Fuel cell system

Abstract

To inhibit a positional deviation of a fuel cell from being generated in attaching the fuel cell to a frame.SOLUTION: A fuel cell system 10 comprises a fuel cell 12 and a frame 40 on which the fuel cell 12 is mounted. The fuel cell 12 includes a fuel cell body 71 and a foundation unit 72 on which the fuel cell body 71 is fixed. On the foundation unit 72, a first open hole 72a and a second open hole 72b into which a fastening bolt member B is to be inserted are formed. The frame 40 includes: a middle stage wall 52 as a mounting unit having a mounting surface 52d on which the foundation unit 72 is mounted; and a projection unit 90 that projects in the vertical direction Z as an axial direction from the mounting surface 52d and is to be inserted into the first open hole 72a in a displaceable state in the vertical direction Z. On the middle stage wall 52 is formed a third open hole 52a into which the fastening bolt member B is to be inserted. The projection 90 is inserted in the first open hole 72a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel cell system.

Background Art

[0002] The fuel cell system described in Patent Document 1 includes a fuel cell and a frame on which the fuel cell is mounted. The fuel cell has, for example, a fuel cell body and a base portion to which the fuel cell body is fixed. By fixing the base portion to the frame, the fuel cell is attached to the frame.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When attaching the fuel cell to the frame, in order to attach the fuel cell at a predetermined position on the frame, it is necessary to align the fuel cell with the frame. In order to simplify such alignment work, it has been desired to suppress displacement of the fuel cell that occurs when attaching the fuel cell to the frame.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A fuel cell system for solving the above problems is a fuel cell system including a fuel cell and a frame on which the fuel cell is mounted. The fuel cell has a fuel cell body and a base portion to which the fuel cell body is fixed. In the base portion, a first through hole penetrating the base portion and a second through hole penetrating the base portion and into which a fastening bolt member is inserted are formed. The frame has a mounting portion having a mounting surface on which the base portion is placed, and a protruding portion that protrudes axially from the mounting surface and is inserted into the first through hole in a displaceable state in the axial direction. In the mounting portion, a third through hole penetrating the mounting portion and into which the fastening bolt member is inserted is formed. The protruding portion is characterized by being inserted into the first through hole.

[0006] According to the above configuration, when attaching the fuel cell to the frame, the fuel cell can be displaced with respect to the frame while inserting the protruding portion into the first through hole. As a result, the fastening bolt member can be inserted into the second through hole and the third through hole in a state where displacement of the fuel cell with respect to the frame is suppressed. Therefore, displacement of the fuel cell that occurs when attaching the fuel cell to the frame can be suppressed.

[0007] In the fuel cell system, an auxiliary machine integrated with the fuel cell as an integral member by being connected to the fuel cell is provided. At least a part of the auxiliary machine is provided at a position shifted along the mounting surface from a position overlapping the mounting portion in the axial direction. The outer peripheral surface of the protruding portion abuts on a partition surface partitioning the first through hole in the base portion when at least a part of the base portion is separated from the mounting surface due to the auxiliary machine being displaced downward from a state where the base portion is placed on the mounting surface. The protruding portion and the first through hole may be configured in this way.

[0008] According to the above configuration, in a state where the base portion is placed on the placement portion and before the fastening bolt member is inserted into the second through hole and the third through hole, there is a possibility that the auxiliary machine may be displaced downward due to the weight of the auxiliary machine. When such displacement of the auxiliary machine occurs, at least a part of the base portion may be in a state of being separated from the placement surface. Even if such an event occurs, by the outer peripheral surface of the protruding portion coming into contact with the partition surface that partitions the first through hole in the base portion, it is possible to suppress the fuel cell from tilting greatly in the direction away from the placement surface. Therefore, compared with the case where the operator supports the fuel cell so that it does not tilt and attaches the fuel cell to the frame, the workability of attaching the fuel cell to the frame can be improved.

[0009] In the fuel cell system, the protruding portion may be a male thread. According to the above configuration, a thread groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the protruding portion. Thereby, when the above-described event occurs in which the base portion is separated from the placement surface due to the displacement of the auxiliary machine, the outer peripheral surface of the protruding portion easily comes into contact with the partition surface that partitions the first through hole in the base portion. Therefore, the fuel cell is further suppressed from tilting greatly in the direction away from the placement surface. Therefore, the workability of attaching the fuel cell to the frame can be further improved.

[0010] In the fuel cell system, the first through hole may be formed in the base portion such that the diameter of the first through hole becomes smaller as it is farther from the placement surface in the axial direction. According to the above configuration, of both ends of the base portion in the axial direction, the opening area of the first through hole at the end opposite to the placement portion is smaller than the opening area at other portions of the first through hole. Thereby, when the above-described event occurs in which the base portion is separated from the placement surface due to the displacement of the auxiliary machine, the opening edge of the first through hole at the end of the base portion opposite to the placement portion easily comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the protruding portion. Therefore, the displacement of the posture of the fuel cell can be further suppressed, and thus the displacement of the position of the fuel cell that occurs when the fuel cell is attached to the frame can be further suppressed.

[0011] In a fuel cell system, the fuel cell body is a rectangular parallelepiped extending in an extending direction along the placement surface, the base portion is located at both ends of the base portion in the extending direction, and has an exposed portion that does not overlap with the fuel cell body in the axial direction. The first through hole may be formed in the exposed portion.

[0012] According to the above configuration, at both ends of the fuel cell body in the extending direction, the posture of the fuel cell can be supported by the protruding portions inserted into the first through holes. Compared with the case where the first through hole is formed at one end of the base portion in the extending direction while the first through hole is not formed at the other end, the displacement of the posture of the fuel cell can be further suppressed. Therefore, the positional deviation of the fuel cell that occurs when the fuel cell is attached to the frame can be further suppressed.

[0013] In a fuel cell system, among the exposed portions located at both ends of the base portion in the extending direction, the first through hole formed in one of the exposed portions may be in the shape of a long hole extending in the extending direction, and the first through hole formed in the other exposed portion may be circular.

[0014] According to the above configuration, even if an individual difference occurs in the dimensions of the fuel cell in the extending direction due to dimensional variations associated with the manufacture of the fuel cell, it can be dealt with by shifting the insertion position of the protruding portion with respect to the long hole-shaped first through hole in the extending direction.

Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to this invention, the positional deviation of the fuel cell that occurs when the fuel cell is attached to the frame can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the fuel cell system is embodied will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the fuel cell system in this embodiment is mounted on an industrial vehicle (not shown). <Overall Configuration of Fuel Cell System> As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the fuel cell system 10 includes a fuel cell 12 and a frame 40. The fuel cell system 10 in the present embodiment includes a housing 11, a hydrogen tank 13, an air compressor 14, a gas-liquid separator 15a, a diluter 15b, and a drain tank 16. The air compressor 14 supplies air to the fuel cell 12. The fuel cell system 10 also includes a converter 33, a capacitor 20 as a power storage device, an intercooler 23, and a control unit. The converter 33 is a DC / DC converter as a voltage conversion device that converts the output voltage of the fuel cell 12. The converter 33 has, for example, a switching element and a plurality of reactors. The control unit includes, for example, an ECU (electronic control unit), a motor driver, a contact panel, and the like.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 4, the fuel cell system 10 includes an auxiliary machine 61. Note that the auxiliary machine 61 in the present embodiment includes, for example, a delivery chassis, a hydrogen circulation pump 28, a pressure regulating valve, the air compressor 14, and the gas-liquid separator 15a.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the fuel cell system 10 includes a hydrogen supply path 17 that connects an anode (not shown) of the fuel cell 12 and the hydrogen tank 13, and an air supply path 18 that connects a cathode (not shown) of the fuel cell 12 and the air compressor 14. An intercooler 23 is attached to the air supply path 18. The fuel cell system 10 includes a discharge path 19a1 that connects the fuel cell 12 and the gas-liquid separator 15a, a discharge path 19a2 that connects the fuel cell 12 and the diluter 15b, and a drain path 19b that connects the diluter 15b and the drain tank 16.

[0020] The fuel cell system 10 includes a heat exchanger 21 and a fan 21a. The heat exchanger 21 is a radiator that performs heat exchange between the outside air and a heat exchange medium. The fan 21a blows air toward the heat exchanger 21, for example. The fuel cell system 10 includes a circulation flow path 22 that circulates the heat exchange medium between the fuel cell 12 and the heat exchanger 21. The heat exchange medium is cooling water, but it may be other media.

[0021] The fuel cell 12, the hydrogen tank 13, the air compressor 14, the drain tank 16, the converter 33, the capacitor 20, the intercooler 23, the frame 40, the heat exchanger 21, and the fan 21a are housed in the housing 11. Further, the gas-liquid separator 15a, the diluter 15b, the hydrogen supply passage 17, the air supply passage 18, the discharge passage 19a1, the discharge passage 19a2, the drain passage 19b, the hydrogen circulation pump 28, and the exhaust drain valve 29 are housed in the housing 11.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 11 has, for example, a rectangular bottom plate 11a, a rectangular top plate 11b, and a cylindrical peripheral wall 11c that connects the periphery of the bottom plate 11a and the periphery of the top plate 11b. Note that the direction of gravity is indicated by the Z axis on the assumption that the fuel cell system 10 is placed on a horizontal plane, and the directions along the horizontal plane are indicated by the X axis and the Y axis. The X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis are orthogonal to each other. In the following description, the direction parallel to the Z axis is also referred to as the vertical direction Z, the direction parallel to the X axis is also referred to as the horizontal direction X, and the direction parallel to the Y axis is also referred to as the depth direction Y. Therefore, the horizontal direction X, the depth direction Y, and the vertical direction Z are directions orthogonal to each other. Further, in FIG. 1, the upper side in the vertical direction Z with respect to the paper surface is defined as the upper side, and the opposite side is defined as the lower side. The front side in the horizontal direction X with respect to the paper surface is defined as the left side, and the opposite side is defined as the right side. The left side in the depth direction Y with respect to the paper surface is defined as the front side, and the opposite side is defined as the rear side.

[0023] In the housing 11, the bottom plate 11a and the top plate 11b face each other in the vertical direction Z. The peripheral wall 11c has a first side wall 11d, a second side wall 11e, a third side wall 11f, and a fourth side wall 11g. The first side wall 11d and the second side wall 11e face each other in the horizontal direction X. The third side wall 11f and the fourth side wall 11g face each other in the depth direction Y.

[0024] For example, a through-hole for taking in outside air from outside the housing 11 into the housing 11 may be formed in the first side wall 11d. The filter 27 is disposed in the housing 11 so as to block the through-hole formed in the first side wall 11d. For example, a through-hole for discharging the air inside the housing 11 to the outside of the housing 11 may be formed in the second side wall 11e. The heat exchanger 21 is disposed in the housing 11 so as to block the through-hole formed in the second side wall 11e.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the fuel cell 12 generates electric power to supply a load mounted on a forklift as an industrial vehicle (not shown). The fuel cell 12 is formed by stacking a plurality of fuel cells. The fuel cell is a solid molecular type fuel cell. The fuel cell 12 reacts hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank 13 via the hydrogen supply path 17 with oxygen in the air supplied from the air compressor 14 via the air supply path 18 to generate direct current electrical energy. In the fuel cell 12, power generation is performed using hydrogen as the fuel gas and oxygen in the air as the oxidant gas.

[0026] The fuel cell system 10 uses a control unit to adjust the amounts of the fuel gas and the oxidant gas supplied to the fuel cell 12. The electric power generated in the fuel cell 12 is stored in the capacitor 20. Specific examples of the capacitor 20 include, for example, a lithium ion capacitor and the like. Further, water is generated as the fuel cell 12 generates power.

[0027] The anode off-gas, which is the exhaust gas containing surplus hydrogen discharged from the fuel cell 12, is separated into surplus hydrogen and generated water by the gas-liquid separator 15a after passing through the discharge path 19a1. The surplus hydrogen is recirculated by the hydrogen circulation pump 28. The cathode off-gas, which is the exhaust gas containing oxygen discharged from the fuel cell 12 and water generated as the fuel cell 12 generates power, passes through the discharge path 19a2 and is discharged to the diluter 15b.

[0028] The generated water separated by the gas-liquid separator 15a is temporarily stored in the gas-liquid separator 15a and then discharged into the diluter 15b by opening the exhaust drain valve 29. The hydrogen discharged mixed with the generated water from the gas-liquid separator 15a is diluted with the cathode off-gas from the fuel cell 12 and discharged to the outside of the fuel cell system 10. The generated water in the diluter 15b is discharged into the drain tank 16 via the drain passage 19b. The drain tank 16 is made of, for example, metal. Note that the drain tank 16 is arranged below the fuel cell 12 in the vertical direction Z.

[0029] The circulation passage 22 circulates the cooling water between the fuel cell 12 and the heat exchanger 21. The circulation passage 22 includes a forward passage 22a, a return passage 22b, a pump (not shown), and heat exchange passages (not shown) routed inside the fuel cell 12 and the heat exchanger 21. The forward passage 22a is a passage for flowing the cooling water from the heat exchanger 21 toward the fuel cell 12. The return passage 22b is a passage for flowing the cooling water from the fuel cell 12 toward the heat exchanger 21. The pump (not shown) circulates the cooling water in the circulation passage 22.

[0030] The cooling water flowing into the heat exchange passage in the fuel cell 12 through the forward passage 22a while circulating in the circulation passage 22 absorbs the heat generated in the fuel cell 12 and cools the fuel cell 12. The cooling water flowing into the heat exchange passage in the heat exchanger 21 through the return passage 22b is cooled by heat exchange with the air, which is the outside air taken in by an intake part (not shown).

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the heat exchanger 21 is arranged, for example, on the second side wall 11e of the housing 11. The fuel cell 12 and the heat exchanger 21 are arranged side by side with each other, for example, in the horizontal direction X. The fan 21a is arranged, for example, on the fuel cell 12 side of the heat exchanger 21 in the horizontal direction X. The heat exchanger 21, the fan 21a, and the intake part face each other in the horizontal direction X.

[0032] During the power generation of the fuel cell 12, when the fan 21a is driven, outside air is taken into the inside of the housing 11 from the outside of the housing 11 through the intake portion. Inside the housing 11, an air current is generated from the intake portion toward the fan 21a. Inside the housing 11, the direction in which the air current flows from the intake portion toward the fan 21a is defined as the air current direction F. Since the heat exchanger 21, the fan 21a, and the intake portion face each other in the horizontal direction X, the air current direction F coincides with the horizontal direction X. The air taken into the inside of the housing 11 passes through the heat exchanger 21 and is discharged from the exhaust portion to the outside of the housing 11. At this time, heat exchange occurs between the cooling water flowing into the heat exchanger 21 from the fuel cell 12 and the air blown from the fan 21a, and the cooling water is cooled.

[0033] <Frame> The frame 40 has, for example, a first frame 41 and a second frame 42. The first frame 41 and the second frame 42 are arranged in parallel in the depth direction Y. Among the frames 40, the first frame 41 is located in front in the depth direction Y, and the second frame 42 is located behind in the depth direction Y. Inside the housing 11, the fuel cell 12, the air compressor 14, the drain tank 16, the converter 33, the intercooler 23, the heat exchanger's 21, and the fan 21a are attached to the first frame 41. Inside the housing 11, the hydrogen tank 13 and the capacitor 20 are attached to the second frame 42. The first frame 41 and the second frame 42 are made of, for example, metal.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, the first frame 41 has a bottom wall 43 and a first pillar portion 44. The bottom wall 43 is provided, for example, at the lower end of the housing 11 in the vertical direction Z. The bottom wall 43 is, for example, in the shape of a flat plate extending so as to be orthogonal to the vertical direction Z. The first pillar portion 44 extends upward in the vertical direction Z from an end portion located on the left and in front of the bottom wall 43.

[0035] The first frame 41 has a first partition wall 45. The first partition wall 45 is, for example, in the shape of a flat plate extending so as to be orthogonal to the depth direction Y. The first partition wall 45 extends upward from the bottom wall 43. The first partition wall 45 is located, for example, to the right of the first column portion 44.

[0036] The first frame 41 has a second partition wall 46. The second partition wall 46 extends so as to be orthogonal to the horizontal direction X. The second partition wall 46 extends upward from the bottom wall 43. The second partition wall 46 is located behind the first partition wall 45. The front end of the second partition wall 46 may be connected to the first partition wall 45. Further, the second partition wall 46 has a notch portion 46a. The notch portion 46a is formed in the second partition wall 46 by cutting a part of the front end of the second partition wall 46. The first frame 41 has an extended portion 46b and a horizontal portion 46c. The extended portion 46b extends upward from the upper end of the second partition wall 46. The horizontal portion 46c is in the shape of a flat plate extending so as to be orthogonal to the vertical direction Z. The horizontal portion 46c extends from the upper end of the extended portion 46b. The air compressor 14 is attached on the horizontal portion 46c.

[0037] The first frame 41 has a third partition wall 47. The third partition wall 47 is, for example, in the shape of a flat plate extending so as to be orthogonal to the horizontal direction X. The third partition wall 47 extends upward from a position on the bottom wall 43 that is separated from the first partition wall 45 in the horizontal direction X.

[0038] The first frame 41 has a fourth partition wall 48. The fourth partition wall 48 is, for example, in the shape of a flat plate extending so as to be orthogonal to the depth direction Y. The fourth partition wall 48 extends upward from a portion on the bottom wall 43 that is to the right of the third partition wall 47. The left end of the fourth partition wall 48 is connected to the rear end of the third partition wall 47. The fourth partition wall 48 is located behind the first partition wall 45. The converter 33 is attached to the front end face of the fourth partition wall 48 using a bracket 60.

[0039] The first frame 41 has a second column portion 49, a third column portion 50, and a connecting wall 51. The second column portion 49 extends upward from the right-front end of the bottom wall 43. The third column portion 50 extends upward from the right-rear end of the bottom wall 43. The connecting wall 51 connects the upper end of the second column portion 49 and the upper end of the third column portion 50.

[0040] The upper ends of each of the first column portion 44, the first partition wall 45, the second partition wall 46 excluding the extended portion 46b, the third partition wall 47, and the fourth partition wall 48 are at the same height as each other. The first frame 41 has a middle wall 52. The middle wall 52 is connected to the upper ends of the above-mentioned walls. The middle wall 52 is, for example, in the shape of a flat plate extending so as to be orthogonal to the vertical direction Z. The middle wall 52 functions as a partition wall that vertically partitions the housing 11. A mass block 56 is attached to the left side of the middle wall 52. The front end of the air compressor 14 is attached onto the mass block 56. Note that the mass block 56 is, for example, made of metal and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The mass block 56 has, for example, a predetermined mass. The mass block 56 is a vibration damping member that functions as a mass damper for suppressing the vibration of the air compressor 14 by being connected to the air compressor 14 that is an object of vibration.

[0041] The first frame 41 has a fourth column portion 53 and a fifth partition wall 54. The fourth column portion 53 extends upward from the left-front end of the middle wall 52. The fifth partition wall 54 is in the shape of a flat plate extending so as to be orthogonal to the horizontal direction X. The fifth partition wall 54 extends upward from the left end of the middle wall 52. The front end of the fifth partition wall 54 is connected to the fourth column portion 53. The fifth partition wall 54 protrudes to the rear side of the middle wall 52. Thus, the fifth partition wall 54 has a notch portion 54a in the portion protruding to the rear side of the middle wall 52. The rear end of the fifth partition wall 54 is connected to the horizontal portion 46c of the second partition wall 46.

[0042] <Details of the fuel cell> As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the fuel cell 12 includes a fuel cell main body 71 and a base portion 72 to which the fuel cell main body 71 is fixed. The fuel cell main body 71 performs the functions of the fuel cell 12 described above. The fuel cell main body 71 is a rectangular parallelepiped extending in the horizontal direction X along the placement surface 52d described later. The horizontal direction X in the present embodiment corresponds to the extension direction. The outer surface of the fuel cell 12 is composed of, for example, a pair of first outer surfaces extending orthogonal to the vertical direction Z, a pair of second outer surfaces extending orthogonal to the horizontal direction X, and a pair of third outer surfaces extending orthogonal to the depth direction Y. The pair of first outer surfaces and the pair of third outer surfaces each have a shape in which their respective long edge portions extend in the horizontal direction X. Thereby, the fuel cell 12 is a rectangular parallelepiped extending in the horizontal direction X as the extension direction.

[0043] The fuel cell 12 in the present embodiment has a support portion 73. The support portion 73 is, for example, a flat plate shape extending orthogonal to the depth direction Y. The support portion 73 is in contact with, for example, the front end of the fuel cell 12. When viewing the fuel cell 12 from the front, the support portion 73 overlaps the entire fuel cell main body 71.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the base portion 72 is, for example, a flat plate shape extending orthogonal to the vertical direction Z. When viewing the fuel cell 12 from above, in the base portion 72 in the present embodiment, the central portion in the horizontal direction X overlaps the fuel cell main body 71, while both end portions in the horizontal direction X do not overlap the fuel cell main body 71. Therefore, the base portion 72 has an exposed portion 74 that does not overlap the fuel cell main body 71 in the vertical direction Z. The exposed portion 74 is located at both end portions of the base portion 72 in the horizontal direction X as the extension direction. Note that the vertical direction Z in the present embodiment corresponds to the axial direction that is the protruding direction of the protruding portion 90 described later.

[0045] The base portion 72 is formed with a first through hole 72a penetrating the base portion 72 and a second through hole 72b penetrating the base portion 72. The first through hole 72a is formed in the exposed portion 74. Similarly, the second through hole 72b in the present embodiment is also formed in the exposed portion 74. The base portion 72 is formed with two first through holes 72a and four second through holes 72b. In each of the exposed portions 74 located at one end and the other end of the base portion 72 in the horizontal direction X, one first through hole 72a and two second through holes 72b are formed. In the exposed portion 74, the through holes are formed in the exposed portion 74 so as to be arranged in the order of the second through hole 72b, the first through hole 72a, and the second through hole 72b from the front to the rear in the depth direction Y. A fastening bolt member B is inserted into the second through hole 72b.

[0046] Of the exposed portions 74 located at both ends of the base portion 72 in the horizontal direction X as the extending direction, the first through hole 72a formed in one of the exposed portions 74 is in the shape of a long hole extending in the horizontal direction X as the extending direction. The first through hole 72a formed in the other exposed portion 74 is circular. In the present embodiment, the first through hole 72a formed in the exposed portion 74 at the left end of the base portion 72 is in the shape of a long hole extending in the horizontal direction X. The first through hole 72a formed in the exposed portion 74 at the right end of the base portion 72 is circular. The first through hole 72a in the present embodiment penetrates in the vertical direction Z while maintaining the opening area of the first through hole 72a that opens at both ends of the base portion 72 in the vertical direction Z.

[0047] The base portion 72 in the present embodiment is formed with a first bolt hole 72c. The first bolt hole 72c is a through hole penetrating the base portion 72. The base portion 72 in the present embodiment is formed with four first bolt holes 72c. All of these first bolt holes 72c are formed in the portion of the base portion 72 sandwiched by the exposed portions 74 in the horizontal direction X.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in the present embodiment, two second bolt holes 73c are formed in the support portion 73, and three third bolt holes 61c are formed in the auxiliary machine 61. The two second bolt holes 73c and the two first bolt holes 72c face each other in the vertical direction Z. The two third bolt holes 61c and the two first bolt holes 72c face each other in the vertical direction Z. A fastening bolt member B is inserted into the second bolt hole 73c and the first bolt hole 72c that face each other. A fastening bolt member B is inserted into the third bolt hole 61c and the first bolt hole 72c that face each other. Thereby, the base portion 72 is attached to the support portion 73 and the auxiliary machine 61.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 8, buffer members 80 are provided around the opening edges of the first bolt holes 72c at both ends of the base portion 72 in the vertical direction Z. The buffer member 80 is annular so as to surround the first bolt hole 72c. The buffer member 80 is made of, for example, rubber. The buffer member 80 is interposed between the head of the fastening bolt member B and the base portion 72 and between the support portion 73 and the auxiliary machine 61 and the base portion 72 in the vertical direction Z.

[0050] The auxiliary machine 61 is integrated with the fuel cell 12 as an integral member by being connected to the fuel cell 12. For example, among the members constituting the auxiliary machine 61, the member located at the front end of the auxiliary machine 61 and the support portion 73 are connected to each other by bolts or the like. The fuel cell main body 71 may be sandwiched between the support portion 73 and the auxiliary machine 61 in the depth direction Y.

[0051] <Mounting portion> As shown in FIG. 6, a flat mounting surface 52d is formed at the upper end of the middle wall 52. Therefore, the middle wall 52 has the mounting surface 52d. The base portion 72 is placed on the mounting surface 52d. The lower end of the base portion 72 contacts the mounting surface 52d. Therefore, the middle wall 52 in the present embodiment corresponds to the mounting portion. The frame 40 has the middle wall 52 as the mounting portion. By placing the base portion 72 on the middle wall 52 as the mounting portion, the fuel cell 12 is mounted on the frame 40.

[0052] In the middle-stage wall 52 as the placement portion, a third through-hole 52a penetrating the middle-stage wall 52 is formed. Four third through-holes 52a are formed in the middle-stage wall 52 in this embodiment. Two third through-holes 52a are formed at both ends of the middle-stage wall 52 in the horizontal direction X. Each of the four third through-holes 52a faces a second through-hole 72b formed in the base portion 72 in the vertical direction Z. In this embodiment, a fourth through-hole 52h is formed in the middle-stage wall 52. The fourth through-hole 52h is a through-hole penetrating the middle-stage wall 52. Two fourth through-holes 52h are formed in the middle-stage wall 52 in this embodiment. One fourth through-hole 52h is formed at each of both ends of the middle-stage wall 52 in the horizontal direction X. At both ends of the middle-stage wall 52 in the horizontal direction X, one third through-hole 52a is located on each of one side and the other side in the depth direction Y with respect to the fourth through-hole 52h.

[0053] A fastening bolt member B is inserted into the third through-hole 52a. Specifically, the fastening bolt member B inserted into the second through-hole 72b formed in the base portion 72 is inserted into the third through-hole 52a. In this embodiment, the fastening bolt member B is inserted into the second through-hole 72b and the third through-hole 52a from above. This fastening bolt member B is fixed to the middle-stage wall 52, for example, by fastening a nut from below. Thereby, the middle-stage wall 52 and the base portion 72 are fixed by the fastening bolt member B. Therefore, the fuel cell 12 is attached to the frame 40.

[0054] A hole portion 52b and a recess portion 52c are formed in the middle-stage wall 52. The hole portion 52b is a through-hole penetrating the middle-stage wall 52. The recess portion 52c is formed by cutting out a part of the front end of the middle-stage wall 52. Each of the hole portion 52b and the recess portion 52c faces a first bolt hole 72c formed in the base portion 72 in the vertical direction Z. The head of the fastening bolt member B inserted into the first bolt hole 72c is located inside the hole portion 52b and the recess portion 52c. Therefore, the hole portion 52b and the recess portion 52c suppress the fastening bolt member B inserted into the first bolt hole 72c from interfering with the base portion 72.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 5, at least a part of the auxiliary machine 61 is provided at a position shifted along the mounting surface 52d from a position overlapping with the middle wall 52 as the mounting portion in the vertical direction Z as the axial direction. In the present embodiment, the portion located rearward among the auxiliary machines 61 is shifted rearward from the position overlapping with the middle wall 52 in the vertical direction Z. Thus, the portion shifted from the position overlapping with the middle wall 52 among the auxiliary machines 61 is also referred to as the auxiliary machine end portion 61h. In the present embodiment, the member located at the lowermost position among the auxiliary machine end portions 61h is located below the middle wall 52 as the mounting portion when viewed from the horizontal direction X.

[0056] <Protrusion> As shown in FIG. 6, the frame 40 has a protrusion 90. The protrusion 90 protrudes in the vertical direction Z as the axial direction from the mounting surface 52d. The protrusion 90 is inserted into the first through hole 72a. Specifically, the protrusion 90 is inserted into the first through hole 72a in a state where it can be displaced in the vertical direction Z as the axial direction. The protrusions 90 are provided one by one at both ends of the middle wall 52 in the horizontal direction X.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 10, the protrusion 90 has, for example, a head end portion 91 and a shaft portion 92. The head end portion 91 is located below the middle wall 52. The shaft portion 92 extends in the vertical direction Z. That is, the vertical direction Z coincides with the axial direction in which the shaft portion 92 extends. The protrusion 90 is fixed to the middle wall 52 with the shaft portion 92 inserted into the fourth through hole 52h formed in the middle wall 52. As a means for fixing the protrusion 90 to the middle wall 52, any method such as welding or bolt fastening may be adopted. The protrusion 90 is a male screw. That is, a screw groove 94 is formed on the outer peripheral surface 93 of the shaft portion 92 as the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 90.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 10, before the fuel cell 12 is fixed to the frame 40 by the fastening bolt member B, there is a possibility that at least a part of the base portion 72 may be separated from the placement surface 52d when the auxiliary machine 61 is displaced downward from the state where the base portion 72 is placed on the placement surface 52d. An example of the base portion 72 in this state is shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 10. In the present embodiment, when the auxiliary machine 61 is displaced downward as described above, the base portion 72 is tilted so that the front portion of the base portion 72 is displaced upward. The protruding portion 90 and the first through hole 72a are configured such that the outer peripheral surface 93 of the protruding portion 90 abuts on the partition surface 72h that partitions the first through hole 72a in the base portion 72. Specifically, when the thread groove 94 of the protruding portion 90 abuts on the partition surface 72h that partitions the first through hole 72a, further tilting of the base portion 72 is suppressed. Various conditions such as the outer shape of the protruding portion 90, the length of the protruding portion 90, the installation position of the protruding portion 90 on the middle wall 52, the diameter of the first through hole 72a, and the formation position of the first through hole 72a in the base portion 72 are set so as to achieve such an effect.

[0059] [Operation of the Embodiment] Next, the operation in the present embodiment will be described together with an example of a method for assembling the fuel cell system 10.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 6, when assembling the fuel cell system 10, the fuel cell 12 is attached to the frame 40. At this time, the members other than the fuel cell 12 constituting the fuel cell system 10 may be before being attached to the frame 40. At least a part of the members other than the fuel cell 12 constituting the fuel cell system 10 may already be attached to the frame 40.

[0061] When attaching the fuel cell 12 to the frame 40, the fuel cell 12 is displaced downward toward the middle wall 52 from above the middle wall 52 so as to place the base portion 72 on the middle wall 52 as a placement portion. At this time, for example, the operator displaces the fuel cell 12 downward while aligning the base portion 72 such that the first through hole 72a in the base portion 72 faces the protruding portion 90 in the vertical direction Z. By continuously displacing the fuel cell 12 downward, the tip of the protruding portion 90 is inserted into the first through hole 72a.

[0062] When the protruding portion 90 starts to be inserted into the first through hole 72a, the base portion 72 is displaced along the partitioning surface 72h that partitions the first through hole 72a with respect to the outer peripheral surface 93 of the protruding portion 90. Therefore, while the displacement of the position of the base portion 72 in the horizontal direction X and the depth direction Y is suppressed, the fuel cell 12 approaches the middle wall 52 further. The operator displaces the fuel cell 12 downward until the base portion 72 is placed on the middle wall 52.

[0063] In a state where the base portion 72 is placed on the middle wall 52, the protruding portion 90 is maintained in a state of being inserted into the first through hole 72a, and the second through hole 72b in the base portion 72 and the third through hole 52a in the middle wall 52 face each other in the vertical direction Z. In this way, the fastening bolt member B is inserted into the second through hole 72b and the third through hole 52a that face each other. Thereby, the base portion 72 and the middle wall 52 are connected to each other. The attachment of the fuel cell 12 to the frame 40 is completed.

[0064] [Effects of the Embodiment] According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1-1) The fuel cell 12 includes a fuel cell main body 71 and a base portion 72 to which the fuel cell main body 71 is fixed. The base portion 72 is formed with a first through hole 72a that penetrates the base portion 72 and a second through hole 72b that penetrates the base portion 72 and into which a fastening bolt member B is inserted. The frame 40 includes a middle wall 52 as a mounting portion having a mounting surface 52d on which the base portion 72 is placed, and a protruding portion 90 that protrudes from the mounting surface 52d in the vertical direction Z as the axial direction and is inserted into the first through hole 72a in a displaceable state in the vertical direction Z. The middle wall 52 as the mounting portion is formed with a third through hole 52a that penetrates the middle wall 52 and into which the fastening bolt member B is inserted. The protruding portion 90 is inserted into the first through hole 72a. Therefore, when attaching the fuel cell 12 to the frame 40, the fuel cell 12 can be displaced relative to the frame 40 while inserting the protruding portion 90 into the first through hole 72a. As a result, the fastening bolt member B can be inserted into the second through hole 72b and the third through hole 52a in a state where displacement of the fuel cell 12 relative to the frame 40 is suppressed. Therefore, displacement of the fuel cell 12 that occurs when attaching the fuel cell 12 to the frame 40 can be suppressed.

[0065] (1-2) The fuel cell system 10 includes an auxiliary machine 61 that is integrated with the fuel cell 12 as an integral member by being connected to the fuel cell 12. At least a part of the auxiliary machine 61 is provided at a position shifted along the mounting surface 52d from a position overlapping with the middle wall 52 as a mounting portion in the vertical direction Z as the axial direction. When the auxiliary machine 61 is displaced downward from the state where the base portion 72 is mounted on the mounting surface 52d, there is a possibility that at least a part of the base portion 72 is separated from the mounting surface 52d. The protruding portion 90 and the first through hole 72a are configured such that the outer peripheral surface 93 of the protruding portion 90 contacts the partitioning surface 72h that partitions the first through hole 72a in the base portion 72. In a state where the base portion 72 is mounted on the middle wall 52 as a mounting portion and before the fastening bolt member B is inserted into the second through hole 72b and the third through hole 52a, the auxiliary machine 61 may be displaced downward due to the self-weight of the auxiliary machine 61. When such displacement of the auxiliary machine 61 occurs, there is a possibility that at least a part of the base portion 72 is separated from the mounting surface 52d. Even if such an event occurs, the outer peripheral surface 93 of the protruding portion 90 contacts the partitioning surface 72h that partitions the first through hole 72a in the base portion 72, thereby suppressing the fuel cell 12 from tilting greatly in a direction away from the mounting surface 52d. Therefore, compared with the case where the operator supports the fuel cell 12 so that the fuel cell 12 does not tilt and attaches the fuel cell 12 to the frame 40, the workability of attaching the fuel cell 12 to the frame 40 can be improved.

[0066] (1-3) The protruding portion 90 is a male thread. Therefore, a thread groove 94 is formed on the outer peripheral surface 93 of the protruding portion 90. Thereby, when the above-described event occurs in which the base portion 72 is separated from the mounting surface 52d due to the displacement of the auxiliary machine 61, the outer peripheral surface 93 of the protruding portion 90 easily contacts the partitioning surface 72h that partitions the first through hole 72a in the base portion 72. Therefore, the fuel cell 12 is further suppressed from tilting greatly in a direction away from the mounting surface 52d. Therefore, the workability of attaching the fuel cell 12 to the frame 40 can be further improved.

[0067] (1-4) The fuel cell body 71 is a rectangular parallelepiped extending in the horizontal direction X as the extending direction along the mounting surface 52d. The base portion 72 has exposed portions 74 at both ends of the base portion 72 in the horizontal direction X as the extending direction. The base portion 72 has exposed portions 74 that do not overlap with the fuel cell body 71 in the vertical direction Z as the axial direction. The first through-hole 72a is formed in the exposed portion 74. Therefore, at both ends of the fuel cell body 71 in the horizontal direction X as the extending direction, the posture of the fuel cell 12 can be supported by the protruding portions 90 inserted into the first through-hole 72a. Compared with the case where the first through-hole 72a is formed at one end of the base portion 72 in the horizontal direction X as the extending direction while the first through-hole 72a is not formed at the other end, the displacement of the posture of the fuel cell 12 can be further suppressed. Therefore, the displacement of the fuel cell 12 generated when the fuel cell 12 is attached to the frame 40 can be further suppressed.

[0068] (1-5) Among the exposed portions 74 located at both ends of the base portion 72 in the horizontal direction X as the extending direction, the first through-hole 72a formed in one of the exposed portions 74 is in the shape of a long hole extending in the horizontal direction X, and the first through-hole 72a formed in the other exposed portion 74 is in the shape of a perfect circle. Therefore, even if individual differences occur in the dimensions of the fuel cell 12 in the horizontal direction X due to dimensional variations associated with the manufacture of the fuel cell 12, it can be dealt with by shifting the insertion position of the protruding portion 90 with respect to the long-hole-shaped first through-hole 72a in the horizontal direction X as the extending direction.

[0069] [Modified Example] Note that the embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically non-conflicting range.

[0070] ○ As shown in FIG. 11, the thread groove 94 may be formed in a part of the shaft portion 92 in the protruding portion 90. In the protruding portion 90 in this case, for example, among the shaft portion 92, the thread groove 94 is not formed in the portion located on the head end portion 91 side, while the thread groove 94 may be formed in other portions. The portion in the shaft portion 92 where the thread groove 94 is not formed may be, for example, a cylindrical portion 95 extending in the vertical direction Z. Also in this case, when the above-described event occurs in which the base portion 72 moves away from the placement surface 52d due to the displacement of the auxiliary machine 61, the outer peripheral surface 93 of the protruding portion 90 contacts the partition surface 72h that partitions the first through hole 72a in the base portion 72.

[0071] ○ As shown in FIG. 12, at least a part of the first through hole 72a in the vertical direction Z may have a size different from the opening area of the first through hole 72a that opens at both ends of the base portion 72 in the vertical direction Z. For example, the first through hole 72a may be formed in the base portion 72 such that the diameter of the first through hole 72a decreases as it moves away from the placement surface 52d in the vertical direction Z as the axial direction. In this case, among both ends of the base portion 72 in the vertical direction Z, the opening area of the first through hole 72a at the end on the side opposite to the middle wall 52 is smaller than the opening area at other portions of the first through hole 72a. According to this modified example, in addition to the effects in the embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0072] (2-1) The first through-hole 72a is formed in the base portion 72 such that the diameter of the first through-hole 72a decreases as it moves away from the placement surface 52d in the vertical direction Z as the axial direction. Therefore, among both ends of the base portion 72 in the vertical direction Z as the axial direction, the opening area of the first through-hole 72a at the end opposite to the middle wall 52 as the placement portion is smaller than the opening area at other portions of the first through-hole 72a. As a result, when the above-described event occurs in which the base portion 72 moves away from the placement surface 52d due to the displacement of the auxiliary machine 61, the opening edge of the first through-hole 72a at the end of the base portion 72 opposite to the middle wall 52 as the placement portion is likely to contact the outer peripheral surface 93 of the protruding portion 90. Therefore, the displacement of the posture of the fuel cell 12 can be further suppressed, and thus the positional deviation of the fuel cell 12 that occurs when the fuel cell 12 is attached to the frame 40 can be further suppressed.

[0073] ○ The protruding portion 90 does not have to be a male screw. In this case, a thread groove 94 is not formed on the outer peripheral surface 93 of the shaft portion 92. Note that, in this case, the shape of the shaft portion 92 may be a cylindrical shape or a polygonal columnar shape. The shape of the first through-hole 72a may be changed according to the shape of the shaft portion 92.

[0074] ○ The fourth through-hole 52h may be omitted from the middle wall 52 as the placement portion. In this case, the protruding portion 90 may be, for example, a columnar shape extending upward from the placement surface 52d. ○ In the horizontal direction X as the extending direction, the first through-hole 72a formed in one exposed portion 74 may have a shape other than a long hole shape extending in the horizontal direction X as the extending direction, or the first through-hole 72a formed in the other exposed portion 74 may have a shape other than a perfect circular shape.

[0075] ○ The number of the second through-holes 72b formed in the base portion 72 may be three or less, or may be five or more. In this case, the number of the third through-holes 52a formed in the middle wall 52 as the placement portion may be increased or decreased according to the number of the second through-holes 72b formed in the base portion 72.

[0076] ○ At least one of the second through holes 72b formed in the base portion 72 may be formed in a portion of the base portion 72 other than the exposed portion 74. In this case, the position of the third through hole 52a formed in the middle wall 52 as the placement portion may be changed according to the position of the second through hole 72b formed in the portion of the base portion 72 other than the exposed portion 74.

[0077] ○ The number of the first through holes 72a formed in the base portion 72 may be one or three or more. In this case, the number of the protruding portions 90 provided on the frame 40 may be increased or decreased according to the number of the first through holes 72a formed in the base portion 72.

[0078] ○ At least one of the first through holes 72a formed in the base portion 72 may be formed in a portion of the base portion 72 other than the exposed portion 74. In this case, the position of the protruding portion 90 provided on the frame 40 may be changed according to the position of the first through hole 72a formed in the portion of the base portion 72 other than the exposed portion 74.

[0079] ○ The position of the exposed portion 74 in the base portion 72 may be different from that in the embodiment. For example, the exposed portion 74 may be located at one end of the base portion 72 in the horizontal direction X as the extending direction and may not be located at the other end. In this case, one end of the base portion 72 in the horizontal direction X does not overlap with the fuel cell body 71 in the vertical direction Z as the axial direction, while the other end overlaps with the fuel cell body 71 in the vertical direction Z. Further, for example, the exposed portion 74 may be located at at least one end of the base portion 72 in a direction other than the horizontal direction X.

[0080] ○ The exposed portion 74 may be omitted from the base portion 72. In this case, for example, in the vertical direction Z as the axial direction, the entire base portion 72 overlaps with the fuel cell body 71. ○ The shape of the fuel cell body 71 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped extending in the horizontal direction X as the extending direction along the placement surface 52d. For example, the shape of the fuel cell body 71 may be a rectangular parallelepiped extending in a direction other than the horizontal direction X, or may be a shape other than a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0081] ○ The entire auxiliary machine 61 may be provided at a position shifted along the mounting surface 52d from a position overlapping with the middle wall 52 as the mounting portion in the vertical direction Z as the axial direction. Also, the entire auxiliary machine 61 may be provided at a position overlapping with the middle wall 52 as the mounting portion in the vertical direction Z as the axial direction.

[0082] ○ The auxiliary machine 61 may include members other than those listed in the embodiment, or may not include at least one of the members listed in the embodiment. ○ The attachment of the auxiliary machine 61 to the frame 40 is not limited to attachment in a state integrated with the fuel cell 12. For example, the auxiliary machine 61 may be attached to the frame 40 either before or after the attachment of the fuel cell 12 to the frame 40. In this case, the auxiliary machine 61 and the fuel cell 12 may be connected in a state where both the auxiliary machine 61 and the fuel cell 12 are mounted on the frame 40.

[0083] ○ Various members mounted on the frame 40 may be mounted at positions different from the mounting positions on the frame 40 in the embodiment. ○ The shape of the frame 40 is not limited to the shape of the frame 40 in the embodiment. For example, the frame 40 may have one or more wall portions extending perpendicular to the vertical direction Z above the middle wall 52. Also, the middle wall 52 may be omitted from the frame 40. In the fuel cell system 10 in which the middle wall 52 is omitted from the frame 40, for example, a portion other than the middle wall 52 in the frame 40, such as the bottom wall 43, functions as the mounting portion. The mounting portion in this case also has the mounting surface 52d on which the base portion 72 is mounted.

[0084] ○ In addition to the first frame 41 and the second frame 42, the frame 40 may have one or more frame members. ○ The first frame 41 and the second frame 42 may be one member instead of separate members from each other. In this case, the frame 40 may be one member as a whole.

[0085] ○ The heat exchanger 21 may be omitted from the fuel cell system 10. In this case, the fuel cell system 10 may generate an air flow inside the housing 11, for example, by introducing the traveling wind generated as the industrial vehicle travels into the inside of the housing 11.

[0086] ○ The posture of the fuel cell system 10 is not limited to the posture in the embodiment. In short, each of the horizontal direction X, the depth direction Y, and the vertical direction Z in the present embodiment may be appropriately changed.

[0087] ○ The fuel cell system 10 may be mounted on a passenger car, a ship, a railway, or the like. ○ The fuel cell system 10 may be used as a stationary power generation device.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0088] B... fastening bolt member, X... horizontal direction (as the extending direction), Z... vertical direction (as the axial direction), 10... fuel cell system, 12... fuel cell, 40... frame, 52... middle wall (as the mounting portion), 52a... third through hole, 52d... mounting surface, 61... auxiliary machine, 71... fuel cell body, 72... base portion, 72a... first through hole, 72b... second through hole, 72h... partition surface, 74... exposed portion, 90... protruding portion, 93... outer peripheral surface.

Claims

1. A fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell and a frame on which the fuel cell is mounted, wherein the fuel cell has a fuel cell body and a base portion to which the fuel cell body is fixed, the base portion is formed with a first through hole penetrating the base portion and a second through hole penetrating the base portion and into which a fastening bolt member is inserted, the frame has a mounting portion having a mounting surface on which the base portion is placed, and a protruding portion protruding axially from the mounting surface and inserted into the first through hole in a displaceable state in the axial direction, the mounting portion is formed with a third through hole penetrating the mounting portion and into which the fastening bolt member is inserted, the fuel cell system, wherein the protruding portion is inserted into the first through hole.

2. comprising auxiliary machines integrated as an integral member with the fuel cell by being connected to the fuel cell, at least a part of the auxiliary machines is provided at a position shifted along the mounting surface from a position overlapping the mounting portion in the axial direction, the protruding portion and the first through hole are configured such that when at least a part of the base portion is separated from the mounting surface by displacement of the auxiliary machines downward from a state where the base portion is placed on the mounting surface, an outer peripheral surface of the protruding portion abuts against a partitioning surface of the base portion that partitions the first through hole, the fuel cell system according to claim 1.

3. the fuel cell system according to claim 2, wherein the protruding portion is a male thread.

4. the fuel cell system according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the first through hole is formed in the base portion such that a diameter of the first through hole becomes smaller as the first through hole is farther from the mounting surface in the axial direction.

5. the fuel cell body is a rectangular parallelepiped extending in an extending direction along the mounting surface, the base portion has exposed portions located at both ends of the base portion in the extending direction and not overlapping the fuel cell body in the axial direction, the fuel cell system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first through hole is formed in the exposed portion.

6. the fuel cell system according to claim 5, wherein among the exposed portions located at both ends of the base portion in the extending direction, the first through hole formed in one of the exposed portions is in a long hole shape extending in the extending direction, and the first through hole formed in the other exposed portion is a perfect circle.

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