JP5333145B2 - Valve device for high-pressure tank for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement in the structure of a valve device for a high-pressure tank for a vehicle.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a vehicle that supplies fuel such as hydrogen gas to a fuel cell and travels using electric power generated by the battery is known. This vehicle is usually equipped with a high-pressure tank that accommodates fuel used in the fuel cell in a high-pressure state. There is an example in which a valve device in which a passage through which a gas flows and various valves disposed in the passage are integrated is attached to the base of the high-pressure tank.

  In Patent Document 1 below, a valve for a gas container having a first passage through which gas flows into the gas container and a second passage through which gas flows out from the gas container as a passage communicating the gas container and the outside. An apparatus is described. The valve device further includes a communication passage that connects the first passage and the second passage, and a shut-off valve disposed in the communication passage. This shut-off valve is normally closed. However, if the valve disposed in the second passage on the gas container side from the connection portion connecting the passage and the communication passage is not opened due to a failure or the like, it is blocked as an emergency situation. The valve is opened. Thereby, the gas in a gas container can be flowed in order of a 1st channel | path, a communicating path, and a 2nd channel | path, and the gas pressure in a gas container can be released.

  In the following Patent Document 2, the valve plug is moved and opened by melting the melt plug portion inside the valve at a high temperature, the function of discharging gas, and the valve element is moved manually to open the valve, A safety valve for a high-pressure gas container having a function of discharging gas is described. This safety valve includes a main body portion that accommodates the valve body and the melt plug portion, and a valve housing that accommodates the main body portion by screw connection. According to the safety valve configured as described above, by manually rotating the main body using a tool, the main body, the valve body accommodated in the main body, and the fusing part are integrally moved to the outside of the valve housing. The valve can be opened and the gas can be discharged.

JP 2006-242225 A JP 2008-232408 A

  A conventional valve device for a high-pressure tank for a vehicle is arranged in a discharge passage (relief passage) that discharges gas from the high-pressure tank to the outside like the valve device of Patent Document 1, and the gas in the high-pressure tank is externally discharged at a high temperature. It has a plug valve that discharges to Further, a conventional valve device for a high-pressure tank for a vehicle has an inflow passage (first passage) through which gas flows into the high-pressure tank and an outflow passage (outflow passage through which gas flows out from the high-pressure tank, as in the valve device of Patent Document 1 above. And a valve disposed in the communication passage communicating with the second passage). This valve, for example, releases the gas pressure in the high-pressure tank by causing the gas in the high-pressure tank to flow out by manual opening when the main stop valve arranged in the outflow passage fails, specifically when the valve is closed. Functions as a manual pressure release valve.

  As described above, a conventional valve device for a high-pressure tank for a vehicle is provided with a manual pressure release valve in addition to a plug valve as a valve that operates in an emergency. In addition, this valve device is provided with a communication passage that connects the inflow passage and the outflow passage in order to provide a manual pressure relief valve. Therefore, the valve device main body tends to be enlarged. However, the installation space for the high-pressure tank mounted on the vehicle is limited, and naturally there is no room for the installation space for the valve device.

  In addition, in the conventional valve device for a high-pressure tank for a vehicle, a maintenance space when the vehicle is mounted is also limited. Considering this, the fusing valve is easy to maintain and prioritizes the position or direction in which gas is not released directly into the cabin or cargo compartment when gas is released, that is, the lower side of the valve device when mounted on the vehicle. Arranged. On the other hand, since the manual pressure release valve has a low function priority, the manual pressure release valve is disposed at a position where operation is difficult, for example, above the valve device when mounted on a vehicle. For this reason, the operation of the manual depressurization valve has a problem that, for example, the tank must be removed from the vehicle, and the work is troublesome.

  Patent Document 2 describes a safety valve in which a fusing valve and a manual valve are integrated. By adopting this safety valve in a valve device for a high-pressure tank for a vehicle, it is possible to reduce the size of the valve device and further improve the operability of the manual valve when mounted on the vehicle.

  However, simply adopting the safety valve disclosed in Patent Document 2 as a valve device for a high-pressure tank for a vehicle causes the following problems. That is, the safety valve of Patent Document 2 is configured such that the gas pressure is always applied to the fusing part via the valve body when the valve is closed. When the safety valve configured as described above is employed in a valve device for a high-pressure tank for a vehicle, when a high gas pressure (for example, 70 MPa) in the high-pressure tank is applied, a spring that applies a spring force to the fusing part is deformed, As a result, the valve may be opened, and the gas in the high-pressure tank may be discharged to the outside despite the normal temperature. Further, there is a problem that the cost is increased due to the complicated structure of the safety valve.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a valve device for a high-pressure tank for a vehicle that can be reduced in size and improved in maintainability with a simple structure while ensuring the function of a conventional manual pressure release valve. .

The present invention relates to a valve device for a high pressure tank for a vehicle having a valve device body attached to the high pressure tank, a passage formed in the valve device body and communicating with the high pressure tank, and a main stop valve provided in the passage. A sealing member that has a wiring passage that communicates with the tank and through which the wiring connected to the main stop valve passes, a sealing member that seals the wiring passage, and a moving mechanism that moves the sealing member. by the movement of, a gap is formed between the wire channel and the sealing member, the high-pressure tank and the outside to communicate further moving mechanism, when the sealing member has moved a predetermined distance, the sealing member It has the control member which controls a movement, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  The wiring passage is formed in the valve device body, and the moving mechanism has a support member that supports the sealing member and a fastening member that fastens the support portion to the valve device body, and loosens the fastening member. Thereby, a sealing member can be moved to the exterior direction of a wiring channel | path.

  The wiring passage is formed in the high-pressure tank, and the moving mechanism has a support member that supports the sealing member and a fastening member that fastens the support portion to the high-pressure tank, and loosens the fastening member. The sealing member can be moved toward the outside of the wiring passage.

  Further, the restricting member can restrict the movement of the fastening member in the removing direction.

  In addition, the structure to be fastened to the support member is formed with a first hole that fits into the fastening member and a second hole having a diameter larger than that of the first hole. Is located at the hole of the fastening member, and has a projecting portion that is projected to the tip of the fastening member, and the regulating member is caught by the edge of the first hole by the movement of the fastening member in the removal direction, The movement of the fastening member can be restricted.

  The sealing member is preferably a hermetic connector that fits in the wiring passage without any gap.

  According to the valve device for a high-pressure tank for a vehicle of the present invention, it is possible to cope with downsizing and improvement in maintainability with a simple structure while ensuring the function of a conventional manual pressure release valve.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the valve apparatus of the high pressure tank for vehicles of this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a detailed view showing part A of FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of a moving mechanism.

  Embodiments of a valve device for a high-pressure tank for a vehicle according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As an example, an automobile that runs on electric power generated by a fuel cell, that is, a fuel cell automobile, will be described, and a valve device for a high-pressure tank mounted on the automobile will be described. The present invention is not limited to a fuel cell vehicle, and can also be applied to a vehicle including an internal combustion engine that uses a gaseous fuel such as natural gas as a fuel source.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a valve device for a high-pressure tank for a vehicle according to the present embodiment. The valve device 10 is attached to the end of the high-pressure tank 12 in the axial direction of the high-pressure tank 12. The high-pressure tank 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape, so-called cylinder shape, so that the pressure of the gas accommodated therein is dispersed. The pressure of the gas stored in the high-pressure tank 12 is, for example, 70 MPa. The pressure of the gas stored in the high-pressure tank 12 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this value.

  The valve device 10 includes a gas inlet 14 and an outlet 16, an inflow passage 18 through which gas flows from the inlet 14 to the high-pressure tank 12, an outflow passage 20 through which gas flows out from the high-pressure tank 12 to the outlet 16, and these 16, 16. , 18 and 20 are formed.

  The gas inlet 14 is an inlet for filling the high-pressure tank 12 with gas from an external gas source. The gas inlet 12 is provided with an end portion thereof exposed from the surface of the valve device body 22, and an external gas connection port (not shown) is connected to the end portion of the gas inlet 12 so that the gas is supplied from an external gas source. To the high pressure tank 12.

  On the other hand, the gas outlet 16 is an outlet for supplying the gas stored in the high-pressure tank 12 to a fuel cell (not shown). The gas outlet 16 is provided with an end portion thereof exposed from the surface of the valve device body 22, and a gas supply path (not shown) for guiding the gas to the fuel cell is connected to the end portion of the gas outlet 16. The fuel cell is supplied from the high-pressure tank 12.

  In the inflow passage 18, an inlet manual valve 24 and a check valve 26 are sequentially arranged from the gas inlet 14 toward the high-pressure tank 12. These valves 24 and 26 are accommodated in the valve device body 22.

  The inlet manual valve 24 has an operation portion 24a that can be manually operated, and a valve body (not shown) of the inlet manual valve 24 is opened and closed (on / off) by the operation of the operation portion 24a. Moreover, the inlet manual valve 24 can adjust the flow rate of gas by adjusting the valve opening degree of a valve body by operation of the operation part 24a. The inlet manual valve 24 is normally open.

  The check valve 26 is a valve that allows gas to flow from one to the other but prevents gas from flowing from the other to the other. The check valve 26 of the present embodiment allows the gas to flow from the gas inlet 14 to the high pressure tank 12, but is arranged to prevent the gas from flowing from the high pressure tank 12 to the gas inlet 14.

  A discharge passage 28 that discharges gas from the high pressure tank 12 to the outside is connected to the inflow passage 18 that is between the check valve 26 and the high pressure tank 12. A plug valve 30 is disposed in the discharge passage 28. The fusing valve 30 is provided so that a part thereof protrudes from the surface of the valve device main body 22.

  The plug valve 30 is a safety valve that operates according to the ambient temperature. When the ambient temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature (for example, 110 ° C.), the melt plug valve 30 is opened by melting a melt plug portion (not shown) inside the valve. By this operation, the gas in the high pressure tank is released to the outside, and the high pressure tank 12 is prevented from exploding due to a surrounding fire or the like.

  On the other hand, a main stop valve 32 and an outlet manual valve 33 are arranged in the outflow passage 20 in order from the high-pressure tank 12 toward the gas outlet 16. These valves 32 and 33 are accommodated in the valve device body 22.

  The outlet manual valve 33 has an operation portion 33a that can be manually operated, and a valve body (not shown) of the outlet manual valve 33 is opened and closed (on / off) by the operation of the operation portion 33a. Moreover, the outlet manual valve 33 can adjust the flow rate of gas by adjusting the valve opening degree of a valve body by operation of the operation part 33a. The outlet manual valve 33 is normally open.

  The main stop valve 32 is an electromagnetic valve that opens and closes the valve by driving an electromagnet with an electric signal input via a wiring 34 connected to the main stop valve 32. The main stop valve 32 is closed when the vehicle is stopped, specifically when the ignition switch is off, and is opened when the vehicle is operating, specifically when the ignition switch is on. Be controlled. Further, when a pressure sensor (not shown) arranged in a gas supply path connected to the gas outlet 16 detects a pressure value equal to or higher than a set value, the main stop valve 32 is controlled by an electric signal from the sensor. Close body.

  A wiring passage 36 through which two wires 34 of the main stop valve 32 pass is formed in the valve device body 22. The wiring passage 36 is formed so that the high-pressure tank 12 communicates with the outside. The open end on the outside of the wiring passage 36 is formed on the side surface of the valve device body 22 where the plug valve 30 is provided, that is, on the lower surface of the valve device 10 where maintenance is easy when mounted on the vehicle. In the present embodiment, the case where two wires 34 pass through the wiring passage 36 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and there are two wires 34 even if the number of wires 34 in the wiring passage 36 is less than two. It may be a larger number, for example, three.

  The valve device 10 in this embodiment includes a sealing member 38 that seals the wiring passage 36 and a moving mechanism 40 that moves the wiring passage 36. In the valve device 10, a gap is formed between the wiring passage 36 and the sealing member 38 by the movement mechanism 40 moving the sealing member 38, and the high-pressure tank 12 and the outside are connected via the wiring passage 36. Is configured to communicate.

  With such a simple configuration, the valve device 10 can have the same function as a conventional manual pressure relief valve. That is, when the main stop valve 32 is broken, for example, when the valve is closed, the moving mechanism 40 is operated to discharge the gas in the high-pressure tank 12 to the outside via the wiring passage 36, and thereby the gas pressure in the high-pressure tank 12. It is possible to have a function of removing. In addition, in the valve device 10 of the present embodiment, it is not necessary to provide a conventional manual pressure release valve and a communication path in which the valve is arranged, so that the valve device 10 can be reduced in size.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the sealing member 38 and the moving mechanism 40 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a detailed view showing part A of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the moving mechanism 40.

  The sealing member 38 is a hermetic connector that fits in the wiring passage 36 without a gap. The hermetic connector has a conductive member (not shown) penetrating through the connector and connected to the wiring 34 at each end, and an insulating member 38a filled around the conductive member. The insulating member 38a is formed by firing ceramic or glass powder and seals the conductive member. An annular O-ring 38b is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the insulating member 38a from the outside thereof. The O-ring 38 b seals the gap between the sealing member 38 and the wiring passage 36 when the sealing member 38 fits into the wiring passage 36.

  The moving mechanism 40 includes a support member 42 that supports the sealing member 38, and a fastening member 44 that fastens the support member 42 to the valve device main body 22. By loosening the fastening member 44, the sealing member 38 is wired. It is configured to move in the outward direction of the passage 36. The support portion 42 is disposed on the surface of the valve device body 22. The support member 42 includes a flange portion 46 that is in contact with the surface of the valve device body 22, and a connection portion 48 that is located at the center of the flange portion 46 and is connected to the sealing member 38. A wiring hole 50 through which the wiring 34 from the sealing member 38 to the outside passes is formed in the connection portion 48. The fastening member 44 is a fastening bolt, and a screw thread is formed on the shaft portion 44a thereof.

  The flange portion 46 is formed with a through hole 52 formed so as to be spaced from the shaft portion 44a when the shaft portion 44a passes therethrough. The valve device main body 22 is formed with a first hole 54 that is screwed and fitted to the shaft portion 44 a and a second hole 56 that is larger in diameter than the fitting hole 54. The through hole 52 and the first hole 54 are formed such that the sum of these lengths is shorter than the length of the shaft portion 44a. By inserting the shaft portion 44a of the fastening member 44 into the holes 52, 54, and 56 configured in this manner, the fastening member 44 penetrates the shaft portion 44a slidably into the flange portion 46, and the shaft portion 44a has one of the shaft portions 44a. The portion is screwed to the first hole 54, and the support portion 42 can be fastened to the valve device main body 22. At this time, the tip end portion of the shaft portion 44 is located in the second hole 56.

  Further, the moving mechanism 40 includes a regulating member 58 that regulates the movement of the sealing member 38 when the sealing member 38 moves a predetermined distance L. Here, the predetermined distance L can be arbitrarily set as long as a gap is formed between the wiring passage 36 and the sealing member 42 and the area of the gas flow path is appropriately secured by the gap. . With this configuration, when the gas in the high-pressure tank 12 is discharged to the outside, it is possible to prevent the sealing member 38, the support member 42, and the like from being blown away by the pressure of the discharged gas.

  The restricting member 58 is provided at the distal end portion of the shaft portion 44a of the fastening member 44 so as to restrict the movement of the fastening member 44 in the removal direction. That is, the regulating member 58 is positioned in the second hole 56 when the support member 42 is fastened to the valve device main body 22 by the fastening member 44. With this configuration, when the gas in the high-pressure tank 12 is discharged to the outside, the fastening member 44 can be loosened without excess or deficiency. Next, a specific configuration of the regulating member 58 will be described.

  The restricting member 58 has an overhanging portion 60 provided to overhang. The projecting portion 60 is formed so as to project from the shaft portion 44a in the radial direction. Moreover, the overhang | projection part 60 is the structure which can advance / retreat to radial direction. Specifically, an elastic member is provided inside the regulating member 58, and the overhanging portion 60 projects or retracts in the radial direction due to expansion and contraction of the elastic member in the radial direction. According to such a configuration, when the regulating member 58 provided at the distal end portion of the shaft portion 44 a passes through the first hole 54 during the fastening operation of the fastening member 44, the overhanging portion 60 has the first hole 54. It is pushed into the inner peripheral surface of the and retracts. When the regular member 58 enters the second hole 56, the protruding portion 60 protrudes in the radial direction by the elastic force of the elastic member, and the state is maintained. In order to smoothly pass the regulating member 58 with respect to the first hole 54 during the fastening operation, it is preferable that the overhanging portion 60 is formed in a wedge shape in the axial direction.

  With the above-described configuration, when the regulating member 58 moves a predetermined distance L so as to remove the fastening member 44 from the valve device main body 22, the overhanging portion 60 is caught on the edge of the first hole 54. This catching restricts the movement of the fastening member 44, that is, the movement of the fastening member 44 in the removal direction. Due to the restriction of the movement of the fastening member 44 by the restriction member 58, the movement of the support member 42 is restricted, and as a result, the movement of the sealing member 38 is also restricted.

  Next, the operation of the valve device 10 of the present embodiment, specifically, the operation when the main stop valve 32 is fixedly closed will be described.

  First, the fastening member 44 is loosened in the direction of removing with a tool. Then, the support member 42 fastened to the valve device main body 22 by the fastening member 44 and the sealing member 38 supported by the support member 42 move in the same direction as the fastening member 44. Specifically, since the wiring passage 36 communicates with the high pressure tank 12, gas pressure is applied to the sealing member 38. With this gas pressure, the sealing member 38 moves in the same direction as the fastening member 44. If the sealing member 38 does not move in close contact with the wiring passage 36 even if the fastening member 44 is loosened, the sealing member 38 can be moved by pulling the external wiring 34.

  When the fastening member 44 is moved by a predetermined distance L, the overhanging portion 60 of the regulating member 58 is caught on the edge of the first hole 54 and the movement of the fastening member 44 is regulated. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, a gap is formed between the wiring passage 36 and the sealing member 38, and the gas in the high-pressure tank 12 is discharged from this gap.

  In this embodiment, although the case where the wiring channel | path 36 was formed in the valve apparatus main body 22 was demonstrated, it is not limited to this structure. The wiring passage 36 may be formed in the high-pressure tank 12 if the operability of the moving mechanism when mounted on the vehicle is easy and the wiring 34 of the main stop valve 32 can be passed to the outside. In this case, the structure to be fastened to the support member 42 is also the high-pressure tank 12, and holes corresponding to the first and second holes 54 and 56 are formed in the high-pressure tank 12.

  Moreover, although this embodiment demonstrated the case where the overhang | projection part 60 was able to advance / retreat to radial direction from the elastic member provided in the inside of the control member 58, it is not limited to this structure. At the time of fastening, when the regulating member 58 passes through the first hole 54, the overhanging portion 60 retracts, and when the regulating member 58 is positioned in the second hole 56, the overhanging portion 60 overhangs and maintains the state. If it is possible, the elastic member may not be used. For example, an insertion member inserted into the restriction member 58 can be used instead of the elastic member. The insertion member is detachably provided on the inner wall surface of the second hole 56. When the restricting member 58 is positioned in the second hole 56 when the fastening member 58 is fastened, the insertion member is inserted into the restricting member 58, and the overhanging portion 60 pushed out from the inside of the restricting member 58 by the inserted insertion member is provided. Project in the radial direction. When the fastening member 44 is loosened, the insertion member moves away from the inner wall surface of the second hole 56 and moves together with the regulating member 58. Thereby, when the restricting member 58 is positioned in the second hole 56, the overhanging portion 60 can always overhang, and the state can be maintained.

  10 valve device, 12 high pressure tank, 22 valve device main body, 32 main stop valve, 34 wiring, 36 wiring passage, 38 sealing member, 40 moving mechanism, 42 support member, 44 fastening member, 54 first hole, 56 first Two holes, 58 regulating member, 60 overhang member.

Claims (6)

In a valve device for a high-pressure tank for a vehicle having a valve device main body attached to the high-pressure tank, a passage formed in the valve device main body and communicating with the high-pressure tank, and a main stop valve provided in the passage,
A wiring passage that communicates with the high-pressure tank and through which the wiring connected to the main stop valve passes;
A sealing member for sealing the wiring path;
A moving mechanism for moving the sealing member;
Have
The movement of the sealing member by the moving mechanism, a gap is formed between the wire channel and the sealing member, the high-pressure tank and the outside to communicate with each other,
Furthermore, the moving mechanism has a regulating member that regulates the movement of the sealing member when the sealing member moves a predetermined distance.
A valve device for a high-pressure tank for vehicles. In the valve apparatus of the high-pressure tank for vehicles according to claim 1,
The wiring passage is formed in the valve device body,
The moving mechanism is
A support member for supporting the sealing member;
A fastening member for fastening the support portion to the valve device body;
Have
By loosening the fastening member, the sealing member is moved toward the outside of the wiring passage.
A valve device for a high-pressure tank for vehicles. In the valve apparatus of the high-pressure tank for vehicles according to claim 1,
The wiring passage is formed in the high-pressure tank,
The moving mechanism is
A support member for supporting the sealing member;
A fastening member for fastening the support part to the high-pressure tank;
Have
By loosening the fastening member, the sealing member is moved toward the outside of the wiring passage.
A valve device for a high-pressure tank for vehicles. In the valve apparatus of the high pressure tank for vehicles according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The regulating member regulates movement of the fastening member in the removal direction.
A valve device for a high-pressure tank for vehicles. In the valve apparatus of the high pressure tank for vehicles according to claim 4 ,
In the structure to be fastened to the support member, a first hole that fits into the fastening member and a second hole that has a larger diameter than the first hole are formed.
The regulating member is located in the second hole at the time of fastening, and has an overhanging portion provided to overhang at the tip of the fastening member,
The regulating member regulates the movement of the fastening member by the overhanging portion being caught on the edge of the first hole by the movement of the fastening member in the removing direction.
A valve device for a high-pressure tank for vehicles. In the valve apparatus of the high pressure tank for vehicles as described in any one of Claim 1 to 5 ,
The sealing member is a hermetic connector that fits in the wiring passage without gaps.
A valve device for a high-pressure tank for vehicles.

Images