JP2009090696A - Vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle which is miniaturized and capable of promoting the heat radiation of a control means by reducing the space occupied by a controller. <P>SOLUTION: The vehicle 10 comprises a fuel cell system 100, a vehicle body frame 12, and a controller 150 for controlling the fuel cell system 100. The vehicle body frame 12 includes a head pipe 14 and a cradle frame 16 which extends from an upper connection part 14 of the head pipe 14 and is bent, and extends to a lower connection part 14b of the head pipe 14. A heat sink part H having a first wall 24a and a second wall 24b opposite to each other without via any connection part is formed on the cradle frame 16. The controller 150 is provided between the first wall 24a and the second wall 24b of a heat sink part H. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle, and more particularly to a vehicle provided with a control means.

An example of this type of prior art is disclosed in Patent Document 1.
In the controller arrangement structure of Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 8, the controller is attached to the upper surface of the front end of the rear frame having a substantially I-shaped cross section, and the controller is opened toward the space.
JP-A-4-362486

In Patent Document 1, the controller can be easily maintained and inspected. However, since the controller is provided on the upper surface of the rear frame, the space occupied by the controller is increased, which prevents the vehicle from being made smaller.
Further, the controller of the fuel cell vehicle is large and generates a large amount of heat as compared with the electric vehicle and the internal combustion engine vehicle.

  Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle in which the vehicle can be made smaller by reducing the space occupied by the control means and heat dissipation of the control means can be promoted.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the vehicle according to claim 1 is a vehicle including a fuel cell system, wherein the first wall, the second wall, the first wall, and the second wall are connected to each other. And a control means provided between the first wall and the second wall for controlling the fuel cell system.

  The vehicle according to claim 2 is the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle body frame includes a heat sink portion having the first wall and the second wall that face each other without the connection portion interposed therebetween, The control means is provided between the first wall and the second wall of the heat sink part.

  The vehicle according to claim 3 is the vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle body frame is bent after extending rearward from a head pipe and an upper connection portion of the head pipe, and the upper connection of the head pipe. A cradle frame extending to a lower connecting portion provided below the portion, wherein the cradle frame includes the heat sink portion.

  The vehicle according to claim 4 is the vehicle according to claim 3, further comprising a cover that covers the cradle frame and has an air inlet in the vicinity of the lower connection portion, wherein the heat sink portion is included in the cradle frame. It is provided above the lower connection part.

  The vehicle according to claim 5 is the vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the fuel cell system includes a blowing unit for suppressing a temperature rise of the fuel cell system, and the blowing unit is more than the control unit. It is provided in the downstream of the flow of the air introduce | transduced from the inlet port.

  The vehicle according to claim 6 is the vehicle according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the first wall and the second wall of the heat sink portion has a planar opposing surface, and the control means is It is fixed to the said opposing surface, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  The vehicle according to claim 7 is the vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising power supply means for outputting a predetermined voltage, wherein the control means is provided on one of the first wall and the second wall, The means is provided on the other of the first wall and the second wall.

  In the vehicle according to claim 1, by providing the control means between the first wall and the second wall of the vehicle body frame, the control means occupies as compared with the case where the control means is provided outside the first wall or the second wall. Space can be reduced and the vehicle can be made smaller. Further, the control means can be protected from external force by the first wall and the second wall of the body frame. In general, when the control means controls the operation of the fuel cell system, the amount of heat generated by the control means increases. According to the present invention, since the control means is provided between the first wall and the second wall, the heat radiation of the control means can be promoted and the control means can be cooled. Therefore, the vehicle includes the fuel cell system and the control means for controlling the fuel cell system. Is preferably used.

  In the vehicle according to claim 2, by providing the control means between the first wall and the second wall of the heat sink portion of the body frame, heat radiation can be promoted without using a separate heat sink, and the control means can be cooled smoothly. .

  In the vehicle according to the third aspect, the cradle frame is connected to the head pipe at two locations of the upper connection portion and the lower connection portion, and a vehicle body frame having high rigidity is obtained. Therefore, even if the cradle frame has a heat sink portion without a connecting portion, the frame strength can be ensured without reducing the rigidity of the cradle frame and thus the vehicle body frame.

  In the vehicle according to the fourth aspect, by covering the cradle frame with the cover, the control means provided in the heat sink portion of the cradle frame can be further protected from external force. Further, by providing an air inlet near the lower connection part of the head pipe and providing the heat sink part above the lower connection part of the head pipe, the control means can be arranged above the air inlet of the cover. . As a result, air can be taken in from the intake port and water or the like that has entered from the intake port can be prevented from coming into contact with the control means.

  For example, if there is a control means downstream of the blower means for cooling the radiator or gas-liquid separator, warm air after cooling the radiator or gas-liquid separator is given to the control means, and the cooling efficiency of the control means is reduced. End up. In the vehicle according to claim 5, since the air blowing means is disposed downstream of the control means, the air after cooling the radiator and the gas-liquid separator is not supplied to the control means, and the cooling means A reduction in efficiency can be prevented.

  In the vehicle according to the sixth aspect, since the opposing surface of the heat sink portion to which the control means is fixed is planar, the control means can be fixed stably.

  In the vehicle according to claim 7, by providing the control means and the power supply means on separate members (walls), the cooling efficiency of the control means and the power supply means can be increased as compared with the case where the control means and the power supply means are provided on the same member. it can.

  According to the present invention, the space occupied by the control means, that is, the vehicle can be reduced, and the heat radiation of the control means can be promoted.

Hereinafter, a vehicle 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the embodiment of the present invention, left and right, front and rear, and top and bottom mean left and right, front and back, and top and bottom, based on the state in which the driver is seated on the seat of the vehicle 10 toward the handle 36.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, vehicle 10 is a motorcycle and includes a body frame 12.
Referring also to FIG. 3, the vehicle body frame 12 includes a head pipe 14, a cradle frame 16 provided on the head pipe 14, a seat rail 18 attached to the cradle frame 16, and two support frames 20 for supporting the seat rail 18. , And two flange portions 22 provided on the cradle frame 16.

  The cradle frame 16 includes an upper frame 24, two rear frames 26, a lower frame 28, and a support frame 30. The upper frame 24 and the two rear frames 26 are connected by, for example, bolts, and the two rear frames 26 and the lower frame 28 are connected by, for example, bolts.

  The upper frame 24 includes a first wall 24a and a second wall 24b each having a width in the left-right direction. The first wall 24a and the second wall 24b extend rearward from the upper connection portion 14a of the head pipe 14 at a substantially constant interval. The first wall 24a and the second wall 24b are each formed in a flat plate shape and have planar opposing surfaces 32a and 32b. The heat sink part H is formed in the part which does not have a connection part among the 1st wall 24a and the 2nd wall 24b.

  The two rear frames 26 are bifurcated from the rear end of the upper frame 24 and extend rearward, and then bend downward and obliquely downward in the vicinity of the connection portions A and B with the seat rail 18. In the vicinity of the connecting portions C and D, it bends toward the front obliquely lower side, and then bends toward the front, and is connected to the rear end portion of the lower frame 28. Each rear frame 26 includes a first wall 26a and a second wall 26b having a width in the left-right direction. The first wall 26a and the second wall 26b are formed at a substantially constant distance from each other, and the first wall 26a and the second wall 26b are connected by a connecting portion 26c. The connecting portion 26c connects the first wall 26a and the second wall 26b at the outer edge in the width direction. Accordingly, each rear frame 26 is formed in a U-shaped cross section. The two rear frames 26 are connected by a support frame 30.

  The lower frame 28 extends forward from the rear end portion to which the rear frame 26 is connected, bends further toward the upper front side, and is connected to the lower connection portion 14 b of the head pipe 14. The lower frame 28 includes a first wall 28a and a second wall 28b each having a width in the left-right direction. The first wall 28a and the second wall 28b are formed at a substantially constant distance from each other, and the first wall 28a and the second wall 28b are connected by a connecting portion 28c. The connecting portion 28c connects the first wall 28a and the second wall 28b at the center in the width direction, and the lower frame 28 is formed in an I-shaped longitudinal section.

  A frame-like seat rail 18 extending in the front-rear direction is connected to the connection portions A and B of the cradle frame 16. A seat (not shown) is provided on the upper side of the seat rail 18 so as to be freely opened and closed. By opening the seat, the secondary battery 66 (described later) can be attached and detached and fuel can be supplied.

Two support frames 20 are attached to the seat rail 18 by, for example, welding. The lower end portions of the two support frames 20 are respectively attached to the connection portions C and D of the cradle frame 16, thereby supporting the seat rail 18. The two support frames 20 are connected by a connection frame 32.
The flanges 22 are attached to the two rear frames 26 by welding, for example.

  Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, a steering shaft 34 for changing the vehicle body direction is rotatably inserted into the head pipe 14. A handle support portion 38 to which a handle 36 is fixed is attached to the upper end of the steering shaft 34. A display operation unit 40 is disposed at the upper end of the handle support unit 38.

  Referring also to FIG. 7, the display operation unit 40 is a meter 40 a for measuring and displaying various data of an electric motor 56 (described later) for driving the vehicle 10, for example, a liquid crystal display for providing various information such as a running state, etc. And an input unit 40c for inputting various instructions and various information are integrally provided. The input unit 40c lights the start button 42a for electrically connecting the electric motor 56 and the secondary battery 66 (described later), the stop button 42b for turning off the ON / OFF circuit 156, and the stop button 42b. A backlight 42c.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of left and right front forks 44 are attached to the lower end of the steering shaft 34, and a front wheel 46 is attached to the lower end of each front fork 44 via a front axle 48.

  A swing arm (rear arm) 50 is supported between the lower end portions of the two flange portions 22 via a pivot shaft 52 so as to be swingable. A rear end portion 50 a of the swing arm 50 includes, for example, an axial gap type electric motor 56 that is connected to the rear wheel 54 and rotates the rear wheel 54. Further, the swing arm 50 incorporates a controller 60 that is electrically connected to the electric motor 56 and controls the rotational drive of the electric motor 56. The swing arm 50 and the rear frame 26 of the cradle frame 16 are connected via a rear cushion 64.

  A secondary battery 66 is disposed between the two rear frames 26 of the cradle frame 16 of the vehicle 10 and on the front side of the support frame 30. The secondary battery 66 can be attached and detached in an oblique direction indicated by an arrow P so as to pass through the space surrounded by the seat rail 18. The secondary battery 66 stores electric power from the cell stack 102 and supplies electric power to electric components in accordance with commands from a controller 150 (described later). The secondary battery 66 can be charged by the cell stack 102 or an external commercial power source. The secondary battery 66 includes a storage amount detector 62 for detecting the storage amount of the secondary battery 66.

The vehicle 10 includes a fuel cell system 100.
The fuel cell system 100 generates electric energy for driving the electric motor 56, auxiliary machines, and the like.

Hereinafter, the fuel cell system 100 will be described.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a fuel cell system 100 is a direct methanol fuel cell system that directly uses methanol (aqueous methanol solution) for generation (electric power generation) of electric energy without reforming.

  The fuel cell system 100 includes a cell stack 102 disposed below the lower frame 28. As shown in FIG. 1, the cell stack 102 is supported by a stay 104 suspended from the rear frame 26.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the cell stack 102 is formed by stacking a plurality of fuel cells (fuel cell) 104 that can generate power by an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen ions based on methanol and oxygen, with a separator 106 interposed therebetween. It is configured. Each fuel cell 104 constituting the cell stack 102 includes an electrolyte membrane 104a composed of a solid polymer membrane or the like, and an anode (fuel electrode) 104b and a cathode (air electrode) 104c facing each other across the electrolyte membrane 104a. Including. Each of the anode 104b and the cathode 104c includes a platinum catalyst layer provided on the electrolyte membrane 104a side.

  Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, the radiator 106 and the gas-liquid separator 108 are disposed behind the rear frame 26 of the secondary battery 66 and the cradle frame 16 so as to incline backward from the top. The radiator 106 is fixed to the seat rail 18 and the support frame 20, and the gas-liquid separator 108 is fixed to the rear frame 26. A fan 110 for cooling the radiator 106 is provided on the back side of the radiator 106, and a fan 112 for cooling the gas-liquid separator 108 is provided on the back side of the gas-liquid separator 108. The fans 110 and 112 promote the cooling operation by the radiator 106 and the gas-liquid separator 108, respectively, and suppress the temperature rise of the fuel cell system 100.

  A fuel supply system assembly 113 is disposed in the cradle frame 16 and in front of the secondary battery 66. The assembly 113 includes a fuel tank 114, an aqueous solution tank 116, and the like.

  The fuel tank 114 accommodates a methanol fuel (high concentration aqueous methanol solution) with a high concentration (for example, containing about 50 wt% of methanol) that serves as a fuel for the electrochemical reaction of the cell stack 102. A level sensor 118 (see FIG. 7) is attached to the fuel tank 114, and the height of the liquid level of the methanol fuel in the fuel tank 114 and the amount of liquid are detected. A fuel pump 120 and a radiator valve 122 are attached to the fuel tank 114, and a fuel filter 124 (see FIG. 6) and a check valve 125 are attached to the front surface of the fuel tank 114. A catch tank 126 is attached to the rear part of the fuel tank 114 by, for example, a hook-and-loop fastener.

  The aqueous solution tank 116 contains an aqueous methanol solution obtained by diluting the methanol fuel from the fuel tank 114 to a concentration suitable for the electrochemical reaction of the cell stack 102 (for example, containing about 3 wt% of methanol). A level sensor 128 (see FIG. 7) is attached to the aqueous solution tank 116, and the height of the aqueous solution of the methanol aqueous solution in the aqueous solution tank 116 and the amount of liquid are detected. An aqueous solution pump 130 and an aqueous solution filter 132 are attached to the aqueous solution tank 116.

  Further, the fuel tank 114 and the aqueous solution tank 116 are connected and integrated through a bracket (not shown). An ultrasonic sensor 134 and a detection valve 136 (see FIG. 6) are attached to the bracket.

  Thus, the fuel tank 114, the fuel pump 120, the radiator valve 122, the fuel filter 124, the check valve 125, the catch tank 126, the aqueous solution tank 116, the aqueous solution pump 130, the aqueous solution filter 132, the ultrasonic sensor 134, and the detection valve 136 are provided. The integrated assembly 113 is attached to the vehicle body frame 12 at a plurality of locations. Specifically, the assembly 113 is disposed in the cradle frame 16 so that the fuel tank 114 is located below the upper frame 24 of the cradle frame 16 and the aqueous solution tank 116 is located obliquely in the lower left front of the fuel tank 114. Has been. The upper part of the fuel tank 114 is attached to the upper frame 24 at two places, and the lower part of the aqueous solution tank 116 is attached to the lower frame 28 at one place.

  Further, a water tank 138 is provided behind the cell stack 102 and below the rear frame 26, and a level sensor 140 (see FIG. 7) is attached to the water tank 138 so that the water level in the water tank 138 is high. As a result, the amount of water is detected. A water pump 142 is attached to the upper surface of the water tank 138.

  As can be seen from FIG. 2, an air filter 144 is disposed on the right side of the cradle frame 16 to remove foreign substances such as dust contained in the gas. An air chamber 146 is provided below the air filter 144, and an air pump 148 is provided below the air chamber 146.

Referring also to FIG. 4, a controller 150 is provided on the facing surface 32 b of the second wall 24 b between the first wall 24 a and the second wall 24 b of the upper frame 24 of the cradle frame 16. It is fixed by. A power supply circuit 152 including a DC-DC converter is disposed on the upper surface of the first wall 24a, and is fixed by, for example, a bolt. The head pipe 14 is provided with a main switch 154 so that it can be operated from the right side of the cradle frame 16. When the main switch 154 is turned on, the controller 150 is activated and a relay 188 (described later) is turned on.
Further, an ON / OFF circuit 156 is provided near the left side of the rear frame 26, and a DC-DC converter 158 is provided near the right side of the rear frame 26.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the fuel tank 114 and the fuel filter 124 are connected via a pipe P1, the fuel filter 124 and the fuel pump 120 are connected via a pipe P2, and the fuel pump 120 and the aqueous solution tank 116 are connected to each other. It is connected via a pipe P3.

  The aqueous solution tank 116 and the aqueous solution pump 130 are connected via a pipe P4, the aqueous solution pump 130 and the aqueous solution filter 132 are connected via pipes P5 and P6, and the aqueous solution filter 132 and the inlet temperature sensor 160 are connected via a pipe P7. The inlet temperature sensor 160 and the anode inlet I1 of the cell stack 102 are connected via a pipe P8. An aqueous methanol solution is supplied to the cell stack 102 by driving the aqueous solution pump 130. The inlet temperature sensor 160 detects the temperature of the aqueous methanol solution flowing into the cell stack 102. This detected temperature is regarded as the temperature of the cell stack 102.

  The anode outlet I2 and the outlet temperature sensor 162 of the cell stack 102 are connected via a pipe P9, and the outlet temperature sensor 162 and the radiator 106 are connected via a pipe P10. The outlet temperature sensor 162 detects the temperature of the aqueous methanol solution flowing out from the cell stack 102.

The radiator 106 and the aqueous solution tank 116 are connected via a pipe P11. The pipes P10 and P11 are connected via the pipe P12, the radiator valve 122, and the pipe P13, and a flow path that bypasses the radiator 106 is configured.
The pipes P1 to P13 described above mainly serve as fuel flow paths.

  The air filter 144 and the air chamber 146 are connected via a pipe P14, the air chamber 146 and the air pump 148 are connected via a pipe P15, and the air pump 148 and the cathode inlet I3 of the cell stack 102 are connected to a pipe P16. Connected through. When the fuel cell system 100 generates power, the air pump 148 is driven to suck in air containing oxygen from the outside.

  The cathode outlet I4 of the cell stack 102 and the gas-liquid separator 108 are connected via a pipe P17, the gas-liquid separator 108 and the water tank 138 are connected via a pipe P18, and a pipe (exhaust gas) is connected to the water tank 138. Tube) P19 is provided.

The air layer of the fuel tank 114 and the check valve 125 are connected via a pipe P20, and the check valve 125 and the air layer of the aqueous solution tank 116 are connected via a pipe P21. In this way, the gas layers of the fuel tank 114 and the aqueous solution tank 116 are connected to each other.
The pipes P14 to P19 described above mainly serve as an oxidant flow path.

Further, the water tank 138 and the water pump 142 are connected via a pipe P22, the water pump 142 and the water filter 166 are connected via a pipe P23, and the water filter 166 and the check valve 168 are connected via a pipe P24. The check valve 168 and the aqueous solution tank 116 are connected via a pipe P25.
The pipes P22 to P25 described above serve as a water flow path.

  An ultrasonic sensor 134 is connected to the pipe P5. The ultrasonic sensor 134 is used to detect the methanol concentration of the aqueous methanol solution (ratio of methanol in the aqueous methanol solution) by utilizing the fact that the propagation time (propagation speed) of the ultrasonic waves changes according to the methanol concentration. For the concentration detection by the ultrasonic sensor 134, a part of the methanol aqueous solution sent toward the cell stack 102 is used. The ultrasonic sensor 134 includes a transmission unit and a reception unit. The ultrasonic wave transmitted from the transmission unit is received by the reception unit, the ultrasonic propagation time is detected, and a voltage value corresponding to the propagation time is detected as a physical concentration. Information. The controller 150 detects the methanol concentration of the methanol aqueous solution sent to the cell stack 102 based on the concentration information.

A detection valve 136 is connected to the ultrasonic sensor 134 via a pipe P26, and the detection valve 136 and the aqueous solution tank 116 are connected via a pipe P27. When the methanol concentration is detected, the detection valve 136 is closed and the flow of the aqueous methanol solution in the ultrasonic sensor 134 is stopped. After the detection of the methanol concentration, the detection valve 136 is opened, and the methanol aqueous solution whose concentration has been detected is returned to the aqueous solution tank 116.
The pipes P26 and P27 described above mainly serve as a concentration detection flow path.

Further, the aqueous solution tank 116 and the catch tank 126 are connected via a pipe P28, the catch tank 126 and the pipe P16 are connected via a pipe P29, and the catch tank 126 and the aqueous solution tank 116 are connected via a pipe P30. Has been.
The pipes P20, P21 and P28 to P30 described above mainly serve as fuel processing channels.

  Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, such a vehicle 10 includes a cover 170. The cover 170 is provided so as to cover the cradle frame 16 and the fuel cell system 100 from both the left and right sides and the upper side of the vehicle except for the seat portion. The fixing means of the cover 170 may be arbitrary, but in this embodiment, a protrusion (not shown) provided on the inner surface of the cover 170 is fitted into a relief (not shown) provided on the cradle frame 16 or the like. It is fixed by that. As can be seen from FIG. 5, the cover 170 has an intake port 172 for taking in outside air in the vicinity of the lower connection portion 14 b of the head pipe 14. The intake port 172 is formed to face forward and downward. Since the space in the cover 170 becomes negative pressure by driving the fan 110 for cooling the radiator, outside air is introduced from the air inlet 172. As a result, the various auxiliary machines provided in the cradle frame 16, the controller 150, and the like are cooled.

  Further, the air inlet 172 is provided at a position lower than the controller 150. Since the vehicle 10 travels outside, the vehicle 10 may be flooded from the air intake 172 such as during rain. Even at this time, the controller 150 can be prevented from getting wet by moisture by providing the controller 150 above the intake port 172.

Next, the electrical configuration of the fuel cell system 100 will be described with reference to FIG.
The controller 150 of the fuel cell system 100 performs necessary calculations to control the operation of the fuel cell system 100, a clock circuit 176 that provides a clock to the CPU 174, and a program and data for controlling the operation of the fuel cell system 100 And a memory 178 made of, for example, an EEPROM for storing arithmetic data, a voltage detection circuit 182 for detecting a voltage in the electric circuit 180 for connecting the cell stack 102 to the electric motor 56, the fuel cell 104, and thus the cell stack A current detection circuit 184 for detecting a current flowing through the power supply circuit 102 and a voltage protection circuit 186 for protecting the electric circuit 180 are included.

  An ON / OFF circuit 156 for opening and closing the electric circuit 180 and a DC-DC converter 158 are connected in series to the electric circuit 180, and a power circuit 152 for outputting a predetermined voltage is relayed to the electric circuit 180. 188 is connected. The voltage protection circuit 186 opens the ON / OFF circuit 156 when a voltage drop in the cell stack 102 is detected.

  Detection signals from the level sensors 118, 128, and 140 and detection signals from the ultrasonic sensor 134, the inlet temperature sensor 160, and the outlet temperature sensor 162 are input to the CPU 174 of the controller 150. Further, the CPU 174 receives input signals from the main switch 154 and input signals from the start button 42a and the stop button 42b of the input unit 40c. Further, the detection signal from the charged amount detector 62 is input to the CPU 174. The CPU 174 calculates the storage rate of the secondary battery 66 (the ratio of the stored amount to the capacity of the secondary battery 66) using the detection signal from the stored amount detector 62 and information related to the capacity of the secondary battery 66. Further, the voltage detection value from the voltage detection circuit 182 and the current detection value from the current detection circuit 184 are input to the CPU 174. The CPU 174 calculates the output of the cell stack 102 using the voltage detection value and the current detection value.

  Further, the CPU 174 controls auxiliary equipment such as the fuel pump 120, the aqueous solution pump 130, the air pump 148, the water pump 142, the fans 110 and 112, the radiator valve 122, and the detection valve 136. Further, the CPU 174 controls the display unit 40b for displaying various information and informing the driver of the vehicle 10 of various information. Further, the CPU 174 controls the turning on / off of the backlight 42c of the input unit 40c. Further, the CPU 174 controls the opening / closing operations of the ON / OFF circuit 156 and the relay 188, controls the operation of the power supply circuit 152, and controls the electrical connection between the electric motor 56 and the secondary battery 66.

  A secondary battery 66 and a controller 60 can be connected to the cell stack 102. The secondary battery 66 and the controller 60 can be connected to the electric motor 56. The secondary battery 66 can be charged by the electric power from the cell stack 102, and electric power can be supplied to the electric motor 56, the controller 60, the auxiliary machinery and the like by the discharge of the secondary battery 66.

  The controller 60 is connected to a meter 40a for measuring various data of the electric motor 56, and the data measured by the meter 40a and the state of the electric motor 56 are given to the CPU 174.

  The secondary battery 66 can be removed from the vehicle 10 and charged by an external power source (commercial power source).

  In this embodiment, the controller 150 corresponds to the control means. The power supply circuit 152 corresponds to power supply means. A fan 110 for cooling the radiator 106 corresponds to the blowing means.

Next, the basic operation of the vehicle 10 will be described.
First, when the main switch 154 is turned on, the controller 150 is activated and the relay 188 is turned on. When relay 188 is turned on, the voltage from secondary battery 66 is converted into a predetermined voltage by power supply circuit 152 and applied to auxiliary equipment and the like. After that, when the start button 42a is pressed, the electric motor 56 and the secondary battery 66 are electrically connected by the controller 60, and the amount of power stored in the secondary battery 66 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, a power storage rate of 40%). The electric motor 56 is driven by the secondary battery 66.

  If the charged amount of the secondary battery 66 is less than the predetermined value, the CPU 174 turns on the ON / OFF circuit 156 and connects the cell stack 102 to the secondary battery 66 and the electric motor 56. Then, in response to an instruction from the CPU 174, driving of the auxiliary machines such as the aqueous solution pump 130 and the air pump 148 is started, and power generation of the cell stack 102 is started.

The power generation operation of the cell stack 102 will be described with reference to FIG.
The aqueous methanol solution in the aqueous solution tank 116 is supplied to the aqueous solution filter 132 via pipes P4 to P6 by driving the aqueous solution pump 130. The aqueous methanol solution from which impurities and the like have been removed by the aqueous solution filter 132 is directly supplied to the anode 104b of each fuel cell 104 constituting the cell stack 102 via the pipe P7, the inlet temperature sensor 160, the pipe P8, and the anode inlet I1. Supplied.

  Further, the gas (mainly carbon dioxide, vaporized methanol and water vapor) in the aqueous solution tank 116 is given to the catch tank 126 via the pipe P28. In the catch tank 126, the vaporized methanol and water vapor are cooled. The aqueous methanol solution obtained in the catch tank 126 is returned to the aqueous solution tank 116 through the pipe P30. Further, the gas (carbon dioxide, unliquefied methanol and water vapor) in the catch tank 126 is supplied to the pipe P16 through the pipe P29.

  On the other hand, the air (air) sucked from the air filter 144 by the drive of the air pump 148 is silenced by flowing into the air chamber 146 through the pipe P14, and then supplied to the pipe P16 through the pipe P15 and the air pump 148. . Then, the air is supplied together with the gas from the catch tank 126 to the cathode 104c of each fuel cell 104 constituting the cell stack 102 via the pipe P16 and the cathode inlet I3.

  In the anode 104b of each fuel cell 104, methanol and water in the supplied aqueous methanol solution chemically react to generate carbon dioxide and hydrogen ions. The generated hydrogen ions flow into the cathode 104c through the electrolyte membrane 104a, and electrochemically react with oxygen in the air supplied to the cathode 104c side to generate water (water vapor) and electric energy. That is, power generation is performed in the cell stack 102. The electric power from the cell stack 102 is used for charging the secondary battery 66 and driving the vehicle 10. The cell stack 102 rises in temperature due to heat generated by the electrochemical reaction. The output of the cell stack 102 increases as the temperature rises, and the cell stack 102 can generate power constantly at about 60 ° C. In this embodiment, when the temperature of the cell stack 102 exceeds 60 ° C., the fuel cell system 100 shifts from the temperature raising operation to the normal operation.

  The carbon dioxide and unreacted methanol aqueous solution generated at the anode 104b of each fuel cell 104 are heated with the electrochemical reaction. The carbon dioxide and the unreacted methanol aqueous solution are supplied to the radiator 106 via the anode outlet I2, the pipe P9, the outlet temperature sensor 162 and the pipe P10 of the cell stack 102 and cooled during the temperature raising operation, and then passed through the pipe P11. And returned to the aqueous solution tank 116. The cooling operation of carbon dioxide and unreacted methanol by the radiator 106 is promoted by operating the fan 110.

  When the methanol aqueous solution flowing out from the anode outlet I2 of the cell stack 102 is below a predetermined temperature and does not need to be cooled, the radiator valve 122 is opened, and the methanol aqueous solution contains the pipe P12, the radiator valve 122, the pipe P13, and It is given to the aqueous solution tank 116 via P11.

  On the other hand, most of the water vapor generated at the cathode 104c of each fuel cell 104 is liquefied and becomes water, and is discharged from the cathode outlet I4 of the cell stack 102, but the saturated water vapor is discharged in a gas state. Exhaust gas containing water (water, water vapor), carbon dioxide and unreacted air discharged from the cathode outlet I4 is supplied to the gas-liquid separator 108 through the pipe P17 and cooled, and a part of the water vapor is below the dew point. And liquefied. The operation of liquefying water vapor by the gas-liquid separator 108 is facilitated by operating the fan 112. Then, the exhaust gas containing water, water vapor, carbon dioxide and unreacted air from the gas-liquid separator 108 is supplied to the water tank 138 via the pipe P18, and the water is collected in the water tank 138, and the water vapor, carbon dioxide The exhaust gas containing unreacted air is discharged to the outside through the pipe P19.

  The water collected in the water tank 138 is appropriately returned to the aqueous solution tank 116 through the pipe P22, the water pump 142, the pipe P23, the water filter 166, the pipe P24, the check valve 168 and the pipe P25 by driving the water pump 142. It is used as water for methanol aqueous solution.

Next, the operation stop operation of the vehicle 10 will be described.
First, when the main switch 154 is turned off while the vehicle 10 is being operated and the fuel cell system 100 is generating power, the CPU 174 causes the electric motor 56 to be disconnected from the cell stack 102 and the secondary battery 66. The controller 60 is instructed. In response to this, the electric motor 56 is disconnected from the cell stack 102 and the secondary battery 66. Thereafter, when the charged amount of the secondary battery 66 exceeds a predetermined value (for example, a storage rate of 98%) or the stop button 42b is pressed, auxiliary devices such as the aqueous solution pump 130 and the air pump 148 are stopped and turned on / off. Circuit 156 and relay 188 are turned off. Thereby, the power generation of the fuel cell system 100 is stopped and the operation of the vehicle 10 is stopped.

  Further, in a state where the vehicle 10 is operated and the fuel cell system 100 is generating electric power, when the amount of power stored in the secondary battery 66 exceeds a predetermined value (for example, a power storage rate of 98%) or the stop button 42b is pressed, the aqueous solution The auxiliary machines such as the pump 130 and the air pump 148 are stopped and the ON / OFF circuit 156 is turned off, and the power generation of the fuel cell system 100 is stopped. Thereafter, when the main switch 154 is turned off, the electric motor 56 is disconnected from the cell stack 102 and the secondary battery 66 and the relay 188 is turned off, and the operation of the vehicle 10 is stopped.

  According to such a vehicle 10, the controller 150 is provided between the first wall 24 a and the second wall 24 b of the vehicle body frame 12, compared with the case where the controller 150 is provided outside the first wall 24 a and the second wall 24 b. Thus, the space occupied by the controller 150 can be reduced, and the vehicle 10 can be reduced. Further, the controller 150 can be protected from external force by the first wall 24a and the second wall 24b. Further, by providing the controller 150 between the first wall 24a and the second wall 24b, the heat radiation of the controller 150 can be promoted and the controller 150 can be cooled, so the controller 150 controls the fuel cell system 100 and the amount of heat generated by the controller 150. It is suitably used when the value becomes large.

  By providing the controller 150 in the heat sink portion H of the vehicle body frame 12, heat dissipation can be promoted without using a separate heat sink.

  The cradle frame 16 is connected to the head pipe 14 at two locations, that is, the upper connection portion 14a and the lower connection portion 14b, and the vehicle body frame 12 having high rigidity is obtained. Therefore, even if the heat sink portion H having no connecting portion is formed on the cradle frame 16, the frame strength can be ensured without reducing the rigidity of the cradle frame 16 and thus the vehicle body frame 12.

  By covering the cradle frame 16 with the cover 170, the controller provided in the heat sink portion H of the cradle frame 16 can be further protected from external force.

  Since the fan 110 is arranged downstream of the air flow introduced from the air inlet 172 with respect to the controller 150, the air after cooling the radiator 106 is not given to the controller 150, thereby preventing a decrease in cooling efficiency. it can.

  Since the opposed surface 32b to which the controller 150 is fixed in the heat sink portion H is flat, the controller 150 can be fixed stably.

  By providing the controller 150 and the power supply circuit 152 on separate members (walls), the cooling efficiency of the controller 150 and the power supply circuit 152 can be increased as compared with the case of providing them on the same member.

  When the controller 150 is provided on the facing surface 32b of the second wall 24b, the power supply circuit 152 may be provided on the facing surface 32a that is the lower surface of the first wall 24a. When the controller 150 is provided on the facing surface 32a of the first wall 24a, the power supply circuit 152 may be provided on either the upper surface or the lower surface of the first wall 24a.

  In the above-described embodiment, the controller 150 and the power supply circuit 152 are included in the fuel cell system 100. However, the controller 150 and the power circuit 152 are not limited thereto, and may be configured not to be included in the fuel cell system 100. Not too long.

  The air blowing means is not limited to the fan 110 and may be the fan 112.

  Further, it is preferable that no constituent members of the fuel cell system 100 such as the aqueous solution tank 116 exist between the air inlet 172 and the controller 150. In this case, since the outside air introduced from the air inlet 172 cools the controller 150 before absorbing other heat, the cooling efficiency of the controller 150 is improved.

  In the above embodiment, methanol is used as the fuel, and methanol aqueous solution is used as the fuel aqueous solution. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Good.

It is a left view which shows the vehicle of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a right view which shows the vehicle of embodiment of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows a vehicle body frame. It is an illustration figure which shows the arrangement | positioning state of a controller and a power supply circuit. It is an illustration figure which shows the inlet-port vicinity of a cover. It is a system diagram which shows piping of the fuel cell system used by embodiment of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the fuel cell system used in embodiment of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Vehicle 12 Body frame 14 Head pipe 14a Upper connection part 14b Lower connection part 16 Cradle frame 24a, 26a, 28a 1st wall 24b, 26b, 28b 2nd wall 26c, 28c Connection part 32a, 32b Opposite surface 60,150 Controller 100 fuel cell system 102 cell stack 104 fuel cell (fuel cell)
110, 112 Fan 152 Power supply circuit 170 Cover 172 Air inlet 174 CPU
H Heat sink

Claims (7)

A vehicle including a fuel cell system,
A vehicle body frame having a first wall, a second wall, a connecting portion connecting the first wall and the second wall, and a space between the first wall and the second wall for controlling the fuel cell system; A vehicle comprising control means provided in the vehicle. The vehicle body frame includes a heat sink portion having the first wall and the second wall facing each other without the connection portion interposed therebetween,
The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the control means is provided between the first wall and the second wall of the heat sink part. The vehicle body frame includes a head pipe and a cradle frame that is bent after extending rearward from the upper connection portion of the head pipe and extending to a lower connection portion provided below the upper connection portion of the head pipe,
The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the cradle frame includes the heat sink portion. A cover that covers the cradle frame and has an air inlet near the lower connection portion;
The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the heat sink part is provided above the lower connection part in the cradle frame. The fuel cell system includes air blowing means for suppressing temperature rise of the fuel cell system,
The vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the blowing unit is provided on a downstream side of a flow of air introduced from the intake port with respect to the control unit. At least one of the first wall and the second wall of the heat sink portion has a planar opposing surface,
The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the control means is fixed to the facing surface. It further comprises power supply means for outputting a predetermined voltage,
The control means is provided on one of the first wall and the second wall;
The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the power supply means is provided on the other of the first wall and the second wall.

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