High pressure gas tank module

Abstract

The present application relates to a high-pressure gas tank module, and provides a technique for suppressing separation between an end wall of a gas tank and a protector mounted to the end wall. The high-pressure gas tank module includes a gas tank, a protector, and a hub. The gas tank stores a high-pressure gas, has a cylindrical side wall extending along a central axis of the gas tank, and has an end wall at one end of the cylindrical side wall, the end wall being convexly dome-shaped toward the outside. The protector is fixed to an outer surface of the end wall of the gas tank. The hub is located on the central axis and is fixed to an inner surface of the end wall of the gas tank. The hub has an engaging surface that engages the inner surface of the end wall. An opposite surface of the protector, which is opposite the end wall, has an engaging portion that engages the outer surface of the end wall and a non-engaging portion that extends from the engaging portion along the outer surface toward the side wall. The engaging portion of the protector is opposite the engaging surface of the hub via the end wall.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a high-pressure gas tank module, and particularly to a high-pressure gas tank module comprising: a gas tank having an end wall located at one end in its longitudinal direction; and a protector fixed to an outer surface of the end wall. Background Art

[0002] A gas tank has a generally cylindrical shape, with its end walls curved to bulge outward in a dome-like shape. Therefore, if the gas tank falls, for example, the outer surface of the end wall is likely to come into contact with the ground. The high-pressure gas tank module disclosed in Patent Document 1 prevents damage to the gas tank, such as from a fall, by bonding a protector to the outer surface of the end wall.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-120263. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The internal pressure of a gas tank changes as it is filled and released with high-pressure gas, causing the tank to deform accordingly. When the end wall deforms due to this change in internal pressure, stress acts on the junction between the outer surface of the end wall and the protector, potentially causing the two to separate. In particular, in dome-shaped (i.e., hemispherical) end walls, relatively large stresses act in various directions, making the protector susceptible to separation. This specification discloses a technique for suppressing separation between the end wall of a gas tank and the protector attached to it.

[0005] The high-pressure gas tank module disclosed in this specification includes a gas tank, a protector and a hub. The gas tank is a gas tank for storing high-pressure gas, and has a cylindrical side wall extending along the central axis of the gas tank and an end wall located at one end of the cylindrical side wall, and the end wall protrudes outward in a dome shape. The protector is fixed to the outer surface of the end wall of the gas tank. The hub is located on the central axis and is fixed to the inner surface of the end wall of the gas tank. The hub has a joining surface that is joined to the inner surface of the end wall. The opposing surface of the protector opposite to the end wall has: a joining portion that is joined to the outer surface of the end wall, and a non-joining portion extending from the joining portion along the outer surface toward the side of the side wall. The joining portion of the protector is opposed to the joining surface of the hub across the end wall.

[0006] In the above-mentioned structure, the hub is engaged with the end wall of the gas tank from the inside. In the range engaged with the hub, the hub reinforces the end wall, so that deformation of the end wall can be suppressed even if the internal pressure changes. On the other hand, the protector has an engaging portion engaged with the end wall and a non-engaging portion not engaged with the end wall on the opposite surface opposite to the end wall of the gas tank, and the engaging portion is opposite to the flange (more specifically, the engaging surface of the hub). That is, the protector is engaged with the range of the end wall of the gas tank that is reinforced by the hub. According to such a structure, even if the size of the hub is relatively small, the peeling between the protector and the gas tank can be effectively suppressed without miniaturizing the size of the protector.

[0007] The detailed techniques and further improvements disclosed in this specification are described in the following “Detailed Description of the Embodiments”. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing a high-pressure gas tank module 10 according to the embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 It means along Figure 1 Cross-sectional view along line II-II.

[0010] Figure 3 express Figure 2 An enlarged view of the range enclosed by dotted line III.

[0011] Figure 4 The high pressure gas tank module 10 of the second embodiment is shown. Figure 3 Enlarged view of the corresponding part.

[0012] Figure 5 The high pressure gas tank module of the prior art is shown Figure 3 Enlarged view of the corresponding part.

[0013] Description of Reference Signs

[0014] 2: Gas tank; 2a: First end wall; 2b: Second end wall; 2c: Side wall; 2e: First outer surface; 3e: Second outer surface; 4: First protector; 4g: Groove; 4s: Opposing surface; 5: Second protector; 6: Mouthpiece (metal end cap); 6c: Socket; 6e: Peripheral end; 6f: Flange; 6h: Through hole; 7: End boss; 7b: Central pin; 8: Connecting port; 10: High-pressure gas tank module; 20, 21: Adhesive; 30: Joining portion; 32: Non-joining portion; 60: Joining surface; B1, B2: Boundary; C1: Gap; CL: Center axis. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] In one embodiment of the present technology, the boss may include a mouthpiece and a flange integrally formed with the mouthpiece. In this case, the mouthpiece may include a through hole extending along the center axis and connecting the inside and outside of the gas tank. The flange may extend from the through hole along the inner surface of the end wall. Moreover, the joint surface may be formed by the flange. However, as another embodiment, the boss may not necessarily have a mouthpiece.

[0016] In the above embodiment, the end wall may be provided with a communication port for passage of the mouthpiece. In this case, in a cross-section taken along a plane passing through the central axis, with the open end of the communication port as the first point, the outer peripheral end of the flange as the second point, and the boundary between the bonded portion and the non-bonded portion of the protector as the third point, the length of the arc along the end wall from the first point to the second point may be greater than the length of the arc along the end wall from the second point to the third point. In this case, the second point may be located between the first and third points, or the third point may be located between the first and second points.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present technology, the entire engaging portion of the protector may be opposed to the engaging surface of the hub across the end wall. According to such a structure, the protector is engaged only in the range of the end wall of the gas tank that is reinforced by the hub. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the protector from being peeled off from the end wall of the gas tank. However, as another embodiment, a portion of the protector may be engaged with the range of the end wall of the gas tank that is not reinforced by the hub. That is, only a portion of the engaging portion of the protector may be opposed to the engaging surface of the hub across the end wall.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present technology, the boundary between the engaging portion and the non-engaging portion may be opposite the outer peripheral end of the engaging surface via the end wall. With this structure, the protector can be engaged over the largest area of ​​the end wall of the gas tank reinforced by the hub.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present technology, the gas tank may be made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic. In such a gas tank, the end wall is easily deformed by internal pressure, so the present technology can be effectively applied.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present technology, the protector can be made of a hard resin. This structure allows the relatively lightweight protector to adequately protect the end wall of the gas tank. However, the material constituting the protector is not particularly limited.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present technology, the opposing surface of the protector may include a groove extending along the boundary between the engaging portion and the non-engaging portion. With this structure, even if the outwardly deformed end wall of the gas tank interferes with the non-engaging portion of the protector, the protector deforms at the location of the groove, suppressing stress generated in the engaging portion. This effectively prevents the protector from peeling off from the end wall of the gas tank.

[0022] In one embodiment of the present technology, a gap may be provided between the non-joined portion of the opposing surface and the outer surface of the end wall. This structure prevents interference between the end wall and the protector even when the end wall deforms outward due to changes in internal pressure. This effectively prevents the protector from peeling off from the end wall of the gas tank.

[0023] [Example]

[0024] (First embodiment)

[0025] The high pressure gas tank module of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 As shown, the high-pressure gas tank module 10 of this embodiment includes a gas tank 2, a first protector 4, a second protector 5 and a mouthpiece 6. The high-pressure gas tank module 10 is, for example, mounted on a fuel cell vehicle (not shown). The high-pressure gas tank module 10 stores high-pressure hydrogen used by the fuel cell vehicle to generate electricity. Hereinafter, the direction from the second protector 5 toward the first protector 4 along the center axis CL of the gas tank 2 (i.e., the positive side of the Z-axis direction in the figure) is referred to as the axial direction. And, the opposite direction thereof (i.e., the negative side of the Z-axis direction in the figure) is referred to as the anti-axial direction. In addition, the direction from the center axis CL toward the surface of the gas tank 2 in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction (i.e., on the XY plane in the figure) is referred to as the radial outer side. The direction from the surface of the gas tank 2 toward the center axis CL is referred to as the radial inner side.

[0026] The gas tank 2 has a cylindrical shape extending along the central axis CL. The gas tank 2 is made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) (abbreviation for Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics). The gas tank 2 has a connecting port 8 on the axial side. The connecting port 8 is located on the central axis CL and connects the inside and outside of the gas tank 2. Similarly, the mouthpiece 6 is also located on the central axis CL. That is, the mouthpiece 6 and the connecting port 8 are concentric circles. The mouthpiece 6 passes through the connecting port 8 and protrudes to the axial side of the gas tank 2. Hydrogen is filled into the gas tank 2 through the mouthpiece 6. Hydrogen is released from the gas tank 2 through the mouthpiece 6.

[0027] The first protector 4 is a protective member that covers the gas tank 2 from the axial side. The second protector 5 is a protective member that covers the gas tank 2 from the anti-axial side. Each protector 4 and 5 is made of a hard resin. Here, a hard resin is a resin with a higher compression value than a soft resin (such as polyurethane, EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) resin, etc.). Examples of hard resins include polycarbonate, polyoxymethylene, and ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) resin.

[0028] Reference Figure 2 , the detailed structure of the high-pressure gas tank module 10 is described. Figure 2 The cross section of the high-pressure gas tank module 10 taken along a plane passing through the central axis CL is shown. The high-pressure gas tank module 10 has a central axis CL as its center. Figure 2 The cross-sectional shape shown is a structure obtained by rotating. Therefore, the high-pressure gas tank module 10 has a symmetrical shape with respect to the central axis CL.

[0029] The gas tank 2 includes a first end wall 2a, a second end wall 2b, and a side wall 2c. The side wall 2c has a cylindrical shape extending along the central axis CL. The first end wall 2a is located on the axial side of the side wall 2c (i.e., Figure 2 The first end wall 2a is convex toward the outside (i.e., the axial side) in a dome shape. The mouthpiece 6 is arranged at the communicating opening 8 of the first end wall 2a. The second end wall 2b is located on the anti-axial side of the side wall 2c (i.e., Figure 2 (The figure shows the lower side of the drawing). The second end wall 2b has a symmetrical shape relative to the first end wall 2a. Specifically, the second end wall 2b protrudes outward (i.e., anti-axially) into a dome shape. An end hub 7 is disposed radially inward of the second end wall 2b. The mouthpiece 6 and the end hub 7 are made of metal.

[0030] As previously described, the gas tank 2 is made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic. Specifically, the gas tank 2 is formed by laminating carbon fibers on the outer peripheral surface of the resin lining 2i to which the mouthpiece 6 and the end hub 7 are joined. The carbon fibers are reinforced by being impregnated with resin. By laminating the reinforced carbon fibers on the outer peripheral surface of the resin lining 2i, the strength of the gas tank 2 can be improved. The front end of the carbon fibers is fixed to the central pin 7b of the end hub 7. The carbon fibers are laminated axially from the central pin 7b along the outer peripheral surface of the resin lining 2i while drawing an arc centered on the central axis CL. Finally, the carbon fibers are wound around the mouthpiece 6. Thus, a cylindrical gas tank 2 is formed. In each of the curved end walls 2a, 2b, the carbon fibers are laminated obliquely relative to the axial direction. Therefore, as Figure 2 As shown, the thickness of each end wall 2a, 2b is thinner than that of the side wall 2c. The thin end walls 2a, 2b are more easily deformed than the side wall 2c.

[0031] In addition, if the gas tank 2 falls, the end walls 2a and 2b are likely to come into contact with the ground. If the easily deformed end walls 2a and 2b come into contact with the ground, there is a concern that the gas tank 2 may be damaged by the impact. Therefore, the first protector 4 is provided from the axial side (i.e., Figure 2 The second protector 5 is fixed to the first outer surface 2e of the first end wall 2a by the adhesive 20. Similarly, the second protector 5 is fixed to the first outer surface 2e of the first end wall 2a from the anti-axial side (ie, Figure 2 The second outer surface 3e of the second end wall 2b is fixed to the second outer surface 3e of the second end wall 2b by an adhesive 21 (see the lower side of the paper). By covering the easily deformed end walls 2a, 2b with a protector from the outside, damage to the end walls 2a, 2b when the gas tank 2 falls can be reduced. Here, as previously described, each protector 4, 5 is made of a hard resin. By protecting each end wall 2a, 2b with a protector made of a hard resin with a high compression value, the high-pressure gas tank module 10 can absorb greater energy when falling than a structure with a protector made of a soft resin.

[0032] Reference Figure 3 , a detailed structure for fixing the first protector 4 to the first outer surface 2e of the first end wall 2a will be described. Figure 3 yes Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the area enclosed by the dotted line III. In this specification, the structure for fixing the first protector 4 to the first outer surface 2e is mainly described. However, the structure for fixing the second protector 5 to the second outer surface 3e is the same except for the difference in the shapes of the mouthpiece 6 and the end hub 7. That is, in this embodiment, the mouthpiece 6 and the end hub 7 are each an example of a "hub."

[0033] The mouthpiece 6 includes a through-hole 6h, a socket 6c, and a flange 6f. The through-hole 6h extends along the central axis CL and connects the inside and outside of the gas tank 2. A valve (not shown) is fitted into the through-hole 6h and the socket 6c. For example, when hydrogen is filled into the gas tank 2, the hydrogen is filled at high pressure with the valve open. For example, when the hydrogen in the gas tank 2 is used to charge a fuel cell (not shown), hydrogen is supplied to the fuel cell with the valve open.

[0034] The flange 6f of the mouthpiece 6 extends from the through hole 6h along the inner surface of the first end wall 2a. The flange 6f has a bonding surface 60 that is opposite to the inner surface of the first end wall 2a. The bonding surface 60 is bonded to the inner surface of the first end wall 2a. Thus, the mouthpiece 6 reinforces the first end wall 2a from the inside. In addition, although not shown in the figure, the flange of the end hub 7 also has a bonding surface that is bonded to the inner surface of the second end wall 2b, similar to the mouthpiece 6. Thus, the end hub 7 reinforces the second end wall 2b from the inside.

[0035] Here, temporarily refer to Figure 5 , the shape of the first end wall 2a in the conventional high-pressure gas tank module when deformed will be described. Figure 5 It is the existing high pressure gas tank module Figure 3 Same section. Figure 5 In the figure, the solid line represents the shape of the high-pressure gas tank module during deformation, and the dashed line represents the shape before deformation. In the conventional high-pressure gas tank module, adhesive 20 is disposed between the entire opposing surface 4s of the first protector 4, which opposes the first end wall 2a, and the first outer surface 2e of the first end wall 2a. In other words, the entire opposing surface 4s is bonded to the first outer surface 2e.

[0036] For example, when the valve is opened to supply hydrogen to the fuel cell, the high-pressure filled hydrogen applies an internal pressure P1 to the nozzle member 6. The nozzle member 6 pressed by the internal pressure P1 moves in the axial direction (ie, Figure 5 As a result, the bent first end wall 2a is deformed in an axially extending manner. Here, in the range where the inner surface of the first end wall 2a is joined to the flange 6f (i.e., the range of the joining surface 60), the deformation of the first end wall 2a is suppressed by being reinforced by the flange 6f. On the other hand, in the radially outer side of the outer peripheral end of the joining surface 60 (i.e., Figure 3 Since the flange 6f is not used to reinforce the first end wall 2a, the deformation of the first end wall 2a is not suppressed. Therefore, a load F1 is generated that presses the first end wall 2a from the inside, especially at the radially outer end of the joint surface 60 (i.e., the outer peripheral end 6e of the flange 6f). As a result, Figure 5 As shown, the first end wall 2a may bend suddenly starting from the outer peripheral end 6e due to the load F1.

[0037] If the first end wall 2a bends suddenly, the first outer surface 2e also bends suddenly. At this time, the first outer surface 2e attempts to bend the opposing surface 4s of the first protector 4 through the adhesive 20. Here, as previously described, since the plate thickness of the first end wall 2a is locally thinned, the first end wall 2a is easily deformed. In contrast, since the first protector 4 is made of a hard resin, it has higher rigidity than the first end wall 2a. Therefore, in the case where the first outer surface 2e bends suddenly, the first protector 4 overcomes the bending of the first outer surface 2e and maintains its shape. As a result, a stress that attempts to peel the opposing surface 4s of the first protector 4 and the first outer surface 2e acts between them. As a result, as Figure 5 As shown, in the conventional high-pressure gas tank module, the anti-axial side (ie, Figure 5 The end portion (on the lower side of the paper) is peeled off from the adhesive 20.

[0038] like Figure 3 As shown, in the high-pressure gas tank module 10 of this embodiment, the opposing surface 4s of the first protector 4 has a bonding portion 30 and a non-bonding portion 32. In the bonding portion 30, the first outer surface 2e is bonded to the opposing surface 4s by the adhesive 20. Moreover, the bonding portion 30 and the bonding surface 60 are opposed to each other via the first end wall 2a. Thus, the first protector 4 is firmly fixed to the portion of the first outer surface 2e of the first end wall 2a that is reinforced by the flange 6f. The non-bonding portion 32 extends from the bonding portion 30 along the first outer surface 2e toward the side wall 2c. In the non-bonding portion 32, the first outer surface 2e and the opposing surface 4s are not bonded. That is, unlike the above-mentioned prior art, in the high-pressure gas tank module 10 of this embodiment, the bonding to the first outer surface 2e of the first end wall 2a is omitted in a portion of the opposing surface 4s of the first protector 4.

[0039] As a result, even if the reference Figure 5 As described above, even though the first outer surface 2e suddenly bends starting from the outer peripheral end 6e due to the load F1, the first outer surface 2e does not cause the first protector 4 to bend in the non-joined portion 32. Therefore, unlike the aforementioned prior art, the facing surface 4s does not peel from the adhesive 20 in the non-joined portion 32. Thus, in the high-pressure gas tank module 10 of this embodiment, the first protector 4 is stably fixed to the first outer surface 2e by joining the first protector 4 to the area of ​​the first end wall 2a reinforced by the mouthpiece 6. Furthermore, the high-pressure gas tank module 10 suppresses deformation of the first protector 4 during deformation of the first end wall 2a by using the non-joined portion 32 located radially outward of the joined portion 30. Thus, even when the mouthpiece 6 is relatively small, peeling of the first protector 4 from the first outer surface 2e during deformation of the first end wall 2a can be suppressed without reducing the size of the first protector 4.

[0040] Furthermore, the boundary B1 between the joining portion 30 and the non-joining portion 32 faces the outer peripheral end 6e of the flange 6f across the first end wall 2a. As a result, the adhesive 20 does not radially extend beyond the outer peripheral end 6e. Therefore, even if the first end wall 2a suddenly bends from the outer peripheral end 6e due to load F1, the adhesive 20 does not bend. As a result, the adhesive 20 is less likely to break. Furthermore, radially outside the outer peripheral end 6e of the first end wall 2a, because the non-joining portion 32 is not bonded to the first outer surface 2e of the first end wall 2a, even if the first end wall 2a suddenly bends from the outer peripheral end 6e due to load F1, the first protector 4 does not follow the bending of the first end wall 2a. As a result, deformation of the first protector 4 is suppressed radially outside the outer peripheral end 6e of the easily deformable first end wall 2a.

[0041] Furthermore, when the first end wall 2a suddenly bends starting from the outer peripheral end 6e due to the load F1, the first outer surface 2e sometimes interferes with the opposing surface 4s in the non-joining portion 32. In this case, the first protector 4 is deformed in the non-joining portion 32 so as to separate from the first outer surface 2e. A groove 4g is provided on the opposing surface 4s of the first protector 4. The groove 4g extends along the boundary B1 between the joining portion 30 and the non-joining portion 32. The groove 4g absorbs the deformation of the first protector 4 in the non-joining portion 32. In other words, even when the first outer surface 2e interferes with the opposing surface 4s in the non-joining portion 32, the stress generated in the joining portion 30 can be suppressed by the deformation of the first protector 4 at the position of the groove 4g. As a result, the deformation of the first protector 4 in the joining portion 30 is suppressed. This prevents the first protector 4 from peeling off from the first outer surface 2e.

[0042] Furthermore, a gap C1 is provided between the first outer surface 2e and the opposing surface 4s in the non-joined portion 32. Therefore, even if the first end wall 2a suddenly bends starting from the outer peripheral end 6e due to a load F1, the first outer surface 2e and the opposing surface 4s are less likely to interfere with each other in the non-joined portion 32. Consequently, deformation of the first protector 4 in the non-joined portion 32 is suppressed.

[0043] (Second embodiment)

[0044] Reference Figure 4 The detailed structure of the high-pressure gas tank module 10 of the second embodiment will be described. The high-pressure gas tank module 10 of the second embodiment differs from the high-pressure gas tank module 10 of the first embodiment in the range where the adhesive 20 is disposed, but the other structures are the same. In the high-pressure gas tank module 10 of the second embodiment, the adhesive 20 extends radially outward beyond the outer peripheral end 6e of the flange 6f. Therefore, the boundary B2 between the bonded portion 30 and the non-bonded portion 32 is located radially outward of the outer peripheral end 6e.

[0045] Here, as Figure 4As shown, the arc length W1 along the first end wall 2a from the open end 8e of the communication port 8 to the outer peripheral end 6e of the flange 6f is longer than the arc length W2 along the first end wall 2a from the outer peripheral end 6e to the boundary B2. The flange 6f not only reinforces the joint surface 60 but also reinforces the portion of the first end wall 2a located around the flange 6f. In other words, the joint surface 60 of the flange 6f also reinforces the first end wall 2a located radially outward of the outer peripheral end 6e. By arranging the boundary B2 within the arc length W2 from the outer peripheral end 6e of the flange 6f, the first protector 4 is bonded to the portion where deformation is suppressed due to the reinforcement provided by the flange 6f. As a result, the first protector 4 is prevented from peeling off from the first outer surface 2e when the first end wall 2a deforms. In this embodiment, the open end 8e is an example of the "first point," the outer peripheral end 6e is an example of the "second point," and the boundary B2 is an example of the "third point."

[0046] While the specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail above, these are merely illustrative and do not limit the technical solutions claimed in this application. The technology described in the technical solutions claimed in this application includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples illustrated above. The following lists modifications of the above-described embodiments.

[0047] (Variation 1) The method of fixing the first protector 4 and the second protector 5 to the gas tank 2 is not limited to bonding. For example, the protectors 4 and 5 may be joined to the end walls 2a and 2b of the gas tank 2 by welding.

[0048] (Variation 2) The first protector 4 and the second protector 5 may each have a split structure. For example, the first protector 4 may be formed by being split into four pieces in the circumferential direction of the gas tank 2 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the central axis CL. The split protectors may be arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0049] (Variation 3) The first protector 4 may be provided at the head of at least one of the first end wall 2a where the mouthpiece 6 of the gas tank 2 is arranged and the second end wall 2b where the end boss 7 is arranged.

[0050] (Variant 4) In the high-pressure gas tank module 10 of the second embodiment, the boundary B1 may be located between the open end 8e and the outer peripheral end 6e. As a result, the entirety of the joint portion 30 faces the joint surface 60 across the first end wall 2a. Thus, the first protector 4 is joined only to the area of ​​the first end wall 2a reinforced by the flange 6f of the mouthpiece 6. Consequently, it is possible to effectively prevent the first protector 4 from peeling off from the first end wall 2a of the gas tank 2.

[0051] (Variation 5) The gas tank 2 may not be made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic. In this case, the gas tank 2 may be made of, for example, glass fiber reinforced plastic.

[0052] (Variation 6) The first protector 4 may not be made of a hard resin. In this case, the first protector 4 may be made of a soft resin, for example.

[0053] (Variation 7) The first protector 4 may not have the groove 4g on the facing surface 4s.

[0054] (Variation 8) The gap C1 may not be provided between the first outer surface 2e and the facing surface 4s in the non-joined portion 32. In the non-joined portion 32, the first outer surface 2e and the facing surface 4s may be in contact with each other at least partially.

[0055] The technical elements described in this specification or drawings may demonstrate technical usefulness individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the technical claims at the time of application. Furthermore, the techniques illustrated in this specification or drawings may simultaneously achieve multiple objectives, and achieving one of these objectives alone may be technically useful.

Claims

1. A high-pressure gas tank module, wherein: have: A gas tank for storing high-pressure gas, the gas tank having a cylindrical side wall extending along a central axis of the gas tank and an end wall located at one end of the cylindrical side wall, the end wall bulging outward in a dome shape; a protector fixed to an outer surface of the end wall of the gas tank; as well as a hub located on the central axis and fixed to the inner surface of the end wall of the gas tank, The hub has an engagement surface that engages the inner surface of the end wall, The surface of the protector facing the end wall has a joint portion that is joined to the outer surface of the end wall and a non-joint portion that is not joined to the outer surface of the end wall. The engaging portion is located at the inner peripheral end of the opposing surface, and the non-engaging portion extends along the outer surface from the outer peripheral end of the engaging portion to the outer peripheral end of the opposing surface. The engaging portion of the protector and the engaging surface of the hub are opposed to each other with the end wall interposed therebetween. No portion of the protector is engaged with the outer surface of the end wall radially outside a boundary between the engaging portion and the non-engaging portion.

2. The high-pressure gas tank module according to claim 1, wherein: The hub has: a mouthpiece having a through hole extending along the central axis and connecting the inside and outside of the gas tank; and a flange formed integrally with the mouthpiece and extending from the through hole along the inner surface of the end wall, The joining surface is formed by the flange.

3. The high-pressure gas tank module according to claim 2, wherein: The end wall is provided with a communication port for the mouthpiece to pass through. In a cross-section involving a plane passing through the center axis, when the opening end of the connecting port is taken as the first point, the outer peripheral end of the flange is taken as the second point, and the boundary between the joining portion and the non-joining portion of the protector is taken as the third point, the length of the arc along the end wall from the first point to the second point is greater than the length of the arc along the end wall from the second point to the third point.

4. The high-pressure gas tank module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The entirety of the joining portion faces the joining surface via the end wall.

5. The high-pressure gas tank module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: A boundary between the joining portion and the non-joining portion and an outer peripheral end of the joining surface face each other via the end wall.

6. The high-pressure gas tank module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The gas tank is made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic.

7. The high-pressure gas tank module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The protector is made of hard resin.

8. The high-pressure gas tank module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The facing surface has a groove extending along a boundary between the joining portion and the non-joining portion.

9. The high-pressure gas tank module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: A gap is interposed between the non-joined portion of the opposing surface and the outer surface of the end wall.

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