fuel cell vehicles

Abstract

This invention provides a fuel cell vehicle that can reduce the impact on the fuel tanks and prevent damage to the fuel tanks even in the event of a side collision. The fuel cell vehicle (1) has a body frame (3) with a pair of longitudinal beams (3A) at the lower part of the vehicle body (2), a plurality of fuel tanks (31) for supplying fuel gas to the fuel cell stack (10), and a radiator (43B) as a cooling system. The fuel tanks (31) are mounted on the vehicle body (2) in the width direction (W) relative to the longitudinal beams (3A) in such a way that the cylindrical portion (31a) is along the front-rear direction. The radiator (43B) is mounted on the vehicle body (2) in the width direction (W) further out relative to the fuel tanks (31) in a parallel manner with the fuel tanks (31).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a fuel cell vehicle equipped with a fuel tank for supplying fuel gas to a fuel cell stack. Background Technology

[0002] Conventional fuel cell vehicles, for example, have been disclosed in Patent Document 1, which discloses a fuel cell vehicle supporting a fuel tank having a cylindrical portion extending in the longitudinal direction. The fuel cell tank is positioned on the outside of the vehicle body frame in the width direction of the vehicle body.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-121656 Summary of the Invention

[0005] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0006] However, in cases where the fuel cell vehicle described in Patent Document 1 experiences an impact on the side of the vehicle due to a collision, the external force based on the impact will directly act on the fuel tank.

[0007] In view of this situation, the present invention provides a fuel cell vehicle that can reduce the impact applied to the fuel tank when an impact is applied to the side of the vehicle.

[0008] Methods for solving problems

[0009] To address the aforementioned issues, the fuel cell vehicle of the present invention comprises: a vehicle body; a drive unit for driving the vehicle body; a fuel cell system for supplying power to the drive unit; and a cooling system for cooling at least one of the components of the drive unit and the fuel cell system.

[0010] The vehicle body has a frame at its lower part, and the fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack and multiple fuel tanks for supplying fuel gas to the fuel cell stack. Each fuel tank has a cylindrical portion and a pair of rounded tops formed at both ends of the cylindrical portion. The vehicle frame has a pair of longitudinal beams extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The cooling system includes a radiator.

[0011] The fuel tank is mounted on the vehicle body in the vehicle width direction relative to the longitudinal beam, such that the axis of the cylindrical portion is along the front-rear direction. The radiator is mounted on the vehicle body in the vehicle width direction, parallel to the fuel tank, on the outer side of the vehicle body relative to the fuel tank.

[0012] According to the present invention, when an impact-based external force is applied to the side of a fuel cell vehicle, a radiator installed on the outer side of the fuel tank in the vehicle width direction acts as an impact-absorbing component for the fuel tank. As a result, the impact on the fuel tank can be reduced. Furthermore, in the vehicle width direction, an elongated space extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body is formed on the outer side of the fuel tank; such a space is difficult to utilize. However, according to the present invention, a radiator can be installed as a device suitable for such a shaped space, thus effectively utilizing the equipment configuration space of the vehicle body.

[0013] As a more preferred embodiment, the radiator may include a radiator body for coolant flow and a fan for blowing air toward the radiator body, wherein the fan is configured such that its rotation axis is offset in the vertical direction relative to the axis of the cylindrical portion of the fuel tank.

[0014] In this design, the radiator fan directs airflow towards the radiator body, and therefore the fan's rotation axis is positioned along the vehicle width direction. Here, when the fan and radiator shift inwards along the vehicle width direction due to an impact to the side of the vehicle body, the portion of the fan along the rotation axis (e.g., the rotation axis itself) may sometimes come into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the fuel tank. Because the portion along the rotation axis has high rigidity, the fuel tank is easily damaged. However, according to this design, even in such a situation, because the axis of the cylindrical portion of the fuel tank is offset from the fan's rotation axis, the portion along the rotation axis slides and shifts on the tank surface, thus releasing the external force acting on the fuel tank through that portion.

[0015] As a more preferred option, when viewing the vehicle body from the side, the radiator body may be configured to cover the junction between the cylindrical portion and each of the dome portions.

[0016] According to this design, the fuel tank for storing hydrogen as fuel in a fuel cell vehicle has, for example, a cylindrical portion and a pair of dome-shaped openings formed at both ends of the cylindrical portion. In such a fuel tank shape, the junction between each dome and the cylindrical portion is weaker than the rest of the fuel tank. Therefore, according to this design, since the weak junction between the pair of dome-shaped openings and the cylindrical portion is covered by a radiator body, deformation and breakage of the fuel tank can be prevented even when subjected to external forces due to impact.

[0017] Invention Effects

[0018] The fuel cell vehicle according to the present invention can reduce the impact applied to the fuel tank when an impact is applied to the side of the vehicle. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1This is a schematic side view of one embodiment of the fuel cell vehicle of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The image shows a top view of the fuel cell vehicle.

[0021] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The image shows a rear view of the fuel cell vehicle.

[0022] Figure 4 It is shown in Figures 1 to 3 The diagram shows a block diagram of the main structural components of the fuel cell system used in a fuel cell vehicle.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a side view showing the main part of the support device for mounting the fuel tank and radiator to the vehicle frame in the fuel cell vehicle of this embodiment.

[0024] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 AA line view in the middle. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the fuel cell vehicle of this embodiment will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 This is a schematic elevation view of the fuel cell vehicle according to this embodiment. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Top view, Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The rear view. Additionally, in the above figures, only a portion of the structure is shown schematically, and some parts of the structure have been omitted for ease of understanding.

[0026] 1. Overall structure of fuel cell vehicle (vehicle) 1

[0027] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the fuel cell vehicle 1 of this embodiment includes a vehicle body 2 and a drive unit 5 that serves as a power source for driving the vehicle body 2. Furthermore, the fuel cell vehicle 1 includes a fuel cell system 100 that supplies electricity to the drive unit 5 and a cooling system 40 that cools at least one of the components of the drive unit 5 and the fuel cell system 100. The fuel cell vehicle (vehicle) 1 of this embodiment is basically a truck or similar vehicle, equipped with the fuel cell system described later.

[0028] 2. Regarding the vehicle body 2 and drive unit 5

[0029] The vehicle body 2 includes: a driver's cab 6, a container 8 located behind the driver's cab 6, and a body frame 3 located at the lower part of the vehicle body 2 and extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Additionally, in Figure 1 In the diagram, container 8 is depicted with a double-dotted line; in subsequent diagrams, container 8 is omitted.

[0030] In this embodiment, the vehicle frame 3 is a trapezoidal frame consisting of a pair of parallel longitudinal beams 3A, 3A spaced apart and facing each other, and multiple cross beams 3B, 3B connecting them in the vehicle width direction. A rear bumper 3C is fixed to the rear end of the vehicle frame 3. A container 8, such as a cargo platform or cargo compartment, is provided on the upper part of the vehicle frame 3.

[0031] A front wheel 4A is fixed to the lower front of the body frame 3 via a suspension and steering mechanism (not shown), and a rear wheel 4B of two axles is similarly fixed to the lower rear of the body frame 3 via a suspension. The rear wheel 4B of two axles consists of dual tires, and a drive unit 5 is located at the center in the vehicle width direction.

[0032] In this embodiment, the drive unit 5 is an axle motor unit. The axle motor unit basically consists of a drive motor (not shown) and a differential (not shown). The drive unit 5 is disposed between a pair of longitudinal beams 3A, 3A that constitute the vehicle body frame 3, and drives the rear wheels 4B. Therefore, the fuel cell vehicle 1 is a vehicle with rear wheel 2-axle drive.

[0033] A fuel cell module 1A is mounted at the front of the vehicle frame 3, and a driver's cab 6, which forms the driver's seat, is mounted on top of it. Furthermore, a multi-tiered frame 7 is fixed behind the driver's cab 6. A battery 52 that drives the fuel cell stack 10 and a fuel tank 31 are housed in the frame 7.

[0034] 3. Regarding fuel cell systems 100

[0035] Here, refer to Figure 4 This describes a fuel cell system 100 that supplies power to a drive unit 5 that drives the vehicle body 2 of a fuel cell vehicle 1. Figure 4 This is a block diagram showing the main structural components of the fuel cell system 100.

[0036] like Figure 4 As shown, the fuel cell system 100, in addition to the fuel cell stack 10 and the fuel cell module 1A that drives the fuel cell stack 10, maintenance components, and other equipment, also consists of other devices such as a fuel tank 31 for storing hydrogen. Figure 1 As shown, the fuel cell module 1A is fixed to the front of the vehicle body frame 3 of the vehicle body 2.

[0037] In addition, a portion of the auxiliary equipment constituting the fuel cell module 1A is fixed to other parts of the vehicle frame 3. For example, in the vehicle frame 3, the fuel tank 31 and the battery 52, described later, are fixed in the frame 7 erected at the rear of the fuel cell module 1A, and other equipment is also fixed therein.

[0038] Although not illustrated, the fuel cell unit of the fuel cell stack 10 includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) consisting of an ion-permeable electrolyte membrane and an anode-side catalyst layer (anode electrode) and a cathode-side catalyst layer (cathode electrode) sandwiching the electrolyte membrane. Gas diffusion layers (GDLs) are formed on both sides of the MEA to supply hydrogen as fuel gas and air as oxidant gas, and to collect electricity generated through an electrochemical reaction. The membrane electrode assembly with GDLs on both sides is called a MEGA, and the MEGA is sandwiched between a pair of spacers. Here, the MEGA is the power generation section of the fuel cell; without the gas diffusion layers, the MEA would be the power generation section of the fuel cell.

[0039] The fuel cell stack 10 is connected to multiple auxiliary machines that drive it, such as... Figure 4 As shown, these auxiliary components constitute an air supply system 20, a hydrogen supply system 30, and a control system 50.

[0040] The air supply system 20 supplies air to the cathode electrodes of each individual cell constituting the fuel cell stack 10 and discharges the exhaust gas used in the electrochemical reaction in each fuel cell unit from the fuel cell stack 10. The air supply system 20 includes an air filter 21, a compressor 22, and an intercooler 23, etc., located upstream of the fuel cell stack 10, and a muffler 28, etc., located downstream of the fuel cell stack 10.

[0041] An air filter 21 removes contaminants such as dust from the air drawn in from the atmosphere and is positioned upstream of the compressor 22, which supplies air to the fuel cell stack 10. The compressor 22 compresses the air introduced through the air filter 21 and delivers the compressed air to the intercooler 23. The intercooler 23 cools the air as it passes through the air compressed from the compressor 22, for example, by heat exchange with a coolant, and then supplies the air to the cathode electrode of the fuel cell stack 10. In the fuel cell module 1A of this embodiment, the compressor 22 and the intercooler 23 are included as auxiliary equipment for the fuel cell stack 10.

[0042] The hydrogen supply system 30 supplies hydrogen to the anode electrode of each individual cell constituting the fuel cell stack 10 and discharges the exhaust gas used in the electrochemical reaction in each fuel cell unit from the fuel cell stack 10. The hydrogen supply system 30 includes a fuel tank 31 and a hydrogen supply device 33 as a hydrogen supply source upstream of the fuel cell stack 10, and a gas-liquid separator 37 downstream of the fuel cell stack 10. The hydrogen supply system 30 includes the gas-liquid separator 37 and a hydrogen pump 38 that circulates the hydrogen passing through the gas-liquid separator 37 upstream as an auxiliary device of the fuel cell stack 10.

[0043] The hydrogen supply device 33 includes injectors for supplying hydrogen to the fuel cell stack 10. The gas-liquid separator 37 separates the generated water contained in the exhaust gas, and then supplies the hydrogen after water separation to the hydrogen pump 38, while the generated water is supplied to the silencer 28. The hydrogen pump 38 pressurizes the hydrogen separated by the gas-liquid separator 37, circulating it in the hydrogen supply path. The fuel cell module 1A of this embodiment includes the hydrogen pump 38 and other components as auxiliary equipment to the fuel cell stack 10.

[0044] The control system 50 controls the drive of the fuel cell stack 10, etc. The control system 50 includes a control device 51, a battery 52, a PCU 53, a converter 54, and a drive unit 5 as a load. The control device 51 controls the aforementioned valves and the PCU (Power Control Unit) 53, which will be described later. The battery 52 stores electricity generated by the fuel cell stack 10. The PCU 53 supplies power to the drive unit 5 according to the control of the control device 51. The converter 54 is included in the high-voltage device 54A (see reference). Figure 1 The output voltage of the fuel cell stack 10 is boosted and supplied to the PCU53. These auxiliary devices are electrically connected via cable 92, but... Figure 4 The image shows cable 92, a portion of a plurality of cables.

[0045] 4. Regarding the cooling system 40

[0046] The cooling system 40 cools at least one of the components of the drive unit 5 and the fuel cell system 100. In this embodiment, the cooling system 40 consists of a first cooling unit 40A that cools the fuel cell stack 10 and a high-voltage device 54A (see reference 54A) that houses the converter 54, etc., described later. Figure 2 The second cooling unit 40B is configured to cool the fuel cell stack 10 and the high-voltage device 54A, etc. In this embodiment, the cooling system 40 is a component of the fuel cell system 100 and cools the fuel cell stack 10 and the high-voltage device 54A, but it can also cool the compressor 22 and the battery 52, etc.

[0047] The first cooling section 40A is a circulation system, comprising: a first pump 42A, a radiator 43A, a three-way valve (rotary valve) 45, an ion exchanger 47, and a first replenishment tank 48A. The first pump 42A pressurizes the first coolant (coolant) cooled by the radiator 43A to the fuel cell stack 10. The radiator 43A cools the first coolant discharged from the fuel cell stack 10.

[0048] Ion exchanger 47, located in the bypass passage, is equipped with the function of removing ions from the coolant used to cool the fuel cell stack 10. Three-way valve 45 diverts the coolant discharged from the fuel cell stack 10 to either radiator 43A or ion exchanger 47. First replenishment tank 48A contains coolant for replenishing the first cooling section 40A, and supplies replenishment coolant to the first cooling section 40A when the coolant is insufficient. In this embodiment, a first pump 42A and three-way valve 45 are included as auxiliary equipment for the fuel cell stack 10.

[0049] The second cooling section 40B includes a radiator 43B, a second pump 42B, and a second replenishment tank 48B. The second pump 42B pumps the second coolant (coolant) cooled by the radiator 43B to the converter 54, drive unit 5, and other components. The radiator 43B cools the coolant discharged from the converter 54, drive unit 5, and other auxiliary equipment. The second replenishment tank 48B contains coolant for replenishing the second cooling section 40B and supplies coolant to the second cooling section 40B when the coolant level is insufficient.

[0050] Here, the first and second supply tanks 48A and 48B of the cooling system 40 store first and second coolant, respectively, and replenish them through their circulation paths when the first and second coolant are insufficient. The first and second supply tanks 48A and 48B are located on the rack 7 (see reference). Figure 1 In addition, multiple fuel tanks 31 and multiple batteries 52 are also installed in the rack 7.

[0051] In this embodiment, the cooling system 40 corresponds to the cooling system of the present invention. The cooling system 40 is composed of first and second cooling sections 40A and 40B having different cooling paths for coolant flow. However, the cooling section may be a single unit or may have further cooling sections.

[0052] Furthermore, the various components of the fuel cell system 100 constituting the air supply system 20 and the hydrogen supply system 30, as well as the various components (auxiliary equipment, etc.) of the cooling system 40, are connected by flexible pipes 91, etc. Figure 4 In the image, tube 91, a portion of a plurality of tubes, is shown.

[0053] 5. Regarding the configuration relationship between fuel tank 31 and radiator 43B

[0054] Next, refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 The structure surrounding the fuel tank 31 and radiator 43B, which are characteristic structures of the fuel cell vehicle 1 in this embodiment, will be explained. Figure 5 This is a side view showing the main part of the support device 60 that mounts the fuel tank 31 and radiator 43B to the vehicle frame 3. Figure 6 yes Figure 5The AA line view. Additionally, in Figure 5 and Figure 6 In order to make it easier to understand, a part of the structure is shown schematically.

[0055] exist Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the vehicle body 2, the fuel tank 31 and radiator 43B of the hydrogen supply system 30 constituting the fuel cell system 100 are installed on the fuel cell system 100. The radiator 43B constitutes the second cooling section 40B of the cooling system 40, but it can also be, for example, the radiator 43A of the first cooling section 40A.

[0056] In this embodiment, the fuel tank 31 and the radiator 43B are fixed to the outer sides of the longitudinal beams 3A, 3A of the vehicle body frame 3 via the support device 60. The radiator 43B includes a radiator body 43a for coolant flow and a fan 43b for blowing air toward the radiator body 43a. The fan 43b rotates about the rotation axis RA. In this embodiment, the radiator 43B includes the fan 43b, but the radiator 43B may not include the fan 43b as long as cooling efficiency can be ensured.

[0057] In this embodiment, such as Figure 6 As shown, the fuel tank 31 has a cylindrical portion 31a extending along its length (axis) and a pair of dome-shaped ends 31b, 31b formed at both ends of the cylindrical portion 31a. Furthermore, the fuel tank 31 has necks 31c fixed to the outer sides of each dome 31b. A storage space for storing fuel gas (hydrogen) is formed in the fuel tank 31 through the cylindrical portion 31a and the pair of dome-shaped ends 31b, 31b. One of the necks 31c, 31c has a through hole (not shown) communicating with the storage space, through which hydrogen can be stored and released relative to the storage space. The fuel tank 31 has a resin-impregnated fiber bundle wound around the liner forming the storage space, and the junction 31d between the cylindrical portion 31a and the dome-shaped ends 31b has lower strength compared to other parts.

[0058] In this embodiment, such as Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, the fuel tank 31 is mounted on the vehicle body 2 via a support device 60 such that the axis CL of the cylindrical portion 31a is along the longitudinal direction FB of the vehicle body 2. The radiator 43B is mounted on the vehicle body 2 via the support device 60 at a location further out in the vehicle width direction W relative to the fuel tank 31, in a manner parallel to the fuel tank 31.

[0059] In this embodiment, two radiators 43B, 43B are disposed on the outside of the fuel tank 31, relative to the fuel tank 31. The two radiators 43B, 43B are arranged side by side with the fuel tank 31 along the longitudinal direction FB of the vehicle body 2.

[0060] Here, in the vehicle width direction W, a long and narrow space is formed on the outside of the fuel tank 31, extending in the front-rear direction FB of the vehicle body 2. Such a space is difficult to utilize. However, since the overall shape of the radiator 43B (radiator body 43a) is plate-shaped, the radiator 43B can be arranged in such a long and narrow space, thus making effective use of the equipment configuration space of the vehicle body 2.

[0061] As a more specific configuration of the radiator 43B, when viewed from the side of the vehicle body 2, each radiator 43B is configured such that the radiator body 43a covers a portion of the junction 31d between the cylindrical portion 31a of the fuel tank 31 and each dome 31b. Figure 1 As can be clearly seen from the side view of the fuel cell vehicle 1, the boundaries 31d of the fuel tank 31 are covered by radiators 43B. In this embodiment, two radiators 43B are provided relative to one fuel tank 31, but it is also possible to use one radiator to cover a pair of boundaries 31d, 31d of the fuel tank 31.

[0062] like Figure 6 As shown, the support device 60 has a pair of support arms 61, 61 that support a fuel tank 31 at necks 31c, 31c at both ends along the axis CL. Figure 5 As shown, the side shape of each support arm 61 is roughly L-shaped, and each support arm 61 is fixed by bolts or the like with a spacer washer 62 sandwiched on the outside of the longitudinal beam 3A.

[0063] The fuel tank 31 is secured by a fixing member 63 that clamps the necks 31c at both ends of the horizontal part of the support arm 61, which is fixed to the support device 60. A longitudinal bar 64, which is relatively long in the front-rear direction, is mounted on the front end of the outer side of the support arm 61. Two end bars 65 are erected vertically from both ends of the longitudinal bar 64, and an upper bar 66 is mounted across the upper ends of the two end bars 65. The two ends of the upper bar 66 and the upper end of the support arm 61 are connected by a cross bar 67. This results in a structure in which two radiators 43B are fixed in a rectangular space formed by the horizontal longitudinal bar 64, the two vertical end bars 65, and the upper bar 66. Furthermore, when the vehicle body 2 is viewed from the side, the radiator 43B is arranged such that the radiator body 43a of the radiator 43B covers the junction 31d between the cylindrical part 31a and the pair of domed tops 31b, 31b.

[0064] Therefore, in this embodiment, the fuel cell vehicle 1 has multiple fuel tanks 31 mounted horizontally on the vehicle frame 3 along the length direction of the vehicle body 2, i.e., the longitudinal direction FB. Further outward from the multiple fuel tanks 31, multiple radiators 43B are mounted on the vehicle frame 3 in a horizontally arranged manner.

[0065] The fan 43b, fixed to the inner side of the radiator 43B in the vehicle width direction W, is an electric fan with blades that rotate via a motor 43c, which is located between the fuel tank 31 and the radiator body 43a. In this embodiment, the rotation shaft RA of the motor 43c is positioned at a position offset by an amount of Of in the vertical direction relative to the axis CL of the cylindrical portion 31a of the fuel tank 31. Specifically, the radiator 43B (specifically, the fan 43b) is positioned such that the axis of the rotation shaft of the motor 43c (not shown) and the axis CL of the cylindrical portion 31a of the fuel tank 31 are offset downward by an amount of Of. Furthermore, the offset position can be in either the vertical or vertical direction.

[0066] 6. Operation of the fuel cell system 100

[0067] According to this embodiment, in the fuel cell module 1A, air is supplied to the fuel cell stack 10 as an oxidant gas from the air supply system 20, and hydrogen is supplied to the fuel cell stack 10 from the hydrogen supply system 30. Through these supplies, an electrochemical reaction occurs in the power generation section of the MEGA or MEA within the fuel cell stack 10 to generate electricity. The generated electricity is stored in the battery 52 of the control system 50. The power from the battery 52 is supplied to the drive unit 5, which serves as a load, via the control device 51. By driving the drive unit 5, the fuel cell vehicle 1 can move.

[0068] On the other hand, the fuel cell stack 10 is cooled by the first cooling unit 40A and controlled to a predetermined temperature range. Specifically, the coolant, which has been circulated by the first pump 42A and passed through the high temperature of the fuel cell stack 10, is cooled by the radiator 43A located at the front of the vehicle body 2 and then circulated. Ions are removed from the coolant by an ion exchanger 47 located in a bypass passage.

[0069] In the second cooling section 40B, coolant is circulated by the second pump 42B to the high-voltage equipment 54A (refer to) which houses the converter 54, etc. Figure 1 The high-voltage coolant, which is collected by the high-voltage device 54A (including the converter 54) and the drive unit 5, is cooled by the radiator 43B and becomes cold, and then circulates.

[0070] 7. The effect of the impact on the side of fuel cell vehicle 1

[0071] Imagine an impact-based external force acting laterally on the fuel cell vehicle 1 due to a collision, etc. Even in such a case, the radiator 43B, installed on the outer side of the fuel tank 31 in the vehicle width direction W, will deform and act as an impact-absorbing component of the fuel tank 31. As a result, the impact on the fuel tank 31 can be reduced.

[0072] Here, because a flow path for coolant flow is formed in the radiator body 43a, it is easily deformed by external forces. However, the portion of the fan 43b that blows air toward the radiator body 43a along the rotation axis of the motor 43c (e.g., the rotating shaft) is less prone to deformation compared to the radiator body 43a. Even in this case, because the axis CL of the cylindrical portion 31a of the fuel tank 31 and the rotation axis RA of the fan 43b are offset, the portion along the rotation axis slides on the circumferential surface of the fuel tank 31, thus reducing the impact on the fuel tank 31 and suppressing deformation and breakage.

[0073] Furthermore, the junction 31d between the cylindrical portion 31a and each dome 31b of the fuel tank 31 is a weaker part compared to the other parts of the fuel tank 31. However, since this part is covered by the radiator body 43a, it can prevent deformation and damage to the fuel tank 31 even when subjected to external force due to impact.

[0074] The above describes one embodiment of the present invention in detail, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various design changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention as described in the claims.

[0075] For example, the protrusion of the fan toward the fuel tank side may not be the rotating shaft itself, but a protrusion such as a housing covering the rotating shaft.

[0076] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0077] 1: Fuel cell vehicle; 1A: Fuel cell module; 2: Vehicle body; 3: Vehicle frame; 3A: Longitudinal beam; 5: Drive unit; 31: Fuel tank; 31a: Cylindrical section; 31b: Dome; 31d: Junction; 40: Cooling system; 43A, 43B: Radiator; 43a: Radiator body; 43b: Fan; 43c: Electric motor.

Claims

1. A fuel cell vehicle comprising: a vehicle body; a drive unit for driving the vehicle body; a fuel cell system for supplying electricity to the drive unit; and a cooling system for cooling at least one of the components of the drive unit and the fuel cell system, characterized in that... The vehicle body has a body frame at its lower part. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack and multiple fuel tanks for supplying fuel gas to the fuel cell stack. The fuel tank has a cylindrical portion and a pair of rounded tops formed at both ends of the cylindrical portion. The vehicle body frame has a pair of longitudinal beams extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The cooling system includes a radiator. The fuel tank is mounted on the vehicle body relative to the longitudinal beam on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, such that the axis of the cylindrical portion is along the longitudinal direction. The radiator is mounted on the vehicle body in a parallel manner to the fuel tank, located further outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the fuel tank. The radiator includes a radiator body for coolant flow and a fan that blows air toward the radiator body. The fan is configured such that its rotation axis is offset vertically relative to the axis of the cylindrical portion of the fuel tank.

2. The fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, When viewed from the side, the radiator body is configured to cover the junction between the cylindrical portion and each of the dome portions.

Images