Electronic apparatus, fuel tank unit, and method of controlling a power supply for the electronic apparatus

• US 20050031916A1
• Filed: 03/23/2004
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Ozeki, Akihiro
• Application Number:
  US10/806,334
• Publication Number:
  US 20050031916A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/430
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/30 Fuel cells in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04186 of liquid-charged or electrolyte-charged reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04208 Cartridges, cryogenic media or cryogenic reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/2475 Enclosures, casings or containers of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/10 Applications of fuel cells in buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

The body of an electronic apparatus houses a DMFC unit which produces energy by causing methanol supplied as fuel to react with oxygen. The body further houses a cartridge fuel tank which holds methanol, fuel for the DMFC unit. Furthermore, on the body, there is provided an attachment (connector unit) to which an external fuel tank unit holding a large amount of methanol, fuel for the DMFC unit, can be connected. In the external fuel tank unit, two fuel tanks of the same shape are provided so as to be installed and removed freely.

Claims

1. An electronic apparatus comprising:

a body;

a fuel cell which is built into the body;

a first fuel tank which holds fuel for the fuel cell built into the body; and

a second fuel tank which is removably provided to the body and which holds fuel for the fuel cell.

2. An electronic apparatus comprising:

a body;

a fuel cell which is housed in the body;

a housing unit which is provided in the body and which enables a first fuel tank holding fuel for the fuel cell to be housed in the body; and

a connector unit which is provided on the body and which enables a fuel tank unit capable of housing a second fuel tank holding fuel for the fuel cell to be connected to a housing for the body.

3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:

a liquid supply unit configured to feed the fuel in the second fuel tank to the first fuel tank, when the fuel tank unit is installed.

4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:

a liquid supply unit configured to feed the fuel in the second fuel tank to the fuel cell without letting the fuel pass through the first fuel tank, when the fuel tank unit is installed.

5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:

a setting unit configured to set one of the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank to supply fuel to the fuel cell.

6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:

a display provided on the body; and

a display control unit configured to display a state of use of each of the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank.

7. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the fuel tank unit is installed on a side of the body.

8. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the fuel tank unit is installed on a back of the body.

9. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the fuel tank unit is installed on an underside of the body.

10. An electronic apparatus comprising:

a body;

a fuel cell which is housed in the body;

a housing unit which is provided in the body and which enables a fuel tank holding fuel for the fuel cell to be housed in the body; and

a connector unit which is provided on the body and which enables a fuel tank unit capable of housing the fuel tank to be connected to the body.

11. An electronic apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising:

a first acquisition unit configured to acquire data indicating a state of use of the fuel tank;

a second fuel tank which is removably provided to the body and which holds fuel for the fuel cell;

a second acquisition unit configured to acquire data indicating a state of use of the second fuel tank; and

a display control unit configured to display the states of use of the fuel tank and the second fuel tank acquired from the first acquisition unit and the second acquisition unit.

12. The electronic apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the data indicates the amount of fuel in the fuel tank or the second fuel tank and whether or not the fuel tank or the second fuel tank is in use.

13. A fuel tank unit comprising:

a connector for connecting with a body housing a fuel cell; and

a fuel tank slot capable of accommodating a fuel tank holding fuel for the fuel cell.

14. A method of controlling a power supply for an electronic apparatus having a fuel cell housed in its body, comprising:

acquiring data indicating a state of use of a first fuel tank holding fuel for the fuel cell housed in the body;

acquiring data indicating a state of use of a second fuel tank holding fuel for the fuel cell housed in a fuel tank unit connected to the surrounding wall of the body;

displaying on a screen the states of use of the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank shown in the respective data acquired; and

effecting various settings about the use of the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank according to operation on the displayed screen.