onto the locking portions when connecting, thereby preventing the connectors from accidentally coming off the separators.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a portion where the first cutout portion and the second cutout portion are connected is subjected to a rounding or chamfering.

[0015] This can improve the rigidity of the periphery of the main cutout in the first separator.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the end edge that forms the second cutout portion and extends in the insertion direction is bent.

[0017] This can improve the rigidity of the periphery of the main cutout in the first separator.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a recessed and projecting shape is formed in a fitting portion adjacent to the second cutout portion and fitted to the terminal.

[0019] This can improve the rigidity of the periphery of the main cutout in the first separator.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined region of the first separator including the main cutout portion is a convex portion protruding in the stacking direction.

[0021] This can improve the rigidity of the periphery of the main cutout in the first separator.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a tip surface of the rib portion is configured so as to be able to come into contact with a deepest portion of the slit portion.

[0023] In this way, the connection state can be stably maintained. Effect of the Invention

[0024] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connection structure for preventing erroneous fitting when connecting a cell used in a fuel cell to a connector used for measuring the voltage of the cell. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a cell having a connection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a cell having a connection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a state in which a plurality of cells having a connection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention are stacked, in which (a) is an enlarged perspective view and (b) is an enlarged side view. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams of a connector having a connection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is an enlarged perspective view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line PP'. [Diagram 5] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a state before a cell and a connector are connected using a connection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is an enlarged oblique view and (b) is an enlarged side view. [Figure 6] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing the state after a cell and a connector are connected using a connection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is an enlarged oblique view, (b) is an enlarged side view, (c) is a cross-sectional view along line QQ', and (c) is a cross-sectional view along line RR'. [Figure 7] 1 is an enlarged side view for explaining a mis-fitting prevention function of a connection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a flow of connection using a connection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is an enlarged perspective view of a state before connection, and (b) is an enlarged perspective view of a state after connection. [Figure 9] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating a modified example of the connection structure according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating a modified example of the connection structure according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating a modified example of the connection structure according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Hereinafter, a connection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. It should be noted that the embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below. In these figures, the symbol X indicates the connection structure according to this embodiment, the symbol A indicates the fuel cell according to this embodiment, and the symbol B indicates the connector according to this embodiment.

[0027] Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the x-axis direction in FIG. 1 and FIG. 8 will be referred to as the insertion direction or front-rear direction, the y-axis direction as the stacking direction or left-right direction, and the z-axis direction as the height direction.

[0028] <Configuration> The configuration of the connection structure X will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0029] <<Fuel cell A>> The cell C shown in FIG. 1 is a roughly rectangular unit module that generates power in the fuel cell A, and the entire fuel cell A is roughly constructed by stacking a plurality of these. In addition, the cell C is composed of a frame M including a membrane electrode assembly in which an anode and a cathode electrode are formed on each side of the electrolyte membrane, a first separator C1 attached to one side of the frame M, and a second separator C2 attached to the other side of the frame M.

[0030] In this manner, the cell C is constructed by sandwiching the frame M between a pair of separators C1 and C2. The cell C has the same configuration as a normally used cell, except that it is provided with a main cutout portion X1, a sub cutout portion X2, and a frame cutout portion n, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the configurations and specifications of the cells C are identical to each other.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the first separator C1 is provided with a main cutout portion X1 formed by cutting out a part of its outer periphery (upper part on the short side). The second separator C2 is provided with a secondary cutout portion X2 formed by cutting out a part of its outer periphery (upper part of the short side). In this embodiment, a terminal T of a connector B, which will be described later, abuts against the first separator C1, but does not abut against the second separator C2 or the frame body M.

[0032] The frame M is provided with a frame cutout portion n formed by cutting out a part of its outer periphery (upper part of the short side). In this embodiment, since the frame M is configured to have substantially the same size and shape as the separators C1, C2, the frame cutout portion n is provided. Therefore, when the frame M is smaller than the separators C1, C2, for example, and the frame M does not interfere with the main cutout portion X1 and the sub cutout portion X2, the frame cutout portion n does not need to be provided.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2(a), the main cutout portion X1 has a substantially U-shaped first cutout portion X11 and an elongated second cutout portion X12 that is connected to the first cutout portion X11 and extends in the insertion direction of the connector B. Furthermore, in the first separator C1, a substantially rectangular region including the main cutout portion X1 is configured as a convex portion F1 that protrudes leftward.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2(b), the sub-cutout portion X2 is configured as a cutout portion having a substantially U-shape as a whole. Further, the secondary cutout portion X2 has a cutout depth d1 such that a housing B1, which will be described later, does not interfere with the second separator C2 in a state in which the terminal T is in contact with the first separator C1. Furthermore, in the second separator C2, a substantially rectangular region including the secondary cutout portion X2 is configured as a convex portion F2 that protrudes to the right.

[0035] The left figures in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are enlarged views of the dotted rectangular frames of the separators C1 and C2 in FIG. 1, respectively, and the right figures are cross-sectional views taken along line aa' in the left figures. Also, as shown in the upper diagram of Figure 2(c), the frame body cutout portion n, like the sub-cutout portion X2, is configured as a cutout portion that is approximately U-shaped overall, and has a cutout depth d2 that prevents the housing B1 from interfering with the frame body M when the terminal T is in contact with the first separator C1.

[0036] The separators C1, C2 and frame M having the above-mentioned configuration are laminated together via an adhesive, resulting in the state shown in FIG. 2(c) to FIG. 2(d), whereby one cell C is formed.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of cells C having the above configuration are stacked, so that the first notch portions X11 of the cells C communicate with each other along the stacking direction to form one groove portion G. Further, the second cutout portions X12 in each cell C communicate with each other along the stacking direction to form one slit portion S. In the following, a structure in which a plurality of cells C are stacked will be referred to as a stack P.

[0038] Here, the height h1 of the groove G is configured to be substantially the same as the height h2 (see FIG. 4) of the housing B1. As shown in FIG. 3(b), the slit portion S is offset from the center (dashed line) in the height direction of the groove portion G by a predetermined distance (distance z).

[0039] <<Connector B>> As shown in FIG. 4, a connector B used for measuring the voltage of each cell C includes a resin housing B1 that houses a terminal T (see FIG. 5), and a cable B2 (see FIG. 5). At the end of the housing B1, a guide portion X3 through which each of the first separators C1 is inserted is provided.

[0040] In FIG. 4, the boundary between one guide portion main body X31 and another guide portion main body X31, which will be described later, is shown by a virtual rectangular frame drawn with dotted lines. Moreover, in FIG. 4, the terminal T is omitted from the illustration.

[0041] The guide portion X3 has a plurality of guide portion bodies X31 formed at approximately the same height as other portions of the housing B1, a left guide portion X32 formed adjacent to the leftmost guide portion body X31, a right guide portion X33 formed adjacent to the rightmost guide portion body X31, and a rib portion R that extends along the stacking direction and fits into the slit portion S.

[0042] In this embodiment, four guide portion bodies X31 are formed, and each guide portion body X31 is divided into upper and lower portions by a rib portion R. Each guide body X31 is configured with a rib R as a boundary, and includes a wide portion w1 inside which the terminal T is exposed, and a narrow portion w2 inside which the terminal T is not exposed. The guide portion bodies X31 are formed adjacent to each other such that the positional relationship between the wide portion w1 and the narrow portion w2 of the adjacent guide portion bodies X31 is reversed (approximately staggered).

[0043] The left guide portion X32 is constituted only by the wide portion w1 of each guide portion main body X31, and its bottom portion is constituted by the rib portion R.

[0044] The right guide portion X33, like the left guide portion X32, is composed only of the wide portion w1 of each guide portion main body X31, and its upper portion is open.

[0045] In this embodiment, the rib portion R extends from the base ends of the guide portion main body X31, the left guide portion X32, and the right guide portion X33 to the tip ends of these components, thereby presenting an approximately plate-like body, but it may also be provided only at the tip ends, thereby presenting an approximately rod-like body.

[0046] The left guide portion X32 is formed adjacent to and above the leftmost guide portion main body X31, and the right guide portion X33 is formed adjacent to and below the rightmost guide portion main body X31. As a result, stepped portions are formed on the left and right sides of the housing B1, so that when multiple connectors B are used simultaneously, the left stepped portion of an adjacent connector B abuts against the right stepped portion of the other connector B. That is, the left guide portion X32 of one connector B and the right guide portion X33 of the other connector B form a structure similar to the guide portion main body X31.

[0047] With this configuration, the user can combine multiple connectors B and use them as an integrated unit, and can easily abut the first separator C1 and the terminal T even in the area where two connectors B are adjacent to each other.

[0048] As described above, the connection structure X has the main cutout portion X1 and the sub-cutout portion X2 (and the frame cutout portion n) on the fuel cell A (each cell C) side, and the guide portion X3 on the connector B side.

[0049] <Usage> Hereinafter, a flow of connecting the stack P (fuel cell A) and the connector B using the connection structure X will be described with reference to Figs.

[0050] When connecting the stack P and the connector B using the connection structure X, an operator aligns the fuel cell A and the connector B as shown in FIG. That is, the worker adjusts the position of the connector B in the height direction so that the housing B1 fits into the groove G. At this time, as shown particularly in FIG. 5(b), the rib portion R and the slit portion S are naturally disposed at approximately the same height.

[0051] Then, the worker advances the connector B in the insertion direction, so that the rib portion R fits into the slit portion S, as shown in FIG. 6, and the fuel cell A (stack P) and the connector B are connected. In Fig. 5(b), the thickness and length in the insertion direction of the rib portion R are indicated by a rectangular frame drawn with a dashed line. This is the same in Figs. 6 and 7.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), the stack P and the connector B are connected together with the tip end face of the rib portion R abutting against the deepest part of the slit portion S by the above-mentioned flow. Furthermore, the stack P is connected to a detector (not shown) for detecting a voltage value via a terminal T and a cable B2.

[0053] At this time, as shown in Figure 6 (c), one terminal T abuts (clamps) one first separator C1, while the secondary cutout portion X2 and the frame cutout portion n prevent the housing B1 from interfering with the second separator C2 and the frame M. 6(c) and 6(d) are schematic cross-sectional views taken along lines QQ' and RR', respectively, and in FIG. 6(d), the terminal T is omitted.

[0054] FIG. 6(c) shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the left guide portion X32 and the adjacent guide portion main body X31. As shown in FIG. 4, this guide portion main body X31 has a wide portion w1 formed on the lower side. Therefore, the terminal T of the guide portion main body X31 abuts against the first separator C1 at a position lower than the second cutout portion X12, and this terminal T is not shown in FIG. 6(c).

[0055] Here, as shown in FIG. 7, if an operator turns the housing B1 upside down from the state shown in FIG. 5 and adjusts the position of the connector B in the height direction, connection between the stack P and the connector B will be prevented.

[0056] That is, in this case, an end face k extending in the height direction and constituting the first notch portion X11 of each cell C (first separator C1) interferes with the tip face of the rib portion R. This prevents the worker from advancing the connector B to a position where each terminal T comes into contact with each first separator C1.

[0057] 5 to 7, the stack P is shown in a state in which only the number of sheets that can be connected by one connector B are stacked. Recently, as described above, by combining and using a plurality of connectors B as an integrated unit, a worker can connect a greater number of cells C and connectors B at once, as shown in FIG.

[0058] <Effects> According to this embodiment, the configurations of the groove portion G, the slit portion S, and the rib portion R uniquely determine the direction in which the connector B can be connected, thereby preventing erroneous mating when the connector is reversed.

[0059] Furthermore, the convex surface portion F1 can improve the rigidity of the periphery of the main cutout portion X1 in the first separator C1.

[0060] Furthermore, since the tip surface of the rib portion R is configured to be able to abut against the deepest portion of the slit portion S, the connected state can be stably maintained.

[0061] <Example of change> The shapes and dimensions of the components shown in the above-described embodiment are merely examples and can be modified in various ways based on design requirements, etc.

[0062] For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the main cutout portion X1 may have a third cutout portion X13 that is continuous with the second cutout portion X12 and extends along the height direction. At this time, similarly to the groove portion G and the slit portion S, the third cutout portion X13 of each cell C communicates with each other along the stacking direction to form one locking portion (not shown).

[0063] The rib portion R is provided with a locking projection t that locks onto the locking portion. That is, the rib portion R is provided with a locking projection t projecting downward from the tip surface thereof, so that the rib portion R is configured to have a substantially L-shaped cross section as a whole.

[0064] With this configuration, the worker can hook the locking projections t onto the locking portions when connecting, and it is possible to prevent the connector B from accidentally coming off each of the first separators C1.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 10, a portion where the first notch portion X11 and the second notch portion X12 are connected may be rounded (FIG. 10(a)) or chamfered (FIG. 10(b)).

[0066] This configuration can improve the rigidity of the periphery of the main cutout portion X1 in the first separator C1, and also has the effect of making the insertion of the rib portion R into the slit portion S smoother.

[0067] Also, as shown in FIG. 11(a), a second cutout portion X12 may be formed, and a pair of end sides e extending in the insertion direction may be bent. The bending shape may be approximately U-shaped as shown in the upper dotted rectangular frame in the right diagram of Figure 11(a), or approximately L-shaped as shown in the lower dotted rectangular frame, and either one of the end edges e may be bent.

[0068] This configuration also improves the rigidity of the periphery of the main cutout portion X1 in the first separator C1.

[0069] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11(b), a concave-convex shape m may be formed in the contact portion between the terminal T and the second cutout portion X12 adjacent thereto. In FIG. 11(b), one elongated uneven shape m extending in the insertion direction is formed above and below the second cutout portion X12, but the number and shape of the elongated uneven shapes m are not particularly limited.

[0070] This configuration also improves the rigidity of the periphery of the main cutout portion X1 in the first separator C1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] X-connection structure X1 Main notch X2 Secondary notch X3 Guide part G groove S slit section R Rib section A fuel cell B Connector B1 Housing B2 Cable C Cell C1 First separator C2 Second separator P-Stack

Claims

1. A connection structure for connecting a plurality of cells used in a fuel cell to a connector used for measuring the voltage of each cell, comprising: a main notch portion formed by cutting out a part of an outer periphery of a first separator which constitutes each of the cells and which comes into contact with a terminal of the connector, a sub-notch portion formed by cutting out a part of an outer periphery of a second separator which constitutes each of the cells and which does not come into contact with the terminal, and a guide portion formed at an end of a housing which accommodates the terminal and through which the first separator is inserted, Each of the main cutouts has a substantially U-shaped first cutout and an elongated second cutout that is connected to the first cutout and extends in the insertion direction of the connector, each of the secondary cutouts has a cutout depth such that the housing does not interfere with the second separator when the terminal is in contact with the first separator, The first notch portions are connected in the stacking direction to form one groove portion, The second cutout portions are connected in the stacking direction to form one slit portion, the guide portion has a rib portion that extends along the stacking direction and fits into the slit portion, The height of the groove is configured to be substantially the same as the height of the housing, A connection structure, wherein the slit portion is disposed offset a predetermined distance from the center in the height direction of the groove portion.

2. Each of the main cutout portions has a third cutout portion that is connected to the second cutout portion and extends along the height direction, The third cutout portions are connected to each other along the stacking direction to form one locking portion, The connection structure according to claim 1 , wherein the rib portion is provided with a locking projection that locks onto the locking portion.

3. The connection structure according to claim 1 , wherein a portion where the first notch portion and the second notch portion are connected is rounded or chamfered.

4. The connection structure according to claim 1 , wherein an end edge that forms the second cutout portion and extends in the insertion direction is bent.

5. The connection structure according to claim 1 , wherein an uneven shape is formed on a contact portion between the terminal and the second cutout portion adjacent to the second cutout portion.

6. 6. The connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined region of the first separator including the main cutout portion is a convex portion protruding in the stacking direction.

7. The connection structure according to claim 1 , wherein a tip surface of the rib portion is configured to be able to abut against a deepest portion of the slit portion.

Images