CN1585176A

CN1585176A - Container for fuel cell, fuel cell and electronic device

Info

Publication number: CN1585176A
Application number: CNA200410058720XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 菅井广一朗
Original assignee: Kyocera Corp
Current assignee: Kyocera Corp
Priority date: 2003-07-30
Filing date: 2004-07-29
Publication date: 2005-02-23
Anticipated expiration: 2024-07-29
Also published as: JP2005050592A; CN1297027C; KR20050014687A; KR100576623B1; JP4565817B2

Abstract

This fuel cell container is equipped with a substrate 6 having a recessed part to house the electrolyte member 3 having first and second electrodes 4, 5, a first fluid passage 8 formed from the bottom surface of the recessed part on to the external surface of the substrate 6, a first wiring conductor 10 one end of which is disposed on the bottom surface of the recessed part and the other end of which is led out to the external surface of the substrate 6, a lid body 7 attached to the upper surface of the periphery of the recessed part of the substrate 6, a second fluid passage 9 formed from the lower surface of the lid body 7 on to its external surface, and a second wiring conductor 11 one end of which is disposed on the lower surface of the lid part 7 and the other end of which is led out to the external surface of the lid part 7, and a recessed part 12 is formed in either one of the contact part where the first electrode 4 is brought into contact with the substrate 6 or the contact part where the second electrode 5 is brought into contact with the lid part 7.

Description

Container for fuel cell, and electronic device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a ceramic container for a fuel cell, which is capable of accommodating an electrolyte member and is small in size and highly reliable, and a fuel cell and an electronic device using the container.

Background

In recent years, development of a small fuel cell that operates at a lower temperature than before has been actively performed. Among the Fuel cells, a Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (hereinafter referred to as PEFC), a phosphoric acid Fuel Cell, or a solid Electrolyte Fuel Cell is known depending on the type of Electrolyte used.

The operating temperature of the PEFC is low at about 80-100 ℃, and the PEFC has the following remarkable characteristics that:

(1) high output density, and can be miniaturized and lightened.

(2) Since the electrolyte is non-corrosive and the operating temperature is low, the limitation of the battery constituent material in terms of corrosion resistance is small, and 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 fully utilize the above features of the PEFC, and is applied not only to a driving power supply for vehicles, a power generation and waste heat heating system for home use, and the like, but also to a power supply for portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, pdas (personal Digital assistants), personal computers, Digital cameras, video cameras, and the like, which output several to several tens of W.

The PEFC includes, for example, a fuel electrode (cathode) composed of a carbon electrode to which catalyst fine particles such as platinum or platinum-ruthenium are attached, an air electrode (anode) composed of a carbon electrode to which catalyst fine 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 part is supplied to the fuel electrode₂) Further, oxygen (O) in the atmosphere is supplied to the air electrode₂)Thus, a predetermined electric energy is generated (power generation) by an electrochemical reaction, and an electric energy constituting a driving power source (voltage/current) for driving the load is generated.

Specifically, hydrogen (H) gas is supplied to the fuel electrode₂) Then, as shown in the following chemical reaction formula (1), electrons (e) are generated and separated by the catalyst^-) Hydrogen ions (protons; h⁺) Passing through the air electrode side via the electrolyte member, and extracting electrons from the carbon electrode constituting the fuel electrode (e)^-) And supplies electric charges.

……(1)

When air is supplied to the air electrode, the catalyst carries electrons (e) through the carrier as shown in the following chemical reaction formula (2)^-) And hydrogen passing through the electrolyte memberIon (H)⁺) And oxygen (O) in air₂) React to generate water (H)₂O)。

……(2)

Such a series of electrochemical reactions (reaction formulae (1) and (2)) are carried out at a relatively low temperature of approximately 80 to 100 ℃, and the by-product other than electric power is substantially only water (H)₂O)。

Ion-conductive membranes (exchange membranes) constituting electrolyte members are known as cation-exchange membranes having sulfonic polystyrene groups, mixed membranes of fluorocarbonsulfonic acid and polyvinylidene fluoride, and membranes obtained by grafting trifluoroethylene onto a fluorocarbon matrix, and perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid membranes (for example, "ナフイオン", manufactured by dupont) have recently been used.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a conventional fuel cell (PEFC). In the drawing, 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 have functions of 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 includes a laminated portion forming the outer shape of the gas separator 26, a separator portion for separating the fuel flow path 28 and the air flow path 29 from each other, and electrodes provided to penetrate the separator portion and arranged corresponding to the fuel electrode 24 and the air electrode 25 of the electrolyte member 23. The fuel electrodes 24 and the air electrodes 25 of the plurality of electrolyte members 23 are stacked via separators 26 so as to be electrically connected in series and/or parallel to form a fuel cell stack assembly which is the minimum unit of a cell, and the fuel cell stack assembly is housed in a case to form a general PEFC main body.

Fuel gas (hydrogen-rich gas) containing water vapor is supplied from the reformer to the fuel electrode 24 through a fuel passage 28 formed in the separator 26, and air as an oxidizing agent is supplied from the atmosphere to the air electrode 25 through an air passage 29, whereby power generation is performed by a chemical reaction of the electrolyte member 23.

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

However, as such a high-voltage and high-capacity battery, the fuel cell 21 which has been proposed and developed in the past is a large-sized battery having a stacked structure, a large component area, and a large weight, and the use of the fuel cell as a small-sized battery has not been considered in the past.

That is, in the conventional gas separator 26 of the fuel cell 21, in the stack in which the electrolyte member 23 is stacked by using the gas separator, since the side surface of the electrolyte member 23 is exposed to the outside, there is a problem that it is easy to be damaged by dropping when it is carried around, and it is difficult to secure the mechanical reliability of the entire fuel cell 21.

In order to mount the fuel cell 21 in the portable electronic device, a fuel cell container which is different from a conventional large fuel and is excellent in compactness, simplicity and safety is required. That is, in order to be applied to a portable power source such as a general-purpose chemical battery, it is necessary to reduce the size and dimensions of a fuel cell container in order to raise the temperature to an operating temperature in a short time and to reduce the heat capacity. However, in the conventional fuel cell 21, the gas separator 26 occupying most of the proportion of the heat capacity, particularly in the case of the gas separator 26 in which the flow path is formed on the surface of the carbon plate by cutting, becomes fragile when the thickness is reduced, and therefore, a thickness of several mm is required. Therefore, there is also a problem that it is difficult to reduce the size and size.

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 front and rear surfaces of the electrolyte member 23. That is, after the fuel gas supplied to the electrolyte member 23 enters the gas flow path 28 and is consumed in the power generation reaction, the partial pressure of the fuel gas on the surface of the fuel electrode 24 decreases, and the output voltage decreases. Similarly, when air is consumed by entering 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, it is necessary to uniformly supply the fuel gas, but since the gas separator 26 of the conventional fuel cell 21 has a flow path formed by cutting the surface of the carbon plate, the groove of the flow path becomes narrow when the fuel cell is made thin, and therefore, the flow path resistance becomes large, which causes a problem that it is difficult to uniformly supply the fuel gas.

In addition, it is necessary to connect the plurality of electrolyte members 23, and the fuel electrode 24, the air electrode 25, and the gas separator 26 facing the electrolyte members in series or in parallel with each other at any high efficiency to adjust the overall output voltage and output current. However, in the conventional fuel cell 21, since electric power is taken out from the fuel electrode 24 and the air electrode 25 sandwiching the electrolyte member 23, only a method of connecting the fuel electrode to the outside by pulling out or a method of connecting the gas separator 26 in series by overlapping the fuel electrode and the air electrode with each other by using a conductive material has been adopted, and there has been a problem that it is difficult to realize the fuel cell in a small size.

Then, water (H) generated by an electrochemical reaction is applied to the electrolyte member 23₂O) blocks the air flow path 29, and therefore, it is difficult to supply air as the oxidizing gas from the atmosphere to the air electrode 25 through the air flow path 29, and the electrochemical reaction at the electrolyte member 23 is inhibited, thereby deteriorating the power generation efficiency.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell container which is compact and robust and can house an electrolyte member, and which is capable of performing uniform supply of gas, uniformization of temperature gradient in the fuel cell container, and efficient electrical connection, and a fuel cell and an electronic device using the container.

The present invention is a container for a fuel cell, comprising:

a ceramic substrate having a recess for receiving an electrolyte member on one surface, wherein the electrolyte member has a 1 st and a 2 nd electrode on the main surface of the one and the other,

a 1 st fluid flow path formed from a bottom surface of the recess portion facing the one main surface of the electrolyte member to an outer surface of the substrate,

a 1 st wiring conductor having one end provided on a bottom surface of the recess facing the 1 st electrode of the electrolyte member and the other end led out to an outer surface of the base body,

a lid body which is attached to the base body so as to cover the recess on one surface thereof around the recess and 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 to an outer surface of the lid body, and

a 2 nd wiring conductor having one end provided on one surface of the lid body facing the 2 nd electrode of the electrolyte member and the other end led out to an outer surface of the lid body;

a recess is formed in at least one of a contact portion between the 1 st electrode and the base and a contact portion between the 2 nd electrode and the lid.

In the present invention, a moisture absorbent material is coated on an inner wall of at least one of the 1 st fluid channel and the 2 nd fluid channel.

In the present invention, the bending strength of the base and the lid is 200Mpa or more.

In the present invention, the base and the lid are formed of an alumina sintered body having a relative density of 90% or more.

In the present invention, the thickness of the base and the lid is 0.2 to 5 mm.

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

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

In the present invention, the depth of the pits is 50 to 100 μm.

In the present invention, the dimples are formed so as not to be exposed to the 1 st fluid flow path and the 2 nd fluid flow path.

The present invention is a fuel cell including:

an electrolyte member having 1 st and 2 nd electrodes on one and the other principal surfaces, respectively, and

the container for a fuel cell described above;

the electrolyte member is accommodated in the recess of the fuel cell container, the one and other main surfaces of the electrolyte member are arranged so that the fluids can be exchanged between the one main surface and the 1 st fluid channel and between the other main surface and the 2 nd fluid channel, 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 substrate so as to cover the recess on one surface around the recess.

The present invention is an electronic device characterized in that the fuel cell is used as a power source.

According to the present invention, a fuel cell container includes a ceramic substrate having a recess for accommodating an electrolyte member on one surface side, and a lid for hermetically sealing the recess attached to the upper surface of the periphery of the recess of the substrate so as to cover the recess, wherein the electrolyte member has the 1 st and 2 nd electrodes on the main surfaces of the first and second sides, respectively. Therefore, by hermetically sealing the inside of the fuel cell container, there is no leakage of a fluid such as a gas, and it is not necessary to provide a container such as a casing (package) outside the container, so that a fuel cell capable of operating efficiently can be obtained, and it is effective for downsizing. Further, since the fuel cell is configured by housing the electrolyte member in the case formed by the base body made of ceramic having the recess on the upper surface and the lid body sealing the recess, the electrolyte member is not exposed to the outside of the container and damaged, and the mechanical reliability of the entire fuel cell can be improved. Further, since the first and second wiring conductors 1 and 2, one end of which is provided in the container constituted by the recess and the lid, are not required to make useless electrical contact with the electrolyte member itself, a fuel cell with 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 such as various gases can be obtained.

Further, since the fuel cell container includes the 1 st fluid flow path formed from the bottom surface of the recess facing the one main surface of the electrolyte member to the outer surface of the base, and the 2 nd fluid flow path formed from the lower surface of the lid facing the other main surface of the electrolyte member to the outer surface of the lid, the plurality of fluid flow paths are provided on the inner wall surfaces facing the electrolyte member, respectively, so that the uniform supply of the fluid to the electrolyte member can be improved. According to such a fluid flow path, since the fluid flows perpendicularly to the electrolyte member, for example, when the fluid is hydrogen gas or air (oxygen), there is an effect that the partial pressure of each gas supplied from the electrolyte member to the 1 st and 2 nd electrodes respectively positioned on one main surface and the other main surface is not lowered, and a predetermined stable output voltage can be obtained. Further, since the pressure of the supplied fluid, for example, the gas partial pressure is stable, the distribution of the internal temperature of the fuel cell container is uniform, and as a result, the thermal stress generated in the electrolyte member can be suppressed, and the reliability of the fuel cell can be improved. Each fluid flow path is formed in the base and the cover. Therefore, the respective flow paths have good sealing properties, and there is no possibility that 2 kinds of raw material fluids (for example, oxygen gas, hydrogen gas, or methanol) that should be isolated in the flow paths are mixed, and the function of the fuel cell cannot be realized.

In the present invention, since the recess is formed in at least one of the contact portion between the 1 st electrode and the base or the contact portion between the 2 nd electrode and the lid, the contact area between the 2 nd electrode of the electrolyte member and the 1 st wiring conductor or the contact area between the 2 nd electrode and the 2 nd wiring conductor increases. This has the effect of reducing the resistance of the 1 st or 2 nd wiring conductor, which functions as a conductive path for taking out the current generated in the electrolyte member to the outside of the fuel cell container, and improving the power generation efficiency.

In the fuel cell container of the present invention, it is preferable that at least one of the 1 st fluid channel and the 2 nd fluid channel is coated with a moisture-absorbing material. Therefore, the moisture absorbent can absorb the water vapor, water, and the like generated by the electrochemical reaction in the electrolyte member, and the air passage can be effectively prevented from being clogged, and the air as the oxidizing gas can be effectively supplied from the atmosphere. Therefore, the electrochemical reaction can be promoted, and the power generation can be efficiently performed.

According to the present invention, the fuel cell is configured such that the electrolyte member is accommodated in the recess of the fuel cell container, the electrolyte member is disposed on one and the other main surfaces of the electrolyte member so that the fluids can be exchanged between the one main surface and the 1 st fluid channel and between the other main surface and the 2 nd fluid channel, 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 base body so as to cover the recess on one surface around the recess. Therefore, the fuel cell container of the present invention is characterized by being small, robust, capable of uniformly supplying gas, uniform temperature gradient in the fuel cell container, and highly efficient and reliable electrical connection.

Therefore, the container for a fuel cell and the fuel cell according to the present invention can provide a fuel cell which is compact, simple, and safe, can realize uniform supply of fluid and efficient electrical connection, and can operate stablyfor a long period of time.

According to the present invention, by using the fuel cell of the present invention as a power source for an electronic device, it is possible to realize compactness, simplicity, and safety, and to realize uniform supply of fluid and efficient electrical connection, so that it is possible to make the electronic device small, low in size, and operate stably for a long period of time, and to make it a safe and convenient device.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a fuel cell container and a fuel cell using the container according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a main portion of the fuel cell container of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of a fuel cell container and a fuel cell using the container according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a fuel cell container and a fuel cell using the container according to the present invention

Cross-sectional view of an embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing a structure of a conventional fuel cell.

Detailed Description

The fuel cell container and the fuel cell according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a sectional view showing an example of an embodiment of a fuel cell using a fuel cell container according to the present invention, and fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a main portion of fig. 1. In these figures, 1 denotes a fuel cell, 2 denotes a container for a fuel cell, 3 denotesan 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 flow path, 9 denotes a 2 nd fluid flow path, 10 denotes a 1 st wiring conductor, 11 denotes a 2 nd wiring conductor, and 12 denotes a pit.

Fig. 1 shows a fuel cell in which 1 depression 12 is formed in each contact portion between the 2 nd electrode 5 and the lid 7, and fig. 2 shows a fuel cell in which 3 depressions 12 are formed in each contact portion between the 2 nd electrode 5 and the lid 7.

The electrolyte member 3 has a fuel electrode (not shown) as an anode-side electrode and an air electrode (not shown) as a cathode-side electrode, which are integrally formed on both principal surfaces of an ion-conductive membrane (exchange membrane), for example. The 1 st electrode 4 is formed on one main surface, i.e., the lower main surface, of the electrolyte member 3. The 2 nd electrode 5 is formed on the other main surface, i.e., the upper main surface, of the electrolyte member 3. The current generated by the electrolyte member 3 may be led to the 1 st electrode and the 2 nd electrode and taken out to the outside.

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" (trade name, manufactured by dupont). The fuel electrode and the gas diffusion electrode in which the air electrode is in a porous state have both functions of the porous catalyst layer and the gas diffusion layer. These fuel electrode and air electrode are composed of a porous body of conductive fine particles, for example, carbon fine particles, in which a catalyst such as platinum, palladium, or an alloy thereof is supported by a polytetrafluoroethylene-based hydrophobic resin binder.

The 1 st electrode 4 on the lower main surface andthe 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 member 3, or the like.

The fuel cell container 2 is composed of a base 6 having a recess and a lid 7. The fuel cell container 2 has a function of mounting the electrolyte member 3 in the recess and hermetically sealing the same, and is made of alumina (Al)₂O₃) 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 includes, for example, SiO₂-B₂O₃SiO 2₂-B₂O₃-Al₂O₃SiO 2₂-B₂O₃-Al₂O₃an-MO system (M represents Ca, Sr, Mg, Ba or Zn), SiO₂-Al₂O₃-M¹O-M²O is (M)¹And M²The same or different represent Ca,Sr, Mg, Ba or Zn), SiO₂-B₂O₃-Al₂O₃-M¹O-M²O is (M)¹And M²Same as above), SiO₂-B₂O₃-M³ ₂O is(M³Represents Li, Na or K), SiO₂-B₂O₃-Al₂O₃-M³ ₂O is (M)³The same as above), Pb-based glass, Bi-based glass, and the like.

Further, as the filler component, for example, Al can be mentioned₂O₃、SiO₂、ZrO₂And a composite oxide of an alkaline earth metal oxide, TiO₂And an alkaline earth metal oxide, comprising Al₂O₃And SiO₂A composite oxide of at least one selected from (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, and the recess is hermetically sealed by attaching the lid 7 to the base 6 so as to cover the recess. Therefore, the lid 7 is attached to the base 6 by a method such as bonding with a metal bonding material such as solder or silver solder, bonding with a resin material such as epoxy resin, bonding a seal made of iron alloy or the like on the upper surface around the recess, and welding with seam welding, electron beam, laser, or the like. The lid 7 may be formed with a recess similar to the base 6.

In order to reduce the thickness of the base 6 and the lid 7 and to reduce the size of the fuel cell 1, the mechanical strength, i.e., the bending strength, is preferably 200Mpa or more.

The base body 6 and the lid body 7 are preferably formed of, for example, an alumina sintered body composed of a dense substance having a relative density of 90% or more. In this case, for example, a rare earth oxide powder and a sintering aid are 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 the raw material powder of the alumina sintered body and mixed to form a paste, and a ceramic 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 ceramic green sheet (hereinafter also referred to as a green sheet) having a predetermined thickness is produced by press molding, roll molding or the like. Then, through holes as the 1 st fluid channel 8 and the 2 nd fluid channel 9 and through holes for arranging the 1 st wiring conductor 10 and the 2 nd wiring conductor 11 are formed in the green sheet by a punching method by a die, a punching method by micro-punching, a punching method by laser irradiation, or the like.

The 1 st and 2

nd wiring conductors

10 and 11 are preferably formed of tungsten and/or molybdenum in order to prevent oxidation. In this case, for example, Al is added as an inorganic component in a proportion of 3 to 20 parts by mass to 100 parts by mass of tungsten and/or molybdenum powder₂O₃Nb is added in an amount of 0.5 to 5 parts by mass₂O₅A conductor paste was prepared. The conductor paste is filled in the through hole of the green sheet to form a via conductor (via conductor) as a through conductor.

In order to improve the adhesion between the conductive paste and the ceramics of the base 6 and the lid 7, for example, alumina powder or powder of the same composition as the ceramic components forming the base 6 and the lid 7 may be added to the conductive paste in a proportion of 0.05 to 2 vol%.

The 1 st wiring conductor 10 and the 2 nd wiring conductor 11 on the surface layer and the inner layer of the base 6 and the lid 7 are formed as follows. The through-holes are formed by printing and applying the same conductive paste onto a green sheet in a predetermined pattern by a method such as screen printing or gravure printing before, after, or simultaneously with the filling of the conductive paste into the through-holes to form via conductors (via conductors).

Then, after aligning and laminating a predetermined number of sheet-like molded bodies filled with the conductor paste by printing, the green sheet laminate is sintered at a sintering maximum temperature of 1200 to 1500 ℃ in a non-oxidizing atmosphere. Thus, the desired ceramic base 6 and lid 7, and the 1 st wiring conductor 10 and the 2 nd wiring conductor 11 are obtained.

The thickness of the base 6 and the lid 7 made of ceramic is preferably 0.2mm or more. If the thickness is less than 0.2mm, the strength tends to be reduced, and therefore, the base 6 and the cover 7 tend to be cracked by stress generated when the base 6 and the cover 7 are attached. On the other hand, if the thickness exceeds 5mm, it is difficult to reduce the thickness and size, and therefore, it is not suitable for a fuel cell to be mounted on a small portable device, and it tends to be difficult to quickly set an appropriate temperature corresponding to the electrochemical reaction conditions of the electrolyte member 3 because the heat capacity is increased.

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.

One end of the 1 st wiring conductor 10 is provided at a portion of the bottom surface of the recess of the base 6 facing the 1 st electrode 4 of the electrolyte member 3, and the other end is led out to the outside of the base 6. The 1 st wiring conductor 10 is preferably formed integrally with the base 6 as described above, and is preferably formed to protrude 10 μm or more from the bottom surface of the recess of the base 6 in order to facilitate contact between the 1 st wiring conductor 10 and the 1 st electrode 4. In order to obtain the protrusion height, when the conductor paste is print-applied to form the wiring conductor as described above, the printing conditions may be set so as to increase the thickness. Further, the 1 st wiring conductor 10 is preferably arranged in a plurality of pairs facing 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.

One end of the 2 nd wiring conductor 11 is provided at a portion facing the 2 nd electrode 5 of the electrolyte member 3 on the lower surface of the one surface of the lid 7, and the other end is led out to the outer surface 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 to protrude from the bottom surface of the lid 7 by 10 μm or more so that the 2 nd wiring conductor 11 can easily come into contact with the 2 nd electrode 5. In order to obtain the protrusion height, when the conductor paste is print-applied to form the wiring conductor as described above, the printing conditions may be set so as to increase the thickness. It is preferable that the 2 nd wiring conductor 11 is arranged in plurality facing the 2 nd electrode 5 to reduce the electric loss caused by the 2 nd wiring conductor 11, and the diameter of the penetrating portion of the 2 nd wiring conductor 11 in the lid 7 is 50 μm or more.

It is preferable that the exposed surfaces of the 1 st and 2

nd wiring conductors

10 and 11 be coated with a metal having good conductivity, corrosion resistance, and wettability with solder, which is made of nickel, by a plating method. This makes it possible to achieve good electrical connection between the 1 st wiring conductor 10 and the 2 nd wiring conductor 11, and between the external circuits.

The electrical connection between the 1 st wiring conductor 10 and the 1 st electrode 4, and theelectrical connection between the 2 nd wiring conductor 11 and the 2 nd electrode 5 can be performed by sandwiching the electrolyte member 3 between the base 6 and the cover 7, and by bringing the 1 st wiring conductor 10 and the 1 st electrode 4, and the 2 nd wiring conductor 11 and the 2 nd electrode 5 into pressure contact with each other, thereby electrically connecting them.

A1 st fluid channel 8 is formed from the bottom surface of the concave portion of the substrate 6 facing the 1 st electrode 4 to the outer surface of the substrate 6. A2 nd fluid channel 9 is formed from the lower surface of the cover 7 facing the 2 nd electrode 5 to the outer surface of the cover 7. The 1 st fluid channel 8 and the 2 nd fluid channel 9 are provided as a channel for supplying a fluid such as a fuel gas such as a hydrogen-rich reformed gas and an oxidant gas such as air to the electrolyte member 3 through holes or grooves formed in the substrate 6 and the lid 7, or as a channel for a fluid such as water produced by a reaction and discharged from the electrolyte member 3 after the reaction.

The through holes or grooves formed in the substrate 6 and the lid 7 as the 1 st fluid flow path 8 and the 2 nd fluid flow path 9 may be formed so that the diameter and the number of the through holes, or the width, the depth, and the arrangement of the grooves are determined in accordance with the specification of the fuel cell 1 to uniformly supply a fluid such as a fuel gas or an oxidizing 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 a constant interval with a pore diameter of 0.1mm or more in order to supply a fluid to the electrolyte member 3 at a uniform pressure.

By thus forming the 1 st fluid channel 8 so as to face the lower mainsurface of the 1 st electrode 4 on which the electrolyte member 3 is formed and the 2 nd fluid channel 9 so as to face the upper main surface on which the 2 nd electrode 5 is formed, fluid can be exchanged between the lower main surface of the electrolyte member 3 and the 1 st fluid channel 8 and between the upper main surface and the 2 nd fluid channel 9, and the fluid can be supplied or discharged through the respective channels. Further, for example, when a gas is supplied as a fluid, a decrease 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 eliminated, 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 is uniform, and as a result, the thermal stress generated in the electrolyte member 3 can be suppressed, so that the reliability of the fuel cell 1 can be improved.

In the present invention, the recess 12 is formed in at least one of the contact portion between the 1 st electrode 4 and the substrate 6 or the contact portion between the 2 nd electrode 5 and the lid 7. Therefore, the contact area between the 1 st electrode 4 and the 1 st wiring conductor 10 or the contact area between the 2 nd electrode 5 and the 2 nd wiring conductor 11 of the electrolyte member 3 increases. This has the effect of reducing the resistance of the 1 st or 2

nd wiring conductor

10 or 11 functioning as a conductive path for taking out the current generated in the electrolyte member 3 to the outside of the fuel cell container, thereby improving the power generation efficiency.

The depth of the pits 12 is preferably about 50 to 100 μm. Thus, the 1 st electrode 4 and the 2 nd electrode 5 are formed of carbon electrodes having a thickness of about 100 to 200 μm, and therefore the substrate 6 or the lid 7 can be effectively brought into contact with the surface of the 1 st electrode 4 or the 2 nd electrode 5.

Further, it is preferable that the pits 12 are uniformly arranged by making the shape of the 1 st electrode 4 or the 2 nd electrode 5 at the contact portion of the base 6 or the lid 7 in a grid shape, or making the shape of the concave portion or the convex portion of the 1 st electrode 4 or the 2 nd electrode 5 constituting the pit 12 uniformly arranged, and the load is prevented from being locally concentrated on the base 6 or the lid 7 and the base 6 or the lid 7 is prevented from being broken when the base 6 or the lid 7 is brought into contact with the 1 st electrode 4 or the 2 nd electrode 5.

Further, since the pressure loss increases if the pits 12 are exposed from the 1 st fluid channel 8 and the 2 nd fluid channel 9, it is preferable that the pits are formed only at the contact portion between the 1 st electrode 4 and the substrate 6 or the contact portion between the 2 nd electrode 5 and the cover 7 without exposing the 1 st fluid channel 8 and the 2 nd fluid channel 9.

In the present invention, it is preferable that at least one of the inner walls of the 1 st fluid channel 8 and the 2 nd fluid channel 9 is coated with a moisture-absorbing material. This makes it possible to absorb and remove the water vapor, water, and the like generated by the electrochemical reaction in the electrolyte member 3 by the moisture absorbent, and therefore, the clogging of the 1 st fluid channel 8 and the 2 nd fluid channel 9 constituting the air channels can be effectively prevented. 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 as an oxidizing gas can be efficiently supplied from the atmosphere through the 1 st fluid channel 8 and the 2 nd fluid channel 9. Therefore, the electrochemical reaction at the electrolyte member 3 can be promoted, and power generation can be efficientlyperformed.

As the moisture-absorbing material, silica gel, alumina, kaolin, activated carbon, paper, wood, etc. can be usedPowder etc. readily absorbs water (H)₂O), particularly inorganic powders such as silica gel, alumina, and kaolin, can be easily adjusted by adjusting the size of the powder by pulverization or the like to adjust the water (H)₂O) is preferable in that desired moisture absorption characteristics can be easily obtained.

In the case where the inner walls of the 1 st fluid channel 8 and the 2 nd fluid channel 9 are coated with the moisture-absorbing material, the moisture-absorbing material 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 air as the oxidizing gas flowing from the atmosphere through the 1 st fluid channel 8 and the 2 nd fluid channel 9. Further, since it is necessary to reduce the influence of pressure loss when supplying air as the oxidizing gas, the thickness of the moisture-absorbing material is preferably set so that the area thereof is 10% or less with respect to the opening area of the cross-sections of the 1 st fluid channel 8 and the 2 nd fluid channel 9.

Further, in order to promote evaporation of moisture from the moisture absorbent material by the flow of air, it is also preferable that the entire inner walls of the 1 st fluid channel 8 and the 2 nd fluid channel 9 are coated with the moisture absorbent material. Thus, the hair is to be sentWhen the container 2 and the fuel cell 1 for a clear fuel cell are used in a small-sized device such as a portable Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC), for example, operation for several tens of hours can be realized with 10ml of methanol, and water (H) at that time can be used₂O) was produced in a trace amount of 1ml relative to the consumption of 1g of methanol. Thus, the moisture absorbent material absorbs water (H)₂O) is an amount that can be sufficiently evaporated by blowing with a fan, and does not hinder continuous operation.

With the above configuration, a compact and robust fuel cell container 2 capable of accommodating the electrolyte member 3 as shown in fig. 1 can be obtained, and the fuel cell 1 of the present invention capable of efficient control can be obtained.

Further, by using the fuel cell 1 of the present invention as a power source for an electronic device, the compactness, the simplicity and the safety are excellent, and the uniform supply of the fluid and the efficient electrical connection can be realized, so that the electronic device can be made small-sized, low-sized, and stably operated for a long time, and can be made safe and convenient.

Examples of the device using the fuel cell 1 of the present invention as a power source include portable electronic devices such as toys including mobile phones, pdas (personal Digital assistants), Digital cameras, video cameras, and game machines, various home electric appliances such as notebook PCs (personal computers) and portable printers, facsimiles, televisions, communication devices, audio/video devices, and electric fans, and electronic devices such as electric tools.

In recent years, products having a function of displaying moving images using a liquid crystal display device or the like have been used in these electronic devices. Since such a power source for animation display consumes a very large amount of power, an electronic device using a conventional battery cannot operate in a short time, whereas an electronic device of the present invention is equipped with a fuel cell capable of supplying a power source for a very long time, and can operate for a long time even when animation display is performed.

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, supplying the demodulated signal to the control unit, modulating a signal supplied from the control unit, and transmitting the modulated signal from the antenna, a speaker for sounding based on a sounding signal from the control unit, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) for turning on, off, or blinking according to control of the control unit, a display unit for displaying information according to a signal from the control unit, a vibrator for vibrating according to a drive signal from the control unit, a transmitting/receiving unit for converting a user's voice into a voice signal and transmitting the voice signal to the control unit, and for converting the voice signal from the control unit into a voice and outputting the voice, and a power supply unit for supplying power to each unit, by incorporating the fuel cell of the present invention in its power supply section, the fuel cell can achieve uniform supply of the dye and efficient electrical connection because of its compactness, simplicity and safety, and thus can achieve power supply for a long time, so that it is possible to achieve a small size, a low size and a light weight of the mobile phone.

Further, considering that recent mobile phones are sufficiently small and low-sized, electronic components having functions other than a telephone function such as a camera or a video camera can be newly incorporated into a space created by reducing the size and the size of a fuel cell, and further multi-functionalization can be achieved.

Further, a shock absorbing material, a preventive member, or the like may be provided to protect the main circuit without newly incorporating an electronic component. In this case, a structure stronger than conventional structures can be obtained, such as impact resistance when impact is applied to the mobile phone body by dropping or the like, and water resistance when used in rain or the like.

Further, since the circuit portion inside the mobile phone main body can be reduced, the restriction on the external shape of the mobile phone main body can be reduced, and the mobile phone can be formed into an external shape having a good external appearance design such as a shape that can be easily held by the elderly and children.

In addition, in the case where the structure of the power supply unit is configured such that the fuel cell is detachable as described above, if a spare fuel cell is prepared, the spare fuel cell can be easily replaced or the fuel cell can be taken out and supplied with fuel or replaced when the power supply is consumed, and the like, and therefore, a telephone conversation can be continued, and convenience is improved as compared with a conventional mobile phone using a battery as a power supply.

Moreover, the replaced (used) fuel cell can be immediately reused by refueling, is convenient to use compared with charging, and can effectively utilize resources. Further, the present invention is advantageous in that it can be used in emergency situations such as long-term power failure due to natural disasters or the like, or outdoors.

In the case of a notebook PC (personal computer), the notebook PC has a basic configuration including a 1 st case housing a personal computer main body and a keyboard for inputting predetermined data to the personal computer main body, and a 2 nd case housing a display for displaying data input by the keyboard or data processed by the personal computer main body, the 2 nd case is attached to the 1 st case so as to be openable and closable, and the 1 st case constitutes a power supply unit for supplying power to each unit. The power supply unit incorporates a fuel cell. In this case, the fuel cell incorporated in the electronic device of the present invention is excellent in compactness, simplicity and safety, and can realize uniform supply of fuel and efficient electrical connection, thereby realizing power supply for a long time, as in the case of the above-mentioned cellular phone. Therefore, it is possible to construct a convenient notebook PC (personal computer) which can realize the miniaturization, low size, light weight, and multi-functionalization of the notebook PC body, can stably supply a large current for a long period of time in accordance with the upsizing and high definition of the display, makes the display easy to view, and has less burden in weight and volume when carried.

In addition, when the structure of the power supply unit is such that the fuel cell is removable, if the fuel cell of the present invention is ready for use, the power supply unit can supply power for a significantly longer time than before in a situation where the battery is used only 2 times, such as outdoors or in a moving body such as a passenger aircraft. In addition, the device has good safety even when used in public places, so that the device can be used without limitation and is very convenient.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the 1 st fluid flow channel and the 2 nd fluid flow channel may be provided with inlets that flow in from the side surfaces of the base or the lid body in order to reduce the thickness of the entire fuel cell. This is effective in realizing miniaturization particularly for portable electronic devices. Further, the 1 st and 2 nd wiring conductors may be provided so that the other ends led out to the outer surfaces of the base and the cover are led out to the same side surface. Thus, the wiring, the flow path, and the like can be arranged in a concentrated manner on one side surface of the fuel cell, and miniaturization and protection of the bonding portion to the outside can be easily achieved, and a highly reliable design and stable operation over a long period of time can be achieved.

Further, a plurality of electrolyte components may be accommodated in the recess of the base body and electrically connected by the 1 st and 2 nd wiring conductors, thereby obtaining a high-voltage or large-current output as a whole.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of a fuel cell container and a fuel cell using the container according to the present invention. In the fuel cell container 2 ', the electrolyte member 3 is accommodated in a recess of the base 6' having the recess. On the substrate 6 ', a 1 st fluid flow path 8' is formed. The 1 st fluid flow path 8' includes: an opening 13a having a plurality of groove-like openings of the same length and the same width, a connecting portion 14a connecting the plurality of openings, an introduction portion 15a formed from the connecting portion 14a to the outer surface of the substrate 6', and a discharge portion (not shown) are formed at equal intervals on the bottom surface of the recess so as to face the lower main surface of the electrolyte member 3. The 2 nd fluid channel 9 'is formed in the lid 7'. The 2 nd fluid flow path 9' includes: an opening 13b having a plurality of groove-like openings of the same length and the same width, a connecting portion 14b connecting the plurality of openings, an introduction portion 15b formed from the connecting portion 14b to the outer surface of the lid 7 ', and a discharge portion (not shown) are formed at equal intervals on the lower surface of the lid 7' so as to face the upper main surface of the electrolyte member 3. The 1 st electrode 4 and the 2 nd electrode 5 may be electrically connected to the 1 st wiring conductor 10 'and the 2 nd wiring conductor 11', respectively.

Accordingly, the fluid can be easily supplied to the plurality of groove-shaped openings 13a and 13b through the fluid introduction portions 15a and 15b and the connection portions 14a and 14b, and the plurality of groove-shaped openings in the openings 13a and 13b are formed at equal intervals with the same length and the same width, so that even when the inflow speed of the fluid is high, the distance from the introduction portions 15a and 15b to the discharge portion can be shortened, and the flow path resistance can be reduced. 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 removed when the air supplied as the oxidizing gas from the atmosphere enters and exits₂O)。

Since the 1 st wiring conductor 10 'and the 2 nd wiring conductor 11' 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 efficiently adjusted, the fuel cell container 2 'and the fuel cell 1' can be obtained in which the electricity electrochemically generated by the electrolyte member 3 can be taken out to the outside in a satisfactory manner.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing still another embodiment of a fuel cell container and a fuel cell using the container according to the present invention. In the fuel cell container 2 ", the electrolyte member 3 is housed in each recess of the base 6" having a plurality of recesses. On the base 6 ", a 3 rd wiring conductor 16 is provided between the end portions of the adjacent recesses. The 3 rd wiring conductor 16 may electrically connect the 1 st electrodes 4 of the plurality of electrolyte members 3 to each other, and electrically connect the 1 st wiring conductor 10 ″ and the 2 nd wiring conductor 11 ″ respectively, so as to take out the entire output from the electrolyte members 3 disposed at both ends. At this time, the plurality of electrolyte members 3 are connected in parallel.

Instead of this configuration, the 3 rd wiring conductor 16 may be electrically connected between the 1 st electrode 4 of one of the electrolyte members 3 and the 2 nd electrode 5 of the other electrolyte member 3, and the 1 st wiring conductor 10 ″ and the 2 nd wiring conductor 11 ″ may be electrically connected, respectively, so as to take out the entire output from the electrolyte members 3 disposed at both ends. At this time, the plurality of electrolyte members 3 are connected in series.

Thus, 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 efficiently adjusted, the fuel cell container 2 ″ and the fuel cell 1 ″ can be obtained in which the electricity electrochemically generated by the electrolyte member 3 can be taken out to the outside well.

Claims

1. A container (2, 2', 2 ") for a fuel cell, comprising:

a ceramic substrate (6, 6') having a recess for accommodating an electrolyte component (3) on one surface, wherein the electrolyte component (3) has a 1 st and a 2 nd electrode (4, 5) on one main surface and the other main surface, respectively,

a 1 st fluid channel (8, 8 ') formed from the bottom surface of the recess facing the one main surface of the electrolyte member (3) to the 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 facing the 1 st electrode (4) of the electrolyte member (3) and the other end led out to the outer surface of the base (6, 6'),

a lid body (7, 7 ') which is attached to one surface of the base body (6, 6') around the recess so as to cover the recess and hermetically seals the recess,

a 2 nd fluid flow path (9, 9 ') formed from one surface of the lid body (7, 7 ') facing the other main surface of the electrolyte member (3) to an outer surface of the lid body (7, 7 '), and

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

recesses (12, 12 ') are formed in at least one of the contact portion between the 1 st electrode (4) and the substrate (6, 6 ') and the contact portion between the 2 nd electrode (5) and the cover (7, 7 ').

2. The fuel cell container (2, 2 ', 2 ") according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the inner walls of the 1 st fluid channel (8, 8 ', 8") and the 2 nd fluid channel (9, 9 ', 9 ") is coated with a moisture-absorbing material.

3. The fuel cell container (2, 2 ', 2 ") according to claim 1, wherein the bending strength of the base (6, 6 ', 6") and the lid (7, 7 ', 7 ") is 200Mpa or more.

4. The fuel cell container (2, 2 ', 2 ") according to claim 1, wherein the base body (6, 6 ', 6") and the lid body (7, 7 ', 7 ") are formed of an alumina sintered body having a relative density of 90% or more.

5. The container (2, 2 ', 2 ") for a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the base body (6, 6 ', 6") and the lid body (7, 7 ', 7 ") is 0.2 to 5 mm.

6. The fuel cell container (2, 2 ', 2 ") according to claim 1, wherein the 1 st wiring conductor (10, 10 ', 10") is formed to protrude 10 μm or more from a bottom surface of the recess of the base (6, 6 ', 6 ").

7. The fuel cell container (2, 2 ', 2 ") according to claim 1, wherein the 2 nd wiring conductor (11, 11 ', 11") is formed to protrude 10 μm or more from one surface of the lid body (7, 7 ', 7 ").

8. A container (2, 2 ', 2 ") for a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the depth of the dimples (12, 12', 12") is 50 to 100 μm.

9. The fuel cell container (2, 2 ', 2 ") according to claim 1, wherein the dimples (12, 12', 12") are formed so as not to be exposed to the 1 st fluid channel (8, 8 ', 8 ") and the 2 nd fluid channel (9, 9', 9").

10. A fuel cell (1, 1') characterized in that,

comprising an electrolyte member (3) having first and second electrodes (4, 5) on the principal surfaces of one and the other, respectively, and a container (2, 2') for a fuel cell according to claim 1,

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

11. An electronic device, characterized in that a fuel cell (1, 1', 1 ") according to claim 10 is used as a power source.