Pressure tank unit

Abstract

A pressure tank unit prevents or suppresses peeling of a protective member from a tank. The pressure tank unit may comprise: a tank having an accommodation space for accommodating compressed gas; and a plurality of protective members joined to the surface of the tank. In this case, the tank may also have: a cylindrical main body part; and a dome portion provided at an end portion of the main body portion and having a hemispherical shape. The plurality of protective members may be arranged in the circumferential direction of the can along the boundary between the main body portion and the dome portion. The plurality of protective members may each include a first portion covering the dome portion and a second portion covering the main body portion. The inner surface of the second portion, which faces the main body portion, may have at least one joining region joined to the main body portion via a joining material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a pressure tank unit for storing compressed gas. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 describes a pressure tank unit mounted on a vehicle. The pressure tank unit includes a tank and a protective member joined to the surface of the tank. The tank has a cylindrical main body and a hemispherical dome portion provided at the end thereof. The protective member is configured to cover the dome portion of the tank to protect the tank from external impact.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-044959

[0004] In the above-mentioned pressure tank unit, the protective component is joined to the dome via a joint. In the structure of the tank, the surface roughness of the dome portion is greater than the surface roughness of the main body portion. Therefore, a gap may be accidentally generated in the joining area between the dome portion and the protective component, and when an external impact is applied to the protective component, the protective component may be peeled off from the tank. This specification provides a technology capable of preventing or suppressing the protective component from being peeled off from the tank. Summary of the invention

[0005] The technology disclosed in this specification is embodied as a pressure tank unit. In the first embodiment, the pressure tank unit may also include: a tank having a storage space for storing compressed gas; and a plurality of protective components that are joined to the surface of the tank. In this case, the tank may also include: a main body having a cylindrical shape; and a dome portion that is provided at the end of the main body and has a hemispherical shape. The plurality of protective components may be arranged in the circumferential direction of the tank along the boundary between the main body and the dome portion. The plurality of protective components may also respectively include a first part covering the dome portion, and a second part covering the main body. The inner surface of the second part opposite to the main body may also have at least one joining area joined to the main body via a joining member.

[0006] In the above-mentioned pressure tank unit, a plurality of protective components have a structure arranged along the circumferential direction. Based on this structure, each protective component can be made into a shape that covers not only the dome portion but also the main body portion. Thus, in addition to the dome portion, or instead of the dome portion, each protective component can also be joined to the main body portion. As described above, the surface roughness of the main body portion is smaller than the surface roughness of the dome portion. Therefore, each protective component can be firmly joined to the tank, and can prevent or suppress the situation of peeling off from the tank.

[0007] In the second aspect, in addition to the first aspect, the at least one bonding area includes a first bonding area and a second bonding area that are independent of each other. If each protective member is formed to be bonded to the tank in two or more independent bonding areas, each protective member can be firmly bonded to the surface of the tank even if the surface of the tank is curved or uneven.

[0008] In the third embodiment, based on the second embodiment, the first joining area and the second joining area are arranged side by side along the circumferential direction. The surface of the main body of the tank is mainly curved along the circumferential direction. Therefore, if two or more joining areas are arranged side by side along the circumferential direction, each protective component can be firmly joined to the surface of the main body curved along the circumferential direction.

[0009] In the fourth aspect, based on the third aspect, a groove is provided on the inner surface of the second portion and between the first joining area and the second joining area. Based on this structure, the flexibility of the protective component in the circumferential direction can be improved, and each protective component can be more firmly joined to the surface of the main body portion that is curved along the circumferential direction.

[0010] In a fifth aspect, in any of the first to fourth aspects, the inner surface of the first portion facing the dome portion may have a protrusion that protrudes toward the dome portion. In this case, the inner surface of the first portion may contact the dome portion at the protrusion and face the dome portion with a gap in a portion other than the protrusion. With this structure, a dimensional error of the dome portion can be tolerated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 It is a top view showing the structure of the pressure tank unit.

[0012] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing the structure of the pressure tank unit.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a partial cross-sectional view when the pressure tank unit is cut along a plane passing through the center axis of the tank.

[0014] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing the structure of the first protective member.

[0015] Description of reference numerals:

[0016] 10…pressure tank unit; 12…tank; 12b…main body; 12d, 12e…dome; 18, 20…protective parts; 18a…first part; 18b…second part; 18p…protrusion; A1, A2…joining area; CA…center axis; CL…gap; S…accommodation space. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The pressure tank unit 10 of the embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the pressure tank unit 10 includes a tank 12, a plurality of first protection members 18, and a plurality of second protection members 20. Figure 3 As shown, the tank 12 has a storage space S. Compressed gas is stored in the storage space S. The compressed gas is, for example, hydrogen gas compressed to a high pressure. The pressure tank unit 10 is mounted on a vehicle such as a fuel cell vehicle, for example.

[0018] The tank 12 has a main body 12b, a first dome portion 12d, and a second dome portion 12e. The main body 12b has a cylindrical shape extending along the central axis CA. The first dome portion 12d is provided at an end portion on one side of the main body 12b. The first dome portion 12d has a hemispherical shape extending outward from the main body 12b along the central axis CA. The second dome portion 12e is provided at an end portion on the other side of the main body 12b. The second dome portion 12e also has a hemispherical shape bulging outward from the main body 12b along the central axis CA.

[0019] Here, in the technology disclosed in this specification, "body" means a range where the outer diameter of the tank 12 is substantially constant, and "dome" means a range where the outer diameter of the tank 12 decreases as it moves away from the body 12b. In addition, "substantially constant" means that the change in the outer diameter is within about 10%.

[0020] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the tank 12 includes a liner 14, a reinforcing layer 16, and two cover members 22, 24. The liner 14 divides the compressed gas storage space S inside. The liner 14 is made of a material with high gas barrier properties such as polyamide resin, for example. This can prevent the compressed gas from penetrating to the outside.

[0021] The two cover members 22 and 24 are located at both ends of the tank 12. That is, the cover member 22 on one side is located at the first dome portion 12d, and the cover member 24 on the other side is located at the second dome portion 12e. The cover member 22 on the first dome portion 12d has a through hole 22h. The through hole 22h is connected to the storage space S in the tank 12. A valve unit (not shown) for opening and closing the through hole 22h is installed on the cover member 22 on the first dome portion 12d. The two cover members 22 and 24 are located on the central axis CA of the tank 12.

[0022] The reinforcement layer 16 covers the outer surface 14a of the liner 14. The reinforcement layer 16 is composed of a fiber reinforced plastic such as carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). The reinforcement layer 16 is formed by a fiber winding method. As is well known, in the fiber winding method, a fiber bundle impregnated with a thermosetting resin is wound around the surface 14a of the liner 14, and then the resin is cured by heat treatment. In the dome portions 12d and 12e of the tank 12, the reinforcement layer 16 is formed by spiral winding. On the other hand, in the main body 12b of the tank 12, the reinforcement layer 16 is formed by hoop winding. In connection with these winding methods, the surface roughness of the dome portions 12d and 12e is greater than the surface roughness of the main body 12b. In addition, the reinforcement layer 16 is not limited to the above-mentioned structure. The reinforcement layer 16 may also be: in addition to the layer of CFRP, it also further includes a layer of glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) for surface protection.

[0023] The plurality of first protective components 18 and the plurality of second protective components 20 are components for protecting the tank 12 from external impacts. The plurality of first protective components 18 and the plurality of second protective components 20 are joined to the outer surface 12a of the tank 12 (i.e., the surface 16a of the reinforcing layer 16). The plurality of first protective components 18 are arranged on the first dome portion 12d side of the tank 12. The plurality of first protective components 18 are arranged in the circumferential direction of the tank 12 along the boundary between the main body portion 12b and the dome portion 12d. The plurality of first protective components 18 cover the dome portion 12d and a portion of the main body portion 12b of the tank 12. The plurality of first protective components 18 surround the periphery of the cover member 22 at a predetermined interval from the cover member 22.

[0024] Each first protective member 18 has a structure for absorbing impact energy. For example, each first protective member 18 may have a porous structure made of foamed polyurethane resin. Alternatively, each first protective member 18 may have a structure having a plurality of ribs provided on its outer surface or inner surface and a plurality of spaces divided by the plurality of ribs.

[0025] like Figure 3 , Figure 4As shown, each first protective component 18 includes a first portion 18a covering the dome portion 12d, and a second portion 18b covering the main body portion 12b. The inner surface of the first portion 18a opposite to the dome portion 12d has a protrusion 18p protruding toward the dome portion 12d. The protrusion 18p contacts the dome portion 12d. The inner surface of the first portion 18a opposite to the dome portion 12d is opposite to the dome portion 12d with a gap CL in the portion other than the protrusion 18p. Based on this structure, the dimensional error of the dome portion 12d can be allowed. In a modified example, the inner surface of the first portion 18a opposite to the dome portion 12d may also have a bonding area in the protrusion 18p that is bonded to the dome portion 12d via a bonding member. In other modified examples, the inner surface of the first portion 18a opposite to the dome portion 12d may not have the protrusion 18p.

[0026] The second portion 18b has a first joining area A1 and a second joining area A2. The first joining area A1 and the second joining area A2 are joined to the main body 12b of the tank 12 via a joining member 26. As an example, a sheet-shaped joining member 26 is used. As an example, the first joining area A1 and the second joining area A2 are independent of each other. The first joining area A1 and the second joining area A2 are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction. The first joining area A1 and the second joining area A2 each have an approximately rectangular shape and extend long in a direction parallel to the central axis CA of the tank 12.

[0027] In each first protective component 18, a groove 18g is provided between the first joining area A1 and the second joining area A2 of the second part 18b. Based on this structure, the flexibility of the first protective component 18 in the circumferential direction can be improved, and each first protective component 18 can be more firmly joined to the surface of the main body 12b that is bent along the circumferential direction. The specific structure of the groove 18g is not particularly limited. The groove 18g extends in a manner that covers the entirety between the first joining area A1 and the second joining area A2. The groove 18g extends from between the first joining area A1 and the second joining area A2 to the first part 18a.

[0028] The plurality of second protection members 20 are disposed on the second dome portion 12e side of the tank 12. The plurality of second protection members 20 may have the same structure as that of the plurality of first protection members 18.

[0029] In the pressure tank unit 10 of the present embodiment, a plurality of protective components 18, 20 have a structure arranged along the circumferential direction. Based on this structure, each protective component 18, 20 can be made into a shape that covers not only the dome portions 12d, 12e but also the main body portion 12b. Thus, in addition to the dome portions 12d, 12e, or instead of the dome portions 12d, 12e, each protective component 18, 20 can also be joined to the main body portion 12b. As described above, in the structure of the tank 12, the surface roughness of the main body portion 12b is smaller than the surface roughness of the dome portions 12d, 12e. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of gaps between the plurality of protective components 18, 20 and the surface 12a of the tank 12 in the first joining area A1 and the second joining area A2. Each protective component 18, 20 is firmly joined to the tank 12, and it is possible to prevent or suppress the situation of peeling off from the tank 12.

[0030] In addition, each of the protective members 18 and 20 has two mutually independent joining areas A1 and A2. That is, each of the protective members 18 and 20 is joined to the surface 12a of the tank 12 through two or more independent joining areas A1 and A2. With this structure, even if the surface 12a of the tank 12 is curved or uneven, each of the protective members 18 and 20 can be firmly joined to the surface 12a of the tank 12.

[0031] The two joining areas A1 and A2 are arranged side by side along the circumferential direction of the tank 12. The surface of the main body 12b of the tank 12 is mainly curved along the circumferential direction. Therefore, if two or more joining areas A1 and A2 are arranged side by side along the circumferential direction of the tank 12, each protection member 18 and 20 can be firmly joined to the surface of the main body 12b curved along the circumferential direction.

[0032] However, the structure of the joining areas A1 and A2 in each protective component 18 and 20 is not limited to the specific structure described in the present embodiment. Two or more joining areas A1 and A2 may not be arranged side by side along the circumference of the tank 12, but may be arranged side by side in a direction parallel to the central axis CA of the tank 12. In this case, in order to increase the area of ​​the joining areas A1 and A2, each joining area A1 and A2 may also extend longer in the circumference of the tank 12. In addition, in each protective component 18 and 20, the number of joining areas A1 and A2 is not limited to two. Each protective component 18 and 20 may have at least one joining area.

Claims

1. A pressure tank unit, wherein: have: a tank having a receiving space for receiving compressed gas; and a plurality of protective members which engage with a surface of the tank, The tank has: a main body portion having a cylindrical shape; and a dome portion, which is disposed at the end of the main body and has a hemispherical shape, The plurality of protective components are arranged in a circumferential direction of the tank along a boundary between the main body and the dome portion. The plurality of protective components respectively include a first portion covering the dome portion and a second portion covering the main body portion. The inner surface of the second portion facing the main body has at least one joining region joined to the main body via a joining material.

2. The pressure tank unit according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one bonding region includes a first bonding region and a second bonding region which are independent of each other.

3. The pressure tank unit according to claim 2, wherein: The first joining region and the second joining region are arranged side by side along the circumferential direction.

4. The pressure tank unit according to claim 3, wherein: A groove is provided on the inner surface of the second portion between the first joining region and the second joining region.

5. The pressure tank unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The inner surface of the first portion facing the dome portion has a protrusion protruding toward the dome portion. The inner surface of the first portion is in contact with the dome portion at the protruding portion, and faces the dome portion with a gap therebetween at a portion other than the protruding portion.

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