Abstract: Determination on impossibility of automated driving along a predetermined travel route is performed at an early stage. A vehicle's heat dissipation performance (a value of a vehicle performance parameter correlating to a vehicle performance used to determine whether the automated driving is possible) and an amount of heat dissipation required to implement the automated driving of the vehicle along the travel route (a value of a necessary performance parameter correlating to the vehicle performance required to implement the automated driving of the vehicle along the travel route) are estimated. If the value of the vehicle performance parameter is less than the value of the necessary performance parameter, the automated driving of the vehicle along the predetermined travel route is determined non-executable, and any of the following is performed: setting of another travel route; return of the vehicle to the repair shop; or evacuation of the vehicle.

Abstract: An emission part of a cooling device has a plurality of emission holes. In the emission part, a separator urged by coil springs is disposed, and needles respectively corresponding to the emission holes are provided on the separator. As the separator is moved to a closing position, leading end portions of the needles are inserted into the emission holes to close the emission holes. Thus, when emission of water through the emission holes is stopped in the emission part, water inside the emission holes is pushed out and removed by the leading end portions of the needles inserted into the emission holes. This can reduce the likelihood of clogging of the emission holes due to water that cools a radiator by its latent heat of evaporation.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device comprising a cooler in which, by improving the shape of the connecting portions of an inlet/outlet of a coolant or the like, the pressure loss in the connecting portion or the like can be reduced. A cooler 20 of a semiconductor device 1 includes: an inlet 27 and an outlet 28 provided on side walls 22b1, 22b2 of a case 22 opposing to each other at diagonal positions; an introduction path 24 which is connected to the inlet 27 and formed in the case 22; a discharge path 25 which is connected to the outlet 28 and formed in the case 22; and a cooling flow channel 26 between the introduction path 24 and the discharge path 25. The height of the opening of the inlet 27 is larger than the height of the introduction path 24, and a connecting portion 271 between the inlet 27 and the introduction path 24 includes an inclined surface 271b which is inclined from the bottom surface of the connecting portion 271 toward the longitudinal direction of the introduction path 24.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device comprising a cooler in which, by improving the shape of the connecting portions of an inlet/outlet of a coolant or the like, the pressure loss in the connecting portion or the like can be reduced. A cooler 20 of a semiconductor device 1 includes: an inlet 27 and an outlet 28 provided on side walls 22b1, 22b2 of a case 22 opposing to each other at diagonal positions; an introduction path 24 which is connected to the inlet 27 and formed in the case 22; a discharge path 25 which is connected to the outlet 28 and formed in the case 22; and a cooling flow channel 26 between the introduction path 24 and the discharge path 25. The height of the opening of the inlet 27 is larger than the height of the introduction path 24, and a connecting portion 271 between the inlet 27 and the introduction path 24 includes an inclined surface 271b which is inclined from the bottom surface of the connecting portion 271 toward the longitudinal direction of the introduction path 24.

Abstract: A resin frame equipped membrane electrode assembly includes a membrane electrode assembly and a resin frame member. The membrane electrode assembly includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane and an anode, and a cathode sandwiching the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The resin frame member is formed around the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The outer end of an electrode catalyst layer of the cathode protrudes beyond the outer end of a gas diffusion layer, and the resin frame member includes an inner extension protruding toward the outer periphery of the cathode to contact the outer end of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The inner extension of the resin frame member has an overlapped portion overlapped with the outer end of the electrode catalyst layer.

Abstract: An assembling operation of a fuel cell is effectively simplified. With the simple and economical structure, the desired sealing function is achieved. The fuel cell (10) includes a membrane electrode assembly (14) and first and second metal separators (16, 18) sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly (14). Connection channels (28a, 28b) are provided on the first metal separator (16). The connection channels (28a, 28b) connect the oxygen-containing gas supply passage (20a) and the oxygen-containing gas discharge passage (20b) to the oxygen-containing gas flow field (26). The membrane electrode assembly (14) has first overlapping portions (66a, 66b) overlapped on the connection channels (28a, 28b) for sealing the connection channels (28a, 28b). The first overlapping portions (66a, 66b) comprise, in effect, a gas diffusion layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrode electrolyte for solid polymer fuel cells, which uses a polymer electrolyte containing a polyarylene copolymer containing a nitrogen-containing aromatic ring having a substituent represented by —SO3H, —(O(CH2)hSO3H or —O(CF2)hSO3H (wherein h represents an integer of 1-12). By having such a constitution, the electrode electrolyte for solid polymer fuel cells can be produced at a low cost, while being excellent in proton conductivity, dimensional stability, hydrothermal resistance and mechanical strength. In addition, this electrode electrolyte for solid polymer fuel cells enables to recover a catalyst metal.

Abstract: A membrane-electrode assembly for a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell is provided that uses a proton conductive membrane having high proton conductivity and also superior heat resistance and chemical durability. A membrane-electrode assembly for a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell is provided with an anode on one side of a proton conductive membrane and a cathode on another side thereof, and the proton conductive membrane is a sulfonated polyarylene containing a structure expressed by the general formula (1) below: —Rs—Z—Rh??(1) In the formula (1), Z represents at least one structure selected from the group consisting of —CO—, —SO2—, and —SO—; Rs represents a direct bond or any divalent organic group; and Rh represents a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group.

Abstract: Flow guides forming an inlet channel are formed on a surface of a metal separator of a fuel cell. The flow guides overlap a section of an outer seal provided on the other surface of the metal separator. When a load is applied to the flow guides and the overlapping section in a stacking direction of the fuel cell, the flow guides and the overlapping section are deformed substantially equally in the stacking direction to the same extent. The line pressure of the flow guides and the line pressure of the overlapping section are substantially the same. The seal length L1 of the flow guides and the seal length L2 of the overlapping section are substantially the same.

Abstract: An assembling operation of a fuel cell is effectively simplified. With the simple and economical structure, the desired sealing function is achieved. The fuel cell (10) includes a membrane electrode assembly (14) and first and second metal separators (16, 18) sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly (14). Connection channels (28a, 28b) are provided on the first metal separator (16). The connection channels (28a, 28b) connect the oxygen-containing gas supply passage (20a) and the oxygen-containing gas discharge passage (20b) to the oxygen-containing gas flow field (26). The membrane electrode assembly (14) has first overlapping portions (66a, 66b) overlapped on the connection channels (28a, 28b) for sealing the connection channels (28a, 28b). The first overlapping portions (66a, 66b) comprise, in effect, a gas diffusion layer.

Abstract: An assembling operation of a fuel cell is effectively simplified. With the simple and economical structure, the desired sealing function is achieved. The fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and first and second metal separators sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly. Connection channels are provided on the first metal separator. The connection channels connect the oxygen-containing gas supply passage and the oxygen-containing gas discharge passage to the oxygen-containing gas flow field. The membrane electrode assembly has first overlapping portions overlapped on the connection channels for sealing the connection channels. The first overlapping portions comprise, in effect, a gas diffusion layer.

Abstract: A first seal member is formed integrally on both surfaces of a first metal plate. The first seal member is integrally formed on a cooling surface of the first metal plate, except a region corresponding to a reaction surface facing an electrode reaction surface, and except regions of inlet buffers and outlet buffers. The first seal member has an expansion. The position of an end surface of the expansion substantially matches the position of a wall surface of the outermost groove of a coolant flow field to prevent the flow of a coolant around the electrode reaction surface.

Abstract: Flow guides forming an inlet channel are formed on a surface of a metal separator of a fuel cell. The flow guides overlap a section of an outer seal provided on the other surface of the metal separator. When a load is applied to the flow guides and the overlapping section in a stacking direction of the fuel cell, the flow guides and the overlapping section are deformed substantially equally in the stacking direction to the same extent. The line pressure of the flow guides and the line pressure of the overlapping section are substantially the same. The seal length L1 of the flow guides and the seal length L2 of the overlapping section are substantially the same.

Abstract: Flow guides forming an inlet channel are formed on a surface of a metal separator of a fuel cell. The flow guides overlap a section of an outer seal provided on the other surface of the metal separator. When a load is applied to the flow guides and the overlapping section in a stacking direction of the fuel cell, the flow guides and the overlapping section are deformed substantially equally in the stacking direction to the same extent. The line pressure of the flow guides and the line pressure of the overlapping section are substantially the same. The seal length L1 of the flow guides and the seal length L2 of the overlapping section are substantially the same.

Abstract: A seal member is formed integrally on surfaces of a metal separator of a fuel cell. The seal member includes an outer seal and an inner seal provided on a surface of the metal separator. A plurality of closure seals are formed integrally with an inner edge of the inner seal. The closure seals close a space between the inner seal and a protrusion forming a fuel gas flow field.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrode electrolyte for solid polymer fuel cells, which uses a polymer electrolyte containing a polyarylene copolymer containing a nitrogen-containing aromatic ring having a substituent represented by —SO3H, —(O(CH2)hSO3H or —O(CF2)hSO3H (wherein h represents an integer of 1-12). By having such a constitution, the electrode electrolyte for solid polymer fuel cells can be produced at a low cost, while being excellent in proton conductivity, dimensional stability, hydrothermal resistance and mechanical strength. In addition, this electrode electrolyte for solid polymer fuel cells enables to recover a catalyst metal.

Abstract: Flow guides forming an inlet channel are formed on a surface of a metal separator of a fuel cell. The flow guides overlap a section of an outer seal provided on the other surface of the metal separator. When a load is applied to the flow guides and the overlapping section in a stacking direction of the fuel cell, the flow guides and the overlapping section are deformed substantially equally in the stacking direction to the same extent. The line pressure of the flow guides and the line pressure of the overlapping section are substantially the same. The seal length L1 of the flow guides and the seal length L2 of the overlapping section are substantially the same.

Abstract: A membrane-electrode assembly for a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell is provided that uses a proton conductive membrane having high proton conductivity and also superior heat resistance and chemical durability. A membrane-electrode assembly for a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell is provided with an anode on one side of a proton conductive membrane and a cathode on another side thereof, and the proton conductive membrane is a sulfonated polyarylene containing a structure expressed by the general formula (1) below: —Rs—Z—Rh??(1) In the formula (1), Z represents at least one structure selected from the group consisting of —CO—, —SO2—, and —SO—; Rs represents a direct bond or any divalent organic group; and Rh represents a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group.

Abstract: Flow guides forming an inlet channel are formed on a surface of a metal separator of a fuel cell. The flow guides overlap a section of an outer seal provided on the other surface of the metal separator. When a load is applied to the flow guides and the overlapping section in a stacking direction of the fuel cell, the flow guides and the overlapping section are deformed substantially equally in the stacking direction to the same extent. The line pressure of the flow guides and the line pressure of the overlapping section are substantially the same. The seal length L1 of the flow guides and the seal length L2 of the overlapping section are substantially the same.

Abstract: A first seal member is provided integrally on a surface of a first metal separator. The first seal member includes a base portion provided integrally on the first metal separator, a columnar portion protruding from the base portion, and a curved edge portion provided on the columnar portion. The curved edge portion has a predetermined radius of curvature.