Fuel cell system

• US 20080182151A1
• Filed: 01/25/2008
• Published: 07/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: TAKESHITA, Toshiaki, MIZUSAKI, Kimiharu
• Granted Patent: US 8,268,505 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/34
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2008/1095 Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/20 Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0247 characterised by the form characterised by a channel configuration H01M8/0258
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/2465 Details of groupings of fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/2475 Enclosures, casings or containers of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/2483 characterised by internal manifolds
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

A fuel cell stack includes a stack body formed by stacking a plurality of power generation cells. At opposite ends of the stack body in a stacking direction, end plates are provided. A second power collecting terminal protrudes outwardly from the end plate. One end of a bus bar is electrically connected to the second power collecting terminal such that the bus bar extends along an end plate surface intersecting the second power collecting terminal. A high voltage cable is connected to the other end of the bus bar. The high voltage cable is drawn toward the end plate.

Claims

1. A fuel cell system including a fuel cell stack comprising a stack body formed by stacking a plurality of power generation cells in a stacking direction, end plates provided at opposite ends of said stack body in the stacking direction, and power collecting terminals protruding outwardly from said end plates, each of said power generation cells including an electrolyte electrode assembly and a separator, said electrolyte electrode assembly including a pair of electrodes and an electrolyte interposed between said electrodes,

said fuel cell system comprising:

an electrically conductive member having one end electrically connected to one of said power collecting terminals such that said electrically conductive member extends along an end plate surface intersecting said power collecting terminal; and

a cable electrically connected to another end of said electrically conductive member, and extending toward another of said power collecting terminals.

2. A fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive member is provided in a casing;

and

said casing has a rotation prevention mechanism for preventing rotation relative to said end plate.

3. A fuel cell system according to claim 2, wherein said rotation prevention mechanism includes an electrode member and a cylindrical connector, said electrode member being externally attached to said power collecting terminal, and having a flat surface by cutting a cylindrical outer surface of said electrode member, said cylindrical connector being provided at an end of said casing, and having a hole for fitting said electrode member therein.

4. A fuel cell system according to claim 2, wherein said casing is made of electrically insulating material.

5. A fuel cell system according to claim 4, a layer of electrically conductive material is provided around at least a part of an outer surface of said casing.

6. A fuel cell system according to claim 5, wherein said layer of electrically conductive material is a metal layer formed on the outer surface of said casing.

7. A fuel cell system according to claim 5, wherein said electrically conductive layer comprises a metal cover surrounding said casing.

8. A fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive member comprises a bus bar.

9. A fuel cell system according to claim 1, further comprising an electrically conductive bracket connected to a shielded wire provided for said cable,

wherein said electrically conductive bracket is connected to the ground through said end plate.

10. A fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein said fuel cell stack is mounted in a vehicle, and a device electrically connected to said power collecting terminal is provided ahead of said fuel cell stack in a travel direction of said vehicle.