Tank holding device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tank retaining device comprising a strap for restraining a hydrogen tank. The strap comprises: a band-shaped base extending along the outer circumference of the hydrogen tank; and a plurality of pressing portions projecting from both sides in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the base. The pressing portions elastically deform while in contact with the outer circumference of the hydrogen tank, thereby applying a pressing force to the outer circumference of the hydrogen tank. Each pressing portion comprises: a first pressing portion projecting away from the base; and a second pressing portion folded back toward the base to contact the outer circumference of the hydrogen tank.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a can holding device. Background Art

[0002] As a tank retaining device, for example, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-070467, there is known a structure for retaining a tank by placing a cylindrical tank on a support member having a recess for storing the tank and fastening the tank with a belt-shaped tie on the opposite side of the support member. The tie is fixed to the support member by a bolt at one end and fixed to the support member at the other end while being biased by a coil spring, thereby pressing against the outer peripheral surface of the tank. When using a tank retaining device having such a structure to secure the tank, in order to suppress axial runout of the tank, it is preferable to arrange one tie at each of the left and right ends of the tank in the longitudinal direction and to arrange the tie as close to the left and right ends of the tank as possible.

[0003] Recently, research is underway to use a band with a leaf spring structure, rather than a coil spring, to retain the tank. When using a band with a leaf spring structure, the change in the leaf spring's reaction force relative to its stroke must be reduced to absorb radial dimensional deviations and dimensional changes caused by internal pressure. Therefore, the leaf spring length must be increased. However, increasing the leaf spring length increases the width of the band, which, because the band's placement must be moved inward from the left and right ends of the tank, reduces the band's effectiveness in suppressing axial runout. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention has been made to solve such technical problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a tank holding device capable of suppressing an increase in the width of a band.

[0005] A tank retaining device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a strap for restraining a tank, wherein the tank retaining device is characterized in that the strap comprises: a strip-shaped base extending along the outer circumference of the tank; and a plurality of pressing portions protruding from both sides in a width direction perpendicular to the length direction of the base, and applying pressing force to the outer circumferential surface of the tank by elastically deforming in a state of abutting against the outer circumferential surface of the tank, each pressing portion comprising: a first pressing portion protruding in a direction away from the base; and a second pressing portion folded back in a manner close to the base and abutting against the outer circumferential surface of the tank.

[0006] In the can retaining device described above, each pressing portion may include a first pressing portion that projects away from the base portion, and a second pressing portion that is folded back toward the base portion to contact the outer peripheral surface of the can. By forming the pressing portion into a folded-back structure, the width of the band can be reduced. Consequently, the increase in the width of the band can be suppressed.

[0007] In the can holding device of the above embodiment, each pressing portion may further include a flat plate-shaped folded portion formed between the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion to connect the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion. In this manner, the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion can be easily formed, and the material used for the pressing portions can be effectively utilized.

[0008] In the can retaining device described above, each pressing portion may be a protruding piece protruding from the base. The protruding piece may include a first cutout along the length of the base, and a second cutout extending from the distal end of the first cutout along the width of the base, for forming the first and second pressing portions. This facilitates the formation of the first and second pressing portions and reduces the amount of material used for the pressing portions.

[0009] In the can holding device of the above embodiment, when the length direction of the base is used as the width direction of the pressing portion, the pressing portion can be narrowed from the portion of the first pressing portion connected to the base toward the portion of the second pressing portion that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the can, and the width of the portion of the first pressing portion connected to the folded portion and the width of the portion of the second pressing portion connected to the folded portion can be equal. In this way, since stress concentration on the portion of the first pressing portion connected to the base can be alleviated, the durability of the pressing portion can be improved, and the material used for the pressing portion can be effectively utilized.

[0010] In the can holding device described above, the pressing portion can be of multiple types, with the length direction of the base portion serving as the width direction of the pressing portion. Adjacent pressing portions in the length direction of the base portion can have different widths of the portion of the first pressing portion connected to the base portion. By having multiple natural vibration frequencies of the pressing portion, the vibration energy during resonance can be reduced, thereby suppressing the vibration of the can.

[0011] In the can holding device of the above aspect, the pressing portions disposed on both sides of the base may be symmetrical with respect to the base. This can reduce the force exerted by the band on the can to rotate.

[0012] In the can holding device of the above aspect, the pressing portions adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the base portion may be arranged so that the first pressing portions are adjacent to each other. This can reduce the force exerted by the band on the can rotation.

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress an increase in the width of the band. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Hereinafter, features, advantages, technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like elements, and in which:

[0015] Figure 1 It is a plan view showing the tank holding device according to the first embodiment.

[0016] Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of line A-A.

[0017] Figure 3 It is along Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of line BB.

[0018] Figure 4 It is a partial perspective view showing the drawstring.

[0019] Figure 5 It is a partial top view showing the belt.

[0020] Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 Cross-sectional view of the C-C line.

[0021] Figure 7 It is a partial plan view showing a strap of the tank holding device according to the second embodiment.

[0022] Figure 8 It is along Figure 7 Cross-sectional view of the D-D line.

[0023] Figure 9 It is a partial plan view showing a strap of the tank holding device according to the third embodiment.

[0024] Figure 10 It is along Figure 9 Cross-sectional view of the E-E line.

[0025] Figure 11 It is a partial plan view showing a strap of the tank holding device according to the fourth embodiment.

[0026] Figure 12 It is along Figure 11 Cross-sectional view of the F-F line. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Embodiments of the tank retaining device according to the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, identical elements are denoted by identical reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions thereof are omitted. In the following description, references to up and down, left and right, and other directions are, for example, convenient directions corresponding to the states shown in the drawings, and do not limit the posture or configuration of the tank retaining device.

[0028] [First embodiment]

[0029] Figure 1 1 is a plan view showing a tank holding device according to a first embodiment. Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of line A-A. Figure 3 It is along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view of the BB line. Figures 1 to 3 In the figure, a tank held by the tank holding device is also shown to facilitate understanding of the structure of the tank holding device. The tank holding device 10 of this embodiment is a device that holds a hydrogen tank 1 mounted on a fuel cell vehicle (not shown), for example, and is used to secure the hydrogen tank 1 to the vehicle body. Before describing the tank holding device 10, the structure of the hydrogen tank 1 will be briefly described.

[0030] [Hydrogen tank]

[0031] like Figure 2 As shown, the hydrogen tank 1 is a roughly cylindrical container with rounded corners at both ends. It comprises a liner 2 with a storage space for storing high-pressure hydrogen and a reinforcement layer 4 provided in close contact with the outer circumference of the liner 2. The liner 2 comprises a cylindrical main body 2a and roughly hemispherical dome portions 2b provided at the left and right ends of the main body 2a. The tops of the two dome portions 2b each have an opening, and metal ports 3 are inserted into each of these openings.

[0032] The lining 2 is formed of, for example, a resin material having gas barrier properties against hydrogen. Examples of the resin material include polyamide, polyethylene, thermoplastic resins such as ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin (EVOH), polyester, and thermosetting resins such as epoxy resin. The metal port 3 is formed of, for example, a metal material such as aluminum. Components such as a valve are mounted on the metal port 3. The reinforcing layer 4 is formed by, for example, winding a plurality of turns of fiber impregnated with a thermosetting resin around the outer peripheral surface of the lining 2. The fiber is formed of, for example, a composite material in which carbon fiber, glass fiber, aramid fiber, etc. are added to plastic to increase strength.

[0033] The hydrogen tank 1 having such a structure is held by the tank retaining device 10 at both left and right ends in the direction of the axis L of the hydrogen tank 1 (i.e., the longitudinal direction of the hydrogen tank 1). As described above, in order to suppress axial runout of the hydrogen tank 1, it is preferable to arrange the straps of the tank retaining device 10 as close as possible to the left and right ends of the hydrogen tank 1 (more specifically, the left and right ends of the main body 2a). In this embodiment, axial runout refers to the deviation of the axis L of the hydrogen tank 1 due to vibration or the like.

[0034] [Tank holding device]

[0035] The tank retaining device 10 includes a pair of upper and lower retaining members (a first retaining member 11a and a second retaining member 11b) and uses these retaining members to retain the hydrogen tank 1. Specifically, the tank retaining device 10 restrains and retains the hydrogen tank 1 by fastening the ends of the first retaining member 11a and the second retaining member 11b to each other using a fastening member 40, with the first retaining member 11a positioned on the upper half of the hydrogen tank 1 and the second retaining member 11b positioned on the lower half of the hydrogen tank 1.

[0036] The first holding member 11 a and the second holding member 11 b have the same structure, and are both composed of a belt-shaped band 13 and reinforcing plates 12 disposed at both ends of the band 13 .

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the reinforcing plate 12 is formed of a metal plate having a predetermined width. The width of the reinforcing plate 12 is substantially the same as the width of the band 13. Figure 3 As shown, the reinforcing plate 12 is formed from the outside (at Figure 3 The reinforcing plate 12 is arranged so as to overlap the ends of the strap 13, pressing against the ends of the strap 13 (in the figure, the upper and lower sides of the strap 13). Furthermore, the end 12c of the reinforcing plate 12 on the hydrogen tank 1 side is formed into an arc shape, warping outward to match the curved shape of the strap 13. This prevents the end 12c of the reinforcing plate 12 from interfering with the strap 13, thus preventing the end 12c from damaging the strap 13.

[0038] The reinforcing plate 12 is provided with a relatively small through-hole 12a and a relatively large through-hole 12b. The through-hole 12a is a hole through which the fastening member 40 for fastening the first retaining member 11a and the second retaining member 11b is inserted. The fastening member 40 is composed of, for example, a bolt and a nut. Meanwhile, the through-hole 12b is a hole through which a bolt or the like is inserted for securing the tank retaining device 10 to, for example, a vehicle body component. The through-hole 12b is located closer to the hydrogen tank 1 than the through-hole 12a. The vehicle body component may be, for example, a longitudinal beam or floor panel of a fuel cell vehicle.

[0039] The band 13 is a component for fastening the hydrogen tank 1. It has a leaf spring structure so as to absorb the radial dimensional deviation of the hydrogen tank 1 and the dimensional change caused by the internal pressure (i.e., the expansion and contraction of the hydrogen tank 1 caused by filling and releasing the gas) to hold the hydrogen tank 1. The band 13 includes a band-shaped base 14 and two sides of the base 14 in the width direction (in the middle of the base 14). Figure 1 The four pressing parts (pressing parts 15 to 18) protrude from the left and right sides of the base 14. The width direction of the base 14 is a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the base 14 and is also the width direction of the strap 13.

[0040] The base 14 extends along the periphery of the hydrogen tank 1 and has a wide portion with a relatively wide width and a narrow portion with a relatively narrow width. The wide portion is the portion constituting the two end portions of the base 14 and is the portion overlapping with the reinforcing plate 12. The narrow portion is the portion between the wide portions and is the portion along the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank 1 when the hydrogen tank 1 is held. In addition, although not shown in the figure, in the wide portion of the base 14, through holes penetrating the wide portion are provided at positions corresponding to the through holes 12a and 12b of the reinforcing plate 12, respectively.

[0041] Figure 4 This is a partial stereogram showing the belt. Figure 5 is a partial top view of the belt. Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 The cross-sectional view of the C-C line. Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 As shown, there are multiple pressing parts 15 to 18, each extending to the left or right from the narrow width portion of the base 14. They can apply pressing force to the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank 1 by elastically deforming in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank 1.

[0042] Specifically, the pressing portion 15 includes: a first pressing portion 151, which protrudes from the left side of the base 14 and extends obliquely downward to the left (i.e., the hydrogen tank 1 side) in a manner away from the base 14; a second pressing portion 152, which is folded back in a manner close to the base 14 and abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank 1; and a flat-plate-shaped folded portion 153, which is formed between the first pressing portion 151 and the second pressing portion 152, connecting the first pressing portion 151 and the second pressing portion 152.

[0043] The pressing portion 15 has the same thickness as the base portion 14. When the length direction of the base portion 14 is taken as the width direction of the pressing portion 15, the pressing portion 15 is gradually narrowed from the portion connected to the base portion 14 in the first pressing portion 151 to the folded portion 153, and further to the portion in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank 1 in the second pressing portion 152. More specifically, Figure 5 As shown, the width w1 of the portion of the first pressing portion 151 connected to the base 14 is greater than the width w2 of the portion of the first pressing portion 151 connected to the folded portion 153, and the width w3 of the portion of the second pressing portion 152 connected to the folded portion 153 is greater than the width w4 of the portion of the second pressing portion 152 that contacts the outer circumferential surface of the hydrogen tank 1. Furthermore, the width w2 of the portion of the first pressing portion 151 connected to the folded portion 153 and the width w3 of the portion of the second pressing portion 152 connected to the folded portion 153 are equal.

[0044] In addition, in the pressing portion 15, the sum of the width w1 of the portion of the first pressing portion 151 connected to the base 14 and the width w4 of the portion of the second pressing portion 152 abutting against the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank 1 (w1+w4) and the sum of the width w2 of the portion of the first pressing portion 151 connected to the folding portion 153 and the width w3 of the portion of the second pressing portion 152 connected to the folding portion 153 (w2+w3) are approximately equal.

[0045] Furthermore, a hole 154 for preventing stress concentration is provided between the portion connected to the first pressing portion 151 (i.e., the portion having a width w2) and the portion connected to the second pressing portion 152 (i.e., the portion having a width w3) in the folded portion 153. This hole 154 has a diameter of, for example, several millimeters and is a structure for preventing cracks caused by stress concentration.

[0046] The pressing portion 16 is arranged on the opposite side of the pressing portion 15 across the base 14. The pressing portion 16 has the same structure as the pressing portion 15, but the positions of the first pressing portion 161 and the second pressing portion 162 are opposite to the positions of the first pressing portion 151 and the second pressing portion 152 of the pressing portion 15 in the longitudinal direction of the base 14.

[0047] Specifically, the pressing portion 16 includes: a first pressing portion 161, which protrudes to the right side of the base 14 and extends obliquely downward to the right (i.e., the hydrogen tank 1 side) in a manner away from the base 14; a second pressing portion 162, which is folded back in a manner close to the base 14 and abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank 1; and a flat-plate-shaped folded portion 163, which is formed between the first pressing portion 161 and the second pressing portion 162, connecting the first pressing portion 161 and the second pressing portion 162.

[0048] Like the pressing portion 15, the pressing portion 16 gradually tapers from the portion of the first pressing portion 161 connected to the base 14 to the folded portion 163, and then to the portion of the second pressing portion 162 that contacts the hydrogen tank 1. Furthermore, the positions of the first pressing portion 161 and the second pressing portion 162 of the pressing portion 16 are opposite to the positions of the first pressing portion 151 and the second pressing portion 152 of the pressing portion 15 in the longitudinal direction of the base 14. That is, while the pressing portion 15 is arranged in the order of the first pressing portion 151 and the second pressing portion 152 from the front toward the back along the longitudinal direction of the base 14, the pressing portion 16 is arranged in the order of the second pressing portion 162 and the first pressing portion 161.

[0049] Furthermore, the pressing portion 15 arranged on the left side of the base 14 , the pressing portion 16 arranged on the right side of the base 14 , and the portion of the base 14 connecting the pressing portion 15 and the pressing portion 16 constitute one leaf spring.

[0050] On the other hand, the pressing portion 17 is arranged adjacent to the pressing portion 15 in the longitudinal direction of the base 14. The pressing portion 17 includes a first pressing portion 171 that protrudes from the left side of the base 14 and extends obliquely downward and leftward away from the base 14; a second pressing portion 172 that is folded back toward the base 14 to contact the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank 1; and a flat folded portion 173 formed between the first pressing portion 171 and the second pressing portion 172 to connect the first pressing portion 171 and the second pressing portion 172.

[0051] In addition, the pressing portion 17 is gradually narrowed from the portion of the first pressing portion 171 connected to the base 14 to the folded portion 173 and further to the portion of the second pressing portion 172 that contacts the hydrogen tank 1. More specifically, Figure 5 As shown, the width w5 of the portion of the first pressing portion 171 connected to the base 14 is greater than the width w6 of the portion of the first pressing portion 171 connected to the folded portion 173, and the width w7 of the portion of the second pressing portion 172 connected to the folded portion 173 is greater than the width w8 of the portion of the second pressing portion 172 that contacts the outer circumferential surface of the hydrogen tank 1. Furthermore, the width w6 of the portion of the first pressing portion 171 connected to the folded portion 173 and the width w7 of the portion of the second pressing portion 172 connected to the folded portion 173 are equal.

[0052] In addition, in the pressing portion 17, the sum of the width w5 of the portion of the first pressing portion 171 connected to the base 14 and the width w8 of the portion of the second pressing portion 172 that abuts the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank 1 (w5+w8) and the sum of the width w6 of the portion of the first pressing portion 171 connected to the folding portion 173 and the width w7 of the portion of the second pressing portion 172 connected to the folding portion 173 (w6+w7) are approximately equal.

[0053] In addition, in the pressing portion 15 and the pressing portion 17 adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the base 14, the width w1 of the portion of the first pressing portion 151 of the pressing portion 15 connected to the base 14 is smaller than the width w5 of the portion of the first pressing portion 171 of the pressing portion 17 connected to the base 14, and the width w4 of the portion of the second pressing portion 152 of the pressing portion 15 abutting against the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank 1 is larger than the width w8 of the portion of the second pressing portion 172 of the pressing portion 17 abutting against the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank 1. Among them, the sum of the width w1 of the part of the first pressing part 151 of the pressing part 15 connected to the base 14 and the width w4 of the part of the second pressing part 152 abutting against the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank 1 (w1+w4) is equal to the sum of the width w5 of the part of the first pressing part 171 of the pressing part 17 connected to the base 14 and the width w8 of the part of the second pressing part 172 abutting against the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank 1 (w5+w8).

[0054] Furthermore, the width w2 of the portion of the first pressing portion 151 of the pressing portion 15 connected to the folded portion 153 is equal to the width w6 of the portion of the first pressing portion 171 of the pressing portion 17 connected to the folded portion 173. That is, in this embodiment, the width w2 of the portion of the first pressing portion 151 of the pressing portion 15 connected to the folded portion 153, the width w3 of the portion of the second pressing portion 152 connected to the folded portion 153, the width w6 of the portion of the first pressing portion 171 of the pressing portion 17 connected to the folded portion 173, and the width w7 of the portion of the second pressing portion 172 connected to the folded portion 173 are equal.

[0055] And, as Figure 6 As shown, in the radial direction of the hydrogen tank 1, the distance h1 from the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank 1 to the folded portion 153 of the pressing portion 15 is different from the distance h2 to the folded portion 173 of the pressing portion 17 (in Figure 6 (h1>h2). This is because if the distance h1 from the outer circumferential surface of the hydrogen tank 1 to the folded portion 153 of the pressing portion 15 and the distance h2 to the folded portion 173 of the pressing portion 17 were the same, the adjacent folded portions 153 of the pressing portion 15 and 173 of the pressing portion 17 would interfere with each other. By making the distances from the outer circumferential surface of the hydrogen tank 1 to the folded portions different, interference between adjacent folded portions can be avoided.

[0056] The pressing portion 18 is arranged on the opposite side of the pressing portion 17 across the base 14. The pressing portion 18 has the same structure as the pressing portion 17, but the arrangement positions of the first pressing portion 181 and the second pressing portion 182 are opposite to the arrangement positions of the first pressing portion 171 and the second pressing portion 172 of the pressing portion 17 in the longitudinal direction of the base 14.

[0057] Specifically, the pressing portion 18 includes: a first pressing portion 181, which protrudes to the right side of the base 14 and extends obliquely downward to the right (i.e., the hydrogen tank 1 side) in a manner away from the base 14; a second pressing portion 182, which is folded back in a manner close to the base 14 and abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank 1; and a flat-plate-shaped folded portion 183, which is formed between the first pressing portion 181 and the second pressing portion 182, connecting the first pressing portion 181 and the second pressing portion 182.

[0058] Like the pressing portion 17, the pressing portion 18 gradually tapers from the portion of the first pressing portion 181 connected to the base 14 to the folded portion 183, and then to the portion of the second pressing portion 182 that contacts the hydrogen tank 1. Furthermore, the positions of the first pressing portion 181 and the second pressing portion 182 of the pressing portion 18 are opposite to those of the first pressing portion 171 and the second pressing portion 172 of the pressing portion 17 in the longitudinal direction of the base 14. That is, while the pressing portion 17 is arranged in the order of the first pressing portion 171 and the second pressing portion 172 along the longitudinal direction of the base 14 from the front toward the back, the pressing portion 18 is arranged in the order of the second pressing portion 182 and the first pressing portion 181.

[0059] Furthermore, the pressing portion 17 arranged on the left side of the base 14 , the pressing portion 18 arranged on the right side of the base 14 , and the portion of the base 14 connecting the pressing portion 17 and the pressing portion 18 constitute one leaf spring.

[0060] On the left side of the base 14 , the pressing parts 15 and 17 constructed as described above are repeatedly arranged along the longitudinal direction of the base 14 , and on the right side of the base 14 , the pressing parts 16 and 18 are repeatedly arranged along the longitudinal direction of the base 14 .

[0061] Pressing portions 15 to 18 are protruding pieces extending from base 14. These pressing portions are formed, for example, by providing a protruding piece connected to base 14 with a first notch along the length of base 14 and a second notch extending from the end of the first notch along the width of base 14 to form the first and second pressing portions, and then bending the protruding piece using a die. This facilitates the formation of the first and second pressing portions and reduces the amount of material used in pressing portions 15 to 18.

[0062] In addition, if Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 As shown, the base portion 14 is formed with a plurality of ridges 30. These ridges 30 are formed by gradually bending the base portion 14 at predetermined intervals to match the curvature of the outer circumference of the hydrogen tank 1, thereby ensuring that the strap 13 is more closely attached to the outer circumference of the hydrogen tank 1. Furthermore, when the left and right pair of pressing portions 15, 16 (or pressing portions 17, 18) and the portion of the base portion 14 connecting them are considered a single leaf spring, the ridges 30 are positioned between adjacent leaf springs.

[0063] The band 13 including the base portion 14 and the pressing portions 15 to 18 is formed of a metal material having excellent strength and elastic deformation, such as spring steel or stainless steel.

[0064] In the tank retaining device 10 of the present embodiment, the pressing portions 15 to 18 respectively include: a first pressing portion that protrudes in a direction away from the base 14; and a second pressing portion that is folded back in a manner close to the base 14 and abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank 1. In this way, by forming the pressing portion into a folded structure, it is possible to reduce the change in the reaction force of the leaf spring relative to the stroke of the leaf spring and to reduce the width of the band 13. As a result, the increase in the width of the band 13 can be suppressed. In addition, since the pressing portions 15 to 18 respectively include a flat plate-shaped folded portion connecting the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion, the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion can be easily formed, and the material used for the pressing portions 15 to 18 can be effectively utilized.

[0065] Furthermore, the pressing portions 15-18 are tapered from the portion of the first pressing portion connected to the base 14 toward the portion of the second pressing portion that contacts the outer circumferential surface of the hydrogen tank 1. The width of the portion of the first pressing portion connected to the folded portion is equal to the width of the portion of the second pressing portion connected to the folded portion. This reduces stress concentration on the portion of the first pressing portion connected to the base 14, improving the durability of the pressing portions 15-18 and allowing for efficient use of the material used for the pressing portions 15-18.

[0066] Furthermore, for the pressing portions 15 and 17 adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the base 14 or the pressing portions 16 and 18 adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the base 14, since the widths of the portions of the first pressing portion connected to the base 14 are different, by making the natural vibration frequencies of the pressing portions multiple, the vibration energy during resonance can be reduced, thereby suppressing the vibration of the hydrogen tank 1.

[0067] Furthermore, for the pressing portion 15 (or pressing portion 17) arranged on the left side of the base 14 and the pressing portion 16 (or pressing portion 18) arranged on the right side of the base 14, since the configuration positions of the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion are opposite in the longitudinal direction of the base 14, the force on the rotation of the hydrogen tank 1 caused by the strap 13 can be reduced.

[0068] [Second embodiment]

[0069] Below, refer to Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 A second embodiment of the tank holding device will be described. The tank holding device according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment described above in the structure of the strap (more specifically, the structure of the pressing portion). Only this difference will be described below.

[0070] Figure 7 FIG. 1 is a partial plan view showing a strap of a tank holding device according to a second embodiment. Figure 8 It is along Figure 7 The cross-sectional view of the D-D line. Figure 7 As shown, the strap 13A of the second embodiment includes two types of pressing portions (pressing portions 19 and 20 ), and these two types of pressing portions are arranged on both left and right sides of the base 14 with the base 14 interposed therebetween.

[0071] More specifically, the pressing portion 19 arranged on the left side of the base 14 has: a first pressing portion 191, which protrudes from the base 14 and extends obliquely downward to the left (i.e., the hydrogen tank 1 side) in a manner away from the base 14; a second pressing portion 192, which is folded back in a manner close to the base 14 and abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank 1; and a flat-plate-shaped folded portion 193, formed between the first pressing portion 191 and the second pressing portion 192, connecting the first pressing portion 191 and the second pressing portion 192.

[0072] When the length direction of the base 14 is taken as the width direction of the pressing portion 19, the pressing portion 19 is gradually narrowed from the portion of the first pressing portion 191 connected to the base 14 to the folded portion 193, and further to the portion of the second pressing portion 192 that contacts the hydrogen tank 1. Figure 7 As shown, the width w9 of the portion of the first pressing portion 191 connected to the base 14 is greater than the width w10 of the portion of the first pressing portion 191 connected to the folded portion 193, and the width w11 of the portion of the second pressing portion 192 connected to the folded portion 193 is greater than the width w12 of the portion of the second pressing portion 192 that contacts the outer circumferential surface of the hydrogen tank 1. Furthermore, the width w10 of the portion of the first pressing portion 191 connected to the folded portion 193 and the width w11 of the portion of the second pressing portion 192 connected to the folded portion 193 are equal.

[0073] In addition, in the pressing portion 19, the sum (w9+w12) of the width w9 of the portion of the first pressing portion 191 connected to the base 14 and the width w12 of the portion of the second pressing portion 192 abutting against the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank 1 is greater than the sum (w10+w11) of the width w10 of the portion of the first pressing portion 191 connected to the folding portion 193 and the width w3 of the portion of the second pressing portion 192 connected to the folding portion 193.

[0074] In addition, in the folded portion 193, a hole 194 for avoiding stress concentration is provided between a portion connected to the first pressing portion 191 (i.e., a portion having a width w10) and a portion connected to the second pressing portion 192 (i.e., a portion having a width w11).

[0075] The pressing portions 19 having such a structure are arranged at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction of the base 14 on the left side of the base 14. There is a gap between adjacent pressing portions 19 in the longitudinal direction of the base 14. By providing such a gap, interference between adjacent folded portions 193 can be avoided.

[0076] On the other hand, the pressing portion 20 arranged on the right side of the base 14 has the same structure as the pressing portion 19, but the configuration positions of its first pressing portion 201 and the second pressing portion 202 are opposite to the configuration positions of the first pressing portion 191 and the second pressing portion 192 of the pressing portion 19 in the length direction of the base 14.

[0077] Specifically, the pressing portion 20 includes: a first pressing portion 201, which protrudes to the right side of the base 14 and extends obliquely downward to the right (i.e., the hydrogen tank 1 side) in a manner away from the base 14; a second pressing portion 202, which is folded back in a manner close to the base 14 and abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank 1; and a flat-plate-shaped folded portion 203, which is formed between the first pressing portion 201 and the second pressing portion 202, connecting the first pressing portion 201 and the second pressing portion 202.

[0078] Like the pressing portion 19, the pressing portion 20 gradually tapers from the portion of the first pressing portion 201 connected to the base 14 to the folded portion 203, and then to the portion of the second pressing portion 202 that contacts the hydrogen tank 1. Furthermore, the positions of the first pressing portion 201 and the second pressing portion 202 of the pressing portion 20 are opposite to those of the first pressing portion 191 and the second pressing portion 192 of the pressing portion 19 in the longitudinal direction of the base 14. That is, while the pressing portion 19 is arranged in the order of the first pressing portion 191 and the second pressing portion 192 along the longitudinal direction of the base 14 from the front toward the back, the pressing portion 20 is arranged in the order of the second pressing portion 202 and the first pressing portion 201.

[0079] Furthermore, in the folded portion 203 , a hole 204 for avoiding stress concentration is provided between a portion connected to the first pressing portion 201 and a portion connected to the second pressing portion 202 .

[0080] The pressing portions 20 having such a structure are arranged at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction of the base 14 on the right side of the base 14. There is a gap between the pressing portions 20 adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the base 14. By providing such a gap, interference between adjacent folded portions 203 can be avoided.

[0081] Furthermore, the pressing portion 19 arranged on the left side of the base 14 , the pressing portion 20 arranged on the right side of the base 14 , and the portion of the base 14 connecting the pressing portion 19 and the pressing portion 20 constitute one leaf spring.

[0082] According to the tank holding device of this embodiment, the same operational effects as those of the above-mentioned first embodiment can be obtained.

[0083] [Third embodiment]

[0084] Below, refer to Figure 9 as well as Figure 10 A third embodiment of the tank holding device will be described. The tank holding device according to the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment described above in the structure of the strap (more specifically, the structure of the pressing portion). Only this difference will be described below.

[0085] Figure 9 1 is a partial plan view showing a strap of a tank holding device according to a third embodiment. Figure 10 It is along Figure 9 The cross-sectional view of the E-E line. Figure 9 As shown, the strap 13B of the third embodiment has four pressing parts (pressing parts 21, 21', 22, 22'), which are repeatedly arranged on the left and right sides of the base 14 in the order of pressing part 21, pressing part 22, pressing part 22' and pressing part 21'.

[0086] More specifically, the pressing portion 21 is arranged bilaterally symmetrically with respect to the base 14. The pressing portion 21 includes a first pressing portion 211 that protrudes from the base 14 and extends obliquely downward (i.e., toward the hydrogen tank 1) away from the base 14; a second pressing portion 212 that is folded back toward the base 14 to contact the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank 1; and a flat folded portion 213 formed between the first pressing portion 211 and the second pressing portion 212 to connect the first pressing portion 211 and the second pressing portion 212.

[0087] When the length direction of the base 14 is taken as the width direction of the pressing portion 21, the pressing portion 21 is gradually narrowed from the portion of the first pressing portion 211 connected to the base 14 to the folded portion 213, and further to the portion of the second pressing portion 212 that contacts the hydrogen tank 1. Figure 9 As shown, the width w13 of the portion of the first pressing portion 211 connected to the base portion 14 is greater than the width w14 of the portion of the first pressing portion 211 connected to the folded portion 213, and the width w15 of the portion of the second pressing portion 212 connected to the folded portion 213 is greater than the width w16 of the portion of the second pressing portion 212 that contacts the outer circumferential surface of the hydrogen tank 1. Furthermore, the width w14 of the portion of the first pressing portion 211 connected to the folded portion 213 and the width w15 of the portion of the second pressing portion 212 connected to the folded portion 213 are equal.

[0088] In addition, in the pressing portion 21, the sum of the width w13 of the portion of the first pressing portion 211 connected to the base 14 and the width w16 of the portion of the second pressing portion 212 abutting against the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank 1 (w13+w16) and the sum of the width w14 of the portion of the first pressing portion 211 connected to the folding portion 213 and the width w15 of the portion of the second pressing portion 212 connected to the folding portion 213 (w14+w15) are approximately equal.

[0089] In addition, in the folded portion 213, a hole 214 for avoiding stress concentration is provided between the portion connected to the first pressing portion 211 (i.e., the portion having a width w14) and the portion connected to the second pressing portion 212 (i.e., the portion having a width w15).

[0090] Furthermore, the pair of left and right pressing parts 21 and the portion of the base 14 connecting the pair of left and right pressing parts 21 constitute one leaf spring.

[0091] On the other hand, the pressing portion 22 is arranged to be adjacent to the pressing portion 21 in the longitudinal direction of the base 14. The pressing portion 22 is arranged to be bilaterally symmetrical with respect to the base 14. The pressing portion 22 includes: a first pressing portion 221 that protrudes from the base 14 and extends obliquely downward in a manner away from the base 14; a second pressing portion 222 that is folded back in a manner close to the base 14 and abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank 1; and a flat-plate-shaped folded portion 223 that is formed between the first pressing portion 221 and the second pressing portion 222 and connects the first pressing portion 221 and the second pressing portion 222.

[0092] The first pressing portion 221 and the second pressing portion 222 of the pressing portion 22 are arranged at positions opposite to the first pressing portion 211 and the second pressing portion 212 of the pressing portion 21 in the longitudinal direction of the base 14. That is, while the pressing portion 21 is arranged in the order of the first pressing portion 211 and the second pressing portion 212 from the front toward the back along the longitudinal direction of the base 14, the pressing portion 22 is arranged in the order of the second pressing portion 222 and the first pressing portion 221.

[0093] In addition, the pressing portion 22 is similar to the pressing portion 21, and is gradually narrowed from the portion of the first pressing portion 221 connected to the base 14 to the folded portion 223, and further toward the portion of the second pressing portion 222 that contacts the hydrogen tank 1. More specifically, Figure 9As shown, the width w17 of the portion of the first pressing portion 221 connected to the base 14 is greater than the width w18 of the portion of the first pressing portion 221 connected to the folded portion 223, and the width w19 of the portion of the second pressing portion 222 connected to the folded portion 223 is greater than the width w20 of the portion of the second pressing portion 222 that contacts the outer circumferential surface of the hydrogen tank 1. Furthermore, the width w18 of the portion of the first pressing portion 221 connected to the folded portion 223 and the width w19 of the portion of the second pressing portion 222 connected to the folded portion 223 are equal.

[0094] In addition, in the pressing portion 22, the sum of the width w17 of the portion of the first pressing portion 221 connected to the base 14 and the width w20 of the portion of the second pressing portion 222 abutting against the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank 1 (w17+w20) and the sum of the width w18 of the portion of the first pressing portion 221 connected to the folding portion 223 and the width w19 of the portion of the second pressing portion 222 connected to the folding portion 223 (w18+w19) are approximately equal.

[0095] In this embodiment, in the pressing portion 21 and the pressing portion 22 adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the base 14, the width w13 of the portion of the first pressing portion 211 of the pressing portion 21 connected to the base 14 is greater than the width w17 of the portion of the first pressing portion 221 of the pressing portion 22 connected to the base 14, and the width w16 of the portion of the second pressing portion 212 of the pressing portion 21 abutting against the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank 1 is smaller than the width w20 of the portion of the second pressing portion 222 of the pressing portion 22 abutting against the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank 1. Among them, the sum of the width w13 of the part of the first pressing part 211 of the pressing part 21 connected to the base 14 and the width w16 of the part of the second pressing part 212 abutting against the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank 1 (w13+w16) and the sum of the width w17 of the part of the first pressing part 221 of the pressing part 22 connected to the base 14 and the width w20 of the part of the second pressing part 222 abutting against the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank 1 (w17+w20) are equal.

[0096] Furthermore, the width w14 of the portion of the first pressing portion 211 of the pressing portion 21 connected to the folded portion 213 is equal to the width w18 of the portion of the first pressing portion 221 of the pressing portion 22 connected to the folded portion 223. Specifically, the width w14 of the portion of the first pressing portion 211 of the pressing portion 21 connected to the folded portion 213, the width w15 of the portion of the second pressing portion 212 connected to the folded portion 213, the width w18 of the portion of the first pressing portion 221 of the pressing portion 22 connected to the folded portion 223, and the width w19 of the portion of the second pressing portion 222 connected to the folded portion 223 are equal.

[0097] And, as Figure 10As shown, in the radial direction of the hydrogen tank 1, the distance h3 from the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank 1 to the folded portion 213 of the pressing portion 21 is different from the distance h4 to the folded portion 223 of the pressing portion 22 (in Figure 10 (h3>h4). This is because if the distance h3 from the outer circumference of the hydrogen tank 1 to the folded portion 213 of the pressing portion 21 and the distance h4 to the folded portion 223 of the pressing portion 22 were the same, the adjacent folded portions 213 of the pressing portion 21 and 223 of the pressing portion 22 would interfere with each other. By making the distances from the outer circumference of the hydrogen tank 1 to the folded portions different, interference between adjacent folded portions can be avoided.

[0098] On the other hand, the pressing portion 21' has the same structure as the pressing portion 21 described above, but the positions of the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion thereof are opposite to the positions of the first pressing portion 211 and the second pressing portion 212 of the pressing portion 21 in the longitudinal direction of the base 14. That is, while the pressing portion 21 is arranged in the order of the first pressing portion 211 and the second pressing portion 212 along the longitudinal direction of the base 14 from the front toward the back, the pressing portion 21' is arranged in the order of the second pressing portion and the first pressing portion.

[0099] The pressing portion 22' has the same structure as the pressing portion 22 described above, but the positions of the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion thereof are opposite to the positions of the first pressing portion 221 and the second pressing portion 222 of the pressing portion 22 in the longitudinal direction of the base 14. That is, while the pressing portion 22 is arranged in the order of the second pressing portion 222 and the first pressing portion 221 from the front toward the back along the longitudinal direction of the base 14, the pressing portion 22' is arranged in the order of the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion.

[0100] According to the tank holding device of this embodiment, in addition to the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above, the following effects can also be obtained. Figure 9 As shown, the pressing portions 21' and 21 or the pressing portions 22 and 22' adjacent in the longitudinal direction of the base 14 are arranged so that the first pressing portions are adjacent to each other. This can reduce the force exerted by the strap 13B on the rotation of the hydrogen tank 1.

[0101] [Fourth embodiment]

[0102] Below, refer to Figure 11 as well as Figure 12 A fourth embodiment of the tank holding device will be described. The tank holding device according to the fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment described above in the structure of the strap (more specifically, the structure of the pressing portion). Only this difference will be described below.

[0103] Figure 111 is a partial plan view showing a strap of a tank holding device according to a fourth embodiment. Figure 12 It is along Figure 11 The cross-sectional view of the F-F line. Figure 11 As shown, the strap 13C of the fourth embodiment has two types of pressing portions (pressing portions 23 and 24 ), and these two types of pressing portions 23 and 24 are repeatedly arranged in this order on the left and right sides of the base 14 .

[0104] More specifically, the pressing portion 23 is arranged bilaterally symmetrically with respect to the base 14. The pressing portion 23 includes a first pressing portion 231 that protrudes from the base 14 and extends obliquely downward (i.e., toward the hydrogen tank 1) away from the base 14; and a second pressing portion 232 that is folded back toward the base 14 to contact the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank 1.

[0105] When the length of the base 14 is taken as the width of the pressing portion 23, the pressing portion 23 gradually tapers from the portion of the first pressing portion 231 connected to the base 14 toward the portion of the second pressing portion 232 that contacts the hydrogen tank 1. Furthermore, the pair of left and right pressing portions 23 and the portion of the base 14 connecting them constitute a single leaf spring.

[0106] On the other hand, the pressing portion 24 is arranged adjacent to the pressing portion 23 in the longitudinal direction of the base 14. The pressing portion 24 is arranged bilaterally symmetrically with respect to the base 14. The pressing portion 24 includes a first pressing portion 241 that protrudes from the base 14 and extends obliquely downward away from the base 14; and a second pressing portion 242 that is folded back toward the base 14 to contact the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen tank 1.

[0107] Similar to the pressing portion 23, the pressing portion 24 gradually tapers from the portion of the first pressing portion 241 connected to the base 14 toward the portion of the second pressing portion 242 that contacts the hydrogen tank 1. Furthermore, the pair of left and right pressing portions 24 and the portion of the base 14 connecting them form a single leaf spring.

[0108] There is a gap between the pressing portions 23 and 24 that are adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the base portion 14. By providing such a gap, interference between the adjacent pressing portions can be avoided.

[0109] Furthermore, the total length of the first pressing portion 231 and the second pressing portion 232 constituting the pressing portion 23 is slightly longer than the total length of the first pressing portion 241 and the second pressing portion 242 constituting the pressing portion 24. Furthermore, the folded-back position of the pressing portion 24 (i.e., the connection position between the first pressing portion 241 and the second pressing portion 242) is located inward of the folded-back position of the pressing portion 23 (i.e., the connection position between the first pressing portion 231 and the second pressing portion 232).

[0110] The pressing portions 23 and 24 having such a structure are formed by preparing two types of trapezoidal protruding pieces having different lengths and bending them at predetermined positions.

[0111] According to the tank holding device of this embodiment, the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained. However, from the viewpoint of reducing the material, it is not as good as the first embodiment described above.

[0112] While the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments. Various design changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention as described in the technical proposal. For example, various combinations of pressing portions and adjustment of the positions of the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion can be appropriately performed.

Claims

1. A tank holding device, characterized in that: Includes straps for restraining the tank, in, The strap has: a band-like base extending along the periphery of the tank; and A plurality of pressing portions protrude from both sides in a width direction perpendicular to the length direction of the base portion, and apply a pressing force to the outer peripheral surface of the tank by elastically deforming in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tank. Each of the pressing portions includes: a first pressing portion protruding in a direction away from the base; and a second pressing portion folded back in a manner close to the base and in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tank. Each of the pressing portions further includes a flat plate-shaped folded portion formed between the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion to connect the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion. When the length direction of the base is taken as the width direction of the pressing portion, The pressing portion is narrowed from the portion of the first pressing portion connected to the base toward the portion of the second pressing portion abutting against the outer peripheral surface of the tank, and the width of the portion of the first pressing portion connected to the folded portion is equal to the width of the portion of the second pressing portion connected to the folded portion.

2. The tank holding device according to claim 1, characterized in that Each of the pressing portions is a protruding piece protruding from the base. The protruding piece is provided with a first cutout portion along the longitudinal direction of the base portion and a second cutout portion extending from a distal end of the first cutout portion along the width direction of the base portion for forming the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion.

3. The tank holding device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: When the length direction of the base is taken as the width direction of the pressing portion, There are multiple types of pressing parts. The pressing portions adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the base have different widths of portions of the first pressing portions connected to the base.

4. The tank holding device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The pressing portions arranged on both sides of the base are symmetrical with respect to the base.

5. The tank holding device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The pressing portions adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the base portion are arranged so that the first pressing portions are adjacent to each other.

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