JP2011003377A - Solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell capable of efficiently supplying air from the outside to a separator and of improving its performance.SOLUTION: A plurality of unit cells are stacked ranging from an end plate 310 of an approximate rectangular parallelepiped fuel cell stack 300 toward an end plate 350, and the separator for each unit cell where air (or oxygen) flows has a plurality of grooves formed in zigzag ranging from a side face 300A of the fuel cell stack 300 toward a side face 300B. A seal member 410 has a passage region 410A at the center where air (or oxygen) passes, and is arranged on the side face 300B of the fuel cell stack 300 in contact with the fuel cell stack 300. A pusher 400 is arranged on the side of the side face 300A located on the side of an installation face 500 of the fuel cell stack 300 for pushing air (or oxygen) into the plurality of grooves formed in the separator for each unit cell.

Description

  The present invention relates to a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, and more particularly to a stack type polymer electrolyte fuel cell.

  Conventionally, a fuel cell stack in which a plurality of unit fuel cells are stacked is known (Patent Document 1). This fuel cell stack includes a plurality of unit fuel cells and two end plates.

  A plurality of unit fuel cells are stacked. The two end plates sandwich the stacked unit fuel cells from the stacking direction.

  Each unit fuel cell includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode side diffusion electrode, a cathode side diffusion electrode, and first and second separators. The anode side diffusion electrode is disposed on one side of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and the cathode side diffusion electrode is disposed on the other side of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The first and second separators sandwich the anode side diffusion electrode / solid polymer electrolyte membrane / cathode side diffusion electrode.

  In this case, the anode side diffusion electrode is interposed between the first and second separators via the fuel cell (= anode side diffusion electrode / solid polymer electrolyte membrane / cathode side diffusion electrode) from the electrode reaction surface of the fuel cell. Alternatively, an adhesive liquid seal is provided to prevent leakage of the reaction gas to the outer peripheral portion of the cathode side diffusion electrode, and a non-adhesive liquid seal is provided between the adjacent first and second separators. .

  In the fuel cell stack, the fuel gas passes through the passages formed at both ends of the first and second separators by stacking a plurality of unit fuel cells, and then flows to the cathode side diffusion electrode and the anode side diffusion electrode. Supplied.

JP 2001-332277 A

  However, in the fuel cell stack described in Patent Document 1, there is no seal between the plurality of stacked unit fuel cells and the two end plates. There is a problem that air flows through the gaps between the plurality of unit fuel cells and the end plate, and it is difficult to efficiently flow the air through the separator.

  In addition, in the fuel cell stack using air cooling air as the reaction air gas, it is difficult to humidify the reaction air, so that the solid polymer electrolyte membrane is dried and the performance of the fuel cell stack is degraded. There is.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a solid polymer fuel cell capable of efficiently supplying air from the outside to the separator and capable of improving performance. Is to provide.

  According to this invention, the polymer electrolyte fuel cell is a stack type polymer electrolyte fuel cell having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and includes a plurality of unit cells, first and second end plates, and an indentation. And a sealing member. The plurality of unit cells are stacked in a direction from the first surface of the rectangular parallelepiped toward the second surface facing the first surface, and are connected in series. The first and second end plates sandwich the plurality of unit cells from both sides in the direction from the first surface to the second surface. The pusher is arranged on the third surface side from the third surface of the rectangular parallelepiped located on the installation surface side where the polymer electrolyte fuel cell is installed, and pushes the oxidant gas into the plurality of unit cells. The seal member is disposed at least on the third surface side in contact with the plurality of unit cells, and has a passage region for the passage of the oxidant gas in the central portion, and is made of an insulating material. Each of the plurality of unit cells includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane and first and second separators. The first separator is disposed on one side of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and supplies an oxidant gas to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The second separator is disposed on the other side of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and supplies a reducing agent gas to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The first separator includes a gas channel for supplying an oxidant gas to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and a reducing agent gas that is molded integrally with the gas channel and is supplied to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. And a gas passage part through which the gas passes. The gas flow path part includes a plurality of grooves having a length longer than the length of the groove formed in a straight line. Adjacent first and second unit cells are connected in series by a second separator included in the first unit cell and a first separator included in the second unit cell.

  Preferably, the seal member includes first and second seal members. The first seal member is disposed on the third surface side in contact with the plurality of unit cells, and has a passage region in the central portion and is made of an insulating material. The second seal member is disposed on the fourth surface side that is in contact with the plurality of unit cells and faces the third surface, has a passage region at the center, and is made of an insulating member.

  Preferably, the polymer electrolyte fuel cell further includes another seal member. The other sealing member is made of an insulating material and is disposed on at least one side of the plurality of unit cells in contact with the plurality of unit cells in the direction in which the reducing agent gas flows through the second separator. The reducing agent gas flows in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction in which the oxidizing gas flows.

  Preferably, the other seal member includes third and fourth seal members. The third seal member is disposed on at least one side of the plurality of unit cells in contact with the plurality of unit cells and is made of an insulating material. The fourth seal member is disposed on at least the other side of the plurality of unit cells in contact with the plurality of unit cells and is made of an insulating material.

  Preferably, the seal member includes first and second seal members. The first seal member is disposed on the third surface side in contact with the plurality of unit cells, and has a passage region in the central portion and is made of an insulating material. The second seal member is disposed on the fourth surface side that is in contact with the plurality of unit cells and faces the third surface, has a passage region at the center, and is made of an insulating member. Other seal members include third and fourth seal members. The third seal member is disposed on at least one side of the plurality of unit cells in contact with the plurality of unit cells and is made of an insulating material. The fourth seal member is disposed on at least the other side of the plurality of unit cells in contact with the plurality of unit cells and is made of an insulating material.

  Preferably, each of the plurality of grooves of the first separator has a zigzag shape with respect to the direction in which the oxidizing gas flows.

  Preferably, the gas flow path part and the gas passage part are made of a metal plate, and the plurality of grooves of the first separator are formed on the front and back surfaces of the metal plate constituting the gas flow path part.

  Preferably, the metal plate is made of stainless steel.

  The polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the present invention includes a pusher for pushing the oxidant gas into the plurality of unit cells from the installation surface side where the polymer electrolyte fuel cell is installed, and the installation surface side in contact with the plurality of unit cells. And the sealing member that seals the periphery of the plurality of unit cells, the external oxidant gas is exclusively pushed into the plurality of grooves of the first separator. The oxidant gas thus pushed in is easily supplied to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, air can be efficiently supplied from the outside to the separator, and the performance of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell can be improved.

It is a top view of the separator used for the polymer electrolyte fuel cell by embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the back surface of the separator shown in FIG. It is an enlarged view of the groove part shown in FIG. It is a perspective view of the separator shown in FIG. It is a top view of the other separator used for the polymer electrolyte fuel cell by embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the back surface of the separator shown in FIG. It is an enlarged view of the convex part and recessed part shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell provided with the separator shown in FIGS. It is a perspective view of each component which comprises the polymer electrolyte fuel cell shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell when assembled using the components shown in FIG. 9. 1 is a perspective view of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel cell stack taken along line XII-XII shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 12 is a plan view of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell viewed from the direction A shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 12 is another plan view of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell viewed from the A direction shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 12 is a plan view of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell viewed from the direction C shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell viewed from the B direction shown in FIG. 11. It is a conceptual diagram of the force which acts on the water droplet produced | generated within the fuel cell stack. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the motion of the water droplet in a fuel cell stack.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view of a separator used in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a separator 10 used in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention is made of a metal plate such as stainless steel, and includes gas passage portions 11 and 12, a gas flow passage portion 13, And holes 14-17. The gas passage parts 11 and 12, the gas flow path part 13, and the holes 14 to 17 are integrally formed by press forming a metal plate.

  The gas passage portion 11 includes holes 111 to 114. The holes 111 to 114 are arranged on one end side of the separator 10 so as to penetrate the separator 10. Each of the holes 111-114 has a diameter on the order of millimeters. Moreover, the gas passage part 12 consists of holes 121-124. The holes 121 to 124 are arranged opposite to the holes 111 to 114 on the other end side of the separator 10 so as to penetrate the separator 10. Each of the holes 121-124 has the same diameter as the diameter of the holes 111-114.

  The gas flow path unit 13 has a plurality of grooves 131 to 143. Each of the plurality of grooves 131 to 141 has a depth of millimeter order and a width of millimeter order from the reference surface 18 of the separator 10, and is formed in a zigzag shape in the gas flow direction DR1. And the some groove | channel 131-141 is arrange | positioned by the space | interval of a millimeter order.

  Groove 142 is disposed on one end side of separator 10 in direction DR1, and groove 143 is disposed on the other end side of separator 10 in direction DR1. Each of the grooves 142 and 143 is linearly formed so as to be substantially orthogonal to the plurality of grooves 131 to 141. Each of the grooves 142 and 143 has a depth smaller than 2 mm from the reference surface 18 of the separator 10, a width of millimeter order, and a length of about 10 cm.

  The holes 14 to 17 are arranged at the four corners of the separator 10 so as to penetrate the separator 10. And each of the holes 14-17 has a diameter of a millimeter order.

  The holes 14, 111 to 114, 15 are linearly arranged on the one end side of the separator 10 with a millimeter order interval. Further, the holes 16, 121-124, 17 are linearly arranged at the same interval as the holes 14, 111-114, 15 on the other end side of the separator 10.

  The holes 111 to 114 of the gas passage 11 and the holes 121 to 124 of the gas passage 12 allow hydrogen gas to pass in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface. The grooves 131 to 141 allow air (or oxygen) to flow in the direction DR1. The grooves 142 and 143 are grooves for arranging a plate for improving the adhesion between the separator 10 and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane described later. The holes 14 to 17 are holes through which the stack positioning rods are assembled when the polymer electrolyte fuel cell is assembled.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view of the back surface of the separator 10 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 2, convex portions 131A to 141A correspond to grooves 131 to 141 shown in FIG. Accordingly, the protrusions 131A to 141A have a height smaller than 2 mm from the reference surface 19 and a width of millimeter order. And convex part 131A-141A is arrange | positioned by the space | interval of a millimeter order.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the groove 142 shown in FIG. With reference to FIG. 3, the groove 142 is linearly formed in a direction substantially orthogonal to the plurality of grooves 131 to 141. The flat plate 30 has a thickness smaller than 2 mm, a width on the order of millimeters, and a length longer than 10 cm (see FIG. 3A).

  Then, the flat plate 30 is inserted into the groove 142. As described above, since the flat plate 30 has the same dimensions as the groove 142, the upper surface 30A of the flat plate 30 coincides with the reference surface 18 of the separator 10 (see FIG. 3B).

  Even if the flat plate 30 is inserted into the groove 142, the thickness of the flat plate 30 is thinner than the depth of the grooves 131 to 141, so that air (or oxygen) can flow through the grooves 131 to 141.

  Also, the same flat plate as the flat plate 30 is inserted into the groove 143.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the separator 10 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 4, separator 10 has grooves 131-141 described above on front surface 10A and grooves 151-160 on rear surface 10B.

  The grooves 151 to 160 are between the grooves 131 and 132, between the grooves 132 and 133, between the grooves 133 and 134, between the grooves 134 and 135, between the grooves 135 and 136, between the grooves 136 and 137, between the grooves 137 and 138, respectively. It is formed between the grooves 138 and 139, between the grooves 139 and 140, and between the grooves 140 and 141.

  The grooves 151 to 160 have the same dimensions as the grooves 131 to 141, and are formed in a zigzag shape in the direction DR <b> 1 like the grooves 131 to 141.

  As a result, air (or oxygen) flows through the grooves 131 to 141 and 151 to 160 of the separator 10 in the direction DR1. That is, air (or oxygen) flows on the front and back surfaces of the separator 10.

  FIG. 5 is a plan view of another separator used in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the separator 20 is made of a metal plate such as stainless steel, and includes a gas supply part 21, a gas discharge part 22, convex parts 23 and 24, a gas flow path part 25, and concave parts 26 to 29. And holes 31-34.

  The separator 20 has a recess 201 that is recessed from the reference surface 35 of the separator 20 by a depth smaller than 1 mm. And the gas supply part 21, the gas discharge part 22, the convex parts 23 and 24, and the gas flow path part 25 are formed in the recessed part 201. FIG.

  The gas supply unit 21 includes holes 211 to 214 and convex portions 215 to 217. The holes 211 to 214 and the convex portions 215 to 217 are arranged on one end side in the length direction of the separator 20. The holes 211 to 214 penetrate the separator 20 and are linearly arranged in the width direction of the separator 20.

  Moreover, each of the holes 211 to 214 has the same diameter as the holes 111 to 114 and 121 to 124 of the separator 10 described above. The holes 211 to 214 are arranged at the same intervals as the holes 111 to 114 and 121 to 124.

  The convex portions 215 to 217 protrude from the concave portion 201 by a height smaller than 1 mm. Therefore, the upper surfaces of the convex portions 215 to 217 coincide with the reference surface 35 of the separator 20. And the convex parts 215-217 have the length substantially equal to the diameter of the holes 211-214, and are arrange | positioned between the holes 211 and 212, between the holes 212 and 213, and between the holes 213 and 214, respectively.

  The gas discharge part 22 includes holes 221 to 224 and convex parts 225 to 227. The holes 221 to 224 and the convex portions 225 to 227 are arranged on the other end side in the length direction of the separator 20. The holes 221 to 224 penetrate the separator 20 and are linearly arranged in the width direction of the separator 20.

  Each of the holes 221 to 224 has the same diameter as the holes 111 to 114 and 121 to 124 of the separator 10 described above. The holes 221 to 224 are arranged at the same intervals as the holes 111 to 114 and 121 to 124.

  The convex portions 225 to 227 protrude from the concave portion 201 by a height smaller than 1 mm. Therefore, the upper surfaces of the convex portions 225 to 227 also coincide with the reference surface 35 of the separator 20. The convex portions 225 to 227 have lengths substantially equal to the diameters of the holes 221 to 224, and are disposed between the holes 221, 222, between the holes 222, 223, and between the holes 223, 224, respectively.

  The convex portion 23 is composed of a plurality of convex portions arranged linearly at intervals of millimeter order in the width direction of the separator 20. And the convex part 23 is arrange | positioned between the gas supply part 21 and the gas flow path part 25, and protrudes only the height smaller than 1 mm from the recessed part 201. FIG.

The convex portion 24 is composed of a plurality of convex portions arranged linearly at intervals of millimeter order in the width direction of the separator 20. And the convex part 24 is arrange | positioned between the gas discharge part 22 and the gas flow path part 25, and protrudes only the height smaller than 1 mm from the recessed part 201. FIG.
The milli-order gas flow path section 25 has a plurality of grooves 251. The plurality of grooves 251 have a depth smaller than 1 mm with respect to the reference surface 35 of the separator 20 and have a width of millimeter order. The plurality of grooves 251 are linearly formed between the convex portion 23 and the convex portion 24. The convex portion 252 between the two adjacent grooves 251 and 251 protrudes from the concave portion 201 by a height smaller than 1 mm, and coincides with the reference surface 35 of the separator 20.

  The concave portion 26 is disposed on one end side of the convex portion 23 in the width direction of the separator 20 and is in contact with the concave portion 201. The concave portion 27 is disposed on the other end side of the convex portion 23 in the width direction of the separator 20 and is in contact with the concave portion 201.

  The concave portion 28 is disposed on one end side of the convex portion 24 in the width direction of the separator 20 and is in contact with the concave portion 201. The concave portion 29 is disposed on the other end side of the convex portion 24 in the width direction of the separator 20 and is in contact with the concave portion 201.

  Each of the recesses 26 to 29 is recessed from the reference surface 35 of the separator 20 by a depth smaller than 1 mm, and has a width of millimeter order.

  The holes 31 to 34 are formed at the four corners of the separator 20 so as to penetrate the separator 20. Each of the holes 31 to 34 has a millimeter order diameter.

  The gas supply unit 21 receives hydrogen gas from the holes 211 to 214 and supplies the received hydrogen gas to the gas flow path unit 25. The gas flow path unit 25 receives hydrogen gas from the gas supply unit 21, and flows the received hydrogen gas from the gas supply unit 21 toward the gas discharge unit 22. The gas discharge unit 22 receives hydrogen gas from the gas flow path unit 25 and discharges the received hydrogen gas from the holes 221 to 224.

  The holes 31 to 34 are holes through which the stack positioning rods are assembled when assembling the polymer electrolyte fuel cell.

  When the separator 20 is used in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, the holes 31, 32, 33, and 34 face the holes 16, 17, 14, and 15 of the separator 10, respectively. Further, when the separator 20 is used in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, the holes 211 to 214 face the holes 121 to 124 of the separator 10, respectively, and the holes 221 to 224 are the holes 111 to 114 of the separator 10, respectively. Opposite to.

  6 is a plan view of the back surface of the separator 20 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 6, separator 20 has a convex portion 201 </ b> R and a plurality of concave portions 252 </ b> R on the back surface. The convex portion 201R corresponds to the concave portion 201 shown in FIG. 5 and protrudes from the reference surface 36 by a height smaller than 1 mm.

  The plurality of recesses 252R correspond to the plurality of projections 252 shown in FIG. 5, and the surfaces of the plurality of recesses 252R coincide with the reference plane 36. As a result of forming the plurality of recesses 252R, a plurality of projections 251R are formed. And the some convex part 251R respond | corresponds to the some groove | channel 251 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the convex portion 23 and the concave portions 26 and 27 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 7, the distance between one end 26A of recess 26 and one end 27A of recess 27 is several centimeters. The flat plate 40 has a thickness smaller than 1 mm, a width on the order of millimeters, and a length of several centimeters. And the flat plate 40 is arrange | positioned on the convex part 23 so that both ends may fit in the recessed parts 26 and 27 (refer (a) of FIG. 7).

  Then, the concave portion 201 is recessed from the reference surface 35 of the separator 10 by a depth smaller than 1 mm, the convex portion 23 has a height smaller than 1 mm from the concave portion 201, and the flat plate 40 is smaller than 1 mm. Since it has a thickness, the upper surface 40 </ b> A of the flat plate 40 coincides with the reference surface 35 of the separator 10.

  The same flat plate as the flat plate 40 is also inserted into the recesses 28 and 29.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell including the separators 10 and 20 shown in FIGS. Referring to FIG. 8, the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 100 includes a polymer electrolyte membrane 110, gas diffusion electrodes 120 and 130, separators 140 and 150, and gaskets 160 and 170.

  The gas diffusion electrode 120 carries a catalyst 180 on one main surface thereof, and is disposed on one side of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 110 so that the catalyst 180 is in contact with one surface of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 110. The gas diffusion electrode 130 carries a catalyst 190 on one main surface thereof, and is disposed on the other side of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 110 so that the catalyst 190 is in contact with the other surface of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 110.

  The separator 140 includes the separator 20 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and is disposed so as to be in contact with one main surface of the gas diffusion electrode 120 (one main surface opposite to the one main surface on which the catalyst 180 is supported). In this case, the surface of the separator 20 shown in FIG. 5 is directed to the gas diffusion electrode 120 side. The separator 150 includes the separator 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and is disposed so as to be in contact with one main surface of the gas diffusion electrode 130 (one main surface opposite to the one main surface on which the catalyst 190 is supported). In this case, the surface of the separator 10 shown in FIG. 1 is directed to the gas diffusion electrode 130 side.

  The gasket 160 is provided between the outer periphery of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 110 and the outer periphery of the separator 140, and maintains the airtightness to connect the outer periphery of the separator 140 to the outer periphery of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 110. . The gasket 170 is provided between the outer periphery of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 110 and the outer periphery of the separator 150, and maintains the airtightness to connect the outer periphery of the separator 150 to the outer periphery of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 110. .

  The solid polymer electrolyte membrane 110 is made of, for example, a fluorine ion exchange membrane. Each of the gas diffusion electrodes 120 and 130 is made of a porous body having gas permeability and conductivity. Each of the catalysts 180 and 190 is made of platinum (Pt) or a platinum alloy (Pt—Ru). Each of the gaskets 160 and 170 is made of any one of fluororesin, Viton rubber, silicon rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, and the like. More specifically, the fluororesin is, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP), tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA), or the like. It is.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view of each component constituting the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 100 shown in FIG. The separator 150, the gasket 170, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 110, the gasket 160, and the separator 140 constituting the solid polymer fuel cell 100 are respectively replaced with (b), (c), (d), and (e) of FIG. ), (F).

  The polymer electrolyte fuel cell 100 further includes gaskets 210 and 230. The gaskets 210 and 230 are shown in FIGS. 9A and 9G, respectively.

  The gasket 210 includes gaskets 2110 and 2120. The gasket 2110 has holes 2111, 2112, and 2113. The holes 2111, 2112, and 2113 pass through the gasket 2110. The gasket 2120 has holes 2121, 2122 and 2123. The holes 2121, 2122 and 2123 pass through the gasket 2120.

  The holes 2111, 2113, 2121, 2123 have the same diameter as the holes 14-17 of the separator 150 (10) and the holes 31-34 of the separator 140 (20). The holes 2112 and 2122 have the same diameter as the holes 111 to 114 and 121 to 124 of the separator 150 (10) and the holes 211 to 214 and 221 to 224 of the separator 140 (20).

  The gasket 170 has holes 171 to 177. The holes 171 to 177 penetrate the gasket 170. And the holes 171 to 174 have the same diameter as the holes 14 to 17 of the separator 150 (10) and the holes 31 to 34 of the separator 140 (20). Moreover, the holes 175 and 176 are larger than the holes 14 to 17 of the separator 150 (10).

  The gasket 160 has holes 161 to 167. The holes 161 to 167 pass through the gasket 160. And the holes 161-164 have the same diameter as the holes 14-17 of the separator 150 (10) and the holes 31-34 of the separator 140 (20). The holes 165 and 166 have the same size as the holes 175 and 176 of the gasket 170.

  The gasket 230 has holes 231 to 235. The holes 231 to 235 penetrate the gasket 230. The holes 231 to 234 have the same diameter as the holes 14 to 17 of the separator 150 (10) and the holes 31 to 34 of the separator 140 (20).

  10 is a perspective view of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 100 when assembled using the components shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 10, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell 100 includes a gasket 210, a separator 150 (10), a gasket 170, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 110, a gasket 160, a separator 140 (20), and a gas get 230, which are sequentially stacked. Has the structure.

  The holes 2111, 14, 171, 161, 31, and 231 are linearly arranged in the direction from the gasket 210 to the gasket 230. The holes 2113, 15, 172, 162, 32, and 232 are also arranged in a straight line in the direction from the gasket 210 to the gasket 230. Further, the holes 2121, 16, 173, 163, 33, 233 are also arranged linearly in the direction from the gasket 210 to the gasket 230. Further, the holes 2123, 17, 174, 164, 34, 234 are also arranged linearly in the direction from the gasket 210 to the gasket 230. Further, the holes 2112, 111-114, 175, 165, 211-214 are also arranged linearly in the direction from the gasket 210 to the gasket 230. Further, the holes 2122, 1211 to 124, 176, 166, 221 to 224 are also arranged linearly in the direction from the gasket 210 to the gasket 230.

  As a result, the gas supply unit 21 of the separator 140 (20) receives the hydrogen gas through the holes 2112, 111-114, 175, 165 and supplies the received hydrogen gas to the gas flow path unit 25. The gas flow path unit 25 supplies hydrogen gas to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 110 through the holes 167 of the gasket 160 and causes surplus hydrogen gas to flow to the gas discharge unit 22. The gas discharge unit 22 discharges the hydrogen gas received from the gas flow path unit 25 through the holes 221 to 224.

  The discharged hydrogen gas flows through the holes 235, 166, 176, 121-124, and 2122.

  On the other hand, air (or oxygen) enters the gas flow path portion 13 of the separator 150 (10) from the outside and flows through the grooves 131-141. The grooves 131 to 141 supply air (or oxygen) that has entered from the outside to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 110 through the holes 177 of the gasket 170, and discharge excess air (or oxygen) to the outside.

  Thus, the hydrogen gas is supplied to the gas supply part 21 of the separator 140 (20) through the gas passage part 11 of the separator 150 (10) and discharged from the gas discharge part 22 of the separator 140 (20). Then, the gas flows through the gas passage 22 of the separator 150 (10) in the thickness direction of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 100, so that the gas passages 11 and 12 of the separator 150 (10) This is a gas passage portion through which hydrogen gas different from air (or oxygen) supplied to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 110 flows.

Referring to FIG. 8 again, solid polymer electrolyte membrane 110 allows only hydrogen ions H ⁺ out of electrons e ⁻ and hydrogen ions H ⁺ separated by catalyst 180 to pass to catalyst 190 side. The gas diffusion electrode 120 diffuses the hydrogen gas supplied from the separator 140 (20) to the catalyst 180. The catalyst 180 separates the hydrogen gas supplied to the gas diffusion electrode 120 into electrons e ⁻ and hydrogen ions H ⁺ .

The gas diffusion electrode 130 diffuses air (or oxygen) supplied from the separator 150 (10) to the catalyst 190. The catalyst 190 reacts the hydrogen ions H ⁺ supplied from the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 110 with the electrons e ⁻ supplied from the gas diffusion electrode 130 and air (or oxygen) to generate water.

  The separator 140 (20) has a gas supply groove 140A having a concavo-convex structure on one main surface in contact with the gas diffusion electrode 120. The gas supply groove 140A includes a groove 251 shown in FIG. The gas supply groove 140A is connected to a hydrogen gas supply port (= gas supply unit 21) and a discharge port (= gas discharge unit 22). Accordingly, the separator 140 (20) supplies hydrogen gas to the gas diffusion electrode 120 via the gas supply groove 140A.

  The separator 150 (10) has a gas supply groove 150A having a concavo-convex structure on one main surface in contact with the gas diffusion electrode 130. The gas supply groove 150A includes grooves 131 to 141 shown in FIG. The gas supply groove 150 </ b> A is connected to the outside of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 100. Therefore, the separator 150 (10) supplies air (or oxygen) to the gas diffusion electrode 130 via the gas supply groove 150A.

An operation of generating power by the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 100 will be described. When hydrogen is supplied to the gas diffusion electrode 120 via the gas supply groove 140A of the separator 140 (20), the gas diffusion electrode 120 diffuses hydrogen gas to the catalyst 180, and the catalyst 180 converts hydrogen to hydrogen ions H ^+. And electrons e ⁻ .

Then, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 110 transmits only the hydrogen ions H ⁺ out of the hydrogen ions H ⁺ and electrons e ⁻ separated by the catalyst 180 and supplies them to the catalyst 190. On the other hand, the electrons e ⁻ move from the catalyst 180 to the separator 140 (20) via the gas diffusion electrode 120 and flow from the separator 140 (20) to the separator 150 (10) via an external load (not shown). . The separator 150 (10) supplies electrons e ⁻ to the gas diffusion electrode 130.

Air (or oxygen) is supplied to the gas diffusion electrode 130 through the gas supply groove 150A of the separator 150 (10). The gas diffusion electrode 130 diffuses air (or oxygen) into the catalyst 190 and supplies electrons e ⁻ to the catalyst 190.

Then, the hydrogen ions H ⁺ , air (or oxygen), and electrons e ⁻ react with the help of the catalyst 190 to become water.

  In this way, the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 100 generates electricity. Since the separators 140 (20) and 150 (20) of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 100 are integrally formed by press molding of a metal plate as described above, the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 100 can be reduced. Can be manufactured at a low cost.

  FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 11, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a fuel cell stack 300, a pusher 400, seal members 410, 420, 430, positioning rods 450, 460, 470, 480.

  The fuel cell stack 300 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has a structure in which a plurality of unit cells are connected in series, as will be described later.

  The pusher 400 is arranged on the side surface 300A side of the fuel cell stack 300 located on the installation surface 500 side where the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1000 is installed, and air (or oxygen) is transferred from the side surface 300A side to the fuel cell stack 300. Push in.

  The seal member 410 is disposed on the side surface 300B of the fuel cell stack 300 (= the surface facing the side surface 300A) in contact with the fuel cell stack 300. And the sealing member 410 has the passage area | region 410A for air (or oxygen) to pass in a center part.

  The seal member 420 is disposed on the side surface 300 </ b> C of the fuel cell stack 300 in contact with the fuel cell stack 300.

  Seal member 430 is arranged on the side surface of fuel cell stack 300 (= the side surface facing side surface 300 </ b> C) in contact with fuel cell stack 300.

  The seal members 410, 420, and 430 are made of sponge rubber or resin. That is, the seal members 410, 420, and 430 are made of an insulating material.

  The positioning rods 450, 460, 470, 480 fasten the two end plates 310, 350 of the fuel cell stack 300 at the four corners.

  FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel cell stack 300 taken along line XII-XII shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 12, fuel cell stack 300 includes end plates 310 and 350, insulating sheets 311 and 313, current collecting plates 312 and 314, unit cells 321 to 32n (n is an integer of 2 or more), Seal members 331 to 33n-1 and 341 to 34n-1 are provided.

  The end plates 310 and 350 are made of stainless steel or aluminum alloy. The insulating sheet 311 is disposed in contact with the end plate 310. The current collector plate 312 is disposed between the insulating sheet 311 and the unit cell 321. The insulating sheet 313 is disposed in contact with the end plate 350. The current collector plate 314 is disposed between the insulating sheet 313 and the unit cell 32n.

  The n unit cells 321 to 32n are arranged in series between the current collector plate 312 and the current collector plate 314. Each of the unit cells 321 to 32n includes a polymer electrolyte fuel cell 100 shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, the gas diffusion electrodes 120 and 130 shown in FIG. 8 are omitted.

  When n unit cells 321 to 32n are arranged in series, the separator 150 (10) of the unit cell 321 is in contact with the separator 140 (20) of the unit cell 322, and the separator 150 (10) of the unit cell 322 is The separator 150 (10) of the unit cell 323 contacts the separator 140 (20) of the unit cell 323, and the separator 150 (10) of the unit cell 32n-1 contacts the separator 140 (20) of the unit cell 32n. In this case, the back surface of the separator 140 (20) is in contact with the back surface of the separator 150 (10).

  And in each unit cell 321-32n, the some groove | channel 131-141, 151-160 of the separator 150 (= separator 10) is formed in the up-down direction along the paper surface shown in FIG.

  As described above, the separators 140 (= separator 20) and 150 (= separator 10) are made of a metal plate, so two adjacent unit cells (unit cells 321, 322; 322, 323;...; 32n− 1, 32n), by arranging n unit cells 321-32n in series so that separator 140 (20) and separator 150 (10) are in contact, n unit cells 321-32n are electrically Connected in series.

  The seal members 331 to 33n-1 are respectively provided between the gas supply unit 21 side of the unit cell 321 and the gas supply unit 21 side of the unit cell 322, and the gas supply unit 21 side of the unit cell 322 and the gas supply of the unit cell 323. Between the unit 21 side,..., Between the gas supply unit 21 side of the unit cell 32n-1 and the gas supply unit 21 side of the unit cell 32n. Further, the sealing members 341 to 34n-1 are respectively arranged between the gas discharge unit 22 side of the unit cell 321 and the gas discharge unit 22 side of the unit cell 322, between the gas discharge unit 22 side of the unit cell 322 and the unit cell 323. Between the gas discharge unit 22 side,..., Between the gas discharge unit 22 side of the unit cell 32n-1 and the gas discharge unit 22 side of the unit cell 32n.

  When the positioning rods 450, 460, 470, 480 fasten the two end plates 310, 350 of the fuel cell stack 300 at the four corners, the positioning rod 450 has the holes 234, 34, 164, 174, 17, 2123, the positioning rod 460 penetrates the holes 233, 33, 163, 173, 16, 2121 of the unit cells 321 to 32n, and the positioning rod 470 extends to each unit cell 321. The positioning rod 480 passes through the holes 231, 31, 161, 171, 14, and 2111 of the unit cells 321 to 32 n.

  FIG. 13 is a plan view of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1000 viewed from the direction A shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is another plan view of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1000 viewed from the direction A shown in FIG. 14 is a plan view when the seal member 410 is removed in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 14, when the two end plates 310, 350 are tightened by the positioning rods 450, 460, 470, 480, the end plates 310, 350 have larger areas than the unit cells 321-32n. A gap is formed between the plates 310 and 350 and the unit cells 321 and 32n.

  That is, since the end plates 310 and 350 are fastened at the four corners by the four positioning rods 450, 460, 470, and 480, the end plates 310 and 350 are slightly curved, and the center portions of the end plates 310 and 350 are insulated. A gap is formed between the end plates 310 and 350 and the unit cells 321 and 32n apart from the sheets 311 and 313.

  When air (or oxygen) is pushed in by the pusher 400 in this state, air (or oxygen) is pushed also through the formed gap, and the air (or oxygen) is separated into a plurality of separators 150 (= separator 10). It is difficult to efficiently supply the grooves 131-141, 151-160.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, the regions where the plurality of grooves 131 to 141 and 151 to 160 of the separator 150 (= the separator 10) are not formed, the insulating sheets 311 and 313, and the current collector plates 312 and 314 are covered. By providing the seal member 410, the gap formed between the end plates 310 and 350 and the unit cells 321 and 32n can be closed. As a result, when the pusher 400 pushes in air (or oxygen), external air (or oxygen) does not flow into the gaps between the end plates 310 and 350 and the unit cells 321 and 32n, and the separator 150 (= It flows into the plurality of grooves 131-141, 151-160 of the separator 10).

  Therefore, air (or oxygen) can be efficiently supplied to the plurality of grooves 131 to 141 and 151 to 160 from the outside.

  The plan view of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1000 viewed from the direction B shown in FIG. 11 is the same as the plan view shown in FIG.

  FIG. 15 is a plan view of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1000 viewed from the direction C shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 15, the seal member 420 is disposed on the entire side surface 300 </ b> C of the fuel cell stack 300. Since gas is not supplied to the fuel cell stack 300 from the side surface 300C side where the seal member 420 is disposed, the seal member 420 is disposed so as to cover the side surface 300C.

  The plan view of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1000 viewed from the direction D shown in FIG. 11 is the same as the plan view shown in FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1000 viewed from the direction B shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 16, seal member 440 is arranged in contact with fuel cell stack 300 on side surface 300 </ b> A of fuel cell stack 300.

  The seal member 440 is made of the same material as the seal members 410, 420, and 430, and has a passage region 440 </ b> A for allowing air (or oxygen) to pass therethrough in the center as in the case of the seal member 410.

  The pusher 400 is disposed so as to face the seal member 440, and pushes air (or oxygen) into the separator 150 (= separator 10) of the unit cells 321 to 32n via the passage region 440A of the seal member 440.

  Therefore, the pusher 400 does not push air (or oxygen) through the gap between the end plates 310 and 350 and the unit cells 321 and 32n, but pushes air (or oxygen) through the passage region 440A. The air (or oxygen) on the side surface 300A flows to the side surface 300B side through the separator 150 (= separator 10) of the unit cells 321 to 32n. As a result, air (or oxygen) can be more efficiently supplied from the outside to the plurality of grooves 131 to 141 and 151 to 160.

  As described above, in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1000, since the seal members 410, 420, 430, and 440 are disposed at portions other than the end plates 310 and 350 of the fuel cell stack 300, external air (or Oxygen) can be efficiently supplied to the plurality of grooves 131 to 141, 151 to 160, and heat generated in the plurality of unit cells 321 to 32n can be released to the outside through the seal members 410, 420, 430, and 440, The heat dissipation effect of the fuel cell stack 300 can be enhanced.

  FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram of forces acting on water droplets generated in the fuel cell stack 300. Referring to FIG. 17, when air (or oxygen) is supplied to fuel cell stack 300, water droplets 600 are generated in fuel cell stack 300.

  When air (or oxygen) is pushed into the fuel cell stack 300 from the side surface 300A (= the installation surface side of the fuel cell stack 300) by the pusher 400, water droplets 600 generated in the fuel cell stack 300 A force F1 due to the flow of air (or oxygen) in the stack 300 is received in a direction from the side surface 300A to the side surface 300B, and gravity F2 is received in a direction from the side surface 300B to the side surface 300A (see FIG. 17A).

  On the other hand, when air (or oxygen) is supplied from the side surface 300 </ b> B to the fuel cell stack 300, the water droplet 600 generated in the fuel cell stack 300 causes a force F <b> 1 due to the flow of air (or oxygen) in the fuel cell stack 300, And gravity F2 is received in the direction from the side surface 300B toward the side surface 300A (see FIG. 17B).

  As a result, the water droplets 600 generated in the fuel cell stack 300 are pushed when the air (or oxygen) is pushed into the fuel cell stack 300 from the side surface 300A (= the installation surface side of the fuel cell stack 300) by the pusher 400. Tends to stay in the fuel cell stack 300.

  FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram showing a trend of water droplets in the fuel cell stack 300. Referring to FIG. 18, when air (or oxygen) is pushed into fuel cell stack 300 from side surface 300 </ b> A (= the installation surface side of fuel cell stack 300) by pusher 400, water droplets 600 are unit cells 321 to 32n. It becomes easier to stay inside.

  The water droplet 600 remaining in each of the unit cells 321 to 32n is easily supplied to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 110 by the flow of air (or oxygen) pushed in by the pusher 400. As a result, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 110 is wetted by the supplied moisture.

  Therefore, the performance of the fuel cell stack 300 can be improved by pushing air (or oxygen) into the fuel cell stack 300 from the side surface 300A (= the installation surface side of the fuel cell stack 300) by the pusher 400.

  Table 1 shows the characteristics of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1000.

  Table 1 shows the experimental value of the cell voltage of the unit cell when the air flow direction is fixed from the bottom (side surface 300A side) to the top (side surface 300B side) and the air supply method is changed to pushing and suction. .

  As shown in Table 1, at both 8.3% and 6.2% air utilization, the cell voltage is higher when air is pushed into the fuel cell stack 300 than when air is sucked.

  Therefore, it is experimentally shown that the performance of the fuel cell stack 300 is improved by pushing air (or oxygen) into the fuel cell stack 300 from the side surface 300A (= the installation surface side of the fuel cell stack 300) by the pusher 400. It was done.

  As described above, in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1000, the seal members 410, 420, 430, and 440 are disposed at portions other than the end plates 310 and 350 of the fuel cell stack 300, and air ( Or oxygen) is supplied to the fuel cell stack 300 from the installation surface side of the fuel cell stack 300, so that external air (or oxygen) can be efficiently supplied to the plurality of grooves 131-141, 151-160, and the fuel cell. The performance of the stack 300 can be improved.

  Further, as described above, the back surface of the separator 150 (10) is in contact with the back surface of the separator 140 (20), and the separator 150 (10) has grooves 131 to 141 and 151 to 160 for flowing air (or oxygen). Are formed on the front surface and the back surface, the separator 150 (10) cools two adjacent unit cells in the fuel cell stack 300. Therefore, by using the separator 140 (10), the cooling effect of the fuel cell stack 300 can be enhanced, and as a result, the characteristics of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1000 can be improved.

  Furthermore, as described above, since the separator 10 is manufactured by press-molding a metal plate, the separator 10 having the gas passage portions 11 and 12 and the gas flow path portion 13 can be manufactured at low cost.

  Furthermore, since the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1000 according to the present invention includes the separator 10, the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1000 can be manufactured at low cost.

  The separator 10 is not limited to stainless steel, and may be made of a metal plate having corrosion resistance against sulfuric acid.

  In the above description, the separator 10 includes a plurality of grooves 131 to 141 and 151 to 160 formed in a zigzag shape. However, in the present invention, the separator 10 is not limited to this. Need only include a plurality of grooves having a length longer than the length of the linear groove, and the shape of the plurality of grooves may be any shape. If a plurality of grooves having a length longer than the length of the linear groove is provided, the cooling effect of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1000 can be improved, and air (or oxygen) is supplied to the polymer electrolyte membrane 110. This is because the characteristics of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1000 can be improved by efficient supply.

  Further, in the above description, the seal member is provided in a portion other than the end plates 310 and 350 of the fuel cell stack 300. However, in the present invention, the solid polymer fuel cell 1000 is not limited thereto. It is sufficient that at least the seal member 440 is provided. In the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1000, at least the seal member 440 and at least one of the seal members 420 and 430 may be provided.

  Furthermore, the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1000 according to the present invention is used for various moving bodies represented by automobiles, household power supplies, and personal computer power supplies.

  Furthermore, in this invention, the seal member 440 constitutes a “first seal member”, and the seal member 410 constitutes a “second seal member”.

  Further, in the present invention, the seal members 420 and 430 constitute “another seal member”, the seal member 420 constitutes a “third seal member”, and the seal member 430 constitutes “the fourth seal member”. "Member".

  Further, in the present invention, air (or oxygen) constitutes “oxidant gas”, and hydrogen gas constitutes “reducing agent gas”.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiments but by the scope of claims for patent, and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the scope of claims for patent and all modifications within the scope.

  The present invention is applied to a polymer electrolyte fuel cell capable of efficiently supplying air to the separator from the outside and capable of improving performance.

  10, 20, 140, 150 Separator, 11, 12 Gas passage part, 13, 25 Gas flow path part, 21 Gas supply part, 22 Gas discharge part, 14-17, 31-34, 111-114, 121-124, 161-167, 171-177, 211-214, 221-224, 231-235, 2111-1213, 2121-2123 hole, 18, 19, 35, 36 reference plane, 23, 24, 131A-141A, 215-217 , 225 to 227, 252 convex part, 26 to 29 concave part, 30, 40 flat plate, 30A, 40A upper surface, 300 fuel cell stack, 110 solid polymer electrolyte membrane, 120, 130 gas diffusion electrode, 131-143, 251 groove, 160, 170, 210, 230 Gasket, 180, 190 Catalyst, 310, 350 End plate, 311 313 Insulation sheet, 312, 314 Current collector, 321-32n Unit cell, 331-33n-1, 341-34n-1, 410, 420, 430, 440 Seal member, 400 Pusher, 450, 460, 470, 480 Positioning rod, 600 water droplets, 1000 polymer electrolyte fuel cell.

Claims (8)

A stack type solid polymer fuel cell having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape,
A plurality of unit cells stacked in a direction from the first surface of the rectangular parallelepiped toward the second surface opposite to the first surface, and connected in series;
First and second end plates for sandwiching the plurality of unit cells from both sides in a direction from the first surface to the second surface;
A pusher disposed on the third surface side of the rectangular parallelepiped located on the installation surface side where the solid polymer fuel cell is installed, and for pushing the oxidant gas into the plurality of unit cells;
A seal member made of an insulating material, at least arranged on the third surface side in contact with the plurality of unit cells, and having a passage region for the oxidant gas to pass therethrough in a central portion;
Each of the plurality of unit cells is
A solid polymer electrolyte membrane;
A first separator disposed on one side of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and supplying the oxidant gas to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane;
A second separator disposed on the other side of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and supplying a reducing agent gas to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane;
The first separator is
A gas flow path for supplying the oxidant gas to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane;
A gas passage part that is molded integrally with the gas flow path part and through which a reducing agent gas supplied to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane passes,
The gas flow path portion includes a plurality of grooves having a length longer than the length of the groove formed in a straight line,
Adjacent first and second unit cells are connected in series by the second separator included in the first unit cell and the first separator included in the second unit cell. Solid polymer fuel cell. The sealing member is
A first seal member that is disposed on the third surface side in contact with the plurality of unit cells, has the passage region in a central portion, and is made of an insulating material;
And a second seal member that is disposed on a fourth surface side that is in contact with the plurality of unit cells and faces the third surface, and that has the passage region in a central portion and is made of an insulating member. 2. The polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to 1. The reductant gas is disposed on at least one side of the plurality of unit cells in contact with the plurality of unit cells in the direction in which the second separator flows, and further includes another sealing member made of an insulating material,
The polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the reducing agent gas flows in a direction substantially orthogonal to a direction in which the oxidizing gas flows. The other sealing member is
A third seal member made of an insulating material and disposed on at least one side of the plurality of unit cells in contact with the plurality of unit cells;
4. The polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 3, further comprising: a fourth seal member made of an insulating material and disposed on at least the other side of the plurality of unit cells in contact with the plurality of unit cells. The sealing member is
A first seal member that is disposed on the third surface side in contact with the plurality of unit cells, has the passage region in a central portion, and is made of an insulating material;
A second seal member that is disposed on the fourth surface side in contact with the plurality of unit cells and that faces the third surface, has the passage region in a central portion, and includes a second seal member made of an insulating member;
The other sealing member is
A third seal member made of an insulating material and disposed on at least one side of the plurality of unit cells in contact with the plurality of unit cells;
4. The polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 3, further comprising: a fourth seal member made of an insulating material and disposed on at least the other side of the plurality of unit cells in contact with the plurality of unit cells.   6. The solid polymer fuel according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of grooves of the first separator has a zigzag shape in a direction in which the oxidant gas flows. battery. The gas flow path part and the gas passage part are made of a metal plate,
7. The solid polymer type according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of grooves of the first separator are formed on front and back surfaces of the metal plate constituting the gas flow path portion. Fuel cell.   The solid polymer fuel cell according to claim 7, wherein the metal plate is made of stainless steel.

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