JP2006128045A - Fluid container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fluid container which can eliminate troublesomeness of separately connecting each exhaust port at the time of connecting the fluid container to another device. <P>SOLUTION: Liquid fuel 14 is contained inside the fluid container 1 and the liquid fuel 14 is discharged from a fuel exhaust port 31. Furthermore, water 12 is contained in the water containing pipe 10 provided in the fluid container 1, and that water 12 is discharged outside from a water exhaust port 33. The air taken in the fuel container 1 through an air filter 8 attached to a rear lid member 3 of the fluid container 1 is discharged outside from an air exhaust port 32 through an air pipe 9. The fuel exhaust port 31, the air exhaust port 32, and the water exhaust port 33 are provided at the front outer face 3a of the front lid member 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluid container containing a fluid.

  In recent years, small electronic devices such as mobile phones, notebook personal computers, digital cameras, watches, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistance), and electronic notebooks have made remarkable progress and development. As power sources for electronic devices, primary batteries such as alkaline dry batteries and manganese dry batteries, or secondary batteries such as nickel-cadmium storage batteries, nickel-hydrogen storage batteries, and lithium ion batteries are used. However, when the primary battery and the secondary battery are verified from the viewpoint of energy use efficiency, it cannot be said that effective use of energy is necessarily achieved. Therefore, research and development of fuel cells that can realize high energy utilization efficiency are actively conducted today for the replacement of primary batteries and secondary batteries (for example, see Patent Document 1).

The fuel cell described in Patent Document 1 includes a fuel cell main body in which an electrolyte plate is sandwiched between a fuel electrode and an oxidant electrode, a liquid fuel such as methanol, and a mixture of water and a fuel cell. And a fuel container connected to the main body. If the fuel container becomes empty, it may be replaced with a new fuel container.
JP 2001-93551 A

  By the way, in the fuel cell described in Patent Document 1, since the liquid mixture of liquid fuel and water is accommodated in the fuel container, one discharge port is formed in the fuel container, and the liquid mixture is supplied from the discharge port. To do. However, when it is desired to supply liquid fuel and water separately, it is necessary to accommodate water and liquid fuel separately. In that case, it is necessary to prepare two containers for liquid fuel and two for water. Or it is necessary to divide the space in one container into two, and to store water in one space, and to store liquid fuel in another space. In any case, when the container is attached to the fuel cell main body, the water discharge port and the liquid fuel discharge port must be separately connected to the fuel cell main body, which may be troublesome.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a fluid container that can eliminate such annoyance.

  In order to solve the above problems, the fluid container according to the first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of discharge ports for discharging different kinds of fluids are provided on the same outer surface.

  Preferably, at least one of the plurality of discharge ports is a liquid fuel discharge port for discharging the liquid fuel accommodated therein.

  Preferably, at least one of the plurality of discharge ports is a water discharge port that discharges water contained therein.

  Preferably, at least one of the plurality of discharge ports is an air discharge hole for discharging air that has passed through the inside from the outside.

  In the present invention, a plurality of discharge ports are formed on the same outer surface of the fluid container. Therefore, if the outer surface is directed to another device and the fuel container is pushed toward the device, a plurality of discharge ports are formed. The outlet can be connected to the device simultaneously.

  According to the present invention, since the plurality of discharge ports of the fuel container can be connected to another device at the same time, the operation of attaching the fuel container to the other device can be easily performed.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, although various technically preferable limitations for implementing the present invention are given to the embodiments described below, the scope of the invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fluid container 1 according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the fluid container 1. FIG. 3 is an end view of a cut surface passing through the center line L along the longitudinal direction X of the fluid container 1 and parallel to the thickness direction Z of the fluid container 1 toward the width direction Y of the fluid container 1. FIG. 4 is an end view of a cut surface passing through the center line L along the longitudinal direction X of the fluid container 1 and parallel to the width direction Y of the fluid container 1 in the thickness direction Z of the fluid container 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the fluid container 1 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped container body 2, and various members are attached to the container body 2. The container body 2 has a rectangular tubular shape with a hollow inside, and the container body 2 has a rectangular frame shape when the container body 2 is opened in the longitudinal direction X when the front end and the rear end of the container body 2 are opened. Is formed.

  An air pipe 9 and a water storage pipe 10 are provided in the container body 2. The air pipe 9 and the water storage pipe 10 extend along the longitudinal direction X of the container body 2.

  A front lid member 3 is fitted into the opening on the front end side of the container body 2, and the opening on the front end side of the container body 2 is closed by the front lid member 3. Further, the rear lid member 4 is fitted into the opening on the rear end side of the container body 2, the opening on the rear end side of the container body 2 is closed by the rear lid member 4, and is partitioned by the container main body 2 and the lid member 4. A space 16 is formed.

  A fuel discharge port 31, an air discharge port 32, and a water discharge port 33 are formed in the front outer surface 3 a of the front lid member 3. A fuel discharge port 31 is formed at the center of the front lid member 3, and a water discharge port 33, a fuel discharge port 31, and an air discharge port 32 are arranged in a straight line along the width direction Y of the fluid container 1 in this order. Yes.

  The fuel discharge port 31 and the air discharge port 32 penetrate from the rear inner surface of the front lid member 3 to the front outer surface 3a, and are the outer surface 3a of the front lid member 3 around the fuel discharge port 31 and the air discharge port 32, respectively. Is projected in a nipple shape. Although the water discharge port 33 also penetrates from the inner surface of the front lid member 3 to the outer surface 3a, the periphery of the water discharge port 33 is provided flat.

  The fuel discharge port 31 is fitted with a check valve 5 that prevents the flow of fluid from the inside of the container body 2 to the outside of the container body 2 through the fuel discharge port 31. Specifically, the check valve 5 is a duckbill valve in which a flexible and elastic material (for example, elastomer) is formed in a duckbill shape, and the check valve 5 has its duckbill tip on the inside of the container body 2. It is inserted in the fuel discharge port 31 in a state of facing toward. The check valve 5 may be provided in advance with an insertion hole that communicates the inside and the outside of the container body 2 when a fuel introduction pipe 64 (shown in FIG. 6) described later is inserted. The structure may be such that the insertion hole is formed for the first time by insertion. When the insertion hole is provided in advance, when pressure is applied to the inside of the container body 2, a force is applied in the direction of closing the insertion hole around the insertion hole, so that fluid leaks from the insertion hole to the outside of the container body 2 unnecessarily. There is nothing to do.

  The water discharge port 33 is fitted with a check valve 6 that prevents the flow of fluid from the inside of the container body 2 through the water discharge port 33 to the outside of the container body 2 unnecessarily. Specifically, the check valve 6 is a duckbill valve in which a flexible and elastic material (for example, elastomer) is formed in a duckbill shape, and the check valve 6 has its duckbill tip on the inside of the container body 2. It is inserted into the water discharge port 33 in a state directed toward the surface. The check valve 6 may be provided in advance with an insertion hole that communicates the inside and the outside of the container body 2 when an air introduction pipe 65 (shown in FIG. 6) described later is inserted. The structure may be such that the insertion hole is formed for the first time by insertion. When the insertion hole is provided in advance, when pressure is applied to the inside of the container body 2, a force is applied in the direction of closing the insertion hole around the insertion hole, so that fluid leaks from the insertion hole to the outside of the container body 2 unnecessarily. There is nothing to do.

  A first air inlet 41 and a second air inlet 42 are perforated in the rear lid member 4. The first air inlet 41 is formed at a position facing the fuel outlet 31, and the second air inlet 42 is formed at a position facing the air outlet 32.

  The first air inlet 41 penetrates from the inner surface of the rear lid member 4 to the outer surface 4a. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the first air inlet 41 has a check valve 11 that prevents the flow of fluid from the inside of the container body 2 through the first air inlet 41. Is inserted. Specifically, the check valve 11 is a duckbill valve in which a flexible and elastic material (for example, elastomer) is formed in a duckbill shape, and the check valve 11 has its duckbill tip on the inside of the container body 2. Is fitted into the first air inlet 41 in a state directed toward the front. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the rear lid member 4 side on the same cut surface as FIG. The check valve 11 is previously provided with an insertion hole that communicates the inside and the outside of the container body 2, and this insertion hole is provided in the rear lid member 4 and an exhaust hole 4 b that is opened in the thickness direction. Communicate. Even if pressure is applied to the inside of the container body 2, the check valve 11 applies a force in the direction of closing the insertion hole around the insertion hole, so that fluid does not leak unnecessarily from the insertion hole to the outside of the container body 2. Conversely, air from the outside of the container body 2 causes a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the container body 2 in accordance with the negative pressure generated by reducing the amount of liquid fuel 14 stored in the container body 2 to be described later. It sets so that it may approach through an insertion hole so that it may buffer.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the second air introduction port 42 penetrates from the inner surface of the rear lid member 4 to the outer surface, and is the outer surface of the rear lid member 4 and around the second air introduction port 42. Is recessed. An air filter 8 is fitted into the recessed portion, and air from the outside of the container body 2 is allowed to enter the air pipe 9 to be described later by the air filter 8 and particles from the outside of the container body 2 are attracted. The second air inlet 42 is closed so as not to enter the air pipe 9.

  One end of the air pipe 9 is inserted into the second air inlet 42. The other end of the air pipe 9 is inserted into the air discharge port 32, and the air pipe 9 is installed between the front lid member 3 and the rear lid member 4. An air filter 8 is provided at one end of the air pipe 9 and a check valve 6 is provided at the other end of the air pipe 9.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the water accommodation pipe 10 is inserted into the water discharge port 33 of the front lid member 3 so that one end of the water accommodation pipe 10 is in the front lid member 3. It protrudes outward from the outer surface of. On the other hand, a gripping portion 43 is formed on the inner surface of the rear lid member 4 at a position facing the water discharge port 33, and the other end of the water storage tube 10 is attached to be gripped by the gripping portion 43. Yes. Thereby, the water accommodation tube 10 is constructed between the front lid member 3 and the rear lid member 4. The grip 43 provided on the inner surface of the back cover member 4 is provided with four gaps 44 at positions where the other end face of the water storage pipe 10 is fitted, and the other end of the water storage pipe 10 is interposed via the gap 44. Since the space 17 and the space 16 on the end face side are in communication with each other, the other end opening of the water accommodation tube 10 is not closed.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a check that prevents the flow of fluid from the inside of the water storage tube 10 toward the end opening is provided in the water storage tube 10 near the end of the water discharge port 33. Valve 7 is fitted. Specifically, the check valve 7 is a duckbill valve in which a flexible and elastic material (e.g., elastomer) is formed in a duckbill shape, and the check valve 7 has its duckbill tip on the back cover member 4. It is inserted in the water accommodation tube 10 in a state directed toward the direction. The check valve 7 may be provided in advance with an insertion hole for communicating the inside and the outside of the container body 2 when a water introduction pipe 66 (shown in FIG. 6) described later is inserted. The structure may be such that the insertion hole is formed for the first time by insertion. When the insertion hole is provided in advance, when pressure is applied to the inside of the container body 2, a force is applied in the direction of closing the insertion hole around the insertion hole, so that fluid leaks from the insertion hole to the outside of the container body 2 unnecessarily. There is nothing to do.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a viscous body 13 is accommodated in the water accommodation tube 10. The viscous body 13 is in contact with the inner wall of the water storage tube 10, and the space in the water storage tube 10 is partitioned by the viscous body 13 into a region on the front lid member 3 side and a region on the rear lid member 4 side. Further, water 12 is stored in the water storage tube 10. Of the two regions partitioned by the viscous body 13, the water 12 is filled in the region on the front lid member 3 side without a gap, and the viscous body 13 is on the rear lid member 4 side of the water 12. The water 12 and the viscous body 13 are in contact with each other. The viscous body 13 is a liquid, sol, gel or the like having a low affinity for the water 12, and more desirably a highly viscous liquid having a higher viscosity than the water 12 and insoluble in the water 12. Furthermore, it is preferable that the viscous body 13 has a property of a structural viscous fluid (abnormally viscous fluid) in which the apparent stress decreases as the shear stress (or shear rate) increases. Specifically, polybutene, liquid paraffin, spindle oil, other mineral oils, dimethyl silicone oil, methyl phenyl silicone oil, other silicone oils, and combinations thereof can be used as the viscous body 13. In addition, since the check valve 7 is provided in the water accommodation pipe 10, the water 12 in the water accommodation pipe 10 does not naturally leak outside.

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, a viscous body 15 is accommodated in the container body 2. The viscous body 15 is in contact with the inner wall of the container body 2, and the space in the container body 2 is partitioned by the viscous body 15 into a region on the front lid member 3 side and a region on the rear lid member 4 side. A liquid fuel 14 is stored in the container body 2. The liquid fuel 14 is filled in a region on the front lid member 3 side of the two regions partitioned by the viscous body 15, and the viscous body 15 is on the rear lid member 4 side than the liquid fuel 14. The liquid fuel 14 and the viscous body 15 are in contact with each other. The viscous body 15 is a liquid, sol, gel or the like having a low affinity for the liquid fuel 14, and more preferably a highly viscous liquid having a higher viscosity than the liquid fuel 14 and insoluble in the liquid fuel 14. Furthermore, it is preferable that the viscous body 15 has a property of a structural viscous fluid (abnormally viscous fluid) in which the apparent stress decreases as the shear stress (or shear rate) increases. Specifically, polybutene, liquid paraffin, spindle oil, other mineral oils, dimethyl silicone oil, methylphenyl silicone oil, other silicone oils, and combinations thereof can be used as the viscous body 15. Since the check valve 5 is provided in the fuel discharge port 31, the liquid fuel 14 in the container body 2 does not naturally leak out. Thus, since there is very little gas that expands between the water 12 and the viscous body 13 when the pressure is lowered, the water 12 in the water containing pipe 10 is supplied from the water outlet 33 to the power generation unit as will be described later. If it discharges | emits toward 91, the water 12 between the non-return valve 7 and the viscous body 13 will flow to the non-return valve 7 side, and the viscous body 13 will be drawn near in connection with this. The viscous body 13 has a desired fluidity so that the viscous body 13 can be drawn while maintaining a state of being in close contact with the inner wall of the water storage tube 10 so that the water 12 does not leak into the space 17.

  When the fluid container 1 is packaged and shipped, separate members can be covered together so as not to allow gas permeation, so that productivity is good.

  The fluid container 1 is attached to an apparatus using liquid fuel 14 (hereinafter referred to as a fuel consuming apparatus) and supplies the liquid fuel 14 and water 12 to the fuel consuming apparatus. When 14 becomes empty, the fluid container 1 is removed from the fuel consuming apparatus, and a new fluid container 1 is attached to the fuel consuming apparatus. Hereinafter, the fuel consuming apparatus to which the fluid container 1 is attached will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a mounting structure of the fuel consuming device 60 and the fluid container 1. Three attachment grooves 61, 62, 63 are recessed in the fuel consuming device 60. The mounting groove 61 is formed at a position facing the fuel discharge port 31, the mounting groove 62 is formed at a position facing the air discharge port 32, and the mounting groove 61 is formed at a position facing the tip of the water storage pipe 10. Yes. A fuel introduction pipe 64 is attached to the attachment groove 61, and the fuel introduction pipe 64 protrudes from the attachment groove 61. Similarly, an air introduction pipe 65 is attached to the attachment groove 62, and a water introduction pipe 66 is attached to the attachment groove 63.

  Just by moving the fluid container 1 in the direction of arrow A with the outer surface 3a of the front lid member 3 of the fluid container 1 facing the fuel consuming device 60, the nipple portion around the fuel discharge port 31 is fitted into the mounting groove 61, and the air The nipple portion around the discharge port 32 can be fitted into the attachment groove 62, and the water discharge port 33 at the tip of the water storage tube 10 can be fitted into the attachment groove 63 to be attached to the fuel consuming device 60. By doing so, the fuel introduction pipe 64 is inserted into the fuel discharge port 31, and the fuel introduction pipe 64 is further inserted into the check valve 5, and the check valve 5 is opened by the fuel introduction pipe 64. Similarly, the air introduction pipe 65 is inserted into the check valve 6, and the water introduction pipe 66 is inserted into the check valve 7. As a result, the liquid fuel 14 in the container body 2 is supplied to the fuel consumption device 60 through the fuel introduction pipe 64, and the water 12 in the water storage pipe 10 is supplied to the fuel consumption device 60 through the water introduction pipe 66. The Further, external air is sucked into the air pipe 9 through the air filter 8, and further supplied from the air pipe 9 through the air introduction pipe 65 to the fuel consuming device 60. To remove the fluid container 1, simply move the fluid container 1 in the direction of arrow B to remove the fuel discharge port 31 from the mounting groove 61, the air discharge port 32 from the mounting groove 62, and the water discharge port 33 to the mounting groove. 63 can be removed.

  As described above, the fuel discharge port 31, the air discharge port 32, and the water discharge port 33 are provided on the same surface 3a of the fluid container 1 (that is, the outer surface of the front lid member 3). The fuel discharge port 31, the air discharge port 32, and the water discharge port 33 can be simultaneously connected to the fuel consuming device 60 simply by being pushed into the storage portion that stores the fluid container 1 of the device 60. Therefore, the mounting operation of the fluid container 1 can be easily performed.

  As the liquid fuel 14 in the container body 2 decreases, a shearing stress is generated in the viscous body 15 and the viscosity of the viscous body 15 decreases, and the viscous body 15 is moved to the front lid as the liquid fuel 14 is consumed. Follow the member 3 side. As the water 12 in the water storage tube 10 decreases, a shearing stress is generated in the viscous body 13 and the viscosity of the viscous body 13 decreases. As the water 12 is consumed, the viscous body 13 becomes the front lid member. Follow the 3rd side. When the liquid fuel 14 and the water 12 are reduced, the space on the rear lid member 4 side from the viscous body 15 is depressurized, but the check valve 11 is opened by the depressurization of the space, and external air is supplied to the space. The space is always kept at almost atmospheric pressure.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the fuel consuming device 60 includes a power generation unit 91 that generates power using the liquid fuel 14 in the fluid container 1 and supplies power to a load such as an external electric device, and the liquid fuel from the fluid container 1. 14, a flow control unit 67 for sending water 12 and air is incorporated.

  The flow control unit 67 includes a fuel pump 68 that sucks the liquid fuel 14 through the fuel introduction pipe 64, a valve 69 that opens and closes the flow of the liquid fuel 14 sucked by the fuel pump 68, and the water 12 through the water introduction pipe 66. A water pump 70 for suction, a valve 71 for opening and closing the flow of the water 12 sucked by the water pump 70, a pump 72 for sucking the water 12 sent from the valve 71, and the water 12 sucked by the pump 72 Through a valve 73 that opens and closes the flow, a mixer 74 that mixes the liquid fuel 14 sent from the valve 69 and the water 12 sent from the valve 73 and sends the mixed liquid to the power generation unit 91, and the air introduction pipe 65. An air pump 75 for sucking air; valves 76, 77, 78 for opening and closing a flow of air sent from the air pump 75; Comprising a sensor 79,80,81 for measuring the flow rate of air flowing to the power generation unit 91 from 6,78, a valve 82 and 83 for opening and closing the flow of product discharged from the power generation unit 91, a. The water 12 flowing out from the valve 71 is divided and flows to both the power generation unit 91 and the pump 72. Further, the water generated by the power generation unit 91 is diverted and flows again to the power generation unit 91 and the pump 72.

  The case where a notebook personal computer is applied as the fuel consuming device 60 is shown in FIGS. The notebook personal computer 60A of the present embodiment includes a first housing 106 having a display unit 103 and a second housing 108 having an input unit 107. The first housing 106 and the second housing 108 are hinge structures. It is connected by.

  The second casing 108 is provided with a storage portion 109 that can store the fluid container 1. The storage portion 109 corresponds to the fuel discharge port 31, the air discharge port 32, and the water discharge port 33 of the fluid container 1, respectively. The mounting grooves 61, 62, 63 thus exposed are exposed.

  The display unit 103 is configured by a backlight type liquid crystal display panel, an EL display panel, or the like, and performs screen display based on an electric signal output from the control unit, and displays character information or an image.

  The input unit 107 includes various buttons such as a function key, a numeric keypad, and a character input key. When a button protruding outside the second casing 108 is pressed, the button is elastically deformed to form a movable contact inside the button. An electrical signal is output by bringing the upper fixed contact into contact with the upper fixed contact.

  The control unit of the notebook type personal computer 60A includes a calculation means such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a storage means such as a memory, and processes or processes electric signals inputted in cooperation with software read into a computer. Perform the operation.

  When the outer surface 3a of the front lid member 3 of the fluid container 1 is inserted in the direction of arrow C toward the storage portion 109 of the notebook computer 60A, the fuel discharge port 31 is fitted in the mounting groove 61, and the air discharge port 32 is mounted in the mounting groove. The water discharge port 33 at the tip of the water storage tube 10 is fitted into the mounting groove 63. At the same time, the fuel introduction pipe 64 is inserted into the fuel discharge port 31, and the check valve 5 is opened by the fuel introduction pipe 64. The air introduction pipe 65 is inserted into the air discharge port 32, and the check valve 6 is opened. 66 is inserted into the water discharge port 33 and the check valve 7 is opened.

  The fluid container 1 is preferably set so that the air filter 8 is exposed from the side surface of the notebook type personal computer 60A while being accommodated in the notebook type personal computer 60A, and does not protrude from the side surface and the lower side of the notebook type personal computer 60A.

  When removing, the fluid container 1 can be removed by pulling out the fluid container 1 in the direction opposite to the arrow C.

  The power generation unit 91 is configured as shown in FIG. 10 (a) or FIG. 10 (b). In either case of FIGS. 10A and 10B, methanol is exemplified as an example of the liquid fuel 14, but other alcohols and compounds containing hydrogen elements such as gasoline may be used.

  In the case of FIG. 10A, the power generation unit 91 includes a vaporizer 92, a reformer 93, a carbon monoxide remover 94, and a fuel cell 95.

  The liquid mixture of the liquid fuel 14 and water 12 mixed by the mixer 74 is first supplied to the vaporizer 92. In the vaporizer 92, the supplied liquid mixture is heated and vaporized to become a fuel-water mixture. The air-fuel mixture generated in the vaporizer 92 is supplied to the reformer 93.

In the reformer 93, hydrogen and carbon dioxide are generated from the air-fuel mixture supplied from the vaporizer 92. Specifically, as shown in the chemical reaction formula (1), the air-fuel mixture reacts with a catalyst to generate carbon dioxide and hydrogen.
CH ₃ OH + H ₂ O → 3H ₂ + CO ₂ (1)

In the reformer 93, methanol and steam may not be completely reformed to carbon dioxide and hydrogen. In this case, as shown in chemical reaction formula (2), methanol and steam react to react with carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. Is generated.
2CH ₃ OH + H ₂ O → 5H ₂ + CO + CO ₂ (2)
The air-fuel mixture generated in the reformer 93 is supplied to the carbon monoxide remover 94.

In the carbon monoxide remover 94, carbon monoxide contained in the air-fuel mixture supplied from the reformer 93 is selectively oxidized to remove carbon monoxide from the air-fuel mixture. Specifically, carbon monoxide specifically selected from the air-fuel mixture supplied from the reformer 93 reacts with oxygen in the air supplied from the valves 77, 76, 78 by the catalyst. Carbon dioxide is produced.
2CO + O ₂ → 2CO ₂ (3)
Then, the air-fuel mixture is supplied from the carbon monoxide remover 94 to the fuel electrode of the fuel cell 95.

In the fuel electrode of the fuel cell 95, as shown in the electrochemical reaction formula (4), hydrogen gas in the gas mixture supplied from the carbon monoxide remover 94 is subjected to the action of the catalyst of the fuel electrode to generate hydrogen ions. Separated into electrons. Hydrogen ions are conducted to the air electrode through the solid polymer electrolyte membrane of the fuel cell 95, and electrons are taken out by the fuel electrode.
3H ₂ → 6H ⁺ + 6e ⁻ (4)

Air is fed into the air electrode of the fuel cell 95 from valves 77, 76 and 78. Then, as shown in the electrochemical reaction formula (5), oxygen in the air, hydrogen ions that have passed through the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and electrons react to generate water as a by-product.
6H ⁺ + 3 / 2O ₂ + 6e ⁻ → 3H ₂ O (5)

  As described above, electric energy is generated by the electrochemical reactions shown in the above (4) and (5) in the fuel cell 95. An air-fuel mixture such as water, carbon dioxide, and air as a generated product is discharged to the outside through valves 82 and 83.

  Further, the air filter 8 is clogged with particles in proportion to the amount of oxygen consumed for the chemical reaction. In the air pump 75, as the air filter 8 becomes clogged with particles, the air suction force decreases, and the reaction efficiency may decrease. However, since the air filter 8 is attached to the fluid container 1, the air filter 8 can be replaced together by replacing the fluid container 1. For this reason, the air filter 8 only needs to have a dust collection capacity sufficient to transmit the amount of oxygen in accordance with the amount of the liquid fuel 14 sealed in one fluid container 1, that is, in the plurality of fluid containers 1. It is not necessary to use an air filter that can collect the amount of oxygen in accordance with the amount of liquid fuel 14 enclosed in the cylinder, so that the size of the air filter 75 can be reduced, and the air pump 75 can be efficiently operated without applying an excessive load. Can cause chemical reactions. And since the air filter 8 takes in the air required for the liquid fuel 14 of the plurality of fluid containers 1 and is not clogged with particles, the air pump 75 has an air suction force even if clogged. Since it is not necessary to increase the size of the structure, when the power generated by the power generation unit 91 is used as the power source of the air pump 75, the ratio of the power supplied to the load such as an external electric device out of the power generated by the power generation unit 91 The power generation unit 91 can reduce the proportion of power required for power generation.

  In the case of FIG. 10B, the power generation unit 91 includes a vaporizer 96 and a fuel cell 97.

  The liquid mixture of the liquid fuel 14 and the water 12 mixed by the mixer 74 is vaporized in the vaporizer 96 to become a mixture of methanol and water vapor. The air-fuel mixture generated in the carburetor 96 is supplied to the fuel electrode of the fuel cell 97.

In the fuel electrode of the fuel cell 97, as shown in the electrochemical reaction formula (6), the air-fuel mixture supplied from the vaporizer 96 is separated into hydrogen ions, electrons, and carbon dioxide under the action of the catalyst of the fuel electrode. . Hydrogen ions are conducted to the air electrode through the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and electrons are taken out by the fuel electrode.
CH ₃ OH + H ₂ O → CO ₂ + 6H ⁺ + 6e ⁻ (6)

Air is fed into the air electrode of the fuel cell 97 from valves 77, 76 and 78. Then, as shown in the electrochemical reaction formula (7), oxygen in the air, hydrogen ions that have passed through the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and electrons taken out by the fuel electrode react to generate water.
6H ⁺ + 3 / 2O ₂ + 6e ⁻ → 3H ₂ O (7)

  As described above, electric energy is generated by the electrochemical reactions shown in the above (6) and (7) in the fuel cell 97. An air-fuel mixture such as carbon dioxide and air as a generated product is discharged to the outside through valves 82 and 83.

  The water 12 contained in the fluid container 1 is used during the initial operation of power generation by the power generation unit 91. After the initial operation, the power generation unit is used during power generation as shown in the chemical reaction formula (5) or (7). The water generated in 91 may be supplied again to the power generation unit 91 by the pump 72 and used as water in the reaction system on the left side shown in the chemical reaction formula (1) or (6), or the water and fluid container 1 Both of the water 12 contained in the power generation unit 91 may be used. Furthermore, when the water 12 in the fluid container 1 is exhausted, it is generated by the power generation unit 91 regardless of whether the power generation unit 91 is in the initial operation of power generation. Only the generated water may be supplied to the power generation unit 91 by the pump 72.

  When this power generation unit 91 is provided in a main body of an electronic device such as a mobile phone, a notebook personal computer, a digital camera, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), an electronic notebook, etc., the fluid container 1 can be freely attached to and detached from the main body of the electronic device. The electronic device main body operates by the electric energy generated by the unit 91. That is, an electric device can be applied as the fuel consuming device 60.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various improvements and design changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  In the above embodiment, the water 12 and the liquid fuel 14 are stored in the fluid container 1, but other things may be stored in the fluid container 1. That is, a plurality of types of fluids are stored separately, various fluids are discharged from separate discharge ports, and all the discharge ports may be provided on the same surface.

  In the above embodiment, one fuel discharge port 31 is provided on the outer surface 3 a of the front lid member 3, but a plurality of fuel discharge ports 31 may be provided on the same outer surface 3 a of the front lid member 3. Similarly, a plurality of air discharge ports 32 and / or water discharge ports 33 may be provided on the same outer surface 3 a of the front lid member 3.

  In the above embodiment, the fuel discharge port 31, the air discharge port 32, and the water discharge port 33 are provided on the same outer surface 3 a of the front lid member 3, but the fuel discharge port 31 and the air discharge port 33 are not provided without the water discharge port 33. The outlet 32 may be provided on the same outer surface 3 a of the front lid member 3, or the fuel outlet 31 and the water outlet 33 may be provided on the same outer surface 3 a of the front lid member 3 without providing the air outlet 32.

1 is a perspective view of a fluid container 1. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the fluid container 1. FIG. 3 is an end view of a surface cut along a center line L of the fluid container 1. FIG. 3 is an end view of a surface cut along a center line L of the fluid container 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the back lid member 4. 3 is a schematic view of a connection structure between a fluid container 1 and a fuel consuming device 60. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a fluid control unit 67, a power generation unit 91, and a fluid container 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a notebook personal computer 60A as an example of a fuel consuming apparatus 60. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a fluid container 1 and a notebook computer 60A. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a power generation unit 91. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Fluid container 31 Fuel outlet 32 Air outlet 33 Water outlet

Claims (4)

  A fluid container, wherein a plurality of discharge ports for discharging different types of fluids are provided on the same outer surface.   The fluid container according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of discharge ports is a liquid fuel discharge port that discharges the liquid fuel accommodated therein.   The fluid container according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of discharge ports is a water discharge port that discharges water contained therein.   The fluid container according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of discharge ports is an air discharge hole for discharging air that has passed through the inside from the outside.

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