WO2007114175A1

WO2007114175A1 - Fuel cell and electronic device equipped with the fuel cell

Info

Publication number: WO2007114175A1
Application number: PCT/JP2007/056678
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hidekazu Otomaru; Takahiro Matsunaga
Original assignee: Kyocera Corporation
Priority date: 2006-03-31
Filing date: 2007-03-28
Publication date: 2007-10-11
Also published as: JP5138583B2; JPWO2007114175A1

Abstract

There is provided a fuel cell, the size of which is reduced and in which moisture in its oxygen channel is removed. The fuel cell (1) comprises an electrolyte member (21), a base (2) that holds the electrolyte member (21), an air channel (12) that is formed by a hollow portion of the base (2) and guides oxygen to the electrolyte member (21), and a water flow passage (251) that is formed by a hollow portion of the base (2), opens on the side of the air channel (12), and allows the water generated in the electrolyte member (21) to flow in.

Description

FUEL CELL AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE HAVING THE FUEL CELL

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel cell and an electronic device including the fuel cell.

Background art

[0002] Fuel cells that generate electricity by supplying fuel and oxidizing gas to electrolyte members are known! (For example, Patent Document 1). In general, in a fuel cell, a fuel flow path for supplying fuel to an electrolyte member and an oxygen flow path for supplying oxidizing gas to the electrolyte member are formed by pipes. The oxygen channel also serves as a channel for discharging water generated by power generation in the electrolyte member. Note that the fuel cell of Patent Document 1 includes a lid and a base for sandwiching an electrolyte member, and a groove is provided on the surface of the base facing the electrolyte member to form a fuel flow path. Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-146080

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0003] When a pipe or the like forming a flow path is arranged around a base body that holds an electrolyte member, the size of the fuel cell increases. Further, when water generated in the electrolyte member adheres to the side surface of the oxygen channel, the cross-sectional area of the channel through which the oxidizing gas can pass is substantially reduced, preventing the introduction of the oxidizing gas into the electrolyte member. In particular, when the diameter of the oxygen flow path is reduced with the miniaturization of the fuel cell, the oxygen flow path may be completely blocked by the generated water, and oxygen may not be supplied to the fuel cell.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell capable of downsizing and removing moisture from an oxygen flow path.

Means for solving the problem

[0005] A fuel cell according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an electrolyte member, a base that holds the electrolyte member, and an oxygen flow path that is formed by a hollow portion of the base and guides oxygen to the electrolyte member. A water inflow passage formed by a hollow portion of the base body, opening in a side surface of the oxygen flow path, and flowing in water generated in the electrolyte member. [0006] Preferably, the water inflow channel is formed to have a diameter capable of sucking water adhering to a side surface of the oxygen channel by capillary action.

[0007] Preferably, the water inflow passage communicates with the outside of the base.

[0008] Preferably, a fuel flow path is formed by a hollow portion of the base body and through which fuel supplied to the electrolyte member flows, and the water inflow path is connected to the fuel flow path.

[0009] Preferably, a water storage section is provided in the water inflow passage.

[0010] Preferably, a water flow control element for controlling the flow of water in the water inflow path is provided.

[0011] Preferably, a concentration sensor that detects the concentration of fuel in the fuel flow path, and a control unit configured to control the operation of the water flow control element based on the concentration detected by the concentration sensor. And comprising.

[0012] Preferably, the base body is connected to the water inflow path, and is configured to be detachable from a water storage cartridge capable of storing water in the water inflow path.

[0013] Preferably, the side surface of the oxygen channel has an uneven shape.

[0014] Preferably, the concavo-convex shape is a step that intersects the flow path direction of the oxygen flow path.

[0015] Preferably, the side surface of the oxygen channel protrudes inward on the outer side of the water inflow channel.

[0016] An electronic device according to a second aspect of the present invention includes an operation unit and a display unit provided in a housing, and an operation control unit that controls display contents of the display unit based on input information from the operation unit. And the fuel cell of any one of the above, which is housed in the housing and supplies power to the operation unit, the display unit, and the operation control unit.

[0017] Preferably, supply of fuel or oxidizing gas to the electrolyte member of the fuel cell is controlled in accordance with an operating state of at least one of the display unit, the operation unit, and the operation control unit. A reaction control unit is provided.

The invention's effect

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the size of a fuel cell and to remove moisture from an oxygen channel.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the fuel cell substrate of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the fuel cell substrate of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an outline of a fuel flow path and a conductive path of the fuel cell of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a fuel flow path in the vicinity of the battery body of the fuel cell of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electric system of the fuel cell of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a modification of the fuel storage part of the fuel cell of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a mobile phone to which the fuel cell of FIG. 1 is attached and detached.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X—X in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electrical system of the mobile phone shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the principle of an electroosmotic flow control element.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement position of a fuel flow control element.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a fuel flow control element including a vibrating body.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of an electroosmotic flow control element.

FIG. 16 is a view showing a communicating member of the electroosmotic flow control element of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a view showing another example of the communicating member of the electroosmotic flow control element.

FIG. 18 is a view showing another example of the communicating member of the electroosmotic flow control element.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of electrode arrangement of an electroosmotic flow control element.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of electrode arrangement of an electroosmotic flow control element.

FIG. 21 is a view showing a flow control element array in which electroosmotic flow control elements are arranged.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a shield conductor that shields the electroosmotic flow control element.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view conceptually showing a fuel cell in which a water inflow passage is formed.

FIG. 24 is a sectional view showing a modification of the oxygen channel.

Explanation of symbols

[0020] 1 ... Fuel cell, 2 ... Substrate, 12 ... Air channel (oxygen channel), 17 ... Fuel channel, 21 ... Electrolyte member, 251, 253, 258 ... Water Inflow channel.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

1A and 1B are perspective views showing the appearance of a fuel cell 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Yes, Fig. 1A is the first surface (one main surface) of the fuel cell 1 as viewed from the SI side, and Fig. 1B is the second surface (other main surface) that is the back surface of the first surface S1. It is the figure seen from. FIGS. 1A and 1B conceptually show the fuel cell 1 and show a large opening of an air flow path 12 described later.

The fuel cell 1 includes a base body 2 formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The substrate 2 is made of, for example, a ceramic multilayer substrate. That is, the base 2 is formed in a substantially thin rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a plurality of first insulating layers 3A to 7G (hereinafter referred to as insulating layers 3A to 3G) having the same width, thickness, and shape as each other. It is sometimes referred to as “insulating layer 3”). The insulating layer 3 is, for example, alumina ceramics, and includes, for example, a glass component made of SiO, Al 2 O, MgO, ZnO, B 2 O, and alumina particles.

2 2 3 2 3

Formed. The laminated insulating layer 3 is baked in an air atmosphere of 900 ° C. to 1600 ° C., for example.

[0023] It should be noted that the number of the insulating layers 3 constituting the substrate 2 is seven, and the number of the insulating layers 3 may be set appropriately. Further, the plurality of insulating layers 3 do not have to have the same width, thickness, and shape. However, if the plurality of insulating layers 3 have the same width, thickness, and shape, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0024] On the first surface S1, a positive terminal 5P and a negative terminal 5N for supplying electric power from the fuel cell 1 to an electronic device (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "terminal 5" without distinction between the two). Is provided. The terminal 5 is made of, for example, a metal plate-like member that is placed on the first surface S1.

In addition, a recess 2a is formed in the first surface S1, and various electronic components are arranged in the recess 2a. The various electronic components are, for example, a power supply device 6, a control device 7, a capacitor 8, and a fuel flow control element power supply device 9, which will be described later.

On the second surface S2, a recess 2b for accommodating a battery main body 15 (not shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B) to be described later is formed, and the recess 2b is closed by a lid 11. A plurality of, for example, four, recesses 2b and lids 11 are arranged on the second surface S2 corresponding to the number of battery bodies 15. The lid 11 is formed of, for example, the same material as that of the insulating layer 3 and has an insulating property. Therefore, the lid 11 can also be regarded as one of the insulating layers 3 constituting the base 2. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view in the direction of arrow Π- FIG. 1A. However, FIG. 2 conceptually shows the configuration of the base 2 and shows all of a supply section 17a, a discharge section 17c, and a conductive path 18 which are not in the same section, which will be described later. 3A to 3D and FIGS. 4A to 4B are exploded perspective views of the base 2. However, FIGS. 3A to 3D and FIGS. 4A to 4B schematically show the structure of the base 2, and the fuel flow path 17 is shown larger than FIG. For this reason, the relative positions of the fuel flow path 17 and the conductive path 18 are slightly deviated from FIG. 2 and FIG. 5 described later. Further, details of the conductive path 18 are omitted.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, inside the base 2, a battery body 15 that generates power by a chemical reaction between fuel and oxygen, a fuel storage unit 16 that stores fuel to be supplied to the battery body 15, A fuel flow path 17 for guiding the fuel stored in the fuel storage section 16 to the cell main body 15 and a conductive path 18 for guiding the electric power from the battery main body 15 are provided.

[0029] The battery main body 15 is a so-called unit cell, which is arranged in the same plane and is connected to each other by a conductive path 18. However, the unit cells may be stacked, or may be arranged at different positions in both a plan view and a side view, or only one unit cell may be provided. . Moreover, you may set the number arrange | positioned suitably. If multiple unit cells are arranged at different positions in plan view, all the force sword poles of each cell can be brought closer to the atmosphere, making it easier to introduce air and reducing the thickness. It becomes. Furthermore, it is easy to connect the unit cells in series or in parallel, and a high current or a high voltage can be easily obtained.

The battery body 15 includes an electrolyte member 21, and an anode electrode 22 and a force sword electrode 23 that are disposed with the electrolyte member 21 interposed therebetween. The battery body 15 is composed of, for example, a direct methanol fuel battery, and the electrolyte member 21 is composed of an ionic conductive film. The anode electrode 22 and the force sword electrode 23 are constituted by a porous member carrying a catalyst such as platinum, and have both functions of a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer.

[0031] The battery body 15 is formed to have a thickness equivalent to that of the insulating layer 3, for example, and is fitted and inserted into a hole 101 (see also FIG. 4B) provided in the sixth insulating layer 3F. It is fixed inside the base body 2 by being sandwiched between the layer 3E and the lid 11. In other words, the opening is accommodated in the recess 2b provided on the second surface S2 of the base body 2, and the opening of the recess 2b is closed by the lid 11. [0032] Since the battery body 15 is disposed in the hole 101 of the sixth insulating layer 3F, the distance to the first surface S1 is equivalent to the thickness of the five insulating layers 3, and the second surface The distance to S2 is equivalent to the thickness of one insulating layer 3. That is, the battery body 15 is arranged closer to the second surface S2 where the distance to the second surface S2 is shorter than the distance to the first surface S1. As a result, it becomes possible to improve the degree of freedom of arrangement of the fuel flow path, and it becomes easy to take in oxygen in the atmosphere, and highly efficient power generation becomes possible.

[0033] The recess 2b that houses the battery body 15 is formed by the hole 101 of the sixth insulating layer 3F and the hole 102 (see also FIG. 4C) provided in the seventh insulating layer 3G. The lid body 11 having a diameter smaller than that of the hole portion 102 is fixed in contact with the sixth insulating layer 3F at the periphery of the hole portion 101. The lid 11 is fixed using, for example, an appropriate fixing member such as solder, grease, adhesive, or screw. The lid 11 has a thickness equivalent to that of the insulating layer 3, and the lid 11 is arranged so as not to protrude from the second surface S2. As a result, the battery body 15 has no protrusions and can be miniaturized.

However, the thickness of the battery body 15 and the thickness of the lid 11 are not limited to the same thickness as the insulating layer 3 and may be set as appropriate. The insulating layer 3 may be thinner, thicker, or a plurality of insulating layers 3 thick. In particular, the battery body 15 is thicker than the insulating layer 3 or thicker than a plurality of the insulating layers 3, and the battery body 15 is compressed with the lid 11 so that the battery body 15 has the same thickness as the insulating layer 3. Alternatively, it may be the same thickness as a plurality of insulating layers 3. As a result, the electrical connection between the electrode of the battery body 15 and the conductive path 18 can be made more reliable.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the fuel storage unit 16, the fuel flow path 17, and the conductive path 18. However, FIG. 5 shows an outline of the fuel storage section 16, the fuel flow path 17, and the conductive path 18, and details such as wiring from the conductive path 18 to the various electronic components 6 to 9 are omitted.

[0036] As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the fuel storage unit 16 includes, for example, holes 104A to 108A and holes 104B to 108B provided in the second insulating layer 3B to the sixth insulating layer 3F, respectively (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 5). See also Fig. 3B to Fig. 4B. Storage spaces 25A and 25B formed by communication of additional symbols A and B may be omitted (see also Fig. 5; additional symbols A and B) It may be omitted to distinguish the two). The hole 104 to the hole 108 are, for example, of the same size. In addition to being formed in the same shape, the second insulating layer 3B to the sixth insulating layer 3F are provided at positions facing each other, and are formed in a columnar shape (for example, a square column). The storage space 25A and the storage space 25B are partitioned by a partition wall 16a, and the partition wall 16a is provided with a hole 16b that connects the storage spaces 25A and 25B. The storage space 25 is filled with fuel such as methanol or hydrogen gas through an opening (not shown).

[0037] The fuel flow path 17 is formed by connecting grooves (hollow portions) provided in the insulating layer 3 to each other. In the present application, the groove includes one that penetrates the insulating layer 3 in the thickness direction (hole). The groove portion constituting the fuel flow path 17 is formed by cutting the insulating layer 3 before lamination.

[0038] The fuel flow path 17 communicates with the supply unit 17a for guiding the fuel in the fuel storage unit 16 to the cell body 15 (in the direction of the arrow yl) and the supply unit 17a, and is in contact with the anode electrode 22 of the cell body 15 A contact portion 17b and a discharge portion 17c communicating with the contact portion 17b and returning the fuel in contact with the battery body 15 to the fuel storage portion 16 (in the direction of the arrow y2) are provided. The fuel flow path 17 is provided with the respective parts 17a to 17c to guide the fuel from the fuel storage part 16 and to form a circulation path for returning the fuel to the fuel storage part 16! / Speak.

[0039] The fuel flow path 17 is arranged three-dimensionally. Specifically, it is as follows.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 2, the supply unit 17a communicates with the storage space 25A of the fuel storage unit 16 between the fifth insulating layer 3E and the sixth insulating layer 3F, for example. 16 extends slightly in parallel with the insulating layer 3 between the fifth insulating layer 3E and the sixth insulating layer 3F (see also the groove 110 in FIG. 4B). Next, it extends to the first surface S1 side so as to penetrate the fifth insulating layer 3E and the fourth insulating layer 3D (see also the hole 111 in FIG. 4A and the hole 112 in FIG. 3D). Thereafter, the gap extends between the fourth insulating layer 3D and the third insulating layer 3C in parallel with the insulating layer 3 (see also the groove 113 in FIG. 3C). In the middle, as shown in FIG. 5, the two battery main bodies 15 on the far side of the paper and the two battery main bodies 15 on the front side of the paper correspond to the same plane (in the same insulating layer). Branches into the back side of the paper and the front side of the paper. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 2, the flow path corresponding to the battery main body 15 on the right side of the paper branches from the flow path parallel to the insulating layer 3 in the direction perpendicular to the insulating layer 3 and reaches the battery main body 15 (see FIG. 2). See also 3D hole 114 and hole 115 in FIG. 4A). The flow path parallel to the insulating layer 3 after branching is insulated at a position corresponding to the battery body 15 on the left side of the page. It bends in a direction perpendicular to the layer 3 and reaches the battery body 15 (see also the hole 116 in FIG. 3D and the hole 117 in FIG. 4A). By branching in the direction orthogonal to the insulating layer 3 in this way, turbulent flow can be efficiently generated at the branch point in the orthogonal direction, and mixing of fuel (for example, a mixture of methanol and water) can be improved. Can be done.

[0041] The discharge unit 17c communicates with the storage space 25B of the fuel storage unit 16 between the second insulating layer 3B and the third insulating layer 3C, for example, and communicates with the second insulating layer 3B and the third insulating layer 3 from the fuel storage unit 16. It extends parallel to the insulating layer 3 between the insulating layer 3C (see also the groove 119 in FIG. 3B). In the middle of the process, as shown in FIG. 5, the two battery main bodies 15 on the back side of the paper and the two battery main bodies 15 on the front side of the paper correspond to the back side of the paper in FIG. And branch to the front side of the page. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 2, the flow force corresponding to the battery body 15 on the right side of the paper is branched from the flow path parallel to the insulating layer 3 in the direction perpendicular to the insulating layer 3, and reaches the battery body 15 (FIG. 3C). (See also hole 120 in FIG. 3, hole 121 in FIG. 3D and hole 122 in FIG. 4A). Further, the flow path parallel to the insulating layer 3 after branching is bent in a direction perpendicular to the insulating layer 3 at a position corresponding to the battery main body 15 on the left side of the paper, and reaches the battery main body 15 (the hole in FIG. 123, see also hole 124 in Figure 3D and hole 125 in Figure 4A). Note that the direction of fuel flow in the discharge part 17c is the reverse of the order of description of each part of the discharge part 17c.

[0042] A portion extending between the insulating layer 3 of the supply portion 17a (between the third insulating layer 3C and the fourth insulating layer 3D) and a portion extending parallel to the insulating layer 3 of the discharge portion 17c (second insulating layer) 3B and the third insulating layer 3C) are parallel to each other when viewed from the side (in the direction parallel to the insulating layer 3). In addition, they extend in parallel with each other at a relatively close distance in a plan view (as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the insulating layer 3). Accordingly, a part of the discharge part 17c is arranged along the supply part 17a.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, as is apparent from the arrow yl indicating the fuel flow direction in the supply portion 17a and the arrow y2 indicating the fuel flow direction in the discharge portion 17c, the supply portion of the discharge portion 17c. In the portion along 17a, the directions of the fuel flowing through the two are opposite to each other.

[0044] In the portion where the discharge portion 17c is along the supply portion 17a, the distance between the two is the same as the thickness of one insulating layer 3 in a side view, and is relatively close. In FIG. 5 and the like, in plan view, the supply unit 17a and the discharge unit 17c do not merge with each other through the portion that penetrates the insulating layer 3. The case where the discharge part 17c is arranged slightly outside the supply part 17a is illustrated as an example. However, in most cases, the discharge part 17c and the insulating layer 3 are arranged so as to coincide with each other in plan view. Only in the vicinity of the portion that penetrates the gap, the gap between the discharge portion 17c and the supply portion 17a may be made equal to the thickness of one insulating layer 3 in a plan view. Further, when a distance is provided between the discharge unit 17c and the supply unit 17a in a plan view as illustrated in FIG. 5 or the like, the distance in the plan view is approximately equal to the thickness of one insulating layer 3 or the like. It may be less than that.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 2, the discharge unit 17c has a distance from the first surface S1 that is less than the thickness of the two insulating layers 3, whereas the supply unit 17a The distance from the surface S1 is longer than the discharge part 17c by the thickness of one insulating layer 3. In addition, the supply unit 17a has a distance from the first surface S2 that is equal to or greater than the thickness of the four insulating layers 3, and is longer than the distance between the discharge unit 17c and the first surface S1. That is, the discharge part 17c is arranged closer to the surface of the base 2 than the supply part 17a. As a result, the fluid flowing through the discharge portion whose temperature has been raised by the heat generated in the battery body 15 can be brought close to the outside air, and heat can be radiated satisfactorily.

[0046] In the figure, the cross-sectional area before branching of the supply unit 17a or the discharge unit 17c and the cross-sectional area of each flow channel after branching are equally shown. The sum of the cross-sectional areas of the respective flow paths may be equivalent. This keeps the flow velocity (pressure) constant before and after branching.

[0047] The supply unit 17a branches into four corresponding to the four battery main bodies 15, and is connected to the battery main body 15, respectively. However, it may be further branched after being branched into four and connected to one battery body 15 at a plurality of locations. The same applies to the discharge part 17c. As a result, the same concentration of fuel can be supplied to each battery body 15, and the power generation of each battery body 15 can be performed efficiently without unevenness. Conversely, the supply unit 17a and the discharge unit 17c are not branched from the fuel storage unit 16 at all, and the discharge unit force after contacting one battery body 15 is changed to the supply unit connected to the other battery body 15. In other words, the flow path may be connected in series to the plurality of battery bodies 15. Thereby, the structure of each flow path becomes easy and productivity can be improved.

FIG. 6A is a top view of the contact portion 17b (viewed from a direction orthogonal to the insulating layer 3), and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view in the direction of arrows VIb-VIb in FIG. 6A. [0049] As shown in FIG. 6A, the supply section 17a and the discharge section 17c reach the battery main body 15 at positions close to the edges opposite to each other with respect to the battery main body 15, and each of the contact sections 17b. It communicates with the end. The contact portion 17b extends so that the communication position force with the supply portion 17a also meanders to the communication position with the discharge portion 17c, and spreads over the entire surface of the battery body 15.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 6B, the contact portion 17b is formed by providing a groove on the surface of the fifth insulating layer 3E on the battery body 15 side, and is in contact with the anode electrode 22 of the battery body 15. . The anode electrode 22 is formed of a porous member, and the fuel flowing through the contact portion 17b flows to the electrolyte member 21 via the anode electrode 22. In other words, the contact portion 17b is in contact with the electrolyte member 21.

[0051] Note that an air flow path 12 for guiding air (oxidizing gas) to the battery body is formed in the lid 11 (see also Fig. 1B). The air flow path 12 of the lid 11 includes a portion provided so as to penetrate the lid 11 from the first surface S1 side to the battery body 15 side, and a groove provided on the force sword pole 23 side of the lid 11 The contact portion 17b extends in a meandering manner and spreads over the entire surface of the force sword pole 23 in the same manner as the contact portion 17b.

[0052] The conductive path 18 shown in FIG. 2 is provided on the base body 2 by the same manufacturing method as that of the conventional conductive path in the ceramic multilayer substrate, for example. Specifically, a conductive paste containing a conductive material such as silver, copper, tungsten, molybdenum, or platinum is applied to the surface of the insulating layer 3 before lamination or formed in the through-hole formed in the insulating layer 3. Filling, and then laminating and baking the insulating layer 3 yields the substrate 2 provided with the conductive paths 18.

Therefore, the conductive path 18 has a portion extending in parallel to the insulating layer 3 between the insulating layer 3 and the insulating layer 3 and a portion penetrating the insulating layer 3, and is three-dimensionally inside the base 2. Are arranged. For example, the conductive path 18 is arranged to connect four battery bodies in series. Specifically:

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the conductive path 18 penetrates the negative terminal 5N force first insulating layer 3A to fifth insulating layer 3E (conductor 201 in FIG. 3A, conductor 202 in FIG. 3B, FIG. 3C conductor 203, conductor 204 in FIG. 3D, conductor 205 in FIG. 4A), and anode-side conductive film 18a facing the anode electrode 22 of the battery body 15. Actually, since the power supply device 6 is connected to the power supply device 6 provided in the recess 2a (see FIG. 1A) and extends from the power supply device 6 to the battery body 15, it is shown in FIGS. It has a more complicated shape than the conceptual diagram.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the anode-side conductive film 18a is formed on the anode electrode 22 side of the fifth insulating layer 3E and is in contact with the anode electrode 22 except for the arrangement region of the contact portion 17b. It is provided on the entire surface. On the other hand, on the side of the force sword pole 23 of the lid 11, a force sword-side conductive film 18b is formed on the entire surface in contact with the force sword pole 23 except for the arrangement region of the air flow path 12 (see also FIG. 4D). The anode side conductive film 18a and the force sword side conductive film 18b serve as a current collector.

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the conductive path 18 extending from the force sword-side conductive film 18b passes through the sixth insulating layer 3F and the fifth insulating layer 3E, and then becomes parallel to the insulating layer 3. And extends between the fifth insulating layer 3E and the fourth insulating layer 3D (see also the conductor 206 in FIG. 4B and the conductor 207 in FIG. 4A). Thereafter, it penetrates the fifth insulating layer 3E (see also the conductor 207 in FIG. 4A) and is connected to the anode-side conductive film 18a corresponding to the battery body 10 on the right side of the drawing. Thereafter, in the same manner, the conductive path 18 extends so as to connect the force sword electrode 23 and the anode electrode 22 of the adjacent battery body 15.

[0057] The conductive path 18 extending from the force sword pole 23 of the battery body 15 directly below the positive terminal 5P penetrates from the sixth insulating layer 3F to the first insulating layer 3A (conductor 208 in FIG. 4B, conductor in FIG. 4A). 209, conductor 210 in FIG. 3D, conductor 211 in FIG. 3C, conductor 212 in FIG. 3B, conductor 213 in FIG. 3A), and positive terminal 5P. Actually, it is connected to the power supply device 6 provided in the recess 2a (see FIG. 1A) in the middle and extends from the power supply device 6 to the positive terminal 5P. Therefore, the shape is more complicated than the conceptual diagram of FIGS. Do and do.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electric system of the fuel cell 1. In the figure, arrows indicated by solid lines indicate signal paths, and arrows indicated by dotted lines indicate power supply paths.

[0059] The power supply device 6, the control device 7, the capacitor 8, and the fuel flow control element power supply device 9 are housed in the recess 2a as shown in FIG. 1A. The recess 2a is formed deeper than the thickness (height) of the various electronic components 6 to 9 so that the various electronic components 6 to 9 do not protrude from the first surface S1! , Ru For example, the recess 2a is formed by providing a hole 131 (see also FIG. 3A) in the first insulating layer 3A.

[0060] In FIG. 1A, a lid or the like for covering the recess 2a is not provided, and the cost and heat dissipation are good. There are advantages such as. However, the lid may be put on the recess 2a. In this case, there are advantages such as waterproofing and dustproofing. When covering the lid 2a with the recess 2a, the recess 2a is deeper than the thickness of one of the insulating layers 3 in the same manner as the storage of the battery body 15, and the lid has the same thickness as the insulating layer 3. May be fixed in contact with the second insulating layer 3B.

As shown in FIG. 7, the power from the battery body 15 is supplied to the power supply device 6. The power supply device 6 is, for example, a DCZDC converter, and the direct current generated in the battery main body 15 is converted into an appropriate voltage by the power supply device 6, and the terminal 5, the control device 7, the capacitor 8, and the power source for the fuel flow control element Output to various electronic components such as device 9.

Capacitor 8 is for stabilizing the pressure of the electric power supplied from power supply device 6. That is, the power supplied from the battery body 15 varies depending on the state of the battery body 15, and the consumed power is also the operating state of various electronic components provided in the fuel cell 1 and the electronic device connected to the terminal 5. It varies depending on the operating state of Therefore, for example, when power consumption is large, there may be a shortage of power with respect to demand. Conversely, surplus power may be generated.

[0063] Therefore, the power supply device 6 stores power in the capacitor 8 when the power supplied from the battery main body 15 exceeds the power consumption, and when the power supplied from the battery main body 15 falls below the power consumption. Supplies the electric power stored in the capacitor 8 to various electronic components. Thereby, an electronic device can be operated stably.

Note that FIG. 1A illustrates a case where the capacitor 8 is configured by capacitor elements configured as independent components and attached to the recess 2a. However, since the insulating layer 3 functions as a dielectric, a conductive film arranged so as to sandwich the insulating layer 3 is provided between the insulating layers 3 or on the surface of the base 2, and part or all of the base 2 functions as a capacitor. Let's make it ヽ

A control device 7 shown in FIG. 7 controls the operation of various electronic components provided in the fuel cell 1, and is composed of, for example, an IC including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. Specifically, based on the fuel flow velocity detected by the flow velocity sensor 31, the operation of the fuel flow control element 32 that controls the flow of the fuel is controlled, and the fuel concentration detected by the concentration sensor 33 is controlled. Based on this, the operation of the concentration adjusting device 34 for controlling the concentration of the fuel is controlled. In addition, The control of the fuel flow is control of the flow rate and flow rate of the fuel.

[0066] The flow velocity sensor 31 includes, for example, a resistor that is in contact with the flow path and a resistance meter that measures the resistance value of the resistor (both not shown). However, measurement is performed using the fact that the resistance value changes. In this case, the resistor, the conductive path 18 connecting the resistor and the resistance meter, and the conductive path 18 connecting the resistance meter and the control device 7 are provided in the insulating layer 3 before lamination, for example. Provided in the recess 2a and the like after firing.

[0067] Note that the flow velocity sensor 31 is not limited to the above configuration, and may be configured by an appropriate sensor such as one using a Pitot tube. Like the battery body 15, a recess may be provided in a part of the base 2 so as to communicate with the fuel flow path 17, the sensor may be disposed, and the lid may be covered with the recess. Further, since the cross-sectional area of the fuel flow path 17 is constant, the measurement of the flow velocity and the measurement of the flow rate are equivalent.

[0068] When the fuel flow control element 32 is, for example, a fuel-powered ethanol aqueous solution, the fuel flow control element 32 is constituted by an electroosmotic flow type flow control element (generally sometimes referred to as an electroosmotic flow type pump). The fuel flow control element power supply device 9 and the positive electrode 36P and the negative electrode 36N to which the voltage is applied by the fuel flow control element power supply device 9 (hereinafter referred to as “electrode 36” t without distinguishing between the two) There is a

[0069] The power supply device 9 for the fuel flow control element is, for example, a DCZDC converter. The electrode 36 is provided, for example, so as to be exposed to the supply unit 17a, and the plus electrode 36P is disposed on the upstream side of the minus electrode 36N. The electrode 36 and the conductive path 18 that connects the electrode 36 and the power supply device 9 for the fuel flow control element are provided in the insulating layer 3 before lamination, for example, and the power supply device 9 for the fuel flow control element is used for firing the base 2 It is provided in the recess 2a later.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the principle of the electroosmotic flow control element. The wall surface 3w forming the fuel flow path 17 is negatively charged when in contact with the methanol aqueous solution, and the negative charge attracts the positive charge in the solution to the wall surface 3w of the fuel flow path 17 and localizes it. When a voltage is applied between the electrodes 36 by the power supply device 9 for the fuel flow control element, the positive charge moves in the direction of the negative electrode 36N, and the whole solution flows in the direction of the negative electrode 36N in order to drag the surrounding solution. To do.

[0071] The control device 7 is, for example, a voltage that is applied between the electrodes 36 by the fuel flow control element power supply device 9 so as to obtain a predetermined flow velocity based on the detection result of the flow velocity sensor 31. Control the size of. The flow rate sensor 31 may be omitted. In this case, the control device 7 controls the operation of the fuel flow control element power supply device 9 so as to apply a preset voltage, for example, or the power generation amount power of the battery body 15 detected in the power supply device 6 or the like is preset. The operation of the power supply device 9 for the fuel flow control element is controlled so as to obtain the value obtained.

[0072] The concentration sensor 33 is provided, for example, in the fuel flow path 17 and measures a pair of electrodes (not shown) covered with an insulating film and a capacitance (dielectric constant) between the pair of electrodes. The fuel concentration is specified based on the correlation between the measured capacitance, the concentration of the fuel between the electrodes, and the capacitance between the electrodes. In this case, the electrode covered with the insulating film and the conductive path 18 connecting the electrode and the measuring instrument are provided in the insulating layer 3 before lamination, for example, and the measuring instrument is provided in the recess 2a and the like after the base 2 is fired. Since the insulating layer 3 itself can be an insulator that insulates the electrode from the fuel cover, for example, the electrode is placed on each of the third insulating layer 3C and the fourth insulating layer 3D (see FIG. 2) sandwiching the supply unit 17a. A capacitor for concentration measurement may be configured by embedding. Further, the concentration sensor 33 is not limited to the one that measures the electrostatic capacity, and may be constituted by an appropriate one such as one that measures the boiling point of the fuel.

[0073] The concentration adjusting device 34 is configured by a gas-liquid separator, for example, when the fuel is a gas such as hydrogen gas or methanol gas. That is, the fuel is cooled and lowered to a predetermined temperature, the amount of saturated water vapor is reduced, and moisture is condensed, thereby removing excess moisture from the fuel and adjusting the fuel concentration. In this case, the gas-liquid separation chamber, the drainage path for the condensed water, and the flow path for allowing the refrigerant to pass (both not shown) are formed in the grooves provided in the insulating layer 3 with each other as in the fuel flow path 17 and the like. It can comprise by connecting. When a temperature sensor is provided in the gas-liquid separator, for example, a sensor that detects the temperature by changing the resistance value of the resistor is used, and the substrate 2 is provided in the same manner as the flow rate sensor provided with the resistor. Can be provided.

Based on the detection result of the concentration sensor 33, the control device 7 controls the operation of the concentration adjusting device 34 so that the temperature of the gas-liquid separation chamber becomes a temperature corresponding to the target concentration. The concentration sensor 33 may be omitted. In this case, the control device 7 adjusts the temperature of the gas-liquid separation chamber, for example, to a preset temperature, or generates the battery main body 15 detected by the power supply device 6 or the like. The operation of the concentration adjusting device 34 is controlled so that the electric energy becomes a preset value.

8A to 8C show modified examples of the fuel storage unit, FIG. 8A is a perspective view, FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view in the direction of the arrow Vlllb-Vlllb in FIG. 8A, and FIG. 8C is FIG. FIG.

[0076] The fuel storage unit 1 is configured so that the cartridge 71 for fuel supply can be removed.

Specifically, it is as follows.

The storage space 2 of the fuel storage unit 1 is formed by connecting notches provided in the second insulating layer to the sixth insulating layer. The cutout portion is formed in, for example, a rectangular shape, and the storage space 25 ′ is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

The cartridge 71 is formed in a shape that fits into the storage space 25 ′, and has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The cartridge 71 may be formed by laminating ceramics as in the case of the base ^, or may be formed of metal resin or the like. The internal space 71s of the cartridge 71 is filled with fuel such as hydrogen or methanol.

[0079] When the cartridge 71 is inserted into the storage space 25 ', as shown in FIG. 8B, the pipe (connection portion) 72 provided in the fuel storage portion 16' is fitted into the opening 71a provided in the cartridge 71. Inserted. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8C, the valve 73 biased by the spring 74 to close the opening 71a is pushed open by the pipe 72, and the fuel flow path 1 and the internal space 71s communicate with each other. Pipe 72 is formed, for example, a metal or榭脂, the fuel supply from the cartridge 71, (only one in FIG. 8B and FIG. 8C.) 2 one but provided for reflux to the cartridge 71 ₀

[0080] The fuel storage portion 16 'of the cartridge 71 is prevented from falling off by, for example, providing a coupling portion that engages with each other in the cartridge 71 and the fuel storage portion 16', or after inserting the cartridge 71. This is done by closing the storage space 25 ^ with a lid.

The fuel cell 1 is formed separately from the water inflow path force air flow path 12 (oxygen flow path) through which water generated in the electrolyte member flows.

FIG. 23A is a sectional view conceptually showing a first example of the water inflow channel.

[0083] The water inflow passage 251 is configured by connecting a groove (hollow portion) formed in the insulating layer 3 (not shown in FIG. 23A), for example, like the fuel flow passage 17 and the air flow passage 12. . The water inflow channel 251 opens on the side surface of the air channel 12 and is formed on the surface of the base 2 (for example, the second surface S2). Open and communicate with the outside. The water inflow channel 251 is set to have a smaller diameter than the air channel 12. For example, the diameter is set such that water adhering to the side surface of the air channel 12 can be sucked by capillary action. The diameter that can be sucked by capillary action is set according to the material of the substrate 2, the surface roughness, and the like.

In the example of FIG. 23A, water generated in the battery body 15 and adhering to the side surface of the air flow path 12 flows into the water inflow path 251. Therefore, the side force of the air flow path 12 is also quickly removed. The Accordingly, the substantial cross-sectional area of the air flow path 12 is prevented from being reduced, and insufficient supply of air to the electrolyte member is prevented.

[0085] Since the water inflow channel 251 sucks water on the side surface of the air channel 12 by capillary action, water can be quickly removed from the air channel 12 without providing a pump or the like for suction.

[0086] Since the water inflow path 251 communicates with the outside of the base body, the water flowing into the water inflow path 251 is discharged to the outside of the base body, thereby permanently removing the water on the side surface of the air flow path 12. it can

FIG. 23B is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing the second example of the water inflow channel.

[0088] The water inflow path 253 is formed by a hollow portion of the base 2 in the same manner as the water inflow path 251 of the first example. The water inflow channel 253 opens to the side surface of the air channel 12 and communicates with the supply unit 71a of the fuel channel 17.

[0089] The water inflow passage 253 communicates with the suction passage 253a that opens to the side surface of the air passage 12, the water storage section 253b that communicates with the suction passage 253a, the water storage section 253b, and the fuel passage 17. And a discharge passage 253c.

[0090] The suction path 253a is smaller in diameter than the air flow path 12, for example, like the water inflow path 251 of the first example, specifically, attached to the side surface of the air flow path 12 by capillary action. It has a diameter that can suck water. The water storage unit 253b is formed to have a diameter larger than that of the suction path 253a and the discharge path 253b, and can retain and store the water sucked by the suction path 253a. The discharge path 253c is set to an appropriate diameter. For example, the discharge passage 253c is smaller than the fuel passage 17 and has a diameter.

[0091] A water flow control element 255 for controlling the flow of water is provided in the discharge path 253b.

The configuration of the water flow control element 255 may be the same as that of the fuel flow control element. For example The electroosmotic flow control element may be used. For example, you may comprise with the pump containing the piezoelectric material mentioned later.

The operation of the water flow control element 255 is controlled by the control device 7 via a drive unit 256 that supplies drive power to the water flow control element 255. The control device 7 calculates the target value of the moisture flow rate according to the difference between the detected fuel concentration and the target fuel concentration, and adjusts the moisture flow rate to the target value. Controls the operation of the water flow control element 255. In other words, the control device 7 performs feedback control on the fuel concentration while directly controlling the water flow rate.

In the example of FIG. 23B, the same effect as in the example of FIG. 23A can be obtained. That is, water on the side surface of the air flow path 12 is sucked by capillary action, and the substantial cross-sectional area of the air flow path 12 is prevented from being reduced, so that insufficient supply of air to the electrolyte member can be prevented.

[0094] Depending on the specifications of the fuel cell, it may not be preferable to discharge the fuel cell water. For example, there is a case where water discharged from the fuel cell camera may enter an electronic device driven by the fuel cell and cause malfunction or failure. However, in the example of FIG. 23B, since the water inflow channel 253 is connected to the fuel channel 17, water is not discharged to the outside of the substrate, and inconvenience due to the water being discharged is prevented.

[0095] Force that requires water for the electrolyte member to have high proton conductivity Water supplied by the water inflow channel 253 is supplied to the fuel channel 17 to replenish the water and improve power generation efficiency. Can do. In the fuel flow path that forms the circulation path, the concentration of water increases relatively because the fuel is consumed as power is generated and the concentration decreases and water may be mixed. However, the possibility of running out of water is relatively high in the fuel flow path that does not form a circulation path. Therefore, the water inflow path 253 forms a circulation path and can replenish water to the fuel flow path particularly effectively.

[0096] Since the water inflow passage 253 is provided with the water storage portion 253b, the water can be sucked from the air passage 12 even when it is not necessary to replenish the fuel with water. Even when the water content of 12 is low, the fuel channel 17 can be replenished with water. Therefore, the fuel concentration increases due to the replenishment of new fuel to the fuel flow path 17, the fuel concentration decreases due to the mixing of the generated water, etc. Even if the amount of moisture adhering to the air flow path 12 varies due to a change or humidity change, moisture can be sucked in and supplied appropriately.

[0097] Since the water flow control element 255 is provided in the water inflow passage 253, an appropriate amount of water can be supplied to the fuel flow path 17, and excessive water is supplied to the fuel flow path 17. It is possible to prevent the water being supplied or supplied from being insufficient. When power is being generated in the battery body 15, the fuel flows in the fuel flow path 17, and as indicated by Bernoulli's theorem, the water in the discharge path 253c flows due to the pressure drop caused by the fuel flow. If the battery body 15 is not generating power, the fuel may flow from the fuel flow path 17 to the water inflow path 253. However, even when power generation is stopped, the water flow control element 255 can prevent the fuel from flowing into the water inflow path 253.

[0098] Since the operation of the water flow control element 255 is controlled based on the concentration detected by the concentration sensor 33, the fuel can be maintained at an appropriate concentration. The concentration sensor 33 may be provided at an appropriate position with respect to the communication portion between the discharge passage 253c and the fuel flow passage 17. However, if the concentration sensor 33 is provided on the downstream side of the communication portion, the operation of the water flow control element 255 can be performed. As a result, the time difference from the detection of the change in the fuel concentration caused by the operation becomes small, and the control is prevented from becoming unstable due to the control delay.

[0099] In the example of FIG. 23B, the water storage unit 253b and the pump 255 may be omitted. Further, the discharge passage 253c may communicate with the discharge portion 17c of the fuel flow passage 17. In this case, for example, when the fuel flow path 17 does not constitute a circulation path, the water is simply mixed with the fuel and discharged while preventing the water from being discharged outside the base body 2. There is no risk of complicating fuel concentration adjustment.

[0100] In the example of Fig. 23B, a flow rate sensor and a flow rate sensor are provided in the discharge path 253c, and the flow rate of water is calculated based on the detection value of the concentration sensor based on the detection value of the flow rate sensor and the flow rate sensor. You may control so that it may become the target value of the flow volume of water. In this case, compared with the case where the flow rate of water is adjusted based only on the detected value of the concentration sensor, the feedback control can be performed by removing the time delay until the water is evenly mixed with the fuel. The

[0101] FIG. 23C is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing a third example of the water inflow channel. [0102] The water inflow channel 258 is formed by the hollow portion of the base 2 in the same manner as the water inflow channel 251 of the first example. The water inflow channel 258 opens to the side surface of the air channel 12 and can suck water adhering to the side surface of the air channel 12 due to capillary action.

[0103] The base 2 is formed with a cartridge storage portion 261 formed by connecting notches formed in the insulating layer 3 (not shown in FIG. 23C). A water storage cartridge 259 can be attached to and detached from the cartridge storage unit 261.

The water storage cartridge 259 has the same configuration as the fuel supply cartridge 71 described with reference to FIGS. 8A to 8C, for example. That is, when the water storage cartridge 259 is inserted into the cartridge storage section 261, the pipe 260 is fitted and inserted into the opening provided in the water storage cartridge 259, and the water storage cartridge 259 is not shown. The valve is pushed open, and the water inflow passage 258 and the internal space of the water storage cartridge 259 communicate with each other. However, the water storage cartridge 259 is inserted into the cartridge housing portion 261 in an empty state, and the water in the air flow path 12 sucked by the water inflow path 258 is guided to the water storage cartridge 259.

In the example of FIG. 23C, the same effect as in the example of FIG. 23A is obtained. That is, water on the side surface of the air flow path 12 is sucked by capillary action, and the substantial cross-sectional area of the air flow path 12 is prevented from being reduced, so that insufficient supply of air to the electrolyte member can be prevented.

[0106] Since the water sucked through the water inflow path 258 is guided to the water storage cartridge 259 that can be attached to and detached from the base body 2, similarly to the example of Fig. 23B, there is a disadvantage in discharging water to the outside of the base body 2. In addition, the water stored can be easily removed by replacing the water storage cartridge 259.

[0107] The fuel cell provided with the water inflow path is not limited to the example of FIGS. 23A to 23C, and various modifications are possible.

[0108] The examples shown in FIGS. 23A to 23C can be implemented in appropriate combinations.

[0109] For example, a water inflow passage communicating with the outside of the base body as shown in FIG. 23A is connected to a water storage section as shown in FIG. 23B or a water storage cartridge as shown in FIG. Water is discharged to the outside of the substrate through the water inflow passage that communicates with the outside of the substrate only when the head and the water storage cartridge are full, or when the user performs a discharge operation, When the water inflow passage communicating with the outside of the substrate as shown in FIG. 23A and the water flow passage communicating with the fuel flow passage as shown in FIG. 23B are connected, it is not necessary to supply water to the fuel passage. Water may be discharged outside the body. The water storage part formed in the middle of the water inflow path connected to the fuel flow path shown in FIG. 23B may be constituted by the water storage cartridge shown in FIG. 23C.

[0110] The water inflow channel is not limited to the one that sucks water adhering to the side surface of the oxygen channel due to capillary action. For example, a water flow control element may be provided in the water inflow channel, and water adhering to the side surface of the oxygen channel may be sucked by the suction force generated by the water flow control element.

FIG. 9 shows a cellular phone (portable electronic device) 501 as an electronic device to which the above-described fuel cell 1 is attached. The mobile phone 501 is configured as a so-called foldable mobile phone, and a transmitting case 502 and a receiving case 503 are rotatably connected.

[0112] The transmission case 502 is provided with an operation unit 504 for accepting an input operation to the mobile phone 501. Various push buttons such as the dial key 505 and the cursor key 506 are arranged on the operation unit 504. The receiving case 503 is provided with a display unit 507 for displaying various information. The display unit 507 is configured by a liquid crystal display, for example.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view in the direction of arrows X-X in FIG. The transmitter case 502 includes an upper cover 502a on the operation unit 504 side, a lower cover 502b on the back side (lower side of the drawing), and a lid 502c that covers the lower cover 502b. The fuel cell 1 is stored in a battery storage portion 502d formed by a lower cover 502b and a lid 502c.

[0114] The fuel cell 1 is stored in the battery storage unit 502d with the first surface S1 side facing the inner side of the transmitter case 502, and the lid 502c is covered on the second surface S2 side. . The lower cover 502b is provided with a terminal 511 at a position facing the terminal 5, and the electric power of the fuel cell 1 is supplied to the various electronic components of the mobile phone 501 by connecting the terminal 5 and the terminal 511 in contact with each other. To be supplied.

[0115] Note that a circuit board 510 on which a high-frequency circuit or the like is provided, for example, is disposed on the opposite side of the lower cover 502b from the battery storage portion 502d, that is, between the upper cover 502a and the lower cover 502b.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the electric system of mobile phone 501. In the figure, the solid line Arrows indicate signal paths, and dotted arrows indicate power paths.

The power of the fuel cell 1 is supplied to the power supply device 512 of the mobile phone 501 via the terminal 5 and the terminal 511. The power supply device 512 converts the supplied power into a predetermined voltage and supplies it to various electronic components such as the display unit 507.

The mobile phone 501 includes a control device (operation control unit) 513 for performing various controls. The control device 513 is configured by an IC including a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like, for example. The operation unit 504 outputs a signal corresponding to the depressed key to the control device 513. The control device 513 executes processing corresponding to the signal from the operation unit 504 according to a program stored in a ROM or the like. The processing executed by the control device 513 includes, for example, control of the display unit 507, and outputs various signals to the display unit 507, such as outputting image data corresponding to display contents to the display unit 507. That is, the control device 513 controls the display content of the display unit 507 based on the input information from the operation unit 504.

In addition to this, the mobile phone 501 includes, for example, a high-frequency circuit for performing wireless communication, a microphone for transmission, a speaker for reception, a speaker used for notification of incoming calls and music reproduction, a camera Equipped with electronic components such as modules.

[0120] The power consumption in the mobile phone 501 varies depending on the operating status of various electronic components such as the display unit 507. For example, the display unit 507 does not display an image while the mobile phone 501 is folded, and the power consumption is less than that when the mobile phone 501 is opened. When playing music, the power consumption of the speaker amplifier increases to increase the volume. Therefore, even if a certain amount of power is supplied from the fuel cell 1, the power supplied to the demand may be insufficient. Conversely, excessive power may be generated.

Therefore, in the mobile phone 501, the power generation by the fuel cell 1 is controlled so that the power generation amount of the fuel cell 1 is changed according to the operating status of various electronic components such as the display unit 507. For example, it is performed as follows.

The control device 513 stores power consumption in a ROM or the like for each of various operations in various electronic components such as the display unit 507. On the other hand, the control device 513 controls the operation of various electronic components, so that it can grasp whether the various electronic components perform misalignment operations. wear. Therefore, the control device 513 can calculate the required power in the mobile phone 501 by accumulating the current power consumption in various electronic components. Note that the accumulated power consumption includes a certain amount of power consumed regardless of the power-on power of the cellular phone 501 and the operation of various electronic components.

Next, the control device 513 outputs the calculated necessary power to the control device 7 of the fuel cell 1. Control signal output from the control device 513 to the control device 7 is provided in the connection portion 515 provided in the housing of the mobile phone 501 and the base 2 of the fuel cell 1 and connected to the connection portion 515. This is done via the connected part 516.

[0124] Then, the control device 7 of the fuel cell 1 controls the operation of the fuel flow control element 32 so that the flow rate (flow rate) of the fuel supplied to the battery body 15 becomes a value corresponding to the required power. . Thereby, the power generation amount of the fuel cell 1 becomes a value according to the operating status of the mobile phone 501.

[0125] According to the above embodiment, the base body 2 is formed by a laminated body formed by laminating a plurality of insulating layers 3, and the grooves provided in the different insulating layers 3 are connected to each other so that the fuel flow path 17 Thus, the fuel flow path 17 can be arranged three-dimensionally. That is, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the fuel flow path 17 can be improved. Since the force is also formed inside the base body 2, it is possible to simplify the exterior of the fuel cell 1 without having to draw a pipe around the base body 2.

[0126] Since the electrolyte member 21 is sandwiched between the insulating layers 3 constituting the base 2, the electrolyte member 21 can be disposed on the base 2 and the electrolyte member 21 can be insulated. That is, since the base 2 also serves as an insulator, there is no need to provide an insulator separately from the base of the fuel cell as in the prior art, and the fuel cell can be miniaturized.

[0127] Since the insulating layer 3 also has a ceramic material strength, the technology of the ceramic multilayer substrate, which has been studied in the past, can be used. Further, by using alumina ceramics, the substrate 2 having good heat resistance and insulation can be formed.

[0128] Since the fuel flow path 17 forms a circulation path, fuel that has not been used for power generation despite being passed through the flow path in contact with the electrolyte member is sent to the electrolyte member 21 again. This can be reused. Then, since the circulation path that enables such reuse is provided inside the base body 2 constituted by the multilayer substrate, the module of the entire fuel cell system including the fuel circulation system and the entire system are provided. Is easy to downsize. Power generation Since the reaction is likely to occur in a certain temperature range (eg 60 to 80 ° C), this temperature range is recommended for efficient power generation! /. When the fuel is supplied from the external supply unit to the flow path of the base as in the prior art, there is a temperature difference between the external supply unit and the base, and the temperature of the fuel tends to vary, resulting in a reduction in efficiency. In the present embodiment, the temperature change of the fuel can be reduced by forming the circulation path inside the substrate 2.

[0129] The storage space 25A for supplying fuel to the supply section 17a and the storage space 25B for returning fuel from the discharge section 17c are partitioned by the partition wall 16a. The fuel is prevented from being directly supplied to the supply part 17a. The shape of the partition wall 16a and the position and shape of the hole 16b that communicates the storage space 25A and the storage space 25B may be set as appropriate.

[0130] Since the fuel storage section 16 connected to the fuel flow path 17 is arranged, it is possible to generate power for a long time without adding fuel from the outside of the fuel cell 1 to the fuel flow path 17, The portability of pond 1 is improved. Since such a fuel storage unit 16 is provided inside the base body 2 formed of a multilayer substrate, it is easy to modularize the entire fuel cell system including the fuel supply system and to reduce the size of the entire system. is there.

[0131] Further, when the fuel storage unit 16 is configured so that the cartridge 71 for fuel supply can be removed, the replacement of the cartridge 71 allows for a longer period of use, and portability is further improved. Further, since the insulating recesses 3 of the cartridge 71 are formed by cutting out a part (second insulating layer 3B ′ to sixth insulating layer) of the insulating layers 3 stacked in parallel to each other, The parallel surfaces of the insulating layer 3 (the first insulating layer and the seventh insulating layer 3G ′) can be used as the sliding surfaces of the cartridge 71 as they are.

[0132] Since the portion of the fuel flow path 17 that contacts the electrolyte member 21 is branched into a plurality of paths, a plurality of flow paths can be formed in parallel to efficiently supply fuel to the electrolyte member 21. it can. When a fuel flow path is formed by drawing a pipe, an increase in the number of parts and the complexity of the exterior are caused by the branching of the flow path, that is, an increase in the flow path, but such a problem does not occur. Further, when the flow path is branched corresponding to the plurality of electrolyte members 21, fuel can be efficiently supplied to the plurality of electrolyte members, so that it is easy to increase the number of electrolyte members, and a relatively large number of units. The modularity and miniaturization of the fuel cell including the cell are facilitated. Preferably, each of the branch paths is provided with a fuel flow control element, so that a difference in the flow rates of the branch paths can be suppressed and stable fuel supply can be performed. it can.

[0133] Since the groove forming the fuel flow path 17 penetrates the insulating layer 3 in the thickness direction, the flow between one insulating layer (for example, between the third insulating layer 3C and the fourth insulating layer 3D). The path and the flow path between other insulating layers (for example, between the fifth insulating layer 3E and the sixth insulating layer 3F) can be communicated, and the three-dimensional fuel flow path 17 can be easily formed.

[0134] Since the terminal 5 for outputting electric power is provided on the surface of the base 2, and the conductive path 18 for electrically connecting the terminal 5 and the electrolyte member 21 is provided inside the base 2, This makes it possible to simplify the exterior, which eliminates the need to route the conductor around the fuel cell. Further, it is easy to modularize and downsize the output system of the fuel cell from the electrolyte member to the output terminal via the conductive path.

[0135] Since the discharge part 17c after contact with the electrolyte member 21 is arranged closer to the surface of the substrate 2 than the supply part 17a before contact with the electrolyte member 21, the fuel flowing through the discharge part 17c The surface force of the substrate 2 can be discharged efficiently. For example, by projecting the discharge portion along the surface of the substrate, the projected area on the surface of the substrate may be increased, and the heat removal property may be improved.

[0136] Further, since at least a part of the discharge part 17c is arranged along the supply part 17a, heat exchange is performed between the discharge part 17c and the supply part 17a, which is caused by a chemical reaction in the electrolyte member 21. Heat can be efficiently dispersed.

[0137] Further, since the direction of the fuel flowing through the portion arranged along the supply unit 17a of the discharge unit 17c is opposite to the direction of the fuel flowing through the supply unit 17a, the supply unit 17a and the discharge unit 17c Heat exchange between the two can be performed efficiently. This is because the fuel flowing through the discharge part 17c is more heated than the rear side (upstream side) in the front side (downstream side) where the flow direction matches the heat propagation direction, and its forward force supply part 17a. This is due to flowing relatively low temperature fuel.

[0138] Since the fuel flow control element 32 for controlling the flow of the fuel in the fuel flow path 17 is provided, the power generation amount is controlled according to various conditions such as the operating status of the electronic components inside and outside the fuel cell. I can do it. Since the fuel flow control element 32 is provided inside the base body 2 formed of a multilayer substrate, it is easy to modularize and downsize the power generation amount control system by flow control.

[0139] Since the fuel flow control element 32 is formed of the electroosmotic flow control element, the fuel flow control element 32 can be reduced in size. In addition, since the fuel can be controlled with a uniform flow compared to other flow control elements, a stable power generation amount can be obtained. Further, when the fuel flow control element 32 is provided in the multilayer substrate, the fuel flow control element 32 can be formed by using the groove formed in the insulating layer 3.

[0140] The fuel force flowing through the fuel flow path 17 is also provided with the concentration adjusting device 34 for adjusting the concentration of the fuel by removing the water, so that the fuel is prevented from being diluted by the excess water. For example, in direct methanol, in order to prevent methanol crossover, the anode side force also prevents the flow of methanol to the force sword side, so that the water generated in the electrolyte member 21 is converted into an aqueous methanol solution. There is a risk of excessive mixing, and this possibility can be eliminated.

[0141] Since the terminal 5 electrically connected to the electrolyte member 21 is provided on the first surface S1 of the base 2 and the electrolyte member 21 is disposed near the second surface S2 of the base 2 In addition, water generated in the electrolyte member 21 is prevented from entering the electronic device connected to the terminal 5 side or the electronic component inside the electronic device.

[0142] The second surface S2 of the base body 2 is provided with a recess 2b for accommodating the electrolyte member 21, and the opening of the recess 2b is blocked by the lid body 11 having the air flow path 12. In addition, the electrolyte member 21 can be disposed after the insulating layer 3 is stacked, and the modularity and miniaturization of the fuel cell are easy. Also, the electrolyte member 21 and the outside air are only separated from each other by the lid 11, and since the through-hole is provided in the lid 11, air can be efficiently guided to the electrolyte member 21, Further, the water generated by the electrolyte member 21 is efficiently discharged.

[0143] The fuel cell module is provided with the electrolyte member 21 inside the base body 2 that also has a multilayer substrate force and various electronic components such as the control device 7 driven by the power supplied by the electrolyte member 21 force. And miniaturization are facilitated.

[0144] The fuel cell 1 is modularized and miniaturized by the base 2 that also has a multilayer substrate force. Therefore, by providing the portable electronic device such as the cellular phone 501 with the fuel cell 1 having high portability, sustainability, and easy attachment / detachment, the portability and handling properties of the portable electronic device are improved.

[0145] In addition, since the mobile phone 501 controls the supply of fuel to the electrolyte member 21 of the fuel cell 1 according to the operating status of the electronic components such as the display unit 507, the mobile phone 501 generates power according to the required power. It is possible to suppress power generation and surplus power. However, since the fuel cell 1 is formed by the base body 2 having a multilayer substrate force and is modularized including the control device 7 and the like, the fuel cell bears a part or all of the control of the fuel supply. be able to.

[0146] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be implemented in various modes.

[0147] The electrolyte member includes all types such as a solid polymer type, a phosphoric acid type, an alkali type, a molten carbonate type, a solid oxide type, and the like. The oxygen gas is not limited to air as long as it contains at least oxygen.

[0148] The insulating layer that is laminated to form the substrate is not limited to one that also has a ceramic material strength.

For example, the insulating layer may be formed of heat resistant grease. It is also possible to stack insulating layers made of different materials. The ceramic material is not limited to alumina ceramics, and may be, for example, glass ceramics, zirco-ceramics or carbon carbide ceramics that do not contain an alumina component. In particular, alumina ceramics and glass ceramics are preferable because an electronic circuit can be easily formed on a substrate with good electrical characteristics. In addition, it has excellent corrosion resistance against fuels such as methanol and water, and can effectively prevent the penetration of fuel, and can effectively prevent the wiring conductor from corroding due to the penetration of fuel.

[0149] The size and shape of the groove (including the hole) provided in the insulating layer and the flow path formed by the groove may be set as appropriate. Therefore, the groove may not penetrate the insulating layer in the thickness direction, and the discharge part may not be disposed closer to the surface of the substrate than the supply part, or at least a part of the discharge part is supplied. The direction of the fluid in the discharge unit may be the same as the direction of the fluid in the supply unit. In any case, by forming the groove in the insulating layer before lamination, the force that can form the flow path at an arbitrary position inside the substrate and the effect of improving the degree of freedom in arrangement are obtained. [0150] The shape and size of the fuel storage section may be appropriately set in the same manner as the flow path. For example, in the embodiment, the fuel storage space is formed by leaving one insulating layer on the first surface S1 side and the first surface S2 side, but the storage space or the wall of the storage space is formed by the number of insulating layers. It is appropriate to form the part.

[0151] Various electronic components can be selected as the electronic components that are provided inside or on the surface of the substrate and driven by electric power supplied from the fuel cell. For example, the electronic component may be necessary for the function as a fuel cell, or may perform a function completely different from the function as a fuel cell.

[0152] Examples of the former include the control device 7, the capacitor 8, and the fuel flow control element 32 in the embodiment. In addition to what is described in the embodiment, for example, in order to prevent the fuel in the substrate and the fuel inside the substrate from becoming hot due to some cause and damage to the fuel cell, the temperature sensor is installed inside the substrate or It may be arranged at a plurality of positions on the surface, and when a temperature higher than the reference temperature is detected, processing such as stopping power generation may be executed. Thereby, a fuel cell can be used stably over a long period of time.

[0153] The latter is, for example, an amplifier built-in speaker that amplifies an external signal and converts it into an audio signal, or a volatile recording medium that holds information input via a computer or the like. . In the case where an electronic component having a function completely different from the function as a fuel cell is provided in the substrate or on the gas surface, the fuel cell of the present invention can be regarded as an electronic device including the fuel cell.

In any case, when an electronic component is provided inside the substrate and on the surface of the substrate, the substrate is formed of a multilayer substrate, so that modularity and miniaturization are easy.

[0155] The fuel flow control element and the concentration adjusting device are not indispensable requirements of the present invention. Also, the fuel flow control element and the concentration adjusting device have a supply unit, a contact unit, and a discharge unit as long as the fuel exists. It may be provided in any of the fuel storage units. The flow control elements such as the fuel flow control element and the water flow control element are not limited to the electroosmotic flow control element, and may be, for example, a check valve flow control element that feeds fluid by vibrating the diaphragm. The flow control element is not limited to one that sends out fuel or one that sends out water. For example, it may be one that sends out an oxidizing gas. 13A to 13C are diagrams showing examples of arrangement positions of the fuel flow control elements.

In FIG. 13A, the supply section 17a of the fuel flow path 17 is branched into a plurality corresponding to the plurality of battery main bodies 15, and the fuel flow control element 32-1 is provided upstream of the branch point. Yes. Note that the branching direction (downward direction in the drawing) is, for example, the thickness direction of the multilayer substrate as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 13A, a temperature sensor (temperature detection element) 79 is provided. The temperature sensor 79 includes, for example, a resistor and a resistance meter that measures the resistance value of the resistor (both not shown), and detects a change in the resistance value according to a temperature change of the resistor. By doing so, the temperature is detected. The resistor may be formed by printing a metal paste on the ceramic green sheet (insulating layer 3) before firing, or may be constituted by a general-purpose component such as a thermistor, like the conductive path 18 and the like. . An appropriate number of temperature sensors 79 (resistors) are provided at appropriate positions. For example, the temperature sensor 79 is disposed on the surface of the base body or inside the base body without touching the battery main body 15 or the fuel flow path 17, at a position in contact with the battery main body 15, at a position in contact with the fuel flow path 17. By providing such a temperature detection element, stable power generation can be performed.

[0159] The detection signal of the temperature sensor 79 is output to the control device 7 in the same manner as the flow velocity sensor 31 and the like in Fig. 7. The control device 7 controls the fuel flow control element 32-1 based on the temperature information from the temperature sensor 79. To control the operation. For example, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 79 becomes higher than a predetermined threshold, the control device 7 reduces the amount of fuel supplied or operates the fuel flow control element 32-1 so as to stop. Control. Alternatively, the control device 7 holds data that can specify the correlation among the temperature, the fuel supply amount, and the power generation amount in the battery main body 15, and refers to the data to detect the detected temperature. Then, the fuel supply amount is calculated from the current required power generation amount, and the operation of the fuel flow control element 32-1 is controlled so that the calculated fuel supply amount is obtained.

In the example of FIG. 13A, the supply unit 17a branches into a plurality of parts, so that the fuel can be efficiently supplied to the plurality of battery main bodies 15, and the fuel flow control element 32-1 is connected to the plurality of branch flows. By providing them in common with the road, the number of fuel flow control elements 32-1 can be reduced to reduce costs. [0161] Further, since the flow of the fuel is controlled based on the temperature information from the temperature sensor 79, an excessive temperature rise of the fuel cell can be prevented. In addition, since the power generation amount of the battery body 15 varies depending on the temperature, stable power generation can be achieved by controlling the fuel supply amount in accordance with the temperature change.

[0162] In Fig. 13B, the supply section 17a of the fuel flow path 17 is divided into a plurality corresponding to the plurality of battery main bodies 15, and the fuel flows to each of the plurality of branch flow paths on the downstream side of the branch point. Control element 32-2 is provided. The plurality of fuel flow control elements 32-2 may have the same configuration and capacity, or may be different from each other. The plurality of fuel flow control elements 32-2 may be controlled independently of each other, or may be controlled in common (with the same control amount). Further, the branch direction (downward direction in the drawing) is, for example, the thickness direction of the multilayer substrate as shown in FIG.

[0163] Also in FIG. 13B, an appropriate number of temperature sensors 79 (resistors) may be provided at appropriate positions. For example, the temperature sensor 79 is provided at a position where each of the plurality of battery main bodies 15 can be detected (position adjacent to the battery main body 15).

In the example of FIG. 13B, the supply unit 17a branches into a plurality of parts, so that the fuel can be efficiently supplied to the plurality of battery main bodies 15, and the fuel flow control element 32-2 is connected to the plurality of branch flows. By providing each channel, fuel can be sent to each branch channel at an appropriate flow rate. For example, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the amount of fuel that is sent to the battery body 15 that is far from the fuel flow control element. Since the arrangement positions of the battery bodies 15 are different, the amount of oxidizing gas supplied, the heat flux when radiating heat, etc. differ, and the appropriate fuel supply amount varies, but the fuel is supplied according to the arrangement position. it can. There may be cases where the appropriate fuel supply amount is different for each battery body 15 by providing battery bodies 15 with different capacities, or by supplying different power supply destinations (electronic parts) for each of the battery bodies 15. It is possible to deal with such cases. When a temperature sensor 79 is provided for each of the plurality of battery main bodies 15, and the fuel supply amount is controlled for each of the plurality of battery main bodies 15 according to the detection result of each temperature sensor 79, the temperature of each battery main body 15 is adjusted. A suitable fuel supply amount can be obtained.

[0165] In FIG. 13C, the supply section 17a of the fuel flow path 17 branches into a plurality corresponding to the battery body 15, and the fuel flow control is applied to each of the plurality of branch flow paths on the downstream side of the branch point. Elements 32-3 are provided. The plurality of branch channels are connected to, for example, a plurality of appropriate positions of the contact portion 17b of the fuel channel 17 shown in FIGS. 5, 6A, and 6B. In addition, a plurality of discharge portions 17c of the fuel flow path 17 extend from a plurality of appropriate positions of the contact portion 17b and merge. Note that the branching direction (the downward direction in the drawing) is, for example, the thickness direction of the multilayer substrate as shown in FIG.

In the example of FIG. 13C, the supply unit 17a branches into a plurality of parts, so that the fuel can be efficiently supplied to one battery body 15, and the fuel flow control element 32-3 is divided into a plurality of parts. By providing each of the branch channels, fuel can be sent to each branch channel at an appropriate flow rate.

FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B each show an example in which a vibrating body that vibrates the wall surface forming the fuel flow path 17 is provided as a fuel flow control element. The vibrating body is, for example, a piezoelectric body that expands and contracts according to the magnitude of the applied voltage.

[0168] The fuel flow control element 32-4 in Fig. 14A has a piezoelectric body 81 and a pair of electrodes 82P and 82N that apply a voltage to the piezoelectric body 81 (simply referred to as "electrode 82", and they may not be distinguished from each other) ).

[0169] The piezoelectric body 81 is, for example, a piezoelectric ceramic. Piezoelectric ceramics are formed by, for example, polarizing a sintered body such as Pb (Zr, Ti) 0. The piezoelectric body 81 is, for example, a single piece.

Three

It has a thickness equivalent to that of the insulating layer 3 and is fitted into a hole formed in one insulating layer.

[0170] The electrodes 82P and 82N are arranged so as to sandwich the piezoelectric body 81 in a direction orthogonal to the fuel flow path 17. The electrode 82N faces a portion of the fuel flow path 17 formed in parallel with the insulating layer. In other words, the piezoelectric body 81 faces the fuel flow path 17 via the electrode 82N.

[0171] The configuration of the electric system of the fuel cell including the fuel flow control element 32-4 is the same as that in FIG.

However, the electrode 82 is connected to the fuel flow control element power supply 9 ′ (voltage control unit, corresponding to the fuel flow control element power supply 9 in FIG. 7). By providing the voltage control unit in this manner, it is possible to supply fuel stably and improve the stability of power generation. The electrode 82 and the fuel flow control element power source device ^ are connected by a conductive path 18. Fuel flow control Element power supply 9 ′ applies a voltage to electrode 82. Piezoelectric body 81 is applied via electrode 82 The electrode 82N that is a part of the wall surface forming the fuel flow path 17 is vibrated according to the fluctuation of the applied voltage, and pressure is applied to the fuel in the fuel flow path 17.

[0172] The fuel flow control element 32-4 is configured as a valveless flow control element that prevents backflow to the fuel inflow side by making the fluid resistance on the fuel inflow side larger than the fluid resistance on the outflow side. Has been. For example, the inflow passage 83 connected to the region facing the piezoelectric body 81 has a smaller cross-sectional area than the outflow passage 84. For this reason, when the pressure applied to the fuel by the piezoelectric body 81 increases, turbulent flow is more easily formed in the inflow passage 83 than in the outflow passage 84, and the fluid resistance increases. As a result, the flow rate flowing back to the inflow passage 83 is smaller than the flow amount flowing to the outflow passage 84.

[0173] The fuel flow control element 32-4 is manufactured as follows, for example. First, a hole for embedding the piezoelectric body 81 is formed in the ceramic green sheet (insulating layer 3) before firing by laser processing or punching. Next, a piezoelectric ceramic (piezoelectric body 81) before firing is embedded in the hole, and a metal paste (electrode 82) is provided on both sides of the piezoelectric ceramic. Then, a plurality of ceramic green sheets having grooves (the fuel flow path 17, the inflow path 83, and the outflow path 84) are laminated and fired.

[0174] The operation of the fuel flow control element 32-4 is controlled by the control device 7 in the same manner as the fuel flow control element 32 of FIG. The fuel flow control element 32-4 is also an example of the fuel flow control elements 32-1 to 32-3 in FIGS. 13A to 13C, and is controlled based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 79. Specifically, the control device 7 applies a voltage to the electrode 82 and fluctuates the applied voltage by the fuel flow control element power supply device 9 ′. For example, the control device 7 sets the potential of the electrode 82N to the reference potential and vibrates the potential of the electrode 82P between the reference potential and a potential higher than the reference potential. As a result, the piezoelectric body 81 expands and contracts and pressure is applied to the fuel. The control device 7 changes the amplitude and frequency of the applied voltage according to the detection result of the temperature sensor 79 and the like.

The fuel flow control element 32-5 in FIG. 14B includes a piezoelectric body 81 and a pair of electrodes 82 for applying a voltage to the piezoelectric body 81, similarly to the fuel flow control element 32-4. However, the fuel flow control element 32-5 includes a plurality of combinations of the piezoelectric body 81 and the electrode 82 along the fuel flow path 17, and is configured as a traveling wave type flow control element. Ie fuel flow The dynamic control element 32-5 is configured as a no-less flow control element that prevents backflow of fuel by expanding and contracting the plurality of piezoelectric bodies 81 at different timings.

[0176] The fuel flow control element 32-4 and the fuel flow control element 32-5 in Fig. 14A also provide the same effects as the fuel flow control element 32 of the embodiment. That is, the amount of power generation can be controlled according to various conditions such as the operating status of the electronic components inside and outside the fuel cell, and the fuel flow control element 32 is provided inside the base 2 formed of the multilayer substrate. Therefore, modularity and miniaturization of the power generation control system by flow control are easy.

[0177] The flow control element including the vibrator shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B can function as a water flow control element if provided in the water inflow path instead of the fuel flow path.

[0178] The flow control elements such as the fuel flow control element including the vibrator and the water flow control element may be implemented in various modes.

[0179] The vibrating body is not limited to a piezoelectric body (piezoelectric element) as long as it can vibrate a wall surface forming a flow path such as a fuel flow path or a water inflow path. In other words, the actuator for the vibrator may be constituted by an appropriate one. For example, an electrostatic type that uses electrostatic attraction, an electromagnetic type that uses magnetic force, a thermal type that uses expansion of a member due to heating, and an SMA type that uses deformation according to temperature changes of a shape memory alloy (shape memory alloy type) The actuator of the vibrating body may be constituted by the actuator of (). The wall surface forming the flow path may be the surface of the vibrator itself.

[0180] In addition to piezoelectric ceramics, the piezoelectric body is a single crystal such as quartz, LiNbO, LiTaO, or KNbO.

3 3 3

Use a piezoelectric material of a suitable material such as a thin film such as ZnO or A1N or a piezoelectric polymer film such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)!

[0181] The piezoelectric body may have any structure such as a monomorph, a bimorph, and a laminated type. Also

The piezoelectric body may be one that vibrates the wall surface of the flow path such as the fuel flow path or the water inflow path by an expansion / contraction action, and may vibrate the wall surface by sliding deformation.

[0182] The piezoelectric body may not be as thick as one insulating layer, but may be thinner or thicker than one insulating layer. In addition, the position of the piezoelectric body does not have to be a position facing a portion extending in parallel with the insulating layer in the flow path such as the fuel flow path or the water inflow path. Further, it may be arranged so as to face an appropriate position such as a bent portion or a branched portion. [0183] The electrode sandwiches the piezoelectric body in a direction perpendicular to the flow path so long as a voltage can be applied to the piezoelectric body so as to vibrate a wall surface forming a flow path such as a fuel flow path or a water inflow path in the piezoelectric body. It is not limited to anything. For example, the electrodes may be arranged so as to sandwich the piezoelectric body in the direction along the flow path. The flow control element may not be a valveless flow control element, and a check valve may be provided.

15 to 22 show preferred examples of electroosmotic flow control elements. As shown in FIG. 12, in the electroosmotic flow control element, the positive charge in the fuel is attracted to the wall surface of the fuel flow path 17 by the negative charge charged on the wall surface of the fuel flow path 17. The fuel is caused to flow by moving the positive charge by the electrode 36. Therefore, if the contact area between the fuel and the wall surface in contact with the fuel is increased, the fuel can flow more efficiently by attracting the positive charge of the fuel to the wall surface. The following shows a specific example where the contact area between the fuel and the wall surface is increased.

[0185] The fuel flow control element 32-11 in Fig. 15 is similar to the fuel flow control element 32 shown in Fig. 7 in that a pair of electrodes 36-1Ρ, 36-IN (hereinafter simply referred to as "electrode 36-1"). They may be indistinguishable from each other), and the fuel flows by applying a voltage to the electrode 36-1. However, the fuel flow control element 32-11 may not be distinguished from the communication members 91-2 and 91-3 described later by omitting the communication member 91-1 between the electrodes 36-1 (hereinafter, “—1” is omitted). Yes.)

[0186] Fig. 16A is a perspective view of the communication member 91-1, Fig. 16B is a view (plan view) of the communication member 91-1 viewed in the flow direction of the fuel flow channel 17, and Fig. 16C is an XVIc- of Fig. 16B. It is sectional drawing of a XVIc line arrow direction.

[0187] The communicating member 91-1 is made of, for example, a porous body having a ceramic force. The porous body is capable of permeating liquid (fuel) by three-dimensionally connecting a plurality of hole portions 92 formed therein.

[0188] The porosity of the porous body is preferably 20% or more from the viewpoint of reducing fuel pressure loss and improving fuel fluidity. Also, 80% or less is good from the viewpoint of efficient localization of fuel electrification. Therefore, the porosity of the porous body is preferably 20 to 80%. More preferably, from the viewpoint of keeping the strength of the substrate high, it is 40 to 60%. is there. The porosity is obtained by calculating the average area ratio Sr of the hole 92 from images of a plurality of cut surfaces and calculating the 3Z square of the calculated average area ratio Sr. The average cross-sectional area S of the hole 92 calculated from the image of the cut surface is preferably 25 to 40,000 square micrometers, more preferably 3000 to 10,000 square micrometers.

[0189] The communicating member 91 1 is formed, for example, in a substantially cylindrical shape. As shown in FIG. 15, the height of the cylinder of the communication member 91 1 is equal to the thickness of one insulating layer 3, for example. The communication member 91-1 is held by one insulating layer 3 in a portion of the fuel flow path 17 that penetrates the insulating layer 3. That is, the fuel flow path 17 is configured by mutually connecting grooves provided in parallel to different insulating layers 3 by holes penetrating the insulating layers 3 and the like disposed therebetween, and the communication member 91-1 is , Provided in a hole (connecting portion) for connecting the grooves.

[0190] The electrodes 36-1P and 36-IN are formed in a flat plate shape, for example, and are arranged at positions where the end faces of the communication member 911 face each other on the wall surface forming the fuel flow path 17. In other words, they are arranged so as to be orthogonal to the fuel flow direction. The electrodes 36-1P and 36-1N have, for example, the same area as the cross-sectional area of the communication member 91 1.

[0191] The fuel flow control element 32-11 is manufactured, for example, as follows. First, a hole for embedding the communication member 91-1 is formed in the ceramic green sheet (insulating layer 3) before firing by laser processing or punching. Next, the hole is filled with a ceramic paste having a larger amount of rosin component than the ceramic green sheet. For example, the resin content of the ceramic paste is 2 to 10 times the resin content of the ceramic green sheet constituting the substrate 2. A ceramic green sheet provided with a metal paste (electrode 36-1) or the like is laminated on the ceramic green sheet and fired. The ceramic paste becomes a porous communication member 911, due to volatilization of the resin component. That is, the communication member 91 1 is integrally formed of the same material as the insulating layer 3. When the communication member 91-1 is formed of the same material as that of the insulating layer 3 constituting the base 2, the stress due to the difference in thermal expansion can be suppressed, and damage to the communication member 911 can be effectively suppressed. The communicating member 91-1 may be configured by embedding a porous member in a ceramic green sheet before firing.

[0192] According to the fuel flow control element 32-11, the communication member 91-1 disposed in the fuel flow path 17 is formed of a porous body, compared to the case where the communication member 911 is not disposed. In addition, since the contact area between the fuel and the wall surface in contact with the fuel increases, it is possible to promote the localization of the charge of the fuel and to efficiently flow the fuel.

[0193] Since the communication member 91-1 is formed of the same material as the base body 2, the durability of the base member 2 and the communication part material 91-1 is less likely to be displaced due to thermal expansion. To do.

[0194] Since the communication member 91 1 is disposed in a portion of the fuel flow path 17 that penetrates the insulating layer 3, a hole is provided in the insulating layer 3, and the communication member 91-1 is connected to the hole. The communication member 91-1 can be easily formed. In particular, when a material containing a resin component is placed in the insulating layer 3 before firing and fired to form a porous body, it is only necessary to fill the pores with a material containing a resin component. The member 91 1 can be easily formed.

17A to 17C show other examples of the communication member, FIG. 17A is a perspective view, FIG. 17B is a view as seen in the flow direction of the fuel flow path 17, and FIG. 17C is an XVIIc— It is sectional drawing of a XVIIc line arrow direction.

[0196] The communication member 912 shown in Figs. 17 to 17 has, for example, an outer shape that is formed in the same manner as the communication member 91-1, and is arranged at the arrangement position of the communication member 91-1 shown in Fig. 15. The The communication member 91-2 is provided with a plurality of holes 94 penetrating in the flow path direction of the fuel flow path 17. The diameter of the hole 94 is preferably 50 micrometers or less from the viewpoint of efficiently localizing the fuel electrode, and more preferably, the fluidity is improved and the strength of the substrate 2 is increased. From the standpoint of maintenance, it is 5-30 micrometers.

[0197] The communication member 91-2 is manufactured, for example, as follows. First, a hole that becomes the hole 94 is formed in a portion that becomes the communicating member 912 by punching the ceramic grain sheet (insulating layer 3) before firing by laser force punching. Then, a ceramic green sheet provided with a metal paste (electrode 36-1) or the like is laminated on the ceramic green sheet and fired. That is, the communication member 91-2 is integrally formed of the same material as the insulating layer 3. When the communication member 912 is formed of the same material as that of the insulating layer 3 constituting the base body 2 in this way, stress due to a difference in thermal expansion can be suppressed, and damage to the communication member 912 can be effectively suppressed. The communicating member 91 2 may be configured by embedding a member in which the hole 94 is formed in a ceramic green sheet before firing.

[0198] According to the communication member 91-2, the same effect as that of the communication member 91-1 can be obtained. That is, By increasing the contact area between the fuel and the wall surface in contact with the fuel, the fuel charge can be localized and the fuel can be efficiently flowed.

[0199] Since the communication member 91-2 is disposed in the portion of the fuel flow path 17 that penetrates the insulating layer 3, the hole 94 is formed directly in the insulating layer 3 to form the communication member 91-2. Easy to manufacture.

18A to 18C show other examples of the communication member, FIG. 18A is a perspective view, FIG. 18B is a view seen in the direction of the flow path of the fuel flow path 17, and FIG. 18C is an XVIIIc— It is sectional drawing of a XVIIIc line arrow direction.

[0201] The communication member 913 shown in FIGS. 18A to 18C has, for example, the same outer shape as that of the communication member 911, and is arranged at the arrangement position of the communication member 91-1 shown in FIG. The communication member 91-3 is provided with a plurality of slits 96 penetrating in the flow direction of the fuel flow path 17. The width (diameter) of the slit 96 is preferably 50 micrometers or less from the viewpoint of efficient localization of fuel electricity, and more preferably, the fluidity is improved and the strength of the substrate 2 is increased. From the viewpoint of maintaining a high degree, it is 5 to 30 micrometers. The communication member 91-3 is formed in the same manner as the communication member 912, for example.

[0202] According to the communication member 913, the same effect as that of the communication member 911 and the communication member 912 can be obtained. That is, it is possible to increase the contact area between the fuel and the wall surface in contact with the fuel, promote the localization of the fuel charge, and efficiently flow the fuel.

FIG. 19A and FIG. 19B show a modification of the arrangement of the electrodes of the electroosmotic flow control element, FIG. 19A is a sectional view, and FIG. 19B is a perspective view.

[0204] The electrodes 36-2P, 36-2N of the fuel flow control element 32-12 (hereinafter simply referred to as "electrode 36-2", which may not be distinguished from each other) may be formed in a cylindrical shape, for example. In the fuel flow path 17, the communication member 91 is disposed on the wall surface of the portion that penetrates the insulating layer 3. In other words, the electrode 36-2 is disposed along the fuel flow direction. For the electrode 36-2, for example, the hole formed in the ceramic green sheet (insulating layer 3) before firing is filled with a metal base, and the central side thereof is filled with a resin, and the ceramic green sheet is added to the other. The ceramic green sheet is laminated and fired to volatilize the resin. 20A and 20B show a modification of the arrangement of the electrodes of the electroosmotic flow control element, FIG. 20A is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 20B is a perspective view.

[0206] The electrodes 36-3P and 36-3N of the fuel flow control element 32-13 (hereinafter simply referred to as “electrode 36-3”, which may not be distinguished from each other) may be, for example, the cross-sectional shape of the communication member 91 Are formed in a flat plate shape having the same shape (for example, a circle) and disposed on the end surface of the communication member 91. A plurality of holes 98 are provided in the electrode 36-3.

[0207] For example, when the communication member 91 is the communication member 91-1 having a porous physical force, the hole 98 is formed in an appropriate shape at an appropriate position, and the communication member 91 is formed in the hole 94. In the case of the communication member 91-2 formed with the hole 94, the communication member 91 is formed at the position where the hole 94 is arranged with the same size as the hole 94, and the communication member 91 is formed with the slit 96. In the case of 3, the slit 96 is formed in a slit shape having the same size as the slit 96 at the arrangement position. That is, the fuel can pass through the hole 98 of the electrode 36-3 and also through the communication member 91 to flow through the fuel flow path 17.

[0208] For the electrode 36-3, for example, after placing a member to be the communication member 91 on the ceramic green sheet (insulating layer 3) before firing, a metal paste is provided on the communication member 91 to perform laser processing or punching processing. A hole 98 is formed by the above process, and the ceramic green sheet is laminated with another ceramic liner sheet and fired. At the same time as the formation of the electrode hole 98, the hole 94 of the communication member 91-2 and the slit 96 of the communication member 91-2 may be formed.

As shown in FIGS. 15, 19A, and 20A, when the communication member 91 is disposed, the pair of electrodes may be appropriately disposed as long as the communication member 91 can be disposed between the electrodes. However, when an electrode is provided on the surface along the insulating layer 3 as shown in FIG. 15, it is easy to form the electrode by simply placing a metal base on the surface of the insulating layer 3 before firing. When the electrode is provided on the surface orthogonal to the insulating layer 3 as shown in FIG. 19A, the electrode can be disposed adjacent to the communication member 91 orthogonal to the insulating layer 3. When electrodes are provided on the end face of the communication member 91 as shown in FIG. 20A, the electrodes can be arranged adjacent to the communication member 91 because they are easy to form.

[0210] FIG. 21 shows a connection member 91 and a pair of electrodes 36-3 facing each other with the communication member 91 interposed therebetween. A fuel flow control element array section 32-15 is shown in which a plurality of fuel flow control elements 32-13 are arranged in series and in parallel.

[0211] For example, the fuel flow path 17 includes a first parallel part 17e along the insulating layer 3, a second parallel part 17f separated from the first parallel part 17e by a plurality of layers, and a first parallel part 17e and a second parallel part. It includes a plurality of penetrating portions 17g that are connected to the portion 17f and penetrate the plurality of insulating layers 3. The plurality of through portions 17g are adjacent to each other. In the penetrating portion 17g, fuel flow control elements 32-13 are provided at a plurality of locations. For example, fuel flow control elements 32-13 are provided every other layer. The number of the fuel flow control elements 32-13 arranged in the parallel direction (the number of the plurality of through portions 17g) is, for example, 100 to 500, and the number of the fuel flow control elements 32 arranged in the series direction is, for example, 10 to 20

[0212] The plurality of fuel flow control elements constituting the fuel flow control element array section are not limited to the fuel flow control element 32-3, but may be the fuel flow control element 32-1 as shown in FIG. 19 A fuel flow control element 32-2 as shown in A. When arranging a plurality of fuel flow control elements, only the series or only the parallel may be used. When a plurality of fuel flow control elements are arranged in series, they may be arranged in series in the direction along the insulating layer, or they may be connected in a zigzag manner without being connected linearly. In addition, when a plurality of fuel flow control elements are arranged in parallel, they may be arranged in parallel in a direction orthogonal to the insulating layer. It may be arranged in parallel in a straight line or in parallel in a plane.

22A and 22B show an example in which a shield conductor 231 surrounding the electroosmotic flow control element is provided, FIG. 22A is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 22B is a perspective view.

[0214] The shield conductor 231 includes, for example, a flat conductor 232 formed in a flat shape along the insulating layer 3, and a via conductor 233 formed so as to penetrate the insulating layer 3. Two flat conductors 232 are arranged so as to sandwich the fuel flow control element 32-1 in a direction perpendicular to the insulating layer 3 (vertical direction in the drawing). A plurality of via conductors 233 are provided so as to connect the two flat conductors 23 2 and surround the communication member 91. The interval between the via conductors 233 is, for example, 1Z2 or less, preferably 1/4 or less, of the target noise wavelength. The shield conductor 231 is connected to the negative terminal 5N via the conductive path 18 (including the conductor layer). That is, the shield conductor 231 is connected to the reference potential (ground). It has been continued.

[0215] The flat conductor 232 is formed by providing a metal base on the surface of the ceramic green sheet (insulating layer 3) before firing. The via conductor 233 is formed by forming a hole in a ceramic liner sheet before firing by punching or laser processing and filling the hole with a metal paste.

In the examples of FIGS. 22A and 22B, the noise that enters the electroosmotic flow control element is reduced by the shield conductor 231 and the noise emitted from the electroosmotic flow control element is reduced. The Accordingly, an error in fuel flow control by the electroosmotic flow control element is reduced, and malfunctions of electronic components provided in the fuel cell and electronic components driven by the fuel cell are prevented.

[0217] Since the shield conductor 231 includes the via conductor 233, it is easy to form the shield conductor 231 so as to block noise that enters and radiates in the direction along the insulating layer 3.

[0218] When the fuel flow control element is made of a vibrating body such as a piezoelectric body, the shield conductor 231 may be provided so as to surround the fuel flow control element (vibrating body)!

[0219] The electroosmotic flow type flow control element shown in Figs. 15 to 22 can function as a water flow control element if provided in the water inflow path instead of the fuel flow path.

[0220] The electroosmotic flow type fuel flow control element and the water flow control element may be implemented in various modes other than the above.

[0221] The electroosmotic flow control element may be one in which fuel or water flows to the high potential side or may flow to the low potential side. Whether the wall surface in contact with the fuel or water is positively charged or negatively charged is determined by the material of the fuel, the wall surface forming the flow path such as the fuel flow path and the water flow path, and the communication member. The

[0222] The communicating member is not limited to a member having sufficient ceramic force as long as it can attract the positive charge or the negative charge of the fuel or water by contacting the fuel or water. The communicating member may not be as thick as one insulating layer, but may be thinner or thicker than one insulating layer. The cross-sectional shape of the communication member may be set as appropriate. In addition, the communication member may not be disposed at a portion of the flow path such as the fuel flow path or the water inflow path that penetrates the insulating layer. The flow path may be arranged at an appropriate position such as a portion parallel to the insulating layer, a bent portion, or a branched portion.

[0223] Note that the flow control element may be able to flow fuel or water in a direction opposite to the reference flow direction. Alternatively, some of the flow control elements of the plurality of flow control elements may cause fuel or water to flow in the opposite direction to the other flow control elements. For example, when a plurality of fuel flow control elements 32-4 shown in FIG. 14A are provided, some of the fuel flow control elements 32-4 have a cross-sectional area of the inflow passage 83 larger than that of the outflow path 84. Is set too large. In the fuel flow control element 32-5 shown in FIG. 14B, the fuel flow control element power supply 9 ′ reverses the fuel by changing the timing of the voltage fluctuation applied to the plurality of electrodes 82. It may flow in the direction. In the electric permeation flow control element shown in FIG. 7 and the like, the fuel flow control element power supply device 9 may cause the fuel to flow in the reverse direction by switching between positive and negative voltages applied to the pair of electrodes. The flow control element gives the fuel and water the force to flow the fuel and water in the opposite direction, thereby quickly decelerating or stopping the fuel and water, and appropriately adjusting the power generation amount, heat generation amount, and fuel concentration. It can be controlled.

[0224] When the power generation amount is controlled in accordance with the operation status of the electronic device, the method of controlling the power generation amount is not limited to fuel control. For example, the amount of oxygen supplied to the electrolyte member may be controlled. In this case, for example, an oxygen valve or a flow control element is provided in the air flow path to control the amount of oxygen.

[0225] In addition, the reaction control unit that controls the amount of power generation may be provided in the fuel cell, or may be provided in the main body of the electronic device to which the fuel cell is connected. Further, when the reaction control unit is configured by the control unit of the fuel cell and the control unit of the electronic device main body, the division of roles between the two may be appropriately set. For example, the control unit of the electronic device main body may calculate up to the flow rate of fuel corresponding to the required electric power, and output it to the control unit of the fuel cell. However, processing based on the characteristics of the electronic device main body such as calculation of required power is borne by the control unit of the electronic device main body, and processing based on the characteristics of the fuel cell such as calculation of the flow rate corresponding to the required power is performed by the fuel cell. The fuel cell compatibility is higher when the control unit is burdened. Further, the display unit and the operation unit may be provided in the fuel cell. [0226] The oxygen channel is formed by the hollow portion of the base body 2, and the side surface of the oxygen channel, that is, the side surface of the hollow portion of the base body 2 constituting the oxygen channel may be a smooth surface. The surface may be rough (uneven shape).

FIG. 24A is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example in which the side surface 264 of the oxygen channel 263, that is, the side surface of the hollow portion of the base 2 constituting the oxygen channel is uneven. For example, the side surface 264 has a concavo-convex shape by forming a plurality of convex portions 264a (concave portions 264b) over the entire length and the entire circumference of the oxygen channel 263. The convex portion 264a (the concave portion 264b) can be formed by etching or blasting, for example. Here, the uneven shape means, for example, a difference in height between the convex portion 264a and the concave portion 264b adjacent thereto (or a difference between 264a and a flat portion around it) i on the side surface of the air flow path 12. The shape is larger than the maximum diameter (diameter) of the flow path at the opening of the open water inflow path.

[0228] In the present invention, as described above, the water inflow path 251 (the same applies to 253 and 258; hereinafter, only the reference numeral 251 is provided) through which water adhering to the side surface of the oxygen channel 263 flows is provided. For this reason, it is suppressed that water is excessively attached to the side surface 264 of the oxygen channel 263 and the cross-sectional area of the oxygen channel 263 is reduced. Therefore, by making the side surface 264 concavo-convex shape, water that is not preferably adhering to the side surface 264 is actively attached to the side surface 264, so that water can actively flow into the water inflow channel 251. , And Z or the release of water from the oxygen channel 263 and the influence on the electronic circuit outside the fuel cell near the oxygen channel 263 can be suppressed.

[0229] The convex portion 264a (the concave portion 264b) may be provided only in a part of the oxygen channel 263 in the flow path direction and in a part of the Z direction or the circumferential direction. For example, the convex portion 264a (concave portion 264b) extends from the water inflow channel 251 from the upstream side of the water inflow channel 251 (the inner side of the base body 2, the lower side in FIG. 24A) in the flow direction of the oxygen channel 263. Is provided only in a part of the range extending downstream (outside of the base 2, upper side in FIG. 24A), or only in a part or all of the upstream side of the water inflow channel 251, or water. It may be provided only in a part or all of the downstream side of the inflow channel 251. Further, in the circumferential direction of the oxygen channel 263, the convex portion 264a (the concave portion 264b) may be provided only in a partial range on the side where the water inflow channel 251 is provided. The arrangement and shape of the protrusions 264a (recesses 264b) are irregular as shown in FIG. Or it may be regular.

FIG. 24B is a cross-sectional view showing another modified example in which the side surface 266 of the oxygen channel 265 has an uneven shape. In this modification, the concavo-convex shape is composed of a step 266a that intersects the flow path direction of the oxygen flow path 265 (the vertical direction in FIG. 24B). The step 266a is formed, for example, by a part of the side surface protruding inward on the outer side of the base body 2 (downstream of the oxygen channel 265, upper side in FIG. 24B) from the water inflow channel 251, Is formed. For example, the surface of the water inflow channel 251 that forms the outer side of the base 2 protrudes more inside the oxygen channel 265 than the surface of the water inflow channel 251 that forms the inner side of the base 2. Is formed. The step 266a is provided over the entire circumference of the oxygen channel 265, for example. Here, the level difference refers to, for example, a difference in the degree of protrusion between a part of the side surface protruding inward and the other part of the side surface adjacent to and not protruding from the side surface of the air flow path 12. Be larger than the maximum diameter (diameter) of the flow path at the opening of the water inflow channel.

[0231] The step 266a is formed by, for example, the oxygen channel 265 having a hole formed in each of the plurality of insulating layers 3 constituting the substrate 2 and connecting the holes of the plurality of insulating layers 3. In the case of being configured, it can be formed by making the diameter of some of the holes of the plurality of insulating layers 3 smaller (or larger) than the diameter of the other holes. Alternatively, it can be formed by shifting the position of some of the holes of the plurality of insulating layers 3 with the positional force of the other holes. When the step 266a is formed by shifting the positions of the holes having the same diameter, a protruding step is partially formed in the circumferential direction of the oxygen channel 265, and a recessed step is formed in the other portion. .

[0232] In this modification, since the step 266a intersects the flow direction of the oxygen flow channel 265, the flow along the flow direction of water on the side surface 265 is prevented by the step 266a. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress the release of water from the oxygen channel 265 while adhering moisture to the unevenness formed by the step 266a. Furthermore, since the side surface 266 of the oxygen channel 265 protrudes outward from the water inflow channel 251 to form a step 266a, the dammed water can easily flow into the water inflow channel 251 to effectively Inflow channel 251 can be used.

[0233] It should be noted that a plurality of steps 266a may be provided in the direction of the flow path of the oxygen flow path 263! In addition, it may be provided on the upstream side of the oxygen flow path 263 relative to the water inflow path 251 (inside the base body, on the lower side in FIG. 24B), or on the upstream side and the downstream side. Also, the step 266a is an oxygen flow It may be provided only in part in the circumferential direction of the path 263. For example, the step 266a may be provided only in a partial range on the side where the water inflow channel 251 is provided in the circumferential direction. Further, the step 266a may be formed by forming a recess in a part of the side surface 266.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] an electrolyte member;

A base for holding the electrolyte member;

An oxygen channel formed by the hollow portion of the substrate and guiding oxygen to the electrolyte member, and formed by the hollow portion of the substrate, opened to a side surface of the oxygen channel, and generated in the electrolyte member A water inflow path through which water flows,

A fuel cell.

[2] The water inflow passage is formed to have a diameter capable of sucking water adhering to the side surface of the oxygen passage by capillary action.

The fuel cell according to claim 1.

[3] The water inflow path communicates with the outside of the base body.

The fuel cell according to claim 1 or 2.

[4] A fuel flow path formed by a hollow portion of the base body, through which fuel supplied to the electrolyte member flows,

The water inflow path is connected to the fuel flow path

The fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

[5] A water storage section is provided in the water inflow channel

The fuel cell according to claim 4.

[6] A water flow control element for controlling the flow of water in the water inflow path is provided.

The fuel cell according to claim 4 or 5.

[7] A concentration sensor for detecting the concentration of fuel in the fuel flow path;

A controller configured to control the operation of the water flow control element based on the concentration detected by the concentration sensor;

The fuel cell according to claim 6, comprising:

[8] The base is connected to the water inflow path, and is configured to be detachable from a water storage cartridge capable of storing water in the water inflow path.

The fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

[9] The side surface of the oxygen channel has an uneven shape. The fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

[10] The concavo-convex shape includes a step that intersects the flow direction of the oxygen flow channel.

The fuel cell according to claim 9.

11. The fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a side surface of the oxygen channel protrudes inward on an outer side than the water inflow channel.

[12] An operation unit and a display unit provided in the housing,

An operation control unit for controlling display contents of the display unit based on input information from the operation unit;

The fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the fuel cell is housed in the housing and supplies power to the operation unit, the display unit, and the operation control unit.

With electronic equipment.

[13] It is configured to control the supply of fuel or oxidizing gas to the electrolyte member of the fuel cell according to at least one of the display unit, the operation unit, and the operation control unit. Equipped with a reaction control unit

The electronic device according to claim 12.

[14] An operation unit and a display unit provided in the housing,

In an electronic device including a fuel cell housed in the housing,

The fuel cell is

An electrolyte member;

A base for holding the electrolyte member;

An oxygen channel formed by the hollow portion of the base body for introducing oxygen to the electrolyte member, and formed by the hollow portion of the base body and opening in a side surface of the oxygen channel, and water generated in the electrolyte member flows in A water inflow channel that

The fuel cell is

An electronic device that supplies power to the operation unit, the display unit, and the operation control unit.