JP4706250B2 - Vehicle fuel cell system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle fuel cell system .

An underfloor-mounted fuel cell system mounted under the floor of a vehicle accommodates a fuel cell, auxiliary equipment, etc. in a system box in order to protect it from water, mud, pitching, etc. during driving, as in Patent Document 1, for example. It is attached under the vehicle floor in the state. The system box is provided with an air introduction hole at the front of the vehicle and an air discharge hole at the rear of the vehicle, and the other portions are sealed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-151605

  In the conventional example, all the auxiliary machines including the connectors and the regular replacement parts are sealed in the system box. Therefore, when connecting and connecting pipes and wires connected to the underfloor fuel cell system from the engine compartment at the front of the vehicle or the rear compartment at the rear of the vehicle, and inspection and replacement work for periodic replacement parts of auxiliary equipment, work must be performed in the on-board state. It was difficult to remove the fuel cell system box from the vehicle body, and there was a problem in workability.

  The present invention has been made on the basis of such a conventional technique, and an object thereof is to facilitate attachment / detachment work of an electrical connector of an auxiliary machine and inspection / replacement work of a periodic replacement part in an on-vehicle state.

A fuel cell system for a vehicle according to the present invention includes a fuel cell that generates power by reacting a fuel gas and an oxidizing gas, an auxiliary device that operates during power generation of the fuel cell, the fuel cell and the auxiliary device mounted thereon, and A system frame fixed under a floor of a vehicle body, wherein the electrical connector of the auxiliary machine and the periodic replacement part of the auxiliary machine are on the side opposite to the connection part between the fuel cell and the auxiliary machine and the system frame. The electrical connector of the auxiliary machine and the periodic replacement parts of the auxiliary machine are provided so as to protrude outward from the outer edge of the system frame and protrude outward from the outer edge of the system frame. The exhaust device of the fuel cell is arranged so as to surround the outside of the part .

  According to the present invention, the electrical connector of the auxiliary machine and the periodic replacement parts of the auxiliary machine are concentrated on the side opposite to the connecting portion between the fuel cell and the auxiliary machine and in the vicinity of the outer edge of the system frame. Maintenance work such as fitting work of electrical connectors and inspection and replacement work of periodic replacement parts can be performed while mounted under the vehicle floor, and the work time can be greatly reduced.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is a plan view of a vehicle equipped with a fuel cell according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a side view, FIG. 3 is a plan view of a fuel cell system mounted on the vehicle equipped with the fuel cell, FIG. 4 is a side view, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a system frame of the fuel cell system. FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fuel cell-equipped vehicle 1 of this embodiment is an electric vehicle that is mounted with a fuel cell system under the floor and is driven by electric power generated by the fuel cell system.

"Fuel cell system"
The mounted fuel cell system includes a power plant 10 that includes a fuel cell 13 that generates power by reaction of fuel gas and oxidant gas, an auxiliary device 15 that operates when the fuel cell 13 generates power, and stores the fuel gas. The fuel tank 23 to be operated, the power conversion adjusting device (not shown) for making the electric power generated by the fuel cell 13 substantially constant, the front wheel driving motor and / or the rear wheel (not shown) driven by the electric power adjusted by the power conversion device A drive motor, a system controller (not shown) that monitors the vehicle driving situation and the driving situation of the fuel cell 13 and sends a control signal to the accessories 15 and other devices, and a secondary (not shown) that stores electric power as necessary A battery.

  The power plant 10 having the fuel cell 13 and the auxiliary machinery 15 is fixed to the system frame 11 and is attached under the floor of the vehicle cabin. The fuel tank 23 is attached to the vehicle body by a second frame (not shown) located behind the vehicle RR from the system frame 11.

  Here, the auxiliary machine 15 includes an oxidizing gas supply device 17, a fuel gas supply device 19, a temperature adjustment device 21, and the like.

  The oxidizing gas supply device 17 adjusts the pressure, temperature, humidity, etc. of the oxidizing gas (mainly air) and supplies the oxidizing gas to the fuel cell 13. For example, the oxidizing gas supply device 17 includes a mass flow controller that adjusts the pressure and flow rate of the oxidizing gas, a humidifier that adjusts the humidity of the oxidizing gas, and the like. In this example, the oxidizing gas is supplied to the oxidizing gas supply device 17 through a pipe (see reference numeral 18 in FIG. 1) connected to the oxidizing gas supply device 17 from the engine compartment 9 in the vehicle front FR.

  The fuel gas supply device 19 adjusts the pressure, temperature, humidity, etc. of the fuel gas (mainly hydrogen, but may be other fuel gas such as reformed gas such as methanol) to supply fuel to the fuel cell 13. It supplies gas. For example, the fuel gas supply device 19 includes a mass flow controller that adjusts the pressure and flow rate of the fuel gas, a humidifier that adjusts the humidity of the fuel gas, and the like. In this example, the fuel gas is supplied to the fuel gas supply device 19 through the fuel gas pipe 25 connected to the fuel gas supply device 19 from the fuel tank 23 disposed in the rear RR of the vehicle.

  The temperature adjusting device 21 adjusts the fuel cell 13 to an appropriate operating temperature. For example, the temperature adjustment device 21 is a heater that heats the fuel cell 13 by means of electrical heat generation or combustion heat at a low temperature, for example, in a heat exchange cycle that exhausts heat from the fuel cell 13 through a heat exchange medium (for example, water). , Etc.

“Operation of the fuel cell system during vehicle operation”
During vehicle operation, reaction gas (fuel gas and oxidizing gas) is supplied from the fuel gas supply device 19 and the oxidizing gas supply device 17 to the fuel cell 13 based on the accelerator opening. The fuel cell 13 has a stack structure in which hundreds of cells each having a power generation capability of several volts are stacked, and the fuel cell 13 generates electric power of several hundred volts by a chemical reaction of fuel gas and oxidizing gas. . The generated power is adjusted to a substantially constant power by a power conversion adjustment device (not shown) and then supplied to a drive motor (not shown). The torque of the drive motor is transmitted to the axle and becomes the driving force of the vehicle 1.

  A system controller (not shown) monitors the vehicle operating status and the operating status of the fuel cell 13, sends control signals to the auxiliary machinery 15 and other devices, and controls each device to an appropriate operating state.

"Auxiliary electrical connectors and regular replacement parts"
For this reason, in order to connect the weak electric wire etc. which transmit a control signal (weak electric signal) from a control unit, as shown in FIG. 3, each auxiliary machine 17,19,21 is provided with the electrical connector 17c, 19c, 21c. .

  In addition, the auxiliary machinery 15 is provided with periodic replacement parts in order to maintain the proper operation state of the fuel cell 13 and the auxiliary machinery 15. As an example, there is a dust collecting device 17f of the oxidizing gas supply device 17 shown in FIGS. The dust collector 17f captures dust and NOX contained in the outside air when supplying outside air as an oxidizing gas to the fuel cell 13 to prevent the fuel cell 13 from deteriorating. The dust collector 17f is periodically replaced according to the accumulation of dust. There is a need to.

"Power Plant Layout"
As shown in FIG. 5, the mounting position of the power plant 10, that is, the mounting position of the system frame 11 is located under the front floor 2 (floor) and on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the left and right side sills 3 and 3. It is fastened to the lower surface of the member 4 (floor frame member). As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the system frame 11 is formed by combining a plurality of frame members 11 s, 11 f, 11 r, and 11 c in a frame shape and attaching an under cover C to the lower surface. With this under cover C, the fuel cell 13 and the auxiliary machinery 15 (17, 19, 21) disposed under the floor of the vehicle 1 can be protected from pitching and the like.

  The arrangement relationship between the fuel cell 13 and the auxiliary machinery 15 (17, 19, 21) fixed to the system frame 11 is such that the fuel cell 13 is arranged in the rear RR of the vehicle, and the auxiliary machinery 15 (17, 19, 21) is arranged. It is arranged in the vehicle front FR. On the fuel cell side (vehicle rear RR) of the auxiliary machinery 15 (17, 19, 21), a fluid (for example, fuel gas or oxidizing gas) is interposed between the fuel cell 13 and the auxiliary machinery 15 (17, 19, 21). Connecting portions 17s, 19s, and 21s are provided. Then, on the opposite side (in this example, the vehicle front FR) of the connecting portions 17s, 19s, 21s between the fuel cell 13 and the auxiliary machinery 15 (17, 19, 21), and in the vicinity of the outer edge of the system frame 11, The electrical connectors 17c, 19c, and 21c and the auxiliary replacement parts 17f are centrally arranged.

  Further, in this embodiment, a high voltage electric wire 31 (for example, a high voltage electric wire for transmitting electric power from the fuel cell 13 to a power conversion adjusting device (not shown) for transmitting a high voltage current generated by the fuel cell 13, A high-voltage electric wire or the like for transmitting electric power from a power conversion adjustment device (not shown) to the drive motor is disposed so as to cross the system frame 11. The electrical connector 33 of the high-voltage electric wire 31 is concentrated in the vicinity of the outer edge of the system frame 11 together with the electrical connectors 17c, 19c, 21c of the auxiliary machinery and the periodic replacement part 17f.

  Further, in this embodiment, the electrical connectors 17 c, 19 c, 21 c, 33 and the regular replacement part 17 f protrude outward from the outer edge of the system frame 11. As a result, the components 11s, 11f, 11r, 11c, and C of the system frame 11 are not disposed below the auxiliary electrical connectors 17c, 19c, 21c, and 33 and the periodic replacement part 17f.

  In this way, in order to securely protect the electrical connectors 17c, 19c, 21c, 33 and the periodic replacement part 17f protruding from the outer edge of the system frame 11, the exhaust device 27 is routed so as to surround them. The exhaust device 27 serves as a guard for the electrical connectors 17c, 19c, 21c, 33 and the periodic replacement part 17f. In the present invention, the exhaust device 27 includes at least an exhaust pipe for exhausting the oxidizing gas used in the fuel cell 13. In addition, the exhaust device 27 burns residual fuel gas to a concentration that satisfies environmental standards when, for example, fuel gas having a high impurity concentration in a fuel gas circulation device (not shown) is discharged to the exhaust pipe. A heat exchanger that recovers the heat generated by the combustor, a muffler attached to the exhaust pipe, and the like.

  In addition, the electrical connectors 17c, 19c, 21c, 33 and the periodic replacement part 17f protruding from the system frame 11 in this way are set at a position higher than the lowermost surface 5d of the adjacent suspension member (the front suspension member 5 in this example). Has been.

Effects The effects of the first embodiment will be summarized below.

First, in the first embodiment, the auxiliary machine is located on the opposite side of the connection parts 17s, 19s, 21s (in this example, the vehicle front FR) between the fuel cell and the auxiliary machines and in the vicinity of the outer edge of the system frame 11. The electrical connectors 17c, 19c, 21c and the regular replacement parts 17f are centrally arranged.
Therefore, the electrical connectors 17c, 19c, and 21c of the auxiliary machine can be attached and detached from the lower side of the vehicle 1 while the fuel cell system is mounted on the vehicle 1, and the inspection and replacement work of the periodic replacement part 17f of the auxiliary machine can be performed. As a result, it is not necessary to remove the under cover C or the entire fuel cell system, and the working time can be greatly reduced. In addition, in this embodiment, although it is a structure provided with the detachable under cover C as needed, it is of course the same even if the system frame 11 has a box shape (system box) without the detachable under cover. The effect is obtained.

  Secondly, according to the first embodiment, the high-voltage electric wire 31 is routed across the system frame, the portion of the high-voltage electric wire 31 in the system frame, and the high-voltage electric wire 31 outside the system frame. Since the electrical connector 33 for connecting the electrical connector 17 is centrally arranged together with the electrical connectors 17c, 19c, and 21c of the auxiliary machinery, the electrical connector 17 of the high-voltage electric wire 31 can be attached and detached while being mounted on the vehicle. it can.

  Thirdly, according to the first embodiment, since the electrical connectors 17c, 19c, 21c, 33 and the periodic replacement part 17f protrude outward from the outer edge of the system frame 11, these electrical connectors 17c, 19c, 21c, There are no components of the system frame 11 below 33 and the periodic replacement part 17f, and the workability from the lower side of the vehicle 1 is further improved.

  Fourth, according to the first embodiment, the concentrated arrangement space 29 is secured by shortening the system frame 11 (in this example, the front side of the system frame) with respect to the underfloor space 8 to which the system frame can be attached. Therefore, a work space 29 is created under the floor. In the present invention, the “under-floor space to which the system frame can be attached” means a space between the front suspension member 5 and the rear suspension member 7 in the front-rear direction and between the left and right side sills 3, 3 in the vehicle width direction. Say. When the fuel tank 23 is arranged on the inner side in the front-rear direction than the suspension members 5 and 7 as in this example, a space is formed between the fuel tank 23 and the other suspension member 5.

  Thus, the work space 29 that can be shortened in front of the system frame 11 improves the workability of attaching and detaching wires and pipes routed from the front compartment side toward the power plant 10. The workability when assembling the fuel cell system (when assembling the vehicle) is also improved. In the first embodiment, the pipe connected to the power plant 10 from the engine compartment 9 side is, for example, arranged in the oxidizing gas pipe 18 connected to the oxidizing gas supply device 17 from the engine compartment 9 side or the engine compartment 9. In addition, there is a cooling water or refrigerant pipe 20 connected to the temperature control device 21 from the radiator. The electric wire connected to the power plant 10 from the engine compartment 9 side is, for example, a high-voltage electric wire 31 from the fuel cell 13 to the drive motor or a system controller connected to the front compartment 9 when the drive motor is in the front compartment 9. In the case of being arranged, there is a weak electric wire or the like for connecting the system controller and the auxiliary machine 15 (17, 19, 21).

  Fifth, the space 29 formed by shortening the front of the system frame 11 can be used as follows.

  For example, the drain drainage operation can be performed in a state where the fuel cell system is mounted on the vehicle 1 by disposing the tip of the drain pipe installed in the cooling pipe of the temperature adjusting device 21 in the space 29. Further, for example, by arranging piping necessary for confirming the operation of the hydrogen concentration sensor for detecting the hydrogen concentration in the fuel cell system in the space 29, the confirmation work can be performed in a state where the fuel cell system is mounted on the vehicle 1. it can. Further, for example, when an air vent pipe in the cooling water pipe 20 of the temperature adjusting device 21 is installed in the space 29, it can be used as a space for performing an air vent operation.

  Sixth, according to the first embodiment, exhaust is performed so as to surround the electrical connectors 17c, 19c, 21c, 33 and the periodic replacement part 17f that are centrally arranged in a state of protruding outward from the outer edge of the system frame 11. Since the device 27 is routed, the exhaust device 27 having a strong rigidity acts as a protective member even when a large impact such as a collision occurs, and prevents the parts 17c, 19c, 21c, 33, and 17f from being damaged. be able to.

  Seventh, the electrical connectors 17c, 19c, 21c, 33 and the periodic replacement part 17f protruding outward from the outer edge of the system frame 11 are above the lowermost surface 5d of the front suspension member 5 as shown in FIG. It is possible to prevent the electrical connectors 17c, 19c, 21c, 33 and the periodic replacement part 17f from becoming the first interference point when the curb is run, and reduce external damage.

  Hereinafter, other embodiments will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same or similar structure as 1st Embodiment, and the description of the structure and effect is abbreviate | omitted.

Second Embodiment In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the fuel cell 13 is disposed in the front FR of the vehicle, and the auxiliary machinery 15 (17, 19, 21) is disposed in the rear RR of the vehicle. 19c, 21c, 33 and regular replacement parts 17f are concentrated on the rear side of the system frame 11 on the opposite side of the fluid connection parts 17s, 19s, 21s between the fuel cell and the auxiliary equipment. This is different from the first embodiment in which the frame 11 is concentrated on the front side.

  According to the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, in the case of 2nd Embodiment, the attachment / detachment workability | operativity of the electric wire and piping routed from the rear compartment 6 to the power plant 10 improves.

Third Embodiment In the third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the fuel cell 13 is arranged on the right side of the vehicle, the auxiliary machines 15 (17, 19, 21) are arranged on the left side of the vehicle, and the electrical connectors 17c, 19c. , 21c, 33 and the periodic replacement part 17f are arranged in a concentrated manner on the left side of the system frame 11 on the opposite side of the fluid connection parts 17s, 19s, 21s between the fuel cell and the auxiliary machinery. Different from the second embodiment.

  According to the third embodiment, the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments can be obtained. In addition, in the case of 3rd Embodiment, the attachment / detachment workability | operativity of the electric wire and piping which are routed to the power plant 10 from the front compartment 9 and the rear compartment 6 through the vehicle left side improves. The fuel cell 13 may be arranged on the left side of the vehicle and the auxiliary machines 15 (17, 19, 21) may be arranged on the right side. In that case, the same effect can be obtained by concentrating the electrical connectors 17c, 19c, 21c, 33 and the regular replacement parts 17f on the right side of the system frame 11.

Fourth Embodiment In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the fuel cell 13 is disposed at the center in the front-rear direction, and the oxidizing gas supply device 17 and the temperature adjustment device 21 are disposed in front of the fuel cell 13. A combustion gas supply device is disposed behind the fuel cell 13, and the front side of the system frame 11 that is opposite to the fluid connection portions 17s, 19s, 21s of the fuel cell 13 and the accessories 15 (17, 19, 21) and Electric connectors 17c, 19c, 21c, 33 and regular replacement parts 17f are centrally arranged on the rear side.

  According to 4th Embodiment, the effect similar to 1st-3rd Embodiment is acquired. In the case of the fourth embodiment, since the front side and the rear side of the system frame 11 are shortened, the workability of attaching and detaching electric wires and pipes routed from the front compartment 9 to the power plant 10 is improved. In addition, the workability of attaching and detaching electric wires and pipes routed from the rear compartment 6 to the power plant 10 is improved.

  As described above, according to the present invention as described in the first to fourth embodiments, the electrical connector and the periodic replacement part of the auxiliary machine are arranged on the side opposite to the connection part between the fuel cell and the auxiliary machine and on the system frame. Since the fuel cell system is still mounted on the vehicle, it is possible to attach and detach connectors of auxiliary machinery and to inspect and replace periodic replacement parts from the lower side of the vehicle. As a result, the connector can be attached and detached and the periodic replacement parts can be inspected and replaced without removing the fuel cell system, so that the working time can be greatly reduced.

  In particular, when electrical connectors and regular replacement parts are projected outward from the outer edge of the system frame, there are no subframe components, so fluid piping (combustion gas, oxidation gas, cooling, etc.) routed to the power plant from the front and rear of the vehicle. The connection work space for piping such as water / refrigerant), weak electric wires, and high-voltage wires is expanded, and the assembly work time (vehicle assembly time) of the fuel cell system is shortened.

  Further, in the structure in which the high voltage electric wires are routed so as to cross the system frame, the electrical connector for connecting the portion of the high voltage electric wire in the system frame and the portion of the high voltage electric wire outside the system frame is connected to the auxiliary machine. More preferably, it is centralized with a similar electrical connector.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modes as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the relative positional relationship between the fuel cell and the auxiliary machinery is described, but the arrangement of the oxidizing gas supply device, the combustion gas supply device, and the temperature control device in the auxiliary machinery is as follows. Not specified.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the fuel cell-equipped vehicle 1 is a vehicle in which the fuel cell system is mounted under the floor of the vehicle 1 having an existing monocoque body (= frameless body). The present invention can also be applied to a vehicle in which a fuel cell system is mounted under the floor of a body vehicle.

Moreover, in the above-mentioned embodiment, although the dust collector which prevents the foreign material mixing of an oxidizing gas supply apparatus as a periodic replacement part is shown, as a periodic replacement part, for example to the circulation pump which is not illustrated in a temperature control device, for example For example, a dust collecting device that prevents foreign matter from entering, a dust collecting device that prevents foreign matter from entering the combustion gas supply device, or the like, or other periodic replacement parts may be used. A plurality of regular replacement parts may be arranged.
In the above-described embodiment, the fuel cell is the only drive source of the drive motor. However, the present invention can be applied to a vehicle equipped with a fuel cell and a hybrid vehicle. Further, it may be a front wheel drive vehicle, a rear wheel drive vehicle, or a four wheel drive vehicle.

  In the above-described embodiment, the frame member of the system frame has a solid structure. However, a hollow structure, an L-shaped cross-sectional structure, a T-shaped cross-sectional structure, or a cross-sectional structure that can easily maintain strength is appropriately used. You may choose. Further, the present invention can be applied even if the system frame is a box-shaped system frame (system box) that does not include a detachable undercover.

  Moreover, in this invention, a fuel tank may be arrange | positioned at other positions, such as under a passenger compartment floor, and the arrangement position of a fuel tank is not limited.

  In the present invention, a power conversion adjustment device (not shown), a front wheel drive motor and / or a rear wheel drive motor (not shown), a system controller, a secondary battery (not shown), and a power conversion adjustment device (not shown) are arranged in the system frame. It may be arranged in the engine compartment or the trunk room.

1 is a plan view of a fuel cell vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The side surface schematic diagram which shows the vehicle equipped with the fuel cell. The top view of the fuel cell mounting system of the fuel cell mounting vehicle. The side view of the fuel cell system. Sectional drawing which shows the vehicle body attachment state of the fuel cell system. The bottom view of the system frame of the fuel cell system. The top view which shows the underfloor fuel cell system which shows 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The top view which shows the fuel cell system of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The side view of the fuel cell system. The top view of the fuel cell system of 4th Embodiment of this invention. The side view of the fuel cell system.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Fuel cell vehicle 2 ... Front floor
5d ... Bottom surface 11 ... System frame 13 ... Fuel cell 15 ... Auxiliary equipment 17 ... Oxidizing gas supply device (auxiliary equipment)
19 ... Fuel gas supply device (auxiliary machine)
21 ... Temperature controller (auxiliary machine)
17c, 19, 21c ... Auxiliary electrical connector 17f ... Dust collector (auxiliary replacement parts)
17 s, 19 s, 21 s ... connection portion 27 ... exhaust device 29 ... space

Claims (2)

A fuel cell that generates electricity by reacting a fuel gas and an oxidizing gas; and
An auxiliary machine that operates during power generation of the fuel cell;
A system frame on which the fuel cell and the auxiliary machine are mounted and fixed under the floor of a vehicle body;
With
An electrical connector of the auxiliary machine and a periodic replacement part of the auxiliary machine are concentratedly arranged on the side opposite to the connecting portion between the fuel cell and the auxiliary machine and in the vicinity of the outer edge of the system frame ,
An electrical connector of the auxiliary machine and a periodic replacement part of the auxiliary machine are provided so as to protrude outward from the outer edge of the system frame, and
A fuel cell system for a vehicle , wherein an exhaust device of the fuel cell is disposed so as to surround an outside of a portion protruding outward from an outer edge of the system frame . The vehicle fuel cell system according to claim 1 ,
A fuel cell system for a vehicle, wherein the electrical connector of the auxiliary machine and the periodic replacement part of the auxiliary machine are arranged above the lowermost surface of the adjacent suspension member.

Images