JP2023064996A - fuel gas tank unit - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a fuel gas tank unit which attaches a fuel gas tank to a vehicle while saving a space.SOLUTION: A fuel gas tank unit is mounted on a vehicle and includes: a fuel gas tank; a protector which covers an outer peripheral surface of the fuel gas tank and is formed by an elastic body; and a frame wich is fixed contacting with the protector and a vehicle body member of the vehicle. The structure allows the fuel gas tank to be attached to the vehicle in a reduced space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a fuel gas tank unit.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a fuel gas tank unit mounted on a vehicle. This fuel gas tank unit has a band extending along the outer peripheral surface of the fuel gas tank and a spring pressing the band against the vehicle body member. The fuel gas tank expands and contracts according to the pressure of the fuel gas inside. When the fuel gas tank expands and contracts, the expansion and contraction of the spring absorbs the change in diameter of the fuel gas tank. As a result, the fuel gas tank can be fixed to the vehicle body member while preventing a gap from forming between the band and the fuel gas tank.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-091410

The technique of Patent Document 1 requires a spring to fix the fuel gas tank to the vehicle body member. Therefore, there is a problem that the mounting structure of the fuel gas tank is large and the space occupied by the mounting structure is large.

There is also a mounting structure for connecting the mouthpiece of the fuel gas tank to the vehicle body member in order to avoid the effects of expansion and contraction of the fuel gas tank. However, in this mounting structure, it is necessary to provide a mounting portion on the base, which increases the size of the base. As a result, the fuel gas tank becomes large in the axial direction.

This specification proposes a technology that allows a space-saving installation of a fuel gas tank.

The fuel gas tank unit disclosed in this specification is mounted on a vehicle. The fuel gas tank unit includes a fuel gas tank, a protector covering the outer peripheral surface of the fuel gas tank and made of an elastic body, and fixed in contact with the protector and in contact with a vehicle body member of the vehicle. and a frame that is fixed in a folded state.

In this fuel gas tank unit, the outer peripheral surface of the fuel gas tank is covered with a protector, and the protector is connected to a vehicle body member by a frame. That is, the fuel gas tank is connected to the vehicle body member via the protector and the frame. Since the protector is made of an elastic material, expansion and contraction of the fuel gas tank can be absorbed by the protector. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a gap from being formed between the protector and the fuel gas tank, and it is possible to suitably fix the fuel gas tank to the vehicle body member. Further, by connecting the fuel gas tank to the vehicle body member through the protector in this way, the spring becomes unnecessary. Furthermore, since the fuel gas tank is fixed to the vehicle body member using the outer peripheral surface of the fuel gas tank, it is possible to prevent an increase in the size of the mouthpiece of the fuel gas tank. Therefore, according to this fuel gas tank unit, the fuel gas tank can be fixed to the vehicle body member in a space-saving manner.

The side view of the fuel gas tank unit of embodiment. Sectional drawing in the II-II line of FIG. A side view of the fuel gas tank unit viewed along the central axis 14a. 1 is a perspective view of a fuel gas tank unit according to an embodiment; FIG. The side view of the fuel gas tank unit of a modification.

In the above fuel gas tank unit, the fuel gas tank may have a cylindrical portion and a dome portion provided at the end of the cylindrical portion. The protector may cover the outer peripheral surface of the dome portion.

When the fuel gas tank has a domed portion, the area around the domed portion tends to become a dead space in the vehicle. If the protector covers the outer peripheral surface of the dome portion, the space around the dome portion can be used to fix the fuel gas tank to the vehicle member.

In the above fuel gas tank unit, the frame may have a mounting portion extending from the protector in the axial direction of the fuel gas tank. The attachment portion may be fixed in contact with the vehicle body member.

According to this configuration, the fuel gas tank can be fixed to the vehicle member using the space around the dome portion.

In the above fuel gas tank unit, the fuel gas tank may have a tank body and a mouthpiece protruding from the tank body along the central axis of the tank body. In a direction parallel to the central axis of the tank body, a distance by which the mounting portion protrudes from a base end position of the mouthpiece may be shorter than a distance by which the mouthpiece protrudes from a base end position of the mouthpiece. .

According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the attachment portion from protruding in the axial direction with respect to the mouthpiece.

In the above fuel gas tank unit, the frame may have a ring portion. The inner peripheral surface of the ring portion may be fixed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the protector.

According to this configuration, the fuel gas tank can be fixed more stably.

In the above fuel gas tank unit, the frame may have a support portion extending from the ring portion toward the center of the ring portion. The support portion may be fixed in contact with the end face of the protector.

According to this configuration, the fuel gas tank can be fixed more stably.

1 to 4 show the fuel gas tank unit 10 of the embodiment. 1 to 4, the z direction indicates an upward direction, the x direction indicates one horizontal direction, and the y direction indicates a horizontal direction perpendicular to the x direction. The fuel gas tank unit 10 is mounted on the vehicle. Reference numeral 90 in FIG. 3 indicates a vehicle body member forming part of the vehicle body. The fuel gas tank unit 10 is fixed to the vehicle body member 90 .

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fuel gas tank unit 10 has a fuel gas tank 12 . The fuel gas tank 12 has a tank body 14 and two caps 19 . The tank main body 14 has a shape of a body of revolution about a central axis 14a, and stores fuel gas (for example, hydrogen gas) inside. The tank body 14 is fixed to the vehicle body member 90 so that the central axis 14a extends along the y direction. The tank body 14 has a cylindrical portion 16 having a cylindrical shape and two dome portions 18 . The cylindrical portion 16 has a cylindrical shape coaxial with the central axis 14a. Two dome portions 18 are connected to opposite ends of the cylindrical portion 16 . As shown in FIG. 2, each dome portion 18 has a shape in which the radius r in the direction orthogonal to the central axis 14a decreases from the cylindrical portion 16 toward the end portion 14b of the tank body 14. As shown in FIG. Each dome portion 18 has a hemispherical shape. Fuel gas is stored in a space surrounded by the cylindrical portion 16 and the two domed portions 18 . Each mouthpiece 19 is provided at an end portion 14 b of the tank body 14 . Each base 19 protrudes in the y direction from the end 14b. Each base 19 incorporates a valve. Fuel gas can be taken in and out of the tank body 14 via the mouthpiece 19 . When the tank body 14 is filled with fuel gas, the pressure in the tank body 14 increases and the tank body 14 expands. When the fuel gas is released from the tank body 14 to the outside, the pressure inside the tank body 14 decreases and the tank body 14 contracts.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fuel gas tank unit 10 has two protectors 20 . Each protector 20 covers the outer peripheral surface of the tank body 14 . More specifically, each protector 20 covers the outer peripheral surface of the corresponding dome portion 18 . A space is provided between the two protectors 20 . Therefore, the protector 20 is not provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 16 . Each protector 20 has a ring shape that goes around the central axis 14a. Each protector 20 is in contact with the dome portion 18 over its entire inner peripheral surface. Each protector 20 is fixed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the dome portion 18 . Each protector 20 is composed of an elastic body. For example, the protector 20 may be made of a resin having a low elastic modulus, rubber or the like, or a spongy foam member. In this embodiment, each protector 20 is made of polyurethane. Each protector 20 functions as a protection member that protects the fuel gas tank 12 during transportation of the fuel gas tank 12 before fixing. Each protector 20 also functions as a part of the mounting structure for mounting the fuel gas tank 12 to the vehicle body member 90 .

The fuel gas tank unit 10 has two frames 30 . Each frame 30 is made of a material having higher rigidity than the protector 20 (that is, a material having a high elastic modulus). In this embodiment, each frame 30 is made of metal. Each frame 30 is fixed to the corresponding protector 20 . As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the frame 30 has a ring portion 30a, a support portion 30b, and two mounting portions 30c and 30d. The ring portion 30a has a ring shape that goes around the central axis 14a. The inner peripheral surface of the ring portion 30 a is fixed in contact with the outer peripheral surface 20 a of the corresponding protector 20 . The support portion 30b is a plate-like portion extending from the ring portion 30a toward the inner peripheral side (that is, the side closer to the central axis 14a). The support portion 30b is fixed in contact with the corresponding end surface 20b of the protector 20 (that is, the surface of the fuel gas tank 12 near the end portion 14b). Thus, the frame 30 is fixed to both the outer peripheral surface 20a and the end surface 20b of the protector 20. As shown in FIG. Therefore, frame 30 is firmly fixed to protector 20 . The protector 20 may be manufactured separately from the frame 30 and fixed to the frame 30 by adhesion or the like. Moreover, the protector 20 may be manufactured in a state integrated with the frame 30 by insert molding. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the two mounting portions 30c and 30d extend from the end face of the frame 30 (that is, the surface of the fuel gas tank 12 near the end 14b) along the central axis 14a. That is, the mounting portions 30 c and 30 d protrude from the end surfaces of the frame 30 . The mounting portion 30c is provided with a vertically extending through hole 30h, and the mounting portion 30d is provided with a vertically extending through hole 30i.

Each frame 30 is connected to the vehicle body member 90 by the connection structure shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle body member 90 has two protrusions 92a and 92b projecting downward relative to the periphery. The lower surface of the convex portion 92a is in contact with the upper surface of the mounting portion 30c, and the lower surface of the convex portion 92b is in contact with the upper surface of the mounting portion 30d. The mounting portion 30c is fastened to the convex portion 92a with a bolt 34a inserted into the through hole 30h. The mounting portion 30d is fastened to the convex portion 92b with a bolt 34b inserted into the through hole 30i. Thus, the mounting portions 30c and 30d are fixed in contact with the vehicle body member 90. As shown in FIG.

As explained above, the fuel gas tank 12 is fixed to the vehicle body member 90 via the protector 20 and the frame 30 . As described above, each protector 20 is composed of an elastic body. Therefore, when the tank body 14 expands and contracts, each protector 20 elastically deforms following the expansion and contraction of the tank body 14 . For example, when the radius r of the dome portion 18 expands due to the expansion of the tank body 14, each protector 20 is elastically deformed so that the inner diameter of each protector 20 expands as the radius r expands. Further, when the radius r of the dome portion 18 is reduced due to contraction of the tank body 14, each protector 20 is elastically deformed so that the inner diameter of each protector 20 is reduced as the radius r is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a gap from forming between each protector 20 and the outer peripheral surface of the tank body 14 (more specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the dome portion 18). Therefore, according to the fuel gas tank unit 10 , the fuel gas tank 12 can be appropriately fixed to the vehicle body member 90 .

Further, in the fuel gas tank unit 10, the fuel gas tank 12 can be fixed to the vehicle body member 90 without using a spring for absorbing the deformation of the tank main body 14. Further, in the fuel gas tank unit 10 , the fuel gas tank 12 is fixed to the vehicle body member 90 using the outer peripheral surface of the tank body 14 . Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the base 19 with a mounting portion for fixing the base 19 to the vehicle body member 90 . Therefore, in this fuel gas tank unit 10, the fuel gas tank 12 can be fixed to the vehicle body member 90 in a small space.

Moreover, in the fuel gas tank unit 10 , a protector 20 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the dome portion 18 . Therefore, protector 20 and frame 30 are arranged around dome portion 18 . When the fuel gas tank 12 is mounted on the vehicle 10, the space around the dome portion 18 tends to become dead space. Since the protector 20 and the frame 30 are provided around the dome portion 18 , the space around the dome portion 18 can be effectively used to fix the fuel gas tank 12 to the vehicle body member 90 . Therefore, the fuel gas tank 12 can be fixed to the vehicle body member 90 in a more space-saving manner.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the protrusion amount L30 of the mounting portions 30c and 30d may be shorter than the protrusion amount L19 of the mouthpiece 19. As shown in FIG. The protrusion amount L30 is the distance by which the mounting portions 30c and 30d protrude from the base end of the mouthpiece 19 (that is, the end portion 14b of the tank body 14) in the direction parallel to the central axis 14a. Also, the protrusion amount L19 is the distance by which the base 19 protrudes from the position of the proximal end of the base 19 in the direction parallel to the central axis 14a. According to this configuration, the axial size of the fuel gas tank unit 10 can be made smaller. Further, according to this configuration, almost the entire frame 30 can be arranged in the space around the dome portion 18, so that the space inside the vehicle can be used more effectively.

Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, they are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above. The technical elements described in this specification or in the drawings exhibit technical usefulness either singly or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the techniques exemplified in this specification or drawings simultaneously achieve a plurality of purposes, and achieving one of them has technical utility in itself.

10: Fuel gas tank unit 12: Fuel gas tank 14: Tank body 16: Cylindrical part 18: Dome part 19: Base 20: Protector 30: Frame 90: Body member

Claims (6)

A fuel gas tank unit mounted on a vehicle,
a fuel gas tank;
a protector covering the outer peripheral surface of the fuel gas tank and made of an elastic body;
a frame fixed in contact with the protector and fixed in contact with a vehicle body member of the vehicle;
A fuel gas tank unit with The fuel gas tank has a cylindrical portion and a dome portion provided at the end of the cylindrical portion,
the protector covers the outer peripheral surface of the dome portion;
The fuel gas tank unit according to claim 1. The frame has a mounting portion extending from the protector in the axial direction of the fuel gas tank,
The mounting portion is fixed in contact with the vehicle body member,
A fuel gas tank unit according to claim 2. The fuel gas tank has a tank body and a mouthpiece protruding from the tank body along the central axis of the tank body,
In a direction parallel to the central axis of the tank body, the distance by which the mounting portion protrudes from the position of the base end of the mouthpiece is shorter than the distance by which the mouthpiece protrudes from the position of the base end of the mouthpiece.
A fuel gas tank unit according to claim 3. The frame has a ring portion,
The inner peripheral surface of the ring portion is fixed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the protector.
A fuel gas tank unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The frame has a support portion extending from the ring portion toward the center of the ring portion,
The support portion is fixed in contact with the end face of the protector,
A fuel gas tank unit according to claim 5.

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