JP2013077444A - Fuel cell, fuel cartridge and connection structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A fuel cell, a fuel cartridge, and a connection structure that can be miniaturized and that can prevent erroneous connection.
A connection structure 1 provided in a fuel cartridge 3 and a fuel cell 2, a connection body 6 having a cylindrical connection port 21 provided in one of the fuel cartridge 3 and the fuel cell 2, and a fuel Provided on the other side of the cartridge 3 and the fuel cell 2, and provided on the connected body 7 having a cylindrical connected port 61 connected to the connecting port 21, and a portion of the connecting port 21 that contacts the connected port 61. Provided in the concave portion group 25 and the convex portion group 65 that can be engaged with the concave portion group 25 provided in the portion of the connected port 61 in contact with the connecting port 21, the connecting port 21 and the connected port 61, respectively. Valve bodies 12 and 52 that close the connection port 21 and the connection port 61, respectively, and open the connection port 21 and the connection port 61 when the recess group 25 and the projection group 65 are engaged;
It is set as the structure provided with.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell that generates power using gaseous or liquid fuel, a fuel cartridge that supplies fuel to the fuel cell, and a connection structure that connects the fuel cell and the fuel cartridge to each other.

  Currently, the use of fuel cells as a small power source for mobile phones, notebook computers, PDAs, and other electronic devices is being studied. Such a fuel cell is provided in an electronic device and generates power using a gas or liquid fuel. The fuel is supplied to the fuel cell using a fuel cartridge.

  Specifically, the fuel cell has a cylindrical receiving port having an on-off valve (valve element) inside, and the fuel cartridge has an on-off valve (valve element) that can be inserted into the supply port. It has a cylindrical supply port. By connecting the receiving port and the supply port, the on-off valve provided at the receiving port and the supply port is opened, and fuel is supplied from the fuel cartridge to the fuel cell.

  For example, methanol is used as the fuel used in such a fuel cell. Various fuels having different components and concentrations are used depending on the electronic equipment used. Further, the fuel is stored in the fuel cartridge at different pressures depending on the type of fuel and the electronic device. For this reason, it is necessary to prevent erroneous connection when connecting the fuel cell and the fuel cartridge.

  Therefore, as a connection structure of the fuel cell and the fuel cartridge, a technique for preventing an erroneous connection by providing a keyway and a key, a positioning pin and a positioning hole around the receiving port and the supply port or around them is known. (For example, see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

  However, in these connection structures, the connection work becomes complicated because the connection is not performed if the position of the key and the key groove or the position of the positioning pin and the positioning hole is displaced in the circumferential direction.

  Moreover, when a rotational force is applied to the receiving port or the supply port in the circumferential direction, the key or the positioning pin may be damaged. Therefore, as a connection structure, the receiving port and the supply port are provided with a cam portion having an inclined surface with respect to the circumferential direction, and a cam follower portion contacting the inclined surface of the cam portion, and a predetermined rotational force is applied in the circumferential direction. A technique is also known in which the engagement between the cam portion and the cam follower portion is released by an inclined surface (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

JP 2006-54055 A JP 2006-108013 A JP 2007-194054 A

  The fuel cell and fuel cartridge connection structure described above has the following problems. That is, in the connection structure described above, it is necessary to provide a keyway and a key, a positioning pin and a positioning hole, or a cam portion and a cam follower portion on the peripheral surface and the periphery of the receiving port and the supply port. For this reason, the thickness, installation space, etc. of a receiving port and a supply port are needed, and a receiving port and a supply port will be enlarged. However, in the case of a small electronic device, there is a limit to the shapes that can be used for the receiving port and the supply port, and it may be difficult to provide the connection structure described above.

  Further, when the cam follower portion is provided so as to engage with the specific cam portion, the supply port cannot be connected to the receiving port regardless of the positional relationship of the cam portion with the cam follower portion. Although it is necessary to make it into a shape, there also exists a problem that identification of these shapes is difficult.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell, a fuel cartridge, and a connection structure that can be miniaturized and that can prevent erroneous connection.

  In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the fuel cell, the fuel cartridge and the connection structure of the present invention are configured as follows.

  As one aspect of the present invention, a connection structure provided in a fuel cartridge and a fuel cell to which fuel is supplied from the fuel cartridge includes a cylindrical connection port provided in one of the fuel cartridge and the fuel cell. A connection body having a cylindrical connection port provided on the other side of the fuel cartridge and the fuel cell and connected to the connection port; and the connection port of the connection port contacting the connection port A recess group provided in a part, a protrusion group provided in a part of the connection port that comes into contact with the connection port, engageable with the recess group, the connection port, and the connection port, respectively. And a valve body that closes the connection port and the connection port respectively and opens the connection port and the connection port when the recess group and the projection group are engaged.

  As one aspect of the present invention, a fuel cell to which fuel is supplied by a connecting member having a cylindrical connecting port, and a fuel cartridge provided at the connecting port and opening and closing the connecting port, A connected body having a cylindrical connection port connected to the connection port; one of a concave group and a convex group provided in a portion of the connection port that contacts the connection port; and the connection port. A valve body that is provided and closes the connected port and opens the connecting port and the connected port by engaging with the valve body of the fuel cartridge when the concave group and the convex group are engaged. The fuel cartridge is provided with the other of the concave portion group and the convex portion group at a portion in contact with the connected port.

  As one aspect of the present invention, a fuel cartridge that supplies fuel to a fuel cell including a connection body having a cylindrical connection port and a valve body that is provided in the connection port and opens and closes the connection port. A to-be-connected body having a cylindrical to-be-connected port connected to the connecting port, one of a concave group and a convex group provided in a portion of the to-be-connected port in contact with the connecting port; The connection port is provided to close the connection port, and when the recess group and the projection group are engaged, the connection port and the connection port are opened by engaging with the valve body of the fuel cell. The fuel cell is provided with the other of the concave portion group and the convex portion group at a portion that comes into contact with the connected port.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a fuel cell, a fuel cartridge, and a connection structure that can be miniaturized and that can prevent erroneous connection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Explanatory drawing which shows typically the structure of the fuel cell and fuel cartridge which concern on one embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the structure of the connection structure used for the fuel cell and fuel cartridge. The perspective view which shows the structure of the connection structure. The perspective view which shows the structure of the connection structure. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the connection structure. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the connection structure. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the combination of the connection structure. The perspective view which shows an example of the connection structure. The perspective view which shows an example of the connection structure. The perspective view which shows an example of the connection structure. The perspective view which shows an example of the connection structure. The perspective view which shows an example of the connection structure. The perspective view which shows an example of the connection structure.

  Hereinafter, the structure of the fuel cell 2 and the fuel cartridge 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention and the connection structure 1 used for the fuel cell 2 and the fuel cartridge will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

  FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the configuration of an electronic device 100 and a fuel cartridge 3 in which a fuel cell 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention is used, and FIG. 2 is a connection used for the fuel cell 2 and the fuel cartridge 3. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the connection structure 1, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the connection structure 1, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the connection state, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the connection structure 1 in a connected state, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing an example of a combination of the concave group 25 and the convex group 65 used in the connection structure 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the connection structure 1 is provided in a fuel receiving unit 6 provided in a fuel cell 2 used in the electronic device 100, and a fuel cartridge 3 that stores fuel and supplies the fuel cell 2. And a supply body 7. The connection structure 1 is formed so that the fuel stored in the fuel cartridge 3 can be supplied to the fuel cell 2 by connecting the receiving body 6 and the supply body 7.

  One of the receiving body 6 and the supply body 7 is a connection structure 1 in which one is a connection body and the other is a connection body. In this embodiment, the receiving body 6 will be described as a connecting body, and the supplying body 7 will be described as a connected body.

  The fuel used in the fuel cell 2 is a gas or liquid fuel, and for example, methanol is used. As the methanol, those having different concentrations and types depending on the performance of the electronic device 100 and the fuel cell 2 to be used are used.

  The fuel cell 2 is provided in a small electronic device 100 such as a notebook computer, a PDA, or a mobile phone. The fuel cell 2 includes a fuel cell 2A that is an electromotive unit, a fuel tank 2B, and a receiving body 6 that is connected to the fuel tank 2B and receives fuel stored in the fuel tank 2B.

  The fuel cartridge 3 is formed so as to be portable as a single unit. The fuel cartridge 3 includes a cartridge main body 3 </ b> A that stores fuel, and a supply body 7 that is provided in the cartridge main body 3 </ b> A and supplies fuel to the receiving body 6. The fuel cartridge 3 uses a non-pressurized type cartridge body 3A that stores the fuel without pressurizing or pressurizes the fuel according to the type of fuel.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the receiving body 6 includes a first outer member 11, a first movable body 12, a first biasing member 13, a first support member 14, a first O-ring 15, A first sealing member 16. The receiving body 6 is an open / close valve that opens and closes when the first movable body 12 reciprocates. In the receiving body 6, the first outer member 11 and the first support member 14 are formed in communication with the fuel tank 2 </ b> B, and the fuel supplied from the supply body 7 is supplied into the first outer member 11.

  The first outer member 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape having two different outer diameters, and a supply path 17 connected to the fuel tank 2B is provided on a part of the outer surface thereof. The first outer member 11 includes a receiving port 21 that is a connection port that can partly move in and out of the first movable body 12 and can be engaged with a part of the supply body 7, and the first movable body 12 in the interior thereof. A first storage portion 22 that stores the first biasing member 13, the first support member 14, the first O-ring 15, and the first sealing member 16.

  In the first outer member 11, the receiving port 21 is provided on the small diameter side, the first storage portion 22 is provided on the large diameter side, and the receiving port 21 and the first storage portion 22 are partitioned by the bottom surface of the receiving port 21. In addition, the first outer member 11 has a first communication hole 23 on the bottom surface of the receiving port 21 that is smaller in diameter than the inner diameter of the receiving port 21 that allows the receiving port 21 and the first storage portion 22 to communicate with each other.

  The receiving port 21 has an inner diameter that is substantially the same as an outer diameter of a supply port 61 of the supply body 7 to be described later. Specifically, the receiving port 21 is slightly larger in diameter and extends from the tip to the bottom surface where the first communication hole 23 is formed. It is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape that gradually decreases in diameter (inclined). The receiving port 21 has a recess group 25 on the bottom surface thereof and around the first communication hole 23.

  The concave portion group 25 has a triangular shape having a trapezoidal concave portion 26 that is a main key groove recessed in a trapezoidal shape with a flat bottom portion 26a and an inclined surface 26b, and an inclined surface 27b that forms one ridge portion 27a. At least one of the triangular recesses 27 which are sub-key grooves that are recessed.

  Specifically, the recess group 25 includes one or more of a trapezoidal recess 26 and a triangular recess 27, and each of the trapezoidal recess 26 and the triangular recess 27 is arranged in the circumferential direction. 2 to 6, the recess group 25 will be described using a configuration in which a trapezoidal recess 26 and a triangular recess 27 are provided over the entire circumference.

  The inclined surface 26b of the trapezoidal concave portion 26 is formed to have a length in the height direction, that is, a length in the circumferential direction longer than the depth. Further, the inclined surface 27b of the triangular recess 27 is formed to have a longer circumferential length than the depth. In the recess group 25, the bottom portion 26 a of the trapezoidal recess portion 26 and the ridge portion 27 a of the triangular recess portion 27 are formed at the same depth.

  The first storage portion 22 has a first restricting surface 31a that can restrict the movement of the first movable body 12 by contacting the first movable body 12 formed around the first communication hole 23, and A first restricting portion 31 having an inner diameter larger than that of the first communication hole 23 is provided. The first storage portion 22 has a first seal surface 32 a formed around the restricting portion 31 with which the first O-ring 15 abuts, and has an inner diameter larger than that of the first restricting portion 31. 32. The first storage portion 22 includes a supply path 17 that is formed in the first seal portion 32 and communicates with the inside of the first seal portion 32.

  The first storage portion 22 includes a first seat surface 33 a that supports a part of the first sealing member 16 formed around the first seal portion 32, and the first support member 14 provided on the inner peripheral surface thereof. The first female threaded portion 33 b can be fixed, and the inner diameter of the first fixed portion 33 is larger than that of the first seal portion 32. The 1st accommodating part 22 in which the 1st control part 31, the 1st seal | sticker part 32, and the 1st fixing | fixed part 33 from which an internal diameter differs is formed in the inside.

  The first movable body 12 is a rod-shaped member formed with different diameters on the same axis, and is disposed in the first outer member 11 and the first support member 14 so as to be capable of reciprocating in the axial direction. The first movable body 12 is a valve body that opens and closes the first communication hole 23 of the receiving port 21 by sealing the first seal surface 32a by the first O-ring 15 by reciprocating with the first O-ring 15 attached. is there. Specifically, the first movable body 12 includes a first tip portion 35, a first center portion 36, and a first rear end portion 37 from one end side to the other end side.

  The first tip 35 is inserted into the first communication hole 23, and the tip protrudes into the receiving port 21. The first tip 35 has a hemispherical conical tip. When the supply body 7 is connected to the receiving port 21, the first distal end portion 35 is engaged with a second movable body 52 (to be described later) of the supply body 7, in other words, is in contact with each other and can be pressed to each other. The tip protrudes from the receiving port 21. The first tip 35 is formed so that the fuel flow path formed by the gap can be expanded and contracted by increasing or decreasing the area of the gap between the outer peripheral surface and the first communication hole 23 depending on the movable position. Yes.

  The first central portion 36 is provided continuously with the first tip portion 35. The first central portion 36 is provided on the outer periphery of the first regulated portion 39 that contacts the first regulating surface 31a of the first regulating portion 31, the first O-ring groove 40 in which the first O-ring 15 is mounted. The first sealing member 41 has a first seal groove 41 with which the first sealing member 16 is in close contact, and a first seat portion 42 that forms the seating surface of the first biasing member 13.

  The first regulated portion 39 is formed to have a larger diameter than the first communication hole 23 and a smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the first regulating portion 31. The first regulated part 39 is formed so that the movement of the first movable body 12 can be regulated by the first end face 39 a coming into contact with the regulating surface 31 a of the first regulating part 31.

  The first O-ring groove 40 is formed so as to accommodate a part of the first O-ring 15. The first O-ring groove 40 is provided at a position where the mounted first O-ring 15 can come into contact with the first seal surface 32a when the movement of the first movable body 12 is restricted by the first restricted portion 39. . For example, the first O-ring groove 40 has an end surface 40a on the first tip portion 35 side that is flush with the first seal surface 32a or the first seal surface when the first restricting portion 31 and the first restricted portion 39 abut. The first movable body 12 is provided so as to be positioned closer to the receiving port 21 than 32a.

  The first seal groove 41 includes a first outer peripheral surface 41a that comes into contact with the first sealing member 16 and a first inclined surface 41b that is inclined on the side of the first tip 35, and the first outer peripheral surface 41a and the first inclined surface. 41b is formed with a predetermined surface roughness. Here, the predetermined surface roughness may be a surface roughness that can seal the fuel by closely contacting when the first sealing member 16 comes into contact therewith.

  The first rear end portion 37 is provided in the first seat portion 42 of the first central portion 36 and is formed so that the first urging member 13 can be inserted therethrough. The length of the first rear end portion 37 is such that the end surface thereof is separated from the first support member 14 by the moving distance of the first movable body 12 at the position where the first restricting portion 31 and the first restricted portion 39 are in contact with each other. Is formed. In other words, the first rear end portion 37 is formed so as to be able to contact the bottom surface of the first support member 14 when the first movable body 12 moves a predetermined distance from the first restricting portion 31.

  The first urging member 13 is a coil spring that is inserted through the first rear end portion 37 and provided between the first seat portion 42 and the first support member 14. The first biasing member 13 constantly biases the first movable body 12 so that the first movable body 12 can be maintained in a state where the first regulated portion 39 is in contact with the first regulating portion 31.

  The first support member 14 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having a first male screw portion 14 a that engages with the first female screw portion 33 b of the first fixing portion 33 on the outer peripheral surface thereof. The bottom surface of the first support member 14 forms a seat surface that supports the first biasing member 13. When the first support member 14 is fixed to the first outer member 11, an annular shape for sandwiching and fixing the first sealing member 16 between the end surface 14 b and the first outer member 11. It has a protrusion 14c.

  The first O-ring 15 is a so-called O-ring formed of a resin material, and is attached to the first O-ring groove 40. When the movement of the first movable body 12 is restricted by the first restricting portion 31 and the first restricted portion 39, the first O-ring 15 has a portion protruding from the first O-ring groove 40 in close contact with the first seal surface 32a. It is made possible.

  The first sealing member 16 is a sealing member formed of a resin material in a flat annular shape. The outer peripheral side of the first sealing member 16 is fixed by being sandwiched between the first seat surface 33 a of the first fixing portion 33 and the end surface 14 b of the first support member 14, and the inner peripheral surface 16 a of the first seal groove 41. It is in close contact with the first outer peripheral surface 41a. Further, when the first movable body 12 moves to the first support member 14 side, the first sealing member 16 moves and bends in the movement direction in the inner peripheral surface 16a side, as shown in FIG. The ridge 16c between the inner peripheral surface 16a and the main surface 16b that contacts the first outer member 11 is in close contact with the first inclined surface 41b of the first seal groove 41. The first sealing member 16 is formed in close contact with the first seal groove 41 so that fuel can be prevented from entering the first support member 14.

  The supply body 7 includes a second outer member 51, a second movable body 52, a second urging member 53, a second support member 54, a second O-ring 55, and a second sealing member 56. Yes. The supply body 7 is an on-off valve that opens and closes when the second movable body 52 reciprocates. In the supply body 7, the inside of the second outer member 51 and the second support member 54 is formed in communication with the cartridge main body 3 </ b> A, and the fuel in the cartridge main body 3 </ b> A is supplied into the second outer member 51.

  The second outer member 51 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a plurality of different outer diameters. The second outer member 51 is capable of reciprocating the second movable body 52 and is connected to a supply port 61 that can be inserted into the receiving port 21 of the receiving member 6. 2 urging member 53, second support member 54, second O-ring 55, and second storage portion 62 that stores second sealing member 56.

  The supply port 61 has a second communication hole 63 that communicates with the storage portion 62. The supply port 61 is formed in a cylindrical shape whose outer diameter is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the receiving port 21 and through which a part of the second movable body 52 can be inserted through the second communication hole 63. Specifically, the supply port 61 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a slightly smaller diameter than the outer diameter of the receiving port 21. Further, the supply port 61 has a seal portion 64 provided on the outer peripheral surface thereof and in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port 21, and a convex portion group 65 provided on the end surface of the tip.

  The convex portion group 65 includes a trapezoidal convex portion 66 that is a main key protruding in a trapezoidal shape in which the tip surface 66a is a flat surface and the inclined surface 66b is inclined, and an inclined surface 27b that forms one ridge portion 67a. At least one of the triangular convex portions 67 as a sub key protruding in a triangular shape is provided.

  Specifically, the convex portion group 65 includes one or more of a trapezoidal convex portion 66 and one or more triangular convex portions 67, and each of the trapezoidal convex portion 66 and the triangular convex portion 67 includes the trapezoidal concave portion 26. And the same number as the triangular recessed part 27 is arrange | positioned in the circumferential direction so that the trapezoidal recessed part 26 and the triangular recessed part 27 can mutually oppose. 2 to 6, the convex portion group 65 uses a configuration in which one trapezoidal convex portion 66 and one triangular convex portion 67 are provided over the entire circumference, like the concave portion group 25. explain.

  The inclined surface 66b on which the trapezoidal convex portion 66 is inclined is formed such that the length in the circumferential direction is longer than the length in the height direction. Further, the inclined surface 67b of the triangular convex portion 67 is formed so that the circumferential length is longer than the height. Further, the tip surface 66a of the trapezoidal convex portion 66 and the ridge portion 67a of the triangular convex portion 67 are formed at the same height. The protruding shape of the convex group 65 is formed to be the same as the cutout shape of the concave group 25.

  The second storage portion 62 has a second regulating surface 71a formed around the second communication hole 63 that can regulate the movement of the second movable body 52 by contacting the second movable body 52, and has an inner diameter thereof. Is provided with a second restricting portion 71 having a diameter larger than that of the second communication hole 63. The second storage portion 62 has a second seal surface 72 a with which a second O-ring 55 formed around the second restricting portion 71 comes into contact, and has an inner diameter larger than that of the second restricting portion 71. Two seal portions 72 are provided.

  The second storage portion 62 includes a second seat surface 73a that supports a part of the second sealing member 56 formed around the second seal portion 72, and a second support member 54 provided on the inner periphery thereof. A second female threaded portion 73 b that can be fixed is provided, and a second fixed portion 73 having an inner diameter larger than that of the second seal portion 72 is provided. The second storage portion 62 has a second restricting portion 71, a second seal portion 72, and a second fixing portion 73 having different inner diameters formed therein.

  The second movable body 52 is a rod-shaped member formed with different coaxial diameters, and is disposed in the second outer member 51 and the second support member 54 so as to be able to reciprocate in the axial direction. The second movable body 52 is a valve body that opens and closes the second communication hole 63 of the supply port 61 by sealing the second seal surface 72a with the second O-ring 55 by reciprocating with the second O-ring 55 attached. is there. Specifically, the second movable body 52 includes a second tip portion 75, a second center portion 76, and a second rear end portion 77 from one end side to the other end side.

  The second tip 75 is inserted into the second communication hole 63 and has a recess 75 a whose tip is recessed to be engageable with the tip of the first tip 35. The second tip 75 is formed to have a diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the second communication hole 63 so that a liquid flow path can be formed in the gap between the outer surface thereof and the inner surface of the second communication hole 63. When the supply port 61 is connected to the receiving port 21, the second distal end portion 75 is in contact with the first distal end portion 35 and has a length that can be pressed against each other, and the distal end thereof is located in the supply port 61. . Furthermore, the second tip 75 is disposed such that the tip is positioned in the second communication hole 63 on the second support member 54 side than the surface position of the tip of the supply port 61.

  The second central portion 76 is provided continuously with the second tip portion 75. The second central portion 76 is provided on the outer periphery of the second restricted portion 79 that contacts the second restricting surface 71a of the second restricting portion 71, the second O-ring groove 80 in which the second O-ring 55 is mounted. And a second seat portion 82 having a second seal groove 81 in close contact with the second sealing member 56 and forming a seating surface of the second urging member 53.

  The second restricted portion 79 is formed to have a larger diameter than the second communication hole 63 and a smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the second restricting portion 71. The second regulated portion 79 is formed so that the movement of the second movable body 52 can be regulated by the second end surface 79 a abutting against the regulating surface 71 a of the second regulating portion 71.

  The second O-ring groove 80 is formed so as to accommodate a part of the second sealing member 56. The second O-ring groove 80 is provided at a position where the mounted second O-ring 55 can come into contact with the second seal surface 72a when the movement of the second movable body 52 is restricted by the second restricted portion 79. . For example, the second O-ring groove 80 has an end surface 80a on the second tip 75 side that is flush with the second seal surface 72a or the second seal when the second restricting portion 71 and the second restricted portion 79 are in contact with each other. The second movable body 52 is provided so as to be positioned closer to the supply port 61 than the surface 72a.

  The second seal groove 81 includes a second outer peripheral surface 81a that comes into contact with the second sealing member 56 and a second inclined surface 81b that is inclined on the second tip 75 side, and the second outer peripheral surface 81a and the second inclined surface. 81b is formed to a predetermined surface roughness. Here, the predetermined surface roughness may be a surface roughness that can seal the fuel by closely contacting when the second sealing member 56 contacts.

  The second rear end portion 77 is provided in the second seat portion 82 of the second central portion 76 and is formed so that the second urging member 53 can be inserted therethrough. The length of the second rear end portion 77 is such that the end surface is separated from the second support member 54 by the moving distance of the second movable body 52 at the position where the second restricting portion 71 and the second restricted portion 79 are in contact with each other. Is formed. In other words, the second rear end portion 77 is formed so as to be able to contact the bottom surface of the second support member 54 when the second movable body 52 moves a predetermined distance from the second restricting portion 71.

  The second urging member 53 is a coil spring that is inserted between the second rear end portion 77 and provided between the second seat portion 82 and the second support member 54. The second urging member 53 constantly urges the second movable body 52 so that the second movable body 52 can be maintained in a state where the second regulated portion 79 is in contact with the second regulating portion 71.

  The second support member 54 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having a second male screw portion 54 a that engages with the second female screw portion 73 b of the second fixing portion 73 on the outer peripheral surface thereof. The bottom surface of the second support member 54 forms a seat surface that supports the second biasing member 53. When the second support member 54 is fixed to the second outer member 51, an annular shape for sandwiching and fixing the second sealing member 56 between the end surface 54 b and the second outer member 51 is provided. A protrusion 54c is provided.

  The second support member 54 is a part of the outer periphery where the second male screw portion 54a is provided. The second support member 54 communicates with the cutout portion 54d along the axial direction and the cutout portion 54d. A flow path hole 54e provided at the center of the end is provided. The second support member 54 has a cutout portion 54 d and a flow passage hole 54 e, thereby forming a flow passage from the cartridge body 3 A connected to the supply body 7 to the second seal portion 72.

  Furthermore, the second support member 54 includes a flange portion 54f that is opposed to the end surface of the second outer member 51 with a face seal 74 interposed therebetween at the outer peripheral end. When the second support member 54 is fixed to the second outer member 51, the end surface of the second outer member 51 and the flange portion 54 f are sealed with a face seal 74. The face seal 74 is an O-ring or the like.

  The second O-ring 55 is a so-called O-ring formed of a resin material, and is attached to the second O-ring groove 80. When the movement of the second movable body 52 is restricted by the second restricting portion 71 and the second restricted portion 79, the second O-ring 55 has a portion protruding from the second O-ring groove 80 in close contact with the second seal surface 72a. It is made possible.

  The second sealing member 56 is a sealing member formed of a resin material in a flat annular shape. The outer peripheral side of the second sealing member 56 is fixed by being sandwiched between the second seat surface 73 a of the second fixing portion 73 and the end surface 14 b of the second support member 54, and the inner peripheral surface 56 a of the second seal groove 81. It is in close contact with the first outer peripheral surface 81a. Further, the second sealing member 56 is a part of the main surface 16b that contacts the first seating surface 33a of the second fixing portion 33, specifically, from the outer periphery to the middle portion on the inner peripheral surface 56a side, A groove 56d that forms one of the flow paths through which the fuel passes is provided.

  When the second movable member 52 moves to the second support member 54 side, the second sealing member 56 moves and bends in the movement direction in the inner peripheral surface 56a side, as shown in FIG. A ridge 56 c between the inner peripheral surface 56 a and the main surface 56 b that comes into contact with the second outer member 51 is in close contact with the second inclined surface 81 b of the second seal groove 81. The second sealing member 56 is formed in close contact with the second seal groove 41 so that fuel can be prevented from entering the second support member 54, and a part of the groove portion 56 d is part of the second seal portion 72. The flow path from the groove part 56d to the 2nd seal part 72 is formed.

Next, the fuel supply of the receiving body 6 and the supply body 7 using the connection structure 1 configured as described above will be described.
First, the connection structure 1 inserts the supply port 61 of the supply body 7 into the reception port 21 of the reception body 6. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the concave group 25 of the receiving port 21 and the convex group 65 of the supply port 61 are visually observed, and the corresponding trapezoidal shapes of the concave group 25 and the convex group 65 respectively. Rough alignment in the circumferential direction is performed so that the concave portion 26 and the trapezoidal convex portion 66 and the triangular concave portion 27 and the triangular convex portion 67 face each other.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the supply port 61 is inserted into the receiving port 21 and the concave portion group 25 and the convex portion group 65 are engaged. When the supply port 61 is inserted into the receiving port 21 and the convex portion group 65 does not engage with the concave portion group 25, the supply body 7 is received until the convex portion group 65 engages with the concave portion group 25. While pressing toward the body 6, the supply body 7 is rotated in the circumferential direction.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the convex group 65 is engaged with the concave group 25 so that the first movable body 12 and the second movable body 52 move until they abut on the first support member 14 and the second support member 54. To do. By this movement, the first O-ring 15 is separated from the first seal surface 32a, and the second O-ring 55 is separated from the second seal surface 72a. Further, the first sealing member 16 and the second sealing member 56 are deformed so as to rotate with the movement of the first movable body 12 and the second movable body 52, and the first ridge portion 16c and the second ridge portion 56c. Is in contact with the first inclined surface 41b and the second inclined surface 81b.

  The movement of the first movable body 12 forms a fuel flow path that continues from the receiving port 21 to the supply path 17 through the first communication hole 23, the first restriction portion 31, and the first seal portion 32. Further, due to the movement of the second movable body 52, the second communication hole 63 is passed from the flow path hole 54 e of the second support member 54 through the notch portion 54 d, the groove portion 56 d, the second seal portion 72, and the second restriction portion 71. A continuous fuel flow path is formed.

  Further, since the supply port 61 is connected to the receiving port 21 and the first movable body 12 and the second movable body 52 are in the open state, the interior of the receiving body 6 and the supply body 7 from the cartridge body 3A to the fuel tank 2B. As a result, a fuel flow path is formed, and the fuel is supplied to the fuel tank 2B by the cartridge body 3A.

  Next, as the connection structure 1 used for fuels of different types or pressures, an example of a plurality of combinations of the shapes of the concave group 25 and the convex group 65 for preventing erroneous connection between the receiving body 6 and the supplying body 7 of different fuels. Will be described below with reference to FIG. Note that the horizontal axis shown in FIG. 7 indicates the concave group 25 of the receiving port 21, and the vertical axis indicates the convex group 65 of the supply port 61. Further, in FIG. 7, the first row and the first column show the shapes of the concave group 25 of the receiving port 21 and the convex group 65 of the supply port 61, respectively.

  In the example of this combination, one trapezoidal concave portion 26 and one trapezoidal convex portion 66 are provided, and a combination in which four to four triangular concave portions 27 and triangular convex portions 67 are provided will be described. To do.

  Specifically, in the first row, 16 types of concave portion groups 25 are described as d1 to d16, and in the first column, 16 types of convex portion groups 65 are described as c1 to c16. Further, in FIG. 7, in the concave group d1 to d16 and the convex group c1 to c16 in the first row and the first column, the white part has a configuration having a flat part formed as a plane, and the gray shaded part is In the configuration having the trapezoidal concave portion 26 and the trapezoidal convex portion 66, the black portions indicate the triangular concave portion 27 and the triangular convex portion 67, respectively.

  That is, the recess group d1 shows the recess group 25 having only the trapezoidal recess 26, the recess groups d2 to d5 each have one trapezoidal recess 26 and one triangular recess 27, and The recess group 25 in which the arrangement of the trapezoidal recess 26 and the triangular recess 27 is different is shown.

  Similarly, the concave group d6 to the concave group d11 include a concave group 25 having one trapezoidal concave part 26 and two triangular concave parts 27, and different arrangements of the trapezoidal concave part 26 and the triangular concave part 27. The recess group d12 to the recess group d15 show a recess group 25 having one trapezoidal recess 26 and three triangular recesses 27, and different arrangements of the trapezoidal recess 26 and the triangular recess 27. Yes.

  The recess group d16 has one trapezoidal recess 26 and four triangular recesses 27, and shows the recess group 25 in which the trapezoidal recess 26 and the triangular recess 27 are arranged over the entire circumference. Yes. As described above, the recess group d1 to the recess group d16 indicate combinations in which one trapezoidal recess 26 is provided and 0 to 4 triangular recesses 27 are provided in different arrangements.

  Similarly, the convex part group c1 shows the convex part group 65 having only the trapezoidal convex part 66, and the convex part group c2 to the convex part group c5 have the trapezoidal convex part 66 and the triangular convex part 67, respectively. The convex part group 65 which has one each and the arrangement | positioning of the trapezoid convex part 66 and the triangular convex part 67 differs is shown.

  Similarly, the convex portion group c6 to the convex portion group c11 have one trapezoidal convex portion 66 and two triangular convex portions 67, and the arrangement of the trapezoidal convex portion 66 and the triangular convex portion 67. The convex portion group 65, the convex portion group c12 to the convex portion group c15 have one trapezoidal convex portion 66 and three triangular convex portions 67, and the trapezoidal convex portion 66 and the triangular shape. The convex part group 65 from which the arrangement | positioning of the convex part 67 differs is shown.

  The convex group c16 has one trapezoidal convex portion 66 and four triangular convex portions 67, and the concave portions in which the trapezoidal convex portions 66 and the triangular convex portions 67 are arranged over the entire circumference. Group 25 is shown. As described above, the convex group c1 to the convex group c16 indicate combinations in which one trapezoidal convex part 66 is provided and 0 to four triangular convex parts 67 are provided in different arrangements.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the concave group 25 and the convex group 65 are a combination in which the concave group 25 and the convex group 65 can be engaged with each other at “◯”, and the concave group at “×”. 25 and the convex part group 65 are combinations that cannot be engaged with each other. From such a combination, the corresponding concave group 25 and convex group 65 can be engaged with each other and the other concave group 25 and convex group 65 cannot be engaged with each other. 25 and the connecting structure 1 having the convex group 65 are set to different fuel receiving bodies 6 and supplying bodies 7.

  For example, in FIG. 7, a combination of the receiving port 21 having the concave group d6 to the concave group d9 that is not shaded and the supply port 61 having the convex group c6 to the convex group c9 is used as one group. The concave group d6 and the convex group c6, the concave group d7 and the convex group c7, the concave group d8 and the convex group c8, and the concave group d9 and the convex group c9 can be engaged. In other words, it is possible to prevent erroneous connection. For this reason, it uses for the connection structure 1 of the receiving body 6 and the supply body 7 in which four types of different fuels etc. are used for each combination.

  By these combinations, the concave group d6 to the concave group d9 are engaged only with the convex group c6 to the convex group c9, respectively, and are not engaged with other combinations. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the supply of different fuels to the receiving body 6.

  Specifically, when the supply port 61 of the convex portion group c6 is connected to the receiving port 21 of the concave portion group d6, the concave portion group d6 and the convex portion group c6 are engaged, and the first movable body 12 and the second movable body. 52 is pressed against each other and the receiving port 21 and the supply port 61 are opened. Thereby, the fuel of the supply body 7 is supplied to the receiving body 6.

  On the other hand, when the supply port 61 of the convex portion group c7 is connected to the receiving port 21 of the concave portion group d6, one triangular convex portion 67 of the convex portion group c7 interferes with a part of the flat portion of the concave portion group d6. As a result, the convex portion group c7 does not engage with the concave portion group d6. Therefore, the first movable body 12 and the second movable body 52 do not press each other, and the fuel in the supply body 7 is supplied to the reception body 6 in order to maintain the closed state in which the reception opening 21 and the supply opening 61 are closed. Not.

  Similarly, the concave group d7 and the convex group c7, the concave group d8 and the convex group c8, and the concave group d9 and the convex group c9 are engaged, whereby fuel is supplied from the supply body 7 to the receiving body 6. In other combinations, fuel is not supplied from the supply body 7 to the receiving body 6.

  For this reason, for example, by using these combinations separately for fuels having different concentrations, it is possible to prevent erroneous supply of fuel other than a fuel having a predetermined concentration.

  When there are four or more types of fuel, for example, a combination of the concave group d10, d11 and the convex group c10, c11 can be used for various types of fuel.

  According to the fuel cell 2 and the fuel cartridge 3 using the connection structure 1 configured as described above, the receiving port 21 and the supply port 61 are engaged with the concave group 25 and the convex group 65 provided respectively. By connecting, fuel can be supplied, and erroneous connection can be prevented.

  In addition, the trapezoidal concave portion 26 and the trapezoidal convex portion 66, and the triangular concave portion 27 and the triangular convex portion 67 have the inclined surfaces 26b, 27b, 66b, and 67b, respectively. Even if it rotates in the direction, it is guided in the axial direction by the inclined surfaces 26b, 27b, 66b, 67b. Furthermore, since rotation in the circumferential direction is converted into movement in the axial direction, it is possible to prevent the recess group 25 and the protrusion group 65 from being damaged and to easily perform alignment. It becomes.

  In addition, by providing at least one or more trapezoidal concave portions 26 and trapezoidal convex portions 66, and triangular concave portions 27 and triangular convex portions 67, a plurality of inclinations can be applied even when a circumferential rotating force is applied. By receiving the rotational force dispersedly on the surfaces 26b, 27b, 66b, and 67b, it is possible to prevent an excessive rotational force from being applied as much as possible, and to prevent damage and wear.

  The concave group 25 and the convex group 65 may be configured to be provided at the bottom of the receiving port 21 and the end of the supply port 61, that is, the portion where the receiving port 21 and the supply port 61 abut. It is not necessary to provide around the supply port 61. For this reason, even if the connection structure 1 is the structure which has the recessed part group 25 and the convex part group 65, it becomes possible to make small.

  Furthermore, various combinations of the trapezoidal concave portion 26 and the trapezoidal convex portion 66, and the triangular concave portion 27 and the triangular convex portion 67 can be obtained by combining these numbers, arrangements, and heights.

  As described above, according to the connection structure 1 of the fuel cell 2 and the fuel cartridge 3 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent erroneous connection by providing the concave group 25 and the convex group 65 that perform alignment. In addition, downsizing is possible.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. In the example described above, the configuration using the first O-ring 15 as a sealing member that seals between the receiving port 21 and the supply path 17 except when the receiving port 21 and the supplying port 61 are connected has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, a sealing member other than the first O-ring 15 may be used as long as it can be opened and closed between the receiving port 21 and the supply path 17 according to the position of the first movable body 12. Similarly, the second O-ring 55 is not limited to the second O-ring 55 as long as it can open and close the receiving port 21 and the supply path 17 according to the position of the second movable body 52, and other sealing members. There may be.

  In the above-described example, the combination of the configuration in which only one trapezoidal concave portion 26 and one trapezoidal convex portion 66 are provided has been described. However, the number of the trapezoidal concave portions 26 and the number of trapezoidal convex portions 66 is two or more. By changing the numbers of the triangular concave portions 27 and the triangular convex portions 67, it is possible to use more types of fuel. In the combination of FIG. 7, in the concave group d1 to the concave group d15 and the convex group c1 to the convex group dc15, the trapezoidal concave part 26, the triangular concave part 27, the trapezoidal convex part 66, and the triangular convex part Although the structure which has a plane part which does not have the part 67 was demonstrated, it is not limited to this.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the recess group 25 and the projection group 65 of the receiving body 6 and the supply body 7 have two trapezoidal recesses 26 and two trapezoidal projections 66, and these two The trapezoidal concave portion 26 and the trapezoidal convex portion 66 may be provided over the entire circumference.

  In the above-described example, the depth of the trapezoidal concave portion 26 and the triangular concave portion 27 and the height of the trapezoidal convex portion 66 and the triangular convex portion 67 are described as being the same size, but the present invention is not limited thereto. . For example, the depth of the trapezoidal concave portion 26 and the height of the trapezoidal convex portion 66 are the same, the depth of the triangular concave portion 27 and the height of the triangular convex portion 67 are the same, and the trapezoidal concave portion 26 and the trapezoidal convex portion 66 may be set larger in size than the triangular concave portion 27 and the triangular convex portion 67. With such a configuration, the area of the inclined surfaces 26b, 27b, 66b, and 67b that come into contact with each other at the time of alignment may be small, so that the axial movement distance is short with respect to the circumferential rotational force. Therefore, alignment becomes easy.

  In the above-described example, the configuration in which the concave portion group 25 is provided in the receiving port 21 and the convex portion group 65 is provided in the supply port 61 is described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, the supply port 61 may be provided with the concave group 25 and the receiving port 21 may be provided with the convex group 65. 11 to 13 are configurations in which the convex portion group 65 of the supply port 61 of FIGS. 3, 8, and 9 is provided in the receiving port 21, and the concave portion group 25 of the receiving port 21 is provided in the supply port 61, respectively. is there. In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Connection structure, 2 ... Fuel cell, 2A ... Fuel cell, 2B ... Fuel tank, 3 ... Fuel cartridge, 3A ... Cartridge main body, 6 ... Receiving body, 7 ... Supply body, 11 ... 1st outer member, 12 ... 1st movable body, 13 ... 1st biasing member, 14 ... 1st support member, 15 ... 1st O-ring, 16 ... 1st sealing member, 17 ... Supply path, 21 ... Receiving port, 22 ... 1st accommodating part, 23 ... first communication hole, 25 ... concave portion group, 26 ... trapezoidal concave portion, 26a ... bottom portion, 26b ... inclined surface, 27 ... triangular concave portion, 27a ... ridge portion, 27b ... inclined surface, 31 ... first regulating portion, 32 ... 1st seal | sticker part, 33 ... 1st fixing | fixed part, 35 ... 1st front-end | tip part, 36 ... 1st center part, 37 ... 1st rear-end part, 39 ... 1st controlled part, 39a ... 1st end surface, 40 ... 1st O-ring groove, 40a ... 1st end surface, 41 ... 1st seal groove, 42 ... 1st seat part, 51 ... 2nd outline 52, second movable body, 53, second urging member, 54, second support member, 55, second O-ring, 56, second sealing member, 56a, second inner peripheral surface, 56b, second main. Surface, 56c ... second ridge, 56d ... second groove, 61 ... second supply port, 62 ... second storage portion, 63 ... second communication hole, 64 ... sealing portion, 65 ... convex group, 66 ... stand Shape convex part, 66a ... tip face, 66b ... inclined face, 67 ... triangular convex part, 67a ... ridge part, 67b ... inclined face, 71 ... second regulating part, 72 ... second seal part, 72a ... second seal 73, second fixing surface, 73a, second seating surface, 74, surface seal, 75, second tip, 75a, second recess, 76, second center, 77, second rear end, 79 2nd restricted part, 80 ... 2nd O-ring groove, 81 ... 2nd seal groove, 82 ... 2nd seat part, 100 ... Electronic device.

Claims (9)

A fuel cartridge and a connection structure provided in a fuel cell to which fuel is supplied from the fuel cartridge,
A connection body having a cylindrical connection port provided on one of the fuel cartridge and the fuel cell;
A connected body provided on the other side of the fuel cartridge and the fuel cell and having a cylindrical connected port connected to the connecting port;
A recess group provided in a portion of the connection port that comes into contact with the connection port;
A convex portion group that can be engaged with the concave portion group, provided at a portion of the connected port that comes into contact with the connecting port;
The connection port and the connected port are provided respectively to close the connection port and the connected port, and open the connection port and the connected port when the concave group and the convex group are engaged. A valve body to
A connection structure comprising: The concave portion group has at least one of a trapezoidal concave portion and a triangular concave portion arranged in the circumferential direction,
The convex group has the same number as the trapezoidal concave part and the triangular concave part of the concave group, and has a trapezoidal convex part and a triangular convex part arranged to be engageable with each other. The connection structure according to claim 1.   The circumferential length of the inclined surface of the trapezoidal concave portion, the triangular concave portion, the trapezoidal concave portion, and the triangular concave portion is longer than the length in the height direction. The connection structure described in 1. A fuel cell in which fuel is supplied by a connecting body having a cylindrical connection port, and a fuel cartridge provided in the connection port and including a valve body that opens and closes the connection port,
A connected body having a cylindrical connected port connected to the connection port;
One of a concave group and a convex group provided in a portion of the connected port that comes into contact with the connecting port;
The connection port is provided at the connection port, closes the connection port, and engages with the valve body of the fuel cartridge when the recess group and the projection group are engaged. A valve body that opens
Comprising
The fuel cell is characterized in that the other of the concave group and the convex group is provided in a portion that contacts the connected port. The concave portion group has at least one of a trapezoidal concave portion and a triangular concave portion arranged in the circumferential direction,
The convex group has the same number as the trapezoidal concave part and the triangular concave part of the concave group, and has a trapezoidal convex part and a triangular convex part arranged to be engageable with each other. The fuel cell according to claim 4.   6. The circumferential length of the trapezoidal recess, the triangular recess, the trapezoidal recess, and the inclined surface of the triangular recess is longer than the length in the height direction. A fuel cell according to claim 1. A connecting member having a cylindrical connecting port, and a fuel cartridge for supplying fuel to the fuel cell provided in the connecting port and having a valve body for opening and closing the connecting port,
A connected body having a cylindrical connected port connected to the connection port;
One of a concave group and a convex group provided in a portion of the connected port that comes into contact with the connecting port;
The connection port is provided at the connection port, closes the connection port, and engages with the valve body of the fuel cell when the recess group and the projection group are engaged. A valve body that opens
Comprising
The fuel cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the other of the concave group and the convex group is provided in a portion that contacts the connected port. The concave portion group has at least one of a trapezoidal concave portion and a triangular concave portion arranged in the circumferential direction,
The convex group has the same number as the trapezoidal concave part and the triangular concave part of the concave group, and has a trapezoidal convex part and a triangular convex part arranged to be engageable with each other. The fuel cartridge according to claim 7.   The circumferential length of the inclined surfaces of the trapezoidal recess, the triangular recess, the trapezoidal recess, and the triangular recess is longer than the length in the height direction. A fuel cartridge according to claim 1.

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