A hydrogenation-type mass flow sensor
By designing limiting and guiding mechanisms, the problem of difficult alignment during installation of hydrogen refueling mass flow sensor pipelines in narrow vehicle spaces was solved, achieving efficient installation and stable connection, and reducing the risk of hydrogen leakage.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202522805994.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-11-06
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-12-30
AI Technical Summary
In the confined space of a vehicle, the pipes of traditional hydrogen refueling mass flow sensors are difficult to align and are prone to loosening, posing a risk of hydrogen leakage.
The system employs a limiting mechanism and a guiding mechanism, including a limiting block and a guide plate, to provide automatic guidance and correction functions. Combined with a rubber barb and spring structure, it achieves mechanical interlocking of the pipeline, ensuring coaxiality and stability.
It significantly improves installation efficiency, reduces installation accuracy requirements, prevents pipe loosening, reduces the risk of hydrogen leakage, and enhances the operational stability of the sensor.
Smart Images

Figure CN224945497U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of flow sensor technology, and more specifically, to a hydrogenation-type mass flow sensor. Background Technology
[0002] As a core metering component in hydrogen energy systems (such as hydrogen supply pipelines for fuel cell vehicles, hydrogen supply units at hydrogen refueling stations, and hydrogen energy storage devices), the reliable connection between the hydrogen refueling mass flow sensor and the hydrogen supply pipeline directly determines the accuracy of hydrogen metering, system sealing, and operational safety.
[0003] In the manufacturing and maintenance of fuel cell vehicles, quickly and reliably connecting the hydrogen pipeline to the hydrogen refueling mass flow sensor is a critical operation. The traditional installation method involves connecting the inlet and outlet pipes of the hydrogen refueling mass flow sensor to the fuel cell vehicle's hydrogen supply pipeline via threads. However, the on-board space is typically extremely confined, and the sensor installation location often presents blind spots, making it difficult for operators to accurately align the pipes and sensor interfaces. Furthermore, the traditional threaded connection method is difficult to initially align in such environments, time-consuming, and labor-intensive. Moreover, the continuous vibrations during vehicle operation can easily cause traditional threaded connections to loosen, leading to a serious safety hazard of high-pressure hydrogen leakage. Therefore, we propose a hydrogen refueling mass flow sensor. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology, adapt to practical needs, and provide a hydrogen-type mass flow sensor to solve the technical problem of difficulty in aligning sensor pipes during installation in narrow vehicle spaces.
[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a hydrogenation-type mass flow sensor, including a sensor body, and an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe fixedly installed at the bottom of the sensor body. Limiting mechanisms are provided on the outer sides of both the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe. A guiding mechanism is provided at the bottom of the limiting mechanism. The guiding mechanism is linked to the limiting mechanism via a connecting structure. The limiting mechanism includes a limiting block, which has a first protrusion and a second protrusion facing the pipe insertion direction. A concave limiting portion for accommodating the crest of the external thread of the pipe is formed between the first protrusion and the second protrusion. The guiding mechanism includes a guide plate, which is hinged to the outer side of the limiting block via a connecting structure. Rubber barbs are provided on the inner side of the guide plate. Multiple guide plates and their inner rubber barbs combine in the initial state to form a conical guiding surface. The opening direction of the rubber barbs is consistent with the pipe insertion direction.
[0006] Preferably, the limiting mechanism further includes a first sliding groove, which is formed on the inner wall of the internal threaded sleeve. A sliding rod is slidably installed inside the first sliding groove. A spring is fixedly installed between the sliding rod and the inner wall of the internal threaded sleeve. A connecting rod is fixedly installed at the end of the sliding rod.
[0007] Preferably, the guide mechanism further includes a fixing rod, which is fixedly installed at the bottom of the internal threaded sleeve. A second sliding groove is provided inside the guide plate at a position corresponding to the fixing rod, and the fixing rod is assembled inside the second sliding groove.
[0008] Preferably, the internal threaded sleeve has an internal thread inside, and the internal threaded sleeve is rotatably mounted on the outside of the feed pipe and the discharge pipe via bearings.
[0009] Preferably, the guide plate is hinged to the end of the connecting rod.
[0010] Preferably, the sliding rod and the connecting rod together constitute a connection structure for driving the guide mechanism.
[0011] Preferably, sealing rings are fixedly installed at the ends of both the feed pipe and the discharge pipe.
[0012] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are: 1. This utility model utilizes a conical guide surface composed of a guide plate and rubber barbs to provide automatic guidance and correction during the initial connection of pipelines. Operators do not need precise alignment; they only need to push the pipeline roughly towards the guide surface, and it will automatically slide into the correct position under mechanical guidance. This greatly reduces the requirements for installation accuracy and is particularly suitable for use in vehicle-mounted environments with limited space and poor visibility, significantly improving installation efficiency and solving the current problem of difficult sensor pipeline installation and alignment in confined vehicle spaces.
[0013] 2. This utility model also smoothly transforms the rotational motion of the threaded pair into a linear screwing motion of the pipe relative to the inlet / outlet pipe. Combined with the constraint effect of the guide plate on the pipe, it prevents the pipe from deviating or tilting during the screwing process, ensuring the coaxiality of the threaded fit. On the other hand, after the guide plate is retracted through the connecting structure, the rubber barbs on its inner side are tightly attached to the outer wall of the pipe. The opening direction of the rubber barbs is consistent with the insertion direction of the pipe. This not only does not hinder the normal screwing of the pipe, but also suppresses the radial vibration of the pipe during the operation of the sensor, reducing the impact of vibration on the measurement accuracy and improving the overall operational stability of the sensor.
[0014] 3. This utility model also utilizes a mechanism where, when the sealing ring 6 is compressed to its optimal state, the spring is compressed to its limit position. At this point, under the spring force, the first and second protrusions of the limiting block precisely insert into the grooves of the external thread of the pipe, while the concave limiting part simultaneously covers the thread crest, forming a purely mechanical interlock. This structure effectively prevents the internal threaded sleeve from loosening due to reverse rotation caused by vibration. Compared with traditional anti-loosening methods, the reliability of anti-loosening is significantly improved, fundamentally reducing the risk of hydrogen leakage and making it suitable for harsh working conditions such as vehicle bumps and equipment vibration. Attached Figure Description
[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of the present utility model; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the feed pipe and related structures of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the sliding rod and related structures of this utility model; Figure 5 This utility model Figure 4 Enlarged schematic diagram of the structure at point A in the middle; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the rubber barb and related structures of this utility model.
[0016] The following are the labels in the diagram: 1. Sensor body; 2. Feed pipe; 3. Discharge pipe; 4. Limiting mechanism; 41. Internal threaded sleeve; 411. Internal thread; 412. First slide groove; 42. Spring; 43. Limiting block; 431. First protrusion; 432. Second protrusion; 433. Concave limiting part; 44. Sliding rod; 45. Connecting rod; 5. Guide mechanism; 51. Guide plate; 511. Second slide groove; 52. Fixing rod; 53. Rubber barb; 6. Sealing ring. Detailed Implementation
[0017] Example: Figures 1 to 6As shown, this utility model relates to a hydrogenation-type mass flow sensor, including a sensor body 1, and an inlet pipe 2 and an outlet pipe 3 fixedly installed at the bottom of the sensor body 1. Sealing rings 6 are fixedly installed at the ends of both the inlet pipe 2 and the outlet pipe 3. Limiting mechanisms 4 are provided on the outer sides of both the inlet pipe 2 and the outlet pipe 3. A guide mechanism 5 is provided at the bottom of the limiting mechanism 4. The guide mechanism 5 is linked to the limiting mechanism 4 through a connecting structure. The limiting mechanism 4 includes a limiting block 43, which has a first protrusion 431 and a second protrusion 432 facing the pipe insertion direction. The first protrusion 431 and the second protrusion 432 are connected... A concave limiting part 433 is formed between the two protrusions 432 to accommodate the crest of the external thread of the pipe. The guiding mechanism 5 includes a guide plate 51, which is hinged to the outside of the limiting block 43 via a connecting structure. Rubber barbs 53 are provided on the inner side of the guide plate 51. Multiple guide plates 51 and their inner rubber barbs 53 combine in the initial state to form a conical guide surface. The opening direction of the rubber barbs 53 is consistent with the pipe insertion direction. Through the conical guide surface formed by the guide plate 51 and the rubber barbs 53, this invention can provide automatic guidance and correction functions during the initial connection of the pipe. The operator does not need to align precisely; they only need to push the pipe roughly toward the guide surface, and it will automatically slide into the correct position under mechanical guidance. This greatly reduces the requirements for installation accuracy and is particularly suitable for use in vehicle environments with limited space and poor visibility. It significantly improves installation efficiency and solves the current problem of difficult sensor pipe installation and alignment in narrow vehicle spaces.
[0018] Preferably, the limiting mechanism 4 further includes a first slide groove 412, which is formed on the inner wall of the internal thread sleeve 41. The internal thread sleeve 41 has an internal thread 411 inside, and the internal thread sleeve 41 is rotatably mounted on the outside of the feed pipe 2 and the discharge pipe 3 through bearings. A sliding rod 44 is slidably installed inside the first slide groove 412. A spring 42 is fixedly installed on the sliding rod 44 and the inner wall of the internal thread sleeve 41. A connecting rod 45 is fixedly installed at the end of the sliding rod 44. The sliding rod 44 and the connecting rod 45 together form a connection structure for driving the guide mechanism 5. When the sealing ring 6 is compressed to the optimal state, the spring 42 is compressed to the limit position. At this time, under the elastic force of the spring 42, the first protrusion 431 and the second protrusion 432 of the limiting block 43 are precisely inserted into the groove of the external thread of the pipe. The concave limiting part 433 simultaneously covers the thread crest, forming a purely mechanical interlock. This structure can effectively prevent the internal threaded sleeve 41 from loosening due to reverse rotation caused by vibration. Compared with traditional anti-loosening methods, the reliability of anti-loosening is significantly improved, fundamentally reducing the risk of hydrogen leakage and adapting to harsh working conditions such as vehicle bumps and equipment vibration.
[0019] Preferably, the guide mechanism 5 further includes a fixing rod 52, which is fixedly installed at the bottom of the internal threaded sleeve 41. A second groove 511 is provided inside the guide plate 51 at a position corresponding to the fixing rod 52. The fixing rod 52 is assembled inside the second groove 511. The guide plate 51 is hinged to the end of the connecting rod 45. The rotational movement of the threaded pair can be smoothly converted into the linear screwing movement of the pipe relative to the feed pipe 2 / discharge pipe 3. With the constraint of the guide plate 51 on the pipe, the pipe is prevented from deviating or tilting during the screwing process, ensuring the coaxiality of the threaded fit. On the other hand, after the guide plate 51 is closed by the connecting structure, the rubber barbs 53 on its inner side are tightly attached to the outer wall of the pipe. The opening direction of the rubber barbs 53 is consistent with the pipe insertion direction. This not only does not hinder the normal screwing of the pipe, but also suppresses the radial vibration of the pipe during the operation of the sensor, reducing the impact of vibration on the measurement accuracy and improving the overall operational stability of the sensor.
[0020] Working principle: This embodiment provides a hydrogenation type mass flow sensor. When in use, before the pipeline is installed, the entire device is in a state of waiting to be connected. The operator roughly aligns the pipeline to be connected with the inlet pipe 2 and outlet pipe 3 at the bottom of the sensor body 1. If it is not possible to accurately align due to blind spots or space limitations, the pipeline port only needs to contact the conical surface of the conical guide bucket formed by the rubber barbs 53. Under the guidance of the conical surface, the pipeline is automatically corrected to the center position, and its end is smoothly guided to the inlet of the internal threaded sleeve 41. This process greatly reduces the requirements for installation accuracy.
[0021] After the pipe end enters the internal threaded sleeve 41, the external thread at the front end of the pipe contacts the internal thread 411 of the internal threaded sleeve 41. The operator holds the pipe to fix it and begins to rotate the internal threaded sleeve 41. Since the internal threaded sleeve 41 is axially limited to the outside of the feed pipe 2 by the bearing, its rotational motion is converted into the linear screwing motion of the pipe relative to the feed pipe 2 through the threaded pair. Under the constraint of the guide plate 51, the pipe is smoothly screwed into the inside of the feed pipe 2.
[0022] When the pipe is screwed into the predetermined depth, its end face contacts the limiting block 43. As the screwing action continues, the pipe pushes the limiting block 43 to move axially. The limiting block 43 drives the sliding rod 44 to slide inside the first slide groove 412 against the elastic force of the spring 42. The axial movement of the sliding rod 44 is converted into an inward pulling force through the hinge point between the connecting rod 45 fixedly installed at the end of the sliding rod 44 and the guide plate 51, forcing the guide plate 51 to rotate inward around the fixed rod 52 and retract. At this time, the fixed rod 52 slides inside the second slide groove 511 opened on the inner side of the guide plate 51.
[0023] The device's form thus changes from an outwardly expanding guide plate 51 to a tightened state parallel to the outer wall of the pipe.
[0024] As the end face of the pipe continues to advance, it eventually comes into close contact with the sealing surface of the feed pipe 2 section, compressing the sealing ring 6 set on the feed pipe 2 to form a reliable main seal.
[0025] When the pipe reaches its final position, the spring 42 is compressed to its limit position. At this time, under the action of the spring force, the limiting block 43 causes the first protrusion 431 and the second protrusion 432 to insert into the groove of the outer thread of the pipe. At the same time, the crest of the pipe thread is covered by the concave limiting part 433 of the limiting block 43. This action realizes a purely mechanical interlock. Even if there is vibration, it can effectively prevent the inner thread sleeve 41 from rotating in the opposite direction and loosening, thereby achieving extremely high anti-loosening reliability.
[0026] Meanwhile, the rubber barbs 53 on the inner side of the retracted guide plate 51 are in close contact with the outer wall of the pipe. Since the opening direction is consistent with the insertion direction of the pipe, there is no resistance to the further screwing of the pipe, but it can effectively suppress radial vibration and play an auxiliary stabilizing role.
[0027] The embodiments disclosed herein are preferred embodiments, but are not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art can readily grasp the spirit of this utility model based on the above embodiments and make different extensions and variations. However, as long as they do not depart from the spirit of this utility model, they are all within the protection scope of this utility model.
Claims
1. A hydrogenation-type mass flow sensor, comprising a sensor body (1), and an inlet pipe (2) and an outlet pipe (3) fixedly installed at the bottom of the sensor body (1), characterized in that, Both the feed pipe (2) and the discharge pipe (3) are provided with limiting mechanisms (4) on their outer sides. The bottom of the limiting mechanism (4) is provided with a guide mechanism (5). The guide mechanism (5) is linked with the limiting mechanism (4) through a connecting structure. The limiting mechanism (4) includes a limiting block (43), which has a first protrusion (431) and a second protrusion (432) facing the pipe insertion direction. A concave limiting portion (433) for accommodating the crest of the external thread of the pipe is formed between the first protrusion (431) and the second protrusion (432). The guiding mechanism (5) includes a guide plate (51), which is hinged to the outside of the limiting block (43) through a connecting structure. The inner side of the guide plate (51) is provided with rubber barbs (53). Multiple guide plates (51) and their inner rubber barbs (53) are combined in the initial state to form a conical guide surface. The opening direction of the rubber barbs (53) is consistent with the pipe insertion direction.
2. The hydrogenation-type mass flow sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The limiting mechanism (4) further includes a first slide groove (412), which is opened on the inner wall of the internal threaded sleeve (41). A sliding rod (44) is slidably installed inside the first slide groove (412), and a spring (42) is fixedly installed between the sliding rod (44) and the inner wall of the internal threaded sleeve (41). A connecting rod (45) is fixedly installed at the end of the sliding rod (44).
3. A hydrogenation-type mass flow sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that, The guide mechanism (5) also includes a fixing rod (52), which is fixedly installed at the bottom of the internal threaded sleeve (41). A second groove (511) is provided inside the guide plate (51) at the position corresponding to the fixing rod (52), and the fixing rod (52) is assembled inside the second groove (511).
4. A hydrogenation-type mass flow sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that, The internal thread sleeve (41) has an internal thread (411) inside, and the internal thread sleeve (41) is rotatably installed on the outside of the feed pipe (2) and the discharge pipe (3) respectively through bearings.
5. A hydrogenation-type mass flow sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that, The guide plate (51) is hinged to the end of the connecting rod (45).
6. A hydrogenation-type mass flow sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that, The sliding rod (44) and the connecting rod (45) together constitute the connection structure that drives the guide mechanism (5) to move.
7. A hydrogenation-type mass flow sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the inlet pipe (2) and the outlet pipe (3) are fixedly equipped with sealing rings (6).
