Hydrogen Filling Nozzle Pin Guide to Prevent Wear and Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydrogen filling apparatuses face issues with radial movement of the connecting pin, leading to damage and deformation, which causes hydrogen leakage and inhibits the compact design of the filling nozzle.
Innovation Solution
The filling apparatus incorporates a rod-shaped member with a sealing member holding member that slides over the outer peripheral surface of the rod-shaped member, preventing radial movement and damage. This is achieved by coating the inner surface of the holding member with a material softer than the rod-shaped member or coating the rod-shaped member with a harder material, thereby reducing wear and leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a guide member is installed to suppress radial movement of the connecting pin, then radial movement is suppressed, but the connecting pin must be lengthened axially, inhibiting compact design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the guide member and sealing member holding member into a single integrated component. The guide member's outer peripheral surface serves dual purposes: guiding the connecting pin radially and holding the sealing member. This integration eliminates the need for a separate sealing member holding member, thereby suppressing radial movement without requiring additional axial length.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a radial guide for the connecting pin, a support structure for the sealing member, and a wear-resistant surface through its coating. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by achieving radial stability without increasing axial dimensions.
2Ease of operation
If the connecting pin and guide member slide repeatedly, then the valve can be opened and closed, but the sliding portion becomes damaged and deformed causing hydrogen leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface properties of the guide member by coating its outer peripheral surface with a soft material (e.g., resin or rubber). This parameter change in surface hardness and friction characteristics allows the connecting pin to slide smoothly during valve operation while preventing damage and deformation, thereby maintaining reliability and preventing hydrogen leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member uses a composite structure combining a hard base material (for structural strength) with a soft coating material (for wear resistance and low friction). This composite material approach enables repeated sliding operations without damage while maintaining the structural integrity needed for reliable sealing.
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
The solution effectively prevents radial movement and damage to the connecting pin, reducing hydrogen leakage and allowing for a more compact design of the filling nozzle, ensuring efficient and safe hydrogen filling operations.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing member holding member 4 sliding an outer peripheral surface of the rod-shaped member 2 while protecting the outer peripheral surface
Implementation Method 2
repetition of opening and closing of the valve causes a sliding portion of the connecting pin to be damaged and deformed
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(A)~3(B)
AI summary
[OBJECT] To provide a filling apparatus capable of suppressing radial movement of a connecting pin of a nozzle, and preventing damages and deformations (recesses and so on) from generating on an outer peripheral surface of the connecting pin, and making the filling nozzle compact. [MEANS OF REALIZING THE OBJECT] A filling apparatus (100) according to the present invention includes: a storage tank for storing hydrogen fuel; a filling nozzle (10) for filling hydrogen from the storage tank through a fuel filling system to an in-vehicle hydrogen filling tank mounted on a vehicle; a rod-shaped member (2: connecting pin) and a main body portion (1) mounted on the filling nozzle (10); a sealing member (3: laminated sealing member) arranged on (a radially outer peripheral portion of the rod-shaped member of) the main body portion (1); a sealing member holding member (4: pressing member) mounted on an end side (on a receptacle 20 side) of the rod-shaped member (2); and a mechanism for protecting an outer peripheral surface of the rod-shaped member (2) from slide on the sealing member holding member (4).