H2 tank valve for being arranged on an h2 tank of an h2-powered motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an H2 tank valve (1) for being arranged on an H2 tank (40) of an H2-powered motor vehicle, comprising: at least one flange (42a) for connecting the H2 tank valve (1) to the interior of the H2 tank (40); a temperature sensor module (10), arranged at least partially within the at least one flange (42a), for detecting a current temperature within the H2 tank (40) whilst the flange (42a) is connected to the H2 tank (40); and a plug connector (30) for current transfer and data transmission, which plug connector is electrically connectable to the temperature sensor module (10), wherein the plug connector (30) is arranged laterally on the outside of the at least one flange (42a).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Fh tank valve for installation on a Fh tank of a Fh-powered motor vehicle

[0003] The present invention is based on a device according to the class of the independent device claim and a system according to the class of the independent system claim.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] Hydrogen-based fuel cells are considered the mobility concept of the future because they emit only water as exhaust gas and enable fast refueling times. The hydrogen required for the fuel cell reaction is stored in gaseous form under pressure in a tank of a hydrogen-powered vehicle. Hydrogen tank valves are used to safely transfer the hydrogen into a vehicle tank. For safety reasons, but also for calibration reasons, the valves must be equipped with a temperature sensor that is sealed from the outside when a tank is being filled, is located at least partially inside the vehicle tank, and measures the temperature there.

[0006] For power and data transmission, the temperature sensor must be electrically connected to a power supply and / or control unit or similar externally via appropriate feedthroughs. Unfortunately, the cables used for the electrical connection between the temperature sensor and the power supply and / or control unit in common fuel tank valves must be routed through a 90° angled bore within the valves, which makes installing an electrical connecting cable considerably more difficult. Due to assembly deviations unavoidable in mass production, manual assembly to create an electrical connection between the temperature sensor and a connector can take up to 5 minutes. An automated process is not possible due to these assembly deviations.

[0007] Disclosure of the invention

[0008] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a Hj tank valve having the features of the independent device claim, and according to a second aspect, to a system having the features of the independent system claim. Further features and details of the invention emerge from the respective subclaims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the device according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the system according to the invention, and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the respective individual aspects of the invention, reference is always made to each other.

[0009] The advantage of the Hj tank valve according to the invention for arrangement on an H2 tank of a Hj-powered motor vehicle can be seen in particular in the fact that due to the arrangement provided according to the invention of a temperature sensor module within a flange for connecting the H2 tank valve to the interior of the H2 tank and a current and data transmitting plug connector arranged laterally on the outside of the flange for electrical connection to the temperature sensor module, an electrical connection between a temperature sensor module and a plug connector can be generated in a structurally simple, fast and automatable manner, so that manual or fully automatic assembly to establish an electrical connection within a large-scale production cycle time of approximately 10 seconds is possible.A structurally simpler, faster, and especially automatable production process not only reduces manufacturing costs but also generates a more reliable electrical connection between a temperature sensor module and a connector serving as a power supply and / or control unit. The inventive Hj tank valve for installation on a Hj tank can be used in particular in motor vehicles, such as passenger cars or trucks. Its use in other vehicles or means of transport, such as forklifts, cranes, ships, or aircraft, is also conceivable. Use in stationary systems is also conceivable.

[0010] The Fh tank valve according to the invention for arrangement on a Fh tank of an Fh-powered motor vehicle comprises at least one flange for connecting the Fh tank valve to the interior of the Fh tank, a temperature sensor module arranged at least partially within the at least one flange for detecting a current temperature within the Fh tank when the flange is connected to the Fh tank, and a plug connector electrically connectable to the temperature sensor module for power and data transmission, wherein the plug connector is arranged laterally on the outside of the at least one flange. Preferably, the Fh tank valve according to the invention has a valve body with a plurality of flanges for arranging functional components of the Fh tank valve, wherein the at least one flange for connecting the H2 tank valve to the interior of the Fh tank is part of the valve body.

[0011] Within the scope of the invention, a valve body can be understood in particular as the main part of a valve, which is preferably arranged centrally within the Hj tank valve according to the invention. The flanges arranged on the valve body can preferably be connected integrally to the valve body. The flanges preferably have a first tubular section and an end-side annular or disc-shaped section, on which, for example, a functional component of the Hj tank valve, such as a pressure sensor, a pressure relief valve or the like, can be arranged. Within the scope of the invention, the subject connector can be designed in particular in the form of a power supply and / or control unit, which can be electrically connected to a sensor module according to the invention via a plug connection.With a view to a simple and rapid establishment of an electrical connection between a temperature sensor module in question and a connector for power and data transmission, it can advantageously be provided according to the invention that the connector is designed in the form of a one-piece connector magnet group.

[0012] To facilitate the simple and rapid establishment of an electrical connection between a specific temperature sensor module and a connector for power and data transmission, the invention advantageously further provides for the connector to have electrical contacting means for establishing an electrical connection with the temperature sensor module, wherein the electrical contacting means are preferably designed in the form of clamp contacts and / or contact pins. Electrical contacting means in the form of contact pins advantageously offer a certain spacing and angle tolerance, particularly in the contact direction, depending on the length and width of the contact surfaces.

[0013] With a view to a simple and rapid establishment of an electrical connection between a temperature sensor module in question and a connector for power and data transmission, it can advantageously be further provided according to the invention that the connector is aligned axially with respect to the main alignment axis of the flange and is arranged outside the flange, wherein in particular the electrical contacting means of the connector protrude from the connector at an upper end.

[0014] In order to ensure a simple and rapid establishment of an electrical connection between a specific temperature sensor module and a connector for power and data transmission, it can advantageously be further provided according to the invention that the temperature sensor module has a temperature sensor arranged within a housing and electrical contacting means for establishing an electrical connection with the connector, wherein the electrical contacting means are preferably designed in the form of clamp contacts and / or contact pins.With a view to easily and quickly establishing an electrical connection between a specific temperature sensor module and a connector for power and data transmission, it is also advantageously conceivable for the temperature sensor module to be aligned axially with the main alignment axis (along the main alignment axis) of the flange and arranged within the flange, wherein the temperature sensor module preferably protrudes from the flange at an upper end, wherein, in particular, the electrical contacting means of the temperature sensor module protrude from the flange at the upper end. The upper end in this case forms, in particular, the end facing away from the tank when connected to a hydrogen tank.

[0015] Within the scope of a structurally simple, rapid and, in particular, automatable production of an electrical connection between a specific temperature sensor module and a connector for power and data transmission, it can also be advantageous if a conductor bridge is provided for the electrical connection of the temperature sensor module to the connector, wherein the conductor bridge is preferably arranged within a cable duct, wherein the conductor bridge is arranged in particular substantially perpendicular to the flange and / or to the temperature sensor module and / or to the connector. The arrangement of such a conductor bridge also enables larger manufacturing tolerances with regard to distances and angles. A substantially perpendicular arrangement can preferably be understood here as an arrangement which deviates marginally, e.g. by up to < 10°, in particular up to < 5°, from an exactly perpendicular arrangement.

[0016] With a view to a structurally simple, fast, reliable and, in particular, automatable production of an electrical connection between a specific temperature sensor module and a connector for power and data transmission, it can advantageously be further provided that the conductor bridge is designed and arranged between the temperature sensor module and the connector in such a way that an electrical connection between the temperature sensor module and the connector can be produced by means of the conductor bridge via an axial joining process, wherein the axial joining process is preferably designed in the form of a translational movement along the main alignment axis of the flange.

[0017] Within the scope of a particularly reliable and at the same time simple and rapid establishment of an electrical connection between a specific temperature sensor module and a connector for power and data transmission, it can advantageously be further provided that the conductor bridge is designed and arranged between the temperature sensor module and the connector in such a way that an electrical connection between the temperature sensor module and the connector can be established by means of the conductor bridge via the formation of clamping contacts, wherein preferably at least two clamping contacts can be established, in particular at least two clamping contacts on the temperature sensor module side and two clamping contacts on the connector side can be established. The clamping gaps of the clamping contacts on the temperature sensor module side and / or the connector side can in particular be formed parallel to the main alignment axis of the flange and / or the connector.

[0018] To ensure a particularly large manufacturing tolerance with regard to distances and angles with respect to the temperature sensor module in question and the conductor bridge in question, it is also conceivable to provide a radial seal for sealing the conductor bridge from the connector and / or an axial seal for sealing the conductor bridge from the temperature sensor module. The radial seal is preferably arranged between a pin and an annular groove and / or the axial seal is recessed flush in a body recess with radial clearance. A radial seal can be understood in particular as a seal in which the preload deformation to ensure tightness is achieved by forces acting at the level of the sealing element (O-ring).An axial seal can accordingly be understood as a seal in which the preload deformation to ensure tightness occurs through forces acting perpendicular to the plane of the sealing element (O-ring). To ensure particularly high sealing and holding forces with regard to sealing the temperature sensor module in question on the H2 tank, the invention can advantageously provide for screw connections to be provided for sealing the temperature sensor module on the H2 tank, wherein the screw connections are preferably arranged diametrically with respect to the electrical contacting means of the temperature sensor module for establishing an electrical connection with the conductor bridge and / or diametrically with respect to connection areas of the conductor bridge for electrical connection to the temperature sensor module.

[0019] The invention also relates to a system comprising an H2 tank of a ^-powered motor vehicle and an H2 tank valve according to the invention.

[0020] Thus, the system according to the invention has the same advantages as have already been described in detail with regard to the H2 tank valve according to the invention.

[0021] Furthermore, a motor vehicle, in particular a fuel cell-powered vehicle, comprising a system as described above is also the subject of the invention. Thus, the motor vehicle according to the invention also has the same advantages as those already described in detail with regard to the H2 tank valve according to the invention and the system according to the invention.

[0022] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which describes exemplary embodiments of the invention in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description may be essential to the invention individually or in any combination.

[0023] They show:

[0024] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a part of an H2 tank valve according to the invention according to a first embodiment in a sectional view, Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a part of an Hj tank valve according to the invention according to the first embodiment in a further sectional view,

[0025] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a part of a connector according to the invention according to the first embodiment in a sectional view,

[0026] Fig. 4 is a further schematic representation of a part of a connector according to the invention according to the first embodiment in a sectional view.

[0027] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a part of an Fh tank valve 1 according to the invention for arrangement on a Fh tank 40 of a Hj-powered motor vehicle according to a first embodiment in a sectional view.

[0028] The Hj tank valve 1 in question comprises at least one flange 42a for connecting the Hj tank valve 1 to the interior of the Hj tank 40, a temperature sensor module 10 arranged at least partially within the at least one flange 42a for detecting a current temperature within the Hj tank 40 when the flange 42a is connected to the Hj tank 40, and a plug connector 30 electrically connected to the temperature sensor module 10 for power and data transmission, which plug connector is arranged laterally on the outside of the at least one flange 42a.

[0029] As can be seen from Fig. 1, the plug connector 30 has electrical contacting means for establishing an electrical connection with the temperature sensor module 10, which in the present case are designed in the form of clamp contacts 24, 25 and contact pins 26, 27.

[0030] The connector 30 is aligned axially to the main alignment axis HA of the flange 42a (along the flange) and arranged outside the flange 42a, wherein the electrical contacting means of the connector 30 emerge from the connector 30 at an upper end OE.

[0031] The temperature sensor module 10 further comprises a temperature sensor 10b arranged within a housing 10a and electrical contacting means for establishing an electrical connection with the plug connector 30, which are designed in the form of clamp contacts 3, 4 and contact pins 5, 6.

[0032] The temperature sensor module 10 is aligned axially to the main alignment axis HA of the flange 42a and arranged within the flange 42a, wherein the temperature sensor module 10, in particular the electrical contacting means of the temperature sensor module 10, protrude from the flange 42a at the upper end OE.

[0033] In addition, according to Fig. 1, it can be seen that a conductor bridge 20 is provided for the electrical connection of the temperature sensor module 10 to the connector 30, which is arranged within a cable duct 12 to the flange 42a and to the temperature sensor module 10 and to the connector 30.

[0034] The conductor bridge 20 can be connected to the temperature sensor module 10 and the connector 30 via an axial joining process in the form of a translational movement along the main alignment axis HA of the flange 42a.

[0035] Furthermore, Fig. 1 shows that a radial seal 22 is provided for sealing the conductor bridge 20 and the connector 30 and an axial seal 9 is provided for sealing the conductor bridge 20 and the temperature sensor module 10 to the outside, wherein the radial seal 22 is arranged between a pin 19 and an annular groove 23 and the axial seal 9 is arranged flush in a body recess with radial play 17.

[0036] The temperature sensor module 10 shown here can be electrically connected to the contact pins 5, 6 by a linear movement along the main alignment axis HA via a connection of the terminal contacts 3, 4, in that the conductor bridge 20 running on the outside of the housing undergoes a displacement axially along the main alignment axis HA in the direction of the temperature sensor 10a and thereby simultaneously the plug connector 30 contacts the terminal contacts 24, 25 with the contact pins 26, 27 via a further plug connection.

[0037] Due to the round receiving geometry on the connector 30 and the contact housing provided with radial play 17 relative to the stepped bore 13 in combination with the axial seal 9 and the plug contact 2 oriented in the longitudinal direction of the conductor bridge 20, distance and angle tolerances can be compensated particularly easily in this case.

[0038] The temperature sensor module 10 is designed such that the temperature sensor housing 10a, with the temperature sensor element 10b accommodated therein, extends axially parallel from the tank 40 to the side facing away from the tank and electrically contacts a conductor bridge 20 via a plug connection 2. The plug connection 2 is preferably provided as a clamp contact, with two fork-shaped clamp contacts 3, 4 protruding far enough that the ends of the conductor tracks 7, 8, designed as contact pins 5, 6, partially protrude into the fork-shaped openings of the clamp contacts 3, 4 when the conductor bridge 20 is mounted. The opening width of the fork-shaped clamp contacts 3, 4 is smaller than the thickness of the contact pins 5, 6, so that after joining, a contact force is formed which is greater than the release forces from operation (acceleration, thermal expansion, etc.).Starting from the contact pins 5, 6, the conductor tracks 7, 8 of the conductor bridge 20 extend, protected from impact, in a conductor channel 12 to the connector 30, which is preferably firmly connected to a magnet assembly. The fork-shaped terminal contacts 3, 4, 24, 25 can be formed optionally on the conductor bridge 20 as well as on the T-sensor 10 or connector 30.

[0039] The temperature sensor module-side end of the conductor bridge 20 has an axially oriented stepped pin 14 with a circular cross-section, which accommodates the axial seal 9, here designed as a lip seal. The axial seal 9 enables the application of axial preload between a flat surface 15 formed on the pin 14 and a stepped bore 13 receiving the plug connection 2 and the pin 14 at the end of a flat surface 16. The pin 14 and the axial seal 9 also have greater play in the stepped bore 13 in the transverse direction to the bore axis, whereby positioning errors, in particular due to increased manufacturing tolerances, can be compensated for by means of an offset. Starting from the pin 14, diametrically arranged hold-down devices in the form of screw connections 18 are also arranged outside the seal 9. These hold-down devices are aligned in the axial direction and exert a high sealing and holding force.

[0040] At the connector-side end of the conductor bridge 20, the axially oriented, circular-cylindrical pin 19 is arranged, which is received with a small amount of clearance in a cylindrical bore 21. The cylindrical bore 21 also serves as a sealing surface for the radial seal 22, which in this case is in the form of an O-ring. The radial seal 22 is arranged in the annular groove 23 of the pin 19 and seals the conductor bridge 20 and the connector 30 from the environment.

[0041] At the front end of the pin 21, the electrical contacting means in the form of clamping contacts 24, 25 also protrude, which establish an electrical contact with the contact lugs 26, 27 protruding from the receiving bore 21.

[0042] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a sectional view through the electrical connection between the temperature sensor module 10 and the connector 30 of the Hj tank valve 1 according to the invention in the form of a conductor bridge 20 with conductor tracks 7, 8, which are connected at their ends to the temperature sensor module 10 and the connector 30 via electrical contacting means in the form of clamp contacts 3, 4 and 24, 25, respectively. It is understood that the conductor tracks 7, 8, which in the present case run straight and parallel to one another, can also be designed differently, for example, at an angle to one another.

[0043] From Fig. 2, it is particularly evident that the inventive combination of a round receiving geometry on the connector 30, the terminal contacts 3, 4 provided with radial play 17, and the conductor bridge 20, allows for large spacing and angular tolerances to be accommodated. Furthermore, Fig. 2 shows the diametrically arranged hold-down devices in the form of screw connections 18, which are aligned in the axial direction of the flange 42a or the temperature sensor module 10 and enable a high sealing and holding force.

[0044] The above explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention exclusively by way of examples. Of course, individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with one another, provided they are technically feasible, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0045] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a portion of a connector 30 according to the invention according to the first embodiment in an enlarged sectional view. As can be seen from this view, an O-ring groove can be formed by a stepped pin 19 and a stepped bore 21.

[0046] Fig. 4 shows a further enlarged schematic representation of a part of a connector 30 according to the invention according to the first embodiment in a sectional view.

[0047] As can be seen from this view, if the main alignment axis HA is installed opposite to the direction of gravity, an advantageous sub-variant can prevent water from accumulating in front of the radial seal 22 and thus preventing the impact of freezing water. This creates an (environmental) opening in the direction of gravity toward the sealing area, so that no water can accumulate in front of the seal 22.

Claims

Claims Fh tank valve (1) for arrangement on a Hj tank (40) of an H2-powered motor vehicle, comprising: - at least one flange (42a) for connecting the Fh tank valve (1) to the Interior of the Fh tank (40), - at least partially within the at least one flange (42a arranged temperature sensor module (10) for detecting a current temperature within the Fh tank (40) when the flange (42a) is connected to the Fh tank (40), - a connector (30) electrically connectable to the temperature sensor module (10) for power and data transmission, characterized in that the connector (30) is arranged laterally on the outside of the at least one flange (42a) 2. Fh tank valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the plug connector (30) is designed in the form of a one-piece plug magnet group 3. Fh tank valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plug connector (30) has electrical contacting means for establishing an electrical connection with the temperature sensor module (10), wherein the electrical contacting means are preferably designed in the form of clamping contacts (24, 25) and / or contact lugs (26, 27). Fh tank valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug connector (30) is aligned axially with the main alignment axis (HA) of the flange (42a) and is arranged outside the flange (42a), wherein in particular the electrical contacting means of the plug connector (30) protrude from the plug connector (30) at an upper end (OE). Hj tank valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the temperature sensor module (10) has a temperature sensor (10b) arranged within a housing (10a) and electrical contacting means for establishing an electrical connection with the plug connector (30), wherein the electrical contacting means are preferably designed in the form of clamp contacts (3, 4) and / or contact lugs (5, 6).Hj tank valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the temperature sensor module (10) is aligned axially with the main alignment axis (HA) of the flange (42a) and arranged within the flange (42a), wherein the temperature sensor module (10) preferably protrudes from the flange (42a) at an upper end (OE), wherein in particular the electrical contacting means of the temperature sensor module (10) protrude from the flange (42a) at the upper end (OE). Hj tank valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a conductor bridge (20) is provided for electrically connecting the temperature sensor module (10) to the plug connector (30). wherein the conductor bridge (20) is preferably arranged within a line duct (12). Fh tank valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conductor bridge (20) is designed and arranged between the temperature sensor module (10) and the plug connector (30) in such a way that an electrical connection between the temperature sensor module (10) and the plug connector (30) can be produced by means of the conductor bridge (20) via an axial joining process, wherein the axial joining process is preferably designed in the form of a translational movement along the main alignment axis (HA) of the flange (42a).Hj tank valve (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the conductor bridge (20) is designed and arranged between the temperature sensor module (10) and the plug connector (30) in such a way that an electrical connection between the temperature sensor module (10) and the plug connector (30) can be established by means of the conductor bridge (20) via the formation of clamping contacts, wherein preferably at least two clamping contacts can be established, in particular at least two temperature sensor module-side and two plug connector-side clamping contacts can be established.Hj tank valve (1) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that a radial seal (22) for sealing the conductor bridge (20) with respect to the plug connector (30) and / or an axial seal (9) for sealing the conductor bridge (20) with respect to the temperature sensor module (10) is provided, wherein the radial seal (22) is preferably arranged between a pin (19) and an annular groove (23) and / or the axial seal (9) is arranged flush in a body recess with radial play (17).

11. Fh tank valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that screw connections (18) are provided for sealing the temperature sensor module (10) on the Fh tank (40), wherein the screw connections (18) are preferably arranged diametrically with respect to the electrical contacting means of the temperature sensor module (10) for establishing an electrical connection with the conductor bridge (20) and / or diametrically with respect to connecting regions of the conductor bridge (20) for electrical connection with the temperature sensor module (10).

12. System comprising a Hj tank (40) of a Hj-powered Motor vehicle and a Hj tank valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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