High-pressure fluid storage container comprising end plug rotation-prevention structure using rotation-prevention pin pressing and fixing method

Abstract

The high-pressure fluid storage container according to the present invention comprises: a container body having a plug-coupling part; an end plug coupled to the plug-coupling part and shielding a storage space; a fixed flange coupled so as to surround the circumference of the plug-coupling part; a fixed ring formed to surround the circumference of an area where the plug-coupling part and the end plug are coupled and fixed to the plug-coupling part; and a rotation-prevention pin which is inserted so as to penetrate a side part of the fixed ring and the end of which presses the end plug, thus preventing the end plug from rotating when coupled to the plug-coupling part.

Description

High-pressure fluid storage vessel including an end plug rotation prevention structure through a rotation prevention pin pressurized fixation method

[0001] The present invention relates to a high-pressure fluid storage vessel, and more particularly, to a high-pressure fluid storage vessel including a rotation prevention structure capable of preventing an end plug coupled to a vessel body from rotating.

[0002] Fossil fuels, which have been used as the main energy source in the past, are facing concerns about their depletion over time, and due to environmental pollution issues, human interest is gradually shifting to other alternative energy sources.

[0003] Among these alternative energy sources, hydrogen fuel is attracting attention. Hydrogen is not only abundant but also poses no environmental pollution concerns, so its potential is very high.

[0004] In particular, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are being studied as an alternative to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, and the results are currently being seen.

[0005] Accordingly, various studies are actively being conducted on storage containers that can be installed in automobiles and charging stations to safely store hydrogen gas filled at high pressure.

[0006] Typically, a hydrogen storage container includes a container body and an end plug that is connected to an end of the container body, and the container body and the end plug are manufactured separately and then connected.

[0007] However, in the process of connecting the end plug and the container body to each other, the end plug may rotate while connected to the container body due to its structure, and this phenomenon may cause the end plug to separate from the container body or cause the fluid contained inside to leak.

[0008] Therefore, a method to solve these problems is required.

[0009] The present invention is an invention devised to solve the problems of the above-described prior art, and has the purpose of providing a high-pressure fluid storage container including a rotation prevention structure that can prevent an end plug coupled to a container body of the high-pressure fluid storage container from rotating and causing various problems.

[0010] The tasks of the present invention are not limited to the tasks mentioned above, and other tasks not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, the high-pressure fluid storage vessel including an end plug rotation prevention structure through a rotation prevention pin pressurized fixation method of the present invention comprises: a container body having a storage space in which high-pressure fluid is stored therein, and a plug joint formed at at least one end thereof; an end plug at least partially joined to the plug joint to shield the storage space; a fixing flange joined in a form that surrounds the circumference of the plug joint so as to be able to secure the container body to a trailer; a fixing ring formed to surround the circumference of the joining area of ​​the plug joint and the end plug and fixed to the plug joint; and a rotation prevention pin inserted so as to penetrate a side of the fixing ring so as to pressurize the end plug, thereby preventing the end plug from rotating while being coupled to the plug joint.

[0012] At this time, the fixing ring may include a body connecting portion that is provided to wrap around the circumference of the plug connecting portion and a plug connecting portion that is connected to the body connecting portion and is provided to wrap around the circumference of the end plug.

[0013] And, a pin insertion hole can be formed in the plug connection portion so that the anti-rotation pin can be inserted from the outer surface to the inner surface.

[0014] In addition, the cross-section of the outer surface of the end plug may be formed in a circular shape, and the cross-section of the inner surface of the plug connection part may be formed in a polygonal shape that is circumscribed to the outer surface of the end plug.

[0015] In addition, the above-mentioned anti-rotation pin can be inserted so as to penetrate the side of the fixing ring at an eccentric position with respect to the center point of any one of the plurality of sides forming the polygon on the inner surface of the plug connection part.

[0016] Meanwhile, the above-mentioned fixed flange may include a body fixing part that fixes the plug joint and a trailer fixing part that extends outward from the body fixing part and is fixed to the trailer side.

[0017] The high-pressure fluid storage vessel including an end plug rotation prevention structure through a rotation prevention pin pressurized fixation method of the present invention for solving the above-described problem has the advantage of being able to prevent the end plug from rotating while it is coupled to the plug coupling portion, including a fixing ring formed to surround the periphery of the plug coupling portion of the container body and the coupling area of ​​the end plug, and fixed to the plug coupling portion, and a rotation prevention pin inserted to penetrate the side of the fixing ring and having an end that presses the end plug.

[0018] Therefore, the present invention has the advantage of greatly improving safety and usability by fundamentally preventing various problems that may occur when the end plug is rotated while connected to the plug joint, such as separation of the end plug and fluid leakage.

[0019] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the appearance of a high-pressure fluid storage container according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the internal structure of a high-pressure fluid storage container according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a fixing structure of an end plug by a rotation prevention pin in a high-pressure fluid storage container according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figures 4 to 7 are drawings sequentially showing the process of manufacturing a high-pressure fluid storage container according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 8 is a drawing showing the structure of a high-pressure fluid storage container according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 9 is a drawing showing the structure of a high-pressure fluid storage container according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Fig. 10 is a drawing showing the structure of a high-pressure fluid storage container according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] In this specification, when it is said that a component (or region, layer, portion, etc.) is “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another component, it means that it can be directly disposed / connected / coupled to the other component, or a third component may be disposed between them.

[0028] Identical drawing numbers indicate identical components. Furthermore, in the drawings, the thicknesses, proportions, and dimensions of components are exaggerated for the purpose of effectively illustrating the technical content.

[0029] "And / or" includes all combinations of one or more of the associated constructs that can be defined.

[0030] While terms such as "first" and "second" may be used to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a first component may be referred to as a "second component," and similarly, a second component may also be referred to as a "first component." Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0031] Additionally, terms such as "below," "lower," "above," and "upper" are used to describe the relationships between components depicted in the drawings. These terms are relative concepts and are described based on the directions indicated in the drawings.

[0032] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. Furthermore, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted to have a meaning consistent with their meaning in the relevant technical context, and unless interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, they are explicitly defined herein.

[0033] Terms such as "include" or "have" should be understood to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but not to exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0034] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0035] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the appearance of a high-pressure fluid storage container (10) according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the internal structure of a high-pressure fluid storage container (10) according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a high-pressure fluid storage container (10) according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a container body (20), an end plug (30), a fixing flange (100), a fixing ring (200), and an anti-rotation pin (300).

[0037] The container body (20) has a storage space formed therein in which high-pressure fluid is stored, and a plug connection portion (21) is formed at least on one end.

[0038] Such a container body (20) can have various lengths and shapes depending on the application location and purpose.

[0039] In this embodiment, the high-pressure fluid filled in the storage space is exemplified as hydrogen, but the high-pressure fluid applicable to the high-pressure fluid storage container (10) according to the present invention is not limited to hydrogen.

[0040] The end plug (30) is coupled to at least one of the two ends of the container body (20) and serves to shield the storage space inside the container body (20).

[0041] That is, the end plug (30) may be provided only at one end of the container body (20) depending on the shape of the container body (20), or may be provided at both ends of the container body (20).

[0042] In particular, in this embodiment, the end plug (30) includes a body coupling portion (31) inserted into the plug coupling portion (21) of the container body (20), and an expansion shield portion (32) connected to the body coupling portion (31).

[0043] The fixed flange (100) is connected in a form that surrounds the circumference of the plug joint (21) so that the container body (20) can be fixed to the trailer.

[0044] That is, a plurality of high-pressure fluid storage containers (10) according to the present embodiment can be loaded onto a trailer, which is a loading section of a transportation vehicle. Such a trailer includes a vertical frame and a horizontal frame, which are provided along the perimeter of the trailer, and a loading space in which high-pressure fluid storage containers (10) are loaded can be formed on the inside thereof.

[0045] Therefore, the fixed flange (100) wraps around the plug joint (21) of the container body (20) and performs the role of fixing it to the vertical frame or horizontal frame of the trailer.

[0046] More specifically, in this embodiment, the fixed flange (100) has a form including a body fixing part (110) that wraps around and fixes the plug joint part (21), and a trailer fixing part (120) that extends outward from the body fixing part (110) and is fixed to the trailer side.

[0047] At this time, the body fixing part (110), the plug joint part (21), and the trailer fixing part (120) and the main frame of the trailer can be fastened to each other by separate fastening members, but of course, various methods can be applied without limitation as to the fastening method.

[0048] The fixed ring (200) is formed to surround the perimeter of the joint area where the plug joint (21) and the end plug (30) are joined to each other, and is fixed to the plug joint (21).

[0049] In addition, the anti-rotation pin (300) is inserted so as to penetrate the side of the fixing ring (200) and, as the end presses the end plug (30), it prevents the end plug (30) from rotating while connected to the plug joint (21).

[0050] Specifically, in this embodiment, the fixing ring (200) may include a body connecting portion (210) that is provided to surround the circumference of the plug coupling portion (21), and a plug connecting portion (220) that is connected to the body connecting portion (210) and is provided to surround the circumference of the end plug (30).

[0051] And, in the plug connection part (220), a pin insertion hole (221) can be formed that penetrates from the outer surface to the inner surface so that a rotation prevention pin (300) can be inserted.

[0052] A plurality of pin insertion holes (221) may be formed in the plug connection part (220), and in this case, a plurality of anti-rotation pins (300) may also be provided corresponding to the number of pin insertion holes (221).

[0053] Meanwhile, FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a fixing structure of an end plug (30) by a rotation prevention pin (300) in a high-pressure fluid storage container (10) according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 3, in this embodiment, the longitudinal cross-section of the outer surface of the end plug (30) is formed in a circular shape, and the longitudinal cross-section of the inner surface of the plug connection portion (220) can be formed in a polygonal shape that is externally contiguous to the outer surface of the end plug (30).

[0055] In particular, in this embodiment, the cross-section of the inner surface of the plug connection part (220) is exemplified as having a regular hexagonal shape, but this is not limited to this embodiment.

[0056] At this time, in the case of the anti-rotation pin (300), it can be inserted so as to penetrate the side of the fixing ring (200) at an eccentric position with respect to the center point of any one of the multiple sides forming the polygon on the inner surface of the plug connection part (220).

[0057] The reason for doing this is to enable the anti-rotation pin (300) to have greater resistance to the force that causes the end plug (30) to rotate.

[0058] Above, each component of the high-pressure fluid storage container (10) of the present embodiment has been described, and below, the process of manufacturing the high-pressure fluid storage container (10) of the present embodiment will be described in detail.

[0059] Figures 4 to 7 are drawings sequentially showing the process of manufacturing a high-pressure fluid storage container (10) according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] First, as shown in Fig. 4, the container body (20) and end plug (30) are manufactured respectively.

[0061] In this process, the container body (20) can be formed by applying a spinning process to a molding pipe having a preset diameter, thereby narrowing the end inward to form a plug joint (21).

[0062] Next, as shown in Fig. 5, a fixed flange (100) is assembled to the plug joint (21) of the container body (20).

[0063] This process can be performed by inserting the plug-joint part (21) of the container body (20) into a hollow formed inside the body fixing part (110) of the fixed flange (100), and performing a fastening between the body fixing part (110) and the plug-joint part (21).

[0064] Next, as shown in Fig. 6, a fixing ring (200) is mounted on the end of the plug joint (21) of the container body (20).

[0065] This process inserts the plug-joining portion (21) of the container body (20) into the hollow formed on the inside of the fixing ring (200), and fixes the body connection portion (210) of the fixing ring (200) to the plug-joining portion (21) of the container body (20).

[0066] At this time, the connection between the body connection part (210) and the plug connection part (21) may also be performed by a separate fastening member, or another fastening method may be applied.

[0067] In this state, as shown in Fig. 7, the end plug (30) is fastened to the container body (20), and the anti-rotation pin (300) is inserted into the pin insertion hole (221) so that the end of the anti-rotation pin (300) presses the end plug (30).

[0068] In this process, the body joint part (31) of the end plug (30) is inserted into the plug joint part (21) of the container body (20), and the extended shield part (32) having a larger longitudinal cross-sectional area is caught on the end of the plug joint part (21).

[0069] And the anti-rotation pin (300) inserted into the pin insertion hole (221) presses the expansion shield (32) of the end plug (30) at its end. Here, screw threads that mesh with each other can be formed on the inner surface of the pin insertion hole (221) and the outer surface of the anti-rotation pin (300), respectively.

[0070] Through the above process, the manufacture of a high-pressure fluid storage container (10) in which the container body (20) and the end plug (30) do not rotate relative to each other is completed.

[0071] The present embodiment has been described in detail above, and other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In each embodiment described below, redundant descriptions of components provided in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above will be omitted.

[0072] Figure 8 is a drawing showing the structure of a high-pressure fluid storage container (10) according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0073] In the case of the second embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 8, it is formed to have the same components as the first embodiment described above.

[0074] However, in this embodiment, the outer surface of the fixing ring (200) is further provided with a pair of pin fixing protrusions (222) protruding outward at a position adjacent to the pin insertion hole (221).

[0075] Such a pin fixing projection (222) serves to stably fix the head portion of the anti-rotation pin (300) inserted into the pin insertion hole (221) so that it does not shake, and accordingly, it can provide stronger resistance to the force that causes the end plug (30) to rotate with respect to the anti-rotation pin (300).

[0076] In particular, in this embodiment, the pin fixing projections (222) are spaced apart from each other on opposite sides with the pin insertion hole (221) as the center, and their opposing surfaces are formed in a curved shape so that the head outer diameter of the anti-rotation pin (300) can be seated and come into contact.

[0077] Figure 9 is a drawing showing the structure of a high-pressure fluid storage container (10) according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] In the case of the third embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 9, it has the characteristic that a plurality of friction pressure parts (230) are further provided along the inner circumference of the plug connection part (220) of the fixing ring (200).

[0079] At this time, the friction pressure portion (230) is formed in each area that is external to the expansion shield portion (32) of the end plug (30) on the inner surface of the plug connection portion (220) whose cross-section is formed in a polygonal shape.

[0080] In the present embodiment, the inner surface of the plug connection part (220) is formed in a regular hexagonal shape, so a total of six friction pressure parts (230) are provided at the center of each side.

[0081] And the friction pressure part (230) is formed of an elastically deformable material, and a material with high surface friction can be applied.

[0082] Accordingly, the expansion shielding portion (32) of the end plug (30) fixed to the inside of the plug connection portion (220) of the fixed ring (200) can be provided in a form in which it is forcibly fitted by the friction pressure portion (230), and has a state in which a pressure is applied by the elastic force of the friction pressure portion (230).

[0083] Accordingly, the end plug (30) can provide stronger resistance to the force that attempts to rotate the anti-rotation pin (300).

[0084] Figure 10 is a drawing showing the structure of a high-pressure fluid storage container (10) according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] In the fourth embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 10, a plurality of friction pressure parts (240) are further provided along the inner circumference of the plug connection part (220) of the fixing ring (200) as in the third embodiment described above.

[0086] However, the friction pressure part (240) of the present embodiment is formed so that the contact surface that comes into contact with the expansion shield part (32) of the end plug (30) has a concave curvature, thereby enabling the end plug (30) to be more easily coupled to the inside of the fixing ring (200).

[0087] At this time, the curvature of the contact surface where the friction pressure part (240) of the present embodiment comes into contact with the expanded shield part (32) of the end plug (30) can be formed to have a curvature greater than the curvature of the outer circumferential surface of the expanded shield part (32) of the end plug (30).

[0088] Accordingly, when the expansion shield (32) of the end plug (30) fixed to the inside of the plug connection (220) of the fixed ring (200) is fitted, both sides of the friction pressure portion (240) more strongly press the expansion shield (32) of the end plug (30), and the end plug (30) can provide stronger resistance to the force that attempts to rotate the anti-rotation pin (300).

[0089] As described above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms, in addition to the embodiments described above, without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive, and accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the above description, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A container body having a storage space formed inside where high-pressure fluid is stored and a plug joint formed at at least one end; An end plug, at least a portion of which is coupled to said plug joint to shield said storage space; A fixing flange that is connected in a form that surrounds the circumference of the plug joint so as to fix the above container body to the trailer; A fixing ring formed to surround the perimeter of the connecting area of ​​the plug-joining portion and the end plug and fixed to the plug-joining portion; and An anti-rotation pin inserted so as to penetrate the side of the above-mentioned fixed ring and prevents the end plug from rotating while coupled to the plug joint as the end presses the end plug; Including, A high pressure fluid storage vessel comprising an end plug rotation prevention structure.

2. In paragraph 1, The above fixed ring is, A body connecting portion provided to surround the circumference of the above plug connecting portion; and A plug connection portion connected to the above body connection portion and configured to surround the perimeter of the end plug; Including, A high pressure fluid storage vessel comprising an end plug rotation prevention structure.

3. In paragraph 2, The above plug connection portion has a pin insertion hole formed from the outer surface to the inner surface so that the above rotation prevention pin can be inserted. A high pressure fluid storage vessel comprising an end plug rotation prevention structure.

4. In paragraph 2, The cross-section of the outer surface of the above end plug is formed in a circular shape. The cross-section of the inner surface of the above plug connection part is formed in a polygonal shape that is externally contiguous to the outer surface of the end plug. A high pressure fluid storage vessel comprising an end plug rotation prevention structure.

5. In paragraph 4, The above anti-rotation pin is, Inserted so as to penetrate the side of the fixing ring at an eccentric position with respect to the center point of any one of the plurality of sides forming the inner surface of the polygon of the plug connection part, A high pressure fluid storage vessel comprising an end plug rotation prevention structure.

6. In paragraph 1, The above fixed flange is, A body fixing part that fixes the above plug joint; and A trailer fixing part that extends outward from the above body fixing part and is fixed to the trailer side; Including, A high pressure fluid storage vessel comprising an end plug rotation prevention structure.

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