Current supply control device and current supply control method for pressure reducing valve device

Abstract

To provide a pressure reduction device for suppressing heat generation of a solenoid coil.SOLUTION: A valve element 20 has: a valve portion 21 seating on a valve seat portion 15 or separating from the valve seat portion 15; and a slide portion 22 axially sliding integrally with the valve portion 21 at a side opposite to the valve seat portion 15 with respect to the valve portion 21. An outlet pressure chamber 131 is disposed at a side opposite to the valve portion 21 with respect to the valve seat portion 15 and communicated to an inflow pressure chamber 12 via a room connection hole 14 in opening the valve element 20. A gas fuel discharged to a supply destination device passes through a discharge passage 18. A solenoid coil 42 of a solenoid portion 401 moves a movable element 45 by magnetic attraction force generated by energization. A push rod 30 is fixed to the movable element 45, inserted to the room connection hole 14, and brought into contact with the valve portion 21 of the valve element 20 at one end. A route of the gas fuel from the outlet pressure chamber 131 to the discharge passage 18 passes at least a part of a range corresponding to an axial position of the solenoid coil 42 at an inner side of the solenoid coil 42.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention , decrease The present invention relates to an energization control device and an energization control method for a pressure valve device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in a system for supplying gaseous fuel to a fuel consumer, a device for accurately reducing the pressure of gaseous fuel to a target pressure has been known. For example, in a gas pressure regulating valve disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a current is passed through a solenoid coil, the valve body is pressed by a pressing member to open the valve, and gaseous fuel flows from a primary port (inlet side) to a secondary port (discharge side). The area of ​​the part where the valve body sits on the valve seat is set to be equal to the cross-sectional area of ​​the sliding part of the valve body. It is described that the pressure controllability is improved by controlling the lift amount while balancing the load acting in the axial direction of the valve body and the pressing member, and the high-pressure gaseous fuel can be accurately regulated to a target pressure. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2012 / 017667 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] During operation of the gas pressure regulating valve of Patent Document 1, the solenoid coil is constantly energized and generates heat. However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose any measures to prevent the solenoid coil from generating heat.

[0005] In addition, it is undesirable that residual pressure remains in the fuel supply passage upstream of the pressure reducing valve device when the gas fuel supply system is stopped, and that the pressure in the fuel supply passage rises suddenly when the gas fuel supply system is started. Patent Document 1 does not mention anything about the current control of the pressure reducing valve device from such a viewpoint.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a pressure reducing valve device that suppresses heat generation of a solenoid coil. A current control device and current control method for a pressure reducing valve device that controls current to a coil so that the pressure in a fuel supply passage becomes an appropriate value. The purpose of this invention is to provide [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention Control target of current control device and current control method is a pressure reducing valve device that is provided midway through a fuel supply passage in a gaseous fuel supply system (900) that supplies gaseous fuel from a supply source device (81) through a fuel supply passage (83, 84) to a supply destination device (88) and reduces the pressure of the gaseous fuel.

[0009] This pressure reducing valve device includes a valve body (20), a valve body biasing member (26), a pressure reducing valve housing (191-195), and a solenoid portion (401, 404, 405). The valve body has a valve portion (21) that is seated on or spaced from the valve seat portion (15), and a sliding portion (22) that slides axially integrally with the valve portion on the opposite side of the valve seat portion. The valve body biasing member is provided in a back pressure chamber (27) that accommodates the end of the valve body opposite the valve portion, and biases the valve body in the valve closing direction.

[0010] The pressure reducing valve housing is formed with an inlet pressure chamber (12), an inlet passage (11), an outlet pressure chamber (131, 134), and a discharge passage (18). The inlet pressure chamber is the space around the valve portion and the sliding portion. The inlet passage is passed through by gaseous fuel flowing into the inlet pressure chamber. The outlet pressure chamber is provided on the opposite side of the valve portion with respect to the valve seat portion, and communicates with the inlet pressure chamber via the inter-chamber connecting hole (14) when the valve body is open. The discharge passage is passed through by gaseous fuel discharged to a supply destination device.

[0011] The solenoid portion includes a stator (44), a moving element (45), a solenoid coil (42), a push rod (30), and a rod biasing member (46). The stator has a solenoid chamber (47) therein that communicates with the outlet pressure chamber. The moving element is housed in the solenoid chamber. The solenoid coil moves the moving element by magnetic attraction force generated by energization. The push rod is fixed to the moving element and inserted into the inter-chamber connecting hole, with one end abutting against the valve portion of the valve body. The rod biasing member biases the push rod toward the valve body.

[0012] The back pressure chamber and the outlet pressure chamber are airtightly sealed at the outer periphery of the sliding part, and communicate with each other via a valve body communication passage (23) formed in the valve body. The area (A1) of the seat surface of the valve part and the valve seat part projected in the axial direction of the valve body is set to be equal to the cross-sectional area (A2) of the sliding part. Therefore, accurate pressure regulation is possible, similar to the device described in Patent Document 1.

[0013] The gaseous fuel path from the outlet pressure chamber to the discharge passage passes through at least a part of a range corresponding to the axial position of the solenoid coil on the inside or outside of the solenoid coil. As a result, the pressure reducing valve device of the first aspect of the present invention can suppress heat generation by cooling the solenoid coil using the discharged gaseous fuel, thereby preventing burnout due to heat generation.

[0014] The present invention one The above-mentioned pressure reducing valve device If the pressure reducing valve is a normally open type The current control device controls the current flow to the solenoid coil. In addition, Normally closed The current control device used in the pressure reducing valve device is a reference embodiment.

[0015] (A. If the pressure reducing valve is a normally closed type) In the pressure reducing valve device, the rod biasing member biases the push rod toward the valve body with a valve closing force (Fv) that is greater than the rod biasing member biases the push rod toward the valve body, and when the solenoid coil is energized, a magnetic attractive force acts in a direction to open the valve body.

[0016] The gaseous fuel supply system further includes a main stop valve (82) that switches between supplying and cutting off the gaseous fuel from the supply source device, and a pressure sensor (85) that detects the pressure of the gaseous fuel supplied to the supply destination device.

[0017] When the gas fuel supply system is stopped, the current control device continues to operate the supply destination device and the pressure reducing valve device until the supply destination device consumes the remaining fuel after the main stop valve is closed, and then stops current to the solenoid coil, thereby reducing the residual pressure in the fuel supply passage when the system is stopped.

[0018] (B. When the pressure reducing valve is a normally open type) In the pressure reducing valve device, the rod biasing member biases the push rod toward the valve body with a valve closing biasing force (Fv) which is smaller than the rod biasing force (Fr) which the rod biasing member biases the push rod toward the valve body, and when the solenoid coil is energized, a magnetic attractive force acts in a direction to close the valve body.

[0019] The gaseous fuel supply system further includes a main stop valve (82) that switches between supplying and cutting off the gaseous fuel from the supply source device, and a pressure sensor (85) that detects the discharge pressure of the gaseous fuel discharged by the pressure reducing valve device.

[0020] When fuel supply by the gaseous fuel supply system is started, the current control device starts current flow before the main stop valve opens, and limits the current flowing through the solenoid coil so that the lift amount of the valve body from the valve seat becomes a predetermined value that is smaller than the value during normal operation. After the main stop valve opens and the discharge pressure of the pressure reducing valve device reaches the transition threshold value, the current control device releases the current limit for the solenoid coil. This makes it possible to prevent a sudden increase in pressure in the fuel supply passage when the system is started.

[0021] The present invention two The above-mentioned pressure reducing valve device If the pressure reducing valve is a normally open type The present invention relates to a method for controlling the supply of current to a solenoid coil in a semiconductor device. one Similar to the aspect of ,of -Marie Close Ceremony The current supply control method used in the pressure reducing valve device is a reference embodiment.

[0022] (A. If the pressure reducing valve is a normally closed type) The specific matters related to the pressure reducing valve device and the gaseous fuel supply system are the same as those in the second embodiment. This current supply control method includes a main stop valve closing stage (SC1) in which the main stop valve is closed when the gaseous fuel supply system is stopped, and a current supply stop stage (SC2) in which, after the main stop valve closing stage, the operation of the supply destination device and the pressure reducing valve device is continued until the remaining fuel is consumed by the supply destination device, and then the current supply to the solenoid coil is stopped.

[0023] (B. When the pressure reducing valve is a normally open type) The specific matters related to the pressure reducing valve device and the gaseous fuel supply system are the same as those in the second aspect. This current control method includes a current limiting step (SO1) in which, when starting the gaseous fuel supply system, current is started before the main stop valve opens and a current limiting step (SO2) in which a current to be passed through the solenoid coil is limited so that a lift amount of the valve body from a valve seat portion becomes a predetermined value smaller than a value during normal operation, and a release step (SO2) in which the limit of the current to be passed through the solenoid coil is released after the main stop valve opens and the discharge pressure of the pressure reducing valve device reaches a transition threshold value. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a gaseous fuel supply system to which the pressure reducing valve device of each embodiment is applied. [Diagram 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a pressure reducing valve device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the valve portion and its vicinity in FIG. 2 when the valve is closed. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the valve portion and its vicinity in FIG. 2 when the valve is open. [Diagram 5] Cross-sectional views of (a) line Va-Va and (b) line Vb-Vb in Figures 3 and 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a pressure reducing valve device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a pressure reducing valve device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a pressure reducing valve device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 9]FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a pressure reducing valve device according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a diagram comparing the operation of a normally closed type and a normally open type pressure reducing valve device when the solenoid coil is de-energized / energized. [Figure 11] 4A and 4B are a time chart and a flow chart illustrating energization control of a normally closed pressure reducing valve device. [Figure 12] 4A and 4B are a time chart and a flowchart illustrating energization control of a normally open type pressure reducing valve device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Hereinafter, multiple embodiments of the pressure reducing valve device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In multiple embodiments, substantially the same configurations are given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted. The first to fifth embodiments are collectively referred to as "the present embodiment." The pressure reducing valve device of the present embodiment is a device that is provided midway through a fuel supply passage in a gaseous fuel supply system that supplies gaseous fuel from a supply source device to a supply destination device via a fuel supply passage, and reduces the pressure of the gaseous fuel.

[0026] [Gaseous fuel supply system] An example of the configuration of a gaseous fuel supply system 900 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. This type of gaseous fuel supply system is disclosed in JP 2014-5729 A and the like, and is mounted on a vehicle that uses hydrogen or compressed natural gas as fuel, for example. The gaseous fuel supply system 900 is a system that supplies gaseous fuel stored in a fuel tank 81, which is a "supply source device," to a gaseous fuel injector 88, which is a "supply destination device," via fuel supply passages 83 and 84.

[0027] The pressure reducing valve device 100 is provided midway through the fuel supply passages 83, 84, and reduces the pressure of the gaseous fuel, for example, in the case of hydrogen, from about 70 MPa to about 1 to 10 MPa. Of the fuel supply passages, the passage from the fuel tank 81 to the pressure reducing valve device 100 is referred to as an upstream supply passage 83, and the passage from the pressure reducing valve device 100 to the gaseous fuel injector 88 is referred to as a downstream supply passage 84.

[0028] The fuel tank 81 stores gaseous fuel supplied from the outside through a supply pipe (not shown) having a backflow prevention function. The upstream supply passage 83 is provided with a main stop valve 82 that switches between supplying and cutting off the gaseous fuel from the fuel tank 81. The main stop valve 82 has functions such as a backflow prevention function, an overflow prevention function, and a pressurization prevention safety function.

[0029] The pressure reducing valve device 100 reduces the pressure of the gaseous fuel that has flowed in from the upstream supply passage 83 to a target pressure and discharges it by opening and closing the valve element in accordance with commands from the ECU 70. A pressure sensor 85 is provided in the downstream supply passage 84 to detect the pressure of the gaseous fuel discharged from the pressure reducing valve device 100 and supplied to the gaseous fuel injector 88. The ECU 70 performs feedback control so that the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 85 follows the target pressure.

[0030] The ECU 70 sets a target pressure for the pressure reducing valve device 100 based on the pressure of the gaseous fuel as well as the temperature of the gaseous fuel and information on the running of the vehicle, and operates the pressure reducing valve device 100 according to the target pressure. Specifically, the ECU 70 functions as an "energization control device" that controls the energization of the solenoid coil of the pressure reducing valve device 100. The larger the energization current is, the greater the magnetic attraction force of the solenoid coil becomes, and the lift amount of the valve body can be controlled. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy of the discharge pressure and control the discharge pressure according to the operating state of the system. The method of energization control by the ECU 70 will be described in detail later.

[0031] The gaseous fuel injector 88 injects gaseous fuel into an intake pipe 89 in response to an instruction from the ECU 70. The gaseous fuel injected into the intake pipe 89 is mixed with air introduced from the atmosphere and introduced into a cylinder from an intake port of the engine 90.

[0032] Incidentally, in a configuration in which the load acting in the axial direction of the valve body and the pressing member is balanced, such as in the pressure regulating valve described in Patent Document 1 (WO 2012 / 017667), the solenoid coil is constantly energized during operation and generates heat. Therefore, in this embodiment, a pressure reducing valve device 100 is provided that appropriately suppresses heat generation in the solenoid coil. The detailed configuration of the pressure reducing valve device 100 will be described below for each embodiment. The reference numerals for the pressure reducing valve device and pressure reducing valve housing in each embodiment are "10" and "19", respectively, with the embodiment number added as the third digit following the number.

[0033] [Pressure reducing valve device] (First embodiment) The pressure reducing valve device 101 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2 to Fig. 5. Fig. 2 shows a cross section of the pressure reducing valve device 101. In the following description of the embodiment, for convenience, the solenoid section 401 (or 404, 405) side shown on the upper side of the cross section may be referred to as the "upper side", and the valve mechanism section 200 side shown on the lower side of the cross section may be referred to as the "lower side".

[0034] The valve element 20 moves in the vertical direction in the cross-sectional view. The valve element 20 is in a closed state when raised as shown in Fig. 3. The valve element 20 is in an open state when lowered as shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 2 shows the valve element 20 in a closed state. Basically, the first to fifth embodiments assume a normally closed type pressure reducing valve device in which the valve element 20 closes when the solenoid coil 42 is not energized. A normally open type pressure reducing valve device will be described later in the section on the energization control method.

[0035] In the pressure reducing valve device 101, a passage and a chamber (space) through which the gaseous fuel passes are formed in a pressure reducing valve housing 191, and a valve mechanism section 200 and a solenoid section 401 are constructed. In particular, the solenoid section 401 is constructed as a subassembly separate from the pressure reducing valve housing 191. Therefore, by assembling a solenoid section subassembly selected from a plurality of types to the common pressure reducing valve housing 191, variations with different piping specifications, etc. can be easily manufactured.

[0036] The valve element 20 has a rod-shaped sliding portion 22 and a valve portion 21 provided at the upper end of the sliding portion 22. The valve portion 21 seats on the valve seat portion 15 to close the valve, or moves away from the valve seat portion 15 to open the valve. The sliding portion 22 slides axially together with the valve portion 21 on the opposite side of the valve seat portion 15 with respect to the valve portion 21. A valve element communicating passage 23 is formed in the valve element 20. The valve element communicating passage 23 includes a vertical passage 237 extending in the axial direction, and a horizontal passage 238 that intersects with the vertical passage 237 and communicates with the back pressure chamber 27.

[0037] The valve mechanism 200 includes a slide hole forming member 24, a slide seal 25, a valve body biasing member 26, and a back pressure chamber forming member 28. The slide hole forming member 24 forms a slide hole in which the sliding part 22 slides. The slide seal 25 is attached to the slide hole forming member 24, and seals the outer periphery of the sliding part 22 air-tightly.

[0038] The back pressure chamber forming member 28 forms a back pressure chamber 27 that accommodates the end of the valve body 20 opposite to the valve portion 21. The valve body biasing member 26, which is formed of a coil spring or the like, is provided in the back pressure chamber 27 and biases the valve body 20 in the valve closing direction.

[0039] The pressure reducing valve housing 191 is formed with an inlet passage 11, an inlet pressure chamber 12, an outlet pressure chamber 131, an inter-chamber connecting hole 14, a valve seat portion 15, a connecting passage 17, a discharge passage 18, etc. The outlet pressure chamber 131 has a different configuration from that of the fourth embodiment, and therefore the third digit of the reference numeral is changed to "1" as in the first embodiment to distinguish it. The inlet passage 11 and the discharge passage 18 include portions directly formed in the pressure reducing valve housing 191 and internal passages of a coupler attached to the pressure reducing valve housing 191.

[0040] The inflow passage 11 is a passage through which the gas fuel flows from the upstream supply passage 83 into the inflow pressure chamber 12. The inflow pressure chamber 12 is a space around the valve portion 21 and the sliding portion 22. The outlet pressure chamber 131 is provided on the opposite side (i.e., the upper side) of the valve seat portion 15 from the valve body 20. The outlet pressure chamber 131 is provided on the opposite side (i.e., the upper side) of the valve body 20 from the valve seat portion 15. 0 When the valve is open, the inlet pressure chamber 12 communicates with the outlet pressure chamber 131 via the inter-chamber connecting hole 14. The inter-chamber connecting hole 14 connects the inlet pressure chamber 12 and the outlet pressure chamber 131 along the axial direction of the valve body 20. Inflow pressure chamber 12A valve seat portion 15 is formed at the corner of the side.

[0041] The back pressure chamber 27 and the inlet pressure chamber 12 are air-tightly sealed at the outer periphery of the sliding portion 22 by a sliding seal 25. The back pressure chamber 27 and the outlet pressure chamber 131 communicate with each other via a valve body communication passage 23 formed in the valve body 20. As shown in Fig. 5, the area A1 of the seat surface of the valve portion 21 and the valve seat portion 15 projected in the axial direction of the valve body 20 is set to be equal to the cross-sectional area A2 of the sliding portion 22. This allows the high-pressure gas fuel to be accurately reduced to the target pressure.

[0042] The connection passage 17 is used in the first to third embodiments, and is a passage that connects a housing internal passage 51, which will be described later, and a discharge passage 18. The discharge passage 18 is a passage through which gaseous fuel passes to be discharged to the gaseous fuel injector 88 via the downstream supply passage 84.

[0043] The solenoid unit 401 includes a solenoid housing 411, a solenoid coil 42, a stator 44, a movable element 45, a push rod 30, and a rod biasing member 46. Since the solenoid housing 411 has a different configuration from the fourth and fifth embodiments, the third digit of the reference numeral is changed to "1" as in the first embodiment to distinguish it from the fourth and fifth embodiments.

[0044] The solenoid housing 411 is provided on the outlet pressure chamber 131 side (i.e., below) of the solenoid coil 42, supports the solenoid coil 42, and closes the solenoid portion 401 side of the outlet pressure chamber 131. In the first to third embodiments, the solenoid housing 411 is formed with an internal housing passage 51 that communicates between the solenoid chamber 47 and the connection passage 17.

[0045] The solenoid coil 42 moves the mover 45 relative to the solenoid housing 411 by a magnetic attraction force generated by energization. The stator 44, the mover 45, the solenoid housing 411, and the outer members of the solenoid coil 42 are made of a soft magnetic material such as iron, and form a magnetic circuit when the solenoid coil 42 is energized. A non-magnetic part 43 that interrupts the magnetic circuit is provided between the stator 44 and the solenoid housing 411. The stator 44 has a solenoid chamber 47 therein, and the mover 45 is accommodated in the solenoid chamber 47. The solenoid chamber 47 communicates with the outlet pressure chamber 131 via the rod communication passage 33 of the push rod 30.

[0046] The push rod 30 has the side opposite to the valve body 20 (i.e., the upper side) fixed to the movable element 45, and the valve body 20 side is inserted into the inter-chamber connecting hole 14. One end of the push rod 30 on the valve body 20 side abuts against the valve portion 21 of the valve body 20. A rod communicating passage 33 is formed in the push rod 30. The rod communicating passage 33 includes a vertical passage 337 that passes through in the axial direction, and a horizontal passage 338 that intersects with the vertical passage 337 and communicates with the outlet pressure chamber 131.

[0047] With the push rod 30 in contact with the valve body 20, the vertical passage 337 of the rod communicating passage 33 and the vertical passage 237 of the valve body 20 are aligned in a straight line. A rod biasing member 46 formed of a coil spring or the like is provided in the solenoid chamber 47 and biases the push rod 30 toward the valve body 20.

[0048] Figures 3 and 4 show the state of the valve portion 21 and its vicinity when the valve is closed and open. When the valve is closed, the valve portion 21 seats on the valve seat portion 15. When the valve is open, the push rod 30 pushes down on the valve portion 21 of the valve body 20, causing the valve portion 21 to move away from the valve seat portion 15. As will be described later with reference to Figure 10, in a normally closed type, the valve is closed when no current is applied and opens when current is applied. Conversely, in a normally open type, the valve is open when no current is applied and closes when current is applied.

[0049] Returning to FIG. 2, the "first path" through which the gas fuel flows from the outlet pressure chamber 131 to the discharge passage 18 when the valve body 20 is opened will be described. In the first embodiment, the first path indicated by the dashed line is the only path. The first path first passes from the outlet pressure chamber 131 through the horizontal passage 338 and the vertical passage 337 of the rod communication passage 33 formed in the push rod 30 to the solenoid chamber 47. Next, the first path passes from the solenoid chamber 47 through the gap 49 between the outer periphery of the mover 45 and the inner periphery of the stator 44 inside the solenoid coil 42. Furthermore, the first path passes through the housing inner passage 51 formed in the solenoid housing 411 and the connection passage 17 formed in the pressure reducing valve housing 191 to the discharge passage 18.

[0050] Of the first path, a part of the rod communication passage 33, the gap 49 between the mover 45 and the stator 44, and a part of the housing inner passage 51 correspond to at least a part of a range inside the solenoid coil 42 that corresponds to the axial position of the solenoid coil 42. In other words, the first path passes through at least a part of a range inside the solenoid coil 42 that corresponds to the axial position of the solenoid coil 42.

[0051] As a result, the pressure reducing valve device 101 of the first embodiment can cool the solenoid coil 42 by using the discharged gaseous fuel. This suppresses heat generation in the solenoid coil 42 and prevents burnout due to heat generation. In addition, since the solenoid unit 401 is configured as a subassembly, it is possible to easily manufacture variations with different piping specifications, etc., using a common pressure reducing valve housing.

[0052] Second embodiment A pressure reducing valve device 102 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The second embodiment has a second path (i.e., a bypass path) indicated by a two-dot chain line in comparison with the first embodiment. A pressure reducing valve housing 192 is formed with a direct path 52 that directly communicates from the outlet pressure chamber 131 to the discharge passage 18. When the valve body 20 is open, the gaseous fuel flows from the outlet pressure chamber 131 to the discharge passage 18 through a first path and a second path via the direct path 52.

[0053] The gaseous fuel flowing through the first path is used to cool the solenoid coil 42. On the other hand, the gaseous fuel flowing through the second path is not used for cooling, but is directly discharged, thereby reducing the pressure loss in the discharge passage 18. Therefore, in the second embodiment, it is possible to achieve both cooling of the solenoid coil 42 and reducing the pressure loss in the discharge passage 18.

[0054] Third embodiment A pressure reducing valve device 103 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. In the third embodiment, unlike the second embodiment, a throttle 53 for adjusting the flow rate of the gas fuel flowing through the second path is provided in the direct passage 52 of the pressure reducing valve housing 193. This makes it possible to appropriately adjust the balance between cooling the solenoid coil 42 and reducing the pressure loss in the discharge passage 18.

[0055] (Fourth embodiment) A pressure reducing valve device 104 according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the shape of an outlet pressure chamber 134 formed in a pressure reducing valve housing 194 and in the path of the gas fuel from the outlet pressure chamber 134 to the discharge passage 18. The outlet pressure chamber 134 accommodates a solenoid housing 414 that supports the lower side of the solenoid coil 42 in the solenoid portion 404. Furthermore, the outlet pressure chamber 134 is formed so as to include a range that corresponds to the axial position of the solenoid coil 42 outside the solenoid coil 42.

[0056] The discharge passage 18 is formed near the upper end of the outlet pressure chamber 134, and the gaseous fuel flows from the outlet pressure chamber 134 through the passage 54 directly into the discharge passage 18. In other words, the discharge passage 18 is formed at a position where the gaseous fuel flows from the outlet pressure chamber 134 to the discharge passage 18 through at least a part of a range corresponding to the axial position of the solenoid coil 42. Therefore, similar to the above embodiment, the solenoid coil 42 can be cooled using the discharged gaseous fuel.

[0057] Fifth embodiment A pressure reducing valve device 105 of a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9. The fifth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the position of the discharge passage 18. The connecting passage 17 and the discharge passage 18 are not formed in the pressure reducing valve housing 195. The solenoid section 405 has the discharge passage 18 communicating with the solenoid chamber 47 on the opposite side of the valve body 20 in the axial direction of the solenoid coil 42 (the upper side in the figure). Furthermore, no housing internal passage is formed in the solenoid housing 415. When the valve body 20 is opened, gaseous fuel is discharged from the outlet pressure chamber 13 through the rod connecting passage 33 and the solenoid chamber 47 via the discharge passage 18.

[0058] When the gaseous fuel flows through the vertical passage 337 of the rod communicating passage 33, it passes through the entire range inside the solenoid coil 42 that corresponds to the axial position of the solenoid coil 42. Therefore, similar to the above embodiment, the solenoid coil 42 can be cooled using the discharged gaseous fuel. Also, since the solenoid portion 405 is provided as a subassembly including a coupler of the discharge passage 18, ease of assembly is improved.

[0059] [Power supply control method] Next, a method for controlling the energization of the solenoid coil 42 in the pressure reducing valve device will be described with reference to Fig. 10 to Fig. 12. This energization control method is executed by the ECU 70 functioning as an "energization control device", and is classified according to whether the pressure reducing valve device is of a normally closed type or a normally open type. In the description of the energization control method, the reference numerals of the pressure reducing valve device will be omitted.

[0060] 10, the operation of the normally closed type and normally open type pressure reducing valve devices when the solenoid coil 42 is de-energized / energized will be compared. By reversing the direction of the magnetic attraction force of the solenoid coil 42 and adjusting the biasing forces of the valve body biasing member 26 and the rod biasing member 46, the configuration of the normally closed type and the normally open type can be changed.

[0061] In a normally closed type pressure reducing valve device, the valve closing biasing force Fv with which the valve body biasing member 26 biases the valve body 20 in the valve closing direction is set to be greater than the rod biasing force Fr with which the rod biasing member 46 biases the push rod 30 toward the valve body 20 (Fv > Fr). Therefore, the valve body 20 closes when the solenoid coil 42 is de-energized.

[0062] When the solenoid coil 42 is energized, a magnetic attraction force Fm acts in the direction of opening the valve body 20. Then, since the sum of the rod biasing force Fr and the magnetic attraction force Fm exceeds the valve closing biasing force Fv (Fv < Fr + Fm), the valve body 20 opens.

[0063] In a normally open type pressure reducing valve device, the valve closing biasing force Fv with which the valve body biasing member 26 biases the valve body 20 in the valve closing direction is set to be smaller than the rod biasing force Fr with which the rod biasing member 46 biases the push rod 30 toward the valve body 20 (Fv < Fr). Therefore, the valve body 20 opens when the solenoid coil 42 is de-energized.

[0064] When the solenoid coil 42 is energized, a magnetic attraction force Fm acts in the direction of closing the valve body 20. Then, since the difference obtained by subtracting the magnetic attraction force Fm from the rod biasing force Fr is less than the valve closing biasing force Fv (Fv > Fr - Fm), the valve body 20 closes.

[0065] Referring to the time chart and the flowchart of FIG. 11, the energization control of the normally closed type pressure reducing valve device will be described. As described above with reference to FIG. 1, a main stop valve 82 is provided at the outlet of the fuel tank 81 which is the supply source device of the gaseous fuel supply system 900. Further, a pressure sensor 85 for detecting the pressure of the gaseous fuel supplied to the supply destination device 88 is provided in the downstream supply passage 84. In the description of this part, an example of the "gas fuel injector 88" is not used as the supply destination device, and it is generally described as the "supply destination device (consumer) 88".

[0066] The time chart shows the operating state of the supply destination device (consumer) 88, the operating state of the pressure reducing valve device, and the pressures in the fuel supply passages 83 and 84. Here, a situation is assumed in which the gaseous fuel supply system 900 stops from a driven state. Initially, the supply destination device and the pressure reducing valve device are operating. The pressure Pi in the upstream supply passage 83 during normal operation is shown by a dashed line, and the pressure Po in the downstream supply passage 84 (i.e., the discharge pressure of the pressure reducing valve device) is shown by a solid line.

[0067] At time t11, the ECU 70 shuts off the main stop valve 82 in response to a system stop command. If the operation of the pressure reducing valve device is stopped at the same time, the valve is closed, and residual pressure remains in the upstream supply passage 83. This can cause problems such as high residual pressure causing loads on pipes and seal materials, and wasting the remaining fuel in the pipes.

[0068] Therefore, the ECU 70 continues to operate the supply destination device 88 and the pressure reducing valve device until the supply destination device 88 consumes the remaining fuel and the pressure drops sufficiently. After the pressure Pi of the upstream supply passage 83 drops to the discharge pressure of the pressure reducing valve device, the pressure Pi and the pressure Po become equal. After the pressure has dropped sufficiently, the ECU 70 stops the operation of the supply destination device 88 at time t12, and stops the supply of electricity to the solenoid coil 42 at time t13. Time t13 may be any time that is simultaneous with or after time t12.

[0069] As shown in the flowchart, the current control method includes steps SC1 and SC2. In the main stop valve closing stage SC1, the main stop valve 82 is closed. In the current stopping stage SC2, after the main stop valve closing stage, the supply destination device 88 and the pressure reducing valve device continue to operate until the supply destination device 88 consumes the remaining fuel, and then current is stopped to the solenoid coil 42. This makes it possible to reduce the residual pressure in the fuel supply passage when the system is stopped.

[0070] The energization control of the normally open type pressure reducing valve device will be described with reference to the time chart and flow chart of Fig. 12. As described above with reference to Fig. 1, a main stop valve 82 is provided at the outlet of a fuel tank 81, which is a supply source device of the gaseous fuel supply system 900. In addition, a pressure sensor 85 is provided in a downstream supply passage 84 to detect the discharge pressure of the gaseous fuel discharged by the pressure reducing valve device.

[0071] The time chart shows the open / closed state of the main stop valve 82, the operating state of the pressure reducing valve device, and the discharge pressure detected by the pressure sensor 85. Here, assume a situation in which the gaseous fuel supply system 900 is started. Initially, the operation of the pressure reducing valve device is stopped, and the valve is in a full lift open state. The discharge pressure is close to 0 due to the residual pressure in the piping.

[0072] If the main stop valve 82 is opened while the pressure reducing valve device is still open, the pressure in the fuel supply passages 83, 84 will rise rapidly, which may damage parts downstream of the pressure reducing valve device in particular. Therefore, when a system start command is generated at time t21, the ECU 70 starts energizing the solenoid coil 42 before the main stop valve 82 opens. At this time, the ECU 70 limits the current to be energized to the solenoid coil 42 so that the lift amount of the valve element 20 from the valve seat 15 becomes a predetermined value smaller than the value during normal operation, that is, so that the valve element 20 is in a half-open state.

[0073] When the main stop valve 82 opens at t22, the discharge pressure increases along a first-order lag curve. After the discharge pressure reaches the transition threshold Pth at t23, the ECU 70 releases the current restriction on the solenoid coil 42 and transitions to normal operation current control. After that, the ECU 70 controls current supply to the solenoid coil 42 by feedback control that makes the discharge pressure follow the target pressure.

[0074] As shown in the flowchart, the current control method includes steps SO1 and SO2. In the current limiting step SO1, the ECU 70 starts current flow before the main stop valve 82 opens, and limits the current flowing to the solenoid coil 42 so that the lift amount of the valve body 20 from the valve seat 15 becomes a predetermined value smaller than the value during normal operation. In the release step SO2, after the main stop valve 82 opens and the discharge pressure of the pressure reducing valve device reaches the transition threshold value, the ECU 70 releases the current limiting of the solenoid coil 42. This makes it possible to prevent a sudden rise in pressure in the fuel supply passage when the system is started.

[0075] (Other embodiments) (a) The "supply source device" in the gaseous fuel supply system is not limited to the fuel tank 81 that stores gaseous fuel supplied from the outside, but may be a device that can generate and deliver gaseous fuel by itself. The "supply destination device" is not limited to the gaseous fuel injector 88, but may be a consumer that consumes gaseous fuel.

[0076] (b) The configuration is not limited to a direct connection from the upstream supply passage 83 to the inlet passage 11 of the pressure reducing valve device 100, but may be such that another primary pressure reducing valve is provided upstream of the inlet passage 11 and pressure is reduced in two stages. In that case, two types of pressure reducing valve mechanisms may be provided in a common pressure reducing valve housing. In such a configuration, multiple types of solenoid parts can be assembled as subassemblies, which is more effective in expanding the variations.

[0077] (c) If there is little benefit to forming the solenoid part as a sub-assembly due to manufacturing reasons, etc., the solenoid part may not be formed as a sub-assembly, and each part may be assembled in order to the pressure reducing valve housing. Alternatively, for example, the parts of the solenoid part other than the push rod 30 may be configured as a sub-assembly, and only the push rod 30 may be assembled separately.

[0078] (d) Regarding the current control for the solenoid coil according to the above embodiment, the respective predetermined values ​​may be changed in combination with other conditions, and the execution or non-execution of the control may be switched.

[0079] As described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 100 (101-105) Pressure reducing valve device, 11: Inflow passage, 12: Inflow pressure chamber, 131, 134: Outlet pressure chamber, 14: inter-chamber connection hole; 15: valve seat portion; 18: discharge passage; 191-195: Pressure reducing valve housing, 20: valve body; 21: valve portion; 22: sliding portion; 23: valve body communication passage; 26: valve body biasing member, 27: back pressure chamber, 30: push rod, 401, 404, 405: solenoid portion, 42: solenoid coil, 44: stator; 45: mover; 46: rod biasing member; 47: solenoid chamber; 70: ECU (Electrical Control Unit), 81: Fuel tank (supply source device); 82: Main stop valve; 83: Upstream supply passage (fuel supply passage), 84: Downstream supply passage (fuel supply passage), 85: Pressure sensor; 88: Gas fuel injector (supply destination device); 900: Gaseous fuel supply system.

Claims

1. In a gaseous fuel supply system (900) which supplies gaseous fuel from a supply source device (81) to a supply destination device (88) through a fuel supply passage (83, 84), a current control device is provided in the fuel supply passage, the current control device controlling current to a solenoid coil in a pressure reducing valve device which reduces the pressure of the gaseous fuel, The pressure reducing valve device is a valve body (20) having a valve portion (21) that is seated on a valve seat portion (15) or that is spaced apart from the valve seat portion, and a sliding portion (22) that is on the opposite side of the valve seat portion with respect to the valve portion and that slides integrally with the valve portion in an axial direction; a valve body biasing member (26) provided in a back pressure chamber (27) that accommodates an end of the valve body opposite to the valve portion, and biases the valve body in a valve closing direction; a pressure reducing valve housing (191-195) in which an inflow pressure chamber (12), which is a space around the valve portion and the sliding portion, an inflow passage (11) through which gaseous fuel flows into the inflow pressure chamber, an outlet pressure chamber (131, 134) provided on the opposite side of the valve portion from the valve seat portion and communicating with the inflow pressure chamber via an inter-chamber connection hole (14) when the valve body is opened, and a discharge passage (18) through which gaseous fuel discharged to the supply destination device passes; a solenoid section (401, 404, 405) including a stator (44) having a solenoid chamber (47) therein communicating with the outlet pressure chamber, a movable member (45) accommodated in the solenoid chamber, a solenoid coil (42) that moves the movable member by a magnetic attraction force generated by energization, a push rod (30) fixed to the movable member and inserted into the inter-chamber connecting hole, one end of which abuts against the valve portion of the valve body, and a rod biasing member (46) that biases the push rod toward the valve body; Equipped with The back pressure chamber and the outlet pressure chamber are airtightly sealed at the outer periphery of the sliding portion, and communicate with each other via a valve body communication passage (23) formed in the valve body, an area (A1) of a seat surface between the valve portion and the valve seat portion projected in the axial direction of the valve body is set to be equal to a cross-sectional area (A2) of the sliding portion, a path of the gas fuel from the outlet pressure chamber to the discharge passage passes through at least a part of a range corresponding to an axial position of the solenoid coil on the inside or outside of the solenoid coil, the pressure reducing valve device is of a normally open type in which a valve closing biasing force (Fv) with which the valve body biasing member biases the valve body in a valve closing direction is smaller than a rod biasing force (Fr) with which the rod biasing member biases the push rod toward the valve body, and a magnetic attractive force acts in a direction to close the valve body when the solenoid coil is energized, The gaseous fuel supply system comprises: A main stop valve (82) for switching on and off the supply of gas fuel from the supply source device; a pressure sensor (85) for detecting a discharge pressure of the gas fuel discharged by the pressure reducing valve device; Further equipped with When starting the gaseous fuel supply system, The current control device of the pressure reducing valve device starts current flow before the main stop valve opens, limits the current flowing to the solenoid coil so that the lift amount of the valve body from the valve seat becomes a predetermined value that is smaller than the value during normal operation, and releases the current limitation of the solenoid coil after the main stop valve opens and the discharge pressure of the pressure reducing valve device reaches a transition threshold value.

2. 2. The pressure reducing valve device according to claim 1, wherein when the valve body is opened, gaseous fuel flows from the outlet pressure chamber through a rod connecting passage (33) formed in the push rod to the solenoid chamber, and from the solenoid chamber, through a gap (49) between the outer periphery of the movable member and the inner periphery of the stator inside the solenoid coil, through an internal housing passage (51) formed in a solenoid housing (411, 415) provided on the outlet pressure chamber side of the solenoid coil, and through a connecting passage (17) formed in the pressure reducing valve housing to the discharge passage via a first path.

3. The pressure reducing valve housing is formed with a direct passage (52) that directly communicates from the outlet pressure chamber (131) to the discharge passage, 3. The current control device for a pressure reducing valve device according to claim 2, wherein when the valve body is opened, the gaseous fuel flows from the outlet pressure chamber to the discharge passage through the first path and a second path via the direct passage.

4. 4. The current control device for a pressure reducing valve device according to claim 3, wherein a throttle (53) for adjusting a flow rate of the gas fuel flowing through the second path is provided in the direct passage.

5. The outlet pressure chamber (134) is formed so as to include a range corresponding to an axial position of the solenoid coil outside the solenoid coil, 2. The current control device for a pressure reducing valve device according to claim 1, wherein the discharge passage is formed at a position where the gas fuel flows from the outlet pressure chamber to the discharge passage through at least a part of a range corresponding to an axial position of the solenoid coil.

6. 2. The power supply control device for a pressure reducing valve device according to claim 1, wherein the solenoid portion (405) has the discharge passage communicating with the solenoid chamber on a side opposite to the valve body in the axial direction of the solenoid coil.

7. 7. The current control device for a pressure reducing valve device according to claim 1, wherein the solenoid portion is configured as a subassembly separate from the pressure reducing valve housing.

8. In a gaseous fuel supply system (900) that supplies gaseous fuel from a supply source device (81) to a supply destination device (88) through a fuel supply passage (83, 84), a current control method is provided in the fuel supply passage, the current control method controlling current to a solenoid coil in a pressure reducing valve device that reduces the pressure of the gaseous fuel, the pressure reducing valve device being provided in the fuel supply passage, the method comprising: The pressure reducing valve device is a valve body (20) having a valve portion (21) that is seated on a valve seat portion (15) or that is spaced apart from the valve seat portion, and a sliding portion (22) that is on the opposite side of the valve seat portion with respect to the valve portion and that slides integrally with the valve portion in an axial direction; a valve body biasing member (26) provided in a back pressure chamber (27) that accommodates an end of the valve body opposite to the valve portion, and biases the valve body in a valve closing direction; a pressure reducing valve housing (191-195) in which an inflow pressure chamber (12), which is a space around the valve portion and the sliding portion, an inflow passage (11) through which gaseous fuel flows into the inflow pressure chamber, an outlet pressure chamber (131, 134) provided on the opposite side of the valve portion from the valve seat portion and communicating with the inflow pressure chamber via an inter-chamber connection hole (14) when the valve body is opened, and a discharge passage (18) through which gaseous fuel discharged to the supply destination device passes; a solenoid section (401, 404, 405) including a stator (44) having a solenoid chamber (47) therein communicating with the outlet pressure chamber, a movable member (45) accommodated in the solenoid chamber, a solenoid coil (42) that moves the movable member by a magnetic attraction force generated by energization, a push rod (30) fixed to the movable member and inserted into the inter-chamber connecting hole, one end of which abuts against the valve portion of the valve body, and a rod biasing member (46) that biases the push rod toward the valve body; Equipped with The back pressure chamber and the outlet pressure chamber are airtightly sealed at the outer periphery of the sliding portion, and communicate with each other via a valve body communication passage (23) formed in the valve body, an area (A1) of a seat surface between the valve portion and the valve seat portion projected in the axial direction of the valve body is set to be equal to a cross-sectional area (A2) of the sliding portion, a path of the gas fuel from the outlet pressure chamber to the discharge passage passes through at least a part of a range corresponding to an axial position of the solenoid coil on the inside or outside of the solenoid coil, the pressure reducing valve device is of a normally open type in which a valve closing biasing force (Fv) with which the valve body biasing member biases the valve body in a valve closing direction is smaller than a rod biasing force (Fr) with which the rod biasing member biases the push rod toward the valve body, and a magnetic attractive force acts in a direction to close the valve body when the solenoid coil is energized, The gaseous fuel supply system comprises: A main stop valve (82) for switching on and off the supply of gas fuel from the supply source device; a pressure sensor (85) for detecting a discharge pressure of the gas fuel discharged by the pressure reducing valve device; Further equipped with When starting the gaseous fuel supply system, a current limiting step (SO1) in which current is supplied to the solenoid coil before the main stop valve is opened, and a current is limited so that a lift amount of the valve body from the valve seat becomes a predetermined value smaller than a value during normal operation; a release step (SO2) of releasing the current limitation of the solenoid coil after the main stop valve is opened and the discharge pressure of the pressure reducing valve device reaches a transition threshold value; A method for controlling the supply of current to a pressure reducing valve device, comprising:

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