JP4962250B2 - Fuel supply device for electric vehicle equipped with fuel cell - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel supply device for an electric vehicle equipped with a fuel cell, and more particularly to a fuel supply device for a handle-type electric wheelchair vehicle equipped with a direct methanol fuel cell.

  In a handle-type electric wheelchair vehicle that generates electricity by driving methanol directly into a fuel cell and drives the motor with the electric power, a pump provided at the fuel supply location is installed in the fuel tank of the vehicle. It is used to supply fuel, or fuel is injected directly from a fuel container into a fuel tank.

Further, Patent Document 1 proposes a method of supplying fuel to a fuel tank of a vehicle using a fuel cartridge that can be attached to and detached from a fuel cell vehicle.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-112095

  As described above, when fuel is supplied into the fuel tank using a pump, a power source for driving the pump is required. In this case, if a commercial power source is used, the fuel supply location is limited to a location where there is an outlet. In addition, when a battery is used, fuel supply may be impossible due to battery exhaustion.

  Further, in the method of directly injecting fuel from the fuel container, there is a risk that the fuel adheres to the human body. Furthermore, the fuel supply location is necessarily a fuel storage location, whether using a pump or direct injection. In either case, it is impossible to drive the vehicle during fuel supply.

  Further, in the case of a vehicle equipped with a fuel cell described in Patent Document 1, since the fuel tank and the cartridge holder are covered with the seat, the driver needs to get off the vehicle and remove the seat each time fuel is supplied. For this reason, the fuel supply becomes a complicated operation.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel supply device for an electric vehicle equipped with a fuel cell, which is made in consideration of the above-described circumstances and can be easily supplied with fuel without being restricted in place for fuel supply. is there.

  In the present invention, a fuel cell unit is mounted under a seat at the rear of a vehicle body, and a motor is driven by a motor by a power supply from the fuel cell unit and is also steered by a handle provided at the front of the vehicle body. In the fuel supply device for a vehicle, a fuel tank of the fuel cell unit is disposed in the front portion of the vehicle body, and can hold a fuel cartridge storing fuel above the fuel tank and is connected to the fuel tank. A cartridge holding portion is provided, the fuel cartridge includes a fuel supply portion and an air introduction portion, the fuel supply portion is opened by being mounted on the cartridge holding portion, and the air introduction portion is further opened; The fuel is supplied from the fuel cartridge to the fuel tank.

  According to the present invention, since the fuel is supplied from the fuel cartridge to the fuel tank of the fuel cell unit, there is no place restriction on the fuel supply. Further, the fuel supply part of the fuel cartridge is attached to the cartridge holding part and opened, and the air introduction part of the fuel cartridge is further opened, so that fuel is supplied from the fuel cartridge to the fuel tank provided in front of the seat. Therefore, the fuel can be easily supplied.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[A] First embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 5)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a handle-type electric wheelchair vehicle showing a first embodiment of a fuel supply device for an electric vehicle equipped with a fuel cell according to the present invention. FIG. 2 shows the front basket of FIG. 1, in which (A) is a schematic configuration diagram showing when the fuel cartridge is not installed, and (B) is a schematic configuration diagram showing when the fuel cartridge is installed.

  A handle type electric wheelchair vehicle 10 as a small electric vehicle equipped with a fuel cell shown in FIG. 1 has a fuel cell unit 12 mounted under a driving seat 11 at the rear of the vehicle body, and is supplied with electric power from the fuel cell unit 12. The non-rotating motor drives the pair of left and right rear wheels 13 so as to be able to travel, and the pair of left and right front wheels 15 is configured to be steerable by a handle 14 attached to the front of the vehicle body.

  The fuel cell unit 12 supplies an aqueous methanol solution obtained by diluting methanol as a fuel with water to the negative electrode of the fuel cell (cell stack), supplies air (oxygen) to the positive electrode, and generates electric power by an electrochemical reaction. It has a direct methanol fuel cell.

  In the handle type electric wheelchair vehicle 10, the fuel tank 16 of the fuel cell unit 12 is disposed between the pair of left and right front wheels 15 in the front portion of the vehicle body, and the front portion of the vehicle body is covered with the front cover 17. In the handle type electric wheelchair vehicle 10, a front basket 18 as a luggage storage member is installed in front of the front cover 17.

  Now, in the fuel supply device 10A of the present embodiment, the bottom 19 of the front basket 18 positioned above the fuel tank 16 is formed in a thick structure, and a part of the bottom 19 is formed in a concave shape. The cartridge holding unit 21 is configured to hold the fuel cartridge 20. The cartridge holding unit 21 includes a valve mechanism 24 (FIG. 2B), and the valve mechanism 24 is connected to the fuel tank 16 via a fuel pipe 22 and the like. Further, as shown in FIG. 2A, a lid 23 that can close the concave cartridge holding portion 21 is openable and closable at the bottom portion 19 of the front basket 18, and is slidable in the embodiment. Yes. The cartridge holder 21 is closed by the lid 23 when not in use.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the valve mechanism section 24 is in a state of being biased by a valve body 26 installed at one end of a cylinder 25 connected to the fuel pipe 22 and a spring 27 in the valve body 26. And a valve body 28 arranged. In the valve main body 26, a seal member 29 is attached to a valve seat portion with which the valve body 28 contacts.

  The valve body 28 is provided with a pressed portion 30 at the distal end portion. The pressed portion 30 is pressed against the urging force of the spring 27, and the valve body 28 is separated from the seal member 29. 24 is opened. When the valve body 28 comes into contact with the seal member 29 by the action of the urging force of the spring 27, the valve mechanism portion 24 is closed. The valve body 26 is formed with a passage 31 on the proximal end side and a detent portion 32 on the inner periphery of the distal end.

  The fuel cartridge 20 shown in FIG. 1 is configured to be able to store and carry methanol (liquid) as fuel, and to be supplied without directly touching the fuel inside. The fuel cartridge 20 is a polypropylene container having a volume of, for example, 500 to 1000 cc. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the fuel cartridge 20 includes a fuel supply unit 33 at the bottom in the fuel supply state and an air introduction unit 34 at the top.

  The fuel supply unit 33 is installed on a protrusion 35 (for example, a cap) at the bottom of the fuel cartridge 20, and as shown in FIG. 4A, the fuel supply side valve main body 36 fixed to the protrusion 35, and the fuel A fuel supply side valve body 38 disposed in a biased state by a spring 37 is provided in the supply side valve body 36. In the fuel supply side valve main body 36, a seal member 39 is attached to a valve seat portion in contact with the fuel supply side valve body 38.

  The fuel supply side valve body 38 is provided with a pressed portion 40 at the tip portion, and the pressed portion 40 is pressed against the urging force of the spring 37 so that the fuel supply side valve body 38 is removed from the seal member 39. The fuel supply part 33 is opened by leaving. When the fuel supply side valve body 38 comes into contact with the seal member 39 by the action of the urging force of the spring 37, the fuel supply unit 33 is closed. The fuel supply side valve body 36 is formed with a passage 41 on the proximal end side and a detent portion 42 on the outer periphery on the distal end side.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the air introduction part 34 is installed in the concave part 43 of the top part of the fuel cartridge 20, and as shown in FIG. 5A, the air introduction side valve body 44 fixed to the concave part 43. And an air introduction side valve body 46 arranged in a biased state by a spring 45 in the air introduction side valve main body 44. In the air introduction side valve body 44, a seal member 47 is attached to a valve seat portion in contact with the air introduction side valve body 46.

  The air introduction side valve body 46 is provided with a pressed portion 48 at the tip portion, and the pressed portion 48 is pressed against the urging force of the spring 45, so that the air introduction side valve body 46 is removed from the seal member 47. The air introduction part 34 is opened by leaving. When the air introduction side valve element 46 contacts the seal member 47 by the action of the urging force of the spring 45, the air introduction part 34 is closed. Further, the air introduction side valve body 44 is formed with a first air introduction path 49 on the distal end side and a second air introduction path 50 on the proximal end side. Further, a supported portion 51 is formed with an enlarged diameter at the tip of the air introduction side valve body 44.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2B, a stay member 52 is pivotally supported on the inner side of the front basket 18, and a pressing / supporting portion 53 projects from the stay member 52. At the time of operation, the pressing / supporting portion 53 presses the pressed portion 48 of the air introduction side valve body 46 in the air introduction portion 34 of the fuel cartridge 20 as shown in FIG. The main body 44 engages or fits with the supported portion 51.

  When the fuel is supplied from the fuel cartridge 20 into the fuel tank 16 of the handle type electric wheelchair vehicle 10, as shown in FIG. 2B, the protrusion 35 at the bottom of the fuel cartridge 20 is connected to the bottom of the front basket 18. 19 is fitted and mounted to the concave cartridge holding portion 21, and the stay member 52 is rotated and tilted toward the mounted fuel cartridge 20 side to operate the stay member 52.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the bottom portion of the fuel cartridge 20 is held by fitting the protrusion 35 of the fuel cartridge 20 into the cartridge holding portion 21. At the same time, the pressed portion 40 of the fuel supply side valve body 38 in the fuel supply portion 33 of the fuel cartridge 20 comes into contact with the pressed portion 30 of the valve body 28 in the valve mechanism portion 24 of the cartridge holding portion 21. The pressing parts 40 and 30 press the other side each other, and the fuel supply part 33 and the valve mechanism part 24 are opened to be in the open state. At this time, the detent part 32 in the valve main body 26 of the valve mechanism part 24 and the detent part 42 in the fuel supply side valve main body 36 of the fuel supply part 33 are engaged.

  Further, by the operation of the stay member 52, the pressing / supporting portion 53 of the stay member 52 is supported by the supported portion 51 of the air introduction side valve body 44 in the air introduction portion 34 of the fuel cartridge 20 as shown in FIG. Is engaged or fitted to support the top of the fuel cartridge 20. At the same time, the pressing / supporting portion 53 of the stay member 52 presses the pressed portion 46 of the air introduction side valve body 46 of the air introduction portion 34 to open the air introduction portion 34 to an open state.

  The inside of the fuel cartridge 20 is opened to the atmosphere by opening the valve of the air introduction part 34, and the atmosphere becomes the first air introduction path 49, the air introduction part 34, and the second air introduction path as shown by an arrow A in FIG. The fuel cartridge 20 is sequentially introduced into the fuel cartridge 20 through 50. Further, by opening the fuel supply section 33 and the valve mechanism section 24, as shown by an arrow B in FIG. 4 (B), the fuel in the fuel cartridge 20 is acted on by the atmospheric pressure and passes through the passage 41 and the air introduction section 34 and The fuel passes through the valve mechanism 24 and is supplied to the fuel tank 16 through the passage 31.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the following effects (1) to (6) are obtained.

  (1) Since the fuel is supplied from the fuel cartridge 20 to the fuel tank 16 of the fuel cell unit 12 and the fuel cartridge 20 is configured to be easily portable, there is no restriction on the location of the fuel supply.

  (2) Since the fuel cartridge 20 is provided with an openable fuel supply portion 33 and an openable air introduction portion 34, the fuel in the fuel cartridge 20 is brought into the fuel tank 16 by the action of atmospheric pressure. It can be supplied smoothly, and even elderly people can easily supply fuel.

  (3) The fuel supply unit 33 of the fuel cartridge 20 is opened by being attached to the cartridge holding unit 21 and is closed by being detached from the cartridge holding unit 21, and the air introduction unit 34 of the fuel cartridge 20 is The member 52 is opened by the operation of the member 52 and is closed by the non-operation of the stay member 52. Therefore, it is not necessary to carry out the opening / closing operation of the fuel supply unit 33 and the air introduction unit 34, and even when the fuel supply is stopped in a state where the fuel remains in the fuel cartridge 20, the fuel cartridge The leakage of the fuel in 20 can be prevented.

  (4) By operating the stay member 52, the pressing / supporting portion 53 engages or fits with the supported portion 51 of the fuel cartridge 20 to support the top portion of the fuel cartridge 20, and at the same time, the stay member 52. Since the air inlet 34 is opened and opened, the fuel cartridge 20 can be supported and air can be introduced simultaneously in one operation.

  (5) The protrusion 35 at the bottom of the fuel cartridge 20 is fitted and held in the concave cartridge holding part 21 of the front basket 18, and the supported part 51 in the air introduction part 34 at the top of the fuel cartridge 20 is Since it is supported by being engaged with or fitted to the pressing / supporting portion 53 of the member 52, the stability during the fuel supply is improved, and for example, the handle type electric wheelchair vehicle 10 can be driven even during the fuel supply. . Further, the cartridge holding portion 21 can be simplified (downsized).

  (6) Since the cartridge holding part 21 is provided in the front basket 18, the cartridge holding part 21 is not visible from the outside, and the appearance of the handle type electric wheelchair vehicle 10 can be improved. Further, since the fuel cartridge 20 attached to the cartridge holding portion 21 is protected by the front basket 18, it can be prevented from receiving an external force during fuel supply. Furthermore, when the fuel is not supplied, the front basket 18 can be used as a normal luggage storage member by closing the lid 23 of the bottom 19 of the front basket 18.

[B] Second embodiment (FIG. 6)
FIG. 6 is a partial schematic configuration diagram of a handle-type electric wheelchair vehicle showing a second embodiment of the fuel supply device for an electric vehicle equipped with a fuel cell according to the present invention. In the second embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description is simplified or omitted.

  The fuel supply device 60A of the handle type electric wheelchair vehicle 60 as the electric vehicle equipped with the fuel cell of the present embodiment is different from the fuel supply device 10A of the first embodiment in that a front basket 61 as a luggage storage member is provided. A support opening 63 is formed in the bottom portion 62 of the front basket 61, and a concave cartridge holding portion 64 is provided in the front cover 65 at a lower portion of the bottom portion 62 of the front basket 61. It is a point that is prepared.

  The support opening 63 of the front basket 61 supports the upper part of the fuel cartridge 20 through which the fuel cartridge 20 is inserted during fuel supply. When the fuel is not supplied, the support opening 63 is similar to the lid 23 (see FIG. 2A). It is blocked by. In addition, the fuel supply unit 33 of the fuel cartridge 20 is attached to the cartridge holding unit 64, so that the valve is opened by the interaction with the valve mechanism unit 24 and is in an open state. However, in the present embodiment, the opening operation of the air introduction part 34 of the fuel cartridge 20 needs to be performed manually.

  Instead of the lid 23, a stay member 52 (see FIG. 2B) may be provided near the bottom 62 of the front basket. In this case, the stay member 52 opens the air introduction portion 34 of the fuel cartridge 20 when the fuel is supplied, and closes the support opening 63 when the fuel is not supplied.

  Therefore, according to this embodiment, in addition to the same effects (1) to (3) as in the first embodiment, the following effects (7) to (9) are achieved.

  (7) Since the protrusion 35 at the bottom of the fuel cartridge 20 is fitted and held in the cartridge holding part 64 of the front cover 65 and the upper part of the fuel cartridge 20 is supported by the support opening 63 of the front basket 61, the fuel The stability of the fuel cartridge 20 being supplied is improved. For example, the handle type electric wheelchair vehicle 60 can be driven even during fuel supply. Further, the cartridge holding part 64 can be simplified (downsized).

  (8) Since the upper portion of the fuel cartridge 20 held by the cartridge holding portion 64 of the front cover 65 is supported by the support opening 63 and protected by the front basket 61, it is prevented from receiving external force during fuel supply. it can. Further, when the fuel is not supplied, the front basket 61 can be used as a normal luggage storage member by closing the support opening 63 of the front basket 61.

  (9) Since the bottom portion 62 of the front basket 61 is not thick, it can be ensured satisfactorily without reducing the capacity of the front basket 61.

[C] Third embodiment (FIG. 7)
FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a handle-type electric wheelchair vehicle showing a third embodiment of the fuel supply device for an electric vehicle equipped with a fuel cell according to the present invention. In the third embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description will be simplified or omitted.

  The fuel supply device 70A of the handle-type electric wheelchair vehicle 70 as the fuel cell-equipped vehicle in the present embodiment is different from the fuel supply device 10A of the first embodiment in that the front part of the vehicle body is covered with the front cover 71. In addition, a front basket 72 as a luggage storage member is installed in front of the front cover 71, and a cartridge holding portion 73 is provided on the upper portion of the front cover 71. The cartridge holding portion 73 includes the valve mechanism portion 24. It is a point that is configured.

  Furthermore, the cartridge holding part 73 is formed in a shape having a bottle holder function capable of holding a drink container such as a plastic bottle. Further, in the present embodiment, an air introduction part 34 (see FIG. 5) is formed in the fuel cartridge 20, and the air introduction part 34 may be manually opened and closed. Alternatively, a laminate-like thin plate that can be damaged by a protrusion or the like may be used, and this may be broken and opened when fuel is supplied.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the same effects (1) to (3) as in the first embodiment, the following effects (10) and (11) are achieved.

  (10) Since the cartridge holding portion 73 is provided on the upper portion of the front cover 71, the position visibility is good and the fuel supply operation can be facilitated.

  (11) When the fuel is not supplied, since the bottle container can be held in the cartridge holding part, the convenience can be improved.

[D] Fourth embodiment (FIG. 8)
FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a handle-type electric wheelchair vehicle showing a fourth embodiment of the fuel supply device for an electric vehicle equipped with a fuel cell according to the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description will be simplified or omitted.

  The fuel supply device 80A of the handle type electric wheelchair vehicle 80 as the fuel cell vehicle according to the present embodiment is different from the fuel supply device 10A of the first embodiment in that the front portion of the vehicle body is covered with the front cover 81. A front basket 82 as a luggage storage member is installed in front of the front cover 81, and an inner box 83 is provided behind the front cover 81. A valve mechanism 24 is provided at the bottom of the inner box 83. The cartridge holding portion 84 is provided.

  Also in the present embodiment, an air introduction portion 34 (see FIG. 5) is formed in the fuel cartridge 20, and the air introduction portion 34 may be manually opened and closed. A laminate-like thin plate that can be damaged by protrusions or the like may be used, and this may be broken and opened when fuel is supplied.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the following effects (12) and (13) are obtained in addition to the same effects as the effects (1) to (3) of the first embodiment.

  (12) Since the cartridge holding portion 84 is provided at the bottom of the inner box 83, the cartridge holding portion 84 is not visible from the outside, and the appearance of the handle type electric wheelchair vehicle 80 can be improved. Further, since the fuel cartridge 20 attached to the cartridge holding portion 84 is protected by the inner box 83, it can be prevented from receiving an external force during fuel supply.

  (13) Since the cartridge holding portion 84 is provided at the bottom of the inner box 83, most of the fuel cartridge 20 attached to the cartridge holding portion 84 is supported by the inner box 80. For this reason, even when the fuel cartridge 20 is attached to the cartridge holding portion 84 and the fuel is being supplied, the stability of the fuel cartridge 20 is improved, and the handle type electric wheelchair vehicle 80 can be driven in this state.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on the said embodiment, this invention is not limited to this. For example, at least one of the fuel supply unit 33 and the air introduction unit 34 provided in the fuel cartridge 20 may be configured by using a laminated thin plate that can be damaged by protrusions, instead of the valve mechanism. However, in this case, after the fuel supply from the fuel cartridge 20 to the fuel tank 16 is started, the fuel supply cannot be stopped halfway and the fuel cartridge 20 cannot be detached from the cartridge holding portion 21 or the like.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a handle-type electric wheelchair vehicle showing a first embodiment of a fuel supply device for an electric vehicle equipped with a fuel cell according to the present invention. FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic configuration diagrams illustrating the front basket of FIG. 1, in which FIG. 1A illustrates a state where a fuel cartridge is not mounted, and FIG. The perspective view which shows the fuel cartridge of FIG. The fuel supply part and cartridge holding | maintenance part of the fuel cartridge of FIG. 1 are shown, (A) is a non-mounting state, (B) is sectional drawing at the time of mounting. The air introduction part of the fuel cartridge of FIG. 1 and a part of stay member are shown, (A) is a non-operating state, (B) is sectional drawing at the time of an operation | movement, respectively. The partial schematic block diagram of the steering wheel type electric wheelchair vehicle which shows 2nd Embodiment in the fuel supply apparatus of the fuel cell mounting electric vehicle which concerns on this invention. The schematic block diagram of the handle | steering-wheel type electric wheelchair vehicle which shows 3rd Embodiment in the fuel supply apparatus of the electric vehicle mounted with a fuel cell which concerns on this invention. The schematic block diagram of the handle | steering-wheel type electric wheelchair vehicle which shows 4th Embodiment in the fuel supply apparatus of the fuel cell mounting electric vehicle which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 Handle-type electric wheelchair vehicle (electric vehicle equipped with fuel cell)
10A Fuel supply device 11 Driving seat 12 Fuel cell unit 13 Rear wheel 14 Handle 15 Front wheel 16 Fuel tank 17 Front cover 18 Front basket (cargo storage member)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 19 Bottom part 20 Fuel cartridge 21 Cartridge holding part 24 Valve mechanism part 33 Fuel supply part 34 Air introduction part 51 Supported part 52 Stay member 53 Pressing / supporting part 60 Handle type electric wheelchair vehicle (electric vehicle equipped with fuel cell)
60A Fuel supply device 61 Front basket (luggage storage member)
62 Bottom 63 Support opening 64 Cartridge holder 65 Front cover 70 Handle type electric wheelchair vehicle (electric vehicle equipped with fuel cell)
70A Fuel supply device 71 Front cover 73 Cartridge holding portion 80 Handle type electric wheelchair vehicle (electric vehicle equipped with fuel cell)
80A Fuel supply device 81 Front cover 83 Inner box 84 Cartridge holding portion

Claims (7)

A fuel cell unit is mounted under the seat at the rear of the vehicle body, and a motor is driven by the power supplied from the fuel cell unit, and fuel is supplied to a fuel cell-equipped electric vehicle that is steered by a handle provided at the front of the vehicle body. In the device
A fuel tank of the fuel cell unit is disposed in the front part of the vehicle body, and a cartridge holding unit connected to the fuel tank is provided above the fuel tank, the fuel cartridge storing fuel can be held;
The fuel cartridge includes a fuel supply unit and an air introduction unit, and the fuel supply unit is opened by being attached to the cartridge holding unit, and the air introduction unit is further opened from the fuel cartridge to the fuel tank. A fuel supply device for an electric vehicle equipped with a fuel cell, characterized in that fuel is supplied. 2. The fuel cell mounting according to claim 1, wherein the electric vehicle equipped with the fuel cell is provided with a luggage storage member in front of the front portion of the vehicle body, and a cartridge holding portion is formed at the bottom of the luggage storage member. A fuel supply device for an electric vehicle. 3. The fuel cell-equipped electric vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the luggage storage member includes a stay member configured to support a fuel cartridge and to open an air introduction portion of the fuel cartridge during operation. Vehicle fuel supply device. The electric vehicle equipped with a fuel cell is provided with a luggage storage member in front of the front part of the vehicle body, and a cartridge holding part is provided in the front part of the vehicle body below the bottom of the luggage storage member, and at the bottom of the luggage storage member, 2. The fuel supply device for an electric vehicle equipped with a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein a support opening for supporting the fuel cartridge is formed. 2. The fuel supply of the fuel cell-equipped electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a front portion of the vehicle body is covered with a front cover, and a cartridge holding portion is formed on an upper portion of the front cover. apparatus. 6. The fuel supply device for an electric vehicle with a fuel cell according to claim 5, wherein the cartridge holding part is formed in a shape having a drink holder function for holding a drink container. The electric vehicle equipped with the fuel cell is characterized in that a front part of the vehicle body is covered with a front cover, an inner box is provided behind the front cover, and a cartridge holding part is formed at the bottom of the inner box. Item 4. A fuel supply device for an electric vehicle equipped with a fuel cell according to Item 1.

Images