JP6726408B2 - High pressure tank manufacturing method and high pressure tank - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a high-pressure tank in which resin-impregnated fibers are wound around the outer surface of a liner, and a high-pressure tank in which resin-impregnated fibers are wound around the outer surface of a liner.

A fuel cell vehicle equipped with a fuel cell system and traveling using electric power generated by the fuel cell is under development. The fuel cell is mainly supplied with hydrogen gas and oxidant gas, and generates electric power by causing an electrochemical reaction.

Further, a fuel cell vehicle is equipped with a tank for storing hydrogen gas. Since hydrogen gas is stored at a high pressure of 700 to 2000 atm, the tank is required to have high pressure resistance. In order to reduce the weight while satisfying such requirements, a tank formed of a resin material has been proposed.

Patent Document 1 discloses a method for manufacturing a high-pressure tank. In the manufacturing method, resin-impregnated fibers are wound around the outer surface of a hollow container called a liner by a filament winding method. By curing the resin of the wound resin-impregnated fiber, it is possible to manufacture a lightweight and highly rigid high-pressure tank.

In the filament winding method, a winding method called "hoop winding" or "helical winding" is generally used. In the hoop winding, the resin-impregnated fiber is wound so as to be substantially perpendicular to the axis of the liner to form a hoop layer, whereas in the helical winding, the resin-impregnated fiber is tilted with respect to the axis of the liner. It is wound to form a helical layer.

The hoop layer is formed to have multiple layers. Before the resin-impregnated fiber of the hoop layer (hereinafter also referred to as the “lower hoop layer”) arranged in the lower layer is cured, the hoop layer disposed in the upper layer (hereinafter also referred to as “upper hoop layer”) The outer surface of the hoop layer is laminated by hoop winding with resin impregnating property. The helical layer is formed by helically winding the resin-impregnated fiber so as to cover the end portion of such a multilayer hoop layer. By forming a plurality of layers having different orientations in this manner, it becomes possible to manufacture a high-pressure tank that exhibits high strength against internal pressure acting in various directions.

JP2012-149739A

According to the manufacturing method described in Patent Document 1, when the upper hoop layer is formed on the outer surface of the lower hoop layer, the lower hoop layer is pressed and deformed by the upper hoop layer. Therefore, even when the resin-impregnated fiber is wound in a hoop so that the end of the upper hoop layer matches the end of the lower hoop layer, this deformation causes the end of the lower hoop layer to be largely separated from the end of the upper hoop layer. A large step is generated at the end of the hoop layer.

If a helical layer is to be formed at the end of the hoop layer having such a large step, the end of the hoop layer may be pressed and deformed by the helical layer, and the orientation of the hoop layer may be disturbed. In addition, a gap may be formed between the step at the end of the hoop layer and the helical layer, which may reduce the strength of the helical layer.

At the end of the hoop layer, a lower hoop layer and an upper hoop layer of the same color are laminated. Therefore, if a step is formed at the end of the hoop layer, it becomes difficult to visually recognize the position of the end of the upper hoop layer. As a result, it becomes difficult to helically wind the resin-impregnated fiber so as to cover the ends of the lower hoop layer and the upper hoop layer, and it may not be possible to form the helical layer at an appropriate position.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object thereof is to reduce the formation of a step at the end of the hoop layer and to easily form a helical layer at an appropriate position. A tank manufacturing method and a high-pressure tank are provided.

In order to solve the above problems, a method for manufacturing a high-pressure tank according to the present invention includes a first hoop step of forming a first hoop layer by hoop winding a resin-impregnated fiber on an outer surface of a liner, and a first hoop. A second hoop step of forming a second hoop layer by hoop winding resin-impregnated fibers on the outer surface of the first hoop layer before the resin of the layer hardens, and the ends of the first hoop layer and the second hoop layer. A helical step of helically winding the resin-impregnated fiber so as to cover the portion, and forming a helical layer. Further, in the manufacturing method, after the first hoop step and before the second hoop step, the end portion of the first hoop layer has a color different from that of the first hoop layer and the second hoop layer. It includes a curing agent application step of applying a colored curing agent. In the second hoop step, the resin-impregnated fiber is hoop-wound so that the curing agent extends over the ends of the first hoop layer and the ends of the second hoop layer.

According to the above-mentioned manufacturing method, since the applied curing agent extends over the end portion of the first hoop layer and the end portion of the second hoop layer, when the curing agent is cured, the end portion of the first hoop layer is cured. It is bonded to the end of the second hoop layer via the agent. Therefore, even if the first hoop layer is pressed by the second hoop layer, it is possible to reduce the separation of the end portion of the first hoop layer from the end portion of the second hoop layer. This makes it possible to reduce the formation of a step between the end of the first hoop layer and the end of the second hoop layer.

The applied curing agent is colored in a color different from that of the first hoop layer and the second hoop layer. Therefore, it becomes easy to visually recognize the positions of the end portions of the first hoop layer and the second hoop layer. As a result, it becomes easy to helically wind the resin-impregnated fiber so as to cover the ends of the first hoop layer and the second hoop layer, and the helical layer can be formed at an appropriate position.

Further, the curing agent can be placed in the gap formed between the step formed by the end of the first hoop layer and the end of the second hoop layer and the helical layer. When the hardening agent is hardened, the helical layer presses and deforms the ends of the first hoop layer and the second hoop layer, and the orientation of the first hoop layer and the second hoop layer is disturbed. Can be suppressed.

In order to solve the above problems, the high-pressure tank according to the present invention has a first hoop layer formed by hoop winding a resin-impregnated fiber on the outer surface of the liner, and a resin on the outer surface of the first hoop layer. A second hoop layer formed by hoop-winding the impregnated fiber, and a helical layer formed by helically winding the resin-impregnated fiber so as to cover the ends of the first hoop layer and the second hoop layer. Prepare Further, a curing agent colored in a color different from that of the first hoop layer and the second hoop layer is applied so as to extend over the end portion of the first hoop layer and the end portion of the second hoop layer.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the formation of a step between the end of the first hoop layer and the end of the second hoop layer and to form the helical layer at an appropriate position.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a high-pressure tank manufacturing method and a high-pressure tank that can reduce the formation of a step at the end of the hoop layer and easily form the helical layer at an appropriate position. it can.

It is a sectional view showing a section of a high-pressure tank concerning an embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the hoop winding of resin impregnated fiber. It is explanatory drawing which shows the helical winding of resin impregnated fiber. It is explanatory drawing which shows the manufacturing method of the high-pressure tank of FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In order to facilitate understanding of the description, the same constituent elements in each drawing are denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and redundant description will be omitted.

First, the configuration of the high-pressure tank 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the high-pressure tank 1, and a plane including an axis C described later is a cut surface.

The high-pressure tank 10 includes a liner 2, a fiber-reinforced plastic layer 3, and two bases 4.

The liner 2 is a container that forms the inner shell of the high-pressure tank 1. Inside the liner 2, a space 2a for containing a fluid is formed. The liner 2 has a gas barrier property and suppresses permeation of gas such as hydrogen gas to the outside. The liner 2 is formed using a synthetic resin such as a nylon resin or a polyethylene resin, or a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel. In this embodiment, the liner 2 is integrally molded using a nylon resin. The liner 2 may be formed by joining a plurality of members.

The liner 2 has a cylindrical portion 21 and two dome portions 22. The cylindrical portion 21 has a substantially cylindrical shape with the axis C as the central axis. The dome portion 22 has a curved surface, and the inner diameter thereof is gradually reduced as the distance from the cylindrical portion 20 along the axis C increases. The dome portion 22 has one end connected to the end portion 23 of the cylindrical portion 21. In addition, an opening 22a is provided at the other end of the dome portion 22 for communicating the inside and outside of the space portion 2a.

A fiber reinforced plastics (FRP) layer 3 is formed on the outer surface of the liner 2. In the fiber-reinforced plastic layer 3, a thermosetting resin is reinforced with fibers.

The fiber reinforced plastic layer 3 is formed using a filament winding method. The filament winding method is a molding method in which resin-impregnated fibers, which are fibers impregnated with a thermosetting resin, are wound around the outer surface of a mandrel (liner 2 in this embodiment), and then the thermosetting resin is thermoset. Is.

An epoxy resin, a polyester resin, a polyamide resin or the like can be used as the thermosetting resin impregnated in the fiber. As the fibers, various fibers such as inorganic fibers such as metal fibers, glass fibers, carbon fibers, alumina fibers, synthetic organic fibers such as aramid fibers, or natural organic fibers such as cotton can be used. These fibers may be used alone or as a mixture of two or more kinds.

The two ferrules 4 are inserted into the opening 22 a of the liner 2 and fixed to the liner 2. A through hole 41 penetrating in the axis C direction is formed in one of the ferrules 4.

Next, a method for forming the fiber reinforced plastic layer 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the hoop winding of the resin-impregnated fiber 6. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the helical winding of the resin-impregnated fiber 6.

“Hoop winding” shown in FIG. 2 is a method of moving the reel 5 in the direction of the axis C while winding the resin-impregnated fiber 6 so as to be substantially perpendicular to the axis C. That is, the hoop winding is a method of winding the resin-impregnated fiber 6 around the outer surface of the liner 2 so that the angle formed by the axis C and the resin-impregnated fiber 6 is substantially vertical. It should be noted that “the angle formed by the axis C and the resin-impregnated fiber 6 is substantially perpendicular” includes 90 degrees and angles of about 90 degrees that can be generated by shifting the positions so that the resin-impregnated fibers 6 do not overlap each other. .. The layer formed by this hoop winding is called a "hoop layer". When performing the hoop winding, the liner 2 may be rotated or the reel 5 may be rotated.

The “helical winding” shown in FIG. 3 is a method in which the reel 5 is reciprocally moved in the axis C direction while being wound around the liner 2 so as to be inclined at an angle α with respect to the axis C. The angle α is variously adjusted within a predetermined range. The layer formed by this helical winding is called a "helical layer". When performing the helical winding, the liner 2 may be rotated or the reel 5 may be rotated.

Next, a method of manufacturing the high pressure tank 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a method for manufacturing the high-pressure tank 1, and shows a part of the liner 2 and the resin-impregnated fiber 6 in a sectional view. The manufacturing method includes at least a first hoop step, a curing agent applying step, a second hoop step, and a helical step.

[First hoop process]
FIG. 4A shows a state of the first hoop process. In the first hoop step, the resin-impregnated fiber 6 is wound around the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 21 of the liner 2 by hoop winding. The hoop layer formed by this first hoop step is referred to as a "first hoop layer 61f".

[Curing agent application process]
FIG. 4B shows a state of the curing agent applying step. The curing agent application step is performed after the first hoop step and before the second hoop step. Further, the curing agent application step is performed before the thermosetting resin of the first hoop layer 61f is completely cured.

In the curing agent application step, the curing agent 7 is applied to the end portion of the first hoop layer 61f. The curing agent 7 has a predetermined viscosity at the time of application, but has a property of being cured with drying. As the curing agent 7, for example, aliphatic polyamine, polyaminoamide, polymercaptan or the like can be used. The curing agent 7 is applied so as to extend over the end portion of the first hoop layer 61f and the cylindrical portion 21 and has a thickness larger than that of the first hoop layer 61f.

Further, the curing agent 7 contains a coloring agent (not shown). The color of the colorant is different from the color of the first hoop layer 61f (that is, the resin-impregnated fiber 6). As the colorant, for example, metal powder such as copper powder or zinc powder, titanium oxide, ceramic powder, fluorescent pigment or the like can be used. The curing agent 7 is colored in a color different from the color of the first hoop layer 61f by containing such a colorant.

[Second hoop process]
FIG. 4C shows a state of the second hoop process. The second hoop process is performed after the first hoop process and the curing agent application process and before the thermosetting resin of the first hoop layer 61f and the curing agent 7 are completely cured.

In the second hoop step, the second hoop layer 62f laminated on the first hoop layer 61f is formed. The hoop layer formed by this second hoop step is referred to as a "second hoop layer 62f". In the second hoop step, the resin-impregnated fiber 6 is wound around the outer surface of the first hoop layer 61f by hoop winding.

In the second hoop step, the resin-impregnated fiber 6 is wound so that the end of the second hoop layer 62f is substantially aligned with the end of the first hoop layer 61f. At this time, the color of the curing agent 7 applied to the end portion of the first hoop layer 61f is different from the color of the first hoop layer 61f, so that the curing agent 7 moves the position of the end portion of the first hoop layer 61f. It serves as a mark to indicate. The second hoop layer 62f is formed such that the hardening agent 7 is sandwiched between the second hoop layer 61f and the first hoop layer 61f, and the hardening agent 7 extends over the end of the first hoop layer 61f and the end of the second hoop layer 62f. To be done.

When the second hoop layer 62f is laminated on the first hoop layer 61f, the first hoop layer 61f is pressed and deformed by the second hoop layer 62f. The pressed end portion of the first hoop layer 61f projects outward and is separated from the end portion of the second hoop layer 62f. As a result, a step is formed by the end of the first hoop layer 61f and the end of the second hoop layer 62f.

However, the curing agent 7 functions as an adhesive by curing. Therefore, the end of the first hoop layer 61f is bonded to the end of the second hoop layer 62f via the curing agent 7. As a result, the edge of the second hoop layer 62f is prevented from being separated from the edge of the first hoop layer 61f, and is formed by the edge of the first hoop layer 61f and the edge of the second hoop layer 62f. The steps will be relatively small.

After the second hoop step, a large number of hoop layers are similarly laminated on the outer surface of the liner 2 by hoop winding. Each time the resin-impregnated fiber 6 is wound, the curing agent 7 is applied to the end of each hoop layer so as to extend over the lower hoop layer and the upper hoop layer.

[Helical process]
FIG. 4D shows the state of the helical process. Note that FIG. 4D shows a state in which the third hoop layer 63f formed by hoop winding is laminated on the outer surface of the second hoop layer 62f. The helical process is performed after the first hoop process, the curing agent application process, and the second hoop process, and before the resins of the first hoop layer 61f and the second hoop layer 62f and the curing agent 7 are completely cured. ..

In the helical step, the resin-impregnated fiber 6 is helically wound so as to cover the ends of the first hoop layer 61f, the second hoop layer 62f, and the third hoop layer 63f. The resin-impregnated fiber 6 is wound so that the curing agents 71, 72, 73 are interposed between the first hoop layer 61f, the second hoop layer 62f, and the third hoop layer 63f. Also in this helical process, the curing agent 7 serves as a mark indicating the positions of the end portions of the first hoop layer 61f, the second hoop layer 62f, and the third hoop layer 63f.

Next, effects produced by the manufacturing method and the high-pressure tank 1 will be described.

According to the above-described manufacturing method, the applied curing agent 7 extends over the end portion of the first hoop layer 61f and the end portion of the second hoop layer 62f, so when the curing agent 7 cures, the first hoop layer 61f The end portion is bonded to the end portion of the second hoop layer 62f via the curing agent 7. Therefore, even if the first hoop layer 61f is pressed by the second hoop layer 62f, it is possible to reduce the separation of the end portion of the first hoop layer 61f from the end portion of the second hoop layer 62f. This makes it possible to reduce the formation of a step between the end of the first hoop layer 61f and the end of the second hoop layer 62f.

The applied curing agent 7 is colored in a color different from that of the first hoop layer 61f and the second hoop layer 62f. Therefore, it becomes easy to visually recognize the positions of the end portions of the first hoop layer 61f and the second hoop layer 62f. As a result, the resin-impregnated fiber 6 can be easily helically wound so as to cover the ends of the first hoop layer 61f and the second hoop layer 62f, and the helical layer 6h can be formed at an appropriate position.

Further, the hardeners 71, 72, 73 may be arranged in the gap formed between the step formed by the end of the first hoop layer 61f and the end of the second hoop layer 62f and the helical layer 6h. it can. When the hardeners 71, 72, 73 are hardened, the helical layer 6h presses and deforms the ends of the first hoop layer 61f and the second hoop layer 62f, and thereby the first hoop layer 61f and the second hoop layer 62f. It is possible to prevent the orientation of the hoop layer 62f from being disturbed.

Further, according to the configuration of the high-pressure tank 1, it is possible to reduce the formation of a step due to the end portion of the first hoop layer 61f and the end portion of the second hoop layer 62f, and to form the helical layer 6h at an appropriate position. It will be possible.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to specific examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these specific examples. That is, those obtained by appropriately modifying the design of these specific examples by those skilled in the art are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they have the features of the present invention. The elements provided in each of the above-described specific examples and the arrangement thereof, the material, the condition, the shape, the size, and the like are not limited to those illustrated, and can be appropriately changed.

1: High-pressure tank 2: Liner 6: Resin impregnated fiber 61f: First hoop layer 62f: Second hoop layer 6h: Helical layer 7, 71, 72, 73: Curing agent

Claims (2)

A method of manufacturing a high-pressure tank in which resin-impregnated fiber is wound around an outer surface of a liner,
A first hoop step of forming a first hoop layer on the outer surface of the liner by hoop winding the resin-impregnated fiber;
A second hoop step of forming a second hoop layer by hoop winding the resin-impregnated fiber around the outer surface of the first hoop layer before the resin of the first hoop layer is cured;
A helical step of forming a helical layer by helically winding the resin-impregnated fiber so as to cover the ends of the first hoop layer and the second hoop layer,
Furthermore, after the first hoop step and before the second hoop step, a color different from that of the first hoop layer and the second hoop layer is applied to an end portion of the first hoop layer. Including a curing agent applying step of applying a colored curing agent,
A method of manufacturing a high-pressure tank, wherein in the second hoop step, the resin-impregnated fiber is hoop-wound so that the curing agent extends over the end of the first hoop layer and the end of the second hoop layer. A high-pressure tank in which resin-impregnated fibers are wound around the outer surface of a liner,
A first hoop layer formed by hoop winding the resin-impregnated fiber on the outer surface of the liner,
A second hoop layer formed by hoop winding the resin-impregnated fiber on the outer surface of the first hoop layer;
A helical layer formed by helically winding the resin-impregnated fiber so as to cover the ends of the first hoop layer and the second hoop layer,
Further, a curing agent colored in a color different from that of the first hoop layer and the second hoop layer is applied so as to extend over the end portion of the first hoop layer and the end portion of the second hoop layer. There is a high pressure tank.