WO2008016721A2

WO2008016721A2 - Fuel cartridge

Info

Publication number: WO2008016721A2
Application number: PCT/US2007/061940
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hideto Usui
Original assignee: Scripto-Tokai, Inc.; Tokai Corporation
Priority date: 2006-02-10
Filing date: 2007-02-09
Publication date: 2008-02-07
Also published as: JP2007214029A; JP4880318B2; WO2008016721A3

Abstract

In a fuel cartridge for a fuel cell 100 that Is used for a device 200 on which a fuel cell is loaded, the device 200 has a fuel take-up port 60 on the outer surface, and the fuel cartridge for a fuel cell 100 is equipped with a pressurized container 10 that houses the fuel that is supplied to the fuel cell in its interior, and a extrusion means for pushing out the fuel, and a pressure regulator 20 that is composed by disposing a pressure regulation mechanism inside it. The device is equipped with a first connection means S1 so that the pressurized container 10 and pressure regulator 20 are fixed to one another such that they are freely attachable and detachable, and is equipped with a second connection mechanism S2 so that the pressure regulator 20 and the device 200 are connected to one another.

Description

FUEL CARTRIDGE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fuel cartridge for a fuel cell, and relates in particular to a fuel cartridge that is equipped with a pressure regulator. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A fuel cell is an energy conversion apparatus that causes a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, and generates electricity, owing to the fact that the electrolyte membrane that separates a fuel such as hydrogen, methanol, etc. and oxygen permits hydrogen ions to pass through it, and given the fact that the operating temperature is low, and miniaturization of the apparatus can be anticipated, it is currently used for various purposes, and development has been promoted in such fields as the power supply for mobile devices such that the continuous operating time of for example notebook personal computers and portable telephones can be lengthened.

Then, to replenish the fuel in the fuel cell that is used for said power supply for mobile devices, etc., a fuel container that supplies fuel (for example, a fuel cartridge) has been proposed.

Ordinarily, a fuel cell is loaded inside a device such as the above-mentioned mobile devices, and a pressure regulator (a so-called governor) is installed such that the fuel is supplied at a fixed pressure to said loaded fuel cell.

However, miniaturization of mobile devices like those described above has advanced over the years, and in the future further miniaturization is hoped for, so the space available for loading the governor inside the mobile devices continues to become smaller and smaller.

Accordingly, to supply fuel to a fuel cell on which a governor has not been installed, there have been proposed a fuel cell (Japanese Patent Bulletin Number 3,550,396) that houses the fuel in a container with flexibility, and supplies fuel to the fuel cell while regulating optionally the flow rate by for example pressing the container with a fixed strength with the hand, and a fuel container (Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Number 2005216817) that disposes a capillary tube on the supply port of a fuel container, and supplies fuel at a fixed flow rate to the fuel cell by employing capillary action.

However, in the case of the former fuel container with flexibility, the flow rate is determined by the force of the pressing by the human hand, so when for example the force of the pressing is too strong, the fuel inside the fuel cell is discharged in a rush, and the electrolyte membrane of the fuel cell, which is the place to which the fuel is supplied, is torn by the pressure of the injected fuel. In the case of the latter fuel container that utilizes capillary action, the fuel inside the fuel container is supplied slowly at a fixed flow rate, so when the fuel cell requires a large amount of fuel, it ends up taking time for the fuel to be supplied.

The present invention was created in light of this state of affairs, and takes as its purpose the provision of a fuel cartridge for a fuel cell that can realize further miniaturization of devices in which fuel cells are loaded. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventive fuel cartridge for a fuel cell is a fuel cartridge for a fuel cell that is used in devices in which a fuel cell is loaded, and ... File no.: P29074J Patent application no. 2006-033932 (Proof) Date submitted: February 10, 2006 2 ... the above-mentioned apparatus has a fuel take-up port for taking up fuel facing the outer surface, and the above-mentioned fuel cartridge for a fuel cell has a fuel supply port for supplying fuel facing the outer surface, and is equipped with a pressurized container that houses the fuel that is supplied to the above-mentioned fuel cell in its inside, and a extrusion means that pushes out said fuel, and a pressure regulator that has an inflow port whereby the fuel with a primary pressure that is supplied from the above-mentioned fuel supply port and a discharge port that discharges the fuel with a reduced secondary pressure to the above-mentioned fuel take-up port, and on whose interior there is formed a flow part that reaches from the above-mentioned inflow port to the above-mentioned discharge port, and within said fuel path there is disposed a pressure regulating mechanism that reduces the above-mentioned primary pressure to the above-mentioned secondary pressure, and said apparatus is further equipped with a first connection mechanism so that the above-mentioned pressurized container and the above- mentioned pressure regulator are fixed such that they are freely attachable and detachable to one another in a state that places in communication the above-mentioned fuel supply port and the above-mentioned inflow port, and a second connection mechanism so that the above-mentioned pressure regulator and the above-mentioned device are connected such that they are freely attachable and detachable to one another in a state that places in communication the above- mentioned discharge port and the above-mentioned fuel take-up port.

In the inventive fuel cartridge for a fuel cell, it is desirable that the above-mentioned pressurized container and the above-mentioned pressure regulator can be connected by a first engagement key for connecting,

In the inventive fuel cartridge for a fuel cell, it is desirable that the above-mentioned pressure regulator and the above-mentioned device can be connected by a second engagement key for connecting.

It is desirable that the inventive fuel cartridge for a fuel cell has a protective member that covers the above-mentioned second connection mechanism and protects the second connection mechanism from external force. In the inventive fuel cartridge for a fuel cell, it is desirable that the above-mentioned protective member is a member that has an engaging part that engages with the above-mentioned device at one end, and has an engaging part that engages with the above-mentioned pressure regulator at the other end. [Effects of the Invention] Since the inventive fuel cartridge for a fuel cell has a fuel supply port for supplying fuel facing the outer surface, and is equipped with a pressurized container that houses the fuel that is supplied to the above-mentioned fuel cell in its inside, and a extrusion means that pushes out said fuel, and a pressure regulator that has an inflow port whereby the fuel with a primary pressure that is supplied from the above-mentioned fuel supply port and a discharge port that discharges the fuel with a reduced secondary pressure to the above-mentioned fuel take-up port, and on whose interior there is formed a flow part that reaches from the above-mentioned inflow port to the above- mentioned discharge port, and within said fuel path there is disposed a pressure regulating mechanism that reduces the above-mentioned primary pressure to the above-mentioned secondary pressure, it is possible to supply fuel at a fixed flow rate without loading a pressure regulator on the device on which the fuel cell is loaded, so it is possible to prevent fuel from being supplied abruptly and the electrolyte membrane from being torn, and it is possible miniaturize the space part of the above-mentioned device where the pressure regulator is loaded.

In addition, since said apparatus is further equipped with a first connection mechanism so that the above-mentioned pressurized container and the above-mentioned pressure regulator are fixed such that they are freely attachable and detachable to one another in a state that places in communication the above-mentioned fuel supply port and the above-mentioned inflow port, and a second connection mechanism so that the above-mentioned pressure regulator and the above- mentioned device are connected such that they are freely attachable and detachable to one another in a state that places in communication the above-mentioned discharge port and the above- mentioned fuel take-up port, when the fuel that is housed in the pressurized container is completely discharged or becomes low, only the pressurized container may be replaced with a pressurized container that has been replenished with fuel or a new pressurized contained that is filled with fuel, so there is no need to replace the pressure regulator, and it is possible to reduce costs.

In addition, when the pressurized container and the pressure regulator can be connected by the first engagement key for connecting, if the configuration of the first engagement key for connecting is modified in accordance for example with the type of fuel, only a pressurized container that is equipped with a first engagement key for connecting that corresponds to the first engagement key for connecting on the pressure regulator can be installed on the pressure regulator, so it is possible to prevent a pressurized container from housing fuel that differs from the fuel remaining inside the pressure regulator from being installed on the pressure regulator.

When the pressure regulator and the device can be connected by a second engagement key for connecting, ... File no.: P29074J Patent application no. 2006-033932 (Proof) Date submitted: February 10, 2006 3 ... if the configuration of the second engagement key for connecting is modified in accordance for example with the type of fuel, only a pressure regulator that is equipped with a second engagement key for connecting that corresponds to the second engagement key for connecting on the pressure regulator can be installed on the pressure regulator, so it is possible to make it impossible to connect to the device a fuel cartridge for a fuel cell that houses fuel that does correspond to the fuel cell loaded in the device, and it is possible to prevent erroneous installation. In addition, when the apparatus protective member that covers the above-mentioned second connection mechanism and protects the second connection mechanism from external force, the protective member protects the second connection mechanism, so whenever some force is applied from the outside to the fuel cartridge for the fuel cell, it becomes for the connection between the pressure regulator and the device due to the second connection mechanism to become disengaged. In addition, it is possible to reduce the damage to the second connection mechanism, so it is possible to prevent the occurrence of fuel leakage due to such damage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is an oblique view of a state where the fuel cartridge for a fuel cell and a portable telephone are connected. Figure 2 is an oblique view of a state where the connection between the fuel cartridge for a fuel cell and a portable telephone is disengaged.

Figure 3 is an exploded oblique view of the fuel cartridge for a fuel cell. Figure 4 is a section long the IV-IV line of the pressurized container in Figure 3. Figure 5 is an enlarged diagram of the upper end of the pressurized container. Figure 6 is a section that shows the locked state where the pressurized container in Figure 4 is connected to the section along the VI-VI line of the pressure regulator in Figure 3. File no.: P29074J Patent application no. 2006-033932 (Proof) Date submitted: February 10, 2006 14/E Figure 7 is a section of the main body part of the pressure regulator.

Figure 8 is an exploded oblique view of the connector part of the pressure regulator. Figure 9 is a section of the pressure regulator in a state of separation from the pressurized container. Figure 10 is a section that shows the maximum pushed-in state in the connection operation with the pressurized container. Figure 11 is a sectional oblique view of the relationship between the connector and the second ring in a locked state.

Figure 12 is a sectional oblique view of the relationship between the connector and the second ring in a state where the lock is released. Figure 13 is an enlarged section of the connection part.

Figure 14 is an oblique view of the connection part viewed from the connection side with the portable telephone.

Figure 15 is an enlarged view of the fuel take-up part.

Figure 16 is an oblique view of the fuel cartridge for a fuel cell in the second mode of embodiment. Figure 17 is an oblique view of the protective member.

Figure 18 is an oblique view of the fuel cartridge for a fuel cell in the second mode of embodiment. Figure 19 is an oblique view of the fuel cartridge for a fuel cell in the second mode of embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A detailed explanation is provided about one mode of embodiment of the fuel cartridge for a fuel cell 100 for the present invention. Figure 1 is an oblique view of a state wherein the fuel cartridge for a fuel cell 100 and a portable telephone 200 as the device are connected in the present mode of embodiment, Figure 2 is an oblique view of a state in which the connection between the fuel cartridge for a fuel cell 100 and a portable telephone 200 as the device is disengaged, and Figure 3 is an exploded oblique view of the fuel cartridge for a fuel cell 100 in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 1 , the fuel cartridge for a fuel cell 100 in the present mode of embodiment supplies fuel at a roughly fixed pressure to a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) (not shown in the figure) that is loaded on the portable telephone 200 as the device, by connecting to said portable telephone 200. In the present mode of embodiment, a DMFC is used for the fuel cell that is loaded in the portable telephone 200, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is possible to use as appropriate various kinds of fuel cells, for example a solid polymer fuel cell (PEFC). In addition, the fuel cartridge for a fuel cell 100 in the present mode of embodiment connects to a portable telephone 200, but the inventive fuel cartridge for a fuel cell is not limited to this, and provided that it is a device on which fuel cells are loaded, it can be connected to small portable terminals like for example those of a notebook personal computer, a PDA (personal data assistant), a digital camera, digital video, digital camcorder, etc.

As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2, the fuel cartridge for a fuel cell 100 and the portable telephone 200 are equipped with a connection mechanism S2 (the second connection mechanism S2) for connecting these to each other such that they can be freely attached and detached. A detailed description of this second connection mechanism S2 will be provided subsequently, and first of all a detailed description of the fuel cartridge for a fuel cell 100 is provided.

As shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3, the fuel cartridge for a fuel cell 100 is composed of a pressurized container 10 and a pressure regulator 20, and is equipped with a firs connection mechanism Sl for fixing the pressurized container 10 and the pressure regulator 20 to each other such that they are freely attachable and detachable. Here, Figure 4 shows a section along the IV-IV line of the pressurized container 10 in Figure 3, Figure 5 shows an enlarged view of the upper end of the pressurized container 10, and Figure 6 shows a section that shows a state wherein the pressurized container 10 in Figure 4 is connected in a section along the VI-VI line of the pressure regulator in Figure

3. For the sake of convenience, a description is provided with the side where the pressurized container 10 is connected to the pressure regulator 20 (in Figure 4, the upper side) is upwards, while the side where the pressure regulator 20 is connected to the pressurized container 10 (in Figure 6, the lower side) is downwards. As shown in Figure 4, the pressurized container 10 has a roughly cylindrical container main body 12, said container main body 12 has a double structure composed of an inner container 124 that is equipped with a fuel storage chamber 111 that house the fuel F, and is partitioned with a piston 13, and an outer container 121 that houses the compressed gas G for pushing out the fuel F by means of the piston 13, and whose upper end part is opened, and a compressed gas chamber 112 is chiefly formed between the outer surface of the inner container 124 and the inner surface of the outer container 121. The volume ratios of the fuel storage chamber 111 and the compressed gas chamber 112 fluctuate due to the position of the piston 13, and when the fuel F decreases and the piston 13 rises, a part of the compressed gas chamber 112 ... File no.: P29074J Patent application no. 2006-033932 (Proof) Date submitted: February 10, 20064 ... it ends up being located inside the inner container 124. In the present mode of embodiment, the compressed gas G and the piston 13 serve as the extrusion means P.

Since in the present mode of embodiment the fuel F is supplied to the DMFC, it is a mixed liquid of methanol and purified water. However, in this invention it is not limited to this, and it may be altered as appropriate in accordance with the kind of fuel cell, to such things as for example a mixed liquid of an alcohol with a fixed concentration of ethanol and purified water, etc., and purified water or an alcohol simple substance, etc.

In addition, in the present mode of embodiment it is desirable from the standpoint of preventing the in-mixing into the fuel F of oxygen, which has an adverse effect on the reactions in the fuel cell, and moreover from the standpoint of preventing the fuel F from oxidizing, that nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or a gas that does not contain oxygen such as deoxygenated air is used. This was used as the compressed gas G in the present mode of embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it may for example be liquefied gas wherein DME (dimethyl ether) is gasified. The outer container 121 is equipped with a connector 123 that has a first connection mechanism Sl on the pressurized container 10 side, where the pressure regulator 20 is connected to the upper end. Said connector 123 is equipped with a connection cylinder 123c that has a connection port 123a on the upper end and that projects upwards, and an insertion port 123b that is formed in the center of the lower end, and wherein a valve 14 (described below) that opens or cuts off the flow path of the fuel F that is housed in the inner container 124 is inserted. As shown in Figure 5, the connection cylinder 123c is equipped with engagement protrusions used for fixing 123cl that protrude at intervals such as downwards on the outer periphery of the lower end part thereof, and is equipped with a pressing stage parts 123c3 that protrude annularly on the outer periphery of the lower end thereof and splined shaft- shaped salients 123c2 that protrude from said pressing stage parts 123c3 towards the engagement protrusions for fixing 123cl. The engagement protrusions 123cl, salients 123c2 and pressing stage parts 123c3 comprise the first connection mechanism Sl on the pressurized container 10 side.

The lower end of the inner container 124 is open, said lower end is not in contact with the bottom surface 121a of the outer container 121, and a plurality of notches 124a that extend in a vertical direction are formed on the peripheral surface of the lower end side, and when the piston 13 moves downwards while compressing the coil spring 125, the inside of the inner container 124 and the inside of the outer container 121 end up in communication. In addition, a through-hole 124b that communicates with the valve 14 in roughly the center thereof is opened on the upper end part of the inner container 124, a cylindrical part 124c is provided such that it protrudes upwards surrounding said through-hole 124b, and the lower end part of the valve 14 (described below) is installed on the inside of said cylindrical part 124c.

The valve 14 is roughly composed of a housing 141, a stem 142 that can move upwards and downwards in Figure 4, a spring 143 that impels the stem 142 in a closed direction (upwards), a valve body 144 (O-ring) that opens or cuts off the flow path of the fuel F, and a seal member 145, The upper end of the valve 14 serves as the fuel supply port 14a that undertakes the supply of fuel F,

The housing 141 is formed in a roughly cylindrical shape, and is equipped with an annular stage part 141a that protrudes to the outside in the middle part, an installation cylindrical part 141b that is extended downwards from the lower surface of this annular stage part 141a, and annular protrusions that protrude inwards at the middle part. The housing 141 is inserted the insertion hole 123b of the above-described connector 123, the lower surface of the annular stage part 141a is disposed such that it is in contact with the upper end rim of the insertion hole 123b, and the inner part of the installation cylindrical part 141b and the through-hole 124b of the inner container 124 are in communication. In addition, a seal member 145 has been fitted to the outer periphery of the upper end of the housing 141.

The stem 142 is shaped like a rod, and is equipped with a large bore part 142a at the upper end that spreads to the outside, and a shaft part 142b that extends downwards from the large bore part 142a. Then, the stem 142 is inserted such that it can move axially inside the housing 141, and is impelled upward by a spring 143 that is compressed between the lower surface of the large bore part 142a and the upper surface of the annular protrusions 141c. The tip of the shaft part 142b of the stem 142 is inserted through the inner hole of the annular protrusions 141c and protrudes downwards, ... File no.: P29074J Patent application no. 2006-033932 (Proof) Date submitted: February 10, 2006 5 ... and owing to the fact that the valve body, which is composed of an O-ring that is installed on the outer periphery part of the tip of the shaft part 142b, is pressed into contact with the lower surface of the annular protrusions 141c, it closes the inner hole thereof and cuts off the flow path of the fuel F. In addition, when the stem 142 is pressed downwards, the spring 143 contracts and the stem 142 moves downwards, and owing to the fact that the valve body 144 is separated from the lower surface of the annular protrusions 141c, the inner hole opens, and the flow path of the fuel F inside the fuel storage chamber 111 is opened.

The piston 13 is roughly columnar, and is composed of a main body member 131 that has a groove 131b on the outer peripheral surface and a seal member 132 (O-ring) that is formed from an elastic material like rubber that mates with the groove 131b, and the elastic seal member 132 is composed such that its outer periphery is in liquid-tight contact with the inner surface of the inner container 124, and it can slide up and down through the inner part of the inner container 124, The piston 13 functions as a moving divider that partitions the space that is in contact with the upper surface into the fuel storage chamber 111, and the space that is in contact with the bottom surface into the compressed gas chamber 112, respectively, and when the fuel F of the upper surface is pressurized by the pressure of the compressed gas G that acts on the bottom surface, and the stem 142 is activated so it opens, it acts so as to push out the fuel F,

Next, a description is provided about the enclosure of compressed gas G in the compressed gas chamber 112 and the injection of fuel F to the fuel storage chamber 111. The enclosure of the compressed gas G shall be performed prior to the injection of fuel F in the fuel storage chamber 112. First of all, the gas injection port of gas pressurization and filling apparatus (not shown in the figures) is linked to the connection port 123a, the stem 142 is activated so that it opens due to the push- in action, and the compressed gas G is injected into the fuel storage chamber 111 through the valve 14. The piston 13 falls in response to this, and as shown in Figure 4 compressed gas G is further injected from the position where the coil spring 125 is at its natural length, and due to this the piston 13 compresses the coil spring 125 and moves further towards the bottom surface 121a of the outer container 121. In a state where the piston 13 falls to the lowest point, the upper end part of the notches 124a is upwards from the elastic seal member 132 of the piston 13, and compressed gas G is injected from the fuel storage chamber 111 to the compressed gas chamber 112 through the notches 124a. Then, when the inside of the compressed gas chamber 1 12 reaches the prescribed pressure, the injection of compressed gas G is stopped.

Next, the stem 142 is activated to open again, and the surplus compressed gas inside the fuel storage chamber 111 is discharged. In response to this the piston 13 rises due to the repulsive force of the coil spring 125, and as shown in Figure 4 it returns to a state where the fuel storage chamber 111 is tightly sealed. Then, owing to the discharge of the above-mentioned surplus compressed gas, the piston rises and moves to the upper end of the inner container 124 in a state where the pressure of the compressed gas G in the compressed gas chamber 112 acts on the lower surface, and the surplus compressed gas inside the fuel storage chamber 111 is discharged, and owing to this the compressed gas G is enclosed inside the fuel storage chamber 111 and the compressed gas chamber 112. After that, a fuel injection means (not shown in the figures) is connected to the connector 123, and fuel F is injection to the fuel storage chamber 111 through the valve 14, and due to this the piston 13 is lowered and a prescribed amount of fuel F is housed in the fuel storage tank 111. This is how the pressurized container 10 is composed.

In the present mode of embodiment, the pressurized container 10 has a double structure, but the inventive pressurized container is not limited to this, and the design thereof can be modified as appropriate, and may be a single container structure with a structure wherein a liquefied gas such as LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) DME (dimethyl ether) and CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) or a compressed gas like carbon dioxide gas or nitrogen gas are housed as a spray agent along with the fuel F inside the main body of a container that is formed with a single container structure, and the fuel F is turned into a mist or foam and emitted by its own force to the outside the container main body, by the pressure of the above-mentioned liquefied gas or the above-mentioned compressed gas. In this case, the extrusion means P becomes the above-mentioned liquefied gas or the above- mentioned compressed gas. However, preferably the recyclable container with which the fuel can be refilled is best. As shown in Figure 1, the pressure regulator is an apparatus that regulates to a prescribed pressure and supplies to the DMFC the fuel F that is supplied from the pressurized container 10, owing to the fact that one end thereof is connected to the above-described pressurized container 10 and the other end thereof is connected to the portable telephone 200, and ... File no.: P29074J Patent application no. 2006-033932 (Proof) Date submitted: February 10, 2006 6 ... is equipped with a pressure regulation mechanism 33 (governor mechanism) that regulates the pressure of the fuel that is supplied from the pressurized container 10 (primary pressure) to the pressure of the fuel F that is supplied to the DMFC (secondary pressure).

As shown in Figure 6, the pressure regulator 20 is connected with the valve 14 of the above- described pressurized container 10, and is roughly formed from a main body part 30 that has the above-mentioned pressure regulation mechanism 33 inside it, a connector part 40 that is mated with said main body part 30, and that is equipped with a ratchet mechanism Sl as the first connection mechanism Sl on the pressure regulator 10 side, for connecting in a fixed state the connector 123 of the above-described pressurized container 10, and case part 50 that covers the main body part 30 and the connector part 40, and that connects with the portable telephone 200. Here, Figure 7 shows a section of the main body part 30, and Figure 8 shows an exploded oblique view of the connector part 40.

As shown in Figure 7, the main body part 30 has an inflow port 3 Ia at which the fuel with a primary pressure that is supplied for the fuel supply port 14a of the pressurized container 10 flows in, and a discharge port 31b at which the fuel with a reduced secondary pressure is discharged, and is roughly composed of a housing 32 on which a flow path that reaches from the inflow port 3 Ia to the discharge port 3 Ib is formed, and a pressure regulation mechanism 33 that is disposed in the middle of the above-mentioned flow path, and reduces the primary pressure to the secondary pressure. The housing 32 is roughly composed of a main body case 34 and a cover case 35 that are disposed so that they form a space (flow path) on the inside thereof, and a cylindrical connection introduction tube 36, which is installed below the main body case 34, and the main body case 34 and the cover case 35 sandwich and hold the outer periphery part of a diaphragm 38 (described below) from both sides of a first surface (lower surface) of the diaphragm 38 and the second surface (upper surface) of the opposite side thereof, and is mated for example with a screw. In addition, spaces are formed between the cover case 35 and the diaphragm 38 and the main body case 34 and the diaphragm 38, respectively, and the space on the cover case 35 side serves as the air chamber that communicates with the atmosphere, and the space on the main body case 34 side serves a pressure regulation chamber 340 that includes the flow path. On the inner surface of the upper wall of the cover case 35, salients 35 that protrude downwards are formed in roughly the center thereof, and the tips, that is, the bottom surface, of the salients 351 have a flattened shape. Small holes 35 Ia that put in communication the exterior (the atmosphere) and the air chamber 350 have been formed in the center of the salient, and owing to this the inside of the air chamber 350 is kept at atmospheric pressure.

The diaphragm 38 is disposed on a stage part 34a that is formed along the entire periphery of the upper surface of the main body case 34, and both the first surface (lower surface) 38a, which faces the pressure regulation chamber 340, and the second surface (upper surface) 38b, which faces the air chamber 350 on the opposite side thereof, are pressed and fixed by the main body case 34 and the cover case 35. In this manner the diaphragm 38 receives the pressure of the fuel F that is housed in the pressure regulation chamber 340 on the lower surface 38a, and the atmospheric pressure of the gas that is housed in the air chamber 350 on the lower surface 38b, respectively, and is configured such that if can displace elastically in response to the pressure difference between the above-mentioned pressure and the atmospheric pressure, and the impelling force generated by said pressure difference and the impelling force generated by the pressure regulating spring 311 are maintained at an equilibrated position.

The diaphragm 38 is composed for example of rubber, is a generally plate-shaped member with elasticity, has a round opening 381 that is pierced through roughly the center thereof, and has a curved flexible part 382 that is formed in a round shape, at a position that is separated by a prescribed distance from roughly the center thereof. In addition, a support 39 (described below) is fixed to the upper side (the air chamber 350 side) of the diaphragm 38, and a shaft 310 (described below) is fixed to the lower side (the pressure regulation chamber 340 side) thereof, respectively, and these can move upwards and downwards (the axial direction) in a monobloc in response to the flexible displacement of the diaphragm 38. The diaphragm 38, support 39 and shaft 310, which are integrated in one body, are collectively referred to as the moving body 37.

The supporter 39 has a roughly round plate part 391 that is fixed to the upper surface of the inside from the curved flexible part 382 of the diaphragm 382, and the roughly columnar protruding part 392 that protrudes upwards from roughly the center of said plate part 391. File no.: P29074J Patent application no. 2006-033932 (Proof) Date submitted: February 10, 2006 7 A protruding part 392 is provided in a position corresponding to the salient 351 of the cover case 35, and said upper surface is formed flat in the same manner as the salient 351, and female screw 393 is formed roughly perpendicular from the upper end to the lower end on roughly the center thereof.

In addition, a compressed coil spring 311 (hereinafter, "pressure regulation spring 311") is provided on the outer periphery of the protruding part 392 of the support 39 and of the salient 351 of the cover case 35, and the pressure regulation spring 311 ordinarily presses downwards at a prescribed pressure the diaphragm 38 through the medium of the support 39.

The shaft 310 has a roughly columnar large bore part 310a whose upper surface is fixed with the lower surface (first surface) of the diaphragm 38, and shaft parts 310b and 310c that extend respectively upwards and downwards from roughly the center of the large bore part 310a. The shaft part 310b extends downwards through the through-hole 34b of the main body case 34 (described below), an annular groove is formed on the outer periphery of the tip, and a pressure regulation valve 312 that opens and closes a through-hole 34b is provided on said groove.

The shaft part 310c protrudes upwards through the opening 381 of the diaphragm 38, and extends to the front of the upper surface of the above-described protruding part

392. In addition, a male screw 310c' is formed on the shaft part 310c, and it screws together with the above-mentioned female screw 393 of the support 39, and is composed so that it tightens the diaphragm 38 from both sides. Owing to this, the diaphragm 38 is composed is sandwiched and held between the support 39 and the shaft 310 and composed in a monobloc. The main body case 34 has a through-hole 34b whereby the above-mentioned shaft part

310b passes through on roughly the center of the lower surface, and the annular wall 341 is provided such that it protrudes downwards surrounding said through-hole 34b. In addition, a fluid passing groove 34c is formed downwards on the surface of the pressure regulation chamber 340 side of the main body case 34, so that it extends from said through-hole 34. A nozzle 34d that has a discharge port 3 Ib that communicates the pressure regulation port 340 has been provided such that it protrudes sideways on the main case body 34, such that the central axis thereof is roughly perpendicular with the central axis of the annular wall 341.

A groove 341a has been formed annularly on the outer periphery of the base end of the annular wall 341, and an O-ring 342 for introducing the connection introducing tube 36 (described below) has been installed on said groove 341a, It can be configured such that a screw (not shown in the figures) has for example been formed on the outer periphery of the annular wall 341, and this screws together with the connection introducing tube 36. Moreover, intermediate stage parts 341b have been formed annularly on the inner surface of the annular wall 341.

The connection introducing tube 36 is a member to which the above-described valve 14 is connected, and it has a partition wall 36a on the middle of its lengthwise direction. On the partition wall 36a, an inflow port 31a is formed in roughly the center thereof, and this receives the lower shaft 364c of a plug 364 (described below). In addition, between the partition wall 36a and the annular wall 341, there are disposed from above a filter 361, joint 362, compressed coil spring 363 (hereinafter, referred to simply as "spring 363") and a plug 364. The joint 362 has a roughly cylindrical shape with an upper wall 62a, a hole 362b is formed in the center of the upper wall 362a of the joint [362], and an annular flange 362c that extends outwards is formed between the upper wall 362a and the lower end.

The filter 361 has a round plate shape, an annular wall hangs down on the outer periphery thereof, and it is provided like a crown on the upper wall 362a of the joint 362. As for the joint 362, in an assembled state, the flange 362c is in direct contact with the lower end of the annular wall 341, and sandwiches and holds the filter 361 between the intermediate stage parts 341 of the annular wall 341 and the upper wall 362a of the joint 362. A plurality of grooves (not shown in the figure) that are continuous upwards and downwards has been formed on the inner surface of the joint 362, and these grooves serve as the flow path through which the fuel with a primary pressure that is supplied passes.

The plug 364 has a roughly pin shape, and has a round plate-shaped flange 364a in the area near the upper part thereof. File no.: P29074J Patent application no. 2006-033932 (Proof) Date submitted: February 10, 2006 8 The upper axis 364b, which protrudes from the flange 364a, has a diameter that can be inserted in the inside of the spring 363. The lower axis 364c, which protrudes downwards from the flange 364a, converges towards the lower end of the plug 364. In other words, a taper is formed and it has a tapered shape. An O-ring has been provided like a crown in the vicinity of the flange 364a, of the lower shaft 364c.

When the connection introducing tube 36 is configured on the annular wall 34, the spring 363 and the plug 364 are held in place between the upper wall 362a of the joint 362 and the partition wall 36a of the connection introducing tube 36. At this time, the flange 364a of the plug 364 is impelled downwards by the spring 363, and the O-ring 365 is pressed between the flange 364a and the partition wall 36a, When this O-ring 365 is in a state where the valve 14 is not connected to the connection introducing tube 36, it ends up in a state where it is tightly attached to the partition wall 36a and the flange 364a, Owing to this, it is possible to prevent the fuel F inside the pressurized container 10 from leaking to the outside from between the lower shaft 364c of the plug 364 and the inflow port 31a of the partition wall 36a. The main body 30 is formed in this manner. Then, a connector part 40 has been installed surrounding the connection introducing tube 36, on the lower end of the main body case 34 of the main body part 30. As shown in Figure 6, the connector part 40 has a roughly cylindrical part, the upper end side thereof is fixed to the main body part 30, and the lower end side thereof is fixed such that it is freely attachable and detachable to the connection cylinder 123c of the pressurized container 10. In a position that maintains a state where the plug 364 pushes in the stem valve 142, the connection cylinder 123c, that is, the pressurized container 10, and the connector part 40, that is, the pressure regulator 20, are connected and fixed by the engagement protrusions 123cl, salients 123c2 and the push- in stage parts 123c3 (the first connection mechanism Sl on the pressurized container 10 side) that are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the above-described connection cylinder 123c, and the ratchet mechanism S l (described below) (the first connection mechanism Sl on the pressure regulator 20 side), and it is possible to separate easily the pressurized container 10 and the pressure regulator 20 by means of the ratchet mechanism Sl.

Next, a description of the structure of the ratchet mechanism Sl is provided following Figure 6 and Figure 8. As shown in the lower part of Figure 8, a ratchet holder 42 is formed cylindrically, and the upper end part of the cylinder part 42 is fixed to the holder main body 41 that is shown at the upper end of the same figure. On the inner surface of the cylindrical part 420 of this ratchet holder 42, it is equipped with four first guide grooves 421 in a peripheral direction that extends axially from one end to a roughly intermediate position, engagement holes 422 that are formed in roughly the center upwards and downwards of the first guide grooves 421, a plurality (12) of ratchet salients 423 that are disposed at even intervals on the inner periphery of the lower end part side, and a plurality (12) of second guide grooves 424 at even intervals by means of the inner peripheral surface between the ratchet salients 423 that extend in this axial direction, there is a sloping surface and latching stage parts on the upper end part of the ratchet salients 423, and [the area] from the upper end of the latching stage parts towards the second guide grooves 424 is similarly a sloping surface as well. A first ring 43 (sliding ring) respectively equipped with a plurality of 12 guide protrusions

432 at even intervals on the outer periphery of the ring-shaped base part 431, and inner peripheral protrusions 433 in the same position as the guide protrusions 432 on the inner periphery, and the upper and lower end surfaces are formed flat. The guide protrusions 432 of the outer periphery are always inserted in the second guide grooves 424 of the ratchet holder 42, and this first ring 43 cannot rotate, and can only move up and down. The upper end of the pressing stage parts 123c3 of the connection cylinder 123 c of the connector 123 can be in direct contact with the lower surface of the inner peripheral protrusions 433 when it rises, and the first ring 43 moves upward axially due to the pressing thereof. The engagement protrusions 123cl of the connection cylinder 123c can be inserted in the vertical grooves between the inner peripheral protrusions 433. The second ring 44 (lock ring) is equipped with a plurality of 12 guide protrusions 442 that protrude at even intervals on the outer periphery of the ring base part 441, a plurality of 12 slide claw part 443 with a sloping surfaces at even intervals on the upper surface, and a plurality of 12 protrusions for locking 444 at even intervals on the inner surface, and it acts by rotating in the rotational direction d. The guide protrusions 442 on the outer periphery and the protrusions for locking 444 on the inner periphery are in the same position in the peripheral direction, both are linked at the lower part of the ring base part 441, and are provided on a sloping surface that is high at the front of this rotational direction d and low at the rear thereof. In addition, the upper surfaces of the slide claw parts 443 that protrude on the upper surface ... File no.: P29074J Patent application no. 2006-033932 (Proof) Date submitted: February 10, 2006 9 ... are similarly provided on a sloping surface that is high at the front of this rotational direction d and low at the rear thereof.

The guide protrusions 442 on the outer periphery are inserted in the second guide grooves

424 of the ratchet holder 42, and they slide and guide the second ring 44 in an axial direction, and these guide protrusions 442 break free from the second guide grooves 424 when the amount of upward movement of the second ring 44 is large, and the second ring 44 can rotate. Owing to that rotation, when the sloping surface of the lower end of the guide protrusions 442 falls in a state where it can be in constant with the sloping surface of the ratchet salients 423 or the sloping surface of the upper end of the latching stage parts, it rotates further owing to the contact between the two sloping surfaces at that time, and the rotation thereof stops in a locked state where the tips of the guide protrusions 442 latch to the latching stage parts, or in a separated state where the guide protrusions 442 are inserted in the second guide grooves 424. In addition, the protrusions for locking 444 on the inner periphery move to the inside of the engagement protrusions 123cl used for locking of the connection cylinder 123c of the connector 123 due to the circular movement accompany the connecting operation, and it is possible to lock by engagement. The third ring 45 (guide ring) is equipped respectively with 4 guide protrusions 452 at even intervals on the outer periphery of the ring base part 451, and ratchet claw-shaped claw teeth 453 with a sloping surface on the lower end surface. The guide protrusions 452 are inserted in the first guide grooves 421 of the ratchet holder 42, and this third ring 45 can move up and down (cannot rotate) axially, and as for the lower end position thereof, the guide protrusions 452 latch to and are regulated by the lower end parts of the first guide grooves 421, and are separated from the second ring 44. The claw teeth 453 on the lower end surface are in direct contact with the slide claw part 443 on the upper surface of the second ring 44, and rotate the second ring 44 by contact between the two sloping surfaces.

The spring holder 46 is composed of a cylindrical upper tubal part 461 and a lower cylindrical tube part with a small outer bore, a release spring 47 is installed in a compressed state inside it, and the outer periphery stage parts 463 on the lower end of the upper tubal part 463 is in direct contact with it and impels it from above to the protrusions for locking 444 of the second ring 44, Owing to this, the free movement during separation of the second ring 44, which is separated from the third ring 45, is prevented. In addition, the lower cylindrical part 462 of the spring holder 46 is inserted inwards of the first to third rings 43-45, it extends downwards to the inside of the ratchet holder 42, and has an opening in the center of the bottom surface, which receives the release spring 47, and the valve 14 is inserted inside the opening. Moreover, the lower end part of the lower cylindrical part 462 can be in direct contact with inner bottom surface of the connector 123, and the spring holder 46 can move upwards axially in opposition to the release spring 47 due to the connection operation of the connector 123.

The release spring 47 is a coil spring that is provided in compressed form between the inner peripheral stage parts 464 (Figure 6) of the spring holder 46 and the lower surface of the main body case 34, and in addition to pressing down the third ring 45 through the spring holder 46, it impels the connector 123 in a detached direction or separated direction.

The holder main body 41 is fixed to the main body case 34, and has a roughly cylindrical main body part 411, flange parts 414 that are disposed at four even intervals on the upper end of the main body part 411, and protrudes outwards, a screw hole 415 for fixing that is formed in roughly the center of the upper end of said flange part 414, and latching claws 416 provided in a protruding manner towards the outside at four even intervals at a position between the flange parts 414, on the outer peripheral surface of the main body part 411. Said latching claws 416 can engage with the latching holes 422 of the ratchet holder 42, and assembly is carried out.

A description is now provided of the connection operation between the pressurized container 10 and the pressure regulator 20 by means of the first connection mechanism Sl. Figure 9 shows a section of the connector part 40 in a state of separation from the pressurized container 10,

Figure 10 is a section that shows a state of maximum pushing in the connection operation with the pressurized container 10, Figure 11 shows a sectional oblique view that shows the relationship between the connector 123 and the second ring 44 in a locked state, and Figure 12 shows a sectional oblique view that shows the relationship between the connector 123 and the second ring 44 in a state where the lock is released.

As shown in Figure 9, when the connector 123 and the connector part are in a separated state prior to connection, ... File no.: P29074J Patent application no. 2006-033932 (Proof) Date submitted: February 10, 2006 10 ... the stage parts 463 of the spring holder 46 presses in direct contact with the protrusions for locking 444 of the second spring 44, the guide protrusions 432 and 442 of the first ring 43 and second ring 44 make the second ring 44 non-rotatable due to the fact that they are positioned inside the second guide grooves 424 of the ratchet holder 42, and the third ring 43 is disposed at a position where the falling position is regulated.

To connect the connector 123 and the connector part 40, first of all, as shown in Figure 6, the seal member 145 is in contact with the inner surface of the connection introducing tube 36 to ensure the sealing quality, after which the stem valve 142 is pushed in by the tip of the lower shaft 364c of the plug 364, and the stem valve 142 is activated to open and the flow path of the fuel F is opened. At this time, the fuel supply port 14a and the inflow port 31a are in a communicated state. Then, in response to this pushing in operation, the engagement protrusions for locking 123cl of the connection cylinder 123c move upwards through the vertical grooves on the inner surface of the first and second rings 43 and 44, and after the lower end part of the spring holder 46 is pushed upward in direct contact with the inner bottom surface of the connector 123, the pressing stage parts 123c3 push this up in direct contact with the lower surface of the first guide grooves 421. Along with this, the second ring 44 also rises, it is in direct contact with the lower surface of the third ring 45, which has been stopped by the lower end of the first guide grooves 421, and the third ring 45 also pushes up. In the middle of this, the guide protrusions 442 of the second ring 44 emerge from the upper end of the second guide grooves 424 of the ratchet holder 42 and can rotate, and the second ring 44 accepts force in the rotating direction d (Figure 8) due to the direct contact with sloping surface of the claw teeth 453 of the lower surface of the third ring 45.

Then, when the stem valve 142 is further pushed in by the tip of the lower shaft 364c of the plug 364, as shown in Figure 10, it results in a state of maximum pushing in, In this state, the upward movement of the third ring 45 is regulated, and the second ring 44 causes the upper part of the first ring 43 to rotate in the rotational direction d, due to the sloped surface contact with the third ring 45, and as shown in Figure 12, owing to the circular movement of this second ring 44, the protrusions for locking 444 thereof move downwards from the engagement protrusions for locking 123cl of the connection cylinder 123c of the connector 123 and engages, and locks so that no disengaging movement is possible.

Next, when the push-in operation is released due to the maximum pushed in state, the connector 123 is impelled backwards by the impelling force of the release spring 47, but the engagement protrusions for locking 123cl of the connection cylinder 123c of the connector 123 engages with the protrusions for locking 444 of the second ring 44 and moves, and the third ring 45 and the first ring 43 also move downwards in a monobloc. Then, when the third ring 45 falls and stops at the lower end of the first guide grooves 421 , the second ring 44 separated from this falls further, the sloping contact of the two is separated, and as far as the second ring 44 is concerned the tips of the guide protrusions 442 of the lower end move on the sloping surface of the ratchet salients 423 from the position of the second guide grooves 424 due to the above-mentioned rotation, it is in contact on this sloping surface, and it moves further circularly along this slope due to the further falling of the second ring 44. Then, the guide protrusions 442 of the second ring 44 rotate and stop in direct contact with the latching stage parts, falling beyond that is stopped, the connector 123, which is latched to the protrusions for locking 444 of the second ring 44, is locked, and as shown in Figure 6 it is in a locked state where it is connected inseparably. Next, as far as the release operation from the above-mentioned locked state is concerned, when the connector 123 is again subjected to a pushing in operation, the first ring 43 and the second ring 44 move upwards, the lower end part of the second ring 44 is separated from the latching stage parts and becomes rotatable, the second ring 44 rotates due to the sloping surface of the claw teeth 453 of the third ring 45, and along with the subsequent retreating movement of the connector 123, the sloping surface of the guide protrusions 442 of the second ring 44 is in contact with the sloped surface that reaches from the latching stage parts of the ratchet salients 423 to the second guide grooves 424, and owing to this sloping surface contact the second ring 44 rotates further in the rotational direction d, and the guide protrusions 442 rotate to a position that is inserted inside the second guide grooves 424. At this rotating position of the second guide grooves 44, as shown in Figure 1, the engagement protrusions 123cl are disengaged from the protrusions for locking 444 and the position matches the vertical groove, the lock engagement is released, and the connection cylinder 123c of the connector 123 can move so that it separates, it is activated so that it separates through the spring holder 46 due to the impelling force of the release spring 47, ... File no.: P29074J Patent application no. 2006-033932 (Proof) Date submitted: February 10, 2006 11 ... and it is protruded. In this manner, the main body 30 and the connector 123, that is, the pressure regulator 20 and the pressurized container 10, are fixed to one another such that they are freely attachable and detachable.

As noted above, since the apparatus is equipped with a first connection mechanism Sl so that the pressurized container 10 and the pressure regulator 20 are fixed to one another such that they are freely attachable and detachable in a state where the fuel supply port 14a and the inflow port 31a are in communication, when the fuel F that is housed in the pressurized container 10 is completely discharged or becomes low, only the pressurized container 10 may be replaced with a pressurized container 10 that has been replenished with fuel or a new pressurized contained 10 that is filled with fuel, so there is no need to replace the pressure regulator 20, and it is possible to reduce costs. In addition, Since the fuel cartridge for a fuel cell 100 is equipped with a pressurized container 10 and a pressure regulator 20, it is possible to supply fuel F at a fixed flow rate without loading a pressure regulator 20 on the portable telephone 200, so it is possible to prevent fuel from being supplied abruptly and the electrolyte membrane from being torn, In addition, it is possible miniaturize the space part of the portable telephone 200 on which the pressure regulator is loaded. In addition, in the pressurized container 10, a first engagement key for connection Kl (not shown in the figures) on the pressurized container 10 side is composed by modifying the bore of the connection cylinder 123c, and the width and the intervals of the disposed positions of the engagement protrusions 123cl and the salients 123c2 that are provided on the connection cylinder 123 c, in accordance with the type of fuel F that is housed in the inside. Then, the first engagement key for connection Kl (not shown in the figures) on the pressure regulator 20 side is composed by modifying the bore of the connector, and the width and the disposition intervals of the inner peripheral protrusions 433 of the first ring 43 and the protrusions for locking 444 of the second ring

44, such that these correspond to the first engagement key for connection Kl on said pressurized container 10 side.

In this manner, if the pressurized container 10 and the pressure regulator 20 are equipped with a first engagement key for connection Kl in accordance with the type of fuel F that is housed inside the pressurized container 10, it is possible to install only a pressurized container 10 that is equipped with a first engagement key for connection Kl that corresponds to the first engagement key for connection Kl on the pressure regulator 20 side on the pressure regulator 20, so it is possible to prevent a pressurized container 10 in which fuel that differs from the remaining fuel that is housed side the pressure regulator 20 from being installed on the pressure regulator 20,

In the present mode of embodiment, the pressurized container 10 and the pressure regulator

20 are connected and fixed by the ratchet mechanism S l, but in the present invention it is not limited to this, and one may also use any structure in which the pressurized container 10 can maintain the above-mentioned pushed in state, and moreover wherein separation from the main body 30 can be done easily, and it may also be a spring member (not shown in the figures) such as a compressed spring member or a plate spring, that is disposed such that the pressurized container 10 is oriented towards the main body part 30, and is disposed such that it is simply impelled by a spring.

Then the main body part 30 and the connector part 40 that are constituted as described above are covered by a cover part 50 that is equipped with a second connection mechanism S2 for connecting with a portable telephone 200.

As shown in Figure 6, the cover part 50 is roughly composed by a roughly cylindrical cover main body 51 whose lower end is open, and a connection part 52 of the second connection mechanism S2, which is provided on the upper part of the side surface of said cover main body 51.

As for the cover main body 51, the upper end of the cover case 35 is in direct contact with the inner surface of the upper wall, and the outer peripheral surface of the ratchet holder 42 of the connector part 40 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface. Here, Figure 13 shows an enlarged section of the connection part 52, and Figure 14 shows an oblique view of the connection part 52 viewed from the connection side with the portable telephone 200.

As shown in Figure 13, the connection part 52 is roughly composed of a second joint 521 that has a bottom wall that is in communication with the discharge port 3 Ib of the above-mentioned main body part 30, and on which the insertion hole 521a through which a nozzle 34d is inserted is formed, ... File no.: P29074J Patent application no. 2006-033932 (Proof) Date submitted: February 10, 2006 12 ... a roughly cylindrical connection tubal part 522, which is fixed to one end of said second joint 521, and that has a supply port 31c that supplies fuel F to a portable telephone 200, an open-close plug that is housed inside the second joint 521 and/or the connection tubal part 522, and that has a shaft part 523b on one end of which is installed a valve 523a that opens and closes a supply port in response to the connection with a portable telephone 200, a spring member 524 wherein one end is in direct contact with the other end of the open-close plug 523, and the other end is in direct contact with the above-mentioned wall of the second joint 521, and a roughly cylindrical connection main body 525 that covers the connection tubal part 525 and is fixed to the above- mentioned cover main body 51, and that is connected to the portable telephone 200. As for the connection tubal part 522, an O-ring 526 for the groove seal of the tip has been installed thereon.

In addition, in the case of the connection main body 525, an engagement key for connection K2 (the second engagement key for connection K2 on the pressure regulator side 20) is formed on the inner peripheral surface. As shown in Figure 4, said engagement key for connection K2 is provided such that it protrudes inward in the tube, at a place on the inner peripheral surface, and is composed of a standard protrusion 525a that serves as the standard for the absolute position that extends from the tip end surface of the tube in the installation direction of the tube, and selected protrusions 525b and 525c that are provided such that they extend from the tip end surface of the tube in the installation direction of the tube, in a number that is set before hand in accordance with the type fuel cartridge for a fuel cell 100 (two in the present mode of embodiment), and moreover at a position that is set beforehand. At this time, the width of the standard protrusion 525a is formed wider than that of the selected protrusions 525b and 525c. It is permissible for the width and the length in the installation direction of the selected projection 525b and the selected projection 525c to differ in accordance with the type of fuel cartridge for a fuel cell 100. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 2, there is provided on the portable telephone 200 a fuel take-up part 60 as the second connection mechanism S2 on the portable telephone 200 side, which is equipped with a fuel take-up port 61 for taking up DMFC facing the outer surface. Here Figure 15 shows an enlarged view of the fuel take-up port 60, A cylinder 62 surrounding said fuel take-up port 61 is formed in roughly the center of the fuel take-up port 61 of the fuel take-up part 60, and on said cylinder 62 a second engagement key for connection K2 with the prescribed standard (the second engagement key for connection on the portable telephone 200 side) has been formed. In addition, a rod part 63 that press and opens the open-close plug 523 of the connection part 52 of the above-described pressure regulator 20 has been provided on the fuel take-up port 61. As for the engagement key for connection K2 on the portable telephone 200 side, as shown in Figure 15, a standard groove on the device 62a , which corresponds to the standard protrusion 525a of the above-described pressure regulator, and selected grooves on the device 62b and 62c, which correspond to the selected protrusions, have been formed thereon. At this time, just like the pressure regulator 20, the width of the standard groove on the device 62a is made wider than that of the selected grooves on the device 62b and 62c. Then, the pressure regulator 20 and the portable telephone 200 are connected such that they are freely attachable and detachable, by means of the above-described second connection mechanism S2. First of all, the cylinder 62 is inserted in the inner surface of the connection main body 525, so that the standard protrusion 525a and the standard groove on the device 62a, the selected protrusion 525b and the selected groove on the device 62b and the selected protrusion 525c and the selected groove on the device 62c engage, respectively. When this happens, the rod part 63 presses the open-close plug 523 and causes the valve 523 a to move in the open direction, and the supply port 31c is set in an open state. Owing to this, the connection main body 525, that is, the pressure regulator 20, and the cylinder 62, that is, the portable telephone 200, are connected in a state where the fuel take-up port 61 and the discharge port 31b of the main body part 20 are in communication, through the supply port 31c. At this time, only a pressure regulator 20 that has a second engagement key for connection K2 corresponding to the second engagement key for connection on said portable telephone 200 side can be connected to the portable telephone 200,

In this manner, the portable telephone 200 and the pressure regulator 20 have second engagement keys for connection K2 that correspond to each other, and even if the user inadvertently tries to connect, it is configured such that an item that does not have a second engagement key for connection will not fit it, so it is not possible to connect a fuel cartridge for a fuel cell 100 that does not have a second engagement key for connection, that is, that does not correspond to a fuel cell that is loaded on a portable telephone. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the erroneous installation of the fuel cartridge for a fuel cell. In the present mode of embodiment, the second engagement key for connection is configured as described above, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of standard protrusions 525a may be provided, or the standard protrusion 525a and selected protrusions 525b and 525c may be provided on the outer peripheral surface, or may be provided on the inner peripheral surface and outer peripheral surface, and thus many combination patterns are conceivable, and the design may be alter as appropriate. File no.: P29074J Patent application no. 2006-033932 (Proof) Date submitted: February 10, 2006 13 In addition, it is not limited to protrusions and grooves, and for example the bore of the tube may be modified. Next, Figure 16 shows an oblique view of the second mode of embodiment of the fuel cartridge for a fuel cell. The fuel cartridge for a fuel cell 100' in this second mode of embodiment is equipped with a protective member 70 for covering the second connection mechanism S2 and protecting the second connection mechanism S2 from external force on the fuel cartridge for a fuel cell 100 in the above-described mode of embodiment. Figure 17 shows an oblique view of the protective member 70.

As shown in Figure 17, the protective member 70 has a latching part 71 that latches with the pressure regulator 20 on one end thereof, and has a latching part 72 that latches with a portable telephone 200 on the other end thereof. The latching part 71 that latches with the pressure regulator 20 is composed of a hole that is formed in roughly the center of the roughly square plate-shaped main body of the protective member, and is configured such that the connection main body 525 of the above-described pressure regulator 20 is inserted in said hole 71. At this time, the inner surface of the hole 71 and the outer surface of the connection main body 525 are in contact and engage.

The engagement part 72 that engages with the portable telephone 200 is composed by a protruding part 72 that is provided such that it provides in opposition mutually by sandwiching the above-mentioned hole 71, and the inside of said protruding part 72 is configured such that it maintains the thickness direction of the surface that has the fuel take-up part 60 of the above- mentioned portable telephone 200.

The pressure regulator 20 and the portable telephone 200 are connected through a protective element 70 that is composed as described above. Since the protective member 70 protects the second connection mechanism S2 as described above, when some force is applied from the outside to the fuel cartridge for a fuel cell 100, it becomes difficult to disengage the connection between the pressure regulator 20 and the portable telephone 200 due to the second connection mechanism S2. In addition, it reduces the damage of the second connection mechanism S2, so it is possible to prevent the occurrence of fuel leakage due to such damage. In addition, Figure 18 shows an oblique view of the fuel cartridge for a fuel cell 100" of the third mode of embodiment, and Figure 19 shows an oblique view of the fuel cartridge for a fuel cell 100'" of the fourth mode of embodiment.

The fuel cartridge for a fuel cell 100" ' of the third mode of embodiment has roughly the same configuration as the fuel cartridge for a fuel cell 100 of the first mode of embodiment, but since the shape of the cover main body 51 differs, a description is provided here of the cover main body 51 " of the present mode of embodiment. The cover main body 51" in the third mode of embodiment has a roughly cylindrical shape on which the insertion direction of the pressurized container 10 is formed long so that the pressurized container 10 is completely covered. In addition, an opening 51a that extends in the above-mentioned insertion direction is opened on the outer peripheral surface, and when detaching the pressurized container 10 from the pressure regulator 20" it is possible for example to insert the user's finger and to press in the direction that detaches the pressurized container 10, and it is thus a structure where detachment is easy. A cover main body 51 " with such a constitution can improve the design quality of the appearance of the fuel cart for a fuel cell 100".

The fuel cartridge for a fuel cell 100" ' of the fourth mode of embodiment has roughly the same configuration as the fuel cartridge for a fuel cell 100 of the first mode of embodiment, but the position where the connection part 52 of the pressure regulator is installed differs. As far as the pressure regulator 20' " of the fourth mode of embodiment is concerned, the connection part 52, that is the second connection mechanism S2 and the first connection mechanism Sl, is disposed serially in the cylindrically axial direction of the pressurized container 10.

Claims

CLAIMS I claim:

1. A fuel cartridge for a fuel cell, which is used for devices in which fuel cells are loaded, wherein the above-mentioned apparatus has a fuel take-up port for taking up fuel facing the outer surface, and the above-mentioned fuel cartridge for a fuel cell has a fuel supply port for supplying fuel facing the outer surface, and is equipped with a pressurized container that houses the fuel that is supplied to the above-mentioned fuel cell in its inside, and a extrusion means that pushes out said fuel, and a pressure regulator that has an inflow port whereby the fuel with a primary pressure that is supplied from the above-mentioned fuel supply port and a discharge port that discharges the fuel with a reduced secondary pressure to the above-mentioned fuel take-up port; and on whose interior there is formed a flow part that reaches from the above-mentioned inflow port to the above-mentioned discharge port, and within said fuel path there is disposed a pressure regulating mechanism that reduces the above-mentioned primary pressure to the above-mentioned secondary pressure; and said apparatus is further equipped with a first connection mechanism so that the above- mentioned pressurized container and the above-mentioned pressure regulator are fixed such that they are freely attachable and detachable to one another in a state that places in communication the above-mentioned fuel supply port and the above-mentioned inflow port, and a second connection mechanism so that the above-mentioned pressure regulator and the above-mentioned device are connected such that they are freely attachable and detachable to one another in a state that places in communication the above-mentioned discharge port and the above-mentioned fuel take-up port.

2. The fuel cartridge for a fuel cell described in Claim 1, wherein the above-mentioned pressurized container and the above-mentioned pressure regulator can be connected by a first engagement key for connecting,

3. The fuel cartridge for a fuel cell described in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the above-mentioned pressure regulator and the above-mentioned device can be connected by a second engagement key for connecting,

4. The fuel cartridge for a fuel cell described in any one of the claims from Claim 1 to 3, which has a protective member that covers the above-mentioned second connection mechanism and protects the second connection mechanism from external force.

5. The fuel cartridge for a fuel cell described in any one of the claims from Claim 1 to 4, wherein the above-mentioned protective member is a member that has an engaging part that engages with the above-mentioned device at one end, and has an engaging part that engages with the above-mentioned pressure regulator at the other end.