JP5969795B2 - Control valve and fuel cell system using control valve - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a control valve for controlling a fluid, for example, a control valve disposed in a wetting fluid flow path of a fuel cell system and suitable for controlling a wetting fluid, and a fuel cell system using the control valve.

  Conventionally, for example, in a control valve that controls a wetting fluid containing a large amount of moisture such as water vapor such as a discharge valve disposed in a wetting fluid passage in a fuel cell system of a fuel cell vehicle, the moisture in the wetting fluid is reduced by the plan. It may adhere to the valve body formed at the tip of the jar and the valve port formed in the valve seat.

  In this case, if the system is left at a low temperature after the system is stopped, the water adhering to the valve body and the valve port formed on the valve seat will freeze, closing the flow path and driving the plunger. It cannot be driven by the normal driving force of the part. As a result, the flow of fluid inside the control valve may be hindered, or the valve body may not be able to be separated from or connected to the valve port formed in the valve seat portion, and may become inoperable. For this reason, a control valve stops functioning and the entire system may be affected.

  For this reason, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 2-283987) discloses a method of warming the entire control valve by forming a jacket that forms a heating medium flow path for flowing a heating medium fluid around the control valve. Has been.

  Moreover, in patent document 2 (Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2006-153223), in addition to the flow path for system fluids, the valve housing of the control valve is provided with a heat medium flow path for flowing a heat medium fluid that can heat the valve housing. ing.

JP-A-2-283987 JP 2006-153223 A

  However, the control valve of Patent Document 1 is inefficient because it warms the entire valve, and the valve seat cannot be warmed effectively. In addition, a jacket that constitutes a heating medium flow path for flowing a heating medium fluid around the control valve must be formed, resulting in a complicated configuration and an increase in the size of the control valve itself.

  Further, in the control valve of Patent Document 2, since the valve seat portion of the control valve and the heating medium flow path are separated from each other, the heat of the heating medium fluid is transferred to the valve seat portion through the housing. Since the heat of the heat medium fluid flowing through the medium flow channel escapes to the housing side, the heat of the heat medium fluid cannot be efficiently transmitted to the valve seat portion. As a result, it takes time to warm the valve seat. For example, the valve seat of the control valve cannot be warmed quickly, and it takes time to operate the valve. As a result, the operation of the system using the control valve is affected. Therefore, in the worst case, there is a possibility that the system cannot be started.

  In view of such a current situation, the present invention can effectively prevent water adhering to the valve body and the valve port formed on the valve seat portion from being frozen and inhibiting the valve function. When the valve seat of the control valve is to be warmed, the valve seat can be quickly warmed, the valve can be operated instantaneously, and as a result, the system using the control valve can be instantly started, and It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel cell system using a control valve.

The present invention has been invented in order to achieve the problems and objects in the prior art as described above.
A valve seat formed with a valve port through which fluid passes;
A valve housing formed with a fluid flow path formed from a fluid supply flow path for supplying fluid to the control valve and a fluid discharge flow path for discharging fluid from the control valve;
A control valve configured to move in a direction in which the valve body separates from and contacts the valve seat portion, and the valve body opens and closes a valve port of the valve seat portion;
A heating space formed between the valve housing and the valve seat portion, wherein the heating seat fluid directly heats the valve seat portion, a part of which is exposed in the heating space, with a heating medium fluid;
A heating medium fluid supply passage formed in the valve housing for supplying a heating medium fluid to the heating space;
A heating medium fluid discharge passage formed in the valve housing and discharging the heating medium fluid from the heating space;
A valve body mounting recess is formed in the valve housing,
The valve body mounting recess includes an upper recess that forms a valve chamber above and a lower recess that forms a heating space below.
The valve chamber and the heating space are separated by a valve seat portion or a fixing member,
A seal portion that hermetically separates the fluid flow path and the heating space is formed.

  With this configuration, the heating medium fluid is supplied to the heating space formed between the valve housing and the valve seat portion via the heating medium fluid supply passage formed in the valve housing. The valve seat can be directly and quickly heated by the heating medium fluid.

  Accordingly, the valve seat portion is directly heated directly by the heating medium fluid supplied to the heating space, so that water adhering to the valve body and the valve port formed in the valve seat portion freezes, and the flow path It is possible to effectively prevent obstruction of the valve function such as blocking the valve or preventing the plunger from being driven.

  Thereby, the control valve which can operate | move reliably and the fuel cell system using a control valve can be provided.

  In addition, since a seal portion that hermetically separates the fluid flow path and the heating space is formed, the heating medium fluid that flows through the heating space supplies the fluid that is formed in, for example, the valve housing to the control valve. Therefore, it does not leak into a fluid supply channel for discharging the fluid, a fluid discharge channel for discharging the fluid from the control valve, and the like formed in the valve housing.

  As a result, the heat transfer effect on the valve seat by the heating medium fluid flowing in the heating space is not reduced, and the heating medium fluid is prevented from being mixed into the fluid of the system using the control valve. Can do.

  The control valve according to the present invention is characterized in that the heating space extends to the vicinity of a valve port of the valve seat portion.

  By configuring in this way, the heating space is extended to the vicinity of the valve port of the valve seat portion, so that the valve port that is most warmed in the valve seat portion can be heated efficiently and in a short time. it can.

  In the control valve of the present invention, the heat transfer surface on the valve seat side of the heating space has a tapered surface shape inclined toward the valve port.

  With this configuration, the heat transfer surface on the valve seat side of the heating space has a tapered surface shape that is inclined toward the valve port, so the heat transfer area is increased and the heat of the heating medium fluid is transferred to the valve seat. Heat can be efficiently transferred to the part.

  Moreover, the control valve of the present invention is characterized in that the heat transfer surface of the heating space has an uneven shape.

  With this configuration, the heat transfer surface of the heating space has an uneven shape such as an accordion shape or an emboss shape, so that the heat transfer area is increased and the heat of the heating fluid is efficiently transferred to the valve seat portion. Heat can be transferred well.

  Further, the control valve of the present invention is characterized in that an opening end that opens to a heating space of the heating medium fluid supply channel is disposed so as to face the valve seat portion.

  With this configuration, the heating medium fluid supplied to the heating space can easily flow toward the valve seat portion via the heating medium fluid supply flow path, so that the heat of the heating medium fluid is transferred to the valve seat portion. Heat can be transferred efficiently.

  The control valve according to the present invention is characterized in that the seal portion is formed between a valve housing and a valve seat portion that form a heating space.

  With this configuration, the heating medium fluid that flows through the heating space from between the valve housing that forms the heating space and the valve seat portion, for example, supplies the fluid that is formed in the valve housing to the control valve. It does not leak into the fluid supply flow path, the fluid discharge flow path formed in the valve housing for discharging the fluid from the control valve, the valve chamber, and the like.

  As a result, the heat transfer effect on the valve seat by the heating medium fluid flowing in the heating space is not reduced, and the heating medium fluid is prevented from being mixed into the fluid of the system using the control valve. Can do.

  Moreover, the control valve of the present invention is characterized in that the seal portion is composed of a seal member disposed on the fluid supply channel side.

  As described above, since the seal portion is composed of the seal member disposed on the fluid supply flow path side, the heating medium fluid flowing in the heating space from between the valve housing and the valve seat portion forming the heating space is There is no leakage into the fluid supply passage formed in the valve housing for supplying fluid to the control valve.

  As a result, the heat transfer effect on the valve seat by the heating medium fluid flowing in the heating space is not reduced, and the heating medium fluid is prevented from being mixed into the fluid of the system using the control valve. Can do.

  In addition, since a gap is formed between the valve seat portion and the valve housing by the seal member, the heat transfer coefficient is reduced in this gap, and heat transfer from the valve seat portion to the valve housing is reduced. That is, heat is less likely to escape to the valve housing side), and as a result, the valve seat can be efficiently heated.

  Further, if the seal member is constituted by a seal member such as an O-ring having a low thermal conductivity such as rubber or heat-resistant fluororesin, a gap is formed between the valve seat portion and the valve housing. In addition, the valve seat and the valve housing are thermally separated due to the low thermal conductivity of the seal member. As a result, the valve seat can be heated more efficiently.

  Moreover, the control valve of the present invention is characterized in that the seal portion is composed of a seal member disposed on the fluid discharge channel side.

  Thus, since the seal portion is composed of a seal member arranged on the fluid discharge channel side, the heating medium fluid flowing through the heating space from between the valve housing and the valve seat portion forming the heating space is There is no leakage to the fluid discharge passage formed in the valve housing for discharging the fluid from the control valve.

  As a result, the heat transfer effect on the valve seat by the heating medium fluid flowing in the heating space is not reduced, and the heating medium fluid is prevented from being mixed into the fluid of the system using the control valve. Can do.

  In addition, since a gap is formed between the valve seat portion and the valve housing by the seal member, the heat transfer coefficient is reduced in this gap, and heat transfer from the valve seat portion to the valve housing is reduced. That is, heat is less likely to escape to the valve housing side), and as a result, the valve seat can be efficiently heated.

  Further, if the seal member is made of a seal member such as an O-ring having a low thermal conductivity such as rubber or heat-resistant fluororesin, a gap is only formed between the valve seat portion and the valve housing. Instead, the valve seat portion and the valve housing are thermally separated due to the low thermal conductivity of the seal member. As a result, the valve seat can be heated more efficiently.

  The control valve according to the present invention is characterized in that the valve housing is formed of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the valve seat portion.

  As described above, since the valve housing is formed of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the valve seat portion, it is difficult for the heat transfer fluid to transfer heat to the valve housing. Heat can be transferred to the seat.

  The control valve according to the present invention is characterized in that the heating medium fluid is composed of an antifreeze liquid.

  Since the heating medium fluid is composed of the antifreeze liquid in this way, the heating medium fluid does not freeze even at a low temperature. Therefore, the heating medium fluid can flow into the heating space even in a low temperature environment, and the heating medium fluid is heated. Can be efficiently transferred to the valve seat.

  Moreover, the fuel cell system of the present invention is characterized in that the control valve according to any one of the foregoing is disposed in the discharge channel of the wet fluid channel of the fuel cell system.

  By comprising in this way, the fuel cell system using the control valve which can operate | move reliably even at low temperature can be provided.

  In addition, since the valve seat is heated directly and quickly by the heating medium fluid supplied to the heating space, when the valve seat of the control valve is to be warmed, the valve seat can be quickly heated. The operation can be performed instantaneously, and as a result, the system using the control valve can be activated instantly.

  That is, at the time of low temperature startup, the valve operation must be performed within a limited time after the system startup, but immediately after the system startup, the amount of heat of the heating medium fluid is limited. However, since the valve seat part is heated directly and quickly by the heating medium fluid supplied to the heating space, this limited amount of heat can be concentrated on the valve seat part, which is the main part. Even if freezing occurs in the vicinity, the control valve can be operated quickly.

  According to the present invention, the heating medium fluid is supplied to the heating space formed between the valve housing and the valve seat portion via the heating medium fluid supply passage formed in the valve housing. The valve seat can be directly heated by the fluid.

  Accordingly, the valve seat portion is directly heated directly by the heating medium fluid supplied to the heating space, so that water adhering to the valve body and the valve port formed in the valve seat portion freezes, and the flow path It is possible to effectively prevent obstruction of the valve function such as blocking the valve or preventing the plunger from being driven.

  In addition, since a seal portion that hermetically separates the fluid flow path and the heating space is formed, the heating medium fluid that flows through the heating space supplies the fluid that is formed in, for example, the valve housing to the control valve. Therefore, it does not leak into the fluid supply flow path, the fluid discharge flow path for discharging the fluid from the control valve, the valve chamber, etc. formed in the valve housing.

  As a result, the heat transfer effect on the valve seat by the heating medium fluid flowing in the heating space is not reduced, and the heating medium fluid is prevented from being mixed into the fluid of the system using the control valve. Can do.

  Furthermore, when it is desired to warm the valve seat portion of the control valve, the valve seat portion can be quickly warmed up, and the valve can be operated instantaneously. As a result, the system using the control valve can be instantly started.

  That is, at the time of low temperature startup, the valve operation must be performed within a limited time after the system startup, but immediately after the system startup, the amount of heat of the heating medium fluid is limited. However, since the valve seat part is heated directly and quickly by the heating medium fluid supplied to the heating space, this limited amount of heat can be concentrated on the valve seat part, which is the main part. Even if freezing occurs in the vicinity, the control valve can be operated quickly.

  Thereby, the control valve which can operate | move reliably and the fuel cell system using a control valve can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a control valve of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line AA of the control valve of FIG. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged sectional view of a portion B in FIG. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating another arrangement of the heating medium fluid supply channel 96 and the heating medium fluid discharge channel 98. FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view for explaining another arrangement of the heating medium fluid supply channel 96 and the heating medium fluid discharge channel 98. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a fuel cell system to which the control valve of the present invention is applied. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of the control valve of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line AA of the control valve of FIG. FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged sectional view of a portion B in FIG. FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of the control valve of the present invention. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line AA of the control valve of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments (examples) of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

  1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the control valve of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the control valve of FIG. 1 taken along line AA, and FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged sectional view of a portion B in FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining another arrangement of the heating medium fluid supply channel 96 and the heating medium fluid discharge channel 98. FIG. 5 shows another arrangement of the heating medium fluid supply channel 96 and the heating medium fluid discharge channel 98. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a fuel cell system to which the control valve of the present invention is applied.

  1-3, the code | symbol 10 has shown the control valve of this invention on the whole.

  The control valve 10 of this embodiment is an electromagnetic valve, and is used, for example, as a control valve that is disposed in a wetting fluid passage of a fuel cell system and controls the wetting fluid, as will be described later. is there.

  The control valve 10 according to this embodiment includes a valve body 12, and the valve body 12 includes an upper body 14 and a lower body 16. The upper main body 14 and the lower main body 16 are fixed to each other by caulking or the like.

  The lower body 16 is also formed with a first port 18 through which fluid flows, a second port 20 through which fluid flows out, and a valve port 22 through which the fluid flowing in from the first port 18 passes. A valve seat portion 24 and a valve chamber 26 are formed.

  In this embodiment, the fluid flows in from the first port 18 and the fluid flows out of the second port 20, but conversely, the fluid flows in from the second port 20, It is also possible to configure the fluid to flow out from the port 18.

  A drive unit 28 is fixed to the upper portion of the upper body 14 of the valve body 12, and the drive unit 28 includes a plunger tube 30. The lower end of the plunger tube 30 is connected to the inner diameter of the upper body 14. For example, it is fixed to the part by brazing, welding or the like.

  A plunger 32 is accommodated in the plunger tube 30 so as to be movable in the axial direction. A suction element 34 is attached to the upper end of the plunger tube 30.

  Further, a plunger spring 36 is interposed between the plunger 32 and the suction element 34 in a compressed state, and is configured to urge the plunger 32 in a direction away from the suction element 34.

  Further, a valve stem member 40 integrated with the insert fitting 38 is fixed to the lower end of the plunger 32.

  On the other hand, on the outer periphery of the plunger tube 30, the electromagnetic coil 46 is fixed together with the outer box member 48 by tightening a nut 44 to a fastening screw 42 formed on the upper portion of the attractor 34.

  Further, the lower end of the valve rod member 40 is a separation membrane member for hermetically separating the valve chamber 26 and the drive space 50 formed in the drive unit 28, and a diaphragm valve body 52 constituting the valve body. Is installed. The diaphragm valve body 52 includes a separation membrane portion 54 and a valve body portion 56, and the fixing portion 58 formed on the outer peripheral portion of the separation membrane portion 54 is connected to the upper body 14 and the lower body 16 of the valve body 12. It is fixed by being sandwiched between a substantially ring-shaped fixing member 60 interposed between the lower main body 16 and the lower main body 16.

  The material constituting the diaphragm valve body 52 is not particularly limited, and in consideration of heat resistance, pressure resistance, etc., for example, a resin such as rubber or fluororesin can be appropriately changed and used. .

  The valve body 12 is mounted in a valve body mounting recess 64 formed in the valve housing 62, and is fixed to the valve housing 62 by a fastening bolt 68 by a fastening flange 66 formed in the outer box member 48.

  That is, the valve body mounting recess 64 includes an upper recess 70 on the upper side, and the upper body 14 of the valve body 12 is mounted on the upper recess 70. A seal member 72 such as an O-ring is mounted in a seal groove 14 a formed in the upper body 14 between the upper recess 70 of the valve housing 62 and the upper body 14 of the valve body 12. .

  Further, the valve body mounting recess 64 includes a lower recess 74 below, and a laterally extending portion 76 extending radially outward from the valve port 22 of the valve seat portion 24 is mounted on the lower recess 74. Yes. Between the lower concave portion 74 of the valve housing 62 and the side extending portion 76 of the valve seat portion 24, an O-ring or the like is provided in a seal groove 76a formed on the outer periphery of the side extending portion 76 of the valve seat portion 24. A seal member 76b is attached. Thereby, the 1st seal | sticker part 78 arrange | positioned at the fluid discharge flow path 90 side is comprised.

  Furthermore, the valve body mounting recess 64 includes a bottom recess 80 at the bottom, and a downwardly extending portion 82 that forms the first port 18 of the valve seat portion 24 is mounted on the bottom recess 80. Between the bottom recess 80 of the valve housing 62 and the downwardly extending portion 82 of the valve seat portion 24, there is an O in a seal groove 82 a formed on the outer periphery of the downwardly extending portion 82 of the valve seat portion 24. A seal member 82b such as a ring is attached. Thereby, the 2nd seal | sticker part 84 arrange | positioned at the fluid supply flow path 86 side is comprised.

  Further, the valve housing 62 is formed with a fluid supply channel 86 for communicating the first port 18 for flowing the fluid formed in the lower main body 16 and supplying the fluid to the control valve 10. Yes.

  Further, the valve housing 62 communicates with the valve chamber 88 formed in the valve body mounting recess 64 and also communicates with the second port 20 for flowing out the fluid formed in the lower body 16 to allow fluid to flow. A fluid discharge channel 90 for discharging from the control valve 10 is formed. The fluid supply flow path 86 and the fluid discharge flow path 90 constitute a fluid flow path.

  As described above, since the first seal portion 78 and the second seal portion 84 are configured, as described later, between the valve housing 62 and the valve seat portion 24 forming the heating space 92. The heating medium fluid flowing through the heating space 92 includes, for example, a fluid supply channel 86 for supplying the fluid formed in the valve housing 62 to the control valve 10, and the fluid formed in the valve housing 62 from the control valve 10. There is no leakage to the fluid discharge channel 90, the valve chamber 88, etc. for discharging.

  Thereby, the heat transfer effect on the valve seat portion 24 by the heating medium fluid flowing in the heating space 92 is not lowered, and the heating medium fluid is mixed into the fluid of the system using the control valve 10. Can be prevented.

  The method for forming the seal portion 84 is not particularly limited. For example, the seal portion 84 can be formed by press-fitting, welding, brazing, adhesion, or a metal seal member.

  In addition, the first seal portion 78 includes a seal portion formed in the valve housing 62 for sealing between the heating space 92 and the fluid discharge passage 90 for discharging the fluid from the control valve 10. It is composed. That is, the first seal portion 78 is constituted by the seal member 76b disposed on the fluid discharge channel 90 side.

  With this configuration, the heating medium fluid that flows through the heating space 92 from between the valve housing 62 that forms the heating space 92 and the valve seat portion 24 causes the fluid formed in the valve housing 62 to pass through the control valve 10. There is no leakage to the fluid discharge channel 90 for discharging from the fluid.

  Thereby, the heat transfer effect on the valve seat portion 24 by the heating medium fluid flowing in the heating space 92 is not lowered, and the heating medium fluid is mixed into the fluid of the system using the control valve 10. Can be prevented.

  Further, the second seal portion 84 includes a seal portion formed in the valve housing 62 for sealing a gap between the fluid supply flow path 86 for supplying fluid to the control valve 10 and the heating space 92. It is composed. That is, the second seal portion 84 is configured by the seal member 82b disposed on the fluid supply flow path 86 side.

  With this configuration, the heating medium fluid that flows through the heating space 92 from between the valve housing 62 and the valve seat portion 24 that form the heating space 92 is formed in the valve housing 62. There is no leakage to the fluid supply flow path 86 for supplying to the fluid.

  Thereby, the heat transfer effect on the valve seat portion 24 by the heating medium fluid flowing in the heating space 92 is not lowered, and the heating medium fluid is mixed into the fluid of the system using the control valve 10. Can be prevented.

  Further, if the sealing member 76b and the sealing member 82b are made of a sealing member such as an O-ring having a low thermal conductivity such as rubber or heat-resistant fluororesin, for example, the valve seat portion 24 and the valve housing 62 A gap is formed between them. Therefore, not only the valve seat portion 24 and the valve housing 62 are thermally separated, but also the heat transfer coefficient is reduced in this gap, and the heat transfer from the valve seat portion 24 to the valve housing 62 is reduced (that is, Heat is less likely to escape to the valve housing 62 side). As a result, the valve seat portion 24 can be efficiently heated.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a heating space 92 is formed between the valve housing 62 and the valve seat portion 24 for heating the valve seat portion 24 with a heating medium fluid. .

  That is, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 3, the heating space 92 includes an outer peripheral wall 80 a that forms the side wall of the bottom recess 80 of the valve body mounting recess 64 of the valve housing 62, and the valve body mounting of the valve housing 62. The inner peripheral wall 74a of the lower concave portion 74 of the concave portion 64 and the warming space concave portion 94 formed on the inner peripheral side of the laterally extending portion 76 of the valve seat portion 24 are formed.

  Further, the heating space 92 is formed so as to surround the vicinity of the valve port 22 of the valve seat portion 24 in an annular shape in a plan view, although not shown. Further, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 3, the valve seat portion 24 is heated by the heating medium fluid at the outer peripheral side wall 94a, the upper wall 94b, and the inner peripheral side wall 94c of the recessed portion 94 for the heating space of the valve seat portion 24. It forms a heat transfer surface that heats.

  Further, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 3, the heating space 92 extends to the vicinity of the valve port 22 of the valve seat portion 24, and the transmission on the valve seat portion 24 side of the heating space 92. The outer peripheral side wall 94a which is a hot surface is configured to have a tapered surface shape inclined toward the valve port 22.

  With this configuration, since the heating space 92 extends to the vicinity of the valve port 22 of the valve seat portion 24, the valve port 22 desired to be warmed most in the valve seat portion 24 can be efficiently and in a short time. Can be warmed. Further, since the outer peripheral side wall 94a, which is the heat transfer surface on the valve seat portion 24 side of the heating space 92, has a tapered surface shape inclined toward the valve port 22, the heat transfer area is increased, and the heating medium fluid is increased. Heat can be efficiently transferred to the valve seat 24.

  As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 3, the inclined tapered surface of the outer peripheral side wall 94 a that is the heat transfer surface on the valve seat portion 24 side of the heating space 92, and the valve body mounting recess 64 of the valve housing 62. The outer peripheral wall 80a constituting the side wall of the bottom recess 80 is a tapered surface inclined at substantially the same angle.

  As a result, the heating medium fluid supplied to the heating space 92 via the heating medium fluid supply channel 96 can easily flow to the vicinity of the valve port 22 of the valve seat portion 24 along these tapered surfaces. As a result, the valve port 22 desired to be warmed most in the valve seat portion 24 can be efficiently transferred in a short time.

  The angle α at which the outer peripheral side wall 94a, which is the heat transfer surface on the valve seat portion 24 side of the heating space 92, is inclined toward the valve port 22 is not particularly limited. In order to make the heating medium fluid easily flow to the vicinity of the valve port 22 of the section 24, it is desirable to set the angle to 15 ° to 45 °, preferably 25 ° to 35 °.

  As described above, the heating space 92 is a heating space formed between the valve housing 62 and the valve seat portion 24, and a valve partially exposed in the heating space 92 by the heating medium fluid. A heating space for directly heating the seat portion 24 is formed.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the valve housing 62 intersects a fluid supply channel 86 for supplying fluid to the control valve 10 and a fluid discharge channel 90 for discharging fluid from the control valve 10. As described above, the heating medium fluid communicates with the heating space 92 to supply the heating medium fluid to the heating space 92, and communicates with the heating space 92. And a heating medium fluid discharge channel 98 is formed.

  Note that the fluid supply channel 86 and the fluid discharge channel 90 for supplying and discharging fluid, and the heating medium fluid supply channel 96 and the heating medium fluid discharging channel 98 for supplying and discharging the heating medium fluid communicate with each other. It is formed at a position that does not.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the opening end 96 a that opens to the heating space 92 of the heating medium fluid supply channel 96 is disposed so as to face the valve seat portion 24.

  With this configuration, the heating medium fluid supplied to the heating space 92 can easily flow toward the valve seat portion 24 via the heating medium fluid supply flow path 96, so that the heat of the heating medium fluid can be reduced. Heat can be efficiently transferred to the seat portion 24.

  The valve housing 62 is preferably formed of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the valve seat portion 24.

  Thus, since the valve housing 62 is formed of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the valve seat portion 24, the heat of the heating medium fluid is difficult to transfer to the valve housing 62. Heat can be transferred to the valve seat portion 24 efficiently.

As described above, the combination of forming the valve housing 62 from a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the valve seat portion 24 is not particularly limited. For example, the following combinations of materials are conceivable.
(1) A combination in which the valve seat portion 24 is made of aluminum and the valve housing 62 is made of stainless steel, for example.
(2) A combination in which the valve seat portion 24 is made of aluminum and the valve housing 62 is made of resin.
In this case, the resin to be used is not particularly limited. For example, engineering plastics such as PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), PA (polyamide), and PEEK (polyether ether ketone) can be used.
(3) A combination in which the valve seat portion 24 is made of aluminum and the valve housing 62 is made of rubber.
In this case, the rubber to be used is not particularly limited. For example, NBR (nitrile rubber), H-NBR (hydrogenated nitrile rubber) and the like can be used.

(4) A combination in which the valve seat portion 24 is aluminum and the valve housing 62 is ceramic.
In this case, the ceramic to be used is not particularly limited. For example, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, alumina, zirconia and the like can be used.

(5) A combination in which the valve seat portion 24 is made of aluminum and the valve housing 62 is made of fiber reinforced plastic (FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastic)).
In this case, the fiber reinforced plastic used is not particularly limited,
For example, Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP), Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GFRP), Long Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GMT), Aramid Fiber Reinforced Plastic (AFRP) )), Fiber reinforced plastics such as boron fiber reinforced plastic (BFRP), polyethylene fiber reinforced plastic (DFRP), and poly (paraphenylenebenzobisoxazole) reinforced plastic can be used.

(6) A combination in which the valve seat 24 is made of, for example, stainless steel and the valve housing 62 is made of resin
In this case, the resin to be used is not particularly limited. For example, engineering plastics such as PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), PA (polyamide), and PEEK (polyether ether ketone) can be used.

  The heating medium fluid supplied to the heating space 92 is not particularly limited as long as it is a fluid such as liquid or gas, but the diaphragm constituting the valve port 22 of the valve seat portion 24 and the valve body. In order to prevent and warm the valve body portion 56 of the valve body 52, it is desirable that the heating medium fluid is composed of an antifreeze liquid.

  In this way, since the heating medium fluid is composed of, for example, an antifreeze liquid such as an ethylene glycol aqueous solution, the heating medium fluid does not freeze even at low temperatures, and therefore the heating medium fluid can be passed through the heating space even in a low temperature environment. The heat of the heating medium fluid can be efficiently transferred to the valve seat portion 24.

  In the control valve 10 of the present invention configured as described above, when the electromagnetic coil 46 is energized, the plunger 32 moves in the direction of the attractor 34 against the urging force of the plunger spring 36, and the plunger The valve stem member 40 fixed to 32 moves upward, and the valve body portion 56 of the diaphragm valve body 52 attached to the lower end of the valve stem member 40 is separated from the valve seat portion 24, and the valve seat portion 24. The valve port 22 formed in the above is opened.

  On the other hand, when the energization of the electromagnetic coil 46 is stopped, the plunger 32 is moved away from the attractor 34 by the biasing force of the plunger spring 36, and the valve stem member 40 fixed to the plunger 32 is moved. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the valve body portion 56 of the diaphragm valve body 52 attached to the lower end of the valve stem member 40 abuts against the valve seat portion 24 and moves to the valve seat portion. The valve port 22 formed in 24 is closed.

  In the control valve 10 of the present invention, the configuration as described above is formed between the valve housing 62 and the valve seat portion 24 via the heating medium fluid supply passage 96 formed in the valve housing 62. The heating medium fluid is supplied to the heating space 92, and the valve seat portion 24 can be directly heated by this heating medium fluid.

Therefore, since the valve seat 24 is directly heated by the heating medium fluid supplied to the heating space 92, it is formed in the valve body 56 of the diaphragm valve body 52 constituting the valve body and the valve seat 24. Thus, it is possible to effectively prevent the water from adhering to the valve port 22 or the like from being frozen and obstructing the valve function such as blocking the flow path or being unable to drive the plunger 32.

  Thereby, it is possible to provide the control valve 10 that can be reliably operated even at a low temperature, and the fuel cell system using the control valve.

  In this embodiment, one heating medium fluid supply channel 96 and one heating medium fluid discharge channel 98 each communicate with the heating space 92. However, as shown in FIG. A plurality of heating medium fluid supply channels 96 and heating medium fluid discharge channels 98 are respectively connected to the heating space 92, for example, the heating medium fluid closer to the valve port 22 of the valve seat portion 24, for example. The temperature of the heating medium fluid flowing through the supply flow path 96 and the heating medium fluid discharge flow path 98 is determined from the temperature of the heating medium fluid flowing through the other heating medium fluid supply flow path 96 and the heating medium fluid discharge flow path 98. However, it is also possible to prevent the freezing of the valve port 22 of the valve seat part 24 more effectively by setting it high.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 5A, a plurality of heating medium fluid supply channels 96 and heating medium fluid discharge channels 98 can be communicated with the heating space 92 in the horizontal direction. It is. Further, as shown in FIG. 5 (B), a plurality of heating medium fluid supply channels 96 and heating medium fluid discharge channels 98 in the horizontal direction are respectively separated by a partition wall 24a communicated with each other through a communication hole 24b. It is also possible to communicate with the heating space 92 divided into a plurality of sections.

  Further, although not shown, a plurality of heating medium fluid supply channels 96 and heating medium fluid discharge channels 98 in the vertical direction, and a plurality of heating medium fluid supply channels 96 and heating medium fluid discharge channels 98 in the horizontal direction. It is also possible to communicate with the heating space 92 respectively.

  FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a fuel cell system 100 using the control valve 10 of the present invention configured as described above.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the fuel cell system 100 includes a fuel cell stack 102 that is a polymer electrolyte fuel cell main body.

  The fuel cell stack 102 includes an anode (hydrogen electrode) 106 to which hydrogen gas as fuel gas is supplied from a hydrogen tank 104 as a fuel gas supply source. Further, the fuel cell stack 102 is provided with a cathode (air electrode) 110 to which air as an oxidant gas is supplied via the compressor 108.

  Hydrogen gas, which is a fuel gas, is stored in the hydrogen tank 104 as high-pressure hydrogen gas. The high-pressure hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen tank 104 is depressurized to the operating pressure of the fuel cell by the hydrogen pressure adjustment valve 112, It is supplied to the anode 106 via the hydrogen supply channel 114.

  Excess hydrogen gas that has not been consumed by the anode 106 is returned to the hydrogen supply channel 114 by the hydrogen circulation channel 118 via the hydrogen circulation pump 116 and mixed with the hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen tank 104. , And are supplied to the anode 106.

  On the other hand, the air as the oxidant gas is compressed via the compressor 108 via an air filter (not shown), and the compressed air is supplied to the cathode 110 via the air supply channel 120. Yes.

  At the cathode 110, oxygen in the air is used for the reaction, and the remaining air is discharged through an air pressure adjustment valve 122 that adjusts the air pressure.

  The fuel cell stack 102 is provided with a cooling system for circulating a cooling fluid such as cooling water in order to keep the temperature of the fuel cell stack 102 at a predetermined temperature. That is, the cooling fluid cooled by the radiator 124 is circulated so as to cool the fuel cell stack 102 via the cooling water pump 126 and the cooling fluid circulation paths 128 and 130.

  Further, a discharge path 132 for discharging the fuel exhaust gas discharged from the anode 106 to the outside is branched in the hydrogen circulation flow path 118, and an electromagnetic valve, for example, for opening and closing the discharge path 132 is used. A purge valve 134 was disposed.

  In the figure, reference numeral 136 denotes a water drain valve, and 138 denotes a control unit.

  This control unit is composed of, for example, an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU, and based on various data and programs separately stored in the storage device in advance, the compressor 108, the hydrogen pressure adjustment valve 112, the hydrogen circulation pump 116, the air pressure The control valve 122, the radiator 124, the cooling water pump 126, the purge valve 134, the water discharge valve 136, and the like are configured to be controlled.

  In the fuel cell system 100 configured as described above, the control valve 10 of the present invention can be applied to, for example, the purge valve 134 and the water drain valve 136.

  With this configuration, the valve seat portion 24 is heated directly and quickly by the heating medium fluid supplied to the heating space. Therefore, when the valve seat portion 24 of the control valve 10 is desired to be warmed, the valve seat portion is promptly heated. The section 24 can be warmed and the valve can be operated instantaneously. As a result, the system using the control valve 10 can also be operated instantaneously.

  That is, at the time of low temperature startup, the valve operation must be performed within a limited time after the system startup, but immediately after the system startup, the amount of heat of the heating medium fluid is limited. However, since the valve seat 24 is directly heated by the heating medium fluid supplied to the heating space, it becomes possible to concentrate this limited amount of heat on the valve seat, which is the main part, and the valve seat. Even if freezing occurs around the portion 24, the control valve 10 can be quickly operated.

  7 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of the control valve of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the control valve of FIG. 7 taken along the line AA, and FIG. 9 is a portion of B portion of FIG. It is an expanded sectional view.

  The control valve 10 of this embodiment has basically the same configuration as that of the control valve 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and the same reference numerals are given to the same structural members, and the detailed description thereof is omitted. Description is omitted.

  In the control valve 10 of this embodiment, since the fluid flowing into the control valve 10 from the fluid supply flow path 86 may contain impurities such as foreign matter, the fluid formed in the lower main body 16 flows in. The filter device 11 is mounted on the upstream side of the first port 18.

  That is, the filter member recess 13 is formed to extend below the bottom recess 80 of the valve body mounting recess 64 of the valve housing 62, and the filter device 11 is mounted in the filter member recess 13. Yes.

  The filter device 11 contains a filter 15 that allows the fluid supplied from the fluid supply channel 86 to pass therethrough and removes foreign matters such as dust in the fluid.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the filter 15 includes a filter body 17 having a bottom and a substantially cylindrical shape. The filter main body 17 includes a plurality of vertical frame members (not shown). The filter main body 17 is provided on the side periphery of the filter main body 17 so as to cover the opening 19 formed between the vertical frame members. For example, a filter member 21 such as a mesh is provided.

  A seal member 23 is interposed between the filter main body 17 and the lower main body 16.

  Further, in the filter 15 of this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the inner bottom surface of the filter 15, that is, the inner bottom surface 27 of the bottom portion 25 of the filter body 17 is inclined downward toward the outside. Is formed.

  As described above, the inner bottom surface 27 of the bottom portion 25 of the filter body 17 is formed so as to be inclined downward toward the outside. It is configured to easily come out from the inner bottom surface.

  The filter device 11 is fixed to the valve housing 62 by attaching a fixing lid member 29 to the opening of the bottom of the filter member recess 13. In the figure, reference numeral 31 denotes a sealing member such as an O-ring.

  Further, in the control valve 10 of this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the heating space 92 includes the inner peripheral wall 74 a of the lower recess 74 of the valve body mounting recess 64 of the valve housing 62, and the valve seat portion. 24 is formed from an upper surface 35 of the flange portion 33 formed below 24 and a central portion 37 from the portion of the valve seat portion 24 where the valve port 22 is formed to the flange portion 33 at the bottom portion.

  Further, the central portion 37 of the valve seat portion 24 forms a heat transfer surface that heats the valve seat portion 24. As shown in FIG. It has an irregular shape such as a bellows shape.

  With this configuration, since the central portion 37 that is the heat transfer surface of the heating space 92 has an uneven shape such as a bellows shape, the heat transfer area is increased, and the heat of the heating fluid is transferred to the valve seat portion 24. It is configured so that heat can be transferred efficiently.

  In this embodiment, only the central portion 37 of the valve seat portion 24 has an irregular shape such as a bellows shape. It is also possible to have a shape.

  In the case of the first embodiment, the heat transfer surface of the warming space recess 94 formed on the inner peripheral side of the laterally extending portion 76 of the valve seat 24, that is, the heating space of the valve seat 24. At least one of the outer peripheral side wall 94a, the upper wall 94b, and the inner peripheral side wall 94c of the concave portion 94 may be formed in an uneven shape such as a bellows shape.

  Further, in this embodiment, the heat transfer surface has a concave and convex shape such as a bellows shape in a vertical cross section and a concave and convex shape such as a bellows shape, but not shown, but the heat transfer surface has a bellows shape in a horizontal cross section. It is also possible to form an uneven shape, or to form an uneven shape such as a bellows shape by combining in a vertical cross section and a horizontal cross section.

  Furthermore, the number of the uneven shapes, the projecting distance, the uneven shape, etc., other than the bellows shape, for example, can be an embossed shape, is not particularly limited, considering the heat transfer effect, It can be changed as appropriate.

    10 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of the control valve of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of the control valve of FIG.

  The control valve 10 of this embodiment has basically the same configuration as that of the control valve 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and the same reference numerals are given to the same structural members, and the detailed description thereof is omitted. Description is omitted.

In the control valve 10 of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the valve housing 62 and the valve seat portion 24 are configured as separate members. However, in this embodiment, the valve housing 62 and the valve seat portion 24 are provided. The Example comprised from the integrated integral member is shown.
Therefore, as will be described later, the valve seat portion 24 and the valve housing 62 are sealed by the integrated valve housing 62, and the valve housing 62 itself forms a seal portion, whereby the second seal. A portion 84 is formed.

  In addition, a fixing member 41 for airtightly separating the heating space 92 and the fluid discharge channel 90 is mounted in a lower recess 74 formed in the valve housing 62.

  That is, an inner peripheral side seal groove 43 is formed on the inner peripheral side of the fixing member 41, and an inner peripheral side seal member 45 such as an O-ring is attached to the inner peripheral side seal groove 43. Similarly, an outer peripheral seal groove 47 is formed on the outer peripheral side of the fixing member 41, and an outer peripheral seal groove 49 such as an O-ring is attached to the outer peripheral seal groove 47.

  The inner peripheral side seal groove 43, the inner peripheral side seal member 45, the outer peripheral side seal groove 47, and the outer peripheral side seal groove 49 constitute a first seal portion 78 disposed on the fluid discharge channel 90 side. doing.

  The fixing member 41 is fixed to the valve housing 62 by caulking the upper end 74b of the inner peripheral wall 74a of the lower recess 74 formed in the valve housing 62.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the above embodiment, the valve body is configured as the valve body portion 56 of the diaphragm valve body 52. It is also possible to apply to a normal valve body.

  In this embodiment, the embodiment applied to the electromagnetic valve has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to other drive type control valves such as an electric valve.

  Further, it is possible not to provide the filter device 11 in the control valve 10 of the second embodiment, and conversely, it is possible to provide the filter device 11 in the control valve 10 of the first embodiment. Various modifications can be made without departing from the object of the present invention.

  The present invention relates to a control valve that controls a fluid, and is applied to, for example, a control valve that is disposed in a wetting fluid flow path of a fuel cell system and is suitable for controlling the wetting fluid, and a fuel cell system using the control valve. be able to.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Control valve 11 Filter apparatus 12 Valve main body 13 Filter member recessed part 14 Upper main body 14a Seal groove 15 Filter 16 Lower main body 17 Filter main body 18 First port 19 Opening part 20 Second port 21 Filter member 22 Valve port 23 Seal member 24 Valve seat portion 24a Partition wall 24b Communication hole 25 Bottom portion 26 Valve chamber 27 Inner bottom surface 28 Drive portion 29 Fixing lid member 30 Plunger tube 31 Sealing member 32 Plunger 33 Flange portion 34 Top surface 36 Plunger spring 37 Central portion (Heat transfer surface)
38 Insert metal fitting 40 Valve rod member 41 Fixing member 42 Fastening screw 43 Inner peripheral side seal groove 44 Nut 45 Inner peripheral side seal member 46 Electromagnetic coil 47 Outer peripheral side seal groove 48 Outer box member 49 Outer peripheral side seal groove 50 Drive space 52 Diaphragm valve Body 54 Separation membrane portion 56 Valve body portion 58 Fixing portion 60 Fixing member 62 Valve housing 64 Valve body mounting recess 66 Fastening flange 68 Fastening bolt 70 Upper recess 72 Seal member 74 Lower recess 74a Inner peripheral wall 74b Upper end 76 Side extension 76a Seal Groove 76b Seal member 78 First seal portion 80 Bottom recess 80a Outer peripheral wall 82 Lower extending portion 82a Seal groove 82b Seal member 84 Second seal portion 86 Fluid supply flow path 88 Valve chamber 90 Fluid discharge flow path 92 Heating space 94 Heating space recess 94a Outer peripheral side wall 94b Upper wall 94c Inner peripheral side wall 96 Supply channel 96a Open end 98 Heat medium fluid discharge channel 100 Fuel cell system 102 Fuel cell stack 104 Hydrogen tank 106 Anode 108 Compressor 110 Cathode 112 Hydrogen pressure adjustment valve 114 Hydrogen supply channel 116 Hydrogen circulation pump 118 Hydrogen circulation channel 120 Air supply flow path 122 Air pressure adjustment valve 124 Radiator 126 Cooling water pump 128 Cooling fluid circulation path 132 Discharge path 134 Purge valve 136 Drain valve 138 Control unit

Claims (10)

A valve seat formed with a valve port through which fluid passes;
A valve housing formed with a fluid flow path formed from a fluid supply flow path for supplying fluid to the control valve and a fluid discharge flow path for discharging fluid from the control valve;
A control valve configured to move in a direction in which the valve body separates from and contacts the valve seat portion, and the valve body opens and closes a valve port of the valve seat portion;
A heating space formed between the valve housing and the valve seat portion, wherein the heating seat fluid directly heats the valve seat portion, a part of which is exposed in the heating space, with a heating medium fluid;
A heating medium fluid supply passage formed in the valve housing for supplying a heating medium fluid to the heating space;
A heating medium fluid discharge passage formed in the valve housing and discharging the heating medium fluid from the heating space;
A valve body mounting recess is formed in the valve housing,
The valve body mounting recess includes an upper recess that forms a valve chamber above and a lower recess that forms a heating space below.
The valve chamber and the heating space are separated by a valve seat portion or a fixing member,
A control valve characterized in that a seal portion for hermetically separating the fluid flow path and the heating space is formed.   The control valve according to claim 1, wherein the heating space is extended to the vicinity of a valve port of the valve seat portion.   The control valve according to claim 1, wherein the heat transfer surface on the valve seat side of the heating space has a tapered surface shape inclined toward the valve port.   The control valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heat transfer surface of the heating space has an uneven shape.   The control valve according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an opening end that opens to a heating space of the heating medium fluid supply channel is disposed so as to face the valve seat portion.   The control valve according to claim 1, wherein the seal portion is formed between a valve housing that forms a heating space and a valve seat portion.   The control valve according to claim 6, wherein the seal portion is constituted by a seal member disposed on the fluid supply flow path side.   The control valve according to any one of claims 6 to 7, wherein the seal portion is constituted by a seal member disposed on the fluid discharge channel side.   The control valve according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the valve housing is formed of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the valve seat portion. A fuel cell system, wherein the control valve according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is disposed in a discharge channel of a wetting fluid channel of the fuel cell system.

Images