JP2007172914A - Fuel vessel for fuel cell, fuel filling device to fuel vessel, and fuel cell system using fuel vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel vessel for a fuel cell more convenient than current one, in which a regular fuel vessel into which fuel is properly filled can be used without any inconvenience in addition to prevent use of a fuel vessel into which fuel is improperly filled; to provide a fuel filling device to the fuel vessel, and a fuel cell system using the fuel vessel. <P>SOLUTION: In the fuel vessel constituted detachably to the fuel cell, a storage means storing information relating to fuel filling according to the filling of fuel comprises a first storage means storing first information relating to fuel filling according to fuel filling to a fuel storage part and a second storage means storing second information relating to fuel filling every fuel filling operation by control of a fuel filling device on the outside conducting fuel filling operation. A fact that fuel is filled is stored in the first storage means independent of proper filling and improper filling. Only fuel filling operation using a proper fuel filling device is stored in the second storage means, and filling operation with the improper fuel filling device is not stored. When information stored in the first storage means is coincide with the information stored in the second storage means, fuel filling is considered proper filling, and fuel is refilled or fuel is supplied to the fuel cell. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a replaceable fuel cell fuel container used in a fuel cell that generates power in response to fuel supply, a fuel filling device for filling the container with fuel, and whether fuel is supplied from the container. The present invention relates to a fuel cell device that controls start and stop of power generation in a fuel cell.

Recently, as a new power source that replaces a dry cell or a storage battery, a fuel cell that has a high conversion efficiency into electric energy of a fuel and that can generate electricity as long as the fuel continues to be supplied has attracted attention. A fuel cell fuel container (hereinafter simply referred to as a fuel container) in which a fuel cell is conventionally used as a power source and fuel (for example, aqueous methanol solution) to be supplied to the fuel cell can be stored in an internal fuel storage unit. The fuel cell is made detachable, and the fuel container that has run out of fuel is refilled (supplemented) with fuel by the fuel filling device, and then can be attached to the fuel cell again so that it can be used. A fuel cell system that can be used repeatedly over a plurality of times is known. For example, a technique described in Patent Document 1 shown below is related to this.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-045468

  According to the prior art described in the above-mentioned patent document 1, it is possible to prevent an illegally manufactured fuel container from being used or an illegally manufactured fuel container from being illegally filled with fuel. Therefore, an IC chip is built in each of the fuel container, the fuel cell main body to which the fuel container can be attached, and the fuel replenisher (fuel filling device) for filling the fuel container with the fuel. To exchange data. And if it is a regular fuel container, it can be filled with fuel from a refueling machine, and even if it is a regular fuel container, it is fueled if low quality fuel is improperly filled. In order to prevent the battery body from being used, it is determined whether the fuel container is a genuine product or an unauthorized product.

  By the way, in the above prior art, in order to use the fuel container correctly, when the fuel container is removed from the fuel cell, the “removal history” is recorded for the IC chip attached to the fuel container. Based on the above, it is determined whether or not the fuel container attached at the time of fuel filling or fuel supply is a genuine product. However, even if the fuel container attached to the fuel cell or the fuel filling device is temporarily removed and reattached, a “removal history” is recorded on the IC chip. Therefore, in such a case, the fuel container is not regarded as a regular product but is regarded as an unauthorized product, which is not convenient because it cannot be used as it is. In addition, in order to be able to use such a fuel container again, it is necessary to refill the fuel with the fuel filling device even though the fuel remains in the fuel container. There was a problem that it was very troublesome and inconvenient.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points. In addition to preventing the use of an illegally filled fuel container, the regular fuel container correctly filled with fuel can be used without any inconvenience. An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel container for a fuel cell, a fuel filling device for the fuel cell, and a fuel cell device using the same that can be used.

  A fuel container for a fuel cell according to claim 1 of the present invention is a fuel container for a fuel cell configured to be detachable from a fuel cell that generates electricity in response to the supply of fuel. A fuel storage unit that stores fuel, a detection unit that detects filling of the fuel in the fuel storage unit, and first information related to fuel filling is written in response to detection of fuel filling by the detection unit. 1 storage means, and second storage means in which second information related to fuel filling is written every time the fuel filling operation is performed by the control of an external fuel filling device that performs the fuel filling operation. Yeah.

  A fuel filling device according to claim 2 of the present invention is a fuel filling device to which the fuel container for fuel cell according to claim 1 can be attached, and a predetermined fuel is supplied to the attached fuel container for fuel cell. The fuel filling means to be filled, and the first storage means and the second storage means arranged in the fuel container for the fuel cell are read out and the information related to the fuel filling written in each is read out. And a filling control means for controlling the fuel filling means so that the fuel container for fuel cell is filled with fuel when the respective information matches.

  A fuel cell device according to claim 3 of the present invention is a fuel cell device to which the fuel container for fuel cell according to claim 1 can be attached, and the fuel cell and the fuel attached to the fuel cell. The fuel supply means for supplying the fuel stored in the fuel container for the battery and the first storage means and the second storage means arranged in the fuel container for the fuel cell are written respectively. Supply control means for reading the information related to fuel filling and controlling the fuel supply means so that fuel is supplied from the fuel cell fuel container to the fuel cell main body only when the read information matches. With.

  According to the present invention, in the fuel container for a fuel cell configured to be detachable from the fuel cell that generates power in response to the supply of fuel, the storage means for writing information related to the fuel filling in accordance with the fuel filling is provided. The first storage means in which the first information related to the fuel filling is written in response to the detection of the fuel filling in the fuel storage unit by the detecting means, and the control of the external fuel filling device for performing the fuel filling operation Each time the fuel filling operation according to (1) is performed, the second storage means in which the second information related to the fuel filling is written is divided into two. In the first storage means, the first information is written only in the fuel container in response to detection of the fuel filling by the detection means provided in the fuel container itself. Regardless of regular fuel filling (fuel filling by a regular fuel filling device certified by the manufacturer) or unauthorized fuel filling (fuel filling by a device other than a regular fuel filling device not certified by the manufacturer, etc.) The information is written according to the fact that the fuel container is filled with fuel. On the other hand, since writing control is performed only when a regular fuel filling device that performs an operation of filling fuel outside the fuel container is used for the second storage means, when an unauthorized fuel filling device is used. Is not write controlled. Therefore, in the fuel filling device and the fuel cell device to which the fuel container can be attached, when the respective information written in the first storage means and the second storage means match, it is regarded as a genuine product. Control is performed so that the fuel container is refilled with fuel or fuel is supplied from the fuel container to the fuel cell. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the use of an unauthorized fuel container in which unauthorized fuel filling has been performed. In addition, since the information is written and controlled according to the filling of the fuel, even if the fuel container is temporarily removed, the written information is not affected, so that the regular fuel filling is performed. Regular fuel containers can be used without any inconvenience.

  According to the present invention, the first storage means in which the first information related to the fuel filling is written in accordance with the detection of the fuel filling in the fuel container for the fuel cell, and the external fuel for performing the fuel filling operation. The information about the fuel filling to the fuel container is stored separately from the second storage means in which the second information related to the fuel filling is written by the control of the filling device. By judging the inconsistency, it is possible to prevent the use of an unauthorized fuel container, and it is possible to obtain an excellent effect that a regular fuel container can be used without any inconvenience.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing one embodiment of a fuel cell fuel container and a fuel cell device using the same according to the present invention. However, here, a case where a conventionally known direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) fuel cell ED is employed will be described as an example. The direct methanol system (DMFC) fuel cell ED is characterized by its operating temperature ranging from room temperature to 80 ° C, enabling low-temperature operation compared to other systems, and high output density to reduce size and weight. The point that it is suitable for. Of course, the fuel cell ED to be adopted is not limited to the direct methanol type (DMFC), but may adopt various types of small fuel cells such as a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC). Needless to say.

First, the outline of the power generation operation in the fuel cell apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be briefly described. Here, the arrows indicated by bold lines in the figure represent the fuel consumed during power generation and the flow of products discharged in accordance with the power generation for convenience. In FIG. 1, a fuel container for a fuel cell (hereinafter referred to as a fuel container) CT is a cartridge-type (that is, replaceable) fuel supply device that can be attached to and detached from the fuel cell device, and serves as fuel in the inside thereof. A liquid obtained by diluting several percent to 100% of methanol in 6% wt methanol (that is, an aqueous methanol solution) can be stored. The fuel cell device to which the fuel container CT can be attached is composed of at least a direct methanol type (DMFC) fuel cell ED and a fuel supply device P, and the fuel supply device P includes the fuel stored in the fuel container CT. The aqueous methanol solution (chemical formula: CH ₃ OH + H ₂ O) is controlled to be supplied to the fuel cell ED.

  As is known in the art, a direct methanol type (DMFC) fuel cell ED includes a cathode K (so-called air electrode (+)) composed of a carbon electrode to which catalyst fine particles such as platinum and platinum-ternium are attached, platinum and the like. A plurality of single cells (a so-called fuel electrode (-)) composed of carbon electrodes to which the catalyst fine particles are attached are configured to have a sandwich structure in which a film-like electrolyte membrane D is sandwiched ( Several tens to several hundreds) are composed of stacked stacks (however, in FIG. 1 shown here, a stack of a single cell structure is shown for convenience of understanding). From the fuel container CT attached to the fuel supply device P, an aqueous methanol solution stored in the anode A (fuel electrode (−)) of the stack is sent by a fuel supply control unit P1 (for example, a fuel pump). You can do that. On the other hand, air (atmosphere) is sent to the cathode K (air electrode (+)) on the opposite side of the anode A to which the aqueous methanol solution is supplied from the fuel container CT by an air pump (not shown). It can be done.

In the stack, when the methanol aqueous solution in the fuel container CT is supplied to the anode A, the methanol in the methanol aqueous solution fed into the anode A reacts with water, so that carbon dioxide (carbon dioxide CO 2) and Hydrogen ions (H ⁺ ) and electrons (e ⁻ ) are generated (chemical reaction formula: CH ₃ OH + H ₂ O → CO ₂ + 6H ⁺ + 6e ⁻ ). The generated carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) is discharged to the outside, while the hydrogen ion (H ⁺ ) is an electrolyte membrane D, and the electron (e ⁻ ) is an external load F such as a device that requires a power source. To reach the cathode K. That is, at this time, electric power (voltage / current) is supplied to the external load F. At the cathode K, hydrogen ions (H ⁺ ) react with oxygen in the atmosphere that has been sent in, taking electrons (e ⁻ ) from the electrode surface and reacting to form water (H ₂ O) (chemical reaction formula: 3 / 2O ₂ + 6H ⁺ + 6e ⁻ → 3H ₂ O) and discharged outside the fuel cell ED. The water discharged from the cathode K may be reused as a solvent for diluting methanol (in such a case, a so-called circulation type fuel cell ED is obtained).

  When power generation is performed by supplying an aqueous methanol solution stored in the fuel container CT to the fuel cell ED, the aqueous methanol solution as fuel is consumed along with the power generation by the fuel cell ED. The methanol aqueous solution stored in the fuel storage part decreases with power generation and eventually disappears. Therefore, only the fuel container CT is removed from the fuel cell device (specifically, the fuel supply device P), and a methanol aqueous solution is newly filled into the fuel storage portion of the removed fuel container CT by the external fuel filling device J. Thus, the same fuel container CT can be used repeatedly many times. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment of the fuel filling device according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, a fuel container CT can be detachably attached to the fuel filling device J in the same manner as the fuel cell device (see FIG. 1). The filling device J performs control to fill the fuel storage unit C4 of the fuel container CT attached to the fuel filling device J with a required amount of methanol aqueous solution that is a large amount of fuel stored in the fuel tank J2. Is what you do.

  The fuel container CT is configured to be attachable to and detachable from both the fuel cell device (see FIG. 1) and the fuel filling device (see FIG. 2), and an aqueous methanol solution serving as fuel is stored in the fuel storage unit C4. As described above, it can be repeatedly used by refilling (refilling). However, when refilling fuel into a fuel container CT that can be refilled multiple times, high-quality fuel is filled using a regular fuel filling device J (a fuel filling device certified by a manufacturer, etc.). If not (for example, if an unauthorized fuel filling device that has not been certified by the manufacturer is illegally filled with low-quality fuel, etc.), the fuel container CT will be corroded and the container itself will deteriorate, There is a possibility that the fuel leaks from the container CT or that the original power generation performance cannot be obtained from the fuel cell ED. Therefore, the fuel cell fuel container, the fuel filling device for the fuel cell, and the fuel cell device using the container according to the present invention are illegally filled with fuel by taking the following anti-fraud measures. The fuel container CT is prevented from being used.

  First, a countermeasure against fraud at the time of filling the fuel container CT with the external fuel filling device J will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the fuel container CT includes a filling detection unit C1 that detects the presence or absence of fuel filling by the fuel filling device J (for example, a refilling detection sensor that detects that the fuel is fully filled). And two storage units, a first storage unit C2 and a second storage unit C3 (for example, a wireless IC tag) for recording the “number of times of filling” for the fuel container CT, respectively, and a fuel storage unit C4 for storing fuel With On the other hand, the regular fuel filling device J includes a filling control unit J1 and a data read / write control unit J3 in addition to the fuel tank J2. The filling control unit J1 controls the start / stop of the filling of the methanol aqueous solution, which is the fuel stored in the fuel tank J2, in a large amount in the fuel container CT attached to the fuel filling device J. The data read / write control unit J3 is a wireless data input / output device (for example, a wireless IC tag reader / writer, etc.). In a regular fuel filling device J, the fuel storage unit C4 is filled with fuel each time. In the second storage unit C3 of the fuel container CT, the “number of times of filling” is written as the second information related to fuel filling. On the other hand, an unauthorized fuel filling device (a device other than a regular fuel filling device that has not been certified by a manufacturer or the like) does not include the data read / write control unit. Cannot write “number of fillings”. On the other hand, in the fuel container CT, when it is detected by the filling detection unit C1 that the fuel is filled, the first storage unit C2 receives first information related to fuel filling in response to a signal from the filling detection unit C1. The “number of times of filling” is written (in any regular or unauthorized fuel filling device, “number of times of filling” is written in the first storage unit C2).

  That is, the first storage unit C2 disposed in the fuel container CT can write the “number of times of filling” only in accordance with the detection signal from the filling detection unit C1 also disposed in the fuel container CT. Thus, the “filling frequency” cannot be written to the first storage unit C2 from other external devices including the data read / write control unit J3 of the fuel filling device J. On the other hand, the second storage unit C3 disposed in the fuel container CT is the same kind of “number of fillings” that is written in the first storage unit C2 by the data read / write control unit J3 included only in the regular fuel filling device J. "Can be written. Therefore, when the fuel is filled by the regular fuel filling device J, the “number of times of filling” recorded in the first and second storage units C2 and C3 coincides, but the fuel from the unauthorized fuel filling device becomes the fuel. When the is filled, the “number of times of filling” recorded in these does not match. Therefore, in the regular fuel filling device J, the data read / write control unit J3 reads the “number of fillings” recorded in the first storage unit C2 and the second storage unit C3, and the read “number of fillings” matches. If so, the filling control unit J1 is controlled to start filling, and if they do not match, the filling control unit J1 is controlled not to start filling.

  Here, specific processing for preventing fraud when the fuel container CT is filled with fuel by the fuel filling device J as described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the “fuel filling process”. This process is a process executed by the data read / write control unit J3 in the fuel filling device J shown in FIG.

  In step S1, it is determined whether or not a cartridge type (exchangeable) fuel container CT is attached to the fuel filling device J. When it is determined that the fuel container CT is not attached to the fuel filling device J (NO in step S1), the fuel filling device J is not equipped with the fuel container CT to be filled with fuel in step S1. Repeat the process. When it is determined that the fuel container CT is attached to the fuel filling device J (YES in step S1), the first and second storage units C2 and C3 (wireless IC tags) disposed in the fuel container CT. ) Information of “number of times of filling” stored in () is acquired (step S2). In step S3, it is determined whether or not the “number of times of filling” stored in the acquired first and second storage units C2 and C3 match. If it is determined that the “number of times of filling” does not match (NO in step S3), the fact that the fuel container CT that has been incorrectly filled by the unauthorized fuel filling device is attached is indicated as “there is a sign of unauthorized filling”. A warning is given (step S9). This warning may be any appropriate method such as making a sound or blinking light. When such a warning is given, the process is terminated without filling the fuel container CT with fuel.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the “number of times of filling” matches (YES in step S3), it is determined whether or not the “number of times of filling” is within a predetermined upper limit number of times (step S4). When the “number of times of filling” is not within the predetermined upper limit number (NO in step S4), “repetition” is performed to prevent the fuel container CT from being repeatedly used over the upper limit number of times that can be guaranteed as a product. A warning that “the upper limit of the number of refills that can be used has been reached” is issued (step S8), and in this case as well, the process ends without filling the fuel container CT. As for the warning in this case, an appropriate method such as making a sound or blinking light may be used. However, if the warning mode is different from the warning mode in the above-described unauthorized filling (see step S9), which warning is used? It may be possible for the user to clearly distinguish whether there is. If the “number of times of filling” is within the predetermined upper limit number (YES in step S4), the filling control unit J1 is controlled to start filling the fuel container CT with fuel (step S5). In step S6, it is determined whether or not fuel filling is completed. When it is determined that the fuel filling is completed (YES in step S6), the “number of times of filling” stored in the second storage unit C3 of the fuel container CT is counted up (step S7). Note that the fuel container CT records “the number of times of filling” that is automatically counted up in the first storage unit C2 in response to the completion of the filling of the fuel by the filling detection unit C1.

  Thus, when the fuel container CT is filled with fuel by the fuel filling device J, the “number of times of filling” stored in the first and second storage units C2 and C3 respectively disposed in the fuel container CT. The fuel filling from the fuel filling device J is performed only when “” matches. If the “number of times of filling” does not match, it is determined that the fuel container CT is improperly filled with fuel at least once, and such fuel container CT is not filled with fuel. Even if the “number of times of filling” matches, if the number of times has reached a predetermined value (upper limit value of the number of times of filling), the fuel is not refilled and is repeatedly used over the necessary number of times. The fuel container CT is kept from being used as it is.

  Next, countermeasures against fraud at the time of fuel supply to the fuel cell ED by the fuel cell device will be described. In the fuel cell device shown in FIG. 1, the fuel supply device P includes a fuel supply control unit P1 and a data reading control unit P2. The fuel supply control unit P1 performs control to supply the fuel stored in the fuel container CT to the fuel cell ED. The data reading control unit P2 is a data input device (for example, a wireless IC tag reader) by a wireless method, and each of the first and second storage units C2 and C3 disposed in the attached fuel container CT. Is read out. As already described, when the fuel is filled by the regular fuel filling device J, the “number of times of filling” recorded in the first and second storage units C2 and C3 coincide with each other, but illegal fuel When fuel is filled from the filling device, the “number of times of filling” recorded in these does not match. Therefore, in the data reading control unit P2 in the fuel supply device P, the respective “filling times” recorded in the first storage unit C2 and the second storage unit C3 are read, and the read “filling times” match. In this case, the fuel supply control unit P1 is controlled so as to supply fuel to the fuel cell ED.

  Here, specific processing for preventing fraud at the time of fuel supply to the fuel cell ED by the fuel cell device as described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of “fuel supply processing”. This process is a process executed by the data reading control unit P2 of the fuel supply device P shown in FIG.

  In step S11, it is determined whether or not a cartridge type (replaceable type) fuel container CT is attached to the fuel supply device P. If it is determined that the fuel container CT is not attached to the fuel supply device P (NO in step S11), the fuel stored in the fuel container CT cannot be supplied to the fuel cell ED. Then, the process of step S11 is repeatedly executed until the fuel container CT is attached to the fuel supply device P (waiting for the process). If it is determined that the fuel container CT is attached to the fuel supply device P (YES in step S11), the first and second storage units C2 and C3 (wireless IC tags) disposed in the fuel container CT ) Information of each “number of times of filling” stored in () is acquired (step S12). In step S13, it is determined whether or not the “number of times of filling” stored in the acquired first and second storage units C2 and C3 match. If it is determined that the “number of times of filling” does not match (NO in step S13), the fact that the fuel container CT that has been improperly filled by the fraudulent fuel filling device has been attached is indicated as “there is a sign of improper filling”. A warning is given (step S15). This warning may be any method such as making a sound or flashing light. When such a warning is given, the fuel supply control unit P1 is controlled so as not to supply fuel to the fuel cell ED from the attached fuel container CT, so that the fuel cell ED does not generate power. . On the other hand, when it is determined that the respective “number of times of filling” coincides (YES in step S13), it is assumed that the fuel container CT filled with the regular fuel filling device J is attached, and the already-attached fuel container CT. The fuel supply control unit P1 is controlled to supply fuel to the fuel cell ED from the fuel cell ED, and the fuel cell ED generates power (step S14).

  In this way, when fuel is supplied from the fuel container CT to the fuel cell ED by the fuel cell device, the fuel cells are stored in the first and second storage units C2 and C3 disposed in the fuel container CT, respectively. Only when the “number of times of filling” matches, control for starting the supply of fuel from the fuel container CT is performed, and power generation in the fuel cell ED is performed. In the case where the “number of times of filling” does not match, it is determined that the fuel container CT is improperly filled with fuel at least once, and control is performed so as not to supply fuel from the fuel container CT. Such a fuel container CT cannot be used for power generation in the fuel cell ED.

  As described above, the first storage unit C2 and the second storage unit C2 are provided in the fuel container CT that can be attached to both the fuel cell device (see FIG. 1) and the fuel filling device J (see FIG. 2). The storage unit C3 is disposed, and the first storage unit C2 is also filled with fuel according to the fuel filling in the fuel filling device J by the filling detection unit C1 disposed in the fuel container CT. While the “number of times” is recorded, the “number of times of filling” is recorded in the second storage unit C3 every time fuel is filled by the external fuel filling device J. In response to this, when the fuel container CT that is improperly filled with fuel is attached to the fuel cell device or the fuel filling device, the “number of times of filling” recorded in the storage units C2 and C3 becomes inconsistent. Therefore, as a result, the fuel container CT that has been illegally filled with fuel at least once is prohibited from being filled with the proper fuel filling device J (see FIG. 3) or illegally filled with fuel. By using the formed fuel container CT so as not to supply fuel to the fuel cell ED, it is possible to prevent the use of the incorrectly filled fuel container CT. Further, according to this, even if temporary desorption such as once removing and reattaching the fuel container CT attached to the fuel supply device P, the fuel filling device J, etc. is performed, each of the storage units The “number of times of filling” recorded in C2 and C3 is not updated. Therefore, the fuel container CT that is normally filled with fuel can be used without any inconvenience since it is not regarded as an unauthorized product even if it is temporarily detached.

In the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which wireless IC tags are used for the first storage unit C2 and the second storage unit C3 that store first and second information related to fuel filling such as “number of times of filling”. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first and second information relating to fuel filling can be rewritten or additionally writable, and the written information can be read by a fuel filling device or a fuel cell device outside the fuel container. Any storage means can be used. In addition, the types of storage means may be different between the first storage unit C2 and the second storage unit C3. Furthermore, physically, the storage area in one storage unit may be divided into two areas, and each area may be assigned to the first storage unit C2 or the second storage unit C3.
The filling detection unit C1 is, for example, a pressure sensor that detects the pressure in the fuel storage unit C4 that stores fuel in the fuel container CT, a capacity sensor that detects the amount of fuel stored in the fuel storage unit C4, and the like. Any detection means may be used as long as it can detect a state that can be changed by filling with fuel. Of course, it is not limited to sensors.

In the above-described embodiment, the example in which “the number of times of filling” is written in the first storage unit C2 and the second storage unit C3 is shown as the first and second information related to fuel filling. You may make it write in the quantity of the fuel filled for every filling. Alternatively, for example, “1 time: 20 ml”, “2 times: 80 ml”, and the like, the “number of times of filling” and the corresponding “time of filling” may be written. It may be a history.
Needless to say, when information such as “the number of times of filling” is read / written between the first storage unit C2 and the second storage unit C3, the encrypted information may be exchanged according to some kind of encryption.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows one Example of the fuel cell apparatus which uses the fuel container for fuel cells and this container based on this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows one Example of the fuel filling apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows one Example of a fuel filling process. It is a flowchart which shows one Example of a fuel supply process.

Explanation of symbols

CT ... fuel container, C1 ... fill detection unit, C2 ... first storage unit, C3 ... second storage unit, C4 ... fuel storage unit, P ... fuel supply device, P1 ... fuel supply unit, P2 ... data read control unit, J ... Fuel filling device, J1 ... Filling control unit, J2 ... Fuel tank, J3 ... Data read / write control unit, ED ... Fuel cell, A ... Anode (fuel electrode), D ... Electrolyte membrane, K ... Cathode (air electrode), F ... External load

Claims (3)

In a fuel cell fuel container configured to be detachable from a fuel cell that generates electricity in response to supply of fuel,
A fuel storage unit for storing a predetermined fuel to be supplied to the fuel cell;
Detecting means for detecting filling of fuel into the fuel storage unit;
First storage means in which first information relating to fuel filling is written in response to detection of fuel filling by the detecting means;
A fuel container for a fuel cell comprising second storage means in which second information relating to fuel filling is written each time fuel filling operation is performed by control of an external fuel filling device that performs fuel filling operation . A fuel filling device to which the fuel container for a fuel cell according to claim 1 can be attached,
Fuel filling means for filling a predetermined fuel into the attached fuel cell fuel container;
When the information related to the fuel filling written in each of the first storage means and the second storage means disposed in the fuel container for the fuel cell is read out, and the read information matches. A fuel filling device comprising: a filling control means for controlling the fuel filling means so as to fill the fuel container for the fuel cell with fuel. A fuel cell device to which the fuel container for a fuel cell according to claim 1 can be attached,
A fuel cell;
Fuel supply means for supplying fuel stored in a fuel container for a fuel cell attached to the fuel cell;
When the information related to the fuel filling written in each of the first storage means and the second storage means disposed in the fuel container for the fuel cell is read out, and the read information matches. A fuel cell device comprising supply control means for controlling the fuel supply means so as to supply fuel to the fuel cell from the fuel cell fuel container.

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