JP2013210039A - Coupler, fuel cell and fuel cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coupler that can be miniaturized, and to provide a fuel cell and a fuel cartridge.SOLUTION: A coupler 1 is constituted by comprising: shell members 11, 51 which are formed into cylindrical shapes, have connecting ports 21, 61 connectable to each other at their one-side ends, and are formed of resin materials; valve bodies 12, 52 which are arranged in the shell members 11, 51, close the connecting ports 21, 61, open the connecting ports 21, 61 by moving while being push-pressed to each other, and are formed of resin materials; biasing members 14, 54 which are supported to the valve bodies 12, 52, arranged in the shell members 11, 51, and formed of metal materials for biasing the valve bodies 12, 52; supports 13, 53 which are arranged in the shell members 11, 51, support the biasing members 14, 54, and are formed of resin materials; and coated members 16, 56 which are formed of resin materials, and liquid-tightly cover the biasing members 14, 54.

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 coupler that connects the fuel cell and the fuel cartridge to each other.

  Currently, a technology using a fuel cell as a small power source for a mobile phone, a notebook computer, a PDA, and other electronic devices is known. A fuel cell is provided in an electronic device and generates power using a gaseous or liquid fuel. The fuel is supplied to the fuel cell using a fuel cartridge capable of storing the fuel. These fuel cells and fuel cartridges are provided with a coupler for receiving and supplying fuel.

  Specifically, in such a coupler, a cylindrical receiving port having an opening / closing valve inside is provided in the fuel cell, and a cylindrical supply port having an opening / closing valve inside can be inserted into the receiving port. Is provided.

  When the fuel cell and the fuel cartridge are connected to the supply port and the supply port, the on-off valves provided at the reception port and the supply port are opened, and fuel is supplied from the fuel cartridge to the fuel cell. In such a coupler, a spring member made of a metal material is used as an urging member for urging the on / off valve in order to open / close the on / off valve.

  In addition, methanol is used as the fuel used in the fuel cell. When this methanol comes into contact with a metal such as a spring member, metal ions are eluted from the metal. 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 coupler capable of preventing metal ions from eluting into the fuel, a space cut off from the fuel flow path is provided, and a spring member made of a metal material that urges the valve body in the closing direction is provided in the space. A technique for arranging and preventing a spring member from coming into contact with fuel is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-57007 A

  The above-described coupler, fuel cell, and fuel cartridge have the following problems. That is, the coupler described above is a space that is cut off from the fuel flow path in which the spring member is arranged, in addition to the space that forms the fuel flow path, in order to prevent the metal spring member from contacting the fuel. Is required. For this reason, the outer shape of the coupler becomes large, and it is difficult to reduce the size of the coupler.

  In addition, since the fuel cell and the fuel cartridge need to be thicker than the diameter of the coupler, there is a problem that it is difficult to reduce the size and thickness of the fuel cell and the fuel cartridge.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a coupler, a fuel cell, and a fuel cartridge that can be miniaturized.

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

  As one aspect of the present invention, the connectable couplers provided in at least one of the fuel cartridge and the fuel cell to which fuel is supplied from the fuel cartridge are formed in a cylindrical shape and can be connected to each other at one end thereof An outer member made of a resin material having a connecting port, and provided in the outer member, closing the connecting port, and pressing and moving each other when the connecting port is connected. A valve body made of a resin material that is opened, and a metal material that is supported by an end surface of the valve body and is arranged in the outer member and biases the valve body to a position that closes the connection port. An urging member, a support provided in the outer member and supporting the urging member, formed of a resin material, and a covering member formed of a resin material and covering the urging member in a liquid-tight manner When, Provided.

  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 member formed of a resin material having a cylindrical connection port connected to the connection body of the fuel cartridge, and provided in the outer member, closes the connection port, and connects the connection port to the connection port. A valve body formed of a resin material that engages with the valve body of the fuel cartridge and moves with respect to each other when the body to be connected is connected to open the connection port and the connected port. An urging member formed of a metal material that is supported and arranged in the outer member and urges the valve body to a position that closes the connection port, and the urging member provided in the outer member. Resin material that supports Comprising a support in which is formed, and a covering member covering said biasing member in a liquid-tight manner, a fuel tank provided in the outer member, and a electromotive unit connected to the fuel tank.

  As one aspect of the present invention, a fuel cartridge that supplies fuel to a fuel cell that includes a connection body having a cylindrical connection port and a valve body that is provided in the connection port and opens and closes the connection port includes the fuel An outer member formed of a resin material having a cylindrical connection port connected to the connection body of the battery, and provided in the outer member, closes the connection port, and closes the connection port to the connection port. A valve body made of a resin material that engages with the valve body of the fuel cartridge and moves with each other when the connection body is connected to open the connection port and the connected port, and is supported by the valve body And a biasing member formed of a metal material that biases the valve body to a position that closes the connection port, and is provided in the shell member, and the biasing member is disposed in the shell member. Supporting, formed of resin material Comprises a lifting member, a covering member for covering said biasing member liquid-tightly connected to said outer member, and a reservoir for storing the fuel.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a coupler, a fuel cell, and a fuel cartridge that can be miniaturized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Explanatory drawing which shows typically the structure of the fuel cell which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and a fuel cartridge. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the coupler used for the fuel cell and fuel cartridge. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the coupler used for the fuel cell. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the coupler used for the fuel cartridge. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the coupler used for the fuel cell and fuel cartridge which concern on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the coupler used for the fuel cell. Sectional drawing which shows the coupler structure used for the fuel cartridge. Sectional drawing which shows the principal part structure of the coupler which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the principal part structure of the coupler which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, the configuration of the fuel cell 2 and the fuel cartridge 3 according to the first embodiment of the present invention and the coupler 1 used in the fuel cell 2 and the fuel cartridge 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows the configuration of a fuel cell 2, a fuel cartridge 3, and a coupler 1 provided in the fuel cell 2 and the fuel cartridge 3 provided in the electronic device 4 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the coupler 1 used in the fuel cell 2 and the fuel cartridge 3, FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the receiving body 6 of the coupler 1 used in the fuel cell 2, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a supply body 7 of a coupler 1 used in a fuel cartridge 3. FIG. In FIG. 2, an arrow F indicates the fuel flow direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the coupler 1 is provided in a fuel cell 2 used in an electronic device 4 and a fuel cartridge 3 that stores fuel and supplies the fuel cell 2 with the fuel cell 2. The coupler 1 is formed so that the fuel cell 2 and the fuel cartridge 3 can be connected.

  Specifically, the coupler 1 includes a receiving body 6 provided in the fuel cell 2 and a supply body 7 provided in the fuel cartridge 3. The coupler 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 supplying body 7.

  One of the receiving body 6 and the supply body 7 is a connection body, and the other is a connection body. 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 cell 2 is provided in a small electronic device 4 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.

  In the fuel cell 2, methanol, which is a gaseous or liquid fuel, is used as a fuel used for electromotive force in the fuel cell 2A. As the methanol, those having different concentrations and types depending on the performance of the electronic device 4 and the fuel cell 2 to be used are used.

  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 is a storage unit 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 and 3, the receiving body 6 includes a first outer member 11, a first movable body 12, a first support body 13, a first biasing member 14, and a first sealing member 15. And a first covering member 16.

  The receiving body 6 is an on-off valve that opens and closes a fuel flow path when the first movable body 12 that is a valve body reciprocates. The receiving body 6 has a fuel flow path formed in the first outer member 11, and the flow path communicates with the fuel tank 2B. The receiving body 6 supplies the fuel supplied from the supply body 7 into the first outer member 11 to the fuel tank 2 </ b> B via the flow path in the first outer member 11.

  As for the receiving body 6, the 1st outer member 11, the 1st movable body 12, the 1st support body 13, the 1st sealing member 15, and the 1st coating | coated member 16 are formed with the resin material. Moreover, as for the receiving body 6, the 1st biasing member 14 is formed with the metal material, for example, a spring steel material.

  The first outer member 11, the first movable body 12 and the first support 13 are made of a thermosetting resin material such as polypropylene (PP), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polystyrene (PS), Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyacetal (POM), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and the like are used.

  The first sealing member 15 and the first covering member 16 are made of an elastically deformable resin material such as ethylene propylene rubber (EPTE, PDM), nitrile rubber (NBR), fluorine rubber (FKM), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), Silicone rubber (VMQ), chloroprene rubber (CR) rubber-based resin material, or low density polyethylene (LDPE), soft vinyl chloride (PVC), nylon (PA), polyurethane (PU), Teflon (registered trademark), etc. The synthetic resin type resin material is used. The first covering member 16 is preferably a material having high stretchability.

  The first outer member 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The first outer member 11 includes a first cylinder part 18 and a first fixing part 19. The first outer member 11 is formed on the first cylinder part 18 and the first fixing part 19 so that the first support 13 can be fixed.

  The first cylinder portion 18 has a cylindrical shape, and is formed so that the first movable body 12 that reciprocates can be accommodated therein. The first cylinder part 18 is formed so that a part of the first support 13 is inserted and the first support 13 can be fixed.

  Specifically, the first cylinder portion 18 includes a receiving port 21 that is a bottomed cylindrical connection port (a connection port) that can be engaged with a part of the supply body 7, and the first movable body 12 in the interior thereof. And a first storage portion 22 that stores a part of the first support 13, the first urging member 14, the first sealing member 15, and the first covering member 16.

  In the first cylinder portion 18, the receiving port 21 and the first storage portion 22 are integrally formed, and a part of the first movable body 12 stored in the first storage portion 22 can be projected and retracted at the bottom of the receiving port 21. One communication hole 23 is provided.

  In other words, the first cylinder portion 18 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and at one end thereof, the partition portion 24 that forms the bottom portion of the receiving port 21 having the first communication hole 23 is provided. The first cylinder portion 18 is formed with a receiving port 21 on one side and the first storage portion 22 on the other side with the partition portion 24 interposed therebetween.

  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 cylindrical shape that gradually decreases in diameter (inclined).

  The receiving port 21 is formed with a recess group 25 that is recessed at a plurality of locations on a part of its front end surface. In addition, the receiving port 21 has a hole on the main surface of the partition portion 24 that is coaxial with the first communication hole 23 and has the same diameter as the first communication hole 23 or a larger diameter than the first communication hole 23. An absorbent member capable of absorbing fuel, such as a sponge sponge 26, is provided. The sponge 26 is formed of a resin material that can prevent the occurrence of contamination such as dust and dust and can absorb fuel.

  The 1st accommodating part 22 is formed in the inside, specifically the main surface by the side of the 1st accommodating part 22 of the partition part 24 so that the 1st sealing member 15 which can contact | abut with the 1st movable body 12 can be arrange | positioned. ing. Further, the first storage portion 22 has a groove portion 27 extending in the axial direction of the first storage portion 22 and a movement in the circumferential direction and the axial direction of the first support 13 on a part of the inner peripheral surface thereof. And a restricting portion 28 for restricting the above.

  The groove portion 27 forms a fuel flow path on the inner surface of the first storage portion 22. More specifically, the groove 27 forms a fuel flow path between the inner surface of the first storage portion 22 and part of the outer peripheral surfaces of the first movable body 12 and the first support 13.

  The restricting portion 28 is formed so as to be able to fix the first support 13 in the circumferential direction. For example, the restricting portion 28 is an engagement groove for fixing the first support 13 by engaging a part of the first support 13. is there.

  The first fixing portion 19 is provided integrally with, for example, an outer member of the fuel cell 2, for example, an outer member of the fuel tank 2B, and is formed so that the first support 13 can be fixed. Specifically, the first fixing portion 19 is configured to engage the engaging portion 29 that engages with a part of a first fixed portion 43 (to be described later) of the first support 13 and the circumferential movement of the first support 13. And a regulating section 30 for regulating.

  Further, the first fixing portion 19 is formed so that the first support body 13 can be fixed by sandwiching a flange portion 44 described later of the first fixed portion 43 with the first storage portion 22 via the sealing member 31. Has been. The sealing member 31 sandwiched between the first fixing part 19 and the first storage part 22 is made of the same material as the sealing member 15, and the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the first fixing part 19 and the first storage part 22 are It is formed in an annular shape having substantially the same diameter.

  The first movable body 12 is a rod-like member formed on the same axis with different diameters, and is disposed in the receiving port 21 and the first storage portion 22 so as to be able to reciprocate 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 formed so that its outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the first communication hole 23 and can be inserted into the first communication hole 23. 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. It protrudes from the bottom surface of the mouth 21 (the main surface of the partition portion 24).

  The first central portion 36 is provided continuously with the first tip portion 35 and is formed with two different diameters. The first central portion 36 is formed such that the outer diameter adjacent to the first tip 35 is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the first sealing member 15, and a groove 36 a is formed on a part of the outer peripheral surface thereof. The first central portion 36 is formed so that the outer diameter adjacent to the first rear end portion 37 is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the first storage portion 22 and is slidable in the first storage portion 22.

  Since the first central portion 36 has two different outer diameters, two end surfaces on one side thereof are formed so as to be able to contact the partition portion 24 and the first sealing member 15, respectively. The first central portion 36 may be formed in a disk shape that is formed to have substantially the same diameter as the inner diameter of one first storage portion 22.

  The first rear end portion 37 is provided on the other main surface of the first central portion 36 so as to protrude in a disk shape, and the main surface forms a seating surface of the first biasing member 14. The first rear end portion 37 has a columnar guide hole 37a through which a part of the first support 13 can be inserted at the center thereof. The length of the guide hole 37a is longer than the reciprocation distance (movement distance) of the first movable body 12 by the length of a part of the first support body 13 to be inserted. Moreover, the 1st rear-end part 37 is formed in the outer peripheral part so that the 1st coating | coated member 16 can be fitted.

  The first support 13 is a rod-like member that is coaxially formed with different diameters, and is formed to be fixable to the first cylinder part 18 and the first fixing part 19. Specifically, the first support 13 includes a first guide portion 41, a first support portion 42, and a first fixed portion 43 from one end side to the other end side.

  The first guide portion 41 has an outer diameter that is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the guide hole 37a. The first guide portion 41 is formed so as to be able to be inserted into the guide hole 37a and slidable with the guide hole 37a. The first guide part 41 is inserted through the guide hole 37 a to guide the first movable body 12 to be movable along the axis of the first guide part 41.

  The first support portion 42 has an outer diameter that is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the first rear end portion 37. As for the 1st support part 42, the main surface facing the 1st rear-end part 37 makes the seat surface of the 1st biasing member 14. As shown in FIG. Moreover, the 1st support part 42 is formed in the outer peripheral part so that the 1st coating | coated member 16 can be fitted.

  The first fixed portion 43 is formed in a columnar shape and is formed so as to be fixed to the first outer member 11. The first fixed portion 43 has a fuel flow path formed in a part thereof. Specifically, the first fixed portion 43 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a flange portion 44 sandwiched between the first storage portion 22 and the first fixing portion 19 via the sealing member 31 in the middle portion thereof, The to-be-engaged formed so as to be engageable with the to-be-restricted portion 45 and the engaging portion 29 of the first fixing portion 19, which are projections that engage with the restriction portions 28 and 30 of the first storage portion 22 and the first fixing portion 19 Part 46. In addition, the first fixed portion 43 includes a groove portion 47 that is continuous with the groove portion 27 of the first storage portion 22 and the end surface thereof on the fuel cell 2 side in a part of the outer peripheral surface thereof.

  The first urging member 14 is a so-called coil spring that is inserted into the first guide portion 41 and supported by the seat surface of the first rear end portion 37 and the seat surface of the first support portion 42. The periphery of the first urging member 14 is covered by the first covering member 16 fitted to the first rear end portion 37 and the first support portion 42, and the first storage portion 22, the first movable body 12, and the like. It is liquid-tightly arranged in the space formed by the first support 13. That is, the first urging member 14 is disposed on the fuel flow path so as to be liquid-tightly covered with the first covering member 16.

  The first sealing member 15 is formed in a flat annular shape. The first sealing member 15 has an inner diameter larger than that of the first tip 35 and has a hole through which the first tip 35 can be inserted. The first sealing member 15 moves when the first movable body 12 is moved by being urged by the first urging member 14, and the end surface of the first central portion 36 is in contact with the first sealing member 15. It is formed so that it can be sealed. Further, the first sealing member 15 forms a fuel flow path between the groove portion 36 a of the first central portion 36 and the surface facing the first central portion 36 by separating the first movable body 12. .

  The first covering member 16 is formed in a cylindrical shape, is formed so that the first biasing member 14 can be inserted therein, and is formed so as to be fitted to the first rear end portion 37 and the first support portion 42. ing. Moreover, the 1st coating | coated member 16 is formed so that the contact part with the 1st rear-end part 37 and the 1st support part 42 can be sealed.

  That is, the first covering member 16 forms a space in which the first urging member 14 is liquid-tightly arranged by the first rear end portion 37 and the first support portion 42 and the inner peripheral surface thereof. The first covering member 16 is formed so that the first urging member 14 can be disposed on the fuel flow path and the contact with the fuel can be prevented by disposing the first urging member 14 in the space. Yes. In addition, the first covering member 16 is provided, for example, so that its inner surface is separated from the first urging member 14 and is capable of elastic deformation such as flexibility and expansion / contraction as the first movable body 12 moves. Has been.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the supply body 7 includes a second outer member 51, a second movable body 52, a second support body 53, a second urging member 54, and a second sealing member 55. , A second covering member 56.

  The supply body 7 is an on-off valve that opens and closes the fuel flow path when the second movable body 52 that is a valve body reciprocates. The supply body 7 has a fuel flow path formed in the second outer member 51, the flow path 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

  As for the supply body 7, the 2nd outer member 51, the 2nd movable body 52, the 2nd support body 53, the 2nd sealing member 55, and the 2nd coating | coated member 56 are formed with the resin material. Further, in the supply body 7, the second urging member 54 is formed of a metal material, for example, a spring steel material.

  The second outer member 51, the second movable body 52 and the second support 53 are made of a thermosetting resin material such as polypropylene (PP), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polystyrene (PS), Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyacetal (POM), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and the like are used.

  The second sealing member 55 and the second covering member 56 are made of an elastically deformable resin material such as ethylene propylene rubber (EPTE, PDM), nitrile rubber (NBR), fluorine rubber (FKM), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), Silicone rubber (VMQ), chloroprene rubber (CR) rubber-based resin material, or low density polyethylene (LDPE), soft vinyl chloride (PVC), nylon (PA), polyurethane (PU), Teflon (registered trademark), etc. The synthetic resin type resin material is used. The second covering member 56 is preferably a material having high stretchability.

  The second outer member 51 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a plurality of different outer diameters. The second outer member 51 includes a second cylinder part 58 and a second fixing part 59. The second outer member 51 is formed by a second cylinder part 58 and a second fixing part 59 so that the second support 53 can be fixed.

  The second cylinder portion 58 has a cylindrical shape and is formed so that the second movable body 52 that reciprocates can be accommodated therein, and a part of the second support body 53 can be inserted and fixed. Is formed. Specifically, the second cylinder portion 58 includes a supply port 61 that is a connection port (connected port) that can be inserted into the receiving port 21, and a second movable body 52 and a part of the second support body 53 inside thereof. , A second energizing member 54, a second sealing member 55, and a second accommodating portion 62 that accommodates the second covering member 56. In the second cylinder portion 58, the supply port 61 and the second storage portion 62 are integrally formed.

  The supply port 61 communicates with the second storage portion 62 and has a second communication hole 63 that allows a part of the second movable body 52 stored in the second storage portion 62 to reciprocate. The supply port 61 is formed so that its outer diameter is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the reception port 21 so that it can be inserted into the reception port 21. The supply port 61 is formed in a cylindrical shape through which a part of the first movable body 12 and 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. The supply port 61 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the supply port 61. The seal portion 64 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port 21. The convex portion group 65 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the second storage portion 62. And have. Further, the supply port 61 is formed such that the tip surface thereof can contact the sponge 26 when inserted into the receiving port 21.

  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 to seal the gap between the supply port 61 and the receiving port 21. The convex group 65 is a projection or the like for positioning and engages with the concave group 25.

  The second storage portion 62 is formed so that a second sealing member 55 that can contact the second movable body 52 can be disposed in the inside thereof, specifically, in the inner surface around the second communication hole 63. In addition, the second storage portion 62 has a groove 67 extending in the axial direction of the second storage portion 62 and a restriction that restricts movement of the second support 53 in the circumferential direction in a part of the inner peripheral surface thereof. Part 68.

  The groove portion 67 forms a fuel flow path on the inner surface of the second storage portion 62. More specifically, the groove 67 forms a fuel flow path between the inner surface of the second storage portion 62 and part of the outer peripheral surfaces of the second movable body 52 and the second support 53.

  For example, the restricting portion 68 is formed to be capable of fixing the second support 53 in the circumferential direction, and is an engagement groove for fixing the second support 53 by engaging a part of the second support 53. is there.

  For example, the second fixing portion 59 is provided integrally with the outer member of the cartridge main body 3A, and is formed so that the second support 53 can be fixed. Specifically, the second fixing portion 59 has an engaging portion 69 that engages with a part of a second fixed portion 83 (to be described later) of the second support 53 and the circumferential movement of the second support 53. And a restricting portion 70 for restricting.

  Further, the second fixing portion 59 is formed so that the second support 53 can be fixed by sandwiching a flange portion 84 described later of the second fixed portion 83 with the second storage portion 62 via the sealing member 71. Has been. The sealing member 71 sandwiched between the second fixing portion 59 and the second storage portion 62 is made of the same material as the sealing member 55, and the inner and outer diameters of the second fixing portion 59 and the second storage portion 62 are the same. It is formed in an annular shape having substantially the same diameter.

  The second movable body 52 is a rod-like member formed on the same axis with different diameters, and is disposed in the supply port 61 and the second storage portion 62 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 has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the second communication hole 63, and is formed so as to be able to be inserted into the second communication hole 63. The second tip 75 is formed in such a length that it can come into contact with the first tip 35 of the receiving body 6 and can be pressed together when the receiving body 6 is connected to the supply port 61. The distal end of the second distal end portion 75 is located in the second communication hole 63.

  The second central portion 76 is provided continuously with the second tip portion 75 and is formed with two different diameters. The second central portion 76 is formed so that the outer diameter adjacent to the second tip portion 75 is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the second sealing member 55, and a groove portion 76a is formed in a part of the outer peripheral surface thereof. The second central portion 76 is formed such that the outer diameter adjacent to the second rear end portion 77 is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the second storage portion 62 and is slidable in the second storage portion 62.

  Since the second central portion 76 has two different outer diameters, two end surfaces on one side thereof are formed so as to be able to contact the inner surface of the second storage portion 62 and the first sealing member 55, respectively. Note that the second central portion 76 may be formed in a disk shape that is formed to have substantially the same diameter as the inner diameter of the second storage portion 62.

  The second rear end portion 77 is provided on the other main surface of the second central portion 76 so as to protrude in a disk shape, and the main surface forms a seating surface of the second urging member 54. The second rear end portion 77 has a cylindrical guide hole 77a through which a part of the second support 53 can be inserted at the center thereof. The length of the guide hole 77 a is longer than the reciprocating distance (movement distance) of the second movable body 52. Further, the second rear end portion 77 fits the second covering member 56 on the outer peripheral portion thereof.

  The second support 53 is a rod-like member that is coaxially formed with different diameters, and is formed so as to be fixable to the second cylinder part 58 and the second fixing part 59. Specifically, the second support 53 includes a second guide portion 81, a second support portion 82, and a second fixed portion 83 from one end side to the other end side.

  The second guide portion 81 has an outer diameter that is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the guide hole 77a. The second guide portion 81 is formed so as to be able to be inserted into the guide hole 77a and to be slidable with the guide hole 77a. The second guide part 81 is inserted through the guide hole 77 a to guide and move the second movable body 52 along the axis of the second guide part 81.

  The second support portion 82 has an outer diameter that is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the second rear end portion 77. The main surface of the second support portion 82 that faces the second rear end portion 77 forms a seating surface of the second urging member 54. Moreover, the 2nd support part 82 makes the 2nd coating | coated member 56 fit to the outer peripheral part.

  The second fixed portion 83 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is formed so as to be fixed to the second outer member 51. Further, the second fixed portion 83 has a fuel flow path formed in a part thereof. Specifically, the second fixed portion 83 is formed in a columnar shape, and a flange portion 84 sandwiched between the second storage portion 62 and the second fixing portion 59 via the sealing member 71 in the middle, 2 to-be-engaged formed so as to be engageable with the regulated portion 85 that is a projection that engages with the regulating portions 68 and 70 of the storage portion 62 and the second fixing portion 59, and the engaging portion 69 of the second fixing portion 59 Part 86. Further, the second fixed portion 83 includes a groove portion 87 that is continuous with the groove portion 67 of the second storage portion 62 and the end surface on the cartridge main body 3A side at a part of the outer peripheral surface thereof.

  The second urging member 54 is a so-called coil spring that is inserted into the second guide portion 81 and supported by the seat surface of the second rear end portion 77 and the seat surface of the second support portion 82. The second urging member 54 is formed to have a larger elastic coefficient (spring constant) than the first urging member 14.

  The periphery of the second urging member 54 is covered with a second covering member 56 fitted to the second rear end 77 and the second support portion 82, and the second storage portion 62, the second movable body 52, and the like. The liquid formed by the second support 53 is liquid-tightly arranged in a space where the fuel is located. That is, the second urging member 54 is disposed on the fuel flow path so as to be liquid-tightly covered by the second covering member 56.

  The second sealing member 55 is formed in a flat annular shape. The second sealing member 55 has an inner diameter larger than that of the second tip portion 75 and has a hole through which the second tip portion 75 can be inserted. The second sealing member 55 moves when the second movable body 52 is moved by being urged by the second urging member 54, and the end surface of the second central portion 76 comes into contact with the second sealing member 55. It is formed so that it can be sealed. Further, the second sealing member 55 forms a fuel flow path between the groove portion 76 a of the second central portion 76 and the surface facing the second central portion 76 by separating the second movable body 52. .

  The second covering member 56 is formed in a cylindrical shape, is formed so that the second urging member 54 can be inserted therein, and is formed so as to be fitted to the second rear end portion 77 and the second support portion 82. ing. Moreover, the 2nd coating | coated member 56 is formed so that the contact part with the 2nd rear-end part 77 and the 2nd support part 82 can be sealed.

  That is, the second covering member 56 forms a space in which the second urging member 54 is liquid-tightly arranged by the second rear end portion 77 and the second support portion 82 and the inner peripheral surface thereof. By arranging the second urging member 54 in the space, the second covering member 56 can dispose the second urging member 54 on the fuel flow path and prevent contact with the fuel. The second covering member 56 is formed, for example, so that the inner surface thereof is spaced apart from the second urging member 54 and can be elastically deformed such as flexibility and expansion / contraction as the second movable body 52 moves. Has been.

Next, the fuel supply of the receiving body 6 and the supplying body 7 using the thus configured coupler 1 will be described.
First, as shown in FIG. 2, the concave portion group 25 and the convex portion group 65 are visually aligned, and the supply port 61 of the supply body 7 is inserted into the reception port 21 of the supply 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.

  Further, when the supply port 61 is inserted into the receiving port 21, as shown in FIG. 2, the convex portion group 65 engages with the concave portion group 25, the first movable body 12 and the second movable body 52 come into contact with each other, and the first The movable body 12 and the second movable body 52 press each other.

  More specifically, the first biasing member 14 is formed with a lower elastic coefficient than the second biasing member 54. For this reason, when the supply port 61 is inserted into the receiving port 21 and the first tip portion 35 and the second tip portion 75 come into contact with each other, first, only the first movable body 12 is pushed into the first sealing member 15 to the first. The central portion 36 is separated, and a gap is generated between the first sealing member 15 and the first central portion 36.

  Accordingly, the first communication hole 23, the groove 36a of the first central portion 36, the gap between the first sealing member 15 and the first central portion 36, the groove 27 of the first cylinder portion 18, and the first support body 13 A fuel flow path is formed by the groove 47, and the receiving body 6 is opened.

  When the receiving body 6 is in an open state, the tip of the first guide portion 41 of the first support 13 abuts on the end of the guide hole 37a of the first movable body 12, and the movement of the first movable body 12 stops. The second movable body 52 moves and the second sealing member 55 is separated from the second central portion 76. As a result, a gap is generated between the second sealing member 55 and the second central portion 76, and the second communication hole 63, the groove portion 76 a of the second central portion 76, and the gap between the second sealing member 55 and the second central portion 76. Then, the flow path of the fuel is formed by the groove portion 67 of the second cylinder portion 58 and the groove portion 87 of the second support 53, and the supply body 7 is in an open state.

  When the receiving body 6 and the supply body 7 are in the open state, the groove portion 87 of the second support 53, the groove portion 67 of the second cylinder portion 58, the second sealing member 55, and the second center are formed from the cartridge body 3A of the fuel cartridge 3. The gap between the parts 76, the groove part 76a of the second central part 76, the second communication hole 63, the first communication hole 23, the groove part 36a of the first central part 36, the gap between the first sealing member 15 and the first central part 36 A fuel flow path is formed in succession to the fuel tank 2B of the fuel cell 2 through the groove portion 27 of the first cylinder portion 18 and the groove portion 47 of the first support 13 in order, and the fuel flow indicated by the arrow in FIG. As shown in flow F, the fuel moves.

  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 coupler 1 of the fuel cell 2 and the fuel cartridge 3 configured as described above, the first urging member 14 and the second urging member 54 used for the receiving body 6 and the supplying body 7 are provided on the fuel flow path, More specifically, it is disposed adjacent to the groove portion 27 of the first cylinder portion 18 and the groove portion 67 of the second cylinder portion 58.

  However, the first urging member 14 and the second urging member 54 are disposed so as to be covered with the first covering member 16 and the second covering member 56. For this reason, even if the 1st biasing member 14 and the 2nd biasing member 54 are arrange | positioned on the flow path of a fuel, they do not contact a fuel.

  For this reason, even if the first urging member 14 and the second urging member 54 are arranged on the fuel flow path, it is possible to prevent the metal ions from eluting into the fuel. Moreover, since the 1st biasing member 14 and the 2nd biasing member 54 can be located and arrange | positioned on a flow path, the freedom degree of the arrangement | positioning improves.

  Furthermore, the first biasing member 14 and the second biasing member 54 are opposed to the first movable body 12 and the first support body 13 that face each other, and the second movable body 52 and the second support body 53 that face each other. It becomes possible to arrange in the space.

  For this reason, it is not necessary to separately provide a sealed space for arranging the first urging member 14 and the second urging member 54, and the receiving body 6 and the supply body 7 can be downsized. Further, by reducing the size of the coupler 1, the outer diameter of the coupler 1 can be reduced, and the fuel cell 2 and the fuel cartridge 3 provided with the receiving body 6 and the supply body 7 of the coupler 1 can be reduced in size and thickness. Can be realized.

  Moreover, since the 1st coating member 16 and the 2nd coating member 56 are formed with the resin material similar to the 1st sealing member 15 and the 2nd sealing member 55, the 1st biasing member 14 and the 2nd biasing member The elastic deformation such as flexibility and expansion / contraction is possible following the expansion / contraction of 54 (movement of the first movable body 12 and the second movable body 52). For this reason, the first urging member 14 and the second urging member 54 can be repeatedly used as the first movable body 12 and the second movable body 52 are repeatedly moved.

  Further, the coupler 1 absorbs the fuel remaining in the receiving port 21 and the supply port 61 when the fuel is supplied by providing the receiving port 21 of the receiving unit 6 with the sponge 26 that contacts the supply port 61 of the supply unit 7. It becomes possible to do. As a result, the coupler 1 can prevent dripping or the like due to fuel remaining in the receiving port 21 and the supply port 61 during storage.

  As described above, according to the fuel cell 2, the fuel cartridge 3, and the coupler 1 used in the fuel cell 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the first urging member 14 and the second urging member 54 are disposed on the fuel flow path. Even if it arrange | positions, it becomes possible to prevent that the 1st biasing member 14 and the 2nd biasing member 54 contact a fuel. Thereby, the fuel cell 2, the fuel cartridge 3, and the coupler 1 used for these can be reduced in size.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the configuration of the fuel cell 2 and the fuel cartridge 3 according to the second embodiment of the present invention and the coupler 1A used in the fuel cell 2 and the fuel cartridge 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. .

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the fuel cell 2, the fuel cartridge 3, and the coupler 1A provided in the fuel cell 2 and the fuel cartridge 3 provided in the electronic device 4 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the receiving body 6A of the coupler 1A used in the fuel cell 2, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the supply body 7A of the coupler 1A used in the fuel cartridge 3. Note that, in the configuration of the coupler 1A according to the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the coupler 1 according to the first embodiment described above, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The coupler 1 </ b> A is provided in a fuel cell 2 used for the electronic device 4 and a fuel cartridge 3 that stores fuel and supplies the fuel cell 2 with the fuel cell 2. The coupler 1A is formed so that the fuel cell 2 and the fuel cartridge 3 can be connected.

  The coupler 1 </ b> A includes a receiving body 6 </ b> A provided in the fuel cell 2 and a supply body 7 </ b> A provided in the fuel cartridge 3. The coupler 1A is configured to be able to supply the fuel stored in the fuel cartridge 3 to the fuel cell 2 by connecting the receiving body 6A and the supply body 7A.

  The receiving body 6 </ b> A is connected to the fuel tank 2 </ b> B of the fuel cell 2. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the receiving body 6 </ b> A includes a first outer member 11 </ b> A, a first movable body 12 </ b> A, a first support body 13 </ b> A, a first biasing member 14, and a first sealing member 15. And a first covering member 16.

  The receiving body 6A is an on-off valve that opens and closes the fuel flow path when the first movable body 12A reciprocates. In the receiving body 6A, a fuel flow path is formed in the first outer member 11A, and the flow path communicates with the fuel tank 2B. In the receiving body 6A, the fuel supplied from the supply body 7A is supplied into the first outer member 11A, and the supplied fuel is supplied to the fuel tank 2B via the flow path in the first outer member 11A.

  In the receiving body 6A, the first outer member 11A, the first movable body 12A, and the first support body 13A are the same as the first outer member 11, the first movable body 12, and the first support body 13 of the receiving body 6 described above. It is made of a resin material.

  The first outer member 11A is formed in a cylindrical shape. The first outer member 11A includes a first cylinder portion 18A and a first fixing portion 19A. The first outer member 11A is formed by a first cylinder part 18A and a first fixing part 19A so that the first support 13A can be fixed.

  The first cylinder portion 18A has a cylindrical shape, and is formed so that the first movable body 12A that reciprocates can be accommodated therein. The first cylinder portion 18A is formed so that a part of the first support 13A can be inserted therethrough and can be fixed.

  Specifically, the first cylinder portion 18A includes a receiving port 21A that is a bottomed cylindrical connecting port (connected port) that can be engaged with a part of the supply body 7A, and a first movable body 12A inside the receiving port 21A. A first housing portion 22 </ b> A for housing a part of the first support 13 </ b> A, the first biasing member 14, the first sealing member 15, and the first covering member 16.

  The first cylinder portion 18A includes a receiving portion 21A and a first storage portion 22A that are integrally formed, and a partition portion 24 that partitions the receiving port 21A and the first storage portion 22A. The receiving port 21A has an inner diameter that is substantially the same as an outer diameter of a supply port 61A of a supply body 7A, which will be described later. Specifically, the receiving port 21A has a slightly larger diameter, and is formed on the bottom surface from which the first communication hole 23 is formed. It is formed in a cylindrical shape that gradually decreases in diameter (inclined).

  The receiving port 21 </ b> A is provided between the cylindrical protrusion 48 protruding from the bottom surface (partition 24) and the bottom surface between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 48. A recess group 25 that is recessed at a location is provided. The projecting portion 48 is formed integrally with the partition portion 24, and the first communication hole 23 is provided at the center thereof.

  22 A of 1st accommodating parts are formed in the main surface by the side of the 1st accommodating part 22A of the partition part 24 so that the 1st sealing member 15 can be arrange | positioned. The first storage portion 22A includes a fixing means for fixing the first support 13A, for example, a female screw portion 28A, on a part of the inner peripheral surface thereof.

  The first fixing portion 19A is provided integrally with the outer member of the fuel cell 2, for example, and is formed so as to fix the first support 13A. Specifically, the first fixing portion 19A has a female screw portion 29A that is screwed with a part of a first fixed portion 43A described later of the first support 13A. The first fixing portion 19A is formed so as to fix the first support 13A by sandwiching the flange portion 44 of the first fixed portion 43A with the first storage portion 22A via the sealing member 31. Yes.

  The first movable body 12A is a rod-like member formed on the same axis with different diameters, and is disposed in the receiving port 21A and the first storage portion 22A so as to be capable of reciprocating in the axial direction. Specifically, the first movable body 12A includes a first tip portion 35, a first center portion 36A, and a first rear end portion 37 from one end side to the other end side.

  The first central portion 36A is provided continuously with the first tip portion 35 and is formed with two different diameters. 36 A of 1st center parts are formed so that the outer diameter adjacent to the 1st front-end | tip part 35 may be substantially the same diameter as the internal diameter of the 1st sealing member 15, and the groove part 36a is formed in a part of the outer peripheral surface. The first central portion 36A is formed such that the outer diameter adjacent to the first rear end portion 37 is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the first storage portion 22A, and a groove portion 36b is formed in a part of the outer peripheral surface thereof. .

  The first center portion 36A is formed to be slidable in the first storage portion 22A. 36 A of 1st center parts have two different outer diameters, and two end surfaces of the one side are formed so that the partition part 24 and the 1st sealing member 15 can be contact | abutted, respectively. In addition, the first central portion 36 </ b> A has an annular protrusion 36 c on the end surface that comes into contact with the first sealing member 15 in order to closely contact the first sealing member 15.

  The first support 13A is a rod-like member formed on the same axis with different diameters, and is formed to be fixable to the first cylinder portion 18A and the first fixing portion 19A. Specifically, the first support 13A includes a first guide portion 41, a first support portion 42, and a first fixed portion 43A from one end side to the other end side.

  The first fixed portion 43A is formed in a cylindrical shape and is formed so as to be fixable to the first outer member 11A. Further, the first fixed portion 43A has a fuel flow path formed in a part thereof. Specifically, the first fixed portion 43 </ b> A is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is respectively provided in a flange portion 44 sandwiched via a sealing member 31 provided in the center portion thereof, and an outer peripheral portion sandwiching the flange portion 44. And a male screw portion 46A that can be screwed with the female screw portions 28A and 29A of the first storage portion 22A and the first fixing portion 19A.

  Further, the first fixed portion 43A includes a groove portion 47A that is continuous between both end surfaces thereof and that is continuous between the first storage portion 22A and the end surface on the fuel cell 2 side. The groove portion 47A may be formed over the male screw portion 46A as long as a fuel flow path can be formed, or may be a hole that passes through the center side of the male screw portion 46A. Good.

  The supply body 7 </ b> A is provided in the cartridge main body 3 </ b> A of the fuel cartridge 3. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the supply body 7 </ b> A includes a second outer member 51 </ b> A, a second movable body 52 </ b> A, a second support body 53 </ b> A, a second urging member 54, and a second sealing member 55. , A second covering member 56.

  The supply body 7A is an open / close valve that opens and closes the fuel flow path when the second movable body 52A reciprocates. In the supply body 7A, a fuel flow path is formed in the second outer member 51A, the flow path is formed in communication with the cartridge main body 3A, and the fuel in the cartridge main body 3A is supplied into the second outer member 51A. The

  In the supply body 7A, the second outer member 51A, the second movable body 52A, and the second support body 53A are the same as the second outer member 51, the second movable body 52, and the second support body 53 of the supply body 7 described above. It is made of a resin material.

  The second outer member 51A is formed in a cylindrical shape having a plurality of different outer diameters. The second outer member 51A includes a second cylinder part 58A and a second fixing part 59A. The second outer member 51A is formed such that the second support 53A can be fixed by the second cylinder portion 58A and the second fixing portion 59A.

  The second cylinder portion 58A is cylindrical and is formed therein so that the second movable body 52A that reciprocates can be stored therein, and a part of the second support body 53A can be inserted and fixed. Is formed. Specifically, the second cylinder portion 58A includes a supply port 61A that is a connection port (connected port) that can be inserted into the receiving port 21A, and a part of the second movable body 52A and the second support body 53A therein. The second energizing member 54, the second sealing member 55, and the second covering member 56.

  The second cylinder portion 58A includes a partition 66 that partitions the supply port 61A and the first storage portion 62A, while the supply port 61A and the second storage portion 62A are integrally formed. The partition part 66 is fixed between the supply port 61A and the first storage part 62A.

  The supply port 61A is formed in a cylindrical shape whose outer diameter is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the receiving port 21A, and its inner diameter is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the protruding portion 48A so that the protruding portion 48 of the receiving port 21A can be inserted. It is formed in the diameter. 61 A of supply ports are provided with the seal part 64 formed in the outer peripheral surface, the convex part group 65 formed in the front end surface, and the sponge 26 provided in the main surface of the partition part 66. As shown in FIG.

  A second communication hole 63 for communicating the supply port 61A and the second storage portion 62A is formed on the inner peripheral surfaces of the sponge 26 and the partition portion 66.

  62 A of 2nd accommodating parts are the main surfaces of the partition part 66, Comprising: The 2nd sealing member 55 which can contact | abut with the 2nd movable body 52A is formed so that arrangement | positioning is possible. The second storage portion 62A includes a fixing means for fixing the second support 53A, for example, a female screw portion 68A, on a part of the inner peripheral surface thereof.

  The second fixing portion 59A is provided integrally with the outer member of the cartridge main body 3A, for example, and is formed so as to fix the second support 53A. Specifically, the second fixing portion 59A has a female screw portion 69A that is screwed with a part of a second fixed portion 83A described later. The second fixing portion 59A is formed so as to fix the second support 53A by sandwiching the flange portion 84 of the second fixed portion 83A with the second storage portion 62A via the sealing member 71. Yes.

  The second movable body 52A is a rod-like member that is coaxially formed with different diameters, and is disposed in the supply port 61A and the second storage portion 62A so as to be able to reciprocate in the axial direction. Specifically, the second movable body 52A includes a second tip portion 75, a second center portion 76A, and a second rear end portion 77 from one end side to the other end side.

  The second central portion 76A is provided continuously with the second tip portion 75 and is formed with two different diameters. The second central portion 76A is formed so that the outer diameter adjacent to the second tip 75 is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the second sealing member 55, and a groove 76a is formed in a part of the outer peripheral surface thereof. The second central portion 76A is formed such that the outer diameter adjacent to the second rear end portion 77 is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the second storage portion 62A, and a groove portion 76b is formed in a part of the outer peripheral surface thereof. .

  The second central portion 76A is formed to be slidable in the second storage portion 62A. The second central portion 76A has two different outer diameters, and two end surfaces on one side thereof are formed so as to be able to contact the partition portion 66 and the second sealing member 55, respectively. In addition, the second central portion 76 </ b> A has an annular protrusion 76 c on the end surface in contact with the second sealing member 55 so as to be in close contact with the second sealing member 55.

  The second support 53A is a rod-like member that is coaxially formed with different diameters, and is formed so as to be fixable to the second cylinder part 58A and the second fixing part 59A. Specifically, the second support 53A includes a second guide part 81, a second support part 82, and a second fixed part 83A from one end side to the other end side.

  The second fixed portion 83A is formed in a cylindrical shape and can be fixed to the second outer member 51A. Further, the second fixed portion 83A has a fuel flow path formed in a part thereof. Specifically, the second fixed portion 83 </ b> A is formed in a cylindrical shape and is provided in the middle portion of the second fixed portion 83 </ b> A, and a flange portion 84 sandwiched via the sealing member 71 and an outer peripheral portion sandwiching the flange portion 84. And a male screw portion 86A that can be screwed with the female screw portions 68A and 69A of the second storage portion 62A and the second fixing portion 59A.

  Further, the second fixed portion 83A includes a groove portion 87A that is continuous between both end surfaces and that is continuous between the second storage portion 62A and the end surface on the cartridge body 3A side. The groove portion 87A may be formed over the male screw portion 86A as long as it can form a fuel flow path, or may be a hole that passes through the center side of the male screw portion 86A. Good.

  Similarly to the coupler 1 described above, the coupler 1A configured as described above is configured such that the supply port 61A of the supply body 7A is inserted into the reception port 21A of the supply body 6A, so that the seal portion 64 of the supply port 61A causes the reception port The space between 21A and the supply port 61A is sealed.

  Further, by inserting the supply port 61A into the receiving port 21A, as shown in FIG. 5, the convex portion group 65 engages with the concave portion group 25, and the first movable body 12A and the second movable body 52A come into contact with each other. By pressing, the receiving body 6A and the supply body 7A are opened in this order.

  When the receiving body 6A and the supply body 7A are in the open state, a flow path of fuel passing 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. As a result, the cartridge body 3A Fuel is supplied to the fuel tank 2B.

  According to the coupler 1A of the fuel cell 2 and the fuel cartridge 3 configured as described above, the first urging member 14 and the second urging member 54 used for the receiving body 6A and the supply body 7A are the same as the coupler 1. , Disposed on the fuel flow path. Furthermore, the first urging member 14 is a space in the first cylinder portion 18A and on a fuel flow path formed by the groove portion 36b of the first movable body 12A and the groove portion 47A of the first support body 13A. Be placed. The second urging member 54 is a space in the second cylinder portion 58A, and is disposed on a fuel flow path formed by the groove portion 76b of the second movable body 52A and the groove portion 87A of the second support body 53A. The

  However, since the periphery of the first urging member 14 and the second urging member 54 is covered by the first covering member 16 and the second covering member 56, the first urging member 14 and the second urging member 54 are There is no contact with fuel.

  Further, the coupler 1A, like the coupler 1, can arrange the first urging member 14 and the second urging member 54 on the fuel flow path, so that the degree of freedom of the arrangement is improved. The receiving body 6A and the supply body 7A can be downsized, and the fuel cell 2 and the fuel cartridge 3 can be downsized.

  As described above, according to the coupler 1A used in the fuel cell 2 and the fuel cartridge 3 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, similarly to the coupler 1 described above, the first biasing member 14 and the second biasing member. It is possible to prevent 54 from coming into contact with the fuel and to reduce the size.

  The present invention is not limited to the first embodiment and the second embodiment. In the example described above, the first covering member 16 and the second covering member 56 used for the couplers 1 and 1A are the first movable body 12 and 12A, the first support body 13 and 13A, and the second movable body 52 and 52A. In addition, the configuration in which the first urging member 14 and the second urging member 54 are separated and covered by being fitted between the second supporting bodies 53 and 53A is not limited thereto.

  Next, the configuration of the first covering member 16B and the second covering member 56B used in the coupler 1B according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration of the first covering member 16C and the second covering member 56C used in the coupler 1C according to the embodiment will be described. The coupler 1B according to the third embodiment and the coupler 1C according to the fourth embodiment exclude the coupler 1 according to the first embodiment, the first covering members 16B and 16C, and the second covering members 56B and 56C. Since the configuration is substantially the same, the same reference numeral is given to the same configuration, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 8 shows the main configuration of the coupler 1B according to the third embodiment of the present invention, specifically, the first urging member 14 and the first covering member 16B, and the second urging member 54 and the second covering member. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of 56B with the same drawing.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a coupler 1B according to the third embodiment includes a receiving body 6B and a supplying body 7B. The receiving body 6B includes a first outer member 11, a first movable body 12, a first support body 13, a first urging member 14, a first sealing member 15, and a first covering member 16B. ing.

  The first covering member 16B is formed of an elastically deformable resin material similar to the first covering member 16 described above. The first covering member 16 </ b> B is formed in a cylindrical shape that covers the outer peripheral portion and the inner peripheral portion of the first biasing member 14.

  The first covering member 16 </ b> B is hollow between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface, in other words, is formed in a cylindrical shape formed in a double structure having an inner peripheral portion 91 and an outer peripheral portion 92, and the inner peripheral portion 91. The first urging member 14 is formed in a space between the outer peripheral portion 92 and the outer peripheral portion 92.

  For example, the first covering member 16B is closed when one end portion thereof is closed by the inner peripheral portion 91 and the outer peripheral portion 92 being continuous, the other end portion is opened, and is bonded by an adhesive or heat welding. It is made possible. After the first energizing member 14 is inserted between the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface, the first energizing member 16B is adhered and closed at the other end portion that is inserted, so that the first energizing member 14 is contained therein. And can be covered.

  The supply body 7B includes a second outer member 51, a second movable body 52, a second support body 53, a second urging member 54, a second sealing member 55, and a second covering member 56B. ing.

  The second covering member 56B is formed of an elastically deformable resin material similar to the second covering member 56 described above. The second covering member 56 </ b> B is formed in a cylindrical shape that covers the outer peripheral portion and the inner peripheral portion of the first biasing member 14.

  Similarly to the first covering member 16B, the second covering member 56B is hollow between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface, in other words, a cylinder formed in a double structure having the inner peripheral portion 91 and the outer peripheral portion 92. The second urging member 54 can be disposed in the space between the inner peripheral portion 91 and the outer peripheral portion 92.

  The second covering member 56B is inserted through the second urging member 54 between the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface thereof, and is then closed by adhering and closing the other end portion inserted. And can be covered.

  In the coupler 1B using the first covering member 16B and the second covering member 56B configured as described above, the first urging member 14 and the second urging member 54 are moved by the first covering member 16B and the second covering member 56B. By covering, even if the first urging member 14 and the second urging member 54 are arranged on the fuel flow path, it is possible to prevent contact with the fuel.

  Accordingly, the coupler 1B does not need to provide a sealed space for arranging the first urging member 14 and the second urging member 54, similarly to the coupler 1 according to the first embodiment described above. 6B and the supply body 7B can be reduced in size.

  The first covering member 16B and the second covering member 56B of the coupler 1B may be configured to be used for the coupler 1A according to the second embodiment described above.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 9 shows the main configuration of the coupler 1C according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, specifically, the first urging member 14 and the first covering member 16C, and the second urging member 54 and the second covering member. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of 56C.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a coupler 1C according to the fourth embodiment includes a receiving body 6C and a supplying body 7C. The receiving body 6C includes a first outer member 11, a first movable body 12, a first support body 13, a first urging member 14, a first sealing member 15, and a first covering member 16C. ing.

  The first covering member 16 </ b> C is formed in a cylindrical shape in which both ends covering the first urging member 14 are closed. The first covering member 16C includes an outer cylinder portion 93, an inner cylinder portion 94, and a closing portion 95 formed in an annular shape.

  The outer cylinder portion 93 is formed of an elastically deformable resin material similar to the first covering member 16 described above. The outer cylinder portion 93 has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the first urging member 14. Further, the outer cylinder portion 93 has an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameters of the first rear end portion 37 and the first support portion 42. Moreover, the outer cylinder part 93 is formed in the outer periphery of the obstruction | occlusion part 95 so that contact | adherence is possible by an adhesive agent or heat welding.

  The inner cylinder portion 94 is formed of an elastically deformable resin material similar to that of the first covering member 16 described above. The inner cylinder portion 94 has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the first urging member 14. The inner cylinder portion 94 has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameters of the guide hole 37 a and the first guide portion 41. Moreover, the inner cylinder part 94 is formed in the inner periphery of the obstruction | occlusion part 95 so that adhesion | attachment is possible by an adhesive agent or heat welding.

  The closing portion 95 is formed of the same resin material as that of the first outer member 11, the first movable body 12, and the first support body 13. The closing part 95 is formed so as to be able to be in close contact with both ends of the outer cylinder part 93 and the inner cylinder part 94. The blocking portion 95 forms a seating surface that can support both end surfaces of the first urging member 14.

  The supply body 7C includes a second outer member 51, a second movable body 52, a second support body 53, a second urging member 54, a second sealing member 55, and a second covering member 56C. ing.

  Similarly to the first covering member 16B, the second covering member 56C includes an outer cylinder portion 93, an inner cylinder portion 94, and a closing portion 95, and is formed in a cylindrical shape in which both ends covering the second urging member 54 are closed. ing.

  The outer cylinder portion 93 has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the second urging member 54. Further, the outer cylinder portion 93 has an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameters of the second rear end portion 77 and the second support portion 82.

  The inner cylinder portion 94 has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the second urging member 54. Further, the inner cylinder portion 94 is formed so that the inner diameter thereof is larger than the outer diameters of the guide hole 77 a and the second guide portion 81.

  The closing part 95 is formed so as to be able to be in close contact with both ends of the outer cylinder part 93 and the inner cylinder part 94. The blocking portion 95 forms a seating surface that can support both end surfaces of the second urging member 54.

  In the coupler 1C using the first covering member 16C and the second covering member 56C configured as described above, the first urging member 14 and the second urging member 54 are moved by the first covering member 16C and the second covering member 56C. By covering, even if the first urging member 14 and the second urging member 54 are arranged on the fuel flow path, it is possible to prevent contact with the fuel. As a result, the coupler 1C using the first covering member 16C and the second covering member 56C has the first urging member 14 and the second urging member 54 in the same manner as the coupler 1 according to the first embodiment described above. There is no need to separately provide a sealed space for arrangement, and the receiving body 6C and the supply body 7C can be downsized.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said 1st Embodiment, 2nd Embodiment, 3rd Embodiment, and 4th Embodiment. In the example described above, the couplers 1, 1 </ b> A, 1 </ b> B, and 1 </ b> C have been described as having the sponge 26, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the structure which does not provide the sponge 26 may be sufficient. Thus, when the sponges 1 are not provided on the couplers 1 and 1A, it is desirable that the remaining fuel does not drip. For example, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of contamination such as dust such as sponge 26 and the like, and a configuration in which a fuel absorbing member is provided separately and the remaining fuel is removed every time fuel is supplied, a cap, etc. It may be configured to be closed with a closing member.

  In the above-described example, the couplers 1, 1 </ b> A, 1 </ b> B, and 1 </ b> C have been described with the configuration in which the flow paths are formed by the respective grooves or the like as the flow paths of the fuel. That is, the couplers 1, 1 </ b> A, 1 </ b> B, and 1 </ b> C can be disposed on the fuel flow path with the first urging member 14 and the second urging member 54, and the first covering members 16, 16 </ b> B, 16 </ b> C and the second covering member 56. , 56B, and 56C, the detailed configuration of the fuel flow path can be appropriately set.

  Furthermore, in the above-described example, the first covering member 16, 16B, 16C and the second covering member 56, 56B, 56C have been described to cover the periphery of the first urging member 14 and the second urging member 54. It is not limited to this. For example, the covering member that covers the first urging member 14 and the second urging member 54 may be configured to directly cover the outer surfaces of the first urging member 14 and the second urging member 54 with a resin material. In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Coupler, 2 ... Fuel cell, 2A ... Fuel cell, 2B ... Fuel tank, 3 ... Fuel cartridge, 3A ... Cartridge main body, 4 ... Electronic device, 6 ... Receiving body, 7 ... Supply body, 11 ... 1st outline Members 12 ... first movable body 13 ... first support 14 ... first biasing member 15 ... first sealing member 16 ... first covering member 18 ... first cylinder part 19 ... first fixed , 21 ... receiving port, 22 ... first storage part, 23 ... first communication hole, 24 ... partitioning part, 25 ... recess group, 26 ... sponge, 51 ... second outer member, 52 ... second movable body, 53 ... 2nd support body, 54 ... 2nd biasing member, 55 ... 2nd sealing member, 56 ... 2nd coating | coated member.

Claims (15)

A coupler that can be connected to each other, provided in at least one of a fuel cartridge and a fuel cell to which fuel is supplied from the fuel cartridge,
An outer member formed of a resin material, which is formed in a cylindrical shape and has connection ports that can be connected to each other at one end thereof;
A valve body formed of a resin material provided in the outer member, closing the connection port, and opening the connection port by pressing and moving each other when the connection port is connected;
An urging member formed of a metal material, which is supported by an end surface of the valve body and disposed in the outer member, and urges the valve body to a position where the connection port is closed;
A support body formed of a resin material provided in the outer member and supporting the biasing member;
A covering member formed of a resin material and liquid-tightly covering the biasing member;
A coupler comprising: The covering member is liquid-tightly fixed to the valve body and the support body,
The coupler according to claim 1, wherein the urging member is disposed in the valve body, the support body, and the covering member.   The coupler according to claim 1, wherein the biasing member is disposed in the covering member and supported by the valve body and the support body through the covering member.   2. The coupler according to claim 1, further comprising an absorbing member capable of absorbing and holding the fuel in the connection port of at least one of the outer members formed in the fuel cartridge and the fuel cell.   The coupler according to claim 4, wherein the absorbing member is a sponge formed of a resin 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 formed of a resin material having a cylindrical connection port connected to the connection body of the fuel cartridge;
Provided in the outer member, closes the connected port, and engages with the valve body of the fuel cartridge when the connected body is connected to the connecting port, thereby moving the connecting port and A valve body formed of a resin material that opens the connected port;
An urging member formed of a metal material, which is supported by the valve body and disposed in the outer member and urges the valve body to a position where the connection port is closed;
A support body formed of a resin material provided in the outer member and supporting the biasing member;
A covering member that liquid-tightly covers the biasing member;
A fuel tank provided on the outer member;
An electromotive unit connected to the fuel tank;
A fuel cell comprising: The covering member is liquid-tightly fixed to the valve body and the support body,
The fuel cell according to claim 6, wherein the urging member is disposed in the valve body, the support body, and the covering member.   The fuel cell according to claim 6, wherein the urging member is disposed in the covering member and supported by the valve body and the support body through the covering member.   The fuel cell according to claim 6, further comprising: an absorbing member capable of absorbing and holding the fuel in the connection port of at least one of the outer member formed in the fuel cartridge and the fuel cell.   The fuel cell according to claim 9, wherein the absorbing member is a sponge formed of a resin 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 member formed of a resin material having a cylindrical connection port connected to the connection body of the fuel cell;
Provided in the outer member, closes the connected port, and engages with the valve body of the fuel cartridge when the connected body is connected to the connecting port, thereby moving the connecting port and A valve body formed of a resin material that opens the connected port;
An urging member formed of a metal material, which is supported by the valve body and disposed in the outer member and urges the valve body to a position where the connection port is closed;
A support body formed of a resin material provided in the outer member and supporting the biasing member;
A covering member that liquid-tightly covers the biasing member;
A storage section connected to the outer member and storing the fuel;
A fuel cartridge comprising: The covering member is liquid-tightly fixed to the valve body and the support body,
The fuel cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the urging member is disposed in the valve body, the support body, and the covering member.   The fuel cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the urging member is disposed in the covering member and supported by the valve body and the support body through the covering member.   The fuel cartridge according to claim 11, further comprising: an absorbing member capable of absorbing and holding the fuel at the connection port of at least one of the outer member formed in the fuel cartridge and the fuel cell.   The fuel cartridge according to claim 14, wherein the absorbing member is a sponge formed of a resin material.

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