阅读说明：本技术 燃料电池系统以及燃料电池车辆 (Fuel cell system and fuel cell vehicle ) 是由 内藤秀晴 高木孝介 于 2020-03-27 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开涉及燃料电池系统以及燃料电池车辆。在燃料电池车辆(10)配置的燃料电池系统(16)的堆壳体(44)的上壁部(44u)的外表面包括第一外表面(110a)、位于比第一外表面(110a)靠单电池层叠体(32)所处位置侧的第二外表面(112a)以及外表面连结部(114a)。在上壁部(44u)的第一上壁部(110)与单电池层叠体(32)之间形成有空间(S),在该空间(S)配置突片(82a、84a)和母线(102、104)。(The present disclosure relates to a fuel cell system and a fuel cell vehicle. An outer surface of an upper wall portion (44u) of a stack case (44) of a fuel cell system (16) disposed in a fuel cell vehicle (10) includes a first outer surface (110a), a second outer surface (112a) located closer to a position where a cell stack body (32) is located than the first outer surface (110a), and an outer surface connecting portion (114 a). A space (S) is formed between the first upper wall (110) of the upper wall (44u) and the cell stack (32), and the protruding pieces (82a, 84a) and the bus bars (102, 104) are disposed in the space (S).)

1. A fuel cell system is provided with: a fuel cell stack (28) having a cell stack body (32) in which a plurality of power generation cells (31) including separators (56, 58) are stacked; and a stack case (44) for housing the fuel cell stack, wherein projecting pieces (82a, 84a) projecting outward are provided at the outer edge of the separator, and in the fuel cell system (16),

the power generation cell has a width direction orthogonal to a stacking direction of the cell stack and a protruding direction of the protruding piece,

an outer surface of a lid portion (44u) of the stack case at a position in a protruding direction of the tab includes:

a first outer surface (110a) located at a position on one end side in the width direction of the power generation cell;

a second outer surface (112a) which is located on the other end side in the width direction of the power generating cell and is located closer to the cell stack than the first outer surface; and

an outer surface coupling portion (114a, 130) that couples the first outer surface and the second outer surface to each other,

a space (S) is formed between a portion (110) of the cover portion where the first outer surface is provided and the cell stack, and the protruding piece and bus bars (102, 104) for supplying the generated power of the power generating cells to the outside are disposed in the space (S).

2. The fuel cell system according to claim 1,

an electrical equipment unit (30) provided on the lid,

the electrical equipment unit has:

a unit main body (116) electrically connected to the bus bar; and

a unit case (118) which is disposed on the lid portion and accommodates the unit main body,

the face of the unit case facing the cover includes:

a first contact surface (124a) in contact with the first outer surface;

a second contact surface (126a) in contact with the second outer surface; and

a contact surface coupling part (128a) that couples the first contact surface and the second contact surface to each other.

3. The fuel cell system according to claim 2,

the outer surface connecting portion is an inclined surface that is continuously inclined toward the position side of the cell laminate from the first outer surface to the second outer surface.

4. The fuel cell system according to claim 2,

a plurality of step parts (132) are formed on the outer surface connecting part from the first outer surface to the second outer surface.

5. The fuel cell system according to claim 2,

the protruding piece and the bus bar are located on one end side of the center of the power generation cell in the width direction.

6. The fuel cell system according to claim 5,

the protruding piece is positioned closer to one end side of the power generation cell in the width direction than the bus bar,

one end of the unit case in the width direction of the power generation cell is located closer to the bus bar than one end of the protruding piece in the width direction of the power generation cell.

7. The fuel cell system according to claim 1,

the tab is a first tab that is,

a recess (92, 96) recessed toward the first tab side is formed in an outer edge portion (56d, 58d) of the separator plate on the opposite side of the side where the first tab is located,

second protruding pieces (82b, 84b) protruding in a direction opposite to the protruding direction of the first protruding pieces are provided at the bottoms (94, 98) of the recessed portions.

8. A fuel cell vehicle (10) is provided with:

the fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 7;

a front box (14) provided in front of the dashboard (12) in the vehicle; and

a cowl top (18) provided at an upper end portion of the instrument panel,

the fuel cell system is housed in the front case such that a stacking direction of the cell stack body faces a vehicle width direction and the lid portion is an upper wall portion of the stack case,

the second outer surface is located further to the rear of the vehicle than the first outer surface,

the vehicle rear upper end of the fuel cell system is located below the lower end of the cowl top.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a fuel cell system and a fuel cell vehicle including a fuel cell stack having a cell stack body in which a plurality of power generating cells including separators are stacked, and a stack case that houses the fuel cell stack.

Background

In this type of fuel cell system, patent document 1 discloses a structure in which a projecting piece projecting outward is provided at an outer edge portion of a separator.

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, when a bus bar for supplying the generated power of the power generation cells to the outside is disposed between the lid portion of the stack case located in the protruding direction of the protruding piece and the cell laminate body, the stack case tends to be large in size in the protruding direction (height direction) of the protruding piece. Therefore, the space outside the lid portion cannot be effectively used.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell system and a fuel cell vehicle in which tabs and bus bars are efficiently arranged between a lid and a cell stack and the space outside the lid can be effectively used.

Means for solving the problems

One aspect of the present invention relates to a fuel cell system including: a fuel cell stack including a cell stack body in which a plurality of power generation cells including separators are stacked; and a stack case that houses the fuel cell stack, wherein a protruding piece that protrudes outward is provided at an outer edge portion of the separator, and in the fuel cell system, the power generation cell has a width direction that is orthogonal to a stacking direction of the cell stack body and a protruding direction of the protruding piece, and an outer surface of a lid portion that is positioned in a protruding direction of the protruding piece in the stack case includes: a first outer surface located at one end side in the width direction of the power generation cell; a second outer surface located on the other end side in the width direction of the power generation cell and located closer to the cell laminate body than the first outer surface; and an outer surface connecting portion that connects the first outer surface and the second outer surface to each other, wherein a space is formed between a portion of the cover portion where the first outer surface is provided and the cell laminate, and the protruding piece and a bus bar for supplying generated power of the power generating cell to the outside are disposed in the space.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a fuel cell vehicle including: the above-described fuel cell system; a front box provided in front of the instrument panel in the vehicle; and a cowl top (cowltop) provided at an upper end portion of the dashboard, wherein the fuel cell system is housed in the front box such that a stacking direction of the cell stack body is oriented in a vehicle width direction and the lid portion is an upper wall portion of the stack case, the second outer surface is located at a position rearward of the vehicle with respect to the first outer surface, and an upper end of the fuel cell system rearward of the vehicle is located at a position lower than a lower end of the cowl top.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, the second outer surface is located closer to the cell stack than the first outer surface. Therefore, a recessed space recessed toward the single cell stacked body side compared to the first outer surface can be formed outside the second outer surface. This enables effective use of the space outside the lid. In addition, the protruding pieces and the bus bars are arranged in the space between the portion of the cover portion provided with the first outer surface and the cell laminate. This enables the tabs and the bus bars to be efficiently arranged between the lid and the cell stack.

The above objects, features and advantages will be readily understood from the following description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a partially omitted vertical cross-sectional view of a fuel cell vehicle including a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the fuel cell system of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a partially omitted cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the power generation cell.

Fig. 5 is a partially omitted cross-sectional view of the power generation cell.

Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the fuel cell system at the time of collision of the fuel cell vehicle.

Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a modification of the outer surface coupling portion.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, a fuel cell system and a fuel cell vehicle according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings by referring to preferred embodiments.

In each of the drawings, the left side of the fuel cell vehicle 10 is indicated by an arrow "L", the right side of the fuel cell vehicle 10 is indicated by an arrow "R", the front of the fuel cell vehicle 10 is indicated by an arrow "Fr", the rear of the fuel cell vehicle 10 is indicated by an arrow "Rr", the upper side of the fuel cell vehicle 10 is indicated by an arrow "U", and the lower side of the fuel cell vehicle 10 is indicated by an arrow "D", as viewed from the driver side with reference to the fuel cell vehicle 10.

As shown in fig. 1, a fuel cell vehicle 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is, for example, a fuel cell electric vehicle. The fuel cell vehicle 10 includes a front box 14 (motor chamber) provided in a vehicle front direction (direction of arrow Fr) of an instrument panel 12, and a fuel cell system 16 disposed in the front box 14.

At the upper end portion of the dash panel 12, a cowl top 18 extends upward (in the direction of arrow U) toward the front of the vehicle. The front surround upper plate 18 supports a front end portion of the front glass 20 and accommodates a wiper arm (wiperarm), not shown. A cabin (cabin)22 is formed behind the instrument panel 12 in the vehicle (in the direction of arrow Rr). The front box 14 is openable and closable to the outside by a cover (bonnet) 24. The front box 14 is disposed between the left and right front wheels 26. A motor for running the vehicle, not shown, is disposed in the front box 14.

As shown in fig. 1 to 3, the fuel cell system 16 has a fuel cell stack 28 and an electrical equipment unit 30. The fuel cell stack 28 includes a cell stack body 32 in which a plurality of power generation cells 31 are stacked on each other. The fuel cell stack 28 is disposed in the front case 14 such that the stacking direction of the cell stack 32 is along the vehicle width direction (the direction of arrow B).

In fig. 3, a first terminal plate 34a, a first insulating plate 36a, and an auxiliary equipment case 38 are disposed at one end (end in the direction of arrow L) in the stacking direction of the cell stack 32. The first terminal plate 34a is disposed in a recess 35a formed in the inner surface of the first insulating plate 36a (the surface on the side where the cell stack 32 is located).

The auxiliary device case 38 accommodates an auxiliary device 40 for a fuel cell. The fuel cell auxiliary equipment 40 includes, for example, a fuel gas supply device for supplying a fuel gas such as a hydrogen-containing gas to the cell stack 32, and an oxidizing gas supply device for supplying an oxidizing gas such as an oxygen-containing gas to the cell stack 32.

The second terminal plate 34b, the second insulating plate 36b, and the end plate 42 are disposed at the other end (end in the direction of arrow R) of the cell laminate 32 in the lamination direction. The second terminal plate 34b is disposed in a recess 35b formed in the inner surface of the second insulating plate 36b (the surface on the side where the cell stack 32 is located).

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the fuel cell stack 28 includes a stack case 44 that covers the cell stack 32, the first insulating plate 36a, and the second insulating plate 36b from the outside. The stack case 44 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape and extends in the stacking direction (vehicle width direction, arrow B direction) of the cell stacked body 32.

In fig. 3, an auxiliary device case 38 is fixed to one end (end in the direction of arrow L) of the stack case 44. An end plate 42 is fixed to the other end (end in the direction of arrow R) of the stack case 44.

Specifically, the end plate 42 is fastened to the end surface on the other end side of the stack case 44 by a plurality of fastening members 46 (bolts). Thereby, the end plates 42 apply a fastening load in the stacking direction to the cell stack body 32. Further, although not shown, a seal member made of an elastic material is disposed between the stack case 44 and the end plate 42 over the entire periphery of the joint surface between the stack case 44 and the end plate 42. The specific structure of the stack case 44 will be described later.

As shown in fig. 4, the power generation cell 31 extends in the width direction (the vehicle front-rear direction, the direction of arrow a) orthogonal to the stacking direction (the direction of arrow B) and the vertical direction (the direction of arrow C) of the cell stack 32. In other words, the power generating cell 31 has a width direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the cell stack 32 and the projecting direction of the first projecting pieces 82a, 84a described later. At one end of the power generation cell 31 in the width direction (the edge in the direction of arrow Fr), an oxygen-containing gas supply passage 48a, a coolant supply passage 50a, and a fuel gas discharge passage 52b are provided along the vertical direction. The oxygen-containing gas supply passage 48a supplies an oxygen-containing gas. The coolant supply passage 50a supplies a coolant such as pure water, ethylene glycol, or oil. The fuel gas discharge communication hole 52b discharges the fuel gas.

The oxygen-containing gas supply passages 48a provided in the power generation cells 31 communicate with each other in the stacking direction. The coolant supply passages 50a provided in the power generation cells 31 communicate with each other in the stacking direction. The fuel gas discharge passages 52b provided in the power generation cells 31 communicate with each other in the stacking direction.

At the other end in the width direction of the power generation cell 31 (the edge in the direction of the arrow Rr), a fuel gas supply passage 52a, a coolant discharge passage 50b, and an oxygen-containing gas discharge passage 48b are provided along the vertical direction. The fuel gas supply passage 52a supplies the fuel gas. The coolant discharge passage 50b discharges the coolant. The oxygen-containing gas discharge passage 48b discharges the oxygen-containing gas.

The fuel gas supply passages 52a provided in the power generation cells 31 communicate with each other in the stacking direction. The coolant discharge passages 50b provided in the power generation cells 31 communicate with each other in the stacking direction. The oxygen-containing gas discharge passages 48b provided in the power generation cells 31 communicate with each other in the stacking direction.

The shapes and the arrangements of the oxygen-containing gas supply passage 48a and the oxygen-containing gas discharge passage 48b, the fuel gas supply passage 52a and the fuel gas discharge passage 52b, and the coolant supply passage 50a and the coolant discharge passage 50b are not limited to those of the present embodiment, and may be appropriately set according to the required specifications.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the power generation cell 31 includes a membrane electrode assembly (hereinafter referred to as "M EA 54"), and first and second separators 56 and 58 disposed on both sides of the MEA 54. The MEA54 includes an electrolyte membrane 60, an anode electrode 62 provided on one surface 60a (surface facing in the direction of arrow L) of the electrolyte membrane 60, and a cathode electrode 64 provided on the other surface 60b (surface facing in the direction of arrow R) of the electrolyte membrane 60.

The electrolyte membrane 60 is, for example, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane (cation exchange membrane). The solid polymer electrolyte membrane is, for example, a thin film of perfluorosulfonic acid containing water. The electrolyte membrane 60 is sandwiched by an anode electrode 62 and a cathode electrode 64. The electrolyte membrane 60 can use a HC (hydrocarbon) electrolyte in addition to a fluorine electrolyte. The electrolyte membrane 60 has a larger planar dimension (outer dimension) than the anode electrode 62 and the cathode electrode 64. That is, the electrolyte membrane 60 protrudes to the outer peripheral side than the anode electrode 62 and the cathode electrode 64.

The MEA54 may be configured such that the electrolyte membrane 60 has a planar dimension smaller than the planar dimensions of the anode electrode 62 and the cathode electrode 64, and a resin film (resin frame member) having a frame shape is sandwiched between the outer peripheral edge of the anode electrode 62 and the outer peripheral edge of the cathode electrode 64.

The anode 62 has a first electrode catalyst layer joined to one surface 60a of the electrolyte membrane 60, and a first gas diffusion layer laminated on the first electrode catalyst layer. The cathode 64 has a second electrode catalyst layer joined to the other surface 60b of the electrolyte membrane 60, and a second gas diffusion layer laminated on the second electrode catalyst layer.

The first separator 56 and the second separator 58 have a laterally long rectangular shape extending in the width direction of the power generating cell 31 (the vehicle width direction, the direction of arrow a). The first separator 56 and the second separator 58 are each made of a material having electrical conductivity. Specifically, each of the first separator 56 and the second separator 58 is formed by press-molding a cross section of a steel plate, a stainless steel plate, an aluminum plate, a plated steel plate, or a thin metal plate having a surface treatment for corrosion prevention applied to a metal surface thereof into a corrugated shape, for example.

A surface of the first separator 56 facing the MEA54 (hereinafter referred to as "surface 56 a") is provided with a fuel gas flow field 66 that communicates with the fuel gas supply passage 52a and the fuel gas discharge passage 52 b. A first seal line 68 for preventing leakage of fluids (fuel gas, oxidant gas, and cooling medium) to the outside is provided on the surface 56a of the first separator 56.

In fig. 5, the first seal line 68 includes a first convex seal 70 formed bulging from the surface 56a of the first separator 56 toward the MEA 54. The protruding end face of the first boss seal 70 is in contact with the outer peripheral portion of the MEA54 and elastically deformed to seal. The resin member may be fixed to the projecting end surface of the first projection seal 70. The first seal line 68 may be formed of a rubber seal member having elasticity.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, an oxygen-containing gas flow field 72 is provided on a surface of the second separator 58 facing the MEA54 (hereinafter referred to as "surface 58 a") so as to communicate with the oxygen-containing gas supply passage 48a and the oxygen-containing gas discharge passage 48 b. A second seal line 74 for preventing the fluid (the fuel gas, the oxidant gas, and the cooling medium) from leaking to the outside is provided on the surface 58a of the second separator 58.

In fig. 5, the second seal line 74 includes a second convex seal 76 formed bulging from the surface 58a of the second separator 58 toward the MEA 54. The protruding end face of the second projection seal 76 comes into contact with the MEA54 and elastically deforms to perform sealing. The resin member may be fixed to the projecting end surface of the second projection seal 76. The second seal line 74 may be formed of a rubber seal member having elasticity.

The first separator 56 and the second separator 58 are integrally joined by welding, brazing, caulking (japanese patent No. かしめ), or the like to the outer periphery in a state where the surface 56b and the surface 58b are opposed to and in contact with each other. In fig. 4 and 5, a coolant flow field 78 is formed between the surface 56b of the first separator 56 and the surface 58b of the second separator 58 adjacent to each other so as to extend in the direction of the arrow a and communicate with the coolant supply passage 50a and the coolant discharge passage 50 b. The coolant flow field 78 is formed by the shape of the back surface of the fuel gas flow field 66 and the shape of the back surface of the oxygen-containing gas flow field 72.

As shown in fig. 2 to 4, the fuel cell stack 28 includes a first load receiving portion 80a and a second load receiving portion 80b for receiving an external load in the width direction (vehicle longitudinal direction) of the power generation cells 31.

The first load receiving portion 80a includes: two first protruding pieces 82a, 84a provided one by one for each power generation cell 31; a first receiving portion 86a provided so as to cover the first protruding pieces 82a and 84 a. The first projecting piece 82a is provided at the upper edge portion 56u (upper outer edge portion) of the first partition plate 56.

The first projecting piece 82a is located on one end side (in the vehicle front direction, arrow Fr direction) with respect to the center (center line CL) of the first bulkhead 56 in the width direction (arrow a direction). The first projecting piece 82a projects outward (upward) from the upper edge 56u of the first partition plate 56.

The first protruding piece 82a is formed in a plate shape using the same metal material as the first separator 56. The first tab 82a is joined to the upper edge portion 56u of the first separator 56 by welding or brazing. The first protruding piece 82a is covered with an insulating material having electrical insulation properties at a portion protruding upward from the upper edge 56u of the first separator 56.

A positioning hole 88a is formed in the first protruding piece 82a, and a rod (not shown) for positioning each power generation cell 31 in the planar direction is inserted through the positioning hole 88a when the fuel cell stack 28 is manufactured (when a plurality of power generation cells 31 are stacked). After the stacking of the plurality of power generating cells 31 is completed, the rod is pulled out from the positioning hole 88 a. It is also possible that the rods remain in the positioning holes 88a after the fabrication of the fuel cell stack 28 is completed.

The first projecting piece 84a is provided at the upper edge portion 58u (upper outer edge portion) of the second separator 58. The first projecting piece 84a is located on one end side (in the vehicle front direction, arrow Fr direction) with respect to the center (center line CL) of the second separator 58 in the width direction (arrow a direction). That is, the first protruding piece 84a is disposed so as to face the first protruding piece 82 a. The first protruding piece 84a is configured similarly to the first protruding piece 82a described above. Therefore, a description of a specific configuration of the first protruding piece 84a is omitted. Further, the first load receiving portion 80a may be formed by omitting either one of the first protruding pieces 82a, 84 a.

As shown in fig. 3, the first receiving portion 86a is a support bar extending in the stacking direction (the vehicle width direction, the direction of arrow B) of the cell stack body 32. One end (end in the direction of arrow L) of the first receiving portion 86a is fixed to the auxiliary equipment case 38. The other end portion (end portion in the arrow R direction) of the first receiving portion 86a is fixed to the end plate 42. The other end of the first receiving portion 86a may be attached to the end plate 42 so as to be movable in the stacking direction.

In fig. 2, a first receiving recess 90a is formed in the first receiving portion 86a to receive the first protruding piece 82 a. The first receiving recess 90a opens downward (in the direction of arrow D). That is, the first receiving portion 86a is formed in an inverted U-shape in cross section.

As shown in fig. 2 and 4, the second load receiving portion 80b includes: two second protruding pieces 82b, 84b provided one by one for each power generation cell 31; and a second receiving portion 86b provided so as to cover the second protruding pieces 82b and 84 b. The second projecting piece 82b is provided at the lower edge portion 56d (lower outer edge portion) of the first partition plate 56.

Specifically, a first recess 92 that is recessed upward (toward the position of the first protruding piece 82 a) is formed in the center of the lower edge 56d of the first partition plate 56 in the extending direction. The second tab 82b is disposed at a first bottom 94 forming a first recess 92. The second projecting piece 82b is located on a center line CL in the width direction (arrow a direction) of the first partition plate 56. The second projecting piece 82b projects outward (downward) from the first bottom 94 of the first partition plate 56.

The second protruding piece 82b is formed in a plate shape from the same metal material as the first spacer 56. The second tab 82b is joined to the first bottom 94 of the first separator 56 by welding or brazing. The second protruding piece 82b is covered with an insulating material having electrical insulation properties at a portion protruding downward from the first bottom portion 94 of the first separator 56.

A positioning hole 88b is formed in the second protruding piece 82b, and a rod (not shown) for positioning each power generation cell 31 in the planar direction is inserted through the positioning hole 88b when the fuel cell stack 28 is manufactured (when a plurality of power generation cells 31 are stacked). After the stacking of the plurality of power generating cells 31 is completed, the rod is pulled out from the positioning hole 88 b. It is also possible that the rods remain in the positioning holes 88b after the fabrication of the fuel cell stack 28 is completed.

The second projecting piece 84b is provided at the lower edge portion 58d (lower outer edge portion) of the second partition plate 58. Specifically, a second recess 96 that is recessed upward (toward the position of the first protruding piece 84a) is formed in the center of the lower edge portion 58d of the second partition plate 58 in the extending direction. The second tab 84b is disposed at a second bottom 98 forming a second recess 96. The second recess 96 communicates with the first recess 92 of the first separator 56 via a third recess 100 formed so as to be recessed upward at the center in the extending direction of the lower edge of the electrolyte membrane 60.

The second projecting piece 84b is located on a center line CL in the width direction (arrow a direction) of the second separator 58. The second projecting piece 84b projects outward (downward) from the second bottom 98 of the second partition plate 58. The second protruding piece 84b is configured similarly to the second protruding piece 82b described above. Therefore, a description of a specific configuration of the second protruding piece 84b is omitted. Further, the second load receiving portion 80b may be formed by omitting either one of the second protruding pieces 82b, 84 b.

As shown in fig. 2, the second receiving portion 86b is a support bar that extends in the stacking direction (vehicle width direction) of the cell stack body 32. One end (end in the direction of arrow L) of the second receiving portion 86b is fixed to the auxiliary equipment case 38. The other end portion (end portion in the arrow R direction) of the second receiving portion 86b is fixed to the end plate 42. The other end of the second receiving portion 86b may be attached to the end plate 42 so as to be movable in the stacking direction.

The second receiving portion 86b is formed with a second receiving recess 90b that receives the second protruding piece 82 b. The second receiving recess 90b opens upward (in the direction of arrow U). That is, the second receiving portion 86b is formed in a U-shape in cross section. The second receiving portion 86b is located at a position inside the first recess 92, the second recess 96, and the third recess 100.

In fig. 2 and 3, the fuel cell stack 28 includes a first bus bar 102 and a second bus bar 104 for supplying the electric power generated by the power generation unit 31 to the electric equipment unit 30.

The first bus bar 102 is a strip-shaped metal plate and is located on one end side (in the direction of arrow Fr) of the center of the power generation cell 31 in the width direction (in the direction of arrow a). The first protruding pieces 82a, 84a are located closer to one end side (in the direction of arrow Fr) of the power generating cell 31 than the first bus bar 102.

The first bus bar 102 includes: a first extension 102a projecting upward so as to penetrate the outer peripheral edge of the first insulating plate 36a from the first wiring board 34 a; and a second extending portion 102b extending inward in the stacking direction (in the direction of arrow R) from an extending end of the first extending portion 102 a. The extending end portion of the second extending portion 102b is an input terminal, not shown, electrically connected to the electrical equipment unit 30 by the first connecting portion 106.

In fig. 3, the second bus bar 104 is a strip-shaped metal plate and is located on one end side (in the direction of arrow Fr) of the center of the power generation cell 31 in the width direction (in the direction of arrow a). The first protruding pieces 82a, 84a are positioned closer to one end side (in the direction of arrow Fr) of the power generating cell 31 than the second bus bar 104.

The second bus bar 104 includes: a first extension 104a projecting upward so as to penetrate the outer peripheral edge of the second insulating plate 36b from the second wiring plate 34 b; and a second extending portion 104b extending inward in the stacking direction (in the direction of arrow L) from an extending end of the first extending portion 104 a. The extending end portion of the second extending portion 104b is an input terminal, not shown, electrically connected to the electrical equipment unit 30 by the second connecting portion 108. The first bus bar 102 and the second bus bar 104 have the same shape as each other.

As shown in fig. 2, the stack case 44 includes a lower wall portion 44d, a front wall portion 44f, a rear wall portion 44r, and an upper wall portion 44 u. The stack case 44 is an integrally formed member formed by extrusion molding. However, the stack case 44 may be formed by separately molding the lower wall portion 44d, the front wall portion 44f, the rear wall portion 44r, and the upper wall portion 44u and joining them to each other.

The lower wall portion 44D covers the cell stack 32 from below (in the direction of arrow D). The lower wall portion 44d is separated from the cell stack body 32 and the second receiving portion 86b, respectively. The front wall portion 44f extends upward from the front end of the lower wall portion 44d to cover the cell stack 32 from the vehicle front (in the direction of arrow Fr). The front wall portion 44f is separated from the cell laminate 32. The rear wall portion 44r extends upward from the rear end of the lower wall portion 44d to cover the cell stack 32 from the vehicle rear side (in the direction of arrow Rr). The rear wall portion 44r is separated from the cell stack body 32. The upper end of the rear wall portion 44r is located below the upper end of the front wall portion 44 f.

The upper wall portion 44U connects the upper end of the front wall portion 44f and the upper end of the rear wall portion 44r to each other, and covers the cell stack body 32 from above (in the direction of arrow U). The upper wall portion 44u is separated upward from the cell stacked body 32. The upper wall portion 44u is a lid portion located at a position in the projecting direction (upward) of the first projecting pieces 82a, 84 a.

The upper wall portion 44u includes: a first upper wall 110 located at one end side (front wall 44f side) in the width direction of the power generation cell 31; a second upper wall portion 112 located at the other end side (the rear wall portion 44r side) in the width direction of the power generation cell 31; and an upper connecting portion 114 that connects the first upper wall portion 110 and the second upper wall portion 112 to each other. The second upper wall portion 112 is located below the first upper wall portion 110 (on the side where the cell stacked body 32 is located). The upper connecting portion 114 is continuously and linearly inclined downward from the first upper wall portion 110 to the second upper wall portion 112.

The length of the first upper wall portion 110 in the arrow a direction is substantially the same as the length of the second upper wall portion 112 in the arrow a direction. The upper connection portion 114 is located substantially at the center of the upper wall portion 44u in the arrow a direction. However, the lengths of the first upper wall portion 110 and the second upper wall portion 112 in the arrow a direction may be set as appropriate, or may be different from each other. The upper connecting portion 114 may not be located at the substantially center of the upper wall portion 44u in the arrow a direction. The first upper wall 110, the second upper wall 112, and the upper connecting portion 114 each extend over the entire length of the stack case 44 in the arrow B direction (see fig. 3).

The outer surface of the upper wall portion 44u includes: a first outer surface 110a which is an upper surface of the first upper wall portion 110; a second outer surface 112a which is an upper surface of the second upper wall portion 112; and an outer surface coupling part 114a coupling the first outer surface 110a and the second outer surface 112a to each other. The first outer surface 110a and the second outer surface 112a are flat surfaces extending substantially horizontally in the vehicle front-rear direction (the arrow mark a direction), respectively. The outer surface coupling portion 114a is an upper surface of the upper coupling portion 114. The outer surface coupling portion 114a is an inclined surface that is continuously inclined downward and linearly from the first outer surface 110a to the second outer surface 112 a.

The inner surface of the upper wall portion 44u includes: a first upper wall inner surface 110b which is a lower surface of the first upper wall portion 110; a second upper wall inner surface 112b which is a lower surface of the second upper wall portion 112; and an upper wall inner surface coupling portion 114b that couples the first upper wall inner surface 110b and the second upper wall inner surface 112b to each other. The first upper wall inner surface 110b and the second upper wall inner surface 112b are flat surfaces that extend substantially horizontally in the vehicle front-rear direction (the direction of arrow a). The upper wall inner surface coupling portion 114b is an inclined surface that is continuously inclined downward and linearly from the first upper wall inner surface 110b to the second upper wall inner surface 112 b. The second outer surface 112a is located below the first upper wall inner surface 110 b.

A space S is formed between the first upper wall inner surface 110b (the first upper wall portion 110) and the cell laminate 32, and the first protruding pieces 82a and 84a, the first bus bar 102, and the second bus bar 104 are disposed in the space S. The separation interval L1 between the first upper wall inner surface 110b and the cell laminate body 32 is wider than the separation interval L2 between the second upper wall inner surface 112b and the cell laminate body 32. The first upper wall inner surface 110b is separated from the first receiving portion 86a, the first bus bar 102, and the second bus bar 104, respectively.

The electrical equipment unit 30 is disposed on the outer surface of the upper wall portion 44u of the stack case 44. The electrical equipment unit 30 includes a unit body 116 and a unit case 118 that houses the unit body 116. The unit main body 116 is configured to include a contactor (a shutter), for example. The first bus bar 102 is electrically connected to the unit main body 116 via a first connection portion 106, and the second bus bar 104 is electrically connected to the unit main body 116 via a second connection portion 108.

The unit case 118 includes a case main body 120 that opens upward (on the opposite side of the fuel cell stack 28), and a lid portion 122 that closes the upper opening of the case main body 120. The case main body 120 has a front wall portion 120f, a rear wall portion 120r, and a lower wall portion 120 d.

The front wall portion 120f is located further toward the vehicle rear side (in the direction of arrow Rr) than the front wall portion 44f of the stack case 44. The front end of the front wall portion 120f (one end of the unit case 118 in the direction of the arrow Fr) is located further toward the vehicle rear side than the front ends of the first projecting pieces 82a, 84a (one end of the first projecting pieces in the direction of the arrow Fr). In other words, the front end of the front wall 120f is located above the first tabs 82a and 84 a.

The rear wall portion 120r is located above the rear wall portion 44r of the stack case 44. The rear wall portion 120r may be located further toward the vehicle front or the vehicle rear than the rear wall portion 44r of the stack case 44. The front wall portion 120f and the rear wall portion 120r are connected to each other by a side wall portion, not shown.

The lower wall portion 120d is formed in a shape corresponding to the upper wall portion 44u of the stack case 44. That is, the lower wall portion 120d includes: a first lower wall portion 124 located at one end side (arrow Fr side) in the width direction of the power generation cell 31; a second lower wall portion 126 located at the other end side (arrow Rr side) in the width direction of the power generation cell 31; and a lower connecting portion 128 that connects the first lower wall portion 124 and the second lower wall portion 126 to each other.

The second lower wall portion 126 is located below the first lower wall portion 124 (on the side where the fuel cell stack 28 is located). The lower connecting portion 128 is linearly inclined continuously downward from the first lower wall portion 124 to the second lower wall portion 126. The first lower wall portion 124, the second lower wall portion 126, and the lower connecting portion 128 extend over the entire length of the unit case 118 in the arrow B direction.

The outer surface of the lower wall portion 120d faces the outer surface of the stack case 44. The outer surface of the lower wall portion 120d includes: a first contact surface 124a that contacts the first outer surface 110a of the stack housing 44; a second contact surface 126a that contacts the second outer surface 112a of the stack housing 44; and a contact surface coupling portion 128a that couples the first contact surface 124a and the second contact surface 126a to each other. The first contact surface 124a is a lower surface of the first lower wall portion 124. The second contact surface 126a is a lower surface of the second lower wall portion 126. The contact surface coupling portion 128a is a lower surface of the lower coupling portion 128.

The first contact surface 124a and the second contact surface 126a are flat surfaces extending substantially horizontally in the vehicle front-rear direction, respectively. The second contact surface 126a and the second outer surface 112a are located further to the vehicle rear than the first contact surface 124a and the first outer surface 110 a. The contact surface connecting portion 128a is an inclined surface that is continuously inclined downward and linearly from the first contact surface 124a to the second contact surface 126 a. The contact surface coupling portion 128a contacts the outer surface coupling portion 114 a. However, the contact surface coupling portion 128a may be separated from the outer surface coupling portion 114 a.

The inner surface of the lower wall portion 120d includes: a first lower wall inner surface 124b which is an upper surface of the first lower wall portion 124; a second lower wall inner surface 126b that is an upper surface of the second lower wall portion 126; and a lower wall inner surface coupling portion 128b that couples the first lower wall inner surface 124b and the second lower wall inner surface 126b to each other. The first lower wall inner surface 124b and the second lower wall inner surface 126b are flat surfaces extending substantially horizontally in the vehicle front-rear direction, respectively. The lower wall inner surface connecting portion 128b is an inclined surface that is continuously inclined downward and linearly from the first lower wall inner surface 124b to the second lower wall inner surface 126 b. The second lower wall inner surface 126b is located below the first contact surface 124 a.

The lid portion 122 of the unit case 118 extends substantially horizontally. The interval between the cover portion 122 and the second lower wall inner surface 126b is wider than the interval between the cover portion 122 and the first lower wall inner surface 124 b. This makes it possible to suppress the height dimension of the fuel cell system 16 and to make the storage volume in the unit case 118 relatively wide. The upper end of the unit case 118 is located below the lower end of the cowl top 18 (see fig. 1).

In this case, the fuel cell system 16 and the fuel cell vehicle 10 according to the present embodiment achieve the following effects.

In the fuel cell system 16, the outer surface of the upper wall portion 44u of the stack case 44 that covers the first tabs 82a, 84a includes: a first outer surface 110a located on one end side in the width direction of the power generation cell 31; a second outer surface 112a located on the other end side in the width direction of the power generation cell 31 and closer to the cell laminate 32 than the first outer surface 110 a; and an outer surface coupling part 114a coupling the first outer surface 110a and the second outer surface 112a to each other. A space S is formed between the cell laminate 32 and the first upper wall 110 having the first outer surface 110a provided on the upper wall 44u, and the first protruding pieces 82a and 84a, and the first bus bar 102 and the second bus bar 104 for supplying the generated power of the power generating cell 31 to the outside are disposed in the space S.

With this structure, the second outer surface 112a is located closer to the cell laminate 32 than the first outer surface 110 a. Therefore, a concave space that is recessed toward the cell laminate 32 side with respect to the first outer surface 110a can be formed outside the second outer surface 112 a. This enables the space outside the upper wall portion 44u to be effectively used. The first protruding pieces 82a and 84a, the first bus bar 102, and the second bus bar 104 are disposed in the space S between the first upper wall 110 and the cell laminate 32. This allows the first protruding pieces 82a and 84a, the first bus bar 102, and the second bus bar 104 to be efficiently arranged in the space S between the first upper wall portion 110 and the cell laminate 32.

The fuel cell system 16 includes the electrical equipment unit 30 provided on the upper wall portion 44 u. The electrical equipment unit 30 includes: a unit main body 116 electrically connected to the first bus bar 102 and the second bus bar 104; and a unit case 118 disposed on the upper wall portion 44u and housing the unit main body 116. The surface of the unit case 118 facing the upper wall portion 44u includes: a first contact surface 124a in contact with the first outer surface 110 a; a second contact surface 126a in contact with the second outer surface 112 a; and a contact surface coupling portion 128a that couples the first contact surface 124a and the second contact surface 126a to each other.

With this configuration, the electrical equipment unit 30 can be efficiently disposed on the outer surface of the upper wall portion 44u of the stack case 44.

The outer surface connecting portion 114a is an inclined surface that is continuously inclined from the first outer surface 110a to the second outer surface 112a toward the position side where the cell laminate 32 is located.

With this configuration, the outer space of the outer surface coupling portion 114a can be made relatively large.

The first protruding pieces 82a, 84a, the first bus bar 102, and the second bus bar 104 are located on one end side of the center in the width direction of the power generating cell 31.

With this configuration, the first protruding pieces 82a and 84a, the first bus bar 102, and the second bus bar 104 can be efficiently arranged in the space S between the first upper wall portion 110 of the stack case 44 and the cell stacked body 32.

The first protruding pieces 82a, 84a are located on one end side in the width direction of the power generating cell 31 with respect to the first bus bar 102 and the second bus bar 104. One end (end in the direction of arrow Fr) of the unit case 118 in the width direction of the power generation cell 31 is positioned closer to the first bus bar 102 and the second bus bar 104 than one end (end in the direction of arrow Fr) of the first protruding pieces 82a, 84a in the width direction of the power generation cell 31.

With such a configuration, the unit case 118 can be formed compactly.

A first recessed portion 92 recessed toward the first protruding piece 82a is formed in the lower edge portion 56d of the first partition plate 56 on the opposite side of the side where the first protruding piece 82a is located, and a second protruding piece 82b protruding in the direction opposite (downward) to the protruding direction of the first protruding piece 82a is provided in the first bottom portion 94 of the first recessed portion 92. A second recessed portion 96 recessed toward the first protruding piece 84a is formed in a lower edge portion 58d of the second partition plate 58 on the opposite side of the side where the first protruding piece 84a is located, and a second protruding piece 84b protruding in the direction opposite to (downward from) the protruding direction of the first protruding piece 84a is provided in a second bottom portion 98 of the second recessed portion 96.

With such a configuration, the fuel cell stack 28 can be formed compactly.

The fuel cell vehicle 10 includes: the fuel cell system 16 described above; a front box 14 provided in the vehicle front of the instrument panel 12; and a cowl top 18 provided at an upper end portion of the instrument panel 12. The fuel cell system 16 is housed in the front case 14 such that the stacking direction of the cell stack 32 is oriented in the vehicle width direction. The second outer surface 112a is located further to the vehicle rear side than the first outer surface 110a, and the vehicle rear upper end of the fuel cell system 16 (unit case 118) is located further to the lower side than the lower end of the cowl top 18.

As shown in fig. 6, when such a fuel cell vehicle 10 collides (e.g., a rear collision), the fuel cell system 16 moves relatively toward the rear of the vehicle with respect to the vehicle body in the front box 14. Also, the rear surface of the fuel cell system 16 (the rear wall portion 44r of the stack case 44 and the rear wall portion 120r of the unit case 118) is in contact with or close to the instrument panel 12. At this time, the fuel cell system 16 does not interfere with the front-enclosure upper plate 18. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the fuel cell system 16 from hitting the front upper panel 18 and damaging the front glass 20 when the fuel cell vehicle 10 collides.

The present invention is not limited to the above configuration. Instead of the outer surface coupling portion 114a, an outer surface coupling portion 130 shown in fig. 7 may be provided on the outer surface of the upper wall portion 44u of the stack case 44. As shown in fig. 7, a plurality of step portions 132 are formed in the outer surface coupling portion 130 from the first outer surface 110a toward the second outer surface 112 a.

The stepped portion 132 extends over the entire length of the outer surface coupling portion 130 in the arrow B direction (the vehicle width direction, the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of fig. 7). With this configuration, the space S outside the outer surface coupling portion 130 can be made relatively large. In fig. 7, the contact surface coupling portion 128a may have a plurality of step portions corresponding to the step portion 132 so as to be in contact with the outer surface coupling portion 130.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The above embodiments are summarized as follows.

The above embodiment discloses a fuel cell system 16 including: a fuel cell stack 28 having a cell stack body 32 in which a plurality of power generation cells 31 including separators 56, 58 are stacked; and a stack case 44 that houses the fuel cell stack 28, wherein projecting pieces 82a, 84a that project outward are provided at outer edge portions 56u, 58u of the separators 56, 58, and in the fuel cell system 16, the power generation cell 31 has a width direction that is orthogonal to a stacking direction of the cell stack body 32 and a projecting direction of the projecting pieces 82a, 84a, and an outer surface of a lid portion 44u that is positioned in a projecting direction of the projecting pieces 82a, 84a in the stack case 44 includes: a first outer surface 110a located on one end side in the width direction of the power generation cell 31; a second outer surface 112a located on the other end side in the width direction of the power generation cell 31 and located closer to the cell laminate 32 than the first outer surface 110 a; and outer surface coupling portions 114a and 130 that couple the first outer surface 110a and the second outer surface 112a to each other, wherein a space S is formed between the cell laminate 32 and a portion 110 of the lid portion 44u where the first outer surface 110a is provided, and the protruding pieces 82a and 84a and the bus bars 102 and 104 for supplying the generated power of the power generation cell 31 to the outside are disposed in the space S.

The fuel cell system 16 may be provided with an electrical equipment unit 30 provided on the lid 44u, wherein the electrical equipment unit 30 includes: a unit main body 116 electrically connected to the bus bars 102 and 104; and a unit case 118 disposed on the lid 44u and housing the unit body 116, wherein a surface of the unit case 118 facing the lid 44u includes: a first contact surface 124a in contact with the first outer surface 110 a; a second contact surface 126a in contact with the second outer surface 112 a; and a contact surface coupling portion 128a that couples the first contact surface 124a and the second contact surface 126a to each other.

In the fuel cell system 16, the outer surface coupling portion 114a may be an inclined surface that is continuously inclined from the first outer surface 110a to the second outer surface 112a toward the position of the cell stack 32.

In the fuel cell system 16, a plurality of step portions 132 may be formed in the outer surface coupling portion 130 from the first outer surface 110a toward the second outer surface 112 a.

In the fuel cell system 16, the protruding pieces 82a and 84a and the bus bars 102 and 104 may be located on one end side of the center in the width direction of the power generation cell 31.

In the fuel cell system 16, the protruding pieces 82a, 84a may be located closer to one end side in the width direction of the power generation cell 31 than the bus bars 102, 104, and one end of the unit case 118 in the width direction of the power generation cell 31 may be located closer to the bus bars 102, 104 than one end of the protruding pieces 82a, 84a in the width direction of the power generation cell 31.

In the fuel cell system 16, the protruding pieces 82a, 84a may be first protruding pieces 82a, 84a, recesses 92, 96 that are recessed toward the first protruding pieces 82a, 84a may be formed in outer edge portions 56d, 58d of the separators 56, 58 on the opposite side of the side where the first protruding pieces 82a, 84a are located, and second protruding pieces 82b, 84b that protrude in the opposite direction to the protruding direction of the first protruding pieces 82a, 84a may be provided on bottom portions 94, 98 of the recesses 92, 96.

The above embodiment discloses a fuel cell vehicle 10 including: the fuel cell system 16 described above; a front box 14 provided in the vehicle front of the instrument panel 12; and a cowl top 18 provided at an upper end portion of the dash panel 12, wherein the fuel cell system 16 is housed in the front case 14 such that a stacking direction of the cell stack 32 is oriented in a vehicle width direction and the lid portion 44u is an upper wall portion 44u of the stack case 44, the second outer surface 112a is located at a position rearward of the first outer surface 110a, and a vehicle rear upper end of the fuel cell system 16 is located at a position lower than a lower end of the cowl top 18.