Hydrogen filling device for detachable hydrogen tank

Abstract

The present invention provides a hydrogen filling device for a detachable hydrogen tank (hydrogen cartridge) capable of preventing accidental hydrogen emission. A device for filling a removable hydrogen cartridge with hydrogen is provided with a connection part that is connected to the hydrogen cartridge and fills the hydrogen cartridge with hydrogen, and a lock mechanism that restricts detachment of the hydrogen cartridge from the device, and when the hydrogen cartridge is filled with hydrogen, the lock mechanism is connected to the hydrogen cartridge by means of the pressure of hydrogen, thereby locking the hydrogen cartridge.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for filling hydrogen into a hydrogen tank that is attachable to and detachable from an apparatus utilizing hydrogen. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a system for filling a hydrogen tank in a vehicle with hydrogen.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-021651

[0004] It is conceivable to use a device (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "hydrogen filling device") that fills hydrogen into a hydrogen tank (portable hydrogen box, hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as a "hydrogen box") that is detachable from a hydrogen consuming device and supplies hydrogen for power generation to a device equipped with a fuel cell (hydrogen consuming device). That is, the hydrogen box that has consumed hydrogen by the hydrogen consuming device is mounted on the hydrogen filling device to fill the hydrogen box with hydrogen, and the hydrogen box that has been filled with hydrogen is detached from the hydrogen filling device and then mounted on the hydrogen consuming device again.

[0005] When filling a hydrogen cartridge with hydrogen using such a hydrogen filling device, it is desirable to prevent the hydrogen cartridge from being detached from the hydrogen filling device during hydrogen filling or to prevent the hydrogen cartridge from being accidentally detached and thus being released. Summary of the invention

[0006] Therefore, in the present disclosure, an object is to provide a hydrogen filling device for a detachable hydrogen tank (hydrogen cartridge) that can prevent accidental release of hydrogen.

[0007] The present application discloses a hydrogen filling device, which is a device for filling hydrogen into a detachable hydrogen box, wherein the hydrogen filling device includes a connection portion connected to the hydrogen box to fill hydrogen into the hydrogen box, and a locking mechanism for limiting the hydrogen box from being detached from the device. When filling hydrogen into the hydrogen box, the locking mechanism utilizes the pressure of hydrogen to connect to the hydrogen box, thereby locking the hydrogen box.

[0008] The locking mechanism may also be constructed by including a cylinder and a pin, wherein hydrogen branched from a pipe through which hydrogen flows flows into the cylinder, and the pressure of the flowing hydrogen presses the pin to move it, so that the pressed pin engages with the hydrogen box to achieve a locked state.

[0009] According to the hydrogen filling device disclosed herein, when hydrogen is filled into the hydrogen box, the hydrogen filling device and the hydrogen box are made unable to be loaded and unloaded by a locking mechanism, and the unable to be loaded and unloaded state is maintained during the process of hydrogen filling. During the process of hydrogen filling, the hydrogen box will not be detached from the hydrogen filling device, thereby preventing accidental release of hydrogen. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 This is a diagram for explaining the hydrogen box 10 .

[0011] Figure 2 This is the appearance of the hydrogen filling device 50 .

[0012] Figure 3 This is a diagram for explaining the internal structure of the hydrogen filling device 50 .

[0013] Figure 4 Focusing on one storage portion 51 , the cross-sectional view shows a scene in which the hydrogen cartridge 10 is installed.

[0014] Figure 5 This is a diagram for explaining the locking mechanism 57 .

[0015] Figure 6 This is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of the locking mechanism 57 according to another embodiment.

[0016] Description of reference numerals:

[0017] 10…hydrogen box; 11…tank; 12…lining; 13…reinforcement layer; 14…protective layer; 15…cover member; 16…opening and closing valve; 17…outer shell; 18…shell; 50…hydrogen filling device; 51…storage section; 52…hydrogen supply section; 53…main pipe; 54…hydrogen supply branch pipe; 55…connecting device; 56…branch pipe for locking mechanism; 57…locking mechanism; 70…valve; 71…hydrogen discharge section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] 1. Hydrogen tank

[0019] First, an embodiment will be described with reference to a hydrogen cartridge filled with hydrogen by the hydrogen filling device of the present disclosure.

[0020] The hydrogen cartridge 10 is a container that stores supplied gas (hydrogen gas in this embodiment) in a liquid state or a gaseous state. Figure 1 Indicates a diagram used for explanation. Figure 1 (a) is an external view of the hydrogen box 10 (the tank 11 included therein is indicated by a dotted line). Figure 1 (b) is a cross-sectional view of the hydrogen cartridge 10 along the axis O. As can be seen from these figures, in this embodiment, the hydrogen cartridge 10 includes a tank 11 and a housing 17 .

[0021] The tank 11 includes a liner 12 , a reinforcement layer 13 , and a protective layer 14 constituting a container body, and a cover member 15 and an on-off valve 16 are disposed on the container body.

[0022] 1.1. Lining

[0023] The liner 12 is one of the components constituting the container body of the tank 11. It is a hollow component that divides the internal space, and in this embodiment, it is cylindrical. The openings at both ends of the main body 12a of the liner 12, which has a substantially constant diameter, are narrowed by the dome-shaped side end 12b, and a cover member 15 is arranged at the narrowed opening 12c.

[0024] The liner 12 can be made of any material as long as it can hold the substance (such as hydrogen) contained in its internal space without leaking it, and any known material can be used. Specifically, it can be made of, for example, nylon resin, polyethylene-based synthetic resin, or metal such as stainless steel and aluminum. Among them, from the perspective of lightweighting the tank, it is preferred that the material constituting the liner is a synthetic resin.

[0025] The thickness of the liner 12 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm.

[0026] 1.2. Strengthening layer

[0027] The reinforcing layer 13 is one of the components constituting the container body, and is composed of fibers stacked in multiple layers, and the fibers are impregnated with a cured resin. The fiber layer is formed by winding fiber bundles in multiple layers to a predetermined thickness around the outer periphery of the liner 12. The thickness of the reinforcing layer 13 and the number of windings of the fiber bundles are determined by the required strength and are not particularly limited, but are about 10 mm to 30 mm.

[0028] <Fiber bundle>

[0029] For example, carbon fibers can be used as the fiber bundle of the reinforcing layer 13. The fiber bundle is a band-shaped bundle of carbon fibers having a predetermined cross-sectional shape (e.g., a rectangular cross-sectional shape). The specific shape is not particularly limited, but the cross-sectional shape can be a rectangle with a width of 6 mm to 20 mm and a thickness of about 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm. The amount of carbon fibers contained in the fiber bundle is also not particularly limited, and for example, it can be composed of about 36,000 carbon fibers.

[0030] <Impregnation resin>

[0031] In the reinforcing layer 13, the resin impregnated in the fiber (fiber bundle) and cured is not particularly limited as long as it can improve the strength of the fiber. Among them, for example, a thermosetting resin cured by heating can be cited, specifically, epoxy resin, unsaturated polyester resin, etc. containing an amine-based or anhydride-based curing accelerator and a rubber-based reinforcing agent. In addition, a resin composition that uses epoxy resin as a main agent and is cured by mixing a curing agent therein can also be cited. Accordingly, during the period from the mixing of the main agent and the curing agent to the curing, the resin composition as the mixture is automatically cured by reaching and penetrating the fiber layer.

[0032] 1.3. Protective layer

[0033] As one of the components constituting the container body as needed, a protective layer 14 may be arranged on the outer periphery of the reinforcement layer 13. When provided, for example, glass fiber is wound and impregnated with resin. The impregnated resin may be the same as that of the reinforcement layer 13. Thus, the tank 11 can be given impact resistance.

[0034] The thickness of the protective layer 14 is not particularly limited, but can be approximately 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm.

[0035] 1.4. Cover parts

[0036] The cover member 15 is a member mounted on the two openings 12c of the liner 12, and is disposed at both ends of the liner 12 in the direction of the axis O. The cover member 15 on one end side functions as an opening for connecting the inside and outside of the container body, and is provided with an on-off valve 16. The cover member 15 on the other end side is closed.

[0037] The material constituting the cover member 15 is not particularly limited as long as it has required strength, and examples thereof include stainless steel and aluminum.

[0038] 1.5. Open and close valve

[0039] When the hydrogen cartridge 10 is not mounted on the hydrogen filling device 50 , the on-off valve 16 is closed. When the hydrogen cartridge 10 is mounted on the hydrogen filling device 50 as described later, the on-off valve 16 is opened by being pressed by the push rod 55 a .

[0040] At the front end of the on-off valve 16, and on the side connected to the hydrogen filling device 50, there is a connecting portion 16a connected to the hydrogen filling device 50. The connecting portion 16a is a portion that can engage and disengage the connecting portion 16a and the connected portion 55b of the hydrogen filling device 50. The specific method is not limited, but in this method, a mechanical connection (mechanical interface) can be cited, among which a fixing member that connects a shooting lens to a main body in a camera can also be used. More specifically, a C fixing member can be used. Therefore, in this method, the hydrogen box 10 is rotated around the axis O, and the connecting portion 16a is connected to the connected portion 55b of the hydrogen filling device 50.

[0041] 1.6. Shell

[0042] The outer casing 17 is a member that includes the tank 11 and forms the outer shell of the hydrogen cartridge 10 , and includes a housing 18 and a handle 19 .

[0043] The housing 18 is a cylindrical member and is configured to accommodate the tank 11 therein. The housing 18 is provided with a hole 18a at a position facing the on-off valve 16 of the accommodated tank 11, so that the on-off valve 16 is accessible from the outside.

[0044] In this embodiment, the surface of the housing 18 where the hole 18a is provided has a locking mechanism engaging portion 18b which is a recessed portion when viewed from the outside. As described later, the locking member 57 of the hydrogen filling device 50 engages with the locking mechanism engaging portion 18b.

[0045] The handle 19 is an arched member disposed at the end of the housing 18 on the opposite side to the side where the on-off valve 16 of the tank 11 is disposed. The user can hold the handle 19 to carry the hydrogen cartridge 10 or to load and unload the hydrogen cartridge 10 in the hydrogen filling device 50 .

[0046] 1.7. Others

[0047] The permissible pressure of the tank 11 is not particularly limited, but from the perspective of being easier to transport and being able to store more hydrogen, a tank that can store hydrogen at a permissible pressure of more than 20 MPa and less than 70 MPa can be used. By applying the hydrogen filling device of the present disclosure to such a tank with a high pressure inside, it is more important to prevent accidental release of hydrogen.

[0048] 2. Structure of hydrogen filling device

[0049] Hereinafter, the structure of one embodiment of the hydrogen filling device 50 will be described. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the appearance of the hydrogen filling device 50. Figure 3 Schematically shows the internal structure of the hydrogen filling device 50 ( Figure 2 The hydrogen filling device 50 is a device for filling hydrogen into the hydrogen box 10. That is, it is formed into a structure that can be detached after the hydrogen box 10 that consumes hydrogen is installed and filled with hydrogen.

[0050] Therefore, the hydrogen filling device 50 includes a storage unit 51 , a hydrogen supply unit 52 , a main pipe 53 , a hydrogen supply branch pipe 54 , a connection device 55 , a locking mechanism branch pipe 56 , a locking mechanism 57 , a valve 70 , and a hydrogen discharge unit 71 .

[0051] The following is a detailed description.

[0052] 2.1. Storage

[0053] The storage portion 51 is a portion for storing the hydrogen cartridge 10 when the hydrogen cartridge 10 is connected to the hydrogen filling device 50. Figure 2 , a scene in which a hydrogen cartridge 10 is to be stored in one storage section 51 is schematically shown. Figure 3 , a scene in which the hydrogen cartridges 10 are installed in all of the plurality of arranged storage sections 51 is shown. Figure 4 In the embodiment, the focus is on one storage section 51, and a cross-sectional view is used to show a scene in which the hydrogen cartridge 10 is stored ( Figure 4 The reference numerals of the various parts of the hydrogen cartridge 10 shown are as follows: Figure 1 (b) in the figure.

[0054] As can be seen from these figures, the storage section 51 is a space where the hydrogen cartridge 10 is placed, and is surrounded by an inner wall 51b having an opening 51a through which the hydrogen cartridge 10 can be inserted and removed. A connection device 55 and a locking mechanism 57 are placed at a bottom 51c of the storage section 51 opposite to the opening 51a.

[0055] In the present embodiment, six storage sections 51 are provided in each of the upper and lower layers, but the number of storage sections 51 is not particularly limited.

[0056] 2.2. Hydrogen supply unit

[0057] The hydrogen supply unit 52 is a supply port for supplying hydrogen to be filled in the hydrogen box 10 to the hydrogen filling device 50. Therefore, a connecting member (sometimes also referred to as a nozzle) of a hydrogen supply pipe extending from a hydrogen supply device such as a hydrogen station is connected to the hydrogen supply unit 51. As a typical form of the hydrogen supply unit 51, a plug hole can be cited.

[0058] 2.3.Main piping

[0059] The main pipe 53 is a pipe for supplying hydrogen from the hydrogen supply unit 52 to the hydrogen discharge unit 71 , and a hydrogen supply branch pipe 54 and a lock mechanism branch pipe 56 are branched from the main pipe 53 .

[0060] The main pipe 53 is provided with a pressure gauge 53 a so that the internal pressure thereof can be known.

[0061] 2.4. Hydrogen supply branch pipe and connection device

[0062] The hydrogen supply branch pipe 54 is a pipe branched from the main pipe 53 and extending toward each storage section 51. The hydrogen supply branch pipe 54 is a pipe through which hydrogen to be filled in the hydrogen box 10 flows, and supplies hydrogen to the connection device 55. In addition, a check valve is arranged on the hydrogen supply branch pipe 54, which allows hydrogen to flow from the main pipe 53 to the hydrogen box 10, but restricts the reverse flow, that is, the flow of hydrogen from the hydrogen box 10 to the main pipe 53.

[0063] The connecting device 55 is arranged at the bottom 51c of the storage part 51 at the connecting part of the hydrogen supply branch pipe 54 connected to the tank 11 of the hydrogen box 10, is connected to the on-off valve 16 of the above-mentioned tank 11, and operates the opening and closing of the on-off valve 16 of the tank 11 to allow hydrogen to flow into the tank 11.

[0064] In this method, according to Figure 4It can be seen that the connecting device 55 has a rod-shaped push rod 55a arranged in the storage section 51. When the hydrogen box 10 is stored in the storage section 51, the push rod 55a presses the valve body of the on-off valve 16, thereby opening the on-off valve 16 and allowing hydrogen from the hydrogen supply branch pipe 54 to flow into the tank 11.

[0065] In this embodiment, the connection device 55 has a connected portion 55b that engages with the connection portion 16a provided at the front end of the on-off valve 16. The connected portion 55 has a form that matches the form of the connection portion 16a.

[0066] 2.5. Branch pipe for locking mechanism, locking mechanism

[0067] The locking mechanism branch pipe 56 is a pipe branched from the main pipe 53 and extending toward each housing portion 51. The locking mechanism branch pipe 56 is a pipe through which hydrogen with pressure applied thereto for operating the locking mechanism 57 flows, and supplies hydrogen to the locking mechanism 57.

[0068] The locking mechanism 57 is disposed at the bottom 51 c of the storage portion 51 and switches between prohibiting and permitting the installation and removal of the hydrogen cartridge 10 from the storage portion 51 . Figure 5 , a structure of a locking mechanism 57 of one embodiment is shown. Figure 5 Is focused on Figure 4 FIG. 5 shows a locking mechanism 57 and its surroundings, Figure 5 (a) in FIG. 5 represents a locked state by the locking mechanism 57. Figure 5 (b) shows a state where the lock mechanism 57 is released.

[0069] In this embodiment, the locking mechanism 57 has a cylindrical cylinder 58, and a piston 59 is arranged inside the cylinder 58 so as to be movable along the axial direction of the cylinder 58. A rod-shaped pin 60 is connected to the piston 59, and the pin 60 is arranged to extend to the outside of the cylinder 58 along the axial direction of the cylinder 58. On the other hand, a locking mechanism branch pipe 56 is connected to the side of the cylinder 58 opposite to the direction in which the pin 60 extends. In addition, an elastic body 61 (spring, etc.) is arranged inside the cylinder 58 to apply force to the piston 59 toward the locking mechanism branch pipe 56 side.

[0070] According to such a locking mechanism 57, when hydrogen flows into the inner side of the cylinder 59 from the locking mechanism branch pipe 56, the pressure of the hydrogen overcomes the force of the elastic body 61 and presses the piston 59, so that the pin 60 connected to the piston 59 moves in a manner protruding toward the inner side of the storage portion 51. More specifically, at this time, the pin 60 intrudes into the recessed portion of the hydrogen cartridge 10 disposed in the storage portion 51, that is, the locking mechanism engaging portion 18b. As a result, as long as the pressure generated by hydrogen is applied, the hydrogen cartridge 10 cannot be separated from the storage portion 51 (in this embodiment, it cannot be rotated around the axis O).

[0071] On the other hand, if the pressure generated by hydrogen is released from the locking mechanism branch pipe 56 (i.e., the hydrogen in the main pipe 53 is also discharged and the pressure is reduced), the pin 60 connected to the piston 59 moves toward the outside of the storage portion 51 due to the force of the elastic body 61. More specifically, at this time, the pin 60 is disengaged from the recessed portion of the hydrogen cartridge 10 disposed in the storage portion 51, that is, the locking mechanism engaging portion 18b. Thus, only after the pressure generated by hydrogen is released, the hydrogen cartridge 10 can be disengaged from the storage portion 51 (in this embodiment, the hydrogen cartridge 10 can be rotated around the axis O).

[0072] In the above-mentioned method, the hydrogen cartridge 10 is separated from the storage portion 51 by rotating the hydrogen cartridge 10 about the axis O, so the locking mechanism 57 and the locking mechanism engaging portion 18 are arranged at positions that can restrict the rotation. In contrast, for example, in the case where the hydrogen cartridge 10 is separated from the storage portion 51 by simply moving it in the direction of the axis O, for example, Figure 6 As shown, the locking mechanism 57 may be provided on the inner wall 51 b of the storage portion 51 , and the locking mechanism engaging portion 18 b may be provided at a position facing the inner wall 51 b .

[0073] 2.6. Valve and hydrogen discharge unit

[0074] The valve 70 is a switching valve, and hydrogen can be discharged from the hydrogen discharge portion 71 to the outside by opening the valve 70. On the other hand, when the valve 70 is closed, the discharge of hydrogen from the hydrogen discharge portion 71 to the outside is restricted. Thus, as described later, when the hydrogen cartridge 10 is separated from the storage portion 51, the valve 70 can be opened to discharge hydrogen remaining in the main pipe 53 and the like from the hydrogen discharge portion 71, thereby reducing the internal pressure of the main pipe 53 and the locking mechanism branch pipe 56.

[0075] The valve 70 may be a valve that can be opened and closed manually, or a valve that can be opened and closed by an electric signal.

[0076] 3. Effects, etc.

[0077] Using the hydrogen filling device 50 described above, the hydrogen cartridge 10 is filled with hydrogen, for example, in the following manner.

[0078] In the state where the valve 70 is closed, the hydrogen cartridge 10 to be filled with hydrogen is inserted into the storage portion 51 of the hydrogen filling device 50 for installation. At this time, as described above, the on-off valve 16 of the hydrogen cartridge 10 is connected to the connecting device 55 of the hydrogen filling device 50, and the on-off valve 16 is opened, so that the hydrogen supply branch pipe 54 and the tank 11 of the hydrogen cartridge 10 are in a communicating state. In addition, in this embodiment, when the hydrogen cartridge 10 is installed, the connecting portion 16a of the hydrogen cartridge 10 is engaged with the connected portion 55b of the connecting device 55 of the hydrogen filling device 50 by rotating the hydrogen cartridge 10 around the axis O.

[0079] In this way, with the hydrogen cartridge 10 installed in the housing 51 of the hydrogen filling device 50, the nozzle of the external hydrogen supply device is connected to the hydrogen supply unit 52 of the hydrogen filling device 50. As a result, hydrogen flows into the main pipe 53, and then flows to the hydrogen supply branch pipe 54 and the locking mechanism branch pipe 56, so that the pressure in each pipe also increases.

[0080] The hydrogen flowing through the hydrogen supply branch pipe 54 enters the tank 11 and is filled into the hydrogen box 10 .

[0081] The hydrogen flowing through the locking mechanism branch pipe 56 enters the cylinder 58 of the locking mechanism 57, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As described above in (a), the pin 60 is protruded and engaged with the locking mechanism engaging portion 18b to form a locked state. That is, in this embodiment, even if the hydrogen box 10 is intended to be disengaged from the storage portion 51 and rotated about the axis O in this state, the hydrogen box 10 cannot be rotated due to the pin 60, and thus cannot be disengaged.

[0082] When the filling is completed, the valve 70 is opened to discharge hydrogen from the hydrogen discharge portion 71. As a result, hydrogen in the main pipe 53, the hydrogen supply branch pipe 54, and the lock mechanism branch pipe 56 is discharged, and the internal pressure in the pipes is reduced.

[0083] Since the check valve is disposed on the hydrogen supply branch pipe 54 as described above, the hydrogen filled in the hydrogen cartridge 10 is maintained so as not to flow back.

[0084] The hydrogen in the cylinder 58 of the locking mechanism 57 is exhausted, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As described above in (b), the pin 60 is disengaged from the locking mechanism engagement portion 18 b to enter the unlocked state. Thus, if the hydrogen cartridge 10 is to be disengaged from the storage portion 51 , it can be rotated about the axis O to disengage the hydrogen cartridge 10 from the storage portion 51 .

[0085] As described above, according to the hydrogen filling device 50, when hydrogen is filled into the hydrogen box 10, the hydrogen filling device 50 is prohibited from being separated from the hydrogen box 10 by the locking mechanism 57. Since this prohibited state is maintained during hydrogen filling, the hydrogen box 10 will not be separated during hydrogen filling (even if it is intentionally intended to be separated), and the hydrogen gas can be prevented from being released due to accidental separation.

[0086] Furthermore, by adopting a mechanical structure in which the pin 60 constituting the locking mechanism 57 is pushed out toward the hydrogen cartridge 10 by the pressure of hydrogen in the pipe, it is possible to realize a locking mechanism that operates reliably with a simple structure.

[0087] In addition, in the above-mentioned method, the locking mechanism 57 is a structure in which each storage section 51 has a cylinder 58, a piston 59, a pin 60 and an elastic body 61, but is not limited to this. Although the pin 60 needs to be arranged in each storage section 51, components other than the pin 60 can also be constructed to have one relative to multiple pins 60, so that multiple pins 60 can work simultaneously.

Claims

1. A hydrogen filling device is a device for filling hydrogen into a detachable hydrogen cartridge, wherein: The hydrogen filling device includes a connection portion connected to the hydrogen cartridge to fill the hydrogen cartridge with hydrogen, and a locking mechanism that restricts the hydrogen cartridge from being detached from the device. When the hydrogen cartridge is filled with hydrogen, the locking mechanism is connected to the hydrogen cartridge using the pressure of the hydrogen, thereby locking the hydrogen cartridge.

2. The hydrogen filling device according to claim 1, wherein: The locking mechanism comprises a cylinder and a pin. Hydrogen branched from the pipe for flowing the hydrogen flows into the cylinder, and the pin is pressed by the pressure of the inflowing hydrogen to move the pin, so that the pressed pin engages with the hydrogen cartridge to achieve the locked state.

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