Cartridge and gas consumption device connection structure

Abstract

To provide a connection structure of a tank and a gas consumption device which can properly connect the tank for storing a gas with the gas consumption device.SOLUTION: On an outer peripheral surface of one of connectors respectively provided at a cartridge and a gas consumption device 30, a plurality of positioning teeth 22 protruding from the outer peripheral surface are formed at intervals in a circumferential direction centered on an axis CL. A plurality of positioning grooves 42, each having a groove width set according to a teeth width in the circumferential direction of the positioning teeth 22, are formed in a circumferential direction of an inner peripheral surface of the other connector. On the inner peripheral surface of the other connector, rotation grooves 44 in each of which the positioning tooth 22 that has passed through the positioning groove 42 rotates around the axis CL are formed. The rotation groove 44 is provided with a stopper 45 with which the one positioning tooth 22 contacts so as to limit rotation of the cartridge within a predetermined rotation angle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection structure between a cartridge and a gas consuming device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a vehicle in which a fuel cell system or the like is used as a gas consuming device and a tank that stores gas for generating electricity in the fuel cell is connected. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-151186 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is also envisioned that a cartridge equipped with a tank may be detachably connected to a gas consuming device. In an emergency, it is desirable to release the gas filled in the cartridge tank in a predetermined circumferential direction via a safety valve. However, depending on the connection position of the cartridge attached to the gas consuming device, it may not be possible to release the gas in the predetermined circumferential direction.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and aims to provide a connection structure between a cartridge and a gas consumption device that can release gas released from the cartridge in a predetermined circumferential direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the connection structure between a cartridge and a gas consumption device according to the present invention is a connection structure for detachably connecting a cylindrical cartridge having a tank for storing gas and a gas consumption device that consumes the gas, with the cartridge and the gas consumption device being housed in the gas consumption device. The cartridge is provided with a safety valve that releases the gas stored in the tank in a predetermined circumferential direction of the cartridge. The gas consumption device has a storage section that houses the cartridge. The storage section is formed with an insertion port through which the cartridge is inserted along the axis of the cartridge. The connection structure has a first connector provided on the tip side of the cartridge in the insertion direction, and a second connector provided on the gas consumption device and connected to the first connector. One of the first and second connectors has an outer circumferential surface. A plurality of positioning teeth protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the one connector are formed on the outer circumferential surface at intervals in the circumferential direction centered on the axis. The other connector has an inner circumferential surface that faces the outer circumferential surface. The inner peripheral surface is formed with a plurality of positioning grooves spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the other connector, the groove widths of which correspond to the tooth widths of the positioning teeth in the circumferential direction. The inner peripheral surface of the other connector is further formed with rotation grooves that allow the positioning teeth that pass through the positioning grooves to rotate around the axis relative to the other connector when the cartridge is inserted. The rotation groove is formed with a stopper that abuts at least one of the positioning teeth so as to limit the rotation of the cartridge to a predetermined rotation angle.

[0007] According to the present invention, a cylindrical cartridge can be inserted into a housing through an insertion port of a gas consuming device, and a first connector provided on the insertion side of the cartridge can be connected to a second connector provided in the housing. Specifically, the positioning teeth of one of the first and second connectors are passed through a plurality of positioning grooves of the other connector, and the first and second connectors are rotated relatively around the axis along the rotation groove. When the positioning teeth abut against the stoppers of the rotation groove, the relative rotation of the first and second connectors is restricted. In this manner, the cartridge and the gas consuming device are connected. In this manner, after inserting the cartridge into the gas consuming device, the cartridge can be rotated to a predetermined angle. As a result, even if the gas consuming device with the cartridge connected is exposed to a high-temperature environment around it, the gas stored in the tank can be released in a predetermined direction via the safety valve provided in the cartridge.

[0008] In a more preferred embodiment, the tooth width of at least one of the plurality of positioning teeth is different from the tooth widths of the others. In another more preferred embodiment, the gas consuming device includes a retracting device that retracts the cartridge housed in the accommodating section into the interior of the gas consuming device while the positioning tooth abuts the stopper. The cartridge includes a sealing valve that seals the internal space of the tank with the valve body by biasing the valve body toward the outside of the tank along the axis. The gas consuming device includes a push rod that pushes the valve body toward the internal space and opens the sealing valve when the cartridge is retracted by the retracting device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the gas released from the cartridge can be released in a predetermined circumferential direction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]Figure 1(a) is an oblique view of the main parts of the cartridge mounting portion of a gas consumption device, showing one embodiment of the connecting structure between a cartridge and a gas consumption device according to the present invention, and Figure 1(b) is an oblique view of the cartridge shown in Figure 1(a) as seen from the gas consumption device side. [Figure 2] 2(a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along the axis of the cartridge shown in FIG. 1(b), and FIG. 2(b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of FIG. 2(a). [Figure 3] Figure 3(a) is an oblique view in an exploded state showing the components around the safety valve of the cartridge shown in Figure 2, and Figure 3(b) is an oblique view in an exploded state showing the first connector on the cartridge side and the second connector on the gas consumption device side of the connecting structure of this embodiment. [Figure 4] 3 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a main part showing the connecting structure between the cartridge and the gas consumption device. FIG. [Figure 5] This shows the first connector and the second connector as viewed along line AA in Figure 3(b), Figure 5(a) is a schematic diagram showing the positioning groove of the second connector, Figure 5(b) is a schematic diagram showing the positioning teeth of the first connector, and Figure 5(c) is a schematic diagram of the first connector engaged with the second connector. [Figure 6] The operating state of the connecting structure of this embodiment is shown in Figure 6(a), where Figure 6(a) is a cross-sectional view of the essential parts when gas in the tank does not flow to the gas consuming device, Figure 6(b) is a further enlarged cross-sectional view of the essential parts of Figure 6(a), Figure 6(c) is a cross-sectional view of the essential parts when gas in the tank flows to the gas consuming device, and Figure 6(d) is a further enlarged cross-sectional view of the essential parts of Figure 6(c). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a connecting structure between a cartridge and a gas consumption device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] 1 to 3, the connecting structure 1 according to this embodiment is a structure for detachably connecting a cartridge 10 and a gas consumption device 30. The gas consumption device 30 is, for example, a fuel cell system or a fuel cell vehicle that uses hydrogen gas. The cartridge 10 is approximately cylindrical. The cartridge 10 supplies hydrogen gas to the gas consumption device 30. The gas consumption device 30 has a storage section 31 that stores the cartridge 10. In this embodiment, the gas consumption device 30 has three cylindrical recessed storage sections 31 arranged vertically. The storage section 31 has an insertion opening 31a through which the cartridge 10 is inserted.

[0013] The cartridge 10 includes a tank 15 for storing gas therein. The tank 15 is protected by an exterior body 16. The cartridge 10 includes a safety valve 51. The safety valve 51 releases hydrogen gas stored in the tank 15 in a predetermined circumferential direction of the cartridge 10. The cartridge 10 includes a first connector 20 constituting a connecting structure 1. The gas consuming device 30 includes a second connector 40 that connects to the first connector 20. The first connector 20 is provided on the tip side of the cartridge 10 in the insertion direction. The second connector 40 is provided on the internal side of the gas consuming device 30 relative to the accommodating portion 31. The cartridge 10 includes a handle 11 on the opposite side from the first connector 20 for inserting the cartridge 10 into the accommodating portion 31. The "one connector" of the present invention corresponds to the first connector 20, and the "other connector" of the present invention corresponds to the second connector 40.

[0014] 2, the cartridge 10 includes a tank 15 that stores hydrogen gas and an exterior body 16 that covers and protects the tank 15. Specifically, although not shown in detail, the tank 15 is supported by the exterior body 16 via a metal frame (not shown) or the like that is positioned around the tank 15. The first connector 20 is located inside an opening 16a (see FIG. 1(b)) formed on the tip side of the exterior body 16.

[0015] Tank 15 has a resin liner 17A that contains high-pressure hydrogen gas and an FRP reinforcing layer 17B that covers liner 17A. Tank 15 is provided with nozzles 18A and 18B at both ends of its cylindrical axis, each having a through-hole that runs along the axis. The nozzles 18A and 18B are in close contact with liner 17A and reinforcing layer 17B.

[0016] The gas consuming device 30 is equipped with a retracting device 35. With the cartridge 10 housed in the storage section 31, the retracting device 35 retracts the cartridge 10 into the gas consuming device 30 along the axis CL of the cartridge 10. More specifically, the retracting device 35 retracts the cartridge 10 into the gas consuming device 30 with the positioning teeth 22 (described later) abutting against the stopper 45. The retracting device 35 may have a function of returning the cartridge 10 to its original position from the retracted state. By retracting the cartridge 10, the stored hydrogen gas is supplied to the gas consuming device 30. After using the hydrogen gas in the cartridge 10, the cartridge 10 is returned to its original position in the storage section 31 and removed from the storage section 31.

[0017] A safety valve plug 50 is sealed to the nozzle 18B on the handle 11 side at the axis CL. Gas release holes 50a and 50b are formed in the safety valve plug 50. A safety valve 51 is embedded in the safety valve plug 50 so as to close the gas release hole 50a. The safety valve 51 is equipped with a plug made of a fusible alloy, and the plug melts in a high-temperature environment. At this time, the internal space of the tank 15 is opened, and the stored gas is released in a predetermined direction of the cartridge 10 through the gas release holes 50a and 50b.

[0018] An inner ring 52 and an outer ring 53 are attached to the safety valve plug 50 at a location located outside the tank 15. As shown in Figure 3(a), the inner ring 52 is rotatably held by the safety valve plug 50. The outer ring 53 is fixed to the safety valve plug 50 to prevent the inner ring 52 from falling off.

[0019] The safety valve plug 50 has a gas release hole 50b formed perpendicular to the axis CL and communicating with the gas release hole 50a at the axis CL. The safety valve 51 blocks the gas release holes 50a and 50b. The inner ring 52 has one direction control hole 52a formed radially through its peripheral wall.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, a flow plug 54 is sealed through the tip-side nozzle 18A along the axis CL, and a gas flow hole 54a is formed through the axis CL. An excess flow valve 55 is attached to the flow plug 54 so as to be located inside the tank 15. The excess flow valve 55 has the function of preventing a large amount of hydrogen gas from leaking out in an emergency and limiting the flow rate of hydrogen gas to a necessary amount under normal circumstances. A block-shaped valve body 56 is airtightly connected to the flow plug 54 on the side opposite the tank 15. A manual valve 57 (see FIG. 3(b)) is provided on the valve body 56 outside the tank 15. The manual valve 57 is a valve for manually releasing hydrogen gas from the tank 15. To open or close the manual valve 57, the exterior body 16 of the cartridge 10 is removed to expose the tank 15.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, a self-closing valve 60 is attached to the valve body 56 at the axis CL as a sealing valve that seals the internal space of the tank 15 with a valve element 61. The self-closing valve 60 is open when the cartridge 10 is set in the gas consumption device 30, and is closed otherwise. The self-closing valve 60 includes a valve element 61 and a disk-shaped valve seat 62 that the valve element 61 contacts and separates from. The valve element 61 is movably attached to the valve through-hole 56a of the valve body 56. The valve element 61 is biased toward the outside of the tank 15 along the axis CL. This causes the valve element 61 to seal the internal space S of the tank 15. A valve spring 63 and a spring retainer 64 bias the valve element 61 toward the valve seat 62. The spring retainer 64 has a through-hole that allows gas to pass through. Therefore, the self-closing valve 60 closes while the valve element 61 is biased by the valve spring 63. The self-closing valve 60 opens when the valve element 61 is moved by the push rod 32 of the gas consuming device 30, which will be described later.

[0022] A first connector 20 for connecting to the gas consumption device 30 is fixed to an end of the valve body 56. A cylindrical member 21 is fixed to the first connector 20. As shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), an axial guide 58 for guiding the push rod 32 is fixed to the inner periphery of the cylindrical member 21. A gas circulation hole 58a is formed in the axial guide 58 at the axial center CL. A valve seat 62 of the self-closing valve 60 faces the opening of the gas circulation hole 58a and is sandwiched between the valve body 56 and the axial guide 58.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 4, a push rod 32 is fixed to the gas consumption device 30. The push rod 32 is a stepped rod. A butt portion 32a is formed at the tip of the push rod 32. A gas circulation hole 32b is formed in the push rod 32 to allow hydrogen gas to circulate along the axis CL. The gas circulation hole 32b branches off at the base end of the butt portion 32a. A guide shaft member 33 is fitted onto the outer periphery of the push rod 32. A guide hole 33a into which the push rod 32 can be inserted is formed in the axis of the guide shaft member 33.

[0024] A cylindrical member 41 of the second connector 40 is fitted onto the guide shaft member 33. The cylindrical member 41 is fixed to a conveying member 36 of a retracting device 35. The retracting device 35 moves the conveying member 36 toward the base end of the push rod 32 along the axis CL of the cartridge 10. As a result, the second connector 40 is retracted into the gas consuming device 30, and the cartridge 10 connected to the second connector 40 is also retracted. As a result, the push rod 32 pushes the valve body 61 toward the internal space S of the tank 15, opening the self-closing valve 60. The retracting device 35 returns the cartridge 10 to its original position by moving the conveying member 36 in the opposite direction. The second connector 40 is provided on the side facing the cartridge 10. The second connector 40 is provided at the axis of a cylindrical housing portion 31 that houses the cartridge 10.

[0025] 3(b) and 5, the first connector 20 includes a cylindrical member 21. A plurality of positioning teeth 22 protruding from the outer peripheral surface 20a of the cylindrical member 21 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction centered on the axis CL of the cartridge 10. Specifically, four positioning teeth 22 are formed at 90° intervals. Three of the positioning teeth 22 have the same tooth width α1, and the remaining positioning tooth 22 has a tooth width α2 that is larger than the tooth width α1. The tooth widths α1 and α2 of the positioning teeth 22 correspond to the groove widths β1 and β2 of the positioning groove 42.

[0026] The second connector 40 is provided on the inner periphery of a cylindrical member 41 fixed to the conveying member 36. The cylindrical member 41 has an inner periphery surface 40a formed thereon. The inner periphery surface 40a faces the outer periphery surface 20a of the first connector 20. As shown in FIGS. 3(b) and 5(a), a plurality of positioning grooves 42 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the inner periphery surface 40a of the cylindrical member 41. The positioning grooves 42 have a groove width corresponding to the tooth width of the positioning teeth 22 in the circumferential direction.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 5A, in this embodiment, four positioning grooves 42 are formed at 90° intervals along the inner periphery of a cylindrical member 41. Three of the positioning grooves 42 have the same groove width β1, and the remaining positioning groove 42 has a groove width β2 that is larger than the groove width β1. The groove widths β1 and β2 of the positioning groove 42 correspond to the tooth widths α1 and α2 of the positioning teeth 22. Specifically, the groove width β1 and the tooth width α1 are approximately the same, and the groove width β2 and the tooth width α2 are approximately the same. The groove widths β1 and β2 of the positioning groove 42 are set so that the positioning teeth 22 can pass through the positioning groove 42. However, the groove width β2 is larger than the groove width β1, and the positioning teeth 22 with the groove width β2 cannot pass through the groove width β1 of the positioning groove 42. As a result, the first connector 20 can enter the second connector 40 only when the positioning groove 42 with groove width β2 and the positioning tooth 22 with tooth width α2 are aligned. Note that one of the four positioning teeth may have a small tooth width, and one of the four positioning grooves may have a small groove width.

[0028] The cylindrical member 41 is formed with a rotation groove 44, which allows the positioning tooth 22 that passes through the positioning groove 42 to rotate around the axis CL relative to the second connector 40 when the cartridge 10 is inserted. The rotation groove 44 is formed continuously with the four positioning grooves 42. A stopper 45 is formed in the rotation groove 44, against which at least one positioning tooth 22 abuts, so as to limit the rotation of the cartridge 10 at a predetermined rotation angle. In this embodiment, the length of the rotation groove 44 to the stopper 45 is set to a length of approximately 20° as an angle centered on the axis CL. Note that, although in this embodiment the first connector 20 is provided on the cartridge 10 and the second connector 40 is provided on the gas consumption device 30, these may be provided in reverse.

[0029] The operation of the connecting structure 1 between the cartridge and the gas consumption device of this embodiment will be described. First, the cartridge 10 is inserted into the storage section 31 through the insertion port 31a of the gas consumption device 30. As shown in FIG. 1(a), when inserting the cartridge 10 into the second storage section 31 from the top, the cartridge 10 is inserted into the storage section 31 with the handle 11 of the cartridge 10 oriented vertically (up and down).

[0030] At this time, the second connector 40 of the storage section 31 of the gas consumption device 30 is in a state in which the positioning teeth 22 and the positioning grooves 42 are tilted approximately 22° to the right, as shown by the solid lines in Figure 5(a). When the cartridge 10 is inserted all the way into the storage section 31, the positioning teeth 22 enter the positioning grooves 42. Specifically, the cylindrical member 21 of the first connector 20 enters the cylindrical member 41 of the second connector 40, and the positioning teeth 22 pass through the positioning grooves 42. This completes the insertion operation of the cartridge 10 into the storage section 31.

[0031] In this embodiment, the tooth width of one of the four positioning teeth 22 is different from the tooth width of the other three positioning teeth 22. The groove width of one of the four positioning grooves 42 is different from the groove width of the other three positioning grooves 42. As a result, a positioning tooth 22 with one different tooth width cannot pass through a positioning groove 42 with another groove width. Therefore, in this insertion operation, the cartridge 10 can be inserted into the gas consumption device 30 at a specific angle around the axis of the cartridge 10.

[0032] After the insertion operation is completed in this manner, the cartridge 10 is rotated. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1(a), the cartridge 10 is rotated rightward, for example, by approximately 22°. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5(b), the cylindrical member 21 of the first connector 20 rotates rightward by the same angle, and the positioning tooth 22 moves along the rotation groove 44 and abuts against the stopper 45, stopping the rotation. As a result, the first connector 20 of the cartridge 10 is connected to the second connector 40 of the gas consumption device 30, and this connected state is reliably connected to the gas consumption device 30 at a constant rotation angle θ.

[0033] In this connected state, for example, in an excessively high temperature environment, the plug of the safety valve 51 melts, thereby releasing the hydrogen gas in the tank 15 of the cartridge 10. The hydrogen gas released from the tank 15 passes through the gas release holes 50a and 50b of the safety valve plug 50 and can be released in a specific direction from the direction control hole 52a of the inner ring 52.

[0034] Next, a case will be described in which hydrogen gas in the tank 15 is supplied into the gas consuming device 30 in order to use the hydrogen gas in the cartridge 10. The cartridge 10 is inserted into the accommodation portion 31 of the gas consuming device 30 and rotated by a predetermined angle. This connects the first connector 20 of the cartridge 10 to the second connector 40 of the gas consuming device 30. As shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), in this state, the abutment portion 32a of the push rod 32 faces the head of the valve body 61 of the self-closing valve 60 with a gap d between them. In other words, the valve body 61 is in close contact with the valve seat 62, preventing the flow of hydrogen gas.

[0035] In this state, the retraction device 35 is activated to retract the tank 15 into the gas consumption device 30. That is, the valve body 56 and the self-closing valve 60 approach the fixed push rod 32, and the valve element 61 comes into contact with the abutment portion 32a of the push rod 32. As shown in FIGS. 6(c) and 6(d), when the cartridge 10 is further retracted, the valve seat 62 is retracted together with the valve body 56 and the shaft guide 58. As a result, the valve element 61 is pushed toward the internal space S of the tank 15, and a gap c is formed between the valve seat 62 and the valve element 61. Therefore, hydrogen gas G passes through the gap c between the valve seat 62 and the valve element 61 and enters the push rod 32, and is supplied to the gas consumption device 30 through the gas communication hole 32b in the push rod 32.

[0036] When the hydrogen gas in the tank 15 is used up, the retraction device 35 moves the cartridge 10 in the reverse direction, pushing the cartridge 10 a predetermined distance within the storage section 31. This separates the abutment portion 32a of the fixed push rod 32 from the valve body 61, closing the self-closing valve 60. Then, the handle 11 of the cartridge 10 is rotated counterclockwise. As a result, the multiple positioning teeth 22 of the first connector 20 are disengaged from the multiple positioning grooves 42 of the second connector 40, allowing the cartridge 10 to be removed from the storage section 31.

[0037] In this way, the connection structure 1 between the cartridge 10 and the gas consumption device 30 of this embodiment allows the cartridge 10 to be connected to the gas consumption device 30 appropriately and quickly at a predetermined angle around the axis CL. Therefore, in an excessively high temperature environment, the plug of the safety valve 51 melts, allowing gas to be released from the cartridge 10 in a preset direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1: connecting structure, 10: cartridge, 15: tank, 20: first connector (one connector), 22: positioning teeth, 30: gas consuming device, 31: storage section, 31a: insertion port, 32: push rod, 35: retraction device, 40: second connector (other connector), 42: positioning groove, 44: rotation groove, 45: stopper, 51: safety valve, 60: self-closing valve (sealing valve), 61: valve body

Claims

1. A connecting structure for detachably connecting a cylindrical cartridge having a tank for storing gas to a gas consuming device that consumes the gas, the cartridge being housed in the gas consuming device, the cartridge is provided with a safety valve that releases the gas stored in the tank in a predetermined circumferential direction of the cartridge, the gas consumption device has a housing portion that houses the cartridge, The housing portion has an insertion opening through which the cartridge is inserted along the axis of the cartridge, the connecting structure includes a first connector provided on a leading end side of the cartridge in an insertion direction, and a second connector provided on the gas consumption device and connected to the first connector, One of the first and second connectors has an outer circumferential surface, and a plurality of positioning teeth projecting from the outer circumferential surface of the one connector are formed on the outer circumferential surface at intervals in a circumferential direction around the axis, The other connector has an inner peripheral surface that faces the outer peripheral surface, and a plurality of positioning grooves having groove widths corresponding to the tooth widths of the positioning teeth in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the other connector are formed at intervals on the inner peripheral surface, a rotation groove is further formed on the inner peripheral surface of the other connector, such that the positioning tooth that has passed through the positioning groove rotates around the axis relative to the other connector when the cartridge is inserted; A coupling structure characterized in that the rotation groove is formed with a stopper against which at least one of the positioning teeth abuts so as to limit the rotation of the cartridge to a predetermined rotation angle.

2. 2. The connecting structure according to claim 1, wherein the tooth width of at least one of the plurality of positioning teeth is different from the tooth widths of the other positioning teeth.

3. the gas consuming device includes a retracting device that retracts the cartridge housed in the housing into the gas consuming device while the positioning tooth is in contact with the stopper, the cartridge includes a sealing valve that seals an internal space of the tank with a valve body by biasing the valve body toward an outside of the tank along the axis, The connecting structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the gas consumption device is provided with a push rod that pushes the valve body toward the internal space and opens the sealing valve when the cartridge is retracted by the retraction device.

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