JP2008218033A - Fuel cell system and electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel cell system and electronic equipment constantly enabling stable electric power supply by rapidly detecting power generation abnormality. <P>SOLUTION: The fuel cell system has the fuel cell main body 1 having a fuel cell power generating part 101 to constitute an electromotive part, a fuel housing part 102 to house a liquid fuel, and a pump 104 to control transfer of the fuel from the fuel housing part 102 to the fuel cell power generating part 101, an auxiliary power supply 4 which is charged by a power generation output of this fuel cell main body 1 and used as a driving power supply of the pump 104, and an abnormality detecting part 7 to detect abnormality of the output of the fuel cell main body 1. By abnormality detection of the fuel cell main body 1 by this abnormality detecting part 7, power generation of the fuel cell main body 1 is made to be stopped. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell system and an electronic apparatus using the fuel cell system as a power source.

  There are remarkable miniaturizations of electronic devices such as mobile phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs), and attempts have been made to use fuel cells as a power source along with miniaturization of these electronic devices. A fuel cell has the advantage that it can generate electricity only by supplying fuel and air, and can generate electricity continuously by replacing only the fuel. Therefore, if it can be downsized, it can be used as a power source for small electronic devices. It is valid.

  Therefore, a direct methanol fuel cell (hereinafter, referred to as DMFC; Direct Methanol Fuel Cell) has attracted attention as a fuel cell. Such DMFCs are classified according to the liquid fuel supply system, such as an active system such as a gas supply type and a liquid supply type, and an internal vaporization type that vaporizes the liquid fuel in the fuel storage section inside the battery and supplies it to the fuel electrode. Among these, the passive type is particularly advantageous for reducing the size of the DMFC.

  Conventionally, as such a passive DMFC, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, a membrane electrode assembly (fuel cell) having a fuel electrode, an electrolyte membrane, and an air electrode is removed from a resin box-like container. The thing of the structure arrange | positioned on the fuel accommodating part which becomes is considered.

Patent Documents 2 to 4 also disclose a configuration in which a DMFC fuel cell and a fuel storage unit are connected via a flow path. In these Patent Documents 2 to 4, by supplying the liquid fuel supplied from the fuel storage portion to the fuel cell via the flow path, the supply amount of the liquid fuel can be adjusted based on the shape and diameter of the flow path. In particular, in Patent Document 3, liquid fuel is supplied from the fuel storage portion to the flow path by a pump. Further, it is described that an electric field forming means for forming an electroosmotic flow in the flow path is used instead of the pump. Furthermore, Patent Document 4 describes that liquid fuel or the like is supplied using an electroosmotic pump.
International Publication No. 2005/112172 Pamphlet JP 2005-518646 A JP 2006-089552 A US Patent Publication No. 2006/0029851

  By the way, in such a fuel cell system using the DMFC as a main power generation unit, an auxiliary power source comprising a secondary battery (for example, a lithium ion rechargeable battery (LIB) or an electric double layer capacitor) that can be charged and discharged on the output side of the DMFC. Is connected. This auxiliary power source can be charged at all times by the power generation output of the DMFC. In addition to being used as a driving power source for the pump for supplying the liquid fuel from the fuel storage unit to the DMFC, the auxiliary power source can also be used at the moment on the load (electronic device) side. A current is supplied in response to a general fluctuation, and even when the DMFC is in a fuel-depleted state and cannot generate power, it is temporarily used as a drive power source for a load (electronic device).

  However, the DMFC leaks in the fuel cell itself or in the flow path for supplying the liquid fuel to the fuel cell, and this may cause the power generation capacity of the fuel cell to decrease and the output to decrease. In such a case, if this state continues for a long time, the auxiliary power source continues to be used as a power source for the load (electronic device) for a long time, so the battery level of the auxiliary power source decreases, eventually falling into a discharge stop state, In some cases, the power supply to the load (electronic device) is completely stopped and cannot be used at all. In addition, since the spilled fuel may cause corrosion or the like in the components inside the fuel cell system and cause a failure, it is necessary to minimize such a situation.

  In addition, portable electronic devices powered by such a fuel cell system are often carried in pockets or bags, and sometimes an air intake port that takes in air as an oxidant into a fuel cell of a DMFC May be blocked. Also in this case, the output of the DMFC drops rapidly. During this time, if the auxiliary power supply continues to be used, the discharge is stopped, and the power supply to the portable electronic device is completely stopped, making it impossible to use.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell system and an electronic apparatus that can always stably supply power by quickly detecting a power generation abnormality.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a fuel cell power generation unit that constitutes an electromotive unit, a fuel storage unit that stores liquid fuel, and a fuel transfer control unit that controls the supply of fuel from the fuel storage unit to the fuel cell power generation unit. A fuel cell main body having power, an auxiliary power source used as a drive power source for the fuel supply control means, and at least one abnormality of the output and temperature of the fuel cell main body is detected. An abnormality detecting means for stopping the power generation of the fuel cell body by detecting an abnormality of the abnormality detecting means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a notifying means, wherein the notifying means notifies the abnormality of at least one of the output and temperature of the fuel cell body by detecting an abnormality of the abnormality detecting means. It is a feature.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the fuel cell main body stops the supply of fuel to the fuel cell power generation unit by the fuel supply control unit when the abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit. It is said.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the fuel supply control means can cut off the supply of fuel to the pump or the fuel cell main body for transferring the liquid fuel to the fuel cell power generation unit. It is characterized by being a fuel cutoff valve.

  A fifth aspect of the present invention is an electronic device using the fuel cell system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects as a power source.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the fuel cell system and electronic device which always enabled stable power supply by detecting power generation abnormality rapidly can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a fuel cell system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a fuel cell main body (DMFC). The fuel cell main body 1 includes a fuel cell power generation unit (cell) 101 that constitutes an electromotive unit, a fuel storage unit 102 that stores liquid fuel, and a fuel storage unit 102. And a flow path 103 connecting the fuel cell power generation unit (cell) 101 and a pump 104 as a fuel supply control means for transferring liquid fuel from the fuel storage unit 102 to the fuel cell power generation unit (cell) 101. .

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the fuel cell main body 1 in more detail.

  In this case, the fuel cell power generation unit 101 includes an anode (fuel electrode) 13 having an anode catalyst layer 11 and an anode gas diffusion layer 12, and a cathode (air electrode / oxidation) having a cathode catalyst layer 14 and a cathode gas diffusion layer 15. (Agent electrode) 16 and a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) comprising a proton (hydrogen ion) conductive electrolyte membrane 17 sandwiched between the anode catalyst layer 11 and the cathode catalyst layer 14. ing.

  Here, examples of the catalyst contained in the anode catalyst layer 11 and the cathode catalyst layer 14 include a simple substance of a platinum group element such as Pt, Ru, Rh, Ir, Os, and Pd, an alloy containing the platinum group element, and the like. It is done. For the anode catalyst layer 11, it is preferable to use Pt—Ru, Pt—Mo, or the like having strong resistance to methanol, carbon monoxide, or the like. Pt, Pt—Ni or the like is preferably used for the cathode catalyst layer 14. However, the catalyst is not limited to these, and various substances having catalytic activity can be used. The catalyst may be either a supported catalyst using a conductive support such as a carbon material or an unsupported catalyst.

  Examples of the proton conductive material constituting the electrolyte membrane 17 include a fluorine-based resin (Nafion (trade name, manufactured by DuPont) or Flemion (trade name, manufactured by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.) such as a perfluorosulfonic acid polymer having a sulfonic acid group. Etc.), organic materials such as hydrocarbon resins having sulfonic acid groups, or inorganic materials such as tungstic acid and phosphotungstic acid. However, the proton conductive electrolyte membrane 17 is not limited to these.

  The anode gas diffusion layer 12 laminated on the anode catalyst layer 11 serves to uniformly supply fuel to the anode catalyst layer 11 and also serves as a current collector for the anode catalyst layer 11. The cathode gas diffusion layer 15 laminated on the cathode catalyst layer 14 serves to uniformly supply the oxidant to the cathode catalyst layer 14 and also serves as a current collector for the cathode catalyst layer 14. The anode gas diffusion layer 12 and the cathode gas diffusion layer 15 are made of a porous substrate.

  A conductive layer is laminated on the anode gas diffusion layer 12 and the cathode gas diffusion layer 15 as necessary. As these conductive layers, for example, a mesh made of a conductive metal material such as Au, a porous film, a thin film, or the like is used. Rubber O-rings 19 are interposed between the electrolyte membrane 17 and a fuel distribution mechanism 105 and a cover plate 18, which will be described later, thereby preventing fuel leakage and oxidant leakage from the fuel cell power generation unit 101. is doing.

  The cover plate 18 has an opening (not shown) for taking in air as an oxidant. A moisture retaining layer and a surface layer are disposed between the cover plate 18 and the cathode 16 as necessary. The moisturizing layer is impregnated with a part of the water generated in the cathode catalyst layer 14 to suppress the transpiration of water and promote uniform diffusion of air to the cathode catalyst layer 14. The surface layer adjusts the amount of air taken in, and has a plurality of air inlets whose number, size, etc. are adjusted according to the amount of air taken in.

  A fuel distribution mechanism 105 is disposed on the anode (fuel electrode) 13 side of the fuel cell power generation unit 101. A fuel storage unit 102 is connected to the fuel distribution mechanism 105 via a fuel flow path 103 such as a pipe.

  Liquid fuel corresponding to the fuel cell power generation unit 101 is stored in the fuel storage unit 102. Examples of the liquid fuel include methanol fuels such as aqueous methanol solutions of various concentrations and pure methanol. The liquid fuel is not necessarily limited to methanol fuel. The liquid fuel may be, for example, an ethanol fuel such as an ethanol aqueous solution or pure ethanol, a propanol fuel such as a propanol aqueous solution or pure propanol, a glycol fuel such as a glycol aqueous solution or pure glycol, dimethyl ether, formic acid, or other liquid fuel. In any case, fuel corresponding to the fuel cell power generation unit 101 is stored in the fuel storage unit 102.

  Fuel is introduced into the fuel distribution mechanism 105 from the fuel storage portion 102 via the flow path 103. The flow path 103 is not limited to piping independent of the fuel distribution mechanism 105 and the fuel storage unit 102. For example, when the fuel distribution mechanism 105 and the fuel storage unit 102 are stacked and integrated, a liquid fuel flow path connecting them may be used. The fuel distribution mechanism 105 only needs to be connected to the fuel storage unit 102 via the flow path 103.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the fuel distribution mechanism 105 includes at least one fuel inlet 21 through which fuel flows in through the flow path 103, and a plurality of fuel outlets that discharge liquid fuel and its vaporized components. And a fuel distribution plate 23 having 22. As shown in FIG. 2, a gap 24 serving as a fuel passage led from the fuel inlet 21 is provided inside the fuel distribution plate 23. The plurality of fuel discharge ports 22 are directly connected to gaps 24 that function as fuel passages.

  The fuel introduced into the fuel distribution mechanism 105 from the fuel inlet 21 enters the gap portion 24 and is guided to the plurality of fuel discharge ports 22 through the gap portion 24 functioning as the fuel passage. For example, a gas-liquid separator (not shown) that transmits only the vaporized component of the fuel and does not transmit the liquid component may be disposed in the plurality of fuel discharge ports 22. As a result, the fuel vaporization component is supplied to the anode (fuel electrode) 13 of the fuel cell power generation unit 101. The gas-liquid separator may be installed as a gas-liquid separation membrane or the like between the fuel distribution mechanism 105 and the anode 13. The vaporized component of the liquid fuel is discharged from a plurality of fuel discharge ports 22 toward a plurality of locations on the anode 13.

A plurality of fuel discharge ports 22 are provided on the surface of the fuel distribution plate 23 in contact with the anode 13 so that fuel can be supplied to the entire fuel cell power generation unit 101. The number of the fuel discharge ports 22 may be two or more. However, in order to equalize the fuel supply amount in the plane of the fuel cell power generation unit 101, the fuel discharge ports 22 of 0.1 to 10 / cm ² are provided. It is preferable to form it so that it exists.

  A pump 104 is inserted into a flow path 103 that connects between the fuel distribution mechanism 105 and the fuel storage unit 102. The pump 104 is not a circulation pump through which fuel is circulated, but is a fuel supply pump that transfers fuel from the fuel storage unit 102 to the fuel distribution mechanism 105 to the last. By supplying the fuel when necessary with such a pump 104, the controllability of the fuel supply amount is improved. In this case, a rotary vane pump, an electroosmotic pump, a diaphragm pump, a squeezing pump, etc. should be used as the pump 104 from the viewpoint that a small amount of fuel can be sent with good controllability and can be reduced in size and weight. Is preferred. A rotary vane pump feeds liquid by rotating a wing with a motor. The electroosmotic flow pump uses a sintered porous material such as silica that causes an electroosmotic flow phenomenon. The diaphragm pump is a pump that feeds liquid by driving the diaphragm with an electromagnet or piezoelectric ceramics. The squeezing pump presses a part of the flexible fuel flow path and squeezes the fuel. Among these, it is more preferable to use an electroosmotic pump or a diaphragm pump having piezoelectric ceramics from the viewpoint of driving power, size, and the like.

  A fuel supply control circuit 5 described later is connected to the pump 104 to control the operation of the pump 104. This point will be described later.

  In such a configuration, the liquid fuel stored in the fuel storage unit 102 is transferred through the flow path 103 by the pump 104 and supplied to the fuel distribution mechanism 105. The fuel released from the fuel distribution mechanism 105 is supplied to the anode (fuel electrode) 13 of the fuel cell power generation unit 101. In the fuel cell power generation unit 101, the fuel diffuses through the anode gas diffusion layer 12 and is supplied to the anode catalyst layer 11. When methanol fuel is used as the liquid fuel, the internal reforming reaction of methanol shown in the following formula (1) occurs in the anode catalyst layer 11. When pure methanol is used as the methanol fuel, the water generated in the cathode catalyst layer 14 or the water in the electrolyte membrane 17 is reacted with methanol to cause the internal reforming reaction of the formula (1). Alternatively, the internal reforming reaction is caused by another reaction mechanism that does not require water.

CH ₃ OH + H ₂ O → CO ₂ + 6H ⁺ + 6e ⁻ (1)
Electrons (e ⁻ ) generated by this reaction are guided to the outside via a current collector, supplied to the load side as so-called output, and then guided to the cathode (air electrode) 16. Further, protons (H ⁺ ) generated by the internal reforming reaction of the formula (1) are guided to the cathode 16 through the electrolyte membrane 17. Air is supplied to the cathode 16 as an oxidant. Electrons (e ⁻ ) and protons (H ⁺ ) reaching the cathode 16 react with oxygen in the air in accordance with the following equation (2) in the cathode catalyst layer 14, and water is generated with this reaction.

6e ⁻ + 6H ⁺ + (3/2) O ₂ → 3H ₂ O (2)
Returning to FIG. 1, a DC-DC converter (voltage adjustment circuit) 2 is connected to the fuel cell body 1 configured as described above as output adjustment means. The DC-DC converter 2 has a switching element and an energy storage element (not shown), and stores / discharges electric energy generated by the fuel cell body 1 by the switching element and the energy storage element. Is generated by boosting the relatively low output voltage to a sufficient voltage. The output of the DC-DC converter 2 is supplied to the electronic device body 3 that is a load.

  Although the standard boost type DC-DC converter 2 is shown here, other circuit systems can be used as long as the boost operation is possible.

  An auxiliary power supply 4 is connected to the output end of the DC-DC converter 2 via an output detection unit 6. The output detection unit 6 will be described later. The auxiliary power supply 4 can be charged by the output of the DC-DC converter 2 and supplies a current to an instantaneous load fluctuation of the electronic device main body 3, and the fuel cell main body is in a fuel depleted state. 1 is used as a driving power source for the electronic device main body 3 when power generation becomes impossible. As the auxiliary power supply 4, a chargeable / dischargeable secondary battery (for example, a lithium ion rechargeable battery (LIB) or an electric double layer capacitor) is used.

  A fuel supply control circuit 5 is connected to the auxiliary power source 4. The fuel supply control circuit 5 controls the operation of the pump 104 using the auxiliary power supply 4 as a power source. The fuel supply control circuit 5 performs on / off control of the pump 104 based on ambient temperature information, operation state information of the electronic device main body 3, and the like. Output a signal.

  An output detection unit 6 is connected to the output end of the DC-DC converter 2. The output detector 6 detects an output from the DC-DC converter 2 (an output of the fuel cell body 1), for example, a current. An abnormality detection unit 7 is connected to the output detection unit 6. The abnormality detection unit 7 detects an abnormality during power generation of the fuel cell main body 1. In this case, the abnormality detection unit 7 constantly monitors the temperature of the fuel cell (the detection output of the temperature sensor 8 provided in the fuel cell power generation unit 101) and the current state detected by the output detection unit 6, and the current value is When the current value falls below a preset value, or when the current drop rate falls below a preset value or the temperature of the fuel cell falls below a preset temperature. If an abnormality occurs, the abnormality of the fuel cell body 1 is detected and an abnormality signal is output.

  The abnormality detection unit 7 is connected to the electronic device main body 3 and to the fuel supply control circuit 5 and the DC-DC converter 2. The electronic device body 3 is provided with a display unit 31 and a storage unit 32 as notification means. The display unit 31 displays that fact by an abnormality signal from the abnormality detection unit 7, and an LED is used, for example. In this case, the display unit 31 is turned on, for example, when the current value falls below a predetermined value, when the current decrease rate falls below a preset value, or when the temperature of the fuel cell decreases. The display content is different, such as flashing. Of course, means for generating a sound such as a buzzer may be used as the notification means. The storage unit 32 stores an abnormality signal from the abnormality detection unit 7. In this case, the information stored in the storage unit 32 is used for analysis of abnormality contents of the fuel cell main body 1.

  The fuel supply control circuit 5 and the DC-DC converter 2 are forcibly stopped when the abnormality signal from the abnormality detection unit 7 is input. That is, the operation of the fuel supply control circuit 5 is stopped due to an abnormality during the power generation of the electronic device main body 3, the power generation operation of the fuel cell main body 1 is forcibly stopped, and the operation of the DC-DC converter 2 is stopped at the same time.

  In such a configuration, when the output of the auxiliary power supply 4 is supplied to the fuel supply control circuit 5 as a power supply, the fuel supply control circuit 5 uses the ambient temperature information, the operation state information of the electronic device main body 3, and the like. Based on this, a control signal for controlling on / off of the pump 104 is output.

  As a result, the liquid fuel stored in the fuel storage unit 102 is supplied to the fuel cell power generation unit 101 by the pump 104 via the flow path 103, and a power generation output is generated from the fuel cell power generation unit 101.

  The power generation output of the fuel cell power generation unit 101 is boosted by the DC-DC converter 2 and supplied to the electronic device main body 3. At the same time, the auxiliary power supply 4 is charged by the output of the DC-DC converter 2. Thereby, the electronic device main body 3 is operated using the power supplied from the DC-DC converter 2 as a power source.

  In this state, for example, when the fuel cell power generation unit 101 itself or the flow path 103 that supplies the liquid fuel to the fuel cell power generation unit 101 leaks liquid and the power generation capability of the fuel cell power generation unit 101 decreases due to this, output detection is performed. The current value detected by the unit 6 or the temperature of the fuel cell also decreases. When these current values fall below a predetermined value set in advance, an abnormality signal is output from the abnormality detection unit 7.

  This abnormality signal is sent to the display unit 31 of the electronic device main body 3 to display the abnormality of the fuel cell power generation unit 101 and is also stored in the storage unit 32. Used for. The abnormal signal is sent to the fuel supply control circuit 5 and the DC-DC converter 2. Thereby, the control of the pump 104 by the fuel supply control circuit 5 is stopped, and the power generation operation of the fuel cell main body 1 is forcibly stopped. Further, the operation of the DC-DC converter 2 is also stopped. That is, when the abnormality of the fuel cell power generation unit 101 is detected, the driving of the pump 104 by the fuel supply control circuit 5 is stopped to cut off the fuel supply, the power generation operation of the fuel cell main body 1 is forcibly stopped, and at the same time a DC-DC converter. The operation of 2 is also stopped.

  On the other hand, when an electronic device is carried in a pocket or bag, if the air intake (not shown) for taking air into the fuel cell main body 1 is blocked, the power generation output is rapidly reduced. When the time reduction rate of the current detected by the output detection unit 6 falls below a predetermined value set in advance, an abnormality signal is output from the abnormality detection unit 7. Also in this case, as described above, the abnormality of the fuel cell power generation unit 101 is displayed on the display unit 31 of the electronic device main body 3, and the abnormality signal is stored in the storage unit 32. Further, the control of the pump 104 by the fuel supply control circuit 5 is stopped, and the power generation operation of the fuel cell main body 1 is forcibly stopped. In this case, the content of the abnormality display on the display unit 31 can be made different from the case of the liquid leakage described above, so that the abnormality content can be accurately communicated to the user.

  Accordingly, in this case, when the power generation capacity is reduced due to the abnormality of the fuel cell main body 1 and the output current is less than the predetermined value, or the time reduction rate of the current is less than the predetermined value set in advance. The control of the pump 104 by the fuel supply control circuit 5 is stopped, and the power generation operation of the fuel cell main body 1 is forcibly stopped. As a result, the auxiliary power source is continuously used for a long time by continuing operation even though the power generation capacity of the fuel cell main body 1 has been reduced, and as a result, the discharge is stopped and the electronic device is completely used. It is possible to prevent a situation where it cannot be performed, and it is possible to always supply power stably to the electronic device. Further, it is possible to avoid wasteful fuel consumption due to continuing operation even when the fuel cell main body 1 is in an abnormal state.

  Further, since the abnormality of the fuel cell main body 1 is displayed on the display unit 31, the user can quickly know the abnormality of the fuel cell main body 1, and promptly execute the response to the abnormality, thereby promptly Risk avoidance can be realized. In particular, the display unit 31 can display the content of the abnormality accurately by displaying different information corresponding to the abnormality content of the fuel cell main body 1, so that the user can ensure the optimum response to the abnormality. It can also be taken.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, In the implementation stage, it can change variously in the range which does not change the summary. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the abnormality detection unit 7 has described the case of detecting an abnormality in the output and temperature of the fuel cell main body 1, but detects an abnormality in at least one of the output and temperature of the fuel cell main body 1. It may be a thing. Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the pump 104 as the fuel transfer control unit is arranged in the flow path 103 connecting the fuel distribution mechanism 105 and the fuel storage unit 102 has been described. You may arrange | position a fuel cutoff valve in series. This fuel shut-off valve is provided to prevent evaporation of liquid fuel from the pump 104 during long-term storage or the like, but instead of stopping the control of the pump 104, the fuel shut-off valve is operated by an abnormality signal from the abnormality detection unit 7. A function of fuel supply control means for forcibly stopping the power generation operation of the fuel cell main body 1 by forcibly shutting off the shut-off valve and cutting off the supply of liquid fuel to the fuel cell main body 1 may be provided. Furthermore, if the fuel is supplied from the fuel distribution mechanism 105 to the fuel cell power generation unit 101, only the fuel cutoff valve may be arranged instead of the pump 104. In this case, the fuel shut-off valve is provided to control the supply of liquid fuel through the flow path, but the fuel shut-off valve is forcibly shut off by an abnormality signal from the abnormality detection unit 7 to thereby stop the fuel cell main body 1. The liquid fuel supply to the fuel cell main body 1 may be provided with a function of a fuel supply control means for forcibly stopping the power generation operation of the fuel cell body 1.

  Furthermore, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, the problem described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and is described in the column of the effect of the invention. If the above effect is obtained, a configuration from which this configuration requirement is deleted can be extracted as an invention.

  Further, the vaporized component of the liquid fuel supplied to the fuel cell power generation unit may be all supplied as the vaporized component of the liquid fuel, but the present invention is applied even when a part is supplied in the liquid state. be able to.

1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a fuel cell system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing for demonstrating in detail the fuel cell main body of 1st Embodiment. The perspective view of the fuel distribution mechanism used for the fuel cell main body of 1st Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Fuel cell main body, 101 ... Fuel cell electric power generation part 102 ... Fuel accommodating part, 103 ... Flow path 104 ... Pump, 105 ... Fuel distribution mechanism 2 ... DC / DC converter, 3 ... Electronic equipment main body 31 ... Display part, 32 ... Storage unit,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 4 ... Auxiliary power supply, 5 ... Fuel supply control circuit 6 ... Output monitoring part, 7 ... Abnormality detection part, 8 ... Temperature sensor 11 ... Anode catalyst layer, 12 ... Anode gas diffusion layer 13 ... Anode, 14 ... Cathode catalyst layer 15 ... Cathode gas diffusion layer, 16 ... cathode 17 ... electrolyte membrane, 18 ... cover plate 19 ... O-ring, 21 ... fuel inlet 22 ... fuel outlet, 23 ... fuel distribution plate 24 ... gap

Claims (5)

A fuel cell main body having a fuel cell power generation unit that constitutes an electromotive unit, a fuel storage unit that stores liquid fuel, and a fuel transfer control unit that controls supply of fuel from the fuel storage unit to the fuel cell power generation unit;
An auxiliary power source that is charged by the power generation output of the fuel cell body and used as a driving power source for the fuel supply control means;
An abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality in at least one of the output and temperature of the fuel cell main body,
A fuel cell system, wherein power generation of the fuel cell main body is stopped by detecting an abnormality of the abnormality detecting means. Having notification means,
2. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the notifying means notifies an abnormality of at least one of the output and temperature of the fuel cell main body by detecting an abnormality of the abnormality detecting means. 2. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the fuel cell main body stops supply of fuel to the fuel cell power generation unit by the fuel supply control unit when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit. 4. The fuel supply control means is a pump for transferring the fuel to the fuel cell power generation unit or a fuel cutoff valve capable of shutting off the supply of liquid fuel to the fuel cell main body. The fuel cell system described. An electronic device using the fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 as a power source.

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