Ion Exchanger

Abstract

To provide an ion exchanger capable of improving manufacturing efficiency.SOLUTION: An ion exchanger 17 is provided on a cooling liquid circuit through which a cooling liquid for cooling a fuel cell flows. The ion exchanger 17 includes: a housing 21 which includes an inflow part for flowing the cooling liquid in and an outflow part 26 for flowing the cooling liquid out, and has an internal flow channel 29 for guiding the cooling liquid flowing from the inflow part to the outflow part 26; a first partition wall part 47 which is arranged in the internal flow channel 29 and has a plurality of first through holes 52; a second partition wall part 48 which is arranged at a position on the upstream side in a flow direction of the cooling liquid rather than the first partition wall part 47 in the internal flow channel 29, and has a plurality of second through holes 56; and an ion exchange resin 19 arranged between the first partition wall part 47 and the second partition wall part 48 in the internal flow channel 29. Both the first partition wall part 47 and the second partition wall part 48 are composed of a synthetic resin.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ion exchanger provided in a coolant circuit of a fuel cell. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an ion exchanger of this type is known, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1. This ion exchanger is configured to include an upper casing, a cartridge that is covered by the upper casing and contains an ion exchange resin, and a lower casing that covers the part of the upper casing that covers the cartridge. A cylindrical inlet port through which cooling water is introduced and a cylindrical outlet port through which the cooling water is discharged are respectively protruding from the peripheral wall of the lower casing.

[0003] The cartridge is cylindrical, with disk-shaped meshes at the openings at the top and bottom. Each mesh prevents leakage of ion exchange resin from the cartridge, while allowing the flow of cooling water. When cooling water is introduced into the lower casing through the inlet port, metal ions and other contaminants contained in the cooling water are adsorbed by the ion exchange resin and removed as the cooling water passes through the cartridge. The cooling water from which the metal ions and other contaminants have been removed is then discharged to the outside of the lower casing through the outlet port. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-110841 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the above-mentioned ion exchanger, the net provided in the cartridge is usually composed of a metal mesh and a frame-shaped resin frame integrally molded by insert molding using the mesh as an insert. Insert molding requires high precision work, so it is time-consuming to manufacture the net. For this reason, the above-mentioned ion exchanger has not been very efficient in manufacturing. Therefore, there is still room for improvement in terms of improving the manufacturing efficiency of the ion exchanger. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The means for solving the above problems and their effects will be described below. The ion exchanger that solves the above problem is an ion exchanger provided in a coolant circuit through which a coolant that cools a fuel cell flows, and comprises: a housing having an inlet portion for introducing the coolant and an outlet portion for discharging the coolant, and having an internal flow path that guides the coolant that has flowed in from the inlet portion to the outlet portion; a first partition portion disposed in the internal flow path and having a plurality of first through holes; a second partition portion disposed upstream of the first partition portion in the internal flow path in the flow direction of the coolant and having a plurality of second through holes; and an ion exchange resin disposed between the first partition portion and the second partition portion in the internal flow path, wherein the first partition portion and the second partition portion are both made of synthetic resin.

[0007] According to this configuration, since the first partition portion and the second partition portion are both made of synthetic resin, they can be easily molded by normal injection molding. Therefore, the first partition portion and the second partition portion can be easily manufactured, and the manufacturing efficiency of the ion exchanger can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 2 is a schematic diagram of a coolant circuit in the fuel cell system according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an ion exchanger provided in the coolant circuit of the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a lower casing in the ion exchanger of the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of an upper casing in the ion exchanger of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a cartridge in the ion exchanger of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cartridge according to the first embodiment as viewed from below. [Figure 8] Cross-sectional view of Figure 2. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an ion exchanger according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a second partition wall portion of an ion exchanger according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a first partition portion formed integrally with a pipe in an ion exchanger according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] Cross-sectional view of Figure 9. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a cartridge according to a modified example. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cartridge according to a modified example. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of the through hole of the cartridge in FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cartridge according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] (First embodiment) Hereinafter, a first embodiment of an ion exchanger will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Fig. 1, a coolant such as cooling water flows through a coolant circuit 11 of a fuel cell system mounted on a vehicle, etc. The coolant circuit 11 includes a pump 12 that circulates the coolant by sucking and discharging it, a fuel cell 13 that is cooled by the coolant, and a heat exchanger 14 that cools the coolant by exchanging heat with outside air.

[0010] The coolant circuit 11 includes a ring-shaped main circuit 15 in which a pump 12, a fuel cell 13, and a heat exchanger 14 are provided, and a bypass circuit 16 that branches off from the main circuit 15 and bypasses the heat exchanger 14. An ion exchanger 17 that adsorbs and removes ions contained in the coolant is provided in the bypass circuit 16. The downstream end of the bypass circuit 16 is connected to the main circuit 15 via a three-way valve 18.

[0011] 2 and 3, the ion exchanger 17 includes a hollow cylindrical cartridge 20 that houses a plurality of granular ion exchange resin 19 (see FIG. 8) therein, and a synthetic resin housing 21 that houses the cartridge 20. The housing 21 includes a lower casing 22 and an upper casing 23 that is assembled to the lower casing 22. The lower casing 22 is in the shape of a closed-bottom circular box that is open at the top.

[0012] A cylindrical inlet portion 25 and a cylindrical outlet portion 26 are respectively provided protruding from the lower and upper portions of the peripheral wall 24 of the lower casing 22. An upstream piping 27 constituting a portion of the bypass 16 upstream of the ion exchanger 17 is connected to the inlet portion 25. The inlet portion 25 allows the cooling liquid in the upstream piping 27 to flow into the lower casing 22.

[0013] A downstream pipe 28 constituting a portion of the bypass 16 downstream of the ion exchanger 17 is connected to the outflow portion 26. The outflow portion 26 causes the cooling liquid in the lower casing 22 to flow out into the downstream pipe 28. An internal flow path 29 is provided in the housing 21, i.e., in the lower casing 22, for guiding the cooling liquid that has flowed into the lower casing 22 from the inflow portion 25 to the outflow portion 26. The cartridge 20 is disposed in the internal flow path 29.

[0014] As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, a lower flange 30 is formed at the upper end of the peripheral wall 24 of the lower casing 22. An annular groove 32 is recessed in the upper surface of the lower flange 30, into which a gasket 31 (see Fig. 8) is fitted. A plurality of female threaded holes 33 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of the annular groove 32. A plurality of brackets 34 are integrally formed with the peripheral wall 24 for fixing the lower casing 22 to the vehicle with bolts (not shown). A first recess 35 and a second recess 36 are formed opposite each other on the inner periphery of the upper end of the peripheral wall 24. The first recess 35 is located circumferentially in the same position as the outflow portion 26.

[0015] 2, 3 and 5, the upper casing 23 includes a cover portion 37 that closes the upper opening of the lower casing 22, and a cylindrical portion 38 that extends downward from the cover portion 37 and is inserted into the lower casing 22. The cartridge 20 is housed in the cylindrical portion 38 and is removably attached. An upper flange 39 is formed on the outer periphery of the cover portion 37. A plurality of bolt holes 41 through which bolts 40 are inserted are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction in the upper flange 39.

[0016] 5 and 8, a communication hole 42 is formed in the upper part of the cylindrical portion 38 of the upper casing 23. A cylindrical portion 43 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 38 so as to protrude from the outer circumferential edge of the communication hole 42 toward the outer circumferential side. A protrusion 44 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 38 on the side opposite the cylindrical portion 43. The cylindrical portion 43 and the protrusion 44 of the upper casing 23 are inserted into the first recess 35 and the second recess 36 of the lower casing 22, respectively.

[0017] The height of the upper end of the inner peripheral surface of the communication hole 42 is the same as the height of the lower surface of the lid portion 37 of the upper casing 23. That is, the upper end of the inner peripheral surface of the communication hole 42 and the lower surface of the lid portion 37 are connected in a straight line. The inner diameter of the communication hole 42 and the inner diameter of the outflow portion 26 are the same, and the communication hole 42 and the outflow portion 26 are arranged coaxially. Therefore, when the cylindrical portion 38 is inserted inside the peripheral wall 24 of the lower casing 22, the communication hole 42 communicates with the inside of the cylindrical portion 38 and the outflow portion 26. A female thread 45 is formed at the lower end of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 38.

[0018] 6 to 8, the cartridge 20 includes a cylindrical cartridge body 46, a plurality of ion exchange resins 19 housed in the cartridge body 46, a disk-shaped first partition wall portion 47, and a disk-shaped second partition wall portion 48. The first partition wall portion 47 and the second partition wall portion 48 are provided so as to close the openings on both sides of the cartridge body 46. In this case, the first partition wall portion 47 is provided so as to close the opening at the upper end of the cartridge body 46, while the second partition wall portion 48 is provided so as to close the opening at the lower end of the cartridge body 46.

[0019] Since the coolant flows from the bottom to the top of the internal flow path 29, when the cartridge 20 is placed in the internal flow path 29, the second partition wall 48 is placed at a position upstream of the first partition wall 47 in the internal flow path 29 in the flow direction of the coolant. The cartridge body 46, the first partition wall 47, and the second partition wall 48 are made of synthetic resin molded by injection molding. That is, the cartridge body 46, the first partition wall 47, and the second partition wall 48 are made only of synthetic resin. The cartridge body 46 and the second partition wall 48 are integrally formed by injection molding.

[0020] The cartridge 20 is formed by putting a plurality of ion exchange resins 19 into the cartridge body 46 from the opening at the upper end of the cartridge body 46, and then welding the first partition wall 47 to the upper end of the cartridge body 46 so as to close the opening at the upper end of the cartridge body 46. Therefore, the plurality of ion exchange resins 19 are disposed between the first partition wall 47 and the second partition wall 48 in the internal flow path 29.

[0021] The first partition wall portion 47 includes a circular frame-shaped first outer frame 49, a plurality (three in this example) of first inner frames 50 extending linearly connecting the center portion and the first outer frame 49, and a plurality (three in this example) of first thin plate portions 51. Each of the first outer frames 49 and each of the first inner frames 50 have the same thickness. Each of the first thin plate portions 51 is slightly thinner than each of the first outer frames 49 and each of the first inner frames 50. Each of the first thin plate portions 51 is substantially fan-shaped.

[0022] The first inner frames 50 are connected to each other at the center of the first partition wall portion 47 and are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Each first thin plate portion 51 is arranged in a region surrounded by the first outer frame 49 and two first inner frames 50 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. Each first thin plate portion 51 has a plurality of first through holes 52 smaller than a grain of ion exchange resin 19 formed throughout.

[0023] The second partition portion 48 includes a circular frame-shaped second outer frame 53, a plurality (three in this example) of second inner frames 54 extending linearly connecting the center portion and the second outer frame 53, and a plurality (three in this example) of second thin plate portions 55. Each of the second outer frames 53 and each of the second inner frames 54 have the same thickness. Each of the second thin plate portions 55 is slightly thinner than each of the second outer frames 53 and each of the second inner frames 54. Each of the second thin plate portions 55 is substantially fan-shaped.

[0024] The second inner frames 54 are connected to each other at the center of the second partition wall portion 48 and are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Each second thin plate portion 55 is arranged in a region surrounded by the second outer frame 53 and two second inner frames 54 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. Each second thin plate portion 55 has a plurality of second through holes 56 smaller than a grain of ion exchange resin 19 formed throughout.

[0025] Therefore, the first partition 47 and the second partition 48 prevent leakage of the ion exchange resin 19 from the cartridge 20 while allowing the flow of the cooling liquid. A male thread 57 that can be screwed into the female thread 45 of the cylindrical portion 38 of the upper casing 23 is formed at the lower end of the outer circumferential surface of the cartridge 20. Then, the cartridge 20 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 38 of the upper casing 23 from below and the male thread 57 of the cartridge 20 is screwed into the female thread 45 of the upper casing 23, whereby the cartridge 20 is detachably attached to the upper casing 23.

[0026] Next, a method for assembling the ion exchanger 17 will be described. When assembling the ion exchanger 17, first, the cartridge 20 is attached to the cylindrical portion 38 of the upper casing 23. Next, the cylindrical portion 38 of the upper casing 23 is inserted from above into the peripheral wall 24 of the lower casing 22, and the upper surface of the lower flange 30 of the lower casing 22 is brought into contact with the lower surface of the upper flange 39 of the upper casing 23. Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the bolts 40 are inserted into the bolt holes 41 of the upper casing 23, and each bolt 40 is screwed into the female threaded hole 33 of the lower casing 22. As a result, the lower casing 22 and the upper casing 23 are joined together, and the ion exchanger 17 is completed, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0027] Next, the operation of the ion exchanger 17 will be described. 2 and 8, in the ion exchanger 17, the coolant flows into the internal flow path 29 of the lower casing 22 through the inlet portion 25. The coolant that flows into the internal flow path 29 from the inlet portion 25 flows into the cartridge 20 from each second through hole 56 of the second partition portion 48. The coolant that flows into the cartridge 20 flows toward the first partition portion 47.

[0028] At this time, metal ions and the like contained in the coolant are adsorbed by the ion exchange resin 19 while the coolant flows from the second partition portion 48 to the first partition portion 47 inside the cartridge 20. The coolant from which the metal ions and the like have been removed in this manner flows out to the outside of the lower casing 22 through the first through holes 52, the communication hole 42, and the outflow portion 26 of the first partition portion 47.

[0029] According to the first embodiment described above in detail, the following effects are achieved. (1-1) In the ion exchanger 17, the first partition portion 47 and the second partition portion 48 are both made of synthetic resin.

[0030] According to this configuration, the first partition wall portion 47 and the second partition wall portion 48 are both made of synthetic resin, and therefore do not require a metal mesh. Therefore, the first partition wall portion 47 and the second partition wall portion 48 can be easily molded only by normal injection molding, without performing insert molding, which is a complicated process that uses a metal mesh as an insert. Therefore, the first partition wall portion 47 and the second partition wall portion 48 can be easily manufactured, and therefore the manufacturing efficiency of the ion exchanger 17 can be improved.

[0031] (1-2) The ion exchanger 17 includes a cartridge 20 disposed in the internal flow path 29. The cartridge 20 includes a cylindrical cartridge body 46 made of synthetic resin, an ion exchange resin 19 housed in the cartridge body 46, and a first partition wall portion 47 and a second partition wall portion 48 provided so as to close openings on both sides of the cartridge body 46. The cartridge body 46 and the second partition wall portion 48 are integrally formed.

[0032] According to this configuration, the cartridge 20 can be manufactured by simply housing a plurality of ion exchange resins 19 in the cartridge body 46 through the opening at the upper end of the cartridge body 46, and then closing the opening at the upper end of the cartridge body 46 with the first partition wall portion 47. Therefore, the cartridge 20 can be manufactured more easily than when the cartridge body 46 and both the first partition wall portion 47 and the second partition wall portion 48 are formed separately.

[0033] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the ion exchanger will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Fig. 9, an ion exchanger 60 of the second embodiment is used in place of the ion exchanger 17 in the coolant circuit 11 of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1. In the second embodiment, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described, and descriptions overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted. In the second embodiment, the same members as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0034] 9, 10 and 13, the ion exchanger 60 includes a plurality of granular ion exchange resins 19, a retention unit 61 that retains the plurality of ion exchange resins 19, and a housing 62 that accommodates the ion exchange resins 19 and the retention unit 61. The housing 62 is made of synthetic resin, and includes a lower casing 63 and an upper casing 64 that is assembled to the lower casing 63. The lower casing 63 is in the shape of a circular box with a bottom and an open top.

[0035] A cylindrical inlet portion 66 and a cylindrical outlet portion 67 are respectively provided to protrude from a lower portion of a peripheral wall 65 of the lower casing 63. The inlet portion 66 and the outlet portion 67 are arranged to be opposite each other. The inlet portion 66 is connected to the upstream piping 27 that constitutes the portion of the bypass 16 upstream of the ion exchanger 60. The inlet portion 66 causes the cooling liquid in the upstream piping 27 to flow into the lower casing 63.

[0036] The outlet portion 67 is connected to the downstream piping 28 which constitutes the portion of the detour 16 downstream of the ion exchanger 60. The outlet portion 67 causes the coolant in the lower casing 63 to flow into the downstream piping 28. A female thread 68 is formed on an upper portion of the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 65 of the lower casing 63. A bracket (not shown) for fixing the lower casing 63 to the vehicle with a bolt (not shown) is formed integrally with the peripheral wall 65 of the lower casing 63.

[0037] The upper casing 64 includes a lid portion 69 that closes the opening at the top of the lower casing 63, and a cylindrical portion 70 that extends downward from the lid portion 69 and is inserted into the lower casing 63. The holding unit 61 and a plurality of ion exchange resins 19 are housed inside the upper casing 64. A male thread 71 that can be screwed into the female thread 68 of the lower casing 63 is formed on the upper part of the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 70 of the upper casing 64.

[0038] 10 to 13, the holding unit 61 is formed of a synthetic resin molded product by injection molding, and includes a disk-shaped first partition wall portion 72, a disk-shaped second partition wall portion 73, and a cylindrical pipe 74. The upper end of the pipe 74 passes through the center of the first partition wall portion 72, and is formed integrally with the first partition wall portion 72. The center of the second partition wall portion 73 is formed with a central hole 75 into which the lower end of the pipe 74 is inserted.

[0039] The outer diameter of the first partition portion 72 is smaller than the outer diameter of the second partition portion 73. The first partition portion 72 is disposed so that its outer peripheral edge portion contacts the inner peripheral surface of the upper end portion of the upper casing 64, and the second partition portion 73 is disposed so as to close the opening at the lower end of the cylindrical portion 70. In this case, a gap is formed between the upper end of the pipe 74 and the upper surface inside the upper casing 64, and the outer peripheral edge portion of the second partition portion 73 is joined to the peripheral edge portion of the opening at the lower end of the cylindrical portion 70 by heat caulking.

[0040] The lower end of the pipe 74 is inserted into a central hole 75 of the second partition wall portion 73 and protrudes downward beyond the second partition wall portion 73. The multiple ion exchange resins 19 are accommodated in a space surrounded by the lower surface of the first partition wall portion 72, the upper surface of the second partition wall portion 73, the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 70, and the outer circumferential surface of the pipe 74.

[0041] The upper casing 64, with the holding unit 61 and the plurality of ion exchange resins 19 housed therein, is removably attached to the lower casing 63 by screwing the male threads 71 ​​into the female threads 68 of the lower casing 63. That is, the ion exchanger 60 is assembled by assembling the upper casing 64, with the holding unit 61 and the plurality of ion exchange resins 19 housed therein, to the lower casing 63.

[0042] The first partition portion 72 includes a circular first outer frame 76, a plurality (four in this example) of linearly extending first inner frames 77 that connect the outer circumferential surface of the pipe 74 to the first outer frame 76, and a plurality (four in this example) of first thin plate portions 78. Each of the first thin plate portions 78 has a substantially trapezoidal shape.

[0043] The first inner frames 77 are disposed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Each first thin plate portion 78 is disposed in an area surrounded by the first outer frame 76, two first inner frames 77 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction, and the outer circumferential surface of the pipe 74. Each first thin plate portion 78 has a plurality of first through holes 79 smaller than a single grain of ion exchange resin 19 formed throughout.

[0044] The second partition portion 73 includes a circular frame-shaped second outer frame 80, a plurality (six in this example) of second inner frames 81 extending linearly to connect the periphery of the center hole 75 to the second outer frame 80, and a plurality (six in this example) of second thin plate portions 82. Each of the second thin plate portions 82 is generally trapezoidal in shape.

[0045] The second inner frames 81 are disposed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Each second thin plate portion 82 is disposed in an area surrounded by the second outer frame 80, two second inner frames 81 adjacent in the circumferential direction, and the periphery of the central hole 75. A plurality of second through holes 83 smaller than a single grain of ion exchange resin 19 are formed throughout each second thin plate portion 82.

[0046] Therefore, the first partition portion 72 and the second partition portion 73 prevent leakage of the ion exchange resin 19 while allowing the flow of the coolant. When the upper casing 64 accommodating the retention unit 61 and the plurality of ion exchange resins 19 is assembled to the lower casing 63, an internal flow path 84 is formed in the housing 62. The internal flow path 84 includes a first internal flow path 85 and a second internal flow path 86. The first internal flow path 85 is a flow path that guides the cooling liquid that has flowed in from the inlet portion 66 directly to the outlet portion 67. The second internal flow path 86 is a flow path that guides the cooling liquid that has flowed in from the inlet portion 66 via the second partition portion 73, the plurality of ion exchange resins 19, the first partition portion 72, and the pipe 74 to join the first internal flow path 85.

[0047] Therefore, the second partition wall portion 73 is disposed at a position upstream in the flow direction of the coolant from the first partition wall portion 72 in the second internal flow passage 86. The multiple ion exchange resins 19 are disposed between the first partition wall portion 72 and the second partition wall portion 73 in the second internal flow passage 86.

[0048] Next, the operation of the ion exchanger 60 will be described. 13 , in the ion exchanger 60, the coolant flows into the lower casing 63 through the inlet portion 66. Most of the coolant that flows into the lower casing from the inlet portion 66 flows through the first internal flow path 85 to the outlet portion 67, and then flows out of the lower casing 63 through the outlet portion 67.

[0049] Meanwhile, a part of the cooling liquid that has flowed into the lower casing 63 from the inlet portion 66 flows into the second internal flow path 86, i.e., into the upper casing 64 from each of the second through holes 83 of the second partition portion 73. The cooling liquid that has flowed into the upper casing 64 flows toward the first partition portion 72. At this time, metal ions and the like contained in the cooling liquid are adsorbed by the ion exchange resin 19 in the process of the cooling liquid flowing from the second partition portion 73 to the first partition portion 72 inside the upper casing 64.

[0050] The coolant from which metal ions and the like have been removed passes through each of the first through-holes 79 of the first partition portion 72, and then flows into pipe 74 from the opening at the upper end of pipe 74. The coolant that has flowed into pipe 74 flows downward inside pipe 74, and then flows into first internal flow path 85 from the opening at the lower end of pipe 74. The coolant that has flowed into first internal flow path 85 flows toward outflow portion 67, and then flows out to the outside of lower casing 63 through outflow portion 67.

[0051] According to the second embodiment described above in detail, in addition to the effect (1-1) above, the following effect is achieved. (2-1) In the ion exchanger 60, the upper casing 64 accommodating the holding unit 61 and the plurality of ion exchange resins 19 is configured to be detachable from the lower casing 63. Therefore, the ion exchange resins 19 can be replaced together with the upper casing 64 and the holding unit 61 as a set. Therefore, the replacement work of the ion exchange resins 19 can be easily performed.

[0052] (Example of change) The above-described embodiments may be modified as follows: Furthermore, the above-described embodiments and the following modifications may be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.

[0053] As shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 7, the cartridge body 46 of the cartridge 20 of the first embodiment may be provided with a plurality of third through holes 90. The third through hole 90 is smaller in size than a single grain of ion exchange resin 19. In this way, the cooling liquid that has flowed into the cartridge body 46 from the second through hole 56 can be made to flow out not only from the first through hole 52 but also from the third through hole 90. Alternatively, the cooling liquid can be made to flow into the cartridge body 46 not only from the second through hole 56 but also from the third through hole 90. The shape, number, density, size, etc. of the third through hole 90 may be changed as appropriate.

[0054] In the first and second embodiments, the first partitions 47, 72 may have different opening rates depending on the positions. In this case, since the first partitions 47, 72 are made of synthetic resin, the size and density of each of the first through holes 52, 79 can be easily changed. Therefore, the first partitions 47, 72 can have different opening rates depending on the positions, for example, by partially changing at least one of the size and density of the first through holes 52, 79. In this way, by making the opening rate of the first partitions 47, 72 different depending on the positions, the flow speed of the cooling liquid passing through the first through holes 52, 79 of the first partitions 47, 72 can be changed depending on the positions of the first partitions 47, 72 through which the cooling liquid passes.

[0055] For example, when the flow velocity of the coolant passing through the center of the first partition portion 47, 72 is faster than the flow velocity of the coolant passing through the peripheral portion of the first partition portion 47, 72, the ion exchange resin 19 is more likely to collect in the peripheral portion than in the center of the first partition portion 47, 72. In such a case, by adjusting the opening ratio of the first partition portion 47, 72, the flow velocity of the coolant passing through the first partition portion 47, 72 can be made uniform throughout the entire first partition portion 47, 72.

[0056] In the first and second embodiments, the first through holes 52, 79 and the second through holes 56, 83 may be designed to have a gradually changing cross-sectional area from one end to the other end in the thickness direction of the first partition wall portions 47, 72 and the second partition wall portions 48, 73, which is the extending direction of the first through holes 52, 79 and the second through holes 56, 83. In this way, the flow speed of the coolant passing through the first through holes 52, 79 and the second through holes 56, 83, respectively, can be changed.

[0057] In the first and second embodiments, the shapes of the first through holes 52, 79 and the second through holes 56, 83 may be set arbitrarily. That is, the shapes of the first through holes 52, 79 and the second through holes 56, 83 may be, for example, circular or elliptical, or may be polygonal such as rectangular or hexagonal, or may be elongated holes extending linearly.

[0058] In the first embodiment, the cartridge 20 may be changed to a cartridge 91 shown in Fig. 14. The cartridge 91 includes a storage bag 92 made of a net and housing a plurality of granular ion exchange resins 19, and a case 93 that is disposed in the internal flow path 29 housing the storage bag 92 housing the plurality of ion exchange resins 19.

[0059] The containing bag 92 is in the shape of a hollow cylinder. The case 93 includes a case body 94 in the shape of a circular rectangular box with an open upper end, and a disk-shaped lid 95 for opening and closing the opening at the upper end of the case body 94. The net constituting the downstream end of the containing bag 92 in the flow direction of the cooling liquid, i.e., the net constituting the upper end of the containing bag 92, is a first partition wall portion 96. The net constituting the upstream end of the containing bag 92 in the flow direction of the cooling liquid, i.e., the net constituting the lower end of the containing bag 92, is a second partition wall portion 97. The case body 94 and the lid 95 are provided with a plurality of openings 98 larger than one ion exchange resin 19 and smaller than the containing bag 92.

[0060] In this way, by opening the lid 95 of the case 93, the ion exchange resin 19 housed in the case 93 can be replaced together with the housing bag 92. This allows the case 93 to be used repeatedly. Furthermore, by placing the housing bag 92 housing a plurality of ion exchange resins 19 inside the case 93, it is possible to effectively prevent the housing bag 92 from moving, the ion exchange resins 19 from becoming uneven, the housing bag 92 from breaking, and the like.

[0061] The cartridge 20 in the first embodiment may be changed to a synthetic resin cartridge 99 shown in Fig. 15. The cartridge 99 includes a cartridge body 100 having a cylindrical shape with a lid, a plurality of ion exchange resins 19 housed in the cartridge body 100, and a disk-shaped bottom cover joined to close an opening at the lower end of the cartridge body 100. The upper wall of the cartridge body 100 is a disk-shaped first partition portion 102 having a plurality of through holes 101 (first through holes). The cartridge body 100 and the first partition portion 102 are integrally formed.

[0062] The bottom cover that closes the opening at the lower end of the cartridge body 100 is a second partition wall portion 103 having a plurality of through holes 101 (second through holes). A plurality of through holes 101 are formed all over the peripheral wall of the cartridge body 100. In this case, as shown in FIG. 16, each through hole 101 has a quadrangular shape in which the cross-sectional area gradually decreases from the outside toward the inside. Furthermore, in this case, the shape of each through hole 101 may be, for example, a circular shape or an elliptical shape, or may be a polygonal shape other than a quadrangular shape. Furthermore, in this case, each through hole 101 may be configured so that the cross-sectional area gradually increases from the outside toward the inside.

[0063] The cartridge 20 in the first embodiment may be changed to a synthetic resin cartridge 104 shown in Fig. 17. The cartridge 104 includes a cartridge body 105 having a cylindrical shape with a lid, a plurality of ion exchange resins 19 housed in the cartridge body 105, and a disk-shaped bottom cover joined so as to close an opening at the lower end of the cartridge body 105. The upper wall of the cartridge body 105 is a disk-shaped first partition portion 107 having a plurality of through holes 106 (first through holes).

[0064] The cartridge body 105 and the first partition wall 107 are integrally formed. The bottom cover that closes the opening at the lower end of the cartridge body 105 is a second partition wall 108 having a plurality of through holes 106 (second through holes). The plurality of through holes 106 are partially formed in the peripheral wall of the cartridge body 105. Each of the through holes 106 is constituted by an elongated hole. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 11…Cooling liquid circuit 12…Pump 13…fuel cell 14...Heat exchanger 15…Main circuit 16...Detour 17,60…Ion exchanger 18...Three-way valve 19...Ion exchange resin 20, 91, 99, 104… Cartridges 21,62…Housing 22,63…Lower casing 23,64…Upper casing 24,65…peripheral wall 25,66…Inflow part 26,67…Outlet 27…Upstream piping 28…Downstream piping 29,84…Internal flow passage 30…Lower flange 31…Gasket 32...Annular groove 33...Female thread hole 34…Bracket 35…First recess 36…Second recess 37,69…Lid part 38, 70…Cylindrical section 39…Upper flange 40…Volts 41…Bolt hole 42...Communication hole 43...Cylinder part 44…Protrusion 45,68…Female thread 46, 100, 105...Cartridge body 47,72,96,102,107...First partition part 48,73,97,103,108...Second bulkhead part 49,76…First outer frame 50,77…First inner frame 51,78...1st thin plate part 52,79…First through hole 53,80…Second outer frame 54,81…Second inner frame 55,82…Second thin plate part 56,83…Second through hole 57,71…Male thread 61…Holding unit 74…Pipe 75...Center hole 85…First internal passage 86…Second internal passage 90…Third through hole 92…Storage bag 93…Case 94…Case body 95…Lid 98…Opening 101, 106...Through holes

Claims

1. An ion exchanger provided in a coolant circuit through which a coolant for cooling a fuel cell flows, a housing having an inlet portion through which the cooling liquid flows and an outlet portion through which the cooling liquid flows out, the housing having an internal flow path for guiding the cooling liquid flowing in from the inlet portion to the outlet portion; a first partition portion disposed in the internal flow path and having a plurality of first through holes; a second partition portion disposed at a position upstream of the first partition portion in the internal flow passage in a flow direction of the cooling liquid, the second partition portion having a plurality of second through holes; an ion exchange resin disposed between the first partition wall and the second partition wall in the internal flow path; A cartridge disposed in the internal flow path; Equipped with the first partition portion and the second partition portion are both made of a synthetic resin, The cartridge comprises: A cylindrical cartridge body made of synthetic resin; The ion exchange resin contained in the cartridge body; the first partition portion and the second partition portion are provided so as to close openings on both sides of the cartridge body, An ion exchanger, wherein the cartridge body and either the first partition or the second partition are integrally formed.

2. An ion exchanger provided in a coolant circuit through which a coolant for cooling a fuel cell flows, a housing having an inlet portion through which the cooling liquid flows and an outlet portion through which the cooling liquid flows out, the housing having an internal flow path for guiding the cooling liquid flowing in from the inlet portion to the outlet portion; a first partition portion disposed in the internal flow path and having a plurality of first through holes; a second partition portion disposed at a position upstream of the first partition portion in the internal flow passage in a flow direction of the cooling liquid, the second partition portion having a plurality of second through holes; an ion exchange resin disposed between the first partition wall and the second partition wall in the internal flow path, the first partition portion and the second partition portion are both made of a synthetic resin, An ion exchanger, wherein the first through hole and the second through hole have cross-sectional areas that change from one end to the other end in the extension direction of the first through hole and the second through hole.

3. 2. The ion exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge body is provided with a plurality of third through holes.

4. 4. The ion exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the first partition portion has an opening ratio that varies depending on the position.

5. An ion exchanger provided in a coolant circuit through which a coolant for cooling a fuel cell flows, a housing having an inlet portion through which the cooling liquid flows and an outlet portion through which the cooling liquid flows out, the housing having an internal flow path for guiding the cooling liquid flowing in from the inlet portion to the outlet portion; a first partition portion disposed in the internal flow path and having a plurality of first through holes; a second partition portion disposed at a position upstream of the first partition portion in the internal flow passage in a flow direction of the cooling liquid, the second partition portion having a plurality of second through holes; an ion exchange resin disposed between the first partition wall and the second partition wall in the internal flow path; a storage bag configured by a net and containing a plurality of the ion exchange resin particles; a case that is disposed in the internal flow path and has a lid and that houses the housing bag in which a plurality of the ion exchange resins are housed; the first partition portion and the second partition portion are both made of a synthetic resin, the first partition portion is formed by the net that constitutes a downstream end portion of the containing bag in a flow direction of the cooling liquid, the second partition wall is formed by the net that constitutes an upstream end of the containing bag in a flow direction of the cooling liquid, The ion exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the case and the lid are provided with a plurality of openings each larger than one of the ion exchange resins and smaller than one of the storage bags.

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