Fuel cell module

Abstract

To provide a fuel cell module which enables a fuel cell stack, a first auxiliary machine, and a second auxiliary machine to be suitably arranged with components collectively arranged on one side surface.SOLUTION: A fuel cell module 100 includes a housing 10, a fuel cell stack 40, a second DC / DC converter 43, a first auxiliary machine 50, and a second auxiliary machine 60. A side wall 13 of the housing 10 includes a connection board 14. The connection board 14 includes a connection port 14a. A housing space S of the housing 10 is divided into a first space S1 and a second space S2. The first space S1 is a space where the first auxiliary machine 50 is disposed along the connection board 14. The second space S2 is a space which is different from the first space S1 and where the fuel cell stack 40, the second DC / DC converter 43, and the second auxiliary machine 60 are arranged. In the fuel cell module 100, the first space S1 and the second space S2 are arranged side by side in a thickness direction of the connection board 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel cell module. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a fuel cell module includes a housing, a fuel cell stack, a first auxiliary device, and a second auxiliary device. The housing includes side walls and a bottom wall, and the side walls and bottom walls define an accommodation space. The fuel cell stack, the first auxiliary device, and the second auxiliary device are each housed in the accommodation space. The fuel cell stack generates electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. The first auxiliary device is, for example, a pump that circulates hydrogen inside the fuel cell module, or a compressor that compresses air to supply oxygen to the fuel cell stack. The second auxiliary device is, for example, a control device that controls the first auxiliary device, or a power conversion device that converts an input voltage to a desired voltage and then outputs it.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a fuel cell system as a fuel cell module including a housing, a fuel cell stack, and an air compressor and a fan as first auxiliary equipment. The housing includes a peripheral wall as a side wall and a bottom wall. The fuel cell system houses the fuel cell stack, air compressor, and fan in the housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-102097 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Fuel cell modules are sometimes used as stationary power generators. In this case, the fuel cell module is connected to a power supply source and a load that are provided outside the housing. The fuel cell module is connected to the supply source and the load via piping and wiring that pass through connection ports provided on the side walls. Taking into account the layout of these piping and wiring, for example, when the fuel cell module is installed on a rack or the like, it is desirable to consolidate the connection ports on one of the side walls. Therefore, it is desirable to appropriately arrange the fuel cell stack, first auxiliary equipment, and second auxiliary equipment while consolidating the components on one side wall in the limited space inside the housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A fuel cell module for solving the above problem includes a fuel cell stack, a power conversion device that reduces the voltage of power input from the fuel cell stack and outputs the reduced voltage, a first accessory that is driven to cause the fuel cell stack to generate electricity, a second accessory that is driven by the power output from the power conversion device, and a housing that has a bottom wall, side walls that stand upright from the bottom wall, and a top wall that closes an accommodation space defined by the bottom wall and the side walls, and in which the fuel cell stack, the power conversion device, the first accessory, and the second accessory are arranged in the accommodation space, The wall includes a connection panel having a power connector for supplying power generated by the fuel cell stack to a load outside the housing, and a connection port through which piping passes that connects the outside of the housing to the first auxiliary equipment inside the housing, and the space within the storage space in which the first auxiliary equipment is arranged along the connection panel is defined as a first space, and a space different from the first space in which the fuel cell stack, the power conversion device, and the second auxiliary equipment are arranged is defined as a second space, and the first space and the second space are aligned in the thickness direction of the connection panel.

[0007] According to this, the second auxiliary device requires a lower voltage of power for operation than the first auxiliary device. Therefore, the diameter of the wiring connected to the second auxiliary device is larger than the diameter of the wiring connected to the first auxiliary device. In the fuel cell module, the distance between the first auxiliary device housed in the first space and the connection board is closer than the distance between the second auxiliary device housed in the second space and the connection board. In other words, in the fuel cell module, the first auxiliary device, to which the smaller diameter wiring is connected, is disposed closer to the connection board in the thickness direction of the connection board than the second auxiliary device. As a result, the larger diameter wiring connected to the second auxiliary device can be disposed in the second space, which is different from the first space that houses the wiring and piping connected to the first auxiliary device.

[0008] The first auxiliary device is connected to the outside of the housing by a pipe passing through the connection port. The first auxiliary device receives a supply of fluids such as oxygen and hydrogen from outside the housing. In other words, by arranging the first auxiliary device near the connection board in the first space, the distance between the pipe and the connection port can be shortened. As a result, the second space aligned in the thickness direction of the connection board can be used for arranging large-diameter wiring and the second auxiliary device. Therefore, by arranging the first auxiliary device and the second auxiliary device inside the housing as described above, the fuel cell stack, the first auxiliary device, and the second auxiliary device can be appropriately arranged in the limited space inside the housing.

[0009] In the above fuel cell module, the first auxiliary machine may be a coolant pump that pumps a coolant that cools the fuel cell stack, and an electric compressor that compresses air that is supplied to the fuel cell stack.

[0010] The diameters of the pipes through which the cooling medium and air flow are larger than the diameters of the wiring connected to the first and second auxiliary devices. By accommodating the first auxiliary device in the first space, the piping can be positioned near the connection board, thereby reducing the area occupied by the piping inside the housing. As a result, the proportion of the second space occupied by the piping can be reduced. Therefore, the fuel cell module can have a larger space inside the housing to accommodate the first auxiliary device, the second auxiliary device, and the wiring, compared to a case in which the piping is not concentrated in the connection board.

[0011] In the above fuel cell module, the second auxiliary device may be a control device that controls the operation of the first auxiliary device, and a measuring device that measures a physical quantity in the accommodation space. In the fuel cell module, the first space may be along the bottom wall.

[0012] The first auxiliary device housed in the first space is driven by the power generated by the fuel cell stack. In a fuel cell module, a power conversion device connecting the fuel cell stack and the first auxiliary device may be provided in the accommodation space to stabilize the power. When the power conversion device is provided, the power conversion device is provided near the first auxiliary device to shorten the wiring connecting the power conversion device and the first auxiliary device. Within the accommodation space, the fuel cell stack is provided closer to the upper wall than the lower wall to allow for drainage of water generated during power generation. In other words, in a fuel cell module, the accommodation space can be used effectively by arranging the first auxiliary device and the power conversion device along the lower wall where the fuel cell stack is not provided.

[0013] In the above fuel cell module, the connection board may be provided with a communication connector that electrically connects to the control device, and the control device may have a communication unit that communicates with the outside and performs this communication via the communication connector.

[0014] In the above fuel cell module, the connection panel may have a plurality of connection ports, and the connection ports may include a connection port that is connected to the cooling medium pump and through which a cooling pipe through which the cooling medium flows passes, and a connection port through which an air pipe that supplies air to the electric compressor passes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, the fuel cell stack, the first auxiliary device, and the second auxiliary device can be appropriately arranged while integrating the components into one side wall. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a fuel cell module. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a fuel cell module. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a fuel cell module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] An embodiment of a fuel cell module will now be described with reference to FIGS. <Overall view of fuel cell module> 1, the fuel cell module 100 includes a housing 10 and a fuel cell stack 40. The fuel cell module 100 is a stationary type. The fuel cell module 100 is connected to a load (not shown) and supplies power to the load.

[0018] <Case> 2 and 3, the housing 10 includes a bottom wall 11, an top wall 12, and a side wall 13. The side wall 13 is cylindrically erected from the bottom wall 11. In the housing 10, an accommodation space S is defined by the bottom wall 11 and the side wall 13. The top wall 12 closes the accommodation space S from above. The side wall 13 connects the bottom wall 11 and the top wall 12.

[0019] The lower wall 11 and the upper wall 12 each have a long plate shape. The lower wall 11 is located lower than the upper wall 12 in the direction of gravity Z. The thickness directions of the lower wall 11 and the upper wall 12 coincide with the direction of gravity Z. The longitudinal directions of the lower wall 11 and the upper wall 12 coincide with each other. Hereinafter, this longitudinal direction will be referred to as a first direction X. Also, hereinafter, the direction perpendicular to the first direction X and the direction of gravity Z will be referred to as a second direction Y.

[0020] The side wall 13 includes a connection board 14, a first wall portion 13a, a second wall portion 13b, and a third wall portion 13c. In other words, the housing 10 includes the connection board 14. The connection board 14 and the second wall portion 13b are each shaped like a long plate with their thickness direction aligned with the first direction X. The longitudinal direction of the connection board 14 and the second wall portion 13b coincides with the direction of gravity Z. In the side wall 13, the connection board 14 and the second wall portion 13b are aligned in the first direction X.

[0021] Each of the first wall portion 13a and the third wall portion 13c has a long plate shape with its thickness direction aligned with the second direction Y. The longitudinal direction of each of the first wall portion 13a and the third wall portion 13c coincides with the first direction X. In the side wall 13, the first wall portion 13a and the third wall portion 13c are aligned in the second direction Y.

[0022] The connecting board 14 has a first end in the second direction Y connected to a first end of the first wall portion 13a. A second end in the second direction Y of the connecting board 14 is connected to a first end of the third wall portion 13c. The second wall portion 13b has a first end in the second direction Y connected to a second end of the first wall portion 13a. A second end in the second direction Y of the second wall portion 13b is connected to a second end of the third wall portion 13c.

[0023] <Connection port> 1 and 2, the connection board 14 has a plurality of connection ports 14a, as well as a power connector 31 and a communication connector 32. The connection ports 14a are open in the thickness direction of the connection board 14 and connect the accommodation space S to the outside of the housing 10. The plurality of connection ports 14a include an exhaust pipe port 21, a first cooling water pipe port 22a, a second cooling water pipe port 22b, an air pipe port 23, a first ion exchange port 24a, a second ion exchange port 24b, and a hydrogen pipe port 25.

[0024] The exhaust pipe port 21 is provided in a portion of the connecting plate 14 closer to the bottom wall 11 in the direction of gravity Z. The first cooling water pipe port 22a is provided in a portion of the connecting plate 14 closer to the top wall 12 than the exhaust pipe port 21 in the direction of gravity Z. The air pipe port 23 is provided in a portion of the connecting plate 14 closer to the top wall 12 than the first cooling water pipe port 22a in the direction of gravity Z. The second cooling water pipe port 22b is provided in a portion of the connecting plate 14 closer to the top wall 12 than the air pipe port 23 in the direction of gravity Z. The first ion exchange port 24a and the second ion exchange port 24b are each provided in a portion of the connecting plate 14 closer to the top wall 12 than the second cooling water pipe port 22b in the direction of gravity Z. The hydrogen pipe port 25 is provided in a portion of the connecting plate 14 closer to the top wall 12 than the first ion exchange port 24a and the second ion exchange port 24b in the direction of gravity Z.

[0025] The exhaust pipe port 21, the first cooling water pipe port 22a, the second cooling water pipe port 22b, and the air pipe port 23 are each provided in a portion of the connection panel 14 closer to the first wall portion 13a in the second direction Y. The first ion exchange port 24a, the second ion exchange port 24b, and the hydrogen pipe port 25 are each provided in a portion of the connection panel 14 closer to the first wall portion 13a in the second direction Y.

[0026] The power connector 31 is provided in the center of the connection panel 14 in the second direction Y. More specifically, the power connector 31 is provided in a portion slightly closer to the third wall portion 13c than the exhaust pipe port 21, the first cooling water pipe port 22a, the second cooling water pipe port 22b, and the air pipe port 23 in the second direction Y. The power connector 31 is also provided in a portion slightly closer to the third wall portion 13c than the first ion exchange port 24a, the second ion exchange port 24b, and the hydrogen pipe port 25 in the second direction Y. The power connector 31 is provided between the air pipe port 23 and the second cooling water pipe port 22b in the gravity direction Z.

[0027] The communication connector 32 is provided at the same position as the power connector 31 in the gravity direction Z. The communication connector 32 is provided in a portion of the connection board 14 closer to the third wall portion 13c than the power connector 31 in the second direction Y.

[0028] <Fuel cell stack> The fuel cell stack 40 is accommodated in the accommodation space S. The fuel cell stack 40 is a stack of multiple fuel cell units. The fuel cell units are, for example, solid molecular fuel cells. The fuel cell stack 40 generates electricity using hydrogen and oxygen. The fuel cell units include an anode to which hydrogen is supplied, a cathode to which oxygen is supplied, and an electrolyte membrane disposed between the anode and cathode.

[0029] The fuel cell stack 40 is electrically connected by wire to a load provided outside the casing 10. The fuel cell stack 40 generates power to be supplied to the load. The voltage output from the fuel cell stack 40 is approximately 48 V. This voltage fluctuates slightly around 48 V. When power is being generated in the fuel cell stack 40, the fuel cell stack 40 is connected to the load via a power connector 31. Although not shown, wiring extending from the fuel cell stack 40 connects to the power connector 31 inside the casing 10, and wiring extending from the load connects to the power connector 31 outside the casing 10. As a result, the fuel cell stack 40 is electrically connected to the load.

[0030] The fuel cell stack 40 generates water during power generation. The fuel cell stack 40 discharges the water and unreacted hydrogen to the outside of the fuel cell stack 40. The water and unreacted hydrogen are introduced into the diluter 40b via the first exhaust pipe 40a. The unreacted hydrogen is diluted by the diluter 40b. The water and diluted hydrogen flow through the second exhaust pipe 40c.

[0031] The second exhaust pipe 40c is inserted into the exhaust pipe port 21. The second exhaust pipe 40c discharges the produced water and diluted hydrogen. The fuel cell module 100 may also have a gas-liquid separator (not shown). Unreacted hydrogen discharged from the fuel cell stack 40 may be separated from the produced water by the gas-liquid separator and then introduced into the second hydrogen supply pipe 53b (described later).

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, the fuel cell stack 40 is attached to the housing 10 by a support member 41. The support member 41 stands on the bottom wall 11. The support member 41 has an upper surface that is parallel to the bottom wall 11. The fuel cell stack 40 is disposed on this upper surface. The fuel cell stack 40 is fixed to the housing 10 by the support member 41 while being spaced apart from the bottom wall 11. The fuel cell stack 40 is provided in a portion of the accommodation space S that is closer to the top wall 12 by the support member 41. In other words, the fuel cell stack 40 is provided above the accommodation space S in the direction of gravity Z.

[0033] The fuel cell stack 40 is provided in a portion of the accommodation space S closer to the second wall portion 13b in the first direction X. The fuel cell stack 40 is provided in a portion of the accommodation space S closer to the third wall portion 13c in the second direction Y.

[0034] The diluter 40b is provided below the fuel cell stack 40 in the direction Z of gravity. <First DC / DC converter> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first DC / DC converter 42 is disposed in the accommodation space S. The fuel cell module 100 includes the first DC / DC converter 42. The first DC / DC converter 42 is connected to the fuel cell stack 40. The first DC / DC converter 42 receives power generated by the fuel cell stack 40. The first DC / DC converter 42 transforms and outputs the power. The first DC / DC converter 42 transforms and outputs the power output from the fuel cell stack 40 to 48 V. The first DC / DC converter 42 stabilizes the voltage of the power output from the fuel cell stack 40. The first DC / DC converter 42 includes a switching element (not shown). The first DC / DC converter 42 performs voltage transformation by controlling the switching of the switching element.

[0035] The power generated by the fuel cell stack 40 is transformed by the first DC / DC converter 42 and then supplied to a load via the power connector 31 and wiring. In other words, the first DC / DC converter 42 is electrically connected to a load provided outside the housing 10 via the power connector 31.

[0036] <First auxiliary engine> The fuel cell module 100 includes a first accessory 50. The first accessory 50 is accommodated in the accommodation space S. The first accessory 50 includes a coolant pump 51, an electric compressor 52, and a hydrogen circulation pump 53. The first accessory 50 is electrically connected to the first DC / DC converter 42 by wiring (not shown). The first accessory 50 is driven by the electric power output from the first DC / DC converter 42. In other words, the first accessory 50 is driven by the electric power generated by the fuel cell stack 40.

[0037] <Coolant pump> The coolant pump 51 is connected to the radiator 103 by a first cooling inlet pipe 51a serving as a cooling pipe that passes through the first coolant pipe port 22a. The radiator 103 is provided outside the housing 10. The coolant pump 51 is connected to the fuel cell stack 40 by a second cooling inlet pipe 51b. The coolant pump 51 connects the first cooling inlet pipe 51a and the second cooling inlet pipe 51b. The radiator 103 is connected to the fuel cell stack 40 by a cooling discharge pipe 51c. The radiator 103 connects the first cooling inlet pipe 51a and the cooling discharge pipe 51c. Cooling water serving as a coolant flows through each of the first cooling inlet pipe 51a, the second cooling inlet pipe 51b, and the cooling discharge pipe 51c. That is, the connection port 14a includes a first cooling water pipe port 22a through which a first cooling introduction pipe 51a, which is connected to the cooling medium pump 51 and through which the cooling water flows, passes. The radiator 103 cools the cooling water flowing into the radiator 103. The cooling medium may be air.

[0038] The fuel cell stack 40 is connected to the radiator 103 by a cooling discharge pipe 51c that passes through the second cooling water pipe port 22b. The cooling discharge pipe 51c is formed by a fuel cell cooling pipe 511c and a radiator pipe 512c. The fuel cell cooling pipe 511c passes through the second cooling water pipe port 22b and is drawn out to the outside of the casing 10, and is connected to the radiator pipe 512c outside the casing 10. The fuel cell cooling pipe 511c is connected to the fuel cell stack 40, and the radiator pipe 512c is connected to the radiator 103.

[0039] A pair of bypass flow paths 51d are formed in the fuel cell cooling pipe 511c. The pair of bypass flow paths 51d are connected to an ion exchanger 106 provided outside the casing 10. One of the pair of bypass flow paths 51d passes through the first ion exchange port 24a and is connected to the ion exchanger 106, and the other passes through the second ion exchange port 24b and is connected to the ion exchanger 106. The flow toward the pair of bypass flow paths 51d is controlled by valves (not shown).

[0040] The cooling water cooled by the radiator 103 flows into the cooling medium pump 51 through the first cooling introduction pipe 51a. The cooling water that flows into the cooling medium pump 51 is pumped by the cooling medium pump 51 toward the second cooling introduction pipe 51b. The pumped cooling water is introduced into the fuel cell stack 40 through the second cooling introduction pipe 51b. The cooling water cools the fuel cell stack 40 in the fuel cell stack 40. The cooling water increases in temperature by cooling the fuel cell stack 40. The heated cooling water flows out of the fuel cell stack 40 through the cooling discharge pipe 51c. The cooling water that flows out of the fuel cell stack 40 flows into the radiator 103 through the cooling discharge pipe 51c. The cooling water that flows into the radiator 103 is cooled inside the radiator 103, and then flows back into the cooling medium pump 51 through the first cooling introduction pipe 51a.

[0041] <Electric compressor> The electric compressor 52 is an air compressor that compresses air. The electric compressor 52 is driven by a driver (not shown). The electric compressor 52 is connected to an air filter 104 by a first air supply pipe 52a, which serves as an air pipe, passing through the air pipe port 23. The air filter 104 is provided outside the housing 10. Air that has passed through the air filter 104 is supplied to the electric compressor 52 from the first air supply pipe 52a. In other words, the connection port 14a includes the air pipe port 23 through which the first air supply pipe 52a passes, supplying air to the electric compressor 52. The electric compressor 52 does not necessarily have to be connected to the air filter 104. For example, the electric compressor 52 may be open to the atmosphere outside the housing 10.

[0042] The electric compressor 52 is connected to the cathode of the fuel cell stack 40 via a second air supply pipe 52b. The electric compressor 52 compresses the air that has passed through the air filter 104, and then supplies the air to the cathode. In other words, the electric compressor 52 compresses the air that is supplied to the fuel cell stack 40.

[0043] <Hydrogen circulation pump> The hydrogen circulation pump 53 is connected to the hydrogen tank 105 via a first hydrogen supply pipe 53a that passes through the hydrogen pipe port 25. The hydrogen tank 105 is provided outside the housing 10. Hydrogen is supplied to the hydrogen circulation pump 53 from the hydrogen tank 105 via the first hydrogen supply pipe 53a.

[0044] The hydrogen circulation pump 53 is connected by a second hydrogen supply pipe 53b to the anode of the fuel cell stack 40. The hydrogen circulation pump 53 supplies hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank 105 to the anode.

[0045] <Second DC / DC converter> The fuel cell module 100 includes a second DC / DC converter 43 as a power conversion device. The second DC / DC converter 43 is accommodated in the accommodation space S. The second DC / DC converter 43 is electrically connected to the fuel cell stack 40. The second DC / DC converter 43 receives power generated by the fuel cell stack 40. The second DC / DC converter 43 steps down the power. The second DC / DC converter 43 transforms the power to 12 V and outputs it. In other words, the second DC / DC converter 43 is connected to the fuel cell stack 40 and steps down the power input from the fuel cell stack 40 and outputs it. The second DC / DC converter 43 includes a switching element (not shown). The second DC / DC converter 43 performs voltage transformation by controlling the switching of the switching element.

[0046] When the fuel cell stack 40 is not generating power, power may be supplied from an external power supply (not shown) to the second DC / DC converter 43. The second DC / DC converter 43 may convert the power to 12 V and output it.

[0047] <Second auxiliary engine> The fuel cell module 100 includes a second auxiliary device 60. The second auxiliary device 60 is accommodated in the accommodation space S. The second auxiliary device 60 includes a control device 61 and a measuring device 62. The second auxiliary device 60 is electrically connected to the second DC / DC converter 43 via wiring (not shown). The voltage of the power required to drive the second auxiliary device 60 is lower than that of the first auxiliary device 50. Therefore, the diameter of the wiring connected to the second auxiliary device 60 is larger than the diameter of the wiring connected to the first auxiliary device 50. The second auxiliary device 60 is driven by the power generated by the fuel cell stack 40. In the fuel cell module 100, when the fuel cell stack 40 is not generating power, the second auxiliary device 60 may be connected to an external power source (not shown) and may be supplied with power from the external power source. In other words, the second auxiliary device 60 may be driven by the external power source.

[0048] <Control device> The control device 61 performs overall control of the fuel cell module 100. The control device 61 has a processor and a memory unit. The memory unit includes a random access memory (RAM) and a read-only memory (ROM). The memory unit stores program code or instructions configured to cause the processor to execute processes. The memory unit, i.e., a computer-readable medium, includes any available medium accessible by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. The control device 61 may be configured with hardware circuits such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The control device 61, which is a processing circuit, may include one or more processors operating according to a computer program, one or more hardware circuits such as an ASIC or FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0049] The control device 61 has a communication unit 61a. The communication unit 61a is connected to the communication connector 32 by a wire. The control device 61 can communicate with a management terminal (not shown) provided outside the casing 10 by the communication unit 61a. In other words, the control device 61 has the communication unit 61a that communicates with the outside. The control device 61 is connected by a wire to a management terminal (not shown) provided outside the casing 10. The control device 61 is connected to the management terminal so that it can communicate bidirectionally. Communication between the control device 61 and the management terminal is performed by connecting the communication unit 61a and the management terminal via the communication connector 32. An example of a communication protocol between the communication unit 61a and the management terminal is CAN.

[0050] The control device 61 is electrically connected to the first accessory 50, the measuring device 62, and the communication device 63. The control device 61 controls the operation of the first accessory 50. For example, the control device 61 controls the operation of the driver for the electric compressor 52. In this way, the control device 61 adjusts the amount of air supplied to the fuel cell stack 40 by the electric compressor 52. Also, for example, the control device 61 controls the operation of the hydrogen circulation pump 53. In this way, the control device 61 adjusts the amount of hydrogen that the hydrogen circulation pump 53 pressure-feeds toward the fuel cell stack 40.

[0051] The control device 61 is connected to the second DC / DC converter 43. The control device 61 is driven by the power output from the second DC / DC converter 43. <Measuring equipment> The fuel cell module 100 includes a measuring device 62. The measuring device 62 measures physical quantities in the accommodation space S. Examples of physical quantities include the temperature and hydrogen concentration in the accommodation space S. The measuring device 62 transmits the measured values ​​to the outside of the housing 10 via a communication device 63. The communication device 63 is provided outside the housing 10. The communication device 63 is arranged on the top wall 12. For example, the communication device 63 is wirelessly connected to a server provided outside the housing 10. The measurement values ​​transmitted by the measuring device 62 to the communication device 63 are transmitted to the server and recorded on the server.

[0052] The measuring device 62 and the communication device 63 are connected by wiring (not shown). The wiring is provided outside the housing 10. A through-hole (not shown) is formed in the top wall 12, penetrating the top wall 12 in the gravity direction Z. The wiring connecting the measuring device 62 and the communication device 63 extends to the outside of the housing 10 through the through-hole. The through-hole is closed by a cover member 62a provided on the top wall 12.

[0053] <1st space> As shown in FIG. 1, the accommodation space S is divided into a first space S1 and a second space S2. The first space S1 is a space within the accommodation space S in which the first DC / DC converter 42 and the first accessory 50 are disposed.

[0054] 1 and 3, in the accommodation space S, the first DC / DC converter 42 is arranged on the bottom wall 11. The first DC / DC converter 42 is arranged in a portion of the accommodation space S closer to the second wall 13b in the first direction X. The first DC / DC converter 42 is arranged in a portion of the accommodation space S closer to the third wall 13c in the second direction Y. In other words, the first DC / DC converter 42 is aligned with the fuel cell stack 40 in the direction of gravity Z. The first DC / DC converter 42 is also arranged below the fuel cell stack 40 in the direction of gravity Z.

[0055] The coolant pump 51 is disposed on the bottom wall 11. The coolant pump 51 is disposed in a portion of the storage space S closer to the connection board 14 in the first direction X. The coolant pump 51 is disposed in a portion of the storage space S closer to the first wall portion 13a in the second direction Y. The coolant pump 51 is aligned with the first coolant pipe port 22a in the first direction X.

[0056] The electric compressor 52 is disposed on the lower wall 11. The electric compressor 52 is disposed in a portion of the accommodation space S that is closer to the first wall portion 13a in the second direction Y. The electric compressor 52 is aligned with the air pipe port 23 in the first direction X.

[0057] The hydrogen circulation pump 53 is disposed in a portion of the storage space S closer to the upper wall 12 in the direction of gravity Z. The hydrogen circulation pump 53 is disposed in a portion of the storage space S closer to the connection board 14 in the first direction X. The hydrogen circulation pump 53 is provided in a portion of the storage space S closer to the first wall portion 13a in the second direction Y. The hydrogen circulation pump 53 is aligned with the hydrogen pipe port 25 in the first direction X.

[0058] As described above, the first DC / DC converter 42 and the first accessory 50 are arranged along the bottom wall 11 and the connection board 14 in the accommodation space S. In other words, the first space S1 is a space in which the first accessory 50 is arranged along the connection board 14. Furthermore, the first space S1 is arranged along the bottom wall 11.

[0059] <Second space> The second space S2 is a space within the accommodation space S in which the fuel cell stack 40, the second DC / DC converter 43, and the second auxiliary machine 60 are disposed. The second space S2 is a space within the accommodation space S that is different from the first space S1.

[0060] The second DC / DC converter 43 and the second accessory 60 are each provided in a second accessory installation section 65 provided on the upper surface of the support member 41. The second accessory installation section 65 is provided on the upper surface of the support member 41, closer to the second wall portion 13b in the first direction X. The second accessory installation section 65 is aligned with the fuel cell stack 40 in the first direction X. The second accessory installation section 65 has a first installation surface 65a facing the second wall portion 13b and a second installation surface 65b facing the first wall portion 13a.

[0061] The second DC / DC converter 43 is provided on the second installation surface 65b. That is, the second DC / DC converter 43 is provided in a portion of the accommodation space S that is closer to the upper wall 12 in the direction of gravity Z. In other words, the second DC / DC converter 43 is provided above the support member 41 in the direction of gravity Z. The second DC / DC converter 43 is provided in a portion that is closer to the second wall portion 13b in the first direction X.

[0062] The control device 61 is provided on the first installation surface 65a. That is, the control device 61 is provided in a portion of the accommodation space S that is closer to the upper wall 12 in the direction of gravity Z. In other words, the control device 61 is provided above the support member 41 in the direction of gravity Z. The control device 61 is provided in a portion that is closer to the second wall portion 13b in the first direction X.

[0063] The measuring device 62 is provided on the upper wall 12 and inside the housing 10. The measuring device 62 is provided in a portion of the upper wall 12 that is aligned with the fuel cell stack 40 in the direction of gravity Z in the first direction X and the second direction Y. In other words, the measuring device 62 is disposed in a portion of the upper wall 12 that is closer to the second wall portion 13b in the first direction X.

[0064] As described above, the second DC / DC converter 43 and the second accessory 60 are disposed in a portion of the accommodation space S closer to the second wall 13b in the first direction X. Therefore, the second space S2 is disposed in a portion of the accommodation space S closer to the second wall 13b in the first direction X.

[0065] The second space S2 accommodates the fuel cell stack 40, and can also be said to be a portion that is closer to the second wall portion 13b than the fuel cell stack 40 in the first direction X. Of the accommodation space S, the first space S1 is a portion closer to the connection board 14 in the first direction X, and the second space S2 is a portion closer to the second wall portion 13b. Furthermore, the connection board 14 and the second wall portion 13b are parallel to each other and aligned in the thickness direction of the connection board 14. Therefore, the first space S1 and the second space S2 are aligned in the thickness direction of the connection board 14.

[0066] [Operation of this embodiment] The operation of this embodiment will be described. The first auxiliary device 50 is disposed in a first space S1 of the accommodation space S, which is a space closer to the connection board 14 in the first direction X. The second DC / DC converter 43 and the second auxiliary device 60 are disposed in a second space S2 of the accommodation space S, which is a space different from the first space S1 in the first direction X. In the fuel cell module 100, the first auxiliary device 50 is disposed closer to the connection board 14 than the second DC / DC converter 43 and the second auxiliary device 60. In other words, the first auxiliary device 50, which requires higher-voltage power than the second auxiliary device 60, is disposed closer to the connection board 14 than the second auxiliary device 60.

[0067] [Effects of this embodiment] The effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) In the fuel cell module 100, the distance between the first accessory 50 housed in the first space S1 and the connection board 14 is closer than the distance between the second accessory 60 and the connection board 14. As a result, the wiring connected to the second accessory 60 and having a large diameter can be arranged in the second space S2, which is a space different from the first space S1 that houses the wiring and piping connected to the first accessory 50.

[0068] Furthermore, by arranging the first auxiliary device 50 close to the connection board 14, the distance between each of the pipes connected to the first auxiliary device 50 and the connection port 14a can be shortened. Therefore, the second space S2 aligned in the thickness direction of the connection board 14 can be used for arranging large-diameter wiring and the second auxiliary device 60. Therefore, by arranging the first auxiliary device 50 and the second auxiliary device 60 in the above-described manner inside the housing 10, the fuel cell stack 40, the first auxiliary device 50, and the second auxiliary device 60 can be appropriately arranged in the limited space inside the housing 10.

[0069] (2) The diameters of the pipes through which the coolant, hydrogen, and air flow are larger than the diameters of the wiring connected to the first and second auxiliaries 50 and 60. By accommodating the first auxiliaries 50 in the first space S1, the piping can be positioned near the connection board 14, thereby reducing the area occupied by the piping inside the housing 10. As a result, the proportion of the second space S2 occupied by the piping can be reduced. Therefore, in the fuel cell module 100, the space for accommodating the first auxiliaries 50, the second auxiliaries 60, and the wiring can be made larger within the accommodation space S inside the housing 10 than in a case where the piping is not concentrated in the connection board 14.

[0070] (3) In the storage space S, the first DC / DC converter 42 is disposed on the lower wall 11. The first DC / DC converter 42 is disposed in a location close to the first auxiliary device 50. In the fuel cell module 100, the fuel cell stack 40 discharges water in the direction of gravity Z, and is therefore disposed in a portion of the storage space S closer to the upper wall 12 in the direction of gravity Z. Therefore, in the fuel cell module 100, the first DC / DC converter 42 and the first auxiliary device 50 are each disposed in a portion of the storage space S closer to the lower wall 11 in the direction of gravity Z. In other words, by making the first space S1 a space of the storage space S that is along the lower wall 11, the fuel cell module 100 can use the storage space S more efficiently than if the first space S1 were a space along the upper wall 12.

[0071] (4) The fuel cell module 100 is connected to the load, the radiator 103, the air filter 104, the hydrogen tank 105, and the ion exchanger 106 by respective pipes passing through the connection port 14a. As a result, the fuel cell module 100 can be used in any location in the housing 10 where at least the connection board 14 is open to the outside. More specifically, even if the fuel cell module 100 is mounted on a rack or the like that is open only in one direction, it can be used by aligning the direction in which the connection board 14 faces with that direction.

[0072] [Example of change] The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0073] The connection port 14a does not have to include the air piping port 23. For example, the fuel cell module 100 may include an air filter 104. In this case, the air filter 104 and the electric compressor 52 may be connected via a location in the housing 10 that is different from the connection panel 14.

[0074] The connection port 14a does not have to include the first cooling water pipe port 22a and the second cooling water pipe port 22b. For example, the radiator 103 may be provided in any one of the connection panel 14, the first wall portion 13a, the second wall portion 13b, and the third wall portion 13c of the housing 10. In this case, the fuel cell module 100 includes the first cooling water pipe port 22a and the second cooling water pipe port 22b in the portion where the radiator 103 is provided.

[0075] The connection board 14 does not necessarily have to be provided with the communication connector 32. For example, the communication connector 32 may be provided on any one of the first wall portion 13a, the second wall portion 13b, and the third wall portion 13c.

[0076] The first DC / DC converter 42 may be disposed in the second space S2. The second accessory 60 may include accessories other than the control device 61 and the measurement device 62. The second accessory 60 may be driven by the power stepped down by the second DC / DC converter 43.

[0077] The first accessory 50 may include accessories other than the coolant pump 51 and the electric compressor 52. The first accessory 50 may be any accessory that is driven by the first DC / DC converter 42 or an external power source.

[0078] The arrangement of the first accessories 50 in the first space S1 is not limited to that in the embodiment, and the arrangement of the second accessories 60 in the second space S2 is not limited to that in the embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 10...housing, 11...bottom wall, 12...top wall, 13...side wall, 14...connection panel, 14a...connection port, 31...power connector, 32...communication connector, 40...fuel cell stack, 43...second DC / DC converter as power conversion device, 50...first auxiliary equipment, 51...cooling medium pump, 51a...first cooling introduction piping as cooling piping, 52...electric compressor, 52a...first air supply piping as air piping, 60...second auxiliary equipment, 61...control device, 61a...communication unit, 62...measuring device, 100...fuel cell module, S...accommodation space, S1...first space, S2...second space.

Claims

1. a fuel cell stack; a power conversion device that reduces the voltage of the power input from the fuel cell stack and outputs the reduced voltage; a first auxiliary device that drives the fuel cell stack to generate electricity; a second auxiliary device driven by the power output from the power conversion device; a housing including a lower wall, a side wall extending from the lower wall, and an upper wall that closes an accommodation space defined by the lower wall and the side wall, the housing disposing the fuel cell stack, the power conversion device, the first auxiliary device, and the second auxiliary device in the accommodation space, the side wall includes a power supply connector for supplying electric power generated by the fuel cell stack to a load outside the housing, and a connection board including a connection port through which a pipe passes that connects the outside of the housing with the first auxiliary machine inside the housing; a space in the accommodation space in which the first auxiliary device is disposed along the connection board is defined as a first space, and a space different from the first space in which the fuel cell stack, the power conversion device, and the second auxiliary device are disposed is defined as a second space; The fuel cell module is characterized in that the first space and the second space are aligned in a thickness direction of the connection board.

2. 2. The fuel cell module according to claim 1, wherein the first auxiliary machine comprises a coolant pump that pumps a coolant that cools the fuel cell stack, and an electric compressor that compresses air that is supplied to the fuel cell stack.

3. 3. The fuel cell module according to claim 1, wherein the second auxiliary device comprises a control device that controls the operation of the first auxiliary device, and a measuring device that measures a physical quantity in the accommodation space.

4. 3. The fuel cell module according to claim 1, wherein the first space is along the bottom wall.

5. the connection board includes a communication connector electrically connected to the control device, 4. The fuel cell module according to claim 3, wherein the control device has a communication unit for communicating with the outside, and performs the communication via the communication connector.

6. The connection board has a plurality of connection ports, 3. The fuel cell module according to claim 2, wherein the connection ports include a connection port through which a cooling pipe connected to the cooling medium pump and through which the cooling medium flows passes, and a connection port through which an air pipe that supplies air to the electric compressor passes.

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