Fuel Valve Assembly with Split Flow Paths to Protect Solenoids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel cell vehicle valve assemblies apply high charging pressure directly to solenoid valves, risking damage and malfunction, and reducing their lifespan.
Innovation Solution
The valve assembly separates fuel charging and discharging lines, with the solenoid valve installed in the discharging line, preventing direct exposure to high charging pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single flow passage is used for both charging and discharging fuel, then device complexity is reduced, but high charging pressure is applied directly to the solenoid valve causing damage and reducing lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The single flow passage is divided into separate charging flow passage and discharging flow passage. The charging flow passage handles high-pressure fuel charging, while the discharging flow passage handles controlled fuel discharge through the solenoid valve. This segmentation isolates the solenoid valve from high charging pressure, preventing damage and extending lifespan.
Solution Approach 2:
The solenoid valve is extracted from the high-pressure charging environment and placed only in the discharging flow passage. This removes the harmful high charging pressure exposure from the solenoid valve while maintaining its necessary function for controlled fuel discharge.
2Device complexity
If high charging pressure is applied to the solenoid valve, then fuel charging control is simplified, but the solenoid valve is damaged and malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The flow passage structure acts as an intermediary between the high-pressure charging system and the solenoid valve. The charging flow passage carries high-pressure fuel to the storage tank, while the discharging flow passage provides a low-pressure path for the solenoid valve to control fuel flow, thus protecting the valve from pressure damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into high-pressure charging zone and low-pressure discharging zone, with the solenoid valve located only in the low-pressure zone. This spatial segmentation protects the solenoid valve from high-pressure harmful effects while maintaining charging functionality.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a valve assembly for controlling charging and discharging of a fuel that prevents a high pressure charging pressure from being applied to a solenoid valve during fuel charging. The value assembly includes a transfer flow passage composed of: a charging/discharging flow passage through which the fuel is transferred during charging/discharging of the fuel; a charging flow passage branched from the charging/discharging flow passage and connected to a storage tank, wherein the fuel is transferred through the charging flow passage during charging of the fuel; and a discharging flow passage branched from the charging/discharging flow passage and connected to the storage tank, wherein the fuel is transferred through the discharging flow passage during discharging of the fuel. Further, the value assembly includes a first check valve configured to prevent backflow of the fuel transferred along the charging flow passage; a solenoid valve configured to open or close the discharging flow passage to regulate flow of the fuel; a second check valve configured to prevent backflow of the fuel transferred along the discharging flow passage; and a metering valve configured to control a flow rate of the fuel transferred along the discharging flow passage.