Fuel cell unit

Abstract

To improve the ease of assembling the DC / DC converter assembly into the enclosure without increasing the size of the DC / DC converter assembly. [Solution] The rectifier plate 58 is provided with a first gripping portion 61, and the waterproof plate 59 is provided with a second gripping portion 71. With this configuration, the worker can place the DC / DC converter assembly 40 inside the housing 22 while gripping the first gripping portion 61 and the second gripping portion 71. The first gripping portion 61 is provided on the rectifier plate 58, which is an existing configuration, and the second gripping portion 71 is provided on the waterproof plate 59, which is an existing configuration. As a result, the DC / DC converter assembly 40 can be assembled into the housing 22 without increasing its size, and the workability of assembling the DC / DC converter assembly 40 into the housing 22 can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] A fuel cell unit includes a fuel cell stack, a housing, and a converter. The housing houses the fuel cell stack. The converter converts the output voltage of the fuel cell stack. Further, for example, as in Patent Document 1, the housing may be provided with a radiator fan and a vent. The radiator fan communicates the inside and outside of the housing. The vent is provided on the side of the housing opposite to the radiator fan. The vent communicates the inside of the housing. Then, the converter is cooled using the air taken into the housing from the vent as the radiator fan is driven.

[0003] By the way, such a fuel cell unit may include a DC / DC converter assembly in which a converter and a heat sink are assembled. The DC / DC converter assembly is disposed inside the housing. The heat sink dissipates the heat generated from the converter to the air by exchanging heat with the air taken into the housing from the vent as the radiator fan is driven.

[0004] Furthermore, the fuel cell unit may include a rectifying plate. The rectifying plate is provided at a portion located on the vent side in the DC / DC converter assembly. Then, the rectifying plate receives the air flowing from the vent into the housing and rectifies the air toward the heat sink. As a result, the heat exchange between the heat sink and the air is efficiently performed, so that the converter is efficiently cooled.

[0005] Furthermore, water may enter the enclosure from the outside via the radiator fan. If this occurs, the water that enters the enclosure may come into contact with the converter. If the converter is exposed to water in this way, it may be adversely affected in terms of its performance. Therefore, fuel cell units are sometimes equipped with a waterproof plate. The waterproof plate is installed in the part of the DC / DC converter assembly located on the radiator fan side. The waterproof plate receives water that enters the enclosure via the radiator fan. This helps to suppress water exposure to the converter. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-182462 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] Incidentally, in such fuel cell units, the converter is a relatively heavy component, making the assembly of the DC / DC converter assembly into the housing inside the enclosure complicated. In particular, the DC / DC converter assembly must be placed in a limited space inside the housing. Therefore, it is desirable to improve the ease of assembly of the DC / DC converter assembly into the housing inside the enclosure without increasing the size of the DC / DC converter assembly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A fuel cell unit that solves the above problems includes a fuel cell stack, a housing that houses the fuel cell stack, a radiator fan provided in the housing and communicating the inside and outside of the housing, a vent provided on the opposite side of the housing from the radiator fan and communicating the inside and outside of the housing, a converter that converts the output voltage of the fuel cell stack, and a heat sink that dissipates heat generated from the converter into the air by exchanging heat with the air taken into the housing through the vent when the radiator fan is driven, and is disposed inside the housing. A fuel cell unit comprising a DC / DC converter assembly, a rectifier plate provided in the DC / DC converter assembly on the side of the vent and receiving air flowing through the inside of the housing from the vent and rectifying the air toward the heat sink, and a waterproof plate provided in the DC / DC converter assembly on the side of the radiator fan and receiving water that enters the inside of the housing via the radiator fan, wherein the rectifier plate is provided with a first gripping portion and the waterproof plate is provided with a second gripping portion.

[0009] According to this design, the worker can position the DC / DC converter assembly inside the housing while gripping the first and second gripping parts, thereby improving the ease of assembly of the DC / DC converter assembly into the housing from inside the housing. The first gripping part is provided on the rectifier plate, which is an existing configuration, and the second gripping part is provided on the waterproof plate, which is an existing configuration. Therefore, the ease of assembly of the DC / DC converter assembly into the housing from inside the housing can be improved without increasing the size of the DC / DC converter assembly.

[0010] In the fuel cell unit described above, the heat sink has a plate-shaped base having a mounting surface on which the converter is mounted, and a plurality of heat dissipation fins protruding from the surface of the base opposite to the mounting surface, and the DC / DC converter assembly is preferably arranged inside the housing with the base standing upright in the vertical direction.

[0011] This allows the DC / DC converter assembly to be compactly arranged within the limited space inside the enclosure. Therefore, the fuel cell unit can be miniaturized.

[0012] In the fuel cell unit described above, the rectifier plate is provided in a portion of the DC / DC converter assembly located on the vent side, with the rectifier plate standing upright in the vertical direction and the thickness direction of the rectifier plate coinciding with a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the base, and the waterproof plate is provided in a portion of the DC / DC converter assembly located on the radiator fan side, with the waterproof plate standing upright in the vertical direction and the thickness direction of the waterproof plate coinciding with a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the base.

[0013] According to this design, the air flowing through the vents into the enclosure is received by a rectifier plate and efficiently directed towards the heatsink. In addition, water entering the enclosure via the radiator fan can be efficiently contained by a waterproof plate.

[0014] In the fuel cell unit described above, the first gripping portion may include a first extending wall that is located on the side of the rectifier plate facing the vent and extends from the portion located on the upper side in the vertical direction toward the vent.

[0015] According to this, when a worker places the DC / DC converter assembly inside the housing, they can easily lift the DC / DC converter assembly by gripping the first gripping part while hooking their fingers onto the first extending wall of the first gripping part. Therefore, the ease of assembling the DC / DC converter assembly into the housing inside the housing can be further improved.

[0016] In the fuel cell unit described above, the second gripping portion may include a second extending wall that is located on the surface of the waterproof plate opposite to the radiator fan and extends from the portion located on the upper side in the vertical direction toward the side opposite to the radiator fan.

[0017] According to this, when placing the DC / DC converter assembly inside the housing, the worker can easily lift the DC / DC converter assembly by gripping the second gripping part while hooking their fingers onto the second extending wall of the second gripping part. Therefore, the ease of assembling the DC / DC converter assembly into the housing inside the housing can be further improved.

[0018] In the fuel cell unit described above, the second gripping portion may include a notch formed in the lower part of the waterproof plate. According to this, when placing the DC / DC converter assembly inside the housing, the worker can easily lift the DC / DC converter assembly by gripping the second gripping part while hooking their fingers into the notch of the second gripping part. Therefore, the ease of assembling the DC / DC converter assembly into the housing inside the housing can be further improved.

[0019] The fuel cell unit described above is provided with a bracket for supporting electrical components, wherein the bracket protrudes downward from the base and protrudes toward the converter side from the mounting surface.

[0020] When performing the assembly work of the DC / DC converter assembly with respect to the housing inside the housing, the DC / DC converter assembly may tend to fall toward the side where the converter is mounted. At this time, the bracket protrudes downward from the base and protrudes toward the converter side from the mounting surface. According to this, even if the DC / DC converter assembly tends to fall toward the side where the converter is mounted, it is supported by the bracket and the DC / DC converter assembly stands on its own. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the DC / DC converter assembly from falling toward the side where the converter is mounted.

[0021] In the fuel cell unit, the converter has a converter main body mounted on the mounting surface and a reactor arranged side by side with the converter main body on the radiator fan side with respect to the converter main body. When the DC / DC converter assembly is viewed from the plate thickness direction of the base, it is preferable that both end edges in the vertical direction of the rectifying plate overlap the reactor in the plate thickness direction of the rectifying plate.

[0022] According to this, among the air flowing inside the housing from the ventilation port, the air flowing outside both end edges in the vertical direction of the rectifying plate flows toward the reactor without the flow being obstructed by the rectifying plate. Therefore, a part of the air flowing inside the housing from the ventilation port can efficiently cool the reactor.

[0023] In the fuel cell unit, it is preferable that the upper end edge of the waterproof plate is located above the upper end edge of the rectifying plate, and the lower end edge of the rectifying plate is located below the lower end edge of the waterproof plate.

[0024] Such a configuration is suitable as a configuration for receiving the air flowing inside the housing from the ventilation port with the rectifying plate and rectifying the air toward the heat sink, and receiving the water entering the inside of the housing through the radiator fan with the waterproof plate.

Advantages of the Invention

[0025] According to the present invention, without increasing the size of the DC / DC converter assembly, the workability of assembling the DC / DC converter assembly to the housing inside the housing can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a forklift in an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a fuel cell unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a DC / DC converter assembly. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a DC / DC converter assembly. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of the DC / DC converter assembly. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of the DC / DC converter assembly. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of the DC / DC converter assembly. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged side view showing a part of the DC / DC converter assembly. ) [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a DC / DC converter assembly.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a fuel cell unit is embodied will be described according to FIGS. 1 to 9. The fuel cell unit of this embodiment is mounted on a forklift which is an industrial vehicle. <Forklift> As shown in Figure 1, the forklift 10 comprises a body 11, a travel motor 12, a cargo handling motor 13, and a fuel cell unit 20. The forklift 10 also comprises drive wheels 14 and a cargo handling device 15. The travel motor 12 drives the drive wheels 14. The cargo handling motor 13 drives the cargo handling device 15. The fuel cell unit 20 is housed inside the body 11.

[0028] <Fuel cell unit> As shown in Figure 2, the fuel cell unit 20 includes a fuel cell stack 21. The fuel cell stack 21 is composed of multiple battery cells stacked on top of each other. The battery cells are of the solid molecular type. The fuel cell stack 21 generates electricity through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen as a fuel gas and oxygen from the air as an oxidizing gas. The travel motor 12 and the load handling motor 13 of the forklift 10 are driven by the electricity generated by the fuel cell stack 21. The electricity generated by the fuel cell stack 21 is also used to charge a battery (not shown).

[0029] The fuel cell unit 20 comprises a housing 22. The housing 22 has a bottom wall 23, a first side wall 24, a second side wall 25, a third side wall 26, a fourth side wall 27, and a top wall 28. The bottom wall 23 is a rectangular flat plate. The first side wall 24, the second side wall 25, the third side wall 26, and the fourth side wall 27 rise from the outer periphery of the bottom wall 23, respectively. The direction in which the first side wall 24, the second side wall 25, the third side wall 26, and the fourth side wall 27 rise from the bottom wall 23 coincides with the thickness direction of the bottom wall 23. The first side wall 24 and the second side wall 25 extend parallel to each other. The thickness direction of the first side wall 24 and the thickness direction of the second side wall 25 coincide with each other. The third side wall 26 and the fourth side wall 27 extend parallel to each other. The thickness direction of the third side wall 26 and the thickness direction of the fourth side wall 27 coincide with each other. The first side wall 24, the second side wall 25, the third side wall 26, and the fourth side wall 27 form peripheral walls that extend in a rectangular cylindrical shape from the outer periphery of the bottom wall 23.

[0030] The top wall 28 connects the ends of the first side wall 24, second side wall 25, third side wall 26, and fourth side wall 27 that are opposite to the bottom wall 23. The thickness direction of the top wall 28 coincides with the thickness direction of the bottom wall 23. The top wall 28 closes the rectangular tubular opening 29 formed by the ends of the first side wall 24, second side wall 25, third side wall 26, and fourth side wall 27 that are opposite to the bottom wall 23. The housing space 30 is then partitioned by the bottom wall 23, first side wall 24, second side wall 25, third side wall 26, fourth side wall 27, and top wall 28. The fuel cell stack 21 is placed in the housing space 30. Therefore, the housing 22 houses the fuel cell stack 21.

[0031] The fuel cell unit 20 is equipped with a radiator fan 31. The radiator fan 31 is provided on the first side wall 24. Therefore, the radiator fan 31 is provided on the housing 22. The radiator fan 31 has a rotating shaft 32 and a plurality of blades 33. The plurality of blades 33 are arranged around the rotating shaft 32 at intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 32. The plurality of blades 33 rotate integrally with the rotating shaft 32. The inside and outside of the housing 22 are in communication through the gaps between adjacent blades 33 in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 32. Therefore, the radiator fan 31 communicates the inside and outside of the housing 22.

[0032] The fuel cell unit 20 is equipped with vents 34. The vents 34 are located on the second side wall 25. Therefore, the vents 34 are located on the side of the housing 22 opposite to the radiator fan 31. Multiple vents 34 connect the inside and outside of the housing 22. When the radiator fan 31 is driven, the multiple blades 33 rotate integrally with the rotating shaft 32, drawing air from the outside of the housing 22 into the housing 22 through the multiple vents 34. The air drawn into the housing 22 from the multiple vents 34 flows through the inside of the housing 22 from the second side wall 25 towards the first side wall 24. In this way, the fuel cell unit 20 generates airflow inside the housing 22 when the radiator fan 31 is driven.

[0033] <DC / DCコンバータアッセンブリ> The fuel cell unit 20 includes a DC / DC converter assembly 40. The DC / DC converter assembly 40 is located inside the housing 22. The DC / DC converter assembly 40 includes a converter 41 and a heat sink 42. Therefore, the DC / DC converter assembly 40 is constructed by assembling the converter 41 and the heat sink 42. The converter 41 converts the output voltage of the fuel cell stack 21. The heat sink 42 dissipates heat generated by the converter 41 into the air by exchanging heat with the air drawn into the housing 22 through the vent 34 as the radiator fan 31 is driven.

[0034] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the heat sink 42 has a flat base 43 and a plurality of heat dissipation fins 44. The base 43 has a mounting surface 45. The mounting surface 45 is a first surface located on one side in the thickness direction of the base 43. The plurality of heat dissipation fins 44 protrude from a second surface located on the other side in the thickness direction of the base 43. Therefore, the plurality of heat dissipation fins 44 protrude from the surface of the base 43 opposite to the mounting surface 45.

[0035] Each heat sink fin 44 is elongated and plate-shaped. Each heat sink fin 44 is a thin, flat plate. Multiple heat sink fins 44 protrude from the side of the base 43 opposite to the mounting surface 45, with the thickness directions of each heat sink fin 44 coinciding. Multiple heat sink fins 44 are arranged in a line at equal intervals. The base 43 and the multiple heat sink fins 44 are integrally formed. The base 43 and the multiple heat sink fins 44 are made of metal. For example, the base 43 and the multiple heat sink fins 44 are made of aluminum.

[0036] The DC / DC converter assembly 40 includes a support member 46. The support member 46 is formed by bending a single metal plate. The support member 46 is made of, for example, aluminum. However, the support member 46 may also be made of iron. The support member 46 has a main body wall portion 47, a first side wall portion 48, a second side wall portion 49, a first flange wall portion 50, and a second flange wall portion 51.

[0037] The main body wall portion 47 is rectangular in shape. A through hole 52 is formed in the main body wall portion 47. The through hole 52 penetrates the main body wall portion 47 in the direction of the thickness of the main body wall portion 47. Two first mounting portions 53 are provided on the main body wall portion 47. The two first mounting portions 53 are provided on the first end located on one side in the longitudinal direction of the main body wall portion 47. A second mounting portion 54 is provided on the main body wall portion 47. The second mounting portion 54 is provided on the second end located on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the main body wall portion 47.

[0038] The first side wall portion 48 rises from a first end edge 47a located on one of the shorter sides of the main wall portion 47. The second side wall portion 49 rises from a second end edge 47b located on the other of the shorter sides of the main wall portion 47. The first side wall portion 48 and the second side wall portion 49 are positioned on either side of the through hole 52 in the shorter side of the main wall portion 47. The first side wall portion 48 and the second side wall portion 49 extend from the first end of the main wall portion 47 to the central part in the longitudinal direction of the main wall portion 47. The first flange wall portion 50 extends from the end of the first side wall portion 48 opposite to the main wall portion 47 to the side opposite to the second side wall portion 49. The second flange wall portion 51 extends from the end of the second side wall portion 49 opposite to the main wall portion 47 to the side opposite to the first side wall portion 48. The longitudinal length of the main body wall 47 in the first flange wall 50 is the same as the longitudinal length of the main body wall 47 in the first side wall 48. The longitudinal length of the main body wall 47 in the second flange wall 51 is the same as the longitudinal length of the main body wall 47 in the second side wall 49.

[0039] The heat sink 42 is positioned relative to the support member 46 such that the direction in which the multiple heat dissipation fins 44 are arranged coincides with the short side direction of the main body wall portion 47, and the multiple heat dissipation fins 44 are located between the first side wall portion 48 and the second side wall portion 49. The base portion 43 is in contact with the first flange wall portion 50 and the second flange wall portion 51. The heat sink 42 is supported by the support member 46 by fastening the base portion 43 to the first flange wall portion 50 and the second flange wall portion 51 with bolts (not shown). As shown in Figure 4, some of the multiple heat dissipation fins 44 are visible through the through holes 52.

[0040] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the converter 41 has a converter body 55 and a plurality of reactors 56. The converter body 55 is made up of switching elements and the like. The reactor 56 is made up of a core and a coil wound around the core and the like. The converter 41 has three reactors 56.

[0041] The converter body 55 is mounted on the mounting surface 45. Therefore, the converter 41 is mounted on the mounting surface 45. Multiple reactors 56 are mounted on the main body wall 47 of the support member 46. The multiple reactors 56 are located closer to the second end of the main body wall 47 than to the heat sink 42. The multiple reactors 56 are arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction of the main body wall 47 with respect to the converter body 55. Two of the three reactors 56 are arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction of the main body wall 47, closer to the first end edge 47a in the short direction of the main body wall 47. The remaining one of the three reactors 56 is located closer to the second end edge 47b in the short direction of the main body wall 47.

[0042] The DC / DC converter assembly 40 is positioned inside the housing 22 with its base 43 standing vertically. The support member 46 is positioned inside the housing 22 with its first edge 47a facing upwards and its second edge 47b facing downwards. The converter body 55 is positioned closer to the vent 34 than the multiple reactors 56. Therefore, the multiple reactors 56 are positioned alongside the converter body 55 on the radiator fan 31 side. The DC / DC converter assembly 40 is assembled to the housing 22 by screwing bolts 57, which pass through the two first mounting portions 53 and the second mounting portion 54, into a frame of the housing 22 (not shown).

[0043] <Rectifier plate> As shown in Figure 5, the fuel cell unit 20 is equipped with a rectifier plate 58. The rectifier plate 58 is rectangular in shape. The rectifier plate 58 extends from the mounting surface 45 of the base 43. The rectifier plate 58 extends from the mounting surface 45 such that its longitudinal direction coincides with the vertical direction and its thickness direction coincides with the horizontal direction. The rectifier plate 58 is upright in the vertical direction. The thickness direction of the rectifier plate 58 coincides with a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the base 43. The rectifier plate 58 is located on the vent 34 side of the converter body 55. Thus, the rectifier plate 58 is upright in the vertical direction and its thickness direction coincides with a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the base 43, and is provided in the portion of the DC / DC converter assembly 40 located on the vent 34 side.

[0044] As shown in Figure 3, when the DC / DC converter assembly 40 is viewed from the thickness direction of the base 43, the upper edge 58a of the rectifier plate 58 overlaps with the two reactors 56 located closer to the first edge 47a in the short direction of the main body wall 47, out of the three reactors 56, in the thickness direction of the rectifier plate 58. When the DC / DC converter assembly 40 is viewed from the thickness direction of the base 43, the lower edge 58b of the rectifier plate 58 overlaps with the reactor 56 located closer to the second edge 47b in the short direction of the main body wall 47, out of the three reactors 56, in the thickness direction of the rectifier plate 58. Thus, when the DC / DC converter assembly 40 is viewed from the thickness direction of the base 43, both vertical edges of the rectifier plate 58 overlap with the reactors 56 in the thickness direction of the rectifier plate 58. The rectifier plate 58 receives air flowing into the interior of the housing 22 from the vent 34 and rectifies it towards the heat sink 42.

[0045] <Waterproof board> As shown in Figure 6, the fuel cell unit 20 is equipped with a waterproof plate 59. The waterproof plate 59 is rectangular in shape. The waterproof plate 59 extends from the second end of the main body wall portion 47 of the support member 46, with its longitudinal direction coinciding with the vertical direction and its thickness direction coinciding with the horizontal direction. The waterproof plate 59 is upright in the vertical direction. The waterproof plate 59 extends parallel to the rectifier plate 58. The thickness direction of the waterproof plate 59 coincides with the thickness direction of the rectifier plate 58. Therefore, the thickness direction of the waterproof plate 59 coincides with the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the base portion 43. The waterproof plate 59 is located on the radiator fan 31 side of the multiple reactors 56. Thus, the waterproof plate 59 is positioned vertically and its thickness direction coincides with a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the base 43, and is provided in the DC / DC converter assembly 40 on the side of the radiator fan 31.

[0046] The upper edge 59a of the waterproof plate 59 is located above the upper edge 58a of the rectifier plate 58. The lower edge 59b of the waterproof plate 59 is located below the upper edge 58a of the rectifier plate 58. The lower edge 59b of the waterproof plate 59 is located above the lower edge 58b of the rectifier plate 58. Therefore, the lower edge 58b of the rectifier plate 58 is located below the lower edge 59b of the waterproof plate 59. The waterproof plate 59 receives water that enters the interior of the housing 22 via the radiator fan 31.

[0047] <First grip part> As shown in Figure 5, the rectifier plate 58 is provided with a first gripping portion 61. The first gripping portion 61 includes a first extending wall 62, a support wall 63, and a connecting wall 64. The first extending wall 62 is a thin, flat plate. The first extending wall 62 is the surface of the rectifier plate 58 located on the side of the vent 34, and extends toward the vent 34 from the upper vertical portion. The first extending wall 62 extends in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the rectifier plate 58 located on the side of the vent 34. The first extending wall 62 is joined to the rectifier plate 58, for example, by welding.

[0048] The support wall 63 is a thin, flat plate. The support wall 63 is the surface of the rectifier plate 58 located on the side of the vent 34, and extends toward the vent 34 from the portion located vertically downward. The support wall 63 extends parallel to the first extending wall 62. The support wall 63 is connected to the rectifier plate 58, for example, by welding. The length of the support wall 63 from the rectifier plate 58 is the same as the length of the first extending wall 62 from the rectifier plate 58.

[0049] The connecting wall 64 is a thin, flat plate. The connecting wall 64 connects the end of the first extending wall 62 opposite to the rectifier plate 58 and the end of the support wall 63 opposite to the rectifier plate 58. The thickness direction of the connecting wall 64 coincides with the thickness direction of the rectifier plate 58. The connecting wall 64 extends parallel to the rectifier plate 58. The first gripping portion 61 is formed as a whole with a U-shaped cross-section by the first extending wall 62, the support wall 63, and the connecting wall 64.

[0050] <Second grip part> As shown in Figure 6, the waterproof plate 59 is provided with a second gripping portion 71. The second gripping portion 71 includes a second extending wall 72 and a notch 73. The second extending wall 72 is a thin, flat plate. The second extending wall 72 extends from the upper edge 59a of the waterproof plate 59 toward the side opposite to the radiator fan 31. Therefore, the second extending wall 72 extends toward the side opposite to the radiator fan 31 from the surface of the waterproof plate 59 that is located opposite to the radiator fan 31 and is located on the upper side in the vertical direction. The second extending wall 72 extends in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the waterproof plate 59 that is opposite to the radiator fan 31.

[0051] The notch 73 is formed by a first notch forming edge 73a and a second notch forming edge 73b. The first notch forming edge 73a extends upward from the lower end edge 59b of the waterproof plate 59. The second notch forming edge 73b extends from the end of the first notch forming edge 73a opposite to the lower end edge 59b of the waterproof plate 59 toward the side opposite the main wall portion 47 of the support member 46, and also extends to the side edge of the waterproof plate 59 located opposite the main wall portion 47 of the support member 46. In this way, the notch 73 is formed in the lower part of the waterproof plate 59.

[0052] <First fixed part, second fixed part> The waterproof plate 59 is provided with a first fixing portion 74, a connecting portion 75, and a second fixing portion 76. The first fixing portion 74 is a thin, flat plate. The first fixing portion 74 extends along the main wall portion 47 from the end edge of the support member 46 in the second extending wall 72 that is located on the main wall portion 47 side. The first fixing portion 74 is fixed to the main wall portion 47 by bolts 77. The connecting portion 75 is a thin, flat plate. The connecting portion 75 extends from the lower end edge 59b of the waterproof plate 59 toward the side opposite to the radiator fan 31. The connecting portion 75 extends in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the waterproof plate 59 opposite to the radiator fan 31. The second fixing portion 76 is a thin, flat plate. The second fixing portion 76 extends along the main wall portion 47 from the end edge of the support member 46 in the connecting portion 75 that is located on the main wall portion 47 side. The second fixing portion 76 is perpendicular to the first fixing portion 74. The second fixing portion 76 extends from the connecting portion 75 toward the first fixing portion 74. The second fixing portion 76 is fixed to the main body wall portion 47 by bolts 78. The waterproof plate 59 is supported by the main body wall portion 47, with the first fixing portion 74 being fixed to the main body wall portion 47 by bolts 77 and the second fixing portion 76 being fixed to the main body wall portion 47 by bolts 78.

[0053] <bracket> As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the fuel cell unit 20 is equipped with a bracket 80. The bracket 80 has a first bracket plate portion 81, a second bracket plate portion 82, a third bracket plate portion 83, and a fourth bracket plate portion 84. The first bracket plate portion 81 is a thin, flat plate. The first bracket plate portion 81 extends in the thickness direction of the main body wall portion 47 from a portion of the main body wall portion 47 located between the reactor 56 of the three reactors 56 that is located closer to the second end edge 47b in the short direction of the main body wall portion 47 and the converter body 55. Thus, the bracket 80 is provided between the reactor 56 of the three reactors 56 that is located closer to the second end edge 47b in the short direction of the main body wall portion 47 and the converter body 55. The first bracket plate portion 81 extends horizontally. The bracket 80 is joined to the main body wall portion 47, for example, by welding.

[0054] The second bracket plate portion 82 is a thin, flat plate. The second bracket plate portion 82 extends downward from the end of the first bracket plate portion 81 opposite to the main body wall portion 47. The second bracket plate portion 82 extends in a direction perpendicular to the first bracket plate portion 81. The second bracket plate portion 82 extends vertically. As shown in Figure 8, the second bracket plate portion 82 protrudes downward from the base portion 43.

[0055] The third bracket plate portion 83 is a thin, flat plate. The third bracket plate portion 83 extends from the end of the second bracket plate portion 82 opposite to the first bracket plate portion 81 toward the opposite side of the main body wall portion 47. The third bracket plate portion 83 extends horizontally. The third bracket plate portion 83 extends parallel to the first bracket plate portion 81. The third bracket plate portion 83 protrudes toward the converter body 55 side from the mounting surface 45. In this way, the bracket 80 protrudes downward from the base portion 43 and protrudes toward the converter 41 side from the mounting surface 45.

[0056] The fourth bracket plate portion 84 is a thin, flat plate. The fourth bracket plate portion 84 extends upward from the end of the third bracket plate portion 83 opposite to the second bracket plate portion 82. The fourth bracket plate portion 84 extends vertically. The fourth bracket plate portion 84 extends parallel to the second bracket plate portion 82.

[0057] The fourth bracket plate portion 84 is provided with a connector 85a for the electrical component 85. The fourth bracket plate portion 84 supports the connector 85a. Therefore, the fourth bracket plate portion 84 supports the electrical component 85. In this way, the bracket 80 supports the electrical component 85. The electrical component 85 is, for example, a thermistor configured to detect the temperature around the converter body 55 and the multiple reactors 56. The connector 85a is electrically connected to a higher-level ECU via wiring. Information regarding the temperature detected by the thermistor is then transmitted to the higher-level ECU via wiring.

[0058] [Effect of the Embodiment] Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described. When the radiator fan 31 is driven, air is drawn into the housing 22 from the vent 34 as the radiator fan 31 drives. At this time, the rectifier plate 58 is located on the side of the DC / DC converter assembly 40 that faces the vent 34. The rectifier plate 58 receives the air flowing from the vent 34 into the housing 22 and rectifies the air toward the heat sink 42.

[0059] The air rectified to the heat sink 42 passes through the gaps between the multiple heat dissipation fins 44. In addition, some of the air passing through the gaps between the multiple heat dissipation fins 44 also flows through the through holes 52 to the side of the main body wall 47 opposite to the heat sink 42. In this way, the efficient flow of air to the heat sink 42 allows for efficient heat exchange between the heat sink 42 and the air. As a result, the heat generated from the converter body 55 is efficiently dissipated into the air, and the converter body 55 is efficiently cooled.

[0060] Incidentally, water may enter the inside of the housing 22 from the outside of the housing 22 via the radiator fan 31. Specifically, water from the outside of the housing 22 may adhere to the blades 33 before the radiator fan 31 is driven. Then, when the radiator fan 31 is driven with water adhering to the blades 33, the blades 33 rotate integrally with the rotating shaft 32, which may cause the water adhering to the blades 33 to be scattered inside the housing 22.

[0061] In this configuration, the waterproof plate 59 is located on the side of the DC / DC converter assembly 40 that faces the radiator fan 31. The waterproof plate 59 receives water that enters the housing 22 via the radiator fan 31. As a result, the waterproof plate 59 prevents water that has entered the housing 22 from coming into contact with the converter 41. Therefore, water exposure to the converter 41 is suppressed.

[0062] As shown in Figure 9, when assembling the DC / DC converter assembly 40 to the housing 22 inside the housing 22, the worker places the DC / DC converter assembly 40 inside the housing 22 while gripping the first gripping part 61 and the second gripping part 71. Specifically, the worker inserts the four fingers of their right hand, excluding the thumb, into the space partitioned by the rectifier plate 58, the first extending wall 62, the support wall 63, and the connecting wall 64, and hooks the index finger of their right hand onto the first extending wall 62. Furthermore, the worker hooks the thumb of their left hand onto the second extending wall 72, and hooks the index and middle fingers of their left hand onto the notch 73. In this state, the worker lifts the DC / DC converter assembly 40 and places it in its designated location inside the housing 22. In this way, the worker places the DC / DC converter assembly 40 inside the housing 22 while gripping the first gripping part 61 and the second gripping part 71.

[0063] During the assembly of the DC / DC converter assembly 40 into the housing 22, the DC / DC converter assembly 40 may attempt to tip over towards the side on which the converter 41 is mounted. At this time, the bracket 80 protrudes downward from the base 43 and also protrudes toward the converter 41 side from the mounting surface 45. Therefore, even if the DC / DC converter assembly 40 attempts to tip over toward the side on which the converter 41 is mounted, it is supported by the bracket 80 and remains upright. Thus, the DC / DC converter assembly 40 is prevented from tipping over toward the side on which the converter 41 is mounted.

[0064] The DC / DC converter assembly 40 is then mounted to the housing 22 by screwing bolts 57, which pass through the two first mounting portions 53 and the second mounting portion 54, into the frame of the housing 22. In this way, the DC / DC converter assembly 40 is assembled to the housing 22 inside the housing 22.

[0065] [Effects of the Embodiment] The above embodiment can be achieved to obtain the following effects. (1) The rectifier plate 58 is provided with a first gripping portion 61, and the waterproof plate 59 is provided with a second gripping portion 71. With this configuration, the worker can place the DC / DC converter assembly 40 inside the housing 22 while gripping the first gripping portion 61 and the second gripping portion 71. This improves the workability of assembling the DC / DC converter assembly 40 to the housing 22 inside the housing 22. The first gripping portion 61 is provided on the rectifier plate 58, which is an existing configuration, and the second gripping portion 71 is provided on the waterproof plate 59, which is an existing configuration. This improves the workability of assembling the DC / DC converter assembly 40 to the housing 22 inside the housing 22 without increasing the size of the DC / DC converter assembly 40.

[0066] (2) The DC / DC converter assembly 40 is positioned inside the housing 22 with its base 43 standing vertically. This allows the DC / DC converter assembly 40 to be compactly arranged in the limited space inside the housing 22. Therefore, the fuel cell unit 20 can be miniaturized.

[0067] (3) The rectifier plate 58 is positioned vertically and its thickness direction coincides with a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the base 43, and is located on the side of the vent 34 in the DC / DC converter assembly 40. The waterproof plate 59 is positioned vertically and its thickness direction coincides with a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the base 43, and is located on the side of the radiator fan 31 in the DC / DC converter assembly 40. With this arrangement, the rectifier plate 58 can receive the air flowing through the inside of the housing 22 from the vent 34 and efficiently rectify the air toward the heat sink 42. In addition, the waterproof plate 59 can efficiently receive water that enters the inside of the housing 22 via the radiator fan 31.

[0068] (4) The first gripping portion 61 is the surface of the rectifier plate 58 located on the side of the vent 34 and includes a first extending wall 62 that extends toward the vent 34 from the upper part in the vertical direction. With this, when the worker places the DC / DC converter assembly 40 inside the housing 22, it becomes easier to lift the DC / DC converter assembly 40 by gripping the first gripping portion 61 while hooking their fingers onto the first extending wall 62 of the first gripping portion 61. Therefore, the workability of assembling the DC / DC converter assembly 40 to the housing 22 inside the housing 22 can be further improved.

[0069] (5) The second gripping portion 71 includes a second extending wall 72 that extends from the portion of the waterproof plate 59 located on the side opposite to the radiator fan 31 and on the upper side in the vertical direction toward the side opposite to the radiator fan 31. With this, when the worker places the DC / DC converter assembly 40 inside the housing 22, it becomes easier to lift the DC / DC converter assembly 40 by gripping the second gripping portion 71 while hooking their fingers onto the second extending wall 72 of the second gripping portion 71. Therefore, the workability of assembling the DC / DC converter assembly 40 to the housing 22 inside the housing 22 can be further improved.

[0070] (6) The second gripping portion 71 includes a notch 73 formed in the lower part of the waterproof plate 59. This makes it easier for the worker to lift the DC / DC converter assembly 40 when placing it inside the housing 22 by gripping the second gripping portion 71 while hooking their fingers into the notch 73 of the second gripping portion 71. Therefore, the ease of assembling the DC / DC converter assembly 40 to the housing 22 inside the housing 22 can be further improved.

[0071] (7) When assembling the DC / DC converter assembly 40 to the housing 22 inside the housing 22, the DC / DC converter assembly 40 may attempt to tip over toward the side on which the converter 41 is mounted. At this time, the bracket 80 protrudes downward from the base 43 and also protrudes toward the converter 41 side toward the mounting surface 45. As a result, even if the DC / DC converter assembly 40 attempts to tip over toward the side on which the converter 41 is mounted, it is supported by the bracket 80 and the DC / DC converter assembly 40 stands on its own. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the DC / DC converter assembly 40 from tipping over toward the side on which the converter 41 is mounted.

[0072] (8) When the DC / DC converter assembly 40 is viewed from the thickness direction of the base 43, the vertical edges of the rectifier plate 58 overlap with the reactor 56 in the thickness direction of the rectifier plate 58. As a result, of the air flowing from the vent 34 into the inside of the housing 22, the air flowing outside the vertical edges of the rectifier plate 58 flows toward the reactor 56 without being obstructed by the rectifier plate 58. Therefore, the reactor 56 can be efficiently cooled by a portion of the air flowing from the vent 34 into the inside of the housing 22.

[0073] (9) The upper edge 59a of the waterproof plate 59 is located above the upper edge 58a of the rectifier plate 58, and the lower edge 58b of the rectifier plate 58 is located below the lower edge 59b of the waterproof plate 59. This configuration is suitable for receiving the air flowing through the housing 22 from the vent 34 at the rectifier plate 58 and rectifying the air toward the heat sink 42, and for receiving water that enters the housing 22 via the radiator fan 31 at the waterproof plate 59.

[0074] (10) The worker inserts the four fingers of his right hand, excluding the thumb, into the space partitioned by the rectifier plate 58, the first extending wall 62, the support wall 63, and the connecting wall 64, and hooks the index finger of his right hand onto the first extending wall 62. At this time, the connecting wall 64 prevents the four fingers of the right hand, excluding the thumb, from separating from the rectifier plate 58. Therefore, when the DC / DC converter assembly 40 is lifted, it is possible to prevent the index finger of the right hand from falling off the first extending wall 62. Thus, the workability of assembling the DC / DC converter assembly 40 to the housing 22 inside the housing 22 can be further improved.

[0075] (11) Since the DC / DC converter assembly 40 can be placed inside the housing 22 while gripping the first gripping part 61 and the second gripping part 71, it is possible to avoid the worker gripping the heat sink fins 44. Therefore, it is possible to avoid problems such as the heat sink fins 44 bending due to the worker unintentionally gripping them.

[0076] [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.

[0077] ○ In this embodiment, the first gripping portion 61 may not include the support wall 63 and the connecting wall 64, and may consist only of the first extending wall 62. In short, the first gripping portion 61 only needs to include at least the first extending wall 62.

[0078] ○ In this embodiment, the second gripping portion 71 may be configured without the notch portion 73. ○ In this embodiment, the second gripping portion 71 may be configured not to include the second extending wall 72.

[0079] ○ In this embodiment, the electrical component 85 supported by the bracket 80 is not limited to a thermistor, but is not particularly limited as long as it is an electrical component located inside the housing 22. ○ In this embodiment, the fuel cell unit 20 may be configured without a bracket 80.

[0080] ○ In this embodiment, when the DC / DC converter assembly 40 is viewed from the thickness direction of the base portion 43, the vertical edges of both ends of the rectifier plate 58 do not necessarily have to overlap with the reactor 56 in the thickness direction of the rectifier plate 58.

[0081] ○ In this embodiment, the upper edge 59a of the waterproof plate 59 does not have to be located above the upper edge 58a of the rectifier plate 58. Also, the lower edge 58b of the rectifier plate 58 does not have to be located below the lower edge 59b of the waterproof plate 59.

[0082] ○ In this embodiment, the DC / DC converter assembly 40 does not necessarily have to be positioned inside the housing 22 with its base 43 standing vertically. In short, the orientation of the DC / DC converter assembly 40 inside the housing 22 is not particularly limited.

[0083] ○ In this embodiment, the fuel cell unit 20 is mounted on a forklift 10, but it is not limited to this, and may be mounted on, for example, a towing vehicle used for transporting goods, or an order picker used for picking operations. In short, the fuel cell unit 20 may be mounted on industrial vehicles other than the forklift 10.

[0084] ○ In this embodiment, the fuel cell unit 20 may be installed in a fuel cell vehicle other than an industrial vehicle. ○ In this embodiment, the fuel cell unit 20 may be mounted on a stationary power generation device.

[0085] [Note] The technical concepts that can be understood from the above embodiments and modified examples are described below. <Note 1> Fuel cell stack and A housing for the fuel cell stack, A radiator fan is provided in the aforementioned housing and communicates the inside and outside of the housing, A ventilation opening is provided on the opposite side of the housing from the radiator fan and communicates the inside and outside of the housing, A DC / DC converter assembly is disposed inside the housing and includes a converter for converting the output voltage of the fuel cell stack, and a heat sink that dissipates heat generated from the converter into the air by exchanging heat with the air taken into the housing through the vent when the radiator fan is driven, A rectifier plate is provided in the DC / DC converter assembly at a location on the vent side, which receives air flowing from the vent through the inside of the housing and rectifies the air toward the heat sink, A fuel cell unit comprising a waterproof plate provided in the DC / DC converter assembly on the radiator fan side and receiving water that enters the interior of the housing via the radiator fan, The rectifier plate is provided with a first gripping portion, A fuel cell unit characterized in that the waterproof plate is provided with a second gripping portion.

[0086] <Note 2> The aforementioned heatsink is A plate-shaped base having a mounting surface on which the converter is mounted, The base has a plurality of heat dissipation fins protruding from the side opposite to the mounting surface, The fuel cell unit according to Appendix 1, characterized in that the DC / DC converter assembly is arranged inside the housing with the base portion standing upright in the vertical direction.

[0087] <Note 3> The rectifier plate is positioned vertically and its thickness direction coincides with a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the base, and is provided in the portion of the DC / DC converter assembly located on the vent side. The fuel cell unit according to Appendix 2, characterized in that the waterproof plate is provided in a portion of the DC / DC converter assembly located on the radiator fan side, with the waterproof plate standing upright in the vertical direction and the thickness direction of the waterproof plate coinciding with a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the base.

[0088] <Note 4> The fuel cell unit according to Appendix 3, characterized in that the first gripping portion is a surface of the rectifier plate located on the vent side and includes a first extending wall that extends from the portion located on the upper side in the vertical direction toward the vent.

[0089] <Note 5> The fuel cell unit according to Appendix 3 or Appendix 4, characterized in that the second gripping portion is located on the surface of the waterproof plate opposite to the radiator fan and includes a second extending wall that extends from the portion located on the upper side in the vertical direction toward the opposite side of the radiator fan.

[0090] <Note 6> The fuel cell unit according to any one of <Appendix 3> to <Appendix 5>, characterized in that the second gripping portion includes a notch formed in the lower part of the waterproof plate.

[0091] <Note 7> The aforementioned converter is The converter body is mounted on the aforementioned mounting surface, The converter body has a reactor that is positioned alongside the converter body on the radiator fan side, A fuel cell unit according to any one of <Appendix 3> to <Appendix 6>, characterized in that when the DC / DC converter assembly is viewed from the thickness direction of the base, both vertical edges of the rectifier plate overlap with the reactor in the thickness direction of the rectifier plate.

[0092] <Note 8> The upper edge of the waterproof plate is located above the upper edge of the rectifier plate. The fuel cell unit according to any one of <Appendix 3> to <Appendix 7>, characterized in that the lower edge of the rectifier plate is located below the lower edge of the waterproof plate.

[0093] <Note 9> Equipped with a bracket to support electrical components, The fuel cell unit according to any one of Appendix 2 to Appendix 8, characterized in that the bracket protrudes downward from the base and protrudes toward the converter side from the mounting surface. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0094] 20...Fuel cell unit, 21...Fuel cell stack, 22...Housing, 31...Radiator fan, 34...Ventilation opening, 40...DC / DC converter assembly, 41...Converter, 42...Heat sink, 43...Base, 44...Heat dissipation fins, 45...Mounting surface, 55...Converter body, 56...Reactor, 58...Rectifier plate, 58a...Upper edge, 58b...Lower edge, 59...Waterproof plate, 59a...Upper edge, 59b...Lower edge, 61...First gripping part, 62...First extending wall, 71...Second gripping part, 72...Second extending wall, 73...Notch, 80...Bracket, 85...Electrical component.

Claims

1. Fuel cell stack and A housing for the fuel cell stack, A radiator fan is provided in the aforementioned housing and communicates the inside and outside of the housing, A ventilation opening is provided on the opposite side of the housing from the radiator fan and communicates the inside and outside of the housing, A DC / DC converter assembly is disposed inside the housing and includes a converter for converting the output voltage of the fuel cell stack, and a heat sink that dissipates heat generated from the converter into the air by exchanging heat with the air taken into the housing from the vent when the radiator fan is driven, A rectifier plate is provided in the DC / DC converter assembly at a location on the vent side, which receives air flowing from the vent through the inside of the housing and rectifies the air toward the heat sink, A fuel cell unit comprising a waterproof plate provided in the DC / DC converter assembly on the radiator fan side and receiving water that enters the interior of the housing via the radiator fan, The rectifier plate is provided with a first gripping portion, A fuel cell unit characterized in that the waterproof plate is provided with a second gripping portion.

2. The aforementioned heatsink is A plate-shaped base having a mounting surface on which the converter is mounted, The base has a plurality of heat dissipation fins protruding from the side opposite to the mounting surface, The fuel cell unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the DC / DC converter assembly is arranged inside the housing with the base portion standing upright in the vertical direction.

3. The rectifier plate is positioned vertically and its thickness direction coincides with a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the base, and is provided in the portion of the DC / DC converter assembly located on the vent side. The fuel cell unit according to claim 2, characterized in that the waterproof plate is provided in a portion of the DC / DC converter assembly located on the radiator fan side, such that it stands upright in the vertical direction and the thickness direction of the waterproof plate coincides with a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the base.

4. The fuel cell unit according to claim 3, characterized in that the first gripping portion is a surface of the rectifier plate located on the vent side and includes a first extending wall that extends from the portion located on the upper side in the vertical direction toward the vent.

5. The fuel cell unit according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the second gripping portion is located on the surface of the waterproof plate opposite to the radiator fan and includes a second extending wall that extends from the portion located on the upper side in the vertical direction toward the side opposite to the radiator fan.

6. The fuel cell unit according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the second gripping portion includes a notch formed in the lower part of the waterproof plate.

7. Equipped with a bracket to support electrical components, The fuel cell unit according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the bracket protrudes downward from the base and protrudes toward the converter side from the mounting surface.

8. The aforementioned converter is The converter body mounted on the aforementioned mounting surface, The converter body has a reactor that is positioned alongside the converter body on the radiator fan side, The fuel cell unit according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that when the DC / DC converter assembly is viewed from the thickness direction of the base, both vertical edges of the rectifier plate overlap with the reactor in the thickness direction of the rectifier plate.

9. The upper edge of the waterproof plate is located above the upper edge of the rectifier plate. The fuel cell unit according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the lower edge of the rectifier plate is located below the lower edge of the waterproof plate.

Images