Hydrogen leakage detection device for hydrogen energy vehicle

Abstract

The invention discloses a hydrogen leakage detection device for a hydrogen energy vehicle, and particularly relates to the technical field of new energy automobiles, the hydrogen leakage detection device comprises two mounting brackets fixed on a vehicle chassis, a controller fixed at the upper end of the vehicle chassis, and a plurality of hydrogen sensors, and the upper ends of the two mounting brackets are jointly fixed with a plurality of hydrogen tanks; and valve assemblies are arranged on the front sides of the upper ends of the multiple hydrogen tanks, multi-way pipes are arranged at the upper ends of the valve assemblies, and a ventilation assembly is further arranged at the lower end of the mounting support. According to the hydrogen leakage detection device for the hydrogen energy vehicle, the design of the valve assembly is adopted, after one hydrogen tank leaks, hydrogen in other hydrogen tanks is prevented from entering the leaked hydrogen tank through the multi-way pipe, and therefore the leakage amount of hydrogen is increased, and the safety of the device in the using process is improved; more serious safety accidents caused by loss of power when the vehicle runs at a high speed are prevented, and the safety of the device in use can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of new energy vehicles, and particularly relates to a hydrogen leakage detection device for hydrogen energy vehicles. Background Art

[0002] Due to its high combustion efficiency and pollution-free products, hydrogen, together with solar energy and nuclear energy, is called the three major new energies. As a new energy, hydrogen is widely used in fields such as aviation, power, and locomotive fuel cells. However, hydrogen molecules are very small and are prone to leakage during storage and use. Since hydrogen is not conducive to breathing, colorless and odorless, it cannot be detected by the human nose, and its ignition point is only 585°C. When the content in the air is in the range of 4% - 75%, it will explode when encountering an open flame. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the leakage of hydrogen during its use.

[0003] Chinese Patent Document CN110567658A discloses a hydrogen leakage detection device for hydrogen energy vehicles, including: a hydrogen fuel cell reactor, a flow sensor, a monitoring controller, a hydrogen cylinder, a hydrogen supply pipeline, and a user reminder device; the hydrogen cylinder is connected to the hydrogen fuel cell reactor through the hydrogen supply pipeline, and the detection sensor is connected to the hydrogen fuel cell reactor through the flow sensor; a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor are provided on the hydrogen cylinder, and both sensors are connected to the detection controller. The detection controller obtains the detection value based on the acquired pressure and temperature, and compares it with a preset threshold to further determine whether there is hydrogen leakage; if so, a reminder signal is sent to the user reminder device. The beneficial effects of the present invention are: the technical solution proposed by the present invention can effectively detect the hydrogen leakage of hydrogen energy vehicles, and timely remind users in the case of hydrogen leakage, improving driving safety. Moreover, this device has a long service life, low cost, high reliability, and the monitoring result is not affected by temperature changes.

[0004] However, when this device is actually used, it can only inform users of the hydrogen leakage situation, and cannot automatically close the valve of the hydrogen cylinder. And due to the design of connecting multiple hydrogen cylinders, when users cannot close the hydrogen cylinder in time, hydrogen will continue to leak, thus causing greater potential safety hazards. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a hydrogen leakage detection device for hydrogen energy vehicles, which can effectively solve the problem that the valve of the hydrogen cylinder cannot be automatically closed, easily causing greater potential safety hazards.

[0006] To achieve the above purpose, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0007] A hydrogen leakage detection device for a hydrogen energy vehicle, comprising two mounting brackets fixed to the vehicle chassis, a controller fixed to the upper end of the vehicle chassis, a plurality of hydrogen sensors, a plurality of hydrogen tanks fixed together at the upper ends of the two mounting brackets, valve assemblies provided at the front sides of the upper ends of the plurality of hydrogen tanks, a multi-pass pipe provided at the upper ends of the valve assemblies, and a ventilation assembly provided at the lower ends of the mounting brackets.

[0008] Preferably, the multi-pass pipe is connected to the battery reactor through a pipeline.

[0009] Preferably, the plurality of hydrogen sensors are respectively installed at the lower end of the passenger compartment, the upper end of the battery reactor, above the hydrogen supply pipeline, and inside the passenger compartment.

[0010] Preferably, the plurality of hydrogen sensors are electrically connected to the controller, and the controller is electrically connected to the vehicle ECU.

[0011] Preferably, the valve assembly includes a plurality of valve bodies, a switch adapted to the valve body is rotatably installed on the outer surface of the valve body, a sliding groove is further opened at one end of the switch, support frames are fixed to the left and right ends of the front mounting bracket, a sliding rod is fixed to the right end of the left support frame, a driving motor is fixed to the left end of the right support frame, a screw rod is fixed to the output end of the driving motor, a connecting rod is jointly arranged between the screw rod and the sliding rod, and a plurality of guide rods are fixed to the front end of the connecting rod.

[0012] Preferably, the screw rod is threadedly connected to the connecting rod, and the sliding rod is slidably connected to the connecting rod.

[0013] Preferably, the plurality of guide rods slide in the sliding groove.

[0014] Preferably, the ventilation assembly includes a guard plate, a plurality of through grooves are arranged in an array at the front and rear of the upper end of the guard plate, a plurality of baffles adapted to the through grooves are further fixed at the lower ends of the through grooves, triangular plates are fixed to the left and right ends of the baffles, a plurality of suction fans are fixed to the upper end of the guard plate, and two exhaust pipes are symmetrically fixed to the lower end of the passenger compartment.

[0015] Preferably, the baffle is located in front of the through groove adapted to it, and the lower direction of the baffle is inclined backward.

[0016] Preferably, the two exhaust pipes are horizontally arranged, and the mutually remote sides of the two exhaust pipes are inclined backward.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0018] 1. The leakage detection device adopts the design of a valve assembly. When the driving motor works, it controls multiple switches to close or open. When hydrogen leaks in the vehicle, the controller judges the hydrogen leakage amount according to the data transmitted by the hydrogen sensor, and then controls the driving motor to work. Through the mutual cooperation between the screw and the connecting rod, the switch rotates to close the valve, preventing hydrogen in other hydrogen cylinders from entering the leaking hydrogen cylinder through the multi-way pipe after one hydrogen cylinder leaks, thereby increasing the hydrogen leakage amount and improving the safety of the device during use.

[0019] 2. The leakage detection device adopts the design of a controller and a valve assembly. When the controller detects that the vehicle is moving, the controller controls the driving motor to rotate, but the switch needs to be not completely closed to prevent loss of power when the vehicle is driving at high speed, thus causing more serious safety accidents, and improving the safety of the device during use.

[0020] 3. The leakage detection device adopts the design of a ventilation assembly, so that the air in the cavity can be circulated in time during the use of the device, preventing the hydrogen content in the cavity air from increasing, thus causing more serious safety accidents, and improving the safety of the device during use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 is the schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention Figure 1 ;

[0022] Figure 2 is the schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention Figure 2 ;

[0023] Figure 3 is the schematic diagram of the structure of the valve assembly of the present invention Figure 1 ;

[0024] Figure 4 is of the present invention Figure 3 the enlarged view of part A;

[0025] Figure 5 is the schematic diagram of the structure of the valve assembly of the present invention Figure 2 ;

[0026] Figure 6 is of the present invention Figure 5 the enlarged view of part B;

[0027] Figure 7 is the schematic diagram of the structure of the ventilation assembly of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 8 is the cross-sectional view of the ventilation assembly of the present invention.

[0029] In the figure: 1, mounting bracket; 2, controller; 3, hydrogen sensor; 4, passenger compartment; 5, battery reactor; 11, hydrogen tank; 12, valve assembly; 13, multi-pass pipe; 14, ventilation assembly; 121, valve body; 122, switch; 123, sliding groove; 124, support frame; 125, sliding rod; 126, drive motor; 127, screw; 128, connecting rod; 129, guide rod; 141, guard plate; 142, through groove; 143, baffle; 144, triangular plate; 145, suction fan; 146, exhaust duct. Detailed implementation manners

[0030] To make the technical means, creative features, achieved purposes and functions of the present invention easy to understand, the present invention will be further described below in conjunction with specific implementation manners.

[0031] Embodiment 1

[0032] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, a hydrogen leakage detection device for a hydrogen energy vehicle includes two mounting brackets 1 fixed to the vehicle chassis, a controller 2 fixed to the upper end of the vehicle chassis, a plurality of hydrogen sensors 3, and a plurality of hydrogen tanks 11 fixed together at the upper ends of the two mounting brackets 1. Among them, the two mounting brackets 1 are used to support the plurality of hydrogen tanks 11. Due to the cylindrical design of the hydrogen tanks 11, the two mounting brackets 1 can reduce the shaking of the hydrogen tanks 11 during vehicle driving, and the two mounting brackets 1 can also reduce the inertia of the hydrogen tanks 11 during vehicle driving, reducing the displacement of the hydrogen tanks 11 during rapid acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle. Valve assemblies 12 are provided on the front sides of the upper ends of the plurality of hydrogen tanks 11, a multi-pass pipe 13 is provided at the upper end of the valve assembly 12, and the multi-pass pipe 13 is connected to the battery reactor 5 through a pipeline, so that the hydrogen in the hydrogen tanks 11 can enter the battery reactor 5 to provide energy for the vehicle. A ventilation assembly 14 is also provided at the lower end of the mounting bracket 1.

[0033] The plurality of hydrogen sensors 3 are respectively installed at the lower end of the passenger compartment 4, the upper end of the battery reactor 5, above the hydrogen supply pipeline, and inside the passenger compartment 4 (the battery reactor 5 and the hydrogen supply pipeline are not shown in the figure), and the plurality of hydrogen sensors 3 are electrically connected to the controller 2, and the controller 2 is electrically connected to the vehicle ECU. The hydrogen sensors 3 are prior art and can detect the hydrogen content in the air and transmit the detected signal to the controller 2. The controller 2 judges the hydrogen content in the air according to the signal transmitted by the hydrogen sensors 3. Since the density of hydrogen is less than that of air, after the hydrogen tank 11 leaks, hydrogen will accumulate at the bottom of the passenger compartment 4. Therefore, a hydrogen sensor 3 is fixed at the lower end of the passenger compartment 4 to detect hydrogen leakage in time. The hydrogen sensor 3 at the upper end of the battery reactor 5 is used to detect the hydrogen leaked during the operation of the battery reactor 5;

[0034] When the hydrogen content in the air is greater than 3.5%, the controller 2 controls the driving motor 126 to operate (since the hydrogen explosion limit is 4% - 75.6%, when the hydrogen sensor 3 detects an increase in the hydrogen content in the air, the valve assembly 12 is directly closed. If there is a pipeline leak at this time, the gas in the pipeline will continue to leak, increasing the hydrogen content in the air and greatly increasing the risk of hydrogen explosion. Therefore, closing the valve assembly 12 when the hydrogen content in the air is less than 4% can reduce the risk of hydrogen explosion and make the vehicle safer), preventing hydrogen from continuing to leak and thus causing a hydrogen explosion.

[0035] As Figure 3 - Figure 6 shown, the valve assembly 12 includes a plurality of valve bodies 121. Both ends of the valve body 121 communicate with the multi-pass pipe 13 and the inside of the hydrogen tank 11 respectively. A switch 122 adapted to it is rotatably installed on the outer surface of the valve body 121. When the switch 122 rotates, it can seal the valve body 121. When the switch 122 is in the open state, the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 11 can enter the multi-pass pipe 13 through the valve body 121. When the switch 122 is in the closed state, the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 11 cannot enter the multi-pass pipe 13 through the valve body 121. This is prior art and will not be elaborated further in the present invention. A sliding groove 123 is also formed at one end of the switch 122. Support frames 124 are fixed to both the left and right ends of the front mounting bracket 1. A sliding rod 125 is fixed to the right end of the left support frame 124, and a driving motor 126 is fixed to the left end of the right support frame 124. A screw rod 127 is fixed to the output end of the driving motor 126. A connecting rod 128 is jointly arranged between the screw rod 127 and the sliding rod 125. The screw rod 127 is threadedly connected to the connecting rod 128, and the sliding rod 125 is slidably connected to the connecting rod 128.

[0036] Among them, the sliding rod 125 is used to limit the connecting rod 128, so that the connecting rod 128 can only move left or right, preventing the connecting rod 128 from moving back and forth, thus affecting the normal operation of the device. A plurality of guide rods 129 are fixed to the front end of the connecting rod 128. The plurality of guide rods 129 slide in the sliding groove 123. Since the sliding groove 123 is slidably connected to the guide rods 129, the sliding groove 123 and the guide rods 129 limit the support frame 124, preventing the support frame 124 from rotating when the screw rod 127 rotates and affecting the normal operation of the device. At the same time, through the threaded connection between the screw rod 127 and the support frame 124, when the screw rod 127 rotates, the support frame 124 can move left or right, and the guide rods 129 slide in the sliding groove 123, causing the switch 122 to rotate, thus achieving the purpose of closing the valve.

[0037] The specific implementation of this embodiment is as follows: When hydrogen leaks, the hydrogen content in the surrounding air will increase. Due to the design of the hydrogen sensor 3, the hydrogen leak can be detected in a timely manner. When the hydrogen content in the air reaches a certain threshold, the controller 2 controls the valve assembly 12 to close.

[0038] When the drive motor 126 works, through the threaded connection between the screw 127 and the connecting rod 128, the connecting rod 128 moves to the left. Due to the design that the guiding rod 129 slides in the sliding groove 123, the switch 122 rotates, thereby closing the valve body 121, reducing the amount of hydrogen entering the multi-way pipe 13. At the same time, by adopting the design of closing multiple valve bodies 121, it can prevent hydrogen in other hydrogen tanks 11 from entering the leaked hydrogen tank 11 through the multi-way pipe 13 after one hydrogen tank 11 leaks, thus increasing the hydrogen leakage amount and improving the safety of the device during use.

[0039] In addition, when it is detected that hydrogen leaks in the vehicle and the switch 122 cannot completely close the valve body 121, if the pipeline or the hydrogen tank 11 leaks while the vehicle is moving, the controller 2 transmits a signal to the vehicle ECU through the circuit and prompts the driver to pull over. After the vehicle stops, the switch 122 completely closes the valve body 121 again to prevent the vehicle from losing power when driving at high speed, thus causing a safety accident.

[0040] Embodiment Two

[0041] This embodiment further improves the ventilation component 14 on the basis of Embodiment One, so that when hydrogen leaks, the air can flow in a timely manner, reducing the hydrogen content in the leaked part of the air and improving the safety of the vehicle during driving.

[0042] As Figure 7 and Figure 8 shown, the ventilation component 14 includes a guard plate 141. The guard plate 141 is a prior art and can prevent damage to multiple hydrogen tanks 11 caused by knocking the chassis of the vehicle, thus causing a hydrogen explosion. A plurality of through grooves 142 are arrayed front and back at the upper end of the guard plate 141. A plurality of baffles 143 adapted to the through grooves 142 are also fixed at the lower end of the through grooves 142. The baffles 143 are located in front of the through grooves 142 adapted to them, and the lower direction of the baffles 143 is inclined backward, which can prevent air from flowing into the upper part of the guard plate 141 (i.e., the cavity formed by the guard plate 141 and the passenger compartment 4) along the baffles 143 when the vehicle is driving, causing turbulence in the cavity and affecting the accuracy of the hydrogen sensor 3 to detect the hydrogen content in the air. Triangular plates 144 are fixed at both left and right ends of the baffles 143. A plurality of suction fans 145 are also fixed at the upper end of the guard plate 141. Two exhaust pipes 146 are symmetrically fixed at the lower end of the passenger compartment 4.

[0043] In addition, the two exhaust ducts 146 are horizontally arranged, and the sides of the two exhaust ducts 146 away from each other are inclined backward, which can prevent the discharged air from returning to the cavity again during the high-speed driving of the vehicle, thereby reducing the working efficiency of the device.

[0044] The specific implementation manner of this embodiment is as follows: when the controller 2 combines the signal transmitted by the hydrogen sensor 3 and determines that hydrogen leakage occurs in the vehicle, the controller 2 controls the suction fan 145 to rotate. When the suction fan 145 rotates, it sucks air from bottom to top, so that the air under the vehicle is sucked into the cavity (i.e., the cavity formed by the guard plate 141 and the passenger compartment 4). Due to the design of the two exhaust ducts 146, the air can be discharged from the exhaust ducts 146. (Due to the design that the density of hydrogen is less than that of air, the leaked hydrogen will accumulate above the cavity after leakage. Therefore, when the air is discharged from the exhaust ducts 146, the leaked hydrogen will be discharged first, which can prevent the hydrogen content in the air in the cavity from being too high, thereby increasing the explosion probability). And due to the design that the sides of the two exhaust ducts 146 away from each other are inclined backward, it can prevent the discharged air from returning to the cavity again during the high-speed driving of the vehicle, thereby reducing the working efficiency of the device.

[0045] It should be noted that the specific installation methods, circuit connection methods, and control methods of the controller 2, hydrogen sensor 3, passenger compartment 4, battery reactor 5, etc. in the present invention are all conventional designs, and the present invention will not elaborate on them in detail.

[0046] The above shows and describes the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited by the above embodiments. The above embodiments and the descriptions in the specification only illustrate the principles of the present invention. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, the present invention will have various changes and improvements, and these changes and improvements all fall within the scope of the present invention claimed. The scope of the present invention claimed is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A hydrogen leakage detection device for a hydrogen-powered vehicle, comprising two mounting brackets (1) fixed to a vehicle chassis, characterized in that: A controller (2) is fixed to the upper end of a vehicle chassis, and a plurality of hydrogen sensors (3); a plurality of hydrogen tanks (11) are fixed to the upper ends of two mounting brackets (1); a valve assembly (12) is provided on the front side of the upper ends of the plurality of hydrogen tanks (11); a multi-way pipe (13) is provided at the upper end of the valve assembly (12); and a ventilation assembly (14) is also provided at the lower end of the mounting bracket (1).

2. A hydrogen leakage detection device for a hydrogen-powered vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The multi-way pipe (13) is connected to the battery reactor (5) via a pipeline.

3. A hydrogen leakage detection device for a hydrogen-powered vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of hydrogen sensors (3) are respectively installed at the lower end of the passenger compartment (4), the upper end of the battery reactor (5), above the hydrogen supply pipeline, and inside the passenger compartment (4).

4. A hydrogen leakage detection device for a hydrogen-powered vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of hydrogen sensors (3) are connected to the controller (2) via a circuit, and the controller (2) is connected to the automobile ECU via a circuit.

5. A hydrogen leakage detection device for a hydrogen-powered vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The valve assembly (12) comprises a plurality of valve bodies (121), the outer surface of the valve body (121) being rotatably mounted with a switch (122) adapted thereto, one end of the switch (122) also being provided with a sliding groove (123), the left and right ends of the front mounting bracket (1) being fixed with support frames (124), the right end of the left support frame (124) being fixed with a sliding rod (125), the left end of the right support frame (124) being fixed with a driving motor (126), the output end of the driving motor (126) being fixed with a screw rod (127), a connecting rod (128) being arranged between the screw rod (127) and the sliding rod (125), and a plurality of guiding rods (129) being fixed at the front end of the connecting rod (128).

6. A hydrogen leakage detection device for a hydrogen-powered vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that: The screw rod (127) is threadedly connected to the connecting rod (128), and the sliding rod (125) is slidably connected to the connecting rod (128).

7. A hydrogen leakage detection device for a hydrogen-powered vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that: The plurality of guide rods (129) slide in the sliding groove (123).

8. A hydrogen leakage detection device for a hydrogen-powered vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that: The ventilation assembly (14) comprises a guard plate (141), the upper end of the guard plate (141) is provided with a plurality of through slots (142) in a front and rear array, the lower end of the through slots (142) is also fixed with a plurality of baffles (143) adapted to the through slots (142), the left and right ends of the baffles (143) are both fixed with triangular plates (144), the upper end of the guard plate (141) is also fixed with a plurality of air intake fans (145), and the lower end of the passenger compartment (4) is also symmetrically fixed with two exhaust pipes (146).

9. A hydrogen leakage detection device for a hydrogen-powered vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that: The baffle plate (143) is located in front of the through slot (142) matched therewith, and the lower part of the baffle plate (143) is tilted backward.

10. A hydrogen leakage detection device for a hydrogen-powered vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that: The two exhaust pipes (146) are arranged horizontally, and the sides of the two exhaust pipes (146) that are away from each other are tilted backwards.

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