JP2022088966A - Fuel cell vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a fuel cell vehicle capable of safely discharging hydrogen from a discharge hole while suppressing the discharge hole from getting clogged with a foreign matter without providing any additional component such as a cap to the discharge hole.SOLUTION: A fuel cell vehicle 1 has a vehicle body having a frame structure comprising a pair of right and left side members 2 extending in a front-rear direction, and is mounted with a fuel cell FC, a hydrogen tank TNK arranged behind the fuel cell FC and filled with hydrogen, and hydrogen piping Lh connecting the fuel cell FC and hydrogen tank TNK, and letting the hydrogen filling the hydrogen tank TNK flow to the fuel cell FC. The hydrogen piping Lh is provided with a discharge hole 33 for discharging the hydrogen to the outside. The discharge hole 33 is arranged between the pair of right and left side members 2 in a vehicle width direction, faces one side member 2, and is arranged overlapping with the one side member 2 in a vertical direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a fuel cell vehicle equipped with a fuel cell and a hydrogen tank.

Conventionally, a vehicle equipped with a fuel cell and a hydrogen tank (hereinafter referred to as a "fuel cell vehicle") has been known. In a fuel cell vehicle, H2 gas (hereinafter referred to as "hydrogen") filled in a hydrogen tank is supplied to the fuel cell as fuel, and O2 gas in the air (hereinafter referred to as "oxygen") is supplied to the fuel cell as an oxidizing agent. In a fuel cell vehicle, the electric power generated when hydrogen and oxygen react with each other to generate water (steam) in the fuel cell is taken out to the outside and used as electric power for driving a driving motor. Fuel cell vehicles emit only water vapor when driving, and do not emit air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx), or carbon dioxide (CO2), which is a cause of global warming. As an environment-friendly vehicle, it is expected to be widely used not only in passenger cars but also in commercial vehicles such as trucks. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a fuel cell vehicle in which a hydrogen tank and a secondary battery are arranged in a region between a pair of left and right side members.

On the other hand, in a fuel cell vehicle, in the hydrogen pipe connecting the hydrogen tank and the fuel cell, in order to prevent the hydrogen tank and the hydrogen pipe from exploding, hydrogen in the hydrogen tank and / or the hydrogen pipe is externally used when an abnormality occurs. It is required to provide a discharge port for reducing the internal pressure of the hydrogen tank and / or the hydrogen pipe.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-147500

However, Patent Document 1 does not describe a discharge port that discharges hydrogen from the hydrogen tank and / or the hydrogen pipe to the outside to reduce the internal pressure of the hydrogen tank and / or the hydrogen pipe when an abnormality occurs. On the other hand, at the discharge port, it is necessary to prevent foreign matter from being clogged so that hydrogen in the hydrogen tank and / or the hydrogen pipe can be discharged to the outside when an abnormality occurs. Further, hydrogen in the hydrogen tank and / or the hydrogen pipe discharged from the discharge port is required to be discharged in a safe direction while avoiding a closed space such as a cabin, a wheel housing, a forward direction of a vehicle, and the like.

The present invention provides a fuel cell vehicle capable of safely discharging hydrogen from a discharge port while suppressing foreign matter from being clogged in the discharge port without providing an additional component such as a cap at the discharge port.

The present invention
It has a frame-structured vehicle body with a pair of left and right side members that extend in the front-rear direction.
With a fuel cell
A hydrogen tank located behind the fuel cell and filled with hydrogen,
A fuel cell vehicle comprising a hydrogen pipe that connects the fuel cell and the hydrogen tank and allows the hydrogen filled in the hydrogen tank to flow to the fuel cell.
The hydrogen pipe is provided with a discharge port for discharging the hydrogen flowing through the hydrogen pipe to the outside.
The outlet is
It is arranged between the pair of left and right side members in the vehicle width direction.
It faces the direction of one of the side members.
It is arranged at a position overlapping with the one side member in the vertical direction.

According to the present invention, one side member is arranged in the direction facing the discharge port. As a result, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from being clogged in the discharge port without providing an additional component such as a cap in the discharge port. Further, since the hydrogen released from the discharge port is discharged in the outward direction in the vehicle width direction toward the side member, hydrogen can be safely discharged from the discharge port. In this way, hydrogen can be safely discharged from the discharge port while suppressing foreign matter from being clogged in the discharge port without providing an additional component such as a cap at the discharge port.

It is a schematic side view which shows the fuel cell vehicle of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic top view of the fuel cell vehicle of FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the fuel cell vehicle of FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of the fuel cell vehicle of FIG.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the fuel cell vehicle of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings shall be viewed in the direction of the reference numerals. Further, in the following description, each direction of front / rear, left / right, and up / down is described according to the direction seen from the driver of the vehicle, and in the drawing, the front of the vehicle is Fr, the rear is Rr, the right is R, and the left. Is L, the upper part is U, and the lower part is D.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the fuel cell vehicle 1, a pair of left and right side members 2 extending in the front-rear direction and left and right side members 2 extending in the vehicle width direction are connected between the left and right side members 2. It has a vehicle body having a frame structure formed in a ladder shape by a plurality of cross members 3. Above the front end of the pair of left and right side members 2, there is provided a cabin 4 in which a seat 6 for occupants is seated. The guest room 4 is arranged at the front of the fuel cell vehicle 1. A loading platform 5 is provided above the left and right side members 2 behind the guest room 4. Below the guest room 4, a pair of left and right front wheel forwards are provided. A pair of left and right rear front wheels RW1 and rear rear wheels RW2 are provided behind the front wheels FW. The rear front wheel RW1 has two wheels on each of the left and right sides, and the rear rear wheel RW2 has two wheels on each of the left and right sides behind the rear front wheel RW1. The rear front wheel RW1 and the rear rear wheel RW2 are provided on the outer sides of the pair of left and right side members 2 in the vehicle width direction.

A fuel cell FC is mounted below the guest room 4.

The fuel cell FC has, for example, a single cell of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell in which an ion exchange membrane (proton exchange membrane) is sandwiched between a pair of electrodes consisting of a fuel electrode (anode) and an oxygen electrode (cathode), and a separator ( A fuel cell stack having a structure in which hundreds of single cells are stacked and connected in series via a bipolar plate) is used. A catalyst made of platinum (Pt) or the like is provided in a layer near the interface between each electrode and the ion exchange membrane, and hydrogen supplied to the fuel electrode is decomposed into electrons and hydrogen ions (protons) by the action of the catalyst. Electrons are taken out to an external circuit connected to the fuel electrode, and hydrogen ions pass through the ion exchange membrane and reach the oxygen electrode. At the oxygen electrode, hydrogen ions, oxygen in the air, and electrons that reach through an external circuit are combined by the action of a catalyst to generate water, and the flow of electrons taken out to the external circuit in this series of processes is the power generated. It is used as.

A storage space 7 in which the fuel cell FC is housed is formed below the passenger compartment 4 of the fuel cell vehicle 1. The interior of the guest room 4 and the accommodation space 7 are partitioned so that hydrogen does not flow, and the upper part of the accommodation space 7 is covered with a ceiling surface formed by the bottom of the guest room 4, and the rear portion is open. There is. The fuel cell FC is arranged in the accommodation space 7.

Below the loading platform 5 of the fuel cell vehicle 1, a secondary battery BAT capable of storing the electric power generated by the fuel cell FC and a hydrogen tank TNK filled with hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell FC are located. It is installed. Therefore, the secondary battery BAT and the hydrogen tank TNK are arranged behind the fuel cell FC.

Both the secondary battery BAT and the hydrogen tank TNK are arranged between the pair of left and right side members 2 in the vehicle width direction. The secondary battery BAT is arranged in front of the hydrogen tank TNK. That is, the secondary battery BAT is arranged between the fuel cell FC and the hydrogen tank TNK in the front-rear direction. The hydrogen tank TNK is arranged in front of the rear end of the rear wheel RW2, which is a pair of left and right wheels arranged at the rearmost position.

The secondary battery BAT includes a rechargeable power storage module 11 such as a lithium ion battery, a nickel hydrogen battery, and a capacitor, and a housing 12 that houses the power storage module 11. The housing 12 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, has a larger dimension in the vehicle width direction than the hydrogen tank TNK, and connects a pair of left and right side members 2. The housing 12 is made of a material having a higher strength than the hydrogen tank TNK.

The secondary battery BAT further includes a cross member 13 in the housing extending in the vehicle width direction inside the housing 12 and connecting the left side surface 12L and the right side surface 12R of the housing 12. The secondary battery BAT is arranged so that at least a part of the cross member 13 in the housing overlaps with the side member 2 in the vertical direction.

Therefore, when the fuel cell vehicle 1 collides sideways, the collision load due to the side collision is transmitted to the side member 2 on the opposite side to the side receiving the collision load through the cross member 13 in the housing (load path). ) Is formed, so that the cross member 13 in the housing has the same function as the cross member 3 of the vehicle body, and the deformation of the side member 2 is suppressed.

The hydrogen tank TNK has a tank body extending in a cylindrical shape in the front-rear direction, a hemispherical tank front end that closes the front end of the tank body, and a hemispherical tank rear end that closes the rear end of the tank body. It has in one piece. A filling / discharging hole 21 for filling and discharging hydrogen is provided near the center of the front end of the tank.

The hydrogen tank TNK is arranged between both end faces of the secondary battery BAT in the vehicle width direction in the vehicle width direction, and between the left side surface 12L and the right side surface 12R in this embodiment.

Therefore, when the fuel cell vehicle 1 collides sideways, the collision load due to the side collision is input to the housing 12 of the secondary battery BAT before the hydrogen tank TNK, so that the hydrogen tank TNK is protected by the secondary battery BAT. Will be done. This makes it possible to prevent the hydrogen tank TNK from being damaged when the fuel cell vehicle 1 collides sideways.

The fuel cell vehicle 1 is equipped with a hydrogen pipe Lh that connects the fuel cell FC and the filling / discharging hole 21 of the hydrogen tank TNK, and allows hydrogen filled in the hydrogen tank TNK to flow to the fuel cell FC.

The hydrogen filled in the hydrogen tank TNK flows through the hydrogen pipe Lh and is supplied to the fuel cell FC, and in the fuel cell FC, the hydrogen generated when hydrogen and oxygen react to generate water (steam) is generated. The next battery BAT stores electricity. The electric power stored in the secondary battery BAT is supplied to a drive motor (not shown), and the drive motor drives at least one of the front wheel FW, the rear front wheel RW1, and the rear rear wheel RW2. In the fuel cell FC, part or all of the electric power generated when hydrogen and oxygen react to generate water (steam) is directly supplied to the drive motor without being stored in the secondary battery BAT. You may.

The hydrogen pipe Lh has a first pipe Lh1 extending in the front-rear direction from the outside of either the left or right side member 2 in the vehicle width direction and having a front end connected to the fuel cell FC, and a vehicle behind the secondary battery BAT. The second piping portion Lh2 extending in the front-rear direction between the pair of left and right side members 2 in the width direction and connecting the rear end portion to the filling / discharging hole 21 of the hydrogen tank TNK, and the rear end portion and the first of the first piping portions Lh1. It has a third piping portion Lh3 that connects to the front end portion of the two piping portions Lh2 and extends in the vehicle width direction. In the present embodiment, the first piping portion Lh1 extends in the front-rear direction from the outside of the right side member 2 in the vehicle width direction. In the present embodiment, the second piping portion Lh2 extends rearward from the secondary battery BAT and extends substantially in the center of the fuel cell vehicle 1 in the vehicle width direction in the front-rear direction.

The second piping portion Lh2 is provided with a heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 and a pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2. In the present embodiment, the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 is provided at the rear end of the second piping portion Lh2 and is directly attached to the filling / discharging hole 21 of the hydrogen tank TNK. The pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2 is provided in the second piping portion Lh2 in front of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1.

The hydrogen tank TNK is compressed and filled with hydrogen at a high pressure of, for example, about 70 MPa (about 700 atm). Therefore, when the internal temperature of the hydrogen tank TNK rises due to a fire or the like, the hydrogen that is compressed and filled may expand and the hydrogen tank TNK may explode.

When the internal temperature of the hydrogen tank TNK exceeds a predetermined temperature, the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 operates to release a part of the hydrogen compressed and filled in the hydrogen tank TNK into the atmosphere in a short time. It is a device for lowering the internal pressure of the tank TNK and preventing the hydrogen tank TNK from exploding. The heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 is, for example, a heat-operated pressure relief device (TPRD: Temperature activated Pressure Relief Device).

The pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2 operates so as to safely release a part of hydrogen flowing through the hydrogen pipe Lh into the atmosphere when the internal pressure of the hydrogen pipe Lh exceeds a predetermined pressure, and the hydrogen tank TNK and It is a device for lowering the internal pressure of the hydrogen pipe Lh and preventing the hydrogen tank TNK and the hydrogen pipe Lh from bursting. The pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2 is, for example, a relief valve that automatically opens when a predetermined pressure is reached.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the second piping portion Lh2 extends in the front-rear direction at a position where it overlaps with a pair of left and right cross members in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 has a main body portion 31 provided at a position overlapping with the second piping portion Lh2 when viewed backward, and protrudes outward from the main body portion 31 in the vehicle width direction. It is provided with a discharge unit 32 and a discharge port 33 provided at the tip portion of the discharge unit 32 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. In the present embodiment, the emission unit 32 is arranged between a pair of left and right side members in the vehicle width direction, protrudes to the right side in the vehicle width direction from the main body portion 31, and a pair of left and right side members in the vertical direction. It is arranged at a position overlapping with 2. The discharge port 33 is arranged between the pair of left and right side members in the vehicle width direction, faces the direction of the right side member 2, and is arranged at a position overlapping the pair of left and right side members 2 in the vertical direction. ing. When the internal temperature of the hydrogen tank TNK reaches a predetermined temperature, the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 discharges a part of hydrogen compressed and filled in the hydrogen tank TNK as shown by an arrow in FIG. Is emitted toward the side member 2 on the right side.

Therefore, since the right side member 2 is arranged in the direction in which the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 faces, the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 is provided by the right side member 2. It is protected from foreign matter flying from the outside of the fuel cell vehicle 1. As a result, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from being clogged in the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 without providing an additional component such as a cap at the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1. Further, the hydrogen released from the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 is discharged in the outward direction in the vehicle width direction toward the right side member 2, so that the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 has. Hydrogen can be safely discharged from the discharge port 33. In this way, without providing additional parts such as a cap at the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1, heat is suppressed while suppressing the clogging of the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 with foreign matter. The actuated overpressure prevention device PRD1 can safely release hydrogen from the discharge port 33.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2 is provided on the main body 41 provided at a position overlapping with the second piping Lh2 in the rear view, and on the left side of the main body 41. A discharge port 42 facing the direction of the member 2 is provided. In the present embodiment, the discharge port 42 is arranged between the pair of left and right side members in the vehicle width direction and faces the direction of the left side member 2, and the discharge port 42 and the pair of left and right side members 2 in the vertical direction. It is placed in an overlapping position. When the internal pressure of the second pipe portion Lh2 reaches a predetermined pressure, the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2 releases a part of hydrogen flowing through the hydrogen pipe Lh from the discharge port 42 as shown by an arrow in FIG. Discharge toward the left side member 2.

Therefore, since the left side member 2 is arranged in the direction in which the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2 faces, the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2 is provided by the left side member 2. It is protected from foreign matter flying from the outside of the fuel cell vehicle 1. As a result, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from being clogged in the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2 without providing an additional component such as a cap at the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2. Further, the hydrogen released from the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2 is discharged outward in the vehicle width direction toward the left side member 2, so that the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2 has. Hydrogen can be safely released from the discharge port 42. In this way, the pressure is suppressed while preventing foreign matter from being clogged in the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2 without providing an additional component such as a cap at the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2. The actuated overpressure prevention device PRD2 can safely release hydrogen from the discharge port 42.

The second piping portion Lh2 extends in the front-rear direction between the secondary battery BAT and the hydrogen tank TNK in the front-rear direction, and is the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 and the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device. The discharge port 42 of the PRD 2 is arranged between the secondary battery BAT and the hydrogen tank TNK in the front-rear direction.

Therefore, the secondary battery BAT is arranged in front of the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1, the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2, and the hydrogen tank TNK. Therefore, when the fuel cell vehicle 1 collides with the front, the collision load due to the front collision is applied to the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1, the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2, and the hydrogen tank TNK. Since it is input to the secondary battery BAT before, the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1, the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2, and the hydrogen tank TNK are the secondary battery BAT. Protected by. This prevents damage to the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1, the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2, and the hydrogen tank TNK in the event of a frontal collision of the fuel cell vehicle 1. can.

Further, the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 and the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2 are rearward from the secondary battery BAT, and a pair of left and right arranged at the rearmost side. It is arranged in front of the rear end of the rear rear wheel RW2, which is a wheel. Therefore, when the fuel cell vehicle 1 collides in front, the collision load due to the frontal collision is prior to the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 and the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2. , The discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 and the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2 are protected by the secondary battery BAT because they are input to the secondary battery BAT. Further, when the fuel cell vehicle 1 collides with the rear surface, the collision load due to the rear surface collision is prior to the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 and the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2. Since it is input to the rear wheel RW2, the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 and the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2 are protected by the rear wheel RW2. Thereby, when the fuel cell vehicle 1 collides with the front surface and the rear surface, it is possible to prevent the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 and the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2 from being damaged. ..

Further, the hydrogen tank TNK is behind the secondary battery BAT, the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1, and the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2, and is a rear wheel. It is arranged in front of the rear end of the RW2. Therefore, when the fuel cell vehicle 1 collides with the rear surface, the collision load due to the rear surface collision is input to the rear wheel RW2 before the hydrogen tank TNK, so that the hydrogen tank TNK is protected by the rear wheel RW2. Further, when the fuel cell vehicle 1 collides in front, the collision load due to the frontal collision is prior to the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 and the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2. , When the fuel cell vehicle 1 collides with the rear surface, the collision load due to the rear surface collision is applied to the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 and the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2. Since it is input to the rear wheel RW2 and the hydrogen tank TNK before the discharge port 42, it is in front of the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 and the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2. And the rear is protected. As a result, the rear of the hydrogen tank TNK can be protected, and the front and rear of the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 and the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2 can be protected.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 and the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2 overlap with the secondary battery BAT when viewed from the front-rear direction. It is placed in a position.

Therefore, when the fuel cell vehicle 1 collides sideways, the collision load due to the side collision is two before the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 and the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2. Since it is input to the secondary battery BAT, the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 and the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2 are protected by the secondary battery BAT. This makes it possible to prevent the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 and the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2 from being damaged in the event of a side collision of the fuel cell vehicle 1.

Further, as described above, when the fuel cell vehicle 1 collides sideways, the collision load due to the side collision is transmitted to the side member 2 on the side opposite to the side receiving the collision load through the cross member 13 in the housing. Since the load path (load path) is formed, the cross member 13 in the housing has the same function as the cross member 3 of the vehicle body, and the deformation of the side member 2 is suppressed. As a result, when the fuel cell vehicle 1 collides sideways, the hydrogen tank TNK arranged between the pair of left and right side members 2, the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1, and the pressure-operated overpressure It is possible to prevent the discharge port 42 of the pressure prevention device PRD2 from being damaged.

The hydrogen pipe Lh is covered with a heat shield member 51. The heat shield member 51 has a hollow tubular shape formed of, for example, rubber, foamed polyethylene, glass wool, or the like, and a hydrogen pipe Lh is inserted into the hollow inside of the heat shield member 51. In the present embodiment, the hydrogen pipe Lh is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the heat shield member 51.

As a result, the hydrogen pipe Lh is less likely to be affected by the external heat due to the heat shield member 51, so that it is possible to prevent the hydrogen pipe Lh from being damaged by the influence of the external heat.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, in the fuel cell vehicle 1, hydrogen leakage and / or release is detected in the vicinity of the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 outside the hydrogen pipe Lh. The first hydrogen detecting means HS1 is provided. Specifically, the first hydrogen detecting means HS1 is provided between the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 and the side member 2 on the right side. In the present embodiment, the first hydrogen detecting means HS1 is attached between the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 and the right side member 2 on the inner side surface of the right side member 2 in the vehicle width direction. Has been done. The first hydrogen detecting means HS1 may be any sensor that detects the leakage and / or release of hydrogen. The first hydrogen detecting means HS1 is, for example, a contact combustion type sensor that utilizes combustion heat generated during contact combustion of hydrogen gas by a Pt or Pd catalyst, and a change in electrical conductivity due to adsorption of hydrogen gas on the surface of a metal oxide semiconductor. It may be a semiconductor type sensor that utilizes the above, a gas heat conduction type sensor that utilizes the difference in heat conductivity between hydrogen gas and a standard gas (usually air), and the like.

The hydrogen released from the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 is discharged outward in the vehicle width direction toward the right side member 2, and the first hydrogen detecting means HS1 has the discharge port 33 and the right side. Since it is provided between the side member 2 and the discharge port 33, when hydrogen is released from the discharge port 33, it is possible to reliably detect that hydrogen is released from the discharge port 33 by the first hydrogen detecting means HS1.

As described above, hydrogen is discharged from the discharge port 33 by providing the first hydrogen detection means HS1 for detecting the leakage and / or release of hydrogen in the vicinity of the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1. If this is the case, it is possible to reliably detect that hydrogen has been released from the discharge port 33 by the first hydrogen detection means HS1.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, in the fuel cell vehicle 1, hydrogen leakage and / or release is detected in the vicinity of the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2 outside the hydrogen pipe Lh. The second hydrogen detecting means HS2 is provided. Specifically, the second hydrogen detecting means HS2 is provided between the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2 and the left side member 2. In the present embodiment, the second hydrogen detecting means HS2 is attached between the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2 and the left side member 2 on the inner side surface of the left side member 2 in the vehicle width direction. Has been done. The second hydrogen detecting means HS2 may be any sensor that detects the leakage and / or release of hydrogen. The second hydrogen detecting means HS2 is, for example, a contact combustion type sensor that utilizes the combustion heat generated during contact combustion of hydrogen gas by a Pt or Pd catalyst, and a change in electrical conductivity due to adsorption of hydrogen gas on the surface of a metal oxide semiconductor. It may be a semiconductor type sensor that utilizes the above, a gas heat conduction type sensor that utilizes the difference in heat conductivity between hydrogen gas and a standard gas (usually air), and the like.

The hydrogen released from the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2 is discharged outward in the vehicle width direction toward the left side member 2, and the second hydrogen detecting means HS2 has the discharge port 42 and the left side. Since it is provided between the side member 2 and the discharge port 42, when hydrogen is released from the discharge port 42, it is possible to reliably detect that hydrogen is released from the discharge port 42 by the second hydrogen detecting means HS2.

As described above, hydrogen is discharged from the discharge port 42 by providing the second hydrogen detection means HS2 for detecting the leakage and / or release of hydrogen in the vicinity of the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2. If this is the case, it is possible to reliably detect that hydrogen has been released from the discharge port 42 by the second hydrogen detection means HS2.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can come up with various modifications or modifications within the scope of the claims, which naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. Understood. Further, each component in the above embodiment may be arbitrarily combined as long as the gist of the invention is not deviated.

For example, in the present embodiment, the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 is oriented toward the right side member 2, but may be directed toward the left side member 2. .. Similarly, the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2 is assumed to face the direction of the left side member 2, but may face the direction of the right side member 2. Further, the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 and the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2 may face the same side member 2.

Further, for example, in the present embodiment, the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 and the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2 are provided, but the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 and the pressure-operated overpressure are provided. Either one of the prevention devices PRD2 may be omitted.

Further, for example, the discharge port does not have to be the discharge port 33 of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1 and the discharge port 42 of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2, and is provided in the hydrogen pipe Lh to provide the hydrogen pipe Lh. It may be any outlet that discharges the flowing hydrogen to the outside.

At least the following matters are described in the present specification. The components and the like corresponding to the above-described embodiments are shown in parentheses as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

(1) It has a vehicle body having a frame structure having a pair of left and right side members (side members 2) extending in the front-rear direction.
Fuel cell (fuel cell FC) and
A hydrogen tank (hydrogen tank TNK) located behind the fuel cell and filled with hydrogen,
A fuel cell vehicle (fuel cell vehicle 1) equipped with a hydrogen pipe (hydrogen pipe Lh) that connects the fuel cell and the hydrogen tank and allows the hydrogen filled in the hydrogen tank to flow to the fuel cell. ) And
The hydrogen pipe is provided with discharge ports (discharge ports 33, 42) for discharging the hydrogen flowing through the hydrogen pipe to the outside.
The outlet is
It is arranged between the pair of left and right side members in the vehicle width direction.
It faces the direction of one of the side members.
A fuel cell vehicle arranged at a position overlapping the one side member in the vertical direction.

According to (1), one side member is arranged in the direction in which the discharge port faces. As a result, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from being clogged in the discharge port without providing an additional component such as a cap in the discharge port. Further, since the hydrogen released from the discharge port is discharged in the outward direction in the vehicle width direction toward the side member, hydrogen can be safely discharged from the discharge port. In this way, hydrogen can be safely discharged from the discharge port while suppressing foreign matter from being clogged in the discharge port without providing an additional component such as a cap at the discharge port.

(2) The fuel cell vehicle according to (1).
The fuel cell vehicle is equipped with a secondary battery (secondary battery BAT).
The secondary battery is
It is arranged between the pair of left and right side members in the vehicle width direction.
The dimension in the vehicle width direction is larger than the hydrogen tank,
The hydrogen tank is a fuel cell vehicle arranged between both end faces of the secondary battery in the vehicle width direction in the vehicle width direction.

According to (2), since the hydrogen tank is arranged between both end faces of the secondary battery in the vehicle width direction in the vehicle width direction, the hydrogen tank is a secondary battery in the event of a side collision of the fuel cell vehicle. Protected by. This makes it possible to prevent the hydrogen tank from being damaged in the event of a side collision of the fuel cell vehicle.

(3) The fuel cell vehicle according to (2).
The secondary battery is a fuel cell vehicle arranged in front of the discharge port and the hydrogen tank.

According to (3), since the secondary battery is arranged in front of the discharge port and the hydrogen tank, the discharge port and the hydrogen tank are protected by the secondary battery in the event of a frontal collision of the fuel cell vehicle. .. This makes it possible to prevent damage to the discharge port and the hydrogen tank in the event of a frontal collision of the fuel cell vehicle.

(4) The fuel cell vehicle according to (2) or (3).
The discharge port is a fuel cell vehicle arranged at a position overlapping with the secondary battery when viewed from the front-rear direction.

According to (4), since the discharge port is arranged at a position overlapping the secondary battery when viewed from the front-rear direction, the discharge port is protected by the secondary battery in the event of a side collision of the fuel cell vehicle. To. This makes it possible to prevent the outlet from being damaged in the event of a side collision of the fuel cell vehicle.

(5) The fuel cell vehicle according to any one of (2) to (4).
The secondary battery extends in the vehicle width direction inside the power storage module (power storage module 11), a housing (housing 12) for accommodating the power storage module, and the left side surface (left side) of the housing. It has a cross member in the housing (cross member 13 in the housing) that connects the surface 12L) and the right side surface (right side surface 12R).
The housing connects the pair of left and right side members and
The cross member in the housing is a fuel cell vehicle in which at least a part thereof is arranged at a position where it overlaps with the side member in the vertical direction.

According to (5), the secondary battery has a cross member in the housing extending in the vehicle width direction inside the housing and connecting the left side surface and the right side surface of the housing, and the housing has a pair of left and right. The side members are connected, and the cross member in the housing is arranged at a position where at least a part of the cross member overlaps with the side member in the vertical direction. Therefore, when a fuel cell vehicle collides sideways, a load path (load path) is formed in which the collision load due to the side collision is transmitted to the side member on the opposite side to the side receiving the collision load through the cross member in the housing. Therefore, the cross member in the housing has the same function as the cross member of the vehicle body, and the deformation of the side member is suppressed. This makes it possible to prevent damage to the hydrogen tank and the discharge port when the fuel cell vehicle collides sideways.

(6) The fuel cell vehicle according to any one of (2) to (5).
The fuel cell vehicle is provided with a pair of left and right wheels (front wheel FW, rear front wheel RW1, rear wheel RW2) in the front-rear direction.
The fuel cell vehicle in which the discharge port is located behind the secondary battery and in front of the rear end of the pair of left and right wheels (rear wheel RW2) arranged at the rearmost position.

According to (6), since the discharge port is located behind the secondary battery and in front of the rear end of the pair of left and right wheels arranged at the rearmost position, the fuel cell vehicle collides with the front. If so, the outlet is protected by a secondary battery, and in the event of a rear-end collision of the fuel cell vehicle, the outlet is protected by a pair of left and right wheels located at the rearmost position. This makes it possible to prevent the outlet from being damaged when the fuel cell vehicle collides with the front surface and the rear surface.

(7) The fuel cell vehicle according to (6).
The hydrogen tank is arranged in front of the rear end of the pair of left and right wheels (rear rear wheel RW2) arranged at the rearmost position.
The discharge port is a fuel cell vehicle arranged between the secondary battery and the hydrogen tank in the front-rear direction.

According to (7), since the hydrogen tank is located behind the secondary battery and the discharge port and in front of the rear end of the pair of left and right wheels arranged at the rearmost position, the fuel cell vehicle In the event of a rear-end collision, the hydrogen tank is protected by a pair of left and right wheels located at the rearmost position. In addition, the outlet is protected by a secondary battery in the event of a frontal collision of the fuel cell vehicle, with a hydrogen tank and a pair of left and right wheels located at the rearmost position in the event of a rearward collision of the fuel cell vehicle. Be protected. As a result, the rear of the hydrogen tank can be protected, and the front and rear of the discharge port can be protected.

(8) The fuel cell vehicle according to any one of (1) to (7).
The hydrogen pipe is provided with a heat-operated overpressure prevention device (heat-operated overpressure prevention device PRD1) that operates when the temperature rises above a predetermined temperature to release the hydrogen.
The discharge port is a fuel cell vehicle, which is a discharge port (discharge port 33) provided in the heat-operated overpressure prevention device.

According to (8), since the discharge port is a discharge port provided in the heat-operated overpressure prevention device, heat is not provided in the discharge port of the heat-operated overpressure prevention device without providing an additional part such as a cap. It is possible to prevent foreign matter from clogging the discharge port of the actuated overpressure prevention device.

(9) The fuel cell vehicle according to any one of (1) to (7).
The hydrogen pipe is provided with a pressure-operated overpressure prevention device (pressure-operated overpressure prevention device PRD2) that operates when the pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure and releases the hydrogen.
The discharge port is a fuel cell vehicle, which is a discharge port (discharge port 42) provided in the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device.

According to (9), since the discharge port is a discharge port provided in the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device, the pressure is not provided in the discharge port of the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device without an additional component such as a cap. It is possible to prevent foreign matter from clogging the discharge port of the actuated overpressure prevention device.

(10) The fuel cell vehicle according to any one of (1) to (9).
The hydrogen pipe is a fuel cell vehicle covered with a heat shield member (heat shield member 51).

According to (10), since the hydrogen pipe is covered with a heat shield member, it is possible to prevent the hydrogen pipe from being damaged by the influence of heat outside the hydrogen pipe.

(11) The fuel cell vehicle according to any one of (1) to (10).
Hydrogen detecting means (first hydrogen detecting means HS1, second hydrogen detecting means HS2) for detecting the leakage and / or release of the hydrogen are provided outside the hydrogen pipe and in the vicinity of the discharge port. , Fuel cell vehicle.

According to (11), since a hydrogen detection means for detecting the leakage and / or release of hydrogen is provided in the vicinity of the discharge port, when hydrogen is released from the discharge port, the hydrogen detection means ensures that the discharge port is used. It is possible to detect that hydrogen has been released from.

(12) The fuel cell vehicle according to (11).
The hydrogen detecting means is a fuel cell vehicle provided between the discharge port and the one side member.

According to (12), the hydrogen discharged from the discharge port is discharged in the outward direction in the vehicle width direction toward the side member, and the hydrogen detecting means is provided between the discharge port and one side member. Therefore, when hydrogen is released from the discharge port, it is possible to more reliably detect that hydrogen is released from the discharge port by the hydrogen detection means.

1 Fuel cell vehicle 2 Side member 11 Power storage module 12 Housing 12L Left side 12R Right side 13 Cross member 33 in the housing Discharge port 42 Discharge port 51 Heat shield member FC Fuel cell TNK Hydrogen tank Lh Hydrogen pipe BAT Secondary battery PRD1 Thermal operation Type overpressure prevention device PRD2 Pressure actuated type overpressure prevention device HS1 First hydrogen detection means (hydrogen detection means)
HS2 Second hydrogen detection means (hydrogen detection means)
FW front wheel (wheel)
RW1 rear front wheel (wheel)
RW2 rear rear wheel (wheel)

Claims (12)

It has a frame-structured vehicle body with a pair of left and right side members that extend in the front-rear direction.
With a fuel cell
A hydrogen tank located behind the fuel cell and filled with hydrogen,
A fuel cell vehicle comprising a hydrogen pipe that connects the fuel cell and the hydrogen tank and allows the hydrogen filled in the hydrogen tank to flow to the fuel cell.
The hydrogen pipe is provided with a discharge port for discharging the hydrogen flowing through the hydrogen pipe to the outside.
The outlet is
It is arranged between the pair of left and right side members in the vehicle width direction.
It faces the direction of one of the side members.
A fuel cell vehicle arranged at a position overlapping the one side member in the vertical direction. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1.
The fuel cell vehicle is equipped with a secondary battery.
The secondary battery is
It is arranged between the pair of left and right side members in the vehicle width direction.
The dimension in the vehicle width direction is larger than the hydrogen tank,
The hydrogen tank is a fuel cell vehicle arranged between both end faces of the secondary battery in the vehicle width direction in the vehicle width direction. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 2.
The secondary battery is a fuel cell vehicle arranged in front of the discharge port and the hydrogen tank. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 2 or 3.
The discharge port is a fuel cell vehicle arranged at a position overlapping with the secondary battery when viewed from the front-rear direction. The fuel cell vehicle according to any one of claims 2 to 4.
The secondary battery includes a power storage module, a housing that houses the power storage module, and a cross member in the housing that extends in the vehicle width direction inside the housing and connects the left side surface and the right side surface of the housing. Have,
The housing connects the pair of left and right side members,
The cross member in the housing is a fuel cell vehicle in which at least a part thereof is arranged at a position where it overlaps with the side member in the vertical direction. The fuel cell vehicle according to any one of claims 2 to 5.
The fuel cell vehicle is provided with a pair of left and right wheels in the front-rear direction.
A fuel cell vehicle in which the discharge port is located behind the secondary battery and in front of the rear end of the pair of left and right wheels arranged at the rearmost position. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 6.
The hydrogen tank is arranged in front of the rear end of the pair of left and right wheels arranged at the rearmost position.
The discharge port is a fuel cell vehicle arranged between the secondary battery and the hydrogen tank in the front-rear direction. The fuel cell vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
The hydrogen pipe is provided with a heat-operated overpressure prevention device that operates when the temperature rises above a predetermined temperature to release the hydrogen.
The discharge port is a fuel cell vehicle which is a discharge port provided in the heat-operated overpressure prevention device. The fuel cell vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
The hydrogen pipe is provided with a pressure-operated overpressure prevention device that operates when the pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure and releases the hydrogen.
The discharge port is a fuel cell vehicle, which is a discharge port provided in the pressure-operated overpressure prevention device. The fuel cell vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
The hydrogen pipe is a fuel cell vehicle covered with a heat shield member. The fuel cell vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
A fuel cell vehicle provided with a hydrogen detecting means for detecting the leakage and / or release of hydrogen outside the hydrogen pipe and in the vicinity of the discharge port. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 11.
The hydrogen detecting means is a fuel cell vehicle provided between the discharge port and the one side member.

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