JP2006032363A - FUEL CELL, FUNCTION CARD, FUEL CELL GAS SUPPLY MECHANISM, POWER GENERATOR, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING POWER GENERATOR - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel cell having a structure that realizes reliable gas supply even in a limited space and does not impair portability.
According to the fuel cell of the present invention, a proton conductor membrane, planar hydrogen-side electrodes and oxygen-side electrodes sandwiching the proton conductor membrane, and fuel supply means 13 to the hydrogen-side electrode, The planar current collectors 16 and 17 are formed in close contact with the oxygen side electrode and formed with a transmission part such as an opening for opening the oxygen side electrode to the atmosphere. By making the oxygen side electrode open to the atmosphere, oxygen can be supplied to the power generators 11 and 12 without lowering the oxygen partial pressure in the air.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell using a proton conductor membrane, a function card using the fuel cell, a gas supply mechanism of the fuel cell, a power generator using the proton conductor membrane, and a method for manufacturing the power generator.

  A fuel cell is a device that generates electric power in a power generator by supplying a fuel gas. As an example of such a fuel cell, the fuel cell has a structure in which a proton conductor membrane is sandwiched between electrodes, and produces a desired electromotive force. It is a structure to obtain. Such a fuel cell is expected to be mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile and used as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. In addition, its structure can be easily reduced in weight and reduced in size. For example, applications to portable devices are in the stage of research and development (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 6).

Here, a fuel cell using a proton conductor membrane will be briefly described with reference to FIG. The proton conductor film 401 is sandwiched between the hydrogen side electrode 402 and the oxygen side electrode 403, and the dissociated proton (H ⁺ ) is directed from the hydrogen side electrode 402 toward the oxygen side electrode 403 along the direction of the arrow in the drawing. Move through the membrane. A catalyst layer 402 a is formed between the hydrogen side electrode 402 and the proton conductor film 401, and a catalyst layer 403 a is formed between the oxygen side electrode 403 and the proton conductor film 401. At the time of use, hydrogen gas (H ₂ ) is supplied as fuel gas from the inlet 412 and hydrogen is discharged from the outlet 413 at the hydrogen side electrode 402. Hydrogen gas (H ₂ ), which is a fuel gas, generates protons while passing through the gas flow path 415, and these protons move to the oxygen side electrode 403. The moved protons are supplied from the inlet 416 to the gas flow path 417 and react with oxygen (air) toward the exhaust port 418, whereby a desired electromotive force is taken out.

In the fuel cell having such a configuration, when hydrogen is used as a fuel, a reaction such as H ₂ → 2H ⁺ + 2e ⁻ occurs at the contact interface between the catalyst and the polymer electrolyte in the hydrogen-side electrode as the negative electrode. When oxygen is used as the oxidizing agent, a reaction such as 1 / 2O ₂ + 2H ⁺ + 2e ⁻ = H ₂ O occurs in the same manner at the oxygen side electrode, which is the positive electrode, and water is generated. Protons supplied from the hydrogen-side electrode 402 move to the oxygen-side electrode 403 through the proton conductor membrane 401 and react with oxygen to generate water. Further, since a humidifier for supplying water is not necessary, the fuel cell system can be simplified and reduced in weight.

  In the fuel cell using the proton conductor membrane as described above, the proton conductor membrane 401, the hydrogen side electrode 402 and the oxygen side electrode 403 sandwiching the proton conductor membrane 401 serve as a power generator, and an electromotive force is extracted from each electrode side. Each current collector is also formed.

JP-A-9-213359 JP-A-62-229768 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-312821 JP 2001-93561 A JP 2000-268835 A JP 2000-268836 A

  Here, a fuel cell having a conventional current collector structure will be described with reference to an exploded perspective view of FIG. 35. An electrode 432 and an oxygen side electrode 433 are formed, and current collectors 434 and 435 are in close contact with the outside of the hydrogen side electrode 432 and the oxygen side electrode 433, that is, on the opposite side of the proton conductor film 431, respectively. The outer surfaces of the current collectors 434 and 435 are substantially flat, which is advantageous when stacked. With such a structure, a plurality of fuel cells can be stacked, and a large electromotive force can be obtained even when the area of the proton conductor membrane 431 is small.

  However, such a sealed fuel cell is advantageous when a plurality of cell structures are stacked. On the other hand, in order to supply gas not only to the hydrogen side but also to the oxygen side, compressed oxygen or compressed air is supplied from a cylinder or pump. In general, forced air blowing is performed by gas supply means such as the above. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-213359 discloses a package type fuel cell device, which is provided with an air supply means (reference numeral 7 in FIG. 2) inside the intake portion. Yes. Therefore, normally, in addition to the portion that functions as a power generator, a space for the arrangement of gas supply means such as a cylinder and a pump is required, and additional auxiliary equipment for operating these gas supply means is required. In short, there is a problem that portability is impaired.

  Further, portable electronic devices such as notebook computers and portable terminals are configured so that a PC card such as a card-shaped memory card can be inserted from a slot formed on the side. The functions of a personal computer can be easily expanded and the portability can be maintained. In addition, there is known a power cell device integrated with a fuel cell integrated in a detachable package. For example, a fuel cell device mounted on a device described in JP-A-9-213359 is a solid polymer membrane. And is housed in a battery device housing portion of a device that requires a battery power source such as a personal computer. With such a structure, a plurality of fuel cells can be stacked in a package, and a large electromotive force can be obtained even if the area of the proton conductor membrane is small.

  However, the fuel cell having such a package structure is advantageous when stacking a plurality of cell structures, but in order to supply gas not only to the hydrogen side but also to the oxygen side, compressed oxygen or compressed air is used as a cylinder or pump. In general, forced air blowing is performed by gas supply means such as the above. For example, in the above-mentioned publication, the package-type fuel cell device is provided with an air supply means (reference numeral 7 in FIG. 2) inside the intake portion, and usually a portion that functions as a power generator. In addition to this, space is required for the arrangement of gas supply means such as cylinders and pumps, and additional auxiliary equipment for operating these gas supply means is required, and portability is impaired. appear. Function cards generally have a size standardized by JEIDA / PCMCIA, and it is actually difficult to mount gas supply means, auxiliary equipment, etc. in a thickness of 3.3 mm or 5.0 mm.

  Furthermore, in order to increase the output (current value) of the fuel cell, it is effective to increase the size of the power generator composed of the proton conductor membrane 401, the hydrogen side electrode 402 and the oxygen side electrode 403 sandwiching the proton conductor membrane 401. For example, when the area of the proton conductor membrane 401 is doubled, the output current value is also doubled.

  However, when the size of the power generator comprising the proton conductor membrane 401, the hydrogen side electrode 402 and the oxygen side electrode 403 sandwiching the proton conductor membrane 401 is increased, irregular portions such as warpage and undulation are generated in the planar power generator. This causes problems such as inability to make uniform contact between the power generator and the current collector. As a result, there is a problem that a large-sized fuel cell has a problem that the current collection efficiency, that is, the ratio of the power actually attached to the power generator to the outside through the current collector plate is deteriorated. Further, in order to achieve uniform contact between the power generation body and the current collector, it is necessary to apply an excessive pressure of the current collector to the power generation body or to control the distribution of the pressure. In fact, when trying to achieve an ideal uniform contact, the structure may become extremely complex, requiring a significant increase in weight and size, etc. That could be a problem.

  Conventionally, when the proton conductor film is sandwiched between the hydrogen side electrode and the oxygen side electrode, as shown in FIG. 36, the proton conductor film 421 is formed slightly larger and a seal made of silicon rubber is formed around it. A structure in which the proton conductor membrane 421 is sandwiched by attaching the material 424 to each of the hydrogen side electrode 422 and the oxygen side electrode 423 is known. The sealing material 424 formed so as to surround the hydrogen side electrode 422 and the oxygen side electrode 423 is attached so as to sandwich the proton conductor film 421 between the pair of sealing materials 424. Prevent gas leakage of hydrogen gas and oxygen gas or air. Each of the hydrogen side electrode 422 and the oxygen side electrode 423 is sandwiched between a pair of current collectors 425 and 425 together with the sealant 424, and hydrogen and oxygen pass through a plurality of holes 426 provided in the current collectors 425 and 425. Supplied through.

  In the fuel cell having such a structure, the sealing material 424 made of silicon rubber is attached to both the hydrogen side and the oxygen side, and the periphery of the proton conductor membrane 421 is sandwiched between the pair of elastic sealing materials 424. When the shape and material of the sealing material 422 are uniform, the proton conductor film 424 is sandwiched between the elastic bodies, so that the required airtightness can be maintained. However, when there is a thickness error or a variation in elastic characteristics in a part of the sealing material 424 made of silicon rubber, biased stress is applied to the proton conductor film 421 to maintain the airtightness around the proton conductor film 421. It becomes difficult. In particular, when the sealing material 424 of each of the hydrogen side electrode 422 and the oxygen side electrode 423 is combined to cause a shape error, the probability of gas leakage occurring at the portion of the proton conductor film 421 sandwiched by the sealing material 424 increases. End up.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and a first object thereof is to provide a fuel cell and a function card having a structure that realizes reliable gas supply even in a limited space and does not impair portability. There is to do.

  In addition, the second object is to be used for a fuel cell that can obtain a large electromotive force even when a small power generator is used and can easily realize a uniform contact state, and such a fuel cell. An object is to provide a fuel supply mechanism for a suitable fuel cell.

  Furthermore, a third object of the present invention is to provide a power generator having a structure that realizes reliable sealing of fuel gas and the like and facilitates its assembly, a fuel cell, and a method for manufacturing a power generator having such a structure. is there.

  In order to solve the above technical problem, a first fuel cell of the present invention includes a proton conductor membrane, planar hydrogen-side electrodes and oxygen-side electrodes sandwiching the proton conductor membrane, and the hydrogen side It has a fuel supply means to the electrode, and a planar current collector that is in close contact with the oxygen side electrode and has a permeation portion that opens the oxygen side electrode to the atmosphere.

  According to the first fuel cell of the present invention, the current collector itself is in close contact with the oxygen side electrode, but the transmission part that opens the oxygen side electrode to the atmosphere is formed as a part of the planar current collector. Therefore, oxygen is supplied to the oxygen side electrode at a sufficient pressure through the permeation section, and there is no need to install gas supply means such as a cylinder or a pump. For this reason, the space in the fuel cell can be saved, and an extra auxiliary device is not required.

  The second fuel cell of the present invention comprises a proton conductor membrane, planar hydrogen-side electrodes and oxygen-side electrodes sandwiching the proton conductor membrane, fuel supply means to the hydrogen-side electrode, A planar oxygen-side current collector that is in close contact with the oxygen-side electrode and has a permeation portion that opens the oxygen-side electrode to the atmosphere, and is formed outside the oxygen-side current collector and communicated with the permeation portion. And a housing having a gas inflow portion.

  This fuel cell has a casing having a gas inflow portion in addition to the structure of the fuel cell described above. Since this gas inflow portion is formed in communication with the permeation portion, the atmosphere open state outside the housing can be easily reached to the oxygen side electrode via the permeation portion. Therefore, oxygen is supplied to the oxygen side electrode through the permeation section at a sufficient pressure. As a result, space in the fuel cell can be saved, and an extra auxiliary device is not required.

  Further, the third fuel cell of the present invention includes a substantially flat casing in which gas inflow portions are formed on the front surface and the back surface, respectively, and a pair of power generators disposed with the surfaces facing each other in the casing. A fuel supply means for supplying fuel to the power generation body sandwiched between the pair of power generation bodies; the front and back surfaces of the housing; and the pair of power generation bodies communicated with the gas inflow portion And a planar oxygen-side current collector having a transmission portion that opens part of the power generation body to the atmosphere.

  According to the third fuel cell of the present invention, the oxygen side electrode is formed as a part of the planar current collector through which the oxygen side electrode is opened to the atmosphere. At a sufficient pressure. In addition, since a pair of planar power generators are formed, the area is twice as large as when a single planar power generator is used, and a large electromotive force can be obtained even with a small power generator. Become.

  The first functional card of the present invention is a functional card that is inserted into a card slot provided in the apparatus main body, and in the functional card case, the oxygen card facing the proton conductor membrane is placed inside the functional card casing. A power generation body comprising a side electrode and a hydrogen side electrode is arranged, oxygen is taken into the oxygen side electrode from the gas inlet formed in the casing in an open state, and fuel gas or liquid is supplied to the power generation body It is characterized by generating electricity by doing.

  According to the first functional card of the present invention, a power generator composed of an oxygen-side electrode and a hydrogen-side electrode facing each other with a proton conductor membrane interposed is disposed inside the functional card casing. However, since the gas inlet that opens the oxygen side electrode to the atmosphere is formed, oxygen is supplied to the oxygen side electrode through the gas inlet at a sufficient pressure, and gas supply means such as a cylinder and a pump are provided. There is no need to install. For this reason, the space in the fuel cell can be saved, and an extra auxiliary device is not required.

  The second function card of the present invention is a function card that is inserted into a card slot provided in a peripheral device that can be selectively installed in the apparatus main body, and is installed inside the casing of the function card. A power generator composed of an oxygen-side electrode and a hydrogen-side electrode facing each other across the proton conductor membrane, and oxygen is taken into the oxygen-side electrode from the gas inlet formed in the housing in an open state. Electricity is generated by supplying fuel gas or fuel liquid to the power generation body.

  The first function card has been described for use by being directly inserted into the apparatus main body, but the second function card is used by being inserted into a peripheral device that can be selectively attached to the apparatus main body. . Such peripheral devices are generally called “selectable bays” when the apparatus body is a notebook personal computer.

  A fourth fuel cell according to the present invention has a housing having substantially the same shape as a housing of a storage medium that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, and an oxygen gas facing the proton conductor membrane inside the housing. A power generation body comprising a side electrode and a hydrogen side electrode is arranged, oxygen is taken into the oxygen side electrode from the gas inlet formed in the casing in an open state, and fuel gas or liquid is supplied to the power generation body It is characterized by generating electricity by doing.

  In the present invention, since the casing of the fuel cell has substantially the same shape as the casing of the storage medium that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, the slot formed in the apparatus main body for the removable storage medium is used as it is, It can be used as a power source.

  The fifth fuel cell of the present invention has a pair of planar power generation bodies supported so that the surfaces face each other, and a contact surface between the pair of power generation bodies and the power generation body is gas permeable. And a pair of planar current collectors, and an insulating film having a gas flow path formed between the pair of planar current collectors and communicating with the power generation body.

  According to the fifth fuel cell of the present invention, since the pair of planar power generation bodies are supported so that the surfaces thereof are opposed to each other, the area is twice that in the case of using one planar power generation body. Yes, even with a small power generator, a large electromotive force about twice as large can be obtained. In the region where the surfaces face each other, a pair of planar current collectors that allow gas to pass through are mounted, and the pair of planar current collectors must pass a fuel gas such as hydrogen gas. An insulating film that also functions as a spacer is provided. In this insulating film, a gas flow path is formed to allow fuel gas to be fed into the planar power generator. In particular, when the insulating film is formed of a synthetic resin film or the like, a pair of planar power generators It can also function as an elastic member when being pressed for uniform contact, and helps to press the uniform power generator and current collector.

  A sixth fuel cell according to the present invention includes four power generation bodies supported so that two surfaces arranged in the same plane face each other, and a contact surface between the power generation bodies sandwiched between the power generation bodies Has a pair of planar current collectors that are permeable to gas or liquid, and an insulating film that is formed between the pair of planar current collectors and has a flow path that communicates with the power generation body.

  Further, the fuel supply mechanism of the fuel cell of the present invention is formed by sandwiching an insulating film between a pair of planar current collectors having an opening, and the pair of gas passages formed in a part of the insulating film. A fuel gas is supplied to each opening of the planar current collector.

  According to the fuel supply mechanism of the fuel cell, the gas flow path is formed in a part of the insulating film, and the fuel gas in the gas flow path is introduced. The fuel gas introduced into the gas flow path is supplied to the power generation body through the opening formed in the planar current collector. Here, since the gas flow path communicates with the pair of planar current collectors, the fuel gas can be effectively supplied to the pair of power generation bodies. Similar to the fuel cell of the present invention, the insulating film also functions as a spacer. When the insulating film is formed of a synthetic resin film or the like, the insulating film helps to uniformly press the power generator and the current collector.

  The power generator of the present invention has a proton conductor membrane and a pair of planar electrodes sandwiching the proton conductor membrane so that the end of the proton conductor membrane faces around one of the planar electrodes. And a sealing material is provided in close contact with the facing end portion.

  According to the power generator of the present invention, first, an electromotive force can be generated by supplying a fuel gas by sandwiching a proton conductor membrane between a pair of planar electrodes. One of these planar electrodes is formed in a slightly smaller size so that the periphery of the proton conductor membrane faces, and the other is formed in the same size as the proton conductor membrane. By forming the sealing material in close contact with the proton conductor film on one side of the planar electrode, airtightness can be maintained, and the proton conductor film is sandwiched between the sealing material or the sealing materials around. This eliminates the need for uniform sealing.

  The seventh fuel cell of the present invention has a proton conductor membrane and a pair of planar electrodes sandwiching the proton conductor membrane, and the end of the proton conductor membrane faces around one of the planar electrodes. And a planar current collector that is capable of supplying fuel gas and is in close contact with one of the sealing material and the planar electrode. is there.

  An eighth fuel cell of the present invention includes a pair of planar hydrogen-side current collectors facing each other with an insulating film having a gas flow path of the fuel cell, a proton conductor film, and a pair of sandwiching the proton conductor film A planar electrode, and a sealing material that is in close contact with a portion of one of the planar electrodes facing the end of the proton conductor film, and the sealing material and the surface on each surface of the planar hydrogen-side current collector It has a pair of electric power generation body which closely_contact | adheres through a planar electrode, respectively, and a pair of planar air side electrical power collector which each closely_contact | adheres to the other planar electrode of the said electric power generation body, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  In the eighth fuel cell of the present invention, a gas channel is formed in a part of the insulating film, and the fuel gas in the gas channel is introduced. The fuel gas introduced into the gas flow path is supplied to the power generation body through the opening formed in the planar current collector. The power generator has a structure in which a proton conductor film is sandwiched between a pair of planar electrodes. In particular, a sealing material is formed on one side of the planar electrode so as to be in close contact with the proton conductor film. Can be maintained, and uniform sealing becomes possible. In addition, since a pair of planar power generators are formed, the area is twice as large as when a single planar power generator is used, and a large electromotive force can be obtained even with a small power generator. Become.

  Furthermore, the method of manufacturing a power generator according to the present invention includes forming a pair of planar electrodes sandwiching the proton conductor membrane so that an end of the proton conductor membrane faces around one of the planar electrodes, It is characterized in that a sealing material is brought into close contact with the end portion.

  According to the method for producing a power generator of the present invention, a sealing material is closely attached to the proton conductor film on one side of the planar electrode, and the proton conductor film is not sandwiched between the sealing material or the sealing materials in the periphery, and is uniform. Sealing is possible. Furthermore, the sealing material is provided only on one electrode side of the power generation body, and the number thereof is one for one power generation body, and the number of sealing materials as a whole is reduced as compared with the conventional structure. it can.

  According to the fuel cell of the present invention, the oxygen-side electrode of the power generator can be opened to the atmosphere, and oxygen can be supplied to the power generator without lowering the pressure, that is, reducing the partial pressure of oxygen in the air. At the same time, moisture is generated from the power generator when generating electromotive force, but the opening itself is greatly open and the atmosphere is open, so it is possible to remove moisture generated on the electrode surface well. It is.

  Furthermore, according to the function card and the fuel cell of the present invention, it can be easily inserted and mounted from a card slot of a notebook personal computer which is the main body of the apparatus. In particular, by using the same size as a standardized PC card, it is possible to lengthen the usage time of the portable device. Inside the PC card housing is a structure in which a plurality of power generators are disposed, but since the oxygen side electrode is open to the atmosphere, oxygen is supplied to the oxygen side electrode at a sufficient pressure, There is no need to install gas supply means such as cylinders and pumps. For this reason, the space in the fuel cell can be saved, and an extra auxiliary device is not required.

  According to the fuel cell of the present invention and the fuel supply mechanism of the fuel cell, since the hydrogen-side current collector is disposed so that the surfaces face each other, the planar power generator is stacked on the common gas supply unit. Thus, the area contributing to power generation can be increased. Since the insulating film is provided as a spacer between the hydrogen-side current collector so as to be sandwiched between the hydrogen-side current collector, hydrogen, which is a fuel gas, can be reliably fed into the planar power generator. In particular, when the insulating film is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin film such as polycarbonate, it can also function as an elastic member when a pair of planar power generators are pressure-bonded for uniform contact. This will help to ensure uniform body crimping.

  According to the power generator and the fuel cell of the present invention, the large hole formed inside the sealing material is fitted from the outside to the hydrogen side electrode having a size smaller than that of the proton conductor membrane. On the other hand, since the oxygen side electrode side is basically open to the atmosphere through a large opening, gas sealing is unnecessary, and the number of parts and the number of assembly steps can be reduced. In addition, since the sealing material is an elastic material, when the current collector is pressed, shrinkage in the thickness direction occurs, and a uniform current collector and the contact between the sealing material and the hydrogen side electrode inside thereof are realized. This uniform contact also improves electrical characteristics. In addition, since there is no sealing material on the oxygen side electrode side, the rigidity is surely increased without being affected by variations in the sealing material, and the airtight characteristics can be greatly improved.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a fuel cell of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a fuel cell card showing an embodiment of a fuel cell according to the present invention. The fuel cell card 10 is formed by laminating seven main plate-like elements into the shape of a PC card size functional card. Composed. The fuel cell card 10 includes, in order from the top, an upper housing 14 of the fuel cell, an upper oxygen-side current collector 16, a pair of power generators 11, 11 disposed above the center, and a fuel disposed in the center. A hydrogen supply unit 13 for supplying hydrogen as a gas, a pair of power generators 12 and 12 arranged below the center, an oxygen collector 17 on the lower side, and an upper housing 14 are paired with The lower casing 15 constituting the casing of the fuel cell is a main component. The fuel cell card 10 can be connected to a hydrogen storage stick 18 that can supply hydrogen formed in a plate shape having substantially the same thickness as the fuel cell card 10, and a rod-shaped protrusion formed on the coupling side of the hydrogen storage stick 18. Hydrogen (H ₂ ) is supplied from the unit 20.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the fuel cell card 10 can be inserted and inserted from a card slot 22 of a notebook personal computer 21 which is the main body of the apparatus. Here, the slot 22 can be a hole provided in the housing of the apparatus main body dedicated to the fuel cell card 10, but can also be a slot having a size standardized by JEIDA / PCMCIA. Specifically, the size standardized by JEIDA / PCMCIA is defined as 85.6 mm ± 0.2 mm in the vertical (long side) and 54.0 mm ± 0.1 mm in the horizontal (short side). The card thickness is standardized for each of type I and type II, that is, for type I, the thickness of the connector is 3.3 ± 0.1 mm, and the thickness of the base is 3.3. ± 0.2 mm. For type II, the thickness of the connector portion is 3.3 ± 0.1 mm, the thickness of the base portion is 5.0 mm or less, and the standard dimension of the thickness is ± 0.2 mm.

  In this embodiment, the slot 22 is provided on the side of the keyboard-side main body of the notebook personal computer 21 which is the main body of the apparatus. Can also be part of

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the fuel cell card 10 in an assembled state, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel cell card 10. The fuel cell card 10 formed with rounded corners in consideration of portability has a structure in which a flat upper casing 14 is aligned with the lower casing 15, and the upper casing is formed by screws or the like not shown in FIG. 14 is fixed to the lower housing 15. A plurality of openings 31 are formed in the upper housing 14 as gas inlets for introducing oxygen into the housing. In this example, each of the openings 31 is a substantially rectangular through hole, and 15 groups of 5 rows and 3 columns are formed side by side, and the upper housing 14 has a total of 30 openings. Part 31 will face. The opening 31 opens the oxygen side electrode to the atmosphere as will be described later, and effective oxygen uptake is realized without the need for a special air intake device. Realized.

  In the present embodiment, the shape of the opening 31 is the same shape as this grid pattern because the pattern of each current collector is a grid pattern. However, other shapes can also be used. The shape of the opening may be various shapes such as a circle, an ellipse, a stripe shape, and a polygonal shape. The number and arrangement of the openings 31 can be various. For example, 30 sets of 6 rows and 5 columns may be formed side by side, and the upper housing 14 has a total of 60 sets. The openings 31 may be arranged. The opening 31 is formed by cutting out the plate-like upper housing 14 in this example, but prevents entry and adhesion of dust, dust, etc. within a range that does not impair the air release state of the oxygen side electrode. Therefore, it is possible to provide the opening 31 with a net or a non-woven fabric. As shown in FIG. 4, the lower housing 15 has an opening 41 facing the opening 31 of the upper housing 14. However, the shape, the net, and the nonwoven fabric can be provided similarly. It is.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the hydrogen storage stick 18 capable of supplying hydrogen is formed on the connection side surface of the hydrogen storage stick 18 in the fitting hole 33 formed on the connection side surface of the lower housing 15. The pin 19 is fitted and connected to the fuel cell card 10. At this time, the protrusion 20 that is the hydrogen supply port of the hydrogen storage stick 18 is inserted into the rectangular fitting hole 32 formed on the connection side surface of the lower housing 15, and the position of the fitting hole 32 is within the housing. It joins to the end of a hydrogen pipe section (not shown) that extends to the end. The hydrogen storage stick 18 is detachable from the fuel cell card 10. For example, when the remaining amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage stick 18 is reduced, the hydrogen storage stick 18 is removed from the fuel cell card 10. It is also possible to replace it with another hydrogen storage stick 18 in which hydrogen is sufficiently stored, or to inject hydrogen into the removed hydrogen storage stick 18 so that it can be used again. In this example, the hydrogen storage stick 18 is attached to the fuel cell card 10 by fitting the pin 19 of the hydrogen storage stick 18 into the fitting hole 33, but other connection elements can be used. For example, a structure inserted into a key groove, a structure using a locking member or a magnet that slides against an urging spring, or the like may be used.

  Next, each component of the fuel cell card 10 will be described in order. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the lower housing 15, the oxygen-side current collector 17 disposed on the lower side, and the insulating film 50. The lower housing 15 uses a metal material such as stainless steel, iron, aluminum, titanium, or magnesium, or a resin material having excellent heat resistance or chemical resistance such as epoxy, ABS, polystyrene, PET, or polycarbonate. Or composite materials such as fiber reinforced resins may be used. In the flat plate portion of the lower housing 15, similarly to the opening portion 31 described above, the opening portions 41 that are rectangular cutouts are formed so as to form two sets of 5 rows and 3 columns.

  The lower housing 15 is generally divided into three storage portions, two of which are storage portions for storing a pair of power generators 11 and 12, and the other is for storing a hydrogen piping portion. This is the storage unit 46. These storage portions are delimited by a ridge portion 42 formed so as to rise from the bottom surface and a side wall portion rising at the peripheral end portion of the lower casing. Since the upper ends of the protrusions 42 and the side walls directly contact the back surface of the upper housing 14, a substantially flat surface is formed, and a plurality of screw holes 44 are provided. As a whole, the protruding portion 42 is positioned relative to the upper oxygen-side current collector 16, a pair of power generators 11, 12, a hydrogen supply portion 13 for supplying hydrogen, and the lower oxygen-side current collector 17, which will be described later. Used as a member.

  As described above, the pair of fitting holes 33 and 33 are formed in the side surface 43 of the lower housing 15 on the side where the hydrogen storage stick 18 is coupled, and is coupled to the end of the hydrogen pipe portion. A side surface portion and a bottom surface portion of the fitting hole 32 are also formed. A pair of electrode extraction grooves 48 and 49 are formed on the side wall of the lower casing 15 opposite to the side where the hydrogen storage stick 18 is bonded, and the oxygen side connected to the oxygen side electrode is connected to the electrode extraction groove 48. Electrode extraction pieces 64 and 114 from the current collectors 16 and 17 protrude, and electrode extraction pieces 94 and 94 from the hydrogen side current collectors 81 and 82 connected to the hydrogen side electrode protrude into the electrode extraction groove 49. Hydrogen is sandwiched between the pair of power generators 11 and 12 in the protrusion 42 between the storage unit 46 for storing the hydrogen piping unit and the storage unit for storing the pair of power generators 11 and 12. Communication grooves 45 and 45 for supplying hydrogen gas from the hydrogen pipe part to the part 13 are formed. In addition, a connecting groove 47 is formed in the protrusion 42 between the pair of storing parts arranged in the horizontal direction, and the connecting parts 112 and 62 of the current collectors 16 and 17 can be stored in the connecting groove 47. .

  An insulating film 50 is disposed between the lower housing 15 and the lower oxygen current collector 17. The insulating film 50 is made of polycarbonate, for example, and has a thickness of about 0.3 mm. A pair of grid-like regions is an opening 51 that forms two sets of 5 rows and 3 columns at the same vertical position so as to reflect the pattern of the opening 41 that forms two sets of 5 rows and 3 columns. A coupling portion 52 that is fitted into the communication groove 47 is provided at a substantially central portion.

  The lower oxygen-side current collector 17 is made of, for example, a gold-plated metal plate. The lower oxygen-side current collector 17 is in contact with an oxygen-side electrode of the power generation body 12 described later and is formed in 5 rows and 3 columns formed on the lower oxygen-side current collector 17. Oxygen is supplied through an opening 61 constituting two sets. Here, each opening 61 functions as a gas permeable portion of the current collector, and the opening 61 itself is greatly opened, and both the opening 51 of the insulating film 50 and the opening 41 of the lower housing 15 are provided. Since two sets of five rows and three columns are formed at the same vertical position, the oxygen side electrode of the power generator 12 can be opened to the atmosphere, and the pressure drop, that is, the oxygen content in the air Oxygen can be supplied to the power generator 12 without lowering the pressure. At the same time, moisture is generated from the power generator 12 when the electromotive force is generated, but the opening 61 itself is greatly open and is open to the atmosphere, so that moisture generated on the electrode surface can be removed well. Is possible. In the lower oxygen side current collector 17, an electrode extraction piece 64 protruding from the electrode extraction groove 48 is formed as a rectangular piece extending in the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell card 10 in accordance with the position of the electrode extraction groove 48. In addition, the positioning and holding projection 63 is also formed by effectively using the dead space on the back side of the hydrogen pipe. Here, the power extraction pieces and the protrusions 63, 64, 93, 94, 113, 114 are not all necessary. For example, the protrusions 93-2 and the protrusions 113 are electrically coupled to each other, and the power extraction pieces 64, 94 are connected. Is used as an external output terminal, other power extraction pieces can be dispensed with. As the oxygen side current collector 17, a conductive plastic such as a carbon material may be used, or a structure in which a metal film or the like is formed on a support may be used.

  Next, the structure of the power generators 11 and 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 12, and 13. The power generators 11 and 12 have a common structure. Regarding differences, the power generator 11 is disposed on the upper side in the housing, and the power generator 12 is disposed on the lower side in the housing. In addition, the hydrogen-side electrode 73 of the power generation bodies 11 and 12 is mounted so that it faces the center side of the casing, and the oxygen-side electrode 71 of the power generation bodies 11 and 12 faces the outside of the casing. Yes, in other words, the power generators 11 and 12 have the same structure but have different front and back orientations.

  A proton conductor film 72, which is a solid polymer film, is provided in a substantially rectangular shape close to a square, and protons dissociated in the proton conductor film 72 move during power generation. An oxygen side electrode 71 is formed in close contact with one side of the proton conductor film 72, and a hydrogen side electrode 73 is formed in close contact with the other side. The oxygen side electrode 71 has a substantially rectangular shape close to a square having substantially the same size as the proton conductor film 72, but the hydrogen side electrode 73 has a smaller size than the oxygen side electrode 71 and the proton conductor film 72. The shape is a substantially rectangular shape close to a square. Therefore, in a state where the hydrogen side electrode 73 is bonded to the proton conductor film 72, the periphery of the proton conductor film 72 is exposed with a width of about 2 mm. As shown in FIG. 12, in this embodiment, a sealing material 74, which is a gasket material, is provided around the proton conductor film 72 exposed in a state where the hydrogen side electrode 73 is bonded to the proton conductor film 72. It is attached so that it adheres. The sealing material 74 is made of a material having elasticity and airtightness such as silicon rubber, and the large hole 75 formed inside the sealing material 74 is smaller in size than the proton conductor film 72. 73 is fitted from the outside. Since the oxygen-side electrode 71 side is basically open to the atmosphere through a large opening, it is possible to eliminate the need for a gas seal, which eliminates the need for such a gasket material. Reduction of assembly man-hours can be realized. The sealing material 74 formed as a gasket material is formed with substantially the same thickness as the hydrogen side electrode 73 or thicker than the hydrogen side electrode 73. For example, when the thickness of the hydrogen side electrode 73 is 0.2 mm, the thickness of the sealing material 74 can also be 0.3 mm. Since the sealing material 74 is an elastic material, the current collector is pressed against it. In this case, contraction in the thickness direction of about 0.1 mm occurs, and a uniform current collector is brought into contact with the sealing material 74 and the hydrogen side electrode 73 on the inside, and the electrical characteristics are also improved from this uniform contact. . In addition, since there is no sealing material on the oxygen side electrode 71 side, the end portion of the proton conductor film 72 is formed of the sealing material in the case where the sealing material is formed on both sides as in the conventional structure. The rigidity is surely increased without being affected by variations, and the airtightness can be greatly improved. Further, the contact surface of the hydrogen side electrode 73 formed with a size smaller than that of the proton conductor film 72 with the sealing material 74 can be a vertical surface, but can also be a reverse tapered shape. In that case, by making the surface of the hole 75 of the sealing material 74 into a forward tapered shape, the adhesion of the sealing material 74 to the proton conductor film 72 can be improved.

  A total of four such power generators 11 and 12 are provided in the fuel cell card 10, and two such power generators 11 and 12 are arranged horizontally in the casing, and these are common current collectors 16 and 17. Since the electric power is taken out, it is equivalent to a circuit in which two parallel circuits of two batteries exist, and the two hydrogen-side current collectors and oxygen-side current collectors 16 and 17 described later are short-circuited, respectively. By doing so, the output which consists of the parallel structure of the four electric power generation bodies 11 and 12 can be obtained. Further, in the space of the communication groove 47 of the lower housing 15 described above, the connection between the current collectors composed of the two hydrogen-side current collectors and the oxygen-side current collectors 16 and 17 is once cut off, and the upper power generator By connecting the current collector 11 and the lower power generator 12 to each other between the hydrogen side current collector and the oxygen side current collector by wire bonding or a small piece for wiring, etc., 4 Two power generators 11 and 12 can be connected in series.

  Next, the structure of the hydrogen supply unit 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7, 9, 10, and 11. The hydrogen supply unit 13 is a member located at the center of the fuel cell card 10 in the vertical direction, and has a function of feeding hydrogen, which is a fuel gas, into the space between the power generators 11 and 12 and taking out power by the current collector. Have. The hydrogen supply unit 13 collects hydrogen, which is a fuel gas, and a pair of hydrogen-side current collectors 82 and 81, insulating films 83 and 84 that are sandwiched therebetween and form gas passages that communicate with the power generation body, and hydrogen It has a structure comprising a hydrogen piping part 91 for feeding into the power generation bodies 11 and 12 via the bodies 82 and 81.

  The hydrogen-side current collector 81 is a member that is in surface contact with the hydrogen-side electrode 73 formed on the surface of the power generation body 12 disposed on the lower side, and the contact surface with the power generation body 12 allows hydrogen gas to pass therethrough. The hydrogen-side current collector 81 is made of, for example, a gold-plated metal plate, and comes into contact with the hydrogen-side electrode 73 of the power generator 12 on the back side in FIG. The hydrogen-side current collector 81 supplies hydrogen through openings 87 that constitute two sets of 5 rows and 3 columns. Hydrogen gas can be sent over a wide range of the planar power generator 12 through the opening 87 located on the contact surface with the power generator 12. The hydrogen-side current collector 81 is also provided with a coupling portion 97 fitted in the communication groove 47 at a substantially central portion.

  The hydrogen-side current collector 82 is a member that is in surface contact with the hydrogen-side electrode 73 formed on the back surface of the power generation body 11 disposed on the upper side, and the contact surface with the power generation body 11 allows hydrogen gas to pass therethrough. Similarly to the hydrogen side current collector 81, this hydrogen side current collector 82 is made of, for example, a metal plate plated with gold, and abuts on the hydrogen side electrode 73 of the power generator 11 on the surface side in FIG. 7. The hydrogen-side current collector 82 supplies hydrogen through openings 88 that form two sets of 5 rows and 3 columns. Hydrogen gas can be sent over a wide range of the planar power generation body 11 through the opening 88 located on the contact surface with the power generation body 11, and a coupling portion 97 fitted in the communication groove 47 is provided at a substantially central portion. It is done.

  Such hydrogen-side current collectors 81 and 82 are arranged so that the surfaces face each other, and insulating films 83 and 84 are provided as spacers therebetween so as to be sandwiched between the hydrogen-side current collectors 81 and 82. ing. The pair of insulating films 83 and 84 are formed by die-cutting a resin film such as polycarbonate. Each of the insulating films 83 and 84 has a substantially U-shaped shape, and is formed of a substantially rectangular space so as to cover the regions of the openings 87 and 88 that constitute two sets of approximately 5 rows and 3 columns in the center portion facing each other. A gas flow path is configured. A hydrogen introduction port 86 communicating with the hollow portion of the hydrogen piping portion 91 is formed on the hydrogen piping portion 91 side of the insulating films 83 and 84, and a leak hole 85 is formed at the opposite end of the insulating films 83 and 84. It is formed. The leak hole 85 may be a valve that can be freely opened and closed, or may not be formed. A space formed by the insulating films 83 and 84 is a space between the hydrogen-side current collectors 81 and 82 whose faces face each other, and the thickness in the height direction is determined by the insulating films 83 and 84.

  The hydrogen pipe portion 91 is a pipe member having a rectangular cross section that extends along the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell card 10, and a protrusion 20 of the hydrogen storage stick 18 is provided at the end on the side where the hydrogen storage stick 18 is connected. A fitting hole 96 to be fitted is formed. The hydrogen pipe portion 91 is hollow to allow hydrogen to pass therethrough. A hydrogen storage alloy or the like may be disposed in a part of the hydrogen pipe portion 91. The connection point between the hydrogen pipe 91 and the hydrogen-side current collectors 81 and 82 is formed by inserting the leading ends of the projecting pieces 89 and 90 into a horizontally long insertion port 92 formed on the side surface of the hydrogen pipe 91. The The insertion ports 92 are provided at two locations, and stably support the projecting pieces 89 and 90 in which the side end portions of the hydrogen side current collectors 81 and 82 project in the in-plane direction. In the hydrogen side current collectors 81 and 82, electrode extraction pieces 94 protruding from the electrode extraction grooves 49 are formed as rectangular pieces extending in the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell card 10 in accordance with the positions of the electrode extraction grooves 49. Furthermore, the positioning / holding protrusion 93 is also formed by effectively using the dead space on the back side of the hydrogen pipe. Further, the fuel flow may be supplied to each power generator from two supply ports 92, and may be formed so as to pass through each power generator through one flow channel from one supply port 92. May be.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the upper casing 14, the upper oxygen-side current collector 16 disposed below the upper casing 14, and the insulating film 100. Similar to the lower housing 15, the upper housing 14 is made of a metal material such as stainless steel, iron, aluminum, titanium, magnesium, or heat resistance and chemical resistance such as epoxy, ABS, polystyrene, PET, and polycarbonate. An excellent resin material or the like can be used, or a composite material such as a fiber reinforced resin may be used. The upper housing 14 is formed so that the opening 31 which is a rectangular cutout constitutes two sets of 5 rows and 3 columns.

  An insulating film 100 is disposed between the upper housing 14 and the upper oxygen side current collector 16. This insulating film 100 is made of, for example, polycarbonate, and its film thickness is about 0.3 mm. A pair of lattice-shaped regions is an opening 101 that forms two sets of five rows and three columns at the same vertical position so as to reflect the pattern of the opening 31 that forms two sets of five rows and three columns. A coupling portion 102 that is fitted into the communication groove 47 is provided at a substantially central portion.

  The upper oxygen-side current collector 16 is made of, for example, a gold-plated metal plate. The upper oxygen-side current collector 16 is in contact with the oxygen-side electrode 71 of the upper power generation body 11 and has 5 rows and 3 columns formed on the upper oxygen-side current collector 16. Oxygen is supplied through the opening 111 constituting two sets. Here, each opening 111 functions as a gas permeable portion of the current collector, the opening 111 itself is greatly opened, and is the same as the opening 101 of the insulating film 100 and the opening 31 of the upper housing 14. Since two sets of 5 rows and 3 columns are formed at the position in the vertical direction, the oxygen-side electrode 71 of the power generator 11 can be opened to the atmosphere, and the pressure drop, that is, the oxygen content in the air Oxygen can be supplied to the power generator 11 without reducing the pressure. At the same time, moisture is generated from the power generator 11 when the electromotive force is generated. However, since the opening 111 itself is largely open and is open to the atmosphere, moisture generated on the electrode surface can be removed well. Is possible. In the upper oxygen side current collector 16, an electrode extraction piece 114 protruding from the electrode extraction groove 48 is formed as a rectangular piece extending in the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell card 10 in accordance with the position of the electrode extraction groove 48. Furthermore, the positioning / holding protrusion 113 is also formed by effectively using the dead space on the back side of the hydrogen pipe. As the oxygen side current collector 16, a conductive plastic such as a carbon material may be used, or a structure in which a metal film or the like is formed on a support may be used.

  In the fuel cell card 10 of this embodiment having such a structure, since the hydrogen-side current collectors 81 and 82 are arranged so that the surfaces face each other, the power generators 11 and 12 are connected to the common gas supply unit. Thus, an area contributing to power generation can be increased. The insulating films 83 and 84 are provided as spacers between the hydrogen-side current collectors 81 and 82 so as to be sandwiched between the hydrogen-side current collectors 81 and 82, so that hydrogen as a fuel gas can be reliably In particular, when the insulating films 83 and 84 are formed of a synthetic resin film such as polycarbonate, the pair of planar power generators 11 and 12 can be brought into uniform contact with each other. It can also function as an elastic member at the time of pressure bonding, and helps uniform pressure bonding of the power generator and the current collector.

  Further, in the fuel cell card 10 of the present embodiment, the large hole 75 formed inside the sealing material 74 is fitted from the outside to the hydrogen side electrode 73 having a size smaller than that of the proton conductor film 72. For this reason, since the oxygen side electrode 71 side is basically open to the atmosphere through a large opening, gas sealing is unnecessary, so that the number of parts and assembly man-hours can be reduced. Further, since the sealing material 74 is an elastic material, when the current collector is pressed, shrinkage in the thickness direction occurs, and the uniform current collector contacts the sealing material 74 and the hydrogen-side electrode 73 inside thereof. Realized and improved electrical properties from this uniform contact. Further, since there is no sealing material on the oxygen side electrode 71 side, the rigidity is surely increased without being affected by variations in the sealing material, and the airtight characteristics can be greatly improved.

  Furthermore, according to the fuel cell card 10 of the present embodiment, the oxygen-side electrodes of the power generators 11 and 12 can be opened to the atmosphere, and the power generator 11 can be produced without reducing the pressure, that is, reducing the oxygen partial pressure in the air. , 12 can be supplied with oxygen. At the same time, moisture is generated from the power generators 11 and 12 when the electromotive force is generated. However, since the opening itself is largely open and is open to the atmosphere, moisture generated on the electrode surface is also well removed. It is possible.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the fuel cell card 10 of the present embodiment can be inserted and inserted from the card slot 22 of the notebook personal computer 21 which is the main body of the apparatus. In particular, by using the same size as a standardized PC card, it is possible to lengthen the usage time of the portable device. A plurality of power generators 11 and 12 are arranged inside the casing of the PC card. Since the oxygen side electrode 71 is open to the atmosphere, oxygen is sufficient for the oxygen side electrode 71. It is supplied by pressure and there is no need to install gas supply means such as a cylinder or a pump. For this reason, the space in the fuel cell can be saved, and an extra auxiliary device is not required.

  FIGS. 15 to 17 show modifications of the fuel cell card according to the present embodiment. The fuel cell card of FIG. 15 is a type I size (thickness 3.) in which the fuel cell card 151 is standardized by JEIDA / PCMCIA. 3 mm). The internal structure of the fuel cell card 151 is the same as that of the fuel cell card 10 described above. The fuel cell card 151 can be connected to a card-type hydrogen storage unit composed of a combination of a plate-shaped member 153 and a rectangular member 152, and at the time of the connection, the plate-shaped member 153 constituting the fuel cell card 151 and the card-type hydrogen storage unit. Is the thickness of Type II (about 5 mm or less) standardized by JEIDA / PCMCIA. By adopting such a configuration, the fuel cell card 151 can be mounted on many types of notebook computers, and the card-type hydrogen storage unit has a combined volume of the plate-like member 153 and the rectangular member 152. It can be secured for hydrogen gas and can withstand long-term use.

  FIG. 16 shows a similar PC card type fuel cell card system, in which a thick hydrogen storage unit 162 is connected to the fuel cell card 161. The internal structure of the fuel cell card 161 is the same as that of the fuel cell card 10 described above, and the hydrogen storage unit 162 is detachable from the fuel cell card 161. The hydrogen storage unit 162 has a thickness greater than that of the hydrogen storage stick 18 of the above-described embodiment, and can withstand longer use.

  FIG. 17 shows a fuel cell 171 having the same size as a housing such as a removable disk and can supply hydrogen by inserting a hydrogen storage stick 172 into a slot 173 provided on one end side of the fuel cell 171. It is. An output end 174 for outputting an electromotive force of the fuel cell is formed in a part of the fuel cell 171, and a power plug 175 extended from the output end 174 is connected to a device body such as a personal computer. The operation using the fuel cell 171 is realized.

  FIG. 18 illustrates the shape of the insulating film. FIG. 18A shows the same shape as the insulating films 83 and 84 described in the above-described embodiment. The insulating film 180 such as an insulating polycarbonate film is used, and the fuel flow path 181 that extends in a substantially rectangular shape is formed. It is composed. 18B, unlike the insulating film 180 of FIG. 18A, the insulating film 182 has a configuration in which two protruding portions 184 that protrude in a direction perpendicular to the fuel inlet are formed on the left and right sides. These protrusions 184 can also support the opposing hydrogen-side electrodes, which is suitable when the fuel flow path 183 is secured and insulation between a pair of opposing planar hydrogen-side electrodes becomes a problem. 18C, the insulating film 185 is different from the insulating film 182 in FIG. 18B, and has a configuration in which two protruding portions 187 that protrude in a direction parallel to the fuel inlet are formed on the left and right sides. These protrusions 187 can also support the opposing hydrogen-side electrodes, which is suitable when the fuel flow path 186 is secured and insulation between a pair of opposing planar hydrogen-side electrodes becomes a problem.

  In FIG. 18D, a circular insulating portion 190 is formed at a substantially central portion of the insulating film 188 extending in a band shape along the rectangular end portion, and a fuel such as hydrogen gas or methanol flowing in from the fuel inflow port. It is possible to increase the electromotive force by diffusing the fuel flow path 189 along the circular insulating portion 190. FIG. 18E shows an example in which a plurality of circular insulating portions 193, five in this example, are formed. The fuel flow path is surrounded by an insulating film 191 that extends in a strip shape along the rectangular end portion. A fuel such as hydrogen gas or methanol can be suitably diffused in the interior 192.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the insulating film. FIG. 19A shows the same shape as the insulating films 83 and 84 described in the above-described embodiment. The insulating film 195 such as an insulating polycarbonate film is used, and the flow of the fuel flow path spreading in a substantially rectangular shape is shown in FIG. The structure has an inlet 195e and a discharge hole 195f. Excess fuel can be discharged from the discharge hole 195f. FIG. 19B shows a configuration that does not have such a leak hole, and the insulating film 196 that extends in a strip shape along the rectangular end portion is connected only to the inlet 196e of the fuel channel to the fuel channel. It is a flow passage. In FIG. 19C, an insulating film 197 such as an insulating polycarbonate film extends in a band shape along the rectangular end portion, and has an inflow port 197e and a discharge hole 197f of the fuel flow path which expands in a substantially rectangular shape. Further, a valve 198 is formed at the outlet of the discharge hole 197f. This valve 198 can be operated to open and lower the internal pressure when the pressure of fuel such as internal hydrogen becomes too high. When the fuel pressure is within a proper range, the valve 198 is closed and wasteful leakage of fuel occurs. Can be prevented.

[Second Embodiment]
This embodiment is another example of a substantially flat card type fuel cell as shown in FIGS. 20 to 27, and in particular, a fan driven by a motor as an air flow means is provided on the side of the card type fuel cell. This is an example in which a plurality of grooves are formed inside the housing as an air passage that guides air sent from a fan as oxygen-side fuel to the surface of the power generator.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the casing of the card type fuel cell is formed by molding a synthetic resin material having required rigidity, heat resistance, and acid resistance, and includes an upper casing 211 and a lower casing. 212 are stacked to form a card-shaped substantially flat casing. Here, the case of the card type fuel cell can be, for example, a size standardized as a PC card, and specifically, a size standardized by JEIDA / PCMCIA can be applied. The standardized size is defined as 85.6 mm ± 0.2 mm in the vertical (long side) and 54.0 mm ± 0.1 mm in the horizontal (short side). The card thickness is standardized for each of type I and type II, that is, for type I, the thickness of the connector is 3.3 ± 0.1 mm, and the thickness of the base is 3 .3 ± 0.2 mm. For type II, the thickness of the connector portion is 3.3 ± 0.1 mm, the thickness of the base portion is 5.0 mm or less, and the standard dimension of the thickness is ± 0.2 mm. In the present embodiment, the upper casing 211 and the lower casing 212 are overlapped to form the casing of the battery main body. However, the size of the battery main body can be a size standardized by JEIDA / PCMCIA, which will be described later. When combined with such a hydrogen storage cartridge 202, it may be configured to have a size standardized by JEIDA / PCMCIA. In addition, the size of the battery body can be standardized by JEIDA / PCMCIA by combining an adapter or the like.

  The upper housing 211 is provided with two rows of openings 222 and 223 along the side close to the long side of the rectangular shape. The openings 222 and 223 are through-holes penetrating the thickness of the upper casing 211, and serve as intakes and discharges for air into the casing. In the present embodiment, the shapes of the openings 222 and 223 are circular. However, the shape is not limited to this, and may be an ellipse, a rectangle, a polygon, or the like. On the surface of the upper housing 211, a plurality of grooves 224 that function as anti-slip when the user handles by hand are formed.

  A plurality of parallel grooves 241 shown in FIG. 24 are formed on the inner side surface of the upper casing 211, and the fan on the other end side is positioned from the position of the fan 233 disposed along the long side direction of the substantially rectangular shape. It extends substantially linearly up to the vicinity of the position 231. The fan 233 and the fan 231 constitute an air flow means, and a plurality of parallel grooves constitute an air passage. Each groove has a substantially U-shaped cross section, but is continuous with a fan space 237 formed to surround the fan 233 in the upper housing 211. The fan space portion 237 is extended so as to be arranged along the long side direction of a substantially rectangular shape, and the outline of the fan space portion 237 covers the substantially cylindrical fans 233 and 231 with a predetermined gap. It is configured to In the upper housing 211, the fan space 237 is positioned immediately below the outer opening 222 formed in the upper housing 211, and the air introduced from the opening 222 passes through the groove in the housing by the fan 231. Controlled to flow. In the present embodiment, the air introduced from the opening 222 is guided to the groove 238 formed in the lower housing 212 by the fan 231. The air that passes through the inside of the groove provided in the upper housing 211 is introduced from the fan 233, and the opening 239 is formed near the long side end of the lower housing 212.

The lower housing 212 is a member that forms a card-shaped housing in pairs with the upper housing 211. Similar to the upper casing 211, as shown in FIG. 21, a plurality of parallel grooves 238 are formed, from the position of the fan space portion 237 of the fan 231 disposed along the long side direction of a substantially rectangular shape. The other end side fan 233 extends substantially linearly to the vicinity of the position of the fan space 237. Each groove 238 has a substantially U-shaped cross section, but is continuous with a fan space 237 formed to surround the fan 231 in the lower housing 212. Each groove 238 terminates in the vicinity of the fan 233 on the opposite side, and continues to the outside of the housing by an opening 240 provided at the terminal portion of each groove 238. In the lower housing 212, the fan space 237 is located immediately above the outer opening 239 formed in the lower housing 212, and the air introduced from the opening 239 is blown by the fan 233 into the upper housing 211. It is controlled to flow in the groove 241 inside.

  The upper casing 211 and the lower casing 212 are each provided with a groove extending in a direction perpendicular to the side surface of the casing. Are arranged in contact with the power generators 251 and 252 respectively. In the present embodiment, the pair of power generators 251 and 252 is configured on both sides of the front side and the back side so that the hydrogen side electrodes are arranged on the other power generator side, that is, the pair or one hydrogen side electrode is sandwiched. By arranging the hydrogen side electrode at the center, the pair of power generators 251 and 252 has gas or liquid fuel such as hydrogen fuel, methanol fuel or borohydride fuel on the hydrogen side electrode at the center. Supplied. Further, by arranging the hydrogen side electrode in the center, the oxygen side electrode is positioned on both the front and back surfaces of the pair of power generation bodies 251 and 252, and a pair of substantially flat power generation bodies 251, The effective area can be greatly increased by sandwiching the periphery of 252 with the oxygen side electrode.

  Here, the pair of power generators 251 and 252 will be described. A hydrogen side electrode is formed on one side and an oxygen side electrode is formed on the other side so as to sandwich a proton conducting membrane as an electrolyte membrane. A fuel fluid such as hydrogen gas is supplied from the outside to the hydrogen side electrode, and the fuel fluid reaches the reaction region through a fine hole in the electrode, and is adsorbed by the catalyst existing in the electrode to generate active hydrogen atoms and Become. These hydrogen atoms become hydrogen ions and move to the oxygen side electrode, which is the counter electrode, and electrons generated during ionization are sent to the hydrogen side electrode, and these electrons become an electromotive force that passes through a circuit connected to the outside. Reach the side electrode.

  The oxygen side electrode and the hydrogen side electrode are made of a conductive material such as a metal plate, a porous metal material, or a carbon material, and a current collector is connected to the oxygen side electrode and the hydrogen side electrode. The current collector is an electrode material for extracting an electromotive force generated at the electrode, and is configured using a metal material, a carbon material, a conductive nonwoven fabric, or the like. The power generators 251 and 252 having such a structure in which the electrolyte membrane is sandwiched between the oxygen side electrode and the hydrogen side electrode are called MEA (electrolyte membrane / electrode assembly), and particularly in this embodiment. Two power generators 251 and 252 are overlapped so that the hydrogen-side electrode is inside, and as a result, the front and back oxygen-side electrodes of the two power generators 251 and 252 are positioned. become. In the present embodiment, the power generators 251 and 252 are substantially rectangular flat plates extending in the longitudinal direction along the long side direction of the card-like casings 211 and 212, respectively. The size is obtained by subtracting the fans 231 and 233, which are air flow means, and the surrounding members from substantially half of the casings 211 and 212. Therefore, the fuel cell according to the present embodiment has a structure in which two of the four power generation bodies 251 and 252 are stacked, and the four power generation bodies 251 and 252 are connected in series. By doing so, it is possible to obtain a high electromotive force, and it is also possible to extend the operating time as a battery by changing the connection pattern and connecting the four power generators 251 and 252 in parallel.

  In the fuel cell of the present embodiment, each shape is structured to divide the short side of the card-like housing, but the power generators are stacked in such a shape that the long side is divided. It is also possible to arrange them, and the configuration is not limited to the case of 4 sheets, and 6, 8 or more power generators may be combined. Moreover, if the shape of each electric power generation body is the same, what is necessary is just to mount the same electric power generation body on manufacture, but it is not limited to this, You may combine the electric power generation body of a different shape. For example, a large-sized power generator and a small-sized power generator may be arranged in the same plane, or a thicker power generator and a thinner power generator may be arranged in the same plane. You may comprise. Further, a combination of different types of power generators having different performance in terms of capacity and efficiency may be mounted in the housing. Further, in the present embodiment, each of the power generators 251 and 252 is disposed in the housing with a required rigidity, but each power generator may have flexibility, in which case The housing can also be made of a flexible material. Further, the power generator itself may have a structure that can be replaced with a required cartridge type. Further, the position of the power generators may be moved, for example, the power generator may be slid in the housing to shift the position, and the connection form between the power generators may be changed.

  Next, the fans 231 and 233 as air flow means will be described. In the present embodiment, eight blades 261 are attached radially around the circumference of a cylindrical rotating shaft 260 located in the center of the fans 231 and 233 at regular intervals on the circumference. Each blade portion 261 has a rectangular shape whose longitudinal direction is the axial direction of the rotation shaft 260 of the fans 231 and 233, and an end portion of the blade portion 261 is formed by cutting out the upper housing 211 and the lower housing 212. The fan space 237 is separated from the inner wall of the fan space 237 with a slight clearance. In FIG. 21, the fan 231 is disposed on the front side, along the long sides of the casings 211 and 212, and in the vicinity of the side portions of the casings 211 and 212. On the contrary, the fan 233 is disposed on the rear side. It is disposed along the long side of 212 and in the vicinity of the sides of the casings 211 and 212. By arranging such fans 231 and 233, it is possible to increase the area of each electrode of the power generator. A pair of fans 231 and 233 are provided along the long sides of the casings 211 and 212, respectively, and a total of four fans 231 and 233 are driven by independent motors 235 and 236, respectively. The pair of fans 231 are arranged coaxially on one side, and the bearing 232 of the rotating shaft 260 of the fan 231 is shared by the pair of fans 231. The motors 235 and 236 are DC-driven micromotors having substantially the same diameter as the fans 231 and 233, and in particular, the motors 235 and 236 serve as support portions at the end portions of the fan space portion 237 that are cylindrical cutouts. To fix. A current from a wiring (not shown) is supplied to the motors 235 and 236, but part of the electromotive force generated in the fuel cell can be applied to the rotational force of the motors 235 and 236. The drive circuits of the motors 235 and 236 are configured by electronic components 272 such as integrated circuits mounted on a wiring board 271 disposed inside the same casings 211 and 212.

  The fans 231 and 233 having such a configuration rotate by supplying power to the motors 235 and 236. As electric power supplied to the motors 235 and 236, electromotive force generated in the fuel cell, that is, generated by the power generators 251 and 252 can be used. When the fans 231 and 233 rotate around the axis, the air in the fan space 237 around the blades 261 flows and is pushed out according to the rotation direction. As described above, since the fan space portion 237 on the fan 231 side is continuous with the plurality of grooves 238 formed inside the lower housing 212, the air in the fan space portion 237 is moved as the fan 231 rotates. Pushed into the groove 238 of the lower housing 212. In addition, since the fan space 237 on the fan 233 side is continuous with a plurality of grooves formed inside the upper housing 211, the air in the fan space 237 is kept in the upper housing 211 as the fan 233 rotates. It will be pushed out into the groove 241. Simultaneously with the push-out operation of the air in the fan space 237 into the air groove, an intake operation occurs in the fan space 237, and the fan space 237 on the fan 231 side is an opening formed in the upper housing 211. Air is taken in from the portion 222, and the fan space 237 on the fan 233 side takes in air from the opening 239 formed in the lower housing 212.

  Grooves 241 and 238 are formed in the upper casing 211 and the lower casing 212 so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the side surface of the casing, respectively. Fans 233, Air is sent from 231. The groove 241 is surrounded by the upper housing 211 on three sides of the cross section. On the lower surface, the surface of the upper power generator 251 is directly exposed in the groove 241. The inside of the groove 241 is driven by the fan 233. Therefore, the water that may remain in the oxygen-side electrode on the surface of the upper power generation body 251 can be evaporated and removed. Similarly, the groove 238 is surrounded by the lower housing 212 on three sides of the cross section. However, on the upper surface of the groove, the surface or bottom surface of the lower power generator 252 is directly exposed in the groove 238, and the groove Since air flows in the interior of 238 by driving the fan 231, water that may remain in the oxygen-side electrode on the surface of the lower power generation body 252 can be evaporated and removed. The air that has passed through the grooves 241 and 238 is discharged from the openings 223 and 240 provided at the end portions of the grooves 241 and 238 to the outside of the housing. At this time, moisture generated on the surfaces of the power generators 251 and 252 is also removed. At the same time, it is discharged out of the fuel cell. Therefore, water generated when supplying power as a fuel cell is efficiently discharged out of the cell.

  In the present embodiment, the grooves 238 and 241 functioning as air passages are formed in a plurality of parallel straight lines. It may be various plane patterns such as a U-shape, and the number of grooves may be singular or plural. Further, it is not necessary that all the individual grooves have the same size or length, and the shape may be such that the flow velocity of air in a portion where a lot of moisture is likely to be generated is increased. Moreover, the whole groove | channel may be hollow like this embodiment, and it is also possible to provide a water absorbing member. Further, the number of openings serving as air discharge ports is not limited to one for each groove, and may be opened at a plurality of locations. The opening may be provided with a net or shutter mechanism for preventing dust and the like from entering the inside of the housing. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the grooves 238 and 241 are formed on the inner surface of the housing, but a structure in which another member is sandwiched between the power generator and the housing may be used. The structure which attaches an air path may be sufficient. As another example of the air path, a member such as a breathable fiber material, a nonwoven fabric, or a porous material may be disposed.

  In addition to the power generators 251 and 252, the fans 231 and 233, and the motors 235 and 236 as described above, a fuel flow rate adjustment unit 281 is provided inside the fuel cell 201 of the present embodiment. The fuel flow rate adjusting unit 281 functions as an interface unit with the hydrogen storage cartridge 202 of the card-like fuel cell 201, and adjusts the fuel fluid from the hydrogen storage cartridge 202 to an appropriate amount while adjusting the fuel fluid to the power generator 251. , 252 has a mechanism for supplying efficiently. Specifically, the fuel flow rate adjusting unit 281 has a coupling part 283 that can be coupled to the fuel outlet 282 of the hydrogen storage cartridge 202, and a valve body (not shown) is provided inside the coupling part 282 so as to be continuous. The fuel is supplied to the space between the power generators 251 and 252 with a predetermined pressure. The fuel flow rate adjusting unit 281 includes a monitoring unit that monitors the coupling state of the hydrogen storage cartridge 202 to the fuel outlet 282, a pressure measuring unit that measures the pressure of the fuel from the hydrogen storage cartridge 202, the fuel cell 201, A temperature detection unit or the like of the hydrogen storage cartridge 202 is provided, and a fuel leakage prevention mechanism unit can be formed. For example, when it is determined that the pressure is too high based on the data from the pressure measurement unit that measures the fuel pressure, it is possible to control the valve body to be closed, and when it is determined that the pressure is too low. In contrast, it is possible to control the valve body to open. Such control can be performed by monitoring the state of the hydrogen storage cartridge 202 via the I / O unit 285, and the I / O unit 285 can be connected to the coupling protruding piece 284 of the hydrogen storage cartridge 202. It is arranged in the vicinity of the fitting portion 286 to be fitted, and data communication is possible with a similar I / O portion of the hydrogen storage cartridge 202. A similar I / O unit 275 is also provided on the output side, and it is also possible to detect the state of the fuel cell 201 that consumes the output power and control the output. For example, when the power consumption of a device that consumes output power changes in an active state, a sleep state, a soft-off state, a standby state, etc., control according to the state of such power consumption is possible. .

  Further, the wiring board 271 as described above is provided inside the fuel cell 201 of the present embodiment, and the motors 235 and 236 described above are rotated by the electronic components 272 and the like mounted on the wiring board 271. It is possible to control the number, stop / rotation, etc., and adjust the output voltage of the fuel cell 201. It is possible to send power to the device to be used.

  The hydrogen storage cartridge 202 connected to the fuel flow rate adjusting unit 281 is a member having a hydrogen storage alloy or the like inside, and is detachable from the casing of the fuel cell 201, and is coupled to the fuel outlet 282 when mounted. When the part 283 is coupled, the fuel fluid can flow, and when the hydrogen storage cartridge 202 is removed, a fuel outflow from the hydrogen storage cartridge 202 is stopped. The hydrogen storage cartridge 202 has substantially the same thickness and the same short side size as the card-shaped fuel cell 201. Therefore, when the hydrogen storage cartridge 202 is connected to the fuel cell 201, the card as a whole It becomes the form extended in the longitudinal direction of the shape, and handling becomes easy. In the present embodiment, the hydrogen storage cartridge 202 has been described as having substantially the same thickness and the same short side size as the card-shaped fuel cell 201, but the present invention is not limited to this, but has other shapes. For example, it may be thick, and the number of hydrogen storage cartridges that can be combined is not limited to one, but may be plural. Further, the number of coupling portions is not limited to one, and a plurality of coupling portions may be provided, and signal transmission means and the like may be disposed in the coupling portion or in the vicinity thereof.

  In the fuel cell 201 according to the present embodiment, as described above, grooves 238 and 241 serving as air passages are formed on the surfaces of the oxygen-side electrodes of the power generators 251 and 252, and the fan passes through these grooves 238 and 241. The air introduced by 231 and 233 evaporates the moisture on the surface of the oxygen-side electrode, and the air containing the evaporated moisture is further discharged from the openings 223 and 240 to the outside of the housing. For this reason, the water produced | generated to a fuel cell can be controlled to an appropriate quantity, and electric power can always be generated efficiently. In the case where water is evaporated by natural inflow of air, there is a problem that the evaporation speed is greatly influenced by the state of natural convection, the temperature and humidity of the outside air, and the opening size. In the battery, the air passing through the surface of the oxygen-side electrode is forcibly supplied by the fans 231 and 233, and moisture can be stably evaporated compared to the case where it depends on natural inflow.

  In the fuel cell 201 of the present embodiment, the positions of the fans 231 and 233 are described as being disposed along the long sides of the casings 211 and 212 and in the vicinity of the side portions of the casings 211 and 212. The position of the fan may be another place, for example, the fan may be provided along the short side of the card-like casing. Moreover, you may form so that air flow means, such as a fan, may be arrange | positioned in the position between several electric power generation bodies expand | deployed planarly. The card-like casings 211 and 212 are made of a required synthetic resin, metal, glass, ceramic, fiber-reinforced synthetic resin, etc., but are not necessarily limited to those that cannot be deformed, and can be folded or The structure which a member of a part etc. can attach or detach may be sufficient.

  FIG. 28 is a view for explaining a modified example of the fan. A pair of fans 291 and 291 are arranged in a cross section in a substantially flat casing 295 coupled to the hydrogen storage cartridge 292 so that the respective rotation shafts 290 are arranged in a straight line, and each fan 291 is spirally formed. An extended blade portion 292 is formed around the rotation shaft 290. The fan 291 is coaxial with the motor 293 and functions so that the fan 291 rotates around the axis by the rotation of the motor 293 and blows air in the axial direction. The pair of fans 291 may be controlled so as to rotate in the same direction, or an inlet of an air passage such as a groove may be provided in a common bearing portion, and air may be sent to both sides therefrom.

[Third embodiment]
The present embodiment is an example of a fuel cell in which air flow means using a fan is formed on one side surface. As shown in FIG. 29, a substantially rectangular card-type housing 301 is provided, and a power generator 303 is disposed inside the housing 301. Here, the case 301 of the card type fuel cell can have a size standardized as a PC card as an example, and specifically, a size standardized by JEIDA / PCMCIA can be applied. The standardized size is defined as 85.6 mm ± 0.2 mm in the vertical (long side) and 54.0 mm ± 0.1 mm in the horizontal (short side). The card thickness is standardized for each of type I and type II, that is, for type I, the thickness of the connector is 3.3 ± 0.1 mm, and the thickness of the base is 3 .3 ± 0.2 mm. For type II, the thickness of the connector portion is 3.3 ± 0.1 mm, the thickness of the base portion is 5.0 mm or less, and the standard dimension of the thickness is ± 0.2 mm. The card-type casing 301 can also be configured to overlap the upper casing and the lower casing.

  The card-type casing 301 is coupled with a hydrogen storage cartridge 302 that can be continuously arranged with substantially the same size in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the card-type casing 301. A hydrogen storage unit such as a hydrogen storage alloy is disposed inside the hydrogen storage cartridge 302 and is detachable from the housing 301 of the fuel cell. When the hydrogen storage cartridge 302 is mounted, the fuel outlet and the coupling portion are coupled to allow the fuel fluid to flow, and when the hydrogen storage cartridge 302 is removed, fuel outflow from the hydrogen storage cartridge 302 is stopped. It has a mechanism.

  Inside the card-type casing 301, a power generation section 303 combining four power generation bodies, a coupling section 304 for introducing the fuel fluid from the hydrogen storage cartridge 302 into the card-type casing 301, and this A power generation side coupling unit 305 to which the coupling unit 304 is inserted and coupled, a flow rate adjustment unit 307 connected to the power generation side coupling unit 305 via a pipe 306, and a pipe 308 connecting the flow rate adjustment unit 307 and the power generation unit 303. And a control circuit unit 309 that mounts an electronic component 310 on the wiring board 311 and performs output control using the electronic component or the like. A pair of fans 312 and 313 as air flow means are further arranged in the card-type housing 301 so as to extend along the side surface of the housing. The fans 312 and 313 are driven to rotate by corresponding motors 314 and 315, respectively. The fan 312 and the fan 313 are arranged in parallel, and in particular in the present embodiment, the fan 312 and the fan 313 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction, and the power generator located on the upper side and the power generator located on the lower side, respectively. Inflate the air.

  The fans 312 and 313 have a structure in which blade portions are provided around a cylindrical rotation shaft, and each blade portion extends linearly in the rotation shaft direction and is radially formed in the radial direction of the rotation shaft. . Accordingly, the fans 312 and 313 rotate around the rotation axis by driving the motors 314 and 315, and send air into a space in the casing along a groove (not shown) in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. As will be described later, the fans 312 and 313 are used for evaporating water generated in the oxygen side electrode, and can also dissipate heat by sending air. Although the fans 312 and 313 are connected to the motors 314 and 315 via the connectors 316 and 317, the motors 314 and 315 and the fans 312 and 313 may be directly connected without providing the connectors 316 and 317. .

  The power generation unit 303 is a structure in which four power generation bodies are combined, and one power generation body has a structure in which an electrolyte membrane such as a proton conductor is sandwiched between a hydrogen side electrode and an oxygen side electrode. The side electrode and the hydrogen side electrode are made of a conductive material such as a metal plate, a porous metal material, or a carbon material, and a current collector is connected to the oxygen side electrode and the hydrogen side electrode. The current collector is an electrode material for extracting an electromotive force generated at the electrode, and is configured using a metal material, a carbon material, a conductive nonwoven fabric, or the like. The four power generating bodies are arranged in such a manner that two stacked ones are arranged in the housing. When two power generators are stacked, the hydrogen side electrodes can be stacked so that the surfaces face each other. In this case, the fuel fluid is fed into the space between the stacked hydrogen side electrodes so that the electrodes Activation is possible, and the surfaces that need to be supplied with oxygen are superposed on the front and back surfaces of the power generator, which are oxygen-side electrode surfaces.

  The power generation side coupling unit 305 is a mechanism unit that is coupled to the coupling unit 304 of the hydrogen storage cartridge 302 and introduces fuel fluid into the fuel cell while maintaining airtightness from the hydrogen storage cartridge 302. Specifically, it has a mechanism that locks when the tip of the coupling part 304 is inserted into the power generation side coupling part 305 and is further pushed in, so that gas leakage is prevented during such wearing operation. Has been. When the fuel fluid is not hydrogen gas but a liquid such as a direct methanol system, a detachable fuel fluid storage tank can be used instead of the hydrogen storage cartridge 302.

  Although it is possible to provide a mechanical flow rate adjustment mechanism in such a power generation side coupling portion 305, in the fuel cell of the present embodiment, a flow rate adjustment portion 307 is provided between the power generation side coupling portion 305 and the power generation portion 303. It is arranged. The flow rate adjusting unit 307 is a device for making the flow rate of the fuel fluid constant electronically or mechanically, and can control the pressure by providing a valve body or the like.

  The control circuit unit 309 is a circuit for controlling the electromotive force output from the power generation unit 303. Further, the control circuit unit 309 monitors the coupling state with the hydrogen storage cartridge 302 on the fuel supply side and detects the load state of the output supply destination. However, it is also possible to adjust the output, for example, to adjust the output voltage according to the mode of the device using the electromotive force (active mode, standby mode, sleep mode, etc.). In addition, the control circuit unit 309 can be provided with a circuit unit that controls the motors 314 and 315 that drive the fans 312 and 313 described above. As a power source used for the control circuit 309, a part of the power generated in the power generation unit 303 may be used. A pair of output terminals 318 and 319 protrude from the control circuit 309, and the tips of the output terminals 318 and 319 protrude from the card-type housing 301 to the outside.

  The fuel cell of the present embodiment having such a structure has a fan 312 for supplying oxygen to the fuel cell on one side surface of the card-like casing 301 and promoting the evaporation of generated water on the surface of the oxygen-side electrode. 313 are arranged. By rotating these fans 312 and 313 to guide the air along a groove (not shown), it is possible to effectively remove water generated on the surface of the oxygen side electrode, and to prevent a decrease in output voltage. It is.

  In addition, since the control circuit unit 309 is also mounted in the fuel cell according to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily execute output voltage optimization, control according to conditions and environment, and not just a power generation device. It is useful as a battery having an information processing function. In addition, the coupling portion has a structure in which fluid leakage such as gas leakage is prevented, and the safety as a device is sufficient.

[Fourth embodiment]
In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 30 to 32, a part of the plurality of grooves is used for evaporation of water generated in the oxygen side electrode, and the other part is used for heat dissipation of the electrode. It is.

  FIG. 30 shows an example in which the grooves 371 and 372 passing over the power generator are used for evaporation and heat dissipation, and the groove 372 used for heat dissipation and the groove 371 used for evaporation are the housing 370. Are provided alternately. Each of the grooves 371 and 372 is substantially linear, and is extended to a length over both ends in the short side direction of the power generator. The cross-sectional shape of each of the grooves 371 and 372 is substantially rectangular, but is not limited thereto, and may be other shapes such as a semicircular shape or a V shape.

  Fans 351 and 353 are provided at the ends of the grooves 371 and 372, respectively. These fans 351 and 353 have a structure in which blade portions are formed around a cylindrical rotation shaft, and are driven by motors 352 and 354 to cause air to flow in the extending direction of the grooves 371 and 372. Here, the roles of the fan 351 and the fan 353 are different, and the fan 351 continuously sends air to the evaporation groove 371 so as to evaporate water near the current collector plate on the surface of the power generator. Is controlled so that the temperature of the power generator does not become excessive through the separator continuously to the heat radiation groove 372. Air discharge ports 373 and 374 are formed on the opposite sides of the grooves 371 and 372 to the side where the fans 351 and 353 are formed, and the air passing through the grooves 371 and 372 is discharged.

  FIG. 31 shows a schematic cross section of the power generator. From the bottom side, a current collector plate 381, a hydrogen side electrode 382, an electrolyte membrane 383 that is a proton conductor, an oxygen side electrode 384, a current collector plate 385, and a separator 386 are shown. Have a laminated structure. The separator 386 is a film for electrical insulation, and an opening 375 corresponding to the groove 371 is provided. For this reason, the air passing through the groove 371 can be removed while evaporating the water generated up to the current collector plate 385 and the oxygen side electrode 384 without being separated by the separator 386. In addition, the heat radiation groove 372 is separated by the separator 386, and the air passing through the groove 372 does not reach the current collector plate 385 and the oxygen side electrode 384, and the heat transmitted through the separator 386. Is carried away from the surface of the separator 386 to promote heat dissipation. The opening 375 is not limited to an opening for evaporation but may be an opening for normal oxygen supply, and can be used for both oxygen supply and evaporation.

  In the fuel cell having such a structure, the amount of air inflow from the fan 351 can be increased by rotating the fan 351. In this case, the amount of oxygen supplied to the fuel cell can be increased. Further, water generated at the oxygen side electrode 384 can be evaporated and removed, and the output of the fuel cell can be increased. Further, by rotating the fan 353 disposed on the opposite side, the amount of air flowing in from the fan 353 can be increased. In this case, heat can be released from the surface of the separator 386. Therefore, it becomes possible to control the output of the fuel cell to a stable value.

  In the fuel cell of the present embodiment, shutters 355 and 359 are provided in the evaporation groove 371 and the heat dissipation groove 372, respectively. The shutter 355 is connected to an opening / closing actuator 357 via connection portions 358 and 363. By operating the actuator 357, the shutter 355 can be shifted in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of each groove 371. Similarly, the shutter 359 is connected to an opening / closing actuator 361 via connection portions 362 and 364, and the shutter 355 is shifted in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of each groove 371 by operating the actuator 357. Can do. FIG. 32 shows that the actuators 357 and 361 are actuated, and the shutters 355 and 359 are both closed. This closed state occurs when the positions of the openings 356 and 360 of the shutters 355 and 359 are shifted from the positions of the grooves 371 and 372. By closing the shutters 355 and 359 in this manner, the air from the fans 351 and 353 does not flow into the grooves 371 and 372, and thus evaporation and heat dissipation are suppressed as compared to the state in which the shutter is opened. In FIG. 32, the actuators 357 and 361 are operated and the shutters 355 and 359 are both closed. However, only one of the actuators 357 and 361 can be operated for control. The fan operation may be stopped or the rotational speed may be adjusted without providing a mechanism.

  In the fuel cell according to the present embodiment, not only the supply of oxygen but also water can be removed for heat radiation, and a high output and a stable output can be realized. Further, individual control of evaporation and heat dissipation can be performed by a shutter mechanism or the like, and control characteristics can be further improved.

[Fifth embodiment]
The present embodiment is an example of a fuel cell that controls both heat dissipation and evaporation by a single fan. As shown in FIG. 33, a groove 398 used for heat dissipation and a groove 399 used for evaporation are alternately provided in the housing 400. Each of the grooves 398 and 399 is substantially linear, and is extended to a length over both ends in the short side direction of the power generation body. The cross-sectional shape of each of the grooves 398 and 399 is substantially rectangular, but is not limited thereto, and may be other shapes such as a semicircular shape and a V shape. The groove 398 used for heat dissipation passes over the separator of the power generator, and the groove 399 used for evaporation passes over the opening provided in the separator of the power generator.

  A fan 390 which is an air flow means is provided at one end of the grooves 398 and 399, and no air flow means such as a fan is formed at the other end. The fan 390 has a structure in which blade portions 389 are spirally formed around a cylindrical rotating body. When the motor 391 is rotated, air can flow in a direction along the rotation axis. it can. When the motor 391 is rotated forward and when it is rotated reversely, whether the air is blown from the motor-side end portion of the fan 390 or the opposite-side end portion of the motor 391 is different.

  The plurality of evaporation grooves 399 are connected in common to a groove 397 provided in the connecting portion 396, and the groove 387 is connected to the opposite end of the motor 391 of the fan 390 via a tube 395. Therefore, when the motor 391 is rotated so that air is blown from the opposite end of the motor 391, air is guided to the plurality of evaporation grooves 399 via the pipe 395 and the groove 397, and the moisture on the surface of the power generator is evaporated. Can be promoted. Further, the plurality of heat radiation grooves 398 are connected in common to a groove 394 provided in the connecting portion 393, and the groove 384 is connected to the motor side end portion of the fan 390 via a pipe 392. Therefore, when the motor 391 is rotated so that the air is blown from the end close to the motor 391, air is guided to the plurality of heat radiating grooves 398 through the pipe 392 and the groove 394, thereby promoting heat radiation on the surface of the power generator. Can be made. Note that a shutter, a valve, or the like may be provided in the middle of the pipes 392 and 395 to prevent airflow in the reverse direction.

  In the fuel cell of the present embodiment having such a structure, both heat radiation and evaporation can be controlled by a single fan 390. Therefore, since the number of parts can be reduced, it is possible to simultaneously realize a reduction in the cost of the fuel cell and an improvement in power generation efficiency.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the fan is mainly formed as the air flow means has been described. However, for example, a device such as a pump that causes a pressure difference to flow in the air may be used.

  In the present invention, a notebook personal computer has been described as an example of a device equipped with a fuel cell and a fuel cell card. However, as another example of use, the present invention can be applied to a portable printer, facsimile, personal computer peripheral device, telephone , Television receivers, communication equipment, portable terminals, watches, cameras, audio video equipment, electric fans, refrigerators, irons, pots, vacuum cleaners, rice cookers, electromagnetic cookers, lighting equipment, toys such as game machines and radio controlled cars, It can be used for electric tools, medical equipment, measuring equipment, on-vehicle equipment, office equipment, health and beauty instruments, electronically controlled robots, clothing-type electronic equipment, transportation machinery, and other applications.

  Further, in the present invention, an example in which hydrogen gas is mainly used as the fuel has been described. However, an alcohol (liquid) such as methanol may be used as the fuel corresponding to the so-called direct methanol system.

It is a disassembled perspective view of the fuel cell card of one embodiment of the present invention. (1) Upper housing (2) Upper current collector (3) Power generator (4) Hydrogen supply unit (5) Power generator (6) Lower current collector (7) Lower housing It is a perspective view which shows inserting the fuel cell card | curd of the said one embodiment into a notebook type personal computer. It is an external appearance perspective view of the fuel cell card of the one embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the fuel cell card | curd of the said one Embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view of the lower housing | casing etc. in the fuel cell card | curd of the said one Embodiment. (1) Lower current collector (2) Insulating film (3) Lower housing It is a disassembled perspective view of the electric power generation body in the fuel cell card | curd of the said one Embodiment. (1) Seal material (2) Hydrogen side electrode (3) Proton conductor membrane (4) Oxygen side electrode It is a disassembled perspective view of the hydrogen supply part in the fuel cell card | curd of the said one Embodiment. (1) Hydrogen side current collector (2) Insulating film (3) Hydrogen side current collector It is a disassembled perspective view of the upper housing etc. in the fuel cell card of the one embodiment. (1) Upper housing (2) Insulating film (3) Upper current collector It is a top view of a part of hydrogen supply part in the fuel cell card of one embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the hydrogen supply part in the fuel cell card | curd of the said one Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the hydrogen supply part in the fuel cell card of one embodiment. It is a top view of the electric power generation body in the fuel cell card | curd of the said one Embodiment. It is an expanded sectional view of the electric power generation body in the fuel cell card of one embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hydrogen storage stick of the said one Embodiment, Comprising: A top view, a left view, and a bottom part are shown. It is a schematic perspective view which shows another example of the fuel cell of this invention. It is a schematic perspective view which shows another example of the fuel cell of this invention. It is a schematic perspective view which shows another example of the fuel cell of this invention. It is a top view which shows the shape of the insulating film of the fuel cell of this invention. It is the top view and side view which show the structural example of the insulating film periphery of the fuel cell of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the fuel cell of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the fuel cell of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. (1) Upper housing (2) Power generator, etc. (3) Lower housing It is the partially broken top view which shows the fuel cell of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the fuel cell of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and is sectional drawing along the XXIII-XXIII line | wire of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the fuel cell of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and is sectional drawing along the XXIV-XXIV line | wire of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the fuel cell of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and is sectional drawing along the XXV-XXV line | wire of FIG. It is a side view which shows the fuel cell of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and shows the side by the side of an output terminal. It is a side view which shows the fuel cell of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and shows the side by the side of a hydrogen storage cartridge. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the fuel cell of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and shows the example by which the blade | wing part of a fan is formed helically. It is a perspective view which permeate | transmits and shows the fuel cell of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a typical principal part top view of the fuel cell of the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is principal part sectional drawing of the fuel cell of the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a typical principal part top view of the fuel cell of the 4th Embodiment of this invention, and is a figure which shows the state which the shutter closed. It is a typical principal part top view of the fuel cell of the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the fuel cell using a general proton conductor membrane. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows an example of the conventional fuel cell. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the conventional fuel cell.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Fuel cell card | curd, 11, 12 ... Electric power generation body, 13 ... Hydrogen supply part, 14 ... Upper side housing | casing, 15 ... Lower side housing | casing, 16 ... Upper side electrical power collector, 17 ... Lower side electrical power collector, 18 ... Hydrogen Occlusion stick, 47 ... communication groove, 71 ... oxygen side electrode, 72 ... proton conductor membrane, 73 ... hydrogen side electrode, 74 ... sealing material, 75 ... hole, 81,82 ... hydrogen side current collector, 83,84 ... Insulating film, 91 ... Hydrogen piping part, 50, 100 ... Insulating film, 201 ... Fuel cell, 202 ... Hydrogen storage cartridge, 211 ... Upper housing, 212 ... Lower housing, 222, 223 ... Opening, discharge part, 231, 233 ... fan, 235, 236 ... motor, 251, 252 ... power generator, 301 ... card-like housing, 302 ... hydrogen storage cartridge, 303 ... power generator, 305 ... power generation side coupling part, 307 ... flow rate adjustment part, 309 ... Control circuit section, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Wiring board, 312, 313 ... Fan, 314, 315 ... Motor, 351, 353 ... Fan, 352, 354 ... Motor, 355, 359 ... Shutter, 357, 361 ... Actuator, 370 ... Housing, 371, 372 ... Groove, 375 ... opening, 381, 385 ... current collector plate, 382 ... hydrogen side electrode, 383 ... electrolyte membrane, 384 ... oxygen side electrode, 386 ... separator, 390 ... fan, 391 ... motor, 398, 399 ... groove, 400 ... Case

Claims (61)

A proton conductor membrane, a planar fuel side electrode and an oxygen side electrode sandwiching the proton conductor membrane, a fuel supply means to the fuel side electrode, and the oxygen side electrode in close contact with the oxygen side electrode A fuel cell comprising a planar current collector having a permeable portion that opens. The fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein the fuel supply means supplies hydrogen or methanol as fuel. The fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein the transmission part of the current collector is an opening formed by cutting out the current collector. The fuel cell according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of the openings are formed. The fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein the fuel supply means includes a pair of planar fuel-side current collectors that are opposed to each other with an insulating film having a fuel flow path of the fuel cell interposed therebetween. A proton conductor membrane, a planar fuel side electrode and an oxygen side electrode sandwiching the proton conductor membrane, a fuel supply means to the fuel side electrode, and the oxygen side electrode in close contact with the oxygen side electrode A planar oxygen-side current collector having a permeation portion to be opened; and a housing having a gas inflow portion formed on the outside of the oxygen-side current collector and formed in communication with the permeation portion.
The fuel cell characterized by the above-mentioned. The fuel cell according to claim 6, wherein the transmissive portion of the current collector is an opening portion in which the current collector is cut out, and the gas inflow portion is formed of an opening portion in which the housing is cut out. The fuel cell according to claim 7, wherein the opening formed by cutting out the current collector and the opening formed by cutting out the housing have substantially the same surface shape. It is sandwiched between the pair of power generators, a substantially flat casing having gas inflow portions formed on the front and back surfaces, a pair of power generators disposed in the casing with the surfaces facing each other, and the like. Fuel supply means for supplying fuel to the power generation body, and a portion of the power generation body that is communicated with the gas inflow portion and between the front and back surfaces of the housing and the pair of power generation bodies are opened to the atmosphere And a planar oxygen-side current collector having a permeating portion. 10. The fuel cell according to claim 9, wherein the power generator includes a proton conductor membrane, and a planar fuel side electrode and an oxygen side electrode sandwiching the proton conductor membrane, respectively. The fuel cell according to claim 9, wherein an insulating film is formed between the casing and the oxygen-side current collector. The transmissive portion of the current collector is an opening cut out of the current collector, the insulating film has an opening cut out of a part, and the gas inflow portion is an opening cut out of the housing The fuel cell according to claim 11, comprising: a portion. The fuel cell according to claim 11, wherein the openings formed in the current collector, the insulating film, and the housing have substantially the same surface shape. The fuel cell according to claim 9, wherein the casing is a PC card size. In a function card that is inserted and installed in a card slot provided in the apparatus main body, a power generation comprising an oxygen side electrode and a hydrogen side electrode facing each other with a proton conductor membrane sandwiched inside the function card housing And generating electric power by supplying oxygen from the gas inlet formed in the casing to the oxygen side electrode in an open state and supplying fuel gas or fuel liquid to the power generator. Function card. The function card according to claim 15, wherein when the function card is mounted on the apparatus main body, a fuel storage unit is detachably attached to an area of the casing facing the apparatus main body. A connector portion that is locked to a connector portion formed at the bottom of the card slot of the device body when inserted into the device body, and the generated power can be taken out through the connector portion. The function card according to claim 15. The function card according to claim 17, wherein information relating to power generation is input / output from the connector section. The function card according to claim 15, wherein generated power can be taken out from a part of the casing facing the apparatus main body when the function card is attached to the apparatus main body. The function card according to claim 15, wherein the function card is formed in a size standardized by JEIDA / PCMCIA. The function card according to claim 15, wherein the function card is a type I size standardized by JEIDA / PCMCIA, and is a type II size when the fuel gas storage unit is attached. In a function card that is inserted into a card slot provided in a peripheral device that can be selectively attached to the apparatus main body, the oxygen side facing the proton conductor membrane is disposed inside the function card housing. A power generation body comprising an electrode and a hydrogen side electrode is arranged, oxygen is taken into the oxygen side electrode from the gas inlet formed in the housing in an open state, and fuel gas or fuel liquid is supplied to the power generation body A functional card that generates electricity by The housing has a housing that is substantially the same shape as the housing of the removable storage medium. Inside the housing is a power generator that includes an oxygen-side electrode and a hydrogen-side electrode that face each other with a proton conductor membrane interposed therebetween. The fuel cell is characterized in that oxygen is taken into the oxygen side electrode from the gas inlet formed in the casing in an open state and fuel gas or fuel liquid is supplied to the power generator to generate power. A pair of planar power generators supported so that the surfaces are opposed to each other, and a pair of planar collectors sandwiched between the pair of power generators so that a contact surface with the power generator is permeable to gas or liquid A fuel cell comprising: an electric body; and an insulating film having a flow path formed between the pair of planar current collectors and communicating with the power generation body. 25. A fuel permeable material portion or an opening is provided on the contact surface, and fuel is supplied to the power generator through the fuel permeable material portion or the opening. Fuel cell. 25. The fuel cell according to claim 24, wherein the insulating film extends so as to circulate around an end portion of the opposing surface of the planar current collector. 27. The fuel cell according to claim 26, wherein the insulating film is provided with a flow path formed by one or more deformations or notches. 28. The fuel cell according to claim 27, wherein a valve that can be opened and closed is provided in part or all of the flow path. The fuel cell according to claim 24, wherein the insulating film is made of a synthetic resin film. The fuel cell according to claim 24, wherein a fuel gas or a fuel liquid is supplied to the power generator through the flow path. The fuel cell according to claim 30, wherein the fuel gas is hydrogen or a gas mainly composed of hydrogen. The fuel cell according to claim 24, wherein the power generator is composed of a proton conductor membrane sandwiched between a hydrogen side electrode and an oxygen side electrode. The fuel cell according to claim 32, wherein the oxygen side electrode is opened to the atmosphere. The fuel cell according to claim 24, wherein a pair of other planar current collectors are formed so as to sandwich the pair of planar power generation bodies. Four power generating bodies supported so that the two faces arranged in the same plane face each other, and the power generating body are sandwiched between the power generating bodies so that gas or liquid can be transmitted through the contact surface. A fuel cell, comprising: a pair of planar current collectors; and an insulating film having a channel formed between the pair of planar current collectors and communicating with the power generator. 36. A fuel permeable material portion or an opening is provided on the contact surface, and fuel is supplied to the power generator through the fuel permeable material or the opening. Fuel cell. 36. The fuel cell according to claim 35, wherein the insulating film extends so as to circulate around an end portion of the opposing surface of the planar current collector. 38. The fuel cell according to claim 37, wherein the insulating film is provided with a flow path formed by one or more deformations or notches. The fuel cell according to claim 38, wherein a valve that can be opened and closed is provided in a part or all of the flow path. An insulating film is sandwiched between a pair of planar current collectors having openings, and fuel is supplied to each opening of the pair of planar current collectors from a fuel flow path formed in a part of the insulating film. A fuel supply mechanism for a fuel cell. 41. The fuel cell according to claim 40, wherein the insulating film has a gas supply port that extends around an end portion of the opposing surface of the planar current collector, and is partially cut away. Fuel supply mechanism. The fuel supply mechanism for a fuel cell according to claim 40, wherein the insulating film is made of a synthetic resin film. 41. The fuel supply mechanism for a fuel cell according to claim 40, wherein a planar power generation body that generates power using the fuel for the fuel cell is formed on an outer surface of the pair of planar current collectors. . The fuel supply mechanism for a fuel cell according to claim 40, wherein the fuel is hydrogen, a gas mainly containing hydrogen, or methanol. A proton conductor membrane and a pair of planar electrodes sandwiching the proton conductor membrane, and configured such that an end of the proton conductor membrane faces around one of the planar electrodes A power generator, wherein a sealing material is provided in close contact with an end portion. 46. The power generator according to claim 45, wherein one of the planar electrodes is a hydrogen side electrode and the other is an oxygen side electrode. 46. The power generator according to claim 45, wherein the sealing material is thicker than one of the planar electrodes. 46. The power generator according to claim 45, wherein the other of the proton conductor membrane and the planar electrode has substantially the same planar shape. 46. The power generator according to claim 45, wherein a planar gas-permeable current collector is pressure-bonded to one of the sealing material and the planar electrode. A proton conductor membrane;
A pair of planar electrodes sandwiching the proton conductor membrane, and is configured such that an end of the proton conductor membrane faces around one of the planar electrodes, and a sealing material is provided at the facing end. A power generator provided in close contact;
A fuel cell comprising a planar current collector capable of supplying a fuel gas and in close contact with one of the sealing material and the planar electrode. 51. The fuel cell according to claim 50, wherein one of the planar electrodes is a hydrogen side electrode and the other is an oxygen side electrode. 52. The fuel cell according to claim 51, wherein the sealing material is thicker than one of the planar electrodes. 52. The fuel cell according to claim 51, wherein the other of the proton conductor membrane and the planar electrode has substantially the same planar shape. A pair of planar hydrogen side current collectors facing each other across an insulating film having a gas flow path of a fuel cell;
A proton conductor membrane, a pair of planar electrodes sandwiching the proton conductor membrane, and a sealing material that is in close contact with a portion facing one end of the proton conductor membrane around one of the planar electrodes, A pair of power generators in close contact with each surface of the hydrogen-like current collector through the sealing material and the planar electrode,
A fuel cell, comprising: a pair of planar air-side current collectors that are in close contact with the other planar electrode of the power generation body. 55. The fuel cell according to claim 54, wherein one of the planar electrodes is a hydrogen side electrode and the other is an oxygen side electrode. 55. The fuel cell according to claim 54, wherein the pair of planar air-side current collectors have gas permeable portions for opening to the atmosphere. 55. The fuel cell according to claim 54, wherein the gas permeable portion is formed of an opening or a gas permeable member in which a part of the planar air-side current collector is cut out. 55. The pair of planar hydrogen side current collectors, the pair of power generation bodies, and the pair of planar air side current collectors are accommodated in a casing having a gas inflow portion. Fuel cell. 59. The fuel cell according to claim 58, wherein the casing is a PC card size. 59. The fuel cell according to claim 58, wherein the gas inflow portion reflecting the position of the gas permeable portion formed in the planar air-side current collector is formed in the casing. A pair of planar electrodes sandwiching the proton conductor membrane is formed so that an end of the proton conductor membrane faces around one of the planar electrodes, and a sealing material is adhered to the facing ends. A method for manufacturing a power generator.

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