Fuel Cell Valve Element Vibration Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In valve devices for gas tanks in fuel-cell vehicles, vibration of the valve element occurs due to differential pressure and flow characteristics, leading to potential abrasion and instability when the valve element moves within the injection passage.
Innovation Solution
The valve device incorporates a check valve with a case and valve element design that includes a sliding portion with a uniform contact zone and a tapered head portion, allowing gas to flow through a space between the case and injection passage, reducing differential pressure and preventing biting, thus minimizing vibration and abrasion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the valve element is allowed to move freely in the injection passage with a slight clearance, then the valve element can slide smoothly, but vibration (chattering) occurs due to the influence of hydrogen gas flow
Solution Approach 1:
A guide portion is introduced as an intermediary component between the valve element and the injection passage. This guide portion has a through-hole that guides the valve element's movement, providing structural support and reducing vibration while maintaining the necessary clearance for smooth operation. The guide portion acts as a mediator that stabilizes the valve element without restricting its mobility.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the valve element is tightly fitted in the injection passage, then vibration is reduced, but differential pressure causes the valve element to be firmly pushed against the movable end, leading to instability
Solution Approach 1:
The injection passage is segmented into different functional zones: a first portion with a larger inner diameter that accommodates the valve element with clearance for smooth movement, and a second portion with a smaller inner diameter that provides structural support. This segmentation allows the valve element to move freely in the first portion while being guided and stabilized in the second portion, preventing it from being firmly pushed against the movable end.
3Productivity
If gas flows through the valve element, then injection is enabled, but turbulent flow occurs causing vibration and potential abrasion
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is redirected from a one-dimensional path through the valve element to a two-dimensional path through the through-hole in the guide portion. This dimensional change allows gas to flow around the valve element rather than through it, reducing turbulent flow and vibration while maintaining injection efficiency. The through-hole provides an alternative flow dimension that eliminates the harmful effects of gas passing directly through the valve element.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design reduces vibration of the valve element, stabilizes its behavior, and minimizes abrasion by allowing gas to flow through a controlled space, maintaining balance between internal and injection pressures and preventing turbulent flow.
Implementation Method 1
an urging member 76, such as a coil spring, urging the valve element 75 toward the valve seat 74
Implementation Method 2
the valve element 75 is firmly pushed on a movable end (a stepped face of level difference face of the injection passage 72) in a valve opening direction by differential pressure between the tank internal pressure and the injection pressure
Implementation Method 3
allowing gas to flow through a space between the case and injection passage, reducing differential pressure
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A valve device for a gas tank, includes a body (4) and a check valve (16) provided in an injection passage (13) to inject gas into the gas tank. The check valve (16) includes a valve seat (33), a case (34) fixed in the injection passage (13) while a space is provided between an inner peripheral surface (31a) of the injection passage (13) and the case (34) to enable gas to flow through the space, and a valve element (35) accommodated in the case (34). The case (34) includes a cylindrical portion (41), and is configured such that the bottom (42) of the cylindrical portion (41), provided at an opposite side to the valve seat (33), defines a range where the valve element (35) is axially movable. The valve element (35) includes a head portion (51) that can block a valve hole (37) of the valve seat (33), and a sliding portion (53) formed to be axially movable with respect to the cylindrical portion (41).