Separator for flat-type polymer electrolyte fuel cell and polymer electrolyte fuel cell using the same separator

Abstract

A separator having a separator member coupled body having a metal plate as a base body, and formed by integrally coupling a plurality of separator members each having through holes for feeding fuel to an electrolyte of the fuel cell, said through holes arranged so as to correspond to the unit cell and to be perpendicular to a surface of said base body, and frame coupled bodies each made of an insulating material, each having openings for fuel feeding or oxygen feeding corresponding to the respective separator members, and each formed by integrally coupling a plurality of frame portions that give insulation between the unit cells, wherein said frame coupled bodies, making a pair, sandwich said separator member coupled body from its both sides, and each frame portion of one of said frame coupled bodies is capable of fitting a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of the fuel cell into the opening.

1 . A flat-type polymer electrolyte fuel cell having unit cells arranged in a flat manner, characterized in that
 a set of separators each having a separator member coupled body and a pair of frame coupled bodies arranged so as to sandwich said separator member coupled body from its both sides, confront each other via membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) of the fuel cell, and said membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs)are fitted into openings at confronting surfaces of said frame coupled bodies,   said separator member coupled body has a metal plate as a base body, and is formed by integrally coupling a plurality of separator members each having through holes for feeding fuel to an electrolyte of the fuel cell, said through holes arranged so as to correspond to the unit cell and to be perpendicular to a surface of said base body, and   said frame coupled bodies are each made of an insulating material, each having said openings for fuel feeding or oxygen feeding corresponding to the respective separator members, and each formed by integrally coupling a plurality of frame members that give insulation between the unit cells.   
     
     
         2 . A polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the plurality of unit cells are arranged in a flat manner oriented in the same direction, and the predetermined adjacent unit cells are electrically connected in series so as to connect said plurality of unit cells in series.   
     
     
         3 . A polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the frame coupled bodies located between said predetermined adjacent unit cells are provided with at least one of a through hole connecting portion, a filled via connecting portion, and a bump connecting portion, and electrical connection between the predetermined adjacent unit cells is achieved via said connecting portion.   
     
     
         4 . A flat-type polymer electrolyte fuel cell having unit cells arranged in a flat manner, characterized in that
 a set of separators each having a separator member coupled body, a frame coupled body disposed on one side and a solid plate member made of an insulating material or a stacked base member composed of a solid plate member made of an insulating material and a conductive layer stacked thereon, disposed on the other side so as to sandwich said separator member coupled body therebetween, confront each other via membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) of the fuel cell, and said membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs)are fitted into openings of said frame coupled body,   said separator member coupled body has a metal plate as a base body, and is formed by integrally coupling a plurality of separator members each having through holes for feeding fuel to an electrolyte of the fuel cell, said through holes arranged so as to correspond to the unit cell and to be perpendicular to a surface of said base body, and   said frame coupled body is made of an insulating material, has said openings for fuel feeding or oxygen feeding corresponding to the respective separator members, and is formed by integrally coupling a plurality of frame members that give insulation between the unit cells.   
     
     
         5 . A polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the plurality of unit cells are arranged in a flat manner oriented in the same direction, and the predetermined adjacent unit cells are electrically connected in series so as to connect said plurality of unit cells in series.   
     
     
         6 . A polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the frame coupled body and the solid plate member or the stacked base member located between said predetermined adjacent unit cells are provided with at least one of a through hole connecting portion, a filled via connecting portion, and a bump connecting portion, and electrical connection between the predetermined adjacent unit cells is achieved via said connecting portion.