Humidifier

Abstract

To provide a humidifier including an end plate with improved strength.SOLUTION: A humidifier 100 includes: a humidification part 4 having laminated separators which adjust moisture of a gas by circulation of the gas supplied to / discharged from a fuel battery; and a resin end plate 9 which covers the humidification part 4. The humidification part 4 further has: an inflow port 451 into which the gas flows; and an outflow port 452 from which the gas flows out. The end plate 9 has reinforcement ribs 95 which reinforce the end plate 9. When viewed in a lamination direction of the separators, at least parts of the reinforcement ribs 95 are provided at positions overlapping with the inflow port 451 and the outflow port 452.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a humidifier. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a humidifier that adds moisture to gas supplied to a fuel cell and takes in moisture from gas discharged from the fuel cell. The humidifier has an intake port that draws in outside air as cathode gas, an introduction port that receives cathode off-gas discharged from the fuel cell, and a humidifier that adds moisture to the cathode gas drawn in from the intake port and removes moisture contained in the cathode off-gas from the introduction port. The humidifier is housed in a resin housing with an open front, and the open portion of the housing is covered by an end plate (a blocking member in Patent Document 1). The space inside the end plate is used as a duct that circulates gas flowing in and out of the humidifier. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-125853 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the humidifier described in Patent Document 1, the space inside the end plate is used as a conduit for circulating gas, so there is a risk that the end plate will be deformed by the air pressure of the air flowing inside the end plate. If the end plate is deformed, there is a problem that, for example, the sealing property of the separator constituting the humidifier cannot be maintained.

[0005] For these reasons, it is desirable to improve the strength of the end plates. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A characteristic configuration of the humidifying device according to the present invention includes a humidifying section having stacked separators that adjust the moisture content of gas by the flow of the gas supplied to and discharged from a fuel cell, and a resin end plate that covers the humidifying section, the humidifying section further having an inlet through which the gas flows and an outlet through which the gas flows, the end plate having a reinforcing rib that reinforces the end plate, and at least a portion of the reinforcing rib is provided at a position that overlaps the inlet and the outlet when viewed in the stacking direction of the separators. The end plate further includes a first plate, a second plate joined to the first plate, and a joint portion joining the first plate and the second plate, and the reinforcing rib is provided so as to straddle the joint portion. The point is that

[0007] According to this characteristic configuration, the reinforcing ribs are provided at positions overlapping with the inlet through which gas flows into the moisture regulator and the outlet through which gas flows out of the moisture regulator, thereby suppressing deformation of the end plate due to the pressure of the gas flowing into or out of the moisture regulator, for example, thereby improving the strength of the end plate.

[0008]

[0009] Also, According to this, since the reinforcing rib is provided so as to straddle the joint portion, it is possible to increase the joint strength between the first plate and the second plate.

[0010] As another configuration, the laminate may further include a gas flow passage through which the gas flows, and when viewed in the stacking direction, the reinforcing rib may be provided in a region different from an overlap region that overlaps with the gas flow passage.

[0011] This makes it possible to prevent the gas flow passage through which the gas flows from being blocked, and to reduce the pressure loss of the gas flowing through the gas flow passage.

[0012] As another configuration, when the gas flow path overlaps with the humidifying section as viewed in the stacking direction, the reinforcing rib may be provided in a region different from the overlapping region.

[0013] This makes it possible to prevent the gas flow passage through which the gas flows from being blocked, and to reduce the pressure loss of the gas flowing through the gas flow passage.

[0014] The humidifying device according to the present invention comprises a humidifying section having stacked separators that adjust the moisture content of gas by the flow of the gas supplied to and exhausted from a fuel cell, and a resin end plate that covers the humidifying section, the humidifying section further having an inlet through which the gas flows and an outlet through which the gas flows, the end plate having a reinforcing rib that reinforces the end plate, and when viewed in the stacking direction of the separators, at least a portion of the reinforcing rib is provided at a position that overlaps with the inlet and the outlet, The air conditioner may further include a reinforcing plate disposed opposite the humidifying section with the end plate interposed therebetween, the reinforcing plate being in contact with the reinforcing rib.

[0015] According to this, the end plate is reinforced by the abutment of the reinforcing plate and the reinforcing rib, so that the thickness of the end plate can be reduced, and as a result, the humidifier can be made more compact. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the humidifier shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a humidifier unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI shown in FIG. [Figure 7] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a configuration of a rib according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of a humidifier according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] [Basic configuration] First, an overview of the fuel cell system A will be described with reference to Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the fuel cell system A includes a fuel cell FC mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, and a humidifier 100 that adjusts the moisture content of gas supplied to and exhausted from the fuel cell FC. Although not shown, the fuel cell system A further includes a hydrogen supply unit that supplies fuel gas (hydrogen gas) to be supplied to the fuel cell FC.

[0019] In the fuel cell FC, hydrogen gas from a hydrogen supply unit (not shown) is supplied to the anodes of a plurality of fuel cell cells (not shown), and dry gas from an external source is supplied to the cathodes of the plurality of fuel cell cells. The fuel cell FC generates electricity by reacting the hydrogen gas with the dry gas, and discharges a water-containing gas that contains moisture as a result of the reaction.

[0020] The humidifier 100 humidifies the dry gas (hereinafter referred to as cathode gas G1) supplied to the fuel cell FC. In detail, the humidifier 100 receives a water-containing gas (hereinafter referred to as cathode off-gas G2) that contains moisture after a reaction discharged from the fuel cell FC, removes moisture from the cathode off-gas G2 that has been introduced, and provides the removed moisture to the cathode gas G1, thereby humidifying the cathode gas G1.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the humidifier 100 includes a first gas supply flow path 1 through which cathode gas G1 supplied from the outside flows, a first control valve V1 that switches the flow direction of the cathode gas G1 and controls the flow rate of the cathode gas G1, a second gas supply flow path 2 downstream of the first control valve V1 through which the cathode gas G1 flows toward the humidifier unit 4, a bypass flow path 3 downstream of the first control valve V1 that supplies the cathode gas G1 directly to the fuel cell FC without passing through the humidifier unit 4, the humidifier unit 4 that humidifies the cathode gas G1 supplied from the second gas supply flow path 2, and a connecting flow path 5 through which the cathode gas G1 flows after being humidified by the humidifier unit 4.

[0022] The humidifier 100 also includes an inlet flow path 6 that introduces the cathode offgas G2 discharged from the fuel cell FC into the humidifier section 4, a first exhaust flow path 7 through which the cathode offgas G2 flows after moisture has been removed in the humidifier section 4, a second control valve V2 that controls the flow rate of the cathode offgas G2, and a second exhaust flow path 8 that discharges the cathode offgas G2 to the outside.

[0023] In the following, the flow direction of the cathode gas G1 flowing through each of the first gas supply flow path 1, the first control valve V1, the second gas supply flow path 2, the bypass flow path 3, and the connecting flow path 5 is referred to as the "first flow direction D1," and the flow direction of the cathode off-gas G2 flowing through each of the inlet flow path 6, the first exhaust flow path 7, the second control valve V2, and the second exhaust flow path 8 is referred to as the "second flow direction D2."

[0024] A cathode gas G1 is supplied from the outside via a gas supply port P1 and flows through the first gas supply passage 1. The cathode gas G1 is pressurized by, for example, a compressor C provided outside and then supplied.

[0025] The first control valve V1 switches the supply destination of the cathode gas G1 supplied from the first gas supply flow path 1 between the second gas supply flow path 2 and the bypass flow path 3. Hereinafter, the state of the first control valve V1 when the supply destination of the cathode gas G1 is the second gas supply flow path 2 will be referred to as a first state, and the state of the first control valve V1 when the supply destination of the cathode gas G1 is the bypass flow path 3 will be referred to as a second state. Note that the first control valve V1 can also block the cathode gas G1 supplied from the first gas supply flow path 1 without supplying it to either the second gas supply flow path 2 or the bypass flow path 3.

[0026] When the first control valve V1 is in the first state, the cathode gas G1 is supplied from the first control valve V1 to flow through the second gas supply flow path 2. When the first control valve V1 is in the second state, the cathode gas G1 supplied from the outside via the first control valve V1 is supplied to the bypass flow path 3 to flow through it.

[0027] The humidifier 4 is supplied with cathode gas G1 from the outside via the first gas supply passage 1, the first control valve V1, and the second gas supply passage 2. The humidifier 4 humidifies the cathode gas G1 supplied from the outside by passing it through the humidifier 4. The connection passage 5 allows the cathode gas G1, which has been humidified by the humidifier 4, to flow out of the humidifier 4 and supply it to the bypass passage 3.

[0028] The cathode offgas G2 containing moisture discharged from the fuel cell FC flows through the inlet flow path 6. The inlet flow path 6 introduces the cathode offgas G2 to the humidifier unit 4. The cathode offgas G2 discharged from the humidifier unit 4 flows through the first exhaust flow path 7. Note that moisture has been removed from the cathode offgas G2 flowing through the first exhaust flow path 7 in the humidifier unit 4. The second control valve V2 controls the flow rate of the cathode offgas G2 flowing through the second exhaust flow path 8.

[0029] The cathode off-gas G2 flowing through the second exhaust flow path 8 is exhausted to the outside via the exhaust port P2. That is, the cathode off-gas G2 exhausted from the fuel cell FC has moisture removed by the humidifier 4, and then passes through the first exhaust flow path 7, the second control valve V2, and the second exhaust flow path 8, and is exhausted to the outside from the exhaust port P2.

[0030] 2 and 3, the humidifier 100 further includes a resin end plate 9 that covers the humidifying section 4 described with reference to Fig. 1, and a reinforcing plate 10 that reinforces the end plate 9. The end plate 9 and the reinforcing plate 10 will be described later.

[0031] [Humidification section] Next, the configuration of the humidifier 4 will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 4 to 6. As shown in Fig. 4, the humidifier 4 has a plurality of separators 41, two humidifier plates 42 sandwiching the plurality of separators 41, and a case 43 that houses the two humidifier plates 42 with the plurality of separators 41 sandwiched between them. As shown in Fig. 6, the humidifier 4 further has a seal member 44 that seals the humidifier 4. The seal member 44 is, for example, a gasket. The seal member 44 is provided between a first humidifier plate 421 (to be described later) and an end plate 9, and seals the first humidifier plate 421 and the end plate 9.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 6, the multiple separators 41 adjust the moisture content of gas by the flow of gas supplied to and exhausted from the fuel cell FC (see Fig. 1). The multiple separators 41 are configured by stacking plates made of resin molded into a rectangular shape. Hereinafter, the stacking direction of the separators 41 is referred to as the X direction. In addition, the posture in which the humidifier 100 is used is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, a view along the X direction is referred to as a plan view (an example of a view in the stacking direction).

[0033] Each of the separators 41 includes a moisture supplying section (not shown) that supplies moisture to the cathode gas G1 and a moisture taking section (not shown) that takes moisture from the cathode off-gas G2. The moisture supplying section is provided on one surface of the separator 41, and the moisture taking section is provided on the other surface, and the moisture supplying section and the moisture taking section are stacked alternately. A water exchange membrane is provided at the boundary between the moisture supplying section of one separator 41 and the moisture taking section of the adjacent separator 41, and the moisture supplying section, the moisture taking section, and the water exchange membrane are in close contact with each other. Hereinafter, the moisture supplying section, the moisture taking section, and the water exchange membrane are collectively referred to as a moisture adjusting section 411 (see FIG. 5). That is, the moisture adjusting section 411 is composed of a plurality of stacked separators 41. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the shape of the moisture adjusting section 411 in a plan view is approximately hexagonal.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 6, the two humidifier plates 42 include a first humidifier plate 421 provided at one end in the X direction and a second humidifier plate 422 provided at the other end. Hereinafter, the direction from the second humidifier plate 422 to the first humidifier plate 421 along the X direction is defined as the X1 direction, and the direction from the first humidifier plate 421 to the second humidifier plate 422 is defined as the X2 direction. The first humidifier plate 421 and the second humidifier plate 422 are rectangular in shape with their main surfaces perpendicular to the X direction. The opposing surfaces of the first humidifier plate 421 and the second humidifier plate 422 contact the separator 41. The second humidifier plate 422 is housed in a case 43.

[0035] An end plate 9 is provided on the opposite side of the facing surface of first humidifying section plate 421 that contacts separator 41. The opposite side of the facing surface of second humidifying section plate 422 that contacts separator 41 contacts case 43.

[0036] 4, the case 43 has a base 431 that is rectangular when viewed in the X direction (plan view) and four fastened portions 432 that stand upright from the base 431. In this embodiment, a female screw is formed in the fastened portions 432. The base 431 faces the fuel cell FC (see FIG. 1).

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the humidifier section 4 further has four gas flow spaces 45 penetrating the first humidifier section plate 421 and the plurality of separators 41 in the X direction.

[0038] The four gas flow spaces 45 include a first cathode gas flow space 451 , a second cathode gas flow space 452 , a first cathode off-gas flow space 453 , and a second cathode off-gas flow space 454 .

[0039] The first cathode gas circulation space 451, the second cathode gas circulation space 452, the first cathode offgas circulation space 453, and the second cathode offgas circulation space 454 are provided at four corners of the humidifier section 4. More specifically, the first cathode gas circulation space 451 and the second cathode gas circulation space 452 are provided at diagonal positions.

[0040] The first edge 451f of the first cathode gas circulation space 451 and the second edge 452f of the second cathode gas circulation space 452 face each other across the center O of the humidifier 4 and are parallel to each other. The first edge 451f is an edge located on the side of the center O of the humidifier 4 (hereinafter referred to as the inner side) among the edges constituting the first cathode gas circulation space 451, and the second edge 452f is an edge located on the inner side among the edges constituting the second cathode gas circulation space 452. The center O of the humidifier 4 is a position where diagonals of the rectangular humidifier 4 intersect.

[0041] The first cathode offgas circulation space 453 and the second cathode offgas circulation space 454 are provided at diagonal positions. A third edge 453f of the first cathode offgas circulation space 453 and a fourth edge 454f of the second cathode offgas circulation space 454 face each other across the center O of the humidification unit 4 and are parallel to each other. The third edge 453f is an edge located on the inner side among the edges constituting the first cathode offgas circulation space 453, and the fourth edge 454f is an edge located on the inner side among the edges constituting the second cathode offgas circulation space 454.

[0042] 5, the first cathode gas circulation space 451 communicates with the second gas supply passage 2, and a cathode gas G1 supplied from the outside flows into the first cathode gas circulation space 451 via a gas supply port P1, the first gas supply passage 1, the first control valve V1, and the second gas supply passage 2 (see FIG. 1). An opening of the first cathode gas circulation space 451 on the first humidifier plate 421 side corresponds to an inlet.

[0043] The first cathode gas flow space 451 communicates with the second cathode gas flow space 452 via a moisture adjustment section 411 (moisture supply section) of the separator 41. The cathode gas G1 that has flowed into the first cathode gas flow space 451 flows through the moisture adjustment section 411 (moisture supply section) along the diagonal line of the humidifier 4, as shown in Fig. 5. This causes the cathode gas G1 to be humidified.

[0044] The humidified cathode gas G1 that has passed through the moisture adjustment section 411 (moisture supply section) of the separator 41 flows into the second cathode gas circulation space 452 and flows out from the second cathode gas circulation space 452. The opening of the second cathode gas circulation space 452 on the first humidification section plate 421 side corresponds to an outlet port.

[0045] The second cathode gas flow space 452 communicates with the connection flow path 5. Therefore, the humidified cathode gas G1 that flows out from the second cathode gas flow space 452 flows into the connection flow path 5. As described above, the connection flow path 5 is connected to the bypass flow path 3 described with reference to FIG. 1, and therefore the cathode gas G1 that has flowed through the connection flow path 5 flows into the bypass flow path 3 and is supplied to the fuel cell FC.

[0046] The first cathode offgas circulation space 453 communicates with the introduction flow path 6, and cathode offgas G2 (an example of a gas) containing moisture discharged from the fuel cell FC flows into the first cathode offgas circulation space 453 (see FIG. 1). An opening of the first cathode offgas circulation space 453 on the first humidification section plate 421 side corresponds to an inlet.

[0047] The first cathode offgas circulation space 453 communicates with the second cathode offgas circulation space 454 via a moisture adjustment section 411 (moisture removal section) of the separator 41. The cathode offgas G2 that has flowed into the first cathode offgas circulation space 453 flows through the moisture adjustment section 411 (moisture removal section) along the diagonal line of the humidification section 4. This removes moisture from the cathode offgas G2.

[0048] The cathode offgas G2 after passing through the moisture adjustment section 411 (moisture removal section) of the separator 41 and having moisture removed therefrom flows into the second cathode offgas circulation space 454 and flows out from the second cathode offgas circulation space 454. The opening of the second cathode offgas circulation space 454 on the side of the first humidification section plate 421 corresponds to an outlet port.

[0049] The second cathode offgas flow space 454 communicates with the first discharge flow path 7. Therefore, the cathode offgas G2 flowing out from the second cathode offgas flow space 454 is discharged to the outside via the first discharge flow path 7, the second control valve V2, the second discharge flow path 8, and the discharge port P2 (see FIG. 1).

[0050] [End plate] Next, the end plate 9 will be described with reference to Figures 2, 3, and 5 to 7. As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 5 to 7, the end plate 9 has a first end plate 91 (corresponding to the first plate) and a second end plate 92 (corresponding to the second plate).

[0051] As shown in FIG. 6, the first end plate 91 is provided closer to the humidifying unit 4 than the second end plate 92, and the second end plate 92 is provided farther from the humidifying unit 4 than the first end plate 91.

[0052] The first end plate 91 and the second end plate 92 are each made of resin. The first end plate 91 and the second end plate 92 function as a manifold that configures a gas flow path for gas flowing into the humidifying unit 4 and gas flowing out from the humidifying unit 4. In detail, as shown in FIG. 5, the second gas supply flow path 2, the connection flow path 5, the introduction flow path 6, and the first exhaust flow path 7 described with reference to FIG. 1 are formed inside the first end plate 91 and the second end plate 92. The second gas supply flow path 2, the connection flow path 5, the introduction flow path 6, and the first exhaust flow path 7 correspond to gas flow paths. In this embodiment, the connection flow path 5 is curved so as to bulge from the second cathode gas circulation space 452 as a base end toward the center O of the humidifying unit 4. That is, the connection flow path 5 overlaps with the moisture adjustment section 411 in a plan view.

[0053] 5, the end plate 9 has a welded portion 94 (an example of a joint portion) where the first end plate 91 and the second end plate 92 are welded to each other. The welded portion 94 joins the first end plate 91 and the second end plate 92 to each other.

[0054] The welded portion 94 has a shape in which a part of a hexagon is missing in a plan view. The welded portion 94 includes a first welded portion 941, a second welded portion 942, a third welded portion 943, a fourth welded portion 944, and a fifth welded portion 945.

[0055] When viewed along the X2 direction, in the welded portion 94, a third welded portion 943, a second welded portion 942, a fourth welded portion 944, and a fifth welded portion 945 are provided in this order in a clockwise direction from a first welded portion 941. The first welded portion 941, the third welded portion 943, the fourth welded portion 944, and the fifth welded portion 945 are provided along the outer edge of the moisture adjustment portion 411 in a plan view.

[0056] Each of the first welded portion 941, the second welded portion 942, the third welded portion 943, and the fourth welded portion 944 is provided on the inner side (toward the center O) of the gas circulation space 45 of the humidifier 4 in a plan view. More specifically, the first welded portion 941 is provided on the inner side of the first cathode gas circulation space 451 in a plan view. Similarly, the second welded portion 942 is provided on the inner side of the second cathode gas circulation space 452, the third welded portion 943 is provided on the inner side of the first cathode offgas circulation space 453, and the fourth welded portion 944 is provided on the inner side of the second cathode offgas circulation space 454 in a plan view. The second welded portion 942 is provided so as to curve toward the center O of the humidifier 4. As a result, the connection flow path 5 is formed so as to curve so as to bulge toward the center O of the humidifier 4.

[0057] In addition, in a plan view, the first welded portion 941 is provided substantially parallel to a first edge portion 451f of the first cathode offgas flow space 451. Similarly, in a plan view, the third welded portion 943 is provided substantially parallel to a third edge portion 453f of the first cathode offgas flow space 453, and the fourth welded portion 944 is provided substantially parallel to a fourth edge portion 454f of the second cathode offgas flow space 454.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 3, the end plate 9 has a plurality of reinforcing ribs 95 for reinforcing the end plate 9. As shown in Fig. 2, the plurality of reinforcing ribs 95 are provided on the X1 side surface of the second end plate 92 (the surface opposite to the side facing the first end plate 91) and protrude in the X1 direction from the second end plate 92. The protruding amount (hereinafter referred to as height) of each of the plurality of reinforcing ribs 95 in the X1 direction is substantially the same. The reinforcing ribs 95 also function as a flow leader when the end plate 9 is molded. This can improve the fluidity of the resin when the end plate 9 is molded.

[0059] 7, the reinforcing ribs 95 are provided in a region (non-overlapping region) different from an overlap region R1 that overlaps with the gas flow passage through which gas flows in a plan view. In this embodiment, the gas flow passage is configured to be upstream of the first cathode gas flow space 451 and the first cathode offgas flow space 453 and downstream of the second cathode gas flow space 452 and the second cathode offgas flow space 454.

[0060] Moreover, at least a portion of the reinforcing rib 95 is provided at a position overlapping with the gas flow space 45 .

[0061] The multiple reinforcing ribs 95 are provided separately in multiple blocks, a first block B1, a second block B2, a third block B3, a fourth block B4, and a fifth block B5, and a portion of each of the first block B1, the second block B2, the third block B3, the fourth block B4, and the fifth block B5 is provided at a position overlapping with the gas flow space 45. Hereinafter, the reinforcing rib 95 provided in the first block B1 will be referred to as a first rib 951. Similarly, the reinforcing ribs 95 provided in the second block B2, the third block B3, the fourth block B4, and the fifth block B5 will be referred to as a second rib 952, a third rib 953, a fourth rib 954, and a fifth rib 955, respectively.

[0062] The multiple first ribs 951 are provided at approximately equal intervals in the extension direction of the first welded portion 941 in a plan view. Each of the multiple first ribs 951 extends so as to straddle the first welded portion 941 and the first edge portion 451f in a plan view. Hereinafter, the direction in which the reinforcing rib 95 extends is referred to as the length direction of the reinforcing rib 95. A portion of each of the multiple first ribs 951 in the length direction overlaps with the first cathode gas flow space 451 in a plan view.

[0063] The third ribs 953 are provided at approximately equal intervals in a direction in which the third welded portion 943 extends in a plan view. Each of the third ribs 953 extends across the third welded portion 943 and the third edge portion 453f in a plan view. A portion of each of the third ribs 953 in the length direction overlaps with the first cathode off-gas flow space 453 in a plan view.

[0064] Similarly, the multiple fourth ribs 954 are provided at approximately equal intervals in a direction in which the fourth welded portion 944 extends in a plan view. Each of the multiple fourth ribs 954 is provided so as to straddle the fourth welded portion 944 and the fourth edge portion 454f in a plan view. A portion of each of the multiple fourth ribs 954 in the length direction overlaps with the second cathode off-gas flow space 454 in a plan view.

[0065] The multiple second ribs 952 are provided at approximately equal intervals along the outer edge of the humidifier 4 in a plan view. In this embodiment, the connection flow path 5 overlaps with the moisture adjustment section 411 in a plan view, and therefore the multiple second ribs 952 are provided at positions that avoid the connection flow path 5.

[0066] The plurality of fifth ribs 955 are provided, in plan view, at approximately equal intervals along the extension direction of the fifth welded portion 945. Each of the plurality of fifth ribs 955 is provided so as to straddle the fifth welded portion 945 in plan view.

[0067] 3, the end plate 9 further has a central portion 96 including the center O of the humidifying unit 4 in a plan view. As shown in Fig. 2, the central portion 96 is provided on the X1 side surface of the second end plate 92 and protrudes in the X1 direction from the second end plate 92. The dimension (height) of the central portion 96 in the X direction is approximately the same as the height of the reinforcing rib 95.

[0068] [Reinforcement plate] Next, the reinforcing plate 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2, Fig. 3, and Fig. 6. The reinforcing plate 10 described with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 is a plate for reinforcing the end plate 9. The reinforcing plate 10 is made of a metal such as iron or aluminum. In a plan view, the reinforcing plate 10 has substantially the same outer shape (rectangular) as the humidifying unit 4, and has outer dimensions capable of covering the humidifying unit 4.

[0069] 6, the reinforcing plate 10 is provided to face the humidifier section 4 with the end plate 9 sandwiched therebetween. The reinforcing plate 10, together with the two humidifier section plates 42 having the first end plate 91, the second end plate 92, and the multiple separators 41 sandwiched therebetween, is fastened to the fastening portion 432 of the case 43 with fastening members such as bolts and nuts.

[0070] The reinforcing plate 10 abuts against the tops 95t of the multiple reinforcing ribs 95 and the central portion 96 of the end plate 9 when the end plate 9 is not deformed.

[0071] [Effects of the embodiment] As described above, the end plate 9 has a plurality of reinforcing ribs 95. This makes it possible to improve the strength of the end plate 9.

[0072] Further, the multiple reinforcing ribs 95 are provided at positions overlapping with the gas circulation spaces 45 of the humidifier 4 (openings on the first humidifier plate 421 side of the first cathode gas circulation space 451, the first cathode offgas circulation space 453, the second cathode gas circulation space 452, and the second cathode offgas circulation space 454). For this reason, for example, the end plate 9 is prevented from being deformed by the pressure of the gas flowing into the moisture adjustment section 411 or the gas flowing out from the moisture adjustment section 411. Alternatively, the multiple separators 41 are prevented from being separated from each other due to the deformation of the end plate 9. Therefore, the first end plate 91, the second end plate 92, the first humidifier plate 421, the multiple separators 41, and the second humidifier plate 422 can be brought into close contact with each other, and the sealing performance of the humidifier 4 and the end plate 9 can be ensured.

[0073] Furthermore, the reinforcing rib 95 is provided so as to straddle the welded portion 94 where the first end plate 91 and the second end plate 92 are welded together. This increases the weld strength between the first end plate 91 and the second end plate 92. This improves the strength of the end plate 9. As a result, the sealing performance between the humidifying section 4 and the end plate 9 can be ensured.

[0074] Further, in a plan view, the reinforcing rib 95 is provided in a region different from an overlap region R1 that overlaps with the gas flow passages (the second gas supply flow passage 2, the connection flow passage 5, the introduction flow passage 6, and the first exhaust flow passage 7) formed by the end plate 9. This makes it possible to prevent blockage of the gas flow passage through which the gas flows, and to reduce a pressure loss of the gas flowing through the gas flow passage.

[0075] Furthermore, the end plate 9 is reinforced by the reinforcing plate 10 made of iron, aluminum, or the like, which abuts against the reinforcing rib 95. This allows the thickness (dimension in the X direction) of the end plate 9 to be reduced. As a result, the humidifier 100 can be made more compact.

[0076] [Another embodiment] The present invention may be configured as follows other than the above-described embodiment (common numbers and symbols as in the embodiment are used to designate components having the same functions as in the embodiment).

[0077] (a) In this embodiment, the connection flow passage 5 is provided so as to curve toward the center O of the humidifier 4. However, as shown in FIG. 8, the connection flow passage 5 may be provided from the second cathode gas circulation space 452 toward the outside of the humidifier 4. In this case, the second welded portion 942 is provided along the outer edge of the moisture regulator 411 in a plan view, similar to the first welded portion 941, the third welded portion 943, and the fourth welded portion 944. In this case, the second ribs 952 provided in the second block B2 may be provided at approximately equal intervals along the direction in which the second welded portion 942 extends, similar to the first ribs 951 provided in the first block B1, and may be provided so as to straddle the second welded portion 942 and the second edge portion 452f of the second cathode gas circulation space 452. The second ribs 952 may be provided so that a portion of the second rib 952 in the length direction overlaps with the second cathode gas circulation space 452.

[0078] (b) In this embodiment, the multiple first ribs 951 are provided so as to straddle the first welded portion 941, but the first welded portion 941 does not have to straddle the first welded portion 941. Similarly, the multiple third ribs 953 do not have to straddle the third welded portion 943, the multiple fourth ribs 954 do not have to straddle the fourth welded portion 944, and the multiple fifth ribs 955 do not have to straddle the fifth welded portion 945.

[0079] (c) Furthermore, all of the multiple first ribs 951 are provided so as to straddle the first welded portion 941, but at least one of the multiple first ribs 951 does not have to straddle the first welded portion 941. The same applies to the third rib 953, the fourth rib 954, and the fifth rib 955.

[0080] (d) In this embodiment, the reinforcing rib 95 is provided in a region different from the overlap region R1, but at least one of the multiple reinforcing ribs 95 may be provided in a region that overlaps with the overlap region R1.

[0081] (e) In this embodiment, the humidifier 100 includes the reinforcing plate 10, but the reinforcing plate 10 can be omitted.

[0082] (f) In the present embodiment, the flow direction (first flow direction D1) of the cathode gas G1 and the flow direction (second flow direction D2) of the cathode offgas G2 in the moisture adjustment section 411 intersect in a plan view, but the flow direction (first flow direction D1) of the cathode gas G1 and the flow direction (second flow direction D2) of the cathode offgas G2 do not have to intersect in a plan view. In this case, the positions at which the four gas flow spaces 45 are provided may also be changed as appropriate. [Industrial Applicability]

[0083] The present invention can be used in a humidifier. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 2: Second gas supply passage (gas passage) 4: Humidification section 5: Connection flow path (gas flow path) 6: Inlet flow path (gas flow path) 7: First exhaust passage (gas passage) 9: End plate 10: Reinforcement plate 41: Separator 91: 1st end plate (1st plate) 92: Second end plate (second plate) 94: Welded part (joint part) 95: Reinforcement rib 100: Humidifier 411: Moisture adjustment section 451: First cathode gas flow space (inlet) 452: Second cathode gas flow space (outlet) 453: First cathode off-gas flow space (inlet) 454: Second cathode off-gas flow space (outlet) FC: Fuel cell G1: Cathode gas (an example of gas) G2: Cathode off-gas (an example of gas) R1: overlapping area

Claims

1. a humidification unit having stacked separators that adjusts the moisture content of gas supplied to and exhausted from the fuel cell by the flow of the gas; A resin end plate that covers the humidifying unit; Equipped with The humidifying unit further has an inlet through which the gas flows in and an outlet through which the gas flows out, The end plate has a reinforcing rib that reinforces the end plate, When viewed in the stacking direction of the separator, at least a part of the reinforcing rib is provided at a position overlapping with the inlet and the outlet, The end plate is A first plate; a second plate joined to the first plate; a joint portion that joins the first plate and the second plate; Further comprising: The reinforcing rib is provided so as to straddle the joint.

2. a humidification unit having stacked separators that adjusts the moisture content of gas supplied to and exhausted from the fuel cell by the flow of the gas; A resin end plate that covers the humidifying unit; Equipped with The humidifying unit further has an inlet through which the gas flows in and an outlet through which the gas flows out, The end plate has a reinforcing rib that reinforces the end plate, When viewed in the stacking direction of the separator, at least a part of the reinforcing rib is provided at a position overlapping with the inlet and the outlet, The humidifier further includes a reinforcing plate disposed opposite the humidifying unit across the end plate, The reinforcing plate abuts against the reinforcing rib.

3. The end plate is A first plate; a second plate joined to the first plate; a joint portion that joins the first plate and the second plate; Further comprising: The humidifier according to claim 2 , wherein the reinforcing rib is provided so as to straddle the joint portion.

4. Further comprising a gas flow path through which the gas flows, The humidifier according to claim 1 , wherein, as viewed in the stacking direction, the reinforcing rib is provided in a region different from an overlapping region that overlaps with the gas flow path.

5. The humidifier according to claim 4 , wherein when the gas flow passage overlaps with the humidifying section as viewed in the stacking direction, the reinforcing rib is provided in a region different from the overlapping region.

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