Valve device

Abstract

The present invention provides a valve device (1) for a gas tank (2), which valve device includes a body (4) and a check valve (16) provided in an injection passage (13) to inject gas into the gas tank (2). The check valve (16) includes a valve seat (33), a housing (34) fixed in the injection passage (13) with a space provided between an inner peripheral surface (31a) of the injection passage (13) and the housing (34) to enable the gas to flow through the space, and a valve element (35) accommodated in the housing (34). The housing (34) includes a cylinder portion (41) and is configured such that a bottom portion (42) of the cylinder portion (41) provided on the opposite side from the valve seat (33) defines a range in which the valve element (35) is axially movable. The valve element (35) includes a head portion (51) that can plug a valve hole (37) of the valve seat (33) and a sliding portion (53) formed to be axially movable with respect to the cylinder portion (41).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve arrangement. Background Art

[0002] A gas tank installed in a fuel cell vehicle or the like is equipped with a valve device that controls the supply and discharge of high-pressure hydrogen stored in the tank. This valve device includes a body provided with a gas flow channel that connects the interior and exterior of the tank. The gas flow channel includes an injection channel through which hydrogen is injected into the tank from an external supply source (such as a hydrogen tank in a hydrogen station). This injection channel is equipped with a check valve to prevent backflow of hydrogen.

[0003] Specifically, for example, the valve device described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-75373 is as follows Figure 10 As shown in FIG, the main body 71 is provided with an injection channel 72. The injection channel 72 has an opening with a diameter larger than that of another portion of the injection channel 72 for accommodating a check valve 73. The check valve 73 includes a valve seat 74 having an annular shape and fixed in the injection channel 72; and a valve element 75 arranged on the back side of the valve seat 74 in the injection channel 72. Figure 10 and a urging member 76 such as a coil spring, which urges the valve element 75 toward the valve seat 74. The valve element 75 includes a head 81, a small diameter cylindrical portion 82, and a large diameter cylindrical portion 83, which are pressed from the valve seat 74 side ( Figure 10 The small-diameter cylindrical portion 82 has an outer diameter set smaller than that of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 83, and is provided with a transverse hole 84 radially extending through the small-diameter cylindrical portion 82. The outer diameter of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 83 is set slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the injection passage 72 so that the valve element 75 can move axially in the injection passage 72.

[0004] In this valve device, when no hydrogen is injected, the valve element 75 is pushed by the pressure of the hydrogen in the gas tank (the internal pressure of the tank) and the thrust of the pushing member 76, and then the head 81 blocks the valve hole 85 of the valve seat 74, so that the check valve 73 is in the valve closed state. At the same time, when hydrogen is injected, the pressure of the hydrogen injected from the outside via the connecting piece (not shown) (injection pressure) overcomes the thrust of the pushing member 76 and causes the valve element 75 to leave the valve seat 74, thereby putting the check valve in the valve open state. Then, as Figure 10 As indicated by the arrow in FIG. 8 , the hydrogen gas flowing into the injection channel 72 through the valve hole 85 passes through the valve element 75 through the transverse hole 84 and then flows to the back side of the injection channel 72 to be injected into the gas tank. Summary of the Invention

[0005] When the amount of hydrogen stored in the gas tank is reduced to make the pressure inside the tank lower than the injection pressure, such as at the start of injection, the valve element 75 is firmly pushed against the movable end portion (the stepped surface of the height difference surface of the injection passage 72) in the valve opening direction by the pressure difference between the pressure inside the tank and the injection pressure that resists the pushing force of the pushing member 76. Meanwhile, when the increase in the amount of hydrogen stored makes the pressure inside the tank approach the injection pressure to reduce the pressure difference, the valve element 75 is brought close to the valve seat 74 by the pushing force of the pushing member 76. In this state, the acting pressure difference acting on the valve element 75 and the pushing force of the pushing member 76 are substantially balanced, so that the valve element 75 tends to move relatively easily in the injection passage 72. In addition, in order to enable the valve element 75 to slide in the injection passage 72, a slight gap is provided between the valve element 75 (the large-diameter cylindrical portion 83) and the injection passage 72, so that the valve element 75 can vibrate (chatter) due to the influence of the flow of hydrogen through the valve element 75.

[0006] The present application provides a valve device that can reduce the vibration of its valve element.

[0007] A valve device for a gas tank according to an aspect of the present application includes a body provided in a gas tank that stores a high-pressure gas, and a gas flow passage that is provided in the body to communicate between the inside of the gas tank and the outside; and a check valve provided in an injection passage in the gas flow passage, the injection passage being provided to inject a gas into the gas tank. The check valve includes a valve seat fixed in the injection passage; a housing in a bottomed cylindrical shape and fixed in the injection passage, with a space provided between the inner peripheral surface of the injection passage and the housing to enable the flow of a gas therethrough; and a valve element housed in the housing to come into contact with and to be away from the valve seat. The housing includes a cylindrical portion into which the valve element is fitted in an axially movable manner, and is configured so that a bottom of the cylindrical portion provided at an axial end portion of the cylindrical portion opposite to the valve seat defines a range in which the valve element is axially movable. The valve element includes a head portion that can plug a valve hole of the valve seat, and a sliding portion formed to have a region in contact with the cylindrical portion, the region being uniform throughout a range in which the sliding portion is axially movable.

[0008] According to the above structure, the gas flowing into the injection passage via the valve hole passes through the space between the housing and the injection passage, and flows toward the back side of the injection passage to inject the gas tank, so that the flow of the gas is less likely to affect the valve element compared to the case where the gas passes through the inside of the valve element. Therefore, the pressure difference between the tank internal pressure and the injection pressure is reduced, so that the vibration of the valve element can be reduced even when the valve element can move relatively easily in the injection passage. Further, the sliding portion is formed to have a region in contact with the cylinder portion, which is uniform throughout the range in which the sliding portion can move axially, so that it is possible to prevent the valve element and the housing from biting into each other, for example, when the valve element reciprocates, unlike the case where the sliding portion is protruded and retracted from the cylinder portion. Therefore, for example, the generation of wear powder can be reduced.

[0009] In the above aspect, the sliding portion can be formed such that the entire outer peripheral surface of the sliding portion is in surface contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder portion. According to the above structure, the entire outer peripheral surface of the sliding portion is in surface contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder portion, so that no large gap is formed between the sliding portion and the cylinder portion. Therefore, the flow of the gas toward the bottom side via the gap between the sliding portion and the cylinder portion can be reduced, so that the operation of the valve element in the housing can be stabilized.

[0010] In the above aspect, the outer peripheral surface of the head portion can include a tapered surface in a tapered shape that is tapered toward the valve seat, and the tapered surface can be formed such that, when the valve element is positioned at a return end farthest from the valve seat, an extension line of the tapered surface passes closer to the valve seat than an end edge of the cylinder portion on the valve seat side.

[0011] According to the above structure, when the valve element is positioned at the return end away from the valve seat, the gas can remain in the gap between the valve element and the cylinder portion of the housing. Then, the pressure of the gas flowing into the gap between the valve element and the cylinder portion of the housing not only exerts a force to press the valve element toward its axis (radially inward), but also exerts a force to press the valve element toward the bottom of the housing, the above forces acting at a position away from the axis, so that the operation of the valve element can be more stable.

[0012] In the above aspect, the outer peripheral surface of the head portion can include a tapered surface in a tapered shape that is tapered toward the valve seat, and the tapered surface can be formed such that, when the valve element is positioned at a return end farthest from the valve seat, an extension line of the tapered surface passes closer to the valve seat than an end edge of the cylinder portion on the valve seat side.

[0013] According to the above structure, when the valve element is positioned at the return end away from the valve seat, the gas flowing into the injection passage via the valve hole collides with the head portion of the valve element to flow along the tapered surface, and thus the gas flowing into the injection passage via the valve hole hardly collides with the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder portion to flow into the space on the outer peripheral side of the housing. This enables smooth flow of the gas, and thus, for example, occurrence of turbulence can be reduced.

[0014] In the above aspect, the inner peripheral surface of the injection passage can be formed in a cylindrical shape, and the outer peripheral surface of the housing can include a curved surface having a cross section in an arc shape and having a curvature equal to that of the inner peripheral surface of the injection passage, and a flow passage surface in a non-circular shape and extending over the entire axial range of the housing.

[0015] According to the above structure, when the housing is inserted into the injection passage, the housing can be easily fixed while a gap is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the injection passage and the flow passage surface to allow the gas to flow through the gap.

[0016] According to the present application, vibration of the valve element can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals denote like elements, and wherein:

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic structural view of a valve device;

[0019] Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a check valve in a valve-closed state in the vicinity of the check valve of the first embodiment;

[0020] Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a check valve in a valve-opened state in the vicinity of the check valve of the first embodiment;

[0021] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a housing of the first embodiment;

[0022] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the check valve of the first embodiment (cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 6); Figure 2

[0023] Figure 6 is a schematic view showing a dimensional relationship between the housing and the valve element of the first embodiment;

[0024] Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a check valve in a valve-closed state in the vicinity of the check valve of the second embodiment;

[0025] ​Figure 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a check valve in a valve-open state of a second embodiment;

[0026] Figure 9 is a schematic view showing the dimensional relationship between a housing and a valve element of the second embodiment; and

[0027] Figure 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a conventional check valve in a valve-open state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] First Embodiment

[0029] A first embodiment of a valve device will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 The valve device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is attached to an attachment port 3 of a gas tank 2 that stores hydrogen gas at high pressure (for example, 70 MPa). The valve device 1 includes a body 4 made of an aluminum alloy, a supply-side coupling member 6 configured to connect a supply pipe 5 that extends from an external supply source (for example, a hydrogen tank in a hydrogen station or the like), and a delivery-side coupling member 8 configured to connect a delivery pipe 7 that extends to a delivery target (for example, a fuel cell or the like). The body 4 includes a body portion 11 arranged outside the gas tank 2 in a flat box shape, and an attachment portion 12 inserted into the attachment port 3. The attachment portion 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape and extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to a bottom surface 11a of the body portion 11 (downward direction in FIG. 1). Figure 1

[0030] The body portion 11 is provided with an injection passage 13 configured to inject hydrogen gas flowing through the supply pipe 5 into the gas tank 2, and a delivery passage 14 configured to deliver hydrogen gas to the delivery target via the delivery pipe 7. The attachment portion 12 is provided with a connection passage 15 connected to each of the injection passage 13 and the delivery passage 14, and the connection passage 15 opens into the gas tank 2. That is, in the present embodiment, the injection passage 13, the delivery passage 14, and the connection passage 15 constitute a gas flow passage that communicates between the inside and the outside of the gas tank 2. The injection passage 13 is provided with a check valve 16 that prevents hydrogen gas injected into the gas tank 2 from being discharged to the outside by backflowing, and the delivery passage 14 is provided with a solenoid valve 17 that controls the supply of hydrogen gas to the delivery target. In addition, in the valve device 1, the supply pipe 5 is coupled to the supply-side coupling member 6 to connect the supply pipe 5 to the injection passage 13, and the delivery pipe 7 is coupled to the delivery-side coupling member 8 to connect the delivery pipe 7 to the delivery passage 14.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the body portion 11 has a side surface 11b provided with a plurality of ribs 18 extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the side surface 11b (downward direction in FIG. 1). Figure 2 Figure 2 ​​The attachment hole 21 includes a first attachment hole 22 opened to the side surface 11b and a second attachment hole 23 adjacent to the first attachment hole 22 on the left side in the front view. The first attachment hole 22 and the second attachment hole 23 are formed on the same axis La, and the first attachment hole 22 is formed to have a larger inner diameter than that of the second attachment hole 23. The first attachment hole 22 and the second attachment hole 23 each have an inner peripheral surface provided with a female screw. In addition, the supply-side coupling member 6 is screwed into the first attachment hole 22, and a plug 24 in a cylindrical shape is screwed into the second attachment hole 23. Further, a sealing member (not shown) is provided between the bottom surface of the first attachment hole 22 and the supply-side coupling member 6 to perform airtight sealing therebetween. The plug 24 is provided with a communication hole 25 that communicates with the inside of the supply-side coupling member 6 axially through the plug 24. Figure 2

[0032] The injection passage 13 is formed in a straight pipe shape and extends coaxially with the first attachment hole 22 and the second attachment hole 23 near the side surface 11b of the body portion 11, and the injection passage 13 opens to the bottom surface of the second attachment hole 23. Thus, the injection passage 13 is connected to the communication hole 25 of the plug 24 screwed into the second attachment hole 23, and communicates with the inside of the supply-side coupling member 6 via the communication hole 25. In addition, the check valve 16 is provided in the opening portion of the injection passage 13 on the second attachment hole 23 side.

[0033] The opening portion of the injection passage 13 on the attachment hole 21 side is set to have a larger inner diameter than that of the other portion of the injection passage 13 to accommodate the check valve 16. Specifically, the opening portion of the injection passage 13 includes a first accommodation portion 31 having an inner peripheral surface in a cylindrical shape and a second accommodation portion 32 extending to the first accommodation portion 31 and having an inner peripheral surface in a cylindrical shape in this order from the back side of the injection passage 13, and the second accommodation portion 32 opens to the bottom surface of the attachment hole 21 (the second attachment hole 23). The inner diameters of the first accommodation portion 31 and the second accommodation portion 32 increase in the described order, and the first accommodation portion 31 and the second accommodation portion 32 are formed to be disposed on the same axis La as the axis of each of the attachment hole 21 and the injection passage 13.

[0034] The check valve 16 includes a valve seat 33, a housing 34, a valve element (poppet valve) 35, and a push member 36 such as a coil spring. The valve seat 33 is formed of an elastic material such as a polyimide resin. The valve seat 33 is formed in an annular shape and has a valve hole 37. The valve seat 33 is fitted into the second accommodation portion 32, and is fixed in the injection passage 13 by being sandwiched between the plug 24 screwed into the second attachment hole 23 and the bottom surface of the second accommodation portion 32. When the valve seat 33 is fitted into the second accommodation portion 32, the valve hole 37 is formed to be disposed on the axis La.​

[0035] As Figures 2 to 5 shown in FIG. 6, the housing 34 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape. The housing 34 includes a cylindrical portion 41, a bottom portion 42 of the cylindrical portion 41, and a plurality of leg portions 43, which are disposed in the order described from the right side in FIG. 6 (valve seat 33 side). The housing 34 has an axial length that is set to be substantially equal to the axial length of the first accommodating portion 31. This causes the open end of the cylindrical portion 41 to be in contact with the valve seat 33, and the front end of each of the leg portions 43 to be in contact with the bottom surface of the first accommodating portion 31. Figure 2

[0036] The outer peripheral surface of the housing 34 is formed in a flat shape that is formed by cutting a portion of a cylinder, and includes a plurality of (four in the present embodiment) curved surfaces 34a each having a cross section in an arc shape and having a curvature that is equal to the curvature of the inner peripheral surface 31a of the first accommodating portion 31 (injection passage 13), and flow passage surfaces 34b each in a planar shape. Each of the curved surfaces 34a and each of the flow passage surfaces 34b is formed to traverse the entire axial range of the cylindrical portion 41. As described above, each of the curved surfaces 34a has a curvature that is substantially equal to the curvature of the inner peripheral surface of the injection passage 13, so that the housing 34 is fixed in the injection passage 13 when inserted into the injection passage 13, and further, a space 44 is formed between the flow passage surfaces 34b and the inner peripheral surface 31a to allow hydrogen gas to flow through the space 44. Meanwhile, the inner peripheral surface 41a of the cylindrical portion 41 is formed in a cylindrical shape. Further, the cylindrical portion 41 is provided with a lateral hole forming portion 45 including a plurality of lateral holes 45a each in a substantially U shape formed by cutting the flow passage surfaces 34b from an end surface obtained when the cylindrical portion 41 is hypothetically extended. An axially extending through hole 46 is provided at the center of the bottom portion 42 of the cylindrical portion 41, and a placement hole 47 coaxial with the through hole 46 is formed in the inner bottom surface of the bottom portion 42, the placement hole 47 being configured to place the push member 36. Each of the leg portions 43 is formed in a substantially triangular rod shape, and is disposed at a respective one of the corner portions (four corner portions) of the outer bottom surface of the bottom portion 42.

[0037] ​The valve element 35 is slidably accommodated in the housing 34. The valve element 35 includes a head portion 51, a shaft portion 52, and a sliding portion 53, which are arranged in the order described from the valve seat 33 side. The head portion 51 is formed into a tapered shape, inclined at a predetermined angle toward the valve seat 33, with the entire outer circumference of the head portion 51 formed as a tapered surface 51a. The head portion 51 is formed to have a maximum portion with an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 41 and larger than the inner diameter of the valve hole 37, and a minimum portion with an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the valve hole 37. Furthermore, when the valve element 35 is seated on the valve seat 33 and the valve hole 37 is blocked by the head portion 51, the check valve 16 is placed in a closed state. When the valve element 35 is released from the valve seat 33, opening the valve hole 37, the check valve 16 is placed in an open state. As described above, the valve element 35 is configured to be able to move axially between the forward end located at the position where the head portion 51 is seated on the valve seat 33 and the return end located at the position where the slide portion 53 comes into contact with the bottom portion 42 of the housing 34. That is, the bottom portion 42 is provided at the axial end portion of the cylindrical portion 41 opposite to the valve seat 33 to define the range (return end) within which the valve element 35 can move axially.

[0038] The shaft portion 52 is formed in a cylindrical shape and has an outer diameter that is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the largest part of the head portion 51. In addition, the shaft portion 52 is provided with a portion whose diameter increases in a gradual manner at its end portion located on the sliding portion 53 side. The sliding portion 53 is formed in a cylindrical shape and includes a placement hole 54 that is open to the bottom 42 side of the housing 34. The outer diameter of the sliding portion 53 is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the shaft portion 52 and is set to be approximately equal to the inner diameter of the barrel 41. This causes the outer peripheral surface 53a of the sliding portion 53 to come into surface contact with the inner peripheral surface 41a of the barrel 41, forming an annular gap between the outer peripheral surface 52a of the shaft portion 52 and the inner peripheral surface 41a of the barrel 41. That is, in this embodiment, approximately the entire outer peripheral surface 53a of the sliding portion 53 is an area that is in contact with the barrel 41.

[0039] like Figure 6 As shown in , the axial length of the sliding portion 53 is set so that the area in which the sliding portion 53 contacts the barrel 41 is consistent (unchanged) throughout the entire range in which the sliding portion 53 can move axially (between the forward end and the return end). In other words, the axial length of the barrel 41 is set to be no less than the length obtained by adding the axial distance (stroke) of the reciprocating motion that the valve element 35 can perform to the axial length of the sliding portion 53. In addition, the inclination angle θ1 between the tapered surface 51a and the axis La is set so that: when the sliding portion 53 contacts the bottom 42, or when the valve element 35 is positioned at the return end farthest from the valve seat 33, the extension line Le1 of the tapered surface 51a passes through a position closer to the bottom 42 than the end edge 41b of the barrel 41 located on the valve seat 33 side.

[0040] The push member 36 is inserted into the accommodation holes 47, 54 while being axially compressed from its free length. This causes the push member 36 to push the valve element 35 toward the valve seat 33. As shown in FIG. 1, when no hydrogen gas is injected into the gas tank 2, the valve element 35 is pushed by the pressure of the hydrogen gas in the gas tank 2 (tank internal pressure) and the pushing force of the push member 36, and then the head portion 51 plugs the valve hole 37 of the valve seat 33 (valve closed state). Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 2, when hydrogen gas is injected, the valve element 35 is caused to move away from the valve seat 33 by the pressure of the hydrogen gas injected from the outside via the coupling member (not shown) (injection pressure) (valve open state). Then, the hydrogen gas flowing into the injection passage 13 via the valve hole 37 passes through the space 44 between the housing 34 and the inner peripheral surface of the injection passage 13 via the lateral hole 45a, and flows toward the back side of the injection passage 13 via each of the leg portions 43 to be injected into the gas tank 2. Figure 2 Figure 3 As described above, the present embodiment can achieve the following operational effects.

[0041] (1) The hydrogen gas flowing into the injection passage 13 via the valve hole 37 passes through the space 44 between the housing 34 and the injection passage 13 via the lateral hole 45a, and then flows toward the back side of the injection passage 13 to be injected into the gas tank 2, so that the flow of the hydrogen gas is less likely to affect the valve element 35 compared to the case where the hydrogen gas passes through the inside of the valve element 35. Therefore, the pressure difference between the tank internal pressure and the injection pressure is reduced so that the pressure difference acting on the valve element 35 and the pushing force of the push member 36 are substantially balanced, thereby making it possible to reduce the vibration of the valve element 35 even when the valve element 35 can relatively easily move in the injection passage 13. Further, the sliding portion 53 is formed to have a region in contact with the cylindrical portion 41, which is uniform (unchanged) over the entire range in which the sliding portion 53 can move axially, so that it is possible to prevent the valve element 35 and the housing 34 from biting into each other, for example, when the valve element 35 reciprocates, unlike the case where the sliding portion 53 is extended and retracted from the cylindrical portion 41. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the generation of abrasion powder, for example.

[0042] (2) The entire outer peripheral surface 53a of the sliding portion 53 is in surface contact with the inner peripheral surface 41a of the cylindrical portion 41, so that no large gap is formed between the sliding portion 53 and the cylindrical portion 41. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the flow of the hydrogen gas toward the bottom portion 42 of the housing 34 via the gap between the sliding portion 53 and the cylindrical portion 41, so that the operation of the valve element 35 in the housing 34 can be stabilized.

[0043] (3) The entire outer peripheral surface 53a of the sliding portion 53 is in surface contact with the inner peripheral surface 41a of the cylindrical portion 41, so that the sliding portion 53 is less likely to be damaged by the hydrogen gas flowing into the injection passage 13 via the valve hole 37. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the generation of abrasion powder, for example.

[0044] ​(3) The tapered surface 51a of the head portion 51 is formed so that an extension line Le1 of the tapered surface 51a passes through closer to the bottom portion 42 of the cylinder portion 41 than the end edge 41b of the cylinder portion 41 on the valve seat 33 side when the valve element 35 is positioned farthest from the valve seat 33. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, some of the hydrogen gas colliding with the head portion 51 can remain in the annular gap between the cylinder portion 41 and the shaft portion 52. Therefore, the pressure of the hydrogen gas flowing into the annular gap will exert not only a force pressing the valve element 35 toward its axis (radially inward) but also a force pressing the valve element 35 toward the bottom portion 42, the above-mentioned forces acting at a position away from the axis (the outer peripheral edge of the valve element 35), so that the operation of the valve element 35 can be more stable. Figure 3

[0045] Second Embodiment

[0046] Next, a second embodiment of the valve device will be described with reference to the drawings. For the sake of explanation, the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the above first embodiment to omit repetitive description.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 10, the tapered surface 62a of the head portion 62 is formed so that an extension line Le2 of the tapered surface 62a passes through closer to the valve seat 33 than the end edge of the cylinder portion 41 on the valve seat 33 side when the valve element 35 is positioned at the return end farthest from the valve seat 33. Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 10, the tapered surface 62a of the head portion 62 is formed so that an extension line Le2 of the tapered surface 62a passes through closer to the valve seat 33 than the end edge of the cylinder portion 41 on the valve seat 33 side when the valve element 35 is positioned at the return end farthest from the valve seat 33. Figure 9

[0048] Subsequently, the operation effect of the present embodiment will be described. In addition to the operation effects (1) and (2) of the above first embodiment, the present embodiment can also obtain the following effect.

[0049] (4) The tapered surface 62a of the head portion 62 is formed so that an extension line Le2 of the tapered surface 62a passes through closer to the valve seat 33 than the end edge of the cylinder portion 41 on the valve seat 33 side when the valve element 35 is positioned at the return end farthest from the valve seat 33. Thus, as shown in FIG. 10, some of the hydrogen gas colliding with the head portion 62 can remain in the annular gap between the cylinder portion 41 and the shaft portion 63. Therefore, the pressure of the hydrogen gas flowing into the annular gap will exert not only a force pressing the valve element 35 toward its axis (radially inward) but also a force pressing the valve element 35 toward the valve seat 33, the above-mentioned forces acting at a position away from the axis (the outer peripheral edge of the valve element 35), so that the operation of the valve element 35 can be more stable. Figure 8 ​​As shown in FIG. 6, the hydrogen gas flowing into the injection passage 13 via the valve hole 37 collides with the head 62 of the valve element 35 to flow along the tapered surface 62a, and thus, the hydrogen gas flowing into the injection passage 13 via the valve hole 37 hardly collides with the inner peripheral surface 41a of the cylindrical portion 41 to flow into the space 44 on the outer peripheral side of the housing 34. This enables the flow of the hydrogen gas to be smooth, and thus, for example, the occurrence of turbulence can be reduced.

[0050] The above embodiments can also be implemented by the following aspects obtained by appropriately changing the above embodiments. In each of the above embodiments, although the leg portions 43 are formed in a triangular rod shape, and are formed at each of the corner portions formed in the outer bottom surface of the bottom portion 42, in addition thereto, the shape, number, position, and the like of the leg portions 43 can be appropriately changed, as long as the hydrogen gas can flow toward the back side of the injection passage 13 via the space 44.

[0051] In each of the above embodiments, although the lateral holes 45a, 61a are formed so as to respectively radially penetrate the lateral hole formation portions 45, 61, and are formed in a substantially U-shaped opening shape in the respective end surfaces, in addition thereto, the lateral holes 45a, 61a may, for example, be formed in a round hole shape and respectively radially penetrate the lateral hole formation portions 45, 61.

[0052] In each of the above embodiments, the valve element 35 can be configured so that the head 51, 62 directly extends to the respective sliding portion 53 without the shaft portion 52, 63. In each of the above embodiments, although the housing 34 is configured so that the outer peripheral surface thereof includes the curved surface 34a having a cross section in an arc shape and having a curvature equal to that of the inner peripheral surface 31a of the first accommodation portion 31 (the injection passage 13), in addition thereto, the outer peripheral surface of the housing 34 may, for example, be formed in a polygonal shape without the curved surface.

[0053] In each of the above embodiments, although the entire outer peripheral surface 53a of the sliding portion 53 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 41a of the cylindrical portion 41, in addition thereto, the outer peripheral surface 53a and the inner peripheral surface 41a can be formed in different cross-sectional shapes so as to bring only a portion of the outer peripheral surface 53a into contact with the inner peripheral surface 41a.

[0054] In each of the above embodiments, although the coil spring is used as the urging member 36, in addition thereto, for example, a belleville spring, an elastic body, or the like is also usable. When the valve element 35 can be pushed toward the valve seat 33 under the pressure of the hydrogen gas, the urging member can not be provided.

[0055] In each of the above embodiments, although the valve device 1 is attached to the gas tank 2 that stores hydrogen gas, the valve device 1 can be attached to a gas tank that stores a gas other than hydrogen gas, in addition to this. Subsequently, the technical ideas appreciated from each of the above embodiments and other examples and the effects of these technical ideas will be described additionally below.

[0056] A valve device is provided in which an inner peripheral surface of an injection passage is formed in a cylindrical shape, and an outer peripheral surface of a housing includes a curved surface having a cross section in an arc shape and having a curvature equal to that of the inner peripheral surface of the injection passage, and a flow passage surface that is in a non-circular shape and extends over the entire axial range of the housing. According to the above-described structure, when the housing is inserted into the injection passage, the housing can be easily fixed while a gap is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the injection passage and the flow passage surface to allow the gas to flow through the gap.

Claims

1. A valve device for a gas tank, characterized in that: The valve device comprises: a body (4), the body (4) being arranged in the gas tank (2), the gas tank (2) being used to store high-pressure gas, and a gas flow passage for communicating between the interior and the exterior of the gas tank (2) being arranged in the body (4); and a check valve (16), the check valve (16) being arranged in an injection channel (13) in the gas flow channel, the injection channel (13) being arranged to allow gas to be injected into the gas tank (2), wherein: The check valve (16) includes: a valve seat (33) fixed in the injection channel (13); a housing (34) having a bottomed cylindrical shape and fixed in the injection channel (13), with a space provided between an inner peripheral surface (31a) of the injection channel (13) and the housing (34) to allow gas to flow through the space; and a valve element (35) accommodated in the housing (34) to contact with and leave the valve seat (33). The housing (34) includes a cylindrical portion (41), the valve element (35) is fitted into the cylindrical portion (41) in an axially movable manner, and the housing (34) is configured such that a bottom portion (42) of the cylindrical portion (41) provided at an axial end portion of the cylindrical portion (41) opposite to the valve seat (33) defines a range within which the valve element (35) can move axially, and The valve element (35) includes: a head portion (51) capable of blocking the valve hole (37) of the valve seat (33); a shaft portion (52) having an outer diameter equal to the outer diameter of the largest portion of the head portion (51) and formed in a cylindrical shape; and a sliding portion (53) formed to have an area in contact with the barrel portion (41), the area being consistent throughout the entire range in which the sliding portion (53) can move axially, the sliding portion (53) being formed in a cylindrical shape and having a placement hole (54) open to the bottom (42) side of the housing (34), the outer diameter of the sliding portion (53) being larger than the outer diameter of the shaft portion (52) and being set to be equal to the inner diameter of the barrel portion (41), and an annular gap being formed between the outer peripheral surface (52a) of the shaft portion (52) and the inner peripheral surface (41a) of the barrel portion (41), The cylindrical portion is provided with a transverse hole forming portion including a plurality of transverse holes. The sliding portion (53) is configured so that the entire outer peripheral surface (53a) of the sliding portion (53) contacts the inner peripheral surface (41a) of the cylindrical portion (41), The outer peripheral surface of the head portion (51) includes a tapered surface (51a) having a tapered shape that gradually tapers toward the valve seat (33); and The tapered surface (51a) is formed so that, when the valve element (35) is positioned at the return end farthest from the valve seat (33), an extension line of the tapered surface (51a) passes closer to the bottom (42) of the cylindrical portion (41) than to the end edge (41b) of the cylindrical portion (41) on the valve seat (33) side. The open end of the cylindrical portion (41) contacts the valve seat (33), and the plurality of transverse holes are formed by cutting away a flow path surface in a U-shape from an end surface obtained when the cylindrical portion is imaginarily extended.

2. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein The inner peripheral surface (31a) of the injection passage (13) is formed into a cylindrical shape; as well as The outer peripheral surface of the shell (34) includes: a curved surface (34a) having an arc-shaped cross-section and having a curvature equal to the curvature of the inner peripheral surface (31a) of the injection channel (13); and a flow channel surface (34b) having a non-circular shape and extending over the entire axial range of the shell (34).

Images