Hydrogen gas valve device and hydrogen gas valve body provided therewith

Abstract

This hydrogen gas valve device controls the flow of hydrogen gas and comprises: a valve body; and a housing that includes a valve port through which the hydrogen gas flows, a valve seat around the valve port, and an inner wall surface into which the valve body is inserted, the housing being made of aluminum, chromium molybdenum steel, or stainless steel, wherein the valve body includes a seat part that is made of a non-thermoplastic resin and is seated on the valve seat, and a sliding part that is made of a thermoplastic resin and slides on the inner wall surface.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hydrogen gas valve device that controls the flow of hydrogen gas, and a hydrogen gas valve body provided therein. [Background technology]

[0002] Known examples of valve devices for hydrogen gas include the valve device disclosed in Patent Document 1. The valve device of Patent Document 1 includes a sleeve having a valve seat sealing surface and a poppet valve body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-001765 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In hydrogen gas valve devices, one of the valve seat and valve disc is often made of resin, while the other is made of metal, from the perspective of sealing performance. In the valve device of Patent Document 1, the sleeve (valve seat) is made of metal. The poppet disc is made of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) or polyimide (PI). Poppet discs made of thermoplastic resins such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK) are difficult to apply to valve devices where the seat portion becomes hot. Therefore, it is possible to adopt a poppet disc made of non-thermoplastic polyimide (PI). However, poppet discs made of non-thermoplastic resins are generally manufactured by cutting them out of a block of non-thermoplastic resin. Therefore, molding the entire poppet disc is not easy. Furthermore, when the valve disc is made of metal, the seat on which the valve disc sits is made of resin. Therefore, when a seat disc made of non-thermoplastic resin is applied to a valve device, molding the seat disc is also not easy.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the first invention is to provide a hydrogen gas valve device in which the valve body can be easily molded, and a hydrogen gas valve body provided therein.

[0006] A second object of the present invention is to provide a hydrogen gas valve device in which the sheet body can be easily formed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The hydrogen gas valve device of the present invention is a hydrogen gas valve device that controls the flow of hydrogen gas, and is equipped with a housing made of aluminum, chrome-molybdenum steel, or stainless steel, which includes a valve body, a valve port through which hydrogen gas flows, a valve seat around the valve port, and an inner wall surface into which the valve body is inserted, and the valve body includes a seat portion made of a non-thermoplastic resin that seats on the valve seat, and a sliding portion made of a thermoplastic resin that slides on the inner wall surface.

[0008] According to the present invention, the housing is made of aluminum, chrome molybdenum steel, or stainless steel. Therefore, the housing is resistant to hydrogen embrittlement. The valve seat included in the housing is also made of aluminum, chrome molybdenum steel, or stainless steel. The seat portion repeatedly seats on the aluminum, chrome molybdenum steel, or stainless steel valve seat. In this regard, since the seat portion is made of a non-thermoplastic resin, the durability of the seat portion can be improved. On the other hand, since the sliding portion is made of a thermoplastic resin, molding of the valve body can be facilitated.

[0009] The hydrogen gas valve device of the present invention is a hydrogen gas valve body provided in a hydrogen gas valve device that controls the flow of hydrogen gas, and includes a seat portion made of a non-thermoplastic resin that seats on a valve seat, and a sliding portion made of a thermoplastic resin that is slidably inserted into the housing of the hydrogen gas valve device.

[0010] According to the present invention, the seat portion that seats on the valve seat is made of a non-thermoplastic resin, which improves the durability of the seat portion against repeated seating. On the other hand, the sliding portion is made of a thermoplastic resin, which enables injection molding. This makes it easy to form the sliding portion of the valve body. In other words, it makes it easy to mold the valve body.

[0011] The hydrogen gas valve device of the present invention is a hydrogen gas valve device that controls the flow of hydrogen gas, and comprises a valve body made of aluminum, chrome molybdenum steel, or stainless steel, and a housing into which the valve body is inserted, the housing including a seat body on which the valve body sits and a housing main body in which the seat body is housed, the seat body including a seat body main body having a valve port through which hydrogen gas flows, and a valve seat member provided around the valve port and facing the valve body, the seat body main body being made of a thermoplastic resin, and the valve seat member being made of a non-thermoplastic resin.

[0012] According to the present invention, the valve disc is made of aluminum, chrome molybdenum steel, or stainless steel, and therefore has hydrogen embrittlement resistance to hydrogen gas. On the other hand, a valve disc made of aluminum, chrome molybdenum steel, or stainless steel will repeatedly seat on the valve seat member. Since the valve seat member is made of a non-thermoplastic resin, the durability of the valve seat member can be improved. On the other hand, since the seat body main body is made of a thermoplastic resin, the seat body can be easily molded. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, the valve body and the seat body can be easily molded.

[0014] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a valve device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a main valve body taken out from the valve device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded cross-sectional view showing the valve body of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is a left side view showing the seat portion of FIG. 3 from the left side of the paper surface. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a valve device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a main valve body according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the main valve body of FIG. 6 taken along line VII-VII. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a main valve body according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a valve body according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The valve devices 1, 1A and the main valve bodies 12, 12A provided therein according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the concepts of directions used in the following description are used for convenience of explanation and do not limit the orientation of the configuration of the invention to those directions. Furthermore, the valve devices 1, 1A and main valve bodies 12, 12A described below are merely one embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and additions, deletions, and modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and additions, deletions, and modifications are possible within the scope of the invention.

[0017] First Embodiment The valve device 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a hydrogen gas valve device that controls the flow of hydrogen gas. The valve device 1 is provided in a flow path through which hydrogen gas flows. The valve device 1 is provided in, for example, a pressure vessel filled with hydrogen gas, more specifically, a tank valve provided in a high-pressure tank (not shown). The valve device 1 controls the filling and discharging of hydrogen gas stored in the high-pressure tank. In this embodiment, the valve device 1 is a solenoid valve device that can open a passage of a tank valve (for example, a valve passage 32a described below) by applying electricity. Here, the valve device 1 is a pilot-type solenoid valve device. The valve device 1 includes a housing 11, a main valve element 12, a first spring member 13, a pilot valve element 14, a solenoid 15, a fixed magnetic pole 16, a plunger 17, and a second spring member 18.

[0018] <Housing> The housing 11 is made of aluminum, chrome-molybdenum steel, or stainless steel. In this embodiment, the housing 11 is made of aluminum. The housing 11 includes an inner wall surface 21 into which the main valve element 12 is inserted, a valve port 22 through which gas flows, and a valve seat 23 around the valve port 22. More specifically, the housing 11 includes a housing body 31, a seat body 32, and a guide member 33.

[0019] The housing body 31 has an insertion hole 31a and a housing passage 31b. The insertion hole 31a extends along a predetermined axis L1 in the housing body 31. More specifically, the insertion hole 31a has, in order from one side in the axial direction in which the axis L1 extends, a small diameter portion 31c, a medium diameter portion 31d, and a large diameter portion 31e. The housing passage 31b is connected to the insertion hole 31a via an opening in the side surface of the medium diameter portion 31d.

[0020] The seat body 32 is inserted into the insertion hole 31a so that its axis coincides with the axis L1. More specifically, the seat body 32 is disposed from the small diameter portion 31c to the medium diameter portion 31d. The seat body 32 directly or indirectly abuts against the bottom (not shown) of the insertion hole 31a.

[0021] The seat body 32 includes an inner wall surface 21, a valve port 22, and a valve seat 23. The seat body 32 is cylindrical. The inner hole of the seat body 32 has a valve passage 32a and a sliding hole 32b. The valve passage 32a is connected to the sliding hole 32b via the valve port 22. The valve passage 32a is located on one axial side of the valve port 22. The sliding hole 32b is located on the other axial side of the valve port 22. The main valve element 12 is inserted into the sliding hole 32b. The main valve element 12 slides on the inner wall surface 21 of the sliding hole 32b. The sliding hole 32b has a larger diameter than the valve passage 32a. The valve seat 23 is formed around the valve port 22.

[0022] The seat body 32 has a plurality of side holes 32c. The side holes 32c are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the seat body 32 and penetrate the seat body 32 in the radial direction. Furthermore, an annular passage 34 is formed between the seat body 32 and the insertion hole 31a. The side holes 32c open to the annular passage 34. The annular passage 34 is further connected to the housing passage 31b. As a result, the valve passage 32a is connected to the housing passage 31b via the slide hole 32b, the side holes 32c, and the annular passage 34.

[0023] <Guide parts> The pilot valve element 14 and the plunger 17 are inserted through the guide member 33. The guide member 33 guides the plunger 17 in a sliding manner. The guide member 33 is a metallic cylindrical member. The guide member 33 is inserted into the insertion hole 31a. More specifically, the guide member 33 is inserted into the large diameter portion 31e. The guide member 33 abuts against the other end of the seat body 32. The guide member 33 fixes the seat body 32 by directly or indirectly pressing the seat body 32 against the bottom of the insertion hole 31a. The guide member 33 also has a stopper 33a. The stopper 33a protrudes circumferentially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the guide member 33.

[0024] <Main valve body> The main valve element 12, which is an example of a valve element, is inserted into the insertion hole 31a. The main valve element 12 slides on the inner wall surface 21 of the housing 11. More specifically, the main valve element 12 is inserted into the slide hole 32b of the seat body 32. The main valve element 12 slides on the inner wall surface 21 of the seat body 32. The main valve element 12 seats on the valve seat 23. This closes the valve passage 32a. A first spring member 13 is fitted to the main valve element 12. The first spring member 13 urges the main valve element 12 away from the valve seat 23. This opens the valve passage 32a. In this way, the main valve element 12 opens and closes the valve passage 32a, thereby controlling the flow of hydrogen gas.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 2, the main valve body 12 has a communication passage 12a, an insertion hole 12b, and a seat 12c. The communication passage 12a opens to the valve port 22. The insertion hole 12b is connected to the communication passage 12a. The communication passage 12a and the insertion hole 12b are formed along the axis L2 of the main valve body 12. The communication passage 12a and the insertion hole 12b are connected to each other. The communication passage 12a opens at one end of the main valve body 12, and the insertion hole 12b opens at the other end of the main valve body 12. The seat 12c is formed around the opening of the communication passage 12a that faces the insertion hole 12b.

[0026] The main valve element 12 includes a seat portion 41 and a sliding portion 42. The seat portion 41 is made of a non-thermoplastic resin and seats on the valve seat 23. Here, the non-thermoplastic resin is a resin material that is not a thermoplastic resin, such as a resin that hardens when heated. In this embodiment, the non-thermoplastic resin is Vespel SP-1. However, the non-thermoplastic resin is not limited to Vespel SP-1. The non-thermoplastic resin also includes a thermosetting resin. The seat portion 41 forms a portion on one axial side of the main valve element 12. In this embodiment, the seat portion 41 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The inner hole of the seat portion 41 forms the communicating passage 12a. The portion of the seat portion 41 around the opening on the other axial side of the inner hole forms the seat portion 12c. Therefore, the seat portion 12c is also made of a non-thermoplastic resin.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3 , the seat portion 41 includes a seating portion 44 and an engagement portion 45. The seating portion 44 has a seat surface 44a at one axial end. The seat surface 44a is seated on the valve seat 23 to close the valve port 22. The engagement portion 45 protrudes from the other axial end of the seating portion 44 in the other axial direction. The engagement portion 45 has a constriction 45a and an engagement portion-side flat surface 45b. The constriction 45a is recessed in the radial direction. More specifically, the constriction 45a is located on the seating portion 44 side of the engagement portion 45, and multiple constrictions 45a are arranged circumferentially and spaced apart. In this embodiment, two constrictions 45a are arranged 180 degrees apart in the circumferential direction. The engagement portion-side flat surface 45b is a surface that intersects the radial direction (see also FIG. 4 ). In this embodiment, the engagement portion-side flat surface 45b is a surface that is perpendicular to the radial direction. The engagement portion-side flat surface 45b is located closer to the other axial end than the constriction 45a in the engagement portion 45. The constriction 45a may be formed around the entire circumference of the engagement portion 45 in the circumferential direction.

[0028] The sliding portion 42 is made of a thermoplastic resin and slides on the inner wall surface 21 as shown in FIG. 1. Here, the thermoplastic resin is a resin that melts or softens when heated and then solidifies when cooled. In this embodiment, the thermoplastic resin is polyether ether ketone (PEEK). However, the thermoplastic resin is not limited to PEEK. In this embodiment, the sliding portion 42 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The inner hole of the sliding portion 42 forms the insertion hole 12b. More specifically, the engagement portion side flat surface 45b is disposed between the multiple constrictions 45a. The engagement portion side flat surfaces 45b are disposed at positions offset from each other by 180 degrees.

[0029] The sliding portion 42 is inserted into the sliding hole 32b of the seat body 32. As described above, the sliding portion 42 slides on the inner wall surface 21. The sliding portion 42 is disposed around the engaging portion 45 and is fixed to the seat portion 41 so as to be immovable relative to the seat portion 41.

[0030] The sliding portion 42 has an engagement protrusion 42a and a sliding portion-side flat surface 42c. The engagement protrusion 42a engages with the constriction 45a. The sliding portion-side flat surface 42c abuts against the engagement portion-side flat surface 45b. More specifically, the sliding portion 42 has an engagement hole 42b on one axial side thereof, shaped to correspond to the engagement portion 45. The engagement hole 42b has engagement protrusions 42a at positions corresponding to the multiple constrictions 45a, and also has engagement protrusions 42a on the sliding portion-side flat surface 42c at positions corresponding to the engagement portion-side flat surface 45b. Therefore, by fitting the engagement portion 45 into the engagement hole 42b, the sliding portion 42 is fixed to the seat portion 41 so as to be non-rotatable and non-movable in the axial direction, i.e., non-movable relative to the seat portion 41.

[0031] <Pilot valve> The pilot valve element 14 moves to open and close the communication passage 12a of the main valve element 12. Explaining this in more detail, the pilot valve element 14 is slidably inserted into the insertion hole 12b of the main valve element 12. The tip of the pilot valve element 14 seats on the seating portion 12c of the main valve element 12. This closes the communication passage 12a. The pilot valve element 14 also moves away from the seating portion 12c. This opens the communication passage 12a.

[0032] <Solenoid and fixed magnetic pole> The solenoid 15 is accommodated in the housing 11. More specifically, the solenoid 15 is mounted on a guide member 33. When energized, the solenoid 15 generates a magnetic field. The fixed magnetic pole 16 is provided in the housing main body 31 so as to close the opening of the insertion hole 31a. The fixed magnetic pole 16 presses the solenoid 15 against the housing main body 31. The tip of the fixed magnetic pole 16 is inserted into the guide member 33. The fixed magnetic pole 16 cooperates with the solenoid 15 to generate an excitation force, which moves the main valve element 12.

[0033] <Plunger> The plunger 17 is made of a magnetic material. The plunger 17 moves the pilot valve element 14 in the other axial direction depending on whether the solenoid 15 is energized. More specifically, the plunger 17 is inserted into a guide member 33. The plunger 17 is disposed on the other axial side of the stopper 33a. The pilot valve element 14 is inserted into and engaged with the plunger 17. Therefore, when the plunger 17 moves in the other axial direction, the pilot valve element 14 is lifted. This allows the pilot valve element 14 to separate from the seating portion 12c.

[0034] <Second spring member> The second spring member 18, which is a biasing member, biases the pilot valve element 14. The biasing force of the second spring member 18 causes the pilot valve element 14 to seat on the seating portion 12c. The second spring member 18 presses the main valve element 12 against the valve seat 23 via the seated pilot valve element 14. In this embodiment, the second spring member 18 is a compression coil spring. The second spring member 18 is inserted into the plunger 17 while being compressed between the fixed magnetic pole 16 and the pilot valve element 14.

[0035] <Valve device operation> In the valve device 1, the valve port 22 is closed when the main valve element 12 is seated on the valve seat 23. This stops the flow of gas through the valve device 1. When hydrogen gas with a higher pressure than the gas pressure in the housing passage 31b flows through the valve passage 32a, the main valve element 12 is lifted against the biasing force of the second spring member 18. This opens the valve port 22. Then, hydrogen gas is guided from the valve passage 32a through the slide hole 32b, the side hole 32c, and the annular passage 34 to the housing passage 31b. When the differential pressure between the gas pressure in the housing passage 31b and the gas pressure in the valve passage 32a reaches a predetermined value, the main valve element 12 is seated on the valve seat 23. This closes the valve port 22. This stops the flow of gas through the valve device 1.

[0036] Next, when the solenoid 15 is energized, an excitation force is generated, moving the main valve element 12 to the open position. More specifically, when the solenoid 15 is energized, the plunger 17 is attracted to the fixed magnetic pole 16. This causes the pilot valve element 14 to be lifted against the biasing force of the second spring member 18. This opens the communication passage 12a, connecting the housing passage 31b and the valve passage 32a via the communication passage 12a. This increases the gas pressure in the valve passage 32a. This eventually causes the main valve element 12 to be lifted by the first spring member 13. This causes the main valve element 12 to move away from the valve seat 23. This opens the valve port 22. This then connects the housing passage 31b and the valve passage 32a via the annular passage 34, the side hole 32c, and the sliding hole 32b. This allows hydrogen gas to flow from the housing passage 31b to the valve passage 32a.

[0037] According to the valve device 1 of the first embodiment, the housing 11 is made of aluminum. Therefore, the housing 11 is resistant to hydrogen embrittlement. The valve seat 23 included in the housing 11 is also made of aluminum. The seat portion 41 repeatedly seats on the aluminum valve seat 23. In this regard, since the seat portion 41 is made of a non-thermoplastic resin, the durability of the seat portion 41 can be improved. Furthermore, since the sliding portion 42 is made of a thermoplastic resin, molding of the main valve body 12 can be facilitated. For example, the sliding portion 42 can be molded by pouring a thermoplastic resin into a mold. Note that even if the housing 11 is made of chromium-molybdenum steel or stainless steel, the same effects as when the housing 11 is made of aluminum can be achieved.

[0038] Furthermore, according to the valve device 1 of the first embodiment, the sliding portion 42 is disposed around the engaging portion 45 of the seat portion 41, thereby fixing the seat portion 41 to the sliding portion 42 so that the seat portion 41 cannot move relative to the sliding portion 42. This makes it possible to prevent the seat portion 41 from contacting the valve seat 23 unevenly. Furthermore, because the seat portion 41 is fixed to the sliding portion 42 by the engaging portion 45, the main valve body 12 can be formed with a simple structure.

[0039] Furthermore, according to the valve device 1 of the first embodiment, by engaging the engaging protrusion 42a with the constriction 45a, it is possible to prevent the seat portion 41 from moving in the axial direction relative to the sliding portion 42. Furthermore, the main valve body 12 can be formed with a simple structure of the constriction 45a and the engaging protrusion 42a.

[0040] Furthermore, according to the valve device 1 of the first embodiment, by abutting the engagement portion-side flat surface 45b against the sliding portion-side flat surface 42c, it is possible to prevent the seat portion 41 from moving around the axis, i.e., rotating relative to the sliding portion 42. Furthermore, the main valve body 12 can be formed with a simple structure of the engagement portion-side flat surface 45b and the sliding portion-side flat surface 42c.

[0041] Furthermore, according to the valve device 1 of the first embodiment, the seat portion 12c on which the pilot valve element 14 is seated is also made of a non-thermoplastic resin, which makes it possible to improve the durability of the main valve element 12.

[0042] Furthermore, according to the main valve body 12 of the first embodiment, the seat portion 41 that seats on the valve seat 23 is made of a non-thermoplastic resin, which improves the durability of the seat portion 41 against repeated seating. On the other hand, because the sliding portion 42 is made of a thermoplastic resin, the sliding portion 42 can be produced by, for example, injection molding. This makes it easy to form the sliding portion 42 of the main valve body 12. This makes it easy to mold the main valve body 12.

[0043] Second Embodiment The valve device 1A and main valve body 12A of the second embodiment are similar in configuration to the valve device 1 and main valve body 12 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the configuration of the valve device 1A of the second embodiment will be described mainly focusing on the differences from the valve device 1 and main valve body 12 of the first embodiment, and the same components will be assigned the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 5, the valve device 1A of the second embodiment includes a housing 11A, a main valve element 12A, a first spring member 13, a pilot valve element 14, a solenoid 15, a fixed magnetic pole 16, a plunger 17, and a second spring member 18. Note that Fig. 5 mainly shows the housing 11A and the main valve element 12A.

[0045] <Housing> The main valve element 12A is inserted into the housing 11A. The housing 11A includes a housing body 31A, a seat body 32A, and a guide member 33. The housing body 31A is made of aluminum, chrome molybdenum steel, or stainless steel. In this embodiment, the housing body 31A is made of aluminum. The seat body 32A is accommodated in the housing body 31A.

[0046] In this embodiment, the seat body 32A includes a seat body main body 51 and a valve seat member 52. The seat body main body 51 has an inner wall surface 21 and a valve port 22. An inner hole is formed in the seat body main body 51. The inner hole of the seat body main body 51 forms a valve passage 32a, a sliding hole 32b, and a plurality of side holes 32c.

[0047] The sheet body main body 51 is made of a thermoplastic resin. In this embodiment, the thermoplastic resin is PEEK. However, the thermoplastic resin is not limited to PEEK. The valve seat member 52 is made of a non-thermoplastic resin. In this embodiment, the non-thermoplastic resin is Vespel SP-1. However, the non-thermoplastic resin is not limited to Vespel SP-1. The non-thermoplastic resin also includes a thermosetting resin.

[0048] The valve seat member 52 is provided around the valve port 22. The valve seat member 52 forms a valve seat 23A around the valve port 22. That is, the valve seat member 52 faces the main valve element 12A. The main valve element 12A is seated on the valve seat member 52. The valve seat member 52 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The inner hole of the valve seat member 52 faces the valve port 22 of the seat body main body 51.

[0049] The main valve body 12A is made of aluminum, chrome molybdenum steel, or stainless steel. In this embodiment, the main valve body 12A is made of aluminum. The main valve body 12A has the same shape as the main valve body 12 of the first embodiment. The main valve body 12A may be a one-piece body. Also, the main valve body 12A may be made of multiple members, like the main valve body 12. The main valve body 12A slides on the inner wall surface 21 of the housing 11A, more specifically, the inner wall surface 21 of the seat body main body 51.

[0050] According to the valve device 1A of the second embodiment, the main valve element 12A is made of aluminum. Therefore, the main valve element 12A has hydrogen embrittlement resistance. On the other hand, the aluminum main valve element 12A is repeatedly seated on the valve seat member 52. However, because the valve seat member 52 is made of a non-thermoplastic resin, the durability of the valve seat member 52 can be improved. Furthermore, because the seat body main body 51 is made of a thermoplastic resin, molding of the seat body 32A can be facilitated.

[0051] In addition, the valve device 1A and the main valve body 12A of the second embodiment have the same functions and effects as the valve device 1 and the main valve body 12 of the first embodiment.

[0052] <Other embodiments> The valve device 1 of this embodiment is a pilot-operated solenoid valve device, and the main valve element 12 is moved via the pilot valve element 14 and the plunger 17, but it does not necessarily have to be configured in this manner. That is, the main valve element 12 may be attracted to the fixed magnetic pole 16. Also, a second spring member 18 may bias the main valve element 12 toward the closed position. Furthermore, the valve device 1 is not necessarily limited to a solenoid valve, and may be a relief valve or a check valve.

[0053] Furthermore, although the main valve bodies 12, 12A are formed by insert molding the sliding portion 42 into the seat portion 41 made of a non-thermoplastic resin, they may be formed by other methods. For example, the main valve bodies 12, 12A may be formed by fitting or screwing the seat portion 41 and the sliding portion 42 together. Alternatively, the main valve bodies 12, 12A may be formed by fastening the seat portion 41 and the sliding portion 42 together with a fastener such as a bolt. Furthermore, the seat portion 41 does not necessarily have to have the engaging portion 45; the sliding portion 42 may have the engaging portion. In this case, an engaging hole corresponding to the engaging portion 45 is formed in the seat portion 41.

[0054] Furthermore, in the valve device 1 of this embodiment, the seat bodies 32, 32A have the inner wall surface 21, but the housing main body 31, 31A or the guide member 33 may have the inner wall surface 21. That is, the main valve body 12, 12A may be slidably supported by the housing main body 31, 31A or the guide member 33.

[0055] Furthermore, in the valve device 1 of this embodiment, anti-rotation is achieved by abutting the engagement portion-side flat surface 45b and the sliding portion-side flat surface 42c, but this is not limited to this. For example, anti-rotation may be achieved by forming cutting marks on the outer peripheral surface of the engagement portion 45 or the inner peripheral surface of the engagement hole of the sliding portion 42. The outer peripheral surface of the engagement portion 45 may also be elliptical. Furthermore, anti-rotation may be achieved by forming irregularities on the outer peripheral surface of the engagement portion 45 or the inner peripheral surface of the engagement hole of the sliding portion 42. The irregularities may be formed by processing with a surface roughening material, or by simply forming irregularities.

[0056] As an example of forming concaves and convexes, the main valve body 12B may be configured as follows, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The main valve body 12B has an engagement portion 45B with a locking groove 45c on the other axial end side of the constriction 45a. In this embodiment, the engagement portion 45B has four locking grooves 45c. However, the number of locking grooves 45c is not limited to this and may be one, five or more. The four locking grooves 45c are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the engagement portion 45B. The four locking grooves 45c are recessed in the radial direction. The sliding portion 42B has locking protrusions 42d in the engagement hole 42b at positions corresponding to the locking grooves 45c. The locking protrusions 42d protrude in the radial direction. The locking protrusions 42d engage with the locking grooves 45c when the engagement portion 45B is fitted into the engagement hole 42b. This fixes the sliding portion 42B to the seat portion 41B so that it cannot rotate. The same effect can be achieved even if a locking protrusion is formed on the engaging portion 45B and an engaging groove is formed in the engaging hole 42b of the sliding portion 42B. Furthermore, the locking groove 45c does not need to extend axially to the constricted portion 45a of the engaging portion 45B, but may extend only to the middle portion in the axial direction. In this case, the end surface of the constricted portion 45a of the locking groove 45c may be formed in a partially spherical shape (e.g., a quarter-hemispherical shape).

[0057] Furthermore, the main valve body 12, 12A in the valve device 1, 1A may be configured as the main valve body 12C shown in FIG. 8. That is, the main valve body 12C is formed, for example, by two-color molding, in which the sliding portion 42C, which is a secondary material, is injection-molded around the engaging portion 45 of the seat portion 41C, which is a primary material. Alternatively, the sliding portion 42C may be the primary material, and the seat portion 41C may be the secondary material. The main valve body 12C includes a molding boundary portion 12d. The molding boundary portion 12d is exposed, i.e., appears on the outer surface, where the seat portion 41 and the sliding portion 42C are adjacent to each other. In the main valve body 12C, the surface of the sliding portion 42 is roughened at the molding boundary portion 12d on the outer surface. On the other hand, the surface of the seat portion 41 is machined in this embodiment.

[0058] More specifically, a step 41a is formed on the outer periphery of the seat portion 41C. The step 41a is formed flush with one axial end face 42e of the sliding portion 42. Therefore, in the main valve body 12C, a molding boundary 12d is formed on the outer surface where the one axial end face 42e of the sliding portion 42 and the step 41a are adjacent to each other, and the molding boundary 12d is exposed to one axial direction. The step 41a of the seat portion 41C is machined before the sliding portion 42C is injection molded. On the other hand, the sliding portion 42C is not machined and has, for example, an unmachined rough surface after injection molding.

[0059] Machining the molding boundary 12d of the main valve body 12C (i.e., machining after injection molding of the secondary material) generates burrs, which are difficult to completely remove by machining. Therefore, the axial end surface 42e of the sliding portion 42C is roughened without being machined to prevent burrs from forming. Furthermore, in the main valve body 12C, the molding boundary 12d faces in one axial direction. Therefore, even if the axial end surface 42e of the sliding portion 42C is roughened, it does not affect the sliding of the main valve body 12C. This allows the main valve body 12C to move smoothly while suppressing burrs from forming. However, the molding boundary 12d does not necessarily have to be formed in a portion of the outer surface facing in one axial direction; it may be formed in any portion of the outer surface.

[0060] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9 , the valve element 12D may not have the communication passage 12a and may instead have a communication hole 42f. The valve element 12D may be used, for example, as a relief valve or a check valve. The valve element 12D includes a seat portion 41D and a sliding portion 42D. The sliding portion 42D has an engagement hole 42b and a communication hole 42f. The engagement hole 42b, which is an example of an engagement hole, is a bottomed hole. The seat portion 41D is fitted and engaged with the engagement hole 42b. In this embodiment, the engagement portion 45 of the seat portion 41D is fitted and engaged with the engagement hole 42b. In this embodiment, the communication hole 42f connects the gap 12e and the outer circumferential surface of the valve element 12D. More specifically, the communication hole 42f extends radially of the valve element 12D and opens at the outer circumferential surface of the sliding portion 42D. Furthermore, the communication hole 42f is connected to the gap 12e between the seat portion 41D and the sliding portion 42D at the bottom side of the engagement hole 42b. However, the communication hole 42f may extend in the axial direction of the valve body 12D and open, for example, at the axial end face of the sliding portion 42D.

[0061] In the valve disc 12D configured in this manner, hydrogen remaining in the gap 12e can be discharged to the outside of the valve disc 12D via the communication hole 42f. In the valve disc 12D, by discharging hydrogen remaining in the gap 12e to the outside of the valve disc 12D, an increase in internal pressure in the gap 12e can be suppressed. Note that although the valve disc 12D in FIG. 9 does not have the communication passage 12a, the valve disc 12D may have the communication passage 12a and may additionally be provided with the communication hole 42f.

[0062] From the above description, many modifications and other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the above description should be construed as illustrative only and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode for carrying out the present invention. Details of the structure and / or function thereof may be substantially changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1,1A Valve device 11,11A Housing 12, 12A, 12B, 12C Main valve body (valve body) 12D Valve body 12a Communication path 12c seating area 12d Molding boundary part 14 Pilot valve body 21 Inner wall surface 22 Valve Orifice 23,23A Valve seat 31, 31A housing body 32, 32A sheet body 41, 41B, 41C, 41D seat section 42, 42B, 42C, 42D sliding parts 42a Engagement protrusion 42c Flat surface on sliding side 42d Locking protrusion 45 Engagement part 45a Waist 45b Engagement side flat surface 45c Locking groove 51 Sheet body 52 Valve seat member

Claims

1. A hydrogen gas valve device for controlling the flow of hydrogen gas, comprising: A valve body, a housing made of aluminum, chrome-molybdenum steel, or stainless steel, including a valve port through which hydrogen gas flows, a valve seat around the valve port, and an inner wall surface into which the valve body is inserted; The valve body includes a seat portion made of a non-thermoplastic resin that seats on the valve seat, and a sliding portion made of a thermoplastic resin that slides on the inner wall surface.

2. The seat portion has an engagement portion.

2. The hydrogen gas valve device according to claim 1, wherein the sliding portion is disposed around the engaging portion and is fixed to the seat portion so as not to be relatively movable.

3. Joining non-thermoplastic and thermoplastic components The engaging portion is formed with a constriction recessed in the radial direction, 3. The hydrogen gas valve device according to claim 2, wherein the sliding portion has an engaging protrusion that engages with the constriction.

4. The engaging portion has at least one engaging portion-side flat surface that intersects with the radial direction, 4. The hydrogen gas valve device according to claim 2, wherein the sliding portion has a sliding portion-side flat surface that abuts against the engagement portion-side flat surface.

5. One of the engaging portion and the sliding portion has a locking groove recessed in a radial direction, 4. The hydrogen gas valve device according to claim 2, wherein the other of the engaging portion and the sliding portion has a locking protrusion that protrudes in a radial direction and engages with the locking groove.

6. the valve body includes a molded boundary portion on an outer surface where the seat portion and the sliding portion are adjacent to each other, 6. The hydrogen gas valve device according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the secondary material, which is one of the seat portion and the sliding portion, is roughened at the molding boundary portion.

7. one of the seat portion and the sliding portion has a bottomed fitting hole; the other of the seat portion and the sliding portion has an engaging portion that engages with the fitting hole, 7. The hydrogen gas valve device according to claim 1, wherein the valve body has a communication hole formed therein, the communication hole connecting the gap between the fitting hole and the engaging portion to the outer surface of the valve body.

8. Further, the valve includes a pilot valve body. The valve body is a main valve body having a communication passage communicating with the valve port and a seat portion, The pilot valve element closes the communication passage by being seated on the seat portion, 7. The hydrogen gas valve device according to claim 1, wherein the seating portion is made of a non-thermoplastic resin.

9. A hydrogen gas valve body provided in a hydrogen gas valve device that controls the flow of hydrogen gas, A hydrogen gas valve body comprising: a seat portion made of a non-thermoplastic resin and seated on a valve seat; and a sliding portion made of a thermoplastic resin and slidably inserted into a housing of the hydrogen gas valve device.

10. A hydrogen gas valve device for controlling the flow of hydrogen gas, comprising: a valve body made of aluminum, chrome molybdenum steel, or stainless steel; a housing into which the valve body is inserted, the housing includes a seat body on which the valve body is seated and a housing main body in which the seat body is accommodated, the seat body includes a seat body main body having a valve port through which hydrogen gas flows, and a valve seat member provided around the valve port and facing the valve body, The sheet body is made of a thermoplastic resin, The hydrogen gas valve device, wherein the valve seat member is made of a non-thermoplastic resin.

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