Receiver for hydrogen fuel cell vehicle

Abstract

A receptacle for hydrogen charging of a fuel cell vehicle, capable of reliably maintaining sealing with a charging nozzle during rapid hydrogen charging, includes: a main body including a nozzle insertion portion configured for inserting a nozzle tip of the charging nozzle therein, a filter space portion configured for filtering the nozzle tip of the charging nozzle, and a passage space portion configured for passage of the nozzle tip of the charging nozzle into the nozzle insertion portion; the filter space part is provided with the filter part, and the channel space part is arranged between the nozzle insertion part and the filter space part; and a sealing device having a spring and a sealing member configured to seal between a tip portion of the nozzle tip and an inner side surface of the expanded space portion by being installed in the expanded space portion, the expanded space portion expanding in a radial direction centered on the tip portion of the nozzle tip passing through the nozzle insertion portion and entering the passage space portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a receptacle of a fluid filling system. Background Art

[0002] Currently, proton exchange membrane fuel cells or polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) having high power density are widely used as fuel cells for vehicles. PEMFC uses hydrogen as fuel gas, and uses oxygen or oxygen-containing air as oxidant gas.

[0003] Since a fuel cell vehicle uses electric energy generated by an electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen in a fuel cell as power and uses hydrogen as fuel for generating electric energy by an electrochemical reaction, the fuel cell vehicle is equipped with one or more hydrogen tanks filled with high-pressure hydrogen.

[0004] In the hydrogen tank of the fuel cell vehicle, a receiver for hydrogen filling, which serves as a check valve, is installed. With the receiver, hydrogen can be filled into the hydrogen tank in the vehicle by connecting the filling nozzle of the buffer tank connected to the hydrogen filling station to the receiver of the vehicle.

[0005] When hydrogen is filled in a fuel cell vehicle, when the pressure of the hydrogen filled in the hydrogen tank reaches the buffer pressure, the receiver is closed by the hydrogen pressure in the hydrogen tank, thereby completing the hydrogen filling in the hydrogen tank.

[0006] Meanwhile, the temperature of hydrogen supplied to the vehicle during rapid hydrogen filling is very low, ranging from -33°C to -40°C, and due to the very low hydrogen filling temperature, if filling continues for more than a predetermined period of time, freezing may occur in the area where the filling nozzle and the receptacle are connected to each other (around the receptacle). The frequency of the freezing phenomenon tends to increase in summer when humidity is high.

[0007] When freezing occurs, the gas being filled may leak due to the cryogenic contraction of the O-ring that maintains the airtightness between the filling nozzle and the receptacle during filling.

[0008] The filling nozzle and receiver are designed and manufactured according to Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standards, but due to the rapid hydrogen filling in low temperature environment, the rubber O-ring shrinks and gas leakage can occur.

[0009] In addition, the nozzle tip of the filling nozzle and the O-ring of the receiver must fit each other well in all directions of 360°. However, when the filling nozzle sags in the direction of gravity due to its own weight, the O-ring may be squeezed in one direction, and the airtightness between the filling nozzle and the receiver may not be maintained, and gas leakage may occur.

[0010] In addition, due to freezing, it is often difficult to remove or separate the filling nozzle from the receiver after filling is completed. Since the filling nozzle cannot be removed due to freezing, it often happens that the staff of the filling station tries to forcibly remove the filling nozzle, and in the process, the O-ring maintaining airtightness can be damaged.

[0011] The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not constitute the prior art as defined by patent regulations. Summary of the invention

[0012] The present invention relates to a receiver of a fluid filling system, and more particularly to a receiver for hydrogen filling that ensures airtightness with a filling nozzle during rapid hydrogen filling in a fuel cell vehicle.

[0013] The present invention is made to solve the above-mentioned problems associated with the prior art. Therefore, an embodiment of the present invention provides a receiver for hydrogen filling, which has a structure for strengthening the airtightness between the filling nozzle and the receiver when filling hydrogen in a fuel cell vehicle, so as to reliably maintain the airtightness between the filling nozzle and the receiver during the filling or after the filling is completed.

[0014] Embodiments of the present invention provide a receptacle that can solve various conventional problems such as gas leakage due to contraction of O-rings caused by rapid cooling during rapid hydrogen filling, gas leakage when the filling nozzle sags due to its own weight, and gas leakage caused by the installation of the filling nozzle and the receptacle.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, a receiver for hydrogen filling of a fuel cell vehicle includes: a main body, including a nozzle insertion portion, a filter space portion and a channel space portion, the nozzle tip of the filling nozzle is inserted into the nozzle insertion portion, the filter space portion is installed with a filter portion configured to filter hydrogen injected through the nozzle tip of the filling nozzle, and the channel space portion is arranged between the nozzle insertion portion and the filter space portion; and a sealing device, configured to seal between the tip portion of the nozzle tip and the inner side surface of the expansion space portion by being installed in the expansion space portion, and the expansion space portion expands in a radial direction with the tip portion of the nozzle tip passing through the nozzle insertion portion and entering the channel space portion as the center.

[0016] In one embodiment, the receptacle may further include an O-ring configured to seal between the nozzle tip and the inner side of the nozzle insert by being mounted on the inner side of the nozzle insert through which the nozzle tip of the filling nozzle passes.

[0017] In one embodiment, the sealing device may include: a movable O-ring installed in the expanded space portion; and a spring member configured to elastically support the movable O-ring by being installed on a spring support step formed on the inner side surface of the body and located between the nozzle insertion portion and the passage space portion. In one embodiment, when the pressure of hydrogen gas injected through the nozzle tip of the filling nozzle acts on the expanded space portion in the passage space portion during hydrogen filling, the movable O-ring may move while compressing the spring member with the pressure of the hydrogen gas to be seated on the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion of the nozzle tip.

[0018] In one embodiment, when the hydrogen filling is completed and the pressure in the expansion space portion is released, the movable O-ring may be separated from the tip portion of the nozzle tip by an elastic restoring force of the spring member.

[0019] In one embodiment, the sealing device may include: a pressure seal installed in the expanded space portion; and a spring member configured to elastically support the pressure seal by being installed on a spring support step formed on the inner side surface of the body and located between the nozzle insertion portion and the passage space portion. In one embodiment, when the pressure of hydrogen injected through the nozzle tip of the filling nozzle acts on the expanded space portion in the passage space portion during hydrogen filling, the pressure seal may move while compressing the spring member with the pressure of hydrogen to be installed on the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion of the nozzle tip.

[0020] In one embodiment, the pressure seal may include: a seal body having a ring shape as a whole and having a c-shaped cross section; and an elastic member installed inside the c-shaped cross section of the seal body.

[0021] In one embodiment, the pressure seal may have an opening having a C-shaped cross-section and facing forward in the expansion space portion relative to the insertion direction of the nozzle tip, and as the pressure of the hydrogen gas acts through the opening into the seal body, the inner and outer portions of the seal body may be separated so that the inner portion is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle tip and the outer portion is in close contact with the inner side surface of the expansion space portion, thereby generating surface pressure.

[0022] It is understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicle-related" or other similar terms as used herein may include general motor vehicles, such as passenger vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including various boats and ships, aircraft, etc., and include hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuels obtained from resources other than petroleum). As mentioned herein, a hybrid vehicle may be a vehicle having two or more power sources, such as a vehicle driven by both gasoline and electricity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The above and other features of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to some example embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, which are given hereinafter by way of illustration only and therefore do not necessarily limit the present invention, and in which:

[0024] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a known receiver for hydrogen filling;

[0025] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of a receiver for hydrogen filling is shown;

[0026] Figure 3 is along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

[0027] Figure 4 is a diagram schematically showing a process of inserting a nozzle tip of a filling nozzle into a receptacle for hydrogen filling according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of a receiver for hydrogen filling according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of a receiver for hydrogen filling according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

[0030] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a pressure seal that may be additionally used in a receptacle according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] It is to be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but rather present somewhat simplified representations of various features that illustrate the basic principles of the invention and embodiments. The specific design features of embodiments of the invention, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes, may be determined in part by, for example, specific intended applications and use environments.

[0032] In the drawings, reference numbers may refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present invention throughout the several figures of the drawing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The description of the specific structures or functions presented in the embodiments of the present invention is merely an example for the purpose of explaining the embodiments according to the concepts of the present invention, and the embodiments according to the concepts of the present invention can be implemented in various forms. In addition, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the embodiments described herein, and can be understood to include all modifications, equivalents and substitutes falling within the thought and scope of the present invention.

[0034] In this specification, the terms "first", "second", etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components are not necessarily limited to these terms. These terms may be used only to distinguish one component from another component. For example, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may be referred to as a first component without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0035] It is understood that when a component is referred to as being "connected to" another component, the component may be directly connected to the other component, or intervening components may also exist. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected to" another component, there are no intervening components. Other terms used to describe relationships between components may be interpreted in a similar manner (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.).

[0036] Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals may represent the same components. The terms used herein are for the purpose of illustrating the embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the singular form may include the plural form. The terms "include" and / or "comprise" used in this specification mean that the components, steps, operations and / or elements described do not necessarily exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, operations and / or elements.

[0037] Before describing an embodiment of the present invention, a known receiver for hydrogen filling will be described to facilitate understanding of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a known receiver for hydrogen filling. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of a receptacle for hydrogen filling is shown. Figure 3 is along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1 illustrates a receptor installed in a hydrogen tank of a fuel cell vehicle.

[0039] exist Figures 1 to 3 In the description of the drawings, terms indicating directions such as “up”, “down”, “left”, “right”, “front”, and “rear” are defined to indicate respective directions based on the states shown in the drawings.

[0040] As shown in the figure, the receiver 10 for hydrogen filling may include: a first body 20 and a second body 30, which are coupled to a filling nozzle (not shown) configured to supply fuel (hereinafter, the fuel is, for example, hydrogen) and the fuel is supplied thereto from the filling nozzle; a filter part 40 installed in the first body 20 and configured to filter the filled fuel; and a valve part 50 installed in the second body 30 and configured to prevent the filled fuel from flowing back. In addition, the receiver 10 for hydrogen filling may further include a fuel cap 60 coupled to the inlet side of the first body 20.

[0041] The first body 20 may have a substantially cylindrical shape with upper and lower surfaces opened, and may have a moving passage 21 formed inside through which the filled fuel moves. The opening portion in the upper surface of the first body 20 may be formed with a nozzle insertion portion 201 into which a filling nozzle may be inserted and coupled, and the fuel cap 60 may be coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the upper end portion of the first body 20.

[0042] The fuel cap 60 may be used to protect the upper end portion of the first body 20 into which the fuel is introduced, and to prevent foreign matter such as moisture, oil, and dust from being introduced into the first body 20. The fuel cap 60 may have a cylindrical shape with an open lower surface, and may be connected to a vehicle body (not shown) using a tether 61 to prevent loss during filling.

[0043] On the inner circumferential surface of the nozzle inserting portion 201 formed at the upper end portion of the first body 20, a first ring 22 and a second ring 23, which are O-rings configured to prevent fuel leakage when the nozzle tip of the filling nozzle is connected, may be installed by being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. The first ring 22 may be used to seal a first filling nozzle (not shown) that fills fuel at a low pressure, and the second ring 23 may be used to seal a second filling nozzle (not shown) that fills fuel at a high pressure.

[0044] A step portion 24 corresponding to the diameter of the second filling nozzle smaller than the diameter of the first filling nozzle may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the upper end portion of the first body 20. In addition, a first mounting groove 221 for mounting the first ring 22 may be formed at the upper portion of the step portion 24, and a second mounting groove 231 for mounting the second ring 23 may be formed at the lower portion of the step portion 24.

[0045] In the second mounting groove 231, a first supporting ring 25 and a second supporting ring 26 may be respectively mounted above and below the second ring 23. The first supporting ring 25 and the second supporting ring 26 may each serve to minimize movement and deformation of the second ring 23 pushed upward or downward due to the charging pressure of the high-pressure charging fuel.

[0046] The second body 30 may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with upper and lower surfaces opened, and may have an upper end portion inserted into and coupled to a lower end portion of the first body 20. The second body 30 may have an installation space 31 formed therein in which the valve portion 50 may be installed, and may have a supply passage 32 configured to supply fuel supplied by an opening operation of the valve portion 50 to a fuel tank formed at a lower end portion.

[0047] The filter part 40 may include a filter 41 configured to filter the charged fuel, a protector 42 installed inside the filter 41 , and a cover 43 coupled to upper ends of the filter 41 and the protector 42 .

[0048] The protector 42 may be installed in the filter 41 and serves to prevent the filter 41 from being deformed under high pressure conditions. The cover 43 may serve as a cover that allows the fuel supplied through the moving passage 21 in the first body 20 to be filtered while moving from the outside to the inside of the filter 41. The cover 43 may have an insertion portion protruding downward, and the cover 43 may be fixed to the protector 42 by inserting the insertion portion into the protector 42.

[0049] like Figure 3 As shown, the valve portion 50 may include a cylindrical member 51 installed in the installation space 31 in the second body 30, a valve body 52 installed to rise and fall in the cylindrical member 51 and configured to open and close the fuel filling channel, and a spring 53 installed in the cylindrical member 51 and configured to provide elastic force to the valve body 52.

[0050] The cylindrical member 51 may have a substantially cylindrical shape with an open upper surface, and may have an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the installation space 31. A side surface of the cylindrical member 51 may be formed with a plurality of discharge holes 54 configured to discharge fuel introduced into the cylindrical member 51 to the outside.

[0051] With this configuration, the fuel supplied into the cylindrical member 51 during the opening operation of the valve body 52 is discharged outside the cylindrical member 51 through the discharge hole 54 , passes through the installation space 31 in the second body 30 , and is then supplied to the supply passage 32 formed in the lower portion of the second body 30 .

[0052] The valve body 52 usually rises to block the passage by the elastic force of the spring 53. When the pressure transmitted through the passage increases, the valve body 52 moves downward while elastically deforming the spring 53 so that its length is reduced, thereby opening the passage.

[0053] Between the filter portion 40 and the valve portion 50, a sealing member 70 configured to seal between the lower end of the first body 20 and the upper end of the second body 30, as well as a first sheet 81 and a second sheet 82 configured to seal between the sealing member 70 and the cylindrical member 51 and the valve body 52 of the valve portion 50 can be installed.

[0054] The sealing member 70 may have a substantially cylindrical shape with a fuel-filled delivery passage 71 formed at a central portion. A flange 72 coupled between a lower end of the inner space of the first body 20 and an upper end of the second body 30 may be formed on an outer circumferential surface of the sealing member 70 .

[0055] Each of the first sheet 81 and the second sheet 82 is disposed at the upper end of the cylindrical member 51 and is used to seal between the sealing member 70 and the cylindrical member 51 and the valve body 52. ​​A filling passage 83 for fuel filling is formed at the center of the first sheet 81 and the second sheet 82. The filling passage 83 can be blocked by the convex upper end portion of the valve body 52 when the valve body 52 moves upward.

[0056] The second sheet 82 may have a smaller strength than the valve body 52 and the first sheet 81, and thus may be used for sealing when the fuel is filled at a low pressure. The first sheet 81 may have a larger strength than the second sheet 82, and thus may be used for sealing when the fuel is filled at a high pressure.

[0057] Already in Figures 1 to 3 The structure of an example of a known receptor is described and illustrated in FIG. The receptor according to an embodiment of the present invention may be Figures 1 to 3 An improved version of a known receptor is shown.

[0058] In other words, the receptacle according to the embodiment of the present invention may be similar to a known receptacle in main construction, except that a sealing device described later is additionally installed, and the shape or structure of the main body may be slightly changed to facilitate installation of the sealing device.

[0059] For example, the receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention may be similar to a known receptacle in that the receptacle includes a first body and a second body, a first ring and a second ring are installed on the inner side of the nozzle insert, and a filter portion, a valve portion and various other components are installed, formed and attached to the first body and the second body.

[0060] In the receptacle according to the embodiment of the present invention, the nozzle tip of the filling nozzle is inserted into and incorporated into the above-mentioned receptacle for hydrogen filling. Figure 4 is a diagram schematically showing a process of inserting a nozzle tip of a filling nozzle into a receptacle for hydrogen filling according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] As shown in the drawing, when the filling nozzle 1 is coupled to a receptacle 10 installed on the side of a hydrogen tank to fill hydrogen as a fuel, the receptacle 10 may be inserted into the sleeve 3 of the filling nozzle 1 .

[0062] Thereafter, the sleeve 3 may be coupled to the receptacle 10 to a set or predetermined position on the outer side of the receptacle 10, and the chuck 4 of the filling nozzle 1 may be inserted and coupled to the groove 11 in the receptacle 10. Thus, the filling nozzle 1 is coupled to the receptacle 10.

[0063] Furthermore, when the filling nozzle 1 is coupled to the receptacle 10, the nozzle tip 2 of the filling nozzle 1 may be inserted into the receptacle 10. Once the nozzle tip 2 of the filling nozzle 1 is inserted into the receptacle 10, i.e., into the receptacle 10 to a set or predetermined position inside the nozzle insertion portion 201 in the first body 20, injection and filling of hydrogen may be performed.

[0064] Figure 5 1 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of a receptacle for hydrogen filling according to a first embodiment of the present invention, showing a portion of a receptacle 10 including a nozzle insertion portion 201 into which a nozzle tip 2 of a filling nozzle 1 can be inserted and coupled, and showing the state during filling and when filling is completed.

[0065] On the inner circumferential surface of the nozzle inserting portion 201 formed at the end of the first body 20, a first ring 22 and a second ring 23, which may be O-rings configured to prevent hydrogen leakage when the nozzle tip 2 of the filling nozzle 1 is connected, may be installed by being spaced apart from each other by a set, selected or predetermined distance.

[0066] A step portion 24 may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the nozzle inserting portion 201 in the first body 20 into which the nozzle tip 2 of the filling nozzle 1 is inserted. A first mounting groove 221 in which the first ring 22 may be mounted may be formed on one side of the nozzle inserting portion 201 opposite to the step portion 24. A second mounting groove 231 in which the second ring 23 may be mounted may be formed on the other side of the nozzle inserting portion 201 opposite to the step portion 24.

[0067] In the second mounting groove 231, a first supporting ring 25 and a second supporting ring 26 may be installed on both sides of the second ring 23. The first supporting ring 25 and the second supporting ring 26 may each be used to minimize the movement and deformation of the second ring 23 pushed to both sides due to the filling pressure of the high-pressure filling hydrogen.

[0068] The first body 20 may have a channel space portion 202 formed therein that communicates with the nozzle insertion portion 201. The channel space portion 202 may be connected to a filter space portion 203 (in the case of a nozzle insertion portion 201) that may be an installation space in which the filter portion 40 may be installed in the first body 20. Figure 3 The channel space portion 202 may be connected to the filter portion 40 (not fully shown, for example, see Figure 3 The primary side space in the filter space portion 203 through which the hydrogen gas (hydrogen gas before filtration) moves (see reference numeral 41 in the figure) is connected.

[0069] Inside the first body 20, the nozzle tip 2 of the filling nozzle 1 inserted into the nozzle insertion portion 201 can be supported by being in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the second ring 23. The tip portion of the nozzle tip 2 can pass through the nozzle insertion portion 201 and then enter the channel space portion 202 to at least a portion of the channel space portion 202.

[0070] Furthermore, in the receptacle according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the passage space portion 202 includes an expanded space portion 202a surrounding the tip portion of the nozzle tip 2 inserted into the nozzle insertion portion 201. The expanded space portion 202a may have a shape and an inner diameter that expands in a radial direction with the tip portion of the nozzle tip 2 inserted into the passage space portion 202 as the center.

[0071] In other words, when the nozzle tip 2 of the filling nozzle 1 is inserted into the nozzle insert 201 in the receptacle 10 and is tightly supported by the second ring 23, the expanded space portion 202a may have a shape that is more expanded in the radial direction compared to the section of the nozzle insert 201 that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion of the nozzle tip 2, and the inner peripheral surface of the expanded space portion 202a may have a larger diameter compared to the inner peripheral surface of the section of the nozzle insert 201 that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion of the nozzle tip 2.

[0072] Furthermore, in the expanded space portion 202a in the receptacle 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a sealing device 90 configured to further seal the nozzle tip 2 in the passage space portion 202 is installed. The sealing device 90 may include a movable O-ring 91 and a spring member 92.

[0073] The movable O-ring 91 may be installed in the expansion space portion 202a in the inner space of the receptacle 10. The movable O-ring 91 may be installed to be in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion of the nozzle tip 2 inserted into the passage space portion 202 in the receptacle 10.

[0074] In addition, the spring member 92 may be installed in the expanded space portion 202a at a rear position of the movable O-ring 91, that is, at a position opposite to the filter space portion 203 where the filter portion (not shown) is provided. The movable O-ring 91 may be elastically supported by the spring member 92 in the expanded space portion 202a.

[0075] The directions "forward" and "rearward" can be defined relative to the direction of insertion of the nozzle tip in the receptacle. When the filling nozzle is coupled to the receptacle, the nozzle tip can be said to enter forwardly inside the receptacle, and when the filling nozzle is separated from the receptacle, the nozzle tip can be said to move rearwardly inside the receptacle.

[0076] The movable O-ring 91 can, for example, tightly support the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion of the nozzle tip 2 that passes through the nozzle insertion portion 201 in the receptacle 10 and is inserted into the expansion space portion 202a over a full range of 360°. Thus, the movable O-ring 91 can prevent the nozzle tip from sagging to one side in the nozzle insertion portion, and support the tip portion of the nozzle tip so that the nozzle tip 2 and the nozzle insertion portion 201 are always concentric or remain substantially or basically concentric. In addition, the movable O-ring 91 can be used to further seal between the inner side surface of the receptacle 10 and the tip portion of the nozzle tip 2 that is inserted into the receptacle 10 for filling.

[0077] exist Figure 5 In the structure shown, when hydrogen filling is started in a state where the filling nozzle 1 is combined with the receiver 10 and the nozzle tip 2 of the filling nozzle 1 is inserted into the nozzle insertion portion 201 in the receiver 10, the pressure of the high-pressure hydrogen can act on the channel space portion 202 due to the hydrogen injected through the nozzle tip 2.

[0078] Therefore, at the point in time when the pressure of high-pressure hydrogen is applied to the channel space portion 202, the movable O-ring 91 that has moved forward in the expansion space portion 202a can move backward while the spring member 92 is compressed by the pressure of the hydrogen, and can then be placed on and coupled to the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion of the nozzle tip 2.

[0079] During the charging period, if Figure 5 As shown, the pressure of the high-pressure hydrogen can act on the front surface of the movable O-ring 91, causing the movable O-ring to move backward. Finally, the movable O-ring 91 can move and be placed on the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion of the nozzle tip 2, thereby providing additional airtightness or sealing.

[0080] Thus, the movable O-ring 91 which is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion of the nozzle tip 2 can further seal the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion of the nozzle tip 2, while supporting the tip portion of the nozzle tip 2 to prevent or hinder its movement, thereby providing a more robust double airtight / sealing structure together with the O-ring 23 inside the nozzle insert 201.

[0081] After hydrogen filling is completed, the pressure of the high-pressure hydrogen in the filling nozzle 1 and the receptacle 10 may be released before separating the filling nozzle 1. When the pressure is released, the movable O-ring 91 may move to the original position due to the elastic restoring force of the spring member 92 and move forward from the nozzle tip 2, so that the nozzle tip 2 of the filling nozzle 1 can be easily separated from the nozzle insert 201 in the receptacle 10.

[0082] Figure 61 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of a receptacle for hydrogen filling according to a second embodiment of the present invention, showing a portion of a receptacle 10 including a nozzle insertion portion 201 into which a nozzle tip 2 of a filling nozzle 1 can be inserted and coupled, and showing the state during filling and when filling is completed.

[0083] In the first and second embodiments, the main body (first main body 20) of the receptacle 10 includes a first sub-body 20a and a second sub-body 20b. For example, the first sub-body 20a and the second sub-body 20b may be screwed together to assemble into the integrated main body 20.

[0084] The first sub-body 20a may be a portion for mounting the first ring 22 and the second ring 23. The second sub-body 20b may be a portion for mounting the filter portion 40 (not fully shown, in FIG. 1 ). Figure 3 The filter space portion 203 is shown as a part of the filter space portion 203 in the figure as 41, and may be a second body (not shown, Figure 3 The part to which the reference numeral 30) can be threadedly fastened.

[0085] In addition, the first sub-body 20a and the second sub-body 20b may have a nozzle insertion portion 201 and a channel space portion 202 formed thereinto into which the nozzle tip 2 of the filling nozzle 1 can be inserted. The internal space in the first sub-body 20a and the internal space in the second sub-body 20b may be separated by a partition wall 20c protruding inwardly at the end of the first sub-body 20a.

[0086] In one embodiment, the partition wall 20c does not completely separate the two spaces, but is partitioned so that the nozzle tip 2 can pass through. The partition wall 20c may be formed with a hole 20d through which the nozzle tip passes, and the inner diameter of the hole 20d may be large enough to allow the tip portion of the nozzle tip 2 to pass through.

[0087] In addition, in one embodiment, if the internal space in the first sub-body 20a relative to the partition wall 20c is regarded as the nozzle insertion portion 201, then the internal space in the second sub-body 20b which is bounded by the partition wall 20c with the nozzle insertion portion 201 and is connected to the filter space portion 203 through the movable channel 21 can be the channel space portion 202.

[0088] In one embodiment, if the space extending in the radial direction with the passage through which the nozzle tip passes in the passage space portion 202 as the center is regarded as the extended space portion 202a, the sealing device 90 may be installed in the extended space portion 202a. Figure 6 As shown, the sealing device 90 may include a pressure seal 93 and a spring member 96 .

[0089] Before the first sub-body 20a and the second sub-body 20b are screwed to each other, the spring member 96 can be installed in the extended space portion 202a which is the internal space in the second sub-body 20b by being supported by the partition wall 20c, and the pressure seal 93 can be installed in the extended space portion 202a by being elastically supported by the spring member 96.

[0090] Figure 7 FIG. 1 shows a pressure seal 93 that can be additionally used in a receptacle according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the receptacle 10 according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 A high pressure seal is shown that can be used as pressure seal 93 .

[0091] In the receiver 10 according to the second embodiment, a conventional high-pressure seal can be used as a pressure seal 93 elastically supported by a spring member 96. In the conventional high-pressure seal, when high pressure acts on the inside of the seal 93 body, the inner side 94a and the outer side 94b of the seal 93 body are separated from each other in the direction of the arrows in the figure, and the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the seal 93 body can form a surface pressure with other components.

[0092] The high pressure seal may have a structure in which a pressure seal 93 includes a seal body having a ring shape as a whole and having a c-shaped cross section, and a separate elastic member 95 may be installed inside the c-shaped cross section of the seal body.

[0093] The pressure seal 93 may be installed in the expansion space portion 202a in the second sub-body 20b so that the opening 93a in the pressure seal 93 having a c-shaped cross section faces the moving passage 21 forward (forward relative to the direction of insertion and entry of the nozzle tip) in the expansion space portion 202a. Therefore, the pressure of the high-pressure hydrogen gas may act on the inner side of the seal body where the elastic member 95 is provided, and the rear surface of the pressure seal 93 opposite to the opening 93a may be supported by the spring member 96.

[0094] With this structure of the embodiment, when the nozzle tip 2 of the filling nozzle 1 is inserted and coupled to the nozzle insertion portion 201 in the receptacle 10 for hydrogen filling, and hydrogen is injected into the channel space portion 202 which is the internal space in the second sub-body 20b of the first body 20 of the receptacle 10 via the nozzle tip 2, the filled hydrogen passes through the filter portion installed in the filter space portion 203 via the moving channel 21. The filled hydrogen may also act on the pressure seal 93 in the internal space in the second sub-body 20b.

[0095] Therefore, the pressure seal 93 can move backward while compressing the spring component 96, and can cooperate and be combined with the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle tip 2, and when the pressure seal 93 is placed on the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle tip 2, the pressure of the high-pressure hydrogen can act on the inner side of the sealing body of the pressure seal 93 through the opening 93a in front of the pressure seal 93, thereby separating the inner side 94a and the outer side 94b of the sealing body of the pressure seal 93 from each other.

[0096] Thereafter, the inner portion 94a of the seal body of the pressure seal 93, which is separated from the outer portion 94b, can be in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion of the nozzle tip 2 that has passed through the pressure seal 93, thereby forming a surface pressure. The outer portion 94b can be in close contact with the inner side surface of the receptacle 10, that is, the inner side surface of the expansion space portion 202a, thereby forming a surface pressure. Thus, when high-pressure hydrogen is supplied for filling, the pressure seal 93 can be separated due to the pressure of the hydrogen to form a surface pressure with the nozzle tip 2, thereby providing an additional airtight / sealing structure between the nozzle tip 2 and the receptacle 10 in addition to the O-ring 23 installed in the first sub-body 20a.

[0097] Only by close contact between the existing O-ring (second ring 23) installed on the inner side of the receiver 10 and the nozzle tip 2, it may be difficult to provide perfect airtightness and sealing between the filling nozzle 1 and the receiver 10 because the O-ring shrinks due to rapid filling of high-pressure hydrogen at low temperature.

[0098] Therefore, in the second embodiment, by further including a high-pressure seal (e.g., pressure seal 93), when filling begins, the pressure of the high-pressure hydrogen acts on the high-pressure seal, thereby further sealing between the nozzle tip 2 of the filling nozzle 1 and the receptacle 10, and a double airtight / sealing structure is provided using the existing O-ring 23 and the high-pressure seal 93.

[0099] Therefore, the receptacle 10 according to the second embodiment not only improves the sealing performance with the filling nozzle 1, but also reduces the phenomenon of the nozzle tip 2 drooping due to its own weight because the nozzle tip 2 of the filling nozzle 1 is supported by the high-pressure seal 93 while being inserted into the receptacle 10.

[0100] During filling, the pressure of the high-pressure hydrogen gas may be applied within the pipe, thereby causing the pressure seal 93 to move toward the nozzle tip 2 while compressing the spring member 96 by the pressure of the hydrogen gas, and then providing and maintaining the airtightness / seal between the nozzle tip 2 and the receptacle 10. However, when the filling is completed and the pressure in the high-pressure pipe is discharged, the pressure seal 93 may move forward to the original position due to the elastic restoring force of the spring member 96, and may be separated from the nozzle tip 2, thereby enabling the filling nozzle 1 to be easily separated from the receptacle 10. Therefore, the receptacle for hydrogen filling according to an embodiment of the present invention provides a structure that strengthens the airtightness / seal between the filling nozzle and the receptacle when filling hydrogen in a fuel cell vehicle, thereby reliably maintaining the airtightness / seal between the filling nozzle and the receptacle during filling or after the filling is completed.

[0101] The receptacle for hydrogen filling of a fuel cell vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention provides a structure for enhancing the airtightness and air sealing between a filling nozzle and the receptacle when filling hydrogen in a fuel cell vehicle, thereby reliably maintaining the airtightness / seal between the filling nozzle and the receptacle during filling.

[0102] Furthermore, the receiver for hydrogen filling according to an embodiment of the present invention includes, in addition to the existing O-ring, a sealing device for maintaining airtightness and airtightness between the nozzle tip of the filling nozzle and the receiver, so as to provide a double airtight / sealing structure, thereby solving various conventional problems such as gas leakage that may occur when the O-ring shrinks due to rapid cooling during rapid hydrogen filling, gas leakage that may occur when the filling nozzle sags due to its own weight, and gas leakage caused by the installation of the filling nozzle and the receiver.

[0103] In particular, in one embodiment, the added sealing device can further support the tip of the nozzle tip of the filling nozzle inserted into the nozzle insertion portion of the receptacle, thereby preventing or hindering the nozzle tip of the filling nozzle from sagging to one side in the nozzle insertion portion, and effectively preventing or reducing gas leakage caused by the sagging of the nozzle tip.

[0104] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to exemplary embodiments, the scope of the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the concept of the present invention as defined in the appended claims may also be included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A receiver for hydrogen filling of a fuel cell vehicle, the receiver comprising: a main body including a nozzle inserting portion configured to have a nozzle tip of a filling nozzle inserted therein, a filter space portion having a filter portion configured to filter hydrogen gas injected through the nozzle tip of the filling nozzle installed therein, and a channel space portion disposed between the nozzle inserting portion and the filter space portion; and A sealing device is configured to seal between the tip portion of the nozzle tip and the inner side surface of the expansion space portion by being installed in the expansion space portion, wherein the expansion space portion expands in a radial direction with the tip portion of the nozzle tip passing through the nozzle insertion portion and entering the channel space portion as the center.

2. The receptacle according to claim 1, further comprising an O-ring configured to seal between the nozzle tip and the inner side surface of the nozzle insert by being mounted on the inner side surface of the nozzle insert through which the nozzle tip of the filling nozzle passes.

3. The receptor according to claim 1, wherein: The sealing device comprises: a movable O-ring installed in the expansion space portion; and a spring member configured to elastically support the movable O-ring by being mounted on a spring supporting step formed on the inner side surface of the main body and located between the nozzle insertion portion and the passage space portion, and Wherein, the sealing device is configured so that when the pressure of the hydrogen gas injected through the nozzle tip of the filling nozzle acts on the expanded space portion in the channel space portion during hydrogen filling, the movable O-ring moves while compressing the spring member using the pressure of the hydrogen gas to be placed on the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion of the nozzle tip.

4. The receptor according to claim 3, wherein: The sealing device is configured so that when hydrogen filling is completed and the pressure in the expansion space portion is released, the movable O-ring is separated from the tip portion of the nozzle tip by an elastic restoring force of the spring member.

5. The receptor according to claim 1, wherein: The sealing device comprises: a pressure seal installed in the expansion space portion; and a spring member configured to elastically support the pressure seal by being mounted on a spring support step formed on the inner side surface of the main body and located between the nozzle insertion portion and the channel space portion, and In which, the sealing device is constructed so that when the pressure of the hydrogen injected through the nozzle tip of the filling nozzle acts on the expanded space portion in the channel space portion during hydrogen filling, the pressure seal moves while compressing the spring member using the pressure of the hydrogen to be arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion of the nozzle tip.

6. The receptor according to claim 5, wherein: The pressure seal comprises: a seal body having an annular shape as a whole and having a c-shaped cross section; and The elastic member is installed inside the C-shaped cross-section portion of the seal body.

7. The receptor according to claim 6, wherein: The c-shaped cross section of the seal body has an opening facing the filter space portion, and The seal body is constructed so that as the pressure of hydrogen acts on the inside of the seal body through the opening, the inner and outer parts of the seal body are separated, so that the inner part of the seal body is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle tip, and the outer part of the seal body is in close contact with the inner side surface of the expansion space portion, thereby generating surface pressure.

8. A receiver for filling a gas cylinder with gas, the receiver comprising: a main body including a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and a central area between the first end and the second end, wherein the body includes a nozzle insert portion that is open at the first end and extends into the central region, wherein the body further comprises a gas passage portion in the central region, wherein the nozzle insert portion is configured to receive a gas filling nozzle tip inserted therein during gas filling so that a distal end of the gas filling nozzle tip extends into the gas passage portion, and wherein the gas passage portion is in fluid communication with the nozzle insert portion, The main body further comprises an expansion space portion located adjacent to the gas channel portion, the expansion space portion being in fluid communication with the gas channel portion, and wherein the body further comprises a partition wall portion positioned adjacent to the expansion space portion and between the nozzle insertion portion and the gas passage portion, the partition wall portion being formed with a partition wall hole having a partition wall hole diameter configured to allow the tip of the inflation nozzle to pass therethrough, wherein the expansion space portion diameter of the expansion space portion is greater than the partition wall hole diameter; a sealing ring member located in the expansion space portion, the sealing ring member being formed with a sealing ring member hole having a sealing ring member hole diameter configured to allow the inflation nozzle tip to pass therethrough, wherein the expansion space portion diameter is larger than the sealing ring member hole diameter; and A spring is located in the expansion space portion, the spring is located between the sealing ring member and the partition wall portion, and the spring has a spring inner hole diameter configured to allow the inflation nozzle tip to pass through, wherein the expansion space portion diameter is larger than the spring inner hole diameter.

9. The receptor according to claim 8, wherein: The sealing ring component includes a movable O-ring, wherein the movable O-ring and the spring are configured such that when the pressure of the gas injected through the tip of the inflation nozzle acts on the movable O-ring during gas filling, the movable O-ring uses the pressure of the gas to press against and compress the spring to be positioned on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end of the tip of the inflation nozzle.

10. The receptor according to claim 9, wherein: The movable O-ring and the spring are configured such that when gas filling is completed and pressure in the expansion space portion is released, the movable O-ring is separated from the distal end of the inflation nozzle tip by the elastic restoring force of the spring pressing against the movable O-ring.

11. The receptor according to claim 8, wherein: The sealing ring member includes a substantially C-shaped cross-section having an opening facing the second end of the main body, wherein the sealing ring member and the spring are configured such that when the pressure of the gas injected through the tip of the inflation nozzle acts on the sealing ring member during gas filling, the sealing ring member presses against and compresses the spring using the pressure of the gas to make the sealing ring member sealingly fit onto the distal end of the tip of the inflation nozzle.

12. The receptor according to claim 11, wherein The sealing ring member is constructed so that when the pressure of the gas injected through the tip of the inflation nozzle acts on the opening of the substantially C-shaped cross-section, the inner and outer portions of the sealing ring member are separated, so that the inner portion of the sealing ring member is sealingly fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end of the tip of the inflation nozzle, and the outer portion of the sealing ring member is sealingly fitted on the inner side surface of the main body at the expansion space portion.

13. The receptor according to claim 12, wherein: The sealing ring member and the spring are configured so that when gas filling is completed and the pressure in the expansion space portion is released, the separation of the inner and outer portions of the sealing ring member is reduced due to the reduced gas pressure in the expansion space portion, and the sealing ring member is separated from the distal end of the inflation nozzle tip by the elastic restoring force of the spring pressing against the sealing ring member.

14. The receptor of claim 8, further comprising a filter device located in the filter space portion of the body, wherein: The filter space portion is adjacent to and in fluid communication with the gas passage portion such that the gas passage portion is located between the filter space portion and the nozzle insertion portion.

15. The receptor according to claim 8, wherein: The main body includes a first main body portion and a second main body portion, and the first main body portion is screwed to the second main body portion at a position in the central region and adjacent to the partition wall portion.

16. The receptor of claim 8, further comprising: a first ring, located in a first ring seat of the body, the first ring having a first ring hole, the first ring hole having a first ring hole diameter configured to allow the inflation nozzle tip to pass therethrough so that the first ring sealingly fits on the inflation nozzle tip, the first ring being located between the first end of the body and the sealing ring member, and being separated from the sealing ring member by a first spacing distance; as well as a second ring located in the second ring seat of the main body, the second ring having a second ring hole, the second ring hole having a second ring hole diameter configured to allow the inflation nozzle tip to pass therethrough so that the second ring is sealingly fitted on the inflation nozzle tip, the second ring being located between the first ring and the sealing ring member, and being separated from the sealing ring member by a second spacing distance, wherein the first spacing distance is greater than the second spacing distance.

17. The receptor of claim 16, wherein: The partition wall portion and the spring are located between the second ring and the seal ring member.

18. A receiver for filling a gas cylinder with gas, the receiver comprising: a main body including a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and a central area between the first end and the second end, wherein the body includes a nozzle insert portion that is open at the first end and extends into the central region, wherein the body further comprises a gas passage portion in the central region, wherein the nozzle insert portion is configured to receive a gas filling nozzle tip inserted therein during gas filling so that a distal end of the gas filling nozzle tip extends into the gas passage portion, and wherein the gas passage portion is in fluid communication with the nozzle insert portion, The main body further comprises an expansion space portion located adjacent to the gas channel portion, and the expansion space portion is in fluid communication with the gas channel portion. wherein the main body further comprises a partition wall portion positioned adjacent to the expansion space portion and between the nozzle insertion portion and the gas channel portion, the partition wall portion being formed with a partition wall hole having a partition wall hole diameter configured to allow the tip of the inflation nozzle to pass therethrough, wherein the expansion space portion diameter of the expansion space portion is greater than the partition wall hole diameter, and Wherein, the main body further comprises a first main body portion and a second main body portion, the first main body portion being threadedly coupled to the second main body portion at a position in the central area and adjacent to the partition wall portion; a sealing ring member located in the expansion space portion, the sealing ring member being formed with a sealing ring member hole having a sealing ring member hole diameter configured to allow the tip of the inflation nozzle to pass therethrough, wherein the expansion space portion diameter is larger than the sealing ring member hole diameter; a spring located in the expansion space portion, the spring being located between the sealing ring member and the partition wall portion, the spring having a spring inner hole diameter configured to allow the tip of the inflation nozzle to pass therethrough, wherein the expansion space portion diameter is larger than the spring inner hole diameter; a filter device located in a filter space portion of the body, wherein the filter space portion is adjacent to and in fluid communication with the gas passage portion such that the gas passage portion is located between the filter space portion and the nozzle insertion portion; a first ring located in a first ring seat of the body, the first ring having a first ring hole having a first ring hole diameter configured to allow the inflation nozzle tip to pass therethrough so that the first ring sealingly fits on the inflation nozzle tip, the first ring being located between the first end of the body and the sealing ring member and separated from the sealing ring member by a first spacing distance; and a second ring located in the second ring seat portion of the main body, the second ring having a second ring hole, the second ring hole having a second ring hole diameter configured to allow the inflation nozzle tip to pass therethrough so that the second ring is sealingly fitted on the inflation nozzle tip, the second ring being located between the first ring and the sealing ring member, and being separated from the sealing ring member by a second spacing distance, wherein the first spacing distance is greater than the second spacing distance, wherein the partition wall portion and the spring are located between the second ring and the sealing ring member.

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