JP2009277467A - Fuel cell vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To protect suitably a pipe in which fuel gas and fuel offgas are passed, while dispensing with the need for requiring more reinforcement than required. <P>SOLUTION: The fuel cell vehicle is provided with a fuel cell for generating power, in receiving at least fuel gas and oxide gas, an upstream-side shutting-down valve, a first one viewed from the fuel cell, which is provided on an upstream side pipe in which the fuel gas flows; and a downstream-side shutting-down valve provided on a downstream-side pipe in which the fuel offgas flows from the fuel cell, and the pipe provided between the upstream-side valve and the downstream-side valve is provided with a protective member on the outer side, in a direction of a vehicle width, and the protective member is at least either a humidifier for humidifying at least oxidant gas by humidifying fluid, or an auxiliary unit for oxidant gas fitted on the humidifying unit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell vehicle.

  In recent years, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell) that generates electricity by supplying hydrogen (fuel gas, reactive gas) to the anode and oxygen-containing air (oxidant gas, reactive gas) to the cathode, respectively. The development of fuel cells such as PEFC is active. In a system using such a fuel cell, an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure (electrolyte / electrode structure) in which an anode side electrode and a cathode side electrode are disposed on both sides of an electrolyte membrane (electrolyte) made of a polymer ion exchange membrane, respectively. A power generation cell sandwiched by a separator. And normally, it is used as a fuel cell stack by laminating a predetermined number of power generation cells (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-87761 A

By the way, in a fuel cell vehicle equipped with the fuel cell system, if hydrogen, which is a fuel gas, leaks from the fuel cell in the event of a collision, there is a possibility of adversely affecting external equipment, the external environment, and the like.
However, in the above-described conventional Patent Document 1, the protection of the hydrogen pipe is not clearly described.
Therefore, reinforcing the vehicle body of the fuel cell vehicle from the viewpoint of protecting the hydrogen piping can be considered as a countermeasure. However, if a collision more than expected is considered, the vehicle body weight increases more than necessary, which is not economical.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell vehicle capable of suitably protecting a pipe through which fuel gas or fuel off gas flows while making unnecessary reinforcement unnecessary.

In order to achieve the above object, a fuel cell vehicle of the present invention is provided in a fuel cell that generates power by supplying at least a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, and an upstream pipe through which the fuel gas flows, A first upstream side shut-off valve as viewed from the fuel cell, and a downstream side shut-off valve provided in a downstream pipe through which fuel off-gas from the fuel cell flows, the upstream side shut-off valve and the downstream side shut-off valve The pipe provided between the valve includes a protective member on an outer side in the vehicle width direction, and the protective member includes a humidifier that humidifies at least the oxidant gas with a humidified fluid, and the oxidation attached to the humidifier. It is at least one auxiliary agent for the agent gas.
Here, “the upstream pipe through which the fuel gas flows” includes a pipe communicating with the pipe through which the fuel gas flows in addition to the pipe through which the fuel gas flows.

  According to this fuel cell vehicle, the piping provided between the first upstream cutoff valve as viewed from the fuel cell and the downstream cutoff valve provided in the downstream piping through which the fuel off-gas from the fuel cell flows is Since the protective member is provided on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, even when the vehicle body is deformed due to a collision (side collision) or the like, the protective member is suitably protected. Therefore, it is possible to suitably protect the piping through which the fuel gas and the fuel off-gas flow while making unnecessary reinforcement unnecessary, and it is possible to further improve the gas leakage toughness even in a heavy collision.

  In addition, since the piping between the upstream side shutoff valve and the downstream side shutoff valve is protected by a protective member, a region where the amount of fuel gas is larger than other parts, that is, a fuel cell is included. In this area, leakage of fuel gas and fuel off gas can be suitably prevented.

  In addition, the protective member is at least one of a humidifier that humidifies the oxidant gas with a humidified fluid and an auxiliary machine for the oxidant gas attached to the humidifier. By using the auxiliary machine as a protection member, the pipe can be suitably protected, and the pipe through which the fuel gas or the fuel off-gas flows can be suitably protected while unnecessary reinforcement is unnecessary.

  Moreover, this invention is the structure by which the said protection member contains the said humidifier, and at least one part of said piping is arrange | positioned inside the vehicle width direction outermost part of the housing | casing which comprises the said humidifier. It is good to do.

  According to this fuel cell vehicle, since at least a part of the piping is disposed inside the outermost portion in the vehicle width direction of the casing constituting the humidifier, the piping is arranged so as to escape from an external impact due to a collision or the like. The pipe can be protected by suitably using the housing of the humidifier. Therefore, it is possible to suitably protect the piping through which the fuel gas and the fuel off gas flow while making unnecessary reinforcement unnecessary.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the length of the protective member in the longitudinal direction is longer than the length of at least a part of the pipe in the longitudinal direction.

  According to this fuel cell vehicle, at least a part of the pipes can be suitably protected also in the longitudinal direction of the protection member. Therefore, it is possible to suitably protect the piping through which the fuel gas or the fuel off gas flows while making unnecessary reinforcement unnecessary.

  Further, the present invention is a regulator in which the upstream shut-off valve adjusts the pressure of the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell by a signal pressure from a system of the oxidant gas, and the regulator It is preferable that the flow of the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell is cut off when no pressure is input.

According to this fuel cell vehicle, when a situation occurs in which the signal pressure that should be input to the regulator is not input due to damage to the oxidant gas system, the regulator is automatically closed, The supply of fuel gas to the fuel cell downstream of the regulator is preferably interrupted.
Therefore, the gas leakage toughness can be further improved.

  In addition, at least a part of the pipe, the humidifier, and the auxiliary machine are disposed in an upwardly convex floor panel including an upper floor part and a lower floor part, and the pipe is connected to the lower floor part. Also, it is preferable to have a configuration arranged above.

According to this fuel cell vehicle, since at least a part of piping, a humidifier, and an auxiliary machine are arranged in an upward convex floor panel composed of an upper floor portion and a lower floor portion, a collision (side collision) occurs. Even when the vehicle body is deformed due to the above, the piping through which the fuel gas or the fuel off-gas flows can be suitably protected by the floor panel.
In addition, even if the floor panel is deformed from the outside in the vehicle width direction to the inside due to a collision (side collision) or the like, entry due to the deformation is suitably prevented by the presence of a humidifier or an auxiliary device. The piping is suitably protected.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a fuel cell vehicle capable of suitably protecting a pipe through which fuel gas or fuel off gas flows while making unnecessary reinforcement unnecessary.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
First, a fuel cell vehicle will be described as the fuel cell vehicle of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell vehicle 100 is equipped with a fuel cell system 1. The fuel cell system 1 mainly includes a fuel cell stack 10, a hydrogen tank 21, and a humidifier 32. An electric travel motor (not shown) is connected to the output side of the fuel cell stack 10. When the fuel cell stack 10 generates power, the travel motor is driven, and the fuel cell vehicle 100 is driven by this. It is supposed to run.

The fuel cell stack 10 and the humidifier 32 are disposed in a center tunnel 3a (see FIG. 5A, the same below) below the floor panel 3 (see FIG. 5A, the same below) of the fuel cell vehicle 100. At the same time, the fuel cell vehicle 100 is mounted on the members 2a and 2b passed to the subframes 2 and 2 and fixed rigidly so as to lower the floor of the fuel cell vehicle 100 (see FIG. 4, FIG. 4). Only the humidifier 32 is fixed). A floor panel (vehicle body) 3 is attached to the upper part of the subframe 2. Further, the sub frame 2 and the side frame 4 are connected by cross members 5 and 6, and the front portion of the fuel cell stack 10 is supported by the cross member 5. In this example, a frame structure having a cross beam is constructed by the subframe 2 and the members 2a and 2b (see FIGS. 3A and 4).
Here, the floor panel 3 includes an upper floor portion 3b and a lower floor portion 3c, and has an upward convex shape. The center tunnel 3a includes the humidifier 32 described above, and a piping 22a and auxiliary equipment described later. An inlet member 32b is disposed (see FIG. 5A).

  In addition, a fuel cell stack in which hydrogen as a fuel gas is provided laterally in the vehicle width direction of a humidifier 32 behind the fuel cell stack 10 from a hydrogen tank 21 placed horizontally on the rear side of the fuel cell vehicle 100 10 is supplied to a secondary shutoff valve 22 as an upstream shutoff valve closest to 10. Further, external air containing oxygen is sent from the compressor 31 below the hood to the humidifier 32, and is humidified by the humidifier 32 and then supplied to the fuel cell stack 10.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the secondary shutoff valve 22 (regulator 22A) on the side close to the fuel cell stack 10 as the upstream shutoff valve upstream of the fuel cell stack 10, the scavenging gas introduction valve 41 and a pipe provided between the purge valve 26 and the scavenging gas discharge valve 27 functioning as a downstream shut-off valve on the downstream side of the fuel cell stack 10 (the fuel gas shown by a bold line in FIG. 2 flows). A protective member is provided on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the pipe.
Here, examples of the protective member include a humidifier 32 and an auxiliary machine for oxidant gas connected to the humidifier 32. Details of these humidifiers 32 and auxiliary equipment will be described later.
In addition, piping (pipe 22a, 24b, etc., which will be described later) provided between the upstream side cutoff valve and the downstream side cutoff valve is connected to an end plate 10a of the fuel cell stack 10 as shown in FIGS. It is arranged more concentrated on the rear side.

Next, the configuration of the fuel cell system 1 will be described.
<Fuel cell stack>
The fuel cell stack 10 is a stack formed by stacking a plurality of (for example, 200 to 400) solid polymer type single cells, and the plurality of single cells are electrically connected in series. The single cell includes an MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly) and two conductive anode separators and cathode separators sandwiching the MEA.

  The MEA includes an electrolyte membrane (solid polymer membrane) made of a monovalent cation exchange membrane (for example, perfluorosulfonic acid type), and an anode and a cathode sandwiching the electrolyte membrane. The anode and the cathode are mainly composed of a conductive porous material such as carbon paper, and contain a catalyst (Pt, Ru, etc.) for causing an electrode reaction in the anode and the cathode.

The anode separator is formed with a through-hole (called an internal manifold) extending in the stacking direction of the single cells and a groove extending in the surface direction of the single cells in order to supply and discharge hydrogen to the anode of each MEA. These through holes and grooves function as the anode channel 11 (fuel gas channel) shown in FIG.
The cathode separator is formed with a through-hole (referred to as an internal manifold) extending in the stacking direction of the single cells and a groove extending in the surface direction of the single cells in order to supply and discharge air to and from the cathode of each MEA. These through holes and grooves function as the cathode channel 12 (oxidant gas channel).

When hydrogen is supplied to each anode via the anode channel 11, an electrode reaction of the following formula (1) occurs, and when air is supplied to each cathode via the cathode channel 12, An electrode reaction of the following formula (2) occurs, and a potential difference (OCV (Open Circuit Voltage), open circuit voltage) is generated in each single cell. When the fuel cell stack 10 and an external circuit such as a travel motor are electrically connected and current is taken out, the fuel cell stack 10 generates power.
2H ₂ → 4H ⁺ + 4e ⁻ (1)
O ₂ + 4H ⁺ + 4e ⁻ → 2H ₂ O (2)

  When the fuel cell stack 10 generates power in this way, a part of the water (water vapor) generated at the cathode permeates the electrolyte membrane and moves to the anode. Accordingly, both the cathode offgas discharged from the cathode and the anode offgas as the fuel offgas discharged from the anode are humid.

<Anode system>
As shown in FIG. 2, the anode system is provided as a hydrogen tank 21 (fuel gas supply means), a primary cutoff valve (not shown) provided in the hydrogen tank 21, and an upstream cutoff valve provided upstream of the fuel cell stack 10. The normally closed secondary shutoff valve 22, the ejector 23, and the normally closed purge valve 26 serving as a downstream shutoff valve provided downstream of the fuel cell stack 10, and the normally closed shutoff valve serving as a downstream shutoff valve. The scavenging gas discharge valve 27 is provided.

  The hydrogen tank 21 is connected to the inlet side of the anode flow path 11 via a primary cutoff valve, a pipe 21a, a secondary cutoff valve 22, a pipe 22a, an ejector 23, and a pipe 23a (not shown). Downstream of the secondary shutoff valve 22 is provided a regulator 22A that adjusts the hydrogen by reducing the pressure to a predetermined pressure. In this example, the regulator 22A is provided integrally with the secondary shutoff valve 22, and the pressure of the air toward the cathode channel 12 is input as a signal pressure (pilot pressure). The regulator 22A controls the pressure of the air and the pressure of hydrogen in the anode channel 11 so as to keep the differential pressure between the electrodes.

  Then, when the ignition of the fuel cell vehicle is turned on, the activation of the fuel cell stack 10 is requested, and the shutoff valve 22 is opened by an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) (not shown), the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 21 is connected to the pipe 21a. Etc., and is supplied to the anode channel 11.

As shown in FIG. 2, the secondary shutoff valve 22 is the first shutoff valve (upstream shutoff valve) in the upstream pipes 23a and 22a when viewed from the fuel cell stack 10.
Further, the regulator 22A provided integrally with the secondary cutoff valve 22 can also function as an upstream side cutoff valve. That is, the regulator 22A has a function as a shutoff valve in addition to a function as a pressure reducing valve. As a configuration for that, when there is no input of the signal pressure, the flow of hydrogen to the fuel cell stack 10 is achieved. A built-in valve (not shown) is operated so as to shut off the valve.
Therefore, for example, when a situation occurs in which the signal pressure (air pressure) that should be input to the regulator 22A is not input due to damage to the cathode system, which will be described later, the regulator 22A is automatically closed. Thus, the supply of hydrogen to the downstream side of the regulator 22A is interrupted.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the secondary shutoff valve 22 is attached to the side of the housing of the humidifier 32 with a bolt (not shown). One end of a connecting pipe 21a ′ is connected to the secondary shutoff valve 22, and the other end of the connecting pipe 21a ′ extends rearward as shown in FIG. A connecting nut 21b is provided at the other end of the connecting pipe 21a ', and the pipe 21a from the hydrogen tank 21 shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the nut 21b so that hydrogen cannot leak.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the pipe 22 a that connects the secondary cutoff valve 22 and the ejector 23 is connected to the upper part of the secondary cutoff valve 22.

  First, the humidifier 32 to which the secondary shutoff valve 22 is fixed will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the humidifier 32 humidifies the air from the compressor 31 toward the cathode flow path 12. A hollow fiber membrane 32d for exchanging moisture between the air traveling toward the passage 12 and the humid cathode off gas is provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the humidifier 32 has two legs 32 </ b> A (only three are shown in FIG. 4) provided in the lower part of the humidifier 32, and are supported by two subframes 2 and 2. The bodies 2a and 2b are rigidly fixed with bolts (not shown). In FIG. 4, the purge valve 26 and the scavenging gas discharge valve 27 are not shown.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the humidifier 32 has an oxidant gas introduction portion 32a integrally projectingly formed on the right side of the casing. And the introduction port member 32b to which the piping 31a (refer FIG. 2) from the compressor 31 (refer FIG. 2) mentioned later is connected to this introduction part 32a is bolt-fixed.
As the casing of the humidifier 32 and the introduction port member 32b connected to the humidifier 32, for example, a cast product made of aluminum alloy can be used. As described above, the support members 2a and 2b are rigidly fixed. In combination with this, rigidity is provided against impact from the surroundings due to collision (side collision) or the like.

  The humidifier 32 having rigidity as described above has a front portion 32 c connected to the end plate 10 a side of the fuel cell stack 10. The front portion 32c has a width corresponding to the width of the end plate 10a (see FIG. 4), and the side portion 32c ′ of the front portion 32c is located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the vertical surface F1 described later. (See FIG. 4).

  As shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b), the pipe 22a is arranged in an upwardly inclined manner from the secondary shut-off valve 22 toward the ejector 23 along the longitudinal direction of the humidifier 32 (vehicle longitudinal direction). ing. As shown in FIG. 3A, the pipe 22 a is located on the inner side in a plan view than the side end portion 32 a ′ which is the outermost portion in the vehicle width direction of the introduction portion 32 a protruding to the side of the humidifier 32. That is, it is located closer to the axis O side passing through the center of the housing of the humidifier 32 in plan view, which is inside the vertical plane F1 in the vehicle longitudinal direction including the side end portion 32a ′.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, it is so that most parts of the piping 22a may be located inside the side part 32 '(refer Fig.3 (a)) when the housing | casing of the humidifier 32 is planarly viewed (refer Fig.3 (a)). The piping 22a is arranged so that most of the piping 22a overlaps the housing of the humidifier 32 when viewed in a plan view. Therefore, the pipe 22a is double protected against impacts from the surroundings due to a collision (side collision) or the like by the housing of the introduction portion 32a and the humidifier 32 positioned on the outer side in the vehicle width direction than this. It has become.

  In addition, an oxidant gas introduction port member 32b is bolted to the introduction portion 32a of the humidifier 32 as an auxiliary machine connected to the humidifier 32, and the pipe 22a is also suitably formed by this introduction port member 32b. Protected. That is, the introduction port member 32b is located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the introduction portion 32a, and the pipe 22a is disposed on the inner side of the vertical plane F2 in the vehicle front-rear direction including the side end portion 32b ′ of the introduction port member 32b. Thus, in addition to the double protection described above, the piping 22a is further protected by the introduction port member 32b as an auxiliary machine.

  Since the humidifier 32 and the inlet member 32b connected to the humidifier 32 can be made of an aluminum alloy casting as described above, it can be used for impact from the surroundings due to collision (side collision) or the like. It has rigidity with respect to the pipe 22a.

Further, the pipe 22a is set so that the length L2 of the pipe 22a is shorter than the length L1 of the humidifier 32, as shown in FIG. In other words, the humidifier 32 is set such that the length L1 in the longitudinal direction is longer than the length L2 of the pipe 22a in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the pipe 22a is protected in the vehicle front-rear direction by the humidifier 32 that is longer than this.
As shown in FIG. 4, the vertical plane F2 in the vehicle front-rear direction including the side end portion 32b ′ of the inlet port member 32b is located outside the outermost portion 22 ′ in the vehicle width direction of the secondary shutoff valve 22. Yes. That is, the introduction port member 32b suitably protects the secondary shut-off valve 22 against an impact from the surroundings caused by a collision (side collision) or the like.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the pipe 22a is housed in a position that is lower in the vertical direction than the upper part 32h of the housing of the humidifier 32, and is from above due to a collision (side collision) or the like. The housing of the humidifier 32 is suitably protected against impacts and the like.

Referring to FIG. 2 again, the outlet of the anode channel 11 is connected to the suction port of the ejector 23 via the pipe 24a and the pipe 24b. The anode off gas containing unreacted hydrogen discharged from the anode channel 11 (anode) is returned to the ejector 23 on the upstream side of the fuel cell stack 10.
The anode off-gas returned to the ejector 23 is mixed with hydrogen from the hydrogen tank 21 and then re-supplied to the anode channel 11. That is, in this embodiment, the hydrogen circulation line which circulates and recycles hydrogen is comprised by the piping 24a and the piping 24b.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the pipe 24b constituting the hydrogen circulation line is built in the front part 32c of the humidifier 32 and is protected from the outside by being covered with the front part 32c. It has become a state. For example, as schematically shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the pipe 24 b is raised upward toward the ejector 23 and connected to the ejector 23. The pipe 24b is connected to the purge valve 26 through the pipe 26a and is connected to the scavenging gas discharge valve 27 through the pipe 27a.
Here, the pipes 26a, 27a, the purge valve 26, and the scavenging gas discharge valve 27 are located on the inner side in a plan view than the side portion 32c ′ of the front portion 32c of the humidifier 32, as shown in FIG. That is, it is located closer to the axis O side passing through the center of the housing of the humidifier 32 in plan view than the side portion 32 ′. Therefore, the front part 32c functions as these protective members, and when receiving an impact such as a collision (side collision), the pipes 26a and 27a, the purge valve 26, and the scavenging gas discharge valve 27 are moved by the front part 32c. It will be suitably protected.

[Purge valve]
The purge valve 26 is a normally closed solenoid valve that discharges impurities (water vapor, nitrogen, etc.) contained in the anode off-gas (hydrogen) circulating through the pipe 24a and the pipe 24b when the fuel cell stack 10 generates power (purge). ) Is a valve that is opened by the ECU. As described above, the upstream side of the purge valve 26 is connected to the pipe 24b via the pipe 26a, and the downstream side is connected to the diluter 33 described later via the pipe 26b.

[Scavenging gas discharge valve]
Returning to FIG. 2, the scavenging gas discharge valve 27 is a normally closed electromagnetic valve, and is a valve that is opened when scavenging the fuel cell stack 10. Specifically, the scavenging gas discharge valve 27 is opened by a command from the ECU when scavenging the anode flow path 11 of the fuel cell stack 10. The scavenging gas discharge valve 27 is set to be opened together with the scavenging gas introduction valve 41 described later.

More specifically, when scavenging the fuel cell stack 10, for example, when the system is stopped, the system temperature detected by a temperature sensor (not shown) is lower than a predetermined temperature, and then the fuel cell stack 10 is frozen. It is a time of concern.
When it is determined that the fuel cell stack 10 may be frozen, the ECU operates the compressor 31 and opens the scavenging gas introduction valve 41 and the scavenging gas discharge valve 27 so that the scavenging gas (air) from the compressor 31 is opened. ) Is pushed into the anode channel 11 and the cathode channel 12. As a result, moisture (steam, condensed water, etc.) in the anode flow path 11 is pushed out, and the fuel cell stack 10 is scavenged.

  In this case, the water pushed out from the anode channel 11 is discharged out of the vehicle through the diluter 33 through the pipe 24a, the pipe 24b, the pipe 27a, the scavenging gas discharge valve 27, and the pipe 27b together with the scavenging gas. It is like that. On the other hand, the water pushed out from the cathode channel 12 is discharged to the outside of the vehicle together with the scavenging gas through a pipe 32f, a pipe 32g, a pipe 33b, and a pipe 33d described later.

<Cathode system>
The cathode system includes a compressor 31 (oxidant gas supply means, scavenging means), a humidifier 32, and a diluter 33 (gas treatment device).

The compressor 31 is connected to the inlet of the cathode channel 12 via a pipe 31a, a humidifier 32, and a pipe 32e. When operated according to a command from the ECU, the compressor 31 takes in oxygen-containing air and supplies the air to the cathode channel 12. The compressor 31 functions as a scavenging means for scavenging the fuel cell stack 10 when scavenging. The pipe 31a is connected to the inlet member 32b of the humidifier 32 as described above.
The pipe 31a is connected to a signal pressure pipe 31b for outputting a signal pressure (pilot pressure) to the regulator 22A.
The compressor 31 operates using a fuel cell stack 10 and / or a high-voltage battery (not shown) that charges and discharges the power generated by the fuel cell stack 10 as a power source.

  The outlet of the cathode channel 12 is connected to the diluter 33 via a pipe 32f, a humidifier 32, and a pipe 32g. The humid cathode off gas discharged from the cathode channel 12 (cathode) is supplied to the diluter 33 via the pipe 32f and the like. The pipe 32g is provided with a back pressure valve (not shown) (butterfly valve or the like) that controls the pressure of air in the cathode channel 12.

<Diluter>
The diluter 33 is a container that mixes the anode off-gas introduced from the purge valve 26 and the cathode off-gas (dilution gas) introduced from the pipe 32g and dilutes hydrogen in the anode off-gas with the cathode off-gas. The generated mixed gas is discharged outside the vehicle through the pipe 33d.

<Scavenging system>
The scavenging system is a system that guides the scavenging gas (non-humidified air) from the compressor 31 to the anode system when scavenging the fuel cell stack 10, and includes a normally closed scavenging gas introduction valve 41 as an upstream shut-off valve. ing. The upstream side of the scavenging gas introduction valve 41 is connected to the pipe 31a via the pipe 41a, and the downstream side of the scavenging gas introduction valve 41 is connected to the pipe 23a via the pipe 41b. That is, the fuel gas can flow into the pipe 41b from the pipe 23a when the scavenging gas introduction valve 41 is closed. In the present embodiment, although not shown in the drawing, it is more inward in a plan view than the side part 32c ′ of the front part 32c of the humidifier 32 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, that is, more than the side part 32 ′. The pipe 41 is configured to be positioned closer to the axis O side passing through the center of the housing of the humidifier 32 in plan view.
The scavenging gas introduction valve 41 is set to be opened together with the scavenging gas discharge valve 27 described above.

Next, the operation when a collision (side collision) occurs in the fuel cell vehicle 100 will be described taking protection of the pipe 22a as an example.
As shown in FIG. 5A, the fuel cell stack 10 and the humidifier 32 are disposed in the center tunnel 3a of the floor panel 3 of the fuel cell automobile 100 and are rigidly mounted on the subframe 2 as described above. And is provided with an arrangement structure that is protected from the outside by the center tunnel 3a, the subframe 2, and the like. Further, as described above, since the frame has a cross-girder structure, it can withstand strong impact from the outside.

Here, if the fuel cell automobile 100 is subjected to a collision (side collision), the floor panel 3 is directed from the vehicle width direction outer side (right side) to the inner side (left side) as shown in FIG. The floor panel 3 or the like may enter the center tunnel 3a due to deformation.
Even if such deformation occurs, the pipe 22a is located on the inner side of the vertical plane F1 including the side end portion 32a ′ of the introduction portion 32a protruding to the side of the humidifier 32 as described above. Therefore, the presence of the introduction portion 32a (in this case, the presence of the introduction portion 32a and the introduction port member 32b) appropriately prevents the floor panel 3 that has been deformed from entering.

  Accordingly, the floor panel 3 that has been deformed to the pipe 22a is prevented from coming into contact, and the pipe 22a can be prevented from being damaged by a collision (side collision).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, the lower floor portion 3c of the floor panel 3 is deformed from the outer side (right side) to the inner side (left side) in the vehicle width direction under the impact of the collision (side collision). Even so, intrusion due to the deformation is suitably prevented by the presence of the humidifier 32 and the inlet member 32b, and the pipe 22a is suitably protected.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, as shown to Fig.3 (a), most parts of the piping 22a are located inside the side part 32 'when the housing | casing of the humidifier 32 is seen by planar view. Therefore, the pipe 22a is double protected by the introduction portion 32a and the housing of the humidifier 32 which are located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction.

  Further, the introduction port member 32b fixed to the introduction portion 32a further prevents the floor panel 3 that has been deformed from entering, which is combined with the protection by the presence of the introduction portion 32a and the protection by the casing of the humidifier 32. As a result, the floor panel 3 that has been deformed to the pipe 22a is prevented from coming into contact, and the pipe 22a can be more reliably prevented from being damaged by a collision (side collision).

  Here, due to the collision (side collision), the cathode system member, for example, the pipe 31a (see FIG. 2) connected to the introduction port member 32b is damaged, and the signal pressure that should be input to the regulator 22A is not input. When this happens, a valve (not shown) of the regulator 22A is automatically closed, and the supply of hydrogen to the downstream side of the regulator 22A is shut off.

  According to the fuel cell vehicle of the present embodiment described above, the secondary shutoff valve 22 that is the first upstream shutoff valve as viewed from the fuel cell stack 10, the scavenging gas introduction valve 41, and the anode off gas from the fuel cell stack 10 are A humidifier 32 or a humidifier serving as a protective member is provided on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of a pipe (for example, the pipe 22a) provided between the purge valve 26 and the scavenging gas discharge valve 27 provided on the downstream pipe through which the gas flows. Since the auxiliary machine (introduction port member 32b) fixed to the vessel 32 is provided, even when the vehicle is deformed due to a collision (side collision) or the like, the pipe (for example, the pipe 22a) is connected with these protective members. It can protect suitably. Therefore, it is possible to suitably protect the piping through which the fuel gas and the fuel off-gas flow while making unnecessary reinforcement unnecessary, and it is possible to further improve the gas leakage toughness even in a heavy collision.

  In addition, since the piping between the secondary shutoff valve 22, the scavenging gas introduction valve 41 and the purge valve 26 and scavenging gas discharge valve 27 provided in the downstream piping is protected by a protective member, In a region where the amount of fuel gas is larger than that of the portion, that is, in a region including the fuel cell stack 10, the fuel gas leakage can be suitably prevented, which is effective in preventing fuel leakage.

  In addition, by using the humidifier 32 or the inlet member 32b as an auxiliary machine for the oxidant gas as a protective member, the pipe (for example, the pipe 22a) can be suitably protected, while unnecessary reinforcement is unnecessary. In addition, the piping through which the fuel gas and the fuel off gas flow can be suitably protected.

  Further, since most of the pipe 22a is disposed on the inner side of the side portion 32 ′ of the casing constituting the humidifier 32, the pipe 22a is preferably used by utilizing the casing of the humidifier 32. Can be protected. Accordingly, it is possible to suitably protect the pipe 22a through which the fuel gas flows while making unnecessary reinforcement unnecessary.

  The humidifier 32 has a length L1 in the longitudinal direction that is longer than the length L2 of the pipe 22a in the longitudinal direction, so that the pipe 22a can be suitably protected also in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, it is possible to suitably protect the pipe 22a through which the fuel gas flows while making unnecessary reinforcement unnecessary.

  Further, the regulator 22A can also function as an upstream shut-off valve. Therefore, for example, the signal pressure (air pressure) that should be input to the regulator 22A due to damage to a cathode member on the outer side in the vehicle width direction or the like. When a situation occurs in which no pressure is input, the regulator 22A is automatically closed, and the supply of hydrogen to the fuel cell stack 10 on the downstream side of the regulator 22A is preferably cut off. Can do.

  In the above embodiment, all piping provided between the secondary cutoff valve 22, the scavenging gas introduction valve 41, and the downstream cutoff valve provided in the downstream piping through which the fuel off-gas from the fuel cell flows. Although the protection member is provided on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, the present invention is not limited to this, and the protection member may be provided on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of at least some of the pipes. Also in this case, when the vehicle is deformed due to a collision (side collision) or the like, at least a part of the piping through which the fuel gas or the fuel off gas flows can be suitably protected by the protective member.

Moreover, although the secondary shutoff valve 22 and the scavenging gas introduction valve 41 are illustrated as the upstream shutoff valves, at least a part of the piping is protected by a protective member using any one of them as the upstream shutoff valve. You may comprise.
In addition, the purge valve 26 and the scavenging gas discharge valve 27 are exemplified as the downstream shut-off valve. However, any one of them is used as the downstream shut-off valve, and at least a part of the piping reaching the protective valve is protected by a protective member. May be.

  In addition, as the protective member, the humidifier 32 and the inlet member 32b for the oxidant gas connected to the humidifier 32 are exemplified, but other oxidant gas members and the humidifier 32 fixed to the humidifier 32 are exemplified. You may use members, such as a bracket fixed to, as a protection member. Further, a part of the member such as the bracket or the like may protrude outward in the vehicle width direction from the pipe so that the member such as the bracket functions as a protection member.

  In the above embodiment, the length L1 of the humidifier 32 is configured to be longer than the length L2 of the pipe 22a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the length of the auxiliary machine fixed to the humidifier 32 is not limited thereto. You may comprise so that the length of a direction may become longer than the length L2 of the piping 22a.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the fuel cell vehicle 100 is exemplified as the fuel cell vehicle. However, for example, the fuel cell vehicle 100 may be applied to a motorcycle equipped with a fuel cell system.

It is a figure which shows the main structures of the fuel cell vehicle as a fuel cell vehicle which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a system diagram which shows the fuel cell system similarly applied to a fuel cell vehicle. (A) is a top view which shows the structure around a humidifier, (b) is a side view which similarly shows the structure around a humidifier. It is the perspective view which looked at the structure around a humidifier from the back diagonally upward of the humidifier. (A) is the schematic diagram which looked at the structure around a humidifier from the back of a fuel cell vehicle, (b), (c) is a schematic diagram which shows the state at the time of a collision (side collision) similarly.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fuel cell system 3 Floor panel 3b Upper floor part 3c Lower floor part 10 Fuel cell stack 21 Hydrogen tank 22 Secondary cutoff valve (upstream side cutoff valve)
22A regulator (upstream shutoff valve)
22 'Outermost part in the vehicle width direction 22a Piping 25 Drain valve (downstream shutoff valve)
26 Purge valve (downstream shutoff valve)
27 Scavenging gas discharge valve (downstream shutoff valve)
26a, 27a Piping 31 Compressor 32 Humidifier 32a Introducing portion 32a 'side end (outermost part in the vehicle width direction)
32b Inlet member (auxiliary machine)
41 Scavenging gas introduction valve (upstream shutoff valve)
41a piping 41b piping 100 fuel cell vehicle F1 vertical surface F2 vertical surface O axis

Claims (5)

A fuel cell that generates power by supplying at least a fuel gas and an oxidant gas; and
Provided in the upstream piping through which the fuel gas flows, and the first upstream shut-off valve as viewed from the fuel cell;
A downstream shut-off valve provided in a downstream pipe through which the fuel off gas from the fuel cell flows,
The pipe provided between the upstream side shutoff valve and the downstream side shutoff valve includes a protective member on the outer side in the vehicle width direction,
The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the protection member is at least one of a humidifier that humidifies the oxidant gas with a humidified fluid, and an auxiliary machine for the oxidant gas attached to the humidifier. The protective member includes the humidifier;
2. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the pipes is disposed on an inner side than an outermost part in a vehicle width direction of a casing constituting the humidifier.   The length of the longitudinal direction of the said protection member is made longer than the length of at least one part of the said piping in the said longitudinal direction, Either of Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. The fuel cell vehicle described. The upstream shut-off valve is a regulator that adjusts the pressure of the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell by a signal pressure from the oxidant gas system,
4. The fuel according to claim 1, wherein the regulator cuts off a flow of the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell when the signal pressure is not input. 5. Battery powered vehicle.   At least a part of the pipe, the humidifier, and the auxiliary machine are arranged in an upper convex floor panel including an upper floor part and a lower floor part, and the pipe is above the lower floor part. The fuel cell vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fuel cell vehicle is disposed on the vehicle.

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