Pressure Reduction Valve Flow Paths to Prevent Freezing Force Imbalance

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing pressure reduction valve devices face operational hindrances due to moisture adherence between the valve body and the accommodation portion, which can lead to freezing and improper valve operation, and the hydrogen gas supply configuration can result in excessive force on the valve body, disrupting its functionality.

Innovation Solution

A pressure reduction valve device with a support member that includes communication, inner, and outer introduction passages to disperse gas pressure, reducing moisture adherence and employing a tapered design to minimize the force on the valve body, ensuring appropriate operation by balancing the gas flow and reducing the area of contact with the gas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hydrogen gas is supplied into the region between the valve body and accommodation portion to reduce moisture adherence, then moisture freezing is prevented, but excessive force pushes the valve body away from the valve seat causing operational failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve operation reliabilityVSAvoidgas pressure force on valve body
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The gas flow path is segmented into two separate passages: an inner introduction passage that supplies gas to reduce moisture adherence, and an outer introduction passage that supplies gas to control valve body positioning. This segmentation allows independent control of gas flow to achieve both moisture prevention and proper valve operation without excessive force

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If a through-hole is used to supply hydrogen gas, then gas flow is established, but the force on the valve body becomes too large disrupting operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrogen gas supplyVSAvoidvalve body operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The single through-hole is divided into two separate introduction passages with different functions. The inner passage has a smaller cross-sectional area to provide gentle gas flow for moisture control, while the outer passage provides additional gas flow. This segmentation reduces the excessive force on the valve body while maintaining adequate hydrogen gas supply

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the valve body is positioned close to the accommodation portion to reduce moisture accumulation, then moisture freezing is prevented, but the valve body operation is hindered by the confined space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture freezingVSAvoidvalve body movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Gas flow is introduced as an intermediary substance between the valve body and accommodation portion. The gas flow prevents moisture accumulation and freezing without requiring the valve body to be in direct contact with the accommodation portion, thus maintaining operational freedom while preventing harmful moisture effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 device maintains appropriate valve body operation by dispersing gas pressure and reducing moisture adherence, preventing freezing and excessive force, thus ensuring reliable operation even under conditions where moisture might freeze.

Implementation Method 1

Hydrogen gas is supplied into the flow channel. The supplied hydrogen gas flows into the pressure reduction chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas flow:

Implementation Method 2

an elastic force of an urging member... the piston moves due to the force that is produced on the piston due to the differential pressure between the pressure in the pressure reduction chamber and the pressure in the pressure adjustment chamber, and the elastic force of the urging member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

moisture is considered to adhere to a region between the outer surface of the valve body and the inner surface of the accommodation portion that accommodates the valve body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMoisture adherence: Adsorption

Implementation Method 4

employing a tapered design to minimize the force on the valve body, ensuring appropriate operation by balancing the gas flow and reducing the area of contact with the gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure distribution: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3301535B1Pressure reduction valve device
Publication Date: 2022.06.29 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP3301535B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3301535B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3301535B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

In a pressure reduction valve device, a valve body (22) and a distal end portion (60a) of a support member (60) are accommodated in a valve accommodation hole (10a) of a body (70). The distal end portion (60a) is inserted through an urging member accommodation hole (22d). An inner introduction passage (80) is formed between an outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion (60a) and an inner peripheral surface of the urging member accommodation hole (22d). An outer introduction passage is formed between an outer surface of the valve body (22) and an inner surface of the valve accommodation hole (10a). The support member (60) is provided with communication holes (60e) that establish communication between a gas inlet provided through the body (70) and the valve accommodation hole (10a) in an axial direction. The inner introduction passage (80) and the outer introduction passage (81) are opposed, in an axial direction thereof, to the communication passage (60e).