H2 tank valve for placement on the H2 tank of a vehicle powered by H2

Abstract

The present invention relates to an H2 tank valve (1) for placement in an H2 tank (40) of a vehicle powered by H2, the H2 tank valve (1) having at least one flange (42a) for coupling the H2 tank valve (1) to an interior space of the H2 tank (40), a temperature sensor module (10) at least partially disposed within the at least one flange (42a) for detecting a current temperature within the H2 tank (40) when the flange (42a) and the H2 tank (40) are coupled, and a plug connector (30) for transmitting current and data, electrically connectable to the temperature sensor module (10). In this case, the plug connector (30) is disposed on a lateral outer surface of the at least one flange (42a).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention is based on a device in the category of the independent device claims and on a system in the category of the independent system claims. [Background technology]

[0002] Hydrogen-based fuel cells are considered a mobility concept of the future because they emit only water as an exhaust gas and enable fast refueling times. The hydrogen required for the fuel cell reaction is stored in gaseous form under pressure in the tank of a hydrogen-powered vehicle. A hydrogen tank valve is used to safely transfer the hydrogen into the vehicle tank. For safety and calibration reasons, the valve must be sealed against the outside when the tank is filled and must be equipped with a temperature sensor that is at least partially located inside the vehicle tank and measures the temperature there.

[0003] The temperature sensor must be electrically connected to the energy supply unit and / or control unit via a suitable external bushing for current and data transmission. The wires used for the electrical connection between the temperature sensor and the energy supply unit and / or control unit in conventional H2 tank valves must be routed around a hole that bends 90 degrees inside the valve, making installation of the electrical connection wires quite difficult. Due to installation errors, especially in the context of mass production, manual installation to form the electrical connection between the temperature sensor and the plug connector can take as long as five minutes. An automatable process is nearly impossible due to installation errors. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to a first aspect, the subject of the present invention is an H2 tank valve comprising the features of the independent device claim, and according to a second aspect, a system comprising the features of the independent system claim. Further features and details of the invention are evident from the respective dependent claims, the description and the drawings. It should be noted that features and details described in the context of the device according to the invention naturally also apply in the context of the system according to the invention and vice versa, so that the disclosures for the respective individual aspects of the invention are or may always be mutually associated.

[0005] The advantages of the H2 tank valve according to the present invention for placement in an H2 tank of a vehicle powered by H2 are seen in particular in that by arranging the temperature sensor module according to the present invention inside a flange for connecting the H2 tank valve to the interior space of the H2 tank and arranging the plug connector for current and data transmission for electrical connection with the temperature sensor module on a lateral outer surface of the flange according to the present invention, the electrical connection between the temperature sensor module and the plug connector can be produced in a structurally simple, rapid and automatable manner, so that manual or fully automatic installation for forming the electrical connection is possible with a mass-production cycle time of approximately 10 seconds or less. Furthermore, the structurally simpler, faster and particularly automatable production not only reduces production costs but also produces a more reliable electrical connection between the temperature sensor module and the plug connector as an energy supply unit and / or control unit.

[0006] The H2 tank valve according to the invention for placement on an H2 tank can be used in particular in motor vehicles such as cars or trucks. It is also conceivable to use it in other vehicles or means of transport such as forklifts, cranes, ships or flying objects. It is also conceivable to use it in stationary systems.

[0007] In this case, the H2 tank valve according to the present invention for placement in an H2 tank of a vehicle powered by H2 includes at least one flange for coupling the H2 tank valve with the interior space of the H2 tank, a temperature sensor module at least partially disposed within the at least one flange for detecting the current temperature inside the H2 tank when the flange and the H2 tank are coupled, and a plug connector for current and data transmission electrically connectable to the temperature sensor module, wherein the plug connector is disposed on a side outer surface of the at least one flange. Preferably, the H2 tank valve according to the present invention has a valve body with multiple flanges for arranging multiple functional elements of the H2 tank valve, wherein the at least one flange for coupling the H2 tank valve with the interior space of the H2 tank is part of the valve body.

[0008] Within the scope of the present invention, a valve body may be understood to mean, in particular, a main part of the valve, which is preferably arranged centrally within the H2 tank valve according to the present invention. A flange arranged on the valve body may preferably be integrally connected to the valve body. In this case, the flange preferably has a first tubular part and an end ring-shaped or disk-shaped part, on which functional elements of the H2 tank valve, such as a pressure sensor, a pressure relief valve, etc., may be arranged. Within the scope of the present invention, a concrete plug connector may be formed in the form of, in particular, an energy supply unit and / or a control unit, which can be electrically connected to the sensor module according to the present invention via the plug connection.

[0009] With regard to the simple and rapid production of the electrical connection between the concrete temperature sensor module and the plug connector for current and data transmission, the present invention advantageously provides for the plug connector to be formed in the form of an integrated plug magnet assembly. Furthermore, within the scope of the simple and rapid production of the electrical connection between the concrete temperature sensor module and the plug connector for current and data transmission, the present invention advantageously provides for the plug connector to have electrical contact means for forming the electrical connection with the temperature sensor module, the electrical contact means preferably being formed in the form of clip contacts and / or contact pins. Electrical contact means in the form of contact pins are advantageous because they provide certain distance and angle tolerances, particularly in the contact direction, depending on the length and width of the contact surfaces.

[0010] Furthermore, in order to easily and quickly produce an electrical connection between the concrete temperature sensor module and a plug connector for current and data transmission, it can be considered according to the invention that in an advantageous embodiment the plug connector is arranged on the outside of the flange, axially aligned with respect to the main alignment axis of the flange, in which case in particular the electrical contact means of the plug connector protrude from the plug connector at its upper end.

[0011] Furthermore, in order to ensure a simple and fast production of the electrical connection between the concrete temperature sensor module and the plug connector for current and data transmission, it can be considered in an advantageous embodiment according to the invention that the temperature sensor module has a temperature sensor arranged inside the housing and electrical contact means for forming an electrical connection with the plug connector, the electrical contact means being preferably formed in the form of clip contacts and / or contact pins.

[0012] In addition, in order to easily and quickly produce the electrical connection between the concrete temperature sensor module and the plug connector for current and data transmission, it is advantageously conceivable for the temperature sensor module to be arranged inside the flange axially aligned with respect to the main alignment axis of the flange (along the main alignment axis), with the temperature sensor module preferably projecting from the flange at its upper end, in particular with its electrical contact means projecting from the flange at its upper end, in particular the end that is located away from the H2 tank when connected to the tank.

[0013] Furthermore, within the scope of structurally simple, rapid, and particularly automatable production of the electrical connection between the concrete temperature sensor module and the plug connector for current and data transmission, it may be advantageous if a conductive bridge is provided for electrically connecting the temperature sensor module to the plug connector, the conductive bridge being preferably arranged inside the conductive path, in particular if the conductive bridge is arranged substantially perpendicular to the flange and / or the temperature sensor module and / or the plug connector. In addition, such an arrangement of the conductive bridge allows for greater manufacturing tolerances in terms of distance and angle. A substantially perpendicular arrangement may preferably be understood to mean an arrangement that deviates slightly from an exactly perpendicular arrangement, for example by no more than 10°, in particular by no more than 5°.

[0014] Furthermore, in order to constructively, quickly, reliably and particularly automatably produce the electrical connection between the concrete temperature sensor module and the plug connector for current and data transmission, it can be considered in an advantageous embodiment that a conductive bridge is arranged between the temperature sensor module and the plug connector, and that the conductive bridge is so designed that the electrical connection between the temperature sensor module and the plug connector can be formed by means of an axial joining process, the axial joining process being preferably formed in the form of a translational movement along the main directional adjustment axis of the flange.

[0015] Furthermore, in the context of a particularly reliable and at the same time simple and rapid production of the electrical connection between the concrete temperature sensor module and the plug connector for current and data transmission, it is advantageous to provide for a conductive bridge to be formed between the temperature sensor module and the plug connector such that the electrical connection between the temperature sensor module and the plug connector can be produced by means of the conductive bridge via the formation of clip contacts, whereby preferably at least two clip contacts can be formed, in particular at least two clip contacts on the temperature sensor module side and two clip contacts on the plug connector side, whereby the clip clearances of the clip contacts on the temperature sensor module side and / or on the plug connector side can be formed in particular parallel to the main alignment axis of the flange and / or the plug connector.

[0016] Furthermore, to ensure particularly large manufacturing tolerances for the distance and angle between the representative temperature sensor module and the representative conductive bridge, a radial seal for sealing the conductive bridge to the plug connector and / or an axial seal for sealing the conductive bridge to the temperature sensor module can be provided, where the radial seal is preferably arranged between the plug element and the annular groove and / or the axial seal is arranged flush with a radial clearance deep in the body recess. In this case, a radial seal can be understood to mean a seal that is prestressed to ensure sealing by a force acting in the plane of the sealing element (O-ring). Correspondingly, an axial seal can be understood to mean a seal that is prestressed to ensure sealing by a force acting perpendicular to the plane of the sealing element (O-ring).

[0017] In order to ensure particularly high sealing and holding forces for the sealing of a concrete temperature sensor module provided in the H2 tank, it can be provided in an advantageous embodiment according to the invention that a bolted connection is provided in the H2 tank for sealing the temperature sensor module, with the bolted connection preferably being arranged diametrically with respect to the electrical contact means of the temperature sensor module for forming an electrical connection with the conductive bridge and / or with respect to the connection area of ​​the conductive bridge for forming an electrical connection with the temperature sensor module.

[0018] Furthermore, the present invention also provides a system including an H2 tank of a vehicle operating on H2 and an H2 tank valve according to the present invention, which therefore has the same advantages as those already described in detail for the H2 tank valve according to the present invention.

[0019] Furthermore, motor vehicles including the aforementioned system, in particular motor vehicles operated by fuel cells, are also subject of the present invention, and therefore also have the same advantages as those already described in detail for the H2 tank valve according to the present invention or the system according to the present invention.

[0020] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which several embodiments of the invention are individually described with reference to the drawings, whereby the features set out in the claims and in the following description may each be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a partial cross-section of an H2 tank valve according to the present invention according to a first embodiment; FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a part of an H2 tank valve according to the present invention in another cross section according to a first embodiment; FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a part of a cross section of a plug connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 3 is another schematic view of a plug connector according to the present invention, partly in cross section, according to the first embodiment; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic, partially cross-sectional view of an H2 tank valve 1 according to the invention for placement in an H2 tank 40 of a vehicle powered by H2, according to a first embodiment.

[0023] Here, the illustrative H2 tank valve 1 includes at least one flange 42a for connecting the H2 tank valve 1 to the interior space of the H2 tank 40, a temperature sensor module 10 at least a portion of which is disposed inside the at least one flange 42a for detecting the current temperature inside the H2 tank 40 when the flange 42a and the H2 tank 40 are connected, and a plug connector 30 for current and data transmission that is disposed on the outer side of the at least one flange 42a and is electrically connected to the temperature sensor module 10.

[0024] As can be seen in FIG. 1, the plug connector 30 has a plurality of electrical contact means for forming an electrical connection with the temperature sensor module 10, which in this embodiment are formed in the form of clip contacts 24, 25 and contact pins 26, 27.

[0025] In this case, the plug connector 30 is arranged outside the flange 42a, axially aligned (along the flange) with respect to the main alignment axis HA of the flange 42a, and the electrical contact means of the plug connector 30 protrudes from the plug connector 30 at the upper end OE.

[0026] Furthermore, the temperature sensor module 10 has a temperature sensor 10b arranged inside the housing 10a and electrical contact means for forming an electrical connection with the plug connector 30, these electrical contact means being formed in the form of clip contacts 3, 4 and contact pins 5, 6.

[0027] In this case, the temperature sensor module 10 is arranged inside the flange 42a, axially aligned with respect to the main alignment axis HA of the flange 42a, and the temperature sensor module 10, in particular the electrical contact means of the temperature sensor module 10, protrudes from the flange 42a at the upper end OE.

[0028] Also, referring to FIG. 1, it can be seen that a conductive bridge 20 is provided that is disposed within the conductive path 12 extending from the flange 42a to the temperature sensor module 10 and the plug connector 30 in order to electrically couple the temperature sensor module 10 to the plug connector 30.

[0029] In this case, the conductive bridge 20 can be coupled to the temperature sensor module 10 and the plug connector 30 via an axial coupling process in the form of a translational movement along the main alignment axis HA of the flange 42a.

[0030] Furthermore, Figure 1 shows that a radial packing 22 is provided to seal the conductive bridge 20 and the plug connector 30, and an axial packing 9 is provided to seal the conductive bridge 20 and the temperature sensor module 10 from the outside, where the radial packing 22 is arranged between the plug member 19 and the annular groove 23, and the axial packing 9 is arranged flush with a radial clearance 17 at a deep position in the main body recess.

[0031] The temperature sensor module 10 shown in this embodiment can be electrically coupled via the coupling portions between the clip contacts 3, 4 and the contact pins 5, 6 by linear movement along the main orientation axis HA. For this purpose, the conductive bridge 20 extending on the outer surface of the housing is displaced axially along the main orientation axis HA toward the temperature sensor 10a, thereby simultaneously causing the plug connector 30 to contact the clip contacts 24, 25 with the contact pins 26, 27 via other plug coupling portions.

[0032] The provision of a circular geometrically shaped receiving portion in the plug connector 30 and a contact housing with a radial clearance 17 relative to the stepped bore 13 in combination with the axial packing 9 and the plug contact portion 2 which is aligned in the longitudinal direction of the conductive bridge 20 makes it particularly easy to compensate for distance and angle tolerances in this embodiment.

[0033] The temperature sensor module 10 is configured as follows: the temperature sensor housing 10a, together with the temperature sensor element 10b accommodated therein, extends parallel to the axis from the tank 40 to the side facing away from the tank and is electrically connected to the conductive bridge 20 via the plug connection 2. The plug connection 2 is preferably implemented as a clip contact, in which the two fork-shaped clip contacts 3, 4 protrude to such an extent that, when the conductive bridge 20 is installed, the ends of the conductive tracks 7, 8, which are formed as contact pins 5, 6, partially extend into the fork-shaped openings of the clip contacts 3, 4. In this case, the opening width of the fork-shaped clip contacts 3, 4 is smaller than the thickness of the contact pins 5, 6, so that after mating, a contact force greater than the separation force resulting from operation (acceleration, temperature expansion, etc.) is formed. The conductive tracks 7, 8 of the conductive bridge 20 extend from the contact pins 5, 6, in the conductive path 12, protected against collisions, to the plug connector 30, which is preferably fixedly connected to a magnet group. The fork-shaped clip contacts 3, 4, 24, 25 may be formed selectively on the conductive bridge 20 as well as on the T-sensor 10 or on the plug connector 30.

[0034] The end of the conductive bridge 20 facing the temperature sensor module has an axially oriented stepped plug element 14 with a circular cross section, which receives an axial packing 9, which in this embodiment is formed as a lip packing. The axial packing 9 allows for the application of axial prestress between the plug connection 2 and a flat surface 15 formed in the plug element 14, which has a stepped hole 13 at the end of the flat surface 16 for receiving the plug element 14.

[0035] The plug element 14 and the axial packing 9 have a larger clearance in the stepped bore 13 further transversely to the bore axis, which makes it possible to compensate for positioning errors due to increased manufacturing tolerances, especially those caused by offsets. Furthermore, starting from the plug element 14, a diametrically arranged hold-down in the form of a bolt connection 18 is arranged on the outside of the packing 9, which is axially oriented and provides a large sealing and holding force.

[0036] At the plug connector end of the conductive bridge 20, an axially oriented cylindrical plug element 19 is arranged, which is received with small play in a cylindrical bore 21. The cylindrical bore 21 simultaneously serves as a sealing surface for a radial seal 22, which in this embodiment is made in the form of an O-ring. The radial seal 22 is arranged in an annular groove 23 of the plug element 19 and seals the conductive bridge 20 and the plug connector 30 against the environment. Furthermore, electrical contact means in the form of clip contacts 24, 25 protrude from the front end of the plug element 19, which form electrical contacts with contact tags 26, 27 protruding in the receiving bore 21.

[0037] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electrical connection between the temperature sensor module 10 of an H2 tank valve 1 according to the invention and a plug connector 30 in the form of a conductive bridge 20 with conductive tracks 7, 8, which are connected at their ends to the temperature sensor module 10 and to the plug connector 30 via electrical contact means in the form of clip contacts 3, 4 or 24, 25. It is clear that in this embodiment the conductive tracks 7, 8, which run straight or parallel to one another, can also be designed differently, for example so as to run at an angle to one another.

[0038] It can be seen in particular from Figure 2 that, in accordance with the present invention, the combination of the circular geometrically shaped receiving portion of the plug connector 30, the clip contacts 3, 4 with radial clearance 17, and the conductive bridge 20 allows for large distance and angle tolerances to be accommodated.

[0039] Also, according to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the hold-down portions in the form of bolt connections 18 are arranged diametrically, but are oriented in the axial direction of the flange 42a or the temperature sensor module 10, allowing for a high sealing and holding force.

[0040] The above description of several embodiments merely describes the present invention within the scope of several examples, and of course, if technically meaningful, the individual components of these embodiments may be freely combined with one another without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0041] 3 is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged cross section of a portion of a plug connector 30 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen in this figure, the O-ring groove may be formed by a stepped plug member 19 and a stepped hole 21.

[0042] FIG. 4 is another enlarged schematic view showing a portion of the plug connector 30 of the present invention in cross section according to the first embodiment.

[0043] As can be seen in this figure, the installation position of the main adjustment axis HA in the direction opposite to the direction of gravity makes it possible, within the scope of advantageous sub-variants, to avoid water accumulation in front of the radial packing 22 and thus the action of forces due to frozen water. In this way, the (circumferential) openings are in the direction of gravity towards the packing area, so that there can be no water in front of the packing 22. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1 H2 tank valve 3,4 Clip contacts 5,6 Contact pins (contact tags) 9 Axial packing 10 Temperature Sensor Module 10b Temperature sensor 12 Conductive Path 17 Radial clearance 20 Conductive Bridge 22 Radial packing 24,25 Clip contacts 26,27 Contact pin (contact tag) 30 plug connector 40 H2 tank 42a flange HA flange main direction adjustment axis OE top edge

Claims

1. H ２ H of the car that operates by ２ H for placement in tank (40) ２ A tank valve (1), comprising: - the H ２ Tank valve (1) ２ At least one flange (42a) for coupling with the interior space of the tank (40); - said flange (42a) and said H ２ When coupled with the tank (40), ２ a temperature sensor module (10) disposed at least partially within the at least one flange (42a) for sensing a temperature within the tank (40); a plug connector (30) for current and data transmission, which can be electrically coupled to said temperature sensor module (10); The H having ２ In the tank valve (1), The plug connector (30) is disposed on the outer side surface of the at least one flange (42a). ２ Tank valve (1).

2. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plug connector (30) is formed in the form of an integral plug magnet group. ２ Tank valve (1).

3. 3. The plug connector (30) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plug connector (30) has electrical contact means for forming an electrical connection with the temperature sensor module (10), the electrical contact means being preferably formed in the form of clip contacts (24, 25) and / or contact tags (26, 27). ２ Tank valve (1).

4. 4. The plug connector (30) according to claim 1, wherein the plug connector (30) is arranged on the outside of the flange (42a) in an axially aligned manner with respect to the main alignment axis (HA) of the flange (42a), and in particular the electrical contact means of the plug connector (30) protrude from the plug connector (30) at the upper end (OE). ２ Tank valve (1).

5. 5. The temperature sensor module (10) according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor (10b) arranged inside a housing (10a) and electrical contact means for forming an electrical connection with the plug connector (30), the electrical contact means preferably being formed in the form of clip contacts (3, 4) and / or contact tags (5, 6). ２ Tank valve (1).

6. 6. The temperature sensor module (10) according to claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor module (10) is arranged inside the flange (42a) in an axially aligned manner with respect to the main alignment axis (HA) of the flange (42a), and wherein the temperature sensor module (10) preferably projects from the flange (42a) at its upper end (OE), in particular the electrical contact means of the temperature sensor module (10) project from the flange (42a) at its upper end (OE). ２ Tank valve (1).

7. 7. The temperature sensor module according to claim 1, further comprising a conductive bridge (20) for electrically connecting the temperature sensor module (10) to the plug connector (30), the conductive bridge (20) being preferably arranged inside the conductive path (12). ２ Tank valve (1).

8. 8. The temperature sensor module according to claim 1, wherein the conductive bridge (20) is 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 formed by means of the conductive bridge (20) via an axial joining process, the axial joining process preferably being formed in the form of a translational movement of the flange (42a) along the main alignment axis (HA). ２ Tank valve (1).

9. The conductive bridge (20) is arranged between the temperature sensor module (10) and the plug connector (30) so that an electrical connection between the temperature sensor module (10) and the plug connector (30) can be produced by forming clip contacts using the conductive bridge (20), preferably at least two clip contacts can be formed, in particular at least two temperature sensor module-side clip contacts and two plug connector-side clip contacts can be formed. ２ Tank valve (1).

10. 10. The invention according to claim 7, wherein a radial packing (22) for sealing the conductive bridge (20) against the plug connector (30) and / or an axial packing (9) for sealing the conductive bridge (20) against the temperature sensor module (10) is provided, the radial packing (22) being preferably arranged between the plug member (19) and the annular groove (23) and / or the axial packing (9) being arranged flush with a radial clearance (17) at a deep position in the body recess. ２ Tank valve (1).

11. To seal the temperature sensor module (10), a bolt joint (18) is provided. ２ 11. A tank (40) according to claim 1, characterized in that the bolt connection (18) is preferably arranged diametrically with respect to the electrical contact means of the temperature sensor module (10) for forming an electrical connection with the conductive bridge (20) and / or with respect to the connection area of ​​the conductive bridge (20) for forming an electrical connection with the temperature sensor module (10). ２ Tank valve (1).

12. H ２ H of the car that operates by ２ A tank (40) and a H according to any one of claims 1 to 11. ２ A system including a tank valve (1).

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