[0001] The obj ect of the present invention is a connector assembly for a multi function valve of an automotive hydrogen fuel cell system usually mounted on board a vehicle .

[0002] In high-pressure hydrogen fuel cell systems , the gas is loaded into a tank at a very high pressure , for example 350 or 700 or sometimes 1000 bar . A multi function valve ( OTV valve ) is applied to the tank, which multi function valve , in addition to managing the flow of gas from a supply port to the tank and from the tank to downstream devices , is usually capable of ful filling other functions , for example functions for detecting operating parameters , such as the temperature and pressure of the gas , and safety functions . For this purpose , an OTV valve comprises numerous functional groups , including an open/close valve ( SOV valve ) electrically operated by a coil , for managing the flow of gas from the tank to the downstream devices .

[0003] The Applicant , for years now, has been producing and marketing an OTV valve that is highly appreciated by the market , and is also the applicant for numerous

International Applications relating to such valves . Furthermore, the Applicant is the owner of the International Application WO-A1-2021/090139, relating to an SOV valve.

[0004] An OTV valve connector comprises the SOV valve coil and performs the function of a power connector, in particular for the supply of power to the coil and any sensors, for example a temperature sensor, and a signal connector for receiving the electrical signals sent by said sensors.

[0005] For example, the connector shown in W0-A1- 2017/088945 is known.

[0006] There are, however, some disadvantages with the known solutions.

[0007] For example, mounting to the valve body is sometimes difficult and hindered by power or signal cables. Furthermore, in order to avoid harmful infiltrations, the application of the connector to the valve body must ensure an excellent water seal.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a connector assembly for a multifunction valve for high- pressure hydrogen tanks that meets the needs of the industry and overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages with reference to the prior art.

[0009] This object is achieved by means of a connector assembly [0010] according to claim 1 . The dependent claims disclose further advantageous embodiments of the invention .

[0011] The features and advantages of the connector assembly according to this invention will be apparent from the description below, given by way of a nonlimiting example according to the attached drawings , wherein :

[0012] - Figures la and lb show a multi functional valve comprising a connector assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] - Figure 2 shows the connector assembly in separate parts ; and

[0014] - Figure 3 shows the connector assembly with parts coupled together .

[0015] With reference to the attached drawings , a multi function valve ( OTV valve ) for a tank containing high-pressure hydrogen is indicated as a whole with 1 . Typically, in the case of application to automotive systems , hydrogen is loaded into the tank at a pressure of 350 , 700 or even 1000 bar .

[0016] The valve 1 comprises a valve body 2 applicable to the tank, for example by means of a threaded neck; preferably, the valve body is manufactured as a single part made of a metal material , for example aluminum, by means of machining from a semi- finished product obtained by hot pressing .

[0017] Externally, the valve body 2 has a flat reference surface 2a .

[0018] The OTV valve comprises an inlet duct 3 , partly implemented in the valve body 2 , in connection with the interior of the tank, and an outlet duct 5 in connection with components of the automotive system downstream of the tank . Preferably, the outlet duct 5 coincides with a refueling duct , for refueling the tank .

[0019] Preferably, the OTV valve 1 comprises numerous functional groups , such as for example a thermal safety device ( TPRD device ) suitable for abruptly releasing gas from the tank in the case of an increase in temperature , a manual shut-of f valve (MV valve ) , a manual bypass valve (BV valve ) and a temperature detection device 7 ( T-sensor device ) .

[0020] In particular, the OTV valve 1 comprises an opening/closing valve ( SOV valve ) electromagnet ically driven, operated by a shutter operating between the inlet duct 3 and the outlet duct 5 that is translatable between an opening position in which it allows the movement of gas from the inlet duct 3 to the outlet duct 5 and a closing position in which it prevents the movement of gas from the inlet duct 3 to the outlet duct 5 .

[0021] The SOV valve further comprises a magnetically movable mobile core that is j ointed in translation with the shutter . The mobile core protrudes from the valve body 2 from the reference surface 2a .

[0022] The SOV also comprises a first casing 4 , preferably made of a plastics material , applied to the outside of the valve body 2 , on the reference surface 2a, for example by means of screws or by means of the bolt 9 , and containing a conductor winding for the electromagnetic actuation of the SOV valve , i . e . for the generation of a magnetic field and the movement of the mobile core .

[0023] The first casing 4 comprises a first internally hollow portion 6 , preferably of a cylindrical shape , which extends along a coil axis X, between a lower end, where there is a lower opening 8 , and an upper end, where there is an upper opening 10 . The first portion 6 contains the conductor winding, wound around the coil axis X . The lower opening 8 is intended for insertion into the first portion 6 of the mobile core , located inside the winding and j ointed with the shutter of the SOV valve .

[0024] Preferably, the first casing 4 comprises a first sealing ring 4 ' , located at the lower end, which surrounds the lower opening 8 . When the first casing 4 is fixed to the valve body 2 , the first sealing ring 4 ' is compressed between said first casing 4 and the reference surface 2a, thereby implementing an excellent water seal . [0025] The upper opening 10 is instead intended to be closed, for example by the bolt 9 , and sealed by virtue of a further sealing ring, after the assembly of the movable core .

[0026] The first casing 4 further comprises a second internally hollow portion 12 , applied laterally to the first portion 6 , and preferably implemented as a single piece therewith . Power connections for electrically supplying the winding are housed in the second portion 12 .

[0027] The second portion 12 comprises an annular end wall 14 , having a predetermined height parallel to the coil axis X, which wall is open at the bottom, i . e . having a lower mouth 16 lying on an imaginary plane orthogonal to the coil axis X . The terminals of said power connections are contained in the compartment del imited by the end wall 14 and extend along the direction of the coil axis X .

[0028] The OTV valve 1 further comprises a second casing 20 , preferably made of a plastics material , applied to the outside of the valve body 2 , on the reference surface 2a, for example by means of screws , and containing further electrical connections .

[0029] For example , the second casing 20 comprises a first hollow portion 22 , which is for example box-shaped, a second portion 24 consisting of an annular connection wall 26 having a vertical axis Y, and a third portion 28 consisting of an annular connection wall 30 having a hori zontal axis Z .

[0030] The vertical axis Y is orthogonal to the hori zontal axis Z and, when the first casing 4 is applied to the second casing 20 , the vertical axis Y is parallel to and spaced apart from the coil axis X .

[0031] The connection wall 26 has a predetermined height in the direction of the vertical axis Y and is open at the top by means of an upper mouth 27 lying on an imaginary plane orthogonal to the vertical axis Y .

[0032] Preferably, moreover, the connection wall 26 is dimensioned to be sealingly inserted into the compartment delimited by the end wall 14 of the first casing 4 . Terminals 29 are contained within the compartment delimited by the connection wall 26 for connection to the power connections of the first casing 4 , contained in the compartment delimited by the end wall 14 . Therefore , when the end wall 14 couples to the connection wall 26 , i . e . when the latter is sealingly inserted into the compartment delimited by the former, the terminals 29 engage with the terminals of the power connections for the electrical supply of the winding . [0033] The second casing 20 further comprises at least one sensor connection 40 for the sensors , comprising sensor power connections for electrically supplying sensors and/or sensor data connections for receiving the signals transmitted from the sensors . For example , said sensor connection 40 is arranged on a lower surface 42 of the first portion 22 of the second casing 20 , i . e . on the surface intended to come into contact with the valve body 2 when the second casing 20 is coupled to said valve body .

[0034] For example , the sensor connection 40 is suitable for electrical connection to a temperature sensor cable of the T-sensor device 7 for powering the temperature sensor and for collecting the temperature signal emitted by said temperature sensor .

[0035] Preferably, the second casing 20 comprises a second sealing ring 20 ' , arranged on the lower surface 42 of the first portion 22 , which surrounds the sensor attachment 40 . When the second casing 20 is attached to the valve body 2 , for example by means of screws , independently of the first casing 4 , the second sealing ring 20 ' is compressed between the second casing 20 and the reference surface 2a, implementing an excellent water seal .

[0036] The connection wall 30 has a predetermined length in the direction of the hori zontal axis Z and is laterally open by means of a side mouth 50 lying on an imaginary plane orthogonal to the hori zontal axis Z .

[0037] T erminals are contained within the compartment delimited by the connection wall 30 that are connected respectively to the sensor connection 40 and to the terminals 29 that are suitable for coupling to a multi function plug for supplying power and the transmission of signals .

[0038] A connector assembly 100 of the OTV valve 1 comprises the first casing 4 , mechanically coupled to the valve body 2 , and the second casing 20 , mechanically coupled to the valve body 2 , wherein the first casing 4 is mechanically and electrically coupled to the second casing 20 in a releasable manner . Preferably, moreover, the mechanical coupling between the first casing 4 and the second casing 20 , which is implemented by means of the end wall 14 that is sealingly inserted over the connection wall 26 , does not implement a fixed axial constraint , so that each casing 4 , 20 may be attached to the valve body independently of the other, thereby ensuring an excellent seal .

[0039] Advantageously, when the temperature sensor cable is connected to the sensor connection 40 , the second casing 20 is attached to the valve body 2 , without the temperature sensor cable being in an encumbrance . Next , the first casing 4 is mechanically and electrically engaged with the second casing 4 , according to the direction of the coil axis X, insofar as the terminal wall 14 couples to the connection wall 26 with a movement in the direction of the coil axis X, and the power connections couple to the terminals 29 , again with a movement according to the direction of the coil axis X . Finally, the first casing 4 is attached to the valve body 2 .

[0040] The assembly operations are therefore very simple and reliable .

[0041] Innovatively, the connector assembly described above meets the needs of the industry and overcomes the [0042] disadvantages mentioned above with reference to the [0043] prior art .

[0044] In particular, advantageously, the water seal between the first and second casings and the valve body is particularly ef fective .

[0045] It is clear that those skilled in the art may make changes to the connector assembly described above in order to meet incidental needs , which changes all fall within the scope of protection defined in the following claims .