fuel cell stack

Abstract

To provide a fuel cell stack capable of downsizing a laminate and a cell monitor connector.SOLUTION: A fuel cell stack 11 includes a laminate 20, a cell monitor connector 40, and a regulation member 50. The laminate 20 is formed by laminating a plurality of fuel battery cells 21 in a lamination direction. The cell monitor connector 40 is used to measure a voltage of the fuel battery cells 21. The cell monitor connector 40 is provided with an insertion part 44 into which a connection end 21f provided on the fuel battery cells 21 is inserted. The regulation member 50 regulates a movement of the cell monitor connector 40 in an opposite direction of an insertion direction in the case that a direction of inserting the insertion part 44 into the connection end 21f is made to be the insertion direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel cell stack. [Background technology]

[0002] A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cell cells. The plurality of fuel cell cells are stacked. A cell monitor and a cell monitor connector are connected to the fuel cell stack. The cell monitor measures the voltage of each fuel cell. The cell monitor connector is attached to the fuel cell in a manner that prevents it from falling off the fuel cell. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cell monitor connector that is prevented from falling off the fuel cell.

[0003] The cell monitor connector of Patent Document 1 includes a housing. The housing includes a main body, a fixing portion, and a connecting portion provided at an end of the main body. The fixing portion protrudes in an L shape from the end of the main body. A fixing claw is provided on the outer surface of the main body, closer to the fixing portion, so as to protrude toward the fixing portion.

[0004] The fuel cell disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a membrane-electrode assembly and a pair of separators that sandwich the membrane-electrode assembly. The separators are made of a conductive material. A gasket is provided between the separators. The ends of the separators are inserted into the connection parts, and are electrically connected to a cell monitor connector. In addition, a protruding piece is formed on the end of the fuel cell.

[0005] The cell monitor connector is disposed between the main body and the fixing part so as to sandwich the protruding piece of the fuel cell. A groove is formed in the upper part of the protruding piece, recessed toward the bottom. In Patent Document 1, when a force acts on the cell monitor connector in a rotational direction, the connection portion of the cell monitor connector moves outward toward the fuel cell. At this time, a rib provided on the connection portion interferes with the end of the gasket. This prevents the cell monitor connector from rotating. As a result, the engagement between the fixing portion and the protruding piece can be maintained, preventing the cell monitor connector from falling off the fuel cell. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5928989 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in Patent Document 1, to prevent the cell monitor connector from falling off from the fuel cell, it is necessary to sandwich the protruding piece of the fuel cell between the main body and fixing part of the cell monitor connector. For this reason, the cell monitor connector needs a fixing part that protrudes in an L shape from the main body, and the fuel cell needs a protruding piece. Therefore, in order to prevent the cell monitor connector from falling off from the fuel cell, the fuel cell and the cell monitor connector end up being large. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The fuel cell stack for solving the above problems comprises a stack comprising a plurality of fuel cell cells stacked in a stacking direction, a cell monitor connector used to measure the voltage of the fuel cell, the cell monitor connector having an insertion portion into which a connection end provided on the fuel cell is inserted to establish electrical conductivity with the fuel cell, and a restricting member that is positioned opposite the end of the cell monitor connector opposite the insertion portion in the insertion direction, where the direction in which the insertion portion is inserted into the connection end is defined as the insertion direction, and that comes into contact with the cell monitor connector to restrict movement of the cell monitor connector in the direction opposite to the insertion direction.

[0009] According to this, movement of the cell monitor connector in the direction opposite to the insertion direction is restricted by the restricting member. As a result, electrical continuity between the connection end and the insertion portion is maintained and the cell monitor connector is prevented from coming off the stack. Because the cell monitor connector is prevented from coming off the stack while maintaining electrical continuity between the connection end and the insertion portion, the stack and the cell monitor connector can be simplified and made smaller than, for example, when the stack and the cell monitor connector are provided with engaging portions that engage with each other.

[0010] The fuel cell stack may include a stack cover that covers the stacked body, and the restricting member may be provided on the stack cover. According to this, the stack cover is a component that houses the stack and is a component that is already included in the fuel cell stack, so it is possible to utilize an existing component to maintain electrical continuity between the connection end and the insertion part while preventing the cell monitor connector from becoming detached from the stack.

[0011] For a fuel cell stack, the regulating member may comprise an attachment portion integral with the stack cover and an elastic portion made of an elastic material attached to the attachment portion, and the attachment portion and the elastic portion may be interposed between the stack cover and the cell monitor connector, and the elastic portion may be in contact with the cell monitor connector.

[0012] With this, even if the distance between the stack cover and the cell monitor connector differs from a preset value, the difference in distance can be absorbed by the elastic deformation of the elastic portion. In a fuel cell stack, the fuel cell may be provided with an insertion recess into which the cell monitor connector is inserted, the fuel cell may have a stack side contact surface that defines the insertion recess and extends in the insertion direction, and the cell monitor connector may have a monitor side contact surface that faces the stack side contact surface.

[0013] According to this, the restricting member applies a force to the cell monitor connector in the insertion direction. When a force is applied to the cell monitor connector in the direction toward the stack-side contact surface, the monitor-side contact surface comes into contact with the stack-side contact surface. This contact prevents the cell monitor connector from rotating within the insertion recess. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, the stack and the cell monitor connector can be made smaller. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a fuel cell stack. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the fuel cell stack from a second stacking end face. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the components of the fuel cell stack. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a cell monitor connector and a restricting member. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view showing the cell monitor connector and the restricting member separated from each other. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the cell monitor connector. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing a cell monitor connector and a restricting member. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a fuel cell stack. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] An embodiment of a fuel cell stack will now be described with reference to FIGS. <Fuel cell stack> As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4, the fuel cell stack 11 includes a laminate 20, a first current collector 22, a second current collector 23, an insulator 24, a stack cover 30, a cell monitor connector 40, and a regulating member 50.

[0017] <Laminate> The stack 20 includes a plurality of fuel cell units 21. Each fuel cell unit 21 has a rectangular plate shape. Each fuel cell unit 21 includes a first edge 21a, a second edge 21b, a third edge 21c, and a fourth edge 21d. The first edge 21a and the second edge 21b extend parallel to each other, and the third edge 21c and the fourth edge 21d extend parallel to each other. Each fuel cell unit 21 is provided with an insertion recess 13 recessed from the first edge 21a. The insertion recess 13 extends obliquely from the first edge 21a toward the second edge 21b. The insertion recess 13 is provided closer to the fourth edge 21d than the center of the first edge 21a. The insertion recess 13 penetrates the fuel cell unit 21 in the plate thickness direction.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 4, the insertion recess 13 is defined by a first stack-side contact surface 13a, a second stack-side contact surface 13b, and a stack-side bottom surface 13c. The first stack-side contact surface 13a and the second stack-side contact surface 13b are parallel to and spaced apart from each other. The first stack-side contact surface 13a and the second stack-side contact surface 13b each extend obliquely with respect to the first edge portion 21a. The stack-side bottom surface 13c is a slope connecting the first stack-side contact surface 13a and the second stack-side contact surface 13b.

[0019] The fuel cell 21 has a connection end 21f. The connection end 21f is provided for measuring the voltage of the fuel cell 21. The connection end 21f is plate-shaped. The connection end 21f protrudes from the stack-side bottom surface 13c of the insertion recess 13. The cell monitor connector 40, which will be described later, is electrically connected to the connection end 21f.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, in the stack 20, all of the fuel cells 21 are stacked in the plate thickness direction of the fuel cells 21. The stack 20 is in the shape of a rectangular block. The direction in which all of the fuel cells 21 are stacked is referred to as stacking direction A. The stacking direction A coincides with the plate thickness direction of the fuel cells 21. Therefore, the stack 20 includes a plurality of fuel cells 21 stacked in the stacking direction A.

[0021] The stack 20 has a first stacking end face S1, a second stacking end face S2, a first side face 20a, a second side face 20b, a third side face 20c, and a fourth side face 20d. The first stacking end face S1 is a first end face in the stacking direction A of the stack 20. The first stacking end face S1 is formed by the outer surface in the plate thickness direction of the fuel cell 21 located at a first end in the stacking direction A. The second stacking end face S2 is a second end face in the stacking direction A of the stack 20. The second stacking end face S2 is formed by the outer surface in the plate thickness direction of the fuel cell 21 located at a second end in the stacking direction A.

[0022] The first side surface 20a is formed by stacking all of the first edge portions 21a in the stacking direction A. The second side surface 20b is formed by stacking all of the second edge portions 21b in the stacking direction A. The third side surface 20c is formed by stacking all of the third edge portions 21c in the stacking direction A. The fourth side surface 20d is formed by stacking all of the fourth edge portions 21d in the stacking direction A.

[0023] The first side surface 20a and the second side surface 20b are surfaces in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction A in the laminate 20. The first side surface 20a and the second side surface 20b are located on opposite sides of the laminate 20. In the laminate 20, the direction in which the first side surface 20a and the second side surface 20b are arranged is referred to as a first direction B.

[0024] The third side surface 20c and the fourth side surface 20d are surfaces in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction A in the laminate 20. The third side surface 20c and the fourth side surface 20d are located on opposite sides of the laminate 20. In the laminate 20, the direction in which the third side surface 20c and the fourth side surface 20d are arranged is defined as a second direction C.

[0025] <First current collector and second current collector> 3, the first current collector 22 is stacked on a first stacking end surface S1 of the laminate 20. The second current collector 23 is stacked on a second stacking end surface S2 of the laminate 20. The first current collector 22 and the second current collector 23 collect power generated by the laminate 20.

[0026] <Insulator> The insulator 24 insulates the first current collector 22 from the stack cover 30. The insulator 24 is sandwiched between the first current collector 22 and the stack cover 30 in the stacking direction A. The insulator 24 is provided on the first stacking end surface S1 of the stack 20 with the first current collector 22 interposed therebetween.

[0027] <Stack cover> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the stack cover 30 includes an end plate 31, a stack manifold 32, a cover plate 34, and a pair of side plates 35.

[0028] The end plate 31 and the stack manifold 32 press the stack 20 in the stacking direction A. The end plate 31 is a rectangular plate when viewed in the plate thickness direction. The plate thickness direction of the end plate 31 coincides with the stacking direction A. The end plate 31 is provided on the first stacking end surface S1 of the stack 20, sandwiching the first current collector 22 and the insulator 24 in the stacking direction A. Therefore, the first current collector 22 and the insulator 24 are provided between the end plate 31 and the stack 20.

[0029] The stack manifold 32 is a piping component for supplying hydrogen, oxygen, and cooling water to the stack 20. The stack manifold 32 is provided on the second stack end surface S2 of the stack 20, sandwiching the second current collector 23 in the stacking direction A. The plate thickness direction of the stack manifold 32 coincides with the stacking direction A.

[0030] The end plate 31 and the stack manifold 32 are fastened together by a fastening member 33. The fastening member 33 includes a bolt 33a and a nut 33b. The bolt 33a is inserted through the end plate 31 and the stack manifold 32. The nut 33b is attached to the bolt 33a so as to press the stack 20 against the end plate 31 and the stack manifold 32. The fastening member 33 presses components such as the stack 20 provided between the end plate 31 and the stack manifold 32 in the stacking direction A. Note that the fastening member 33 is not limited to the above. For example, if the stack manifold 32 has a female thread, the bolt 33a may be threaded into the female thread of the stack manifold 32. In this case, the fastening member 33 includes the bolt 33a and the female thread of the stack manifold 32. Alternatively, if the end plate 31 has a female thread, the bolt 33a may be threaded into the female thread of the end plate 31. In this case, the fastening member 33 includes a bolt 33 a and a female thread of the end plate 31 .

[0031] The cover plate 34 covers the first side surface 20a of the stack 20 from the outside in the first direction B. The cover plate 34 is attached to a pair of side plates 35. The cover plate 34 has a rectangular plate shape. Through holes 34a are formed in the four corners of the cover plate 34.

[0032] Of the pair of side plates 35, one side plate 35 covers the third side surface 20c of the stack body 20 from the outside in the second direction C, and the other side plate 35 covers the fourth side surface 20d of the stack body 20 from the outside. Each of the pair of side plates 35 is fastened to the end plate 31 and the stack manifold 32. Each of the pair of side plates 35 has a short side surface 35a at both ends in the long side direction. A female thread 35b is formed on one of the short side surfaces 35a of the side plate 35.

[0033] The bolts 36 that pass through the through holes 34a of the cover plate 34 are threaded into the female threads 35b of the side plates 35. In this way, the cover plate 34 is attached to the pair of side plates 35. The method of attaching the cover plate 34 is not limited to the above. For example, the cover plate 34 may be attached by threading the bolts 36 into the female threads provided in the end plate 31 and the stack manifold 32. Alternatively, the cover plate 34 may be attached by threading the bolts 36 into the female threads provided in either the stack manifold 32 or the end plate 31.

[0034] The stack cover 30 is formed by the end plate 31, the stack manifold 32, the cover plate 34, and a pair of side plates 35. The stack body 20 is housed in a space surrounded by the stack cover 30. Therefore, the stack body 20 is covered by the stack cover 30 from both sides in the stacking direction A, one side in the first direction B, and both sides in the second direction C.

[0035] <Cell monitor connector> The cell monitor connector 40 is used to measure the voltage of the fuel cell 21. The cell monitor connector 40 is connected to the fuel cell 21.

[0036] As shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, the cell monitor connector 40 includes a resin housing 41, a plug-in portion 44, and a cable 46. The cell monitor connector 40 is electrically connected to a cell monitor (not shown) via the cable 46. The cell monitor is a voltmeter that measures the voltage of the fuel cell 21. Therefore, the cell monitor connector 40 electrically connects the fuel cell 21 and the cell monitor to electrically connect the cell monitor to the fuel cell 21.

[0037] The housing 41 includes a main body 42 and an operating section 43. The main body 42 is block-shaped. The direction in which the longitudinal axis of the main body 42 extends is the longitudinal direction of the cell monitor connector 40. In the cell monitor connector 40, one direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X is the thickness direction W, and the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and the thickness direction W is the width direction Y. The thickness direction W coincides with the stacking direction A.

[0038] The cell monitor connector 40 is connected to the fuel cell 21 so that the longitudinal direction X coincides with the insertion direction T into the insertion recess 13. The cell monitor connector 40 is connected to the fuel cell 21 so that the plate thickness direction W coincides with the stacking direction A.

[0039] The main body 42 has a first end surface 42a at one end in the longitudinal direction X of the main body 42, and a second end surface 42b at the other end in the longitudinal direction X. The operating part 43 protrudes from the first end surface 42a of the main body 42.

[0040] The main body 42 has a first monitor side contact surface 42c on a first end surface in the width direction Y, and a second monitor side contact surface 42d on a second end surface in the width direction Y. The first monitor side contact surface 42c and the second monitor side contact surface 42d are surfaces located on opposite sides in the width direction Y. Each of the first monitor side contact surface 42c and the second monitor side contact surface 42d is a flat surface.

[0041] When viewing the cell monitor connector 40 in the thickness direction W of the main body 42, the operation portion 43 is L-shaped. The operation portion 43 protrudes from the edge of the first end face 42a in the width direction Y toward the second monitor-side contact surface 42d. The operation portion 43 includes a base 43a that protrudes in a plate-like shape from the first end face 42a and an operation piece 43b that extends in a direction perpendicular to the base 43a. The dimension of the operation piece 43b in the thickness direction W is the same as the dimension of the main body 42 in the thickness direction W. An operation surface 43c is provided on the end face of the operation piece 43b. The operation surface 43c is a surface parallel to the first end face 42a of the main body 42. When inserting the cell monitor connector 40 into the insertion recess 13, the operator presses the operation surface 43c. Therefore, the operation portion 43 has sufficient rigidity to withstand a pushing operation by the operator.

[0042] The insertion portions 44 protrude from the second end surface 42b of the main body 42. Slits 44a are formed in the insertion portions 44. The slits 44a separate the insertion portions 44 in the plate thickness direction W and open to both end sides in the width direction Y. Terminals 45 are arranged on the inner surfaces of the insertion portions 44 in the plate thickness direction W. The terminals 45 are exposed toward the slits 44a. The connection end portions 21f are inserted into the slits 44a of the insertion portions 44. More specifically, the cell monitor connector 40 is inserted into the insertion recess 13 from the insertion portion 44 side. The connection end portions 21f are inserted into the slits 44a between the insertion portions 44. The terminals 45 and the connection end portions 21f are electrically connected. In other words, the insertion portions 44 are electrically connected to the fuel cell 21 by inserting the connection end portions 21f provided on the fuel cell 21 into the insertion portions 44.

[0043] The cable 46 is connected to the terminal 45 of the insertion portion 44. The cable 46 is drawn out from the first end surface 42a of the main body portion 42 to the outside of the main body portion 42. The cable 46 is electrically connected to a cell monitor (not shown). The cell monitor monitors the state of each fuel cell 21. The voltage of the fuel cell 21 is measured by the cell monitor. The measurement result by the cell monitor is output to a main control unit (FCECU) (not shown) via a cable (not shown).

[0044] A cell monitor connector 40 is inserted into the insertion recess 13 of each fuel cell 21. Therefore, the fuel cell 21 is provided with an insertion recess 13 into which the cell monitor connector 40 is inserted. The fuel cell stack 11 includes a plurality of fuel cells 21, and therefore includes a plurality of cell monitor connectors 40. Each cell monitor connector 40 is inserted into the insertion recess 13 with its plate thickness direction W aligned with the stacking direction A. The direction in which the insertion portion 44 is inserted into the connection end 21f is defined as the insertion direction T of the cell monitor connector 40. The insertion recess 13 is defined by a first stack side contact surface 13a and a second stack side contact surface 13b, and extends in the insertion direction T. Therefore, the fuel cell 21 includes the first stack side contact surface 13a and the second stack side contact surface 13b that define the insertion recess 13 and extend in the insertion direction T.

[0045] Most of the main body 42 of the cell monitor connector 40 is inserted into the insertion recess 13. The first monitor-side contact surface 42c is supported by the first stack-side contact surface 13a, and the second monitor-side contact surface 42d is slightly spaced from the second stack-side contact surface 13b (not shown in detail). Therefore, the cell monitor connector 40 has the first monitor-side contact surface 42c facing the first stack-side contact surface 13a. The first end surface 42a of the main body 42 is exposed to the outside of the stack 20 from the first side surface 20a. The cable 46 drawn from the first end surface 42a is drawn to the outside of the stack 20 from the first side surface 20a. The innermost portion 40a of the cell monitor connector 40 is the portion located furthest back in the insertion direction T. The innermost portion 40a is the point where the tip surface of the insertion portion 44 intersects with the first monitor-side contact surface 42c.

[0046] In the cell monitor connector 40, the operating portion 43 is the end portion opposite the insertion portion 44 in the insertion direction T. The operating portion 43 protrudes from the first side surface 20a of the fuel cell 21. The operating surface 43c and the first end surface 42a are inclined with respect to the first side surface 20a. The first end surface 42a is inclined downward from the end on the operating portion 43 side toward the first side surface 20a toward the end opposite the operating portion 43. The operating surface 43c is inclined downward in the width direction Y from the position farthest from the first end surface 42a toward the opposite side toward the first side surface 20a.

[0047] When the fuel cell stack 11 is placed on a horizontal surface, the first side surface 20a is the upper end surface parallel to the horizontal surface. The first end surface 42a of the cell monitor connector 40 is inclined relative to the horizontal surface, and the operation surface 43c is also inclined relative to the horizontal surface.

[0048] <Regulating member> As shown in Figures 4, 5, 7, and 8, the regulating member 50 is provided on the cover plate 34, which is a part of the stack cover 30. The regulating member 50 includes an attachment portion 51 integral with the cover plate 34 and an elastic portion 55 attached to the attachment portion 51. The attachment portion 51 is joined to the cover plate 34 by welding. The attachment portion 51 includes an attachment plate 52 and a plurality of extension portions 53 extending between the attachment plate 52 and the cover plate 34. The attachment plate 52 has a rectangular plate shape. The longitudinal direction of the attachment plate 52 extends in the stacking direction A. The attachment plate 52 is disposed parallel to the cover plate 34. The attachment plate 52 includes a back surface 52a on one side in the plate thickness direction and an attachment surface 52b on the other side in the plate thickness direction. The back surface 52a is spaced apart from the cover plate 34.

[0049] Each of the plurality of extension portions 53 extends from the rear surface 52a toward the cover plate 34. Each of the plurality of extension portions 53 is joined to the cover plate 34 by welding. The elastic portion 55 is made of an elastic material. The elastic portion 55 is made of rubber as the elastic material. The elastic portion 55 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The size of both sides of the elastic portion 55 in the plate thickness direction is the same size as the mounting surface 52b of the mounting plate 52. Therefore, the four side surfaces of the elastic portion 55 are flush with the four side surfaces of the mounting plate 52. Therefore, the elastic portion 55 extends over the entire stacking direction A of the laminate 20. In other words, the elastic portion 55 is arranged so as to span between the first stacking end surface S1 and the second stacking end surface S2 of the laminate 20. Note that the size of both sides of the elastic portion 55 in the plate thickness direction may be larger or smaller than the mounting surface 52b of the mounting plate 52. One side of the elastic portion 55 in the plate thickness direction is joined to the mounting surface 52b.

[0050] The restricting member 50 is attached to the cover plate 34. The cover plate 34 is then attached to the end plate 31 and the stack manifold 32. Therefore, the restricting member 50 is positioned above the cell monitor connector 40. Therefore, the elastic portion 55 of the restricting member 50 is positioned above the cell monitor connector 40. Furthermore, the mounting portion 51 and the cover plate 34 are made of a material that is more rigid than the elastic portion 55. Therefore, when a force acts on the elastic portion 55 toward the mounting portion 51, the elastic portion 55 elastically deforms, but the position of the elastic portion 55 does not change.

[0051] The restricting member 50 is interposed between the cover plate 34 and the cell monitor connector 40. The elastic portion 55 of the restricting member 50 is disposed opposite the operating portion 43 of the cell monitor connector 40. The elastic portion 55 also contacts the operating portion 43.

[0052] A portion of the elastic portion 55 is sandwiched between the operation surface 43c of the cell monitor connector 40 and the mounting surface 52b of the mounting plate 52. In other words, the mounting portion 51 and the elastic portion 55 are interposed between the cover plate 34 and the cell monitor connector 40. The operation portion 43 is wedged into the elastic portion 55. As a result, the elastic portion 55 is compressed in the plate thickness direction, and presses against the mounting plate 52 and the cell monitor connector 40 due to a return force from the compressed state to its original shape.

[0053] As described above, the mounting plate 52 and the cover plate 34 are made of a material with higher rigidity than the elastic portion 55. Therefore, the restoring force of the elastic portion 55 acts on the operating portion 43. This restoring force presses the cell monitor connector 40 downward in the vertical direction.

[0054] The cell monitor connector 40 is inserted at an angle relative to the first side surface 20a via the first stack-side contact surface 13a and the second stack-side contact surface 13b of the insertion recess 13. Therefore, when the cell monitor connector 40 is pressed vertically downward by the restricting member 50, a biasing force is applied to the cell monitor connector 40 in the insertion direction T, and a component force of the vertically downward force and the biasing force is generated toward the first monitor-side contact surface 42c. The component force causes the cell monitor connector 40 to move toward the first stack-side contact surface 13a, but the first stack-side contact surface 13a comes into contact with the first monitor-side contact surface 42c. The contact of the first monitor-side contact surface 42c with the first stack-side contact surface 13a restricts the tilt of the cell monitor connector 40.

[0055] [Operation of the embodiment] The operation of this embodiment will be described. The restricting member 50, which is integral with the cover plate 34, is disposed opposite the operating portion 43 of the cell monitor connector 40. Specifically, the restricting member 50 is in contact with the operating portion 43. The elastic portion 55 of the restricting member 50 presses the cell monitor connector 40 vertically downward. This applies a biasing force to the cell monitor connector 40 in the insertion direction T of the insertion recess 13. By contacting the cell monitor connector 40, the restricting member 50 restricts movement of the cell monitor connector 40 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction T.

[0056] According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) The restricting member 50 restricts the cell monitor connector 40 from moving in the direction opposite to the insertion direction T. This maintains electrical continuity between the insertion portion 44 of the cell monitor connector 40 and the connection end 21f of the fuel cell 21, while also preventing the cell monitor connector 40 from coming off the stack 20. Because the cell monitor connector 40 is prevented from coming off the stack 20 while maintaining electrical continuity between the connection end 21f and the insertion portion 44, the stack 20 and the cell monitor connector 40 can be made smaller than, for example, when the stack 20 and the cell monitor connector 40 are provided with engaging portions that engage with each other.

[0057] (2) The restricting member 50 provided on the cover plate 34 restricts movement of the cell monitor connector 40 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction T. Therefore, even if the structure is such that electrical continuity is established between the terminal 45 and the connection end 21f simply by clamping the connection end 21f with the insertion portion 44, that continuity can be maintained.

[0058] (3) The cover plate 34 is a component of the stack cover 30 that houses and protects the stack 20. The restricting member 50 is provided on this cover plate 34. Therefore, by utilizing existing components that the fuel cell stack 11 has, it is possible to maintain electrical continuity between the connection end 21f and the insertion portion 44 while preventing the cell monitor connector 40 from coming off the stack 20.

[0059] (4) Because the cell monitor connector 40 is connected to each fuel cell 21, multiple cell monitor connectors 40 are connected to the stack 20. For example, compared to when multiple cell monitor connectors 40 are integrated, each cell monitor connector 40 is more likely to lift up from the fuel cell 21. However, because the restricting member 50 can apply a biasing force to each cell monitor connector 40 in the insertion direction T, it is easier to maintain the inserted state of the insertion portion 44 of each of all cell monitor connectors 40 in the connection end 21f.

[0060] (5) The restricting member 50 includes a rubber elastic portion 55. This elastic portion 55 elastically deforms so as to be compressed between the cell monitor connector 40 and the mounting plate 52. Therefore, even if the distance between the cover plate 34 and the cell monitor connector 40 differs from a preset value, the difference can be absorbed by the elastic deformation of the elastic portion 55.

[0061] (6) The cell monitor connector 40 has a first monitor-side contact surface 42c that faces the first stack-side contact surface 13a. When the restricting member 50 applies a biasing force to the cell monitor connector 40 in the insertion direction T, a component force is applied to the cell monitor connector 40 in a direction toward the first stack-side contact surface 13a. At this time, the first monitor-side contact surface 42c comes into contact with the first stack-side contact surface 13a. This contact prevents the cell monitor connector 40 from rotating around the innermost portion 40a.

[0062] (7) The cell monitor connector 40 is equipped with an operating portion 43 that is operated when inserting the cell monitor connector 40 into the insertion recess 13. The operating portion 43 is rigid enough to withstand the operation. Because the operating portion 43 is pressed by the elastic portion 55, the force of the elastic portion 55 returning to its original shape can be effectively transmitted to the operating portion 43. As a result, the cell monitor connector 40 can be effectively biased in the insertion direction T.

[0063] This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility. The stack 20 does not necessarily have to be provided with an insertion recess 13. In this case, the connection end 21f of the fuel cell 21 protrudes above the first edge 21a. The cell monitor connector 40 is placed on the first edge 21a. At this time, the insertion direction T of the connection end 21f into the insertion portion 44 is vertically from top to bottom. The restricting member 50 is disposed opposite the end of the cell monitor connector 40 opposite the insertion portion 44 in the insertion direction T. In this case, the restricting member 50 is disposed above the cell monitor connector 40. The restricting member 50 presses the cell monitor connector 40 from top to bottom. This applies a biasing force to the connection end 21f in the insertion direction T to the cell monitor connector 40. Furthermore, by contacting the cell monitor connector 40, the restricting member 50 restricts movement of the cell monitor connector 40 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction T, i.e., from bottom to top.

[0064] The restricting member 50 may include only the elastic portion 55. In this case, the elastic portion 55 is directly attached to the cover plate 34, and the attachment portion 51 is omitted. Instead of the elastic portion 55, a contact member may be attached to the mounting portion 51 of the restricting member 50. The contact member is made of a material that does not elastically deform like the elastic portion 55, such as resin or metal. In this case, the contact member is positioned slightly away from the operating portion 43 of the cell monitor connector 40. Even if the cell monitor connector 40 moves in the direction opposite to the insertion direction T, the cell monitor connector 40 immediately contacts the contact member. Continuity between the connection end 21f and the insertion portion 44 is maintained even if there is slight movement in the direction opposite to the insertion direction T. The contact member is slightly spaced from the cell monitor connector 40 so that it can restrict only slight movement of the cell monitor connector 40 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction T.

[0065] The elastic portion 55 of the restricting member 50 may be in contact with only the first end surface 42a of the cell monitor connector 40, or may be in contact with both the operation surface 43c and the first end surface 42a. The fuel cell stack 11 may be arranged such that the stacking direction A of the stack body 20 is the vertical direction. In this case, the first side surface 20a of the stack body 20 is an end surface perpendicular to the vertical direction. Therefore, the insertion recess 13 opening on the first side surface 20a opens in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0066] The stack cover that houses the fuel cell stack 11 is cylindrical and has a top plate, with an opening downward. A restricting member 50 is provided on the inner surface of the stack cover to restrict movement of the cell monitor connector 40.

[0067] The restricting member 50 may be provided on a location other than the cover plate 34 of the stack cover 30. For example, the restricting member 50 may be provided on the end plate 31. In this case, the elastic portion 55 and the contact member are attached to the attachment portion 51 attached to the end plate 31.

[0068] The restricting member 50 may be provided in a location other than the stack cover 30. For example, the restricting member 50 may be provided in a housing that houses the stack 20. In the fuel cell stack 11, the first current collector 22, the second current collector 23, the insulator 24, the end plate 31, and the stack manifold 32 other than the stack 20 are not limited to the configuration of the embodiment and may be omitted as necessary. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 13...insertion recess, 13a...first stack side contact surface, 20...stacked body, 21...fuel cell, 21f...connection end, 30...stack cover, 40...cell monitor connector, 42c...first monitor side contact surface, 44...insertion portion, 50...regulating member, 52...mounting plate, 55...elastic portion.

Claims

[Claim 1] a stack comprising a plurality of fuel cell units stacked in a stacking direction; a cell monitor connector used to measure the voltage of the fuel cell, the cell monitor connector having a plug portion into which a connection end portion of the fuel cell is inserted to establish electrical continuity with the fuel cell; a restricting member that is disposed opposite to the end of the cell monitor connector opposite the insertion portion in the insertion direction, where the direction in which the insertion portion is inserted into the connection end is defined as an insertion direction, and that restricts movement of the cell monitor connector in the direction opposite to the insertion direction by contacting the cell monitor connector; a stack cover for covering the stack body, the restricting member being provided on the stack cover; A fuel cell stack characterized in that the regulating member comprises an attachment portion integral with the stack cover and an elastic portion made of an elastic material attached to the attachment portion, the attachment portion and the elastic portion being interposed between the stack cover and the cell monitor connector, and the elastic portion being in contact with the cell monitor connector.

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