JP2013077445A - Fuel cell, fuel cartridge and connection structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel cell, a fuel cartridge and a connection structure capable of preventing wear of a sealing member.SOLUTION: A connection structure 1 provided in a fuel cartridge 3 and a fuel cell 2 to be supplied with fuel from the fuel cartridge 3 includes: shell members 11 and 51 having cylindrical connection ports 21 and 61 to be connected to each other, which are provided on the fuel cartridge 3 and the fuel cell 2; valve bodies 12 and 52 for closing the connection ports 21 and 61 respectively and opening the connection ports 21 and 61 by being engaged and moved when the connection ports 21 and 61 are connected; energizing members 13 and 53 for energizing the valve bodies 12 and 52 to positions to close the connection ports 21 and 61; support members 14 and 54 provided on the shell members 11 and 51, for housing and supporting the energizing members 13 and 53; and sealing members 16 and 56 whose outer peripheral sides are fixed to the support members 14 and 54 and inner peripheral surfaces 16a and 56a are in contact with outer peripheral surfaces 41a and 81a of seal grooves 41 and 81, for performing sealing by being deformed in a moving direction of the valve bodies 12 and 52 when the connection ports 21 and 61 are opened.

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell that generates power using gaseous or liquid fuel, a fuel cartridge that supplies fuel to the fuel cell, and a connection structure that connects the fuel cell and the fuel cartridge to each other.

  Currently, the use of fuel cells as a small power source for mobile phones, notebook computers, PDAs, and other electronic devices is being studied. Such a fuel cell is provided in an electronic device and generates power using a gas or liquid fuel. The fuel is supplied to the fuel cell using a fuel cartridge.

  Specifically, the fuel cell has a cylindrical receiving port having an opening / closing valve therein, and the fuel cartridge has a columnar supply port having an opening / closing valve inside that can be inserted into the supply port. By connecting the receiving port and the supply port, the on-off valve provided at the receiving port and the supply port is opened, and fuel is supplied from the fuel cartridge to the fuel cell.

  For example, methanol is used as the fuel used in such a fuel cell. When this methanol comes into contact with metal, metal ions are eluted. When the metal ions eluted from the methanol are supplied to the fuel cell, the metal ions move first and occupy the place where the hydrogen ions (protons) generated on the anode side move. For this reason, when methanol from which metal ions are eluted is used in a fuel cell, there is a problem that the amount of hydrogen ions transferred is reduced and the reaction rate on the anode side is lowered.

  Therefore, as a connection structure provided in the fuel cell and the fuel cartridge, a technique for preventing contact of fuel with a metal spring member that biases the valve body in the closing direction is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). .

JP 2006-177492 A

  The fuel cell and fuel cartridge connection structure described above has the following problems. That is, in the connection structure described above, the urging member is housed in the elastic body holder, and the flow path is formed outside thereof, so that the elastic body is housed in the elastic body holder and contact with the liquid can be prevented. However, since a sealing member (sealing skirt in Patent Document 1) that seals the elastic body holder and the piston valve slides with the opening and closing of the valve, the opening / closing resistance of the valve increases and the seal generated by the sliding There is a possibility that the wear powder will be mixed into the fuel. In addition, there is a problem that the durability of the sealing member is low due to wear due to the sliding.

  Furthermore, when the receiving port and the supply port described above are connected, a sealing member such as an O-ring is used. However, if the connection of the receiving port and the supply port is repeated, wear powder is generated due to wear of the sealing member. There is a risk.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell, a fuel cartridge, and a connection structure that can prevent the sealing member from being worn.

  In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the fuel cell, the fuel cartridge and the connection structure of the present invention are configured as follows.

  One aspect of the present invention is a connection structure provided in a fuel cartridge and a fuel cell to which fuel is supplied from the fuel cartridge, and is connected to each other in a cylindrical shape provided in the fuel cartridge and the fuel cell. An outer member having a connection port, a valve body provided at the connection port, closing the connection port, and opening the connection port by moving in contact with each other when the connection port is connected, and the valve A biasing member that biases the valve body in a position that closes the connection port, a seat that is provided in the valve body and supports the biasing member, and is provided in the outer member, The seat portion and the biasing member are accommodated, and the bottomed cylindrical support member that supports the biasing member on the bottom surface thereof, and the outer peripheral surface of the valve body, on the connection port side of the seat portion Formed sealing groove The outer peripheral side of the support member is fixed, and the inner peripheral surface abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the seal groove. When the connection port is opened by the movement of the valve body, at least a part of the outer peripheral side is in the seal groove. A sealing member that deforms in a moving direction of the valve body while maintaining the contact state and seals between the support member and the valve body.

  As one aspect of the present invention, a fuel cell to which fuel is supplied by a connecting member having a cylindrical connecting port, and a fuel cartridge provided at the connecting port and opening and closing the connecting port, An outer shell member having a cylindrical connection port connected to the connection body of the fuel cartridge, and provided in the connection port, closing the connection port and connecting the connection body to the connection port A valve body that opens the connection port and the connected port by engaging with the valve body of the fuel cartridge and moving to each other, and the valve body at a position that is provided in the valve body and closes the connection port An urging member that urges the urging member, a seat portion that is provided on the valve body and supports the urging member, and is provided on the outer member, and stores the urging member and the urging member, and the urging member Is supported on the bottom A cylindrical support member, an outer peripheral surface of the valve body, a seal groove formed on the connection port side of the seat portion, an outer peripheral side thereof being fixed to the support member, and an inner peripheral surface thereof Abutting with the outer peripheral surface of the seal groove, when the connected port is opened by the movement of the valve body, at least a part thereof is deformed in the moving direction of the valve body while maintaining the state of being in contact with the seal groove. And a sealing member that seals between the support member and the valve body.

  As one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fuel cartridge for supplying fuel to a connecting body having a cylindrical connecting port, and a fuel cell provided at the connecting port, the valve body opening and closing the connecting port, An outer shell member having a cylindrical connection port connected to the connection body of the fuel cell, and provided at the connection port, closing the connection port and connecting the connection object to the connection port. Sometimes the valve body of the fuel cell engages with the valve body and moves with each other to open the connection port and the connected port, and the valve body is provided at the position where the connection port is closed. An urging member for urging the body; a seat portion provided on the valve body for supporting the urging member; provided on the outer member; storing the seat portion and the urging member; A cylindrical support with a bottom that supports the member on its bottom And an outer peripheral surface of the valve body, the seal groove formed on the connection port side of the seat portion, and the outer peripheral side thereof is fixed to the support member, and the inner peripheral surface thereof is an outer periphery of the seal groove The support member is deformed in the moving direction of the valve body while maintaining a state where at least a part thereof is in contact with the seal groove when the connection port is opened by the movement of the valve body. A sealing member that seals between the valve bodies.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a fuel cell, a fuel cartridge, and a connection structure that can prevent wear of the sealing member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Explanatory drawing which shows typically the structure of the fuel cell and fuel cartridge which concern on one embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the structure of the connection structure used for the fuel cell and fuel cartridge. The perspective view which shows the structure of the connection structure. The perspective view which shows the structure of the connection structure. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the connection structure. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the connection structure.

  Hereinafter, the structure of the fuel cell 2 and the fuel cartridge 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention and the connection structure 1 used in the fuel cell 2 and the fuel cartridge will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

  FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the configuration of an electronic device 100 and a fuel cartridge 3 in which a fuel cell 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention is used, and FIG. 2 is a connection used for the fuel cell 2 and the fuel cartridge 3. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the connection structure 1, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the connection structure 1, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the connection state, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the connection structure 1 in a connected state.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the connection structure 1 is provided in a fuel receiving unit 6 provided in a fuel cell 2 used in the electronic device 100, and a fuel cartridge 3 that stores fuel and supplies the fuel cell 2. And a supply body 7. The connection structure 1 is formed so that the fuel stored in the fuel cartridge 3 can be supplied to the fuel cell 2 by connecting the receiving body 6 and the supply body 7.

  In addition, the receiving body 6 and the supply body 7 are the connection structures 1 in which one is a connection body and the other is a body to be connected. In this embodiment, the receiving body 6 will be described as a connecting body, and the supplying body 7 will be described as a connected body.

  The fuel used for the fuel cell 2 is a gas or liquid fuel, for example, methanol. As the methanol, those having different concentrations and types depending on the performance of the electronic device 100 and the fuel cell 2 to be used are used.

  The fuel cell 2 is provided in a small electronic device 100 such as a notebook computer, a PDA, or a mobile phone. The fuel cell 2 includes a fuel cell 2A that is an electromotive unit, a fuel tank 2B, and a receiving body 6 that is connected to the fuel tank 2B and receives fuel stored in the fuel tank 2B.

  The fuel cartridge 3 is formed so as to be portable as a single unit. The fuel cartridge 3 includes a cartridge main body 3 </ b> A that stores fuel, and a supply body 7 that is provided in the cartridge main body 3 </ b> A and supplies fuel to the receiving body 6. The fuel cartridge 3 uses a non-pressurized type cartridge body 3A that stores the fuel without pressurizing or pressurizes the fuel according to the type of fuel.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the receiving body 6 includes a first outer member 11, a first movable body 12, a first biasing member 13, a first support member 14, a first O-ring 15, A first sealing member 16. The receiving body 6 is an open / close valve that opens and closes when the first movable body 12 reciprocates. In the receiving body 6, the first outer member 11 and the first support member 14 are formed in communication with the fuel tank 2 </ b> B, and the fuel supplied from the supply body 7 is supplied into the first outer member 11.

  The first outer member 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape having two different outer diameters, and a supply path 17 connected to the fuel tank 2B is provided on a part of the outer surface thereof. The first outer member 11 is made of a resin material, for example, polypropylene (PP).

  The first outer member 11 includes a receiving port 21 that is a connection port that can partly move in and out of the first movable body 12 and can be engaged with a part of the supply body 7, and the first movable body 12 in the interior thereof. A first storage portion 22 that stores the first biasing member 13, the first support member 14, the first O-ring 15, and the first sealing member 16.

  In the first outer member 11, the receiving port 21 is provided on the small diameter side, the first storage portion 22 is provided on the large diameter side, and the receiving port 21 and the first storage portion 22 are partitioned by the bottom surface of the receiving port 21. In addition, the first outer member 11 has a first communication hole 23 on the bottom surface of the receiving port 21 that is smaller in diameter than the inner diameter of the receiving port 21 that allows the receiving port 21 and the first storage portion 22 to communicate with each other.

  The receiving port 21 has an inner diameter that is substantially the same as an outer diameter of a supply port 61 of the supply body 7 to be described later. Specifically, the receiving port 21 is slightly larger in diameter and extends from the tip to the bottom surface where the first communication hole 23 is formed. It is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape that gradually decreases in diameter (inclined). Further, the receiving port 21 has a concave group 25 at the bottom thereof and around the first communication hole 23. The recess group 25 is a main key groove and a sub key groove for positioning.

  The first storage portion 22 has a first regulating surface 31a that can regulate the movement of the first movable body 12 by contacting the first movable body 12 inserted through the first communication hole 23, and the inner diameter thereof is A first restricting portion 31 having a diameter larger than that of the first communication hole 23 is provided. The first storage portion 22 has a first seal surface 32 a formed around the restricting portion 31 with which the first O-ring 15 comes into contact, and has an inner diameter larger than that of the first restricting portion 31. A seal portion 32 is provided. The first storage portion 22 includes a supply path 17 that is formed in the first seal portion 32 and communicates with the inside of the first seal portion 32.

  The first storage portion 22 includes a first seat surface 33 a that supports a part of the first sealing member 16 formed around the first seal portion 32, and the first support member 14 provided on the inner peripheral surface thereof. The first female threaded portion 33 b can be fixed, and the inner diameter of the first fixed portion 33 is larger than that of the first seal portion 32. The 1st accommodating part 22 in which the 1st control part 31, the 1st seal | sticker part 32, and the 1st fixing | fixed part 33 from which an internal diameter differs is formed in the inside.

  The first movable body 12 is made of a resin material, for example, polypropylene (PP). The first movable body 12 is a rod-shaped member formed with different diameters on the same axis, and is disposed in the first outer member 11 and the first support member 14 so as to be capable of reciprocating in the axial direction. Specifically, the first movable body 12 includes a first tip portion 35, a first center portion 36, and a first rear end portion 37 from one end side to the other end side.

  The first tip 35 is inserted into the first communication hole 23, and the tip protrudes into the receiving port 21. The first tip 35 has a hemispherical conical tip. When the supply body 7 is connected to the receiving port 21, the first tip 35 is in contact with a later-described second movable body 52 of the supply body 7 and has a length that can be pressed against each other. Projects from the mouth 21. The first tip 35 is formed so that the fuel flow path formed by the gap can be expanded and contracted by increasing or decreasing the area of the gap between the outer peripheral surface and the first communication hole 23 depending on the movable position. Yes.

  The first central portion 36 is provided continuously with the first tip portion 35. The first central portion 36 is provided on the outer periphery of the first regulated portion 39 that contacts the first regulating surface 31a of the first regulating portion 31, the first O-ring groove 40 in which the first O-ring 15 is mounted. The first sealing member 41 has a first seal groove 41 with which the first sealing member 16 is in close contact, and a first seat portion 42 that forms the seating surface of the first biasing member 13.

  The first regulated portion 39 is formed to have a larger diameter than the first communication hole 23 and a smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the first regulating portion 31. The first regulated part 39 is formed so that the movement of the first movable body 12 can be regulated by the first end face 39 a coming into contact with the regulating surface 31 a of the first regulating part 31.

  The first O-ring groove 40 is formed so as to accommodate a part of the first O-ring 15. The first O-ring groove 40 is provided at a position where the mounted first O-ring 15 can come into contact with the first seal surface 32a when the movement of the first movable body 12 is restricted by the first restricted portion 39. . For example, the first O-ring groove 40 has an end surface 40a on the first tip portion 35 side that is flush with the first seal surface 32a or the first seal surface when the first restricting portion 31 and the first restricted portion 39 abut. The first movable body 12 is provided so as to be positioned closer to the receiving port 21 than 32a.

  The first seal groove 41 includes a first outer peripheral surface 41a that comes into contact with the first sealing member 16 and a first inclined surface 41b that is inclined on the side of the first tip 35, and the first outer peripheral surface 41a and the first inclined surface. 41b is formed with a predetermined surface roughness. Here, the predetermined surface roughness may be a surface roughness that can seal the fuel by closely contacting when the first sealing member 16 comes into contact therewith.

  The first rear end portion 37 is provided in the first seat portion 42 of the first central portion 36 and is formed so that the first urging member 13 can be inserted therethrough. The length of the first rear end portion 37 is such that the end surface thereof is separated from the first support member 14 by the moving distance of the first movable body 12 at the position where the first restricting portion 31 and the first restricted portion 39 are in contact with each other. Is formed. In other words, the first rear end portion 37 is formed so as to be able to contact the bottom surface of the first support member 14 when the first movable body 12 moves a predetermined distance from the first restricting portion 31.

  The first biasing member 13 is a coil spring that is formed of a metal material, is inserted through the first rear end portion 37, and is provided between the first seat portion 42 and the first support member 14. The first urging member 13 is accommodated in a space in the first support member 14 that is sealed by the first sealing member 16. The first biasing member 13 constantly biases the first movable body 12 so that the first movable body 12 can be maintained in a state where the first regulated portion 39 is in contact with the first regulating portion 31.

  The first support member 14 is made of a resin material, for example, polypropylene (PP). The first support member 14 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having a first male screw portion 14 a that engages with the first female screw portion 33 b of the first fixing portion 33 on the outer peripheral surface thereof. The bottom surface of the first support member 14 forms a seat surface that supports the first biasing member 13.

  When the first support member 14 is fixed to the first outer member 11, an annular shape for sandwiching and fixing the first sealing member 16 between the end surface 14 b and the first outer member 11. It has a protrusion 14c. The first support member 14 accommodates a part of the first movable body 12 and the first biasing member 13 in the inside thereof, and forms a space sealed by the first sealing member 16.

  The first O-ring 15 is a so-called O-ring formed of a resin material, and is attached to the first O-ring groove 40. When the movement of the first movable body 12 is restricted by the first restricting portion 31 and the first restricted portion 39, the first O-ring 15 has a portion protruding from the first O-ring groove 40 in close contact with the first seal surface 32a. It is made possible.

  The first sealing member 16 is a sealing member formed of a resin material in a flat annular shape, in other words, a disc shape having a hole in the center. The outer peripheral side of the first sealing member 16 is fixed by being sandwiched between the first seat surface 33 a of the first fixing portion 33 and the end surface 14 b of the first support member 14, and the inner peripheral surface 16 a of the first seal groove 41. It is in close contact with the first outer peripheral surface 41a.

  In addition, when the first movable body 12 moves to the first support member 14 side, the first sealing member 16 maintains the state in which at least a part thereof is in contact with the first seal groove 41 in the moving direction. The inner peripheral surface 16a side moves and bends. Specifically, when the first movable body 12 moves to the first support member 14 side, the first sealing member 16 contacts the inner peripheral surface 16a and the first outer member 11 as shown in FIG. A ridge portion 16c with the main surface 16b that comes into contact closely contacts the first inclined surface 41b of the first seal groove 41. The first sealing member 16 is formed in close contact with the first seal groove 41 so that fuel can be prevented from entering the first support member 14.

  The supply body 7 includes a second outer member 51, a second movable body 52, a second urging member 53, a second support member 54, a second O-ring 55, and a second sealing member 56. Yes. The supply body 7 is an on-off valve that opens and closes when the second movable body 52 reciprocates. In the supply body 7, the inside of the second outer member 51 and the second support member 54 is formed in communication with the cartridge main body 3 </ b> A, and the fuel in the cartridge main body 3 </ b> A is supplied into the second outer member 51.

  The second outer member 51 is formed of a resin material such as polyoxymethylene (POM). The second outer member 51 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a plurality of different outer diameters. The second outer member 51 is capable of reciprocating the second movable body 52 and is connected to a supply port 61 that can be inserted into the receiving port 21 of the receiving member 6. 2 urging member 53, second support member 54, second O-ring 55, and second storage portion 62 that stores second sealing member 56.

  The supply port 61 has a second communication hole 63 that communicates with the storage portion 62. The supply port 61 is formed in a cylindrical shape whose outer diameter is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the receiving port 21 and through which a part of the second movable body 52 can be inserted through the second communication hole 63. Specifically, the supply port 61 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a slightly smaller diameter than the outer diameter of the receiving port 21. Further, the supply port 61 has a seal portion 64 provided on the outer peripheral surface thereof and in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port 21, and a convex portion group 65 provided on the end surface of the tip.

  The seal part 64 is a semicircular protrusion in a cross-sectional view, and is provided integrally with the outer peripheral surface of the supply port 61 in an annular shape. When the supply port 61 is inserted into the receiving port 21, the seal portion 64 is partially elastically deformed so that the gap between the supply port 61 and the receiving port 21 can be sealed. The convex group 65 is a main key and a sub key for positioning, and engages with the main key groove and the sub key groove of the concave group 25.

  The second storage portion 62 has a second regulating surface 71a formed around the second communication hole 63 that can regulate the movement of the second movable body 52 by contacting the second movable body 52, and has an inner diameter thereof. Is provided with a second restricting portion 71 having a diameter larger than that of the second communication hole 63. The second storage portion 62 has a second seal surface 72 a that is formed around the second restricting portion 71 and abuts against the second O-ring 55, and has an inner diameter larger than that of the second restricting portion 71. Two seal portions 72 are provided.

  The second storage portion 62 includes a second seat surface 73a that supports a part of the second sealing member 56 formed around the second seal portion 72, and a second support member 54 provided on the inner periphery thereof. A second female threaded portion 73 b that can be fixed is provided, and a second fixed portion 73 having an inner diameter larger than that of the second seal portion 72 is provided. The second storage portion 62 has a second restricting portion 71, a second seal portion 72, and a second fixing portion 73 having different inner diameters formed therein.

  The second movable body 52 is formed of a resin material such as polyoxymethylene (POM). The second movable body 52 is a rod-shaped member formed with different coaxial diameters, and is disposed in the second outer member 51 and the second support member 54 so as to be able to reciprocate in the axial direction. Specifically, the second movable body 52 includes a second tip portion 75, a second center portion 76, and a second rear end portion 77 from one end side to the other end side.

  The second tip 75 is inserted into the second communication hole 63 and has a recess 75 a whose tip is recessed to be engageable with the tip of the first tip 35. The second tip 75 is formed to have a diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the second communication hole 63 so that a liquid flow path can be formed in the gap between the outer surface thereof and the inner surface of the second communication hole 63. When the supply port 61 is connected to the receiving port 21, the second distal end portion 75 is in contact with the first distal end portion 35 and has a length that can be pressed against each other, and the distal end thereof is located in the supply port 61. . Furthermore, the second tip 75 is disposed such that the tip is positioned in the second communication hole 63 on the second support member 54 side than the surface position of the tip of the supply port 61.

  The second central portion 76 is provided continuously with the second tip portion 75. The second central portion 76 is provided on the outer periphery of the second restricted portion 79 that contacts the second restricting surface 71a of the second restricting portion 71, the second O-ring groove 80 in which the second O-ring 55 is mounted. And a second seat portion 82 having a second seal groove 81 in close contact with the second sealing member 56 and forming a seating surface of the second urging member 53.

  The second restricted portion 79 is formed to have a larger diameter than the second communication hole 63 and a smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the second restricting portion 71. The second regulated portion 79 is formed so that the movement of the second movable body 52 can be regulated by the second end surface 79 a abutting against the regulating surface 71 a of the second regulating portion 71.

  The second O-ring groove 80 is formed so as to accommodate a part of the second O-ring 55. The second O-ring groove 80 is provided at a position where the mounted second O-ring 55 can come into contact with the second seal surface 72a when the movement of the second movable body 52 is restricted by the second restricted portion 79. . For example, the second O-ring groove 80 has an end surface 80a on the second tip 75 side that is flush with the second seal surface 72a or the second seal when the second restricting portion 71 and the second restricted portion 79 are in contact with each other. The second movable body 52 is provided so as to be positioned closer to the supply port 61 than the surface 72a.

  The second seal groove 81 includes a second outer peripheral surface 81a that comes into contact with the second sealing member 56 and a second inclined surface 81b that is inclined on the second tip 75 side, and the second outer peripheral surface 81a and the second inclined surface. 81b is formed to a predetermined surface roughness. Here, the predetermined surface roughness may be a surface roughness that can seal the fuel by closely contacting when the second sealing member 56 contacts.

  The second rear end portion 77 is provided in the second seat portion 82 of the second central portion 76 and is formed so that the second urging member 53 can be inserted therethrough. The length of the second rear end portion 77 is such that the end surface is separated from the second support member 54 by the moving distance of the second movable body 52 at the position where the second restricting portion 71 and the second restricted portion 79 are in contact with each other. Is formed. In other words, the second rear end portion 77 is formed so as to be able to contact the bottom surface of the second support member 54 when the second movable body 52 moves a predetermined distance from the second restricting portion 71.

  The second urging member 53 is a coil spring formed of a metal material, inserted through the second rear end portion 77, and provided between the second seat portion 82 and the second support member 54. The second urging member 53 is accommodated in a space in the second support member 54 that is sealed by the second sealing member 56. The second urging member 53 constantly urges the second movable body 52 so that the second movable body 52 can be maintained in a state where the second regulated portion 79 is in contact with the second regulating portion 71. The second urging member 53 is formed to have a higher elastic coefficient than the first urging member 13, and the second movable body 52 is moved after the first movable body 12 is moved by the deformation of the first urging member 13. Deforms to be movable.

  The second support member 54 is formed of a resin material such as polyoxymethylene (POM). The second support member 54 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having a second male screw portion 54 a that engages with the second female screw portion 73 b of the second fixing portion 73 on the outer peripheral surface thereof. The bottom surface of the second support member 54 forms a seat surface that supports the second biasing member 53.

  When the second support member 54 is fixed to the second outer member 51, an annular shape for sandwiching and fixing the second sealing member 56 between the end surface 54 b and the second outer member 51 is provided. A protrusion 54c is provided. The second support member 54 houses therein a part of the second movable body 52 and the second urging member 53, and forms a space sealed by the second sealing member 56.

  The second support member 54 is a part of the outer periphery where the second male screw portion 54a is provided. The second support member 54 communicates with the cutout portion 54d along the axial direction and the cutout portion 54d. A flow path hole 54e provided at the center of the end is provided. The second support member 54 has a cutout portion 54 d and a flow passage hole 54 e, thereby forming a flow passage from the cartridge body 3 A connected to the supply body 7 to the second seal portion 72.

  Furthermore, the second support member 54 includes a flange portion 54f that is opposed to the end surface of the second outer member 51 with a face seal 74 interposed therebetween at the outer peripheral end. When the second support member 54 is fixed to the second outer member 51, the end surface of the second outer member 51 and the flange portion 54 f are sealed with a face seal 74. The face seal 74 is an O-ring or the like.

  The second O-ring 55 is a so-called O-ring formed of a resin material, and is attached to the second O-ring groove 80. When the movement of the second movable body 52 is restricted by the second restricting portion 71 and the second restricted portion 79, the second O-ring 55 has a portion protruding from the second O-ring groove 80 in close contact with the second seal surface 72a. It is made possible.

  The second sealing member 56 is a sealing member formed of a resin material in a flat annular shape. The outer peripheral side of the second sealing member 56 is fixed by being sandwiched between the second seat surface 73 a of the second fixing portion 73 and the end surface 14 b of the second support member 54, and the inner peripheral surface 56 a of the second seal groove 81. It is in close contact with the first outer peripheral surface 81a. Further, the second sealing member 56 is a part of the main surface 16b that contacts the first seating surface 33a of the second fixing portion 33, specifically, from the outer periphery to the middle portion on the inner peripheral surface 56a side, A groove 56d that forms one of the flow paths through which the fuel passes is provided.

  When the second movable body 52 moves to the second support member 54 side, the second sealing member 56 has an inner circumference in the moving direction while maintaining a state in which at least a part thereof is in contact with the second seal groove 81. The surface 56a side moves and bends. Specifically, when the second movable body 52 moves to the second support member 54 side, the second sealing member 56 is bent on the inner peripheral surface 56a side in the moving direction, as shown in FIG. The ridge 56 c between the inner peripheral surface 56 a and the main surface 56 b that comes into contact with the second outer member 51 is in close contact with the second inclined surface 81 b of the second seal groove 81. The second sealing member 56 is formed in close contact with the second seal groove 81 so that fuel can be prevented from entering the second support member 54, and a part of the groove portion 56 d is part of the second seal portion 72. The flow path from the groove part 56d to the 2nd seal part 72 is formed.

Next, the fuel supply of the receiving body 6 and the supply body 7 using the connection structure 1 configured as described above will be described.
First, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the connection structure 1 performs alignment by visually observing the concave group 25 of the receiving port 21 and the convex group 65 of the supply port 61. Next, the supply port 61 of the supply body 7 is inserted into the reception port 21 of the reception body 6. At this time, the seal portion 64 of the supply port 61 moves while contacting the inner peripheral surface of the reception port 21 and gradually deforms, whereby the space between the reception port 21 and the supply port 61 is sealed.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the supply port 61 is inserted into the receiving port 21 and the concave portion group 25 and the convex portion group 65 are engaged. When the supply port 61 is inserted into the receiving port 21, if the convex portion group 65 does not engage with the concave portion group 25, the supply body 7 is rotated until the convex portion group 65 engages with the concave portion group 25. Rotate in the direction.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the convex group 65 is engaged with the concave group 25 so that the first movable body 12 and the second movable body 52 move until they abut on the first support member 14 and the second support member 54. To do. More specifically, the first biasing member 13 is formed to have a lower elastic coefficient than the second biasing member 53. For this reason, when the supply port 61 is inserted into the receiving port 21 and the first movable body 12 and the second movable body 52 come into contact with each other, only the first movable body 12 is first unilaterally pushed, and the first O-ring 15 is moved. The fuel flow path is formed in the gap between the first communication hole 23 and the first movable body 13 away from the first seal surface 32a, and the receiving body 6 is opened. In addition, the 1st sealing member 16 deform | transforms so that it may rotate with the movement of the 1st movable body 12, and the 1st ridge part 16c contact | abuts with the 1st inclined surface 41b.

  When the first movable body 12 abuts on the first support member 14 and the movement of the first movable body 12 stops, the second movable body 52 moves until it abuts on the second support member 54, and the second O-ring 55. Is separated from the second seal surface 72a, a fuel flow path is formed in the gap between the second communication hole 63 and the second movable body 53, and the supply body 7 side is opened. In addition, the 2nd sealing member 56 deform | transforms so that it may rotate with the movement of the 2nd movable body 52, and the 2nd ridge part 56c contact | abuts to the 2nd inclined surface 81b.

  Thus, the movement of the first movable body 12 forms a fuel flow path that continues from the receiving port 21 to the supply path 17 via the first communication hole 23, the first restriction portion 31, and the first seal portion 32. The Further, due to the movement of the second movable body 52, the second communication hole 63 is passed from the flow path hole 54 e of the second support member 54 through the notch portion 54 d, the groove portion 56 d, the second seal portion 72, and the second restriction portion 71. A continuous fuel flow path is formed. For this reason, a fuel flow path that passes through the inside of the receiving body 6 and the supply body 7 is formed from the cartridge body 3A to the fuel tank 2B, and as a result, fuel is supplied to the fuel tank 2B by the cartridge body 3A.

  According to the connection structure 1 of the fuel cell 2 and the fuel cartridge 3 configured as described above, the first movable body 12 and the second movable body 52 are in contact with each other by connecting the receiving port 21 and the supply port 61. Moving. At this time, the first sealing member 16 that has been in contact with the first outer peripheral surface 41 a of the first seal groove 41 of the first movable body 12 is in a state where the outer peripheral side is fixed, and the inner peripheral side of the first sealing member 16 is the first movable body 12. With the movement, the first movable body 12 is deformed in the moving direction.

  At this time, the first sealing member 16 is deformed so as to rotate around a portion sandwiched between the first outer member 11 and the first support member 14 in a cross-sectional view. For this reason, the first sealing member 16 always changes from the state in which the inner peripheral surface 16a is in contact with the first outer peripheral surface 41a to the state in which the ridge portion 16c is in contact with the first inclined surface 41b. It changes in the state which contact | abutted to 41.

  Thus, even if the 1st movable body 12 moves, the 1st sealing member 16 does not slide to the 1st seal groove 41, but the 1st seal groove 41 of the 1st movable body 12 is accompanied by modification. The part of the first movable body 12 is in close contact with the first seal groove 41 at all times while shifting the portion in contact with the inner peripheral surface 16a to the ridge 16c.

  Similarly, the second sealing member 56 that has been in contact with the second outer peripheral surface 81a of the second seal groove 81 of the second movable body 52 is in a state where the outer peripheral side is fixed by the movement of the second movable body 52, The inner peripheral side is deformed in the moving direction of the second movable body 52 as the second movable body 52 moves.

  At this time, the second sealing member 56 is deformed so as to rotate around a portion sandwiched between the second outer member 51 and the second support member 54 in the cross-sectional view. For this reason, the second sealing member 56 always changes from the state in which the inner peripheral surface 56a thereof is in contact with the second outer peripheral surface 81a to the state in which the ridge portion 56c is in contact with the second inclined surface 81b. It changes in the state where it touches.

  Even if the 2nd movable body 52 moves, the 2nd sealing member 56 does not slide to the 2nd seal groove 81, but is a part which contacts the 2nd seal groove 81 of the 2nd movable body 52 with modification. Is always in close contact with the second seal groove 81 of the second movable body 52 while shifting from the inner peripheral surface 56a to the ridge 56c.

  Accordingly, the first biasing member 13 housed in the first support member 14 and the second biasing member 53 housed in the second support member 54 are connected to the first sealing member 16 and the second sealing member 16. The first support member 14 and the second support member 54 that are sealed with the sealing member 56 are always arranged. For this reason, the 1st biasing member 13 and the 2nd biasing member 53 do not contact a fuel.

  In addition, the first sealing member 16 and the second sealing member 56 are deformed so as to rotate, so that the portions that come into contact with the first seal groove 41 and the second seal groove 81 are shifted. 16 and the 2nd sealing member 56 can prevent sliding as much as possible.

  For this reason, it becomes possible to prevent generation | occurrence | production of the abrasion powder etc. (contamination) of the 1st sealing member 16 and the 2nd sealing member 56 by sliding, mixing of the said abrasion powder into the fuel, and the 1st sealing member It is possible to prevent the life of the 16 and the second sealing member 56 from being reduced.

  In particular, the abrasion powder enters the fuel cell 2 and causes deterioration of the performance of the fuel cell 2. In addition, when the sealing performance of the first sealing member 16 and the second sealing member 56 is reduced, the first urging member 13 and the second urging member 53 are in contact with the fuel, and metal ions are contained in the fuel, similarly, It becomes a factor of deterioration of the performance of the fuel cell 2.

  However, the connection structure 1 can prevent sliding as much as possible by rotating the first sealing member 16 and the second sealing member 56, and the life of the first sealing member 16 and the second sealing member 56 can be reduced. It is possible to improve and prevent deterioration of the performance of the fuel cell 2. For this reason, the connection structure 1 can improve the reliability of the fuel cell 2.

  Further, in the connection structure 1, by making the elastic coefficient of the first urging member 13 lower than the elastic coefficient of the second urging member 53, the receiving body 6 side is always opened first, and then the supply body 7 is opened. It becomes a state. By adopting such a configuration, the connection structure 1 can prevent the fuel from leaking to the outside by opening the valve body on the supply body 7 side first before the valve body on the receiving body 6 side opens. Become.

  Further, since the receiving port 21 is configured such that the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port 21 is inclined so that the inner diameter of the receiving port 21 is gradually reduced, the seal portion 64 is moved when the supply port 61 is inserted into the receiving port 21. Since the deformation is guided by the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port 21, the deformation amount of the seal portion 64 gradually increases with the movement. Thereby, the seal part 64 is prevented from being suddenly deformed, and the gap between the supply port 61 and the receiving port 21 can be reliably sealed by the seal part 64. Further, the seal portion 64 can prevent the seal portion 64 from being damaged due to abrupt deformation, thereby maintaining high sealing performance and improving the service life.

  As described above, according to the connection structure 1 of the fuel cell 2 and the fuel cartridge 3 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the first sealing member 16, the second sealing member 56, and the seal portion 64 from being worn. The service life can be improved.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. In the example described above, the configuration using the first O-ring 15 as a sealing member that seals between the receiving port 21 and the supply path 17 except when the receiving port 21 and the supplying port 61 are connected has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, a sealing member other than the first O-ring 15 may be used as long as it can be opened and closed between the receiving port 21 and the supply path 17 according to the position of the first movable body 12. Similarly, the second O-ring 55 is not limited to the second O-ring 55 as long as it can open and close the receiving port 21 and the supply path 17 according to the position of the second movable body 52, and other sealing members. There may be.

  In the above-described example, the first outer member 11, the first movable body 12, and the first support member 14 are molded from polypropylene (PP), and the second outer member 51, the second movable body 52, and the second support member 54 are formed. Although the structure which shape | molds by polyoxymethylene (POM) was demonstrated, it is not limited to this. That is, if the material of the parts that contact the receiving body 6 and the supplying body 7 described above is not a metal material, and is a resin material having high slip, durability, and strength, and is a material that is stable against fuel, Other resin materials may be used. For example, engineering plastics such as PET, PPS, Teflon (registered trademark), PFE, fluororesin, and ABS resin may be used, and other resin materials may be used.

  Moreover, although the 1st sealing member 16 and the 2nd sealing member 56 demonstrated the structure which has the ridge parts 16c and 56c in the example mentioned above, this ridge parts 16c and 56c may be a curved surface. That is, when the 1st movable body 12 and the 2nd movable body 52 move, it should just be contact | adhered to the 1st inclined surface 41b and the 2nd inclined surface 81b, and a chamfering shape may be sufficient instead of a curved surface. In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Connection structure, 2 ... Fuel cell, 2A ... Fuel cell, 2B ... Fuel tank, 3 ... Fuel cartridge, 3A ... Cartridge main body, 6 ... Receiving body, 7 ... Supply body, 11 ... 1st outer member, 12 ... 1st movable body, 13 ... 1st biasing member, 14 ... 1st support member, 15 ... 1st O-ring, 16 ... 1st sealing member, 16a ... 1st internal peripheral surface, 16c ... 1st ridge part, 17 ... Supply path, 21 ... receiving port, 22 ... first storage portion, 23 ... first communication hole, 25 ... concave portion group, 31 ... regulating portion, 32 ... seal portion, 33 ... first fixing portion, 35 ... first tip portion , 36 ... 1st center part, 37 ... 1st back end part, 39 ... 1st to-be-regulated part, 39a ... 1st end surface, 40 ... 1st O-ring groove, 40a ... 1st end surface, 41 ... 1st seal groove, 41a ... 1st outer peripheral surface, 41b ... 1st inclined surface, 42 ... 1st seat part, 51 ... 2nd outer shell member, 52 ... 2nd movable body, 5 2nd urging member, 54 ... 2nd support member, 55 ... 2nd O-ring, 56 ... 2nd sealing member, 56a ... 2nd internal peripheral surface, 56c ... 2nd ridge part, 61 ... Supply port, 62 ... 1st 2 storage part, 63 ... 2nd communicating hole, 64 ... seal part, 65 ... convex part group, 71 ... 2nd control part, 72 ... 2nd seal part, 73 ... 2nd fixing | fixed part, 74 ... surface seal, 75 ... Second tip 76, second central portion, 77 second rear end, 79 second regulated portion, 80 second O-ring groove, 81 second seal groove, 81a second outer peripheral surface, 81b ... 2nd inclined surface, 82 ... 2nd seat part, 100 ... Electronic device.

Claims (9)

A fuel cartridge and a connection structure provided in a fuel cell to which fuel is supplied from the fuel cartridge,
A shell member provided in the fuel cartridge and the fuel cell and having a cylindrical connection port;
A valve body that is provided at the connection port, closes the connection port, and opens the connection port by moving in contact with each other when the connection port is connected;
A biasing member that is provided on the valve body and biases the valve body to a position that closes the connection port;
A seat provided on the valve body and supporting the biasing member;
A bottomed cylindrical support member provided on the outer member, storing the seat portion and the biasing member, and supporting the biasing member on its bottom surface;
A seal groove formed on an outer peripheral surface of the valve body on the connection port side of the seat portion;
The outer peripheral side is fixed to the support member, the inner peripheral surface abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the seal groove, and at least a part of the support member contacts the seal groove when the connection port is opened by the movement of the valve body. A sealing member that deforms in the moving direction of the valve body while maintaining the contact state, and seals between the support member and the valve body;
A connection structure comprising: The seal groove has one side inclined,
2. The connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is in contact with the inclined side surface deformed in the moving direction when the valve body is moved. The outer member, the valve body, the seat portion, the support member, and the sealing member are formed of a resin material,
The connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the urging member is made of a metal material. A fuel cell in which fuel is supplied by a connecting body having a cylindrical connection port, and a fuel cartridge provided in the connection port and including a valve body that opens and closes the connection port,
An outer member having a cylindrical connection port connected to the connection body of the fuel cartridge;
The connection port is provided at the connection port, closes the connection port, and engages with the valve body of the fuel cartridge when the connection body is connected to the connection port, thereby moving the connection port and A valve body that opens the connected port;
A biasing member that is provided on the valve body and biases the valve body to a position that closes the connection port;
A seat provided on the valve body and supporting the biasing member;
A bottomed cylindrical support member provided on the outer member, storing the seat portion and the biasing member, and supporting the biasing member on its bottom surface;
A seal groove formed on an outer peripheral surface of the valve body on the connection port side of the seat portion;
The outer peripheral side is fixed to the support member, the inner peripheral surface abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the seal groove, and at least a part of the inner surface contacts the seal groove when the connected port is opened by the movement of the valve body. A sealing member that deforms in the moving direction of the valve body while maintaining the contact state, and seals between the support member and the valve body,
A fuel cell comprising: The seal groove has one side inclined,
The fuel cell according to claim 4, wherein the sealing member contacts the inclined side surface deformed in the moving direction when the valve body moves. The outer member, the valve body, the seat portion, the support member, and the sealing member are formed of a resin material,
The fuel cell according to claim 4, wherein the biasing member is made of a metal material. A connecting member having a cylindrical connecting port, and a fuel cartridge that is provided in the connecting port and supplies fuel to a fuel cell including a valve body that opens and closes the connecting port,
An outer shell member having a cylindrical connection port connected to the connection body of the fuel cell;
The connection port is provided at the connection port, closes the connection port, and engages with the valve body of the fuel cell and moves to each other when the connection body is connected to the connection port. A valve body that opens the connected port;
A biasing member that is provided on the valve body and biases the valve body to a position that closes the connection port;
A seat provided on the valve body and supporting the biasing member;
A bottomed cylindrical support member provided on the outer member, storing the seat portion and the biasing member, and supporting the biasing member on its bottom surface;
A seal groove formed on an outer peripheral surface of the valve body on the connection port side of the seat portion;
The outer peripheral side is fixed to the support member, the inner peripheral surface abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the seal groove, and at least a part of the inner surface contacts the seal groove when the connected port is opened by the movement of the valve body. A sealing member that deforms in the moving direction of the valve body while maintaining the contact state, and seals between the support member and the valve body,
A fuel cartridge comprising: The seal groove has one side inclined,
8. The fuel cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the sealing member is deformed in the moving direction and contacts the inclined side surface when the valve body moves. The outer member, the valve body, the seat portion, the support member, and the sealing member are formed of a resin material,
The fuel cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the urging member is formed of a metal material.

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