JP2005108580A - Fuel cell loading device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To restrain exhaustion of carbon dioxide outside a device generated by chemical reaction of a fuel cell. <P>SOLUTION: Since carbon dioxide generated from power generation of a fuel cell 16 can be absorbed by a carbon dioxide absorbing part 45, exhaustion outside of the carbon dioxide due to the power generation by the fuel cell 16 can be restrained. Further, when the carbon dioxide absorbing part 45 reaches a state of absorbing carbon dioxide up to nearly a carbon dioxide absorption permissible volume, the state can be presented outside. Therefore, an information on replacement of the carbon dioxide absorbing part 45 can easily be presented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell mounting device, and more particularly to a fuel cell mounting device on which a fuel cell is mounted.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a fuel cell mounted device such as a personal computer or a digital camera that is mounted with a fuel cell and driven by the power of the fuel cell is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In a fuel cell mounted on such a device, one that generates electric power by a chemical reaction of supplied fuel and generates carbon dioxide as a by-product is known. The generated carbon dioxide is discharged outside the apparatus.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-186087 (page 2, FIG. 1)

  In recent years, active reduction of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere has been studied. For this reason, even in a fuel cell that generates carbon dioxide as a by-product when power is generated, there is a possibility that it is necessary to consider carbon dioxide emission reduction.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above facts, and an object of the present invention is to suppress discharge of carbon dioxide generated by a chemical reaction of a fuel cell to the outside of the apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, a fuel cell mounting device according to the present invention is provided on a generation side of a fuel cell that generates electric power in accordance with a chemical reaction of supplied fuel and a generation side of the fuel cell that generates carbon dioxide. An absorbing member that absorbs the carbon dioxide that has been absorbed to a predetermined allowable absorption amount, a measuring means that measures the amount of carbon dioxide generated by the fuel cell, and a carbon dioxide generation amount measured by the measuring means. Presenting means for presenting life information of the absorbing member indicating that carbon dioxide can be absorbed by the absorbing member when the total amount is less than the allowable absorption amount.

  The fuel cell mounting device of the present invention includes a fuel cell. A fuel cell generates electric power through a chemical reaction by continuously supplied fuel. The apparatus main body is driven by the generated electric power. When power is generated by a chemical reaction, carbon dioxide is generated as a by-product. That is, as the chemical reaction of the fuel cell proceeds, carbon dioxide is generated along with the generation of electric power. The generated carbon dioxide is absorbed by an absorption member provided on the carbon dioxide generation side of the fuel cell. The absorbing member has a reactivity of absorbing carbon dioxide by reacting with carbon dioxide, and absorbs and holds carbon dioxide. The absorption member can absorb carbon dioxide up to a predetermined allowable absorption amount in accordance with the installation conditions in the fuel cell, such as the composition and mounting amount of the absorption member. The measuring means measures the total amount of carbon dioxide generated by the chemical reaction of the fuel cell. Since carbon dioxide generated by the fuel cell is absorbed by the absorbing member, the measurement result by the measuring means indicates the total amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by the absorbing member. When the total amount of carbon dioxide generated measured by this measuring means is less than the absorption allowable amount of the absorbing member, the generated carbon dioxide is absorbed by the absorbing member, so that the presenting means can determine the lifetime of the absorbing member. Present information. This life information indicates that the absorbing member is in a state capable of absorbing carbon dioxide generated by power generation of the fuel cell.

  Thus, while providing the absorption member which absorbs the carbon dioxide which generate | occur | produces by the chemical reaction of a fuel cell, the lifetime information which shows that this absorption member is in the state which can absorb a carbon dioxide can be shown. For this reason, while suppressing the discharge | emission of the carbon dioxide by the chemical reaction of a fuel cell outside the apparatus, the information for suppressing the discharge | release to the apparatus main body of a carbon dioxide can be shown easily.

  The presenting means can present life information indicating replacement or discontinuation of use of the absorbing member when the total amount is equal to or greater than the allowable absorption amount.

  It is difficult for the absorbing member to absorb an amount of carbon dioxide that exceeds the carbon dioxide absorption tolerance of the absorbing member. That is, when the total amount of carbon dioxide generated by the fuel cell is greater than or equal to the allowable absorption amount, it is difficult for the absorbing member to absorb further carbon dioxide. Therefore, if the life information indicating replacement or discontinuation of the absorbing member is presented when the total amount of carbon dioxide generated by the fuel cell by the measuring means is greater than or equal to the allowable absorbing amount, the absorbing member is set to the allowable absorbing amount. It can be shown that the corresponding carbon dioxide has been absorbed, and that the absorbing member needs to be replaced. Therefore, information for suppressing the discharge of carbon dioxide into the apparatus main body can be easily presented.

  In the case where the total amount is equal to or larger than the allowable absorption amount, a prohibiting unit that prohibits driving of the fuel cell may be further provided.

  When the total amount of carbon dioxide generated by the fuel cell is greater than or equal to the allowable absorption amount, it is difficult for the absorbing member to absorb further carbon dioxide. If the power generation by the fuel cell is further continued in such an environment, the generated carbon dioxide may be discharged outside the apparatus. Therefore, when the total amount of carbon dioxide generated by the fuel cell is greater than or equal to the allowable absorption amount, the prohibiting unit prohibits the driving of the fuel cell. When the driving is prohibited, the fuel cell stops generating electric power and generating carbon dioxide. Thus, when the absorption of carbon dioxide by the absorbing member becomes difficult, driving of the fuel cell can be prohibited and generation of carbon dioxide can be stopped, so that emission of carbon dioxide to the outside is suppressed. be able to.

  The measuring unit includes a measuring unit that measures a power generation time of the fuel cell, and a storage unit that stores a carbon dioxide generation amount table that represents a correspondence between the power generation time and the carbon dioxide generation amount of the fuel cell. The carbon dioxide generation amount corresponding to the measurement time measured by the measuring means based on the carbon dioxide generation amount table is measured as a total amount of carbon dioxide generation amount of the fuel cell.

  Since power and carbon dioxide are generated according to the progress of the chemical reaction of the fuel cell, if the degree of progress of the chemical reaction, that is, the power generation time is measured, the amount of carbon dioxide generated according to the measured power generation time Is determined. The generated amount of carbon dioxide indicates the total amount of carbon dioxide generated between the start of power generation in the fuel cell and the measured power generation time. Therefore, the storage means stores a carbon dioxide generation amount table representing the power generation time and the carbon dioxide generation amount due to the chemical reaction of the fuel cell. When the power generation time due to the chemical reaction of the fuel cell is measured by the measurement unit, the measurement unit generates the carbon dioxide generation amount corresponding to the power generation time in the carbon dioxide generation amount table according to the measured power generation time. To figure out. Further, since this carbon dioxide generation amount corresponds to the total amount of carbon dioxide generated from the start of power generation by the fuel cell, the measuring means uses the grasped carbon dioxide generation amount to determine the amount of carbon dioxide generated by the chemical reaction of the fuel cell. Measure as the total amount generated. Thus, by measuring the power generation time of the fuel cell, the total amount of carbon dioxide generated by the chemical reaction of the fuel cell can be obtained, so the amount of carbon dioxide generated by the fuel cell can be easily determined. The total amount can be measured.

  The absorbing member may include a color changing member that changes color according to the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed.

  In the absorbing member, the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the absorbing member increases as the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed increases, and the PH value varies. Therefore, if the absorbing member includes a color-changing member that changes color according to the change in PH value, the absorption amount of carbon dioxide in the absorbing member can be provided so as to be visible.

  The presenting means includes color detection means for detecting the color of the color changing member, and the absorption means when the color detection means detects a predetermined color indicating absorption of carbon dioxide that is greater than or equal to the allowable absorption amount. Life information representing the replacement or discontinuation of the member can be further presented.

  The color changing member changes color according to the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed. The color of the color changing member is detected by the color detection means. The color change of the color changing member varies depending on the type of the color changing member, and shows a color change corresponding to the absorption amount of carbon dioxide specific to each type of color changing member. Therefore, for the absorbing member, the color of the color changing member when the absorbing member absorbs carbon dioxide in an amount corresponding to the allowable absorption amount is determined in advance. When the color of the color changing member detected by the color detecting means is the predetermined color, the absorbing member is in a state of absorbing carbon dioxide that is greater than or equal to the allowable absorption amount. For this reason, when the color changing member has the predetermined color by the color detecting unit, the presenting unit presents life information indicating replacement or discontinuation of use of the absorbing member. Therefore, it can be easily shown that the absorbing member is in a state of absorbing carbon dioxide exceeding the allowable absorption amount.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fuel cell mounting apparatus, comprising: a fuel cell that generates electric power according to a chemical reaction of fuel supplied by an instruction signal indicating an input power generation instruction; and a generation side that generates carbon dioxide of the fuel cell. An absorption member that absorbs the generated carbon dioxide to a predetermined allowable absorption amount, a measuring unit that measures the amount of carbon dioxide generated by the fuel cell, and the carbon dioxide measured by the measuring unit When the total amount of the generated amount is less than the allowable absorption amount, the presenting means for presenting life information of the absorbing member indicating that carbon dioxide can be absorbed by the absorbing member, and the measuring means are measured Control means for outputting the instruction signal to the fuel cell when the total amount of generated carbon dioxide is less than the allowable absorption amount.

  A fuel cell mounting device according to another invention includes a fuel cell, and generates electric power according to a chemical reaction caused by the supply of fuel. During power generation, a by-product containing carbon dioxide is generated by the chemical reaction of the fuel cell. The generated carbon dioxide is absorbed by the absorption member provided on the dioxide generation side of the fuel cell. In the absorbing member, an allowable absorption amount indicating a limit value capable of absorbing carbon dioxide is determined in advance, and carbon dioxide up to the allowable absorption amount can be absorbed. The measuring means measures the total amount of carbon dioxide generated by the fuel cell. The control means outputs an instruction signal indicating a power generation instruction to the fuel cell when the total amount of carbon dioxide generated by the measuring means is less than the allowable absorption amount of the absorbing member. That is, the control means outputs an instruction signal indicating a power generation instruction to the fuel cell when the absorbing member is in a state capable of absorbing carbon dioxide. When an instruction signal indicating a power generation instruction is input, the fuel cell is supplied with fuel and generates electric power and carbon dioxide according to a chemical reaction caused by the supply of fuel. The control means does not output an instruction signal indicating a power generation instruction when the total amount of carbon dioxide generated by the measuring means is equal to or greater than the allowable absorption amount of the absorbing member. That is, when the absorbing member is in a state in which it is difficult to further absorb carbon dioxide, the control means does not output a signal indicating a power generation instruction to the fuel cell, so that power generation by the fuel cell is not performed.

  In this way, when the total amount of carbon dioxide generated by the chemical reaction of the fuel cell is less than the allowable absorption amount of the absorbing member that absorbs carbon dioxide, power is generated by the fuel cell, and when it is equal to or greater than the allowable absorption amount Since power generation by the fuel cell can be stopped, discharge of carbon dioxide to the outside of the apparatus can be suppressed.

  A power source different from the fuel cell; and switching means for switching between power supply by the fuel cell and power supply by the power source, and the control means is configured to switch the power when the total amount is equal to or greater than the allowable absorption amount. The switching means can be switched to power supply by the power source.

  The fuel cell mounting device is supplied with power from the fuel cell or power from a power source different from the fuel cell. As a power source different from the fuel cell, there is a power source capable of supplying power to the apparatus main body, such as external power, a secondary battery, and a primary battery. The switching means switches between power supply to the apparatus main body by the fuel cell and power supply by the power source under the control of the control means. When the total amount of carbon dioxide generated by the fuel cell is less than the allowable absorption amount of the absorbing member, the control unit switches the switching unit so that power is supplied by the fuel cell. For this reason, the electric power by the fuel cell is supplied to the apparatus main body. On the other hand, if the total amount of carbon dioxide generated is equal to or greater than the allowable absorption amount of the absorbing member, the control means stops outputting the instruction signal indicating the power generation instruction to the fuel cell, The power supply is stopped. Therefore, the control means further switches the switching means so that power is supplied from the power source. For this reason, the electric power by an electric power source is supplied to an apparatus main body.

  As described above, when the total amount of carbon dioxide generated in the fuel cell becomes equal to or larger than the allowable absorption amount of the absorbing member, power generation by the fuel cell is stopped and power supply to the fuel cell is performed by power from a power source different from the fuel cell. Since it can switch to supply, electric power can be stably supplied to an apparatus main body.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fuel cell mounting device that is provided on a fuel cell that generates electric power according to a chemical reaction of supplied fuel, and that generates carbon dioxide of the fuel cell, and absorbs the generated carbon dioxide. A carbon dioxide absorbing member comprising an absorbing member, and a storage means for storing in advance the limit amount of carbon dioxide that can be absorbed by the absorbing member as lifetime information, and measuring the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by the absorbing member And measuring means for storing the measured absorption amount in the storage means, determination means for determining the lifetime of the absorption member based on the life information stored in the storage means and the total amount of the absorption amount, It has.

  A fuel cell mounting device according to another invention includes a carbon dioxide absorbing member. The carbon dioxide absorbing member includes an absorbing member that absorbs carbon dioxide generated by the fuel cell and a storage means. The storage means is for storing life information, and stores the allowable absorption amount of the absorbing member in advance as the life information. The allowable absorption amount indicates the limit amount of carbon dioxide that can be absorbed by the absorbing member. That is, it is difficult for the absorbing member to absorb carbon dioxide exceeding the allowable absorption amount. The amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by the absorbing member is measured by the surveying means. When the surveying means measures the absorption amount of carbon dioxide, the measurement result is stored in the storage means of the carbon dioxide absorption section. For this reason, since the carbon dioxide absorption amount of the absorption member is sequentially stored in the storage means, the carbon dioxide absorption amount in the absorption member is accumulated. The determination means compares the lifetime information stored in advance in the storage means with the total amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by the absorbing member stored in the storage means by accumulating the measurement results of the surveying means. Furthermore, when the total amount of the absorption amount is less than the lifetime information that is the allowable absorption amount of carbon dioxide of the absorption member, the determination means indicates that the absorption member is in a state where further absorption of carbon dioxide is possible. The lifetime to be shown is determined, and when the total amount of absorption is equal to or greater than the lifetime information, the lifetime indicating that further absorption of carbon dioxide by the absorbing member is difficult is determined.

  As described above, the carbon dioxide absorbing member provided with the absorbing member that absorbs carbon dioxide is provided with a storing means that stores in advance an allowable absorption amount indicating the limit amount of carbon dioxide that can be absorbed by the absorbing member, and the storing means. Since information indicating the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by the absorbing member can be stored in the storage member, information for discriminating presentation of life information indicating replacement or discontinuation of use of the carbon dioxide absorbing member can be easily provided. Can do.

  The surveying means can measure the power generated by the fuel cell or the power generation time of the fuel cell as the carbon dioxide absorption amount.

  A fuel cell generates electric power and carbon dioxide as a chemical reaction proceeds. For this reason, the total amount of carbon dioxide generated by the fuel cell is proportional to the power generation time of the fuel cell and the total amount of power generated by the fuel cell. Since the absorbing member absorbs carbon dioxide, the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by the absorbing member can be indicated by at least one of the power generation time of the fuel cell and the total amount of power generated by the fuel cell. Therefore, in the surveying means, if at least one of the power generated by the fuel cell and the power generation time of the fuel cell is measured as the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by the absorbing member, the carbon dioxide of the absorbing member can be easily measured. Information indicating the amount of absorption can be measured.

  As described above, according to the fuel cell mounting device of the present invention, the fuel cell mounting device includes an absorption member that absorbs carbon dioxide generated according to the chemical reaction of the fuel cell, and reduces the amount of carbon dioxide generated by the chemical reaction of the fuel cell. When the measured amount of carbon dioxide is less than the allowable absorption amount of the absorbing member, life information indicating that the absorbing member can absorb carbon dioxide can be presented. It has the effect that the discharge | emission to can be suppressed.

  An embodiment of a digital camera to which the fuel cell mounting device of the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a lens 26 is provided on the front side of the housing 11 of the digital camera 10. Further, on the upper surface of the housing 11, there are provided a shutter button 54 that is pressed when shooting and a power switch 74 for supplying or stopping power supply to the digital camera 10. In addition, a housing portion 14 for loading the fuel cell 16 and the fuel tank 12 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 11. The fuel cell 16 is for charging a secondary battery, which will be described in detail later, for supplying power to the digital camera 10. The fuel tank 12 is for supplying fuel to the fuel cell 16. On the side surface of the housing 11, a slot 76 into which a recording medium 44 such as a smart media or an IC card can be loaded, and a DC input terminal 80 are provided. The DC input terminal 80 is for attaching one end of a cable (not shown) and for inputting external power input from the other end via the cable. A mounting portion 17 for mounting the fuel cell 16 is provided inside the housing 11 of the digital camera 10. The mounting unit 17 is provided with a mounting detection unit 17C for detecting the mounting of the fuel cell 16, a power supply unit 17A (details will be described later), and a data input / output unit 17B (details will be described later).

  As shown in FIG. 2, a finder 56, a charging mode selection switch 61, a shooting mode selection dial 62, a cross key 64, a menu / OK switch 70, an LCD 46 which is a liquid crystal display device, and a speaker 72 are disposed on the back of the digital camera 10. Etc. are provided. The shutter button 54, the power switch 74, the charging mode selection switch 61, the shooting mode selection dial 62, the cross key 64, and the menu / OK switch 70 function as the switch 52. The viewfinder 56 is used for visually confirming the photographing range and the like. The shooting mode selection dial 62 selects a processing desired by the user from a shooting mode for obtaining image data of a shot image by shooting with the digital camera 10 and a playback mode for displaying the shot image obtained by shooting on the LCD 46. It is for operation sometimes. The menu / OK switch 70 is used when the user displays various menu items on the LCD 46 or when instructing the start of execution of each item. Further, an oxygen supply port 97 </ b> A for supplying oxygen from the outside to the fuel cell 16 is provided on the side surface of the housing 11.

  The cross key 64 is used when the user selects an arbitrary menu item from various menus displayed on the LCD 46. The speaker 72 is for outputting sound. The charging mode selection switch 61 is for selecting a charging mode. When the charging mode is selected, power generation by the fuel cell 16 is performed, and a secondary battery described later is charged. It should be noted that power generation by the fuel cell 16 is executed even during the charging mode, which will be described later.

Next, the outline of the fuel tank 12 (see FIG. 1) will be described. The fuel tank 12 is mainly for supplying fuel to the fuel cell 16. The fuel tank 12 stores a methanol aqueous solution (CH ₃ OH + H ₂ O) (hereinafter referred to as fuel). The fuel tank 12 has a two-tank structure including a fuel storage unit 12A for storing fuel and a water recovery unit 12B for recovering water generated by the fuel cell 16. A fuel supply port 18 and a water recovery port 22 are provided at the bottom of the fuel tank 12. A fuel cell 16 can be loaded at the bottom of the fuel tank 12. When the fuel tank 12 is loaded in the fuel cell 16, the fuel tank 12 can supply fuel to the fuel cell 16 via the fuel supply port 18 and can recover water from the fuel cell 16 via the water recovery port 22. . Further, the tooth surface of the gear 84 protrudes from the side surface of the casing 25 of the fuel tank 12. A driving force is applied to the gear 84 from a zoom motor (to be described later) in the digital camera 10 via a tooth surface, and the fuel supply means (not shown) stored in the fuel storage section 12A is driven to drive the gear 84 in the fuel storage section 12A. The fuel is supplied to the fuel cell 16 through the fuel supply port 18.

The fuel cell 16 generates electric power and generates water (H ₂ O) and carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) as by-products by power generation by a chemical reaction between fuel (methanol aqueous solution) and oxygen (O ₂ ). . In the present embodiment, a case where a direct methanol fuel cell, which will be described later in detail using methanol as a fuel, is used as the fuel cell 16 will be described. However, electric power is generated by a chemical reaction and carbon dioxide is used as a by-product. Any fuel cell may be used as long as it is generated, and the present invention is not limited to such a form.

The fuel cell 16 includes a supply port 13, a drain port 24, a heater 15, a power supply unit 21, a data input / output unit 30, and a carbon dioxide absorption unit 45 (details will be described later). The supply port 13 is provided in the fuel supply port 18 of the fuel tank 12, and the drain port 24 is provided in the water recovery port 22 of the fuel tank 12. The fuel tank 12 and the fuel cell 16 are connected in a watertight state by fitting the fuel supply port 18 to the liquid supply port 20 and the water recovery port 22 to the drain port 24. Although not shown, the fuel supply port 18 and the water recovery port 22 are provided with safety valves. The safety valve includes a fuel supply port 18 and a liquid supply port 20, and a water recovery port 22 and a drain port 24. Opened when connected. The drain port 24 is for discharging by-product water (H ₂ O) generated by the power generation of the fuel cell 16 to the fuel tank 12. The supply port 13 is a supply path for supplying fuel from the fuel tank 12.

  The power supply unit 21 supplies power generated by the fuel cell 16 to the digital camera 10. When the fuel tank 12 and the fuel cell 16 are loaded into the accommodating portion 14, the power supply unit 21 of the fuel cell 16 is connected to the power supply unit 17A of the mounting unit 17, and the power supply unit 21 and the power supply unit 17A. The electric power from the fuel cell 16 is supplied to the digital camera 10 via.

  The heater 15 is provided facing the fuel cell 16. The heater 15 is activated when the digital camera 10 is used in a low temperature environment. Here, the fuel cell 16 normally cannot cause a chemical reaction in a low-temperature environment such as below freezing point. However, the fuel cell 16 is heated by the heater 15 to cause a chemical reaction to generate electric power.

  Here, in the fuel cell, carbon dioxide is generated by power generation. The amount of carbon dioxide generated is about 5.1 cc / min. In a fuel cell mounted on a 20 W personal computer, approximately 101 cc / min. The measurement results of carbon dioxide emissions are known. These values are small compared to the carbon dioxide emission (200 cc / min.) In adult males. However, considering the future spread of equipment equipped with fuel cells and social movements to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, carbon dioxide generated by fuel cell power generation can be efficiently recovered, It is desirable to suppress emissions into the atmosphere.

Therefore, the fuel cell 16 mounted on the digital camera 10 of the present embodiment is provided with a carbon dioxide absorption unit 45. The carbon dioxide absorption part 45 is configured to be detachable from the fuel cell 16 via the attachment part 77. The carbon dioxide absorption unit 45 is for absorbing carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) as a byproduct generated by the power generation of the fuel cell 16 and includes the memory unit 19. An example of the carbon dioxide absorber 45 includes a ceramic material containing lithium oxide and having reactivity to absorb carbon dioxide. In the present embodiment, the case where lithium orthosilicate (Li ₄ SiO ₄ ), which is a lithium composite oxide having high reactivity that absorbs carbon dioxide at room temperature, is used as the carbon dioxide absorbing portion 45 will be described. Any material having the property of absorbing carbon dioxide may be used, and the material is not limited to such a material. In lithium orthosilicate, an absorption reaction that absorbs carbon dioxide proceeds from room temperature to about 700 ° C. by a reversible reaction, and a release reaction that releases carbon dioxide and returns to lithium orthosilicate proceeds at a high temperature.

  Although the boundary temperature between the absorption reaction and the release reaction is different, lithium composite oxides having similar reactivity are also known, and these materials can be used as the carbon dioxide absorption part 45.

  By adopting the material as described above as the carbon dioxide absorbing part 45, it becomes possible to release the carbon dioxide after the carbon dioxide absorbing part 45 is recovered and reuse it. Further, heat generated in the carbon dioxide absorption reaction can be used as a heat source for the heater 15.

  The memory unit 19 provides details for obtaining the accumulated power generation time of the fuel cell 16 after the carbon dioxide absorption unit 45 is attached to the fuel cell 16 and the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by the carbon dioxide absorption unit 45. This is for storing a carbon dioxide emission amount table, which will be described later, an allowable absorption amount that can be absorbed by the carbon dioxide absorption unit 45, and the like. An example of the memory unit 19 is an IC chip or the like. When the fuel tank 12 and the fuel cell 16 are loaded into the storage unit 14, the data input / output unit 30 of the carbon dioxide absorption unit 45 mounted on the fuel cell 16 is connected to the data input / output unit 17 </ b> B of the mounting unit 17. . Various data stored in the memory unit 19 can be read and written to the digital camera 10 via the data input / output unit 17B and the data input / output unit 30.

  The accumulated power generation time of the fuel cell 16 stored in the memory unit 19 may be cleared when the carbon dioxide absorption unit 45 is removed from the fuel cell 16. For example, the discharge of carbon dioxide by the fuel cell 16 that is greater than or equal to the carbon dioxide absorption allowance is measured, and the carbon dioxide absorber 45 is removed from the fuel cell 16. Further, the removed carbon dioxide absorption part 45 is processed by, for example, a dedicated device for performing a carbon dioxide release reaction, thereby recovering carbon dioxide by the fuel cell 16 and at the time of this recovery, the memory 19 The accumulated power generation time stored in the unit may be cleared or reset. In this way, when the carbon dioxide absorption unit 45 is reused next time, the accumulated power generation time is reset, and the memory unit 19 in which the carbon dioxide discharge power table and the carbon dioxide absorption allowable amount are stored is provided. The carbon dioxide absorber 45 can be attached to the fuel cell 16.

  The carbon dioxide emission amount table shows the correspondence between the power generation time of the fuel cell 16 and the carbon dioxide emission amount according to the power generation time of the fuel cell 16, and the amount of carbon dioxide discharged by the power generation of the fuel cell 16 is shown. It is for measuring. In this carbon dioxide emission amount table, it is assumed that the power generation time of the fuel cell 16 and the carbon dioxide emission amount corresponding to the power generation time are evaluated in advance for the fuel cell 16.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the casing 98 of the fuel cell 16 is divided into a fuel chamber 98 </ b> A and an air chamber 98 </ b> B by battery cells 99. The fuel chamber 98A and the air chamber 98B are sealed by a pedestal 95 on which the fuel tank 12 is placed. The pedestal 95 is provided with a liquid supply port 20 facing the fuel chamber 98A and a drain port 24 facing the air chamber 98B, and supplies fuel from the fuel reservoir 12A of the fuel tank 12 to the fuel chamber 16A. The water can be recovered from the air chamber 98B to the water recovery unit 12B.

  The battery cell 99 includes a fuel electrode 99A constituting the wall surface of the fuel chamber 98A, an air electrode 99B constituting the wall surface of the air chamber 98B, and a proton conducting membrane 99C sandwiched between the fuel electrode 99A and the air electrode 99B. . Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, a structure in which a catalyst layer 99E and carbon paper 99F, and a catalyst layer 99G and carbon paper 99H are laminated on the air electrode 99B and fuel electrode 99A side of the proton conducting membrane 99C, respectively. It has become. As the catalyst layer 99E and the catalyst layer 99G, platinum or the like is used. During the chemical reaction of the fuel cell 16, the reaction proceeds by adsorbing hydrogen molecules, oxygen molecules, and generated water molecules to the catalyst layer 99E and the catalyst layer 99G.

  When methanol is supplied from the fuel tank 12 to the fuel chamber 98A, as shown in the chemical reaction formula (1), carbon dioxide, hydrogen ions, and electrons are generated by the chemical reaction of the aqueous methanol solution.

CH ₃ OH + H ₂ O → CO ₂ + 6H ⁺ + 6e ⁻ (1)
Carbon dioxide is released from the fuel chamber 98A by the gas-liquid separation filter 97 provided on the wall surface of the fuel chamber 98A. The carbon dioxide released from the fuel chamber 98A is released through the carbon dioxide discharge port 97B and is absorbed by the carbon dioxide absorber 45 attached to the fuel cell 16. The fuel chamber 98A may be provided with a substance that can contain a liquid, such as absorbent cotton, in order to prevent the fuel from flowing.

Hydrogen ions permeate through the proton conducting membrane 99C together with water molecules in the proton conducting membrane 99C and move to the air electrode 99B. The hydrogen ions H ⁺ that have moved to the air electrode 99B react with oxygen flowing through the gas-liquid separation filter 97 provided on the wall surface of the air chamber 98B and flowing into the air chamber 98B, thereby generating water. Note that the oxygen flowing into the air chamber 98B flows from the outside through the oxygen supply port 97A. As a result, electrons flow from the fuel chamber 98A to the air chamber 98B via an external circuit (not shown), and DC power is generated. The generated water passes through the drain port 24 and the water recovery port 22 and is recovered by the water recovery unit 12B. The generated power is supplied to the digital camera 10 device body via an external circuit (not shown) and the power supply unit 21.

  In the present embodiment, the carbon dioxide generated by the power generation of the fuel cell 16 will be described as being almost entirely absorbed by the carbon dioxide absorber 45 without flowing out. For this reason, measuring the amount of carbon dioxide generated by the power generation of the fuel cell 16 can be treated as substantially equivalent to measuring the carbon dioxide absorption amount of the carbon dioxide absorption part 45.

  Next, the structure of the fuel tank 12 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the casing 25 of the fuel tank 12 is partitioned by a partition plate 25 </ b> A to form a two-tank structure of a fuel storage part 12 </ b> A and a water recovery part 12 </ b> B. The fuel storage unit 12A and the water recovery unit 12B are sealed with a cap 27. The cap 27 is provided with a fuel supply port 18 facing the fuel storage portion 12A, and a water recovery port 22 facing the water recovery portion 12B.

  A bag body (not shown) for collecting water is accommodated in the water recovery portion 12B, and the mouth portion is attached to the water recovery port 22. The fuel storage portion 12 </ b> A stores a bag body for storing fuel, and a mouth portion is attached to the fuel supply port 18. The bag body is made of an alcohol-resistant material such as Teflon (R) rubber, and can be stretched. However, the bag body may be a flexible remaining amount that can be crushed by the fuel supply means 82 described below and can be restored from the crushed state, even if it is not a stretchable material.

  A fuel supply means 82 is accommodated in the fuel storage portion 12A. The fuel supply means 82 includes a movable portion 90 that slides within the fuel storage portion 12 </ b> A serving as a cylinder, and a drive transmission portion 92 that transmits a driving force to the movable portion 90. The drive transmission unit 92 includes a gear 84 that is rotatably provided at one end of the movable unit 90 in the sliding direction, and a screw portion 94 that extends from the center of the gear 84 in the sliding direction. As described above, a part of the tooth surface of the gear 84 protrudes from the hole 25 </ b> B on the side surface of the casing 25.

  The movable portion 90 includes a drive plate 96 in which a screw hole 96A into which the screw portion 94 is screwed, a pressure plate 81 that contacts and pressurizes the bag body, and a shaft portion 93 that connects the drive plate 96 and the pressure plate 81. It consists of Guide ribs 25D and 25E extending in the sliding direction are formed on the partition plate 25A of the casing 25 and the inner wall 25C of the casing 25 facing the partition plate 25A. The drive plate 96 and the pressure plate 81 are each formed with a groove (not shown) and are fitted to the guide ribs 25D and 25E, respectively.

  For this reason, when the gear 84 is rotated, the screw portion 94 is rotated together with the rotation of the screw portion 94, and the movable portion 90 slides in the fuel storage portion 12A. As a result, regardless of the direction of the fuel tank 12, the fuel in the bag body is pressurized, pushed out of the bag body, and supplied to the fuel cell 16.

  A rack 25F is formed on the side surface of the casing 98 of the fuel cell 16 on the air chamber 98B side. A motor 53 that meshes the motor gear 53A with the rack 25F is provided in the accommodating portion 14. When the take-off switch 23 is operated when it is desired to take out the fuel tank 12 and the fuel cell 16 from the accommodating portion 14, the motor 53 is driven by an opening / closing mechanism (not shown) of the lid 47. As a result, the fuel tank 12 and the fuel cell 16 are discharged from the accommodating portion 14 so as to be removable.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the digital camera 10 of the present embodiment.

  The digital camera 10 includes a lens 26, a shutter 28, and a CCD 30. A subject image formed on the CCD 30 via the lens 26 and the shutter 28 is converted into an analog image signal by the CCD 30.

  The digital camera 10 also includes an analog signal processing unit 34, an A / D conversion unit 36, a digital signal processing unit 38, a memory 40, a compression / decompression unit 42, a recording medium 44, an LCD 46, a drive circuit 48, and a control unit 50. Is provided. These analog signal processing unit 34, A / D conversion unit 36, digital signal processing unit 38, memory 40, compression / decompression unit 42, recording medium 44, LCD 46, drive circuit 48, and control unit 50 are connected to bus 41, respectively. It is connected and is configured to be able to exchange data and commands.

  The control unit 50 includes a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and controls various devices of the digital camera 10. The drive circuit 48 is for generating a timing signal for driving the CCD 30. The drive circuit 48 includes a zoom motor 31 for changing the photographing magnification included in the lens 26, a focus motor 33 for focusing the subject image on the surface of the CCD 30, a shutter motor 32 for driving the shutter 28, An aperture motor 37 for driving the aperture 29 and a drive circuit for driving the zoom motor 31 are included. The zoom motor 31 is connected to the gear 84. Therefore, when the zoom motor 31 is driven by the control of the control unit 50, the driving force of the zoom motor 31 is transmitted to the fuel supply means 82 via the gear 84, and the fuel is supplied to the fuel cell 16. It has become. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the driving of the gear 84 by the driving of the zoom motor 31 is interlocked, and the rotation speed of the gear 84 and the rotation speed of the zoom motor 31 are the same.

  The analog image signal indicating the subject image output from the CCD 30 is processed by the analog signal processing unit 34, converted to a digital image signal by the A / D conversion unit 36, and then temporarily stored in the memory 40 as image data. Remembered.

  The recording medium 44 is connected to the bus 41 by being loaded into the slot 76, and can exchange data. The compression / decompression unit 42 is for compressing / decompressing image data. The image data stored in the memory 40 is compressed by the compression / decompression unit 42 using a predetermined compression method such as JPEG, and then recorded on the recording medium 44. The image data stored in the memory 40 is displayed on the LCD 46.

  In addition, a speaker 72 and a switch 52 for outputting sound are connected to the bus 41 so as to be able to exchange data and commands. When the shutter button 54 included in the switch 52 is pressed by the user, shooting is performed in the digital camera 10, and image data of the shot image is recorded on the recording medium 44.

  Further, the secondary battery 51, the switch 29, the charging circuit 35, the humidity detection unit 77, the power supply unit 17A, the data input / output unit 17B, and the mounting detection unit 17C are connected to the bus 41. The secondary battery 51 is for supplying electric power to each part of the apparatus constituting the digital camera 10. A charging circuit 35 for charging the secondary battery 51 is connected to the secondary battery 51. The charging circuit 35 can be connected to the power supply unit 17A for supplying power of the fuel cell 16 or the DC input terminal 80 for supplying external power via a switch 29 via a DC / AC converter (not shown). It has become. The switch 29 is for switching the connection state so that either the charging circuit 35 and the power supply unit 17A or the charging circuit 35 and the DC input terminal 80 are connected under the control of the control unit 50. . Therefore, depending on the connection state of the switch 29, the secondary battery 51 is charged with power from the external power source or power from the fuel cell 16. The secondary battery 51 includes a power detection unit (not shown). When it is detected that the power of the secondary battery 51 is less than a predetermined amount, a signal indicating that the secondary battery 51 is insufficient in power. Is output.

  The digital camera 10 further includes a drive detection unit 55, a parameter storage unit 57, a memory 59, and a timer 78. The drive detection unit 55 is for independently detecting the drive of each of the drive units such as the zoom motor 31 and the focus motor 33 or the display time of the image monitor 46.

  In the parameter storage unit 57, data indicating the amount of fuel that can be used to generate electric power consumed by driving the zoom motor 31, the focus motor 33, or a strobe (not shown) once, and displaying the LCD 46 for a predetermined time. Is stored in the parameter table. In the digital camera 10, when display of the focus motor 33, the shutter motor 32, the aperture motor 37, and the LCD 46 is performed by photographing processing or the like, and the drive detection unit 55 detects driving of each part of the digital camera, the memory 59 These drive amounts are stored in the memory. Further, the control unit 50 calculates the amount of fuel to be supplied to the fuel cell 16 according to the parameter table of the parameter storage unit 57 according to the driving amount of the gear 84, that is, the driving amount of the zoom motor 31. When the calculated amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the control unit 50 drives the zoom motor 31 to operate the fuel supply unit 82. At this time, the control unit 50 replenishes the power consumed by the digital camera 10, that is, the amount of fuel corresponding to the fuel consumed by the fuel cell 16 by adjusting the rotation speed of the zoom motor 31.

  Similarly, when a charging mode for charging the secondary battery 51 is selected by an operation instruction of the shooting mode selection dial 62 by the user, a charging process for charging the power of the fuel cell 16 to the secondary battery 51 is executed. The Specifically, the charging process is executed when the charged state of the secondary battery 51 is detected and not fully charged. Here, the amount of charge of the secondary battery 51 is detected by a known detection method such as detecting the fluctuation state of the drive voltage of the secondary battery 51. The control unit 50 calculates the amount of fuel required for power generation of the fuel cell 16 corresponding to the amount of charge necessary for bringing the secondary battery 51 into a fully charged state. Then, according to the calculated amount of fuel, the control unit 50 adjusts the rotation speed of the zoom motor 31 to replenish the amount of fuel corresponding to the amount that makes the secondary battery 51 fully charged.

  As described above, in the digital camera 10 of the present embodiment, the electric power used in the digital camera 10, that is, the fuel corresponding to the amount consumed in the fuel cell 16 is supplied from the fuel tank 12 to the fuel cell 16. It is like that.

  The digital camera 10 corresponds to the fuel cell mounting device of the present invention, and the carbon dioxide absorber 45 corresponds to the absorbing member of the fuel cell mounting device of the present invention. The memory unit 19 corresponds to storage means and storage means of the present invention, the sensor 17D corresponds to color detection means, and the color changing member 45A corresponds to a color changing member.

  Next, the life prediction process of the fuel cell 16 in the digital camera 10 of the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 6 shows a flowchart showing the life prediction process of the fuel cell 16 loaded in the digital camera 10 of the present embodiment.

  In the control unit 50, the processing routine shown in FIG. In step 100, it is determined whether or not the fuel cell 16 is attached, and the negative determination is repeated until the determination is affirmative. The determination in step 100 can be made by determining a signal input indicating detection of mounting of the fuel cell 16 to the digital camera 10 by the mounting detector 17C.

  Next, in step 102, it is determined whether or not the memory unit 19 is provided in the carbon dioxide absorption unit 45 of the attached fuel cell 16. The determination in step 102 is performed by executing the data reading process of the memory unit 19 through the data input / output unit 17B and determining whether the normal data reading process to the memory unit 19 has been performed. Can do. As a result of the determination in step 102, the carbon dioxide absorbing portion 45 that absorbs carbon dioxide generated by the power generation of the fuel cell and that can predict the replacement time is attached to the accommodating portion 14 in accordance with the digital camera 10 of the present invention. It can be determined whether or not the fuel cell 16 is loaded.

  When the result in step 102 is negative, the process proceeds to step 104, and a message indicating that the incompatible fuel cell 16 has been loaded into the housing unit 14 is displayed on the digital camera 10 on the LCD 46, and then this routine is terminated.

  If the determination in step 102 is affirmative, the routine proceeds to step 106 where the accumulated power generation time of the fuel cell 16 stored in the memory unit 19 of the fuel cell 16, the carbon dioxide emission amount table, and the carbon dioxide absorption unit 45 can be absorbed. Read the carbon dioxide absorption tolerance of carbon dioxide. The accumulated power generation time, the carbon dioxide emission amount table, and the carbon dioxide absorption allowable amount read in step 106 are stored in the memory 40 in the next step 108.

  Next, in step 110, the negative determination is repeated until the power generation of the fuel cell 16 is started. The determination at step 110 is a signal indicating the charging mode based on the determination of signal input indicating the power shortage of the secondary battery 51 by the power detection unit (not shown) of the secondary battery 51 or the operation instruction by the user of the shooting mode selection dial 62. This is possible by determining the input. When the control unit 50 determines the signal input indicating the power shortage of the secondary battery 51 or the signal input indicating the charging mode, the control unit 50 applies the driving force to the gear 84 of the fuel cell 16 via the zoom motor 31 via the tooth surface. Give. As a result, the fuel supply means 82 housed in the fuel storage portion 12A of the fuel cell 16 is driven, and the fuel in the fuel storage portion 12A is supplied to the fuel cell 16 via the fuel supply port 18. As described above, power generation by the fuel cell 16 is started by a chemical reaction caused by supplying the fuel to the fuel cell 16.

  Next, in step 112, the negative determination is repeated until a predetermined time elapses. The determination of step 112 is for the purpose of measuring the timing for measuring the predicted amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the power generation of the fuel cell 16, and the predetermined time includes a time indicating the interval for performing the measurement. Is predetermined. For example, as the predetermined time, a time such as 5 minutes or 10 minutes is set in advance. These time measurements are performed by the timer 78. Therefore, the determination in step 112 can be made by determining the input of a signal indicating a predetermined time by the timer 78. This time measurement may use a timer built in the CPU, not shown in the control unit 50.

  Next, in step 114, an accumulated power generation time update process is executed. In the process of step 114, the time data measured by the timer 78 in step 112 is added to the accumulated power generation time stored in the memory 40 in step 108, so that the carbon dioxide absorber 45 is attached to the fuel cell 16. The accumulated power generation time of the fuel cell 16 after that is updated.

  Next, in step 116, a process for grasping the predicted amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the power generation of the fuel cell 16 is executed. The process of step 116 is to read the carbon dioxide emission amount corresponding to the accumulated power generation time updated in step 114 from the carbon dioxide emission amount table stored in the memory unit 19. By the processing in step 116, the predicted amount of carbon dioxide emission from the fuel cell 16 is grasped. Therefore, the predicted amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by the carbon dioxide absorber 45 is grasped.

  Next, in step 118, it is determined whether or not the predicted amount of carbon dioxide that is predicted to be absorbed by the carbon dioxide absorber 45 grasped in step 116 is equal to or greater than the allowable absorption amount of the carbon dioxide absorber 45. . Based on the determination in step 118, it is possible to determine whether or not carbon dioxide generated by the chemical reaction of the fuel cell 16 is in a state in which the carbon dioxide absorber 45 can sufficiently absorb the carbon dioxide.

  If the result in Step 118 is negative and the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the fuel cell 16 is less than the allowable amount absorbed by the carbon dioxide absorber 45, the process proceeds to Step 126. In step 126, it is determined whether or not the power generation of the fuel cell 16 has been completed. The determination in step 126 can be made by determining data indicating the end of power generation of the fuel cell 16 stored in the memory 40. The data indicating the end of power generation of the fuel cell 16 is, for example, power that is not shown in the secondary battery 51 when power is supplied from the fuel cell 16 via the power supply unit 17A and the charging of the secondary battery 51 is completed. A signal indicating full charge of the secondary battery 51 is output from the detection unit. When the signal input indicating the full charge from the power detection unit is determined, the control unit 50 stops driving by the zoom motor 31. As a result, the fuel supply to the fuel cell 16 is stopped, and the power generation of the fuel cell 16 is stopped. When the drive by the zoom motor 31 is stopped, data indicating the end of power generation of the fuel cell 16 may be stored in the memory 40.

  If the result in Step 126 is negative, the process returns to Step 112. If the result is positive, the process proceeds to Step 128. In step 128, it is determined whether or not a power-off instruction has been issued. The determination in step 128 can be made by determining the instruction input state by the power switch 74. For example, when an instruction input by the power switch 74 is made and an instruction input indicating power-off is made, data indicating power-off is stored in the memory 40. By reading data indicating power off stored in the memory 40, it is possible to determine input of data indicating power off by the power switch 74. If the result in step 128 is negative, the data indicating the start of power generation of the fuel cell 16 stored in the memory 40 is cleared, and then the process returns to step 110. If the result is positive, the process proceeds to step 130.

  In step 130, the cumulative power generation time of the fuel cell 16 stored in the memory 40 is recorded in the memory unit 19 of the carbon dioxide absorption unit 45, thereby updating the data indicating the cumulative power generation time in the memory unit 19. Next, in step 132, the accumulated power generation time, the carbon dioxide emission amount table, and the data indicating the power generation start of the fuel cell 16 stored in the memory 40 are cleared, and then this routine ends.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step 118 is affirmative and the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the fuel cell 16 is greater than or equal to the allowable absorption amount of the carbon dioxide absorber 45, the process proceeds to step 120. In step 120, a power generation stop process for stopping the power generation of the fuel cell 16 is executed. The process of step 120 is to stop driving by the zoom motor 31. As a result, the fuel supply to the fuel cell 16 is stopped, and the power generation of the fuel cell 16 is stopped. Further, after the driving by the zoom motor 31 is further stopped, the data indicating the end of power generation of the fuel cell 16 may be stored in the memory 40 and the data indicating the start of power generation may be cleared.

  Next, at step 122, a warning is displayed on the LCD 46 indicating that further carbon dioxide absorption is not possible in the carbon dioxide absorber 45 attached to the fuel cell 16. Note that the warning display process in step 122 is not limited to display on the LCD 46. For example, a sound indicating that the carbon dioxide absorption part 45 cannot absorb carbon dioxide may be output to the outside via the speaker 72.

  Next, at step 124, after the charging path switching process is executed, the routine proceeds to step 134. The process of step 124 switches the connection state of the switch 29 from the side where the secondary battery 51 and the power supply unit 17A are connected to the side where the secondary battery 51 and the DC input terminal 80 are connected. By the process of step 124, the charging path is switched from charging of the secondary battery 51 by the power of the fuel cell 16 to charging of the secondary battery 51 by the power of the external power source. Thereby, in the secondary battery 51, when the carbon dioxide absorption part 45 is in a state of absorbing carbon dioxide to near the absorption allowable amount, it can be charged by the electric power of the external power source. For this reason, in the digital camera 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the discharge of carbon dioxide to the outside and continuously charge the secondary battery 51.

  The process of step 122 corresponds to the function of the presenting means of the present invention, the processes of step 114 and step 116 correspond to the functions of the measuring means and the surveying means, and the process of step 114 is performed by the measuring means. Corresponds to function. Further, the processing of step 120 corresponds to the function of the prohibiting means. Moreover, the process of step 118 and step 120 is equivalent to the function of the control means and determination means of the fuel cell mounting apparatus of this invention, and the process of step 124 is equivalent to the function of a switching means.

  As described above, according to the digital camera 10 of the present embodiment, the carbon dioxide generated by the power generation of the fuel cell 16 can be absorbed by the carbon dioxide absorber 45, so that the fuel cell 16 generates the power to the outside. Carbon dioxide emission can be suppressed.

  Moreover, when the carbon dioxide absorption part 45 will be in the state which absorbed the carbon dioxide to near the carbon dioxide absorption tolerance of this carbon dioxide absorption part 45, it can show to the outside that it is in this state. For this reason, the information for exchanging carbon dioxide absorption part 45 can be provided easily.

  Furthermore, since the memory unit 19 is provided in the carbon dioxide absorption unit 45 and the accumulated power generation time of the fuel cell 16 can be stored in the memory unit 19, the carbon dioxide content of each of the carbon dioxide absorption units 45 is predicted. Is possible.

  Further, the carbon dioxide contained in the carbon dioxide absorption unit 45 in accordance with a carbon dioxide emission table indicating the accumulated power generation time evaluated in advance and the amount of carbon dioxide discharged from the cumulative power generation time by the power generation of the fuel cell 16. Therefore, the amount of carbon dioxide generated can be predicted easily and accurately.

  Further, when the carbon dioxide absorption unit 45 is in a state where carbon dioxide has been absorbed to near the carbon dioxide absorption allowable amount, the charging path of the secondary battery 51 is switched from charging by the power of the fuel cell 16 to charging by the power of the external power source. Therefore, the secondary battery 51 can be stably charged and the discharge of carbon dioxide to the outside can be suppressed.

  The fuel cell 16 is provided so as to be attachable to the digital camera 10 and can be provided as a separate body so as to be able to be fitted with the fuel tank 12 for supplying fuel. Further, the carbon dioxide absorber 45 is provided so as to be removable from the fuel cell 16. For this reason, the carbon dioxide absorber 45 can be easily replaced, and the carbon dioxide absorber 45, the fuel cell 16, and the fuel tank 12 can be replaced at different timings. For this reason, the carbon dioxide absorption part 45, the fuel tank 12, and the fuel cell 16 can be used efficiently.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the carbon dioxide absorption unit 45 is in a state where further carbon dioxide absorption is impossible has been described as being displayed on the LCD 46 or by sound output from the speaker 72. It is not limited to. For example, the carbon dioxide absorber 45 is further provided with a color changing member 45A that changes color according to the absorption of carbon dioxide. Examples of the color changing member 45A include PH test paper, litmus paper, and a sheet material containing a BTB solution (bromo / thymol / blue solution). For example, when using the sheet | seat material containing BTB liquid, according to the absorption of a carbon dioxide, a sheet agent changes color from green to yellow.

  Furthermore, a visual recognition window (not shown) is provided in the casing 11 of the digital camera 10 so that the discoloration member 45A provided in the carbon dioxide absorption part 45 of the fuel cell 16 loaded in the accommodation part 14 can be externally viewed. You can do it. If it does in this way, the absorption state of carbon dioxide of carbon dioxide absorption part 45 can be provided so that it can be recognized visually easily.

  In the above processing routine, the case where the warning display is performed in step 122 when the amount of carbon dioxide generated by the fuel cell in step 118 is equal to or larger than the allowable absorption amount of the carbon dioxide absorber 45 has been described. Even when the amount of generated carbon dioxide is less than the allowable absorption amount, the fact that the carbon dioxide absorbing portion 45 is still in a state of being able to absorb carbon dioxide is presented by display on the LCD 46 or sound output by the speaker 72. It may be.

  A sensor 17D (see FIG. 1) for detecting that the color of the color changing member 45A is a color when carbon dioxide is sufficiently absorbed is provided in the housing 11 of the digital camera 10 to exchange data with the bus 41. You may make it connect so that it is possible. For example, when the sheet material containing the BTB liquid is used as the color changing member 45A, the sensor 17D detects that the color changing member 45A has turned green. In this case, in the processing routine shown in FIG. 6, when the interrupt process for determining the input signal by the sensor is executed every predetermined time and the input signal by the sensor is determined, the power generation by the fuel cell is stopped and a warning is issued. Display may be performed (the processing in steps 120 to 124 described above).

  In the present embodiment, the case where the carbon dioxide emission amount table and the accumulated power generation time are stored in the memory unit 19 has been described, but may be stored in the memory on the digital camera 10 side.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the digital camera 10 is employed as the fuel cell mounting device has been described. However, the device that can be employed is not limited to the digital camera 10. For example, the present invention can be applied to an analog camera, a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, and the like.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the present invention can be applied to a camera-equipped mobile phone 43. Since the configuration of the camera-equipped mobile phone 43 is substantially the same as that of the digital camera 10, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted. The block diagram and flowchart of the camera-equipped mobile phone 43 are also the same as those of the digital camera 10 and will not be described.

  The camera-equipped mobile phone 43 is provided with a lens 26 on the front side of the housing 43 </ b> A of the camera-equipped mobile phone 43. Further, on the upper surface of the housing 43A, there are provided various switches 52 including a shutter button 54 that is pressed when shooting and a power switch 74 for supplying or stopping power supply. In addition, a housing portion 14 for loading the fuel cell 16 and the fuel tank 12 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 43A. Further, an LCD 46, a speaker (not shown), and the like are provided on the upper surface of the housing 43A. Further, a DC input terminal (not shown) is provided on the back surface of the housing 43A. In addition, a mounting portion 17 for mounting the fuel cell 16 is provided inside the housing 43A of the camera-equipped mobile phone 43. The mounting unit 17 is provided with a mounting detection unit 17C for detecting the mounting of the fuel cell 16, a power supply unit 17A, and a data input / output unit 17B. The fuel cell 16 includes a supply port 13, a drain port 24, a heater 15, a power supply unit 21, a data input / output unit 30, and a carbon dioxide absorption unit 45.

  As described above, the fuel cell mounting device of the present invention can be applied not only to the digital camera 10 but also to various portable devices such as the camera-equipped mobile phone 43 and various electronic devices. The emission of carbon dioxide in the apparatus can be suppressed.

It is an example of the front view of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the rear view of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the fuel cell and fuel tank of the digital camera which concern on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of a battery cell. It is a block diagram which shows the main structures of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the digital camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the front view of the mobile phone with a camera which shows the other form of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Digital camera 16 Fuel cell 17D Sensor 19 Memory part 45 Carbon dioxide absorption part 45A Color change member 46 LCD

Claims (10)

A fuel cell that generates electric power in response to a chemical reaction of the supplied fuel;
An absorbing member provided on the generating side for generating carbon dioxide of the fuel cell and absorbing the generated carbon dioxide up to a predetermined allowable absorption amount;
Measuring means for measuring the amount of carbon dioxide generated by the fuel cell;
Presenting means for presenting life information of the absorbing member indicating that carbon dioxide can be absorbed by the absorbing member when the total amount of generated carbon dioxide measured by the measuring means is less than the allowable absorption amount. When,
A fuel cell-equipped device comprising:   The fuel cell mounting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the presenting unit presents life information indicating replacement or discontinuation of use of the absorbing member when the total amount is equal to or greater than the allowable absorption amount.   3. The fuel cell mounting device according to claim 1, further comprising a prohibiting unit that prohibits driving of the fuel cell when the total amount is equal to or greater than the allowable absorption amount.   The measuring unit includes a measuring unit that measures a power generation time of the fuel cell, and a storage unit that stores a carbon dioxide generation amount table that represents a correspondence between the power generation time and the carbon dioxide generation amount of the fuel cell. The carbon dioxide generation amount corresponding to the measurement time measured by the measuring means based on the carbon dioxide generation amount table is measured as the carbon dioxide generation amount of the fuel cell. The fuel cell mounting device according to any one of the above.   The fuel cell mounting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the absorbing member includes a color changing member that changes color according to the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed.   The presenting means includes color detection means for detecting the color of the color changing member, and the absorption means when the color detection means detects a predetermined color indicating absorption of carbon dioxide that is greater than or equal to the allowable absorption amount. 6. The fuel cell mounting apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising life information indicating replacement of members or suspension of use. A fuel cell that generates electric power in response to a chemical reaction of fuel supplied by an instruction signal indicating an input power generation instruction;
An absorbing member provided on the generating side for generating carbon dioxide of the fuel cell and absorbing the generated carbon dioxide up to a predetermined allowable absorption amount;
Measuring means for measuring the amount of carbon dioxide generated by the fuel cell;
Presenting means for presenting life information of the absorbing member indicating that carbon dioxide can be absorbed by the absorbing member when the total amount of generated carbon dioxide measured by the measuring means is less than the allowable absorption amount. When,
Control means for outputting the instruction signal to the fuel cell when the total amount of generated carbon dioxide measured by the measuring means is less than the allowable absorption amount;
A fuel cell-equipped device comprising:   A power source different from the fuel cell; and switching means for switching between power supply by the fuel cell and power supply by the power source, and the control means is configured to switch the power when the total amount is equal to or greater than the allowable absorption amount. The fuel cell mounting device according to claim 7, wherein the switching unit is switched to power supply by the power source. A fuel cell that generates electric power in response to a chemical reaction of the supplied fuel;
An absorption member that is provided on the generation side of the fuel cell that generates carbon dioxide and absorbs the generated carbon dioxide; and a storage unit that stores in advance as a lifetime information a limit amount of carbon dioxide that can be absorbed by the absorption member. A carbon dioxide absorbing member provided;
While measuring the absorption amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by the absorption member, surveying means for storing the measured absorption amount in the storage means,
Determining means for determining the life of the absorbent member based on the life information stored in the storage means and the total amount of the absorbed amount;
A fuel cell-equipped device comprising:   10. The fuel cell mounting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the surveying unit measures the power generated by the fuel cell or the power generation time of the fuel cell as the carbon dioxide absorption amount.

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