fuel cell device

Abstract

To provide a fuel cell device with excellent maintainability, allowing easy access to internal components when the panel is removed. [Solution] The fuel cell device 100 has a rectangular parallelepiped housing 50 having a top panel 52, side panels (a pair of long side panels 53, 54 and a pair of long side panels 55, 56), and a bottom plate 51. The short side panels 53, 54 are self-supporting by being locked to the bottom plate 51, and the long side panels 55, 56 are temporarily fixed by being locked to the bottom plate 51 and the short side panels 53, 54. The bent portions 554 provided at the ends of the long side panels fit into the recesses 533 provided at the ends of the short side panels. As a result, the side panels 53-56 can be attached to the bottom plate 51 without using a frame to fix the panels, so the problem of the frame getting in the way and making it difficult to access the equipment to be repaired is eliminated, resulting in excellent maintainability.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] A fuel cell device that generates electricity using a fuel gas containing hydrogen and an oxygen-containing gas (air) and supplies electricity to the outside is known. As shown in, for example, Patent Document 1, the structure of such a fuel cell device includes a plurality of devices constituting a system inside a housing, and the housing is composed of a plurality of panels and a frame. Specifically, a base panel constituting the bottom wall of the housing is installed, and a center frame is assembled at the center of this base panel. Further, a plurality of side frames are provided separately from the center frame. These frames are a framework for maintaining the strength of the system and also support members for attaching panels constituting the sides.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above configuration, there is an advantage that the strength of the housing is improved by providing the frame, and the positioning of the panel to be attached later can be achieved. However, since the frame remains even when the panel is removed, when the panel is removed for maintenance or the like, the frame may get in the way and it may be difficult to easily access the internal devices.

[0005] Especially in ordinary houses, it is expected that the fuel cell device will be installed in a narrow space and sufficient space for maintenance cannot be secured. Therefore, having a structure that is easy to maintain is an important issue.

[0006] The present invention aims to solve the above problems and to provide a fuel cell device with excellent maintainability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to a rectangular parallelepiped housing having a top panel, a plurality of side panels, and a bottom plate, A fuel cell system equipped with a fuel cell module that generates electricity using fuel gas and oxygen-containing gas, The plurality of side panels comprises a pair of short side panels and a pair of long side panels. The aforementioned short side panel is secured to the bottom plate and stands on its own. The long side panel is temporarily fixed by engaging with the bottom plate and the short side panel. A recess is provided at the end of the short side panel. The end of the long side panel is provided with a bent portion that is folded inward towards the housing. This fuel cell device has the bent portion fitted into the recess. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] As described above, the enclosure can be assembled without using a frame, allowing for easy access to the internal components when the panels are removed, resulting in a fuel cell device with excellent maintainability. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a system configuration diagram of the fuel cell device of this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an exploded view of the housing of the fuel cell device of this embodiment. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the structure of the first locking part of this embodiment. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the structure of the second locking part of this embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a top view of the second locking hole of this embodiment. [Figure 6] This diagram shows the structure of the third locking part of this embodiment. [Figure 7] This diagram shows the structure of the right side panel of this embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a top view of the housing showing the connecting member of this embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view showing the fitted state of the short side panel and the long side panel of this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be briefly described by illustrating its operation.

[0011] The present invention relates to a fuel cell device having a rectangular parallelepiped housing comprising a top panel, a plurality of side panels, and a bottom plate. The plurality of side panels consist of a pair of short side panels and a pair of long side panels. The short side panels are self-supporting by being locked to the bottom plate, and the long side panels are temporarily fixed by being locked to the bottom plate and the short side panels. This allows the side panels to be attached to the bottom plate without using a frame to fix the panels. Therefore, when panels are removed for maintenance, the problem of the frame obstructing access to the equipment to be repaired does not occur, resulting in excellent maintainability. Furthermore, since no frame is required, the weight of the fuel cell device is reduced, and the cost of materials is also reduced.

[0012] Furthermore, it has a first locking portion that locks the bottom plate and the short side panel, and this first locking portion consists of a first locking piece and a first locking hole. This first locking portion allows the short side panel to stand independently of the bottom plate, making it easy to attach the long side panel.

[0013] It also has a second locking portion for locking the bottom plate and the long side panel, and a third locking portion for locking one of the short side panels and the long side panel. The second locking piece provided on the bottom plate and the third locking piece provided on the short side panel project upward. That is, both the second locking piece and the third locking piece for locking the long side panel to be attached later project upward. Thereby, when attaching the long side panel, it can be easily locked to the second and third locking pieces, so that the assemblability is excellent.

[0014] Regarding the locking between the bottom plate and the long side panel, the second locking hole is trapezoidal, and the second locking piece is trapezoidal with a short width at the tip. That is, when inserting the second locking piece into the second locking hole, since the width of the tip of the second locking piece is short, the clearance with respect to the locking hole is large and it is easy to insert. Further, when the second locking piece is inserted and the long side panel reaches the specified position, the thick portion at the root of the second locking piece fits into the second locking hole and is positioned, so that the assemblability is excellent.

[0015] It also includes a set of long side panels and a coupling member that couples one of the short side panels at the upper end. Thereby, since the three panels constituting the side surface are coupled by one member, the strength of the housing can be improved.

[0016] In addition, a concave portion is provided at the end of the short side panel, a bent portion bent inward of the housing is provided at the end of the long side panel, and the bent portion fits into the concave portion. Thereby, it is possible to prevent rainwater and the like from entering the inside of the device between adjacent side panels, so that the durability is also excellent.

[0017] One of the short side panels is a maintenance panel and is composed of a plurality of dividable panels, and one of them is locked to the bottom plate and stands independently. Thereby, during maintenance, by removing the panel that is not locked to the bottom plate among the plurality of panels, it is possible to easily access the inside of the device, so that the maintainability can be improved.

Example

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] Figure 1 is a system configuration diagram of the fuel cell device of this embodiment. The fuel cell device 100 includes a fuel cell module 1, and several auxiliary devices such as a first heat exchanger 2, a heat storage tank 3, a condensate tank 4, a radiator 5, an air supply device 14, a fuel supply device 15, and a reformed water supply device 16 are housed within the housing 50 to operate the fuel cell module 1. It is not necessary for all of the above-mentioned devices to be housed within the housing 50; for example, the first heat exchanger 2 and the heat storage tank 3 may be provided outside the housing 50. Furthermore, a fuel cell device in which some of the above-mentioned devices are omitted is also possible.

[0020] The fuel cell module 1 is constructed by housing a fuel cell 11 that generates electricity using fuel gas and oxygen-containing gas, and a reformer 12 that generates the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell 11, inside a box-shaped storage container 10.

[0021] The configuration of the fuel cell 11 is not particularly limited, but for example, it may have a cell stack structure in which multiple fuel cell cells are arranged. The fuel cell 11 with a cell stack structure is constructed, for example, by fixing the lower end of each fuel cell to a manifold using an insulating bonding material such as a glass seal material.

[0022] The reformer 12 steam reforms raw fuel gases such as natural gas and LPG to produce fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell 11. The reformer 12 is connected to a fuel supply device 15 that supplies raw fuel gas and a reformed water supply device 16 that supplies reformed water. The raw fuel gas and reformed water undergo a reforming reaction in the heated reformer 12 to produce fuel gas containing hydrogen.

[0023] The fuel cell 11 is supplied with fuel gas produced in the reformer 12 and air (oxygen-containing gas) introduced by the air supply device 14. As the fuel gas passes through the fuel cell cell, it reacts with the oxygen-containing gas to generate electricity. The fuel gas and oxygen-containing gas that are not used for power generation merge and burn at the top of the fuel cell 11. This combustion of fuel gas generates high-temperature exhaust gas, which heats the reformer 12. The exhaust gas generated in this way within the fuel cell module 1 is supplied to the first heat exchanger 2.

[0024] The first heat exchanger 2 is connected to a heat storage tank 3, a heat transfer pump P1, and a radiator 5 via piping, forming a first heat transfer circulation line HC1. A heat transfer medium is introduced into this first heat transfer circulation line HC1, and heat exchange takes place between this heat transfer medium and the aforementioned exhaust gas in the first heat exchanger 2, heating the heat transfer medium. Water or other materials can be used as the heat transfer medium, and the heat storage tank 3 stores the heat transfer medium whose temperature has risen due to heat exchange. The heat transfer medium stored in the heat storage tank 3 is sent to the radiator 5 to be cooled, and after exchanging heat with the exhaust gas again in the first heat exchanger 2, it is returned to the heat storage tank 3. As a result, the heat transfer medium with the highest temperature is stored in the heat storage tank 3 from the top, forming a temperature stratification.

[0025] Furthermore, a condensate tank 4 is connected to the first heat exchanger 2 via a condensate recovery channel 20. When the exhaust gas generated by the fuel cell module 1 is cooled by heat exchange, the water vapor contained in the exhaust gas is separated into water and gas, and the separated water is recovered into the condensate tank 4 through the condensate recovery channel 20. In the condensate tank 4, impurities are removed from the recovered water through an ion exchanger (not shown) and the like to produce pure water. The purified water is supplied to the reformer 12 by a water supply device 16 and used as reformed water. On the other hand, the gas from which the water has been removed is discharged outside the housing 50 after passing through the exhaust channel 21.

[0026] The fuel supply device 15, which supplies raw fuel to the reformer 12, is equipped with auxiliary equipment such as a first solenoid valve V1, a pressure sensor PS, a desulfurizer DS, a gas flow meter FM1, a fuel pump B1, and a second solenoid valve V2 on the raw fuel flow path 22 that extends from the fuel supply source. The reformed water supply device 16, which supplies reformed water to the reformer 12, is equipped with auxiliary equipment such as a reformed water pump P3 on the reformed water flow path 23 that extends from the condensate tank 4. The air supply device 14, which supplies oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cell module 1, is equipped with auxiliary equipment such as an air flow meter FM2 and a blower B2 on the oxygen-containing gas flow path 24. Note that the auxiliary equipment listed here is just an example, and other configurations with other auxiliary equipment are also possible.

[0027] Furthermore, the fuel cell device 100 is equipped with a control device 30 for controlling the operation of various devices, as well as a power supply adjustment unit (power conditioner) 40 for converting the DC power generated by the fuel cell module 1 into AC power and adjusting the amount of the converted electricity supplied to the external load.

[0028] The fuel cell system 100 may also include a second heat exchanger 6, a heat supply pump P2 for circulating the heat transfer medium from the heat storage tank 3, and a second heat transfer medium circulation line HC2 including piping connecting these. In the second heat transfer medium circulation line HC2, tap water supplied from the outside via a supply channel 25 is heated in the second heat exchanger 6 using a high-temperature heat transfer medium stored in the heat storage tank 3. The heated water can be supplied to an external reheating device such as a water heater via a supply channel 26. The fuel cell system 100 may also be a so-called monogeneration system that does not supply hot water to the outside.

[0029] Next, the housing 50 of the fuel cell device 100 will be described using Figures 2 to 9. In the following figures, for illustrative purposes, the fuel cell module 1 and auxiliary equipment housed within the housing 50 may be omitted.

[0030] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the housing of the fuel cell device of this embodiment. The housing 50 of the fuel cell device 100 is rectangular in shape and comprises a bottom plate 51, a top panel 52, and a plurality of side panels 53 to 56. The side panels consist of a left side panel 53, a right side panel 54, a front panel 55, and a rear panel 56. In this embodiment, the left side panel 53 and the right side panel 54 are short side panels with a narrow width, and the front panel 55 and the rear panel 56 are long side panels with a wide width. In the following description, the left side panel 53 and the right side panel 54 may be collectively referred to as the short side panel, and the front panel 55 and the rear panel 56 may be collectively referred to as the long side panel. The bottom plate 51 and each of the panels 52 to 56 are formed by bending sheet metal members. Each of the panels 52 to 56 may be composed of a single member, or it may be a combination of multiple members.

[0031] The fuel cell device 100 has pre-defined maintenance areas. The top panel 52 and some of the side panels 53-56 are maintenance panels that are removed during maintenance.

[0032] When assembling the enclosure 50, first attach the left side panel 53 and the right side panel 54 to the bottom plate 51. The short side panels, the left side panel 53 and the right side panel 54, are configured to be self-supporting by being locked to the bottom plate 51. Because the short side panels 53 and 54 are narrow, they can maintain a relatively stable state simply by being locked together, without needing to be fixed with screws or anything else. After attaching the short side panels 53 and 54, the long side panels, the front panel 55 and the rear panel 56, are locked to the bottom plate 51 and then locked to the short side panels 53 and 54 that were attached earlier. Because the long side panels 55 and 56 are wide, it is difficult to stabilize them by simply locking the bottom, but they can be stabilized by locking both sides to the other panels. With the side panels locked to the bottom plate 51, the side panels 53 to 56 are fixed in place by screwing them together or other means. With the above configuration, the side panels 53-56 can be attached to the bottom plate 51 without using a frame. Finally, the top panel 52 is attached.

[0033] In this way, the ability to assemble the fuel cell unit 100 without using a frame improves maintainability. In other words, when the maintenance panel is removed, problems such as auxiliary equipment to be repaired being hidden by the frame or difficulty in working due to insufficient access between the frame components are eliminated. Furthermore, in addition to improved maintainability, the elimination of the frame also reduces the weight of the fuel cell unit 100 and lowers the cost of materials.

[0034] Furthermore, the housing 50 is provided with a first locking portion 61 for locking the bottom plate 51 with the short side panels 53 and 54, a second locking portion 62 for locking the bottom plate 51 with the long side panels 55 and 56, and a third locking portion 63 for locking one of the short side panels with the long side panels 55 and 56.

[0035] Figure 3 shows the structure of the first locking part of this embodiment. Figure 4 shows the structure of the second locking part of this embodiment, and Figure 5 is a top view of the second locking hole of this embodiment. Figure 6 shows the structure of the third locking part of this embodiment.

[0036] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first locking portion 61 consists of a first locking piece 61a provided on the left side panel 53 and a first locking hole 61b provided on the bottom plate 51. The first locking piece 61a is a small piece bent toward the inside of the housing 50 at the lower part of the left side panel 53 and is provided at two locations on the left and right ends. The bottom plate 51 has a flange portion 511 provided by bending the peripheral edge upward, and the first locking hole 61b is formed in this flange portion 511. The first locking piece 61a of the left side panel 53 is fitted into the first locking hole 61b of the bottom plate 51 from the outside.

[0037] The first locking portion 61 is not limited to the structure shown in Figure 3. It can also be configured with a first locking hole in the left side panel 53 and a first locking piece in the bottom plate 51. Furthermore, the number, position, and shape of the first locking piece and the first locking hole are not limited to this embodiment and can be set as appropriate.

[0038] As shown in Figures 2, 4, and 5, the second locking portion consists of a second locking piece 62a provided on the bottom plate 51 and a second locking hole 62b provided on the long side panels 55 and 56. The second locking piece 62a is a small piece provided on the upper end of the flange portion 511 of the bottom plate 51, with two provided on each side of the front panel 55 and the rear panel 56. The long side panels 55 and 56 have folded portions 552 and 562 at their lower ends where sheet metal members are folded back, and the second locking hole 62b is formed in small pieces 555 and 565 that are bent inward from the tip of these folded portions 552 and 562 towards the inside of the housing 50. The second locking hole 62b of the long side panels 55 and 56 is fitted onto the second locking piece 62a of the bottom plate 51 from above.

[0039] The second locking piece 62a is molded into a trapezoidal shape with a short tip. The second locking hole 62b is also trapezoidal, similar to the second locking piece 62a. As a result, when inserting the second locking piece 62a into the second locking hole 62b, the short tip of the second locking piece 62a provides ample clearance relative to the width of the second locking hole 62b, and the height of the second locking hole 62b (the height of the trapezoid) has sufficient play relative to the thickness of the second locking piece 62a, making insertion easy. When the second locking piece 62a is inserted into the second locking hole 62b and the long side panels 55 and 56 reach the specified position, the thicker base of the second locking piece 62a fits into the second locking hole 62b, preventing rattling in the left-right direction (longitudinal direction of the housing 50) and the front-back direction (shortitudinal direction of the housing 50). In this way, the long side panels 55 and 56 can be easily positioned relative to the base plate 51, resulting in excellent assembly performance. In particular, work efficiency is improved when assembling panels in confined spaces.

[0040] As shown in Figures 2 and 6, the third locking portion consists of a third locking piece 63a provided on the left side panel 53 and a third locking hole 63b provided on the long side panels 55 and 56. The third locking piece 63a is a small piece that protrudes upward from the upper end of the left side panel 53 and is provided at two locations on the left and right ends. The front panel 55 has a flange portion 551 provided by bending the upper end toward the inside of the housing 50, and the third locking hole 63b is formed in this flange portion 551. The third locking piece 63b of the front panel 55 is fitted onto the third locking piece 63a of the left side panel 53 from above. Although Figure 6 shows and explains the left side panel 53 and the front panel 55, the rear panel 56 has a similar structure to the front panel 55.

[0041] The second locking piece 62a provided on the base plate 51 and the third locking piece 63a provided on the left side panel 53 protrude upward. In other words, both the second locking piece 62a and the third locking piece 63a, which are used to lock the long side panels 55 and 56 that are attached later, protrude upward. This allows the long side panels 55 and 56 to be easily locked into the second locking piece 62a and the third locking piece 63a when they are attached, so assembling is not hindered.

[0042] Figure 7 shows the structure of the right side panel 54 of this embodiment. In this embodiment, the right side panel 54 is a maintenance panel that is removed during maintenance and is composed of two divisible upper and lower panels. The upper panel 541 is equipped with an openable and closable cover portion 541a, and when this cover portion 541a is removed, the power switch and breaker switch of the fuel cell device 100 can be operated. Fuel and water piping and the like are connected to the lower panel 542. During maintenance, only the upper panel 541 can be removed while the lower panel 542 remains attached. The upper panel 541 is flat in shape to facilitate attachment and detachment. The panel that can be removed during maintenance is not limited to the upper panel 541 described above; other panels can also be designed to be removable.

[0043] The lower panel 542 is self-supporting by being locked to the base plate 51. The lower panel 542 has a pipe connection plate 542a to which pipes and the like are connected, and retaining frames 542b attached to both the left and right ends of the pipe connection plate 542a. In this configuration, when attaching the lower panel 542 to the base plate 51, the pipe connection plate 542a and the retaining frames 542b are assembled first. Speed ​​nuts may be used on the female threads when assembling the pipe connection plate 542a and the retaining frames 542b. This reduces the number of steps required for assembly. Since there is a gap between the pipe connection plate 542a and the retaining frames 542b, the flange portion 511 of the base plate 51 can be easily attached by sandwiching it in this gap.

[0044] The front panel 55 and the rear panel 56 are locked to the lower panel 542. The pipe connection plate 542a has stepped portions 542c formed on both the left and right ends, and the ends of the front panel 55 and the rear panel 56 are locked in place by abutting against these stepped portions 542c.

[0045] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the fuel cell device 100 may also be equipped with a coupling member 64. The coupling member 64 is attached to the upper ends of the side panels 53 to 56 and connects multiple side panels together.

[0046] Figure 8 is a top view of the housing showing the connecting members of this embodiment, with the top panel 52 removed. In this embodiment, the housing 50 is provided with a left-side connecting member 64a located at the left end and a right-side connecting member 64b located at the right end. The left-side connecting member 64a connects the left side panel 53, the front panel 55, and the rear panel 56. The right-side connecting member 64b connects the right side panel 54 (upper panel 541), the front panel 55, and the rear panel 56. By connecting multiple side panels with the connecting members 64 in this way, the strength of the housing 50 can be increased.

[0047] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the fitted state of the short side panel and the long side panel of this embodiment. The figure shows the left side panel 53 and the front panel 55. The left side panel 53 has a recess 533 formed by recessing its end inward into the housing 50. The front panel 55 has a bent portion 554 formed by folding the tip of its end inward into the housing 50 (the back side of the panel), and the thickness of the bent portion 554 is formed to be approximately the same as the depth of the recess 533. Both the recess 533 and the bent portion 554 are provided over the entire height of the panel, and the bent portion 554 fits into the recess 553. As a result, the end faces of the panels are not exposed to the outside of the housing 50, so it is possible to prevent rainwater and the like from entering between adjacent side panels. The left side panel 53 and the rear panel 56 have a similar fitting structure.

[0048] Furthermore, in this embodiment of the fuel cell device 100, the short side panels 53 and 54 are attached to the bottom plate 51, and then the long side panels 55 and 56 are attached to the bottom plate. Therefore, by providing recesses in the short side panels 53 and 54 and bent portions in the long side panels 55 and 56, it becomes easier to assemble the long side panels 55 and 56 that are attached later. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0049] 1 Fuel cell module 50 cabinets 51 Bottom plate 52 Top panel 53 Left side panel (short side panel) 54 Right side panel (short side panel) 55 Front panel (long side panel) 56. Rear panel (long side panel) 64 Connecting member 533 recess 554 Bend section 100 Fuel cell equipment

Claims

1. A rectangular parallelepiped housing having a top panel, multiple side panels, and a bottom plate, A fuel cell system equipped with a fuel cell module that generates electricity using fuel gas and oxygen-containing gas, The plurality of side panels comprises a pair of short side panels and a pair of long side panels. The aforementioned short side panel is secured to the bottom plate and stands on its own. The long side panel is temporarily fixed by engaging with the bottom plate and the short side panel. A recess is provided at the end of the short side panel. The end of the long side panel is provided with a bent portion that is folded inward towards the housing. A fuel cell device in which the bent portion is fitted into the recess.

2. The fuel cell device according to claim 1, comprising a pair of long side panels and a connecting member that connects one of the short side panels at its upper end.

3. One of the aforementioned short side panels is a maintenance panel that is removed during maintenance, and consists of a plurality of divisible panels. The fuel cell device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one of the plurality of panels is locked to the bottom plate and stands on its own.

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