Humidifier for fuel cells

Abstract

To provide a humidifier for a fuel battery, which can improve assemblability while securing sealability.SOLUTION: A humidifier 1 for a fuel battery comprises: a humidification part body 2 having a channel through which two kinds of fluid pass in a moisture-exchangeable manner; and a case part 3 which houses the humidification part body 2 and is inserted into a recess 411 of a housing 4. The case part 3 has: a pair of plate parts 31 and 32 which are extended along a direction (Z-direction) of insertion into the recess 411 and face each other; openings 36 and 37 which are formed within the recess 411 and between the pair of plate parts 31 and 32 and through which the fluid passes; and a seal part 38 which is provided on the side of outer surfaces 31A and 32A of the plate parts 31 and 32. The seal part 38 is provided along at least one of end edge parts 311 and 321 on the side of the opening 36 which is a fluid inlet port side of the plate parts 31 and 32 and end edge parts 312 and 322 on the side of the opening 37 which is an outlet port side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Generally, in a fuel cell mounted on a vehicle or the like, a humidifying device is used to include an appropriate amount of moisture (including water vapor. Hereinafter, the "moisture" contained in the fluid shall include water vapor) in a fluid such as supplied air. As such a humidifying device for exchanging moisture between two fluids, a device in which a block having a membrane member is housed in a cylindrical housing has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). In the humidifying device described in Patent Document 1, both end faces in the insertion direction of the block are closed, and four side faces are open so that the fluid can pass through. A frame-shaped seal member is provided for the three open faces.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the configuration of inserting a block into a housing while providing a plurality of seal members for the block as described in Patent Document 1, the assemblability was likely to decrease. In particular, since the frame-shaped seal member has a portion extending so as to intersect the insertion direction, it is likely to cause resistance during insertion. At this time, if the contact pressure of the seal member is lowered, insertion becomes easy, but the sealing performance may decrease. Thus, in the configuration of inserting a block-shaped member into a housing, it has been difficult to achieve both assemblability and sealing performance.

[0005] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a humidifier for fuel cells that can improve assembly while ensuring sealing performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, the humidifier for a fuel cell according to the present invention comprises a humidifier body having a flow path through which two types of fluids can pass in order to exchange moisture, and a case portion that houses the humidifier body and is inserted into a recess of the housing, wherein the case portion has a pair of plate portions that extend in the direction of insertion into the recess and face each other, an opening formed in the recess and between the pair of plate portions through which fluid passes, and a sealing portion provided on the outer surface side of the plate portions, wherein the sealing portion is provided along at least one of the edge portion of the plate portion on the side of the opening which is the fluid inlet side, and the edge portion on the side of the opening which is the outlet side.

[0007] According to this embodiment, a sealing portion is provided on the outer surface of the plate portion along at least one of the edges that serve as the fluid inlet side and the edge that serves as the outlet side, thereby preventing fluid passing through the opening on the inlet or outlet side from entering between the plate portion and the inner surface of the recess. In this case, the edge portion extends along the insertion direction of the case portion into the recess, and the sealing portion extends along the edge portion, so the sealing portion does not create resistance during insertion. Therefore, it is easy to set the contact pressure of the sealing portion appropriately, and assembly ease can be improved while ensuring sealing performance.

[0008] The housing may further include the above-mentioned housing, wherein a pair of opposing inner surfaces in the recess facing each of the pair of plate portions have a housing-side tapered portion whose spacing narrows towards the bottom of the recess, and the seal portion has a seal-side tapered portion whose protrusion from the outer surface of the plate portion decreases towards the bottom. According to this embodiment, when the relative positions of the housing and the case portion in a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction are in a predetermined relationship, the seal portion will only contact the opposing inner surface when insertion is complete or immediately before, thereby reducing resistance during insertion and further improving ease of assembly. Also, when the above-mentioned relative positions deviate from the predetermined relationship, the housing-side tapered portion and the seal-side tapered portion will come into contact, guiding the housing and the case portion closer to the predetermined relationship, thereby improving ease of assembly.

[0009] The plate portion may have a convex or concave portion that interlocks with the opposing inner surface of the concave portion. According to this embodiment, a labyrinth structure can be formed by the convex or concave portion, further improving the sealing performance. Such a labyrinth structure may be formed on the opening side of the sealing portion or on the opposite side.

[0010] The sealing portion has an upright portion extending from the plate portion and a contact portion continuous with the tip of the upright portion, and the contact portion may have a first inclined portion extending toward the opening as it moves away from the plate portion and a second inclined portion extending toward the opposite side. According to this embodiment, the sealing portion contacts the inner surface of the recess while deforming so that the two inclined portions open (the tips move away from each other), making it easy to deform into the desired shape while ensuring the amount of deformation and making it easy to ensure sealing performance. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the humidifier for fuel cells of the present invention, a sealing portion is provided on the outer surface of the plate portion along at least one of the edges that is the fluid inlet side and the edge that is the outlet side, thereby ensuring sealing performance while improving ease of assembly. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is an exploded perspective view showing a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the humidifying unit body of a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is an exploded perspective view showing the humidifier unit body and case of a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view showing a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a side view showing the plate portion of the case portion of a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 5. [Figure 7] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the case and housing of a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention before assembly. [Figure 8] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the case and housing of a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention after assembly. [Figure 9] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a humidifier according to a modified example of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. A humidifier 1 for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a humidifier body 2 having a flow path through which two types of fluids can exchange moisture, and a case portion 3 that houses the humidifier body 2 and is inserted into a recess 411 of a housing 4. The case portion 3 has a pair of plate portions 31, 32 that extend along the insertion direction (Z direction) into the recess 411 and face each other, openings 36, 37 formed inside the recess 411 and between the pair of plate portions 31, 32 through which fluid passes, and a sealing portion 38 provided on the outer surfaces 31A, 32A of the plate portions 31, 32. The sealing portion 38 is provided along at least one of the edge portions 311, 321 on the side of the opening 36 which is the fluid inlet side of the plate portions 31, 32, and the edge portions 312, 322 on the side of the opening 37 which is the outlet side.

[0014] The humidifier 1 humidifies the air supplied to the FC stack, which electrolyzes water in a vehicle-mounted fuel cell. The humidifier unit 2 is housed in a housing 4, and flow paths for a wet fluid and a dry fluid (a fluid with less moisture than the wet fluid) are connected to this housing 4. In a fuel cell, air from which impurities and dust have been removed by an air cleaner is supplied to the FC stack by an air compressor, and moisture-containing air is discharged from the FC stack. The humidifier 1 uses the air discharged from the FC stack as the wet fluid and the air supplied to the FC stack as the dry fluid, thereby transferring moisture from the wet fluid to the dry fluid (exchanging moisture).

[0015] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a humidifier 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the humidifier 1 comprises a humidifier body 2, a case 3, and a housing 4. Hereinafter, the direction in which the case 3 is inserted into the housing 4 will be defined as the Z direction, and the plane perpendicular to the Z direction will be defined as the XY plane.

[0016] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the humidifying section main body 2 of the humidifying device 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the humidifying section main body 2 includes a plurality of laminated flat film-like members 21 and spacers 22 disposed between two adjacent flat film-like members 21, and is configured in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The plurality of flat film-like members 21 have sides along the Z direction and the Y direction, are each formed in a rectangular shape, and are laminated in the X direction. The flat film-like member 21 is formed of a film having a property of selectively permeating substantially only moisture from a fluid containing moisture, and is formed, for example, by laminating a film formed of a water vapor permeable material such as polytetrafluoroethylene, or by using a film impregnated with a water vapor permeable material.

[0017] The spacer 22 is formed in a plate shape as a whole and allows a fluid to pass through in one direction in the plane, and is formed, for example, in a cross-sectional wave shape. In the humidifying section main body 2, spacers 22 through which the fluid can pass in the Y direction and spacers 22 through which the fluid can pass in the Z direction are alternately arranged. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the wet fluid passes in the Y direction and the dry fluid passes in the Z direction. That is, in the rectangular parallelepiped-shaped humidifying section main body 2, the side surfaces 23 and 24 along the XY plane are the surfaces through which the dry fluid enters and exits, and the side surfaces 25 and 26 along the ZX plane are the surfaces through which the wet fluid enters and exits.

[0018] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the humidifying section main body 2 and the case section 3 of the humidifying device 1. The case section 3 houses the humidifying section main body 2, and as also shown in FIG. 3, includes a pair of plate portions 31 and 32 and a pair of frame portions 33 and 34. The pair of plate portions 31 and 32 extend along the YZ plane and face each other in the X direction. The plate portions 31 and 32 are provided so as to overlap the side surfaces 27 and 28 along the YZ plane of the humidifying section main body 2 and function as reinforcing members.

[0019] The frame parts 33 and 34 are formed in a rectangular frame shape and are provided so as to sandwich the humidifying part main body 2 and the plate parts 31 and 32 from the Z direction. That is, the drying fluid can pass through the openings 331 and 341 of the frame parts 33 and 34 and enter and exit from the side surfaces 23 and 24. A seal member 35 is provided along the openings 331 and 341 in the frame parts 33 and 34, and when the seal member 35 abuts against the bottom part 411A or the lid part 42 described later, leakage of the fluid passing through the openings 331 and 341 is suppressed.

[0020] In the case part 3 as described above, openings 36 and 37 are formed on both sides in the Y direction. The openings 36 and 37 are formed at positions sandwiched by the edge parts 311, 312, 321, and 322 that extend along the Z direction on both sides in the Y direction of the pair of plate parts 31 and 32. The wet fluid can pass through the openings 36 and 37 and enter and exit from the side surfaces 25 and 26. That is, the opening 36 becomes the fluid inlet side, and the opening 37 becomes the fluid outlet side.

[0021] Seal parts 38 are provided along the edge parts 311, 312, 321, and 322 on the outer surfaces (surfaces facing each other) 31A and 32A of the plate parts 31 and 32. The seal parts 38 are formed of an elastic material such as rubber or elastic resin and extend along the Z direction. Note that the seal parts 38 only need to be fixed to the plate parts 31 and 32, and the fixing method may be, for example, vulcanization adhesion or insert molding, and an appropriate method may be adopted according to the material of each part.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the humidifying device 1, FIG. 5 is a side view showing the plate part 31 of the case part 3 of the humidifying device 1, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 5. FIGS. 4 to 6 show the seal part 38 provided on the plate part 31 (particularly on the side of the edge part 311), and hereinafter, mainly this seal part 38 will be described. However, unless otherwise specified, the seal parts 38 provided at other positions also have the same form.

[0023] As shown in Figure 4, the sealing portion 38 has an upright portion 381 that is erected away from the outer surface 31A of the plate portion 31 and extends in the X direction, and a contact portion 382 that is continuous with the tip of the upright portion 381. The contact portion 382 has a first inclined portion 383 and a second inclined portion 384. In the sealing portion 38 provided along the edge portions 311, 321 (i.e., on the side of the opening 36), the first inclined portion 383 extends toward the opening 36 as it moves away from the plate portions 31, 32, and the second inclined portion 384 extends toward the opposite side of the opening 36 as it moves away from the plate portions 31, 32. In the sealing portion 38 provided along the edge portions 312 and 322 (i.e., on the side of the opening 37), the first inclined portion 383 extends toward the opening 37 as it moves away from the plate portions 31 and 32, and the second inclined portion 384 extends toward the opposite side of the opening 37 as it moves away from the plate portions 31 and 32. In this way, the sealing portion 38 is formed in a Y-shape in cross-section.

[0024] Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the case portion 3 and housing 4 of the humidifier 1 before assembly, and Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the case portion 3 and housing 4 after assembly. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the X-direction dimension of the entire seal portion 38, including the upright portion 381 and the contact portion 382, ​​in its natural state (before being housed in the housing 4 and in an undeformed state) decreases toward one side in the Z direction (side 24 side). That is, the entire outer surface of the seal portion 38 when viewed from the Y direction is a seal-side tapered portion 385, where the protrusion from the outer surfaces 31A and 32A of the plate portions 31 and 32 decreases toward the bottom portion 411A, which will be described later. The inclination angle of the seal-side tapered portion 385 with respect to the Z direction is preferably about 1 to 5°.

[0025] The housing 4 has a housing body 41 and a lid 42, and is formed as a hollow rectangular parallelepiped overall. The housing body 41 is formed as a bottomed cylindrical shape with an opening in the Z direction and has a recess 411. The recess 411 has a bottom 411A and four inner surfaces 411B to 411E. The bottom 411A is a bottom surface along the XY plane, the inner surfaces 411B and 411D are opposite in the X direction and extend along the YZ plane, and the inner surfaces 411C and 411E are opposite in the Y direction and extend along the ZX plane. The housing body 41 also has a wet fluid inlet opening 412 formed on the side including the inner surface 411C, a wet fluid outlet opening (not shown) formed on the bottom 411A side, and a dry fluid outlet opening 413 that opens in the Y direction, passing through the bottom 411A side.

[0026] The inner surfaces 411B and 411D facing each other in the X direction become opposing inner surfaces that face the plate portions 31 and 32, respectively, when the case portion 3 is housed in the housing 4. The pair of inner surfaces 411B and 411D are inclined with respect to the Z direction such that the distance between them decreases towards the bottom portion 411A, and the entire structure becomes a housing-side tapered portion. In this case, the inclination angle of the inner surfaces 411B and 411D with respect to the Z direction is preferably about 1 to 5°, similar to the seal-side tapered portion 385.

[0027] The lid portion 42 is assembled to the housing body 41 so as to close the opening of the recess 411, and is formed as a plate shape along the XY plane. The lid portion 42 has an inner surface 421 facing inward into the recess 411. A drying fluid inlet opening 422 is formed in the lid portion 42.

[0028] Here, the positional relationships of each part and the fluid flow in the completed assembled state of the humidifier 1 will be explained. The sealing member 35 provided on the frame portion 34 contacts the bottom portion 411A of the recess 411 (in Figure 8, the frame portion 34 and the bottom portion 411A are separated, but it is sufficient for the sealing member 35 to contact the bottom portion 411A), and the sealing member 35 provided on the frame portion 33 contacts the inner surface 421 of the lid portion 42. This prevents the fluid from entering between the humidifier body 2 and the housing 4 as it passes through the frame portions 33 and 34. The sealing member 38 provided on the plate portion 31 contacts the inner surface 411B of the recess 411, and the sealing member 38 provided on the plate portion 32 contacts the inner surface 411D of the recess 411. This prevents the fluid from entering between the humidifier body 2 and the housing 4 as it passes through the openings 36 and 37.

[0029] The moist fluid introduced through the moist fluid inlet opening 412 passes through the inlet opening 36 and flows into the flow path inside the humidifier body 2 from the side 25. After passing through the flow path inside the humidifier body 2, the moist fluid flows out from the side 26, passes through the outlet opening 37, and then passes through the housing 4 before being led out through the moist fluid outlet opening.

[0030] The dry fluid introduced through the dry fluid inlet opening 422 passes through the inlet frame 33 and flows into the flow path inside the humidifier body 2 from the side 23. After passing through the flow path in the humidifier body 2, the dry fluid flows out from the side 24, passes through the outlet frame 34, and then passes through the housing 4 before being discharged from the dry fluid outlet opening 413.

[0031] The humidifying unit body 2 has alternating channels through which wet fluid passes and channels through which dry fluid passes. As a result, moisture moves from the wet fluid to the dry fluid (moisture is exchanged) via the flat membrane member 21 provided between these channels.

[0032] Next, an example of how to assemble the humidifier 1 will be described. First, the humidifier body 2 is formed by stacking the flat film member 21 and the spacer 22 and bonding them together by applying adhesive to the edges of the spacer 22. Next, the frame parts 33 and 34 are assembled with the humidifier body 2 sandwiched between the pair of plate parts 31 and 32. At this time, engaging parts (for example, projections provided on the free end side of the arm) 39 are provided at both ends of the plate parts 31 and 32 in the Z direction, and engaged parts (for example, frame-shaped parts) 332 and 342 are provided on the frame parts 33 and 34, and the assembly is maintained by the engagement between the engaging parts 39 and the engaged parts 332 and 342. Next, a sealing member 35 is provided on the outside of the frame parts 33 and 34. Note that some of the above steps may be performed simultaneously, or the order may be slightly different.

[0033] Next, the humidifier body 2 and case 3 are inserted into the recess 411 with the plate portions 31 and 32 facing the inner surfaces 411B and 411D. At this time, insertion may be done using a jig or by hand. If a jig is used, the case 3 and the recess 411 should be aligned in the X and Y directions and then pushed in the Z direction. At this time, when insertion is complete, the seal portion 38 and seal member 35 will be in contact with the bottom portion 411A and the inner surfaces 411B and 411D, respectively. Alternatively, these may be in contact just before insertion is complete, and the seal portion 38 and seal member 35 may be compressed further as the case 3 is pushed in after contact. After that, the lid portion 42 is attached to the housing body 41 to complete the assembly of the humidifier 1.

[0034] When inserting the case portion 3 into the recess 411 by hand, a misalignment may occur between the centers of the case portion 3 and the recess 411 in the X direction. At this time, before insertion is complete, a part of the seal portion 38 comes into contact with the inner surfaces 411B and 411D. That is, the seal-side tapered portion 385 comes into contact with the inner surfaces 411B and 411D, which act as the receiving-side tapered portions. As a result, if force is applied along the Z direction to continue insertion, the misalignment between the centers of the case portion 3 and the recess 411 in the X direction is corrected by each tapered portion.

[0035] Furthermore, the sealing portion 38 and the sealing member 35 need to be compressed by a predetermined amount, but they may be compressed when inserting the case portion 3 into the recess 411 as described above, or when assembling the lid portion 42.

[0036] As described above, according to the humidifier 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, a sealing portion 38 is provided on the outer surfaces 31A and 32A of the plate portions 31 and 32 along the edges 311 and 321 on the fluid inlet side and the edges 312 and 322 on the outlet side, thereby preventing the fluid passing through the opening 36 on the inlet side and the opening 37 on the outlet side from entering between the plate portions 31 and 32 and the inner surfaces 411B and 411D of the recess 411. At this time, the edges 311, 321, 312, and 322 extend along the Z direction, which is the insertion direction, and the sealing portion 38 extends along the edges 311, 321, 312, and 322, so the sealing portion 38 does not easily become a resistance during insertion. Therefore, the contact pressure of the sealing portion 38 can be set appropriately, and assembly can be improved while ensuring sealing performance.

[0037] Furthermore, the pair of inner surfaces 411B and 411D become closer together towards the bottom 411A, and the protrusion dimension of the seal portion 38 from the outer surfaces 31A and 32A decreases towards the bottom 411A. Unlike a configuration where the distance between the pair of inner surfaces is constant and the protrusion dimension of the seal portion from the outer surface is constant, there is no need to compress the seal portion 38 before insertion. This prevents the compressed seal portion from becoming a resistance during insertion, and prevents twisting or bending of the seal member. The seal portion 38 contacts the inner surfaces 411B and 411D only when insertion is complete or immediately before, or guides the case portion 3 to the housing 4 during insertion, thereby improving ease of assembly.

[0038] Furthermore, since the sealing portion 38 is formed in a Y-shape with an upright portion 381, a first inclined portion 383, and a second inclined portion 384, the sealing portion 38 deforms so that the two inclined portions 383 and 384 open up (move away from each other) while contacting the inner surfaces 411B and 411D of the recess 411, making it easy to deform into the desired shape while ensuring sufficient deformation and thus ensuring sealing performance.

[0039] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes other configurations that can achieve the objectives of the present invention, including the following modifications. For example, in the above embodiments of the present invention, sealing performance is ensured by the sealing portion 38, but as shown in Figure 9, sealing performance may also be ensured by providing a labyrinth structure in addition to the sealing portion 38.

[0040] In the modified example shown in Figure 9, two protrusions 313 and 314 are formed on the outer surface 31A of the plate portion 31, and one protrusion 414 is formed on the inner surface 411B of the housing 4, with the protrusion 414 positioned between the two protrusions 313 and 314. That is, the plate portion 31 has protrusions 313 and 314 that interlock with the inner surface 411B, which is the opposing inner surface, thus forming a labyrinth structure. Here, "interlocking" means that the protrusions 313 and 314 and the protrusion 414 have overlap (they have opposing regions in the Y direction). Furthermore, in this modified example, the recess formed between the two protrusions 313 and 314 also interlocks with the inner surface 411B, which is the opposing inner surface. Thus, the protrusions and recesses are determined by their relative relationship with other parts, and either protrusions or recesses may be formed on the plate portion in order to provide a labyrinth structure.

[0041] Furthermore, in the above embodiment of the present invention, the pair of inner surfaces 411B and 411D are spaced closer together towards the bottom 411A, and the protrusion dimension of the seal portion 38 from the outer surfaces 31A and 32A is reduced towards the bottom 411A. That is, the entire inner surfaces 411B and 411D as opposing inner surfaces become the receiving side tapered portion, and the entire seal portion 38 becomes the seal side tapered portion 385. However, a part of the opposing inner surfaces or the seal portion may be a tapered portion.

[0042] Furthermore, these tapered portions do not necessarily have to be formed. For example, the outer dimensions of the case portion including the seal portion may be made slightly larger than the inner dimensions of the recess to allow the seal member to be compressed, and a sliding member made of fluororesin or the like may be provided at the contact points to reduce resistance during insertion.

[0043] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the sealing portion 38 is formed in a Y-shape having an upright portion 381, a first inclined portion 383, and a second inclined portion 384. However, the shape of the sealing portion (especially the shape of the tip portion) is not limited to this. For example, the sealing portion may be configured to make linear contact with the inner surface of the recess by decreasing in width (Y-direction dimension) towards the tip, or the tip may be formed in a circular cross-section and contact the inner surface of the recess in such a way that this circle is compressed.

[0044] Furthermore, in the above embodiment of the present invention, two openings 36 and 37 are formed in the case portion 3, and a sealing portion 38 is provided along both end edges 311, 312, 321, and 322. However, the sealing portion 38 only needs to be provided on at least one of the end edges 311 and 321 that are on the fluid inlet side, and the end edges 321 and 322 that are on the outlet side. It may be provided only on the inlet side, or only on the outlet side.

[0045] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the humidifier for fuel cells according to the above embodiments, but includes all aspects included in the concept and claims of the present invention. Furthermore, each component may be selectively combined as appropriate to achieve at least some of the above-described problems and effects. For example, the shape, material, arrangement, size, etc. of each component in the above embodiments may be appropriately changed depending on the specific use of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0046] 1...Humidifier, 2...Humidifier body, 3...Case, 31,32...Plate, 311,321,312,322...Edge, 313,314...Protruding part, 31A,32A...Outer surface, 36,37...Opening, 38...Seal part, 381...Upright part, 382...Contact part, 383...First inclined part, 384...Second inclined part, 385...Seal side tapered part, 4...Housing, 411...Recess, 411B,411D...Inner surface (Opposite inner surfaces, housing side tapered part)

Claims

1. A humidifier unit body having a channel through which two types of fluids can pass in order to exchange moisture, The humidifier unit comprises a case portion that houses the humidifier unit body and is inserted into a recess in the housing, The case portion comprises a pair of plate portions extending in the direction of insertion into the recess and facing each other, an opening formed within the recess and between the pair of plate portions through which fluid passes, a sealing portion provided on the outer surface side of the plate portions, and a pair of frame portions arranged to sandwich the humidifier body and the plate portions from the insertion direction and provided with sealing members. The sealing portion is provided along at least one of the edge portion of the plate portion on the side of the opening that is the fluid inlet side and the edge portion of the opening that is the outlet side, and the plate portion is not provided with a sealing portion that extends intersecting the insertion direction.

2. The housing further comprises, The pair of opposing inner surfaces of the recess, each facing the pair of plate portions, have a receiving-side tapered portion where the spacing narrows towards the bottom of the recess. The humidifier for a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing portion has a sealing-side tapered portion whose protrusion from the plate portion decreases as it approaches the bottom.

3. The humidifier for a fuel cell according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plate portion has a convex or concave portion that engages with the opposing inner surface of the recess that faces the plate portion.

4. The sealing portion has an upright portion extending from the plate portion and a contact portion continuous with the tip of the upright portion. The humidifier for a fuel cell according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the contact portion has a first inclined portion that extends toward the opening as it moves away from the plate portion, and a second inclined portion that extends toward the opposite side.

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