JP2009292356A - Vehicle body structure of fuel-cell vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle body structure of a fuel-cell vehicle, preventing a damage to a harness (signal wiring) coupled to cell voltage detection means of a fuel cell even when the fuel-cell vehicle receives a lateral collision. <P>SOLUTION: The fuel-cell vehicle includes: a pair of seats (50, 50) disposed on the both sides of the fuel cell in such a manner to sandwich the fuel cell and fixed on the both ends of a reinforcement rod (57) for reinforced stiffness in the vehicle width direction; a housing (30) storing the fuel cell and exposing an output terminal for detecting a potential of a single cell from an opening (35) facing either of the seats (50); and signal wiring (20) having one end coupled to the output terminal and the other end coupled to the cell voltage detection means (10) for individually detecting the electromotive force of the single cell. The extension of the both ends of the reinforcement rod (57) intersects a non-wiring area (S) on the surface of the housing (30) where the signal wiring (20) is not arranged. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention belongs to a technical field related to a vehicle equipped with a fuel cell, and particularly relates to a vehicle body structure of a fuel cell vehicle equipped with a function of individually detecting an electromotive force of a single cell as a constituent unit of the fuel cell.

A vehicle equipped with a fuel cell supplies an electromotive force as a power source by supplying fuel gas (hydrogen) and air (oxygen) to a single cell and performing an electrochemical reaction.
This fuel cell is a type of assembled battery configured by stacking tens to hundreds of single cells and arranging them in series, and outputs an electromotive force of several hundred volts as a whole.

  This fuel cell may damage this single cell if an abnormality occurs in one of the single cells during power generation and power generation is delayed, and the damage caused by this damage also extends to other normal single cells. There is. For this reason, the fuel cell includes cell voltage detection means for detecting an electromotive force (hereinafter referred to as “cell voltage”) individually for each single cell. If an abnormality is found in any one unit cell, the recovery is attempted before the damage spreads to the surroundings, and the power generation of the fuel cell is stopped when the damage cannot be recovered.

Such a cell voltage detection means is fixed to the casing of the fuel cell, and a plurality of lead wires (branch lines) extending from the output terminal on the side surface of the electrode of the single cell (actually a separator) merge to form a bundle. Connected to the tip of the harness (signal wiring).
Further, the cell voltage detecting means is connected to a common circuit of the in-vehicle LAN such as a CAN (Controller Area Network), sends a message of the detected cell voltage result of each cell to the CAN bus, and generates power from the fuel cell. It is used to monitor the state, specify the presence or absence of a failure, and its position (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

A fuel cell vehicle is proposed in which such a fuel cell is housed in a rectangular parallelepiped casing having high mechanical rigidity and is disposed on a center console located between a pair of front seats of the vehicle.
JP 2000-223141 A JP 11-339828 A

By the way, a harness (signal wiring) that connects the cell voltage detection means and the output terminal of the single cell has a high potential of several tens to several hundreds volts with respect to the ground level, although no current circulates. For this reason, when the fuel cell vehicle causes a traffic accident, it is an important issue to avoid damage to the harness.
Specifically, when a simulation is performed in the case where the fuel cell vehicle has undergone a side collision, the reinforcing rod constituting the seat on the side collision has been displaced in the longitudinal direction due to the collision, and the tip of the reinforcing rod has a harness. There is a possibility to poke.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and to provide a vehicle body structure in which a harness (signal wiring) connecting cell voltage detection means is not damaged even when a fuel cell vehicle receives a side collision. For the purpose.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a vehicle body structure of a fuel cell vehicle according to the present invention includes a fuel cell in which a plurality of single cells that generate an electromotive force by electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen are stacked, and the fuel cell. A pair of seats arranged on both sides of the reinforcing rod and fixed at both ends of the reinforcing rod to reinforce the rigidity in the vehicle width direction, and from an opening that houses the fuel cell and faces either of the seats A cell voltage detecting means for individually detecting a potential difference between a casing in which an output terminal for detecting the potential of the single cell is exposed and one end connected to the plurality of output terminals and the other end adjacent to the output terminals. In the fuel cell vehicle including the signal wiring to be connected, the extension lines at both ends of the reinforcing rod intersect with a non-wiring area on the surface of the housing where the signal wiring is not arranged.

  With this configuration, even if the fuel cell vehicle is subjected to a side collision and the reinforcing rod, which is a component of the seat, is displaced in the longitudinal direction and protrudes into the casing of the fuel cell, it is removed from the signal wiring (harness). The tip of the reinforcing rod does not damage this signal wiring.

  Furthermore, the present invention provides a vehicle body structure of a fuel cell vehicle, wherein the signal wiring is mounted on each of the plurality of output terminals arranged in the stacking direction of the single cells, and each branch line extends from the mounting member. A bundle formed by integrating the bundle into a bundle, a bundle formed by converging the bundle in a narrow direction with respect to the arrangement width of the output terminals, and the cell voltage detection extending from the bundle The non-wiring area where the extension lines at both ends of the reinforcing rod intersect with each other in the entire range where the seat can be freely adjusted, and the edges of the bundled body and the focusing body It is contained in the area | region divided by.

  With this configuration, dense signal wirings can be arranged in close contact with the surface of the fuel cell housing in a planar shape. As a result, even if the seat is displaced in a large and adjustable manner, the non-wiring area can be sufficiently secured.

  Furthermore, the present invention provides a vehicle body structure of a fuel cell vehicle, wherein the casing opposes the fuel cell in the stacking direction, and an upper frame and a lower frame that are arranged to face the top and bottom surfaces of the fuel cell in the vertical direction, respectively. A pair of end face frames; and a side frame that is opposed to a direction orthogonal to the facing direction of the upper face frame, the lower face frame, and the pair of end face frames and in which the opening for exposing the output terminal is formed. And

  With this configuration, the outer periphery of the fuel cell that generates a large amount of electric power through an electrochemical reaction is protected by a very rigid housing. Thereby, even if the fuel cell vehicle receives a side collision and the front end of the reinforcing rod of the seat protrudes from the housing, it is possible to prevent damage to the stored fuel cell.

  Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the vehicle body structure of a fuel cell vehicle, the reinforcing rod fixes the seat at both ends in a state where a central portion thereof is curved.

  With such a configuration, even when the fuel cell vehicle receives a side collision and the reinforcing rod of the seat receives an external force in a direction connecting the both ends, the kinetic energy is absorbed by buckling at the curved portion. For this reason, even if the tip of the reinforcing rod hits the fuel cell, it is difficult to damage.

  Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that in the vehicle body structure of a fuel cell vehicle, the seat is fixed at both ends in a state where at least two of the reinforcing rods intersect with each other.

  With this configuration, even if the fuel cell vehicle receives a side collision and the external force is applied in the direction in which the reinforcing rods of the seat connect both ends thereof, the kinetic energy is dispersed. For this reason, even if the tip of the reinforcing rod hits the fuel cell, it is difficult to damage.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle body structure of a fuel cell vehicle in which a harness (signal wiring) connecting cell voltage detection means is not damaged even when a side collision is received.

Hereinafter, a vehicle body structure of a fuel cell vehicle according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a fuel cell stack 40 applied to a vehicle body structure of a fuel cell vehicle according to the present invention. Here, the coordinate axis X indicates the front direction (traveling direction) of the fuel cell vehicle, the coordinate axis Y indicates the side surface direction (vehicle width direction) of the fuel cell vehicle, and the coordinate axis Z indicates the vertical direction of the fuel cell vehicle.

  The fuel cell stack 40 includes a fuel cell (not shown), cell voltage detection means 10, signal wiring 20, and housing 30. The fuel cell stack 40 configured as described above supplies power necessary for driving the fuel cell vehicle.

(Explanation of fuel cell)
The fuel cell (not shown) has a plurality of single cells (not shown) arranged in series, and each output terminal 26 arranged on the side surface is exposed from the opening 35 and stored in the housing 30. Yes.
A plurality of single cells (not shown) (for example, 200 to 400) are stacked in the thickness direction, and a high-rigidity plate-like casing 30 (upper surface frame 31, lower surface frame 32, end surface frames 33, 33) is provided on all four sides. The side frame 34 (34A, 34B)) is sandwiched.

The single cell (not shown) has an electrolyte membrane, an anode electrode and a cathode electrode respectively disposed on both surfaces thereof, a fuel gas (hydrogen) channel, and an oxidizing gas (air (oxygen)) channel. The separator provided is a component.
The unit cell configured as described above generates an electromotive force of about 0.7 V by an electrochemical reaction between the fuel gas (hydrogen) and the oxidizing gas (oxygen), and the stacked unit cells are arranged in series. The fuel cell stack 40 outputs an electromotive force of several hundred volts as a whole.

The output terminal 26 is provided in the separator located at the boundary of a single cell (not shown), and can detect the electromotive force of a single cell individually by detecting the potential difference between two adjacent output terminals. Yes.
The output terminal is disposed so as to be exposed from the opening 35 provided in the gap between the side frames 34A and 34B provided separately on one side surface of the fuel cell stack 40, and the mounting member for the signal wiring 20 21 is configured to be worn.

(Explanation of cell voltage detection means)
The cell voltage detection means 10 includes an input terminal 11, a signal processing board 12, and a line terminal 13.
The cell voltage detection means 10 configured in this way detects a cell voltage signal of each single cell (not shown) via the signal wiring 20 connected to the input terminal 11. Note that the detected cell voltage is not limited to only one single cell, and the electromotive force of several adjacent single cells may be detected collectively.
Further, the cell voltage detecting means 10 is connected to a not-shown in-vehicle communication network (CAN; Controller Area Network) at the line terminal 13 to provide information necessary for control of the fuel cell vehicle.

  The signal processing board 12 scans and measures a plurality of cell voltage signals (the number corresponding to the number of output terminals 26) input from the input terminal 11, and digitizes the measured values so as to be unique to the cell voltage detecting means 10. Is added and a packet is output from the line terminal 13.

  In CAN communication, the priority of communication is defined by the identifier (ID) included in the packet. When a collision occurs in the communication line, the module defined by the identifier (ID) having a low priority stops transmission, A module defined by an identifier (ID) having a high priority keeps transmitting.

  Although the signal processing board 12 and the line terminal 13 are not shown in the figure, the CAN_Hi signal transmission line, the CAN_Lo signal transmission line, the reference potential GND signal line, and the operation of the cell voltage detecting means 10 necessary for CAN communication are shown. It has the necessary power supply line. The power supply line communicates with a 12V on-vehicle battery (not shown).

(Description of signal wiring)
The signal wiring 20 includes a mounting member 21, a branch line 22, a bundle 23, a converging body 24, and an extension connection 25, and each single cell output terminal 26 and cell voltage detection means 10 input terminal. 11 to lead individual electromotive force of a single cell.
By configuring the signal wiring 20 in this way, in the structure of the fuel cell stack 40 in which the cell voltage detection means 10 is arranged on the top surface in the vertical direction and the output terminal 26 is arranged in the opening 35 on the side surface, It becomes possible to place the most part in close contact with the surface.
The signal wiring 20 is fixed in close contact with the surface of the housing 30 by a surface fastener (not shown) or other fixing means.

The mounting member 21 is located at the end of the signal wiring 20 and is a signal contact mounted on the output terminal 26 exposed from the opening 35 on the side surface of the housing 30.
The branch wires 22 are signal lead wires extending from the respective mounting members 21, have a deflection when the mounting member 21 is mounted on the output terminal 26, and the signal wiring 20 is supported by the housing 30. Thus, the mounting member 21 and the output terminal 26 can be easily attached and detached.

  The bundle-like body 23 is formed by integrating a plurality of branch lines 22 extending from the mounting member 21 into a bundle shape, and has a belt-like form in which the longitudinal direction is aligned with the arrangement direction of the output terminals 26, and almost the entire surface is formed. It is comprised so that the side surface of the housing | casing 30 may be contact | connected.

The converging body 24 extends from the bundle body 23 in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction thereof, and the branch line 22 and the signal lead wire continuous from the bundle body 23 are arranged with respect to the arrangement width of the output terminals 26. And converged in the narrow direction.
The focusing body 24 is configured such that a part on the bundle-like body 23 side is in contact with the side surface of the housing 30 and the other part is in contact with the upper surface of the housing 30.

The extension connection 25 is configured such that the end of the extension connection 25 is connected to the input terminal 11 of the cell voltage detection means 10 by a signal lead line continuous from the focusing body 24.
In the drawing, the extension connections 25 are illustrated as having three branches from the converging body 24, but more extension connections 25 are formed in multiple layers according to the number of signal leads and input terminals 11. It may be branched.

(Case description)
The housing 30 includes an upper surface frame 31, a lower surface frame 32, end surface frames 33 and 33, and side surface frames 34A and 34B. The housing 30 configured in this manner houses a fuel cell (not shown) therein, and exposes an output terminal 26 provided in the fuel cell from an opening 35 provided in a lateral direction on the side surface. Yes. In addition, the cell voltage detection means 10 is fixedly disposed on the upper portion of the housing 30.
As a result, the casing 30 becomes a rectangular parallelepiped that substantially encloses the fuel cell (not shown) except for the opening 35 through which the output terminal 26 is exposed, and most of the surface of the signal wiring 20 is in close contact with the casing 30. Can do.

The upper surface frame 31 is arranged on the upper surface in the vertical direction of the fuel cell, and the upper surface of the inverted U-shaped cross section forms the upper surface of the fuel cell stack 40, and the side surface of the inverted U-shaped cross section is the fuel cell stack. A part of 40 side surfaces is formed.
Further, the locking pin 42 is provided at the edge of the side surface of the top frame 31 having an inverted U-shaped cross section, and locks the locking hole 41 provided at the upper edge of the side frame 34A to The frame 31 and the side frame 34A arranged opposite to each other are integrated.
In FIG. 1, the side frame 34 arranged on the blind spot side is not separated from the side frames 34 </ b> A and 34 </ b> B on the front side because the opening 35 for exposing the output terminal 26 is not necessary. It is a unitary one.

  Further, the fixing pieces 43 are provided at the edge of the upper surface of the upper surface frame 31 having an inverted U-shaped cross section, and are alternately engaged with the fixing pieces 43 provided at the edge of the end surface frame 33, so Penetrates in the horizontal direction, and the upper surface frame 31 and the end surface frame 33 arranged to face each other are integrated.

The lower surface frame 32 is arranged opposite to the upper surface frame 31 in a vertically symmetrical manner, and is integrated with a side surface frame 34B and an end surface frame 33 arranged opposite to each other in the same manner.
The side frames 34 </ b> A and 34 </ b> B are paired to form one side surface of the fuel cell stack 40, and a gap provided at the boundary between both forms an opening 35. The fixing pieces 43 are provided at the side edges of the side frames 34A and 34B, and are alternately engaged with the fixing pieces 43 provided at the edge edges of the end face frame 33, so that the through shaft 44 is further vertical. The side frames 34 </ b> A and 34 </ b> B and the end surface frame 33 arranged to face each other are integrated.

(Description of seat)
2A, 2B, and 2C are a front view, a side view, and a top view, respectively, showing a skeleton of a seat that is applied to a vehicle body structure of a fuel cell vehicle according to the present invention.
The seat 50 includes a seat cushion 51 that holds the hips of the human body, a seat back 52 that holds the back portion of the human body, and a headrest 53 that holds the head of the human body. It constitutes a seat and a passenger seat.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the seats 50 and 50 are arranged on both sides of the fuel cell stack 40 so as to narrow.

As shown in FIG. 2C, the seat cushion 51 is provided with a U-shaped first frame 54 in a plan view on the inner peripheral edge thereof, thereby forming an outline. Then, both ends of the reinforcing rod 57 are fixed to the sections on both sides of the first frame 54, respectively, and contributes to the improvement of the rigidity of the seat 50 in the vehicle width direction.
Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the seat cushion 51 is configured to have a floor panel via a slider 70 so that the seat 50 can be adjusted in the traveling direction (X direction) or the vertical direction (Z direction) in the cabin C. 62 is fixed.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the seat back 52 has a contour formed by providing an inverted U-shaped second frame 55 in a plan view at the inner peripheral edge. The distal ends of the sections on both sides of the second frame 55 are pivotally fixed to the distal ends of the sections on both sides of the first frame 54 via hinges 56, 56, respectively. Thereby, the seat back 52 can be inclined at an arbitrary angle with respect to the seat cushion 51 (see FIG. 2B as appropriate). Further, a headrest 53 is fixed to the upper part of the second frame 55.

(Description of body structure of fuel cell vehicle)
3 (a) and 3 (b) show a front sectional view and a top view inside the cabin of the fuel cell vehicle. Here, the fuel cell stack 40 is installed from the lower side of the vehicle body frame 61 constituting the basic skeleton of the fuel cell vehicle in a state of being fixed on the subframe 63. And the floor panel 62 forms the cabin C used as passenger | crew space with the roof panel etc. which are not shown in figure. A pair of seats 50 and 50 whose positions are adjusted via a slider 70 are fixed to the floor panel 62. Further, a center console 64 serving as a storage space for the fuel cell stack 40 is provided at a portion sandwiched between the pair of seats 50, 50 of the floor panel 62. In addition, the center console 64 accommodates an air discharge auxiliary machine 65, a hydrogen supply auxiliary machine 66, an ECU 67 (Electronic control unit; see FIG. 4), and the like.

As shown in the side view inside the cabin C in FIG. 4, the reinforcing rod 57 is arranged such that the extension lines at both ends thereof intersect the non-wiring region S on the surface of the housing 30 where the signal wiring 20 is not arranged. ing.
Since the reinforcing rod 57 is configured in this way, the fuel cell vehicle is subjected to a side collision, and the reinforcing rod 57 is displaced in the longitudinal direction and the tip of the reinforcing rod 57 is disengaged from the signal wiring 20 even if it protrudes from the housing 30. In addition, the tip of the reinforcing rod 57 does not damage the signal wiring 20.

Since the seat 50 is freely adjusted in the X and Z directions by the intention of the occupant of the fuel cell vehicle, the tip position of the reinforcing rod 57 overlaps the signal wiring 20 in the entire range of the position adjustment. It is desirable not to.
Specifically, in the entire range in which the position is adjusted, the extension lines at both ends of the reinforcing rod 57 intersect the non-wiring region S defined by the bundle body 23 (see FIG. 1 as appropriate) and the edge of the focusing body 24. It is desirable. That is, when the position of the seat 50 is adjusted, it is desirable that the locus of the reinforcing rod 57 in FIG.

As a result, even if the fuel cell vehicle receives a side collision and the reinforcing rod 57 of the seat 50 protrudes from the housing 30, the housing 30 is extremely rigid so that it is housed and protected inside. I don't jump. Further, since the reinforcing rod 57 protrudes from the housing 30, the space for the cabin C is secured even if a side collision occurs, so that the passenger space is maintained.
Further, even when the seat is displaced largely in an adjustable manner, the signal wirings 20 are densely and closely adhered to the surface of the housing 30 in a flat shape, so that the non-wiring area S can be sufficiently secured. it can.

(Other embodiment of reinforcing rod)
Returning to FIG. 2, the description will be continued.
FIGS. 2D and 2E are top views showing other embodiments of reinforcing rods constituting the seat.
In FIG. 2 (d), the reinforcing rod 57 ′ fixes the first frame 54 of the seat 50 ′ at both ends in a state where the central portion is curved.
By configuring the reinforcing rod 57 ′ in this way, even if the fuel cell vehicle receives a side collision and the reinforcing rod 57 ′ of the seat 50 ′ receives an external force in a direction connecting the both ends, the buckling is caused at the curved portion. Kinetic energy is absorbed. For this reason, even if the tip of the reinforcing rod 57 ′ protrudes from the fuel cell stack 40 (see FIG. 1), it is difficult to damage.
In FIG. 2D, the direction in which the reinforcing rod 57 ′ protrudes is in the traveling direction (X-axis direction), but is not particularly limited and may be in any direction.

In FIG. 2 (e), the reinforcing rods 57 ″ fix the first frame 54 of the seat 50 at both ends in a state where the two intersect with each other.
By configuring the reinforcing rod 57 ″ in this manner, even if the fuel cell vehicle receives a side collision, the kinetic energy is dispersed even if the reinforcing rod 57 ″ of the seat 50 ″ receives an external force in a direction connecting both ends thereof. For this reason, even if the tip of the reinforcing rod 57 ″ hits the fuel cell stack 40 (see FIG. 1), it is difficult to damage.
In FIG. 2 (e), the reinforcing rods 57 ″ are composed of two pieces, but the number of the reinforcing rods 57 ″ is not particularly limited, and at least two pieces of the reinforcing rods only need to be constructed.

1 is an external perspective view of a fuel cell stack applied to a vehicle body structure of a fuel cell vehicle according to the present invention. It is (a) front view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a top view showing a skeleton of a seat applied to a vehicle body structure of a fuel cell vehicle according to the present invention. (D) (e) is a top view of the frame | skeleton of the seat which shows other embodiment, respectively. It is (a) front sectional drawing inside the cabin of a fuel cell vehicle, and (b) is a top view. It is a side view inside the cabin of a fuel cell vehicle.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Cell voltage detection means 20 Signal wiring 21 Mounting member 22 Branch line 23 Bundled body 24 Condensing body 25 Extension connection 26 Output terminal 30 Housing | casing 31 Upper surface frame 32 Lower surface frame 33 End surface frame 34, 34A, 34B Side surface frame 35 Opening 40 Fuel Battery stack 50, 50 ', 50 "Seat 57, 57', 57" Reinforcing rod 61 Body frame 62 Floor panel 63 Subframe 64 Center console 70 Slider C Cabin S Non-wiring area

Claims (5)

A fuel cell in which a plurality of single cells that generate an electromotive force by electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen are stacked;
A pair of seats arranged on both sides of the fuel cell so as to narrow and fixed at both ends of the reinforcing rod to reinforce the rigidity in the vehicle width direction;
A housing that houses the fuel cell and that exposes an output terminal that detects the potential of the single cell from an opening facing one of the seats;
In a fuel cell vehicle, including a signal wiring having one end connected to the plurality of output terminals and the other end connected to cell voltage detection means for individually detecting a potential difference between those adjacent to the output terminals,
The vehicle body structure of a fuel cell vehicle, wherein the extension lines at both ends of the reinforcing rod intersect with a non-wiring area on the surface of the casing where the signal wiring is not arranged. The vehicle body structure of the fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1,
The signal wiring is
Mounting members respectively mounted on the plurality of output terminals arranged in the stacking direction of the single cells;
A bundle formed by integrating each branch line extending from the mounting member into a bundle,
A converging body formed by converging the bundle in a narrow direction with respect to the arrangement width of the output terminals;
An extended connection extending from the focusing body and connected to the cell voltage detection means,
The non-wiring region where the extension lines at both ends of the reinforcing rod intersect is
A vehicle body structure for a fuel cell vehicle, wherein the seat is included in a region defined by edges of the bundled body and the converging body in an entire range where the seat is freely adjusted. A fuel cell vehicle body structure according to claim 1 or 2,
The housing is
An upper surface frame and a lower surface frame respectively opposed to the upper surface and the lower surface in the vertical direction of the fuel cell;
A pair of end face frames facing the fuel cell in the stacking direction;
A fuel cell vehicle comprising: a top frame, a bottom frame, and a side frame facing the direction orthogonal to a facing direction of the pair of end face frames and having the opening exposing the output terminal. Body structure. The vehicle body structure of the fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1,
The vehicle body structure of a fuel cell vehicle, wherein the reinforcing rod fixes the seat at both ends in a state where a central portion thereof is curved. The vehicle body structure of the fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1,
The vehicle body structure of a fuel cell vehicle, wherein the reinforcing rods fix the seat at both ends in a state where at least two of the reinforcing rods intersect with each other.

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