HIGH-PRESSURE TANK MOUNTING STRUCTURE

Abstract

High pressure tank mounting structure (S1) comprising: a housing (22) disposed beneath a floor of a vehicle cabin and having a bottom wall (44), a peripheral wall (46), and a top wall (70); a plurality of high-pressure tanks (18) accommodated in such a way that they are arranged in a row in the housing (22); and a discharge hole (80) formed at an upper portion of the housing (22) and discharging hydrogen that has entered from the high-pressure tanks (18) to an exterior of the housing (22), wherein a first hydrogen collecting section (73) which is recessed upwards is formed on a rear surface of the upper wall (70) of the housing (22), and the discharge hole (80) is formed at the first hydrogen collecting section (73), characterized in that a guide portion (74) inclined downward toward an outer edge portion of the upper wall (70) is formed on at least one of a front side, a rear side, a right side, and a left side of the first hydrogen collecting portion (73).

Description

BACKGROUNDTechnical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a high pressure tank mounting structure. Related prior art

[0002] A high-pressure tank mounting structure is disclosed in Japanese patent application JP 2009-270707 A. In this mounting structure, high-pressure tanks (hydrogen tanks) are housed in a housing for hydrogen storage bodies that forms a closed space. For the prior art, reference is also made to US 2014 / 0 375 043 A1 and US 2014 / 0 069 972 A1.

[0003] From the generic document DE 10 2005 037 637 A1, a fuel storage system is also known, comprising a container that can be installed in a vehicle and beneath the vehicle's underbody or at another suitable location. The container is designed to maximize the available space for storing fuel on a vehicle and includes space for a flow control device to be contained within the container. The container also has venting and drainage openings to enable the removal of gas and liquids from the interior of the container. SUMMARY

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned related art, there is a problem that hydrogen that has penetrated from the high-pressure tanks stagnates in the housing.

[0005] Based on the prior art, the invention aims to further develop a high-pressure tank mounting structure in which high-pressure tanks are accommodated in a housing in such a way that stagnation of hydrogen in the housing can be prevented. This object is achieved by the features of claim 1; advantageous further developments are the subject of the subclaims.

[0006] A high-pressure tank mounting structure of a first aspect of the present invention includes: a casing disposed under a floor of a vehicle cabin and having a bottom wall, a peripheral wall, and an upper wall; a plurality of high-pressure tanks accommodated in the casing so as to be lined up; and a discharge hole formed in an upper portion of the casing and discharging hydrogen that has entered from the high-pressure tanks to an exterior of the casing.

[0007] According to the invention, a first hydrogen collecting portion recessed upward is formed on a rear surface of the upper wall of the casing, and the discharge hole is formed on the first hydrogen collecting portion, wherein a guide portion inclined downward toward an outer edge portion of the upper wall is formed on at least one of a front side, a rear side, a right side, and a left side of the first hydrogen collecting portion.

[0008] In the high-pressure tank mounting structure of the first aspect, the housing, which has the bottom wall, the peripheral wall, and the top wall, is arranged under the floor of the vehicle cabin. The plurality of high-pressure tanks are accommodated in the housing in a row. Therefore, in a high-pressure tank mounting structure in which a plurality of tanks are arranged under the floor of a vehicle cabin, the high-pressure tanks can be protected from deterioration by the road surface and from fire.

[0009] In addition, the high-pressure tank mounting structure features a drain hole at the top of the housing. This allows the low-specific gravity hydrogen entering from the high-pressure tanks to be drained to the outside of the housing.

[0010] Furthermore, in the high-pressure tank mounting structure, the first hydrogen collection portion, which is recessed upward, is formed on the rear surface of the upper wall of the housing, and the discharge hole is formed at this first hydrogen collection portion. Due to this, hydrogen is collected in the first hydrogen collection portion, and the collected hydrogen can be effectively discharged from the discharge hole.

[0011] Furthermore, the guide portion, which is inclined downward toward an outer edge portion of the upper wall, is formed on at least one of the front side, the rear side, the right side, and the left side of the first hydrogen collecting portion. Due to this, the hydrogen located at the outer edge portion of the upper wall can be guided to and discharged from the first hydrogen collecting portion through the guide portion.

[0012] In a high-pressure tank mounting structure of a second aspect of the present invention, the discharge hole is covered with a filter that is permeable to hydrogen but not permeable to water.

[0013] In the high-pressure tank mounting structure of the second aspect, the discharge hole is covered with a filter that allows hydrogen to pass through but not water. Therefore, water can be prevented from entering the interior of the housing while discharging hydrogen to the exterior of the housing.

[0014] In a high-pressure tank mounting structure of a third aspect of the present invention, discharge holes are formed at each of four corners of the upper wall of the casing, and at least one discharge hole is formed at the first hydrogen collecting portion.

[0015] In the high-pressure tank mounting structure of the third aspect, discharge holes are formed at each of the four corners of the upper wall of the housing, and at least one discharge hole is formed at the first hydrogen collecting portion. Therefore, hydrogen accumulation inside the housing can be effectively prevented.

[0016] It should be noted that “formed at each of the four corners of the upper wall” means that in a case where the upper wall is divided into three areas of the same dimension in the vehicle transverse direction and divided into three areas of the same dimension in the vehicle longitudinal direction (in other words, in a case where the upper wall is divided into a total of nine areas), the discharge holes are formed at all four areas, which are the frontmost and rightmost area, the frontmost and leftmost area, the rearmost and rightmost area, and the rearmost and leftmost area.

[0017] In a high-pressure tank mounting structure of a fourth aspect of the present invention, the high-pressure mounting structure further comprises: a manifold connecting the plurality of high-pressure tanks to each other, wherein the plurality of high-pressure tanks are lined up with their axial directions along a vehicle longitudinal direction and are connected to the manifold on a vehicle longitudinal direction side of the high-pressure tanks, and the drain hole is formed over a connected portion of the high-pressure tanks and the manifold.

[0018] In a high-pressure tank mounting structure of a fifth aspect of the present invention, the high-pressure tank mounting structure further comprises: a manifold connecting the plurality of high-pressure tanks to each other, wherein the plurality of high-pressure tanks are lined up with their axial directions along a vehicle longitudinal direction and are connected to the manifold on a vehicle longitudinal direction side of the high-pressure tanks, and at least one drain hole is formed over a connected portion of the high-pressure tanks and the manifold.

[0019] In the high-pressure tank mounting structure of the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect, the plurality of high-pressure tanks are lined up in the vehicle transverse direction with their axial directions extending along the vehicle longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the plurality of high-pressure tanks are connected to each other by the manifold on a vehicle longitudinal direction side of the plurality of high-pressure tanks. The discharge hole is formed above the connected portion of the high-pressure tanks and the manifold. Due to this, hydrogen leaking from the connected portion can be effectively discharged.

[0020] In a high-pressure tank mounting structure of a sixth aspect of the present invention, the first hydrogen collecting portion is positioned at a vehicle longitudinal direction center portion and a vehicle transverse direction center portion of the upper wall.

[0021] In the high-pressure tank mounting structure of the sixth aspect, the first hydrogen collection portion is positioned at the vehicle longitudinal direction center portion and the vehicle transverse direction center portion of the upper wall. Therefore, compared to a structure in which a hydrogen collection portion is positioned only near an edge portion of the upper wall in a vehicle plan view, hydrogen is efficiently collected in the first hydrogen collection portion and can be discharged from the discharge hole.

[0022] In a high-pressure tank mounting structure of a seventh aspect of the present invention, guide portions inclined downward toward outer edge portions of the upper wall are formed on all of a front side, a rear side, a right side, and a left side of the first hydrogen collecting portion.

[0023] In the high-pressure tank mounting structure of the seventh aspect, guide portions inclined downward toward the outer edge portions of the upper wall are formed on all of the front, rear, right, and left sides of the first hydrogen collecting portion. Therefore, hydrogen can be guided from the outer edge portions of the upper wall to the first hydrogen collecting portion through the guide portions of the four sides.

[0024] In a high-pressure tank mounting structure of an eighth aspect of the present invention, the first hydrogen collecting portion is positioned at a vehicle transverse direction center portion of the upper wall, a guide portion inclined downward toward an outer edge portion of the upper wall is formed on a front side or a rear side of the first hydrogen collecting portion, and in a vehicle plan view, the first hydrogen collecting portion and the guide portion are configured to overlap a tunnel portion of a floor panel constituting a floor area of the vehicle cabin.

[0025] In the high-pressure tank mounting structure of the eighth aspect, the first hydrogen collecting portion is positioned at the vehicle transverse direction center portion of the upper wall. The guide portion, which is inclined downward toward an outer edge portion of the upper wall, is formed on the front or rear side of the first hydrogen collecting portion. Further, in a vehicle plan view, the first hydrogen collecting portion and the guide portion overlap the tunnel portion of the floor panel constituting the floor area of the vehicle cabin. Due to this, by using the upwardly convex tunnel portion of the floor panel, a part of the casing can be arranged on an upper side relative to the vehicle floor.

[0026] In a high-pressure tank mounting structure of a ninth aspect of the present invention, a second hydrogen collecting portion, which is recessed upward and positioned further toward a vehicle underside than the first hydrogen collecting portion, is formed on a rear surface of an outer peripheral portion of the upper wall.

[0027] In the high-pressure tank mounting structure of the ninth aspect, the second hydrogen collection portion, which is recessed upward and positioned further toward the vehicle underside than the first hydrogen collection portion, is formed on the rear surface of the outer peripheral portion of the upper wall. Therefore, hydrogen can be guided from the second hydrogen collection portion to and discharged from the first hydrogen collection portion via the guide portion(s). Since the outer peripheral portion of the upper wall is a portion where hydrogen may accumulate due to a vehicle inclination, hydrogen discharge can be performed effectively.

[0028] As described above, with the high-pressure tank mounting structure of the present invention in which high-pressure tanks are accommodated in a casing, it is possible to prevent stagnation of hydrogen in the casing. Short description of the drawings

[0029] Preferred embodiments will now be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein: Fig. 1 is a schematic side view showing a fuel cell vehicle in which a high-pressure tank unit is mounted; Fig. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a high pressure tank unit of an embodiment not according to the invention; Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a high pressure tank unit of an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the high-pressure tank unit of the embodiment of the present invention is cut at a vehicle transverse direction center portion along a plane orthogonal to the vehicle transverse direction; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the high-pressure tank unit of the embodiment of the present invention is cut along a plane orthogonal to the vehicle longitudinal direction; Fig. 6 is a drawing schematically showing a movement of permeated hydrogen in the embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a high-pressure tank mounting structure of a modified example 1 of the embodiment according to the present invention is cut along a plane orthogonal to the vehicle longitudinal direction; Fig. 8 is a drawing schematically showing a movement of permeated hydrogen in the modified example 1 of the embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a high-pressure tank mounting structure of a modified example 2 of the embodiment according to the present invention is cut along a plane orthogonal to the vehicle transverse direction; Fig. 10 is a drawing schematically showing a movement of permeated hydrogen in Modified Example 2 of the embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 11 is a drawing schematically showing a movement of permeated hydrogen in a modified example 3 of the embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 12 is a drawing schematically showing a movement of permeated hydrogen in a modified example 4 of the embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 13 is a front view showing a high-pressure tank unit of another embodiment; Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view (a cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 of Fig. 13) showing the high pressure tank unit of the further embodiment; and Fig. 15 is an enlarged sectional view showing a state in which a discharge hole is covered with a filter. Detailed Description[Embodiment not according to the invention]

[0030] A high-pressure tank mounting structure S1 of an embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Note that, if appropriate, an arrow FR shown in the respective drawings indicates the vehicle forward side, an arrow UP indicates the vehicle upstream side, and an arrow LH indicates the vehicle transverse left side. Furthermore, in the following description, when longitudinal, vertical, and left-right directions are used without further indication, they refer to longitudinal in the vehicle longitudinal direction, vertical in the vehicle vertical direction, and left and right in the vehicle transverse direction.

[0031] As in Fig. 1, a fuel cell vehicle 11 (hereinafter referred to as “vehicle 11”) to which the high-pressure tank mounting structure S1 is applied is configured to include a drive motor 12, an FC stack 14 (fuel cell stack), and a high-pressure tank unit 10.

[0032] In the present embodiment, the drive motor 12 is arranged, for example, at a vehicle rear portion. Due to the drive of the drive motor 12, an output of the drive motor 12 is transmitted to rear wheels 13 via a transmission mechanism (not shown).

[0033] Further, the FC stack 14 is arranged at a vehicle front portion. The FC stack 14 is a stacked structure in which a plurality of unit cells, which are structural units, are stacked together, and the FC stack 14 functions as a high-voltage power source. Further, each unit cell constituting the FC stack 14 generates electric power through an electrochemical reaction of hydrogen gas supplied from the high-pressure tank unit 10 described later and compressed air supplied from an unillustrated air compressor. Further, an unillustrated storage battery is provided on the vehicle 11. The storage battery is a rechargeable / dischargeable secondary battery, and a nickel-hydrogen secondary battery, a lithium-hydrogen secondary battery, or the like is used therefor.Due to the supply of electric power to the drive motor 12 from this storage battery, the drive motor 12 is driven, and regenerated electric power is recovered from the drive motor 12 at times of deceleration regeneration.

[0034] The high-pressure tank unit 10 is arranged on a vehicle underside of a floor panel 16, which forms a floor area of the vehicle cabin. As shown in Fig. 2, the high pressure tank unit 10 is constructed to include a housing 22, a plurality of high pressure tanks 18 and manifolds 20, 21.

[0035] The high-pressure tanks 18 are formed into substantially cylindrical shapes that are elongated and whose axial directions are the longitudinal directions. The plurality of high-pressure tanks 18 are lined up side by side. In the present embodiment, for example, eleven of the high-pressure tanks 18 are arranged at equal intervals in the vehicle transverse direction, with their axial directions running along the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0036] Furthermore, the positions of vehicle front end portions of the eleven high-pressure tanks 18 are aligned with each other. Seven high-pressure tanks 18 located in a central vehicle section are formed to have the same length in the axial direction. However, the vehicle longitudinal (axial) lengths of two high-pressure tanks 18 on a left vehicle side and two high-pressure tanks 18 on a right vehicle side are formed shorter than those of the other high-pressure tanks 18. Therefore, the rear end portions of these four high-pressure tanks 18 are positioned farther toward a vehicle front than the rear end portions of the other high-pressure tanks 18.

[0037] Each of the high-pressure tanks 18 is configured to include a body portion 24 and mouthpieces 30. The body portion 24 is formed in the shape of a cylinder with both axial end portions open. In the present embodiment, the body portion 24 is formed of, for example, an aluminum alloy.

[0038] The mouthpieces 30 are provided at the two axial end portions of the body portion 24. The two end portions of the body portion 24 are closed by the mouthpieces 30. The mouthpiece 30 on a vehicle front end side and the mouthpiece 30 on a vehicle rear end side are similarly constructed. The mouthpieces 30 have connecting portions 30A, and the manifolds 20, 21 are connected to the connecting portions 30A.

[0039] The high-pressure tanks 18 are connected in the vehicle transverse direction by the manifolds 20, 21. The manifold 20 (the valve-side manifold) is arranged on a vehicle front side of the high-pressure tanks 18 and is an elongated tubular body extending in the vehicle transverse direction (the direction in which the high-pressure tanks 18 are lined up). Connecting portions 20A connected to the connecting portions 30A of the mouthpieces 30 are provided on the manifold 20. The plurality of connecting portions 20A are provided to correspond to the respective positions of the high-pressure tanks 18, and in the present embodiment, eleven of the connecting portions 20A are provided. A flow path is formed on an inner side of the manifold 20. Interiors of the plurality of high-pressure tanks 18 communicate with each other through this flow path. A plurality of front-side mounting pieces 36 are provided on the manifold 20.The plurality of (three in the present embodiment) front mounting pieces 36 are lined up in the vehicle transverse direction and are fixed to a bottom wall 44 of the housing 22 by a plurality of brackets 60.

[0040] A discharge pipe 32 is provided at a vehicle-transverse-direction intermediate portion of the manifold 20 (the intermediate portion in the direction in which the high-pressure tanks 18 are lined up). The discharge pipe 32 is a tubular body protruding from the manifold 20 toward a vehicle front side. The discharge pipe 32 is provided at the same position in the vehicle-transverse direction as the connecting portion 20A located at a vehicle-transverse-direction center on the manifold 20.

[0041] On the other hand, the manifold 21 is arranged on a vehicle rear side of the high-pressure tanks 18. Rear end portions of the high-pressure tanks 18 are connected in the vehicle width direction by the manifold 21. The manifold 21 has a plurality of (eleven in the present embodiment) connecting portions 21A, just like the manifold 20. These connecting portions 21A have insertion through holes through which the connecting portions 30A of the mouthpieces 30 are inserted. A flow path is formed in an interior of the manifold 21, and the interiors of the plurality of high-pressure tanks 18 communicate with each other through this flow path. Furthermore, a plurality of rear-side mounting pieces 38 are provided on the manifold 21. The plurality of (three in the present embodiment) rear-side mounting pieces 38 are lined up in the vehicle width direction and are fixed to the bottom wall 44 of the housing 22 by a plurality of brackets 62.

[0042] The high-pressure tanks 18 and the manifolds 20, 21 are housed in the housing 22. The housing 22 is formed in the shape of a box that is substantially rectangular in plan view. The housing 22 is constructed to include a housing main body 40 and a cover member 42.

[0043] The housing main body 40 is a box with an open top and is formed by the bottom wall 44 and a peripheral wall 46. The bottom wall 44 is made of an aluminum alloy or the like and has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view with rounded corners. Further, a plurality of mounting holes 44A are formed with intervals therebetween in an outer peripheral portion of the bottom wall 44. Fasteners such as screws or the like are passed through the mounting holes 44A, and the bottom wall 44 of the housing 22 is fixed to vehicle body frame members such as rocker panels or the like.

[0044] The peripheral wall 46 stands upright on the bottom wall 44. The peripheral wall 46 is formed by an extrusion molded part made of an aluminum alloy and is rectangular frame-shaped when viewed in plan view.

[0045] The peripheral wall 46 is configured to include a front wall 48 extending in the vehicle transverse direction on a vehicle front side, a rear wall 50 extending in the vehicle transverse direction on a vehicle rear side, and a right wall 52 and a left wall 53 connecting the two end portions of the front wall 48 and the rear wall 50 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the front wall 48, the rear wall 50, the right wall 52, and the left wall 53 are each closed cross-sectional structures. Specifically, the cross-sectional structures of the front wall 48, the rear wall 50, the right wall 52, and the left wall 53 are each closed structures shaped as rectangles whose lengths extend along the vertical direction, and further include partition walls that divide these rectangles into upper and lower portions.

[0046] Further, a through-hole 48A extending through the front wall 48 in the vehicle longitudinal direction is formed at a vehicle transverse direction center portion of the front wall 48. The discharge pipe 32 provided on the manifold 20 is led out to the exterior of the casing 22 through the through-hole 48A. A valve 34 capable of opening and closing the flow path of the manifold 20 is provided on the discharge pipe 32. Thus, the amount of fluid flowing in the flow path can be controlled. One end portion of a pipe (not shown) is connected to the valve 34, and the other end portion of this pipe is connected to the fuel cell stack or the like.

[0047] Both vehicle transverse direction sides of the rear end portion of the peripheral wall 46 are concave portions 51, which are recessed toward the vehicle front side in plan view. (Only the concave portion 51 on the left vehicle side is recessed in Fig. 2.) Therefore, a length of the inside of the housing 22 along the vehicle longitudinal direction is shorter at the two vehicle transverse direction end portions than at a vehicle transverse direction center portion. Thus, the high-pressure tanks 18 accommodated on both vehicle transverse direction sides are containers whose length in the vehicle longitudinal direction (their axial directions) is shorter than that of the other high-pressure tanks 18.

[0048] The opening on the upper surface of the housing main body 40 is closed by the cover member 42. The cover member 42 is formed in the shape of a flat plate made of an aluminum alloy or the like, and has a shape corresponding to the peripheral wall 46. Therefore, in both vehicle-width-direction end portions of a rear end portion of the cover member 42, recesses 42A recessed toward the vehicle front side in plan view are formed in correspondence with the concave portions 51 of the peripheral wall 46. A step 42B is formed at an outer peripheral end portion of the cover member 42. The portion located further toward the outside than this step 42B is fitted onto an upper surface of the peripheral wall 46 and is fixed thereto by fastening members such as screws or the like.

[0049] Drain holes 80 are formed in the cover member 42. Specifically, the drain holes 80 are formed at portions of the cover member 42 each located further toward the inside than the step 42B located at the outer peripheral end portion. In other words, the drain holes 80 are formed in an upper wall 70 of the housing 22. A plurality (five in the present embodiment) of the drain holes 80 are provided. The positions of the plurality of drain holes 80 are located at four corners and a center of the upper wall 70. The respective drain holes 80 are, for example, circular.

[0050] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 15, the drain hole 80 is covered with a filter 82 that is permeable to hydrogen but not permeable to water. For example, a filter made of Gore-Tex ® or similar. <Funktionsweise und Wirkungen>

[0051] Next, the operation and effects of the present embodiment will be described.

[0052] In the present embodiment, the housing 22, which has the bottom wall 44, the peripheral wall 46, and the top wall 70, is arranged under the floor of the vehicle cabin (on the vehicle underside of the floor panel 16). The plurality of high-pressure tanks 18 are accommodated in the housing 22 in a row. Due to this, in a high-pressure tank mounting structure in which the plurality of high-pressure tanks 18 are arranged under the floor of a vehicle cabin, the high-pressure tanks 18 can be protected from deterioration by the road surface and from fire.

[0053] In addition, the discharge holes 80 are formed at the upper portion of the casing 22. Therefore, the hydrogen that has entered from the high-pressure tanks 18 and whose specific gravity is low can be smoothly discharged to the outside of the casing 22.

[0054] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the exhaust holes 80 are covered with filters 82 that are permeable to hydrogen but not permeable to water. Due to this, water can be prevented from entering the interior of the housing 22 while the hydrogen is exhausted to the exterior of the housing 22.

[0055] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the exhaust holes 80 are formed at least at the four corners of the upper wall 70 of the housing 22. Therefore, accumulation of hydrogen inside the housing 22 can be effectively prevented. [Embodiment of the invention]

[0056] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0057] A high-pressure tank mounting structure of the embodiment of the invention has a high-pressure tank unit 110 (see Fig. 3) instead of the high-pressure tank unit 10 of the above-mentioned embodiment. The high-pressure tank unit 110 has a cover member 142 instead of the cover member 42 of the above-mentioned embodiment. The cover member 142 differs from the cover member 42 in that convex portions 71 (a first hydrogen collecting portion 73 and guide portions 74) are formed on the upper wall 70. Since structures other than the cover member 142 are substantially the same as those in the above-mentioned embodiment, they are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and their descriptions will be omitted where appropriate.

[0058] As in Fig. 3, the convex portion 71, which is convex upward relative to general portions 72 of the upper wall 70, is formed on the upper wall 70. The upper wall 70 is located further toward the inside than the step 42B on the cover member 142. The convex portion 71 is formed, for example, by press working. The general portions 72 extend in the vehicle horizontal direction.

[0059] Due to the formation of the convex portion 71, a rear surface of the upper wall 70 at the convex portion 71 is a concave portion that is recessed upward. The convex portion 71 is formed in the shape of a cross in a vehicle plan view. A central portion of this cross-shaped convex portion 71 is most convex upward. Namely, the rear surface of the upper wall 70 is most recessed upward at the central portion of the cross-shaped convex portion 71, and the central portion of the cross-shaped convex portion 71 is the highest point in the vertical direction of the rear surface of the upper wall 70. Due to this, the hydrogen that has penetrated from the high-pressure tanks 18 and whose specific gravity is low is accumulated at the central portion of the cross-shaped convex portion 71.Namely, the central portion of the cross-shaped convex portion 71 functions as the “first hydrogen collecting portion 73” in which the hydrogen is collected.

[0060] Those portions of the cross-shaped convex portion 71 other than the first hydrogen collecting portion 73 are the guide portions 74, which are inclined downward in directions away from the first hydrogen collecting portion 73. Specifically, the guide portions 74, which are inclined downward toward the outer edge portions of the upper wall 70, are formed at all of the front, rear, right, and left sides of the first hydrogen collecting portion 73. Due to their inclination, the guide portions 74 guide the hydrogen with a low specific gravity to the first hydrogen collecting portion 73.

[0061] Specifically, each of the guide sections 74 has a pair of side wall sections 74S connected to the adjacent general sections 72, and a ceiling wall section 74T connecting the upper ends of the pair of side wall sections 74S. The pair of side wall sections 74S extend in directions slightly inclined with respect to the vertical direction (see Fig. 4 and Fig. 5). Namely, cross-sectional shapes of the pairs of side wall portions 74S when the guide portions 74 are cut along a plane orthogonal to the direction in which the guide portions 74 extend are substantially truncated conical angular shapes, and a distance between upper ends of the pair of side wall portions 74S is shorter than a distance between lower ends of the pair of side wall portions 74S.

[0062] The first hydrogen collection section 73 has the exhaust hole 80. Furthermore, the exhaust holes 80 (four in total) are also formed at each of the four general sections 72. The four exhaust holes 80 formed in the general sections 72 are positioned at four corners of the upper wall 70. All of the exhaust holes 80 are, for example, circular. <Funktionsweise und Wirkungen>

[0063] Next, the operation and effects of the embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that a description of the operations and effects of structures similar to those of the above-described embodiment not according to the present invention may be omitted.

[0064] In the present embodiment, the upwardly recessed first hydrogen collecting portion 73 is formed on the rear surface of the top wall 70 of the casing 22. The discharge hole 80 is formed at this first hydrogen collecting portion 73. Due to this, the intruded hydrogen is collected in the first hydrogen collecting portion 73, and the collected hydrogen can be effectively discharged from the discharge hole 80.

[0065] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the first hydrogen collecting portion 73 is positioned at the vehicle longitudinal direction center portion and the vehicle transverse direction center portion of the upper wall 70. Due to this, compared with a form in which the first hydrogen collecting portion 73 is positioned only near the edge portion of the casing 22 in a vehicle plan view, the hydrogen is efficiently collected in the first hydrogen collecting portion 73 and can be discharged from the discharge hole 80.

[0066] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the guide portions 74, which are inclined to slope downward toward the outer edge portions of the upper wall 70, are formed on all of the front, rear, right, and left sides of the first hydrogen collecting portion 73. Due to this, as shown in Fig. 6, the hydrogen can be guided to and discharged from the first hydrogen collecting section 73 by the guide sections 74 from the outer edge sections of the four directions. (Modified example of the embodiment of the invention)

[0067] Note that the above embodiment describes an example in which the guide portions 74, which slope downwardly toward the outer edge portions of the top wall 70, are formed on all of the front, rear, right, and left sides of the first hydrogen collecting portion 73. However, the guide portion 74 may be formed in at least one of the front, rear, right, and left sides of the first hydrogen collecting portion 73. The portions where the guide portions 74 are not formed may be the general portions 72.

[0068] Furthermore, a Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 is possible. In the modified example 1, just as in the above-described embodiment, the first hydrogen collecting portion 73, at which the discharge hole 80 is formed, is positioned at the vehicle longitudinal direction center portion and the vehicle transverse direction center portion of the upper wall 70. On the other hand, the guide portions 74 are formed only on the front and rear sides of the first hydrogen collecting portion 73. Therefore, the two side portions of the upper wall 70 located on both sides of the vehicle transverse direction center portion are the common portions 72. Further, as in Fig. As shown in FIG. 7, the convex portion 71 (the first hydrogen collecting portion 73 and the guide portions 74) overlaps a tunnel portion 16T of the floor panel 16, which forms the floor area of the vehicle cabin, in a vehicle plan view. Due to this, the casing 22 having the convex portion 71 can be assembled using the tunnel portion 16T convex upward on the floor panel 16, and therefore, it is possible to place the high-pressure tank unit 210 on a relatively upper side of the vehicle. Note that in Modified Example 1, the position of the first hydrogen collecting portion 73 in the vehicle longitudinal direction may be changed.For example, the first hydrogen collecting portion 73 may be positioned at the front vehicle longitudinal direction end portion and the vehicle transverse direction center portion, or may be positioned at the rear vehicle longitudinal direction end portion and the vehicle transverse direction center portion.

[0069] Note that Modified Example 1 may be changed to a structure in which only two of the guide portions are formed on the left and right. Due to this, when the vehicle 11 tilts forward or backward, hydrogen can be trapped by the convex portion 71 extending across the entire vehicle transverse direction and can be discharged from the discharge hole 80 of the first hydrogen collection portion 73.

[0070] Furthermore, a Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 is possible. In the modified example 2, the first hydrogen collecting portion 73 in which the discharge hole 80 is formed is positioned at the rear vehicle longitudinal direction end portion of the upper wall 70. The first hydrogen collecting portion 73 is formed over the entire vehicle transverse direction at the rear vehicle longitudinal direction end portion of the upper wall 70. The plurality of discharge holes 80 may be formed in a row in the vehicle transverse direction at the first hydrogen collecting portion 73. As shown in Fig. As shown in Fig. 9, the convex portion 71, which is convex upward and is the portion of the upper wall 70 where the first hydrogen collecting portion 73 is formed, is arranged so as to overlap, in a vehicle plan view, a rear portion 16R formed on the floor panel 16 near a rear side of a rear seat. The rear portion 16R is convex toward the vehicle upper side with respect to the general portions of the floor panel 16, and is inclined obliquely toward the rear and upper sides from the rear ends of the general portions, and thereafter extends in the horizontal direction toward the vehicle rear side.Due to this, the casing 22 having the first hydrogen collecting portion 73 (the convex portion 71) can be mounted using the rear portion 16R convex upward on the floor panel 16, and therefore it is possible to place the high-pressure tank unit 310 on a relatively upper side of the vehicle.

[0071] Furthermore, a Fig. 11 is possible. Modified Example 3 is a structure in which, in Modified Example 2, the guide portion 74, which is inclined downward toward an outer edge portion (the front end portion) of the upper wall 70, is formed on the front side of the first hydrogen collecting portion 73. The guide portion 74 is formed at the vehicle transverse direction center portion. Due to this, the hydrogen captured by the guide portion 74 extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction can be guided to the first hydrogen collecting portion 73. In addition, the first hydrogen collecting portion 73 is arranged to correspond to the rear portion 16R of the floor panel 16, and the guide portion 74 is arranged to correspond to the tunnel portion 16T of the floor panel 16.This makes it possible to place the high-pressure tank unit 410 on a relatively upper side of the vehicle.

[0072] Furthermore, the Fig. 12 shown high-pressure tank unit 510 of a modified example 4. The modified example 4 is a structure in which, in the above-described embodiment of the invention (see Fig. 3 to Fig. 6) A second hydrogen collection portion 75, which is recessed upward and positioned further toward a vehicle underside than the first hydrogen collection portion 73, is formed on a rear surface of the outer peripheral portion of the upper wall 70. Due to this, hydrogen is first captured by the second hydrogen collection portion 75 and is guided from the second hydrogen collection portion 75 to and discharged from the first hydrogen collection portion 73 via the guide portions 74. Since the outer peripheral portion of the upper wall 70 is a portion where hydrogen may accumulate due to an inclination of the vehicle 11, hydrogen discharge can be performed effectively.It should be noted that instead of the four guide portions 74 front, rear, left and right, the modified example 4 may be changed into a structure in which only two of the guide portions are formed front and rear, or may be changed into a structure in which only two of the guide portions are formed left and right. [Further embodiment]

[0073] Next, another embodiment will be described.

[0074] A high-pressure tank unit 610 of this embodiment differs from the other embodiments in that the discharge holes 80 are not formed in the cover member 42 (the top wall 70). Instead, in the high-pressure tank unit 610 of this embodiment, spaces are formed between the peripheral wall 46 of the casing main body 40 and the cover member 42, and these spaces function as the discharge holes 80 from which the hydrogen is discharged. Note that structures other than the cover member 42 are substantially the same structures, so they are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted where appropriate.

[0075] The high pressure tank unit 610 of this embodiment is in Fig. 13 and Fig. 14. As shown in Fig.14, the drain holes 80 are formed between the peripheral wall 46 and the cover member 42 at a front end portion and a rear end portion of the housing 22. Specifically, a convex portion 76 that is convex upward is formed at the front end and the vehicle width direction center portion of the cover member 42, and the convex portion 76 that is convex upward is formed at the rear end and the vehicle width direction center portion of the cover member 42. On the other hand, the structures of the front wall 48 and the rear wall 50 of the peripheral wall 46 are similar to those of the other embodiments, and the front wall 48 and the rear wall 50 extend at substantially the same height along the vehicle width direction. In this way, the drain holes 80 are formed in upper portions of the housing 22.

[0076] In this embodiment, the discharge hole 80 at the front end portion of the casing 22 opens toward the front side, and the discharge hole 80 at the rear end portion of the casing 22 opens toward the rear side. Therefore, the traveling air of the vehicle is introduced into the casing 22 from the discharge hole 80 on the front side and can be discharged to the outside of the casing 22 from the discharge hole 80 on the rear side. As a result, even in a case where hydrogen stagnates inside the casing 22, the hydrogen can be effectively discharged to the outside of the casing 22.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the vehicle width direction positions of the discharge hole 80 at the front end portion of the housing 22 and the discharge hole 80 at the rear end portion of the housing 22 coincide. Due to this, traveling air can be effectively introduced into the interior of the housing 22.

[0078] It should be noted that, instead of the further embodiment described here, the drain holes 80 may be provided by forming gaps between the cover member 42 and the right wall 52 and the left wall 53 of the peripheral wall 46. Further, it is not necessary to provide two of the drain holes 80 formed by gaps between the peripheral wall 46 and the cover member 42, and only one drain hole 80 may be provided. Furthermore, the drain hole 80 may be formed by providing a gap between the peripheral wall 46 and the cover member 42 by lowering the height of the peripheral wall 46 at a portion thereof, without forming the convex portion 76 at an end portion of the cover member 42. [Supplementary description of the above embodiments]

[0079] It should be noted that the above embodiments describe that the drain holes 80 are covered with filters 82 that are impermeable to water but permeable to hydrogen. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0080] Furthermore, instead of the above-described embodiments, the positions where the discharge holes 80 are formed may be set such that the discharge holes 80 are positioned above the connected portions of the high-pressure tanks 18 and the manifolds 20, 21. In this case, hydrogen leaking from the connected portions can be effectively discharged.

[0081] Furthermore, the above embodiments describe that the housing main body 40 is a box whose top is open, and the opening on the top of the housing main body 40 is closed by the cover member 42 shaped as a flat plate. However, the housing of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the housing may be formed by mounting a box whose bottom is open on a bottom wall shaped as a flat plate.

Claims

[1] High-pressure tank mounting structure (S1) comprising: a housing (22) disposed beneath a floor of a vehicle cabin and having a bottom wall (44), a peripheral wall (46), and a top wall (70); a plurality of high-pressure tanks (18) accommodated in such a way that they are arranged in a row in the housing (22); and a discharge hole (80) formed at an upper portion of the housing (22) and discharging hydrogen that has entered from the high-pressure tanks (18) to an exterior of the housing (22), wherein a first hydrogen collecting section (73) which is recessed upwards is formed on a rear surface of the upper wall (70) of the housing (22), and the discharge hole (80) is formed at the first hydrogen collecting section (73), characterized by , that a guide portion (74) inclined downward toward an outer edge portion of the upper wall (70) is formed on at least one of a front side, a rear side, a right side, and a left side of the first hydrogen collecting portion (73). [2] The high-pressure tank mounting structure (S1) according to claim 1, wherein the discharge hole (80) is covered with a filter (82) which is permeable to hydrogen but not permeable to water. [3] The high-pressure tank mounting structure (S1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein discharge holes (80) are formed at each of the four corners of the upper wall (70) of the casing (22) and at least one discharge hole (80) is formed at the first hydrogen collecting portion (73). [4] High-pressure tank mounting structure (S1) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a manifold (20, 21) connecting the plurality of high-pressure tanks (18) to one another, wherein: the plurality of high-pressure tanks (18) are arranged in a row with their axial directions running along a vehicle longitudinal direction in a vehicle transverse direction and are connected to the distributor (20, 21) on a vehicle longitudinal direction side of the high-pressure tanks (18), and the discharge hole (80) is formed over a connected portion of the high-pressure tanks (18) and the distributor (20, 21). [5] High-pressure tank mounting structure (S1) according to claim 3, further comprising: a manifold (20, 21) connecting the plurality of high-pressure tanks (18) to one another, wherein: the plurality of high-pressure tanks (18) are arranged in a row with their axial directions running along a vehicle longitudinal direction in a vehicle transverse direction and are connected to the distributor (20, 21) on a vehicle longitudinal direction side of the high-pressure tanks (18), and at least one discharge hole (80) is formed above a connected portion of the high-pressure tanks (18) and the distributor (20, 21). [6] The high-pressure tank mounting structure (S1) according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the first hydrogen collecting portion (73) is positioned at a vehicle longitudinal direction center portion and a vehicle transverse direction center portion of the upper wall (70). [7] The high-pressure tank mounting structure (S1) according to claim 1 or 3, wherein guide portions (74) inclined downward toward outer edge portions of the upper wall (70) are formed on all of a front side, a rear side, a right side, and a left side of the first hydrogen collecting portion (73). [8] High-pressure tank mounting structure (S1) according to claim 1 or 3, wherein: the first hydrogen collection section (73) is positioned at a vehicle transverse direction center section of the upper wall (70), a guide portion (74) inclined with a downward slope toward an outer edge portion of the upper wall (70) is formed on a front side or a rear side of the first hydrogen collecting portion (73), and in a vehicle plan view, the first hydrogen collection section (73) and the guide section (74) are configured to overlie a tunnel section (16T) of a floor panel (16) forming a floor area of the vehicle cabin. [9] The high-pressure tank mounting structure (S1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a second hydrogen collecting portion (75) recessed upward and positioned further toward a vehicle underside than the first hydrogen collecting portion (73) is formed on a rear surface of an outer peripheral portion of the upper wall (70).

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