Hydrogen Tank Valve Spacer Layout for Flexible Discharge Porting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve structures for hydrogen tanks in fuel cell electric vehicles are complicated by the use of a hydrogen pipe, limiting the flexibility in positioning the discharge port and potentially interfering with peripheral components.
Innovation Solution
A valve structure for a hydrogen tank that includes a fusible plug valve attached to a spacer, allowing the discharge port to be positioned freely on the spacer's outer wall without direct attachment to the valve body or fusible plug valve, thereby simplifying the structure and avoiding interference with peripheral components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hydrogen pipe is used to connect the hydrogen tank and fuel cell, then the discharge port can be provided in the hydrogen pipe, but the valve structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer integrates multiple functions: it positions the fusible plug valve relative to the valve body, provides a mounting surface for the discharge port, and serves as a structural connector. By combining these functions into a single component rather than using separate hydrogen pipe and mounting bracket components, the overall structure is simplified while maintaining discharge port positioning flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously serves as a positioning element, mounting structure, and connector. The discharge port is provided directly on the spacer, which also positions the fusible plug valve, eliminating the need for a separate hydrogen pipe structure and reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the discharge port is provided in the hydrogen pipe connecting the hydrogen tank and fuel cell, then the discharge function is achieved, but the position of the discharge port is not freely changeable
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the valve body with first communication passage, the spacer with second communication passage and discharge port, and the fusible plug valve. This segmentation allows the discharge port on the spacer to be independently positioned on different outer walls according to spatial requirements, providing position adjustability without complicating the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer acts as an intermediary component between the valve body and fusible plug valve, and also serves as the mounting structure for the discharge port. This intermediary structure enables flexible positioning of the discharge port on various outer walls of the spacer without requiring modifications to the valve body or fusible plug valve, thus providing position adjustability while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Device complexity
If the fusible plug valve is directly attached to the valve body, then the structure is simplified, but the discharge port position is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer serves as an intermediary component between the valve body and fusible plug valve. This intermediary structure provides an additional surface (the outer wall of the spacer) on which the discharge port can be positioned flexibly. The spacer maintains the simple attachment relationship while enabling discharge port positioning flexibility that would not be available with direct attachment.
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
Enables flexible positioning of the discharge port to avoid interference with surrounding components while maintaining structural simplicity and safety through the use of a fusible plug valve attached via a spacer.
Implementation Method 1
a fusible member juxtaposed to the pressing member
Data Source
AI summary
The valve structure of the hydrogen tank includes a valve body mounted on a base of the hydrogen tank and having a first communication passage communicating with the inside of the hydrogen tank, and a fusible plug valve mounted on the valve body via a spacer. The spacer has a second communication passage communicating with the first communication passage and a discharge port provided on an outer wall of the spacer. The second communication passage and the discharge port are shut off by the valve body when the fusible plug valve is closed, and communicate with each other when the fusible plug valve is opened. The discharge port is provided on an outer wall of the spacer other than an outer wall that contacts the valve body and an outer wall that contacts the fusible plug valve.