JP2007001646A - Liquid feeding container and fuel cell system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a pressure difference for use in extruding liquid at the time of feeding liquid irrespective of the residual amount of liquid and assure a large liquid storage capacity occupying in the capacity of the container. <P>SOLUTION: There are provided a liquid storing flexible bag 3 for use in storing liquid in it and a fastening biasing member 7 acting as a pressurizing mechanism for increasing inner pressure to extrude liquid out of the bag by twisting the liquid storing bag 3 and shrinking the liquid storing bag 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid supply container and a fuel cell system using the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improvement in the structure of liquid supply means in a fuel cell, an ink jet printer or the like.

  For example, as represented by a methanol fuel cartridge used in a DMFC (direct methanol fuel cell), a liquid supply container for supplying a liquid to a liquid receptor (liquid acceptor) simply and reliably is used. Yes.

As such a liquid supply container, it is practically convenient to have a mechanism for sending out the liquid contained or packed (or stored) in the inside. For example, a pressurizing mechanism using a biasing means such as a push spring or a leaf spring is often used. This is because a bag-like body storing liquid (such as a liquid storage bag) is deformed so as to be reduced using a push spring or a leaf spring, and pressurized to transfer the liquid from the liquid supply container to the liquid receiver. Is to send out. More specifically, for example, a liquid storage bag (or a corresponding closed space or the like) accommodated in the liquid supply container is replaced with a push spring (for example, a coil spring) or a leaf spring that is also accommodated in the liquid supply container. A typical example is one that is crushed and deformed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).
JP 2000-103078 A JP 2000-103079 A JP 2003-251826 A

  However, when the above-described pressing spring or the like is used as the pressurizing mechanism, the pressure (or biasing force) applied by the spring changes depending on the degree of deformation of the spring (how much it is contracted or extended). There is a problem that occurs. For example, when the liquid is stored in a liquid storage bag (or a corresponding closed space, etc.) and the liquid is full, and when the majority is pushed out from the liquid storage bag and the pressure is small, A large difference will occur (for example, it will drop to about 10 kPa from about several hundred kPa), and the flow rate sent to the liquid receptor will change. On the other hand, since a methanol fuel cartridge or the like requires liquid to be fed in a stable state at a constant flow rate, a device for controlling the pressure, such as a regulator, is often necessary. Has the disadvantages of larger equipment and higher costs.

  In addition, when the liquid storage bag is deformed using a push spring or a leaf spring, these push springs and the like must be arranged adjacent to each other behind the liquid storage bag. In this case, since an installation space including the amount required for the deformation of the spring is required, the space for storing the liquid in the liquid supply container is reduced accordingly. Specifically, in many cases, the liquid can be stored only about 25 to 30% of the internal capacity of the liquid supply container. For example, even if the liquid supply container has an internal capacity of 15 cc, the actual liquid storage amount is about 5 cc or less. However, there is little capacity available for the bulky container itself.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a liquid supply container in which a pressure difference for liquid extrusion at the time of liquid supply is small irrespective of the remaining amount of liquid and a large liquid storage capacity occupying the capacity of the container can be secured, and a fuel using the same An object is to provide a battery system.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present inventor has made various studies. Considering the current situation such as the required use, size, cost, etc. of the liquid supply container such as a methanol fuel cartridge, it is desirable that the basic structure itself of pressurizing using a biasing means such as a spring is not changed. . As a result of intensive studies on the above problems under such circumstances, the inventors have come to know a technology that can solve such problems. The present invention is based on such knowledge, and the invention according to claim 1 is a liquid supply having a pressurizing mechanism that pressurizes the liquid and pushes the liquid to the outside in order to supply the liquid stored in the liquid receiver. In a container, a liquid storage bag that has flexibility and stores liquid therein, and pressurizing the liquid storage bag by twisting the liquid storage bag to increase the internal pressure and pushing the liquid to the outside And an energy storage member for throttling as a mechanism.

  The liquid supply container according to the present invention has one feature in that it has a structure in which a condensing accumulating member such as a torsion coil spring (coil spring) is used as a pressurizing mechanism. In other words, the urging means such as a push spring and a leaf spring in the prior art is a linear element that follows Hooke's law (that is, the amount of change is proportional to the spring force), and the closer to the natural length, the smaller the applied pressure becomes. In contrast to this, the throttle energy storage member (twisted coil spring as an example) in the present invention is different from such an element. For example, a pre-wound liquid storage bag can be formed by pre-winding. In other words, the liquid inside can be sufficiently squeezed out by twisting and deforming like a rag.

  In addition, unlike conventional push springs and leaf springs that are arranged adjacent to the rear of the liquid storage bag, etc., an energy storage member for constriction such as a torsion coil spring can be used, for example, the outer peripheral surface or the inner surface of the liquid storage bag. They can be arranged spirally along the peripheral surface, or can be arranged along the central axis of torsional deformation. In this case, the squeezing accumulating member does not deform in the direction of pushing out the liquid as in the conventional case, but acts to twist and deform the liquid storage bag by deforming it to the last. For this reason, there is an advantage that the installation space can be very small, unlike the push springs and leaf springs, which have largely divided the space for deformation.

  Further, the invention according to claim 2 is the liquid supply container according to claim 1, wherein the squeezing energy storage member is preloaded so as to further twist even when the liquid storage bag is contracted. In addition, when the liquid is filled from the outside, the liquid storage bag bulges and accumulates with the action of untwisting to increase the pressure applied to the liquid.

  As described in claim 3, the liquid supply container described above is a rotating member that is attached to one end of the squeezing energy storage member and is rotatable relative to the main body case that houses the liquid storage bag. In addition, it is preferable to include an energy storage rotating member that further stores energy in the energy storage member for restriction by winding or twisting the energy storage member for expansion by relative rotation. If the accumulating rotary member is rotated after the liquid storage bag is filled with the liquid, the throttle accumulating member on which the preload is applied is further accumulated to increase the pressure applied to the liquid.

  Further, in the liquid supply container having the accumulating rotating member as described above, the accumulating rotating member rotates only in the direction in which the throttle accumulating member is accumulated, as described in claim 4. It is preferable to provide an allowable one-way clutch.

  Furthermore, as described in claim 5, it is also preferable that the accumulating rotating member is provided with a manually wound projection or groove.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, at least a part of the liquid storage bag is allowed to move in the direction of the central axis of the twisting operation of the liquid storage bag. When the liquid storage bag is torsionally deformed and contracts, even if a contraction force acts on the axial length (length along the twist axis), the liquid storage bag is moved by a part thereof in the axial direction. It can also shrink in the axial direction.

  In addition, as described in claim 7, the liquid supply container preferably includes a remaining amount indicator for visually confirming the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid storage bag. For example, a transparent window or the like that allows the remaining amount of liquid to be directly recognized.

  The liquid supply container according to claim 8 is a relative indicator of a liquid storage bag or a member that rotates in association with the liquid storage bag as a remaining amount indicator for confirming a remaining amount of liquid in the liquid storage bag. A display window that can visually recognize the amount of rotation is provided. According to this remaining amount indicator, it is possible to grasp the remaining amount of liquid with reference to the relative rotation amount of the liquid storage bag or a member that rotates accompanying the liquid storage bag.

  More preferably, the remaining amount indicator in this case is one in which the portion displayed on the display window is separately colored with a color corresponding to the relative rotation amount. It is possible to grasp the remaining amount of liquid with the color displayed in the display window.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the liquid supply container is formed of a material having elasticity.

  In the liquid supply container according to the eleventh aspect, the squeezing energy storage member is integrated with the liquid storage bag.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the throttling energy storage member is contained in the liquid storage bag. In this case, it is preferable that the diaphragm energy storage member is coated.

  A fuel cell system according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention includes the liquid supply container according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects as a liquid supply container used for a fuel cell using liquid fuel. is there.

  The invention according to claim 15 is the fuel cell system according to claim 14, wherein a fuel containing at least methanol is used as the liquid fuel. In this case, the liquid storage bag is preferably formed of EPDM (claim 16).

  According to the liquid supply container of the first aspect, since the liquid storage bag is squeezed and pressurized using “twist” or “twist” by the squeezing energy storage member, a conventional push spring or the like is used. As compared with the case of the pressurizing mechanism using the biasing means, the stored liquid in the bag can be more uniformly pressurized and pushed out. Thus, when pressurizing so as to squeeze using the “torsion” or “twist” of the squeezing energy storage member, the load fluctuation during operation is relatively small, and the pressure difference can be kept low. Accordingly, the pressure difference for pushing out the liquid when supplying the liquid is small regardless of the remaining amount of the liquid, and the liquid can be fed into the liquid receptor (liquid acceptor) at a constant flow rate or a stable state close to this. . As a result, a device for controlling pressure, such as a regulator, is not required, so that the device can be reduced in size and cost accordingly.

  In addition, since the pressurizing mechanism using the throttle accumulating member has less space loss than a conventional push spring or the like, more liquid storage space can be secured accordingly. Therefore, even when a liquid supply container having the same capacity as the conventional one is used, it is possible to secure a larger liquid storage capacity occupying the entire capacity. Therefore, it is possible to provide a liquid supply container that is easier to use in an actual situation. Is possible.

  In addition, according to the liquid supply container of the second aspect, since the squeezing storage member is in a state in which the preload is applied, the pressure is applied by further twisting even when the liquid storage bag is contracted. be able to. For this reason, it is possible to sufficiently extrude the internal liquid to such an extent that there is no stored amount. Also, when the liquid is filled from the outside into the liquid supply container, the liquid storage bag filled with the liquid gradually inflates and rotates in the direction opposite to the twisted direction to untwist. Operate. At this time, as a result of the above-described throttling energy storage member being twisted (or rolled up) so as to be further energy-accumulated as a result of this operation, the more liquid is filled, the more the liquid is filled. A stronger pressure can be applied.

  According to the liquid supply container of the third aspect, it is possible to further accumulate energy to the throttle accumulation member by rotating the accumulation rotation member. Therefore, it is easy to increase the pressure applied to the liquid. For example, when it is desired to increase the supply amount (extrusion flow rate), it is convenient to adjust the pressure.

  According to the liquid supply container of the fourth aspect, when the accumulating rotating member is rotated by a desired amount, the accumulating rotating member can be hooked and stopped at the position by the action of the one-way clutch. Therefore, it is possible to easily maintain a state in which a desired pressure can be continuously applied.

  According to the liquid supply container of claim 5, it can be rotated by picking a hand-wound projection provided on the energy storage rotating member, or can be rotated by applying a jig to the groove. is there.

  According to the liquid supply container of the sixth aspect, since at least a part of the liquid storage bag is movable in the central axis direction, the liquid storage bag not only in the radial direction but also in the long axis direction (twist deformation) when contracted It can also shrink in the direction of the hour axis). For this reason, resistance at the time of contraction decreases, and it becomes possible to perform more smoothly the operation of pressurizing the liquid storage bag and pushing out the liquid.

  According to the liquid supply container of claim 7, it is convenient because the liquid remaining amount in the container can be confirmed through the remaining amount indicator.

  According to the liquid supply container of the eighth aspect of the present invention, the remaining amount of liquid can be grasped with reference to the relative rotation amount of the liquid storage bag or a member rotating accompanying the liquid storage bag. is there.

  According to the liquid supply container of the ninth aspect of the invention, since the remaining amount indicator in which the portion displayed in the display window is separately colored with the color corresponding to the relative rotation amount is provided, the remaining amount of liquid is grasped by the display color. In this case, it is easy to recognize and easy to use.

  According to the liquid supply container of the tenth aspect, since the liquid storage bag is made of a material having further elasticity, the liquid storage bag can be further twisted and deformed when the liquid is compressed by pressing the bag so as to be squeezed. It becomes like this. Therefore, the stored liquid in the bag can be further squeezed out and supplied until the remaining amount becomes small.

  According to the liquid supply container of the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the liquid is stored in a state in which the pressure difference due to the remaining amount of liquid is reduced as much as possible due to the action of the energy storage member integrated in the liquid storage bag. This is preferable in that it can be supplied and a large liquid storage capacity can be secured in the capacity of the container.

  According to the liquid supply container of the twelfth aspect, the liquid is supplied in the state where the pressure difference due to the remaining amount of liquid is reduced as much as possible by the action of the energy storing member for throttle contained in the liquid storage bag. In addition, it is possible to secure a large liquid storage capacity in the capacity of the container.

  Furthermore, according to the liquid supply container of the thirteenth aspect, since the squeezing energy storage member is coated, the above-described operational effects can be realized without being chemically affected by the stored liquid.

  According to the invention of claim 14, it is possible to provide a fuel cell system provided with a liquid supply container that realizes the above-described operational effects, and according to the invention of claim 15, at least methanol as the liquid fuel. When a fuel containing is used, a fuel cell system including the liquid supply container as described above can be provided. Furthermore, according to the invention of claim 16, since the liquid storage bag is formed of EPDM, it is particularly preferable for liquid fuel containing methanol fuel.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the present invention will be described in detail based on an example of an embodiment shown in the drawings.

  1 to 5 show an embodiment of the present invention. The liquid supply container 1 according to the present invention has a pressurizing mechanism that pressurizes the liquid and supplies it to the outside in order to supply the liquid stored therein to the liquid receptor. In addition to the pressurizing mechanism, the liquid supply container 1 of the present embodiment includes a liquid storage bag 3, a main body case 2 that houses the liquid storage bag 3, and a rotation that can rotate relative to the main body case 2. It is the structure provided with the member. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the squeezing accumulating member 7 that pressurizes the liquid storage bag 3 as described above is used as a pressurizing mechanism (see FIG. 1 and the like). The use of the liquid supply container 1 according to the present embodiment is not particularly limited, but is suitable as, for example, a methanol fuel cartridge used in DMFC (direct methanol fuel cell). Below, the case where the liquid supply container 1 concerning this invention is applied to the methanol fuel cartridge utilized in DMFC is demonstrated. For example, a 3 wt% aqueous methanol solution is sealed in advance in the methanol fuel cartridge.

  The main body case 2 is a housing that accommodates the liquid storage bag 3 described above. The shape and size of the main body case 2 can be varied depending on the application form. For example, in this embodiment, the main body case 2 is formed in a cylindrical shape suitable as a methanol fuel cartridge or the like. . In addition, a lid member 8 that can be attached to and detached from the main body case 2 is attached to a connection side (hereinafter, referred to as a head) of the main body case 2 to a liquid receptor (for example, a liquid acceptor in DMFC). Yes. The lid member 8 is provided with a joint member 9 which is a connection portion to the liquid receptor (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Furthermore, a through-hole 2a through which the accumulating rotating member 6 passes is provided on the side of the main body case 2 opposite to the head (hereinafter referred to as the bottom) (see FIG. 4 and the like). Further, the circumferential groove-like portion 10 provided for connecting the main body case 2 and the lid member 8 has a liquid-tight state of the liquid storage bag 3 (a state in which the stored liquid does not leak). It is formed so that it can be attached.

  The body case 2 is provided with a member 4 (hereinafter referred to as a “cylindrical member”) 4 that is cylindrical and has a shape in which only one end is provided with a lid (indicated by reference numeral 4b). (Refer to FIG. 4 etc.). The cylindrical member 4 divides a space in which liquid is stored and a space in which the accumulating rotary member 6 and the throttle accumulating member 7 are accommodated, and as shown in FIG. The energy storing rotary member 6 and the throttle energy storing member 7 can be accommodated in the elongated space. The cylindrical member 4 is rotatably provided inside the main body case 2. A flange portion 4 a is formed at the bottom of the cylindrical member 4, and the flange portion 4 a is assigned to the bottom surface of the main body case 2. It is supposed to be arranged in. Incidentally, the liquid filled in the liquid supply container 1 in this embodiment in which the cylindrical member 4 having such a structure is provided inside the main body case 2 is specifically the lid member 8 and the liquid storage bag 3. It is stored in a cylindrical space surrounded by the disk-shaped rotating member 5 and the cylindrical member 4 described here (see FIGS. 4 and 5). In the liquid supply container 1 of the present embodiment, the cylindrical member 4 and the disk-shaped rotating member 5 correspond to members that rotate accompanying the liquid storage bag 3 (see FIG. 4 and the like).

  The liquid storage bag 3 is a bag-like body for temporary storage for storing the liquid filled therein and sending it out to the outside when necessary, and is formed by a flexible member (or material). Yes. Since the liquid storage bag 3 in this embodiment is squeezed and deformed by the twisting action received from the pressurizing mechanism (the energy storage member 7 for squeezing), it is twisted and deformed in this way, and the liquid inside is sufficiently delivered. It is preferable to have sufficient flexibility (see FIGS. 4 and 5). As such a flexible material, a plastic (synthetic resin) material or an elastic material such as rubber can be used. For example, in the present embodiment applied to a fuel cell system, this liquid reservoir is used. The bag 3 is formed of EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Methylene Linkage), that is, a so-called rubber ethylene propylene diene terpolymer obtained by polymerizing ethylene, propylene and butadienes. This EPDM is also called ethylene propylene rubber, and is a synthetic rubber that is excellent in aging resistance, chemical resistance, ozone resistance, cold resistance, and thermal stability. For example, various vehicle parts mainly for automobiles, belts, gaskets, electric wires It is widely used as waterproof materials, impact modifiers for polyolefins (bumpers), packing for iron covers for color paving, cushioning materials for gratings, and surface materials for recycled rubber chip paving materials. Therefore, selecting this EPDM as a material not only has the advantages listed here, but also easily obtains advantages in terms of availability and cost. In this embodiment, the liquid storage bag 3 is formed into a cylindrical shape using such EPDM. The liquid storage bag 3 formed in a cylindrical shape is attached in a liquid-tight state to the above-described circumferential groove-like portion 10 at the periphery on the head side, and further, the rotation member 5 and the flange portion on the periphery on the bottom side. It is also attached in a liquid-tight state so as to be sandwiched between 4a and 4a (see FIG. 4).

  The rotating member 5 is provided so as to be rotatable relative to the main body case 2 as described above. For example, in this embodiment, a disk-shaped disk body formed in a size that can be accommodated in the main body case 2 is used as the rotating member 5 (hereinafter referred to as the rotating disk 5), and the rotating disk 5 is used as the cylindrical member 4 described above. It is attached so as to be integrated with the flange portion 4a. The peripheral edge on the bottom side of the liquid storage bag 3 described above is attached in a liquid-tight state so as to be sandwiched between the rotating disk 5 and the flange portion 4a (see FIG. 4). A through hole having an inner diameter approximately the same as the outer diameter of the cylindrical member 4 is provided at the center of the rotary disk 5, and the cylindrical member 4 is configured to pass through the through hole.

  The squeezing energy storage member 7 is provided as a member constituting a pressurizing mechanism for twisting the liquid storage bag 3 to contract the liquid storage bag 3, thereby increasing the internal pressure and pushing the liquid to the outside. It is what. For example, in the case of the present embodiment, a torsion coil spring is employed as the throttling energy storage member 7 (hereinafter referred to as a torsion coil spring 7), and the energy storage rotation member 6 disposed at the center of the liquid supply container 1 is used. The torsion coil spring 7 is wound around the periphery of the coil, in other words, the torsion coil spring 7 is disposed in a cylindrical space between the accumulating rotating member 6 and the cylindrical member 4. In this case, the torsion coil spring 7 is in a state in which a preload is applied, that is, a state in which the torsion coil spring 7 is wound to some extent in advance so as to constantly apply a spring force to the rotating disk 5 or the like so as to squeeze the liquid storage bag 3. Is provided. An end of the torsion coil spring 7 on the head side is fixed to and integrated with the head of the rotating member 6 for energy storage. On the other hand, the end of the torsion coil spring 7 on the bottom side is fixed to and integrated with any portion of the inner peripheral portion of the cylindrical member 4. Therefore, for example, when only the accumulating rotation member 6 is manually rotated, the rotation is directly transmitted to the torsion coil spring 7, and the torsion coil spring 7 is further twisted to accumulate energy. Works. The preload of the torsion coil spring 7 or the torsional force accumulated in this way acts to rotate the cylindrical member 4 and the rotating disk 5. When the cylindrical member 4 and the rotating disk 5 rotate, the liquid storage bag 3 is twisted and deformed, and acts to pressurize the internal stored liquid and push it out.

  The rotating member for accumulating 6 is a rotating body to which one end of the torsion coil spring 7 (more specifically, the end on the head side) is attached as described above and is rotatable relative to the main body case 2. It is a member that functions to further accumulate energy in the torsion coil spring 7 by relative rotation. For example, if the energy storage rotating member 6 is rotated after the liquid storage bag 3 is filled with the liquid, the torsion coil spring 7 on which the preload has already been applied is further stored to increase the pressure applied to the liquid. become. According to such an accumulating rotating member 6, it is possible to easily increase the pressure applied to the liquid. For example, it is necessary to increase the liquid supply amount (push-out flow rate) from the liquid supply container 1. It is convenient to adjust the pressure easily.

  Further, in this embodiment, a one-way clutch that allows the rotating member for accumulating force 6 to rotate only in the direction in which the torsion coil spring 7 is energized is, for example, the through hole 2a of the main body case 2 and the rotating member for accumulating energy. 6 between the large diameter portions. Although the one-way clutch is not particularly shown in the drawings, the clutch mechanism itself may be a known one. To briefly explain, a one-way clutch is a clutch that can literally rotate in only one direction and is locked in the other direction, for example, inner and outer rings that rotate relative to each other, and relative rotation in one direction. Is constituted by a lock claw or the like that locks so as to restrict relative rotation in the other direction. In the liquid supply container 1 of this embodiment provided with such a one-way clutch, when the accumulating rotating member 6 is rotated by a desired amount and accumulated in the torsion coil spring 7, the one-way clutch is rotated for accumulating. The member 6 is locked at the desired position to prevent reverse rotation. Therefore, it is convenient to easily maintain a state in which a desired pressure can be continuously applied.

  In addition, although not particularly shown in the figure, the energy storage rotating member 6 is preferably provided with a member or a device such as a protrusion or a groove for enabling easy manual winding. In such a case, it can be conveniently rotated by picking a hand-wound projection provided on the energy-accumulating rotating member 6 or can be rotated by applying a jig to the groove. For example, as a specific example of the groove, a minus-shaped groove for rotating with a minus driver can be cited.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the remaining amount indicator 11 which can visually recognize the remaining amount of the stored liquid in the liquid storage bag 3 is provided (refer FIG. 2). An example of such a remaining amount indicator 11 is a transparent window for allowing the internal liquid to be directly visually recognized. For example, the liquid storage bag 3 for the main body case 2 or the liquid storage bag. 3 can also be constituted by a display window through which the relative rotation amount of the rotating member 6 (cylindrical member 4 and rotating disk 5) or the accumulating rotating member 6 can be visually recognized. In the present embodiment, by providing such a remaining amount indicator 11, the remaining amount of liquid can be grasped with reference to the relative rotation amount of the rotary disk 5 or the like. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the portion displayed in such a display window is painted with a color corresponding to the relative rotation amount, and the remaining amount of liquid can be grasped by the color displayed in the display window. I am doing so. For example, if the remaining amount is sufficient, it can be grasped at a glance if it is blue, when it is less than half it is yellow, and when it is reduced to a level that requires replenishment, it is red. It is convenient. In principle, the remaining amount indicator 11 that is painted in different colors is effective when the amount of rotation of the cylindrical member 4 or the rotating disk 5 is at most 1 rotation or less. When rotating more, it is preferable to use the transparent window as described above.

  The liquid supply container 1 having the above-described structure operates as follows during liquid filling and liquid supply. That is, when the liquid is not filled, the liquid storage bag 3 is squeezed through the cylindrical member 4 and the rotating disk 5 and twisted and deformed by the action of the preload applied to the torsion coil spring 7 in advance. (See FIG. 5). In this state, as a rule, the stored liquid does not remain in the liquid supply container 1. Next, when such a liquid supply container 1 is filled with liquid from, for example, the joint member 9, the liquid storage bag 3 gradually expands as the filling amount increases, and eventually reaches the maximum storage amount (see FIG. 4). In this way, when the liquid storage bag 3 is gradually inflated, the shape of the liquid storage bag 3 is self-recovered by the internal pressure, and finally the liquid storage bag 3 is expanded to the inside of the main body case 2 to be in a state where there is no twist (see FIG. 5) . However, as the liquid storage bag 3 expands and the twist is gradually released in this way, the rotating disk 5 and the cylindrical member 4 rotate by that amount, and the torsion coil spring 7 is further wound and stored. become. When the joint member 9 is opened in such a state that the liquid is filled, the liquid storage bag 3 constantly receiving the spring force by the torsion coil spring 7 is twisted and deformed. When twisting and deforming in this way, the internal volume of the liquid storage bag 3 is reduced by that amount, and the stored liquid is pushed out from the joint member 9 and discharged (see FIG. 5). Further, if the accumulating rotating member 6 is rotated by a desired amount at the time of liquid filling or the like, the torsion coil spring 7 is accumulated by that amount, and the pressure acting on the stored liquid can be increased.

  As described so far, the liquid supply container 1 of the present embodiment has one feature in that the structure uses the torsion coil spring (coil spring) 7 as a pressurizing mechanism. In other words, the urging means such as a push spring and a leaf spring in the prior art is a linear element that follows Hooke's law (that is, the amount of change is proportional to the spring force), and the closer to the natural length, the smaller the applied pressure becomes. In contrast to this, the torsion coil spring 7 in the present embodiment is different from such an element. For example, the pre-wound liquid storage bag 3 is preliminarily wound to give a bag-like liquid storage bag 3 like a rag. There is an advantage that the liquid inside can be sufficiently squeezed out by twisting deformation. In addition, in the present embodiment, the liquid storage bag 3 is pressurized by using the twisting (twisting or twisting) operation of the torsion coil spring 7 as described above. Compared to the case of a pressurizing mechanism using an urging means such as a push spring, the stored liquid in the liquid storage bag 3 can be pressed more uniformly and pushed out. According to such a pressurizing mechanism, the pressure difference can be kept low because the fluctuation of the load during liquid extrusion / supply is relatively small. Accordingly, the pressure difference for pushing out the liquid when supplying the liquid is small regardless of the remaining amount of the liquid, and the liquid can be fed into the liquid receptor (liquid acceptor) at a constant flow rate or a stable state close to this. .

  Moreover, unlike the conventional push springs and leaf springs arranged adjacent to the rear of the liquid storage bag, the torsion coil spring 7 as described in the present embodiment has an inner portion of the central axis of the torsional deformation (the main shaft). If it is embodiment, it can arrange | position in the space in the cylindrical member 4, or can arrange | position in a spiral form along the outer peripheral surface and inner peripheral surface of the liquid storage bag 3. FIG. In this case, the torsion coil spring 7 does not deform in the direction of pushing out the liquid as in the prior art, but acts to twist and deform the liquid storage bag 3 by deforming it to the last. Unlike the press springs and leaf springs, which have greatly divided the space, there is an advantage that the installation space is very small.

  Here, in the case of the present embodiment, as a measure of how much the pressure difference for liquid extrusion at the time of liquid supply is reduced and how much liquid storage capacity occupying the total capacity of the main body case 2 can be secured. A specific example is as follows. That is, when the liquid is stored in the liquid storage bag 3 and is full, the internal pressure (however, the difference from the atmospheric pressure) is 20 kPa, and most of the liquid is pushed out from the liquid storage bag 3 and remains. It is possible to considerably suppress the pressure difference as compared with the conventional case, such as the internal pressure of 5 kPa in the state where the pressure becomes small. Further, it is possible to secure a liquid storage capacity occupying about 55% of the total capacity of the main body case 2.

  The above-described embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in the present embodiment, it has been described that the liquid storage bag 3 has flexibility while exemplifying EPDM. However, the liquid storage bag 3 has not only flexibility as described above but also moderate elasticity. It is also preferable that the liquid storage bag 3 is formed of a member (material). Although a specific material name is not given here, the liquid storage bag 3 having sufficient elasticity (in other words, flexibility) is in close contact with the cylindrical member 4 as shown in FIG. It is also possible to deform to a close state or a state close thereto. In such a case, it is possible to further squeeze the liquid stored in the liquid storage bag 3 and supply it to the outside until the remaining amount is close to 0. From the viewpoint of increasing the supply amount once. Is also preferable.

  In the present embodiment, the rotating disk 5 is installed so as to be integrated with the cylindrical member 4 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). It is also preferable that the cylindrical member 4 and the accumulating rotary member 6 be provided so as to be movable in the long axis direction. In such a case, even when the axial length of the main body case 2 is shortened by twisting and contracting when the liquid storage bag 3 is twisted, the rotating disk 5 follows such contraction operation. It becomes possible to move in the axial direction (see the imaginary line in FIG. 5). According to this, when pushing out the stored liquid, the resistance when performing the operation of pressurizing the liquid storage bag 3 to be squeezed can be reduced as much as possible, and the operation can be performed more smoothly and the liquid inside can be sufficiently pushed out. It becomes possible. For example, when applied to the above-described embodiment, a structure in which the inner diameter of the through hole of the rotating disk 5 is substantially matched with the outer diameter of the cylindrical member 4 so that the rotating disk 5 can freely move in the axial direction is illustrated. can do. In this embodiment, the peripheral edge of the liquid storage bag 3 is sandwiched between the flange portion 4a of the cylindrical member 4 and the rotary disk 5. In this way, the rotary disk 5 can be moved in the axial direction. In this case, it is desirable that the peripheral edge of the liquid storage bag 3 is attached only to the rotating disk 5 in a liquid-tight state.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, a structure in which the torsion coil spring 7 is wound around the accumulating rotating member 6 (in other words, a structure in which the torsion coil spring 7 is disposed inside the liquid storage bag 3). Although the liquid supply container 1 has been described, this is merely an example of an aspect of the pressurizing mechanism, and is not limited thereto. For example, the torsion coil spring 7 may be integrated with the liquid storage bag 3 by adhesion or welding, and the liquid storage bag 3 and the torsion coil spring 7 may be integrally deformed. (See FIGS. 7 and 8). Alternatively, a structure in which the torsion coil spring 7 is included in the liquid storage bag 3, such as the torsion coil spring 7 attached to the inner peripheral surface of the liquid storage bag 3 (see FIGS. 9 and 10), may be employed. In short, it is possible to reduce the pressure difference for pushing out the liquid when supplying the stored liquid regardless of the remaining amount of the liquid, and to secure more liquid storage capacity in the capacity of the liquid supply container 1 than the conventional one. For example, the specific structure of the pressurizing mechanism is not particularly limited. In addition, in the structure in which the torsion coil spring 7 is included in the liquid storage bag 3 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, in order to realize a desired function and effect without being affected by the chemical, It is desirable to coat the torsion coil spring 7 in accordance with the type and characteristics.

  Furthermore, the above-described torsion coil spring itself is only a preferable specific example of the energy storage member for throttling. In short, the liquid storage bag 3 is twisted in the same manner as the coil spring, and the liquid storage bag 3 is contracted. The coil spring is not limited as long as it acts to increase the internal pressure and push the liquid to the outside. As another example, an elastic body such as a bundled rubber band, an elastic body constituted by a mainspring, an elastic body constituted by a torsion spring, etc., accumulated by receiving a twisting action or a winding action. However, it is sufficient if the stored liquid can be pressurized to return to the original state.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the liquid supply container 1 according to the present invention is applied to a methanol fuel cartridge used in a DMFC (direct methanol fuel cell) has been described. It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to various things such as a liquid supply container as a liquid supply means in an inkjet printer or the like.

It is a side view which shows the external appearance of the liquid supply container in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an external appearance when the liquid supply container shown in FIG. 1 is seen from the bottom part. It is a figure which shows an external appearance when the liquid supply container shown in FIG. 1 is seen from the head. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line IV-IV of the liquid supply container shown in FIG. 1 and shows a state when the liquid is filled. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a liquid supply container, Comprising: A liquid storage bag shows a state when stored liquid is discharge | released outside by twisting deformation. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows a state when stored liquid is discharge | released outside by twisting and deforming the liquid storage bag which has not only flexibility but moderate elasticity. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the liquid supply container of the structure where the torsion coil spring was integrated with the liquid storage bag by adhesion | attachment, welding, etc., Comprising: The state when it fills with the liquid is shown. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a liquid supply container having a structure in which a torsion coil spring is integrated with a liquid storage bag by bonding or welding, and when the stored liquid is discharged to the outside by twisting deformation of the liquid storage bag It shows the state. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the liquid supply container of the structure where the torsion coil spring was included in the liquid storage bag, Comprising: The state when it fills with the liquid is shown. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a liquid supply container having a structure in which a torsion coil spring is included in a liquid storage bag, and shows a state when stored liquid is discharged to the outside by twisting deformation of the liquid storage bag. .

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Liquid supply container 2 Main body case 3 Liquid storage bag 4 Cylindrical member (member rotated accompanying a liquid storage bag)
5 Rotating disc (member that rotates with the liquid storage bag)
6 Rotating member for energy storage 7 Torsion coil spring 9 Joint member 11 Remaining indicator

Claims (16)

  In a liquid supply container having a pressurizing mechanism that pressurizes the liquid stored in the liquid receiver and pushes the liquid outward, the liquid reservoir has flexibility and stores the liquid therein. A squeezing accumulating member as a pressurizing mechanism that twists the liquid storage bag and contracts the liquid storage bag to increase the internal pressure and push the liquid to the outside. Liquid supply container characterized.   The squeezing energy storage member is provided in a state in which a preload is applied so as to further twist even when the liquid storage bag is contracted, and when the liquid is filled from the outside, The liquid supply container according to claim 1, wherein the storage bag is bulged and accumulating with an operation of releasing the twist to increase the pressure applied to the liquid.   One end of the squeezing energy storage member is attached, and is a rotating member that is relatively rotatable with respect to a main body case that houses the liquid storage bag therein. The liquid supply container according to claim 2, further comprising an energy-accumulating rotating member that further energizes the throttle energy-accumulating member by winding or twisting.   The liquid supply container according to claim 3, further comprising a one-way clutch that allows the energy storage rotary member to rotate only in a direction in which the energy storage member for throttle is stored.   The liquid supply container according to claim 4, wherein a manual winding protrusion or a groove is provided on the energy storage rotating member.   The liquid according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least a part of the liquid storage bag is allowed to move in a central axis direction of a twisting operation of the liquid storage bag. Supply container.   The liquid supply container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a remaining amount indicator for visually confirming the remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid storage bag.   As a remaining amount indicator for confirming the remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid storage bag, a display window for visually recognizing a relative rotation amount of the liquid storage bag or a member rotating accompanying the liquid storage bag with respect to the main body case The liquid supply container according to claim 3, further comprising:   The liquid supply container according to claim 8, wherein a portion displayed on the display window is separately colored with a color corresponding to a relative rotation amount.   The liquid supply container according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the liquid storage bag is made of a material having further elasticity.   The liquid supply container according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the squeezing energy storage member is integrated with the liquid storage bag.   The liquid supply container according to claim 1, wherein the squeezing energy storage member is included in the liquid storage bag.   The liquid supply container according to claim 12, wherein the squeezing energy storage member is coated.   A fuel cell system comprising the liquid supply container according to claim 1 as a liquid supply container used in a fuel cell using liquid fuel.   The fuel cell system according to claim 14, wherein a fuel containing at least methanol is used as the liquid fuel. The fuel cell system according to claim 15, wherein the liquid storage bag is formed of EPDM.