JP2010170824A - Refrigerant recovery apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerant recovery apparatus for suitably recovering the frigerant from a refrigerant circuit so as to allow the refrigerant to go via a fuel cell. <P>SOLUTION: The refrigerant recovery apparatus 1 for recovering the refrigerant from the refrigerant circuit 120, including a lead-out connector 40 having a normally-closed type lead-out valve A for leading out the refrigerant to the outside, while circulating the refrigerant to pass through the fuel cell stack 110, includes a recovery connector 10, connected to the lead-out connector 40 to open the lead-out valve, A when recovering the refrigerant, and a hose 31 with one end connected to the recovery connector 10 for allowing the led-out refrigerant to flow through. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerant recovery apparatus that recovers a refrigerant from a refrigerant circuit that circulates the refrigerant through a fuel cell.

  Since the fuel cell stack mounted on the fuel cell vehicle (moving body) generates heat when generating electric power, the refrigerant is circulated through the fuel cell stack to cool the fuel cell stack appropriately (see Patent Document 1). . The refrigerant circuit in which the refrigerant circulates is disposed so as to connect, for example, a fuel cell stack disposed in the center tunnel below the floor panel and a radiator disposed in the motor chamber in the bonnet.

JP 2007-122906 A

  By the way, the fuel cell stack and the traveling motors arranged in the motor chamber are respectively fixed on separate subframes having a cross beam shape, and the separate subframes are respectively fixed to the main frame. Therefore, when the fuel cell stack or the motor is to be serviced, it is necessary to detach the subframe to which the fuel cell stack or the motor is fixed from the main frame and lower it after jacking up the fuel cell vehicle.

  On the other hand, a refrigerant circuit that connects the fuel cell stack and the radiator and circulates the refrigerant is disposed along a gap such as a motor or a transmission, and is laid out so as to straddle the separate subframes. Therefore, a joint part is provided in the part straddling the sub-frame of the refrigerant circuit. Therefore, as described above, when the subframe to which the fuel cell stack or the motor is fixed is lowered, it is necessary to release the connection at the joint portion.

However, if the connection at the joint portion is released, the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit flows out from the released portion to the outside air (outside) and is scattered in the hands of the operator. When the refrigerant flows out to the outside air in this way, ions in the outside air are mixed into the refrigerant, the conductivity of the refrigerant changes, moisture or additives in the refrigerant evaporate, and the composition of the refrigerant changes (for example, ethylene There is a risk of increase in glycol concentration). Thus, the refrigerant | coolant from which electrical conductivity and composition changed cannot be reused, and needs to be discarded.
In addition, since the refrigerant circulates through the fuel cell stack, the quality (conductivity, ethylene glycol concentration, etc.) of the refrigerant must be managed and maintained so that the electric power of the fuel cell stack does not drop through the refrigerant. Is important.

  Then, this invention makes it a subject to provide the refrigerant | coolant collection | recovery apparatus which collect | recovers a refrigerant | coolant suitably from the refrigerant circuit which circulates a refrigerant | coolant so that it may pass through a fuel cell.

  As a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to a refrigerant circuit comprising a derivation connector having a normally closed derivation valve that circulates the refrigerant so as to pass through the fuel cell and leads the refrigerant to the outside. The refrigerant recovery device recovers the recovery connector, and is connected to the outlet connector when the refrigerant is recovered, so that the recovery connector that opens the outlet valve and one end of the recovery connector are connected to the recovery connector. And a hose to be used.

According to such a refrigerant recovery apparatus, when the recovery connector is connected to the outlet connector during recovery of the refrigerant, the outlet valve of the outlet connector opens.
Therefore, if the lead-out connector and the lead-out valve are arranged at a low position in the refrigerant circuit in the height direction, the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit is led out by its own weight after the lead-out valve of the lead-out connector is opened. It is led out from the valve through the recovery connector to the hose. And the refrigerant | coolant which flows out out of the other end of a hose can be collect | recovered with a suitable container.
On the other hand, if the lead-out connector and the lead-out valve are configured to be disposed at a high position in the refrigerant circuit in the height direction, for example, a suction pump is attached to the other end of the hose, and the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit is attached by the suction pump. Can be aspirated and recovered.

  In this way, the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit does not scatter or flow out to the outside air and does not adhere to the hands of the operator, so the quality of the refrigerant (conductivity, ethylene glycol concentration, etc.) can be improved during recovery. It can be suitably recovered without changing. Therefore, the recovered refrigerant can be reused.

The refrigerant recovery device may further include a tank connected to the other end of the hose and storing the recovered refrigerant.
According to such a refrigerant recovery device, the refrigerant flowing out and recovered from the other end of the hose can be stored in the tank. In addition, it is preferable that the tank can seal the refrigerant | coolant to store from the exterior like embodiment mentioned later.

  The refrigerant recovery apparatus may further include a flow rate adjusting unit that is provided in the hose and adjusts a flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the hose.

  According to such a refrigerant recovery apparatus, the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the hose can be adjusted by the flow rate adjusting means. That is, if the flow rate of the refrigerant is set to 0 by the flow rate adjusting means, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant from flowing out from the other end of the hose immediately after connecting the recovery connector and the outlet connector. It is also possible to collect a desired amount of refrigerant or to subdivide the refrigerant to be collected.

In the refrigerant recovery apparatus, the hose is formed of a silicone blade.
According to such a refrigerant recovery apparatus, since the hose is formed of the silicone blade, ions are less likely to elute from the hose into the refrigerant. Thereby, it can prevent that the electrical conductivity of a refrigerant | coolant changes during collection | recovery.

  Moreover, the said refrigerant | coolant collection | recovery apparatus WHEREIN: The said collection | recovery connector is provided with the normally closed type on-off valve which opens, when connected to the said derivation | leading-out connector.

  According to such a refrigerant recovery apparatus, the recovery connector includes a normally closed type on-off valve that opens when connected to the lead-out connector. Therefore, only when the recovery connector and the lead-out connector are connected, the hose and the outside are connected. Communicate. That is, when the refrigerant is not recovered by the refrigerant recovery device, that is, when the recovery connector and the outlet connector are not connected, the normally closed type on-off valve of the recovery connector is closed, so that ions are contained in the hose from the recovery connector. Air can be prevented from flowing in.

  In the refrigerant recovery apparatus, the lead-out connector is connected to an ion exchanger-side connector having a normally-closed on-off valve of an ion exchanger that recovers ions from the circulating refrigerant when the refrigerant is not recovered normally. At the time of recovery, the connection between the lead-out connector and the ion-exchanger side connector is released, so that the lead-out connector and the on-off valve are closed, and then the lead-out connector and the recovery connector are connected. And

  According to such a cooling circuit, when the connection between the lead-out connector and the ion exchanger-side connector is released when the refrigerant is recovered, the lead-out valve of the lead-out connector and the normally closed on-off valve of the ion exchanger-side connector are close. Then, the recovery connector is connected to the outlet connector with the outlet valve closed in this way without using a special adapter, and the outlet valve of the outlet connector is opened again.

In the process of releasing and reconnecting, when the connection is released, the lead-out valve of the lead-out connector and the normally closed type on-off valve of the ion exchanger side connector are closed, so that the refrigerant is scattered outside. There is no spillage.
Also, since the recovery connector and the ion exchanger side connector share the lead-out connector, that is, they are compatible, there is no need to newly provide a lead-out connector for the recovery connector in the refrigerant circuit, and the ion exchanger is connected at normal times. The outlet connector for the ion exchanger can be used as it is.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the refrigerant | coolant collection | recovery apparatus which collect | recovers a refrigerant | coolant suitably can be provided from the refrigerant circuit which circulates a refrigerant | coolant so that it may pass through a fuel cell.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the fuel cell system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a side view of the ion exchanger which concerns on this embodiment. It is a sectional side view of the derivation connector concerning this embodiment, and an ion exchanger side connector, and shows an unconnected state. It is a sectional side view of the lead-out connector and ion exchanger side connector which concern on this embodiment, and shows a connection state. It is a figure showing the composition of the refrigerant recovery device concerning this embodiment. It is side sectional drawing of the derivation | leading-out connector and collection | recovery connector which concern on this embodiment, and shows an unconnected state. It is a sectional side view of the derivation connector and recovery connector concerning this embodiment, and shows a connection state. The state which pulled out the extraction | drawer connector which concerns on this embodiment at the time of collection | recovery of a refrigerant | coolant is shown. It is a graph which shows one effect of the refrigerant recovery device concerning this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

≪Configuration of fuel cell system≫
First, the configuration of the fuel cell system 100 in which the refrigerant circuit 120 for collecting the refrigerant is incorporated will be described with reference to FIGS. The fuel cell system 100 is mounted on a fuel cell vehicle (moving body) (not shown), and includes a fuel cell stack 110 (fuel cell) and a refrigerant circuit 120.

<Fuel cell stack>
The fuel cell stack 110 is a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC), and a plurality of single cells formed by sandwiching MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly) with separators (not shown) are stacked. Has been configured. The MEA includes an electrolyte membrane (solid polymer membrane) and a cathode and an anode that sandwich the membrane. Each separator is formed with an anode flow path 111 and a cathode flow path 112 formed of grooves and through holes.

  Then, hydrogen is supplied from a hydrogen tank (not shown) to the anode via the anode channel 111, and air containing oxygen is supplied from the compressor (not shown) that sucks outside air to the cathode via the cathode channel 112. , The electrode reaction occurs on the catalyst (Pt or the like) contained in the anode and cathode, and the fuel cell stack 110 is in a state capable of generating power. In this way, the fuel cell stack 110 in a state in which power can be generated and the external load (for example, a traveling motor) are electrically connected, and when the current is extracted, the fuel cell stack 110 generates power.

  Each separator is formed with grooves and through-holes through which the refrigerant flows in order to cool the single cell appropriately, and these grooves and through-holes function as the refrigerant flow path 113 of the fuel cell stack 110. ing. When the refrigerant flows through the refrigerant flow path 113, the fuel cell stack 110 that self-heats along with power generation is appropriately cooled, so that the fuel cell stack 110 does not overheat.

<Refrigerant circuit>
The refrigerant circuit 120 is a circuit that circulates the refrigerant so as to pass through the refrigerant flow path 113 of the fuel cell stack 110, and includes a refrigerant pump 121, a radiator 122, a normally closed shut-off valve 123, and an ion exchanger 130. In addition, the ion exchanger 130 is normally connected, and lead-out connectors 40, 40 to which a recovery connector 10 (see FIG. 5), which will be described later, is connected when the refrigerant is recovered.
In addition, a refrigerant | coolant consists of a liquid mixture of ethylene glycol, water, and the additive which adjusts electrical conductivity or improves corrosion resistance, for example.

  The outlet of the refrigerant channel 113 is connected to the inlet of the refrigerant channel 113 through the pipe 122a, the radiator 122, the pipe 122b, the refrigerant pump 121, and the pipe 121a. The refrigerant pump 121 uses the fuel cell stack 110 and / or a battery (not shown) as a power source. When the refrigerant pump 121 is operated according to a command from an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) (not shown), the refrigerant circulates between the fuel cell stack 110 and the radiator 122.

The pipes 122a, 122b, 121a and pipes 123a to 123c to be described later are made of a material (for example, silicone) in which components such as the pipe 122a are not easily eluted into the circulating refrigerant, similarly to the hose 31 (see FIG. 5) of the refrigerant recovery apparatus 1 to be described later. Blade).
A bypass pipe (not shown) for connecting the pipe 122a and the pipe 122b is provided. A thermostat (not shown) is provided at a connection portion between the bypass pipe and the pipe 122b. When the circulating refrigerant is at a low temperature, the port on the radiator 122 side of the thermostat is closed so that the low-temperature refrigerant flows through the bypass pipe and bypasses the radiator 122.

  The middle of the pipe 121a is connected to the middle of the pipe 122a through the pipe 123a, the shutoff valve 123, the pipe 123b, the outlet connector 40, the ion exchanger 130, the outlet connector 40, and the pipe 123c. When the shutoff valve 123 is opened by the ECU, for example, at a predetermined time with the refrigerant pump 121 operating at the time of system startup or the like, a part of the refrigerant circulates through the ion exchanger 130, Ions (cations and anions) are adsorbed and collected by the ion exchanger 130.

[Ion exchanger]
The ion exchanger 130 collects ions by adsorbing ions (cations and anions) contained in the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit 120, thereby reducing the electric conductivity of the refrigerant and improving the electric insulation of the refrigerant. To maintain. As shown in FIG. 2, the ion exchanger 130 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and includes an ion exchanger main body 131, an ion exchange resin 132 filled in the ion exchanger main body 131, and an ion exchanger main body 131. Male ion exchanger side connectors 10A and 10A provided at both ends, respectively. The ion exchange resin 132 includes a cation exchange resin and an anion exchange resin.

In a state where the ion exchanger side connectors 10A and 10A and the outlet connectors 40 and 40 are connected, the pipe 123b, the ion exchanger main body 131, and the pipe 123c communicate with each other, and the inside of the ion exchanger main body 131 is communicated. The refrigerant flows (see FIGS. 3 and 4).
The specific structures of the male ion exchanger-side connector 10A and the female lead-out connector 40 will be described later.

  Further, the ion exchanger 130 and the outlet connector 40 are disposed in the height direction below the refrigerant circuit 120 and the fuel cell vehicle, and the refrigerant flows out to the outside by its own weight when the refrigerant is recovered. Yes.

  Specifically, the ion exchanger 130 is detachably attached to the subframes 141 and 141 via brackets 142 and 142. When the ion exchanger 130 is exchanged and / or when the refrigerant is recovered, after the fuel cell vehicle is jacked up, the under cover 143 below the ion exchanger 130 is removed from the subframes 141 and 141, so that the ion exchanger 130 and the lead-out connector 40 face the outside (see FIG. 8).

  Thereby, a hand is inserted from the outside, and the lead-out connector 40 can be easily detached from the ion exchanger 130. The detached lead-out connector 40 is configured so as to be pulled out downward of the fuel cell vehicle (see FIG. 8), and can be easily connected to the recovery connector 10 described later.

<< Configuration of refrigerant recovery unit >>
Next, the configuration of the refrigerant recovery apparatus 1 that recovers the refrigerant from the refrigerant circuit 120 will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 5, the refrigerant recovery apparatus 1 includes a recovery connector 10, a hose 31 whose upstream end (one end) is connected to the recovery connector 10, and a tank 32 connected to the downstream end (other end) of the hose 31. And a cock 33 (flow rate adjusting means) provided in the middle of the hose 31.

The recovery connector 10 is a male connector having interchangeability with the male ion exchanger side connector 10A with respect to the female lead connector 40, and is inserted into and connected to the lead connector 40. Thus, the outlet valve A described later is opened.
The recovery connector 10 and the ion exchanger side connector 10 </ b> A include a normally closed on-off valve B that opens when connected to the lead-out connector 40. Here, specific structures of the lead-out connector 40, the recovery connector 10, and the ion exchanger side connector 10A will be described.

<Derived connector>
First, the lead-out connector 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 4 and FIGS. 6 to 7.
The lead-out connector 40 is a female connector into which the male recovery connector 10 or the ion exchanger side connector 10A is inserted, and includes a housing 41, a valve body 51, a compression coil spring 54, and a spring stopper member 55. I have.

  The housing 41 includes a bottomed cylindrical main body portion 42, and a substantially cylindrical female portion 43 (inserted portion) into which the male portion 12 of the recovery connector 10 or the ion exchanger side connector 10A is inserted. . The bottom wall of the main body 42 functions as a valve seat 44, and a communication port 45 that communicates the inside and outside of the main body 42 is formed in the valve seat 44.

  The valve body 51 includes a disk-shaped main body 52 that closes the communication port 45 by being seated on the valve seat 44, and a valve rod 53 that is integrally formed with the main body 52. The valve body 51 is guided in its forward / backward direction (left-right direction in FIG. 6 and the like) by pins or the like. An annular seal member (not shown) is provided on the side surface of the valve seat 44 of the main body 52 to enhance the sealing performance when seated. The valve rod 53 extends in the communication port 45 in a loosely inserted state, and a gap between the valve rod 53 and the inner wall surface surrounding the communication port 45 serves as a refrigerant flow path (see FIG. 7).

  The tip of the valve stem 53 (the right end in FIG. 6) is configured to protrude to the outside when the lead-out connector 40 and the recovery connector 10 or the ion exchanger side connector 10A are not connected. In this state, the main body 52 is seated on the valve seat 44 and the communication port 45 is closed (see FIG. 6).

  On the other hand, when the lead-out connector 40 is connected to the recovery connector 10 or the ion exchanger side connector 10A, that is, when the male part 12 to be described later is inserted into the female part 43, the recovery connector 10 or the ion exchanger side connector 10A. The valve rod 53 of the lead-out connector 40 is pushed in the opening direction (left direction) by the valve rod 23, the main body 52 is separated from the valve seat 44, and the communication port 45 is opened (see FIG. 7). .

  The compression coil spring 54 biases the valve body 51 in the closing direction (right direction), and the left end thereof is locked by the spring stopper member 55. The spring retaining member 55 has, for example, a cross shape so that the refrigerant passes through the circular cross section of the compression coil spring 54, and the radially outer portion thereof is fixed to the housing 41.

  Therefore, the normally closed type lead-out valve A provided in the lead-out connector 40 includes a main body 42 having a valve seat 44, a valve body 51, and a compression coil spring 54.

<Recovery connector (ion exchanger side connector)>
Next, the collection | recovery connector 10 and the ion exchanger side connector 10A are demonstrated with reference to FIGS. 3-4 and FIGS. 6-7. Since the male recovery connector 10 and the ion exchanger side connector 10A having interchangeable interchangeability are only partially different in the shape of the housing 11, the recovery connector 10 will be described below.

  The recovery connector 10 is a male connector that is inserted into the female lead-out connector 40, and includes a housing 11, a valve body 21, a compression coil spring 24, and a spring stopper member 25.

  The housing 11 includes a bottomed cylindrical male portion 12 (insertion portion) that is inserted into the female portion 43 of the lead-out connector 40, a flange portion 13, and a hose connection portion 14 to which the hose 31 is connected. The bottom wall of the male part 12 functions as a valve seat 15, and a communication port 16 that communicates the inside and outside of the male part 12 is formed in the valve seat 15. An annular seal member (not shown) is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the male portion 12 to enhance the sealing performance when inserted.

  The valve body 21 includes a disk-shaped main body 22 that closes the communication port 16 by being seated on the valve seat 15, and a valve rod 23 that is integrally formed with the main body 22. The valve body 21 is guided in its forward / backward direction (left-right direction in FIG. 6 and the like) by a pin or the like. An annular sealing member (not shown) is provided on the side surface of the valve seat 15 of the main body 22 to enhance the sealing performance when seated. The valve stem 23 extends in the communication port 16 in a loosely inserted state, and a gap between the valve stem 23 and the inner wall surface surrounding the communication port 16 serves as a refrigerant flow path (see FIG. 7).

  The tip of the valve stem 23 (the left end in FIG. 6) is configured to protrude to the outside in a state where the recovery connector 10 and the outlet connector 40 are not connected. Further, in this state, the main body 22 is seated on the valve seat 15 and the communication port 16 is closed.

  On the other hand, when the recovery connector 10 and the outlet connector 40 are connected, that is, when the male portion 12 is inserted into the female portion 43, the valve rod 23 of the outlet connector 40 causes the valve rod 23 of the recovery connector 10 to open ( The main body 22 is separated from the valve seat 15 and the communication port 16 is opened (see FIG. 7). The communication port 16 and the communication port 45 of the lead-out connector 40 communicate with each other, and the collection connector 10 and the lead-out connector 40 communicate with each other.

  The compression coil spring 24 biases the valve body 21 in the closing direction (left direction), and the right end thereof is locked to the spring stopper member 25. The spring stopper member 25 has, for example, a cross shape so that the refrigerant passes in the cross-sectional view of the compression coil spring 24, and a radially outer portion thereof is fixed to the housing 11.

  Accordingly, the normally closed on-off valve B provided in the recovery connector 10 (ion exchanger side connector 10A) includes the male portion 12 having the valve seat 15, the valve body 21, and the compression coil spring 24. Yes.

  And since the collection | recovery connector 10 provided with such a normally closed type on-off valve B is provided in the upstream end of the hose 31, when the refrigerant | coolant collection | recovery apparatus 1 is unused (when the collection | recovery connector 10 is not connected), Inflow of air containing ions from the recovery connector 10 into the hose 31 is prevented. Therefore, the mixing of ions into the refrigerant at the time of recovery is reduced.

When the recovery connector 10 (ion exchanger side connector 10A) and the outlet connector 40 are connected, the recovery connector 10 (ion exchanger side connector 10A) is disconnected from the outlet connector 40 by a retaining mechanism (not shown). The connection state is maintained without being released.
This retaining mechanism is formed, for example, in a circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the male portion 11 and a plurality of balls provided on the inner peripheral surface of the female portion 43 so as to be able to protrude and retract in the radial direction by a compression coil spring. When the (ion exchanger side connector 10A) and the lead-out connector 40 are connected, a ball groove into which the ball is fitted can be configured.
In addition, the structure which a magnet is provided in the female part 43 and the male part 11, respectively, and a connection state is maintained by magnetic force may be sufficient.

<Hose>
The hose 31 guides the refrigerant derived from the outlet connector 40 and the recovery connector 10 connected to the outlet connector 40 to the tank 32 when the refrigerant is recovered.
The hose 31 is formed of a silicone blade, and ions are difficult to elute from the hose 31 into the refrigerant flowing through the inside. Incidentally, the fact that the hose 31 is formed from a silicone blade means that the hose 31 has a structure in which, for example, a silicone layer is reinforced with a heat-resistant synthetic fiber.

As described above, the hose 31 is formed of a silicone blade, and ions are not easily eluted from the hose 31 to the refrigerant. Therefore, the refrigerant conductivity is not changed during the recovery of the refrigerant, and the quality of the refrigerant is maintained. Yes.
However, the hose 31 is not limited to being formed from a silicone blade, and may be formed from other materials in which ions are not easily eluted, such as stainless steel (SUS) or vinyl resin.

<Tank>
The tank 32 is detachably connected to the downstream end of the hose 31 and temporarily stores the refrigerant flowing out from the downstream end while being sealed from the outside, and is a space in which the refrigerant can be stored. have.
In order to prevent elution of ions from the tank 32 in the stored refrigerant, for example, it is preferable to form a silicone coating film on the inner surface of the tank 32. In order to prevent elution of ions from the air remaining in the tank 32 to the refrigerant, for example, the inside of the tank 32 may be evacuated or replaced with an inert gas such as nitrogen before the refrigerant is stored.

<Cock>
The cock 33 is manually operated to the fully open position / fully closed position. As a result, if the cock 33 is in the fully closed position (flow rate 0) during normal operation, even if the recovery connector 10 and the outlet connector 40 are connected, the refrigerant immediately flows into the tank 32 unless the cock 33 is opened. There is nothing. That is, when the cock 33 is not provided, for example, if the recovery connector 10 and the outlet connector 40 are connected while the hose 31 and the tank 32 are not connected, the refrigerant scatters from the downstream end of the hose 31 to the outside.・ Leaks out.

  Therefore, the cock 33 is preferably configured as a normally closed type by a coil spring or the like. Further, in place of the cock 33, an electromagnetic valve (flow rate adjusting means) including a needle valve, a poppet valve or the like is provided, and a water level sensor for detecting the amount of refrigerant stored in the tank 32 is provided. When the predetermined water level is such that the water level does not overflow, the control device may close the solenoid valve.

  Further, when the tank 32 becomes full during the recovery of the refrigerant, it is possible to replace the tank 32 by temporarily closing the cock 33 and to subdivide the refrigerant to be recovered.

≪How to use refrigerant recovery device, effect≫
Next, the usage method and effects of the refrigerant recovery apparatus 1 will be described.
Jack up the fuel cell vehicle and remove the under cover 143 under the ion exchanger 130 (see FIGS. 2 and 8). Then, the operator inserts a hand, removes the derivation connector 40 from the ion exchanger side connector 10A of the ion exchanger 130, and releases the connection between each ion exchanger side connector 10A and each derivation connector 40.
Note that the outlet connector 40 may be removed after the ion exchanger 130 is removed from the bracket 142.

  When the connection is released in this way, the normally closed on-off valve B of each ion exchanger-side connector 10A and the normally closed type derivation valve A of each derivation connector 40 are closed (FIG. 4 → FIG. 3). Thereby, the refrigerant in the ion exchanger 130 and the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 120 are prevented from adhering to an operator's hand or the like without flowing out or scattering to the outside.

Then, as shown in FIG. 8, after the removed lead-out connector 40 is pulled out under the fuel cell vehicle, the recovery connector 10 is connected thereto. When the lead-out connector 40 and the recovery connector 10 are connected, the normally-closed lead-out valve A of the lead-out connector 40 and the normally-closed on-off valve B of the recovery connector 10 are opened (FIG. 6 → FIG. 7), respectively. 123b and the hose 31 communicate with each other.
Thereafter, when the cock 33 is opened, the refrigerant is led out from the lead-out connector 40 to the hose 31 through the recovery connector 10, and the refrigerant flows through the hose 31 and then is stored in the tank 32 (see FIG. 5).

  In this way, since the refrigerant can be recovered from the refrigerant circuit 120 in a closed system without being brought into contact with the outside air, ions are not mixed into the refrigerant during the recovery, and its conductivity does not change. Further, moisture, additives, and the like in the refrigerant do not evaporate during recovery, and the concentration of, for example, ethylene glycol in the refrigerant does not change during recovery. That is, it can be recovered in the sealed tank 32 while maintaining the quality of the refrigerant. Therefore, after that, the refrigerant stored in the tank 32 can be reused.

  Further, after recovering the refrigerant from the refrigerant circuit 120 in this way, that is, withdrawing, for example, when removing the subframe to which the motor is fixed from the fuel cell vehicle in order to maintain a motor for traveling, the subframe and Even if the connection of the joint portion (not shown) of the refrigerant circuit 120 disposed so as to straddle the adjacent subframe is released, the refrigerant does not scatter or flow out to the outside.

  Furthermore, since it can be recovered in the closed system in this way, by comparing the recovered refrigerant amount with the refrigerant amount when the refrigerant circuit 120 is filled with the refrigerant, for example, the degree of air bleeding when the refrigerant is charged Can also be managed. Furthermore, since the refrigerant can be recovered while maintaining the quality of the refrigerant, the service life of the refrigerant can be tested using an actual vehicle.

Incidentally, FIG. 9 shows an example in which the refrigerant is collected in a closed system where there is no hole in the tank 32, and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 in which small holes and large holes communicating with the inside and outside of the tank 32 are formed. The change with time of ethylene glycol concentration and conductivity is shown.
As shown in FIG. 9, the example recovered in a closed system shows that ethylene glycol concentration and conductivity are maintained and quality is guaranteed. On the other hand, in Comparative Examples 1 and 2 in which the refrigerant is opened to the outside air, the concentration of non-conductive ethylene glycol increases due to evaporation of moisture and the like, and the conductivity decreases, and the quality of the refrigerant is not maintained. Is shown.

  As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to this, For example, it can change as follows in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention.

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the recovery connector 10 and the ion exchanger side connector 10A are male and the lead-out connector 40 is female is illustrated, but the reverse may be possible.
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the refrigerant recovery device 1 is used when the refrigerant is recovered from the refrigerant circuit 120 that cools the fuel cell stack 110 mounted on the fuel cell vehicle is exemplified. However, the stationary fuel cell stack is used. And when recovering the refrigerant from the refrigerant circuit, it may be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerant | collector recovery apparatus 10 Collection | recovery connector 10A Ion exchanger side connector 12 Male part 21, 51 Valve body 31 Hose 32 Tank 33 Cock (flow rate adjustment means)
40 Lead-out connector 43 Female part 110 Fuel cell stack (fuel cell)
120 Refrigerant Circuit 130 Ion Exchanger A Normally Closed Type Derivation Valve B Normally Closed Type Open / Close Valve

Claims (6)

A refrigerant recovery apparatus for recovering refrigerant from a refrigerant circuit including a derivation connector having a normally closed derivation valve that circulates the refrigerant so as to pass through the fuel cell and derives the refrigerant to the outside,
A recovery connector that opens the outlet valve by being connected to the outlet connector during recovery of the refrigerant;
One end is connected to the recovery connector, a hose through which the derived refrigerant flows,
A refrigerant recovery apparatus comprising: The refrigerant recovery apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a tank that is connected to the other end of the hose and stores the recovered refrigerant. The refrigerant recovery apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a flow rate adjusting unit that is provided in the hose and adjusts a flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the hose. The refrigerant recovery device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hose is formed of a silicone blade. The refrigerant recovery apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the recovery connector includes a normally closed on-off valve that opens when connected to the lead-out connector. The lead-out connector is connected to an ion exchanger-side connector having a normally closed type on-off valve of an ion exchanger that collects ions from the circulating refrigerant at a normal time when the refrigerant is not collected,
When the refrigerant is recovered, the connection between the lead-out connector and the ion-exchanger side connector is released so that the lead-out connector and the recovery connector are connected after the lead-out valve and the on-off valve are closed. The refrigerant recovery device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the refrigerant recovery device is characterized in that:

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