JP5350595B2 - Fuel cell - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell having a fuel cartridge and a power generation unit.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a fuel cell is known as a power source for electronic devices such as personal computers and mobile phones. A typical example of such a fuel cell is a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) that uses hydrogen gas as a gaseous fuel. When the fuel cell is continuously operated for a long time, it is necessary to replenish the fuel cell on the way. Therefore, in the past, as a method of replenishing the fuel cell, the container containing the fuel is made a cartridge that can be removed from the fuel cell main body, and when the fuel runs out during continuous operation, the cartridge is removed from the fuel cell and another cartridge containing the fuel ( A method of replacing the fuel cartridge) is used.

By the way, there is a case where it is desired to measure the pressure in the fuel cartridge while using the fuel cell to grasp the internal atmosphere, and a sensor for measuring the amount of substance in the fuel cartridge is attached to the fuel cartridge housing. For example, a method is known in which a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure in the fuel cartridge is provided in the fuel cartridge and the remaining amount of fuel is detected from a change in the pressure in the fuel cartridge. (For example, see Patent Document 1)
Some fuel cell cartridges generate hydrogen by reacting a solid reaction substance and a liquid reaction solution inside the fuel cartridge. In such a fuel cell cartridge, in order to detect the remaining amount of the liquid reaction solution, there is a case where it is desired to detect the pressure of the solution container containing the reaction solution. It is possible to measure the pressure of the solution container.
JP 2006-99984 A

  The fuel cartridge is discarded after all the internal fuel is consumed. If the pressure sensor is provided on the fuel cartridge side, the pressure sensor is discarded together with the fuel cartridge. For this reason, the pressure sensor must be discarded together with the fuel cartridge even though the pressure sensor has not failed, and the pressure sensor cannot be effectively used.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a fuel cell in which the pressure sensor can be effectively used without discarding the pressure sensor together with the fuel cartridge.

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention includes a fuel cartridge housing for storing fuel used for power generation, and the fuel connected to the fuel cartridge housing and supplied from the fuel cartridge housing. A power generation unit that generates power, a pressure sensor that measures a pressure inside the fuel cartridge housing via a pressure introduction path capable of introducing an internal pressure of the fuel cartridge housing, and the fuel cartridge housing and the power generation unit. A first connection part that is detachably connected, and the pressure sensor is attached to the power generation part, and the first connection part is connected to the fuel cartridge when the fuel cartridge housing and the power generation part are not connected. A closing means for closing the flow path of the fuel supplied from the housing; the closing means includes a valve body provided in the flow path and a pressure connected to the valve body; The fuel cell includes a compression spring and an O-ring attached to the valve body and capable of sealing the flow path .

  In the first aspect, since the pressure sensor that has been conventionally attached to the fuel cartridge casing is attached to the power generation section, the pressure sensor is removed when the fuel cartridge casing and the power generation section are disconnected at the first connection section. The pressure sensor can be effectively used without being discarded together with the cartridge housing.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the fuel cell according to the first aspect, a solution container that contains a reaction solution, a solid reaction substance, and the reaction solution and the reaction substance are reacted. A reaction chamber for generating the fuel, a liquid supply path that has a first portion on the fuel cartridge housing side and a second portion on the power generation unit side, and sends the reaction solution from the solution container to the reaction chamber; The fuel cell is characterized in that it has a second connection part for detachably connecting the first part and the second part, and the pressure sensor measures the pressure inside the liquid feeding path. .

  In the second aspect, in the fuel cartridge housing having the solution container and the reaction chamber, the liquid feeding path connecting the solution container and the reaction chamber has a first portion belonging to the fuel cartridge housing side and a second portion belonging to the power generation unit side. Since the pressure sensor is attached to the second portion on the power generation unit side even if they are separated, the pressure sensor is not discarded together with the fuel cartridge housing, and the pressure sensor can be effectively used.

  A third aspect of the present invention is the fuel cell according to the third aspect, provided in the second portion, and from the solution container only when the pressure in the reaction chamber becomes lower than a predetermined pressure. The fuel cell further includes opening / closing means for sending the reaction solution to the reaction chamber.

  In the third aspect, since the second portion is provided with opening / closing means for sending the reaction solution from the solution container to the reaction chamber only when the pressure in the predetermined pressure reaction chamber becomes lower than the predetermined pressure. When the fuel cartridge casing and the power generation unit are separated and replaced, not only the pressure sensor but also the opening / closing means are not discarded together with the fuel cartridge casing, and the pressure sensor and the opening / closing means can be effectively used.

  According to the present invention, when discarding a used fuel cartridge casing, the pressure sensor can be effectively used without discarding the pressure sensor together with the fuel cartridge casing.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an embodiment of a fuel cell 100 according to the present invention. The fuel cell 100 includes a fuel cartridge housing 1 that contains therein fuel used for power generation, a power generation unit 2, a pressure sensor 3 attached to the power generation unit 2, and a connection unit 4.

The power generation unit 2 houses an electromotive unit 21 (see FIG. 2) that generates electricity by electrochemically reacting fuel. The 1st connection part 4 connects the fuel cartridge housing | casing 1 and the electric power generation part 2 so that attachment or detachment is possible. The fuel in the fuel cartridge housing 1 is sent to the power generation unit 1 by flowing through the connection unit 3.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the first embodiment of the fuel cell 100 according to the present invention. Hereinafter, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The fuel cartridge housing 1 has a fuel container 11 inside, and the fuel container 11 contains a fuel 111. The fuel 111 includes a gaseous fuel and a liquid fuel. Examples of the gaseous fuel include hydrogen, and examples of the liquid fuel include methanol and an aqueous methanol solution. The fuel 111 is sent to the electromotive unit 21 via the first connection unit 4 that connects the fuel container 11 and the electromotive unit 21 accommodated in the power generation unit 2.

  The electromotive unit 21 includes an anode electrode constituted by a current collector and a catalyst layer, a cathode electrode similarly constituted by a current collector and a catalyst layer, and an ion exchange membrane disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. Consists of. At the anode electrode, protons which are hydrogen cations are generated from the gaseous fuel or liquid fuel supplied from the fuel cartridge by the catalyst layer, and the generated protons move to the cathode electrode through the electrolyte membrane. Protons that have passed through the electrolyte membrane react with oxygen in the air at the catalyst layer on the cathode electrode. Electrons generated by hydrogen becoming protons at the anode electrode move from the anode current collector to the cathode current collector to obtain an electric current.

  Here, when the negative pressure fuel 111 is supplied to the electromotive unit 21, the power generation voltage is significantly reduced as compared with the case where the fuel 111 at atmospheric pressure or higher is supplied. Therefore, the fuel container 11 is preferably provided with means for preventing the internal pressure of the fuel container 11 from becoming a large negative pressure even when the internal fuel 111 is reduced to a state where the remaining amount of fuel is small.

  In the case where the fuel 111 is a gaseous fuel, as a means for preventing the internal pressure of the fuel container 11 from becoming a large negative pressure even if the fuel 111 is reduced to a state where the remaining amount of fuel is small, the fuel 111 is put into the fuel container 11 in a high pressure state. A means of filling can be mentioned. When the fuel 111 inside the fuel container 11 decreases, the fuel 111 maintains a positive pressure until the internal pressure of the fuel container 11 becomes the atmospheric pressure and the equilibrium pressure.

  Further, when the fuel 111 is a liquid fuel, the fuel container 11 is a flexible member as a means for preventing the internal pressure of the fuel container 11 from becoming a large negative pressure even when the fuel 111 is reduced to a state where the remaining amount of fuel is small. And a means that the solution container receives a predetermined pressure (specifically, atmospheric pressure). When the fuel 111 inside the fuel container 11 decreases, the fuel container 11 bends until the fuel 111 reaches an atmospheric pressure and an equilibrium pressure, the volume of the fuel container 11 decreases, and the internal pressure of the fuel container 11 is maintained at atmospheric pressure. Examples of the flexible material include polypropylene, PET, silicone rubber, butyl rubber, and isoprene rubber.

  Further, when the fuel 111 is a liquid fuel, rigidity such as SUS, acrylic or aluminum is used as a means for preventing the internal pressure of the fuel container 11 from becoming a large negative pressure even if the fuel 111 is reduced to a state where the remaining amount of fuel is small. One example is a means in which one surface of a cylindrical fuel container 11 made of a member having a piston shape is formed and the fuel container 11 receives a predetermined pressure (specifically, atmospheric pressure). When the fuel 111 inside the fuel container 11 decreases, the piston surface moves in the direction of decreasing the internal volume of the fuel container 11 until the internal pressure of the fuel container 11 reaches the atmospheric pressure and the equilibrium pressure. Maintained at atmospheric pressure.

  Further, when the fuel 111 is a liquid fuel, rigidity such as SUS, acrylic or aluminum is used as a means for preventing the internal pressure of the fuel container 11 from becoming a large negative pressure even if the fuel 111 is reduced to a state where the remaining amount of fuel is small. A means for filling the fuel container 11 made of the member having high pressure gas together with the fuel 111 can be mentioned. When the fuel 111 inside the fuel container 11 decreases, the fuel 111 maintains a positive pressure until the pressure of the gas filled together becomes an atmospheric pressure and an equilibrium pressure.

  Further, the first connection part 4 may have a closing means for closing the flow path when the fuel cartridge housing 1 and the power generation part 2 are not connected. By providing a closing means, it is possible to prevent mixing of substances from the outside and outflow of contents to the fuel cartridge casing 1 and the electromotive section 21 when the fuel cartridge casing 1 and the power generation section 2 are not connected. Can do.

  Examples of means for closing the flow path when the first connection portion 4 is not connected include means for opening the valve by a physical action when connected. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the first connection portion 4 when not connected, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the first connection portion 4 when connected. The first connection part 4 is constituted by a male side connection part 41 and a female side connection part 42. Further, the male side connection portion 41 and the female side connection portion 42 have a connection portion internal flow path 43 therein, and the connection portion internal flow path 43 has a valve element receiving portion 431. The male connection part 41 and the female connection part 42 are provided with a valve body 44, a compression spring 45, and a valve body O-ring 46, respectively. Further, the valve body 44 is provided with a valve body protrusion 441 that interferes with the valve body receiving portion 431. Further, the male side connection part 41 is provided with an insertion part 411, and the female side connection part 42 is provided with a receiving part 421 for receiving the insertion part 411. The insertion portion 411 is provided with a connection O-ring 412.

  The operation when not connected will be described with reference to FIG. The valve body 44 receives force from the compression spring 45 from the back surface, and the valve body receiving portion 431 and the valve body protruding portion 441 interfere with each other to fix the valve body 44. An O-ring 46 is attached to the valve body 44 to seal the space between the valve body receiving portion 431 and the valve body protruding portion 441 between the flow path 43 in the connecting portion. For this reason, the flow path in the connection portion is closed by the valve body 44 and the O-ring 46 when not connected.

  The operation at the time of connection will be described based on FIG. When the male side connection portion 41 and the female side connection portion 42 are connected, the insertion portion 411 is inserted into the receiving portion 421, and the connection O-ring 412 seals between the insertion portion 411 and the receiving portion 421. Further, by further deepening the connection, the valve bodies 44 of the male side connection portion 41 and the female side connection portion 42 are pressed against each other, and the respective valve bodies 44 move in a direction in which the valve body receiving portion 431 and the valve body protrusion 441 are separated. To do. When the valve body 44 moves, the O-ring 46 loses its sealing property and allows the substance to penetrate the inside of the first connection portion 4.

  On the other hand, a pressure sensor 3 is attached to the power generation unit 2. The pressure sensor 3 is connected to a part of the first connection portion 4 on the power generation unit 2 side when the fuel cartridge housing 1 is separated from the power generation unit 2 via the pressure introduction path 31. Since the first connection portion 4 receives the internal pressure of the fuel container 11, the pressure sensor 3 can detect the internal pressure of the fuel container 11.

The fuel cell 100 having the above-described structure allows the fuel cartridge 100 to detect the internal pressure of the fuel solution 11 accommodated in the fuel cartridge housing 1 without attaching a pressure sensor to the fuel cartridge housing 1. When the housing 1 is replaced and discarded, the pressure sensor 3 can be used effectively without discarding the pressure sensor 3 together.
(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the first embodiment of the fuel cell 100 according to the present invention. Hereinafter, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the member which shows the same or same action as 1st Embodiment, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The fuel cartridge housing 1 accommodates a solution container 12 and a reaction chamber 13 in place of the fuel container 11. A reaction solution 121 is accommodated in the solution container 12. A solid reaction substance 131 is accommodated in the reaction chamber 13, and a hydrogen generation reaction occurs inside the reaction chamber 13. Hydrogen generated inside the fuel cartridge housing 1 is sent to the electromotive unit 21 accommodated in the power generation unit 2 by the first connection unit 4.

  The reaction solution 121 inside the solution container 12 is sent to the reaction chamber 13 through a solution sending path 14 that connects the solution container 12 and the reaction chamber 13. The fed reaction solution 121 comes into contact with the reaction substance 131 inside the reaction chamber 13 to cause a hydrogen generation reaction. Examples of combinations of the reaction solution 121 and the reaction substance 131 include an aqueous catalyst solution (for example, malic acid aqueous solution and sodium borohydride), a hydrogen storage aqueous solution and a solid catalyst (for example, sodium borohydride aqueous solution and platinum), an aqueous solution and a metal ( For example, water and aluminum).

  The solution container 12 may be provided with means for changing the liquid volume of the reaction solution 121 as the remaining amount of the reaction solution 121 accommodated therein decreases. By providing the means for changing the liquid volume, it is possible to perform smooth liquid feeding and hydrogen generation reaction without the internal pressure of the solution container 12 being extremely low.

  As an example of means for changing the liquid volume of the reaction solution 121, the solution container 12 is made of a flexible member, and the solution container 12 receives a predetermined pressure (specifically, atmospheric pressure). be able to. When the remaining amount of the reaction solution 121 decreases, the solution container 12 bends until the reaction solution 121 reaches an atmospheric pressure and an equilibrium pressure, and the volume of the reaction solution 121 changes. Examples of the flexible material include polypropylene, PET, silicone rubber, butyl rubber, and isoprene rubber.

  Furthermore, as an example of means for changing the liquid volume of the reaction solution 121, one surface of a cylindrical solution container 12 made of a rigid member such as SUS, acrylic, or aluminum is formed into a piston shape, and the solution container 12 has a predetermined pressure. A means of receiving (specifically, atmospheric pressure) can be mentioned. When the remaining amount of the reaction solution 121 decreases, the piston surface deflects until the pressure of the reaction solution 121 reaches the atmospheric pressure and the equilibrium pressure, and the volume of the reaction solution 121 changes.

  Further, as an example of means for changing the liquid volume of the reaction solution 121, a means for filling the solution container 12 made of a rigid member such as SUS, acrylic, or aluminum with a high-pressure gas together with the reaction solution 121 can be given. . When the remaining amount of the reaction solution 121 decreases, the high-pressure gas expands and the volume of the reaction solution 121 changes until the pressure of the gas and the pressure of the reaction solution 121 reach an equilibrium pressure.

  The liquid supply path 14 is provided with a second connection portion 141 that allows a part of the liquid supply path 14 to be detachably connected to the fuel cartridge housing 1. When the fuel cartridge housing 1 is removed from the power generation unit 2, the liquid supply path 14 is located on the fuel cartridge housing 1 side and connected to the solution container 12, and the second portion on the power generation unit side. 143 and the second connection part 141.

  Similarly to the first connection portion 4, the second connection portion 141 may have a means for closing the internal flow path when the fuel cartridge housing 1 and the power generation portion 2 are not connected. By providing the closing means, it is possible to prevent mixing of substances from the outside and outflow of the contents to the solution container 12 and the reaction chamber 13 while the fuel cartridge casing 1 and the power generation unit 2 are not connected.

In the fuel cell 100 configured as described above, when the internal pressure of the solution container 12 accommodated in the fuel cartridge housing 1 can be detected, the fuel cartridge housing 1 is replaced and discarded. It is possible to effectively utilize the pressure sensor 3 without discarding the pressure sensor 3 while preventing the entry of substances from the outside into the solution container 12 and the reaction chamber 13 and the leakage of the contents to the outside. .
(Third embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a third embodiment of the fuel cell 100 according to the present invention. Hereinafter, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the member which shows the same or same action as 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the fuel cell 100 according to the third embodiment, the pressure in the reaction chamber 13 is a solution between the portion where the pressure introduction path 31 is connected in the second portion 143 of the liquid supply path 14 shown in FIG. Opening / closing means 5 for sending the reaction solution 121 from the solution container 12 to the reaction chamber 13 is provided only when the pressure falls below a predetermined pressure used for conditions for starting the supply of the reaction solution 121 from the container 12 to the reaction chamber 13.

  When the predetermined pressure is the internal pressure of the reaction solution 121, the opening / closing means 5 enables the reaction solution 121 to be fed when the pressure in the reaction chamber 13 becomes lower than the internal pressure of the solution container 12. This is a check valve 51.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the check valve 51. 6A shows the check valve 51 in the opened state, and FIG. 6B shows the check valve 51 in the closed state. The check valve 51 has a flow path 512 formed inside the liquid supply pipe 511. A through-hole is formed inside the flow channel 512, and the cross-sectional area of the flow channel decreases sequentially from the left side solution container side to the right reaction chamber side in the drawing. A check valve body 513 made of a flexible member is attached. Examples of flexible members include rubber materials such as butyl rubber and nitrile rubber, PET and silicone. On the solution container side of the check valve body 513, there is a fixing portion 514 partially embedded in the liquid feeding pipe 511. Even if the reaction solution 121 is moved by the fixing portion 514, the check valve body 513 is not flowed into the reaction solution 121 and remains in place. The arrow in the figure indicates the direction in which the reaction solution flows.

  The operation in the valve open state will be described with reference to FIG. In a situation where the internal pressure of the solution container 12 is higher than the internal pressure of the reaction chamber 13, the check valve body 513 receives pressure from the solution container side and bends toward the reaction chamber side, so that the through hole is expanded and the reaction solution 121 is in the through hole. The liquid is passed through the reaction chamber.

  The operation in the closed state will be described with reference to FIG. In a situation where the internal pressure of the solution container 12 is lower than the internal pressure of the reaction chamber 13, the reaction solution 121 tries to move from the reaction chamber side to the solution container side, but the check valve body 513 receives pressure from the reaction chamber side. As a result, the through hole is narrowed by bending toward the solution container, and the flow path 512 is closed. For this reason, in a situation where the internal pressure of the solution container 12 is higher than the internal pressure of the reaction chamber 13, the reaction solution 121 is not sent to the reaction chamber 13.

In the fuel cell 100 having the above-described configuration, the pressure sensor 3 is attached to the power generation unit 3 and the check valve 51 is attached to the second portion 43 accommodated in the power generation unit 2 of the liquid supply path 14. It is possible to detect the internal pressure of the solution container 12 while allowing a stable hydrogen generation reaction without causing the reaction solution 121 to flow backward from the reaction chamber 13 to the solution container 12, and replacing the fuel cartridge housing 1. In the case of disposal, the inside of the solution container 12 and the reaction chamber 13 is effectively prevented without discarding both the pressure sensor 3 and the check valve 51 while preventing the entry of substances from the outside and the leakage of the contents to the outside. It is possible to use.
(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a fourth embodiment of the fuel cell 100 according to the present invention. Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the member which shows the same or same action as 1st Embodiment, 2nd Embodiment, and 3rd Embodiment, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The fuel cell 100 according to the third embodiment is opened only when the internal pressure of the reaction chamber 13 falls below a predetermined pressure that is used for starting the supply of the reaction solution 121 from the solution container 12 to the reaction chamber 13. The pressure regulating valve 52 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) is provided as the opening / closing means 5. The predetermined pressure includes atmospheric pressure and spring pressure. The opening / closing means 5 and the first connecting portion 4 are connected to each other, and the opening / closing means 5 is provided with a hydrogen introduction path 53 that applies the internal pressure of the reaction chamber 13.

  FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing an example of the pressure regulating valve 52.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the pressure regulating valve 52 is made of a flexible sheet so as to block both sides of the base 521 in the thickness direction of the base 521 of the through-hole 522 formed in the base 521 and bends in the thickness direction of the base 521. A first pressure deformation portion 523a and a second pressure deformation portion 523b are provided. Further, the space of the penetrating portion 522 sandwiched between the first pressure deforming portion 523a and the second pressure deforming portion 523b is divided by a partition member 524 provided in the middle in the thickness direction of the base 521. The first pressure deformation portion 523 side is the first flow path 525a, and the second pressure deformation portion 524 side is the second flow path 525b. The first flow path 525a and the second flow path 525b each extend in the planar direction of the base 521, and the first flow path 525a and the second flow path 525b are through holes formed in the partition member 524. Communication is made via a communication path 527 consisting of 526. Further, the side of the first pressure deformation portion 523 a facing the flow path 525 is communicated with the hydrogen introduction path 53.

  In addition, the space between the first pressure deforming portion 523a and the second pressure deforming portion 523b of the penetrating portion 522 is connected to the first pressure deforming portion 523a and the second pressure deforming portion 524b and has a thickness. A valve member 528 is provided that moves in the direction. The valve member 528 connects the first pressure deforming portion 523a and the second pressure deforming portion 523b and connects the connecting portion 528a disposed through the communication path 527 and the first pressure deforming portion 523a side of the connecting portion 528a. And a valve body 528b that can open and close the communication passage 527 is provided.

  Here, the shape of the through portion 522 provided in the base 521 is not particularly limited, but a cylindrical shape is preferable in consideration of the ease of deformation and durability of the first pressure deformation portion 523a and the second pressure deformation portion 523b. In this embodiment, it is cylindrical. The shape of the through hole 526 provided in the partition member 524 is not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, the through hole 526 has a circular cross section. Further, the shapes of the connecting portion 528a and the valve body 528b of the valve member 528 are not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, the disc-like valve body 528b is integrally provided on the cylindrical rod-like connecting portion 528a.

  Further, the materials of the base 521 and the partition member 524 are not particularly limited, but it is preferable to use various plastics in consideration of ease of manufacture and cost. On the other hand, the first pressure deforming portion 523a and the second pressure deforming portion 523b are not particularly limited as long as they are deformable under pressure, do not transmit the contact fluid, and are durable materials. In consideration of ease and cost, various rubber materials and various plastic sheets can be used.

  Note that the first pressure deformation portion 523a, the second pressure deformation portion 523b, and the valve member 529 may be connected using adhesion, heat fusion, ultrasonic welding, or the like. In FIG. 8, the valve member 528 is joined to the inside of the first pressure deformation portion 523a and the second pressure deformation portion 523b. For example, the first pressure is applied to the outer edge portion of the valve body 528b. You may provide so that the deformation | transformation part 523a may be joined. In addition, since the connecting portion 528a exists in a penetrating state in the communication passage 527, the through-hole 526 and the connecting portion are considered in consideration of the channel resistance when the first channel 525a and the second channel 525b are communicated. It is necessary to design the dimensions of 528a.

  The operation of the pressure adjustment valve 52 will be described below.

  The pressure regulating valve 52 is arranged such that the first pressure deforming portion 523a receives the pressure of the reaction chamber 13 from the hydrogen introduction path 53, and receives the pressure outside the second pressure deforming portion 523b, for example, by atmospheric pressure or a spring. To do. One of the first flow path 525a and the second flow path 525b is connected to a liquid supply path 14 that communicates with the solution container 12, and the other is a fuel demand that is a liquid supply path 14 that communicates with the reaction chamber 13. Used by connecting to the channel to the side.

  In the state of use as described above, in the state where the internal pressure of the reaction chamber 13 is higher than the atmospheric pressure received by the second pressure deformation portion 523b, as shown in FIG. 8B, the first pressure deformation portion 523a. The second pressure deforming portion 523b moves upward in the drawing together with the valve member 528 so that the valve body 528b abuts against the partition member 524 and the communication path 527 is closed, and the first flow path 525a The communication with the second flow path 525b is blocked, and the feeding of the reaction solution 121 is stopped.

  On the other hand, when the internal pressure of the reaction chamber 13 is lower than the atmospheric pressure received by the second pressure deformation portion 523b, as shown in FIG. 8A, the first pressure deformation portion 523a and the second pressure deformation portion. The part 523b moves downward in the figure together with the valve member 528, the valve body 528b is separated from the partition member 524, and the communication path 527 is opened, and the first flow path 525a and the second flow path 525b Is ensured, and the reaction solution 121 is fed.

  In the fuel cell 100 configured as described above, since the pressure adjustment valve 52 is attached to the second portion 43 accommodated in the power generation unit 2 of the liquid supply path 14, the pressure of the reaction solution 121 is lower than the atmospheric pressure. It is possible to detect the internal pressure of the solution container 12 without attaching a pressure sensor to the fuel cartridge housing 1 while allowing a stable hydrogen generation reaction that is sent from the solution container 12 to the reaction chamber 13 only occasionally. . In addition, when the fuel cartridge casing 1 is replaced and discarded, the pressure sensor 3 as well as the pressure sensor 3 is prevented from leaking into the solution container 12 and the reaction chamber 13 while preventing the entry of substances from the outside and the leakage of the contents to the outside. The regulating valve 52 can also be used effectively without being discarded.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an embodiment of a fuel cell according to the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram of a first embodiment of a fuel cell according to the present invention. FIG. It is a mechanism figure for demonstrating the closing means of the 1st connection part of FIG. It is a block diagram of 2nd Embodiment of the fuel cell which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram of 3rd Embodiment of the fuel cell which concerns on this invention. FIG. 6 is a mechanism diagram for explaining the check valve of FIG. 5. It is a block diagram of 4th Embodiment of the fuel cell which concerns on this invention. It is a mechanism figure for demonstrating the non-return valve of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Fuel cartridge housing | casing, 2 ... Power generation part, 3 ... Pressure sensor, 4 ... 1st connection part, 5 ... Opening / closing means, 11 ... Fuel container, 12 ... Solution container, 13 ... Reaction chamber, 14 ... Liquid sending path, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 ... Electromotive part, 31 ... Pressure introduction path, 41 ... Male side connection part, 42 Female side connection part, 43 ... Flow path in connection part, 44 ... Valve body, 45 ... Compression spring, 46 ... O-ring, 51 ... Reverse Stop valve, 52 ... Pressure regulating valve, 53 ... Hydrogen introduction path, 100 ... Fuel cell, 111 ... Fuel, 121 ... Reaction solution, 131 ... Reaction substance, 141 ... Second connection, 142 ... First part, 143 ... 2nd part, 411 ... Insertion part, 412 ... Connection O-ring, 421 ... Receiving part, 431 ... Valve body receiving part, 441 ... Valve body protrusion part, 511 ... Liquid feeding pipe, 512 ... Channel, 513 ... Check valve Body, 514 ... fixing part, 521 ... base, 522 ... penetrating part, 523a ... first pressure deformation part, 23b ... second pressure deforming section, 524 ... partitioning member, 525a ... first flow path, 525b ... second flow path, 526 ... through hole, 527 ... communication path, 528 ... valve member, 528a ... connecting section, 528b ... Valve, arrow ... Reaction solution flow direction

Claims (2)

A fuel cartridge housing for storing fuel used for power generation;
A power generation unit that is connected to the fuel cartridge housing and generates electricity using the fuel supplied from the fuel cartridge housing;
A pressure sensor for measuring the pressure inside the fuel cartridge housing via a pressure introduction path capable of introducing the internal pressure of the fuel cartridge housing;
A first connection part for detachably connecting the fuel cartridge housing and the power generation part,
The pressure sensor is attached to the power generation unit,
The first connection portion has a closing means for closing a flow path of the fuel supplied from the fuel cartridge housing when the fuel cartridge housing and the power generation unit are not connected,
Said closure means includes a valve body provided in the flow channel, seen including a compression spring connected to the valve body, and a O-ring capable of sealing said flow path is attached to said valve body,
The fuel cartridge housing contains a solution container for containing a reaction solution and a solid reaction substance.
And a reaction chamber for generating the fuel by reacting the reaction solution and the reaction substance.
And
A first portion on the fuel cartridge housing side and a second portion on the power generation unit side;
A liquid feed path for sending the reaction solution from a container to the reaction chamber;
A second connection part for detachably connecting the first part and the second part;
The fuel cell according to claim 1 , wherein the pressure sensor measures a pressure inside the liquid supply path . An opening / closing means that is provided in the second part and that sends the reaction solution from the solution container to the reaction chamber only when the pressure in the reaction chamber becomes lower than a predetermined pressure. Item 4. The fuel cell according to Item 1 .

Images