Actuating flap arrangement assembly, particularly for gas flow in a fuel cell system

Abstract

To substantially prevent gas leakage with a structurally simple configuration.SOLUTION: An actuation flap structure is provided with an actuation flap adjustable in position to at least one open position for opening up a gas passage for allowing gas to flow. There are provided a first pivot end part section 48 supported rotatably around a pivot axis A in a first bearing region 28 provided on an actuation flap casing, and a second pivot end part section supported rotatably around the pivot axis A in a second bearing region provided on the actuation flap casing. At least one of the first bearing region 28 and the second bearing region includes a bearing unit 62 rotatably supporting the pivot 18, and at least one seal element 70 to which an axial load is applied by the bearing unit 62 and which is made to abut on an outer peripheral surface of the pivot 18.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an actuating flap arrangement assembly that can be used to provide electrical energy, particularly for gas flow in a vehicle, for example in a fuel cell system. [Background technology]

[0002] In such fuel cell systems, depending on the operating conditions, it is necessary to guide various gas flows through or past the anode or cathode regions of the fuel cell or fuel cell stack, and high demands are placed on the tightness of the actuating flap arrangement assemblies used to regulate such gas flows, in order to eliminate leakage flows or ensure that gases cannot substantially escape to the environment, particularly in operating conditions where it is desirable not to guide certain gas flows through or past the fuel cell. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] The object of the present invention is to improve an actuating flap arrangement assembly for gas flow, particularly in a vehicle, in particular in a fuel cell system, so that gas leakage can be substantially prevented with a structurally simple arrangement. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] According to the invention, this problem is solved by providing an actuation flap arrangement assembly for gas flow, in particular in a vehicle, in particular in a fuel cell system, comprising an actuation flap casing providing a gas flow path, an actuation flap positionable in the actuation flap casing between a closed position in which the gas flow through the gas flow path is substantially blocked and at least one open position in which the gas flow path is open for flow, the actuation flap comprising a disk-shaped actuation flap body supported on a pivot that is rotatable about a pivot axis, the pivot being connected to a pivot drive. The problem is solved by an operating flap configuration assembly having a first pivot shaft end section rotatably supported about the pivot shaft axis in a first bearing area provided in the operating flap casing, and a second pivot shaft end section rotatably supported about the pivot shaft axis in a second bearing area provided in the operating flap casing, wherein at least one of the first bearing area and the second bearing area includes a bearing unit rotatably supporting the pivot shaft, and at least one sealing element abutting on the outer peripheral surface of the pivot shaft and axially loaded by the bearing unit.

[0005] By providing at least one sealing element that is pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the pivot shaft, it is ensured that a gas-tight closure of the actuating screw assembly is achieved even in the event of bearing play in the area of at least one bearing unit.

[0006] It is particularly advantageous for a gas-tight closure if at least one bearing area is a first bearing area, since in the first pivot end section the pivot must be guided through the corresponding first bearing area in order to be able to achieve connection with the pivot drive. In the second bearing area, in which the second pivot axis of the pivot does not need to be guided through or out of the bearing area, gas-tight closure can be provided by other means, for example by complete surrounding of the second pivot end section by a bearing bush.

[0007] For a completely gas-tight closure of the at least one sealing element against the pivot shaft over the entire circumference of the pivot shaft, it is proposed that the at least one sealing element surrounds the pivot shaft axis in an annular shape and / or that the bearing unit surrounds the pivot shaft axis in an annular shape.

[0008] At least one sealing element may have a retaining section that is axially loaded by the bearing unit and a sealing section that rests against the pivot shaft, so as to ensure, on the one hand, a stable positioning of the sealing element within the constituent material of the bearing unit and, on the other hand, an interaction between the pivot shaft and the sealing element that results in sufficient sealing.

[0009] To obtain an axially compact configuration, the retaining sections extend substantially radially and the sealing sections extend radially inward from the retaining sections towards the pivot axis, i.e. at least one sealing element has a substantially annular disk-like shape.

[0010] For a defined axial tensioning of the at least one sealing element, the bearing unit may comprise at least one bearing ring, and a retaining section of the at least one sealing element may be held between the at least one bearing ring and the bottom of the bearing bush of the at least one bearing region and / or the operating flap casing.

[0011] In order to be able to provide a surface support for the at least one sealing element, it is proposed that in the region supporting the at least one sealing element, the bottom of the bearing bush and / or the actuating flap casing are oriented substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis and are formed substantially planar.

[0012] In order to ensure that the loading effect produced by the at least one bearing ring can be maintained, it is proposed that the at least one bearing ring is held in the bearing bush by press fitting.

[0013] For a low maintenance configuration, the bearing unit may be a plain bearing unit.

[0014] At least one sealing element may be constructed of an elastomeric material to achieve the required sealing function.

[0015] The present invention further provides a method for manufacturing an actuated flap structural assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention, comprising the steps of: a) disposing at least one sealing element in a bearing bush of at least one bearing region; b) press-fitting at least one bearing ring of the bearing unit into the bearing bushing such that the at least one bearing ring applies an axial load to the at least one sealing element, the at least one sealing element being deformed radially inwards by the axial load; The present invention relates to a method comprising:

[0016] The press-fitting of the at least one bearing ring causes the sealing element to be displaced radially inward and to apply an axial load to the at least one sealing element so that a reliable sealing action is achieved by radially applying the at least one sealing ring to the pivot shaft.

[0017] Steps a) and b) can be performed after the pivot shaft has been positioned with one of its end sections into the bearing bush of at least one bearing region, in which at least one sealing element, and thus at least one bearing ring, is positioned in the bearing bush surrounding the pivot end section, and the at least one bearing ring is loaded towards the sealing element surrounding the pivot end section in such a way that the pivot end section loads the at least one sealing element axially, thereby deforming or displacing the sealing element radially inwards towards the pivot shaft that has already passed through it.

[0018] In an alternative procedure, steps a) and b) can be carried out before the pivot shaft is positioned with one of its pivot shaft end sections to engage in the bearing bush of at least one bearing region. For example, at least one sealing element and at least one bearing ring can be positioned in the bearing bush before the bearing bush is placed on an actuation flap casing that already contains an actuation flap and thus also the pivot shaft and fixed to this actuation flap casing.

[0019] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a fuel cell system, in particular for a vehicle, comprising at least one actuating flap arrangement assembly according to the invention, preferably manufactured by the method according to the invention.

[0020] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of a fuel cell system for a vehicle. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an actuation flap arrangement assembly for a fuel cell system. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the bearing area for the pivot shaft of the actuating flap arrangement assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Before the inventive design of an actuating flap arrangement assembly for a fuel cell system is described in detail below with respect to the construction of the fuel cell system, which is provided in particular for providing a tight closure, the basic design of a fuel cell system capable of supplying electrical energy in a vehicle is described with reference to Figure 1, and the basic design of the actuating flap arrangement assembly is described with reference to Figure 2. This actuating flap arrangement assembly, which is particularly arranged in correspondence with the cathode region of a fuel cell system of this kind, can be used to regulate the gas flow or to close the cathode region against flow.

[0023] The fuel cell system 100 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a fuel cell generally designated by the reference numeral 102, with the main system regions being an anode region 104 to be supplied with hydrogen or a hydrogen-containing gas, and a cathode region 106 to be supplied with oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas, such as air.

[0024] The anode region 104 is associated with a supply line 108 and an outlet line 110 equipped with respective valves 112, 114, which allow hydrogen or a hydrogen-containing gas to be introduced into the anode region 104 or anode exhaust gas to be withdrawn from the anode region 104, and also allow the anode region 104 to be completely closed off if required.

[0025] A supply line 116 is associated with the cathode region 106, through which an oxygen-containing gas, e.g., air, can be introduced into the cathode region, e.g., by means of a compressor 118 or the like. An actuating flap assembly, generally designated 10, is provided within the supply line 116, and allows for regulating the gas flow through the supply line 116 or for closing the cathode region 106 substantially airtight at its introduction region.

[0026] An outlet line 120 is assigned to the cathode region 106 for discharging the cathode exhaust gas. This exhaust gas outlet line 120 leads to a fuel cell exhaust gas device 122, where the water contained in the cathode exhaust gas can be separated, for example, by means of a water separator. Furthermore, a further actuating flap assembly 10' is arranged in the outlet line 120, which allows the outlet line 120 and thus the outlet region of the cathode region 106 to be closed substantially gas-tight.

[0027] A bypass line 124 extends between the supply line 116 and the outlet line 120 of the cathode region 106. An actuating flap arrangement assembly 10'' is also disposed within the bypass line 124, and the actuating flap arrangement assembly 10'' can regulate gas flow through the bypass line 124 or can close the bypass line 124 substantially airtight.

[0028] 1 and described above is merely one example of many different possibilities for supplying and exhausting gases, particularly in the cathode region 106. What is important is that there is at least one, and possibly multiple, actuating flap arrangement assemblies 10, 10', 10" disposed corresponding to the cathode region 106, and if multiple actuating flap arrangement assemblies 10, 10', 10" are provided, these may be essentially identical in structure to one another or may be configured differently depending on the region in which they are positioned and the level of gas tightness they can provide.

[0029] The actuating flap configuration assembly 10 shown in FIG. 2 and used, for example, in the fuel cell system 100 shown in FIG. 1, includes an actuating flap drive device 12, for example, an electric motor, and includes an actuating flap, generally designated by the reference numeral 16, in an actuating flap casing 14 formed in a tubular shape and surrounding a gas flow path 46.

[0030] The actuating flap 16 comprises a disk-shaped actuating flap body 24 which is pivotally supported on the pivot shaft 18 about the pivot shaft axis A and which comprises two actuating flap body parts 20, 22, each of which provides one flap blade. The actuating flap casing 14 is provided with an actuating flap seat 26 corresponding to the actuating flap 16, against which the actuating flap 16 rests in a closing region 40 which is radially outwardly positioned with respect to the central region Z of the actuating flap 16 when in the closed position.

[0031] To move the actuating flap 16 between a closed position and a fully open position in which the disk-shaped actuating flap body 24 is oriented substantially perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in Figure 1, thereby substantially fully opening the gas flow passage 46 in the actuating flap casing 14 for flow, the drive shaft 34 of the actuating flap drive device 12 is connected by a coupling device 32 for rotation therewith to the pivot shaft 18, which is pivotally supported about the pivot axis A in the bearing areas 28, 30 of the actuating flap casing 14. The coupling device 32 includes, for example, a coupling part 38 non-rotatably connected to the drive shaft 34 and a coupling part 36 non-rotatably connected to the pivot shaft 18, the coupling part 36 being in rotationally coupled engagement with the coupling part 38.

[0032] The two bearing regions 28, 30 each have a bearing bushing 42, 44 supported on the operating flap casing 14, for example fixed by welding to the outer circumferential surface of the operating flap casing 14, and the respective axial end sections of the pivot shaft 18 are accommodated in the bearing bushings 42, 44 so as to be rotatable about the pivot shaft axis A.

[0033] Of the two bearing areas 28, 30, the bearing area 28 forms a first bearing area in which a first pivot shaft end section 48 of the pivot shaft 18 is rotatably supported. The first pivot shaft end section 48 projects axially beyond the first bearing area 28 so as to be connected to the drive shaft 34 by a coupling device 32. The bearing area 30 forms a second bearing area in which a second pivot shaft end section 50 of the pivot shaft 18 is rotatably supported about the pivot shaft axis A.

[0034] 3 shows the first bearing area 28 in detail. The first bearing area 28 comprises a bearing bush 42 that is fixed gas-tightly to the outer circumferential surface 54 of the actuating flap casing 14, for example by means of a completely annular weld seam 52. The bearing bush 42 has a peripheral wall 56 and, adjoining the peripheral wall 56, a bottom 58 with an opening 60 through which the pivot shaft 18 penetrates. It should be noted that the bearing bush 42 may simply have the peripheral wall 56 and not have a bottom wall. This allows for easier fixing of the bearing bush 42 in the actuating flap casing 14 or for the design of the bearing bush 42 to be easier to manufacture, especially when the outer circumferential surface 54 of the actuating flap casing 14 has a curved contour.

[0035] A bearing unit, generally designated 62, is accommodated in the bearing bush 42. In the illustrated embodiment, the bearing unit 62 has a bearing ring 64 that receives and radially supports the first pivot shaft end section 48 and is therefore configured as a plain bearing unit. The bearing ring 64 is accommodated in the bearing bush 42 by a press fit and is therefore held in an axially defined position on the peripheral wall 56 of the bearing bush 42. The pivot shaft 18 can be axially supported on the bearing ring 64 by a flange-shaped pivot shaft head 66 provided on the first pivot shaft end section 48. The preload that holds the pivot head 66 of the pivot shaft 18 against the bearing ring 64 can be provided by a preload spring 68 acting between the pivot shaft 18 or the connecting part 36 and the drive shaft 34 or the connecting part 38, whereby a defined positioning of the bearing ring 64 in the bearing bush 42 also determines a defined positioning of the pivot shaft 18 and thus of the entire actuating flap 16 in the actuating flap casing 14.

[0036] To provide a gas-tight closure of the first bearing region 28, an annular disk-shaped sealing element made of an elastomer material, generally designated 70, is further provided. A retaining section 72 of the sealing element 70 is held or axially clamped between the bearing ring 64 and the bottom 58 of the bearing bush 42. A sealing section 74 of the sealing element 70 rests radially inwardly against the outer circumferential surface of the pivot shaft 18 with a radial preload. An opening 76 is formed in the sealing section 74 and is pierced by the pivot shaft 18. It should be noted that the bearing play formed between the bearing ring 64 and the pivot shaft 18 in FIG. 3 is exaggerated in order to better illustrate the configuration of the sealing element 70.

[0037] By applying an axial load to the sealing element 70 by the bearing ring 64 and by axially tightening the retaining section 72 between the bearing ring 64 and the base 58, the essentially deformable but substantially incompressible sealing element 70 is loaded radially inward, so that the retaining section 72 is pressed more firmly against the outer surface of the pivot shaft 18. In order to achieve a surface-to-surface contact between the sealing element 70 and the base 58, the base 58 is designed substantially planar in the region that axially supports the sealing element 70 and is oriented perpendicular to the pivot shaft axis A. Correspondingly, the bearing ring 64 is also designed substantially planar and oriented perpendicular to the pivot shaft axis A at the end face that presses the sealing element 70 against the base 58.

[0038] Corresponding to the substantially planar configuration of the bottom 58, it is suggested that the actuating flap casing 14, in the region supporting the bearing bush 42, can also be configured substantially planar and oriented perpendicular to the pivot axis A. This also applies in particular when the bearing bush 42 does not have a bottom, so that the sealing element 70 is pressed against the outer circumferential surface 54 of the actuating flap casing 14 by the bearing ring 64.

[0039] To ensure that the sealing element 70 remains radially pressed against the pivot shaft 18 under axial loading, the bearing ring 64 is received in the bearing bush 42 by a press fit, as already explained. The frictional forces occurring between the bearing ring 64 and the peripheral wall 56 of the bearing bush 42 during this press fit or press fit are such that, when the force F applied to press the bearing ring 64 is removed after pressing the bearing ring 64 in, the bearing ring 64 remains in the bearing bush 42 in a position in which it applies an axial load to the sealing element 70 and which is thereby deformed radially inwards.

[0040] 2 and 3, the bearing ring 64, and together with it the sealing element 70, can be positioned in the bearing bush 42 before the pivot shaft is positioned in the actuating flap casing 14. Alternatively, if the bearing bush 42 is already attached to the actuating flap casing 14, the pivot shaft 18 can first be positioned in the actuating flap casing 14 and thus in the bearing bush 42 at the pivot shaft end section 48, after which the bearing ring 64 and the sealing element 70 are positioned in the bearing bush 42. To avoid interference by the pivot shaft head 66 during assembly, the pivot shaft head 66 can be positioned on the pivot shaft 18 and fixed, for example by welding, only after the pivot shaft 18 has been positioned in both bearing regions 28, 30.

[0041] It is to be noted that such a structure may also be provided in principle in the second bearing region 30. However, since the pivot shaft 18 does not emerge from the second bearing region 30, a gas-tight closure can also be achieved by the bearing bush 44 of the second bearing region 30 completely surrounding the second pivot shaft end section, i.e. also in the axial direction, for example by providing a cover on the circumferential wall of the bearing bush 44 that closes off the bearing bush 44 in the axial direction.

[0042] Finally, it is emphasized that the actuating flap arrangement assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention may also be used in other applications, particularly in stationary fuel cell systems.

Claims

1. An actuating flap structure assembly, comprising: an actuating flap casing (14) providing a gas flow path (46); and an actuating flap (16) positionably adjustable within the actuating flap casing (14) between a closed position for blocking gas flow through the gas flow path (46) and at least one open position for opening the gas flow path (46) for gas flow, the actuating flap (16) having a disk-shaped actuating flap body (24) supported on a pivot (18) rotatable about a pivot axis (A), the pivot (18) being connected to a first shaft provided on the actuating flap casing (14) to be connected to a pivot drive (12). the actuating flap casing (14) has a first pivot shaft end section (48) rotatably supported about the pivot shaft axis (A) in a receiving area (28), and a second pivot shaft end section (50) rotatably supported about the pivot shaft axis (A) in a second bearing area (30) provided in the actuating flap casing (14), wherein at least one of the first bearing area (28) and the second bearing area (30) comprises a bearing unit (62) rotatably supporting the pivot shaft (18) and at least one sealing element (70) abutting against the outer circumferential surface of the pivot shaft (18) and loaded axially by the bearing unit (62); the at least one sealing element (70) has a retaining section (72) axially loaded by the bearing unit (62) and a sealing section (74) abutting against the pivot shaft (18), the bearing unit (62) comprises at least one bearing ring (64), and the retaining section (72) of the at least one sealing element (70) is retained between the at least one bearing ring (64) and a bottom (58) of a bearing bush (42) of the at least one bearing region and / or the operating flap casing (14); the at least one bearing region is the first bearing region (28); the pivot (18) is axially supported on the bearing ring (64) by a flange-like pivot head (66) provided on the first pivot end section (48); Actuated flap configuration assembly.

2. 2. The actuating flap arrangement assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one sealing element (70) annularly surrounds the pivot axis (A) and / or the bearing unit (62) annularly surrounds the pivot axis (A).

3. 3. The actuating flap arrangement assembly of claim 1, wherein the retaining segment (72) extends radially, and the sealing segment (74) extends radially inward from the retaining segment (72) toward the pivot axis (18).

4. 3. The actuating flap arrangement assembly according to claim 1, wherein in the region supporting the at least one sealing element, the bottom (58) of the bearing bush (42) and / or the actuating flap casing (14) are oriented perpendicular to the pivot axis (A) and are formed flat.

5. 3. The actuating flap arrangement assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one bearing ring (64) is retained within the bearing bushing (42) by a press fit.

6. The actuating flap arrangement assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the bearing unit (62) is a plain bearing unit.

7. The actuating flap arrangement assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one sealing element (70) is constructed from an elastomeric material.

8. 3. A method of manufacturing an actuating flap configuration assembly according to claim 1 or 2, comprising the steps of: a) disposing said at least one sealing element (70) in a bearing bushing (42) of said at least one bearing region; b) press-fitting at least one bearing ring (64) of the bearing unit (62) into the bearing bush (42) such that the at least one bearing ring (64) applies an axial load to the at least one sealing element (70), the at least one sealing element (70) being deformed radially inwards by the axial load; A method comprising:

9. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein steps a) and b) are performed after the pivot (18) is positioned with one pivot end section thereof to engage within the bearing bushing of the at least one bearing region.

10. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein steps a) and b) are performed before the pivot is positioned with one of its pivot end sections (48, 50) to engage within the bearing bushing (42) of the at least one bearing region.

11. A fuel cell system comprising at least one actuating flap arrangement assembly (10) according to claim 1 or 2.

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