tank

Abstract

The can of the present invention comprises a liner, a connector having a communicating hole, a metal cylinder inserted into the lower end of the communicating hole, and a valve inserted into the communicating hole with its lower end inserted into the metal cylinder. The liner has an inset portion that wraps around the interior of the communicating hole and contacts the outer peripheral surface of the metal cylinder. A first O-ring is circumferentially disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the inset portion and the outer peripheral surface of the metal cylinder. A second O-ring is circumferentially disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the metal cylinder and the outer peripheral surface of the lower end of the valve.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to cans. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, as a technical field, there exists, for example, the field described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-116926. The can described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-116926 includes: a resin liner having a storage space for storing gas inside and an opening communicating with the storage space; a reinforcing layer formed on the outer peripheral surface of the liner; a connector installed in the opening of the liner; and a valve inserted into the connector. In a can with such a structure, to prevent leakage of the stored gas, a sealing structure employing an O-ring between the connector and the liner is used.

[0003] However, in the aforementioned tank, a circumferential groove for embedding O-rings is required at the joint, thus complicating the joint's construction. Furthermore, recently, to improve workability and prevent epoxy resin from penetrating between the joint and liner during reinforcing layer formation, attention has been paid to integrally molding the resin liner and joint. However, in the case of integrally molding the liner and joint, if a circumferential groove for embedding O-rings is provided at the joint, the joint's construction becomes even more complex. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a container that can ensure a tight seal with a simple construction.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention provides a can. This can is a cylindrical can having a storage space for storing gas. With the outer side of the can taken as the upper part and the inner side of the can taken as the lower part along the axial direction of the can, it comprises: a resin liner having the storage space; a metal connector having a communication hole configured to communicate with the storage space and integrally formed with the liner; a metal cylinder inserted into the lower end of the communication hole of the connector and coaxially arranged with the communication hole; and a valve inserted into the communication hole to close the connector, the lower end of which is also inserted into the metal cylinder. The liner has an insertion portion configured to wrap around from the bottom of the connector into the interior of the communication hole and contact the outer peripheral surface of the metal cylinder. A first O-ring is arranged circumferentially between the inner peripheral surface of the insertion portion and the outer peripheral surface of the metal cylinder, and a second O-ring is arranged circumferentially between the inner peripheral surface of the metal cylinder and the outer peripheral surface of the lower end of the valve.

[0006] In the can described above, a metal cylinder inserted into the lower end of the connecting hole of the connector is used for the integrally formed liner and connector. A first O-ring is arranged circumferentially between the outer circumferential surface of the metal cylinder and the inner circumferential surface of the liner's inset portion to ensure a seal between the metal cylinder and the liner. A second O-ring is arranged circumferentially between the inner circumferential surface of the metal cylinder and the outer circumferential surface of the lower end of the valve inserted into the metal cylinder to ensure a seal between the metal cylinder and the valve. By using a metal cylinder in this way to achieve seals between the metal cylinder and the liner, and between the metal cylinder and the valve, respectively, there is no need to provide a circumferential groove for embedding the O-ring in the connector as in the past. Therefore, the can's seal can be ensured with a simple construction.

[0007] Alternatively, based on the can described above, the first O-ring and the second O-ring are positioned at the same height along the axial direction of the can. In this way, by adjusting the respective extrusion pressures of the first and second O-rings to be at the same height, the extrusion pressure can be enhanced, thereby improving the sealing performance between the metal cylinder and the lining, and between the metal cylinder and the valve.

[0008] Alternatively, the metal cylinder can be configured such that, based on the can described above, it is fixed to the lower end of the connecting hole of the connector via a threaded connection. This allows for easier and more reliable insertion and fixing of the metal cylinder to the lower end of the connecting hole compared to methods such as pressing. Furthermore, by detachably fixing the metal cylinder to the lower end of the connecting hole, it is possible to remove and replace the metal cylinder even if insertion into the connecting hole fails.

[0009] Alternatively, the can be configured such that, based on the aforementioned can shape, a first outer peripheral groove is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the metal cylinder. The first O-ring can also be disposed in the first outer peripheral groove. Alternatively, a second outer peripheral groove can be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the lower end of the valve. The second O-ring can also be disposed in the second outer peripheral groove.

[0010] According to the present invention, the sealing of the container can be ensured with a simple construction.

[0011] The features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals denote the same elements. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the tank involved in the implementation method.

[0013] Figure 2 It means Figure 1 Enlarged sectional view of Part II.

[0014] Figure 3 It means Figure 2 Enlarged sectional view of Part III. Detailed Implementation

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the tank according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, an example is given of mounting the tank in a fuel cell vehicle and filling it with high-pressure hydrogen. However, the gas that can be filled into the tank is not limited to hydrogen, and can also be various compressed gases such as CNG (compressed natural gas), LNG (liquefied natural gas), LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), etc.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the tank involved in the embodiment. Figure 2 It means Figure 1 Enlarged sectional view of Part II, Figure 3 It means Figure 2 An enlarged sectional view of part III. (See attached image.) Figure 1 As shown, the tank 1 of this embodiment is a generally cylindrical high-pressure gas storage container with rounded ends forming a dome shape, and includes: a liner 10 with gas barrier properties; a reinforcing layer 20 formed to cover the outer peripheral surface of the liner 10; a connector 30 installed at one end of the tank 1; and a valve 40 to close the connector 30.

[0017] The liner 10 is a hollow container with a storage space 2 for storing high-pressure hydrogen, and is formed of a resin material with hydrogen barrier properties. The liner 10 consists of a cylindrical body 11 and a pair of domes (first dome 12 and second dome 13) located on the left and right sides of the cylindrical body 11 along its axial direction (i.e., the direction of axis L of the can 1). The cylindrical body 11 extends along the direction of axis L of the can 1 for a predetermined length. The first dome 12 and the second dome 13 are continuously formed on the left and right sides of the cylindrical body 11, and are hemispherical in shape, respectively decreasing in diameter as they move away from the cylindrical body 11.

[0018] An opening is formed at the top of one of the pair of domes (in this embodiment, the first dome 12), into which a connector 30 integrally formed with the liner 10 is inserted. On the other hand, no opening is formed in the second dome 13. Alternatively, the second dome 13 may also have an opening for inserting the connector 30, similar to the first dome 12.

[0019] For example, by using resin materials such as polyethylene and nylon and through injection molding, blow molding, etc., cylindrical segments, a first dome segment, and a second dome segment are formed respectively, and these segments are connected to form a lining 10 with the above structure.

[0020] The reinforcing layer 20 enhances the rigidity, pressure resistance, and other mechanical strength of the tank 1 by reinforcing the lining 10. It is formed by winding multiple fiber-reinforcing resins onto the outer periphery of the lining 10 using a filament winding (FW) method. The fiber-reinforcing resin is formed, for example, by impregnating a fiber bundle consisting of fibers with a diameter of approximately several μm into a thermosetting resin. Examples of reinforcing fibers include carbon fiber, glass fiber, aramid fiber, alumina fiber, boron fiber, steel fiber, PBO fiber, natural fiber, or high-strength polyethylene fiber. Carbon fiber is particularly preferred from the viewpoints of lightweight and mechanical strength.

[0021] Examples of thermosetting resins include epoxy resins, modified epoxy resins (such as vinyl ester resins), phenolic resins, melamine resins, urea resins, unsaturated polyester resins, alkyd resins, polyurethane resins, and thermosetting polyimide resins. Furthermore, thermoplastic resins can also be used as resins impregnated onto fiber bundles.

[0022] The connector 30 is a component made of stainless steel, aluminum alloy, or other metal materials and machined into a specified shape. The connector 30 has a cylindrical connector body 31 extending along the axis L of the tank 1, and a flange 32 connected to the connector body 31 and protruding radially into the tank 1. A communication hole 33 communicating with the storage space 2 of the tank 1 is provided inside the connector body 31. The communication hole 33 is approximately cylindrical. On the inner peripheral wall of the connector body 31 (i.e., the portion forming the communication hole 33), a first internal thread 34 for threaded engagement with the valve 40 and a second internal thread 35 for threaded engagement with the metal cylinder 50 (described later) are respectively formed.

[0023] Next, based on Figure 2 and Figure 3 The first dome 12 of the lining 10, the connector 30, and the valve 40 are described in detail. In the following description, as... Figure 2 As shown, along the axis L of tank 1, the outer side of tank 1 is taken as the top, and the inner side of tank 1 is taken as the bottom.

[0024] In this embodiment, in order to improve the connection strength between the integrally formed (more specifically, insert-formed) connector 30 and the liner 10, the top of the first dome 12 is formed to mimic the shape of the flange portion 32 of the connector 30. Specifically, the top of the first dome 12 has: an upper pressing portion 121 that extends above the flange portion 32 in a manner that surrounds the flange portion 32 and presses the flange portion 32 from above; a side lower support portion 122 that extends from the side wall of the flange portion 32 to the bottom (i.e., the bottom of the connector 30) and supports the flange portion 32 from the side and below; and an inset portion 123 that connects to the side lower support portion 122 and insets from the bottom of the connector 30 into the interior of the connecting hole 33 of the connector 30.

[0025] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the inset portion 123 of the liner 10 is not formed along the entire length of the connecting hole 33 in the axial L direction of the can 1, but extends to the lower end of the second internal thread portion 35, so as to avoid obstructing the threaded engagement of the second internal thread portion 35 of the connector 30 with the external thread portion 51 (described later) of the metal cylinder 50.

[0026] Furthermore, the thickness of the wound portion 123 in the radial direction of the tank 1 is preferably 0.5 mm to 3 mm, more preferably 1 mm to 2 mm. This is a result of considering both the connection strength between the liner 10 and the liner 30 and the mechanical strength of the metal cylinder 50 while ensuring the fastening force between the connector 30 and the valve 40. That is, if the wound portion 123 of the liner 10 is thickened without changing the outer diameter of the valve 40, the connection strength between the liner 10 and the connector 30 can be improved, but correspondingly, the metal cylinder 50 becomes thinner, thus reducing the mechanical strength of the metal cylinder 50. On the other hand, if the metal cylinder 50 is thickened, the wound portion 123 becomes thinner, affecting the connection strength between the liner 10 and the connector 30. Considering both the connection strength between the liner 10 and the connector 30 and the mechanical strength of the metal cylinder 50, the thickness of the wound portion 123 is preferably within the above-described range.

[0027] The connector 30 with such a structure is connected to the first dome 12 of the liner 10 seamlessly, for example by insert molding, in a state where the axis of the connecting hole 33 is arranged coaxially with the axis L of the tank 1.

[0028] Additionally, a cylindrical metal cylinder 50 is inserted into the lower end of the connecting hole 33 of the connector 30. For example... Figure 3 As shown, an external thread 51 is formed on the outer peripheral wall of the upper end of the metal cylinder 50 for threading with the second internal thread 35 of the connector 30. The metal cylinder 50 is fixed to the lower end of the connector 30's connecting hole 33 by the threaded engagement of the external thread 51 with the second internal thread 35 of the connector 30 when it is coaxially arranged with the connecting hole 33.

[0029] Furthermore, the length of the metal cylinder 50 in the axial direction of the preferred tank 1 is such that, with the lower end fixed to the connecting hole 33 of the connector 30, it protrudes at least 5 mm from the bottom surface of the liner 10 (more specifically, from the bottom surface of the side support 122). This allows for easy threading of the external thread 51 of the metal cylinder 50 with the second internal thread 35 of the connector 30.

[0030] In addition, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, with the lower end of the connecting hole 33 fixed, the metal cylinder 50 is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the winding portion 123 of the first dome 12. Furthermore, a first O-ring 60 is arranged circumferentially between the outer circumferential surface of the metal cylinder 50 and the inner circumferential surface of the winding portion 123.

[0031] Specifically, an outer peripheral groove 52 (first outer peripheral groove) is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the metal cylinder 50. A first O-ring 60 is embedded in the outer peripheral groove 52 to seal between the liner 10 and the metal cylinder 50. Furthermore, a first gasket 61 is embedded in the outer peripheral groove 52 at a position further outward than the first O-ring 60. The first O-ring 60 and the first gasket 61 are disposed in close contact within the outer peripheral groove 52.

[0032] The first O-ring 60 is an annular, elastic component with a generally circular cross-sectional shape, used to improve the seal (in other words, airtightness) between the liner 10 and the metal cylinder 50. When the metal cylinder 50 is inserted into the lower end of the connecting hole 33 of the connector 30, the first O-ring 60 is pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the adjacent winding portion 123 of the liner 10, thereby sealing the inner circumferential surface of the winding portion 123 with the outer circumferential surface of the metal cylinder 50. The first O-ring 60 is formed, for example, from a resin such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

[0033] The first washer 61 is an annular component with a trapezoidal cross-section. The first washer 61 is positioned above the first O-ring 60 in the axial direction L (i.e., on the outside of the can 1) in the outer peripheral groove 52, inhibiting the upward movement of the first O-ring 60. This first washer 61 is formed, for example, from a fluoropolymer resin material with a lower coefficient of friction than the first O-ring 60 and which is less prone to elastic deformation, or from a hard resin material such as nylon 46.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is preferable that the metal material used for the metal cylinder 50 is different from the metal material used for the connector 30. For example, the metal cylinder 50 is made of stainless steel (e.g., SUS316L), while the connector 30 is made of aluminum alloy. This ensures the strength of the metal cylinder 50.

[0035] On the other hand, valve 40 is a component used for filling and discharging hydrogen into the storage space 2, and is made of metal materials such as stainless steel and aluminum alloy. Figure 2 As shown, valve 40 is inserted into communication hole 33 in the manner of plug fitting 30, and its lower end 41 is further inserted into metal cylinder 50.

[0036] The valve 40 includes: a lower end portion 41, which can be inserted into a portion of the communication hole 33 of the connector 30 and a portion of the metal cylinder 50; a top plate portion 43, which can abut against the upper end of the connector 30; and a main body portion 42, which is disposed between the lower end portion 41 and the top plate portion 43 and can be inserted into the communication hole 33 of the connector 30. Furthermore, a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 42 is provided with an external thread portion 44 for threaded engagement with the first internal thread portion 34 formed on the inner peripheral wall of the connector main body portion 31.

[0037] Furthermore, a second O-ring 62 is circumferentially disposed between the outer peripheral surface of the lower end 41 of the valve 40 and the inner peripheral surface of the metal cylinder 50. Specifically, an outer peripheral groove 45 (second outer peripheral groove) is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the lower end 41 of the valve 40. The second O-ring 62, which seals the valve 40 and the metal cylinder 50, is embedded in the outer peripheral groove 45. A second gasket 63 is also embedded in the outer peripheral groove 45, positioned further outward than the second O-ring 62. Moreover, the second O-ring 62 and the second gasket 63 are disposed in close contact within the outer peripheral groove 45.

[0038] The second O-ring 62 is an annular elastic component with a generally circular cross-sectional shape, used to improve the sealing (in other words, airtightness) between the valve 40 and the metal cylinder 50. When the valve 40 is inserted into the connecting hole 33 of the connector 30 and the metal cylinder 50, the second O-ring 62 is pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the metal cylinder 50, thereby sealing the inner circumferential surface of the metal cylinder 50 with the outer circumferential surface of the lower end 41 of the valve 40. The second O-ring 62 is formed, for example, from a resin such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

[0039] The second washer 63 is an annular component with a trapezoidal cross-section. The second washer 63 is positioned above the second O-ring 62 in the axial direction L (i.e., on the outside of the can 1) in the outer peripheral groove 45, inhibiting the upward movement of the second O-ring 62. The second washer 63 is formed, for example, from a fluoropolymer resin material with a lower coefficient of friction than the second O-ring 62 and which is less prone to elastic deformation, or from a hard resin material such as nylon 46.

[0040] Furthermore, in the axial direction L of can 1, the first O-ring 60 and the second O-ring 62 are at the same height. Also, in the axial direction L of can 1, the first washer 61 and the second washer 63 are at the same height.

[0041] In the can 1 of this embodiment, for the integrally formed liner 10 and connector 30, a metal cylinder 50 is inserted into the lower end of the connecting hole 33 of the connector 30. A first O-ring 60 is arranged between the outer peripheral surface of the metal cylinder 50 and the inner peripheral surface of the winding portion 123 of the liner 10 to ensure the sealing between the metal cylinder 50 and the liner 10. A second O-ring 62 is arranged between the inner peripheral surface of the metal cylinder 50 and the outer peripheral surface of the lower end 41 of the valve 40 inserted into the metal cylinder 50 to ensure the sealing between the metal cylinder 50 and the valve 40. By using the metal cylinder 50 in this way to achieve the sealing between the metal cylinder 50 and the liner 10 and the sealing between the metal cylinder 50 and the valve 40 respectively, it is not necessary to provide a peripheral groove for embedding the O-ring in the conventional connector. Therefore, a simple structure can be provided to ensure the sealing of the can 1.

[0042] Furthermore, since the liner 10 and the connector 30 are integrally molded, there is no need for assembling the separately manufactured liner 10 and connector 30, thus improving the workability of manufacturing the tank 1 and preventing epoxy resin from infiltrating between the connector and the liner during the formation of the reinforcing layer 20. Moreover, by providing an outer peripheral groove 52 in the metal cylinder 50 for embedding the first O-ring 60, the crushing amount of the first O-ring 60 can be easily ensured, thereby improving the stability of the seal.

[0043] Furthermore, in the axial direction L of the tank 1, the first O-ring 60 and the second O-ring 62 are located at the same height. In this way, by adjusting the respective extrusion pressure of the first O-ring 60 and the second O-ring 62 to be at the same height, the extrusion pressure can be enhanced, thereby improving the sealing between the metal cylinder 50 and the liner 10, and the sealing between the metal cylinder 50 and the valve 40.

[0044] Furthermore, the metal cylinder 50 is fixed to the lower end of the connecting hole 33 of the connector 30 by a threaded connection. Therefore, compared with methods such as pressing, the metal cylinder 50 can be easily and reliably inserted and fixed to the lower end of the connecting hole 33. In addition, since the metal cylinder 50 is detachably fixed to the lower end of the connecting hole 33, the metal cylinder 50 can be removed and replaced even if insertion into the connecting hole 33 fails.

[0045] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various design changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A container, a cylindrical container having a storage space for storing gas, characterized in that, With the outer side of the can taken as the upper part and the inner side of the can taken as the lower part along the axial direction of the can, the can has: The resin lining is provided with the aforementioned storage space; The metal connector has a communication hole configured to communicate with the storage space and is integrally formed with the lining; A metal cylinder is inserted into the lower end of the communicating hole of the connector and is coaxially configured with the communicating hole; and The valve is inserted into the communicating hole to close the connector, and its lower end is also inserted into the metal cylinder. The lining has an insertion portion configured to wrap around from the bottom of the joint into the interior of the communicating hole and contact the outer peripheral surface of the metal cylinder. A first O-ring is arranged circumferentially between the inner circumferential surface of the winding portion and the outer circumferential surface of the metal cylinder. A second O-ring is arranged circumferentially between the inner circumferential surface of the metal cylinder and the outer circumferential surface of the lower end of the valve. A first peripheral groove is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the metal cylinder. The first O-ring is disposed in the first outer peripheral groove, and a first washer is embedded in the first outer peripheral groove at a position on the outer side of the can, closer to the outside of the can than the first O-ring. The first O-ring and the first washer are disposed in the first outer peripheral groove in a state of close contact. The first gasket is an annular component with a trapezoidal cross-section, which inhibits the movement of the first O-ring outward from the can. A second peripheral groove is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the lower end of the valve. The second O-ring is disposed in the second outer peripheral groove, and a second washer is embedded in the second outer peripheral groove at a position further outward than the second O-ring on the outside of the can. The second O-ring and the second washer are disposed in the second outer peripheral groove in a state of close contact. The second gasket is an annular component with a trapezoidal cross-section, which inhibits the movement of the second O-ring toward the outside of the can.

2. The tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first O-ring and the second O-ring are at the same height along the axial direction of the can.

3. The tank according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The metal cylinder is fixed to the lower end of the connecting hole of the connector by a threaded connection.

Images