Fuel cell unit

Abstract

To provide a fuel cell unit that improves maintainability. [Solution] The fuel cell unit comprises a fuel cell stack, a frame 20 on which the fuel cell stack is mounted, a bracket 30 fastened to the frame 20 by a first bolt B1, and an ion exchanger 40 as a replacement part. The bracket 30 has a fastening portion 32 fastened to the frame 20 by the first bolt B1, and an engaging portion 33 extending downward from the fastening portion 32. The frame 20 has a support portion 22 that engages with the engaging portion 33 and supports the bracket 30. The ion exchanger 40 is supported by the support portion 22 on the frame 20 with an insertion portion provided on either the engaging portion 33 or the support portion 22 fitted into a recess 34 provided on either the engaging portion 33 or the support portion 22. The insertion portion is released from engagement with the recess 34 when the bracket 30 moves upward.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] The fuel cell system described in Patent Document 1 includes a fuel cell stack, a frame for fixing the fuel cell stack, and an ion exchanger as a replacement part. The ion exchanger has a pair of support portions at both axial ends. The ion exchanger is fastened to the frame by a plurality of bolts at each support portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, in order to miniaturize a fuel cell unit, there may be a case where replacement parts are arranged in a narrow space and the replacement parts are supported by a plurality of bolts with respect to a frame. The removal operation of a plurality of bolts in a narrow space makes the removal operation of the replacement parts difficult, and thus there is a risk of deteriorating the maintainability of the fuel cell unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A fuel cell unit for solving the above problems comprises a fuel cell stack housed in a housing, a frame on which the fuel cell stack is mounted and which is housed in the housing, a bracket fastened to the frame by bolts, and a replacement part held by the bracket, wherein the bracket has a fastening portion fastened to the frame by bolts and an engaging portion extending downward from the fastening portion, the frame has a support portion that engages with the engaging portion and supports the bracket, and the replacement part is supported by the support portion to the frame with an insertion portion provided on the other of the engaging portion and the support portion fitted into a recess provided on either the engaging portion or the support portion, and the insertion portion is released from engagement with the recess when the bracket moves upward.

[0006] According to this, the replacement part is attached to the frame by bolts via a bracket and is supported by a support part. With the replacement part supported by the frame, the insertion part is fitted into the recess.

[0007] The replacement part is removed from the frame along with the bracket by first removing the bolts from the bracket and frame, then moving the bracket upward, thereby releasing the engagement between the recess and the insertion part. Compared to a fuel cell unit that, for example, has other bolts in addition to the above-mentioned bolts and uses those other bolts to support the bracket to the frame, it is no longer necessary to remove those other bolts. As a result, the number of parts that need to be removed when taking replacement parts out of the housing of the fuel cell unit can be reduced. In other words, the fuel cell unit supports the bracket to the frame by the engagement of the engagement part and the support part, by fitting the insertion part into the recess, thereby facilitating the removal of replacement parts from the housing. Therefore, the maintainability of the fuel cell unit can be improved.

[0008] In a fuel cell unit, the recess is provided in the engaging portion, and the insertion portion is provided in the support portion. In a fuel cell unit, the frame includes a frame forming portion that extends vertically, and the replacement part is preferably located in the portion of the frame forming portion that is closer to the upper end.

[0009] The replacement of replacement parts is performed by removing bolts from the fastening portion and the frame forming portion, and then lifting the replacement part, which is supported by the support portion on the frame, upward. Therefore, by placing the replacement part in the upper part of the frame forming portion of the fuel cell unit, the replacement of replacement parts can be made easier compared to, for example, when the part is placed in the lower part of the frame forming portion.

[0010] In a fuel cell unit, the replacement part may be an ion exchanger that removes electric charge from the coolant used to cool the fuel cell stack. According to this, within the housing of the fuel cell unit, the ion exchanger is fastened to the frame forming section with bolts and supported by a support section. The fuel cell unit requires periodic replacement of the ion exchanger. Therefore, by making the ion exchanger easily removable from the housing, the maintainability of the fuel cell unit can be improved.

[0011] In a fuel cell unit, the support portion has an insertion portion fixed to the frame and a restricting portion that faces the frame with the recess formed in the portion of the engaging portion interposed therebetween, and the restricting portion is preferably configured to restrict the movement of the engaging portion away from the frame.

[0012] According to this, the restricting part prevents the engaging part and the support part from separating in the direction away from the frame by restricting the movement of the engaging part away from the frame. In other words, the replacement part is less likely to come off the support part in the direction away from the frame compared to when the support part does not have a restricting part. As a result, the fuel cell unit can suppress the replacement part from falling off the support part compared to when the support part does not have a restricting part.

[0013] In the fuel cell unit, the fastening portion is preferably fastened to the frame forming portion by the bolt in the portion of the fastening portion that is aligned horizontally with the upper end of the ion exchanger.

[0014] According to this, the ion exchanger is fastened to the frame forming part at a portion of the fastening part that is horizontally aligned with the upper end of the ion exchanger. Furthermore, the ion exchanger is supported by a support part below the fastening part to the frame. In other words, the operation of removing the ion exchanger from the frame does not involve work inside the housing below the upper end of the ion exchanger. Therefore, the worker performing the operation of removing the ion exchanger does not have to work in the gap formed between the bracket and the frame, for example, located below the fastening part. As a result, the fuel cell unit can be easily removed from the ion exchanger compared to when work in that gap is required.

[0015] In the fuel cell unit, the bolt is preferably not aligned with the ion exchanger in the direction in which the axis of the bolt extends. According to this design, the ion exchanger is not positioned in the direction in which the bolts move when they are removed from the frame and fastenings. This prevents interference between the bolts and the ion exchanger during the process of removing the ion exchanger from the frame. In other words, the fuel cell unit can simplify the removal of the ion exchanger compared to, for example, a case where the ion exchanger is positioned on the axis of the bolts fastened to the frame. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, the maintainability of the fuel cell unit can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a partially broken perspective view showing a fuel cell unit. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an ion exchanger and a bracket. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a frame, an ion exchanger, and a bracket. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a support portion. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a support portion and an engagement portion. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an ion exchanger, a bracket, and a support portion. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a view of an ion exchanger and a bracket as seen from a second direction. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a view of an ion exchanger and a bracket as seen from a vertical direction.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the fuel cell unit will be described. <00​​​​​​​​The enclosure 11 is approximately cubic in shape. In a plan view from the vertical direction Z, the enclosure 11 is approximately square in shape. In the following description, in a plan view from the vertical direction Z, the direction in which one set of edges of the enclosure 11 extends will be described as the first direction X, and the direction in which the other set of edges extends will be described as the second direction Y. Both the first direction X and the second direction Y are perpendicular to the vertical direction Z. Also, the first direction X and the second direction Y are perpendicular to each other. Both the first direction X and the second direction Y coincide with the horizontal direction.

[0020] The fuel cell unit 10 is mounted on an industrial vehicle (not shown) such that the first direction X is the left-right direction in the industrial vehicle, and the second direction Y is the front-rear direction in the industrial vehicle. Here, "front," "rear," "right," and "left" in the industrial vehicle refer to the direction relative to the state in which the operator driving the industrial vehicle is facing forward. In other words, the relationship between "front," "rear," "right," and "left" and the first direction X and the second direction Y in this embodiment is as shown in Figure 1. Note that the fuel cell unit 10 may be mounted on the industrial vehicle facing a different direction than in this embodiment. Even in this case, the following explanation will still hold true by appropriately changing "front," "rear," "right," and "left."

[0021] The housing 11 has a bottom (not shown), four side plates 11a erected on the bottom, and a top plate 11b that closes the space defined by the bottom and the side plates 11a. The top plate 11b is provided on the upper part of the housing 11. Replacement of replacement parts housed inside the housing 11 is performed by removing the top plate 11b from the housing 11 and then using the opening formed in the housing 11 as a result of the removal.

[0022] The fuel cell stack 12 is housed in the casing 11. The fuel cell stack 12 is installed in the right-hand portion of the casing 11 in the first direction X. The fuel cell stack 12 is made up of multiple fuel cell cells (not shown) stacked together. The fuel cell cells are solid molecular fuel cells. The fuel cell stack 12 generates electricity through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen as a fuel gas and oxygen in the air as an oxidizing gas.

[0023] The frame 20 is housed in the housing 11. The frame 20 is constructed by combining multiple members, which are not shown in detail, in each of the vertical direction Z, the first direction X, and the second direction Y.

[0024] The frame 20 has a frame forming section 21 extending in the vertical direction Z, a frame base section 25 on which the fuel cell stack 12 is mounted, and a frame wall section 26 erected on the frame base section 25. The frame 20 includes the frame forming section 21 extending in the vertical direction Z. The fuel cell stack 12 is mounted on the frame base section 25 of the frame 20. Therefore, the frame 20 is equipped with the fuel cell stack 12.

[0025] The frame forming section 21 is one of several members that make up the frame 20. The frame forming section 21 is a plate-like body erected at the bottom of the housing 11. The frame forming section 21 is located in the housing 11, on the right side in the first direction X and towards the rear in the second direction Y. The frame forming section 21 is the part of the frame 20 that is aligned with the fuel cell stack 12 in the second direction Y and is located behind the fuel cell stack 12.

[0026] A radiator 13 and a fan 14 are attached to the frame forming section 21. The radiator 13 is positioned behind the frame forming section 21 in the second direction Y. The fan 14 is positioned in front of the frame forming section 21 in the second direction Y. The fan 14 is located between the fuel cell stack 12 and the frame forming section 21. The frame forming section 21 is interposed between the radiator 13 and the fan 14. The frame forming section 21 has an opening in the center to allow air to flow between the radiator 13 and the fan 14.

[0027] The radiator 13 is connected to the fuel cell stack 12 and the ion exchanger 40, respectively, via piping (not shown). Coolant that has cooled the fuel cell stack 12 flows into the radiator 13. After being cooled in the radiator 13, the coolant flows through the piping towards the fuel cell stack 12. The fan 14 promotes the cooling of the coolant in the radiator 13 by blowing air toward the radiator 13.

[0028] A hydrogen filling device 15 is provided in the frame forming section 21. The hydrogen filling device 15 is provided on the side of the frame forming section 21 facing left in the first direction X. The hydrogen filling device 15 is configured to fill a hydrogen tank 16 installed inside the housing 11 with hydrogen supplied from outside the housing 11.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, the frame 20 has a first frame fastening hole 20a near its upper end. The first frame fastening hole 20a is located in the part of the frame 20 that is above the hydrogen filling device 15 shown in Figure 1. The first frame fastening hole 20a is a through hole that penetrates the frame forming portion 21 in the second direction Y. A female thread is formed on the inner circumferential surface defining the first frame fastening hole 20a.

[0030] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the frame 20 has a second frame fastening hole 20b in the frame forming portion 21, located below the first frame fastening hole 20a. The second frame fastening hole 20b is formed on the same surface as the first frame fastening hole 20a in the frame forming portion 21. The second frame fastening hole 20b is a through hole that penetrates the frame forming portion 21 in the second direction Y. A female thread is formed on the inner circumferential surface defining the second frame fastening hole 20b.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1, the frame base portion 25 is a base erected at the bottom of the housing 11. The frame wall portion 26 is the part of the frame 20 that is towards the front in the second direction Y. The frame wall portion 26 faces a part of the fuel cell stack 12 in the first direction X and the second direction Y. The frame wall portion 26 is composed of a portion whose thickness direction coincides with the first direction X and a portion whose thickness direction coincides with the second direction Y.

[0032] A fuse 27 is installed in the frame wall 26. The fuse 27 is provided in the portion of the frame wall 26 whose thickness direction coincides with the first direction X. The fuse 27 is positioned in the upper part of the interior of the housing 11 by the frame base 25 and the frame wall 26.

[0033] <Support part> As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the frame 20 has a support portion 22 on the frame forming portion 21. The support portion 22 is made of resin material. The support portion 22 is provided on the surface of the frame forming portion 21 that faces forward in the second direction Y, so as to protrude from the frame forming portion 21.

[0034] As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the support portion 22 is a cylindrical body whose outer diameter increases from the first end to the second end in the direction in which the central axis extends. The support portion 22 has an insertion portion 23 and a restricting portion 24. The insertion portion 23 is the part of the support portion 22 in which the outer diameter does not change in the direction in which the central axis of the support portion 22 extends. The insertion portion 23 constitutes the part of the support portion 22 closer to the first end. The dimensions of the support portion 22 in the direction in which the central axis extends are slightly larger than the thickness of the part of the engaging portion 33, which will be described later, in which the recess 34 is formed.

[0035] The restricting portion 24 is the part of the support portion 22 in which the outer diameter increases in the direction in which the central axis of the support portion 22 extends. The restricting portion 24 constitutes the part of the support portion 22 closer to the second end. The part of the restricting portion 24 with the smallest outer diameter is the part that connects to the insertion portion 23. The outer diameter of this part matches the outer diameter of the insertion portion 23. In other words, the outer diameter of the restricting portion 24 is larger than the outer diameter of the insertion portion 23 throughout the entire direction in which the central axis of the support portion 22 extends.

[0036] The support portion 22 extends in the axial direction and has through holes opening at both its first and second ends. The support portion 22 is provided such that the through holes and the second frame fastening holes 20b are aligned in the second direction Y. The support portion 22 is fastened to the frame forming portion 21 by a second bolt B2 that passes through the through holes and is screwed into the female threads of the second frame fastening holes 20b. In other words, the support portion 22 is separate from the frame 20 and is attached to the frame 20 by the second bolt B2.

[0037] The support portion 22 is fastened to the frame forming portion 21 so as to connect with the frame forming portion 21 at its first end. In other words, the insertion portion 23 has one end connected to the frame forming portion 21 and the other end connected to the restricting portion 24 in the direction in which the central axis of the support portion 22 extends.

[0038] <Ion exchanger> As shown in Figure 1, the ion exchanger 40 is mounted on the frame 20. The ion exchanger 40 is located in the upper part of the frame forming section 21. The ion exchanger 40 is connected to the fuel cell stack 12 and the radiator 13 via piping (not shown). The ion exchanger 40 is mounted on the frame forming section 21 via a bracket 30, which will be described in detail later.

[0039] As shown in Figure 2, the ion exchanger 40 includes a bottle 41, a lid 42, and a fixing part 45. The bottle 41 is a container that houses an ion exchange filter (not shown) inside. The lid 42 is provided at one end of the bottle 41 in the direction in which the central axis extends. The lid 42 is formed inside the bottle 41 and closes the space in which the ion exchange filter is housed.

[0040] The cover portion 42 has a band groove 43. The band groove 43 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cover portion 42, extending over the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface. As shown in Figure 7, the lid 42 has a pair of connection ports 42a. Each of the pair of connection ports 42a is connected by a bypass pipe (not shown) to a pipe connecting the fuel cell stack 12 and the radiator 13. Of the pair of connection ports 42a, one connection port 42a is an inlet into the inside of the bottle 41, and the other connection port 42a is an outlet from the inside of the bottle 41.

[0041] The coolant that cools the fuel cell stack 12 flows into the bottle 41 through one of the bypass channels and the connection port 42a connected to the bypass channel. Inside the bottle 41, the coolant passes through an ion exchange filter. The ion exchange filter removes the charge from the coolant that has passed through it. The coolant that has passed through the ion exchange filter flows out of the ion exchanger 40 through a different connection port 42a than the one it passed through during inflow, and through a different bypass channel than the one it passed through during inflow. In this way, the ion exchanger 40 removes the charge from the coolant used to cool the fuel cell stack 12.

[0042] As shown in Figure 2, the fixing portion 45 is formed by fastening two plates 45a together with a plurality of replacement bolts 45b. The fixing portion 45 sandwiches the bottle 41 and the lid portion 42 between the two plates 45a in the direction in which the central axis of the bottle 41 extends. The fixing portion 45 strengthens the connection between the bottle 41 and the lid portion 42 by fastening the two plates 45a that sandwich the bottle 41 and the lid portion 42 with a plurality of replacement bolts 45b.

[0043] <bracket> As shown in Figure 3, the bracket 30 is provided on the frame 20. More specifically, the bracket 30 is provided on the upper end portion of the frame forming section 21. The bracket 30 is provided on the frame 20 while holding the ion exchanger 40. In other words, the ion exchanger 40 is held by the bracket 30. Thus, the ion exchanger 40 is attached to the frame 20 via the bracket 30. As shown in Figure 1, the ion exchanger 40 is provided by the bracket 30 on the upper end portion of the frame forming section 21. The bracket 30 is provided on the portion of the frame forming section 21 that is aligned horizontally with the hydrogen filling device 15.

[0044] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the bracket 30 is provided on the front-facing surface of the frame forming portion 21 in the second direction Y. In other words, the bracket 30 is provided on the surface of the frame forming portion 21 that faces inward towards the housing 11 in the second direction Y, and is on the opposite surface from the surface to which the radiator 13 is attached.

[0045] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the bracket 30 has a main body portion 31, a fastening portion 32, and an engaging portion 33. The main body portion 31 consists of a main body bottom portion 311 and a main body side portion 312. The main body bottom portion 311 is plate-shaped. The main body side portion 312 is elongated plate-shaped. The main body side portion 312 is erected on the main body bottom portion 311. More specifically, the main body side portion 312 is erected on the part of the main body bottom portion 311 closer to the edge. The longitudinal direction of the main body side portion 312 coincides with the thickness direction of the main body bottom portion 311. In other words, the main body side portion 312 is connected to the main body bottom portion 311 at its first end in the longitudinal direction.

[0046] As shown in Figure 2, the bracket 30 holds the ion exchanger 40 by the main body portion 31. The ion exchanger 40 is placed on the surface of the main body bottom portion 311 on which the main body side portion 312 is erected. More specifically, the ion exchanger 40 is placed on the main body bottom portion 311 with the bottle 41 and lid portion 42 facing the main body side portion 312.

[0047] The ion exchanger 40 is fixed to the main body side portion 312 by a fixing band 44 wrapped around the portion of the main body side portion 312 near the second end and the lid portion 42. The fixing band 44 restricts the longitudinal movement of the main body side portion 312 by the band groove 43 and the main body side portion 312. The longitudinal length of the main body side portion 312 is slightly shorter than the axial length of the ion exchanger 40. More specifically, in the vertical direction Z, the upper end surface of the ion exchanger 40 is above the second end of the main body side portion 312.

[0048] The fastening portion 32 is connected to the main body side portion 312 of the main body portion 31. The fastening portion 32 is connected to the portion of the main body side portion 312 closer to the second end. The fastening portion 32 is provided on the side of the main body side portion 312 opposite to the surface facing the bottle 41 and the lid portion 42. The fastening portion 32 is fixed to the main body side portion 312 by welding.

[0049] In a plan view of the main body side portion 312 from the longitudinal direction, the fastening portion 32, the main body side portion 312, and the central portion of the main body bottom portion 311 are arranged in this order. In other words, in a plan view of the main body side portion 312 from the longitudinal direction, the main body side portion 312 is interposed between the central portion of the main body bottom portion 311 and the fastening portion 32.

[0050] As shown in Figure 3, the fastening portion 32 has a pair of fastening legs 321, a fastening body portion 322, and an extended portion 323. Note that only one of the pair of fastening legs 321 is shown in Figure 2. The pair of fastening legs 321 are plate-like bodies erected on the body side portion 312. The pair of fastening legs 321 are provided on the fastening body portion 322 so as to face each other. The pair of fastening legs 321 are erected on the opposite side of the body side portion 312 from the side facing the bottle 41 and the lid portion 42. The pair of fastening legs 321 are welded to the body side portion 312. The fastening portion 32 is provided on the body portion 31 by welding the pair of fastening legs 321 to the body side portion 312.

[0051] The fastening body portion 322 is plate-shaped. The fastening body portion 322 is the portion of the fastening portion 32 that is connected to each of the pair of fastening legs 321 while being separated from the main body side portion 312. The fastening body portion 322 faces the main body side portion 312 in the thickness direction. The thickness direction of the fastening body portion 322 coincides with the thickness direction of the portion of the main body side portion 312 that the fastening body portion 322 faces.

[0052] As shown in Figure 2, the extended portion 323 is the part of the fastening portion 32 that extends from the fastening main body portion 322 along the longitudinal direction of the main body side portion 312. The extended portion 323 is a plate-like body having a thickness direction parallel to the thickness direction of the fastening main body portion 322. The extended portion 323 is formed when the fastening main body portion 322 extends in a direction toward the second end of the main body side portion 312.

[0053] As shown in Figure 3, the extended portion 323 has a portion that is not aligned with the main body side portion 312 in the thickness direction, and has a bracket fastening hole 32a in that portion. The bracket fastening hole 32a is not facing the main body side portion 312 in the opening direction. As shown in Figure 7, the bracket fastening hole 32a is provided in the portion of the fastening portion 32 that is closer to the upper end. The bracket fastening hole 32a is provided in the portion of the extended portion 323 that is aligned with the upper end of the ion exchanger 40 in the horizontal direction.

[0054] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the engaging portion 33 is the part of the bracket 30 that is connected to the fastening portion 32. More specifically, the engaging portion 33 is connected to the surface of the fastening body portion 322 that faces the body side portion 312. The engaging portion 33 is elongated in shape. The longitudinal direction of the engaging portion 33 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the body side portion 312.

[0055] As shown in Figures 3 and 6, the engaging portion 33 is connected to the fastening body portion 322 at its first end in the longitudinal direction. More specifically, the first end of the engaging portion 33 is welded to the fastening body portion 322. The direction from the first end to the second end of the engaging portion 33 coincides with the direction from the second end to the first end of the body side portion 312. In other words, the engaging portion 33 extends in the longitudinal direction from the fastening body portion 322 toward the body bottom portion 311.

[0056] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the engaging portion 33 has a recess 34 formed at its second end in the longitudinal direction. In other words, the engaging portion 33 is provided with a recess 34. The recess 34 is formed by cutting out the second end of the engaging portion 33 in the longitudinal direction of the engaging portion 33. In other words, the recess 34 is the portion of the second end of the engaging portion 33 that is recessed from the surrounding area in the longitudinal direction of the engaging portion 33. The recess 34 is located in the engaging portion 33 in the longitudinal direction of the main body side portion 312, between the main body bottom portion 311 and the fastening portion 32. The recess 34 opens toward the main body bottom portion 311 in the longitudinal direction.

[0057] As shown in Figure 6, the dimension in the thickness direction of the portion of the engaging portion 33 in which the recess 34 is formed is slightly smaller than the length of the insertion portion 23 in the direction in which the central axis of the insertion portion 23 extends.

[0058] <Positional relationship between bracket and frame> As shown in Figure 3, the bracket 30 is provided in the frame forming section 21 such that the bracket fastening hole 32a and the first frame fastening hole 20a are aligned in the second direction Y. In other words, the bracket 30 is provided in the frame forming section 21 such that the extended portion 323 faces the first frame fastening hole 20a. The bracket 30 is provided in the frame forming section 21 such that the bracket fastening hole 32a is forward of the first frame fastening hole 20a.

[0059] As shown in Figures 3 and 6, the bracket 30 is attached to the frame forming portion 21 with the fastening portion 32, the engaging portion 33, and the support portion 22 interposed between the main body portion 31 and the frame forming portion 21. In the second direction Y, the frame forming portion 21, the fastening portion 32, and the main body portion 31 are arranged in this order. Also, the thickness directions of the main body side portion 312, the fastening main body portion 322, and the engaging portion 33 coincide with the second direction Y.

[0060] As shown in Figure 3, the extended portion 323 can also be said to be formed by the fastening body portion 322 extending upward along the frame forming portion 21. Therefore, the extended portion 323 extends upward along the frame forming portion 21.

[0061] The bracket 30 is attached to the frame 20 such that the fastening portion 32 is above the engaging portion 33 in the vertical direction Z. Therefore, the engaging portion 33 can also be said to be the part of the bracket 30 that extends downward from the fastening portion 32. Thus, the bracket 30 has an engaging portion 33 that extends downward from the fastening portion 32.

[0062] The bracket 30 is attached to the frame 20 such that the vertical direction Z coincides with the longitudinal direction of the main body side portion 312. More specifically, the bracket 30 is provided on the frame forming portion 21 such that the first end of the main body side portion 312 is lower than the second end. Therefore, the main body side portion 312 is located above the main body bottom portion 311 in the vertical direction Z.

[0063] The bracket 30 is attached to the frame 20 by a first bolt B1 inserted into the bracket fastening hole 32a and the first frame fastening hole 20a. More specifically, the first bolt B1 fastens the bracket 30 to the frame forming part 21 by screwing it into the frame forming part 21 while passing through the bracket fastening hole 32a. In other words, the bracket 30 is fastened to the frame 20 by the first bolt B1. Thus, the fastening part 32 can also be said to be the part of the bracket 30 that is fastened to the frame 20 by the first bolt B1. In other words, the bracket 30 has a fastening part 32 that is fastened to the frame 20.

[0064] As shown in Figure 7, the fastening portion 32 is fastened to the frame forming portion 21 by the first bolt B1 in the portion of the fastening portion 32 that is horizontally aligned with the upper end of the ion exchanger 40. More specifically, the fastening portion 32 is fastened to the frame forming portion 21 by the first bolt B1 that penetrates the extended portion 323. The fastening portion 32 is fastened to the frame forming portion 21 by the first bolt B1 in the portion of the extended portion 323 that is horizontally aligned with the upper plate 45a. Therefore, it can also be said that the fastening portion 32 is fastened to the frame forming portion 21 by the first bolt B1 in the portion of the extended portion 323 that is above the connection port 42a of the ion exchanger 40.

[0065] As shown in Figure 8, the central axis of the first bolt B1 will be referred to as axis LB hereafter. The direction in which axis LB extends coincides with the opening directions of the bracket fastening hole 32a and the first frame fastening hole 20a, respectively. Furthermore, the direction in which axis LB extends coincides with the thickness directions of the fastening body portion 322 and the extending portion 323, respectively. The first bolt B1 is provided in the fastening portion 32 at a position that does not overlap with the body portion 31 when viewed from the direction in which axis LB extends. In other words, the first bolt B1 is not aligned with the ion exchanger 40 in the direction in which axis LB extends.

[0066] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the bracket 30 is provided on the frame forming portion 21 by engaging the insertion portion 23 of the support portion 22 with the recess 34 of the engaging portion 33. More specifically, the bracket 30 is provided on the frame forming portion 21 by fitting the insertion portion 23, which protrudes from the frame forming portion 21, into the recess 34. The bracket 30 is attached to the frame 20 by fitting the insertion portion 23, which is convex relative to the recess 34, such that in the vertical direction Z, the engaging portion 33 is on the upper side and the support portion 22 is on the lower side. In this way, the bracket 30 is supported on the frame 20 in such a way that the engagement between the recess 34 and the insertion portion 23 can be released by moving the bracket 30 upward. In other words, the frame 20 has a support portion 22 that engages with the engaging portion 33 and supports the bracket 30.

[0067] As described above, the recess 34 is provided on either the engaging portion 33 or the support portion 22, and the insertion portion 23 is provided on the other of the engaging portion 33 or the support portion 22. In this embodiment, the recess 34 is provided on the engaging portion 33, and the insertion portion 23 is provided on the support portion 22.

[0068] As shown in Figures 3 and 6, the ion exchanger 40 is supported by the support portion 22 via the bracket 30 to the frame 20. The ion exchanger 40 is supported by the support portion 22 by fitting the insertion portion 23 into the recess 34, such that a portion of the engaging portion 33 that forms the recess 34 is placed on the support portion 22. In other words, the ion exchanger 40 is supported by the support portion 22 to the frame 20 with the insertion portion 23 provided on the support portion 22 fitted into the recess 34 provided on the engaging portion 33. By fitting the insertion portion 23 into the recess 34, the ion exchanger 40 is supported by the support portion 22 to the frame 20 in a state where the engagement between the recess 34 and the insertion portion 23 can be released by moving upward.

[0069] As shown in Figure 6, with the insertion portion 23 fitted into the recess 34, the engaging portion 33 is sandwiched between the frame forming portion 21 and the restricting portion 24. More specifically, the portion of the engaging portion 33 in which the recess 34 is formed faces the frame forming portion 21 on one surface in the thickness direction and faces the restricting portion 24 on the other surface. In the second direction Y, the frame forming portion 21, the engaging portion 33, and the restricting portion 24 are arranged in this order. In other words, the restricting portion 24 faces the frame 20 with the insertion portion 23 fixed to the frame 20 and the portion of the engaging portion 33 in which the recess 34 is formed interposed therebetween.

[0070] The engaging portion 33 is restricted from moving along the central axis of the insertion portion 23 by the frame forming portion 21 and the restricting portion 24, respectively. In other words, the engaging portion 33 is restricted from moving in the second direction Y by the frame forming portion 21 and the restricting portion 24, respectively. More specifically, the movement of the engaging portion 33 along the insertion portion 23 from the restricting portion 24 toward the frame forming portion 21 is restricted by the frame forming portion 21. Furthermore, the movement of the engaging portion 33 along the insertion portion 23 toward the frame forming portion 21 toward the restricting portion 24 is restricted by the restricting portion 24. In short, the restricting portion 24 is configured to restrict the movement of the engaging portion 33 toward the frame 20.

[0071] [Operation of this embodiment] The operation of this embodiment will now be explained. The ion exchanger 40, which is a replacement part, is attached to the frame 20 via a bracket 30 and a first bolt B1, and is also supported by a support part 22. Furthermore, with the ion exchanger 40 supported by the frame 20, the insertion part 23 is fitted into the recess 34.

[0072] The ion exchanger 40 is removed from the frame 20 together with the bracket 30 by removing the first bolt B1 from the bracket 30 and the frame 20, and then moving the bracket 30 upward along the vertical direction Z. As the bracket 30 moves upward, the insertion portion 23 is released from engagement with the recess 34. As a result, the engagement portion 33 separates from the support portion 22. With the bracket 30 removed from the frame 20, the ion exchanger 40 is removed from inside the housing 11. As described above, the process of removing the ion exchanger 40 from the housing 11 consists of removing the first bolt B1 and moving the ion exchanger 40 upward together with the bracket 30.

[0073] [Effects of this embodiment] The effects of this embodiment will now be explained. (1) In the fuel cell unit 10, the ion exchanger 40 is attached to the frame 20 by fastening the bracket 30 to the frame 20 with the first bolt B1, and by supporting the bracket 30 with the support part 22. The fuel cell unit 10 has, for example, other bolts in addition to the first bolt B1, and these other bolts support the bracket 30 to the frame 20, eliminating the need to remove these other bolts. As a result, the number of parts that need to be removed when taking the ion exchanger 40 out of the housing 11 can be reduced in the fuel cell unit 10.

[0074] In other words, the fuel cell unit 10 facilitates the removal of the ion exchanger 40 from the housing 11 by supporting the bracket 30 to the frame 20 through the engagement of the engaging portion 33 and the support portion 22. As a result, the fuel cell unit 10 can improve maintainability.

[0075] (2) The bracket 30 is provided in the portion of the frame forming section 21 that is aligned horizontally with the hydrogen refueling device 15. For example, consider the case where the bracket 30 is fastened to the frame forming section 21 by bolts at the portion where the engaging portion 33 and the support portion 22 are engaged. In this case, the removal of the bolts is performed in the narrow space defined by the bracket 30, the frame 20, and the hydrogen refueling device 15. In contrast to this case, in the fuel cell unit 10, the engaging portion 33 and the support portion 22 are engaged in the portion aligned horizontally with the hydrogen refueling device 15 in order to support the bracket 30 with respect to the frame 20. In other words, in the fuel cell unit 10, the bracket 30 can be removed from the frame 20 without having to remove bolts in the narrow space defined by the bracket 30, the frame 20, and the hydrogen refueling device 15. In other words, the fuel cell unit 10 makes it easy to remove the bracket 30 even when the hydrogen refueling devices 15 are aligned horizontally.

[0076] Furthermore, even if, for example, components other than the hydrogen refueling device 15 are arranged horizontally with the bracket 30, the fuel cell unit 10 can still be easily removed from the bracket 30, as described above. Thus, even if other components are installed in the area arranged horizontally with the bracket 30, the fuel cell unit 10 can still be easily removed from the bracket 30 and maintainability can be improved.

[0077] (3) The ion exchanger 40 is replaced by removing the first bolt B1 from the fastening portion 32 and the frame forming portion 21 while lifting the ion exchanger 40 upward. Therefore, by positioning the ion exchanger 40 closer to the upper end of the frame forming portion 21 compared to the case where the ion exchanger 40 is positioned at the lower end of the frame forming portion 21, the replacement of the ion exchanger 40 can be made easier in the fuel cell unit 10.

[0078] (4) The ion exchanger 40 is a component in the fuel cell unit 10 that is frequently replaced. Therefore, the fuel cell unit 10 can be made more maintainable by making it easy to remove the ion exchanger 40 from the housing 11.

[0079] (5) The restricting portion 24 restricts the movement of the engaging portion 33 away from the frame 20, thereby preventing the engaging portion 33 and the support portion 22 from separating in that direction. In other words, the ion exchanger 40 is less likely to detach from the support portion 22 in the direction away from the frame 20 compared to when the support portion 22 does not have the restricting portion 24. As a result, the fuel cell unit 10 can prevent the ion exchanger 40 from falling off the support portion 22 compared to when the support portion 22 does not have the restricting portion 24.

[0080] (6) The ion exchanger 40 is fastened to the frame forming part 21 at the portion of the fastening part 32 that is aligned horizontally with the upper end of the ion exchanger 40. The ion exchanger 40 is also supported by the support part 22 located below the fastening part 32 on the frame 20. In other words, the work of removing the ion exchanger 40 from the frame 20 does not involve work on the housing 11 below the upper end of the ion exchanger 40. For this reason, the worker performing the work of removing the ion exchanger 40 does not have to work in the gap formed between the bracket 30 and the frame 20, which is located below the fastening part 32. In other words, the ion exchanger 40 can be removed from the fuel cell unit 10 more easily than when work in that gap is required.

[0081] (7) The ion exchanger 40 is not positioned in the direction in which the first bolt B1 moves when the first bolt B1 is removed from the frame 20 and fastening portion 32. This prevents interference between the first bolt B1 and the ion exchanger 40 during the process of removing the ion exchanger 40 from the frame 20. In other words, the fuel cell unit 10 can make the removal of the ion exchanger 40 easier compared to, for example, the case where the ion exchanger 40 is positioned on the axis LB of the first bolt B1.

[0082] (8) Since the support section 22 is separate from the frame 20, if the support section 22 needs to be replaced due to deterioration over time, for example, only the support section 22 needs to be replaced without replacing the frame 20. In other words, the fuel cell unit 10 can be made more maintainable compared to, for example, a case where the support section 22 and the frame 20 are integrated.

[0083] (9) Since the support portion 22 is made of resin, the wear of the engaging portion 33 due to contact with the support portion 22 is reduced compared to, for example, the case in which the support portion 22 is made of metal. In other words, even when frequent replacement work is required in the ion exchanger 40, the wear of the engaging portion 33 in each replacement work can be reduced. As a result, the fuel cell unit 10 can suppress an increase in the replacement frequency of the bracket 30 and the support portion 22, even when the ion exchanger 40 is replaced frequently, compared to the case in which the support portion 22 is made of metal.

[0084] (10) In the bracket 30, the fastening portion 32 and the engaging portion 33 are separate. Therefore, even if the shape of the insertion portion 23 in the support portion 22 is changed, it is only necessary to replace the engaging portion 33 of the bracket 30 with an engaging portion 33 having a recess 34 into which the insertion portion 23 can be fitted. In other words, compared to the case where the fastening portion 32 and the engaging portion 33 are integrally molded, the fuel cell unit 10 allows for easy replacement of the engaging portion 33 according to the shape of the support portion 22.

[0085] [Example of changes] The above embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0086] ○ The first bolt B1 may be aligned with the ion exchanger 40 in the direction in which the axis LB extends. In this case, a space is provided between the first bolt B1 and the ion exchanger 40 in the direction in which the axis LB extends, for the purpose of removing the first bolt B1.

[0087] ○ The fastening portion 32 does not necessarily have to be fastened to the frame forming portion 21 by the first bolt B1 in the portion of the extending portion 323 that is aligned horizontally with the upper end of the ion exchanger 40. For example, the fastening portion 32 may be fastened to the frame forming portion 21 by the first bolt B1 in the portion that is aligned horizontally with the lid portion 42 of the ion exchanger 40.

[0088] ○ The fastening portion 32 does not necessarily have to have an extended portion 323. In this case, the bracket fastening hole 32a is formed in the fastening body portion 322. ○ The support portion 22 does not necessarily have a restricting portion 24. In this case, it is preferable that the movement of the engaging portion 33 along the insertion portion 23 is suppressed, for example, by applying an anti-slip treatment to the surface of the insertion portion 23.

[0089] ○ The ion exchanger 40 does not necessarily have to be located near the upper end of the frame forming section 21. ○ The ion exchanger 40 does not have to be provided in the frame forming section 21. The ion exchanger 40 may be provided, for example, in the frame base section 25. In short, the ion exchanger 40 only needs to be provided in the frame 20. In this case, it is preferable that the ion exchanger 40 be positioned towards the top inside the housing 11.

[0090] ○ The recess 34 may be formed in the support portion 22. Also, the insertion portion 23 may be formed in the engagement portion 33. In this case, the ion exchanger 40 is supported by the support portion 22 against the frame 20 with the insertion portion 23 provided in the engagement portion 33 fitted into the recess 34 provided in the support portion 22.

[0091] ○ The replacement parts are not limited to the ion exchanger 40. The ion exchanger 40 may be, for example, a fuse 27. In this case, the fuse 27 has a bracket (not shown) and is fastened and supported to the frame 20 by the bracket. In short, any replacement part that is attached to the frame 20 is acceptable.

[0092] ○ The support portion 22 does not have to be separate from the frame 20. For example, the fuel cell unit 10 may have a support portion 22 which is a part of the frame 20 and is formed by processing the frame 20.

[0093] ○ The support part 22 does not have to be made of resin. For example, the support part 22 may be made of metal. ○ In the bracket 30, the fastening portion 32 and the engaging portion 33 may be integrally molded. In this case, the fastening portion 32 and the engaging portion 33 are molded as a single member, and this single member is welded to the main body side portion 312.

[0094] [Note] The technical concepts that can be understood from the above embodiments and modified examples are described below. <Note 1>When the bolt is referred to as the first bolt, the fuel cell unit has a second bolt that penetrates the support portion and is fastened to the frame, the support portion being separate from the frame and attached to the frame by the second bolt.

[0095] <Note 2> The support part is made of resin material, and is a fuel cell unit. <Note 3> The fastening portion and the engaging portion are separate components of the fuel cell unit. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0096] 10...Fuel cell unit, 11...Housing, 12...Fuel cell stack, 20...Frame, 21...Frame forming part, 22...Support part, 23...Insertion part, 24...Restricting part, 30...Bracket, 32...Fastening part, 33...Engaging part, 34...Recess, 40...Ion exchanger as a replacement part, B1...First bolt as a bolt, LB...Axis, Z...Vertical direction.

Claims

1. The fuel cell stack housed in the enclosure, The frame, which is mounted on the aforementioned fuel cell stack and housed in the aforementioned housing, A bracket fastened to the frame by bolts, A fuel cell unit having a replacement part held in the bracket, The aforementioned bracket is The fastening portion fastened to the frame by the bolt, It has an engaging portion that extends downward from the fastening portion, The frame has a support portion that engages with the engaging portion and supports the bracket, The replacement part is supported by the support portion on the frame, with an insertion portion provided on the other of the engagement portion and the support portion fitted into a recess provided on either the engagement portion or the support portion. The insertion portion is a fuel cell unit in which the engagement with the recess is released when the bracket moves upward.

2. The recess is provided in the engaging portion, The fuel cell unit according to claim 1, wherein the insertion portion is provided on the support portion.

3. The frame includes a frame forming portion that extends in the vertical direction. The fuel cell unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the replacement part is located in the portion of the frame forming portion that is closer to the upper end of the frame forming portion.

4. The fuel cell unit according to claim 3, wherein the replacement part is an ion exchanger that removes charge from the coolant used to cool the fuel cell stack.

5. The support portion has an insertion portion fixed to the frame and a restricting portion that faces the frame with the recess formed in the portion of the engaging portion interposed therebetween, The fuel cell unit according to claim 2, wherein the restricting portion is configured to restrict the movement of the engaging portion in a direction away from the frame.

6. The fuel cell unit according to claim 4, wherein the fastening portion is fastened to the frame forming portion by the bolt in the portion of the fastening portion that is aligned horizontally with the upper end of the ion exchanger.

7. The fuel cell unit according to claim 6, wherein the bolt is not aligned with the ion exchanger in the direction in which the axis of the bolt extends.

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