Vehicle frame for fuel cell and vehicle including the same

Abstract

The utility model relates to a vehicle frame for a fuel cell and a vehicle comprising the vehicle frame. The vehicle frame comprises a first frame and a second frame, a second frame; and a support frame interconnecting the first frame and the second frame, the support frame including a fluid tank and a battery mounted thereon; wherein the fluid tank includes a pair of fluid tanks disposed outside the first frame and the second frame in the width direction, and the battery is disposed between the pair of fluid tanks. The vehicle frame structure can sufficiently ensure that sufficient space for mounting and maintaining a fuel tank and a battery is provided in a vehicle.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0041855 filed on March 27, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The utility model relates to a vehicle frame for a fuel cell and a vehicle with the vehicle frame. Background Art

[0004] As vehicles using related conventional internal combustion engines emit large amounts of global warming substances, environmental pollution problems continue to intensify, research and development are being conducted to use alternative energy sources to drive vehicles.

[0005] Furthermore, in recent years, a structure for providing power to a vehicle by driving a motor using a secondary battery has been proposed, and specifically, an electric vehicle using fuel (eg, hydrogen gas, etc.) stored in a (high-pressure) fuel tank has been proposed.

[0006] However, in order to use the fuel in the fuel tank, a bulky fuel tank must be installed in the vehicle body or the frame (chassis), and therefore, there is a problem in making full use of the space while ensuring the rigidity of the vehicle. Utility Model Content

[0007] An aspect of the present invention is to provide a vehicle frame structure in which sufficient space for installing and maintaining a fuel tank and a battery provided in a vehicle (or truck) can be sufficiently ensured.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle frame for a fuel cell includes: a first frame; a second frame; and a support frame connecting the first frame and the second frame and having a fluid tank and a battery mounted thereon. The fluid tanks are arranged as a pair, arranged outside the first and second frames in a widthwise direction, with the battery positioned between the pair of fluid tanks.

[0009] The first frame includes a pair of first side frames and at least one first cross beam connecting the pair of first side frames; and the second frame includes a pair of second side frames and at least one second cross beam connecting the pair of second side frames.

[0010] The support frame includes a pair of third side frames respectively disposed outside the pair of first side frames and the pair of second side frames in the width direction, and a third cross beam extending from the pair of third side frames and having batteries and a pair of fluid tanks disposed thereon.

[0011] The third cross beam is coupled to an auxiliary frame extending downward from the pair of third side frames.

[0012] The auxiliary frames are coupled to the pair of first side frames and the pair of second side frames, respectively, and the pair of third side frames are coupled to the auxiliary frames.

[0013] The third cross member is provided with a battery mounted on the inner side with reference to the auxiliary frame, and is provided with a fluid tank mounted on the outer side thereof.

[0014] The pair of first side frames, the pair of second side frames, and the pair of third side frames are coupled together and disposed on the same virtual first plane.

[0015] The pair of first side frames, the pair of second side frames, the pair of third side frames, the first cross beam, and the second cross beam are coupled to be disposed on the same virtual second plane.

[0016] The battery may be arranged to at least partially overlap the second plane.

[0017] The third beam is disposed so as not to overlap with the first plane.

[0018] The third cross-beam includes a curved member that directly supports the fluid tank.

[0019] A vehicle frame for a fuel cell includes a cage surrounding a fluid tank, the cage having inserts where the fluid tank is supported by curved members.

[0020] According to an aspect of the present invention, a vehicle includes: a vehicle frame for a fuel cell according to an embodiment; and a vehicle body coupled to an upper portion of the vehicle frame.

[0021] A space having an expanded width greater than a widthwise interval between a pair of first side frames of the first frame or a widthwise interval between a pair of second side frames of the second frame may be ensured between the lower surface of the vehicle body and the battery.

[0022] The length of the expanded width in the width direction is equal to the widthwise distance between the pair of third side frames of the support frame. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood through the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 is a combined perspective view of a vehicle frame for a fuel cell according to one embodiment;

[0025] Figure 2A and 2B is an exploded perspective view of a vehicle frame for a fuel cell according to one embodiment;

[0026] Figure 3 is a plan view of a vehicle frame for a fuel cell according to one embodiment;

[0027] Figure 4 is a front view of a vehicle frame for a fuel cell according to one embodiment; and

[0028] Figure 5 is a reference diagram (front view) illustrating a vehicle body coupled to a vehicle frame for a fuel cell according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Since the present invention can be modified and has various embodiments, specific embodiments will be shown in the drawings and described in detail. However, this does not mean that the present invention is limited to the specific embodiments, but should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents and substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0030] Terms such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but these components should not be limited by these terms. The above terms are used only to distinguish one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may be referred to as a first component. The term "and / or" includes any combination of multiple related stated items or any items in the multiple related stated items.

[0031] Terms such as "unit," "part," and "section" may be used to describe various components, but these components should not be limited by these terms. Even if the distinction / division is unclear, the above terms may refer not only to physically / visually different structures, but also to terms describing the function or structure of the corresponding part.

[0032] The terms used in this application are only used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. Unless the context clearly stipulates otherwise, singular expressions also include plural expressions. In this application, terms such as "comprises," "includes," and "having" are intended to indicate the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and it should be understood that this does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0033] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art in the art to which this invention belongs. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology and should not be interpreted in an idealistic or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this application.

[0034] In this specification, a vehicle refers to any means of transport that moves an object (such as people, animals, or cargo) from a starting point to a destination. These vehicles are not limited to those that travel on roads or tracks. Furthermore, vehicles include not only those that use fossil fuels such as gasoline but also those that use secondary batteries (electricity stored in batteries) and future fuels such as hydrogen.

[0035] In the following description, direction-related terms such as "front," "rear," "side," "front," "rear," "up / down," "above," "upper," "top," "lower," "lower," "bottom," and "left / right" are defined based on a vehicle or a vehicle body. In addition, terms such as first and second may be used to describe various components, but these components are not limited by terms such as first and second in terms of order, size, position, or importance and are named only to distinguish one component from other components.

[0036] Hereinafter, example embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] refer to Figures 1 to 4 A vehicle frame 100 for a fuel cell according to one embodiment includes a first frame 110 , a second frame 130 , and a support frame 150 connecting the first frame 110 and the second frame 130 to each other.

[0038] Hereinafter, a direction in which a pair of side frames 111 and 131 constituting the first frame 110 or the second frame 130 extends is defined as a longitudinal direction, and a direction in which a beam perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and connecting the pair of side frames 111 and 131 extends is defined as a width direction.

[0039] Furthermore, a fluid tank assembly 180 and a battery assembly 170 may be mounted on the support frame 150. The fluid tank assembly 180 may include at least a pair of fluid tanks 181 disposed on the outer sides of the first frame 110 and the second frame 130 in the width direction, and the battery assembly 170 may include at least one battery 171 disposed between the pair of fluid tanks 181. In this example, the battery 171 may be a high-voltage battery, and the fluid tank 181 may be a tank storing a high-pressure gas (e.g., hydrogen, etc.).

[0040] In the vehicle frame 100 for a fuel cell according to the present embodiment, the first frame 110 and the second frame 130 are separately manufactured, and the first frame 110 and the second frame 130 may be connected to each other by a support frame 150. The support frame 150 may be connected to the first frame 110 or the second frame 130 by various member connection methods such as bolting and welding.

[0041] The first frame 110 , the second frame 130 , and the support frame 150 may be made of metal.

[0042] In one embodiment, a frame 100 for a fuel cell vehicle may include a first frame 110, a second frame 130, and a support frame 150 connecting the first frame 110 and the second frame 130 to each other, and a fluid tank 181 and a battery 171 mounted on the support frame 150. A pair of fluid tanks 181 are provided on outer sides of the first frame 110 and the second frame 130 in the width direction, and the battery 171 may be provided between the pair of fluid tanks 181.

[0043] The first frame 110 may include a pair of first side frames 111 extending in a longitudinal direction and arranged in parallel, and at least one first cross beam 113 connecting the pair of first side frames 111 .

[0044] The first side frame 111 and the first cross beam 113 may be formed of a material such as metal, alloy, etc., and may be coupled to each other by various inter-member connection methods, such as mutual welding, bolt connection (connection using bolts and nuts), riveting, etc.

[0045] Furthermore, the first beam may be provided as one or two or more first beams 113 according to required rigidity, and in the drawings, a structure in which three first beams 113 are provided is shown as a representative embodiment.

[0046] The first side frame 111 can be provided with various thicknesses and sizes according to the required rigidity, and in order to ensure sufficient rigidity while being lightweight, a C-shaped beam (steel) having a "C"-shaped cross section can be used. In addition, the first side frame 111 can be provided with at least one or more holes for reducing weight to make it lighter.

[0047] In addition, as shown in FIG. 2 , the first side frame 111 may be provided in a shape in which thickness varies along a longitudinal direction.

[0048] Furthermore, the first cross beam 113 can be provided with various thicknesses and sizes depending on the required rigidity, and in order to ensure sufficient rigidity while being lightweight, an I-shaped cross-section (steel material) can be used. Furthermore, the first cross beam 113 can be provided with at least one or more holes for reducing weight to achieve a lighter weight.

[0049] Next, the second frame 130 may include a pair of second side frames 131 extending in the longitudinal direction and arranged in parallel, and at least one second cross beam 133 connecting the pair of second side frames 131 .

[0050] The second side frame 131 and the second cross beam 133 may be formed of a material such as metal, alloy, etc., and may be coupled to each other by various inter-member connection methods such as mutual welding, bolt connection (connection using bolts and nuts), and riveting.

[0051] In addition, depending on the required rigidity, the second cross beam 133 can be provided as one or two or more second cross beams 133. In the drawings, a structure in which three second cross beams 133 are provided as a representative embodiment is shown. In addition, the second cross beam 133 can be provided with at least one or more holes for reducing weight to make it lighter.

[0052] The second side frame 131 can be provided in various thicknesses and sizes according to the required rigidity, and in order to ensure sufficient rigidity while being lightweight, a second side frame 131 having a thickness of 100 mm or greater can be used. cross-section In addition, the second side frame 131 may be provided with at least one or more holes for reducing weight to make it lighter.

[0053] In addition, although not shown, like the first side frame 111 , the second side frame 131 may be provided in a shape in which thickness varies in the longitudinal direction.

[0054] Furthermore, the second cross beam 133 may be provided in various thicknesses and sizes according to required rigidity, and an I-beam (steel material) having an “I”-shaped cross section may be used to ensure lightness and sufficient rigidity.

[0055] The support frame 150 connects the first frame 110 and the second frame 130 to each other, and the fluid tank 181 and the battery 171 may be mounted thereon.

[0056] The support frame 150 may include a pair of third side frames 151 extending in the longitudinal direction, and a third cross beam 153 extending from the pair of third side frames 151, the third cross beam 153 being arranged longer in the width direction and provided with a battery 171 and a pair of fluid tanks 181 mounted thereon.

[0057] The support frame 150 may be connected to the constituent members by various connection methods, such as welding, bolting (connection using bolts and nuts), riveting, and the like.

[0058] In addition, the third cross beam 153 may include an auxiliary frame 152 extending downward from the pair of third side frames 151. For example, the third cross beam 153 is connected to the third side frames 151 through the auxiliary frame 152, the third side frames 151 may extend in the longitudinal direction, and the third cross beam 153 may extend in the width direction.

[0059] The auxiliary frame 152 may be provided to extend in a direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the width direction.

[0060] The auxiliary frame 152 may be formed of a material such as metal or alloy, and may be provided with at least one or more holes to reduce weight to make it lightweight.

[0061] The auxiliary frame 152 may be coupled to the pair of first side frames 111 and the pair of second side frames 131. For example, the auxiliary frame 152, the pair of first side frames 111, and the pair of second side frames 131 may be connected to each other and may be coupled by various connection methods between the members, such as welding, bolting (connection using bolts and nuts), and riveting.

[0062] On the other hand, although not shown, the pair of third side frames 151 are respectively coupled to the pair of first side frames 111 and the pair of second side frames 131 , and the auxiliary frames 152 may be respectively coupled to the third side frames 151 .

[0063] The pair of third side frames 151 may be respectively provided on the outer sides in the width direction of the pair of first side frames 111 and the pair of second side frames 131. Therefore, in the space between the pair of third side frames 151, for example, on the inner side, a sufficient space larger than the space between the pair of first side frames 111 or the pair of second side frames 131 can be ensured.

[0064] In addition, the third cross beam 153 connecting a pair of third side frames 151 along the width direction is configured to extend downward through the auxiliary frame 152, so that sufficient space for installing and maintaining the battery 171 can be ensured in the space between the pair of third side frames 151 along the width direction.

[0065] For example, the pair of first side frames 111, the pair of second side frames 131, and the pair of third side frames 151 may be coupled so as to be disposed on the same virtual first plane, for example, on a virtual first plane formed by the intersection of the longitudinal direction and the width direction. Furthermore, the third cross member 153 may be disposed on another plane that does not overlap with the first plane.

[0066] Furthermore, in addition to the pair of first side frames 111, the pair of second side frames 131, and the pair of third side frames 151, the first crossbeam 113 and the second crossbeam 133 may be arranged on the same virtual second plane, for example, on a virtual second plane formed by the intersection of the longitudinal direction and the width direction. The first plane and the second plane may be substantially the same plane. In this example, the third crossbeam 153 may also be arranged on another plane that does not overlap with the first plane.

[0067] The battery 171 can be mounted on the inner third cross member 153 with the auxiliary frame 152 as a reference, and the fluid tank 181 can be mounted on the outer side. For example, the battery 171 and a pair of fluid tanks 181 can be mounted on the third cross member 153.

[0068] The battery 171 can be positioned so as to at least partially overlap the first or second plane. The battery 171 is mounted between the pair of third side frames 151. More specifically, the battery 171 can be mounted on the upper portion of the third crossbeams 153a-153 connecting the pair of third side frames 151 in the width direction. Furthermore, the third crossbeams 153 are positioned on another plane that does not overlap the first plane (as further described below). Therefore, the battery 171 has sufficient mounting space until it overlaps the first or second plane.

[0069] In detail, the battery 171 may be provided (installed) to at least partially overlap the first or second plane, and thus, the battery 171 may be installed to overlap the pair of first side frames 111, the pair of second side frames 131, the pair of third side frames 151, the first cross beam 113, or the second cross beam 133 (see FIG. Figure 4 in the main view).

[0070] For example, as referenced below Figure 5 As described above, a space having an expanded width WW can be secured between the lower surface of vehicle body 200 and battery 171. This expanded width WW is greater than the widthwise spacing W1 between the pair of first side frames 111 of first frame 110 or the widthwise spacing W2 between the pair of second side frames 131 of second frame 130. This significantly facilitates installation and maintenance of battery 171. The widthwise length of expanded width WW can be equal to the widthwise spacing between the pair of third side frames 151 of support frame 150.

[0071] The battery 171 may be installed such that both ends thereof in the longitudinal direction are disposed between the pair of first side frames 111 and the pair of second side frames 131 .

[0072] The third cross beam 153 may include a 3a cross beam 153a disposed between the pair of third side frames 151 and two 3b cross beams 153b disposed at outer sides of the third side frames 151 .

[0073] Battery assembly 170, including battery 171, is mounted on 3a crossbeam 153a, and fluid tank assembly 180 may be mounted on 3b crossbeam 153b. Furthermore, 3b crossbeam 153b may be provided with a curved member 155 that directly supports fluid tank 181. Taking into account the curvature of fluid tank 181, curved member 155 may be provided in a curved form to have a corresponding curvature.

[0074] The battery assembly 170 may include a battery support member 173 and a battery 171 disposed on the battery support member 173. The battery support member 173 may include a pair of fourth side frames 173a extending in the longitudinal direction and at least one cross beam 173b connecting the pair of fourth side frames 173a in the width direction. In addition, the pair of fourth side frames 173a may be fixed to the 3a cross beam 153a.

[0075] However, for ease of installation, etc., the battery supporting member 173 may further include a fixing member 173 c extending from the pair of fourth side frames 173 a in the longitudinal direction, and the fixing member 173 c may be fixed to the 3 a cross beam 153 a .

[0076] The fluid tank assembly 180 includes a fluid tank 181, and the fluid tank 181 may be securely secured to a cage 183 using a securing strap 184. The cage 183 may be securely mounted on the third cross member 153. The cage 183 may be coupled to the third cross member 153.

[0077] The fluid tank assembly 180 may include a cage 183 surrounding the fluid tank 181. Furthermore, the fluid tank 181 may be directly supported on the curved member 155 of the third cross member 153. Therefore, the cage 183 may be provided with an insert 185 through which the curved member 155 passes. For example, the cage 183 may be provided with an open (or partially cut) insert 185 at the location where the fluid tank 181 is supported by the curved member 155.

[0078] refer to Figure 5 , a vehicle 1000 according to one embodiment may include the vehicle frame 100 for a fuel cell according to this embodiment and a vehicle body 200 coupled thereto.

[0079] The vehicle body 200 may be coupled to an upper portion of the vehicle frame 100 for the fuel cell.

[0080] A space having an expanded width WW greater than the widthwise distance W1 between the pair of first side frames 111 of the first frame 110 or the widthwise distance W2 between the pair of second side frames 131 of the second frame 130 can be secured between the lower surface of the vehicle body 200 and the battery 171. This significantly facilitates installation and maintenance of the battery 171.

[0081] The widthwise length of the expanded width WW may be equal to the widthwise interval between the pair of third side frames 151 of the support frame 150 .

[0082] As described above, the vehicle frame for a fuel cell and the vehicle equipped with the frame according to one embodiment can be designed to ensure installation space for a fuel tank and a battery, thereby providing sufficient space for the vehicle to facilitate design and maintenance.

[0083] While example embodiments have been shown and described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle frame for a fuel cell, comprising: First frame; Second frame; as well as a support frame connecting the first frame and the second frame to each other, the support frame including a fluid tank and a battery mounted thereon; The fluid tank includes a pair of fluid tanks arranged outside the first frame and the second frame in a width direction, and the battery is arranged between the pair of fluid tanks.

2. The vehicle frame for a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein The first frame includes a pair of first side frames and at least one first cross beam connecting the pair of first side frames; and The second frame includes a pair of second side frames and at least one second cross beam connecting the pair of second side frames.

3. The vehicle frame for a fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein The support frame comprises: a pair of third side frames, each of the third side frames being arranged outside the pair of first side frames and the pair of second side frames in the width direction, and A third cross member extends from each of the pair of third side frames and has the battery and the pair of fluid tanks arranged thereon.

4. The vehicle frame for a fuel cell according to claim 3, wherein The third cross beam is coupled to an auxiliary frame extending downward from the pair of third side frames.

5. The vehicle frame for a fuel cell according to claim 4, wherein The auxiliary frame is coupled to the pair of first side frames and the pair of second side frames, and Wherein, the pair of third side frames are coupled to the auxiliary frame.

6. The vehicle frame for a fuel cell according to claim 4, wherein The battery is arranged on an inner side of the third cross member with reference to the auxiliary frame, and the fluid tank is arranged on an outer side of the third cross member.

7. The vehicle frame for a fuel cell according to claim 3, wherein The pair of first side frames, the pair of second side frames, and the pair of third side frames are coupled together and arranged on the same virtual first plane.

8. The vehicle frame for a fuel cell according to claim 3, wherein The pair of first side frames, the pair of second side frames, the pair of third side frames, the first cross beam, and the second cross beam are coupled together and arranged on the same virtual second plane.

9. The vehicle frame for a fuel cell according to claim 8, wherein The battery at least partially overlaps the virtual second plane.

10. The vehicle frame for a fuel cell according to claim 7, wherein The third beam does not overlap with the virtual first plane.

11. The vehicle frame for a fuel cell according to claim 3, wherein The third cross beam includes a curved member that directly supports the fluid tank.

12. The vehicle frame for a fuel cell according to claim 11, comprising a cage surrounding the fluid tank, in, The cage has an insert portion at a position where the fluid tank is supported by the curved member.

13. A vehicle comprising: The vehicle frame for a fuel cell according to claim 1; as well as A vehicle body is coupled to an upper portion of the vehicle frame.

14. The vehicle according to claim 13, wherein: A space having an expanded width greater than a widthwise distance between a pair of first side frames of the first frame or a widthwise distance between a pair of second side frames of the second frame is ensured between a lower surface of the vehicle body and the battery.

15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein: A length of the expanded width in the width direction is equal to a widthwise distance between a pair of third side frames of the support frame.

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