JPH1162712A - Compressed natural gas engine vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily fill compressed natural gas in the neighborhood of an existing piping without securing a specific installing space for arranging a filling device in a compressed natural gas filling site. SOLUTION: A forklift 1 is provided with a CNG(compressed natural gas) tank 13, a gas supplying port 19 to be connected to a connection coupler 21, and a filling device 16 to compress natural gas supplied from the gas supplying port 19 to fill it into the CNG tank 13. The filling device 16 is mounted on a counter weight 5. The coupler 21 is fitted in a tip of a filling hose 20 connected to a city gas piping 22. The coupler 21 is connected to the gas supplying port 19, and the filling device 16 is operated in the condition that the natural gas is supplied from the city gas piping 22 to the gas supplying port 19 via the filling hose 20. The natural gas is compressed up to a prescribed pressure to be filled to the CNG tank 13 as compressed natural gas.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a compressed natural gas engine vehicle using compressed natural gas obtained by compressing natural gas as a fuel, and more particularly to a compressed natural gas engine vehicle in which equipment for supplying fuel is simplified. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The exhaust of a compressed natural gas engine using compressed natural gas (CNG) as fuel is LPG (liquefied petroleum gas).
Is clean compared to the exhaust of an LPG engine that uses fuel as fuel, but the filling pressure into the fuel tank (cylinder) is 2
It does not liquefy even when it reaches about 00 kg / cm ² . For this reason, compared with an LPG fuel tank that liquefies at a filling pressure of about 10 kg / cm ² , a fuel tank having a high pressure resistance is required, and the weight of the cylinder reaches 100 kg. Therefore, when CNG in the fuel tank falls below a predetermined amount,
Replacing a cylinder with a fully-filled cylinder like an LPG engine vehicle requires a crane and the replacement work is troublesome.

[0003] Conventionally, in a compressed natural gas engine vehicle, the cylinder is not replaced, and when the CNG in the fuel tank becomes a predetermined amount (for example, the pressure is about 30 kg / cm ² ),
The fuel tank is filled with CNG.

As a method of filling CNG into a fuel tank,
There are three types: The first method is as shown in FIG.
A filling machine 53 is connected via a pipe 52 to a general gas pipe 51 having a gas pressure of about 100 mmAq to 7 kg / cm ² ,
A high pressure hose 54 having a filling coupler is connected to the filling machine 53. Then, the compressed natural gas engine vehicle 55 that needs to be charged with CNG is stopped within the extension range of the high-pressure hose 54, and the filling machine 53 is operated with the filling coupler connected to the gas supply port of the fuel tank (CNG tank) 56. Let me C
The fuel tank 56 is filled with NG. In this method, it takes a long time (3 hours or more) to fully fill.

In the second method, a large compressor (filling machine) is connected to a general gas pipe 51 through a pipe 52 as shown in FIG.
The storage tank 58 is connected to the compressor 57 via the pipe 52. Then, CNG compressed to a high pressure (approximately 250 kg / cm ² ) by the compressor 57 is sent to the storage tank 58 and stored therein. A dispenser unit 59 is connected to the storage tank 58 via the pipe 52,
The high-pressure hose 54 having the filling coupler is connected to the dispenser unit 59. Then, with the filling coupler connected to the gas supply port of the fuel tank (CNG tank) 56 of the compressed natural gas engine vehicle 55 that needs to be charged with CNG, the pressure is set to 200 kg / cm ² by the dispenser unit 59.
The fuel tank 56 is filled with CNG that has been reduced to a certain degree.

In the third method, as shown in FIG. 6, a CNG 61 in which a plurality of cylinders 60 are bundled is filled with CNG from a dispenser unit 59 or a filling machine. And CN
The curled cartridge 61 filled with G is transported to a predetermined position by a truck 62 or a truck, and is connected to the curled cartridge 61 and is connected to the CN via a high-pressure hose 54 provided with a charging coupler.
G is charged into the fuel tank 56 of the compressed natural gas engine vehicle 55.

[0007]

In the second method, a large area is required as a space for installing a filling station due to an increase in the size of equipment, and the construction cost increases to 100 to 200 million yen. Therefore, it is difficult to implement this unless the establishment uses many compressed natural gas engine vehicles 55.

On the other hand, in the first method, the installation space is smaller than in the second method, and the equipment cost is about 1/100. However, if there is a distance from the existing gas pipe to the installation location of the filling equipment, a large construction cost and a construction period are required. Further, in addition to the space for installing the filling machine, it is necessary to install a protective fence and the like, and it is necessary to secure a certain space. In addition, in order to enable filling at a nearby filling facility when the filling is necessary, providing a plurality of filling facilities increases facility costs.

The third method has a problem that equipment costs are increased by the amount of the curdle 61 and that a means for transporting the curdle 61 is required. The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide a filling machine with a CN.
There is no need to secure a specific installation space for installation at the G filling point, and CN can be easily installed near existing gas pipes.
An object of the present invention is to provide a compressed natural gas engine vehicle capable of performing G filling.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a compressed natural gas engine vehicle is supplied with a gas tank for storing a compressed natural gas and a connecting coupler. And a filling machine for compressing natural gas supplied from the gas supply port to fill the gas tank.

[0011] In the invention described in claim 2, the compressed natural gas engine vehicle is a forklift. According to a third aspect of the invention, in the second aspect of the invention, the counterweight of the forklift is also used as a heat sink of the filling machine.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the compressed natural gas engine vehicle needs to be charged with CNG, the hose provided with the connecting coupler stops at the CNG charging point connected to the general gas pipe. Then, the connecting coupler is connected to the gas supply port, and the filling machine is operated in that state. The natural gas supplied from the general gas pipe is compressed by the operation of the filling machine, compressed to a predetermined pressure, and charged as CNG into a gas tank for storing natural gas.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the heavy gas tank plays a role of assisting the counterweight of the forklift. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, heat generated when the natural gas is compressed by the filling machine escapes via a counterweight serving as a heat sink, and is provided to the filling machine. A dedicated heat sink can be omitted.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a forklift will be described below with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, a mast 2 is provided on the front side of the body 1 a of the forklift 1, and a fork 4 is mounted on the mast 2 together with a lift bracket 3 so as to be able to move up and down. On the rear side of the vehicle body 1a, a counter weight 5 for properly maintaining the center of gravity of the vehicle is provided.

An engine hood 6 is provided in front of the counterweight 5 so as to cover the engine E, and a seat 7 is fixed on the engine hood 6.
Behind the engine hood 6, two columns 9 for supporting the head guard 8 are provided. As shown in FIG.
The support 9 is disposed at a position corresponding to the notch 5 a provided on the counterweight 5.

On the upper surface of the counterweight 5, a support table 10 is provided.
Are fastened and fixed by bolts 11 and nuts 12. The bolt 11 is attached so as to penetrate a suspension support hole (not shown) used for suspending the counterweight 5, and a nut 12 is screwed on the penetrating side. A CNG tank 13 as a gas tank for storing compressed natural gas is mounted and fixed above the support base 10. A commercially available CNG cylinder can be used for the CNG tank 13.

The support base 10 has a pair of support portions 10a erected on both left and right sides of a bottom plate mounted on the upper surface of the counter weight 5. The upper side of both support parts 10a is CNG tank 13.
An arc-shaped support band 14 for fastening and fixing the CNG tank 13 is fixed to the upper surface thereof. The support band 14 has a hinge (not shown) at an intermediate position, and the upper part of the support band 14 is rotatable. The support band 14 is connected and fixed to the other end by hooking a buckle 14a provided at one end thereof to a hook provided at the other end.

Accordingly, the CNG tank 13 is placed on the support portion 10a of the support base 10, the support band 14 is wound around the outer periphery of the CNG tank 13, and the buckle 14a is hooked to support the CNG tank 13. It can be fixed to the table 10 in a stable state. The support 9 has CN
A cover 15 is attached to prevent the G tank 13 from being exposed to direct sunlight.

CNG tank 13 on counter weight 5
A filling machine 16 for compressing natural gas and filling it into the CNG tank 13 is disposed in front of. The filling machine 16 has a pressure of 100 mmAq supplied to a general city gas pipe.
And a step compressible compressor 17 ~7kg / cm ² about the natural gas to about 200 kg / cm ^2. A motor (not shown) is used as a drive source of the compressor 17, and power is supplied to the motor from an external power supply.

The filling machine 16 is configured such that the counterweight 5 plays a role of a heat sink for releasing heat generated when the compressor 17 compresses natural gas. Specifically, the housing of the compressor 17 is in a state of directly contacting the counterweight 5, or a state in which the heat of the housing is easily transmitted to the counterweight 5 via a heat transfer member having a high thermal conductivity.

The discharge port of the compressor 17 is connected to the CNG tank 13 via a pipe 18 provided with a check valve (not shown). A manual on-off valve (not shown) is provided in the middle of the pipe 18. The on-off valve is always kept closed, and is opened when CNG is filled. In addition, a suction port of the compressor 17 is connected to a gas supply port 19 provided on a support 9 constituting a part of the vehicle body 1a via a pipe (not shown).

The gas supply port 19 is configured to be connectable to a connection coupler 21 provided at the tip of a filling hose 20. The base end of the filling hose 20 is configured to be connectable to a general city gas pipe 22. And C
At a predetermined NG supply point, a filling hose 20 is provided in a state connected to a city gas pipe 22.
A commercially available low-pressure or medium-pressure rubber hose can be used as the filling hose 20.

Next, the operation of filling CNG into the CNG tank 13 of the forklift 1 configured as described above will be described. When the CNG in the CNG tank 13 falls below a predetermined amount (for example, the pressure is about 30 kg / cm ² ), the CNG tank 1
3 is filled with CNG. When performing the filling, the forklift 1 is driven to a position where the filling hose 20 is disposed and stopped. Next, the connection coupler 21 of the filling hose 20 is connected to the gas supply port 19. Connection coupler 21
Is connected to the gas supply port 19, the pipe 2 for city gas is
From 2, natural gas is automatically supplied to the filling machine 16.

In this state, the manual on-off valve provided in the middle of the pipe 18 is opened. When the cord of the filling machine 16 is connected to an external power supply and the drive switch is turned on, the operation of the compressor 17 is started. And the pressure supplied from the pipe for city gas is 100 mmAq ~
Natural gas of about 7 kg / cm ² is compressed in multiple stages to form CNG with a pressure of 200 kg / cm ² , and the CNG tank 13 is filled. When the inside of the CNG tank 13 reaches a predetermined pressure (full state), the operation of the compressor 17 is automatically stopped. Then, the on-off valve is closed and the connection coupler 21 is closed.
Is disconnected from the gas supply port 19. Then, by unplugging the cord from the power supply, all operations are completed.

It takes about 3 hours to fill the tank until the tank is full. However, if the filling operation is performed at night, the operation of the forklift 1 will not be hindered. This embodiment has the following effects.

(A) Since the filling machine 16 is mounted on the vehicle body 1a, it is not necessary to secure a specific installation space for disposing the filling machine at the place where CNG is filled. CNG can be easily filled.

(B) Unlike a case where a filling machine is provided at a CNG filling location, there is no need to provide a protective fence to prevent others from touching the filling machine. (C) Since the body 1a is equipped with the filling machine 16,
The vehicle (forklift 1) moves to the position corresponding to the existing gas pipe, and CNG can be filled.
Eliminates the need for extensive plumbing. Therefore, CNG can be easily filled even in a small office.

(D) Since the present invention is applied to the forklift 1, even if the weight increases by the amount of the CNG tank 13 and the filling machine 16, it plays the role of assisting the counterweight 5, and the increase in the weight does not hinder.

(E) Since the counterweight 5 plays a role of a heat sink for releasing heat generated by the compressor 17, the heat sink provided in the filling machine 16 can be omitted, which contributes to downsizing of the filling machine 16.

(F) Since the filling machine 16 is large enough to fit within the vehicle width, it is not necessary to secure an extra space. (G) Since the high pressure of CNG does not act on the filling hose 20 connected to the pipe 22 for city gas, a commercially available low-pressure or medium-pressure rubber hose can be used as the filling hose 20, and the equipment cost is reduced. Is reduced.

(H) Since the high pressure of CNG does not act on the filling hose 20, the connecting coupler 21 differs from the prior art.
Can be easily removed from the gas supply port 19. (I) Since the compressor 17 is driven by a motor, there is almost no noise as compared with the case where the compressor 17 is driven by using the engine as a drive source, and there is no problem even if the charging operation is performed at night.

(3) Since an external power supply is used as a driving source of the filling machine 16, it is not necessary to use a battery provided in the vehicle (forklift 1), and the filling operation is interrupted due to the rise of the battery during filling. Never do.

The embodiment is not limited to the above, and may be embodied as follows, for example. In place of disposing the filling machine 16 on the counterweight 5, the filling machine 16 may be housed in a space covered by the engine hood 6, as shown in FIG. In this case, since the filling machine 16 is not exposed to the outside, it is possible to prevent the filling machine 16 from being tampered with while the vehicle is stopped.

When the filling machine 16 is housed in the space covered by the engine hood 6, the counter weight 5 may be used as a heat sink. The power supply of the motor connected to the compressor 17 may be a battery mounted on the vehicle (forklift 1). Further, the driving source of the compressor 17 may be the engine E mounted on the vehicle.

Instead of driving the compressor 17 by a motor provided in the filling machine 16 or by connecting it to the engine of the vehicle, the compressor 17 is used only during charging.
Is connected to a drive shaft of a motor or an engine provided outside the vehicle via a coupling or the like. In this case, since a motor necessary for driving the compressor 17 or a power transmission mechanism for connecting the engine and the drive shaft of the compressor 17 is not mounted on the vehicle, the installation space for the filling machine is easily secured.

Instead of supporting the CNG tank 13 on the support 10 fixed on the counterweight 5, the CNG tank 13 is supported via a bracket fixed to the column 9. In addition, the CNG tank 1
A concave portion corresponding to the peripheral surface of 3 may be formed, and the CNG tank 13 may be arranged on the concave portion and fixed by a locking member. Unlike the LPG tank, the CNG tank 13 is not replaced until the end of its life, so that the CNG tank 13 may be fixed in a state that is difficult to remove.

The filling machine is divided into a plurality, and two small compressors are used in series. In this case, the degree of freedom of the arrangement position of the filling machine increases. ○ Not limited to forklifts, other industrial vehicles and passenger cars,
You may apply to vehicles, such as a bus and a truck.

The technical ideas (inventions) other than those described in the claims, which can be understood from the above embodiments, will be described below together with their effects. (1) Compressed natural gas including a gas tank for storing natural gas, a gas supply port to which a connection coupler is connected, and a filling machine that compresses the natural gas supplied from the gas supply port and fills the gas tank. A method of filling compressed natural gas into a gas tank of an engine vehicle, wherein a gas hose connected to a city gas pipe using natural gas is connected to the gas supply port via a connection coupler, and in this state, the filling machine is used. A method of charging a compressed natural gas into a gas tank of a compressed natural gas engine vehicle, wherein the compressed natural gas is charged into the gas tank by operating the gas tank. In this case, if a gas hose equipped with a connection coupler is prepared, the gas tank can be filled with compressed natural gas by connecting the city gas pipe and the gas supply port of the compressed natural gas engine vehicle via the gas hose. It is not necessary to secure a space for disposing the filling equipment.

(2) In the third aspect of the present invention,
The filling machine is mounted on a counterweight. In this case, it becomes easy to use the counterweight as a heat sink.

(3) In the third aspect of the present invention,
The filling machine is housed in a space covered by an engine hood. In this case, there is no need to particularly provide a protective cover for the filling machine, and there is no danger that the filling machine will be mischief during parking of the forklift.

[0041]

As described in detail above, claims 1 to 3 are described.
According to the invention described in (1), natural gas supplied from a filling hose connected to general piping of natural gas (city gas) can be filled in the gas tank, so that the cost of filling equipment is low and the degree of freedom of the filling place is greatly increased. . Therefore, fuel supply to a natural gas engine vehicle can be easily performed even in a small business establishment.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, even if a gas tank which is heavier than a gas tank using LPG as a fuel is used, the gas tank plays a role of assisting the counterweight, and there is no problem. Absent.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the counterweight plays a role of a heat sink for releasing heat generated when the natural gas is compressed by the filling machine, it is not necessary to newly provide a heat sink for the filling machine.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a forklift according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the rear side of the forklift.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing an arrangement state of a filling machine according to another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a conventional device.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of another conventional apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of another conventional apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1. Forklift as a compressed natural gas engine vehicle,
5 ... Counter weight, 6 ... Engine hood, 13 ... CNG tank as gas tank, 16 ... Filling machine, 19 ...
Gas supply port, 21 ... connection coupler.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A gas tank for storing compressed natural gas, a gas supply port to which a connecting coupler is connected, and a filling machine for compressing natural gas supplied from the gas supply port to fill the gas tank. Compression natural gas engine vehicle. 2. The compressed natural gas engine vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the compressed natural gas engine vehicle is a forklift. 3. The compressed natural gas engine vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the forklift also uses a counter weight thereof as a heat sink of the filling machine.