Gas-Liquid Separator with Segmented Discharge Flow Path for Cold Weather

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gas-liquid separators for fuel cell vehicles face issues with water freezing and discharge failure when electricity generation is stopped in cold areas, leading to water droplets remaining inside the separator and potentially freezing in the discharge flow path, preventing further water discharge.

Innovation Solution

The gas-liquid separator incorporates a housing with a gas-liquid separation portion, a water storage portion, and a valve mechanism, featuring a flow-down guide surface and regulating portions to prevent water droplets from reaching the discharge flow path, utilizing an electromagnetic on-off valve and a filtering unit to manage water discharge and prevent freezing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a small diameter discharge flow path is used to suppress gas discharge during water discharge, then water discharge control is improved, but water droplets can freeze in the discharge flow path in cold areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater discharge controlVSAvoidwater freezing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge flow path is segmented into multiple sections with different diameter characteristics. The upstream portion has a smaller diameter for effective water discharge control, while the downstream portion has a larger diameter to prevent freezing. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously achieve both water discharge control and freezing prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the discharge flow path are given different local qualities - the upstream section maintains a small diameter for precise discharge control, while the downstream section has an enlarged diameter to prevent ice formation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between discharge control and freezing prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If water is discharged before stopping electricity generation in cold areas, then freezing is prevented, but water droplets remain attached to the inner surface and can flow into the discharge flow path

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefreezing preventionVSAvoiddischarge flow path blockage

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The enlarged diameter portion is provided in advance in the discharge flow path structure, creating a preventive zone before water droplets can reach the critical small diameter section. This preliminary structural design prevents the harmful effect of droplet accumulation and subsequent freezing without requiring pre-discharge operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the discharge flow path is enlarged to prevent freezing, then freezing is suppressed, but gas discharge during water discharge cannot be effectively suppressed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefreezing suppressionVSAvoidgas discharge control

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge flow path is divided into segments with different diameter characteristics. The upstream segment maintains a small diameter to suppress gas discharge during water discharge, while the downstream segment has an enlarged diameter to prevent freezing. This segmented design resolves the contradiction between gas discharge control and freezing suppression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration effectively prevents water droplets from entering the discharge flow path, ensuring continuous water discharge and preventing freezing, even after electricity generation is resumed, by using regulating walls and bodies to manage water flow and surface tension.

Implementation Method 1

An inner wall of the housing has a guide surface flowing water toward the water storage portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

utilizing an electromagnetic on-off valve and a filtering unit to manage water discharge and prevent freezing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 3

is provided with a regulating portion regulating staying of water in a vicinity of a flow-in port of the discharge flow path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 4

a valve mechanism enabling discharge of and stop of the discharge of water in the water storage portion via a discharge flow path communicating with the water storage portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11577188B2Gas-liquid separator

Publication Date: 2023.02.14 AISIN CORP

AI summary

A gas-liquid separator includes a housing being supplied with water-containing gas, a gas-liquid separation portion being provided inside the housing and separating water from water-containing gas, a water storage portion being arranged on a bottom portion of the housing and storing water separated by the gas-liquid separation portion, and a valve mechanism enabling discharge of and stop of the discharge of water in the water storage portion via a discharge flow path communicating with the water storage portion. An inner wall of the housing has a guide surface flowing water toward the water storage portion and is provided with a regulating portion regulating staying of water in a vicinity of a flow-in port of the discharge flow path.