WO2024056257A1

WO2024056257A1 - Tank valve, modular system, and protective sleeve for a tank valve

Info

Publication number: WO2024056257A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/070586
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mathias Haenel; Holger Rapp; Henning Kreschel
Original assignee: Robert Bosch Gmbh
Priority date: 2022-09-15
Filing date: 2023-07-25
Publication date: 2024-03-21
Also published as: DE102022209694A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a tank valve (1) for a pressure tank, wherein a gas passage can be shut off or opened up by means of the tank valve (1), wherein a region (14) of the tank valve (1) that projects out of the pressure tank is combined with a protective device (20). In order to improve the tank valve (1), in particular with regard to loads that can arise in the event of an accident or crash of a motor vehicle that is equipped with the tank valve (1), the protective device (20) comprises a protective sleeve (21) which is open at an end remote from the pressure tank and which surrounds and projects beyond that region (14) of the tank valve (1) that projects out of the pressure tank, wherein the protective sleeve (21) is fastened to the pressure tank independently of the tank valve (1).

Description

title

Tank valve, construction kit and protective sleeve for a tank valve

The invention relates to a tank valve for a pressure tank, with the aid of the tank valve a gas passage can be blocked or released, with an area of the tank valve protruding from the pressure tank being combined with a protective device. The invention further relates to a modular system with differently designed protective sleeves and a protective sleeve for a previously described tank valve.

State of the art

From the European patent EP 2 896 857 B1 a valve device with a valve body and a solenoid valve is known, which includes a cover that covers a section of the solenoid valve.

Disclosure of the invention

The object of the invention is to improve a tank valve according to the preamble of claim 1, in particular with regard to loads that can occur in the event of an accident or crash of a motor vehicle equipped with the tank valve.

The task is in a tank valve for a pressure tank, with the help of the tank valve, a gas passage can be blocked or released, with an area of the tank valve protruding from the pressure tank being combined with a protective device, in that the protective device is on a part facing away from the pressure tank End open protective sleeve which surrounds the area of the tank valve protruding from the pressure tank and projects beyond, with the protective sleeve being attached to the pressure tank independently of the tank valve. The tank valve is preferably designed in several parts. The tank valve is designed, for example, as a solenoid valve with a coil assembly with an outer pole. The coil assembly with the outer pole is, for example, provided with an overmolding and with an electrical Combined plug A valve body of the tank valve is arranged, for example, in a valve block that is integrated into the pressure tank or is attached to the pressure tank. The coil assembly and the electrical plug are preferably arranged outside the valve block or outside the pressure tank or protrude from one of them. The protective device protects the area of the tank valve protruding from the pressure tank from damage, especially in the event of a crash, that is to say in the event of an accident involving a tank valve equipped with the motor vehicle. The protective device known from European patent EP 2 896 857 B1 comprises a solid lid which surrounds the area of the tank valve protruding from the pressure tank and at the same time performs the function of a clamping iron or a clamping claw, with the help of which the tank valve is attached to the pressure tank or to is attached to the valve block. For this purpose, the clamping iron or the clamping claw is adapted to the tank valve in terms of its shape and the associated dimensions, with a defined gap dimension being maintained between the cover and the tank valve. The claimed design of the protective device as an open protective sleeve, which is attached to the pressure tank or to the valve block independently of the tank valve, considerably simplifies the production and assembly of the protective device on the tank valve. In addition, the claimed design of the protective device allows a combination with conventional tank valves. The protective sleeve is particularly advantageously adapted to a respective tank valve with regard to an inner diameter and a height. The protective sleeve can be placed on the already installed tank valve. However, it is also possible to mount the tank valve on the pressure tank or the valve block with the protective sleeve pre-assembled. This provides a simple solution for improving the crash protection of a conventional tank valve. This solution can even be used as a retrofit solution if necessary. According to one According to another aspect of the invention, the tank valve can also be mounted and operated without the protective device.

A preferred embodiment of the tank valve is characterized in that the protective sleeve has the shape of a straight circular cylinder jacket. This significantly simplifies the production of the protective sleeve

A further preferred embodiment of the tank valve is characterized in that the protective sleeve comprises a recess for carrying out electrical contacting of the tank valve. The recess can be designed as a through hole or as a cutout at one end of the protective sleeve. The shape and size of the recess are advantageously adapted to the shape and size of the electrical contact of the tank valve.

A further preferred embodiment of the tank valve is characterized in that the recess for carrying out the electrical contacting of the tank valve is designed as a continuous longitudinal slot. This further simplifies the production and assembly of the protective sleeve.

A further preferred embodiment of the tank valve is characterized in that the protective sleeve is cohesively connected to the pressure tank. The cohesive connection can be made, for example, by gluing or welding. The shape of the protective sleeve advantageously makes it possible for the tank valve to remain removable and reassembled even when the protective sleeve is attached.

A further preferred embodiment of the tank valve is characterized in that the protective sleeve is detachably connected to the pressure tank. In this context, solvable means that it can be separated repeatedly in a non-destructive manner. The protective sleeve is attached to the pressure tank or the valve block, for example, with the help of a clamping claw. A further preferred embodiment of the tank valve is characterized in that the protective sleeve is screwed to the pressure tank. The screw connection to the pressure tank can be done directly. The screw connection to the pressure tank can also be done indirectly, for example via the clamping claw described above. In the case of a direct screw connection, the protective sleeve preferably comprises a plurality of axial through-holes for screws in a sleeve wall. Alternatively or additionally, the protective sleeve can comprise a collar with through holes for screws with which the protective sleeve is releasably attached to the pressure tank or the valve block. The screw connection has the advantage that the protective sleeve can be installed and removed before or after the tank valve has been installed.

A further preferred embodiment of the tank valve is characterized in that the protective sleeve is connected to the pressure tank like a bayonet lock. This provides, among other things, the advantage that fastening means, such as screws, are not required for fastening the protective sleeve to the pressure tank or to the valve block.

The invention further relates to a modular system with differently designed protective sleeves, each of which is adapted to a tank valve described above with regard to an inner diameter and a height in such a way that, firstly, there is a radial distance between the area of the tank valve protruding from the pressure tank, with the protective sleeve secondly the area of the tank valve protruding from the pressure tank. This further simplifies the production and assembly of the protective sleeve. Due to the radial distance between the tank valve and the protective sleeve, the tolerance requirements when manufacturing the protective sleeve are reduced. The same applies to the height of the protective sleeve. In particular, an axial dimension of the protective sleeve is referred to as the height of the protective sleeve.

The invention further relates to a protective sleeve for a tank valve described above. The protective sleeve can be traded separately. Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the following description, in which various exemplary embodiments are described in detail with reference to the drawing.

Show it:

Figure 1 is a partially simplified representation of a tank valve that is installed in a valve block of a pressure tank, in longitudinal section;

Figure 2 shows the tank valve from Figure 1 with a protective device designed as a protective sleeve in a longitudinal section and the

Figures 3 to 27 further exemplary embodiments of the protective device designed as a protective sleeve in different sectional views and views.

Description of the exemplary embodiments

In Figure 1, a tank valve 1 is shown in longitudinal section. The tank valve 1 is installed in a valve block 3 of a pressure tank 2. In the valve block 3, the tank valve 1 serves to provide or block a connection between two pressure channels 4, 5 inside.

The valve block 3 includes the pressure channel 4, which is connected to an interior of the pressure tank 2, which is filled with a gas, in particular with hydrogen. The pressure channel 5 is connected to system components outside the pressure tank or an environment of the pressure tank 2.

The pressure tank 2 can, for example, be filled via the pressure channel 5 or gas can be passed from the pressure tank 2 to a consuming system or into the environment.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the tank valve 1 is designed, for example, as a solenoid valve. The solenoid valve 1 comprises a valve body 7 encapsulated in a sleeve with a movable plunger armature and a fixed inner pole. The internal structure of this valve body 7 is not relevant to the present invention and is therefore not explicitly shown here. Depending on the position of the immersion anchor, a connection between the pressure channels 4 and 5 is either released or blocked inside the valve body 7. In order to safely avoid a connection between the pressure channels 4 and 5 outside the valve body 7 and between one of these pressure channels 4 and 5 and the oxygen-containing environment under atmospheric pressure, sealing rings are attached between the valve body 7 and the valve block 3. The valve body 7 is attached to the valve block 3 with a first fixing screw 11. A coil assembly 15 provided with an overmolding 8 and with an outer pole and an electrical plug 9 is pushed over this assembly and held down by a second fixing screw 12.

The embodiment of the tank valve 1 shown in Figure 1 only serves to illustrate what the installation situation of a valve that is independently fixed in the valve block 3 of the pressure tank 2 can look like. The electrical plug 9 serves to represent an electrical contact 10 for the tank valve 1, which in this example is designed as a solenoid valve. For this purpose, the electrical plug 9 is arranged outside the valve block 3. An area 14 of the tank valve 1 with the electrical plug 9, the coil assembly 15 and the second fixing screw 12 protrudes from the valve block 3 of the pressure tank 2. The rest of the tank valve 1 is essentially arranged within the valve block 3 of the pressure tank 2.

2 to 27 show different exemplary embodiments of a protective device 20 with a protective sleeve 21 in different views and sections.

In Figure 2 you can see that the protective sleeve 21 has the shape of a straight circular cylinder jacket 22, which surrounds the area 14 of the tank valve 1 protruding from the valve block 3 of the pressure tank 2. The protective sleeve 21 has a recess 25 for carrying out the electrical contacting 10. Otherwise, the protective sleeve 21 surrounds the area 14 of the tank valve 1 radially outside. The protective sleeve 21 is designed to be open both at its end facing the valve block 3 and at its end facing away from the valve block 3. With its open end facing the valve block 3, the protective sleeve 21 is firmly connected to the valve block 3 in a materially bonded manner, for example by gluing.

In Figure 2, an inner diameter and a height of the protective sleeve 21 are designated by double arrows 23 and 24. The inner diameter 23 of the protective sleeve 21 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the area 14 of the tank valve 1 protruding from the valve block 3 without the electrical plug 9. The height 24 of the protective sleeve 21 is also larger than the area 14 protruding from the valve block 3 of the pressure tank 2 of the tank valve 1.

This makes crash protection for the tank valve 1 possible in a simple manner. The open top design of the protective sleeve 21 provides the advantage that the tank valve 1 is still accessible from above even when the protective sleeve 21 is installed.

In the embodiment of the protective sleeve 21 shown in Figure 3, the recess 25 for the electrical contact 10 of the tank valve 1 is designed as a longitudinal slot 26. The protective sleeve 21 is open over its entire height in Figure 3. This makes it particularly advantageous to mount the tank valve 1 with the electrical contact 10 with the protective sleeve 21 installed. In addition, the tank valve 1 can also be dismantled with the protective sleeve 21 installed. This is particularly advantageous if the protective sleeve 21 is not detachably connected to the valve block 3.

In Figures 4 and 5, a weld seam 28 illustrates that the protective sleeve 21 can also be connected to the valve block 3 in a materially bonded manner by welding. 5 shows a section through the valve block 3 with the pressure channel 5 and the protective sleeve 21, rotated by ninety degrees compared to FIG. 4 and additionally offset, in a front view. In this illustration you can see that the slot 26 extends over the entire height of the protective sleeve 21. The electrical plug 9 to represent the electrical contact 10 of the tank valve 1 is arranged within the slot 26

6 to 8 show an exemplary embodiment in which the protective sleeve 21 is fastened to the valve block 3 with the aid of a total of three screws 30. The screws 30 extend through axial through holes which are provided in the protective sleeve 21 for this purpose. Blind holes with internal threads for screwing in the screws 30 are provided in the valve block 3. The protective sleeve 21 can thus be screwed to the valve block 3 in a simple manner using the screws 30. The screw heads of the screws 30 are, as can be seen in Figures 7 and 8, advantageously set back slightly relative to the sleeve end face of the protective sleeve 21, so that the screw heads do not protrude beyond the protective sleeve 21. For this purpose, corresponding recesses for the screw heads in the protective sleeve 21 must be designed so that they also offer enough space for the necessary screwing tool.

9 to 11 show an exemplary embodiment in which the protective sleeve 21 is held down against the valve block 3 by a clamping claw 32. For this purpose, two recesses are preferably provided in the upper end face of the protective sleeve 21. The clamping claw 32 is placed above the protective sleeve 21 and then screwed outside the protective sleeve 21 against the valve block 3 using screws, which are also referred to as screw bolts. Depending on the claw geometry, several clamping claws can also be used to securely secure the protective sleeve 21 to the valve block 3. Contrary to what is shown, the protective sleeve 21 can also be designed to be flat on its upper end face. Then, in the assembled state, the clamping claw 32 protrudes beyond the protective sleeve 21, unlike what is shown in Figure 10.

12, 13 and 14, 15 show two further similar exemplary embodiments in which the protective sleeve 21 is equipped with a collar 34 as a collar sleeve. The collar 34 of the protective sleeve 21 is used to fasten the protective sleeve 21 to the valve block 3 with the help of a total of three screws or screw bolts 35. The one which projects radially outwards Collar 34 of the protective sleeve 21 comprises three through holes that are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction for the passage of a total of three screws 35 with which the protective sleeve 21 is screwed to the valve block 3.

The exemplary embodiment of the protective sleeve 21 with the collar 34 provides, among other things, the advantage over the previous exemplary embodiment that the wall thickness of the protective sleeve 21 can be made smaller than in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 8. However, in the exemplary embodiments shown in Figures 12, 13 and 14, 15, appropriate installation space must be provided for the radially projecting collar 34.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the collar 34 simply rests on the valve block 3 when the protective sleeve 21 is installed. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the collar 34 of the protective sleeve 21 is arranged recessed in a circumferential recess in the valve block 3 in its assembled state. This provides the advantage that the collar 34 and any screw bolt heads used to fasten the protective sleeve 21 do not protrude beyond the surface of the valve block 3.

Two further exemplary embodiments with screwed protective sleeve 21 are shown in Figures 16, 18 and 17, 19. In these two exemplary embodiments, the protective sleeve 21 does not include a circumferential collar as in the previous exemplary embodiment. For screwing with, for example, three screws or screw bolts, the protective sleeve 21 includes tabs 37 that project radially outwards, each of which is equipped with a through hole. In Figures 16 and 18, the tabs 37 simply rest on the surface of the valve block 3. In Figures 17 and 19, the tabs 37 are arranged recessed in a corresponding recess in the valve block 3.

20 to 27 show exemplary embodiments of how the protective sleeve 21 can also be attached to the valve block 3 in the manner of a bayonet lock. For this purpose, the protective sleeve 21 is radial externally projecting tabs 39 which are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction. Recesses between the tabs 39 are larger in the circumferential direction than the tabs 39 themselves. This can be seen in Figure 21.

Figure 20 shows a top view without the protective sleeve installed. An annular disk 40, which is also referred to as a bayonet disk 40, is firmly mounted on the valve block 3 concentrically to a central axis of the protective sleeve to be assembled later. The bayonet disk 40 has tabs 41 projecting radially inwards, the number of which is equal to the tabs 39 on the protective sleeve 21. However, the tabs 41 of the disk 40 are somewhat wider than the tabs 39 on the protective sleeve 21. In addition, the tabs 41 of the bayonet disk 40 each have a recess 42, as can be seen in Figure 22. The width of the recess 42 is only slightly larger than the respective tab 39 of the protective sleeve 21. This enables the tabs 39 of the protective sleeve 21 to lock with the tabs 41 of the bayonet washer 40.

In Figure 23 you can see that the bayonet disk 40 is sunk into a circumferential recess in the valve block 3. The bayonet washer 40 is attached to the valve block 3 using screws 43. Furthermore, it can be seen in Figures 23 to 27 that a spring element 44 is arranged in the circumferential recess of the valve block 3 between it and the tabs 39 of the protective sleeve 21, which is shown alone in a top view in Figure 24. When the protective sleeve 21 is assembled, the spring element 44 serves to press the tabs 39 of the protective sleeve 21 into the recess 42 of the tabs 41 of the bayonet washer 40 in order to keep the protective sleeve 21 in its locked state. The spring element 44 is designed in its simplest form as a slightly conical ring. However, as shown in Figure 24, it is advantageous that a large number of slots are provided on the outside of the spring element 44 in order to reduce the spring stiffness of the spring element 44 and to improve its elastic properties.

Figures 25 and 26 illustrate the assembly process of the protective sleeve 21 on the valve block 3. First, the protective sleeve 21 is placed from above so that the tabs 39 of the protective sleeve 21 fit into the recesses between the Immerse the tabs 41 of the bayonet washer 40. Then the protective sleeve 21 is pressed down against the spring force of the spring element 44 until the tabs 39 of the protective sleeve 21 can be rotated under the tabs 41 of the bayonet washer 40. The protective sleeve 21 is then rotated relative to the valve block 3 until the tabs 39 of the protective sleeve 21 snap into the recesses 42 of the tabs 41 of the bayonet washer 40.

The shape of the tabs on the bayonet washer and on the protective sleeve can also be swapped compared to the exemplary embodiments shown. In this case, the tabs on the protective sleeve are wider than those on the bayonet washer. The now wider tabs of the protective sleeve then advantageously have recesses on their top that are as wide or slightly wider than the tabs of the bayonet washer. When assembled, the tabs of the bayonet washer dip into the recesses of the tabs of the protective sleeve and are held in place by the preload force of the spring element.

The preload force of the spring element must be designed in such a way that the protective sleeve does not come loose from its position fixed on the bayonet washer even if the maximum permissible acceleration forces occur.

Basically, in the solution with a bayonet lock, the recess in the protective sleeve for accessibility of the electrical plug for electrical contacting must be designed in such a way that, in addition to the space for the electrical contacting itself, it also provides the additional space required for the rotational movement of the protective sleeve during its assembly. It must therefore be designed somewhat wider here than in the exemplary embodiments shown in Figures 6 to 19.

Claims

Expectations

1 . Tank valve (1) for a pressure tank (2), with the help of the tank valve (1) a gas passage can be blocked or released, an area (14) of the tank valve (1) protruding from the pressure tank (2) being equipped with a protective device (20 ) is combined, characterized in that the protective device (20) comprises a protective sleeve (21) which is open at an end facing away from the pressure tank (2) and which surrounds the area (14) of the tank valve (1) protruding from the pressure tank (2) and projects beyond, the protective sleeve (21) being attached to the pressure tank (2) independently of the tank valve (1).

2. Tank valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the protective sleeve (21) has the shape of a straight circular cylinder jacket (22).

3. Tank valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective sleeve (21) comprises a recess (25) for making electrical contact (10) of the tank valve (1).

4. Tank valve according to claim 3, characterized in that the recess (25) for carrying out the electrical contacting (10) of the tank valve (1) is designed as a continuous longitudinal slot (26).

5. Tank valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective sleeve (21) is cohesively connected to the pressure tank (2).

6. Tank valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective sleeve (21) is detachably connected to the pressure tank (2).

7. Tank valve according to claim 6, characterized in that the protective sleeve (21) is screwed to the pressure tank (2).

8. Tank valve according to claim 6, characterized in that the protective sleeve (21) is connected to the pressure tank (2) like a bayonet lock. Construction kit with differently designed protective sleeves (21), each of which is adapted to a tank valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims with regard to an inner diameter (23) and a height (24) in such a way that, firstly, there is a radial distance between the valves protruding from the pressure tank Area (14) of the tank valve (1), whereby the

Protective sleeve (21) secondly projects beyond the area (14) of the tank valve (1) protruding from the pressure tank (2). Protective sleeve (21) for a tank valve (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8.