JP2011058583A - Valve device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a valve device with improved operation responsiveness and assembly properties. <P>SOLUTION: The valve device includes: a valve element block 100A having a valve element 130 communicating or blocking between a primary chamber 110a to which fluid lead therein through an introduction passage 111 and a secondary chamber 120a of which the fluid is lead out; and a flow passage block 100B having an inlet port 171 communicating with the introduction passage 111, an outlet port 181, and a one-way directional valve 192 allowing only a flow of fluid from an inlet port 171 side to an outlet port 181 side. An orifice 113 and a filter 118 arranged in series are disposed to the introduction passage 111, the introduction passage 111 is disposed between the valve element block 100A and the flow passage block 100B to connect the primary chamber 110a of the valve element block 100A with the inlet port 171 of the flow passage block 100B, and is formed to have upward inclination from the inlet port 171 side to the primary chamber 110a side. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a valve device.

  In recent years, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell) that generates electricity by supplying hydrogen (fuel gas, reactive gas) to the anode and oxygen-containing air (oxidant gas, reactive gas) to the cathode, respectively. The development of fuel cells such as PEFC is active. In a system using such a fuel cell, a valve device for permitting or controlling the flow of a fluid such as air containing hydrogen or oxygen is used.

By the way, when the fuel cell as described above generates power, water vapor (water) is generated at the cathode, and a part of the generated water permeates to the anode side through the electrolyte membrane (solid polymer membrane). Further, in order to maintain the wet state of the electrolyte membrane, hydrogen and air toward the fuel cell are humidified by a humidifier equipped with a hollow fiber membrane. Therefore, the anode off-gas discharged from the anode of the fuel cell and the cathode off-gas discharged from the cathode are humid.
However, if water accumulates on the anode side, the supply of fuel gas may be hindered and power generation may become unstable. Further, since nitrogen in the air supplied to the cathode side passes through the electrolyte membrane to the anode side even though it is in a small amount, it may be mixed with the fuel gas. Therefore, power generation may not be stable if the concentration of nitrogen increases due to recycling of the fuel gas. .

  Therefore, in a system using a fuel cell, a purge valve is provided as a valve device in a fuel gas circulation passage that returns fuel gas that has not been used in the fuel cell from the outlet side of the fuel cell to the upstream side of the fuel cell. Water collected in the anode and nitrogen mixed in the fuel gas are discharged through a purge valve to recover the power generation state (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-153177 A

  By the way, in the valve device such as the purge valve described above, there is a demand for improving the responsiveness of the valve body with respect to the flow of the fluid and further improving the assembling property as the number of parts of the entire device increases. was there.

  Then, this invention makes it a subject to provide the valve apparatus which can improve an operation | movement response and an assembly | attachment property.

  In order to solve the above problems, the valve device of the present invention includes a primary chamber into which a fluid is introduced through an introduction path, a body provided with a secondary chamber into which the fluid is led out through a lead-out path, and the primary chamber. A valve body block that communicates with or shuts off the secondary chamber and is driven by a drive mechanism; an inlet port that is disposed adjacent to the valve body block and communicates with the introduction path; and the inlet port A one-way valve that is provided between the inlet port and the outlet port on the upstream side of the introduction path, and permits only a fluid flow from the inlet port side to the outlet port side. And a passage device having a flow path block, wherein the introduction path is provided with an orifice and a filter arranged in series with each other, and the introduction path is connected to the valve body block. The primary passage of the valve element block communicates with the inlet port of the flow passage block and is disposed between the inlet port side and the primary chamber side. It is formed in an inclined shape.

According to this valve device, since the valve device is configured with a valve body block having a body and a valve body and a flow passage block having an inlet port, an outlet port, and a one-way valve as a unit, As a result, the responsiveness of the valve body can be improved, the parts can be easily assembled, and the overall size of the valve device can be reduced.
In addition, since the orifice and the filter are arranged in series with each other, for example, the fluid that has passed through the orifice reaches the filter without decelerating, and the fluid that passes through contains water (moisture) In addition, it is possible to suitably prevent water from adhering to the filter and staying there. Thereby, water can be suitably entrained in the fluid flowing from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber, and discharge of the fluid containing water can be facilitated. Accordingly, it is possible to realize fluid flow control with good responsiveness through the valve body block and the flow passage block.
Further, since the orifice and the filter are arranged in series with each other, the assembling is simplified and the assembling property is improved.

  In addition, the introduction path is disposed between the valve body block and the passage block, and communicates the primary chamber of the valve body block with the inlet port of the passage block, and from the inlet port side to the primary chamber side. Since water is attached to the filter, or even if water stays in the primary chamber, these waters enter the upwardly inclined introduction path by their own weight. It will flow down to the port side. Therefore, the valve apparatus which can improve drainage is obtained.

  Further, the valve device can suitably discharge water contained in the reaction gas of the system by using it as a discharge valve for discharging the reaction gas as the fluid in a system using a fuel cell. Therefore, a valve device that contributes to stable power generation of the fuel cell can be obtained.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the valve apparatus which can improve an action | operation response and an assembly | attachment property is obtained.

It is a figure which shows the function of the fuel cell system using the purge valve as a valve apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of a purge valve. It is the expanded sectional view which showed the orifice and filter which are attached to the introduction path of a purge valve. It is an expanded sectional view showing an important section of a purge valve as a valve device concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is an expanded sectional view showing the important section of the purge valve as a valve device concerning a modification.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
In the present embodiment, a valve device applied to a fuel cell system will be described, but the system to which the valve device is applied is not intended to be limited. In the following, a case where the valve device is used as an anode purge valve (discharge valve) 100 of the fuel cell system 1 will be described as an example.

(First embodiment)
First, the configuration of the fuel cell system to which the valve device of the first embodiment is applied will be described, and the valve device of the first embodiment will be described in the description to be described later.
≪Configuration of fuel cell system≫
A fuel cell system 1 according to this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on a fuel cell vehicle (moving body) (not shown). The fuel cell system 1 includes a fuel cell stack 10, an anode system that supplies and discharges hydrogen (fuel gas and reaction gas) to and from the anode of the fuel cell stack 10, and air that contains oxygen with respect to the cathode of the fuel cell stack 10. A cathode system for supplying and discharging (oxidant gas, reaction gas).

<Anode system>
The anode system includes a hydrogen tank 21 (fuel gas supply means), a normally closed shut-off valve 22, an ejector 23, and a normally closed purge valve 100. Via the anode channel 11 of the fuel cell stack 10.

The outlet of the anode channel 11 is connected to the suction port of the ejector 23 via the circulation channel 23a. The anode off-gas returned to the ejector 23 is mixed with hydrogen from the hydrogen tank 21 and then re-supplied to the anode channel 11.
Here, the circulation path 23 a is provided with a one-way valve 192 that allows only the flow of the anode off gas from the outlet side of the anode flow path 11 to the ejector 23 side. In this embodiment, the one-way valve 192 is provided in the purge valve 100 as will be described later. Details of the purge valve 100 will be described later.

<Cathode system>
The cathode system includes a compressor 31 (oxidant gas supply means, scavenging means), a humidifier 32, and a diluter 33 (gas treatment device).

  The compressor 31 is connected to the inlet of the cathode channel 12 via the humidifier 32. When operated according to a command from an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) (not shown), the compressor 31 takes in air containing oxygen and supplies the air to the cathode channel 12. The compressor 31 functions as a scavenging means for scavenging the fuel cell stack 10 when scavenging.

  The outlet of the cathode channel 12 is connected to a diluter 33 so that the humid cathode off gas discharged from the cathode channel 12 (cathode) is supplied to the diluter 33.

  The humidifier 32 includes a hollow fiber membrane or the like that exchanges water between the air that travels from the compressor 31 toward the cathode flow path 12 and the air that travels toward the cathode flow path 12 and the humid cathode offgas.

  The diluter 33 is a container that mixes the anode off-gas introduced from the purge valve 100 and the cathode off-gas (dilution gas) from the compressor 31 and dilutes the hydrogen in the anode off-gas with the cathode off-gas. The mixed gas generated by the diluter 33 is discharged outside the vehicle.

  As described above, the purge valve 100 connected to the outlet of the anode flow path 11 is a normally closed electromagnetic valve, and serves as an anode off-gas (hydrogen) that circulates in the circulation path 23a during power generation of the fuel cell stack 10. When the contained impurities (water vapor, nitrogen, etc.) are discharged (purged), they are appropriately opened by the ECU. The anode off gas discharged through the purge valve 100 is diluted by the diluter 33 connected downstream, and then discharged to the outside.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the purge valve 100 includes a valve body block 100A that forms the main body of the purge valve 100, and a flow passage block 100B that includes a one-way valve 192, and flows into the valve body block 100A. The road block 100B is integrally provided and configured as one device.

The purge valve 100 is a normally closed solenoid valve, and as shown in FIG. 1, impurities (water vapor, nitrogen, etc.) contained in the anode offgas (hydrogen) circulated through the circulation path 23 a during power generation of the fuel cell stack 10. ) Is a valve opened by the ECU when discharging (purging).
Here, for example, when the voltage (cell voltage) of the single cells constituting the fuel cell stack 10 is equal to or lower than a predetermined cell voltage, the ECU determines that the impurities need to be discharged and opens the purge valve 100. Can be set to

As shown in FIG. 2, the valve body block 100A is provided adjacent to a primary chamber body (body) 110 provided with a primary chamber 110a into which anode off-gas is introduced, and a lower portion of the primary chamber body 110, A secondary chamber body (body) 120 provided with a secondary chamber 120a from which the anode off-gas is led out, and a valve body 130 by a solenoid 150 as a drive mechanism disposed on the lower side of the secondary chamber body 120. Is configured to switch between a communication state and a cutoff state between the primary chamber 110a and the secondary chamber 120a. That is, the valve is opened at the time of purging, and as shown in FIG. 1, the anode off gas sent from the anode flow path 11 of the fuel cell stack 10 is discharged to the diluter 33 at the subsequent stage.
In the purge valve 100 of the present embodiment, the primary chamber 110a on the side where the anode off gas is introduced is arranged on the upper side, and the secondary chamber 120a on the side from which the anode off gas is led out is arranged on the lower side. The anode off gas containing water is easily discharged.
An introduction path 111 for introducing the anode off gas into the primary chamber 110a is opened and communicated with the bottom surface 110g of the primary chamber 110a. In the introduction path 111, an orifice 113 and a filter 118 are arranged in series with each other. Is provided.

Hereinafter, each part will be described in detail.
The primary chamber body 110 has a secondary chamber body 120 attached to the lower side thereof, and an attachment portion 110b having a substantially U-shaped cross section provided on a side portion thereof (a side where an introduction path 111 described later is provided). ing. In addition, the passage block 100B is integrally attached to the attachment portion 110b by two bolts in the upper and lower directions, and a total of four bolts 110c (one in the upper and lower portions in FIG. 2, only two in total are shown).

The mounting portion 110b is formed integrally with the primary chamber body 110, and has a vertically long concave portion 110d provided by being formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section.
The recess 110d is partitioned by a one-way valve assembly 190, which will be described later, integrally attached to the flow path block 100B, so that the fluid flow path R (a part of the circulation path 23a in FIG. 1) is formed. Forming.

  The introduction path 111 formed in the primary chamber body 110 is inclined upward from the inlet port 171 side, which will be described later, to the primary chamber 110a, and the upper end thereof is connected to the bottom surface 110g of the primary chamber 110a. Open to allow communication. The introduction path 111 is formed in a stepped cylindrical shape that gradually decreases in diameter from the inlet port 171 side toward the primary chamber 110a in accordance with the outer shape of the orifice holder 113c and the filter 118 attached thereto.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper end opening of the introduction path 111 is arranged so that the upper end portion of the holder portion 118a of the filter 118 protrudes into the primary chamber 110a.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the lower end opening of the introduction path 111 communicates with the recess 110d of the mounting portion 110b having a substantially U-shaped cross section. Through this lower end opening, the orifice 113 and the introduction path 111 are inserted into the introduction path 111. A filter 118 is attached.

As shown in FIG. 3, the orifice 113 has a cylindrical portion 113a and a flange portion 113b continuous with the cylindrical portion 113a, and has a narrowed inner passage R1 through which anode off-gas flows. have. In the present embodiment, the orifice 113 is mounted on the introduction path 111 via an orifice holder 113c formed in a stepped cylindrical shape.
The orifice holder 113c has a stepped cylindrical shape whose outer diameter and inner diameter are both reduced from the lower end opening to the upper end opening of the introduction path 111, and is inserted into the introduction path 111 from the lower end opening of the introduction path 111. The external thread 113e formed on the outer peripheral surface is screwed into the internal thread 111e formed on the inner surface of the introduction path 111, thereby being fixed in a state exposed to the lower end opening of the introduction path 111.
The orifice holder 113c and the introduction path 111 are sealed by an annular seal member 113f attached to the outer periphery of the upper portion of the orifice holder 113c.

A small-diameter inner wall communicating with the upper end opening of the orifice holder 113c is formed with a female screw 113d. The orifice 113 is screwed with a male screw 113g formed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 113a, so that the orifice holder It is provided so that it may be located in the inner periphery of the upper end of 113c. As a result, the orifice 113 and the filter 118 are arranged close to each other.
The orifice 113 can be attached to the orifice holder 113c by a fixing means such as press fitting.

  The orifice 113 arranged in the introduction path 111 serves to limit the flow rate of the anode off gas flowing from the introduction path 111 toward the primary chamber 110a. In other words, the orifice 113 serves to reduce the pressure of the anode off gas introduced into the primary chamber 110a, and reduces the load applied to the diaphragm 160 (see FIG. 2) described later disposed in the secondary chamber 120a. Thereby, the deformation | transformation beyond the tolerance | permissible_range of the diaphragm 160 can be prevented, and durability of the diaphragm 160 can be improved.

The water accompanying the anode off gas condenses when passing through the orifice 113 and adheres as water droplets mainly around the lower side of the orifice 113. This suppresses introduction of excess water into the primary chamber 110a.
Here, water droplets adhering to the orifice 113 flow down the inclined surface 111b of the introduction path 111 from the inner surface of the orifice holder 113c, and are discharged to the inlet port 171 of the flow path block 100B as shown in FIG. . A gas-liquid separator (not shown) is disposed on the upstream side of the inlet port 171 between the outlet side of the anode flow path 11 (see FIG. 1), and water drops that have flowed down to the flow path block 100B It is returned to the gas-liquid separator by its own weight. The gas-liquid separator has a function of separating the accompanying liquid water from the anode off-gas containing unreacted hydrogen discharged from the anode flow path 11, and thereby the fuel cell stack 10 (see FIG. 1). The upstream anode ejector 23 (see FIG. 1) is returned to the upstream ejector 23).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the filter 118 includes a cylindrical holder portion 118a and a filter member 118b provided inside the holder portion 118a. In the introduction path 111, an orifice 113 (orifice holder 113c) is provided. ) On the upper side (closest downstream side of the anode off-gas flow direction). The holder portion 118a has a large-diameter portion 118c and a small-diameter portion 118d continuous with the large-diameter portion 118c. The holder portion 118a is inserted into the introduction passage 111 from the lower end opening of the introduction passage 111 and from the upper end opening of the introduction passage 111 into the primary chamber 110a. The small diameter portion 118d is mounted in a protruding state.

  With the filter 118 attached to the introduction path 111, the opening 118 f at the tip of the holder portion 118 a is disposed so as to be inclined toward the valve body 130 due to the inclination of the introduction path 111. As a result, even if water entrained in the anode off gas is accumulated in the primary chamber 110a, the water flows into the filter 118 through the opening 118f of the holder portion 118a, and flows into the orifice 113 from the filter 118 by its own weight. Further, the gas is discharged from the introduction path 111 to the inlet port 171 (see FIG. 1) of the flow path block 100B (see FIG. 2) along the inner circumference of the orifice holder 113c.

In the present embodiment, the upper end portion of the orifice holder 113c is configured to be in close contact with the lower end portion of the large diameter portion 118c in the introduction path 111. Accordingly, when the orifice holder 113c is screwed into the introduction path 111 during assembly, the upper end of the orifice holder 113c presses the lower end of the filter 118, and the filter 118 is formed on the upper inner periphery of the introduction path 111. It will be in the state pressed toward the part 111g. As a result, the filter 118 is firmly fixed in a state of being sandwiched between the step portion 111g and the orifice holder 113c.
That is, at the time of assembly, both the filter 118 and the orifice 113 (orifice holder 113c) can be easily fixed in the introduction path 111 only by screwing the orifice holder 113c into the introduction path 111.
The orifice 113 may be fixed to the orifice holder 113c in advance, or after the orifice holder 113c is fixed to the introduction path 111, it is inserted into the orifice holder 113c from the lower end opening of the introduction path 111 and fixed. It may be.
Alternatively, the orifice 113 and the filter 118 may be integrated into a unit and assembled to the introduction path 111 integrally.

The filter member 118b is made of a net-like metal material, and the upper part has a substantially semicircular shape. The filter member 118b is fixed so that its base end portion 118e is locked to a stepped inner surface formed on the inner periphery of the holder portion 118a, and a substantially semicircular upper portion is primary. It arrange | positions so that it may bulge toward the chamber 110a (toward the flow direction downstream of an anode off gas).
Such a filter 118 captures dust when the anode off gas flowing through the introduction path 111 contains dust. Thereby, dust can be removed from the anode off gas flowing toward the primary chamber 110a, and it is possible to prevent dust from being caught between the valve body 130 and a valve seat portion 117 (see FIG. 1) described later. it can.

As shown in FIG. 2, a valve body 130 is disposed in the primary chamber 110 a so as to be displaceable in the vertical direction (valve opening / closing direction), and a valve seat 116 is provided on the bottom surface side of the valve body 130. It has been.
The valve body 130 is configured to open by being displaced toward the upper wall 114 of the primary chamber body 110 forming the primary chamber 110a, and has a mountain shape in cross section.
The surface of the valve body 130 may be coated with fluorine. Since the fluorine coating has a water repellent effect of repelling water, it is difficult for water to stay at the top or upper portion of the valve body 130, and drainage can be improved.
A ring-shaped seal member 134 is embedded in the seating surface (bottom surface) of the valve body 130.

  The valve seat 116 is provided integrally with a partition wall 115 that partitions the primary chamber 110a and the secondary chamber 120a, and protrudes from the partition wall 115 (the bottom of the primary chamber body 110) toward the upper wall 114. The valve seat 116 has a cylindrical shape and is formed so as to be reduced in diameter toward the upper end. An annular valve seat portion 117 on which the valve body 130 is seated is provided at the distal end portion of the valve seat 116. The valve seat portion 117 is formed by chamfering in a rounded cross-sectional shape so as to be in close contact with the seal member 134 embedded in the seating surface of the valve body 130. Moreover, the valve seat part 117 may be formed flat, for example.

The upper wall 114 of the primary chamber 110a is provided with a recess 114a, and the upper end of a return spring 135 that biases the valve body 130 toward the valve seat 117 is held in the recess 114a. The return spring 135 is contracted between the valve body 130 and the recess 114a, and the sealing member 134 on the seating surface of the valve body 130 is airtight to the valve seat 117 when the valve body 130 is closed. Energize to sit well. By such an urging of the return spring 135, the primary chamber 110a and the secondary chamber 120a are blocked from being able to communicate with each other.
A predetermined clearance is formed between the concave portion 114a and the valve body 130 when the valve body 130 is driven and displaced upward so that the valve body 130 does not contact the concave portion 114a. .

  The secondary chamber 120a is continuously provided in the lower part of the primary chamber 110a via the partition wall 115, and has a lead-out path 121 to which a pipe that leads to a diluter 33 (see FIG. 1, the same applies hereinafter) to be described later is connected. Have. In the present embodiment, the lead-out path 121 is provided on the side opposite to the above-described introduction path 111, that is, on the side where the diluter 33 can be connected.

Note that fluorine coating may be applied to the inside of the primary chamber 110a and the secondary chamber 120a. Since the fluorine coating has a water repellent effect of repelling water, it is difficult for water to stay inside the primary chamber 110a and the secondary chamber 120a, and drainage can be further improved.
In particular, in the primary chamber 110a, when water such as water drops stays in the primary chamber 110a, the bottom 110g of the primary chamber 110a passes through the holder portion 118a of the filter 118 and the orifice 113 as shown in FIG. The water is returned to the introduction path 111, and the discharge of water is promoted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a shaft 140 driven by a solenoid 150 and having a tip fixed to the valve body 130 passes through the secondary chamber 120 a, and the secondary chamber 120 a is interposed between the secondary chamber 120 a and the shaft 140. Is provided with a diaphragm 160 made of an elastic member (for example, a material such as rubber) which is locked to the shaft 140 and bends following the displacement operation of the shaft 140.

  The diaphragm 160 is an annular member that surrounds the periphery of the shaft 140, and has an inner peripheral edge 161 attached to the flange portion 141 of the shaft 140, and a thin-walled shape that extends radially outward from the inner peripheral edge 161. The skirt portion 162 includes an outer peripheral edge portion 163 formed on the outer peripheral portion of the skirt portion 162.

The inner peripheral edge portion 161 is locked to the flange portion 141, and the skirt portion 162 can be flexed following the displacement operation of the shaft 140. The outer peripheral edge 163 is sandwiched between the bottom wall 122 of the secondary chamber 120a and a fixed core 151 of the solenoid 150 described later.
By providing such a diaphragm 160, the space between the secondary chamber 120a and the shaft 140 is sealed, and the airtightness inside the secondary chamber 120a is suitably maintained.

  In addition, you may comprise so that the sliding resistance at the time of the shaft 140 being displaced may be reduced by giving a fluorine coating etc. to the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 140. By doing in this way, abrasion of the shaft 140 can be reduced and durability can be improved. At the same time, it is possible to suppress the generation of wear powder when the shaft 140 is displaced. Since the fluorine coating has a water repellent effect of repelling water, water does not adhere to the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 140, rusting of the shaft 140 can be prevented, and durability of the shaft 140 can be improved. In addition, it is possible to more suitably prevent water from staying in the secondary chamber 120a.

  An air passage 154a is formed in the lower part of the casing 154, and a cap 159 is attached to the opening of the air passage 154a. The air passage 154 a is a horizontal hole that opens to the surface of the casing 154 and the shaft side chamber 156 b that slideably holds the shaft 140, and serves to communicate the shaft side chamber 156 b with the outside of the casing 154.

  The cap 159 has a ventilation opening (not shown) communicating with the outside, and a moisture-permeable waterproof material such as a well-known Gore-Tex (registered trademark) is disposed in a passage formed inside. By disposing such a cap 159, air enters and exits the air passage 154a through the moisture-permeable and waterproof material while preventing entry (intrusion) of water, dust, etc. into the solenoid 150. Smooth sliding of the movable core 156 is realized.

  As described above, the flow passage block 100B is integrally attached to the attachment portion 110b of the primary chamber body 110, and is unidirectionally attached to the body 170 provided with the inlet port 171 and the outlet port 181. A valve assembly 190 is integrally mounted. That is, the assembly of the purge valve 100 including the one-way valve 192 is completed by attaching the flow path block 100B, to which the one-way valve 192 is previously attached, to the attachment portion 110b of the primary chamber body 110.

The inlet port 171 is connected to a pipe from the anode flow path 11 (see FIG. 1 and the same below) of the fuel cell stack 10 (see FIG. 1 and the same below), and through this inlet port 171, A high-pressure anode off gas from the fuel cell stack 10 is introduced.
The inlet port 171 is provided on the lower left side of the body 170 in the paper surface of FIG. 2 and has an opening to which a pipe from the anode channel 11 is connected. In the present embodiment, the inlet port 171 is located below the outlet port 181. That is, the anode off gas accompanied by water flows in the direction from the bottom to the top (the direction opposite to the direction of gravity).

  The passage 171a communicating with the inlet port 171 is open to the concave portion 110d side of the mounting portion 110b, and communicates with the flow path R formed by the concave portion 110d and the introduction path 111 having a lower end opened to the flow path R. ing.

On the other hand, the outlet port 181 is connected to a pipe forming a circulation path 23a (see FIG. 1) leading to the ejector 23 (see FIG. 1), and is introduced from the inlet port 171 side through the outlet port 181. High pressure anode off-gas is derived.
The outlet port 181 is provided above the inlet port 171 on the left side of the flow path block 100B on the paper surface of FIG. 2, and has an opening to which a pipe forming the circulation path 23a (see FIG. 1) is connected. Yes.

  The passage 182 communicating with the outlet port 181 has a small diameter portion 182a on the outlet port 181 side, a large diameter portion 182b on the opposite side, and is formed on the side of the one-way valve assembly 190 on the large diameter portion 182b side. It communicates with the vertically long valve operating space 181b. Thus, when the one-way valve assembly 190 is opened, the passage 182 communicates with the upstream flow path R through the through hole 193 of the one-way valve assembly 190. That is, the anode off gas introduced from the inlet port 171 opens the one-way valve 192 from the passage 171a through the passage R, and is led from the passage 182 to the circulation passage 23a (see FIG. 1) via the outlet port 181. It is supposed to be.

The axis of the large diameter portion 182b of the passage 182 is eccentric downward, and the inner wall lower portion 183b is formed one step lower than the inner wall lower portion 183a of the small diameter portion 182a. The inner wall lower portion 183b is the lowest portion in the flow path from the one-way valve assembly 190 to the outlet port 181. When there is water separated from the anode off-gas during this period, the water is stored. It comes to function as a part. That is, water adheres to the one-way valve 192, the valve operating space 181b, the passage 182, the outlet port 181, the outlet port 181 side portion of the circulation path 23a (see FIG. 1), and the like, and this flows down as water droplets. This can be suitably collected in the inner wall lower portion 183b formed one step lower.
The water accumulated in the inner wall lower portion 183b is discharged to the upstream side of the one-way valve assembly 190, that is, into the flow path R through the drain hole 191a formed in the base body 191 of the one-way valve assembly 190. Thereafter, the gas flow is returned from the passage R to the gas-liquid separator (not shown) through the passage 171a and the inlet port 171.

  For example, the one-way valve 192 is attached to the base body 191 in a state where the upper end side is a free end. Bend. As described above, the one-way valve 192 is configured to be flexible between a valve opening state in which the through hole 193 is opened and a valve closing state in which the through hole 193 is closed.

Next, the operation of the purge valve 100 to which the valve device of this embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIGS.
When the ignition of the fuel cell vehicle is turned on and the start of the fuel cell stack 10 is requested, the shut-off valve 22 is opened by the ECU, and hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 21 is supplied to the anode channel 11 via the ejector 23, Further, the compressor 31 is operated by the ECU, and air is supplied to the cathode channel 12 via the humidifier 32. Thereby, the fuel cell stack 10 starts power generation.

  When the fuel cell stack 10 starts power generation, the anode off-gas discharged from the anode channel 11 passes through the inlet port 171 provided in the channel block 100B of the purge valve 100 via a gas-liquid separator (not shown). Introduced in block 100B.

  The anode off gas introduced from the inlet port 171 flows from the passage 171a into the flow path R formed by the recess 110d. Here, although the introduction path 111 is open in the flow path R, the valve element 130 is in a closed state, so that the anode off gas does not flow into the introduction path 111 and is introduced into the flow path R. The pressure of the anode off-gas acts on the one-way valve 192 through the through-hole 193, and the one-way valve 192 is pressed to be flexible. As a result, the one-way valve 192 is opened, and the anode off gas flows out into the circulation path 23a through the through hole 193, the passage 182 and the outlet port 181. Then, the anode off gas is supplied to the upstream ejector 23 through the circulation path 23a.

On the other hand, when the voltage (cell voltage) of the single cells constituting the fuel cell stack 10 is equal to or lower than the predetermined cell voltage, the ECU determines that it is necessary to discharge impurities, and purges the purge valve 100 according to the ECU command. The request is made.
When the ECU requests purge, the solenoid 150 of the purge valve 100 is activated and the valve body 130 is opened.

  When the valve body 130 is opened, the anode off gas introduced from the inlet port 171 flows into the introduction path 111, and immediately after passing through the orifice 113, passes through the filter member 118 b of the filter 118 and flows into the primary chamber 110 a. The anode off gas flowing into the primary chamber 110a passes through the gap between the valve element 130 and the valve seat portion 117 and flows into the secondary chamber 120a. The anode off gas flowing into the secondary chamber 120a flows out from the opening 121a to the outlet path 121 and is discharged downstream.

  Further, at the end of the purge, if the ECU turns off the energization of the coil 155a wound around the bobbin 155 of the solenoid 150, the coil 155a is de-energized and the movable core 156 moves downward along the axial direction. Displace. At substantially the same time, the valve body 130 is pressed downward by the elastic force of the return spring 135, and the valve body 130 is seated on the valve seat portion 117 by the elastic force of the return spring 135. Thereby, the communication between the primary chamber 110a and the secondary chamber 120a is blocked, and the communication between the introduction path 111 and the outlet path 121 is blocked.

  When the communication is cut off in this way, the inflow of the anode off-gas introduced from the inlet port 171 into the introduction passage 111 is cut off, and the one-way valve as described above is caused by the pressure of the anode off-gas introduced into the passage R. The valve 192 is opened again, and the anode off gas flows downstream from the one-way valve 192. That is, the anode off gas flow is switched to the circulation path 23a side.

  In the process of purging as described above, the water accompanying the anode off-gas may condense in the primary chamber 110a to form water droplets, and may accumulate on the bottom surface of the primary chamber 110a. The water accumulated in the water flows into the filter 118 through the opening 118f of the holder portion 118a, flows into the orifice 113 from the inside of the filter 118 due to its own weight, and further passes through the inner circumference of the orifice holder 113c to block the flow path from the introduction path 111. It is discharged to the inlet port 171 of 100B. Thereby, water can be returned to the gas-liquid separator (not shown) through the inlet port 171.

According to the valve device of the present embodiment described above, the valve body block 100A having the primary chamber body 110, the secondary chamber body 120, and the valve body 130, the inlet port 171, the outlet port 181, and the one-way valve 192. Since the flow path block 100B having the above is configured as a unit, the anode off-gas flowability is improved, and the operation responsiveness can be improved, the parts assembly property can be improved, and the size can be reduced.
In addition, since the orifice 113 and the filter 118 are arranged in series with each other, the anode off-gas that has passed through the orifice 113 reaches the filter 118 without decelerating, and the anode off-gas that passes through contains water. Even in the case where water is present, it is possible to suitably prevent water from adhering to and staying on the filter 118, and water can be preferably allowed to flow into the primary chamber 110a. As a result, water can be suitably entrained in the anode offgas flowing from the primary chamber 110a to the secondary chamber 120a, and the anode offgas entrained with water can be suitably discharged. Therefore, it is possible to realize a highly responsive control of the anode off-gas flow through the valve body block 100A and the flow passage block 100B. Therefore, the purge valve 100 (valve device) that can perform stable power generation of the fuel cell stack 10 is obtained.
Further, since the orifice 113 and the filter 118 are arranged in series with each other, the assembling is simplified and the assembling property is improved.

  The introduction path 111 is disposed between the valve body block 100A and the flow path block 100B, and communicates the primary chamber 110a of the valve body block 100A with the inlet port 171 of the flow path block 100B. Since it is formed in an upwardly inclined shape from the port 171 side toward the primary chamber 110a side, even if water adheres to the filter member 118b of the filter 118 or water stays in the primary chamber 110a, These waters flow down to the inlet port 171 side along the upwardly inclined introduction path 111 (orifice 113 and filter 118) by their own weight. Therefore, drainage can be improved.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, 2nd Embodiment of the valve apparatus of this invention is described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, the present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a filter member 118b ′ having a larger diameter than the filter member 118b (see FIG. 3) shown in the first embodiment is introduced. It is a point arranged at 111.

  The filter 118A includes a cylindrical base 118g that is locked to the upper inner wall of the introduction path 111, and a filter member 118b ′ attached to the base 118g. In the introduction path 111, an orifice 113 (orifice holder) is provided. 113c) is provided continuously to the orifice 113 so as to be located immediately near the upper side (immediately downstream of the anode off-gas flow direction).

  The filter member 118 b ′ has a bottomed cylindrical shape, and a part of the outer peripheral surface of the body portion is directly fitted into the inner periphery of the upper end of the introduction path 111. Here, the outer diameter E1 of the body portion of the filter member 118b 'is substantially equal to the inner diameter E2 of the lower inner periphery of the orifice holder 113c. In other words, the passages on the upstream side and the downstream side across the orifice 113 have substantially the same diameter, and thereby smooth passage of the anode off gas can be realized.

  The bottom (upper end) of the filter member 118b 'is disposed so as to protrude from the upper end opening of the introduction path 111 into the primary chamber 110a and be exposed in the primary chamber 110a. As a result, even if water accompanying the anode off gas is accumulated in the primary chamber 110a, the water suitably flows into the filter member 118b 'from the bottom surface 110g of the primary chamber 110a. The flowing water flows from the filter 118A into the orifice 113 due to its own weight, and further passes through the lower inner periphery of the orifice holder 113c and is discharged from the introduction path 111 to the inlet port 171 of the flow path block 100B.

The filter 118A is also configured such that the upper end portion of the orifice holder 113c is in close contact with the lower end portion of the base portion 118g in the introduction path 111. Thus, when the orifice holder 113c is screwed into the introduction path 111 during assembly, the upper end of the orifice holder 113c presses the lower end of the base 118g of the filter 118A, and the filter 118A is formed on the upper inner periphery of the introduction path 111. It will be in the state pressed toward the stepped part 111g 'made. Thus, the filter 118A is firmly fixed in a state of being sandwiched between the step portion 111g ′ and the orifice holder 113c.
That is, at the time of assembly, both the filter 118A and the orifice 113 (orifice holder 113c) can be easily fixed in the introduction path 111 by simply screwing the orifice holder 113c into the introduction path 111.

As mentioned above, although embodiment which concerns on this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these, The appropriate change implementation according to the main point of invention is possible.
For example, in the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 3, of the small diameter portion 118d of the filter 118, the tip end portion 118h located on the valve body 130 (see FIG. 2) side is connected to the bottom surface 110g of the primary chamber 110a. Although it arrange | positions so that it may become the same height, it is not restricted to this, For example, as shown in FIG. 5, you may make the front-end | tip part 118h protrude in the inner space of the primary chamber 110a.

  Thus, by projecting the front end portion 118h into the inner space of the primary chamber 110a, the opening 118f of the front end portion is positioned above the bottom surface 110g, and when water staying in the primary chamber 110a is generated, This water can be positively stored on the bottom surface 110g of the primary chamber 110a by the height of the opening 118f. The water stored in this way can be discharged from the primary chamber 110a through the secondary chamber 120a together with the anode off gas that has flowed in at the next purge.

  In addition, since the valve seat part 117 is located above the opening 118f, even if the stored water freezes, this does not affect the operation of the valve body 130, and the valve body 130 is excellent. Can be operated.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the orifice 113 is disposed on the upstream side and the filters 118 and 118A are disposed on the downstream side. However, the order may be reversed.

  Further, although the orifice 113 is assembled to the introduction path 111 via the orifice holder 113c, the orifice 113 may be configured to be directly assembled to the introduction path 111.

  In the embodiment described above, the solenoid 150 is exemplified as the drive mechanism. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other drive mechanisms, for example, a coil member is disposed between the magnetic pole surfaces of the permanent magnets spaced apart and opposed to each other. It is also possible to employ a voice coil type drive means that drives the shaft 140 in the axial direction using electromagnetic force by providing and energizing.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the fuel cell system 1 is mounted on a fuel cell vehicle has been illustrated. However, for example, a fuel cell system mounted on a motorcycle, a train, or a ship may be used. Further, it may be a fuel cell system used for stores, offices and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fuel cell system 100 Purge valve 100A Valve body block 100B Flow path block 110 Primary chamber body (body) 110a Primary chamber 110g Bottom surface 111 Inlet passage 113 Orifice 113c Orifice holder 118, 118A Filter 118b Filter member 120 Secondary chamber body (Body 120a Secondary chamber 121 Lead-out path 130 Valve body 171 Inlet port 181 Outlet port 192 One-way valve

Claims (2)

A body provided with a primary chamber into which a fluid is introduced through an introduction path, and a secondary chamber into which the fluid is led out through an outlet path;
A valve body block having a valve body that communicates or blocks between the primary chamber and the secondary chamber and is driven by a drive mechanism;
Disposed adjacent to the valve block,
An inlet port leading to the introduction path, an outlet port leading to the inlet port, and provided upstream of the introduction path between the inlet port and the outlet port, from the inlet port side to the outlet port side A flow passage block having a one-way valve that allows only fluid flow of
The introduction path is provided with an orifice and a filter arranged in series with each other,
The introduction path is
It is arranged between the valve body block and the flow path block, and communicates the primary chamber of the valve body block and the inlet port of the flow path block,
The valve device, wherein the valve device is formed in an upwardly inclined shape from the inlet port side toward the primary chamber side. The valve device according to claim 1,
The valve device is used as a discharge valve for discharging the reaction gas as the fluid in a system using a fuel cell.

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