Cartridge tank system

Abstract

To provide a cartridge tank system capable of preventing leakage of hydrogen gas by a simple structure.SOLUTION: A cartridge tank system 1 includes: a switching member 3 switching a connection state where a cartridge tank 10 and a hydrogen gas piping 5 are connected by making the cartridge tank 10 mounted on a unit 2 relatively approach to the hydrogen gas piping 5, and a release state where the connection state is released by relatively separating the cartridge tank 10 from the hydrogen gas piping 5; a stopper member 7 capable of moving to an approaching direction and a separating direction of the cartridge tank 10 in accordance with approach and separation of the cartridge tank 10; and a hand valve 4 mounted on the hydrogen gas piping 5. In the releasing state, valve opening of the hand valve 4 is restricted by the stopper member 7. In the connection state, switch of the switching member 3 to the release state is restricted by the hand valve 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cartridge tank system, and particularly relates to a cartridge tank system used for filling hydrogen gas into a cartridge tank. [[Background Art]]

[0002] In recent years, toward the realization of a hydrogen society, the use of small and lightweight cartridge tanks has been expected as one idea that enables more accessible utilization of hydrogen. When filling such cartridge tanks with hydrogen, for example, the cartridge tank system described in Patent Document 1 below can be used. That is, a plurality of cartridge tanks are attached to a manifold, and hydrogen is efficiently filled into the plurality of cartridge tanks via the manifold. [[Prior Art Documents]] [[Patent Documents]]

[0003] [[Patent Document 1]] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-157522 [[Summary of the Invention]] [[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]]

[0004] When the above-mentioned cartridge tank system is used, it is necessary to provide a valve that blocks or permits filling of hydrogen gas into the cartridge tank in the tank connecting portion provided with the manifold. However, incorrect opening / closing operation of the valve leads to the risk of hydrogen leakage. For example, if the valve is opened when the cartridge tank is not connected to the hydrogen gas pipe, or if the cartridge tank is removed while the valve is open, a problem occurs in which hydrogen gas leaks to the outside. To solve such a problem, a method of installing, for each valve, a control device that electrically controls opening and closing of the valve is conceivable, but since the electric control device is expensive and the control circuit is complicated, this not only causes an increase in cost, but also newly raises the problem of a complicated structure.

[0005] This invention was made to solve these technical problems, and aims to provide a cartridge tank system that can prevent hydrogen gas leakage with a simple structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The cartridge tank system according to the present invention is a cartridge tank system used for filling a cartridge tank with hydrogen gas, and comprises: a unit in which the cartridge tank is detachably housed; a switching member that switches between a connected state in which the cartridge tank and the hydrogen gas piping are connected by bringing the cartridge tank mounted on the unit relatively close to the hydrogen gas piping, and a released state in which the connected state is released by moving the cartridge tank relatively away from the hydrogen gas piping; a stopper member that can move in the approaching and separating directions of the cartridge tank in accordance with the approaching and separating directions of the cartridge tank; and a hand valve provided on the hydrogen gas piping, wherein in the released state, the opening of the hand valve is restricted by the stopper member, and in the connected state, the switching of the switching member to the released state is restricted by the hand valve.

[0007] In the cartridge tank system according to the present invention, when the cartridge tank and hydrogen gas piping are disconnected (i.e., the cartridge tank and hydrogen gas piping are not connected), the opening of the hand valve is restricted by a stopper member, and when the cartridge tank and hydrogen gas piping are connected, the switching of the switching member to the disconnected state is restricted by the hand valve. Therefore, for example, even if someone tries to accidentally open the hand valve when the cartridge tank and hydrogen gas piping are not connected, the opening is restricted (in other words, prohibited) by the stopper member. Consequently, leakage of hydrogen gas due to accidental opening of the hand valve can be prevented.

[0008] Furthermore, even if the switching member is accidentally operated to switch to the release state while the cartridge tank and hydrogen gas piping are connected and the hand valve is open, the switching is restricted by the hand valve. Therefore, hydrogen gas leakage due to erroneous switching can be prevented. Moreover, the hand valve, switching member, and stopper member form an interlock structure, making it less expensive and simpler in structure compared to using electrically controlled equipment. As a result, hydrogen gas leakage can be prevented with a simple structure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, hydrogen gas leakage can be prevented with a simple structure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a partial perspective view showing the cartridge tank system according to the embodiment (in a state where the cartridge tank and hydrogen gas piping are disconnected). [Figure 2] This is a partial perspective view showing the cartridge tank system according to the embodiment (the connection state between the cartridge tank and the hydrogen gas piping). [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the hand valve and the stopper member when the hand valve is opened and closed. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the cartridge tank system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted. Furthermore, in the following description, the up and down and left and right directions are convenient directions corresponding to the state shown in the drawings, and do not limit the orientation or arrangement of the cartridge tank system.

[0012] Figure 1 is a partial perspective view showing the cartridge tank system according to the embodiment (disconnected state of the cartridge tank and hydrogen gas piping), and Figure 2 is a partial perspective view showing the cartridge tank system according to the embodiment (connected state of the cartridge tank and hydrogen gas piping). The cartridge tank system 1 of this embodiment is used for filling a cartridge tank 10 with hydrogen gas and includes a unit 2 in which the cartridge tank 10 is detachably housed.

[0013] The cartridge tank 10 is a cylindrical tank with a handle, for example, applied to a portable hydrogen cartridge container, and is used in various applications such as transportation means like drones, motorcycles, and automobiles, and household power supplies. Although not shown in the figures, the cartridge tank 10 has a cylindrical tank body, a valve provided at the insertion end of the cartridge tank 10 that can communicate with the tank body, and a handle provided on the opposite side of the insertion end of the cartridge tank 10.

[0014] Unit 2 is a frame formed from multiple elongated metal members and has a space for housing the cartridge tank 10. There are, for example, multiple such units 2, and they are fixed on a filling trolley (not shown) in a parallel arrangement in one direction. This makes it possible to fill multiple cartridge tanks 10 simultaneously. Furthermore, it is preferable that the parallel arrangement of units 2 be stacked in multiple layers.

[0015] One end of unit 2 is open to receive the cartridge tank 10. Users of the cartridge tank 10 can install the cartridge tank 10 into or remove it from unit 2 through this opening. On the other hand, a switching member 3 and a hand valve 4 are located at the other end of unit 2.

[0016] The switching member 3 is a mechanism that switches between a connected state, in which the cartridge tank 10 mounted on the unit 2 is brought relatively closer to the hydrogen gas piping 5, thereby connecting the cartridge tank 10 and the hydrogen gas piping 5, and a disconnected state, in which the cartridge tank 10 is moved relatively further away from the hydrogen gas piping 5, thereby disconnecting the cartridge tank 10, and is supported by the unit 2.

[0017] Specifically, the switching member 3 comprises a rotating handle 31, a drive gear 33 connected to the rotating handle 31 via a mounting plate 32, a drive shaft 34 that can move back and forth in the axial direction of the drive gear 33 as the drive gear 33 rotates, and an end plate 36 fitted into a groove 35 at the tip of the drive shaft 34. The axial direction of the drive gear 33 is the same as the axial direction of the cartridge tank 10. The end plate 36 is connected to the insertion end of the cartridge tank 10.

[0018] In this embodiment, from the viewpoint of ensuring safe filling of the cartridge tank 10, the cartridge tank 10 mounted on the unit 2 through the opening of the unit 2 is configured to be locked to the unit 2 by rotating it, for example, counterclockwise. Therefore, after a user fully inserts the cartridge tank 10 into the unit 2, they can lock the cartridge tank 10 to the unit 2 by gripping the handle portion of the cartridge tank 10 and twisting it counterclockwise, for example, by 45°. When locked to the unit 2, the cartridge tank 10 is mounted on the unit 2. At this time, the insertion end of the cartridge tank 10 is connected to the end plate 36 of the switching member 3.

[0019] On the other hand, if the user wants to remove the cartridge tank 10 from the unit 2 (i.e., to attach or detach it), the user grasps the handle and twists the cartridge tank 10 clockwise, for example, by 45°, thereby releasing the lock between the cartridge tank 10 and the unit 2. At this time, the connection between the insertion end of the cartridge tank 10 and the end plate 36 is also released.

[0020] Hereinafter, switching between the connected state and the released state by the switching member 3 will be described.

[0021] In a state where the insertion end of the cartridge tank 10 is coupled to the end plate 36, when the rotary handle 31 of the switching member 3 is rotated, for example, clockwise, the drive shaft 34 retreats in the axial direction of the drive gear 33 as the drive gear 33 rotates, whereby the end plate 36 moves along the approaching direction shown in Fig. 1. At this time, the cartridge tank 10 coupled to the end plate 36 also approaches the hydrogen gas pipe 5 along the approaching direction. As a result, the cartridge tank 10 and the hydrogen gas pipe 5 are connected. That is, the switching member 3 is brought into the connected state. In this connected state, a valve provided at the insertion end of the cartridge tank 10 is connected to a filling nozzle provided at the distal end of the hydrogen gas pipe 5.

[0022] On the other hand, when the rotary handle 31 of the switching member 3 is rotated, for example, counterclockwise, the drive shaft 34 advances in the axial direction of the drive gear 33 as the drive gear 33 rotates, whereby the end plate 36 moves along the separating direction shown in Fig. 1. At this time, the cartridge tank 10 coupled to the end plate 36 also separates from the hydrogen gas pipe 5 along the separating direction. As a result, the connected state between the cartridge tank 10 and the hydrogen gas pipe 5 is released, and the switching member 3 is brought into the released state. In the released state, the valve provided at the insertion end of the cartridge tank 10 separates from the filling nozzle provided at the distal end of the hydrogen gas pipe 5, and the cartridge tank 10 and the hydrogen gas pipe 5 are not connected.

[0023] It should be noted that both the above-mentioned approaching direction and separating direction are parallel to the axial direction of the cartridge tank 10, but their moving directions are opposite to each other.

[0024] Furthermore, an extension frame 6 is fixed to the end plate 36, extending from the unit 2 and in the axial direction of the cartridge tank 10. The extension frame 6 is made of a stepped metal plate, and one end (fixed end) is fixed to the end plate 36 by welding or the like. A stopper member 7 is fixed to the extension end, which is the opposite end of the fixed end. The extension frame 6 is designed to reciprocate along the axial direction of the cartridge tank 10 in accordance with the movement of the end plate 36.

[0025] The stopper member 7 is formed in a block shape and is designed to protrude from the extension frame 6 toward the hand valve 4. The stopper member 7 may be formed integrally with the extension frame 6, or it may be formed separately and then welded or bonded to the extension frame 6.

[0026] The stopper member 7 is movable along the approaching and moving away directions of the cartridge tank 10 in accordance with the approaching and moving away directions of the cartridge tank 10 to and from the hydrogen gas piping 5. More specifically, as described above, when the end plate 36 moves in the approaching or moving away direction shown in Figure 1 by the rotation of the rotating handle 31 of the switching member 3, the extension frame 6 fixed to the end plate 36 also moves in the approaching or moving away direction. As a result, the stopper member 7 fixed to the extension frame 6 also moves along the approaching or moving away direction.

[0027] The hydrogen gas pipeline 5 is connected to the hydrogen gas storage tank on the hydrogen station side, and hydrogen gas is supplied into the cartridge tank 10 via a filling nozzle attached to the end of the hydrogen gas pipeline 5.

[0028] The hand valve 4 is installed in the hydrogen gas piping 5 and is a valve that shuts off or allows the filling of hydrogen gas into the cartridge tank 10. The hand valve 4 has a valve body 41 installed in the middle of the hydrogen gas piping 5, a valve stem 42 connected to a valve body located inside the valve body 41, a bearing 43 provided outside the valve body 41 that supports the valve stem 42, a cylindrical manual operating lever 45 fixed to the protruding end of the valve stem 42 that protrudes from the bearing 43, and a contact jig 44 that receives the protruding end of the valve stem 42 and grips the base portion of the manual operating lever 45.

[0029] The valve body 41 is box-shaped and is fixed to and supported by the frame member 8 of unit 2. Inside the valve body 41 is a valve element (not shown) that opens and closes the flow path of the hydrogen gas piping 5.

[0030] The contact jig 44 has a roughly C-shaped cross-section, and the protruding end of the valve stem 42 is positioned inside the C-shape and fixed to the manual operating lever 45 with screws. When the manual operating lever 45 is turned, the valve stem 42 fixed to the manual operating lever 45 rotates, thereby opening and closing the valve body connected to the valve stem 42. At the same time, the contact jig 44 fixed to the manual operating lever 45 rotates around the valve stem 42.

[0031] In this embodiment, when the cartridge tank 10 and the hydrogen gas piping 5 are disconnected (in other words, when the cartridge tank 10 and the hydrogen gas piping 5 are not connected), the opening of the hand valve 4 is restricted by the stopper member 7. On the other hand, when the cartridge tank 10 and the hydrogen gas piping 5 are connected, the switching of the switching member 3 to the disconnected state is restricted by the hand valve 4. The following will provide a detailed explanation with the addition of Figures 3(a) to (c) to Figures 1 and 2.

[0032] First, as shown in Figures 1 and 3(a), when the cartridge tank 10 and the hydrogen gas piping 5 are not connected, the hand valve 4 is closed. At this time, the upper surface of the stopper member 7 is in contact with the lower surface of the contact jig 44, and the opening of the hand valve 4 is restricted (in other words, prohibited) by the stopper member 7. Therefore, even if you try to turn the manual operation lever 45 in the direction of opening the hand valve 4, the manual operation lever 45 will not move.

[0033] Next, as shown in Figure 3(b), when, for example, the cartridge tank 10 is attached to the unit 2 and the switching member 3 is switched to the connected state, the cartridge tank 10 approaches the hydrogen gas pipe 5 and connects to the hydrogen gas pipe 5. At this time, the stopper member 7 moves in the approaching direction shown in Figure 1 as the extension frame 6 moves, and the contact state with the contact jig 44 is released. As a result, the manual operation lever 45 of the hand valve 4 becomes rotatable. In other words, the hand valve 4 becomes open.

[0034] Next, as shown in Figures 2 and 3(c), when the manual operating lever 45 is turned in the valve-opening direction, the hand valve 4 opens, and hydrogen gas flows through the hydrogen gas piping 5 to the cartridge tank 10 connected to the hydrogen gas piping 5. As the manual operating lever 45 rotates, the contact jig 44 rotates around the valve shaft 42 and comes into contact with the stopper member 7 again. More specifically, at this time, the right side of the contact jig 44 comes into contact with the left side of the stopper member 7.

[0035] At this time, even if one attempts to rotate the rotary handle 31 to release the connection between the cartridge tank 10 and the hydrogen gas piping 5 (i.e., to switch the switching member 3 to the released state), the stopper member 7 comes into contact with the contact jig 44, restricting the movement of the stopper member 7, and thus preventing the rotary handle 31 from rotating. As a result, the cartridge tank 10 cannot be removed from the unit 2.

[0036] In the cartridge tank system 1 according to this embodiment, when the cartridge tank 10 and the hydrogen gas piping 5 are disconnected, the opening of the hand valve 4 is restricted by the stopper member 7, and when the cartridge tank 10 and the hydrogen gas piping 5 are connected, the switching of the switching member 3 to the disconnected state is restricted by the hand valve 4. Therefore, for example, even if someone tries to accidentally open the hand valve 4 when the cartridge tank 10 and the hydrogen gas piping 5 are not connected, the opening is restricted (in other words, prohibited) by the stopper member 7, so the hand valve 4 cannot be opened. Accordingly, leakage of hydrogen gas due to accidental opening of the hand valve 4 can be prevented.

[0037] Furthermore, even if the switching member 3 is accidentally operated to switch to the release state while the cartridge tank 10 and the hydrogen gas piping 5 are connected and the hand valve 4 is open, the switching is restricted by the hand valve 4. Therefore, leakage of hydrogen gas due to erroneous switching can be prevented.

[0038] Furthermore, the hand valve 4, switching member 3, and stopper member 7 form an interlock structure, making it less expensive and simpler in structure compared to using electrically controlled equipment. As a result, hydrogen gas leakage can be prevented with a simple structure.

[0039] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various design modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as described in the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0040] 1: Cartridge tank system, 2: Unit, 3: Switching component, 4: Hand valve, 5: Hydrogen gas piping, 6: Extension frame, 7: Stopper component, 8: Frame component, 10: Cartridge tank, 31: Rotating handle, 32: Mounting plate, 33: Drive gear, 34: Drive shaft, 35: Groove, 36: End plate, 41: Valve body, 42: Valve stem, 43: Bearing, 44: Contact jig, 45: Manual operation lever

Claims

[Claim 1] A cartridge tank system used for filling cartridge tanks with hydrogen gas, A unit in which the cartridge tank is detachably housed, A switching member that switches between a connected state in which the cartridge tank mounted on the unit is brought relatively close to the hydrogen gas piping, thereby connecting the cartridge tank and the hydrogen gas piping, and a disconnected state in which the cartridge tank is moved relatively away from the hydrogen gas piping, A stopper member that can move in the approaching and separating directions of the cartridge tank in accordance with the approaching and separating directions of the cartridge tank, A hand valve is provided in the hydrogen gas piping, Equipped with, In the released state, the opening of the hand valve is restricted by the stopper member. A cartridge tank system characterized in that, in the connected state, the switching of the switching member to the released state is restricted by the hand valve.

Images