Pressure-Locked Fluid Coupling for Leakproof Hydrogen Refueling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hydrogen refueling of fuel cell vehicles, existing couplings face challenges in ensuring reliable, leakproof connections and easy handling, particularly in preventing medium escape and coupling disconnection under pressure.
Innovation Solution
A coupling with a central fluid channel and valve, featuring a spring-pre-tensioned valve sleeve and locking mechanism, combined with a pressure-assisted securing mechanism, which automatically locks onto a tank nipple and only releases at low residual pressure, ensuring reliable and leakproof connections and disconnections through a simple handling process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a coupling is designed with automatic locking and pressure-assisted securing mechanisms, then reliability and leakproof connection are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism and securing mechanism are merged into a single integrated assembly where the locking mechanism includes a locking sleeve with locking elements, and the securing mechanism includes securing elements that work together through the sliding sleeve. This integration reduces the number of separate components while maintaining both automatic locking and pressure-assisted securing functions, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling is designed to automatically lock onto the tank nipple when connected, without requiring manual intervention. The spring element provides automatic engagement of locking elements, and the pressure-assisted securing mechanism automatically activates when fluid pressure is applied, ensuring the coupling remains securely locked during refueling operations.
2Ease of operation
If a coupling uses spring-pre-tensioned valve sleeve and automatic locking, then connection speed and ease of operation are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve sleeve is pre-tensioned by a spring element before the coupling is connected to the tank nipple. This preliminary action ensures that the valve is initially closed and the coupling is ready for immediate connection without requiring additional manual preparation steps, thereby improving ease of operation while the pre-set spring tension compensates for minor manufacturing variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding sleeve acts as an intermediary element that coordinates the movement between the locking mechanism and the securing mechanism. It translates the connection motion into sequential activation of locking elements and securing elements, simplifying the overall control logic and reducing the precision requirements for direct coordination between multiple independent components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If pressure-assisted securing mechanism is implemented, then prevention of medium escape is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid pressure, which could potentially cause leakage or disconnection, is converted into a beneficial force that activates the securing mechanism. When pressure is applied during refueling, it automatically pushes the sliding sleeve to engage the securing elements, ensuring the coupling remains tightly locked. This converts the potentially harmful pressure into a self-securing action, preventing medium escape without requiring additional energy input.
4Ease of operation
If locking mechanism and securing mechanism are integrated via sliding sleeve, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding sleeve serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides the connection motion, controls the sequential engagement of locking elements, activates the securing mechanism through pressure, and maintains the valve position. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control components, simplifying the user interface while the internal integration manages the complexity through functional consolidation.
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 provides a reliable, leakproof, and user-friendly coupling that automatically locks onto a tank nipple, preventing release under pressure and allowing safe disconnection only at low residual pressure, enhancing safety and efficiency in hydrogen refueling.
Implementation Method 1
a valve arranged therein, the valve tappet of which is coupled in terms of movement to a valve sleeve which is pre-tensioned by spring force in the flow direction of the fluid
Implementation Method 2
a pressure-assisted securing mechanism, which automatically locks onto a tank nipple and only releases at low residual pressure
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a coupling 10 for transferring fluids, having a valve 30, the valve tappet 32 of which is coupled in terms of movement with a valve sleeve 31, which is pre-tensioned by spring force in the flow direction D of the fluid, and having a locking mechanism 40 for releasably locking the coupling 10 to a tank nipple 50, and a securing mechanism 60 for releasably blocking the closed valve 30, wherein the locking mechanism 40 and the securing mechanism 60 are coupled in terms of movement via a sliding sleeve 70 which is pre-tensioned by spring force against the flow direction D of the fluid, so that in a first control position A of the sliding sleeve 70, the locking mechanism 40 is unlocked and the valve 30 is closed, and in a second control position B of the sliding sleeve 70, the securing mechanism 60 unlocks the valve sleeve 31, so that the valve 30 is unblocked and at least partially opened, and the valve sleeve 31 can be moved subject to pressure against the flow direction D of the fluid, wherein the securing mechanism 60 locks the sliding sleeve and completely opens the valve 30.