PRESSURE REDUCING VALVE

Abstract

A technology is provided that stabilizes the position of an internal component while preventing a fluid from remaining between an inner surface of an external component and an outer surface of an internal component. An inner tubular region has a first end region located at one side of the valve body, a second end region located on the opposite side of the valve body region, and a middle region located between the first and second end regions. An outer surface of the inner tubular region in the middle region may be excluding inwards in a radial direction over the entire circumference of the inner tubular region.A distance between the outer surface of the inner tubular region in the middle region and an inner surface of the outer tubular region can be greater than a distance between the outer surface of the inner tubular region in the first end region and the inner surface of the outer tubular region, and greater than a distance between the outer surface of the inner tubular region in the second end region and the inner surface of the outer tubular region.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The techniques disclosed in this description relate to a pressure reducing valve. State of the art

[0002] Patent document 1 describes a pressure reducing valve that regulates gas pressure. The pressure reducing valve of patent document 1 has an outer component and an inner component located inside the outer component. The outer component has a valve seat area with an opening that allows gas to flow through it, and an outer tubular area extending tubularly from the valve seat area. The inner component has a valve body area that opens and closes the opening of the valve seat area, and an inner tubular area extending tubularly from the valve body area and located inside the outer tubular area. Document list

[0003] Japanese patent application publication no. 2014 - 115 820 Summary of the invention: Technical problem

[0004] The pressure reducing valve of patent document 1 regulates a gas pressure; however, if a pressure reducing valve of this type were used to regulate a liquid pressure, a liquid would remain between the inner surface of the outer tubular section and the outer surface of the inner tubular section due to the surface tension effect. For example, in cold climates, the remaining liquid could cause the pressure reducing valve to malfunction if it freezes. Furthermore, the remaining liquid expands in volume as it freezes, which could cause the inner section to tilt relative to the outer section.Even in a pressure reducing valve that regulates gas pressure, a liquid contained in a gas could enter and remain trapped between the inner surface of the outer tubular section and the outer surface of the inner tubular section. In this case, too, if the remaining liquid freezes, it could lead to a malfunction of the pressure reducing valve or to tilting of the internal component.

[0005] The present description provides a technology that stabilizes the position of an internal component while preventing a fluid from remaining between an inner surface of an external component and an outer surface of an internal component. Solution to the technical problem

[0006] A pressure reducing valve disclosed in the present description comprises an outer component and an inner component arranged inside the outer component. The outer component may have a valve seat region having an opening through which a fluid can flow, and an outer region extending tubularly from the valve seat region. The inner component may have a valve body region which opens and closes the opening, and an inner tubular region extending tubularly from the valve body region and arranged inside the outer tubular region. The inner tubular region may have a first end region located on one side of the valve body, a second end region located at one end opposite the valve body region, and a middle region located between the first end region and the second end region.An outer surface of the inner tubular region in the central region may be excluded inwards in a radial direction over the entire circumference of the inner tubular region. The distance between the outer surface of the inner tubular region in the central region and an inner surface of the outer tubular region may be greater than the distance between the outer surface of the inner tubular region at the first end region and the inner surface of the outer tubular region, and greater than the distance between the outer surface of the inner tubular region at the second end region and the inner surface of the outer tubular region.

[0007] According to this configuration, the outer surface of the inner tubular section in the middle section is excluded, thus preventing the liquid (e.g., liquid fuel, water contained in a gaseous fuel, or the like) from remaining between the inner surface of the outer tubular section and the outer surface of the inner tubular section in the middle section. Furthermore, although the distance between the outer surface of the inner tubular section in the middle section and the inner surface of the outer tubular section is large, the position of the inner tubular section within the outer tubular section can be stabilized by the presence of the first and second end sections of the inner tubular section.Thus, the configuration described above can stabilize the position of the inner component while preventing the fluid from remaining between the inner surface of the outer component and the outer surface of the inner component.

[0008] The distance between the outer surface of the inner tubular region in the first end region and the inner surface of the outer tubular region can be greater than the distance between the outer surface of the inner tubular region in the second end region and the inner surface of the outer tubular region.

[0009] This configuration can prevent the fluid from remaining between the inner surface of the outer tubular area and the outer surface of the inner tubular area in the middle area. Short description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a pressure reducing valve according to one embodiment; Fig. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a valve body according to the embodiment; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view along III-III in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view along IV-IV in Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view along VV in Fig. 2; Fig. Figure 6 is a perspective view of an inner valve body according to the embodiment; Fig. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a pressure reducing valve according to a modification; and Fig. Figure 8 is a drawing that shows an experimental result. Description of the embodiment

[0010] A pressure reducing valve 2 according to one embodiment is described with reference to the drawings. The pressure reducing valve 2 according to the embodiment is a valve for reducing the pressure of a fluid (e.g., a liquid such as water, liquid fuel, etc., or a gas such as hydrogen gas, etc.). A pressure reducing valve 2 for reducing the pressure of a liquid is described below. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the pressure reducing valve 2 according to the embodiment has a body 4 and a valve body 6.

[0011] The body 4 has a first flow path 91, a second flow path 92, a first valve seat region 10, and a tubular body region 122. The first flow path 91 and the second flow path 92 are configured to allow fluids, such as water, fuel, etc., to flow through them. The first valve seat region 10 is located between the first flow path 91 and the second flow path 92. The tubular body region 122 extends tubularly from the first valve seat region 10. The first valve seat region 10 and the tubular body region 122 are integrally formed.

[0012] In the direction of fluid flow, the first flow path 91 is located upstream of the first valve seat region 10. The first flow path 91 is connected to a fluid supply source (e.g., a fuel pump (not shown)). The fluid is supplied from the fluid supply source to the first flow path 91. In the direction of fluid flow, the second flow path 92 is located downstream of the first flow path 91 and the first valve seat region 10. The second flow path 92 is connected to a fluid delivery destination (e.g., an internal combustion engine (not shown)). The fluid is supplied to the delivery destination via the second flow path 92.

[0013] The first valve seat region 10 has a first opening 12 that allows the fluid to flow through it. The first opening 12 is defined in a central region of the first valve seat region 10. The upstream first flow path 91 is connected to the downstream second flow path 92 via the first opening 12. Furthermore, the first valve seat region 10 has a first seat surface 14. The first seat surface 14 is located around the first opening 12. The first seat surface 14 is located on the surface of the first valve seat region 10 that faces the first flow path 91. The first seat surface 14 is oriented towards the first flow path 91.

[0014] The valve body 6 is described below. The valve body 6 is located in the first flow path 91. The valve body 6 is arranged such that it faces the first opening 12 and the first seat surface 14 of the first valve seat area 10. The valve body 6 opens and closes the first opening 12 by separating from and contacting the first seat surface 14. When the first opening 12 is open, the fluid flows from the first flow path 91 into the second flow path 92 via the first opening 12.

[0015] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the valve body 6 has an outer valve body 20 (an example of an outer component) and an inner valve body 30 (an example of an inner component). For example, the outer valve body 20 is made of a synthetic resin (silicone rubber, synthetic rubber, or the like). The outer valve body 20 is arranged such that it faces the first opening 12 and the first seat surface 14 of the first valve seat area 10. The outer valve body 20 contacts and separates from the first seat surface 14.

[0016] The outer valve body 20 has a first tip end region 21, a first tubular region 22 (an example of an outer tubular region), a first base end region 23, and a third flow path 93. The first tip end region 21, the first tubular region 22, and the first base end region 23 are integrally formed. The first tip end region 21 is opposite the first valve seat region 10. The third flow path 93 is defined in the first tip end region 21, the first tubular region 22, and the first base end region 23.

[0017] The first tip end region 21 is formed in a substantially conical shape. In a modification, the first tip end region 21 can be formed in a substantially elliptical conical shape or a substantially polygonal pyramid. The inner and outer diameters of the first tip end region 21 decrease towards the tip. The first tip end region 21 has a second opening 24, which allows the fluid to flow through it. The second opening 24 is defined in a radial central region of the first tip end region 21. The upstream third flow path 93 communicates with the downstream second flow path 92 via the first opening 12 of the first valve seat region 10 and the second opening 24 of the outer valve body 20.

[0018] Furthermore, the first tip end region 21 has a first valve body region 26 and a second valve seat region 27. The first valve body region 26 is located on the outer circumference of the first tip end region 21 (a region thereof facing the first valve seat region 10). The second valve seat region 27 is located on the inner circumference of the first tip end region 21 (a region thereof facing the third flow path 93). The second opening 24 is defined in the second valve seat region 27.

[0019] The first valve body region 26 is opposite the first seat surface 14 of the first valve seat region 10 of the body 4. The first valve body region 26 has a first contact surface 262 that touches and separates from the first seat surface 14. The first contact surface 262 is located on the outer surface of the first tip end region 21 and is opposite the first seat surface 14. The first contact surface 262 is located around the second opening 24.

[0020] The second valve seat region 27 has a second seat surface 272. The second seat surface 272 is located around the second opening 24. The second seat surface 272 is located on the inner surface of the first tip end region 21 and is opposite the third flow path 93.

[0021] The first tubular region 22 is described. The first tubular region 22 extends tubularly from the first valve body region 26 and the second valve seat region 27. The first tubular region 22 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. In a modification, the first tubular region 22 can be formed in a substantially elliptical tubular shape or a substantially polygonal tubular shape. In the cross-sectional views shown in Fig. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, an inner surface 52 of the first tubular region 22 is essentially circular. In one variation, the inner surface 52 of the first tubular region 22 can be essentially elliptical or essentially polygonal. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the first tubular region 22 extends tubularly from a rear end of the first tip end region 21 (one end of which is opposite to the first valve seat region 10) to the rear (upstream). The first tubular region 22 is located between the first tip end region 21 and the first base end region 23.

[0022] The first base end region 23 is essentially ring-shaped. In a modification, the first base end region 23 can be essentially elliptical or essentially polygonal. The first base end region 23 extends inwards in the radial direction of the first tubular region 22 from a rear end of the first tubular region 22 (an end opposite the first tip end region 21). The first base end region 23 has a third opening 25, which allows the fluid to flow through it. The third opening 25 is defined in a radial central region of the first base end region 23. The first flow path 91 communicates with the third flow path 93 via the third opening 25.

[0023] The inner valve body 30 is described below. For example, the inner valve body 30 is made of a metal (an alloy or the like). The inner valve body 30 is located in the third flow path 93 inside the outer valve body 20. The inner valve body 30 is arranged such that it faces the second opening 24 and the second valve seat region 27 of the outer valve body 20. The inner valve body 30 opens and closes the second opening 24 by separating from and contacting the second valve seat region 27. When the second opening 24 is open, the fluid flows from the third flow path 93 into the second flow path 92 via the second opening 24 and the first opening 12 of the first valve seat region 10.

[0024] The inner valve body 30 has a second pointed end region 31, a projection 36, a second tubular region 32 (an example of an inner tubular region), and a spring chamber 35. The second pointed end region 31, the projection 36, and the second tubular region 32 are integrally formed. The spring chamber 35 is located within the second tubular region 32.

[0025] The second tip end region 31 is essentially conical in shape. In a modification, the second tip end region 31 can be essentially elliptical conical or essentially polygonal pyramidal. The outer diameter of the second tip end region 31 decreases towards the tip.

[0026] The second tip end region 31 has a second valve body region 33. The second valve body region 33 is located on the outer circumference of the second tip end region 31 (a region of the same facing the second valve seat region 27). The second valve body region 33 is opposite the second opening 24 and the second valve seat region 27 of the outer valve body 20. The second valve body region 33 opens and closes the second opening 24 by separating from and contacting the second valve seat region 27.

[0027] The second valve body region 33 has a second contact surface 332 that touches and separates from the second seat surface 272 of the second valve seat region 27. The second contact surface 332 is located on the outer surface of the second tip end region 31 and is opposite the second seat surface 272 of the outer valve body 20.

[0028] The projection 36 extends from the second tip end region 31 towards the second opening 24 of the outer valve body 20. The projection 36 is inserted into the second opening 24 and extends towards the second flow path 92. The projection 36 projects from the second opening 24 towards the second flow path 92. The projection 36 is inserted into the first opening 12 of the first valve seat region 10.

[0029] The second tubular region 32 is described below. The second tubular region 32 extends tubularly from the second valve body region 33. The second tubular region 32 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. In a modification, the second tubular region 32 can be formed in a substantially elliptical or a substantially polygonal shape. The cross-sectional views shown in Fig. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, an outer surface 62 of the second tubular region 32 is formed in a substantially circular shape. In one variation, the outer surface 62 of the second tubular region 32 can be formed in a substantially elliptical or a substantially polygonal shape. As shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the second tubular region 32 extends tubularly from a rear end of the second tip-end region 31 (one end of which is opposite the projection 36) to the rear (upstream). The second tubular region 32 is located inside the first tubular region 22 of the outer valve body 20.

[0030] The second tubular region 32 has a first end region 80, a second end region 82, and a middle region 84. The first end region 80 is located at one side end of the second tip end region 31 (side end of the second valve body region 33) of the second tubular region 32. The second end region 82 is located at one end of the second tubular region 32 opposite the second tip end region 31 (opposite the second valve body region 33). The middle region 84 is located between the first end region 80 and the second end region 82 of the second tubular region 32.

[0031] The outer surface 62 of the second tubular region 32 in the central region 84 is recessed inwards in the radial direction of the second tubular region 32 over its entire circumference. The outer surface 62 of the second tubular region 32 in the central region 84 is curved in a concave shape. The curvature of the outer surface 62 in the central region 84 extends from the first end region 80 to the second end region 82.

[0032] The outer diameter of the second tubular section 32 varies along its axial direction. The outer diameter of the second tubular section 32 in the first end section 80 and the second end section 82 is the largest of the axially varying outer diameters of the second tubular section 32. The outer diameter of the second tubular section 32 in the middle section 84 is smaller than the outer diameter of the second tubular section 32 in the first end section 80 and the second end section 82.

[0033] As in Fig. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the outer surface 62 of the second tubular region 32 faces the inner surface 52 of the first tubular region 22 of the outer valve body 20 in the radial direction of the second tubular region 32. A gap 60 is defined between the outer surface 62 of the second tubular region 32 and the inner surface 52 of the first tubular region 22, and this gap 60 allows the fluid to flow through it. When the fluid flows through the third flow path 93 in the outer valve body 20, the fluid flows through this gap 60.

[0034] The distance between the outer surface 62 of the second tubular region 32 and the inner surface 52 of the first tubular region 22 varies along the axial direction of the second tubular region 32. A distance W84 between the outer surface 62 of the second tubular region 32 in the middle region 84 and the inner surface 52 of the first tubular region 22 is greater than a distance W80 between the outer surface 62 of the second tubular region 32 in the first end region 80 and the inner surface 52 of the first tubular region 22 (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 4) Furthermore, the distance W84 between the outer surface 62 of the second tubular region 32 in the middle region 84 and the inner surface 52 of the first tubular region 22 is greater than a distance W82 between the outer surface 62 of the second tubular region 32 in the second end region 82 and the inner surface 52 of the first tubular region 22 (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 5) The distance W80 in the first end region 80 and the distance W82 in the second end region 82 are the smallest of the axially varying distances between the outer surface 62 of the second tubular region 32 and the inner surface 52 of the first tubular region 22. In this embodiment, the distance W80 in the first end region 80 is the same as the distance W82 in the second end region 82.

[0035] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, a small helical spring 50 is arranged in the spring chamber 35 of the inner valve body 30. The small helical spring 50 is extendable along the axial direction of the valve body 6. The small helical spring 50 presses the valve body 6 (the inner valve body 30 and the outer valve body 20) in the downstream direction.

[0036] The pressure reducing valve 2 further comprises a piston 100 and a large coil spring 102. The piston 100 is configured to move in the left-right direction. Fig. 1. The piston 100 is pressed towards the valve body 6 by the large coil spring 102. The piston 100 has a projection 101 that protrudes towards the projection 36 of the valve body 6.

[0037] The following describes how the pressure reducing valve 2 operates. Initially, the pressure reducing valve 2 is in a closed state. In other words, the valve body 6 is in contact with the first valve seat area 10 of the body 4, and thus the first opening 12 is closed. Furthermore, the inner valve body 30 is in contact with the outer valve body 20, and thus the second opening 24 is closed. When the pressure reducing valve 2 is in the closed state, the pressure of the fluid in the second flow path 92 is maintained at a relatively high level.

[0038] (Opening operation) In the pressure reducing valve 2, the pressure of the liquid in the second flow path 92 is reduced by supplying liquid to the liquid inlet. During the supply, the piston 100, which receives the pressure of the liquid in the second flow path 92, is pushed towards the valve body 6 by the large helical spring 102 and thus moves towards the valve body 6. In response to a large reduction in the pressure of the liquid in the second flow path 92, the piston 100 moves a large distance towards the valve body 6. Conversely, in response to a small reduction in the pressure of the liquid in the second flow path 92, the piston 100 moves a correspondingly small distance towards the valve body 6.

[0039] When the piston 100 is moved towards the valve body 6, the projection 101 of the piston 100 comes into contact with the projection 36 of the inner valve body 30 and pushes the inner valve body 30 in the upstream direction. The inner valve body 30 is thus moved in the upstream direction. If the piston 100 is moved a large distance towards the valve body 6, the inner valve body 30 is moved a large distance in the upstream direction. Conversely, if the piston 100 is moved a small distance towards the valve body 6, the inner valve body 30 is moved a correspondingly small distance in the upstream direction.

[0040] When the inner valve body 30 is moved in the upstream direction, the second valve body region 33 of the inner valve body 30 separates from the second valve seat region 27 of the outer valve body 20, and the second opening 24 is thus opened. When the second opening 24 is open, the fluid flows from the third flow path 93 in the outer valve body 20 into the second flow path 92 through the second opening 24. This condition is a first open valve state. The first open valve state is established when the difference between the pressure of the fluid in the second flow path 92 and the pressure of the fluid in the first flow path 91 is relatively large. In the first open valve state, the outer valve body 20 is forced in the downstream direction by the pressure of the fluid flowing through the third flow path 93.Thus, the outer valve body 20 is in contact with the first valve seat area 10 of the body 4.

[0041] As the inner valve body 30 moves further upstream in the first open valve state, the second tubular region 32 of the inner valve body 30 comes into contact with the first base end region 23 of the outer valve body 20 and pushes the first base end region 23 upstream. Thus, the outer valve body 20 moves upstream. As the outer valve body 20 moves upstream, the first valve body region 26 of the outer valve body 20 separates from the first seat surface 14 of the first valve seat region 10, and the first orifice 12 opens. When the first orifice 12 opens, the fluid flows from the first flow path 91 into the second flow path 92 through the first orifice 12. This state is a second open valve state.The second open valve state is set when the difference between the pressure of the fluid in the second flow path 92 and the pressure of the fluid in the first flow path 91 is relatively small.

[0042] (Closing process) The following describes a closing process. The closing process is the opposite of the opening process described above. In the pressure reducing valve 2 described above, the pressure of the fluid in the second flow path 92 is increased when the fluid flows into the second flow path 92. Subsequently, the piston 100 is pushed away from the valve body 6 by the pressure of the fluid in the second flow path 92 to separate and thus moves away from the valve body 6 (i.e., in the downstream direction). When the piston 100 moves in the downstream direction, the inner valve body 30 is moved accordingly in the downstream direction.

[0043] When the inner valve body 30 is moved downstream, the second valve body region 33 of the inner valve body 30 comes into contact with the second valve seat region 27 of the outer valve body 20, and the second opening 24 is closed. When the inner valve body 30 continues to move downstream, the outer valve body 20 is pushed downstream by the inner valve body 30, and both the inner valve body 30 and the outer valve body 20 move downstream. When both the inner valve body 30 and the outer valve body 20 move downstream, the first valve body region 26 of the outer valve body 20 comes into contact with the first valve seat region 10 of the body 4, and the first opening 12 is closed.

[0044] (Effects) The pressure reducing valve 2 according to the embodiment has been described above. As is clearly evident from the above description, in the pressure reducing valve 2 according to the embodiment, the inner valve body 30 has the second valve body section 33, which opens and closes the second opening 24 of the outer valve body 20, and the second tubular section 32, which extends tubularly from the second valve body section 33 and is located inside the first tubular section 22 of the outer valve body 20. The second tubular section 32 has the first end section 80, which is located at the end of the second valve body section 33, the second end section 82, which is located at the end opposite to the second valve body section 33 (end closer to the first base end section 23 of the outer valve body 20), and the middle section 84, which is located between the first end section 80 and the second end section 82.The outer surface 62 of the second tubular region 32 in the central region 84 is excluding in the radial direction of the second tubular region 32 over the entire circumference of the second tubular region 32. The distance W84 between the outer surface 62 of the second tubular region 32 in the central region 84 and the inner surface 52 of the first tubular region 22 is greater than the distance W80 between the outer surface 62 of the second tubular region 32 at the first end region 80 and the inner surface 52 of the first tubular region 22.Furthermore, the distance W84 between the outer surface 62 of the second tubular region 32 in the middle region 84 and the inner surface 52 of the first tubular region 22 is greater than the distance W82 between the outer surface 62 of the second tubular region 32 at the second end region 82 and the inner surface 52 of the first tubular region 22.

[0045] According to this configuration, the outer surface 62 of the second tubular section 32 of the inner valve body 30 is recessed inwards within the central section 84, thus preventing the fluid from remaining between the outer surface 62 of the second tubular section 32 in the central section 84 and the inner surface 52 of the first tubular section 22. Furthermore, although the distance between the outer surface 62 of the second tubular section 32 in the central section 84 and the inner surface 52 of the first tubular section 22 is greater, the position of the second tubular section 32 within the first tubular section 22 can be stabilized by the presence of the first end section 80 and the second end section 82 of the second tubular section 32.Thus, the configuration described above can stabilize the position of the inner valve body 30 while preventing the fluid from remaining between the inner surface 52 of the outer valve body 20 and the outer surface 62 of the inner valve body 30.

[0046] (Variations) (1) The outer diameter of the second tubular section 32 of the inner valve body 30 at the first end section 80 may be smaller than the outer diameter of the second tubular section 32 at the second end section 82. That is, the distance W80 between the outer surface 62 of the second tubular section 32 at the first end section 80 and the inner surface 52 of the first tubular section 22 may be greater than the distance W82 between the outer surface 62 of the second tubular section 32 at the second end section 82 and the inner surface 52 of the first tubular section 22. This configuration prevents the fluid from remaining between the outer surface 62 of the second tubular section 32 at the first end section 80 and the inner surface 52 of the first tubular section 22.

[0047] (2) In the embodiment described above, the outer surface 62 of the second tubular region 32 is arcuate in the central region 84, but this need not be the case. In a modification, the outer surface 62 of the second tubular region 32 can be angular in the central region 84.

[0048] (3) In the embodiment described above, the valve body 6 has the outer valve body 20, but this need not be the case. In one modification, the valve body 6 need not have the outer valve body 20. In this case, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the inner valve body 30 is arranged in the first flow path 91 of the body 4. The inner valve body 30 is arranged such that it faces the first opening 12 and the first seat surface 14 of the first valve seat region 10 of the body 4. The first opening 12 is opened and closed by the second valve body region 33 of the inner valve body 30, which is separated from and in contact with the first seat surface 14.

[0049] The outer surface 62 of the second tubular region 32 of the inner valve body 30 faces an inner surface 152 of the tubular body region 122 (another example of an outer tubular region) of the body 4 (another example of an outer component) in the radial direction of the second tubular region 32. The distance between the outer surface 62 of the second tubular region 32 of the inner valve body 30 in the middle region 84 and the inner surface 152 of the tubular body region 122 of the body 4 is greater than the distance between the outer surface 62 of the second tubular region 32 at the first end region 80 and the inner surface 152 of the tubular body region 122.Furthermore, the distance between the outer surface 62 of the second tubular region 32 in the middle region 84 and the inner surface 152 of the tubular body region 122 of the body 4 is greater than the distance between the outer surface 62 of the second tubular region 32 in the second end region 82 and the inner surface 152 of the tubular body region 122.

[0050] (4) In the embodiment described above, the pressure reducing valve 2 is described as reducing the pressure of a liquid, but this need not be the case. In a modification, the pressure reducing valve 2 can be a valve for reducing the pressure of a gas (e.g., hydrogen gas or the like). In this case as well, the pressure reducing valve 2 can prevent a liquid (e.g., water, etc.) contained in the gas from remaining between the inner surface 52 of the outer valve body 20 and the outer surface 62 of the inner valve body 30.

[0051] (Experiment) A comparative test between an exemplary pressure reducing valve and a comparison example pressure reducing valve is described. The exemplary pressure reducing valve was pressure reducing valve 2 according to the embodiment described above. The comparison example pressure reducing valve had a configuration in which the outer surface 62 of the second tubular section 32 of the inner valve body 30 was not excluded in the central section 84, unlike pressure reducing valve 2 according to the embodiment. In the simulation, volumes of liquid remaining at the distance 60 between the outer surface 62 of the second tubular section 32 of the inner valve body 30 in the central section 84 and the inner surface 52 of the first tubular section 22 of the outer valve body 20 were compared for the pressure reducing valves of the example and the comparison example.

[0052] The graph in Fig. Figure 8 shows the result of the comparison test. The horizontal axis of the graph, which is in Fig. Figure 8 shows the time during which the liquid flowed to a distance of 60. The vertical axis of the graph represents the ratio of the volume of liquid remaining at distance 60, opposite the outer surface 62 of the second tubular region 32 in the middle region 84, to the volume of the first flow path 91 and the third flow path 93. As shown in Fig.As shown in Figure 8, it was confirmed that the exemplary pressure reducing valve (pressure reducing valve 2 according to the embodiment) reduced the volume of fluid remaining at the distance 60 opposite the outer surface 62 of the second tubular section 32 in the central section 84 by approximately 45% compared to the pressure reducing valve of the comparison example. As described above, it was confirmed that the exemplary pressure reducing valve (pressure reducing valve 2 according to the embodiment) can prevent fluid from remaining between the inner surface 52 of the outer valve body 20 and the outer surface 62 of the inner valve body 30.

[0053] While specific examples of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, these examples are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of protection of the claims. The technology described in the claims also includes various changes and modifications to the specific examples described above. The technical elements explained in the present description or drawings provide technical benefit either independently of one another or through various combinations. The present disclosure is not limited to the combinations described on the filing date of the claims. Furthermore, the examples shown in the present description or drawings are intended to fulfill several objectives simultaneously, and the fulfillment of one of these objectives confers technical benefit on the present disclosure. List of reference symbols

[0054] 2: Pressure reducing valve, 4: Body, 6: Valve body, 10: Valve seat, 12: First opening, 14: Outer valve seat area, 20: Outer valve body, 21: First tip end area, 22: First tubular area, 23: First base end area, 24: Second opening, 25: Third opening, 26: Outer valve body area, 27: Inner valve seat area, 30: Inner valve body, 31: Second tip end area, 32: Second tubular area, 33: Inner valve body area, 35: Spring chamber, 36: Projection, 50: Small coil spring, 52: Inner surface, 60: Spacing, 62: Outer surface, 80: First end area, 82: Second end area. 84: middle area, 91: first flow path, 92: second flow path, 93: third flow path, 100: piston, 101: projection, 102: large coil spring, 122: tubular body area, 152: inner surface QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2014 - 115 820

[0003]

Claims

[1] Pressure reducing valve comprising an outer component and an inner component arranged inside the outer component, in which the outer component has a valve seat portion having an opening allowing a liquid to flow therethrough and an outer tubular portion extending tubularly from the valve seat portion, the inner component has a valve body portion which opens and closes the opening, and an inner tubular portion which extends tubularly from the valve body portion and is arranged inside the outer tubular portion, the inner tubular portion has a first end portion located on a valve body end side, a second end portion located at an end opposite to the valve body portion, and a middle portion located between the first end portion and the second end portion, an outer surface of the inner tubular portion in the central portion is recessed inwardly in a radial direction of the inner tubular portion over an entire circumference of the inner tubular portion, and a distance between the outer surface of the inner tubular portion in the middle portion and an inner surface of the outer tubular portion is greater than a distance between the outer surface of the inner tubular portion at the first end portion and the inner surface of the outer tubular portion and greater than a distance between the outer surface of the inner tubular portion at the second end portion and the inner surface of the outer tubular portion. [2] A pressure reducing valve according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the outer surface of the inner tubular portion in the first end portion and the inner surface of the outer tubular portion is greater than the distance between the outer surface of the inner tubular portion in the second end portion and the inner surface of the outer tubular portion. [3] A pressure reducing valve according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the outer surface of the inner tubular portion in the first end portion and the inner surface of the outer tubular portion is the same as the distance between the outer surface of the inner tubular portion at the second end portion and the inner surface of the outer tubular portion.

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