JP2013218878A - Current measurement device - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to improve current measurement accuracy in a current measurement device including a current measurement unit having a resistor.
A distance between a first connection part (30a) formed in one current measurement part (30) and a peripheral part of a first electrode (31) constituting the one current measurement part (30) among adjacent current measurement parts (30). The first current measuring unit 30 is arranged so as to be shorter than the distance from the first connecting part 30a formed in the other current measuring unit 30 to the peripheral edge of the first electrode 31 constituting the one current measuring unit. Thereby, since the output current output from the local part corresponding to one current measurement unit 30 in the cell 10 easily flows to the first electrode 31 and the first connection unit 30a of the one current measurement unit 30, each current measurement is performed. The output current output from the local part of the cell 10 in the unit 30 can be accurately measured. As a result, it is possible to improve current measurement accuracy in the current measuring device 2.
[Selection] Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a current measuring device that measures a current flowing through a local portion of a cell constituting a fuel cell.

  Conventionally, a plurality of current measurement units having a pair of electrodes (first and second electrodes) disposed between adjacent cells and a plate-like resistor that connects the pair of electrodes, and the resistance in the current measurement unit 2. Description of the Related Art A current measuring device that measures a current flowing through a fuel cell based on a potential difference between two points of a body and a resistance value of a resistor is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In Patent Document 1, in order to improve the current detection accuracy of the current measuring device, the width in the current flow vertical direction in a part of the plate-like resistor is made narrower than the width in the current flow vertical direction in each electrode, The current flow in the resistor is made uniform.

JP 2010-80164 A

  By the way, in the current measurement device described in Patent Document 1, the first connection portion (through hole) that electrically connects the first electrode and the resistor in the current measurement portion is part of the peripheral portion of the first electrode. It is provided at a biased position (one end side). Therefore, for example, when a plurality of current measurement units are provided, the first connection portion formed in one current measurement unit among the adjacent current measurement units is the first formed in the other current measurement unit. The distance to the peripheral part of the 1st electrode in one electric current measurement part may become long rather than one connection part.

  In this case, a part of the output current output from the cell easily flows into the first electrode existing around the first electrode instead of the corresponding first electrode of the current measuring unit, and is output from the cell at each current measuring unit. It has been difficult to accurately measure the output current. Such a problem occurs regardless of the number of current measuring units.

  In view of the above points, an object of the present invention is to improve current measurement accuracy in a current measurement device including a current measurement unit having a resistor.

  The present invention is applied to a fuel cell (1) including a cell (10) that outputs electric energy by an electrochemical reaction between an oxidant gas and a fuel gas, and measures a current flowing through a local portion of the cell. Intended for current measuring devices.

  And in order to achieve the said objective, the invention of Claim 1 is provided in the site | part facing the cell in the plate-shaped member (3) arrange | positioned adjacent to the output surface of the electrical energy in a cell, and a plate-shaped member. A plurality of first electrodes (31) that are arranged and electrically divided according to the local site of the cell, and a second that is arranged on the opposite side of the site where the plurality of first electrodes in the plate-like member are arranged. An electrode (32), a plurality of connection means (30a, 30b, 30c) for electrically connecting the plurality of first electrodes and the second electrode, and a predetermined first of the plurality of first electrodes via the connection means A resistor (33) electrically connected to both the first electrode and the second electrode and having a predetermined electric resistance value, and a potential difference detecting means (4) for detecting a potential difference between two points in the resistor. And the detection value of the potential difference detection means, and the resistance Includes a current value calculating means for calculating a current value flowing in the local region of the cell from the air resistance (5), a.

  Furthermore, the first electrode and the second electrode connected to the resistor via the resistor and the connecting means constitute a current measuring unit (30) that measures current, and among the plurality of connecting means, the current measurement The connection means (30a) for connecting the first electrode constituting the part and the resistor measures the current more than the connection means connected to the first electrode existing around the first electrode constituting the current measurement part (30). The distance to the peripheral part of the 1st electrode which comprises a part is formed so that it may become short.

  According to this, the connection means for connecting the first electrode constituting the current measurement unit and the resistor is more current than the connection means connected to the first electrode existing around the first electrode constituting the current measurement unit. Since it is located near the peripheral portion of the first electrode constituting the measurement unit, the output current output from the part corresponding to the current measurement unit in the cell is the first electrode existing around the first electrode constituting the current measurement unit It becomes easier to flow to the first electrode constituting the current measuring unit. For this reason, the output current output from the local part of the cell can be accurately measured in the current measuring unit, and the current measurement accuracy in the current measuring device can be improved.

  In addition, the code | symbol in the parenthesis of each means described in this column and the claim shows an example of a correspondence relationship with the specific means described in the embodiment described later.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a fuel cell to which a current measuring device according to a first embodiment is connected. It is typical sectional drawing of the cell which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the measurement board which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the electric current measurement part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is an exploded view of the 1st electrode concerning the 1st embodiment, the 2nd electrode, and a resistor. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the flow of the electric current of the electric current measurement part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the electric current measurement part which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is an exploded view of the 1st electrode concerning the 2nd embodiment, the 2nd electrode, and a resistor. It is a perspective view of the measurement board which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the electric current measurement part which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is an exploded view of the 1st electrode concerning the 3rd embodiment, the 2nd electrode, and a resistor. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the flow of the electric current of the electric current measurement part which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the measurement board which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the electric current measurement part which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the flow of the electric current of the electric current measurement part which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the electric current measurement part which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is an exploded view which shows the front shape of the resistor which concerns on 5th Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the same or equivalent parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described. The fuel cell 1 outputs electric energy by an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen (fuel gas) and oxygen (oxidant gas). In the present embodiment, the fuel cell 1 is applied to a so-called fuel cell vehicle which is a kind of electric vehicle. doing. The fuel cell 1 of the present embodiment employs a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell 1 of the present embodiment has a stack structure in which a plurality of cells 10 serving as a basic unit are stacked. The plurality of cells 10 constituting the fuel cell 1 are electrically connected in series.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cell 10 of this embodiment includes a membrane electrode assembly 100 in which a pair of electrodes 100 b and 100 c are joined to an electrolyte membrane 100 a, and a supply passage for supplying hydrogen and oxygen to the membrane electrode assembly 100. The separator 101 in which 101a was formed is provided.

  The fuel cell 1 outputs electrical energy by the following electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen.

(Negative electrode side) H ₂ → 2H ⁺ + 2e ⁻
(Positive electrode side) 2H ⁺ + 1 / 2O ₂ + 2e ⁻ → H ₂ O
The fuel cell 1 of this embodiment is connected to a current measuring device 2 that measures a local current flowing in a local portion of the cell 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the current measurement device 2 according to the present embodiment uses a cell 10 located near the center of the fuel cell 1 other than the end portion in the stacking direction as a measurement target. Of course, it is good also considering the cell 10 located in the edge part of the lamination direction of the fuel cell 1 as a measuring object.

  The current measuring device 2 of this embodiment includes a measuring plate (plate member) 3 disposed adjacent to an output surface of electrical energy in a cell 10 to be measured, and a resistor 33 provided inside the measuring plate 3. The voltage detection part 4 which detects the potential difference between these two points, and the calculation part 5 which calculates the output current output from the local site | part of the cell 10 are provided.

  The measurement plate 3 of the present embodiment is disposed between the cell 10 to be measured and the cell 10 adjacent to the cell 10 and downstream of the cell 10 to be measured in the current flow direction. . As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 3, the measurement plate 3 is composed of a multilayer substrate in which a plurality of printed circuit boards on which wiring patterns are formed are stacked in the same direction as the cell 10 stacking direction (cell stacking direction). In addition, as a printed circuit board which comprises the measurement board 3, not only a rigid rigid board | substrate with low flexibility but a film-like flexible board | substrate with high flexibility can be used. Further, the measurement plate 3 is not limited to the substrate, and may be configured by combining a metal foil, a metal thin plate, an insulating film, and the like.

  The measurement plate 3 of the present embodiment is configured by laminating two printed boards, a first board 301 and a second board 302. The substrates 301 and 302 are integrated by hot pressing with a hot press with an insulating adhesive (not shown) interposed therebetween.

  The measurement plate 3 of the present embodiment is provided with a current measurement unit 30 in which a current from the local part flows in a locally opposed part that faces the local part of the cell 10 to be measured. In the present embodiment, a plurality of current measurement units 30 are provided over the entire plate surface of the measurement plate 3 in order to measure the current distribution in the plane of the cell 10.

  As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4 and the exploded view of FIG. 5, each current measuring unit 30 includes a conductive first and second electrodes 31 and 32 and a resistor 33 having a predetermined resistance value. Has been. The first electrode 31 is provided on the surface of the first substrate 301 that faces the separator 101 of the cell 10 to be measured. The resistor 33 is provided on the surface of the second substrate 302 facing the first substrate 301, and the second electrode 32 is provided on the surface of the second substrate 302 opposite to the surface on which the resistor 33 is provided. It has been.

  Specifically, the first electrode 31 in the current measuring unit 30 of the present embodiment is surrounded by a first insulating portion 31a having a square shape, and the first insulating portion 31a causes the local area of the cell 10 to be localized. The adjacent first electrodes 31 are electrically divided (insulated) in accordance with the part. Note that the boundary portion of the first electrode 31 with the first insulating portion 31 a is the peripheral portion of the first electrode 31.

  Further, the resistor 33 in the current measuring unit 30 is disposed so as to straddle the adjacent first electrodes 31 when viewed from the thickness direction (stacking direction) of the measurement plate 3. Therefore, the resistor 33 of one current measurement unit 30 in the adjacent current measurement unit 30 is superposed on the first electrode 31 of the one current measurement unit 30 when viewed from the thickness direction of the measurement plate 3. It has a superposition | polymerization site | part and the non-polymerization site | part which is not superposed on the 1st electrode 31 of the said one electric current measurement part 30. In addition, the non-polymerization site | part in the resistor 33 of this embodiment has superposed | polymerized on the 1st electrode 31 of the other electric current measurement part 30. FIG.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the resistor 33 of the present embodiment has an I current that is smaller in width in the vertical direction of the current flow between the one end side and the other end side than the one end side and the other end side. It has a letter shape. Moreover, the 2nd insulation part 33a is formed in the circumference | surroundings of each resistor 33, and between the adjacent resistors 33 is insulated by the said 2nd insulation part 33a. A boundary portion of the resistor 33 with the second insulating portion 33 a is a peripheral portion of the resistor 33.

  As described above, the first electrode 31 and the resistor 33 according to the present embodiment are arranged at locations where the periphery of the first electrode 31 and the periphery of the resistor 33 are different when viewed from the thickness direction of the measurement plate 3. Has been.

  The first electrode 31 and the resistor 33 in each current measurement unit 30 are electrically connected via a first connection unit 30 a configured by a plurality of vias extending in the thickness direction (stacking direction) of the measurement plate 3. Yes. The via constituting the first connection portion 30a can be formed by filling a hole formed by laser processing with a conductive member.

  Among the adjacent current measurement units 30, the first connection unit 30a formed in one current measurement unit 30 has a distance L1 to the peripheral portion of the first electrode 31 constituting the one current measurement unit 30, and the other. It arrange | positions so that it may become shorter than the distance L2 from the 1st connection part 30a formed in the current measurement part 30 to the peripheral part of the 1st electrode 31 which comprises one current measurement part 30. FIG.

  Specifically, the first connection portion 30 a of the present embodiment is formed at a position closer to the center side than the peripheral edge side of the first electrode 31 when viewed from the thickness direction of the measurement plate 3. And the 1st electrode 31 is connected to the superposition | polymerization site | part located in the one end side of the resistor 33 through the 1st connection part 30a.

  In addition, the resistor 33 and the second electrode 32 in each current measurement unit 30 are electrically connected via a second connection unit 30b including a plurality of vias extending in the thickness direction (stacking direction) of the measurement plate 3. Has been. The vias constituting the second connection portion 30b can be formed by filling a hole formed by laser processing with a conductive member, similarly to the first connection portion 30a. The first connection portions 30a and 30b constitute connection means for electrically connecting the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32.

  The second connection portion 30 b is formed so as to connect the non-polymerization site located on the other end side of the resistor 33 and the second electrode 32. Note that the second electrode 32 positioned on the downstream side of the current flow with respect to the resistor 33 does not affect the current measurement accuracy, and is therefore insulated (divided) from the second electrode 32 of the other current measurement unit 30. Not. For this reason, when viewed from the thickness direction of the measurement plate 3, the second electrode 32 of the present embodiment is superposed on both the first electrodes 31 in the adjacent current measurement units 30.

  Next, the voltage detection unit 4 will be described. The voltage detection unit 4 constitutes a potential difference detection unit that detects a potential difference between two points of the resistor 33. The voltage detection unit 4 of the present embodiment is connected via a pair of potential difference detection wires 41 a connected to one end side and the other end side of the resistor 33, and one end side and the other end side of each resistor 33. Voltage sensor 41 for detecting the potential difference between the two. In addition, the electrical resistance value of each resistor 33 shall be known.

  The potential difference detection wiring 41a of the present embodiment is formed between the connection location of the first connection portion 30a and the connection location of the second connection portion 30b on the second substrate 302 that is the same as the resistor 33. Alternatively, the potential difference detection wiring 41a may be connected to both the first connection portion 30a and the second connection portion 30b, and the voltage sensor 41 may detect the potential difference between the connection portions 30a and 30b.

  The calculation unit 5 is composed of a well-known microcomputer including a CPU, a storage unit (for example, ROM, RAM, EEPROM), and its peripheral circuits. The calculation unit 5 performs calculation processing on the detection value of the voltage detection unit 4, This is a calculation means for calculating an output current output from a local portion of the cell 10. The calculation unit 5 of the present embodiment constitutes a current value calculation unit that obtains the current value of each current measurement unit 30 by dividing the electrical resistance value of each resistor 33 from the detection value of each voltage sensor 41.

  Next, a current measurement method using the current measurement device 2 of the present embodiment will be described. When supply of hydrogen and air to the fuel cell 1 is started, electric energy is output by an electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen in the membrane electrode assembly 100 of the cell 10.

  Thereby, in the cell 10, the output current (generated current) output from the membrane electrode assembly 100 flows to each current measuring unit 30 of the current measuring device 2 through the separator 101. And in the inside of the current measurement part 30, as shown in FIG. 6, in order of the 1st electrode 31-> 1st connection part 30a-> one end side of the resistor 33-> the other end side of the resistor 33-> the 2nd connection part 30b. Current flows.

  At this time, the voltage sensor 41 of the voltage detection unit 4 detects the potential difference between the one end side and the other end side of the resistor 33, and the calculation unit 5 removes the electric resistance value of the resistor 33 from the detection value of the voltage sensor 41. Then, the current value flowing through the current measuring unit 30 is calculated.

  The current measuring device 2 according to the present embodiment described above includes the first connecting portion connected to the first electrode 31 from the peripheral portion of the first electrode 31 in one of the current measuring portions 30 among the adjacent current measuring portions 30. Since the distance to 30a is shorter than the distance to the first connection part 30a of the other current measurement unit 30, the output current output from the location corresponding to one current measurement unit 30 in the cell 10 is the one current. It becomes easy to flow to the first electrode 31 and the first connection portion 30a of the measurement unit 30. In other words, the output current output from the local region corresponding to one current measurement unit 30 in the cell 10 is less likely to flow to the first electrode 31 and the first connection unit 30 a of the other current measurement unit 30.

  Therefore, according to the current measuring device 2 of the present embodiment, each current measuring unit 30 can accurately measure the output current output from the cell 10, and the current measuring accuracy can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the first connection portion 30a is arranged at a position closer to the center side than the peripheral edge side of the first electrode 31 when viewed from the thickness direction of the measurement plate 3. The current flowing in the central portion of the local portion of the cell 10 can be passed through the first electrode 31 and the first connecting portion 30a of the current measuring unit 30, and the current measurement accuracy of the output current output from the local portion of the cell 10 is improved. Can be achieved.

  Here, when the position of the first connection portion 30a in the current measuring unit 30 is changed to be closer to the center of the first electrode 31 as in the present embodiment, the width (length) of the resistor 33 in the parallel direction of the current flow is shortened. The resistance value of the resistor 33 becomes small. In this case, since the potential difference between the two points in the resistor 33 becomes small, the current measurement accuracy in the current measuring device 2 may be affected.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when the resistor 33 of one current measurement unit 30 in the adjacent current measurement unit 30 is viewed from the thickness direction of the measurement plate 3, One electrode 31 has a non-polymerized portion that does not polymerize. Thereby, even if the position of the 1st connection part 30a is arrange | positioned near the center part in the 1st electrode 31, the width | variety of the current flow parallel direction in the resistor 33 can be lengthened. As a result, a sufficient resistance value of the resistor 33 can be ensured, and current measurement accuracy can be improved.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, when the non-polymerization site | part in the resistor 33 of one current measurement part 30 in the adjacent current measurement part 30 is seen from the plate | board thickness direction of the measurement board 3, the other current measurement part 30 Since it is set as the structure superposed | polymerized on the 1st electrode 31, the increase in the physique of the electric current measurement part 30 can be suppressed.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, an example in which each of the first and second connection portions 30a and 30b of each current measurement unit 30 is configured with a through hole will be described. In the present embodiment, description of parts that are the same as or equivalent to those in the above-described embodiment will be omitted or simplified. The same applies to the following embodiments.

  As shown in the sectional view of FIG. 7, the current measurement unit 30 of the present embodiment extends through the measurement plate 3 while extending the first and second connection portions 30 a and 30 b in the thickness direction of the measurement plate 3. It consists of.

  Further, as shown in the exploded view of FIG. 8, the first electrode 31 of the present embodiment has an escape portion 31b that insulates the first electrode 31 and the second connection portion 30b from the periphery of the second connection portion 30b. It is formed to surround. Similarly, in the second electrode 32 of the present embodiment, a relief part 32a that insulates the second electrode 32 and the first connection part 30a is formed so as to surround the periphery of the first connection part 30a.

  Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, according to the current measuring device 2 of the present embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, an example in which the structure of the current measurement unit 30 according to the first embodiment is changed will be described.

  As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 9, the measurement plate 3 of the present embodiment is a multilayer substrate in which a third substrate 303 is interposed between a first substrate 301 and a second substrate 302, and these three printed substrates are stacked. It consists of

  Further, the resistor 33 of the current measuring unit 30 of the present embodiment is configured by plate-like first and second resistor units 331 and 332. Specifically, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 10, the first resistance portion 331 of the resistor 33 is provided on the surface of the third substrate 303 facing the first substrate 301, and the second resistance portion 332 is The second substrate 302 is provided on the surface facing the third substrate 303.

  As shown in the exploded view of FIG. 11, the current measurement unit 30 is provided with a first connection portion 30 a so as to connect the first electrode 31 and one end side of the first resistance portion 331, and the second connection The part 30 b is provided so as to connect the second electrode 32 and one end side of the second resistance part 332.

  Furthermore, the other end side of the first resistor portion 331 and the other end side of the second resistor portion 332 are electrically connected via the third connection portion 30c. The third connection portion 30c is composed of a plurality of vias extending in the thickness direction of the measurement plate 3.

  For this reason, as shown in FIG. 12, the current from the local portion of the cell 10 is changed from the first electrode 31 → the first connection portion 30a → the first resistance portion 331 → the third connection portion 30c → the second resistance portion 332 → the second The second connection portion 30 b flows to the second electrode 32.

  Although not shown, the potential difference detection wiring 41a of the voltage detection unit 4 is connected to one end side (first connection unit 30a side) of the first resistance unit 331 and one end side (first side) of the second resistance unit 332. 2 connection part 30b side). Therefore, the voltage sensor 41 detects a potential difference between the first connection portion 30a side of the first resistance portion 331 and the second connection portion 30b side of the second resistance portion 332. In addition, the resistance value of each resistance part 331,332 shall be known.

  Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, according to the current measuring device 2 of the present embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, since the resistor 33 is composed of a plurality of resistor portions 331 and 332 laminated in the thickness direction of the measurement plate 3, the position of the first connection portion 30a is the central portion of the first electrode 31. Even if it is arranged closer, the width of the resistor 33 in the parallel direction of the current flow can be increased. As a result, a sufficient resistance value of the resistor 33 can be ensured, and current measurement accuracy can be improved.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, an example in which the structure of the current measurement unit 30 according to the first embodiment is changed will be described.

  As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 13, the measurement plate 3 of the present embodiment has a fourth substrate 304 interposed between a local portion of the cell 10 and the first substrate 301, and the first substrate 301 and the second substrate 302. The fourth substrate 304 is a multilayer substrate in which three printed substrates are stacked.

  In addition, the first electrode 31 of the current measuring unit 30 of the present embodiment is configured by two electrodes such as an upstream electrode unit 311 and a downstream electrode unit 312. Specifically, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 14, the upstream electrode portion 311 of the first electrode 31 is provided on the surface of the fourth substrate 304 facing the cell 10, and the downstream electrode portion 312 is The first substrate 301 is provided on the surface facing the fourth substrate 304.

  The first connection part 30a of the current measurement unit 30 of the present embodiment electrically connects the upstream connection part that electrically connects the upstream electrode part 311 and the downstream electrode part 312, and the downstream electrode part 312 and the resistor 33. It is comprised by the downstream connection part connected in general.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, the upstream connection portion in the first connection portion 30 a is first so as to surround the central portion of the first electrode 31 when viewed from the thickness direction of the measurement plate 3. A plurality of electrodes 31 are formed at positions along the peripheral edge of the upstream electrode portion 311 of the electrode 31.

  In addition, the downstream side connection portion of the first connection portion 30a is in the thickness direction of the measurement plate 3 so that the first connection portion 30a approaches the central portion side of the first electrode 31 from the first electrode side toward the resistor side. When viewed from, it is formed closer to the center than to the peripheral edge of the downstream electrode 312 of the first electrode 31.

  For this reason, the current from the local part of the cell 10 is the upstream electrode part 311 → the upstream connection part of the first connection part 30a → the downstream electrode part 312 → the downstream connection part of the first connection part 30a → the resistor 33. → The second connection part 30 b → the second electrode 32 flows.

  Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, according to the current measuring device 2 of the present embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, since the upstream connection portion of the first connection portion 30a is arranged so as to surround the central portion of the upstream electrode portion 311 of the first electrode 31, one current measurement portion in the cell 10 is arranged. The output current output from the local part corresponding to 30 can be passed through the first electrode 31 and the first connection part 30a of the one current measuring unit 30 without leakage, and the output current output from the local part of the cell 10 The current measurement accuracy can be improved.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, an example in which the configuration of the resistor 33 of the current measuring unit 30 according to the first embodiment is changed will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the resistor 33 of the present embodiment is superposed on the first electrode 31 when viewed from the thickness direction (stacking direction) of the measurement plate 3. However, they are arranged so as not to straddle the adjacent first electrodes 31. In other words, the resistor 33 of one current measurement unit 30 in the adjacent current measurement unit 30 is superposed on the first electrode 31 of the one current measurement unit 30 when viewed from the thickness direction of the measurement plate 3. It has a configuration that does not overlap with the first electrode 31 of the other current measurement unit 30 only by having a portion.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 17, the resistor 33 according to the present embodiment is between the one end side connected to the first connection portion 30 a and the other end side connected to the second connection portion 30 b in the resistor 33. The current path is a meandering path (serpentine-shaped path).

  Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, according to the current measurement device 2 of the present embodiment, the current flowing in the central portion of the local portion of the cell 10 is supplied to the first electrode 31 and the first connection portion 30a of the current measurement unit 30 as in the first embodiment. The current measurement accuracy of the output current output from the local part of the cell 10 can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the resistor 33 of the current measurement unit 30 is superposed only on the first electrode 31 of the current measurement unit 30 when viewed from the thickness direction of the measurement plate 3. The current path between one end side and the other end side of the body 33 is a meandering path. For this reason, even if the position of the 1st connection part 30a is arrange | positioned near the center part in the 1st electrode 31, the width | variety of the current flow parallel direction in the resistor 33 can be lengthened. As a result, the resistance value of the resistor 33 can be ensured, and the current measurement accuracy can be improved.

(Other embodiments)
The embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made as follows, for example, without departing from the scope described in each claim.

  (1) In each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which a plurality of current measurement units 30 are provided over the entire plate surface of the measurement plate 3 in order to measure the current distribution in the plane of the cell 10 has been described. Not limited to this, it is sufficient that at least one current measuring unit 30 is provided.

  For example, when one current measuring unit 30 is provided on the measurement plate 3, the measurement plate 3 may be configured as follows. That is, a plurality of first electrodes 31 that are obtained by electrically dividing the first electrode 31 according to the local part of the cell 10 are disposed at a part of the measurement plate 3 that faces the cell 10. Further, among the plurality of first electrodes 31, only the first electrode 31 that contacts the local part of the cell 10 is electrically connected to the resistor 33 through the first connection part 30 a and is in contact with the local part of the cell 10. The first electrodes 31 other than the first electrode 31 to be connected are directly electrically connected to the second electrode 32 via a connecting portion (connecting means) such as a through hole. The first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 connected to the resistor 33 via the resistor 33 and the first and second connecting portions 30a and 30b constitute a current measuring unit 30 that measures current. .

  And the 1st connection part 30a which connects the 1st electrode 31 and the resistor 33 is a connection part connected to the 1st electrode 31 which exists in the circumference | surroundings of the 1st electrode 31 which comprises the electric current measurement part 30, ie, 1st What is necessary is just to form in the position where the distance to the peripheral part of the 1st electrode 31 which comprises the electric current measurement part 30 becomes short rather than the connection part which connects the electrode 31 and the 2nd electrode 32 directly.

  According to this, the 1st connection part 30a which connects the 1st electrode 31 and the resistor 33 is more than the connection part connected to the 1st electrode 31 which exists in the circumference | surroundings of the 1st electrode 31 which comprises the electric current measurement part 30. Since the current measuring unit 30 is located near the peripheral edge of the first electrode 31, the output current output from the portion corresponding to the current measuring unit 30 in the cell 10 is the first that forms the current measuring unit 30. It becomes easier to flow to the first electrode 31 constituting the current measuring unit 30 than the first electrode 31 existing around the electrode 31. For this reason, the output current output from the local part of the cell 10 can be accurately measured in the current measuring unit 30, and the current measurement accuracy in the current measuring device 2 can be improved.

  (2) In each of the above-described embodiments, the example in which the measurement plate 3 is configured by a multilayer substrate configured by thermocompression bonding of a plurality of printed circuit boards has been described, but a plate shape having a plate surface that can be disposed adjacent to the cell 10 If it is a member, you may comprise not only this but the multilayer board | substrate which laminated | stacked the board | substrate by the buildup method, for example.

  (3) In each of the above-described embodiments, the second electrode 32 in the current measurement unit 30 is configured not to be insulated (divided) from the second electrode 32 of the other current measurement unit 30. The second electrodes 32 of each current measuring unit 30 may be insulated (divided).

  (4) In each of the above-described embodiments, the example in which the current measuring device 2 of the present invention is applied to the fuel cell 1 having a stack structure in which a plurality of cells 10 are stacked has been described. You may apply to the fuel cell 1 comprised by these cells 10. FIG.

  (5) In each of the above-described embodiments, the example in which the fuel cell 1 is applied to an electric vehicle has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as a moving body such as a ship and a portable generator, or a household or industrial generator You may apply.

  (6) The above-described embodiments can be appropriately combined with each other.

1 Fuel Cell 10 Cell 3 Measuring Plate (Plate Member)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 Current measurement part 30a 1st connection part 30b 2nd connection part 31 1st electrode 32 2nd electrode 33 Resistor 4 Voltage detection part (potential difference detection means)
5. Calculation unit (current value calculation means)

Claims (5)

Applied to a fuel cell (1) including a cell (10) that outputs electric energy by an electrochemical reaction between an oxidant gas and a fuel gas, and measures a current flowing through a local portion of the cell. Because
A plate-like member (3) disposed adjacent to the output surface of the electric energy in the cell;
A plurality of first electrodes (31) that are arranged in a portion of the plate-like member facing the cell and are electrically divided according to a local portion of the cell;
A second electrode (32) disposed on the opposite side of the portion of the plate-like member where the plurality of first electrodes are disposed;
A plurality of connection means (30a, 30b, 30c) for electrically connecting the plurality of first electrodes and the second electrode;
A resistor (33) which is electrically connected to both the predetermined first electrode and the second electrode among the plurality of first electrodes and has a predetermined electric resistance value through the connection means. When,
A potential difference detecting means (4) for detecting a potential difference between two points in the resistor;
Current value calculation means (5) for calculating a current value flowing through a local portion of the cell from a detection value of the potential difference detection means and an electric resistance value of the resistor;
The resistor, the first electrode and the second electrode connected to the resistor via the connecting means constitute a current measuring unit (30) for measuring current,
Of the plurality of connecting means, the connecting means (30a) for connecting the first electrode constituting the current measuring section and the resistor is disposed around the first electrode constituting the current measuring section (30). The current measuring device is characterized in that the distance to the peripheral edge of the first electrode constituting the current measuring unit is shorter than the connecting means connected to the existing first electrode. The plate-like member is provided with a plurality of the current measuring units,
The plurality of current measurement units include a first connection unit (30a) that electrically connects the first electrode and the resistor as the connection means, and an electrical connection between the resistor and the second electrode. A second connecting portion (30b) to be connected is formed;
Among the adjacent current measurement units, the first connection part formed in one of the current measurement units is more current than the first connection part formed in the other current measurement unit. The current measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the current measuring device is formed such that a distance to a peripheral edge portion of the first electrode constituting the portion is shortened.   The connection means for connecting the first electrode and the resistor constituting the current measuring unit is closer to the center side than the peripheral edge side of the first electrode when viewed from the thickness direction of the plate-like member. The current measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the current measuring device is formed at a position.   The connection means for connecting the first electrode and the resistor constituting the current measuring unit surrounds the central portion of the first electrode when viewed from the plate thickness direction of the plate-like member, and 3. The current measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the current measuring device is formed so as to approach a central portion side of the first electrode from the electrode side toward the resistor side.   When viewed from the plate thickness direction of the plate-like member, the resistor is overlapped with the first electrode electrically connected via the connecting means, and electrically connected via the connecting means. 5. The current measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the current measuring device has a non-polymerized portion that does not overlap with the first electrode connected to the first electrode.

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