CN1298069C

CN1298069C - Container for fael cell,fuel cell and electronic apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN1298069C
Application number: CNB2004100579472A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 菅井广一朗
Original assignee: Kyocera Corp
Current assignee: Kyocera Corp
Priority date: 2003-08-26
Filing date: 2004-08-26
Publication date: 2007-01-31
Anticipated expiration: 2024-08-26
Also published as: CN1591952A; KR100576622B1; KR20050021285A

Abstract

To provide a container for a fuel cell and the fuel cell wherein the fuel cell is capable of housing an electrolyte member and small-sized and solid, and wherein homogeneous supply of gas, homogenization of temperature gradient in the container, highly efficient electric connection, and highly efficient electric power generation are possible. In this container for the fuel cell, the substrate having a recess to house the electrolyte member possessing first and second electrodes, a first fluid passage formed from the bottom face of the recess over the external face of the substrate, a first wiring conductor of which one end is arranged on the bottom face of the recess and the other end is drawn out to the external face of the substrate, a cap body mounted on the upper face surrounding the recess of the substrate, a second fluid flow passage formed from the lower face up to the external face of the cap body, a second wiring conductor of which one end is installed at the lower face of the cap body and the other end is drawn out to the external face of the cap body, and a porous body that covers the side to which oxidizer gas is supplied between the first fluid passage or the second fluid passage are installed.

Description

Container for fuel cell, and electronic device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a ceramic container for a fuel cell, which accommodates an electrolyte member, and is small and highly reliable, and a fuel cell and an electronic device using the same.

Background

In recent years, small fuel cells operating at lower temperatures than ever have been actively developed. Among Fuel cells, a Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (hereinafter referred to as "PEFC") and a phosphoric acid Fuel Cell, or a solid Electrolyte Fuel Cell, are known depending on the type of Electrolyte used.

The PEFC has the following excellent characteristics that the working temperature is low in the range of 80-100 ℃:

(1) the output density is high, and the device can be miniaturized and lightened;

(2) since the electrolyte is not corrosive and the operating temperature is low, the restriction on the constituent material of the battery is small in terms of corrosion resistance, and therefore, the cost can be easily reduced;

(3) since the starting can be performed at normal temperature, the starting time is short.

Therefore, the PEFC is considered to be used not only for a driving power supply for a vehicle or a cogeneration system for home use, but also for a power supply for a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone, a pda (personal Digital assistants), a notebook computer, a Digital camera, or a video camera, which outputs several W to several tens W, by applying the above characteristics.

PEFC, in a large aspect, for example, has a structure ofA fuel electrode (cathode) composed of a carbon electrode to which catalytic particles such as platinum or platinum-ruthenium are attached, an air electrode (anode) composed of a carbon electrode to which catalytic particles such as platinum are attached, and a film-like electrolyte member (hereinafter, referred to as an electrolyte member) interposed between the fuel electrode and the air electrode. Here, the hydrogen (H) extracted through the reforming unit is supplied to the fuel electrode₂) Further, oxygen (O) in the atmosphere is supplied to the air electrode₂). Thereby, a predetermined electric energy is generated (generated) by the electrochemical reaction, and the electric energy is generated as a driving power source (voltage/current) for the load.

Specifically, if hydrogen (H) is supplied to the fuel electrode₂) As shown in the following chemical reaction formula (1), electrons (e) are separated by the catalyst^-) Hydrogen ion (proton: h⁺) Passing through the electrolyte member to the air electrode side, and extracting electrons by the carbon electrode constituting the fuel electrode (e)^-) And supplying the load.

…(1)

Further, if air is supplied to the air electrode, the catalyst passes through the loaded electrons (e) as shown in the following chemical reaction formula (2)^-) And hydrogen ions (H) passing through the electrolyte member⁺) With oxygen (O) in air₂) React to generate water (H)₂O)。

…(2)

Such a series of electrochemical reactions (formula (1) and formula (2)) are generally carried out at a relatively low temperature of 80 to 100 ℃, and by-products other than electric power are substantially water (H) alone₂O)。

Ion-conductive membranes (exchange membranes) constituting electrolyte members are known as a polystyrene-based cation exchange membrane having a sulfonic acid group, a mixed membrane of fluorocarbon sulfonic acid and polyvinylidene fluoride, a conductive membrane in which trifluoroethylene is grafted in a fluorocarbon matrix, and the like, and recently, a perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid membrane (for example, manufactured by dupont under the trade name "ナフイオン") and the like are used.

Fig. 4 shows a structure of a conventional fuel cell (PEFC) in a cross-sectional view. In the figure, reference numeral 21 denotes a PEFC, 23 denotes an electrolyte member, 24 and 25 denote a pair of porous electrodes, i.e., a fuel electrode and an air electrode, which are disposed on the electrolyte member 23 so as to sandwich the electrolyte member, and which function as a gas diffusion layer and a catalyst layer, 26 denotes a gas separator, 28 denotes a fuel flow path, and 29 denotes an air flow path.

The gas separator 26 is composed of a laminated portion forming the outer shape of the gas separator 26, a separator portion separating the fuel flow field 28 and the air flow field 29, and electrodes provided so as to penetrate the separator portion and arranged corresponding to the fuel electrode 24 and the air electrode 25 of the electrolyte member 23. A general PEFC stack is a fuel cell stack in which a plurality of fuel electrodes 24 and air electrodes 25 of electrolyte members 23 are stacked via gas separators 26 so as to be electrically connected in series and/or parallel to form a minimum unit of a cell, and the fuel cell stack is housed in a case.

Fuel gas (hydrogen-rich gas) containing water vapor is supplied from the reformer to the fuel electrode 24 through the fuel flow path 28 formed in the gas separator 26, and air is supplied from the atmosphere to the air electrode 25 through the air flow path 29, whereby power is generated by a chemical reaction in the electrolyte member 23.

As related art, there are Japanese patent laid-open Nos. 2001-266910 and 2001-507501.

However, as such a high-voltage and high-capacity battery, the fuel cell 21 which has been proposed and developed in the past has a laminate structure, is a battery having a large area, a large weight, and a large size as a constituent element, and it has been almost not considered to use a fuel cell as a small battery.

That is, the conventional gas separator 26 of the fuel cell 21 has the following problems. That is, in the laminate in which the electrolyte members 23 are laminated using the gas separator 26, since the side surfaces of the electrolyte members 23 are exposed to the outside, there is a problem that they are easily damaged by dropping or the like at the time of carrying, and it is difficult to ensure the mechanical reliability of the entire fuel cell 21.

In order to mount the fuel cell 21 on a portable electronic device, a fuel cell container that is compact, simple, and safe is required, unlike a conventional large fuel. That is, in order to be used as a portable power source such as a widely used chemical battery, it is necessary to shorten the time required for raising the temperature to the operating temperature, and to reduce the heat capacity, it is necessary to reduce the size and thickness of the fuel cell container. However, in the conventional fuel cell 21, the gas separator 26 occupying most of the heat capacity ratio, particularly, the gas separator 26 having a flow path formed on the surface of a carbon plate by cutting, needs a thickness of several mm because it becomes fragile when it is thinned. Therefore, there is also a problem that it is difficult to reduce the size and thickness.

The output voltage of the fuel cell 21 is determined by the partial pressure of the gas supplied to the

electrodes

24 and 25 on the inner and outer surfaces of the electrolyte member 23. That is, if the gas supplied to the electrolyte member 23 travels along the gas flow path and is consumed in the power generation reaction, the partial pressure of the gas on the surface of the fuel electrode 24 decreases, and the output voltage decreases. Similarly, if air also moves along the air flow path 29, the partial pressure of oxygen on the surface of the air electrode 25 decreases, and the output voltage decreases. Therefore, the fuel gas needs to be supplied uniformly. However, since the gas separator 26 of the conventional fuel cell 21 has a flow path formed on the surface of the carbon plate by cutting, in particular, the groove of the flow path becomes narrow when the fuel cell is made thin, and therefore, there is a problem that flow path resistance increases and it is difficult to uniformly supply gas.

In addition, the combination of the plurality of electrolyte members 23, the fuel electrode 24 and the air electrode 25 facing each other, and the gas separator 26 can be efficiently connected in series or in parallel at will, and it is necessary to adjust the overall output voltage and output current. However, in the conventional fuel cell 21, there is a problem that it is difficult to perform this operation in a small fuel cell, because only a method of extracting electricity from the fuel electrode and the air electrode sandwiching the electrolyte member 23 and connecting them to the outside or a method of connecting them by overlapping them in series using the gas separator 26 as a conductive material are employed.

Further, if dust or the like enters the gas flow path 28 or the air flow path 29, blocks the gas flow path 28 or the air flow path 29, or adheres to the surface of the gas flow path 28 or the air electrode 25, it becomes difficult to supply fuel gas or air as an oxidizing gas to the fuel electrode 24 or the air electrode 25 through the gas flow path 28 or the air flow path 29, and the electrochemical reaction in the electrolyte member 23 is inhibited, which causes a problem of deterioration in power generation efficiency.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell container which can house an electrolyte member, is small and strong, can supply air uniformly, can uniformize the temperature gradient in the fuel cell container, can electrically connect with high efficiency, and has high reliability, and a fuel cell and an electronic device using the same.

The container for a fuel cell according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: a substrate made of a ceramic material and having a recess for accommodating an electrolyte member on one surface side, the electrolyte member having a 1 st electrode and a 2 nd electrode onone main surface and the other main surface, respectively; a 1 st fluid flow path formed from a bottom surface of the recess portion facing the one main surface of the electrolyte member toward an outer surface of the substrate; a 1 st wiring conductor having one end disposed on a bottom surface of the recess portion facing the 1 st electrode of the electrolyte member and the other end led out to an outer surface of the base; a lid body which is attached to the periphery of the recess of the base body so as to cover the recess, and which hermetically seals the recess; a 2 nd fluid flow path formed from one surface of the lid body facing the other main surface of the electrolyte member toward an outer surface of the lid body; a 2 nd wiring conductor having one end provided on one side of the lid body facing the 2 nd electrode of the electrolyte member and the other end led out to the outside of the lid body; and a porous body disposed on the substrate or the lid body so as to cover a side of the 1 st fluid channel or the 2 nd fluid channel to which the oxidizing gas is supplied.

In the present invention, it is preferable that an inner wall of the 1 st fluid channel or the 2 nd fluid channel on the side where the porous body is disposed is coated with a moisture-absorbing material.

In the present invention, the moisture absorbent material is characterized in that the thickness is 10% or less of the area of the opening area of the 1 st fluid channel or the 2 nd fluid channel in the cross section.

The container for a fuel cell according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: a ceramic substrate having a recess on one surface side and accommodating therein an electrolyte member having a 1 st electrode and a 2 nd electrode on one main surface and the other main surface, respectively; a 1 st fluid flow path formed from a bottom surface of the recess portion facing the one main surface of the electrolyte member toward an outer surface of the substrate; a 1 st wiring conductor having one end disposed on a bottom surface of the recess portion facing the 1 st electrode of the electrolyte member and the other end led out to an outer surface of the base; a lid body made of ceramic, attached to one surface of the base body around the recess portion so as to cover the recess portion, and hermetically sealing the recess portion; a 2 nd fluid flow path formed from one side of the lid body facing the other main surface of the electrolyte member toward an outer surface of the lid body; a 2 nd wiring conductor having one end provided on one side of the lid body with respect to the 2 nd electrode of the electrolyte member and the other end led out to the outside of the lid body; and a porous body disposed on the base or the lid so as to cover an opening of at least one of the 1 st fluid channel and the 2 nd fluid channel.

In the present invention, the present invention is characterized in that: the bending strength of the base and the lid is 200MPa or more.

In the present invention, the present invention is characterized in that: the base body and the lid body are made of an aluminum oxide sintered body having a relative density of 90% or more.

In the present invention, the present invention is characterized in that: the thickness of the base body and the cover body is 0.2-5 mm.

In the present invention, the present invention is characterized in that: the 1 st wiring conductor is formed to protrude 10 μm or more from a bottom surface of the recess of the base.

In the present invention, the present invention is characterized in that: the 2 nd wiring conductor is formed to protrude by 10 μm or more from one side of the lid body.

In the present invention, the present invention is characterized in that:the porous body has pores with a maximum diameter of 500 μm or less.

In the present invention, the present invention is characterized in that: the porous body has a porosity of 10% or more.

The present invention is a fuel cell characterized in that: an electrolyte member including a 1 st electrode and a 2 nd electrode on one principal surface and the other principal surface, respectively, and the fuel cell container; the electrolyte member is accommodated in the recess of the fuel cell container, the fluids are arranged between the one main surface of the electrolyte member and the 1 st fluid channel and between the other main surface of the electrolyte member and the 2 nd fluid channel so as to be capable of flowing through each other, the 1 st electrode is electrically connected to the 1 st wiring conductor, the 2 nd electrode is electrically connected to the 2 nd wiring conductor, and a lid is attached to the base so as to cover the recess on one side of the periphery of the recess.

The present invention is an electronic device characterized in that: the fuel cell described above is provided as a power source.

According to the present invention, a container for a fuel cell includes: a ceramic substrate having a recess on one surface side, and accommodating therein an electrolyte member having a 1 st electrode and a 2 nd electrode on one main surface and the other main surface, respectively; and a lid body attached to the upper surface of the base body around the recess so as to cover the recess, the lid body hermetically sealing the recess. Therefore, the inside of the fuel cell container is hermetically sealed, so that a fluid such as a gas does not leak, and it is not necessary to provide a container such as a package in addition to the container. In addition, a fuel cell capable of operating at high efficiency can be obtained, and the size can be effectively reduced. Further, since the fuel cell can be formed by housing a plurality of electrolyte members in a case formed by a base body made of ceramic having a recess on the upper surface and a lid body sealing the recess, the electrolyte members are not exposed to the outside of the container and are not damaged, and the mechanical reliability of the entire fuel cell can be improved. In addition, since the first and second wiring conductors are not in electrically contact with the electrolyte member main body, except for the 1 st and 2 nd wiring conductors having one end provided in the container constituted by the recess and the lid, a fuel cell having high reliability and safety can be obtained. Further, by using ceramics as a constituent material of the fuel cell container, a fuel cell excellent in corrosion resistance against fluids represented by various gases can be obtained.

The electrolytic cell further includes a 1 st fluid channel formed from a bottom surface of the recess facing the one main surface of the electrolyte member toward an outer surface of the substrate, and a 2 nd fluid channel formed from one side of the lid facing the other main surface of the electrolyte member toward an outer surface of the lid. Therefore, each of the plurality of fluid flow paths is provided on the inner wall surfaces facing each other with the electrolyte member interposed therebetween, and therefore, the uniform supply of the fluid to the electrolyte member can be improved. Since the fluid flows perpendicularly to the electrolyte member by using such a fluid path, for example, when the fluid is hydrogen gas or air (oxygen) gas, the effect of obtaining a predetermined stable output voltage is obtained without lowering the partial pressure of each gas supplied to the 1 st and 2 nd electrodes provided on the one and other main surfaces of the electrolyte member. Further, since the pressure of the supplied fluid is stable, for example, the partial pressure of the gas, the internal temperature of the fuel cell container can be uniformly distributed, and as a result, thermal stress generated in the electrolyte member can be suppressed, and the reliability of the fuel cell can be improved. In addition, respective fluid flow paths may be formed on the base and the lid. Therefore, each flow path has excellent sealing properties, and there is no possibility that 2 kinds of raw material fluids (for example, oxygen gas, hydrogen gas, methanol, or the like) that should be originally isolated by the flow path are mixed and thus the function as a fuel cell cannot be achieved. Further, since there is no risk of ignition or explosion even after mixing a combustible gas at a high temperature, a safe fuel cell can be provided.

In the present invention, the porous body is disposed on the substrate or the lid so as to cover the side of the 1 st fluid channel or the 2 nd fluid channel to which the oxidizing gas is supplied. Therefore, by preventing dust in the atmosphere from entering the fluid flow path on the side where the oxidizing gas is supplied by the porous body, the fluid flow path on the side where the oxygen gas is supplied is not clogged, and dust and the like do not adhere to the surface of the electrode on the side where the oxidizing gas is supplied. As a result, only air as the oxidizing gas can be efficiently supplied from the atmosphere into the fluid flow path on the side where the oxygen gas is supplied, and therefore, the electric reaction can be promoted, and the high-efficiency power generation can be performed.

According to the present invention, the porous body is disposed on at least one of the base and the lid so as to cover the opening of at least one of the 1 st fluid channel and the 2 nd fluid channel. Therefore, the porous body can prevent dust and the like from entering the 1 st fluid channel or the 2 nd fluid channel, and can effectively prevent dust and the like from blocking the 1 st fluid channel or the 2 nd fluid channel or from adhering to the surface of the 1 st electrode or the 2 nd electrode. As a result, only the source gas can be efficiently supplied into the 1 st fluid flow path or the 2 nd fluid flow path, and therefore, the electric reaction can be promoted, and the high-efficiency power generation can be performed.

Further, the flow rate of the raw material gas into the 1 st fluid flow path or the 2 nd fluid flow path can be controlled well by the porous body, the flow rate of the raw material gas into the 1 st fluid flow path or the 2 nd fluid flow path can be effectively suppressed, and the raw material gas can be uniformly flowed into all the 1 st fluid flow path or the 2 nd fluid flow path by the deviation between the portion close to the supply side of the raw material gas and the portion far from the supply side of the raw material gas. As a result, the electric reaction can be uniformly performed on the entire electrolyte member, and power generation with higher efficiency can be performed.

Further, according to the present invention, the inner wall of the 1 st fluid channel or the 2 nd fluid channel on the side where the porous body is disposed is coated with a moisture-absorbing material. Therefore, in the electrolyte member, since the moisture absorbing material absorbs moisture of the water vapor or water generated by the electrochemical reaction, the air flow path can be prevented from being clogged, and the air as the oxygen can be efficiently supplied from the atmosphere. Therefore, the electric reaction is promoted, and the electric power generation can be performed with high efficiency.

According to the present invention, in the fuel cell of the present invention, the electrolyte member is accommodated in the recess of the container for a fuel cell, the fluids are arranged so as to be able to flow between one main surface of the electrolyte member and the 1 st fluidflow path and between the other main surface of the electrolyte member and the 2 nd fluid flow path, the 1 st electrode is electrically connected to the 1 st wiring conductor, the 2 nd electrode is electrically connected to the 2 nd wiring conductor, and the lid is attached to the upper surface of the base around the recess so as to cover the recess. Therefore, a highly reliable fuel cell which has the advantages of the fuel cell container of the present invention as described above, is compact, strong, can supply gas uniformly, and can make the temperature gradient in the container uniform, and is electrically connected with high efficiency can be obtained.

Therefore, the container for a fuel cell and the fuel cell according to the present invention have excellent compactness, simplicity and safety, and can manufacture a fuel cell capable of stably operating for a long time by uniform supply of fluid and highly efficient electrical connection.

The electronic device of the present invention has the fuel cell of the present invention as a power source, and therefore, an electronic device which has the advantages of the fuel cell container of the present invention as described above, is small and thin, and has excellent safety and simplicity and which can operate stably for a long time can be obtained.

In addition, in the fuel cell used as a power source, if at least one of the base body and the lid body has an external connection terminal (a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal), it can be easily electrically connected to a circuit board of an electronic device and can be freely attached and detached. Therefore, the fuel cell can be easily replaced with a new one without using a facility or the like having a special safety device, and the convenience of the electronic device can be improved.

Further, since the metal layer can be formed into various shapes according to electrical characteristics by a metal spraying method or the like in the base of the fuel cell container, an electronic circuit element having a function as a resistor, a capacitor, an inductor, or the like can be formed in the base. Therefore, for example, by forming a capacitor having a large capacity in parallel with the fuel cell, when the current output from the fuel cell is insufficient, the insufficient current portion can be supplemented, and the current supply corresponding to the target output current can be secured. Further, since the booster circuit can be formed, a voltage required for the electronic device can be secured.

Drawings

Fig. 1A to 1C are sectional views showing a fuel cell to which a container for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

Fig. 2A to 2C are sectional views showing a fuel cell to which a container for a fuel cell according to another embodiment of the present invention is applied.

Fig. 3A to 3C are sectional views showing a fuel cell to which a container for a fuel cell according to another embodiment of the present invention is applied.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a conventional fuel cell.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1A to 1C are sectional views showing a fuel cell container and a fuel cell using the same according to an embodiment of the present invention. In fig. 1A to 1C, 1 denotes a fuel cell, 2 denotes a container for a fuel cell, 3 denotes an electrolyte member, 4 denotes a 1 st electrode, 5 denotes a 2 nd electrode, 6 denotes a base, 7 denotes a lid, 8 denotes a 1 st fluid channel, 9 denotes a 2 nd fluid channel, 10 denotes a 1 st wiring conductor, 11 denotes a 2 nd wiring conductor, and 12 denotes a porous body.

The electrolyte member 3 of the present invention is formed by integrally forming a fuel electrode (not shown) serving as an anode-side electrode and an air electrode (not shown) serving as a cathode-side electrode on both main surfaces of an ion-conductive membrane (exchange membrane), for example. The 1 st electrode 4 is formed on the lower main surface, which is one main surface of the electrolyte member 3, so as to face the fuel electrode. The 2 nd electrode 5 is formed on the upper main surface, which is the other main surface of the electrolyte member 3, so as to face the air electrode. Further, the current generated in the electrolyte member 3 flows into the 1 st electrode 4 and the 2 nd electrode 5, and a current which can be taken out to the outside is formed.

The ion-conductive membrane (exchange membrane) of the electrolyte member 3 is made of perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid resin, for example, proton-conductive ion exchange resin such as "ナフイオン" (manufactured by dupont). The fuel electrode and the air electrode are porous gas diffusion electrodes, and have functions of both the porous catalyst layer and the gas diffusion layer. These fuel electrode and air electrode are composed of a porous body in which conductive fine particles such as carbon fine particles serving as a catalyst, for example, platinum, palladium, or an alloy thereof are held by a hydrophobic resin binder such as polytetrafluoroethylene.

The 1 st electrode 4 on the lower main surface and the 2 nd electrode 5 on the upper main surface of the electrolyte member 3 are formed by a method of hot-pressing a carbon electrode having catalyst fine particles of platinum, platinum-ruthenium, or the like adhered thereto on the electrolyte member 3, a method of coating or transferring a mixture of a carbon electrode material having catalyst fine particles of platinum, platinum-ruthenium, or the like adhered thereto and a solution in which an electrolyte material is dispersed on the electrolyte, or the like.

The fuel cell container 2 is composed of a base 6 having a recess on one side, i.e., the upper surface, and a lid 7, the electrolyte member 3 is mounted in the recess, and the container is made of alumina (Al) having a function of hermetic sealing₂O₃) Sintered compact, mullite (3 Al)₂O₃·2SiO₂) Sintered body, silicon carbide (SiC) sintered body, aluminum nitride (AlN) sintered body, silicon nitride (Si)₃N₄) A ceramic material such as a sintered body or a glass ceramic sintered body.

The glass ceramic sintered body is composed of a glass component and a filler component, and the glass component is, for example, SiO₂-B₂O₃SiO 2₂-B₂O₃-Al₂O₃SiO 2₂-B₂O₃-Al₂O₃an-MO system (wherein M represents Ca, Sr, Mg, Ba or Zn), and SiO₂-Al₂O₃-M¹O-M²O system (wherein, M¹And M²Are the same or different and represent Ca, Sr, Mg, Ba or Zn), SiO₂-B₂O₃-Al₂O₃-M¹O-M²O system (wherein, M¹And M²Same as above), SiO₂-B₂O₃-M³ ₂O system (wherein, M³Represents Li, Na or K), SiO₂-B₂O₃-Al₂O₃-M³ ₂O system (wherein, M³The same as above), Pb-based glass, Bi-based glass, and the like.

Further, as the filler component, for example, Al is cited₂O₃、SiO₂、ZrO₃And alkaline earth metalsComposite oxide of oxide, TiO₂And an alkaline earth metal oxide, containing Al₂O₃And SiO₂A selected at least one of a composite oxide (e.g., spinel, mullite, cordierite), and the like.

The fuel cell container 2 is composed of a base 6 having a recess and a lid 7. The concave portion is hermetically sealed by attaching a lid 7 around the concave portion of the base 6 so as to cover the concave portion. In particular, the lid 7 is attached to the base 6 by bonding with a metal bonding material such as solder or silver solder, bonding with a resin material such as epoxy resin, or bonding a seal ring made of iron alloy or the like to the upper surface around the recess, and seam welding, electron beam welding, laser welding, or the like. The lid 7 may be formed with a recess similar to the base 6.

The base 6 and the lid 7 are preferably made thinner for the purpose of reducing the thickness of each of them, and the mechanical strength, i.e., the bending strength, is preferably 200MPa or more for the purpose of reducing the thickness of the fuel cell 1.

The base 6 and the lid 7 are preferably formed of a dense alumina sintered body having a relative density of 90% or more, for example. Further, the relative density of the base 6 and the lid 7 is more preferably 95% or more. Thus, for example, a rare earth oxide powder or a sintering aid is first added to and mixed with alumina powder to prepare a raw material powder of an alumina sintered body. Then, an organic binder and a dispersant are added to and mixed with the raw material powder of the alumina sintered body to form a paste, and a green sheet having a predetermined thickness is produced from the paste by a doctor blade method, or an organic binder is added to the raw material powder and a green sheet having a predetermined thickness is produced by press forming, calender forming or the like. The green sheet is subjected to die punching, micro drill drilling, laser irradiation drilling, or the like to form through holes for the 1 st fluid flow path 8 and the 2 nd fluid flow path 9, and through holes for arranging the 1 st wiring conductor 10 and the 2 nd wiring conductor 11.

The 1 st and 2

nd wiring conductors

10 and 11 are preferably formed of tungsten and/or molybdenum for preventing oxidation. If so, for example, Al is added as an inorganic component in a ratio of 3 to 20 parts by mass to 100 parts by mass of the tungsten and/or molybdenum powder₂O₃Adding Nb in an amount of 0.5 to 5 parts by mass₂O₅And preparing the conductive paste. The conductive paste is filled into the through hole of the green sheet to form a Via conductor (Via conductor) as a through body.

In the conductor paste, in order to improve the adhesion to the ceramic of the substrate 6 or the cover 7, for example, alumina powder or powder of the same composition as the ceramic component forming the substrate 6 or the cover 7 may be added in a proportion of 0.05 to 2 vol%.

The formation of the 1 st wiring conductor 10 and the 2 nd wiring conductor 11 on the surface layer and the inner layer of the substrate 6 or the lid 7 may be performed before, after, or simultaneously with the filling of the through-holes with the conductor paste to form the via conductors, by printing the same conductor paste on the green sheet in a predetermined pattern by a method such as screen printing or gravure printing.

Then, a predetermined number of sheet-like molded bodies with conductor paste filled and printed thereon are laminated and pressed in alignment. Then, the laminate is sintered in a non-oxidizing atmosphere at a maximum sintering temperature of 1200 to 1500 ℃, for example, to obtain the target ceramic substrate 6 or lid 7, and the 1 st and 2

nd wiring conductors

10 and 11.

The thickness of the base 6 or the lid 7 made of ceramic is preferably set to 0.2mm to 5 mm. If the thickness is less than 0.2mm, the strength is reduced, and therefore, when the lid 7 is attached to the base 6, cracks or the like tend to be easily generated in the base 6 and the lid 7 due to the stress generated. Further, if the thickness exceeds 5mm, it is difficult to make the fuel cell thin and narrow, and therefore it is not suitable for a fuel cell to be mounted on a small portable device, and further, it is difficult to quickly set an appropriate temperature corresponding to the electrochemical reaction conditions of the electrolyte member 3 because of a large heat capacity.

The 1 st wiring conductor 10 and the 2 nd wiring conductor 11 are electrically connected to the 1 st electrode 4 and the 2 nd electrode 5 of the electrolyte member 3, respectively, and function as conductive paths for taking out the current generated in the electrolyte member 3 to the outside of the fuel cell container 2.

The 1 st wiring conductor 10 has one end disposed at a position facing the 1 st electrode 4 of the electrolyte member 3 on the bottom surface of the recess of the substrate 6 and the other end led out to the outside of the substrate 6. The 1 st wiring conductor 10 is formed integrally with the base 6 as described above, and preferably, the 1 st wiring conductor 10 is formed so as to protrude by 10 μm or more from the bottom surface of the recess of the base 6 so as to be easily brought into contact with the 1 st electrode 4. To obtain this height, as described above, the printing conditions can be set so as to be thicker when the conductor paste is formed by printing and coating.Further, the 1 st wiring conductor 10 is preferably arranged in plural numbers so as to face the 1 st electrode 4, so that the electric loss due to the 1 st wiring conductor 10 is reduced, and the diameter of the penetrating portion of the base 6 of the 1 st wiring conductor 10 is preferably 50 μm or more.

The 2 nd wiring conductor 11 has one end disposed on one side of the lid 7, that is, a portion facing the 2 nd electrode 5 of the electrolyte member 3, and the other end led out to the outside of the lid 7. The 2 nd wiring conductor 11 is also formed integrally with the lid 7 in the same manner as the 1 st wiring conductor 10, and is preferably formed so as to protrude by 10 μm or more from the lower surface of the lid 7 so that the 2 nd wiring conductor 11 can be easily brought into contact with the 2 nd electrode 5. To obtain this height, as described above, the printing conditions can be set so as to be thicker when the conductor paste is formed by printing and coating. Further, a plurality of the 2 nd wiring conductors 11 are arranged so as to face the 2 nd electrode 5, and it is preferable that the electric loss due to the 2 nd wiring conductors 11 is reduced, and the diameter of the penetrating portion of the 2 nd wiring conductors 11 in the lid 7 is preferably 50 μm or more.

If the exposed surfaces of the 1 st wiring conductor 10 and the 2 nd wiring conductor 11 are coated with a metal having good conductivity and good corrosion resistance and wettability with a solder material by plating, the 1 st wiring conductor 10 and the 2 nd fluid flow path 11, and an external circuit can be electrically connected well. Therefore, the exposed surfaces of the 1 st wiring conductor 10 and the 2 nd fluid channel 11 are preferably coated with a metal that is made of nickel and has good conductivity, corrosion resistance, and wettability with solder material by a plating method.

The electricalconnection between the 1 st wiring conductor 10 and the 1 st electrode 4 and the electrical connection between the 2 nd wiring conductor 11 and the 2 nd electrode 5 can be performed by, for example, sandwiching the electrolyte member 3 between the base 6 and the cover 7, pressure-contacting the 1 st wiring conductor 10 and the 1 st electrode 4, and pressure-contacting the 2 nd wiring conductor 11 and the 2 nd electrode 5 to electrically connect them.

Further, a 1 st fluid channel 8 is disposed on the bottom surface of the recess of the substrate 6 facing the 1 st electrode 4, and a 2 nd fluid channel 9 is disposed on the lower surface of the cover 7 facing the 2 nd electrode 5. The 1 st fluid channel 8 is formed from the bottom surface of the recess of the substrate 6 toward the outer surface of the substrate 6, and the 2 nd fluid channel 9 is formed from the lower surface of the lid 7 toward the outer surface of the lid 7. These 1 st

fluid flow path

8 and 2 nd fluid flow path 9 are provided as a passage for a fluid such as a fuel gas, for example, a hydrogen-rich reformed gas or an oxygen gas, for example, air, to be supplied to the electrolyte member 3, or as a passage for a fluid such as water produced by a reaction to be discharged from the electrolyte member 3 after the reaction, through-holes or grooves formed in the substrate 6 or the lid 7, respectively.

The diameter and number of the through-holes, or the width, depth, and arrangement of the grooves may be determined according to the specification of the fuel cell 1 so that the through-holes or the grooves formed in the substrate 6 and the lid 7 as the 1 st fluid channel 8 and the 2 nd fluid channel 9 can uniformly supply a fluid such as a fuel gas or an oxygen gas to the electrolyte member 3.

In the fuel cell container 2 and the fuel cell 1 of the present invention, the 1 st fluid channel 8 and the 2 nd fluid channel 9 are preferably arranged at regular intervals with a hole diameter of 0.1mm or more set so as to flow a fluid to the electrolyte member 3 with an appropriate uniform pressure.

In this way, the 1 st fluid channel 8 is formed to face the lower main surface of the electrolyte member 3 where the 1 st electrode 4 is formed, and the 2 nd fluid channel 9 is formed to face the upper main surface of the 2 nd electrode 5, whereby fluids can flow between the lower and upper main surfaces of the electrolyte member 3 and the 1 st and 2

nd fluid channels

8 and 9, and the fluids can be supplied or discharged through the respective channels. For example, if a gas is supplied as a fluid, a drop in the partial pressure of the gas supplied to the 1 st electrode 4 and the 2 nd electrode 5 of the electrolyte member 3 can be avoided, and a predetermined stable output voltage can be obtained. Further, since the partial pressure of the gas supplied is stable, the internal pressure of the fuel cell 1 becomes uniform, and as a result, the thermal stress generated in the electrolyte member 3 can be suppressed, and therefore, the reliability of the fuel cell 1 can be improved.

In the present invention, it is preferable that, as shown in fig. 1A, the porous body 12 is disposed on the outer surface of the base 6 or the outer surface of the lid 7 (in the present embodiment, the outer surface of the lid 7) so as to cover the flow path on the side where the oxidizing gas is supplied in the 1 st fluid flow path 8 or the 2 nd fluid flow path 9. Thus, when the oxidizing gas is supplied through the 2 nd fluid channel 9, dust and the like in the atmosphere can be prevented from entering the 2 nd fluid channel 9 through the porous body 12. Therefore, dust or the like does not enter the 2 nd fluid flow path 9, and the dust does not block the 2 nd fluid flow path 9 or adhere to the surface of the 2 nd electrode 5. As a result, since only air as the oxidizing gas can be efficiently supplied from the atmosphere into the 2 nd fluid flow path 9, the electric reaction can be promoted, and the high-efficiency power generation can be performed.

In the present invention, as shown in fig. 1A to 1C, the porous body 12 is disposed on the outer surface of at least one of the base 6 and the lid 7 so as to cover the opening of at least one of the 1 st fluid channel 8 and the 2 nd fluid channel 9. That is, as shown in fig. 1A, the porous body 12 is disposed on the outer surface of the base 6 or the outer surface of the lid 7 (in the present embodiment, the outer surface of the lid 7) so as to cover the side of the 1 st fluid flow channel 8 or the 2 nd fluid flow channel 9 to which the oxidizing gas is supplied. That is, the porous body 12 is disposed on the outer surface of the lid body 7 so as to cover the opening of the first fluid flow channel 8. Or the porous body 12 is disposed on the outer surface of the substrate 6 so as to cover the opening of the 1 st fluid channel 8, as shown in fig. 1B. Alternatively, as shown in fig. 1C, the porous bodies 12 are disposed on the outer surface of the base 6 and the outer surface of the cover 7 so as to cover the openings of both the 1 st fluid channel 8 and the 2 nd fluid channel 9.

Thus, the porous body 12 can prevent dust or the like in the atmosphere from entering the 1 st fluid channel 8 or the 2 nd fluid channel 9, and dust can be effectively prevented from blocking the 1 st fluid channel 8 or the 2 nd fluid channel 9 or from adhering to the surface of the 1 st electrode 4 or the 2 nd electrode 5. As a result, only the raw material gas can be efficiently supplied into the 1 st fluid channel 8 or the 2 nd fluid channel 8, and thus the electric reaction can be promoted, and the high-efficiency power generation can be performed.

Further, the flow rate of the raw material gas into the 1 st fluid channel 8 or the 2 nd fluid channel 9 can be controlled well by the porous body 12, the flow rate of the raw material gas into the 1 st fluid channel 8 or the 2 nd fluid channel 9 and the variation between the portion close to the supply side of the raw material gas and the portion distant from the supply side of the raw material gas can be effectively suppressed, and the raw material gas can be uniformly flowed into all the 1 st fluid channel 8 or the 2 nd fluid channel 9. As a result, the electric reaction can be uniformly performed on the entire electrolyte member 3, and power generation with higher efficiency can be performed.

The porous body 12 is made of a porous material having air permeability, such as sponge rubber or porous ceramic, and is bonded to the outer surface of the base 6 or the lid 7 with a rubber-based adhesive, for example, so as to cover the openings of the 1 st fluid channel 8 and the 2 nd fluid channel 9, or the 1 st fluid channel 8 and the 2 nd fluid channel 9.

In order to prevent dust and the like in the atmosphere from entering the 1 st fluid channel 8 or the 2 nd fluid channel 9 and to effectively flow the oxidizing gas, the porous body 12 preferably has pores with a maximum diameter of 500 μm or less and a porosity of 10% or more. If the maximum pore diameter is 500 μ or more, large dust in the air easily enters the 1 st fluid channel 8 or the 2 nd fluid channel 9, and easily blocks the 1 st fluid channel 8 or the 2 nd fluid channel 9, or adheres to the surface of the 1 st electrode 4 or the 2 nd electrode 5, and the flow efficiency of the oxidizing gas is lowered due to the blocking of dust in the atmosphere, and the power generation efficiency is lowered. If the porosity is 10% or less, the flow efficiency of the oxidizing gas is likely to be lowered, and the power generation efficiency is likely to be lowered.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the inner wall of the 1 st fluid channel 8 or the 2 nd fluid channel 9 on the side where the porous body 12 is disposed is coated with a moisture-absorbing material. This allows the moisture absorbent material to absorb and remove water vapor, water, and the like generated by the electrochemical reaction in the electrolyte member 3, thereby effectively preventing the clogging of the 1 st fluid channel 8 and the 2 nd fluid channel 9 serving as air channels. Therefore, the surfaces of the 1 st electrode 4 and the 2 nd electrode 5 can be effectively prevented from being wetted with water (H)₂O), air can be efficiently supplied as an oxidizing gas from the atmosphere through the 1 st fluid flow channel 8 and the 2 nd fluid flow channel 9, so that the electrochemical reaction on the electrolyte member 3 can be promoted, and power generation can be performed with high efficiency.

As the moisture absorbent, silica gel, alumina, gypsum powder, activated carbon, paper, wood powder, etc., which easily absorb water (H), can be used₂O), particularly inorganic powders such as silica gel, alumina and gypsum powder, can be easily adjusted in water (H) by adjusting the size of the powder by pulverization or the like₂O) is preferable because the required moisture absorption characteristics can be easily obtained.

When the inner walls of the 1 st fluid channel 8 and the 2 nd fluid channel 9 are coated with the moisture absorbent, the moisture absorbent may be coated on all of the 1 st fluid channel 8 and the 2 nd fluid channel 9 while ensuring the uniformity of the flow of the air as the oxidizing gas from the atmosphere through the 1 st fluid channel 8 and the 2 nd fluid channel 9, and the thickness of the moisture absorbent is preferably 10% or less of the area of the opening area in the cross section of the 1 st fluid channel 8 and the 2 nd fluid channel 9 because the influence of the pressure loss needs to be reduced when the air as the oxidizing gas is supplied.

In addition, in order to promote the flow of the airIt is also preferable that the entire inner walls of the 1 st fluid channel 8 and the 2 nd fluid channel 9 be coated with the moisture absorbent material to evaporate water from the moisture absorbent material. Thus, when the fuel cell container 2 and the fuel cell 1 of the present invention are used in a small-sized fuel cell such as a portable Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC), for example, it is possible to operate for several tens of hours with 10ml of methanol and to use the methanol as water (H) at that time₂O) was formed in a trace amount of 1ml to 1g of methanol consumed. Water (H) absorbed by the hygroscopic material₂O) is a water content that can be sufficiently evaporated by blowing with a blower, and does not hinder continuous operation.

Further, fine particles of a metal such as platinum or ruthenium are inserted as a catalyst into pores of the porous body 12 disposed on the 1 st electrode 4 or the 2 nd electrode 5 side serving as the fuel electrode, whereby the raw material gas passing through the porous body 12 can be ionized, the electrochemical reaction can be promoted, and the power generation efficiency can be improved.

Further, by forming the porous bodies 12 in a detachable manner, the porous bodies 12 in which the flow of the raw material gas is reduced by dust or the like can be easily replaced, and the power generation efficiency can be maintained for a long time.

With the above configuration, a small and robust fuel cell container 2 capable of housing the electrolyte member 3 as shown in fig. 1A to 1C can be obtained, and the fuel cell 1 of the present invention capable of high-efficiency control can be obtained.

Further, by using the fuel cell 1 of the present invention as a power source for electronic equipment, since it is excellent in compactness, simplicity and safety, and can supply a fluid uniformly and be electrically connected with high efficiency, it is possible to form an electronic equipment which is small in size, thin, can operate stably for a long time, and is excellent in safety and convenience.

Next, an electronic device of the present invention having the fuel cell 1 as a power source will be described.

Since the electronic device of the present invention has the fuel cell 1 as a power source, the electronic device having the fuel cell container 2 of the present invention is extremely long, small, thin, and has excellent safety and convenience that can be stably operated for a long time.

In addition, in the fuel cell 1 provided as a power source, if an external connection terminal (a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal) is provided on at least one of the base 6 and the lid 7, it can be easily electrically connected to a circuit board of an electronic device and can be freely attached and detached. Therefore, the fuel cell can be easily replaced with a new one without using a facility or the like having a special safety device, and the convenience of the electronic device can be improved.

Further, since the metal layer can be formed into various shapes in accordance with electrical characteristics by a metal spraying method or the like in the base 6 of the fuel cell container 2, an electronic circuit element having a function as a resistor, a capacitor, an inductor, or the like can be formed in the base 6. Therefore, for example, when the current output from the fuel cell 1 is insufficient, a capacitor having a large capacitance is formed in parallel with the fuel cell 1, and the insufficient current portion is supplemented, so that the current supply corresponding to the target output current can be secured. Further, since the booster circuit can be formed, a voltage required for the electronic device can be secured.

When a resistor, a capacitor, or an inductor is formed inside the substrate 6 as described above, the substrate 6 is preferably made of glass ceramic.

The electronic devices of the present invention include, specifically, mobile electronic devices such as toys such as mobile phones, pdas (personal digital assistants), digital cameras, video recorders, and game machines, and electronic devices such as portable printers represented by notebook PCs (personal computers), facsimile machines, televisions, communication devices, audio/video devices, various home electric appliances such as hair dryers, and electric tools.

In recent years, electronic devices to which a moving image display function using a liquid crystal display device or the like is added can be used as these electronic devices. While the electronic device using the conventional battery can operate only for a short time because of the very large power consumption of the animation display, the electronic device of the present invention can operate for a long time even if animation display is performed because the fuel cell 1 capable of supplying power for a long time is mounted.

For example, in the case of a mobile phone, the mobile phone is composed of a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a control unit, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Read Only Memory (ROM), an input unit for inputting data operated by a user to the CPU, an antenna, a wireless unit for demodulating a signal received by the antenna and supplying the demodulated signal to the control unit, and simultaneously tuning a signal supplied from the control unit and transmitting the demodulated signal via the antenna, a speaker for emitting sound in accordance with a ring signal from the control unit, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) for controlling lighting, turning-off, or flashing of the control unit, a displayunit for displaying information in accordance with a signal from the control unit, a vibrator for vibrating in accordance with a drive signal from the control unit, a receiving/transmitting unit for converting a sound signal from the control unit into a sound signal and transmitting the sound signal to the control unit, a receiving/transmitting unit for converting a sound signal from the control unit into. By incorporating the fuel cell 1 and the fuel cell container 2 of the present invention in the power supply unit, the fuel cell 1 and the fuel cell container 2 are excellent in compactness, simplicity and safety, and can supply power for a long time by uniform fuel supply and high-efficiency electrical connection, so that a small, thin and lightweight cellular phone can be formed.

Further, if it is considered that recent portable telephones are sufficient in terms of miniaturization and thinning, it is possible to further increase the functionality of electronic components having functions other than the telephone functions such as a camera and a video camera by newly assembling the electronic components in a space generated by the miniaturization and thinning of the fuel cell.

Further, instead of reassembling the electronic component, an impact absorbing material or an impact preventing component may be provided to protect the main electronic circuit. In this case, the mobile phone body may have a stronger structure than conventional ones, such as impact resistance when an impact is applied to the mobile phone body by dropping or water resistance when the mobile phone body is used in rain.

Further, since the circuit portion inside the mobile phone body can be made small, the restriction on the outer shape of the mobile phone body can be made small, and an outer shape excellent in design such as the shape of the mobile phone which is easy to hold by an old person or a child can be formed.

Further, when the structure of the power supply unit is configured such that the fuel cell 1 and the fuel cell container 2 can be freely attached and detached as described above, if the fuel cell 1 and the fuel cell container 2 are prepared, when a battery end or the like occurs, the fuel cell 1 and the fuel cell container 2 can be easily replaced, or the fuel cell 1 can be taken out and the fuel can be replenished or replaced, so that a call can be continued, and the like, which is more convenient than when a conventional battery is used as a power supply.

In addition, since the replaced spent fuel cell 1 can be quickly reused by replenishing fuel, the fuel cell is more convenient to use than charging, and resources can be effectively used. Further, the present invention is advantageous in that it can be used even in emergency such as a long-term power failure due to a natural disaster or in the open air.

In the case of a notebook PC (personal computer), the notebook PC has a 1 st housing for housing a personal computer main body and a keyboard for inputting predetermined data to the personal computer main body, and a 2 nd housing for housing a display for displaying data inputted by the keyboard or data processed by the personal computer main body, wherein the 2 nd housing is openably and closably attached to the 1 st housing, and the 1 st housing is provided with a power supply unit for supplying power to each unit, and the personal computer is basically constituted by such a configuration, and a fuel cell 1 and a fuel cell container 2 are assembled to the power supply unit. In this case, as in the case of the above-described cellular phone, the fuel cell 1 and the fuel cell container 2 incorporated in the electronic device according to the present invention are excellent in compactness, simplicity, and safety, and can supply power for a long time by uniformly supplying fuel and electrically connectingthem with high efficiency, so that a notebook PC (personal computer) can be made smaller, thinner, lighter, and more versatile, and can supply a large current stably and easily for viewing the display for a long time in response to an increase in size or higher definition of the display, and can reduce the weight or volume load when carried, thereby forming a notebook PC (personal computer) with high convenience.

Further, when the power supply unit is structured such that the fuel cell 1 and the fuel cell container 2 can be attached and detached, if the fuel cell 1 and the fuel cell container 2 are prepared as backup, the power supply unit can supply power for a long time as compared with the conventional one in a situation where only 2 batteries can be used in a mobile body such as an outdoor or an airplane. In addition, since the present invention is excellent in safety even when used in public, it can be used without restriction, and is extremely excellent in convenience.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. For example, the 1 st fluid channel 8 or the 2 nd fluid channel 9 may be provided with an inlet from the side surface of the base 6 or the lid 7, because of the reduction in thickness of the entire fuel cell 1. If so, it is particularly effective in forming a small size as a portable electronic device. The 1 st wiring conductor 10 and the 2 nd wiring conductor 11 may be provided with the other ends led out to the outer surfaces of the base 6 and the cover 7 so as to be drawn out from the same side surfaces. Thus, it is possible to integrate wiring, flow paths, and the like on one side surface of the fuel cell, and it is easy to miniaturize and protect the junction with the outside, and it is possible to design the fuel cell 1 with high reliability, and to stably operate for a long time.

Further, a plurality of electrolyte components 3 are accommodated in the concave portion of the base 6, and the 1 st wiring conductor 10 and the 2 nd wiring conductor 11 are electrically connected to each other, so that a high voltage or a large current can be output as a whole.

Fig. 2A to 2C are sectional views showing a fuel cell container according to another embodiment of the present invention and a fuel cell using the same. A fuel cell container (2) is provided with: an opening 13 having a plurality of groove-like openings of the same width and length at equal intervals along at least one of the 1 st fluid channel 8 ' and the 2 nd fluid channel 9 ', on the bottom surface of the recess or the lower surface of the lid 7 ', so as to face the lower main surface or the upper main surface of the electrolyte member 3; a connecting portion 14 connecting one ends and the other ends of the plurality of openings formed in at least one of the base 6 'and the lid 7'; a fluid inlet 15 formed from one of the connection parts 14 toward the outer surface of at least one of the base 6 'and the lid 7'; the fluid discharge portion (not shown) is formed from the other toward the outer surface of at least one of the base 6 'and the lid 7'. Meanwhile, the porous body 12 may be disposed so as to cover the opening 13 formed in at least one of the base 6 'and the lid 7'. The fuel cell 1 'may be configured such that the electrolyte member 3 is accommodated in a recess of the substrate 6' having a recess, and the 1 st electrode 4 and the 2 nd electrode 5 are electrically connected to the 1 st wiring conductor 10 'and the 2 nd wiring conductor 11', respectively.

That is, as shown in fig. 2A, the porous body 12 is disposed on the outer surface of the base 6 ' or the lid 7 ' (in the present embodiment, the lid 7 ') so as to cover the flow path on the side where the oxidizing gas is supplied, of the 1 st fluid flow path 8 ' or the 2 nd fluid flow path 9 '. That is, the porous body 12 is disposed on the lid 7 'so as to cover the opening of the 1 st fluid channel 8'. Alternatively, as shown in fig. 2B, the porous body 12 is disposed on the substrate 6 'so as to cover the opening of the 1 st fluid channel 8'. Alternatively, as shown in fig. 2C, the porous bodies 12 are provided on the substrate 6 'and the lid 7' so as to cover both openings of the 1 st fluid channel 8 'and the 2 nd fluid channel 9'.

In this way, the fluid can be easily supplied to the plurality of groove-shaped openings 13 through the fluid inlet 15 and the connecting portion 14, and the plurality of groove-shaped openings in the openings 13 are formed at equal intervals with the same length and the same width, so that the distance from the inlet 15 to the outlet can be shortened and the flow path resistance can be reduced even when the inflow speed of the fluid is high. As a result, the uniform supply of the fluid to the electrolyte member 3 can be improved, and the water (H) generated by the chemical reaction can be continuously dried and discharged when taking in and out the air supplied as the oxidizing gas from the atmosphere₂O)。

Fig. 3A to 3B are cross-sectional views showing a fuel cell container according to another embodiment of the present invention and a fuel cell using the same. In the fuel cell container 2 ", the electrolyte members 3 may be housed in the respective recesses of the base 6" having a plurality of recesses, the 3 rd wiring conductors 16 may be disposed between the end portions of the adjacent recesses, the 1 st electrodes 4 of the plurality of electrolyte members 3 or the 1 st electrodes 4 and the 2 nd electrodes 5 may be electrically connected, and the 1 st wiring conductors 10 "and the 2 nd wiring conductors 11" may be electrically connected to the electrolyte members 3 disposed at both end positions so as to take out an output as awhole, thereby forming the fuel cell 1 ".

At this time, as shown in fig. 3A, the porous body 12 is disposed on the outer surface of the base 6 ″ or the outer surface of the lid 7 "(in the present embodiment, the outer surface of the lid 7") so as to cover the flow path on the side where the oxidizing gas is supplied, of the 1 st fluid flow path 8 ″ or the 2 nd fluid flow path 9 ″. That is, the porous body 12 is disposed on the outer surface of the lid 7' so as to cover the opening of the 1 st fluid channel 8 ″. Alternatively, as shown in fig. 3B, the porous body 12 is disposed on the outer surface of the substrate 6' so as to cover the opening of the 1 st fluid channel 8 ″. Alternatively, as shown in fig. 3C, the porous bodies 12 are disposed on the outer surfaces of the base 6 ″ and the lid 7 ″ so as to cover the openings of both the 1 st fluid channel 8 ″ and the 2 nd fluid channel 9 ″.

In this manner, since the 1 st to 3 rd wiring conductors 10 ", 11", 16 can be freely wired in three dimensions, a plurality of electrolyte members 3 can be arbitrarily connected in series or in parallel. As a result, since the overall output voltage and output current can be adjusted with high efficiency, the fuel cell container 2 ″ and the fuel cell 1 ″ can be formed in which electricity electrochemically generated by the electrolyte member 3 can be taken out to the outside in a satisfactory manner.

The present invention may be embodied in other various forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Therefore, the above embodiments are merely single examples in all aspects, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to these examples. In addition, various modifications may be made without departing from the technical concept of the present invention, and these modifications are included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A container (2, 2', 2 ") for a fuel cell, characterized by comprising: a ceramic substrate (6, 6') having a recess on one surface thereof, the recess accommodating an electrolyte member (3) having a 1 st electrode (4) and a 2 nd electrode (5) on one main surface and the other main surface, respectively;

a 1 st fluid channel (8, 8 ') formed from a bottom surface of the recess facing the one main surface of the electrolyte member (3) toward an outer surface of the substrate (6, 6');

a 1 st wiring conductor (10, 10 ') having one end disposed on the bottom surface of the recess portion facing the 1 st electrode (4) of the electrolyte member (3) and the other end led out of the substrate (6, 6');

a lid (7, 7 ') made of a ceramic material, attached to one surface of the base (6, 6') so as to cover the opening of the recess, and hermetically sealing the recess;

a 2 nd fluid channel (9, 9 ') formed from one surface of the lid body (7, 7 ') facing the other main surface of the electrolyte member (3) toward the outer surface of the lid body (7, 7 ');

a 2 nd wiring conductor (11, 11 ') having one end disposed on one side of the lid (7, 7 ') facing the 2 nd electrode (5) of the electrolyte member (3) and the other end led out to the outside of the lid (7, 7 ');

and a porous body (12) disposed on at least one of the base (6, 6 ') and the cover (7, 7') so as to cover an opening of at least one of the 1 st fluid channel (8, 8 ') and the 2 nd fluid channel (9, 9').

2. A container (2, 2', 2 ") for a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: the bending strength of the base (6, 6 ') and the lid (7, 7') is 200MPa or more.

3. A container (2, 2', 2 ") for a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: the base body (6, 6 ') and the lid body (7, 7') are formed of an aluminum oxide sintered body having a relative density of 90% or more.

4. A container (2, 2', 2 ") for a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: the thickness of the base body (6, 6 ') and the cover body (7, 7') is 0.2-5 mm.

5. A container (2, 2', 2 ") for a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: the 1 st wiring conductor (10, 10 ') is formed so as to protrude by 10 [ mu]m or more from the bottom surface of the recess of the base (6, 6').

6. A container (2, 2', 2 ") for a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: the 2 nd wiring conductor (11, 11 ') is formed so as to protrude by 10 [ mu]m or more from one surface of the lid (7, 7').

7. A container (2, 2', 2 ") for a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: the porous body (12) has pores with a maximum diameter of 500 μm or less.

8. A container (2, 2', 2 ") for a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: the porous body (12) has a porosity of 10% or more.

9. A container (2, 2', 2 ") for a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: the porous body (12) is disposed on the substrate (6, 6 ') or the cover (7, 7') so as to cover the side of the 1 st fluid channel (8, 8 ') or the 2 nd fluid channel (9, 9') to which the oxidizing gas is supplied.

10. A container (2, 2', 2 ") for a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: the inner wall of the 1 st fluid channel (8, 8 ') or the 2 nd fluid channel (9, 9') on the side where the porous body (12) is disposed is coated with a moisture-absorbing material.

11. A container (2, 2', 2 ") for a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: the thickness of the moisture-absorbing material is 10% or less of the area of the cross-sectional opening area of the 1 st fluid channel (8, 8 ') or the 2 nd fluid channel (9, 9').

12. A fuel cell (1, 1', 1 "), characterized by:

a fuel cell container (2, 2') according to claim 1, comprising an electrolyte member (3) having a 1 st electrode (4) and a 2 nd electrode (5) on one principal surface and the other principal surface, respectively;

the electrolyte member (3) is housed in the recess of the container (2, 2 ') for a fuel cell, and the 1 st electrode (4) is electrically connected to the 1 st wiring conductor (10, 10 ') and the 2 nd electrode (5) is electrically connected to the 2 nd wiring conductor (11, 11 ') while the fluids are arranged so as to flow between the one main surface of the electrolyte member (3) and the 1 st fluid channel (8, 8 ') and between the other main surface of the electrolyte member (3) and the 2 nd fluid channel (9, 9 '), and a lid (7, 7 ') is attached to one surface of the recess of the base (6, 6 ') so as to cover the opening of the recess.

13. An electronic device, characterized in that: as a power source, there is a fuel cell (1, 1', 1 ") as claimed in claim 12.