KR20220039213A - Safety device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a safety device discharging a fuel to the outside in case of emergency to prevent an accident such as a fire and explosion, wherein the safety device is modularized in order to be readily replaced and installed on a valve assembly for controlling charging and discharging of a fuel cell vehicle. The safety device of the present invention comprises: a hollow plug joined to the valve assembly having a discharge flow path, wherein one end toward the discharge flow path is opened and the other end exposed to the outside is closed; a piston installed on an inside of the plug to be able to move and open or close the discharge flow path when moving; a fusible block disposed in the plug to restrict movement of the piston in order to keep the discharge flow path closed; a fixing ring mounted on one end of the plug to prevent the piston accommodated by the plug and a stopper from being arbitrarily separated; and a spring interposed between the piston and the fixing ring to elastically support the piston in a direction where the flow path is opened.

Description

safety device {SAFETY DEVICE}

The present invention relates to a safety device provided in a valve assembly for controlling charging and discharging of a fuel cell vehicle, and more particularly, to a safety device modularized for easy installation and replacement in the valve assembly.

A fuel cell vehicle uses a fuel cell that generates electric energy by electrochemically reacting fuel with an oxidizing agent as a power source. Fuel used in such a fuel cell vehicle is transferred to a storage tank through a charging line and then supplied to a fuel cell through a discharge line.

In a typical fuel cell vehicle, since the charging line and the discharging line are separately configured, the structure is complicated, so the fitting operation is very cumbersome, and many parts and time are required.

To solve this problem, a valve assembly for controlling charging and discharging of a fuel cell vehicle is disclosed in Korean Patent Registration No. 10-2139594 (July 29, 2020).

A valve assembly for controlling charging and discharging of a fuel cell vehicle includes a transfer passage for charging and discharging fuel, and various valves and devices installed on the transfer passage.

The transfer passage includes a quantitative valve for controlling the flow rate of fuel, a solenoid valve for automatically controlling the flow of fuel, a manual valve for manually controlling the flow of fuel, and a discharge valve for controlling the pressure of the transfer passage; In case of emergency such as fire, a safety device for discharging fuel from the transport path to the outside is installed.

The above-described safety device serves to prevent safety accidents, such as explosion, by discharging fuel from the transfer passage to the outside when the temperature of the valve assembly or its surroundings rises above a set value.

However, the conventional safety device cannot be reused due to its structure, so it must be replaced after use. Therefore, it is preferable that the safety device be manufactured in a modular form so that it can be installed in the valve assembly and can be easily replaced if necessary.

Registered Patent Publication No. 10-2139594 (2020.07.29.)

An object of the present invention is to provide a safety device for preventing safety accidents such as fire and explosion by discharging fuel to the outside in an emergency, and to provide a safety device modularized to facilitate installation and replacement in a valve assembly for controlling charging and discharging of a fuel cell vehicle.

The present invention for achieving the above object is a safety device provided in a valve assembly for controlling charging and discharging of a fuel cell vehicle to discharge fuel to the outside in an emergency such as a fire.

Looking at the configuration, a hollow plug coupled to a valve assembly having a discharge passage formed thereon, one end of the discharge passage side is open and the other end exposed to the outside is sealed, and the plug is movably installed inside the plug and is moved when the discharge is performed. a piston for opening or closing a flow path; a fusible block provided inside the plug to restrict movement of the piston so that the discharge flow path is maintained in a closed state; and a fixing ring for preventing the piston and the stopper from being arbitrarily separated, and a spring interposed between the piston and the fixing ring to elastically support the piston in a direction for opening the flow path.

In the safety device of the above configuration, when the ambient temperature rises above a set value, the fusible block built into the plug is melted, allowing the piston to move, and thus the discharge passage is opened and the fuel is discharged to the outside, thereby causing a fire. and safety accidents such as explosions can be prevented.

In the present invention configured as described above, the plug, piston, fusible block fixing ring and spring constituting the safety device are configured as a single module, so that installation is easy as well as easy replacement as needed.

In addition to the above-described effects, the specific effects of the present invention will be described together while describing specific details for carrying out the invention below.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a safety device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is an operating state diagram of the safety device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a cross-sectional view of a safety device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is an operating state diagram of a safety device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

A preferred embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, when it is determined that the detailed description of the known technology related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted. Also, in the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar components.

The present invention is a safety device provided in a valve assembly for controlling charging and discharging of a fuel cell vehicle, and serves to prevent safety accidents such as fire and explosion by discharging fuel in the valve assembly to the outside in an emergency. In particular, the present invention is characterized in that it is installed in the valve assembly and modularized so that it can be easily replaced if necessary.

The safety device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention for satisfying the above-described characteristics will be described in detail.

First, looking at the valve assembly 300 in which the safety device 100 according to the present embodiment is installed, a transfer passage 310 for charging and discharging fuel is formed in the valve assembly 300, and the transfer passage 310 is provided. Various valves and devices for controlling the charging and discharging of fuel are installed on the top (refer to FIG. 2).

The transfer passage 310 is connected to the outside of the valve assembly 300 through the discharge passage 320 . The discharge passage 320 includes a first discharge passage 322 connected to the transfer passage 310 and a second discharge passage 324 connected to the outside, and a first discharge passage 322 and a second discharge passage ( A connection part 326 is formed between 324 .

Meanwhile, the first discharge passage 322 and the second discharge passage 324 are disposed to cross each other, and a mounting hole 330 opened to the outside of the valve assembly 300 is formed at one side of the connection part 326 .

The safety device 100 according to the present embodiment is coupled to the valve assembly 300 through the mounting hole 330 . At this time, a screw thread 332 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the mounting hole 330 so that the safety device 100 can be detachably coupled thereto.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the safety device 100 according to the present embodiment is as follows.

The safety device 100 includes a plug 110 coupled to the valve assembly 300 , a piston 120 movably installed inside the plug 110 , and a fusible block provided inside the plug 110 ( 130 , a fixing ring 140 mounted on one end of the plug 110 , and a spring 150 interposed between the piston 120 and the fixing ring 140 .

The plug 110 has a pipe shape extending in one direction. In more detail, one end positioned inside the valve assembly 300 is opened, and the other end exposed to the outside is closed.

A receiving space 112 is formed inside the plug 110 , and a piston 120 , a fusible block 130 , a fixing ring 140 and a spring 150 are installed in the receiving space 112 .

A screw thread 113 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the plug 110 . The screw thread 113 allows the safety device 100 to be screwed to the valve assembly 300 so that it can be replaced as needed.

An extension 114 protrudes from one end of the plug 110 , and a discharge port 116 is formed at the other end of the plug 110 . The discharge port 116 is opened to the outside of the plug 110 so that the molten material of the fusible block 130 installed in the receiving space 112 can be discharged to the outside. At this time, a filter 117 is installed inside the discharge port 116 to prevent foreign substances from being introduced through the discharge port 116 .

On the other hand, when the safety device 100 is coupled, the extension part 114 of the plug 110 is positioned on the connection part 326 . At this time, a gap 328 is formed between the extension part 114 and the connection part 326 , and the first discharge passage 322 and the second discharge passage 324 are connected through the gap 328 .

As described above, the extended portion 114 is formed to have a shorter length and smaller diameter than the connecting portion 326 so that a gap 328 is formed between the extended portion 114 and the connecting portion 326 .

The piston 120 has a shaft shape extending in one direction, and has a multi-stage shaft shape whose diameter decreases toward one end. That is, the piston 120 includes a body 122 having a relatively large diameter and a rod 124 having a relatively small diameter.

The body 122 has a disk shape having a diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the plug 110 . A seating groove 123 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the body 122 , and an O-ring 125 that is in close contact with the inner wall of the plug 110 is installed in the seating groove 123 .

The rod 124 is a shaft having a smaller diameter than the body 122 , and extends from one end of the body 121 to pass through the fixing ring 140 . At this time, the front end of the rod 124 extends to the second discharge passage 320, and opens or closes the first discharge passage 322 when the piston 120 moves.

A multi-stage protrusion 126 having a smaller diameter than the rod 124 is formed at the tip of the rod 124 . The protrusion 126 has an O-ring 127 that is in close contact with the inner wall of the discharge passage 320, a stop ring 128 for preventing the O-ring 127 from detaching, and a backup to prevent the O-ring 127 from being torn when high pressure is applied. A ring 129 is provided.

The fusible block 130 limits the movement of the piston 120 so that the first discharge flow path 322 is maintained in a closed state. This fusible block 130 is installed in the interior of the plug 110, more specifically, the receiving space 112 partitioned by the piston (120).

The fusible block 130 is a fusible alloy that is normally in a solid state and melts into a liquid state at a specific temperature or higher. The fusible block 130 of this embodiment is preferably a bismuth alloy that is melted at a reference temperature of 110°C.

The above-described fusible block 130 is melted at a specific temperature, and the melted fusible block 130 is discharged to the outside through the outlet 116 . At this time, since the space in which the fusible block 130 was located becomes hollow, movement of the piston 120 is allowed.

The fixing ring 140 is a fastening part that prevents the parts installed in the plug 110 from escaping, and is for an inner diameter press-fitted into the extension part 114 .

The spring 150 is an elastic means for supporting the piston 120 , and is interposed between the piston 120 and the fixing ring 140 . At this time, the spring 150 is a compression coil spring, and is installed in a compressed state to elastically support the piston 120 in a direction for opening the first discharge passage 322 .

2 shows the operating state of the safety device 100 according to the present embodiment. In more detail, Figure 2 (a) shows the safety device 100 in normal times, Figure 2 (b) shows the safety device 100 in case of emergency.

As shown in (a) of Figure 2, the normally fusible block 130 is in a solid state inside the plug 110, thus limiting the movement of the piston (120). At this time, the rod 124 of the piston 120 is inserted into the first discharge flow path 322 to close the discharge flow path 320 to prevent the fuel of the transfer flow path 310 from being discharged to the outside.

As shown in (b) of Figure 2, when the ambient temperature of the safety device 100 rises above the set value due to fire, etc., the fusible block 130 is melted, and the molten fusible block 130 is discharged through the outlet ( 116) to the outside. At this time, the accommodating space 112 in which the fusible block 130 was located becomes a hollow state and allows movement of the piston 120 .

Accordingly, the rod 124 of the piston 120 inserted into the first discharge passage 322 is drawn into the plug 110 to open the first discharge passage 322, and the first discharge passage 322 and the second The discharge passage 324 is connected and the fuel charged in the transfer passage 310 is discharged to the outside.

3 and 4 , the safety device 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a plug 210 coupled to the valve assembly 300 and a movable inside of the plug 210 . The installed piston 220 , the glass bulb 230 provided in the plug 210 , the fixing ring 240 mounted on one end of the plug 210 , and the piston 220 and the fixing ring 240 . It consists of a spring 250 interposed in the.

The plug 210 has a pipe shape extending in one direction, and one end positioned inside the valve assembly 300 is opened, and the other end exposed to the outside is closed.

A receiving space 212 is formed inside the plug 210 , and a piston 220 , a glass bulb 230 , a fixing ring 240 , and a spring 250 are installed in the receiving space 212 . In addition, a thread 213 for screwing with the valve assembly 300 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the plug 210 .

An extension 214 protrudes from one end of the plug 210 , and a first seating groove 216 into which the upper end of the glass bulb 230 is inserted is formed at the other end of the plug 110 .

The piston 220 has a shaft shape extending in one direction, and has a multi-stage shaft shape including a body 222 having a relatively large diameter and a rod 224 having a relatively small diameter.

A seating groove 221 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the body 222 , and an O-ring 223 that is in close contact with the inner wall of the plug 210 is installed in the seating groove 221 . In addition, a second seating groove 225 into which the lower end of the glass bulb 230 is inserted is formed on the upper surface of the body 222 .

The rod 224 is a shaft having a smaller diameter than the body 222 , and the tip thereof extends to the second discharge passage 320 to open or close the first discharge passage 322 when the piston 220 moves.

A multi-stage protrusion 226 having a diameter smaller than that of the rod 224 is formed at the tip of the rod 224 , and an O-ring 227 , a stop ring 228 and a backup ring 229 are provided on the protrusion 226 . .

On the other hand, an exhaust path 252 is formed in the piston 220 so that the receiving space 212 can be compressed when the glass bulb 230 is destroyed. At this time, the exhaust path 252 extends from the body 222 to the rod 224 to connect the receiving space 212 and the connecting portion 326 .

The glass bulb 230 restricts the movement of the piston 120 so that the first discharge passage 322 is maintained in a closed state. The glass bulb 230 is installed in the receiving space 212 of the plug 210 partitioned by the piston 220 .

The glass bulb 230 is normally maintained in an intact state and is destroyed when the surrounding area rises above a specific temperature. The glass bulb 230 of this embodiment is preferably destroyed at a temperature of 110 ℃ reference temperature.

The above-mentioned glass bulb 230 is destroyed at a specific temperature, and at this time, the gas filled in the accommodation space 212 is discharged toward the discharge passage 320 through the exhaust passage 242 .

As described above, the glass bulb 230 is inserted into the first seating groove 216 and the second seating groove 225 to be fixed. At this time, a control ring 232 is provided between the plug 210 and the glass bulb 230 so that the glass bulb 230 inserted into the seating grooves 216 and 225 can be positioned without being inclined.

The fixing ring 240 is a fastening part that prevents the parts installed in the plug 210 from escaping, and is press-fitted into the extension part 214 .

The spring 250 is an elastic means for supporting the piston 220 , and is interposed between the piston 220 and the fixing ring 240 . At this time, the spring 250 is a compression coil spring, and is installed in a compressed state to elastically support the piston 220 in a direction to open the first discharge passage 322 .

Figure 4 (a) shows the safety device 200 in normal times, Figure 4 (b) shows the safety device 200 in case of emergency.

As shown in (a) of Figure 4, the normal glass bulb 230 is maintained in an intact state to limit the movement of the piston (220). At this time, the rod 224 of the piston 220 is inserted into the first discharge flow path 322 to close the discharge flow path 320 to prevent the fuel of the transfer flow path 310 from being discharged to the outside.

As shown in (b) of Figure 4, when the ambient temperature of the safety device 200 rises above the set value due to fire, etc., the glass bulb 230 is destroyed, and the receiving space in which the glass bulb 230 is located 212 becomes a hollow state and allows movement of the piston 220 . At this time, the gas filled in the accommodation space 212 is discharged toward the exhaust passage 320 through the exhaust passage 242 .

Accordingly, the rod 224 of the piston 220 that has been inserted into the first discharge passage 322 is drawn into the plug 210 to open the first discharge passage 322, and the first discharge passage 322 and the second The discharge passage 324 is connected and the fuel charged in the transfer passage 310 is discharged to the outside.

As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the illustrated drawings, but the present invention is not limited by the embodiments and drawings disclosed in the present specification. It is obvious that variations can be made. In addition, although the effects according to the configuration of the present invention have not been explicitly described and described while describing the embodiments of the present invention, it is natural that the effects predictable by the configuration should also be recognized.

100: safety device 110: plug
120: piston 130: fusible block
140: retaining ring 150: spring

Claims (13)

A safety device provided in a valve assembly for controlling charging and discharging of a fuel cell vehicle to discharge fuel to the outside in an emergency such as a fire,
a hollow plug coupled to the valve assembly in which the discharge passage is formed, one end of the discharge passage is open and the other end exposed to the outside is closed;
a piston which is movably installed inside the plug and opens or closes the discharge passage when the plug is moved;
a fusible block provided inside the plug and restricting movement of the piston so that the discharge passage is maintained in a closed state;
a fixing ring mounted on one end of the plug and preventing the piston and the stopper accommodated in the plug from being arbitrarily separated; and
A spring interposed between the piston and the fixing ring and elastically supporting the piston in a direction for opening the flow path,
The fusible block is a safety device, characterized in that when the ambient temperature rises above a set value, it melts and opens the discharge passage by allowing the piston to move. The method according to claim 1,
Safety device, characterized in that a discharge port is formed at the other closed end of the plug so that the molten material of the fusible block is discharged to the outside. 3. The method according to claim 2,
A safety device, characterized in that a filter for preventing entry of foreign substances is provided between the fusible block and the discharge port. 4. The method according to claim 3,
The piston consists of a body having a diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the plug, and a rod having a diameter smaller than that of the body,
The rod is a safety device, characterized in that extending toward the discharge passage through the fixing ring. 5. The method according to claim 4,
The discharge passage includes a first discharge passage connected to the transfer passage, a second discharge passage connected to the outside, and a connection part connecting the first discharge passage and the second discharge passage,
One end of the plug is positioned on the connection part, and the rod opens or closes the first discharge passage when the piston moves. 6. The method of claim 5,
A gap is formed between the connection part and the plug, and the first discharge passage and the second discharge passage are connected through the gap. A safety device provided in a valve assembly for controlling charging and discharging of a fuel cell vehicle to discharge fuel to the outside in an emergency such as a fire, the safety device comprising:
a hollow plug coupled to the valve assembly in which the discharge passage is formed, one end of the discharge passage side is open and the other end exposed to the outside is closed;
a piston which is movably installed inside the plug and opens or closes the discharge passage when the plug is moved;
a glass bulb provided inside the plug and restricting movement of the piston so that the discharge passage is maintained in a closed state;
a fixing ring mounted on one end of the plug and preventing the piston and the stopper accommodated in the plug from being arbitrarily separated; and
A spring interposed between the piston and the fixing ring and elastically supporting the piston in a direction for opening the flow path,
The glass bulb is destroyed when the ambient temperature rises more than a set value, and the safety device, characterized in that by allowing the movement of the piston to open the discharge flow path. 8. The method of claim 7,
Safety device, characterized in that the inside of the plug is provided with a control ring for fixing the glass bulb in place. 9. The method of claim 8,
Safety device, characterized in that the piston has an exhaust path formed so that the internal space of the plug can be compressed when the glass bulb is destroyed. 10. The method of claim 9,
The piston consists of a body having a diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the plug, and a rod having a diameter smaller than that of the body,
The rod is a safety device, characterized in that extending toward the discharge passage through the fixing ring. 11. The method of claim 10,
The safety device, characterized in that the exhaust passage extends from the body to the rod. 12. The method of claim 11,
The discharge passage includes a first discharge passage connected to the transfer passage, a second discharge passage connected to the outside, and a connection part connecting the first discharge passage and the second discharge passage,
One end of the plug is positioned on the connection part, and the rod opens or closes the first discharge passage when the piston moves. 13. The method of claim 12,
A gap is formed between the connection part and the plug, and the first discharge passage and the second discharge passage are connected through the gap.

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