JP2007220571A - Coupler for fuel cell, and fuel cell using it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coupler for a fuel cell enhanced in reliability and safety or the like by suppressing breakage and damage to a nozzle part on fuel cartridge side and to the fuel cell main body side, when an excessive force is applied on the fuel cartridge, and a fuel cell. <P>SOLUTION: The coupler for the fuel cell is equipped with a nozzle part 9 installed on the fuel cell cartridge 5 and a socket part 6 which is installed on the fuel cell main body side and to which the nozzle part 9 is connected detachably. The socket part 6 is provided with a socket main body 32 having a nozzle insertion part 31 in which the nozzle part 9 is inserted. The socket main body 32 has a ring-shape elastic member 34 which is arranged at least inside the top end opening part of the nozzle insertion part 31. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell coupler and a fuel cell using the same.

  In recent years, attempts have been made to use a fuel cell as a power source for portable electronic devices such as notebook computers and mobile phones so that they can be used for a long time without being charged. A fuel cell is characterized in that it can generate electric power simply by supplying fuel and air, and can generate electric power continuously for a long time if fuel is replenished. For this reason, if the fuel cell can be reduced in size, it can be said that the system is extremely advantageous as a power source for portable electronic devices.

  In particular, a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) using methanol fuel with a high energy density can be downsized and the fuel can be easily handled, so it is promising as a power source for portable devices. Has been. As the liquid fuel supply method in the DMFC, there are known an active method such as a gas supply type and a liquid supply type, and a passive method such as an internal vaporization type in which the liquid fuel in the fuel tank is vaporized inside the cell and supplied to the fuel electrode. It has been. Of these, the passive method is advantageous for downsizing the DMFC.

  In a passive type DMFC such as an internal vaporization type, the liquid fuel in the fuel tank is vaporized through, for example, a fuel impregnation layer or a fuel vaporization layer, and the vaporized component of this liquid fuel is supplied to the fuel electrode (for example, patents). References 1-2). Liquid fuel is supplied to the fuel tank using a fuel cartridge. In satellite type (external injection type) fuel cartridges, attempts have been made to shut off and inject liquid fuel using a coupler composed of a nozzle part and a socket part each incorporating a valve mechanism (for example, (See Patent Document 3).

  By the way, the passive type DMFC such as the internal vaporization type has been reduced in size in order to be mounted on, for example, a portable electronic device. As a result, the fuel supply port (socket part) on the DMFC side or the fuel discharge side on the fuel cartridge side has been promoted. The outlet (nozzle part) also tends to be reduced in diameter. When such a nozzle part and socket part are connected and liquid fuel is injected from the fuel cartridge into the fuel tank of the DMFC, the reduced diameter nozzle part is subjected to a force such as a bending load applied to the fuel cartridge. May be damaged.

  Since the fuel cartridge shuts off the liquid fuel by a valve mechanism built in the nozzle portion, there is a possibility that the liquid fuel stored in the fuel cartridge leaks if the nozzle portion is damaged. Further, even if the valve mechanism itself is not damaged when the nozzle portion is damaged, the component parts of the valve mechanism may protrude, which may cause the valve mechanism to operate accidentally and cause liquid fuel to leak. The possibility of breakage of the nozzle portion increases as the diameter decreases.

Conventionally, various detachable connecting devices (couplers) have been used to simplify the connection between containers and the replacement of containers (see, for example, Patent Document 4). When such a connecting device is used as a fuel supply coupler for a fuel cell, once connected, the connected state is maintained unless an opening operation is performed. When this is added, there is a problem that the coupler and the device body are damaged.
Japanese Patent No. 3413111 JP 2004-171844 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-127824 JP 2003-172487 A

  The object of the present invention is to improve reliability, safety, etc. by suppressing damage to the nozzle part of the fuel cartridge and the fuel cell body when an excessive force such as a bending load is applied to the fuel cartridge. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel cell coupler and a fuel cell to which such a coupler is applied.

  A fuel cell coupler according to an aspect of the present invention includes a nozzle unit including a nozzle head mounted on a fuel cell cartridge, a valve mechanism disposed in the nozzle head, and fuel supply to a fuel tank of the fuel cell. A socket body disposed in the socket body, and a valve mechanism disposed in the socket body, the socket section being detachably connected to the socket body, wherein the nozzle body is inserted into the socket body. And an elastic member is disposed at least on the distal end side of the nozzle insertion portion.

  A fuel cell according to another aspect of the present invention includes a fuel cartridge including a cartridge main body that stores liquid fuel for the fuel cell, a nozzle portion provided in the cartridge main body, and a nozzle portion of the fuel cartridge that is detachable. A fuel supply body having a fuel supply portion having a socket portion connected to the fuel supply portion, and an electromotive portion that is supplied with the liquid fuel from the fuel supply portion and performs a power generation operation, the nozzle portion of the fuel cartridge, and the The socket portion of the fuel cell main body includes the fuel cell coupler according to the aspect of the present invention.

  A fuel cell according to still another aspect of the present invention includes a fuel cartridge including a cartridge main body that stores liquid fuel for the fuel cell, a nozzle portion provided in the cartridge main body, and a nozzle portion of the fuel cartridge. A fuel cell main body comprising a fuel supply portion having a socket portion that can be connected, an electromotive portion that is supplied with the liquid fuel from the fuel supply portion and that generates electric power, and the fuel cell main body is housed, and the socket And an exterior case having a nozzle insertion opening opened corresponding to the portion, and the exterior case has an elastic member disposed in the nozzle insertion opening.

  In the fuel cell coupler according to the aspect of the present invention, the elastic member is disposed at least on the tip side of the nozzle insertion portion of the socket portion. Therefore, when a bending load is applied to the fuel cartridge in which the nozzle portion is connected to the socket portion. In addition, it can be detached from the socket part without damaging the nozzle part. By applying such a fuel cell coupler, it is possible to provide a fuel cell with improved reliability and safety.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, although embodiment of this invention is described based on drawing below, those drawings are provided for illustration and this invention is not limited to those drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a fuel cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention. A fuel cell 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a fuel cell main body 4 mainly composed of a fuel cell 2 and a fuel tank 3 as an electromotive unit, and a satellite type (external injection type) for supplying liquid fuel to the fuel tank 3. The fuel cartridge 5 is provided. On the lower surface side of the fuel tank 3, a fuel supply portion 7 having a socket portion 6 serving as a liquid fuel supply port is provided. As will be described in detail later, the socket portion 6 incorporates a valve mechanism, and is closed except when liquid fuel is supplied. The fuel cell body 4 may have a structure for supplying liquid fuel directly from the fuel supply unit 7 to the fuel cell 2 without passing through the fuel tank 3.

  On the other hand, the fuel cartridge 5 has a cartridge body (container) 8 that stores liquid fuel for a fuel cell. At the tip of the cartridge body 8, there is provided a nozzle portion 9 that serves as a fuel outlet when supplying liquid fuel accommodated in the cartridge body 8 to the fuel cell body 4. As will be described in detail later, the nozzle portion 9 has a built-in valve mechanism and is closed except when liquid fuel is supplied. Such a fuel cartridge 5 is connected to the fuel cell body 4 only when, for example, liquid fuel is injected into the fuel tank 3.

  The cartridge main body 8 of the fuel cartridge 5 contains liquid fuel corresponding to the fuel cell main body 4, for example, methanol fuel such as methanol aqueous solutions of various concentrations or pure methanol in the case of a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). The liquid fuel stored in the cartridge body 8 is not necessarily limited to methanol fuel, and may be ethanol fuel such as ethanol aqueous solution or pure ethanol, dimethyl ether, formic acid, or other liquid fuel. In any case, liquid fuel corresponding to the fuel cell main body 4 is accommodated.

  The socket part 6 provided in the fuel tank 3 of the fuel cell body 4 and the nozzle part 9 provided in the cartridge body 8 of the fuel cartridge 5 constitute a pair of connection mechanisms (couplers). A specific configuration of the coupler including the socket portion 6 and the nozzle portion 9 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 shows a state before the nozzle part 9 of the fuel cartridge 5 is connected to the socket part 6 of the fuel cell main body 4, and FIG. 3 shows a state after the nozzle part 9 and the socket part 6 are connected.

  In a coupler for connecting (connecting) the fuel cell body 4 and the fuel cartridge 5, a nozzle portion (male side coupler / plug) 9 as a cartridge side connection mechanism has a nozzle head 12 having a nozzle port 11 opened at the tip side. Have. The nozzle head 12 has a base portion 13 that is attached to the opening at the front end of the cartridge body 8 and a protruding portion 14 that is inserted into the socket portion 6. The cylindrical protruding portion 14 is formed so as to protrude from the base portion 13 so that its axial direction is parallel to the insertion direction of the nozzle portion 9.

  A recess 15 is provided on the top surface of the protrusion 14 of the nozzle head 12. The nozzle port 11 opens into the recess 15. That is, the recess 15 is provided so as to dent the top surface of the protrusion 14, and the nozzle port 11 is opened on the bottom surface of the recess 15. Since the concave portion 15 functions as a housing portion for the liquid fuel remaining (attached) on the tip side of the nozzle portion 9, there is no possibility that the operator touches the liquid fuel. In addition, a key groove 16 that functions as a fuel identification unit and a peripheral groove 17 that functions as a connection holding unit are provided on the outer periphery of the protruding portion 14 of the nozzle head 12. As will be described later, the fuel identification means is constituted by a key groove 16 and a key part on the socket part 6 side, and the connection holding means is constituted by a circumferential groove 17 and an elastic pin on the socket part 6 side.

  A cup-shaped valve holder 18 is disposed inside the base portion 13 of the nozzle head 12. The valve holder 18 defines a valve chamber, and an outer edge portion on the tip end side is sandwiched and fixed between the cartridge body 8 and the base portion 13. A valve 19 is disposed in the valve holder 18. The valve 19 includes a valve head 19a and a valve stem 19b. The valve head 19 a is disposed in the valve chamber defined by the valve holder 18. The valve stem 19b is accommodated in the protrusion 14.

  The valve 19 having the valve head 19a and the valve stem 19b as described above can be advanced and retracted in the axial direction (insertion direction of the nozzle portion 9). An O-ring 21 is disposed between the valve head 19 a and the valve seat 20 formed inside the base portion 13. A force for pressing the valve head 19a against the valve seat 20 is applied to the valve 19 by an elastic body such as a compression spring 22, and the O-ring 21 is pressed by these forces.

  In a normal state (a state in which the fuel cartridge 5 is separated from the fuel cell main body 4), the fuel flow path in the nozzle portion 9 is closed by pressing the O-ring 21 against the valve seat 20 via the valve head 19a. Yes. On the other hand, when the fuel cartridge 5 is connected to the fuel cell main body 4 as will be described later, the valve stem 19b is retracted and the valve head 19a is separated from the valve seat 20, whereby the fuel flow path in the nozzle portion 9 is opened. The A communication hole 23 is provided at the bottom of the valve holder 18, and the liquid fuel in the cartridge body 8 flows out into the nozzle portion 9 through the communication hole 23 serving as a flow path for the liquid fuel.

  Further, a container nozzle 24 is disposed outside the nozzle head 12. By screwing the container nozzle 24 to the cartridge body 8, for example, the nozzle portion 9 having the nozzle head 12, the valve 19, and the like is placed in the cartridge body 8. Is fixed to the front end portion (the front end portion having an opening). 2 and 3 show a cartridge main body 8 having a multilayer structure, 8a is an inner container that is in direct contact with a liquid fuel such as methanol fuel, and 8b is an outer container (hard case) that protects the inner container 8a. It is.

  On the other hand, a socket portion (female side coupler / socket) 6 as a fuel cell side connection mechanism includes a socket body 32 having a recessed nozzle insertion portion 31. The socket body 32 includes a metal upper body 32a, a body middle section 32b, and a body lower section 32c, and a metal socket 33 fitted on the outside thereof. These are integrated and embedded in the fuel supply unit 7 of the fuel cell body 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the metal socket 33 has a cylindrical shape, and a receiving portion 33 a is configured by cutting out a part on the tip side and bending it inward. A ring-shaped elastic member 34 is disposed on the receiving portion 33a.

  In other words, the tip opening of the concave nozzle insertion portion 31 is constituted by the metal socket 33, and the ring-shaped elastic member 34 is disposed on the receiving portion 33 a provided on the tip end side of the metal socket 33. In other words, the ring-shaped elastic member 34 is disposed inside the tip opening of the nozzle insertion portion 31. When an excessive bending load is applied to the fuel cartridge 5, the elastic member 34 is elastically deformed so as to be detached from the socket portion 6 without damaging the nozzle portion 9. That is, the elastic member 34 is elastically deformed so as not to obstruct the arc drawn by the nozzle portion 9 due to the bending load. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress breakage of the nozzle portion 9 when an excessive bending load is applied to the fuel cartridge 5, and further breakage or damage of the socket portion 6 itself.

  The ring-shaped elastic member 34 has a position where the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle portion 9 is pressed when a bending load is applied to the fuel cartridge 5 in order to obtain the effect of improving the detachability of the nozzle portion 9, that is, the tip of the nozzle insertion portion 31. It is arranged inside the opening. When an excessive bending load is applied to the fuel cartridge 5, the nozzle portion 9 comes into contact with the inside of the tip opening portion of the nozzle insertion portion 31 of the socket portion 6, and the portion is inclined as a contact. Therefore, the ring-shaped elastic member 34 is disposed at a portion where the nozzle portion 9 comes into contact (a portion where the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle portion 9 is pressed by a bending load), and is elastically deformed when contacting the nozzle portion 9. The nozzle portion 9 can be detached from the socket portion 6 without damaging the nozzle portion 9.

  As described above, the elastic member 34 needs to be disposed at least inside the tip opening of the nozzle insertion portion 31. When the insertion depth of the protruding portion 14 of the nozzle head 12 with respect to the nozzle insertion portion 31 of the socket portion 6 is shallow, the detachability of the nozzle portion 9 can be improved by disposing the elastic member 34 on the distal end side of the nozzle insertion portion 31. Can be increased. When the insertion depth of the protruding portion 14 of the nozzle head 12 becomes deep, there is a possibility that the distal end side of the protruding portion 14 interferes with the separation of the nozzle portion 9. Therefore, the elastic member 34 may be disposed so as to entirely cover the inner wall surface of the nozzle insertion portion 31. In such a case, various shapes of elastic members 34 can be applied depending on the arrangement position, such as arranging a cylindrical elastic member or arranging a plurality of ring-shaped elastic members.

  The ring-shaped elastic member 34 is fixed by press-fitting a convex portion 34 a provided on the outer periphery thereof into a through hole 33 b formed on the tip side of the metal socket 33. It is also possible to fix the elastic member 34 to the distal end side of the metal socket 33 by insert-molding the ring-shaped elastic member 34 together with the metal socket 33. That is, the metal socket 33 is previously placed in a molding die, and the constituent material of the elastic member 34 is formed thereon by, for example, injection molding, whereby the elastic member 34 insert-molded at a desired position of the metal socket 33 can be obtained. .

  The elastic member 34 can be made of an elastomer (elastic polymer). That is, a ring-shaped elastomer can be used as the ring-shaped elastic member 34. Specific examples of the elastomer constituting the elastic member 34 include thermoplastic elastomers and rubbers (based on ASTM rubber classification).

  Examples of thermoplastic elastomers include styrene / butadiene / styrene block copolymers, epoxidized styrene elastomers, styrene / isoprene / styrene block copolymers, hydrogenated styrene block copolymers, hydrogenated SBC compounds, simple blend olefin elastomers, cross-linked elastomers, Vinyl chloride elastomers, chlorinated ethylene copolymer crosslinked alloys, chlorinated polyethylene elastomers, syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene, urethane elastomers, polyester elastomers, polyamide elastomers, fluorine elastomers, silicone elastomers, etc. are used. .

  As rubber, M: rubber having a polymethylene type saturated main chain, for example, ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer, ethylene-propylene copolymer, fully hydrogenated acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, fluorine rubber, complete Hydrogenated styrene-butadiene rubber, fully hydrogenated styrene-isoprene rubber, rubber with oxygen in the main chain such as epichlorohydrin rubber, rubber with silicon and oxygen in the main chain such as vinylmethylsilicone rubber, and more natural Rubbers with unsaturated carbon bonds in the main chain such as rubber and diene rubber, such as butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, hydrogenated acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, isobutene-isoprene rubber, natural rubber, hydrogenated styrene-butadiene rubber, styrene -Butadiene rubber, hydrogenated styrene-isoprene rubber, styrene -Rubber with carbon, oxygen and nitrogen in the main chain such as isoprene rubber, polyether urethane, rubber with nitrogen without oxygen or phosphorus in the main chain, rubber with sulfur in the main chain such as polysulfide rubber A rubber having phosphorus and nitrogen in the main chain such as phosphazene rubber is used.

  In the elastomer used for the constituent material of the elastic member 34 described above, if the hardness is too high, the detachability of the nozzle portion 9 may not be sufficiently improved. For this reason, the elastic member 34 is preferably composed of an elastomer having a hardness (Type A) of 95 ° or less. On the other hand, if the hardness of the elastomer is too low, the nozzle portion 9 may be allowed to be inserted from an inappropriate direction (angle). That is, the elastic member 34 disposed on the distal end side of the nozzle insertion portion 31 is required to have a guide function for the nozzle portion 9. For this reason, the elastic member 34 is preferably made of an elastomer having a hardness (Type A) of 20 ° or more.

  Thus, the elastic member 34 is preferably made of an elastomer having a hardness (Type A) in the range of 20 to 95 °. The hardness (Type A) is a value measured by a method based on JIS K6253 “Hardness test method for vulcanized rubber and thermoplastic rubber (durometer type A)”. Furthermore, it is preferable to apply a material excellent in fuel resistance such as methanol resistance to the elastomer constituting the elastic member 34.

  Below the elastic member 34, a key ring 35 is arranged as a ring member constituting a key portion of the fuel identifying means. The key ring 35 is sandwiched and fixed between the main body upper portion 32a of the socket main body 32 and the receiving portion 33a of the metal socket 33, and further, a convex portion that functions as the key portion 35a is formed to protrude radially inward. . The key portion 35 a has a shape that engages with the key groove 16 described above, and has a function of guiding the insertion of the nozzle portion 9. Furthermore, since the key portion 35a and the key groove 16 have a pair of shapes, for example, by defining the shape according to the liquid fuel, it is possible to prevent liquid fuel from being erroneously injected.

  That is, the shape of the key portion 35a is made to correspond to the type (type, concentration, etc.) of the liquid fuel, and the key groove 16 is made to have a shape corresponding to the key portion 35a, so that the liquid fuel corresponding to the fuel cell main body 4 can be obtained. It is possible to connect only the fuel cartridge 5 that accommodates. As a result, only the liquid fuel corresponding to the fuel cell main body 4 is supplied, so that it is possible to prevent malfunctions and characteristic deterioration due to erroneous injection of the liquid fuel.

  The key ring 35 described above is further configured to rotate when an excessive torsional force is applied to the fuel cartridge 5. Therefore, even if an excessive torsional force is applied to the fuel cartridge 5 in a state where the key portion 35a and the key groove 16 are engaged, the engagement portion between the key portion 35a and the key groove 16 is damaged or the nozzle portion based on the damage. 9 and the socket part 6 can be prevented from being damaged. Specific examples of the structure that allows the rotation of the key ring 35 include a cradle structure of the key ring 35 and an engagement structure of the key ring 35 and the cradle shown below.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a receiving base 36 for the key ring 35 is provided on the upper surface of the main body upper portion 32 a of the socket main body 32, and a shallow concave portion 36 a is formed at the center thereof. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a convex portion 35 b that engages with the concave portion 36 a of the cradle 36 is provided on the lower surface side of the key ring 35. The key ring 35 is disposed on the cradle 36 with the convex portion 35b engaged with the concave portion 36a. Since the key ring 35 is sandwiched between the main body upper portion 32a and the metal socket 33, the function of the key portion 35a is maintained when the nozzle portion 9 is normally inserted and removed. Since the suppression of the rotation direction of the key ring 35 is based on the engaging force between the shallow recess 36a and the corresponding protrusion 35b, the key ring 35 rotates following the key groove 16 when an excessive twisting force is applied to the fuel cartridge 5. Damage is suppressed.

  Here, the structure in which the key ring 35 having the key portion 35a is disposed in the socket portion 6 has been described. However, the key groove may be disposed on the socket portion 6 side and the key portion may be disposed on the nozzle portion 9 side. In this case, by arranging the key ring 35 having a key groove in the socket portion 6, it is possible to obtain a configuration in which the key ring 35 is rotated with an excessive torsional force and an effect based thereon. As described above, the key ring (ring member) 35 having the key part or the key groove can be arranged in the socket part 6.

  Further below the key ring 35, an elastic pin 37 functioning as a connection holding means for the nozzle portion 9 and the socket portion 6 is disposed. As the elastic pin 37, for example, a substantially U-shaped pin, a substantially triangular-shaped pin such as a substantially triangular pin or a substantially square pin with one corner portion as an open end, etc. A pin to which an elastic restoring force is applied can be used. When connecting the nozzle portion 9 to the socket portion 6, the elastic pin 37 is engaged with the circumferential groove 17 provided on the outer periphery of the protruding portion 14 of the nozzle head 12, and the protruding portion 14 is elastically moved by the elastic pin 37. By clamping, the connection state of the nozzle part 9 and the socket part 6 is maintained. The elastic pin 37 is disposed on the upper surface 38 of the main body upper portion 32a partitioned by the cradle 36 shown in FIG.

  On the main body middle part 32b of the socket main body 32, a rubber holder 39 is installed as an elastic body holder. The rubber holder 39 is given elasticity in the axial direction based on the bellows shape and material characteristics (rubber elasticity). The rubber holder 39 is a seal member that forms a seal with the protruding portion 14 of the nozzle head 12, and the inside thereof is a liquid fuel flow path. The rubber holder 39 has a cylindrical shape in which a bellows contracting in the axial direction is formed, and by fitting the tip of the rubber holder 39 with the concave portion 15 provided in the protruding portion 14 of the nozzle head 12, the rubber holder 39 and the protruding portion 14 are fitted. A seal is formed between them. The recess 15 provided in the protruding portion 14 of the nozzle head 12 also has a function as a receiving portion at the tip of the rubber holder 34.

  A valve 40 is disposed in the socket body 31. The valve 40 includes a valve head 40a and a valve stem 40b. The valve head 40a is disposed in a valve chamber defined by the main body middle portion 32b and the main body lower portion 32c. The valve stem 40 b is accommodated in the rubber holder 39. Such a valve 40 can be moved back and forth in the axial direction (insertion direction of the nozzle portion 9). An O-ring 42 is disposed between the valve head 40a and the valve seat 41 formed on the lower surface side of the main body middle portion 32b.

  A force pressing the valve head 40a against the valve seat 41 by an elastic body such as a compression spring 43 is constantly applied to the valve 40, and the O-ring 42 is pressed by this force. In a normal state (a state in which the fuel cartridge 5 is separated from the fuel cell body 4), the O-ring 42 is pressed against the valve seat 41 via the valve head 40a, thereby closing the flow path in the socket portion 6. It is in a state. When the fuel cartridge 5 is connected to the fuel cell main body 4, the valve stem 40 b is retracted and the valve head 40 a is separated from the valve seat 41, whereby the flow path in the socket portion 6 is opened.

  A communication hole 44 connected to the fuel tank 3 via the inside of the fuel supply unit 7 is provided in the main body lower portion 32 c of the socket main body 32. As described above, the socket section 6 is connected to the fuel tank 3 through the communication hole 44 in which the liquid fuel flow path in the socket main body 32 is provided in the main body lower portion 32c. Then, by opening the valves 19 and 40 and opening the flow passages in the nozzle portion 9 and the socket portion 6 respectively, the liquid fuel accommodated in the fuel cartridge 5 is supplied to the fuel tank 3 via the nozzle portion 9 and the socket portion 6. It can be injected into the inside.

  In supplying the liquid fuel stored in the fuel cartridge 5 to the fuel tank 3 of the fuel cell main body 4, the nozzle portion 9 of the fuel cartridge 5 is inserted into the socket portion 6 and connected. The protruding portion 14 provided on the nozzle head 12 of the nozzle portion 9 is inserted into the nozzle insertion portion 31 of the socket portion 6 only when the shapes of the key groove 16 and the key portion 35a correspond to each other. When the protruding portion 14 of the nozzle portion 9 is inserted into the nozzle insertion portion 31 of the socket portion 6 in this manner, first, the tip of the rubber holder 39 is fitted into the concave portion 15 at the leading end of the protruding portion 14, thereby opening the valves 19 and 40. Before entering the state, a seal around the liquid fuel flow path is established.

  When the nozzle part 9 is inserted into the socket part 6 from the state in which the protruding part 14 of the nozzle head 12 and the rubber holder 39 are in contact, the tips of the valve stem 19b of the nozzle part 9 and the valve stem 40b of the socket part 6 abut each other. When the nozzle portion 9 is further inserted into the socket portion 6 from this state, the valve 40 of the socket portion 6 moves backward to completely open the flow path, and then the valve 19 of the nozzle portion 9 moves backward to establish the liquid fuel flow path. To do. Simultaneously with the establishment of the liquid fuel flow path, the elastic pin 37 of the socket portion 6 engages with the circumferential groove 17 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the protruding portion 14 of the nozzle head 12, so that the nozzle portion 9 and the socket portion 6 The connection state of is maintained.

  As described above, the nozzle portion 9 and the socket portion 6 are connected to each other, and the liquid fuel flow path is opened by opening the valve mechanisms built in the nozzle portion 9 to open the liquid fuel accommodated in the fuel cartridge 5. The fuel is supplied to the fuel tank 3 of the main body 4. By the way, in order to improve the safety and reliability of the fuel cartridge 5 and the fuel cell 1, when an excessive bending load or twisting force is applied to the fuel cartridge 5 connected to the fuel tank 3, the nozzle portion 9 is connected to the socket portion. It is important to make it easy to disengage from 6, and to reduce the burden on each engaging part and connecting part.

  When an excessive bending load is applied to the fuel cartridge 5, the nozzle portion 9 is particularly easily damaged. That is, the nozzle portion 9 of the fuel cartridge 5 tends to be reduced in size with the miniaturization of the fuel cell main body 4. The nozzle portion 9 having a reduced diameter may be damaged when a bending load (force from a direction having an angle with respect to the insertion direction of the fuel cartridge 5) is applied to the fuel cartridge 5. Specifically, there is a high possibility that the protrusion 14 formed to protrude from the base portion 13 of the nozzle head 12 is broken. The risk of breakage of the nozzle portion 9 increases as the diameter is reduced. Further, the nozzle portion 9 is easily broken when it is made of a material having poor toughness against bending load such as super engineer plastic or general purpose engineer plastic.

  For example, since the nozzle head 12 and the valve 19 of the nozzle portion 9 are in direct contact with methanol fuel or the like, the constituent material preferably has methanol resistance. Examples of such materials include general-purpose engineer plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), and polyacetal (POM), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), and liquid crystal polymer (LCP). Super engineer plastics such as Since these are inferior in toughness, they may be damaged when a bending load is applied.

  With respect to such a bending load, in this embodiment, as described above, the elastic member 34 is disposed inside the tip opening of the nozzle insertion portion 31 of the socket portion 6. The fuel cartridge 5 tilts while pressing the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle portion 9 against the corner of the tip opening of the nozzle insertion portion 31. By arranging the elastic member 34 at a portion where the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle portion 9 is pressed, and elastically deforming the elastic member 34 so as not to interfere with the arc drawn by the nozzle portion 9 due to a bending load when contacting the nozzle portion 9 The nozzle part 9 can be detached from the socket part 6 without damaging it.

  Further, when an excessive twisting force is applied to the fuel cartridge 5, the key ring 35 is held with a relatively weak force. Therefore, by rotating the key ring 35 having the key portion 35 a, the fuel cartridge 5 is rotated. The key ring 35 follows. Thereby, it is possible to suppress breakage or damage of the engaging portion between the key portion 35a and the key groove 16 and the deterioration of the function of the valve mechanism (for example, reduction of the sealing force) based thereon.

  As described above, when the excessive bending load is applied to the fuel cartridge 5, the nozzle portion 9 is easily detached from the socket portion 6, so that the nozzle portion 9 of the fuel cartridge 5 or the socket portion 6 itself is damaged. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of defects (such as liquid leakage). Even when an excessive twisting force is applied to the fuel cartridge 5, damage to the connection structure between the nozzle portion 9 and the socket portion 6 can be suppressed. By these, it becomes possible to improve the reliability and safety of the fuel cell coupler and the fuel cell 1 using the same.

  Next, a fuel cell according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view mainly showing the configuration of the main part of the fuel cell 45 according to the second embodiment, that is, the socket part 6 provided in the fuel supply part 7 to the fuel tank 3 of the fuel cell body 4. The specific configuration of the socket portion 6, the overall configuration of the fuel cell 45, the configuration of the fuel cartridge 5 including the nozzle portion 9 and the like are the same as those in the first embodiment, and are as shown in FIGS. is there. The basic structure and mechanism of the connection mechanism (coupler) constituted by the socket part 6 and the nozzle part 9 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  This embodiment shows a fuel cell 45 in which the tip of the socket portion 6 exists inside an outer case 46 that houses the fuel cell main body 4. The outer case 46 may be either an outer casing of the fuel cell main body 4 itself or an apparatus casing such as an electronic device in which the fuel cell main body 4 is mounted. The outer case 46 has a nozzle insertion opening 47 opened corresponding to the socket portion 6, and the socket portion 6 is disposed inside thereof. Therefore, when the nozzle portion 9 of the fuel cartridge 5 as shown in FIG. 2 is connected to such a socket portion 6, the fuel cartridge 5 to which bending load is applied is the corner of the nozzle insertion port 47 of the outer case 46. It will incline while pressing the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle part 9 against the part.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the elastic member 48 is disposed in the nozzle insertion port 47 of the outer case 46. The specific configuration, shape, material, and the like of the elastic member 48 are the same as those of the elastic member 34 in the first embodiment, and are as described above. As described above, the elastic member 48 is arranged in the portion where the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle portion 9 of the fuel cartridge 5 is pressed when the bending load is applied, that is, the nozzle insertion port 47 of the outer case 46, and this is arranged in the nozzle portion 9. The nozzle portion 9 can be detached from the socket portion 6 without being damaged by being elastically deformed upon contact with the nozzle portion 9. Therefore, the reliability and safety of the fuel cell 1 can be improved.

  Next, a specific structure of the fuel cell main body 4 in the fuel cells 1 and 45 of the above-described embodiments will be described. The fuel cell body 4 is not particularly limited, and for example, a passive or active DMFC to which a satellite type fuel cartridge 5 is connected when necessary can be applied. Here, an embodiment in which an internal vaporization type DMFC is applied to the fuel cell main body 4 will be described with reference to FIG. The internal vaporization type (passive type) DMFC 4 shown in FIG. 9 includes a gas permselective membrane 51 interposed between the fuel cell 2 and the fuel tank 3 constituting the electromotive unit. .

  The fuel cell 2 includes an anode (fuel electrode) composed of an anode catalyst layer 52 and an anode gas diffusion layer 53, a cathode (oxidant electrode / air electrode) composed of a cathode catalyst layer 54 and a cathode gas diffusion layer 55, and an anode catalyst. A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) composed of a proton (hydrogen ion) conductive electrolyte membrane 56 sandwiched between the layer 52 and the cathode catalyst layer 54 is provided. Examples of the catalyst contained in the anode catalyst layer 52 and the cathode catalyst layer 54 include a simple substance of a platinum group element such as Pt, Ru, Rh, Ir, Os, and Pd, an alloy containing the platinum group element, and the like.

  Specifically, it is preferable to use Pt—Ru, Pt—Mo or the like having strong resistance to methanol or carbon monoxide for the anode catalyst layer 52 and platinum, Pt—Ni or the like for the cathode catalyst layer 54. Further, a supported catalyst using a conductive support such as a carbon material or an unsupported catalyst may be used. Examples of the proton conductive material constituting the electrolyte membrane 56 include fluorine-based resins such as perfluorosulfonic acid polymer having a sulfonic acid group (Nafion (trade name, manufactured by DuPont) and Flemion (trade name, manufactured by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.). Etc.), hydrocarbon resins having a sulfonic acid group, and inorganic substances such as tungstic acid and phosphotungstic acid. However, it is not restricted to these.

  The anode gas diffusion layer 53 laminated on the anode catalyst layer 52 serves to uniformly supply fuel to the anode catalyst layer 52 and also serves as a current collector for the anode catalyst layer 52. On the other hand, the cathode gas diffusion layer 55 laminated on the cathode catalyst layer 54 serves to uniformly supply the oxidant to the cathode catalyst layer 54 and also serves as a current collector for the cathode catalyst layer 54. An anode conductive layer 57 is stacked on the anode gas diffusion layer 53, and a cathode conductive layer 58 is stacked on the cathode gas diffusion layer 55.

  The anode conductive layer 57 and the cathode conductive layer 58 are configured by a mesh, a porous film, a thin film, or the like made of a conductive metal material such as gold. Rubber O-rings 59 and 60 are interposed between the electrolyte membrane 56 and the anode conductive layer 57, and between the electrolyte membrane 56 and the cathode conductive layer 58, and thereby, fuel cell (membrane). Electrode assembly) 2 prevents fuel leakage and oxidant leakage.

  The fuel tank 3 is filled with methanol fuel as the liquid fuel F. The fuel tank 3 is opened on the fuel cell 2 side, and a gas selective permeable membrane 51 is installed between the opening of the fuel tank 3 and the fuel cell 2. The gas selective permeable membrane 51 is a gas-liquid separation membrane that transmits only the vaporized component of the liquid fuel F and does not transmit the liquid component. Examples of the constituent material of the gas selective permeable membrane 51 include a fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene. Here, the vaporization component of the liquid fuel F is a mixture of a vaporization component of methanol and a vaporization component of water when a methanol aqueous solution is used as the liquid fuel F, and a vaporization component of methanol when pure methanol is used. Means.

  A moisturizing layer 61 is laminated on the cathode conductive layer 58, and a surface layer 62 is further laminated thereon. The surface layer 62 has a function of adjusting the amount of air that is an oxidant, and the adjustment is performed by changing the number and size of the air inlets 63 formed in the surface layer 62. The moisturizing layer 61 is impregnated with a part of the water produced in the cathode catalyst layer 54 and serves to suppress the transpiration of water, and by uniformly introducing an oxidant into the cathode gas diffusion layer 55, the cathode catalyst. It also has the function of promoting uniform diffusion of the oxidant into the layer 54. The moisturizing layer 61 is composed of, for example, a porous member, and specific constituent materials include polyethylene and polypropylene porous bodies.

  Then, the gas selective permeable membrane 51, the fuel battery cell 2, the moisture retention layer 61, and the surface layer 62 are sequentially laminated on the fuel tank 3, and further, for example, a stainless steel cover 64 is covered thereon to hold the whole, A passive DMFC (fuel cell main body) 4 of this embodiment is configured. The cover 64 is provided with an opening at a portion corresponding to the air inlet 63 formed in the surface layer 62. Further, the fuel tank 3 is provided with a terrace 65 for receiving the claw 64 a of the cover 64. The claw 64 a is caulked on the terrace 65 so that the entire fuel cell body 4 is integrally held by the cover 64. Although not shown in FIG. 9, a fuel supply section 7 having a socket section 6 is provided on the lower surface side of the fuel tank 3 as shown in FIG.

In the passive DMFC (fuel cell main body) 4 having the above-described configuration, the liquid fuel F (for example, methanol aqueous solution) in the fuel tank 3 is vaporized, and the vaporized component permeates the gas selective permeable membrane 51 to produce fuel. The battery cell 2 is supplied. In the fuel cell 2, the vaporized component of the liquid fuel F is diffused in the anode gas diffusion layer 53 and supplied to the anode catalyst layer 52. The vaporized component supplied to the anode catalyst layer 52 causes an internal reforming reaction of methanol represented by the following formula (1).
CH ₃ OH + H ₂ O → CO ₂ + 6H ⁺ + 6e ⁻ (1)

  When pure methanol is used as the liquid fuel F, since water vapor is not supplied from the fuel tank 3, the water produced in the cathode catalyst layer 54 or the water in the electrolyte membrane 56 is reacted with methanol to satisfy (1). Either the internal reforming reaction occurs or the internal reforming reaction is caused by another reaction mechanism that does not require water, regardless of the internal reforming reaction of the above formula (1).

Protons (H ⁺ ) generated by the internal reforming reaction are conducted through the electrolyte membrane 56 and reach the cathode catalyst layer 54. Air (oxidant) taken from the air inlet 63 of the surface layer 62 diffuses through the moisture retaining layer 61, the cathode conductive layer 58, and the cathode gas diffusion layer 55 and is supplied to the cathode catalyst layer 54. The air supplied to the cathode catalyst layer 54 causes the reaction shown in the following formula (2). This reaction causes a power generation reaction that accompanies the generation of water.
(3/2) O ₂ + 6H ⁺ + 6e ⁻ → 3H ₂ O (2)

  As the power generation reaction based on the above-described reaction proceeds, the liquid fuel F (for example, methanol aqueous solution or pure methanol) in the fuel tank 3 is consumed. Since the power generation reaction stops when the liquid fuel F in the fuel tank 3 becomes empty, the liquid fuel is supplied from the fuel cartridge 5 into the fuel tank 3 at that time or before that time. As described above, the liquid fuel is supplied from the fuel cartridge 5 by inserting and connecting the nozzle portion 9 on the fuel cartridge 5 side to the socket portion 6 on the fuel cell body 4 side.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to any method or mechanism as long as it is a fuel cell that supplies liquid fuel by a fuel cartridge, but is particularly suitable for a passive DMFC that is being miniaturized.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the fuel cell by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a coupler structure (unconnected state) by a fuel cartridge side nozzle portion and a fuel cell main body side socket portion in the fuel cell shown in FIG. 1. It is sectional drawing which shows the connection state of the coupler shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the metal socket of the socket main body shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the main body upper part of the socket main body shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state which has arrange | positioned the key ring in the main body upper part shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the main body upper part and key ring which are shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the principal part structure of the fuel cell by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of internal vaporization type DMFC as an example of the fuel cell main body in the fuel cell of embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,45 ... Fuel cell, 2 ... Fuel cell, 3 ... Fuel tank, 4 ... Fuel cell main body, 5 ... Fuel cartridge, 6 ... Socket part (female side coupler / socket), 8 ... Cartridge main body, 9 ... Nozzle part (Male coupler / plug), 12 ... Nozzle head, 14 ... Projection, 16 ... Key groove, 17 ... Circumferential groove, 18 ... Valve holder, 19, 40 ... Valve, 19a, 40a ... Valve head, 19b, 40b ... Valve stem, 20, 41 ... Valve seat, 21, 42 ... O-ring, 22, 43 ... Compression spring, 31 ... Nozzle insertion part, 32 ... Socket body, 33 ... Metal socket, 34, 48 ... Elastic member, 35 ... Key ring 35a ... key part, 35b ... convex part, 36 ... cradle, 36a ... concave part, 37 ... elastic pin, 39 ... rubber holder, 46 ... exterior case, 47 ... nozzle insertion port

Claims (11)

A nozzle unit including a nozzle head mounted on the fuel cell cartridge, and a valve mechanism disposed in the nozzle head;
A socket body disposed in a fuel supply portion of the fuel cell; and a valve mechanism disposed in the socket body, the socket portion being detachably connected to the nozzle portion,
The fuel cell coupler according to claim 1, wherein the socket body has a nozzle insertion portion into which the nozzle portion is inserted, and an elastic member is disposed at least at a distal end side of the nozzle insertion portion. The fuel cell coupler according to claim 1, wherein
The fuel is characterized in that the elastic member is disposed at a position where the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle part is pressed when a bending load is applied to the fuel cartridge connected to the socket part. Battery coupler. The fuel cell coupler according to claim 1 or 2,
The elastic member is elastically deformed so that an arc drawn by the nozzle portion is not obstructed by the bending load when a bending load is applied to the fuel cartridge connected to the socket portion. Fuel cell coupler. The fuel cell coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The fuel cell coupler according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member comprises a ring-shaped elastomer. The fuel cell coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The fuel cell coupler according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member has a guide function of the nozzle portion inserted into the nozzle insertion portion. The fuel cell coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The fuel cell coupler according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is made of an elastomer having a hardness (Type A) in a range of 20 to 95 °. The fuel cell coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A key part provided on one of the socket part and the nozzle part and having a shape based on the type of the liquid fuel, and a key provided on the other of the socket part and the nozzle part and having a shape corresponding to the key part A fuel cell coupler comprising: a fuel identification means including a groove. The fuel cell coupler according to claim 7, wherein
A ring member having the key part or the key groove is disposed in the socket part, and the ring member is rotated when a twisting force is applied to the fuel cartridge connected to the socket part. A fuel cell coupler characterized by being configured. The fuel cell coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The fuel cell coupler according to claim 1, wherein the socket portion includes connection holding means for elastically holding the nozzle portion when the nozzle portion is connected to the socket portion. A fuel cartridge comprising a cartridge body containing liquid fuel for a fuel cell, and a nozzle portion provided in the cartridge body;
A fuel cell main body comprising: a fuel supply part having a socket part detachably connected to the nozzle part of the fuel cartridge; and an electromotive part that is supplied with the liquid fuel from the fuel supply part and performs a power generation operation. ,
The fuel cell coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the nozzle portion of the fuel cartridge and the socket portion of the fuel cell main body comprise the fuel cell coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 9. A fuel cartridge comprising a cartridge body containing liquid fuel for a fuel cell, and a nozzle portion provided in the cartridge body;
A fuel cell body comprising: a fuel supply part having a socket part detachably connected to the nozzle part of the fuel cartridge; and an electromotive part that is supplied with the liquid fuel from the fuel supply part and performs a power generation operation;
The fuel cell main body is housed, and includes an outer case having a nozzle insertion opening opened corresponding to the socket portion,
The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the outer case includes an elastic member disposed at the nozzle insertion port.

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