JP4700959B2 - Fuel container and fuel remaining amount measuring method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel container containing liquid fuel, and also relates to a fuel remaining amount measuring method for measuring the remaining amount of liquid fuel.

  In recent years, small electronic devices such as mobile phones, notebook personal computers, digital cameras, watches, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistance), and electronic notebooks have made remarkable progress and development. As power sources for electronic devices, primary batteries such as alkaline dry batteries and manganese dry batteries, or secondary batteries such as nickel-cadmium storage batteries, nickel-hydrogen storage batteries, and lithium ion batteries are used. However, when the primary battery and the secondary battery are verified from the viewpoint of energy use efficiency, it cannot be said that effective use of energy is necessarily achieved. Therefore, research and development of fuel cells that can realize high energy utilization efficiency are actively performed today for replacement of primary batteries and secondary batteries (for example, see Patent Document 1).

The fuel cell described in Patent Document 1 includes a fuel cell main body in which an electrolyte plate is sandwiched between a fuel electrode and an air electrode, a liquid fuel such as methanol and a mixture of water, and a fuel cell main body And a fuel container connected to the. A discharge port is formed in the fuel container, and the liquid mixture is supplied from the discharge port. If the fuel container becomes empty, it may be replaced with a new fuel container.
JP 2001-93551 A

  Incidentally, although it is desired to measure the remaining amount of liquid fuel in the fuel container, a sensor for detecting the liquid fuel in the fuel container is required to measure the remaining amount of liquid fuel. When the fuel cell described in Patent Document 1 is mounted on a small electronic device as described above, the electronic device and the fuel container are used in various postures and orientations, so the liquid fuel in the fuel container is the fuel. Since the liquid flows to various positions depending on the attitude of the container, the liquid fuel in the fuel container cannot be detected by the sensor, and the remaining amount of the liquid fuel in the fuel container cannot be measured.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a fuel container fuel remaining amount measuring method capable of easily measuring the remaining amount of liquid fuel. .

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1
A container body having a fuel discharge hole;
Liquid fuel filled in the internal space of the container body;
A follower that contacts at least a portion of the end of the liquid fuel;
A solid follow-up auxiliary member interposed between the follower and the liquid fuel and optically detectable;
Equipped with a,
The internal space is divided into a plurality of fuel storage spaces,
A plurality of communication holes for communicating each of the plurality of fuel storage spaces with the fuel discharge hole;
The following body and the following auxiliary member are provided for each of the plurality of fuel storage spaces,
An opening area of at least one communication hole among the plurality of communication holes is different from at least one opening area of other communication holes .

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the internal space of the container body, the position of the end of the liquid fuel moves as the liquid fuel is discharged or reduced, and the follower and the follower auxiliary member also move following it. Therefore, the remaining amount of liquid fuel can be measured by detecting the position of the follow-up auxiliary member. Further, by providing a plurality of follow-up assisting members, the remaining amount can be detected in stages, and the opening area of at least one of the plurality of communication holes is different from at least one of the other communication holes. By doing so, the speed per unit time of the liquid fuel discharged from the communication hole can be easily changed between the fuel accommodation spaces.

  Further, since the follow-up auxiliary member is located between the follower and the liquid fuel, the follower can follow the liquid fuel even when the opening area of the fuel storage space is large, and the liquid fuel can be kept sealed.

  It is preferable that at least a part of the following auxiliary member has a color different from that of the liquid fuel. Thus, since at least a part of the follow-up auxiliary member and the color of the liquid fuel are made different from each other, the position of the follow-up auxiliary member can be easily detected optically.

  The same effect can be obtained even if the plurality of communication holes have different opening areas.

In the fuel remaining amount measuring method for measuring the remaining amount of liquid fuel in the fuel container,
Said fuel container, a follower in contact with at least a portion of the end of the liquid fuel filled respectively delimited interior space into a plurality of fuel storage space of the container body having a fuel discharge hole, the said follower Each of the plurality of fuel receiving spaces communicates with the fuel discharge hole, and at least one opening area is at least the other. A plurality of communication holes configured to be different from one opening area ,
The position of the following auxiliary member is detected.

According to this fuel remaining amount measuring method, the position of the end of the liquid fuel that is not in contact with the container body moves as the liquid fuel is discharged or reduced in the internal space of the container body, and the follower and follower auxiliary member also Since it moves following, the remaining amount of liquid fuel can be measured by detecting the position of the follow-up auxiliary member. Further, by providing a plurality of follow-up assisting members, the remaining amount can be detected in stages, and the opening area of at least one of the plurality of communication holes is different from at least one of the other communication holes. By doing so, the speed per unit time of the liquid fuel discharged from the communication hole can be easily changed between the fuel accommodation spaces.

  According to the present invention, as the liquid fuel is discharged or reduced, the position of the terminal not in contact with the container body of the liquid fuel moves, and the follower and the follower auxiliary member also follow. By detecting this, the remaining amount of liquid fuel can be measured.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, although various technically preferable limitations for implementing the present invention are given to the embodiments described below, the scope of the invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.

  FIG. 1 is a four-side view of a fuel container 1 in an embodiment to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, (a) is a front view, (b) is a top view, (c) is a rear view, and (d) is a left side view. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the front, top, and right side of the disassembled fuel container 1. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along a cutting line VV shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along a cutting line VI-VI shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, the front part of the fuel container 1 is shown in an enlarged view.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the fuel container 1 is overlapped on the front surface of the container body 2 having an internal space, the front inner lid member 5 that closes the front opening of the container body 2, and the front inner lid member 5. The front outer cover member 6 and the rear cover member 8 that closes the rear opening of the container body 2 are provided.

  The container body 2 is provided in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box shape, and the front and rear of the container body 2 are open.

  A partition wall 21 parallel to the left and right side surfaces of the container body 2 is provided in the container body 2, a partition wall 22 parallel to the top surface and the bottom surface is provided in the container body 2, and circular pipe parts 23, 24 are formed in the partition wall 22. It is integrally formed. When viewed from the front, the partition wall 21 is in the middle in the left-right direction, the partition wall 22 is in the middle in the vertical direction, the partition wall 21 crosses the partition wall 22 in a cross shape, and the pipe portion 23 is on the left side of the partition wall 21. The pipe portion 24 is on the right side of the partition wall 21. The pipe part 23 and the pipe part 24 extend in the front-rear direction, and the pipe part 23 and the pipe part 24 are opened in the front-rear direction.

  The internal space of the container body 2 is divided vertically by the partition wall 21, the internal space of the container body 2 is divided horizontally by the partition wall 22, and the internal space of the container body 2 is divided into four fuel storage spaces 25 to 28 by the partition wall 21 and the partition wall 22. It is delimited. A space 29 is formed inside the pipe portion 23, and a space 30 is formed inside the space by the pipe portion 24. Therefore, the internal space of the container body 2 is divided into six spaces 25-30. Thus, the container main body 2 can be reinforced by providing the partition walls 21 and 22 in the container main body 2, and even if an external force acts on the container main body 2, the container main body 2 is not easily deformed.

  The inner diameter and outer diameter of the pipe portion 23 are uniform in the longitudinal direction, the inner diameter and outer diameter of the pipe portion 24 are also uniform in the longitudinal direction, and the inner diameter and outer diameter of the pipe portion 23 are equal to the inner diameter and outer diameter of the pipe portion 24. Equal to the diameter. Accordingly, the volume / opening area of the space 29 is equal to the volume / transverse area of the space 30, and the volumes / opening areas of the spaces 25 to 28 are all equal.

  The partition walls 21 and 22 and the pipe portions 23 and 24 are integrally formed with the left and right side surfaces, the top surface, and the bottom surface of the container body 2. The container main body 2 is highly permeable to light in the wavelength region that is received or detected by the optical sensor, or preferably transparent to visible light. Examples of the container body 2 include resin, glass, earthenware, and porcelain. However, when considering gas impermeability, cost reduction during production / assembly, ease of production, and the like, preferably Polypropylene, polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene / vinyl alcohol copolymer resin, polyacrylonitrile, nylon, cellophane, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl chloride, etc., or a mixture of two or more kinds of resins having specific characteristics Alternatively, a single layer structure including a surface of the resin or a mixture of resins coated with alumina, silica, or diamond-like carbon (DLC), or a multilayer structure having a two or more layer structure may be used. In the case of a multilayer structure, if at least one layer is made of a resin having a good gas shielding property, the remaining layers have no problem in practical use even if they have a low gas shielding property and are ordinary resins.

  Further, follow-up assisting members 75 to 78 are disposed in the fuel accommodating spaces 25 to 28, respectively. The fuel accommodating spaces 25 to 28 are partitioned into front and rear regions by the follow-up assisting members 75 to 78, respectively. It has been. The follow-up auxiliary members 75 to 78 are plate-like members having a hollow inside in order to obtain a predetermined density in accordance with the follow-up bodies 15 to 18 and are solids having no fluidity. The following auxiliary members 75 to 78 are preferably at least partially different in color from the liquid fuel 11 to be described later, particularly colored, more preferably opaque, and highly reflective to light in the visible light region. Is more preferable. Examples of the material of the follow-up auxiliary members 75 to 78 include polypropylene, ethylene / vinyl alcohol copolymer resin, polyacrylonitrile, nylon, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl chloride, and various rubbers. Can be mentioned.

  When viewed from the front, the outer peripheral shapes of the following auxiliary members 75 to 78 are similar to the opening shapes of the fuel accommodating spaces 25 to 28, respectively, and the areas of the following auxiliary members 75 to 78 are the openings of the fuel accommodating spaces 25 to 28, respectively. It is preferably 50% or more with respect to the area, more preferably 80 to 99%. The follow-up auxiliary members 75 and 77 are guided in the front-rear direction by the pipe portion 23, and the follow-up auxiliary members 76 and 78 are guided in the front-rear direction by the pipe portion 24.

  A part of the front inner lid member 5 is fitted into the front opening of the container body 2, and the rear surface of the front inner lid member 5 is brought into close contact with the partition wall 21, the partition wall 22, and the front end surfaces of the pipe portions 23 and 24. ˜30 front openings are closed by the front inner lid member 5. Cylindrical nipple portions 51 and 52 are projected on the front surface of the front inner lid member 5, and air discharge holes 53 and water discharge holes 54 are formed in the nipple portions 51 and 52, respectively. The air discharge hole 53 penetrates from the top of the nipple portion 51 to the rear surface of the front inner lid member 5, and the water discharge hole 54 penetrates from the top of the nipple portion 52 to the rear surface of the front inner lid member 5. The air discharge hole 53 is continuous with the space 29, and the water discharge hole 54 is continuous with the space 30.

  The air discharge hole 53 is fitted with a check valve 41 that prevents the flow of fluid from the container main body 2 through the air discharge hole 53 to the outside of the container main body 2, and the water discharge hole 54 has the container main body 2. 2 is fitted with a check valve 42 that prevents the flow of fluid from the inside of the container 2 through the air discharge hole 53 to the outside of the container body 2. By providing the check valves 41 and 42, even if an external force is applied to the container main body 2 when the fuel container 1 is not used, fluid does not flow out from the container main body 2 to the outside.

  Here, FIG. 7 is a front view of the state in which the front outer lid member 6 is removed. As shown in FIG. 7, a circular recess 59 is formed in the front surface of the front inner lid member 5 at the center thereof, and four communication holes 55 to 58 are formed around the recess 59. Yes. The communication holes 55 to 58 penetrate from the front surface to the rear surface of the front inner lid member 5, and the communication holes 55 to 58 communicate with the fuel storage spaces 25 to 28 on the rear side. Among the communication holes 55 to 58, the opening area of the communication hole 55 is the smallest, the opening area of the communication hole 56 is the second smallest, the opening area of the communication hole 57 is the third smallest, and the opening area of the communication hole 58 is the same. The biggest. Since these communication holes 55 to 58 are circular holes, the diameters are in the order of the communication hole 58, the communication hole 57, the communication hole 56, and the communication hole 55.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, a front outer lid member 6 is stacked in front of the front inner lid member 5, and the rear surface of the front outer lid member 6 is in close contact with the front surface of the front inner lid member 5. A cylindrical nipple portion 61 is projected from the front surface of the front outer lid member 6 at the center thereof, and a fuel discharge hole 62 is formed in the nipple portion 61. The fuel discharge hole 62 penetrates from the top of the nipple portion 61 to the rear surface of the front outer lid member 6, and the fuel discharge hole 62 communicates with the recess 59. In particular, as shown in FIG. 6, the rear opening 63 of the fuel discharge hole 62 is widened, the area of the opening 63 is larger than the opening area of the recess 59, and the communication holes 55 to 58 around the recess 59 merge. Then, it communicates with the rear opening 63 of the fuel discharge hole 62.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the fuel discharge hole 62 is fitted with a check valve 43 that blocks the flow of fluid from the rear opening 63 through the fuel discharge hole 62 to the front opening of the fuel discharge hole 62. It is. By providing the check valve 43, fluid does not flow out from the rear side opening 63 to the front side opening of the fuel discharge hole 62.

  The check valves 41 to 43 are duckbill valves formed of an elastic material in a duckbill shape, and the check valves 41 to 43 are in a state in which the duckbill-shaped tips are directed to the inside of the container body 2. Yes. The check valves 41 to 43 are made of polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene / vinyl alcohol copolymer resin, polyacrylonitrile, nylon, cellophane, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl chloride, and other natural resins. Rubber, isoprene rubber, butadiene rubber, 1,2-polybutadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, acrylic rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, polysulfide rubber, silicone rubber , Rubbers such as fluorine rubber and urethane rubber, and elastomers.

  As shown in FIG. 2, through-holes 65 and 66 are formed in the front outer lid member 6, and as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the nipple portion 51 is inserted into the through-hole 65 and the front outer lid member is inserted. 6 protrudes forward from the front surface of the nipple portion 6, and the nipple portion 52 is inserted into the through hole 66 and protrudes forward from the front surface of the front outer lid member 6.

  A part of the front of the rear lid member 8 is fitted into the rear opening of the container body 2, and the front inner surface of the rear lid member 8 is separated from the rear end surfaces of the partition wall 21, the partition wall 22, and the pipe portions 23 and 24. A cylindrical nipple portion 81 is projected from the center of the front inner surface of the rear lid member 8, and a pressure adjustment hole 82 is formed in the nipple portion 81. The pressure adjustment hole 82 penetrates from the top of the nipple portion 81 to the rear surface of the rear lid member 8. The top of the nipple portion 81 is also separated from the rear end surfaces of the partition wall 21 and the partition wall 22, and the pressure adjustment holes 82 communicate with the fuel storage spaces 25 to 28 and the space 30.

  A check valve 83 is fitted in the pressure adjustment hole 82 to prevent fluid flowing from the inside of the container body 2 through the pressure adjustment hole 82 to the outside of the container body 2. This check valve 83 may or may not be provided as required. When the check valve 83 is provided, it is preferable to use a duckbill valve in which a material having elasticity is formed in a duckbill shape, and the duckbill-shaped tip may be in a state of facing the inside of the container body 2. As the material of the check valve 83, polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene / vinyl alcohol copolymer resin, polyacrylonitrile, nylon, cellophane, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl chloride and other synthetic resins, natural rubber, Isoprene rubber, butadiene rubber, 1,2-polybutadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, acrylic rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, polysulfide rubber, silicone rubber, fluorine Examples thereof include rubbers such as rubber and urethane rubber, and elastomers.

  A cylindrical nipple portion 84 protrudes from the inner surface of the rear lid member 8 on the left side of the pressure adjustment hole 82, and an air introduction hole 85 is formed in the nipple portion 84. The air introduction hole 85 penetrates from the top of the nipple portion 84 to the rear surface of the rear lid member 8. Further, the nipple portion 84 is fitted in the rear side opening of the pipe portion 83, and the air introduction hole 85 communicates with the space 29 of the pipe portion 83.

  The rear opening of the air introduction hole 85 is expanded in a rectangular shape, and an air filter 86 is fitted into the air introduction hole 85, and the air introduction hole 85 is closed by the air filter 86.

  The liquid fuel 11 is accommodated in the fuel accommodating space 25 of the container body 2 in front of the follow-up auxiliary member 75, and the liquid, sol, or the like having low affinity for the liquid fuel 11 is disposed in the rear of the liquid fuel 11. The follower 15 made of gel is accommodated, and the fuel accommodating space 25 is closed by the follower 15. The fuel storage space 25 is divided by the follower 15 into a region in front of the follower 15 and a region in the rear of the follower 15. Since the followers 15 to 18 embed a gap between the follower auxiliary members 75 to 78 and the container main body 2, the liquid fuel 4 leaks from the gap between the follower auxiliary members 75 to 78 and the container main body 2. There is no. The follow-up assisting member 75 is at the contact portion between the liquid fuel 11 and the follower 15, the rear portion of the follow-up assisting member 75 is immersed in the liquid fuel 11, and the rear portion of the follow-up assisting member 75 is immersed in the follower 15.

  Similarly to the fuel storage space 25, the fuel storage spaces 26 to 28 contain the liquid fuels 12 to 14, the liquid fuels 12 to 14 are sealed by the followers 16 to 18, and the liquid fuels 12 to 14 and the follower 16 There are follow-up assisting members 76-78 between .about.18.

  The liquid fuels 11 to 14 are of the same type and include, for example, methanol, but other alcohols and compounds containing hydrogen elements such as gasoline may be used. Further, before the fuel container 1 is used, the accommodation amounts of the liquid fuels 11 to 14 are the same.

  Water 31 is accommodated in the pipe portion 24. A follower 32 made of liquid, sol, or gel is accommodated in the pipe portion 24 and behind the water 31, and the pipe portion 24 is closed by the follower 32. The front side of the follower 32 is filled with water 31, the water 31 and the follower 32 are in contact with each other, and the water 31 is sealed by the follower 32.

  The followers 15 to 18 maintain the interfaces with the liquid fuels 11 to 14 as the rear ends of the liquid fuels 11 to 14 are moved by discharging the liquid fuels 11 to 14 from the fuel discharge holes 62. It moves to the 11-14 side, prevents leakage and evaporation of the liquid fuels 11-14, and prevents air from entering the liquid fuels 11-14. The follower 32 moves in contact with the water 31 as the water 31 is consumed. The follower 32 prevents leakage and evaporation of the water 31 and prevents air from entering the water 31.

  The followers 15 to 18 have low affinity for the liquid fuels 11 to 14 and do not dissolve and diffuse with respect to the liquid fuels 11 to 14, and more preferably the surface energy is higher than that of the liquid fuels 11 to 14. Is low. The follower 32 has a low affinity for the water 31, does not dissolve and does not diffuse in the water 31, and preferably has a lower surface energy than the water 31.

  The followers 15 to 18 and 32 have the property of a structural viscous fluid (abnormally viscous fluid) in which the apparent stress decreases as the deviation stress (or deviation speed) increases.

As the followers 15 to 18 and 32, polyglycol, polyester, polybutene, liquid paraffin, spindle oil, other mineral oils, dimethyl silicone oil, methylphenyl silicone oil, other silicone oils, aliphatic metal soap, modified clay Silica gel, carbon black, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, other synthetic polymers, and combinations thereof can be used. Moreover, you may use what increased the viscosity by adding a solvent etc. to these as the followers 15-18,32.
As described above, the followers 15 to 18 seal the liquid fuels 11 to 14 without gaps and have an appropriate viscosity, so that the shape and position are maintained even if the fuel container 1 is shaken or tilted. Therefore, the positions of the follow-up assisting members 75 to 78 are continuously located between the followers 15 to 18 and the ends of the liquid fuels 11 to 14, respectively. Therefore, the smaller the remaining amount of the liquid fuel 11-14, the more the follow-up auxiliary members 75-78 are located on the fuel discharge hole 62 side, that is, the front outer cover member 6 side, and the more remaining amount of the liquid fuel 11-14, Since the following auxiliary members 75 to 78 are located on the rear lid member 8 side, the remaining amount of the liquid fuel 11 to 14 is measured by detecting the positions of the following auxiliary members 75 to 78 in the container body 2. be able to.

  The fuel container 1 configured as described above is attached to and used in an electronic device 91 incorporating a fuel cell or the like as shown in FIG. 8, and the fuel container 1 is provided by a fuel remaining amount measuring device provided in the electronic device 91. The remaining amount of liquid fuel is measured.

  The electronic device 91 is a portable electronic device, and particularly a notebook personal computer. The electronic device 91 includes a lower casing 92 having a built-in arithmetic processing circuit composed of a CPU, RAM, ROM, and other electronic components and having a keyboard 94, and an upper casing 93 having a liquid crystal display 95. Prepare. The lower casing 92 and the upper casing 93 are hinge-coupled, and can be folded with the upper casing 93 placed on the lower casing 92 and the liquid crystal display 95 facing the keyboard 94. .

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the bottom surface and the right side surface of the electronic device 91. As shown in FIG. 9, a mounting portion 96 for mounting the fuel container 1 is recessed from the right side surface to the bottom surface of the lower housing 92. An air introduction pipe 97, a fuel introduction pipe 98, and a water introduction pipe 99 are provided on the wall surface facing the right side of the mounting portion 96. The air introduction pipe 97, the fuel introduction pipe 98, and the water introduction pipe 99 correspond to the air discharge hole 53, the fuel discharge hole 62, and the water discharge hole 54 of the fuel container 1, respectively, with the front surface of the fuel container 1 facing left. When the fuel container 1 is mounted on the mounting portion 96 so as to slide to the left, the air introduction pipe 97, the fuel introduction pipe 98, and the water introduction pipe 99 are inserted into the air discharge hole 53, the fuel discharge hole 62, and the water discharge hole 54, respectively. The As a result, the air introduction pipe 97 is inserted into the check valve 41, the fuel introduction pipe 98 is inserted into the check valve 43, and the water introduction pipe 99 is inserted into the check valve 42. Accordingly, the liquid fuels 11 to 14 in the container body 2 are supplied to the electronic device 91 through the fuel introduction pipe 98, and the water 31 in the pipe portion 24 is supplied to the electronic device 91 through the water introduction pipe 99. . Further, external air is sucked into the pipe portion 23 through the air filter 86 and further supplied to the electronic device 91 through the air introduction pipe.

  As described above, since the fuel discharge hole 62, the air discharge hole 53, and the water discharge hole 54 are provided on the same surface, the fuel discharge hole 62, the air discharge hole 53, and the water are removed by one simple mounting operation. The fuel introduction pipe 98, the air introduction pipe 97, and the water introduction pipe 99 can be simultaneously inserted into the discharge hole 54. Therefore, the mounting operation of the fuel container 1 can be easily performed.

  A fuel remaining amount measuring device provided in the electronic device 91 will be described. The fuel remaining amount measuring apparatus includes sensors 105 to 108 each including a light projecting element and a light receiving element, and the sensors 105 to 108 are provided outside the container main body 2 separately from the container main body 2. The sensors 105 to 108 are exposed on the wall surface of the mounting portion 96 at positions corresponding to the front portions of the fuel storage spaces 25 to 28, respectively. The sensor 105 detects that the follow-up auxiliary member 75 is located on the front end side of the fuel storage space 25, and the sensor 106 detects that the follow-up auxiliary member 76 is located on the front end side of the fuel storage space 26. The sensor 107 detects that the follow-up auxiliary member 77 is located on the front end side of the fuel storage space 27, and the sensor 108 detects that the follow-up auxiliary member 78 is located on the front end side of the fuel storage space 28. Is.

  By supplying the water 31 to the electronic device 91, the water 31 in the pipe portion 24 is reduced, and accordingly, a displacement stress is generated in the follower 32, the viscosity of the follower 32 is lowered, and the water 31 is consumed. The follower 32 follows the liquid level in a state where the follower 32 is in contact with the rear end liquid surface of the water 31.

  When the liquid fuels 11 to 14 are reduced by supplying the liquid fuels 11 to 14 to the electronic device 91, the follower bodies 15 to 18 are accompanied by a shift stress and the viscosity of the follower bodies 15 to 18 is increased. As the liquid fuels 11 to 14 are consumed, the followers 15 to 18 follow the liquid level in a state where the followers 15 to 18 are in contact with the liquid level on the rear end side of the liquid fuels 11 to 14. As the liquid fuels 11 to 14 are consumed, the follow-up assisting members 75 to 78 also follow the liquid level of the liquid fuels 11 to 14 while contacting the liquid fuels 11 to 14 and the followers 15 to 18. Thus, since the following auxiliary members 75 to 78 are between the following bodies 15 to 18 and the liquid fuels 11 to 14, the following bodies 15 to 18 are liquid fuel even if the opening area of the fuel storage spaces 25 to 28 is large. Following 11 to 14, the liquid fuel 11 to 14 can be kept sealed.

  When the liquid fuels 11 to 14 and the water 31 are reduced, the volume of the space behind the followers 15 to 18 and the follower 32 is increased. However, when the check valve 83 is provided, the check valve 83 is Since the space is opened and air is supplied to the space, the space is always kept at almost atmospheric pressure. If the check valve 83 is not provided, the atmospheric pressure is maintained as it is. At this time, air supply or pressurization can be performed from the pressure adjusting hole 82.

  The liquid fuels 11 to 14 flow from the fuel storage spaces 25 to 28 to the recess 59, merge in the recess 59, and are supplied to the electronic device 91 from the fuel discharge hole 62 in a mixed state. Here, since the opening areas of the communication holes 55 to 58 are different from each other, the reduction amounts of the liquid fuels 11 to 14 per unit time are also different. That is, the order of increasing opening area is the communication hole 58, the communication hole 57, the communication hole 56, and the communication hole 55, so the liquid fuel 14 in the fuel storage space 28 and the fuel storage space 27 are in descending order of speed of decrease in the remaining amount. Liquid fuel 13, liquid fuel 12 in the fuel storage space 26, and liquid fuel 11 in the fuel storage space 25.

  Therefore, among the follow-up auxiliary members 75 to 78, the follow-up auxiliary member 78 is positioned at the front end side of the fuel storage space 28 earliest, and the follow-up auxiliary member 77 is positioned at the front end side of the fuel storage space 27 earliest. The follow-up auxiliary member 76 is located at the front end side of the fuel accommodating space 26 the third earliest, and the follow-up auxiliary member 75 is located at the latest end side of the fuel accommodating space 25.

  Accordingly, among the sensors 105 to 108, the sensor 108 detects the tracking auxiliary member 78 earliest, the sensor 107 detects the tracking auxiliary member 77 second fastest, and the sensor 106 detects the tracking auxiliary member 76 third fastest. The sensor 105 detects the follow-up auxiliary member 75 the latest. Thereby, the remaining amount of the entire liquid fuel in the fuel container 1 can be grasped. That is, when none of the sensors 105 to 108 is detected, there is sufficient liquid fuel in the fuel container 1, and if the sensor 108, sensor 107, and sensor 106 detect in this order, the entire liquid fuel is detected. It can be grasped that the remaining amount of fuel gradually decreases, and it can be grasped that there is almost no remaining amount of the entire liquid fuel when the sensor 105 detects it.

  The arithmetic processing circuit of the electronic device 91 preferably functions to detect the remaining amount of liquid fuel based on the detection signals of the sensors 105 to 108 and display the remaining amount on the liquid crystal display 95. That is, when the detection signal is not input from any of the sensors 105 to 108, the arithmetic processing circuit of the electronic device 91 displays on the liquid crystal display 95 that the liquid fuel is full and detects from the sensor 108. When the signal is input, the liquid crystal display 95 displays that the remaining amount of liquid fuel is 3/4 of the full tank. When the detection signal is input from the sensor 107, the remaining amount of liquid fuel is When the detection signal is input from the sensor 106, the liquid crystal display 95 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 95 to indicate that the remaining amount of liquid fuel is ¼ of the full tank. When a detection signal is input from 105, the liquid crystal display 95 displays that the liquid fuel has been exhausted.

When the liquid fuels 11 to 14 in the fuel container 1 are exhausted, the fuel container 1 may be removed from the electronic device 91 and a new fuel container 1 may be attached to the electronic device 91. Since the sensors 105 to 108 are provided in the electronic device 91, the remaining amount of the liquid fuel 11 to 14 in the new fuel container 1 can be measured even if the sensor is replaced with a new fuel container 1. 1 is not provided with a sensor, the fuel container 1 can be manufactured at low cost. Moreover, if the fuel container 1 which has been used is filled with the liquid fuels 11 to 14 carefully, the fuel container 1 can be reused.
As described above, as the remaining amount of the entire liquid fuel decreases, the positions of the follow-up assisting members 75 to 78 in the fuel storage spaces 25 to 28 are shifted, and these are detected by the sensors 105 to 108, respectively. Since the quantity information can be grasped in multiple stages, the operable time of the electronic device 91 and the replacement time of the fuel container 1 can be predicted in advance, so that the remaining amount of the entire liquid fuel suddenly disappears and the electronic device 91 becomes inoperable. There is nothing.

  As the fuel container 1 is used, the air filter 86 is clogged. However, since the air filter 86 is attached to the fuel container 1, the air filter 86 can be replaced together by replacing the fuel container 1. Therefore, it is not necessary to remove the air filter 86 for inspection.

  The electronic device 91 includes a power generation unit 901 as shown in FIG. The power generation unit 901 generates power using the liquid fuels 11 to 14 in the fuel container 1, and is configured as shown in FIG. 19 (a) or FIG. 19 (b). In both cases of FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B, methanol is taken as an example of the liquid fuels 11-14.

  In the case of FIG. 10A, the power generation unit 901 includes a vaporizer 902, a reformer 903, a carbon monoxide remover 904, and a fuel cell 905.

  The liquid fuels 11 to 14 and the water 31 are supplied to the power generation unit 901 and mixed by the pump. Then, the liquid mixture of the liquid fuels 11 to 14 and the water 31 is first supplied to the vaporizer 902. In the vaporizer 902, the supplied mixed liquid is heated and vaporized to become a mixture of fuel and water. The air-fuel mixture generated in the vaporizer 902 is supplied to the reformer 903.

In the reformer 903, hydrogen and carbon dioxide are generated from the air-fuel mixture supplied from the vaporizer 902. Specifically, as shown in the chemical reaction formula (1), the air-fuel mixture reacts with a catalyst to generate carbon dioxide and hydrogen.
CH ₃ OH + H ₂ O → 3H ₂ + CO ₂ (1)

In the reformer 903, methanol and steam may not be completely reformed to carbon dioxide and hydrogen. In this case, as shown in chemical reaction formula (2), methanol reacts with steam to react with carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. Is generated.
2CH ₃ OH + H ₂ O → 5H ₂ + CO + CO ₂ (2)
The air-fuel mixture generated in the reformer 903 is supplied to the carbon monoxide remover 904.

In the carbon monoxide remover 904, carbon monoxide contained in the air-fuel mixture supplied from the reformer 903 is selectively oxidized to remove carbon monoxide from the air-fuel mixture. Specifically, carbon monoxide specifically selected from the air-fuel mixture supplied from the reformer 903 and oxygen in the air sent from the air discharge hole 53 of the fuel container 1 by a pump are catalysts. Reacts to produce carbon dioxide.
2CO + O ₂ → 2CO ₂ (3)
Then, the air-fuel mixture is supplied from the carbon monoxide remover 904 to the fuel electrode of the fuel cell 905.

In the fuel electrode of the fuel cell 905, as shown in the electrochemical reaction formula (4), hydrogen gas in the mixture supplied from the carbon monoxide remover 904 is subjected to the action of the catalyst of the fuel electrode to generate hydrogen ions. Separated into electrons. Hydrogen ions are conducted to the air electrode through the solid polymer electrolyte membrane of the fuel cell 905, and electrons are taken out by the fuel electrode.
3H ₂ → 6H ⁺ + 6e ⁻ (4)

Air is sent from the air discharge hole 53 of the fuel container 1 to the air electrode of the fuel cell 905 by a pump. Then, as shown in the electrochemical reaction formula (5), oxygen in the air, hydrogen ions that have passed through the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and electrons react to generate water as a by-product.
6H ⁺ + 3 / 2O ₂ + 6e ⁻ → 3H ₂ O (5)

  As described above, electric energy is generated by the electrochemical reactions shown in the above (4) and (5) in the fuel cell 905. An air-fuel mixture such as water, carbon dioxide, and air as a generated product is discharged to the outside.

  In the case of FIG. 10B, the power generation unit 901 includes a vaporizer 906 and a fuel cell 907.

  The liquid fuels 11 to 14 and the water 31 are supplied to the power generation unit 901 and mixed by the pump. The mixed solution is vaporized in the vaporizer 906 to become a mixed gas of methanol and water vapor. The air-fuel mixture generated in the vaporizer 906 is supplied to the fuel electrode of the fuel cell 907.

In the fuel electrode of the fuel cell 907, as shown in the electrochemical reaction formula (6), the air-fuel mixture supplied from the vaporizer 906 is separated into hydrogen ions, electrons, and carbon dioxide under the action of the catalyst of the fuel electrode. . Hydrogen ions are conducted to the air electrode through the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and electrons are taken out by the fuel electrode.
CH ₃ OH + H ₂ O → CO ₂ + 6H ⁺ + 6e ⁻ (6)

Air sent from the air discharge hole 53 of the fuel container 1 by the pump is sent to the air electrode of the fuel cell 907. Then, as shown in the electrochemical reaction formula (7), oxygen in the air, hydrogen ions that have passed through the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and electrons taken out by the fuel electrode react to generate water.
6H ⁺ + 3 / 2O ₂ + 6e ⁻ → 3H ₂ O (7)

  As described above, electric energy is generated by the electrochemical reactions shown in the above (6) and (7) in the fuel cell 907. An air-fuel mixture such as water, carbon dioxide, and air as a generated product is discharged to the outside.

  The water 31 stored in the fuel container 1 is used in the initial operation of the power generation unit 901. When the water 31 in the fuel container 1 is exhausted, the water generated in the fuel cells 905 and 907 is vaporized in the vaporizer 902. 906 is sent.

  When the power generation unit 901 is provided in the electronic device 91, the fuel container 1 is detachable from the electronic device 91, and the electronic device 91 is operated by the electric energy generated by the power generation unit 901.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various improvements and design changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, in the container body 2, the liquid fuel storage space is divided into four fuel storage spaces 25 to 28, but may be divided into two, or may be divided into three, Furthermore, you may divide into five or more. Further, the volume of the fuel storage spaces 25 to 28 may be different from each other, and the remaining amount may be measured in multiple stages by shifting the position of the follow-up auxiliary members 75 to 78 as the remaining amount of the liquid fuel decreases.

  Moreover, although the opening areas of the communication holes 55 to 58 are all different, some of them may have the same opening area. That is, it is only necessary that at least one opening area of the plurality of communication holes 55 to 58 is different from the other opening areas.

Further, in the fuel accommodation spaces 25 to 28 and the communication holes 55 to 58, one communication hole communicates with one space, but a plurality of communication holes may communicate with one space. When a plurality of communication holes are in communication, the total opening area of the plurality of communication holes is taken into consideration.
The follow-up auxiliary member may be different in color or light reflectance from the liquid fuel only on the side surface so that it can be easily detected by the sensor.

4 is a four-sided view of the fuel container 1. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a fuel container 1. FIG. It is arrow sectional drawing along the cutting line III-III shown by FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV shown in FIG. 1. It is arrow sectional drawing along the cutting line VV shown by FIG. It is arrow sectional drawing along the cutting line VI-VI shown by FIG. 1 is a front view of a fuel container 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an electronic device 91. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an electronic device 91. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a power generation unit 901. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fuel container 2 Container main body 11-14 Liquid fuel 15-18 Follower body 25-28 Fuel accommodation space 55-58 Communication hole 62 Fuel discharge hole 75-78 Follow-up auxiliary member 105-108 Sensor

Claims (4)

A container body having a fuel discharge hole;
Liquid fuel filled in the internal space of the container body;
A follower that contacts at least a portion of the end of the liquid fuel;
A solid follow-up auxiliary member interposed between the follower and the liquid fuel and optically detectable;
Equipped with a,
The internal space is divided into a plurality of fuel storage spaces,
A plurality of communication holes for communicating each of the plurality of fuel storage spaces with the fuel discharge hole;
The following body and the following auxiliary member are provided for each of the plurality of fuel storage spaces,
The fuel container, wherein an opening area of at least one communication hole among the plurality of communication holes is different from at least one opening area of other communication holes .   The fuel container according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the following assisting member has a color different from that of the liquid fuel. The fuel container according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the plurality of communication holes are characterized vary both the opening area. In the fuel remaining amount measuring method for measuring the remaining amount of liquid fuel in the fuel container,
Said fuel container, a follower in contact with at least a portion of the end of the liquid fuel filled respectively delimited interior space into a plurality of fuel storage space of the container body having a fuel discharge hole, the said follower Each of the plurality of fuel receiving spaces communicates with the fuel discharge hole, and at least one opening area is at least the other. A plurality of communication holes configured to be different from one opening area ,
A fuel remaining amount measuring method, wherein the position of the following auxiliary member is detected.

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