JP2012247011A - Valve device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accommodate a function for shutting a flow passage and a function for controlling a flow rate with a simple structure.SOLUTION: The valve device includes: a ball valve 50 having a valve body 74 disposed in a flow passage 70; a valve mechanism 53 having a butterfly valve 52 with a valve body 80 disposed in a through hole 72 formed in the ball valve 50; a shaft axis 76 which transmits a rotational driving force of the rotational driving source to a valve mechanism 53 and engages with an axial hole 78 formed in the valve body 74 of the ball valve 50 while the lower part side along the axial direction is connected to the valve body 80 of the butterfly valve 52; and an engagement mechanism 75 which is disposed at one end of the shaft 76 and engages the lower side along the axial direction of the shaft axis 76 with an axial hole 78 formed in the valve body 74 of the ball valve 50.

Description

  The present invention has both a flow path blocking function for blocking the flow path and a flow rate control function for controlling the flow rate of the pressure fluid flowing through the flow path, and appropriately switching between the flow path blocking function and the flow rate control function. The present invention relates to a valve device capable of

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a fuel cell power generator capable of suppressing deterioration due to oxidation of an anode and a cathode at the time of starting and stopping and improving durability.

  This fuel cell power generation apparatus includes a fuel gas replacement unit that replaces all or part of the oxidant gas remaining on the cathode at the time of shutdown with fuel gas, and an inert gas that replaces all or part of the fuel gas that remains on the cathode at start-up. And four shutoff valves that are arranged at the inlet and outlet of the fuel gas supply passage and the oxidant gas supply passage of the fuel cell, respectively, and seal the fuel gas at the anode and cathode when the fuel cell is stopped A fuel gas flow rate controller for supplying fuel gas to the anode of the fuel cell at a predetermined flow rate, and supplying oxidant gas to the cathode of the fuel cell at a predetermined flow rate of air taken from the atmosphere. And an oxidant gas flow rate controller.

JP 2005-93115 A

  By the way, in the fuel cell power generator disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is no disclosure or suggestion about specific configurations of the shutoff valve and the flow rate control unit. For example, a ball valve or a poppet type on / off valve is used as the shutoff valve. It is conceivable to use a butterfly valve as the flow rate control unit.

  Therefore, when the flow path sealing (shutoff) function by the shutoff valve and the flow rate control function by the flow rate control unit are integrated, ball valves and poppet type on / off valves generally have excellent fluid shutoff properties. The ball valve has a problem in operation durability, and the poppet type on / off valve has a problem in flow controllability. In addition, the butterfly valve is generally excellent in flow rate controllability and operation durability depending on the valve opening, but there is a problem in the flow blocking performance because a gap is generated to avoid interference between the bore and the valve body. is there.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a valve device that can achieve both a flow path blocking function and a flow rate control function with a simple mechanism.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, an inlet port into which a pressure fluid is introduced, an outlet port from which the pressure fluid is derived, and a flow path that connects the inlet port and the outlet port are formed. An apparatus main body, a single rotational drive source, a ball valve driven by the rotational drive source and having a valve body disposed in the flow path, and a valve body in an internal flow path formed in the ball valve A valve mechanism having a butterfly valve disposed therein, and a rotational driving force of the rotational drive source is transmitted to the valve mechanism, and one end portion along the axial direction is coupled to the valve body of the butterfly valve. And a shaft shaft that engages with a shaft hole formed in the valve body of the ball valve, one end portion of the shaft shaft that is provided at one end portion of the shaft shaft, and a valve body of the ball valve. Formed into An engagement mechanism that engages with the shaft hole, and in the engagement mechanism, only the shaft shaft is provided in a range in which one end portion of the shaft shaft engages and rotates with the shaft hole. A single rotation range in which a single rotation operation is possible and a common rotation range in which the shaft shaft and the valve body of the ball valve can rotate together are provided.

  According to the present invention, the pressure fluid flowing through the flow path of the apparatus main body can be controlled by both the flow path cutoff control by the ball valve and the flow rate control (pressure control) by the butterfly valve. The function and the flow rate control function can be made compatible. That is, the ball valve can control the shut-off property (sealing property) well, and the butterfly valve can control the flow rate controllability (pressure control property) well. As a result, the flow rate can be controlled by the butterfly valve, and as a result, the operation durability of the ball valve can be improved.

  In addition, since an engagement mechanism that engages one end of the shaft axis along the axial direction of the shaft and the shaft hole formed in the valve body of the ball valve is provided at one end of the shaft, only a single shaft axis is provided. Thus, both the valve body of the butterfly valve and the valve body of the ball valve can be operated. In other words, the single shaft shaft has both the functions of the butterfly valve shaft and the ball valve shaft, and the rotational driving force of the rotational driving source is supplied to the butterfly valve body and the ball valve body through the shaft shaft. Can be transmitted to both.

  Further, in the range in which one end portion of the shaft shaft is engaged with the shaft hole and rotated, in the single rotation range, only the shaft shaft is rotated independently, so that only the butterfly valve body is operated and the butterfly is operated. Good control of the flow rate controllability (pressure controllability) by the valve is possible. On the other hand, in the co-rotating rotation range, the shaft body and the valve body of the ball valve operate integrally, so that it is possible to control the shut-off property (sealing performance) using the ball valve.

  In the present invention, the engagement mechanism includes an engagement portion formed by notching one end portion of the shaft shaft formed of a substantially cylindrical body and having a substantially semicircular shape in plan view, and the engagement portion. And an engagement protrusion formed in a mountain shape in plan view and projecting toward the center from the shaft hole, and the shaft shaft is between the engagement protrusion and the engagement protrusion. It is characterized in that a gap is provided in which only a single member is rotated.

  According to the present invention, for example, when the shaft shaft rotates to one side and the engaging portion of the shaft shaft engages with the engaging protrusion formed in the shaft hole of the ball valve, the shaft shaft and the ball valve The valve body can integrally rotate (co-rotate) to one side.

  Further, for example, when the shaft shaft rotates to the other side opposite to the one side and the engaging portion of the shaft shaft engages with the engaging protrusion of the ball valve, the shaft shaft and the valve body of the ball valve Can integrally rotate (co-rotate) to the other side.

  Further, when the engaging portion of the shaft shaft does not engage with the engaging protrusion of the ball valve, only the shaft shaft can rotate independently along the gap, and only the valve body of the butterfly valve is isolated. Can be rotated.

  Further, according to the present invention, the ball valve and the butterfly valve are set so that the rotation directions of the valve bodies toward the closing side are opposite to each other. An opening-side stopper portion that restricts the rotational movement of the valve body of the valve is provided.

  According to the present invention, the rotation operation of the valve body of the ball valve is restricted by the open side stopper portion, so that the flow path is opened and the butterfly valve is operable. This prevents the ball valve from rotating together when the butterfly valve operates.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, the rotation angle of the valve body of the butterfly valve around the shaft axis is set to about 90 degrees between the valve open state and the valve closed state with respect to the internal flow path. It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to rotate the valve body of the ball valve by about 90 degrees using the shaft that has one end connected to the valve body of the butterfly valve.

  Still further, in the present invention, the valve body of the butterfly valve is a normally open type, and when the rotary drive source fails, the valve body of the butterfly valve is opened, and the valve body of the ball valve is The valve is in an open state.

  If the rotation drive source fails, the valve body of the butterfly valve is opened, and the valve body of the ball valve is opened so that the pressure fluid can be circulated along the flow path. . As a result, when the valve device according to the present invention is attached to, for example, a fuel cell, the fuel cell can be suitably generated even during a failure of the rotational drive source.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the valve apparatus which can make a flow-path interruption | blocking function and a flow control function compatible by simple structure can be obtained.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fuel cell system incorporating a valve device according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a longitudinal sectional view of a second valve device according to an embodiment of the present invention incorporated in a fuel cell system, (b) is a plan view of (a) showing a stopper portion, and (c) is an engagement. (A) is a bottom view showing a schematic configuration of the combined mechanism, and (d) is a partially broken perspective view showing the engaging mechanism. (A)-(e) each shows rotation operation | movement of the valve body of a ball valve, and the valve body of a butterfly valve, Comprising: The upper stage is a top view which shows the position of a stopper part, and a middle stage is a shaft axis | shaft. The bottom view which shows the engagement relationship of the engagement part of this and the engagement protrusion of a shaft hole, and a lower stage are schematic longitudinal cross-sectional views which show the opening-and-closing state of a bore and a flow path. (A) is a schematic top view which shows the state which the latching | locking part of a default lever contact | abuts to the opening side stopper part, and is latched, (b) is a partially-omission perspective view which shows the said latching state. .

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fuel cell system in which a valve device according to an embodiment of the present invention is incorporated. In the present embodiment, the valve device incorporated in the fuel cell mounted on the vehicle is exemplified and described below. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a ship, an aircraft, or the like. It can be applied to various valves incorporated in stationary fuel cells for household use.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a fuel cell system 10 in which a valve device according to this embodiment is incorporated includes a fuel cell 12, an anode system 14, a cathode system 16, and a control system (not shown).

  The fuel cell 12 is composed of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC), and is configured by laminating a plurality of single cells each having a MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly) sandwiched between separators (not shown). Has been. The MEA includes an electrolyte membrane (solid polymer membrane), a cathode and an anode that sandwich the membrane. The cathode and the anode are each composed of an electrode catalyst layer in which a catalyst such as platinum is supported on a catalyst carrier such as carbon black. Each separator has an anode channel 22 and a cathode channel 24 formed of grooves and through holes.

  In such a fuel cell 12, when hydrogen (reaction gas, fuel gas) is supplied to the anode, and when air containing oxygen (reaction gas, oxidant gas) is supplied to the cathode, it is included in the anode and cathode. An electrode reaction occurs on the catalyst, and the fuel cell 12 is ready for power generation.

  The fuel cell 12 is electrically connected to an external load (not shown). When a current is taken out by the external load, the fuel cell 12 generates power. The external load includes a traveling motor, a power storage device such as a battery or a capacitor, an air pump 26 described later, and the like.

  The anode system 14 includes a hydrogen tank 28, a shutoff valve 30, a purge valve 32, pipes a1 to a4, and the like.

  The hydrogen tank 28 stores high-purity hydrogen at a high pressure, and is connected to the downstream shut-off valve 30 via a pipe a1. The shut-off valve 30 is composed of, for example, an electromagnetic valve, and is connected to the inlet of the anode flow path 22 of the fuel cell 12 on the downstream side via a pipe a2.

  The purge valve 32 is composed of, for example, an electromagnetic valve, and is connected to the outlet of the anode flow path 22 of the upstream fuel cell 12 via a pipe a3.

  The cathode system 16 includes an air pump 26, a first valve device 40a and a second valve device 40b, pipes (oxidant gas flow paths) c1 to c3, and the like.

  The air pump 26 is, for example, a mechanical supercharger driven by a motor (not shown), and compresses the taken outside air (air) and supplies the compressed air to the fuel cell 12.

  The first valve device 40a according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided on the supply side of the oxidant gas, is connected to the upstream air pump 26 via the pipe c1, and is connected to the downstream fuel cell via the pipe c2. Twelve cathode flow paths 24 are connected to the inlets. The second valve device 40b according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided on the oxidant gas discharge side, and is connected to the outlet of the cathode flow path 24 of the upstream fuel cell 12 via the pipe c3.

  Since the first valve device 40a and the second valve device 40b according to the embodiment of the present invention have the same configuration, the configuration of the second valve device 40b provided on the outlet side of the cathode channel 24 will be described in detail below. Explanation is omitted for the first valve device 40a.

  2A is a longitudinal sectional view of a second valve device incorporated in a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2B is a plan view of FIG. 2A showing a stopper portion. FIG. 2C is a bottom view of FIG. 2A showing a schematic configuration of the engagement mechanism, and FIG. 2D is a partially broken perspective view showing the engagement mechanism.

  In the second valve device 40b, as shown in FIG. 2A, an inlet port 42a into which a fluid (pressure fluid) is introduced is formed on one side wall, and the fluid (pressure fluid) is led out. The outlet port 42 b has a body 44 formed on the other side wall, and a cover (not shown) that covers the upper portion of the body 44. The body 44 and the cover function as an apparatus main body.

  Inside the body 44 and the cover are a valve drive mechanism 48 (see FIG. 1), a valve mechanism 53 including a ball valve 50 and a butterfly valve 52 driven (biased) by the valve drive mechanism 48, and the valve drive. A driving force transmission mechanism 54 that transmits the rotational driving force from the mechanism 48 to the valve mechanism 53 is provided.

  The valve drive mechanism 48 is fixed in the concave portion of the body 44. For example, a single rotation drive source 56 composed of a stepping motor, a DC servo motor or the like, and a rotation drive shaft (motor shaft) 56a of the rotation drive source 56 are provided. And a connected pinion 58.

  Note that the direction of rotation of the pinion 58 connected to the rotation drive shaft 56a can be switched between forward and reverse directions by switching the polarity of the current supplied to the rotation drive source 56 by a power source (not shown). Moreover, you may attach the rotational drive source 56 to the exterior of the body 44 via a bracket, for example.

  The driving force transmission mechanism 54 includes a pin (intermediate shaft) 60 that is fixed between the body 44 and the cover and substantially parallel to the rotational drive shaft 56a, and an intermediate gear 62 that is rotatably attached to the pin 60. And have.

  A large-diameter first gear portion 68 a that meshes with the pinion 58 of the rotational drive shaft 56 a is provided on the outer peripheral surface on the upper side along the axial direction of the intermediate gear 62, and the lower side of the first gear portion 68 is provided on the lower side of the first gear portion 68. The second gear portion 68b having a smaller diameter than the first gear portion 68a is coaxially provided.

  The valve mechanism 53 includes a ball valve 50 disposed at an intermediate portion of the flow path 70 for communicating the inlet port 42a and the outlet port 42b, and a butterfly valve 52 disposed in the internal flow path of the ball valve 50 ( (See FIG. 1).

  The ball valve 50 has a substantially spherical shape with a through-hole 72 penetrating from one side to the other along the central axis from which one curved surface and the other curved surface are removed along the central axis (axis passing through the center). 74 and an engagement mechanism 75 having a shaft hole 78 into which a lower end portion of a shaft shaft 76 to be described later is inserted and engaged with the lower end portion of the shaft shaft 76. The engagement mechanism 75 will be described in detail later.

  The butterfly valve 52 includes a disk-shaped valve body 80 that is rotatably disposed at a predetermined angle in a through-hole (bore) 72 that functions as an internal flow path of the ball valve 50, and a disk via a screw member 82. A substantially cylindrical shaft shaft 76 which is connected to a valve body 80 and has both functions as a butterfly valve shaft and a ball valve shaft, and a bearing member 86 which rotatably supports an outer diameter portion of the shaft shaft 76. And a seal member 88 that surrounds and seals the outer diameter surface of the shaft shaft 76.

  The outer diameter of the valve body 80 of the butterfly valve 52 is set to about 180 degrees as will be described later, so that the inner diameter of the through hole 72 formed in the valve body 74 of the ball valve 50 is as follows. It is set slightly smaller than the dimensions (see FIG. 2A).

  2 (c) and 2 (d), the engagement mechanism 75 is formed by cutting out the lower end portion of the shaft shaft 76 formed of a substantially cylindrical body, and is formed in a substantially semicircular shape in plan view. The engaging portion 76a engages, and has an engaging protrusion 79 that protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the shaft hole 78 toward the center and is formed in a mountain shape in plan view.

  Further, the engagement mechanism 75 has a gap 81 (a quarter arc portion in plan view) formed between the engagement portion 76a of the shaft shaft 76 and the engagement protrusion 79 of the shaft hole 78. Provided. In the range where the shaft shaft 76 inserted into the shaft hole 78 rotates along the circumferential direction of the shaft hole 78, the shaft shaft 76 can rotate independently along the gap 81. The engagement portion 76a of the shaft shaft 76 and the engagement protrusion 79 of the shaft hole 78 are in contact with each other, and a common rotation range in which the shaft shaft 76 and the valve body 74 of the ball valve 50 can rotate together is provided. .

  On the upper side of the shaft shaft 76, a gear mechanism operating gear section 90 that is configured to engage with the second gear section 68b of the intermediate gear 62 and operates the valve mechanism 53 is fixed.

  On the lower side of the valve mechanism operating gear section 90, a substantially disc-shaped default lever 92 pivotally supported on the upper side of the shaft shaft 76, the valve mechanism operating gear section 90, and the default lever 92 are supported. And a coil spring 94 that functions as a return spring. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4A described later, the upper end portion (one end portion) 94a of the coil spring 94 is engaged with the valve mechanism operating gear portion 90, and the lower end portion ( The other end portion 94b is engaged with the default lever 92 so as to apply a spring force to the default lever 92 along the circumferential direction.

  4A is a schematic plan view showing a state in which the locking portion of the default lever is in contact with the opening side stopper portion, and FIG. 4B is a partially omitted view showing the locking state. It is a perspective view.

  In order to prevent co-rotation with the ball valve 50 during operation of the butterfly valve 52, the rotational direction of the valve element 74 of the ball valve 50 and the valve element 80 of the butterfly valve 52 by the forward / reverse switching action of the rotation drive source 56. 4 are opposite to each other, and as shown in FIG. 4, a pair of open-side stopper portions 96a, which are provided at the opening portion of the body 44 and are formed by arc-shaped convex portions projecting toward the upper surface side, are closed. A side stopper 96b is provided.

  When the butterfly valve 52 is actuated, the engagement portion 98 formed in the circumferential direction of the default lever 92 is engaged with either the open side stopper portion 96a or the close side stopper portion 96b. The rotation operation of the valve body 74 of the valve 50 is prevented, thereby preventing co-rotation. In other words, the rotation operation of the valve body 74 of the ball valve 50 is restricted between the one open side stopper portion 96a and the other close side stopper portion 96b with which the locking portion 98 of the default lever 92 abuts. The rotation range of the 50 valve bodies 74 is set to an angle of about 90 degrees.

  That is, the valve mechanism operating gear portion 90 is biased in the circumferential direction by the spring force of the coil spring 94, and the locking portion 98 formed in the circumferential direction of the default lever 92 is brought into contact with the open side stopper portion 96a. The valve element 74 of the ball valve 50 is held in the valve open state. By holding the valve element 74 of the ball valve 50 in the valve open state by the locking action of the locking portion 98 and the open side stopper portion 96a, the butterfly valve 52 becomes operable. As a result, the ball valve 50 is prevented from rotating together with the butterfly valve 52 when the butterfly valve 52 is operated in a state where the valve element 74 of the ball valve 50 is held in the valve open state.

  In the present embodiment, the opening side stopper portion 96a and the closing side stopper portion 96b, which are engaged with the locking portion 98 of the default lever 92 and exhibit a stopper function, are integrally formed with the body 44. For example, the stopper 98 of the default lever 92 may be locked using another stopper member (not shown).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2A, the outer diameter surface of the valve body 74 of the ball valve 50 is held (seat) in the flow path 70 of the body 44, thereby preventing the valve body 74 from rotating. A sheet mechanism 102 is provided. The rotation prevention of the valve body 74 of the ball valve 50 can be held by, for example, the meshing resistance between the pinion 58 and the intermediate gear 62, the meshing resistance between the intermediate gear 62 and the valve mechanism operating gear portion 90, or the like. However, by providing the seat mechanism 102, the rotation of the valve body 74 of the ball valve 50 can be reliably performed.

  The seat mechanism 102 is disposed on the inlet port 42a side, and includes a first seat member 106 having a seat surface 104a having a partial spherical surface corresponding to the shape of the valve body 74, and the seat surface 104a of the first seat member 106 as a valve. A first spring member 108 that presses toward the body 74; a second seat member 110 that is disposed on the outlet port 42b side and has a seat surface 104b that is a partial spherical surface corresponding to the shape of the valve body 74; and the second seat It has the 2nd spring member 112 which presses the sheet | seat surface 104b of the member 110 toward the valve body 74, and the holding member 114 which hold | maintains the 2nd sheet member 110 while latching the 2nd spring member 112.

  The control system includes an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) (not shown), a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the fuel cell 12, and the like. The ECU controls the shut-off valve 30, the purge valve 32, the rotation drive source 56 provided in the first and second valve devices 40a and 40b, respectively.

  The fuel cell system 10 in which the first and second valve devices 40a and 40b according to the present embodiment are incorporated is basically configured as described above. Next, the function and effect will be described.

  3 (a) to 3 (e) show the rotation operation of the valve body of the ball valve and each valve body of the butterfly valve, the upper part is a plan view showing the position of the stopper part, and the middle part is The bottom view which shows the engagement relationship of the engaging part of a shaft axis | shaft and the engaging protrusion of a shaft hole, and a lower stage are longitudinal cross-sectional views which show the opening-and-closing state of a bore and a flow path.

  First, the operation sequence from when the flow path 70 is shut off when no current is supplied to the rotational drive source 56 to when the butterfly valve 52 and the ball valve 50 are opened is shown in FIG. 3 will be described.

  In the following description, the valve open state or the valve closed state of the valve body 80 of the butterfly valve 52 refers to a “through hole 72 (internal passage, hereinafter also referred to as a bore 72) formed in the valve body 80 of the butterfly valve 52. The state where the bore 72 is opened by the valve body 80 is referred to as the valve open state of the butterfly valve 52, and the state where the bore 72 is substantially blocked is referred to as the valve closed state of the butterfly valve 52.

  Further, the valve open state or valve closed state of the valve element 74 of the ball valve 50 refers to an “open / closed state with respect to the flow path 70” in which the inlet port 42 a and the outlet port 42 b formed in the body 44 are communicated. A state in which the flow path 70 is opened by the body 74 is referred to as a valve open state of the ball valve 50, and a state in which the flow path 70 is closed and blocked is referred to as a valve closed state of the ball valve 50.

  FIG. 3A shows a power generation stop state of the fuel cell 12 in a non-energized state where the rotary drive source 56 is not energized, as will be described later. In this case, the locking portion 98 of the default lever 92 is in contact with the closing stopper portion 96b, the valve body 80 of the butterfly valve 52 is in a valve open state with the through hole 72 (bore) opened, The valve element 74 of the ball valve 50 is in a valve closed state in which the flow path 70 is blocked.

  In the non-energized state of FIG. 3A, a current is supplied from a power source (not shown) to energize the rotational drive source 56, and the shaft shaft 76 is rotated clockwise via the intermediate gear 62 and the valve mechanism operating gear portion 90. It is rotated by about 90 degrees in the direction (refer to the thin line arrow in the middle of FIG. 3B). As a result, as shown in FIG. 3B, the valve body 80 of the butterfly valve 52 is switched from the valve open state to the valve closed state in which the through-hole 72 (bore) is substantially closed, and the valve of the ball valve 50 The body 74 is in a valve closed state in which the flow path 70 is blocked.

  The rotation angle of the valve body 80 of the butterfly valve 52 is detected by detecting a detection object (not shown) provided on the shaft 76 that rotates integrally with the valve body 80 with a sensor (not shown). . Further, when the valve element 74 of the ball valve 50 is in the closed state, the first seat member 106 and the second seat member 110 are valved via the spring force of the first spring member 108 and the second spring member 112 of the seat mechanism 102. The body 74 is held by the sliding resistance generated by pressing the bodies 74 in the opposite directions (see FIG. 2A).

  When shifting from the state shown in FIG. 3A to the state shown in FIG. 3B, the shaft 76 has an engaging portion 76a and a mountain-shaped engaging protrusion 79 formed in a semicircular shape in plan view. It rotates about 90 degrees along the gap 81 formed between the two. In other words, the shaft shaft 76 rotates by about 90 degrees along a single rotation range in which only the shaft shaft 76 can rotate independently.

  Subsequently, in the state of FIG. 3B, the shaft shaft 76 is further rotated by about 90 degrees in the clockwise direction by the rotational driving force of the rotational driving source 56. In this case, the engaging portion 76a of the shaft shaft 76 abuts against the engaging protrusion 79 and presses the engaging protrusion 79, so that the shaft shaft 76 and the valve element 74 of the ball valve 50 are approximately clockwise. They rotate together by 90 degrees (refer to the middle thick line and thin line arrows in FIG. 3C). In other words, when shifting from the state of FIG. 3 (b) to the state of FIG. 3 (c), the shaft shaft 76 and the valve body 74 of the ball valve 50 are 90 degrees along the co-rotating rotation range in which they can rotate together. Only turn.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 3C, the valve body 80 of the butterfly valve 52 is held in a valve-closed state in which the through hole 72 (bore) is substantially closed, and the valve body 74 of the ball valve 50 is Then, the valve is switched to the valve open state where the through hole 72 opens and communicates with the flow path 70. In the state of FIG. 3 (c), as shown in the upper stage, the locking portion 98 of the default lever 92 is rotated and brought into contact with the opening side stopper portion 96a to be locked.

  3C, the valve shaft 80 of the butterfly valve 52 is moved along the gap 81 by returning the shaft shaft 76 by about 90 degrees counterclockwise by the spring force of the coil spring 94. It rotates and it will be in the state of FIG.3 (d). 3D, the valve body 80 of the butterfly valve 52 switches from a valve closed state in which the through hole 72 (bore) is substantially closed to a valve open state in which the through hole 72 (bore) is opened, The valve body 74 of the valve 50 is in a valve open state in which the flow path 70 communicates.

  In the state of FIG. 3D, the valve body 80 of the butterfly valve 52 is opened, and the valve body 74 of the ball valve 50 is opened, so that the flow path 70 is opened and the inlet port 42a. And the outlet port 42b communicate with each other. At this time, even if the power source (not shown) is turned off and the rotational drive source 56 (non-energized state) is turned off, the valve body 74 of the ball valve 50 is held in the valve open state by the sliding resistance of the seat mechanism 102 described above. Is done. Moreover, the state of FIG.3 (d) has shown the case where the fuel cell 12 is in a power generation state so that it may mention later.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3E, the rotation direction of the rotation drive source 56 is reversed in the forward and reverse directions to rotate the shaft 76 in the counterclockwise direction by about 90 degrees. In this case, the engagement portion 76a of the engagement mechanism 75 abuts on the engagement protrusion 79 and presses the engagement protrusion 79, so that the shaft shaft 76 and the valve element 74 of the ball valve 50 extend in the counterclockwise direction. (See the thick and thin arrows in the middle of FIG. 3E).

  The state shown in FIG. 3 (e) and the state shown in FIG. 3 (a) are the same state, and are shown for convenience in relation to time series.

  Next, the operation of the second valve device 40b will be described in relation to the fuel cell 12 mounted on the fuel cell vehicle.

  When the fuel cell system 10 is in operation, the butterfly valve 52 and the ball valve 50 of the first valve device 40a and the second valve device 40b are opened by the ECU (the state shown in FIG. 3 (d)). The blocked state of the cathode is released. At the same time, the ECU 30 opens the shut-off valve 30 so that hydrogen is supplied from the hydrogen tank 28 to the anode, and the air pump 26 is driven to supply air (air) to the cathode. Done.

  When the fuel cell system 10 is in operation, the default lever 92 is urged in the circumferential direction by the spring force of the coil spring 94, and a locking portion 98 formed on the default lever 92 is provided on the open side stopper portion 96 a of the body 44. It is in a contact state (see FIG. 4). When the locking portion 98 of the default lever 92 is abutted and locked to the opening side stopper portion 96, the valve body 74 of the ball valve 50 is in the valve open state (the communication state between the inlet port 42a and the outlet port 42b). The valve body 80 of the butterfly valve 52 is in an operable state.

  In this case, the rotational driving force of the rotational driving source 56 is transmitted to the butterfly valve 52 via the pinion 58, the intermediate gear 62, the valve mechanism operating gear portion 92, and the shaft shaft 76, and the butterfly valve is centered on the shaft shaft 76. 52 valve bodies 80 can be rotated by a predetermined angle. As a result, the flow rate of the cathode off-gas flowing through the flow path 70 is controlled by the rotation of the valve body 80 of the butterfly valve 52, and the back pressure of the cathode is controlled.

  Next, a case where power generation of the fuel cell 12 is stopped will be described.

  When the power generation of the fuel cell 12 is stopped, the shutoff valve 30 is closed by the control signal from the ECU (not shown), the supply of hydrogen to the fuel cell 12 side is stopped, and the motor (not shown) of the air pump 26 is driven. Is stopped and the supply of air to the fuel cell 12 is stopped. When the power generation of the fuel cell 12 is stopped, the first valve device 40a and the second valve 40b are used to prevent the fuel cell 12 (stack) from entering the cathode (cathode channel 24) to prevent deterioration due to self-power generation. It is necessary to block the side and the outlet side.

  The polarity of the current supplied to the rotation drive source 56 is changed to rotate the rotation direction of the rotation drive shaft 56a in the opposite direction. The rotational driving force of the rotational driving source 56 is transmitted to the valve body 74 of the ball valve 50 through the pinion 58, the intermediate gear 62, the valve mechanism operating gear section 90, the shaft shaft 76, and the engaging mechanism 75. By rotating the valve body 74 of the ball valve 50 by about 90 degrees in a predetermined direction, the ball valve 50 can be switched from the valve open state to the valve closed state (from the state of FIG. 3 (d) to FIG. 3 (e). ). As described above, when the valve element 74 of the ball valve 50 rotates, the valve element 80 of the butterfly valve 52 rotates together.

  As a result, since the flow path 70 in the body 44 is completely sealed (sealed) by the valve body 74 of the ball valve 50, the communication between the inlet port 42a and the outlet port 42b of the body 44 is blocked, and the fuel cell 12 Deterioration due to self-power generation of (stack) can be avoided.

  In the present embodiment, the pressure fluid (oxidant gas) flowing through the flow path 70 of the body 44 is subjected to both the flow path cutoff control by the ball valve 50 and the flow rate control (pressure control) by the butterfly valve 52. It is possible to achieve both the flow path blocking function and the flow rate control function. That is, the ball valve 50 allows good control of the shut-off property (sealing property), and the butterfly valve 52 enables good control of the flow rate controllability (pressure controllability). As a result, the flow rate can be controlled by the butterfly valve 52. As a result, the operation durability of the ball valve 50 can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the engagement mechanism 75 for engaging the lower end portion (one end portion) along the axial direction of the shaft shaft 76 and the shaft hole 78 formed in the valve body 74 of the ball valve 50 includes the shaft shaft. Since it is provided at the lower end portion (one end portion) of 76, both the valve body 80 of the butterfly valve 52 and the valve body 74 of the ball valve 50 can be operated only by the single shaft shaft 76. In other words, the single shaft shaft 76 has both functions of the butterfly valve shaft and the ball valve shaft, and the rotational driving force of the rotational drive source 56 is transmitted to the butterfly valve 52 via the single shaft shaft 76. It can be transmitted to both the valve body 80 and the valve body 74 of the ball valve 50.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, in the range where the lower end portion (one end portion) of the shaft shaft 76 is engaged with the shaft hole 78 and rotated, only the shaft shaft 76 is rotated independently in the single rotation range. Only the valve body 80 of the butterfly valve 52 is actuated so that good control of the flow rate controllability (pressure controllability) by the butterfly valve 52 becomes possible. On the other hand, in the co-rotating rotation range, the shaft shaft 76 and the valve element 74 of the ball valve 50 operate integrally, so that good control of the shut-off property (sealing property) using the ball valve 50 is possible.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, for example, the shaft shaft 76 rotates in the clockwise direction (one side), and the engagement portion 76 a of the shaft shaft 76 is formed in the shaft hole 78 of the ball valve 50. When engaged with the portion 79, the shaft shaft 76 and the valve body 74 of the ball valve 50 can integrally rotate (co-rotate) to one side (see FIG. 3C). Further, for example, when the shaft shaft 76 rotates counterclockwise (the other side) and the engaging portion 76a of the shaft shaft 76 engages with the engaging protrusion 79 of the ball valve 50, the shaft shaft 76 and the ball The valve body 74 of the valve 50 can integrally rotate (co-rotate) in the counterclockwise direction (the other side) (see FIG. 3E). Further, when the engaging portion 76a of the shaft shaft 76 does not engage with the engaging protrusion 79 of the ball valve 50, only the shaft shaft 76 can rotate alone along the gap 81, and the butterfly valve Only the valve body 80 of 52 becomes rotatable independently (refer FIG.3 (b) and FIG.3 (d)).

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the rotation operation of the valve element 74 of the ball valve 50 is restricted by the opening-side stopper portion 96a, so that the flow path 70 becomes open and the butterfly valve 52 is operable. Become. This prevents the ball valve 50 from rotating together when the butterfly valve 52 operates.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the valve body 74 of the ball valve 50 is rotated by about 90 degrees by using the shaft shaft 76 whose lower end side (one end) is connected to the valve body 80 of the butterfly valve 52. Is possible.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the valve body 80 of the butterfly valve 52 is set to a normally open type (see FIG. 3A), and if the rotary drive source 56 fails, the valve body of the butterfly valve 52 When 80 is in the valve open state and the valve body 74 of the ball valve 50 is in the valve open state, the pressure fluid can be circulated along the flow path 70. As a result, when the valve devices 40 a and 40 b according to the present embodiment are applied to the fuel cell system 10, the fuel cell 12 can be suitably generated even when the rotation drive source 56 fails.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, both the ball valve 50 and the butterfly valve 52 can be driven via a single shaft shaft 76 to which a rotational driving force is transmitted from a single rotational driving source 56. The structure of the driving force transmission mechanism that transmits the rotational driving force to the ball valve 50 and the butterfly valve 52 can be simplified.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the two valves including the ball valve 50 and the butterfly valve 52 can be driven by a single rotational drive source 56, respectively. In this case, good control of the shut-off property (sealing property) by the ball valve 50, good control of the flow rate control property (pressure controllability) by the butterfly valve 52, and improvement of the operation durability of the ball valve 50, This can be realized by a single rotational drive source 56. For example, as compared with the case where each of the ball valve 50 and the butterfly valve 52 is driven using a plurality of rotation driving sources, only one rotation driving source 56 is required, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the butterfly valve 52 operates when the locking portion 98 of the default lever 92 is locked by the open side stopper portion 96a of the body 44 and the ball valve 50 is held in the valve open state. It is possible. Thereby, when the butterfly valve 52 operates, the ball valve 50 can be prevented from rotating together with the butterfly valve 52.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the fuel cell system 10 is in operation, the ball valve 50 is held in the valve open state by the sliding resistance by the seat mechanism 102, so that the opening degree of the flow path 70 is set to the butterfly valve. 52 can be controlled. On the other hand, when power generation of the fuel cell 12 is stopped, the ball valve 50 can be closed and the flow path 70 can be closed (blocked).

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, since the second valve device 40b is disposed on the outlet side of the cathode flow path 24 of the fuel cell 12, it is preferable to control the back pressure of the cathode off gas discharged from the outlet of the cathode flow path 24. It can be carried out.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the first valve device 40a is disposed on the inlet side of the cathode channel 24, and the second valve device 40b is disposed on the outlet side of the cathode channel 24. It becomes possible to seal the side and the outlet side. As a result, the oxidant gas is reliably prevented from flowing into the cathode, so that self-power generation of the stack can be avoided and the durability of the fuel cell 12 can be improved.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, for example, a shut-off valve or a back pressure control valve that has been conventionally arranged on the outlet side of the cathode channel 24 can be replaced with the second valve device 40b according to the present embodiment, The number of parts can be reduced and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the second valve device 40b disposed on the outlet side of the cathode channel 24 of the fuel cell 12 is described in detail. However, the second valve device 40b disposed on the inlet side of the cathode channel 24 is described. The 1-valve device 40a also has the same function and effect.

40a, 40b Valve device 42a Inlet port 42b Outlet port 44 Body (device main body)
50 ball valve 52 butterfly valve 53 valve mechanism 56 rotational drive source 70 flow path 72 through hole (internal flow path)
74 Valve body (ball valve) 75 Engagement mechanism 76 Shaft shaft 76a Engagement portion 78 Shaft hole 79 Engagement projection 80 Valve body (butterfly valve) 81 Gap 96a Open side stopper portion

Claims (5)

An apparatus main body formed with an inlet port into which pressure fluid is introduced, an outlet port through which pressure fluid is led out, and a flow path for communicating the inlet port with the outlet port;
A single rotational drive source;
A valve mechanism that is driven by the rotational drive source and includes a ball valve in which a valve body is disposed in the flow path, and a butterfly valve in which a valve body is disposed in an internal flow path formed in the ball valve;
The rotational drive force of the rotational drive source is transmitted to the valve mechanism, and one end along the axial direction is connected to the valve body of the butterfly valve and the shaft formed on the valve body of the ball valve A shaft axis that engages the hole;
An engagement mechanism that is provided at one end of the shaft shaft and engages an end portion along the axial direction of the shaft shaft and a shaft hole formed in the valve body of the ball valve;
With
The engagement mechanism includes a single rotation range in which only the shaft shaft can be independently rotated within a range in which one end portion of the shaft shaft is engaged with the shaft hole and rotated, and the shaft shaft and A valve device characterized in that a co-rotation range in which the valve body of the ball valve can co-rotate is provided. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein
The engagement mechanism is formed by notching one end portion of the shaft shaft made of a substantially cylindrical body, and the engagement portion engages with an engagement portion having a substantially semicircular shape in plan view, and the shaft hole Projecting from the center and having an engaging projection formed in a mountain shape in plan view,
A valve device characterized in that a gap in which only the shaft shaft rotates independently is provided between the engagement portion and the engagement protrusion. The valve device according to claim 1 or 2,
The direction of rotation of the ball valve and the butterfly valve toward the closing side of each valve body is set to be opposite to each other,
The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the device body is provided with an open-side stopper portion that restricts the rotation of the valve body of the ball valve in the open state of the flow path. The valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The valve device according to claim 1, wherein a rotation angle of the valve body of the butterfly valve about the shaft axis is set to about 90 degrees between a valve open state and a valve closed state with respect to the internal flow path. The valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The valve body of the butterfly valve is of a normally open type, and when the rotation drive source fails, the valve body of the butterfly valve is opened and the valve body of the ball valve is opened. A characteristic valve device.

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