JP2006302735A - Electronic equipment equipped with fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent unstable operation of equipment caused by sudden replacement of a fuel cartridge by a user, and also to prevent fuel leakage in replacement. <P>SOLUTION: Electronic equipment containing a fuel cell having the fuel cartridge is equipped with: a power source part supplying electric power to an equipment body; a detection part detecting a residual fuel amount in the fuel cartridge and outputting residual fuel amount information; a display part displaying the residual fuel amount obtained from the detection part; a replacement instruction part outputting a replacement instruction signal instructing the replacement of the fuel cartridge to the equipment body; and a fuel cartridge holding part having a lock mechanism in which the replacement of the fuel cartridge is not allowed when the input of the replacement instruction signal from the replacement instruction part is not present, and the replacement of the fuel cartridge is allowed when the input of the replacement instruction signal is present. Therefore, the user can replace the fuel cartridge at any time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device provided with a fuel cell.

  In recent years, portable electronic devices using fuel cells have attracted attention. In general, since the output of a fuel cell is smaller than that of a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery, it can be considered to be used as a power source combined with a secondary battery in order to cope with output fluctuations and large output of equipment. Yes. In addition, it is assumed that the fuel cell used for the power source of the portable electronic device uses a fuel cartridge for storing fuel.

  A portable electronic device having a conventional fuel cell as a power source has a control that does not require the user to consider recharging the secondary battery simply by replacing the fuel cartridge, Some monitor the remaining amount and issue a signal to prompt replacement when the fuel runs out (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

  Patent Document 1 discloses that the remaining amount of fuel in a fuel cartridge is monitored, and a signal that prompts replacement is issued when the fuel is about to run out.

  Patent Document 2 discloses that the charge amount of the secondary battery and the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel cartridge are monitored, the operable time is displayed, and a signal that prompts replacement is issued when the fuel is about to run out.

Patent Document 3 discloses that an auxiliary pack is provided in order to not only issue a signal for urging replacement when fuel is about to run out, but also to stably operate the apparatus even during fuel replacement.
JP 2004-265833 A JP 2003-303609 A JP 2004-139742 A

  However, since the conventional configuration uses the display unit of the device to inform the user when the fuel is about to run out while the device is operating, for example, when about half of the fuel remains in the fuel cartridge Does not prompt for replacement. Even if more than half of the fuel remains in the fuel cartridge, it is assumed that the user may want to replace the fuel cartridge. However, Patent Documents 1 to 3 do not suggest the operation of the device in such a case. Furthermore, since the remaining fuel amount is displayed on the display unit of the device, the remaining fuel amount when the device is not activated cannot be grasped.

  The conventional configuration discloses a method for replacing the fuel cartridge and a method for preventing the device from being stopped due to fuel depletion, thereby improving the stability of operation of the device. It is aimed. However, the actual work of replacing the fuel cartridge is not particularly suggested, and there is a risk that the user may perform the replacement work when it is not appropriate. Furthermore, even if the device is in operation, for example, when the device is in suspend mode, the user determines that the device is not operating and suddenly replaces the fuel cartridge, so that the device operates. There was a risk of instability. Further, in this case, there is a risk of fuel leaking during replacement.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and confirms the remaining amount of fuel and the fuel when the user likes it regardless of whether the device is in operation and regardless of the remaining amount of fuel. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that can replace a cartridge, can prevent a user's erroneous work when replacing a fuel cartridge, and can be used stably.

In order to solve the conventional problem, the electronic device of the present invention is:
The device body,
A power source unit that includes a secondary battery and a fuel cell including a power generation unit and a fuel cartridge that stores fuel to be supplied to the power generation unit;
A detection unit that detects the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel cartridge and outputs remaining fuel amount information;
A display unit that is installed in the device main body, the power supply unit, or the fuel cartridge, and displays the fuel remaining amount information obtained from the detection unit;
A replacement instruction unit that outputs a replacement instruction signal for instructing the apparatus main body or the power supply unit to replace the fuel cartridge;
A fuel cartridge holding unit having a lock mechanism that allows the fuel cartridge to be exchanged if there is no input of an exchange instruction signal from the exchange instruction unit, and allows the fuel cartridge to be exchanged if an exchange instruction signal is input from the exchange instruction unit; ,
It is characterized by having.

  With this configuration, the fuel cartridge has a structure that cannot be replaced without an input of a replacement instruction signal from the replacement instruction section, so that it is possible to prevent user's erroneous work, thereby an electronic device having a fuel cell (hereinafter referred to as device). Can be used stably. That is, the fuel cartridge has a lock mechanism that has a replacement instruction unit that outputs a replacement instruction signal for instructing replacement of the fuel cartridge, such as a replacement button, and that cannot be replaced unless the replacement of the fuel cartridge is instructed. By providing in the fuel cartridge holding section, the user and the device can recognize the replacement when the user presses the replacement button.

  In addition, if the device is in operation, do not release the lock mechanism until the device is fully prepared for replacement, so that the user will replace the device before it is ready and the device will be unstable. Can be prevented. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the user from replacing the fuel cartridge before it is ready to be disconnected from the device regardless of whether the device is in operation. In addition, regardless of whether or not the device is in operation, the user can check the remaining amount of fuel and can smoothly replace the fuel cartridge regardless of the remaining amount of fuel.

  It is preferable that the replacement instruction unit can be used regardless of whether the device is operating. This is because when the user tries to replace the fuel cartridge while the device is stopped, it is not necessary to start the device only for replacement of the fuel cartridge, so that convenience is improved.

  The device body or power supply unit has a power supply monitoring control unit that recognizes the state of the secondary battery and the fuel cell and outputs a control signal for individually controlling the operation of the secondary battery and the fuel cell. Is preferred.

  By including this power supply monitoring control unit, when the fuel cartridge is replaced, it is possible to recognize the optimum operating conditions of the secondary battery and the fuel cell and to control the optimum operation. For example, when the remaining capacity of the secondary battery is less than a predetermined value, the power generation amount of the fuel cell is increased to cover the power consumption of the device body and to cover the power during replacement of the fuel cartridge. For example, the secondary battery is controlled to be charged to a predetermined remaining capacity.

  The device main body or the power supply unit includes a device operation determination unit that determines whether or not the device is operating when a signal instructing replacement of the fuel cartridge is output from the replacement instruction unit, and a device operation determination unit that includes It is preferable to have a controller that controls the operation state of the power supply unit and the device main body by a power supply control signal from the power supply monitoring control unit when it is determined that the device is operating.

  As a result, it is possible to perform an optimum cartridge replacement operation according to whether or not the device main body is operating. For example, before removing the fuel cartridge, the operation mode of the device can be changed, or a sufficient amount of charge can be charged to the secondary battery, so that the device can maintain a stable operation even during replacement of the fuel cartridge.

  The fuel cartridge holding unit preferably releases the lock mechanism provided in the fuel cartridge holding unit so that the fuel cartridge can be replaced when the device operation determining unit determines that the device main body is stopped. .

  This makes it easy to replace the fuel cartridge even when the device is not operating. In addition, before releasing the lock mechanism, if necessary, the user can replace the fuel cartridge and the device by operating the mechanism that prevents fuel leakage, etc. Can be prevented.

  The fuel cartridge holding unit is configured so that the fuel cartridge can be replaced when the device operation determining unit determines that the device main body is operating and the capacity of the secondary battery is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. It is preferable to release the lock mechanism provided in the. Alternatively, as another preferable aspect, the fuel cartridge holding unit may replace the fuel cartridge when the device operation determining unit determines that the device main body is operating and the capacity of the secondary battery is lower than a predetermined value. The lock mechanism provided in the fuel cartridge holding part is maintained so that it cannot be performed, and the controller described above controls at least one of the power supply part and the device main body so that the charging capacity of the secondary battery exceeds a predetermined value. Is preferred.

  Thus, a sufficient amount of the secondary battery can be charged before removing the fuel cartridge, and stable operation of the device can be maintained even while the fuel cartridge is being replaced.

  The fuel cartridge holding part preferably has a drive part for moving the fuel cartridge. This means that when the fuel cartridge becomes replaceable, the fuel cartridge has a drive unit that moves to a position different from the place where the fuel cartridge is normally stored.

  As a result, when the fuel cartridge can be replaced, for example, the fuel cartridge is present at a position protruding from the main body of the device, so that the user becomes in the way when using or carrying the device. This makes it much less likely to forget or replace the fuel cartridge.

  The device further includes a remaining amount confirmation button, and the display unit that displays the remaining fuel amount information is a fuel obtained from a detection unit that detects the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel cartridge when the remaining amount confirmation button is pressed. It is preferable to display the remaining amount information.

  Thereby, it is possible to display only when the user wants to check the remaining amount of fuel, and it is not necessary to always indicate the remaining amount of fuel, so that it is possible to reduce the power required for the display.

  According to the electronic device equipped with the fuel cell of the present invention, it is possible to replace the fuel cartridge whenever the user likes regardless of whether the device is in operation or not, thereby stably using the device. It is possible to provide an electronic device that can

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a fuel cell system according to the present invention. A power supply unit 2 including a secondary battery (not shown) and a fuel cell (not shown) installed inside a notebook personal computer 1 that is a device supplies power to the notebook personal computer 1. A fuel cartridge 3 that supplies fuel to the fuel cell and accommodates the fuel therein is connected to the power supply unit 2. The notebook computer 1 is provided with a control device (not shown) that controls each component.

  As the secondary battery, a known secondary battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery or a nickel hydride secondary battery can be applied. As the fuel cell, a known fuel cell applicable to portable equipment such as a liquid fuel direct type fuel cell such as DMFC can be applied.

  The main body of the notebook personal computer 1 detects the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel cartridge 3 and outputs a remaining fuel amount display section 7 for displaying remaining fuel information and a replacement instruction signal for instructing the control device to replace the fuel cartridge 3. A replacement instruction unit 6 and a remaining amount confirmation button 8.

  As a sensor (not shown) for detecting the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel cartridge 3, an energization sensor, an optical sensor, or the like can be applied, and is installed in the fuel cartridge. Note that this sensor may be adapted to the power supply unit 2 or the main body of the notebook computer 1.

  The remaining fuel amount display unit 7 is composed of LEDs, and notifies the user of the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel cartridge 3 by changing the number of LEDs that are turned on according to the remaining amount. The remaining fuel amount display unit 7 may use known display means such as liquid crystal. If the notebook computer 1 is operating, it may be displayed on the display. However, even in this case, it is possible to check the remaining amount even when the device is not moving by having the fuel remaining amount display portion 7 that can display regardless of the operation of the device.

  The exchange instruction unit 6 is composed of a push button type switch, and outputs an exchange instruction signal to the control device when the switch is pushed. It is also possible to display an icon or the like having the same function on the display of the notebook personal computer 1 and click it to have the same function as the switch of the exchange instruction unit 6. Even in this case, the replacement instruction unit 6 that can be used regardless of the operation of the notebook computer 1 can output the replacement instruction signal even when the notebook computer 1 is not moving.

  The remaining amount confirmation button 8 is constituted by a push button type switch, and is controlled so as to display the remaining amount of fuel on the remaining fuel amount display section 7 when the switch is pressed. Although the remaining fuel amount display portion 7 and the remaining amount confirmation button 8 are attached to the notebook computer 1 in FIG. 1, they may be attached to the power source 2 or the fuel cartridge 3. In that case, an opening or the like may be provided in the notebook computer 1 so that the user can press the remaining fuel amount display portion 7 and the remaining amount confirmation button 8. It is also possible to display an icon having the same function on the display of the notebook personal computer 1 and click it to have the same function as the remaining amount confirmation button 8. Even in such a case, by having the remaining amount confirmation button 8 that can be used regardless of the operation of the notebook computer 1, the remaining fuel amount can be confirmed even when the notebook computer 1 is not moving.

  The fuel cartridge 3 is installed in a storage unit 25 provided on the side surface of the main body of the notebook computer 1. The storage unit 25 is provided with a lid 4. Normally, the lid 4 is closed by a lock device 5 having a lock mechanism, and the user does not directly touch the fuel cartridge 3. The user cannot replace the fuel cartridge 3 unless the locking device 5 is released and the lid 4 is not opened.

  3 and 4 show how the lid 4 is opened and closed. 3 and 4, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a state in which the lid 4 is closed. In FIG. 3, the fuel cartridge 3 is stored in the storage portion 25, and the lid 4 is closed. The connector 11 provided in the fuel cartridge 3 and the connector 12 provided in the storage portion 25 are connected. The connector 12 is connected to the power source 2 and can exchange signals such as the remaining amount of fuel and the presence or absence of connection with the power source. The lid 4 has a notch 13 on the side surface, and a pin 9 is inserted into the notch 13. The pin 9 has a groove on the side surface and is biased to the notch 13 by the spring 27 while meshing with the gear 10. The lock device 5 includes a pin 9, a gear 10, and a notch 13, and the lid 4 has a structure that does not easily open. A similar locking device may be present in the fuel cartridge 3.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a state in which the lid 4 is opened. In FIG. 4, the pin 9 has a structure that is pulled out from the notch 13 by the rotation of the gear 10, and since the pin 9 is pulled out from the notch 13, the lid 4 is opened with the pin 28 as a fulcrum. . When the lid 4 is opened, the fuel cartridge 3 can be taken out from the storage portion 25, and the fuel cartridge 3 can be replaced. The control for driving the gear 10 to open the lid 4 is performed by the control device based on the exchange instruction signal from the exchange instruction unit 6. These controls will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flow of fuel cartridge replacement. In FIG. 2, it is preferable to have a portion surrounded by a dotted line, but it does not hinder the essence of the present invention even if it is omitted. In addition, the user actually works in Step 201, Step 204, and Step 214, and the others are performed without involvement of the user by a control device, a control circuit, or the like.

  First, the user confirms the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel cartridge 3 through the remaining fuel amount display section 7 (step 202). At this time, in the case where the remaining amount confirmation button 8 shown in FIG. When the remaining amount confirmation button 8 is provided, there is no need to always display the remaining amount of fuel on the remaining fuel amount display section 7, so that the secondary operation is performed particularly when the device is not moving and therefore the fuel cell is not operating. Battery power consumption can be prevented from being depleted.

  When the remaining fuel amount confirmation button 8 is provided, the remaining fuel amount display (step 202) is performed by the remaining fuel amount display unit 7 after the operation of pressing the remaining fuel amount confirmation button (step 201).

  If the user determines to replace the fuel cartridge after looking at the remaining fuel amount display (step 203), the user performs an operation of pressing the replacement switch, which is the replacement instruction unit 6 that outputs a fuel replacement instruction signal (step 204). ).

  When the operation of pushing the exchange switch is performed, the operation of the device is confirmed (step 205). The operation of the device can be confirmed by a method such as monitoring the output of power from the power source 2.

  When it is determined that the device is not operating, the fuel cartridge 3 and the power supply unit 2 are disconnected (step 210). This is an operation for preventing a fuel leak or the like from occurring when the fuel cartridge 3 is replaced. Even when the fuel cartridge 3 is removed by this operation, the power supply unit 2 side and the connector on the fuel cartridge 3 side are disconnected. No fuel leakage.

  In order to recognize that the separation operation of the fuel cartridge 3 and the power source unit 2 has been completed, the operation completion is confirmed (step 211). After confirming the completion of the operation, the lock device 5 that makes it difficult to replace the fuel cartridge 3 is released (step 212). After the locking device 5 is released, the user replaces the fuel cartridge 3 (step 214).

  The presence of the locking device 5 prevents the user from replacing the power supply unit 2 or the notebook computer 1 when they are not ready to be replaced, resulting in fuel leakage and unstable device operation. Can be prevented.

  Examples of specific operations from step 210 to step 214 are shown in FIGS. In FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the same components as those in FIG. 1, FIG. 3, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a state in which the fuel cartridge 3 is connected to the power supply unit, and FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a state in which the fuel cartridge 3 is removed from the power supply unit. The fuel cartridge 3 that stores the fuel 17 therein is inserted into the storage portion 25. Furthermore, the connector 11 of the fuel cartridge 3 and the connector 12 provided in the storage portion 25 are connected. The fuel cartridge 3 has a connector 26 for enabling the liquid supply of the fuel 17, and this connector 26 is fixed to the connector 26 and has a spring fixing jig 18 with a hole through which the fuel 17 is passed. , A spring 20 connected to the spring fixing jig 18 and the lid 20, and a rubber packing 21. On the power source side, a fuel feed pump 24, a fuel introduction pipe 23, and an on-off valve 22 are provided. As shown in FIG. 6, a hole is formed in the side surface on the fuel cartridge 3 side of the fuel introduction pipe 23, the fuel cartridge 3 is inserted into the storage portion 25, and the fuel introduction pipe 23 pushes the lid 20 in the connector 26. Thus, the fuel 17 can be sent to the fuel feed pump 24 through the hole of the fuel introduction pipe 23.

  If the fuel cartridge 3 is removed without performing the separation operation (step 210) between the fuel cartridge 3 and the power supply unit, the fuel present in the fuel introduction pipe 23, the fuel feed pump 24, and the fuel cell (Fig. There is a risk that the existing fuel will leak. The following method can be exemplified as the separation operation (step 210) between the fuel cartridge 3 and the power supply unit.

  When the fuel cartridge 3 begins to be removed from the storage portion 25, the lid 20 closes the opening of the connector 26. At substantially the same time, the connector 11 and the connector 12 are disconnected, and the fuel feed pump 24 receives the signal and feeds the fuel in the fuel introduction pipe 23 to the fuel cell side. The amount of liquid feeding should be larger than the fuel present in the on-off valve 22 from the tip of the fuel introduction pipe 23 on the fuel cartridge 3 side. When the liquid feeding is completed, the on-off valve 22 is closed. By performing the above operation, even when the fuel cartridge 3 is removed, fuel leakage on the power supply unit side and the fuel cartridge 3 side is eliminated. After recognizing the signal that the on-off valve 22 is closed, the lock device is released and the fuel cartridge 3 is removed as shown in FIG.

  There is a case where an operation of moving the fuel cartridge to the replacement position (step 213) is performed before the replacement of the fuel cartridge (step 214). An example of this case will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10, the same components as those in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. 7 and 9 are schematic views showing a state where the lid 4 is closed, and FIGS. 8 and 10 are schematic views showing a state where the lid 4 is opened and the fuel cartridge 3 is moved to the replacement position.

  FIG. 7 shows a state before the lid 4 is closed and the locking device composed of the pin 9, the gear 10 and the notch 13 is released, and FIG. 8 shows the state where the locking device is released and the lid 4 is opened, and the fuel cartridge is opened. 3 shows a state where it has moved to the exchange position. 7 and 8 have the same configuration as FIG. 3 except that the housing portion 25 has the gear 14 and the fuel cartridge 3 has the gear 15.

  In this configuration, after the locking device is released, the fuel cartridge 3 moves as shown in FIG. 8 by the gear 14 that is engaged with the gear 15 that exists on the side surface of the fuel cartridge 3. This can be realized, for example, by rotating the gear 14 after the gear 10 is rotated in order to remove the pin 9 from the notch 13.

  FIG. 9 shows a state before the lid 4 is closed and the locking device is released, and FIG. 10 shows a state where the locking device is released and the lid 4 is opened and the fuel cartridge 3 is moved to the replacement position. 9 and 10 have the same configuration as that of FIG. 3 except that the storage portion 25 has a spring 16.

  In this configuration, after the locking device is released, the fuel cartridge 3 is automatically moved as shown in FIG. 10 by the spring 16 present in the storage portion 25.

  The operation of moving the fuel cartridge 3 in this way makes it easy for the user to replace the fuel cartridge 3, and forgets to replace it or shortens the time required for the replacement. This is because the fuel cartridge 3 protrudes from the device and becomes an obstacle when the device is carried or used, so that the user can be aware that the fuel cartridge 3 is replaced as soon as possible without forgetting to replace it.

  After the replacement of the fuel cartridge shown in FIG. 2 (step 214), the fuel cartridge 3 is inserted into the storage section 25 to move the fuel cartridge 3 to a predetermined position (step 215), and when the movement is completed, the lock is locked by the lock device (step 215). Step 216). The lid 4 is closed and the lock device 5 is operated to complete the lock. The movement of the fuel cartridge 3 at this time may be automatically pulled in by power, or may be pushed in manually.

  After locking by the locking device (step 216), the connecting operation (step 217) between the fuel cartridge 3 and the power supply unit 2 is performed. This operation will be described with reference to FIGS. When a new fuel cartridge 3 is inserted into the storage unit 25, the fuel cartridge 3 moves from the state shown in FIG. 6 to the state shown in FIG. First, the lid 20 is opened by the fuel introduction pipe 23. At this time, the on-off valve 22 is closed. In parallel with the connection between the connector 11 and the connector 12 and the device recognizing that the fuel cartridge 3 is mounted, the fuel 17 starts to be fed from the fuel cartridge 3 into the hole opened in the fuel introduction pipe 23. If the on-off valve 22 is opened and the fuel feed pump 24 is driven, the fuel 17 can be fed to the fuel cell. Note that this step 217 may be started before step 216 is completed, or may be started before step 216.

  When the device is stopped, the replacement operation of the fuel cartridge is completed.

  Next, a case where it is determined that the device is operating when the operation of the device is confirmed (step 205) will be described. In consideration of the convenience of the user, it is preferable that the device continues to operate during the replacement. When it is determined that the device is operating at the time of device operation confirmation (step 205), the capacity of the secondary battery is confirmed (step 206). If it is determined that the capacity of the secondary battery is sufficient to move the device during the replacement of the fuel cartridge, the routine proceeds to step 210. If it is determined that the capacity of the secondary battery is not sufficient to move the device during the replacement, the secondary battery is charged with the fuel cell (step 207). After charging, the capacity of the secondary battery is checked again (step 206), and charging is performed until the capacity becomes sufficient to move the device during replacement.

  After step 206, the operation mode of the device is changed so that the secondary battery can be charged in a short time or the replacement time can be extended (step 207, step 209), and the power consumption of the device is reduced. It is also effective to make it smaller. When the operation mode is changed in this way, an operation (step 218) for changing the device operation mode to the normal mode is necessary after step 217. When the device is in operation, the replacement operation of the fuel cartridge is completed.

  Although not described in the first embodiment, it is possible to have a function that the device issues a warning to the user when the remaining amount of fuel is low.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, a notebook personal computer is used as the device 1, but the same effect can be achieved even with devices such as a PDA, a mobile phone, a portable generator, a video camera, and a digital camera.

  The electronic device according to the present invention is useful as an electronic device equipped with a fuel cell because the fuel cartridge can be replaced whenever the user likes regardless of whether the device is in operation.

Schematic of the electronic device in Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure which shows the flow of the fuel cartridge exchange in Embodiment 1 of this invention Schematic which shows the state in which the cover in Embodiment 1 of this invention was closed Schematic which shows the state in which the cover in Embodiment 1 of this invention opened. Schematic showing a state in which the fuel cartridge according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is connected to the power supply unit Schematic showing a state in which the fuel cartridge in Embodiment 1 of the present invention is removed from the power supply unit Schematic which shows the state in which the cover in Embodiment 1 of this invention was closed Schematic which shows the state which the fuel cartridge in Embodiment 1 of this invention moved to the replacement position Schematic which shows the state in which the cover in Embodiment 1 of this invention was closed Schematic which shows the state which the fuel cartridge in Embodiment 1 of this invention moved to the replacement position

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Notebook PC 2 Power supply part 3 Fuel cartridge 4 Cover 5 Locking device 6 Replacement instruction part 7 Fuel remaining amount display part 8 Remaining amount display button 9 Pin 10 Gear 11 Connector 12 Connector 13 Notch part 14 Gear 15 Gear 16 Spring 17 Fuel 18 Spring fixing jig 19 Spring 20 Lid 21 Packing 22 On-off valve 23 Fuel introduction pipe 24 Fuel feed pump 25 Storage section 26 Connector 27 Spring 28 Pin

Claims (8)

The device body,
A power supply unit that includes a secondary battery, a power generation unit, and a fuel cell including a fuel cartridge that stores fuel to be supplied to the power generation unit;
An electronic device comprising:
A detection unit for detecting a remaining amount of fuel in the fuel cartridge and outputting remaining fuel amount information;
A display unit that is installed in the device main body, the power supply unit, or the fuel cartridge, and displays the remaining fuel amount information obtained from the detection unit;
An exchange instruction unit for outputting an exchange instruction signal for instructing the apparatus main body or the power supply unit to exchange the fuel cartridge;
A lock mechanism that allows the fuel cartridge to be replaced only when the replacement instruction signal is input from the replacement instruction unit, and allows the fuel cartridge to be replaced when the replacement instruction signal is input from the replacement instruction unit; A fuel cartridge holding part,
Electronic equipment having The replacement instruction unit can be used regardless of whether the device main body is operating,
The electronic device according to claim 1. The apparatus main body or the power supply unit has a power supply monitoring control unit that recognizes the state of the secondary battery and the fuel cell and outputs a power supply control signal that controls the operation of the secondary battery and the fuel cell. thing,
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: A device operation determination unit that determines whether the device main body is operating or stopped when the replacement instruction signal is output from the replacement instruction unit;
A controller that controls an operation state of the power supply unit and the device main body by a power supply control signal from the power supply monitoring control unit when the device operation determination unit determines that the device main body is operating. ,
The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The fuel cartridge holding unit, when the device operation determining unit determines that the device main body is stopped, releasing the lock mechanism so as to enable replacement of the fuel cartridge;
The electronic apparatus according to claim 4. The fuel cartridge holding unit allows the fuel cartridge to be replaced when the device operation determining unit determines that the device main body is operating and the charge capacity of the secondary battery is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. To release the locking mechanism,
When the device operation determining unit determines that the device main body is operating and the charge capacity of the secondary battery is lower than a predetermined value, the lock mechanism is maintained so that the fuel cartridge cannot be replaced. The controller controls at least one of the power supply unit and the device main body so that a charge capacity of the secondary battery exceeds the predetermined value;
The electronic apparatus according to claim 4. The fuel cartridge holding part has a drive part for moving the fuel cartridge;
The electronic device according to claim 1. A remaining amount confirmation button, wherein the display unit displays the remaining fuel amount information obtained from the detection unit when the remaining amount confirmation button is pressed;
The electronic device according to claim 1.

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