JP4568122B2 - Flat panel display device with fuel cell - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device using a fuel cell, and more particularly to a flat panel display device equipped with a fuel cell.

  In recent years, the market of AV equipment such as a liquid crystal television equipped with a flat panel display device (hereinafter referred to as FPD) capable of saving a large screen and saving space has been flourishing. On the other hand, a fuel cell that obtains energy based on the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen as a new power supply source is expected as a clean power source.

A technique for mounting a fuel cell on an FPD is described in Patent Document 1, for example. In the FPD described in Patent Document 1, the fuel cell body is on the back surface of the display panel, the fuel tank is in the cradle, and the fuel supply pipe for sending fuel to the fuel cell body is connected between the display panel and the cradle. There is an advantage that the fuel cell is not conspicuous.
JP 2003-345261 A

  In an FPD using a fuel cell as a power source, methanol supplied to the fuel cell is usually supplied to the hydrogen electrode of the fuel cell using a pump. Especially when a certain amount of power generation is required, a pump is essential. Oxygen is forcibly supplied to the oxygen electrode by a fan or the like.

  The FDP described in Patent Document 1 also requires a pump for supplying fuel from the pedestal to the back surface of the display panel through a fuel supply pipe for sending fuel to the fuel cell main body, resulting in a complicated structure and a large shape. There is a problem that it ends up. In addition, when watching a program such as a TV, there is a request for watching in a quiet environment, but there is a problem that the operation sound of the pump for supplying fuel to the fuel cell is a concern.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell-mounted flat panel display device that does not require a pump in order to eliminate operation noise associated with fuel supply.

  The apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the fuel container is installed so that the center of gravity of the fuel container is above the center of gravity of the fuel cell main body. Thereby, the liquid fuel is supplied to the fuel cell by gravity. A pump is not required and is structurally simple. The fuel container and the fuel cell body are connected by a pipe / tube or the like to supply fuel.

  By installing the fuel container above the fuel cell body, fuel can be supplied to the body using gravity, so even a fuel cell that requires a certain level of high output does not require a pump and the structure is simple. In addition, it is possible to prevent the generation of noise due to the pump drive.

  Further, by providing the fuel cell in the stand, the fuel cell unit can be used in common even if the TV display unit installed on the stand is changed, and the standardization of the design can be easily advanced.

  Hereinafter, a fuel cell-mounted flat panel display device (hereinafter referred to as a “fuel cell-mounted FDP device”) according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a fuel cell used in the fuel cell-mounted FDP device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a fuel cell 1 connected to a power supply unit 7 of a liquid crystal TV as a load includes a cell main body unit 3 and a fuel tank 5 in which methanol fuel is stored as main components. The battery body 3 includes a pair of electrodes 3a and 3e, and a hydrogen diffusion layer 3b, an electrolyte layer 3c, and an oxygen diffusion layer 3d disposed therebetween. Hydrogen is supplied to the electrode 3a on the hydrogen diffusion layer 3b side, and oxygen (atmosphere) is supplied to the electrode 3e on the oxygen diffusion layer 3d side. Since a potential difference is generated between the pair of electrodes 3 a and 3 e, electric power can be supplied to the FDP device 7 by connecting it to a load (FDP device) 7. In FIG. 1, an output meter 11 for measuring an output current provided arbitrarily, a flow meter 17 for measuring the flow rate of methanol, and a shut valve 15 for shutting off the fuel supply from the fuel tank 5 to the battery body 3 are shown. An inclination / impact detection function, an inclination / impact detection function 21 that controls to shut off the shut valve 15 when an inclination or an impact is detected, and a remaining amount calculation / remaining amount display for calculating and displaying the remaining amount of fuel. Part 23. Although not shown, the electric power generated from the power source of the fuel cell is used for the operation of the FDP device.

FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a configuration example of a fuel cell-mounted FDP device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2A, the fuel cell-mounted FDP apparatus A according to the present embodiment includes the fuel cell main body 3 shown in FIG. 1, a cradle 31 that houses the fuel cell main body 3, and an LCD display screen 37. A display unit 35 and a stand 33 for connecting the display unit 35 and the pedestal 31 are provided. In the fuel cell-mounted FDP apparatus A according to the present embodiment, the fuel tank 5 is provided above the hollow stand 33, and a methanol fuel supply pipe 45 connected from the fuel tank 5 to the fuel cell main body 3 is provided. ing. Furthermore, an opening 41 for taking in oxygen O ₂ to be reacted with methanol from the atmosphere is provided on one surface of the pedestal 31, and O ₂ can be supplied from the opening 41 to the electrode 3e shown in FIG. It is like that.

Here, what is essential is that the fuel tank 5 is arranged so that the methanol accommodated in the fuel tank 5 is higher in the vertical direction than the battery body 3. The fuel tank 5 is provided with a shut valve 15, which is closed when a tilt / impact is detected or the main power source (not shown) of the fuel cell-mounted FDP device A is turned off. There has so as to when to turn on the valve 15 is opened valve.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2A, at least a part of the stand 33 and the fuel tank 5 may be transparent, and a window 46 for checking the remaining amount may be provided so that the remaining amount of methanol can be seen from the outside. . If it does in this way, methanol remaining quantity can be confirmed by visual observation from a window part.

  Further, a power source other than the fuel cell, for example, a secondary battery or a primary battery 43 is built in the pedestal 31, and when the operation of one battery stops, the power supply source is controlled to be switched to the other battery. Also good. Further, the fuel cell-mounted FDP device A can be driven by the secondary battery or the primary battery 43 while the fuel cell is replenished with methanol fuel.

FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a difference from FIG. 2A in the FDP device with a fuel cell according to the first modification of the present embodiment, and shows a main part related to the stand portion 33 and the pipe 45 for supplying methanol fuel. It is. As shown in FIG. 2B, the stand 33 of the fuel cell-equipped FDP device according to the first modification of the present invention includes a first stand portion 5a and a second stand portion 5b having a diameter larger than that of the first stand portion 5a. . The first stand portion 5a is inserted into a cavity formed in the second stand portion 5b so as to be able to advance and retreat, and the height of the stand portion 33 can be freely changed within a certain range. Further, the pipe 45 is a variable structure length, has become, for example, in a foldable state, changing the height of the stand 33, so as to vary the length of the pipes 45 accordingly. 2B (A) shows a state where the height of the stand 33 is lowered, and FIG. 2B (B) shows a state where the height of the stand 33 is increased. With this structure, even if the height of the stand is changed, methanol fuel from the tank can be stably supplied to the fuel cell main body.

  FIG. 2C shows a structure in which a fuel cell-mounted FDP device according to a second modification of the present invention is provided with a horizontal speaker 55c below the display unit 35, and a fuel tank 63c is provided inside or on the rear surface of the horizontal speaker 55c. Is provided. In the FDP device mounted with a fuel cell according to the second modified example of the present invention, the fuel tank is provided inside or on the back surface of the horizontal speaker, so that the space efficiency can be improved and the appearance when viewed from the front is impaired. There is an advantage that there is nothing.

  As described above, according to the fuel cell-mounted FDP apparatus A according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the center of gravity of the methanol fuel in the fuel tank 5 is always arranged vertically above the fuel cell main body. In the state where 15 is open, the methanol fuel is supplied to the fuel cell main body without requiring another drive source such as a pump by the gravity of the methanol fuel. Accordingly, a pump is not required, the structure is simplified, and the noise from the drive source such as a pump is released.

  In FIG. 2 and the like, the case where there is one stand has been described. However, when a plurality of stands are provided, the number of pipes may be increased in accordance with the number of stands. The same applies to the following embodiments.

  Next, a fuel cell-mounted FDP device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, it is assumed that the configuration of the fuel cell is basically the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the fuel cell-mounted FDP apparatus B according to the present embodiment includes a stand 57 with casters, a display unit 51 having an LCD display screen 53 and speakers 55a and 55b, and a display unit 51. And a cylindrical stand 61 for connecting the table 31. A fuel cell body 67 is attached to the lower part of the cylindrical stand 61 so as to surround the outer periphery of the cylindrical stand 61. On the other hand, a first fuel tank 63a and a second fuel tank 63b are attached to the back side of the display unit 51. Each of the fuel tanks 63a and 63b is provided with an unillustrated fuel replenishing inlet. Fuel supply pipes 65a and 65b are provided between the first fuel tank 63a, the second fuel tank 63b, and the fuel cell main body 67, respectively. Can be supplied. By providing the first fuel tank 63a and the second fuel tank 63b, the fuel tank can be arranged on the back surface of the display unit 51 with a good balance. One can also be used as a reserve fuel tank. In this case, there is provided a fuel supply switching unit that performs control so that only the fuel supply from one of the first fuel tank 63a and the second fuel tank 63b is allowed and the other is shut off. Also good.

Also in the fuel cell-equipped FDP device according to this embodiment, the center of gravity of the fuel contained in the fuel tank 63a · within 63b are both to be vertically above the center of gravity of the fuel cell body 67 is arranged Therefore, when supplying the methanol fuel to the fuel cell main body by its own weight, the fuel supply pump is not required or can be further downsized. Furthermore, by using one of the fuel cell main bodies as a main tank and the other as a reserve tank, it is possible to prevent the fuel from running out and improve usability.

  Next, a fuel cell-mounted FDP device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the fuel cell-mounted FDP device C according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the fuel cell-mounted FDP apparatus C according to the present embodiment is provided with first and second fuel tanks 83 a and 83 b on the back surface of the display unit 71 including the display screen 73, and A U-shaped frame portion 75 is provided below, and a plate-like first bottom plate 77a and second bottom plate 77b provided on both sides of the lower surface of the frame portion 75 are provided. A fuel cell main body 87 is attached to the inner surface below the U-shaped frame portion 75. Pipes 85 a and 85 b for supplying methanol fuel to the fuel cell main body 87 from the first and second fuel tanks 83 a and 83 b are provided. The pipes 85a and 85b can be provided in the frame portion 75 or on the outer surface of the frame portion 75. The fuel cell main body may be installed on the first bottom plate 77a and / or the second bottom plate 77b. In FIG. 4, the fuel cell main body 87 is provided on the upper surface of the U-shaped frame portion 75, but may be provided on the lower surface side of the frame portion 75. Of course, the number of fuel tanks may be one or three or more. A fuel tank may be provided above the U-shaped frame portion 75.

  As described above, the fuel cell-mounted FDP device according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which the fuel tank is provided on the display unit and the fuel cell main body is provided on the frame unit that supports the display unit from below. Therefore, the center of gravity of the methanol fuel is always above the fuel cell body, and the methanol fuel can be stably supplied to the fuel cell body.

  Next, a fuel cell-mounted FDP device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the fuel cell-mounted FDP device D according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the fuel cell-mounted FDP device D according to the present embodiment is a suspension type. That is, the attachment part 95 is provided above the display device 91 having the display screen 93, and the attachment part 95 is configured to be attached to a ceiling or a wall, for example. A connecting portion 104 is provided between the attachment portion 95 and the display device 91, and the distance between the attachment portion 95 and the display device 91 can be maintained at a certain length in the suspended state. Further, the fuel cell body 103 is attached to the display unit 91, and power is supplied from the fuel cell body 103 to the apparatus.

  On the other hand, the attachment portion 95 is provided with, for example, first and second fuel tanks 97a and 97b, and pipes 92a and 92b for supplying methanol fuel from the fuel tanks 97a and 97b to the fuel cell main body 103. Is provided. Also in the fuel cell-mounted FDP device D according to the present embodiment, since the center of gravity of the methanol fuel in the fuel tank is above the center of gravity of the fuel cell body in use, stable fuel supply to the fuel cell body is possible. It is. Note that a tilt detection mechanism 99 is provided in the display unit 91, and when a tilt caused by an earthquake or the like is detected, a fuel supply stop valve (not shown) can be operated to stop the supply of methanol fuel. Thereby, the safety | security at the time of a disaster can be improved.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a fuel cell-mounted FDP device according to a modification of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the fuel cell-equipped FDP device E according to this modification includes at least one fuel tank 108 in the attachment portion 105, and is provided on the side of the connection portion 113 from the fuel tank 108. The fuel cell 111 is configured to supply methanol fuel to the fuel cell body 117 via the fuel pipe 111. In the vicinity of the fuel cell main body 117, the fuel pipe 111 is divided into two (reference numerals 115a and 115b), and fuel can be supplied to the electrode (electrode 3a in FIG. 1) in a well-balanced manner. In addition, by fixing the fuel pipe 111 to the connection portion 113, it is possible to prevent the fuel pipe from being shaken due to vibration or the like.

  Next, a fuel cell-mounted FDP device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the fuel cell-mounted FDP device F according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the fuel cell-mounted FDP device F according to the present embodiment is a liquid crystal television, and is wide below the display unit 121 having an LCD display screen 123, which is open in the shape of a left and right side. A stand 125 is provided via a stand 127. For example, two fuel tanks 127 a and 127 b are provided on the back side of the display unit 121. On the other hand, the fuel cell main body is provided over substantially the entire inside of the wide pedestal 125, and the electrodes 3a and 3e shown in FIG. Therefore, a large amount of power can be obtained, and the LCD display screen 123 can be increased in size. At this time, the larger the screen, the greater the power required, and the greater the width of the pedestal, it is necessary to maintain balance. Therefore, in a structure in which the fuel cell main body is provided so as to cover almost the entire interior of the cradle 125, it is possible to obtain electric power according to the screen size by changing the width of the cradle 125 according to the screen size. There are advantages. In addition, if a certain amount of rigidity is obtained, the internal structure of the cradle 125 does not matter. Therefore, an efficient device design can be achieved by making the cradle itself substantially a fuel cell body.

  Next, a fuel cell-mounted FDP device according to a first modification of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The structure shown in FIG. 8 is different from the structure shown in FIG. 7 in that the stand has a structure that can be expanded and contracted as described above. That is. A structure in which the first stand part 145 and the second stand part 149 having different diameters can be fitted in the connection part 147, and the length of the entire stand part can be changed depending on the size of the overlapping part. It has become. In such a structure, the first pipe 155a for supplying methanol fuel from the first fuel tank 153a to the fuel cell main body 157 into the cavity formed in the stand portions 145 and 149 from the fuel tanks 153a and 153. And a second pipe 155b for supplying methanol fuel from the second fuel tank 153b to the fuel cell main body 157, respectively. The pipes 155a and 155b also have a fitting structure similar to that of the stand part except that a shield is provided so that methanol does not leak at the connection part. Or it has the structure similar to FIG. 2B, for example, and has a structure which itself expands / contracts according to the expansion / contraction of the stand part. In addition, by providing a shield structure such as a bellows at the connection portion 147 of the stand, the cavity of the stand itself can be used as a passage for supplying fuel.

  Next, a fuel cell-mounted FDP device according to a second modification of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The structure shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B is different from the structure shown in FIG. 7 in that the stand can be extended and contracted as described above. FIG. 9A is a front view, and FIG. 9B is a side view showing a configuration in which only the fuel cell is taken out. As shown in FIG. 9B, in the fuel cell 170, the fuel cell main body 175 and the fuel tank 171 are integrated, and these fuel cells 170 can be detached from the FDP device G. Yes. That is, the fuel cell main body 175 can be partially or wholly inserted into the housing portion 165a formed on the cradle 165 from the back side of the apparatus. In the inserted state, power is supplied from the fuel cell 170 to the FDP device G. A second power source (not shown) is preferably provided.

  According to the fuel cell-mounted FDP device according to the present embodiment, the fuel cell 170 can be detached from the main body, and maintenance such as replacement and replenishment of fuel can be easily performed. Further, when the fuel cell 170 is removed from the main body, the program can be continuously viewed by automatically supplying power from a second power source provided separately.

  Next, a fuel cell-mounted electronic device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The electronic device shown in FIG. 10 is, for example, a notebook personal computer (PC). As shown in FIG. 10, the fuel cell-equipped PC (H) according to the present embodiment includes a notebook PC main body 175 and a lid portion that has a liquid crystal display portion 173 and is rotatably attached to the main body portion 175. 171. The notebook PC main body 175 has a fuel cell main body 187, while the lid 171 is provided with a fuel tank 181. A flexible fuel pipe 185 is provided between the lid 171 and the fuel cell main body 187. When the notebook PC is used, the display unit 173 can be seen by rotating the lid 171 and raising it from the notebook PC main body 175. In this state, the center of gravity of the methanol fuel accumulated in the fuel tank 181 is higher than the fuel cell main body 187 (more specifically, the fuel inlet), so that the fuel is stably supplied. . When the lid is closed, the fuel supply shut valve (not shown) is closed and the fuel supply is stopped. The fuel is supplied to the fuel cell main body 187, and the PC can be operated. In general, since the PC is not used at a position where the center of gravity of the methanol fuel is lower than the center of gravity of the fuel cell main body 187, stable fuel supply is possible when the PC is used.

  Next, a fuel cell-equipped mobile terminal according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The mobile terminal shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B is, for example, a PDA or a mobile phone. Although its specific structure is well known, FIG. 11A shows a simple overview of a mobile phone, and FIG. 11B shows the arrangement of fuel cells in the mobile phone. As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the portable terminal I according to the present embodiment includes a main body 201 and an antenna 203, and the LCD 201 and an operation unit (input) are input to the main body 201. Part) 207 is provided. As shown in FIG. 11B, a fuel cell main body 211 is provided in the center of the length direction (extending direction) of the device inside the main body 201 of the mobile phone I, and from the fuel cell main body 211. A first fuel tank 215a and a second fuel tank 215b that are spaced apart from each other in at least two different directions, and fuel supply pipes 217a and 217b extending from the fuel cell main body 211 are provided. Yes.

  In the mobile phone I, regardless of the position of the mobile phone I, at least one of the fuel tanks 215a and 215b has a vertical center of gravity that is higher than that of the fuel cell main body 211. Therefore, as long as the shut valve (not shown) is not closed, there is an advantage that fuel can be supplied stably.

  As described above, in the fuel cell-mounted electronic device according to the present embodiment, the fuel can be supplied to the main body using gravity by installing the fuel container above the fuel cell main body. Therefore, even in a fuel cell that requires a high output to some extent, there is an advantage that a pump is unnecessary or a pump with a small output may be used, and the structure is simplified. Furthermore, the generation of noise due to the pump can be prevented or suppressed. In addition, by detecting the tilt of the device and stopping the fuel supply with the shut valve, even if the electronic device is tilted or receives an impact for some reason, it can be prevented from leaking fuel, ensuring safety. be able to. Furthermore, since it can be applied to any type of display device that does not maintain the positional relationship between the fuel tank and the fuel cell body, standardization in device design becomes possible.

It is a figure which shows the example of 1 structure of the fuel cell used for the fuel cell mounting FDP apparatus by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of 1 structure of the fuel cell mounting FDP apparatus by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the difference with FIG. 2A in the fuel cell mounting FDP apparatus by the 1st modification of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows one structural example of the FDP apparatus with a fuel cell by the 2nd modification of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the FDP apparatus with a fuel cell by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the FDP apparatus with a fuel cell by the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of FDP apparatus D with a fuel cell mounting by the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the FDP apparatus with a fuel cell by the modification of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the FDP apparatus with a fuel cell by the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the fuel cell mounting FDP apparatus by the 1st modification of this Embodiment. It is a fuel cell mounting FDP apparatus by the 2nd modification of this Embodiment, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the structural example by which the stand has a structure which can be expanded-contracted. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the electronic device mounted with a fuel cell by the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the portable terminal mounted with a fuel cell by the 7th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Fuel cell, 3 ... Battery main-body part, 5 ... Fuel tank, 31 ... Stand, 33 ... Stand, 35 ... Display part, 37 ... LCD display screen, 45 ... Pipe.

Claims (8)

A flat panel display device using a fuel cell as a driving source,
A table,
A stand erected on the table;
A flat panel display attached to the stand and supported by the stand through the stand;
With
The fuel cell is
A fuel cell body;
A fuel container containing liquid fuel to be supplied to the fuel cell body;
Have
The fuel container is built in the stand,
The flat panel display device , wherein the fuel cell main body is provided on the cradle below a height position of the fuel container built in the stand . The flat panel display device according to claim 1 , wherein the stand has a hollow structure, and the hollow structure serves as a fuel storage portion of the fuel container . Furthermore, it has a fuel supply pipe communicating the fuel container and the fuel cell main body,
The flat panel display device according to claim 2 , wherein the fuel supply pipe is disposed in a hollow structure below a fuel storage portion of the fuel container . The flat panel display device according to claim 1 , wherein a transparent window for confirming a remaining amount of fuel is provided in a part of the stand. The stand incorporates a battery different from the fuel container and the fuel cell,
The power supply switching unit for switching to power supply by the other battery while power supply by any one of the fuel cell and the battery different from the fuel cell is stopped. Item 2. A flat panel display device according to item 1 . An inclination detector for detecting the inclination of the flat panel display device;
A stop valve for stopping fuel supply to the fuel cell main body when detecting an inclination in the inclination detector;
The flat panel display device according to claim 1, comprising: The stand has a telescopic stand structure with variable height,
4. The flat panel display device according to claim 3 , wherein the fuel supply pipe can be expanded and contracted according to the height of the stand based on the extendable stand structure. The flat panel display device according to claim 2 , wherein the stand has a transparent portion provided at a position where the upper end of the fuel can be confirmed.

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