JP2010221892A - Fuel cell for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the arrangement of equipments suitable for securing the underfoot space of an occupant in a back seat in a fuel cell vehicle in which a fuel cell is arranged under the front seat. <P>SOLUTION: One of the upper and lower ends of a rear end surface 42A of the fuel cell 26A arranged under the front seat is positioned rearward rather than the other end. Air piping 32A, cooling water piping 34A, and fuel gas piping 36A are arranged in a space formed between the rear end surface 42A and a fuel cell stack 30A. The air piping 32A with the most flow rate (volumetric flow) is arranged on the end side of the rear end surface positioned rearward, and the gas piping 36A with the least flow rate is arranged on the end side positioned ahead of the other end. The cooling water piping 34B are arranged between the air piping and the gas piping. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle in which a fuel cell is mounted under a seat, and more particularly to the arrangement of equipment and piping in the fuel cell.

  A vehicle equipped with a fuel cell and running on electric power generated by the fuel cell has been developed. Various proposals have been made regarding the arrangement of fuel cells. For example, Patent Document 1 below shows a configuration in which a fuel cell is mounted under a front row seat. In a vehicle driven by a general engine, a space under the front row seat is opened, and a foot space for the rear row seat occupant is inserted here to secure a space for the rear row occupant foot. . However, in the vehicle described in Patent Document 1, the portion under the front row seat is occupied by the fuel cell, and a space for the feet of the rear row seat occupant is not secured.

  Patent Document 2 listed below describes a technique for securing a foot space for a rear row seat occupant by using a rear end surface of a fuel cell or the like mounted under the front row seat as a slope.

JP 2007-126033 A JP 2006-62548 A

  In the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, it is described that the rear end face of the fuel cell is inclined, but there is no mention of how to achieve this configuration.

  An object of the present invention is to efficiently create a foot space for a passenger in a back seat.

  In the present invention, the rear end surface of the fuel cell case that accommodates equipment such as a fuel cell stack and each piping is arranged such that one of the upper end and the lower end is located behind the other, and air flows to the rear end side. The pipes are arranged such that fuel gas flows on the opposite end side, and pipes through which cooling water flows are arranged between these pipes.

  By arranging an air pipe having a larger flow rate than the fuel gas and having a larger cross-sectional area of the flow path on the rear end side, a foot space can be efficiently secured.

It is the schematic of the fuel cell vehicle by a side view. It is an enlarged view of the rear part of an example of a fuel cell. It is an enlarged view of the rear part of the other example of a fuel cell. It is a figure which shows the state of the foot space by the fuel cell shown in FIG. It is an enlarged view of the rear part of the further another example of a fuel cell. It is the schematic of the fuel cell vehicle by planar view. It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of each apparatus in the side view inside a fuel cell. It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of each apparatus in planar view inside a fuel cell. It is a figure which shows the other example of arrangement | positioning of each apparatus in planar view inside a fuel cell. It is a figure which shows the further example of arrangement | positioning of each apparatus in planar view inside a fuel cell. It is a figure which shows the further example of arrangement | positioning of each apparatus in planar view inside a fuel cell.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view of the vehicle 10 and the passengers 12 and 14. The vehicle 10 shows a vehicle having a front row seat 16 and a rear row seat 18 as an example. The front row seats 16 may have left and right independent seats, or may be a bench seat form in which the left and right are connected. The rear row seats 18 may also be left and right independent, left middle right independent, or bench seat format. Each individual seat includes a seat cushion 20, a seat back 22 and a headrest 24. In particular, when it is necessary to separately explain the front row seat and the rear row seat, F (front seat) and R (rear seat) are attached after the reference numerals 20, 22, and 24. In many vehicles currently sold, the space under the front row seat cushion 20F is used as a foot space for the rear row seat occupant. That is, a space is provided so that the toes of the rear row seat occupant enter under the front row seat cushion 20F. Even in a vehicle having an accessory case under the front row seat cushion 20F, the rear portion is generally used as a foot space.

  In a fuel cell vehicle equipped with a fuel cell and driven by a motor driven by the electric power generated by the fuel cell, various proposals have been made regarding the location of the fuel cell. In the above-mentioned publication, as an example, a proposal is made for the mounting location to be under the front row seat. The fuel cell has a relatively large external dimension, and is not necessarily accommodated in the space under the front row seat. On the other hand, as described above, this place has been conventionally used as a foot space for the rear row seat occupant. If this space is occupied by a fuel cell or the like, the rear row seat occupant may feel cramped. is there.

  In the vehicle 10 of this embodiment, the fuel cell 26 is disposed in a space below the front row seat cushion 20F. When the front row seats are left and right independent seats, the fuel cells 26 can be arranged in the space under the front row seats including the space between the spaces under the left and right seats. On the other hand, by devising the arrangement of the fuel cell stack, auxiliary equipment, distributor, and the like that constitute the fuel cell 26, the foot space for the rear row passenger is secured. The fuel cell 26 is configured by housing a fuel cell stack, an auxiliary device, a distributor and the like in a fuel cell case, and at least a part of a rear end surface of the fuel cell case defines a front end of a foot space for a rear row passenger. Yes. One of the upper end and the lower end of the rear end surface of the fuel cell case is located rearward with respect to the other, whereby a foot space is secured. In other words, the vertical height of the space under the front row seats is considerably larger than the thickness of the human foot (the vertical dimension), and either the upper end or both ends are positioned rearward so that the fuel cell The space for the feet is also secured by positioning the other end forward while securing the space for arranging the components. Such a rear end surface may be provided over the entire width of the front row seat, but may be disposed only in front of a position where an occupant sits in the back row seat. For example, the rear end surface may be disposed only in front of the left and right rear row seats, and a vertical rear end surface may be formed in front of the rear row center seat, a portion between the front row left and right seats, or a center tunnel portion.

  In FIG. 2, a fuel cell 26 </ b> A is shown as an example of the internal configuration of the fuel cell 26 in a cross section by a median plane (a vertical plane parallel to the vehicle longitudinal direction) of the right seat or the left seat in the front row. In the figure, the left side is in front of the vehicle, and the latter half of the fuel cell 26A is shown. In the fuel cell 26A, a fuel cell stack 30A in which fuel cells are stacked and pipings 32A, 34A, and 36A called manifolds for flowing fuel gas, air, cooling water, and the like are disposed in a fuel cell case 28A. . Although not shown in the cross section of FIG. 2, a distributor 38 (see FIG. 6) that distributes fuel gas, air, etc. to a plurality of fuel cell stacks, and fuel gas, air, cooling water, etc. are supplied to the fuel cell stacks. Also, an auxiliary machine 40 (see FIG. 6), which is a device for discharging from the stack, can be arranged. Specifically, the auxiliary machine includes a compressor that compresses air, a humidifier that humidifies supplied air, and a circulation pump that circulates fuel gas. All or part of these auxiliary machines can be arranged in the fuel cell 26 under the front row seat.

  In the example of FIG. 2, the electrodes of the fuel cells are stacked in the width direction of the vehicle, in FIG. 2, in a direction penetrating the paper surface, and each pipe extends along this stacking direction. The rear end surface 42 of the fuel cell case 28 is inclined rearward, and the upper end is located behind the lower end. Since air, fuel gas, and cooling water flowing in the fuel cell flow in a direction parallel to the surface of the electrode, these fluids flow in the front-rear direction of the vehicle in the example of FIG. Accordingly, one of the supply-side manifold and the discharge-side manifold is arranged on the front side of the fuel cell stack 30 and the other side is arranged on the rear side.

  The air pipe 32 through which air flows is arranged close to the rear end of the rear end face 42, in this example, the upper end, and the fuel gas pipe 36 through which fuel gas flows is arranged close to the front end. . Between the air pipe 32 and the fuel gas pipe 36, a cooling water pipe 34 through which cooling water flows is disposed. This arrangement is determined according to the flow rate (volumetric flow rate), and the pipe with a high flow rate is arranged close to the end located at the rear, and conversely, the end with the low flow rate is arranged close to the end located at the front Has been. In this example, as shown in FIG. 1, the occupant in the rear row seat can be seated by inserting the toes in the vicinity of the lower end of the rear end surface 42.

  FIG. 3 is a view showing an arrangement example in which the upper and lower sides of the fuel cell 26 of FIG. The rear end face 42B of the fuel cell case 28B of the fuel cell 26B is inclined forward, the upper end is located in the front, and the lower end is located in the rear. Accordingly, an air pipe 32B is disposed near the lower end, a fuel gas pipe 36B is disposed near the upper end, and a cooling water pipe 34B is disposed between these pipes. In the example of the rear end face 42B tilted forward, the foot space of the rear row seat occupant 14 is secured as shown in FIG. In other words, the rear row seat occupant 14 raises the toes so as to enter the space near the upper end of the rear end face 42B. The entire sole or sole of the foot may be in contact with the inclined rear end face 42.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of components inside another fuel cell. The rear end surface 42C of the fuel cell case 28C of the fuel cell 26C has a stepped shape, with the upper side positioned rearward and the lower side positioned forward. An air pipe 32C is arranged inside the upper part, and a fuel gas pipe 36C and a cooling water pipe 34C are arranged inside the lower part. The back row seat occupant is seated so that the toes are inserted toward the portion located on the lower front side of the rear end face 42C.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the internal configuration of the fuel cell 26 when the vehicle 10 is viewed in plan. FIG. 6 is a view common to all of the fuel cells 26A, 26B, and 26C shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, and the letters A, B, and C attached after the numerals are omitted in each figure. . As described above, the fuel cells are stacked in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the pipes 32, 34, and 36 for supplying air, fuel gas, and the like to the cell and for recovering from the cell are arranged in front and rear of the fuel cell stack 30. The fuel cell stack 30 is separately arranged under the independent front row left and right seats, and a distributor 38 and an auxiliary device 40 for supplying air, fuel gas and the like are arranged in a portion between the left and right seats. The rear end surface 42 of the fuel cell case 28 has one of the upper end and the lower end extending rearward from the other at the left and right seat positions of the front row seat 16. In contrast, the portion between the left and right seats is a vertical surface. The vertical portion 43 is disposed at the position of the front end of the rear end surface inclined or stepped under the left and right seats, but may be disposed at the position of the rear end of the rear end surface. You may arrange | position between. In plan view, the rear end surface is concave, that is, it is located behind the left and right seats as viewed from the back row seat occupant, so that the foot space of the back row center seat is secured and the visual feeling of pressure is alleviated. .

  FIG. 7 is a view showing another example of the fuel cell disposed under the front row seat. FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C correspond to the above-described examples of FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, and in this order, the rear end face is inclined backward, the forward inclined example, and the step. An example is shown. The fuel cell stacks 46A, 46B, and 46C are obtained by stacking cells in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. In this case, the manifolds are arranged on the left and right sides of the fuel cell stack in the vehicle width direction, or on the upper and lower sides of the stack. Since there is no margin in the width due to the arrangement of the manifold, a portion of a substantially triangular cross section near the rear end of the fuel cells 44A, 44B, 44C, a rectangular portion of a step, a distributor or an auxiliary device, or both Spaces 48A, 48B, and 48C are arranged. In each example of FIG. 7, the securing of the foot space for the rear row seat occupant is the same as each example in the case of FIGS.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing still another example of arrangement of the fuel cell. In FIG. 8, only the front row seat 16 portion of the vehicle in plan view is shown, and the left side is the front of the vehicle as in FIG. The fuel cell 50 is configured by housing a fuel cell stack 54, a distributor 56, and an auxiliary device 58 in a fuel cell case 52. The fuel cell stack 54 is arranged separately on the left and right sides of the front row seat, and the stacking direction of the fuel cells is the vehicle width direction. The distributor 56 and the auxiliary device 58 are disposed between the left and right fuel cell stacks 54. The auxiliary machine 58 may accommodate all necessary auxiliary machines or a part thereof. In the fuel cell case 52, the portions containing the fuel cell stacks 54 on both sides are long in the front-rear direction and the central portion is short, and the whole is concave. In this example, the rear end surface 60 of the fuel cell case 52 is configured by a surface that is disposed substantially vertically. In the rear end surface 60, the portion 60 a containing the fuel cell stack 54 is located behind the portion 60 b containing the distributor 56 and the auxiliary device 58. Preferably, the rear end surface portion 60a is a portion below the left and right seats in the front row, and the portion 60b corresponds to a portion between the left and right seats. Further, the portion 60 b may be accommodated in the center tunnel 62.

  Since the fuel cell 50 has a concave shape in plan view, a foot space in the rear row center seat is secured, and a feeling of pressure is reduced when viewed from the rear row seat occupant.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing still another example of arrangement of the fuel cell. In FIG. 9, only the front row seat 16 portion of the vehicle in plan view is shown, and the left side is the front of the vehicle as in FIG. The fuel cell 70 is configured by housing a fuel cell stack 74, a distributor 76, and an auxiliary machine 78 in a fuel cell case 72. The fuel cell stack 74 is arranged separately on the left and right, and the stacking direction of the fuel cells is the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The auxiliary machine 78 may accommodate all necessary auxiliary machines or a part thereof. In the fuel cell case 72, the part containing the distributor 76 and the auxiliary machine 78 is longer in the front-rear direction than the parts on both sides thereof, and has a convex shape as a whole. In this example, the rear end surface 80 of the fuel cell case 72 is configured by a surface that is disposed substantially vertically. In the rear end face 80, the portions 80b containing the distributor 76 and the auxiliary device 78 are located behind the portions 80a on both sides thereof. Preferably, the rear end surface portion 80b corresponds to a portion between the left and right seats. Further, a portion (a portion extending rearward) of the fuel cell 70 in which the distributor 76 and the auxiliary device 78 are accommodated may be located in the center tunnel 62.

  By making the fuel cell 70 convex in plan view, it is possible to secure a space for mounting the fuel cell stack and to secure the foot space in the left and right rear seats.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing still another example of arrangement of the fuel cell. 10, only the front row seat 16 portion of the vehicle in plan view is shown, and the left side is the front of the vehicle as in FIG. The fuel cell 90 is configured by housing a fuel cell stack 94, a distributor 96, and an auxiliary device 98 in a fuel cell case 92. The fuel cell stack 94 is arranged separately on the left and right of the front row seat, and the stacking direction of the fuel cells is the vehicle width direction. The distributor 96 and the auxiliary machine 98 are disposed between the left and right fuel cell stacks 94 and in a portion extending rearward therebetween. The auxiliary machine 98 may accommodate all necessary auxiliary machines or a part thereof. The fuel cell case 92 has a portion in which the fuel cell stacks 94 on both sides are housed in the front-rear direction and a center portion that is long, and has a convex shape as a whole. In this example, the rear end surface 100 of the fuel cell case 92 is configured by a surface that is disposed substantially vertically. In the rear end surface 100, the portion 100 a containing the fuel cell stack 94 is positioned in front of the portion 100 b containing the distributor 96 and the auxiliary device 98. Preferably, the rear end surface portion 100a is a portion below the left and right seats in the front row, and the portion 100b corresponds to a portion between the left and right seats. Further, a portion (a portion extending rearward) of the fuel cell 90 in which the distributor 96 and the auxiliary device 98 are accommodated may be located in the center tunnel 62.

  By making the fuel cell 90 have a convex shape in plan view, a space for mounting the fuel cell stack can be secured, and a foot space for the left and right seats in the back row can be secured.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing still another example of arrangement of the fuel cell. In FIG. 11, only the front row seat 16 portion of the vehicle in plan view is shown, and the left side is the front of the vehicle as in FIG. The fuel cell 110 is configured such that a fuel cell stack 114, a distributor 116, and an auxiliary device 118 are housed in a fuel cell case 112. The fuel cell stack 114 is disposed under one of the left and right seats in the front row and in the center tunnel 62, and the stacking direction of the fuel cells is the width direction of the vehicle. The distributor 116 and the auxiliary machine 118 are disposed under the other seat in the left and right seats in the front row. The auxiliary machine 118 may contain all necessary auxiliary machines or a part thereof. The fuel cell case 112 has a portion in which the fuel cell stack 114 is accommodated in the front-rear direction, and a portion in which the distributor 116 and the auxiliary device 118 are accommodated is long, and has an L shape as a whole. In this example, the rear end surface 120 of the fuel cell case 92 is configured by a surface that is disposed substantially vertically. In the rear end surface 120, the portion 120 a that houses the fuel cell stack 114 is disposed in front of the portion 120 b that houses the distributor 116 and the auxiliary device 118. This example can be suitably used when at least one of the front row seat and the rear row seat is arranged asymmetrically (for example, shifted back and forth).

  Each of the above examples has been described using a vehicle having two rows of front row seats and rear row seats. However, in the case of a vehicle having three or more rows of seats, a fuel cell is disposed under a seat in a row other than the last row. Can be applied as well.

  10 vehicles, 16 front row seats, 18 rear row seats, 26, 26A to C fuel cells, 28, 28A to C fuel cell cases, 32, 32A to C air piping, 34, 34A to C cooling water piping, 36, 36A to C Fuel gas piping, 38 distributor, 40 auxiliary machines, 42 rear end face.

Claims (1)

A fuel cell stack in which a plurality of fuel cells are stacked;
A fuel gas pipe to which fuel gas flows to or from the fuel cell stack; and
An air plumbing to or from the fuel cell stack;
A cooling water pipe through which the cooling water of the fuel cell stack flows,
A fuel cell case containing a fuel cell stack, fuel gas piping, air piping and cooling water piping; and
A fuel cell for a vehicle having
The fuel cell is mounted under the seat in the row before the last row,
A rear end surface of the fuel cell case defines a front end of a foot space of a seat behind the seat, and one of an upper end and a lower end of the rear end surface is located rearward with respect to the other;
The portion of the fuel gas pipe, the air pipe and the cooling water pipe located between the fuel cell stack and the rear end face of the fuel cell case has an air pipe on the rear end side of the rear end face and the other end. Fuel gas piping on the side, cooling water piping is arranged between them,
Fuel cell for vehicles.

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