fuel cell vehicles

Abstract

The present application discloses a fuel cell vehicle. The fuel cell vehicle includes a front fuel cell installed in a first space; and a rear fuel cell installed in a second space located to the rear of the first space relative to the direction of travel of the fuel cell vehicle. The rear fuel cell includes a top surface that is lower than the top surface of the front fuel cell relative to the ground.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments relate to a vehicle including a fuel cell. Background Art

[0002] Since commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses are heavier and larger than passenger vehicles, a relatively large output, for example, approximately 200 kW or more, is required to power them. Therefore, it may be impractical or difficult to power commercial vehicles using only the type of fuel cells used in passenger vehicles. Consequently, research into this topic is actively underway. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Accordingly, embodiments provide a fuel cell vehicle that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

[0004] The embodiment provides a fuel cell vehicle in which a plurality of fuel cells are efficiently mounted.

[0005] In one embodiment, a fuel cell vehicle may include: a front fuel cell installed in a first space; and a rear fuel cell installed in a second space located to the rear of the first space based on a direction in which the fuel cell vehicle travels. The rear fuel cell includes a top surface that is lower than a top surface of the front fuel cell based on the ground.

[0006] For example, the fuel cell vehicle may further include: a first body frame and a second body frame, which extend in a first direction in which the fuel cell vehicle travels and are arranged to be opposite to each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the space between the first body frame and the second body frame which are spaced apart from each other in the second direction may include a first space and a second space.

[0007] For example, the fuel cell vehicle may further include: a cab; and a loading portion located at a rear side of the cab, and each of the cab and the loading portion may be supported by the first and second vehicle body frames.

[0008] For example, the fuel cell vehicle may further include: a hydrogen storage device located between the cab and the loading portion in the first direction.

[0009] For example, the front fuel cell could be mounted below the cab.

[0010] For example, the top surface of the front fuel cell may be located between the top surface of each of the first and second vehicle body frames and the bottom surface of the cab.

[0011] For example, the rear fuel cell may be installed below the loading portion.

[0012] For example, based on the ground, the top surface of the rear fuel cell may be lower than the bottom surface of the loading portion.

[0013] For example, the rear fuel cell can be installed below the hydrogen storage device.

[0014] For example, based on the ground, the top surface of the rear fuel cell may be lower than the bottom surface of the hydrogen storage device.

[0015] For example, the fuel cell vehicle may further include a front axle, and the front fuel cell may be installed between the cab and the front axle.

[0016] For example, based on the ground, the top surface of the rear fuel cell may be lower than the top surface of the front fuel cell.

[0017] For example, a height difference between a top surface of the front fuel cell and a top surface of the rear fuel cell may be greater than a height difference between the top surface of the rear fuel cell and a bottom surface of the loading portion.

[0018] For example, a height difference between a top surface of the front fuel cell and a top surface of the rear fuel cell may be greater than a height difference between the top surface of the rear fuel cell and a bottom surface of the hydrogen storage device.

[0019] For example, based on the direction in which the fuel cell vehicle travels, the spacing distance between the first body frame and the second body frame in the second direction may gradually decrease from the front to the rear of the fuel cell vehicle.

[0020] For example, the width of the front fuel cell in the second direction may be greater than the width of the rear fuel cell in the second direction, and the width of the rear fuel cell in the second direction may be less than the minimum spacing distance between the first and second body frames in the second direction.

[0021] For example, the fuel cell vehicle may further include: a plurality of front connection members configured to connect the front fuel cells to the first and second body frames; and a plurality of rear connection members configured to connect the rear fuel cells to the first and second body frames.

[0022] For example, the fuel cell vehicle may further include: a plurality of common connection members configured to connect some of the plurality of front connection members and some of the plurality of rear connection members to the first body frame and the second body frame.

[0023] For example, a plurality of front connecting members and a plurality of common connecting members may connect the front fuel cell to the first and second body frames so that the front fuel cell can be mounted on and removed from the first and second body frames.

[0024] For example, a plurality of front connection members may be provided in an area exposed after the cab is tilted.

[0025] For example, a plurality of rear connecting members and a plurality of common connecting members may connect the rear fuel cell to the first and second body frames so that the rear fuel cell can be installed above or below the first and second body frames and can be removed below the first and second body frames.

[0026] For example, each of the plurality of front connection members may include a first mounting support bracket connected to an end of the front fuel cell and a first independent mounting bracket configured to connect the first mounting support bracket to one of the first and second body frames.

[0027] For example, each of the plurality of front connection members may further include a first mounting insulator disposed between the first mounting support bracket and the first independent mounting bracket in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction and having a vibration isolation performance.

[0028] For example, each of the plurality of rear connection members may include a second mounting support bracket connected to an end portion of the rear fuel cell and a second independent mounting bracket configured to connect the second mounting support bracket to one of the first and second body frames.

[0029] For example, each of the plurality of rear connection members may further include: a second mounting insulator disposed between the second mounting support bracket and the second independent mounting bracket in the third direction and having a vibration isolation performance.

[0030] For example, each of the plurality of common connection members may include a common mounting bracket configured to connect a first independent mounting bracket and a second independent mounting bracket adjacent to the first independent mounting bracket in the first direction to the first and second vehicle body frames.

[0031] For example, a first independent mounting bracket may be connected to an upper portion of the common mounting bracket, and a second independent mounting bracket may be connected to a lower portion of the common mounting bracket.

[0032] For example, the front fuel cell may include a first cell stack configured as a plurality of unit cells stacked in a first direction, and the rear fuel cell may include a second cell stack configured as a plurality of unit cells stacked in the first direction.

[0033] For example, the number of unit cells included in the first battery stack and the number of unit cells included in the second battery stack may be the same as each other.

[0034] For example, the number of unit cells included in the first battery stack and the number of unit cells included in the second battery stack may be different from each other. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Arrangements and embodiments may be described in detail with reference to the following drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, and in which:

[0036] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a fuel cell vehicle according to the embodiment;

[0037] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A plan view of a fuel cell vehicle is shown;

[0038] Figure 3A and Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view of a fuel cell vehicle according to an embodiment;

[0039] Figure 4 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of each of a front fuel cell and a rear fuel cell included in a fuel cell vehicle according to an embodiment;

[0040] Figure 5 is a plan view of a fuel cell vehicle according to an embodiment;

[0041] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A partial side sectional view of an example of a fuel cell vehicle is shown;

[0042] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 A plan view of an example of portion A is shown; and

[0043] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A perspective view of an example of a rear connecting member is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings showing various embodiments. However, examples may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be more thorough and complete and will more fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0045] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being 'on' or "under" another element, it can be directly on / under the other element, or one or more intervening elements may also be present.

[0046] When an element is referred to as being “on” or “under”, reference to “under the element” as well as “on the element” can be included.

[0047] Furthermore, relational terms such as "first," "second," "upper," and "lower" are used merely to distinguish one subject or element from another subject or element and do not necessarily require or relate to any physical or logical relationship or order between the subjects or elements.

[0048] Hereinafter, a fuel cell vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For ease of description, a Cartesian coordinate system (x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis) will be used to describe the fuel cell vehicle 300 (300A or 300B). However, other different coordinate systems may be used. In the accompanying drawings, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis of the Cartesian coordinate system are perpendicular to each other. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis may intersect with each other. In the following description, the term "first direction" refers to at least one of the +x-axis direction and the -x-axis direction, the term "second direction" refers to at least one of the +y-axis direction and the -y-axis direction, and the term "third direction" refers to at least one of the +z-axis direction and the -z-axis direction. The term "downward direction (or lower side)" may refer to the direction of gravity toward the ground, and the term "upward direction (or upper side)" may refer to a direction away from the ground, i.e., a direction opposite to the direction indicated by the term "downward direction". The term "forward direction (or front side)" may refer to the direction in which the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) moves forward, and the term "rearward direction (or rear side)" may refer to the direction in which the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) moves backward, that is, the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the term "forward direction".

[0049] Hereinafter, a fuel cell vehicle (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle") 300 (300A or 300B) according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0050] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a fuel cell vehicle 300 according to the embodiment, Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A plan view of a fuel cell vehicle 300 is shown, Figure 3A and Figure 3B sectional views of fuel cell vehicles 300A and 300B according to the embodiment, respectively.

[0051] To facilitate understanding of the vehicle body 320, Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the illustrated fuel cell vehicle 300 , illustration of the front fuel cell (or forward fuel cell) 332 and the rear fuel cell (or rearward fuel cell) 334 is omitted.

[0052] Reference Figures 1 to 3BThe fuel cell vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) according to the embodiment may include a vehicle body 320 and a plurality of fuel cells. For example, the plurality of fuel cells may include a front fuel cell 332 and a rear fuel cell 334. Although the plurality of fuel cells will be described below as including the front fuel cell 332 and the rear fuel cell 334, the following description may also apply to a configuration in which three or more fuel cells are provided.

[0053] First, refer to Figure 4 , an example of each of the front fuel cell 332 and the rear fuel cell 334 included in the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) according to the embodiment will be described. However, the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) according to the embodiment may include a fuel cell having Figure 4 The front fuel cell 332 and the rear fuel cell 334 are shown configured in any of a variety of different configurations.

[0054] Figure 4 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of each of the front fuel cell 332 and the rear fuel cell 334 included in the fuel cell vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) according to the embodiment. Figure 4 Reference to the term “fuel cell” may refer to each of the front fuel cell 332 and the rear fuel cell 334 according to an embodiment.

[0055] The fuel cell may be, for example, a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (or proton exchange membrane fuel cell, PEMFC) which is most widely studied as a power source for driving vehicles.

[0056] The fuel cell may include first and second end plates (pressing plates or compression plates) 110A and 110B, current collectors 112 , and a cell stack 122 .

[0057] The battery stack 122 may include a plurality of unit cells 122-1 to 122-N stacked in a first direction. Here, "N" is a positive integer of 1 or greater and may range from tens to hundreds. However, the present disclosure is not limited to any specific value of "N".

[0058] Hereinafter, the cell stack 122 included in the front fuel cell 332 is referred to as a “first cell stack”, and the cell stack 122 included in the rear fuel cell 334 is referred to as a “second cell stack”.

[0059] According to embodiments, the number of unit cells included in the first battery stack and the number of unit cells included in the second battery stack may be the same as each other, or may be different from each other.

[0060] Each unit cell 122-n (where 1≤n≤N) can generate electricity at 0.6V to 1.0V, with an average of 0.7V. Therefore, "N" can be determined based on the intensity of the power supplied from the fuel cell to the load. Here, "load" can refer to a component in the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) that requires power.

[0061] In particular, the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) according to the embodiment may be a commercial vehicle that requires a large amount of power, such as a bus, a truck, etc. In order to meet the requirement of a large amount of driving power, the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) may include a plurality of (e.g., two) fuel cells, such as a front fuel cell 332 and a rear fuel cell 334.

[0062] Each unit cell 122 - n may include a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) 210 , gas diffusion layers (GDLs) 222 and 224 , gaskets 232 , 234 , and 236 , and separators (or bipolar plates) 242 and 244 .

[0063] The membrane electrode assembly 210 has the following structure: catalyst electrode layers that generate electrochemical reactions are attached to both sides of an electrolyte membrane through which hydrogen ions move. Specifically, the membrane electrode assembly 210 may include a polymer electrolyte membrane (or proton exchange membrane) 212, a fuel electrode (hydrogen electrode or anode) 214, and an air electrode (oxygen electrode or cathode) 216. Furthermore, the membrane electrode assembly 210 may further include a subgasket 238.

[0064] The polymer electrolyte membrane 212 is provided between the fuel electrode 214 and the air electrode 216 .

[0065] Hydrogen gas as fuel in the fuel cell may be supplied to the fuel electrode 214 through the first separator 242 , and air containing oxygen as an oxidant may be supplied to the air electrode 216 through the second separator 244 .

[0066] The hydrogen gas supplied to the fuel electrode 214 is decomposed into hydrogen ions (protons, H + ) and electrons (e - Only hydrogen ions can be selectively transferred to the air electrode 216 via the polymer electrolyte membrane 212, while electrons can be transferred to the air electrode 216 via the gas diffusion layers 222 and 224, which act as conductors, and the first and second separators 242 and 244. To achieve this, a catalyst layer can be applied to each of the fuel electrode 214 and the air electrode 216. The movement of electrons causes them to flow through external wires, generating an electric current. In other words, the fuel cell can generate electricity due to the electrochemical reaction between hydrogen gas, which serves as fuel, and oxygen contained in the air.

[0067] In the air electrode 216, hydrogen ions supplied through the polymer electrolyte membrane 212 and electrons transferred through the first separator 242 and the second separator 244 meet oxygen in the air supplied to the air electrode 216, thereby causing a reaction that generates water (hereinafter referred to as "generated water"). The generated water generated in the air electrode 216 can penetrate the polymer electrolyte membrane 212 and can be transferred to the fuel electrode 214.

[0068] The first and second gas diffusion layers 222 and 224 function to uniformly distribute hydrogen and oxygen as reactant gases and transmit the generated electrical energy. To this end, the first and second gas diffusion layers 222 and 224 may be disposed on either side of the membrane electrode assembly 210. The first gas diffusion layer 222 may diffuse and uniformly distribute hydrogen as a reactant gas supplied via the first separator 242 and may be electrically conductive. The second gas diffusion layer 224 may diffuse and uniformly distribute air as a reactant gas supplied via the second separator 244 and may be electrically conductive.

[0069] Gaskets 232, 234, and 236 maintain the airtightness and clamping pressure of the cell stack at an appropriate level with respect to the reactant gases and coolant, distribute stress when the first and second separators 242, 244 are stacked, and independently seal the flow paths. Thus, since gaskets 232, 234, and 236 maintain airtightness and watertightness, the flatness of the surface adjacent to the power-generating cell stack 122 is ensured, thereby evenly distributing surface pressure on the reactive surface of the cell stack 122.

[0070] The first separator 242 and the second separator 244 may function to move the reaction gas and the cooling medium and to separate each unit cell from the other unit cells. Furthermore, the first separator 242 and the second separator 244 may function to structurally support the membrane electrode assembly 210 and the gas diffusion layers 222 and 224, and to collect the generated current and transfer the collected current to the current collector 112.

[0071] The first separator 242 and the second separator 244 may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction and may be respectively disposed on outer sides of the first gas diffusion layer 222 and the second gas diffusion layer 224. That is, the first separator 242 may be disposed on the left side of the first gas diffusion layer 222, and the second separator 244 may be disposed on the right side of the second gas diffusion layer 224.

[0072] The first separator 242 serves to supply hydrogen as a reaction gas to the fuel electrode 214 through the first gas diffusion layer 222. The second separator 244 serves to supply air as a reaction gas to the air electrode 216 through the second gas diffusion layer 224. In addition, each of the first separator 242 and the second separator 244 may form a channel through which a cooling medium (e.g., a coolant) may flow.

[0073] Each of the first end plate 110A and the second end plate 110B may be provided at a corresponding one of the ends of the battery stack 122 and may support and fix the unit cells. That is, the first end plate 110A may be provided at one end of the battery stack 122, and the second end plate 110B may be provided at the other end of the battery stack 122.

[0074] The current collector 112 may be provided between the battery stack 122 and the inner surface 110AI of the first end plate 110A and the inner surface 110BI of the second end plate 110B facing the battery stack 122. The current collector 112 collects electrical energy generated by the flow of electrons in the battery stack 122 and supplies the electrical energy to a load of the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) using the fuel cell.

[0075] Return to reference Figures 1 to 3B The vehicle body 320 may include a first vehicle body frame 322 and a second vehicle body frame 324 . Optionally, the vehicle body 320 may further include at least one cross member 323 .

[0076] The first and second vehicle body frames 322, 324 may extend in a first direction (either forward or rearward) in which the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) is traveling (or travelling) and may be opposed to each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction. In this case, at least one cross member 323 may be provided (or located) between the first and second vehicle body frames 322, 324 in the vehicle body 320 and may be integrally formed with at least one of the first and second vehicle body frames 322, 324. However, the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) according to this embodiment is not limited to the presence or absence of the cross member 323 or the specific location of the cross member 323.

[0077] The front fuel cell 332 may be installed in the first space S1 of the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B), and the rear fuel cell 334 may be installed in the second space S2 of the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B). Here, the first space S1 may be a space formed between the first and second body frames 322 and 324 of the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B), which are spaced apart from each other in the second direction.

[0078] The second space S2 may be a space located on the rear side of the first space S1 among spaces formed between the first and second body frames 322 and 324 spaced apart from each other in the second direction in the vehicle 300 ( 300A or 300B).

[0079] In addition, if Figure 3A As shown, the vehicle 300 (300A) may include a cab (or cockpit) 310, a loading portion 362, and a hydrogen storage device 350. Alternatively, as Figure 3B As shown, the vehicle 300 (300B) may include a cab 310 and a loading portion 364. The hydrogen storage device 350 may be omitted or may be installed in a manner similar to that of FIG. Figure 3A The positions shown are different locations.

[0080] The loading portion 362 or 364 may be located at the rear side of the cab 310 in the vehicle 300 ( 300A or 300B).

[0081] When the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) is a commercial vehicle such as a truck, the loading portion 362 or 364 can provide a space for loading cargo, and when the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) is a bus, the loading portion 362 or 364 can provide a space for passengers to ride.

[0082] Reference Figure 3A and Figure 3B , the loading parts 362 and 364 are shown as closed types with rectangular cross sections, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, according to another embodiment, Figure 3A and Figure 3B Unlike the illustrated configuration, the loading portions 362 and 364 may have an open-type cross-section having an open upper portion.

[0083] The hydrogen storage device 350 may be located between the cab 310 and the loading portion 362 in the first direction and may store hydrogen required by the front fuel cell 332 and the rear fuel cell 334 as fuel for the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B). Although not shown, Figure 3A The illustrated vehicle 300A may further include conduits for supplying hydrogen from the hydrogen storage device 350 to the front fuel cell 332 and the rear fuel cell 334 , respectively.

[0084] The cab 310 and the loading portion 362 or 364 may be supported by the first body frame 322 and the second body frame 324. The hydrogen storage device 350 may also be supported by the first body frame 322 and the second body frame 324.

[0085] Furthermore, cross member 323 may be used to support at least one of cab 310, loading section 362 or 364, and hydrogen storage device 350. Alternatively, cross member 323 may not support cab 310, loading section 362 or 364, and hydrogen storage device 350, or may be omitted.

[0086] Return to reference Figure 2 , the first space S1 in which the front fuel cell 332 is installed can be formed at the lower end of the cab 310 (or below the cab). When viewed in a plan view, the front fuel cell 332 is hidden by the cab 310 and is therefore not visible. However, in order to facilitate understanding of the embodiment, Figure 2 3. The first space S1 and the first and second body frames 322 and 324 are shown by dotted lines in FIG. The front fuel cell 332 may be installed in the first space S1 between the first and second body frames 322 and 324 below the cab 310.

[0087] According to an embodiment, Figure 3A In the vehicle 300A shown, the second space S2 (S21) where the rear fuel cell 334 is installed (set, connected, connected, positioned or assembled) may be located below the hydrogen storage device 350. In this case, the rear fuel cell 334 may be installed in the Figure 2 In the second space S21 shown, the second space S21 is located between the first body frame 322 and the second body frame 324 in the space below the hydrogen storage device 350 .

[0088] According to another embodiment, Figure 3B In the illustrated vehicle 300B, the second space S2 (S22) in which the rear fuel cell 334 is installed may be located below the loading portion 364. In this case, the rear fuel cell 334 may be installed at any position within the second space S22 between the first and second vehicle body frames 322, 324, below the loading portion 364. For example, the rear fuel cell 334 may be installed in a space S21 within the second space S2 that is adjacent to the first space S1.

[0089] In this case, in the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B), a second space for installing (setting, coupling, connecting, positioning or assembling) the rear fuel cell 334 can be determined within a range where the rear fuel cell 334 does not interfere with components installed on the rear side of the rear fuel cell 334 (e.g., cross member 323, motor, etc.).

[0090] The front fuel cell 332 and the rear fuel cell 334 may be located at various positions relative to the ground G, the bottom surface 350B of the hydrogen storage device 350, the top surface 320T of the first and second body frames 322 and 324, the bottom surface 364B of the loading portion 364, and the bottom surface 310L of the cab 310.

[0091] Hereinafter, respective positions where the front fuel cell 332 and the rear fuel cell 334 are installed in the vehicle 300 ( 300A or 300B) according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0092] In the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) according to the embodiment, the top surface 334T of the rear fuel cell 334 may be lower than the top surface 332T of the front fuel cell 332 based on the ground G. That is, a first height H1 between the top surface 334T of the rear fuel cell 334 and the ground G may be smaller than a second height H2 between the top surface 332T of the front fuel cell 332 and the ground G.

[0093] Furthermore, when viewed in cross section, the top surface 332T of the front fuel cell 332 may be located between the top surface 320T of each of the first and second body frames 322 and 324 and the bottom surface 310L of the cab 310. That is, when viewed in cross section, the top surface 332T of the front fuel cell 332 may be located in the space DS1 between the top surface 320T of each of the first and second body frames 322 and 324 and the bottom surface 310L of the cab 310.

[0094] In addition, the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) may further include a front axle 340. In this case, the front fuel cell 332 may be installed between the cab 310 and the front axle 340.

[0095] According to the embodiment, Figure 3A As shown, the top surface 334T of the rear fuel cell 334 can be lower than the bottom surface 350B of the hydrogen storage device 350 based on the ground G. That is, a first height H1 separating the top surface 334T of the rear fuel cell 334 from the ground G can be less than a third height H31 (hereinafter referred to as the "third-first height") separating the bottom surface 350B of the hydrogen storage device 350 from the ground G. In this case, a height difference DS2 between the first height H1 and the third-first height H31 can be greater than or equal to 0. When viewed from a cross-section, the more the height difference DS2 decreases, the more the length of the space for storing hydrogen in the hydrogen storage device 350 in the third direction can increase.

[0096] Furthermore, a height difference DS3 between the top surface 332T of the front fuel cell 332 and the top surface 334T of the rear fuel cell 334 may be greater than a height difference DS2 between the top surface 334T of the rear fuel cell 334 and the bottom surface 350B of the hydrogen storage device 350 .

[0097] According to another embodiment, Figure 3B As shown, the top surface 334T of the rear fuel cell 334 can be lower than the bottom surface 364B of the loading section 364 based on the ground G. That is, a first height H1 separating the top surface 334T of the rear fuel cell 334 from the ground G can be less than a third height H32 (hereinafter referred to as the "third-second height") separating the bottom surface 364B of the loading section 364 from the ground G. In this case, a height difference DS2 between the first height H1 and the third-second height H32 can be greater than or equal to 0. When viewed from a cross-section, the more the height difference DS2 decreases, the more the length of the cargo loading space in the loading section 350 in the third direction can increase.

[0098] Furthermore, a height difference DS3 between the top surface 332T of the front fuel cell 332 and the top surface 334T of the rear fuel cell 334 may be greater than a height difference DS2 between the top surface 334T of the rear fuel cell 334 and the bottom surface 364B of the loading portion 364 .

[0099] Figure 5 is a plan view of a fuel cell vehicle 300 ( 300A or 300B) according to the embodiment.

[0100] Figure 5 Corresponding to Figure 3A The vehicle 300A shown and Figure 3B A plan view of each of the vehicles 300B is shown. To facilitate understanding of the structure in which each of the front fuel cell 332 and the rear fuel cell 334 is connected to the first body frame 322 and the second body frame 324, Figure 5 Illustration of the cab 310 , the loading portion 362 or 364 , and the hydrogen storage device 350 mounted (disposed, coupled, connected, positioned, or assembled) on the first vehicle body frame 322 and the second vehicle body frame 324 is omitted.

[0101] Reference Figure 5The spacing distance between the first body frame 322 and the second body frame 324 in the second direction may gradually decrease from the front of the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) to the rear of the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B). The spacing distance between the first body frame 322 and the second body frame 324 in the second direction may be largest at the front end of the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) and smallest at the rear end of the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B). That is, the spacing distance between the first body frame 322 and the second body frame 324 in the second direction may have a maximum value YMA at the front end of the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) and a minimum value YMI at the rear end of the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B).

[0102] When viewed in plan, as described above, when the spacing distance between the first and second body frames 322, 324 in the second direction gradually decreases from the front of the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) to the rear of the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B), the width YF of the front fuel cell 332 in the second direction can be greater than the width YB of the rear fuel cell 334 in the second direction. Alternatively, the width YF and the width YB can be the same. The width YB of the rear fuel cell 334 in the second direction can be less than the minimum spacing distance YMI between the first and second body frames 322, 324 in the second direction. With this structure, even when the minimum spacing distance YMI between the first and second body frames 322, 324 in the second direction is small, the front and rear fuel cells 332, 334 are respectively installed in the first and second spaces S1, S21, or S22 between the first and second body frames 322, 324.

[0103] The vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) according to the embodiment may further include a plurality of front connecting members FC (eg, FC1 to FC4) and a plurality of rear connecting members BC (eg, BC1 to BC4). Alternatively, the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) according to the embodiment may further include a plurality of common connecting members CC.

[0104] The front connection members FC serve to connect (couple, assemble, arrange, or place) the front fuel cell 332 to the first and second vehicle body frames 322, 324. For example, the front connection members FC may include first to fourth front connection members FC1 to FC4 located between the front fuel cell 332 and the first and second vehicle body frames 322, 324. However, the present disclosure is not limited to a specific number of front connection members FC.

[0105] The rear connecting member BC serves to connect (couple, assemble, arrange, or place) the rear fuel cell 334 to the first and second vehicle body frames 322, 324. For example, the rear connecting member BC may include first to fourth rear connecting members BC1 to BC4 located between the rear fuel cell 334 and the first and second vehicle body frames 322, 324. However, the present disclosure is not limited to a specific number of rear connecting members BC.

[0106] although Figure 5 332 and the rear fuel cell 334 each have a rectangular plane, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Figure 5 As shown, each of the front fuel cell 332 and the rear fuel cell 334 will be described as having a rectangular plane. However, the following description can also be applied to the case where each of the front fuel cell 332 and the rear fuel cell 334 has a polygonal plane, a circular plane, or an elliptical plane.

[0107] The front fuel cell 332 may include four side surfaces, ie, first to fourth side surfaces FS1 , FS2 , FS3 , and FS4 .

[0108] According to the embodiment, Figure 5 As shown, each of the second front connection member FC2 and the third front connection member FC3 may be disposed between the first side surface FS1 of the front fuel cell 332 and the first body frame 322, and may connect the front fuel cell 332 to the first body frame 322. Each of the first front connection member FC1 and the fourth front connection member FC4 may be disposed between the third side surface FS3 of the front fuel cell 332 and the second body frame 324, and may connect the front fuel cell 332 to the second body frame 324.

[0109] According to another embodiment, Figure 5 Unlike the configuration shown, each of the second front connecting member FC2 and the third front connecting member FC3 can connect at least one of the second side FS2, the fourth side FS4, the angle between the first side FS1 and the second side FS2, and the angle between the first side FS1 and the fourth side FS4 of the front fuel cell 332 to the first vehicle body frame 322. Figure 5 Unlike the configuration shown, each of the first front connecting member FC1 and the fourth front connecting member FC4 can connect at least one of the second side FS2, the fourth side FS4, the angle between the second side FS2 and the third side FS3, and the angle between the third side FS3 and the fourth side FS4 of the front fuel cell 332 to the second body frame 324.

[0110] The rear fuel cell 334 may include four side surfaces, ie, first to fourth side surfaces BS1 , BS2 , BS3 , and BS4 .

[0111] According to the embodiment, Figure 5 As shown, each of the second rear connecting member BC2 and the third rear connecting member BC3 may be disposed between the first side BS1 of the rear fuel cell 334 and the first body frame 322, and may connect the rear fuel cell 334 to the first body frame 322. Each of the first rear connecting member BC1 and the fourth rear connecting member BC4 may be disposed between the third side BS3 of the rear fuel cell 334 and the second body frame 324, and may connect the rear fuel cell 334 to the second body frame 324.

[0112] According to another embodiment, Figure 5 Unlike the configuration shown, each of the second rear connecting member BC2 and the third rear connecting member BC3 can connect at least one of the second side BS2, the fourth side BS4, the corner between the first side BS1 and the second side BS2, and the corner between the first side BS1 and the fourth side BS4 of the rear fuel cell 334 to the first vehicle body frame 322. Figure 5 Unlike the configuration shown, each of the first rear connecting member BC1 and the fourth rear connecting member BC4 can connect at least one of the second side BS2, the fourth side BS4, the angle between the second side BS2 and the third side BS3, and the angle between the third side BS3 and the fourth side BS4 of the rear fuel cell 334 to the second body frame 324.

[0113] The plurality of common connecting members CC serve to connect (couple, assemble, arrange, or place) some of the front connecting members FC and some of the rear connecting members BC to the first and second vehicle body frames 322 and 324. For example, the common connecting members CC may include a first common connecting member CC1 and a second common connecting member CC2, but the present disclosure is not limited to a specific number of common connecting members CC.

[0114] Each of the plurality of common connecting members CC functions to connect a corresponding one of the front connecting members and a corresponding one of the rear connecting members adjacent to each other in the first direction to a corresponding one of the first body frame 322 and the second body frame 324. Specifically, the third front connecting member FC3 of the front connecting members FC and the third rear connecting member BC3 of the rear connecting members BC are adjacent to each other in the first direction. Furthermore, the fourth front connecting member FC4 of the front connecting members FC and the fourth rear connecting member BC4 of the rear connecting members BC are adjacent to each other in the first direction. The first common connecting member CC1 functions to connect the third front connecting member FC3 and the third rear connecting member BC3 to the first body frame 322, and the second common connecting member CC2 functions to connect the fourth front connecting member FC4 and the fourth rear connecting member BC4 to the second body frame 324.

[0115] In addition, the front connecting member FC and the common connecting member CC can connect the front fuel cell 332 to the first body frame 322 and the second body frame 324 so that the front fuel cell 332 can be installed (fixed, coupled, connected or assembled) above the first body frame 322 and the second body frame 324 and can be disassembled (unloaded, dismantled or removed) above the first body frame 322 and the second body frame 324.

[0116] Hereinafter, a method of mounting and detaching the front fuel cell 332 to and from the vehicle 300 ( 300A or 300B) using the front connecting member FC will be described.

[0117] First, a method of mounting the front fuel cell 332 to the vehicle 300 ( 300A or 300B) will be described.

[0118] According to an embodiment, the cab 310 is Figure 3A and Figure 3B The front fuel cell 332 is tilted in the direction indicated by the arrow AR shown. Thereafter, the first to fourth front connecting members FC1 to FC4 are connected to the front fuel cell 332. The first and second front connecting members FC1 and FC2 are then connected to the first and second body frames 322 and 324 above the first and second body frames 322 and 324. The third and fourth front connecting members FC3 and FC4 are then connected to the first and second common connecting members CC1 and CC2, thereby completing the installation of the front fuel cell 332.

[0119] According to another embodiment, the cab 310 is Figure 3A and Figure 3BThe front fuel cell 332 is tilted in the direction indicated by the arrow AR. Thereafter, the first and second front connecting members FC1 and FC2 are connected above the first and second body frames 322 and 324, and the third and fourth front connecting members FC3 and FC4 are connected to the first and second common connecting members CC1 and CC2, respectively. The first to fourth front connecting members FC1 to FC4 are then connected to the front fuel cell 332, completing the installation of the front fuel cell 332.

[0120] Next, a method of detaching the front fuel cell 332 from the vehicle 300 ( 300A or 300B) will be described.

[0121] According to an embodiment, the cab 310 is Figure 3A and Figure 3B The first and second front connecting members FC1 and FC2 are then separated from the first and second body frames 322 and 324, respectively, above the first and second body frames 322 and 324. The third and fourth front connecting members FC3 and FC4 are then separated from the first and second common connecting members CC1 and CC2. The separated components are then withdrawn upward from the first and second body frames 322 and 324. The first to fourth front connecting members FC1 to FC4 are then separated from the front fuel cell 332, thereby removing the front fuel cell 332 from the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B).

[0122] According to another embodiment, the cab 310 is Figure 3A and Figure 3B The front fuel cell 332 is then tilted in the direction indicated by the arrow AR shown. The first to fourth front connecting members FC1 to FC4 are then separated from the front fuel cell 332. The separated front fuel cell 332 is then withdrawn upward from the first and second body frames 322, 322. The first and second front connecting members FC1 and FC2 are then separated from the first and second body frames 322, 324, respectively, above the first and second body frames 322, 324, and the third and fourth front connecting members FC3 and FC4 are separated from the first and second common connecting members CC1 and CC2, respectively, thereby removing the front fuel cell 332 from the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B).

[0123] As described above, in order to mount or remove the front fuel cell 332 to or from the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B), the front connecting member FC may be provided at the cab 310 between the front fuel cell 332 and the front fuel cell 332. Figure 3A and Figure 3BThus, for example, when it is desired to perform maintenance / repair on the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) equipped with the front fuel cell 332, the front fuel cell 332 can be easily removed from the first and second body frames 322 and 324.

[0124] In addition, the rear connecting member BC and the common connecting member CC can connect the rear fuel cell 334 to the first and second body frames 322 and 324 so that the rear fuel cell 334 can be installed above or below the first and second body frames 322 and 324 and can be removed below the first and second body frames 322 and 324.

[0125] Hereinafter, a method of mounting or detaching the rear fuel cell 334 to or from the vehicle 300 ( 300A or 300B) using the rear connecting member BC will be described.

[0126] First, a method of initially installing the rear fuel cell 334 to the vehicle 300 ( 300A or 300B) will be described.

[0127] According to an embodiment, the first to fourth rear connecting members BC1 to BC4 are connected to the rear fuel cell 334, and then the first and second rear connecting members BC1 and BC2 are connected to the first and second body frames 322 and 324 above or below the first and second body frames 322 and 324, respectively, and the third and fourth rear connecting members BC3 and BC4 are connected to the first and second common connecting members CC1 and CC2, respectively, thereby completing the installation of the rear fuel cell 334.

[0128] According to another embodiment, the first and second rear connecting members BC1 and BC2 are connected to the first and second body frames 322 and 324, respectively, above and below the first and second body frames 322 and 324, and the third and fourth rear connecting members BC3 and BC4 are connected to the first and second common connecting members CC1 and CC2, respectively. Thereafter, the rear fuel cell 334 is connected to the first to fourth rear connecting members BC1 to BC4, completing the installation of the rear fuel cell 334.

[0129] After the rear fuel cell 334 is initially installed to the vehicle 300 ( 300A or 300B) in the manner described above, the rear fuel cell 334 may be removed from the vehicle 300 ( 300A or 300B) according to the method described below.

[0130] According to the embodiment, the first to fourth rear connecting members BC1 to BC4 are separated from the rear fuel cell 334 below the first and second body frames 322 and 324, and the separated rear fuel cell 334 is withdrawn downward from the first and second body frames 322 and 324. Thereafter, the first and second rear connecting members BC1 and BC2 are separated from the first and second body frames 322 and 324, respectively, below the first and second body frames 322 and 324, and the third and fourth rear connecting members BC3 and BC4 are separated from the first and second common connecting members CC1 and CC2, respectively, thereby completing the removal of the rear fuel cell 334.

[0131] According to another embodiment, the first and second rear connecting members BC1 and BC2 are separated from the first and second body frames 322 and 324, respectively, below the first and second body frames 322 and 324. The third and fourth rear connecting members BC3 and BC4 are separated from the first and second common connecting members CC1 and CC2, respectively. Thereafter, the first to fourth rear connecting members BC1 to BC4 are separated from the rear fuel cell 334, thereby completing the removal of the rear fuel cell 334.

[0132] Next, a method of re-mounting the rear fuel cell 334 , which has been detached from the vehicle 300 ( 300A or 300B), to the vehicle 300 ( 300A or 300B) will be described below.

[0133] According to the embodiment, the first to fourth rear connecting members BC1 to BC4 are connected to the rear fuel cell 334. Thereafter, the first and second rear connecting members BC1 and BC2 are connected to the first and second body frames 322 and 324, respectively, below the first and second body frames 322 and 324, and the third and fourth rear connecting members BC3 and BC4 are connected to the first and second common connecting members CC1 and CC2, respectively, thereby completing the installation of the rear fuel cell 334.

[0134] According to another embodiment, the first and second rear connecting members BC1 and BC2 are connected to the first and second body frames 322 and 324, respectively, below the first and second body frames 322 and 324. The third and fourth rear connecting members BC3 and BC4 are connected to the first and second common connecting members CC1 and CC2, respectively. Thereafter, the rear fuel cell 334 is connected to the first to fourth rear connecting members BC1 to BC4 below the first and second body frames 322 and 324, completing the installation of the rear fuel cell 334.

[0135] As described above, according to the embodiment, after the rear fuel cell 334 has been initially mounted on the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B), the rear fuel cell 334 can be removed from the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) below the first body frame 322 and the second body frame 324 and mounted again on the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) for maintenance / repair, etc. Therefore, it is not necessary to remove the rear fuel cell 334 from the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) in order to install or remove the rear fuel cell 334. Figure 3A The hydrogen storage device 350 and Figure 3B The loading portion 364 is shown.

[0136] Furthermore, as described above, the front fuel cell 332 can be installed and removed above the first and second vehicle body frames 322 and 324, while the rear fuel cell 334 can be installed and removed below them. That is, according to this embodiment, the installation and removal directions of the front fuel cell 332 and the rear fuel cell 334 differ. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the connection state of the rear fuel cell 334 from being affected by the installation or removal process of the front fuel cell 332, and vice versa. To this end, the third front connecting member FC3 and the third rear connecting member BC3, which are positioned adjacent to each other in the first direction, are not directly connected to the first vehicle body frame 322 but are indirectly connected to the first vehicle body frame 322 via the first common connecting member CC1. Furthermore, the fourth front connecting member FC4 and the fourth rear connecting member BC4, which are positioned adjacent to each other in the first direction, are not directly connected to the second vehicle body frame 324 but are indirectly connected to the second vehicle body frame 324 via the second common connecting member CC2.

[0137] Hereinafter, examples of the front connecting member FC, the rear connecting member BC, and the common connecting member CC will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0138] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A partial side cross-sectional view of an example of a fuel cell vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) is shown.

[0139] Figure 6 One of the front connecting members FC, one of the rear connecting members BC and one of the common connecting members CC are shown.

[0140] like Figure 6 As shown, each of the front connection members 370 according to an embodiment may include a first mounting support bracket 372 and a first independent mounting bracket 374. The first mounting support bracket 372 is a portion of the front connection member 370 connected to the end of the front fuel cell 332.

[0141] The first independent mounting bracket 374 is a portion of the front connecting member 370 that connects the first mounting support bracket 372 to one of the first vehicle body frame 322 , the second vehicle body frame 324 , the first common connecting member CC1 , and the second common connecting member CC2 .

[0142] when Figure 6 The front connecting member 370 shown corresponds to Figure 5 When the first front connecting member FC1 and the second front connecting member FC2 are Figure 6 Unlike the configuration shown, each of the first independent mounting brackets 374 of the first and second front connecting members FC1 and FC2 may not be connected to the corresponding common connecting member CC (390), but may be connected to a corresponding one of the first and second body frames 322 and 324. However, when Figure 6 The front connecting member 370 shown corresponds to Figure 5 When the third front connecting member FC3 and the fourth front connecting member FC4 are shown, Figure 6 As shown, each of the first independent mounting brackets 374 of the third and fourth front connecting members FC3 and FC4 may be connected to a corresponding common connecting member CC (390).

[0143] In addition, each of the front connection members 370 may further include a first mounting insulator (or bushing) 376. The first mounting insulator 376 may be connected to the front fuel cell 332 through a first mounting support bracket 372.

[0144] The first mounting insulator 376 is disposed between the first mounting support bracket 372 and the first independent mounting bracket 374 in the third direction and has vibration isolation properties. The first mounting insulator 376 can prevent or minimize the transmission of vibration from the first mounting support bracket 372 to the first independent mounting bracket 374, and can also prevent or minimize the transmission of vibration from the first independent mounting bracket 374 to the first mounting support bracket 372.

[0145] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, Figure 6 As shown, each of the rear connecting members 380 in the rear connecting members BC may include a second mounting support bracket 382 and a second independent mounting bracket 384. The second mounting support bracket 382 is a portion of the rear connecting member 380 connected to the end of the rear fuel cell 334. The second independent mounting bracket 384 is a portion of the rear connecting member 380 that connects the second mounting support bracket 382 to one of the first vehicle body frame 322, the second vehicle body frame 324, the first common connecting member CC1, and the second common connecting member CC2.

[0146] when Figure 6 The rear connecting member 380 shown corresponds to Figure 5 The first rear connecting member BC1 and the second rear connecting member BC2 are shown in FIG. Figure 6 Unlike the configuration shown, each of the second independent mounting brackets 384 of the first and second rear connecting members BC1 and BC2 may not be connected to the corresponding common connecting member CC (390), but may be connected to a corresponding one of the first and second body frames 322 and 324. However, when Figure 6 The rear connecting member 380 shown corresponds to Figure 5 When the third rear connecting member BC3 and the fourth rear connecting member BC4 are shown, Figure 6 As shown, each of the second independent mounting brackets 384 of the third and fourth rear connecting members BC3 and BC4 may be connected to a corresponding common connecting member CC (390).

[0147] In addition, each of the rear connection members 380 in the rear connection members BC may further include a second mounting insulator 386. The second mounting insulator 386 may be connected to the rear fuel cell 334 through a second mounting support bracket 382.

[0148] Second mounting insulator 386 is disposed between second mounting support bracket 382 and second independent mounting bracket 384 in the third direction and has vibration isolation properties. Second mounting insulator 386 can prevent or minimize the transmission of vibration from second mounting support bracket 382 to second independent mounting bracket 384, and can also prevent or minimize the transmission of vibration from second independent mounting bracket 384 to second mounting support bracket 382.

[0149] In addition, each of the common connection members CC may include a common mounting bracket 390. The common mounting bracket 390 functions to connect the first and second independent mounting brackets 374 and 384 adjacent to each other in the first direction to the first and second body frames 322 and 324.

[0150] For example, Figure 6 The common mounting bracket 390 shown can connect the first independent mounting bracket 374 of the third front connecting member FC3 (370) and the second independent mounting bracket 384 of the third rear connecting member BC3 (380) adjacent to each other in the first direction to the first and second body frames 322 and 324.

[0151] also, Figure 6The common mounting bracket 390 shown can connect the first independent mounting bracket 374 of the fourth front connecting member FC4 (370) and the second independent mounting bracket 384 of the fourth rear connecting member BC4 (380) adjacent to each other in the first direction to the first and second body frames 322 and 324.

[0152] To this end, each of the common mounting brackets 390 of the first and second common connecting members CC1 and CC2 may be directly connected to a corresponding one of the first and second body frames 322 and 324 .

[0153] Reference Figure 6 , the first independent mounting bracket 374 of the front connecting member 370 can be connected to the upper portion (or top surface) CCU of the common mounting bracket 390, and the second independent mounting bracket 384 of the rear connecting member 380 can be connected to the lower portion (or bottom surface) CCL of the common mounting bracket 390. As described above, this is used to allow the front connecting member 370 to be installed or removed above the first and second body frames 322 and 324, and to allow the rear connecting member 380 to be installed or removed below the first and second body frames 322 and 324.

[0154] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 A plan view of an example of portion A is shown.

[0155] like Figure 7 As shown, Figure 5 The second rear connecting member BC2 shown may be connected to the first vehicle body frame 322. Although not shown, Figure 5 The first rear connecting member BC1 shown can be Figure 7 The illustrated embodiment is connected to the second vehicle body frame 324 .

[0156] Figure 7 The second mounting support bracket 382A, the second independent mounting bracket 384A and the second mounting insulator 386A are shown to correspond to Figure 6 A second mounting support bracket 382 , a second separate mounting bracket 384 , and a second mounting insulator 386 are shown.

[0157] As described above, in order to allow the rear connecting member BC (380) to be mounted to or removed from the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) below the first body frame 322 and the second body frame 324, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 As shown, the second independent mounting bracket 384A may be connected while surrounding the first body frame 322 , and may be detached from the first body frame 322 below the first body frame 322 .

[0158] In addition, if Figure 7 As shown, the second mounting support bracket 382A may include a bent portion P. Although not shown, the first mounting support bracket 372 may also be Figure 7 The front and rear connecting members FC and BC include a bent portion P in the same manner as shown. This is to connect the front fuel cell 332 and the rear fuel cell 334, which are respectively arranged in the first space S1 and the second space S2 formed between the first and second body frames 322 and 324, which are spaced apart from each other in the second direction, to the first and second body frames 322 and 324, which extend in the first direction. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Depending on the portion where the front and rear connecting members FC and BC are provided, or depending on the shape of the front and rear connecting members FC and BC, the front and rear connecting members FC and BC may not include the bent portion P.

[0159] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A perspective view of an example of a rear connecting member 380A is shown.

[0160] Reference Figure 8 , the second independent mounting bracket 384A of the rear connection member 380A may be coupled to the first vehicle body frame 322 by screws 394 . In addition, the second mounting support bracket 382A of the rear connection member 380A may be coupled to the rear fuel cell 334 by screws 392 .

[0161] Although not shown, the first mounting support bracket 372 of each of the first to fourth front connecting members FC1 to FC4 may be coupled to the front fuel cell 332 by screws, and the first independent mounting bracket 374 of each of the first to fourth front connecting members FC1 to FC4 may be coupled to the first body frame 322, the second body frame 324, or the common mounting bracket 390 by screws. In addition, the second mounting support bracket 382 of each of the first, third, and fourth rear connecting members BC1, BC3, and BC4 may be coupled to the rear fuel cell 334 by screws, and the second independent mounting bracket 384 of each of the first, third, and fourth rear connecting members BC1, BC3, and BC4 may be coupled to the first, second, and common mounting bracket 390 by screws.

[0162] The fuel cell vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) according to the embodiment may correspond to a commercial vehicle such as a truck or bus that is heavier or larger than a passenger vehicle. Therefore, the fuel cell vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) according to the embodiment uses a plurality of fuel cells 332 and 334. The fuel cell vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) according to the embodiment can exhibit various effects by effectively arranging the fuel cells 332 and 334.

[0163] In the fuel cell vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) according to the embodiment, the fuel cells 332 and 334 are arranged so that when the fuel cells 332 and 334 are removed from the vehicle and installed again to the vehicle for maintenance / repair, it is not necessary to remove other components of the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B), thereby improving maintenance efficiency. In particular, in the fuel cell vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) according to the embodiment, when maintenance / repair is performed, the rear fuel cell 334 can be removed or connected below the first body frame 322 and the second body frame 324. Therefore, when the rear fuel cell 334 is removed from the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) and installed again to the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B), it is not necessary to remove the rear fuel cell 334 from the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B). Figure 3A The hydrogen storage device 350 or Figure 3B The loading section 364 is shown, thereby reducing the time and cost required for maintenance / repair of the fuel cells 332 and 334.

[0164] In addition, due to Figure 3A Since the height difference DS2 in the cross section shown is small, the length of the space occupied by the hydrogen storage device 350 in the third direction can be increased, and thus the amount of hydrogen that can be loaded into the hydrogen storage device 350 as fuel for the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) can be increased. The increase in the amount of hydrogen loaded as fuel for the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) can increase the distance that the vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) can travel.

[0165] In addition, due to Figure 3B The height difference DS2 on the cross section shown is smaller, so the length of the space occupied by the loading portion 364 in the third direction can be increased, and thus the amount of cargo that can be loaded into the loading portion 364 (or when the vehicle is a bus, the number of passengers who can ride in the vehicle) can be increased.

[0166] In addition, in the fuel cell vehicle 300 (300A or 300B) according to the embodiment, the width YF of the front fuel cell 332 in the second direction and the width YB of the rear fuel cell 334 in the second direction can be adjusted so as not to affect the arrangement of components (e.g., pipes, wiring, etc.) around the front fuel cell 332 and the rear fuel cell 334.

[0167] As is apparent from the above description, the embodiment provides a fuel cell vehicle in which a plurality of fuel cells are efficiently arranged, thereby improving its maintainability, increasing its driving range, and increasing the amount of cargo that can be loaded therein or the number of passengers that can be seated therein.

[0168] Without departing from the purpose of the present disclosure, unless the above-mentioned various embodiments are contrary to each other, the above-mentioned various embodiments may be combined with each other. In addition, for any element not described in detail in any one of the various embodiments, the description of the element with the same reference numeral in another embodiment can be referred to.

[0169] Although the present disclosure has been specifically shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, these embodiments are presented for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the present disclosure, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the basic features of the embodiments set forth herein. For example, the various configurations set forth in the embodiments may be modified and applied. Furthermore, differences in such modifications and applications should be interpreted as falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A fuel cell vehicle comprising: a front fuel cell installed in the first space; a rear fuel cell installed in a second space located on a rear side of the first space based on a direction in which the fuel cell vehicle travels, and including a top surface lower than a top surface of the front fuel cell based on the ground; cab; as well as The loading part is located at the rear side of the cab. wherein the rear fuel cell is installed below the loading portion, and A height difference between a top surface of the front fuel cell and a top surface of the rear fuel cell is greater than a height difference between a top surface of the rear fuel cell and a bottom surface of the loading portion.

2. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising: a first vehicle body frame and a second vehicle body frame extending in a first direction and facing each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction, the first direction being a direction in which the fuel cell vehicle travels, A space between the first vehicle body frame and the second vehicle body frame spaced apart from each other in the second direction includes the first space and the second space.

3. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 2, wherein: Each of the cab and the loading portion is supported by the first vehicle body frame and the second vehicle body frame.

4. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 3, further comprising: The hydrogen storage device is located between the cab and the loading portion in the first direction.

5. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 4, wherein: The rear fuel cell is installed below the hydrogen storage device.

6. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 5, wherein: Based on the ground, a top surface of the rear fuel cell is lower than a bottom surface of the hydrogen storage device.

7. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 5, wherein: A height difference between a top surface of the front fuel cell and a top surface of the rear fuel cell is greater than a height difference between a top surface of the rear fuel cell and a bottom surface of the hydrogen storage device.

8. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 3, wherein: The front fuel cell is installed below the cab.

9. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 8, further comprising: front axle, The front fuel cell is installed between the cab and the front axle.

10. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 3, wherein: A top surface of the front fuel cell is located between a top surface of each of the first and second vehicle body frames and a bottom surface of the cab.

11. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 3, wherein: Based on the ground, a top surface of the rear fuel cell is lower than a bottom surface of the loading portion.

12. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 3, wherein: Based on the direction in which the fuel cell vehicle is traveling, a spacing distance between the first body frame and the second body frame in the second direction gradually decreases from the front of the fuel cell vehicle to the rear of the fuel cell vehicle.

13. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 12, wherein: The width of the front fuel cell in the second direction is greater than the width of the rear fuel cell in the second direction, and A width of the rear fuel cell in the second direction is smaller than a minimum spacing distance between the first vehicle body frame and the second vehicle body frame in the second direction.

14. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 3, further comprising: a plurality of front connecting members connecting the front fuel cell to the first body frame and the second body frame; as well as A plurality of rear connecting members connect the rear fuel cell to the first body frame and the second body frame.

15. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 14, further comprising: A plurality of common connecting members connects some of the plurality of front connecting members and some of the plurality of rear connecting members to the first body frame and the second body frame.

16. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 15, wherein: Each of the plurality of front connecting members comprises: a first mounting support bracket connected to an end of the front fuel cell; and A first independent mounting bracket connects the first mounting support bracket to one of the first body frame and the second body frame.

17. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 16, wherein: Each of the plurality of rear connecting members comprises: a second mounting support bracket connected to an end of the rear fuel cell; and A second independent mounting bracket connects the second mounting support bracket to one of the first body frame and the second body frame.

18. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 17, wherein: Each of the plurality of common connection members comprises: A common mounting bracket connects the first independent mounting bracket and the second independent mounting bracket adjacent to the first independent mounting bracket in the first direction to the first vehicle body frame and the second vehicle body frame.

19. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 18, wherein: The first independent mounting bracket is connected to the upper portion of the common mounting bracket, and The second independent mounting bracket is connected to a lower portion of the common mounting bracket.

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