Connecting structure, flow path control section, fuel cell-type power generation device, and electronic apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a connecting structure for connecting to an electro-osmotic flow pump with electrodes formed on both surfaces of electro-osmotic material, including: a first liquid absorber for absorbing liquid; and a second liquid absorber for absorbing the liquid, the second liquid absorber being superposed on the first liquid absorber and being flexible; wherein a surface of the second liquid absorber, which is opposite to a surface which is in contact with the first liquid absorber, is in contact with the electro-osmotic flow pump.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinafter and the accompanying drawings given by way of illustration only, and thus are not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a fuel cell-type power generation device;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a fuel cell-type power generation device;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a fuel cell-type power generation device;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a micro reactor and a fuel cell-type power generation device, which is seen from the lower face;

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a flow path plate at the undermost layer;

FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating the second flow path plate from the bottom;

FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating the third flow path plate from the bottom;

FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating the fourth flow path plate from the bottom;

FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating the fifth flow path plate from the bottom;

FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating the sixth flow path plate from the bottom;

FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating the seventh flow path plate from the bottom;

FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating the eighth flow path plate from the bottom;

FIG. 14 is a plan view illustrating a flow path plate at the uppermost layer;

FIG. 15 illustrates a path of a fuel supply flow path from two fuel cartridges to a vaporizer;

FIG. 16 shows a path of a hydrogen supply flow path from a carbon monoxide remover to an anode;

FIG. 17 shows a path of a combustion gas supply flow path from an anode to a combustor;

FIG. 18 shows a path of an exhaust gas flow path from a combustor to outside;

FIG. 19 shows a path of an air supply flow path from an air pump to a cathode, a carbon monoxide remover, and a combustor;

FIG. 20 shows a path of an air exhaust flow path from a cathode to exhaust the gas;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of a surface along a section line XXI-XXI of FIG. 2, which is seen from the direction indicated by an arrow;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a surface along a section line XXII-XXII of FIG. 2, which is seen from the direction indicated by an arrow;

FIG. 23 is a schematic view illustrating an electro-osmotic flow pump; and

FIG. 24 is a view for explaining a principle of an electro-osmotic flow pump.

Claims

1. A connecting structure for connecting to an electro-osmotic flow pump having electrodes formed on both surfaces of electro-osmotic material, comprising: a first liquid absorber for absorbing liquid; anda second liquid absorber for absorbing the liquid, the second liquid absorber being superposed on the first liquid absorber and being flexible;wherein a surface of the second liquid absorber, which is opposite to a surface which is in contact with the first liquid absorber, is in contact with the electro-osmotic flow pump.

2. The connecting structure according to claim 1, wherein: the first liquid absorber is formed by integrating a plate-like member with a bar-like member raised from the plate-like member; and the second liquid absorber is superposed on the plate-like member.

3. The connecting structure according to claim 2, wherein: the second liquid absorber, the electro-osmotic material and the plate-like member are provided in a flow path formed in a substrate and the bar-like member protrudes to outside of the substrate.

4. The connecting structure according to claim 3, wherein: the substrate comprises a plurality of substrates and wiring patterns patterned in layers of the plurality of substrates are in contact with the electrodes of the electro-osmotic material.

5. A flow path control section, comprising: a substrate comprising a flow path therein;a first liquid absorber for absorbing liquid, the first liquid absorber being formed by integrating a plate-like member with a bar-like member raised from the plate-like member;a second liquid absorber for absorbing the liquid, the second liquid absorber being superposed on the plate-like member and being flexible; andelectro-osmotic material superposed on the second liquid absorber and having electrodes formed on a surface which is in contact with the second liquid absorber and an opposite surface of the surface, respectively,wherein the second liquid absorber, the electro-osmotic material and the plate-like member are provided in a flow path formed in the substrate and the bar-like member protrudes to outside of the substrate.

6. The flow path control section according to claim 5, wherein: the substrate comprises a plurality of substrates and wiring patterns patterned in layers of the plurality of substrates are in contact with the electrodes of the electro-osmotic material.

7. A fuel cell-type power generation device, comprising: a flow path control section; anda power generation cell for taking out electricity from liquid supplied to the flow path control section;wherein the flow path control section comprises:a substrate comprising a flow path therein;a first liquid absorber for absorbing liquid, the first liquid absorber being formed by integrating a plate-like member with a bar-like member raised from the plate-like member;a second liquid absorber for absorbing the liquid, the second liquid absorber being superposed on the plate-like member and being flexible; andelectro-osmotic material superposed on the second liquid absorber and having electrodes formed on a surface which is in contact with the second liquid absorber and an opposite surface to the surface, respectively,wherein the second liquid absorber, the electro-osmotic material and the plate-like member are provided in the flow path formed in the substrate and the bar-like member protrudes to outside of the substrate.

8. The fuel cell-type power generation device according to claim 7, wherein: the substrate comprises a plurality of substrates and wiring patterns patterned in layers of the plurality of substrates are in contact with the electrodes of the electro-osmotic material.

9. An electronic apparatus, comprising: a flow path control section;a power generation cell for taking out electricity from liquid supplied to the flow path control section; andan electronic apparatus body that operates based on the electricity generated by the fuel cell-type power generation device;wherein the flow path control section comprises:a substrate comprising a flow path therein;a first liquid absorber for absorbing liquid, the first liquid absorber being formed by integrating a plate-like member with a bar-like member raised from the plate-like member;a second liquid absorber for absorbing the liquid, the second liquid absorber being superposed on the plate-like member and being flexible; andelectro-osmotic material superposed on the second liquid absorber and having electrodes formed on a surface which is in contact with the second liquid absorber and an opposite surface of the surface, respectively,wherein the second liquid absorber, the electro-osmotic material and the plate-like member are provided in the flow path formed in the substrate and the bar-like member protrudes to outside of the substrate.

10. The electronic apparatus according to claim 9, wherein: the substrate comprises a plurality of substrates and wiring patterns patterned in layers of the plurality of substrates are in contact with the electrodes of the electro-osmotic material.