Fuel cell electric vehicles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fuel cell electric vehicle. The fuel cell electric vehicle includes a ladder frame, a fuel cell stack, a fuel tank, a joint and a central channel. The ladder frame includes two side beams extending in parallel in the front-rear direction of the fuel cell electric vehicle and a plurality of cross beams connecting the two side beams. The fuel tank stores fuel gas to be used by the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack and the fuel tank are fixed to the ladder frame. The fuel tank and the joint are connected by a first fuel pipe made of metal, and the joint and the fuel cell stack are connected by a second fuel pipe. The fuel tank and the joint are supported by the ladder frame and the relative vibration of the joint relative to the fuel tank is reduced accordingly, and are arranged in the central channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a fuel cell electric vehicle provided with a ladder-type frame and a fuel tank. Background Art

[0002] In a fuel cell electric vehicle disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-185843 (JP 2017-185843 A), a fuel tank is disposed in a center tunnel, thereby effectively using the space in the center tunnel. The fuel tank is fixed to a floor panel. Summary of the invention

[0003] In a ladder frame type automobile, a vehicle body including a floor panel is arranged on the ladder frame. The vehicle body is supported by the ladder frame through vibration isolation brackets. When driving, the ladder frame vibrates relative to the vehicle body. It is assumed that the fuel cell stack and the fuel tank are supported by the ladder frame (fixed thereto). The fuel tank and the fuel cell stack are connected by a fuel pipeline. High-pressure fuel gas (hydrogen) is stored in the fuel tank. At least two fuel pipelines that transport the high-pressure fuel gas are connected from the fuel tank to the fuel cell stack through a joint. A fuel pipeline made of metal is adopted because a high level of pressure resistance is required for the fuel pipeline through which the high-pressure fuel gas in the fuel tank passes (the fuel pipeline through which the fuel gas in the fuel tank passes without being decompressed). When the joint is supported by the vehicle body (floor panel), the joint will vibrate relative to the fuel tank while driving. The relative vibration of the joint with respect to the fuel tank causes the fuel pipeline made of metal and connecting the fuel tank and the joint to be repeatedly deformed. When the fuel pipeline is repeatedly deformed, metal fatigue of the fuel pipeline develops.

[0004] The present invention provides a technology for suppressing fatigue degradation (fatigue degradation due to vibration) of a fuel pipe which is made of metal and connects a fuel tank and a joint.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention relates to a fuel cell electric vehicle, which includes a ladder frame, a fuel cell stack, a fuel tank, a joint, a first fuel pipeline, a second fuel pipeline and a central channel. The ladder frame includes two side beams extending in parallel in the front-rear direction of the fuel cell electric vehicle and a plurality of cross beams connecting the two side beams. The fuel cell stack is supported by the ladder frame. The fuel tank is configured to store fuel gas to be used by the fuel cell stack. The joint is configured to connect a pipeline for conveying fuel gas under high pressure in the fuel tank. The first fuel pipeline is made of metal and is configured to connect the fuel tank and the joint. The second fuel pipeline is configured to connect the joint and the fuel cell stack. The central channel is arranged in the floor panel. The fuel tank and the joint are supported by the ladder frame and are arranged in the central channel.

[0006] In the fuel cell electric vehicle according to the above aspect, the fuel cell stack, the fuel tank and the joint are supported by the ladder frame. Therefore, according to the fuel cell electric vehicle according to the above aspect, the fuel tank and the joint are supported by the ladder frame, and accordingly the relative vibration of the joint relative to the fuel tank is reduced, and fatigue degradation (fatigue degradation due to vibration) of the first fuel pipeline is suppressed. Moreover, the fuel tank and the joint are arranged in the central channel (below), and the redundant space in the central channel is effectively utilized.

[0007] In the fuel cell electric vehicle according to the above aspect, the central channel may include a first channel and a second channel, the second channel continuing from the rear end of the first channel and having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first channel. The joint may be provided in the first channel. According to the fuel cell electric vehicle having the above configuration, the redundant space in the central channel can be effectively utilized.

[0008] In the fuel cell electric vehicle having the above configuration, the joint may be provided between the fuel tank and the ceiling of the first passage. According to the fuel cell electric vehicle having the above configuration, it is possible to further more effectively utilize the redundant space in the center passage.

[0009] The fuel cell electric vehicle according to the above aspect may further include a strap configured to fix the fuel tank to the ladder frame. This joint may be supported by the strap.

[0010] In the fuel cell electric vehicle having the above configuration, an elastic member may be interposed between the belt and the fuel tank. In the fuel cell electric vehicle having the above configuration, the elastic member can adapt to a change in the diameter of the fuel tank.

[0011] In the fuel cell electric vehicle according to the above aspect, the pressure reducing valve may be provided midway along the coupling joint and the second fuel conduit of the fuel cell stack. The pressure reducing valve may also be supported by the ladder-type frame.

[0012] In the fuel cell electric vehicle having the above configuration, the second fuel pipe between the pressure reducing valve and the joint may be made of metal. According to the fuel cell electric vehicle according to the above aspect and configuration, fatigue degradation of the fuel pipe between the joint and the pressure reducing valve can be suppressed.

[0013] The fuel cell electric vehicle according to the above aspects may further include an additional fuel tank supported at the rear of the ladder frame, a socket to which the nozzle of the external fuel supply device can be connected, and an additional joint supported by the ladder frame. In this case, in the fuel cell electric vehicle, the third fuel pipeline extending from the joint, the fourth fuel pipeline extending from the additional fuel tank, and the fifth fuel pipeline extending from the socket are connected by the additional joint. According to the fuel cell electric vehicle of the above aspects, the layout of the fuel cell stack, the socket, and the multiple fuel pipelines connecting the two fuel tanks is simplified. Since the additional joint is also supported by the ladder frame, fatigue degradation caused by vibration of the third fuel pipeline and the fourth fuel pipeline made of metal and through which high-pressure fuel gas flows can also be suppressed.

[0014] In the fuel cell electric vehicle having the above configuration, the third fuel pipeline, the fourth fuel pipeline and the fifth fuel pipeline can be made of metal. According to the fuel cell electric vehicle having the above configuration, the third fuel pipeline, the fourth fuel pipeline and the fifth fuel pipeline through which the high-pressure fuel gas flows are made of metal, so that the pressure resistance is good.

[0015] Details and further improvements of the technology disclosed in the present invention will be described in the following “Detailed Description of the Invention”. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like symbols represent like elements, and in which:

[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fuel cell electric vehicle according to an embodiment serving as an example of the present invention (a view in which a vehicle body and a floor panel are separated from a chassis);

[0018] Figure 2 It indicates Figure 1 A perspective view showing the positional relationship between the fuel tank and the central channel as shown in FIG.

[0019] Figure 3 is Figure 1 A plan view of the chassis shown in FIG.

[0020] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the chassis along line IV-IV in FIG.

[0021] Figure 5 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the chassis along line VV in FIG.

[0022] Figure 6 Is fixed Figure 1 A partial perspective view of the vicinity of the belt of the fuel tank illustrated in FIG. 1 ; and

[0023] Figure 7 It is along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] A fuel cell electric vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the fuel cell electric vehicle 1 . Figure 1 2 is a perspective view in which the floor panel 7 and the vehicle body 9 are separated from the chassis 2. The +X direction, +Y direction, and +Z direction of the coordinate system in the drawing correspond to the front side, the left side, and the upper side of the vehicle, respectively. The directions indicated by the axes of the coordinate system are the same in all drawings.

[0025] The fuel cell electric vehicle 1 includes traction electric motors 3a and 3b, a fuel tank 20, an additional fuel tank 21, a fuel cell stack 4, and a battery 5. The fuel cell electric vehicle 1 also includes an inverter that converts the DC power of the power source (fuel cell stack 4 and battery 5) into the driving power of the electric motor 3a (3b), but the illustration of the inverter is omitted. The electric motor 3a drives the front wheels, and the electric motor 3b drives the rear wheels. The fuel cell electric vehicle 1 is a four-wheel drive vehicle.

[0026] Hydrogen, which is an example of fuel gas, is stored in the fuel tank 20 and the additional fuel tank 21. It is well known that the fuel cell stack 4 obtains electricity by reacting the hydrogen in the fuel tank 20 and the additional fuel tank 21 with oxygen in the air. The DC power of the fuel cell stack 4 and the battery 5 is converted into AC power by the inverter and supplied to the traction electric motors 3a and 3b. The battery 5 stores the excess output power of the fuel cell stack 4. The battery 5 also stores regenerative power (power generated by the electric motors 3a and 3b using the inertial energy of the vehicle). The battery 5 also supplements the insufficient output of the fuel cell stack 4 in some cases.

[0027] The fuel cell electric vehicle 1 has a side beam type frame (ladder frame 10). The ladder frame 10 includes two side beams 11R and 11L extending in the front-rear direction of the chassis 2 and a plurality of cross beams 12 connecting the side beams 11R and 11L. The drive system devices (electric motors 3a and 3b, batteries 5, fuel cell stack 4, fuel tank 20, additional fuel tank 21, tires 60, etc.) and the ladder frame 10 supporting these are referred to as the chassis 2. Note that in Figure 1 In the diagram, the fuel pipelines connecting the fuel cell stack 4, the fuel tank 20 and the additional fuel tank 21 are omitted. Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the figure, the fuel pipeline is shown.

[0028] Although in Figure 1 The middle floor panel 7 is drawn separately from the vehicle body 9, but the floor panel 7 is coupled to the vehicle body 9. The floor panel 7 is a part of the vehicle body 9. The vehicle body 9 includes the floor panel 7, and the vehicle body 9 is supported by a plurality of vibration isolation mounts 13 provided on the side members 11R and 11L of the ladder frame 10. The vibration isolation mounts 13 include vibration isolation rubber, and protect the vehicle body 9 from the vibration of the chassis 2. In other words, the vibration of the chassis 2 is attenuated by the vibration isolation mounts 13, and only a slight amount of vibration is transmitted to the vehicle body 9. The chassis 2 (ladder frame 10) vibrates when traveling and the vibration isolation mounts 13 suppress the vibration of the vehicle body 9, and accordingly the chassis 2 (ladder frame 10) vibrates relative to the vehicle body 9 when traveling.

[0029] The fuel tank 20 is fixed to the ladder frame 10 by bands 41 and 42. A base plate 47 is fixed to the band 41 covering the upper side of the fuel tank 20, and the pressure reducing valve 23 and the first joint 22 are fixed to the base plate 47. The pressure reducing valve 23 and the first joint 22 will be described later.

[0030] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the chassis 2 and the floor panel 7 arranged on the chassis 2. Figure 3 is a plan view of the chassis 2. Figure 2 and Figure 3 In FIG. 1 , the floor panel 7 is drawn in a hidden outline. As described above, the floor panel 7 is fixed to the vehicle body 9, and the vehicle body 9 including the floor panel 7 is supported by the chassis 2 through the vibration isolation brackets 13. Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the figure, the vehicle body 9 is omitted.

[0031] The central channel 8 is provided in the floor panel 7. The central channel 8 extends in the front-rear direction of the chassis 2 between the driver's seat and the passenger seat (illustration omitted). For the convenience of description, the central channel 8 is divided into a first channel 8a and a second channel 8b. The first channel 8a has a large front end and gradually decreases in size toward the rear. The rear end of the first channel 8a is its smallest part. The second channel 8b continues from the rear end of the first channel 8a. The cross-sectional area of ​​the second channel 8b is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first channel 8a. As shown in Figure 2 As schematically shown in FIG. 8 , the fuel tank 20 , the pressure reducing valve 23 , and the first joint 22 are disposed in the central passage 8 (at the bottom).

[0032] As described above, the fuel cell stack 4, the electric motors 3a and 3b, the fuel tank 20, the additional fuel tank 21, and the battery 5 are supported by the ladder frame 10 (see FIG. Figure 3). The fuel tank 20 is fixed to the cross members 12a and 12b. The ladder frame 10 has the cross member 12, and the cross members 12a and 12b are cross members at the middle of the chassis 2 in the front-rear direction. The fuel tank 20 is supported by (fixed to) the middle part (middle part in the front-rear direction) of the ladder frame 10, and the additional fuel tank 21 is supported by (fixed to) the rear part of the ladder frame 10.

[0033] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 2 is a cross-sectional view of the chassis taken along line IV-IV in FIG. As described above, the fuel tank 20 is disposed in (below) the central tunnel 8 of the floor panel 7. At least the upper half of the fuel tank 20 is located in the central tunnel 8, and the lower half is located below the central tunnel 8.

[0034] In a conventional engine vehicle (front engine rear drive vehicle), a transmission is disposed in the center tunnel. A fuel cell electric vehicle does not require a transmission. In the fuel cell electric vehicle 1, a fuel tank 20 is disposed in the center tunnel 8 instead of a transmission.

[0035] The protection plate 50 is disposed below the fuel tank 20. Figures 1 to 3 The protection plate 50 is omitted in the figure. The protection plate 50 protects the fuel tank 20 from pebbles and the like that are thrown up from the road during driving. The protection plate 50 is fixed to the lower sides of the cross members 12a and 12b.

[0036] The fuel tank 20 is fixed to the cross beam 12a by bands 41 and 42, and is fixed to the cross beam 12b by a support plate 48. The support plate 48 supports the neck of the fuel tank 20. An elastic member 43 is interposed between the bands 41 and 42 and the fuel tank 20. Examples of the elastic member 43 will be described later.

[0037] The base plate 47 is fixed to the belt 41, and the pressure reducing valve 23 and the first joint 22 are fixed on the base plate 47. The pressure reducing valve 23 and the first joint 22 are supported by the ladder frame 10 through the belt 41 and the base plate 47. The pressure reducing valve 23 and the first joint 22 are arranged in the first passage 8a. In other words, the pressure reducing valve 23 and the first joint 22 are arranged between the fuel tank 20 and the top plate 8c of the first passage 8a. As described above, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first passage 8a gradually becomes smaller from the front to the back. The space between the fuel tank 20 and the top plate 8c is a redundant space, and the pressure reducing valve 23 and the first joint 22 are arranged in this redundant space.

[0038] exist Figure 4 in Figure 3 The first joint 22 and the first fuel pipe 31 in front of the line IV-IV are drawn with hidden outlines. Figure 4, the third fuel pipeline 33 is omitted. The first fuel pipeline 31 is a fuel pipeline connecting the first joint 22 and the fuel tank 20. Note that the first joint 22 and the fuel cell stack 4 are connected by the second fuel pipeline 32, and the pressure reducing valve 23 is provided midway along the second fuel pipeline 32. The first joint 22 (and the second joint 36 described later) are fluid couplings for connecting a fuel pipeline for feeding high-pressure hydrogen. The first fuel pipeline 31, the second fuel pipeline 32 and other fuel pipelines will be described later.

[0039] Figure 5 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the chassis along line VV in FIG. Figure 5 In the embodiment, the central channel 8 provided in the floor panel 7 and the protection plate 50 for protecting the fuel tank 20 are omitted (see Figure 4 ) is shown in the figure. Bands 41 and 42 surround the fuel tank 20 and are fixed to an upright rod 45 provided on the crossbeam 12a by bolts 44. An elastic member 43 is interposed between the bands 41 and 42 and the fuel tank 20. The elastic member 43 protects the fuel tank 20 from vibrations of the chassis 2. Moreover, when fully filled with hydrogen, the fuel tank 20 expands. As the amount of hydrogen is exhausted, the diameter of the fuel tank 20 becomes smaller. The elastic member 43 is able to adapt to changes in the diameter of the fuel tank 20. In other words, the elastic member 43 deforms according to changes in the diameter of the fuel tank 20, and accordingly, even when the diameter of the fuel tank 20 changes, the positions of the bands 41 and 42 and the position of the central axis of the fuel tank 20 do not change.

[0040] The vertical rod 46 is provided on the belt 41 covering the upper half of the fuel tank 20, and the base plate 47 is fixed to the vertical rod 46. As described above, the pressure reducing valve 23 and the first joint 22 are fixed to the base plate 47. As described above, the pressure reducing valve 23 is connected along the first joint 22 and the fuel cell stack 4 (see Figure 3 The first joint 22 and the fuel tank 20 are connected by the first fuel pipe 31 (at Figure 5 (not shown) connection. For connecting from additional fuel tank 21 (see Figure 3 )A third fuel pipeline 33 feeding hydrogen is also connected to the first connector 22.

[0041] Will refer to Figure 3Describe the layout of the fuel pipes 31 to 35. As described above, the fuel tank 20 and the first joint 22 are connected by the first fuel pipe 31, and the first joint 22 and the fuel cell stack 4 are connected by the second fuel pipe 32. A pressure reducing valve 23 is provided midway along the second fuel pipe 32. The high-pressure hydrogen in the fuel tank 20 flows from the fuel tank 20 to the pressure reducing valve 23 without being decompressed. The pressure of the hydrogen is reduced by the pressure reducing valve 23. The pressure of the hydrogen flowing from the pressure reducing valve 23 to the fuel cell stack 4 is lower than the pressure of the hydrogen flowing from the fuel tank 20 to the pressure reducing valve 23. The first fuel pipe 31 is made of metal so that it can withstand the high pressure of hydrogen. The portion of the second fuel pipe 32 between the first joint 22 and the pressure reducing valve 23 is also made of metal. The rest of the second fuel pipe 32 may be made of metal, or may be made of a flexible material (e.g., rubber). Note that the fuel cell stack 4 is supported by the front of the ladder frame 10.

[0042] The rear of the ladder frame 10 supports the additional fuel tank 21. The second joint 36 is also supported by the ladder frame 10. The first joint 22 and the second joint 36 are connected by the third fuel pipe 33. The fourth fuel pipe 34 extending from the additional fuel tank 21 and the fifth fuel pipe 35 extending from the socket 37 are also connected to the second joint 36. The second joint 36 connects the third fuel pipe 33, the fourth fuel pipe 34 and the fifth fuel pipe 35. The socket 37 is an inlet for connecting a nozzle of an external fuel supply device. The socket 37 is also supported by the ladder frame 10.

[0043] The hydrogen gas supplied externally through the socket 37 is fed to the second joint 36 through the fifth fuel pipe 35. The hydrogen gas branches into the third fuel pipe 33 and the fourth fuel pipe 34 at the second joint 36. The hydrogen gas flowing through the fourth fuel pipe 34 is supplied to the additional fuel tank 21. The hydrogen gas flowing through the third fuel pipe 33 is supplied to the fuel tank 20 through the first joint 22 and the first fuel pipe 31.

[0044] When the fuel cell stack 4 is operated, the hydrogen in the fuel tank 20 is fed to the fuel cell stack 4 through the first fuel pipe 31 and the second fuel pipe 32, and the hydrogen in the additional fuel tank 21 is fed to the fuel cell stack 4 through the fourth fuel pipe 34, the second joint 36, the third fuel pipe 33, the first joint 22 and the second fuel pipe 32. Because the high-pressure hydrogen flows through the fuel pipes 31 and 33 to 35, the fuel pipes 31 and 33 to 35 are made of metal having a high level of pressure resistance performance. The hydrogen in the fuel tank 20 and the additional fuel tank 21 is decompressed when passing through the pressure reducing valve 23, and is thereafter supplied to the fuel cell stack 4.

[0045] As in Figure 3As schematically shown in FIG. 1 , in the fuel cell electric vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment, the layout of the fuel cell stack 4, the socket 37, and the plurality of fuel pipes 31 to 35 connecting the two fuel tanks, ie, the fuel tank 20 and the additional fuel tank 21, is simple.

[0046] Will refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 A specific example of the elastic member 43 interposed between the fuel tank 20 and the belts 41 and 42 is described. One specific example of the elastic member 43 is a plurality of leaf springs 143. Figure 6 It is a partial perspective view of the vicinity of the belts 41 and 42 that fix the tank 20. Figure 7 It is along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG.

[0047] As described above, the vertical rod 45 extends upward from the cross beam 12a, and the bands 41 and 42 for fixing the tank 20 are fixed to the vertical rod 45 by bolts 44. The leaf spring 143 extends from both side ends of the bands 41 and 42. The leaf spring 143 is formed integrally with the band 41 (42). That is, the leaf spring 143 and the band 41 (42) are made of one piece of steel plate.

[0048] The leaf springs 143 are provided to surround the fuel tank 20. The tip of each of the leaf springs 143 extends to be near the central axis of the fuel tank 20. Figure 7 The hidden outline 143a in the figure shows the shape of the leaf spring when the fuel tank 20 does not exist. With its tip in contact with the fuel tank 20, each of the leaf springs 143 applies a load to the fuel tank 20 in the direction of the central axis. The leaf spring 143 surrounding the fuel tank 20 places a uniform load on the fuel tank 20 from the periphery of the fuel tank 20 toward the central axis. When the amount of hydrogen stored in the fuel tank 20 changes, the internal pressure of the fuel tank 20 changes, and the diameter of the fuel tank 20 changes. Figure 7 The hidden outline 143b in FIG. 1 shows the shape of the leaf spring when the fuel tank 20 expands. The leaf spring 143 places a load uniformly on the fuel tank 20 from the periphery of the fuel tank 20, and accordingly, even if the diameter of the fuel tank 20 changes, the position of the center axis does not change.

[0049] Note that the leaf spring 143 is an example of the elastic member 43, and the elastic member 43 is not limited to the leaf spring 143. The elastic member 43 may be a fire-resistant rubber plate or the like that expands and contracts in the thickness direction.

[0050] The features of the fuel cell electric vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. As described above, the vehicle body 9 is supported by the ladder frame 10 through the vibration isolation bracket 13. When driving, the ladder frame 10 vibrates relative to the vehicle body 9. The fuel cell stack 4 and the fuel tank 20 are supported by the ladder frame 10, and accordingly, in the arrangement in which the first joint 22 is supported by the vehicle body 9, when driving, the fuel tank 20 and the first joint 22 will vibrate relative to each other. The two are connected by a metal pipe (first fuel pipe 31). The vibration of the fuel tank 20 and the first joint 22 relative to each other will repeatedly deform the first fuel pipe 31 made of metal and connecting the two. The repeated deformation of the first fuel pipe 31 made of metal accelerates metal fatigue. In the fuel cell electric vehicle 1, the fuel cell stack 4, the fuel tank 20 and the first joint 22 are supported by the ladder frame 10. Accordingly, even when driving, the relative positions of the fuel tank 20 and the first joint 22 do not change. Therefore, the first fuel pipe 31 connecting the fuel tank 20 and the first joint 22 does not deform. Both the fuel tank 20 and the first joint 22 are supported by the ladder frame 10 , and accordingly fatigue degradation (fatigue degradation due to repeated deformation) of the first fuel pipe 31 made of metal is suppressed.

[0051] In the fuel cell electric vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment, the additional fuel tank 21 is also supported by the ladder frame 10. Since the high-pressure hydrogen gas that is not decompressed flows through the fuel pipes 33 and 34, the fuel pipes 33 and 34 connecting the fuel tank 20 and the additional fuel tank 21 are also made of metal. The second joint 36 connecting the third fuel pipe 33 and the fourth fuel pipe 34 is also supported by the ladder frame 10. Accordingly, while traveling, the third fuel pipe 33 and the fourth fuel pipe 34 are not deformed, and the degradation and fatigue of these fuel pipes made of metal can be suppressed.

[0052] In the fuel cell electric vehicle 1, all devices related to the fuel cell (the fuel cell stack 4, the fuel tank 20, the additional fuel tank 21, the fuel pipes 31 to 35 connected therebetween, the first joint 22, the second joint 36, and the pressure reducing valve 23) are supported by the ladder frame 10. The fuel pipe does not bridge the ladder frame 10 and the vehicle body 9, and safety is improved accordingly.

[0053] Furthermore, since all devices related to the fuel cell are supported by the ladder frame 10, checking for hydrogen leakage can be performed before attaching the vehicle body 9 to the chassis 2. When hydrogen leakage is found before the vehicle body 9 is attached, parts can be easily replaced.

[0054] A few points that need to be pointed out about the technology described in this embodiment will be described. The additional fuel tank 21 is an example of an additional fuel tank. The first joint 22 is an example of a joint. The second joint 36 is an example of an additional joint. The first joint 22 and the second joint 36 are fluid distribution connectors to which three or more fuel pipes are connected, and can also be called a manifold.

[0055] The fuel cell electric vehicle according to the present embodiment includes two fuel tanks, which are a fuel tank 20 and an additional fuel tank 21. The fuel cell electric vehicle disclosed in this specification may be provided with even more fuel tanks.

[0056] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, these are merely exemplary and do not limit the scope of the claims. The techniques set forth in the claims include various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. The technical elements described in this specification or drawings present technical utility alone or in various combinations and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of application. The techniques exemplified in this specification or drawings can achieve multiple purposes at the same time, and achieving one of these purposes itself has technical utility.

Claims

1. A fuel cell electric vehicle, characterized in that include: A ladder-type frame including two side beams extending in parallel in the front-rear direction of the fuel cell electric vehicle and a plurality of cross beams connecting the two side beams; a fuel cell stack, the fuel cell stack being supported by the ladder frame; a fuel tank configured to store fuel gas to be used by the fuel cell stack; a joint configured to connect to a pipe for conveying the fuel gas under high pressure in the fuel tank; a first fuel pipe, the first fuel pipe being made of metal and configured to couple the fuel tank and the joint; a second fuel conduit configured to couple the joint and the fuel cell stack; as well as a central channel, said central channel being arranged in the floor panel, wherein the fuel tank and the joint are supported by the ladder frame and are disposed in the central channel, The central channel includes a first channel and a second channel, the second channel continues from a rear end of the first channel, and a cross-sectional area of ​​the second channel is smaller than a cross-sectional area of ​​the first channel, The joint is disposed in the first channel, Wherein, the joint is arranged between the fuel tank and the top plate of the first passage.

2. The fuel cell electric vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that further comprising a strap configured to secure the fuel tank to the ladder frame, wherein the joint is supported by the belt.

3. The fuel cell electric vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that Further included is an elastic member interposed between the belt and the fuel tank.

4. The fuel cell electric vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The second fuel pipeline is provided with a pressure reducing valve; and The pressure reducing valve is supported by the ladder frame.

5. The fuel cell electric vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second fuel pipe between the pressure reducing valve and the joint is made of metal.

6. The fuel cell electric vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that Further including: an additional fuel tank supported at a rear portion of the ladder frame; a socket to which a nozzle of an external fuel supply can be connected; and an additional joint, the additional joint being supported by the ladder frame, Wherein, a third fuel pipeline, a fourth fuel pipeline and a fifth fuel pipeline are coupled to the additional joint, the third fuel pipeline extends from the joint, the fourth fuel pipeline extends from the additional fuel tank, and the fifth fuel pipeline extends from the socket.

7. The fuel cell electric vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that: The third fuel pipe, the fourth fuel pipe, and the fifth fuel pipe are made of metal.

Images