Towing vehicles, trailers and tractor heads

Abstract

The tractor vehicle includes a tractor head and a trailer towed by the tractor head. The trailer includes a first tank configured to store high-pressure gas as fuel for the tractor head to travel. The tractor head includes a second tank configured to store high-pressure gas as fuel for the tractor head to travel. The tractor vehicle is configured to travel using the fuel supplied from the first tank and the second tank.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a tractor vehicle, a trailer and a tractor head. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a fuel cell vehicle that includes a tank for storing hydrogen, a fuel cell system for generating electricity using the hydrogen supplied from the tank, and a motor driven by the electricity supplied from the fuel cell system (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2018-114816).

[0003] A tractor vehicle is composed of a tractor head and a trailer. The trailer loaded with goods to be transported does not generate driving force by itself. The tractor head equipped with an engine and towing a trailer does not load goods to be transported. Therefore, the tractor head is relatively small compared to the trailer. The tractor vehicle is loaded with a large amount of goods to travel, and therefore consumes a large amount of energy compared to a passenger car. Therefore, in the case where the tractor head towing the trailer is configured as a fuel cell vehicle, there is a possibility that the distance that can be traveled by filling hydrogen once cannot be fully ensured with respect to the hydrogen stored in the tank that can be carried on the tractor head that is relatively small compared to the trailer. In addition to vehicles that use hydrogen as fuel, such a problem exists for tractors that use various substances as fuel. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present disclosure can be implemented as the following aspects.

[0005] The first aspect of the present disclosure relates to a tractor. The tractor includes a tractor head and a trailer towed by the tractor head. The trailer includes a first tank configured to store high-pressure gas as fuel for the tractor head to travel. The tractor head includes a second tank configured to store high-pressure gas as fuel for the tractor head to travel. The tractor is configured to travel using the fuel supplied from the first tank and the second tank.

[0006] According to the first aspect, the distance that the tractor vehicle can travel after one filling of fuel can be increased compared to an aspect in which only the tractor head is provided with a tank storing fuel.

[0007] The second aspect of the present disclosure relates to a trailer connected to a tractor head that uses fuel gas for traveling. The trailer may also be configured to include: a tank configured to store high-pressure gas as fuel for traveling the tractor head; a first type of piping configured to be connected to the tank; a pressure reducing portion configured to be connected to the first type of piping and to reduce the pressure of the fuel gas supplied from the tank through the first type of piping; and a second type of piping configured to be connected to the pressure reducing portion and having an outlet connection portion configured to be connected to an inlet connection portion provided on the tractor head and receiving the fuel gas. The trailer may also be configured to include: at least a portion of the second type of piping having a lower rigidity than the first type of piping.

[0008] According to the second aspect, the first type of piping has a higher rigidity than the second type of piping, so that the high-pressure fuel gas stored in the tank can be stably distributed. In addition, the second type of piping has a lower rigidity than the first type of piping, so when the relative position of the connecting part trailer and the tractor head changes, the second type of piping is deformed to maintain the supply path of the fuel gas from the trailer to the tractor head.

[0009] Alternatively, based on the second embodiment, the outlet connection portion may be configured such that when connected to the inlet connection portion, the fuel gas can flow. Alternatively, the outlet connection portion may be configured such that when not connected to the inlet connection portion, the fuel gas cannot flow.

[0010] According to the above configuration, the user can connect the exit-side connection portion of the trailer to the entry-side connection portion of the tractor head, thereby setting the state in which fuel gas is supplied from the trailer to the tractor head in a simple procedure.

[0011] It can also be constructed as follows: on the basis of the above-mentioned form, when the above-mentioned inlet connection part and the above-mentioned outlet connection part are connected, when a pulling force is applied between the above-mentioned inlet connection part and the above-mentioned outlet connection part, before a part of the structure for realizing the flow of fuel from the above-mentioned tank to the above-mentioned outlet connection part is destroyed, the connection between the above-mentioned outlet connection part and the above-mentioned inlet connection part is first released.

[0012] According to the above structure, for example, when the relative distance between the trailer and the tractor head increases for some reason when the outlet connection part and the inlet connection part are connected, the possibility of fuel leakage due to damage to the structure that enables the flow of fuel from the tank to the outlet connection part can be reduced.

[0013] In the above aspect, the trailer may further include a towing pin configured to be connected to the connector of the tractor head. The decompression portion may be provided at a position lower than a base of the towing pin.

[0014] According to the above configuration, compared with a configuration in which the decompression portion is provided above the base portion of the traction pin, it is possible to increase the space for loading the load on the trailer.

[0015] It can also be configured that, based on the above form, the above-mentioned pressure reducing portion is arranged to be located between one end of the above-mentioned tractor head and the above-mentioned tractor pin in the left-right direction of the above-mentioned tractor head when the above-mentioned trailer is connected to the above-mentioned tractor head via the above-mentioned tractor pin and the above-mentioned connector.

[0016] According to the above structure, for example, compared with a configuration in which the pressure reducing unit is provided at the rear end of the trailer, the distance between the pressure reducing unit for distributing the fuel gas through the second pipe and the outlet connection unit can be shortened. Therefore, the risk of the second pipe, which has lower rigidity than the first pipe, being damaged by external force can be reduced.

[0017] It can also be configured that, based on the above-mentioned form, the above-mentioned trailer is configured as follows: before a part of the structure that realizes the flow of fuel from the above-mentioned tank to the above-mentioned outlet connection part is destroyed, the structure of a part of the above-mentioned inlet connection part and the above-mentioned outlet connection part is first destroyed, thereby releasing the connection between the above-mentioned outlet connection part and the above-mentioned inlet connection part.

[0018] The third aspect of the present disclosure relates to a tractor head connected to the trailer of the above aspect. The tractor head includes the inlet-side connection portion. The inlet-side connection portion includes a check valve configured to allow gas to be received from the outside but not to allow gas to be sent to the outside.

[0019] According to the third aspect, when the entry connection portion and the exit connection portion are disconnected, the fuel gas does not flow out of the entry connection portion of the tractor head even if the user does not perform an operation to stop the flow of gas in the entry connection portion of the tractor head.

[0020] In the above-mentioned form, the tank may be a first tank. The tractor head may be provided with a second tank configured to store high-pressure gas as fuel for the tractor head to travel. The tractor vehicle may be configured to travel using the fuel supplied from the first tank and the second tank.

[0021] The present disclosure can also be implemented in various forms other than a tractor, trailer, or tractor head, for example, in a manufacturing method of a tractor, trailer, or tractor head, or a control method of a tractor, trailer, or tractor head.

[0022] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like elements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 It is a side view showing the tractor vehicle according to the present embodiment.

[0024] Figure 2 It is an explanatory diagram showing the hydrogen supply system of a tractor head and a trailer.

[0025] Figure 3 It is a plan view showing the arrangement of the towing pin and the decompression portion of the trailer relative to various structures of the tractor head when the trailer is coupled to the tractor head.

[0026] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the exit-side connection portion of the trailer and the entry-side connection portion of the tractor head.

[0027] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the exit-side connection portion of the trailer and the entry-side connection portion of the tractor head. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] A. First Implementation Method:

[0029] Figure 1 1 is a side view of the tractor 10 according to the present embodiment. In this specification, the front of the tractor 10 is referred to as the Y direction. The right direction of the tractor 10 is referred to as the X direction. The top of the tractor 10 is referred to as the Z direction. Figure 1 In the figure, the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are shown. Figure 3 The X direction, Y direction, and Z direction shown in Figure 1 The X direction, Y direction, and Z direction shown in FIG.

[0030] The tractor 10 is a vehicle that loads and transports cargo to be transported. The tractor 10 includes a tractor head 11 and a trailer 12.

[0031] The tractor head 11 is connected to the trailer 12 and tows the trailer 12. The tractor head 11 uses hydrogen to travel. More specifically, hydrogen is supplied to the tractor head 11 from the tank 32 of the tractor head 11 and the tank 25 of the trailer 12 to drive the tractor head 11. The tractor head 11 includes a frame 15, front wheels 16, rear wheels 17, a connector 18, a tank 32, a decompression unit 37, a fuel cell 30, a storage unit 35, and a motor 70.

[0032] The frame 15 supports various structures of the tractor head 11. Hydrogen is supplied from the tank 32 and the tank 25 of the trailer 12 to the fuel cell 30 to generate electricity. Electricity is supplied from the fuel cell 30 to the motor 70 to drive it. The driving force of the motor 70 is transmitted to the rear wheel 17 to rotate it. As the tractor head 11 moves via the rear wheel 17, the front wheel 16 rotates. The storage section 35 accommodates a plurality of tanks 32.

[0033] The connector 18 connects the towing pin 24 of the trailer 12 and holds the towing pin 24 rotatably. As a result, the trailer 12 is connected to the tractor head 11. The trailer 12 can rotate within a constant range with the towing pin 24 as the center of rotation while being connected to the tractor head 11, and as a result, the relative position with respect to the tractor head 11 can be changed.

[0034] Figure 2 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a hydrogen supply system of the tractor head 11 and the trailer 12. The tractor head 11 further includes a first pipe P31, a second pipe P32, a third pipe P33, a fourth pipe P34, and a three-way valve 38.

[0035] The tank 32 stores high-pressure gas as fuel for the tractor head 11 to travel. More specifically, the tank 32 stores hydrogen gas as fuel gas. The tank 32 can store hydrogen gas at a maximum pressure of 70 MPa. The first pipe P31 is connected to the tank 32. The first pipe P31 is made of stainless steel.

[0036] The decompression unit 37 is connected to the first pipe P31. The decompression unit 37 reduces the pressure of the hydrogen gas supplied from the first pipe P31. More specifically, the decompression unit 37 reduces the pressure of the hydrogen gas to 2 MPa. The second pipe P32 is connected to the decompression unit 37. The second pipe P32 is mainly made of rubber.

[0037] The three-way valve 38 is connected to the second pipe P32, the third pipe P33, and the fourth pipe P34. The three-way valve 38 can selectively connect the second pipe P32 and the third pipe P33 to the fourth pipe P34. The fourth pipe P34 connects the three-way valve 38 and the fuel cell 30. The fourth pipe P34 is mainly made of rubber.

[0038] The third pipe P33 includes an inlet connection portion P33i. The inlet connection portion P33i receives hydrogen from the trailer 12. More specifically, the inlet connection portion P33i is connected to an outlet connection portion P22o that is provided on the trailer 12 and delivers hydrogen. The inlet connection portion P33i includes a check valve 331. The inlet connection portion P33i allows gas to be received from the outside through the check valve 331, but does not allow gas to be delivered to the outside.

[0039] By having such a structure, when the connection between the entry-side connection part P33i and the exit-side connection part P22o is released, even if the user does not perform an operation to stop the flow of gas in the entry-side connection part P33i of the tractor head 11, hydrogen will not flow out from the entry-side connection part P33i of the tractor head 11.

[0040] The portion of the third pipe P33 connecting the three-way valve 38 to the inlet connection portion P33i is made of rubber. As a result, the portion of the third pipe P33 connecting the three-way valve 38 to the inlet connection portion P33i has lower rigidity than the first pipe P31.

[0041] The trailer 12 is loaded with cargo to be transported (see Figure 1 The trailer 12 is connected to the tractor head 11 and is towed by the tractor head 11. The trailer 12 includes a vehicle frame 21, a container 22, wheels 23, a towing pin 24, a tank 25, and a decompression unit 27.

[0042] The frame 21 supports various structures of the trailer 12. The container 22 contains cargo to be transported. As the trailer 12 is towed by the tractor head 11, the wheels 23 rotate.

[0043] The traction pin 24 is a rod-shaped structure that protrudes downward in front of the lower surface of the trailer 12. The traction pin 24 is connected to the connector 18 of the tractor head 11 and is rotatably held by the connector 18. As a result, the trailer 12 and the tractor head 11 are connected.

[0044] The trailer 12 further includes a first pipe P21 and a second pipe P22 (see Figure 2 The tank 25 stores high-pressure gas as fuel for the tractor head 11 to travel. More specifically, the tank 25 stores hydrogen gas as fuel gas. The tank 25 can store hydrogen gas at a maximum pressure of 70 MPa.

[0045] With such a configuration, the tractor vehicle 10 can travel a longer distance per hydrogen filling than when only the tractor head 11 as a fuel cell vehicle including the fuel cell 30 and the motor 70 is provided with a tank storing hydrogen.

[0046] The first pipe P21 is connected to the tank 25. The first pipe P21 is made of stainless steel. The first pipe P21 has higher rigidity than the second pipe P22, and thus can stably distribute the high-pressure hydrogen gas stored in the tank 25.

[0047] The decompression unit 27 is connected to the first pipe P21. The decompression unit 27 reduces the pressure of the hydrogen gas supplied from the first pipe P21. More specifically, the decompression unit 27 reduces the pressure of the hydrogen gas to 2 MPa. With such a structure, the second pipe P22 having lower rigidity than the first pipe P21 can be used to supply hydrogen gas from the trailer 12 to the tractor head 11.

[0048] The second pipe P22 is connected to the pressure reducing unit 27. The second pipe P22 includes an outlet connection portion P22o. The outlet connection portion P22o delivers hydrogen gas to the trailer 12. More specifically, the outlet connection portion P22o is connected to an inlet connection portion P33i provided in the tractor head 11 and receiving hydrogen gas.

[0049] By adopting such a structure, the outlet connection portion P22o of the second pipe P22 is connected to the inlet connection portion P33i of the tractor head 11, thereby being able to supply hydrogen from the tank 25 mounted on the trailer 12 to the tractor head 11. As a result, compared with a form in which only the tractor head 11 is provided with a tank storing hydrogen gas and the trailer 12 is not provided with a tank storing hydrogen gas, the travelable distance by one hydrogen filling can be increased.

[0050] The portion of the second pipe P22 connecting the decompression portion 27 to the outlet connection portion P22o is made of rubber. As a result, the portion of the second pipe P22 connecting the decompression portion 27 to the outlet connection portion P22o has lower rigidity than the first pipe P21.

[0051] With such a structure, when the relative position of the trailer 12 and the tractor head 11 changes at the connection portion, the second pipe P22 is deformed, and the supply path of hydrogen from the trailer 12 to the tractor head 11 is not damaged, and the supply path can be maintained.

[0052] In addition, the rigidity of the pipe can be determined as follows. For the pipes to be compared, straight pipes of the same length are prepared. Both ends of each pipe are supported and the same load is applied to the center. By comparing the deformation of the center along the direction of the load of each pipe, the rigidity of each pipe can be determined.

[0053] Figure 3 1 is a top view showing the arrangement of the towing pin 24 and the pressure reducing portion 27 of the trailer 12 relative to the various structures of the tractor head 11 when the trailer 12 is connected to the tractor head 11. As described above, the towing pin 24 is received by the connector 18 of the tractor head 11 and is held by the connector 18 so as to be rotatable (see Figure 3 center right of the ).

[0054] The pressure reducing portion 27 is provided at a position lower than the base of the traction pin 24 (see Figure 1 The traction pin 24 is a rod-shaped structure that protrudes downward in front of the lower surface of the trailer 12. Therefore, the base of the traction pin 24 is the upper end of the traction pin 24. By adopting such a structure, compared with the form in which the pressure reducing part 27 is provided at a position higher than the base of the traction pin 24, the capacity of the container 22 for loading the load on the trailer 12 can be increased.

[0055] The pressure reducing portion 27 is provided so as to be located between the left end 11seL of the tractor head 11 and the tractor pin 24 in the left-right direction of the tractor head 11 when the trailer 12 is connected to the tractor head 11 via the tractor pin 24 and the connector 18 (see Figure 3 In addition, in the present specification, the decompression portion 27 being located “between the end 11seL of the tractor head 11 and the traction pin 24 in the left-right direction of the tractor head 11” means that at least a portion of the decompression portion 27 is provided within a circle Cb inscribed in the end 11seL of the tractor head 11 and the traction pin 24.

[0056] By adopting such a structure, the distance between the decompression section 27 for distributing hydrogen gas through the second pipe P22 and the outlet connection section P22o can be shortened compared to a configuration in which the decompression section 27 is provided at the rear end of the trailer 12 away from the towing pin 24. Therefore, the risk of the second pipe P22, which has lower rigidity than the first pipe P21, being damaged by external force can be reduced.

[0057] Figure 4 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the outlet connection portion P22o of the second pipe P22 of the trailer 12 and the inlet connection portion P33i of the third pipe P33 of the tractor head 11. Figure 4 This is a diagram for explaining the function of each part, and does not accurately show the shapes of the side connection part P22o and the entrance-side connection part P33i.

[0058] The outlet connection part P22o includes a main body 222, a valve body 224, and a coil spring 226. The main body 222 constitutes the flow path of the outlet connection part P22o. The main body 222 accommodates the valve body 224 and the coil spring 226 inside. The main body 222 has a first flow path part 2221, a second flow path part 2222, a third flow path part 2223, and a pair of recessed parts 2224.

[0059] The first flow path portion 2221 is a cylindrical space including the open end of the outlet connection portion P22o. The second flow path portion 2222 is a cylindrical space that shares a central axis with the first flow path portion 2221. The diameter of the second flow path portion 2222 is larger than the diameter of the first flow path portion 2221. The third flow path portion 2223 is a cylindrical space connected to the second flow path portion 2222 at a right angle. The diameter of the third flow path portion 2223 is the same as the diameter of the second flow path portion 2222.

[0060] A pair of recesses 2224 are provided on the outer periphery near the opening end of the main body 222 with the opening end sandwiched therebetween. The pair of recesses 2224 receive the front end of the fixing piece 336 of the entry connection part P33i when the exit connection part P22o is connected to the entry connection part P33i.

[0061] The valve body 224 and the coil spring 226 are accommodated in the second flow path 2222. One end of the coil spring 226 contacts the wall at one end of the second flow path 2222. The other end of the coil spring 226 contacts the valve body 224. The coil spring 226 applies force to the valve body 224, pressing the valve body 224 against the wall at the other end of the second flow path 2222, that is, the step difference between the valve body 224 and the first flow path 2221. As a result, Figure 4 In this state, the outlet connection portion P22o is sealed by the valve body 224.

[0062] The inlet connection part P33i of the tractor head 11 includes a main body 332, a squeeze rod 334, and a pair of fixing parts 336. The main body 332 constitutes the flow path of the inlet connection part P33i. The main body 332 has a flow path part 3321. The flow path part 3321 is a cylindrical space that passes through the inlet connection part P33i.

[0063] A pair of fixing members 336 are provided on the outer periphery near the open end of the main body 332 so as to sandwich the open end. One end of the fixing member 336 is installed to be rotatable relative to the main body 332. The front end of the fixing member 336 is received by the recessed portion 2224 of the outlet-side connecting portion P22o when the outlet-side connecting portion P22o is connected to the inlet-side connecting portion P33i.

[0064] A portion of the extrusion rod 334 is disposed in the flow path portion 3321. One end of the extrusion rod 334 is fixed to the inner wall of the flow path portion 3321. The other portion of the extrusion rod 334 protrudes from the open end of the body 332 along the axial direction of the flow path portion 3321.

[0065] Figure 5 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the outlet connection portion P22o of the trailer 12 and the inlet connection portion P33i of the tractor head 11. Figure 4 Indicates the state where the outlet connection portion P22o is not connected to the inlet connection portion P33i. Figure 5 This shows a state where the exit-side connection portion P22o and the entry-side connection portion P33i are connected. Figure 5 This is a diagram for explaining the function of each part, and does not accurately show the shapes of the side connection part P22o and the entrance-side connection part P33i.

[0066] When the outlet connection part P22o is connected to the inlet connection part P33i, the valve body 224 is squeezed toward the coil spring 226 by the squeezing rod 334. In this way, the valve body 224 is separated from the step difference between the second flow path part 2222 and the first flow path part 2221 of the outlet connection part P22o. As a result, the first flow path part 2221 is connected to the second flow path part 2222. In this state, the third flow path part 2223, the second flow path part 2222 and the first flow path part 2221 of the outlet connection part P22o are connected to the flow path part 3321 of the inlet connection part P33i. Therefore, hydrogen can flow from the second piping P22 of the trailer 12 to the third piping P33 of the tractor head 11 (refer to Figure 2 center left of the ).

[0067] When the outlet connection part P22o is connected to the inlet connection part P33i, the fixing piece 336 of the inlet connection part P33i is rotated, and the front end of the fixing piece 336 is inserted into the recessed part 2224 of the outlet connection part P22o. As a result, the inlet connection part P33i is fixed relative to the outlet connection part P22o. Therefore, the valve body 224 and the squeeze rod 334 are not displaced by the resistance of the coil spring 226.

[0068] Through the mechanism described above, the outlet-side connection portion P22o is configured to allow the flow of hydrogen when connected to the inlet-side connection portion P33i, and not to allow the flow of hydrogen when not connected to the inlet-side connection portion P33i.

[0069] By adopting such a structure, the user can connect the outlet connection part P22o of the trailer 12 to the inlet connection part P33i of the tractor head 11, thereby setting a state in which hydrogen can be supplied from the trailer 12 to the tractor head 11 in a simple procedure.

[0070] The fixing member 336 is configured so that when the inlet connection portion P33i and the outlet connection portion P22o are connected, the fixing member 336 is broken before any of the structures of the tank 25, the first pipe P21, the pressure reducing portion 27, and the second pipe P22 including the outlet connection portion P22o are damaged (see Figure 2 , Figure 4 In other words, the trailer 12 and the tractor head 11 are configured such that, when a pulling force is applied between the inlet connection portion P33i and the outlet connection portion P22o, the outlet connection portion P22o and the inlet connection portion P33i are disconnected before a part of the structure for realizing the flow of hydrogen from the tank 25 to the outlet connection portion P22o is destroyed.

[0071] By adopting such a structure, the following advantages can be obtained when the relative distance between the trailer 12 and the tractor head 11 increases when the outlet connection part P22o is connected to the inlet connection part P33i due to some reasons such as the destruction of one or both of the traction pin 24 of the trailer 12 and the connector 18 of the tractor head 11. That is, hydrogen will not leak out due to the destruction of the structure that realizes the flow of hydrogen from the tank 25 to the outlet connection part P22o (see Figure 4 ).

[0072] The hydrogen gas in this embodiment is also referred to as "fuel". The hydrogen gas is also referred to as "fuel gas". The tank 25 is also referred to as "first tank". The tank 32 is also referred to as "second tank". The first pipe P21 is also referred to as "first type of pipe". The second pipe P22 is also referred to as "second type of pipe".

[0073] B. Other implementation methods:

[0074] B1. Other implementation methods 1:

[0075] In the above embodiment, the fuel is hydrogen. However, the fuel may be other hydrocarbon substances such as methane, ethane, natural gas, etc. When the fuel is used as fuel gas for a fuel cell, it is preferred that the tractor vehicle is equipped with a reforming device for reforming hydrocarbons to generate hydrogen. In addition, it is also possible to have an internal combustion engine or an external combustion engine on the tractor head to obtain kinetic energy by burning fuel gas instead of the fuel cell.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the tanks 25 and 32 can store hydrogen gas at a maximum pressure of 70 MPa. However, the tank storing the high-pressure gas can also be in the form of storing liquefied gas instead of compressed gas. In this specification, "high-pressure gas" refers to the high-pressure gas specified in Article 2 of the High-Pressure Gas Safety Law (Law No. 204 of 1945, Act Enforced on April 1, 1949). That is, in this specification, "high-pressure gas" belongs to any of the following.

[0077] 1. Compressed gas with a pressure of 1 MPa or more at normal temperature (referred to as gauge pressure, the same applies hereinafter) or a pressure of 1 MPa or more at actual temperature or a pressure of 1 MPa or more at a temperature of 35°C (except compressed acetylene gas);

[0078] 2. Compressed acetylene gas having a pressure of 0.2 MPa or more at ordinary temperatures, compressed acetylene gas having an actual pressure of 0.2 MPa or more, or compressed acetylene gas having a pressure of 0.2 MPa or more at a temperature of 15 degrees;

[0079] 3. Liquefied gas with a pressure of 0.2 MPa or more at normal temperature, liquefied gas with a pressure of 0.2 MPa or more in practice, or liquefied gas with a temperature of 35 degrees or less at a pressure of 0.2 MPa;

[0080] 4. In addition to the liquefied gases disclosed in the above three, liquefied hydrogen cyanide, liquefied methyl bromide, or liquefied ethylene oxide in a liquefied gas with a pressure exceeding 0 Pa at a temperature of 35 degrees.

[0081] In the above embodiment, three tanks 32 are shown on the tractor head 11, and one tank 25 is shown on the trailer 12 (see Figure 1 ). However, the number of tanks provided on the tractor head 11 may be any number greater than 1. The number of tanks provided on the trailer 12 may also be any number greater than 1. When the tractor head 11 is provided with a plurality of tanks 32, the structures of the plurality of tanks 32 may be the same or different. When the trailer 12 is provided with a plurality of tanks 25, the structures of the plurality of tanks 25 may be the same or different.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the trailer 12 includes the container 22 (see Figure 1 However, the trailer 12 may not include the container 22, but may be in another form such as a tank or a cargo box for storing the fluid to be transported.

[0083] B2. Other implementation methods 2:

[0084] In the above embodiment, the first pipe P21 is made of stainless steel (see Figure 2 However, the first pipe P21 may be made of other materials. In addition, the first pipe P21 may have a structure having multiple layers.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the portion of the second pipe P22 that connects the pressure reducing portion 27 to the outlet connection portion P22o is made of rubber. However, the second pipe P22 may be made of other materials such as resin. In addition, the second pipe P22 may have a structure having multiple layers. However, it is preferred that the second pipe P22 has a structure with lower rigidity than the first pipe P21. It is preferred that the second pipe P22 has a structure that is more easily elastically deformed than the first pipe P21.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the portion of the second pipe P22 of the trailer 12 that connects the pressure reducing portion 27 to the outlet connection portion P22o has a lower rigidity than the first pipe P21. However, the second pipe P22 as a whole may have a lower rigidity than the first pipe P21. In addition, a portion of the second pipe P22 may have a lower rigidity than the first pipe P21.

[0087] The first pipe P21 may have parts with different structures along the flow path of the fuel. For example, the upstream part of the first pipe P21 may have a structure that assumes the flow of liquefied gas. The downstream part of the first pipe P21 may have a structure that assumes the flow of gas in a gaseous state. A structure that vaporizes the liquefied gas may be provided between the upstream part and the downstream part of the first pipe P21. In addition, the tractor may not have a specific structure for vaporizing the liquefied gas, and the first pipe P21 may be configured so that the liquefied gas vaporizes while it flows in the first pipe P21.

[0088] The second pipe P22 may have parts with different structures along the flow path of the fuel. For example, the outlet-side connection portion P22o and other parts may have different structures.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the pipe for supplying the hydrogen gas in the tank 25 to the outside of the trailer 12 is composed of the first pipe P21 and the second pipe P22 (see Figure 2 ). However, the piping for supplying the hydrogen in the tank 25 to the outside of the trailer 12 may also include other piping. And the other piping may be provided between the first piping P21 and the second piping P22. And the other piping may be provided by branching from the first piping P21 or the second piping P22.

[0090] B3. Other implementation methods 3:

[0091] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the outlet connection portion P22o is fixed relative to the inlet connection portion P33i by the fixing member 336 of the inlet connection portion P33i (see Figure 4 and Figure 5 However, for example, it is also possible to have an internal thread on one side of the outlet connection portion P22o and the inlet connection portion P33i, and an external thread on the other side, and to fix both of them by the internal thread and the external thread.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the outlet connection portion P22o is configured to allow the flow of hydrogen when connected to the inlet connection portion P33i, and not to allow the flow of hydrogen when not connected to the inlet connection portion P33i (see Figure 4 and Figure 5 ). However, the outlet connection part P22o may be in a form without such a function. For example, the outlet connection part may be in a form with a valve that allows or prohibits the two-way flow of gas. Such a valve may also automatically operate according to the presence or absence of the connection between the outlet connection part and the inlet connection part.

[0093] B4. Other implementation methods 4:

[0094] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the fixing member 336 is configured so that when the inlet connection portion P33i is connected to the outlet connection portion P22o, the fixing member 336 is broken before any one of the structures of the tank 25, the first pipe P21, the pressure reducing portion 27, and the second pipe P22 including the outlet connection portion P22o is damaged (see Figure 5 However, for example, it is also possible to configure such that before the other part of the structure that realizes the flow of hydrogen from the tank 25 to the outlet connection part P22o is destroyed, the other structures of the inlet connection part P33i and the outlet connection part P22o, such as the main body 332 of the inlet connection part P33i, are destroyed.

[0095] The tractor vehicle 10 may not have such a structure, but may be configured such that a portion of the structure for enabling the flow of hydrogen gas from the tank 25 to the outlet-side connection portion P22o is first destroyed.

[0096] B5. Other implementation methods 5:

[0097] In the above embodiment, the decompression portion 27 of the trailer 12 is provided at a position lower than the base of the towing pin 24 (see Figure 1 However, the decompression portion may be provided at a position above the base of the traction pin.

[0098] In the above embodiment, the decompression portion 27 of the trailer 12 is arranged so as to be located between the left end 11seL of the tractor head 11 and the traction pin 24 in the left-right direction of the tractor head 11 when the trailer 12 is connected to the tractor head 11 (see Figure 3 However, the decompression part 27 of the trailer 12 may be arranged so as to be located between the right end 11seR of the tractor head 11 and the towing pin 24 in the left-right direction of the tractor head 11 when the trailer 12 is connected to the tractor head 11. In addition, the decompression part 27 of the trailer 12 may be arranged at other parts of the trailer 12, such as in front of or behind the towing pin 24.

[0099] B6. His implementation method 6:

[0100] In the above embodiment, the inlet connection portion P33i allows gas to be received from the outside through the check valve 331, but does not allow gas to be sent to the outside (see Figure 2 As such a check valve 331, various check valves such as a swing check valve, a lift check valve, and a disk check valve can be adopted.

[0101] On the other hand, the inlet-side connection portion P33i may be in a form without the check valve 331. For example, the inlet-side connection portion may be in a form with a valve that permits or prohibits the bidirectional flow of gas.

[0102] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be implemented in various structures within the scope of the main purpose. For example, in order to solve part or all of the above-mentioned problems, or to achieve part or all of the above-mentioned effects, the technical features of the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each mode recorded in the summary column of the invention can be appropriately replaced or combined. In addition, as long as the technical features are not described as being necessary in this specification, they can be appropriately deleted.

Claims

1. A trailer configured to be connected to a tractor head that uses fuel gas for traveling, characterized in that: The trailer has: a tank configured to store high-pressure gas used as fuel for traveling the tractor head; a first type of piping configured to be connected to the tank; a pressure reducing unit connected to the first pipe and configured to reduce the pressure of the fuel gas supplied from the tank through the first pipe; and The second pipe is configured to be connected to the pressure reducing portion and has an outlet connection portion configured to be connected to an inlet connection portion provided on the tractor head and receiving the fuel gas. wherein at least a portion of the second type of piping has a rigidity lower than that of the first type of piping, The outlet connection portion is configured to enable the flow of fuel gas when connected to the inlet connection portion, and is configured to prevent the flow of fuel gas when not connected to the inlet connection portion. The trailer is constructed as follows: when the entry-side connection part and the exit-side connection part are connected, when a pulling force is applied between the entry-side connection part and the exit-side connection part, the connection between the exit-side connection part and the entry-side connection part is released before a part of the structure for realizing the flow of fuel from the tank to the exit-side connection part is destroyed.

2. The trailer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The trailer further includes a towing pin configured to be connected to the connector of the tractor head. The decompression portion is disposed below a base portion of the traction pin.

3. The trailer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The decompression portion is provided between one end of the tractor head and the tractor pin in the left-right direction of the tractor head in a state where the trailer is connected to the tractor head via the tractor pin and the connector.

4. The trailer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The trailer is constructed by first destroying the structure of a part of the inlet connection part and the outlet connection part before destroying a part of the structure that realizes the flow of fuel from the tank to the outlet connection part, thereby releasing the connection between the outlet connection part and the inlet connection part.

5. A tractor vehicle, comprising the trailer and the tractor head according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The tank is the first tank, The tractor locomotive includes a second tank configured to store high-pressure gas as fuel for traveling the tractor locomotive. The tractor vehicle is configured to travel using the fuel supplied from the first tank and the second tank.

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