JP2010287422A - Fuel cartridge for fuel cell and manufacturing method of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel cartridge for a fuel cell provided with a fuel container of a cartridge system in which a container body of a bag shape made of a flexible material having a spout fixed and being housed in a case and is provided with a structure in which, even if the container body is swollen due to vaporization of a contained fuel, airtightness inside the container body is not impaired with a limited capacity range. <P>SOLUTION: A container body 2 with a spout 3 fixed by superimposing and heat-sealing of end edges of a flexible material while a base part 31 of the spout 3 being pinched by the flexible material is accommodated in an outer case 5 including a bottomed cylindrical case body 50, a chuck 51 to engage with the case body 50 by being inserted into the case body 50 in a state that a sealed part between the base part 31 of the spout 3 and the flexible material and a sealed part between the flexible materials are pinched, and a top base 52 which engages with the chuck 51 and fixes a coupler 4 tightly on an sucking opening 32 of the spout 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cartridge for a fuel cell that can be suitably used for a fuel cell such as a direct methanol fuel cell, and a method for manufacturing the same.

  In recent years, a direct methanol fuel cell capable of causing an electrochemical reaction by supplying methanol as a fuel directly to an anode electrode (fuel electrode) without using a reformer for taking out hydrogen (protons). DMFC) is drawing attention. In particular, since this DMFC is suitable for downsizing of devices, it is expected to be used as a fuel cell for portable devices such as a laptop computer (Laptop Computer).

Various means for supplying fuel in such a DMFC have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 includes a fuel container at least partially made of a flexible member, and fuel is supplied by a pump. Propose a fuel cell for portable devices.
In addition, the present applicant also disclosed in Patent Document 2 as a container that can also be used as a fuel container for a fuel cell, a flexible pouch body in which a film material is made into a gusset bag-like pouch, and a fluid content. We proposed a container with a spout to serve as a spout. Furthermore, the present applicant has also proposed a cartridge type fuel container in which a pouch made of a film material is housed in a case made of a rigid material in Patent Document 3.

JP 2004-319388 A JP 2008-56326 A WO2006 / 54489

  By the way, in this type of fuel container, when storing methanol with high risk of ignition as fuel, it is necessary to prevent leakage of methanol to the outside, and fuel supply is stably performed. In order to achieve this, airtightness in the container must be sufficiently ensured.

  However, since methanol is highly volatile and has a relatively low boiling point, it is easily vaporized at temperatures that are generally assumed in the use environment of equipment. For this reason, in a container in which a spout is attached to a pouch made of a film material, it must be taken into account that the pouch expands with the vaporization of methanol.

  For example, when the pouch is inflated, the stress is concentrated on the seal portion with the spout and the film material forming the pouch is broken, the seal portion between the spout and the film material, or between the film materials. It was feared that peeling (seal receding) would occur at the seal part, and the problem was found that the airtightness in the container might be impaired. When a cartridge-type fuel container is loaded and used in a device having a severe volume restriction such as a portable device, such a problem must be solved within a limited volume range.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. A spout is attached to a pouch as a container body formed by bag-making a flexible material such as a film material, and this is accommodated in a case. Even when the contained fuel is vaporized and the pouch is inflated when the fuel container is made into a cartridge type, the airtightness in the container is impaired within the limited volume range. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel cartridge for a fuel cell and a method for manufacturing the same, which can effectively avoid such a situation.

  A fuel cartridge for a fuel cell according to the present invention is a bag made of a flexible material, and a spout to which a coupler having a connection function with a fuel cell main body is attached is the base of the spout made of the flexible material. A container body that is mounted by overlapping and heat-sealing the edges of the flexible material while holding the container in an outer case, and the outer case has a bottomed end that is open at one end in the longitudinal direction. A cylindrical case body, a seal part between the spout base and the flexible material, and a seal part between the flexible materials inserted between the case body and the case body; A chuck comprising a pair of pressing members to be fitted, and a top base that is fitted to the chuck and tightly fixes the coupler to the spout of the spout. .

  The method for manufacturing a fuel cartridge for a fuel cell according to the present invention includes: a female die having a long cylindrical molding surface that molds the outer surface of the body portion of the case body; and an inclination of the body portion of the case body. A molding surface having a molding surface on which a molding surface is formed, and a male mold composed of a pair of cores divided at the thickest part of the body portion of the case body, The core is inserted from both ends in the longitudinal direction, the core is abutted at the thickest part of the body of the case body, the mold is closed, and then the body of the case body is injection molded.

  According to the present invention, even if the contained fuel is vaporized and the container main body expands, the flexible material forming the container main body can be prevented from breaking or peeling within a limited volume range. As a possible structure, it is possible to effectively avoid the loss of airtightness in the container body.

It is a front view showing an outline of an embodiment of a fuel cartridge for a fuel cell according to the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the outline of the AA cross section of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the outline of the BB cross section of FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing an outline of a fuel cartridge for a fuel cell according to the present invention, omitting a part of the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the pouch as a container main body. It is a top view which shows the state which inserted and fitted the chuck | zipper in the case main body. It is explanatory drawing which shows the spout outlet and coupler of a spout. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the manufacturing process of the trunk | drum of a case main body.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 is a front view showing an outline of a fuel cartridge for a fuel cell according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of the AA cross section of FIG. 1, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the outline of a BB cross section. FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing an outline of the fuel cartridge for a fuel cell according to this embodiment with a part thereof omitted.

  The fuel cartridge 1 of this embodiment is detachably loaded in a device including a fuel cell such as a direct methanol fuel cell. When the fuel M becomes empty, the fuel cartridge 1 is replaced with the fuel cartridge 1 to replenish the fuel M. A pouch 2 serving as a container body formed by bag-making a flexible material is accommodated in an outer case 5 which is a fuel container and whose outer dimensions are defined according to the equipment to be loaded.

  Further, the fuel cartridge 1 is used in a so-called active type fuel cell in which the fuel M is sucked out by the suction pump provided in the fuel cell main body and supplied to the power generation unit. The pouch 2 as a container body made of a flexible material is made to be filled with the fuel M so that the fuel M can be sucked up and the fuel M can be sucked out. In such a pouch 2, the spout 3 for sucking out the filled fuel M sandwiches the base 31 between the flexible material forming the pouch 2 and overlaps the edges of the flexible material. It is attached by heat sealing.

  The pouch 2 used as a container body in the present embodiment can be formed into a gusset bag shape with a town formed on the side surface, for example. The pouch 2 made in the shape of a gusset bag can be folded gradually and flatly according to the sucked amount when the fuel M is sucked, thereby increasing the volume efficiency. At the same time, it is advantageous for improving the suckability and reducing the residual liquid.

  Here, FIG. 5 (a) shows a development view of the flexible material of an example of the pouch 2 formed in a gusset bag shape. In this example, the pouch 2 made in the form of a gusset bag has a valley fold line VL indicated by a broken line in FIG. 5A and a mountain fold line ML indicated by a two-dot chain line as shown in FIG. 5B. The spout side end edge 2a, the bottom side end edge 2b, and the back-pasted side edge 2c, each of which is folded back, are heat sealed.

  A spout 3 that is attached to suck out the fuel M from the pouch 2 is equipped with a base 31 that is sandwiched between flexible materials forming the pouch 2 and heat-sealed, and a coupler 4 that has a function of connecting the fuel cell body. And a suction port 32. Further, a flange portion 30 is provided at the boundary between the base portion 31 and the suction port 32 so as to project substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction.

  The flange portion 30 provided in the spout 3 is used to abut the edge of the flexible material forming the pouch 2 and position the pouch 2 when making the pouch 2. In addition, as will be described later, when the chuck 51 holds the sealing portion 20 between the base portion 31 of the spout 3 and the flexible material and the sealing portion 20 between the flexible materials, each chuck 51 is formed. By supporting the flange portion 30 on the upper surface of the pressing portion 510 of the pressing members 51a and 51b, it can be used when positioning the flange portion 30.

  In the present embodiment, the coupler 4 attached to the suction port 32 of the spout 3 is configured such that when the fuel cartridge 1 is loaded into the device, the front end opening side of the coupler 4 is provided with the fuel suction provided in the fuel cell body. At the same time, the valve mechanism of the coupler 4 is opened, and the fuel M filled in the pouch 2 can be sucked out.

  As the valve mechanism of the coupler 4, for example, the valve body 41 biased by the spring 42 is in close contact with the valve seat 43 formed on the inner surface side of the open end of the coupler 4, thereby closing the valve mechanism. When the fuel cartridge 1 is loaded into the device, a pin-like member (not shown) provided on the fuel suction port side of the fuel cell main body is inserted into the tip opening of the coupler 4. . Thereby, the valve mechanism is opened by pushing down the valve body 41 against the spring 42 so that the pin-shaped member is released from the close contact with the valve seat 43, and the valve body 41 and the valve seat 43 are A flow path for the fuel M is formed between them.

  In the present embodiment, when the fuel cartridge 1 is stored, the valve mechanism of the coupler 4 is prevented from malfunctioning and the fuel M does not leak out. A lid 7 as a protective member is attached.

  In this embodiment, the outer case 5 in which the pouch 2 as a container body is accommodated is a bottomed cylindrical case body 50 that is open at one end in the longitudinal direction, and a seal between the base 31 of the spout 3 and a flexible material. A chuck 51 composed of a pair of pressing members 51 a and 51 b inserted into the case main body 50 with the seal portion 20 and the flexible material sandwiched between them, and fitted with the case main body 50, In addition, a top base 52 that tightly fixes the coupler 4 to the suction port 32 of the spout 3 is provided.

The pressing members 51a and 51b forming the chuck 51 are flange portions provided on the spout 3 while pressing the sealing portion 20 between the base portion 31 of the spout 3 and the flexible material and the sealing portion 20 between the flexible materials. 30 and a side plate portion 511 that rises from the pressing portion 510 and forms a space in which a fitting portion provided in the top base 52 is inserted around the suction port 32 of the spout 3. Have.
In addition, the chuck 51 having such a configuration is formed by cutting out the pressing members 51a and 51b by cutting unnecessary portions as necessary in order to reduce the weight and reduce the amount of resin used. It is preferable to leave.

  In the present embodiment, in order to fit the chuck 51 to the case body 50, the fitting claws 513 are provided on the side plate portions 511 of the pressing members 51 a and 51 b forming the chuck 51, and the fitting claws 513 are fitted. A fitting hole 500 is provided in the case main body 50.

  At this time, the specific forms of the fitting claws 513 provided on the chuck 51 side and the fitting holes 500 provided on the case main body 50 side and the number of these provided are not limited to the illustrated example. The fitting claw 513 provided on the chuck 51 side may be fitted into the fitting hole 500 provided on the case body 50 side from the inside. Further, in providing the fitting claw 513 and the fitting hole 500, the upper surface of the fitting hole 500 with which the upper end surface of the fitting claw 513 abuts is from the outside of the container to the inside of the container as shown in the figure. It is preferable that it is inclined obliquely downward. By doing in this way, it can be made hard to cancel fitting with fitting claw 513 and fitting hole 500.

  Further, in this embodiment, in order to fit the top base 52 to the chuck 51 fitted to the case body 50, the top base 52 has a fitting claw 521 hanging from the top plate 520 as a fitting portion. At the same time, the fitting claw 521 is inserted into a space surrounded by the side plate portion 511 of the chuck 51 so as to be fitted into the fitting hole 514 provided in the side plate portion 511.

  At this time, the specific forms of the fitting claws 521 provided on the top base 52 side and the fitting holes 514 provided on the chuck 51 side and the number of these provided are not limited to the illustrated example. A fitting claw 521 provided on the top base 52 side is inserted into a space surrounded by the side plate portion 511 of the chuck 51 and is fitted into a fitting hole 514 provided on the chuck 51 side from the inside. Just do it.

  In this embodiment, in order to accommodate the pouch 2 in the exterior case 5, first, the pressing members 51 a and 51 b forming the chuck 51 are combined and the flange portion 30 of the spout 3 is supported on the upper surface of each pressing portion 510. Then, while positioning, the seal portion between the base portion 31 of the spout 3 and the flexible material and the seal portion 20 between the flexible materials are held. In this state, the chuck 51 is inserted into the case body 50 together with the pouch 2 and is fitted to the case body 50.

  By doing in this way, the pouch 2 is accommodated in the exterior case 5 in a state where the respective seal portions 20 are pressed by the chuck 51. For this reason, even if the pouch 2 expands as the filled fuel M evaporates, the flexible material forming the pouch 2 may break due to stress concentration within a limited volume range. As a structure capable of preventing the seal portions 20 from peeling off (seal retreating), it is possible to effectively avoid the loss of the airtightness in the pouch 2.

  Here, when each of the sealing portions 20 is pressed by the chuck 51, the pressing portion 510 of each pressing member 51a, 51b is provided with a pressing surface corresponding to the outer shape of the base 31 of the spout 3, and each of the sealing members It is assumed that the pressing portion 510 is in close contact with the portion 20.

Further, as shown in the drawing, the width W of the pressing portion 510 is preferably longer than the seal width W ₀ of each of the seal portions 20 and beyond the distal end side of the base portion 31 of the spout 3. Thereby, peeling of each of the seal portions 20 can be prevented more reliably. Further, as shown in the drawing, the pressing portion 510 preferably has a surface that curves in a direction away from the pouch 2 on the distal end side of the base portion 31 of the spout 3. As a result, when the pouch 2 expands, the flexible material forming the pouch 2 swells outward along the curved surface, moderately relieving the tension, and applying stress to the flexible material. You can avoid concentrating.

Further, when the pressing members 51a and 51b forming the chuck 51 are combined to sandwich the seal portions 20, the pressing members 51a and 51b include flange portions provided on the spout 3 as shown in the figure. The beam part 512 which forms the space | gap which can insert the flange part 30 in loosely-fitting form between the press parts 510 which support 30 can be provided. By providing such a beam portion 512, it is possible to easily position the spout 3 when the seal portions 20 are held by the chuck 51, and to prevent the spout 3 from being displaced.
Note that the gap formed between the pressing portion 510 and the beam portion 512 is preferably such that a slight clearance is formed between the pressing portion 510 and the flange portion 30.

Next, the pouch 2 accommodated in the case body 50 is filled with the fuel M from the suction port 32 of the spout 3. Then, after filling the pouch 2 with a predetermined amount of fuel M, the coupler 4 is attached to the suction port 32 of the spout 3, the top base 52 is fitted to the chuck 51, and the coupler 4 is inserted into the suction port 32 of the spout 3. Tightly fix to.
6 is a plan view showing a state in which the chuck 51 is inserted into the case body 50 together with the pouch 2 and is fitted to the case body 50, and the fuel M is charged in this state. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing the suction port 32 and the coupler 4 of the spout 3.

At this time, the top base 52 is preferably provided with a guide piece 522 that hangs down from the top plate 520 along the outer periphery of the coupler 4 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Until the top base 52 is fitted to the chuck 51, the coupler 4 is only placed on the suction port 32 of the spout 3. By providing such a guide piece 522, the top base 52 is attached to the chuck 51. When fitting, the top base 52 can be guided to the fitting position with the chuck 51 while preventing the coupler 4 from dropping from the suction port 32 of the spout 3.
In the illustrated example, a pair of guide pieces 522 are provided at positions facing each other with the coupler 4 interposed therebetween, but the guide pieces 522 are provided in a cylindrical shape so as to surround the entire circumference of the coupler 4 as necessary. The specific form is not limited.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the coupler 4 is brought into close contact with the suction port 32 of the spout 3 only by fitting the top base 52 to the chuck 51 without providing a mechanism for fixing the coupler 4 on the spout 3 side. It is fixed. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the size of the fuel cartridge 1 or increase the capacity of the fuel M filled in the pouch 2 because there is no need to provide a mechanism for fixing the coupler 4 on the spout 3 side. A limited volume can be used effectively.

Moreover, the top base 52 is inserted into a space surrounded by the side plate portions 511 provided in the pressing members 51 a and 51 b forming the chuck 51, and the fitting claw 521 as the fitting portion is fitted with the chuck 51. Match. For this reason, there is no site | part which protrudes outside the case main body 50, and it does not affect the external dimension of the exterior case 5 in which a dimension is prescribed | regulated according to the apparatus loaded.
Further, since the top base 52 is fitted to the chuck 51, the case main body 50 need only be provided with a fitting hole 500 for fitting the chuck 51. Thereby, the strength reduction of the case main body 50 by providing the hole for fitting can be suppressed to the minimum.

  In the present embodiment, when the coupler 4 is attached to the suction port 32 of the spout 3, the coupler 4 is provided with a projecting piece 45 that hangs along the outer peripheral surface of the suction port 32 of the spout 3, and the suction port 32 of the spout 3. On the outer peripheral surface, a protrusion 320 for locking the protrusion 45 provided on the coupler 4 is provided (see FIG. 6). By doing so, when the coupler 4 is attached to the suction port 32 of the spout 3, the protrusion 45 is locked to the protrusion 320 so that the coupler 4 does not rotate in the circumferential direction. The positioning can be performed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case main body 50 has a long cylindrical body portion 50 a that opens at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and a bottom plate portion 50 b on which a fitting claw 531 is erected. The fitting claw 531 erected on the bottom plate portion 50b is inserted into the trunk portion and fitted into the fitting hole 501 provided in the trunk portion 50a, whereby the bottom plate portion 50b is attached to the trunk portion 50a. Thus, a bottomed cylindrical case body 50 having one end in the longitudinal direction opened is formed.

  At this time, the specific forms of the fitting claws 531 provided on the bottom plate portion 50b side and the fitting holes 501 provided on the trunk portion 50a side, and the number of these provided, are not limited to the illustrated example. The fitting claw 531 provided on the bottom plate portion 50b side is fitted into the fitting hole 501 provided on the barrel portion 50a side from the inside, and is fitted by the pouch 2 expanded as the filled fuel M is vaporized. It is only necessary that the claw 531 is pressed down to prevent the bottom plate portion 52 from falling off.

  Further, the body portion 50a of the case main body 50 is inclined at the inner surface so that the wall thickness increases from the openings at both ends toward the center in the longitudinal direction, thereby providing the thickest part on the center side in the longitudinal direction ( (Thick part) 504 is provided.

By providing the thick portion 504 on the center side in the longitudinal direction, the strength of the case body 50 is increased, and the expansion of the pouch 2 due to the vaporization of the filled fuel M is suppressed, and the deformation of the case body 50 is prevented. Can do. Moreover, since such a thick portion 504 is provided by inclining the inner surface of the body portion of the case main body 50, it affects the outer dimensions of the outer case 5 whose dimensions are defined according to the equipment to be loaded. In addition, the volume reduction in the case body 50 can be suppressed as much as possible, and the strength of the case body 50 can be increased within a limited volume range.
The position where the thick portion 504 is provided can be arbitrarily set at a position where stress due to expansion of the pouch 2 tends to concentrate so that deformation of the case body 50 due to expansion of the pouch 2 can be effectively prevented.

  In order to prevent the deformation of the case main body 50, the thick portion 504 provided on the body portion 50 a of the case main body 50 is provided so as to extend perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the case main body 50. The first rib 502 is preferably provided along the first rib 502, and in addition to this, the second rib 503 extending from the first rib 502 is combined with the first rib 502 along the longitudinal direction of the case body 50. More preferably, it is provided in a shape.

  In the present embodiment, the case main body 50 is divided into the body portion 50a and the bottom plate portion 50b, and these are formed separately. The case main body 50 provided with a thick portion 504 on the center side in the longitudinal direction is used. This is because the body 50a is considered to be formed by injection molding. That is, in order to manufacture such a body part 50a of the case main body 50 by injection molding, the mold must be designed in consideration of the mold opening.

  For this reason, in this embodiment, as schematically shown in FIG. 8, the female die 80 formed with a long cylindrical molding surface for molding the outer surface of the trunk portion 50 a of the case main body 50, and the trunk of the case main body 50. A molding die 8 having a molding die formed of a pair of cores 81 formed with a molding surface for molding the inclined inner surface of the portion 50a and divided at the thickest portion of the body portion 50a of the case body 50. It is preferable that the body portion 50a of the case body 50 is manufactured by injection molding.

  In order to manufacture the body portion 50a of the case body 50 by injection molding using such a mold 8, first, the cores 81 are respectively inserted from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the female mold 80 (see FIG. 8A). Then, after the core 81 is brought into contact with the thickest portion of the body portion 50a of the case body 50 and the mold is closed, a material resin is filled into the cavity from a gate (not shown) (see FIG. 8B). Next, the mold 8 is opened (see FIG. 8C), and the barrel portion 50a molded into a predetermined shape may be taken out (see FIG. 8D).

  In the fuel cartridge 1 as described above, the flexible material forming the pouch 2 is generally resistant to alcohols such as methanol used as fuel for fuel cells and can be heat sealed. A film material in which a resin is used as a heat seal layer and a barrier material layer or the like is laminated thereon is preferably used.

  Examples of heat seal layers include low-elution, heat-resistant, low-rigidity low-density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, medium-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, crystalline polypropylene, crystalline propylene-ethylene copolymer, ethylene -Vinyl acetate copolymer, crystalline polybutene-1, crystalline poly 4-methylpentene-1, polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), EVA saponified product, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer (EEA And the like can be suitably used. Among these, an additive-free linear low density polyethylene with little elution into the fuel is particularly preferable. Moreover, it is preferable that the thickness of a heat seal layer shall be 5-200 micrometers, and when considering the drainage property of the pouch 2, 20-70 micrometers is especially suitable.

  For the barrier material layer, a cyclic olefin-based resin film, a polyester-based resin film, a polyamide-based resin film, an aluminum foil, a silica-deposited polyester film, an alumina-deposited polyester film, or the like can be suitably used. In order to ensure long-term storage with a thin laminated film material, it is most preferable to use an aluminum foil. Moreover, it is preferable that the thickness of a barrier material layer shall be 1-50 micrometers, More preferably, it is 3-9 micrometers.

  When laminating the barrier material layer on the heat seal layer, if necessary, an adhesive layer such as polyurethane adhesive, vinyl acetate adhesive, acid-modified olefin resin, maleic anhydride-modified olefin resin, or the like, between them Can also be interposed. Alcohols such as methanol used for fuel have high penetrating power into the material, and are likely to cause elution of low molecular weight components and delamination. For this reason, it is most preferable to use acid-modified olefin resin or maleic anhydride-modified olefin resin having good compatibility with the heat seal layer among the above-described ones. The thickness of the adhesive layer is preferably 0.1 to 30 μm, more preferably 1 to 15 μm.

Each of the above-described layers can be composed of a single material, a combination of a plurality of materials, or a combination of a plurality of layers. In addition to the above-described layers, other layers can be appropriately stacked.
For example, an impact resistant layer can be provided for the purpose of improving pinhole resistance and strength. As the impact resistant layer, a resin film such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, nylon (polyamide), a coextruded film of nylon and an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, and a biaxially stretched film thereof can be suitably used.
These additional layers are preferably laminated outside the barrier material layer.

  Other members such as the spout 3, the coupler 4, the case main body 50, the chuck 51, the top base 52, and the bottom plate portion 50b are acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin (ABS), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile-styrene resin (AS). ), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyacetal (POM), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), modified As a composite material using synthetic resin materials such as polyphenylene ether (PPE) singly or in a blend of two or more, and further incorporating fillers such as glass fiber and talc as necessary. make use of It can be molded into a predetermined shape by injection molding. Moreover, metal materials, such as aluminum, iron, and stainless steel, can also be used as needed.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. .

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case main body 50 is shown in which the bottom plate portion 50b is formed separately. However, the bottom plate portion may be integrally formed as necessary.

  In addition, an O-ring made of an elastic material or the like is appropriately provided at a portion requiring sealing properties, such as between the valve body 41 and the valve seat 43 forming the valve mechanism of the coupler 4 or between the coupler 4 and the spout 3. A simple sealing member can be interposed.

  Further, the specific form of the spout 3 is not limited to that shown in the above-described embodiment. For example, if the base portion 31 is sandwiched between the flexible materials forming the pouch 2 and is heat-sealed, and the suction port 32 opened to the outside in a state of being attached to the pouch 2, the flange portion 30 is It may be omitted if necessary. In addition to the hollow cylindrical shape of the base 31, for example, in order to achieve good heat sealing with the flexible material forming the pouch 2, for example, around the hollow cylindrical portion In addition, a plurality of rhombus-shaped sealing pieces projecting substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction may be arranged in the longitudinal direction.

  As described above, the fuel cartridge for a fuel cell of the present invention can be used as a replaceable cartridge type fuel container used for a fuel cell such as a direct methanol fuel cell.

1 Fuel cartridge 2 Pouch (container body)
20 Seal part 3 Spout 30 Flange part 31 Base part 32 Suction port 320 Projection 4 Coupler 45 Projection piece 5 Exterior case 50 Case body 500 Fitting hole 501 Fitting hole 502 First rib 503 Second rib 504 Thick part 50a Body Part 50b Bottom plate part 51 Chuck 51a Press member 51b Press member 510 Press part 511 Side plate part 512 Beam part 513 Fitting claw 514 Fitting hole 52 Top base 520 Top plate 521 Fitting claw 531 Fitting claw 8 Mold 80 Female mold 81 Core M fuel

Claims (11)

A spout formed by bag-making of a flexible material and fitted with a coupler having a function of connecting to the fuel cell body sandwiches the base of the spout with the flexible material, and ends the flexible material. The container body that is attached by overlapping the edges and heat-sealing is housed in the outer case,
The outer case is
A bottomed cylindrical case body having one end in the longitudinal direction opened;
A pair of pressing members that are inserted into the case body in a state where the seal part between the base part of the spout and the flexible material and the seal part between the flexible materials are sandwiched and are fitted to the case body. A chuck made of
A top base that fits into the chuck and tightly fixes the coupler to the spout suction port;
A fuel cartridge for a fuel cell, comprising: The spout is provided with a flange portion that contacts the edge of the flexible material,
Each pressing member forming the chuck is
A pressing portion that supports the flange while pressing a sealing portion between the base portion of the spout and the flexible material and a sealing portion between the flexible materials;
A side plate portion that rises from the pressing portion and forms a space in which a fitting portion provided on the top base is inserted around the spout suction port;
The fuel cartridge for a fuel cell according to claim 1, comprising: For each pressing member forming the chuck,
The fuel cartridge for a fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein a beam portion is provided between the pressing portion that supports the flange to form a gap through which the flange can be freely inserted.   4. The fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein at least one fitting claw is provided on a side plate portion of each pressing member forming the chuck, and a fitting hole is provided in the case main body to be fitted to the fitting claw. Fuel cartridge.   The fitting portion of the top base is composed of at least one fitting claw suspended from the top plate of the top base, and is fitted to the fitting claw on the side plate portion of each pressing member forming the chuck. The fuel cartridge for a fuel cell according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein a fitting hole is provided.   The at least one projecting piece that hangs down along the outer peripheral surface of the spout suction port of the spout is provided on the coupler, and a protrusion for locking the projecting piece is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the spout suction port of the spout. The fuel cartridge for a fuel cell according to any one of 5. The case body is
It has a long cylindrical body portion that is open at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and a bottom plate portion on which a fitting claw that is inserted into the body portion and fits into a fitting hole provided in the body portion is erected. The fuel cartridge for a fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   The fuel cartridge for a fuel cell according to claim 7, wherein an inner surface of the body portion of the case body is inclined to provide a thickest portion on a longitudinal center side of the body portion of the case body.   9. The fuel cartridge for a fuel cell according to claim 8, wherein the thickest portion of the body portion of the case main body extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the case main body, and a rib is provided along the portion. . The fuel cartridge for a fuel cell according to claim 9, wherein a second rib extending from the rib is provided along a longitudinal direction of the case body. In manufacturing the fuel cartridge for a fuel cell according to any one of claims 8 to 10,
A female mold formed with a long cylindrical molding surface for molding the outer surface of the body portion of the case body, a molding surface for molding the inclined inner surface of the body portion of the case body, and the case body Using a mold having a male mold consisting of a pair of cores divided at the thickest part of the body of
The core is inserted from both ends of the female mold in the longitudinal direction, the core is abutted at the thickest part of the body of the case body, the mold is closed, and then the body of the case body is injection molded. A method for producing a fuel cartridge for a fuel cell.

Images