Electronic apparatus system, fuel cell unit and power supply control method

Abstract

A microcomputer of a fuel cell unit controls the output power of a DMFC at two stages in a High mode and in a Low mode by driving of an auxiliary machine. When an output value of a DC / DC converter exceeds a predetermined value, the microcomputer decides a rechargeable cell connected to one diode of a diode OR circuit of an electronic apparatus side with the other diode connected to the converter as being a near-full charged level and drives the auxiliary machine so as to lower an output power from a High mode to a Low mode. When, after this, a predetermined time is elapsed, the microcomputer decides the residual amount of the rechargeable cell as being lowered down to a predefined value and drives the auxiliary machine so as to return the output power from the Low mode to the High mode.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a power control technique for efficient operation, for example, of a direct methanol series fuel cell. Background technique [0002] In recent years, battery-driven electronic devices such as notebook type personal computers have been widely available. Recently, it has been developed to produce a more environmentally friendly fuel cell for use in electronic equipment than existing fuel cells. [0003] For example, a direct methanol fuel cell (hereinafter referred to as "DMFC") is a fuel cell of a structure in which an electrolytic solution is contained between two porous metal or carbon electrodes. Methanol, as a fuel, undergoes a chemical reaction with oxygen to generate electricity from the chemical reaction. For example, in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-182675 (hereinafter referred to as "publication"), many proposals have been proposed to improve the operating efficiency of a fuel cell of this stru...

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Problems solved by technology

[0006] The technology disclosed in said publication uses intermittent operation (operating at rated output), which is not ideal for auxiliary mechanism type DMFC from the viewpoint of efficiency

Also, said publication does not take into account any relationship of DMFC to the remaining capacity of the battery it is used with

[0007] Additionally, DMFCs cannot efficiently power unless the battery stack structure is very hot

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